803-5. The Volsci occupied the coast of Latium, below Antium. Of the noble Amazon Camilla, one of Virgil's finest characters, we shall see more hereafter. 'florentes ære,' shining in brass: colo- Minervæ,' to the distaff or milkpail, toils presided over by Minerva; see note to Book V. 284.

807. cursu— - ventos,' and outstripped the winds by her speed.

808-11. "Flies o'er the unbending corn, and skims along the main." Pope. A lively hyperbole to express the great swiftness of the Amazon. 'fluctu tumenti,' hanging over the swelling wave: 'celeres · plantas,' without wetting her swift feet in the sea.

814-17. ut-myrtum,' how the purple cloak, a royal badge, covers her fair shoulders; how a golden clasp binds together her hair; how she carries a Lycian quiver, and a shepherd's spear of myrtle wood with an iron point. See note to Geor. II. 447. Lycia being famous for archers, a Lycian quiver or bow signified merely an instrument of superior make.

This book is far less interesting than any of the preceding ones. The story makes some progress, but the incidents are not of a lively character, nor are they narrated with much spirit. One cause, why the modern reader derives less pleasure from this book, is the great learning displayed in it respecting the antiquities of Italy. We know little about the history, customs, and religion of the various tribes, that inhabited this country before the time of the Romans, and a minute account of a few particulars of this sort gives less pleasure, because we have no collateral information where with to explain and complete the description, and because it suggests few passages from ancient story and fable, with which we were previously familiar. The contemporaries of the poet, of course, were better informed on these points, and felt a livelier interest in events, with which they were more nearly connected in time. And they were curious, as every nation is, respecting the early history of their own land. Virgil has done something, also, to obviate the difficulty, by interweaving well-known Greek fables with his narrative, whenever tradition or the course of the story admitted such a mixture.

THE ENEID.

BOOK VIII.

TURNUS gives the signal for war, and sends a messenger to king Diomed, to entreat his assistance against the common enemy. Æneas, by the advice of the Tiber-god, sails up the river to the spot where Rome was afterwards founded, and implores the aid of king Evander, who had come from Arcadia, and founded a city on mount Palatine. Evander receives him kindly, and admits him to the festival which he was holding in honor of Hercules, to commemorate the victory of that hero over the robber Cacus. Eneas receives information respecting some remarkable places in the vicinity, and the traditions and religious rites of the country. The next day, he obtains from Evander a band of four hundred horsemen, commanded by Pallas, the king's son. A portion of these troops he sends down the river, and goes with the remainder to Agylla, to form an alliance with the revolted subjects of Mezentius. In the mean time, Venus had persuaded her husband Vulcan to forge a magnificent suit of armor for Æneas, and the goddess herself carries it to her son. A minute description of the shield is

given, on which the god had sculptured many events that were to happen to the Romans. Much of the sculpture relates to the glory of Augustus, his victory over Antony being particularly commemorated.

1. The Romans were wont to give the signal for war, when the danger was close at hand, by hanging out a banner from the citadel. Turnus does this in the present case, because king Latinus had made him director of affairs. · Ut,' when, as soon as.

3. concussit,' excited, spurred up: impulit arma'; referring to the custom of striking the shield with the spear, before a battle.

5-9. Conjurat,' takes the military oath, comes together in arms. For Ufens, Messapus, and Mezentius, see Book VII. 745, 691, and 648, and notes. 'vastant,' deprive. The city of the great Diomed was called Argyrippa, in Apulia. This prince, after the Trojan war, was induced by domestic trouble to abandon Greece, and lead a colony into Italy, where he founded this city.

10-3. et Edoceat Latio- Teucros,'and inform him, that the Trojans were establishing themselves in Latium: fatis · posci,' saying that he was called thither by the fates to be king.

15-8. What he (Eneas) intended by these undertakings, and what he desired to be the issue of the contest, if fortune should favor him, would appear more plainly to Diomed himself, than to king Turnus or Latinus. The insinuation is, that the Trojans, after conquering Latium, would turn their arms against their old enemy, Diomed. Talia,' 'ge

rebantur' understood.

20-1. Repeated from Book IV. 285-6; see note.

