Virgil, Aeneid 11: The Story of Camilla
Lines 532-831
CIE IGCSE Latin
Lines 532–538 (Diana speaks to Opis) Latin
Velocem interea superis in sedibus Opim,
unam ex virginibus sociis sacraque caterva,
compellabat et has tristis Latonia voces
ore dabat: ‘graditur bellum ad crudele Camilla,
o virgo, et nostris nequiquam cingitur armis,
cara mihi ante alias. neque enim novus iste Dianae
venit amor subitaque animum dulcedine movit.’
Translation of lines 532-538
Meanwhile, in the seats of the gods above, Diana
(Latona’s daughter) was addressing swift Opis, one
of her virgin companions and sacred band, and spoke these sorrowful words:
“Camilla goes to a cruel war, O maiden, and she is girded with my arms in vain—
dear to me before all others. For this love of Diana is not new,
and it did not move my heart with sudden sweetness.”
Lines 539–546 (Metabus flees with baby Camilla)
pulsus ob invidiam regno virisque superbas
Priverno antiqua Metabus cum excederet urbe,
infantem fugiens media inter proelia belli
sustulit exsilio comitem, matrisque vocavit
nomine Casmillae mutata parte Camillam.
ipse sinu prae se portans iuga longa petebat
solorum nemorum: tela undique saeva premebant
et circumfuso volitabant milite Volsci.
Translation of lines 539–546
Driven from his kingdom through jealousy, Metabus, as he left the ancient city
of Privernum with its proud warriors, fleeing amid the very battles of
war, lifted up his infant as a companion in exile, and called her Camilla, altering part
of her mother Casmilla’s name. Carrying her before him in his arms, he made for the
long ridges of lonely woodland. Savage weapons pressed from all sides, and the
Volsci swarmed around, their soldiers flying about.
Lines 547–556 (the river; Metabus’ decision)
ecce fugae medio summis Amasenus abundans
spumabat ripis, tantus se nubibus imber
ruperat. ille innare parans infantis amore
tardatur caroque oneri timet. omnia secum
versanti subito vix haec sententia sedit:
telum immane manu valida quod forte gerebat
, bellator, solidum nodis et robore cocto,
huic natam libro et silvestri subere clausam
implicat atque habilem mediae circumligat hastae;
quam dextra ingenti librans ita ad aethera fatur:
Translation (547-556)
Look—midway through his flight,
the Amasenus river, swollen to its highest banks, foamed along the shores: such a do
wnpour had burst from the clouds. He prepares to swim across, but love for
the infant delays him and he fears for his dear burden. As he turned everything over
in his mind, this plan at last settled upon him: the warrior had in his strong hand
a huge spear, hardened with knots and seasoned wood;
he wraps his daughter, enclosed in bark and wild cork, and fastens her securely to
the middle of the spear. Then, balancing it in his mighty right hand, he speaks to
the sky:
Lines 557–566 (Camilla “speared” across; vow to Diana)
“alma, tibi hanc, nemorum cultrix, Latonia virgo,
ipse pater famulam voveo; tua prima per auras
tela tenens supplex hostem fugit. accipe, testor,
diva tuam, quae nunc dubiis committitur auris.”
dixit, et adducto contortum hastile lacerto
immittit: sonuere undae, rapidum super amnem
infelix fugit in iaculo stridente Camilla.
at Metabus magna propius iam urgente caterva
dat sese fluvio, atque hastam cum virgine victor
gramineo, donum Triviae, de caespite vellit.
Translation (557-566)
“Kind goddess, Latona’s maiden, huntress of the woods—
to you I, her father, vow this girl as your servant.
Holding your first weapons through the
air, she flees the enemy as a supplicant. Receive, goddess, your own, whom I now en
trust to uncertain winds!”
He spoke, and with arm drawn back he hurled the twisted spear:
the waters sounded, and unhappy Camilla went rushing across the swift river on
the whistling javelin. But Metabus, with a great crowd now
pressing closer, throws himself into the river, and as victor tears up from
the grassy bank the spear with the maiden—a gift to Trivia (Diana).
