15 RITCHIE’S FABULAE FACILES TRANSLATION - HERCULES 15 – HERCULES ESCAPES SACRIFICE

HERCULES 15 - HERCULES ESCAPES SACRIFICE

a)This vase painting depicts Hercules killing Busiris.

Dé Hercule haec etiam inter alia nárrantur.
Ólim dum iter facit, in fínís Aegyptiórum vénit.
Ibi réx quídam, nómine Búsíris, illó tempore régnábat;
híc autem vir crúdélissimus hominés immoláre cónsuéverat.
Herculem igitur corripuit et in vincula coniécit.
Tum núntiós dímísit et diem sacrifició édíxit.
Mox ea diés appetébat, et omnia ríte paráta sunt.
Manús Herculis caténís ferreís vinctae sunt,
et mola salsa in caput éius ínspersa est.
Mós enim erat apud antíquós salem
et fár capitibus victimárum impónere.
Iam victima ad áram stábat;
iam sacerdós cultrum súmpserat.
Subitó tamen Herculés mágnó cónátú
vincula perrúpit; tum íctú sacerdótem próstrávit;
alteró régem ipsum occídit.

b)

The words below have been selected for special attention.  For the words not included in this list pease refer to the WORDLIST in PAGES TOP RIGHT SIDE BAR. Points of grammar can be found in alphabetical order in ESSENTIAL GRAMMAR NOTES, also to be found in PAGES TOP RIGHT SIDE BAR.

Haec – these things. We know it is not feminine singular ‘this thing’ as it goes with the plural verb ‘narrantur’ meaning ‘they are told’.
dum iter facit - literally 'while he is making a journey' as dum is followed by a present tense even when the sense requires a past tense, so we might translate as 'when he was making a journey'. 
Finis – finis can mean end, and boundary; in the plural it often means ‘territory’.
Inter alia – an expression we use today straight from the Latin, ‘amongst other things’.
Olim – once, or once upon a time.
Iter facere – means to travel, or journey; notice present tense after dum whereas we would use a past tense in English.
Crudelissimus – is a superlative adjective meaning ‘most cruel’ or ‘very cruel’.
Consueverat – this is the pluperfect tense from the verb con-suesco, -suescere, -sueví, -suetus, which means to become accustomed; in tenses of completed action it means to have become accustomed, be accustomed or wont.
Corripuit – perfect tense from the verb corripio, -ripere, -ripui, -reptus [com- + rapió], seize, snatch, snatch up meaning here ‘he seized’.
Diem edixit – from die edere, to announce the date.
Appetebat – imperfect tense of appeto, -petere, -petiví, -petítus [ad + peto], to draw near, approach.
Rite – an adverb meaning duly, fitly, correctly.
Mola salsa - mola, -ae f. means meal, and salsus, -a, -um, means salted, (from sal, salt. n.), so together they mean ‘salted meal’ which refers to the Roman custom of sprinkling salted meal over the victim before being sacrificed.
Far, farris, n. – is another name for meal, or grain.
Sumpserat – pluperfect from the verb sumo, sumere, sumpsí, sumptus [sub + emo], to take under or up, take.
Culter, cultri, m. - knife.
Magno conatu – ablative of conatus, -us m., attempt, effort, from the verb conor, meaning with a great effort.


c)
Note: This section is not translated into idiomatic English but is intended, together with the notes, to give you the gist of the meaning; you can then come up with your own improved translation.

Dé Hercule haec etiam inter alia nárrantur.
These things are often told, amongst still other things, about Hercules.

Ólim dum iter facit, in fínís Aegyptiórum vénit.
Once while he was journeying, he came into the territory of he Egyptians.

Ibi réx quídam, nómine Búsíris, illó tempore régnábat;
Here a certain king, called Busiris, was reigning at that time;

híc autem vir crúdélissimus hominés immoláre cónsuéverat.
This very cruel man however was accustomed to sacrifice men.

Herculem igitur corripuit et in vincula coniécit.
And so he seized Hercules and threw him in chains.

Tum núntiós dímísit et diem sacrifició édíxit.
Then he sent messengers out and announced the day for the sacrifice.

Mox ea diés appetébat, et omnia ríte paráta sunt.
Soon the day was drawing near and everything was correctly prepared

Manús Herculis caténís ferreís vinctae sunt,
Hercules hands were bound by iron chains,

et mola salsa in caput éius ínspersa est.
and salted meal was sprinkled on his head.

Mós enim erat apud antíquós
For it was the custom with the ancients

salem et fár capitibus victimárum impónere.
To put salt and meal on the heads of the victims.

