ens, topped by the tettix._ _Archon._ One of the nine
rulers of Athens. _Tettix._ A grasshopper. "The Athenians sometimes wore
golden grasshoppers in their hair as badges of honor, because these
insects are supposed to spring from the ground, and thus they showed
they were sprung from the original inhabitants of the country." (Berdoe,
_Browning Cyclopaedia_, p. 336.)

12. _Reach Sparta for aid._ The distance between Athens and Sparta is
about 135 miles.

18. _Persia bids Athens proffer slaves'-tribute, water and earth._ The
Persians sent to those states which they wished to subject, messengers
who were to ask earth and water as symbols of submission.

19. _Eretria._ An important city on the island of Euboea.

20. _Hellas._ Greece.

38. _The moon, half-orbed._ Spartan troops finally came to Athens after
the full moon.

47. _Filleted victim._ A victim whose head was decked with ribbons.

52. _Parnes._ Herodotus refers in this connection to the Parthenian
mountain.

62. _Erebos._ Hades, the abode of shades or departed spirits.

83. _Fennel._ The Greek word Marathon means fennel.

89. _Miltiades._ One of the ten Athenian generals.

105. _Unforeseeing one._ The poet finishes the story, which he has
hitherto allowed Pheidippides to tell for himself.

105. _Marathon day._ In the month of September, B. C. 490.

106. _Akropolis._ The stronghold of Athens.

MULEYKEH

The love of the Arab for his horse is traditional. "The story is a
common one and seems adapted from a Bedouin's anecdote told in Rollo
Springfield's _The Horse and His Rider_." (Berdoe, _Browning
Cyclopaedia_, p. 280.)

WANTING IS--WHAT?

This poem is in the nature of a prelude to the group of poems published
under the title _Jocoseria_, 1883. Each poem in this volume shows the
lack of some element that would have brought the human action or
experience to perfection.

8. _Comer._ The invocation probably refers to the spirit of love with
its inspiring, transforming power.

"NEVER THE TIME AND THE PLACE"

This poem was published in _Jocoseria_ in 1883. It is doubtless to be
grouped with the poems that refer directly to Mrs. Browning.

THE PATRIOT

Browning says that this poem has no direct historical reference. He
calls it "An Old Story," because in all ages men have experienced this
unjust reversal of public approval. The poem is merely an imaginative,
dramatic representation of the fickleness of popular favor.

INSTANS TYRANN