At Cytherēa novās artēs, nova pectore versat
cōnsilia, ut faciem mūtātus et ōra Cupīdō
prō dulcī Ascaniō veniat, dōnīsque furentem
incendat rēgīnam atque ossibus implicet ignem.660
quippe domum timet ambiguam Tyriōsque bilinguīs;
ūrit atrōx Iūnō et sub noctem cūra recursat.
Ergō hīs āligerum dictīs adfātur Amōrem:
'Nāte, meae vīrēs, mea magna potentia, sōlus
nāte patris summī quī tēla Typhōea temnis,665
ad tē cōnfugiō et supplex tua nūmina poscō.
Frāter ut Aenēās pelagō tuus omnia circum
lītora iactētur odiīs Iūnōnis acerbae,
nōta tibi, et nostrō doluistī saepe dolōre.
nunc Phoenissa tenet Dīdō blandīsque morātur670
vōcibus, et vereor quō sē Iūnōnia vertant
hospitia: haud tantō cessābit cardine rērum.
Quōcircā capere ante dolīs et cingere flammā
rēgīnam meditor, nē quō sē nūmine mūtet,
sed magnō Aenēae mēcum teneātur amōre.675
Quā facere id possīs nostram nunc accipe mentem:
Rēgius accītū cārī genitōris ad urbem
Sīdoniam puer īre parat, mea maxima cūra,
dōna ferēns pelagō et flammīs restantia Trōiae;
Hunc ego sōpītum somnō super alta Cythēra680
aut super Īdalium sacrātā sēde recondam,
nē quā scīre dolōs mediusve occurrere possit.
Tū faciem illīus noctem nōn amplius ūnam
falle dolō et nōtōs puerī puer indue vultūs,
ut, cum tē gremiō accipiet laetissima Dīdō685
rēgālēs inter mēnsās laticemque Lyaeum,
cum dabit amplexūs atque ōscula dulcia fīget,
occultum īnspīrēs ignem fallāsque venēnō.'
Pāret Amor dictīs cārae genetrīcis, et ālās
exuit et gressū gaudēns incēdit Iǖlī.690
At Venus Ascaniō placidam per membra quiētem
inrigat, et fōtum gremiō dea tollit in altōs
Īdaliae lūcōs, ubi mollis amāracus illum
flōribus et dulcī aspīrāns complectitur umbrā.
notes
Venus plots to inflame Dido with love for Aeneas: she arranges with Cupid that he shall substitute himself for Ascanius (Austin).
657 novās artēs: “new wiles” (Carter). Novas looks back to the last intervention of Venus, 586-91, and may perhaps carry something of the bad sense of the word (Conway).
658 Faciem mūtātus et ōra: “his face and features changed” (Sidgwick).
660 ossibus … ignem: bones, especially marrow, were considered the home of passionate feelings (Comstock).
661 domum ambiguam: i.e. it is uncertain how the attitude of Dido and her court might change (Bennett).
661 Tyriōsque bilinguīs: described as “double tongued” the Carthaginians being liars was a common stereotype for the Romans (H-P).
662 ūrit: supply eam, i.e. Venus (Carter). “Juno’s hostility frets her”; urit is used of the effects of worry (Austin).
662 sub noctem: “as night draws near” (Comstock). Venus is thought of as worrying more by night than by day, as though she were a human being (Carter).
664 meae vīrēs, mea magna potentia: in apposition to nate, equivalent to two relative clauses parallel with qui … temnis (Austin).
664 sōlus: the nominative is used, although the adjective really depends upon the vocative nate. Probably it is thought of as a dependent clause (qui) solus (es) (Carter).
665 tēla Typhōea: Jupiter’s thunderbolt that killed Typhoeus. Cupid is the only god that is stronger than Jupiter and his thunderbolts (H-P).
666 ad tē cōnfugiō: “I take refuge with you”; the compound generally implies reaching a safe haven after difficulty (Conway).
