Īntĕrĕā trĕpĭdīs Făbĭūs spēs ūnĭcă rēbūs.
īllĕ quĭdēm sŏcĭōs ātque aēgrām vūlnĕrĕ praēcēps
Aūsŏnĭam ārmābāt vĭrĭdīque ād dūră lăbōrūm
bēllātōr sĕnĭō iām cāstră mŏvēbăt ĭn hōstēm,
sēd mēns hūmānā māiōr nōn tēlă nĕc ēnsēs
nēc fōrtēs spēctābăt ĕquōs. tōt mīlĭă cōntrā
Poēnōrum īnvīctūmquĕ dŭcēm, tŏt ĭn āgmĭnă sōlūs
ībăt ĕt īn sēsē cūncta ārmă vĭrōsquĕ gĕrēbāt.
āc nī sācră sĕnī vīs īmprēssūmquĕ fŭīssēt
sīstĕrĕ cūnctāndō Fōrtūnam ādvērsă fŏvēntēm,
ūltĭmă Dārdănĭī trānsīssēt nōmĭnĭs aētās.
īllĕ mŏdūm sŭpĕrīs īn Pūnĭcă cāstră făvōrīs
āddĭdĭt ēt Lĭbўaē fīnem īntēr prōspĕră bēllă
vīncēndī stătŭīt, tŭmĕfāctūm clādĭbŭs īllĕ
Hēspĕrĭīs lēntō Poēnūm mŏdĕrāmĭnĕ lūsīt.
sūmmĕ dŭcūm, quī rēgna ĭtĕrūm lābēntĭă Troīaē
ēt flūxās Lătĭī rēs māiōrūmquĕ lăbōrēs,
quī Cārmēntĭs ŏpēs ēt rēgna Ēvāndrĭă sērvās,
sūrge, ăge ĕt ēmĕrĭtō sācrūm căpŭt īnsĕrĕ caēlō.
Āt Lĭbўaē dūctōr, pōstquām nŏvă nōmĭnă lēctō
dīctātōrĕ vĭgēnt, rāptīm mūtātă Lătīnīs
īmpĕrĭa haūd frūstrā rĕpŭtāns cōgnōscĕre ăvēbāt,
quaē fōrtūnă vĭrō, quōdnām dĕcŭs, ūltĭmă fēssīs
āncŏră cūr Făbĭūs, quēm pōst tōt Rōmă prŏcēllās
Hānnĭbălī pŭtĕt ēssĕ părēm. fērvōrĕ cărēntēs
āngēbānt ānnī fraūdīque ĭnăpērtă sĕnēctūs.
ōcĭŭs āccītūm cāptīvo ēx āgmĭnĕ pōscīt
prōgĕnĭēm rītūsquĕ dŭcīs dēxtraēquĕ lăbōrēs.
Cīlnĭŭs Ārrētī Tŷrrhēnīs ōrtŭs ĭn ōrīs
clārūm nōmĕn ĕrāt, sēd laēva āddūxĕrăt hōră
Tīcīnī iŭvĕnēm rīpīs, fūsūsquĕ rŭēntīs
vūlnĕre ĕquī Lĭbўcīs praēbēbāt cōllă cătēnīs.
hīc ārdēns ēxtrēmă mălīs ēt rūmpĕrĕ vītām
"nōn cūm Flāmĭnĭō tĭbĭ rēs, nēc fērvĭdă Grācchī
īn mănĭbūs cōnsūlta" īnquīt; "Tīrŷnthĭă gēns ēst.
quām sī fātă tŭīs gĕnŭīssēnt, Hānnĭbăl, ōrīs,
tērrārum īmpĕrĭūm Cārthāgĭnĭs ārcĕ vĭdērēs.
nōn ĕgŏ tē lōngā sĕrĭē pēr sīngŭlă dūcām.
hōc săt ĕrīt; nōscēs Făbĭōs cērtāmĭne ăb ūnō:
Vēiēntūm pŏpŭlī vĭŏlātā pācĕ nĕgābānt
āccēptārĕ iŭgum, āc vīcīnō Mārtĕ fŭrēbāt
ād pōrtās bēllūm, cōnsūlquĕ cĭēbăt ăd ārmă.
dīlēctūs vĕtĭtī, prīvātăquĕ cāstră pĕnātēs
Hērcŭlĕi īmplēvērĕ. dŏmō, mīrābĭle, ăb ūnā
pātrĭcĭūs iūnctīs ēxērcĭtŭs ībăt ĭn ārmīs.
tēr cēntum ēxsĭlŭērĕ dŭcēs. quōcūmquĕ lĭbērēt
ūnō nōn păvĭdūs rēxīssēs bēllă măgīstrō.
sēd dīrum ēgrēssīs ōmēn: Scĕlĕrātă mĭnācī
strīdēntīs sŏnĭtū trĕmŭērūnt līmĭnă pōrtaē,
māxĭmăque Hērcŭlĕī mūgīvīt nūmĭnĭs āră.
īnvāsēre hōstēm, nŭmĕrārīque āspĕră vīrtūs
haūd ēst pāssă vĭrōs ēt plūrēs mīlĭtĕ caēdēs.
saēpĕ glŏbō dēnsī, saēpe ēt pēr dēvĭă pāssīm
dīspērsī sŭbĭērĕ vĭcēs, mĕrĭtīquĕ lăbōrĕ
aēquātō nūllī quīsquām vīrtūtĕ sĕcūndūs,
dūcĕrĕ tēr cēntūm Tārpēia ād tēmplă trĭūmphōs.
spēs heū fāllācēs ōblītăquĕ cōrdă cădūcūm,
mōrtālī quōdcūmquĕ dătūr! grēx īllĕ vĭrōrūm,
quī Făbĭā gēnte īncŏlŭmī dēfōrmĕ pŭtābāt
pūblĭcă bēllă gĕrī, părĭtēr cĕcĭdērĕ dĕōrūm
īnvĭdĭā sŭbĭtīs cīrcūmvĕnĭēntĭbŭs ārmīs.
nēc tămĕn ōccīsōs ēst cūr laētērĕ; sŭpērsūnt,
quōt tĭbĭ sīt Lĭbўaēquĕ sătīs; cērtāvĕrĭt ūnūs
tēr cēntūm dēxtrīs. tām vīvĭdă mēmbră lăbōrquĕ
prōvĭdŭs ēt caūtā sōllērtĭă tēctă quĭētĕ.
nēc vērō călĭdī nūnc tū cuī sānguĭnĭs aētās
fōdĕrĭs īn pūgnā vēlōcĭŭs īlĭă plāntā
bēllātōrĭs ĕquī frēnīsquĕ mŏmōrdĕrĭs ōră."
quēm cērnēns ăvĭdūm lētī pōst tālĭă Poēnūs
"nēquīquām nōstrās, dēmēns," ăĭt "ēlĭcĭs īrās
ēt cāptīvă părās mŏrĭēndo ēvādĕrĕ vīnclă.
vīvēndum ēst. ārtā sērvēntūr cōllă cătēnā."
haēc iŭvĕnīs dīvīsquĕ tŭmēns aūsīsquĕ sĕcūndīs.
Āt pātrēs Lătĭāsquĕ nŭrūs rāptābăt ăd ārās
cūră dĕūm. maēstō sūffūsaē lūmĭnă vūltū
fēmĭnĕūs mātrēs grădĭtūr chŏrŭs; ōrdĭnĕ lōngō
Iūnōnī pāllām cōncēptăquĕ vōtă dĭcābānt:
"hūc ădĕs, ō rēgīnă dĕūm, gēns cāstă prĕcāmūr
ēt fĕrĭmūs, dīgnō quaēcūmque ēst nōmĭnĕ, tūrbă
Aūsŏnĭdūm pūlchrūmque ĕt, ăcu ēt sūbtēmĭnĕ fūlvō
quōd nōstraē nēvērĕ mănūs, vĕnĕrābĭlĕ dōnūm.
āc dūm dēcrēscīt mātrūm mĕtŭs, hōc tĭbĭ, dīvă,
īntĕrĕā vēlāmĕn ĕrīt. sī pēllĕrĕ nōstrīs
Mārmărĭcām tērrīs nūbēm dăbĭs, ōmnĭs ĭn aūrō
prēssă tĭbī vărĭā fūlgēbīt gēmmă cŏrōnā."
nēcnōn ēt prŏprĭō vĕnĕrāntūr Pāllădă dōnō
Phoēbūmque ārmĭgĕrūmquĕ dĕūm prīmāmquĕ Dĭōnēn.
tānta ădĕō, cūm rēs trĕpĭdaē, rĕvĕrēntĭă dīvūm
nāscĭtŭr; āt rāraē fūmānt fēlīcĭbŭs āraē.
Dūm Rōma āntīquōs tēmplīs īndīcĭt hŏnōrēs,
iām Făbĭūs caūtō prōcēdēns āgmĭne ĕt ārtĕ
bēllāndī lēntō sĭmĭlīs praēclūsĕrăt ōmnēs
fōrtūnaēque hōstīquĕ vĭās. dīscēdĕrĕ sīgnīs
haūd lĭcĭtūm, sūmmūmquĕ dĕcūs, quō tōllĭs ăd āstră
īmpĕrĭī, Rōmānĕ, căpūt, pārērĕ dŏcēbāt.
vērum ŭbĭ prīmă sătīs cōnspēcta īn mōntĭbŭs āltīs
sīgnă prŏcūl fūlsītquĕ nŏvīs ēxērcĭtŭs ārmīs,
ārrēctaē spēs Sīdŏnĭaē, fērvētquĕ sĕcūndīs
fōrtūnaē iŭvĕnīs. vīncēndī sōlă vĭdētūr
quōd nōndūm stĕtĕrīnt ăcĭēs, mŏră. "pērgĭtĕ," clāmāt
"ītĕ cĭtī, rŭĭte ād pōrtās, prōpēllĭtĕ vāllūm
pēctŏrĭbūs. quāntūm cāmpī dīstāmŭs, ăd ūmbrās
tāntum hōstī sŭpĕrēst. rĕsĭdēs ād bēllă vŏcāntūr,
quīs pŭdĕāt cērtārĕ, sĕnēs. quōdcūmquĕ vĭdētīs
hōc rĕlĭquum ēst, prīmō dāmnātum ŭt ĭnūtĭlĕ bēllō.
ēn, ŭbĭ nūnc Grācchi ātque ŭbĭ sūnt nūnc fūlmĭnă gēntīs
Scīpĭădaē? pūlsi Aūsŏnĭā nōn āntĕ păvēntēm
dīmīsērĕ fŭgām, quām tērrŏr ăd ūltĭmă mūndī
Ōcĕănūmquĕ tŭlīt; prŏfŭgūs nūnc ērrăt ŭtērquĕ
nōmĭnă nōstră trĕmēns ēt rīpās sērvăt Hĭbērī.
ēst ĕtĭām, cūr Flāmĭnĭō mĭhĭ glōrĭă caēsō
crēvĕrĭt ēt tĭtŭlīs lĭbĕāt cūr fīgĕrĕ nōstrīs
crūdūm Mārtē vīrĭ nŏmēn. quōt dēmĕrĕ nōstēr
huīc ānnōs Făbĭō glădĭūs vălĕt? ēt tămĕn aūdēt.
aūdĕăt! haūd ūltrā fāxō spēctētŭr ĭn ārmīs."
Tālĭă vōcĭfĕrāns vŏlŭcrī răpĭt āgmĭnă cūrsū
āc praēvēctŭs ĕquō nūnc dēxtrā prōvŏcăt hōstēm,
nūnc vōce īncrĕpĭtāt, mīssā nūnc ēmĭnŭs hāstā
fērtŭr ŏvāns pūgnaēque ăgĭtāt sĭmŭlācră fŭtūraē,
ūt Thĕtĭdīs prōlēs Phrўgĭīs Vūlcānĭă cāmpīs
ārmă tŭlīt clĭpĕo āmplēxūs tērrāmquĕ pŏlūmquĕ
mātērnūmquĕ frĕtūm tōtūmque ĭn ĭmāgĭnĕ mūndūm.
Cāssārūm sĕdĕt īrārūm spēctātŏr ĕt āltī
cēlsūs cōllĕ iŭgī dŏmăt ēxsūltāntĭă cōrdă
īnfrāctāsquĕ mĭnās dīlātō Mārtĕ fătīgāt
sōllērs cūnctāndī Făbĭūs, ceū nōctĕ sŭb ātrā
mūnītīs pāstōr stăbŭlīs pĕr ŏvīlĭă claūsūm
īmpăvĭdūs sōmnī sērvāt pĕcŭs; ēffĕră saēvīt
ātque īmpāstă trŭcēs ŭlŭlātūs tūrbă lŭpōrūm
ēxērcēt mōrsūquĕ quătīt rēstāntĭă claūstră.
