Virgil's "Gathering of the Clans,": Being Observations on Aeneid VII. 601-817In the darkest year that Europe has known since the tenth century, being too old and deaf to be of any active service to the country, I have found myself invigorated by fresh reading of HOmer, Virgil, Milton, Wordsowrth, and some other poets who, like these, are very old friends. A chance visit from a scholar who loves his Virgil, and happened to drop an opportune word or two about the "Gathering of the Clans," sent me once more to the seventh Aeneid, which always brings to mind the quiet, conversational, but most valuable lectures of my college tutor, Henry Nettleship, of which I still have the notes. I need hardly say that a fresh reading revealed new beauties, new secrets; and especially the "catalogue," as it is sometimes injuriously called, claimed from me a long and enjoyable study, of which the fruits, such as they are, are contained the following pages. -- Preface. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Abruzzi Aeneas Aeneid Aequi aeratas acies agmen agens albis indutus capiti Anagnia Antemnae Anxur archæological Aricia arva Aventinus beautiful bella dolones bello Caeculus Camilla chariot currum deity dentibus albis indutus Diana equos esset Etruscan Falerii Fescenninas fight florentes Gates gerunt in bella gramina Greek habent helmet hemistichia Henry Hercules hero Homer igni ingens insignem interesting Italian Italy J. G. Frazer Juno Jupiter Latin Latium Lausus lines litora Mackail manu saevosque gerunt Marsi Messapus Mezentius Milton neque Nursia omnis pageant pater pila manu saevosque poet poetic populos postquam Praeneste pulsa palus quique quos regia tecta subibat religious Roman Festivals Rome Rufrae saeta cum dentibus Salii says Servius shield sic regia tecta silva sonant story suggest tegimen torquens immane tela terribili impexum saeta Tiber Tibur torquens immane leonis tribes Trojans Turnus twins Ufens Umbro umeros Virbius Virg Virgil warriors word
Popular passages
Page 92 - Anon they move In perfect phalanx to the Dorian mood Of flutes and soft recorders...
Page 92 - In perfect phalanx to the Dorian mood Of flutes and soft recorders — such as raised • To highth of noblest temper heroes old Arming to battle, and instead of rage Deliberate valour breathed, firm and unmoved With dread of death to flight or foul retreat; Nor wanting power to mitigate and swage With solemn touches troubled thoughts, and chase Anguish and doubt and fear and sorrow and pain From mortal or immortal minds.
Page 91 - Obscure some glimpse of joy to have found their Chief Not in despair, to have found themselves not lost 525 In loss itself; which on his countenance cast Like doubtful hue. But he, his wonted pride Soon re-collecting, with high words, that bore Semblance of worth, not substance, gently...
Page 66 - Ecce Sabinorum prisco de sanguine magnum agmen agens Clausus magnique ipse agminis instar, Claudia nunc a quo diffunditur et tribus et gens per Latium, postquam in partem data Roma Sabinis.
Page 74 - Marruvia venit de gente sacerdos, 750 fronde super galeam et felici comptus oliva, Archippi regis missu, fortissimus Umbro, vipereo generi et graviter spirantibus hydris spargere qui somnos cantuque manuque solebat, mulcebatque iras et morsus arte levabat.
Page 95 - Virginei volucrum vultus, foedissima ventris proluvies uncaeque manus et pallida semper ora fame.
Page 54 - ... sic regia tecta subibat, horridus, Herculeoque umeros innexus amictu. Tum gemini fratres Tiburtia moenia linquunt, fratris Tiburti dictam cognomine gentem, Catillusque acerque Coras, Argiva iuventus, et primam ante aciem densa inter tela feruntur ceu duo nubigenae cum vertice montis ab alto descendunt Centauri, Homolen Othrymque nivalem linquentes cursu rapido; dat euntibus ingens silva locum, et magno cedunt virgulta fragore.
Page 16 - Ibant aequati numero, regemque canebant, Ceu quondam nivei liquida inter nubila cycni, Cum sese e pastu referunt, et longa canoros 700 Dant per colla modos : sonat amnis et Asia longe Pulsa palus. Nec quisquam aeratas acies ex agmine tanto Misceri putet: aeriam sed gurgite ab alto Urgueri volucrum raucarum ad litora nubem.
Page 91 - Not in despair, to have found themselves not lost In loss itself: which on his countenance cast Like doubtful hue : but he, his wonted pride Soon recollecting, with high words, that bore Semblance of worth, not substance, gently raised Their fainting courage, and dispell'd their fears.
Page 91 - Seraphic arms and trophies; all the while Sonorous metal blowing martial sounds : At which the universal host up-sent A shout, that tore hell's concave, and beyond Frighted the reign of Chaos and old Night.