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HI 0 IEA 0 1
■
THE
WORKS OF HORACE,
WITH
ENGLISH NOTES, CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY.
BY CHARLES ANTHON, LL.D.,
I'ROPKSSOR OP THE GREEK AND LATIN LANGUAGES IN COLUMBIA COLLEGE,
AND RECTOR OF THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
A NEW EDITION,
CORRECTED AND ENLARGED, WITH EXCURSIONS RELATIVE TO THE
WINES AND VINEYARDS OF THE ANCIENTS ; AND A
LIFE OF HORACE BY MILMAN.
NEW YORK:
HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS
329 & 331 PEARL STREET,
FRANKLIN SQUARE.
1854.
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1849, by
Harper <fe Brothers,
In the Clerk's Office of the Southern District of New York.
TO THE MEMORY OF
MY OLD AND VALUED FRIEND,
JAMES CAMPBELL, ESQ..
WHO,
AMID THE BURDENSOME DUTIES OP AN OFFICIAL STATION
COULD STILL FIND LEISURE TO GRATIFY A PURE AND
CULTIVATED TASTE, BY REVIVING THE
STUDIES OF HIS EARLIER YEARS.
PREFACE.
The text of the present edition has been corrected
throughout, principally by that of Orelli, and the notes
have been carefully revised and emended. Much ad-
ditional matter has also been introduced, nut only in
the shape of new notes, but also of Excursions. The
latter have been taken from the larger edition, and will
be found to contain much interesting information re-
specting the vineyards and wines of the ancients.
Milman's Life of Horace has also been appended,
from the splendid edition of the poet, which has re-
cently appeared under the supervision of that scholar,
and likewise a biographical sketch of Maecenas.
The larger edition contained a list of the authori-
ties whence much subsidiary matter was obtained for
the notes. This list was omitted in the previous edi-
tion of the smaller work, as the latter professed to be
a mere abridgment, and as it was at that time the in-
tention of the editor to publish a new edition of the
larger Horace. This intention being, however, now
abandoned, it has been thought advisable to transfer
the list of authorities from the larger edition to the
present one, the last thirteen works enumerated there-
in being those from which materials have been more
immediately obtained for the improvement of the pre»
ent volume. The list is as follows:
Vlll PREFACE.
1. Horatius, cum Annotationibus Mu-
reti Venet., 1555.
2. Horatii Opera, Grammaticorum XL.
Commentariis .... Basil, 1580.
3. Horatii Opera, ed. Bentleius . . Cantab., 1711.
4. Horatii Pogmata, ed. Cuningamius . London, 1721, 2 vols.
5. Horatius, ed. Sanadon . . . Paris, 1729, 2 vols»
6. Horatius, ed. Watson . . . London, 1743, 2 vols.
7. Horatius (typis Andreae Foulis) .'Glasgow, 1760.
8. Horatii Epistolae ad Pisones et Augus-
tum (Hurd) London, 1776, 3 vols.
9. Horatii Opera, ed. Valart . . . Paris, 1770.
10. Horatius, ed. Wakefield . . . London, 1794, 2 vols.
11. Horatii Opera, ed. Mitscherlich . Lips., 1800, 2 vols.
12. Horatius, ed. Bond .... Paris, 1806.
13. Horace, translated by Francis, with
the notes of Du Bois . . . London, 1807, 4 vols.
14. Horatii Carmina, ed. Jani . . Lips., 1809, 2 vols.
15. Horatius, In Us. Delph. . . . London, 1810.
16. Horatii Opera, ed. Fea . . . Roma?, 1811, 2 vols
17. Horatii Eclogae, cum notis Baxteri,
Gesneri, et Zeunii . . . Lips., 1815.
18. Horatius, ed. Wieland . . . Lips., 1816, 3 vols.
19. Horatii Opera, ed. Kidd . . . Cantab., 1817.
20. Horatii Opera, ed. Hunter . . Cupri, 1819.
21. Horatius, ed. Gargallo . . . Mediol., 1820.
22. Horatius, ed. Fea, cum addit. Bothii Heidelb., 1821, 2 vols
23. Horatii Opera, ed. Jaeck . . . Vinar., 1821.
24. Horatii Eclogae, cum notis Baxt.,
Gesn., Zeun., et Bothii . . . Lips., 1822.
25. Horatius, ed. Batteux, cum addit.
Achaintre Paris, 1823, 3 vols
26. Horatii Carmina, ed. Knox . . London, 1824.
27. Horatii Epistola ad Pisones, ed. Ayl-
mer London, 1824.
28. Horatii Opera, ed. Doring . . Glasgow, 1826.
29. Horatius, ed. Bip., cum addit. Gence. Paris, 1828.
30. Horatii Epist. Libri Primi 2da, ed.
Obbarius Halbers., 1828.
31. Horatius, ed. Filon .... Paris, 1828.
32. Marklandi in Horat. Notae {Class.
Journ., vol. xiii., p. 126, seqq.),
1831-8,
4 vols.
1843.
1843-4,
2 vols.
1844,
2 vols.
1830.
1845.
1848.
1848.
1848.
1848.
1843-6,
3 vols
1834.
1837.
PREFACE. IX
83. Bentleii Curse Novissimae ad Horat.
(Mus. Crit., vol. i., p. 194, geqq.).
34. Horatius, ed. Braunhard . . . Lips.,
35. Horatius, ed. Heindorf . . . Lips.,
36. Horatius, ed. Orelli .... Turici,
37. Horatius, ed. Orelli (ed. Min.) . . Turici,
38. Horatius, ed. Schmid . . . Halb.,
39. Horatius, ed. Peerlkamp . . . Leid.,
40. Horatius, ed. Dillenberger . . Bonnse,
41. Horatius, ed. Keightley . . . London,
42. Horatius, ed. Girdlestone, &c. . . London,
43. Horatius, ed. Milman . . . London,
44. Dtlntzer, Kritik und Erklarung der
Episteln des Horaz . . . Braunsch.
45. Jacobs, Lectiones Venusinae . . Leipz.,
46. Tate's Horatius Restitutus . . London,
The present edition, it will be perceived, is an ex-
purgated one, every thing being thrown out that could
offend the most fastidious delicacy. In this respect,
the edition here offered to the student will be found
decidedly superior to that recently put forth in En-
gland by the Rev. Messrs. Girdlestone and Osborne,
and in which many passages have been allowed to re-
main that are utterly at variance with the idea of an
expurgated text.
It only remains for the editor to express his sincere
obligations to his learned friend, Professor Drisler, for
his kind and careful co-operation in bringing out the
present work — a co-operation rendered doubly pleasing
by the consciousness, on the part of the editor, of its
having been the means of rendering the present vol-
ume far more useful to the student than it would
otherwise have been.
Charles Anthon.
Columbia College, March 15th, 1849.
LIFE OF HORACE,
BY MILMAN.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION BIRTH, PARENTAGE, EDUCATION OF HORACE ATHENS
PHILIPPI RETURN TO ROME.
The Poetry of Horace is the history of Rome during the great
change from a republic to a monarchy, during the sudden and al-
most complete revolution from centuries of war and civil faction to
that peaceful period which is called the Augustan Age of Letters.
His life is the image of his eventful times. In his youth he plunges
"nto the fierce and sanguinary civil war; and afterward subsiding
quietly into literary ease, the partisan of Brutus softens into the friend
of Maecenas, and the happy subject, if not the flatterer, of Augustus.
Nor is his personal history merely illustrative of his times in its broad-
er outlines ; every part of it, which is revealed to us in his poetry,
is equally instructive. Even the parentage of the poet is connect-
3d with the difficult but important questions of the extent to which
slavery in the Roman world was affected by manumission, and the
formation of that middle class (the libertini), with their privileges,
and the estimation in which they were held by society. His birth-
place in the romantic scenery, and among the simple virtues of the
old Italian yeomanry ; his Roman education ; his residence at Athens ;
his military services ; the confiscation of his estate ; his fortunes as
a literary adventurer, cast upon the world in Rome ; the state of
Roman poetry when he commenced his career ; the degree in which
his compositions were Roman and original, or but the naturalization
of new forms of Grecian poetry ; the influence of the different sects
of philosophy on the literature and manners of the age ; even the
state religion, particularly as it affected the higher and more intellect-
ual orders, at this momentous crisis when Christianity was about to
be revealed to mankind^-every circumstance in the life of the poet
is an incident in the history of man. The influences which formed
his moral and poetical character are the prevalent modes of feel-
ing and thought among the people, who had achieved the conquest
of the world, and, weary of their own furious contentions, now be-
gan to slumber in the proud consciousness of universal empire In
him, as in an individual example, appears the change which took
place in the fortunes, position, sentiments, occupations, estimation,
character, mode of living, when the Roman, from the citizen of a
free and turbulent republic, became the subject of a peaceful mon-
Xll LIFE OF HORACE.
archy, disguised indeed, but not, therefore, the less arbitrary ; while
his acquaintance, and even his intimate friends, extending through
almost every gradation of society, show the same influences, as they
affect persons of different characters, talents, or station. Horace is
exactly in that happy intermediate rank which connects both ex-
tremes. His poems are inscribed to Agrippa or Maecenas, even to
the emperor himself, to his humbler private friend, or to his bailiff.
He unites, in the same way, the literary with the social life ; he
shows the station assumed by or granted to mere men of letters,
when the orator in the senate or in the forum ceded his place to the
agreeable writer ; the man who excited or composed at his will the
strong passions of the Roman people, had lost his occupation and his
power, which devolved, as far as the literary part of his fame, upon
the popular author. The mingling intellectual elements blend to-
gether, even in more singular union, in the mind of the poet. Gre-
cian education and tastes have not polished off the old Roman inde-
pendence; the imitator of Greek forms of verse writes the purest
vernacular Latin ; the Epicurean philosophy has not subdued his
masculine shrewdness and good sense to dreaming indolence. In
the Roman part of his character he blends some reminiscence of the
sturdy virtue of the Sabine or Apulian mountaineers with the refined
manners of the city. All the great men of his day are the familiars
of the poet ; not in their hours of state alone, but in the ease of so-
cial intercourse : we become acquainted with their ordinary manners
and habits ; and are admitted to the privacy of Maecenas, of Augus-
tus himself, of Virgil, and of Varius. Thus the Horatian poetry is
more than historical, it is the living age itself in all its varied reality.
Without the biography of the poet, even without that of some of his
contemporaries, the poetry of Horace can not be truly appreciated,
it can hardly be understood ; and by the magic of his poetry the
reader is at once placed in the midst of Roman society in the Au-
gustan age.
Quintus Horatius Flaccus was born on the 8th of December, in
the year U.C. 689, B.C. 65, during the consulship of L. Cotta and
L. Manlius Torquatus. His father (such was the received and
natural theory) owed his freedom to one of the illustrious family of
the Horatii, whose name, according to general usage, he was per-
mitted to assume. Recent writers,1 however, have shown from in-
scriptions that Venusia, the town in the territory of which Horace
was born, belonged to the Horatian tribe at Rome ; and that the
father of Horace may have been a freedman of the town of Venusia.
The great family of the Horatii, so glorious in the early days of the
republic, certainly did not maintain its celebrity in the later times.
With one solitary exception, a legate of C. Calvisius in Africa (Cic,
ad Fam., xii., 30), it might seem to have been extinct. If the freed-
man of an Horatius, the father of the poet does not appear to have
1. G. F. Grotefend in "Ersch und Gruber's Encyclopaedic," Horatius; and C.
1. Grotefend in the Darmstadt Lit. Journal. Franhe, Fasti Horatiani, note L
LIFE OF HORACE. Xlll
kept up that connection, or civil relationship, which bound the eman-
cipated slave, by natural ties of affection and gratitude, to the family
of his generous master. The theory of this assumption of a Roman
name was, that the master, having bestowed civil life on the freedman,
stood, in a certain sense, in the place of a parent. He still retained
some authority, and inherited the freedman's property in case of his
dying intestate. On the other hand, the freedman was under the
obligation of maintaining his patron, or even the father and mother
of his patron, if they fell into indigence.1 But there is no allusion in
the poet's works to any connection of this kind. At all events, the
freedman has thrown a brighter and more lasting lustre around that
celebrated name than all the virtues and exploits of the older patriots
who bore it. We know no reason for his having the praenomen
Quintus, nor the agnomen, by which he was familiarly known, Flac-
cus. The latter name was by no means uncommon ; it is found in
the Calpurnian, the Cornelian, the Pomponian, and the Valerian fami-
lies. Horace was of ingenuous birth, which implies that he was
born after his father had received his manumission. The silence of
the poet about his mother leads to the supposition that she died in
his early youth.
The father of Horace exercised the function of collector of pay-
ments at auction.3 The collector was a public servant. This com-
paratively humble office was probably paid according to the number
of sales, and the value of the property brought to market ; and in
those days of confiscation, and of rapid and frequent changes of prop-
erty, through the inordinate ambition or luxury of some, the forfeitures
or ruin of opulent landholders, and the extinction of noble families
in the civil wars, the amount and value of the property brought to
sale {sub hasta) was likely to enable a prudent public officer to make
a decent fortune. This seems to have been the case with the elder
Horace, who invested his acquisitions in a house and farm in the dis-
trict of Venusia, on the banks of the River Aufidus, close upon the
doubtful boundaries of Lucania and Apulia. There he settled down
into a respectable small farmer. In this house the poet was born,
and passed his infant years. One incident, mentioned in Ode iii., 4,
9—20, can not but remind the English reader of the old ballad of the
1. Compare Pliny, H. N., xxxi., 2, for an instance of the literary son of a dis-
tinguished man in those times paying a tribute of gratitude to his civil parent.
Laurea Tullius, the poet, was a freedman of the great orator. A warm spring had
broken out in the Academic Villa of Cicero, which was supposed to cure diseases
in the eyes. The poetical inscription by L. Tullius (of which the feeling is better
than the taste) described the spring as providentially revealed, in order tbat more
eyes might be enabled to read the widely-disseminated work3 of his master. The
freedman and freedwoman were admitted into the family mausoleum with those
who had emancipated them. See several inscriptions, especially a very beautiful
one, Gruier, p. 715 ; Ciampini, p. 173.
2. " Coactor exauctionum." — Suet, in Vit. Another reading, exactionum, would
make him a collector of the indirect taxes, farmed by the publieani ; the Roman
municipalities in It<tly being exempt from all direct taxation.
XIV LIFE OF HORACE.
Children in the Wood, " and Robin Redbreast piously did cover them
with leaves."
The names and situation of the towns in this romantic district (the
Basilicata) still answer to the description of the poet, the high-hung
chalets of Acerenza, the vast thickets of Banzi, and the picturesque
peaks of Mount Voltore. There are no monuments to mark the site
of Bantia ; bones, helmets, pieces of armor, and a few bad vases, have
been picked up near Acerenza.1 The poet cherished through life
his fond reminiscences of these scenes, the shores of the sounding
Aufidus (to whose destructive floods he alludes in one of his lates*
odes), and the fountain of Bandusia.3 He delights also in revertin*
to the plain life and severe manners of the rustic population. Shrewa
strenuous, and frugal, this race furnished the best soldiers for the Ro-
man legion ; their sun-burned wives shared in their toils [Epod. ii.
41-2). They cultivated their small farms with their own labor ant?
that of their sons {Sat. ii., 2, 114). They worshipped their rustic
deities, and believed in the superstitions of a religious and simple
people, witchcraft and fortune-telling {Sat. i., 9, 29, 30). The
hardy but contented Ofella {Sat. ii., 2, 112, seqq.) was a kind of
type of the Sabine or Apulian peasant.
At about ten or twelve years old commenced the more serious and
important part of the Roman education. It does not appear how
Horace acquired the first rudiments of learning ; but, as he grew to
vouth, the father, either discerning some promise in the boy, or from
paternal fondness, determined to devote himself entirely to the edu-
cation of his son. He was by no means rich, his farm was unpro-
ductive, yet he declined to send his son to Venusia, to the school or
Flavius, to which resorted the children of the rural and municipal
aristocracy, the consequential sons of consequential fathers, with
their satchels and tablets on their arms, and making their regular
payments every month.3 He took the bold step of removing him at
once to Rome, to receive the liberal education of a knight's or a
senator's son ; and, lest the youth should be depressed by the feel-
ing of inferiority, provided him with whatever was necessary to make
a respectable appearance, dress and slaves to attend him, as if he
had been of an ancient family. But, though the parent thus removed
his son to the public schools of the metropolis, and preferred that he
1. Keppel Craven's Tour in the Abruzzi. Lombardi, sopra la Basilicata, in
Memorie dell' Instituto Archseologico.
2. The biographers of Horace had transferred this fountain to the neighborhood
of the poet's Sabine villa. M. Capmartin de Chaupy proved, by a bull of Pope
Paschal II., that it was to be sought in the neighborhood of Venusia. Some mod-
ern writers are so pertinaciously set on finding it in the Sabine district, that they
have supposed Horace to have called some fountain in that valley by the name en-
deared to him by his youthful remembrances. But do we know enough of the
life of Horace to pronounce that he may not have visited, even more than once,
the scenes of his childhood, or to decide that he did not address the famous ode
to the Venusian fountain ? (Capmartin de Chaupy, Maison £ Horace, torn, ii., p
363.) 3. Sat. i. 6, 71, seoq.
LIFE OF HORACE. XV
should associate with the genuine youthful nobility of the capital
rather than the no less haughty, but more coarse and unpolished
gentry (the retired centurions) of the provinces, he took great care
that while he secured the advantages, he should be protected from
the dangers of the voluptuous capital. Even if his son should rise
no higher than his own humble calling as a public crier or collector,
his good education would be invaluable ; yet must it not be purchased
by the sacrifice of sound morals. He attended him to the different
schools ; watched with severe but affectionate control over his char-
acter ; so that the boy escaped not merely the taint, but even the re-
proach of immorality.1 The poet always speaks of his father with
grateful reverence and with honest pride.
His first turn for satire was encouraged by his father's severe an-
imadversions on the follies and vices of his compatriots, which he
neld up as warning examples to his son.2 To one of his school-
masters the poet has given imperishable fame. Orbilius, whose
flogging propensities have grown into a proverb, had been an ap-
paritor, and afterward served in the army ; an excellent training for
a disciplinarian, if not for a teacher ; but Orbilius got more reputa-
tion than profit from his occupation.3 The two principal, if not the
only authors read in the school of Orbilius, were Homer in Greek,
and Livius Andronicus in Latin.4 Homer was, down to the time of
Julian, an indispensable part of Greek, and already of Roman edu-
cation.5 Orbilius was, no doubt, of the old school ; a teacher to the
heart of rigid Cato ; an admirer of the genuine Roman poetry. Liv-
ius Andronicus was not only the earliest writer of tragedy, but had
translated the Odyssey into the Saturnian verse, the native vernacu-
lar metre of Italy.6 Orbilius may not merely have thought the Eu-
emerism of Ennius, or the Epicurianism of Lucretius, unfit for the
study of Roman youth, but have considered Accius, Pacuvius, or
Terence too foreign and Grecian, and as having degenerated from
the primitive simplicity of the father of Roman verse. The more
modern and Grecian taste of Horace is constantly contending with
1. Sat. in 6, 81, seqq. 2. Sat L, 4, 105, seqq.
3. " Docuit majore fama quam emolumento." — Sueton., de Grammat.
4. Bentley doubted whether any patrician schoolmaster, at that time, would use
the works of a poet so antiquated as Livius Andronicus. He proposed to read
Lsevius, the name of an obscure writer of love- verses ('EpcoroTratyvca), to whom
he ascribes many of the fragments usually assigned to Livius, and which bear no
marks of obsolete antiquity. But, with due respect to the great critic, the elder
Horace might have objected still more strongly to the modern amatory verses of
LaBvius than to the rude strains of Livius.
5. Epist. ii., 2, 41-2. Compare Quint, i., 8; Plin., EpisL ii., 15; Statius, Sylv.,
v., 3. D. Heinsius quotes from Theodoret, tovtuv Si ol icXewroi oids rt)v fiTivtv
Xaaai r^v 'AxiAAfwj. Even as late as that father of the Church it was a mark of
ignorance not to have read Homer.
6. Cicero thought but meanly of Livius : " Nam et Odyssea Latina, est sic tan-
quam opus aliquod Daedali, et Livianae fabulaB non satis digna3 quas iterum le-
gantur." — Brutus, c. 18.
XVI LIFE OF HORACE.
this antiquarian school of poetry, and his unpZ easing remembrance
of the manner in which the study of Livius was enforced by his earty
teacher may have tended to confirm his fastidious aversion from the
ruder poetry.
Horace, it may be concluded, assumed the manly robe (toga virilis)
in his sixteenth or seventeenth year. It is probable that he lost his
excellent and honored father before he set out to complete his edu-
cation at Athens. But of what stirring events must the boy have
been witness during his residence at Rome ! He might possibly,
soon after his arrival (B.C. 52), have heard Cicero speak his oration
for Milo. Into the subsequent years were crowded all the prepara-
tions for the last contest between Pompey and Caesar. The peace-
ful studies of the Roman youth must have been strangely interrupt-
ed by these political excitements. What spirited boy would not have
thrown aside his books to behold the triumphant entrance of Cresar
into Rome after the passage of the Rubicon ? And while that de-
cisive step was but threatened, how anxiously and fearfully must
Rome have awaited her doom — ignorant who was to be her master,
and how that master would use his power ; whether new proscrip-
tions would more than decimate her patrician families, and deluge
her streets with blood ; whether military license would have free
scope, and the majesty of the Roman people be insulted by the out-
rages of an infuriated soldiery ! No man was so obscure, so young,
or so thoughtless, but that he must have been deeply impressed with
the insecurity of liberty and of life. During the whole conflict, what
must have been the suspense, the agitation, the party violence, the
terror, the alternate elevation and prostration of mind ! In the un-
ruffled quiet of his manhood and age, how often must these turbulent
and awful days have contrasted themselves, in the memory of Horace,
with his tranquil pursuits of letters, social enjoyment, and country
retirement.
It was about the time of (probably the year after) the battle of
Pharsalia (for the state of Greece, just at the period of the final con-
flict, must have been insecure, if not dangerous) that the youthful
Horace left his school at Rome to study in Athens. If his father
was dead, the produce of the Venusian estate would no doubt suffice
for his maintenance ; if still living, the generous love of the parent
would not hesitate at this further expense, if within his power.
During many centuries of the Roman greatness, down to the time
when her schools were closed by Justinian, Athens was the univer-
sity, as it has been called, of the world, where almost all the dis-
tinguished youth, both of the East and West, passed a certain period
of study in the liberal arts, letters, and philosophy. This continued
even after the establishment of Christianity. Basil and Gregory of
Nazianzus studied together, and formed their youthful friendships ;
as Horace did, no doubt, with some of the noble or distinguished
youth of the day. On this point, however, his poems are silent, and
contain no allusions to his associates and rivals in study. The
LIFE OF HORACE. XVll
younger Quintus Cicero was at this time likewise a student at
Athens, but there is no clew to connect these two names.1
The advantages which Horace derived from his residence in
Athens may be traced in his familiarity with Attic literature, or,
rather, with the whole range of Greek poetry, Homeric, lyric, and
dramatic. In the region of his birth Greek was spoken almost as
commonly as Latin ;3 and Horace had already, at Rome, been in-
structed in the poetry of Homer. In Athens, he studied, particular-
ly, the comic writers ; the great models of that kind of poetry which
consists in shrewd and acute observation on actual human life, on
society, manners, and morals, expressed in terse, perspicuous, and
animated verse, which he was destined, in another form, to cany
to such unrivalled perfection in his own language. But he incurred
a great danger, that of sinking into a third or fourth rate Greek
poet, if, in a foreign language, he could have attained even to that
humble eminence. He represents the genius of his country under
the form of Romulus, remonstrating against this misdirection of his
talents. Romulus, or, rather, the strong sense of Horace himself,
gave good reason for this advice.3 The mine of Grecian poetry was
exhausted ; every place of honor was occupied ; a new poet, particu-
larly a stranger, could only be lost in the inglorious crowds. But
this is not all. It is a law of human genius, without exception, that
no man can be a great poet except in his native speech. Inspira-
tion seems impatient of the slower process of translating our thoughts
into a second language. The expression must be as free and spon-
taneous as the conception ; and, however we may polish and refine
our native style, and substitute a more tardy and elaborate for an
instantaneous and inartificial mode of composition, there is a facility,
a mastery, a complete harmony between " the thoughts that breathe
and the words that burn," which can never be attained except in our
mother tongue.
The death of Caesar, and the arrival of Brutus at Athens, broke
up the peaceful studies of Horace. It had been surprising if the
whole Roman youth, at this ardent and generous period of life,
breathing the air of Pericles, Aristides, and Demosthenes, imbibing
the sentiments of republican liberty from all which was the object
of their study, had not thrown themselves at once into the ranks of
Brutus, and rallied round the rescued but still imperilled freedom of
Rome. Horace was at once advanced to the rank of miliiary trib-
une, and the command of a legion. Excepting at such critical
periods, when the ordinary course of military promotion was super-
seded by the exigencies of the times, when it was no doubt difficult
for Brutus to find Roman officers for his newly-raised troops, the son
of a freedman, of no very robust frame, and altogether inexperienced
in war, would not have acquired that rank. His appointment, as ho
acknowledges, on account of his ignoble birth excited jealousy.4
1. Weichcrt de L. Vario, &c, p. 328. 2. Sat. i, 10, 30.
2. Sat. i , 10, 31, seqq. 4. Sat. L, 6, 46, seqq,
XV111 LIFE OF HORACE.
Yet he acquired the confidence of his commanders, and, unless he
has highly colored his hard service, was engaged in some difficulties
and perils.1 It is probable that while in the army of Brutus he
crossed over into Asia. Though it is not quite clear that he was
present at Clazomenae when the quarrel took place between Persius
and Rupilius Rex, which forms the subject of Sat. i., 7, and his local
knowledge of Lebedos, which has been appealed to, is not absolute-
ly certain f yet some of his descriptive epithets appear too distinct
and faithful for mere borrowed and conventional poetic language
He must have visited parts of Greece at some period of his life, as
he speaks of not having been so much struck by the rich plain of
Larissa, or the more rugged district of Lacedaemon, as by the head-
long Anio and the grove of Tibur.3
The battle of Philippi closed the military career of Horace. His
conduct after the battle, his flight, and throwing away his shield,
have been the subject of much grave animadversion and as grave
defence. Lessing wrote an ingenious essay to vindicate the morals
and the courage of Horace.4 Wieland goes still further in his as-
sertion of the poet's valor : " Horace could not have called up the
remembrance of the hero (Brutus), by whom he was beloved, with-
out reproaching himself for having yielded to the instinct of person-
al safety instead of dying with him ; and, according to my feeling,
non bene is a sign of regret which he offers to the memory of that
great man, and an expression of that shame of which a noble spirit
alone is capable."5 The foolish and fatal precipitancy with which
Brutus and Cassius, upon the first news of defeat, instead of attempt-
ing to rally their broken troops, and to maintain the conflict for liber-
ty, took refuge in suicide, might appear, to the shrewd good sense
of Horace, very different from the death of Cato, of which he has ex-
pressed his admiration. And Wieland had forgotten that Horace
fairly confesses his fears, and attributes his escape to Mercury, the
god of letters.6 Lessing is no doubt right that the playful allusion
of the poet to his throwing away his shield has been taken much
more in earnest than was intended ; and the passage, after all, is an
imitation, if not a translation, from Alcseus. In its most literal sense,
it amounts to no more than that Horace fled with the rest of the de-
feated army, not that he showed any want of valor during the battle.
He abandoned the cause of Brutus when it was not merely desperate,
but extinct. Messala had refused to take the command of the broken
troops, and had passed over to the other side ; a few only, among
whom was the friend of Horace, Pompeius Varus, threw themselves
into the fleet of Sextus Pompeius, a pirate rather than a political
1. Ode ii., 7, 1. 2. Epist L, 11, 6. 3. Ode L, 7, 11.
4. Werke, ix., p. 126, 173. Leasing is completely successful in repelling a more
disgraceful imputation upon the memory of the poet. In a passage of Seneca,
eome foolish commentator had substituted the name of Horatiua for a certain L.
Hostius, a man of peculiar profligacy.
5. Wieland, Horazens Briefe, b. ii., p. 161. 6. Ode ii., 7, 13,
LIFE OF HORACE. XIX
leader.1 Liberty may be said to have deserted Horace rather than
Horace liberty; and, happily for mankind, he felt that his calling
was to more peaceful pursuits.
Horace found his way back, it is uncertain in what manner, to
Rome.2 But his estate was confiscated ; some new coactor was col-
lecting the price of his native fields, which his father had perhaps
acquired through former confiscations ; for Venusia was one of the
eighteen cities assigned by the victorious triumvirate to their soldiers.3
On his return to Rome, nothing can have been well more dark or
hopeless than the condition of our poet. He was too obscure to be
marked by proscription, or may have found security in some gen-
eral act of amnesty to the inferior followers of Brutus. But the
friends which he had already made were on the wrong side in poli-
tics ; he had no family connections, no birth to gild his poverty. It
was probably at this period of his life that he purchased the place
of scribe in the quaestor's office ; but from what source he derived
the purchase money — the wreck of his fortunes, old debts, or the
liberality of his friends — we can only conjecture.4 On the profits of
this place he managed to live with the utmost frugality. His or-
dinary fare was but a vegetable diet, his household stuff of the
meanest ware. He was still poor, and his poverty emboldened
and urged him to be a poet.
CHAPTER II.
STATE OF ROMAN POETRY THEORY OF EARLY ROMAN POETRY —
CAUSES OF ITS TOTAL LOSS ENNIUS INTRODUCTION OF HEXAME-
TER VERSE GREEK INFLUENCES DRAMA LUCRETIUS CATUL-
LUS HORACE THE FRIEND OF VIRGIL AND OF VARIUS POVERTY
MAKES HIM A POET INTRODUCTION TO M.ECENAS INTIMACY WITH
MECENAS CIRCLE OF MEN OF LETTERS FIRST BOOK OF SATIRES.
The state of Roman poetry, and its history, up to the time when
Horace began to devote himself to it, is indispensable to a just esti-
mate of his place among the poets of Rome. Rome, according to
1. Manilius, i., 859, seqq.
2. It is difficult to place the peril of shipwreck off Cape Palinurus, on the west-
ern coast of Lucania (Ode iii., 4, 28), in any part of the poet's life. It is not impos-
sible that, by the accident of finding a more ready passage that way, or even for
concealment, he may have made the more circuitous voyage toward Rome, and
so encountered this danger. 3. Appian, B. C, iv., 3.
4. " Scriptum quaestorium comparavit." (Sueton., in Vit.) There is only one
passage in his poetry which can be construed into an allusion to this occupation,
unless the "hated business" (invisa negotia) which compelled him to go, at times,
to Rome, related to the duties of his office. The college of scribes seem to have
thought that they had a claim to his support in something which concerned their
common interest (Sat. iL, 6, 36, scq.). But in the account which he gives of the
manner in which he usually spent the day (Sat. i., 6, 120), there is no allusion to
official business.
XX LIFE OF HORACE.
the modern theory, had her mythic and Homeric age ; her early his.
tory is but her epic cycle transmuted into prose. The probability
that Rome possessed this older poetry, and the internal evidence for
its existence, are strong, if not conclusive.
If from the steppes of Tartary to the shores of Peru — if in various
degrees of excellence from the inimitable epics of Homer to the wild
ditties of the South Sea islanders — scarcely any nation or tribe is
without its popular songs, is it likely that Rome alone should have
been barren, unimaginative, unmusical, without its sacred bards, or, if
its bards were not invested with religious sanctity, without its popu-
lar minstrels ; Rome, with so much to kindle the imagination and stir
the heart ; Rome, peopled by a race necessarily involved in adven-
turous wrarfare, and instinct with nationality, and with the rivalry
of contending orders ? In Rome every thing seems to conspire,
which in all other countries, in all other races, has kindled the song
of the bard. When, therefore, we find the history as it is handed
down to us, though obviously having passed through the chill and
Unimaginative older chronicle, still nevertheless instinct with infelt
poetry, can we doubt where it had its origin ?
"The early history of Rome," observes Mr. Macaulay, "is in-
deed far more poetical than any thing else in Latin literature. The
loves of the Vestal and the God of War, the cradle laid among the
reeds of the Tiber, the fig-tree, the she-wolf, the shepherd's cabin,
the recognition, the fratricide, the rape of the Sabines, the death of
Tarpeia, the fall of Hostus Hostilius, the struggle of Mettus Curtius
through the marsh, the women rushing with torn raiment and di-
shevelled hair between their fathers and their husbands, the nightly
meetings of Numa and the Nymph by the well in the sacred grove,
the fight of the three Romans and the three Albans, the purchase of
the Sibylline books, the crime of Tullia, the simulated madness of
Brutus, the ambiguous reply of the Delphian oracle to the Tarquins,
the wrongs of Lucretia, the heroic actions of Horatius Codes, of
Scaevola, and of ClcBlia, the battle of Regillus won by the aid of
Castor and Pollux, the fall of Cremera, the touching story of Corio-
lanus, the still more touching story of Virginia, the wild legend
about the draining of the Alban Lake, the combat between Valerius
Corvus and the gigantic Gaul, are among the many instances wThich
will at once suggest themselves to every reader."1
But this poetic cycle had ceased to exist in its original metrical
form long before the days of Livy and of Horace. We read of the
old arval songs, of the Salian verses, of songs sung at triumphs or at
feasts, by individual guests, in praise of illustrious men, and at funer-
als. But these were mostly brief, religious, or occasional. Of the
panegyric, or family songs, Cicero deplores the total loss. The
verses to wThich Ennius3 alludes, as sung by the Fauns and Bards,
the ancient verses which existed before there was any real poetry,
1. Macaulay, Preface to "Lays of Rome."
2. Quoted in the Brutus of Cicero, which refers them to the verses of Nsevius
LIFE OF HORACE. XXI
any general inspiration of the Muses (Ennius, no doubt, means poetry
in Greek metres, and imitative of Greek poets) were from the Saturn-
ian poem of Nsevius on the First Punic War.
Yet how did this old poetic cycle so utterly perish that no vestige
should survive ?* Much, no doubt, is to be attributed to the ordinary
causes of decay— change of manners, of tastes, the complete dominion
of the Grecian over the Roman mind, the misfortune that no patriotic
or poetic antiquarian rose in time, no Percy or Walter Scott, to
search out and to record the fragments of old song, which were dy-
ing out upon the lips of the peasantry and the people. There are,
however, peculiar to Rome, some causes for the total oblivion of this
kind of national record which may also seem worthy of consideration.
The Grecian ballad poetry, the Homeric (distinguished from all other
ballads, and, indeed, from almost all other human compositions, by
transcendent merit), had an inestimable advantage besides its other
inimitable excellences. At the time of its ear best, undoubtedly its
most complete development in the Iliad and Odyssey, the wonder-
fully md naturally musical ear of the Greeks had perfected that most
exquisite vehicle of epic song, the hexameter verse. From Homer to
Nonnus this verse maintained its prescriptive and unquestioned right
to be the measure of heroic and narrative poetry. None, indeed, could
draw the bow like the old bard; but even in this conscious feeble-
ness the later poets hardly ever ventured to innovate on this estab-
lished law of epic song. The Saturnian verse was the native meas-
ure of Roman, or, rather, of Italian poetry. This Saturnian verse was
unquestionably very rude, and, if we are to trust the commentator
on Virgil, only rhythmical.2 When, therefore, Ennius naturalized
the hexameter in Latin poetry, it is no wonder that all eyes were
turned on the noble stranger, who at once received the honors of a
citizen, and from that time was established in supremacy over Latin
as well as Greek narrative poetry. In this verse Ennius himself em-
bodied all the early history of Rome ; and we have only to look back
from the fragments of his work, which, though yet indulging in cer-
tain licenses which were dropped by Virgil and the later writers,
have some lines of very free flow and cadence, to the few Saturnian
verses which survive from the Punic war of his rival Naevius, and
we shall not wonder that the Roman ear became fastidious and dis-
tasteful of its old native melodies. The ballads, if they had still sur-
vived in common currency, were superseded by the new and more
popular poetic history of Ennius.3 The Saturnian verse was aban-
doned to farce and popular satire ; though even satire began to set up
for a gentleman, and, with Lucilius, to speak in hexameters. The
Atellan farces (pantomimes in dialogue, according to our use of the
word, not that of the classic writers) were still true to the Saturnian
1. Mr. Macaulay has acutely observed that the words of Dion. HaL, d>$ tv rols
varpiotS u/ivo?j vnd 'Poj/iaiwv in vvv qSerat, are either translated, or, at farthest,
paraphrased, from Fabius Pictor, one of the earliest of the Roman annalists.
2. Servius in Virg., Georg. ii., 385. 3. Hot., Epist ii, 1, 158.
XX11 LIFE OF HORACE.
measure. But the Atellan farces were Italian, not properiy Roman
entertainments ; they were, perhaps, originally in the Oscan dialect;
and whether or not they learned to speak Latin before they migrated
to Rome, they were then taken up by popular poets, Pomponius ana
Novius, and became one of the regular amusements of the people.1
But probably the most extensively operative cause of the rapid
extinction of the Roman popular poetry was the dissolution of the
Roman people. The old plebeian families which survived had be-
come a part of the aristocracy. As they had attained, either,
like Cicero, having struggled upward, the higher rank, or having
reached it by less honorable courses, whichever side they might take
in the great contest between the senate and the democracy, they as-
sumed patrician manners, tastes, and habits. Except here and there
some sturdy "laudator temporis acti," some rough Cato, who af-
fected the old republican manners, they belonged to that class which
had surrendered itself — which prided itself on its surrender — to Greek
influences. If family pride was still Roman in its reminiscences, if
it delighted to recall its ancestral glories, it would disdain the rude
old verse, and content itself with the chronicles which had now as-
sumed the more authentic tone of history. It would appeal to more
authoritative public records or private archives. The man of rank
would be ashamed or afraid, in a more prosaic age, of resting the
fame of his ancestors, or the truth of his genealogy, on such suspi-
cious testimonies. Cicero might have taste and wisdom enough to
regret the loss of these ancient songs, both as poetry and as trust»
worthy records of former times ; but in his day they had entirely,
and, it should seem, long vanished from the more refined banquets
of the higher classes ; they found no place amid the gorgeous mag-
nificence of the Luculli, or the more enervating luxuries of the
Clodii.
If, then, they lingered any where, they would be on the lips and in
the hearts of the Roman people. But where were the Roman peo-
ple ? where was that stern, and frugal, and strongly national plebe.
ian race, which so long maintained the Roman character for order,
virtue, freedom ; and which, if factious and unruly, was factious foi
noble ends, and unruly in defence or assertion of its rights ? In the
city there was, and there always had been, a populace, which, from
the first, to a great extent, was not of Roman descent, the mechanics
and artisans, the clients of the wealthy — now swelled in numbers,
and, though always held in low estimation, debased in character by
the constant influx of strangers, not merely from Italy, but from re-
moter regions. This half-foreign population was maintained in a kind
of insolent pauperism by largesses of corn and other provisions, and
by the distributions of the wealthy with political views. This hybrid
1. The Saturnian was the common measure, no doubt, of all the rude Italic verse
in its various dialects. Grotefend professes to have found it in the Umbrian in
scriptiona of the tabulaB Eugubinae. See a learned treatise, De Fabulis Atellanis.
by Dr E. Munk, Lipeite, 1840.
LIFE OF HORACE. XXlll
and shifting race, largely formed of enfranchised slaves and men of
servile descent, would be but precarious and treacherous guardians
of national song, probably in an antiquated dialect : they would keep
up the old Italic license (so indelible, it should seem, in the Italian
character) of poetic lampoon and pasquinade : any wild traditions
which heightened the fun and the revel of the Saturnalia might live
among them ; they would welcome, as we have seen, the low and
farcical dramatic entertainments ; but their ears would be unmoved,
and their hearts dead, to the old stirring legends of the feuds and
factions, the wars of neighboring tribes, and the heroic deeds of
arms of the kings or of the early republic. The well-known anec
dote of Scipio iEmilianus may illustrate the un-Roman character of
this populace of Rome. When the mob raised a furious clamor at
his bold assertion of the justice of the death of Tiberius Gracchus,
" Silence, ye step-sons of Italy ! What ! shall I fear these fellows,
now they are free, whom I myself have brought in chains to Rome ?"
These were the operatives (operae) who flocked, not merely from the
workshops of Rome, but from all the adjacent districts, to swell the
turbulent rabble of Clodius.1
The territory of Rome, the demesne-lands formerly cultivated by
Roman citizens, in which resided the strength of the Roman people,
had been gradually drained of the free population. For several cen-
turies it had filled the legions, and those legions had achieved the
conquest of the world. But that conquest was not won without
enormous loss. The best blood of the Roman people had fertilized
the earth almost from the Euphrates to the Western Ocean. The
veterans who returned received apportionments of land, but more
frequently in remote parts of Italy : the actual Roman territory, there-
fore, that in which the old Roman language was the native dialect,
and in which might survive that Roman pride which would cherish
the poetic reminiscences of Roman glory, was now, for the most part,
either occupied by the rising villas of the patricians, or by the large
farms of the wealthy, and cultivated by slaves. The homestead
whence a Camiilus issued to rescue his country from the Gauls
may now have become a work-house, in which erouched the slaves
of some Verres, enriched with provincial plunder, or some usurious
knight ; a gang of Africans or Asiatics may have tilled the field
where Cincinnatus left bis plough to assume the consular fasces. For
centuries this change had been gradually going on ; the wars, and
even the civil factions, were continually wasting away the Roman
population, while the usurpation of wealth and pride was as constant-
ly keeping up its slow aggression, and filling up the void with the
slaves which poured in with every conquest. The story of Sparta-
cus may tell how large a part of the rural population of Italy was
servile ; and probably, the nearer to Rome, in the districts former-
ly inhabited by the genuine Roman people, the change (with some
1. VeU. Patcrc, iL, 2 ; Val. Max., xi., 2 ; Cic, ad Q. Frat., ii., 3 ; cf. Petron., v., 164
XXIV LIFE OF HORACE.
exceptions) was most complete ; the Sabine valleys might retain some
ot the old rough hereditary virtues, the hardihood and frugality , but
at a distance from the city it would be their own local or reAgious
traditions which would live among the peasantry, rather than the
songs which had been current in the streets among the primitive
commons of Rome.
Thus, both in city and in country, had died away the genuine old
Roman people ; and with them, no doubt, died away the last echo
of national song. The extension of the right of Roman citizenship,
the diffusion of the pride of the Roman name through a wider sphere,
tended still more to soften away the rigid and exclusive spirit of na-
tionality ; and it was this spirit alone which would cling pertinacious-
ly to that which labored under the unpopularity of rudeness and bar-
barism. The new Romans appropriated the glories of the old, but
disregarded the only contemporary, or, at least, the earliest witnesses
to those glories. The reverse of the fate of the Grecian heroes hap-
pened to those of Rome — the heroes lived, the sacred bards perished.
The Latin poetry, that which Rome has handed down to posteri-
ty, was, like philosophy, a stranger and a foreigner.1 She arrived,
though late, before philosophy ; at least she was more completely
naturalized before philosophy was domiciled, except in a very few
mansions of great statesmen, and among a very circumscribed intel-
lectual aristocracy. It is remarkable that most of her early poets
were from Magna Graecia. Naevius alone, the Saturnian or Italian
poet, was from Campania, and even Campania was half Greek. Livius
Andronicus was from Tarentum ;2 Ennius from RudiaB in Calabria ;
Accius was the son of a freedman from the south of Italy ; Pacuvius
was a Brundisian ; Plautus, of the comic writers, was an Umbrian ;
Terence was an African ; Caecilius was from the north of Italy. In
every respect the Romans condescended to be imitative, not directly
of Nature, but of Grecian models. Ennius had confined her epic
poetry to the hexameter, whence it never attempted to emancipate
itself. The drama of Rome, like all her arts, was Grecian ; almost
all the plays (excepting here and there a tragcedia prcetextata) of
Livius Andronicus, Accius, Pacuvius, Plautus, Terence, were on
Grecian subjects. So completely was this admitted by the time of
Horace, that his advice to the dramatic poet is to study Grecian
models by night and day. (Ep. ad Pis., 268, seq.) But, on the
other hand, the wonderful energies which were developed in the
universal conquests of Rome, and in her civil factions, in which the
great end of ambition was to be the first citizen in a state which
1. "Punico bello 6ecundo musa pinnato gradu
Intulit se bellicosam Romuli in gentcm feram."
P. Licinius apud A. Gellium.
2. Cicero, Brutus, c. 18. Livius was taken prisoner at the capture of Tarentum.
It is supposed that he was a freedman of M. Livius Salinator. The Tarentinea
were great admirers of the theatre. Plant., MenaBchmi, Prolog. 29, seqq. ; Heyne,
Opusc, ii., 225, seqq. Livius represented his own plays. Liv., vii., 2 ; Vol. Max.,
u. 4.
LIFE OF HORACE. XXV
ruled the -world, could not but awaken intellectual powers of the
highest order. The force and vigor of the Roman character are man-
ifest in the fragments of their early poetry. However rude and in-
harmonious these translations (for, after all, they are translations),
they are full of bold, animated, and sometimes picturesque expres-
sions ; and that which was the natural consequence of the domicilia-
tion of a foreign literature among a people of strong and masculine
minds invariably took place. Wherever their masters in the art had
attained to consummate perfection, wherever the genius of the peo-
ple had been reflected in their poetry with complete harmony, there,
however noble might be the emulation of the disciple, it was impos-
sible that he should approach to his model, especially where his own
genius and national character were adverse both to the form and to
the poetic conception.
Hence, in the genuine epic, in lyric, in dramatic poetry, the Greeks
stood alone and unapproachable. Each of these successive forms of
the art had, as it were, spontaneously adapted itself to the changes
in Grecian society. The epic was that of the heroic age of the
warrior-kings and bards ; the lyric, the religious, that of the temple
and the public games ; the dramatic, that of the republican polity, the
exquisite combination of the arts of poetry, music, gesture, and spec-
tacle, before which the sovereign people of Athens met, which was
presided over by the magistrate, and maintained either at the public
cost or at that of the ruling functionary, which, in short, was the
great festival of the city.
But the heroic age of Rome had passed away, as before observed,
without leaving any mythic or epic song, unless already transmuted
into history. Her severe religion had never kindled into poetry, ex-
cept in rude traditional verses, and' short songs chanted during the
solemn ceremony. The more domestic habits of her austere days
had been less disposed to public exhibitions ; theatrical amusements
were forced upon her, not freely developed by the national taste.
No doubt, from the close of the second Punic war to the age of Au-
gustus, dramatic entertainments were more or less frequent in Rome.
The tragedies of Naevius, Ennius, Pacuvius, and Accius, as well as
the comedies of Plautus, Csecilius, Afranius, and Terence, formed
part of the great games which were celebrated during periods of
public rejoicing. The fame of ^Esopus and Roscius as actors im-
plies great popular interest in the stage. Still, as has been said, al-
most all, if not all, the tragedies, and most of the comedies, were
translations or adaptations from the Greek.1 The ovation and the
triumph were the great spectacles of Rome ; and, when these be-
came more rare, her relaxation was the rude Atellan farce, or the
coarse mime ; but her passion was the mimic war, the amphitheatre
with its wild beasts and gladiators.. the proud spectacle of barbarian
1. Lange, in his " YintUcirc Romance Tra v kegr (" Grieckischa
Tragoeclie") are ind ie general, and. • ,;--ira?eTnent
»f Roman tragedy
■2
XXVI LIFE OF HORACE.
captives slaughtering each other for her amusement. Rome this
wanted the three great sources of poetic inspiration — an heroic period
of history, religion, and scenic representation. She had never, at
least there appears no vestige of their existence, a caste or order of
bards ; her sacerdotal offices, attached to her civil magistracies, dis-
dained the aid of high-wrought music, or mythic and harmonious
hymns. Foreign kings and heroes walked her stage,1 and even her
comedy represented, in general, the manners of Athens or of Asia
Minor rather than those of Italy.
Still, however, in those less poetic departments of poetry, if we
may so speak, which the Greeks had cultivated only in the later and
less creative periods of their literature, the Romans seized the unoc-
cupied ground, and asserted a distinct superiority. Wherever poetry
would not disdain to become an art — wherever lofty sentiment, ma-
jestic, if elaborate verse, unrivalled vigor in condensing and express-
ing moral truth, dignity, strength, solidity, as it were, of thought
and language, not without wonderful richness and variety, could
compensate for the chastened fertility of invention, the life and dis-
tinctness of conception, and the pure and translucent language, in
which the Greek stands alone — there the Latin surpasses all poetry.
In what is commonly called didactic poetry, whether it would con-
vey in verse philosophical opinions, the principles of art, descriptions
of scenery, or observations on life and manners, the Latin poets are
of unrivalled excellence. The poem of Lucretius, the Georgics of
Virgil, the Satires and Epistles of Horace, and the works of Juvenal,
were, no doubt, as much superior even to the poem of Empedocles
(of which, nevertheless, there are some very fine fragments), or to
any other Greek poems to which they can fairly be compared, as
the Latin tragedians were inferior to JEschylus and Sophocles, or
Terence to Menander.
Ennius, in all points, if he did not commence, completed the de-
naturalization of Roman poetry. He was in every respect a Greek ;
1. Nine names of Tragcedise Prsetextatee, tragedies on Roman subjects, have
survived, more than one of which is doubtful ; four only claim to be of the ear-
lier age. I. The Paulus of Pacuvius, which Neukirch (" De Fabula Togata") and
Welcker (" Griechische Tragoedie," p. 1384) suppose to have represented, not
Paulus iEmilius Macedonicus, but his father, L. iEmilius Paulus, who, after the
battle of Cannae, refused to survive the defeat. (Liv., xxii., 49.) Yet, noble as
was the conduct of Paulus, the battle of Cannas would have been a strange subject
for Roman tragedy. II. The Brutus of Accius (Cic, Ep. ad Art., xvi., 2 and 5).
Caseius Parmensis wrote also a Brutus ( Welcker, p. 1403). See the dream of Brutus
in Cic. De Divinat., i., 22, and Bothe (Scenic. Lat. Fragm., i., 191). From this frag
ment Niebuhr (Rom. Hist., vol. i., note 1078) rather boldly concludes that these
were not imitations of the Greek drama, but historical tragedies, like those of
Shakspeare. III. The iEnee.dai, or Decius of Accius. IV. The Marcellus of Accius.
is doubtful. V. The Iter ad Lentulum, by Balbus, acted at Gadcs, represented a
passage in the author's own life. (Cic, Ep. ad Fam., x., 32.) The later pra?tex-
tat» were, VI The Cato ; and, VII. The Domitius Nero of Maternus, in the reign
of Vespasian. VlII. The Vescio of Persius ; and, IX. The Octavia, in the works
of Seneca, probably at the time of Trajan.
LIFE OF HORACE. XXV11
the fine old Roman legends spoke not in their full grandeur to his
ear. The fragments of the Annals, which relate the exploits of Ro-
man valor, are by no means his most poetic passages ; in almost all
his loftier flights we trace Grecian inspiration, or more than inspira-
tion. If it be true that the earliest annalists of Rome turned their
old poetry into prose, Ennius seems to have versified their tame his-
tory, and to have left it almost as prosaic as before. It may be
doubted, notwithstanding the fame of Varius, whether there was any
fine Roman narrative poetry till the appearance of the JEneid. But
Lucretius had shown of what the rich and copious, and, in his hands,
flexible Latin language was capable ; how it could paint as well as
describe, and, whenever his theme would allow, give full utterance
to human emotion. It is astonishing how Lucretius has triumphed
over the difficulties of an unpromising subject, and the cold and un-
poctic tone of his own philosophy. His nobler bursts are not sur-
passed in Latin poetry. Notwithstanding the disrepute in which
Cicero's poetic talents have been held, there are lines, especially in
his translation of Aratus, which, by their bold descriptive felicity and
picturesque epithets, rise above the original. Lucretius was dead
before Horace settled at Rome, and so, likewise, was the only other
great Roman poet who has survived (excluding the dramatists), Ca-
tullus. Notwithstanding their grace, sweetness, and passion, the
lyric poems of Catullus do not seem to have been so pleasing as
might have been expected to the Roman ear. His fame and popu-
larity rested chiefly on his satirical iambics. His lyrics are men
tioned with disparagement by Horace, and are not noticed by Quin-
tilian ; yet in his happier moments, what Latin poet equals Catul-
lus ? Even if more of his poems than we suppose are translations,
some of them, which we know to be translations, have all the fire
and freedom of original poetry. If the Atys be but a feeble echo
of a Greek dithyrambic, what must the dithyrambics of Greece have
been?
"When Horace returned to Rome, Virgil and "Varius, with Asinius
Pollio, the statesman and tragic writer, were the most celebrated
names in Roman poetry. These two great poets soon admitted the
young Horace to their intimacy. The fame of Varius, as an epic
poet, does not appear to have been recognized even by his Roman
posterity. Quintilian speaks of his Thyestes with the highest praise,
as worthy to be compared with the nobiest Greek tragedies ; he does
not mention his name among the epic writers. Varius, it should
seem, wrote fine verses on the events and characters of the times ; a
poem on the death of Caesar, and a panegyric on Augustus. That
kind of poetry obtains high reputation in it* own day, but loses its
interest with the events which it celebrates. Yet of the few epic
lines of Varius which survive, all show vigor and felicity of expres-
sion, some great beauty. The Eclogues of Virgil appeared in their
collective form about the same time with the earnest publication of
Horace, his first book of Satires. But Virgil had already acquired
XXV111 LIFE OF HORACE
fame ; some of his shorter poems had excited great admiration and
greater hope ; a few of his Eclogues must have been already known
among his friends ; he had the expectation, at least, of recovering
his forfeited lands through the friendship of Asinius Pollio ; he was
already honored with the intimate acquaintance of Maecenas.
The introduction of Horace to Maecenas was the turning-point of
his fortunes ; but some time (at least two or three years) must have
intervened between his return to Rome, and even his first presenta-
tion to his future patron, during which he must have obtained some
reputation for poetic talent, and so recommended himself to the friend-
ship of kindred spirits like Varius and Virgil. Poverty, in his own
words, was the inspiration of his verse.
" Paupertas impulit audax
Ut versus facerem." — Epist. ii., 2, 51, seq.
The interpretation of this passage is the difficult problem in the
early history of Horace. What was his poetry ? Did the author
expect to make money or friends by it? Or did he write mere-
ly to disburden himself of his resentment and his indignation, at that
crisis of desperation and destitution when the world was not his
friend, nor the world's law, and so to revenge himself upon that
world by a stern and unsparing exposure of its vices ? Did the de-
feated partisan of Brutus and of liberty boldly hold up to scorn many
of the followers and friends of the triumvir, wThose follies and vices
might offer strong temptation to a youth ambitious of wielding the
rscourge of Lucilius ? Did he even venture to ridicule the all-power-
ful Mtvicenas himself? This theory, probable in itself, is supported
by many recent writers, and is, perhaps, not altogether without founda-
tion.1 In the second satire, one unquestionably of his earliest com-
positions, most of the persons held up to ridicule belonged to the
Caesarian party. The old scholiast asserts that, under the name of
Malchinus, the poet glanced at the effeminate habit of Maecenas, of
wearing his robes trailing on the ground, while more malicious
scandal added that this was a trick in order to conceal his bad legs
and straddling gait. To judge of the probability of this, we must
look forward to the minute account of his first interview with Maece-
nas. If Horace was conscious of having libelled Maecenas, it must
have been more than modesty, something rather of shame and con-
fusion, which overpowered him, and made his words few and broken.3
The dry and abrupt manner of Maecenas, though habitual to him,
might perhaps be alleged as rather in favor of the notion that he had
been induced to admit a visit from a man of talent, strongly recom-
mended to him by the most distinguished men of letters of the day,
though he "was aware that the poet had been a partisan of Brutus,
and had held himself up to ridicule in a satire, which, if not publish-
ed, had been privately circulated, and must have been known at
least to Varius and Virgil. The gentlemanly magnanimity of Mae-
cenas, or even the policy, which would induce him to reconcile all
1. Walkenaer, Histoire de la Vie d'Horace, i., p. 88. 2. Sat. i., 6, 54.
LIFE OP HORACE. XXIX
men of talent with the government, might dispose him to overlook
with quiet contempt or easy indifference, or even to join in the laugh
at this touch of satire against his own peculiarity of person or man-
ner ; but, still, the subsequent publication of a poem containing such
an allusion, after the satirist had been admitted into the intimacy of
Maecenas (and it is universally admitted that the satire was first pub-
lished after this time), appears improbable, and altogether inconsistent
with the deferential respect and gratitude shown by Horace to his
patron, with the singular tact and delicacy through which the poet
preserves his freedom by never trespassing beyond its proper bounds,
and with that exquisite urbanity which prevents his flattery from de-
generating into adulation. This is still less likely if the allusion in
the satire glanced at physical deformity or disease. After all, this
negligence or effeminate affectation was probably much too common
to point the satire against any individual, even one so eminent as
Maecenas. The grave observation of the similarity between the
names of Maecenas and Malchinus, being each of three syllables and
beginning with an M, reminds us irresistibly of old Fluellin's Mace-
don and Monmouth.
The other circumstances of the interview seem to imply that
Horace felt no peculiar embarrassment, such as he might have ex-
perienced if he was conscious of having libelled Maecenas. There
was no awkward attempt at apology, but a plain independence in
his manner ; he told him merely that he was neither a man of fami-
ly nor fortune, and explained who and what he was.1 The question
then recurs, what were these verses to which Horace was impelled
by poverty ? Poetry can not have been of itself a gainful occupa-
tion. The Sosii were not, like the opulent booksellers of our own
day, ready to encourage, and to speculate in favor of, a young and
promising author. In another passage, written late in life, the poet
pleasantly describes himself as having grown rich and indolent, and
as having lost that genial inspiration of want which heretofore had
so powerfully excited his poetic vein. Pope has imitated the hu«
morous illustration of the old soldier with more than his usual felicity :
" In Anna's wars, a soldier, poor and old,
Had dearly earn'd a little purse of gold.
Tired with a tedious march, one luckless night
He slept (poor dog), and lost it to a doit.
This put the man in such a desperate mind,
Between revenge, and grief, and hunger join'd,
Against himself, the foe, and all mankind.
He leap'd the trenches, scaled a castle wall,
Tore down a standard, took the fort and all.
' Prodigious well I' his great commander cried,
ciave him much praise, and some reward besido.
Next pleased his excellence a town to batter
(Its name I know not, and 'tis no great matter) ;
1 Go on, my friend,' he cried ; ' see yonder walls !
Advance and conquer ! go where glory call3 !
1. Sat. i., 6, 56, seqq.
XXX LIFE OP HORACE.
More honors, more rewards, attend the brave I'
Don't you remember what reply he gave ?
' D'ye think me, noble general, such a sot ?
Let him take castles who has ne'er a groat.' "
From these lines it appears that the influence of poverty was more
than the independent desire of exhaling his indignation against the
partisans of the triumvirs, or of wreaking his revenge ; it was the
vulgar but prudential design, in some way or other, of bettering his
condition, which was his avowed inspiration. In truth, literary dis-
tinction in those times might not unreasonably hope for reward.
The most eminent of the earlier poets had not disdained the patron-
age and friendship of the great statesmen. Ennius had been domi-
ciliated in the family of the Scipios, and his statue was admitted
after his death into the family mausoleum. Lucilius had been con-
nected with the same family. Lucretius lived in the house of the
Memmii; Terence with Scipio Africanus and Lcelius. Decimus
Brutus was the admirer and patron of Accius ; as Messala of Tibul-
lus ; Vulcatius, or iElius Gallus, of Propertius. Varius was him-
self a man of rank and birth ; but Virgil owed to his poetical fame
the intimate friendship of Pollio and Maecenas ;* and though Horace,
as a known republican, could hardly have hoped for the patronage
of Maecenas, there were others to whom the poet might have been
welcome, though much prudence might be required in both parties
on account of his former political connections.
But, whatever the motives which induced him to write, the poeti-
cal talents of Horace must soon have begun to make themselves
known. To those talents he owed, in the first place, the friendship
of Varius and Virgil, of Pollio, and perhaps of some others in that
list of distinguished persons, which he recounts in the tenth satire of
the first book. Some of these, no doubt, he first encountered after
he had been admitted to the society of Maecenas. Under what other
character, indeed, could the son of a provincial freedman, who had
been on the wrong side in the civil wars, had lost all his property,
and scarcely possessed the means of living, make such rapid progress
among the accomplished and the great ? Certainly not by his social
qualities alone, his agreeable manners, or convivial wit. Nothing
but his well-known poetical powers can have so rapidly endeared
him to his brother poets. When Virgil and Varius told Maecenas
" what he was," they must have spoken of him as a writer of verses,
not merely of great promise, but of some performance. But were
1. If Donatus is to be credited, Virgil received from the liberality of his friends
not less than centics sestertium (£80,729 3s. id.), besides a house in Rome on the
Esquiline, a villa near Nola, perhaps another in Sicily. {Donati, Vita Virg., vi.)
Hence Juvenal's well-known lines :
" Magna? mentis opus, nee de lodice paranda
Attonitas, currus et equos, faciemque I rorum
Aspicere, et qualis Rutulum confundat ErinyB ;
Nam si Virgilio puer et tolerabile deesset
Hospitium, caderent omnes e crinibus hydri." — Sat viii, C6.
LIFE OF HORACE. XXXt
the two or three satires, which we may suppose to have been writ-
ten before his introduction to Maecenas, sufficient to found this poetic
reputation ? That some of the epodes belong to this early part of
his poetical career, I have no doubt ; the whole adventure with
Canidia (that one of his poetical intrigues which has a groundwork
at least of reality) belongs to a period of his life when he was loose,
as it were, upon the world, without an ascertained position in society,
unsettled in habits, and to a certain degree in opinions. Nor does
there appear to me any difficulty in the supposition that some of the
odes, which bear the expression of youthful feelings and passions,
however collected afterward, and published in books, may have been
among the compositions which were communicated to his friends,
and opened to him the society of men of letters and the patronage
of the great.1
Nine months elapsed between the first cold reception of Horace
by Maecenas and his advances to nearer friendship.
Maecenas, though still engaged in public affairs, and though be
had not yet built his splendid palace on the Esquiline, had neverthe-
less begun to collect around him all the men either eminent, or who
promised to become eminent, in arts and letters. The friendship
with Horace grew up rapidly into close intimacy. In the following
year Horace accompanied him on his journey to Brundisium ; to
which Maecenas proceeded, though on a political negotiation of the ut-
most importance (the reconciliation of Antony and Octavianus), as
on a party of pleasure, environed by the wits and poets who had be*
gun to form his ordinary circle.
The mutual amity of all the great men of letters in this period
gives a singularly pleasing picture of the society which was har-
monized and kept together by the example and influence of Maece-
nas. Between Virgil, Plotius, Varius, and Horace, between Horace
and Tibullus, there was not merely no vulgar jealousy, no jarring
rivalry, but the most frank mutual admiration. If an epigram of
Martial be not a mere fancy of the poet, Virgil carried his delicacy
so far that he would not trespass on the poetic provinces which
seemed to belong to his friends. Though he might have surpassed
Varius in tragedy, and Horace in lyric poetry, he would not attempt
either, lest he should obscure their fame.2
1. The most untenable part of the Bentleian chronology, which, however, as far
as the publication of the separate books, is no doubt true, is his peremptory as-
sertion that Horace employed himself only on one kind of poetry at a time ; that
he wrote all the satires, then the epodes, then the three books of odes. Dr. Tate,
the faithful and unshaken disciple of Bentley, quoting the lines,
"Neque, si quis scribat, uti nos,
Sermoni propiora, putes hunc esse poetam,"
does not scruple to assert that Horace, Sat L, 4, " says, as plainly as a man can
fay it, that he had not then written any thing which could entitle him to the name
of a poet ;" therefore, no single ode. " But Horace," as has been well observed,
" uses language much like this in his epistles (Epist ii., 1, 250, &c), written after
all his odes." — Dyer, in Class. Museum, No. V., p. 215, &c
2. Martial, Epi^. viiL, 18.
XXX11 LIFE OF HORACE.
In the enjoyment of this society Horace completed the earliest of
his works which has reached posterity (if, indeed, we have not his
whole published works), the first book of satires.1
CHAPTER III.
SATIRIC POETRY ITS ORIGIN THE COMEDY OF ROME STATE OP
SOCIETY SABINE FARM CHRONOLOGY OF THE BOOKS OF SATIRES
EPODES BATE OF COMPOSITION OF COMPLETION.