Īrrĭtŭs īncēptī mŏvĕt īnde ātque Āpŭlă tārdō
ārvă Lĭbŷs pāssū lĕgĭt āc nūnc vāllĕ rĕsīdīt
cōndĭtŭs ōccūltā, sī praēcĭpĭtārĕ sĕquēntēm
ātque ĭnŏpīnātā dētūr cīrcūmdărĕ fraūdĕ,
nūnc nōctūrnă părāt caēcaē cēlāntĭbŭs ūmbrīs
fūrtă vĭaē rētrōque ăbĭtūm fīctōsquĕ tĭmōrēs
āssĭmŭlāt, tūm cāstră cĭtūs dēsērtă rĕlīctā
ōstēntāt praēda ātque īnvītāt prōdĭgŭs hōstēm,
quālīs Maēŏnĭā pāssīm Maēāndrŭs ĭn ōrā,
cūm sĭbĭ gūrgĭtĭbūs flēxīs rĕvŏlūtŭs ŏbērrāt.
nūllă văcānt īncēptă dŏlīs, sĭmŭl ōmnĭă vērsāt
mīscētque ēxăcŭēns vărĭa ād cōnāmĭnă mēntēm,
sīcŭt ăquaē splēndōr rădĭātūs lāmpădĕ sōlīs
dīssūltāt pēr tēctă văgā sŭb ĭmāgĭnĕ vībrāns
lūmĭnĭs ēt trĕmŭlā lăquĕārĭă vērbĕrăt ūmbrā.
iāmquĕ dŏlōrĕ fŭrēns ĭtă sēcum īmmūrmŭrăt īraē:
"ōbvĭă sī prīmūs nōbīs hīc tēlă tŭlīssēt,
nūllănĕ nūnc Trĕbĭae ēt Thrăsўmēnnī nōmĭnă? nūllī
lūgērēnt Ĭtălī? nūmquām Phăĕthōntĭŭs āmnīs
sānguĭnĕā pōntūm tūrbāssēt dēcŏlŏr ūndā?
īnvēntūm, dūm sē cŏhĭbēt tĕrĭmūrquĕ sĕdēndō,
vīncēndī gĕnŭs. ēn quŏtĭēns, vĕlŭt ōbvĭŭs īrēt
dīscīnxīt rătĭōnĕ dŏlōs fraūdēsquĕ rĕsōlvīt!"
haēc sēcūm, mĕdĭō sōmnī cūm būcĭnă nōctēm
dīvĭdĕrēt iāmque ēxcŭbĭās sōrtītŭs ĭnīquās
tērtĭŭs ābrūptā vĭgĭl īrĕt ăd ārmă quĭētĕ.
vērtĭt ĭtēr Daūnīquĕ rĕtrō tēllūrĕ rĕlīctā
Cāmpānās rĕmĕāt nōtūs pŏpŭlātŏr ĭn ōrās.
hīc vēro, īntrāvīt pōstquam ūbĕrĭs ārvă Fălērnī
(dīvĕs ĕa ēt nūmquām tēllūs mēntītă cŏlōnō)
āddūnt frūgĭfĕrīs ĭnĭmīca īncēndĭă rāmīs.
Haūd fās, Bācchĕ, tŭōs tăcĭtūm trāmīttĕre hŏnōrēs,
quāmquām māgna īncēptă vŏcēnt. mĕmŏrābĕrĕ, sācrī
lārgītōr lătĭcīs, grăvĭdaē cuī nēctărĕ vītēs
nūllī dānt prēlīs nōmēn praēfērrĕ Fălērnīs.
Māssĭcă sūlcābāt mĕlĭōrĕ Fălērnŭs ĭn aēvō
ēnsĭbŭs īgnōtīs sĕnĭōr iŭgă. pāmpĭnŭs ūmbrās
nōndum ūvaē vĭrĭdēs nūdō tēxēbăt ĭn ārvō,
pōcŭlă nēc nōrānt sūcīs mūlcērĕ Lўaēī.
fōntĕ sĭtim ēt pūrā sŏlĭtī dēfēndĕrĕ lŷmphā.
āttŭlĭt hōspĭtĭō pērgēntem ād lītŏră Cālpēs
ēxtrēmūmquĕ dĭēm pēs dēxtĕr ĕt hōră Lўaēūm,
nēc pĭgĭtūm pārvōsquĕ lărēs hŭmĭlīsquĕ sŭbīrĕ
līmĭnă caēlĭcŏlām tēctī. cēpērĕ vŏlēntēm
fūmōsī pōstēs ēt rītū paūpĕrĭs aēvī
āntĕ fŏcōs mēnsaē, laētūs nēc sēnsĕrăt hōspēs
ādvēnīssĕ dĕūm, sĕd ĕnīm dē mōrĕ părēntūm
grātō cūrsābāt stŭdĭo īnstābātquĕ sĕnēctaē,
dōnĕc ŏpēs fēstās pūrīs nūnc pōmă cănīstrīs
cōmpŏsŭīt, nūnc īrrĭgŭīs cĭtŭs ēxtŭlĭt hōrtīs
rōrāntēs ūmōrĕ dăpēs. tūm lāctĕ făvīsquĕ
dīstīnxīt dūlcēs ĕpŭlās nūllōquĕ crŭōrĕ
pōllūtā cāstūs mēnsā Cĕrĕālĭă dōnă
āttŭlĭt āc prīmūm Vēstaē dēcērpsĭt hŏnōrēm
ūndĭque ĕt īn mĕdĭām iēcīt lībāmĭnă flāmmām.
dēssĕ tŭōs lătĭcēs hāc sēdŭlĭtātĕ sĕnīlī
cāptŭs, Ĭācchĕ, vĕtās. sŭbĭtō, mīrābĭlĕ dīctū,
fāgĭnă pāmpĭnĕō spūmārūnt pōcŭlă sūcō,
paūpĕrĭs hōspĭtĭī prĕtĭūm, vīlīsquĕ rŭbēntī
flūxīt mūlctră mĕro, ēt quērcu īn crātēră căvātā
dūlcĭs ŏdōrātīs ūmōr sūdāvĭt ăb ūvīs.
"ēn căpĕ" Bācchŭs ăīt "nōndūm tĭbĭ nōtă, sĕd ōlīm
vītĭcŏlaē nōmēn pērvūlgātūră Fălērnī
mūnĕra" - ĕt haūd ūltrā lătŭīt dĕŭs. īndĕ nĭtēntēm
lūmĭnĕ pūrpŭrĕō frōntēm cīnxērĕ cŏrŷmbī
ēt fūsaē pēr cōllă cŏmaē, dēxtrāquĕ pĕpēndīt
cānthărŭs, āc vītīs thŷrsō dēlāpsă vĭrēntī
fēstās Nŷsaēō rĕdĭmīvīt pālmĭtĕ mēnsās.
nēc făcĭlīs laētō cērtāssĕ, Fălērnĕ, săpōrī,
pōstquam ĭtĕrātă tĭbī sūnt pōcŭlă, iām pĕdĕ rīsūm,
iām līnguā tĭtŭbāntĕ mŏvēs pātrīquĕ Lўaēō
tēmpŏră quāssātūs grātēs ēt praēmĭă dīgnă
vīx īntēllēctīs cōnārīs rēddĕrĕ vērbīs,
dōnēc cōmpŏsŭīt lūctāntĭă lūmĭnă Sōmnūs,
Sōmnūs, Bācchĕ, tĭbī cŏmĕs āddĭtŭs. hīnc ŭbĭ prīmō
ūngŭlă dīspērsīt rōrēs Phăĕthōntĭă Phoēbō
ūvĭfĕrīs lātē flōrēbāt Māssĭcŭs ārvīs
mīrātūs nĕmŏra ēt lūcēntēs sōlĕ răcēmōs.
īt mōntī dĕcŭs, ātque ēx īllō tēmpŏrĕ dīvēs
Tmōlŭs ĕt āmbrŏsĭīs Ărĭūsĭă pōcŭlă sūcīs
āc Mēthŷmnă fĕrōx lăcŭbūs cēssērĕ Fălērnīs.
Haēc tūm vāstă dăbāt tērrīsque īnfēstŭs ăgēbāt
Hānnĭbăl, ēt sīccī stĭmŭlābānt sānguĭnĭs ēnsēs
lūdĭfĭcāntĕ dŭcēm Făbĭō. iāmque īmprŏbă cāstrīs
Aūsŏnĭīs vōta ēt pūgnāndī prāvă lĭbīdŏ
glīscēbāt; prōnī dēcūrrĕrĕ mōntĕ părābānt.
Dā fāmaē, dā, Mūsă, vĭrūm, cuī vīncĕrĕ bīnă
cōncēssūm cāstra ēt gĕmĭnōs dŏmĭtārĕ fŭrōrēs.
"fērvĭdă sī nōbīs cōrda ābrūptūmquĕ pŭtāssēnt
īngĕnĭūm pātrēs ēt sī clāmōrĭbŭs" īnquīt
"tūrbārī făcĭlēm mēntēm, nōn ūltĭmă rērūm
ēt dēplōrātī māndāssēnt Mārtĭs hăbēnās.
stāt pēnsātă dĭū bēllī sēntēntĭă: vīncām
sērvāre īnvītōs ūrgēntēsque ūltĭmă fātă.
nūllī pēr Făbĭum ē vōbīs cĕcĭdīssĕ lĭcēbīt.
sī lūcīs pĭgĕt ēt sūprēmīs ēssĕ cŭpīdōst
nōmĭnĭs Aūsŏnĭī taēdētque īn tēmpŏrĕ tālī
nūllūm clādĕ nŏvā clāraēquĕ frăgōrĕ rŭīnaē
īnsīgnēm fēcīssĕ lŏcūm, rĕvŏcāndŭs ăb ātrīs
Flāmĭnĭūs nōbīs ēst sēdĭbŭs. īllĕ rŭĕndī
iām dūdūm prŏpĕrāns sīgnum aūspĭcĭūmquĕ dĕdīssēt.
ān nōndūm praēcēps vīcīnăquĕ fātă vĭdētīs?
ūna, ūt dēbēllēt, sătĭs ēst vīctōrĭă Poēnō.
stātĕ, vĭri, ēxaūdītĕ dŭcēm! cum ōptābĭlĕ tēmpūs
dēpōscēt dēxtrās, tūnc īstă fĕrōcĭă dīctă
aēquēntūr fāctīs. nōn ēst, mĭhĭ crēdĭtĕ, nōn ēst
ārdŭŭs īn pūgnās fērrī lăbŏr. ūnă rĕclūsīs
ōmnēs iām pōrtīs īn cāmpum ēffūdĕrĭt hōră.
māgnum īllūd sōlīsquĕ dătūm, quōs mītĭs ĕūntēs
Iūppĭtĕr āspēxīt, māgnum ēst, ēx hōstĕ rĕvērtī.
fōrtūnaē Lĭbўs īncūmbīt flātūquĕ sĕcūndō
fīdĭt ăgēns pūppīm. dūm dēsĭnăt aūră sĭnūsquĕ
dēstĭtŭāt tŭmĭdōs sūbdūctō flāmĭnĕ vēntūs,
īn rēm cūnctārī fŭĕrīt. nōn ūllă pĕrēnnī
āmplēxū Fōrtūnă fŏvēt. iām cōpĭă quāntō
ārtĭŏr, ēt nūllō Tўrĭīs cērtāmĭnĕ quāntūm
dētrītum ēst fāmaē! quīn īntēr cētĕră nōstrā
haūd laūde āfŭĕrīt, mŏdŏ quī - sēd pārcĕrĕ dīctīs
sīt mĕlĭūs. iām vōs ăcĭēs ēt proēlĭa ĕt hōstēm
pōscĭtĭs? ō mănĕāt, sŭpĕrī, fīdūcĭă tālīs!
īntĕrĕa ēxclūsā māiōrīs sōrtĕ pĕrīclī
mē sōlūm, quaēsō, tōtī me ōppōnĭtĕ bēllō."
hīs dīctīs frāctūs fŭrŏr ēt răbĭda ārmă quĭērūnt,
ūt, cūm tūrbātīs plăcĭdūm căpŭt ēxtŭlĭt ūndīs
Nēptūnūs tōtūmquĕ vĭdēt tōtōquĕ vĭdētūr
rēgnātōr pōntō, saēvī fĕră mūrmŭră vēntī
dīmīttūnt nūllāsquĕ mŏvēnt īn frōntĭbŭs ālās
tūm sēnsim īnfūsā trānquīllă pĕr aēquŏră pācĕ
lānguēntēs tăcĭtō lūcēnt īn lītŏrĕ flūctūs.
Sēnsīt cūră săgāx Poēnī fraūdīsquĕ vĕnēnō
āggrĕdĭtūr mēntēs. paūca ātque haēc rūrĭs ăvītī
iūgĕră nēc mūltīs Făbĭūs vērtēbăt ărātrīs;
Māssĭcŭs ūvĭfĕrīs āddēbāt nōmĭnă glēbīs.
hīnc pēstēm plăcĭtūm mōlīri ēt spārgĕrĕ caūsās
īn cāstra āmbĭgŭās. fērrō flāmmīsquĕ pĕpērcīt
sūspēctāmquĕ lŏcō pācēm dĕdĭt ārtĕ mălīgnā,
ceū clāndēstīnō trăhĕrētūr foēdĕrĕ bēllūm.
Īntēllēctŭs ĕrāt Făbĭō, Tўrĭōsquĕ vĭdēbāt
dīctātōr saēvīrĕ dŏlōs; sēd nōn văcăt āgrām
īnvĭdĭām glădĭōs īntēr lĭtŭōsquĕ tĭmērĕ
ēt dŭbĭā mōrsūs fāmaē dēpēllĕrĕ pūgnā,
dōnēc rēptāntem ēt nēquīquām saēpĕ trăhēntēm
hūc īllūc cāstra āc scrūtāntēm proēlĭă Poēnūm,
quā nĕmŏrōsă iŭga ēt scŏpŭlōsī vērtĭcĕ cōllēs
ēxsūrgūnt, claūsīt spārsa ād dīvōrtĭă tūrmā.
hīnc Laēstrŷgŏnĭaē sāxōsō mōntĕ prĕmēbānt
ā tērgō rūpēs, ūndōsīs squālĭdă tērrīs
hīnc Lītērnă pălūs, nēc fērri aūt mīlĭtĭs ūsūm
pōscēbāt rĕgĭō, saēptōs sēd fraūdĕ lŏcōrūm
ārtă fămēs poēnās mĭsĕrae ēxāctūră Săgūntī
ūrgēbāt, fīnīsque ădĕrāt Cārthāgĭnĭs ārmīs.
