Nisus erat portae custos, acerrimus armis,

Hyrtacides, comitem Aeneae quem miserat Ida

uenatrix iaculo celerem leuibusque sagittis,

et iuxta comes Euryalus, quo pulchrior alter

non fuit Aeneadum Troiana neque induit arma,180

ora puer prima signans intonsa iuuenta.

his amor unus erat pariterque in bella ruebant;

tum quoque communi portam statione tenebant.

Nisus ait: 'dine hunc ardorem mentibus addunt,

Euryale, an sua cuique deus fit dira cupido?185

aut pugnam aut aliquid iamdudum inuadere magnum

mens agitat mihi, nec placida contenta quiete est.

cernis quae Rutulos habeat fiducia rerum:

lumina rara micant, somno uinoque soluti

procubuere, silent late loca. percipe porro190

quid dubitem et quae nunc animo sententia surgat.

Aenean acciri omnes, populusque patresque,

exposcunt, mittique uiros qui certa reportent.

si tibi quae posco promittunt (nam mihi facti

fama sat est), tumulo uideor reperire sub illo195

posse uiam ad muros et moenia Pallantea.'

obstipuit magno laudum percussus amore

Euryalus, simul his ardentem adfatur amicum:

'mene igitur socium summis adiungere rebus,

Nise, fugis? solum te in tanta pericula mittam?200

non ita me genitor, bellis adsuetus Opheltes,

Argolicum terrorem inter Troiaeque labores

sublatum erudiit, nec tecum talia gessi

magnanimum Aenean et fata extrema secutus:

est hic, est animus lucis contemptor et istum205

qui uita bene credat emi, quo tendis, honorem.'

Nisus ad haec: 'equidem de te nil tale uerebar,

nec fas; non ita me referat tibi magnus ouantem

Iuppiter aut quicumque oculis haec aspicit aequis.

sed si quis (quae multa uides discrimine tali)210

si quis in aduersum rapiat casusue deusue,

te superesse uelim, tua uita dignior aetas.

sit qui me raptum pugna pretioue redemptum

mandet humo, solita aut si qua id Fortuna uetabit,

absenti ferat inferias decoretque sepulcro.215

neu matri miserae tanti sim causa doloris,

quae te sola, puer, multis e matribus ausa

persequitur, magni nec moenia curat Acestae.'

ille autem: 'causas nequiquam nectis inanis

nec mea iam mutata loco sententia cedit.220

acceleremus' ait, uigiles simul excitat. illi

succedunt seruantque uices; statione relicta

ipse comes Niso graditur regemque requirunt.

    CORE VOCABULARY

    Nīsus, ī, m.: a follower of Aeneas, 5.294.

    Hyrtacidēs, ae, m.: the son of Hyrtacus. 1. Hippocoön, 5.492. 2. Nisus, 9.177.

    Aenēās, ae, m.: 1. A Trojan chief, son of Venus and Anchises, and hero of the Aeneid, 1.92. 2. Aenēās Silvius, one of the Alban kings, 6.769.

    Īda, ae, f.: 1. Mount Ida in Crete, where Jupiter was reared, 12.412. 2. A mountain in the Troad, where Ganymede was caught up by the eagle of Jupiter, 2.801. 3. A Nymph, 9.177.

    vēnātrīx, īcis, f.: a huntress, 1.319; adj., 11.780. (vēnor)

    iaculum, ī, n.: a thing hurled; a spear, dart, or javelin, 3.46, et al. (iaciō)

    sagitta, ae, f.: an arrow, 1.187, et al.

    iūxtā: (adv. and prep. w. acc.), near, close, near by, 2.513; at the same time, 2.666; near to, 3.506.

    Euryalus, ī, m.: a Trojan youth among the followers of Aeneas, 5.294.

    Aeneadēs, ae, m.: a son of Aeneas; pl., Aeneadae, ārum, followers of Aeneas, the Trojans, 1.565; Aeneadae, 3.18.

    Trōiānus, a, um: adj. (Trōia), Trojan, 1.19; subst., Trōiānus, ī, m., a Trojan, 1.286; pl., Trōiānī, ōrum, m., the Trojans, 5.688.

    induō, uī, ūtus, 3, a.: to put into; put on, assume, 1.684; clothe; surround, crown, 3.526; pierce, slay, 10.682; (pass. as middle, w. acc.), gird one's self with, put on, 2.393; induere in vultūs, transform to the features, 7.20.

    sīgnō, āvī, ātus, 1, a.: to distinguish by a mark or symbol, 6.780; mark, mark out; indicate, designate, 2.697; inscribe, record, 3.287; of the mind, observe, mark, notice, 2.423. (sīgnum)

    intōnsus, a, um: (adj.), unshaven, unshorn, 9.181; leafy, 9.681.

