Page:The Pharsalia of Lucan; (IA cu31924026485809).pdf/47

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Book I
THE CROSSING OF THE RUBICON
23
Shrouded his burning car in blackest gloomAnd plunged the world in darkness, so that menDespaired of day—like as he veiled his light[1]From that fell banquet which Mycenæ saw. 600The jaws of Etna were agape with flameThat rose not heavenwards, but headlong fellIn smoking stream upon the Italian flank.Then black Charybdis, from her boundless depth,Threw up a gory sea. In piteous tonesHowled the wild dogs; the Vestal fire was snatchedFrom off the altar; and the flame that crownedThe Latin festival was split in twain,As on the Theban pyre,[2] in ancient days;Earth tottered on its base: the mighty Alps 610From off their summits shook th' eternal snow.[3]In huge upheaval Ocean raised his wavesO'er Calpe's rock and Atlas' hoary head.The native gods shed tears, and holy sweatDropped from the idols; gifts in temples fell:Foul birds defiled the day; beasts left the woodsAnd made their lair among the streets of Rome.All this we hear; nay more: dumb oxen spake;Monsters were brought to birth and mothers shriekedAt their own offspring; words of dire import 620From Cumæ's prophetess were noised abroad.
  1. ↑ Compare Ben Jonson's 'Catiline,' I. I:—
    Lecca. The day goes back,Lecca. Or else my senses.Curius. As at Atrens' feast.
  2. ↑ When the Theban brothers. Eteocles and Polynices, were being burned on the some pyre, the flame shot up in two separate tongues, indicating that even in death they could not be reconciled. (Mr. Haskins' note, citing Statius. 'Theb.')
  3. ↑ 'Shock the old snow from off their trembling laps.' (Marlowe.) The Latin word is jugis".
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