BOOK SIX

ARGUMENT

Arrived at Cumæ Æneas visits the Sibyl's shrine, and, after prayer and sacrifice to Apollo, asks access to the nether-world to visit his father ([1-162]). He must first pluck for Proserpine the golden bough and bury a dead comrade ([163-198]). After the death and burial of Misenus, Æneas finds and gathers the golden bough ([199-261]). Preparation and Invocation ([262-328]). The start ([329-333]). The "dreadful faces" that guard the outskirts of Hell. Charon's ferry and the unburied dead ([334-405]). Palinurus approaches and entreats burial. Passing by Charon and Cerberus, they see the phantoms of suicides, of children, of lovers, and experience Dido's disdain ([406-559]). From Greek and Trojan shades Deiphobus is singled out to tell his story ([560-644]). The Sibyl hurries Æneas on past the approach to Tartarus, describing by the way its rulers and its horrors. Finally, they reach Elysium and gain entrance ([645-757]). The search among the shades of the Blessed for Anchises, and the meeting between father and son ([758-828]). Anchises explains the mystery of the Transmigration of Souls, and the book closes with the revelation to Æneas of the future greatness of Rome, whose heroes, from the days of the kings to the times of Augustus, pass in procession before him ([829-1071]). He is then dismissed through the Ivory Gate, and sails on his way to Caieta ([1072-1080]).

I. Weeping he speaks, and gives his fleet the rein,
And glides at length to the [Euboean] strand
Of [Cumæ.] There, with prows towards the main,
Safe-fastened by the biting anchors, stand
The vessels, and the round sterns line the land.
Forth on the shore, in eager haste to claim
Hesperia's welcome, leaps a youthful band.
These search the flint-stones for the seeds of flame,		1
Those point to new-found streams, or scour the woods for game.

II. But good Æneas seeks the castled height
And temple, to the great Apollo dear,
And the vast cave where, hidden far from sight
Within her sanctuary dark and drear,
Dwells the dread [Sibyl,] whom [the Delian seer]
Inspires with soul and wisdom to unfold
The things to come.—So now, approaching near
Through [Trivia's] grove, the temple they behold,		10
And entering, see the roof all glittering with gold.

III. Fame is, that [Dædalus,] adventuring forth
On rapid wings, from Minos' realms in flight,
Trusted the sky, and to the frosty North
Swam his strange way, till on the tower-girt height
Of Chalcis gently he essayed to light.
Here, touching first the wished-for land again,
To thee, great Phoebus, and thy guardian might,
He vowed, and bade as offerings to remain,		19
The oarage of his wings, and built a stately fane.