From the SelectedWorks of Edward H Campbell
Fall November 23, 2015
Helen by Giovanni Boccaccio: A New Translation, with Text, and Commentary Edward H Campbell, independent scholar
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons CC_BY International License.
Available at: https://works.bepress.com/edward_campbell/38/ P a g e | 1
Commentaries on Greek and Latin Literature
HELEN
From Giovanni Boccaccio’s Famous Women
A New Translation, with Text, and Commentary
By E. H. Campbell
Draft 1.0, November 2015
Campbell’s Commentaries: Bozeman, MT SelectedWorks™
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© E. H. Campbell 2015 All Rights Reserved
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Sigla Ion. = Ionic dialect Lat. = Latin 1st = First person Masc. = Masculine gender 2nd = Second person Metaph. = Metaphor 3rd = Third person Mid. = Middle voice Acc. = Accusative case Mid./Pass. = Middle/Passive voice Act. = Active voice Neut. = Neuter gender Adv. = Adverb Obj. = Object Adj. = Adjective Op. Cit. = Operas Citatas Aor. = Aorist tense Part. = Participle Art. = Article Partic. = Particle C. = Common gender Pass. = Passive voice Cf. = Confere, compare! Perf. = Perfect tense Comp. = Comparative Pl. = Plural number Dat. = Dative case Pluperf. = Pluperfect tense Ep. = Epic Poet. = Poetic Esp. = Especially Prep. = Preposition Exclam. = Exclamation Pres. = Present tense Fem. = Feminine gender Pron. = Pronoun Freq. = Frequently Proclit. = Proclitic Gen. = Genitive case Reflex. = Reflexive Gk. = Greek Sing. = Singular number Hdt. = Herodotus. Subst. = Substantive I.e. = Id est, that is Superl. = Superlative Ibid. = Ibidem, in the same place Viz. = Videre licet, or vidlicet, it should be Imper. = Imperative seen. Imperf. = Imperfect tense Voc. = Vocative case Imper. = Imperative mood
Ind. = Indicative mood
Inf. = Infinitive mood
Interrog. = Interrogative P a g e | 4
Epitome
Sigla ...... 3
Helen ...... 6
Operas Citatas ...... 44
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Flet quoque, ut in speculo rugas adspexit aniles,
Tyndaris et secum, cur sit bis rapta, requirit.
Tempus edax rerum, tuque, invidiosa vetustas,
Omnia destruitis, vitiataque dentibus aevi
Paulatim lenta consumitis omnia morte.
She also weeps as she looks in the mirror at the wrinkles
Of an old woman, asking Tyndareus, and herself,
Why she was twice seized. Time glutton for all things,
And you, jealous Age, destroy all with your rotten teeth;
Little by little, slowly consuming everything in death.
(Metamorphoses, 15.232-36)
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Helen
Helena tam1 ob2 suam lasciviam—ut3 multis4 visum5 est—quam ob diuturnum6 bellum ex ea consecutum,7 toto orbi notissima8 femina, filia fuit Tyndari, Oebalie regis, et Lede, formosissime mulieris, et Menelai Lacedemonum9 regis coniunx. Huius10—ut omnes aiunt11 veteres12 Greci13 Latinique14 post eos15—tam celebris16 pulchritudo17 fuit ut preponatur18 facile ceteris. Fatigavit19 enim—ut reliquos20 sinam21—divini22 ingenii23 virum24 Homerum,25 ante quam illam posset26 secundum27 precepta28 satis29 convenienter30 describere31 carmine.32
1 Adv., to such a degree. 2 Prep., for. 3 Adv., that, so that. 4 Adj., masc./fem./neut. abl. pl. of multus, -a, -um, many, a great number. 5 Supine, neut. sing. of viso, visere, visi, visum, comtemplate. 6 Adj., neut. acc. sing. of diuturnus, -a, -um, of long duration. 7 neut. sing. perf. pass. part. of sequor, sequi, secutus sum, to follow. 8 Adj., superl. fem. nom. sing. of notus, -a, -um, known. 9 Adj., Lacedaemonius, -a, -um, Lacedaemonian. 10 Pron., fem. gen. sing. of hic, haec, hoc, this. 11 3rd pl. pres. act. ind. of aio, ais, ait, I say aye. (Op. Cit., Gildersleeve: 175.1). 12 Adj., masc. nom.pl. of vetus, -eris, old, ancient, long standing. 13 masc. nom. pl. of Graeci, -orum, the Greeks. 14 masc. nom. pl. of Latinus, -a, um, the Latins. 15 masc. acc. pl. is, ea, id. 16 Adj., fem. gen. sing. of celeber, -bris, -bre, celebrated, famous, renowned. 17 fem. nom. sing. of pulchritude, -inis, beauty. 18 3rd sing. pres. pass. subj. of praepono, -ponere, -posui, -positum, to put before, place before. 19 3rd sing. perf. act. ind. of fatigo, -are, to weary, tire, fatigue. 20 Adj., masc. acc. pl. of reliquus, -a, -um, left behind. 21 1st sing. fut. act. ind. of sino, sinere, sivi, situm, to place, put down, set down; to let alone leave. 22 Adj., masc. gen. sing. of divinus, -a, -um, of or belonging to a diety. 23 neut. gen. sing. of ingenium, -i, natural capacity, talents, parts, abilities, genius 24 masc. acc. sing. of vir, viri, a man. 25 masc. acc. sing. of Homerus, -i, Homer. 26 3rd sing. imperf. act. subj. of possum, posse, potui, to be able. 27 Prep., following. 28 neut. pl. praeceptum, -i, a maxim, rule, precept, order, direction, command, injunction. 29 neut. indecl., enough, sufficient, satisfactory, ample, adequate. 30 Adv., agreeable with, suitable to. 31 pres. act. inf. of discribo, -scribere, -scripsi, -scriptum, to sketch off, to describe in painting, writing. 32 neut. abl. sing. of carmen, -inis, song. P a g e | 7
Helen,
Daughter of Tyndareus,
King of Oebalia, 33
And Leda, a most beautiful woman,
And wife of Menelaus,
King of the Lacedaemonians,
Was a woman most well-known
To the whole world,
As it is seen by many,
More for her lasciviousness,
Than for the long war that followed her.
She was, as all the ancients say,
The Greeks and Latins,
And everyone after them,
Was so famous for her beauty
That she easily stood out from the rest.
For, just as I shall be left behind,
She even wore out Homer,
Before he,
A man of divine genius,
Was able,
Following suitable precepts,
To decribe her well enough
With song.
33 Οἰβαλία, another name for Tarentum. Named after the Spartan king Οἴβαλος,, “the father of Tyndarus and grandfather of Helen, under whose guidance the Parthenians went to Lower Italy and founded Tarentum.” (Op. Cit., Lewis and Short). Often used to mean ‘Spartan.’ P a g e | 8
Preterea34 pictores35 et sculptores36 multiplices37 egregii38 omnes eundem39 sumpsere40 laborem41 ut tam eximii42 decoris43 saltem44 effigiem,45 si possent,46 posteritati47 relinquerent.48 Quos inter, summa49 conductus50 a Crotoniensibus51 pecunia,52 Zeusis
Heracleotes,53 illius54 seculi55 famosissimus56 pictor et prepositus57 ceteris, ad illam pinniculo58 formandam,59 ingenium omne artisque60 vires61 exposuit.62
34 Adv., praeterea, in addition, beyond this, further, besides, moreover. 35 masc. nom. pl. pictor, -oris, painter. 36 masc. nom. pl. of sculptor, -oris, sculptor. 37 masc. nom. pl. of multiplex, -plicis, having many folds. 38 Adj., masc. nom. pl. of egregius, -a, -um, select, extraordinary, distinguished, surpassing, excellent, eminent 39 Pron., masc. acc. sing. of idem, eadem, idem, the same. 40 3rd pl. perf. act. ind. of sumo, sumere, sumpsi, sumptum, to take, choose, obtain. 41 masc. acc. sing. of labor, -oris, work, labor, toil. 42 Adj., neut. gen. sing. of eximius, -a, -um, excepted; exceptional, distinguished. 43 Adj., neut. gen. sing. of decoris, -e, ornamented, adorned, elegant, beautiful. 44 Adv., at least, at all events. 45 fem. acc. sing. of effigies, -ei or effigia, -ae, an image, likeness, effigy. 46 3rd pl. imperf. act. subj. of possum. 47 fem. dat. sing. of posteritas, -atis, future generations, posterity. 48 3rd pl. imperf. act. subj. of relinquo, -linquere, -liqui, -lictum, to leave, to leave behind. 49 fem. abl. sing. of summus, at the utmost, at farthest, at most. 50 masc. nom. sing. perf. pass. part. of conduco, -ducere, duxi, -ductum, to bring or lead together; to be of use, too profit, to serve. 51 Adj., Crotoniensis, -e, of Crotona. 52 fem. abl. sing. of pecunia, -ae, property, riches, wealth; money. 53 masc. nom. sing. of Zeuxis, -dis, Heracleotes, -ae, m, a famous Greek painter of Heraclea in Lucania. 54 Pron., masc./fem./neut. gen. sing. of ille, illa, illud, that. 55 neut. gen. sing. of saeculum, -i, the period of one human generation (about 33 1/3 years) (Op. Cit., Cassell’s). 56 Adj., superl. of famosus, -a, -um, famous. 57 masc. nom. sing. perf. pass. part. of praepono, -ponere, -posui, -positum, to put before, place before; to prefer. 58 neut. abl. sing. of pinnaculum, pinnaculi, a peak, pinnacle. 59 Gerundive, fem. acc. sing. of formo, -are, to form, shape, fashion. 60 fem. gen. sing of ars, artis, practical skill, art. 61 fem. acc. pl. of vis, force, power, strength, virtue. 62 3rd sing. perf. act. ind. of expono, -ponere, -posui, -positum, to put out, to put outside, cast out; to put on view, display. P a g e | 9
Moreover,
Many painters and sculptors,
All extraordinary,
Took-up the same task.