Iam victima ad áram stábat;
Now the victim was standing at the altar;

iam sacerdós cultrum súmpserat.
Now the priest had taken up the knife

Subitó tamen Herculés mágnó cónátú
Suddenly however, Hercules with a great effort

vincula perrúpit; tum íctú sacerdótem próstrávit;
broke his chains; then laid low the priest with a blow;

alteró régem ipsum occídit.
And with another (blow) killed the king himself.


d) The following section is as a) but without the stress marks for you to copy and: i) to see if you can put the long vowel marks in yourself ; ii) provide your own translation.


De Hercule haec etiam inter alia narrantur.
Olim dum iter facit, in finis Aegyptiorum venit.
Ibi rex quidam, nomine Busiris, illo tempore regnabat; hic autem vir crudelissimus homines immolare consueverat. Herculem igitur corripuit et in vincula coniecit. Tum nuntios dimisit et diem sacrificio edixit. Mox ea dies appetebat, et omnia rite parata sunt. Manus Herculis catenis ferreis vinctae sunt, et mola salsa in caput eius inspersa est. Mos enim erat apud antiquos salem et far capitibus victimarum imponere. Iam victima ad aram stabat; iam sacerdos cultrum sumpserat. Subito tamen Hercules magno conatu vincula perrupit; tum ictu sacerdotem prostravit;
altero regem ipsum occidit.

14 RITCHIE’S FABULAE FACILES TRANSLATION – HERCULES 14– THE MUSIC LESSON

HERCULES 14 – THE MUSIC LESSON

THIS IS A STATUE OF A CENTAUR; IT IS HALF HORSE AND HALF HUMAN.













a)

Herculés á pueró corpus suum díligenter exercébat; mágnam partem diéí in palaestrá cónsúmébat; didicit etiam arcum intendere et téla conicere. Hís exercitátiónibus vírés éius cónfírmátae sunt.
In músicá etiam á Linó centauró érudiébátur (centaurí autem equí erant sed caput hominis habébant); huic tamen artí minus díligenter studébat. Híc Linus Herculem ólim obiúrgábat, quod nón studiósus erat; tum puer írátus citharam subitó rapuit, et omnibus víribus caput magistrí ínfélícis percussit. Ille íctú próstrátus est, et pauló post é vítá excessit, neque quisquam posteá id officium suscipere voluit.

b)

The words below have been selected for special attention.  For the words not included in this list pease refer to the WORDLIST in PAGES TOP RIGHT SIDE BAR.

A puero, from a boy, ablative case.
Exercebat, is imperfect tense in Latin as this describes behaviour over a long time, or habitual behaviour.
In palaestra is ablative case after preposition ‘in’ as it means inside, if it were 'into' meaning motion towards the inside rather than in meaning place in which, the accusative case would be used.
Didicit, is perfect tense of disco, discere to learn.
Arcum intendere means to draw a bow from inendo, -ere, -endi, -tentus, to stretch out; stretch, draw, aim.
His exercitationibus, through these exercises, ablative case.
A Lino, is ablative case, by Linus.
Erudiebatur, is passive, ‘he was instructed’.
Huic arti is dative, ‘to this art’.
Obiurgo, -iurgare, -avi, -atus, means to, chide, scold, reproach it is imperfect to show that Linus was constantly scolding Hercules over a period of time.
Omnibus viribus is ablative meaning ‘with all his strength’.
Ictu, ablative, ‘by the blow’.
E vita excessit, he died or litterally, he departed from life, from excedo, -cedere, -cessí, -cessus, go out or forth, depart.
c)
Note: This section is not translated into idiomatic English but is intended, together with the notes, to give you the gist of the meaning; you can then come up with your own improved translation.

Herculés á pueró corpus suum díligenter exercébat;
From a boy Hercules assiduously exercised his body;

mágnam partem diéí in palaestrá cónsúmébat;
a large part of his day was taken up in the gym;

didicit etiam arcum intendere et téla conicere.
As he learned to draw a bow and throw a spear.

Hís exercitátiónibus vírés éius cónfírmátae sunt.
These exercises fortified his strength.

In músicá etiam á Linó centauró érudiébátur
And he was even instructed in music by Linus.

(centaurí autem equí erant sed caput hominis habébant);
(moreover the centaurs were horses but had the head of a man);

huic tamen artí minus díligenter studébat.
To this art however he gave less studious attention.

