Postquam prīma quiēs epulīs mēnsaeque remōtae,
crātēras magnōs statuunt et vīna corōnant.
Fit strepitus tēctīs vōcemque per ampla volūtant725
ātria; dēpendent lychnī laqueāribus aureīs
incēnsī et noctem flammīs fūnālia vincunt.
Hīc rēgīna gravem gemmīs aurōque poposcit
implēvitque merō pateram, quam Bēlus et omnēs
ā Bēlō solitī; tum facta silentia tēctīs:730
'Iuppiter, hospitibus nam tē dare iūra loquuntur,
hunc laetum Tyriīsque diem Trōiāque profectīs
esse velīs, nostrōsque huius meminisse minōrēs.
Adsit laetitiae Bacchus dator et bona Iūnō;
et vōs ō coetum, Tyriī, celebrāte faventēs.'735
Dīxit et in mēnsam laticum lībāvit honōrem
prīmaque, lībātō, summō tenus attigit ōre;
tum Bitiae dedit increpitāns; ille impiger hausit
spūmantem pateram et plēnō sē prōluit aurō;
post aliī procerēs. Citharā crīnītus Iȫpās740
personat aurātā, docuit quem maximus Atlās.
Hic canit errantem lūnam sōlisque labōrēs,
unde hominum genus et pecudēs, unde imber et ignēs,
Arctūrum pluviāsque Hyadas geminōsque Triōnēs,
quid tantum Ōceanō properent sē tingere sōlēs745
hībernī, vel quae tardīs mora noctibus obstet;
Ingeminant plausū Tyriī, Trōësque sequuntur.
Nec nōn et variō noctem sermōne trahēbat
īnfēlīx Dīdō longumque bibēbat amōrem,
multa super Priamō rogitāns, super Hectore multa;750
nunc quibus Aurōrae vēnisset fīlius armīs,
nunc quālēs Diomēdis equī, nunc quantus Achillēs.
'Immō age et ā prīmā dīc, hospes, orīgine nōbīs
īnsidiās' inquit 'Danaüm cāsūsque tuōrum
errōrēsque tuōs; nam tē iam septima portat755
omnibus errantem terrīs et flūctibus aestās.'
notes
The feast takes its course. Dido prays that this may be a day of joy for Tyrians and Trojans. Iopas sings of the wonders of the universe. Dido plies Aeneas with eager questions, and finally begs for the whole tale of Troy (Austin).
723 quiēs: supply facta est (Conway).
723 remōtae: supply sunt (Conway).
724 crātēras magnōs: represents the Greek form and is therefore masculine; the Latinised cratera is feminine (Conway).
724 corōnant: Vergil may mean “put flowers round the cups” but he is copying a Homeric phrase (κρητῆρας ἐπεστέψαντο ποτοῖο, Iliad 1.470) with the word crowned (Sidgwick).
725 fit strepitus tēctīs: a hum arises in the hall, i.e. the noise of conversation (Carter).
726 dēpendent lychnī: lychnī are the chandeliers with metal hooks or sockets which held the funalia, torches made of wax with a wick or core of rope (Conway).
726 laqueāribus aureīs: a laqueāre is a paneled or "coffered" ceiling of a type seen in elegant homes and buildings in ancient Rome. The ceiling of the Pantheon is a notable example. The ones in Dido's palace were gilded.
727 īncēnsī: “now lit,” part of the predicate (Conway).
728 gemmīs aurōque: ablative of specification (AG 418) attached to gravem (Conway).
729 pateram: the patera is a shallow ceramic or metal libation bowl. A fine bronze example from the first century AD can be seen at the Metropolitan Museum in New York. One can use it to pour out a small amount of liquid in honor of a god (a libation, the normal use) or drink from it, as Bitias does here.
730 solitī: (sunt), supply impellere (Conway).
731 Hospitibus … dare: one of the important functions of Jupiter was the supervision of the sacred obligations of hospitality (Bennett).
731 nam: formal prayer-style (Austin).
732 laetum: a predicate adjective, with hunc diem esse (Carter), looks to the future as well as to the present moment (Conway).
733 velīs: “may it be your will” (Conway).
