# The Works of Virgil (Dryden)/Aeneid/Book I

Virgil's Æneis.
The First Book of the Æneis.
The ARGUMENT.
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$
And forms a Port secure for Ships to ride,230$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ Broke by the jutting Land on either side: In double Streams the briny Waters glide. Betwixt two rows of Rocks, a Sylvan Scene Appears above, and Groves for ever green: A Grott is form'd beneath, with Mossy Seats,235 To rest the Nereids, and exclude the Heats. Down thro' the Cranies of the living Walls The Crystal Streams descend in murm'ring Falls. No Haulsers need to bind the Vessels here, Nor bearded Anchors, for no Storms they fear.240 Sev'n Ships within this happy Harbour meet, The thin Remainders of the scatter'd Fleet. The Trojans, worn with Toils, and spent with Woes, Leap on the welcome Land, and seek their wish'd Repose. First, good Achates, with repeated stroaks245 Of clashing Flints, their hidden Fire provokes; Short Flame succeeds, a Bed of wither'd Leaves The dying Sparkles in their Fall receives: Caught into Life, in smoaking Fumes they rise, And, fed with stronger Food, invade the Skies.250 The Trojans, dropping wet, or stand around The chearful blaze, or lye along the Ground: Some dry their Corn infected with the Brine, Then grind with Marbles, and prepare to dine. Æneas climbs the Mountain's airy Brow,255 And takes a Prospect of the Seas below:
If Capys thence, or Antheus he cou'd spy; Or see the Streamers of Caicus fly. No Vessels were in view: But, on the Plain, Three beamy Stags command a Lordly Train260 Of branching Heads; the more ignoble Throng Attend their stately Steps, and slowly graze along. He stood; and while secure they fed below, He took the Quiver, and the trusty Bow Achates us'd to bear; the Leaders first265 He laid along, and then the Vulgar pierc'd: Nor ceas'd his Arrows, 'till the shady Plain Sev'n mighty Bodies, with their Blood distain. For the sev'n Ships he made an equal Share, And to the Port return'd, Triumphant from the War. The Jarrs of gen'rous Wine, (Acestes Gift,271 When his Trinacrian Shoars the Navy left) He set abroach, and for the Feast prepar'd; In equal Portions, with the Ven'son shar'd. Thus while he dealt it round, the pious Chief,275 With chearful Words, allay'd the common Grief. Endure, and conquer; Jove will soon dispose To future Good, our past and present Woes. With me, the Rocks of Scylla you have try'd; Th' inhuman Cyclops, and his Den defy'd.280 What greater Ills hereafter you can bear? Resume your Courage, and dismiss your Care. An Hour will come, with Pleasure to relate Your Sorrows past, as Benefits of Fate.
Through various Hazards, and Events we move285 To Latium, and the Realms foredoom'd by Jove. Call'd to the Seat, (the Promise of the Skies,) Where Trojan Kingdoms once again may rise. Endure the Hardships of your present State, Live, and reserve your selves for better Fate.290 These Words he spoke; but spoke not from his Heart; His outward Smiles conceal'd his inward Smart. The jolly Crew, unmindful of the past, The Quarry share, their plenteous Dinner haste:294 Some strip the Skin, some portion out the Spoil;$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ The Limbs yet trembling, in the Cauldrons boyl: Some on the Fire the reeking Entrails broil. Stretch'd on the grassy Turf, at ease they dine; Restore their Strength with Meat, and chear their Souls with Wine. Their Hunger thus appeas'd, their Care attends300 The doubtful Fortune of their absent Friends: Alternate Hopes and Fears their Minds possess, Whether to deem 'em dead, or in Distress. Above the rest, Æneas mourns the Fate Of brave Orontes, and th' uncertain State305 Of Gyas, Lycus, and of Amycus: The Day, but not their Sorrows, ended thus. When, from aloft, Almighty Jove surveys Earth, Air, and Shoars, and navigable Seas, At length on Lybian Realms he fix'd his Eyes:310 Whom, pond'ring thus on Human Miseries,
