dederant

65

70

75

lar or alder trees. Phaethontiadas. These were the sisters of Phaethon, or Phaëton, and daughters of the sun. They were sometimes called Heliades. Their names were Phaëthusa, Lampetie, and Lampethusa. Phaeton imprudently desired of his father the management of his chariot for one day. Phœbus refused for a long time. But, at last, overcome by his importunity, he consented. He was, however, soon convinced of his rashness; for the horses, perceiving an unusual driver, became impatient of the reins; and when they had passed the meridian in their course, and began to descend, he was no longer able to restrain them, and the youth was thrown headlong from the car into the Eridanus, or Po. His sisters grieved immoderately at this misfortune of their brother; and were changed, some say, into poplar trees, others say, into alder trees. See Ovid. Met. Lib. 2.

63. Circumdat. Ruæus says, cingit. Proceras: stately.

64. Permessi. Permessus, a river of Beotia, rising at the foot of mount Helicon. Gallum. See Ecl. 10.

65. In Aonas montes: to the Beotian mountains, Helicon and Citheron, famous for being the seat of the Muses. Beotia was originally called Aonia, from Aon, the son of Neptune, who reigned in that country.

66. Omnis chorus. Here Virgil pays Gallus a very high compliment as a poet; and he does it in the most delicate manner. They rose up in his presence, to do him honor: assurrexerit viro.

67. Linus. See Ecl. iv. 56. Carmine: in the sense of versibus.

70. Ascræo seni: to the Ascrean sage Hesiod; who was a native of Ascra, a town of Beotia not far from Helicon. He was a celebrated poet.

71. Quibus ille, &c. It is said of Orpheus, that the lofty oaks bowed their heads, and listened to the charms of his music. The same effects are ascribed here to the music of

Hesiod. It is the highest compliment that possibly could be paid him.

72. Grynai: an adj. from Grynium, a city of Eolis, where Apollo had a temple, built of white marble, and a grove. Here was a famous oracle.

74. Scyllam. There were two by the name of Scylla: one the daughter of Nisus, king of the Megarenses, who, falling in love with Minos, king of Crete, as he lay siege to Megara, betrayed her father to his enemy. For which deed, it is said, she was changed into a lark; while he was changed into a hawk. See nom. prop. under Nisus.

The other was the daughter of Phorcus. Some there are, who think Virgil here confounds the two, attributing to the former what properly belongs to the latter. But there will be no need of this, if we only supply the word eam, or illam.

The story of Scylla, the daughter of Phorcus, is briefly this: Glaucus, the sea god, fell in love with her, but she refused his addresses. In order to render her more favorable to him, he applied to the sorceress Circe; who, as soon as she saw him, became enamoured with him herself; and instead of affording him any assistance, endeavored to divert his affections from Scylla, and fix them on herself, but without any effect. For the sake of revenge, Circe poured the juice of some noxious herbs into a fountain, where Scylla used to bathe herself. And as soon as she entered it, to her great surprise, she found the parts below her waist changed into frightful monsters, like dogs, that were continually barking or making a growling noise. The rest of her body assumed an equally hideous form. This sudden and unexpected metamorphosis, filled her with such horror, that she threw herself into that part of the sea, which divides Sicily from Italy, where she became a rock, or rather a ledge of rocks. See Æn. iii. 420. Secuta est: reported. Loquar: in the sense of dicam.

76. Dulichias: an adj. from Dulichium, an island in the Ionian sea, forming a part of the kingdom of Ulysses. Dulichias rates: the ships of Ulysses.

78. Terei: gen. of Tereus, a king of Thrace, who married Procne, or Progne, daughter of Pandion, king of Athens. She had a sister by the name of Philomela, whom she tenderly loved. Finding herself unhappy in being separated from her, she desired her husband to go and bring her to Thrace. Accordingly he went to Athens; but as soon as he saw her, he was enamoured with her, and resolved to gratify his passion. This he did, and afterwards cut out her tongue, to prevent her from disclosing

the barbarous deed. He left her in confinement; and having taken every precaution to prevent its coming to light, he returned to his wife, and informed her that Philomela had died on the way. Not long after, however, she found otherwise. Philomela, during her captivity, described on a piece of tapestry her misfortunes and sufferings, and privately conveyed it to her sister, who hastened to her release. Here they concerted measures how to be revenged on Tereus. It was agreed that Progne should kill her son Itys, and serve him up for his father. In the midst of his meal, he called for his son, when his wife told him that he was then feasting on his flesh. At this moment, Philomela appeared, and threw the head of Itys on the table before him. At this moment he drew his sword, and was going to punish them both, when he was changed into a upupa, a bird called by some the hoopoë, by others, the lapwing; Philomela, into the nightingale; Progne, into the swallow; and Itys, into the pheasant. See Ovid. Met. Lib. 6.

candida inguina latrantibus monstris, vexâsse 78. Mutatos in upupam.

