Whom does the writer invoke in this passage?


the gods


a man at war


the Muse


the Alban lords


The Aenid

by Virgil (excerpt)


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


Till he could found a city and bring home

His gods to Laetium, land of the Latin race,

The Alban lords, and the high walls of Rome.

Tell me the causes now, O Muse, how galled


From her old wound, the queen of gods compelled him—


To undergo so many perilous days

And enter on so many trials. Can anger

Black as this prey on the minds of heaven?