When Venus saw, she with a lowly Look, Not free from Tears, her Heav'nly Sire bespoke. O King of Gods and Men, whose awful Hand,$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ Disperses Thunder on the Seas and Land;315 Disposing all with absolute Command: How cou'd my Pious Son thy Pow'r incense, Or what, alas! is vanish'd Troy's Offence? Our hope of Italy not only lost,$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ On various Seas, by various Tempests tost,320 But shut from ev'ry Shoar, and barr'd from ev'ry Coast. You promis'd once, a Progeny Divine, Of Romans, rising from the Trojan Line, In after-times shou'd hold the World in awe, And to the Land and Ocean give the Law.325 How is your Doom revers'd, which eas'd my Care; When Troy was ruin'd in that cruel War? Then Fates to Fates I cou'd oppose; but now, When Fortune still pursues her former Blow, What can I hope? What worse can still succeed?330 What end of Labours has your Will decreed? Antenor, from the midst of Grecian Hosts, Could pass secure, and pierce th' Illyrian Coasts: Where rowling down the Steep, Timavus raves, And through nine Channels disembogues his Waves.355 At length he founded Padua's happy Seat, And gave his Trojans a secure Retreat: There fix'd their Arms, and there renew'd their Name, And there in Quiet rules, and crown'd with Fame.
But we, descended from your sacred Line,340 Entitled to your Heav'n, and Rites Divine, Are banish'd Earth, and, for the Wrath of one, Remov'd from Latium, and the promis'd Throne. Are these our Scepters? These our due Rewards? And is it thus that Jove his plighted Faith Regards? To whom, the Father of th' immortal Race,346 Smiling with that serene indulgent Face, With which he drives the Clouds, and clears the Skies: First gave a holy Kiss; then thus replies. Daughter, dismiss thy Fears: To thy desire350 The Fates of thine are fix'd, and stand entire. Thou shalt behold thy wish'd Lavinian Walls, And, ripe for Heav'n, when Fate Æneas calls, Then shalt thou bear him up, sublime, to me; No Councils have revers'd my firm Decree.355 And left new Fears disturb thy happy State, Know, I have search'd the Mystick Rolls of Fate: Thy Son (nor is th' appointed Season far) In Italy shall wage successful War: Shall tame fierce Nations in the bloody Field,360 And Sov'raign Laws impose, and Cities build. Till, after ev'ry Foe subdu'd, the Sun Thrice through the Signs his Annual Race shall run: This is his time prefix'd. Ascanius then, Now called Julus, shall begin his Reign.365 He thirty rowling Years the Crown shall wear: Then from Lavinium shall the Seat transfer:
And, with hard Labour, Alba-longa build; The Throne with his Succession shall be fill'd, Three hundred Circuits more: then shall be seen,370 Ilia the fair, a Priestess and a Queen. Who full of Mars, in time, with kindly Throws, Shall at a Birth two goodly Boys disclose. The Royal Babes a tawny Wolf shall drain, Then Romulus his Grandsire's Throne shall gain,375 Of Martial Tow'rs the Founder shall become, The People Romans call; the City Rome. To them, no Bounds of Empire I assign; Nor term of Years to their immortal Line. Ev'n haughty Juno, who, with endless Broils,380 Earth, Seas, and Heav'n, and Jove himself turmoils; At length atton'd, her friendly Pow'r shall joyn, To cherish and advance the Trojan Line. The subjećt World shall Rome's Dominion own, And, prostrate, shall adore the Nation of the Gown. An Age is ripening in revolving Fate,386 When Troy shall overturn the Grecian State: And sweet Revenge her conqu'ring Sons shall call, To crush the People that conspir'd her Fall. Then Cæsar from the Julian Stock shall rise,390 Whose Empire Ocean, and whose Fame the Skies Alone shall bound. Whom, fraught with Eastern Spoils, Our Heav'n, the just Reward of Human Toyls, Securely shall repay with Rites Divine; And Incense shall ascend before his sacred Shrine.395
