I will withdraw from your Company; retire to the Shades, and perform my Penance of a Thousand Years. But I must confess the Interpretation of those two words, explebo numerum is somewhat Violent, if it be thus understood, minuam numerum; that is, I will lessen your Company by my departure. For Deiphobus being a Ghost, can hardly be said to be of their Number. Perhaps the Poet means by explebo numerum, absolvam sententiam: As if Deiphobus reply'd to the Sibil, who was angry at his long Visit: I will only take my last leave of Aeneas, my Kinsman and my Friend, with one hearty good-wish for his Health and Well-fare, and then leave you to prosecute your Voyage. That Wish is express'd in the words immediately following. I Decus, I nostrum, &c. Which contain a direct Answer to what the Sibill said before: When she upbraided their long Discourse, Nos flendo ducimus horas. This Conjecture is new, and therefore left to the discretion of the Reader.
L. 981. Know first that Heav'n, and Earth's compacted Frame,
And flowing Waters, and the Starry Flame,
And both the radiant Lights, &c.
Principio Coelum, & terras, composque liquentes,
Lucentemque globum Lunae, Titaniaque Astra, &c.
Here the Sun is not express'd, but the Moon only; though a less, and also a less radiant Light. Perhaps the Copies of Virgil are all false; and
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