[896] Nuntius may either be Acca, spoken of generally, or the message, which is perhaps more probable. See on 4. 237, where I have decided too strongly against the probability of this latter use in Virg. With the latter sense comp. Il. 18, 18, ἦ μάλα λυγρῆς Πεύσεαι ἀγγελίης, ἣ μὴ ὤφελλε γενέσθαι. ‘Turnum inplet’ like “populos sermone replebat” 4. 189, comp. by Gossrau, “Euandrum replet” v. 140 above.
[897] Tumultum doubtless of the emergency, not, as Forb., of the effect on Turnus' mind. Serv. says “perite ‘tumultum:’ ita enim dicitur bellum quod differri non potest.” It is difficult to say whether it refers to the incursion of the enemy or to the confusion of Turnus' own forces. ‘Fert’ with acc. i. q. “nuntiat,” as above, v. 141. ‘Iuveni’ of Turnus 7. 435.
[899] Many early editions have ‘infestos,’ without authority. “Secundo Marte” 10. 21.
[900] Corripuisse may be meant to suggest the notion of a conflagration (10. 407) or an inundation (G. 3. 254). This last would harmonize with ‘Marte secundo,’ which is not, as Heyne explains it, “pugna facta,” but denotes the irresistible onset of the Trojans.
[901] Heins. restored ‘et’ for ‘iam,’ which seems to have little or no authority. Some MSS. are said to have ‘nam,’ and one ‘si.’ Ribbeck strangely conj. ‘en.’ ‘Et’ is like ‘que’ in the parenthetical clause “Mansissetque utinam fortuna” 3. 615, which Wagn. Q. V. 35. 9 comp. “Sic fata Iovis poscunt” 4. 614. Rom. has ‘pellunt,’ which Ribbeck adopts, but without explaining or illustrating the use of the word.
[902] See above, vv. 522 foll. One of Ribbeck's cursives corrected has ‘linquens,’ perhaps from 7. 562.
[903] “Vix e conspectu” 1. 34. Med. (first reading) has ‘camposque.’
[904] Apertos, left open by Turnus.
[905] Comp. vv. 513 foll., “ipse ardua montis Per deserta iugo superans adventat ad urbem.” A hill lay between Aeneas and the city, which he surmounted by means of the woody pass, ‘saltus,’ just spoken of. “Hoc superate iugum” 6. 676.
[906] Toto agmine coupled with ‘rapidi,’ a less harsh form of the combinations mentioned on 5. 498.
[907] Inter se might be constructed with ‘longis passibus,’ i. q. “longis passibus inter se interiectis:” but it may go with ‘absunt,’ ‘abesse’ being constructed on the analogy of “distare.” Gossrau comp. Sall. Iug. 55, “Duobus locis haud longe inter se castra faciebant”, where “longe inter se” = “longe inter se distantibus.” ‘Longis passibus’ for length of distances like “longos annos” 10. 549 (comp. by Gossrau) for length of life, the plural in each case being taken collectively.
[908] Pal. and Rom. have ‘tum pater Aeneas,’ an unseasonable repetition from v. 904; and so Gud., giving ‘ac simul’ as a variant. ‘Simul’ is not, as Jahn and Forb. think, for “simul atque,” ‘que’ in v. 912 making the apodosis, but means that Aeneas and Turnus become conscious of their proximity to each other at the same time. ‘Fumantis pulvere campos:’ Germ. comp. Eur. Tro. 1320, κόνις δ᾽ ἴσα καπνῷ πτέρυγι πρὸς αἰθέρ᾽, where, however, the comParison may only be meant to extend to the motion, not to the form. In 2. 609 actual smoke is of course intended.
[909] One of Ribbeck's cursives has ‘conspexit,’ the Balliol MS. ‘aspexit.’
[910] The Balliol MS. gives ‘simul’ for ‘saevum,’ plausibly enough, if its authority were of any value. Pal. and Gud. have ‘conspexit’ for ‘adgnovit.’ ‘In armis’ may either be i. q. “armatum,” Turnus recognizing Aeneas in his armour, or more generally, in battle array, the recognition being also more general. ‘Saevum in armis’ would be possible, but unlikely.
[911] Med. has ‘adventus,’ Rom. ‘flatum.’ With the line generally comp. v. 607 above, which closely resembles it. ‘Pedum’ need not mean, as Forb. thinks, “peditatus,” though Aeneas' force was mainly one of infantry, the horses being doubtless chariot horses.
[912] Ineant—ni tinguat 5. 325 note. “Ineunt proelia” G. 4. 314. “Proelia temptant” 2. 334., 3. 240. Med. a m. p. and one of Ribbeck's cursives have ‘ineunt,’ Gud. and another ‘temptant.’ Some old edtions give ‘Continuo pugnas ineant.’
[913] “Roseis Aurora quadrigis” 6. 535. Here the epithet may refer to the colours of the sunset. ‘Hibero:’ comp. Juv. 14. 280, “Herculeo stridentem gurgite Solem,” and Mayor's note. The opposite image occurs 12. 114, “cum primum alto se gurgite tollunt Solis equi.”
[914] With ‘noctem reducat’ Forb. well comp. Il. 8. 485, ἐν δ᾽ ἔπεσ᾽ Ὠκεανῷ λαμπρὸν φάος ἠελίοιο, Ἕλκον νύκτα μέλαιναν ἐπὶ ζείδωρον ἄρουραν.
[915] Both parties encamp outside the city and form temporary works. The Trojan camp cannot be the same as “nova Troia,” which was at a greater distance. Serv. has a strange note on ‘moenia vallant,’ “hinc probatur quia et qui tuentur et qui obsident vallare dicuntur,” as if he took ‘moenia’ of the city-walls.
