NOTES TO CANTO XVI.
When I from Nicosìa thee expected.
Stanza xi. line 1.
This distinguished city of Cyprus is now called Leukosia (Λευκοσὶα), or at least is so called by the modern Greeks. Nicosìa was, however, there is no doubt, its classical designation. It probably bore both names, and the colloquial one has remained at home, while the place is known by another abroad. Many places in Greece are in the same situation, and many in Italy have lost the Roman names by which they were known to us, and are now distinguished by denominations which, though not classical, are evidently composed of Latin elements.
“Traces are to be found of the Medoacus major having borne the name of Brinta (the Brenta) and Brintesia, even in the time of the empire. In corroboration of this, Count Filiasi, in his work on the ancient Venetians, says that certain places in the Lido were, in ancient documents, styled Brintalis and Brintalesia; and, as the barbarians never possessed themselves of the Venetian Lagoon, the change of name cannot be attributed to them.” Letters from the North of Italy, Letter xxiv.