    iuventa, ae, f.: youthfulness; the age of youth; youth, 1.590, et al. (iuvenis)

    pariter: (adv.), equally, 2.729; also, in like manner, in the same manner, on equal terms, 1.572; side by side, 2.205; at the same time, 10.865; pariter — pariter, 8.545. (pār)

    ruō, ruī, rutus, 3, n. and a.: to fall with violence; tumble down, fall, freq.; fall in battle, 10.756; of the sun, go down, set, 3.508; rush forward, 2.64; of the chariot of Nox, hasten up; ascend, rise, 2.250; advance, 10.256; plunge, rush, 2.353; flee, 12.505; tremble, quake, 8.525; hasten, pass away, 6.539; cause to fall; cast down, 9.516; plow, 1.35; cast, throw up, 1.85; throw up or together, 11.211.

    statiō, ōnis, f.: a standing; place of standing; station, post, 9.183; anchorage, 2.23; resting-place, haunt, 5.128. (stō)

    ārdor, ōris, m.: a burning; fire, flame, 11.786; heat, drought; ardor, zeal, fervor, 4.581. (ārdeō)

    dīrus, a, um: (adj.), accursed; portentous; fearful, dreadful, awful, dire, cruel, horrible, freq.; accursed, 2.261; unhallowed, impious, 6.373; foul, carrion, 3.262; wild, furious, ardent, 9.185; pl., dīra (adv.), fearfully, 10.572.

    iam: (adv.), at that time, at this time; even then, even now; already, 1.437, et al.; with tum, even, 1.18; w. imperat., at length, at once, 3.41, et al.; soon, presently, immediately, 4.566; then, at length, 1.272; marking a transition, now, 2.567, et al.; iam iam, emphatic, now indeed, 4.371; now, now, 2.530; iam dūdum, iam prīdem, already for some time, long, 1.580, et al.; iam inde, iam ab illō tempore, even from then or that time, 1.623; iam tum, even then; iam — iam, at one time, at another time, now — now; nōn iam, no longer, 4.431; iamdūdum, at once.

    invādō, vāsī, vāsus, 3, a. and n.: to go into; enter, 3.382; enter upon, 6.260; invade, violate, 6.623; rush into, 12.712; attack, assail, 2.414; address, accost, 4.265; undertake, adventure, 9.186.

    nec or neque: (adv. and conj.), and not; neither, nor, 1.643, et al.; in prohibition, 3.394, et al.; neque (nec) — neque (nec), neither — nor, 5.21, et al.; nec — et, or -que, may be rendered neither — nor, 12.801; 2.534; nec nōn, and also, nor less, 6.183; nec nōn et, and also, 1.707.

    placidus, a, um: adj. (placeō), gentle, calm, tranquil, peaceful, serene, 5.848; inactive, idle, 9.187; friendly, propitious, 3.266; (adv.), placidē, gently, softly, quietly, calmly, 5.86.

    contentus, a, um: content, satisfied, 5.314. (contneō)

    quiēs, ētis, f.: rest, repose, 3.495; sleep, 2.268; respite, intermission, 1.723.

    Rutulī, ōrum, m.: the Rutulians, an ancient tribe of Latium dwelling south of the Tiber, 1.266, et al.

    fīdūcia, ae, f.: confidence, trust, reliance, assurance, hope, 2.75, et al. (fīdō)

    micō, micuī, 1, n.: to vibrate, dart, 2.475; flash, glitter, gleam, 1.90; tremble, quiver, 10.396.

    prōcumbō, cubuī, cubitus, 3, n.: to lie down; to bend, lean forward, lie along, 8.83; bend down, lie prostrate; fall upon, 11.150; bend to, ply the oars, 5.198; to fall in death or battle, 2.426; fall down, sink in ruins, 2.505.

    sileō, uī, 2, n. and a.: to be, keep, remain silent, 2.126; be hushed, calm, still, 1.164; w. acc., to pass over in silence; leave unmentioned, unsung, 10.793.

    lātē: (adv.), widely; far and wide, 1.21; on all sides, far around, 1.163; all over, 12.308. (lātus)

    percipiō, cēpī, ceptus, 3, a.: to take in completely; perceive; feel, 7.356; understand, 9.190. (per and capiō)

    porrō: (adv.), forward, of space, time, or of mental operations, far off, 6.711; afterwards, in process of time, then, 5.600; further, 9.190.

    acciō, cīvī, cītus, 4, a.: to summon, call, 11.235. (ad and cieō)

    exposcō, poposcī, 3, a.: to ask importunately; to beg, entreat, seek, 3.261.

