478 (return)
[ That she is Corinna.—Ver.
29. This clearly proves that Corinna was not a real name; it probably was
not given by the Poet to any one of his female acquaintances in
particular.]
479 (return)
[ Thy poem onwards.—Ver.
1. Macer translated the Iliad of Homer into Latin verse, and composed an
additional poem, commencing at the beginning of the Trojan war, and coming
down to the wrath of Achilles, with which Homer begins.]
480 (return)
[ I, Macer.—Ver. 3.
Æmilius Macer is often mentioned by Ovid in his works. In the Tristia,
Book iv. Ep. 10,1.41, he says, 'Macer, when stricken in years, many a time
repeated to me his poem on birds, and each serpent that is deadly, each
herb that is curative.' The Tenth Epistle of the Second Book of Pontic
Epistles is also addressed to him, in which Ovid alludes to his work on
the Trojan war, and the time when they visited Asia Minor and Sicily
together. He speaks of him in the Sixteenth Epistle of the Fourth Book, as
being then dead. Macer was a native of Verona, and was the intimate friend
of Virgil, Ovid, and Tibullus. Some suppose that the poet who wrote on
natural history, was not the same with him who wrote on the Trojan war;
and, indeed, it does not seem likely, that he who was an old man in the
youth of Ovid, should be the same person to whom he writes from Pontus,
when about fifty-six years of age. The bard of Ilium died in Asia.]
481 (return)
[ Tragedy grew apace.—Ver.
13. He alludes to his tragedy of Medea, which no longer exists. Quintilian
thus speaks of it: 'The Medea of Ovid seems to me to prove how much he was
capable of, if he had only preferred to curb his genius, rather than
indulge it.']
482 (return)
[ Sabinus return.—Ver.
27. He represents his friend, Sabinus, here in the character of a
'tabellarius,' or 'letter carrier,' going with extreme speed (celer) to
the various parts of the earth, and bringing back the answers of Ulysses
to Penelope, Hippolytus to Phaedra, Æneas to Dido, Demophoôn to Phyllis,
Jason to Hypsipyle, and Phaon to Sappho. All these works of Sabinus have
perished, except the Epistle of Ulysses to Penelope, and Demophoôn to
Phyllis. His Epistle from Paris to Oenonc, is not here mentioned. See the
Pontic Epistles, Book iv. Ep. xvi. 1. 13, and the Note to the passage.]
483 (return)
[ Bring back letters.—Ver.
28. As the ancients had no establishment corresponding to our posts, they
employed special messengers called 'tabellarii,' for the conveyance of
their letters.]
484 (return)
[ Vowed to Phobus.—Ver.
34. Sappho says in her Epistle, that if Phaon should refuse to return, she
will dedicate her lyre to Phobus, and throw herself from the Leucadian
rock. This, he tells her, she may now-do, as by his answer Phaon declines
to return.]
485 (return)
[ Pain in her head.—Ver.
11. She pretended a head-ache, when nothing wras the matter with her; in
order that too much familiarity, in the end, might not breed contempt.]
486 (return)
[ A surfeit of love.—Ver.
25. 'l'inguis amor' seems here to mear a satisfied 'ora 'pampered
passion;' one that meets with no repulse.]
487 (return)
[ Enclosed Danaë.—Ver.
27. See the Metamorphoses, Book iv., 1.]
488 (return)
[ The dogs bark.—Ver.
40. The women of loose character, among the Romans, were much in the habit
of keeping dogs, for the protection of their houses.]
FOOTNOTES BOOK THREE:
501 (return)
[ Than the other.—Ver.
8. 'He alludes to the unequal lines of the Elegiac measure, which consists
of Hexameters and Pentameters. In personifying Elegy, he might have
omitted this remark, as it does not add to the attractions of a lady, to
have one foot longer than the other; he says, however, that it added to
her gracefulness.]
502 (return)
[ The Lydian buskin.—Ver.
14. As Lydia was said to have sent colonists to Etruria, some Commentators
think that the word 'Lydius' here means 'Etrurian and that the first
actors at Rome were Etrurians. But, as the Romans derived their notions of
tragedy from the Greeks, we may conclude that Lydia in Asia Minor is here
referred to; for we learn from Herodotus and other historians, that the
Greeks borrowed largely from the Lydians.]
503 (return)
[ Drunken revels.—Ver.
17. He probably alludes to the Fourth Elegy of the First, and the Fifth
Elegy of the Second Book of the 'Amores.']