So as, if they could,
Leave behind for posterity,
At they very least,
A likeness of such an exceptional beauty.
Among was Zeuxis Heraclea,63
The most famous painter of that generation,
And respected above all others,
Who was brought to serve
The Crontanians64
With the most money.
Exhibiting every talent
Of artistic virture,
Represented her
With a pinnacle.
63 A painter who lived c. 424 B.C. he was represented in Plato’s Protagoras (c.430) as a young newcomer to Athens. He painted a number of famous works. His painting of grapes was said to have deceived birds. He painted Penelope, Helen, and Menelaus, inter alios. (Op. Cit., Hornblower). 64 Croton was an Achaean colony on the ‘toe’ of Italy founded around 710 B.C. (Ibid). P a g e | 10
Et cum, preter65 Homeri66 carmen67 et magnam68 undique69 famam,70 nullum71 aliud72 haberet73 exemplum,74 ut per hec75 duo76 de facie77 et cetero78 persone79 statu80 potuerat81 mente82 concipere.83
Excogitavit84 se ex aliis plurium pulcherrimis85 formis divinam illam Helene effigiem posse86 percipere87 et aliis poscentibus88 designatam89 ostendere.90
65 Adv., praeter, except. 66 masc. gen. sing. of Homerus, -i, Homer. 67 neut. sing. of carmen, -inis, song, poem. 68 Adj., fem. acc. sing. of magnus, -a, -um, a great man, great woman, great thing. 69 Adv., from all parts, from every quarter, on all sides, all around, on every part, everywhere; altogether, in every respect. 70 fem. acc. sing. of fama, -ae, talk, report, rumor; public opinion, repute. 71 Adj., masc. acc. sing. or neut. sing. of nullus, -a, -um, not any, none, no. 72 Adj., neut. sing. of alius, -a, ud, one, another; other than. 73 3rd sing . imperf. act. subj. of habeo, -ere, -ui, -itum, have. 74 neut. sing. exemplum, -i, a specimen, a sample, an example. 75 Pron., fem. nom. sing. of haec, she. 76 adj., neut. nom. pl., two. 77 fem. abl. sing. of facies, -ei, shape, form, figure, face. 78 neut. abl. sing. of ceterum, -i, for the rest, in other respects, else, otherwise. 79 fem. abl. sing. of persona, -ae, persona, character. 80 Supine, neut. abl. sing. of sto, stare, steti, statum, to stand, stand still, remain standing. 81 3rd sing. pluperf. act. ind. of possum. 82 fem. abl. sing. of mens, mentis, the mind, understanding, reason, intellect, judgment. 83 pres. act. inf. of concipio, -cipere, -cepi, -ceptum, take up, take in, take hold, absorb, grasp. 84 3rd sing. perf. act. ind. of excogito, -are, to think out, devise, contrive, invent. 85 Adj., superl., fem. abl. pl. of pulcher, -chra, -chrum, beautiful, fair, lovely. 86 pres. act. inf. of possum. 87 pres. act. inf. of percipio, -cipere, -cepi, -ceptum, to lay hold of, take possession of, seize. 88 masc./fem./neut. dat./abl. pl. pres. act. part. of posco, poscere, poposci, to ask earnestly, request. 89 fem. acc. sing. perf. pass. part. of design, -are, to mark out, trace out, plan, sketch. 90 pres. act. inf. of ostendo, -tendere, -tendi, -tentum and –tensum, to hold out, show, display, expose to view. P a g e | 11
And since he had
Nothing else as an example91
Besides a poem by Homer,92
And her all around great fame,93
By grasping two things,94
The one her form,95
And the other her character,96
He was able,97
She would stand forth in his mind.98
He himself thought,99
From very many different100
Most beautiful forms101
He would be able to lay hold102
Of the divine image of Helen103
And present a sketch104
To those who
Were asking.105
91 et cum…nullum aliud haberet exemplum. 92 peter Homeri carmen. 93 et magnam undique famam 94 ut per…duo…concipere. 95 de facie. 96 et cetero persone. 97 potuerat. 98 hec… statu …mente. 99 excoitavit se. 100 ex aliis plurium. 101 pulcherrismis formis. 102 posse percipere. 103 divinam illam Helene effigiem. 104 et…designatam ostendere. 105 aliis poscentibus. P a g e | 12
Et ostensis106 postulanti107 a Crotoniatibus, primo formosissimis108 pueris109 et inde sororibus,110 ex formosioribus111 quinque112 precipuo113 decore114 spectabiles115 selegit.116 Et collecta117 secum118 ex pulchritudine119 omnium120 forma una, totis121 ex ingenio122 celebri123 emunctis124 viribus,125 vix126 creditum127 est satis128 plene129 quod optabat130 arte131 potuisse132 percipere.