22-4. A fine comparison to illustrate an unsettled state of mind. As when the quivering glimmer of water, in a brazen vessel, reflecting the sun or the image of the shining moon, &c.: 'labris'; the rim of a vessel for the vessel itself; see Geor. II. 6. sub auras,' upwards.

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28. in ripâ,' on the bank of the Tiber: gelidi-axe,' in the open air, cool in the night time; sub Jove frigido '; Horace.

31-4. senior deus - amano,' the old Tiber himself, the deity of the spot, with his pleasant stream: Huic Visus,' appeared to him: Populeas inter frondes'; the banks were covered with poplars. 'eum -Carbasus,' a green robe of fine linen was wrapped round him, as a covering. 38-9. Exspectate,' waited for, because predicted by the fates: 'certa,' appointed, sure: ne absiste,' do not shrink back. 41. Concessere,' has subsided, is appeased.

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43-6. Repeated from Book III. 390-3; see the note.

47. Thrice ten years having elapsed after the period of finding this omen, Ascanius shall found Alba Longa, so called from this 'alba sus'; 'quo' belonging to 'tempore' understood.

49-54. Nunc victor,' now, in what way you may triumphantly overcome the danger, which is at hand. Evander, an Arcadian king, had emigrated to Italy, and built a city called Pallanteum, after Pallas, one of his ancestors. It was situated on mount Palatine, the name of which was derived from the city. Though a Greek by origin, he would make common cause with the Trojans against the Latins, who hated and made war upon the new comers. In this order: Arcades, genus - profectum, Delegêre locum his oris,' &c.

57-9. I myself will conduct you by my banks and the direct course of my stream. Adversum amnem,' the counter current of the river, as Eneas must sail up the stream. 'primis-astris'; that is, at early dawn, when the stars begin to disappear.

61. victor'; when you have conquered all your foes.

65-6. Here Rome shall rise, my great home, the chief of splendid cities. In prophecy, the present is used for the future. lacu here signifies the depths of the river.

69.cavis palmis ritè,' in the hollow of his hands, in due form.

71. 'genus est'; because the nymphs presided over streams. 74-8. Quo tenet,' in whatever fountain thy stream detains thee, pitying our misfortunes; Quo cumque,' by tmesis. honore meo with sacrifices offered by me. Corniger'; river gods were usually represented with horns. 'tua-firmes, bring to pass your prediction. 82-4. Candida sus Procubuit per albo,' a white sow was found lying in the wood, of the same color with its white offspring. 'enim,' for 'utique'; others regard it as expletive.

86-7. Tybris-Leniit,' the Tiber on that night, through its whole length, quieted its swollen stream: ' refluens,' flowing back; that is, stopping the impetuosity of its current, so that the ships might row up the stream, as easily as in stagnant water.

'rumore secundo,'

89-90. æquor aquís,' the surface of its waters. with a favorable plashing of the waters; the current murmuring round the keel seemed to help the ship onwards.

92-4. A fine picture of the painted ships and glittering arms shining out amid the dark foliage, on the banks of the solitary stream. 'insuetum,' wondering, because unaccustomed to such a sight. noctem fatigant,' they spend the whole night and the next day.

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98-100. At last, they arrive at the spot where Rome was afterwards built, and there find the humble settlement of Evander. ' rara,' scattered here and there: cœlo Equavit,' has made as high as heaven in glory and magnificence: res inopes,' a humble kingdom.

102-3. honorem,' festival: Amphitryoniadæ magno,' to the great son of Amphitryon; to Hercules, who here slew the robber Cacus. 108. et remis,' and the men plying silently their oars.

110. 'mensis'; the tables spread for the feast after the sacrifice. 112-4. ‘e tumulo,' from an eminence on the river's bank. 'Qui, 'estis' understood: genus'; Gr. § 234. II. an arma,' or war.

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117-21. You see men of Trojan descent, and weapons hostile to the Latins, and therefore friendly to you, who war with the Latins: 'profugos,' wanderers, exiles: 'egêre,' they have driven away: 'superbo bello,' with cruel war. Ferte hæc,' carry this message: 'rogantes'; Gr. § 274. Rem. 2. 'tanto nomine'; the fame of the Trojans was known over the world.

123-4. Penatibus'; put for the home over which the Penates presided: hospes,' as a guest. amplexus inhæsit,' expressing the heartiness with which the hand was grasped.

