Africanus the Younger, finally destroyed Carthage. 'parvo potentem,' rich with a little; Fabricius, though poor, refused the magnificent presents of Pyrrhus. C. Atilius was at work with the plough, when he received the news, that he was appointed dictator; hence, he was surnamed Serranus, from 'serendo.'

845-6. fessum,'' me' understood; wearied with this long enumeration of worthies. Many of the Fabii were distinguished, but chiefly Fabius Maximus, who, by his prudence and skill, stopped the victorious career of Hannibal. He was called Cunctator,' because he wearied out his opponent by delays; rem,' success, prosperity.

847-53. A noble passage, in which, comparing the Roman character with the Greek, the poet admits the superiority of the latter in the arts and sciences, but asserts the preeminence of his countrymen in war and dominion. 6 spirantia æra,' breathing statues of brass: Orabunt,' plead in a law-court: cœli meatus,' the orbits of the heavenly bodies: 'radio'; see note to Ecl. III. 41. dicent,' name. ' pacis — morem,' dictate the conditions of peace.

855. M. Claudius Marcellus, surnamed "the sword of war," obtained repeated victories over the Gauls and Carthaginians.

857-9. Hic Sistet rem Romanam,' he shall strengthen the cause of the Romans. And, for the third time, shall hang up in the temple of Jupiter Feretrius the captured arms. The 'spolia opima' were first obtained by Romulus, then by Cossus, and the third and last time by Marcellus, who slew with his own hand the king of the Gauls. Such spoils were consecrated to Jupiter Feretrius, here called 'pater Quirinus.' 861-4. Egregium-juvenem,' a young man of fine person. For the young Marcellus here intended, see Introduction to Ecl. IV. 'dejecto vultu,' his eyes cast down, alluding to his premature death. virum comitatur'; the youth is described as accompanying his namesake, the elder Marcellus 6 Filius,' is it his son?

6

865-6. quantum instar,' how great the likeness to his older companion! Nox atra'; Night is here put for Death. Marcellus died, when only eighteen years of age.

869-73. Ostendent — sinent,' the fates will only show him to the earth, but will not permit him to remain there. ' propria,' permanent. 'Quantos gemitus,' that field, which is near the great city of Mars, how great lamentations of men will it send forth! The funeral of the young Marcellus was celebrated with great pomp on the Campus Martius, near the Tiber.

876-80.nec - alumno,' nor will the land of Romulus ever pride itself so much upon any of its sons. 'non-armato,' no enemy would have met him with impunity, when armed.

882-3.si -eris, if by any means you could alter the hard decree of the fates, you would become another Marcellus, equal in renown to the first of that name.

884-6. animam - Munere,' I will at least heap up these offerings to the spirit of my descendant, and will discharge the unavailing office of mourning over him. By request of Augustus, Virgil recited this elegant and affecting tribute of verse in presence of the youth's mother, Octavia. She was moved to tears, when he began, and when he came to the name, which is with great judgment kept back till the close, she fainted. The poet received a noble reward for his verses.

890. Then he instructs Eneas respecting the war, that was immediately to be carried on, against Turnus and the Latins.

892. And how he might avoid or encounter every difficulty.

893-6. To avoid the necessity of carrying Eneas over the same ground, which he had just traversed, it was necessary for the poet to dismiss his hero from Hades by a different portal from that by which he had entered. Virgil, therefore, adopts from Homer an old fable about the two gates, by which dreams come up from the lower world; the

one of horn gives exit to true dreams, or those which rightly indicate future events; deceptive visions pass out by the ivory gate. As Æneas and his guide were not ' veræ umbræ,' the poet sends them forth by the gate of ivory. Perhaps, also, he intended an allusion to the fanciful and imaginary character of the scenes just described. fertur Cornea,' is said to be of horn: 'quâ facilis exitus,' by which an easy egress : 'falsa insomnia,' delusive dreams.

899-900. 'viam secat,' passes quickly on his way: fert se recto limite,' sails onward in a direct course: Caietæ,' a harbour to the north of Naples, now called Gaeta.

