[383] Longis terris seems best taken with Forb. as the abl. after ‘dividit.’ ‘A far journey separates Italy from our far country,’ the “terrae” spoken of being Epirus, where they now were, and ‘longis’ being introduced to give a rhetorical balance, like “absens absentem auditque videtque” 4. 83, in spite of the logical confusion created by its insertion. Other interpretations are ‘dividit longis terris,’ divides by a long stretch of country, referring to the length of Italy that has to be sailed along before the Trojans reach the proper spot for landing (Heyne), and ‘via longis terris,’ a way by long tracts of country, like “cursus brevissimus undis” v. 507 below (Wund.), an expression which would be applicable to a land-journey, not to a voyage. ‘Via invia’ is another jingle, an imitation of such Greek combinations as βίος ἄβιος, &c., ‘a way, yet no way.’ Helenus' meaning is that though Italy looks near, the way which Aeneas must go to reach the part assigned him by the fates is long and beset with dangers.
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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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