Latin poetry -- Adaptations; Virgil -- Adaptations
And when thou art come thither, seek the Sibyl that
dwelleth at Cumæ, the mad prophetess that writeth the sayings of Fate
upon the leaves of a tree. For these indeed at the first abide in
their places, but, the gate being opened, the wind blows them hither
and thither. And when they are scattered she careth not to join them
again, so that they who would inquire of her depart without an answer.
Refuse not to tarry awhile, that thou mayest take counsel of her,
though all things seem to prosper thy journey and thy comrades chide
thy delay. For she shall tell thee all that shall befall thee in
Italy--what wars thou shalt wage, and what perils thou must endure,
and what avoid. So much, and no more, is it lawful for me to utter. Do
thou depart, and magnify our country of Troy even to the heaven."
And when the seer had ended these sayings he commanded his people
that they should carry to the ships gifts: gold, and carvings of
ivory, and much silver, and caldrons that had been wrought at Dodona;
also a coat of chain mail, and a helmet with a fair plume, which
Pyrrhus had worn. Also he gave gifts to the old man Anchises. Horses,
too, he gave, and guides for the journey, and tackling for the ships,
and arms for the whole company. Then did he bid farewell to the old
Anchises. Andromaché also came, bringing broidered robes, and for
Ascanius a Phrygian cloak, and many like things, which she gave him,
saying, "Take these works of my hands, that they may witness to thee
of the abiding love of her that was once Hector's wife. For indeed
thou art the very image of my Astyanax; so like are thy eyes and face
and hands. And indeed he would now be of an age with thee." Then Æneas
also said farewell, weeping the while. "Be ye happy, whose wanderings
are over and rest already won; ye have no seas to cross, nor fields of
Italy, still flying as we advance, to seek. Rather ye have the
likeness of Troy before your eyes. And be sure that if ever I come to
this land of Italy which I seek, there shall be friendship between you
and me, and between your children and my children, for ever."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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