Then dire Debate, and impious War shall cease, And the stern Age be softned into Peace: Then banish'd Faith shall once again return, And Vestal Fires in hallow'd Temples burn, And Remus with Quirinus shall sustain,400 The righteous Laws, and Fraud and Force restrain. Janus himself before his Fane shall wait, And keep the dreadful issues of his Gate, With Bolts and Iron Bars: within remains Imprison'd Fury, bound in brazen Chains:405 High on a Trophie rais'd, of useless Arms, He sits, and threats the World with vain Alarms. He said, and sent Cyllenius with Command To free the Ports, and ope the Punique Land To Trojan Guests; left ignorant of Fate,410 The Queen might force them from her Town and State. Down from the Steep of Heav'n Cyllenius flies, And cleaves with all his Wings the yielding Skies. Soon on the Lybian Shoar descends the God; Performs his Message, and displays his Rod:415 The surly Murmurs of the People cease, And, as the Fates requir'd, they give the Peace. The Queen her self suspends the rigid Laws, The Trojans pities, and protects their Cause. Mean time, in Shades of Night Æneas lies;420 Care seiz'd his Soul, and Sleep forsook his Eyes. But when the Sun restor'd the chearful Day, He rose, the Coast and Country to survey,
Anxious and eager to discover more: It look'd a wild uncultivated Shoar:425 But whether Human Kind, or Beasts alone Possess'd the new-found Region, was unknown. Beneath a ledge of Rocks his Fleet he hides;$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ Tall Trees surround the Mountains shady sides:429 The bending Brow above, a safe Retreat provides. Arm'd with two pointed Darts, he leaves his Friends, And true Achates on his steps attends. Loe, in the deep Recesses of the Wood, Before his Eyes his Goddess Mother stood: A Huntress in her Habit and her Meen;435 Her dress a Maid, her Air confess'd a Queen. Bare were her Knees, and knots her Garments bind;$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ Loose was her Hair, and wanton'd in the Wind; Her Hand sustain'd a Bow, her Quiver hung behind. She seem'd a Virgin of the Spartan Blood:440 With such Array Harpalice bestrode Her Thracian Courser, and outstrip'd the rapid Flood. Ho! Strangers! have you lately seen, she said,$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ One of my Sisters, like my self array'd; Who crost the Lawn, or in the Forest stray'd?445 A Painted Quiver at her Back she bore;$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ Vary'd with Spots, a Linx's Hide she wore: And at full Cry pursu'd the tusky Boar? Thus Venus: Thus her Son reply'd agen; None of your Sisters have we heard or seen,450
O Virgin! or what other Name you bear
Above that style; O more than mortal fair!
Your Voice and Meen Cœlestial Birth betray!
If, as you seem, the Sister of the Day;
Or one at least of Chast Diana's Train,455
Let not an humble Suppliant sue in vain:
But tell a Stranger, long in Tempests tost,
What Earth we tread, and who commands the Coast?
Then on your Name shall wretched Mortals call;
And offer'd Victims at your Altars fall.460
I dare not, she reply'd, assume the Name
Of Goddess, or Cœlestial Honours claim:
For Tyrian Virgins Bows and Quivers bear,
And Purple Buskins o'er their Ankles wear.
Know, gentle Youth, in Lybian Lands you are:465
A People rude in Peace, and rough in War.
The rising City, which from far you see,
Is Carthage; and a Tyrian Colony.