Lines 567–572 (exile; “milk” scene)
non illum tectis ullae, non moenibus urbes
accepere (neque ipse manus feritate dedisset),
pastorum et solis exegit montibus aevum.
hic natam in dumis interque horrentia lustra
armentalis equae mammis et lacte ferino
Lines 532-831
CIE IGCSE Latin
Lines 532–538 (Diana speaks to Opis) Latin
Velocem interea superis in sedibus Opim,
unam ex virginibus sociis sacraque caterva,
compellabat et has tristis Latonia voces
ore dabat: ‘graditur bellum ad crudele Camilla,
o virgo, et nostris nequiquam cingitur armis,
cara mihi ante alias. neque enim novus iste Dianae
venit amor subitaque animum dulcedine movit.’
Translation of lines 532-538
Meanwhile, in the seats of the gods above, Diana
(Latona’s daughter) was addressing swift Opis, one
of her virgin companions and sacred band, and spoke these sorrowful words:
“Camilla goes to a cruel war, O maiden, and she is girded with my arms in vain—
dear to me before all others. For this love of Diana is not new,
and it did not move my heart with sudden sweetness.”
Lines 539–546 (Metabus flees with baby Camilla)
pulsus ob invidiam regno virisque superbas
Priverno antiqua Metabus cum excederet urbe,
infantem fugiens media inter proelia belli
sustulit exsilio comitem, matrisque vocavit
nomine Casmillae mutata parte Camillam.
ipse sinu prae se portans iuga longa petebat
solorum nemorum: tela undique saeva premebant
et circumfuso volitabant milite Volsci.
Translation of lines 539–546
Driven from his kingdom through jealousy, Metabus, as he left the ancient city
of Privernum with its proud warriors, fleeing amid the very battles of
war, lifted up his infant as a companion in exile, and called her Camilla, altering part
of her mother Casmilla’s name. Carrying her before him in his arms, he made for the
long ridges of lonely woodland. Savage weapons pressed from all sides, and the
Volsci swarmed around, their soldiers flying about.
Lines 547–556 (the river; Metabus’ decision)
ecce fugae medio summis Amasenus abundans
spumabat ripis, tantus se nubibus imber
ruperat. ille innare parans infantis amore
tardatur caroque oneri timet. omnia secum
versanti subito vix haec sententia sedit:
telum immane manu valida quod forte gerebat
, bellator, solidum nodis et robore cocto,
huic natam libro et silvestri subere clausam
implicat atque habilem mediae circumligat hastae;
quam dextra ingenti librans ita ad aethera fatur:
Translation (547-556)
Look—midway through his flight,
the Amasenus river, swollen to its highest banks, foamed along the shores: such a do
wnpour had burst from the clouds. He prepares to swim across, but love for
the infant delays him and he fears for his dear burden. As he turned everything over
in his mind, this plan at last settled upon him: the warrior had in his strong hand
a huge spear, hardened with knots and seasoned wood;
he wraps his daughter, enclosed in bark and wild cork, and fastens her securely to
the middle of the spear. Then, balancing it in his mighty right hand, he speaks to
the sky:
Lines 557–566 (Camilla “speared” across; vow to Diana)
“alma, tibi hanc, nemorum cultrix, Latonia virgo,
ipse pater famulam voveo; tua prima per auras
tela tenens supplex hostem fugit. accipe, testor,
diva tuam, quae nunc dubiis committitur auris.”
dixit, et adducto contortum hastile lacerto
immittit: sonuere undae, rapidum super amnem
infelix fugit in iaculo stridente Camilla.
at Metabus magna propius iam urgente caterva
dat sese fluvio, atque hastam cum virgine victor
gramineo, donum Triviae, de caespite vellit.
Translation (557-566)
“Kind goddess, Latona’s maiden, huntress of the woods—
to you I, her father, vow this girl as your servant.
Holding your first weapons through the
air, she flees the enemy as a supplicant. Receive, goddess, your own, whom I now en
trust to uncertain winds!”
He spoke, and with arm drawn back he hurled the twisted spear:
the waters sounded, and unhappy Camilla went rushing across the swift river on
the whistling javelin. But Metabus, with a great crowd now
pressing closer, throws himself into the river, and as victor tears up from
the grassy bank the spear with the maiden—a gift to Trivia (Diana).
Lines 567–572 (exile; “milk” scene)
non illum tectis ullae, non moenibus urbes
accepere (neque ipse manus feritate dedisset),
pastorum et solis exegit montibus aevum.
hic natam in dumis interque horrentia lustra
armentalis equae mammis et lacte ferino
