ootnote 28: _By our deeds._--Ver. 323. This is said
sarcastically, as much as to say, 'If I do not please her by my
looks, at least I will by my actions.']

[Footnote 29: _The Oetaean king._--Ver. 383. Namely, Ceyx, the king
of Trachyn, which city Hercules had founded, at the foot of Mount
Oeta.]

[Footnote 30: _The extreme summit._--Ver. 393. The upper stories
of the ancient light-houses had windows looking towards the sea;
and torches, or fires (probably in cressets, or fire-pans, at the
end of poles), were kept burning on them by night, to guide
vessels. 'Pharos,' or 'Pharus,' the name given to light-houses,
is derived from the celebrated one built on the island of Pharos,
at the entrance of the port of Alexandria. It was erected by
Sostratus, of Cnidos, at the expense of one of the Ptolemies, and
cost 800 talents. It was of huge dimensions, square, and
constructed of white stone. It contained many stories, and
diminished in width from below upwards. There were 'phari,' or
'light-houses,' at Ostia, Ravenna, Capreae, and Brundisium.]

[Footnote 31: _The Magnetes._--Ver. 408. The Magnetes were the
people of Magnesia, a district of Thessaly. They were famed for
their skill in horsemanship.]

[Footnote 32: _Haemonian Acastus._--Ver. 409. Acastus was the son
of Pelias. His wife Hippolyta, being enamoured of Peleus, and he
not encouraging her advances, she accused him of having made an
attempt on her virtue. On this, Acastus determined upon his death;
and having taken him to Mount Pelion, on the pretext of hunting,
he took away his arms, and left him there, to be torn to pieces by
the wild beasts. Mercury, or, according to some, Chiron, came to
his assistance, and gave him a sword made by Vulcan, with which he
slew Acastus and his wife.]

EXPLANATION.

Thetis being a woman of extraordinary beauty, it is not improbable,
that in the Epithalamia that were composed on her marriage, it was
asserted, that the Gods had contended for her hand, and had been
forced to give way, in obedience to the superior power of destiny.
Hyginus says that Prometheus was the only person that was acquainted
with the oracle; and that he imparted it to Jupiter, on condition
that he would deliver him from the eagle that tormented him:
whereupon the God sent Hercules to Mount Caucasus, to perform his
promise. I