Eusebius of Caesarea · a new plain-English translation from the Greek
1| Yet most people remain unconvinced. Even while they admit that there was a prophetess, the Erythraean Sibyl, they suspect that these verses were composed by someone of our own religion who was not without a share of the poetic Muse, that they are a forgery, and that they are said to be oracles of the Sibyl because they contain useful maxims that cut back the wide license of pleasure and lead the way to a temperate and orderly life.
2| But the truth lies in plain view, since the diligence of our own men has gathered the chronology with great precision, so that no one can suppose the poem was composed after the coming down of Christ and his judgment, or spread abroad the falsehood that the verses were foretold by the Sibyl long ago.
3| For it is agreed that Cicero came upon the poem, translated it into the language of the Romans, and included it among his own writings, and that he was put to death when Antony gained the upper hand; that Augustus in turn prevailed over Antony, and reigned fifty-six years. Tiberius succeeded him, and it was in his time that the presence of the Savior shone forth, the mystery of the most holy religion took hold, and the new succession of the people came into being, of which, I think, the most eminent of the poets of Italy speaks:
4| "Then from there a new multitude of men appeared." And again in another place in the Bucolics: "Sicilian Muses, let us sing of a great tidings." What could be clearer than this? For he continues: "The voice of the Cumaean oracle has come to its fulfillment," plainly hinting at the Cumaean Sibyl.
5| Nor was he content with this; he went still further, as though the need called for his testimony. And what does he say next? "Once more a sacred line of the ages rises for us; once more a virgin comes, bringing a beloved king."
6| Who, then, could the virgin be who returns? Is she not the one who was filled with the divine Spirit and became pregnant by it? And what prevents her who was pregnant by the divine Spirit from being a maiden always and remaining a virgin? She will return a second time when God also comes a second time and relieves the world. And the poet adds:
7| "And the child newly born, O light-bearing moon, who grants a golden race in place of the iron one, worship him. For under his rule all the wounds of mortals are healed, and the groans of sinners are lulled to rest."
8| We understand, then, that these things were said at once openly and in a hidden way, through allegories: for those who examine the force of the verses more deeply, the divinity of Christ is brought into view,
9| but so that none of those in power in the imperial city could accuse the poet of writing against the ancestral laws and of casting out what the forefathers had long held about the gods, he veils the truth. For he knew, I think, the blessed rite that bears the Savior's name; but to avoid the savagery of their cruelty, he led the minds of his hearers toward what they were accustomed to, and says that altars must be set up, temples built and sacrifices performed for the newly born child. And in keeping with this he brought in the rest as well, for those who understand. For he says:
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