Part 18

FINIS DECIMI LIBRI HOM. ODYSS.

[1] _Πόδα νηὸς_—He calls the stern the foot of the ship.

[2] This place suffers different construction in all the Commentors: in which all err from the mind of the Poet, as in a hundred other places (which yet I want time to approve) especially about _ἐγγὺς γὰρ νυκτός,_ etc. _Prope enim noetis et diei sunt viœ_ (or _similiter,_ which _ἐγγὺς_ signifies) which they will have to be understood, that the days in that region are long, and the nights short; where Homer intends, that the equinoctial is there; for how else is the course of day and night near or equal? But therefore the night’s-man hath his double hire, being as long about his charge as the other; and the night being more dangerous, etc. And if the day were so long, why should the night’s-man be preferred in wages?

[3] For being cast on the stays, as ships are by weather.

[4] Antiphas was king there.

[5] _Μερμαίρω, curiosè cogito._

[6] _Αἴθοπα καπνόν. Αι͒θοψ_ signifying _rutilus,_ by reason or the fire mixed with it. _Fumus qui fit dut aliquid accenditur._

[7] _᾿Ερικύδεα δαι̑τα._

[8] The whole end of this counsel was to persuade his soldiers to explore those parts, which he knew would prove a most unpleasing motion to them: for their fellows’ terrible entertainment with Antiphas, and Polyph. and therefore he prepares the little he hath to say with this long circumstance; implying a necessity of that service, and necessary resolution to add the trial of the event to their other adventures.

[9] _Κεδνὸς, cujus animus curas prudentes versat._

[10] Seeing them, he thought of his fellows.

[11] The herb Moly, which, with Ulysses’ whole narration, hath in chief an allegorical exposition. Notwithstanding I say with our Spondanus, _Credo in hoc vasto mundi ambitu extare res innumeras mirandæ facultatis: adeo, ut ne quidem ista quæ ad transformanda corpora pertinet, jure è mundo eximi possit, etc._

[12] _Φράσσαντό τε πάντα. Commemorabantque omnia._ Intending all their miseries, escapes, and meetings.

[13] _Κλυτὰ ἕθνεα νεκρω̑ν._ Which is expounded _Inclyta examina mortuorum:_ but _κλυτὸς_ is the epithet of Pluto; and by analogy belongs to the dead, _quod ad se omnes advocat._

THE ELEVENTH BOOK OF HOMER’S ODYSSEYS

THE ARGUMENT

Ulysees’ way to Hell appears; Where he the grave Tiresias hears; Enquires his own and others’ fates; His mother sees, and th’ after states In which were held by sad decease Heroës, and Heroesses, A number, that at Troy wag’d war; As Ajax that was still at jar With Ithacus, for th’ arms he lost; And with the great Achilles’ ghost.

ANOTHER ARGUMENT

_Λάνβδα._ Ulysses here Invokes the dead, The lives appear Hereafter led.