[296] Sponde, which was restored by Wagn., is the reading of all Ribbeck's MSS, except two cursives, and is recagnized by Donatus: “Quidquid scis, ait, convenire meritis tuis, quidquid arbitratus fueris te dignum, ante ipsam petitionem tu tibi spondere ne dubites, atque ita, ut iam te accepisse confidas.” Strictly speaking of course it is Ascanius who makes the promise: but Virg. for the sake of variety represents him as authorizing Euryalus to make the promise to his own mind. Peerlkamp rightly points out that ‘sponde’ is supported by the next line, as otherwise ‘namque’ would introduce not a reason for what has been said, but simply a repetition of it (see however on G. 2. 398). If ‘spondeo’ were read, it would have to be pronounced as a dissyllable, as Virg. does not shorten the final ‘o’ in verbs except in the case of “scio” and “nescio,” which are perhaps themselves instances of synizesis (see on E. 8. 44). ‘Ingentibus coeptis’ 10. 461.
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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. and Henry Nettleship, M.A. London. Whittaker and Co., Ave Maria Lane;. George Bell and Sons, York Street, Covent Garden. 1876.
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