On the Saronic gulf.”
I see no proof that πρῶν ever means anything but a promontory, and so cannot follow Con. in reading κάτοπτρον.
“Each from the other fired with happy news,” etc.
An allusion to the famous λαμπαδηφορία, or torch race, practised by the Greeks at the Parthenon and other festivals. In this race a burning torch was passed from hand to hand, so that, notwithstanding the extreme celerity of the movement, the flame might not go out. See the article by Liddell in the Dict. Antiq. where difficulties in the detail are explained.
“To their hearts’ content.”
The reading of Well. and the MS. ὡς δυσδαίμονες will never do, though Med. certainly has shown genius by striking out of it
“Soundly as mariners when the danger’s past
They sleep.”