The satiric style of poetry was admirably suited to this way of
living. It was the highest order of the poetry of society. It will
bear the same definition as the best conversation — good sense and
wit in equal proportions. Like good conversation, it dwells enough
on one topic to allow us to bear something away, while it is so des-
ultory as to minister perpetual variety. It starts from some sub-
ject of interest or importance, but does not adhere to it wTith rigid
pertinacity. The satire of Horace allowed ample scope to follow
out any train of thought which it might suggest, but never to pro-
lixity. It was serious and gay, grave and light ; it admitted the
most solemn and important questions of philosophy, of manners, of
literature, but touched them in an easy and unaffected tone ; it was
full of point and sharp allusions to the characters of the day ; it in-
troduced in the most graceful manner the follies, the affectations,
even the vices of the times, but there was nothing stern, or savage,
or malignant in its tone ; we rise from the perusal with the convic-
tion that Horace, if not the most urbane and engaging (not the per-
fect Christian gentleman), must have been the most sensible and de-
lightful person who could be encountered in Roman society. There
is no broad buffoonery to set the table in a roar ; no elaborate and
exhausting wit, which turns the pleasure of listening into a fatigue ;
if it trespasses occasionally beyond the nicety and propriety of mod-
ern manners, it may fairly plead the coarseness of the times, and the
want of efficient female control, which is the only true chastener of
1. Even on the publication of the satires, odes, and epistles in separate books,
there are more difficulties than at first sight appear in the chronology of Bentley.
Several of the satires in the first, but especially the fourth, show that Horace had
already made enemies by his satiric poetry. Horace was averse to the fashion of
reciting poems in public, which had been introduced by Asinius Pollio, and com-
plains that his own were read by few :
" Cum mea nemo
Scripta legat, vulgo recitare timentis."
Compare line 73, et segq. Some recited their works in the forum, some in the
public baths.
No doubt he is in jest in this comparison between his poems and those of his
rivals Crispinus and Fannius ; but it seems to imply that his poems were already,
some way or other, exposed to popular approbation or neglect. Our notion of
publication, the striking off at once a whole edition, probably misleads us. Befora
the invention of printing, each poem must have been copied and recopied separate!
ly ; perhaps they may not hare been exposed for sale till made up in book»
LIFE OF HORACE. XXXllI
conversation, but which can only command respect where the fe-
males themselves deserve it.
The satiric form of poetry was not original ; there was something
like it in the Silli of the Greeks, and Lucilius had already introduced
this style of writing into Rome with great success. The obligations
of Horace to Lucilius it is impossible fairly to estimate from the few
and broken passages of that writer which have survived. Horace
can hardly be suspected of unworthy jealousy in the character which
he gives of his predecessor in the art. Notwithstanding Quintilian's
statement that there were some even in his own day who still pre-
ferred the old satirist, not merely to all poets of his class, but even
to every other Roman poet, there can be no doubt that Lucilius was
rude, harsh, and inharmonious ; and it is exactly this style of poetry
which requires ease, and that unstudied idiomatic perspicuity of Ian-
guage, that careless, as it may seem, but still skillful construction
of verse which delights the ear at the same time that it is widely
different from the stately march of the Virgilian hexameter, or the
smooth regularity of the elegiac poets. It is so near akin to prose
as to require great art to keep up the indispensable distinction from it.
The poetry of Horace was the comedy of an untheatrical people.
If the Romans had been originally a theatrical people, there would
have been a Roman drama. Their preetextata? were but Greek
dramas on Roman subjects. The national character of the people
was, doubtless, the chief cause of the want of encouragement to the
drama, but we may go still further. The true sphere of the drama
seems to be a small city, like Athens (we reckon its size by its free
population), London in the time of Elizabeth and James, Paris in
that of Louis XIV., or Weimar at the close of the last century. In
these cities, either all orders delight in living in public, or there is a
large and predominant aristocracy, or a court which represents or
leads the public taste. Rome was too populous to crowd into a thea-
tre, where the legitimate drama could be effectively performed. The
people required at least a Colosseum ; and directly, as elsewhere,
their theatres rivalled their amphitheatres, the art was gone. So-
ciety, too, in Rome, was in a state of transition from the public spec-
tacle to the private banquet or entertainment ; and as our own pres-
ent mode of living requires the novel instead of the play, affords a
hundred readers of a book to one spectator of a theatrical perform-
ance, so Roman comedy receded from the theatre, in which she had
never been naturalized, and concentrated her art and her observation
on human life and manners in the poem, which was recited to the
private circle of friends, or published for the general amusement of
the whole society.
Lucilius, as Horace himself says, aspired to be in Rome what
Eupolis, Cratinus, and Aristophanes had been in Athens (Sat. i., 5,
1, seqq.) ; and more than Caecilius, Plautus, and Terence, excellent
as the two latter at least appear to us, were at Rome.
The tone of society, of which Horace is the representative, was
2*
KXX1V LIFE OF HORACE.
that into which Rome, weary and worn out with civil contests, was
delighted to collapse. The peace of the capital was no more dis-
turbed ; though the foreign disturbances in Spain and on the other
frontiers of the empire, the wars with the sons of Pompey, and, final-
ly, with Antony in the East, distracted the remoter world, Rome
quietly subsided into the pursuits of peace. It was the policy no less
than the inclination of Augustus and his true friends to soften, to
amuse, to introduce all the arts, and tastes, and feelings which could
induce forgetfulness of the more stirring excitements of the rostra
and the senate ; to awaken the song of the poet, that the agitating
eloquence of the orator might cause less regret ; to spread the couch
of luxury, of elegant amusement, and of lettered ease, on which Rome
might slumber away the remembrance of her departed liberties.
Agrippa and Augustus himself may be considered as taking charge
of the public amusements, erecting theatres, and adorning the city
with magnificent buildings of every description, transmuting the
Rome of brick into the Rome of marble ; exhibiting the most gor-
geous shows and spectacles ; distributing sumptuous largesses ; and
compensating, by every kind of distraction and diversion, for the pri-
vation of those more serious political occupations in the forum or at
the comitia, which were either abolished by the constitution, or had
languished into regular and unexciting formalities.1 Maecenas, in
the mean time, was winning, if not to the party, or to personal attach-
ment toward Augustus, at least to contented acquiescence in his
sovereignty, those who would yield to the silken charms of social
enjoyment. Though in the Roman mansion or Baian villa, as after-
ward in the palace on the Esquiline, no test of opinion might be de-
manded, and no severe or tyrannous restriction be placed on the ease
and freedom of conversation, republican sentiments, or expressions
of dissatisfaction at the state of public affairs, would be so out of
place at the hospitable banquets of Maecenas as to be proscribed by
the common laws of courtesy or urbanity. Men's minds would be
gradually reconciled to the suppression, if not to forgetfulness or
abandonment, of such thoughts and feelings ; they were gradually
taught how agreeably they might live under a despotism.
Horace was not the only republican, nor the only intimate friend
of Brutus, who took refuge in letters :
"Haec est
Vita solutorum misera ambitione gravique."
He excused himself from the hopelessness of the cause, of which he
still cherished some generous reminiscences. He still occasionally
betrayed old associations, as in his flashes of admiration at the un-
1. The pantomimes had begun to supersede the regular drama. Pylades was ex-
pelled by a faction, but recalled from exile by Augustus. In a dispute with Bathyl-
lus, who was patronized by Maecenas, Pylades cried out, " It is well for you, Cav-
iar, that the people trouble themselves so much about us, the less, therefore, about
you."— Dio Cass., liv., 17. See, on the pantomimes of the Romans, an excellent
dissertation by E. J. Grysar, Rheinisches Museum. 1834.
LIFE OF HORACE. XXXV
broken spirit and noble death of Cato ; yet, nevertheless, he gradual-
ly softened into the friend of the emperor's favorite, and at length
into the poetical courtier of the emperor himself. Horace, indeed,
asserted and maintained greater independence of personal character
than most subjects of the new empire ; there is a tone of dignity and
self-respect even in the most adulatory passages of his writings.
Between the publication of the two books of satires, Horace re-
ceived from Maecenas the gift of the Sabine farm, the only product-
ive property which he ever possessed, and on which he lived in mod-
erate contentment. Nothing could be more appropriate than this
gift, which may have been softened off, as it were, as a compensa-
tion for his confiscated personal estate ; the act of generosity may
have recommended itself as an act of justice. Virgil had recovered
his own native fields, but the estate of Horace had no doubt been
irrevocably granted away. The Sabine farm had the recommenda-
tion of being situated in a country as romantic, nearer to Rome, and
at no great distance from the scenes in which Horace delighted be-
yond all others in Italy.
The Sabine farm of Horace was situated in a deep and romantic
valley about fifteen miles from Tibur (Tivoli). The description of
the farm, its aspect, situation, and climate, exactly correspond with
the valley of Licenza, into which modern Italian pronunciation has
melted the hard Digentia. The site, with some ruins of buildings,
was first discovered, and discussed at length by Capmartin de
Chaupy, in his " Maison de Campagne d' Horace." It has since
been visited by other antiquarians and scholars, who have found al-
most every name mentioned by the poet still clinging to the mount-
ains and villages of the neighborhood.
The estate was not extensive ; it produced corn, olives, and vines ;
it was surrounded by pleasant and shady woods, and with abundance
of the purest water ; it was superintended by a bailiff (villicus), and
cultivated by five families of free coloni (Epist. i., 14, 3) ; and Horace
employed about eight slaves (Sat. ii., 7, 118).
To the munificence of Maecenas we owe that peculiar charm of
the Horatian poetry that it represents both the town and country life
of the Romans in that age ; the country life, not only in the rich and
luxurious villa of the wealthy at Tivoli or at Baiae, but in the se-
cluded retreat and among the simple manners of the peasantry. It
might seem as if the wholesome air which the poet breathed during
his retirement on his farm reinvigorated his natural manliness of mind.
There, notwithstanding his love of convivial enjoyment in the palace
of Maecenas and other wealthy friends, he delighted to revert to his
own sober and frugal mode of living. Probably at a later period of
life he indulged himself in a villa at Tivoli, which he loved for its
mild winter and long spring j1 and all the later years of his life were
passed between these two country residences and Rome.
1. For Tibur, see Carm. L, 7, 10-14 ; ii., 6, 5-d ; id., 4, 21-24 ; iv., 2, 27-31 ; id, 3^
10-12 ; Epod. i., 29, 30; Epist. i.. 7. 41-5 ; 8, 12.
XXXVI LIFE OF HORACE.
The second book of satires followed the first. It is evident, from
the first lines of this book, that the poet had made a strong impres-
sion on the public taste. No writer, with the keen good sense of
Horace, would have ventured on such expressions as the following,
unless he had felt confident of his position :
•' Sunt quibus in Satira videor irimis accr, et ultra
Legem tendere opus ; Bine nervis altera, quicquid
Composui, pars esse putat, similesque meorum
Mille die versus deduci posse."— Sat. ii., 1, 1, seqq.1
This is the language of a privileged egotist •, of one who had ac-
quired a right, by public suffrage, to talk of himself. The victim of
his satire will be an object of ridicule to the whole city :
" Nee quisquam noccat cupido mini pacis ! et ille
Qui me comm&rit (melius non tangere ! clamo)
Flebit, et insignis tota cantabitur urbe." — lb., 45, seqq*
The sixth satire of this book is the most important in the chronolo-
gy of the life and works of Horace.3 It was in the eighth year4 of
his familiarity with Maecenas that this satire was composed. To
this must be added the nine months after his first introduction. If
Horace returned to Rome in the winter after the battle of Philippi
(A.U.C. 712, 713), time must be allowed for him to form his friend-
ship with Virgil and with Varius, and to gain that poetic reputation
by pieces circulated in private which would justify their recommenda-
tion of their friend to Maecenas. The first introduction could scarce-
1. I subjoin the imitation of his best interpreter, at least, if not commentator :
" There are (I scarce can think it, but am told),
There are to whom my satire seems too bold ;
Scarce to wise Peter complaisant enough,
And something said of Chartres much too rough ;
The lines are weak, another's pleased to say,
Lord Fanny spins a thousand such a day." — Pope.
2. " Peace is my dear delight, not Fleury's more !
But touch me, and no minister so sore.
Whoe'er offends, at some unlucky time,
Slides into verse, or hitches in a rhyme ;
Sacred to ridicule his whole life long,
And the sad burden of a merry song." — Pope.
3. See Sat. ii., 6, 40-47. This pleasant passage is exquisitely adapted by Swift
" 'Tis (let me see) three years and more
(October next it will be four)
Since Harley bid me first attend,
And chose me for an humble friend ;
Would take me in his coach to chat,
And question me of this and that ;
As, What's o'clock ? or How's the wind ?
Whose chariot's that we left behind ?
Or, Have you nothing new to-day
From Pope, from Parnell, or from Gay ?" &c, &c.
4. Some construe "Septimus octavo propior jam fugerit annus" as only six
years and a half. The past, fugerit, surely implies that the seventh year had ac-
tually elapsed, and above half a year more.
LIFE OF HORACE XXXVL
y, therefore, be earlier than A.U.C. 715. It is impossible, therefore,
that this book could be completed before late in A.U.C. 722, the
year before the battle of Actium. If, however, there be an allusion
to the division of lands to the soldiers engaged in that war, the date
can not be before A.U.C. 721. l
The book of epodes may be considered as in one sense the transi-
tion from satire to lyric poetry. Though not collected or completed
till the present period of the poet's life, this book appears to contain
some of the earliest compositions of Horace. In his sweet youth,
his strong passions drove him to express himself in the sharp iambic
verse (Carm. i., 16, 22-4). Bentley's observation, which all would
wish to be true, is perhaps more so than would appear from his own
theory ; that, as it proceeds, the stream of the Horatian poetry flows
not only with greater elegance, but with greater purity.2
The moral character of the poet rises in dignity and decency ; he
has cast off the coarseness and indelicacy which defile some of his
earliest pieces ; in his odes he sings to maidens and to youths. The
two or three of the epodes which offend in this manner, I scruple not
to assign to the first year after the return of the poet to Rome. But
not merely has he risen above, and refined himself from, the grosser
licentiousness, his bitter and truculent invective has gradually soft-
ened into more playful satire. Notwithstanding his protestation,
some of his earlier iambics have much of the spirit as well as the
numbers of Archilochus.
The book of epodes was manifestly completed not long after the
last war between Octavianus and Antony. The dominant feeling in
the mind of Horace seems now to have been a horror of civil war.
The war of Perugia, two years after Philippi, called forth his first
indignant remonstrance against the wickedness of taking up arms,
not for the destruction of Carthage, the subjugation of Britain, but to
fulfill the vows of the Parthians for the destruction of Rome by hei
1. This part of the Bentleian chronology is, it may almost be asserted, impossi
ble. Bentley refers the partition of land alluded to in the celebrated line,
" Promissa Triquetra
Praedia Csesar an est Itala tellure daturus,"
to the division which followed the defeat of Sex. Pompeius. This defeat took
place A.U.C. 718 ; the death of Pompeius A.U.C. 719. The eight years and a half
alone would throw the presentation to Maecenas above the date of the battle of
Philippi, A.U.C. 712. The only way of escape is to suppose that the division was
promised, not fulfilled, and took several years to carry out. But this is irreconcila-
ble with the accounts of this division in the historians, and the allusion in Horace
to its first enactment as to where the lands were to be assigned.
2. " In caeteris autem singulis praecedentis setatis gradus plenissimis signis in
dicat ; idque tali ex hac serie jam a me demonsrrata jucundum erit animadvertere
cum operibus juvenilibus multa obscena et flagitiosa insint, quanto annis provec
tior erat, tanto eum et poeticavirtute et argumentorum dignitate gravitateque me-
liorem semper castioremque evasisse." — Bcntleius in pnB&t. But by Bentley'8
theory the worst of the epodes were written when he was 32 or 33 years old
hardly " annis juvenilibus." The 14th bears date after the intimacy was formed
with Mfficenas.
XXXV111 LIFE OP HORACE.
own hands.1 Both at that time and several years later likewise, just
before the war of Actium, the date of the first epodc, the most ardent
lover of liberty might deprecate the guilt and evil of civil war. It
was not for freedom, but for the choice of masters between the sub-
tle Octavianus and the profligate Antony, that the world was again to
be deluged with blood. The strongest republican, even if he retain-
ed the utmost jealousy and aversion for Octavianus, might prefer his
cause to that of an Eastern despot, so Antony appeared, and so he
was represented at Rome, supported by the arms of a barbarian
queen.2 It might seem that the fearful and disastrous times had
broken up the careless social circle, for whose amusement and in-
struction the satires were written, and that the poet was thrown
back by force into a more grave and solemn strain. Maecenas him-
self is summoned to abandon his delicious villa, his intellectual friends,
his easy luxury, and to mount the hard deck of the tall ships of war •
" Ibis Liburnis inter alta navium,
Amice, propugnacula." — Epod. i., 1.
Horace was in doubt whether he should accompany his patron. Mae-
cenas, however, remained in Italy ; and, after a short absence, re-
sumed the government of Rome. The first epode expresses the
poet's feelings on this trying occasion, and perhaps has never been
surpassed by any composition of its kind. There is hardly any piece
of the same length in which the delicacy of compliment is so blended
with real feeling, or gratitude and attachment expressed with so
much grace and dignity. The exquisite second epode might natu-
rally appear to have been written after the possession of the Sabine
estate ; the close, in which he seems to turn all his own rural senti-
ment into ridicule, is a touch of playfulness quite in his own man-
ner. The ninth epode is, as it were, the poet's first song of triumph
for the victory at Actium ; the triumph, not in a civil war, but over
a foreign foe. In the fourteenth there is an apology for his tardi-
ness in completing the book of epodes which he had promised to
Maecenas :
" Inceptos olim promissum carmen iambos
Ad umbilicum ducere."
1. Read the seventh epode :
" Quo quo scelesti ruitis ! aut cur dexteris," &c.
The tone of this poem agrees better with the entirely independent situation of
Horace at the time of the war of Perugia, than later, when he was at least (al-
though he was yet unfavored by Octavianus) the friend of the friend of Octavianus.
The seventeenth ode, in which he poetically urges the migration of the Roman
people to some happier and secluded land, seems likewise to belong to that period.
2. " Interque signa, turpe, militaria
Sol aspicit conopium." — Epod. ix., 15.
So Virgil,
11 Hinc ope barbarica, variisque Antonius armis,
Victor ab aurorae populis et litore rubro
JEgyptum, viresque Orientis, et ultima secum
Bactra trahit» sequiturque (nefas) iEgyptia conjux."
iEneid, viiL. 685.
LIFE OF HORACE. XXXIX
Iho whole book appeared most probably A.U.C. 725, the second
year after the battle of Actiura, in the thirty-sixth of the life of Horace.
CHAPTER IV.
HORACE A LYRIC WRITER ORIGINALITY OF HIS ODES DATE OF COM-
POSITION MERITS OF THE ODES EPISTLES GENERAL COMPOSI-
TION CHARACTER OF HORATIAN POETRY.
Horace now became a lyric poet, or, rather, devoted himself en-
tirely to the cultivation of that kind of poetry. The nine or ten
years of his life after the battle of Actium (A.U.C. 724 to 734, life
of Horace 35 to 45) were employed in the composition, or the com-
pletion, of the first three books of odes.
The odes bear the character of the poet's life during this long
period. He has reverted to his peaceful enjoyment of society. The
sword of civil war is sheathed ; one of his earliest and noblest bursts
is the song of triumph for Actium, with the description of the death
of Cleopatra. There is just excitement enough of foreign warfare
on the remote frontiers of Spain, in Britain, in Arabia, to give an
opportunity for asserting the Roman's proud consciousness of uni-
versal sovereignty. Parthia consents to restore the standards of
Crassus, or, at all events, has sent a submissive embassy to Rome ;
the only enemies are the remotest barbarians of the North and East
with harsh-sounding names.
" Urbi solicitus times
Quid Seres, et regnata Cyro
Bactra parent, Tanaisque discors." — Carm. iii., 29, 26-8.
Octavianus has assumed the name of Augustus ; the poet has ac-
quiesced in his sole dominion, and introduces him, for the first time,
into his poetry under this his imperial title. Public affairs and
private friendships — the manners of the city — the delights of the
country — all the incidents of an easy and honorable literary life — sug-
gest the short poem which embodies the feelings and sentiments of
Horace. His philosophical views and his tender attachments enable
him to transport into Rome such of the more pleasing and beautiful
lyrics of Greece as could appear with advantage in a Latin dress.
Horace not only naturalizes the metres, but many of the poems of the
Greek lyrists. Much ingenuity has been wasted in forming a chron-
icle of the amours of Horace, almost as authentic, no doubt, as that
in the graceful poem of our own Cowley. However fatal to the
personality of the poet in many of his lighter pieces, I must profess
my disbelief in the real existence of the Lalages, and Lydias, and
Glyceras, andLyces, and Chloes. Their names betray their origin;
though many damsels of that class in Rome may have been of Greek
or servile birth, many of them, no doubt, occupy the same place in
the imitation of the Greek poem which they did in the original.1
1. Compare an essay of Buttmann, in German, in the Berlin Transactions, and in
Xl LIFE OP HORACE.
By a careful examination of each ode, with a fine critical perception,
and some kindred congeniality with a poetic mind, much might per-
haps be done to separate the real from the imitative, the original
from the translated or transfused. This would, at least, be a more
hopeful and rational work of criticism than the attempt to date every
piece from some vague and uncertain allusion to a contemporary
event. Some few indeed, but very few, bear their distinct and un-
deniable date, as the ode on the death of Cleopatra (Carm. i., 37) -1
According to the rigid chronology of Bentley, this poem must
have been the first, or nearly the first, attempt of Horace to write
lyric poetry. But it is far more probable that the books of odes con-
tain poems written at very different periods in the life of Horace,
finished up for publication on the separate or simultaneous appear-
ance of the first three books. Even if written about the same time,
they are by no means disposed in chronological order. The arrange-
ment seems to have been arbitrary, or, rather, to have been made
not without regard to variety of subject, and, in some respects, of
metre. In the first book, the first nine and the eleventh might seem
placed in order to show the facility with which the poet could com-
mand every metrical variety, the skill with which, in his own words,
he could adapt the Grecian lyric numbers -to Latin poetry. The
tenth, the Sapphic ode to Mercury, is the first repetition. There is,
likewise, a remarkable kind of moral order in the arrangement of
these odes. The first is a dedicatory address to his friend and patron
Maecenas, the object of his earliest and of his latest song. The sec-
ond is addressed to the emperor, by his new title, Augustus. The
third relates to his dear friend and brother poet, Virgil ; then comes
the solemn moral strain to Sestius, followed by perhaps the most
finished of his love songs, to Pyrrha. Throughout the whole book,
or, rather, the whole collection of odes, there seems this careful
study of contrast and variety ; the religious hymn to the god of
mercurial men is succeeded by the serious advice to Leuconoe.
The just estimate of Horace, as a lyric poet, may be more closely
his Mythologus, and translated in the Philological Museum, vol. i., p. 439, segq.
Buttmann carries out to the extreme his theory, that most of the love-lyrics are
translations or imitations from the Greek, or poems altogether ideal, and without
any real ground- work.
1. Within a few years there have been five complete chronologies of the whole
works of Horace, which pretend to assign the true year to the composition of every
one of his poems : I. Kirschner, Qusestiones Horatianse, Leipzig, 1834. II. Franke,
Fasti Horatiani, Berlin, 1839. III. Histoire de la vie et des Poesies de Horace, par
M. le Baron Walckenaer, 2 vols., Paris, 1840 ; a pleasing romance on the life and
times of Horace. IV. Quintus Horatius Flaccus, als Mensch und Dichter, von
D. W. E. Weber, Jena, 1844. V. Grotefend. The article Horatius in Ersch and
Gruber's Encyclopaedic Besides these, there are, among later writers, the lives
of Horace by Passow and by Zumpt ; the notes in the French translation of the
odes by M. Vanderbourg ; the notes of Heindorf on the satires ; and oJ Schmid
on the epistles Tho irreconcilable discrepancies among all these ingenious au-
thors show the iiitility of the attempt ; almost every one begins by admittiug tha
'impossibility of success, and then proceeds to frame a new scheme.
LIFE OF HORACE. xll
connected than appears at first with these considerations. Neither
was his the age, nor was Latin the language for the highest lyric
song. The religious, and what we may call the national, the second
inspiration of the genuine lyric, were both wanting. The religion in
the Horatian ode is, for the most part, the common-place machinery
of the established creed, the conventional poetic mythology, of which
the influence was effete. There is no deep and earnest devotion ;
even the gods are rather those of Greek poetry than of the old Ro
man faith. The allusion to passing events are those of a calm and
self-possessed observer, ingeniously weaving them into his occasional
pieces ; not the impassioned overflow of the poetic spirit, seizing and
pouring forth, in one long and inexhausted stream, all the thoughts,
and sentiments, and images, and incidental touches, which are trans-
muted, as it were, by the bard into part of his own moral being. As
compared with the highest lyric poetry, the odes of Horace are
greatly deficient ; but as occasional pieces inspired by friendship, by
moral sentiment, or as graceful and finished love verses, they are
perfec* ; their ease, spirit, perspicuity, elegance, and harmony com-
pensate, as far as may be, for the want of the nobler characteristics
of daring conception, vehemence, sublimity, and passion.
The separate or simultaneous pubbcation of the first three books
of odes, and the date of their publication, mainly depends on one
question. If the voyage of Virgil to the East, on which the third
ode of the first book was written, be that mentioned in the life of
Virgil by Donatus, that book can not have appeared before the year
U.C. 735, and in such case the three books must have been publish-
ed together about that time.
The epistles were the work of the mature man. The first book
was written about B.C. 20, 19, A.U.C. 734, 735. No one doubts
that these delightful compositions are the most perfect works of
Horace ; but it is singularly difficult to define, even to our own con-
ception, still more in language, in what consists their felt and ac
knowledged charm. They possess every merit of the satires in 3
higher degree, with a more exquisite urbanity, and a more calm and
commanding good sense. In their somewhat more elevated tone,
they stand, as it were, in the midway between the odes and the
satires. They are that, in short, which Pope, their best, if not their
one successful imitator, is to English poetry.
The aesthetic law, which would disfranchise Horace and Pope,
and this whole class of writers, from the venerable guild of poets,
must depend upon what we mean by the word poetry. This ques-
tion had already occurred to Horace himself. Some doubted whether
comedy was a form of poetry, and whether Aristophanes and Menan-
der were to be honored with the name of poets (Sat. i., 4, 45). If
poetry must necessarily be imaginative, creative, impassioned, digni-
fied, it is also clear that it must become extinct in a certain state of
society, or, instead of transcribing the actual emotions and sentiments
«f men. it must throw itself back into a more stirring and romantio
xlli LIFE OF HORACE.
period. It must make for itself a foreign realm in the past or in tliB
future. At all events, it must have recourse to some remote or ex-
traordinary excitement ; the calm course of every-day events can af-
ford no subject of nspiration ; the decencies and conventional pro-
prieties of civilized life lie upon it as a deadening spell ; the assim-
ilating and levelling tone of manners smooths away all which is
striking or sublime.
But may there not be a poetry of the most civilized and highly-
cultivated state of human society ; something equable, tranquil,
serene ; affording delight by its wisdom and truth, by its grace and
elegance ? Human nature in all its forms is the domain of poetry,
and though the imagination may have to perform a different office,
and to exercise a more limited authority, yet it can not be thought,
or, rather, can not be feared, that it will ever be so completely ex-
tinguished in the mind of man as to leave us nothing but the every-
day world in its cold and barren reality.
Poetry, indeed, which thrills and melts ; which stirs the very depths
of the heart and soul ; which creates, or stretches its reanimating
wand over the past, the distant, the unseen, may be, and no doubt
is, a very different production of the wonderful mechanism of the
human mind from that which has only the impressive language and
the harmonious expression, without the fiction of poetry ; but human
life, even in its calmest form, will still delight in seeing itself re-
flected in the pure mirror of poetry; and poetry has too much real
dignity, too much genuine sympathy with universal human nature
to condescend to be exclusive. There is room enough on the broad
heights of Helicon, at least on its many peaks, for Homer and Menan-
der, for Virgil and Horace, for Shakspeare, and Pope, and Cowper.
May we not pass, without supposing that we are abandoning the
sacred precincts of the Muses, from the death of Dido to the epistle
to Augustus ? Without asserting that any thing like a regular cycle
brings round the taste for a particular style of composition, or that
the demand of the human mind (more poetic readers must not be
shocked by this adoption of the language of political economy) re-
quires, and is still further stimulated by the supply of a particular
kind of production at particular periods ; it may be said, in general,
that poetry begets prose, and prose poetry — that is to say, when
poetry has long occupied itself solely with more imaginative subjects,
when it has been exclusively fictitious and altogether remote from
the ordinary affairs of life, there arises a desire for greater truth — ■
for a more close copy of that which actually exists around us. Good
sense, keen observation, terse expression, polished harmony, then
command and delight, and possess, perhaps in their turn too exclu-
sively, for some time, the public ear. But directly this familiarity
with common life has too closely approximated poetry to prose —
when it is undistinguished, or merely distinguished from prose by a
conventional poetic language, or certain regular forms of verse —
then the poetic spirit bursts away again into freedom ; and, in gen-
LIFE OF HORACE. x\k\
eral, in its first struggle for emancipation, breaks out into extrava*
gance ; the unlettered imagination runs riot, and altogether scorns
the alliance of truth and nature, to which it falsely attributes its long
and ignoble thraldom, till some happy spirit weds again those which
should never have been dissevered, and poetry becomes once more,
in the language of one of its most enchanting votaries,
" Truth severe in faery fiction dress'd."
Hence may, perhaps, be formed a just estimate of the poetical char-
acter of Horace. Of him it may be said, with regard to the most
perfect form of his poetry, the epistles, that there is a period in the
literary taste of every accomplished individual, as well as of every
country, not certainly in ardent youth, yet far from the decrepitude
of old age, in which we become sensible of the extraordinary and
undefinable charm of these wonderful compositions. It seems to re-
quire a certain maturity of mind; but that maturity by no means
precludes the utmost enjoyment of the more imaginative poetry. It
is, in fact, the knowledge of the world which alone completely quali-
fies us for judging the writings of a man of the world ; our own
practical wisdom enables us to appreciate that wisdom in its most
delightful form.
CHAPTER V.
POSITION OF nORACE DURING THE DECLINE OF LIFE FRIENDSHIP
WITH AUGUSTUS RELIGION OF HORACE PHILOSOPHY CLOSE OF
HIS LIFE POETICAL CRITICISM EPISTLES TO AUGUSTUS AND ART
OF POETRY DEATH HIS PERSON.
Never was position more favorable than that of Horace for the
development of this poetic character. The later years of his life
were passed in an enviable state of literary leisure. He has gradual-
ly risen from the favorite of the emperor's friend to the poet in whose
compositions the shrewd and sagacious emperor is said himself to
have desired to be enshrined for the admiration of posterity. The
first advances to intimacy with the poet came from the emperor him-
self. Augustus had at first been his own secretary •, he had written
his own letters to his friends ; he offered that honorable and confiden-
tial post to the poet. He requested Maecenas to transfer our Horace,
as he condescended to call him, into his service. When the poet de-
clines the offer, Augustus is not in the least offended, and does not
grow cool in his friendship. He almost tempts him to ask favors ; he
assures him of his undiminished regard : "If you," he says, ': are so
proud as to disdain my friendship, I shall not become haughty in my
turn/' He writes of him in terms of familiar, and, it may almost be
said, coarse admiration.1 The fourth book of odes and the secular
1. " Ante ipse sufficiebam scribendis epistoha Amice-rum ; nunc occupatissimus
«t infirmus, Horatium nostrum te cupio addicere. Veniat igitur ab ista parasitica
uiensa ad hanc regiam, et nos in epistoiis scribendis adjuvet." See the fragments
xIlV LIFE OF HORACE.
hymn -were written at the express desire of the emperor, who was
ambitious that the extraordinary virtues of his step-sons, Tiberius
and Drusus, should be commemorated in the immortal strains of the
poet.
There is no reason to reproach Horace either with insincerity or
with servility in his praises of the emperor. It is remarkable how
much his respect for Augustus seems to strengthen, and his affection
to kindle into personal attachment, as we approach the close of his
poetical career. The epistle to Augustus is almost, perhaps may
have been quite, his latest poem. In the second book of epistles
(which no doubt comprehended the Epistle to Piso, vulgarly called
the Art of Poetry), the one addressed to Augustus, whether prior or
sot in time of composition, would of course assume the place of
honor. Nor is it difficult to account for the acquiescence of the re-
publican in the existing state of things, and that with no degrada-
tion of his independence. With declining years increases the love
of quiet ; the spirit of adventure has burned out, and body and mind
equally yearn after repose. Under the new order of things, as we
have shown, Horace had found out the secret of a happy and an
honorable life. His circumstances were independent ; at least they
satisfied his moderate desires. He enjoyed enough of the busy so-
ciety of the capital to give a zest to the purer pleasures of his coun-
try retirement. He could repose in his cottage villa near Tivoli,
amid the most lovely scenery, by the dashing and headlong Anio,
at the foot of the Apennines. Hither his distinguished friends in
Rome delighted to resort, and to partake of his hospitable though
modest entertainment. Should he desire more complete retirement,
he might visit his Sabine farm, inspect the labors of his faithful
steward, survey his agricultural improvements, and wander among
scenes which might remind him of those in which he had spent his
childhood. He could not but contrast the happy repose of this period
of his life with the perils and vicissitudes of his youth ; do we won-
der that he subsided into philosophic contentment with the existing
order of things?
Augustus himself possessed that rare policy in an arbitrary mon-
arch not to demand from his subjects the sacrifice of their independ-
ence further than was necessary for the security of his dominion.
The artful despot still condescended to veil his unlimited power un-
der constitutional forms ; he was in theory the re-elected president
of a free people ; and though these politic contrivances could only
deceive those who wished to be deceived, yet they offered, as it were,
honorable terms of capitulation to the opposite party, and enabled
them to quiet the indignant scruples of conscience. Horace is a
striking illustration of the success of that policy which thus tran-
quilly changed Rome from a republic to a monarchy ; it shows how
well Augustus knew how to deal with all classes of men ; how wise-
of the other letters of Augustus, in Suetonii Vit. Horat. : "neque enim si tu super,
bus amioitiam nostram sprevisti, ideo nos quoque dv9vncpT}(t>avovnev"
LIFE OF HORACE. X'lv
ly ne wound the fetters of his personal influence over the Roman
mind. Horace, on the other hand, may fairly be taken as a repre-
sentative of a large, particularly the more intellectual, class of Ro-
mans. We see the government stooping to flatter that order of men
by familiarity, and receiving, in turn, that adulation which could not
but work into the public mind. For the first time, probably, writers
began to have much effect on the sentiments of the Roman people ;
and when Virgil and Horace spoke in such glowing terms of Augus-
tus, when they deified him in their immortal verses, we may be as-
sured that they found or made an echo in the hearts of multitudes.
This deification, indeed, though we can not altogether exculpate its
adulatory tone, must be judged according to the religious notions of
Rome, not of Christianity.
The religion of Horace is the religion of Rome — the religion of
the age of Augustus. Almost every god in the Pantheon receives
his tribute of a hymn from Horace ; each has his proper attributes,
his traditional functions ; but it is the painter or the sculptor framing
the divinity according to the rules of his art, and according to an
establishea type, and setting it up for the worship of others, not the
outpouring of real devotion. The very neatness and terseness of ex-
pression shows the poverty of religious sentiment. Almost the
latest of his lyric hymns is the Carmen Saeculare. In this there is
something more of the energy and life of inspiration ; but even this
faint flash of enthusiasm is in character with the whole of the later
Roman religion. The worship of the gods is blended with natural
pride. They are the ancestral and tutelary deities of the Eternal
Omnipotent City which are invoked ; the sun, which, in its course,
can behold nothing so great as Rome. It is a hymn rather to the
majesty of Rome than to the gods. The poetical apotheosis of the
emperor is but this deification of Rome in another form ; in him cen-
tered the administration of the all-powerful republic, and in him,
therefore, its divinity.
Yet Horace, if we pursue the subject of his religion, is not with
out his apprehensions, his misgivings, his yearnings after more serious
things ; the careless and Epicurean scorner of Divine worship is, or
fancies, or feigns himself to be, startled from his thoughtless apathy
by thunder from a clear sky; be is seized with a sudden access of
respect for all-ruling Providence. As in the romantic adventure of
his youth, so in the later accidents of life, his escape from perils by
land and sea — from the falling of a tree — he speaks with gratitude,
apparently not insincere, of the Divine protection ; nor is he without
some vague sentiment of the general moral government of the gods.
The depravation of manners is at once the cause and the consequence
jf neglected religion :
" Delicta majorum inirneritu3 lues,
Romane, donee templa refeceris,
jEdesque labentes deorum et
Foeda nigro simulacra fumo.
Xlvi LIFE OF HORACE.
Dii multa neglecti dederunt
Hespcriae mala luctuosse."
And the oai&a of this vengeance is the general corrupt:on of man-
ners :
" Foecunda culpa? saecula miptias
Primum inquinavere, et genus, et domos,
Hoc fonte derivata clades
In patriarn populumque fluxit."
Nor is he altogether above the vulgar superstitions of the times
During his morning stroll through the city, whether for amusement,
or not without some lurking belief in their art, he stops to consuls
the itinerant diviners, " who kept a kind of shop for the sale of ora-
cles."1 The Canidia of Horace wants, indeed, the terrific earnest-
ness of Lucan's Erichtho. The twin passions of unbelief and super-
stition had by the time of Nero grown to a greater height. As Gib-
bon justly observes, Canidia is but a vulgar witch ; yet, if we may
judge from the tone, Horace is at least as earnest in his belief in her
powers as in those of Mercury or Diana.3 The ingredients of her
cauldron thrill him with quite as real horror as the protection of
Faunus, or the rustic deities, which he invokes, fills him with hope or
reverence. It is singular enough that we learn from Horace the
existence of the Jews and their religion in the great capital of th«.
world, and may conjecture the estimation in which they were held.
It seems to have been a kind of fashionable amusement to go to the
synagogue for the purpose of scoffing. Yet there is an indication of
respect extorted, as it were, from the more sober-minded by the ration-
al theism and simpler worship of this strange and peculiar people.
The philosophy of the Horatian age, and of Horace himself, can
not but force itself upon our notice in connection with his religion.
How far had our poet any settled philosophical opinions ? To what
extent did he embrace the doctrines of Epicurus ? The secret of
his inclination toward these opinions was probably that which had
influenced many Romans during the disastrous period of the civil
wars. Weary with faction, unwilling to lend themselves to the am-
bition of the leaders in either party, when the great and stirring strife
between the patrician and popular interests had degenerated into the
contest for personal supremacy between aspiring and unprincipled in-
dividuals, some from temperament and apathy of character, like At-
ticus, others from bitter disappointment or sober determination, took
refuge in the philosophy of self-enjoyment. In hortulis quiescet suis,
ubi recubans molliter et delicate nos avocat a rostris, a jiuliciis, a curia,
fortasse sapienter, hac prcesertim republica : even Cicero, in these
expressive words, betrays a kind of regret that he has not abandon-
ed the barren, ungrateful, and hopeless labors of a public man, and
1. "Assisto divinis," which the worthy Mr. Creech renders "went to churc>
«rery day !"
2. Compare the witch of Middleton with those of Shakepeare.
LIFE OF HORACE. Xlvil
joined the happy idlers in the peaceful villa or shady garden. It is
a remarkable observation of M. Constant, and shows, after all, the
singular discrepancy which so frequently exists between the opinions
and actions of men, that, instead of unnerving the Roman spirit of
liberty, or inducing a contemptuous apathy toward the public in-
terests, the Grecian philosophy might seem to have inspired the last
champions of Roman freedom with their generous sentiments of self-
sacrifice — the devotion of their lives to the sacred cause of their
country. Brutus was a student of every branch of Grecian philoso-
phy ; the genius which appeared to him on the field of Philippi is al-
most in the spirit of the later Platonism. Cato died reading the
Phaedo. Cicero, notwithstanding the occasional feebleness of his
character, was unquestionably a victim to his own exertions in the
cause of freedom. Cassius, the dark, and dangerous, and never-
smiling Cassius, was an avowed disciple of Epicurus.
The doctrines of Epicurus became doubly acceptable to those who
sought not merely an excuse for withdrawing from public offices, but
a consolation for the loss of all share in the government. Epicurean-
ism and Stoicism began to divide the Roman mind. Those of easier
temper, and whose intellectual occupations were of a more graceful
and amusing kind, forgot, either in the busy idleness of a gay town
life, or in the sequestered ease of the beautiful villa, that the forum
or the senate had ever been open to the generous ambition of their
youth. Those of a sterner cast, who repudiated the careless indo-
lence of the Epicureans, retired within themselves, and endeavored,
by self-adoration, to compensate for the loss of self-respect. The
Stoic, although he could not disguise from his own mind that he was
outwardly a slave, boasted that within he was king of himself. The
more discursive, and, if we may so speak, tentative spirit of inquiry,
which distinguished the earlier attempts of the Romans to naturalize
Grecian philosophy — the calm and dispassionate investigation, which,
with its exquisite perspicuity of exposition, is the unrivalled charm
of Cicero's philosophic writings, seems to have gone out of vogue.
Men embraced extreme opinions, either as votaries of pride or of
pleasure, because they centered their whole energies upon the sub-
ject, and, in the utter want of all other noble or lofty excitement, threw
themselves with desperate vehemence into philosophy. With Horace,
however, that period was not arrived, nor does he seem to have em-
braced any system of opinions with that eager and exclusive earnest-
ness. His mind was by no means speculative. His was the plain,
practical philosophy of common sense. Though he could not elude
those important questions in which the bounds of moral and religious
inquiry meet ; though he is never more true and striking than in his
observations on the uncertainty of life, the dark and certain approaches
of death —
" nee quidquam tibi prodest,
Aerias tenta6se domos, animoquc rotundum
Percurrisse polum, morituro I"
xlvili LIFE OF HORACE.
though these sentences are more solemn, occurring as they do among
the gayest Epicurean invitations to conviviality and enjoyment, yet
the wisdom of Horace — it may be said without disparagement, for it
was the only real attainable wisdom — was that of the world.
The best evidence, indeed, of the claims of the poet as a moral
philosopher, as a practical observer, and sure interpreter of human
nature in its social state, are the countless quotations from his works,
which are become universal moral axioms. Their triteness is the
seal of their veracity ; their peculiar terseness and felicity of expres-
sion, or illustration, may have commended them to general accept-
ance, yet nothing but their intuitive truth can have stamped them
as household words on the memory of educated men. Horace might
seem to have thrown aside all the abstruser doctrines, the more re-
mote speculations, the abstract theories of all the different sects, and
selected and condensed the practical wisdom in his pregnant poetical
aphorisms.
So glided away the later years of the life of Horace : he was never
married ; he indulged that aristocratical aversion to legitimate wed-
lock which Augustus vainly endeavored to correct by civil privileges
and civil immunities.
The three epistles which occupy the last four or five years of bis
life treat principally on the state of Roman poetry. Horace now
has attained the high place, if not of dictator of the public taste, of
one, at least, who has a right to be heard as an arbiter on such subjects.
The first of these, addressed to the emperor, gains wonderfully in
,»oint and perspicuity if we take the key which is furnished by a
passage in the life of Augustus by Suetonius. Horace is throughout
of a modern school of taste ; he prefers the finer execution, the fault-
lessness, the purer harmony, the more careful expression, to the ruder
vigor, the bolder but more irregular versification, the racy but anti-
quated language of the older writers. In this consisted much of his
own conscious superiority over Lucilius. But Augustus himself was
vulgar enough to admire the old comedy ; he was constantly com-
manding in the theatre the coarse and somewhat indecent plays of
Afranius and Plautus.1 The privileged poet does not scruple play-
fully to remonstrate against the imperial bad taste. His skill and
address are throughout admirable. The quiet irony is perfectly free,
yet never offensive ; the very flattery of the opening lines, which ex-
alt to the utmost the power and wisdom of Augustus, which repre-
sent him as an object of divine power and worship to the vulgar, is
chastened, as it were, and subdued, because the emperor himself, in
critical judgment, is to appear but one of the vulgar. The art with
which the poet suggests, rather than unfolds, his argument, seems
at one moment to abandon and the next to resume it, is inimitable.
He first gracefully ridicules the fashion of admiring poetry because
it is old, not because it is good 5 then turns to the prevailing mad-
1. " Sed plane poematum non imperitus, delectabatur etiam comoedia veteri, e*.
■aepe earn exhibuit publicis spectaculis." — Sueton., OctavhiB, ch. 89.
IJFE OF HORACE. xli*
ness of writing poe;ry, which had seized all rank?, and thus having
cast aside the mass of bad modern poetry, he nobly asserts the dig-
nity and independence of the poetic function. He then returns, by a
nappy transition, to the barbarous times which had given birth to the
old Roman poetry ; contrasts the purity of the noble Greek models
with their rude Roman imitators, first in tragedy, and then in come-
dy ; and introduces, without effort, the emperor's favorite Plautus,
and even Dossennus, to whose farces Augustus had probably listen-
ed with manifest amusement. He does not, however, dwell on that
delicate topic ; he hastens away instantly to the general bad taste
of the Roman audience, who preferred pomp, spectacle, noise, and
procession, to the loftiest dramatic poetry ; and even this covert in-
sinuation against the emperor's indifferent taste in theatrical amuse-
ment is balanced by the praise of his judgment in his patronage of
Virgil and of Varius, and (though with skillful modesty he affects to
depreciate his own humbler poetry) of Horace himself.
The Epistle to the Pisos was already, in the time of Quintilian,
called the Art of Poetry ; but it is rather an epistle of poetry com-
posed in a seemingly desultory manner, yet with the utmost felicity
of transition from one subject to another, than a regular and syste-
matic theory. It was addressed to Lucius Piso and his two sons.
The elder Piso was a man of the highest character, obtained a
triumph for victories in Thrace, but was chiefly distinguished for the
dignity and moderation with which he afterward exercised for a long
period the high and dangerous office of praefect of the city.
The happy conjecture of Wieland had been anticipated by Colman,
that the epistle was chiefly addressed to the elder of the sons of Piso,
who aspired to poetical fame without very great poetical genius. It
was intended to be at once dissuasive and instructive ; to show the
difficulties of writing good poetry, especially in a refined and fastid-
ious age ; and, at the same time, to define some of the primary laws
of good composition. It maintains throughout the superiority of the
modern, and what we may call the Grecian, school of Roman poetry.
After all, the admiration of Horace for the poetry of Greece was
by no means servile ; though he» wished to introduce its forms, its
simplicity of composition, and exquisite purity of style, he would
have even tragedy attempt Roman subjects. And, with Horace, we
must acknowledge that even if the poet had felt ambition, it was now
indeed too late for Rome to aspire to originality in the very highest
branches of poetry. She was conquered, and could only bear the
yoke with as much nobleness and independence as she might. To
give her song a Roman character, if it still wore a Grecian form, was
all which wras now attainable. Literature was native, as it were, to
Greece, at least the higher branches, poetry and history. It princi-
pnlly flourished when the political institutions of Greece were in the
highest state of development and perfection ; being a stranger and
foreigner at Rome, it was only completely domiciliated when the
uational institutions, and, with them, the national character, had ex
3
I LIFE OF HORACE.
perienced a total change. It was not till the Roman constitution
approached, or had arrived at a monarchical form, that letters were
generally or successfully cultivated. It was partly, indeed, her con
quest of the world which brought Rome the literature and philoso-
phy, as well as the other spoils of foreign nations. The distinction,
nevertheless, must not be lost sight of; the genuine Roman char-
acter, even under the Grecian forms, might and did appear in her
literary language, and in all the works of her greater writers ; and
in the didactic or common-life poetry, she could dare to be complete-
ly original.
In none was this more manifest than in Horace ; he was, after all,
in most respects, a true Roman poet. His idiom, in the first place,
was more vernacular (in all the better parts of his poetry he depart-
ed less from common language, they were "sermoni propiora"). In
the lyric poems we may sometimes detect the forms of Greek ex-
pression ; he has imitated the turn of language, as well as the cast
of thought and mechanism of verse. The satires and epistles have
throughout the vigor and racincss of originality ; they speak, no
doubt, the language of the better orders of Rome, in all their strength
and point. But these works are not merely Roman in their idiomatic
expression, they are so throughout. The masculine and practical
common sense, the natural but not undignified urbanity, the stronger
if not sounder moral tone, the greater solidity, in short, of the whole
style of thought and observation, compensate for the more lively
imagination, the greater quickness and fluency, and more easy ele-
gance of the Greek. Of the later Grecian comedy, for which the
poetry of Horace, as we have observed, was the substitute, we have
less than of almost any other part of his literature ; yet, if we compare
the fragments which we possess, we shall perceive the difference —
on one side the grace and lightness of touch, the exquisite and un-
studied harmony, the translucent perspicuity, the truth and the sim-
plicity; on the other, the ruder but more vigorous shrewdness, the
more condensed and emphatic justness of observation, the serious
thought, which is always at the bottom of the playful expression.
Horace is addressing men accustomed to deal with men — men form-
ed in the vigorous school of public life ; and though now reposing,
perhaps, from those more solid and important cares, maintaining that
practical energy of character by which they had forced their way to
eminence. That sterner practical genius of the Roman people sur-
vived the free institutions of Rome ; the Romans seemed, as it were,
in their idlest moods, to condescend to amusement, not to consider it,
like the Greek, one of the common necessities, the ordinary occupa-
tions of life. Horace, therefore, has been, and ever will be, the
familiar companion, the delight, not of the mere elegant scholai
alone or the imaginative reader, but, we had almost written, the
manual of the statesman and the study of the moral philosopher.
Of Rome or of the Roman mind, no one can know any thing who is
not profoundly versed in Horace ; and whoever really understands
LIFE OF HORACE. li
Horace will have a more perfect and accurate knowledge of the Ro-
man manners and Roman mind than the most diligent and laborious
investigator of the Roman antiquities.
The same year (U.C. 746, B.C. 8) witnessed the death of Mae-
cenas and of Horace. The poet was buried near his friend, on the
verge of the Esquiline Hill. Maecenas died toward the middle of
the year, Horace in the month of November, having nearly com-
pleted his 57th year. His last illness was so sudden and severe
that he had not strength to sign his will; according to the usage of
the time, he declared the emperor his heir.
Horace has described his own person (Epist. i., 20, 24). He
was of short stature, with dark eyes and dark hair {Art. Poet., 37),
but early tinged with gray {Carm. iii., 14, 25). In his youth he
was tolerably robust {Epist. i., 7, 26), but suffered from a complaint
in his eyes {Sat. i., 5, 20). In more advanced age he grew fat, and
Augustus jested about his protuberant belly {Aug., Epist. Fragm.
apud Sueton. in Vita) . His health was not always good ; he was
not only weary of the fatigue of war, but unfit to bear it {Carm. ii.,
6, 7 ; Epod. i., 1 5) ; and he seems to have inclined to valetudinarian
habits {Epist. i., 7, 3). When young, he was irascible in temper,
but easily placable {Carm. i., 16, 22, &c. ; iii., 14, 27; Epist. i.,
20, 25). In dress he was somewhat careless {Epist. i., 1, 94).
His habits, even after he became richer, were generally frugal and
abstemious ; though, on occasions, both in youth and in mature age,
he indulged in free conviviality. He liked choice wine, and, in the
society of friends, scrupled not to enjoy the luxuries of his time.
LIFE OF MJ1CENAS.
(SMITH'S DICTIONARY OF BIOGRAPHY, &c.)
Maecenas, C. Cilnius. Of the life of Maecenas we must be con-
tent to glean what scattered notices we can from the poets and his-
torians of Rome, since it does not appear to have been formally re-
corded by any ancient author. We are totally in the dark both as
to the date and place of his birth, and the manner of his education.
It is most probable, however, that he was born some time between
B.C. 73 and 63; and we learn from Horace (Ode iv., 11) that his
birth-day was the 1 3th of April. His family, though belonging only
to the equestrian order, was of high antiquity and honor, and traced
its descent from the Lucumones of Etruria. The scholiast on Horace
(Ode i., 1) informs us that he numbered Porsena among his ances-
tors ; and his authority is in some measure confirmed by a fragment
of one of Augustus's letters to Maecenas, preserved by Macrobius
(Sat. ii., 4), in which he is addressed as "berylle Porsence." His
paternal ancestors, the Cilnii, are mentioned by Livy (x., 3, 5) as
having attained to so high a pitch of power and wealth at Arretium,
about the middle of the fifth century of Rome, as to excite the jeal-
ousy and hatred of their fellow-citizens, who rose against and ex-
pelled them ; and it was not without considerable difficulty that they
were at length restored to their country, through the interference of
the Romans. The maternal branch of the family was likewise of
Etruscan origin, and it was from them that the name of Maecenas
was derived, it being customary among the Etruscans to assume the
mother's as well as the father's name (M'tiller, Etrusker, ii., p. 404) .
It is in allusion to this circumstance that Horace (Sat. i., 6, 3) men-
tions both his avus maternus atque paternus as having been distin-
guished by commanding numerous legions, a passage, by the way,
from which we are not to infer that the ancestors of Maecenas had
ever led the legions of Rome. Their name does not appear in the
Fasti Consulares ; and it is manifest, from several passages of Latin
authors, that the word legio is not always restricted to a Roman
legion. (See Liv.t x., 5 ; Sail., Cat., 53, &c.) The first notice
that occurs of any of the family, as a citizen of Rome, is in Cicero's
speech for Cluentius (§ 55), where a knight named C. Maecenas is
mentioned among the robora populi Romani, and as having been in-
strumental in putting down the conspiracy of the tribune M. Linus
Drusus, B.C. 91. This person has been generally considered the
father of the subiect of this memoir, but Frandsen, in his life of
Kv LIFE OP MAECENAS.
Maecenas, thinks, and perhaps with more probability, that it was his
grandfather. About the same period, also, we find a Maecenas men-
tioned by Sallust in the fragments of his history (lib. iii.) as a scribe.
Although it is unknown where Maecenas received his education, it
must doubtless have been a careful one. We learn from Horace that
he was versed in both Greek and Roman literature ; and his taste
for literary pursuits was shown, not only by his patronage of the
most eminent poets of his time, but also by several performances of
his own. That at the time of Julius Caesar's assassination he was
with Octavianus at Apollonia, in the capacity of tutor, rests on pure
conjecture. Shortly, however, after the appearance of the latter on
the political stage, we find the name of Maecenas in frequent con-
junction with his ; and there can be no doubt that he was of great
use to him in assisting to establish and consolidate the empire ; but
the want of materials prevents us from tracing his services in this
way with the accuracy that could be wished. It is possible that he
may have accompanied Octavianus in the campaigns of Mutina,
Philippi, and Perusia ; but the only authorities for the statement
are a passage in Propertius (ii., 1), which by no means necessarily
bears that meaning ; and the elegies attributed to Pedo Albinovanus,
but which have been pronounced spurious by a large majority of the
critics. The first authentic account we have of Maecenas is of his
being employed by Octavianus, B.C. 40, in negotiating a marriage
for him with Scribonia, daughter of Libo, the father-in-law of Sextus
Pompeius ; which latter, for political reasons, Octavianus was at that
time desirous of conciliating. {Appian, B. C, v., 53 ; Dio Cass.,
xlviii., 16.) In the same year, Maecenas took part in the negotia-
tions with Antony (whose wife, Fulvia, was now dead), which led
to the peace of Brundisium, confirmed by the marriage of Antony
with Octavia, Caesar's sister. (Appian, B. C, v., 64.) Appian's
authority on this occasion is supported by the scholiast on Horace
(Sat. i., 5, 28), who tells us that Livy, in his 127th book, had re-
corded the intervention of Maecenas. According to Appian, how-
ever, Cocceius Nerva played the principal part. About two years
afterward Maecenas seems to have been employed again in negotia-
ting with Antony {App.: B. C, v., 93), and it was probably on this
occasion that Horace accompanied him to Brundisium, a journey
which he has described in the fifth satire of the first book. Maece-
nas is there also represented as associated with Cocceius, and they
are both described as "aversos soliti componere amicos."
In B.C. 36 we find Maecenas in Sicily with Octavianus, then en-
gaged in an expedition against Sextus Pompeius, during the course
of which Maecenas was twice sent back to Rome for the purpose of
quelling some disturbances which had broken out there. {Appian,
B. C, v., 99, 112.) According to Dio Cassius (xlix., 16), this
was the first occasion on which Maecenas became Caesar's vicege-
rent j and he was intrusted with the administration not only of
Rome, but of all Italy. His fidelity and talents had now been test.
LIFE OF MAECENAS Iv
ed by several years' experience ; and it has probably been found that
the bent of his genius fitted him for the cabinet rather than the field,
since his services could be so easily dispensed with in the latter.
From this time till the battle of Actium (B.C. 31) history is silent
concerning Maecenas ; but at that period we again find him intrust-
ed with the administration of the civil affairs of Italy. It has indeed
been maintained by many critics that Maecenas was present at the
sea-fight of Actium ; but the best modern scholars who have discuss-
ed the subject have shown that this could not have been the case, and
that he remained in Rome during this time, where he suppressed the
conspiracy of the younger Lepidus. By the detection of this con-
spiracy, Maecenas nipped in the bud what might have proved another
fruitful germ of civil war. Indeed, his services at this period must
have been most important and valuable ; and how faithfully and ably
he acquitted himself may be inferred from the unbounded confidence
reposed in him. In conjunction with Agrippa, we now find him em-
powered not only to open all the letters addressed by Caesar to the
senate, but even to alter their contents as the posture of affairs at
Rome might require, and for this purpose he was intrusted with his
master's seal {Dio Cass., li., 3), in order that the letters might be
delivered as if they had come directly from Octavianus's own hand.
5fet, notwithstanding the height of favor and power to which he had
attained, Maecenas, whether from policy or inclination, remained
content with his equestrian rank, a circumstance which seems some-
what to have diminished his authority with the populace.
After Octavianus's victory over Antony and Cleopatra, the whole
power of the triumvirate centered in the former ; for Lepidus had
been previously reduced to the condition of a private person. On
his return to Rome, Caesar is represented to have taken counsel with
Agrippa and Maecenas respecting the expediency of restoring the
republic. Agrippa advised him to pursue that course, but Maecenas
strongly urged him to establish the empire.
The description of power exercised by Maecenas during the ab-
sence of Caesar should not be confounded with the prcefectura urbis.
It was not till after the civil wars that the latter office was establish-
ed as a distinct and substantive one ; and, according to Dio Cassius
(Hi., 21), by the advice of Maecenas himself. This is confirmed by
Tacitus {Ann., vi., 11), and by Suetonius {Aug., 37), who reckons it
among the nova officia. The prarfectus urbis was a mere police
magistrate, whose jurisdiction was confined to Rome and the adja-
cent country, within a radius of 750 stadia ; but Maecenas had the
charge of political as well as municipal affairs, and his administra-
tion embraced the whole of Italy. It is the more necessary to at-
tend to this distinction, because the neglect of it has given rise to the
notion that Maecenas was never intrusted with the supreme adminis-
tration after the close of the civil wars. It must be confessed, how-
ever, that we have no means of determining with certainty on what
occasions, and for how long, after the establishment of the empire,
ivi LIFE OF MAECENAS.
Maecenas continued to exercise his political power, though, as be.
fore remarked, we know that he had ceased to enjoy it in B.C. 16.
That he retained the confidence of Augustus till at least B.C. 21
may be inferred from the fact that about that time he advised him
to marry his daughter Julia to Agrippa, on the ground that he had
made the latter so rich and powerful that it was dangerous to al-
low him to live unless he advanced him still further. {Dio Cassius,
liv., 6.) Between B.C. 21 and 16, however, we have direct evi-
dence that a coolness, to say the least, had sprung up between the
emperor and his faithful minister. This estrangement, for it can
not be called actual disgrace, is borne out by the silence of histo-
rians respecting the latter years of Maecenas's life, as well as by the
express testimony of Tacitus, who tells us {Ann., iii., 30) that, during
this period, he enjoyed only the appearance, and not the reality, of
his sovereign's friendship. The cause of this rupture is enveloped
in doubt. Dio Cassius, however, positively ascribes it to Terentia,
the beautiful wife of Maecenas.
The public services of Maecenas, though important, were unob-
trusive ; and, notwithstanding the part that he played in assisting to
establish the empire, it is by his private pursuits, and more particu-
larly by his reputation as a patron of learning, that he has been known
to posterity. His retirement was probably far from disagreeable to
him, as it was accompanied by many circumstances calculated to
recommend it to one of his turn of mind, naturally a votary of ease
and pleasure. He had amassed an enormous fortune, which Tacitus
(Ann., xiv., 53, 55) attributes to the liberality of Augustus. It has
been sometimes insinuated that he grew rich by the proscriptions ;
and Pliny (H. N., xxxvii., 4), speaking of Maecenas's private seal,
which bore the impression of a frog, represents it as having been an
object of terror to the tax-payers. It by no means follows, however,
that the money levied under his private seal was applied to his pri-
vate purposes ; and, had he been inclined to misappropriate the taxes,
we know that Caesar's own seal was at his unlimited disposal, and
would have better covered his delinquencies.
Maecenas had purchased, or, according to some, had received from
Augustus a tract of ground on the Esquiline Hill, which had former-
ly served as a burial-place for the lower orders. {Hor., Sat. i., 8,
7.) Here he had planted a garden, and built a house remarkable for
its loftiness, on account of a tower by which it was surmounted, and
from the top of which Nero is said to have afterward contemplated
the burning of Rome. In this residence he seems to have passed
the greater part of his time, and to have visited the country but sel-
dom ; for, though he might possibly have possessed a villa at Tibur,
near the falls of the Anio, there is no direct authority for the fact.
Tacitus tells us that he spent his leisure urbe in ipsa ; and the deep
tranquillity of his repose may be conjectured from the epithet by
which the same historian designates it, " velut peregrmum otium."
{Ann., xiv., 63.) The height of the situation seems to have render
LIFE OP MiECENAS. Ml
ed it a healthy abode {Hor.: Sat. i., 8, 14), and we learn from Sue-
tonius [dug., 72) that Augustus had on one occasion retired thither
to recover from a sickness.
Maecenas's house "was the rendezvous of all the wits and virtuosi
of Rome ; and whoever could contribute to the amusement of the
company was always welcome to a seat at his table. In this kind
of society he does not appear to have been very select ; and it was
probably from his undistinguishing hospitality that Augustus called
his board "parasitica mensa." (Suet., Vit. Hor.) Yet he was nat-
urally of a reserved and taciturn disposition, and drew a broad dis-
tinction between the acquaintances that he adopted for the amuse-
ment of an idle hour, and the friends whom he admitted to his inti-
macy and confidence. In the latter case he was as careful and
chary as he was indiscriminating in the former. His really intimate
friends consisted of the greatest geniuses and most learned men of
Rome ; and if it was from his universal inclination toward men of
talent that he obtained the reputation of a literary patron, it was by
his friendship for such poets as Virgil and Horace that he deserved
it. In recent times, and by some German authors, especially the
celebrated Wieland in his Introduction and Notes to Horace's Epis-
tles, Maecenas's claims to the title of a literary patron have been de-
preciated. It is urged that he is not mentioned by Ovid and Tibul-
lus ; that the Sabine farm which he gave to Horace was not so very
large ; that his conduct was perhaps not altogether disinterested, and
that he might have befriended literary men either out of vanity or
from political motives ; that he was not singular in his literary pa-
tronage, which was a fashion among the eminent Romans of the
day, as Messalla Corvinus, Asinius Pollio, and others ; and that he
was too knowing in pearls and beryls to be a competent judge of the
higher works of genius. As for his motives, or the reasons why he
did not adopt Tibullus or Ovid, we shall only remark, that as they
are utterly unknown to us, so it is only fair to put the most liberal
construction on them ; and that he had naturally a love of literature
for its own sake, apart from all political or interested views, may be
inferred from the fact of his having been himself a voluminous author.
Though literary patronage may have been the fashion of the day, it
would be difficult to point out any contemporary Roman, or, indeed,
any at all, who indulged it so magnificently. His name had become
proverbial for a patron of letters at least as early as the time of Mar-
tial ; and though the assertion of that author (viii., 56), that the poets
enriched by the bounty of Maecenas were not easily to be counted,
is not, of course, to be taken literally, it would have been utterly
ridiculous nad there not been some foundation for it. That he was
no bad judge of literary merit is shown by the sort of men whom he
patronized — Virgil, Horace, Propertius, besides others almost their
equals in reputation, but whose works are now unfortunately lost, as
Varius, Tucca, and others. But as Virgil and Horace were by fai
the greatest geniuses of the age, so it is certain that they were mor*
3*
Iviii LTFE OF MAECENAS.
beloved by Maecenas, the latter especially, than any of their contem-
poraries. Virgil was indebted to him for the recovery of his farm,
which had been appropriated by the soldiery in the division of lands,
B.C. 41 5 and it was at the request of Maecenas that he undertook
the Georgics, the most finished of all his poems. To Horace he was
a still greater benefactor. He not only procured him a pardon for
having fought against Octavianus at Philippi, but presented him with
the means of a comfortable subsistence, a farm in the Sabine country.
If the estate was but a moderate one, we learn from Horace him-
self that the bounty of Maecenas was regulated by his own content-
ed views, and not by his patron's want of generosity (Cartn. ii., 18,
14; iii., 16, 38). Nor was this liberality accompanied with any
servile and degrading conditions. The poet was at liberty to write
or not, as he pleased, and lived in a state of independence creditable
alike to himself and to his patron. Indeed, their intimacy was rather
that of two familiar friends of equal station, than of the royally-de-
scended and powerful minister of Caesar with the son of an obscure
freedman. But on this point we need not dwell, as it has been al-
ready touched upon in the life of Horace.
