Et dixit, moriens: Te nunc habet ista secundum. Dixit Damætas: invidit stultus Amyntas. Huc ades, O formose puer. Tibi lilia plenis Ecce ferunt Nymphæ calathis: tibi candida Nais Pallentes violas et summa papavera carpens, who died the very day that Virgil put on his manly gown; that is, about the time when our author began his most early poems. But Lucretius was not a writer of Bucolicks; and it cannot be supposed that Virgil, at the age of sixteen or seventeen years, could be thought of consequence enough to be a successor to a poet of so established a reputation as Lucretius. Nec tuta valle.] He augments the value of these kids, by telling Alexis in what a dangerous place he had found them. It was in a valley, probably between two rocks, of difficult and dangerous access; or perhaps exposed to wild beasts or robbers. Reperti.] La Cerda understands this word to express that these kids had been lost, and found again. Dr. Trapp is earnest for this interpretation, because he says they must have been stolen by Corydon, if they had not been his own before; and therefore ought to be restored to the right owner. But we may suppose them to have 40 45 been wild kids; and it is plain that they were taken from the dam, because they are put to a sheep to nurse. Sparsis etiam nunc pellibus albo.] "Kids at first have white spots, which alter and lose their beauty afterwards. Therefore he says, I reserve two kids for you, which have not yet lost the white spots out of their skin." Servius." Huc ades, &c.] The shepherd being in doubt, whether these presents of the pipe and kids are sufficient to engage Alexis, renews his invitation by offering him a present of flowers, to be gathered by the hand of a fair nymph, to which he adds some fruits, which he proposes to gather himself, and intermix with leaves of the finest odour Pallentes violas.] The Romans called__stock-gilliflowers viola alba. It is, therefore, plain that they comprehended both them and common violets under the general name of viola. It is probable also, that when they intended to express any one particular sort, they added some epithet to distinguish it. Thus Narcissum et florem jungit bene olentis anethi. our poet, intending here to ex- Narcissum.] See the note on 50 It does not grow wild in England. Casia.] "Daphne creorum, a species of mezereon." Sprengel. Intexens.] These flowers and herbs were to be woven into a garland. It was a custom amongst the ancients to present such garlands to those whom they loved. Caltha.] It is hardly possible to determine certainly what plant the poets meant by their caltha. We find, by the epithet luteola in this place, that it had a yellow flower; which is confirmed also by Columella. Therefore it may very well be our common marigold, according to the general opinion. Cana legam tenera lanugine mala.] The fruits here mentioned are almost universally affirmed to be quinces, which, without doubt, have a hoary down, and therefore so far agree with the poet's description. The only objection I have to this interpretation is, that the quince is of so austere a taste, that the shepherd could not think of offering it to a young palate. Nor do I find that it is at all better in those warmer climates; or that the Greeks or Romans used to eat it raw and it cannot be supposed that Corydon spake of dressing it. It seems more probable, that it was some other more delicious fruit. Pliny speaks of a sort of downy apples, which he calls mala lanata: Castaneasque nuces, mea quas Amaryllis amabat; Rusticus es, Corydon, nec munera curat Alexis : but we are much at a loss to know what he meant; and the critics generally think the text to be very corrupt in that passage. I should imagine, that the apples here meant might be peaches or apricots, if Pliny had not informed us that they were not known in Italy till thirty years before his time, and that they were sold at a great price. Addam cerea pruna.] Plums may be called waxen, from their colour being yellow, like new wax. Honos erit huic quoque pomo.] It is the general opinion of the commentators, that this refers to the plums just mentioned. The sense, therefore, is, that as Amaryllis was fond of chesnuts, so Alexis delights in plums; and on that account plums shall be esteemed a noble fruit. There is a thought like this in the seventh eclogue, where it is said, that though Hercules loves the poplar, Bacchus the vine, Venus the myrtle, and Apollo the bay; yec since Phyllis admires the hazel, the hazel shall be preferred to them all. Pomum is certainly used to express any sort of fruit almost that is eaten. 55 Rusticus es, Corydon, &c.] This eclogue concludes with a beautiful mixture of various passion. Corydon, having just expatiated on the plenty of gifts which he was preparing for Alexis, on a sudden seems to fall into despair. He reflects on the meanness of his own condition, and on the little value of his presents, in comparison with what the more wealthy Iolas had in his power to give. He no sooner mentions the name of his rival, than he bursts into an exclamation at his own imprudence for so doing. Then being afresh agitated by love, he expresses his astonishment to see Alexis despise the country which had been the seat of gods; endeavours to persuade him to prefer a rural life before any other. He then expresses the violence of his desire, and on a sudden recollects himself, reflects on the negligence in his own affairs, which this unruly passion had caused, and encourages himself to give over his folly, and mind his business. Quid volui misero mihi?] Ru. æus mentions three different interpretations of this passage :1. That of Ludovicus Vives: I am pouring forth my verses to |