106 masc. abl. pl. perf. pass. part. of ostendo. 107 masc. dat. sing. pres. act. part. of postulo, -are, to claim, demand, request. 108 Adj., superl., fem. abl. pl. of formosus, most beautiful. 109 fem. abl. pl. of puera, girl. 110 fem. abl. pl. of soror, -oris, a sister. 111 Adj., comp. of formosus. 112 Numeral, five. 113 Adj., masc. dat. sing. of praecipuus, -a, -um, taken before; peculiar, especial. 114 masc. dat. sing. of decor, -oris, comeliness, elegance, grace, beauty, charm, ornament. 115 Adj., fem. acc. pl. of spectabilis, -e, visible; worth seeing, notable, remarkable. 116 3rd sing. perf. act. ind. of seligo, -ligere, -legi, -lectum, to choose, pick out, select. 117 neut. pl. perf. pass. part. of conligo, -ligere, -legi, -lectum, to gather or bring together, collect. 118 Pron., reflex., subst., fem. abl. pl. of sui, by, with, or from him or her. 119 fem. abl. sing. of pulchritudo, -inis, beauty, ‘a beautiful girl.’ 120 Adj., neut. gen. pl. of omnis. 121 Adj., neut. abl. pl. of totus, -a, -um, to whole, complete, entire; so great. 122 neut. abl. sing. of ingenium. 123 Adj., neut. abl. sing. of celeber, -bris, famous, celebrated, frequented. 124 masc. dat. pl. perf. pass. part. of emungo, -mungere, -munxi, -munctum, of nice discernment, keen, acute. 125 fem. abl. pl. of vis, strength, force, vigor, power, energy, virtue. 126 Adv., with difficulty, with effort, scarcely. 127 Supine, neut. acc. sing. of credo, -dere, -didi, -ditum, to trust. 128 Adv., enough. 129 Adv., full, filled; fully, completely. 130 3rd sing. imperf. act. ind. of opto, -are, to choose, elect, select. 131 fem. abl. sing. of ars, -tis. 132 perf. act. inf. of possum. P a g e | 13
And according to his request,133
He was shown,134
By the Crotoniatae135
First the most beautiful girls,136
And thereafter their sisters;137
And from the more beautiful,138
Selected five most remarkable139
For their peculiar grace.140
And they being gathered together,141
From all of them142
Chose one form alone143
On account of beauty.144
On account of its famous character,145
With the whole matter being so acutely powerful,146
It is scarcely credible to be able satisfy147
For it to be satisfactorily comprehended148
Through art.149
133 et postulanti. 134 ostensis. 135 a Crotonatibus. 136 primo formosissimis pueris. 137 et indie sororibus. 138 ex formosioribus. 139 quinque…spectabiles selegit. 140 precipuo decore. 141 et collecta secum. 142 omnium. 143 forma una…optabat. 144 ex pulchritudine. 145 ex ingenio celebri. 146 totis…emunctis viribus. 147 vix creditum est… potuisse. 148 satis…percipere. 149 arte. P a g e | 14
Nec ego miror.150 Quis151 enim picture152 vel statue153 pinniculo aut celo154 potuerit155 inscribere156 letitiam157 oculorum,158 totius159 oris160 placidam161 affabilitatem,162 celestem163 risum164 motusque165 faciei166 varios167 et decoros168 secundum169 verborum170 et actuum171 qualitates,172 cum173 solius174 hoc175 nature176 officium177 sit?178
150 1st sing. pres. pass. ind. of miror, -ari, to wonder, be astonished at. 151 Pron., masc. nom. sing., who. 152 masc. abl. sing. perf. pass. part. of pingo. 153 masc. abl. sing. perf. pass. part. of sto. 154 neut. dat./abl. sing. of caelum. 155 3rd sing. perf. act. subj. of possum. 156 pres. act. inf. of inscribe, -scribere, -scripsi, -scriptum, to write in or on, inscribe. 157 Adj., fem. acc. sing. of laetitia, -ae, joyful, pleasant. 158 masc. gen. pl. of oculus, -i, an eye. 159 Adv., compar. of totus, more total. 160 neut. gen. sing. of os, oris, mouth. 161 Adj., fem. acc. sing. of placidas, -a, -um, quite, gentle. 162 Adj., fem. acc. sing. of adfabilitas, -atis, affability. 163 Adj., masc. acc. sing. of caelestis, -e, heavenly. 164 masc. acc. sing. of risus, -us, laugh, laughter. 165 masc. nom. sing. perf. pass. part. of moveo, movere, movi, motum, to move, set in motion, stir. 166 fem. gen. sing. of facies, -ei, face. 167 Adj., masc. acc. pl. of varius, -a, -um, manifold, diverse. 168 Adj., masc. acc. pl. of decorus, -a, -um, graceful, beautiful. 169 Adv., following after. 170 neut. gen. pl. of verbum, -i, a word. 171 masc. gen. pl. of actus, -us, a driving, impulse, setting in motion. 172 fem. acc. pl. of qualitas, -atis, quality. 173 Prep., when. 174 Adj., masc./fem./neut. gen. sing. of solus, -a, -um, alone. 175 Pron., neut. abl./acc. sing. of hic. 176 neut. abl. sing of natura, -ae, nature. 177 neut. sing. of officium, -i, a service. 178 3rd sing. pres. act. subj. of sum. P a g e | 15
Nor am I surprised.
For who by painting,
Either with a pinnacle standing in heaven,
Or by writing,
Could have moved
Her joyful eyes,
The whole gentle affability of her mouth,
Her heavenly laughter,
The variations of her face;
Both the beautiful flowing
Of her words,
And the qualities
Of her gestures,
When it would be
Nature’s duty
Alone? P a g e | 16
Fecit179 ergo180 quod potuit,181 et quod pinxerat,182 tanquam183 celeste184 simulacri185 decus,186 posteritati187 reliquit.188 Hinc189 acutiores190 finxere191 fabulam192 eamque193 ob sidereum194 oculorum fulgorem,195 ob invisam196 mortalibus lucem,197 ob insignem198 faciei candorem199 aureamque200 come201 volatilis202 copiam,203 hinc inde per humeros204 petulantibus205 recidentem206 cincinnulis.207
179 3rd sing. perf. act. ind. of facio, facere, feci, factum, to make, to do. 180 Adv., consequently, therefore. 181 3rd sing perf. act. ind. of possum. 182 3rd sing. pluperf. act. ind. of pingo, pingere, pinxi, pictum, to paint. 183 Adv., tamquam, so as, just as, like as. 184 neut. sing. of caelestis, -e, belonging to heaven, heavenly; celestial, divine. 185 neut. gen. sing. of simulacrum, -i, a likeness. 186 neut. sing. of decus, -oris, grace, glory, honor, dignity, splendor, beauty. 187 fem. dat. sing. of posteritas, -atis, posterity. 188 3rd sing. perf. act. ind. of relinquo, -linquere, -liqui, -lictum, to leave. 189 Adv., hence. 190 masc./fem. nom. pl. of auctor, -oris, author. 191 3rd pl. perf. act. ind. of fingo, fingere, finxi, fictum, to shape, form, represent. 192 fem. acc. sing. of fabula, -ae, tale, story, fable. 193 Pron., fem. acc. sing. of is, ea, id. 194 Adj., masc. acc. sing. of sidereus, -a, um, of the stars, starry. 195 masc. acc. sing. of fulgor, -oris, lightening, a flash of lightening; glittering. 196 Adj., fem. acc. sing. of invisus, -a, -um, unseen 197 fem. acc. sing. of lux, lucis, light. 198 Adj., fem. acc. sing. of insignis, -e, distinguished by a mark, remarkable. 199 masc. acc. sing. of candor, -oris, whiteness. 200 Adj., fem. acc. sing. of aureus, -a, -um, golden. 201 fem. gen. sing. of coma, -ae, hair. 202 Adj., fem. gen. sing. of volatilis, -is, winged, flying. 203 fem. acc. sing. of copia, -ae, abundance. 204 masc. acc. pl. of umerus, -i, the upper arm or shoulder. 205 Adj., fem. abl. pl. of petulans, -antis, forward, pert, saucy, impudent, wanton, petulant. 206 fem. acc. sing. pres. act. part. of recido, -cidere, -ccidi, -casurus, falling back. 207 fem. abl. pl. of cincinnus, -i, curled hair. P a g e | 17
Consequently,208
He did what he could,209
And painted what he could,210
So as211 he left behind
For posterity212
A beautiful213
Heavenly likeness.214
Hence authors represented her
In fables
With glittering starry eyes,
On account of a light unseen by mortals,
For the remarkable whiteness of her face,
And for an abundance of golden hair
Flying rom here to there,
With pert curls
Falling back
On her shoulders.
208 ergo. 209 fecit…quod potuit. 210 potuit et quod pinxerat. 211 tanquam 212 posteritati reliquit. 213 decus. 214 celeste simulacra. P a g e | 18
Et lepidam215 sonoramque216 vocis217 suavitatem218 necnon219 et gestus220 quosdam,221 tam cinnamei222 roseique223 oris224 quam splendide225 frontis226 et eburnei227 gucturis228 ac ex invisis229 delitiis230 pectoris231 assurgentis,232 nonnisi233 ex aspirantis234 concipiendis235 aspectu,236 Iovis in cignum237 versi238 descripsere239 filiam, ut, preter quam a matre suscepisse240 poterat241 formositatem,242 intelligeretur243 ex infuso244 numine245 quod pinniculis coloribusque246 ingenio247 suo imprimere248 nequibant249 artifices.250
215 Adj., fem. acc. sing. of lepidus, -a, -um, pleasant, charming, elegant. 216 Adj., fem. acc. sing. of sonorous, -a, -um, sonorous. 217 fem. gen. sing. of vox, vocis, voice. 218 fem. acc. sing. of suavitas, -atis, sweetness. 219 neque non = ‘not never.’ 220 masc. acc. pl. of gestus, -us, gesture, posture, certain movements of the body. 221 Pron., masc. acc. pl. of quidam, certain. 222 Adj., neut. gen. sing. cinnameus, -a, -um, smelling of cinnamon. 223 Adj., neut. gen. sing. 224 neut. gen. sing. of os, oris, mouth. 225 Adv., splendidus, bright, shining, glittering, brilliant. 226 fem. gen. sing. of frons, frontis, brow. 227 Adj., masc. gen. sing. of eburneo, ivory, ivorian. 228 guttur, -uris, n. neck. 229 Adj., neut. abl. pl. of invisus, -a, -um, unseen. 230 delitus, part. of delino, -linere, -ivi, delitus, to sketch out, delineate. (Op. Cit., Lewis and Short). 231 neut. gen. sing. of pectus, -oris, breast. 232 neut. gen. sing. pres. act. part. of adsurgo, -sugere, -surrexi, surrectum, to rise up. 233 Conj., non + nisi = ‘not unless.’ 234 neut. gen. sing. pres. act. part. of aspire, -are, to breathe. 235 Gerundive, neut. abl. pl. of concipio, -cipere, -cepi, -ceptum, to form inwardly, conceive, imagine. 236 masc. abl. sing. of aspectus, -us, a seeing, looking, sight. 237 cignus, -i, m. a measure. 238 versus, -us, a line of writing. 239 3rd pl. perf. act. ind. of describe, -scribere, -scripsi, -scriptum, to describe. 240 perf. act. inf. of suscipio, -cipere, -cepi, -ceptum, to support, hold up, sustain. 241 3rd sing. imperf. act. ind. of possum. 242 fem. acc. sing. of formositas, -atis, beauty. 243 3rd sing. imperf. pass. subj. of intellego, -legere, -lexi, -lectum, to come to know, see into, perceive, understand, discern, comprehend, gather 244 neut. abl. sing. perf. pass. part. of infundo, -fundere, -fudi, -fusum, to pour in or on. 245 neut. abl. sing. of numen, -inis, divine will; majesty. 246 masc. abl. pl. of color, -oris, color, hue, tint. 247 neut. dat. sing. of ingenium. 248 pres. act. inf. of imprimo, -primere, -pressi, -pressum, press upon, press against, imprint. 249 3rd pl. imperf. act. ind. of nequeo, -ire, -ivi (–ii), -itum, to be unable. 250 masc. nom. pl. of artifex, -ficis, a master of an art, professional man, artist, artificer. P a g e | 19
And not never
With a sweet, elegant,
And sonorous voice,
And certain movements of the body,
Of her so fregrant and rosy mouth,
And of her so splendid brow,
And of her ivory neck
Arising from the tracings of her breast unseen ;
Except by imagining you are watching her breathe.
