8 Vergil might possibly mean “the very-bright” or illustrious one, a natural form for a proper name. _Ver_ in Gallic names (Vercingetorix, Vercassivellasimus, &c.) is often an intensive prefix, like the modern Irish _fior_. The name of the village where Vergil was born, Andes (now Pietola), is Celtic. His love of nature, his mysticism, and his strong feeling for a certain decorative quality in language and rhythm are markedly Celtic qualities. Tennyson’s phrases for him, “landscape-lover, lord of language,” are suggestive in this connexion. 9 Ptolemy, a friend, and probably, indeed, half-brother, of Alexander, was doubtless present when this incident took place. His work has not survived, but is quoted by Arrian and other historians. 10 One is reminded of the folk-tale about Henny Penny, who went to tell the king that the sky was falling. 11 The Book of Leinster is a manuscript of the twelfth century. The version of the “Táin” given in it probably dates from the eighth. See de Jubainville, “Premiers Habitants,” ii. 316. 12 Dr. Douglas Hyde in his “Literary History of Ireland” (p. 7) gives a slightly different translation. 13 It is also a testimony to the close accuracy of the narrative of Ptolemy. 14 Roman history tells of various conflicts with the Celts during this period, but de Jubainville has shown that these narratives are almost entirely mythical. See “Premiers Habitants,” ii. 318-323. _ 15 E.g.,_ Moymell (_magh-meala_), the Plain of Honey, a Gaelic name for Fairyland, and many place-names. 16 For these and many other examples see de Jubainville’s “Premiers Habitants,” ii. 255 _sqq._ 17 Quoted by Mr. Romilly Allen in “Celtic Art,” p. 136. 18 “Premiers Habitants,” ii. 355, 356.