Phenician Dido rules the growing State,$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ Who fled from Tyre, to shun her Brother's hate:470 Great were her wrongs, her Story full of Fate; Which I will sum in short. Sicheus known
For wealth, and Brother to the Punic Throne,
Possess'd fair Dido's Bed: And either heart
At once was wounded with an equal Dart.475
Her Father gave her, yet a spotless Maid;
Pigmalion then the Tyrian Scepter sway'd:
One who contemn'd Divine and Humane Laws. Then Strife ensu'd, and cursed Gold the Cause. The Monarch, blinded with desire of Wealth;480 With Steel invades his Brother's life by stealth; Before the sacred Altar made him bleed, And long from her conceal'd the cruel deed: Some Tale, some new Pretence, he daily coin'd, To sooth his Sister, and delude her Mind.485 At length, in dead of Night, the Ghost appears$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ Of her unhappy Lord: The Spectre stares, And with erected Eyes his bloody Bosom bares. The cruel Altars, and his Fate he tells, And the dire Secret of his House reveals.490 Then warns the Widow, with her household Gods, To seek a Refuge in remote abodes. Last, to support her, in so long a way,
He shows her where his hidden Treasure lay.
Admonish'd thus, and seiz'd with mortal fright,495 The Queen provides Companions of her flight: They meet; and all combine to leave the State, Who hate the Tyrant, or who fear his hate. They seize a Fleet, which ready rigg'd they find: Nor is Pigmalion's Treasure left behind.500 The Vessels, heavy laden, put to Sea With prosp'rous Winds; a Woman leads the way. I know not, if by stress of Weather driv'n, Or was their fatal Course dispos'd by Heav'n;
At last they landed, where from far your Eyes505 May view the Turrets of new Carthage rise: There bought a space of Ground, which Byrsa call'd From the Bulls hid, they first inclos'd, and wall'd. But whence are you, what Country claims your Birth? What seek you, Strangers, on our Lybian Earth?510 To whom, with sorrow streaming from his Eyes, And deeply fighing, thus her Son replies: Cou'd your with Patience hear, or I relate, O Nymph! the tedious Annals of our Fate! Thro' such a train of Woes if I shou'd run,515 The day wou'd sooner than the Tale be done! From ancient Troy, by Force expell'd we came, If you by chance have heard the Trojan Name On various Seas by various Tempests tost, At length we landed on your Lybian Coast.520 The Good Æneas am I call'd, a Name, While Fortune favour'd, not unknown to Fame: My houshold Gods, Companions of my Woes, With pious Care I rescu'd from our Foes. To fruitful Italy my Course was bent,525 And from the King of Heav'n is my Descent. With twice ten Sail I crost the Phrygian Sea; Fate and my Mother Goddess, led my Way. Scarce sev'n, the thin Remainder of my Fleet,329 From Storms preserv'd, within your Harbour meet: My self distress'd, an Exile, and unknown,$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$ Debarr'd from Europe, and from Asia thrown In Lybian Desarts wander thus alone.
His tender Parent could no longer bear; But, interposing, sought to sooth his Care.535 Who e'er you are, not unbelov'd by Heav'n, Since on our friendly Shoar your Ships are driv'n: Have Courage: To the Gods permit the rest, And to the Queen expose your just Request. Now take this earnest of Success, for more:540 Your scatter'd Fleet is join'd upon the Shoar; The Winds are chang'd, your Friends from danger free, Or I renounce my Skill in Augury. Twelve Swans behold, in beauteous order move, And stoop with closing Pinions from above:545 Whom late the Bird of jove had driv'n along, And through the Clouds pursu'd the scattring Throng: Now all united in a goodly Team, They skim the Ground, and seek the quiet Stream. As they, with Joy returning, clap their Wings,550 And ride the Circuit of the Skies in Rings: Not otherwise your Ships, and ev'ry Friend, Already hold the Port, or with swift Sails descend. No more Advice is needful, but pursue The Path before you, and the Town in view.555 Thus having said, she turn'd, and made appear Her Neck refulgent, and dishevel'd Hair; Which flowing from her Shoulders, reach'd the Ground, And widely spread Ambrosial Scents around: In length of Train descends her sweeping Gown,560 And by her graceful Walk, the Queen of Love is known.
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$
$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,$