Valerius Flaccus (poet)

Gaius Valerius Flaccus (Setinus Balbus) (died c. AD 90) was a Roman poet of the Silver Age. Quotes Argonautica The translations are by J. H. Mozley, and are taken from Vol. 286 of the Loeb Classical Library (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1928). Book I Prima deum magnis canimus freta pervia natisfatidicamque ratem, Scythici quae Phasidis orasausa sequi mediosque inter iuga concita cursusrumpere flammifero tandem consedit Olympo. My song is of the straits first navigated by the mighty sons of gods, of the prophetic ship that dared to seek the shores of Scythian Phasis, that burst unswerving through the clashing rocks, to slink at length to rest in the starry firmament. Lines 1–4 Siderea tunc arce pater pulcherrima Graiumcoepta tuens tantamque operis consurgere molemlaetatur. Then the Father from his starry citadel beholding these glorious deeds of the Greeks and how the mighty work went forward, is glad. Lines 498–500 Book II Auxerat hora metus, iam se vertentis Olympiut faciem raptosque simul montesque locosqueex oculis circumque graves videre tenebras.ipsa quies rerum mundique silentia terrentastraque et effusis stellatus crinibus aether;ac velut ignota captus regione viarumnoctivagum qui carpit iter non aure quiescit,non oculis, noctisque metus niger auget utrimquecampus et occurrens umbris maioribus arbor, haud aliter trepidare viri. Their fear deepened with the night as they beheld the face of the heavens turning and the mountains and all places rapt from view and all around thick darkness. The very stillness of Nature, the silent constellations in the heavens, the firmament starred with streaming meteors filled them with fear. And as a traveller by night overtaken in some unknown spot upon the road keeps ear and eye alert, while the darkening landscape to left and right and trees looming up with shadows strangely huge do but make heavier the terrors of night, even so the heroes quailed. Lines 38–47 I, memor i terrae, quae vos amplexa quietoprima sinu, refer et domitis a Colchidos orisvela per hunc utero quem linquis Iasona nostro. Go now, go, but forget not the land that first folded you to its peaceful bosom; and from Colchis' conquered shores bring back hither thy sails, I pray thee, by this Jason whom thou leavest in my womb. Lines 422–424 Hactenus in populos vati, Samothraca, diem quemissa mane sacrisque metum servemus opertis. Thus much, Samothrace, has the poet proclaimed thee to the nations and the light of day; there stay, and let us keep our reverence for holy mysteries. Lines 439–440 Ad primos turgentia lumina fletus. Her eyes brimful to the verge of weeping. Line 464 Book III thumb|Greedily casting her arms about him, as he calls too late for help and utters the name of his mighty friend, she draws him down. Stagna vaga sic luce micant ubi Cynthia caeloprospicit aut medii transit rota candida Phoebi,tale iubar diffundit aquis: nil umbra comaequeturbavitque sonus surgentis ad oscula nymphae.illa avidas iniecta manus heu sera cientemauxilia et magni referentem nomen amicidetrahit, adiutae prono nam pondere vires. Even as the light that shifts and plays upon a lake, when Cynthia looks forth from heaven or the bright wheel of Phoebus in mid course passes by, so doth he shed a gleam upon the waters; he heeds not the shadow of the Nymph or her hair or the sound of her as she rises to embrace him. Greedily casting her arms about him, as he calls, alack! too late for help and utters the name of his mighty friend, she draws him down; for her strength is aided by his falling weight. Lines 558–564 Fata trahunt. Fate sweeps them on. Line 717 Hic vero ingenti repetuntur pectora luctu,ut socii sedere locis nullaeque leonisexuviae tantique vacant vestigia transtri.flet pius Aeacides, maerent Poeantia corda,ingemit et dulci frater cum Castore Pollux.omnis adhuc vocat Alciden fugiente carina,omnis Hylan, medio pereunt iam nomina ponto. Then once more comes deep grief to their hearts, when he comrades sat in their places and no lion's hide was there