[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._