Chapter 12 Infelix Dido (sentence by sentence)

ubi Aeneas finem dicendi(end of speaking) facit, omnes taciti sedent

When Aeneas makes an end of speaking, they all sit silently

tandem Dido hospites(guests) dimittit. mox omnes dormiunt

Finally Dido dismisses her guests. Soon they all sleep

sed Dido dormire non potest

but Dido is not able to sleep

per totam noctem Aeneam et labores Troianorum in animo volvit(turns over)

through the whole night she turns in her mind (thinks about) Aeneas and the sufferings of the Trojans

Aeneas et Troiani post tantos labores valde fessi sunt

Aeneas and the Trojans after such great labors are very tired

eis placet in Libya manere et quiescere

It pleases them to wait and rest in Libya

interea Dido Aeneam amare incipit(begins); Aeneam semper spectat;

meanwhile Dido begins to love Aeneas; she always looks at Aeneas;

Aeneam etiam absentem(absent) audit et videt

She hears and sees Aeneas even though absent

neque Aeneas amorem Didonis spernit(despises)

nor does Aeneas despise the love of Dido

per totam hiemem in Libya manet et Didonem iuvat, dum novam urbem aedificat

through the whole winter he remains in Libya and he helps Dido, while she builds a new city

sed rex deorum, Iuppiter, Aeneam de caelo spectat in Libya cessantem(lingering)

But the king of Gods, Iuppiter, sees Aeneas from heaven delaying in Libya

iratus est quod Aeneas, fati immemor(forgetful of his destiny), ibi manet

He is angry because Aeneas, forgetful of his destiny, stays there

Mercurium, nuntium deorum, vocat et "i nunc, Mercuri," inquit, "ad Libyam vola(fly)

He calls Mercury, messenger of the gods, and says "go now. fly towards Libya, Mercury

Aeneam iube statim ad Italiam navigare!

Order Aeneas at once to sail towards Italy!

Mercurius patris imperia perficere parat;

Mercury prepares to carry out the orders of his father;

talaria induit (he puts on his winged sandals) et de caelo in Libyam volat (fly)

He puts on his winged sandals and down from the sky he flies into Libya

Aeneam invenit arcem (the citadel) aedificantem (building)

He (mercury) finds Aeneas building a citadel

ei accedit et "audi me," Aenea," inquit, "ego sum Mercurius, deorum nuntius

He approaches him and says, ''listen to me, Aeneas, I am Mercury, messenger of the gods

Iuppiter, rex hominum et pater deorum, me mittit ad te; me iubet haec(this) tibi dicere

Jupiter, king of men and father of gods, sends me to you; He orders me to say this to you

noli diutius(any longer) in Libya manere, fati immemor

Do not stay to stay in Libya for a longer time, forgetful of your destiny

statim ad Italiam naviga et novam Troiam ibi conde

At once sail to Italy and found a new Troy there

Aeneas, ubi Mercurium ante oculos videt et monitum Iovis(the warning of Jupiter) audit, territus est

When Aeneas sees Mercury before his eyes and hears a warning from Jupiter, he is terrified

non potest imperia deorum negelere (neglect)

He is not able to neglect the orders of the gods

ad comites redit et iubet eos naves parare

He returns to his comrades and orders them to prepare the ships

sed Dido omnia cognovit (has learnt)

But Dido knows all

Aeneam arcessit(sends fod) et "perfide(traitor)," inquit, "tune paras tacitus discedere ab mea terra?

She summons Aeneas and she says "tratior, are your preparing to silently depart from my land?

sic amorem meum spernis(do you despise)? sic me relinquis morituram(doomed to die)?

Thus you despise my love? Thus you leave me doomed?

lle pentius(deeply) commotus "neque amorem tuum" inquit "sperno nec tacitus abire paro

He, deeply moved "I neither despise your love" he says "nor try to silently prepare to leave

sed Iuppiter ipse me iubet Italiam petere et novam Troiam ibi condere

But Juppiter himself orders me to seek Italy and to found a new Troy

Italiam non sponte peto

I do not seek Italy out of my own will

tum vero(then indeed) exardescit(flares up) Didonis ira

then indeed the anger of Dido flares up

ego te non retineo(hold back). i nunc. Italiam pete!

I do not hold you back. go! now. look for italy!

sed te moneo; poena dira(a terrible punishment) te manet (awaits)

But I advise you; a dire penalty awaits you

serius ocius(sooner or later) aut ego aut posteri(my descendants) ultionem(vengeance) tibi exigent(will exact from you

sooner or later either I or my descendants will exact from you vengance

sic dicit et ad terram decidit exanimata(in a faint)

thus she speaks and falls towards the ground in a faint