Of Maecenas's own literary productions only a few fragments ex-
ist. From these, however, and from the notices which we find of his
writings in ancient authors, we are led to think that we have not
suffered any great loss by their destruction ; for, although a good
judge of literary merit in others, he does not appear to have been an
author of much taste himself. It has been thought that two of his
works, of which little more than the titles remain, were tragedies,
namely, the Prometheus and Octavia. But Seneca (Ep. 19) calls the
former a book (librum) ; and Octavia, mentioned in Priscian (lib. 10),
is not free from the suspicion of being a corrupt reading. An hex-
ameter line supposed to have belonged to an epic poem, another line
thought to have been part of a galliambic poem, one or two epigrams,
and some other fragments, are extant, and are given by Meibom and
Frandsen in their lives of Maecenas. In prose he wrote a work on
Natural History, which Pliny several times alludes to, but which
seems to have related chiefly to fishes and gems. Servius {ad Virg.,
JEn., viii., 310) attributes a Symposium to him. If we may trust
the same authority, he also composed some memoirs of Augustus ;
and Horace (Carm. ii., 12, 9) alludes to at least some project of the
kind, but which was probably never carried into execution. Mae-
cenas's prose style was affected, unnatural, and often unintelligible,
and for these qualities he was derided by Augustus. (Suet., Aug.,
26.) Macrobius (Saturn., ii., 4) has preserved part of a letter of the
emperor's, in which he takes off his minister's way of writing. The
author of the dialogue De Causis Corrupts Eloquentice (c. 26) enu-
merates him among the orators, but stigmatizes his affected style
by the term calamistros Mcecenatis. Quintilian (Inst. Orat., xi.. 4,
§ 28) and Seneca (Ep. 114) also condemn his style; and the latter
author gives a specimen of it which is almost wholly unintelligible
LIFE OF MAECENAS. llX
Yet he likewise tells us {Ep. 19) that he would have been very
eloquent if he had not been spoiled by his good fortune, and allows
him to have possessed an ingenium grande et virile {Ep. 92). Ac-
cording to Dio Cassius (lv., 7), Maecenas first introduced short hand,
and instructed many in the art through his freedman Aquila. By
other authors, however, the invention has been attributed to various
persons of an earlier date ; as to Tiro, Cicero's freedman, to Cicero
himself, and even to Ennius.
But, though seemingly in possession of all the means and appli-
ances of enjoyment, Maecenas can not be said to have been altogether
crnppy in bis domestic life. His wife, Terentia, though exceedingly
beautiful, was of a morose and haughty temper, and thence quarrels
were continually occurring between the pair. Yet the natural ux-
oriousness of Maecenas as constantly prompted him to seek a recon-
ciliation; so that Seneca {Ep. 114) remarks that he married a wife
a thousand times, though be never had more than one. Her influence
over him was so great, that, in spite of his cautious and taciturn tem-
per, he was on one occasion weak enough to confide an important
state secret to her. respecting her brother Muraena, the conspirator
{Suet., Aicg., 66; Dio Cass., liv., 3). Maecenas himself, however,
was probably in some measure to blame for the terms on which he
lived with his wife, for lie was far from being the pattern of a good
husband. In his way of life Maecenas was addicted to every species
of luxury. We find several allusions in the ancient authors to the
effeminacy of his dress. Instead of girding his tunic above his knees,
he suffered it to hang loose about his heels, like a woman's petticoat ;
and when sitting on the tribunal he kept his head covered with his
pallium {Sen., Ep. 114). Yet, in spite of this softness, he was capa-
ble of exerting himself when the occasion required, and of acting
with energy and decision {Veil. Pat., ii., 88). So far was he from
wishing to conceal the softness and effeminacy of his manners, that
he made a parade of his vices ; and, during the greatest heat of the
civil wars, openly appeared in the public places of Rome with a couple
of eunuchs in his train {Sencc, I. c). He was fond of theatrical en-
tertainments, especially pantomimes, as may be inferred from his
patronage of Bathyllus, the celebrated dancer, who was a freedman
of his. It has been concluded from Tacitus {Ann., i., 54) that he
first introduced tnat species of representation at Rome ; and, with the
politic view of keeping the people quiet by amusing them, persuaded
Augustus to patronize it. Dio Cassius (lv., 7) tells us that he was
the first to introduce warm swimming baths at Rome. His love of
ointments is tacitly satirized by Augustus {Suet., Aug., 86), and his
passion for gems and precious stones is notorious. According to Pliny,
he paid some attention to cookery ; and as the same author (xix.,
57) mentions a book on gardening which had been dedicated to him
by Sabinus Tiro, it has been thought that he was partial to that pur-
suit. His tenacious, and, indeed, unmanly love of life, he has him-
self painted in some verses preserved by Seneca {Ep. 101), and
which, as affording a specimen of bis style, we here insert :
IX LIFE OF MAECENAS.
Debilem facito manu
Debilem pede, coxa ;
Tuber adstrue gibberuni,
Lubricos quate dentes ;
Vita dum superest, bcno est.
Hanc mihi, vel acuta
Si sedeam cruce, sustine.
From these lines it has been conjectured that he belonged to the sect
of the Epicureans ; but of his philosophical principles nothing certain
is known.
That moderation of character which led him to be content with
his equestrian rank, probably arose from the love of ease and luxury
which we have described, or it might have been the result of more
prudent and political views. As a politician, the principal trait in
his character was his fidelity to his master {Mcecenatis erunt vera
tropaa fides, Property hi., 9), and the main end of all his cares was
the consolidation of the empire. But, though he advised the establish-
ment of a despotic monarchy, he was at the same time the advocate
of mild and liberal measures. He recommended Augustus to put no
check on the free expression of public opinion ; but, above all, to avoid
that cruelty which, for so many years, had stained the Roman an-
nals with blood (Senec., Ep. 114). To the same effect is the anec-
dote preserved by Cedrenus, the Byzantine historian, that when on
some occasion Octavianus sat on the tribunal, condemning numbers
to death, Maecenas, who was among the by-standers, and could not
approach Caesar by reason of the crowd, wrote on his tablets, " Rise,
hangman !" (Surge, tandem carnifex !), and threw them into Caesar's
lap, who immediately left the judgment-seat (comp. Dio Cass., lv., 7).
Maecenas appears to have been a constant valetudinarian. If
Pliny's statement (vii., 51) is to be taken literally, he labored under
a continual fever. According to the same author, he was sleepless
during the last three years of his life ; and Seneca tells us (Be Provid.,
iii., 9) that he endeavored to procure that sweet and indispensable
refreshment by listening to the sound of distant symphonies. We
may infer from Horace (Carm. iii., 17) that he was rather hypo-
chondriacal. He died in the consulate of Gallus and Censorinus,
B.C. 8 (Dio Cass., lv., 7), and was buried on the Esquiline. He
left no children, and thus, by his death, his ancient family became ex-
tinct. He bequeathed his property to Augustus, and we find that
Tiberius afterward resided in his house (Sitct., Tib., 15). Though
the emperor treated Maecenas with coldness during the latter years
of his life, he sincerely lamented his death, and seems to have some,
times felt the want of so able, so honest, and so faithful a counsellor
(Dio Cass., liv., 9 ; lv., 7 ; Senec, de Bene/., vi., 32).
METRES OF HORACE.
1. DACTYLIC HEXAMETER.
Baudd\bunt dli\l cld\rdm Rhodon \ aut Mytl\lentn.
The structure of this species of verse is sufficiently well
known ; it consists of six feet, the fifth of which is a dactyl, and
the sixth a spondee, while each of the other four feet may be
either a dactyl or spondee. Sometimes, however, in a solemn,
majestic, or mournful description, or in expressing astonish-
ment, consternation, vastness of size, &c, a spondee is admit-
ted in the fifth foot, and the line is then denominated spondaic.
The hexameters of Horace, in his Satires and Epistles, are
written in so negligent a manner as to lead to the opinion that
this style of composition was purposely adopted by him to suit
the nature of his subject. "Whether this opinion be correct or
not must be considered elsewhere. It will only be requisite
here to state, that the peculiar character of his hexameter versi-
fication will render it unnecessary for us to say any thing re-
specting the doctrine of the csesural pause in this apecies of
verse, which is better explained with reference to the rhythm
and cadence of Virgil.
2. DACTYLIC TETRAMETER a poSteriOTt}
The tetrameter a posteriore, or spondaic tetrameter, con-
sists of the last four feet of an hexameter ; as,
Certus t\nlm prd\misit A\pollo.
Sometimes, as in the hexameter, a spondee occupies the last
place but one, in which case the preceding foot ought to be a
dactyl, or the line will be too heavy ; as,
Mcnsd\rem cohi\bent Ar\chytd.
1. The expression a poster tore refers to the verse being considered as taken fron
the latter part of an hexameter line (a posteriore parte versus hexametri), and is, conse
quently, opposed to the dactylic tetrameter a prior e. This last is taken from the firs
part (a priore parte) of an hexameter, and must always have the last foot a dactyL
Ixii METRES OF HORACE.
3. DACTYLIC TRIMETER CATALECTIC.
The trimeter catalectic is a line consisting of the first fire
half- feet of an hexameter, or two feet and a half ; as,
Arbon\busque co\mce.
Horace uniformly observes this construction, viz., two dactyls
and a semi- foot. Ausonius, however, sometimes makes the first
foot a spondee, and twice uses a spondee in the second place ;
but the spondee injures the harmony of the verse.1 •
4. ADONIC2
The Adonic, or dactylic dimeter, consists of two feet, a dac-
tyl and spondee ; as,
Rlslt A\ polio.
Sappho is said to have written entire poems in this measure,
now lost. Boethius has a piece of thirty-one Adonic lines {lib.
1, metr. 7), of which the following are a specimen :
Nubibus atris
Condita nullum
Fundere possunt
Sidera lumen.
Si mare volvens
Turbidus auster
Misceat cesium, Sfc.
The measure, however, is too short to be pleasing, unless ac-
companied by one of a different kind. Hence an Adonic is used
in concluding the Sapphic stanza. (No. 10.) In tragic chorus-
es it is arbitrarily added to any number of Sapphics, without
regard to uniformity. ( Vid. Senec, CEdip., act 1 ; Troades,
act 4 ; Here. Fur., act 3 ; Thyest., act 3.)
5. IAMBIC TRIMETER.
Iambic verses take their name from the iambus, which, in
1. This measure is sometimes called Archilochian penthemimeris, since it forms,
m fact, an heroic penthemimeris, that is, as already remarked, the first five half-feet
of an heroic or dactylic hexameter line.
2. This verse derives its name from the circumstance of its being used by the
Greeks in the music which accompanied the celebration of the festival of Adonis i
that part, probably, which represented the restoration of Adonis to life.
METRES OF HORACE. lxtii
pure iambics, was the only foot admitted. They are scanned
by measures of two feet ; and it was usual, in reciting them, to
make a short pause at the end of every second foot, with an
emphasis (arsis) on its final syllable.
The iambic trimeter (called likewise senarius, from its con-
taining six feet) consists of three measures (metra). The feet
which compose it, six in number, are properly all iambi ; in
which case, as above stated, the line is called a pure iambic.
The caesural pause most commonly occurs at the penthemime-
ris ; that is, after two feet and a half ; as,
Phdse\lus tl\\le quern \ vtde\\tis hos\pttes. \\
The metres here end respectively where the double lines are
marked, and the caesural pause takes place at the middle of the
third foot, after the word Me.
The pure iambic, however, was rarely used. This seems to
have been owing partly to the veiy great difficulty of producing
any considerable number of good verses, and partly to the wish
of giving to the verse a greater degree of weight and dignity.
In consequence of this, the spondee was allowed to take the
place of the iambus in the first, third, and fifth feet.1 The ad-
mission of the spondee paved the way for other innovations.
Thus, the double time of one long syllable was divided into two
single times, or two short syllables. Hence, for the iambus of
three times was substituted a tribrach in every station except
the sixth, because there, the final syllable being lengthened by
the longer pause at the termination of the line, a tribrach would,
in fact, be equal to an anapaest, containing four times instead of
three. For the spondee of four times was substituted a dactyl
or an anapaest, and sometimes, in the first station, a proceleus-
maticus.
The scale of the mixed iambic trimeter is, therefore, as fol-
lows :*
1. The reason why the iambus was retained in the even places, that is, the sec-
ond, fourth, and sixth, appears to have been this : that by placing the spondee first,
and making the iambus to follow, greater emphasis was given to the concluding
syllable of each metre on which the ictus and pause took place, than would haTe
been the case had two long syllables stood together.
2. The scale of the Greek trimeter iambic is much more strict, and must not be
lxiv
METRES OF HORACE.
1
2
3
4
5
6
^ —
Nw' —
w_
N_/ «
v_
>-/ —
N«. W — -
■s^ *~s v^> v-'
— \-^ ««_•
^ «w' —
<^ v_x
^-^ v_x -__
As an exemplification of this scale, we shall subjoin some of
the principal mixed trimeters of Horace.
Epod. Line.
1. 27. Pecus\ve Cdld\\brls dn\te sl\\dus fer\vidum.
2. 23. Libet \jdce\\re, modo \ sub dn\\tlqua l\lice.
33. Aut dnii\te le\\vl rd\rd ten\\dlt re\tia. )
Aut d\mite le\\vl rd\rd ten\\dlt re\tia. >
35. Pdvidum\ve lepo\\rem, et dd\vendm || Idqueo | grugrn.
39. Quod si | pudl\\cd mu,U\er In || partem \juvet.
57. Aut her\bd ldpd\\thl pra\ta dmdn\tis, It \ grdvl.
61. Has ln\ter epu\\las, ut \juvdt \\ pastas \ oves.
65. Pos"Uos\que vcr\nas, dl\tis ex\\dmen \ domus.
67. Hcec ubl \ locu\\tus fa\nerd\\tor Al\phius.
3. 17. Nee m2l\nus hume\\rls ef\flca\\cis Her\culls.
5. 15. Cdnldl\d brevl\\bus lm\plica\\td vl\perls.
25. At ex\pedl\\td Sdgd\nd, per \\ totdm \ domum.
43. Quid dlx\lt? aut \\ quid tdcu\lt? O \\ rebus \ mZis.
63. Sed dubl\ils, un\\de rum\peret || sllen\tlum.
69. Quln, ubl \ perl\\re jus\sus ex\\splrd\vero.
7. 1. Quo, quo | sctles\\tl rul\Vis? aut || cur dex\terls.
9. 17. Ad hoc \fremen\\tes ver\ttrunt \\ bis mll\le equos.
10. 7. Insur\\gdt Aqul\lo, qudn\tus dl\\tls mdn\tibus.
19. Iorii\us u\\do quum \ remu\\p-lcns J sinus.2
confounded with this. Porson (Prof, ad Hec, 6) has denied the admissibility of the
anapaest into the third or fifth place of the Greek tragic trimeter, except in the case
of proper names with the anapaest contained in the same word. In Latin tragedy,
however, it obtained admission into both stations, though more rarely into the
third. In the fifth station the Roman tragedians not only admitted, but seemed to
have a strong inclination for, this foot.
1. The quantity of the a in amite depends on that of the e in levi. If we read
levi, it is amite, but if levi, amite. This results from the principles of the trimeter
iambic scale. We can not say amite levi without admitting an anapaest into the
second place, which would violate the measure ; neither can we read amite lev*
without admitting a pyrrhich into the second place, which is unheard of.
2. Ionius, from the Greek 'lovios. Hence the remark of Maltby (Morell., Lex.
Grtzc. Pros., ad voc.) : 'Iumos apud poetas mihi nondum occurrit ; nam ad Pind.,
Nem., 4, 87, recte dedit Heynius 'Uviov non metro solum jubente, vcrum etiam hat
METRES OF HORACE. lxV
EpocL Line.
17. 6. Cdnidi\d, pdr\\ce vO\cibus || tandem j sdcrls.
12. Aliti\bus dt\\que cdni\hus h6ml\\ddam Hec\torlm.
41. Infd\mis Hele\\na: Cds\tor 6f\\fensus \ vice.
54. Ingrd\td mise\\ro vl\td du\\cenda est, \ in hoc.
56. Optdt | quie\\tem PUo\pls ln\\fldl \ pater.
65. Vectd\bor hume\\rls tunc | ego znt\\micts \ Iquls.
69. Deripe\re Lu\\ndm vd\cibus || posslm \ mils.
6. IAMBIC TRIMETER CATALECTIC.
This is the common trimeter (No. 5) wanting the final sylla-
ble. It consists of five feet, properly all iambi, followed by a
catalectic syllable ; as,
Vocd\tus dt\\que non \ mora\\tus au\dit.
Like the common trimeter, however, it admits the spondee
into the first and third places, but not into the fifth, which
would render the verse too heavy and prosaic.
Trahunt\que sic\\cas md\china \\ cari\nas.
Ndnnul\ld quer\\cu sunt\cdvd\\ta It ul\mo.
Terentianus Maurus, without any good reason, prefers scan-
ning it as follows :
Trdliunt\qul slc\cas \\ mdcM\nee cd\rznds.
This species of verse is likewise called Archilochian, from the
poet Archilochus.
7. IAMBIC DIMETER.
The iambic dimeter consists of two measures, or four feet,
properly all iambi ; as,
Perun\xit hoc || ta\sonem.
It admits, however, the same variations as the trimeter, though
Horace much more frequently employs a spondee than any
other foot in the third place. The scale of this measure is as
follows :
Damtnii regula, " Si de gente Graca sermo est, semper hoc nomen ecribi, per u J ted
ti de man Ionio, semper per o piicptiv." t
IXVI METRES OF HORACE.
This species of verse is also called Archilochian dimeter.
The following lines from the Epodes will illustrate the scale :
Epod. Line.
2. 6.2. Vtde\re propl \\ rdntes \ domum.
3. 8. Cdriidi\a trdc\\tdvlt | ddpes.
5. 48. Cdnidi\a ro\\dens pol\licem.
8. IAMBIC DIMETER HYPERMETER.
This measure, also called Archilochian, is the iambic dimeter
(No. 7) with an additional syllable at the end ; as,
Rede\gU ad || veros | timo\\res.
Horace frequently uses this species of verse in conjunction
with the Alcaic, and always has the third foot a spondee ; for
the line, which in the common editions runs thus,
Dlsjec\td nOn \\ levl \ riil\\ndt
is more correctly read with leni in place of levi.
9. ACEPHALOUS IAMBIC DIMETER.
This is the iambic dimeter (No. 7) wanting the first sylla-
ble ; as,
Non | ebur \\ neque a~u\rtum.
It may, however, be also regarded as a trochaic dimeter cata-
lectic, and scanned as follows :
Non e\bur ne\\que aurt\Hm ;
though, if we follow the authority of Terentianus ( De Metr.,
738), we must consider the first appellation as the more correct
one of the two, since he expressly calls it by this name.
10. SAPPHIC
This verse takes its name from the poetess Sappho, who in-
vented it, and consists of five feet, viz., a trochee, a spondee, a
dactyl, and two more trochees ; as,
DeJIu\U sdx\ls dgi\tdtus \ humor.
But in the Greek stanza Sappho sometimes makes the sec-
ond foot a trochee, in which she is imitated by Catullus ; as,
Hal Ai|of <5o|Ao7r/ld/ce, Maoofiai re.
Pauca | nuntl\ate mecs pudlce.
Horace, however, uniformly has the spondee in the second
METRES OP HORACE. IXV11
place, which renders the verse much more melodious and flow-
ing. The Sapphic stanza, both in Greek and Latin, is composed
of three Sapphics and one Adonic. (No. 4.) As the Adonic
sometimes was irregularly subjoined to any indefinite number
of Sapphics (vid. Remarks on Adonic verse), so, on other occa-
sions, the Sapphics were continued in uninterrupted succession,
terminating as they had begun, without the addition of an Adon-
ic even at the end, as in Boethius, lib. 2, metr. 6 ; Seneca, Troa-
des, act 4.
The caesura always falls in the third foot, and is of two kinds,
namely, the strong and the weak. The strong caesura falls after
the first syllable of the dactyl, and makes the most melodious
lines ; as,
tnte\ger vl\Ue \\ sceU\risque \ purus
Non e\get Mau\rl \\ jdcu\lls nee \ drcu
Nee ve\nend\tls || grdvl\dd sd\gUtis.
The weak caesura, on the other hand, falls after the second
syllable of the dactyl ; as in the following :
Laure\d do\ndndus \\ A\polli\ndfl
Plnus | out lm\pulsd \\ cu\pressus \ Euro.
Horace generally has the strong caesura. If the third foot,
however, has the weak caesura, it must be followed by a word
of two or more syllables. Thus, besides the two lines just giv-
en, we may cite the following :
Concines majore || poeta plectro
Caesarem quandoque || trahet feroces, &c.
With regard to the caesura of the foot, it is worth noticing, that
in the Greek Sapphics there is no necessity for any conjunction
of the component feet by caesura, but every foot may be term-
inated by an entire word. This freedom forms the characteris-
tic feature of the Greek Sapphic, and is what chiefly distinguish-
es it from the Latin Sapphic, as exhibited by Horace.
In Sapphics, the division of a word between two lines fre-
quently occurs ; and, what is remarkable, not compound, but
simple words, separately void of all meaning ; as,
Labitur ripa, Jove non probante, ux-
orius amnis.
This circumstance, together with the fact of such a division
lxvili METRES OF HORACE.
taking place only between the third Sapphic and the concluding
Adonic,1 has induced an eminent prosodian (Dr. Carey) to en-
tertain the opinion that neither Sappho, nor Catullus, nor Hor-
ace ever intended the stanza to consist of four separate verses,
but wrote it as three, viz., two five-foot Sapphics and one of
seven feet (including the Adonic) ; the fifth foot of the long
verse being indiscriminately either a spondee or a trochee.
The ordinary mode of reading the Sapphic verse has at length
begun to be abandoned, and the more correct one substituted,
which is as follows :
There is still, however, as has been remarked, some doubt
which of the accented syllables ought to have the stronger ac-
cent and which the weaker. (Consult Journal of Education*
vol. iv., p. 356 ; Penny Cyclopedia, art. Arsis.)
11. CHORIAMBIC PENTAMETER.
The choriambic pentameter consists of a spondee, three chor-
iambi, and an iambus ; as,
Tu ne | qucesierls, \ scire nefas, \ quern miM, quern \ tibl.
12. ALTERED CHORIAMBIC TETRAMETER.
The proper choriambic tetrameter consists of three choriam
bi and a bacchius (i. c, an iambus and a long syllable) ; as,
Jane pater, j Jane tuens, \ dive bleeps, | biformls.
(Sept. Serenus.)
Horace, however, made an alteration, though not an improve-
ment, by substituting a spondee instead of an iambus in the first
measure, thus changing the choriambus into a second epitrite,
viz.,
Te dlos o\r0 Sybdrln \ cur proper es \ dmdndo.
The choriambic tetrameter, in its original state, was called
1. The divisions which take place between the other lines of the Sapphic stanza,
when they are not common cases of synapheia (as in Horace, Carm. ii., 2, 18), will
be found to regard compound words only, and not simple ones. The ode of Hor-
ace (iv., 2) which begins
Pindarum quisquis studet amulari
Iule —
furnishes no exception to this remark. A eynsresis operates in Iule, which must
be read as if written Yule,
METRES OF HORACE. lxix
Phalaecian, from the poet Phalaecius, who used it in some of his
compositions.
13. ASCLEPIADIC CHORIAMBIC TETRAMETER.
This verse, so called from the poet Asclepiades, consists of a
spondee, two choriambi, and an iambus ; as,
Mcece\nds dtdvls \\ edUe re\gibus.
The caesural pause takes place at the end of the first chori-
ambus, on which account some are accustomed to scan the line
as a dactylic pentameter catalectic ; as,
Mcecl\nds dtd\vis \\ edlte | rlgibus.
But this mode of scanning the verse is condemned by Teren-
tianus. Horace uniformly adheres to the arrangement given
above. Other poets, however, sometimes, though very rarely,
make the first foot a dactyl.
14. CHORIAMBIC TRIMETER, OR GLYCONIC.
The Glyconic verse (so called from the poet Glyco) consists
of a spondee, a choriambus, and an iambus ; as,
Sic te || dlvd, potens \ Cyjprl.
But the first foot was sometimes varied to an iambus or a tro-
chee; as,
Bonis || crede fuga\cibus. (BoSthius.)
Vltls || implicat ar\bores. (Catullus.)
Horace, however, who makes frequent use of this measure,
invariably uses the spondee in the first place. As the pause in
this species of verse always occurs after the first foot, a Glyco-
nic may hence be easily scanned as a dactylic trimeter, provid-
ed a spondee occupy the first place in the line ; as,
Sic te | dlvd, po\tens Cypru
15. CHORIAMBIC TRIMETER CATALECTIC, OR PHERECRATIC.
The Pherecratic verse (so called from the poet Pherecrates)
is the Glyconic (No. 14) deprived of its final syllable, and con-
sists of a spondee, a choriambus, and a catalectic syllable ; as,
ChdtS | Pyrrhd sub dn\tru.
Horace uniformly adheres to this arrangement, and hence in
him it may be scanned as a dactylic trimeter :
IXX METRES OF HORACE.
Grdto | Pyrrhd sub \ dntro.
Other poets, however, make the first foot sometimes a tro
chee or an anapaest, rarely an iambus.
16. CHORIAMBIC DIMETER.
The choriambic dimeter consists of a choriambus and a bac-
chius ; as,
Lydid, die, | per omnes.
This measure occurs once in Horace, in conjunction with an-
other species of choriambic verse.
17. ionic a minore.
Ionic verses are of two kinds, the Ionic a majore and the Ionic
a minore, called likewise Ionicus Major and Ionicus Minor, and
so denominated from the feet or measures of which they are
respectively composed.
The Ionic a minore is composed entirely of the foot or meas-
ure of that name, and which consists of a pyrrhic and a spondee,
as doculssent. It is not restricted to any particular number of
feet or measures, but may be extended to any length, provided
only that, with due attention to synapheia, the final syllable of
the spondee in each measure be either naturally long, or made
long by the concourse of consonants ; and that each sentence
or period terminate with a complete measure, having the spon-
dee for its close.
Horace has used this measure but once (Carm. iii., 12), and
great difference of opinion exists as to the true mode of arrang-
ing the ode in which it occurs. If we follow, however, the au-
thority of the ancient grammarians, and particularly of Terenti-
anus Maurus, it will appear that the true division is into stro-
phes ; and, consequently, that Cuningam (Animadv. in HoraL,
Bentl., p. 315) is wrong in supposing that the ode in question
was intended to run on in one continued train of independent
tetrameters. Cuningam's ostensible reason for this arrange-
ment is, that Martianus Capella ( De Nupt. Philol., lib. 4, cap,
ult.) has composed an Ionic poem divided into tetrameters : the
true cause would appear to be his opposition to Bentley. This
latter critic has distributed the ode into four strophes, each con-
sisting of ten feet ; or, in other words, of two tetrameters follow-
METRES OF HORACE. IxXl
ed by a dimeter. The strict arrangement, he remarks, would
be into four lines merely, containing each ten feet ; but the size
of the modern page prevents this, of course, from being done.
The scanning of the ode, therefore, according to the division
adopted by Bentley, will be as follows :
Miserdrum est \ neque dmorl | dare ludum, | neque dulci
Mala vino | lavere, aut ex\animari, \ metuentes
Pdtruce ver\btrd lingua.
The arrangement in other editions is as follows :
Mtserdrum est \ neque dmorl \ dare ludum,
Neque dulci \ mala vino \ lavere, aut ex-
-dnimdrl \ metuentes | pdtruce ver\berd lingua»
Others, again, have the following scheme :
Miserarum est | neque amori \ dare ludum,
Neque dulci \ mala vino | lavere, aut ex-
-animari | metuentes | patruce
Verberd \ Ungues, &c.
Both of these, however, are justly condemned by Bentley.
18. GREATER ALCAIC.
This metre, so called from the poet Alcaeus, consists of two
feet, properly both iambi, and a long catalectic syllable, followed
by a choriambus and an iambus, the caesural pause always fall-
ing after the catalectic syllable ; as,
Vides | ut dl\td || stet nive cdn\didum.
But the first foot of the iambic portion is alterable, of course,
to a spondee, and Horace much more frequently has a spondee
than an iambus in this place ; as,
6 md\tre pul\chrd \\ filid pul\chrwr.
The Alcaic verse is sometimes scanned with two iactyls in
the latter member ; as,
Vides | iit dl\td || stet nive \ cdndidicm.
The Alcaic stanza consists of four lines, the first and second
being greater Alcaics, the third an iambic dimeter hypermeter
(No. 8), and the fourth a minor Alcaic (No. 20).
For some remarks on the structure of the Alcaic stanza, con
suit Anthon's Latin Versification, p. 224, seqq.
Uxii METRES OF HORACE.
19. ARCHILOCHIAN HEPTAMETER.
This species of verse consists of two members, the first a dac-
tylic tetrameter a prior e (vid. No. 2, in notis), and the latter a
trochaic dimeter brachycatalectic ; that is, the first portion of
the line contains four feet from the beginning of a dactylic hex-
ameter, the fourth being always a dactyl, and the latter portion
consists of three trochees ; as,
Solvttur | acris hy\ems grd\td vice \\ verts | It Fd\vdn%.
20. MINOR ALCAIC.
This metre consists of two dactyls followed by two trochees ;
as,
Levid \ personii\ere | sdxd.
21. DACTYLICO-IAMBIC
This measure occurs in the second, fourth, and other even
lines of the eleventh Epode of Horace, omitted in the present
edition. The first part of the verse is a dactylic trimeter cata-
lectic (No. 3), the latter part is an iambic dimeter (No. 7) ; as,
Scrlberc \ versicu\los \\ dmo\re per\culsum \ grdvi.
One peculiarity attendant on this metre will need explanation.
In consequence of the union of two different kinds of verse into
one line, a licence is allowed the poet with regard to the final
syllable of the first verse, both in lengthening short syllables and
preserving vowels from elision.
Hence lines thus composed of independent metres are called
aovvdpTTjToi, or inconnexi on account of this medial license. Ar-
chilochus, according to HephaBstion, was the first who employ-
ed them. (Bentley, ad Epod. 11.) Many editions, however,
prefer the simpler, though less correct, division into two dis-
tinct measures ; as,
Scr there \ verstcu\lds
Amo\re per\\culsiim \ grdvi.
22. IAMBICO-DACTYL1C.
This measure occurs in the second, fourth, and other even
lines of the thirteenth Epode of Horace, as it is arranged in this
edition. The first part of the verse is an iambic dimeter (No.
METRES OF HORACE. IxXJll
7), the latter part is a dactylic trimeter catalectic (No. 3). It
is, therefore, directly the reverse of the preceding.
Occd\sw\nem de | die: || dumque v1\rent genu\d.
The license mentioned in the preceding measure takes place
also in this ; as,
EpocL Line.
13. 8. Red Hcet in sedan vice. Nunc, &c.
10. Levure diris pectora sollicitudinibus.
14. Findunt Scamandri flumina, luhricus, &c.
These lines are also, like those mentioned in the preceding
section, called davvdpTTjToi, or inconnexi. Many editions prefer
the following arrangement, which has simplicity in its favor,
but not strict accuracy :
Occa | si6 1| nem dl \ dU:
D&mquZ v1\re~nt gSnu\d.
4
METRICAL INDEX
TO THE
LYRIC COMPOSITIONS OF HORACE .*
jEli, Vetu sto 18, 18., 8,20
./Equam memento ... 18,18, 8,20
Altera jam teritor ... 1, 5
Angustam, amice.... 18, 18, 8, 20
At, O Deorum 5, 7
Bacchum in remotis . 18, 18, 8, 20
Beatus ille 5, 7
Coelo supinas 18,18, 8,20
Coelo tonantem 18, 18, 8, 20
Cam, tu, Lydia 14, 13
Cur me querelia 18,18, 8,20
Delicta majorum .... 18, 18, 8, 20
Descende coelo 18, 18, 8, 20
Dianam, tenerae 13, 13, 15, 14
Diffugere nives 1, 3
Dive, quern proles ... 10, 10, 10, 4
Divis orte bonis 13, 13, 13, 14
Donarem pateras . . . . 13
Donee gratus eram tibi 14, 13
Eheu! fugaces 18,18, 8,20
Est mihi nonum 10, 10, 10, 4
Et thure et fidibus .. 14, 13
Exegi monimentum.. 13
Faune, Nympbarum . 10, 10, 10, 4
Festo quid potius die 14, 13
Herculis ritu 10, 10, 10, 4
Horrida tempestas. .. 1, 22
Ibis Liburnis 5, 7
Icci, beatis 18, 18,
Ille et nefasto 18,18,
Impios parrae 10, 10,
Inclusam Danaen. ... 13,13,
Intactis opulentior 14, 13
Integer vitae 10,10,
Jam jam efficaci 5
Jam pauca aratro.... 18, 18,
Jam satis terris 10, 10,
Jam veris comites ... 13, 13,
Justum et tenacem .. 18, 18,
Laudabunt alii 1, 2
Lupis et agnis 5, 7
Lydia, die, per omnes 16, 12
Maecenas atavis 13
Mala soluta 5, 7
Martiis coelebs 10, 10,
Mater srova Cupidinum 14, 13
Mercuri, facunde .... 10, 10,
Mercuri, nam te 10, 10,
Miserarum est 17
Montium custos 10,10,
Motum ex Metello... 18, 18,
Musis amicus 18,18,
Natis in usum 18, 18,
Ne forte credas 18, 18,
Nolis longa ferae 13, 13,
Non ebur, neque 9, 6
8, 20
8,20
10, 4
13, 14
10, 4
8. 20
10, 4
13, 14
8,20
10, 4
10,
4
10,
4
10,
4
8,
20
8,
20
8,
20
8,
20
13,
14
* The numbers refer to the several metres, as they have just been explained.
Thus, in the ode beginning with the words Mli, Vetusto, the first and second lines
of each stanza are Greater Alcaics (No. 18), the third line is an Iambic Dimeter (No.
8), and the last line a Minor Alcaic (No. 20), and so of the rest
METRICAL INDEX.
lxxv
Non semper imbrcs .. 18, 18,
Non usitata 18, 18,
Nullam, Vare 11
Nullus argento 10, 10,
Nunc est bibendum -. 18, 18,
O Diva, gratum ..... 18, 18,
O fons Bandusiae .... 13, 13,
O matre pulchra 18, 18,
O nata mecum 18,18,
O navis, referant .... 13, 13,
O saepe mecum 18, 18,
O Venus, regina .... 10, 10,
Odi profanum 18,18,
Otium Divos 10,10,
Parcus Deorum 18,18,
Parentis olim 5, 7
Pastor cuum traheret. 13,13,
Persicos odi 10,10,
Pboebe, sylvarumque. 10, 10,
Phoabas volentem. ... 18,18,
Pindarum quisquis ... 10, 10,
Poscimur: si quid ... 10, 10,
Quae cura patrum ... 18, 18,
8,
20
8,
20
10,
4
8,
20
8,
20
15,
14
8,
20
8,
20
15,
14
8,
20
10,
4
8,
20
10,
4
8,
20
13,
14
10,
4
10,
4
8,
20
10,
4
10,
4
8,
20
Qualem ministrum... 18, 18, 8, 20
Gluando repostum ... 5, 7
Quantum distet 14, 13
Quem to, Melpomene 14, 13
Quern virum 10,10,
Quid bellicosus 18, 18,
Quid dedicatum 18, 18,
Quid immerentes .... 5, 7
Quis desiderio ... 13, 13,
Quis multa gracilis .. 13, 13,
Quo, me, Baccbe .... 14, 13
Quo, quo, scelesti ... 5, 7
Rectius vives 10, 10,
Scriberis Vario 13, 13,
Septimi Gades 10,10,
Sicte, Diva 14, 13
Solvitur acris hyems .19, 6
Te maris et terras ... 1, 2
Tu ne quaesieris 11
Tyrrhena regum 18, 18, 8,20
Velox ammnum 18, 18, 8, 20
Vides ut alta 18, 18, 8, 20
Vile potabis 10,10,10, 4
10,
4
3,
20
8,
20
13,
14
15,
14
10,
4
13,
14
10,
4
Q. HORATII F1ACCI
C A R M I N U M
LIBER PRIMUS.
Carmen I.
AD IVLECENATEM.
Maecenas, atavis edite regibus,
O et presidium et dulce decus meum,
Sunt quos curriculo pulverem Olympicum
Collegisse juvat, metaque fervidis
Evitata rotis palmaque nobilis 5
Terrarum dominos evehit ad Deos ;
Hunc, si mobilium turba Quiritium
Certat tergeminis tollere honoribus ;
Ilium, si proprio condidit horreo
Quidquid de Libycis verritur areis. 10
Gaudentem patrios findere sarculo
Agros Attalicis conditionibus
Nunquam demoveas, ut trabe Cypria
Myrtoum, pavidus nauta, secet mare.
Luctantem Icariis fluctibus Africum \5
Mercator metuens otium et oppidi
Laudat rura sui ; mox reficit rates
Quassas, indocilis pauperiem pati.
Est qui nee veteris pocula Massici,
Nee partem solido demere de die 20
Spernit, nunc viridi membra sub arbuto
Stratus, nunc ad aquai lene caput sacra?.
A
Q. HORATII FLAGCI
Multos castra juvant, et lituo tubaB
Permixtus sonitus, bellaque matribus
Detestata. Manet sub Jove frigido 25
Venator, tenerae conjugis immemor,
Seu visa est catulis cerva fidelibus,
Seu rupit teretes Marsus aper plagas.
Me doctarum hederse praemia frontium
Dis miscent superis ; me gelidum nemus 30
Nympharumque leves cum Satyris chori
Secernunt populo, si neque tibias
Euterpe cohibet, nee Polyhymnia
JLesboum refugit tendere barbiton.
Quod si me lyricis vatibus inseris, 35
Sublimi feriam sidera vertice.
Carmen II.
AD AUGUSTUM C^ESAREM.
Jam satis terris nivis atque dirse
Grandinis misit Pater, et, rubente
Dextera sacras jaculatus arces,
Terruit urbem :
Terruit gentes, grave ne rediret 5
Sfficulum Pyrrhae nova monstra questae,
Qmne quum Proteus pecus egit altos
Visere montes,
Piscium et summa genus hassit ulmo,
Nota quae sedes fuerat palumbis, 10
Et superjecto pavidae natarunt
JEquoie damae.
Vidimus flavum Tiberim, retortis
Litore Etrusco violenter undis,
2.] CARMINUM. LIBER I. S
Ire dejectum monimenta Regis, ' 5
Templaque Vestae,
IliaB dum se nimium querenti
Jactat ultorem, vagus et sinistra
Labitur ripa, Jove non probante, ux-
orius amnis. 20
Audiet cives acuisse ferrum,
Quo graves Persaa melius perirent ;
Audiet pugnas, vitio parentum
Rara, juventus.
Quern vocet Divum populus ruentis 26
Imperi rebus ? prece qua fatigent
Virgines sanctas minus audientem
Carmina Vestam ?
Cui dabit partes scelus expiandi
Jupiter ? Tandem venias, precamur, 30
Nube candentes humeros amictus,
Augur Apollo ;
»
Sive tu mavis, Erycina ridens,
Quam Jocus circum volat et Cupido ;
Sive neglectum genus et nepotes 35
Respicis, auctor,
Heu ! nimis longo satiate ludo,
Quem juvat clamor galeaeque leves,
Acer et Marsi peditis cruentum
Vultus in hostem ; 40
Sive mutata juvenem figura,
Ales, in terris imitaris, almec
Q. H0RAT1I FLACCI [2, 3.
Filius Maioe, patiens vocari
Caesaris ultor :
Serus in coelum redeas, diuque 46
Lastus intersis populo Quirini,
Neve te, nostris vitiis iniquum,
Ocior aura
Tollat. Hie magnos potius triumphos,
Hie ames dici Pater atque Princeps, 50
Neu sinas Medos equitare inultos,
Te duce, Caesar.
Carmen III.
AD VIRGILIUM.
Sic te Diva, potens Cypri,
Sic fratres Helenas, lucida sidera,
Ventorumque regat pater,
Obstrictis aliis prseter Iapyga,
Navis, quae tibi creditum 5
Debes Virgilium nnibus Atticis,
Reddas incolumem precor,
Et serves animae dimidium mea3.
Illi robur et aes triplex
Circa pectus erat, qui fragilem truci 10
Commisit pelago ratem
Primus, nee timuit praecipitem Africurn
Decertantem Aquilonibus,
Nee tristes Hyadas, nee rabiem Noti,
Quo non arbiter Hadriae 16
Major, tollere seu ponere vult freta.
Quem Mortis timuit gradum,
Qui rectis oculis monstra natantia,
3, 4.J CARMINUM. LIBER I. f.
Qui vidit mare turgidum et
Infames scopulos Acroceraunia ? 20
Nequidquam Deus abscidit
Prudens Oceano dissociabili
Terras, si tamen impiae
Non tangenda rates transiliunt vada.
. Audax omnia perpeti 25
Gens humana ruit per vetitum et nefas.
Atrox Iapeti genus
Ignem fraude mala gentibus intulit :
Post ignem aetheria domo
Subductum, Macies et nova Febrium 30
Terris incubuit coliors :
Semotique prius tarda necessitas
Leti corripuit gradum.
Expertus vacuum Dsedalus aera
Pennis non homini datis. 35
Perrupit Acheronta Herculeus labor.
Nil mortalibus ardui est :
Ccelum ipsum petimus stultitia : neque
Per nostrum patimur scelus
Tracunda Jovem ponere fulmina.
Carmen IV.
AD L. SESTIUM.
Solvitur acris hiems grata vice veris et Favoni,
Trahuntque siccas machinae carinas.
Ac neque jam stabulis gaudet pecus, aut arator igni ;
Nee prata canis albicant pruinis.
Jam Cytherea choros ducit Venus, imminente Luna,
Junctaeque Nymphis Gratiae decentes
Alterno terram quatiunt pede ; dum graves Cyclopum
Vulcanus ardens urit omcinas..
A 2
6 a. HORATII FLACCI [4, 5
Nunc decet aut viridi nitidum caput impedire myrto,
Aut flore, terraB quern ferunt solutae ; 10
Nunc et in umbrosis Fauno decet immolare lucis,
Seu poscat agna, sive malit hssdo.
Pallida Mors aequo pulsat pede pauperum tabernas
Regumque turres. O beate Sesti,
Vitae summa brevis spem nos vetat inchoare longam. 15
Jam te premet nox, fabulaeque Manes,
Et domus exilis Plutonia : quo simul mearis,
Nee regna vini sortiere talis,
Nee tenerum Lycidan mirabere, quo calet juventus
Nunc omnis, et mox virgines tepebunt.
Carmen V.
AD PYURHAM.
Quis multa gracilis te puer in rosa
Perfusus liquidis urget odoribus
Grato, Pyrrha, sub antro ?
Cui flavam religas comam,
Simplex munditiis ? Heu ! quoties fidem 5
Mutatosque Deos flebit, et aspera
Nigris aequora ventis
Emirabitur insolens,
Qui nunc te fruitur credulus aurea ;
Qui semper vacuam, semper amabilem 10
Sperat, nescius aurae
Fallacis. Miseri, quibus
Intentata nites ! Me tabula sacer
Votiva paries indicat uvida
Suspendisse potenti 15
Vestimenta maris Deo.
6, 7.J CARMINUM. LIBER I. Q
Carmen VI.
AD AGRIPPAM.
Scriberis Vario fortis et hostium
Victor, Maeonii carminis alite,
Quam rem cunque ferox navibus aut equis
Miles, te duce, gesserit.
Nos, Agrippa, neque haec dicere, nee gravem 6
Pelidae stomachum cedere nescii,
Nee cursus duplicis per mare Ulixei,
Nee saevam Pelopis domum
Conamur, tenues grandia ; dum pudor,
Imbellisque lyrse Musa potens vetat 10
Laudes egregii Caesaris et tuas
Culpa deterere ingeni.
Quis Martem tunica tectum adamantina
Digne scripserit ? aut pulvere Troico
Nigrum Merionen? aut ope Palladis 15
Tydiden Superis parem ?
Nos convivia, nos prcelia virginum
Sectis in juvenes unguibus acrium
Cantamus, vacui, sive quid urimur,
Non praeter solitum leves. 20
Carmen VTI.
AD MUNATIUM PLANCUM.
Laudabunt alii claram Rhodon, aut Mytilenen,
Aut Epheson, bimarisve Corinthi
Mcenia, vel Baccho Thebas, vel Apolline Delphos
Insignes, aut Thessala Tempe.
■
Q. HORATII FLACCI | 7, 8.
Sunt quibus unum opus est intact© Palladis arces 5
Carmine perpetuo celebrare,
Indeque decerptam fronti praeponere olivam.
PlurimuSj in Junonis honorem,
Aptum dicit equis Argos, ditesque Mycenas.
Me nee tarn patiens Lacedsemon, 10
Nee tam Larissse percussit campus opimae,
Quam domus Albunese resonantis,
Et prseceps Anio, ac Tiburni lucus, et uda
Mobilibus pomaria rivis.
Albus ut obscuro deterget nubila coelo 15
Saepe Notus, neque parturit imbres
Perpetuos, sic tu sapiens flnire memento
Tristitiam vitseque labores
Molli, Plance, mero, seu te fulgentia signis
Castra tenent, seu densa tenebit 20
Tiburis umbra tui. Teucer Salamina patremque
Quum fugeret, tamen uda Lyaeo
Tempora populea fertur vinxisse corona,
Sic tristes affatus amicos :
Quo nos cunque feret melior Fortuna parente, 25
Ibimus, O socii comitesque !
Nil desperandum Teucro duce et auspice Teucro ;
Certus enim promisit Apollo,
Ambiguam tellure nova Salamina futuram.
O fortes, pejoraque passi 30
Mecum ssepe viri, nunc vino pellite curas ;
Cras ingens iterabimus sequor.
Carmen VIII.
AD LYDIAM.
Lydia die, per omnes
Te deos oro, Sybarin cur properas amando
Perdere ? cur apricum
Oderit campum, patiens pulveris atque solis ?
8, 9.] CARMINUM. LIBER I. 9
Cur neque militaris 5
Inter aequales equitat, Gallica nee lupatis
Temperat ora frenis ?
Cur timet fiavum Tiberim tangere ? cur olivum
Sanguine viperino
Cautius vitat, neque jam livida gestat armis 0
Brachia, saepe disco,
Sa3pe trans finem jaculo nobilis expedito ?
Quid latet, ut marinae
Filium dicunt Thetidis sub lacrimosa Trojae
Funera, ne virilis 15
Cultus in caedem et Lycias proriperet catervas ?
Carmen IX.
AD THAJLIARCHUM.
Vides, ut alta stet nive candidum
Soracte, nee jam sustineant onus
Silvae laborantes, geluque
Flumina constiterint acuto ?
Dissolve frigus, ligna super foco 5
Large reponens ; atque benignius
Deprome quadrimum Sabina,
O Thaliarche, merum diota.
Permitte Divis caetera : qui simul
Stravere ventos aequore fervido 10
Deprceliantes, nee cupressi
Nee ve teres agitantur orni.
Quid sit futurum eras, fuge quaerere : et
Quern Fors dierum cunque dabit, lucro
Appone : nee dulces amores 1 5
Sperne puer, neque tu choreas,
10 Q. HORATII FLACCI [9,10.
Donee virenti canities abest
Morosa. Nunc et Campus et areae,
Lenesque sub noctem susurri
Composita repetantur hora : 20
Nunc et latentis proditor intimo
Gratus puellae risus ab angulo,
Pignusque dereptum lacertis
: Aut digito male pertinaci.
Carmen X.
AD MERCURIUM.
Mercuri, facunde nepos Atlantis,
Qui feros cultus hominum recentum
Voce formasti catus et decorae
More palaestrae,
Te canam, magni Jo vis et deorum 5
Nuntium, curvaeque lyrae parentem ;
Callidum, quidquid placuit, jocoso
Condere furto.
Te, boves olim nisi reddidisses
Per dolum amotas, puerum minaci 10
Vooe dum terret, viduus pharetra
Risit Apollo.
Quin et Atridas, duce te, superbos
Ilio dives Priamus relicto
Thessalosque ignes et iniqua Trojae 15
Castra fefellit.
Tu pias laetis animas reponis
Sedibus, virgaque levem coerces
Aurea turbam, superis deorum
Gratus et imis. 20
II, 12. J GARMINUM. LIBER I. 11
Carmen XI.
AD LEUCONOEN.
Tu ne quaesieris, scire nefas, quem mihi, quern tibi
Fmem Di dederint, Leuconoe ; nee Babylonios
Tentaris numeros. Ut melius, quidquid erit, pati '
Seu plures hiemes, seu tribuit Jupiter ultimara,
Quae nunc oppositis debilitat pumicibus mare
Tyrrhenum, sapias, vina liques, et spatio brevi
Spem longam reseces. Dum loquimur, fugerit invida
JEtas. Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero.
Carmen XII.
AD AUGUSTUM.
Quem virum aut heroa lyra vel acri
Tibia sumis celebrare, Clio ?
Quem Deum ? cujus recinet jocosa
Nomen imago
Aut in umbrosis Heliconis oris, 6
Aut super Pindo, gelidove in Haemo.
Unde vocalem temere insecutae
Orphea silvae,
Arte materna rapidos morantem
Fluminum lapsus celeresque ventos, 10
Blandum et auritas fidibus canoris
Ducere quercus.
Quid prius dicam solitis Parentis
Laudibus, qui res hominum ac Deorum,
Qui mare ac terras, variisque mundum 15
Temperat horis ?
12 Q. IIORATII FLACCI [ 12.
Unde nil majus generatur ipso,
Nee viget quidquam simile aut secundum :
Proximos illi tamen occupavit
Pallas honores. 20
Prceliis audax, neque te silebo,
Liber, et saevis inimica Virgo
Belluis : nee te, metuendc certa
Phoebe sagitta.
Dicam et Alciden, puerosque Leda3, 25
Hunc equis, ilium superare pugnis
Nobilem : quorum simul alba nautis
Stella refulsit
Defluit saxis agitatus humor,
Concidunt venti, fugiuntque nubes, 30
Et minax, nam sic voluere, ponto
Unda recumbit.
Romulum post hos prius, an quietum
Pompili regnum memorem, an superbos
Tarquini fasces, dubito, an Catonis 35
Nobile letum.
Ttegulum, et Scauros, animaeque magn»
Prodigum Paullum, superante Poeno,
Gratus insigni refer am Camena,
Fabriciumque. 40
Hunc, et incomtis Curium capillis,
Utilem bello tulit, et Camillum,
Sseva paupertas et avitus apto
Cum lare fundus.
12, 13.] CARMINUM. LIBER I. 13
Crescit, occulto velut arbor sevo, 45
Fama Marcelli : micat inter omnes
Julium sidus, velut inter ignes
Luna minores.
Gentis humanae pater atque custos,
Orte Saturno, tibi cura magni 50
Csesaris fatis data ; tu secundo
Caesare regnes.
Ille, seu Parthos Latio imminentes
Egerit justo domitos triumpho,
Sive subjectos Orientis orse 55
Seras et Indos,
Te minor latum regat aequus orbem ;
Tu gravi curru quatias Olympum,
Tu parum castis inimica mittas
Fulmina lucis. 60
Carmen XIII.
AD LYDIAM.
Quum tu, Lydia, Telephi
Cervicem roseam, cerea Telephi
Laudas brachia, vse, meum
Fervens difficili bile tumet jecur.
Tunc nee mens mihi nee color 5
Certa sede manent ; humor et in genas
Furtim labitur, arguens
Quam lentis penitus macerer ignibus.
Uror, seu tibi candidos
Turparunt humeros immodicaB mero 10
Rixae, sive puer furens
Impressit memorem dente labris notam.
B
14 a. HORATII FLACCI [13, 14.
Non, si me satis audias,
Speres perpetuum, dulcia barbare
Laedentem oscula, quae Venus 15
Quinta parte sui nectaris imbuit.
Felices ter et amplius,
Quos irrupta tenet copula, nee raalis
Divulsus querimoniis
Suprema citius solvet amor die.
Carmen XIV.
AD REMPUBLICAM.
O navis, referunt in mare te novi
Fluctus ! O quid agis ? fortiter occupa
Portum. Nonne vides, ut
Nudum remigio latus,
Et malus celeri saucius Africo 6
Antennaeque gemunt, ac sine funibus
Vix durare carinae
Possunt imperiosius
iEquor ? Non tibi sunt integra lintea,
Non Di, quos iterum pressa voces malo. 10
Quamvis Pontica pinus,
Silvae filia nobilis,
Jactes et genus et nomen inutile,
Nil pictis timidus navita puppibus
Fidit. Tu, nisi ventis 15
Debes ludibrium, cave.
Nuper sollicitum quae mihi taedium,
Nunc desiderium curaque non levis,
Interfusa nitentes »
Vites sequora Cycladas. 20
15. J CARMINUM. LIBER I. 15
Carmen XV.
NEREI VATICINIUM DE EXCIDIO TROJiE.
Pastor quum traheret per freta navibus
Idaeis Helenen perfidus hospitam,
Ingrato celeres obruit otio
Ventos, ut caneret fera
Nereus fata : Mala ducis avi domum, 5
Quam multo repetet Graecia milite,
Conjurata tuas rumpere nuptias
Et regnum Priami vetus.
Heu heu ! quantus equis, quantus adest viris
Sudor ! quanta moves funera Dardanaa 10
Genti ! Jam galeam Pallas et segida
Currusque et rabiem parat.
Nequidquam Veneris praesidio ferox
Pectes caesariem, grataque feminis
Imbelli cithara carmina divides ; 15
Nequidquam thalamo graves
Hastas et calami spicula Cnosii
Vitabis, strepitumque, et celerem Bequi
Ajacem : tamen, heu, serus adulteros
Crines pulvere collines. 20
Non Laertiaden, exitium tuae
Genti, non Pylium Nestora respicis ?
Urgent impavidi te Salaniinius
Teucer et Sthenelus sciens
Pugnae, sive opus est imperitare equis, 25
Non auriga piger. Merionen quoque
16 a. HORATII FLACCI [15,16
Nosces. Ecce furit te reperire atrox
Tydides, melior patre ;
Quern tu, cervus uti vallis in altera
Visum parte lupum graminis immemor, 30
Sublimi fugies mollis anhelitu,
Non hoc pollicitus turn.
Iracunda diem proferet Ilio
Matronisque Phrygum classis Achillei ;
Post certas hiemes uret Achai'cus 35
Ignis Iliacas domos.
Carman XVI.
PALINODIA.
O matre pulchra filia pulchrior,
Quern criminosis cunque voles modum
Pones iambis, sive flamma
Sive mari libet Hadriano.
Non Dindymene, non adytis quatit 5
Mentem sacerdotum incola Pythius,
Non Liber seque, non acuta
Sic geminant Corybantes sera,
Tristes ut irae, quas neque Noricus
Deterret ensis, nee mare naufragum, 10
Nee saBvus ignis, nee tremendo
Jupiter ipse ruens tumultu.
Fertur Prometheus, addere principi
Limo coactus particulam undique
Desectam, et insani leonis 16
Vim stomacho apposuisse nostro.
*
16, 17.] CARMINUM. LIBER I. 17
Irae Thyesten exitio gravi
Stravere, et altis urbibus ultimae
Stetere causae, cur perirent
Funditus, imprimeretque muris 20
Hostile aratrum exercitus insolens.
Compesce mentem : me quoque pectoris
Tentavit in dulci juventa
Fervor, et in celeres iambos
Misit furentem : nunc ego mitibus 25
Mutare quaero tristia, dum mihi
Fias recantatis arnica
Opprobriis, animumque reddas.
Carmen XVII.
AD TYNDARIDEM
Velox amoBnum saepe Lucretilem
Mutat Lycaeo Faunus, et igneam
Defendit aestatem capellis
Usque meis pluviosque ventos.
Impune tutum per nemus arbutos 6
Quaerunt latentes et thyma deviae
Olentis uxores mariti :
Nee virides metuunt colubras,
Nee Martiales Haedilice lupos ;
Utcunque dulci, Tyndari, fistula 10
Valles et Usticag cubantis
Levia personuere saxa.
Di me tuentur, Dis pietas mea
Et Musa cordi est. Hie tibi copia
B 2
18 Q. HORATII FLACCI [17,18.
Manabit ad plenum benigno 1£
Ruris honorum opulenta cornu.
Hie in reducta valle Caniculae
Vitabis aestus, et fide Tela
Dices laborantes in uno
Penelopen vitreamque Circen. 20
Hie innocentis pocula Lesbii
Duces sub umbra ; nee Semelei'us
Cum Marte confundet Thyoneus
Proelia, nee metues protervum
Suspecta Cyrum, ne male dispari 26
Incontinentes injiciat manus,
Et scindat hserentem coronam
Crinibus, immeritamque vestem.
Carmen XVIII.
AD VARUM.
Nullam, Vare, sacra vite prius severis arborem
Circa mite solum Tiburis et moenia Catili :
Siccis omnia nam dura deus proposuit, neque
Mordaces aliter difiugiunt sollicitudines.
Quis post vina gravem militiam aut pauperiem crepat ? f>
Quis non te potius, Bacche pater, teque, decens Venus ?
At, ne quis modici transsiliat munera Liberi,
Centaurea monet cum Lapithis rixa super mero
Debellata ; monet Sithoniis non levis Euius,
Quum fas atque nefas exiguo fine libidinum 10
Discernunt avidi. Non ego te, candide Bassareu,
Invitum quatiam ; nee variis obsita frondibus
Sub divum rapiam. Saeva tene cum Berecyntio
18, 19, 20. J CARM1NUM. LIBER I. 19
Cornu tympana, quas subsequitur caecus Amor sui,
Et tollens vacuum plus nimio Gloria verticem, 16
Arcanique Fides prodiga, perlucidior vitro.
Carmen XIX.
DE GLYCERA.
Mater sasva Cupidinum,
Thebanaeque jubet me Semeles puer,
Et lasciva Licentia,
Finitis animum reddere amoribus.
Urit me Glycerae nitor 5
Splendentis Pario marmore purius,
Urit grata protervitas,
Et vultus nimium lubricus adspici.
In me tota ruens Venus
Cyprum deseruit ; nee patitur Scythas, 1 0
Et versis animosum equis
Parthum dicere, nee quae nihil attinent.
Hie vivum mihi cespitem, hie
Verbenas, pueri, ponite, thuraque
Bimi cum patera meri : 15
Mactata veniet lenior hostia.
Carmen XX.
AD 1VLECENATEM.
Vile potabis modicis Sabinum
Cantharis, Graeca quod ego ipse testa
Conditum levi, datus in theatro
Quum tibi plausus,
Care Maecenas eques, ut paterni
Fluminis ripae, simul et jocosa
Redderet laudes tibi Vaticani
Montis imasfo.
20 a. iioitATii flacci [20,21,22.
Csecubam et prelo domitam Caleno
Tu bibes uvam : mea nee Falernae 1 0
Temperant vites neque Formiani
Pocula colles.
Cahmen XXI.
IN DIANAM ET APOLLINEM.
Dianam tenerse dicite virgines ;
Intonsum, pueri, dicite Cynthium :
Latonamque supremo
Dilectam penitus Jovi.
Vos laetam fluviis et nemorum coma, 6
Quzecunque aut gelido prominet Algido,
Nigris aut Erymanthi
Silvis, aut viridis Cragi ;
Vos Tempe totidem tollite laudibus,
Natalemque, mares, Delon Apollinis, 10
Insignemque pharetra
Fraternaque humerum lyra.
Hie bellum lacrimosum, hie miseram famem
Pestemque a populo, principe Caesare, in
Persas atque Britannos 15
Vestra motus aget preee.
Caumen XXII.
AD ABJSTTUM FUSCUM.
Integer vitas scelerisque purus
Non eget Mauris jaculis, neque arcu,
Nee venenatis gravida sagittis,
Fusee, pharetra ;
22, 23.] CARMINUM. LIBER I. 21
Sive per Syrtes iter aestuosas, 5
Sive facturus per inhospitalem
Caucasum, vel qua? loca fabulosus
L ambit Hydaspes.
Namque me silva lupus in Sabina,
Dum meam canto Lalagen, et ultra 10
Terminum curis vagor expeditis,
Fugit inermem :
Quale portentum neque militaris
Daunias latis alit aesculetis,
Nee Jubae tellus generat, leonum 15
Arida nutrix.
Pone me, pigris ubi nulla campis
Arbor zestiva recreatur aura ;
Quod latus mundi nebulae malusque
Jupiter urget : 20
Pone sub curru nimium propinqui
Solis, in terra domibus negata :
Dulce ridentem Lalagen amabo,
Dulce loquentem.
Carmen XXIII.
AD CHLOEN.
Vitas hinnuleo me similis, Chloe,
Quasrenti pavidam montibus aviis
Matrem, non sine vano
Aurarum et siluae metu.
Nam seu mobilibus vepris inhomiit
Ad ventum foliis, seu virides rubum
22 a. HORATII FLACC1 [23, 24.
Dimovere lacertse,
Et corde et genibus tremit.
Atqui non ego te, tigris ut aspera
Gsetulusve leo, frangere persequor : 10
Tandem desine matrem
Tempestiva sequi viro.
Carmen XXIV.
AD VIRGILIUM.
Quis desiderio sit pudor aut modus
Tarn cari capitis ? Praecipe lugubres
Cantus, Melpomene, cui liquidam Pater
Vocem cum cithara dedit
Ergo Quintilium perpetuus sopor 5
Urget ! cui Pudor, et Justitiae soror,
Incorrupta Fides, nudaque Veritas
Quando ullum inveniet parem ?
Multis ille bonis flebilis occidit ,
Nulli flebilior, quam tibi, Virgili. 10
Tu frustra pius, heu ! non ita creditum
Poscis Quintilium deos.
Quod si Threicio blandius Orpheo
Auditam moderere arboribus fidem,
Non vanee redeat sanguis imagini, 15
Quam virga semel horrida,
Non lenis precibus fata recludere,
Nigro compulerit Mercurius gregi.
Durum ! Sed levius fit patientia,
Quidquid corrigere est nefas. 20
26, 27.] CARMINUM. LIBER I. 28
Carmen XXVI.
DE ^ELIO LAMIA.
Musis amicus, tristitiam et metus
Tradam protervis in mare Creticum
Portare ventis ; quis sub Arcto
Rex gelidae metuatur orse,
Quid Tiridaten terreat, unice 6
Securus. O, quae fontibus integris
Gaudes, apricos necte flores,
Necte meo Lamiee coronam,
Pimplei dulcis ; nil sine te mei
Prosunt honores : hunc fidibus novis, 10
Hunc Lesbio sacrare plectro,
Teque tuasque decet sorores.
Carmen XXVII.
AD SODALES.
Natis in usum lsetitiae scyphis
Pugnare Thracum est : tollite barbarum
Morem, verecundumque Bacchum
Sanguineis prohibete rixis.
Vino et lucernis Medus acinaces &
Immane quantum. discrepat ! impium
Lenite clamorem, sodales,
Et cubito remanete presso.
Vultis severi me quoque sumere
Partem Falerni ? dicat OpuntiaB 10
Frater Megillae, quo beatus
Vulnere, qua pereat sagitta.
24 a. HORATII FLACCI [27, 28.
Cessat Voluntas ? non alia bibam
Mercede. Quse te cunque domat Venus,
Non erubescendis adurit 16
Ignibus, ingenuoque semper
Araore peccas. Quidquid habes, age,
Depone tutis auribus — Ah miser,
Quanta laborabas Charybdi,
Digne puer meliore flamma ! 20
Quae saga, quis te solvere Thessalis
Magus venenis, quis poterit Deus ?
Vix illigatum te triformi
Pegasus expediet Chimgera.
Carmen XXVIII.
NAUTA ET ARCHYT^E UMBRA.
Nauta.
Te maris et terrse numeroque carentis arense
Mensorem cohibent, Archyta,
Pulveris exigui prope litus parva Matinum
Munera ; nee quidquam tibi prodest
Aerias tentasse domos, animoque rotundum 6
Percurrisse polum, morituro !
Archyta umbra-
Occidit et Pelopis genitor, conviva Deorurn,
Tithonusque remotus in auras,
Et Jovis arcanis Minos admissus, habentque
Tartara Panthoi'den, iterum Oreo 10
Demissum ; quamvis, clypeo Trojana refixo
Tempora testatus, nihil ultra
Nervos atque cutem Morti concesserat atr» ;
Judice te non sordidus auctor
2Q, 29.] CARMINUM. LIBER I. 25
Naturae verique. Sed omnes una manet nox, 15
Et calcanda semel via leti.
Dant alios Furise torvo spectacula Marti ;
Exitio est avidura mare nautis ;
Mixta senum ac juvenum densentur funera ; nullum
Sseva caput Proserpina fugit. 20
Me quoque devexi rapidus comes Orionis
Jllyricis Notus obruit undis.
