Page:Statius (Mozley 1928) v1.djvu/265

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SILVAE, IV. iii. 126–157

rotting woodland and these pestilent sands on lofty bridges and a causeway. Lo! a god is he, at Jove’s command he rules for him the happy world; none worthier than he has held this sway since under my guidance Aeneas, eagerly searching out the future, penetrated Avernus’ prescient groves and went forth again. A friend is he to peace, and terrible in arms, more bountiful than Nature and more powerful. Were his the government of the flaming sky, thou India wouldst be moist with abundant showers, Libya would stream with waters, Haemus would be warm. Hail, ruler of men and parent of gods, foreseen by me and fore-ordained was thy godhead. No longer scan those words of mine that the fifteen men[1] with solemn prayer unroll on mouldering sheets, but face to face, as thou deservest, hear me chant my oracle. I have seen what chain of meritorious years the Fates white-clad are weaving for thee; a mighty roll of centuries awaits thee, longer than son or grandson shalt thou bear the years that Nestor reached, as they say, in tranquil age, as many as old Tithonus counted or I myself asked of the Delian god.[2] Already the snowy North has paid thee homage, soon the Orient will give thee mighty triumphs. Where wandering Hercules and Euhan[3] went thou shalt go, beyond the stars and the flaming sun, and the source of Nile and the snows of Atlas, and blest

  1. ↑ The XVviri, who had charge of the Sibylline oracles.
  2. ↑ i.e., as many grains as were in a handful of dust; see Ovid, Met. xiv. 130.
  3. ↑ Bacchus.

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