733 nostrōs: refers to both Tyrians and Trojans; their union in one word is significant of her desires (Conway).
733 huius: supply diei; genitive with meminisse (Carter).
733 minōrēs: supply natu: “descendants,” “posterity” (Carter).
735 coetum: convivium (Carter).
735 faventēs: “with kindly feelings” i.e. towards the Trojans (Bennett).
736 laticum ... honōrem: ”she poured a wine-offering in libation” (Austin).
737 lībātō: impersonal ablative absolute, “after the libation had been made” (Carter). summō tenus . . . ōre: summō ōre = summis labris (Carter).
738 increpitāns: “with a challenge,” i. e. inviting him to drink (Carter).
739 plēnō aurō: “the brimming gold (cup)” (Carter).
739 sē prōluit: “drank deep,” lit. “moistened himself” (Carter).
740 citharā ... personat: he sings aloud to the accompaniment of the lyre. cithara is ablative of means (AG 409) (Carter).
740 crinitus: ancient as well as modern musicians are characterized by long hair (Carter).
741 Atlās: a Titan, conquered by Jupiter and compelled to hold the heavens on his shoulders (Carter).
741 Iȫpās: only appearance in classical literature.
742 Hic: lopas (Carter).
742 sōlis ... labōrēs: i. e. eclipses (Carter).
743 ignēs: “lightning” (Carter).
744 geminōs Triōnēs: the constellations of the Great and Little bear were also imagined to represent two wagons each drawn by a yoke of oxen. The gemini triones are these two yokes (Bennett).
745 tardīs noctibus: “the slow nights,” as in the long nights of winter (Chase).
751 fīlius Aurōrae: Memnon, king of Aethiopia and son of Dawn, rival of Achilles.
753 Immō: with a sudden change of plan from individual questions to a request for the recital of the whole connected story (Carter).
753 ā prīmā ... orīgine: from the time of the making of the wooden horse (Carter).
vocabulary
quiēs, ētis, f.: rest, repose, 3.495; sleep, 2.268; respite, intermission, 1.723.
epulae, ārum, f.: a banquet, feast, 1.79; food, 1.216. (sing. epulum)
removeō, mōvī, mōtus, 2, a.: to move away; remove, take away, 1.723.
crātēr, ēris, m., acc. sing. ēra, pl. ēras: a large mixing bowl or urn; mixer; bowl, 1.724; jar, 6.225.
corōnō, āvī, ātus, 1, a.: to encircle with a crown or garland; crown, wreathe, 4.506; encompass, surround, 9.380. (corōna)
strepitus, ūs, m.: a noise; an uproar; din, 6.559; stir, noise of festivity, 1.725; confused noise, 1.422. (strepō)
volūtō, āvī, ātus, 1, intens. a. and n.: to roll about; to roll back, reëcho, 5.149; roll or send through, make resound, 1.725; of thought, turn over, ponder, think over; meditate, 1.50; with ellipsis of the acc., 4.533; n., fall prostrate, 3.607. (volvō)
ātrium, iī, n.: a rectangular area in the middle of a dwelling, partly open to the sky; and often surrounded with a colonnade; the court or principal apartment of a dwelling; or, in a house containing more than one court, the forecourt or first hall; a court, hall, 2.483, et al.
dēpendeō, 2, n.: to hang down; hang, 1.726.
lychnus, ī, m.: a lamp, light, 1.726.
laquear, āris, n.: a ceiling with hollows or panels; a paneled or fretted ceiling, 1.726.
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.
fūnālis, e: adj. (fūnis), made of or pertaining to a rope, cord, or wick; subst., fūnāle, is, n., a wax taper, candle, torch, 1.727.
rēgīna, ae, f.: a queen, 1.9; princess, 1.273. (rēx)
gemma, ae, f.: a bud, precious stone, gem, 1.655, et al.
merus, a, um: (adj.), pure, unmixed, 5.77; subst. n., merum (sc. vīnum), unmixed wine; wine, 1.729.
patera, ae, f.: a broad, saucer-shaped dish, used in making libations; a libation cup, patera, 1.729. (pateō)
Bēlus, ī, m.: 1. Belus, king of Tyre and Sidon, and father of Dido, 1.621. 2. The founder of the line of kings from whom Dido was descended, 1.729.
silentium, iī, n.: of the absence of any kind of sound; noiselessness, silence, stillness, 1.730; pl., 2.255. (silēns)
Iuppiter, Iovis, m.: Jupiter, son of Saturn and Rhea, and king of the gods, 1.223; Iuppiter Stygius, Pluto, 4.638.
