Minor Latin poets; with introductions and English translations

AETNAt luliire fires yet [to make its look more imposingand its mental picture no unreal one]. Such is.Vrtna's scat, the field of phenomena so miglity:[such the enticing form and home of its hallowedactivity].Now my task demands who is the maker and whatthe cause of the conflagration—no cause that ofslight or trivial import. A thousand fires in a momentof time will set before you the true cause. Factsand your eyes instruct you : facts unaided compelbelief. Nay, they would instruct you by touch, wereit safe to touch. But flames forbid it; Aetna'sactivity has the protection of fire which preventsapproach, and the divine control over all is withoutwitness ; all such things you will descry from adistance. But there is no doubt what racks Aetnawithin or who is the marvellous artificer that directshandiwork so great. A cloud of burnt sand is drivenin a whirl ; swiftly rush the flaming masses ; from thedepth foundations are upheaved. Now bursts acrash from Aetna everywhere : now the flames showghastly pale as they mingle with the dark downpour.Afar off even Jupiter marvels at the mighty fires andtrembles speechless in his secret haunt, lest a freshbrood of Giants be rising to renew long-buried war orlest Pluto be growing ashamed of his kingdom andbe changing hell for heaven ; while outside all iscovered with heap on heap of rock and crumbling189 exutae CZ : exhaustae G : exustae ed. Ascens. 1507.glomeratur CHAV : glomerantur SR : glomeratim G : glomeranterEllis.20Stantum premit CSZ : tremit G : tacitus treinitBachrens, Ellis.377