on the Etymology of the word Sublimis' 357 



The flamma subjecta has a reference primarily to the low situa- 

 tion of the altar on which the fire was burning, compared with 

 the height of the roof to which the flame ascended. Sub, in this 

 example, in the sense of i>ing, would have conveyed an extraor- 

 dinary idea. It would have denoted, flamed above the roof, not 

 up to it ; and with the words ad summum would have violated 

 the construction of the language. The same compound fre- 

 quently denotes motion under : and, in such examples, sub must 

 evidently be derived from vvo. Thus, OVID, Trist. Eleg. i. 73. 



" Canitiem galeae subjicioque meam." 



In the two following instances, quoted by Dr PARR, the same 

 explanation must be given of the preposition. 



Tibi suaves daedala tellus, 



SummUtit floras." LUCEET. I. v. 9. 



Tellus summittit flores, the earth sends up flowers ; sub, from her 

 bosom, which, relatively, is low compared with the flowers when 

 they have sprung up. 



" Sic et averna loca alitibus summittere debent 

 Mortiferam vim, de terra quae surgit in auras." 



LUCKET. vi. v. 818. 



" De terra qua? surgit in auras" explains the whole relation of 

 summittere in the preceding line. 



Having pointed out the relation indicated by sub in composi- 

 tion, in several examples from the poets, I shall now proceed to 

 examine some of the Doctor's examples from prose writers. " In 

 prose writers," says he, " we have sub for up. " Sublevare mentum 

 sinistra," CICERO. "Sublevare miseros," CJCERO. The same rela- 

 tion may be observed in both these examples. The chin is raised 

 from the breast to a higher situation by the left hand. It is raised 

 up, and prevented from sinking by the left hand placed under jk 



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