The Odysseys of Homer, together with the shorter poems

[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.