128. vittà comptos ramos,' branches ornamented with fillets, the tokens of a suppliant.

130. And because you were allied by family to the two sons of Atreus. Agamemnon and Evander were both descendants of Atlas.

132-3. Cognati patres,' our common ancestry; Æneas claims kindred with Evander, because they were both descended from Jove, — the former through Dardanus, the latter through Mercury. 'fatis-volen

tem,' have brought me here through fate, a willing guest.

135. Born, as the Greeks affirm, from Electra, the daughter of Atlas. 139-40. Brought forth, having conceived him on the cold top of Cyllena; see note to Geor. I. 337. 'auditis credimus,' if we may believe

what we have heard.

143-4. His fretus,' relying on this relationship: 'non,'' misi' understood. neque pepigi, nor have I made with art preliminary negotiations with you, but have boldly thrown myself into your power. 146-7. Daunus, father of Turnus, gave his own name to the Rutuli. 'Insequitur,' nos' understood: nos- - credunt,' if they should drive us away, they believe there will be nothing to hinder them.

149. And they may possess Italy from the sea which washes it from above, towards the north, the Adriatic, to that which lies below,or southward, the Tuscan sea.

151. 'et-juventus,' and young men renowned for their deeds.

155.-6. ut recordor,' how well I remember the words of your father, both the voice and the countenance of the great Anchises. He goes on to say, that in former years Priam once came to Salamis, to visit his sister Hesione, the wife of Telamon; and afterwards visited Arcadia, bringing with him Anchises and other noble Trojans. Such reminis cences of old men, respecting their friendships in early youth, are often introduced by Homer.

160-2. Early youth then clothed my cheeks with down: vestibat'; Gr. § 162. 2. Laomedontiaden'; Priam, the son of Laomedon. 165. I accosted him, and eagerly conducted him to the city of Pheneus, in the northern part of Arcadia. Phenei'; a trisyllable.

169. Therefore the right hand, which you ask for, has already been joined by me in alliance to your house; mihi'; Gr § 225. II.

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171-3. opibus; that is, soldiers and other means of waging war. Meanwhile, since you have come hither as friends, celebrate with proper demeanor this religious festival, which it is a crime to put off; faventes' properly means abstaining from words of ill omen, as became those who were engaged in solemn ceremonies.

176-8.ipse,' Evander: 'gramineo sedili' and 'solio acerno' show the simplicity and humbleness of Evander's pastoral kingdom. The contrast between this picture and the future magnificence of Rome must be kept in mind.

181-3. Dona - Cereris,' loaves of prepared corn: 'Bacchum,' wine. 'Perpetui,' whole: lustralibus,' which remained from the sacrifice.

185-9.Non-Imposuit,' no idle superstition, unconnected with the ancient gods, has imposed upon us these rites, &c.; we have not without good cause introduced this new ceremony among the older rites. 'Servati,' because preserved: novamus,' we repeat annually.

190-1.saxis rupem'; the rocky summit of mount Aventine is the place referred to. Disjecte moles,' how the large masses of rock have been thrown far asunder.

194. Caci facies,' instead of 'Cacus.' He was a robber of gigantic size, able to vomit forth smoke and fire, who dwelt in a cave on mount Aventine, and harassed the neighbouring people. When Hercules returned from Spain with spoils of Geryon, see note to Book VII. 662, Cacus stole some of his oxen, and the hero sought him out and killed him, in the manner which the poet here goes on to narrate. 'Sem'hominis'; Gr. § 305.

197. Ora'; heads of victims, hung up at the entrance of the cave. 200. Time at length brought to us also, when desiring relief, &c. Hercules had previously released many from danger and suffering. 203. Alcides; a name of Hercules, derived from Alceus, his grandfather. 'hâc,' through this region.

205-6. 'ne-fuisset,' that no kind of crime or stratagem might be undared or unperformed by him; 'quid sceleris'; Gr. § 205. Rem. 9. 209-11. And, that there might no footsteps with the feet turned the right course, having dragged them by the tail into the cave, and the indications of their route being thus inverted, he concealed these stolen animals in a dark recess of the rock.