Cūnctă pĕr ēt tērrās ēt lātī stāgnă prŏfūndī
cōndĭdĕrāt sōmnūs, pŏsĭtōquĕ lăbōrĕ dĭērūm
pācēm nōctĕ dătām mōrtālĭbŭs ōrbĭs ăgēbāt.
āt nōn Sīdŏnĭūm cūrīs flāgrāntĭă cōrdă
dūctōrēm vĭgĭlēsquĕ mĕtūs haūrīrĕ sĭnēbānt
dōnă sŏpōrĭfĕraē nōctīs. nām mēmbră cŭbīlī
ērĭgĭt ēt fūlvī cīrcūmdāt pēllĕ lĕōnīs,
quā sŭpĕrīnstrātōs prōiēctūs grāmĭnĕ cāmpī
prēssĕrăt āntĕ tŏrōs. tūnc ād tēntōrĭă frātrīs
fērt grēssūs vīcīnă cĭtōs. nēc dēgĕnĕr īllĕ
bēllĭgĕrī rītūs taūrīnō mēmbră iăcēbāt
ēffūltūs tērgo ēt mūlcēbāt trīstĭă sōmnō.
stāt prŏcŭl hāstă vĭrī tērraē dēfīxă prŏpīnquaē
ēt dīra ē sūmmā pēndēbāt cūspĭdĕ cāssīs;
āt clĭpĕūs cīrcā lōrīcăque ĕt ēnsĭs ĕt ārcūs
ēt tēlūm Bălĭārĕ sĭmūl tēllūrĕ quĭēscūnt.
iūxtā lēctă mănūs, iŭvĕnēs īn Mārtĕ prŏbātī,
ēt sŏnĭpēs strātō cārpēbāt grāmĭnă dōrsō.
ūt pĕpŭlērĕ lĕvem īntrāntīs vēstīgĭă sōmnūm,
"heūs!" īnquīt părĭtērquĕ mănūs ād tēlă fĕrēbāt,
"quaē tē cūră vĭgīl fēssūm, gērmānĕ, fătīgāt?"
āc iām cōnstĭtĕrāt sŏcĭōsque īn caēspĭtĕ fūsōs
īncūssā rĕvŏcāt cāstrōrum ād mūnĕră plāntā,
cūm Lĭbўaē dūctōr: "Făbĭūs mē nōctĭbŭs aēgrīs,
īn cūrās Făbĭūs nōs ēxcĭtăt, īllă sĕnēctūs,
heū fātīs quaē sōlă mĕīs cūrrēntĭbŭs ōbstāt.
cērnĭs, ŭt ārmātā cīrcūmfūndārĕ cŏrōnā,
ēt vāllēt claūsōs cōllēctūs mīlĕs ĭn ōrbēm.
vērum ăgĕ nūnc, quŏnĭām rēs ārtaē, pērcĭpĕ pōrrō,
quaē mĕdĭtātă mĭhī. lātōs cōrrēptă pĕr āgrōs
ārmēnta āssuētō bēllī dē mōrĕ sĕquūntūr.
cōrnĭbŭs ārēntēs ēdīcam īnnēctĕrĕ rāmōs
sārmēntīquĕ lĕvīs frōntī rĕlĭgārĕ mănīplōs,
ādmōtūs cūm fērvōrēm dīspērsĕrĭt īgnīs,
ūt pāssim ēxsūltēnt stĭmŭlāntĕ dŏlōrĕ iŭvēncī
ēt văgă pēr cōllēs cērvīce īncēndĭă iāctēnt.
tūm tērrōrĕ nŏvō trĕpĭdūs lāxābĭt ĭnīquās
cūstōs ēxcŭbĭās māiōrăquĕ nōctĕ tĭmēbīt.
sī cōrdī cōnsūltă (mŏrās ēxtrēmă rĕcūsānt),
āccīngāmŭr" ăīt. gĕmĭnō tēntōrĭă grēssū
īndĕ pĕtūnt. īngēns clĭpĕō cērvīcĕ rĕpōstā
īntĕr ĕquōs īntērquĕ vĭrōs īntērquĕ iăcēbāt
cāptă mănū spŏlĭa ēt rōrāntĭă caēdĕ Mărāxēs
āc dīrum, īn sōmnō ceū bēllă căpēssĕrĕt, āmēns
clāmōrēm tūm fōrtĕ dăbāt dēxtrāquĕ trĕmēntĕ
ārmă tŏro ēt nōtūm quaērēbāt fērvĭdŭs ēnsēm.
huīc Māgo, īnvērsā quătĭēns ūt dīspŭlĭt hāstā
bēllāntēm sōmnūm: "tĕnĕbrīs, fōrtīssĭmĕ dūctōr,
īrās cōmpēsce ātque īn lūcēm proēlĭă dīffēr.
ād fraūdem ōccūltāmquĕ fŭgām tūtōsquĕ rĕcēptūs
nūnc nōcte ūtēndum ēst. ārēntēs nēctĕrĕ frōndēs
cōrnĭbŭs ēt lātīs āccēnsa īmmīttĕrĕ sīlvīs
ārmēnta, ōppŏsĭtī rĕsĕrēnt quō claūstră mănīplī,
gērmānūs părăt ātque ōbsēssa ēvēllĕrĕ cāstră.
ēmērgāmŭs, ĕt hīc Făbĭō pērsuādĕăt āstūs
nōn cērtārĕ dŏlīs." nĭhĭl hīnc cūnctāntĕ, sĕd ācrīs
īncēptī laētō iŭvĕne ād tēntōrĭa Ăchērraē
fēstīnānt, cuī pārcă quĭēs mĭnĭmūmquĕ sŏpōrīs
nēc nōtūm sōmnō nōctēs aēquārĕ; fĕrōcī
pērvĭgĭl īnsērvībăt ĕquō fēssūmquĕ lĕvābāt
trāctāndo ēt frēnīs ōra ēxăgĭtātă fŏvēbāt.
āt sŏcĭī rĕnŏvānt tēla ārēntēmquĕ crŭōrēm
fērrō dētērgēnt ēt dānt mūcrōnĭbŭs īrās.
quīd fōrtūnă lŏcī pōscāt, quīd tēmpŭs, ĕt īpsī
quaēnam ăgĭtēnt, pāndūnt ēt coēptīs īrĕ mĭnīstrūm
haūd sēgnem hōrtāntūr. dīscūrrīt tēssĕră cāstrīs,
īntēntīquĕ dŏcēnt, quaē sīnt prŏpĕrāndă, mŏnētquĕ
quīsquĕ sŭōs. īnstāt trĕpĭdīs stĭmŭlātquĕ rŭēntēs
nāvŭs ăbīrĕ tĭmōr, dūm caēcă sĭlēntĭă dūmquĕ
māiōrēs ūmbraē. răpĭdā iām sūbdĭtă pēstĕ
vīrgūlta ātque āltīs sūrgūnt ē cōrnĭbŭs īgnēs.
hīc vēro ūt glīscēntĕ mălo ēt quāssāntĭbŭs aēgră
ārmēntīs căpĭta ādiūtaē pīnguēscĕrĕ flāmmaē
coēpēre ēt vīncēns fūmōs ērūmpĕrĕ vērtēx,
pēr cōllēs dūmōsquĕ (lŭēs ăgĭt ātră), pĕr āltōs
sāxōsī scŏpŭlōs mōntīs lŷmphātă fĕrūntūr
cōrpŏra ănhēlă bŏum, ātque ōbsēssīs nārĭbŭs īgnī
lūctāntūr frūstrā răbĭdī mūgīrĕ iŭvēncī.
pēr iŭgă, pēr vāllēs ērrāt Vūlcānĭă pēstīs
nūsquām stāntĕ mălō, vīcīnăquĕ lītŏră fūlgēnt.
quām mūlta āffīxūs caēlō sūb nōctĕ sĕrēnā
flūctĭbŭs ē mĕdĭīs sūlcātōr nāvĭtă pōntī
āstră vĭdēt, quām mūltă vĭdēt, fērvōrĭbŭs ātrīs
cūm Călăbrōs ūrūnt ād pīnguĭă pābŭlă sāltūs,
vērtĭcĕ Gārgānī rĕsĭdēns īncēndĭă pāstōr.
Āt făcĭē sŭbĭtā vŏlĭtāntūm mōntĭbŭs āltīs
flāmmārūm, quīs tūnc cĕcĭdīt cūstōdĭă sōrtī,
hōrrēre ātque īpsōs nūllō spārgēntĕ văgārī
crēdĕre ĕt īndŏmĭtōs pāscī sūb cōllĭbŭs īgnēs.
caēlōne ēxcĭdĕrīnt ēt māgnā fūlmĭnă dēxtrā
tōrsĕrĭt Ōmnĭpŏtēns, ān caēcīs rūptă căvērnīs
fūdĕrĭt ēgēstās āccēnsō sūlphŭrĕ flāmmās
īnfēlīx tēllūs, mĕdĭa īn fōrmīdĭnĕ quaērūnt.
iāmque ăbĕūnt, faūcēsquĕ vĭaē cĭtŭs ōccŭpăt ārmīs
Poēnŭs ĕt īn pătŭlōs ēxsūltāns ēmĭcăt āgrōs.
hūc tămĕn ūsquĕ vĭgīl prōcēssĕrăt ārtĕ rĕgēndī
dīctātōr, Trĕbĭam ēt Tūscī pōst stāgnă prŏfūndī
ēssĕt ŭt Hānnĭbălī Făbĭūm Rōmānăquĕ tēlă
ēvāsīssĕ sătīs. quīn ēt vēstīgĭă pūlsī
ēt grēssūs prĕmĕrēt cāstrīs, nī sācră vŏcārēnt
ād pătrĭōs vĕnĕrāndă dĕōs. tūm vērsŭs ăd ūrbēm
āllŏquĭtūr iŭvĕnēm, cuī mōs trāmīttĕrĕ sīgnă
ēt bēllī sūmmām prīmāsquĕ iŭbēbăt hăbēnās,
ātque hīs praēfōrmāt dīctīs fīngītquĕ mŏnēndō:
"sī fāctīs nōndūm, Mĭnŭcī, tē caūtă prŏbārĕ
ērŭdĭīt Fōrtūnă mĕīs, nēc dūcĕrĕ vērbă
ād vērūm dĕcŭs āc prāvīs ārcērĕ vălēbūnt.
vīdīstī claūsum Hānnĭbălēm. nīl mīlĕs ĕt ālaē
iūvēre aūt dēnsīs lĕgĭō cōnfērtă mănīplīs.
tēstōr tē, sōlūs claūsī, nēc deīndĕ mŏrābōr.
dīs sĭnĕ mē lībārĕ dăpem ēt sōllēmnĭă fērrĕ:
hūnc ĭtĕrum ātque ĭtĕrūm vīnctūm vēl mōntĭbŭs āltīs
āmnĭbŭs aūt răpĭdīs (mŏdŏ pūgna ābsīstĭtĕ) trādām.
īntĕrĕā (crēde ēxpērtō, nōn fāllĭmŭr) aēgrīs
nīl mōvīssĕ sălūs rēbūs. sīt glōrĭă mūltīs
ēt plăcĕāt, quīppe ēgrĕgĭūm, prōstērnĕrĕ fērrō
hōstēm, sēd Făbĭō sīt vōs sērvāssĕ trĭūmphūs.
plēnă tĭbī cāstra ātque īntāctūs vūlnĕrĕ mīlēs
crēdĭtŭr. hōs nōbīs (ĕrĭt haēc sāt glōrĭă) rēddĕ.
iām cērnēs Lĭbўcum huīc vāllo āssūltārĕ lĕōnēm,
iām praēdās ōffērrĕ tĭbī, iām vērtĕrĕ tērgă
rēspēctāntem ădĕo ātque īrās cūm fraūdĕ cŏquēntēm.
claūde, ōrō, cāstra ēt cūnctās spēs ērĭpĕ pūgnaē.
haēc mŏnŭīssĕ sătīs. sēd sī cōmpēscĕrĕ cōrdă
nōn dătŭr ōrāntī, māgnō tē iūrĕ pĭōquĕ
dīctātōr căpĕre ārmă vĕtō." sīc cāstră rĕlīnquēns
vāllārāt mŏnĭtīs āc sē rĕfĕrēbăt ăd ūrbēm.
Ēcce aūtēm flātū clāssīs Phoēnīssă sĕcūndō
lītŏră Cāiētaē Laēstrŷgŏnĭōsquĕ rĕcēssūs
sūlcābāt rōstrīs pōrtūsque īntrārăt ăpērtōs
āc tōtūs mūltō spūmābāt rēmĭgĕ pōntūs,
cūm trĕpĭdaē frĕmĭtū vĭtrĕīs ē sēdĭbŭs āntrī
aēquŏrĕaē pĕlăgō sĭmŭl ēmērsērĕ sŏrōrēs
āc pōssēssă vĭdēnt īnfēstīs lītŏră prōrīs.
tūm māgnō pērcūlsă mĕtū Nērēĭă tūrbă
āttŏnĭtaē prŏpĕrē rĕflŭūnt ād līmĭnă nōtă,
Tēlĕbŏūm mĕdĭō sūrgūnt quā rēgnă prŏfūndō
pūmĭcĕaēquĕ prŏcūl sēdēs. īmmānĭs ĭn āntrō
cōndĭtŭr ābrūptō Prōteūs āc spūmĕă lātē
caūtĭbŭs ōbiēctīs rēiēctāt caērŭlă vātēs.
īs pōstquām (sāt gnārŭs ĕnīm rērūmquĕ mĕtūsquĕ)
pēr vărĭās lūsīt fōrmās ēt tērrŭĭt ātrī
sērpēntīs squāmīs hōrrēndăquĕ sībĭlă tōrsīt
aūt frĕmŭīt tōrvō mūtātūs mēmbră lĕōnĕ,
"dīcĭte," ăīt "quaē caūsă vĭaē? quīsve ōră rĕpēntĕ
pērvāsīt pāllōr? cūr scīrĕ fŭtūră lĭbīdŏ?"
