Insula Sicanium juxta latus, Æoliamque : 420 Brontesque, Steropesque, et nudus membra Pyracmon. 425 430 Dejicit in terras; pars imperfecta manebat. Tollite cuncta, inquit, cœptosque auferte labores, Ætnæi Cyclopes, et huc advertite mentem. 435 440 445 429. Tres imbris torti. By the torti imbris all the commentators understand hail. The form of thunder, to which Virgil seems here to allude, is well known from medals. It consists of twelve wreathed spikes or darts, extended like the radii of a circle, three and three together, with wings spread out in the middle. The wings denote the lightning's rapid motion, and the spikes its penetrating quality. Near the side of Sicily and Æolian Liparè an island rises, of steep ascent, with smoking rocks; under which a den, and the caves of Etna, embowelled by the forges of the Cyclops, thunder, and from the anvils the sturdy strokes in echoing groans resound, the red-hot bars of steel hiss in the caverns, and the fire in the furnace pants; Vulcan's habitation and the land Vulcanian called. Hither then the fiery power descended from the lofty sky. The Cyclops in their capacious cave were vexing the steel, Brontes, and Steropes, and naked-limbed Pyracmon. In their hands half-formed, with one part already polished off, was a thunderbolt, such as those which in profusion the eternal Father from all quarters of the sky hurls on the earth; the other part unfinished remained. Three spikes they had added of the wreathed hail, three more of watery cloud; three of glaring fire, and winged wind. Now they were mingling in the work alarming flashes, the thunder's roaring noise and terror, and in the resistless flames vindictive rage. In another part they were hastening forward a chariot and nimble wheels for Mars, by which he rouses men and cities to war; and were polishing amain the tremendous ægis, the armour of enraged Pallas, with serpents' scales and burnished gold, and the snakes in mutual folds entwined, and (to be worn on the breast of the goddess) the Gorgon's self, rolling her eyes in death after decapitation. Away with all, he says, ye Etnean Cyclops, these your begun labours set aside, and hither turn your attentive minds. Arms for a valiant hero must be forged; now it is requisite to ply your strength, now your nimble hands, now all your masterly skill. Shake off all indolence and delay. Nor more he said. All instantly began to work, and equally the labour shared. Brass and mines of gold in rivulets flow; and wounding steel in the capacious furnace melts. A spacious shield they form, alone sufficient against all the weapons of the Latins, and orbs in orbs seven-fold involve. Some with the By the four different kinds of spikes Servius understands the four seasons. 432. Sequacibus. Persecuting, that always followed the attack. S Accipiunt redduntque; alii stridentia tingunt In numerum, versantque tenaci forcipe massam. 479. Agyllinac. Agylla was afterwards called Caere. 450 455 460 465 470 475 480 puffing bellows receive and explode the air by turns; others dip the sputtering metals in the trough: the cave groans with the incumbent anvils. They with vast force alternately lift their arms in equal time, and with the griping pincers turn the mass. While in the Æolian regions the Lemnian god is urging on these works, the cheering vital light, and the early morning songs of birds under his roof, rouse Evander from his humble mansion. The veteran arises, and in his tunic sheaths his limbs, and binds the Tuscan sandals round his feet; then to his side and shoulders girds his Arcadian sword, doubling back on the right shoulder a panther's skin that hung down from his left. Two guardian-dogs too from the lofty gate march forth, and attend their master's steps. The hero, mindful of the last day's conversation, and the service he had promised, hies to the apartment and recess of his guest Æneas. Meanwhile Æneas no less early was advancing toward him. With the one his son Pallas, with the other Achates came in company. At meeting they join hands, seat themselves in the midst of the court, and at length enjoy free unrestrained conversation. The king thus first begins: Great leader of the Trojans, during whose life I truly will never admit that the power and realms of Troy are overthrown; small are our abilities to support the war in proportion to so great a name: on the one hand we are bounded by the Tuscan river Tyber: on the other hand the Rutulians press upon us, and round our walls with clashing arms beset. But I intend with you to join mighty nations and camps rich and royally magnificent, which saving relief unexpected fortune opens to our view: hither you come invited by the fates. Not far from this spot stands inhabited the city of Agylla of ancient foundation, where heretofore the Lydian nation, illustrious in war, planted a colony on the Tuscan mountains. This city, having flourished for many years, Mezentius at last came to rule with imperious sway and cruel arms. Why should I mention his unutterable barbarities? or why the tyrant's horrid deeds? May the 485 490 495 Mortua quin etiam jungebat corpora vivis, Hunc tibi præterea, spes et solatia nostrî, Pallanta adjungam: sub te tolerare magistro 505 510 515 491. Ad fastigia. The roofs, being thatched with straw in those ancient times, easily caught fire. 508. Seclisque. Seculum, here and elsewhere, signifies the space of thirty years; in which period the old actors are almost gone off the stage, and new ones have succeeded them. |