did he take? Whom did he kill? Was he slain himself also? What is the character of this episode? At the return of day, what does Turnus do? In what way did the Trojans learn of the death of Nisus and Furyalus? 'What effect had the news upon the mother of Euryalus? How was she employed at that time? What effect had the sight of his head upon her? In what light may her lamentation be considered? What is the character of this sequel? Who among the ancients is said to have greatly admired it? By what troops was the assault commenced? What do you mean by the testudo, or target defence? On what occasion was that used? What was the character of this assault? Were the enemy repulsed in this attack? What feats of valor did Turnus perform? What effect had the burning of the tower upon the Trojans? By whom was it set on fire? i.. After this, was the assault renewed? Was any part of the Trojans, at this time, without the ramparts? Were they able to defend themselves? What did the sentinels at the gates do in this crisis? Why did they open the gates? Who were stationed as guard at the gates? Was he perceived at the time? Was the gate closed immediately on his entrance? What feats of valor does he here perform? Are the Trojans able to stand before him? What remark does the poet make after the admission of Turnus, and the closing of the gate? How does the poet account for this want of thought in the hero? By whom are the Trojans finally rallied, and brought again to the attack? What becomes of Turnus. How does he escape from them? Did he receive any injury from the host of weapons sent at him? By whom was Turnus assisted in his mighty achievements? Did he return in safety to his troops' LIBER DECIMUS. JUPITER calls a council of the gods, and forbids them to assist either side. On this occasion, Venus makes a very pathetic speech in favor of the Trojans, and entreats Jupiter to interfere in their favor, and not to suffer them to be entirely destroyed. Juno replies in a strain haughty and imperious, and attributes their misfortunes to their own folly and misconduct, and particularly to the conduct of Paris in the case of Helen; and insinuates that Eneas was playing the same game at the court of Latinus. Jupiter concludes their deliberations by a speech, in which he declares he will assist neither party, that success or disaster should attend their own actions. As soon as Æneas had concluded a treaty with the Tuscans, he hastens his return, accompanied by his allies. On his way he is met by a choir of nymphs: one of whom informs him of the transformation of his ships, of the attack of Turnus upon his camp, of the great slaughter he had made, and the distress to which his friends were reduced. When he arrives in sight of his camp, the Trojans shout for joy; and Turnus resolves to prevent their landing. Leaving a sufficient number to besiege the camp, he marches with the rest of his forces to the shore. Eneas divided his troops into three divisions, and, in that order, effected a landing. Here a general engagement commences, and Eneas performs prodigies of valor. The Arcadians were routed by the Latins. When Pallas perceives them give way, he hastens along the ranks, animates his men, and brings them again to the charge. Here he performs feats of valor. Lausus, who commanded one wing of the Latins, opposed him with equal skill and valor. Arcadian, Tuscan, and Trojan, fell before him. In the mean time, Turnus, informed of the havoc made by Pallas, determines to attack him in person. He proceeds against the youthful warrior, who, undaunted, meets him with strength and arms unequal. After the death of Pallas, a great slaughter of the Trojans ensues. Eneas, in an other PANDITUR intereà domus omnipotentis Olympi: NOTES. 1. Olympi. Olympus is a very high mountain in the confines of Thessaly and Macedonia, whose summit is above the clouds. Hence the poets made it the residence of Jove. Here they assigned him a sumptuous palace. The epithet omnipotens is added by way of eminence; that being the proper epithet of Jove, who had there his residence. The poet here imitates Homer, Iliad, lib. viii. 4. Aspectat: in the sense of despicit. Arduus: in the sense of sublimis. 5. Bipatentibus: opening both ways, to the right and left. 6. Cœlicola: in the sense of Superi. Quianam: in the sense of cur. The meaning is: why have ye changed your purpose of assisting neither party? Why do ye contend with so much animosity? and disregard my prohibition that the Italians should not oppose the Trojans? 8. Abnueram: I had forbidden the Italian nations, &c. This prohibition had not been 5 10 5. Supert considunt tectis bipatentibus. Jupiter ipse incipit sic 9. Que est hæc discordia contra meum vetitum? Quis metus suasit aut hos Italos, aut hos Teucros sequi mentioned by the poet before. On the contrary, Jove had declared that Eneas should carry on a great war in Italy, bellum ingens geret Italia. Æn. i. 263. It is probable that the poet would have corrected this passage, if he had lived to revise this part of his works. 10. Lacessere: in the sense of commovere, says Ruæus. Suasit: in the sense of impulit. Arma: by meton. for bellum. 