Híc Linus Herculem ólim obiúrgábat,
This Linus once scolded Hercules,

quod nón studiósus erat;
because he was not studious;

tum puer írátus citharam subitó rapuit,
when the angry boy suddenly snatched the lyre,

et omnibus víribus caput magistrí ínfélícis percussit.
And with all his strengh struck the head of the unfortunate teacher.

Ille íctú próstrátus est, et pauló post é vítá excessit,
He was prostrated by the blow and a short time afterwards he departed this life.

neque quisquam posteá id officium suscipere voluit.
Nor did anyone afterwards want to undertake this duty.

d) The following section is as a) but without the stress marks for you to copy and: i) to see if you can put the stress marks in yourself ; ii) provide your own translation.

Hercules a puero corpus suum diligenter exercebat;
magnam partem diei in palaestra consumebat;
didicit etiam arcum intendere et tela conicere.
His exercitationibus vires eius confirmatae sunt.
In musica etiam a Lino centauro erudiebatur
(centauri autem equi erant sed caput hominis habebant);
huic tamen arti minus diligenter studebat.
Hic Linus Herculem olim obiurgabat,
quod non studiosus erat;
tum puer iratus citharam subito rapuit,
et omnibus viribus caput magistri infelicis percussit.
Ille ictu prostratus est,
et paulo post e vita excessit,
 neque quisquam postea id officium suscipere voluit.

13 RITCHIE’S FABULAE FACILES TRANSLATION – HERCULES 13 – HERCULES AND THE SERPENTS

HERCULES 13 - HERCULES AND THE SERPENTS

a)

Íphiclés, fráter Herculis, mágná vóce exclámávit; sed Herculés ipse, fortissimus puer, haudquáquam territus est. Parvís manibus serpentís statim prehendit, et colla eárum mágná ví compressit. Tálí modó serpentés á pueró interfectae sunt. Alcména autem, máter puerórum, clámórem audíverat,et marítum suum é somnó excitáverat.Ille lúmen accendit et gladium suum rapuit;tum ad puerós properábat, sed ubi ad locum vénit,rem míram vídit, Herculés enim rídébat et serpentís mortuás mónstrábat.

b)

The words below have been selected for special attention.  For words not included in this list pease refer to the WORDLIST in PAGES TOP RIGHT SIDE BAR.

Herculis – genitive case to express ‘of Hercules’.
Magna voce – ablative case to express ‘in a loud (literally big, great) voice. This is called the 'ablative of manner'. Notice you do not always need to put the preposition ‘in’ as the ablative case on its own is enough.
Ipse – himself, see PERSONAL PRONOUNS in ESSENTIAL GRAMMAR NOTES at the top right under PAGES.
Fortissimus – superlative adjective meaning the most brave, very brave.
Parvis manibus – ablative case here used to express 'with his little hands', notice again that the preposition ‘with’ is not translated as the ablative case expresses ‘with’ on its own without ‘cum’. This is called the 'instrumental ablative'.
Magna vi – ablative case again to express ‘with’ meaning ‘with great force’; this is the ablative of manner again.
A puero – a with puero to express ‘by the boy’. Here, we use the preposition ‘a’ as we are dealing with ‘by + a human being’; as we have seen, with things we can leave the preposition out but not when we are referring to human beings being the agent of an action.
Interfectae sunt – passive form as the snakes were having an action done to them; they were were killed they were not ‘doing’ the action.


c)Note: This section is not translated into idiomatic English but is intended, together with the notes, to give you the GIST of the meaning; you can then come up with your own improved translation.

Íphiclés, fráter Herculis, mágná vóce exclámávit;

Iphicles, Hercules’ brother, cried out in a large voice,

sed Herculés ipse, fortissimus puer,

but Hercules himself, a most brave boy,

haudquáquam territus est.

Was not at all frightened.

Parvís manibus serpentís statim prehendit,

With his small hands he immediately seized the snakes

et colla eárum mágná ví compressit.

And with great strength squeezed their necks.

Tálí modó serpentés á pueró interfectae sunt.

In this way the snakes were killed by the boy.

Alcména autem, máter puerórum, clámórem audíverat,

Alcmena however, the mother of the boys, had heard the noise.

et marítum suum é somnó excitáverat.

And had roused her husband from his sleep.

Ille lúmen accendit et gladium suum rapuit;

He lit a light and grasped his sword,

tum ad puerós properábat, sed ubi ad locum vénit,

Then hurried to the boys, but when he came to the place,

rem míram vídit, Herculés enim rídébat

he saw something wonderful. For Hercules was smiling

et serpentís mortuás mónstrábat.

And he was showing him the dead snakes.