ād quaē Cŷmŏdŏcē, Nŷmphārūm māxĭmă nātū
Ītălĭdūm: "nōstī nōstrōs, praēsāgĕ, tĭmōrēs.
quīd Tўrĭaē clāssēs ērēptăquĕ lītŏră nōbīs
pōrtēndūnt? nūm mīgrāntūr Rhoētēĭă rēgnă
īn Lĭbўām sŭpĕrīs? aūt hōs Sārrānŭs hăbēbīt
nāvĭtă iām pōrtūs? pătrĭā nūm sēdĕ fŭgātaē
Ātlāntem ēt Cālpēn ēxtrēma hăbĭtābĭmŭs āntră?"
Tūnc sīc, ēvōlvēns rĕpĕtīta ēxōrdĭă rētrō,
īncĭpĭt āmbĭgŭūs vātēs rĕsĕrātquĕ fŭtūră:
"Lāŏmĕdōntēūs Phrўgĭā cūm sēdĭt ĭn Īdā
pāstŏr ĕt ērrāntēs dūmōsă pĕr āvĭă taūrōs
ārgūtā rĕvŏcāns ād rōscĭdă pāscŭă cānnā,
aūdīvīt sācraē lēntūs cērtāmĭnă fōrmaē,
tūm, mātrīs cūrrūs, nĭvĕōs ăgĭtābăt ŏlōrēs
tēmpŏră sōllĭcĭtūs lītīs sērvāssĕ Cŭpīdŏ.
pārvŭlŭs ēx ŭmĕrō cŏrўtōs ēt aūrĕŭs ārcūs
fūlgēbāt, nūtūquĕ vĕtāns trĕpĭdārĕ părēntēm
mōnstrābāt grăvĭdām tēlīs sē fērrĕ phărētrām.
āst ălĭūs nĭvĕā cōmēbāt frōntĕ căpīllōs,
pūrpŭrĕōs ălĭūs vēstīs rĕlĭgābăt ămīctūs,
cūm sīc sūspīrāns rŏsĕō Vĕnŭs ōrĕ dĕcōrōs
āllŏquĭtūr nātōs: "tēstīs cērtīssĭmă vēstraē
ēccĕ dĭēs pĭĕtātĭs ădēst. quīs crēdĕrĕ sālvīs
hōc aūsīt vōbīs? dē fōrma ātque ōrĕ (quĭd ūltrā
iām sŭpĕrēst rērūm?) cērtāt Vĕnŭs. ōmnĭă pārvīs
sī mĕă tēlă dĕdī blāndō mĕdĭcātă vĕnēnō
sī vēstēr, caēlo āc tērrīs quī foēdĕră sāncīt,
stāt sūpplēx, cūm vūltĭs, ăvūs: vīctōrĭă nōstră
Cŷprŏn Ĭdūmaēās rĕfĕrāt dē Pāllădĕ pālmās,
dē Iūnōnĕ Păphōs cēntūm mĭhĭ fūmĕt ĭn ārīs."
dūmque haēc ālĭgĕrīs īnstāt Cўthĕrēă, sŏnābāt
ōmnĕ nĕmūs grădĭēntĕ dĕā. iām bēllĭcă vīrgŏ
aēgĭdĕ dēpŏsĭta ātque āssuētūm cāssĭdĕ crīnēm
īnvōlvī tūnc cōmptă tămēn pācēmquĕ sĕrēnīs
cōndīscēns ŏcŭlīs ībāt lūcōquĕ fĕrēbāt
praēdīctō sācraē vēstīgĭă cōncĭtă plāntaē.
pārte ălĭa īntrābāt iūssīs Sātūrnĭă sīlvīs
iūdĭcĭūm Phrўgĭs ēt fāstūs pāstōrĭs ĕt Īdēn
pōst frātrīs lātūră tŏrōs. pōstrēmă nĭtēntī
āffūlsīt vūltū rīdēns Vĕnŭs. ōmnĭă cīrcā
ēt nĕmŏra ēt pĕnĭtūs frōndōsīs rūpĭbŭs āntră
spīrāntēm sācrō trāxērūnt vērtĭce ŏdōrēm.
nēc iūdēx sēdīssĕ vălēt, fēssīquĕ nĭtōrīs
lūcĕ cădūnt ŏcŭli, āc mĕtŭīt dŭbĭtāssĕ vĭdērī.
sēd vīctaē fĕră bēllă dĕaē vēxērĕ pĕr aēquōr,
ātque ēxcīsă sŭō părĭtēr cūm iūdĭcĕ Troīă.
tūm pĭŭs Aēnēās tērrīs iāctātŭs ĕt ūndīs
Dārdănĭōs Ĭtălā pŏsŭīt tēllūrĕ pĕnātēs.
dūm cētē pōnto īnnābūnt, dūm sīdĕră caēlō
lūcēbūnt, dūm sōl Īndō sē lītŏrĕ tōllēt,
hīc rēgna ēt nūllaē rēgnīs pēr saēcŭlă mētaē.
āt vōs, ō nātaē, cūrrīt dum īmmōbĭlĕ fīlūm,
Hādrĭăcī fŭgĭte īnfaūstās Sāsōnĭs hărēnās.
sānguĭnĕīs tŭmĭdūs pōntō mīscēbĭtŭr ūndīs
Aūfĭdŭs ēt rūbrōs īmpēllĕt ĭn aēquŏră flūctūs,
dāmnātōquĕ dĕūm quōndām pēr cārmĭnă cāmpō
Aētōlaē rūrsūs Teūcrīs pūgnābĭtĭs ūmbraē.
Pūnĭcă Rōmŭlĕōs quătĭēnt mōx spīcŭlă mūrōs,
mūltāque Hāsdrŭbălīs fūlgēbīt strāgĕ Mătaūrūs.
hīnc īlle ē fūrtō gĕnĭtūs pătrŭīquĕ pĭābīt
īdem ūltōr pātrīsquĕ nĕcēm; tūm lītŭs Ĕlīssaē
īmplēbīt flāmmīs āvēllētque Ītălă Poēnūm
vīscĕră tōrrēntem ēt prŏprĭīs sŭpĕrābĭt ĭn ōrīs.
huīc Cārthāgo ārmīs, huīc Āfrĭcă nōmĭnĕ cēdēt.
hīc dăbĭt ēx sēsē, quī tērtĭă bēllă fătīgēt
ēt cĭnĕrēm Lĭbўaē fĕrăt īn Căpĭtōlĭă vīctōr."
Quaē dum ārcānă dĕūm vātēs ēvōlvĭt ĭn āntrō,
iām mŏnĭta ēt Făbĭūm bēllīque ĕquĭtūmquĕ măgīstēr
ēxŭĕrāt mēnte āc praēcēps tēndēbăt ĭn hōstēm.
pāscĕrĕ nēc Poēnūs prāvum āc nūtrīrĕ fŭrōrēm
dērăt ĕt, ūt pārvō māiōra ād proēlĭă dāmnō
ēlĭcĕrēt, dăbăt īntērdūm sĭmŭlāntĭă tērgă,
nōn ălĭtēr, quām quī spārsā pēr stāgnă prŏfūndī
ēvŏcăt ē lĭquĭdīs pīscēm pĕnĕtrālĭbŭs ēscă,
cūmquĕ lĕvēm sūmmā vīdīt iām nārĕ sŭb ūndā,
dūcīt sīnuātō cāptīvum ād lītŏră līnō.
Fāmă fŭrīt vērsōs hōstēs Poēnūmquĕ sălūtēm
īnvēnīssĕ fŭgā; lĭcĕāt sī vīncĕrĕ, fīnēm
prōmīttī clādūm; sĕd ĕnīm dĭcĭōnĕ cărērĕ
vīrtūtem ēt poēnās vīncēntĭbŭs ēssĕ rĕpōstās.
claūsūrūm iām cāstră dŭcēm rūrsūsquĕ rĕfērrī
vāgīnaē iūssūrum ēnsēs, rēddātŭr ĭn ārmīs
ūt rătĭo ēt pūrgēt mīlēs, cūr vīcĕrĭt hōstēm.
haēc vūlgūs. nēcnōn pātrūm Sātūrnĭă mēntēs
īnvĭdĭaē stĭmŭlō fŏdĭt ēt pŏpŭlārĭbŭs aūrīs.
tūnc īndīgnă fĭdē cēnsēnt ōptāndăquĕ Poēnō,
quaē mōx haūd pārvō lŭĕrēnt dāmnātă pĕrīclō:
dīvĭdĭtūr mīlēs, Făbĭōque ĕquĭtūmquĕ măgīstrō
īmpĕrĭa aēquāntūr. frĕmĭtūs spērnēbăt ĕt ēxpērs
īrārūm sĕnĭōr, māgnās nē pēndĕrĕt āltī
ērrōrīs poēnās pătrĭa īncōnsūltă, tĭmēbāt.
āc tūm, mūltă pŭtāns sēcum ūt rĕmĕāvĭt ăb ūrbĕ,
pārtītūs sŏcĭās vīrēs vīcīnă prŏpīnquīs
sīgnă iŭgīs lŏcăt ēt spĕcŭlā sūblīmĭs ăb āltā
nōn Rōmānă mĭnūs sērvāt quām Pūnĭcă cāstră.
nēc mŏră dīsiēctō Mĭnŭcī vēcōrdĭă vāllō
pērdēndī sĭmŭl ēt pĕrĕūndi ārdēbăt ămōrĕ.
Quēm pōstquām răpĭdūm vīdīt prōcēdĕrĕ cāstrīs
hīnc Lĭbўs, hīnc Făbĭūs, sĭmŭl āccēndērĕ săgācēs
īn sŭbĭtūm cūrās. prŏpĕrē căpĕre ārmă mănīplīs
ēdīcīt vāllīquĕ tĕnēt mūnīmĭnĕ tūrmās
Aūsŏnĭūs; tōrquēt tōtās īn proēlĭă vīrēs
Poēnōrūm dūctōr prōpēllītque āgmĭnă vōcĕ:
"dūm dīctātŏr ăbēst, răpĕ, mīlēs, tēmpŏră pūgnaē.
nōn spērātă dĭū plānō cērtāmĭnă cāmpō
ōffērt ēccĕ dĕūs. quŏnĭām dătă cōpĭă, lōngūm
dētērgētĕ sĭtūm fērrō mūltōquĕ crŭōrĕ
ēxsătĭātĕ, vĭrī, plēnōs rūbīgĭnĭs ēnsēs."
Ātque ĕă Cūnctātōr pēnsābăt ăb āggĕrĕ vāllī
pērlūstrāns cāmpōs ŏcŭlīs tāntōquĕ pĕrīclō
dīscĕrĕ, quīnam ēssēt Făbĭūs, tē, Rōmă, dŏlēbāt.
cuī nātūs iūncta ārmă fĕrēns "dăbĭt īmprŏbŭs" īnquīt
"quās dīgnum ēst, poēnās, quī pēr sūffrāgĭă caēcă
īnvāsīt nōstrōs haēc ād dīscrīmĭnă fāscēs.
īnsānaē spēctātĕ trĭbūs! prō lūbrĭcă rōstră
ēt vānīs fŏră laētă vĭrīs! nūnc mūnĕră Mārtīs
aēquēnt īmpĕrĭo ēt sōlēm cōncēdĕrĕ nōctī
scīscānt īmbēllēs. māgnā mērcēdĕ pĭābūnt
ērrōrīs răbĭem ēt nōstrūm vĭŏlāssĕ părēntēm."
tūm sĕnĭōr quătĭēns hāstām lăcrĭmīsquĕ cŏōrtīs:
"sānguĭnĕ Poēnōrūm, iŭvĕnīs, tām trīstĭă dīctă
sūnt ăbŏlēndă tĭbī. pătĭārne ānte ōră mănūsquĕ
cīvēm dēlērī nōstrās? aūt vīncĕrĕ Poēnūm
mē spēctāntĕ sĭnām? nōn aēquāvīssĕ mĭnōrēm
sōlvētūr cūlpā, sī sūnt mĭhĭ tālĭă cōrdă?
iāmque hōc, nē dŭbĭtēs, lōngaēvī, nātĕ, părēntīs
āccĭpe ĕt aētērnō fīxūm sūb pēctŏrĕ sērvā:
sūccēnsērĕ nĕfās pătrĭaē, nēc foēdĭŏr ūllă
cūlpă sŭb ēxtrēmās fērtūr mōrtālĭbŭs ūmbrās.
Sīc dŏcŭērĕ sĕnēs. quāntūs quālīsquĕ fŭīstī,
cūm pūlsūs lăre ĕt ēxtōrrīs Căpĭtōlĭă cūrrū
īntrărĕs ēxūl! tībī cōrpŏră caēsă, Cămīllĕ,
dāmnātā quōt sūnt dēxtrā! pācātă fŭīssēnt
nī cōnsūltă vĭrō mēnsque īmpĕnĕtrābĭlĭs īraē,
mūtāssēntquĕ sŏlūm scēptrīs Aēnēĭă rēgnă
nūllăquĕ nūnc stārēs tērrārūm vērtĭcĕ, Rōmă.
pōne īrās, ō nātĕ, mĕās. sŏcĭa ārmă fĕrāmūs
ēt cĕlĕrēmŭs ŏpēm." iāmque īntērmīxtă sŏnābānt
clāssĭcă, prōcūrsūsquĕ vĭrōs cōllīsĕrăt ācēr.