666 tua nūmina poscō: “I ask for your aid” (Carter).
667 ut: “how” (Sidgwick).
668 odiīs: repeated acts of hostility (odio would have been metrically possible) (Austin).
669 nōta: supply sunt. We would expect notum est (Carter).
669 doluistī…dolōre: “You have grieved with my grief” (Comstock).
670 Phoenessa: significant; Dido’s race is under Juno’s protection (Austin).
670 blandīs: malicious; Dido has said nothing that could be fairly be called “wheedling” (Austin).
671 et vereor quō sē Iūnōnia vertant hospitia: “and I fear for what turn (these) Junonian hospitalities may take” (Chase).
672 haud cessābit: “she (i.e. Juno) will by no means be idle” (Comstock).
672 tantō cardine rērum: “at so great a crisis of affairs” (Bennett).
673 flammā: “with burning love” (F-D), “the flames of love” (G-K).
674 nē quō … teneātur: “that she may not be changed by any divine influence, but may be held,” etc. Ut supplied before teneatur is suggested by the foregoing ne (F-D),”influence of some divinity”, i.e. Juno (G-K).
675 mēcum: “in common with me,” i.e. “as well as I” (F-D).
676 Quā: “in what manner?” The question depends on accipe mentem (F-D).
677 rēgius puer: Ascanius (Bennett).
677 accītū: “At the summons” (Bennett). A rare word, and only here in verse; like some other words of this type, it is used in the ablative only (iussu, iniussu) (Austin).
678 puer: equivalent to filius, as the collocation with genitoris shows (Austin).
679 Pelagō et flammīs: ablative with restantia. The preposition de, which would regularly be used, is omitted (F-D).
680 sōpītum somnō: “lulled to sleep” somno is ablative of means (AG 409) (Bennett); sopitum “unconscious’ (Conway). The dominance of s-sounds in these two lines suggests a whispered, secret scheme (Austin).
682 nē quā: “lest in any way” (Bennett).
682 dolōs: “wiles” (F-D). Here first mentioned, to prepare Cupid for what follows; or, in other words, to rouse the reader’s curiosity (Conway).
682 mediusve occurrere: = intervenire, “interfere” (F-D), “or mar (my schemes) by intervention” (Page).
683 faciem ... falle: “counterfeit his form” (F-D)
683 noctem nōn amplius ūnam: “for one night only,” literally “for one night - no more" (Comstock).
684 puer: “yourself a boy” (Comstock).
686 rēgālēs … Lyaeum: “amidst the royal banquet and the flow of wine” (F-D).
688 īnspīrēs: supply ei (Conway).
688 fallās: supply eam (Conway).
690 gressū gaudēns incēdit: equivalent to gressu gaudet incedere. The god takes delight in assuming the form and gait of lulus (F-D). Gressu contrasted with alas; he is now in human form instead of a winged god (Conway).
691 Ascaniō: dative of reference (AG 376), equivalent to a possessive genitive (F-D).
691-2 placidam per membra quiētem / inrigat: “bathes his limbs in dewy slumber” (Comstock). These lines have a magic softness; the rhythm is smooth and gentle, there are many mutes and liquids: an epic view of a comforting anesthetic (Austin).
692 inrigat: “she diffuses” (F-D), the image of sleep coming down as a dew (Chase).
692 fōtum: “cuddled.”
693 Īdaliae: another form for Idalium (F-D).
693 Amāracus: majoram, which originated in North Africa. It was associated with weddings, and Lucretius names its juices as used by the exclusus amator to anoint the doorposts of his love (Austin).
694 flōribus … umbrā: a complex sentence, with floribus and umbra both dependent on both aspirans and complectitur, an ingenious arrangement which hints at the entwining embrace of the mesh of blossoms. (Austin).