Tyrius, a, um: adj. (Tyrus), of Tyre; Tyrian or Phoenician, 1.12; subst., Tyrius, iī, m., a Tyrian, 1.574; pl., 1.747.
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.
laetitia, ae, f.: joy, 1.514, et al. (laetus)
Bacchus, ī, m.: Bacchus, the son of Jupiter and Semele, and god of wine, 1.734; wine, 1.215.
dator, ōris, m.: a giver, 1.734. (1. dō)
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.
coetus, ūs, m.: a coming together, an assembly, 5.43; a flock, 1.398; banquet, feast, 1.735. (coeō)
faveō, fāvī, fautus, 2, n.: to be favorable to; befriend, favor, 1.735; applaud, 5.148; ore favēre, to keep reverent, religious, or solemn silence, 5.71.
latex, icis, m.: a liquid; liquor; wine, 1.686; water, 4.512.
lībō, āvī, ātus, 1, a.: to taste, sip; to touch lightly; kiss, 1.256; pour out as a drink offering, 1.736; make a libation, 3.354; (w. acc. of the object on which the libation is poured), to pour libations on, 12.174.
tenus: (prep. w. gen. or abl., placed after its case), as far as; up to, 2.553; down to, to, 3.427; to, 1.737; hāc tenus, separated by tmesis, thus far, 5.603.
attingō, tigī, tāctus, 3, a.: to touch against; touch, grasp, 9.558; (fig.), attain, reach, arrive at, 5.797; come upon, overtake, 4.568. (ad and tangō)
Bitiās, ae, m.: 1. Bitias, a Carthaginian nobleman, 1.738. 2. A Trojan, 9.672.
increpitō, āvī, ātus, 1, intens. n. and a.: to make a great noise; to call or cry out to; chide, blame, reproach, 3.454; dare, challenge, 1.738; taunt, 10.900. (increpō)
impiger, gra, grum: (adj.), not sluggish, not inactive; quick, not backward, 1.738.
hauriō, hausī, haustus, 4, a.: to draw any fluid, 9.23; drink; drain, 1.738; draw blood with a weapon; devour, slay, 2.600; pierce, 10.314; take in with the eyes or ears; receive, 12.26; perceive, see, 4.661; hear, 4.359; strain, thrill, 5.137; suffer, 4.383; conceive, 10.648.
spūmō, āvī, ātus, 1, n. and a.: to foam, 3.534, et al. (spūma)
prōluō, luī, lūtus, 3, a.: to wash forth or out, cast out; wash away, 12.686; wet, drench, fill, 1.739.
procer, eris, m.: a chief, noble; pl., procerēs, um, elders, nobles, princes, 1.740. (in the sing. found only in the acc.)
cithara, ae, f.: the cithara, cithern, or lute, 1.740.
crīnītus, a, um: adj. (crīnis), long-haired, 1.740.
Iōpās, ae, m.: a Carthaginian poet, 1.740.
personō, sonuī, sonitus, 1, n. and a.: to sound loudly; sing, play, 1.741; cause to or make resound, 6.171.
aurātus, a, um: adj. (aurum), gilded, golden, of gold, 12.163; embroidered with gold, 5.250.
Atlās, antis, m.: Atlas, a king of Mauretania, famed for his knowledge of the stars, and hence said to have borne the heavens on his head and shoulders, transformed, according to mythology, by Perseus with the Gorgon’s head into the mountain that bears his name, 1.741, et al.
pecus, udis, f.: one animal of a flock or herd; an animal, 1.743; a sheep, 3.120; victim for sacrifices, 4.63.
imber, imbris, m.: a rain-storm; shower, 1.743, et al.; rain-cloud, 3.194; of sea-water, flood, 1.123; hail, 8.429.
