Walls were built, which, small though they were, it had been better for Remus not to have overleaped. Amulius fell, pierced by the sword of Romulus, and the kingdom was restored to their aged grandfather. When they heard the secret of their birth, their spirits rose with the revelation of their sire, and they thought shame to have a name in a few huts. Often they came home glad at blood of robbers spilt, and to their own domain drove back the raided kine. Thrice six years old was the progeny of Mars, and already under their yellow hair sprouted a fresh young beard: to all the husbandmen and masters of herds the brothers, sons of Ilia, 3 gave judgement by request. Your honour will find its place when I come to tell of the Larentalia that festival falls in December, the month dear to the mirthful spirits. Who knows not that the infants throve on the milk of a wild beast, and that a woodpecker often brought food to the abandoned babes? Nor would I pass thee by in silence, Larentia, nurse of so great a nation, nor the help that thou didst give, poor Faustulus. The water shrank from such a crime, and the boys were left on dry land. When Amulius learned of this, scorner of justice that he was (for he had vanquished his brother and robbed him of power), he ordered the twins to be sunk in the river. The images of Vesta are said to have covered their eyes with their virgin hands certainly the altar of the goddess trembled, when her priestess was brought to bed, and the terrified flame sank under its own ashes. When now two heavenly signs remained for the bright god to traverse, before the year could complete its course and run out, Silvia became a mother. Meanwhile her belly swelled with a heavenly burden, for Remus was growing, and growing, too, was Quirinus.
LIBER VIII TRANSLATION OVID FULL
A woodpecker – the bird of Mars and a she-wolf fought in defence of the twin trunks, and by their help both of the palms were saved.” She finished speaking, and by a feeble effort lifted the full pitcher she had filed it while she was telling her vision. Lo, mine uncle 2 wielded an axe against the trees the warning terrified me and my heart did throb with fear. Of them one was the taller and by its heavy boughs spread a canopy over the whole world, and with its foliage touched the topmost stars. From the fillet there sprang a wondrous sight – two palm-trees side by side. Or was the vision too clear for sleep? Methought I was by the fire of Ilium, when the woolen fillet slipped from my hair and fell before the sacred hearth. Languid she rose, nor knew why she rose so languid, and leaning on a tree she spake these words: “Useful and fortunate, I pray, may that turn out which I saw in a vision of sleep. Sleep left her she lay big, for already within her womb there was Rome’s founder. Mars saw her the sight inspired him with desire, and his desire was followed by possession, but by his power divine he hid his stolen joys. Sweet slumber overpowered and crept stealthily over her eyes, and her languid hand dropped from her chin. While she sat, the shady willows and the tuneful birds and the soft murmur of the water induced to sleep. Weary, she sat her on the ground and opened her bosom to catch the breezes, and composed her ruffled hair. When she had come to where the path ran gently down the sloping bank, she set down her earthenware pitcher from her head. Silvia the Vestal (for why not start from her?) went in the morning to fetch water to wash the holy things. Then, too, wast thou unarmed when the Roman priestess 1 captivated thee, that thou mightest bestow upon this city a great seed. Is she for that the less at leisure for the liberal arts? After the pattern of Pallas take a time to put aside the lance. Thyself dost see that fierce wars are waged by Minerva’s hands. Haply thou mayest ask, What has a poet to do with Mars? From thee the month which now I sing doth take its name. Come, warlike Mars lay down thy shield and spear for a brief space, and from thy helmet loose thy glistering locks. June FASTI BOOK 3, TRANSLATED BY JAMES G.
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