[144] Sire of prophecy.] Phœbus is thought to be derived from Φαος βιου, light of life: but the Greeks always associated with the name the prophetic attribute of Apollo: hence they formed from it the word φοιβαζω, to prophecy: as βακχευν, to celebrate orgies or madden, is formed from βακχος: like the debacchor of the Latins. Lycophron, v. 6:
Δαφιηφαγων φοιβαζεν εκ λαιμων οπα.
From foaming mouth with laurel fed
She pour’d the voice of prophecy.
[145] And Venus twinkling bland her tremulous lids.] Ελικοβλεφαρος is explained by Guietus arcuatis superciliis: so Creech, in his translation of a chapter of Plutarch’s Morals, where the verse is quoted;
And Venus beauteous with her bending brows.
But the Greek for an eyebrow is οφρυς. Robinson more properly interprets it orbiculatis palpebris, with semicircular eye-lids: after the old scholiast; who conceives it a metaphor drawn from ελιξ: the bending tendril of ivy or the vine. Le Clerc explains it volubilibus palpebris: and is supported by Grævius, who quotes Petronius in illustration of the peculiar propriety of the epithet as applied to Venus:
Blandos oculos et inquietos,
Et quadam propriâ notâ loquaces.
Soft and ever restless eyes,