 

  d) The following section is for you to copy and compose your own translation.

Iphicles, frater Herculis, magna voce exclamavit;

sed Hercules ipse, fortissimus puer,

haudquaquam territus est.

Parvis manibus serpentis statim prehendit,

et colla earum magna vi compressit.

Tali modo serpentes a puero interfectae sunt.

Alcmena autem, mater puerorum, clamorem audiverat,

et maritum suum e somno excitaverat.

Ille lumen accendit et gladium suum rapuit;

tum ad pueros properabat, sed ubi ad locum venit,

rem miram vidit, Hercules enim ridebat

et serpentis mortuas monstrabat.

12 RITCHIE FABULAE FACILES TRANSLATION - HERCULES 12 - THE HATRED OF JUNO

HERCULES 12 – THE HATRED OF JUNO

THIS PICTURE IS OF JUNO AND JUPPITER
Hercules, a Greek hero celebrated for his great strength, was pursued throughout his life by the hatred of Juno. While yet an infant, he strangled some serpents sent by the goddess to destroy him. During his boyhood and youth he performed various marvelous feats of strength, and on reaching manhood succeeded in delivering the Thebans from the oppression of the Minyae. In a fit of madness sent upon him by Juno, he slew his own children; and on consulting the Delphic oracle as to how he should cleanse himself from this crime, he was ordered to submit himself for twelve years to Eurystheus, king of Tiryns, and to perform whatever tasks were appointed him. Hercules obeyed the oracle, and during the twelve years of his servitude accomplished twelve extraordinary feats known as the Labours of Hercules. His death was caused unintentionally by his wife Dejanira. Hercules had shot with his poisoned arrows a centaur named Nessus, who had insulted Dejanira. Nessus, before he died, gave some of his blood to Dejanira, and told her it would act as a charm to secure her husband's love. Some time after, Dejanira wishing to try the charm soaked one of her husband's garments in the blood, not knowing that it was poisoned. Hercules put on the robe, and after suffering terrible torments died, or was carried off by his father Jupiter.

a)
Herculés, Alcménae fílius, ólim in Graeciá habitábat. Híc omnium hominum validissimus fuisse dícitur. At Iúnó, régína deórum, Alcménam óderat et Herculem adhúc ínfantem necáre voluit. Mísit igitur duás serpentís saevissimás; hae mediá nocte in cubiculum Alcménae vénérunt, ubi Herculés cum frátre suó dormiébat. Nec tamen in cúnís, sed in scútó mágnó cubábant. Serpentés iam appropinquáverant et scútum movébant; itaque puerí é somnó excitátí sunt.

b)

Below are some words which have been chosen for special consideration. For the many other words not included in this list pease refer to the WORDLIST in PAGES TOP RIGHT SIDE BAR.

Scuto - shield , in scuto means ‘in a shield’, scuto being the ablative of the second declension noun scutum as the ablative is required after the preposition in meaning inside, in = place where.
omnium hominum. - Genitive case plural; this means 'of all men' in the sense of 'of all mankind.'
oderat - This verb is pluperfect and just as odi is perfect in form but present in meaning; the pluperfect here has the force of the imperfect verb, ‘she was hating’, ‘she hated’. Remember that Latin uses imperfect when referring to feelings in the past as it is descriptive of a state rather than recounting an event or action.
media nocte - ablative case, used here to indicate time when, with the idea of 'in the middle of the night,' 'in the dead of night.'
Nec tamen - 'not ... however… but' Latin uses nec and neque to connect the clauses.
movebant - Contrast this tense with appropinquaverant and excitati sunt.

c)
Note: This section is not translated into idiomatic English but is intended, together with the notes, to give you the gist of the meaning; you can then come up with your own improved translation.
Herculés, Alcménae fílius,
Hercules, son of Alcmena,
ólim in Graeciá habitábat.
once upon a time lived in Greece.
Híc omnium hominum
He of all men (mankind)
validissimus fuisse dícitur.
is said to have been the bravest.
At Iúnó, régína deórum,
But Juno, queen of the gods,
Alcménam óderat et
hated Alcmena and
Herculem adhúc ínfantem
Hercules from his infancy
necáre voluit.
she wanted to kill.
Mísit igitur duás serpentís saevissimás;
She sent therefore two most savage serpents;
hae mediá nocte
these, in the middle of the night,
in cubiculum Alcménae vénérunt,
came into the bedroom of Alcmena ,
ubi Herculés cum frátre suó dormiébat.
where Hercules with his brother was sleeping.
Nec tamen in cúnís,
However not in a cradle,
sed in scútó mágnó cubábant.
but in a large shield.they were lying.
Serpentés iam appropinquáverant
The serpents had just approached/come close
et scútum movébant;
and were moving the shield;
Itaque puerí é somnó excitátí sunt.
And so the boys were aroused from sleep.

d) The following section is for you to copy and compose your own translation.

