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The Aeneid Quotes

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  • "In that direction
    from which the swarm has come I see a stranger
    approaching and an army nearing us;
    I see them reach the palace, see them ruling
    in our high citadel."
    - Virgil, The Aeneid, Book 7, lines 86-90

  • "What of your right hand
    you swore so often to your kinsman, Turnus?"
    - Virgil, The Aeneid, Book 7, lines 487-8

  • "The Fates
    have crushed us, we are carried by the storm.
    Unhappy men! The penalty for this
    will yet be paid with your profaning blood."
    - Virgil, The Aeneid, Book 7, lines 781-5

  • "These groves were once the home of fauns and nymphs
    and of a race of men sprung from tree trunks
    and study oaks. They had no rule and no
    refinements; for they could not yoke their bulls
    or gather wealth or save what they had gained."
    - Virgil, The Aeneid, Book 8, lines 412-16

  • "That, if war were at hand, then through the air
    she would bring Vulcan's weapons to my aid.
    What slaughter menaces these sad Laurentians!
    What penalties will Turnus pay to me!"
    - Virgil, The Aeneid, Book 8, lines 695-8

  • "Hear what I have in mind. the people,
    the elders- everyone now urges that
    Aeneas be called back, that messengers
    be sent to bring him the tidings he can trust.
    If they agree to give to you instead
    the prize that I can claim for such a deed-
    since for myself the glory is enough-
    then close by that mound there I may have found
    a path to reach the walls of Pallanteum."
    - Virgil, The Aeneid, Book 9, lines 253-60

  • "Where have I left you poor Euryalus?"
    - Virgil, The Aeneid, Book 9, line 520

  • "Grow
    in your new courage, child; o son of gods
    and ancestor of gods, this is the way
    to scale the stars. All fated, future wars
    shall end in peace..."
    - Virgil, The Aeneid, Book 9, lines 856-9

  • "What each man does will shape his trial and fortune.
    For Jupiter is king to all alike;
    the fates will find their way."
    - Virgil, The Aeneid, Book 10, lines 160-2

  • "Both wife and sister to me, and much loved,
    as you supposed (your judgment is not wrong),
    the power of Troy has been sustained by Venus,
    not by the fighting men's keen hands in battle,
    not by their stubborn souls, patient in battle."
    - Virgil, The Aeneid, Book 10, lines 834-8

  • "why do you taunt and threaten me? There is
    no crime in killing me; I did not come
    to war with any thought of quarter, nor
    did Lausus ever draw such terms with you.
    I ask you only this: if any grace
    is given to the vanquished, let my body
    be laid to earth..."
    - Virgil, The Aeneid, Book 10, lines 1236-43

  • "No, do not, do not
    provoke me into such a battle! More: since Troy is fallen now, I have no quarrel
    with Teucrians; and I do not recall
    with joy the old trials of that war. Take back
    the gifts you bring me from your native shores
    and give them to Aeneas."
    - Virgil, The Aeneid, Book 11, lines 366-372

  • "Your queen will not leave you dishonored
    in your last hour; neither will your death
    go now without its glory through the nations."
    - Virgil, The Aeneid, Book 11, lines 1120-2
    ]
  • "For I too, can cast a lance;
    the steel my right hand uses is not feeble;
    my father, blood flows from the wounds I deal.
    The Trojan's goddess-mother will be too
    far off to shelter her retreating son,
    to hide him, as a woman would, within
    the same deceiving cloud that covers her."
    - Virgil, The Aeneid, Book 12, lines 67-74

  • "had long since felt
    this duel was unequal; they are puzzled;
    conflicted feelings move their hearts."
    - Virgil, The Aeneid, Book 12, lines 295-7

  • "This is not the work
    of mortal hands or skillful art; my craft
    has not saved you, Aeneas: here there is
    a greater one - a god- who sends you back
    to greater labors."
    - Virgil, The Aeneid, Book 12, lines 575-9

  • "this day- unless they yield, accept our rule,
    submit to us- I shall annihilate/ that city..."
    - Virgil, The Aeneid, Book 12, lines 759-61

  • "I have indeed deserved this; I do not
    appeal against it; use your chance. But if
    there is a thought of a dear parent's grief
    that now can touch you, then I beg you, pity
    old Daunus- in Anchises you had such
    a father- send me back..."
    - Virgil, The Aeneid, Book 12, lines 1242-7

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