Aeneid 40-56

Question 1

primus ibi ante omnis magna comitante caterva

Answer 1

First there before everyone with a big crowd accompanying him,

Question 2

Laocoon ardens summa decurrit ab arce, et procul

Answer 2

Laocoon, burning, runs down from the top of the citadel, and far off (shouts)

Question 3

‘o miseri, quae tanta insania, cives? creditis avectos hostis?

Answer 3

“O wretched citizens, what is this so great insanity? Do you believe that the enemy have sailed away?

Question 4

aut ulla putatis dona carere dolis Danaum? sic notus Ulixes?

Answer 4

Or do you think that any gifts of the Greek are free from tricks? Thus is Ulysses known?

Question 5

aut hoc inclusi ligno occultantur Achivi, aut haec in nostros fabricata est machina muros,

Answer 5

Either Greeks are hidden, shut in by this wood, or this contraption was built (to be used) against our walls,

Question 6

inspectura domos venturaque desuper urbi, aut aliquis latet error;

Answer 6

to spy on our homes and swoop down on our city from above, or some deception lies hidden;

Question 7

equo ne credite, Teucri quidquid id est, timeo Danaos et dona ferentis.’

Answer 7

don’t trust the horse, Trojans. Whatever it is, I fear the Greeks, even when they bring gifts.”

Question 8

sic fatus validis ingentem viribus hastam in latus inque feri curvam compagibus alvum contorsit.

Answer 8

Having spoken thus he hurled a huge spear with mighty strength into the side and into the belly of the creature with its curved joints.

Question 9

stetit illa tremens, uteroque recusso insonuere cavae gemitumque dedere cavernae.

Answer 9

It stood, trembling, and with its belly vibrating the hollow recess sounded and gave a groan.

Question 10

et, si fata deum, si mens non laeva fuisset,

Answer 10

And, if the fates of the gods, if their intention had not been unfavourable,

Question 11

impulerat ferro Argolicas foedare latebras,

Answer 11

it would have compelled them to defile the Greek hiding places with iron,

Question 12

Troiaque nunc staret, Priamique ar alta maneres.

Answer 12

and Troy would now stand, and you, high citadel of Priam, would remain.