[4] Diversa, widely removed from Troy. Some MSS. give ‘diversas quaerere terras;’ but ‘desertas’ is rightly explained by Heyne of land not otherwise occupied, and so fit for a new settlement (comp. vv. 122, 3 below), perhaps with a contrast to ‘Ilium superbum.’ Wagn., who accepts the improbable explanation of Serv., “desertas, a Dardano,” objects that Latium could not be called deserted, being peopled and cultivated; but it is evident that Aeneas is speaking according to the feeling with which he set sail, when he had as yet no definite vision of Italy or any other country. Dido herself had settled in an uncultivated region, 1. 308.