Prīmūs claūstră mănū pōrtaē dīctātŏr ĕt āltōs
dīsiēcīt pōstēs rūpītque īn proēlĭă cūrsūm.
nōn grăvĭōrĕ mŏvēnt vēntī cērtāmĭnă mōlĕ
Ōdrўsĭūs Bŏrĕās ēt Sŷrtīm tōllĕrĕ pōllēns
Āfrĭcŭs, ōbnīxī cūm bēllă fŭrēntĭă tōrquēnt;
dīstrāxērĕ frĕtum āc dīvērsa ād lītŏră vōlvūnt
aēquōr quīsquĕ sŭūm; sĕquĭtūr strīdēntĕ prŏcēllā
nūnc hūc, nūnc īllūc rāptūm măre ĕt īntŏnăt ūndīs.
haūd prōrsūs dărĕt ūllŭs hŏnōs tēllūsquĕ sŭbāctă
Phoēnīcum ēt Cārthāgō ruēns, īniūrĭă quāntūm
ōrta ēx īnvĭdĭā dĕcŏrīs tŭlĭt. ōmnĭă nāmquĕ
dūră sĭmūl dēvīctă vĭrō, mĕtŭs, Hānnĭbăl, īraē,
īnvĭdĭa, ātque ūnā fāma ēt fōrtūnă sŭbāctaē.
Poēnŭs ăb ēxcēlsō răpĭdōs dēcūrrĕrĕ vāllō
ūt vīdīt, trĕmŭēre īraē, cĕcĭdītquĕ rĕpēntĕ
cūm gĕmĭtū spēs haūd dŭbĭaē praēsūmptă rŭīnaē;
quīppe ăcĭēm dēnsō cīrcūmvāllāvĕrăt ōrbĕ
haūsūrūs claūsōs cōniēctīs ūndĭquĕ tēlīs.
ātque hīc Dārdănĭūs prāvō cērtāmĭnĕ dūctōr
iām Stўga ĕt aētērnās īntrārāt mēntĕ tĕnēbrās
(nām Făbĭum aūxĭlĭūmquĕ vĭrī spērārĕ pŭdēbāt)
cūm sĕnĭōr gĕmĭnō cōmplēxūs proēlĭă cōrnū
ūltĕrĭōrĕ lĭgāt Poēnōrūm tērgă cŏrōnā
ēt mŏdŏ claūdēntēs ăcĭēm nūnc, ēxtĭmă cīngēns,
claūsōs īpsĕ tĕnēt. māiōrēm sūrgĕre ĭn ārmă
māiōrēmquĕ dĕdīt cērnī Tīrŷnthĭŭs. āltaē
scīntīllānt crīstae ēt, mīrūm, vēlōcĭbŭs īngēns
pēr sŭbĭtūm mēmbrīs vēnīt vĭgŏr; īngĕrĭt hāstās
ādvērsūmquĕ prĕmīt tēlōrūm nūbĭbŭs hōstēm,
quālīs pōst iŭvĕnēm nōndūm sŭbĕūntĕ sĕnēctā
rēctŏr ĕrāt Pўlĭūs bēllīs aētātĕ sĕcūndā.
Īndĕ rŭēns Thŭrĭn ēt Būtēn ēt Nārĭn ĕt Ārsēn
dāt lētō fīsūmquĕ mănūs cōnfērrĕ Măhālcēn,
cuī dĕcŭs īnsīgne ēt quaēsītūm cūspĭdĕ nōmēn.
tūm Gărădūm lārgūmquĕ cŏmaē prōstērnĭt Ădhērbēn
ēt gĕmĭnās ăcĭēs sŭpĕrāntēm vērtĭcĕ Thūlīn,
quī sūmmās āltō prēnsābăt ĭn āggĕrĕ pīnnās.
ēmĭnŭs hōs. glădĭō Săphărūm glădĭōquĕ Mŏnaēsūm
ēt Mŏrĭnūm pūgnās aērīs strīdōrĕ cĭēntēm,
dēxtĕrĭōrĕ gĕnā sēdīt cuī lētĭfĕr īctūs
pērquĕ tŭbām fīxaē dēcūrrēns vūlnĕrĕ mālaē
ēxtrēmō flūxīt prōpūlsūs mūrmŭrĕ sānguīs.
prōxĭmŭs huīc iăcŭlō Năsămōnĭŭs ōccĭdĭt Īdmōn.
nāmquĕ sŭpēr tĕpĭdō lāpsāntēm sānguĭne ĕt aēgrā
lūbrĭcă nītēntēm nēquīquam ēvādĕrĕ plāntā
īmpāctō prōstērnĭt ĕquō trĕpĭdēquĕ lĕvāntēm
mēmbra āfflīctă sŏlō prēssā vĭŏlēntĭŭs hāstā
īmplĭcŭīt tērraē tēlūmque īn caēdĕ rĕlīquīt.
haērĕt hŭmī cōrnūs mōtū trĕmĕfāctă iăcēntīs
ēt cāmpō sērvāt māndātum āffīxă cădāvēr.
Nēcnōn ēxēmplō laūdīs fŭrĭātă iŭvēntūs,
Sŷllaēquē Crāssīquĕ sĭmūl iūnctūsquĕ Mĕtēllō
Fūrnĭŭs āc mĕlĭōr dēxtraē Tōrquātŭs, ĭnībānt
proēlĭa ĕt ūnănĭmī vēl mōrte ēmīssĕ vŏlēbānt
spēctārī Făbĭō. mĭsĕr hīc vēstīgĭă rētrō
dūm răpĭt ēt mōlēm sūbdūctō cōrpŏrĕ vītāt
īntōrtī Bĭbŭlūs sāxi ātque īn tērgă rĕfērtūr,
strāgĕ sŭpēr lāpsūs sŏcĭūm, quā fībŭlă mōrsūs
lōrīcaē crēbrō lāxātă rĕsōlvĕrăt īctū,
āccēpīt lătĕrī pĕnĭtūsque īn vīscĕra ădēgīt
ēxstābāt fīxō quōd fōrtĕ cădāvĕrĕ fērrūm.
heū sōrtēm nĕcĭs! ēvāsīt Gărămāntĭcă tēlă
Mārmărĭdūmquĕ mănūs, ŭt ĭnērtī cūspĭdĕ fūsūs
ōccĭdĕrēt, tēlō nōn īn sŭă vūlnĕră mīssō.
vōlvĭtŭr ēxănĭmīs, tūrpātquĕ dĕcōră iŭvēntā
ōră nŏvūs pāllōr. mēmbrīs dīmīssă sŏlūtīs
ārmă flŭūnt, ērrātquĕ nĭgēr pēr lūmĭnă sōmnūs.
Vēnĕrăt ād bēllūm Tўrĭā Sīdōnĕ nĕpōtūm
ēxcītūs prĕce ĕt aūxĭlĭō sŏcĭa ārmă fĕrēbāt
Ēōā tŭmĭdūs phărĕtrātī mīlĭtĭs ālā
gēns Cādmī, Clĕădās, fūlvā cuī plūrĭmă pāssīm
cāssĭde ĕt aūrātō fūlgēbāt gēmmă mŏnīlī,
quālĭs ŭbi Ōcĕănī rĕnŏvātūs Lūcĭfĕr ūndā
laūdātūr Vĕnĕri ēt cērtāt māiōrĭbŭs āstrīs.
ōstro īpse āc sŏnĭpēs ōstrō tōtūmquĕ pĕr āgmēn
pūrpŭra Ăgēnŏrĕīs sătŭrātă mĭcābăt ăēnīs.
hīc ăvĭdūm pūgnae ēt tām clārum ēxcīdĕrĕ nōmēn
Brūtum ēxōptāntēm vărĭē nūnc laēvŭs ĭn ōrbēm,
nūnc dēxtēr lĕvĭbūs flēxō pēr dēvĭă gŷrīs
lūdĭfĭcātŭs ĕquō vŏlŭcrēm pōst tērgă săgīttām
fūndĭt Ăchaēmĕnĭō dētrēctāns proēlĭă rītū.
nēc dāmnātă mănūs, mĕdĭō sēd, flēbĭlĕ, mēntō
ārmĭgĕrī Cāscaē pĕnĕtrābĭlĭs haēsĭt hărūndŏ
ōblīquūmquĕ sĕcāns sūrrēctā cūspĭdĕ vūlnūs
ūmēntī fērrum ādmōvīt tĕpĕfāctă pălātō.
āt Brūtūs dīrō cāsū tūrbātŭs ămīcī
aūsūm mūltă vĭrum ēt spārgēntem īn vūlnĕră saēvōs
fraūdĕ fŭgaē călămōs iām nūllīs cūrsĭbŭs īnstāt
prēndĕrĕ cōrnĭpĕdīs, sēd tōtām pēctŏrĭs īrām
māndăt ătrōx hāstaē tēlūmquĕ vŏlātĭlĕ nōdō
ēxcŭtĭt āc sūmmūm, quā lāxă mŏnīlĭă crēbrō
nūdābānt vērsū, trāmīttīt cūspĭdĕ pēctūs.
lābĭtŭr īntēntō cōrnū trānsfōssŭs, ĕt ūnā
ārcūm laēvă cădēns, dīmīsīt dēxtră săgīttām.
Āt nōn tām trīstī sōrtītūs proēlĭă Mārtĕ
Phoēbēī Sōrāctĭs hŏnōr Cārmēlŭs ăgēbāt.
sānguĭnĕ quīppĕ sŭō iām Bāgrădă tīnxĕrăt ēnsēm,
dūx rēctōrquĕ Nŭbaē pŏpŭlī, iām fūsŭs ĕīdēm
Zeūsĭs, Ămŷclaēī stīrps īmpācātă Phălāntī,
quēm tŭlĕrāt mātēr clārō Phoēnīssă Lăcōnī.
tālĭă dūm mĕtŭīt, nēc pūgnaē fīsŭs ĭn hōstĕ
tām răpĭdō nēc deīndĕ fŭgaē, suādēntĕ păvōrĕ
pēr dūmōs mĭsĕr īn vīcīnă căcūmĭnă quērcūs
rēpsĕrăt ātque āltā sēse ōccūltābăt ĭn ūmbrā
Hāmpsĭcŭs īnsīstēns trĕmŭlīs sūb pōndĕrĕ rāmīs.
hūnc lōngā mūlta ōrāntēm Cārmēlŭs ĕt āltōs
mūtāntēm sāltū rāmōs trānsvērbĕrăt hāstā,
ūt, quī vīscātā pŏpŭlātŭr hărūndĭnĕ lūcōs,
dūm nĕmŏrīs cēlsī prōcēră căcūmĭnă sēnsīm
sūbstrūctā cērtāt tăcĭtūs cōntīngĕrĕ mētā,
sūblīmēm călămō sĕquĭtūr crēscēntĕ vŏlūcrēm.
ēffūdīt vītam, ātque āltē mānāntĕ crŭōrĕ
mēmbră pĕpēndērūnt cūrvāto ēxsānguĭă rāmō.
Iāmque īn pālāntēs āc vērsōs tērgă fĕrōcēs
pūgnābānt Ĭtălī, sŭbĭtūs cūm mōlĕ păvēndā
tērrĭfĭcīs Maūrūs prōrūmpīt Tūngĕr ĭn ārmīs.
nīgră vĭrō mēmbra, ēt fūrvī iŭgă cēlsă trăhēbānt
cōrnĭpĕdēs, tōtūsquĕ nŏvaē fōrmīdĭnĭs ārtĕ
cōncŏlŏr aēquābāt līvēntĭă cūrrŭs ĕquōrūm
tērgă, nĕc ērēctīs sĭmĭlēs īmpōnĕrĕ crīstīs
cēssārāt pēnnās, ātērquĕ tĕgēbăt ămīctūs,
ceū quōndam aētērnaē rēgnātōr nōctĭs, ăd īmōs
cūm fŭgĕrēt thălămōs Hēnnaēā vīrgĭnĕ rāptā,
ēgīt nīgrāntēm Stўgĭā cālīgĭnĕ cūrrūm.
āt Cătŏ tūm prīmā spārsūs lānūgĭnĕ mālās,
quōd pĕpĕrērĕ dĕcūs Cīrcaēō Tūscŭlă dōrsō
moēnĭă, Lāērtaē quōndām rēgnātă nĕpōtī,
quāmquām tārdātōs tūrbātā frōntĕ Lătīnōs
cōllēgīssĕ grădūm vĭdĕt, īmpērtērrĭtŭs īpsĕ
fērrātā cālce ātque ēffūsā lārgŭs hăbēnā
cūnctāntem īmpēllēbăt ĕquūm. nĕgăt ōbvĭŭs īrĕ
ēt trĕpĭdāt cāssā sŏnĭpēs ēxtērrĭtŭs ūmbrā.
tūm cĕlĕr īn pūgnām dōrsō dēlātŭs ăb āltō
ālĭpĕdēm plāntā cūrrūm prĕmĭt ātquĕ vŏlāntī
āssĭlĭt ā tērgō. cĕcĭdēre ēt lōră rĕpēntĕ
ēt stĭmŭlī, fērrūmquĕ sŭpēr cērvīcĕ trĕmīscēns
pāllŭĭt īnfēlīx sūbdūctō sānguĭnĕ Maūrūs.
ōră răpīt glădĭō praēfīxăquĕ cūspĭdĕ pōrtāt.
