[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._