Book 7.59-70
In the middle of Latinus' palace was a sacred laurel tree. A swarm of bees settled at the top of this tree. The omen was interpreted.
Laurus erat tecti medio in penetralibus altis,
59
sacra comam multosque metu servata per annos,
60
quam pater inventam, primas cum conderet arces,
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ipse ferebatur Phoebo sacrasse Latinus
62
Laurentisque ab ea nomen posuisse colonis.
63
Huius apes summum densae (mirabile dictu),
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stridore ingenti liquidum trans aethera vectae,
65
obsedere apicem, ex pedibus per mutua nexis
66
examen subitum ramo frondente pependit.
67
Continuo vates: “Externum cernimus,” inquit
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“adventare virum et partis petere agmen easdem
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partibus ex isdem et summa dominarier arce.”
70