11. Adveniet justum: the proper time for war will arrive, &c. Jove declares in council that the Italians had engaged in the war against the Trojans, contrary to his wish and inclination; that it was his desire Italy should open its bosom, and receive them in friendship and amity. But do not, ye gods, infer hence that I wish they should always escape the calamities of war. time will come in its proper season, nor do ye hasten it, when warlike Carthage shall bring a great destruction upon the Roman towers. Then you may indulge your ani The 16. Jupiter dixit hæc paucis verbis. Cùm fera Carthago Romanis arcibus olim O pater, ô hominum Divûmque æterna potestas! 15 20 19. Quid aliud numen (Namque aliud quid sit, quod jam implorare queamus?) sit, quod Cernis ut insultent Rutuli? Turnusque feratur Per medios insignis equis, tumidusque secundo Marte ruat? non clausa tegunt jam mænia Teucros : Quin intra portas, atque ipsis prælia miscent Aggeribus murorum, et inundant sanguine fossa. 25. Æneas ignarus Æneas ignarus abest. Nunquamne levari harum rerum abest. Obsidione sines? muris iterum imminet hostis NOTES. mosities, then you may foment discord; but now cultivate harmony, and practice good will toward each other. Carthage was the most powerful rival of Rome. It was a very flourishing and commercial state. The interests of the two nations soon began to interfere, and a war broke out between them. A naval battle was fought off Sicily, in which the Carthaginians were victorious; but the Romans had the advantage by land. A peace was concluded very much to the disadvantage of the former. The Carthaginians gave up all the islands between Africa and Italy, and agreed to pay 2,200 talents annually, for twenty years, to the Romans. This took place in the year of Rome 513. Twenty-four years after this, a second war broke out between the two rival powers. Hannibal was commander-in-chief of the Carthaginians. He led his army into Spain, which he subjugated as far as the Iberus. He thence passed over the Alps into Italy, where he defeated the Romans in several engagements, with great slaughter, and filled Rome itself with fear and consternation; and if he had marched directly to Rome, it would, in all probability, have fallen before his victorious arms. In this juncture of affairs, Fabius Maximus was made dictator; who, by his prudent measures, and, above all, by his declining a general engagement, and protracting the war, in some measure, recovered the Roman affairs. In the mean time, Scipio was sent into Africa to attack Carthage. Hannibal was recalled to defend his country. The Romans, however, were victorious, and Carthage became tributary. The intrepid Hannibal saved his life by fleeing his country. This war lasted seventeen years. In the third Punic war, as it was called, Carthage was utterly rased, under the younger Scipio, in the year of Rome 608. 12. Fera: warlike-fierce. 25 13. Apertas Alpes. Scaliger thinks per is to be supplied; meaning that the Carthaginians marched through or over the Alps. This to be sure is the true meaning: but the construction will not bear it. We must not throw away the atque. Both Dr. Trapp and Rumus understand the people of the Alps, whom Hannibal took with him. I can hardly think this to be the meaning. The expression is highly figurative and poetical. It represents Hannibal and his army pouring through the passages of the Alps, as if the mountains themselves were moved or sent against Rome. 14. Tum licebit, &c. The gods are here represented as divided and split into factions and parties. To calm their dissentions, Jove tells them a time will come when they may indulge their passions, and plunder and commit acts of violence. Dr. Trapp thinks the words licebit, &c. refer to the Trojans and Latins, on account of whom the gods were split into factions. It is common for writers, especially the poets, to ascribe the evil actions of men to the gods, under whose influence they were supposed to act. Res: the Roman state. Ruæus says, Trojanas res. 15. Sinite: be quiet-permit it to be so. Componite: in the sense of facite, vel conciliate. Placitum: in the sense of destinatum. Quod placet mihi, says Ruæus. 22. Tegunt: protect-defend, 23. Miscent: in the sense of committunt. 24. Ipsis aggeribus: on the very ramparts of the walls. 27. Nee non in the sense of quoque, vel etiam. Imminel: presses upon-besieges. Rumus says, instat. 28. Etolis Arpis. Arpi was a city of Apulia. It is called Etolian from Etolia, the country of Diomede, who led a colony into that part of Italy, and founded Arpi. L Tydides. Equidem, credo, mea vulnera restant: 35 31. Si Troes petiêre Italiam sinè 33. Sin fecerunt id secuti tot responsa oraculorum, quæ 35. Aut cur quisquam potest condere 39. Nunc etiam Juno 40 movet Quæ Superi Manesque dabant; cur nunc tua quisquam Et, quamcunque viam dederit fortuna, sequatur: NOTES. He was the son of Tydeus. Turnus sent to him with a view to engage him in the war, but without success, as will appear in the following book. Venus, to aggravate her case, would insinuate that a Grecian army was approaching the Trojan camp under the conduct of great Diomede. This is the hostis, and the alter exercitus, just mentioned. 29. Mea vulnera restant: my wounds remain. Ruæus thinks this is a reference to the wound she received from Diomede, when she rescued Æneas from the encounter with that hero. Iliad, v. 335. And she fears the same thing may happen again. This elucidates the words demoror mortalia arma. But Venus may speak in the name of the Trojans, considering their wounds and sufferings as her own. Demoror: in the sense of expecto. 