[180] Ulysses climbs a rock to reconnoitre the territory of Circe, Od. 10. 148. The prep. in ‘conscendo’ implies energy or effort, ‘scales.’ For this force of “cum” in composition, see Key, Lat. Gr. 1323. Serv. rightly points out that the chief is painted as occupied with nobler cares; as in 6. 9, where he goes to consult the Sibyl while the rest are kindling their fire, and scouring the woods. The stags are an accidental piece of good fortune (‘tela gerebat Achates’), which serves as a comfort and an omen of further comfort to the fleet. ‘Omnem’ belongs more properly to ‘pelago’ than to ‘prospectum,’ which denotes rather the-faculty or opportunity than the view or prospect in our sense. ‘Prospectum petere’ is found in Catull. 62. (64.) 241. Comp. also Pacuv. Chrys. fr. 9 (Ribbeck), “incipio saxum temptans scandere Verticem, summusque in omnis partis prospectum aucupo.”
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John Conington. P. Vergili Maronis opera. P. Vergili Maronis Opera. The works of Virgil, with a Commentary by John Conington, M.A. Late Corpus Professor of Latin in the University of Oxford. London. Whittaker and Co., Ave Maria Lane. 1876.
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