[167] It may be doubted whether ‘dant signum’ here means ‘give a signal for the flashing of the fire’ (comp. 3. 239, 519 &c.), or ‘give a sign of the event taking place’ (comp. 8. 523., 12. 245). Nor is it clear in either case what parts are meant to be assigned to the Earth and Juno respectively, supposing, as was observed in the last note, that some natural phenomenon is intended by each of the actions ascribed here to the various deities. Taking ‘signum’ as a sign, and so regarding ‘fulsere ignes’ as that in which the sign consisted, we may account sufficiently well for the operation of Juno, who is the mistress of the atmosphere; but the office of Tellus is still undetermined. The generality of commentators, regarding the appearances as inauspicious, suppose the sign given by Earth to be the shock of an earthquake. This was probably the interpretation of Milton, who doubtless intended to imitate the passage in his description of the effects following the first act of sin (Par. Lost, 9. 782 foll., 1000 foll.). Henry thinks ‘signum’ is a signal, which he supposes to be given by Tellus and Juno simply as persons, not as presiding powers of nature, “a simple nod of the head or wave of the hand:” but this would spoil the symmetry of the passage, nor is it supported, as he thinks, by Claudian in Prob. et Olybr. Cons. 205 foll., where ‘signum’ is evidently a sign or portent. Gossrau, who regards the manifestations as ambiguous, is similarly at a loss to know what part to assign to the Earth, and concludes “signa quae dederit Tellus esse omissa.” ‘Fulsere ignes et aether’ is rightly explained by Wagn. as i. q. “fulsit aether ignibus.” For nuptial torches see E. 8. 29.
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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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