31. Pace: permission or leave. Pace: in the sense of venia. Numine: in the sense of voluntate. 34. Manesque. This perhaps refers to the predictions and intimations, which Eneas had received from the ghosts of Hector, Anchises and Creusa. Manes, sometimes are taken for the infernal gods. It is here opposed to Superi, the gods above. 35. Fleclere: to avert or turn aside. Fata: purposes-decrees. Condere: to make--ordain-appoint. Ruæus says, statuere. 38. In Erycino litore: on the Sicilian 45 50 40. Alecto immissa in superis regionibus lucis 43. Dum fortuna fuit propitia: illi vincant 45. O genitor, obtestor te per fumantia excidia 52. Ascanius inglorius exigat ævum nic, armis positis. shore. See En. v. 660. Where the Trojan matrons, at the instigation of Iris, set fire to their ships. Repetam: in the sense of commemorem. 37. Regem: Eolus king of the winds. See En. i. 39. Manes movet. Here Manes plainly means the infernal powers, whom Juno roused up against the Trojans, when she called up Alecto from her dire abode. This was the first time Juno had recourse to the powers below, to assist her in the destruction of the Trojans. This will help us to understand the words: hæc sors rerum manebat intentata. Sors: in the sense of pars. 41. Bacchata: est is understood. 42. Moveor nil: I am not solicitous about empire-I am not moved, &c. 46. Liceat: may it be permitted me to remove (or take) Ascanius, &c. 50. Valeam: I would wish to be ableI could desire to be permitted. Tegere: to protect-rescue. 51. Amathus: gen. amathuntis; a city of the island of Cyprus. Hodie, Limisso. Paphos or Paphus; another city of the same island. Hodie, Paffo. Cythera: neu. plu. an island between the Peloponnesus and Crete. Idalium or Idalia: a city of Cyprus. All these places were sacred to Venus. 52. Domus; in the sense of sedes. obstabit 54. Nihil ortum inde Carthago premat Ausoniam : nibil urbibus inde evadere 57. Totque pericula Totque maris, vastæque exhausta pericula terræ, maris, vastæque terre Dum Latium Teucri, recidivaque Pergama quærunt? fuisse exhausta, dum Non satiùs cineres patriæ insedisse supremos, 61. Miseris Teucris Atque solum, quo Troja fuit? Xanthum et Simoenta 60 Cassandra impulsus furiis. Num linquere castra 70. Num persuasimus Num puero summam belli, num credere muros? num credere muros pu 65 70 NOTES. 54. Inde: hence-from Ascanius. He will not be in the way, or oppose the Tyrian city. 55. Pestem: destruction-ruin. 57. Exhausta: undergone-finished-exhausted to the very dregs. The verb esse, vel fuisse, is understood. 58. Recidiva. Davidson thinks recidiva, nere, means tottering again, or threatening a fall. But it also signifies, set up again after it is fallen, or rebuilt. Dr. Trapp takes it here in this sense. Commentators are not agreed upon the true import of the word. The whole speech of Venus is extremely artful, and well calculated to produce the desired effect. It is distinguished for its sweetness, tenderness, and pathos. 59. Non satiùs: would it not have been better for them to have settled upon, &c. The verb esset, vel fuisset, is understood. 62. Da, pater: grant, O, father, that they struggle again with the Trojan disasters; rather than continue in this state of suspense. These words, or words of the like import, appear to be requisite to complete the sense, and preserve the connexion. 63. Acta in the sense of impulsa vel agitata. 64. Obductum: in the sense of occultum. 67. Italiam petiit, &c. This speech of Juno is very different from that of Venus: the one is tender, persuasive, and pathetic; the other haughty, imperious, and sarcastic. In the beginning, she acknowledges that Eneas undertook his voyage at the direction of the gods; but she will have it, that it was particularly at the instance of Cassandra, the daughter of Priam, a prophetess whom nobody believed. Auctoribus: advisers persuaders, or the first movers. 68. Furiis: this Rumus interprets by vaticiniis. 70. Summam: the management-chief command. 71. Fidem, aut gentes, agitare, &c. This is a difficult passage, arising partly from the conciseness of the expression, and partly from the falsehood of the assertion. Commentators are generally agreed that fidem is to be taken for alliance or friendship, in the sense of fœdus. To connect agitare with it in that sense, we must take the verb in the sense of implorare, which it will hardly bear. But if we take fidem to mean the loyalty and allegiance, which the Tuscans bore to Mezentius their king; and there is no reason, why it may not; then agitare, in its common acceptation, to disturb, shake or unsettle, may be connected with it, as well as with quietas gentes. It was not true, however, that the nations to which Æneas applied for assistance were at peace. For both the Tuscans and Arcadians were at war with the Latins. Heyne takes agitare fidem, in the sense of solicitare societatem el fœdus. Quietas: at peace. 72. Quæ dura nostra: what rigid power of ours. This refers to the epithet dura, which Venus uses in relation to her, verse 44. Commentators generally take fraudem to mean detriment damage. Ruæus interprets it by damnum, and it may so mean here; for Juno, all along, reflects upon the false steps and bad management of Eneas. But it may also mean fraud, alluding to the attempt to draw the Tuscans from their allegiance to their king. Heyne takes fraudem in the sense of malum. Servius, in the sense of periculum. Davidson renders it |