At tu, nauta, vagae ne parce malignus arena)
Ossibus et capiti inhumato
Particulam dare : sic, quodcunque minabitur Eurus 25
Fluctibus Hesperiis, Venusinae
Plectantur silvse, te sospite, multaque merces,
Unde potest, tibi defluat aequo
Ab Jove, Neptunoque sacri custode Tarenti.
Negligis immeritis nocituram 30
Postmodo te natis fraudem committere ? Fors et
Debita jura vicesque superbae
Te maneant ipsum : precibus non linquar inultis ;
Teque piacula nulla resolvent.
Quamquam festinas, non est mora longa ; licebit 3 5
Injecto ter pulvere curras.
Carmen XXIX.
AD ICCIUM.
Icci, beatis nunc Arabum invides
Gazis, et acrem militiam paras
Non ante devictis Sabaeae
Regibus, horribilique Medo
Nectis catenas ? Quae tibi virginum,
Sponso necato, barbara serviet ?
Puer quis ex aula capillis
Ad cyathum statu
B
2b a. HORATII FLACCI [29, 30, 31.
Doctus sagittas tendere Sericas
Arcu paterno ? Quis neget arduis 10
Pronos relabi posse rivos
Montibus, et Tiberim reverti,
Quum tu coemtos undique nobiles
JLibros Panasti, Socraticam et domum,
Mutare loricis Iberis, 15
Pollicitus meliora, tendis ?
Carmen XXX.
AD VENEREM.
O Venus, regina Cnidi Paphique,
Sperne dilectam Cypron, et vocantis
Thure te multo Glycera3 decoram
Transfer in asdem.
Fervidus tecum Puer, et solutis
GratiaB zonis, properentque Nymphae,
Et parum comis sine te Juventas,
Mercuriusque.
Carmen XXXI.
AD APOLLINEM.
Quid dedi.catum poscit Apollinem
Vates ? quid c-rat, de patera novum
Fundens liquorem ? Non opimse
Sardinia? segetes feraces ;
Non sestuosae grata CalabriaB
Armenta ; non aurum, aut ebur Indicum ;
Non rura, quae Liris quieta
Mordet aqua, taciturnus amnis.
31,32.] CARMINUM. LIBER I. 27
Premant Calena falce, quibus dedit
Fortuna, vitem : dives et aureis 10
Mercator exsiccet culullis
Vina Syra reparata merce ;
Dis carus ipsis, quippe ter et quater
Anno revisens 8Bquor Atlanticum
Impune. Me pascunt olivae 15
Me cichorea, levesque malva3.
Frui paratis et valido mihi,
Latoe, dones, et, precor, integra
Cum mente ; nee turpem senectam
Degere, nee cithara carentem. 20
Carmen XXXII.
AD L Y R A M.
Poscimur. Si quid vacui sub umbra
Lusimus tecum, quod et hunc in annum
Vivat et plures, age, die Latinum,
Barbite, carmen,
Lesbio primum modulate civi ; 5
Qui, ferox bello, tamen inter arma,
Sive jactatam religarat udo
Litore navim,
Liberum et Musas, Veneremque, et illi
Semper hserentem Puerum canebat, 1 0
Et Lycum, nigris oculis nigroque
Crine decorum.
O decus Phoebi, et dapibus supremi
Grata testudo Jovis, O laborum
Dulce lenimen, mihi cunque salvo 15
Kite vocanti.
28 a. iioRATii flacci [34, 35.
Carmen XXXIY.
AD S E IPSUM.
Parcus Deorum cultor et infrequens,
Insanientis dum sapiential
Consultus erro, nunc retrorsum
Vela dare atque iterare cursus
Cogor relictos : namque Diespitcr 5
Igni corusco nubila dividens
Plerumque, per purum tonantes
Egit equos volucremque currum ,
Quo bruta tellus, et vaga flumina,
Quo Styx et invisi horrida Tamari 10
Sedes, Atlanteusque finis
Concutitur. Valet ima summis
Mutare, et insignia attenuat Deus,
Obscura promens. Hinc apicem rapax
Fortuna cum stridore acuto 15
Sustulit, hie posuisse gaudet.
Carmen XXXV.
AD FOE,TUNAM.
O Diva, gratum quae regis Antium,
Praesens vel imo tollere de gradu
Mortale corpus, vel superbos
Vertere funeribus triumphos,
Te pauper ambit sollicita prece,
Ruris, colonus ; te dominam sequoris,
Quicunque Bithyna lacessit
Carpathium pelagus carina.
35.] CARMINUM. LIBER I. 29
Te Dacus asper, te profugi Scythae,
Urbesque, gentesque, et Latiura ferox, 10
Regumque matres barbarorum, et
Purpurei metuunt tyraiini,
Injurioso ne pede proruas
Stantem columnam, neu populus frequens
Ad arma cessantes ad arma 15
Concitet, imperiumque frangat.
Te semper anteit saeva Necessitas,
Clavos trabales et cuneos raanu
Gestans aena ; nee severus
Uncus abest, liquidumque plumbum. 20
Te Spes, et albo rara Fides colit
Velata panno, nee comitem abnegat,
Utcunque mutata potentes
Veste domos inimica linquis.
At vulgus infidum et meretrix retro 25
Perjura cedit ; diffugiunt, cadis
Cum faece siccatis, amici
Ferre jugum pariter dolosi.
Serves iturum Caesarem in ultimos
Orbis Britannos, et juvenum recens 30
Examen Eois timendum
Partibus, Oceanoque rubro.
Eheu ! cicatricum et sceleris pudet
Fratrumque — Quid nos dura refugimus
iEtas ? quid intactum nefasti 35
Liquimus ? unde manum juventus
30 a. horatii flacci [35, 36, 37
Metu Deorum continuit ? quibus
Pepercit aris ? O utinam nova
Incude diffingas retusum in
Massagetas Arabasque ferrum. 40
Carmen XXXVI.
AD PLOTIUM NUMIDAM.
Et thure et fidibus juvat
Placare et vituli sanguine debito
Custodes NumidaB Deos,
Qui nunc, Hesperia sospes ab ultima,
Caris multa sodalibus,
Nulli plura tamen dividit oscula,
Quam dulci Lamise, memor
Actse non alio rege puertiae,
Mutatseque simul togas.
Cressa ne careat pulchra dies nota,
Neu promtse modus amphoraa,
Neu morem in Salium sit requies pedum,
Neu multi Damalis meri
Bassum Threi'cia vincat amystide,
Neu desint epulis rosas, 15
Neu vivax apium, neu breve lilium.
Carmen XXXVII.
AD SODALES.
Nunc est bibendum, nunc pede libero
Pulsanda tellus ; nunc Saliaribus
Ornare pulvinar deorum
Tempus erat dapibus, sodales.
Antehac nefas depromere Ca* ' ^im
Cellis avitis, dum Capitolio
37."} CARMINUM. LIBER I. 31
Regina dementes ruinas,
Funus et imperio parabat
Contaminato cum grege turpium
Morbo virorum, quidlibet impotens 10
Sperare, fortunaque dulci
Ebria. Sed minuit furorem
Vix una sospes navis ab ignibus ;
Mentemque lymphatam Mareotico
R.edegit in veros timores J 5
CsBsar, ab Italia volantem
Remis adurgens, accipiter velut
Molles columbas, aut leporem citus
Venator in campis nivalis
HaBmoniae ; daret ut catenis 20
Fatale monstrum ; quae generosius
Perire quaerens, nee muliebriter
Expavit ensem, nee latentes
Classe cita reparavit oras ;
Ausa et jacentem visere regiam 26
Vultu sereno, fortis et asperas
Tractare serpentes, ut atrum
Corpore combiberet venenum ;
Deliberata morte ferocior ;
Saevis Liburnis scilicet invidens 30
Privata deduci superbo
Non humilis mulier triumpho.
32 Q. HORATII FLACCI CARMINUM. LIBER I. [38.
Carmen XXXVIII.
AD P U E B, U M.
Persicos odi, puer, apparatus ;
Displicent nexa? philyra coronse ;
Mitte sectari, rosa quo locorum
Sera moretur.
Simplici m)Tto nihil allahores
Sedulus euro : neque to minisirum
Dedecet myrtus, neque me sub arcta
Vite bibentcm.
Q. H 0 R A T I I F L A C C I
C A R M I N U M
LIBER SECUNDUS.
Carmen I.
AD ASINIUM POLLIONEM.
Motum ex Metello consule civicura,
Bellique causas et vitia et modos,
Ludumque Fortunae, gravesque
Principum amicitias, et arma
Nondum expiatis uncta cruoribus, 5
Periculosse plenum opus alese,
Tractas, et incedis per ignes
Suppositos cineri doloso.
Paulum severse Musa tragoediae
Desit theatris : mox, ubi publicas lO
Res ordinaris, grande munus
Cecropio repetes cothurno,
Insigne mo3stis praesidium reis
Et consulenti Pollio curiae ;
Cui laurus aetemos honores 15
Dalmatico peperit triumpho-
Jam nunc minaci murmure comuum
Perstringis aures, jam litui strepunt ;
B 2
34 Q. HORATII FLACCI [1>2*
Jam fulgor armorum fugaces
Terret equos equitumque vultus. 20
Audire magnos jam videor duces
Non indecoro pulvere sordidos,
"Et cuncta terrarum subacta
Praeter atrocem animum Catonis.
Juno, et deorum quisquis amicior 26
Afris inulta cesserat impotens
Tellure, victorum nepotes
Rettulit inferias Jugurthse.
Quis non Latino sanguine pinguior
Campus sepulcris impia proelia 30
Testatur, auditumque Medis
Hesperiae sonitum ruinae ?
Qui gurges, aut quae numina lugubris
Ignara belli ? quod mare Daunia3
Non decoloravere caedes ? 35
Quae caret ora cruore nostro ?
Sed ne, relictis, Musa procax, jocis,
Ceae retractes munera naeniae :
Mecum Dionaeo sub antro
Quaere modos leviore plectro. 40
Carmen II.
AD SALLUSTIUM CRISPUM.
Nullus argento color est avaris
Abdito terris, inimice lamnae
Crispe Sallusti, nisi temperato
Splendeat usu.
2, 3.] CARMINUM. LIBER II. 35
Vivet extento Proculeius sevo &
Notus in fratres animi paterni :
Ilium aget penna metuente solvi
Fama supers tes.
Latius regnes avidum domando
Spiritum, quam si Libyam remotis 10
Gadibus jungas, et uterque Pcenus
Serviat uni.
Crescit indulgens sibi dirus hydrops,
Nee sitira pellit, nisi causa morbi
Fugerit venis, et aquosus albo 16
Corpore languor.
Redditum Cyri solio Phrahaten
Dissidens plebi nuraero beatorurn
Eximit Virtus, populumque falsis
Dedocet uti 20
Vocibus ; regnum et diadema tuturn
Deferens uni propriamque laururn,
Quisquis ingentes oculo irretorto
Spectat acervos
Carmen III.
AD DELLIUM.
iEquam memento rebus in arduis
Servare mentem, non secus in bonis
Ab insolenti temperatam
Lsetitia, moriture Delli,
Seu mo3stus omni tempore vixeris, 5
Seu te in remoto gramine per dies
36 a. HOllATII FLACCl [3, 6.
Festos reclinatum bearis
Interiore nota Falerni.
Qua pinus ingens albaque populus
Umbram hospitalem consociare amant 10
Ramis, et oblique- laborat
Lympha fugax trepidare rivo :
Hue yina et unguenta et nimium brevis
Flores amcenos ferre jube rosae,
Dum res et setas et Sororurn 15
Fila trium patiuntur atra.
Cedes coemtis saltibus, et domo,
Villaque, flavus quam Tiberis lavit :
Cedes ; et exstructis in altum
Divitiis potietur hseres. 20
Divesne prisco natus ab Inacho,
Nil interest, an pauper et infima
De gente, sub divo moreris,
Victima nil miserantis Orci.
Omnes eodem cogimur : omnium 25
Versatur urna serius ocius
Sors exitura, et nos in Beternum
Exsilium impositura cymbae.
Carmen VI.
AD SEPTIMIUM.
Septirni, Gades aditure mecum et
Cantabrum indoctum juga ferre nostra, et
Barbaras Syrtes, ubi Maura semper
^lstuat unda :
1>, ?. j CARMINUM. — LIBER II. 37
Tibur, Argeo positum colono, 5
Sit meae sedes utinam senectae,
Sit modus lasso maris et viarum
Militiaeque.
Unde si Parcse prohibent iniquae,
Dulce pellitis ovibus Galaesi 10
Flumen et regnata petam Laconi
Rura Phalanto.
Ille terrarum milii pra3ter omnes
Angulus ridet, ubi nou Hymetto
Mella decedunt, viridique certat 15
Bacca Venafro.
Ver ubi longum tepidasque prasbet
Jupiter brumas, et amicus Aulon
Fertili Baccho minimum Falernis
Invidet uvis. 80
Ille te mecum locus et beat»
Postulant arces ; ibi tu calentem
Debita sparges lacrima favillam
Vatis amici.
Carmen VII.
AD POMPEIUM.
O saepe mecum tempus in ultimum
Deducte, Bruto militiae duce,
Quis te redonavit Quiritem
Dis patriis Italoque coslo,
Pompei, meorum prime sodalium '.'
Cum quo morantem seepe diem mero
3S a. HORATII FLACCI [7 9,
Fregi, coronatus nitentes
Malobathro Syrio capillos.
Tecum Philippos et celerem fugam
Sensi, relicta non bene parmula ; 10
Quum fracta Virtus, et minaces
Turpe solum tetigere mento.
Sed me per hostes Mercurius celer
Dense- paventem sustulit aere ;
Te rursus in bellum resorbens 15
Unda fretis tulit sestuosis.
Ergo obligatam redde Jovi dapem,
Longaque fessum militia latus
Depone sub lauru mea, nee
Parce cadis tibi destinatis. 20
Oblivioso levia Massico
Ciborio exple, funde capacibus
Unguenta de conchis. Quis udo
Deproperare apio coronas
Curatve myrto ? quern Venus arbitrum 25
Dicet bibendi ? Non ego sanius
Bacchabor Edonis : recepto
Dulce mihi furere est amico.
Carmen IX.
AD VALGIUM.
Non semper imbres nubibus hispidog
Manant in agros, aut mare Caspium
Vexant insequales procellaB
Usque, nee Armeniis in oris,
9, 10.] CARMINUM. LIBER II. 39
Amice Valgi, stat glacies iners 5
Menses per omnes ; aut Aquilc-nibus
Querceta Gargani laborant,
Et foliis viduantur orni.
Tu semper urges flebilibus modis
Mysten ademtum ; nee tibi Vespero 10
Surgente decedunt amores,
Nee rapidum fugiente Solem.
At non ter aevo functus amabilem
Ploravit omnes Antilochum senex
Annos ; nee impubem parentes 15
Troilon, aut Phrygiae sorores
Flevere semper. Desine mollium
Tandem querelarum ; et potius nova
Cantemus Augusti tropsea
Caesaris, et rigidum Niphaten ; ^H-» 20
Medumque iiumen, gentibus additum
Victis, minores volvere vortices ;
Intraque praescriptum Gelonos
Exiguis equitare campis.
Carmen X.
AD LICINIUM.
Kectius vives, Licini, neque altum
Semper urgendo, neque, dum procellas
Cautus horrescis, nimium premendo
Litus iniquum.
Auream quisquis mediocritatem
Diligit, tutus caret obsoleti
40 a. HORATII FLACCI [10, 11.
Sordibus tecti, caret invidenda
Sobrius aula.
Sa3pius ventis agitatur ingens
Pinus, et celsse graviore casu 10
Decidunt turres, feriuntque summos
Fulgura montes.
Sperat infestis, metuit seciindis
Alteram sortem bene prseparaturn
Pectus Informes hiemes reducit 15
Jupiter, idem
Summovet. Non, si male nunc, et olim
Sic erit. Quondam cithara tacentem
Suscitat Musam, neque semper arcum
Tendit Apollo. 20
Rebus angustis animosus atque
Fortis appare : sapienter idem
Contrahes vento nimium secundo
Turgida vela.
Carmen XI.
AD QUINTIUM.
Ouid bellicosus Cantaber, et Scythes,
"hirpine Quinti, cogitet, Hadria
Divisus objecto, remittas
Quaerere ; nee trepides in usum
Poscentis aevi pauca. Fugit retro &
Levis Juventas, et Decor, arida
Feilente lascivos amores
Caniwo fKnle^que jtmnum,
11,12.] CAR.MIXUM. LIBER II. 41
Non semper idem floribus est honor
Vernis ; neque imo Lima rub ens nitet 10
Vultu : quid aetemis minorem
Consiliis animum fatigas ?
Cur non sub alta vel platano vel hac
Pinu jacentes sic temere, et rosa
Canos odorati capillos, 15
Dum licet, Assyriaque nardo
Potamus uncti ? Dissipat Euius
Curas edaces. Quis puer ocius
Restinguet ardentis Falerni
Pocula prsetereunte lympha ?
Carmen XII.
AD 1VLECENATEM.
Nohs longa ferae bella NumantiaB,
Nee dirum Hannibalem, nee Siculum mai
Pceno purpureum sanguine, mollibus
Aptari citharse modis :
Nee saevos Lapithas, et nimium mero
Hylaeum ; domitosve Herculea manu
Telluris juvenes, unde periculum
Fulgens contremuit domus
Saturni veteris : tuque pedestribus
Dices historiis prcelia Caesaris, 10
Maecenas, melius, ductaque per vias
Pwegum colla minacium.
Me dulces dominae Musa Licymniae
Cantus, me voluit dicere lucidum
42 a. HORATII FLACCI [12, 13
Fulgentes oculos, et "bene mutuis 15
Fidum pectus amoribus :
Quam nee ferre pedem dedecuit choris,
Nee certare joco, nee dare brachia
Ludentem nitidis virginibus, sacro
Dianse Celebris die. 20
Num tu, quae tenuit dives Achsemenes,
Aut pinguis Phrygiae Mygdonias opes,
Permutare velis crine Licymniae,
Plenas aut Arabum domos ?
Carmen XIII.
In arborem, cujus casu paene oppressus fuerat.
Hie et nefasto te posuit die,
Quicunque primum, et sacrilega manu
Produxit, arbos, in. nepotum
Perniciem, opprobriumque pagi.
Ilium et parentis crediderim sui
Fregisse cervicem, et penetralia
Sparsisse nocturno cruore
Hospitis ; ille venena Colcha,
Et quidquid usquam concipitur nefas
Tractavit, agro qui statuit rneo 10
Te, triste lignum, te caducum
In domini caput immerentis.
Quid quisque vitet, nunquam homini satis
Cautum est, in horas. Navita Bosporum
Poenus perhorrescit, neque ultra 5
Caeca timet aliunde fata ;
13, 14.] CARMINUM. LIBER II. 43
Miles sagittas et celerem fugam
Parthi ; catenas Parthus et Italum
Robur : sed improvisa leti
Vis rapuit rapietque gentes. 20
Quam psene furvae regna Proserpinae,
Et judicantem vidimus iEacum,
Sedesque discretas piorum, et
iEoliis fidibus querentem
Sappho puellis de popularibus, 26
Et te sonantem plenius aureo,
Alcaee, plectro dura navis,
Dura fugae mala, dura belli !
Utrumque sacro digna silentio
Mirantur Umbrae dicere ; sed magis 30
Pugnas et exactos tyrannos
Densum humeris bibit aure vulgus.
Quid mirum ? ubi illis carminibus stupens
Demittit atras bellua centiceps
Aures, et intorti capillis 35
Eumenidum recreantur angues ?
Quin et Prometheus et Pelopis parens
Dulci laborum decipitur sono :
Nee curat Orion leones
Aut timidos agitare lyncas. 4C
Carmen XIV.
AD POSTUMUM.
Eheu ! fugaces, Postume, Postume,
Labuntur anni ; nee pietas moram
Rugis et instanti senectae
Afferet, indomitaeque morti :
44 Q. HORATII FLACCI [14, 15.
Non, si trecenis, quotquot emit dies, 5
Amice, places illacrimabilem
Plutona tauris : qui ter amplum
Geryonen Tityonque tristi
Compescit unda, scilicet omnibus,
Quicunque terra? munere vescimur, 10
Enaviganda, sive reges
Sive inopes erimus coloni.
Frustra cruento Marte carebimus,
Fractisque rauci fluctibus Hadriae ;
Frustra per auctumnos nocentem 15
Corporibus metuemus Austrum :
Visendus ater flumine languido
Cocytos errans, et Danai genus
Infame, damnatusque longi
Sisyphus iEolides laboris. 20
Linquenda tellus, et domus, et placens
Uxor ; neque harum, quas colis, arborum
Te, praeter invisas cupressos,
Ulla brevem dominum sequetur.
Absumet hseres Ca3cuba dignior 25
Servata centum clavibus, et mero
Tinget pavimentum superbis
Pontincum potiore ccenis.
Caubeen XV.
IN SUI S^ECULI LUXUEJAM.
Jam pauca aratro jugera regiae
Moles relinquent : undique latius
Extenta visentur Lucrino
Stagna lacu : platanusque caelebs
15, 16. J CARMINUM. LIBER II. 45
Evincet ulmos : turn violaria, et 5
Myrtus, et omnis copia narium,
Spargent olivetis odorem
Fertilibus domino priori :
Turn spissa ramis laurea fervidos
Excludct ictus. Non ita Romuli 1U
Praescriptum et intonsi Catonis
Auspiciis, veterumque norma.
Privatus illis census erat brevis,
Commune magnum : nulla decempedis
Metata privatis opacam 15
Porticus excipiebat Arcton ;
Nee fortuitum spernere cespitem
Leges sinebant, oppida publico
Sumtu jubentes et deorum
Templa novo decorare saxo. 20
Carmen XVI.
AD GROSPHUM.
Otium divos rogat impotenti
Pressus iEgseo, simul atra nubes
Condidit Lunam, neque certa fulgent
Sidera nautis :
Otium bello furiosa Thrace, «5
Otium Medi pharctra decori,
Grosphe, non gemmis neque purpura ve-
nale neque auro.
Non enim gazse neque consularis
Summovet lictor miseros tumultus 10
Mentis, ct curas laqueata circum
Tccta volantes.
46 a. HORATII FLACCI [16.
Vivitur parvo bene, cui paternum
Splendet in mensa tenui salinum,
Nee leves somnos timor aut cupido 15
Sordidus aufert.
Quid brevi fortes jaculamur aevo
Multa ? quid terras alio calentes
Sole mutamus ? Patriae quis exsul
Se quoque fugit ? 20
Scandit aeratas vitiosa naves
Cura, nee turmas equitum relinquit,
Ocior cervis, et agente nimbos
Ocior Euro.
Laetus in praesens animus, quod ultra est, 25
Oderit curare, et amara lento
Temperet risu. Nihil est ab omni
Parte beatura.
Abstulit clarum cita mors Achillem,
Longa Tithonum minuit senectus ; 30
Et mihi forsan, tibi quod negarit,
Porriget hora.
Te greges centum Siculaeque circum
Mugiunt vaccae ; tibi tollit hinnitum
Apta quadrigis equa ; te bis Afro 35
Murice tinctae
Vestiunt lanae : mihi parva rura, et
Spiritum Graiae tenuem Camenae
Parca non mendax dedit, et malignum
Spernere vulgus. 40
17. "J CARMIXUM. LIBER II. 4^
Carmen XVII.
AD IVLECENATEM.
Cur me querelis exanimas tuis ?
Nee Dis amicum est, nee mihi, te prius
Obire, Maecenas, mearum
Grande decus columenque rerum.
Ah ! te mea3 si partem animae rapit 5
Maturior vis, quid moror altera,
Nee cams aeque, nee superstes
Integer ? Ille dies utramque
Ducet rninam. Non ego perfidum
Dixi sacramentum : ibimus, ibimus, 10
Utcunque praecedes, supremum
Carpere iter comites parati.
Me nee Chimserae spiritus igneae,
Nee, si resurgat, centimanus Gyas
Divellet unquam : sic potenti 15
Justitiae placitumque Parcis.
Seu Libra, seu me Scorpios adspicit
Formidolosus, pars violentior
Natalis horae, seu tyrannus
Hesperiae Capricornus undae, 20
Utrumque nostrum incredibili modo
Consentit astrum. Te Jovis impio
Tutela Saturno refulgens
Eripuit, volucrisque Fati
Tardavit alas, quum populus frequens 25
Latum theatris ter crepuit sonum-:
48 Q. HORATII FLACCI [17, 18.
Me truncus illapsus cerebro
Sustulerat, nisi Faunus ictum
Dextra levasset, Mercurialium
Custos virorum. Iteddere victiraas 30
iEdemque votivam memento :
Nos humilem feriemus agnam.
Carmen XVIII.
Non ebur neque aureum
Mea renidet in domo lacunar ;
Non trabes Hymettise
Premunt columnas, ultima recisas
Africa ; neque Attali 6
Ignotus haeres regiam occupavi ;
Nee Laconicas mihi
Trahunt honesta3 purpuras client».
At fides et ingeni
Benigna vena est ; pauperemque dives *0
Me petit : nihil supra
Deos lacesso ; nee potentem amicum
Largiora flagito,
Satis beatus unicis Sabinis.
Truditur dies die, 15
Nova^que pergunt interire Luna? :
Tu secanda marmora
Locas sub ipsum funus ; et, sepulcri
Immemor, struis domos ;
Marisque Baiis obstrepentis urges 20
Summovere litora,
Parum locuples continente ripa.
Quid ? quod usque proximos
Revellis agri terminos, et ultra
Limites client] um 25
Salis avarus ; pellitur paternos
18, 19.] CARMINUM. LIBER II.
In sinu ferens Deos
Et uxor, et vir, sordidosque natos.
Nulla certior tamen,
Rapacis Orci fine destinata 30
Aula divitem manet
Herum. Quid ultra tendis ? iEqua tellus
Pauperi recluditur
Regumque pueris : nee satelles Orci
Callidum Promethea 35
Revexit auro captus. Hie superbum
Tantalum, atque Tantali
Genus coercet ; hie levare functum
Pauperem laboribus
Vocatus atque non moratus audit. 40
Carmen XIX.
IN BACCHUM.
Bacchum in remotis carmina rupibus
Vidi docentem (credite posteri !)
Nymphasque discentes, et aures
Capripedum Satyrorum acutas.
Euoe ! recenti mens trepidat metu, 6
Plenoque Bacchi pectore turbidum
Laetatur ! Euce ! parce, Liber !
Parce, gravi metuende thyrso !
Fas pervicaces est mihi Thyiadas,
Vinique fontem, lactis et uberes 10
Cantare rivos, atque truncis
Lapsa cavis iterare mella.
Fas et beatae conjugis additum
Stellis honorem, tectaque Penthei
C
50 Q. HORATII FLACCI [19,20.
Disjecta non leni ruina, 15
Thracis et exitium Lycurgi.
Tu llectis amnes, tu mare barbarum '
Tu separatis uvidus in jugis
Nodo coerces viperino
Bistonidum sine fraude crines. 20
Tu, quum parentis regna per arduum
Conors Gigantum scanderet impia.
Rhoatum retorsisti leonis
Unguibus horribilique mala :
Quamquam, choreis aptior et jocis 25
Liudoque dictus, non sat idoneus
Pugnse ferebaris ; sed idem
Pacis eras mediusque belli.
Te vidit insons Cerberus aureo.
Cornu decorum, leniter atterens 30
Caudam, et recedentis trilingui
Ore pedes tetigitque crura.
Carmen XX.
AD 3VLECENATEM.
Non usitata, non tenui ferar
Penna biformis per liquidum sethera
Vates : neque in terris morabor
Liongius ; invidiaque major
Urbes relinquam. Non ego pauperum
Sanguis parentum, non ego, quern vocas
Dilecte, Maecenas, obibo.
Nee Stygia cohibebor unda.
20 I CARMINUM. LIBER II. 51
Jam jam residunt cruribus asperse
Pelles ; et album mutor in alitem 10
Superna ; nascunturque leves
Per digitos humerosque pluma..
Jam Daedaleo notior Icaro
Visam gementis litora Bospori,
Syrtesque Gaetulas canorus 15
Ales Hyperboreosque campos.
Me Colchus, et, qui dissimulat metura
Marsae cohortis, Dacus, et ultimi
Noscent Geloni : me peritus
Discet Iber, Pwhodanique potor. 20
Absint inani funere naeniae,
Luctusque turpes et querimoniffl .
Compesce clamorem, ac sepuicn
Mitte Eupervacuos honores. \
Q. HORATII FLACCI
CARMINUM
LIBER TERTIUS.
Carmen I.
Odi profanum vulgus et arceo :
Favete linguis : carraina non prius
Audita Musarura sacerdos
Virginibus puerisque canto.
ftegum timendorum in proprios greges, 6
Reges in ipsos imperium est Jovis,
Clari Giganteo triumpho,
Cuncta supercilio moventis.
Est ut viro vir latius ordinet
Arbusta sulcis ; hie generosior 10
Descendat in Campum petitor ;
Moribus hie meliorque fama
Contendat ; illi turba clientium
Sit major : sequa lege Necessitas
Sortitur insignes et imos ; 15
Omne capax mo vet urna nomen.
Destrictus ensis cui super impia
Cervice pendet, non Siculae dapes
Dulcem elaborabunt saporem,
Non avium citharseve cantus 20
1 ] a. HORATII FLACCI CARMINUM. LIBER III. 53
Somnum reducent. Somnus agrestium
Lenis virorum non humiles domos
Fastidit, umbrosamve ripara,
Non Zephyris agitata Tempe.
Desiderantem quod satis est neque 25
Turaultuosum sollicitat mare,
Nee ssevus Arcturi cadentis
Impetus, aut orientis Haedi ;
Non verberatae grandine vineae,
Fundusve mendax, arbore nunc aquas 30
Culpante, nunc torrentia agros
Sidera nunc hiemes iniquas.
Contracta pisces aequora sentiunt
Jactis in altum molibus : hue frequens
Caementa demittit redemtor 35
Cum famulis, dominusque terrae
Fastidiosus : sed Timor et Minee
Scandunt eodem, quo dominus ; neque
Decedit aerata triremi, et
Post equitem sedet atra Cura. 40
Quod si dolentem nee Phrygius lapis,
Nee purpurarum sidere clarior j
Delenit usus, nee Falerna
Vitis, Achaemeniumve costum ;
Cur invidendis postibus et novo 45
Sublime ritu moliar atrium ?
Cur valle permutem Sabina
Divitias operosiores 1
&4 Q. HORATII FLACCI \2.
Carmen II.
Angnstam amice pauperiem pati
Robustus acri militia puer
Condiscat ; et Partlios feroces
Vexet eques metuendus hasta :
Vitamque sub divo trepidis agat 5
In rebus. Ilium et moenibus hosticis
Matrona bellantis tyranni
Prospiciens et adulta virgo
Suspiret : Eheu ! ne rudis agminum
Sponsus lacessat regius asperum 1.0
Tactu leonem, quern cruenta
Per medias rapit ira caede3.
Dulce et decorum est pro patria mon :
Mors et fugacem persequitur virum,
Nee parcit imbellis juventae 15
Poplitibus timidoque tergo.
Virtus, repulsse nescia sordidaB,
Intaminatis fulget honoribus :
Nee sumit aut ponit secures
Arbitrio popularis aurae. 20
Virtus, recludens immeritis mori
Co3lum, negata tentat iter via :
Ccetusque vulgares et udam
Spernit humum fugiente penna.
Est et fideli tuta silentio 25
Merces : vetabo, qui Cereris sacrum
Vulgarit arcana^, sub isdem
Sit trabibus, fragilemve mecum
2, 3.1 CARMINUM. LIBEK III. 55
Solvat phaselon. Ssepe Diespiter
Neglectus incesto addidit integrum : 30
Raro antecedentem scelestum
Desernit pede Poena claudo. J
Carmen III.
Justum ac tenacem propositi virum
Non civium ardor prava jubentium,
Non vultus instantis tyranni
Mente quatit solida, neque Auster,
Dux inquieti turbidus Hadriae, 5
Nee fulminantis magna manus Jovis :
Si fractus illabatur orbis,
Impavidum ferient ruinae.
Hac arte Pollux et vagus Hercules
Enisus arces attigit igneas : 10
Quos mter Augustus recumbens
Purpureo bibit ore nectar.
Hac te merentem, Bacche pater, tuae
Vexere tigres, indocili jugum
Collo trahentes ; hac Quirinus 15
Martis equis Acheronta fugit,
Gratum elocuta consiliantibus
Junone divis : Ilion, Ilion
Fataiis incestusque judex
Et mulier peregrina vertit 20
In puiverem, ex quo destituit deos
Mercede pacta Laomedon, mihi
Castasque damnatum ]VIinervaB
Cum populo et duce fraudulento.
56 Q. HORATII FLAC\:i f3.
Jam nee LacaBiiee splendet adulter» 25
Famosus hospes, nee Priami domus
Perjura pugnaces Achivos
Hectoreis opibus refringit,
Nostrisque ductum seditionibus
Bellum resedit. Protinus et graves 30
Iras, et invisum nepotem,
Troi'a quern peperit sacerdos,
Marti redonabo. Ilium ego lucidas
Inire sedes, discere nectaris
Succos, et adscribi quietis 35
Ordinibus patiar deorum.
Dum longus inter saeviat Ilion
Romamque pontus, qualibet exsules
In parte regnanto beati :
Dum Priami Paridisque busto 40
Insultet armentum, et catulos ferae
Celent inultse, stet Capitolium
Fulgens, triumph atisque possit
Roma ferox dare jura Medis.
Horrenda late nomen in ultimas 45
Extendat oras, qua medius liquor
Secernit Europen ab Afro,
Qua tumidus rigat arva Nilus •
Aurum irrepertum, et sic melius situm
Quum terra celat, spernere fortior, 50
Quam cogere humanos in usus
Omne sacrum rapiente dextra.
3, 4.] CARMINUM. LIBER III. 57
Quicunque raundo terminus obstitit,
Hunc tangat armis, visere gestiens,
Qua parte debacchantur ignes, 55
Qua nebulae pluviique rores.
Sed bellicosis fata Quiritibus
Hac lege dico ; ne nimium pii
Rebusque fidentes avitae
Tecta velint reparare TroJ33. 60
Trojae renascens alite lugubri
Fortuna tristi clade iterabitur,
Ducente victrices catervas
Conjuge me Jovis et sorore.
Ter si resurgat murus aeneus 65
Auctore Phoebo, ter pereat meis
Excisus Argivis ; ter uxor
Capta virum puerosque ploret.
Non haec jocosaa conveniunt lyrae :
Quo Musa tendis ? Desine pervicax 70
Referre sermones deorum, et
Magna modis tenuare parvis.
Carmen IV.
AD CALLIOPEN.
Descende ccelo, et die age tibia,
Regina, longum, Calliope, melos,
Seu voce nunc mavis acuta,
Seu fidibus citharaque Phcebi.
Auditis ? an me ludit amabilis
Insania ? Audire et videor pios
C2
58 a. HORATII FLACCI [4
Errare per lucos, amcenae
Quos et aquse subeunt et aurse.
Me fabulosse, Vulture in Apulo
Altricis extra lirnen Apulise, 10
Ludo fatigatumque somno
Fronde nova puerum palumbes
Texere : mirum quod foret omnibus,
Quicunque celsae nidum Acherontiaa,
Saltusque Bantinos, et arvum lb
Pingue tenent humilis Forenti ;
Ut tuto ab atris corpore viperis
Dormirem et ursis ; ut premerer saera
Lauroque collataque myrto,
Non sine Dis animosus infans. 20
Vester, Camenae, vester in arduos
Tollor Sabinos ; seu mihi frigidum
Praeneste, seu Tibur supinum,
Seu liquid» placuere Baiae.
Vestris araicum fontibus et choris 25
Non me Philippis versa acies retro,
Devota non exstinxit arbor,
Nee Sicula Palinurus unda.
Utcunque mecum vos eritis, libens
Insanientem, navita, Bosporum 30
Tentabo, et urentes arenas
Litoris Assyrii viator.
Visam Britannos hospitibus feros,
Et lsetum equino sanguine Concanv^
4.] CARM1NUM. LIBER III. 59
Visam pharetratos Gelonos 35
Et Scythicum iiiviolatus aranem.
Vos Csesarem altum, militia simul
Fessas cohortes addidit oppidis,
Finire quserentem labores,
Pierio recreatis antro : 40
Vos lene consilium et datis, et dato
Gaudetis almse. Scimus, ut impios
Titanas immanemque turmam
Fulmine sustulerit corusco,
Qui terram inertem, qui mare temperat 45
Ventosum ; et umbras regnaque tristia,
Divosque, mortalesque turbas
Imperio regit unus aequo.
Magnum ilia terrorem intulerat Jovi
Fidens, juventus horrida, brachiis, 50
Fratresque tendentes opaco
Pelion imposuisse Olympo.
Sed quid Typhoeus et validus Mimas,
Aut quid minaci Porphyrion statu,
Quid Rhoetus, evulsisque truncis 55
Enceladus jaculator audax,
Contra sonantem Palladis aegida
Possent ruentes ? Hinc avidus stetit
Vulcanus, hinc matrona Juno, et
Nunquam humeris positurus arcum, 60
Qui rore puro Castalise lavit
Crines solutos, qui Lyciae tenet
60 a. HORATII FLACCI [4, 5.
Dumeta natalemque silvam,
Delius et Patareus Apollo.
Vis consili expers mole ruit sua ; 66
Vim temperatam Di quoque provehunt
In majus ; idem odere vires
Omne nefas animo moventes.
Testis mearum centimanus Gyas
Sententiarum, notus et integrse 70
Tentator Orion Dianas
Virginea domitus sagitta.
Injecta monstris Terra dolet suis,
Mceretque partus fulmine luridum
Missos ad Orcum : nee peredit 75
Impositam celer ignis ^Etnen ;
Incontinentis nee Tityi jecur
Relinquit ales, nequitisB additus
Custos : amatorem et trecentse
Pirithoum cohibent catenae. 80
Carmen V.
Ccelo tonantem credidimus Jovem
Regnare : praesens divus habebitur
Augustus, adjectis Britannis
Imperio gravibusque Persis.
Milesne Crassi conjuge barbara
Turpis maritus vixit ? et hostium —
Proh Curia, inversique mores ! —
Consenuit socerorum in arvis,
5.] CARMINUM. LIBER III. 61
Sub rege Medo, Marsus et Apulus !
Anciliorura et nominis et togse 10
Oblitus aeternseque Vestae,
Incolumi Jove et urbe Roma ?
Hoc caverat mens provida Reguli,
Dissentientis conditionibus
Fo3dis, et exemplo trahenti 15
Perniciem veniens in sevum,
Si non perirent iramiserabilis
Captiva pubes. " Signa ego Punicis
Affixa delubris, et arma
Militibus sine csede," dixit, 20
" Derepta vidi : vidi ego civium
Retorta tergo brachia libero,
Portasque non clausas, et arva
Marte coli populata nostro.
Auro repensus scilicet acrior 25
Miles redibit ! Flagitio additis
Damnum. Neque amissos colores
Lana refert medicata fuco,
Nee vera virtus, quum semel excidit,
Curat reponi deterioribus. 30
Si pugnet extricata densis
Cerva plagis, erit ille fortis,
Qui perfidis se credidit hostibus ;
Et Marte Pcenos proteret altero,
Qui lora restrictis lacertis 35
Sensit iners, timuitque mortem
Q. HORATII FLACC1 [5,6.
Hinc, imde vitam suraeret aptius :
Pacem et duello miscuit. O pudor !
O magna Carthago, probrosis
Altior Italiae minis !" — 40
Fertur pudicae conjugis osculum,
Parvosque natos, ut capitis minor,
Ab se removisse, et virilem
Torvus humi posuisse vultum ;
Donee labantes consilio Patres 45
JFirmaret auctor nunquam alias dato,
Interque mo3rentes amicos
Egregius properaret exsul.
Atqui sciebat, quae sibi barbarus
Tortor pararet ; non aliter tamen 50
Dimovit obstantes propinquos,
Et populum reditus morantem,
Quam si clientum longa negotia
Dijudicata lite relinqueret,
Tendens Venafranos in agros, 56
Aut Lacedaemonium Tarentum.
Carmen VI.
AD ROMANOS.
Delicta majorum immeritus lues,
Romane, donee templa refeceris,
^Edesque labentes deorum, et
Fceda nigro simulacra fumo.
Dis te minorem quod geris, imperas :
Hinc omne principium, hue refer exitum.
6.] CABMINUM. LIBER III. S3
Di multa neglecti dederunt
Hesperic© mala luctuosae.
Jam bis Monaeses et Pacori manus
Non auspicatos contudit impetus 10
Nostros, et adjecisse praedam
Torquibus exiguis renidet.
Paene occupatam seditionibus
Delevit Urbem Dacus et iEthiops ;
Hie classe formidatus, ille 15
Missilibus melior sagittis.
Fecunda culpae saecula nuptias
Primum inquinavere, et genus, et domos ;
Hoc fonte derivata clades
In patriam populumque iluxit. 20
Non his juventus orta parentibus
Infecit aequor sanguine Punico,
Pyrrhumque et ingentem cecidit
Antiochum, Hannibalemque dirum ;
Sed rusticorum mascula militum 25
Proles, Sabellis docta ligonibus
Versare glebas, et severae
Matris ad arbitrium recisos
Portare fustes, sol ubi montium
Mutaret umbras, et juga demeret 30
Bobus fatigatis, amicum
Tempus agens abeunte curru-
Damnosa quid non imminuit dies !
^ltas parentum, pejor avis, tulit
64 a. HORATII FLACCI [6, 8.
Nos nequiores, mox daturos 35
Progeniem vitiosiorem.
.
Carmen VIII.
AD MiECENATEM.
Martiis caelebs quid agam Kalendis,
Quid velint flores et acerra thuris
Plena, miraris, positusque carbo
Cespite vivo,
Docte sermones utriusque linguaB ? 5
Voveram dulces epulas et album
Libero caprum, prope funeratus
Arboris ictu.
Hie dies anno redeunte festus
Corticem adstrictum pice demovebit 10
Amphorae fumum bibere institute
Consule Tullo.
Sume, Maecenas, cyathos amici
Sospitis centum, et vigiles lucernas
Perfer in lucem : procul omnis esto 15
Clamor et ira.
Mitte civiles super Urbe curas :
Occidit Daci Cotisonis agmen :
Medus infestus sibi luctuosis
Dissidet armis : 20
Servit Hispanae vetus hostis orae,
Cantaber, sera domitus catena :
Jam Scythae laxo meditantur arcu
Cedere campis.
8, 9.] CARMINUM. LIBER III. 65
Negligens, ne qua populus laboret 25
Parte, privatim nimium cavere,
Dona praesentis cape lsetus horse, et
Linque sever a.
Carmen IX.
CARMEN AMGEB^EUM.
HORATIUS.
Donee gratus eram tibi,
Nee quisquam potior brachia candid»
Cervici juvenis dabat,
Persarum vigui rege beatior.
Lydia.
Donee non aliam magis 6
Arsisti, neque erat Lydia post Chloen,
Multi Lydia nominis
Romana vigui clarior Ilia.
Horatius.
Me nunc Thressa Chloe regit,
Dulces docta modos, et citharae sciens : 0
Pro qua non metuam rnori,
Si parcent animae fata superstiti.
Lydia.
Me torret face mutua
Thurini Calais filius Ornyti :
Pro quo bis patiar mori, 15
Si parcent puero fata superstiti.
Horatius.
Quid ? si prisca redit Venus,
Diductosque jugo cogit aeneo ?
66 a. HORATII FLACCI [9, 11.
Si flava excutitur Chloe,
Itejectseque patet janua Lydise ? 20
Lydia.
Quamquam sidere pulchrior
Ille est, tu levior cortice, et improbo
Iracundior Hadria ;
Tecum vivere amem, tecum obeam libens.
Carmen XI.
AD LYDEN.
Mercuri, nam te docilis magistro
Movit Amphion lapides canendo,
Tuque, testudo, resonare septem
Callida nervis,
Nee loquax olim neque grata, nunc et 5
Divitum mensis et arnica templis,
Die modos, Lyde quibus obstinatas
Applicet aures.
Tu potes tigres comitesque silvas
Ducere, et rivos celeres morari ; 1 0
Cessit immanis tibi blandienti
Janitor aulae,
Cerberus, quamvis furiale centum
Muniant angues caput, aestuetque
Spirit us teter, saniesque manet 1 5
Ore trilingui.
Quin et Ixion Tityosque vultu
Risit invito : stetit urna paulum
Sicca, dum grato Danai puellas
Carmine mulces.
11 I CARMINUM. LIBER III. C*
Audiat Lyde scelus atque notas
Virginum poenas, et inane lymphae
Dolium fundo pereuntis imo,
Seraque fata,
Quae rnanent culpas etiam sub Oreo. 25
Impiae, nam quid potuere majus ?
Impiae sponsos potuere duro
Perdere ferro.
Una de multis, face nuptiali
Digna, perjurura fuit in parentem 30
Splendide mendax, et in omne virgo
Nobilis aevum ;
11 Surge," qu33 dixit juveni marito,
" Surge, ne longus tibi somnus, unde
Non times, detur : socerum et scelestas 35
Falle sorores ;
Quae, velut nactae vitulos leaenae,
Singulos, ebeu ! lacerant. Ego, illis
Mollior, nee te feriam, neque intra
Claustra tenebo. 40
Me pater saevis oneret catenis,
Quod viro clemens misero peperci ;
Me vel extremos Numidarum in agros
Classe releget.
I, pedes quo te rapiunt et aurae, 45
Dum favet nox et Venus : I secundo
Online ; et nostri memorem sepulcro
Scalpe querelam."
08 Q. HORATII FLACCT [12, 13.
Carmen XII.
AD NEOBULEN.
Miserarum est, neque Amori dare ludum, neque dulci
Mala vino lavere : aut exanimari metuentes
Patruse verbera linguae. Tibi qualum Cy there»
Puer ales, tibi telas, operosaeque Minervae
Studium aufert, Neobule, Liparei nitor Hebri, 5
Simul unctos Tiberinis huraeros lavit in undis,
Eques ipso melior Bellerophonte, neque pugno
Neque segni pede victus : catus idem per apertum
Fugientes agitato grege cervos jaculari, et
Celer alto latitantem fruticeto excipere aprura. 10
Carmen XIII.
AD FONTEM BANDUSIUM.
O fons Bandusiae, splendidior vitro,
Dulci digne mero, non sine floribus,
Cras donaberis haedo,
Cui frons turgida cornibus
Primis, et Venerem et praelia destinat : 6
Frustra : nam gelidos inficiet tibi
Rubro sanguine rivos
Lascivi suboles gregis.
Te flagrantis atrox hora CaniculaB
Nescit tangere : tu frigus amabile
Fessis vomere tauris V&
Prasbes, et pecori vago.
Fies nobilium tu quoque fontiura,
Me dicente cavis impositam ilicem
Saxis, unde loquaces 15
Lymphae desiliunt tu33.
J 4 j> CARMINUM. LIBER III. 60
Carmen XIV.
AD ROMANO S.
Herculis ritu modo dictus, O Plebs !
Morte venalem petiisse laurum,
Caesar Hispana repetit Penates
Victor ab ora.
Unico gaudens mulier marito 6
Prodeat, justis operata divis ;
Et soror clari ducis, et decora?
Supplice vitta
Virginum matres, juvenumque nuper
Sospitum. Vos, O pueri, et puellaB 10
Jam vinim expertes, male nominatis
Parcite verbis.
Hie dies vere mihi festus atras
Eximet curas : ego nee tumultum,
Nee mori per vim metuam, tenente 15
Caesare terras.
I, pete unguentum, puer, et coronas,
Et cadum Marsi memorem duelli,
Spartacum si qua potuit vagantem
Fallere testa. 20
Die et argutae properet Neaerse
Myrrheum nodo cohibere crinem :
6i per in visum mora janitorem
Fiet, abito.
Lenit albescens animos capillus 26
Litium et rixae cupidos protervaa :
70 a. HORATII FLACCI [14, j6
Non ego hoc ferrem, calidus juventa,
Consule Planco.
Carmen XVI.
AD IVLECENATEM.
Inclusam Danaen turris aenea,
Robustaeque fores, et vigilum canum
Tristes excubiae munierant satis
Nocturnis ab adulteris,
Si non Acrisium, virginis abditae 5
Custodem pavidum, Jupiter et Venus
Risissent : fore enim tutum iter et patens
Converso in pretium deo.
Aurum per medios ire satellites,
Et perrumpere amat saxa potentius 10
Ictu fulmineo ! Concidit auguris
Argivi domus, ob lucrum
Demersa exitio. Diffidit urbium
Portas vir Macedo, et submit semulos
Reges muneribus ; munera navium 16
Saevos illaqueant duces.
Crescentem sequitur cura pecuniam,
Majorumque fames. Jure perhorrui
Late conspicuum tollere verticem,
Maecenas, equitum decus ! 20
Quanto quisque sibi plura negaverit,
Ab Dis plura feret. Nil cupientium
Nudus castra peto, et transfuga divitum
Partes linquere gestio ;
*!
16, 17.J CARMINUM. LIBER III. 7l
Contemtae dominus splendidior rei, 20
Quara si, quidquid arat impiger Apulus,
Occultare meis dicerer horreis,
Magnas inter opes inops.
Purae rivus aquae, silvaque jugerum
Paucorum, et segetis certa fides meae, 30
Fulgentem imperio fertilis Africae
Fallit. Sorte beatior,
Quamquam nee Calabrae mella ferunt apes,
Nee Laestrygonia Bacchus in amphora
Languescit mihi, nee pinguia Gallicis 35
Crescunt vellera pascuis,
Importuna tamen pauperies abest ;
Nee, si plura velim, tu dare deneges.
Contracto melius parva cupidine
Vectigaha porrigam, 40
Quam si Mygdoniis regnum Alyattei
Campis continuem. Multa petentibus
Desunt multa. Bene est, cui Deus obtulit
Parca, quod satis est, manu.
Carmen XVII.
AD HELIUM LAMIAM.
iEli, vetusto nobilis ab Lamo,
[Quando et priores hinc Lamias ferunt
Denominatos, et nepotum
Per memores genus omne fastos
Auctore ab illo ducit originem,] 6
Qui Formiarum moenia dicitur
72 a. HORATII FLACCI [17,18
Princeps et innantem Maricae
Litoribus tenuisse Lirim,
Late tyrannus : eras foliis nemus
Multis et alga litus inutili 1 3
Demissa tempestas ab Euro
Sternet, aquae nisi fallit augur
Annosa comix. Dum potis, ariduni
Compone lignum : eras Genium mero
Curabis et porco bimestri, 15
Cum famulis operum solutis.
Carmen XVIII.
AD FAUNUM.
Faune, Nympharum fugientum amatoi,
Per meos fines et aprica rura
Lenis incedas, abeasque parvis
iEquus alumnis,
Si tener pleno cadit haedus anno, 5
Larga nee desunt Veneris sodali
Vina craterae, vetus ara multo
Fumat odore.
Ludit herboso pecus omne campo,
Quum tibi Nonae redeunt Decembres ; 1 0
Festus in pratis vacat otioso
Cum bove pagus :
Inter audaces lupus errat agnos ;
Spargit agrestes tibi silva frondes ;
Gaudet invisam pepulisse fossor 15
Ter pede terram.
19.1 CARMINUM. LIBER TIF /3
Carmen XIX. I
AD TELEPHUM.
Quantum distet ab Inacho
Codrus, pro patria non tiniidus moii.
Narras, et genus iEaci,
Et pugnata sacro bella sub Ilio :
Quo Chium pretio cadum b
Mercemur, quis aquam temperet ignijus,
Quo praebente domum et quota
Pelignis caream frigoribus, taces.
Da Lunas propere novae,
Da Noctis mediae, da, puer, auguris 10
Murenae : tribus aut novem
Miscentor cyathis pocula commodis.
Qui Musas amat impares,
Ternos ter cyathos attonitus petet
Vates : tres prohibet supra 15
Rixarum metuens tangere Gratia,
Nudis juncta sororibus.
Insanire juvat : cur Berecyntiae
Cessant flamina tibiae ?
Cur pendet tacita fistula cum lyra ? 20
Parcentes ego dexteras
Odi : sparge rosas ; audiat inyidua
Dementem strepitum Lycus
Et vicina seni non habilis Lyco.
Spissa te nitidum coma, 25
Puro te similem, Telephe, Vesper o,
Tempestiva petit Rhode :
Me lentus Glycerae torret amor meae.
i
I
74 ft. HORATII FLACCI [21
Carmen XXI.
AD AMPHORAM.
O nata mecum consule Manlio,
Seu tu querelas, sive geris jocos,
Seu rixam et insanos amores,
Seu facilem pia, Testa, somnum ;
Quocunque laetum nomine Massicum 6
Servas, moveri digna bono die,
Descende, Corvino jubente
Promere languidiora vina.
Non ille, quamquam Socraticis madet
Sermonibus, te negliget horridus : 10
Narratur et prisci Catonis
Sa^pe mero caluisse virtus.
Tu lene tormentum ingenio admoves
Plerumque duro : tu sapientium
Curas et arcanum jocoso (5
Consilium retegis Lyseo :
Tu spem reducis mentibus anxiis
Viresque : et addis cornua pauperi,
Post te neque iratos trementi
Regum apices, neque militum arma. 20
Te Liber, et, si lffita aderit, Venus,
Segnesque nodum solvere Gratiae,
Vivseque producent lucernse,
Dum rediens fugat astra Phoebua.
*i
23,24.] CARMINUM. LIBER III. 75
Carmen XXIII.
AD PHIDYLEN.
CgbIo supinas si tuleris maims
Nascente Luna, rustica Phidyle,
Si thure placaris et horna
Fruge Lares, avidaque porca :
Nee pestilentern sentiet Africum 6
Fecunda vitis, nee sterilem seges
Ttobiginem, aut dulces alumni
Pomifero grave tempus anno.
Nam, quas nivali pascitur Algido
Devota quercus inter et ilices, 10
Aut crescit Albanis in herbis,
Victima, pontificum securim
Cervice tinget. Te nihil attinet
Tentare multa caede bidentium
Parvos coronantem marino 15
Rore deos fragilique myrto.
Immunis aram si tetigit manus,
Non sumtuosa blandior hostia
Mollivit aversos Penates
Farre pio et saliente mica. 2d
Carmen XXIV.
Intactis opulentior
Thesauris Arabum et divitis Indiae,
Caementis licet occupes
Tyrrhenum omne tuis et mare Apulicum,
76 a. HORATII FLACCI [24.
Si figit adamantinos 5
Summis verticibus dira Necessitas
Clavos, non animum metu,
Non mortis laqueis expedies caput
Campestres melius Scythae,
Quorum plaustra vagas rite trahunt domos, 10
Vivunt, et rigidi Getse,
Immetata quibus jugera liberas
Fruges et Cererem ferunt,
Nee cultura placet longior annua ;
Defunctumque laboribus 15
iEquali recreat sorte vicarius.
Illic matre carentibus
Privignis mulier temperat innocens :
Nee dotata regit virum
Conjux, nee nitido fidit adultero. 20
Dos est magna parentium
Virtus, et metuens alterius viri
Certo foedere castitas,
Et peccare nefas, aut pretium emori.
O quis, quis volet impias 25
Caedes et rabiem tollere civicam ?
Si quasret Pater Urbium
Subscribi statuis, indomitam audeat
Rcfrenare licentiam,
Clarus postgenitis : quatenus, heu nefas ! 30
Virtutem incolumem odimus,
Sublatam ex oculis quaerimus invidi.
Quid tristes querimoniae,
Si non supplicio culpa reciditur ?
Quid leges, sine moribus 35
Vanae, proficiunt, si neque fervidis
Pars inclusa caloribus
Mundi, nee Borese finitimum latus,
Durataeque solo nives,
Mercatorem abigunt ? horrida callidi 40
I
24, 25.] CARMINUM. TJBER HI. 77
Vincunt aequora navitae ?
Magnum pauperies opprobrium jubet
Quidvis et facere et pati,
Virtutisque viam deserit arduas ?
Vel nos in Capitolium, 45
Quo clamor vocat et turba faventium,
Vel nos in mare proximum
Gemraas, et lapides, aurum et inutile,
Summi materiem mali,
Mittamus, scelerum si bene pcenitet. 50
Eradenda cupidinis
Pravi sunt elementa ; et tenerse nimis
Mentes asperioribus
Firmandae studiis. Neseit equo rudis
Haerere ingenuus puer, 55
Venarique timet ; ludere doctior,
Seu GrsBCo jubeas trocho,
Seu malis vetita legibus alea :
Quum perjura patris fides
Consortem socium fallat, et hospitem, 60
Indignoque pecuniam
Haeredi properet. Scilicet improbae
Crescunt divitiae : tamen
Curtae nescio quid semper abest rei.
;
Carmen XXV.
AD BACCHUM.
Quo me, Bacche, rapis tui
Plenum ? Quae nemora, quos agor in specue,
Velox mente nova ? Quibus
Antris egregii Caesaris audiar
Sternum meditans decus 5
Stellis inserere et consilio Jovis ?
76 Q. HORATII FLACCI
Dicam insigne, recens, adhuc
Indictura ore alio. Non secus in jugis
Exsomnis stupet Euias,
Hebrum prospiciens, et nive candidam
Thracen, ac pede barbaro
Lustratam Rhodopen. Ut mini devio
Ripas et vacuum nemus
Mirari libet ! O Nai'adum potens
Baccharumque valentium
Proceras manibus vertere fraxinos,
Nil parvum aut humili modo,
Nil mortale loquar. Dulce periculum,
O Lenase ! sequi deum
Cingentem viridi tempora pampino.
[25, 27.
10
15
20
Carmen XXVII.
AD GALATEAM.
Impios parrae recinentis omen
Ducat, et prsegnans canis, aut ab agro
Rava decurrens lupa Lanuvino,
Fetaque vulpes :
Rumpat et serpens iter institutum,
Si per obliquum similis sagittae
Terruit mannos. — Ego cui timebo,
Providus auspex,
Antequam stantes repetat paludes
Imbrium divina avis imminentum,
Oscinem corvum prece suscitabo
Solis ab ortu.
10
Sis licet felix, ubicunque mavis,
Et memor nostri, Galatea, vivas,
27. 1 CARM1NUM. LIBER III. 79
Teque nee laBvus vetet ire picus, 15
Nee vaga comix.
Sed vides, quanto trepidet tumultu
Pronus Orion. Ego, quid sit ater
Hadrise, novi, sinus, et quid albus
Peccet Iapyx. 20
Hostium uxores puerique caecos
Sentiant raotus orientis Austri, et
./Equoris nigri fremitum, et trementes
Verbere ripas.
Sic et Europe jiiveum doloso 26
Credidit tauro latus ; at scatentem
Belluis pontum mediasque fraudes
Palluit audax.
Nuper in pratis studiosa florum, et
Debitae Nymphis opifex coronae, 30
Nocte sublustri nihil astra praeter
Vidit et undas.
Qu33 simul centum tetigit potentem
Oppidis Creten, "Pater ! O relictura
Fikae nomen ! pietasque," dixit, 35
"Victa furore !
Unde ? quo veni ? Levis una mors est
Virginum culpae. Vigilansne ploro
Turpe commissum ? an vitio carentem
Ludit imago 40
Vana, quam e porta fugiens eburna
Somnium ducit ? Meliusne fluctus
A
8C (i. I10RATII FLACCI [27
Ire per longos fuit, an recentes
Carpere flores ?
Si quis infamem mihi nunc juvencum 4'
Dedat iratse, lacerare ferro et
Frangere enitar modo multum amati
Cornua monstri !
Impudens liqui patrios Penates :
Impudens Orcum moror. O Deorum 5*
Si quis haec audis, utinam inter errem
Nuda lcones !
Antequam turpis macies Recentes
Occupet malas, tenerseque succus
Defluat prsedse, speciosa qua?ro 55
Pascere tigres.
Vilis Europe, pater urget absens :
Quid mori cessas ? Potes hac ab orno
Pendulum zona bene te secuta
Lsedere collum. 60
Sive te rupes et acuta leto
Saxa delectant, age, te procella)
Crede veloci : nisi herile mavis
Carpere pensum,
(Regius sanguis !) dominaeque tradi 65
Barbara pellex." Aderat querenti
Perfidum ridens Venus, et remisso
Filius arcu.
Mox, ubi lusit satis, " Abstineto,"
Dixit, " irarum calidasque rixse, 70
27,28,29.] CARMINUM. LIBER III. 81
Quum tibi invisus laceranda reddet
Corrma taurus.
Uxor invicti Jovis esse nescis :
Mitte singultus ; bene ferre magnam
Disce fortunam : tua sectus orbis 75
Nomina ducet."
Carmen XXVIII.
AD LYDEN.
Festo quid potius die
Neptuni faciam ? Prome reconditunx
Lyde strenua, Csecubura,
Munitseque adhibe vim sapientise.
Inclinare meridiem 5
Sentis ; ac, veluti stet volucris dies,
Parcis deripere horreo
Cessantem Bibuli consulis amphoram ?
Nos cantabimus invicem
Neptunum, et virides Nereidum comas : 10
Tu curva recines lyra
Latonam, et celeris spicula Cynthias :
Summo carmine, qua? Cnidon
Fulgentesque tenet Cycladas, et Paphon
Junctis visit oloribus :
Dicetur merita Nox quoque nsenia.
Carmen XXIX.
AD M^ECENATEM.
Tyrrhena regum progenies, tibi
Non ante verso lene merum cado,
Cum flore, Maecenas, rosarum, et
Pressa tuis balanus capillis
D2
82 a. HORATII FLACCI [29.
Jam dudum apud me est. Eripe te mora? ; 5
Ut semper-udum Tibur, et ^Esulae
Declive contempleris arvum, et
Telegoni juga parricidse.
Fastidiosam desere copiara, et
Molem propinquam nubibus arduis ; 10
Omitte mirari beatae
Fumum et opes strepitumque Romae.
Plerumque gratae divitibus vices,
Mundaeque parvo sub lare pauperum
CcenaB, sine aulaeis et ostro, 15
Sollicitam explicuere frontem.
Jam clarus occultum Andromed33 pater
Ostendit ignem : jam Procyon furit,
Et stella vesani Leonis,
Sole dies referente siccos : 20
Jam pastor umbras cum grege languido
Rivumque fessus quaerit, et horridi
Dumeta Silvani ; caretque
Ripa vagis taciturna ventis.
Tu, civitatem quis deceat status, 25
Curas, et Urbi sollicitus times,
Quid Seres et regnata Cyro
Bactra parent Tanaisque discors.
Prudens futuri temporis exitum
Caliginosa nocte premit Deus,
Ridetque, si mortalis ultra
Fas trepidat. Quod adest memento
30
29.] CARMINUM. LIBER III. 83
Componere sequus : cetera fluminis
Ritu feruntur, nunc medio alveo
Cum pace delabentis Etruscum 36
In mare, nunc lapides adesos,
Stirpesque raptas, et pecus et domos
Volventis una, non sine montium
Clamore vicinseque silvse,
Quum fera diluvies quietos 40
Irritat amnes. Ille potens sui
Laetusque deget, cm licet in diem
Dixisse, " Vixi : eras vel atra
Nube polum Pater occupato,
Vel sole puro : non tamen irritum, 45
Quodcunque retro est, efficiet ; neque
Diffinget infectumque reddet,
Quod fugiens semel hora vexit."
Fortuna saevo lseta negotio, et
Ludum insolentem ludere pertinax, 60
Transmutat incertos honores,
Nunc mihi, nunc alii benigna.
Laudo manentem : si celeres quatit
Pennas, resigno quae dedit, et mea
Virtute me involvo, probamque 65
Pauperiem sine dote quaero.
Non est meum si mugiat Africis
Malus procellis, ad miseras preces
Decurrere ; et votis pacisci,
Ne Cyprise Tjnriasve merces 60
84 Q. HORATII FLACCI CARMINUM. LIBER III. [29, 30.
Addant avaro divitias mari.
Turn me, biremis prsesidio scaphai
Tutum, per iEgffios tumultus
Aura feret geminusque Pollux.
Carmen XXX.
Exegi monumentura sere perennius,
Regalique situ pyramidum altius ;
Quod non imber edax, non Aquilo impotens
Possit diruere, aut innumerabilis
Annorum series, et fuga temporum. 5
Non omnis moriar ! multaque pars mei
Vitabit Libitinam. Usque ego postera
Crescam laude recens, dum Capitolium
Scandet cum tacita Virgine pontifex.
Dicar, qua violens obstrepit Aufidus, 10
Et qua pauper aquse Daunus agrestium
Regnavit populorum, ex humili potens,
Princeps Solium carmen ad Italos
Deduxisse modos. Sume superbiam
Quaesitam meritis, et mihi Delphica 15
Lauro cinge volens, Melpomene, comam.
Q. HO RAT II F1ACCI
C A RM I NU M
LIBER QUARTUS.
Carmen II.
AD IULUM ANTONIUM.
Pindarum quisquis studet eemulari,
Iule, ceratis ope Dsedalea
Nititur pennis, vitreo daturus
Nomina ponto.
