The Cæsar, here mentioned, is Caius Caligula, who affected to triumph over the Germans, whom he never conquered, as he did over the Britons; and accordingly sent letters, wrapt about with laurels, to the senate and the Empress Cæsonia, whom I here call queen; though I know that name was not used amongst the Romans; but the word empress would not stand in that verse, for which reason I adjourned it to another. The dust, which was to be swept away from the altars, was either the ashes which were left there after the last sacrifice for victory, or might perhaps mean the dust or ashes which were left on the altars since some former defeat of the Romans by the Germans; after which overthrow, the altars had been neglected. Note IX. _The goodly empress._--P. 271. Cæsonia, wife to Caius Caligula, who afterwards, in the reign of Claudius, was proposed, but ineffectually, to be married to him, after he had executed Messalina for adultery. Note X. _The captive Germans, of gigantic size, Are ranked in order, and are clad in frize._--P. 271. He means only such as were to pass for Germans in the triumph, large-bodied men, as they are still, whom the empress clothed new with coarse garments, for the greater ostentation of the victory. Note XI. _Know, I have vowed two hundred gladiators._--P. 271. A hundred pair of gladiators were beyond the purse of a private man to give; therefore this is only a threatening to his heir, that he could do what he pleased with his estate. Note XII. ----_Shouldst thou demand of me My torch, when I in course run after thee._--P. 272. Why shouldst thou, who art an old fellow, hope to outlive me, and be my heir, who am much younger? He who was first in the course or race, delivered the torch, which he carried, to him who was second. Note XIII. _Well fed, and fat as Cappadocian slaves._--P. 273. Who were famous for their lustiness, and being, as we call it, in good liking. They were set on a stall when they were exposed to sale, to show the good habit of their body; and made to play tricks before the buyers, to show their activity and strength. Note XIV. _Then say, Chrysippus._--P. 273. Chrysippus, the Stoic, invented a kind of argument, consisting of more than three propositions, which is called _sorites_, or a heap. But as Chrysippus could never bring his propositions to a certain stint, so neither can a covetous man bring his craving desires to any certain measure of riches, beyond which he could not wish for any more. THE WORKS OF VIRGIL, TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH VERSE. WORKS OF VIRGIL.