694 adspīrāns: “breathing (odors) upon (him)” (F-D).
vocabulary
Cytherēus, a, um: adj. (Cythēra), Cytherean; subst., Cytherēa, ae, f., the Cytherean goddess; Venus, 1.257.
versō, āvī, ātus, 1, freq. a.: to turn much; writhe, 11.753; turn, 5.408; handle, wield, 9.747; to buffet, drive, beat round and round, 5.460; drive to and fro, 12.664; toss about, 6.362; turn, hurry, 4.286; involve in or distract with, 7.336; with or without mente, pectore, etc., revolve, meditate, devise, consider, 1.657. (vertō)
cupīdō, inis, f.: ardent longing, desire; love, 7.189; ardor, thirst, 9.354; resolve, 2.349; personified, Cupīdō, inis, m., Cupid the son of Venus, and god of love, 1.658. (cupiō)
Ascanius, iī, m.: Ascanius, son of Aeneas, and traditional founder of Alba Longa, 1.267.
furō, uī, 3, n.: to be mad; freq., to rave, be frantic, rage, 1.491; to be furious, burn, storm (for war), 7.625; to be burning or mad with love, 1.659; to be frenzied, in a frenzy, 6.100; inspired, 2.345; distracted with grief, 3.313; plunge madly, 9.552; boil, 7.464; with cognate acc., give vent to one's fury, 12.680.
incendō, cendī, cēnsus, 3, a.: to set fire to, burn, 2.353; kindle, 3.279; illuminate, 5.88; (fig.), of the mind, fire, inflame, 1.660; arouse, rouse to action, 5.719; excite, irritate, enrage, madden, provoke, 4.360; disturb, rend, fill, 10.895.
rēgīna, ae, f.: a queen, 1.9; princess, 1.273. (rēx)
implicō, āvī or uī, ātus or itus, 1, a.,: to fold in; involve, entangle, entwine, 2.215; to wheel, 12.743; (w. dat.), bind to, 11.555; infuse, 1.660; insinuate, mingle, 7.355; sē implicāre, cling to, 2.724.
ambiguus, a, um: adj. (ambigō), uncertain; doubtful, undecided; 5.326; twofold, 3.180; dark, obscure, 2.99; unreliable, treacherous, 1.661; hesitating, uncertain, 5.655; in suspense, 8.580.
Tyrius, a, um: adj. (Tyrus), of Tyre; Tyrian or Phoenician, 1.12; subst., Tyrius, iī, m., a Tyrian, 1.574; pl., 1.747.
bilinguis, e: adj. (bis and lingua), double-tongued; (fig.), deceitful, treacherous, 1.661.
ūrō, ussī, ūstus, 3, a.: to burn; burn up, 2.37; inflame with love, 4.68; trouble, disturb, torment, 1.662.
atrox, ōcis: adj. (āter), cruel, fierce, relentless, 1.662.
Iūnō, ōnis, f.: Juno, the Sabine and Roman name for the wife and sister of Jupiter, daughter of Saturn, 1.4, et al.; Iūnō īnferna, the Juno of the lower world, Proserpine, 6.138.
recursō, 1, intens. n.: to rush back; come back, recur to the mind, 4.3; return, 1.662.
āliger, era, erum: adj. (āla and gerō), wing-bearing; winged, 1.663.
dictum, ī, n.: a thing said; word, 1.197; command, precept, injunction, 1.695; promise, 8.643. (dīcō)
adfor, fātus sum, 1, dep. a.: to speak to; address, 1.663; beseech, supplicate, 2.700; bid adieu, farewell to, 2.644.
potentia, ae, f.: power, force, potency, might, 1.664, et al. (potēns)
Typhoëus, a, um: adj. (Typhōeus), pertaining to the giant Typhoeus; Typhoian, 1.665.
temnō, 3, a.: to despise, disdain, scorn, defy, 1.665; p., temnendus, a, um, to be despised; insignificant, small, 10.737.
cōnfugiō, fūgī, 3, n.: to flee for refuge; flee, 8.493; resort; flee, come for succor, 1.666.
supplex, icis: adj. (supplicō, beseech), kneeling, entreating, suppliant, 3.439; subst., supplex, icis, c., a suppliant, 2.542.
