Part 3

FINIS LIBRI PRIMI HOM. ODYSS.

[1] The information or fashion of an absolute man; and necessary (or fatal) passage through many afflictions (according with the most Sacred Letter) to his natural haven and country, is the whole argument and scope of this inimitable and miraculous poem. And therefore is the epithet _πολὐτροπον_ given him in the first verse: _πολὐτροπος_ signifying, _Homo cujus ingenium velut per multas et varias vias vertitur in verum._

[2] These notes following I am forced to insert (since the words they contain differ from all other translations) lest I be thought to err out of that ignorance that may perhaps possess my depraver.

[3] _‘Αμὑμονος_ translated in this place _inculpabilis,_ and made the epithet of Ægisthus, is from the true sense of the word, as it is here to be understood; which is quite contrary. As _ὰντίθεος_ is to be expounded in some place _Divinus,_ or _Deo similis,_ but in another (soon after) _contrarius Deo._ The person to whom the epithet is given giving reason to distinguish it. And so _ὀλοὁφρων,_ an epithet given to Atlas, instantly following, in one place signifies _mente perniciosus,_ in the next, _qui universa mente gerit._

[4] In this place is Atlas given the epithet _ὀλοὁφρων,_ which signifies _qui universa mente agitat,_ here given him for the power the stars have in all things. Yet this receives other interpretation in other places, as abovesaid.

[5] _Δὐστηνος_ is here turned by others, _infelix,_ in the general collection; when it hath here a particular exposition, applied to express Ulysses’ desert errors, _‘παρἁ τὁ στἣναι, ut sit, qui vix locum invenire potest ubi consistat._

[6] This is thus translated, the rather to express and approve the allegory driven through the whole Odysseys. Deciphering the intangling of the wisest in his affections; and the torments that breed in every pious mind; to be thereby hindered to arrive so directly as he desires, at the proper and only true natural country of every worthy man, whose haven is heaven and the next life, to which, this life is but a sea in continual æsture and vexation. The words occasioning all this are _μαλακοἳς λὀλοις: μαλακὀς_ signifying, _qui languide, et animo remisso rem aliquam gerit;_ which being the effect of Calypso’s sweet words in Ulysses, is here applied passively to his own sufferance of their operation.

[7] _῞Ερκος ὀδὀντων,_ viz. _vallum_ or _clanstrum dentium,_ which, for the better sound in our language, is here turned, Pale of Ivory. The teeth being that rampire, or pale, given us by nature in that part for restraint and compression of our speech, till the imagination, appetite, and soul (that ought to rule in their examination, before their delivery) have given worthy pass to them. The most grave and divine poet, teaching therein, that not so much for the necessary chewing of our sustenance our teeth are given us, as for their stay of our words, lest we utter them rashly.

[8] _Τὀσος παîς, Tantus filius._ Pallas thus enforcing her question to stir up the son the more to the father’s worthiness.

[9] _’Ερἰηρος ἀοιδὀς. Cantor, cujus tam apta est societas hominibus._

[10] _’Ανδρἀσιν ἀλφηστᾔσιν. ’Αλφηστᾔσιν_ is an epithet proper to poets for their first finding out of arts and documents tending to elocution and government inspired only by Jove, and are here called the first of men, since first they gave rules to manly life, and have their information immediately from Jove (as Plato in Ione witnesseth); the word deduced from _ἅλφα,_ which is taken for him _qui primas teneat aliquâ in re,_ and will _ἀλφηστῃσιν_ then be sufficiently expressed with _ingeniosis,_ than which no exposition goes further.

[11] _’Ηωθεν, prima luce._

[12] Upon this answer of Telemachus, because it hath so sudden a change and is so far let down from his late height of heat, altering and tempering so commandingly his affections I thought not amiss to insert here Spondanus’ further annotations, which is this: _Prudenter Telemachus joco furorem Antinoi ac asperitatem emolliit. Nam ita dictum illius interpretatur, ut existimetur censere jocosè ilia etiam ab Antinoo adversum se pronunciata. Et primum ironicè se Regem esse exoptat propter commoda quæ Reges solent comitari. Ne tamen invidiam in se ambitionis concitet, testatur se regnum, Ithacæ non ambire, mortuo Ulysse, cum id alii possidere queant se longe præstantiores ac digniores: hoc unum ait se moliri, ut propriarum ædium et bonorum solus sit dominus, iis exclusis, ac ejectis, qui vi illa occupare ac disperdere conantur._

THE SECOND BOOK OF HOMER’S ODYSSEYS

THE ARGUMENT

Telemachus to court doth call The Wooers, and commands them all To leave his house; and taking then From wise Minerva ship and men, And all things fit for him beside, That Euryclea could provide For sea-rites till he found his sire, He hoists sail; when Heav’n stoops his fire.

ANOTHER ARGUMENT

_βητα._ The old Maid’s store The voyage cheers. The ship leaves shore, Minerva steers.