    reportō, āvī, ātus, 1, a.: to carry back, announce, report, 2.115.

    tumulus, ī, m.: a rising ground; a low hill, 9.195; a mound, 2.713; sepulchral mound, sepulcher, tomb, 3.304; 11.103. (tumeō)

    possum, potuī, posse, irreg. n.: to be able; can, 1.242, et al.; to avail, have influence, power, 4.382. (potis and sum)

    Pallantēus, a, um: adj. (Pallantēum), pertaining to Pallanteum or the city of Evander; Pallantean, 9.241.

    obstipēscō, stipuī (stupuī), 3, inc. n.: to become stupefied; to be astonished, amazed, 1.613.

    percutiō, cussī, cussus, 3, a.: to smite through; strike, smite, 4.589; p., percussus, a, um, struck, smitten, 7.503; of the effect of sound, reverberating, echoing, penetrated, filled, 1.513; 8.121. (per and quatiō)

    ārdēns, entis: burning, hot, sparkling, flaming, 5.637; bright, 4.482; impassioned, ardent, eager, 1.423; spirited, fiery, 1.472; glowing, lofty, 6.130; fierce, furious, 2.529; angry, 6.467. (ardeo)

    adfor, fātus sum, 1, dep. a.: to speak to; address, 1.663; beseech, supplicate, 2.700; bid adieu, farewell to, 2.644.

    adiungō, iūnxī, iūnctus, 3, a.: to join to, moor, 9, 69; associate with, 8, 515; add, to ally, 7, 238.

    genitor, ōris, m.: he who begets; father, sire, 1.155, et al. (gignō)

    adsuēscō, suēvī, suētus, 3, a. and n.: to accustom to, make familiar, habituate to; with dat., acc. and dat., and infin., to get or become accustomed, be wont, learn; with abl., 7.746; adsuēscere bella animīs, instead of adsuēscere animōs bellīs, to cherish war in the heart, 6.832.

    Opheltēs, ae, m.: the father of Euryalus, 9.201.

    Argolicus, a, um: (adj.), of Argolis; Argolic; Greek, 2.55.

    terror, ōris, m.: fright, fear, dread, alarm, 7.552, et al. (terreō)

    Trōia, ae, f.: 1. Troy, the capital of the Troad, 2.625, et al. 2. A city built by Helenus in Epirus, 3.349. 3. A part of the city of Acesta in Sicily, 5.756. 4. The name of an equestrian game of Roman boys, 5.602.

    ērudiō, īvī or iī, ītus, 4, a.: to redeem from roughness; to teach, instruct, 9.203. (ē and rudiō)

    māgnanimus, a, um: adj. (māgnus and animus), possessing a great soul; noble-minded; great, generous, noble, 5.17; brave, 10.139; mighty, 12.144; of animals, high-spirited, highbred, 3.704.

    contemptor, ōris, m.: a despiser, scorner, 7.648. (contemnō)

    emō, ēmī, ēmptus, 3, a.: to buy, purchase, 10.503.

    equidem: (adv.), indeed, at least, certainly, surely; w. first person, for my part, 1.238. (demonstr. e or ec and quidem)

    fās, indecl. n.: divine right or law; duty, justice, 3.55; privilege, 9.96; as predicate with esse, permitted, lawful, proper, incumbent, 1.77, et al. (rel. to for)

    referō, rettulī, relātus, referre, irreg. a.: to bear, carry, bring back, 4.392; bear again, 5.564; cast up, vomit, 9.350; turn, 12.657; of solemn rites, render, pay, 5.605; bring back as a prize, win, get, 4.93; put back, stay, 11.290; repeat, 5.598; claim, 7.49; answer, reply, 4.31; report, relate, announce, 1.309; reproduce, resemble, 4.329; imitate, 10.281; turn, change, 11.426; 1.281; render, make, 8.343; vōce referre, speak, utter, exclaim, 1.94; referre pedem, return; (pass.), referrī, go back, recede, 2.169; return, revert, 12.37.

    ovō, ātus, 1, n.: to shout, rejoice, 3.544; triumph, 6.589; p., ovāns, antis, exulting, joyous, shouting, triumphant, 4.543; of things, 10.409.