In a measure of verses
She is described as the daughter of Jupiter.
So how would she have been able
To get her beauty from her mother?
From divine infusion.
It should be understood,
That by pinnacles and colors,
Artists would be unable
Give an impression
Of her character.
P a g e | 20
Ab hac251 tam spectanda252 pulcritudine253 in Laconas254 Theseus ab Athenis evocatus255 ante alios, virginem et etate256 tenellam,257 in palestra258 patrio259 ludentem260 more,261 audax262 rapuit;263 et etsi264 preter oscula265 pauca266 eidem267 auferre268 nequiverit,269 aliqualem270 tamen271 labefactate272 virginitatis273 iniecit274 notam.275
251 fem. abl. sing. of haec. 252 Gerundive, fem. abl. sing. pres. act. part. of specto, -are, watched, tested, considered. 253 fem. abl. sing. of pulchritude, -inis, beauty. 254 masc. acc. pl. of Laco, -onis, Lacedaemonian. 255 masc. nom. sing. pres. act. part. of evoco, -are, having been lured. 256 fem. abl. sing. of aetas, -atis, lifetime, age. 257 Adj., fem. acc. sing. of tenellus, -a, um, tender, delicate. 258 fem. abl. sing. of palaestra, -ae, gymnasium. 259 Adj., masc. abl. sing. of patrius, -a, -um, of or belonging to a father, fatherly, paternal. 260 fem. acc. sing. pres. act. part. of ludo, ludere, lusi, lusum, to play. 261 Adv., from morus, foolishly. 262 Adj., masc. nom. sing. of audax, -acis, bold, daring, audacious. 263 3rd sing. perf. act. ind. of rapio, rapere, rapui, raptum, To carry off by force; to seize, rob, ravish; rape. 264 Conj., though, although. 265 neut. pl. of osculum, -i, kiss. 266 Adj., fem. abl. sing. or neut. pl. of paucus, -a, -um, few, little. 267 Pron., masc. nom. pl. of idem, the same. 268 pres. act. inf. of aufero, auferre, abstuli, ablatum, to carry away, carry off, remove; to make away with, steal. 269 3rd sing. perf. act. subj. of nequeo. 270 fem. acc. sing. of ali + qualis = ‘other kind.’ 271 Adv., notwithstanding, nevertheless, for all that, however, yet, still. 272 perf. pass. part. of labefacio, -facere, feci, -factum, to cause to totter, shake, loosen. 273 fem. gen. sing. of virginitas, -atis, virginity. 274 3rd sing. perf. act. ind. of iacio, iacere, ieci, iactum, to lay, set, establish, build, found, construct, erect; to throw, cast hurl, fling. 275 Adj., fem. acc. sing. of notus, -a, -um, known. P a g e | 21
By seeing such a beauty in Laconia,
Theseus,276 before others,
Was lured from Athens.
He boldy seized
And carried off
The tender aged virgin
Who was foolishly playing
In her father’s gymnasium.
And although,
Except for a few kisses,
He was unable
To steal anything else.
Knowledge of the quality
Of her virginity
Was, nevertheless,
Shaken to the ground.
276 A legendary king of Athens. He kidnapped the child Helen and left her in the care of his mother, but she was handed back to her brothers the Dioscuri when they invaded Attica. (Op. Cit., Hornblower). P a g e | 22
Que fratribus ab Eletra Thesei277 matre, seu—ut volunt alii—a Protheo rege egyptio, absente278 Theseo, repetentibus279 restituta;280 et tandem matura281 viro Menelao,
Lacedemonum regi, coniugio282 iuncta est,283 cui Hermionam284 filiam peperit285 unicam.286
277 masc. gen. sing. of Theseus, ei. 278 masc. abl. sing. pres. act. part. of absum, abesse, -afui, to be absent. 279 masc. pres. act. part. of repeto, -ere, -ivi, and –ii, -itum, to seek again; to ask or demand back. 280 fem. nom. sing. perf. pass. part. of restituo, -uere, -ui, -utum, restore, return. 281 Adj., fem. abl. sing. of matures, -a, -um, mature. 282 neut. abl. sing. of conjugium, -ii, marriage. 283 fem. nom. sing. perf. pass. part. of iungo, iungere, iunxi, iunctum, join, unite, connect. 284 fem. acc. sing. of Hermione, -es, Hermione. 285 3rd sing. perf. act. ind. of pario, parere, peperi, partum, to bear. 286 Adj., fem. acc. sing. of unicus, -a, -um, only. P a g e | 23
Who was demanded back
From Electra,287 mother of Theseus,
By her brothers.
Or if you will,
As others would have it,
Was returned
By Proteus, King of Egypt,
When Theseus was absent.
And finally,
In maturity,
Was united in marriage
With a man Menelaus,
King of the Lacedaemonians,
To whom she bore
Only a daughter,
Hermione.