Hercules, Alcmenae filius,

olim in Graecia habitabat.

Hic omnium hominum

validissimus fuisse dicitur.

At Iuno, regina deorum,

Alcmenam oderat

et Herculem adhuc infantem necare voluit.

Misit igitur duas serpentis saevissimas;

hae media nocte

in cubiculum Alcmenae venerunt,

ubi Hercules cum fratre suo dormiebat.

Nec tamen in cunis,

sed in scuto magno cubabant.

Serpentes iam appropinquaverant

et scutum movebant;

itaque pueri e somno excitati sunt.

11 RITCHIE'S FABULAE FACILES TRANSLATION - PERSEUS 11 - THE ORACLE FULFILLED with notes and interlinear translation

THE ORACLE FULFILLED

a)
Post haec Perseus cum uxóre suá
ad urbem Acrisí rediit. Ille autem ubi
Perseum vídit, mágnó terróre adfectus est;
nam propter óráculum istud nepótem suum
adhúc timébat. In Thessaliam igitur
ad urbem Lárísam statim refúgit, frústrá tamen;
neque enim fátum suum vítávit. Post paucós annós
réx Lárísae lúdós mágnós fécit; núntiós
in omnís partís dímíserat et diem édíxerat.
Multí ex omnibus urbibus Graeciae
ad lúdós convénérunt. Ipse Perseus inter aliós
certámen discórum iniit. At dum discum conicit,
avum suum cású occídit; Acrisius enim
inter spectátórés éius certáminis forte stábat.

b)

The words below have been selected for special attention.  For the words not included in this list pease refer to the WORDLIST in PAGES TOP RIGHT SIDE BAR.

Acrisi. In Nepos, Caesar, Cicero, and Vergil, the genitive singular of second-declension nouns in -ius and -ium_ ends in i, not ii; but the nominative plural ends in ii, and the dative and ablative plural in iis.
istud. Remember that iste is commonly used of something connected with the person addressed. Here the meaning may be 'that oracle I told you about earlier'.
Adhuc, up till now, up to this point, still.
neque enim, 'for ... not,' as if simply non enim, but Latin uses neque to connect the clauses.
in omnis partis, 'in all directions' or 'in every direction.'
Multi. Many men, example of adjective used as a noun.
discorum. The discus was a round, flat piece of stone or metal, and the athletes tried to see who could throw it farthest. 
casu. This is one of the ablatives of manner that do not take ‘cum’.
stabat. Notice the tense is imperfect.

c)
Note: This section is not translated into idiomatic English but is intended, together with the notes, to give you the gist of the meaning; you can then come up with your own improved translation.

Post haec Perseus cum uxóre suá
After this Perseus with his wife
ad urbem Acrisí rediit. Ille autem ubi
returned to the town of Acrisius. He however, when
Perseum vídit, mágnó terróre adfectus est;
he saw Perseus, was very afraid,
nam propter óráculum istud
for because of that oracle
nepótem suum adhúc timébat.
he was still afraid of his grandson.
In Thessaliam igitur ad urbem Lárísam
Into Thessaly therefore to the town of Larisa
statim refúgit, frústrá tamen;
he fled at once, however in vain;
neque enim fátum suum vítávit.
for his fate he did not avoid.
Post paucós annós réx Lárísae lúdós mágnós fécit;
After a few years the king of Larisa put on great games,
Núntiós in omnís partís dímíserat et diem édíxerat.
He had sent messengers in all parts and had proclaimed the day.
Multí ex omnibus urbibus Graeciae
Many people from all the towns of Greece
ad lúdós convénérunt. Ipse Perseus inter aliós
gathered at the games. Perseus himself among others
certámen discórum iniit. At dum discum conicit,
entered the discus competition. But when he threw the discus
avum suum cású occídit; Acrisius enim
he killed his grandfather by accident; for Acrisius
inter spectátórés éius certáminis forte stábat.
was by chance standing amongst the spectators of his competition.

d) The following section is for you to copy and compose your own translation.

Post haec Perseus cum uxore sua

ad urbem Acrisi rediit.

Ille autem ubi Perseum vidit,

magno terrore adfectus est;

nam propter oraculum istud

nepotem suum adhuc timebat.