505 (return)
[ Mighty inspiration.—Ver.
23. The 'thyrsus' was said to have been first used by the troops of
Bacchus, in his Indian expedition, when, to deceive the Indians, they
concealed the points of their spears amid leaves of the vine and ivy.
Similar weapons were used by his devotees when worshipping him, which they
brandished to and fro. To be touched with the thyrsus of Bacchus, meant
'to be inspired with poetic frenzy.' See the Notes to the Metamorphoses,
Book iii. 1. 542.]
506 (return)
[ In unequal numbers.—Ver.
37. Some have supposed, that allusion is made to the Tragedy of Medea,
which Ovid had composed, and that it had been written in Elegiac measure.
This, however, does not seem to be the meaning of the passage. Elegy
justly asks Tragedy, why, if she has such a dislike to Elegiac verses, she
has been talking in them? which she has done, from the 15th line to the
30th.]
507 (return)
[ Myself the patroness.—Ver.
44. She certainly does not give herself a very high character in giving
herself the title of 'lena.']
508 (return)
[ The fastened door.—Ver.
50. He alludes, probably, to one of the Elegies which he rejected, when he
cut down the five books to three.]
509 (return)
[ In a hose tunic.—Ver.
51. He may possibly allude to the Fifth Elegy of the First Book, as the
words 'tunicâ velata recinctâ,' as applied to Corinna, are there found.
But there he mentions midday as the time when Corinna came to him, whereas
he seems here to allude to the middle of the night.]
510 (return)
[ Cut in the wood.—Ver.
53. He alludes to the custom of lovers carving inscriptions on the doors
of their obdurate mistresses: this we learn from Plautus to have been done
in Elegiac strains, and sometimes with charcoal. 'Implentur meæ fores
clegiarum carbonibus.' 'My doors are filled with the coal-black marks of
elegies.']
511 (return)
[ On her birthday.—Ver.
57. She is telling Ovid what she has put up with for his sake; and she
reminds him how, when he sent to his mistress some complimentary lines on
her birthday, she tore them up and threw them in the water. Horace
mentions 'the flames, or the Adriatic sea,' as the end of verses that
displeased. Athenseus, Book xiii. c. 5, relates a somewhat similai story.
Diphilus the poet was in the habit of sending his verses to his mistress
Gnathæna. One day she was mixing him a cup of wine and snow-water, on
which he observed, how cold her well must be; to which she answered, yes,
for it was there that she used to throw his compositions.]
514 (return)
[ From behind.—Ver.
70. It is not known, for certain, to what he refers in this line. Some
think that he refers to the succeeding Elegies in this Book, which are, in
general, longer than the former ones, while others suppose that he refers
to his Metamorphoses, which he then contemplated writing. Burmann,
however, is not satisfied with this explanation, and thinks that, in his
more mature years, he contemplated the composition of Tragedy, after
having devoted his youth to lighter snbjects; and that he did not compose,
or even contemplate the composition of his Metamorphoses, until many years
afterwards.]
515 (return)
[ I am not sitting here.—Ver.
1. He is here alluding to the Circen-sian games, which were celebrating in
the Circus Maximus, or greatest Circus, at Rome, at different times in the
year. Some account is given of the Circus Maximus in the Note to 1. 392.
of the Second Book of the Fasti. The 'Magni,' or Great Circensian games,
took place on the Fourth of the Ides of April. The buildings of the Circus
were burnt in the conflagration of Rome, in Nero's reign; and it was not
restored till the days of Trajan, who rebuilt it with more than its former
magnificence, and made it capable, according to some authors, of
accommodating 385,000 persons. The Poet says, that he takes no particular
interest himself in the race, but hopes that the horse may win which is
her favourite.]
516 (return)
[ The spirited steeds.—Ver.
2. The usual number of chariots in each race was four. The charioteers
were divided into four companies, or 'fac-tiones,' each distinguished by a
colour, representing the season of the year. These colours were green for
the spring, red for the summer, azure for the autumn, and white for the
winter. Originally, but two chariots started in each race; but Domitian
increased the number to six, appointing two new companies of charioteers,
the golden and the purple; however the number was still, more usually,
restricted to four. The greatest interest was shewn by all classes, and by
both sexes, in the race. Lists of the horses were circulated, with their
names and colours; the names also of the charioteers were given, and bets
were extensively made, (see the Art of Love, Book i. 1. 167, 168,) and
sometimes disputes and violent contests arose.]
517 (return)
[ To be seated by you.—Ver.
