[3] It is not difficult to believe that in the old time-worn beeches overhanging the stream we have the actual landscape of the poet’s farm. [4] Probably the comet which appeared after Julius Cæsar’s death, and which the poet takes to announce a new era of peace and happiness for Rome. The English reader may remember that a new star was said to have appeared at the accession of Charles II., from which equally happy auguries were drawn--and were equally disappointed. [5] _Anglicè_, “Bright-eyes.” [6] No. 378. [7] ΙΗΣΟΥΕ ΧΡΕΙΣΤΟΣ ΘΕΟΥ ΥΙΟΣ ΣΩΤΗΡ. He also quotes other “Sibylline” verses from the Greek of Lactantius, referring to the crucifixion.--De Civ. Dei, xviii. 23. [8] The duration is variously estimated--from 2489 to 18,000 years. See Conington’s note. [9] This fine passage--much of the beauty of which is necessarily lost in this attempt at a translation--has been often imitated, not least successfully by Thomson, in the eulogy upon his native island with which he begins the fifth book of his poem on “Liberty.” [10] When we find, in a modern manual, even directions “How to tame vicious bees,” it is hard to say what a master of beecraft can _not_ do.--See Mr Pettigrew’s clever and amusing ‘Handy Book.’ [11] Jules Legris. [12] ‘Fall of Rome,’ iv. 576. [13] The following pedigree is mythical--as pedigrees often are: Tros. | +------------------+------------------+ Ilus. Assaracus. | | Laomedon. Capys. | | Priam. Anchises. | Æneas. [14] Iliad, xx. 306. [15] The extracts are in all cases (where not otherwise marked) from Mr Conington’s translation, and are made with the permission of his representatives and publishers. [16] Milton has translated the line almost literally:-- “In heavenly spirits could such perversion dwell?” --Par. Lost, vi. [17] Dante in his Inferno punishes Sinon with an eternal sweating-sickness: a singular penalty, which is shared only by Potiphar’s wife.--Inf. xxx. [18] Nay, the “crests” spoken of seem to have been (as reported of the modern sea-serpent) of actual hair; since Pindar, as Conington has noted, calls them “manes.” [19] The French word “_feu_,” used of a person deceased, is probably from this Latin use of “_fui_.” [20] For this reason, says Macrobius, the real name of Rome and of its guardian deity was always kept a secret. [21] Horrible as the legend is, Spenser thought it worth adopting. The Red-Cross Knight, to make a garland for Fidessa, tears branches from the tree that had once been Fradubio.--’Faery Queen,’ I. ii. 30.