[60] Compare Nonnus, 46. p. 784.
Και τοτε μιν λιπε λυσσα νοοσφαλεος Διονυσου,
και προτερας φρενας εσχε το δευτερον: αμφι δε γαιηι
γειτονα ποτμον εχων κενυρην εφθεγξατο φωνην.
* * * * * *
μητερ εμη δυσμητερ απηνεος ιοχεο λυσσης,
θηρα ποθεν καλεεις με τον ‛υιεα.
The whole passage is very elegant, and even pathetic.
[61] Alluding to the horns of Bacchus. Cf. Sidon. Apoll. Burg. Pontii Leontii, vs. 26, "Caput ardua rumpunt Cornua, et indigenam jaculantur fulminis ignem." See some whimsical reasons for this in Isidor. Origg viii. 2. Albricus de Deor. Nu. xix. But compare above, vs. 920. Και ταυρος ‛ημιν προσθεν ‛ηγεισθαι δοκεις, και σωι κερατε κρατι προσπεφυκεναι.
[62] Elmsley has rightly shown that ‛ελικα could not of itself mean "a bull" or "heifer," although Homer has ειλιποδας ‛ελικας βους. I have therefore followed Hermann, who remarks, "‛ελιξ seems properly to be meant for the clusters of ivy with which the thyrsus was entwined. Hence Agave says that she adorns the thyrsus with a new-fashioned wreath, viz. the head of her son." Such language is, however, more like the proverbial boldness of Æschylus, than the even style of our poet.