Eustace, John Cretwode: A classical tour through Italy An. MDCCCII (Vol. 3): 3. ed., rev. and enl (London: J. Mawman, 1815)

C/ι. L

THROUGH ITALY.

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gions j the groves of Proserpina, according to
him, spread over the sullen beach, and covered it
with a thick but barren shade.
ακτ/ te λαρζίΐ'α καί αλτία Περιτεφοι/είηί
Μακραι τ’ οΐιγειροι καί ίτεαι ωλΕτικαρττοί.
Qdyss. χ. 509.
Virgil beheld it at a time when beauty was its
prevalent feature, and though he was obliged to
adopt the mythology of his predecessor, yet he
qualifies its horrors, by confining the infernal
gloom to the precincts of Avernus; while he im-
proves upon it at the same time, by conducting
his hero through the regions of the dead, and
opening scenes grand, novel, and in the highest
degree delightful. Thus, while the foundation
was laid by the Greek, the elegant superstruc-
ture was raised by the Latin poet. The heroes,
the appellations, the topography, are principally
Homer’s ; but the graces, the decorations, the en-
chantment, belong to Virgil. The former is con-
tent with evoking the dead, and throwing an aw-
ful horror over the whole coast; the latter fixes
on particular spots, and attaches to each some
pleasing or instructive recollection. Thus, to
yon promontory he consigns the name and the
glory of Misenus,
-—quo non praestantior alter
^Ere ciere viros, Martemque accendere cantu.
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