2.14: 3.644–55

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obstipui “capiat”que “aliquis moderamina!” dixi
meque ministerio scelerisque artisque removi.                                 645
increpor a cunctis, totumque inmurmurat agmen;
e quibus Aethalion “te scilicet omnis in uno
nostra salus posita est!” ait et subit ipse meumque
explet opus Naxoque petit diversa relicta.
tum deus inludens, tamquam modo denique fraudem                  650
senserit, e puppi pontum prospectat adunca
et flenti similis “non haec mihi litora, nautae,
promisistis” ait, “non haec mihi terra rogata est!
quo merui poenam facto? quae gloria vestra est,
si puerum iuvenes, si multi fallitis unum?”                                   655

Study Questions

What does the que after capiat (644) link? What the -que after me (645)?
Parse te (647).
What is the rhetorical force of scilicet (647)?
What kind of construction is Naxo … relicta (649)?
What is the main verb of the sentence that begins with tum deus (650)?
Parse senserit (651) and explain the mood.
What does the et at the beginning of line 652 link?
What noun does the attribute adunca (651) modify?
Parse flenti (652).
What kinds (plural!) of dative are mihi in 652 and mihi in 653?
What noun does the interrogative adjective quo modify (654)? What case is it in?

Stylistic Appreciation

Discuss the rhetorical devices Bacchus uses to express his outrage at the crew’s treachery, with particular attention to the design of 655.

Discussion Points

Can you think of other moments in literature (or other media, such as cinema) in which an all-powerful character initially ‘plays possum’ or feigns naïveté when set upon by a gang of toughs, only to emerge victoriously? What makes this scenario so attractive?

obstipesco, -ere, obstipui	to be stupefied; be amazed; struck dumb
moderamen, -inis, n.	means of managing; rudder, helm
ministerium, -ii, n.	office, function, service; administration
increpo, -are, increpui, increpitum	to make a noise; to upbraid loudly, chide
immurmuro, -are, -avi, -atum	to murmur in, at, or against
agmen, -inis, n.	multitude (in motion), group, band, army
scilicet (adverb)	it is evident, clear, plain, manifest of course, naturally, undoubtedly ironically: of course, doubtless, forsooth
subeo, -ire, -ii, -itum	to come or go under; to take the place of
expleo, -ere, -evi, -etum	to fill up; to complete, finish
diversus, -a, -um	different, opposite, contrary, conflicting
inludo, -ere, -si, -sum	to mock, ridicule; to play at
tamquam	as if
fraus, fraudis, f.	deceit, fraud, deception; offence, crime
puppis, -is, f.	the hinder part of the ship, stern
pontus, -i, m.	the sea
aduncus, -a, -um	hooked; curved
fleo, -ere, flevi, fletum	to weep, cry, shed tears
similis, -e (with gen. or, as here, dat.)	like, resembling, similar
mereo, -ere, -ui, -itum	to deserve, merit, be entitled to; earn
fallo, -ere, fefelli, falsum	to deceive, trick, dupe, cheat