The Sibyl · a new plain-English translation from the original language
appearing out of Syria, and he will accomplish everything by deceit.
And then a city sacred to the sun will stand; encircling it,
the Persians will endure the fearful threats of the Phoenicians.
But when in turn two war-swift lords of the mighty Romans shall rule, of whom the one will hold
the number seventy, and the other a third number;
and then a high-necked bull, digging with its hooves
the earth, and stirring up dust with its two horns,
will do much harm to a dark-colored creeping thing
dragging its coiled, scaly length; but it too will perish.
And after this a fair-horned stag, another again, will come
hungry through the mountains, eager to devour in its belly
venom-shooting beasts; then will come, sent by the sun,
a terrible and fearsome lion, breathing much flame.
Then he in turn will destroy, with great and shameless daring,
the fair-horned swift stag and the greatest beast,
the fearsome venom-shooter, hissing many times,
and the goat that walks sideways; and glory follows him.
He himself, whole, unmarred, and insatiable,
will rule the Romans, and the Persians will be weak.
But Lord, king of the cosmos, God, put an end to the song
of our words, and grant a lovely song.