[149] Serv. says that Livy gives “quisquis es, noster eris,” as the formula actually used by a general in receiving a deserter from the enemy. ‘Noster’ is opposed to “alienus” more than once in Plautus (Mil. 2. 5. 21, Amph. 1. 1. 243), so that when Cicero (Q. Fr. 1. 1. 3) says “Halienus noster est cum animo et benivolentia, tum vero etiam imitatione vivendi,” he doubtless intends a pun. Other instances quoted by Forc., where ‘noster’ clearly bears a similar sense, are Ter. Adelph. 5. 8. 28, Val. Fl. 2. 561. ‘Eris’ is probably Virg.'s own variation for “esto:” at any rate the future is used in an imperative sense (Madv. § 384, obs.), so that there is no difficulty about the coupling of ‘eris’ and ‘edissere.’ ‘Mihique haec’ &c.: Il. 10. 284, ἀλλ᾽ ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον, addressed to Dolon.
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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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