At Venus haud animō nēquīquam exterrita māter370

Laurentumque minīs et dūrō mōta tumultū

Volcānum adloquitur, thalamōque haec coniugis aureō

incipit et dictīs dīvīnum aspīrat amōrem:

'Dum bellō Argolicī vāstābant Pergama rēgēs

dēbita cāsūrāsque inimīcīs īgnibus arcēs,375

nōn ūllum auxilium miserīs, nōn arma rogāvī

artis opisque tuae, nec tē, cārissime coniūnx,

incassumve tuōs voluī exercēre labōrēs,

quamvīs et Priamī dēbērem plūrima nātīs,

et dūrum Aenēae flēvissem saepe labōrem.380

Nunc Iovis imperiīs Rutulōrum cōnstitit ōrīs:

ergō eadem supplex veniō et sānctum mihi nūmen

arma rogō, genetrīx nātō. Tē fīlia Nēreī,

tē potuit lacrimīs Tīthōnia flectere coniūnx.

Aspice quī coeant populī, quae moenia clausīs385

ferrum acuant portīs in mē excidiumque meōrum.'

dixerat et niueis hinc atque hinc diua lacertis

cunctantem amplexu molli fouet. ille repente

accepit solitam flammam, notusque medullas

intrauit calor et labefacta per ossa cucurrit,390

non secus atque olim tonitru cum rupta corusco

ignea rima micans percurrit lumine nimbos;

sensit laeta dolis et formae conscia coniunx.

Tum pater aeternō fātur dēvinctus amōre:

'Quid causās petis ex altō? fīdūcia cessit395

quō tibi, dīva, meī? similis sī cūra fuisset,

tum quoque fās nōbīs Teucrōs armāre fuisset;

nec pater omnipotēns Trōiam nec Fāta vetābant

stāre decemque aliōs Priamum superesse per annōs.

Et nunc, sī bellāre parās atque haec tibi mēns est,400

quidquid in arte meā possum prōmittere cūrae,

quod fierī ferrō liquidōve potest ēlectrō,

quantum īgnēs animaeque valent, absiste precandō

vīribus indubitāre tuīs.' ea verba locūtus

optatos dedit amplexus placidumque petiuit405

coniugis infusus gremio per membra soporem.

    CORE VOCABULARY

    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.

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

    exterreō, uī, itus, 2, a.: to frighten; alarm, startle, terrify, 3.307; flutter in terror, 5.505; p., exterritus, a, um, startled; roused, 4.571.

    Laurentēs, um, pl. m.: the people of Laurentum, the ancient capital of Latium, the Laurentians, 7.63, et al.

    minae, ārum, f.: the projecting parts; points, pinnacles, battlements, 4.88; threats, menaces, 4.44; perils, 6.113; curses, 3.265. (cf. -mineō in immineō, etc.)

    tumultus, ūs, m.: commotion; uproar; outcry, 9.397; shouting, cries, 3.99; haste, 11.447; uprising, 6.857. (tumeō)

    Vulcānus, ī, m.: the god of fire and of the forge, son of Jupiter and Juno, 8.422; (meton.), fire, 2.311, et al.

    adloquor, locūtus sum, 3, dep. a.: to address, 1, 229.

    thalamus, ī, m.: a bedchamber; chamber, 2.503; couch, 6.280; marriage, 4.18; bridals, the bride, 7.388; pl., thalamī, ōrum, nuptials, wedlock, marriage, 6.94.

    dictum, ī, n.: a thing said; word, 1.197; command, precept, injunction, 1.695; promise, 8.643. (dīcō)

    dīvīnus, a, um: adj. (dīvus), relating to the gods; heaven-descended, divine, 5.47; heavenly, 1.403; inspired, prophetic, 3.373.

    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.

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

    vāstō, āvī, ātus, 1, a.: to make void or empty; to desolate, lay waste, ravage, devastate, 1.471, et al.; deprive of, strip, rob, with acc. and abl., 8.8. (vāstus)

    Pergama, ōrum, n., Pergamum, ī, n., and Pergamus (-os), ī, f.: 1. The citadel or walls of Troy, 3.87; Troy, 4.344, et al. 2. The Trojan citadel of Helenus in Epirus, 3.336.

    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.

    incassum: (adv.), in vain, 3.345.

    quamvīs: (adv. and conj.), as much as you will; however much; however, although, albeit; w. subj., 3.454; freq. w. an adj. (quam and volō)

    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.

    nātus, a, um: born, sprung, descended, 8.315; w. abl., nātus deā, goddess-born, 1.582. (nāscor)

    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.

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

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

    ōra, ae, f.: a margin, border, 12.924; coast, shore, 3.396; region, 2.91; rim, extremity, 10.477; pl., outline, compass, 9.528.

    supplex, icis, c.: a suppliant, 2.542. (supplicō, beseech)

    veniō, vēnī, ventus: to come, freq.; come forth; approach, 6.755; rise, appear, 1.353; dawn, 10.241; to present one's self or itself, 5.344; descend, spring from, 5.373; impers., ventum est, we, they came or have come, 4.151.

    sanciō, sānxī, sānctus, 4, a.: to make sacred; sanction, ratify, 12.200. (sacer)

    genetrīx, īcis, f.: she who brings forth; mother, 1.590, et al. (gignō)

    Nēreus (dissyll.), eī or eos, m.: Nereus, a sea-god, son of Oceanus and Tethys, and father of the Nereids, 2.419, et al.; (meton.), the sea, 10.764.

