The Aeneid (I)

condensed version of course

                            I

Hear, listen, to how the capricious Olympiads reigned 

Grief upon noble Troy, manipulated for pleasure 

And whim when Zeus’ haughty daughters lust to be

First among the unequaled unequals wrought 

Misery and destruction on Paris and other low born

Mortals who stood in defiance to their supplicants. 

How far away, along the Tiber’s mouth, Juno seethed 

Having heard murmurs of a distant race, Trojans, 

Who’d one day rise against her worldly intentions 

Of an empire. Though fate might lie beyond her 

Conniving fingers machinations, envy and malice 

Consumed her thoughts, demanded that Troy should suffer. 

So seven years anguish Aeneas wept for Troy, 

Her gilded plains, green orchards bounty, well-stocked pens, 

Lost once Eris’ black plague swept sorrow throughout the land --

Fathers, brothers, and sons departing daughters, 

Sisters and mothers, his own beloved Creusa, to mourn

Along the route Hades proscribed for the vanquished.

Until hearing whispers of land, a new start, they’d unfurl 

Sails, setting sights on Sicily, to lay roots in soil 

More hospitable, free from the Achaeans 

Vexatious litigations -- but Juno would not relent. 

Still furious, rage unsated, she made her anger known 

To all who’d listen -- the Trojans should find no peace. 

Thus Aeolus, Juno’s obsequious pawn, stirred the winds 

And scattered the ragged fleet to earth’s four corners, 

So the sons of Troy could find no remit from suffering. 

Until Venus awoke, inflamed, her mother’s dander raised 

Against those engaged against her beleaguered Aeneas, 

Petitioned Jove: Father, put an end to the madness, 

Let the voracious Hellenes extract no more coinage from 

Juno’s vengeful purse. Mark Troy’s debt as paid in full.  

And so Jupiter moved, Neptune commanded the winds still. 

Mercury commissioned, took wings to the Poeni,  

To open doors and hearts to the battered wayfarers, 

To herald the news, Trojans should suffer no more. 

Still, Juno unappeased, kindled her ambitions. 

If any should rise against these interlopers

She promised favors, riches, an everlasting fame. 

No matter the prophecy, Rome was foul, the w***e’s offspring. 

Having neutered the opprobrious Paris, this cub 

Was no less an offense against her godly nature. 

And Venus, ever wary, wise to Jove’s nature, 

How easily he turned from succor to rancor,  

Would not sit idly. For she too had gifts to grant, 

Allegiances to call upon, from which she sought

Assurances of assistance to defend her favored 

Aeneas from any harm or rank disservice. 

And so the stage set, two goddesses engaged. Olympus 

Soon embroiled, intrigued to see which one’s might might reign 

Above the other’s, would by times aid or hinder 

Depending on the day, and mood, how much pain or 

Pleasure could be derived from fiddling emotions. 

For such was their nature, these Gods, petty tyrants, 

Unchecked by laws, or limits, free from loyalty; 

The frailties of men would never cease to amuse, 

Give cause to any sense of responsibility  

For pain or grief, harships or heartaches. How life 

Played out for mortal men was simply fate -- not theirs 

Of course -- mere entertainment for the idle hours.

Ken e Bujold

Author's Note

thought experiment mostly, how to write classical tale in style of original translator, John Dryden, while keeping it fresh and modern and my own. Can't say if I will or won't do more, though I do have lots of notes :)

Reviews

[W. Barrett Munn]

We must bow down to our modern Homer, and not Simmons, mind you, but the REAL Homer.
I am quite impressed how you kept the two part per line rhythm of the original Oddyse in this work, what I mean by two-part beat in each line is like this:
she was on the beach, I saw her standing here
I gave her my hand but she turned it down.

My problem with works like The Oddyse or War and Peace is that they require a second book beside to keep track of all the characters.

This is once again an outstanding example of your expertise. We bow down.

Winston

[Soren]

Having read the Iliad and Odyssey I enjoy mythology and this reads fresh. Pride the problem of the gods and man led to many sorrows. Tragedy in its classical form. Nicely written.