EXTRACTS FROM OVID'S METAMORPHOSES, WITH COPIOUS NOTES. BY 1. M'BURNEY, A.B. ONE OF THE CLASSICAL MASTERS OF THE GLASGOW ACADEMY. LONDON AND GLASGOW: RICHARD GRIFFIN AND COMPANY, PUBLISHERS TO THE UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW. 1854. 297.9.49. PREFACE. IN making the following Selections from the "Metamorphoses" of Ovid, the editor has had the double object in view-of omitting objectionable passages, and giving as much of the work as can be easily read in the usual curriculum of our schools. The Extracts given in the present little volume bear upon the most prominent incidents and themes of mythological story. Where exceptions to this rule occur, it is hoped that the omissions will be compensated by occasional reference to the general tenor of the omitted Fables, in Notes to passages contained in this work. As Ovid is among the first of the Latin poets, with whose writings the scholar becomes familiar, it is unnecessary to apologise for the simplicity and copiousness of the Notes. Perhaps not more than enough has been done to facilitate the tyro's study, and enough is left to stimulate his industry and exercise classical talent. While the idioms and more difficult passages are carefully explained, considerable attention has been bestowed upon the mythology and geography. From the available sources of information, which are now so ample and numerous, whatever appeared to the editor useful and necessary has been taken, without any attempt at originality in the style or manner of compilation his great object was practical utility. But it would be uncandid not to acknowledge that he has got most valuable suggestions from Notes on the following books: -"Ferguson's Metamorphoses," "Ramsay's Extracts from Tibullus and Ovid," "Islér's Excerpta," "The Delphini Edition," and several others bearing upon the subject immediately or indirectly. EXTRACTS FROM THE METAMORPHOSES. BOOK I. THE ARGUMENT. In nova fert animus mutatas dicere formas FAB. I.-CHAOS AND THE CREATION. ANTE mare et terras, et, quod tegit omnia, cœlum, 5 Quem dixêre Chaos, rudis indigestaque moles; B 15 |