Monte decurrens velut amnis, imbres 6
Quem super notas aluere ripas,
Fervet immensusque ruit profundo
Pindarus ore ;
Laurea donandus Apollinari,
Sen per audaces nova dithyrambos 10
Verba devolvit, numerisque fertur
Lege solutis :
Seu Deos, regesve canit, Deorum
Sanguinem, per quos cecidere justo
Marte Centauri, cecidet tremendae 15
Flamma Chimaerae :
Sive, quos Elea domum reducit
Palma ccelestes, pugilemve equumve
Dicit, et centum potiore signis
Munere donat : 2C
86 a. HORATII FLACCI [2.
Flebili sponsse juvenemve raptura
>lorat, et vires animumque moresque
ureos educit in astra, nigroque
Invidet Oreo.
Multa Dircaeum levat aura eyenum, 25
Tendit, Antoni, quoties in altos
Nubium tractus : ego, apis Matinee
More modoque,
Grata carpentis thyraa per laborem
Plurimum, circa nemus uvidique 30
Tiburis ripas operosa parvus
Carmina fingo.
Concines majore poeta plectro
Caesarem, quandoque trahet feroces
Per sacrum clivum, merita decorus 36
Fronde, Sygambros;
Quo nihil majus meliusve terris
Fata donavere bonique divi,
Nee dabunt, quamvis redeant in aurum
Tempora priscum. 40
Concines lsetosque dies, et Urbis
Publicum ludum, super impetrato
Fortis Augusti reditu, forumque
Litibus orbum.
Turn meae (si quid loquor audiendum) 45
Vocis accedet bona pars : et, " O Sol
Pulcher ! O laudande !" canam, recepto
Caesare felix.
2, 3.] CARMINUM. LIBER IV. 87
Tuque dum procedis, "Io Triumphs !"
Non semel dicemus, "Io Triumphe !" 50
Civitas omnis, dabimusque divis
Thura benijmis.
Te decern tauri totidemque vaccae,
Me tener solvet vitulus, relicta
Matre, qui largis juvenescit herbis 55
In mea vota,
Fronte curvatos imitatus ignes
Tertium Lunse referentis ortura,
Qua notam duxit niveus videri,
Caetera fulvus. 60
Carmen III.
AD MELPOMENEN.
Quern tu, Melpomene, semel
Nascentem placido lumine videris,
Ilium non labor Isthmius
Clarabit pugilem, non equus impiger
Curru ducet Achai'co 5
Victorem, neque res bellica Deliis
Ornatum foliis ducem,
Quod regum tumidas contuderit minas,
Ostendet Capitolio :
Sed quse Tibur aquae fertile praefluunt 1 0
Et spissae nemorum comae,
Fingent iEolio carmine nobilem.
Romae principis urbium
Dignatur suboles inter amabiles
Vatum ponere me choros ; 15
Et jam dente minus mordeor invido.
88 a. HORATII FLACCI [3, 4.
O, testudinis aureae
Dulcem quae strepitum, Pieri, temperas !
O, mutis quoque piscibus
Donatura cycni, si libeat, sonum ! 20
To turn muneris hoc tui est,
Quod monstror digito praetereuntium
Romanae fidicen lyrae :
Quod spiro et placeo (si placeo), tuum est.
Carmen IV.
DRUSI LAUDES.
Qualem ministrum fulminis alitem,
Cui rex Deorum re^num in aves va^as
Permisit, expertus fidelem
Jupiter in Ganymede flavo,
Ohm juventas et patrius vigor 6
Nido laborum propulit inscium :
Vernique, jam nimbis remotis,
Insolitos docuere nisus
Venti paventem : mox in ovilia
Demisit hostem vividus impetus : 1 0
Nunc in reluctantes dracones
Egit amor dapis atque pugnae :
Qualemve laetis caprea pascuis
Intenta, fulvae matris ab ubere
Jam lacte depulsum leonem, 15
Dente novo peritura, vidit :
Videre Itaetis bella sub Alpibus
Drusum gerentem Vindelici [quibus
Mos unde deductus per omne
Tempus Amazonia securi 20
4.J CARMTNUM. LIBER IV. 89
Dextras obarmet, quaerere distuli :
Nee scire fas est omnia] : sed diu
Lateque victrices catervae,
Consiliis juvenis revictaB,
Sensere, quid mens rite, quid indoles, 25
Nutrita faustis sub penetralibus,
Posset, quid Augusti paternus
In pueros animus Nerones.
Fortes creantur fortibus : et bonis
Est in juvencis, est in equis patrum 30
Virtus : neque imbellem feroces
Progenerant aquilae columbam.
Doctrina sed vim promovet insitam,
Rectique cultus pectora roborant :
Utcunque defecere mores, 35
Indecorant bene nata culpae.
Quid debeas, O Roma, Neronibus,
Testis Metaurum flumen, et Hasdrubal
Devictus, et pulcher fugatis
Ille dies Latio tenebris, 40
Qui primus alma risit adorea,
Dims per urbes Afer ut Italas,
Ceu flamma per taedas, vel Eurus
Per Siculas equitavit undas.
Post hoc secundis usque laboribus 45
Romana pubes crevit, et impio
Vastata Pcenorum tumultu
Fana deos habuere rectos :
90 Q. HORATII FLACCI [4.
Dixitque tandem .perfidus Hannibal :
" Cervi, luporum praeda rapacium, 50
Sectamur ultro, quos opimus
Fallere et effugere est triumphus.
Gens, quae cremato fortis ab Ilio
Jactata Tuscis sequoribus sacra,
Natosque maturosque patres 55
Pertulit Ausonias ad urbes,
Duris ut ilex tonsa bipennibus
Nigrae feraci frondis in Algido,
Per damna, per csedes, ab ipso
Ducit opes animumque ferro. 60
Non Hydra secto corpore firmior
Vinci dolentem crevit in Herculem :
Monstrumve submisere Colchi
Majus, Echioniseve Thebse.
Merses profundo, pulchrior evenit : 65
Luctere, multa proruet integrum
Cum laude victorem, geretque
ProBlia conjugibus loquenda.
Carthagini jam non ego nuntios
Mittam superbos : occidit, occidit 70
Spes omnis et fortuna nostri
Nominis, Hasdrubale interemto.
Nil Claudia^ non perficient manus :
Quas et benigno numine Jupiter
Defendit, et curse sagaces 75
Expediunt per acuta belli."
5.] CARMINUM. LIBER IV. 91
Carmen V.
AD AUGUSTUM.
Divis orte bonis, optime Pwomulse
Custos gentis, abes jam nimium diu :
Maturum reditum pollicitus Patrura
Sancto consilio, redi.
Lucem redde tuse, dux bone, patriae : h
Instar veris enim vultus ubi tuus
AfFulsit populo, gratior it dies,
Et soles melius nitent.
Ut mater juvenem, quern Notus invido
Flatu Carpathii trans maris aequora 10
Cunctantem spatio longius annuo
Dulci distinet a domo,
Votis ominibusque et precibus vocat,
Curvo nee faciem litore demovet :
Sic desideriis icta fidelibus 15
Quaerit patria Caesarem.
Tutus bos etenim tut a perambulat ;
Nutrit rura Ceres, almaque Faustitas ;
Pacatum volitant per mare navitae ;
Culpari metuit Fides ; 20
Nullis polluitur casta domus stupris ;
Mos et lex maculosum edomuit nefas ;
Laudantur simili prole puerperae ;
Culpam Poana premit comes.
Quis Parthum paveat ? quis gelidum Scythen ? 25
Quis, Germania quos horrida parturit
92 Q. HORATII FLACCI [5,6
Fetus, incolumi Caesare ? quis ferae
Bellum curet Iberiae ?
Condit quisque diem collibus in suis,
Et vitera viduas ducit ad arbores ; 30
Hinc ad vina iedit laetus, et alteris
Te mensis adhibet Deum :
Te multa prece, te prosequitur mero
Defuso pateris : et Laribus tuum
Miscet numen, uti Graecia Castoris 35
Et magni memor Herculis.
Longas O utinam, dux bone, ferias
Praestes Hesperiae ! dicir^us integro
Sicci mane die, dicimus uvidi,
Quum Sol oceano subest. 40
Carmen VI.
AD APOLLINEM.
Dive, quem proles Niobea magnae
Vindicem linguae, Tityosque raptor
Sensit, et Trojae prope victor altae
Phthius Achilles,
Cseteris major, tibi miles impar ; b
Filius quamquam Thetidos marinae
Dardanas turres quateret tremenda
Cuspide pugnax.
Hie, mordaci velut icta ferro
Pinus, aut impulsa cupressus Euro, 10
Procidit late posuitque collum in
Pulvere Teucro.
6.] CARMINUM. LIBER IV. 93
Ille non, inclusus equo Minervae
Sacra mentito, male feriatos
Troas et laetam Priarai choreis 16
Falleret aulam ;
Sed palam captis gravis, heu nefas ! heu !
Nescios fari pueros Achivis
Ureret flammis, etiam latentem
Matris in alvo : 20
Ni, tuis nexus Venerisque gratae
Vocibus, Divum pater adnuisset
Rebus iEneae potiore ductos
Alite muros.
Doctor Argivae fidicen Thaliae, 25
Phoebe, qui Xantho lavis amne crines,
Dauniae defende decus Camense,
Levis Agyieu.
Spiritum Phcebus mihi, Phoebus artem
Carminis, nomenque dedit poetae. 30
Virginum primae, puerique claris
Patribus orti,
DeliaB tutela deae, fugaces
Lyncas et cervos cohibentis arcu,
Lesbium servate pedem, raeique 3d
Pollicis ictum,
Rite Latonae puerum canentes,
Rite crescentem face Noctilucam,
Prosperam frugum, celeremque pronos
Volvere menses. 40
94 Q,. HORATll FLACCI [6 7
Nupta jam dices : Ego Dis amicum,
Saeculo festas referente luces,
Reddidi carmen, docilis modorum
Vatis Horati.
Carmen VII.
AD TORQUATUM.
Difrugere nives ; redeunt jam gramina campis,
Arboribusque comae :
Mutat terra vices ; et decrescentia ripas
Flumina praetereunt :
Gratia cum Nymphis geminisque sororibus audet 5
Ducere nuda choros.
Immortalia ne speres, monet Annus et almum
Quae rapit Hora diem.
Frigora mitescunt Zephyris : Ver proterit -^Estas,
Interitura, simul 10
Pomifer Auctumnus fruges effuderit : et mox
Bruma recurrit iners.
Damna tamen celeres reparant coelestia lunae :
Nos, ubi decidimus,
Quo pius iEneas, quo dives Tullus et Ancus, 15
Pulvis et umbra sumus.
Quis scit, an adjiciant hodiernae crastina summae
Tempora Di superi ?
Cuncta manus avidas fugient hseredis, amjco
Quae dederis animo. 20
Quum semel occideris, et de te splendida Minos
Fecerit arbitria :
Non, Torquate, genus, non te facundia, non te
Restituet pietas.
Infernis neque enim tenebris Diana pudicum 25
Liberat Hippolytum ;
Nee Lethaea valet Theseus abrumpere caro
Vincula Pirithoo.
8.1 CARMINUM. LIBER IV. 95
Carmen VIII.
AD CENSOKJNUM.
Donarem pateras grataque commodus,
Censorine, meis sera sodalibus ;
Donarem tripodas, prsemia fortium
Graiorum ; neque tu pessima munerum
Ferres, divite me scilicet artium, 5
Quas aut Parrhasius protulit, aut Scopas,
Hie saxo, liquidis ille coloribus
Sollers nunc hominem ponere, nunc Deum.
Sed non haec mihi vis : nee tibi talium
Res est aut animus deliciarum egens. 10
Gaudes carminibus ; carmina possumus
Donare, et pretium dicere muneri.
Non incisa notis marmora publicis,
Per quaB spiritus et vita redit bonis
Post mortem ducibus ; non celeres fugae, 1 5
Rejectaeque retrorsum Hannibalis minae ;
[Non stipendia Carthaginis impiae],
Ejus, qui domita nomen ab Africa
Lucratus rediit, clarius indicant
Laudes, quam Calabrae Pierides : neque, 20
Si chartae sileant, quod bene feceris,
Mercedem tuleris. Quid foret Ilise
Mavortisque puer, si taciturnitas
Obstaret meritis invida Romuli ?
Ereptum Stygiis fluctibus iEacum 25
Virtus et favor et lingua potentium
Vatum divitibus consecrat insulis.
Dignum laude virum Musa vetat mori :
Ccelo Musa beat. Sic Jovis interest
Optatis epulis impiger Hercules : 30
Clarum Tyndaridac sidus ab infimis
96 a. HORATII FLACCI [8, 9.
Quassas eripiunt aequoribus rates :
Ornatus viridi tempora pampino
Liber vota bonos ducit ad exitus.
Carmen IX.
AD LOLLIUM.
Ne forte credas interitura, quse,
Longe sonantem natus ad Aufidurn,
Non ante vulgatas per artes
Verba loquor socianda chordis.
Non, si priores Mseonius tenet 5
Sedes Homerus, Pindaric» latent,
Ceaeque, et Alcaei minaces,
Stesichorique graves Camenae ;
Nee, si quid olim lusit Anacreon,
Delevit aetas : spirat adhuc amor, 1 0
Vivuntque commissi calores
iEoliae fidibus puellae.
Non sola comtos arsit adulteri
Crines, et aurum vestibus illitum
Mirata, regalesque cultus 16
Et comites Helene Lacaena ;
Primusve Teucer tela Cydonio
Direxit arcu ; non semel Ilios
Vexata ; non pugnavit ingens
Idomeneus Sthenelusve solus «JO
Dicenda Musis proelia ; non ferox
Hector, vel acer Deiphobus graves
Excepit ictus pro pudicis
Conjugibus puerisque primus.
9.] CARMINUM. LIBER IV. 97
Vixere fortes ante Agamemnona 25
Multi : sed omnes illacrimabiles
Urgentur ignotique longa
Nocte, carent quia vate sacro.
Paulum sepultse distat inertiae
Celata virtus. Non ego te meis 30
Chartis inornatum silebo,
Totve tuos patiar labores
Impune, Lolli, carpere lividas
Obliviones. Est animus tibi
Rerumque prudens, et secundis 35
Temporibus dubiisque rectus ;
Vindex avarae fraudis, et abstinens
Ducentis ad se cuncta pecuniae : I
Consulque non unius anni,
Sed quoties bonus atque fidus 40
Judex honestum prastulit utili,
Rejecit alto dona nocentium
Vultu, per obstantes catervas
Explicuit sua victor arma.
Non possidentem multa vocaveri» 45
Recte beatum : rectius occupat
Nomen beati, qui deorum
Muneribus sapienter uti,
Duramque callet pauperiem pati,
Pejusque leto flagitium timet ; 50
Non ille pro caris amicis
Ant patria timidus perire.
E
*
9S Q. HORATII FLACCI [11,12.
Carmen XI.
AD PHYLLIDEM.
Est mihi nonum superantis annum
Plenus Albani cadus ; est in horto,
Phylli, nectendis apium coronis ;
Est ederae vis
Multa, qua crines religata fulges ; 5
Ridet argento domus ; ara castis
Vincta verbenis avet immolato
Spargier agno ;
Cuncta festinat manus, hue et iliuc
Cursitant mixtae pueris puellaB ; 10
Sordidum flammae trepidant rotantes
Vertice fumum.
Ut tamen noris, quibus advoceris
Gaudiis, Idus tibi sunt agenda?,
Qui dies mensem Veneris marinae 15
Findit Aprilem ;
Jure solennis mihi, sanctiorque
Paene natali proprio, quod ex hac
Luce Maecenas meus affluentes
Ordinat annos. 20
Carmen XII.
AD VIPvGILIUM.
Jam Veris comites, quae mare temperant,
Impellunt animae lintea Thraciae :
Jam nee prata rigent, nee fluvii strepunt
Hiberna nive turgidi.
12, 14. j CARMINUM. LIBER IV. 99
Nidum ponit, Ityn flebiliter gemens, 5
Infelix avis, et Cecropise domus
./Eternum opprobrium, quod male barbaras
Regum est ulta libidines.
Dicunt in tenero gramine pinguium
Custodes ovium carmina fistula, 10
Delectantque Deum, cui pecus et nigri
Colles Arcadise placent.
Adduxere sitim tempora, Virgili :
Sed pressum Calibus ducere Liberum
Si gestis, juvenum nobilium cliens, 15
Nardo vina merebere.
Nardi parvus onyx eliciet cadum,
Qui nunc Sulpiciis accubat horreis,
Spes donare novas largus, amaraque
Curarum eluere efficax. 20
Ad quae si properas gaudia, cum tua
Velox merce veni : non ego te meis
Immunem meditor tingere poculis,
Plena dives ut in domo.
Verum pone moras et studium lucri ; 25
Nigrorumque memor, dum licet, ignium,
Misce stultitiam consiliis brevem :
Dulce est desipere in loco.
Carmen XIV.
AD AUGUSTUM.
Quae cura Patrum, quaeve Quiritium,
Plenis honorum muneribus tuas,
100 a. HORATII FLACCI [14.
Auguste, virtutes in ssvum
Per titulos memoresque fastos
^Eternet ? O, qua sol habitabiles 5
Illustrat oras, maxime principum ;
Quern legis expertes Latinas
Vindelici didicere nuper,
Quid Marte posses ; milite nam tuo
Drusus Genaunos, implacidum genus, 10
Breunosque veloces, et arces
Alpibus impositas tremendis,
Dejecit acer plus vice simplici.
Major Neronum mox grave proeliura
Commisit, immanesque Rastos 15
Auspiciis pepulit secundis :
Spectandus in certamine Martio,
Devota morti pectora liberae
Quantis fatigaret ruinis :
Indomitas prope qualis undas 20
Exercet Auster, Plei'adum choro
Scindente nubes : impiger hostium
Vexare turmas, et freraentem
Mittere equum medios per ignes.
Sic tauriformis volvitur Aufidus, 25
Qua regna Dauni pra3fluit Apuli,
Quum seevit, horrendamque cultis
Diluviem meditatur agris :
Ut barbarorum Claudius agmina
Ferrata vasto diruit impetu, 30
I IRRAfVi
14, 15. I CARMINUM. LIBER IV. 101
Primosque et extremos metendo
Stravit humura, sine clade victor,
Te copias, te consilium et tuos
Prsebente Divos. Nam, tibi quo die
Portus Alexandre a supplex 35
Et vacuam patefecit aulam,
Fortuna lustro prospera tertio
Belli secundos reddidit exitus,
Laudemque et optatum peractis
Imperiis decus arrogavit. 40
Te Cantaber non ante domabilis,
Medusque, et Indus, te profugus Scythes
Miratur, O tutela prassens
Italise dominseque Roma? :
Te, fontium qui celat origines, 45
Nilusque, et Ister, te rapidus Tigris.
Te belluosus qui remotis
Obstrepit Oceanus Britannis :
Te non paventis funera Galliae
Durasque tellus audit Iberise : 50
Te caede gaudentes Sygambri
Compositis venerantur armis.
Carmen XV. 4
AUGUSTI LAUDES.
Phcsbus volentem proalia me loqui
Victas et urbes, increpuit, lyra :
Ne parva Tyrrhenum per ssquor
Vela darem. Tua, Ca3sar, aBtas
102 Q. HORATII FLACCI CARMINUM. LIBER IV. [15.
Frugfes et asrris retulit uteres, 5
do *
Et signa nostro restituit Jovi,
Derepta Parthorum superbis
Postibus, et vacuum duellis
Janum Quirinum clusit, et ordinem
Rectum evaganti frena Licentise 10
Injecit, emovitque culpas,
Et veteres revocavit artes,
Per quas Latinum nomen et Italse
Crevere vires, famaque et imperi
Pc-necta majestas ad ortum 15
Solis ab Hesperio cubili.
Custode rerum Csesare, non furor
Civilis aut vis exiget otium,
Non ira, quae procudit enses,
Et miseras inimicat urbes. 20
Non, qui profundum Danubium bibunt,
Edicta rumpent Julia, non Getae,
Non Seres, infidive Persae,
Non Tanain prope flumen orti.
Nosque, et profestis lucibus et sacris, 25
Inter jocosi mvtnera Liberi,
Cum prole matronisque nostris,
Rite deos prius apprecati,
Virtute functos, more patrum, duces,
Lydis remixto carmine tibiis, 30
Trojamque et Anchisen et almae
Progeniem Veneris canemus.
Q. H0BAT1I FLACCI
EPOEOI
LIBER.
Q. II OR ATI I FLACCI
E P 0 D 0 N
LIBER.
Carmen I.
AD JVLECENATEM.
Ibis Libumis inter alta navium,
Amice, propugnacula,
Paratus omne Caesari periculum
Subire, Maecenas, tuo ?
Quid nos, quibus te vita si superstate
Jucunda. si contra, gravis ?
Utrumne jussi persequemur otium,
Non dulce, ni tecum simul ?
An hunc laborem mente laturi, decet
Qua ferre non molles viros ?
Feremus ; et te vel per Alpium juga,
Inhospitalem et Caucasum,
Vel occidentis usque ad ultimum sinum
Forti sequemur pectore.
Roges, tuum labore quid juvem meo
Imbellis ac firmus parum ?
Comes minore sum futunis in metu,
Qui major absentes habet :
Ut assidens implumibus pullis avi
Serpentium allapsus timet
Magis relictis ; non, ut adsit, auxili
Latura plus praesentibus.
E 2
10
15
20
106 a. HORATII FLACCI |"1, 2
Libenter hoc et omne militabitur
Bellum in tuae spem gratiae ;
Non ut juvencis illigata pluribus 25
Aratra nitantur mea ;
Pecusve Calabris ante sidus fervidum
Lucana mutct pascuis ;
Nee ut superni villa candens Tusculi
Circsea tangat moBnia. 30
Satis superque me benignitas tua
Ditavit : haud paravero,
Quod aut, avarus ut Chremes, terra premam,
Discinctus aut perdam ut nepos.
Carmen II.
4 Beatus ille, qui procul negotiis,
Ut prisca gens mortalium,
Patema rura bobus exercet suis,
Solutus omni fenore.
Neque excitatur classico miles truci, 6
Neque horret iratum mare ;
Forumque vitat et superba civium
Potentiorum limina.
Ergo aut adulta vitium propagine
Altas maritat populos, 10
Tnutilesque falce ramos amputans
Feliciores inserit ;
Aut in reducta valle mugientium
Prospectat errantes greges ;
Aut pressa puris mella condit amphoris; 15
Aut tondet infirmas oves ;
Vel, quum decorum mitibus pomis caput
Auctumnus agris extulit,
Ut gaudet insitiva decerpens pira,
Certantem et uvam purpuras, 20
2.] EPODON LIBER. 107
Qua muneretur te, Priape, et te, pater
Silvane, tutor finium.
Libet jacere, modo sub autiqua ilice,
Modo in tenaci gramine.
Labuntur altis interim ripis aquae ; 25
Queruntur in silvis aves ;
Frondesque lymphis obstrepunt manantibus ;
Somnos quod invitet leves.
At quum Tonantis annus hibernus Jovis
Imbres nivesque comparat, 30
Aut trudit acres hinc et hinc multa cane
Apros in obst antes plagas ;
Aut amite levi rara tendit retia,
Turdis edacibus dolos ;
Pavidumque leporem, et advenara laqueo gruem, 35
Jucunda captat prasmia.
Quis non malarum, quas amor curas habet,
Haac inter obliviscitur ?
Quod si pudica mulier in partem juvet
Domum atque dulces liberos, 40
Sabina qualis, aut perusta solibus
Pernicis uxor Apuli,
Sacrum et vetustis extruat lignis focum,
Lassi sub adventum viri ;
Claudensque textis cratibus laetum pecus, 4-3
Distenta siccet ubera ;
Et horna dulci vina promens dolio,
Dapes inemtas apparet :
Non me Lucrina juverint conehylia,
Magisve rhombus, aut scari, 5.0
Si quos Eois intonata fluctibus
Hiems ad hoc vert at mare ;
Non Afira avis descendat in ventrem meum,
Non attagen Ionicus
Jucundior, quam lecta de pinguissimis 55
Oliva ramis arborum,
108 Q. HORATII FLACCI [2.3.
Aut herba lapathi prata amantis, et gravi
Malvae salubres corpori,
Vel agna festis ca3sa Tcrminalibus,
Vel haedus ereptus lupo. GO
Has inter epulas, ut juvat pastas oves
Videre properantes domum !
Videre fessos vomerem inversum boves
Collo tralientes languido !
Positosque vernas, ditis examen domns, 6fl
Circum renidentes Lares !"
Hsec ubi locutus fenerator Alphius,
Jam jam futurus rusticus,
Omnem redegit Idibus pecuniam —
Qurerit Kalendis ponere ! 70
Carmen III.
AD MiECENATEM.
Parentis olim si quis impia manu
Senile guttur fregerit
Edit cicutis allium nocentius.
O dura messorum ilia !
Quid hoc veneni ssevit in pracordiis ? 5
Num viperinus his cruor
Incoctus herbis me fefellit ? an malas
Canidia tractavit dapes ?
Ut Argonautas prseter omnes candidurn
Medea mirata est ducem, 1(
Ignota tauris illigaturum juga,
Perunxit hoc Iasonem :
Hoc delibutis ulta donis pellicem,
Serpente fugit alite.
Nee tantus unquam siderum insedit vapor L&
Siticulosse Apulise :
Nee munus humeris efficacis Herculis
Inarsit sBstuosius.
4, 5. J EPODON LIBER. 109
Carmen IV.
Lupis et agiiis quanta sortito obtigit,
Tecum mihi discordia est,
Ibericis peruste funibus latus,
Et crura dura compede.
Licet superbus ambules pecunia, 6
Fortuna non mutat genus.
Videsne, Sacram metiente te viam
Cum bis trium ulnarum toga,
Ut ora vertat hue et hue euntium
Liberrima indignatio ? 10
" Sectus flagellis hie Triumviralibus,
PraBConis ad fastidium,
Arat Falerni mille fundi jugera
Et Appiam mannis terit ;
Sedilibusque magnus in primis eques, 15
Othone contemto, sedet !
Quid attinet tot ora navium gravi
Rostrata duci pondere
Contra latrones atque servilem manum,
Hoc, hoc tribuno militum ?" 20
CaRMEN V.
IN CANIDIAM VENEFICAM.
'* At, O deorum quicquid in caslo regit
Terras et humanum genus !
Quid iste fert tumultus ? aut quid omnium
Vultus in unum me truces ?
Per liberos te, si vocata partubus
Lucina veris adfuit,
Per hoc inane purpuras decus precor,
Per improbaturum hsec Jovem,
110 Q. HORATII FLACCI [b.
Quid ut noverca rne intueris, aut uti
Petita ferro bellua ?"— 10
Ut haec tremente questus ore constitit
InsigniDus raptis puer,
Impube corpus, quale posset impia
Mollire Thracum pectora ;
Canidia brevibus implicata viperis 15
Crines et incomtum caput,
Jubet sepulcris caprificos erutas,
Jubet cupressus funebres,
Et uncta turpis ova ranae sanguine,
Plumamque nocturnae strigis, 20
Herbasque, quas Iolcos atque Iberia
Mittit venenorum ferax,
Et ossa ab ore rapta jejunae canis,
Flammis aduri Colchicis.
At expedita Sagana, per totam domum 25
Spargens Avernales aquas,
Horret capillis ut marinus asperis
Echinus, aut Laurens aper.
Abacta nulla Veia conscientia
Ligonibus duris humum 30
Exhauriebat, ingemens laboribus ;
Quo posset infossus puer
Longo die bis terque mutatae dapis
Ineraori spectaculo ;
Quum promineret ore, quantum exstant aqua 35
Suspensa mento corpora ;
Exsucca uti medulla et aridum jecur
Amoris esset poculum,
Intermmato quum semel fixae cibo
Intabuissent pupulaa. 40
Hie irresectum saeva dente livido
Canidia rodens pollicem
Quid dixit ? aut quid tacuit ? " O rebus mew
Non infideles arbitrae,
b I EPODON UIDEK. 11]
Nox, et Diana, quae silentium regis, 45
Arcana quum fiuiit sacra,
Nunc nunc adestc, nunc in hostiles domos
Tram atque numen vertite.
Formidolosae dum latent silvis ferae,
Dulci sopore languidae, 50
Senem, quod omnes rideant, adulterum
Latrent Suburanae canes,
Nardo perunctum, quale non perfectius
Mesa laborarint manus. —
Quid accidit ? cur dira barbara) minus 55
Venena Medeae valent ?
Quibus superbam fugit ulta pellicem,
Magni Creontis filiam,
Quum palla, tabo munus imbutum, novam
Incendio nuptam abstulit." 60
Sub haec puer, jam non, ut ante, mollibus
Lenire verbis impias ;
Sed dubius, unde rumperet silentium,
Misit Thyesteas preces :
"Venena magica fas nefasque, non valent 65
Convertere humanam vicem.
Diris agam vos : dira detestatio
Nulla expiatur victim a.
Quin, ubi perire jussus expiravero,
Nocturnus occurram Furor, 70
Petamque vultus umbra curvis unguibus,
Quae vis deorum est Manium,
Et inquietis assidens praecordiis
Pavore somnos auferam.
Vos turba vicatim hinc et hinc saxis petens 75
Contundet obscenas anus.
Post insepulta membra different lupi
Et Esquilinae alites.
Neque hoc parentes, heu mihi super stites !
Effugerit spectaculum." 80
1 12 U. HUKATII FLACCI [6, 7
Carmen VI.
Quid immerentes hospites vexas, cams,
Ignavus adversum lupos ?
Quin hue inanes, si potes, vertis minas,
Et me remorsurum petis ?
Nam, qualis aut Molossus, aut fulvus Lacon, 5
Arnica vis pastoribus,
Agam per altas aure sublata nives,
Qu»cunque prsecedet fera.
Tu, quum timenda voce complesti nemus,
Projectum odoraris cibum. 10
Cave, cave : namque in malos asperrimus
Parata tollo cornua ;
Qualis Lycambae spretus infido gener,
Aut acer hostis Bupalo.
An, si quis atro dente me petiverit, 1 5
Inultus ut flebo puer ?
Carmen VII.
AD POPULUM ROMANUM.
Quo, quo scelesti ruitis ? aut cur dexteris
Aptantur enses conditi ?
Parumne campis atque Neptuno super
Fusum est Latini sanguinis ?
Non, ut superbas invidse Carthaginis 5
Romanus arces ureret,
Intactus aut Britannus ut descenderet
Sacra catenatus via,
Sed ut, secundum vota Parthorum, sua
Urbs hsec periret dextera. 10
Neque hie lupis mos, nee fuit leonibus,
Nunquam, nisi in dispar, feris.
7,9.] EPODON LIBER. 113
Furorne caecus, an rapit vis acrior ?
An culpa ? responsum date. —
Tacent ; et ora pallor albus inficit, 15
Mentesque perculsae stupent.
Sic est ; acerba fata Romanos agunt,
Scelusque fraternsB necis,
Ut immerentis fluxit in terram ilemi
Sacer nepotibus cruor. 20
Carmen IX.
AD 1VUECENATEM.
Quando repostum Caecubum ad festas dapes,
Victore laetus Csesare,
Tecum sub alta, sic Jovi gratum, domo,
Beate Maecenas, bibam,
Sonante mixtum tibiis carmen lyra, 5
Hac Dorium, illis barbarum ?
Ut nuper, actus quum freto Neptunius
Dux fugit, ustis navibus,
Minatus Urbi vincla, quae detraxerat
Servis amicus perfidis. 10
Romanus, eheu ! posteri negabitis,
Emancipatus feminaa,
Fert vallum et arma miles, et spadonibus
Servire rugosis potest !
[nterque signa turpe militaria 15
Sol adspicit conopium !
A.d hoc frementes verterunt bis mille equos
Galli, canentes Caesarem ;
Hostiliumque navium portu latent
Puppes sinistrorsum citae. 20
lo Triumphe ! tu moraris aureos
Currus, et intactas boves ?
114 Q. HORATII FLACCI [9, 10.
Io Triumphe ! nee Jugurthino parem
Belle- reportasti ducem,
Neque Africanum, cui super Carthaginera 25
Virtus sepulcrum condidit.
Terra marique victus hostis, Punico
Lugubre mutavit sagum ;
Aut ille centum nobilem Crctam urbibus,
Ventis iturus non suis ; 30
Exercitatas aut petit Syrtes Noto ;
Aut fertur incerto mari.
Capaciores affer hue, puer, scyphos,
Et Chia vina, aut Lesbia,
Vel, quod fluentem nauseam coerceat, 35
Metire nobis Csecubum.
Curam metumque Csesaris rerum juvat
Dulci Lyaeo solvere.
Carmen X.
IN M^EVIUM POETAM.
Mala soluta navis exit alite,
Ferens olentem Maevium.
Ut horridis utrumque verberes latus,
Auster, memento fluctibus.
Niger rudentes Eurus, inverso mari, 5
Fractosque rcmos differat ;
Insurgat Aquilo, quantus altis montibus
Frangit trementes ilices ;
Nee sidus atra nocte amicum appareat,
Qua tristis Orion cadit ; 10
Quietiore nee feratur ssquore,
Quam Graia victorum manus,
Quum Pallas usto vertit iram ab Ilio
In impiam Ajacis ratem.
10.13.] EPODON LIBER. U5
O quantus instat navitis sudor tuis, 1 5
Tibique pallor luteus,
Et ilia non virilis ejulatio,
Preces et aversum ad Jovem,
Ionius udo quum remugiens sinus
Noto carinam ruperit ! 20
Opima quod si praeda curvo litore
Porrecta mergos juveris,
Libidinosus immolabitur caper
Et agna Tempestatibus.
Carmen XIII.
AD AMICOS.
Horrida tempestas caelum contraxit, et imbres
Nivesque deducunt Jovem ; nunc mare, nunc silu^B
Threi'cio Aquilone sonant. Rapiamus, amici,
Occasionem de die ; dumque virent genua,
Et decet, obducta solvatur fronte senectus. 5
Tu vina Torquato move Consule pressa meo.
Caetera mitte loqui : Deus hasc fortasso benigna
Reducet in sedem vice. Nunc et Achaemenio
Perfundi nardo juvat, et fide Cyllenea
Levare diris pectora sollicitudinibus. 10
Nobilis ut grandi cecinit Centaurus alumno :
Invicte, mortalis dea nate, puer, Thetide,
Te manet Assaraci tellus, quam frigida parvi
Findunt Scamandri fLumina, lubricus et Simoi's ;
Unde tibi reditum curto subtemine P areas 1 6
Hupere ; nee mater domum easrula te revehet.
Illic omne malum vino cantuque levato,
Deformis segrimonia) dulcibus alloquiis.
110 Q. HORATII FLACCI [16.
Carmen XVI.
AD POPULUM ROMANUM.
Altera jam teritur bellis civilibus astas,
Suis et ipsa Roma viribus ruit,
Quam neque finitimi valuerunt perdere Marsi,
Minacis aut Etrusca Porsense maims,
iEmula nee virtus Capuse, nee Spartacus acer, «5
Novisque rebus infidelis Allobrox ;
Nee fera cserulea domuit Germania pube,
Parentibusque abominatus Hannibal :
Impia perdemus devoti sanguinis setas ;
Ferisque rursus occupabitur solum. 10
Barbaras, heu ! cineres insistet victor, et Urbem
Eques sonante verberabit ungula ;
Quaeque carent ventis et solibus, ossa Quirini,
Nefas videre ! dissipabit insolens.
Forte, quid expediat, communiter, aut melior pars 1 5
Malis carere quaaritis laboribus.
Nulla sit hac potior sententia ; Phocseorum
Velut profugit exsecrata civitas :
Agros atque Lares patrios, habitandaque fana
Apris reliquit et rapacibus lupis : 20
Ire, pedes quocunque ferent, quocunque per undas
Notus vocabit, aut protervus Africus.
Sic placet ? an melius quis habet suadere ? secunda
Ratem occupare quid moramur alite ?
Sed juremus in ha?c : Simul imis saxa renarint 25
Vadis levata, ne redire sit nefas ;
Neu conversa domum pigeat dare lintea, quando
Padus Matina laverit cacumina ;
In mare seu celsus procurrerit Apenninus ;
Novaque monstra junxerit libidine 30
Mirus amor, juvet ut tigres subsidere cervis,
Adulteretur et columba miluo ;
16. J EPODON LIBER. | 17
Credula nee flavos timeant armenta leones ;
Ametque salsa levis hircus eequora.
Haec, et qu.ee poterunt reditus abscindere dulces, 35
Eamus omnis exsecrata civitas,
Aut pars indocili melior grege ; mollis et exspes
Inominata perprimat cubilia !
Vos, quibus est virtus, muliebrem tollite luctum,
Etrusca prater et volate litora. 40
Nos manet Oceanus circumvagus : arva, beata
Petamus arva, divites et insulas,
Reddit ubi Cererem tellus inarata quotannis,
Et imputata floret usque vinea,
Germinat et nunquam fallentis termes olivse, 45
Suamque pulla ficus ornat arborem,
Mella cava manant ex ilice, montibus altis
Levis crepante lympha desilit pede.
Illic injussae veniunt ad mulctra capellas,
Refertque tenta grex amicus ubera : 50
Nee vespertinus circumgemit ursus ovile ;
Nee intumescit alma viperis humus.
Nulla nocent pecori contagia, nullius astri
Gregem aestuosa torret impotentia.
Pluraque felices mirabimur ; ut neque largis 55
Aquosus Eurus arva radat imbribus,
Pinguia nee siccis urantur semina glebis ;
Utrumque rege temperante Coelitum.
Non hue Argoo contendit remige piiius,
Neque impudica Colchis intulit pedem ; 60
Non hue Sidonii torserunt cornua nautae,
Laboriosa nee cohors Ulixei.
Jupiter ilia piae secrevit litora genti,
Ut inquinavit aere tempus aureum :
/Erea dehinc ferro duravit ssecula ; quorum ti£
Piis secunda vate me datur fuga.
IIS a. HORATII FLACCI [17
Cabmen XVII.
IN CANIDIAM.
HORATIUS.
Jam jam efficaci do manus scientiae
Supplex, et oro regna per Proserpina),
Per et Dianse non movenda numina,
Per atque libros carminum valentium
Defixa coelo devocare sidera, 6
Canidia, parce vocibus tandem sacris,
Citumque retro solve, solve turbinem.
Movit nepotem Telephus Nereium,
In quern superbus ordinarat agmina
Mysorum, et in quern tela acuta torserat. 10
Unxere matres Ilise addictum feris
Alitibus atque canibus homicidam Hectorem,
Postquam relictis mosnibus rex procidit
Heu ! pervicacis ad pedes Achillei*.
Setosa duris exuere pellibus 15
Laboriosi remiges Ulixei,
Volente Circa, membra ; tunc mens et sonus
Relapsus, atque notus in vultus honor.
Dedi satis superque pcBnarum tibi.
Fugit juventas, et verecundus color 20
Reliquit ossa pelle amicta lurida ;
Tuis capillus albus est odoribus,
Nullum a labore me reclinat otium.
Urget diem nox, et dies noctem, neque est
Levare tenta spiritu praecordia. 25
Ergo negatum vincor ut credam miser,
Sabella pectus increpare carmina,
Caputque Marsa dissilire nsenia.
Quid amplius vis ? O mare ' O terra ! ardeo,
Quantum neque atro delibutus Hercules 30
,15.1 EPODOX LILER. 119
Nessi cruore, nee Sicana fervida
Furens in iEtna flamma, Tu, donee cini*
Injuriosis aridus ventis ferar,
Cales venenis officina Colchicis.
Quae finis ? aut quod me manet stipendium \ 35
EfFare : jussas cum fide poenas luam,
Paratus, expiare seu poposceris
Centum juvencis, sive mendaci lyra
Voles sonare Tu pudica, tu proba ;
Perambulabis astra sidus aureum. 40
Infamis Helenas Castor offensus vicem,
Fraterque magni Castoris, victi prece,
Ademta vati reddidere lumina.
Et tu, potes nam, solve me dementia..
O nee paternis obsoleta sordibus, lb
Nee in sepulcris pauperum prudens anus
Novendiales dissipare pulveres.
Canidia.
Quid obseratis auribus fundis preces ?
Non saxa nudis surdiora navitis
Neptunus alto tundit hibernus salo. 50
Quid proderat ditasse Pelignas anus
Velociusve miscuisse toxicum ?
Sed tardiora fata te votis manent :
Ingrata misero vita ducenda est, in hoc,
Novis ut usque suppetas laboribus. 55
Optat quietem Pelopis infidi pater,
Egens benignae Tantalus semper dapis ;
Optat Prometheus obligatus aliti ;
Optat supremo collocare Sisyphus
In monte saxum ; sed vetant leges Jovis. 60
Voles modo altis desilire turribus,
Modo ense pectus Norico recludere ;
Frustraque vincla gutturi nectes tuo,
120 &• HORATII FLACCI EPODON LIBER. [17.
FasHidiosa tristis segrimonia.
Vectabor humeris tunc ego inimicis equcs, 65
Mea3que terra cedet insolentiae.
Av> quae movere cereas imagines,
Ut ipse nosti curiosus, et polo
Deripere Lunam vocibus possim meis,
Possim crematos excitare mortuos, 70
Plorem artis, in te nil agentis, exitum ?
:
Q. H OK AT 1 1 FLA DC I
CARMEN SICULARE
PRO INCOLUMITATE IMPERIL
Phcebe, silvarumque potens Diana,
Lucidum coeli decus, O colendi
Semper et culti, date, quae precamur
Tempore sacro ;
Quo Sibyllini monuere versus 5
Virgines lectas puerosque castos
Dis, quibus septem placuere colles,
Dicere carmen.
Alme Sol, curru nitido diem qui
Promis et celas, aliusque et idem 10
Nasceris, possis nihil urbe Roma
Visere majus.
Rite maturos aperire partus
Lenis, Ilithyia, tuere matres ;
Sive tu Lucina probas vocari, 15
Seu Genitalis.
Diva, producas subolem, Patrumque
Prosperes decreta super jugandis
Feminis, prolisque novae ferae:
Lege marita : SQ
F
122 Q. H0RAT1I FLACCI
Cert us undenos decies per annos
Orbis ut cantus referatque ludos,
Ter die claro, totiesque grata
Nocte frequentes
Vosque veraces cecinisse, Parcse, 25
Quod semel dictum est, stabilisque rerun
Terminus servat, bona jam peractis
Jungite fata.
Fertilis frugum pecorisque Tellus
Spicea donet Cererem corona ; 30
Nutriant fetus et aquae, salubres
Et Jovis aurae.
Condito mitis placidusque telo
Supplices audi pueros, Apollo ;
Siderum regina bicornis, audi, 35
Luna, puellas :
Roma si vestrum est opus, Iliaeque
Litus Etruscum tenuere turmae,
Jussa pars mutare Lares et urbem
Sospite cursu, 40
Cui per ardentem sine fraude Trojam
Castus -^Eneas patriae superstes
Liberum munivit iter, daturus
Plura relictis :
Di, probos mores docili juventse, 4fi
Di, senectuti placidae quietem,
Romulee genti date remque prolemque
Et decus omne.
CARMEN S.ECULARE. 123
Quique vos bobus veneratur albis,
Clarus Anchisse Venerisque sanguis, 50
Imperet, bellante prior, jacentem
Lenis in hostem.
Jam mari terraque manus potentes
Medus Albanasque timet secures ;
Jam Scythse responsa petunt, superbi -*»a
Nuper, et Indi.
Jam Fides, et Pax, et Honor, Pudorque
Priscus, et neglecta redire Virtus
Audet ; apparetque beata pleno
Copia cornu. 60
Augur, et fuigente decorus arcu
Phoebus, acceptusque novem Camenis,
Qui salutari levat arte fessos
Corporis artus. :
Si Palatinas videt acquus arces, 65
Remque Romanam Latiumque, felix,
Alterum in lustrum, meliusque sempe
Proroget sevum.
Quseque Aventinum tenet Algidumque,
Quindecim Diana preces virorum 70
Curet, et votis puerorum arnicas
Applicet aures.
Hsec Jovem sentire, deosque cunctos,
Spem bonam certamque domum reporto,
Doctus et Phcebi chorus et Dianse 75
Dicere laudes.
Q. HORATIT FLACC1
8 E R M 0 N E S.
Q. HOEATII FLACCI
S E R M 0 N U M
LIBER PRIMUS.
Sathia I.
IN AVAROS.
Qui fit, Maecenas, ut nemo, quam sibi sortem
Seu ratio dederit, seu fors objecerit, ilia
Contentus vivat, laudet diversa sequentes ?
O fortunati mercatores ! gravis annis
Miles ait, multo jam fractus membra labore. 5
Contra mercator, navim jactantibus austris,
Militia est potior ! Quid enim ? concurritur : horae
Momento aut cita mors venit aut victoria laeta.
Agricolam laudat juris legumque peritus,
Sub galli cantum consultor ubi ostia pulsat. 10
Ille, datis vadibus qui rure extractus in urbem est,
Solos felices viventes clamat in urbe.
Cetera de genere hoc, adeo sunt multa, loquacem
Delassare valent Fabium. Ne te morer, audi
Quo rem deducam. Si quis Deus, En ego, dicat, 15
Jam faciam quod vidtis : cris tu, qui inodo miles,
Mercator : tu, consultus modo, rusticus : hi?w vos,
Vos hinc mutatis discedite partibus. Eia !
Quid stat is ? — nolint. Atqui licet esse beatis.
Quid causae est, merito quin illis Jupiter ambas 20
Iratus buccas inflet, neque se fore posthac
Tam facilem dicat, votis ut praebeat aurem ?
128 a. HORATII FLACCI [1.
Praeterea, ne sic, ut qui jocularia, ridens
Percurram : quamquam ridentem dicere verum
Quid vetat ? ut pueris olim dant crustula blandi 25
Doctores, elementa velint ut discere prima :
Sed tamen amoto quaeramus scria ludo.
Ille gravem duro terram qui vertit aratro,
Perfidus hie cautor, miles, nautaeque, per ornnc
Audaces mare qui currunt, hac mente laborem 30
Sese ferre, senes ut in otia tuta recedant,
Aiunt, quum sibi sint congest a cibaria ; sicut
Parvula (nam exemplo est) magni formica laboris
Ore trahit quodcunque potest, atque addit acervo,
Quern struit, hand ignara ac non incauta futuri. 35
Quae, simul inversum contristat Aquarius annum,
Non usquam prorepit, et illis iititur ante
Qua3sitis sapiens : quum te neque fervidus aestus
Demoveat lucro, neque hiems, ignis, mare, ferrurn ;
Nil obstet tibi, dum ne sit te ditior alter. 40
Quid juvat immensum te argenti pondus et auri
Furtim defossa timidum deponere terra ? —
Quod, si comminuas, vilem redigatur ad assem. —
At, ni id fit, quid habet pulcliri constructus acervus ?
Millia frumenti tua triverit area centum ; 45
Non tuus hoc capiet venter plus ac meus : ut, si
Reticulum panis venales inter onusto
Forte vehas humero, nihilo plus accipias, quam
Qui nil portarit. Vel die, quid referat intra
Naturae fines viventi, jugera centum an 50
Mille aret ? — At suave est ex mag?io tollere acervo. —
Dum ex parvo nobis tantundem haurire relinquas,
Cur tua plus laudes cumeris granaria nostris ?
U t tibi si sit opus liquidi non amplius urna
Vel cyatho, et dicas : Magna de flumine malim, 55
Quam ex Jwc fonticulo tantundem sumere. Eo fit,
Plenior ut si quos delectet copia justo,
l.J SERMONUM. LIBER I. 129
Cum ripa simul avulsos ferat Aufidus acer :
At qui tantuli eget, quanto est opus, is neque limo
Turbatam haurit aquam, neque vitam amittit in undis 60
At bona pars hominum, decepta cupidine falso,
Nil satis est, inquit ; quia tanti, quantum habeas, sis.
Quid facias illi ? Jubeas miserum esse, libenter
Quatenus id facit. Ut quidam memoratur Athenis
Sordidus ac dives populi contemnere voces 65
Sic solitus : Populus me sibilat, at mihi plaudo
Ipse domi, simul ae nummos contemplor in area. —
Tantalus a labris sitiens fugientia captat
Flumina : Quid rides ? mutato nomine de te
Fabula narratur : congestis undique saccis 70
Indormis inhians, et tanquam parcere sacris
Cogeris, aut pictis tanquam gaudere tabellis.
Nescis quo valeat nummus ? quern praebeat usum ?
Panis ematur, olus, vini sextarius : adde,
Queis humana sibi doleat natura negatis. 75
An vigilare metu exanimem, noctesque diesque
Formidare malos fures, incendia, servos,
Ne te compilent fugientes, hoc juvat ? Horum
Semper ego optarim pauperrimus esse bonorum. —
At si condoliiit tentatum frigore corpus. 80
Aut alius casus lecto te affixit, habes qui
Assideat, /omenta paret, medicum roget, ut te
Suscitet, ac natis reddat carisque propinquis.—
Non uxor salvum te vult, non filius : omnes
Vicini oderunt, noti, pueri atque puelke. 85
Miraris, quum tu argento post omnia ponas,
Si nemo pra^stet, quem non merearis, amorem ?
An sic cognatos, nullo natura labore
Quos tibi dat, retinere velis, servareque amicos ?
Infelix operam perdas, ut si quis asellum 90
In campo doceat parentem currere frenis !
Denique sit finis quserendi ; quoque habeas plus,
F 2
130 a. HORATII FLACCI [1,2.
Pauperiem metuas minus, et finire laborem
Incipias, parto quod avebas. Ne facias, quod
Ummidius, qui, tarn (non longa est fabula) dives, 95
Ut metiretur nummos ; ita sordidus, ut se
Non unquam servo melius vestiret ; ad usque
Supremum tempus, ne se penuria victus
Opprimeret, metuebat. At hunc liberta securi
Divisit medium, fortissima Tyndaridarum. 100
Quid mi igitur snades ? ut vivam Mcenius aut sic
Ut Nomentanus ? Pergis pugnantia secum
Frontibus adversis componere ? Non ego, avarum
Quum veto te fieri, vappam jubeo ac nebulonem.
Est inter Tanain quiddam socerumque Viselli : 105
Est modus in rebus, sunt certi denique fines,
Quos ultra citraque nequit consistere rectum.
Illuc, unde abii, redeo. Nemon ut avarus
Se probet, ac potius laudet diversa sequentes ;
Quodque aliena capella gerat distentius uber, 110
Tabescat ? neque se majori pauperiorum
Turbae comparet ? hunc atque hunc superare laboret ?
Sic festinanti semper locupletior obstat :
Ut, quum carceribus missos rapit ungula currus,
Instat equis auriga suos vincentibus, ilium 1 1 5
Prseteritum temnens extremos inter euntem.
Inde fit, ut raro, qui se vixisse beatum
Dicat, et exacto contentus tempore, vita
Cedat, uti conviva satur, reperire queamus.
Jam satis est. Ne me Crispini scrinia lippi 120
Compilasse putes, verbum non amplius addam.
Satiua II.
IN MCECHOS.
Ambubaiarum collegia, pharmacopolae,
Mendici, mima3, balatrones, hoc genus ornne
Moestum ac sollicitum est cantoris morte T
2, 3.] SERMONUM. LIBER I. 131
Quippe benignus erat. Contra hie, ne prodigus esse
Dicatur metuens, inopi dare nolit amico, *>
Frigus quo duramque famem propellere possit.
Hunc si perconteris, avi cur atque parentis
Praeclaram ingrata stringat malus ingluvie rem,
Omnia conductis coemens opsonia nummis :
Sordidus atque animi parvi quod nolit haberi, 10
Respondet, Laudatur ab his, culpatur ab illis.
Fufidius vappae famam timet ac nebulonis,
Dives agris, dives positis in fenore nummis :
Quinas hie capiti mercedes exsecat, atque
Quanto perditior quisque est, tanto acrius urget ; 15
Nomina sectatur, modo sumta veste virili,
Sub patribus duris, tironum. Maxime, quis non,
Jupiter, exclamat, simul atque audivit ? — At in se
Pro quastu sumtum facit hie. — Vix credere possis,
Quam sibi non sit amicus : ita ut pater ille, Terenti 20
Fabula quern miserum nato vixisse fugato
Inducit, non se pejus cruciaverit atque hie.
Si quis nunc quserat, Quo res haec pertinet ? Illuc :
Durn vitant stulti vitia, in contraria currunt.
Satira III.
IN OBTRECTATORES ET SUPERCILIUM
STOICUM.
Omnibus hoc vitium est cantoribus, inter amico
Ut nunquam inducant animum cantare rogati,
Injussi nunquam desistant. Sardus habebat
Ille Tigellius hoc. Caesar, qui cogere posset,
Si peteret per amicitiam patris atque suam, non
Quidquam proficeret ; si collibuisset, ab ovo
Usque ad mala citaret Io Bacche ! modo summa
Vooe, modo hac, resonat quae chordis quatuor una.
VS2 Q. HORATII FLACCI [3.
Nil sequale homini fait illi. Sarpe velut qui
Currebat fugiens hostcm, persaepe velut qui 10
Junonis sacra ferret : habebat siepe du centos,
Sarpe decern servos : modo reges atque tetrarcbas,
Omnia magna, loquens : modo, Sit mihi mcnsa tripes et
Conclia salis puH ct toga, qua defendere frigus,
Quamvis crassa, queat. Decies centena dedisses 15
Huic parco, paucis contento, quinque diebus
Nil erat in IgcuHs. Noctes vigilabat ad ipsum
Mane ; diem totum stertebat. Nil fait unquam
Sic impar sibi.
Nunc aliquis dicat rnihi : Quid tu ?
Nullanc hdbes vitia ? Imo alia, et fortasse minora. 20
Mamius absentem Novinm quum carperet, Heus tu,
Quidam ait, ignoras te ? an ut ignotum dare nobis
Verba putas ? Egomct mi ignosco, Mamius inquit
Stultus et improbus hie amor est dignusque notari.
Quum tua pcrvideas oculis male lippus inunctis, 25
Cur in amicorum vitiis tarn cernis acutum,
Quam aut aquila aut serpens Epidaurius ? At tibi contra
Evenit, inquirant vitia ut tua rursus et illi.
fracundior est paulo ; minus aptus acutis
Naribus horum hominum ; ridcri possit, eo quod iO
Rusticius tonso toga defluit, et male laxus
In pede calccus hasret : at est bonus, ut melior vir
Non alius quisquam ; at tibi amicus ; at ingenium ingens
Inculto latet hoc sub corpore : denique te ipsum
Concute, imin qua tibi vitiorum inseverit olim 6t
Natura aut etiam consuetudo mala : namque
Neglectis urenda filix innascitur agris.
Uluc prsevertamur : amatorem quod amicse
Turpia decipiunt csecum vitia, aut etiam ipsa Iraec
JDelectant, veluti Balbinum polypus Hagna?. 40
Vellem in amicitia sic erraremus. et isti
Errori nomen virtus posuisset honestum.
3.] SERMONUM. LIBER I. 133
At pater ut gnati, sic nos debemus amici,
Si quod sit vitium, non fastidire : strabonem
Appellat Pactum pater ; et Pullum, male parvus 4 5
Si cui filius est, ut abortivus fuit olim
Sisyphus : hunc Varum, distortis cruribus ; ilium
Balbutit Scaurum, pravis fultum male talis.
Parcius hie vivit ? frugi dicatur. Ineptus
Et jactantior hie paulo est ? concinnus amicis 50
Postulat ut videatur. At est truculentior atque
Plus aequo liber ? simplex fortisque habeatur.
Caldior est ? acres inter numeretur. Opinor,
Ha3c res et jungit, junctos et servat amicos.
At nos virtutes ipsas invertimus atque f>5
Sincerum cupimus vas incrustare. Probus quis
Nobiscum vivit ? multum est demissus homo ? Illi
Tardo cognomen pingui et damus. Hie fugit omnes
Insidias, nullique malo latus obdit apertum ?
(Quum genus hoc inter vitae versemur, ubi acris 60
Invidia atque vigent ubi crimina :) pro bene sano
Ac non incauto fictum astutumque vocamus.
Simplicior quis, et est, qualem me saepe libenter
Obtulerim tibi, Maecenas, ut forte legentem
Aut taciturn impellat quovis sermone molestus ? 64
Communi sensu plane caret, inquimus. Eheu,
Quam temere in nosmet legem sancimus iniquam !
Nam vitiis nemo sine nascitur : optimus ille est,
Qui minimis urgetur. Amicus dulcis, ut sequum est,
Quum mea compenset vitiis bona, pluribus hisce, 7G
Si modo plura mihi bona sunt, inclinet. Amari
Si volet hac lege, in trutina ponetur eadem.
^ui, ne tuberibus propriis ofiendat amicum,
Postulat, ignoscet verrucis illius ; asquum est,
?eccatis veniam poscentem reddere rursus. 75
Denique, quatenus excidi penitus vitium irae,
tera item nequeunt stultis haerentia ; cur non
134 a. HORATII FLACCI [3.
Ponderibus modulisque suis ratio utitur ? ac res
Ut quseque est, ita suppliciis delicta coercet ?
Si quis eum servum, patinam qui tollere jussus 80
Semesos pisces tepidumque ligurierit jus,
In cruce sufhgat, Labeone insanior inter
Sanos dicatur. Quanto hoc furiosius atque
Majus peccatum est ? Paulum deliquit amicus ;
Quod nisi concedas, habeare insuavis ; acerbus 85
Odisti, et fugis, ut Rusonem debitor seris,
Qui nisi, quum tristes misero venere Kalendc,,
Mercedem aut nummos unde unde extricat, amaras
Porrecto jugulo historias, captivus ut, audit.
Comminxit lectum potus, mensave catillum 90
Euandri manibus tritum dejecit : ob hanc rem,
Aut positum ante mea quia pullum in parte catini
Sustulit esuriens, minus hoc jucundus amicus
Sit mihi ? Quid faciam, si furtum fecerit ? aut si
Prodiderit commissa fide ? sponsumve negarit ? 95
Queis paria esse fere placuit peccata, laborant,
Quum ventum ad verum est ; sensus moresque repugnant,
Atque ipsa utilitas, justi prope mater et sequi.
Quum prorepserunt primis animalia terris,
Mutum et turpe pecus, glandem atque cubilia propter 100
Unguibus et pugnis, dein fustibus, atque ita porro
Pugnabant armis, quae post fabricaverat usus ;
Donee verba, quibus voces sensusque notarent,
Nominaque invenere : dehinc absistere bello
Oppida casperunt munire, et ponere leges, 105
Ne quis fur esset, neu latro, ne quis adulter.
Nam fuit ante Helenam mulier teterrima belli
Causa : sed ignotis perierunt mortibus i]li,
Quos,Venerem incertam rapientes, more ferarun
Viribus editior caedebat, ut in grege taurus. HO
Jura inventa metu injusti fateare necesse est,
Tempora si fastosque velis evolvere mundi.
8, 4 J SERMONUM. LIBER I. 135
Nec natura potest justo secevnere iniquum,
Dividit ut bona diversis, fugienda petendis :
Nec vincet ratio hoc, tantundem ut peccet idemque, 115
Qui teneros caules alieni firegerit horti,
Et qui nocturnus sacra Divum legerit. Adsit
Regula, peccatis quae poenas irroget aequas,
Nec scutica dignum horhbili sectere flagello.
Ne ferula caedas meritum majora subire 120
Verbera, non vereor, quum dicas esse pares res
Furta latrociniis, et magnis parva mineris
Falce recisurum simili te, si tibi regnura
Permittant homines. Si dives, qui sapiens est,
Et sutor bonus, et solus formosus, et est rex ; 125
Cur optas quod habes ? — Non nosti, quid pater, inquit,
Chrysippus dicat : Sapiens crepidas sibi nunquam
Nec soleas fecit ; sutor tamen est sapiens. — Qui ?—
Ut, quamvis tacet Hermogcncs, cantor tamen atque
Optimus est modulator ; it.t Alfenius vafer, omni 130
Abjecto instrumento artis clausaque taberna,
Tonsor erat : sapiens operis sic optimus omnis
Est opifex solus, sic rex. — Vellunt tibi barbam
Lascivi pueri ; quos tu nisi fuste coerces.
Urgeris turba circum te stante, miserque 135
Rumperis, et latras, magnorum maxime regum.
Ne longum faciam, dum tu quadrante lavatum
Rex ibis, neque te quisquam stipator, ineptum
Praeter Crispinum, sectabitur, et mihi dulces
Ignoscent, si quid peccaro stultus, amici ; 140
Inque vicem illorum patiar delicta libenter,
Privatusque magis vivam te rege beatus.
Satira IV.
IN OBTRECTATORES SUOS.
Eupolis atque Cratinus Aristophanesque poetae,
Atque alii, quorum Comaedia prisca virorum est
136 a. HORATII FLACCI [4
Si quis erat dignus describi, quod malus, aut fur,
Quod moechus foret, aut sicarius, aut alioqui
Famosus, multa cum libertate notabant.
Hinc omnis pendet Lucilius, hosce secutus,
Mutatis tantum pedibus numerisque ; facetus,
Emunctae naris, durus componere versus.
Nam fuit hoc vitiosus, in hora seepe ducentos,
Ut magnum, versus dictabat stans pede in uno. 10
Quum flueret lutulentus, erat quod tollere velles
Garrulus, atque piger scribendi ferre laborem,
Scribendi recte : nam ut multum, nil moror. Ecce !
Crispinus minimo me provocat : — Accipe, si vis,
Accipiam tabulas ; detur nobis locus, hora, 16
Custodcs ; vidcamus, liter plus scribere possit. —
Di bene fecerunt, inopis me quodque pusilli
Finxerunt animi, raro et perpauca loquentis.
At tu conclusas hircinisfollibus auras,
Usque laborantes, dum ferrum emolliat ignis, 2°
TJt mavis, imitare.
Beatus Fannius, ultro
Delatis capsis et imagine ! quum mea nemo
Scripta legat, vulgo recitare timentis, ob hanc rem,
Quod sunt quos genus hoc minime juvat, utpotc plures
Culpari dignos. Quemvis media elige turba ; 2i
Aut ab avaritia aut misera ambitione laborat.
Hunc capit argenti splendor ; stupet Albius sere
Hie mutat merces surgente a sole ad eum, quo
Vespertina tepet regio ; quin per mala prssceps
Fertur, uti pulvis collectus turbine, ne quid 30
Summa deperdat metuens, aut ampliet ut rem
Omnes hi metuunt versus, odere poetas. —
Fenum habet in cornu ; longe fuge : dummodo risum
Excutiat sibi, non hie cuiquam parcet amico ;
Et, quodcunque semcl diartis illeverit, omnes 5
Gestiet a furno redcuntes scire laaique
4.] 3ERM0NUM. LIBER I. 137
Et pueros et anus. — Agedum, pauca accipe contra,
Primum ego me illorum, dederim quibus esse poetis,
Excerpam numero : neque enim concludere versum
Dixeris esse satis ; neque, si qui scribat, uti nos, 40
Sermoni propiora, putes hunc esse poetam.
Ingenium cui sit, cui mens divinior, atque os
Magna sonaturum, des nominis hujus honorem.
Idcirco quidam, Comoedia necne poema
Esset, queesivere ; quod acer spiritus ac vis 45
Nee verbis nee rebus inest, nisi quod pede eeito
Differt sermoni, sermo merus. — At pater ardens
Scevit, quod meretrice nepos insanus arnica
Filius uxorem grandi cum dote recuset,
Ebrius et, magnum quod dedecus, ambulet ante 50
Noctem cum facibus. — Numquid Pomponius istis
Audiret leviora, pater si viveret ? Ergo
Non satis est puris versum perscribere verbis,
Quem si dissolvas, quivis stomachetur eodem
Quo personatus pacto pater. His, ego quae nunc, 55
Olim qua3 scripsit Lucilius, eripias si
Tempora certa modosque, et, quod prius ordine verbum est,
Posterius facias, prseponens ultima primis,
Non, ut si solvas "Postquam discordia tetra
Belli ferratos 2^ostes portasque ref regit" 60
Invenias etiam disjecti membra poeta3.
Hactenus hsec : alias, justum sit necne poema ;
Nunc illud tantum quseram, meritone tibi sit
Suspectum genus hoc scribendi. Sulcius acer
Ambulat et Caprius, rauci male cumque libellis, 66
Magnus uterque timor latronibus ; at bene si quis
Et vivat puris manibus, contemnat utrumque.
Ut sis tu similis Caeli Birrique latronum,
Non ego sum Capri neque Sulci : cur metuas me ?
Nulla taberna meos habeat neque pila libellos, /0
Queis manus insudet vulgi Hermogenisque Tigelli ;
138 a. H OR ATI I FLACOl [4.
Nec recito cuiquam, nisi amicis, idque coactus,
Non ubivis, coramve quibuslibet. — In ??iedio qui
Scripta foro recitent, sunt mulli, quique lavantcs ;
Suave locus voci resonat conclusus. — Inanes 75
Hoc juvat, haud illud quasrentes, num sine sensu,
Tempore num faciant alieno. — Lcedcre gaudes,
Inquit, et hoc studio pravus fads. — Unde petitum
Hoc in me jacis ? est auctor quis denique eorum,
Vixi cum quibus ? Absentem qui rodit amicum, 80
Qui non defendit alio culpante, solutos
Qui captat risus hominum famamque dicacis,
Fingere qui non visa potest, commissa tacere
Qui nequit ; hie niger est, hunc tu, Romane, caveto.