287 Traditionally Aethra was the mother of Theseus. (Op. Cit., Hornblower). P a g e | 24
Post hec, fluentibus288 annis,289 cum redisset290 Ilionem291 Paris,292 qui ob somnium293 pregnantis294 matris295 in Ida296 fuerat297 expositus,298 et in lucta299 Hectorem300 fratrem superasset301 non cognitus,302 mortem, crepundiis303 ostensis304 et a matre cognitis,305 evitasset,306 memor307 sponsionis308 spetiosissime309 coniugis310 sibi a Venere,311 ob latam312 a se apud Idam sententiam, seu—ut alii volunt313—postulaturus314 Hesionam,315 fabrefactis316 ex Ida navibus,317 regio318 comitatu319 sotiatus,320 transfretavit321 in Greciam et a Menelao fuit susceptus322 hospitio.323
288 masc. abl. pl. pres. act. part. of fluo, fluere, fluxi, fluxum, to flow. 289 masc. abl. pl. of annus, -i, a year. 290 3rd sing. pl. perf. act. subj. of redeo, -ire, -ii, -itum, to go back, come back, return. 291 neut. acc. sing. of Ilion or Ilium, -i, Ilion, Troy. 292 masc. nom. sing. of Paris, -idis. 293 neut. sing. of somnium, -i, a dream. 294 fem. gen. sing. of praegnans, -antis, pregnant. 295 fem. gen. sing. of mater, -tris, a mother 296 fem. abl. sing. of Ida, -ae or Ide, -es, a mountain in Phrygia, near Troy. 297 3rd sing. pluperf. act. ind. of sum. 298 masc. nom. sing. perf. pass. part. of expono, -ponere, -posui, -positum, to put out, cast out. 299 fem. abl. sing. of lucta, -ae, a wrestling match. 300 masc. acc. sing. of Hector, -oris, son of Priam and Hecuba, husband of Andromache, the bravest of the Trojans, slain and dragged three times around Troy by Achilles. (Op. Cit, Lewis and Short). 301 3rd sing. pluperf. act. subj. of supero, -are, to go above,to rise above, surmount. 302 masc. nom. sing. perf. pass. part. of cognosco, -gnoscere, -gnovi, -gnitum, to become acquainted with; recognize. 303 neut. abl. pl. of crepundia, -orum, a child’s rattle. 304 neut. dat. pl. perf. pass. part. of ostendo. 305 fem. abl. pl. perf. pass. part. of cognosco. 306 3rd sing. pluperf. act. subj. of evito, -are, to avoid. 307 Adj., memor, -oris, mindful, remembering; thoughtful, prudent. 308 fem. gen. sing. of sponsio, -onis, a solemn promise. 309 Adv., superl. of speciosus, beautifully, splendidly, handsomely. 310 fem. gen. sing. of coniunx, -iugis, c., wife. 311 fem. abl. sing. of Venus, -eris, Venus, the Goddess of Love. 312 Supine, fem. acc. sing. of fero, ferre, tuli, latum, bring forth, produce. 313 3rd pl. pres. act. ind. of volo, velle, volui, to be willing, to wish. 314 masc. nom. sing. fut. act. part. of postulo, -are, to claim, demand, request. 315 fem. acc. sing. of Hesione, A daughter of Laomedon, a king of Troy. 316 fem. abl. pl. perf. pass. part. of fabrefacio, -facere, -feci, -factum, to make or fashion skillfully. 317 fem. abl. pl. of navis, -is, a ship. 318 Adj., masc. dat. sing. of regius, -a, -um, of or belonging to a king, kingly, royal, regal. 319 masc. abl. sing. of comitatus, -us, an escort, train, retinue. 320 masc. nom. sing. perf. pass. part. of socio, -are, to unite, combine, associate. 321 3rd sing. perf. act. ind. of transfreto, -avi, -atum, to cross a strait, pass over the sea. 322 masc. nom. sing. perf. pass. part. of suscipio, -cipere, -cepi, -ceptum, take up, receive. 323 neut. abl. sing. of hospitium, -i, hospitality. P a g e | 25
After that,
With the years flowing away,
When Paris324 would return to Ilion,
Who, on account of a dream
Of his pregnant mother,
Had been abandoned on Mt Ida,
And not being recognized,
Had overcome his brother in a wrestling match,
Escaped death
By showing a baby’s rattle to his mother,
Which she recognized.
Mindful of a solemn promise
Made to him by Venus
For the most beautiful wife,
On account of the opinion he gave on Mt Ida,325
Or if you like,
As others would have it,
They were to demand the return Hesione.
From Mt Ida,
Ships for a king were built,
With a retinue combined,
He crossed the sea to Greece,
And was received by Menelaus
With hospitality.
324 The son of Priam and Hecuba, also called Alexandros. As soon as he was born, on account of an ominous dream of his mother, he was exposed on Mount Ida to perish; he was there reared by the shepherds, and there he decided the dispute between Juno, Pallas, and Venus in favor of the last, who promised him Helen, the most beautiful of women, as a reward; by carrying her off to Troy, he was the cause of the Trojan war, in which he fell by the arrow of Philoctetes. (Op. Cit., Lewis and Short). 325 The so-called Judgment of Paris. In the Cyprian verses, in a conflict instigated by Eris between Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite over who was the most beautiful. Paris was appointed to decide between them. Paris having been bribed with the promise of the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen, chose Aphrodite as the most beautiful among the Goddesses. P a g e | 26
Ibi326 cum vidisset327 Helenam celesti328 decore329 conspicuam330 atque regio331 in cultu332 lascivientem333 seque334 intueri335 cupientem,336 captus337 illico338 et ex moribus339 spe340 sumpta,341 captatis342 temporibus,343 scintillantibus344 fervore345 oculis,346 furtim347 impudico348 pectori349 ignem350 sue dilectionis351 ingessit.352 Ceptisque353 fortuna354 favit:355 nam, exigente356 oportunitate,357 eo358 relicto,359 Cretam Menelaus perrexerat.360
326 Adv., there. 327 3rd sing. pluperf. act. subj. of video, videre, vidi, visum, to see. 328 Adj., fem. abl. sing. of caelestis, -e, heavenly, celestial. 329 neut. abl. sing. of decus, -oris, beauty. 330 Adj., fem. acc. sing. of conspicuus, -a, -um, visible, remarkable, conspicuous. 331 Adj., masc. dat. sing. of regius. 332 masc. abl. sing. of cultus, -us, culture. 333 fem. acc. sing. pres. act. part. of lascivio, -ire, to sport, to play. 334 se + que = ‘and her.’ 335 pres. pass. inf. of intueor, -tueri, -tuitus sum, look at with astonishment. 336 masc. acc. sing. pres. act. part. of cupio, cupere, cupivi (–ii), -itum, to desire, long for, wish for. 337 masc. nom. sing. perf. pass. part. of capio, capere, cepi, captum, to take, seize. 338 Adv., in that very place, on the spot, there. 339 masc. abl. pl. of mos, moris, the will, humor, inclination, habit; manner. 340 fem. abl. sing. of spes, spei, hope. 341 fem. abl. sing. or neut. pl. perf. pass. part. of sumo, sumere, sumpsi, sumptum, to take. 342 masc. abl. pl. perf. pass. part. of capto, -are, to seize, lay hold of. 343 neut. abl. pl. tempus, -oris, time. 344 masc. fem. neut. dat. abl. pl. pres. act. part. of scintillo, -are, to sparkle, glitter, glow. 345 masc. abl. sing. fervor, -oris, ardor, passion. 346 masc. abl. pl. of oculus,-i, an eye. 347 Adv., by stealth, secretly, privily, furtively, clandestinely. 348 Adj., neut. dat. sing. of impudicus, -a, -um, shameless; unchaste, lewd. 349 neut. dat. sing. of pectus, -oris, the breast. 350 masc. acc. sing. of ignis, -is, fire. 351 fem. gen. sing. of dilectio, -onis, love. 352 3rd sing. imperf. act. ind. of ingero, -gerere, -gessi, -gestum, to carry, throw, put, pour in or on; heap on. 353 masc. dat. pl. perf. pass. part. of coepio, coepere, coepi, coeptum, to begin, commence; in pass, undertaking. 354 fem. nom. sing. of fortuna, -ae, fortune. 355 3rd sing. perf. act. ind. of faveo, favere,favi, fautum, to favor, be favorable to, help, support. 356 fem. abl. sing. pres. act. part. of exigo, -igere, -egi, -actum, to drive out, to force out, exact, demand; to settle. 357 fem. abl. sing. of opportunitas, -atis, convenience, fitness, appropriatness, suitableness. 358 Pron., masc. abl. sing. of is, ea, id. 359 masc. abl. sing. perf. pass. part. of relinquo, -linquere, -liqui, -lictum, to leave, to leave behind. 360 3rd sing. pluperf. act. ind. of pergo, pergere, perrexi, perrectum, to continue, proceed, to go on with anything. P a g e | 27
There when he saw the remarkable Helen,
In her celestial beauty,
And playing to a regal court,
And looking at her with astonishment,
Wanted to seize her right there
On that very spot.
And from her assuming manner
He was with hope.
By taking his time,
With his eyes glittering with ardor,
By stealth
He put, if you will,
Into her unchaste heart
The fire of love.
Fortune favored his undertaking,
Having been left behind,
Menelaus had,
For the settling of opportunities,
Continued on to Crete.