Āt saēvō Māvōrtĕ fĕrōx pērrūmpĭt ănhēlūm
dīctātōr cūm caēdĕ glŏbūm. mĭsĕrābĭlĕ vīsū,
vūlnĕrĭbūs fēssum āc mūltō lābēntĕ crŭōrĕ
dūctōrēm cērnīt sūprēma āc foēdă prĕcāntēm.
mānāvērĕ gĕnīs lăcrĭmaē, clĭpĕōquĕ păvēntēm
prōtĕgĭt ēt nātūm stĭmŭlāns "fōrtīssĭmĕ, lābēm
hānc pēllāmŭs" ăīt "Poēnōque ōb mītĭă fāctă,
quōd nūllōs nōstrīs īgnēs dīspērsĕrĭt ārvīs,
dīgnum ēxpēndāmūs prĕtĭūm." tūnc ārtĕ pătērnā
āc stĭmŭlīs gaūdēns iŭvĕnīs cīrcūmdătă Poēnūm
āgmĭnă dētūrbāt glădĭō cāmpūmquĕ rĕlāxāt,
dōnēc Sīdŏnĭūs dēcēdĕrĕt aēquŏrĕ dūctōr,
ceū stĭmŭlāntĕ fămē răpŭīt cūm Mārtĭŭs āgnūm
āvērsō pāstōrĕ lŭpūs fētūmquĕ trĕmēntēm
ōrĕ tĕnēt prēssō, tūm, sī vēstīgĭă cūrsū
aūdītīs cĕlĕrēt bālātĭbŭs ōbvĭă pāstōr,
iām sĭbĭmēt mĕtŭēns spīrāntēm dēntĭbŭs īmīs
rēiēctāt praēdam ēt văcŭō fŭgĭt aēgĕr hĭātū.
tūm dēmūm, Tўrĭūm quās cīrcūmfūdĕrăt ātră
tēmpēstās, Stўgĭaē tāndēm fūgērĕ tĕnēbraē.
tōrpēbānt dēxtrae, ēt sēsē mĕrŭīssĕ nĕgābānt
sērvārī, sŭbĭtīsquĕ bŏnīs mēns aēgră nătābāt,
ūt, quī cōllāpsā prēssī iăcŭērĕ rŭīnā,
ērŭtă cūm sŭbĭtō mēmbra ēt nōx ātră rĕcēssīt,
cōnīvēnt sōlēmquĕ păvēnt āgnōscĕrĕ vīsū.
Quīs āctīs sĕnĭōr nŭmĕrātō mīlĭtĕ laētūs
cōllēs ēt tūtō rĕpĕtēbăt ĭn āggĕrĕ cāstră.
ēcce aūtem ē mĕdĭā iām mōrtĕ rĕnātă iŭvēntūs
clāmōrēm tōllēns ād sīdĕra ĕt ōrdĭnĕ lōngō
ībăt ŏvāns Făbĭūmquĕ dĕcūs Făbĭūmquĕ sălūtēm
cērtātim ēt māgnā mĕmŏrābānt vōcĕ părēntēm.
tūm quī pārtītīs dīssēdĕrăt āntĕ mănīplīs
"sāncte" ăĭt "ō gĕnĭtōr, rĕvŏcāto ād lūcĭs hŏnōrēm
sī fās vēră quĕrī, cūr nōbīs cāstră vĭrōsquĕ
dīvĭdĕre ēst lĭcĭtūm? pătĭēns cūr ārmă dĕdīstī,
quaē sōlūs rēxīssĕ vălēs? hōc mūnĕrĕ lāpsī
aētērnās mūltō cūm sānguĭnĕ vīdĭmŭs ūmbrās.
ōcĭŭs hūc ăquĭlās sērvātăquĕ sīgnă rĕfērtĕ.
hīc pătrĭa ēst, mūrīque ūrbīs stānt pēctŏre ĭn ūnō.
tūquĕ dŏlōs, Poēne, ātque āstūs tāndem ēxŭĕ nōtōs;
cūm sōlō tĭbĭ iām Făbĭō sūnt bēllă gĕrēndă."
Haēc ŭbĭ dīctă dĕdīt, mīlle hīnc, vĕnĕrābĭlĕ vīsū,
caēspĭtĕ dē vĭrĭdī sūrgūnt prŏpĕrāntĭbŭs āraē.
nēc prĭŭs aūt ĕpŭlās aūt mūnĕră grātă Lўaēī
fās cuīquām tĕtĭgīssĕ fŭīt, quām mūltă prĕcātūs
īn mēnsām Făbĭō sācrūm lībāvĭt hŏnōrēm.
Interea trepidis Fabius spes unica rebus.
ille quidem socios atque aegram uulnere praeceps
Ausoniam armabat uiridique ad dura laborum
bellator senio iam castra mouebat in hostem,
sed mens humana maior non tela nec enses
nec fortes spectabat equos. tot milia contra
Poenorum inuictumque ducem, tot in agmina solus
ibat et in sese cuncta arma uirosque gerebat.
ac ni sacra seni uis impressumque fuisset
sistere cunctando Fortunam aduersa fouentem,
ultima Dardanii transisset nominis aetas.
ille modum superis in Punica castra fauoris
addidit et Libyae finem inter prospera bella
uincendi statuit, tumefactum cladibus ille
Hesperiis lento Poenum moderamine lusit.
summe ducum, qui regna iterum labentia Troiae
et fluxas Latii res maiorumque labores,
qui Carmentis opes et regna Euandria seruas,
surge, age et emerito sacrum caput insere caelo.
At Libyae ductor, postquam noua nomina lecto
dictatore uigent, raptim mutata Latinis
imperia haud frustra reputans cognoscere auebat,
quae fortuna uiro, quodnam decus, ultima fessis
ancora cur Fabius, quem post tot Roma procellas
Hannibali putet esse parem. feruore carentes
angebant anni fraudique inaperta senectus.
ocius accitum captiuo ex agmine poscit
progeniem ritusque ducis dextraeque labores.
Cilnius Arreti Tyrrhenis ortus in oris
clarum nomen erat, sed laeua adduxerat hora
Ticini iuuenem ripis, fususque ruentis
uulnere equi Libycis praebebat colla catenis.
hic ardens extrema malis et rumpere uitam
"non cum Flaminio tibi res, nec feruida Gracchi
in manibus consulta" inquit; "Tirynthia gens est.
quam si fata tuis genuissent, Hannibal, oris,
terrarum imperium Carthaginis arce uideres.
non ego te longa serie per singula ducam.
hoc sat erit; nosces Fabios certamine ab uno:
Veientum populi uiolata pace negabant
acceptare iugum, ac uicino Marte furebat
ad portas bellum, consulque ciebat ad arma.
dilectus uetiti, priuataque castra penates
Herculei impleuere. domo, mirabile, ab una
patricius iunctis exercitus ibat in armis.
ter centum exsiluere duces. quocumque liberet
uno non pauidus rexisses bella magistro.
sed dirum egressis omen: Scelerata minaci
stridentis sonitu tremuerunt limina portae,
maximaque Herculei mugiuit numinis ara.
inuasere hostem, numerarique aspera uirtus
haud est passa uiros et plures milite caedes.
saepe globo densi, saepe et per deuia passim
dispersi subiere uices, meritique labore
aequato nulli quisquam uirtute secundus,
ducere ter centum Tarpeia ad templa triumphos.
spes heu fallaces oblitaque corda caducum,
mortali quodcumque datur! grex ille uirorum,
qui Fabia gente incolumi deforme putabat
publica bella geri, pariter cecidere deorum
inuidia subitis circumuenientibus armis.
nec tamen occisos est cur laetere; supersunt,
quot tibi sit Libyaeque satis; certauerit unus
ter centum dextris. tam uiuida membra laborque
prouidus et cauta sollertia tecta quiete.
nec uero calidi nunc tu cui sanguinis aetas
foderis in pugna uelocius ilia planta
bellatoris equi frenisque momorderis ora."
quem cernens auidum leti post talia Poenus
"nequiquam nostras, demens," ait "elicis iras
et captiua paras moriendo euadere uincla.
uiuendum est. arta seruentur colla catena."
haec iuuenis diuisque tumens ausisque secundis.
At patres Latiasque nurus raptabat ad aras
cura deum. maesto suffusae lumina uultu
femineus matres graditur chorus; ordine longo
Iunoni pallam conceptaque uota dicabant:
"huc ades, o regina deum, gens casta precamur
et ferimus, digno quaecumque est nomine, turba
Ausonidum pulchrumque et, acu et subtemine fuluo
quod nostrae neuere manus, uenerabile donum.
ac dum decrescit matrum metus, hoc tibi, diua,
interea uelamen erit. si pellere nostris
Marmaricam terris nubem dabis, omnis in auro
pressa tibi uaria fulgebit gemma corona."
necnon et proprio uenerantur Pallada dono
Phoebumque armigerumque deum primamque Dionen.
tanta adeo, cum res trepidae, reuerentia diuum
nascitur; at rarae fumant felicibus arae.
Dum Roma antiquos templis indicit honores,
iam Fabius cauto procedens agmine et arte
bellandi lento similis praecluserat omnes
fortunaeque hostique uias. discedere signis
haud licitum, summumque decus, quo tollis ad astra
imperii, Romane, caput, parere docebat.
uerum ubi prima satis conspecta in montibus altis
signa procul fulsitque nouis exercitus armis,
arrectae spes Sidoniae, feruetque secundis
fortunae iuuenis. uincendi sola uidetur
quod nondum steterint acies, mora. "pergite," clamat
"ite citi, ruite ad portas, propellite uallum
pectoribus. quantum campi distamus, ad umbras
tantum hosti superest. resides ad bella uocantur,
quis pudeat certare, senes. quodcumque uidetis
hoc reliquum est, primo damnatum ut inutile bello.
en, ubi nunc Gracchi atque ubi sunt nunc fulmina gentis
Scipiadae? pulsi Ausonia non ante pauentem
dimisere fugam, quam terror ad ultima mundi
Oceanumque tulit; profugus nunc errat uterque
nomina nostra tremens et ripas seruat Hiberi.
est etiam, cur Flaminio mihi gloria caeso
creuerit et titulis libeat cur figere nostris
crudum Marte uiri nomen. quot demere noster
huic annos Fabio gladius ualet? et tamen audet.
audeat! haud ultra faxo spectetur in armis."
Talia uociferans uolucri rapit agmina cursu
ac praeuectus equo nunc dextra prouocat hostem,
nunc uoce increpitat, missa nunc eminus hasta
fertur ouans pugnaeque agitat simulacra futurae,
ut Thetidis proles Phrygiis Vulcania campis
arma tulit clipeo amplexus terramque polumque
maternumque fretum totumque in imagine mundum.
Cassarum sedet irarum spectator et alti
celsus colle iugi domat exsultantia corda
infractasque minas dilato Marte fatigat
sollers cunctandi Fabius, ceu nocte sub atra
munitis pastor stabulis per ouilia clausum
impauidus somni seruat pecus; effera saeuit
atque impasta truces ululatus turba luporum
exercet morsuque quatit restantia claustra.
Irritus incepti mouet inde atque Apula tardo
arua Libys passu legit ac nunc ualle residit
conditus occulta, si praecipitare sequentem
atque inopinata detur circumdare fraude,
nunc nocturna parat caecae celantibus umbris
furta uiae retroque abitum fictosque timores
assimulat, tum castra citus deserta relicta
ostentat praeda atque inuitat prodigus hostem,
qualis Maeonia passim Maeandrus in ora,
cum sibi gurgitibus flexis reuolutus oberrat.
nulla uacant incepta dolis, simul omnia uersat
miscetque exacuens uaria ad conamina mentem,
sicut aquae splendor radiatus lampade solis
dissultat per tecta uaga sub imagine uibrans
luminis et tremula laquearia uerberat umbra.
iamque dolore furens ita secum immurmurat irae:
"obuia si primus nobis hic tela tulisset,
nullane nunc Trebiae et Thrasymenni nomina? nulli
lugerent Itali? numquam Phaëthontius amnis
sanguinea pontum turbasset decolor unda?
inuentum, dum se cohibet terimurque sedendo,
uincendi genus. en quotiens, uelut obuius iret
discinxit ratione dolos fraudesque resoluit!"
haec secum, medio somni cum bucina noctem
diuideret iamque excubias sortitus iniquas
tertius abrupta uigil iret ad arma quiete.
uertit iter Daunique retro tellure relicta
Campanas remeat notus populator in oras.
hic uero, intrauit postquam uberis arua Falerni
(diues ea et numquam tellus mentita colono)
addunt frugiferis inimica incendia ramis.
Haud fas, Bacche, tuos tacitum tramittere honores,
quamquam magna incepta uocent. memorabere, sacri
largitor laticis, grauidae cui nectare uites
nulli dant prelis nomen praeferre Falernis.
Massica sulcabat meliore Falernus in aeuo
ensibus ignotis senior iuga. pampinus umbras
nondum uuae uirides nudo texebat in aruo,
pocula nec norant sucis mulcere Lyaei.
fonte sitim et pura soliti defendere lympha.
attulit hospitio pergentem ad litora Calpes
extremumque diem pes dexter et hora Lyaeum,
nec pigitum paruosque lares humilisque subire
limina caelicolam tecti. cepere uolentem
fumosi postes et ritu pauperis aeui
ante focos mensae, laetus nec senserat hospes
aduenisse deum, sed enim de more parentum
grato cursabat studio instabatque senectae,
donec opes festas puris nunc poma canistris
composuit, nunc irriguis citus extulit hortis
rorantes umore dapes. tum lacte fauisque
distinxit dulces epulas nulloque cruore
polluta castus mensa Cerealia dona
attulit ac primum Vestae decerpsit honorem
undique et in mediam iecit libamina flammam.
desse tuos latices hac sedulitate senili
captus, Iacche, uetas. subito, mirabile dictu,
fagina pampineo spumarunt pocula suco,
pauperis hospitii pretium, uilisque rubenti
fluxit mulctra mero, et quercu in cratera cauata
dulcis odoratis umor sudauit ab uuis.