    Iuppiter, Iovis, m.: Jupiter, son of Saturn and Rhea, and king of the gods, 1.223; Iuppiter Stygius, Pluto, 4.638.

    quis, qua or quae, quid or quod: (indef. pron., adj., and subst.), any, some, 2.94, et al.; some one, any one, any body, anything, something, 1.413, et al.; sī quis, nē quis, etc., if any, lest any, etc., freq.; (adv.), quid, as to anything, in anything, at all, freq.; sī quid, if at all, freq.

    discrīmen, inis, n.: a separating interval, space, 5.154; separation, division, 10.382; distance, 3.685; difference, distinction, 1.574; variation, division, of sound; note, 6.646; crisis, danger, peril, 1.204; pl., difference, 10.529. (discernō)

    supersum, fuī, esse, irreg., n.: to be over; to be left, remain (separated by tmesis), 2.567; survive, 8.399.

    redimō, ēmī, ēmptus, 3, a.: to buy back; ransom, redeem, 6.121. (re- and emō)

    mandō, āvī, ātus, 1, a.: to give in hand or consign; w. acc. alone, or acc. and dat., or inf.; to commission, charge, bid, command, 4.222; place, deposit; commit, consign, confide, intrust, 3.50; of burial, to inter; order, w. inf. (manus and dō)

    solitus, a, um: having been accustomed, wont, 9.591; p., wonted, usual, habitual, 7.357, et al.

    fortūna, ae, f.: fortune, destiny, lot, chance, fate, 1.628; success, 10.422; the proper moment, a chance, 12.920; misfortune, calamity, 12.593; personified, 3.53, et al. (fors)

    absum, āfuī or abfuī, āfutūrus or abfutūrus, abesse, irreg. n.: to be away; to be absent, 2.620; distant, 11.907; to be wanting, missing, 1.584; inf., āfore, or abfore, will be wanting, 8.147.

    īnferiae, ārum, f.: sacrifices to the Manes or powers below; funeral rites, 9.215. (īnferī, the powers of the lower world)

    decorō, āvī, ātus, 1, a.: to adorn, decorate, 6.217; honor, 11.25. (decus)

    nēve or neu: (conj.), or not, and not, nor, neither, w. subj. or imperat., 7.202; ne — neu (nēve), that not — nor, lest — or lest, 2.188.

    persequor, secūtus sum, 3, dep. a.: to follow continually; follow, 9.218; pursue, follow closely, 10.562.

    Acestēs, ae, m.: Acestes or Segestus, the son of Crimisus, a Sicilian river god, and Egesta or Segesta, a Trojan woman, 1.195.

    nēquīquam: (adv.), in vain, to no purpose, 2.515.

    nectō, nexuī, or nexī, nexus, 3, a.: to tie, bind, fasten, 4.239; bind together or round, 1.448; join, unite, of soul and body, 4.695; (fig.), of arguments, 9.219.

    inānis, e: (adj.), empty, void, 3.304; light; vain, idle, fruitless, 4.210; valueless, trivial; little, brief, 4.433; lifeless, unreal, 1.464; shadowy, 6.269; unsubstantial, shadowy, airy, phantom, 6.651; subst., ināne, is, n., void space, a void, 12.354.

    accelerō, āvī, ātus, 1, a. and n.: to hasten; make haste, 5.675. (ad and celerō)

    vigil, ilis: adj. (vigeō), awake, on the watch; sleepless, 4.182; perpetual, 4.200; subst., vigil, ilis, m., a watchman, guard, sentinel, 2.266, et al.

    excitō, āvī, ātus, 1, intens. a.: to rouse up completely; excite, awaken, arouse, 2.594; alarm, 2.728; stimulate, impel, 3.343. (exciō)

    succēdō, cessī, cessus, 3, n. and a.: to go, come up to or under, with dat., or acc. and prep., or without a case, to go up to, visit, 8.507; ascend, 12.235; come up to, advance to, 2.478; approach, 7.214; encounter, 10.847; enter, 1.627; creep under, disappear beneath, 5.93; to descend into the earth, to be buried, 11.103; take up, take upon one's self, 2.723; go under, be yoked to, 3.541; to follow, 11.481; to turn out well; succeed, come to pass, 11.794. (sub and cēdō)

    vicis, gen. f.: a change, turn in affairs; stage, interchange, 6.535; vicissitude, event, 3.376; combat, encounter, peril, 2.433, part, place, post, 3.634; watch, guard, 9.175. (nom. sing. wanting)

    gradior, gressus sum, 3, dep. n.: to step, walk, go, 1.312; move, advance, 10.572.

    requīrō, quīsīvī or quīsiī, quīsītus, 3, a.: to seek much or earnestly; seek out, search for, 3.170; demand; ask, question, 2.390; inquire, 2.506; speak with regret of, mourn, 1.217. (re- and quaerō)

    article Nav

    Suggested Citation

    Christopher Francese and Meghan Reedy, Vergil: Aeneid Selections. Carlisle, Pennsylvania: Dickinson College Commentaries, 2016. ISBN: 978-1-947822-08-5. https://dcc.dickinson.edu/vergil-aeneid/vergil-aeneid-ix-176-223