[671] Ferrum is the sword, as ‘clipeo’ shows. Heins. restored ‘hinc’ for ‘hic’ from Med. and others.
[672] “‘Insertabam:’ this word is peculiarly appropriate, the strap or handle of the shield, through which the arm was passed, being (as we are informed by Cael. Rhod. ad locum) technically denominated ‘insertorium.’” Henry.
[674] Patri is to be noted, as occurring in a context where we should be more likely to think of Anchises than of Ascanius' father, Aeneas. See on v. 138, though I do not think that Henry's interpretation there quoted receives any additional support from the present parallel. Aesch. (Cho. 909, 974) uses πατροκτονεῖν, πατροκτόνος, of those who kill, not their father, but the father of the person speaking: and so Chapman (Odyssey 3. 262) speaks of Aegisthus as a parricide in relation to Orestes. The scene is briefly and hastily sketched after the famous one of Hector and Andromache Il. 6. 399 foll.
[675] ‘In omnia’ here seems almost an euphemistic expression, being explained by ‘periturus.’ Forb. comp. Lucan 10. 460, “Non sine rege tamen, quem duxit in omnia secum.”
[676] Expertus as having been already in the battle.
[677] ‘Cui . . . relinquor,’ as we should say, “Consider to whom you are leaving us.” Heyne comp. 4. 323, “Cui me moribundam deseris, hospes?”
[678] Coniunx quondam tua dicta seems to be “I who once enjoyed all a wife's honours.” So Hom.'s σὴν κεκλῆσθαι ἄκοιτιν, which Heyne comp. See on 1. 73.
[679-704] ‘While she was weeping, Ascanius' hair suddenly burst out into a bright but harmless flame. We were terrified: but my father rejoiced, and begged the gods to confirm the omen. Instantly we heard thunder on the left, and saw a shooting star with a long trail of light. My father acknowledged the hand of heaven indicating that he was to go with me.’