In Thessaliam igitur

ad urbem Larisam statim refugit,

frustra tamen;

neque enim fatum suum vitavit.

Post paucos annos

rex Larisae ludos magnos fecit;

nuntios in omnis partis dimiserat

et diem edixerat.

Multi ex omnibus urbibus Graeciae

ad ludos convenerunt.

Ipse Perseus inter alios

certamen discorum iniit.

At dum discum conicit,

avum suum casu occidit;

Acrisius enim inter spectatores

eius certaminis forte stabat.

10 RITCHIE'S FABULAE FACILES TRANSLATION - PERSEUS 10 - POLYDECTES IS TURNED TO STONE with notes and interlinear translation

POLYDECTES IS TURNED TO STONE

a)
Postquam Perseus ad ínsulam návem appulit, sé ad locum contulit ubi máter ólim habitáverat, sed domum invénit vacuam et omnínó désertam. Trís diés per tótam ínsulam mátrem quaerébat; tandem quartó dié ad templum Diánae pervénit. Húc Danaé refúgerat, quod Polydectem timébat. Perseus ubi haec cógnóvit, írá mágná commótus est; ad régiam Polydectis sine morá contendit, et ubi eó vénit, statim in átrium inrúpit. Polydectés mágnó timóre adfectus est et fugere volébat. Dum tamen ille fugit, Perseus caput Medúsae mónstrávit; ille autem simul atque hóc vídit, in saxum versus est.

b)

 Below are some words selected for special consideration below. For the words not included in this list pease refer to the WORDLIST in PAGES TOP RIGHT SIDE BAR.

Appulit, perfect tense, 3^rd person sing, of appello, -pellere, -pulí, -pulsus [ad + pelló], drive to, bring to; with or without návem, put in. It is translated here as 'had moored' rather than 'moored' which is pluperfect because it follows postquam. 

Contulit, perfect tense, 3^rd person sing., of con-fero, cónferre, contulí, conlátus, bring together; grant, confer; sé cónferre, to betake oneself, make one's way, so means here ‘he made his way’.

quod, not the relative pronoun, but a conjunction meaning because.

eo, the adverb, in that place.

in atrium. Although inrupit means 'burst into,' the preposition is

nevertheless required with the noun to express the place into which he burst.

ille. See personal pronouns in ESENTIAL GRAMMAR NOTES, IN PAGES TOP RIGHT OF SIDE BAR.

Polydectes in Saxum versus est – accusative after in meaning into, Polydectes was turned into stone.

Dum, is followed by a present tense, so 'dum fugit' literally means 'while he flees' but would be translated with a past tense, so 'while he was fleeing'.

c)
Note: This section is not translated into idiomatic English but is intended, together with the notes, to give you the gist of the meaning; you can then come up with your own improved translation.

Postquam Perseus ad ínsulam návem appulit,

After Perseus had moored the boat at the island

sé ad locum contulit ubi máter

he took himself off to the place where his mother

ólim habitáverat, sed domum invénit vacuam

had once lived, but he found the house empty

et omnínó désertam. Trís diés per tótam ínsulam

and completely deserted.  For three days all through the island

mátrem quaerébat; tandem quartó dié

he was searching for his mother; at length on the fourth day

ad templum Diánae pervénit. Húc Danaé

he made his way to the temple of Diana. Here Danae

refúgerat, quod Polydectem timébat.

had taken refuge, because she feared Polydectes.

Perseus ubi haec cógnóvit, írá mágná commótus est;

Perseus when he found this out, felt great anger;

ad régiam Polydectis sine morá contendit,

without delay he hurried to Polydectes palace

et ubi eó vénit, statim in átrium inrúpit.

and when he arrived there, burst into the atrium at once.

Polydectés mágnó timóre adfectus est

Polydectes felt very afraid

et fugere volébat. Dum tamen ille fugit,

and wanted to flee. But as he was running away

Perseus caput Medúsae mónstrávit;

Perseus showed him the head of Medusa

ille autem simul atque hóc vídit,

but as soon as he saw it

in saxum versus est.

he was turned to stone.

d)This section is for you to copy and compose  your own translation.
Postquam Perseus ad insulam navem appulit,
se ad locum contulit ubi mater olim habitaverat,
sed domum invenit vacuam et omnino desertam.
Tris dies per totam insulam matrem quaerebat;
tandem quarto die ad templum Dianae pervenit.
Huc Danae refugerat, quod Polydectem timebat.
Perseus ubi haec cognovit, ira magna commotus est;
ad regiam Polydectis sine mora contendit,
et ubi eo venit, statim in atrium inrupit.
Polydectes magno timore adfectus est et fugere volebat.
Dum tamen ille fugit, Perseus caput Medusae monstravit;
ille autem simul atque hoc vidit, in saxum versus est.

