- Muse, recount to me the reasons; what deity was offended, or what was the queen of the gods grieving, that she should drive a man extraordinary in his piety to undergo so many misfortunes, to endure so many hardships. Do the heavenly spirits have such passions?
- O Muse, assist me and inspire my song, / the various causes and the crimes relate, / for what affronted majesty, what wrong / to injured Godhead, what offence so great / Heaven's Queen resenting, with remorseless hate, / could one renowned for piety compel / to brave such troubles, and endure the weight / of toils so many and so huge. O tell / how can in heavenly minds such fierce resentment dwell?
Muse, raconte-moi ces grands évènements ; / dis pourquoi de Junon les fiers ressentiments, / poursuivant en tous lieux le malheureux Énée, / troublèrent si longtemps la haute destinée / d'un prince magnanime, humain, religieux. / Tant de fiel entre-t-il dans les âmes des dieux !