xiv STORY OF BOOKS I.-VII. to prepare the fleet for sailing. Tearful messages from the queen and stormy interviews follow; but neither entreaties nor reproaches can move the Trojan leader from his purpose. At last the fleet sets sail, and Dido, overcome by grief and shame, falls on her sword and expires on the funeral pile which she has erected. V. — Hardly is the fleet of Aeneas out of sight of land, when a storm arises, which drives the ships on the coast of Sicily. It is the anniversary of Anchises' death, and by providential guidance, as it would seem, the Trojans have on this date reached the spot which will forever be hallowed as the final resting-place of their revered counsellor. What can be more fitting than that they should make sacrifices and celebrate funeral games in his honor? Accordingly, after appropriate sacrifices, Aeneas institutes a series of contests. The first is a spirited boat-race, in which Cloanthus is the winner; the second is a foot-race, in which Euryalus, through the questionable generosity of his friend Nisus, gains the first prize; the third is a boxing-match, in which the braggart champion Dares is severely punished by the sturdy old Entellus; the fourth is a contest in archery, in which the shaft of the aged Acestes bursts into flame in mid-air. Finally, the youth, under the leadership of Iulus, execute certain equestrian movements known as the "game of Troy." At this point, the joy of the spectators is turned into dismay by a calamity that had well-nigh proved fatal. Through the instigation of Juno, the Trojan women, who have been left by themselves on the seashore during the progress of the games, seized with an uncontrollable longing for release from further wanderings, set fire to the ships of the fleet. Four ships are thus destroyed, so that it becomes necessary for Aeneas to leave behind a part of his followers in Sicily. At night the spirit of Anchises appears to him in a vision and bids him undertake a journey to the lower world on his arrival at Cumae, that father and son may confer together there, and that Aeneas may learn what Fate has in store for him and his descendants. The remaining ships, with the hardier spirits on board, at length set sail once more for Italy. VI. On reaching the shores of Cumae, Aeneas makes his way to the temple of Apollo to consult the sibyl Deiphobe. In response to his appeal for aid, she gives him directions for finding the golden bough which is to be his passport in the under world, and, when he has found it, accompanies him on his journey thither. Having offered due sacrifices to the gods of the lower world, they enter together the mouth of the cavernous passage which leads to the realms of Pluto. Passing on their way the shadowy forms of many monsters of appalling aspect, they reach at length the river Styx, and are ferried over its waters by the grisly Charon. Beyond the Styx they find three distinct areas or enclosures: a neutral region including the Fields of Mourning, Tartarus the place of torment, and Elysium the abode of the blest. In Elysium Anchises dwells. Here the sight of the river Lethe and of the vast multitude of spirits that are thronging to drink of its waters leads Anchises to unfold to Aeneas the mysteries of expiation and the transmigration of souls. They go on and ascend an eminence overlooking the moving host, and here Anchises points out to Aeneas his future descendants, as they pass in review, and acquaints him with their destiny. The long line of distinguished Romans includes Augustus Caesar, and closes with the young Marcellus, whose early promise and recent death were fresh in the memories of Vergil's contemporaries. At length, by the ivory gate of exit, Aeneas returns to the upper world and rejoins his companions. VII. Skirting the shores of Italy, the fleet of Aeneas at length reaches the mouth of the Tiber. The Trojans land, xvi STORY OF BOOKS I.-VII. gather some native fruits, which they heap up on broad wheaten cakes, and refresh themselves with this food under the hospitable shade of a lofty tree. After eating the fruits, they are about to break and eat the wheaten cakes also, when Iulus exclaims: 66 Why, we are eating our tables!" This is at once recognized as the harmless fulfillment of the dread prophecy of Celaeno; and for the first time the weary Trojans rejoice in the assurance that their wanderings are at an end. They have reached the promised Hesperia. At the time of Aeneas's arrival, Latinus is king in Latium. His daughter Lavinia is betrothed. to Turnus, king of the Rutuli, a suitor favored by the queen Amata. But Latinus has a misgiving, for the oracle of Faunus, his prophetic sire, has declared that Lavinia is to wed a foreigner and become the mother of a posterity that shall rule the world. Accordingly, when Aeneas sends an embassy with overtures of friendship, Latinus graciously receives the envoys and cordially accepts the proffered alliance. At this point, Juno again interposes to wreck the fortunes of the hated Trojans. She sends Alecto, one of the Furies, who incites Amata to stir up the matrons of Latium, and afterwards goads Turnus to vengeance. Iulus, too, while hunting, kills a favorite stag, and thereby rouses Tyrrhus, keeper of the royal herds, to fury. At instigation of Tyrrhus, the peasantry take up arms. A conflict is precipitated in which two shepherds are slain by the Trojans. The whole country is instantly in arms, and Latinus is urged on every hand to declare war against the strangers. Remonstrance is unavailing, and the aged king shuts himself up in his palace and lays down the reins of government. The book closes with a long account of the mustering of the Italian tribes for war against the Trojans. P. VERGILI MARONIS AENEIDOS LIBER SEPTIMUS. whate. Tu quoque litoribus nostris, Aeneia nutrix, et nunc servat honos sedem tuus, ossaque nomen aggère composito tumuli, postquam alta quierunt Lew adspirant aurae in noctem, nec candida cursus Luna negat, splendet tremulo sub lumine pontus. proximal Circaeae raduntur litora terrae, dives inaccessos ubi Solis, filia lucos adsiduo resonat cantu, tectisque superbis 3 sedem, sepulchrum. 5 ΙΟ 15 20 11 inaccessos, periculosos. 12 adsiduo, perpetuo. 16 rudentum, frementum. 17 praesaepibus, stabulis. J 20 terga, corpora. 22 14 quae në monstra pii paterentur talia Troes atque fugam dedit, et practer vada fervida vexit. cum venti posuere, omnisque repente, resedit flatus, et in lento luctantur marmore tonsae. atque hic Aeneas ingentem ex aequore lucum prospicit. Hunc inter fluvio Tiberinus amoeno, verticibus rapidis, et multa flavus harena, ch 25 A: 30 in mare prorumpit. Variae circumque supraque ? 6701 Nunc age, qui reges, Erato, quae tempora rerum, quis Latio antiquo fuerit status, advena classem cum primum Ausoniis exercitus appulitoris, expediam, et primae revocabo exordia pugnae. tu vatem, tu, divă, mone, Dicam horrida bella, dicam acies, actosque animis in funera reges, Tyrrhenamque manum, totamque sub arma coactam Hesperiam. Maior rerum mihi nascitur ordo, maius opus moveo. Rex arva Latinus et urbes iam senior longa placidas in pace regebat. hunc Fauno et nympha genitum Laurente Marica accipimus; Fauno Picus pater; isque parentem të, Saturně, refert; tu sanguinis ultimus auctor. 3.5 40 45 28 lento, 26 lutea, crocea IV. 585. — 27 posuere, sedati sunt. tranquillo. -- 28 tonsae, remi. — 31 flavus, luteus. cf. 26. — 36 succedit, subit, I. 171. 44 nascitur, oritur, II. 680. moveo, incipio, I. 37.48 accipimus, audimus, 45 maior, gravior, |