[18] Talia per Latium, a brief expression suited to the later epic narrative, like “Vix ea” 12. 154, “Hoc tantum Ascanius” 9. 636. So Pope has “thus they” &c. Hom. is more explicit, generally expressing himself in full, and occupying a whole line. Serv. says admiringly “‘Gerebantur’ subaudis: et est formosa ellipsis.” Peerlkamp removes the stop, so as to connect ‘talia’ with ‘quae cuncta,’ which is less likely. ‘Laomedontius,’ 7. 105.
[19] “Magno fluctuat aestu” 4. 532. Cerda comp. Lucr. 6.34, “Volvere curarum tristis in pectore fluctus,” Catull. 62 (64). 62, “Prospicit et magnis curarum fluctuat undis,” perhaps in imitation of Lucretius: see Munro (3rd edition) on Lucr. 3.57. Serv. remarks that the metaphor anticipates the following simile.
20, 21 are repeated from 4. 285, 286; where see note. Here there seems to be no variety of reading, except that two inferior MSS. and the Schol. on Hor. 2 Od. 16. 11 have “celerem nunc huc.”[22] This simile is taken from Apoll. R. 3. 756 foll. In the original, the water is fresh poured (τὸ δὴ νέον ἠὲ λέβητι Ἠέ που ἐν γαυλῷ κέχυται), which accounts for its motion. Virg. had also probably in his mind Lucr. 4.209 foll. It must be owned that the comParison is more pleasing when applied, as it is by Apollonius, to the fluttering heart of Medea, than to the fluctuating mind of Aeneas. ‘Aquae’ with ‘lumen,’ like “splendor aquai” Lucr. l. c. ‘Labris,’ 12. 417, G. 2. 6. The abl. here seems to be local.
[23] Sole repercussum is another instance of Virg.'s recondite use of words. The natural phrase would have been “sole repercusso.” Perhaps the notion of reciprocal action between the sun and the water may help to justify the variation, the conception apparently being that the light glances from the water to the sun and is sent back. In the rest of the verse he changes the notion, making the light sent back not by the moon but by the reflection of the moon. Heyne attempts to harmonize the image by taking ‘imagine lunae’ of the moon herself that causes the reflection: but Virg. evidently cared as little for consistency of thought as for scientific truth. Mr. Long understands ‘sole repercussum’ reflected by the image of the sun in the water. ‘Radiantis’ from Lucr. l. c. “sidera respondent in aqua radiantia mundi.”
24, 25 correspond in the comParison to 20, 21. ‘Pervolitat’ is perhaps suggested by “pervolgat” Lucr. l. c. ‘Sub auras erigitur,’ 3. 422: comp. ib. 574., 9. 240. There is of course no real inconsistency between ‘sub auras’ and ‘laquearia tecti.’[26] Comp. 3. 147., 9. 224, 5. The decription in 4. 522 foll. is much more detailed.
[27] ‘Alituum genus’ occurs repeatedly in Lucr., 5. 801, 1039, 1078., 6. 1216.
[28] “Nudoque sub aetheris axe” 2. 512.
[29] Pectore is the first reading of Med.
[30] Dedit, suffered it to spread, a sort of combination of such expressions as “somnus diditur per membra,” “dare se somno,” and “membris dat cura quietem” (4. 5).
[31] Deus loci like “Genium loci” 5. 95. “Fluvio Tiberinus amoeno” 7. 30 note. Forb. rightly understands ‘ipse’ as giving dignity, as against Wagn., who explains it “ut erat glauco velatus amictu.”
[32] The god rises from among his own poplars. For the trees see on 7. 29. ‘Senior:’ the male water-gods are generally represented as old: comp. 5. 823.
[33] The robe of the river-god represents his waters: comp. v. 712 below. Rivergods are represented in works of art with a similar covering. For ‘eum’ Rom. and Verona fragm. have ‘cum.’
[34] Carbasus was properly a very fine kind of linen invented at Tarraco in Spain, according to Pliny 19. 1. A crown of reeds formed part of the conventional representation of a water-god. See on 10. 206, and Vell. Paterc. 2. 83, quoted on 3. 432.
[35] Repeated from 2. 775., 3. 153. Nothing is said here of its having ever been omitted in any MS. The infinitives may be historical, or may depend on ‘visus,’ ‘eum—arundo’ being parenthetical.
[36-65] ‘The river-god assures him that he has found a home, promises him the appearance of a white sow by way of confirmation, advises him to apply at once for help to a neighbouring colony from Arcadia under Evander, and enjoins him to propitiate Juno.’
