Dear Mantovani,
I am back online after four very frustrating
months.I
missed the Virgilian discussions more than I can say. To celebrate my
return from exile in the cultural wastelands of Perth, Western Australia
- the modern equivalent of Ovid's Tomis, except that is very hot instead
of very cold - I offer some witticisms by James Smith (1775 1839) on
Virgil's epithets for Æneas in Book IV of the Æneid.
(N.B.The Latin words are pronounced as if they were English words).
On Pius Æneas
Virgil, whose magic verse enthrals
And who in verse is greater?
By turns his wand'ring hero calls,
Now "pius", & now "pater".
But when prepared the worst to brave,
An action that must pain us,
Queen Dido meets him in the cave,
And dubs him "dux Trojanus".
And well he changes thus the word
On that occasion; sure,
"Pius Æneas" were absurd,
And "Pater" premature !
-----------------------------------------------
Peter JVD BRYANT
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
7 Cobea Court
Mount Claremont
West Australia
AUSTRALIA 6010
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