3. The men and women sat together when viewing the contests of the Circus,
and not in separate parts of the building, as at the theatres.]
518 (return)
[ Happy the driver.—Ver.
7. He addresses the charioteer.]
519 (return)
[ The sacred barrier.—Ver.
9. For an account of the 'career,' or 'starting-place,' see the Notes to
the Tristia, Book v. El. ix. 1. 29. It is called 'sacer,' because the
whole of the Circus Maximus was sacred to Consus, who is supposed by some
to have been the same Deity as Neptune. The games commenced with
sacrifices to the Deities.]
520 (return)
[ I would give rein.—Ver.
11. The charioteer was wont to stand within the reins, having them thrown
round his back. Leaning backwards, he thereby threw his full weight
against the horses, when he wished to check them at full speed. This
practice, however, was dangerous, and by it the death of Hippolytus was
caused. In the Fifteenth Book of the Metamorphoses,1. 524, he says, 'I
struggled, with unavailing hand, to guide the bridle covered with white
foam, and throwing myself "backwards, I pulled back the loosened reins.'
To avoid the danger of this practice, the charioteer carried a hooked
knife at his waist, for the purpose of cutting the reins on an emergency.]
521 (return)
[ The turning-place.—Ver.
12. For an account of the 'meta.'see the Tristia, Book iv. El. viii.l. 35.
Of course, thpse who kept as close to the 'meta' as possible, would lose
the least distance in turning round it.]
522 (return)
[ How nearly was Pelops.—Ver.
15. In his race with Onomaüs, king of Pisa, in Arcadia, for the hand of
his daughter, Hippodamia, when Pelops conquered his adversary by bribing
his charioteer, Myrtilus.]
523 (return)
[ Of his mistress.—Ver.
17. He here seems to imply that it was Hippodamia who bribed Myrtilus.]
524 (return)
[ Shrink away in vain.—Ver.
19. She shrinks from him, and seems to think that he is sitting too close,
but he tells her that the 'linea' forces them to squeeze. This 'linea' is
supposed to have been either cord, or a groove, drawn across the seats at
regular intervals, so as to mark out room for a certain number of
spectators between each two 'lineæ.']
525 (return)
[ Has this advantage.—Ver.
20. He congratulates himsdf on the construction of the place, so aptly
giving him an excuse for sitting close to his mistress.]
526 (return)
[ But do you —Ver.
21. He is pretending to be very anxious for her comfort, and is begging
the person on the other side not to squeeze so close against his
mistress.]
527 (return)
[ And you as well.—Ver.
23. As in the theatres, the seats, which were called 'gradas,' 'sedilia,'
or 'subsellia,' were arranged round the course of the Circus, in ascending
tiers; the lowest being, very probably, almost flush with the ground.
There were, perhaps, no backs to the seats, or, at the best, only a slight
railing of wood. The knees consequently of those in the back row would be
level, and in juxta-position with the backs of those in front. He is here
telling the person who is sitting behind, to be good enough to keep his
knees to himself, and not to hurt the lady's back by pressing against
her.]
528 (return)
[ I am taking it up.—Ver.
26. He is here showing off his politeness, and will not give her the
trouble of gathering up her dress. Even in those days, the ladies seem to
have had no objection to their dresses doing the work of the scavenger's
broom.]
529 (return)
[ The fleet Atalanta.—Ver.
29. Some suppose that the Arcadian Atalanta, the daughter of Iasius, was
beloved by a youth of the name of Milanion. According to Apollodorus, who
evidently confounds the Arcadian with the Boeotian Atalanta, Milanion was
another name of Hippo-menes, who conquered the latter in the foot race, as
mentioned in the Tenth Book of the Metamorphoses. See the Translation of
the Metamorphoses, p. 375. From this and another passage of Ovid, we have
reason to suppose that Atalanta was, by tradition, famous for the beauty
of her ancles.]
530 (return)
[ The fan may cause.—Ver.
38. Instead of the word 'tabella,' 'flabella' has been suggested here; but
as the first syllable is long, such a reading would occasion a violation
of the laws of metre, and 'tabella' is probably correct. It has, however,
the same meaning here as 'flabella it signifying what we should call 'a
fan;' in fact, the 'flabellum' was a 'tabella,' or thin board, edged with
peacocks' feathers, or those of other birds, and sometimes with variegated
pieces of cloth. These were generally waved by female slaves, who were
called 'flabelliferæ'; or else by eunuchs or young boys. They were used to
cool the atmosphere, to drive away gnats and flies, and to promote sleep.
