v. 83. Meridian.] Extending to the east, the Mediterranean at last reaches the coast of Palestine, which is on its horizon when it enters the straits of Gibraltar. “Wherever a man is,” says Vellutello, “there he has, above his head, his own particular meridian circle.”
v. 85. —’Twixt Ebro’s stream
And Macra’s.]
Eora, a river to the west, and Macra, to the east of Genoa, where
Folco was born.
v. 88. Begga.] A place in Africa, nearly opposite to Genoa.
v. 89. Whose haven.] Alluding to the terrible slaughter of the Genoese made by the Saracens in 936, for which event Vellutello refers to the history of Augustino Giustiniani.
v. 91. This heav’n.] The planet Venus.
v. 93. Belus’ daughter.] Dido.
v. 96. She of Rhodope.] Phyllis.
v. 98. Jove’s son.] Hercules.
v. 112. Rahab.] Heb. c. xi. 31.
v. 120. With either palm.] “By the crucifixion of Christ”