ac velut hiberno deprensus navita ponto, cui neque Temo piger neque amico sidere monstrat Luna vias, medio caeli pelagique tumultu stat rationis inops, iam iamque aut saxa malignis exspectat summersa vadis aut vertice acuto spumantes scopulos erectae incurrere prorae: talis opaca legens nemorum Cadmeius heros accelerat, vasto metuenda umbone ferarum excutiens stabula, et prono virgulta refringit pectore (dat stimulos animo vis maesta timoris) donec ab Inachiis victa caligine tectis emicuit lucem devexa in moenia fundens Larisaeus apex.
As a mariner caught in a winter sea, to whom neither lazy Wain nor Moon with friendly radiance shows directions, stands clueless in mid commotion of land and sea, expecting every moment rocks sunk in treacherous shallows, or foaming cliffs with spiky tops to run upon the rearing prow: so the Cadmean hero traversing the dark forest quickens pace, shaking out the perilous lairs of wild beasts with his huge shield, and with thrusting breast bursts open the thickets (grim force of fear spurs him on), until the darkness was overborne by the dwellings of Inachus and Larisas pinnacle flashes out, beaming light upon the shelving town.
final_alignments\Statius_Thebaid_Book1.json