P a g e | 28
Quam ob rem361 placet362 aliquibus,363 eis364 equis365 flammis366 urentibus,367 ex composito368 factum369 esse370 ut Paris ignem,371 per quietem372 visum373 ab Hecuba, portaret374 in patriam375 et vaticinia376 adimpleret;377 maxima cum parte378 thesaurorum379 Menelai, noctu,380 ex Laconico381 litore,382 seu383—ut aliis placet384—ex Citharea, ibidem385 vicina386 insula,387 dum388
361 fem. acc. sing. of res, rei, thing, matter affair. 362 3rd sing. pres. act. ind. of placeo, -ere, -ui (-itus sum), -itum, to please, be agreebale to,acceptable to. 363 Pron., masc./fem. dat. pl of aliquis, aliquid, someone, anyone, something, anything. 364 Pron., masc./fem. abl. pl. of is, ea, id, he, she, it. 365 masc./fem. abl. pl. of equus, -i, and equa, -ae, a horse. 366 masc./fem. abl. pl. of flamma, -ae, a blazing fire, blaze, flame. 367 masc./fem. abl. pl. pres. act. part. of uro, urere, ussi, ustum, to burn. 368 neut. abl. sing. of compositum, -i, agreement. 369 Supine, neut. sing. perf. pass. part. of facio, facere, feci, factum, to make, or do. 370 pres. act. inf. of sum. 371 masc. acc. sing. of ignis, -is, m. fire. 372 fem. acc. sing. of quies, -etis, rest. 373 neut. sing. perf. pass. part. of video, videre, vidi, visum, to see. 374 3rd sing. imperf. act. subj. of porto, -are, to bear, carry, convey, bring. 375 fem. acc. sing. of patria, -ae, fatherland. 376 neut. pl. of vaticinium, -i, a prediction, prophecy. 377 3rd sing. imperf. act. subj. of adimpleo, adimplere, adimplevi, adimpletum, fill up, satisfy. 378 fem. abl. sing. of pars, paris, a part, piece, portion, share, equal, like. 379 masc. gen. pl. of thesaurus, -i, something laid up, a hoard, treasure, provision, store. 380 fem. abl. sing. of nox, noctis, night. 381 Adj., neut. abl. sing. of Laconicus, -a, -um, of Laconia, Laconian, Lacedaemonian. 382 neut. abl. sing. of litus, -toris, the sea-shore, beach. 383 Conj., sive. 384 3rd sing. pres. act. ind. of placeo, -ere, ui, (–itus sum), -itum, to please, to be agreeable to. 385 Adv., in the same place. 386 adj., fem. abl. sing. of vicinus, -a, -um, in the vicinity of, near. 387 fem. abl. sing. of insula, -ae, island. 388 Conj., while, during that time. 389 3rd sing. imperf. act. ind. of sum. 390 Adv., quodam modo, in a certain way. 391 Adj., masc. abl. sing. of patrius, -a, -um. 392 masc. abl. sing. of ritus, -us, a form of religious observance, religious usage, ceremony, rite. 393 neut. sing. of sacrum, -i, sacred. 394 Gerundive, neut. sing. of conficio, -ficere, -feci, fectum, to make together. 395 fem. acc. sing. pres. act. part. of vigilo, -are, to be awake, keep awake, watch; to be vigilant. 396 3rd sing. imperf. act. subj. of rapio, rapere, rapui, raptum, to seize, to snatch, tear away. 397 fem. abl. sing. of paratus, -a, -um from paro, -are, prepare, make ready, provide, furnish. 398 fem. abl. sing. of classis, -is, a class, a division; a fleet. 399 3rd sing. imperf. act. subj. of impono, -ponere, -posui, -positum, to put, set, lay, place in or upon. P a g e | 29
Because the matter was agreeable to them,
For they burned like horses in heat,
In such a manner,
By making an agreement,
Paris would bring the fire
Hecuba saw while sleeping
To the fatherland,
And fulfill a prophecy.
With the greatest part of Menelaus’ treasure,
By night,
From the Laconian shore,
Or if it is agreeable to others,
From Cythera,
While she was in a temple400
Making a sacrifice according
To the ritual of the fatherland;
Helen, being awake, was seized
And was put in
A ready made ship.
400 This would have been the temple of Aphrodite. P a g e | 30
Et cum ea post multa pericula401 deveniret402 in Troiam: ubi cum precipuo403 honore a
Priamo suscepta404 est, eo extimante405 potius406 notam407 iniurie408 abstersisse409 ob detentam410 a Thelamone411 Hesionam, quam postremam412 regni413 sui desolationem414 suscepisse415 in patria.
401 neut. pl. of periculum, -i, a trial, experiment, attempt, test. 402 3rd sing. imperf. act. subj. of devenio, -venire, -veni, -ventum, to come to, arrive at, reach. 403 Adj., masc. abl. sing. of praecipuus, -a, -um, taken before others, particular, peculiar, especial. 404 fem. abl. sing. perf. pass. part. of suscipio, -cipere, -cepi, -ceptum, to take up; accept, receive. 405 masc. abl. sing. pres. act. part. of existimo, -are, to judge a thing according to its value; opinion, consider, regard. 406 Adv., comp. of potis, able, capable. 407 fem. acc. sing. of nota, -ae, a means of recognition, mark, sign, stamp, impression. 408 Adj., fem. abl. sing. of iniurius, -a, -um, injury, injustice. 409 perf. act. inf. of abstergeo, -tergere, -tersi, -tersum, to wipe off, to dry by wiping; to remove something disagreeable. 410 fem. acc. sing. perf. pass. part. of detineo, -tinere, -tinui, -tentum, to hold away, hold back, detain. 411 masc. abl. sing. of Telamon, -onis, one of the Argonauts. 412 Adj., superl., fem. acc. sing. of posterus, -a, -um, coming after, following, next, ensuing, subsequent, future. 413 neut. gen. sing. of regnum, -i, royal power or authority; supremacy, rule; a realm ruled by a king, a kingdom. 414 fem. acc. sing. of desolatio, -onis, a desolating, desolation 415 perf. act. inf. of suscipio, -spicere, -spexi, -spectum, to look from below, to look upwards; to esteem, respect; to look askance at, to suspect. P a g e | 31
And with her,
After many tests,
At Troy arrived,
Where, from Priam,
She received a peculiar honor,
By which he thought
He would be more capable of wiping away
A noteworthy injustice,
Because Telamon
Was holding Hesione;416
As opposed to anticipating the future
Desolation of his own kingdom
In the fatherland.
416 Priam’s sister, daughter of Laomedon, a king of Troy, taken prisoner by Heracles when he captured Troy, and given as a prize to Telamon. Granted leave to choose any prisoner, she bought Podarces, who was thereafter called Priam. (Op. Cit., Hornbloweer). P a g e | 32
Hac417 huius illecebra418 mulieris universa419 Grecia420 commota est;421 et cum Grai422 principes423 omnes Paridis potius iniuriam424 ponderarent425 quam Helene lasciviam, ea frustra426 repetita427 sepius,428 in Troie excidium429 coniurarunt430 unanimes;431 collectisque viribus, cum mille vel amplius navibus, armatorum432 honustis,433 litus inter Sygeum et
Retheum, promontoria Frigie,434 occupavere435 et Ilionem obsederunt,436 frustra obsistentibus437 Frigiis.
417 Adv., this way, on this side, here. 418 fem. nom. sing. of inlecebra, -ae, charm. 419 Adj., fem. abl. sing. of universus, -a, -um, all together, all in one, whole, entire, collective. 420 fem. abl. sing. of Graecia, -ae, Greece. 421 fem. abl. sing. perf. pass. part. of commoveo, -movere, -movi, -motum, to move entirely or violently, to shake. “The Perfect Participle passive is used in combination with sum, I am, and fui, I have been, I was, to express the Pure Perfect and Historical Perfect of the Passive Voice.” (Gildersleeve: 250). 422 masc. nom. pl. of Graius, Graii, of the Greeks, Grecian, Greek. 423 masc. nom. pl. of princeps, -cipis, leader. 424 fem. acc. sing. of iniuria, -ae, injustice. 425 3rd pl. imperf. act. subj. of ponero, -are, to weigh. 426 Adv., in error, to be deceived, mistaken; in vain. 427 fem. nom. sing. perf. pass. part. of repeto, -ere, -ivi (-ii), -itum, to seek again. 428 Adv., comp. of saepis, very often, frequent. 429 neut. sing. of excidium, -i, destruction. 430 3rd pl. perf. act. ind. of coniuro, -are, to swear together, unite by oath; plot, conspire. 431 Adj., masc. nom. pl. of unanimous, -a, -um, of one mind, unanimous. 432 masc. gen. pl. of armatus, -us, armed. 433 Adj., masc. abl. pl. of honestus, -a, -um, noble men. 434 masc. abl. sing. of Phryges, -um, pl. the Phyrigians. 435 3rd pl. perf. act. ind. of occupo, -are, to take possession of. 436 3rd pl. perf. act. ind. of obsideo, -sidere, -sedi, -sessum, to sit down near; to blockade, besiege. 437 masc. abl. pl. of obsisto, -sistere, -stiti, -stitum, to stand, place themselves before or in the way of. P a g e | 33
This here woman’s charm
Shook all of Greece,
And when all the Greek leaders
Weighed the injustice of Paris
To be more than
The wantonness of Helen,
And seeking her return
Was frequently in vain,
They united as one
For a destruction
In Troy.
