§16.76Non omnes causam posse tenere suam.
that not all of them could win their case.
But nevertheless, even then one of them pleased me more, so that you might know she is the one from whom my love is moved.
And so great is their care to conquer; they burn to solicit my judgment with immense gifts.
The wife of Jove boasts of kingdoms, his daughter of courage; I myself hesitate, powerful as I might be, whether I should wish to be brave.
§16.83Dulce Venus risit; 'nec te, Pari, munera tangant §16.84Utraque suspensi plena timoris!' ait; §16.85'Nos dabimus, quod ames, et pulchrae filia Ledae §16.86Ibit in amplexus pulchrior illa tuos!' §16.87Dixit, et ex aequo donis formaque probatis §16.88Victorem caelo rettulit illa pedem.
Venus laughed sweetly; 'Let neither gift touch you, Paris, both of which are full of suspended fear!' she said; 'We shall give what you may love, and the beautiful daughter of Leda will go, even more beautiful, into your embrace!' She spoke, and with both gifts and beauty approved as equal, she returned her victorious foot to heaven.
Meanwhile — I believe with my fates turned to prosperity — I am recognized as a royal boy through confirmed signs.
§16.91Laeta domus nato post tempora longa recepto est, §16.92Addit et ad festos hunc quoque Troia diem.
The house is joyful for the son received after a long time, Troy adds this day also to its festive days.
And as I desire you, so girls have desired me; you alone can hold the vow of many!
Nor did only the daughters of kings and leaders seek me, but I was also a care and love for nymphs.
§16.97Quam super Oenones faciem mirarer? in orbe
Should I admire the face of Oenone more?
§16.98Nec Priamo est a te dignior ulla nurus.
In the world there is no daughter-in-law more worthy of Priam than you.
But dislike of all women comes over me, after the hope of your marriage, daughter of Tyndareus, was made.
Awake I saw you with my eyes, at night in my mind, when my eyes lie conquered by gentle sleep.
§16.103Quid facies praesens, quae nondum visa placebas?
What will you do when present, you who pleased before you were seen?
§16.104Ardebam, quamvis hic procul ignis erat, §16.105Nec potui debere mihi spem longius istam, §16.106Caerulea peterem quin mea vota via.
I was burning, although this fire was far away, nor could I keep this hope as a debt to myself any longer, without seeking my vows by the blue path.
§16.107Troica caeduntur Phrygia pineta securi §16.108Quaeque erat aequoreis utilis arbor aquis; §16.109Ardua proceris spoliantur Gargara silvis, §16.110Innumerasque mihi longa dat Ida trabes.
Trojan pine woods are cut down by the Phrygian axe, and every tree that was useful for sea waters; high Gargara is stripped of its tall forests, and long Ida gives me countless beams.
Oak timbers that will build swift ships are bent, and the curved hull is woven with its ribs.
§16.113Addimus antennas et vela sequentia malo; §16.114Accipit et pictos puppis adunca deos; §16.115Qua tamen ipse vehor, comitata Cupidine parvo §16.116Sponsor coniugii stat dea picta tui.
We add yards and sails that follow the mast; and the curved stern receives the painted gods; but on the one by which I myself am carried, accompanied by little Cupid, the goddess stands painted, the sponsor of your marriage.
§16.117Inposita est factae postquam manus ultima classi, §16.118Protinus Aegaeis ire lubebat aquis — §16.119At pater et genetrix inhibent mea vota rogando §16.120Propositumque pia voce morantur iter; §16.121Et soror, effusis ut erat, Cassandra, capillis, §16.122Cum vellent nostrae iam dare vela rates,
After the last hand was placed on the finished fleet, straightway it was pleasing to go upon the Aegean waters — but my father and mother hinder my vows by begging and delay the proposed journey with affectionate voices; and my sister, Cassandra, just as she was with her hair disheveled, when our ships already wished to give sails, exclaims, 'Where are you rushing?
§16.123'Quo ruis?' exclamat, 'referes incendia tecum!
You will bring fires back with you!
§16.124Quanta per has nescis flamma petatur aquas!' §16.125Vera fuit vates; dictos invenimus ignes, §16.126Et ferus in molli pectore flagrat amor!
You do not know how great a flame is sought through these waters!' She was a true prophet; we found the predicted fires, and fierce love burns in my soft breast!
I go out from the harbors, and having used favorable winds, I am brought to your lands, nymph of Oebalus.
Your husband receives me with hospitality — this also was done not without the counsel and divine wills of the gods!
§16.131Ille quidem ostendit, quidquid Lacedaemone tota §16.132Ostendi dignum conspicuumque fuit; §16.133Sed mihi laudatam cupienti cernere formam §16.134Lumina nil aliud quo caperentur erat.
He indeed showed whatever in all Lacedaemon was worthy to be shown and conspicuous; but for me, desiring to see your praised beauty, there was nothing else by which my eyes could be captured.
As I saw you, I was amazed, and I felt my innermost heart swell, astonished with new anxieties.
Such a face, as far as I remember, the Cytherean goddess had when she came into my judgment.
If you had come equally into that contest, the palm of Venus would have been in doubt!
§16.141Magna quidem de te rumor praeconia fecit, §16.142Nullaque de facie nescia terra tua est; §16.143Nec tibi par usquam Phrygia nec solis ab ortu §16.144Inter formosas altera nomen habet!
Rumor indeed made great proclamations about you, and no land is ignorant of your face; nor does any other among beautiful women have a name equal to yours, either in Phrygia or from the rising of the sun!
§16.145Crede sed hoc nobis! — minor est tua gloria vero, §16.146Famaque de forma paene maligna tua est; §16.147Plus hic invenio, quam quod promiserat illa, §16.148Et tua materia gloria victa sua est.
But believe this from us! — your glory is less than the truth, and rumor about your beauty is almost malicious; I find more here than what that rumor had promised, and your glory was conquered by its own material.
§16.149Ergo arsit merito, qui noverat omnia, Theseus, §16.150Et visa es tanto digna rapina viro, §16.151More tuae gentis nitida dum nuda palaestra §16.152Ludis et es nudis femina mixta viris.
Therefore Theseus, who knew all things, burned with merit, and you seemed a plunder worthy of so great a man, while according to the custom of your people you play naked in the shining palaestra, and are a woman mixed with naked men.