The plan of this book is certainly borrowed from that passage in the Odyssey, in which is described the visit of Ulysses to the world of spirits. But how much improved and amplified is this magnificent episode from that dim and imperfect sketch. Among all the poets, who have copied the same original, none deserve a comparison with Virgil, in point of sublimity of conception, and poetical fervor and brilliancy, except Milton, in the matchless opening of "Paradise Lost." Both the Roman and the Christian poet were thoroughly imbued with all the learning of their times, and nobly did they use their stores of erudition to dignify and embellish these adventurous flights of a poetical spirit. Careful analysis will detect in each many incongruities, and some absurdities; but the reader, hurried away by a succession of striking images and grand conceptions, has neither time nor inclination to pause upon such defects. Greater sublimity undoubtedly belongs to Milton, but Virgil is superior in the variety and abundance of the scenes described, in the polished elegance of the versification, and, for most readers, perhaps, he has produced a more pleasing poem. This comparison refers, of course, only to the pictures of the infernal regions, drawn by the two bards; for if extended to the whole poems, the result might be very different. The mythology and philosophy of the ancients, disjointed and unreasonable as they usually appear, in this book assume an earnest, and even sublime aspect. Even the morality of the poem, considering its origin among a Pagan people, and in a licentious age, is wonderfully pure and dignified. The mild and amiable character of the poet shines out in many places, without injuring the severity and grandeur of the design; and no fault of taste, no paltry conceit, mars the delightful impression left upon the reader's mind. The youthful pupil, who studies the book with care, will find that many a striking image and noble sentiment, clothed in smooth and sounding verse, will remain indelibly imprinted on his memory.

THE ENEID.

BOOK VII.

ENEAS buries his nurse Caieta, and calls the spot after her name. Then, sailing past the habitation of Circe, he arrives at the mouth of the Tiber, and, entering that river, lands in the Laurentian territory. Some account is given of the former state of Latium, and of the prodigies by which the coming of Eneas had been foretold. The prophecy of the harpy Celano, respecting the eating of the tables, is fulfilled. Æneas sends heralds to king Latinus, to offer gifts, and ask for territory whereon to found a city. Meanwhile, the Trojans measure out and

fortify a camp. Latinus receives the embassy kindly, accedes to the request, and farther, offers his daughter Lavinia in marriage to Æneas, having been informed by an oracle, that she must wed a foreigner. Juno brings up Allecto from hell to disturb this arrangement, who first incites Amata, the wife of Latinus, to oppose the intended match, and then rouses Turnus, king of the Rutuli, to a more active opposition. The Trojans going out to hunt, Ascanius unwittingly wounds a tame stag, belonging to the children of the royal herdsman. A quarrel ensues, and two of the Latins are slain, whose bodies are carried into the city, and made the means of rousing the fury of the people. Latinus still refusing to engage in hostilities, Juno herself opens the gates of war, and he is compelled to allow things to take their course. A catalogue is given of the native princes and tribes, who come to aid Turnus against the Trojans.

1. 'Tu quoque,' thou also, as well as Misenus, whose memory is preserved by the promontory that bears his name.

3-6. And now your fame is connected with the spot, and the appellation of the place points out where your bones are laid in great Hesperia, if this honor amounts to any thing. ritè solutis, being duly performed: 'Aggere tumuli,' the mound over the tomb being erected.

8-9. in noctem,' towards night the breeze freshened: nec negat,' favors, assists: 'splendet - pontus'; one who has watched the play of the moonbeams on the slightly rippled surface of the sea, will recog nise the exquisite propriety of this expression.

10-1. They coast along the neighbouring shores of the Circaan land; see note to Book III. 386. This place is now a promontory, though believed formerly to have been an island. The sorceress, a daughter of the Sun and an ocean nymph, dwelt there with four attendants. All persons who came thither were first feasted, and then, on tasting of her magic cup, were converted into swine and other beasts. The fable is a mere allegory on the effects of intemperance. Dives,' referring to the magnificence of her dwelling: inaccessos,' rarely visited. 13-14. cedrum,' the sandarach tree, burnt for a light and for the fragrant smell. 14. Repeated from Geor. I. 294.

16-20. Indignantly rattling their chains and roaring late at night. 'in præsepibus,' in their dens: formæ luporum,' for lupi.' Whom, once wearing the human shape, the cruel goddess Circe, by her powerful herbs, had clothed with the aspect and bodies of wild beasts.