"en cape" Bacchus ait "nondum tibi nota, sed olim
uiticolae nomen peruulgatura Falerni
munera" - et haud ultra latuit deus. inde nitentem
lumine purpureo frontem cinxere corymbi
et fusae per colla comae, dextraque pependit
cantharus, ac uitis thyrso delapsa uirenti
festas Nysaeo redimiuit palmite mensas.
nec facilis laeto certasse, Falerne, sapori,
postquam iterata tibi sunt pocula, iam pede risum,
iam lingua titubante moues patrique Lyaeo
tempora quassatus grates et praemia digna
uix intellectis conaris reddere uerbis,
donec composuit luctantia lumina Somnus,
Somnus, Bacche, tibi comes additus. hinc ubi primo
ungula dispersit rores Phaëthontia Phoebo
uuiferis late florebat Massicus aruis
miratus nemora et lucentes sole racemos.
it monti decus, atque ex illo tempore diues
Tmolus et ambrosiis Ariusia pocula sucis
ac Methymna ferox lacubus cessere Falernis.
Haec tum uasta dabat terrisque infestus agebat
Hannibal, et sicci stimulabant sanguinis enses
ludificante ducem Fabio. iamque improba castris
Ausoniis uota et pugnandi praua libido
gliscebat; proni decurrere monte parabant.
Da famae, da, Musa, uirum, cui uincere bina
concessum castra et geminos domitare furores.
"feruida si nobis corda abruptumque putassent
ingenium patres et si clamoribus" inquit
"turbari facilem mentem, non ultima rerum
et deplorati mandassent Martis habenas.
stat pensata diu belli sententia: uincam
seruare inuitos urgentesque ultima fata.
nulli per Fabium e uobis cecidisse licebit.
si lucis piget et supremis esse cupidost
nominis Ausonii taedetque in tempore tali
nullum clade noua claraeque fragore ruinae
insignem fecisse locum, reuocandus ab atris
Flaminius nobis est sedibus. ille ruendi
iam dudum properans signum auspiciumque dedisset.
an nondum praeceps uicinaque fata uidetis?
una, ut debellet, satis est uictoria Poeno.
state, uiri, exaudite ducem! cum optabile tempus
deposcet dextras, tunc ista ferocia dicta
aequentur factis. non est, mihi credite, non est
arduus in pugnas ferri labor. una reclusis
omnes iam portis in campum effuderit hora.
magnum illud solisque datum, quos mitis euntes
Iuppiter aspexit, magnum est, ex hoste reuerti.
fortunae Libys incumbit flatuque secundo
fidit agens puppim. dum desinat aura sinusque
destituat tumidos subducto flamine uentus,
in rem cunctari fuerit. non ulla perenni
amplexu Fortuna fouet. iam copia quanto
artior, et nullo Tyriis certamine quantum
detritum est famae! quin inter cetera nostra
haud laude afuerit, modo qui - sed parcere dictis
sit melius. iam uos acies et proelia et hostem
poscitis? o maneat, superi, fiducia talis!
interea exclusa maioris sorte pericli
me solum, quaeso, toti me opponite bello."
his dictis fractus furor et rabida arma quierunt,
ut, cum turbatis placidum caput extulit undis
Neptunus totumque uidet totoque uidetur
regnator ponto, saeui fera murmura uenti
dimittunt nullasque mouent in frontibus alas
tum sensim infusa tranquilla per aequora pace
languentes tacito lucent in litore fluctus.
Sensit cura sagax Poeni fraudisque ueneno
aggreditur mentes. pauca atque haec ruris auiti
iugera nec multis Fabius uertebat aratris;
Massicus uuiferis addebat nomina glebis.
hinc pestem placitum moliri et spargere causas
in castra ambiguas. ferro flammisque pepercit
suspectamque loco pacem dedit arte maligna,
ceu clandestino traheretur foedere bellum.
Intellectus erat Fabio, Tyriosque uidebat
dictator saeuire dolos; sed non uacat agram
inuidiam gladios inter lituosque timere
et dubia morsus famae depellere pugna,
donec reptantem et nequiquam saepe trahentem
huc illuc castra ac scrutantem proelia Poenum,
qua nemorosa iuga et scopulosi uertice colles
exsurgunt, clausit sparsa ad diuortia turma.
hinc Laestrygoniae saxoso monte premebant
a tergo rupes, undosis squalida terris
hinc Literna palus, nec ferri aut militis usum
poscebat regio, saeptos sed fraude locorum
arta fames poenas miserae exactura Sagunti
urgebat, finisque aderat Carthaginis armis.
Cuncta per et terras et lati stagna profundi
condiderat somnus, positoque labore dierum
pacem nocte datam mortalibus orbis agebat.
at non Sidonium curis flagrantia corda
ductorem uigilesque metus haurire sinebant
dona soporiferae noctis. nam membra cubili
erigit et fului circumdat pelle leonis,
qua superinstratos proiectus gramine campi
presserat ante toros. tunc ad tentoria fratris
fert gressus uicina citos. nec degener ille
belligeri ritus taurino membra iacebat
effultus tergo et mulcebat tristia somno.
stat procul hasta uiri terrae defixa propinquae
et dira e summa pendebat cuspide cassis;
at clipeus circa loricaque et ensis et arcus
et telum Baliare simul tellure quiescunt.
iuxta lecta manus, iuuenes in Marte probati,
et sonipes strato carpebat gramina dorso.
ut pepulere leuem intrantis uestigia somnum,
"heus!" inquit pariterque manus ad tela ferebat,
"quae te cura uigil fessum, germane, fatigat?"
ac iam constiterat sociosque in caespite fusos
incussa reuocat castrorum ad munera planta,
cum Libyae ductor: "Fabius me noctibus aegris,
in curas Fabius nos excitat, illa senectus,
heu fatis quae sola meis currentibus obstat.
cernis, ut armata circumfundare corona,
et uallet clausos collectus miles in orbem.
uerum age nunc, quoniam res artae, percipe porro,
quae meditata mihi. latos correpta per agros
armenta assueto belli de more sequuntur.
cornibus arentes edicam innectere ramos
sarmentique leuis fronti religare maniplos,
admotus cum feruorem disperserit ignis,
ut passim exsultent stimulante dolore iuuenci
et uaga per colles ceruice incendia iactent.
tum terrore nouo trepidus laxabit iniquas
custos excubias maioraque nocte timebit.
si cordi consulta (moras extrema recusant),
accingamur" ait. gemino tentoria gressu
inde petunt. ingens clipeo ceruice reposta
inter equos interque uiros interque iacebat
capta manu spolia et rorantia caede Maraxes
ac dirum, in somno ceu bella capesseret, amens
clamorem tum forte dabat dextraque tremente
arma toro et notum quaerebat feruidus ensem.
huic Mago, inuersa quatiens ut dispulit hasta
bellantem somnum: "tenebris, fortissime ductor,
iras compesce atque in lucem proelia differ.
ad fraudem occultamque fugam tutosque receptus
nunc nocte utendum est. arentes nectere frondes
cornibus et latis accensa immittere siluis
armenta, oppositi reserent quo claustra manipli,
germanus parat atque obsessa euellere castra.
emergamus, et hic Fabio persuadeat astus
non certare dolis." nihil hinc cunctante, sed acris
incepti laeto iuuene ad tentoria Acherrae
festinant, cui parca quies minimumque soporis
nec notum somno noctes aequare; feroci
peruigil inseruibat equo fessumque leuabat
tractando et frenis ora exagitata fouebat.
at socii renouant tela arentemque cruorem
ferro detergent et dant mucronibus iras.
quid fortuna loci poscat, quid tempus, et ipsi
quaenam agitent, pandunt et coeptis ire ministrum
haud segnem hortantur. discurrit tessera castris,
intentique docent, quae sint properanda, monetque
quisque suos. instat trepidis stimulatque ruentes
nauus abire timor, dum caeca silentia dumque
maiores umbrae. rapida iam subdita peste
uirgulta atque altis surgunt e cornibus ignes.
hic uero ut gliscente malo et quassantibus aegra
armentis capita adiutae pinguescere flammae
coepere et uincens fumos erumpere uertex,
per colles dumosque (lues agit atra), per altos
saxosi scopulos montis lymphata feruntur
corpora anhela boum, atque obsessis naribus igni
luctantur frustra rabidi mugire iuuenci.
per iuga, per ualles errat Vulcania pestis
nusquam stante malo, uicinaque litora fulgent.
quam multa affixus caelo sub nocte serena
fluctibus e mediis sulcator nauita ponti
astra uidet, quam multa uidet, feruoribus atris
cum Calabros urunt ad pinguia pabula saltus,
uertice Gargani residens incendia pastor.
At facie subita uolitantum montibus altis
flammarum, quis tunc cecidit custodia sorti,
horrere atque ipsos nullo spargente uagari
credere et indomitos pasci sub collibus ignes.
caelone exciderint et magna fulmina dextra
torserit Omnipotens, an caecis rupta cauernis
fuderit egestas accenso sulphure flammas
infelix tellus, media in formidine quaerunt.
iamque abeunt, faucesque uiae citus occupat armis
Poenus et in patulos exsultans emicat agros.
huc tamen usque uigil processerat arte regendi
dictator, Trebiam et Tusci post stagna profundi
esset ut Hannibali Fabium Romanaque tela
euasisse satis. quin et uestigia pulsi
et gressus premeret castris, ni sacra uocarent
ad patrios ueneranda deos. tum uersus ad urbem
alloquitur iuuenem, cui mos tramittere signa
et belli summam primasque iubebat habenas,
atque his praeformat dictis fingitque monendo:
"si factis nondum, Minuci, te cauta probare
erudiit Fortuna meis, nec ducere uerba
ad uerum decus ac prauis arcere ualebunt.
uidisti clausum Hannibalem. nil miles et alae
iuuere aut densis legio conferta maniplis.
testor te, solus clausi, nec deinde morabor.
dis sine me libare dapem et sollemnia ferre:
hunc iterum atque iterum uinctum uel montibus altis
amnibus aut rapidis (modo pugna absistite) tradam.
interea (crede experto, non fallimur) aegris
nil mouisse salus rebus. sit gloria multis
et placeat, quippe egregium, prosternere ferro
hostem, sed Fabio sit uos seruasse triumphus.
plena tibi castra atque intactus uulnere miles
creditur. hos nobis (erit haec sat gloria) redde.
iam cernes Libycum huic uallo assultare leonem,
iam praedas offerre tibi, iam uertere terga
respectantem adeo atque iras cum fraude coquentem.
claude, oro, castra et cunctas spes eripe pugnae.
haec monuisse satis. sed si compescere corda
non datur oranti, magno te iure pioque
dictator capere arma ueto." sic castra relinquens
uallarat monitis ac se referebat ad urbem.
Ecce autem flatu classis Phoenissa secundo
litora Caietae Laestrygoniosque recessus
sulcabat rostris portusque intrarat apertos
ac totus multo spumabat remige pontus,
cum trepidae fremitu uitreis e sedibus antri
aequoreae pelago simul emersere sorores
ac possessa uident infestis litora proris.
tum magno perculsa metu Nereia turba
attonitae propere refluunt ad limina nota,
Teleboum medio surgunt qua regna profundo
pumiceaeque procul sedes. immanis in antro
conditur abrupto Proteus ac spumea late
cautibus obiectis reiectat caerula uates.
is postquam (sat gnarus enim rerumque metusque)
per uarias lusit formas et terruit atri
serpentis squamis horrendaque sibila torsit
aut fremuit toruo mutatus membra leone,
"dicite," ait "quae causa uiae? quisue ora repente
peruasit pallor? cur scire futura libido?"
ad quae Cymodoce, Nympharum maxima natu
Italidum: "nosti nostros, praesage, timores.
quid Tyriae classes ereptaque litora nobis
portendunt? num migrantur Rhoeteia regna
in Libyam superis? aut hos Sarranus habebit
nauita iam portus? patria num sede fugatae
Atlantem et Calpen extrema habitabimus antra?"
Tunc sic, euoluens repetita exordia retro,
incipit ambiguus uates reseratque futura:
"Laomedonteus Phrygia cum sedit in Ida
pastor et errantes dumosa per auia tauros
arguta reuocans ad roscida pascua canna,
audiuit sacrae lentus certamina formae,
tum, matris currus, niueos agitabat olores
tempora sollicitus litis seruasse Cupido.
paruulus ex umero corytos et aureus arcus
fulgebat, nutuque uetans trepidare parentem
monstrabat grauidam telis se ferre pharetram.
ast alius niuea comebat fronte capillos,
purpureos alius uestis religabat amictus,
cum sic suspirans roseo Venus ore decoros
alloquitur natos: "testis certissima uestrae
ecce dies pietatis adest. quis credere saluis
hoc ausit uobis? de forma atque ore (quid ultra
iam superest rerum?) certat Venus. omnia paruis
si mea tela dedi blando medicata ueneno
si uester, caelo ac terris qui foedera sancit,
stat supplex, cum uultis, auus: uictoria nostra
Cypron Idumaeas referat de Pallade palmas,
de Iunone Paphos centum mihi fumet in aris."
dumque haec aligeris instat Cytherea, sonabat
omne nemus gradiente dea. iam bellica uirgo
aegide deposita atque assuetum casside crinem
inuolui tunc compta tamen pacemque serenis
condiscens oculis ibat lucoque ferebat
praedicto sacrae uestigia concita plantae.
parte alia intrabat iussis Saturnia siluis
iudicium Phrygis et fastus pastoris et Iden
post fratris latura toros. postrema nitenti
affulsit uultu ridens Venus. omnia circa
et nemora et penitus frondosis rupibus antra
spirantem sacro traxerunt uertice odorem.
nec iudex sedisse ualet, fessique nitoris
luce cadunt oculi, ac metuit dubitasse uideri.
sed uictae fera bella deae uexere per aequor,
atque excisa suo pariter cum iudice Troia.
tum pius Aeneas terris iactatus et undis
Dardanios Itala posuit tellure penates.
dum cete ponto innabunt, dum sidera caelo
lucebunt, dum sol Indo se litore tollet,
hic regna et nullae regnis per saecula metae.
at uos, o natae, currit dum immobile filum,
Hadriaci fugite infaustas Sasonis harenas.
sanguineis tumidus ponto miscebitur undis
Aufidus et rubros impellet in aequora fluctus,
damnatoque deum quondam per carmina campo
Aetolae rursus Teucris pugnabitis umbrae.
