Aeacus once was king of Aeginam, his property which he had seized and named Aeaci after his mother's family name, who Jupiter himself fell into love and joined with. Juno, whose evil ways Jupiter never tolerated, this made her master her feelings and memories. Year after year, all the men who are alive go into the island Aegina and are sent to death. "O Father Jupiter," Aeacus called, "Juno destroys all of my people! Help me, your son, who loves and who you ought not neglect." God he heard and without delay began changing aunts into people! And so Jupiter, who nothing was difficult to, made men and women out of small animals. (Declared the truth, is it not?) Aeaci's son is Peleus, whose son is that Achilles, guides Myrmidonum.
Oh human descendants, who too fear death. What danger fears death? Every change, every flow, nothing coming near real death. Souls wander and mix in a different body; not to stay, nor to change or stay the same shape. Life is flowing; our time runs away and always is made new. Our bodies always change, it which exists, does not exist tomorrow.
Greetings, O gods and goddesses! Our friend Peleus who has great intelligence; nymph Thetidem consider marriage. You and I therefore, lo, must call about Thessaliam. Expect good sport and pleasant courses. Owe but according to this danger advise: 1. Because Peleus is mortal, they will scare the soul very much if they are able, 2. Whoever is prepared without a a present, to be punished by me. Gather your family gift which will be praised by everyone who sees it. You only, O Goddess Discordia, are not called, for no one likes unpleasantness. If you come, all the gods in Olympus will move with anger. Between friends discord is not owed or tolerated. Punishments will be given therefore by the gods to the men who neglect their obligations. Goodbye!
Who has not said Hercules' name? According to that today only a small amount declare. Hercules, a Greek man whose strength was extraordinary, into slavery fate led him. Eurystheus was a wretched person, 12 hard labors he got. But Hercules did not dread living, nor did new animals terrify him, nor by any nobleman which never was without crime. Only Hercules could overcome many lions, agile deer, whose horns were of gold, he took hold and drug out and discovered inside was Mycenas. Then that messenger was by Eurystheo facing Cereberum, the severe dog, and to steal himself the gate from Pluto! Behind this an other make Hercules laboring for freedom. But what prize to give? Nothing. What labor to enjoy? Glory in perpetual memory in verse poetry.
Nice job on these translations; see you in Latin II!
ReplyDelete