Saepe tribus lectis videas coenare quaternos, 85
E quibus imus amet quavis adspergere cunctos
Praeter eum, qui praebet aquam : post, hunc quoque potus,
Condita quum verax aperit praecordia Liber.
Hie tibi comis et urbanus liberque videtur
Infesto nigris : ego, si risi, quod ineptus 90
Pastillos Runllus olet, Gargonius hircum,
Lividus et mordax videor tibi ? Mentio si qua
De Capitolini furtis injecta Petilli
Te coram fuerit, defendas, ut tuus est mos : —
Me Capitolinus convictore usus amicoque 95
A puero est, causaque mea permulta rogatus
Fecit, et incolumis Icetor quod vivit in urbe ;
Sed tamen admiror, quo pacto judicium illud
Fugerit. — Hie nigrae succus loliginis, haec est
JErugo mera ; quod vitium procul afore chartis, 100
Atque animo prius, ut si quid promittere de me
Possum alind vere, promitto. Liberius si
Dixero quid, si forte jocosius, hoc mini juris
Cum venia dabis : insuevit pater optimus hoc me
Ut fugerem, exemplis vitiorum quasque notando. 105
Quum me hortaretur, parce, frugaliter, atque
4.] rfERMONUM. l.IBER I. 139
Viverem uti contentus eo, quod mi ipse parasset :
Nonne vides, Albi ut male vivat filius ? utque
Barrus inops ? magnum documentum, ne patriam rem
Perdere quis velit. A turpi meretricis amore 110
Quura deterreret : Scetani dissimilis sis,
Aiebat. Sapiens, vitatu quidque petitic
Sit melius, causas reddet tibi ; mi satis est, si
Traditum ab antiquis morem servare, tuamque,
Them custodis eges, vitam famamque tueri 115
Incolumem possum ; simul ac duraverit cetas
Membra animumque tuum, nabis sine cortice. Sic me
Formabat puerum dictis, et sive jubebat
Ut facerem quid, Habes auctorcm, quo facias Jwc ;
Unum ex judicibus selectis objiciebat : 120
Sive vetabat, An hoc inhonestum et inutile factum
Necne sit, addubites, Jlagret rumore malo quum
Hie atque Me ? Avidos vicinum funus ut segros
Exanimat, mortisque metu sibi parcere cogit ;
Sic teneros animos aliena opprobria saepe 125
Absterrent vitiis. Ex hoc ego sanus ab illis,
Perniciem qua^cunque ferunt, mediocribus, et queis
Ignoscas, vitiis teneor. Fortassis et istinc
Largiter abstulerit longa a?tas, liber amicus, 12i?
Consilium proprium ; neque enim, quum lectulus aut me
Porticus excepit, desum mi hi. Rectius hoc est ;
Hoc faciens vivam melius ; sic dulcis amicis
Occurram; Jwc quidam non belle ; ?iumquid ego UL
Imprudcns olim faciam siirtile ? Haec ego mecum
Compressis agito labris ; ubi quid datur oti, 135
Illudo chartis. Hoc est mediocribus illis •
Ex vitiis unum, cui si concedere nolis,
Multa poetarum veniet manus, auxilio quaj
Sit mihi ; nam multo plures sumus, ac veluti te
Judasi cogemus in hanc concedere turbam. 140
140 Q. HORATII TLACCr [5.
Carmen V.
ITER BRUNDISINUM.
Egressum magna me excepit Aricia Roma
Hospitio modico ; rhetor eomes Heliodorus,
Graecorum longe doctissimus. Inde Forum Appi,
DirTertum nautis, cauponibus atque malignis.
Hoc iter ignavi divisimus, altius ac nos 5
Prsecinctis unum : minus est gravis Appia tardis.
Hie ego propter aquam, quod erat deterrima, ventri
Indico bellum, ccenantes haud animo aequo
Exspectans comites. Jam nox inducere terris
Umbras et ccelo diffundere signa parabat : 10
Turn pueri nautis, pueris convicia nautse
Ingerere. — Hue appelle. Trecentos inserts ; ohe
Jam satis est ! — Dum aes exigitur, dum mula ligatur,
Tota abit hora. Mali culices raneeque palustres
Avertunt somnos. Absentem ut cantat amicam 15
Multa prolutus vappa nauta atque viator
Certatim, tandem fessus dormire viator
Incipit, ac missae pastum retinacula mulae
Nauta piger saxo religat, stertitque supinus.
Jamque dies aderat, nil quum procedere lintrem 20
Sentimus ; donee cerebrosus prosilit unus,
Ac mulae nautasque caput lurnbosque saligno
Fuste dolat. Quarta vix demum exponimur hora,
Ora manusque tua Javimur, Feronia, lympha.
Millia turn pransi tria repimus, atque subimus 25
Impositum saxis late eandenlibus Anxur.
Hue venturus erat Maecenas optimus, atque
Cocceius, missi magnis de rebus uterque
Legati, aversos soliti componere amicos.
Hie oculis ego nigra meis collyria lippus 30
Illinere. Interea Maecenas advenit atque
5.] SERMONUM. LIBER I. 141
Cocceius Capitoque simul Fonteius, ad unguem
Factus homo, Antoni, non ut magis alter, amicus.
Fundos Aufidio Lusco praetore libenter
Linquimus, insani ridentes praemia scribae, 35
Praetextam et latum clavum prunaeque batillum.
In Mamurrarum lassi deinde urbe manemus,
Murena praebente domum, Capitone culinam.
Postera lux oritur multo gratissima, namque
Plotius et Varius Sinuessae Virgiliusque 40
Occurrunt, animas, quales neque candidiores
Terra tulit, neque queis me sit devinctior alter.
O qui complexus et gaudia quanta fuerunt !
Nil ego contulerim jucundo sanus amico.
Proxima Campano ponti quae villula tectum 45
Praebuit, et parochi, quae debent, ligna salemque.
Hinc muli Capuae clitellas tempore ponunt.
Lusum it Maecenas, dormitum ego Virgiliusque :
Namque pila lippis inimicum et ludere crudis.
Hinc nos Cocceii recipit plenissima villa, 50
Quae super est Caudi cauponas. Nunc mini paucis
Sarmenti scurrae pugnam Messique Cicirri,
Musa, velim memores, et quo patre natus uterque
Contulerit lites. Messi clarum genus Osci ;
Sarmenti domina exstat : ab his majoribus orti 55
Ad pugnam venere. Prior Sarmentus : Equi te
Esse feri similem dico. Ridemus ; et ipse
Messius : Accipio ; caput et movet. O, tua corn^
Ni foret exsecto frons, inquit, quid faceres, quum
Sic mutilus minitaris ? At illi fceda cicatrix 60
Setosam laevi frontem turpaverat oris.
Campanum in morbum, in faciem permulta jocatus,
Pastorem saltaret uti Cyclopa rogabat ;
Nil illi larva aut tragicis opus esse cothurnis.
Mult a Cicirrus ad haec : Donasset jamne catenam 65
Ex voto Laribus, quaerebat ; scriba quod esset,
142 U. HORATII FLACC1 [5
Nihilo deterius dominae jus esse. Rogabat
Denique, cur unquam fugisset, cui satis una
Farris libra foret, gracili sic tamque pusillo ?
Prorsus jucunde ccenam produximus illam. 70
Tendimus hinc recta Beneventum, ubi sedulus hospos
Psene macros arsit dum turdos versat in igni ;
Nam vaga per veterem dilapso flamma culinam
Vulcano summum properabat lambere tectum.
Convivas avidos ccenam servosque timentes 75
Turn rapere, atque omnes restinguere velle videres.
Incipit ex illo montes Apulia notos
Ostentare mihi, quos torret Atabulus, et quos
Nunquam erepsemus, nisi nos vicina Trivici
Villa recepisset, lacrimoso non sine fumo, 80
Udos cum foliis ramos urente camino.
Quatuor hinc rapimur viginti et millia rhedis,
Mansuri oppidulo, quod versu dicere non est,
Signis perfacile est : venit vilissima rerum
Hie aqua ; sed panis longe pulcherrimus, ultra 85
Callidus ut soleat humeris portare viator ;
Nam Canusi lapidosus, aquae non ditior urna
Qui locus a forti Diomede est conditus olim.
Flentibus hie Varius discedit moestus amicis.
Inde Rubos fessi pervenimus, utpote longum 90
Carpentes iter et factum corruptius imbri.
Postera tempestas melior, via pejor ad usque
Bari mGenia piscosi. Dehinc Gnatia lymphis
Iratis exstructa dedit risusque jocosque,
Dum flamma sine thura liquescere limine sacro 96
Persuadere cupit. Credat Judseus.Apella,
Non ego ; namque deos didici securum agere sevum,
Nee, si quid miri faciat natura, deos id
Tristes ex alto cceli demittere tecto.
Brundisium longae finis chartaeque viaeque. 100
6.] SERMONUM. LIBER I. 143
Satera VI.
IN DERISORES NATALIUM SUORUM.
Non, quia, Mascenas, Lydorum quidquid Etruscos
Incoluit fines, nemo generosior est te,
Nee, quod avus tibi maternus fuit atque paternus,
Olim qui magnis legionibus imperitarunt,
Ut plerique solent, naso suspendis adunco 5
Ignotos, ut me libertino patre natum.
Quum referre negas, quali sit quisque parente
Natus, dum ingenuus : persuades hoc tibi vere,
Ante potestatem Tulli atque ignobile regnum
Multos saepe viros nullis majoribus ortos 10
Et vixisse probos, amplis et honoribus auctos :
Contra Laevinum, Valeri genus, unde Superbus
Tarquinius regno pulsus fugit, unius assis
Non unquam pretio pluris licuisse, notante
Judice, quo nosti, populo, qui stultus honores 15
Saepe dat indignis, et famse servit ineptus,
Qui stupet in titulis et imaginibus. Quid oportet
Vos facere, a vulgo longe longeque remotos ?
Namque esto, populus Laevino mallet honorem
Quam Decio mandare novo, censorque moveret 20
Appius, ingenuo si non essem patre natus ;
Vel merito, quoniam in propria non pelle quiessem.
Sed fulgente trahit constrictos Gloria curru
Non minus ignotos generosis. Quo tibi, Tilli,
Sumere depositum clavum, fierique tribuno ? 25
Invidia accrevit, privato quae minor esset.
Nam ut quisque insanus nigris medium impediit crus
Pellibus, et latum demisit pectore clavum,
Audit continuo : Quis homo hie est ? quo patre natus ?
Ut si qui aegrotet, quo morbo Barrus, haberi 30
Ut cupiat formosus, eat quacunque, puellis
144 Q. HORATII FLACCI [6.
Injiciat curam quserendi singula, quali
Sit facie, sura, quali pede, dente, capillo :
Sic qui promittit, cives, Urbem sibi curse,
Imperium fore, et Italiam, et delubra deorum 35
Quo patre sit natus, num ignota matre iuhouestus,
Oranes mortales curare et quaerere cogit. —
Tunc Syri, Damce, aut Dionysi Jilius, audes
Dejicere e saxo cives, aut tradcrc Caclmo? —
At Novius collega gradu post me sedet uno ; 40
Namque est ille, pater quod erat meus. — Hoc tibi PauLlus
Et Messala videris ? At hie, si plostra ducenta
Concurrantque foro tria funera, magna sonabit
Comma quod vincatquc tubas : saltern tenet hoc nos. —
Nunc ad me redeo, libertino patre natum, 45
Quern rodunt omnes libertino patre natum ;
Nunc, quia sum tibi, Maecenas, convictor ; at olim,
Quod mihi pareret legio Romana tribuno.
Dissimile hoc illi est, quia non, ut forsit honorem
Jure mihi invideat quivis, ita te quoque amicum, 50
Prsesertim cautum dignos assumere, prava
Ambitione procul. Felicem dicere non hoc
Me possim, casu quod te sortitus amicum ;
Nulla etenim mihi te fors obtulit : optimus olim
Virgilius, post hunc Varius, dixere quid essem. 55
Ut veni coram, singultim pauca locutus,
Infans namque pudor prohibebat plura profari,
Non ego me claro natum patre, non ego circum
Me Satureiano vectari rura caballo,
Sed, quod eram, narro. Respondes, ut tuus est mos, 60
Pauca : abeo ; et revocas nono post mense, jubesque
Esse in amicorum numero. Magnum hoc ego duco,
Quod placui tibi, qui turpi secernis honestum,
Non patre prseclaro, sed vita et pectore puro.
Atqui si vitiis mediocribus ac mea paucis 65
Mendosa est natura, alioqui recta, velut si
6.] SERMONUM. LIBER I. 145
Egregio inspersos reprendas corpore naevos,
Si neque avaritiam neque sordes aut mala lustra
Objiciet vere quisquam mihi ; purus et insons,
Ut me collaudem, si et vivo cams amicis ; 70
Causa fuit pater his, qui macro pauper agello
Noluit in Flavi ludum me mittere, magni
Quo pueri magnis e centurionibus orti,
Laevo suspensi loculos tabulamque lacerto,
Ibant octonis referentes Idibus sera ; 75
Sed puerum est ausus Romara portare, docendum
Artes, quas doceat quivis eques atque senator
Semet prognatos. Vestem servosque sequentes,
In magno ut populo, si qui vidisset, avita
Ex re preeberi sumtus mihi crederet illos. 80
Ipse mihi custos incorruptissimus omnes
Circum doctores aderat. Quid multa ? pudicum,
Qui primus virtutis honos, servavit ab omni
Non solum facto, verum opprobrio quoque turpi :
Nee timuit, sibi ne vitio quis verteret olim, 85
Si pra3co parvas, aut, ut fuit ipse, coactor
Mercedes sequerer ; neque ego essem questus. Ad hoc nunc
Laus illi debetur et a me gratia major.
Nil me poeniteat sanum patris hujus ; eoque
Non, ut magna dolo factum negat esse suo pars, 90
Quod non ingenuos habeat clarosque parentes,
Sic me defendam. Longc mea discrepat istis
Et vox et ratio : nam si natura juberet
A certis annis ayvum reineare peractum,
Atque alios legere ad fastum quoscunque parentes, 4J5
Optaret sibi quisque : meis contentus honestos
Fascibus et seilis nollem mihi sumere, demens
Judicio vulgi, sanus fortasse tuo, quod
Nollem onus haud unquam solitus portare molcstum.
Nam mihi coniin.no magoi quserenda foret 100
Atque salutandi phixes : ducendus ei anus
G
146 a. HORATII FLACCI [6, *
Et comes alter, uti ne solus rusve peregreve
Exirem ; plures calones atque caballi
Pascendi ; ducenda petorrita. Nunc mihi curto
Ire licet mulo vel, si libet, usque Tarentum, 105
Mantica cui lumbos onere ulceret atque etjues armos
Objiciet nemo sordes mihi, quas tibi, Tilli,
Quum Tiburte via praetorem quinque sequuntur
Te pueri, lasanum portantes csnophorumque.
Hoc ego commodius quam tu, prajclare senator, 210
Multis atque aliis vivo. Quacunque libido est,
Incedo solus ; percontor, quanti olus ac far ;
Fallacem circum vespertinumque pererro
Ssepe forum ; adsisto divinis ; hide domum me
Ad porri et ciceris refero laganique catinum. 115
Caena minis tratur pueris tribus, et lapis albus
Pocula cum cyatho duo sustinet ; adstat echinus
Vilis, cum patera guttus, Campana supellex.
Deinde eo dormitum, non sollicitus, mihi quod eras
Surgendum sit mane, obeundus Marsya, qui se 120
Vultum ferre negat Noviorum posse minoris.
Ad quartam jaceo ; post hanc vagor ; aut ego, lecto
Aut scripto, quod me taciturn juvet, ungor olivo,
Non quo fraudatis immundus Natta lucernis.
Ast ubi me fessum sol acrior ire lavatum 125
Admonuit, fugio campum lusumque trigonem.
Pransus non avide, quantum interpellet inani
Ventre diem durare, domesticus otior. Heec est
Vita solutorum misera ambitione gravique.
His me consolor victurum suavius, ac si 13(1
Quaestor avus, pater atque meus, patruusque fuisset.
Satira VII.
IN MALEDICOS ET INHUMANOS
Proscripti Regis Rupili pus atque venenum
Ilybrida quo pacto sit Persius ultus, opinor
7.J SERMONUM. LIBER I. 147
Omnibus et lippis notum et tonsoribus esse
Persius hie permagna negotia dives habebat,
Clazomenis, etiam lites cum Rege molestas ; 5
Durus homo, atque odio qui posset vincere Regem,
Confidens, tumidusque, adeo sermonis amari,
Sisennas, Barros ut equis prsecurreret albis.
Ad Regem redeo. Postquam nihil inter utrumque
Convenit (hoc etenim sunt omnes jure molesti, 10
Quo fortes, quibus adversum bellum incidit : inter
Hectora Priamiden, animosum atque inter Achillem
Ira fuit capitalis, ut ultima divideret mors,
Non aliam ob causam nisi quod virtus in utroque
Surama fuit ; duo si discordia vexet inertes, 15
Aut si disparibus bellum incidat, ut Diomedi
Cum Lycio Glauco, discedat pigrior, ultro
Muneribus missis) : Bruto praetore tenente
Ditem Asiam, Rupili et Persi par pugnat, uti non
Compositum melius cum Bitho Bacchius. In jus 20
Acres procurrunt, magnum spectaculum uterque.
Persius exponit causam ; ridetur ab omni
Conventu : laudat Brutum laudatque cohortem ;
Solem Asia? Brutum appellat, stellasque salubres
Appellat comites, excepto Rege ; canem ilium, 25
Invisum agricolis sidus, venisse : ruebat,
Flumen ut hibernum, fertur quo rara securis.
Turn Praenestinus salso multoque fluenti
Expressa arbusto regerit convicia, durus
Vindemiator et invictus, cui saepe viator 30
Cessisset, magna compellans voce cucullum.
At Gracus, postquam est Italo perfusus aceto,
Persius exclamat : Per magnos, Brute, Deos te
Oro, qui reges consuesti tollere ; cur no?i 34
Hunc Regem jugulas ? operum lioc, mihi crede, tuonmi est
148 a. IIORATII FLACCI [8.
Satira VIII.
IN SUPERSTITIOSOS ET VENEFICAS.
Olim truncus eram ficulnus, inutile lignum,
Quum faber, incertus scamnum faceretne Priapum,
Maluit esse Deum. Deus inde ego, furum aviumque
Maxima formido : nam fures dextra coercet.
Ast importunas volucres in vertice arundo 5
Terret fixa, vetatque novis considere in hortis.
Hue prius angustis ejecta cadavera cellis
Conservus vili portanda locabat in area.
Hoc miseras plebi stabat commune sepulcrum,
Pantolabo scuiteb Nomentanoque nepoti. 1 0
Mille pedes in fronte, trecentos cippus in agrum
Hie dabat ; heredes monumentum ne sequeretur.
Nunc licet Esquiliis habitare salubribus, atque
Aggere in aprico spatiari, qua modo tristes
Albis informem spectabant ossibus agrum, 15
Quum mihi non tantum furesque ferseque, suetse
Hunc vexare locum, curss sunt atque labori,
Quantum carminibus quae versant atque venenis
Humanos animos. Has nullo perdere possum
Nee prohibere modo, simul ac vaga Luna decorum 20
Protulit os, quin ossa legant herbasque nocentes
Vidi egomet nigra succinctam vadere palla
Canidiam, pedibus nudis, passoque capillo,
Cum Sagana majore ululantern. Pallor utrasque
Fecerat horrendas adspectu. Scalpere terram 25
Unguibus, et pullam divellere mordicus agnam
Co3perunt ; cruor in fossam confusus, ut inde
Manes elicerent, animas responsa daturas.
Lanea et effigies erat, altera cerea ; major
Lanea, qua? pcenis compesceret inferiorem. 30
Cerea suppliciter stabat, servilibus ut qua?
8, 9.J SERMONUM. LIBER I. 149
Jam peritura modis. Hecaten vocat altera, ssevam
Altera Tisiphonen : serpentes atque videres
Infernas errare canes, lunamque rubentem,
Ne foret his testis, post magna latere sepnlera. 35
Singula quid memorem ? quo pacto alterna loquentes
Umbras cum Sagana resonarent triste et acutum ?
Utque lupi barbam varise cum dente colubras
Abdiderint furtim terris, et imagine cerea
Largior arserit ignis, et ut non testis inultus 40
Horruerim voces Furiarum et facta duarum ? —
Satira IX.
IN IMPUDENTES ET INEPTOS PARASITAS-
TROS. .
Ibam forte Via Sacra, sicut meus est mos,
Nescio quid meditans nugarum, totus in illis :
Accurrit quidam notus mihi nomine tantum,
Arreptaque manu, Quid agis, dulcissime rerum ?
Suaviter, ut nunc est, inquam, et cupio omnia qua vis. 5
Quum assectaretur, Num quid vis ? occupo : at iile,
Noris nos, inquit ; docti sumus. Hie ego, Tluris
Hoc, inquam, mihi eris. Misere discedere quaerens,
Ire modo ocius, interdum consistere, in aurem
Dicere nescio quid puero ; quum sudor ad imos 10
Manaret talos. O te, Bolane, cerebri
Felicem ! aiebam tacitus ; quum quidlibet ille
Garriret, vicos, urbem laudaret. Ut illi
Nil respondebam, Misere cupis, inquit, abire,
Jamdudum video, sed nil agis, usque tenebo, 15
Persequar. Hinc quo nunc iter est tibi ? — Nil opus est U
Circumagi ; quendam volo visere non tibi notum ;
Trans Tiberim longe cubat is, prope Ccesaris hortos. —
Nil habeo quod again, et non sum piger; usque sequar te.—*
Demitto auriculas ut iniquae mentis asellus, 20
150 U. HORATII FLACCI [Q
Quum gravius dorso subiit onus. Incipit ille :
Si bene me novi, non Viscum pluris amicum,
Non Variuni fades ; nam quis me scribcre pJitres
Aut citius possit versus ? quis membra movere
Mollius ? invideat quod et Hcrmogcnes, ego canto. 25
Interpellandi locus hie erat. — Est tibi mater ?
Cognati, quels te salvo est opits ? — Haud mihi quisquam ;
Omnes composui. — Felices! Nunc ego resto ;
Confice, namque instat fatum mihi triste, Sabella
Quod puero cecinit mota divina anus urna: 30
" Hunc neque dira venena nee hosticus auferet ensis,
Nee laterum dolor, aut tussis, nee tarda podagra ;
Gamdus hunc quando consumet cunque ; loquaces,
Si sapiat, vitet, simid atque adoleverit cetas."
Ventum erat ad Vestse, quarta jam parte diei 35
Pra^terita, et casu tunc respondere vadato
Debebat ; quod ni fecisset, perdere litem.
Si me amas, inquit, paulum hie ades. — Inteream, si
Aut valeo stare, aut novi civil ia jura ;
Et propero quo scis. — Dubius sum quid faciam, inquit ; 40
Tene relinquam an rem. — Me, sodes. — Non faciam, ille,
Et pra^cedere ccepit. Ego, ut contendere durum est
Cum victore, sequor. — Mczcenas quomodo tecum ?
Hie repetit. — Paucorum hominum et mentis bene sance ;
Nemo dexterius fortuna est usus. Haberes 45
Magnum adjutorem, posset qui f err e secundas,
Hunc Iwminem velles si tradere ; dispeream, ni
Summosses omnes. — Non isto vivitur illic,
Quo tu rere, modo ; domus hue nee purior ulla est,
Nee magis his aliena malis ; nil mi offcit inquam, 50
Ditior hie aut est quia doctior ; est locus uni-
Cuique suus. — Magnum narras, vix credibile. — Atqui
Sic habet. — Accendis, quare cupiam 7nagis illi
Vroximus esse. — Velis tantummodo ; quce tua virtus,
.Expugnabis ; et est qui vinci possit, eoque 55
9f 10. J SERMONUM. — LIBER I. 151
Difficiles aditus primos habet. — Haud mihi deero ;
Muneribus servos corrumpam ; non, hodie si
Exclusus fuero, desistam ; tempora quczram,
Occur ram in triviis, deducam. Nil sine magna
Vita labore dedit morttdibus. — Haec dum agit, ecce, CO
Fuscus Aristius occurrit, mihi cams et ilium
Qui pulchre nosset. Consistimus. Unde venis ? et,
Quo tendis ? rogat et respondet. Vellere coepi,
Et prensare manu lentissima brachia, nutans,
Distorquens oculos, ut me eriperet. Male salsus 65
Ridens dissimulare. Meum jecur urere bilis.
Certe nescio quid secreto velle loqui te
Aiebas mecum. — Memini be?ie, sed meliore
Tempore dicam ; hodie tricesima sabbata ; virf tu
Curtis Sudanis oppedere ? — Nulla mihi, inquam, 70
Relligio est. — At mi ; sum paulo infirmior, unus
Multorum ; ignosces, alias loquar. — Hunccine solem
Tarn nigrum surrexe mihi ! Fugit improbus ac me
Sub cultro linquit. Casu venit obvius illi
Adversarius, et, Quo tu turpissime ? magna 75
Inclamat voce, et, Licet antestari ? Ego vero
Appono auriculam. Rapit in jus. Clamor utrinque,
Undique concursus. Sic me servavit Apollo.
Satira X.
IN INEPTOS LUCILII FAUTORES.
# if?
Lucili, quam sis mendosus, teste C 'atone,
Defensor e tuo, pervincam, qui malefactos
Emendare parat versus. Hoc lenius Me,
Est quo vir melior, longe subtilior illo,
Qui multum puer et loris etfunibus udis
Exhortatus, ut esset opem qui ferre poetis
152
a. HORATII FLACC1
[10.
Antiquis posset contra fastidia nostra,
Granunaticorum equitum doctissimus. Ut redeam illuc .
Nempe incomposito dixi pede currere versus
Lucili. Quis tam Lucili fautor inepte est, 10
Ut non hoc fateatur ? At idem, quod sale multo
Urbem defricuit, charta laudatur eadem. ■
Nee tamen hoc tribuens dederim quoque cetera ; nam sic
Et Laberi mimos ut pulchra poemata mirer.
Ergo non satis est risu diducere rictum 15
Auditoris : et est qusedam tamen hie quoque virtus :
Est brevitate opus, ut currat sententia, neu se
Impediat verbis lassas onerantibus aures :
Et sermone opus est modo tristi, saype jocoso,
Defendente vicem modo rhetoris atque poetae, 20
Interdum urbani, parcentis viribus, atque
Extenuantis eas consulto. Ridiculum acri
Fortius et melius magnas plerumque secat res.
Illi, scripta quibus Comoedia prisca viris est,
Hoc stabant, hoc sunt imitandi ; quos neque pulcher 25
Hermogenes unquam legit, neque simius iste,
Nil prseter Calvum et doctus cantare Catullum. —
At magnum fecit, quod verbis Grceca Latinis
Miscuit. — O seri studiorum ! quine putetis
Difficile et minim, Hhodio quod Pitholeonti 30
Contigit ? — At sermo lingua concinnus utraque
Suavior, ut Chio nota si commixta Falerni est.
Quum versus facias, te ipsum percontor, an et quum
Dura tibi peragenda rei sit causa Petilli,
Scilicet oblitus patrieeque patrisque, Latine 35
Quum Pedius causas exsudet Publicola, atque
Corvinus, patriis intermiscere petita
Verba foris malis, Canusini more bilinguis ?
Atqui ego quum Grsecos facerem, natus mare citra,
Vorsiculos, vetuit tali me voce Quirinus, 40
Post mediam noctem visus, quum somnia vera :
10.] SERMONUM. LIBER I. 153
In silvam non ligna feras insanius, ac si
Magnas Grcecorum malis implcre catervas.
Turgidus Alpinus jugulat dum Memnona, dumque
Defingit Rheni luteum caput, hsec ego ludo, 45
Quae neque in aade sonent certantia judice Tarpa,
Nee redeant iterum atque iterum spectanda theatris.
Arguta meretrice potes, Davoque Chremeta
Eludente senem, comis garrire libellos,
Unus vivorum, Fundani : Pollio regura 60
Facta canit pede ter percusso : forte epos acer,
Ut nemo, Varius ducit : molle atque facetum
Virgilio annuerunt gaudentes rure CamensB.
Hoc erat, experto frustra Varrone Atacino
Atque quibusdam aliis, melius quod scribere possem, 55
Inventore minor ; neque ego illi detrahere ausim
Haerentem capiti cum multa laude coronam.
At dixi fluere hunc lutulentum, saepe ferentem
Plura quidem tollenda relinquendis. Age, quaeso,
Tu nihil in magno doctus reprendis Homero ? 60
Nil comis tragici mutat Lucilius Atti ?
Non ridet versus Enni gravitate minores,
Quum de se loquitur, non ut majore reprensis ?
Quid vetat et nosmet Lucili scripta legentes
Quaerere, num illius, num rerum dura negarit 65
Versiculos natura magis factos et euntes
Mollius, ac si quis, pedibus quid claudere senis,
Hoc tantum contentus, amet scripsisse ducentos
Ante cibum versus, totidem coenatus ; Etrusci
Quale fuit Cassi rapido ferventius amni 70
Ingenium, capsis quern fama est esse librisque
Ambustum propriis. Fuerit Lucilius, inquam,
Comis et urbanus ; fuerit limatior idem,
Quam rudis et Graecis intacti carminis auctor,
Quamque poetarum seniorum turba ; sed ille, 75
Si foret hoc nostrum fato dilatus in aevum,
G 2
154 a. HORATII FLACCI SERMONUM. LIBER I. [10
Detereret sibi multa, recideret omne, quod ultra
Perfectum traheretur, et in versu faciendo
Saspe caput scaberet, vivos et roderet ungues.
Saepe stilum vertas, iterum qua3 digna legi sint, 80
Scripturus ; neque, te ut miretur turba, labores,
Contentus paucis lectoribus. An tua demens
Vilibus in ludis dictari carmina malis ?
Non ego ; nam satis est equitem mihi plaudere, ut audax,
Contemtis aliis, explosa Arbuscula dixit. 85
Men moveat cimex Pantilius ? aut cruciet, quod
Vellicet absentem Demetrius ? aut quod ineptus
Fannius Hermogenis laedat conviva Tigelli ?
Plotius et Varius, Maecenas Virgiliusque,
Valgius, et probet hsac Octavius optimus, atque 90
Fuscus, et haec utinam Viscorum laudet uterque !
Ambitione relegata, te dicere possum,
Pollio, te, Messala, tuo cum fratre, simulquo
Vos, Bibule et Servi ; simul his te, candide Fumi,
Compluresque alios, doctos ego quos et amicos 35
Prudens praetereo ; quibus heac, sunt qualiacunque
Arridere velim ; doliturus, si placeant spe
Deterius nostra. Demetri, teque, Tigelli,
Discipularum inter jubeo plorare cathedras.
I, puer, atque meo citus haec subscribe libello. 100
Q. HORATII FLACCI
SERMONUM
LIBER SECUNDUS.
Sattra I.
IN QUENDAM, QUI ACTIONEM DE FAMOSI8
LIBELLIS HORATIO INTENTABAT.
HORATIUS.
Sunt quibus in Satira videor nimis acer, et ultra
Legem tendere opus ; sine nervis altera, quidquid
Composui, pars esse putat, similesque meorum
Mille die versus deduci posse. Trebati,
Quid faciam, prescribe.
Trebatius.
Quiescas.
Omnino versus ?
HORATIUS.
Ne faciam, inquis, 5
Trebatius.
Aio.
Horatius.
Peream male, si non
Optimum erat ; verum nequeo dormire.
15G a. HORATII FLAvJCI [1.
Trebatius.
Ter uncti
Transnanto Tiberim, somno quibus est opus alto,
Irriguumque mero sub noctem corpus habento.
Aut si tani us amor scribendi to rapit, aude 10
Caesaris invicti res dicere, multa laborum
Prsemia laturus.
HoRATIUS.
Cupidum, pater optime, vires
Deficiunt ; neque enim quivis horrentia pilis
Agmina, nee fracta pereuntes cuspide Gallos,
Aut labentis equo describat vulnera Parthi. 15
Trebatius.
Attamen et justum poteras et scribere fortem,
Scipiadam ut sapiens Lucilius.
HORATIUS.
Haud mihi deero,
Quum res ipsa feret. Nisi dextro tempore Flacci
Verba per attentam non ibunt Caesaris aurem ;
Cui male si palpere, recalcitret undique tutus. 20f
Trebatius.
Quanto rectius hoc, quam tristi laedere versu
Pantolabum scurram Nomentanumque nepotem !
Quum sibi quisque timet, quamquam est intactus, et odit.
Horatius.
Quid faciam ? Saltat Milonius, ut semel icto
Accessit fervor capiti numerusque lucernis. 25
Castor gaudet equis ; ovo prognatus eodem
Pugnis ; quot capitum vivunt, totidem studiorum
Millia : me pedibus delectat claudere verba,
Lucili ritu, nostrum melioris utroque.
1 ] SERMONUM. LIBER II. 157
Die velut fidis arcana sodalibus olim 30
Credebat libris ; neque, si male cesserat, unquam
Decurrens alio, neque, si bene : quo fit, ut omnis
Votiva pateat veluti descripta tabella
Vita senis. Sequor hunc, Lucanus an Apulus anceps .
Nam Venusinus arat finem sub utrumque eolonus, 35
Missus ad hoc, pulsis, vetus est ut fama, Sabellis,
Quo ne per vacuum Romano incurreret hostis,
Sive quod Apula gens, seu quod Lucania bellum
Incuteret violenta. Sed hie stilus haud petet ultro
Quemquam animantem ; et me veluti custodiet ensis 40
Vagina tectus, quern cur destringere coner,
Tutus ab infestis latronibus ? O pater et rex
Jupiter, ut pereat positum robigine telum,
Nee quisquam noceat cupido mihi pacis ! at ille,
Qui me commorit (melius non tangere, clamo), 45
Flebit, et insignis tota cantabitur urbe.
Cervius iratus leges minitatur et urnam :
Canidia Albuti, quibus est inimica, venenum ;
Grande malum Turius, si quid se judice certes.
Ut, quo quisque valet, suspectos terreat, utque 50
Imperet hoc natura potens, sic collige mecum :
Dente lupus, comu taurus, petit ; unde, nisi intus
Monstratum ? Scajvre vivacem crede nepoti
Matrem : nil faciet sceleris pia dextera (mirum,
Ut neque calce lupus quemquam, neque dente petit bos) ; 55
Sed mala toilet anum vitiato melle cicuta.
Ne longum faciam, seu me tranquilla senectus
Exspectat, seu mors atris circumvolat alis,
Dives, inops, P^omoe, seu, fors ita jusserit, exsul,
Quisquis erit vitae, scribam, color.
Trebatius.
O puer, ut sis 60
Vitalis, metuo, et majorum ne quis amicus
Frigore te feriat.
158 a. HORATII FLACCI \1.
HoRATIUS.
Quid ? quum est Lucilius ausus
Primus in hunc operis componere carmina morem,
Detrahere et pellem, nitidus qua quisque per ora
Cederet, introrsum turpis ; num La^lius, aut qui 65
Duxit ab oppressa meritum Carthagine nomen,
Ingenio offensi ? aut lseso doluere Metello,
Famosisque Lupo cooperto versibus ? Atqui
Primores populi arripuit, populumque tributim ;
Scilicet uni sequus virtuti atque ejus amicis. 70
Quin ubi se a vulgo et scena in secreta remorant
Virtus Scipiadae et mitis sapientia Laeli,
Nugari cum illo et discincti ludere, donee
Decoqueretur olus, soliti. Quidquid sum ego, quamvis
Infra Lucili censum ingeniumque, tamen me 75
Cum magnis vixisse invita fatebitur usque
Invidia, et fragili quaerens illidere dentem
Offendet solido ; nisi quid tu, docte Trebati,
Dissentis.
Trebatius.
Equidem nihil hinc diffindere possum ;
Sed tamen ut monitus caveas, ne forte negoti 80
Incutiat tibi quid sanctarum inscitia legum :
Si mala condiderit in quem quis carmina, jus est
Judiciumque.
Horatius.
Esto, si quis mala ; sed bona si quis
Judice condiderit laudatus Caesare ? si quis
Opprobriis dignum laceraverit, integer ipse ? 85
Trebatius.
Solventur risu tabulae, tu missus abibis.
*.J SERMONUM. LIBER II. 159
Satira II.
IN VIT^E URBANE LUXURIAM ET INEPTIAS.
Quae virtus, et quanta, boni, sit vivere parvo
(Nee meus hie sermo est, sed quem praecepit Ofellus
Rusticus, abnormis sapiens, crassaque Minerva),
Discite, non inter lances mensasque nitentes,
Quum stupet insanis acies fulgoribus, et quum 5
Acclinis falsis animus meliora recusat ;
Verura hie irapransi mecum disquirite. — Cur hoc J
Dicam, si potero. Male verum examinat omnis
Corruptus judex.
Leporem sectatus, equove
Lassus ab indomito, vel, si Romana fatigat 10
Militia assuetum graecari, seu pila velox,
Molliter austerum studio fallente laborem,
Seu te discus agit, pete cedentem aera disco :
Quum labor extuderit fastidia, siccus, inanis,
Sperne cibum vilem ; nisi Hymettia mella Falerno 1 5
Ne biberis diluta. Foris est promus, et atrum
Defendens pisces hiemat mare ; cum sale panis
Latrantem stomachum bene leniet. Unde putas, aut
Qui partum ? Non in caro nidore voluptas
Summa, sed in te ipso est. Tu pulmentaria quaere 20
Sudando : pinguem vitiis albumque neque ostrea
Nee scarus aut poterit peregrina juvare lagois.
Vix tamen eripiam, posito pavone, velis quin
Hoc potius, quam gallina, tergere palatum,
Corruptus vanis rerum, quia veneat auro 25
Rara avis, et picta pandat spectacula cauda ;
Tanquam ad rem attineat quidquam. Num vescoris ista,
Quam laudas, pluma ? cocto num adest honor idem ?
Came tamen quamvis distat nihil, hac magis illam
Imparibus formis deceptum te petere ! Esto : 30
Unde datum sentis, lupus hie Tiberinus an alto
160 a. HORATII FLACCI [2
Captus hiet, pontesne inter jactatus an amnis
Ostia sub Tusci ? laudas insane trilibrem
Mullum, in singula quem minuas pulmenta necesse est.
Ducit te species, video : quo pertinet ergo 35
Proceros odisse lupos ? quia scilicet illis
Majorem natura modum dedit, his breve pondus.
Jejunus raro stomachus vulgaria temnit.
Porrectum magno magnum spectare catino
Vellem, ait Harpyiis gula digna rapacibus : at vos, 40
Prassentes Austri, coquite horum opsonia. Quamquam
Putet aper rhombusque recens, mala copia quando
iEgrum sollicitat stomachum, quum rapula plenus
Atque acidas mavult inulas. Necdum omnis abacta
Pauperies epulis regum : nam vilibus ovis 45
Nigrisque est oleis hodie locus Haud ita pridem
Galloni prseconis erat acipensere mensa
Infamis. Quid ? turn rhombos minus aequora alebant ?
Tutus erat rhombus, tutoque ciconia nido,
Donee vos auctor docuit praetorius. Ergo 50
Si quis nunc mergos suaves edixerit assos,
Parebit pravi docilis Romana juventus.
Sordidus a tenui victu distabit, Ofello
Judice ; nam frustra vitium vitaveris illud,
Si te alio pravum detorseris. Avidienus, 55
Cui Canis ex vero ductum cognomen adhseret,
Quinquennes oleas est et silvestria corna,
Ac nisi mutatum parcit defundere vinum, et
Cujus odorem olei nequeas perferre (licebit
Ille repotia, natales, aliosve dierum 60
Festos albatus celebret), cornu ipse bilibri
Caulibus instillat, veteris non parcus aoeti.
Quali igitur victu sapiens utetur ? et horum
Utrum imitabitur ? Hac urget lupus, hac canis, aiunt
Mundus erit, qui non offendat sordidus, atque 65
In neutram partem cultus miser. Hie neque servis,
1
2.J SERMONUM. LIBER II. ' 1
Albuti senis exemplo, dum munia didit,
Ssgvus erit ; nee sic ut simplex Nsevius unctara
Convivis prsebebit aquam ; vitium hoc quoque magmu
Accipe nunc, victus tenuis quae quantaque secum 70
AfTerat. Inprimis valeas bene : nam, varise res
Ut noceant homini, credas, memor illius escee,
Quae simplex olim tibi sederit : at simul assis
Miscueris elixa, simul conchylia turdis,
Dulcia se in bilem vertent, stomachoque tumultum 75
Lenta feret pituita. Vides, ut pallidus omnis
Ccena desurgat dubia ? Quin corpus onustum
Hesternis vitiis animum quoque prsegravat una,
Atque affigit humo divince particulam aurse.
Alter, ubi dicto citius curata sopori 80
Membra dedit, vegetus prsescripta ad munia surgit
Hie tamen ad melius poterit transcurrere quondam,
Sive diem festum rediens advexerit annus,
Seu recreare volet tenuatum corpus ; ubique
Accedent anni, tractari mollius aetas 86
Imbecilla volet. Tibi quidnam accedet ad istam,
Quam puer et validus praesumis, mollitiem, seu
Dura valetudo incident seu tarda senectus ?
Rancidum aprum antiqui laudabant, non quia nasus
Illis nullus erat, sed, credo, hac mente, quod hospes 90
Tardius adveniens vitiatum commodius, quam
Integrum edax dominus consumeret. Hos utinam inter
Heroas natum tellus me prima tulisset !
Das aliquid famse, quae carmine gratior aurem
Occupat humanam ? grandes rhombi patinaeque 95
Grande ferunt una cum damno dedecus : adde
Iratum patruum, vicinos, te tibi iniquum, •
Et frustra mortis cupidum, quum dcerit egenti
As, laquei pretium. Jure, inquit, Trausius istis
Jurgatur verbis ; ego vectigedia magna 100
.Divitiasoue habeo tribus amplas regibus. Ergo,
162 Q. HORATII FLACCI [2.
Quod superat. non est melius quo insumere possis ?
Cur eget indignus quisquam, te divite ? quare
Templa ruunt antiqua Deum ? cur, improbe, carae
Non aliquid patri» tanto emetiris acervo ? 105
Uni nirairum tibi recte semper erunt res !
O magnus posthac inimicis risus ! Uterne
Ad casus dubios fidet sibi certius ? hie, qui
Pluribus assuerit mentem corpusque superbum,
An qui, contentus parvo metuensque futuri, 110
In pace, ut sapiens, aptarit idonea bello ?
Quo magis his credas, puer hunc ego parvus Ofellum
Integris opibus novi non latius usum,
Quam nunc accisis. Videas metato in agello
Cum pecore et gnatis fortem mercede colonum, 115
Non ego, narrantem, tenter e edi luce profesta
Quidquam prater olusfumosce cum pede pernce.
Ac mihi seu longum post tempus venerat hospes,
Sive operum vacuo gratus conviva per imbrem
Vicinus, bene erat, own piscibus urbe petitis, 120
Sed pullo atque hcedo : turn pensilis uva secundas
Et nux ornabat mensas cum duplice jicu.
Post hoc ludus erat, culpa potare magistra :
Ac venerata Ceres, ita culmo surgeret alto,
Explicuit vino contractce seria frontis. 125
ScBviat atque novos moveat fortuna tumultus ;
Quantum hinc imminuet ? quanto aut ego parcius, aut vos,
O pueri, nituistis, ut hue novus incola venit ?
Nam proprice telluris herum natura neque ilium,
Nee me, nee quemquam statuit : nos expulit ille ; 130
Ilium aut nequities aut vafri inscitia juris,
Postremum expellet certe vivacior heres.
Nunc ager JJmbreni sub nomine, nuper Ofelli
Dictus, erit nulli proprius, sed cedit in usum
Nunc mihi, nunc alii. Quocirca vivite fortes, 135
Portia- ne adversis opponite pectora rebus.
3. j SERMONUM. LIBER II. 1 03
Satira III.
OMNES INSAN1RE, ETIAM IPSOS STOICOS,
DUM HOC DOCENT.
Damasippus.
Sic raro scribis, ut toto non quater amio
Membranam poscas, scriptorum quaeque retexens,
Iratus tibi, quod vini somnique benignus
Nil dignum sermone canas. Quid fiet ? Ab ipsis
Satumalibus hue fugisti. Sobrius ergo o
Die aliquid dignum promissis : incipe. Nil est.
Cu2pantur frustra calami, immeritusque laborat
lratis natus paries Dis atque poetis.
Atqui vultus erat multa et prseclara minantis,
Si vacuum tepido cepisset villula tecto. lis
Quorsum pertinuit stipare Platona Menandro,
Eupolin, Archilochum, comites educere tantos ?
Invidiam placare paras, virtute relicta ?
Contemnere, miser. Vitanda est improba Siren
Desidia ; aut quidquid vita meliore parasti, 15
Ponendum aequo animo.
Horatius.
Di te, Damasippe, Deaeque
Verum ob consilium donent tonsore. Sed unde
Tarn bene me nosti ?
Damasippus.
Postquam omnis res mea Janum
Ad medium fracta est, aliena negotia euro,
Excussus propriis. Olim nam quaarere amabam, 20
Quo vafer ille pedes lavisset Sisyphus sere,
Quid sculptum infabre, quid fusum durius esset :
Callidus huic signo ponebam millia centum :
J^l Q. HORATII FLACCI [3
Hortos egregiasque domos mercarier unus
Cum lucro noram ; imde frequentia Mercuriale 25
Tmposuere mihi cognomen compita.
Horatius.
Novi,
Et miror morbi purgatum te illius.
Damasippus.
Atqui
Emovit veterem mire novus, ut solet, in cor
Trajecto lateris miseri capitisve dolore,
Ut lethargicns hie, quum fit pugil, et medicum urget. oO
Horatius.
JDum ne quid simile huic, esto ut libet.
Damasippus.
O bone, ne te
Frustrere ; insanis et tu stultique prope omnes,
Si quid Stertinius veri crepat ; unde ego mira
Descripsi docilis praecepta haec, tempore quo me
Solatus jussit sapientem pascere barbam, 35
Atque a Fabricio non tristem ponte reverti.
Nam male re gesta quum vellem mittere operto
Me capite in flumen, dexter stetit, et, Cave faxis
Te quidquam indignum : pudor, inquit, te malus angit,
Insanos qui inter vereare insanus haberi. 40
Primum nam inquiram, quid sit furere : hoc si erit in te
Solo, nil verbi, pereas quin fortiter, addam.
Quern mala stultitia, et quemcunque inscitia veri
Caecum agit, insanum Chrysippi porticus et grex
Autumat. Haec populos, haec magnos formula reges, 45
Excepto sapiente, tenet. Nunc accipe, quare
Desipiant omnes eeque ac tu, qui tibi nomen
3.] SERMONUM. LIBER II. 165
Insano posuere. Velut silvis, ubi passim
Palantes error certo de tramite pellit,
Ille sinistrorsura, hie dextrorsum abit ; unus utrisque 50
Error, sed variis illudit partibus ; hoc te
Crede modo insanum ; nihilo ut sapientior ille,
Qui te deridet, caudam trahat. Est genus unum
Stultitias nihilura metuenda timentis, ut ignes,
Ut rupes, fluviosque in campo obstare queratur : 55
Alterum et huic varum et nihilo sapientius, ignes
Per medios fluviosque mentis ; clamet arnica
Mater, honesta soror cum cognatis, pater, uxor :
Hie fossa est inge?is, hie rupes maxima, serva!
Non magis audierit, quam Fufius ebrius olim, GO
Quum Ilionam edormit, Catienis mille ducentis,
Mater, te appello, clamantibus. Huic ego vulgus
Errori similem cunctum insanire docebo.
Insanit veteres statuas Damasippus emendo :
Integer est mentis Damasippi creditor ? esto. 05
Accipe quod nunquam reddas mihi, si tibi dicam,
Tune insanus eris, si acceperis ? an magis excors,
Rejecta praeda, quam prsesens Mercurius fert ?
Scribe decern a Nerio ; non est satis : adde Cicutae
Nodosi tabulas centum ; mille adde catenas : 70
Effugiet tamen hsec sceleratus vincula Proteus.
Quum rapies in jus malis ridentem alienis,
Fiet aper, modo avis, modo saxum, et, quum volet, arbor
Si male rem gerere insani, contra bene sani est,
Putidius multo cerebrum est, mihi crede, Perilli, 75
Dictantis, quod tu nunquam rescribere possis.
Audire atque togam jubeo componere, quisquis
Ambitione mala aut argenti pallet amore ;
Quisquis luxuria tristique superstitione
Aut alio mentis morbo calet ; hue propius me, SO
Dum loceo insani ro omnes, vos ordine adii
Danda est ellcbori multo pars maxima avai>
166 Ci. HORATII FLACCI [3.
Nescio an Anticyram ratio illis destinet omnem.
Heredes Staberi summam incidere sepulcro :
Ni sic fecissent, gladiatorum dare centum 85
Damnati populo paria, atque epulum arbitrio Arri,
Frumenti quantum metit Africa. Sive ego prave,
Seu recte hoc volui, ne sis patruus mihi. Credo
Hoc Staberi prudentem animum vidisse. Quid ergo
Sensit, quum summam patrimoni insculpere saxo 90
Heredes voluit ? Quoad vixit, credidit ingens
Pauperiem vitium, et cavit nihil acrius ; ut, si
Forte minus locuples uno quadrante perisset,
Ipse videretur sibi nequior. Omnis enim res,
Virtus, fama, decus, divina humanaque pulchris 95
Divitiis parent ; quas qui construxerit, ille
Clarus erit, fortis, Justus. Sapiensne ? Etiam, et rex,
Et quidquid volet. Hoc, veluti virtute paratum,
Speravit magnae laudi fore. Quid simile isti
Grsecus Aristippus ? qui servos projicere aurura 100
In media jussit Libya, quia tardius irent
Propter onus segnes. Uter est insanior horum ?
Nil agit exemplum, litem quod lite resolvit.
Si quis emat citharas, emtas comportet in unum,
Nee studio citharse nee Musse deditus ulli ; 105
Si scalpra et formas non sutor ; nautica vela
Aversus mercaturis ; delirus et amens
Undique dicatur merito. Qui discrepat istis,
Qui nummos aurumque recondit, nescius uti
Compositis, metuensque velut contingere sacrum? 110
Si quis ad ingentem frumenti semper acervum
Porrectus vigilet cum longo fuste, neque illinc
Audeat esuriens dominus contingere granum,
Ac potius foliis parous vescatur amaris ;
Si positis intus Chii veterisque Falerni 115
Mille cadis, nihil est, tercentum millibus, acre
Potet acetum ; age, si et stramentis incubet, unde-
3.J SERMONUM. LIBER II. 167
Octoginta annos natus, cui stragula vestis,
Blattarum ac tinearum epulse, putrescat in area : .
Nimirum insanus paucis videatur, eo quod 120
Maxima pars hominum morbo jactatur eodem.
Eilius aut etiara haec libertus ut ebibat heres,
Dis inimice senex, custodis ? ne tibi desit ?
Quantulum enim summse curtabit quisque dierum,
Ungere si caules oleo meliore, caputque 125
Cceperis impexa foedura porrigine ? Quare,
Si quidvis satis est, perjuras, surripis, aufers
Undique ? tun sanus ? Populum si credere saxis
Incipias, servosve tuo quos sere pararis,
Insanum te omnes pueri clamentque puellre : 130
Quum laqueo uxorem interimis, matremque veneno,
Incolumi capite es ? Quid enim ? Neque tu hoc facis Argis,
Nee ferro, ut demens genitricem occidit Orestes.
An tu reris eum occisa insanisse parente,
Ac non ante malis dementem actum Furiis, quam 135
In matris jugulo ferrum tepefecit acutum ?
Quin, ex quo habitus male tutse mentis Orestes,
Nil sane fecit, quod tu reprendere possis :
Non Pyladen ferro violare aususve sororem est
Electram ; tantum maledicit utrique, vocando 140
Hanc Furiam, nunc aliud, jussit quod splendida bilis.
Pauper Opimius argenti positi intus et auri,
Qui Veientanum festis potare diebus
Campana solitus trulla, vappamque profestis,
Quondam lethargo grandi est oppressus, ut heres 145
Jam circum loculos et claves leetus ovansque
Curreret. Hunc medicus multum celer atque fldelis
Excitat hoc pacto : mensam poni jubet, atque
EfTundi saccos nummorum, accedere plures
Ad numerandum : hominem sic erigit ; addit et lllud : 1 50
Ni tua custodis, avidus jam hrec auferet heres.
Men vivo ? — Ut vivas igitur, vigila : hoc age : Quid vis ?—>
168 U. HORATIf FLACC1 [3.
Deficient inopem venae te, ni cibus atque
Ingenua accedit stomacho fultura ruenti.
Tu cessas ? agedum, sume hoc ptisanarium oryzse. 156
Quanti emtce ? — Parvo. — Quanti ergo ? — Octussibus. —
Eheu !
Quid refert, morbo, an furtis percamque rapinis?
Quisnam igitur sanus ? — Qui non stultus. — Quid ava
rus ? —
Stultus et msanus. — Quid ? si quis non sit avarus,
Continue» sanus ? — Minime. — Cur, Stoice ? — Dicam. 160
Non est cardiacus, Craterum dixisse putato,
Hie seger : recte est igitur surgetque ? Negabit,
Quod latus aut renes morbo tentantur acuto.
Non est perjurus neque sordidus ; immolet aequis
Hie porcum Laribus : verum ambitiosus et audax ; 165
Naviget Anticyram. Quid enim difFert, barathrone
Dones quidquid habes, an nunquam utare paratis ?
Servius Oppidius Canusi duo pradia, dives
Antiquo censu, gnatis divisse duobus
Fertur, et ha3c moriens pueris dixisse vocatis 170
Ad lectum : Postquam te talos, Aule, nucesque
Ferre si?iu lazo, donare et ludere vidi,
Te, Tiberi, numerare, cavis abscondere tristem ;
Extimui, ne vos, ageret vescuiia discors,
Tu Nomentanum, tu ne sequerere Cicutam. 175
Quare per Divos oratus uterque Pe?iates,
Tu cave ne minuas, tu, ne ma jus facias id,
Quod satis esse putat pater, et natura coercet.
Prceterea ne vos titillet gloria, jure-
Jurando obstringam ambo : uter JEdilis fucritve }S0
Vestrum Prcetor, is intestabilis et sacer esto.
In cicere atque f aba bona tu picrdasque lupinis,
Latus ut in circo spaticrc, et aeneus ut stcs,
Nudus agris, nudus nummis, insane, paler nis ?
Scilicet ut plausus, quosfcrt Agrippa, /eras tu, ISCt
Astuta ingenuum vulpes imitata leonem ?
3. J SERMONUM. LIBER II. 1G9
Ne quis humasse velit Ajacem, Atrida, vetas cur ? —
Rez stem. — Nil ultra qusero plebeius. — Et cequam
Rem imperito ; at, si cui videor non Justus, inulto
Dicere, quod sentit, permitto. — Maxime regum, 190
Di tibi dent capta classem deducere Troja.
Ergo consulere et mox respondere licebit ? —
Consule. — Cur Ajax, heros ab Achille secundus,
Putescit, toties servatis clarus Achivis ?
Gaudeat ut populus Priami Priamusque inhumato, 195
Per quem tot juvenes patrio caruere sepulcro ? —
Mille ovium iitsanus morti dedit, inclytum TJlixen
Et Menelaum una mecum se occidere damans. —
Tu quum pro. vitula statuis dulcem Aulide natam
Ante aras, spargisque mola caput, improbe, salsa, 200
Rectum animi servas ? Quorsum ? Insanus quid enim
Ajax
Fecit, quum stravit ferro pecus ? Abstinuit vim
Uxore et gnato : mala mult a precatus Atridis,
Non ille aut Teucrum aut ipsum violavit Ulixen. —
Verum ego, ut hcerentes adverso litore naves 205
Eriperem, prudens placavi sanguine Divos. —
Nempe tuo, furiose. — Meo, sed non furiosus. —
Qui species alias veris scelerisque tumultu
Permixtas capiet, commotus habebitur ; atque
Stultitiane erret, nihilum distabit, an ira. ^10
Ajax quum immeritos occidit, desipit, agnos ;
Quum prudens scelus ob titulos admittis inanes,
Stas animo ? et purum est vitio tibi, quum tumidum est, cor ?
Si quis lectica nitidam gestare amet agnam,
Huic vestem, ut gnatee paret ancillas, paret aurum, 215
Rufam aut Pusillam appellet, fortique marito
Destinet uxorem : interdicto huic omne adimat jus
Praetor, et ad sanos abeat tutela propinquos.
Quid ? si quis gnatam pro muta devovet agna,
Integer est animi ? Ne dixeris. Ergo ibi parva 220
H
170 a. HORATH flacci [3
Stultitia, hie summa est insania : qui sceleratus,
Et furiosus erit ; quern cepit vitrea fama,
Hunc circumtonuit gaudens Bellona cruentis.
Nunc age, luxuriam et Nomentaimm arripe mecum.
Vincet enim stultos ratio insanire nepotes. 225
Hie simul accepit patrimoni mille talenta,
Edicit, piscator uti, pomarius, auceps,
Unguentarius ac Tusci turba impia vici,
Cum scurris fartor, cum Velabro omne macellum
Mane domum verdant Quid turn ? Venere frequentes. 230
Verba facit leno : Quidquid mihi, quidquid et horum
Cuique domi est, id crcde tuum et vel nunc pete, vel eras.
Accipe, quid contra juvenis respondent sequus :
In nive Lucana dormisocrcatus, ut aprum
Ccenem ego ; tu pisces hiberno ex cequore vellis; 235
Segnis ego, indignus qui tantum possideam : aufer :
Sume tibi decies : tibi tantundem ; tibi triplex.
Filius iEsopi detractam ex aure Metellse,
Scilicet ut decies solidum obsorberet, aceto
Diluit insignem baccam ; qui sanior, ac si 240
Illud idem in rapidum fluraen jaceretve cloacam ?
Quinti progenies Arri, par nobile fratrum,
Nequitia et nugis, pravorum et amore gemellum,
Luscinias soliti impenso prandere coemtas.
Quorsum abeant ? Sani ut creta, an carbone notandi ? 245
iEdificare casas, plostello adjungere mures,
Ludere par impar, equitare in arundine longa,
Si quem delectet barbatum, amentia verset.
Si puerilius his ratio esse evincet amare,
Nee quidquam duTerre, utrumne in pulvere, trimua 250
Quale priusj ludas opus, an meretricis amore
Sollicitus plores : qusero, faciasne quod olim
Mutatus Polemon ? ponas insignia morbi, ■
Fasciolas, cubital, focalia, potus ut illc
Dicitur ex collo furtim carpsisse coronas, 255
3.J SERMONUM. LIBER II. 171
Postquam est impransi correptus voce magistri ?
Porrigis irato puero quum porna, recusat :
Slime, Catelle : negat ; si non des, optat. Amalor
Exclusus qui distat, agit ubi secum, eat, an non,
Quo rediturus erat non arcessitus, et hseret 260
Invisis foribus ? Ne nunc, quiom me vocat ultro,
Acccdam ? ah potius incditer finire dolor cs ?
Ezclusit, revocat : rcdcam ? Non, si obsccrct. Ecce
Servus, non paullo sapientior : O here, quce res
Nee modum liabet ncque consilium, ratione modoque 265
Tractari non wilt. In amove hcec sunt mala ; helium,
Pax rursum. Hac si quis tempestatis prope ritu
Mobilia, et cceca fluitantia sorte, laboret
Reddere certa sibi, nihilo plus explicet, ac si
Insanire paret certa ratione modoque 270
Quid ? quum Picenis excerpens semina pomis
Gaudes, si camaram percusti forte, penes te es ?
Quid ? quum balba feris annoso verba palato,
yEdificante casas qui sanior ? Adde cruorem
Stultitise, atque ignem gladio scrutare modo, inquam. 275
Hellade percussa, Marius quum prcecipitat se,
Cerritus fuit ? an commotee crimine mentis
Absolves hominem, et sceleris damnabis eundem,
Ex more imponens cognata vocabula rebus ?
Libertinus erat, qui circum compita siccus 286
Lautis mane senex manibus currebat, et, TJnum
(Quid tarn magnum? addens), unum me surpite morti,
Dis etcnim facile est, orabat ; sanus utrisque
Auribus atque oculis ; mentem, nisi litigiosu^,
Exciperet domnius, quum venderet. Hocquoque vulgus 285
Chrysippus ponit fecunda in gente Menciii.
Jupiter, ingentcs qui das adimisque dolores,
Mater ait pueri menses jam quinque cubantis,
Frigida si puenmi quartana rdiquerit, illo
Mane die, quo tu imiicis jejunia, nudus
172 a. HORATII FLACCT [3.
In Tiberi stabit- Casus medicusve levarit
iEgrum ex prsecipiti, mater delira necabit
In gelida fixum ripa, febrimque reducet.
Quone malo mentem concussa ? timore Deorum.
Heec mihi Stertinius, sapientum octavus, amico 205
Arma dedit, posthac ne compellarer inultus.
Dixerit msanum qui me, totidem audiet, atque
Ttespicere ignoto discet pendentia tergo.
HoRATITJS.
Stoice, post damnum sic vendas omnia pluris :
Qua me stultitia, quoniam non est genus unum, 300
Insanire putas ? ego nam videor mihi sanus.
Damasippus.
Quid ? caput abscissum manibus quum portat Agaue
Gnati infelicis, sibi turn furiosa videtur ?
Horatius.
Stultum me fateor, liceat concedere veris,
Atque etiam insanum : tantum hoc edissere, quo me 305
^Egrotare putes animi vitio ?
Damasippus.
Accipe : primum
iEdificas, hoc est, longos imitaris, ab imo
Ad summum totus moduli bipedalis ; et idem
Corpore majorem rides Turbonis in armis
Spiritum et incessum : qui ridiculus minus illo ? 310
An quodcunque facit Maecenas, te quoque verum est,
Tantum dissimilem et tanto certare minorem ?
Absentis ranss pullis vituli pede pressis,
XJnus ubi efiugit, matri denarrat, ut ingens
Bellua cognatos eliserit. Ilia rogare, 315
Quantane ? num tantum.. sufflans se, magna fuisset ? —
3, 4. J SERMONUM. LIBER II. 173
Major dimidio. — Num tanto ? — Quum magis atque
Se magis inflaret ; Non, si te ruperis, inquit,
Par eris. Haec a te non multum abludit imago.
Adde poemata nunc, hoc est, oleum adde camino ; 320
Quae si quis sanus fecit, sanus facis et tu.
Non dico horrendam rabiem.
Horatius.
Jam desine.
Damasippus.
Cultuni
Majorem censu.
Horatius.
Teneas, Damasippe, tuis te.
O major tandem parcas, insane, minori. 325
Satira IV.
LEVES CATILLONES EPICURES SECTifc
DEPwIDET.
Horatius.
Unde et quo Catius ?
Catius.
Non est mihi tempus aventi
Ponere signa novis prseceptis, qualia vincant
Pythagoran Anytique reum doctumque Platona.
Horatius.
Peccatum fateor, quum te sic tempore laevo
Interpellarim : sed des veniam bonus, oro.
Quod si interciderit tibi nunc aliquid, repetes mox,
Sive est naturae hoc, sive artis, mirus utroque.
174 a. IIORATII FLACCI [4
Catius.
Quin id erat curse, quo pacto cuncta tenerem,
Utpote res tenues, tenui sermone peractas.
Horattus.
Ede horainis nomen ; siraul et, Romanus an hospe's. 10
Catius.
Ipsa memor praecepta canam, celabitur auctor.
Longa quibus facies ovis erit, ilia memento
TJt succi melioris et ut magis alma rotundis
Ponere ; namque marem cohibent callosa vitellum.
Caule suburbano, qui siccis crevit in agris, 15
Dulcior ; irriguo nihil est elutius horto.
Si vespertinus subito te oppresserit hospes,
Ne gallina malum responset dura palato,
Doctus eris vivam musto mersare Falerno ;
Hoc teneram faciet.
Pratensibus optima fungis 20
Natura est ; aliis male creditur
Ille salubres
^Estates peraget, qui nigris prandia moris
Finiet, ante gravem quae legerit arbore solem.
Aufidius forti miscebat mella Falerno,
Mendose, quoniam vacuis committere venis 25
Nil nisi lene decet ; leni preecordia mulso
Prolueris melius.
Si dura morabitur alvus,
Mitulus et viles pellent obstantia conchae,
Et lapathi brevis herba, sed albo non sine Coo
Lubrica nascentes implent conchylia lunae ; 3€
Sed non omne mare est generosae fertile testae.