Punica Romuleos quatient mox spicula muros,
multaque Hasdrubalis fulgebit strage Mataurus.
hinc ille e furto genitus patruique piabit
idem ultor patrisque necem; tum litus Elissae
implebit flammis auelletque Itala Poenum
uiscera torrentem et propriis superabit in oris.
huic Carthago armis, huic Africa nomine cedet.
hic dabit ex sese, qui tertia bella fatiget
et cinerem Libyae ferat in Capitolia uictor."
Quae dum arcana deum uates euoluit in antro,
iam monita et Fabium bellique equitumque magister
exuerat mente ac praeceps tendebat in hostem.
pascere nec Poenus prauum ac nutrire furorem
derat et, ut paruo maiora ad proelia damno
eliceret, dabat interdum simulantia terga,
non aliter, quam qui sparsa per stagna profundi
euocat e liquidis piscem penetralibus esca,
cumque leuem summa uidit iam nare sub unda,
ducit sinuato captiuum ad litora lino.
Fama furit uersos hostes Poenumque salutem
inuenisse fuga; liceat si uincere, finem
promitti cladum; sed enim dicione carere
uirtutem et poenas uincentibus esse repostas.
clausurum iam castra ducem rursusque referri
uaginae iussurum enses, reddatur in armis
ut ratio et purget miles, cur uicerit hostem.
haec uulgus. necnon patrum Saturnia mentes
inuidiae stimulo fodit et popularibus auris.
tunc indigna fide censent optandaque Poeno,
quae mox haud paruo luerent damnata periclo:
diuiditur miles, Fabioque equitumque magistro
imperia aequantur. fremitus spernebat et expers
irarum senior, magnas ne penderet alti
erroris poenas patria inconsulta, timebat.
ac tum, multa putans secum ut remeauit ab urbe,
partitus socias uires uicina propinquis
signa iugis locat et specula sublimis ab alta
non Romana minus seruat quam Punica castra.
nec mora disiecto Minuci uecordia uallo
perdendi simul et pereundi ardebat amore.
Quem postquam rapidum uidit procedere castris
hinc Libys, hinc Fabius, simul accendere sagaces
in subitum curas. propere capere arma maniplis
edicit uallique tenet munimine turmas
Ausonius; torquet totas in proelia uires
Poenorum ductor propellitque agmina uoce:
"dum dictator abest, rape, miles, tempora pugnae.
non sperata diu plano certamina campo
offert ecce deus. quoniam data copia, longum
detergete situm ferro multoque cruore
exsatiate, uiri, plenos rubiginis enses."
Atque ea Cunctator pensabat ab aggere ualli
perlustrans campos oculis tantoque periclo
discere, quinam esset Fabius, te, Roma, dolebat.
cui natus iuncta arma ferens "dabit improbus" inquit
"quas dignum est, poenas, qui per suffragia caeca
inuasit nostros haec ad discrimina fasces.
insanae spectate tribus! pro lubrica rostra
et uanis fora laeta uiris! nunc munera Martis
aequent imperio et solem concedere nocti
sciscant imbelles. magna mercede piabunt
erroris rabiem et nostrum uiolasse parentem."
tum senior quatiens hastam lacrimisque coortis:
"sanguine Poenorum, iuuenis, tam tristia dicta
sunt abolenda tibi. patiarne ante ora manusque
ciuem deleri nostras? aut uincere Poenum
me spectante sinam? non aequauisse minorem
soluetur culpa, si sunt mihi talia corda?
iamque hoc, ne dubites, longaeui, nate, parentis
accipe et aeterno fixum sub pectore serua:
succensere nefas patriae, nec foedior ulla
culpa sub extremas fertur mortalibus umbras.
Sic docuere senes. quantus qualisque fuisti,
cum pulsus lare et extorris Capitolia curru
intrares exul! tibi corpora caesa, Camille,
damnata quot sunt dextra! pacata fuissent
ni consulta uiro mensque impenetrabilis irae,
mutassentque solum sceptris Aeneia regna
nullaque nunc stares terrarum uertice, Roma.
pone iras, o nate, meas. socia arma feramus
et celeremus opem." iamque intermixta sonabant
classica, procursusque uiros colliserat acer.
Primus claustra manu portae dictator et altos
disiecit postes rupitque in proelia cursum.
non grauiore mouent uenti certamina mole
Odrysius Boreas et Syrtim tollere pollens
Africus, obnixi cum bella furentia torquent;
distraxere fretum ac diuersa ad litora uoluunt
aequor quisque suum; sequitur stridente procella
nunc huc, nunc illuc raptum mare et intonat undis.
haud prorsus daret ullus honos tellusque subacta
Phoenicum et Carthago ruens, iniuria quantum
orta ex inuidia decoris tulit. omnia namque
dura simul deuicta uiro, metus, Hannibal, irae,
inuidia, atque una fama et fortuna subactae.
Poenus ab excelso rapidos decurrere uallo
ut uidit, tremuere irae, ceciditque repente
cum gemitu spes haud dubiae praesumpta ruinae;
quippe aciem denso circumuallauerat orbe
hausurus clausos coniectis undique telis.
atque hic Dardanius prauo certamine ductor
iam Styga et aeternas intrarat mente tenebras
(nam Fabium auxiliumque uiri sperare pudebat)
cum senior gemino complexus proelia cornu
ulteriore ligat Poenorum terga corona
et modo claudentes aciem nunc, extima cingens,
clausos ipse tenet. maiorem surgere in arma
maioremque dedit cerni Tirynthius. altae
scintillant cristae et, mirum, uelocibus ingens
per subitum membris uenit uigor; ingerit hastas
aduersumque premit telorum nubibus hostem,
qualis post iuuenem nondum subeunte senecta
rector erat Pylius bellis aetate secunda.
Inde ruens Thurin et Buten et Narin et Arsen
dat leto fisumque manus conferre Mahalcen,
cui decus insigne et quaesitum cuspide nomen.
tum Garadum largumque comae prosternit Adherben
et geminas acies superantem uertice Thulin,
qui summas alto prensabat in aggere pinnas.
eminus hos. gladio Sapharum gladioque Monaesum
et Morinum pugnas aeris stridore cientem,
dexteriore gena sedit cui letifer ictus
perque tubam fixae decurrens uulnere malae
extremo fluxit propulsus murmure sanguis.
proximus huic iaculo Nasamonius occidit Idmon.
namque super tepido lapsantem sanguine et aegra
lubrica nitentem nequiquam euadere planta
impacto prosternit equo trepideque leuantem
membra afflicta solo pressa uiolentius hasta
implicuit terrae telumque in caede reliquit.
haeret humi cornus motu tremefacta iacentis
et campo seruat mandatum affixa cadauer.
Necnon exemplo laudis furiata iuuentus,
Syllaeque Crassique simul iunctusque Metello
Furnius ac melior dextrae Torquatus, inibant
proelia et unanimi uel morte emisse uolebant
spectari Fabio. miser hic uestigia retro
dum rapit et molem subducto corpore uitat
intorti Bibulus saxi atque in terga refertur,
strage super lapsus socium, qua fibula morsus
loricae crebro laxata resoluerat ictu,
accepit lateri penitusque in uiscera adegit
exstabat fixo quod forte cadauere ferrum.
heu sortem necis! euasit Garamantica tela
Marmaridumque manus, ut inerti cuspide fusus
occideret, telo non in sua uulnera misso.
uoluitur exanimis, turpatque decora iuuenta
ora nouus pallor. membris dimissa solutis
arma fluunt, erratque niger per lumina somnus.
Venerat ad bellum Tyria Sidone nepotum
excitus prece et auxilio socia arma ferebat
Eoa tumidus pharetrati militis ala
gens Cadmi, Cleadas, fulua cui plurima passim
casside et aurato fulgebat gemma monili,
qualis ubi Oceani renouatus Lucifer unda
laudatur Veneri et certat maioribus astris.
ostro ipse ac sonipes ostro totumque per agmen
purpura Agenoreis saturata micabat aenis.
hic auidum pugnae et tam clarum excidere nomen
Brutum exoptantem uarie nunc laeuus in orbem,
nunc dexter leuibus flexo per deuia gyris
ludificatus equo uolucrem post terga sagittam
fundit Achaemenio detrectans proelia ritu.
nec damnata manus, medio sed, flebile, mento
armigeri Cascae penetrabilis haesit harundo
obliquumque secans surrecta cuspide uulnus
umenti ferrum admouit tepefacta palato.
at Brutus diro casu turbatus amici
ausum multa uirum et spargentem in uulnera saeuos
fraude fugae calamos iam nullis cursibus instat
prendere cornipedis, sed totam pectoris iram
mandat atrox hastae telumque uolatile nodo
excutit ac summum, qua laxa monilia crebro
nudabant uersu, tramittit cuspide pectus.
labitur intento cornu transfossus, et una
arcum laeua cadens, dimisit dextra sagittam.
At non tam tristi sortitus proelia Marte
Phoebei Soractis honor Carmelus agebat.
sanguine quippe suo iam Bagrada tinxerat ensem,
dux rectorque Nubae populi, iam fusus eidem
Zeusis, Amyclaei stirps impacata Phalanti,
quem tulerat mater claro Phoenissa Laconi.
talia dum metuit, nec pugnae fisus in hoste
tam rapido nec deinde fugae, suadente pauore
per dumos miser in uicina cacumina quercus
repserat atque alta sese occultabat in umbra
Hampsicus insistens tremulis sub pondere ramis.
hunc longa multa orantem Carmelus et altos
mutantem saltu ramos transuerberat hasta,
ut, qui uiscata populatur harundine lucos,
dum nemoris celsi procera cacumina sensim
substructa certat tacitus contingere meta,
sublimem calamo sequitur crescente uolucrem.
effudit uitam, atque alte manante cruore
membra pependerunt curuato exsanguia ramo.
Iamque in palantes ac uersos terga feroces
pugnabant Itali, subitus cum mole pauenda
terrificis Maurus prorumpit Tunger in armis.
nigra uiro membra, et furui iuga celsa trahebant
cornipedes, totusque nouae formidinis arte
concolor aequabat liuentia currus equorum
terga, nec erectis similes imponere cristis
cessarat pennas, aterque tegebat amictus,
ceu quondam aeternae regnator noctis, ad imos
cum fugeret thalamos Hennaea uirgine rapta,
egit nigrantem Stygia caligine currum.
at Cato tum prima sparsus lanugine malas,
quod peperere decus Circaeo Tuscula dorso
moenia, Laërtae quondam regnata nepoti,
quamquam tardatos turbata fronte Latinos
collegisse gradum uidet, imperterritus ipse
ferrata calce atque effusa largus habena
cunctantem impellebat equum. negat obuius ire
et trepidat cassa sonipes exterritus umbra.
tum celer in pugnam dorso delatus ab alto
alipedem planta currum premit atque uolanti
assilit a tergo. cecidere et lora repente
et stimuli, ferrumque super ceruice tremiscens
palluit infelix subducto sanguine Maurus.
ora rapit gladio praefixaque cuspide portat.
At saeuo Mauorte ferox perrumpit anhelum
dictator cum caede globum. miserabile uisu,
uulneribus fessum ac multo labente cruore
ductorem cernit suprema ac foeda precantem.
manauere genis lacrimae, clipeoque pauentem
protegit et natum stimulans "fortissime, labem
hanc pellamus" ait "Poenoque ob mitia facta,
quod nullos nostris ignes disperserit aruis,
dignum expendamus pretium." tunc arte paterna
ac stimulis gaudens iuuenis circumdata Poenum
agmina deturbat gladio campumque relaxat,
donec Sidonius decederet aequore ductor,
ceu stimulante fame rapuit cum Martius agnum
auerso pastore lupus fetumque trementem
ore tenet presso, tum, si uestigia cursu
auditis celeret balatibus obuia pastor,
iam sibimet metuens spirantem dentibus imis
reiectat praedam et uacuo fugit aeger hiatu.
tum demum, Tyrium quas circumfuderat atra
tempestas, Stygiae tandem fugere tenebrae.
torpebant dextrae, et sese meruisse negabant
seruari, subitisque bonis mens aegra natabat,
ut, qui collapsa pressi iacuere ruina,
eruta cum subito membra et nox atra recessit,
coniuent solemque pauent agnoscere uisu.
Quis actis senior numerato milite laetus
colles et tuto repetebat in aggere castra.
ecce autem e media iam morte renata iuuentus
clamorem tollens ad sidera et ordine longo
ibat ouans Fabiumque decus Fabiumque salutem
certatim et magna memorabant uoce parentem.
tum qui partitis dissederat ante maniplis
"sancte" ait "o genitor, reuocato ad lucis honorem
si fas uera queri, cur nobis castra uirosque
diuidere est licitum? patiens cur arma dedisti,
quae solus rexisse uales? hoc munere lapsi
aeternas multo cum sanguine uidimus umbras.
ocius huc aquilas seruataque signa referte.
hic patria est, murique urbis stant pectore in uno.
tuque dolos, Poene, atque astus tandem exue notos;
cum solo tibi iam Fabio sunt bella gerenda."
Haec ubi dicta dedit, mille hinc, uenerabile uisu,
caespite de uiridi surgunt properantibus arae.
nec prius aut epulas aut munera grata Lyaei
fas cuiquam tetigisse fuit, quam multa precatus
in mensam Fabio sacrum libauit honorem.