Metrum 1

Meter: Dactylic tetrameter alternating with iambic dimeter. The tetrameter ends with the cadence u x.

line 1

mihi: dative of the possessor.

line 2

conscendant: subjunctive of purpose.

line 4

perosa despicit: "detesting, it looks down on."

line 6

postergum: = post tergum.

line 7

quique: = qui + -que; antecedent is ignis uerticem in line 8. The movement of the 'ether' (above the atmosphere) was the source of such signs of fire as comets, meteors, and the Milky Way (so said Aristotle ). In late antiquity the Milky Way was regarded as the pathway of souls on the way to highest heaven. (See Gruber.)

line 9

astriferas: astriferas . . . domos: "star-bearing houses," the zodiac signs.
domos: astriferas . . . domos: "star-bearing houses," the zodiac signs.

line 11

gelidi senis: i.e., Saturn.

line 12

miles corusci sideris: subject of surgat, coniungat, and comitetur; perhaps an allusion to Mars.

line 13

pingitur: "is decorated."

line 14

recurrat: "follows again" (i.e., the mind in its ascent follows the course of a star).

line 15

exhausti: exhausti . . . satis: "enough of fatigue"; subject of fuerit.
satis: exhausti . . . satis: "enough of fatigue"; subject of fuerit.

line 16

polum: polum . . . extimum: "outermost sky," cf. stabilem . . . orbem in 1M2.15.
extimum: polum . . . extimum: "outermost sky," cf. stabilem . . . orbem in 1M2.15.

line 17

17: lines 17-18: The mind reaches the other side of the fast-moving ether (dorsa uelocis aetheris) itself and so attains the domain of true, venerable (uerendi) light.

line 19

Hic: "here."
regum: < rex, "king."

line 23

Huc: "to this spot."

line 24

quam: sc. patriam (see following line).
immemor: cf. 3M11.

line 25

dices: parenthetical.

line 26

sistam: < sisto, "cause to stand still, bring to a halt."

line 27

27: lines 27-28: See on 2P7.23