80. Et quibus alis infelix Tereus supervoli80 taverit tecta sua antè.

82. Ille Silenus canit omnia, quæ beatus Eurotas audiit, Phobo quondam meditante

84. Valles pulsæ cantu 85 referunt eum ad sidera: donec Vesper jussit pastores cogere oves

80. Cursu: in the sense of celeritate. Deserta: the deserts: loca, is to be understood desert places.

before his transformation-but his own no 81. Tecta sua antè: his palace his own longer. Tectum, is any covered place that is inhabited; from the verb tego.

32. Phœbo quondam meditante: Apollo, formerly singing. The poet here alludes to the fable of Apollo's being in love with the beautiful youth Hyacinthus, the son of Lacon; and in that state wandering along the banks of the Eurotas, singing upon his harp.

the Peloponnesus: its banks abounded in the 83. Eurotas. A very celebrated river of laurel. In its course, it forms nearly a semicircle, passing by the ancient city Lacedæmon, and falls into the Sinus Laconicus.

84. Valles pulsa, &c. The vallies struck with the song, waft it back to the starsbear it to the stars.

85. Referre: to count over their number to see that none be missing.

86. Vesper. The same as the planet Venus. When it precedes or goes before the sun, it is called Lucifer, and sometimes Phosphorus, from the Greek; but when it goes behind him, Vesper, or Hesperus, the evening star. It is also taken for the evening, particularly that part denominated the twilight. Processit invito Olympo: marches along the unwilling heaven. The word invitus, beautifully represents the struggle between the light and darkness in the time of twilight. The day is loth, or unwilling to yield; or, it may refer to its regret at being deprived of so charming a song as that of Silenus.

What probably was the design of this pastoral?

Who is intended under the character of Silenus? Who was Syro?

Whom are we to understand by the swains Chromis and Mnasilus?

Where is the scene laid?
What is said of Silenus?

Does Virgil give the principles of the Epicurean philosophy?

What were those principles?
Who was Epicurus?

Who were the Hesperides? What were their names?

Who was Phaëton? What rash act did he attempt?

What became of him?

What were the names of his sisters?
What became of them?

Who was Hesiod? Where was he born? How many were there of the name of Scylla?

Describe, or give an account of each?
Who was Tereus?

What is said of him?

Into what was he transformed?

What was the name of his wife? Into what was she transformed? &c.

rat capellas

dum

1. Arguta: whispering. The word very aptly expresses the rustling noise made by the wind among the leaves: to which reference is here had.

2. Corydon: this is derived from a Greek word signifying a lark. Thyrsis: from a Greek word signifying a spear bound with vine, in honor of Bacchus. In unum: into one place, locum being understood.

3. Capellas distentas lacte: his goats distended with milk-having their udders distended.

4. Ambo Arcades. Not indeed that they e both natives of Arcadia; but they are alled, because that country was famous

5

for its pastures and flocks; and in a manner sacred to shepherds. They were both in the prime of life: florentes ætatibus.

5. Pares cantare: equal at singing. Par is properly equal in match to contend for victory.

7. Daphnim: from a Greek word signi fying a laurel. Vir: in the sense of dux.

8. Contrà. This is here used adverbially, in turn; or over against him. The word may be taken in either sense. The former seems preferable in this place.

Meliboe:

9. Ades: in the sense of veni. from a Greek word signifying a shepherd; or one who has the care of flocks.

9. Caper est salvus 10 tibi, et hædi quoque suns

[bam,

salvi

12. Hic viridis Mincius prætexit

16. Corydon certabat cum Thyrside

19. Volebant me me20 minisse alternos versus 20. Corydon referebat

[men,

10. Quid: temporis is understood, governed by quid: any time-a little time.

11. Potum: to drink: a sup. in um, of the verb poto, put after the verb venient.

12. Prætexit: in the sense of legit. 13. Mincius: a small river rising out of the lake Benacus, and falling into the Po. Hodie, Menso.

14. Alcippen-Phyllida: the names of two servants; both derived from the Greck. 15. Depulsos à lacte: taken away from the milk: weaned. Domi: at home.

17. Posthabui, &c. I postponed my serious business to their song: to listen to their song. Ludo: in the sense of cantui.

19. Musæ volebant: the meaning is, the Muses would have them sing alternate verses. 20. Referebat: in the sense of cantabat. 21. Labethrides: an adj. from Libethra, a fountain in Beotia; others say in Magnesia, over which they presided. Hence they are called Libethrian nymphs. Noster amor : my delight, or love.