212-3. Quærenti,' to one seeking for them: 'stabulis,' with pasture. 216. 'relinqui '; the lowing, echoed by the hills, may be said to leave them.

219-22. Hic-dolor,' then truly, the grief of Hercules at his loss burst forth into rage and furious passion: Robur,' an oaken stake: 'ætherii ardua montis,' the top of the high mountain. nostri,' our people. 226-9.arte paternâ'; by the art of Vulcan, who forged the chains that usually held up the rock; these being broken, the rock fell down and barred up the entrance. 'fultos postes emuniit,' for muniit fores' simply. Tirynthius'; see note to Book VII. 662. 'huc-illuc,' cast a glance here and there.

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233. A projecting rock,præcisis saxis' refers to its steepness on all sides, - stood out from the roof of the cave, overhanging the Tiber. Throwing this into the river, Hercules effected a breach, and entered the cave from above.

236-7. ut concussit,' as inclining from the mountain, it hung over the river on its left, he, pushing against it from the right, shook it, &c. 240. Dissultant'; the banks are said to leap apart, because the river, swollen by the addition of such a mass, overflowed them.

243-6.Non-sedes,' just as if, from some internal force, the earth, gaping asunder far down, should lay open the infernal habitations. The crash of the rock thus thrown down is compared to that of an earthquake opening a deep chasm in the ground. 'supèr — Cernatur,' from above a vast abyss may be seen.

248. insueta rudentem,' bellowing forth strange sounds.

250-1.molaribus' means simply large stones, and 'ramis,' trunks of trees. Ille,' Cacus: neque pericli,' for now no refuge from the danger remains to him; 'supèr,' 'est' understood.

254-5. glomerat tenebris,' gathers smoky night in the cave, darkness mingled with flame.

257-8. 'quâ — agit,' where the thickest smoke rolls its folds.

260-3. Lays hold, clasping him in his arms as in a knot, and sticking close, throttles him, till his eyes start out and his throat is deprived of blood. abjuratæ,' disclaimed with oaths; Cacus had sworn that he knew nothing of the oxen.

266-70. villosa-semiferi,' and the breast of the half beast, shaggy with bristly hair. 'Ex illo,' since that time: honos,' the festival of Hercules: minores,' posterity: 'primus auctor,' Potitius first advised us to institute this rite. And the Pinarian family, the guardian of the festival of Hercules. The Pinarii and Potitii, two powerful families at Rome, long presided over the rites of Hercules.

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273-6.tantarum — laudum,' in honor of such a noble action, — to commemorate this deed of Hercules. porgite'; a libation was poured from a cup held with the outstretched arm: 'Communem,' common to the Trojans and Arcadians: date,' pour out. 'bicolor'; the under side of a poplar leaf differs in hue from the upper.

280. Meanwhile, the evening star comes nearer, the firmament of day declining towards the west; alluding to the revolution of the heavens. 282-3. Pellibus cincti'; probably in imitation of the garb of Hercules. secundæ mensæ'; the second course at table is referred to.

285. Salii'; properly leapers; a name common at first to all priests who danced and sang, but afterwards confined to the priests of Mars. ad cantus,' chanting hymns.

287-8. Hic-senum,' one chorus was of youths, another of old men : "ferunt,' celebrate : novercæ'; Juno, being the wife of Jove, was step-mother to Hercules. She sent two serpents to destroy him while in the cradle; but the infant strangled them both.

290-2. Ut idem,' how he also conquered cities. 'Trojam'; see note to Book II. 642. The king of Echalia, in Thessaly, promised Hercules his daughter in marriage, and then broke his word; whereupon the hero captured his city. Hercules was the offspring of an amour between Jupiter and Alcmena, the wife of Amphitryon. Eurystheus was a king of Argos, whose birth Juno hastened by two months, that he might be born before Hercules, for Jupiter had ordained that the younger of the two should serve the other. Eurystheus used his privilege by appointing the twelve tasks, the performance of which formed "the labors of Hercules." "mille,' indefinitely, for a great number : ‘fatis,' through the power of.

293-5. Hylæum, Pholum'; see note to Geor. II. 456. nubigenas'; note to Book VII. 674. 'bimembres'; because half man, half horse. 'Cresia Prodigia,' the Cretan monster,—a wild bull of great