We here see a gentleman offering to fan a lady, as a compliment; and it
must have been especially grateful amid the dust and heat of the Roman
Circus. That which was especially intended for the purpose of driving away
flies, was called 'muscarium.' The use of fans was not confined to
females; as we learn from Suetonius, that the Emperor Augustus had a slave
to fan him during his sleep. The fan was also sometimes made of linen,
extended upon a light frame, and sometimes of the two wings of a bird,
joined back to back, and attached to a handle.]
531 (return)
[ Now the procession.—Ver.
34 All this time they have been waiting for the ceremony to commence. The
'Pompa,' or procession, now opens the performance. In this all those who
were about to exhibit in the race took a part. The statues of the Gods
were borne on wooden platforms on the shoulders of men, or on wheels,
according as they were light or heavy. The procession moved from the
Capitol, through the Forum, to the Circus Maximus, and was also attended
by the officers of state. Musicians and dancers preceded the statues of
the Gods. See the Fasti, Book iv. 1. 391, and the Note to the passage.]
532 (return)
[ Victory borne.—Ver.
45. On the wooden platform, which was called 'ferculum,' or 'thensa,'
according as it was small or large.]
533 (return)
[ With expanded wings.—Ver.
45. Victory was always represented with expanded wings, on account of her
inconstancy and volatility.]
534 (return)
[ Salute Neptune.—Ver.
47. 'Plaudite Neptuno' is equivalent, in our common parlance, to 'Give a
cheer for Neptune.' He is addressing the sailors who may be present: but
he declines to have anything to do with the sea himself.]
535 (return)
[ Arms I detest.—Ver.
49. Like his contemporary, Horace, Ovid was no lover of war.]
536 (return)
[ Of the artisan.—Ver.
52. We learn from the Fasti, Book iii. 1.815, that Minerva was especially
venerated as the patroness of handicrafts.]
537 (return)
[ Let the boxers.—Ver.
54. Boxing was one of the earliest athletic games practised by the Greeks.
Apollo and Hercules, as well as Pollux, are celebrated by the poets for
excelling in this exercise. It formed a portion of the Olympic contests;
while boys fought in the Nemean and Isthmian games. Concerning the
'cæstus' used by pugilists, see the Fasti, Book ii. 1. 367, and the Note
to the passage. The method in fighting most practised was to remain on the
defensive, and thus to wear out the opponent by continual efforts. To
inflict blows, without receiving any in return on the body, was the great
point of merit. The right arm was chiefly used for attack, while the
office of the left was to protect the body. Teeth were often knocked out,
and the ears were much disfigured. The boxers, by the rules of the game,
were not allowed to take hold of each other, nor to trip up their
antagonist. In Italy boxing seems to have been practised from early times
by the people of Etruria. It continued to be one of the popular games
during the period of the Republic as well as of the Empire.]
538 (return)
[ In the lattice work.—Ver.
64. The 'cancelli' were lattice work, which probably fkirted the outer
edge of each wide 'præcinctio,' or passage,that ran along in front of the
seats, at certain intervals. As the knees would not there be so cramped,
these seats would be considered the most desirable. It is clear that Ovid
and the lady have had the good fortune to secure front seats, with the
feet resting either on the lowest 'præcinctio', or the 'præcinctio' of a
set of seats higher up. Stools, of course, could not be used, as they
would be in the way of passers-by. He perceives, as the seat is high, that
she has some difficulty in touching the ground with her feet, and
naturally concludes that her legs must ache; on which he tells her, if it
will give her ease, to rest the tips of her feet on the lattice work
railing which was opposite, and which, if they were on an upper
'præcinctio,' ran along the edge of it: or if they were on the very lowest
tier, skirted the edge of the 'podium' which formed the basis of that
tier. This she might do, if the 'præcinctio' was not more than a yard
wide, and if the 'cancelli' were as much as a foot in height.]
539 (return)
[ Now the Prcetor.—Ver.
65. The course is now clear of the procession, and the Prætor gives the
signal for the start, the 'carceres' being first opened. This was
sometimes given by sound of trumpet, or more frequently by letting fall a
napkin; at least, after the time of Nero, who is said, on one occasion,
while taking a meal, to have heard the shouts of the people who were
impatient for the race to begin, on which he threw down his napkin as the
signal.]
540 (return)
[ The even harriers.—Ver.