Arctūrus, ī, m.: the principal star in the constellation Boötes; Arcturus, 1.744, et al.
pluvius, a, um: adj. (pluō), causing rain or attended by rain; rainy, 1.744.
Hyades, um, f.: the Hyades, daughters of rain; the seven stars in the head of Taurus, whose rising, which occurs in the month of May, was thought to betoken rain, 1.744.
geminus, a, um: (adj.), twin, 1.274, et al.; twofold, 6.203; double, two, 4.470; pl., geminī, ae, a, twin, 2.500; two, 1.162.
triō, ōnis, m.: an ox as the breaker of the sod in plowing; the “Team” or “Wain”; pl., Triōnēs, um, m., the constellation of the greater and lesser bear, 1.744.
Ōceanus, ī, m.: the god Oceanus; the waters encompassing the lands; the ocean, 1.287; distinguished as eastern and western, 7.101.
tingō, tīnxī, tīnctus, 3, a.: to wet; moisten, 3.665; wash, dip, bathe, 1.745; imbrue, 12.358.
hībernus, a, um: adj. (rel. to hiems), of winter; wintry (others, in winter), 4.143; tempestuous, stormy, 4.309; subst., hīberna, ōrum, n., winters, 1.266.
obstō, stitī, stātus, 1, n.: to stand before or against; withstand, oppose, hinder, restrain, 4.91; to be obnoxious, 6.64.
ingeminō, āvī, ātus, 1, a. and n.: a., repeat; redouble, multiply, increase, 7.578; name often, 2.770; n., shout again and again, 1.747; reëcho, 5.227; flash often or continuously, 3.199; be redoubled, return, 4.531.
plausus, ūs, m.: a beating, clapping, flapping; fluttering sound, 5.215; plaudit, applause, 5.148. (plaudō)
Trōes, m.: (subst.), the Trojans, 1.30, et al. (Tros, one of the kings of Troy)
īnfēlīx, īcis: (adj.), unlucky; unfortunate, luckless, unhappy, 1.475, et al.; sad, miserable, 2.772; of ill omen, ill-starred, ill-boding, fatal, 2.245; unfruitful.
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.
bibō, bibī, 3, a.: to drink, 1.473, et al.; (fig.), take in, drink in, 1.749; of weapons, 11.804.
Priamus, ī, m.: 1. Priam, son of Laomedon, king of Troy, 1.458, et al. 2. A Trojan youth, son of Polites and grandson of King Priam, 5.564.
rogitō, āvī, ātus, 1, freq. a.: to ask again and again; question, 1.750. (rogō)
Hector, oris, m.: son of Priam, and chief defender of Troy, 1.99, et al.
aurōra, ae, f.: the dawn, morning, 3.521; personified, Aurora, the goddess of the dawn, who precedes the horses of the sun-god, 4.585; the east, 8.686; the sun, 6.535.
Diomēdēs, is, m.: Diomedes, son of Tydeus, and king of Argos, distinguished among the Greeks at Troy, 1.752.
Achillēs, is (eos or ī), m.: the son of Peleus, king of Thessaly, and Thetis, daughter of Nereus, 1.468, et al.
immō: yes indeed; nay rather, 1.753; but, 9.98.
orīgō, inis, f.: a source, origin, beginning, 1.372; descent, lineage, birth, 1.286; source, root, founder, 12.166. (orior)
īnsidiae, ārum, f.: a sitting down, or lying in ambuscade; an ambush, 11.783; snare, toil; plot, treachery, wile, 2.36; stealthy journey or enterprise, 9.237; artifice, stratagem, 2.421; personif. pl., Īnsidiae, ārum, Stratagem, 12.336. (īnsideō)
Danaī, ōrum, m.: the Greeks, 2.327.
tuī, ōrum, m.: your friends, kinsmen, countrymen, descendants, etc., 3.488; freq. (tuus)
septimus, a, um: (ordin. num. adj.), the seventh, 1.755. (septem)
aestās, ātis, f.: the summer, 1.265, et al.; summer air, 6.707; a year.
