[Footnote 82: _Laughed at them._--Ver. 612. The Centaurs, from one
of whom Pirithoues was sprung, were famed for their contempt of,
and enmity to, the Gods.]

[Footnote 83: _By a low wall._--Ver. 620. As a memorial of the
wonderful events here related by Lelex.]

[Footnote 84: _Thatched with straw._--Ver. 630. It was the custom
with the ancients, when reaping, to take off only the heads of the
corn, and to leave the stubble to be reaped at another time. From
this passage, we see that straw was used for the purpose of
thatching.]

[Footnote 85: _Lifts down._--Ver. 647. The lifting down the flitch
of bacon might induce us to believe that the account of this story
was written yesterday, and not nearly two thousand years since.
So true is it, that there is nothing new under the sun.]

[Footnote 86: _Feet and frame._--Ver. 659. 'Sponda.' This was the
frame of the bedstead, and more especially the sides of it. In the
case of a bed used for two persons, the two sides were
distinguished by different names; the side at which they entered
was open, and was called 'sponda:' the other side, which was
protected by a board, was called 'pluteus.' The two sides were
also called 'torus exterior,' or 'sponda exterior,' and 'torus
interior,' or 'sponda interior.']

[Footnote 87: _Double-tinted berries._--Ver. 664. Green on one
side, and swarthy on the other.]

[Footnote 88: _A short pause._--Ver. 671. This was the second
course. The Roman 'coena,' or chief meal, consisted of three
stages. First, the 'promulsis,' 'antecoena,' or 'gustatio,' when
they ate such things as served to stimulate the appetite. Then
came the first course, which formed the substantial part of the
meal; and next the second course, at which the 'bellaria,'
consisting of pastry and fruits, such as are now used at dessert,
were served.]

[Footnote 89: _Immortals forbade it._--Ver. 688. This act of
humanity reflects credit on the two Deities, and contrasts
favourably with their usual cruel and revengeful disposition, in
common with their fellow Divinities of the heathen Mythology.]

[Footnote 90: _Of Tyana._--Ver. 719. This was a city of
Cappadocia, in Asia Minor.]

EXPLANATION.

The story of Baucis and Philemon, which is here so beautifully
related by the Poet, is a moral tale, which shows the merit of