to see, but the empty seat upon that mighty thwart. Loyal Aeacides weeps, the heart of Philoctetes is sad, brother Pollux with his dear Castor makes lament. The ship is flying fast, and still all cry "Hercules," all cry "Hylas," but the names are lost in the middle of the sea. Lines 719–725 Book IV Melior vulgi nam saepe voluntas. For oft have the common people kindlier feelings. Line 158 Sonitu tremebunda profundi. [A cave] that trembled with the roaring of the deep. Line 180 Dixit et urgentis post saeva piacula fatinescius extremum hoc armis innectere palmasdat famulis. He spoke, and unaware that fate was driving him on the path of tardy expiation, gives his arms for this last time to his attendants to bind with harness. Lines 252–254 thumb|They ravage and sweep away my banquet, and befoul and upset the cups, there is a violent stench and a sorry battle arises, for the monsters are as famished as I. Fallere quas nusquam misero locus. Never, alas! can I elude them. Line 451 Diripiunt verruntque dapes foedataque turbantpocula, saevit odor surgitque miserrima pugnaparque mihi monstrisque fames. sprevere quod omnespollueruntque manu quodque unguibus excidit atrishas mihi fert in luce moras. They ravage and sweep away my banquet, and befoul and upset the cups, there is a violent stench and a sorry battle arises, for the monsters are as famished as I. What all have scorned or polluted with their touch, or what has fallen from their filthy claws, helps me to linger thus among the living. Lines 454–456 Unda laborantes praeceps rotat. As they toil they are whirled round by a furious wave. Line 656 Effluit imberspumeus et magno puppem procul aequore vestit. The spray falls in a rain and from afar shrouds the vessel in a watery deluge. Lines 665–666 Illa volans tenui per concita saxaluce fugit. Through the hurrying rocks the brand with thin flame takes its flight. Lines 672–673 Hic Iuno praecepsque ex aethere Pallasinsiliunt pariter scopulos: hunc nata coercet,hunc coniunx Iovis. Hereupon Juno and Pallas leap sheer down from the sky upon the rocks; this one the daughter of Jove, that one his spouse constrains. Lines 682–684 Haud temere est, fato divum reor ad mea vectoslitora vos. Not by hazard are ye come; divine fate, I ween, hath brought you to my shores. Lines 741–742 Book V Dicta dabant ventis nec debita fata movebant. Their words were spoken to the breezes nor swayed appointed fate. Line 21 Percutit ore lyram nomenque relinquit harenis. Strikes his echoing lyre, singing the while, and bequeaths a name to the sands. Line 100 Blandos que Iovis quae luserat ignescaelicolis immota procis: deceptus amataefraude deae nec solus Halys nec solus Apollo. One who mocked Jove's ardent wooing, unmoved by heavenly suitors; not Halys only or Apollo were deceived by the trickery of the nymph they loved. Lines 110–112 At Iuno et summi virgo Iovis intima secumconsilia et varias sociabant pectore curas. But Juno and the virgin daughter of supreme Jove were sharing heart to heart their inmost counsels and distracting cares. Lines 280–281 Rebus semper pudor absit in artis. Away with scruple in adversity! Line 324 Et Scythicam qui se comitentur ad urbemsorte petit numeroque novem ducuntur ab omni. And sought by lot those who should bear him company to the Scythian town, and from the whole number nine were drawn. Lines 325–326 Talibus orantem vultu gravis ille minaciiamdudum premit et furiis ignescit opertis. The other, his brow heavy with threats, had long been muttering and smouldering with hidden fire. Lines 519–520 Book VI Velut ante comas ac summa cacumina silvaelenibus adludit flabris levis Auster, at illumprotinus immanem miserae sensere carinae. Just as at first the South wind makes gentle sport as it softly stirs the leaves and topmost branches of the woodland, but soon the unlucky ships are feeling all its terrible strength. Lines 664–666 Nox simul astriferas profert optabilis umbras. At the same time welcome Night brings on the star-heralding shadows. Line 752 Book VII Respexit que fores et adhuc invenit