And with a collection of men,
And a thousand or more ships,
Noble men of arms
Took possession of the beach
Between Sigeum and Rhoeteum,
The promontories of Phrygia,
And beseiged Ilion,
Vainly standing in the way of
The Phrygians. P a g e | 34
Helena quidem quanti438 foret439 sua440 formositas441 ex muris442 obsesse443 civitatis444 vidisse445 potuit,446 cernens447 litus448 omne completum449 hostibus450 et igne ferroque circumdesolari451 omnia, populos452 inire453 certamina454 ac per mutua455 vulnera456 in mortem457 iri458 et tam Troiano459 quam Greco sanguine cuncta460 fedari.461
438 Adj., neut. gen. sing. of quantus, -a, -um, how great. 439 3rd sing. imperf. act. subj. of sum. 440 fem. abl. sing. of suus, -a, -um, her. 441 fem.. abl. sing. of formositas, -atis, beauty. 442 masc. abl. pl. of murus, -i, wall. 443 perf. act. inf. of obsideo, -sidere, -sedi, -sessum, to blockade, siege. 444 fem. gen. sing. of civitas, -atis, citizen. 445 perf. act. inf. of video, videre, vidi, visum, see. 446 3rd sing. perf. act. ind. of possum. 447 fem. nom. sing. pres. act. part. of cerno, cernere, crevi, cretum, to distinguish, to perceive. 448 neut. acc. sing. of litus, -oris, beach. 449 neut. sing. perf. pass. aprt. of compleo, -plere, -plevi, -pletum, to fill up. 450 masc. abl. pl. of hostis, -is, enemy. 451 circum + desolari, pres. pass. inf. of circumdesolo, -are, an all around desolation, devastation. 452 masc. acc. pl. of populus, -i, a nation, a people. 453 pres. act. inf. of ineo, -ire, -ii, -itum, to go or come in, to enter; to begin. 454 neut. pl. of certamen, -inis, a contest, struggle. 455 Adj., neut. pl. of mutuus, -a, -um, in return, in exchange, reciprocal, mutual. 456 neut. pl. of vulnus, -eris, a wound. 457 fem. acc. sing. of mors, mortis, death. 458 pres. pass. inf. of eo, ire, ivi (ii), itum, to go. 459 Adj., masc./neut. sing. of Troianus, -a, um, Trojan. 460 Adj., neut. pl. of cunctus, -a, -um, whole, entire. 461 pres. pass. inf. of foedo, -are, defile. P a g e | 35
How much indeed
Was Helen,
In her beauty,
Able to see
From the walls
Of the besieging of the city.
Seeing the beach
Completely filled with enemies and everything being lain to waste
By fire and sword,
The ensuing struggle,
And, through reciprocal wounds,
A people going to death,
And everything being defiled
With so much
Trojan and Greek
Blood? P a g e | 36
Que quidem tam pertinaci462 proposito463 repetita est464 atque detenta,465 ut, dum non redderetur,466 per decennium467 cede468 multorum nobilium469 cruenta470 perseveraret471 obsidio.472 Qua stante,473 Hectore iam474 mortuo475 et Achille, atque a Pyrro, acerrimo476 iuvene,477 trucidato478 Paride, quasi479 parvum480 sibi481 visum482 sit,483 peccasse484 semel,485
Helena secundas486 inivit487 nuptias488 nupsitque489 Deiphebo iuniori.490
462 Adj., dat. sing. of pertinax, -acis, persevering, unyielding, obstinate, pertinacious, stubborn. 463 masc. abl. sing. perf. pass. part. of propono, -ponere, -posui, -positum, show, display. 464 Periphrastic, neut. pl. perf. pass. part. of repeto, -ere, -ivi, -itum, repeated, repetita est = ‘it being repeated.’ 465 fem. abl. sing. perf. pass. part. of detineo, -tinere, -tinui, -tentum, to hold away, detain; prevented. 466 3rd sing. imperf. pass. subj. of redeo, -ire, -ii (-ivi), -itum, to give back, to return, restore. 467 neut. sing. of decennium, -ii, a period of ten years. a decade. 468 fem. abl. sing. of caedes, -is, a cutting down, killing, slaughter, carnage, massacre, blood-shed. 469 masc. gen. pl. of nobilis, -e, well-known, famous. 470 Adj., neut. pl. of cruentus, -a, -um, spotted, covered, or stained with blood, bloody. 471 3rd sing. imperf. act. subj. of persevere, -are, to persist, continue. 472 neut. abl. sing. of obsidium, -i, blockage, siege. 473 neut. abl. sing. pres. act. part. of sto, stare, steti, statum, to stand. 474 Adv., now, already. 475 Adj., masc. abl. sing. of mortuus, -a, -um, dead. 476 Adj., superl. fem. abl. sing. of acer, -ris, -cre, sharp, cutting, painful; energetic, passionate. 477 Adj., masc. abl. sing. of iuvenis, -is, young man. 478 masc. dat./abl. sing. perf. pass. part. of trucido, -are, cut to pieces. 479 Adv., as if, just as if, as though. 480 Adj., neut. sing. of parvus, -a, -um, little, small. 481 Pron., fem. dat. sing. of sui. 482 visum, a thing seen, sight, appearance, vision. 483 3rd sing. pres. act. subj. of sum. 484 perf. act. inf. of pecco, -are, to make a mistake, go wrong, err. 485 Adv., once. 486 Adj., fem. acc. pl. of secundus, -a, -um, second. 487 3rd sing. perf. act. ind. of ineo. 488 fem. acc. pl. of nuptiae, -arum, a marriage. 489 3rd sing. perf. act. ind. of nubo, nubere, nupi, nuptum, to marry. 490 Adj., comp. of iuvenis. P a g e | 37
And indeed,
By showing such stubbornness,
While she was detained,
And prevented from returning,
The cutting down
Of many well-known men,
On account of the siege,
Was repeated
Throughout a decade.
Which remained standing,
With Hector and Achilles already dead,
And with Paris cut to pieces
By Pyrrhus,
A most passionate youth.
As if it were such a small sight to her,
Having erred once,
Initiated a second marriage
And married Deiphobius,
A younger man. P a g e | 38
Tandem cum proditione491 tentaretur492 quod armis493 obtineri494 non posse495 videbatur,496 hec, que obsidioni497 causam dederat,498 ut opus499 daret500 excidio501 et ad viri primi gratiam promerendam,502 in eandem503 volens504 sciensque505 devenit;506 et cum dolo507 simulassent508 Greci509 discessum,510 Troianis511 preteritis512 fessis513 laboribus et nova514 letitia515 festisque516 epulis517 victis518 somnoque519 sepultis,520 Helena choream521 simulans522 accensa523 face524 in tempore ex arce525 revocavit526 intentos.527
491 fem. abl. sing. of proditio, -onis, a betraying, betrayal, treason. 492 3rd sing. imperf. pass. subj. of tempto, -are, prove, try, test. 493 neut. abl. pl. of arma, -orum, weapons of war, arms. 494 pres. pass. ind. of obtineo, -tinere, -tinui, -tentum, to hold, possess, keep possession of. 495 pres. act. inf. of possum. 496 3rd sing. imperf. pass. ind. of video. 497 fem. dat. sing. of obsidio, -onis. 498 3rd sing. pluperf. act. ind. of do, dare, dedi, datum, to offer or give. 499 neut. sing. of opus, -i, work. 500 3rd sing. imperf. act. subj. of do. 501 neut. dat. sing. of excidium, -i, overthrow, demolition, subversion, ruin, destruction. 502 Gerundive, fem. acc. sing. of promereo, -ere, -ui, -itum, to deserve, be deserving of, merit. 503 Pron., fem. acc. sing. of idem, eadem, idem, the same. 504 fem. nom. sing. pres. act. part. of volo, velle, volui, to be willing, to wish. 505 masc. nom. sing. pres. act. part. of scio, scire, scivi (scii), scitum, to know, understand, have knowledge of. 506 3rd sing. perf. act. ind. of devenio, -venire, -veni, -ventum, to come to, arrive at, reach. 507 masc. abl. sing. of dolus, -i, artifice, contrivance, device. 508 3rd pl. imperf. pass. subj. of simulo, -are, to make like. 509 masc. nom. pl. of Graeci, -orum, the Greeks. 510 masc. acc. sing. perf. pass. part. of discedo, -cedere, --cessi, -cessum, depart, go away. 511 Adj., masc./fem./neut. dat. pl. of Troianus, -a, -um, of Troy. 512 masc./fem./neut. dat. pl. perf. pass. part. of praetereo, -ire, -ivi (-ii), -itum, to go by, pass by; to escape the notice of, be unknown to. 513 Adj., masc./fem./neut. abl. pl. fessus, -a, -um, wearied, tired, fatigued; worn out, weak, feeble, infirm. 514 Adj., fem. abl. sing. of novus, -a, -um, new. 515 fem. abl. sing. of laetitia, -ae, joy, exultation, rejoicing , gladness, pleasure, delight. 516 Adj., neut. abl. pl. of festua, -a, -um, of a holiday, festive. 517 neut. abl. pl. of epulum, -i, banquet, feast. 518 masc./fem./neut. abl. pl. perf. pass. part. of vivo, vivere, vixi, victum, to live, to be alive, have life. 519 masc. abl. sing. of somnus, -i, sleep. 520 masc./fem./neut. abl. pl. perf. pass. part. of sepelio, -pelire, -pelivi, (-pelii), -pultum, to bury; to put an end to, to ruin, destroy. 521 fem. acc. sing. of chorea, -ae, a dance. 522 fem. nom. sing. pres. act. part. of simulo, -are, to make like; to pretend, simulate. 523 fem. abl. sing. perf. pass. part. of accendo, -cendere, -cendi, -censum, to set on fire. 524 fem. abl. sing. of fax, facis, a torch. 525 fem. abl. sing. of arx, -cis, citadel. 526 3rd sing. perf. act. ind. of revoco, -are, to call again or back; to recall. 527 Adj., masc. acc. pl. of intentus, -a, -um, attentive, intent, waiting, eager. P a g e | 39
At last,
She would attempt betrayal,
Because she saw that she was unable to obtain arms.