66. From this description we should be apt to think that the start was
effected at the instant when the 'carceres' were opened. This was not the
case: for after coming out of the-carceres,' the chariots were ranged
abreast before a white line, which was held by men whose office it was to
do, and who were called 'moratores.' When all were ready, and the signal
had been given, the white line was thrown down, and the race commenced,
which was seven times round the course. The 'career' is called 'æquum,'
because they were in a straight line, and each chariot was ranged in front
of the door of its 'career.']
541 (return)
[ Circuit far too wide.—Ver.
69. The charioteer, whom the lady favours, is going too wide of the
'meta,' or turning-place, and so loses ground, while the next overtakes
him.]
542 (return)
[ To the left.—Ver.
72. He tells him to guide the horses to the left, so as to keep closer to
the 'meta,' and not to lose so much ground by going wide of it.]
543 (return)
[ Call him back again.—Ver.
73. He, by accident, lets drop the observation, that they have been
interesting themselves for a blockhead. But he immediately checks himself,
and, anxious that the favourite may yet distinguish himself, trusts that
the spectators will call him back. Crispinus, the Delphin Editor, thinks,
that by the calling back, it is meant that it was a false start, and that
the race was to be run over again. Bur-mann, however, is not of that
opinion; but supposes, that if any chariot did not go well, or the horses
seemed jaded, it was the custom to call the driver back from the present
race, that with new horses he might join in the next race. This, from the
sequel, seems the most rational mode of explanation here.]
544 (return)
[ Waving the garments.—Ver.
74. The signal for stopping was given by the men rising and shaking and
waving their outer garments, or 'togae,' and probably calling the
charioteer by name.]
545 (return)
[ Disarrange your hair.—Ver.
75. He is afraid lest her neighbours, in their vehemence should discommode
her hair, and tells her, in joke, that she may creep into the bosom of his
own 'toga.']
546 (return)
[ And now the barrier.—Ver.
77. The first race we are to suppose finished, and the second begins
similarly to the first. There were generally twenty-five of these
'missus,' or races in a day.]
547 (return)
[ The variegated throng.—Ver.
78. See the Note to the second line.]
548 (return)
[ At all events.—Ver.
79. He addresses the favourite, who has again started in this race.]
549 (return)
[ Bears away the palm.—Ver.
82. The favourite charioteer is now victorious, and the Poet hopes that he
himself may gain the palm in like manner. The victor descended from his
car at the end of the race, and ascended the 'spina,' where he received
his reward, which was generally a considerable sum of money. For an
account of the 'spina,' see the Metamorphoses, Book x. l. 106, and the
Note to the passage.]
550 (return)
[ Her beauty remains.—Ver.
2. She has not been punished with ugliness, as a judgment for her
treachery.]
551 (return)
[ Proved false to me.—Ver.
10. Tibullus has a similar passage, 'Et si perque suos fallax juravit
ocellos 'and if with her eyes the deceitful damsel is forsworn.']
552 (return)
[ Its divine sway.—Ver.
12. 'Numen' here means a power equal to that of the Divinities, and which
puts it on a level with them.]
553 (return)
[ Mine felt pain.—Ver.
14. When the damsel swore by them, his eyes smarted, as though conscious
of her perjury.]
554 (return)
[ Forsooth to you.—Ver.
17. He says that surely it was enough for the Gods to punish Andromeda,
the daughter of Cepheus, for the sins of her mother, without making him to
suffer misery for the perjury of his mistress. Cassiope, the mother of
Andromeda, having dared to compare her own beauty with that of the
Nereids, her daughter was, by the command of Jupiter, exposed to a
sea-monster, which was afterwards slain by Perseus. See the Metamorphoses,
Book iv. 1. 670.]
555 (return)
[ Hurls at the groves.—Ver.
35. A place which had been struck by lightning was called 'bidental,' and
was held sacred ever afterwards. The same veneration was also paid to a
place where any person who had been killed by lightning was buried.
Priests collected the earth that had been torn up by lightning, and
everything that had been scorched, and buried it in the ground with
lamentations. The spot was then consecrated by sacrificing a two-year-old
sheep, which being called 'bidens,' gave its name to the place. An altar
was also erected there, and it was not allowable thenceforth to tread on
the spot, or to touch it, or even look at it. When the altar had fallen to
decay, it might be renovated, but to remove its boundaries was deemed
sacrilege. Madness was supposed to ensue on committing such an offence;
and Seneca mentions a belief, that wine which had been struck by
lightning, would produce death or madness in those who drank it.]