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.
pelagus, ī, n.: the sea; open sea, main, 1.138; flood, 1.246.
circum: (adv.), about, around; (prep. with acc.), around, about.
iactō, āvī, ātus, 1, freq. a.: to throw often or much; toss to and fro; toss, freq.; hurl, cast, 2.459; thrust out, 5.376; aim, 5.433; (fig.), throw out words, utter, say, 1.102; of the mind, revolve, meditate, 1.227; sē iactāre, boast, exalt one's self, rejoice, glory, 1.140; prae sē iactāre, to make pretense of, 9.134; p., iactāns, antis, arrogant, assuming, ambitious, 6.815. (iaciō)
acerbus, a, um: harsh, bitter, in taste; (fig.), cruel, fierce, 5.462; fatal, direful, sorrowful, sad, mournful, 5.49; 6.429; pl., acerba, ōrum, n., vengeful deeds, 12.500; (adv.), acerba, harshly, savagely, fiercely, 9.794.
Phoenissus, a, um: (adj.), Phoenician, 1.670; subst., Phoenissa, ae, f., a Phoenician woman; Dido, 1.714, et al.
Dīdō, ūs or ōnis, f.: Dido, daughter of Belus, king of Phoenicia, who fled from her brother Pygmalion to Africa, where she founded the city of Carthage, 1.299.
blandus, a, um: (adj.), fondling; fawning; coaxing; persuasive, alluring, enticing, 1.670; grateful, calm, 5.827.
Iūnōnius, a, um: adj. (Iūnō), pertaining to Juno, under the influence of Juno; Juno's, 1.671.
hospitium, iī, n.: the relation of host and guest; hospitality, 10.460; friendly reception, entertainment; protection, hospitality, welcome, 1.299; guest-land, ally, 3.15; refuge, 1.540; alliance, 11.114. (hospes)
cessō, āvī, ātus, 1, intens. n.: to remit action; stay, linger, rest; be inactive, 1.672; cease, 2.468; delay, 6.51; impers., cessātum est, delay has been made, has happened, 11.288. (cēdō)
cardō, inis, m.: a hinge, pivot, 1.449; the socket in which the pivot plays, 2.493; (fig.), a turning point, crisis, emergency, 1.672.
quōcircā: (adv.), for which reason, wherefore, and therefore, 1.673.
meditor, ātus sum, 1, dep. n. and a.: to think upon; meditate, 10.455; design, purpose, 4.171; practice, play.
quā: (adv.), interrog., relat., and indef. (ablat. of quī), in, by, what way? how? 1.676; where, which way, side, direction, 2.463; for quācumque, any way, anywhere; in any way, by any means; where, in whatever way; so far as, 12.147; sī quā, if in any way, 1.18.
accītus, ūs, m.: a summons, call, 1.677; used only in the abl. sing. (acciō)
genitor, ōris, m.: he who begets; father, sire, 1.155, et al. (gignō)
Sīdōnius, a, um: (adj.), of Sidon; Sidonian; Phoenician, Tyrian, 1.678, et al.
restō, restitī, 1, n.: to remain in place; to stand, stop; to be left, 2.142; remain, 1.556; remain for infliction, wait to be repeated, be in reserve, 10.29; w. abl., 1.679.
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.
sōpiō, īvī or iī, ītus, 4, a.: to put to sleep; p., sōpītus, a, um, lulled to sleep, 1.680; slumbering, 5.743. (sopor)
Cythēra, ōrum, n.: an island south of Laconia, near which Venus was said to have been born of the foam of the sea, 1.680.
Īdalia, ae, f., and Īdalium, iī, n.: Idalia, a town and headland of Cyprus; one of the favorite resorts of Venus, 1.681.
sacrātus, a, um: holy, 3.371. (sacrō)
recondō, didī, ditus, 3, a.: to place again; put back, up, or away; hide, conceal, 1.681; bury, 10.387; bury in oblivion, 5.302.