09 RITCHIE'S FABULAE FACILES TRANSLATION - PERSEUS 09 - THE REWARD OF VALOUR with notes and interlinear translation

PERSEUS 09 - THE REWARD OF VALOUR

a)
Perseus postquam ad lítus déscendit, prímum tálária exuit; tum ad rúpem vénit ubi Andromeda vincta erat. Ea autem omnem spem salútis déposuerat, et ubi Perseus adiit, terróre paene exanimáta erat. Ille víncula statim solvit, et puellam patrí reddidit. Cépheus ob hanc rem máximó gaudió adfectus est. Meritam grátiam pró tantó benefició Perseó rettulit; praetereá Andromedam ipsam eí in mátrimónium dedit. Ille libenter hóc dónum accépit et puellam dúxit. Paucós annós cum uxóre suá in eá regióne habitábat, et in mágnó honóre erat apud omnís Aethiopés. Mágnopere tamen mátrem suam rúrsus vidére cupiébat. Tandem igitur cum uxóre suá é régnó Cépheí discessit.

b)Below are some words which have been selected for special attention. For the words not included in this list please refer to the WORDLIST in PAGES TOP RIGHT SIDE BAR.

Vincta erat – ‘was tied up, was bound, was chained’.
Ea - she pronoun. See is, ea, id in ESSENTIAL GRAMMAR NOTES in Pages, top of right side bar.
Salutis - notice that ‘is’ is not a long vowel and is therefore genitive meaning ‘of safety’; compare with ‘omnís’ which has the final ‘is’ accented as a long vowel and indicates that it is the alternative spelling of the accusative plural.
exanimata - used here as a predicate adjective which means it is joined to the subject of the sentence ‘ea’ meaning ‘she’ (Andromeda) by a form of the verb sum and therefore agrees with the subject.
Ille – personal pronoun meaning ‘that man’ or ‘he’. See ille, illa, illud ESSENTIAL GRAMMAR notes, top of right side bar. 
rettulit - 'To give thanks' or 'thank' is usually ‘gratias agere’, ‘gratiam referre’ means 'to show one's gratitude.'
praetereá - adv.conjunction, ‘besides this, besides, moreover’.
Ei - pronoun dative, to him. See is, ea, id in ESSENTIAL GRAMMAR top of right side bar.
duxit - This word came to mean 'marry,' because the bridegroom 'led' his bride in a wedding procession to his own home. It will be seen, therefore, that it can be used only of the man.
Paucos annos - For few years, accusative of duration of time.

c)Note: This section is not translated into idiomatic English but is intended, together with the notes, to give you the gist of the meaning; you can then come up with your own improved translation.

Perseus postquam ad lítus déscendit, Perseus after he had descended on to the shore,
prímum tálária exuit; tum ad rúpem vénitfirst took off his sandals, then he came to the rock
ubi Andromeda vincta erat.where Andromeda was tied up.
Ea autem omnem spem salútis déposuerat,She however had given up all hope of safety
et ubi Perseus adiit, and when Perseus approached,
terróre paene exanimáta erat.she almost fainted with terror.
Ille víncula statim solvit,He released her bonds at once
et puellam patrí reddidit.and returned the girl to her father.
Cépheus ob hanc remCepheus because of this
máximó gaudió adfectus est.was moved with great joy.
Meritam grátiam pró tantó beneficióDeserved gratitude for such great kindness
Perseó rettulit;he showed Perseus
praetereá Andromedam ipsam moreover Andromeda herself
eí in mátrimónium dedit.he gave to him in marriage.
Ille libenter hóc dónum accépitHe gladly accepted this gift
et puellam dúxit.and married the girl.
Paucós annós cum uxóre suáFor a few years with his wife
in eá regióne habitábat,he lived in this region,
et in mágnó honóre erat apud omnís Aethiopés.And he was held in great honour among all the Ethiopians.
Mágnopere tamen mátrem suam rúrsus vidére cupiébat.But he really wanted to see his mother again.
Tandem igitur cum uxóre suáAt length therefore with his wife
é régnó Cépheí discessit.he left the kingdom of Cepheus.

d)This section is for you to copy and compose your own translation.