556 (return)
[ Unfortunate Semele.—Ver.
37. See the fate of Semele, related in the Third Book of the
Metamorphoses.]
557 (return)
[ Have some regard.—Ver.
49. Or, in other words. 'Don't sweat any more by my eyes.']
558 (return)
[ Because she cannot,
stilt sews.—Ver. 4. It is not a little singular that a heathen poet
should enunciate the moral doctrine of the New Testament, that it is the
thought, and not the action, that of necessity constitutes the sin.]
559 (return)
[ A hundred in his neck.—Ver.
18. In the First Book of the Metamorphoses, he assigns to Argus only one
hundred eyes; here, however, he uses a poet's license, prohably for the
sake of filling up the line.]
560 (return)
[ Its stone and its iron.—Ver.
21. From Pausanias and Lucian we learn that the chamber of Danaë was under
ground, and was lined with copper and iron.]
561 (return)
[ Nor yet is it legal.—Ver.
33. He tells him that he ought not to inflict loss of liberty on a
free-born woman, a punishment that was only suited to a slave.]
562 (return)
[ Those two qualities.—Ver.
42. He says, the wish being probably the father to the thought, that
beauty and chastity cannot possibly exist together.]
563 (return)
[ Many a thing at home.—Ver.
48. He tells him that he will grow quite rich with the presents which his
wife will then receive from her admirers.]
564 (return)
[ Its bubbling foam..—Ver.
13. He alludes to the noise which the milk makes at the moment when it
touches that in the pail.]
565 (return)
[ Ewe when milked.—Ver.
14. Probably the milk of ewes was used for making cheese, as is sometimes
the case in this country.]
566 (return)
[ Hag of a procuress.—Ver.
40. We have been already introduced to one amiable specimen of this class
in the Eighth Elegy of the First Book.]
567 (return)
[ River that hast.—Ver.
1. Ciofanus has this interesting Note:—'This river is that which
flows near the walls of Sulmo, and, which, at the present day we call
'Vella.' In the early spring, when the snows melt, and sometimes, at the
beginning of autumn, it swells to a wonderful degree with the rains, so
that it becomes quite impassable. Ovid lived not far from the Fountain of
Love, at the foot of the Moronian hill, and had a house there, of which
considerable vestiges still remain, and are called 'la botteghe d'Ovidio.'
Wishing to go thence to the town of Sulmo, where his mistress was living,
this river was an obstruction to his passage.']
568 (return)
[ A hollow boat.—Ver.
4. 'Cymba' was a name given to small boats used on rivers or lakes. He
here alludes to a ferry-boat, which was not rowed over; but a chain or
rope extending from one side of the stream to the other, the boatman
passed across by running his hands along the rope.]
569 (return)
[ The opposite mountain.—Ver.
7. The mountain of Soracte was near the Flaminian way, in the territory of
the Falisci, and may possibly be the one here alluded to. Ciofanus says
that its name is now 'Majella,-and that it is equal in height to the
loftiest mountains of Italy, and capped with eternal snow. *All one with
the day.—Ver. 10. He means to say that he has risen early in the
morning for the purpose of proceeding on his journey.]
570 (return)
[ The son of Danaë.—Ver.
13. Mercury was said to have lent to Perseus his winged shoes, 'talaria,'
when he slew Medusa with her viperous locks.]
571 (return)
[ Wish for the chariot.—Ver.
15. Ceres was said to have sent Trip-tolemus in her chariot, drawn by
winged dragons, to introduce agriculture among mankind. See the Fourth
Book of the Fasti, 1. 558.]
572 (return)
[ Inachus.—Ver. 25.
Inachus was a river of Argolis, in Peloponnesus.]
573 (return)
[ Love for Melie.—Ver.
25. Melie was a Nymph beloved by Neptune, to whom she bore Amycus, king of
Bebrycia, or Bithynia, in Asia Minor, whence her present appellation.]
574 (return)
[ Alpheus.—Ver 29.
See the story of Alpheus and Arethusa, in the Fifth Book of the
Metamorphoses, 1. 576.]
575 (return)
[ Creüsa.—Ver. 31.
Creüsa was a Naïad, the mother of Hypseas, king of the Lapithae, by
Peneus, a river of Thessaly. Xanthus was a rivulet near Troy. Of Creüsa
being promised to Xanthus nothing whatever is known.]
576 (return)
[ The be beloved by Mars.—Ver.
33. Pindar, in his Sixth Olympic Ode, says that Metope, the daughter of
Ladon, was the mother of live daughters, by Asopus, a river of Boeotia.