Murice Baiano melior Lucrina peloris ;
Ostrea Circeiis, Miseno oriuntur echini ;
Pectinibus patulis jactat se molle Tarentum
4.] SERMONUM. — LIBER II. 175
Nec sibi ccenarum quivis temere arrogct artem, 35
Non prius exacta tenui ratione saporum.
Nec satis est cara pisces averrere mensa,
Ignarum quibus est jus aptius, et quibus assis
Languidus in cubitum jam se conviva reponet.
Umber et iligna nutritus glande rotundas 40
Curvet aper lances carnem vitantis inertem ;
Nam Laurens malus est, ulvis et arundine pinguis.
Vinea summittit capreas non semper edules.
Fecundae leporis sapiens sectabitur armos.
Piscibus atque avibus quae natura et foret aetas, 45
Ante meum nulli patuit qusssita palatum.
Sunt quorum ingenium nova tantum crustula promit.
Nequaquam satis in re una consumere curam ;
Ut si quis solum hoc, mala ne sint vina, laboret,
Quali perfundat pisces securus olivo. 50
Massica si coelo suppones vina sereno,
Nocturna, si quid crassi est, tenuabitur aura,
Et decedet odor nervis inimicus ; at ilia
Integrum perdunt lino vitiata saporem.
Surrentina vafer qui miscet faece Falerna 55
Vina, columbino limum bene colligit ovo,
Quatenus ima petit volvens aliena vitellus.
Tostis marcentem squillis recreabis et Afra
Potorem cochlea ; nam lactuca innatat acri
Post vinum stomacho ; perna magis ac magis hillis CO
Flagitat immorsus refici : quin omnia malit,
Qucecunque immundis fervent allata popinis.
Est opera? pretium duplicis pernoscere juris
Naturam. Simplex e dulci constat olivo,
Quod pingui miscere mero muriaque decebit. 65
Non alia quam qua Byzantia putuit orca.
Hoc ubi confusum sectis inferbuit herbis,
Corycioque croco sparsum stetit, insuper addes
Pressa Venafrana? quod bacca remisit olivae.
176 a. HORATII FLACCI [4, 5.
Picenis cedunt pomis Tiburtia succo ; 70
Nam facie praestant. Venucula convenit ollis,
Rectius Aibanam fumo duraveris uvam.
Hanc ego cum malis, ego faecem primus et allec,
Primus et invenior piper album, cum sale nigro
Incretum, puris circumposuisse catillis. 75
Immane est vitium dare millia terna macello,
Angustoque vagos pisces urgere catino.
Magna movet stomacho fastidia, seu puer unctis
Tractavit calicem manibus, dum furta ligurit,
Sive gravis veteri craterae limus adhaesit. 80
Vilibus in scopis, in mappis, in scobe, quantus
Consistit sumtus ? neglectis, flagitium ingens.
Ten lapides varios lutulenta radere palma,
Et Tyrias dare circum illota toralia vestes,
Oblitum, quanto curam sumtumque minorem 85
Haec habeant, tanto reprendi justius illis,
QuaB nisi divitibus nequeant contingere mensis ?
Horatius.
Docte Cati, per amicitiam divosque rogatus,
Ducere me auditum, perges quocunque, memento.
Nam quamvis memori referas mihi pectore cuncta, 90
Non tamen interpres tantundem juveris. Adde
Vultum habitumque hominis ; quern tu vidisse beatus
Non magni pendis, quia contigit ; at mihi cura
Non mediocris inest, fontes ut adire remotos,
Atque haurire queam vitae praecepta beatae. 95
Satira V.
IN captatoe.es et heredipetas.
Ulysses.
Hoc quoque, Tiresia, praeter narrata petenti
Fvesponde, quibus amissas reparare queam res
Artibus atque modis. Quid rides ?
5.] SERMONUM. LIBER II. 177
TntEsiis.
Jamne doloso
Non satis est Ithacam revehi, patriosque penates
Adspicere ?
Ulysses.
O nulli quidquam mentite, vides ut 5
Nudus inopsque domum redeam, te vate, neque illic
Aut apotheca procis iiitacta est, aut pecus. Atqui
Et genus et virtus, nisi cum re, vilior alga est.
Tiresias.
Quando pauperiem, missis ambagious, horres,
Accipe, qua ratione queas ditescere. Turdus 10
Sive aliud privum dabitur tibi, devolet illuc,
Res ubi magna nitet, domino sene ; dulcia poma,
Et quoscunque feret cultus tibi fundus honores.
Ante Larem gustet venerabilior Lare dives ;
Qui quamvis perjurus erit, sine gente, cruentus 15
Sanguine fraterno, fugitivus ; ne tamen illi
Tu comes exterior, si postulet, ire recuses.
Ulysses.
Utno tegam spurco Damse latus ? haud ita Trojae
Me gessi, certans semper melioribus.
Teresias.
Ersro
Pauper eris.
a
Ulysses.
Fortem hoc animum tolerare jubebo ; 20
Et quondam majora tub. Tu protmus, unde
Divitias a3risque ruam, die, augur, acervos.
H2
178 a. HORATII FLACCI [5.
TlRESIAS.
Dixi equidem et dico. Captes astutus ubique
Testaraenta senum, neu, si vafer unus et alter
Insidiatorem praeroso fugerit hamo, 25
Aut spem deponas, aut artem illusus omittas.
Magna minorve foro si res certabitur olim,
Vivet uter locuples sine gnatis, improbus, ultro
Qui meliorem audax vocet in jus, illius esto
Defensor : fama civem causaque priorem 30
Sperne, domi si gnatus erit fecundave conjux.
Quinte, puta, aut Publi (gaudent prsenomine molles
Auriculae) tibi me virtus tua fecit amicum ;
Jus anceps novi, causas defendere 'possum ;
Eripiet quivis oculos citius mihi, quam te 35
Contemtum cassa nuce pauperet : hcec mea cura est,
Ne quid tit per das, neu sisjocus. Ire domum atque
Pelliculam curare jube : fi cognitor ipse.
Persta atque obdura, seu rubra Canicula findet
Infantes statuas, seu pingui tentus omaso 40
Furius hibernas cana nive conspuet Alpes.
Nonne vides, aliquis cubito stantem prope tangens
Inquiet, ut patiens, ut amicis aptus, ut acer ?
Plures annabunt thunni, et cetaria crescent.
Si cui prasterea validus male films in re 45
Praeclara sublatus aletur ; ne manifestum
Ccelibis obsequium nudet te, leniter in spem
Arrepe officiosus, ut et scribare secundus
Heres, et, si quis casus puerum egerit Oreo,
In vacuum venias : perraro hsec alea fallit. 50
Qui testamentum tradet tibi cunque legend um,
Abnuere et tabulas a te removere memento,
Sic tamen ut limis rapias, quid prima secundo
Cera velit versu ; solus multisne coheres,
Veloci percurre oculo. Plerumque recoctus 55
5. J SERxMONUM. /JBER II. 179
Scriba ex Quinqueviro corvum deludet hiantem,
Captatorque dabit risus Nasica Corano.
Ulysses.
Num furis ? an prudens ludis me, obscura canendo ?
Tireslvs.
O Laertiade, quidquid die am, aut erit aut non :
Divinare etenim magnus mihi donat Apollo. 60
Ulysses.
Quid tamen ista velit sibi fabula, si licet, ede.
Tiresias.
Tempore quo juvenis Parthis horrendus, ab alto
Demissum genus iEnea, tellure marique
Magnus erit, forti nubet procera Corano
Filia Nasicse, metuentis reddere soldum. 66
Turn gener hoc faciet ; tabulas socero dabit atque
Ut legat orabit. Multum Nasica negatas
Accipiet tandem, et tacitus leget, invenietque
Nil sibi legatum piaster plorare suisque.
Illud ad lisBc jubeo ; mulier si forte dolosa 70
Libertusve senem delirum temperet, illis
Accedas socius ; laudes, lauderis ut absens.
Me sene, quod dicam, factum est. Anus improba Thebis
Ex testamento sic est elata : cadaver
Unctum oleo largo nudis humeris tulit heres : 75
Scilicet elabi si posset mortua : credo,
Quod nimium institerat viventi. Cautus adito,
Neu desis opera neve immoderatus abundes.
Difficilem et morosum offendes garrulus : ultrc
Non etiam sileas. Davus sis comicus ; atque 80
Stes capite obstipo, multum similis metuenti.
Obsequio grassare : mone, si increbuit aura,
J 80 Q. IIORATII FLACCI [5,6,
Cautus uti velet carum caput : extrahe turba
Oppositis humeris : aurem substringe loquaci.
Importunus arnat laudari ? donee, Olie jam ! 85
Ad caelum manibus sublatis dixerit, urge, et
Crescentem tumidis infla sermonibus utrem.
Quum te servitio longo curaque levarit,
Et certum vigilans, Quartce esto partis Ulixes,
Audieris, heres : Ergo nunc Dama sodalis 90
Nusquam est? unde mihi tarn fortcm tamque fidelcm ?
Sparge subinde, et, si paulum potes illacrimare. Est
Gaudia prodentem vultum celare. Sepulcrum
Permissum arbitrio sine sordibus exstrue : funus
Egregie factum laudet vicinia. Si quis 95
Forte coheredum senior mole tussiet, huic tu
Die, ex parte tua, seu fundi sive domus sit
Emtor, gaudentem nummo te addicere. Sed me
Imperiosa trahit Proserpina : vive valeque.
Satira VI.
HORATII VOTUM.
Hoc erat in votis : modus agri non ita magnus,
Hortus ubi, et tecto vicinus jugis aquae fons,
Et paulum silvae super liis foret. Auctius atque
Di melius fecere : bene est : nil amplius oro,
Maia nate, nisi ut propria hsec mihi munera faxis. 5
Si neque majorem feci ratione mala rem,
Nee sum facturus vitio culpave minorem ;
Si veneror stultus nihil horum, O si angulusille
Proximus accedat, qui nu?tc denormat agellum !
O si urnam argenti fors quce mihi monstret, ut Mi, 10
Thesauri invento qui mercenarius agnim
Ilium ipsum mercatus aravit, dives arnico
Hercule ! Si, quod adest, gratum juvat, hac prece te oro,
6.] SERMONUM. LIBER II. 181
Pingue pecus domino facias et cetera praeter
Ingenium ; utque soles, custos mihi maximus adsis. 15
Ergo ubi me in montes et in arcem ex Urbe removi
(Quid prius illustrem Satiris Musaque pedestri ?),
Nee mala me ambitio perdit, nee plumbeus Austnr,
Auctumnusque gravis. Libitinae quaestus acerbae
Matutine pater, seu Jane libentius audis, 20
Unde homines operum primos vita3que labores
Tnstituunt (sic Dis placitum), tu carminis esto
Principium. Romae sponsorem me rapis. — Eia,
]Se prior officio quisquam respondeat, urge!
Sive Aquilo radit terras, seu bruma nivalem 25
Interiore diem gyro trahit, ire necesse est. —
Postmodo, quod mi obsit, clare certumque locuto,
Luctandum in turba et facienda injuria tardis. —
Quid tibi vis, insane ? et quain rem agis improbw ? urget
Iratis precibus ; tu pulses, omne quod obstat, 30
Ad Mczcenatem memori si mente recurras. —
Hoc juvat et melli est ; non mentiar. At simul atvas
Ventum est Esquilias, aliena negotia centum
Per caput et circa saliunt latus. Ante secundam
Roscius orabat sibi adesses ad Puteal eras. 35
De re communi scribae magna atque nova te
Orabant hodie meminisses, Quinte, reverti.
Imprimat his, cura, Maecenas signa tabelhs.
Dixeris, Experiar : Si vis, potes, addit et instat.
Septimus octavo propior jam fugerit annus, 40
Ex quo Maecenas me coepit habere suorum
In numero ; dumtaxat ad hoc, quem tollere rheda
Vellet iter faciens, et cui concredere nu^as
Hoc genus : Hora quota est ? Threx est Gallina S\to par
Matutina parum cautos jam frigora mordent : \5
Et quae rimosa bene deponuntur in aure.
Per totum hoc tempus subjectior in diem et horam
Invidio3 noster. Ludos spectav3rit una,
182 Q. HORATII FLACCI [6.
Luserit in campo : Fortunae filius ! omnes.
Frigidus a Rostris manat per compita rumor : 50
Quicunque obvius est, me consulit : O bone, nam te
Scire, Deos quoniam propius contingis, oportet,
Num quid de Dacis audisti ? — Nil equidem. — Ut tu
Semper eris derisor ! — At omnes Di exagitent me,
Si quidquam. — Quid ? militibus promissa Triquetra 55
Praedia Caesar, an est Itala tellure daturus ?
Jurantem me scire nihil mirantur ut unum
Scilicet egregii mortalem altique silenti.
Perditur haec inter misero lux, non sine votis *
O rus, quando ego te adspiciam ? quandoque licebit, 60
Nunc veterum libris, nunc somno et inertibus horis
Ducere sollicitae jucunda oblivia vitse ?
O quando faba Pythagorae cognata, simulque
Uncta satis pingui ponentur oluscula lardo ?
O noctes coenaeque Deum ! quibus ipse meique 65
Ante larem proprium vescor, vernasque procaces
Pasco libatis dapibus. Prout cuique libido est,
Siccat inaequales calices conviva solutus
Legibus insanis, seu quis capit acria fortis
Pocula, seu modicis uvescit laetius. Ergo 70
Sermo oritur, non de villis domibusve alienis,
Nee, male necne Lepos saltet ; sed, quod magis ad nos
Pertinet et nescire malum est, agitamus : utrumne
Divitiis homines, an sint virtute beati :
Quidve ad amicitias, usus rectumne, trahat nos : 15
Et quae sit natura boni summumque quid ejus.
Cervius haec inter vicinus garrit aniles
Ex re fabellas. Si quis nam laudat Arelli
Sollicitas ignarus opes, sic incipit : Olim
Rusticus urbanum murem mus paupere fertur 80
Accepisse cavo, veterem vetus hospes amicum ;
Asper et attentus quaesitis, ut tamen arctum
Solveret hospitiis animum. Quid multa ? neque ille
6.] SERMONUM. LIBER II. 183
Sepositi ciceris nee longse invidit avenas ;
Aridum et ore ferens acinum semesaque lardi 85
Frusta dedit, cupiens varia fastidia caena
Vincere tangentis male singula dente superbo ;
Quum pater ipse domus, palea porrectus in noma,
Esset ador loliumque, dapis meliora relinquens.
Tandem urbanus ad nunc : Quid te juvat, inquit, amice, 90
Prserupti nemoris patientem vivere dorso ?
Vis tu homines urbemque feris prseponere silvis ?
Carpe viam, mihi crede, comes ; terrestria quando
Mortales animas vivunt sortita, neque ulla est
Aut magno aut parvo leti fuga : quo, bone, circa, 95
Dum licet, in rebus jucundis vive beatus ;
Vive memor, quam sis sevi brevis. Heec ubi dicta
Agrestem pepulere, domo levis exsilit ; inde
Ambo propositum peragunt iter, urbis aventes
Moania nocturni subrepere. Jamque tenebat ] 00
Nox medium cceli spatium, quum ponit uterque
In locuplete domo vestigia, rubro ubi cocco
Tincta super lectos canderet vestis eburnos,
Multaque de magna superessent fercula coena,
Quae procul exstructis inerant hesterna canistris. 105
Ergo ubi purpurea porrectum in veste locavit
Agrestem, veluti succinctus cursitat hospes,
Continuatque dapes ; nee non verniliter ipsis
Fungitur officiis, praslibans omne quod affert.
Ille Cubans gaudet mutata sorte, bonisque 110
Rebus agit laetum convivam, quum subito ingens
Valvarum strepitus lectis excussit utrumque.
Currere per totum pavidi conclave, magisque
Exanimes trepidare, simul domus alta Molossis
Personuit canibus. Turn rusticus : Haud mihi vita 116
Est opus hac, ait, et valeas : me silva cavusque
Tutus ab insidiis tenui solabitur ervo.
184 a. HORATII FLACCI [7.
Satiua VII.
LEPIDE SE IPSE CARPIT EX PERSONA SERVI,
ET OSTENDIT, LIBERUM SOLUM ESSE SA-
PIENTEM.
Davus.
Jamdudum ausculto et cupiens tibi dicere servus
Pauca reformido.
Horathjs.
Davusne ?
Davus.
Ita. Davus, amicum
Mancipium domino, et frugi quod sit satis, hoc est,
Tit vitale putes.
Horatius.
Age, libertate Decembri,
Quando ita majores voluerunt, utere ; narra. 5
Davus.
Pars hominum vitiis gaudet constanter, et urget
Propositum ; pars multa natat, modo recta capessens,
Interdum pravis obnoxia. Sa3pe notatus
Cum tribus anellis, modo lseva Priscus inani.
Vixit insequalis, clavum ut mutaret in horas ; 10
iEdibus ex magnis subito se eonderet, unde
Mundior exiret vix libertinus honeste :
Jam moaclius Rom», jam mallet doctus Athenis
Vivere ; Vertumnis, quotquot sunt, natus iniquis.
Scurra Volanerius, postquam illi justa cheragra 1 1>
Contudit articulos, qui pro se tolleret atque
Mitteret in pliimum talos, mercede diurna
7.J SERMONUM. LIBER II. 185
Conductura pavit : quanto constantior idem
In vitiis, tanto levius raiser ac prior illo,
Qui jam contento, jam laxo fune laborat. 20
HoRATIUS.
Non dices hodie, quorsum hsec tam putida tendant,
Furcifer ?
Davus.
Ad te, inquam.
Horatius.
Quo pacto, pessime ?
Davus.
Laudas
Fortunam et mores antiquEe plebis, et idem,
Si quis ad ilia Deus subito te agat, usque recuses ;
Aut quia non sentis, quod clamas, rectius esse, 25
Aut quia non firmus rectum defendis, et haeres,
Nequidquam coeno cupiens evellere plantara.
Romas rus optas, absentem rusticus Urbem
Tollis ad astra levis. Si nusquam es forte vocatus
Ad coenam, laudas securura olus ; ac, velut usquam 30
Vinctus eas, ita te felicem dicis amasque,
Quod nusquam tibi sit potandum. Jusserit ad se
Maecenas serum sub lumina prima venire
Convivam : Nemon oleum fert ocius ? ecquis
Audit ? cum magno blateras clamore, fugisque. 35
Mulvius et scurrae tibi non referenda precati
Discedunt. Etenim, fateor me, dixerit ille,
Duci ventre levem, nasum nidore supinor,
Imbecillus, iners ; si quid vis, adde, popino.
Tu, quura sis quod ego, et fortassis nequior, ultro 40
Insectere velut melior ? verbisque decoris
18(5 Q. HOItATII FLACCT [7
Obvolvas vitium ? Quid, si me stultior ipso
Quingentis emto drachmis deprenderis ? Aufer
Me vultu terrere ; raanum stomachumque teneto.
Tune mihi dominus, rerum imperiis hominumque 45
Tot tantisque minor, quern ter vindicta quaterque
Imposita haud unquam misera formidine privet ?
Adde super dictis, quod non levius valeat : nam
Sive vicarius est, qui servo paret, uti mos
Vester ait, seu conservus ; tibi quid sum ego ? Nempe 50
Tu, mihi qui imperitas, aliis servis miser ; atque
Duceris ut nervis alienis mobile lignum.
Quisnam igitur liber ? Sapiens, sibi qui imperiosus ;
Quern neque pauperies neque mors neque vincula terrent ,
Responsare cupidinibus, contemnere honores 55
Fortis ; et in se ipso totus, teres atque rotundus,
Externi ne quid valeat per leve morari,
In quem manca ruit semper Fortuna. Potesne
Ex his ut proprium quid noscere ?
Die age. Non quis :
Urget enim dominus mentem non lenis, et acres 60
Subjectat lasso stimulos, versatque negantem.
Vel quum Pausiaca torpes, insane, tabella,
Qui peccas minus atque ego, quum Fulvi Rutubaeque
Aut Placideiani contento poplite miror
Proelia, rubrica picta aut carbone ; velut si 65
Re vera pugnent, feriant, vitentque moventes
Arma viri ? Nequam et cessator Davus ; at ipse
Subtilis veterum judex et callidus audis.
Nil egp, si ducor libo fumante : tibi ingens
Virtus atque animus ccenis responsat opimis ? 70
Obsequium ventris mihi perniciosius est : cur ?
Tergo plector enim ; qui tu impunitior ilia,
Quae parvo sumi nequeunt, obsonia captas ?
Nempe inamarescunt epulas sine fine petitae,
Illusique pedes vitiosum ferre recusant 7t
7,8.] StfRMONCM. LIBER II. 187
Corpus. An hie peccat, sub noctem qui puer uvara
Furtiva mutat strigili ? qui prsedia vendit,
Nil servile, guise parens, habet ? Adde, quod idem
Non horam tecum esse potes, non otia recte
Ponere ; teque ipsum vitas fugitivus et erro, 80
Jam vino quaerens, jam somno fallere curam :
Frustra : nam comes atra premit sequiturque fugacem.
Unde mini lapidem ?
Horattus,
Davus.
Quorsum est opus ?
Horattus.
Unde sagittas?
Davus.
Aut insanit homo, aut versus facit.
HORATIUS.
Ocius hinc te
Ni rapis, accedes opera agro nona Sabino. 85
Sathia VIII.
IN NASIDIENUM RUFUM CONVIVATOREM
VAPIDE GAE.RULUM.
HORATIUS.
TTt Nasidieni juvit te coena beati ?
Nam mihi convivam qusorenti dictus heri illic
De medio pot are die.
FUNDANTUS.
Sic ut mihi nunquam
In vita fuerit melius.
188 Q. HORATII FLACCI [8.
HORATIUS.
Da, si grave non est,
Quae prima iratum ventrem placaverit esca. 5
Fundanius.
In primis Lucanus aper : leni fuit Austro
Captus, ut aiebat ccense pater ; acria circum
Rapula, lactucae, radices, qualia lassum
Pervellunt stomachum, siser, allec, faecula Coa.
His ubi sublatis puer alte cinctus acernam 10
Gausape purpureo mensam pertersit, et alter
Sublegit quodcunque jaceret inutile, quodque
Posset cosnantes offendere ; ut Attica virgo
Cum sacris Cereris, procedit fuscus Hydaspes,
Csecuba vina ferens, Alcon Chium maris expers. 15
Hie herus, Albanum, Maecenas, sive Falernum
Te magis appositis delectat, habemus utrumque.
HORATIUS.
Divitias miseras ! Sed queis coenantibus una,
Fundani, pulchre fuerit tibi, nosse laboro.
Fundanius.
Summus ego, et prope me Viscus Thurinus, et infra, 20
Si memini, Varius ; cum Servilio Balatrone
Vibidius, quos Maecenas adduxerat umbras.
Nomentanus erat super ipsum, Porcius infra,
Ridiculus totas simul obsorbere placentas.
Nomentanus ad hoc, qui, si quid forte lateret, £5
Indice monstraret digito : nam cetera turba,
Nos, inquam, coenamus aves, conchylia, pisces,
Longe dissimilem noto celantia succum ;
Ut vel continuo patuit, quum passeris atque
Ingustata mihi porrexerat ilia rhombi. 30
8.] SERMONUM. LIBER IT 189
Post hoc me docuit, melimela rubere minorem
Ad lunam delecta. Quid hoc intersit, ab ipso
Audieris melius. Turn Vibidius Balatroni :
Nos nisi damnose bibimus, moriemur inulti ;
Et calices poscit majores. Vertere pallor 35
Turn parochi faciem, nil sic metuentis ut acres
Potores, vel quod maledicunt liberius, vel
Fervida quod subtile exsurdant vina palatum.
Invertunt Allifanis vinaria tota
Vibidius Balatroque, secutis omnibus : imi 40
Convivse lecti nihilum nocuere lagenis.
Affertur squillas inter mursena natantes
In patina porrecta. Sub hoc herus, Hcec gravida, inquit,
Capta est, deterior post partum came futura.
His mixtumjus est: oleo, quod prima Venafri 45
Pressit cella; garo de succis piscis Iberi ;
Yino quinquenni verum citra mare note,
Dum coquitur (cocto Chium sic convenit, ut non
Hoc magis ullum aliiid) ; pipere albo, non sine aceto,
Quod Methymnceam vitio mutaverit uvam. 50
Hrucas virides, inulas ego primus amaras
Monstravi incoquere ; illotos Curtillus echinos,
Ut melius muria, quam testa marina remittat.
Interea suspensa graves aulaea ruinas
In patinam fecere, trahentia pulveris atri 55
Quantum non Aquilo Campanis excitat agris.
Nos majus veriti, postquam nihil esse pericli
Sensimus, erigimur. Rufus posito capite, ut si
Filius immaturus obisset, flere. Quis esset
Finis, ni sapiens sic Nomentanus amicum 60
Tolleret ? Heu, Fortuna, quis est crudelior in nos
Te Deus ? ut semper gaudes illudere rebus
Humanis ! Varius mappa compescere risiun
Vix poterat Balatro suspendens omnia naso,
Hcec est condicio vivendi, aiebat, eoque 65
190 a. HORATII FLACCI SERMONUM. LIBER II. [S
Responsura tuo nunqua/n est par fama labori.
Tene, ut ego accipiar laute, torquerier omni
Sollicitudine districtum ? ?ie panis adustus,
Ne male wnditum jus apponatur? ut omnes
Prcecincti recte pueri comtique ministrcnt ? 70
Adde Iws prceterea casus, aidata ruant si,
Ut modo ; si patinam pede lapsus frangat agaso.
Sed convivatoris, uti ducis, ingcnium res
Adverse nudare solent, celare secundce.
Nasidienus ad hrec : Tibi Di, qucecunque preceris 75
Commoda dent ! ita vir bonus es convivaque comis.
Et soleas poscit. Turn in lecto quoque videres
Stridere secreta divisos aure susurros.
IIoratius.
Nullos his mallem ludos spectasse ; sed ilia
Redde, age, qua? deinceps risisti.
FUNDANIUS.
Vibidius dum 80
Quaerit de pueris, num sit quoque fracta lagena,
Quod sibi poscenti non dantur pocula, dumque
Ridetur fictis rerum, Balatrone secundo,
Nasidiene, redis mutatse frontis, ut arte
Emendaturus fortunam ; deinde secuti 85
Mazonomo pueri magno discerpta ferentes
Membra gruis, sparsi sale multo non sine farre,
Pinguibus et ficis pastum jecur anseris albae,
Et leporum avulsos, ut multo suavius, armos,
Quam si cum lumbis quis edit. Turn pectore adu^tu Q0
Vidimus et merulas poni, et sine clune palumbes ;
Suaves res, si non causas narraret earum et
Naturas dominus, quern nos sic fugimus ulti,
Ut nihil omnino gustaremus, velut iliis
Canidia afflasset pcjor sei*pentibus h&m.
Q. HOEATII FLACCI
EPISTOLJ.
Q. H 0 R A T I I FIACC1
EPISTOLARUM
LIBER PRIMUS.
Epistola I.
AD MiECENATEM.
Prima dicte mihi, summa dicende Camena,
Spectatum satis, et donatum jam rude, quaeris,
Maecenas, iterum antiquo me includere ludo ?
Non eadem est aetas, non mens. Veianius, armis
Herculis ad postern fixis, latet abditus agro, 5
Ne populum extrema toties exoret arena.
Est mihi purgatam crebro qui personet aurem :
Solve senescentem mature sanus equum, ne
Peccet ad extremum ridendus, et ilia ducat.
Nunc itaque et versus et cetera ludicra pono ; 10
Quid verum atque decens euro et rogo, et omnis in hoc sum ;
Condo et compono, quae mox depromere possim.
Ac ne forte roges, quo me duce, quo lare tuter ;
Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri,
Quo me cunque rapit tempestas, deferor hospes. 15
Nunc agilis fio et mersor civilibus undis,
Virtutis verae custos rigidusque satelles ;
Nunc in Aristippi furtim praecepta relabor,
Et mihi res, non me rebus subjungere conor.
Lenta dies ut opus debentibus ; ut piger annus 20
Pupillis. quo- dura prcmit. custodia matrum;
1
194 Q. HORATII FLACCI [1.
Sic mihi tarda fluunt ingrataque tempora, quae spem
Consiliumque morantur agendi gnaviter id, quod
JEque pauperibus prodest, locupletibus aeque,
iEque neglectum pueris senibusque nocebit. 25
Restat, ut his ego me ipse regam solerque elementis :
Non possis oculo quantum contendere Lynceus,
Non tamen idcirco contemnas lippus inungi ;
Nee, quia desperes invicti membra Glyconis,
Nodosa corpus nolis prohibere cheragra. 30
Est quadam prodire tenus, si non datur ultra.
Fervet avaritia miseroque cupidine pectus ?
Sunt verba et voces, quibus hunc lenire dolorem
Possis, et magnam morbi deponere partem.
Laudis amore tumes ? sunt certa piacula, quse te 35
Ter pure lecto poterunt recreare libello.
Invidus, iracundus, iners, vinosus, amator ?
Nemo adeo ferus est, ut non mitescere possit,
Si modo culturse patientem commodet aurem.
Virtus est vitium fugere, et sapientia prima 40
Stultitia caruisse. Vides, quse maxima credis
Esse mala, exiguum censum turpemque repulsarn,
Quanto devites animo capitisque labore.
Impiger extremos curris mercator ad Indos,
Per mare pauperiem fugiens, per saxa, per ignes : 45
Ne cures ea, quae stulte miraris et optas,
Discere et audire et meliori credere non vis ?
Quis circum pagos et circum compita pugnax
Magna coronari contemnat Olympia, cui spes,
Cui sit condicio dulcis sine pulvere palmae ? 50
Vilius argentum est auro, virtutibus aurum.
O civeSy rives, qucerenda pecunia primum est,
Virtus post nummos. Haec Janus summus ab imc
Prodocet ; haec recinunt juvenes dictata senesqHe,
JLaevo suspensi loculos tabulamque lacerto. 55
Est animus tibi, sunt mores, est lingua fidesque ;
1.] EPISTOLARUM. LIBER I. 19S
Sed quadringentis sex septem millia desint :
Plebs eris. At pueri ludentes, Rex eris, aiunt,
Si recte fades. Hie murus aeneus esto,
Nil conscire sibi, nulla pallescere culpa. 60
Roscia, die sodes, melior lex, an puerorum est
Naenia, quae regnum recte facientibus c-fFert,
Et maribus Curiis et decantata Camillis ?
Isne tibi melius suadet, qui, rem facias ; rem,
Si possis, recte ; si non, quocunque modo rem, 65
Ut propius spectes lacrimosa poemata Pupi :
An qui, fortunes te responsare superbae
Liberum et erectum, praBsens hortatur et aptat ?
Quod si me populus Romanus forte roget, cur
Non, ut porticibus, sic judiciis fruar isdem, 70
Nee sequar aut fugiam, quae diligit ipse vel odit ;
Olim quod vulpes aegroto cauta leoni
Respondit, referam : Quia me vestigia terrent
Omnia te adversum spectantia, nulla retrorsum. 74
Bellua multorum est capitum. Nam quid sequar ? aut quena ?
Pars hominum gestit conducere publica ; sunt qui
Crustis et pomis viduas venentur avaras,
Excipiantque senes, quos in vivaria mittant ;
Multis occulto crescit res fenore. Verum
Esto aliis alios rebus studiisque teneri : 80
Iidem eadem possunt horam durare probantes ?
Nullus in orbe sinus Baiis prcducet ainanis
Si dixit dives, lacus et mare sentit amorem
Festinantis heri ; cui si vitiosa libido
Fecerit auspicium : Cras ferramenta Teanum 85
Tolletis, fabri. Lectus genialis in aula est :
Nil ait esse prius, melius nil ccelibe vita ;
Si non est, jurat bene solis esse maritis.
Quo teneam vultus mutantem Protea nodo ?
Quid pauper ? ride : mutat caenacula, lectos, 90
Balnea, tonsores ; conducto navigio aeque
Nauseat ac locuples, quern ducit priva triremis.
196 a. HORATII FLACCI [1, 2.
Si euratus inaequali tonsore capillos
Occurro, rides : si forte subucula pexse
Trita subest tunicse, vel si toga dissidet impar, 95
Rides. Quid ? mea quum pugnat sententia secum ;
Quod petiit, spernit ; repetit quod nuper omisit ;
/Estuat et vitas disconvenit ordine toto ;
Diruit, sedificat, mutat quadrata rotundis :
Insanire putas solennia me ? neque rides ? 100
Nee medici credis nee curatoris egere
A praetore dati, rerum tutela mearum
Quum sis, et prave sectum stomacheris ob unguem
De te pendentis, te respicientis amici ?
Ad summam, sapiens uno minor est Jove, dives, 10£
Liber, honoratus, pulcher, rex denique regum ;
Prascipue sanus, nisi quum pituita molesta est.
Epistola II.
AD LOLLIUM.
Trojani belli scriptorem, maxime Lolli,
Dum tu declamas Itomae, Praeneste relegi ;
Qui, quid sit pulchrum, quid turpe, quid utile, quid non,
Planius ac melius Chrysippo et Crantore dicit.
Cur ita credidenm, nisi quid te detinet, audi. 5
Fabula, qua Paridis propter narratur amorem
Graecia Barbarian lento collisa duello,
Stultorum regum et populorum continet aestus.
Antenor censet belli praecidere causam :
Quod Paris, ut salvus regnet vivatque beatus, 10
Cogi posse negat. Nestor componere lites
Inter Peliden festinat et inter Atriden :
Hunc amor, ira quidem communiter urit utrumque.
Quidquid delirant reges, plectuntur A 3hivi.
Seditione, dolis, scelere, atque libidine et ira 15
Iliacos intra muros peccatur et extra.
2.] EPISTOLARUM. LTCER 1. 197
Rursum, quid virtus et quid sapicntia possit,
Utile proposuit nobis exemplar Ulixen ;
Qui, domitor Trojae, multorum providus urbes
Et mores hominum inspexit, latumque per aequor, 20
Dum sibi, dum sociis reditum parat, aspera multa
Pertulit, adversis rerum immersabilis undis.
Sirenum voces et Circa3 pocula nosti ,
Quae si cum sociis stultus cupidusque bibisset,
Sub domina meretrice fuisset turpis et excors, 25
Vixisset canis immundus, vel arnica luto sus.
Nos numerus sumus, et fruges consumere nati,
Sponsi Penelopae, nebulones Alcinoique,
In cute curanda plus aequo operata juventus ;
Cui pulchrum fuit in medios dormire dies, et 30
Ad strepitum citharae cessatum ducere curam.
Ut jugulent homines, surgunt de nocte latrones :
Ut te ipsum serves, non expergisceris ? atqui
Si noles sanus, curres hydropicus ; et ni
Posces ante diem librum cum lumine, si non 35
Intendes animum studiis et rebus honestis,
Invidia vel amore vigil torquebere. Nam cur,
Quae laedunt oculum, festinas demere ; si quid
Est animum, differs curandi tempus in annum ?
Dimidium facti, qui ccepit, habet ; sapere aude, 40
Incipe. Qui recte vivendi prorogat horam,
liusticus exspectat, dum defluat amnis ; at ille
Labitur et labetur in omne volubilis sevum.
Quaeritur argentum, puerisque beata creandis
Uxor, ct incultae pacantur vomere silvae : 45
Quod satis est cui contigit, hie nihil amplius optet.
Non domus et fundus, non aeris acervus et auri
iEgroto domini deduxit corpore febres,
Non animo curas. Valeat possessor oportet,
Si comportatis rebus bene cogitat uti. 50
Qui cupit aut metuit, juvat ilium sic domus et res,
198 Q. HORATIl FLACCI [2, 3.
Ut lippum picta3 tabulae, fomenta podagrum,
Auriculas citharas collecta sorde dolentes.
Sincerum est nisi vas, quodcunque infundis, acescit.
Spenie voluptates ; nocet emta dolore voluptas. 55
Semper avarus eget ; certum voto pete finem.
Invidus alterius macrescit rebus opimis ;
Invidia Siculi non invenere tyranni
Majus tormentum. Qui non moderabitur irae,
Infectum volet esse, dolor quod suaserit amens, 60
Dum poenas odio per vim festinat inulto.
Ira furor brevis est ; animum rege ; qui, nisi paret,
Imperat ; hunc frenis, hunc tu compesce catena.
Fingit equum tenera docilem cervice magister
Ire, viam qua monstret eques. Venaticus, ex quo 65
Tempore cervinam pellem latravit in aula,
Militat in silvis catulus. Nunc adbibe puro
Pectore verba, puer, nunc te mclioribus ofFer.
Quo semel est imbuta recens, servabit odorem
Testa diu. Quod si cessas aut strenuus anteis, 70
Nee tardum opperior nee praecedentibus insto.
Epistola III.
AD JUL1UM FLORUM.
Juli Flore, quibus terrarum militet oris
Claudius Augusti privignus, scire laboro.
Thracane vos, Hebrusque nivali compede vinctus,
An freta vicinas inter currentia turres,
An pingues Asiae campi collesque morantur ? 5
Quid studiosa cohors operum struit ? Hoc quoque euro.
Quis sibi res gestas Augusti scribere sum it ?
Bells, «mis et paces longum diffundit in aevum ?
Quid Titius, Romana brevi venturus in ora,
Pindarici fontis qui non expalluit haustus, 10
Fastidire lacus et rivos ausus apertos ?
3, 4. J EPISTOLARUM. — LIBER I. 199
Ut valet ? ut merainit nostri ? fidibusne Latinis
Thebanos aptare modos studet, auspice Musa ?
An tragica desaevit et ampullatur in arte ?
Quid mihi Celsus agit ? monitus multumque monendus, 15
Privatas ut quaerat opes, et tangere vitet
Scripta, Palatinus quaecunque recepit Apollo ;
Ne, si forte suas repetitum venerit olim
Grex avium plumas, moveat cornicula risum
Furtivis nudata coloribus. Ipse quid audes ? 20
Quae circumvolitas agilis thyma ? non tibi parvum
Ingenium, non incultum est et turpiter hirtum.
Seu linguam causis acuis, seu civica jura
Respondere paras, seu condis arnabile carmen :
Prima feres ederae victricis praemia. Quod si 25
Frigida curarum fomenta relinquere posses,
Quo te caelestis sapientia duceret, ires.
Hoc opus, hoc studium parvi properemus et ampli,
Si patriae volumus, si nobis vivere cari.
Debes hoc etiam rescribere, si tibi curae, 30
Quantae conveniat, Munatius ; an male sarta
Gratia nequidquam coit et rescinditur ? At, vos
Seu calidus sanguis seu rerum inscitia vexat
Indomita cervice feros, ubicunque locorum
Vivitis, indigni fraternum rumpere foedus, 35
Pascitur in vestrum reditum votiva juvenca.
Epistola IV.
AD ALBIUM TIBULLUM.
Albi, nostrorum sermonum candide judex,
Quid nunc te dicam facere in regione Pedana ?
Scribere quod Cassi Parmensis opuscula vincat,
An taciturn silvas inter reptare salubres,
Curantem quidquid dignum sapiente bonoque est ? C
Non tu corpus eras sine pectore. Di tibi formam,
t
200 Q. HORATII FLACCI [4, 5.
Di tibi divitias dederant, artemqne fruendi.
Quid voveat dulci nutricula majus alumno,
Qui sapere et fa,ri possit quae sentiat, et cui
Gratia, fama, valetudo contingat abunde, 10
Et mundus victus, non deficiente crumena ?
Inter spem curamque, timores inter et iras,
Omnem crede diem tibi diluxisse supremum :
Grata superveniet, quae non sperabitur, hora.
Me pinguem et nitidum bene curata cute vises, 15
Quum ridere voles Epicuri de grege porcum.
Epistola V.
AD TOUQUATUM.
Si potes Archiacis conviva recumbere lectis,
Nee modica coenare times olus omne patella,
Supremo te sole domi, Torquate, manebo.
Vina bibes iterum Tauro diffusa, palustres
Inter Minturnas Sinuessanumque Petrinum. 5
Sin melius quid habes, arcesse, vel imperium fer.
Jamdudum splendet focus, et tibi munda supellex.
Mitte leves spes, et certamina divitiarum,
Et Moschi causam. Cras nato Caesare festus
Dat veniam somnumque dies ; impune licebit 10
^Estivam sermone benigno tendere noctem.
Quo mihi fortunam, si non conceditur uti ?
Parous ob heredis curam nimiumque severus
Assidet insano. Potare et spargere flores
Incipiam, patiarque vel inconsultus haberi. 15
Quid non ebrietas designat ? operta recludit,
Spes jubet esse ratas, ad proelia trudit inertem,
Sollicitis animis onus eximit, addocet artes.
Fecundi calices quern non fecere disertum ?
Contracta quern non in paupertate solutum ? 20
Heec ego procurare et idoneus imperor, et non
5, 6.] EPISTOLARUM. LIBER I. 201
Invitus, ne turpe toral, ne sordida mappa
Corruget nares, ne non et cantharus et lanx
Ostendat tibi te, ne fidos inter amicos
Sit, qui dicta foras eliminet, ut coeat par 25
Jungaturque pari. Butram tibi Septiciumqu€',
Et nisi coena prior potiorque puella Sabinum
Detinet, assumam ; locus est et pluribus umbris ;
Sed nimis arcta premunt olidae convivia capra3.
Tu, quotus esse velis, rescribe ; et rebus omissis 30
Atria servantem postico falle clientem.
Epistola VI.
AD NUMICIUM.
Nil admirari prope res est una, Numici,
Solaque, qua3 possit facere et servare beatum.
Hunc solem, et Stellas, et decedentia certis
Tempora momentis, sunt qui formidine nulla
Imbuti spectent. Quid censes munera terrae ? 5
Quid maris extremos Arabas ditantis et Indos ?
Ludicra quid, plausus, et amici dona Quiritis ?
Quo spectanda modo, quo sensu credis et ore ?
Qui timet his adversa, fere miratur eodem,
Quo cupiens pacto ; pavor est utrobique molestus, 1 0
Improvisa simul species exterret utrumque.
Gaudeat an doleat, cupiat metuatne, quid ad rem,
Si, quid quid vidit melius pejusve sua spe,
Defixis oculis, animoque et corpore torpet ?
Insani sapiens nomen ferat, aequus iniqui. 1 5
Ultra quam satis est virtutem si petat ipsam
I nunc, argentum et marmor vetus seraque et artes
Suspice, cum gemmis Tyrios mirare colores ;
Gaude, quod spectant oculi te mille loquentem ;
Gnavus mane forum, et vespertinus pete tectum, 20
Ne plus frumenti dotalibus emetat agris
I 2
202 Q. HORATII FLACCI [6.
Mutus, et (indignum, quod sit pejoribus ortus)
Hie tibi sit potius, quam tu mirabilis illi.
Quidquid sub terra est, in apricum proferet aetas ;
Defodiet condetque nitentia. Quum bene notum 25
Porticus Agrippae et via te conspexerit Appi,
Ire tamen restat, Numa quo devenit et Ancus.
Si latus aut renes morbo tentantur acuto,
Quaere fugam morbi. Vis recte vivere ? quis non ?
Si virtus hoc una potest dare, fortis omissis 30
Hoc age deliciis. Virtutem verba putas, et
Lucum ligna ? cave ne portus occupet alter,
Ne Cibyratica, ne Bithyna negotia perdas ;
Mille talenta rotundentur, totidem altera, porro et
Tertia succedant, et quaB pars quadret acervum. 35
Scilicet uxorem cum dote, fidemque, et amicos,
Et genus et formam regina Pecunia donat,
Ac bene nummatum decorat Suadela Venusque.
Mancipiis locuples eget aeris Cappadocum rex :
Ne fueris hie tu. Chlamydes Lucullus, ut aiunt, 40
Si posset centum scenaB praebere rogatus,
Qui possum tot ? ait ; tamen et qucsra?n, et quot habebo
Mittam. Post paulo scribit, sibi millia quinque
Esse domi chlamydum ; partem, vel tolleret omnes.
Exilis domus est, ubi non et multa supersunt, 45
Et dominum fallunt, et prosunt furibus. Ergo
Si res sola potest facere et servare beatum,
Hoc primus repetas opus, hoc postremus omittas.
Si fortunatum species et gratia praestat,
Mercemur servum, qui dictet nomina, lasvum 50
Qui fodicet latus, et cogat trans pondera dextram
Porrigere. Hie multum in Fabia valet, ille Velina ;
Cui libet hie fasces dabit, eripietque curule
Cui volet importunus ebur ; Frater, Pater, adde ?
Ut cuique est astas, ita quemque facetus adopta. 55
Si, bene qui coenat, bene vivit, lucet, eamus
6, 7.] EPISTOLARUM. LIBER I. 20o
Quo ducit gula ; piscemur, venemur, ut olim
Gargilius, qui mane plagas, venabula, servos
DifFertum transire forum populumque jubebat,
Unus ut e multis populo spectante referret 60
Emtum mulus aprum. Crudi tumidique lavemur,
Quid deceat, quid non, obliti, Cserite cera
Digni, remigium vitiosum Ithacensis Ulixei,
Cui potior patria fuit interdicta voluptas.
Si, Mimnermus uti censet, sine amore jocisque 65
Nil est jucundum, vivas in amore jocisque.
Vive, vale ! Si quid novisti rectius istis,
Candidus imperti ; si non, his utere mecum.
Epistola VII.
AD M^ECENATEM.
Quinque dies tibi pollicitus me rure futurum,
Sextilem totum mendax desideror. Atqui
Si me vivere vis, recteque videre valentem,
Quam mihi das aegro, dabis aegrotare timenti,
Maecenas, veniam ; dum ficus prima calorque 5
Designatorem decorat lictoribus atris,
Dum pueris omnis pater et matercula pallet,
Officiosaque sedulitas et opella forensis
Adducit febres et testamenta resignat.
Quod si bruma nives Albanis illinet agris, 1 0
Ad mare descendet vates tuus, et sibi parcet,
Contractusque leget ; te, dulcis amice, reviset
Cum Zephyris, si concedes, et hirundine prima.
Non, quo more piris vesci Calaber jubet hospes,
Tu me fecisti locupletem. — Vescere sodes. — 15
Jam satis est. — At tu quantumvis tolle. — Benigne. —
iVbw invisa feres pueris munuscula parvis. —
Tarn teneor dono, quam si dimittar onnstus. —
Jit iibet ; hoc porcis hodie comedenda relinquis.
204 U. HORATII FLACCI [7.
Prodigus et stultus donat, qua3 spernit et odit : 20
Hsec seges ingratos tulit, et feret omnibus annis.
Vir bonus ct sapiens dignis ait esse paratus,
Nee tamen ignorat, quid distent sera lupinis.
Dignum praestabo me etiam pro laude merentis.
Quod si me noles usquam discedere, reddes 25
Forte latus, nigros angusta fronte capillos,
Reddes dulce loqui, reddes ridere decorum, et
Inter vina fugam Cinaraa mcerere proterva?.
Forte per angustam tenuis vulpecula rimam
Repserat in cumeram frumenti, pastaque rursus 30
Ire foras pleno tendebat corpore frustra.
Cui mustela procul, Si vis, ait, effugere istinc,
Macra cavum repetes arctum, quern macra subisti.
Hac ego si compellor imagine, cuncta resigno ;
Nee somnum plebis laudo, satur altilium, nee 35
Otia divitiis Arabum Uberrima muto.
Sarpe verecundum laudasti ; Rexque Paterque
Audisti coram, nee verbo parcius absens.
Inspice, si possum donata reponere laetus.
Haud male Telemachus, proles patientis Ulixei : 40
Non est aptus equis ItJiace locus, ut neque plants
P or rectus spatiis, nee multce prodigus lierbce :
Atride, tnagis apta tibi tua dona relinquam.
Parvum parva decent : mihi jam non regia Roma,
Sed vacuum Tibur placet, aut imbelle Tarentum. 45
Strenuus et fortis, causisque Philippus agendis
Clarus, ab officiis octavam circiter horam
Dum redit, atque Foro nimium distare Carinas
Jam grandis natu queritur, conspexit, ut aiunt,
Adrasum quendam vacua tonsoris in umbra, 50
Cultello proprios purgantem leniter ungues.
Demetri (puer hie non lseve jussa Philippi
Accipiebat), abi, qucere et refer, unde domo, quis,
Cujus fortunes, quo sit patre quove patrono.
7.] EPISTOLARUM. LIBER I. 205
It, redit, enarrat : Vulteium nomine Menam, 55
Praeconem, tenni censa, sine crimine, notum ;
Et properare loco et cessare, et quiserere et uti,
Gaudentem parvisque sodalibus, et lare certo,
Et ludis, et, post decisa negotia, Campo.
Scitari libet ex ijjso, qiicecunque refers : die 60
Ad cocnam veniat. Non sane credere Mena ;
Mirari secum tacitus. Quid multa ? Benigne,
Respondet. — Neget ille mild ? — Negat imjirobus, et te
Negligit ant horret. — Vulteium mane Philippus
Vilia vendentem tunicato scruta popello 65
Occupat, et salvere jubet prior. Ille Philippo
Excusare laborem et mercenaria vincla,
Quod non mane domum venisset ; denique, quod non
Providisset eum. — Sic ignovisse putato
Me tibi, si ccenas hodie mccum. — Ut libet. — Ergo 70
Post nonam venies ; nunc i, rem strenuus ange.
Ut ventum ad ccenam est, dicenda tacenda locutus,
Tandem dormitum dimittitur. Hie, ubi saepe
Occultum visus decurrere piscis ad hamura,
Mane cliens et jam certus conviva, jubetur 75
Rura suburbana indictis comes ire Latinis.
Impositus mannis arvum coelumque Sabinum
Non cessat laudare. Videt ridetque Philippus,
Et sibi dum requiem, dnm risus undique qua3rit,
Dum septem donat sestertia, mutua septem §0
Promittit, persuadet, uti mercetur agellum.
Mercatur. Ne te longis ambagious ultra
Quam satis est morer, ex nitido fit rusticus, atque
Sulcos et vineta crepat mera, praBparat ulmos,
Immoritur studiis, et amore senescit habendi. 85
Verum ubi oves furto, morbo periere capella?,
Spem mentita seges, bos est enectus arando :
OfTensus damnis, media de nocte caballum
Arripit, iratusque Philippi tendit ad a3des.
206 a. HORATII FLACCI [7, 8, 9
Quern simul adspexit scabrum intonsumque Philippus, 90
Durus, ait, Vultei, nimis attentusque videris
Esse mihi. — Pol, me miserum, patrone, vocares,
Si velles, inquit, varum mihi ponere nomen.
Quod te per Genium dextramque Deosque Penates
Obsecro et obtcstor, vitcs me redde priori. 95
Qui semel adspexit, quantum dimissa petitis
Praestent, mature redeat repetatque relicta.
Metiri se quemque suo modulo ac pede verum est.
Epistola VIII.
AD CELSUM ALBINOVANUM.
Celso gaudere et bene rem gerere Albinovano
Musa rogata refer, comiti scribasque Neronis.
Si quseret quid agam, die, multa et pulchra minantem,
Vivere nee recte nee suaviter ; haud quia grando
Contuderit vites, oleamve momorderit aestus, 5
Nee quia longinquis armentum aegrotet in agris ;
Sed quia mente minus validus quam corpore toto
Nil audire velim, nil discere, quod levet aegrum ;
Fidis offendar medicis, irascar amicis,
Cur me funesto properent arcere veterno ; 10
Qu33 nocuere sequar, fugiam quae profore credam,
Romas Tibur amem ventosus, Tibure Romam.
Post haec, ut valeat, quo pacto rem gerat et se,
Ut placeat Juveni, percontare, utque cohorti.
Si dicet, Recte : primum gaudere, subinde 15
Praeceptum auriculis hoc instillare memento :
Ut tu fortunam, sic nos te, Celse, feremus.
Epistola IX.
AD CLAUDIUM NERONEM,
Septimius, Claudi, nimirum intelligit unus,
Quanti me facias ; nam quum rogat et prece cogit,
Scilicet ut tibi se laudare et tradere coner,
9, 10.] EPISTOLARUM. LIBER I. 207
Dignura mente domoque legends honesta Neronis,
Munere quum fungi propioris censet amici, 6
Quid possim videt ac novit me valdius ipso.
Multa quidem dixi, cur excusatus abirem :
Sed timui, mea ne finxisse minora putarer,
Dissimulator opis propria?, mihi commodus uni.
Sic ego, majoris fugiens opprobria culpa?, 10
Frontis ad urbanae descendi praemia. Quod si
Depositum laudas ob amici jussa pudorem,
Scribe tui gregis hunc, et fortem crede bonumque.
Epistola X.
AD FUSCUM AEJSTIUM.
Urbis amatorem Fuscum salvere jubemus
Ruris amatores, hac in re scilicet mia
Multum dissimiles, at cetera paene gemelli,
Fraternis animis, quidquid negat alter, et alter ;
Annuimus pariter vetuli notique columbi. 5
Tu nidum servas, ego laudo ruris amoeni
Rivos, et musco circumlita saxa, nemusque.
Quid quaeris ? vivo et regno, simul ista reliqui,
Quae vos ad ccelum fertis rumore secundo ;
Utque sacerdotis fugitivus, liba recuso ; 10
Pane egeo jam mellitis potiore placentis.
Vivere naturae si convenienter oportejt,
Ponendaeque domo quaerenda est area primum,
Xovistine locum potiorem rure beato ?
Est ubi plus tepeant hiemes ? ubi gratior aura 1 5
Leniat et rabiem Canis, et momenta Leonis,
Quum semel accepit solem furibundus acutum ?
Est ubi divellat somnos minus invida cura ?
Deterius Libycis olet aut nitet herba lapillis ?
Purior in vicis aqua tendit rumpere plumbum, 20
Quam quae per pronum trepidat cum murmure rivum ?
208 a. HORATII FLACCI [10,11.
Nempe inter varias rmtritur silva columnas,
Laudaturque domus, longos qua? prospicit agros.
Naturam expellas furca, tamen usque recurret,
Et mala perrumpet furtim fastidia victrix. 26
Non, qui Sidonio contendere callidus ostro
Nescit Aquinatem potantia vellera fucum,
Certius accipiet damnum propiusve medullis,
Quam qui non poterit vero distinguere falsum.
Quern res plus nimio delectavere secundae, 30
Mutatse quatient. Si quid mirabere, pones
Invitus. Fuge magna ; licet sub paupere tecto
Heges et regum vita preecurrere amicos.
Cervus equum pugna melior communibus herbis
Pellebat, donee minor in certamine longo 35
Imploravit opes hominis, frenumque recepit.
Sed postquam victor violens discessit ab hoste,
Non equitem dorso, non frenum depulit ore.
Sic, qui pauperiem veritus potiore metallis
Libertate caret, dominum vehet improbus, atque 40
Serviet seternum, quia parvo nesciet uti.
Cui non conveniet sua res, ut calceus olim,
Si pede major erit, subvertet ; si minor, uret.
Lsetus sorte tua vives sapient er, Aristi ;
Nee me dimittes incastigatum, ubi plura 45
Cogere, quam satis est, ac non cessare videbor.
Imperat, aut servit, collecta pecunia cuique,
Tortum digna sequi potius quam ducere funem.
Heec tibi dictabam post fanum putre VacunaB,
Excepto, quod non simul esses, cetera lsetus. SO
Epistola XI.
AD BULLATIUM.
Quid tibi visa Chios, Bullati, notaque Lesbos ?
Quid concinna Samos ? quid Craesi regia Sardis ?
Smyrna quid, et Colophon ? majora minorave fama ?
11,12.] EPISTOLARUM. LIBER I. 209
Cunctane pra Campo et Tiberino fiumhie sordent ?
An venit in votum Attalicis ex urbibus una ? 5
An Lebedum laudas odio maris atque viarum ?
Scis, Lebedus quid sit ; Gabiis desertior atque
Fidenis vicus : tamen illic vivere vellem,
Oblitusque meorum, obliviscendus et illis,
Neptunum procul e terra spectare furentern. 10
Sed neque, qui Capua Romam petit, imbre lutoque
Adspersus, volet in caupona vivere ; nee, qui
Frigus collegit, furnos et balnea laudat,
Ut fortunatam plene praestantia vitam.
Nee, si te validus jactaverit Auster in alto, 15
Idcirco navem trans iEgaeum mare vendas.
Incolumi Rhodos et Mytilene pulchra facit, quod
Psenula solstitio, campestre nivalibus auris,
Per brumam Tiberis, Sextili mense caminus.
Dum licet, ac vultum servat Fortuna benignum, 20
Romae laudetur Samos et Chios et Rhodos absens.
Tu, quamcunque Deus tibi fortunaverit horam,
Grata sume manu, neu duleia differ in annum ;
Ut, quocunque loco fueris, vixisse libenter
Te dicas. Nam si ratio et prudentia curas, 25
Non locus, efrusi late maris arbiter, aufert :
Ccelum, non animum mutant, qui trans mare currunt.
Strenua nos excercet inertia ; navibus atque
Quadrigis petimus bene vivere. Quod petis, hie est,
Est Ulubris, animus si te non deficit aequus. 30
EriSTOLA XII.
AD ICCIUM.
Fructibus Agrippae Siculis, quos colhgis, Icci,
Si recte frueris, non est ut copia major
Ab Jove donari possit tibi. Tolle querelas ;
Pauper enim non est, cui rerum suppetit usus.
*2l\) Q. HORATII FLACCI [12, 1 ii.
Si ventri bene, si lateri est pedibusque tuis, nil 5
Divitiae poterunt regales addere majus.
Si forte in medio positorum abstemius herbis
Vivis et urtica, sic vives protinus, ut te
Confestim liquidus Fortunae rivus inauret ;
Vel quia naturam mutare pecunia nescit, 10
Vel quia cuncta putas una virtute minora.
Miramur, si Democriti pecus edit agellos
Cultaque, dum peregre est animus sine corpore velox ;
Quum tu inter scabiem tantam et contagia lucri
Nil parvum sapias, et adhuc sublimia cures ; 1 5
Quae mare compescant causae, quid temperet annum,
Stellae sponte sua, jussaene vagentur et errent,
Quid premat obscurum Lunae, quid proferat orbem,
Quid velit et possit rerum concordia discors,
Empedocles, an Stertinium deliret acumen. 20
Verum, seu pisces, seu porrum et caepe trucidas,
Utere Pompeio Grospho, et, si quid petet, ultro
Defer : nil Grosphus nisi verum orabit et aequum.
Vilis amicorum est annona, bonis ubi quid deest.
Ne tamen ignores, quo sit Romana loco res : 25
Cantaber Agrippae, Claudi virtute Neronis
Armenius cecidit ; jus imperiumque Phrahates
Caesaris aceepit genibus minor ; aurea fruges
Ttaliae pleno defundit Copia cornu.
Epistola XIII.
AD VINIUM ASELLAM.
Ut proficiscentem docui te saepe diuque,
Augusto reddes signata volumina, Vini,
Si validus, si laetus erit, si denique poscet ;
Ne studio nostri pecces, odiumque libellis
Sedulus importes, opera vehemente minister.
Si te forte meae gravis uret sarcina chart»,
Ill, 14.] E PISTOL A RUM. LIBER I *^li
Abjicito potius, quam quo perferre juberis
Clitellas ferus impingas, Asinaeque paternum
Cognomen vertas in risum, et fabula fias.
Viribus uteris per clivos, flumina, lamas : 10
Victor propositi simul ac perveneris illuc,
Sic positum servabis onus, ne forte sub ala
Fasciculum portes librorum, ut rusticus agnum,
Ut vinosa glomus furtivse Pyrrhia lanae,
Ut cum pileolo soleas conviva tribulis. ] 5
Neu vulgo narres te sudavisse ferendo
Carmina, quae possint oculos auresque morari
Caesaris ; oratus multa prece, nitere porro.
Vade, vale, cave ne titubes, mandataque frangas.
Epistola XIV.
AD VILLICUM SUUM.
Villice silvarum et mihi me reddentis agelli,
Quem tu fastidis, habitatum quinque focis, et
Quinque bonos solitum Variam dimittere patres ;
Certemus, spinas animone ego fortius an tu
Evellas agro, et melior sit Horatius an res. 6
Me quamvis Lamiae pietas et cura moratur,
Fratrem mcerentis, rapto de fratre dolentis
Insolabiliter, tamen istuc mens animusque
Fert, et amat spatiis obstantia rumpere claustra.
Rure ego viventem, tu dicis in urbe beatum : 10
Cui placet alterius, sua nimirum est odio sors.
Stultus uterque locum immeritum causatur inique ;
In culpa est animus, qui se non efFugit unquam.
Tu rnediastinus tacita prece rura petebas,
Nunc urbem et ludos et balnea villicus optas. t£
Me constare mihi scis, et discedere tristem,
Quandocunque trahunt invisa negotia Romam.
Non eadem miramur ; eo disconvenit inter
212 a. HORATII FLACCI [14,15.
Meque et te ; nam, quas deserta et inhospita tesqua
Credis, amoena vocat mecum qui sentit, et odit 20
Quse tu pulchra putas. —
Nunc, age, quid nostrum concentum dividat, audi.
Quern tenues decuere togas nitidique capilli,
Quem bibulum liquidi media de luce Falerni,
Coena brevis juvat, et prope rivum somnus in herba ; 25
Nee lusisse pudet, sed non incidere ludum.
jS on istic obliquo oculo mea commoda quisquam
Limat ; non odio obscuro morsuque venenat :
Rident vicini glebas et saxa moventem.
Cum servis urbana diaria rodere mavis ? 30
Horum tu in numerum voto ruis. Invidet usum
Lignorum et pecoris tibi calo argutus, et horti.
Optat ephippia bos, piger optat arare caballus.
Quam scit uterque, libens, censebo, exerceat artem.
Epistola XV.
AD NUMONIUM VALAM.
Quaa sit hiems Velise, quod ccelum, Vala, Salerni,
Quorum hominum regio, et qualis via (nam mihi Baias
Musa supervacuas Antonius, et tamen illis
Me facit invisum, gelida quum perluor unda
Per medium frigus. Sane myrteta relinqui, 5
Dictaque cessantem nervis elidere morbum
Sulfura contemni vicus gemit, invidus 33gris,
Qui caput et stomachum supponere fontibus audent
Clusinis, Gabiosque petunt et frigid a rura.
Mutandus locus est, et deversoria nota 10
Prseteragendus equus. Quo tendis ? non mihi Cumas
Est iter aut Baias, larva stomachosus habena
Dicet eques ; sed equi frenato est auris in ore) ;
Major utrum populum frumenti copia pascat ;
Collectosne bibant imbres, puteosne perennes 15
1
15, 16.] EP1ST0LARUM. LIBER I. 213
Jugis aquB (nam vina nihil moror illius orse.
Rure meo possum quidvis perferre patique :
Ad mare quum veni, generosum et lene requiro,
Quod curas abigat, quod cum spe divite manet
In venas animumque meum, quod verba ministret). 20
Tractus uter plures lepores, uter educet apros,
Utra magis pisces et echinos sequora celent,
Pinguis ut inde domum possim Phamxque reverti,
Scribere te nobis, tibi nos accredere par est.
Maenius, ut rebus maternis atque paternis 25
Fortiter absumtis urbanus coepit haberi,
Scurra vagus, non qui certum pra3sepe teneret,
Impransus non qui civem dignosceret hoste,
Quselibet in quemvis opprobria fingere saevus,
Pernicies et tempestas barathrumque macelli, 30
Quidquid quaesierat, ventri donabat avaro.
Hie, ubi nequitiae fautoribus et timidis nil
Aut paulum abstulerat, patinas coenabat omasi,
Vilis et agninae, tribus ursis quod satis esset.
Nimirum hie ego sum : nam tuta et parvula laudo, 35
Quum res deficiunt, satis inter vilia fortis ;
Verum, ubi quid melius contingit et unctius, idem
Vos sapere et solos aio bene vivere, quorum
Conspicitur nitidis fundata pecunia villis.
Epistola XVI.
AD QUINCTIUM.
Ne perconteris, fundus meus, optime Quincti,
Arvo pascat herum, an baccis opulentet olivaj,
Pomisne, an pratis, an amicta vitibus ulmo,
Scribetur tibi forma loquaciter, et situs agri.
Continui montes ni dissocientur opaca
Valle ; sed ut veniens dextrum latus adspiciat Sol,
Laevuni decedens curru fugiente vaporet.
214 a. HORATII FLACCI [16.
Temperiem laudes. Quid, si rubicunda benigni
Corna vepres et pruna ferant ? si quercus et ilex
Multa fruge pecus, multa dominum juvet umbra ? 10
Dicas adductum propius frondere Tarentum.
Fons etiam rivo dare nomen idoneus, ut nee
Frigidior Thracam nee purior ambiat Hebrus,
Infirmo capiti fluit utilis, utilis alvo.
Hee latebrae dulces, etiam, si credis, amoBnae> 15
Incolumem tibi me praestant Septembribus horis.
Tu recte vivis, si curas esse quod, audis.
Jactamus jampridem omnis te Roma beatum ;
Sed vereor, ne cui de te plus, quam tibi credas,
Neve putes alium sapiente bonoque beatum ; 20
Neu, si te populus sanum recteque valentem
Dictitet, occultam febrem sub tempus edendi
Dissimules, donee manibus tremor incidat unctis.
