to this dwelling, Diana, or Latona,[1] or golden Venus, or well-born Themis, or dark-eyed Minerva, or whether thou hast come hither [being] one of the Graces, who associate with all the gods, and are called immortal, or one of the nymphs who inhabit beautiful woods, or of the nymphs who dwell on this beautiful mountain,[2] and the fountains of rivers and the grassy valleys. But unto thee I will make an altar on a lofty rock, in a conspicuous place, and I will offer thee beautiful victims at all hours. But do thou, having a well-wishing disposition, grant that I may be a conspicuous hero[3] among the Trojans, and make my progeny hereafter flourishing, but [grant] that I myself may live well and long, and behold the light of the sun, blest among the people, and may reach the threshold of old age."
But him Venus, the daughter of Jove, then answered: "Anchises, most glorious of men born upon the earth, I am no god indeed; why dost thou equal me with the immortals? But [I am] both mortal, and a woman mother gave me birth. But my father is renowned Atreus, if perchance thou hast heard his name, who rules over all well-fortified Phrygia. But I know your language and our own clearly, for a Trojan[4] nurse cherished me in my home, and she trained up me, a little girl, having received me from my mother. Thus therefore I well understand your language also. But now the golden-wanded slayer of Argus has snatched me away out of the choir of golden-distaffed, resounding Diana. For we, a number of nymphs and Alphesibœan virgins, were at play, and a countless multitude crown-like surrounded us; whence the golden-wanded slayer of Argus snatched me away. And he led me to many works of mortal men, and also to much unallotted and unbuilt [country], through which flesh-devouring wild beasts make their way in shady recesses, nor did I seem to touch the life-breathing earth with my feet. But he said that I should be called a wedded wife at the bed of Anchises, and should bear thee glorious children. But after he
- ↑ Compare the similar address of Æneas in Virg. Æn. i. 332: "O dea certe; An Phœbi soror, an nympharum sanguinis una?" Cf. Heliodor. Ethiop. i. 2, Chariton, i. p. 1, with D'Orville's notes.
- ↑ I agree with Ruhnken in condemning this line as a frigid interpolation.
- ↑ But Hermann reads αἰεὶ instead of ἄνδρα, and with reason.
- ↑ Ernesti's emendation is confirmed by cod. Mosc.