Their names were Corcyra, Ægina, Salamis, Thebe, and Harpinna. Ovid, in
calling her Thebe, probably follows some other writer. She is called
'Martia,' because she was beloved by Mars, to whom she bore Evadne.]
577 (return)
[ Hand of Hercules.—Ver.
36. For the contest of Hercules and Achelous for the hand of Deianira, see
the beginning of the Ninth Book of the Metamorphoses.]
578 (return)
[ Calydon.—Ver. 37.
Aeneus, the father of Meleager and Dei'anira, reigned over Ætolia, of
which Calydon was the chief city.]
579 (return)
[ The native spot.—Ver.
40; He alludes to the fact of the source or native country of the Nile
being then, as it probably still is, quite unknown.]
580 (return)
[ Daughter of Asopus.—Ver.
41. Evadne is called 'Asopide,' from her mother being the wife of Asopus.
See the Note on line 33 above.]
581 (return)
[ Enipeus dried up.—Ver.
43. Probably the true reading here is 'fictus,' 'the false Enipeus.' Tyro
was the daughter of Salmoneus, king of Pisa, in Elis. She being much
enamoured of the river Enipeus, Neptune is said to have assumed his form,
and to have been, by her, the father of Pelias and Neleus.']
582 (return)
[ Argive Tibur,—Ver.
46. Tibur was a town beautifully situate in the neighbourhood of Home; it
was said to have been founded by three Argive brothers, Tyburtus,
Catillus, and Coras.]
583 (return)
[ Whom Ilia.—Ver.
47. Ilia was said to have been buried alive, by the orders of Amulius, on
the banks of the river Tiber; or, according to some, to have been thrown
into that river, on which she is said to have become the wife of the
river, and was deified. Acron, an ancient historian, wrote to the effect
that her ashes were interred on the banks of the Anio; and that river
overflowing, carried them to the bed of the Tiber, whence arose the story
of her nuptials with the latter. According to one account, she was not put
to death, but was imprisoned, having been spared by Amulius at the
entreaty of his daughter, who was of the same age as herself, and at
length regained her liberty.]
584 (return)
[ Descendant of Laomedon.—Ver.
54. She was supposed to be descended from Laomedon, through Ascanius, the
son of Creüsa, the granddaughter of Laomedon.]
585 (return)
[ No white fillet.—Ver.
56. The fillet with which the Vestals bound their hair.]
586 (return)
[ Am I courted.—Ver.
75. The Vestais were released from their duties, and were allowed to marry
if they chose, after they had served for thirty years. The first ten years
were passed in learning their duties, the next ten in performing them, and
the last ten in instructing the novices.]
587 (return)
[ Did she throw herself.—Ver.
80. The Poet follows the account which represented her as drowning
herself.]
588 (return)
[ To some fixed rule.—Ver.
89. 'Legitimum' means 'according to fixed laws so that it might be
depended upon, 'in a steady manner.']
589 (return)
[ Injurious to the
flocks.—Ver. 99. It would be 'damnosus' in many ways, especially
from its sweeping away the cattle and the produce of the land. Its waters,
too, being turbid, would be unpalatable to the thirsty traveller, and
unwholesome from the melted snow, which would be likely to produce goitre,
or swellings in the throat.]
590 (return)
[ Could I speak of the
rivers.—Ver. 103. He apologizes to the Acheloüs, Inachus, and Nile,
for presuming to mention their names, in addressing such a turbid,
contemptible stream.]
591 (return)
[ After my poems.—Ver.
5. He refers to his lighter works; such, perhaps, as the previous books of
his Amores. This explains the nature of the 'libelli,' which he refers to
in his address to his mistress, in the Second Book of the Amores, El. xi.
1. 31.]
592 (return)
[ His wealth acquired.—Ver.
9. 'Censu.' For the explanation of this word, see the Fasti, B. i. 1. 217,
and the Note to the passage.]
593 (return)
[ Through his wounds.—Ver.
9. In battle, either by giving wounds, or receiving them.]
594 (return)
[ Which thus late.—Ver.
15. By 4 serum,'he means that his position, as a man of respectable
station, has only been recently acquired, and has not descended to him
through a long line of ancestors.]
595 (return)
[ Was it acquired.—Ver.
20. This was really much to the merit of his rival; but most of the higher
classes of the Romans affected to despise anything like gain by means of
bodily exertion; and the Poet has extended this feeling even to the
rewards of merit as a soldier.]
