The Aeneid - Opening

BOOK I

A FATEFUL HEAVEN

I sing of warfare and a man at war.

From the sea-coast of Troy in early days

He came to Italy by destiny,

To our Lavinian western shore,

A fugitive, this captain, buffeted

Cruelly on land as on the sea

By blows from powers of the air -- behind them

Baleful Juno in her sleepless rage.

And cruel losses were hios lot in war,

Till he could found a city and bring home

His gods to Latium, land of the Latin race,

The Alban lords, and the high walls of Rome.