species. The sphinx
was represented as having the face of a woman, the breast and feet of a
lion, and the wings of a bird.

[5a] Dindorf would omit this verse.

[6] [Greek: arai] and [Greek: arasthai] are often used by the poets in a
good sense for prayers, [Greek: euchai] and [Greek: euchesthai] for curses
and imprecations.

[7] [Greek: dieres hyperoon, e klimax]. HESYCHIUS.

[8] Milton, Par. Regained, b. iii. l. 326.

The field, all iron, cast a gleaming brown.

[9] Lerna, a country of Argolis celebrated for a grove and a lake where the
Danaides threw the heads of their murdered husbands. It was there also that
Hercules killed the famous Hydra.

[10] This alludes to the figure of Argus engraved on his shield. See verse
1130.

[11] Tydeus married Deipyle, Polynices Argia, both daughters of Adrastus,
king of Argos.

[12] Some suppose [Greek: hysteroi podi] to mean with their last steps,
that is, with steps which are doomed never to return again to their own
country.

[13] Triaena was a place in Argolis, where Neptune stuck his trident in the
ground, and immediately water sprung up. SCHOL.

[14] Amymone was daughter of Danaus and Europa; she was employed, by order
of her father, in supplying the city of Argos with water, in a great
drought. Neptune saw her in this employment, and was enamored of her. He
carried her away, and in the place where she stood he raised a fountain,
which has been called Amymone. See Propert. ii. El. 20. v. 47.

[15] [Greek: allelas legousin] is, _they say one of another_; [Greek:
allelais legousin], _they say among themselves_.

[16] By [Greek: pedion akarpiston] is to be understood the sea. The
construction [Greek: pedion perirrhyton Sikelias], that is, [Greek: ha
Sikelian perirrhei]. The same construction is found in Sophocles, Oed. Tyr.
l. 885. [Greek: dikas aphobetos]. L. 969. [Greek: aphaustos enchous]. See
also Horace, Lib. iv. Od. 4. 43.

Ceu flamma per taedas, vel Eurus
Per Siculas equitavit undas.

[17] The fire was on that head of Parnassus which was sacred to Apollo and
Diana; to those below it appeared double, being divided to the eye by a
pointed rock which rose before it. SCHOL.

[18] The Python which Apollo slew.

[19] Libya the daughter of Epaphus bore to Neptune Agenor and Belus. Cadmus
was the son of Agenor, and Antiope the daughter of Belus.

[19a] But Dind. [Greek: ekphros']. See his note.

[20] The construction is, [Greek: amphiballe moi to to