II.199-227

// **Aeneid** // **II.199-227**



**Hic aliud maius (**comp. adj. n. nom. sing.**) miseris multoque tremendum** Here another greater (omen) and much more terrible is presented to the miserable men

**200 obicitur magis atque improvida pectora turbat.** and it disturbs their heedless hearts.

**Laocoon, ductus Neptuno sorte sacerdos,** Laocoon, priest to Neptune led/chosen by fate,

**sollemnes taurum ingentem mactabat ad aras.** was sacrificing a massive bull at the holy altars.

**ecce autem gemini a Tenedo tranquilla per alta** Behold however the twin snakes with huge coils from Tenedos across the tranquil deep

**(horresco referens) immensis orbibus angues** (i shudder relating it)

**205 incumbunt pelago pariterque ad litora tendunt;** lean on the sea and side by side hasten towards the shores;

**pectora quorum inter fluctus arrecta iubaeque** the chests of which, having been raised among the waves,

**sanguineae superant undas, pars cetera pontum** and the bloody crests overcome the waves, another part skims

**pone legit sinuatque immensa volumine terga.** the water behind and twists the huge backs in a coil.

**fit sonitus spumante salo; iamque arua tenebant** a sound happens from the foaming see; and now they //metonomy->salo// //alliteration->sss (snake)//

**210 ardentesque oculos suffecti sanguine et igni** were holding the fields and, filled with respect to their burning eyes with blood and fire,

**sibila lambebant linguis vibrantibus ora.** they were licking their hissing mouths with vibrating tongues.

**diffugimus visu exsangues. illi agmine certo** we, pale, scattered at the site. They seek Laocoon in

**Laocoonta petunt; et primum parua duorum** a certain battle line; and first, each serpent having embraced

**corpora natorum serpens amplexus uterque** the small bodies of the two sons, entwines and

**215 implicat et miseros morsu depascitur artus;** devours their pitiable limbs with a bite;

**post ipsum auxilio subeuntem ac tela ferentem** afterward they seize him, approaching to help and bearing spears,

**corripiunt spirisque ligant ingentibus; et iam** and they bind him with huge coils; and already

**bis medium amplexi, bis collo squamea circum** having twice embraced his torso, having surrounded his neck twice **terga dati superant capite et cervicibus altis.** with their scaly backs, with their head and high necks they overcome him.

**220 ille simul manibus tendit divellere nodos** He, having been soaked with respect to his fillets with blood and dark poison,

**perfusus sanie vittas atroque veneno,** at the same time reaches with his hands to untie the knots //vittas: accusative of respect with perf. pass. part.; alternatively, accusative object of perfect "middle" participle -> having soaked his fillets with...//

**clamores simul horrendos ad sidera tollit:** and also raises horrible shouts ( at the same time) to the constellations: // hyperbole // **qualis mugitus, fugit cum saucius aram** such as the bellows, when a hurt bull fled the altar **taurus et incertam excussit cervice securim.** and shook from his neck the uncertain axe. //"uncertain" refers to the fact that the axe didn't do its intended job (sacrifice the bull) - it missed its mark somehow//

**225 at gemini lapsu delubra ad summa dracones** Yet the twin snakes flee to the highest temple

**effugiunt saeuaeque petunt Tritonidis arcem,** with a glide and they seek the citadel of savage Tritonia // Tritonia = Athena //

**sub pedibusque deae clipeique sub orbe teguntur.** and they are hidden below the feet of the goddess and below the circle of her shield. // after the snakes kill Laocoon they run away to the temple of Athena - Athena sent the snakes to kill him //