596 (return)
[ Hold sway over.—Ver.
27. He here plays upon the two meanings of the word 'deducere.' 'Deducere
carmen' is 'to compose poetry'; 'deducere primum pilum' means 'to form' or
'command the first troop of the Triarii.' These were the veteran soldiers
of the Roman army, and the 'Primipilus' (which office is here alluded to)
being the first Centurion of the first maniple of them, was the chief
Centurion of the legion, holding an office somewhat similar to our senior
captains. Under the Empire this office was very lucrative. See the Note to
the 49th line of the Seventh Epistle, in the-Fourth Book of the Pontic
Epistles.]
597 (return)
[ The ravished damsel.—Ver.
30. He alludes to Danaë.]
598 (return)
[ Resorted to presents.—Ver.
33. He seems to allude to the real meaning of the story of Danaë, which,
no doubt, had reference to the corrupting influence of money.]
599 (return)
[ With no boundaries.—Ver.
42. The 'limes' was a line or boundary, between pieces of land belonging
to different persons, and consisted of a path, or ditch, or a row of
stones. The 'ager limitatus' was the public land marked out by 'limites,'
for the purposes of allotment to the citizens. On apportioning the land, a
line, which was called 'limes,' was drawn through a given point from East
to West, which was called 'decumanus,' and another line was drawn from
North to South. The distance at which the 'limites' were to be drawn
depended on the magnitude of the squares or 'centuriæ,' as they were
called, into which it was purposed to divide the tract.]
601 (return)
[ Then was the shore.—Ver.
44. Because they had not as yet learnt the art of navigation.]
602 (return)
[ Turreted
fortifications.—Ver. 47. Among the ancients the fortifications of
cities were strengthened by towers, which were placed at intervals on the
walls; they were also generally used at the gates of towns.]
603 (return)
[ Why not seek the
heavens.—Ver. 50. With what indignation would he not have spoken of
a balloon, as being nothing less than a downright attempt to scale the
'tertia régna!']
604 (return)
[ Ciesar but recently.—Ver.
52. See the end of the Fifteenth Book of the Metamorphoses, and the Fasti,
Book iii. 1. 704.]
605 (return)
[ The Senate-house.—Ver.
55. 'Curia'was the name of the place where the Senate held its meetings,
such as the 'curia Hostilia,' * Julia,' Marcelli,' and others. Hence arose
the custom of calling the Senate itself, in the various Roman towns, by
the name of 'curia,' but not the Senate of Rome. He here means to say,
that poverty excluded a man from the Senate-house, and that wealth alone
was the qualification for the honours of the state.]
606 (return)
[ Wealth alone confers
honours —Ver. 55. The same expression occurs in the Fasti, Book i.
1. '217, where a similar complaint is made on the worldly-mindedness of
the age.]
607 (return)
[ The Field of Mars.—Ver.
57. The 'comitia,' or meetings for the elections of the magistrates, were
held on the 'Campus Martius' or field of Mars. See the Notes to the Fasti,
Book i. 1. 53.]
608 (return)
[ And the Forum. —Ver.
57. The 'Fora' were of two kinds at Rome; some being market-places, where
all kinds of goods were exposed for sale, while others were solely courts
of justice. Among the latter is the one here mentioned, which was simply
called 'Forum,' so long as it was the only one of its kind existing at
Rome, and, indeed, after that period, as in the present instance. At a
later period of the Republic, and under the Empire, when other 'fora,' for
judicial purposes, were erected, this Forum' was distinguished by the
epithets 'vetus,' 'old,' or 'magnum, 'great.' It was situate between the
Capitoline and Palatine hills, and was originally a swamp or marsh, which
was filled up hy Romulus or Tatius. It was chiefly used for judicial
proceedings, and is supposed to have been surrounded with the hankers'
shops or offices, 'argentaria.' Gladiatorial games were occasionally held
there, and sometimes prisoners of war, and faithless legionary soldiers,
were there put to death. A second 'Forum,' for judicial purposes, was
erected hy Julius Caesar, and was called hy his name. It was adorned with
a splendid temple of Venus Genitrix. A third was built hy Augustus, and
was called 'Forum Augusts' It was adorned with a temple of Mars, and the
statues of the most distinguished men of the republic. Having suffered
severely from fire, this Forum was restored by the Emperor Hadrian. It is
mentioned in the Fourth Book of the Pontic Epistles, Ep. xv. 1. 16. See
the Fasti, Book iii. 1. 704.]