euntem,visus et heu miserae tunc pulchrior hospes amantidiscedens; tales umeros, ea terga relinquit. [Medea] looked toward the gates and found him still even as he went; and alas! as he departed still comelier seemed the stranger to the lovelorn girl: such shoulders, such frame doth he leave to her remembrance. Lines 106–108 Quid me autem sic ille movet, superetne laboresan cadat? Why feel I so for him, whether he master his toils, or whether he fall? Lines 131–132 Saepe suas misero promittere destinat artes,denegat atque una potius decernit in iraac neque tam turpi cessuram semet amoriproclamat. Often again she is resolved to promise her skill to the unhappy man, then again refuses, and is determined rather to perish with him; and she cries that never will she yield to so base a passion... Lines 317–320 'Tune sequeris' ait 'quidquam aut patiere pudendumcum tibi tot mortes scelerisque brevissima tantieffugia?''' "Wilt thou pursue," she said, "or submit to aught that is shameful, when thou hast so many means of death and quick escape from a deed so wicked?" Lines 331–333 Et, qua sibi fida magis visnulla, Prometheae florem de sanguine fibraepromit nutritaque gramina monti,quae sacer ille nives inter tristesque pruinasdurat alitque cruor. And takes forth a Caucasian herb, of potency sure beyond all others, sprung of the gore that dropped from the liver of Prometheus, and grass wind-nurtured, fostered and strengthened by that blood divine among snows and grisly frosts. Lines 355–359 Gemit inritus illeColchidos ora tuens. totos tunc contrahit artusmonte dolor cunctaeque tremunt sub falce catenae. Fruitlessly doth he groan, beholding the face of the Colchian maid; then over all the mountain pain contracts his limbs, and all his fetters shake beneath her sickle. Lines 368–370 Haud secus in mediis noctis nemoris que tenebrisinciderant ambo attoniti iuxtaque subibantabietibus tacitis aut immotis cyparissisadsimiles, rapidus nondum quas miscuit Auster. So in the midnight shadows of the grove did they two meet and draw nigh each other, awe-struck, like silent first or motionless cypresses, when the mad South wind hath not yet intertwined their boughs. Lines 403–406 Nec quibus incipiat demens videt ordine nec quoquove tenus, prima cupiens effundere voceomnia, sed nec prima pudor dat verba timenti. She can find in her bewilderment no words wherewith to begin, how to order or where to end her speech; fain would she pour out all in her first utterance, but not even the first words doth fear-stricken shame allow her. Lines 433–435 Tum vero extremo percussa dolorearripit Aesoniden dextra ac summissa profatur:'sis memor, oro, mei, contra memor ipsa manebo,crede, tui. quantum hinc aberis, dic quaeso, profundi?quod caeli spectabo latus?' Then indeed, pierced by grief's bitterest pang, she clutched the hand of Jason and humbly besought him thus: "Remember me, I pray, for never, believe me, shall I be forgetful of thee. When thou art gone, tell me, I beg, on what quarter of the heaven must I gaze?" Lines 475–479 Cessit et ad socios paulum se rettulit herosopperiens. The hero withdrew and betook himself for a space to his companions, waiting. Lines 614–615 Book VIII At trepidam in thalamis et iam sua facta paventemColchida circa omnes pariter furiaeque minaequepatris habent. But Medea in her chamber, trembling and terror-struck now at what she has done, is encompassed by all her father's threatening rage. Lines 1–3 Latmius aestiva residet venator in umbradignus amore deae, velatis cornibus et iamLuna venit. The Latmian hunter rests in the summer shade, fit lover for a goddess, and soon the Moon comes with veiled horns. Lines 28–30 Ecce autem pavidae virgo de more columbaequae super ingenti circumdata praepetis umbrain quemcumque tremens hominem cadit, haud secus illaacta timore gravi mediam se misit. But lo! the girl, like a frightened dove, that caught in the vast shadow of a hawk falls trembling on some man, no matter who he be, so doth she fling herself into his arms driven by strong fear. Lines 32–35 Contra Tartareis