Ille autem prope iam mediis versatur in undis,
But that one, now near, is turned in the middle of the waves,
nec quisquam apparet vacua mortalis in alga.
Not anyone human appears on the empty seaweed.
sic nimis insultans extremo tempore saeva
Thus cruel chance, exulting too much, in the last moment,
Fors etiam nostris invidit questibus auris
begrudges our complaints even ears.
Iuppiter omnipotens, utinam ne tempore primo
All-powerful Jupiter, would that the Athenian ships had not touched the Cretan shores in the first time,
Gnosia Cecropiae tetigissent litora puppes,
...
indomito nec dira ferens stipendia tauro
the one carrying terrible tributes to the unconquered bull,
perfidus in Cretam religasset navita funem,
Would that the treacherous sailor had not tied his rope on Crete,
nec malus hic celans dulci crudelia forma
Nor had this evil guest hiding cruel plans with a sweet form rested in our homes!
consilia in nostris requiesset sedibus hospes!
...
nam quo me referam? quali spe perdita nitor?
For where should I take myself back? On what hope abandoned do I rely?
Idaeosne petam montes? at gurgite lato
Shall I seek out the mountains of Ida?
discernens ponti truculentum dividit aequor.
But the cruel plane of the sea separating divides by a wide whirlpool.
an patris auxilium sperem? quemne ipsa reliqui
Or should I hope for my father's help?
respersum iuvenem fraterna caede secuta?
Whom I myself left behind, having followed the young man stained with fraternal blood?
coniugis an fido consoler memet amore?
Or should I console myself with the faithful love of a husband?
quine fugit lentos incuruans gurgite remos?
Who flees bending the flexible oars on the sea?
praeterea nullo colitur sola insula tecto,
Besides the lone island is inhabited by no roof,
nec patet egressus pelagi cingentibus undis.
Nor is there an exit of the sea open with the waves encircling.
nulla fugae ratio, nulla spes: omnia muta,
No plan of flight, no hope, all things quiet,
omnia sunt deserta, ostentant omnia letum.
All are deserted, all things show death.
non tamen ante mihi languescent lumina morte,
however before my eyes will not grow weak with death,
nec prius a fesso secedent corpore sensus,
nor will the senses fall from my tired body before,
quam iustam a divis exposcam prodita multam
Which having been betrayed I will demand a just punishment from the gods
caelestumque fidem postrema comprecer hora.
in the last hour and pray for the faith of the heavenly ones.