21.Quæ monstra,' this monstrous transformation.

24. Gave speed to them, and carried them past these seething shoals. 27-8. 'posuere,' 'se' understood; subsided: Flatus, breath of wind:et-tonsæ,' and the oars move with difficulty in the sluggish sea. 30-2. Hunc prorumpit, through this grove, the Tiber, with its pleasant current gliding along in swift whirls, past wide and yellow sands, flows into the sea.

36. opaco,' shaded by the forest that covered its banks. Æneas appears to have sailed a little way up the stream, but the precise spot on which he landed, is not mentioned.

37-41. The exploits of Eneas in Italy are now to be related, and as this forms a great division of his theme, the poet begins with a new invocation. Erato,' one of the Muses: Expediam,' I will relate: rerum,' what was the situation of affairs: advena exercitus'; Gr. § 205. Rem. 11. appulit classem,' brought a fleet to Italy. 'vatem mone,' direct the poet.

เ

quæ

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42-4. I will sing of battles, and kings urged on by self-will to fatal deeds. 'Major - ordo,' a more important series of events now lies before me.

47-51. The family of Latinus is traced back to Saturn, who is reputed in fable to have been the most ancient king of Italy. Faunus

was a rural deity of Latium, often identified with the god Pan. Hunc Accipimus,' we hear that he (Latinus) was born of Faunus and the Laurentian nymph Marica. pater,' 'erat' understood: tu— auctor,' you were the founder of the race. 'Filius huic,'nullus fuit' understood; he had no son: primâ est,' one that was born being snatched away in early youth; erepta' agreeing with proles.'

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52-4. servabat,' kept up the family: viro,' for a husband. 'Multi petebant illam,' many were suitors for her hand.

56. Turnus'; he was king of the Rutuli, a people closely united with the Latins, the subjects of Latinus. Ardea was their chief city. Latium itself was south of Etruria, from which it was separated by the Tiber. regia conjux,' Amata, the queen of Latinus; she favored the pretensions of Turnus.

59-63. See Book II. 512, and note. Sacra comam'; Gr. § 234. II. the foliage of which was sacred: 'metu,' with religious respect: 'Quam pater Ipse Latinus,' which father Latinus himself was said to have consecrated to Apollo: inventam,' it being discovered, when he first founded the city. ab eâ,' from this 'Laurus' was derived the name Laurentian.

64-6. Hujus dense Obsedêre apicem,' a swarm of bees settled upon its top: et-nexis'; see note to Geor. IV. 257.

69-70.et-arce,' and that a band of men were coming in the same direction that the bees came, from the seaboard,· -to the same place, and would there bear rule on the summit of the citadel, as the bees occupied the top of the tree. dominarier'; Gr. § 322. 1. 6.

73. Her long hair seemed to take fire; see Book 11. 682-4. 75-80.comas'; Gr. § 234. II. 'tum tectis,' then she seemed to be wrapped in smoke and red flames, and to scatter the fire through the whole house. This event prefigured the war, that was afterwards excited by the contest for her hand. 'ferri,' was considered: 'canebant,' they prophesied Ipsam,' Lavinia.

81-3. sollicitus monstris,' alarmed by these prodigies: 'sub altâ Albuneâ,' near lofty Albunea, - a fountain of sulphurous water in a hilly portion of the Tiburtine district, now called the Solfatara di Tivoli. The water, which is of a milky hue and smells offensively, falls into the river Anio.

85-9. Enotria'; see note to Book I. 532. In-petunt,' in times of crisis and doubt, seek for an oracle. 'et-petivit,' laid down during the silent night on the outstretched skins of slaughtered sheep, and courted sleep: simulacra,' visions.

91. Acheronta'; here put for the infernal gods: 'imis Avernis,' in

the lower world.

94-5. Atque Velleribus,' and lay supported on the hides and extended fleeces of these sheep. ex alto luco,' from the thick forest. 97-9. thalamis paratis,' the nuptials now agreed upon, with Turnus. 'quiferent,' who sanguine,' through their posterity, — shall

raise our name to the stars.

་

100-1. In this order; ' videbunt Omnia vertique regique,' &c. sub pedibus,' under their sway: 'quâ oceanum'; that is, from farthest east to west, from one end of the globe to the other.