Perseus postquam ad litus descendit,
primum talaria exuit;
tum ad rupem venit ubi Andromeda vincta erat.
Ea autem omnem spem salutis deposuerat,
et ubi Perseus adiit,
terrore paene exanimata erat.
Ille vincula statim solvit,
et puellam patri reddidit.
Cepheus ob hanc rem maximo gaudio adfectus est.
Meritam gratiam pro tanto beneficio Perseo rettulit;
praeterea Andromedam ipsam
ei in matrimonium dedit.
Ille libenter hoc donum accepit et puellam duxit.
Paucos annos cum uxore sua
in ea regione habitabat,
et in magno honore erat apud omnis Aethiopes.
Magnopere tamen
matrem suam rursus videre cupiebat.
Tandem igitur cum uxore sua e regno Cephei discessit.
 

08 RITCHIE FABULAE FACILES TRANSLATION - PERSEUS 08 - THE RESCUE

PERSEUS 08 - THE RESCUE with notes and interlinear translation

a)At Perseus ubi haec vídit, gladium suum édúxit, et postquam tálária induit, in áera sublátus est. Tum désuper in mónstrum impetum subitó fécit, et gladió suó collum éius graviter vulnerávit. Mónstrum ubi sénsit vulnus, fremitum horribilem édidit, et sine morá tótum corpus in aquam mersit. Perseus dum circum lítus volat, reditum éius exspectábat. Mare autem intereá undique sanguine ínficitur. Post breve tempus bélua rúrsus caput sustulit; mox tamen á Perseó íctú gravióre vulneráta est. Tum iterum sé in undás mersit, neque posteá vísa est.

b)  We have picked out some words for consideration below. For the words not included in this list please refer to the WORDLIST in PAGES TOP RIGHT SIDE BAR.

suum, eius - Remember to distinguish carefully between these words. ‘Suus’ is used of something belonging to the subject, ‘eius’ of something belonging to some other person or thing just mentioned. Gladium suum means ‘his sword’ i.e. belonging to the subject. Compare this with ‘Eius collum’ which means ‘his neck’, or ‘its neck’, meaning the monster’s; if Perseus had wounded ‘collum suum’ that would mean he had wounded his own neck.
sustulit. -  Notice that the perfect forms of ‘tollo’ are the same as those of ‘suffero (sub + fero)’, 'endure.'
desuper - from above
impetum fecit – ‘he charged’; ‘he made an attack’, from impetum facere.
Gladio suo - with his sword, the ablative case here is ablative of the instrument.
Edidit – ‘emitted, gave forth, let out’.
Reditum eius – ‘its return’, i.e. the monster’s return (see suum, eius above).
neque - here translated 'and ... not.' Neque is often used for ‘et non’.

c) Note: This section is not translated into idiomatic English but is intended, together with the notes, to give you the gist of the meaning; you can then come up with your own improved translation.

At Perseus ubi haec vídit, gladium suum édúxit,

But Perseus when he saw this, drew his sword

et postquam tálária induit, in áera sublátus est.

and after he put on his sandals, was carried up into the air.

Tum désuper in mónstrum impetum subitó fécit,

Then from above he suddenly charged the monster

et gladió suó collum éius graviter vulnerávit.

And with his sword seriously wounded its neck.

Mónstrum ubi sénsit vulnus, fremitum horribilem édidit,

The monster when it felt the wound, let out a horrible roar,

et sine morá tótum corpus in aquam mersit.

And without delay sunk its whole body into the water.

Perseus dum circum lítus volat, reditum éius exspectábat.

Perseus while he is flying around the shore was awaited its return.

Mare autem intereá undique sanguine ínficitur.

And the sea in the meantime is turning to blood in all directions.

Post breve tempus bélua rúrsus caput sustulit;

After a short time the sea monster again raised its head

mox tamen á Perseó íctú gravióre vulneráta est.

but soon by a more serious blow from Perseus it was wounded.

Tum iterum sé in undás mersit,

Then again it plunged itself into the waves,

neque posteá vísa est.

and afterwards was not it seen again.

d)This section is for you to copy and compose your own translation.

At Perseus ubi haec vidit, gladium suum eduxit,

et postquam talaria induit, in aera sublatus est.

Tum desuper in monstrum impetum subito fecit,

et gladio suo collum eius graviter vulneravit.

Monstrum ubi sensit vulnus,

fremitum horribilem edidit,

et sine mora totum corpus in aquam mersit.

Perseus dum circum litus volat,

reditum eius exspectabat.

Mare autem interea undique sanguine inficitur.

Post breve tempus belua rursus caput sustulit;

mox tamen a Perseo ictu graviore vulnerata est.

Tum iterum se in undas mersit, neque postea visa est.