Colchis spumare veneniscunctaque Lethaei quassare silentia ramiperstat et adverso luctantia lumina cantuobruit atque omnem linguaque manuque fatigatvim Stygiam. But on her side the Colchian ceases not to foam with hellish poisons and to sprinkle all the silences of Lethe's bough: exerting her spells she constrains his reluctant eyes, exhausting all her Stygian power of hand and tongue. Lines 83–87 thumb|The whole landscape flashes while the hero now wraps about his body the fleece with its starry tufts of hair, now shifts it to his neck, now folds it upon his left arm. Iamque altae cecidere iubae nutatque coactumiam caput atque ingens extra sua vellera cervixceu refluens Padus aut septem proiectus in amnesNilus et Hesperium veniens Alpheos in orbem. And now the high crest sinks, now the head is nodding overpowered and the huge neck has slipped from around the fleece it guarded, like refluent Po or Nile that sprawls in seven streams or Alpheus when his waters enter the Hesperian world. Lines 88–91 Cuius adhuc rutilam servabant bracchia pellem,nubibus accensis similem aut cum veste recinctalabitur ardenti Thaumantias obvia Phoebo. Where still the branches guarded the skin of ruddy hue, like to illumined cloud or to Iris when she ungirds her robe and glides to meet glowing Phoebus. Lines 114–116 Micat omnis ager villisque comantemsidereis totos pellem nunc fundit in artus,nunc in colla refert, nunc implicat ille sinistrae. The whole landscape flashes while the hero now wraps about his body the fleece with its starry tufts of hair, now shifts it to his neck, now folds it upon his left arm. Lines 122–124 Interea patrias saevus venit horror ad auresfata domus luctumque ferens fraudemque fugamquevirginis. Meantime her sire was shuddering at the cruel news that reached his ear: the doom of his house, the mourning, his daughter's crafty flight. Lines 134–136 Absyrtus subita praeceps cum classe parentisadvehitur profugis infestam lampada Graisconcutiens. Absyrtus in hot haste with his father's swift-assembled fleet draws nigh, and shakes a threatening torch at the escaping Greeks. Lines 261–263 Misattributed Are they heroes or mere dreamers? David R. Slavitt, The Voyage of the Argo: The Argonautica of Gaius Valerius Flaccus (1999), Book I, lines 98–99 (p. 3). There is no corresponding text in the Latin (cf. Argon. 1.79–80). Quotes about Valerius Flaccus O mihi curarum pretium non vile mearum,Flacce, Antenorei spes et alumne laris,Pierios differ cantusque chorosque sororum;Aes dabit ex istis nulla puella tibi.Quid petis a Phoebo? nummos habet arca Minervae;Haec sapit, haec omnes fenerat una deos.Quid possunt hederae Bacchi dare? Pallados arborInclinat varias pondere nigra comas.Praeter aquas Helicon et serta lyrasque dearumNil habet et magnum, sed perinane sophos.Quid tibi cum Cirrha? quid cum Permesside nuda?Romanum propius divitiusque forum est.Illic aera sonant: at circum pulpita nostraEt steriles cathedras basia sola crepant. Though midst the noblest poets thou hast place,Flaccus, the offspring of Antenor's race;Renounce the Muses' songs and charming quire,For none of them enrich, though they inspire.Court not Apollo, Pallas has the gold;She's wise, and does the gods in mortgage hold.What profit is there in an ivy wreath?Its fruits the loaden olive sinks beneath.In Helicon there's nought but springs and bays,The Muses' harps loud sounding empty praise.What with Parnassus' streams hast thou to do?The Roman forum's rich, and nearer too.There chinks the cash: but round the poet's chairThe smacks of kisses only fill the air. Martial, Epigrams, Book I, epigram lxxvi Multum in Valerio Flacco nuper amisimus. We have suffered serious loss in the recent death of Valerius Flaccus. Quintilian, Institutio Oratoria'' (c. 95 AD), Book X, Chapter 1, par. 90 (tr. H. E. Butler) See also Apollonius of Rhodes External links Online text: Valerius Flaccus, Argonautica (Latin) Online text: Valerius Flaccus, Argonautica translated by J. H. Mozley Category:Poets from Rome Category:1st century deaths Category:Epic poets