It seems idle to attempt to clear
this line of tautology, by making minute
distinctions between conticuit and quievit.
No doubt the two may be said to
represent the same thing as regarded in
slightly different aspects: but that is no
more than might be urged in any case of
admitted repetition, such as those in
Homer. Virg. is fond of saying the same
thing two or more times, partly from an
imitation of epic simplicity, partly owing
to his own love of variety in expression.
To understand quievit of retiring to
rest with Wund. is less natural: but
the word may fairly be said to suggest
that notion, and thus to prepare us for
Dido's broken slumbers at the beginning
of Book 4.
[p. 258]