103-5. non-Latinus'; Latinus did not keep it to himself, but allowed the prophecy to become known. per tulerat,' had arried the story through the cities of Italy: Laomedontia pubes,' the Trons. 109-10. et- - monebat,' and on the grass, they placed wheaten cas under the food, so Jupiter directed them; they used the flat cake prepared for sacred purposes, as plates to hold the other articles of food 111. And this substratum of bread they load with rustic fruits.

112-5. aliis,' the other articles of food: penuria edendi,' the want of something more to eat: Exiguam in Cererem,' upon the small cakes: malis,' with their teeth: Fatalis'; because the bread thus used had respect to the fate of the Trojans : quadris,' the fragments.

116-9. etiam consumimus,' we are eating up even the dishes: 'Nec plura alludens,' not carrying the jest further. tulit finem'; it signified that the end of their sufferings was at hand: primam pater,' his father first caught it up from the mouth of the speaker: 'numine,' by the fulfilment of the oracle: 'pressit,' for 'repressit vocem Ascanii; interrupted him.

121-3. 'fidi,' true to your word, for they had predicted, that he should arrive in Italy. Genitor reliquit,' for I now remember, that my father Anchises left behind such secrets of the fates for me. In fact, it was the harpy Celano, who delivered this prediction, but it was probably interpreted and commented upon by Anchises.

125-9. Accisis dapibus,' your provisions being exhausted: 'domos,' a fixed habitation: Prima tecta,' establish your first edifices, and surround them with a mound, or fortification. hæc - modum,' this last trial awaited us, which is to put a limit to our sufferings; 'hæc su prema,' agreeing with 'fames.'

132. et petamus,' and let us go out in different directions from the harbour, or landing-place.

134.vina-mensis,' and again place wine upon the tables for liba. tions. It is quite in keeping with the pious character of Eneas, to render the appropriate offerings to the gods first, and to appoint the morrow for business.

136-40. primam deorum'; Hesiod represents the Earth as the first of the gods, after Chaos. The nymphs and the rivers are the local deities, like the Genium loci.' signa,' the constellations: Phrygiam Matrem,' Cybele: 'ex ordine,' successively: duplices- parentes,' and both his parents, Venus in heaven and Anchises in Hades.

141-5. Pater,' Jupiter: 'clarus,' in a clear sky; thunder was esteemed a happy omen under such circumstances. There follows a description of the lightning, as if shot from Jove's own hand, and supposed to come from a cloud, though none was visible. Or, 'nubem' may be considered as the flash itself. Diditur,' is spread abroad: 'de. bita,' promised by fate.

146-7. omine'; at the thunder, coronant'; see note to Book 1.724.

which was a happy omen: 'vina

150. Diversi,' as in line 132. hæc Numici,' they ascertain that this water was from the fountain of Numicus, - a small stream in the country of the Rutuli, to the south of the Tiber.

154. ramis'; the olive branch, the token of peace, was sacred to Minerva. The leaves of the tree were twined into the form of a chaplet for the heralds. 157-9. Ipse " locum,' Eneas himself marks out the line of the walls with a low ditch, and prepares the place for defence. The spot where Æneas fortified his camp is on the bank of the Tiber, near its mouth. pinnis atque aggere,' with ramparts and a mound of earth.

162-5. Before the walls of the city, they find the Latin youths practising horsemanship, after the manner of the heroic age. 'domitant currus,' restrain the steeds harnessed in the chariots. Aut-lacessunt,' they bend the tough bows, or hurl the pliant darts with their arms, and contend with each other in the race and throwing the javelin.

167–8. ‘ignotà — viros,' that men in strange garments had arrived: 'ingentes'; the Trojans were actually of larger stature than the Latins, or the frightened messenger exaggerated the story. Ille,' Latinus. 171. On the highest point-the acropolis of the city, was the palace of the Laurentian Picus, the ancestor of Latinus.

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173-4. Here it was-'omen,' a solemn usage for the kings to receive the sceptre, and here first to raise -'fasces,' the ensigns of authority; that is, to be inaugurated; this 'templum,' sacred building was their senate-house.

176-81. 'patres,' elders, or senators: Perpetuis mensis,' at long