Regis Quotes
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At vos, o superi, et divum tu maxime rector Juppiter, Arcadii, quaeso, miserescite regis Et patrias audite preces: si numina vestra Incolumem Pallanta mihi, si fata reseruant, Si visurus eum vivo et venturus in unum: Vitam oro, patiar quemvis durare laborem. Sin aliquem infandum casum, Fortuna, minaris, Nunc, nunc o liceat crudelem abrumpere vitam, Dum curae ambiguae, dum spes incerta futuri, Dum te, care puer, mea sola et sera voluptas, Complexu teneo, gravior neu nuntius auris Vulneret.
virgil— Ye gods, and mighty Jove, in pity bring
Relief, and hear a father and a king!
If fate and you reserve these eyes, to see
My son return with peace and victory;
If the lov'd boy shall bless his father's sight;
If we shall meet again with more delight;
Then draw my life in length; let me sustain,
In hopes of his embrace, the worst of pain.
But if your hard decrees—which, O! I dread—
Have doom'd to death his undeserving head;
This, O this very moment, let me die!
While hopes and fears in equal balance lie;
While, yet possess'd of all his youthful charms,
I strain him close within these aged arms;
Before that fatal news my soul shall wound!Lines 578–580 (translated by John Dryden).Cf. Pitt's translation:
At vos, o superi, et divum tu maxime rector Juppiter, Arcadii, quaeso, miserescite regis Et patrias audite preces: si numina vestra Incolumem Pallanta mihi, si fata reseruant, Si visurus eum vivo et venturus in unum: Vitam oro, patiar quemvis durare laborem. Sin aliquem infandum casum, Fortuna, minaris, Nunc, nunc o liceat crudelem abrumpere vitam, Dum curae ambiguae, dum spes incerta futuri, Dum te, care puer, mea sola et sera voluptas, Complexu teneo, gravior neu nuntius auris Vulneret.
— Cf. Conington's translation:
- "O ye Gods, and O great Jove,
Have pity on a father's love
And hear Evander's prayer:
If 'tis your purpose to restore
My Pallas to my arms once more;
If living is to see his face,
Then grant me life, of your dear grace:
No toil too hard to bear.
But ah! if Fortune be my foe,
And meditate some crushing blow,
Now, now the thread in mercy break,
While hope sees dim and cares mistake,
While still I clasp thee darling boy.
My latest and my only joy,
Nor let assurance, worse than fear,
With cruel tidings wound my ear."