22. Concedite: grant such a song to me as ye granted to my Codrus: inspire such a song, &c. Codrus was a poet cotemporary with Virgil, as we learn from Servius, and of superior merit. Proxima: next in excellence to the verses of Apollo. Carmi na is understood.

23. Facit: in the sense of componit. 24. Sacra pinu: the pine-tree was sacred to Cybele, the mother of the gods. on account of the transmutation of her dariing Alys into that tree. It was a custom, when

hos

29. O Delia, parvus 30 Mycon offert tibi hoc caput

26. Ilia Codro: the sides to Codrus; the same as Ilia Codri. This construction is frequent with Virgil: the dat. in the sense of the gen.

27. Ultra placitum: beyond my pleasure, or desire. Immoderate praise was thought by the ancients to have in it something of the nature of fascination; and to avert its malignant influence, they wore a garland of baccar, or lady's-glove, as a counter charm. The pron. me is understood.

29. Delia: A name of Diana, from Delos, the place of her birth. Setosi: bristly.

30. Mycon. The swain Mycon is supposed to be Corydon's friend, and to promise these things to Diana in his name.

31. Si hoc fuerit proprium. If this (success which you granted me in hurting) shall be lasting, you shall stand entire in polished marble: I will make you a full-length statue of polished, &c. It was usual to make only the head and neck of a marble statue. Here Corydon promises Diana an entire statue, provided she continued to prosper his p suits.

à me

35

40

intus

foot.

45

33. Priape: Priapus was the tutelar god of gardens, lakes, &c. He was the son of Venus, by Mercury or Bacchus. The place of his birth was Lampsacus, near the Hellespont, where he was chiefly worshipped. He was usually represented with a human face and the ears of a goat. He held a stick in his hand to drive away birds, a club to drive away thieves, and a scythe to prune the trees. Sinum: in the sense of vas; a kind of vessel swelling out in the middle like a pitcher.

35. Pro tempore: according to the time; in proportion to my present ability. Thyrsis promises him now a marble statue, and if his flocks increase so that he can afford it, he will make him a golden one.

36. Suppleverit: shall enlarge-multiply. 37. Nerine: an adj. from Nereus, a god of the sea. The poet does not here mean that this Galatea was actually the daughter of Nereus; but he merely intends it as a compliment, intimating that she possessed equal charms with her namesake. Hyblæ. Hybla was a mountain in Sicily, abounding in Thyme, and celebrated for its bees, and excellent honey-sweeter than the thyme of Hybla, fairer than the swans, more beautiful than the white ivy. These comparisons are extremely chaste and delicate.

39. Cùm primùm: in the sense of ut primum.-Cura: regard.

41. Sardois herbis. The herb here spoken of is supposed to be the Holly-bush, of sharp and prickly leaves, and of a very bitter taste. It is called Sardinian, from the island Sardinia, where it grew in great abundance. It is said to have caused a convulsive laughter with grinning. Hence Sardinicus risus,

42. Horridior rusco: rougher than the butcher's broom. This is a prickly shrub or plant.-Vilior: more vile, or worthless.Alga. This was a kind of weed or grass, which grew in great abundance about the island of Crete. When torn from the rocks where it grew, by the violence of the waves, tost about the sea, and then cast upon the shore, it became quite useless: it lost its color, and presented to the eye an unseemly appearance.

43. Lux: in the sense of dies.
44. Pasti: in the sense of saturati.

45. Muscosi fontes: ye cool (mossy) fountains. The epithet muscosi is expressive of coolness, because moss will seldom grow where there is any considerable degree of heat. It grows the best on the banks of rivers that face the north. Also on the north side of trees.-Herba mollior, &c. This charming expression is taken from Theocritus. Ruæus says, dulcis ad somnum, which is not the meaning of the poet. The expression, softer than sleep, is extremely delicate.

46. Viridis arbutus, &c. This is a singular construction. The nom. here seems to be used in the place of the voc. By using the nom. it placed the relative quæ in the third person, and consequently the verb; whereas they should be in the second person sing. O viridis arbute, quæ tegis vos rara umbrâ. The vos refers to the fountains and grass mentioned above.

47. Solstitium. This word properly signifies that point in the ecliptic, which coincides with the tropics, or is 23° 28′ from the equator, measured on an arc of the meridian: and the sun being in this point on a particular day in June and December, the word is taken by Synec. for either summer or winter. Again by meton. for heat or cold, according as the sun is either in the