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.
gremium, iī, n.: the lap, the bosom, 1.685, et al.; ante gremium suum, in front of or before one's self, 11.744.
rēgālis, e: adj. (rēx), belonging to a king; regal, kingly, royal, 1.673.
latex, icis, m.: a liquid; liquor; wine, 1.686; water, 4.512.
Lyaeus, ī, m.: the wine-god, Bacchus, 4.58.
amplexus, ūs, m.: an embrace, 1.687.(amplector)
ōsculum, ī, n.: the lip, 1.256; kiss, 1.687. (1. ōs)
fīgō, fīxī, fīxus, 3, a.: to fix or fasten; freq., the object in or on which, in the abl., 1.212; abl. w. prep., 6.636; acc. w. prep., 9.408; fasten up, suspend from, 3.287; hang up, 1.248; set up, establish, make, 6.622; transfix, pierce, 5.516; hurl (fix by hurling), 10.883; wound, 10.343; inscribe, 11.84.
occulō, culuī, cultus, 3, a.: to cover up; hide, conceal, 1.312; p., occultus, a, um, secret, hidden, 3.695.
īnspīrō, āvī, ātus, 1, a.: to breathe into; inspire, impart, 1.688; instill, 7.351.
venēnum, ī, n.: a poisonous drug; poison, venom, 2.221; a charm, drug, 7.190; poison of love, 1.688.
genetrīx, īcis, f.: she who brings forth; mother, 1.590, et al. (gignō)
āla, ae, f.: a wing, 1.301; the feather of an arrow, 9.578; the wing of an army; cavalry, 11.730; troop, battalion, 11.604; horsemen, mounted huntsmen, 4.121.
exuō, uī, ūtus, 3, a.: to put off; take off, lay aside, 1.690; unclasp, unbuckle, 9.303; put away, change, 4.319; divest; lay bare, strip, bare, 5.423; w. abl. of the thing from which, free from, 2.153, et al. (cf. induō)
gressus, ūs, m.: a stepping; step, walk, course, way, 1.401; of a ship, 5.162; air, mien, gait, 5.649; ferre gressum, to walk, 6.677; efferre gressum, to go forth or out, 2.753; comprimere gressum, to stop, stay one’s steps, 6.389. (gradior)
incēdō, cessī, cessus, 3, a. and n.: to step onward; walk, especially with pomp or dignity; advance, 1.497; move (for am), 1.46, et al.; march, proceed, 9.308.
Iūlus, ī, m.: Iulus or Ascanius, son of Aeneas, 1.267, et freq.
Venus, eris, f.: Venus, goddess of love and beauty, identified by the Romans with Aphrodite, daughter of Jupiter and Dione, 1.411, et al.; (meton.), love, lust, 6.26.
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.
quiēs, ētis, f.: rest, repose, 3.495; sleep, 2.268; respite, intermission, 1.723.
inrigō, āvī, ātus, 1, a.: to water; (fig.), diffuse, 1.692; pervade, 3.511.
foveō, fōvī, fōtus, 2, a.: to keep warm; (fig.), foster, protect, cherish, 1.281; soothe, 12.420; caress, make love to, 1.718; rest, incline, 10.838; to toy away, enjoy, 4.193; cherish, hope, long, desire, 1.18.
lūcus, ī, m.: a consecrated wood; sacred grove, 6.259, et al.; in general, a grove, wood, forest.
amāracus, ī, m.: marjoram, 1.693.
adspīrō, āvī, ātus, 1, a. and n.: to breathe to or upon, 5.607; breathe or emit fragrance, 1.694; (fig.), inspire, 9.525; aid, favor, prosper, 2.385; aspire, 12.352.
complector, plexus sum, 3, dep. a.: to embrace; cover, 2.514; hold, 5.31; seize, grasp, 11.743.