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

    Tīthōnius, a, um: adj. (Tīthōnus), of Tithonus; Tīthōnia coniūnx, Aurora, 8.384.

    flectō, flexī, flexus, 3, a. and n.: to bend; make by twisting, weave, 7.632; turn, guide, 1.156; rein, manage, 9.606; influence, sway, bend, move; retain, check, 12.46.

    coeō, coīvī or coiī, coitus, coīre, irreg. n. and a.: to go or come together, assemble, 7.582; come together in conflict, join battle; of the blood, stand still, congeal, curdle, 3.30; come to terms, form a compact, 7.317; coīre in ūnum, to come to one place, unite, concentrate, combine, 9.801, et al.

    acuō, uī, ūtus, 3, a.: to make pointed; to sharpen, whet, 8.386; (fig.), stimulate, provoke, 7.330; incite, rouse.

    excidium, iī, n.: a complete cutting or tearing down; razing, demolition, destruction. (exscindō)

    meī, m. pl.: my kindred, friends, countrymen, descendants, etc., 2.587, et al.; mea, ōrum, n., my possessions, enjoyments, 12.882. (mē)

    niveus, a, um: adj. (nix), snowy, of snow; snow-white, 1.469.

    dīva, ae, f.: a goddess, 1.632, et al.

    lacertus, ī, m.: the upper arm, from the shoulder to the elbow; the arm, 5.141, et al.

    cunctor, ātus sum, 1, dep. n.: to delay, hesitate, linger, wait, 4.133; keep one's ground, stand at bay, 10.717.

    amplexus, ūs, m.: an embrace, 1.687.(amplector)

    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.

    repēns, entis: (adv.), suddenly, unexpectedly, 1.594.

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

    medulla, ae, f.: pl. medullae, ārum, the marrow, 4.66. (rel. to medius)

    calor, ōris, m.: warmth, heat, vital heat, 4.705. (caleō)

    labefaciō, fecī, factus, 3, a., (pass.), labefīō, fierī, factus (labō and faciō): to cause to totter or waver; p., labefactus, a, um, shaken, 4.395; yielding, melting, 8.390.

    secus: following, late; otherwise, differently; nōn or haud secus, not otherwise, not less; likewise, even so, 2.382, et al.; none the less, nevertheless, 5.862; haud secus ac, nor otherwise than, just as. (comp. adv.), sētius, less, the less; haud sētius, not the less, 7.781.

    tonitrus, ūs, m.: thunder, 4.122, et al.; thunderbolt, 8.391. (tonō)

    coruscus, a, um: adj. (coruscō), vibrating, tremulous, waving, 12.701; flashing, 1.164; gleaming, 2.172.

    īgneus, a, um: adj. (īgnis), of fire or fiery substance; fiery, 6.730; of lightning swiftness, 11.718.

    rīma, ae, f.: a cleft; crack, chink, fissure, 1.123.

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

    percurrō, cucurrī or currī, cursus, 3, n. and a.: to run through or over, 8.392; (fig.), run over in narration, relate briefly, 6.627.

    nimbus, ī, m.: a violent rain; storm, tempest, 1.51; a black cloud, thunder-cloud, cloud, 3.587; a bright cloud; the nimbus surrounding a god, 2.616; cloud of smoke, 5.666; a multitude, 7.793.

    cōnscius, a, um: adj. (com- and sciō), having complete knowledge; conscious, 5.455; conscious of, 2.141; conscious of guilt, guilty, 2.99; witnessing (w. dat.), 4.167; having knowledge in common, or a mutual understanding; confederate, 2.267.

    dēvinciō, vinxī, vinctus, 4, a.: to bind fast; bind, 8.394.

    altum, ī, n.: the deep; the lofty; the deep sea, the main, the deep, 1.3; the sky, heaven, air, 1.297; from far, far-fetched, remote, 8.395. (altus)

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

    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)

    Teucrī, ōrum, m.: the Trojans, descendants of Teucer, 1.38, et al.; adj., Teucrian, Trojan, 9.779, et al. (Teucer)

    armō, āvī, ātus, 1, a.: to equip with arms; arm, equip, 2.395, et al.; fit out, make ready, prepare, 4.299; (fig.), imbue, charge, 9.773; p., armātus, a, um, armed, charged, 12.857; subst., armātī, ōrum, m., armed men, warriors, 2.485. (arma)

    omnipotēns, entis: adj. (omnis and potēns), all-powerful, almighty, 1.60; supreme, sovereign, 10.1; subst., The Almighty, 4.220.

    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.

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

    bellō, āvī, ātus, 1, n., and bellor, dep. 1, n.: to wage war; fight, 1.466; dep., 11.660; subst., bellāns, antis, c. pl., bellantēs, ium or um, combatants, warriors, 1.466. (bellum)

    liquidus, a, um: adj. (liqueō), flowing, liquid, fluid, 5.217, et al.; clear, serene, 6.202.

    ēlectrum, ī, n.: amber; a mixed metal of the color of amber, 8.402.

    quantum: (relative pronoun or adverb) as much as, however much, to the extent that.

    absistō, abstitī, 3, n.: to stand off or away from, followed by the abl., alone or with prep.; withdraw from, 6.259; fly, dart from, 12.102; (with infin.), desist, cease, 6.399; (alone), stop, cease, 1.192.

    indubitō, āvī, ātus, 1, n.: to doubt, mistrust, w. dat., 8.404.

    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.

    īnfundō, fūdī, fūsus, 3, a.: to pour into or upon, 6.254; pour down, 4.122; assemble, crowd together, 5.552; infuse, diffuse, 6.726; (pass.), lie, repose, 8.406.

    gremium, iī, n.: the lap, the bosom, 1.685, et al.; ante gremium suum, in front of or before one's self, 11.744.

    sopor, ōris, m.: sleep; sound, deep slumber, 2.253; personified, 6.278.

    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/ro/vergil-aeneid/vergil-aeneid-viii-370-406