[46] Ariadne was the Daughter of Minos King of Crete. She fell in Love with Theseus, and with a Clew of Thread helped him out of the Labyrinth into which he went to kill the Minotaur. He afterwards basely deserted the poor Lady, of which our Poet will presently tell the Story.
[47] Silenus was the Pedagogue of Bacchus, and his Foster-Father: He was likewise his Companion on all Occasions; and is often introduced in his drunken Mood by our Poet.
[48] At this Wedding Eurytion the Centaur getting drunk, attempted to ravish Hippodamia the Bride of Pyrithous, but Theseus knocked his Brains out with a Bowl. Upon this a Battle ensued between the Centaurs and the Lapithae, who defending the Cause of their Prince Pyrithous, destroyed almost all the Centaurs. Horace Lib. I. Ode 18. mentions this Story likewise, as a Caution to Men not to be quarrelsome in their Cups.
[49] Here and in many other Places, we have been obliged to supply that Connection, which is greatly wanting in the Original.
[50] Phoebe and Ilaira were two pretty Girls, the Daughters of Leucippus, and by their Father betrothed to two Brothers Idas and Lynceus; but before the Celebration of their Nuptials, were ravished by Castor and Pollux. This ended in the Death of Castor, by the Hands of Lynceus; and of Lynceus, by Pollux, whose Death while Idas was attempting to revenge, he was struck dead by Thunder at the Feet of Pollux.
[51] Orion the Theban was in Love with Merope the Daughter of AEnopian; but who this Lyrice was, is not so plain, no Mention being made of her in any other Place.
[52] Daphnis was the Son of Mercury; for his Love for this Naïs, we have here Ovid's Authority.
PUBLICATIONS OF THE AUGUSTAN REPRINT SOCIETY
First Year (1946-47)