Just as she had given cause for the siege,
She would work for its end,
And give to her first man his just deserts,
And he knowing she was willing
Reached out to her,
And with artifice;
The Greeks pretended to withdrawl.
This being misunderstood by the Trojans,
They being worn out by their labors,
Came to life with a new festive joyful feast,
And fell asleep.528
Helen,
Pretending to dance,
At the right time, lit a torch from the citadel,
Calling back
Those awaiting.
528 ‘were overcome by sleep.’ P a g e | 40
Qui redeuntes,529 cum tacite530 semisopitam531 urbem reseratis532 ianuis533 intrassent,534 ea incensa535 et Deiphebo fede536 ceso,537 Helenam post vigesimum538 a raptu539 annum540
Menelao541 restituere542 coniugi.543 Alii vero asserunt544 Helenam non sponte545 sua a
Paride raptam546 et ob id a viro meruisse547 suscipi.548
529 masc. nom. pl. pres. act. part. of redeo, -ire, -ii (-ivi), -itum, to return. 530 Adv. of tacitus, silently. 531 semisoptam urbem = ‘half-asleep city.’ 532 fem. abl. pl. perf. pass. part. of resero, -are, unbolt, open. 533 fem. abl. pl. ianua, -ae, door. 534 3rd pl. pluperf. act. subj. of intro, -are, to enter. 535 fem. nom. sing. perf. pass. part. of incendo, -cendere, -cendi, -censum, burn. 536 Adv., of foedus, foul, filthy, loathsome, repulsive, ugly, unseemly, detestable, abominable, horrible. 537 masc. dat./abl. sing. perf. pass. part. of caedo, caedere, cecidi, caesum, to cut, cut down. 538 Adj., masc. acc. sing. of vicesimus, twentieth. 539 masc. abl. sing. of raptus, -us, a snatching away. 540 masc. acc. sing. of annus, -i, year. 541 masc. dat. sing. of Menelaus, -i. 542 pres. act. inf. of restituo, -uere, -ui, -utum, restore. 543 fem. dat. sing. of coniunx, -iugis, wife. 544 3rd pl. pres. act. ind. of adsero, -serere, serui, --sertum, to claim. 545 Adv., willingly. 546 fem. acc. sing. perf. pass. part. of rapio, rapere, rapui, raptum, to seize, snatch, tear away. 547 perf. act. inf. of mereo, -ere, -ui, -itum, to deserve, earn, obtain. 548 pres. pass. inf. of suscipio, -cipere, -cepi, -ceptum, accept, receive. P a g e | 41
Who,
Silently returning,
Entered the half-asleep city
Through unbolted doors,
Which was burnt,
And Deiphobus was horribly cut down,
Helen,
After twenty years,
Was seized
And restored as wife
To Menelaus.
Others in fact assert
Helen was unwilling,
And was carried away by Paris,
And deserved to be taken back
By that man. P a g e | 42
Qui cum ea Greciam repetens,549 a tempestate550 et adverso551 vento552 agitatus553 plurimum,554 in Egyptum cursum555 vertere556 coactus,557 a Polibo558 rege susceptus est.559
Post hoc sedatis560 procellis561 in Lacedemona cum reacquisita562 coniuge fere563 post octavum annum a desolato564 Ilione susceptus est. Ipsa565 autem566 quam diu567 post hec vixerit,568 aut quid egerit,569 seu570 quo sub celo571 mortua sit,572 nusquam573 legisse574 recordor.575
549 fem. nom. sing. pres. act. part. of repeto, -ere, -ivi (-ii), -itum, to seek again, make for again. 550 fem. abl. sing. of tempestas, -atis, a space or period of time; a period, a season; bad weather, tempest, storm. 551 Adj., masc. abl. sing. of adversus, -a, -um, adverse, opposite. 552 masc. abl. sing. of ventus, -i, wind. 553 masc. nom. sing. perf. pass. part. of agito, -are, to put in constant motion, drive onward, impel. 554 Adj., superl., masc. acc. sing. of plurimus, -a, -um, most. 555 masc. acc. sing. of cursus, -us, course, way, march, passage, voyage, journey. 556 pres. act. inf. of verto, vetere, verti, versum, to turn, turn around. 557 masc. nom. sing. perf. pass. part. of cogo, -ire, -ii (-ivi), -itum, to go together, to come together, assemble; to compel to do something. 558 masc. abl. sing. of Polybus, -i, a king of Egypt. 559 masc. nom. sing. perf. pass. part. of suscipio. 560 masc./fem./neut. dat./abl. pl. of perf. pass. part. of sedo, -are, to settle, soothe, still, calm, allay; bring to rest. 561 fem. dat./abl. pl. of procella, -ae, a storm, tempest, gale. 562 fem. nom. sing. or neut. pl. perf. pass. part. of re + adquiro, -quirere, -quisivi, -quisitum, to acquire, get. 563 2nd sing pres. act. subj. of for, fari, fatus, to speak, say. 564 neut. abl. sing. perf. pass. part. of desolo, -are, to leave solitary, to desolate. 565 Pron., fem. nom. sing., herself. 566 Conj., but, on the contrary, on the other hand, however. 567 Adv., by day; for a long time, a long time ago, long since. 568 3rd sing. perf. act. subj. of vivo, vivere, vixi, victum, to live, be alive. 569 3rd sing. perf. act. subj. of ago. 570 Conj., sive, or if. 571 neut. abl. sing. of caelum, -i, sky, heaven. 572 fem. nom./abl. sing. perf. pass. part. of morior, mori, mortuus sum, moriturus, to die. 573 Adv., nowhere, in no place. 574 perf. act. inf. of lego, legere, legi, lectum, to collect, gather together; to read out, read aloud, recite. 575 1st sing. pres. pass. ind. of recordor, -ari, to remember, recollect. P a g e | 43
Who, when with the Greeks returning,
Was driven onward
By bad weather,
And an adverse wind,
Was compelled to change course
To Egypt,
Where she was received
By King Polybus.
After the calming of this storm,
When she got to Lacedaemonia,
Was received in marriage,
You might say,
Eight years
After the destruction of Ilium.
She herself, however;
How long she lived,
Or where on Earth
She may have gone,
In no place do I recall
Having read. P a g e | 44
Operas Citatas
Boccaccio, Giovanni, Famous Women, with an English translation by Virginia Brown,
Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press: 2001.
---, Concerning Famous Women, with an English translation by Guido Guarino, London:
George Allen and Unwin Ltd: 1964.
Gildersleeve, B. L., and G. Lodge, Gildersleve’s Latin Grammar, Mineola, NY: Dover
Publications: 2009.
Hornblower, Simon, and Antony Spawforth, Oxford Classical Dictionary, 3rd Edition,
London: Oxford University Press: 2003.
Lewis, Charlton T. and Charles Short, Harper’s New Latin Dictionary, New York:
Harper and Brothers, Publishers: 1895.
Perseus Digital Library Project, Ed. Gregory R. Crane, Tufts University: Somerville, MA:
2007. URL: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu.
Simpson, D. P., Cassell’s Latin Dictionary, Hoboken, NJ, Wiley Publishing: 1968.