Stultorum incurata pudor malus ulcera celat.
Si quis bella tibi terra pugnata marique 25
Dicat, et bis verbis vacuas permulceat aures :
Tene magis salvum populus velit, an populum tu,
Servet in ambiguo, qui cousulit et tibi et urbi,
Jupiter ; Augusti laudes agnoscere possis.
Quum pateris sapiens emendatusque vocari, 30
Respondesne tuo, die sodes, nomine ? — Nempe
Vir bonus et prudens did delectoi' ego ac tu.
Qui dedit hoc hodie, eras, si volet, auferet ; ut si
Detulerit fasces indigno, detrahet idem.
Pone, meum est, inquit ; pono, tristisque recede 35
Idem si clamet furem, neget esse pudicum,
Contendat laqueo collum pressisse paternum ;
Mordear opprobriis falsis, mutemque colores ?
Falsus honor juvat et mendax infamia terret
Quern, nisi mendosum et medicandum ? Vir bonus est
quis ?— 40
Qui consulta patrum, qui leges juraque servat,
16. J EPISTOLARUM. LIBER I. 215
Quo midtce magnceque secantur judice lites,
Quo res sponsore, et quo causes teste tenentur. —
Sed videt hunc omnis domus et vicinia tota
Introrsus turpem, speciosum pelle decora. 45
Nee fur turn feci, necfugi, si mihi dicat
Servus : Habes pretium, loris non ureris, aio. —
Non hominem occidi. — Non pasces in cruce corvos.--
Sum bonus etfrugi. — Renuit negitatque Sabellus.
Cautus enim metuit foveam lupus, accipiterque GO
Suspectos laqueos, et opertum miluus hamum.
Oderunt peccare borri virtutis araore ;
Tu nihil admittes in te formidine paenae.
Sit spes fallendi, miscebis sacra profanis.
Nam de mille fabse modiis quum surripis unum, 5o
Damnum est, non facinus mihi pacto lenius isto.
Vir bonus, omne forum quern spectat et omne tribunal,
Quandocunque Deos vel porco vel bove placat,
Jane pater, clare, clare quum dixit, Apollo,
Labra movet metuens audiri : Pulchra Laverna, 60
Da mihi f alter e, dajusto sanctoque videri ;
Noctem peccatis, et fraudibus objice nubem.
Qui melior servo, qui liberior sit avarus,
In triviis fixum quum se demittit ob assem,
Non video. Nam qui cupiet, metuet quoque ; porro, 65
Qui metuens vivet, liber mihi non erit unquam.
Perdidit arma, locum virtutis deseruit, qui
Semper in augenda festinat et obruitur re.
Vendere quum possis captivum, occidere noli ;
Serviet utiliter ; sine pascat durus aretque ; 70
Naviget ac mediis hiemet mercator in undis ;
Annonse prosit ; portet frumenta penusque.
Vir bonus et sapiens audebit dicere : JPentheu,
Rector Thebarum, quid me perferre patique
Indignum coges ? — Adimam bona. — Nempe pecus, rem, 76
Lectos, argentum ? tollas licet. — In manicis et
2)0
U. 1IORATII FLACCI [16, 17
Conipedibus scevo te sub custode tenebo. —
Ipse Deus, simul atque volam, me solvet.— Opinor,
Hoc sentit : Moriar ; mors ultima linea rerum est.
Epistola XVII.
AD SCiEVAM.
Quamvis, Scseva, satis per te tibi consulis, et scis
Quo tandem pacto deceat majoribus uti,
Disce, docendus adhuc quae censet amiculus ; ut si
Ca)cus iter monstrare velit : tamen aspice, si quid
Et nos, quod cures proprium fecisse, loquamur. 5
Si te grata quies et primam somnus in horam
Delectat, si te pulvis strepitusque rotarum,
Si laedit caupona, Ferentinum ire jubebo :
Nam neque divitibus contingunt gaudia solis,
Nee vixit male, qui natus moriensque fefellit. 10
Si prodesse tuis pauloque benignius ipsum
Te tractare voles, accedes siccus ad unctum.
Si pranderet olus patienter, regibus uti,
Nollet Aristippus. — Si sciret regibus uti
Fastidiret olus, qui me notat.— Utrius horum 15
Verba probes et facta, doce ; vel junior audi,
Cur sit Aristippi potior sententia. Namque
Mordacem Cynicum sic eludebat, ut amnt :
Scurror ego ipse mihi, populo tu : rectius hoc et
Splendidius multo est. Equus ut me portet, alat rex, 20
Officiumfacio : tu poscis vilia rerum,
Dante minor, quamvis fers te nullius cgentem.
Omnis Aristippum decuit color et status et res,
Tentantem majora, fere praesentibus sequum.
Contra, quern duplici panno patientia velat, 25
Mirabor, vitee via si conversa decebit.
Alter purpureum non exspectabit amictum,
Quidlibet indutus celeberrima per loca vadet,
17, 18.] EPISTOLARUM. LIBER I. 217
Personamque feret non inconcinnus utramque :
Alter Mileti textam cane pejus et angui 30
Vitabit chlamydem ; raorietur frigore, si non
Rettuleris pannum : refer, et sine vivat ineptus.
Pwes gerere et captos ostendere civibus liostes
Attingit solium Jovis et ccfilestia tentat :
Principibus placuisse viris non ultima laus est. 35
Non cuivis hornini contingit adire Corinthum.
Sedit, qui timuit ne non succederet : esto.
Quid ? qui pervenit, fecitne viriliter ? Atqui
Hie est aut nusquam, quod qiicerimus. Hie onus horret,
Ut parvis animis et parvo corpore majus ; 40
Hie subit et perfert. Aut virtus nomen inane est,
Aut decus et pretium recte petit experiens vir.
Coram rege suo de paupertate tacentes
Plus poscente ferent. Distat, sumasne pudenter,
An rapias : atqui rerum caput hoc erat, hie fons'. 45
Indotata mihi saror est, paupercula mater,
Et fundus nee vendibilis nee pascere Jirmus,
Qui dicit, clamat : Victum date. Succinit liter :
Et mihi dividuo Jindetur munere quadra.
Sed tacitus pasci si posset corvus, haberet 50
Plus dapis et rixae multo minus invidiajque.
Epistola XVIII.
AD LOLLIUM.
Si bene te novi, metues, liberrime Lolh,
Scurrantis speciem prajbere, professus amicum.
Est huic diversum vitio vitium prope maju*,
Asperitas agrestis et inconcinna gravisque, *
Quae se commendat tonsa cute, dentibus atris,
Bum vult libertas dici mera, veraque virtus.
Virtus est medium vitiorum, et utrinque reductum.
Alter m obsequium plus aequo pronus, et imi
K
218 a. HOEATII FLACCI [18.
Derisor lecti, sic nutum divitis horret,
Sic iterat voces, et verba cadentia tollit, 10
Ut puerum ssevo credas dictata magistro
Reddere, vel partes mimum tractare secundas :
Alter rixatur de lana ssepe caprina, et
Propugnat nugis armatus : Scilicet, ut non
Sit mihi 'prima fides, et vere quod placet ut rion 15
Acriter elatrem ? Pretium cetas altera sordet.
Ambigitur quid enim ? Castor sciat an Dolichos plus ;
Brundisium Minuci melius via ducat, an Appi.
Gloria quern supra vires et vestit et ungit,
Quern tenet argenti skis importuna famesque, 20
Quem paupertatis pudor et fuga, dives amicus,
Ssepe decern vitiis instructior, odit et horret :
Aut, si non odit, regit ; ac, veluti pia mater,
Plus quam se sapere et virtutibus esse priorem
Vult, et ait prope vera : Mccz (contendere noli) 25
Stultitiam patiuntur opes ; tibi parvula res est :
Arcta decet sanum comitem toga ; desine mecum
Certare. Eutrapelus, cuicunque nocere volebat,
Vestimenta dabat pretiosa : beatus enim jam
Cum pulchris tunicis sumet nova consilia et spes. 30
Arcanum neque tu scrutaberis illius unquam,
Commissumque teges, et vino tortus et ira.
Nee tua laudabis studia, aut aliena reprendes ;
Nee, quum venari volet ille, poemata panges.
Gratia sic fratrum geminorum, Amphionis atque 35
Zethi, dissiluit, donee suspecta severo
Conticuit lyra. Fraternis cessisse putatur
Moribus Ampnion : tu cede potentis amici
Lenibus imperiis ; quotiesque educet in agros
JEtolis onerata plagis jumenta canesque, 40
Surge, et inhumanse senium depone Camenae,
Ccenes ut pariter pulmenta laborious emta ;
Pvomanis solenne viris opus, utile fama3,
18.] EPISTOLARUM. LIBER I. 219
Vitaeque et membris ; praesertim quum valeas, et
Vel cursu superare canem vel viribus apnim 45
Possis : adde, virilia quod speciosius arma
Non est qui tractet (scis, quo clamore coronae
Prcelia sustineas campestria) ; denique S33vara
Militiam puer et Cantabrica bella tulisti
Sub duce, qui templis Parthorum signa refigit 50
Nunc, et si quid abest, Italis adjudicat armis.
Ac (ne te retrahas, et inexcusabilis absis),
Quamvis nil extra numerum fecisse modumque
Curas, interdum nugaris rure paterno :
Partitur lintres exercitus ; Actia pugna 55
Te duce per pueros hostili more refertur ;
Adversarius est frater ; lacus Hadria ; donee
Alterutrum velox Victoria fironde coronet.
Consentire suis studiis qui crediderit te,
Fautor utroque tuum laudabit pollice ludum. 60
Protinus ut moneam (si quid monitoris eges tu)
Quid, de quoque viro, et cui dicas, saepe videto.
Percontatorem fugito, nam garrulus idem est ;
Nee retinent patulas commissa fideliter aures ;
Et semel emissum volat irrevocabile verbum. 65
Qualem commendes, etiam atque etiam adspice ; ne mox
Incutiant aliena tibi peccata pudorem.
Fallimur, et quondam non dignum tradimus ; ergo
Quem sua culpa premet, deceptus omitte tueri ;
At penitus notum, si tentent crimina, serves, 70
Tuterisque tuo fidentem praesidio : qui
Dente Theonino quum circumroditur, ecquid
Ad te post paulo ventura pericula sentis ?
Nam tua res agitur, paries quum proximus ardet,
Et neglecta solent incendia sumere vires. 75
Dulcis inexpertis cultura potentis amici,
Expertus metuit. Tu, dum tua navis in alto est,
Hoc age, ne mutata retrorsum te ferat aura.
220
a. HORAT1I FLACCI [18, 19.
Oderunt hilarem tristes, tristemque jocosi,
Sedatum celeres, agilem gnavumque xemissi, 80
Potores bibuli media de nocte Falerni
Oderunt porrecta negantem pocula, quamvis
Nocturnos jures te formidare vapores.
Deme supercilio nubem : plerumque modestus
Occupat obscuri speciem, taciturnus acerbi. 8fc
Inter cuncta leges et percontabere doctos,
Qua ratione queas traducere leniter ssvum,
Ne te semper inops agitet vexetque cupido,
Ne pavor, et rerum mediocriter utilium spes ;
Virtutem doctrina paret, naturane donet ; 90
Quid minuat curas, quid te tibi reddat amicum ;
Quid pure tranquillet, honos, an dulce lucellum,
An secretum iter, et fallentis semita vitse.
Me quoties reficit gelidus Digentia rivus,
Quern Mandela bibit, rugosus frigore pagus, 95
Quid sentire putas ? quid credis, amice, precari ?
Sit mihi, quod nunc est ; etiam minus : et mihi vivam
Quod superest cBvi, si quid superesse volunt Di :
Sit bona librorum et provisce frugis in annum
Copia ; neufluitem dubice spe pendulus hora. 100
Sed satis est orare Jovem, qua donat et aufert :
Det vitam, det opes ; cequum mi animum ipse parabo.
Epistola XIX.
AD MiECENATEM.
Prisco si credis, Maecenas docte, Cratino,
Nulla placere diu nee vivere carmina possunt,
Quae scribuntur aquae potoribus. Ut male sanos
Adscripsit Liber Satyris Faunisque poetas,
Vina fere dulces oluerunt mane Camenae. d
Laudibus arguitur vini vinosus Homerus ;
Ennius ipse pater nunquam nisi potus ad arma
Prosiluit dicenda. Forum putealque Libonis
19.] EPISTOLARUM. LIBER I. 221
Mandabo siccis, adimam cantare sevens.
Hoc simul edixi, non cessavere poetse 10
Nocturno certare mere-, putere diurno.
Quid ? si quis vultu torvo ferus, et pede nudo,
Exiguaque toga, simuletque ex ore Catonera,
Virtutemne reprsesentet moresque Catonis ?
Rupit Iarbitam Timagenis semiila lingua, 1 5
Dum studet urbanus, tenditque disertus haberi.
Decipit exemplar vitiis imitabile : quod si
Pallerem casu, biberent exsangue cuminum.
O imitatores, servum pecus, ut mihi sa)pe
Bilem, saepe jocum vestri movere tumultus ! 20
Libera per vacuum posui vestigia princeps ;
Non aliena meo pressi pede. Qui sibi fid.it,
Dux regit examen. Parios ego primus iambos
Ostendi Latio, numeros animosque secutus
Archilochi, non res et agentia verba Lycamben. 25
Ac, ne me foliis ideo brevioribus ornes,
Quod timui mutare modos et carminis artem :
Temperat Archilochi musam pede mascula Sappho,
Temperat Alcaeus ; sed rebus et ordine dispar,
Nee socerum quserit, quern versibus oblinat atris, 30
Nee sponsre laqueum famoso carmine nectit.
Hunc ego, non alio dictum prius ore, Latinus
Vulgavi fidicen : juvat immemorata ferentem
Ingenuis oculisque legi manibusque teneri.
Scire velis, mea cur ingratus opuscula lector 35
Laudet ametque domi, premat extra limen iniquus 7
Non ego ventosae plebis sufFragia venor
Impensis ccenarum et tritas munere vestis ;
Non ego, nobilium scriptorum auditor et ultor,
Grammaticas ambire tribus et pulpita dignor : 40
Hinc iliac lacrimal ! Spissis indigna theatris
Scripta pudet recitare, et nugis addere pondas,
Si dixi : Rides, ait, et Jovis auribus ista
Servos ; jidis enim manor e poetica mella
222 a. HORATII FLACCI EPISTOLARUM. LIB. I. [19,20.
Te solum, tibi pidcher. Ad luec ego naribus uti 45
Formido ; et, luctantis acuto ^e secer ungui,
Displicet iste locus, clamo, et diludia posco.
Ludus enim genuit trepidum cert amen et iram,
Ira truces inimicitias et funebre bellum.
Epistola XX.
AD LIBRUM SUUM.
Vertumnum Janumque, liber, spectare videris ;
Scilicet ut prostes Sosiorum pumice mundus.
Odisti claves, et grata sigilla pudico ;
Paucis ostendi gemis, et communia laudas ;
Non ita nutritus ! Fuge, quo descendere gestis : 6
Non erit emisso reditus tibi. Quid miser egi ?
Quid volui ? dices, ubi quis te lseserit ; et scis
In breve te cogi, plenus quum languet amator.
Quod si non odio peccantis desipit augur,
Carus eris Romae, donee te deserat setas. 10
Contrectatus ubi manibus sordescere vulgi
Cceperis, aut tineas pasces taciturnus inertes,
Aut fugies Uticam, aut vinctus mitteris Ilerdam.
Ridebit monitor non exauditus ; ut ille,
Qui male parentem in rupes protrusit asellum 15
Iratus : quis enim invitum servare laboret ?
Hoc quoque te manet, ut pueros elementa docentem
Occupet extremis in vicis balba senectus.
Quum tibi sol tepidus plures admoverit aures,
Me libertino natum patre, et in tenui re 20
Majores pennas nido extendisse loqueris ;
Ut, quantum generi demas, virtutibus addas.
Me primis Urbis belli placuisse domique ;
Corporis exigui, pra3canum, solibus aptum,
Irasci celerem, tamen ut placabilis essem. 25
Forte meum si quis te percontabitur sevum,
Me quater undenos sciat implevisse Decembres,
Collegam Lepidum quo duxit Lollius anno.
Q. HOKATII FLACCI
EPISTOLARUM
LIBER SECUNDUS.
Epistola I.
AD AUGUSTUM.
Qxtum tot sustineas et tanta negotia solus,
Res It alas armis tuteris, moribus ornes,
Legibus emendes, in publica commoda peccem,
Si longo serrnone morer tua tempora, Caesar.
Romulus, et Liber pater, et cum Castore Pollux, 5
Post ingentia facta Deorum in templa recepti,
Dum terras hominumque colunt genus, aspera bella
Componunt, agros assignant, oppida condunt,
Ploravere suis non respondere favorem
Speratum meritis. Diram qui contudit hydram, 10
Notaque fatali portenta labore subegit,
Comperit invidiam supremo fine domari.
Urit enim fulgore suo, qui prsegravat artes
Infra se positas ; exstinctus amabitur idem.
Praesenti tibi maturos largimur honores, 15
Jurandasque tuum per numen ponimus aras,
Nil oriturum alias, nil ortum tale fatentes.
Sed tuus hie populus, sapiens et Justus in uno,
Te nostris ducibus, te Graiis anteferendo,
Cetera nequaquam simili ratione modoque 20
iEstimat, et, nisi qure terris semota suisque
Temporibus defuncta videt, fastidit et odit ;
224 a. IIORATII FLACCI [1.
Sic fautor veterum, ut tabulas peccare vetantes,
Quas bis quinque viri sanxerunt, foadera regum
Vel Gabiis vel cum rigidis cequata Sabinis, 25
Pontificum libros, annosa volumina vatum,
Dictitet Albano Musas in monte locutas.
Si, quia Graiorum sunt antiquissima quseque
Scripta vel optima, ILomani pensantur eadem
Scriptores trutina, non est quod multa loquamur : 30
Nil intra est oleam, nil extra est in nuce duri.
Venimus ad summum fortune : pingimus atque
Psallimus, et luctamur Achivis doctius unctis.
Si meliora dies, ut vina, poemata reddit,
Scire velim, chartis pretium quotus arroget annus. 36
Scriptor, abhinc annos centum qui decidit, inter
Perfectos veteresque referri debet ? an inter
Viles atque novos ? excludat jurgia finis. —
Est vetus atque probus, centum qui perficit annos. —
Quid ? qui deperiit minor uno mense vel anno, 40
Inter quos referendus erit ? veteresne poetas ?
An quos et prsesens et postera respuat aetas ? —
Iste quidem veteres inter ponetur honeste,
Qui vel mense brevi vel toto est junior anno. —
Utor permisso, caudseque pilos ut equinse, 45
Paulatim vello, et demo unum, demo et item unum,
Dura cadat elusus ratione mentis acervi,
Qui redit in fastos, et virtutem sestimat annis,
Miraturque nihil, nisi quod Libitina sacravit.
Ennius, et sapiens et fortis, et alter Homerus, 50
Ut critici dicunt, leviter curare videtur,
Quo promissa cadant et somnia Pythagorea.
Nasvius in manibus non est, et mentibus hseret
Psene recens ? adeo sanctum est vetus omne poema.
Ambigitur quoties uter utro sit prior, aufert 55
Pacuvius docti famam senis, Attius alti ;
Dicitur Afrani toga convenisse Menandro ;
1.] EPISTOLARUM. LIBER II. 225
Plautus ad exemplar Siculi properare Epicharmi ;
Vincere Csecilius gravitate, Terentius arte.
Hos ediscit, et lios arcto stipata theatro 60
Spectat Roma potens ; habet lios numeratque poetas
Ad nostrum tempus Livi scriptoris ab eevo.
Interdum vulgus rectum videt ; est ubi peccat.
Si veteres ita miratur laudatque poetas,
Ut nihil anteferat, nihil illis comparet, errat : 65
Si queedam nimis antique, si pleraque dure
Dicere cedit eos, ignave multa fatetur,
Et sapit, et mecura facit, et Jove judicat SBquo.
Non equidem insector delendave carmina Livi
Esse reor, memini qua3 plagosum mihi parvo 70
Orbilium dictare ; sed emendata videri
Pulchraque et exactis minimum distantia miror.
Inter quae verbum emicuit si forte decorum,
Si versus paulo concinnior unus et alter,
Injuste totum ducit venditque poema. 75
Indignor quidquam reprehendi. non quia crasse
Compositum illepideve putetur, sed quia nuper ;
Nee veniam antiquis, sed honorem et prasmia posci.
Recte necne crocum noresque perambulet Attae
Fabula si dubitem, clament periisse pudorem 80
Cuncti peene patres, ea quum reprehendere coner,
Qu&o gravis iEsopus, qu83 doctus Roscius egit :
Vel quia nil rectum, nisi quod placuit sibi, ducunt ;
Vel quia turpe putant parere minoribus, et, quae
Imberbes didicere, senes perdenda fateri. 85
Jam Saliare Numse carmen qui laudat, et illud,
Quod mecum ignorat, solus vult scire videri,
Ingeniis non ille favet plauditque scpultis,
Nostra sed impugn at, nos nostraque lividus odit.
Quod si tam Graiis novitas invisa fuisset, 90
Quam nobis, quid nunc esset vetus ? aut quid habere!,
Quod legeret tereretque viritim publicus usus ?
K 2
226 a. HORATII FLACCI "l.
Ut primum positis nugari Graecia bellis
Coepit, et in vitium fortuna labier aequa,
Nunc athletarum studiis, nunc arsit equorum, 95
Marmoris aut eboris fabros aut aeris amavit,
Suspend.it picta vultum mentemque tabella,
Nunc tibicinibus, nunc est gavisa tragcedis ;
Sub nutrice puella velut si luderet infans,
Quod cupide petiit, mature plena reliquit. 100
Quid placet aut odio est, quod non mutabile credas ?
Hoc paces habuere bonae ventique secundi.
Romas dulce diu fuit et solenne, reclusa
Mane domo vigilare, clienti promere jura,
Cautos nominibus rectis expendere nummos, 105
Majores audire, minori dicere, per qua3
Crescere res posset, minui damnosa libido.
Mutavit mentem populus levis, et calet uno
Scribendi studio : pueri patresque severi
Fronde comas vincti coenant, et carmina dictant. 110
Ipse ego, qui nullos me affirmo scribere versus,
Invenior Parthis mendacior ; et, prius orto
Sole vigil, calamum et chartas et scrinia posco.
N a vim agere ignarus navis timet ; abrotonum aegro
Non audet, nisi qui didicit, dare ; quod medicorum est, 115
Promittunt medici ; tractant fabrilia fabri :
Scribimus indocti doctique poemata passim.
Hie error tamen, et levis haec insania quantas
Virtutes habeat, sic collige : vatis avarus
Non temere est animus ; versus amat, hoc studet unum ; 120
Detrimenta, fugas servorum, incendia ridet ;
Non fraudem socio, puerove incogitat ullam
Pupillo ; vivit siliquis et pane secundo ;
Militias quamquam piger et malus, utilis urbi ;
Si das hoc, parvis quoque rebus magna juvari. 125
Os tenerum pueri balbumque poeta figurat,
Torquet ab obsccenis jam nunc sermonibus aurem,
1.] EPISTOLARUM. LIBER II. 227
Mox etiam pectus praeceptis format araicis,
Asperitatis et invidiae corrector et irss ;
Recte facta refert, orientia tempora notis 130
Instruit exemplis, inopem solatur et segrurn.
Castis cum pueris ignara puella mariti
Disceret unde preces, vatem ni Musa dedisset ?
Poscit opem chorus, et prsesentia riumina sentit,
Ccelestes implorat aquas docta prece blandus, 135
Avertit morbos, metuenda pericula pellit,
Impetrat et pacem, et locupletem frugibus annum.
Carmine Di superi placantur, carmine manes.
Agricolae prisci, fortes, parvoque beati,
Condita post frumenta, levantes tempore festo 140
Corpus, et ipsum animum spe finis dura ferentem,
Cum sociis operum, pueris, et conjuge fida,
Tellurem porco, Silvanum lacte piabant,
Floribus et vino Genium, memorem brevi* aevi.
Fescennina per hunc inventa licentia moiem 145
Versibus alternis opprobria rustica fudit,
Libertasque recurrentes accepta per annos
Lusit amabiliter, donee jam saevus apertam
In rabiem verti coepit jocus, et per honesf.as
Ire domos impune minax. Doluere cruento 150
Dente lacessiti ; fuit intactis quoque cura
Conditione super communi ; quin etiam lex
Paenaque lata, malo quo3 nollet carmine quemquam
Describi ; vertere modum, formidine fustis
Ad bene dicendum delectandumque redacti. 155
Graecia capta ferum victorem cepit, et artes
[ntulit agresti Latio : sic horridus ille
Defluxit numerus Saturnius ; et grave virus
Munditia} pepulere : sed in longum tamen aev.im
Manserunt hodieque manent vestigia ruris. 160
Serus enim Graecis admovit acumina chartis,
Et post Punica bella quietus quaerere coepit,
228 a. HORATII FLACCI [1.
Quid Sophocles et Thespis et JEscliylus utile ferrent.
Tentavit quoque rem, si digne vertere posset ;
*
Et placuit sibi, natura sublimis et acer ; 105
Nam spirat tragicum satis, et feliciter audet ;
Sed turpem putat inscite metuitque lituram.
Creditur, ex medio quia res arcessit, habere
Sudoris minimum, sed habet Comoedia tanto
Plus oneris, quanto venise minus. Adspice, Plautus 170
Quo pacto partes tutetur amantis ephebi,
Ut patris attenti, lenonis ut insidiosi ;
Quantus sit Dossennus edacibus in parasitis,
Quam non adstricto percurrat pulpita socco.
Gestit enim nummum in loculos demittere, post hoc 175
Securus, cadat, an recto stet fabula talo.
Quern tulit ad scenam ventoso Gloria curru,
Exanimat lentus spectator, sedulus inflat.
Sic leve, sic parvum est, animum quod laudis avarum
Subruit aut reficit. Valeat res ludicra, si me 180
Palma negata macrum, donata reducit opimum.
Sarpe etiam audacem fugat hoc terretque poetam,
Quod numero plures, virtute et honore minores,
Indocti stolidique, et depugnare parati,
Si discordet eques, media inter carmina poscunt 185
Aut ursum aut pugiles ; his nam plebecula gaudet.
Verum equitis quoque jam migravit ab aure voluptas
Omnis ad incertos oculos et gaudia vana.
Quatuor aut plures aukea premuntur in horas,
Dura fugiunt equitum turmse peditumque catervae ; 190
Mox trahitur manibus regum fortuna retortis,
Esseda festinant, pilenta, petorrita, naves ;
Captivum portatur ebur, captiva Corinthus.
Si foret in terris, rideret Democritus, seu
Diversum confusa genus panthera camelo, 1941
Sive elephas albus vulgi converteret ora :
Spectaret populum ludis attentius ipsis,
1.] EPISTOLARUM. LIBER II. 229
Ut sibi prsebentem mimo spectacula plura ;
Scriptores autem narrare putaret asello
Fabellam surdo. Nam quae pervinccre voces 200
Evaluere sonum, referunt quern nostra theatra ?
G arganum mugire putes nemus, aut mare Tuscum,
Tanto cum strepitu ludi spectantur, et artes,
Divitiseque peregrinae, quibus oblitus actor
Quum stetit in scena, concurrit dextera laevae. 205
Dixit adhuc aliquid ? — Nil sane. — Quid placet ergo ? —
Lana Tarentino violas imitata veneno.
Ac ne forte putes, me, quae facere ipse recusem,
Quum recte tractent alii, laudare maligne ;
Ille per extentum funem mihi posse videtur 210
Ire poeta, meum qui pectus inaniter angit,
Trritat, mulcet, falsis terroribus implet,
Ut magus, et modo me Thebis, modo ponit Athenis.
Verum age, et his, qui se lectori credere malunt,
Quam spectatoris fastidia ferre superbi, 215
Curam redde brevem, si munus Apolline dignum
Vis complere libris, et vatibus addere calcar,
Ut studio majore petant Helicona virentem.
Multa quidem nobis facimus mala ssepe poetae
(Ut vineta egomet caedam mea), quum tibi librum 220
Sollicito damus aut fesso ; quum laedimur, unum
Si quis amicorum est ausus reprendere versum ;
Quum loca jam recitata revolvimus irrevocati ;
Quum lamentamur, non apparere labores
Nostros, et tenui deducta poemata filo ; 22/
Quum speramus eo rem venturam, ut simul atque
Carmina rescieris nos flngere, commodus ultro
Arcessas, et egere vetes, et scribere cogas.
Sed tamen est operae pretium cognoscere, quales
iEdituos habeat belli spectata domique 230
Virtus, indigno non committenda poeta).
Gratus Alexandro regi Magno fuit ille
230 a. HORATII FLACCI [1.
Chaerilus, incultus qui versibus et male natis
Rettulit acceptos, regale numisma, Philippos.
Sed veluti tractata notam labemque remittunt 235
Atramenta, fere scriptores carmine fredo
Splendida facta linunt. Idem rex ille, poema
Qui tam ridiculum tam care prodigus emit,
Edicto vetuit, ne quis se, praeter Apellem,
Pingeret, aut alius Lysippo duceret aera 240
Fortis Alexandri vultum simulantia. Quod si
Judicium subtile videndis artibus illud
Ad libros et ad haec Musarum dona vocares,
Boeotum in crasso jurares aere natum.
At neque dedecorant tua de se judicia, atque 245
Munera, quae multa dantis cum laude tulerunt
Dilecti tibi Virgilius Variusque poetae ;
Nee magis expressi vultus per aenea signa,
Quam per vatis opus mores animique virorum
Clarorum apparent. Nee sermones ego mallem 250
Repentes per humum, quam res componere gestas ;
Terrarumque situs et flumina dicere, et arces
Montibus impositas, et barbara regna, tuisque
Auspiciis totum confecta duella per orbem,
Claustraque custodem pacis cohibentia Janum, 255
Et formidatam Parthis te principe Romam ;
Si, quantum cuperem, possem quoque. Sed neque parvum
Carmen majestas recipit tua, nee meus audet
Rem tentare pudor, quam vires ferre recusent.
Sedulitas autem, stulte quem diligit, urget, 260
Praecipue quum se numeris commendat et arte :
Discit enim citius meminitque libentius illud,
Quod quis deridet, quam quod probat et veneratur.
Nil moror officium, quod me gravat, ac neque ficto
[n pejus vultu proponi cereus usquam, 265
Nee prave factis decorari versibus opto,
Ne l abeam pingui donatus munere, et una
1, 2.] EPISTOLARUM. LIBER II. 231
Cum scriptore meo, capsa porrectus aperta,
Deferar in vicum vendentem thus et odores
Et piper et quidquid chartis amicitur ineptis 270
Epistola II.
AD JULIUM FLORUM.
Flore, bono claroque fidelis amice Neroni,
Si quis forte velit puerum tibi vendere, natum
Tibure vel Gabiis, et tecum sic agat : Hie et
Candidus, et talos a vertice pulcher ad imos,
Fiet eritque tuns nummorum millibus octo, 5
Verna minisoeriis ad nutus aptus lieriles,
Litendis Greeds imbutus, idoneus arti
Cirilibet ; argilla quidvis imitaberis uda ;
Quirt etiam eanet indoctum, sed dulce bibenti.
Midta fidem promissa levant, ubi plenius cequo 10
Laudat venales, qui vidt extrudere, merces.
Res urget me nulla ; meo sum pauper in cere :
Nemo Iwc mangonum facer 'et tibi : non temere a me
Quivis ferret idem : semel hie cessavit, et, ut fit,
In scalis latuit metuens pendentis liabence. 15
Des nummos&xcepta nihil te sifuga Icedit.
Ille ferat pretium, poense securus, opinor.
Prudens emisti vitiosum ; dicta tibi est lex :
Insequeris tamen hunc, et lite moraris iniqua ?
Dixi me pigrum proficiscenti tibi, dixi 20
Talibus officiis prope mancum ; ne mea saevus
Jurgares ad te quod epistola nulla rediret.
Quid turn profeci, mecum facientia jura
Si tamen attentas ? Quereris super hoc etiam, quod
Exspectata tibi non mittam carmina mendax. 25
Luculli miles collecta viatica multis
iErumnis, lassus dum noctu stertit, ad assem
Perdiderat : post hoc vehemens lupus, et sibi et hosti
232 a. HORATII FLACCI [2.
Iratus par iter, jejunis dentibus acer,
Presidium regale loco dejecit, ut aiunt, 30
Summe munito et multarum divite rerum.
Clarus ob id factum donis ornatur honestis ;
Accipit et bis dena super sestertia numraum.
Forte sub hoc tempus castellum evertere praetor
Nescio quod cupiens hortari coepit eundem 35
Verbis, quae timido quoque possent addere mentem :
J, bone, quo virtus tua te vocat, I pede fausto,
G-randia laturus meritorum prcemia ! Quid stas ?
Post haec ille catus, quantumvis rusticus, Ibit,
Ibit eo quo vis, qui zonam perdidit, inquit. 40
Romae nutriri mihi contigit atque doceri,
Iratus Graiis quantum nocuisset Achilles :
Adjecere bonae paulo plus artis Athenae ;
Scilicet ut possem curvo dignoscere rectum,
Atque inter silvas Academi quaerere verum. 45
Dura sed emovere loco me tempora grato,
Civilisque rudem belli tulit aestus in arrna,
Caesaris Augusti non responsnra lacertis.
Unde simul primum me dimisere Philippi,
Decisis humilem pennis, inopemque paterni 50
Et laris et fundi, paupertas impulit audax
Ut versus facerem : sed, quod non desit, habentem
Quae poterunt unquam satis expurgare cicutae,
Ni melius dormire putem quam scribere versus ?
Singula de nobis anni praedantur euntes ; 55
Eripuere jocos, Venerem, convivia, ludum ;
Tendunt extorquere poemata : quid faciam vis ?
Denique non omnes eadem mirantur amantque :
Carmine tu gaudes, hie delectatur iambis,
Ille Bioneis sermonibus et sale nigro. 60
Tres mihi convivae prope dissentire videntur,
Poscentes vario multum diversa palato.
Quid dem ? quid non dem ? Renuis tu, quod jubet alter ;
Quod petis, id sane est invisum acidumque duobus,
2.] EPISTOLARUM. LIBER II. 233
Prseter cetera, me Romsene poemata censes 65
Scribere posse, inter tot curas totque labores ?
Hie sponsum vocat, hie auditum scripta relictis
Omnibus officiis ; cubat hie in colle Quirini,
Hie extremo in Aventino, visendus uterque :
fntervalla vides humane commoda. — Verum 70
Puree sunt platece, nihil ut meditantibus obstet. —
Festinat calidus mulis gerulisque redemtor,
Torquet nunc lapidem, nunc ingens machina tignum,
Tristia robustis luctantur funera plaustris,
Hac rabiosa fugit canis, hac lutulenta ruit sus : 75
I nunc, et versus tecum meditare canoros.
Scriptorum chorus omnis amat nemus, et fugit urbes,
Rite cliens Bacchi, somno gaudentis et umbra :
Tu me inter strepitus nocturnos atque diurnos
Vis canere, et contacta sequi vestigia vatum ? 80
Ingenium, sibi quod vacuas desumsit Athenas,
Et studiis annos septem dedit, insenuitque
Libris et curis, statua taciturnius exit
Plerumque, et risu populum quatit : hie ego rerum
Fluctibus in mediis, et tempestatibus urbis, 85
Verba lyree motura sonum connectere digner ?
Auctor erat Romas consulto rhetor, ut alter
Alterius sermonc meros audiret honores ;
Gracchus ut hie illi foret, huic ut Mucius ille.
Qui minus argutos vexat furor iste poetas ? 90
Carmina compono, hie elegos ; mirabile visu
Cajlatumque novem Musis opus ! Adspice primum,
Quanto cum fastu, quanto molimine circum-
Spectemus vacuam Romanis vatibus sedem !
Mox etiam, si forte vacas, sequere, et procul audi, 95
Quid ferat et quare sibi nectat uterque coronam.
Ccedimur, et totidem plagis consumimus hostem,
Lento Samnites ad lumina prima duello.
Biscedo Alcaeus puncto illius ; ille meo quis ?
234 a. HORATII FLACCI [2.
Quis, nisi Callimachus ? si plus adposcere visus, 100
Fit Mimnermus, et optivo cognomine crescit.
Multa fero, ut placem genus irritabile vatum,
Quum scribo, et supplex populi suffragia capto :
Idem, finitis studiis et mente recepta,
Obturem patulas impune legentibus aures. 105
Ridentur mala qui componunt carmina : verum
Gaudent scribentes, et se venerantur, et ultro,
Si taceas, laudant quidquid scripsere, beati.
At qui legitimum cupiet fecisse poema,
Cum tabulis animum censoris sumet honesti ; 110
Audebit quaecunque parum splendoris habebunt,
Et sine pondere erunt, et honore indigna ferentur,
Verba movere loco, quamvis invita recedant,
Et versentur adhuc intra penetralia Vest».
Obscurata diu populo bonus eruet, atque 115
Proferet in lucem speciosa vocabula rerum,
Qusb, priscis memorata Catonibus atque Cethegis,
Nunc situs informis premit et deserta vetustas :
Adsciscet nova, quae genitor produxerit usus.
Vehemens et liquidus, puroque simillimus amni, 120
Fundet opes, Latiumque beabit divite lingua ;
Lnxuriantia compescet, nimis aspera sano
Levabit cultu, virtute carentia toilet,
Ludentis speciem dabit, et torquebitur, ut qui
Nunc Satyrum nunc agrestem Cyclopa movetur. 125
Praetulerim scriptor delirus inersque videri,
Dum mea delectent mala me, vel denique fallant,
Quam sapere et ringi. Fuit haud ignobilis Argis,
Qui se credebat miros audire tragoedos,
In vacuo lastus sessor plausorque theatro ; 130
Cetera qui vitse servaret munia recto
More, bonus sane vicinus, amabilis hospes,
Comis in uxorem, posset qui ignoscere servis,
Et signo laeso non insanire lagenae ;
2.] EPI8T0LARUM. LIBER II. 235
Posset qui rtipem et puteum vitare patentem. 135
Hie ubi cognatorum opibus curisque refectus
Expulit elleboro morbum bilemque meraco,
Et redit ad sese : Pol, me occidistis, amici,
Non servastis, ait, cui sic extorta voluptas,
Et demtus pretium mentis gratissimus error. 140
Nimirum sapere est abjectis utile nugis,
Et tempestivum pueris concedere ludum,
Ac non verba sequi fidibus modulanda Latinist
Sed verae numerosque modosque ediscere vitse.
Quocirca mecum loquor haec, tacitusque recordor : 145
Si tibi nulla sitim finiret copia lymphae,
Narrares medicis : quod, quanto plura parasti,
Tanto plura cupis, nulline faterier audes ?
Si vulnus tibi monstrata radice vel herba
Non fieret levius, fugeres radice vel herba 150
Proficiente nihil curarier. Audieras, cui
Rem Di donarent, illi decedere pravam
Stultitiam ; et, quum sis nihilo sapientior, ex quo
Plenior es, tamen uteris monitoribus isdem ?
At si divitiae prudentem reddere possent, 155
Si cupidum timidumque minus te, nempe ruberes,
Viveret in terris te si quis avarior uno.
Si proprium est, quod quis libra mercatur et sere,
Qusedam, si credis consultis, mancipat usus :
Qui te pascit ager, tuus est ; et villicus Orbi, 160
Quum segetes occat tibi mox frumenta daturas,
Te dominum sentit. Das nummos, accipis uvam,
Pullos, ova, cadum temeti : nempe modo isto
Paulatim mercaris agrum, fortasse trecentis,
Aut etiam supra, nummorum millibus emtum. 165
Quid refert, vivas numerato nuper an olim ?
Emtor Aricini quondam Veientis et arvi
Emtum coenat olus, quamvis aliter putat ; emtis
Sub noctem gelidam lignis calefactat aenum ;
236 a. HORATII FLACCI [2.
Sed vocat usque suum, qua populus adsita certis 170
Limitibus vicina refugit jurgia ; tanquam
Sit proprium quidquam, puncto quod mobilis horse,
Nunc prece, nunc pretio, nunc vi, nunc morte suprema,
Permutet dominos et cedat in altera jura.
Sic, quia perpetuus nulli datur usus, et heres 175
Heredem alterius velut unda supervenit undam,
Quid vici prosunt aut horrea ? Quidve Calabris
Saltibus adjecti Lucani, si metit Orcus
Grandia cum parvis, non exorabilis auro ?
Gemmas, marmor, ebur, Tyrrhena sigilla, tabellas, 180
Argentum, vestes Gaetulo murice tinctas,
Sunt qui non habeant, est qui non curat habere.
Cur alter fratrum cessare et ludere et ungi
Prseferat Herodis palmetis pinguibus ; alter,
Dives et importunus, ad umbram lucis ab ortu 185
Silvestrem flammis et ferro mitiget agrum,
Scit Genius, natale comes qui temperat astrum,
Natural Deus humanee, mortalis in unum-
Quodque caput, vultu mutabilis, albus et ater.
Utar, et ex modico, quantum res poscet, acervo 1 90
Tollam ; nee metuam, quid de me judicet heres,
Quod non plura datis invenerit : et tarn en idem
Scire volam, quantum simplex hilarisque nepoti
Discrepet, et quantum discordet parous avaro.
Distat enim, spargas tua prodigus, an neque sumtum 195
Invitus facias neque plura parare labores,
Ac potius, puer ut festis quinquatribus olim,
Exiguo gratoque fruaris tempore raptim.
Pauperies immunda procul procul absit : ego, utrum
Nave ferar magna an parva, ferar unus et idem. 200
Non agimur tumidis velis aquilone secundo ;
Non tamen adversis setatem ducimus austris ;
Viribus, ingenio, specie, virtute, loco, re,
Extremi primorum, extremis usque priores.
2.] EPISTOLARUM. LIBER II. 237
Non es avarus : abi. Quid ? cetera jam simul isto 205
Cum vitio fugere ? caret tibi pectus inani
Ambitione ? caret mortis formidine et ira ?
Somnia, terrores magicos, miracula, sagas,
Nocturnos lemures portentaque Thessala rides ?
Natales grate numeras ? ignoscis amicis ? 210
Lenior et melior fis accedente senecta ?
Quid te exemta levat spinis de pluribus una ?
Vivere si recte nescis, decede peritis.
Lusisti satis, edisti satis atque bibisti ;
Tempus abire tibi est ; ne potum largius aequo 21c
Rideat et pulset lasciva decentius setas.
Q. HORATII FLACCI
EPISTOLA AD PISONES.
Q. H 0 R A T I I FLACCI
EPISTOLA AD PISONES.
Humano capiti ccrvicem pictor equinam
Jungere si velit, et varias inducere plumas
Undique collatis membris, ut turpiter atrum
Desinat in piscem mulier formosa superne,
Spectatum admissi risum teneatis, amici ? h
Credite, Pisones, isti tabulae fore librum
Persimilem, cujus, velut aegri somnia, vana?
Fingentur species ; ut nee pes, nee caput uni
Reddatur formal. — Pictor ibus atque poctis
Quidlibet audouli semper fait cccpia potestas. — 10
Scimus, et hanc veniam petimusque damusque vieissim :
Sed non ut placidis coeant immitia : non ut
Serpentes avibus geminentur, tigribus agni.
Inceptis gravibus plerumque et magna professis
Purpureus, late qui splendeat, unus et alter lb
Assuitur pannus ; quum lucus et ara Dianas,
Et properantis aquas per amaBiios ambitus agros,
Aut flumen Rhenum, aut pluvius describitur arcus.
Sed nunc non erat his locus. Et fortasse cupressum
Scis simulare : quid hoe, si fractis enatat exspes 20
Navibus, on duto qui pingitux ? Amphora ca'pit
Institui ; currente rota cur urceus exit ?
Denique sit quidvis, simplex duntaxat et unum.
Maxima pars vatum, pater et juvenes patre dig m,
Decipimur specie recti : brevis esse laboro, 25
Obscurus flo ; seetantem lenia nervi
242 Q. HORATII FLACCI
Deficiunt animique ; professus grandia turget ;
Serpit hurni tutus nimium timidusque procellre ;
Qui variare cupit rem prodigialiter unam,
Delphinum silvis appingit, fluctibus aprum. 30
In vitium ducit culpse fuga, si caret arte.
JEmilium circa ludum faber unus et ungues
Exprimet, et molles imitabitur sere capillos ;
Infelix operis summa, quia ponere totura
Nesciet. Hunc ego me, si quid componere curem, 35
Non magis esse velim, quam naso vivere pravo,
Spectandum nigris oculis nigroque capillo.
Sumite materiam vestris, qui scribitis, sequam
Viribus, et versate diu, quid ferre recusent,
Quid valeant humeri. Cui lecta potenter erit res, 40
Nee facundia deseret hunc, nee lucidus ordo.
Ordinis haec virtus erit et Venus, aut ego fallor,
Ut jam nunc dicat jam nunc debentia dici,
Pleraque differat et prsesens in tempus omittat.
In verbis etiam tenuis cautusque serendis, 45
Hoc amet, hoc spernat promissi carminis auctor.
Dixeris egregie, notum si callida verbum
Reddiderit junctura novum. Si forte necesse est
Indiciis monstrare recentibus abdita rerum,
Fingere cinctutis non exaudita Cethegis 50
Continget, dabiturque licentia sumta pudenter.
Et nova factaque nuper habebunt verba fidem, si
Graeco fonte cadant, parce detorta. Quid autem
Csecilio Plautoque dabit Romanus, ademtum
Virgilio Varioque ? Ego cur, acquirere pauca 55
Si possum, invideor, quum lingua Catonis et Eimi
Sermonem patrium ditaverit, et nova rerum
Nomina protulerit ? Licuit, semperque licebit,
Signatum prasente nota procudere nomen.
Ut silvae, foliis pronos mutantis in annos, CO
Prima cadunt ; it a verborum vetus interit aetas,
EPISTOLA AD PIriUXES. 243
Et juvenum ritu florent modo nata vigentque.
Debemur morti nos nostraque ; sive, recepto
Terra Neptuno, classes aquilonibus arcet
Regis opus ; sterilisve diu palus aptaque remis 65
Vicinas urbes alit, et grave sentit aratrum ;
Seu cursum mutavit iniquum frugibus amnis,
Doctus iter mehus. Mortalia facta peribunt :
Nedum sermonum stet honos et gratia vivax.
Multa renascentur, quae jam cecidere, cadentque 70
Quae nunc sunt in honore vocabula, si volet usus,
Quern penes arbitrium est et jus et norma loquendi.
Res gestae regumque ducumque et tristia bella
Quo scribi possent numero, monstravit Homerus.
Versibus impariter junctis querimonia primum, 75
Post etiam inclusa est voti sententia compos.
Quis tamen exiguos elegos emiserit auctor,
Grammatici certant, et adhuc sub judice lis est.
Archilochum proprio rabies armavit iambo :
Hunc socci cepere pedem grandesque cothurni, 80
Alternis aptum sermonibus, et populares
Vincentem strepitus, et natum rebus agendis.
Musa dedit fidibus Divos, puerosque Deorum,
Et pugilem victorem, et equum certamine primum,
Et juvenum curas, et libera vina referre. 85
Descriptas servare vices operumque colores,
Cur ego, si nequeo ignoroque, poeta salutor ?
Cur nescire, pudens prave, quam discere malo ?
Versibus exponi tragicis res comica non vult :
Indignatur item privatis, ac prope socco 90
Dignis carminibus narrari caena Thyestae.
Singula quaeque locum teneant sortita decenter.
Interdum tamen et vocem Comoedia tollit,
Iratusque Chremes tumido delitigat ore ;
Et tragicus plerumque dolet sermone pedestri. 95
Telephus et Peleus, quum pauper et exsul, uterque
244 Q. HORATII FLACCI
Projicit ampullas et sesquipedalia verba,
Si cor spectantis curat tetigisse querela.
Non satis est pulchra esse poemata ; dulcia sunto,
Et quocunque volent, anirnum auditoris agunto. 100
Ut ridentibus arrident, ita flentibus afflent
Humani vultus. Si vis me flere, dolendurn est
Primum ipsi tibi ; tunc tua me infortunia lsedent,
Telephe vel Peleu : male si mandata loqueris,
Aut dormitabo aut ridebo. Tristia moestum 105
Vultum verba decent, iratum plena minarum,
Ludentem lasciva, severum seria dictu.
Format enim natura prius nos intus ad omnem
Fortunarum habitum ; juvat, aut impellit ad iram,
Aut ad humum mcBrore gravi deducit et angit ; 110
Post effert animi motus interprete lingua.
Si dicentis erunt fortunis absona dicta,
Romani tollent equites peditesque cachinnum.
Intererit multum, divusne loquatur an heros,
Maturusne senex an adhuc florente juventa 115
Fervidus, et matrona potens an sedula nutrix,
IMercatorne vagus cultorne virentis agelli,
Colchus an Assyrius, Thebis nutritus an Argis.
Aut famam sequere, aut sibi convenientia finge,
Scriptor. Honoratum si forte reponis Achillem, 120
Impiger, iracundus, inexorabilis, acer,
Jura neget sibi nata, nihil non arroget armis.
Sit Medea ferox invictaque, flebilis Tno,
Perfidus Ixion, Io vaga, tristis Orestes.
Si quid inexpertum scense committis, et audes 12»)
Personam formare novam, servetur ad imura
Qualis ab incepto processerit, aut sibi constet.
Difficile est proprie communia dicere : tuque
Rectius Iliacum carmen diducis in actus,
Quam si proferres ignota indictaque primus. 130
Publica materies privati juris erit, si
EPISTOLA AD PJSOXES. 245
Nec circa vilem patulumque moraberis orbem,
Nee verbum verbo curabis reddere fidus
Interpres, nec desilies imitator in arctum,
Unde pedem proferre pudor vetet aut operis lex. 135
Nec sic incipies, ut scriptor cyclic us olim :
Fortunam Priami cantabo et nobile bellum.
Quid dignum tanto feret hie promissor hiatu ?
Parturiunt montes, nascetur ridiculus mus.
Quanto rectius hie, qui nil molitur inepte : 140
Die mihi, Musa, virum, captce post tempora Trojce
Qui mores liominum midtorum vidit et urbes.
Non fumum ex ml gore, sed ex fumo dare lucem
Cogitat, ut speciosa dehinc miracula promat,
Antiphaten, Scyllamque, et cum Cyclope Charybdin ; 145
Nec reditum Diomedis ab interitu Meleagri,
Nec gemino bellum Trojanum orditur ab ovo.
Semper ad eventum festinat, et in medias res,
Non secus ac notas, auditorem rapit, et, quae
Desperat tractata nitescere posse, relinquit ; 150
Atque ita mentitur, sic veris falsa remiscet,
Primo ne medium, medio ne discrepet imum.
Tu, quid ego et populus mecum desideret, audi :
Si fautoris eges aulaea manentis, et usque
Sessuri, donee cantor, Vos plaudit e, dicat, 155
iEtatis cuj usque notandi sunt tibi mores,
Mobilibusque decor naturis dandus et annis.
Reddere qui voces jam scit puer, et pede certo
Signat humum, gestit paribus colludere, et iram
Colligit ac ponit temere, et mutatur in horas. 160
Imberbus juvenis, tandem custode remoto,
Gaudet equis canibusque et aprici gramme campi ;
Cereus in vitium flecti, monitoribus asper,
Utilium tardus provisor, prodigus aeris,
Sublimis, cupidusque, et amata relinquere pernix. 165
Conversis studiis setas animusque virilis
24G a. HORATII FLACCI
Quaerit opes et amicitias, inservit honori,
Commisisse cavet, quod mox mutare laboret.
Multa senem circumveniunt incommoda, vel quod
Quaerit, et inventis miser abstinet, ac timet uti, 170
Vel quod res omnes timide gelideque ministrat,
Dilator, spe longus, iners, avidusque futuri,
Difficilis, querulus, laudator temporis acti
Se puero, castigator censorque minorum.
Multa ferunt anni venientes commoda secum, 175
Multa recedentes adimunt. Ne forte seniles
Mandentur juveni partes, pueroque viriles,
Semper in adjunctis aevoque morabimur aptis.
Aut ajntur res in scenis, aut acta refertur.
Segnius irritant animos demissa per aurem, 180
Quam quae sunt oculis subjecta fidelibus, et quae
Ipse sibi tradit spectator : non tamen intus
Digna geri promes in scenam ; multaque tolles
Ex oculis, quae mox narret facundia praesens.
Ne pueros coram populo Medea trucidet, 185
Aut humana palam coquat exta nefarius Atreus,
Aut in avem Progne vertatur, Cadmus in anguem.
Quodcunque ostendis mihi sic, incredulus odi.
Neve minor neu sit quinto productior actu
Fabula, quae posci vult et spectata reponi : 190
Nee Deus intersit, nisi dignus vindice nodus
Incident ; nee quarta loqui persona laboret.
Actoris partes Chorus officiumque virile
Defendat, neu quid medios intercinat actus,
Quod non proposito conducat et haereat apte. 195
Ille bonis faveatque et consilietur amice,
Et regat iratos, et amet pacare tumentes ;
Ille dapes laudet mensae brevis, ille salubrem
Justitiam, legesque, et apertis otia portis,
Ille tegat commissa, Deosque precetur et oret, 20G
Ut redeat miseris, abeat Fortuna superbis.
EPISTOLA AD PIBOWES. 247
Tibia non, ut nunc, orichalco vincta, tubaeque
^Emula, sed tenuis simplexque foramine pauco
Adspirare et adesse Choris erat utilis, atque
Nondum spissa nimis coraplere sedilia flatu ; 205
Quo sane populus numerabilis, utpote parvus,
Et frugi castusque verecundusque coibat.
Postquam ccepit agros extendere victor, et urbem
Latior amplecti mums, vinoque diurno
Placari Genius festis impune diebus, 210
Accessit numerisque modisque licentia major ;
Indoctus quid enim saperet liberque iaborum
Rusticus, urbano confusus, turpis honesto ?
Sic priscsB motumque et luxuriem addidit arti
Tibicen, traxitque vagus per pulpita vestem ; 216
Sic etiam fidibus voces crevere severis,
Et tulit eloquium insolitum facundia prseceps ;
Utiliumque sagax rerum, et divina futuri,
Sortilegis non discrepuit sententia Delphis.
Carmine qui tragico vilem certavit ob hircum, 220
Mox etiam agrestes Satyros nudavit, et asper
Incolumi gravitate jocum tentavit, eo quod
Illecebris erat et grata novitate morandus
Spectator, functusque sacris, et potus, et exlex.
Verum ita risores, ita commendare dicaces 225
Conveniet Satyros, ita vertere seria ludo,
Ne, quicunque Deus, quicunque adhibebitur heros,
Regali conspectus in auro nuper et ostro,
Migret in obscuras humili sermone tabernas,
Aut, dum vitat humum, nubes et inania captet. 230
Effutire leves indigna Tragcedia versus,
Ut festis matrona moveri jussa diebus,
Intererit Satyris paulum pudibunda protervis.
Non ego inornata et dominantia nomina solum
Verbaque, Pisones, Satyrorum scriptor amabo ; 23fi
Nee sic enitar tragico difterre colori,
248 Q. HORATII FLAUCl
(Jt nihil intersit, Davusne loquatur et audax
Pythias, emuncto lucrala Simone talentum,
An custos famulusque Dei Silenus alumni.
Ex noto fictum carmen sequar, ut sibi quivis 240
Speret idem ; sudet multum, frustraque laboret
Ausus idem. Tantum series juncturaque pollet,
Tantum de medio sumtis accedit honoris.
Silvis educti caveant, me judice, Fauni,
Ne, velut innati triviis ac psene forenses, 245
Aut nimium teneris juvenentur versibus unquam,
Aut immunda crepent ignominiosaque dicta.
OfTenduntur enim, quibus est equus, et pater, et res ;
Nee, si quid fricti ciceris probat et nucis emtor,
iEquis accipiunt animis donantve corona. 250
Syllaba longa brevi subjecta vocatur Iambus,
Pes citus ; unde etiam Trimetris accrescere jussit
Nomen iambeis, quum senos redderet ictus
Primus ad extremum similis sibi. Non ita pridem
Tardior ut paulo graviorque veniret ad aures, 255
Spondeos stabiles in jura paterna recepit
Commodus et patiens ; non ut de sede secunda
Cederet aut quart a socialiter. Hie et in Atti
Nobilibus Trimetris apparet rarus, et Enni.
In scenam missus magno cum pondere versus, 260
Aut opera3 celeris nimium curaque carentis,
Aut ignoratae premit artis crimine turpi.
Non quivis videt immodulata poemata judex ;
Et data Romanis venia est indigna poetis.
Idcircone vager, scribamque licenter ? Ut omnes 265
Visuros peccata putem mea: tutus et intra
Spem venias cautus ? vitavi denique culpam,
Non laudem merui. Vos exemplaria Greeca
Nocturna versate manu, versate diurna.
At vestri iwoavi Plautinos et nunieros et 270
Laudavere sales : nimium patienter utrumque,
EPISTOLA AD PISONES. 249
Ne dicam stulte, mirati, si modo ego et vos
Scimus inurbanum lepido seponere dicto,
Legitimumque sonum digitis callemus et aure.
Ignotum tragicaB genus invenisse Camenae 275
Dicitur et plaustris vexisse poemata Thespis,
Qui canerent agerentque peruncti fascibus ora.
Post hunc personam pallaeque repertor honestae
^Eschylus et modicis instravit pulpita tignis,
Et docuit magnumque loqui nitique cothurno. 280
Successit vetus his Comcedia, non sine multa
Laude ; sed in vitium libertas excidit, et vim
Dignam lege regi. Lex est accepta, Chorusque
Turpiter obticuit, sublato jure nocendi.
Nil intentatum nostri liquere poetae : 285
Nee minimum meruere decus, vestigia Graeca
Ausi deserere, et celebrare domestica facta,
Vel qui praetextas, vel qui docuere togatas.
Nee virtute foret clarisve potentius armis,
Quam lingua, Latium, si non offenderet unum- 290
Quemque poetarum limae labor et mora. Vos, O
Pompilius sanguis, carmen reprehendite, quod non
Multa dies et multa litura coercuit, atque
Praesectum decies non castigavit ad unguem.
Ingenium misera quia fortunatius arte 295
Credit, et excludit sanos Helicone poetas
Democritus, bona pars non ungues ponere curat,
Non barbam, secreta petit loca, balnea vitat.
Nanciscetur enim pretium nomenque poetae,
Si tribus Anticyris caput insanabile nunquam oUU
Tonsori Licino commiserit. O ego laevus,
Qui purgor bilem sub verni temporis horam !
Non alius faceret meliora poemata. Verum
Nil tanti est. Ergo fungar vice cotis, acutum
Reddere quae ferrum valet, exsors ipsa secandi : 306
Munus et officium, nil scribens ipse, docebo ;
L 2
250 a. HORATII FLACCI
Unde parentur opes, quid alat formetque poetam ;
Quid deceat, quid non ; quo virtus, quo ferat error.
Scribendi recte sapere est et principium et fons :
Rem tibi Socraticse poterunt ostendere chartse, 310
Verbaque provisam rem non invita sequentur.
Qui didicit, patriae quid debeat, et quid amicis,
Quo sit amore parens, quo frater amandus et hospes,
Quod sit conscripti, quod judicis officium, quae
Partes in bellum missi ducis, ille profecto 316
Reddere personam scit convenientia cuique.
Respicere exemplar vitas morumque jubebo
Doctum imitatorem, et veras hinc ducere voces.
Interdum speciosa locis morataque recte
Fabula, nullius veneris, sine pondere et arte, 320
Valdius oblectat populum meliusque moratur,
Quam versus inopes rerum nugaeque canorae.
Graiis ingenium, Graiis dedit ore rotundo
Musa loqui, prseter laudem nullius avaris.
Romani pueri longis rationibus assem 325
Discunt in partes centum diducere. — Dicas,
Filius Albini, si de quincunce remota est
TJncia, quid superat ? — Poteras dizisse. — Triens. — Eu f
Rem poteris servare tuam. Redit uncia, quid fit ? —
Semis. — An, haec animos aerugo et cura peculi 330
Quum semel imbuerit, speramus carmina iingi
Posse linenda cedro, et levi servanda cupresso ?
Aut prodesse volunt aut delectare poetae,
Aut simul et jucunda et idonea dicere vitae.
Quidquid praecipies, esto brevis, ut cito dicta 33&
Percipiant animi dociles, teneantque fldeles.
Omne supervacuum pleno de pectore manat.
Ficta voluptatis causa sint proxima veris :
Ne, quodcunque volet, poscat sibi fabula credi ;
Neu pransae Lamiae vivum puerum extrahat alvo 340
Centurise seniorum agitant expertia frugis,
EFISTOLA AD P13GNES, 251
Celsi prsetereunt austera poemata Ramnes :
Orane tulit punctum, qui miscuit utile dulci,
Lectorem delectando pariterque monendo.
Hie meret sera liber Sosiis, hie et mare transit, 345
Et longum no to scrip tori prorogat 33vum.
Sunt delicta tamen, quibus ignovisse velimus :
Nam neque chorda sonum reddit, quern vult manus et mens,
Poscentique gravem persaepe remittit acutum ;
Nee semper feriet quodcunque minabitur arcus. 350
Verum ubi plura nitent in carmine, non ego paucis
Offendar maculis, quas aut incuria fudit,
Aut humana parum cavit natura. Quid ergo est ?
XJt scriptor si peccat idem librarius usque,
Quamvis est monitus, venia caret ; ut citharoedus 3/55
Ridetur, chorda qui semper oberrat eadem ;
Sic mihi, qui multum cessat, fit Chcerilus ille,
Quern bis terve bonum cum risu miror ; et idem
Indignor, quandoque bonus dormitat Homerus.
Verum operi longo fas est obrepere somnum. 360
Ut pictura, poesis : erit, quae, si propius stes,
Te capiet magis, et quaedam, si longius abstes ;
Haec amat obscurum, volet haec sub luce videri,
Judicis argutum quae non formidat acumen :
Haec placuit semel, haec decies repetita placebit. 365
O major juvenum, quamvis et voce paterna
Fingeris ad rectum, et per te sapis, hoc tibi dictum
Tolle memor : certis medium et tolerabile rebus
Recte concedi. Consultus juris et actor
Causarum mediocris abest virtute diserti 370
Messalae, nee scit quantum Cascellius Aulus ;
Sed tamen in pretio est : mediocribus esse poetis
Non homines, non Di, non concessere columnae.
Ut gratas inter mensas symphonia discors
Et crassum unguentum et Sardo cum melle papaver 375
OfTendunt, poterat duci quia coena sine istis ;
252 a. HORATII FLACCI
Sic animis natum inventumque poema juvandis,
Si paulum a summo decessit, vergit ad imum.
Ludere qui nescit, campestribus abstinet armis,
Indoctusque pilse discive trochive quiescit, 380
Ne spissae risum tollant impune coronse :
Qui nescit, versus taraen audet fingere ! — Quidni?
Liber et ingenuus, prcesertim census equestrem
Summam nummorum, vitioque remotus ab omni. —
Tu nihil invita dices faciesve Minerva ; 385
Id tibi judicium est, ea mens : si quid tamen olim
Scripseris, in Maeci descendat judicis aures,
Et patris, et nostras, nonumque prematur in annum,
Membranis intus positis. Delere licebit,
Quod non edideris : nescit vox missa reverti. 390
Silvestres homines sacer interpresque Deorum
Cffidibus et victu fcedo deterruit Orpheus ;
Dictus ob hoc lenire tigres rabidosque leones :
Dictus et Amphion, Thebanae conditor urbis,
Saxa movere sono testudinis, et prece blanda 395
Ducere quo vellet. Fuit haec sapientia quondam,
Publica privatis secernere, sacra profanis,
Concubitu prohibere vago, dare jura maritis,
Oppida moliri, leges incidere ligno.
Sic honor et nomen divinis vatibus atque 400
Carminibus venit. Post hos insignis Homerus,
Tyrtseusque mares animos in Martia bella
Versibus exacuit. Dictas per carmina sortes,
Et vitae monstrata via est, et gratia regum
Pieriis tentata modis, ludusque repertus, 405
Et longorum operum finis : ne forte pudori
Sit tibi Musa lyrae sollers, et cantor Apollo.
Natura fieret laudabile carmen, an arte,
Quaesitum est : ego nee studium sine divite vena,
Nee rude quid possit video ingenium ; alterius sic 410
Altera poscit opem res, et conjurat amice.
EPISTOLA AD PISONES. 253
Qui studet optatam cursu contingere metam,
Multa tulit fecitque puer, sudavit et alsit,
Abstinuit Venere et vino. Qui Pythia cantat
Tibicen, didicit prius, extimuitque magistrum. 415
Nee satis est dixisse : Ego mira po'emata pango :
Occupet extremuTYi scabies ; mihi tarpe relinqui est,
Et, quod non didici, sane nescire fateri.
Ut praeco, ad merces turbam qui cogit emendas,
Assentatores jubet ad lucrum ire poeta 420
Dives agris, dives positis in fenore nummis.
Si vero est, unctum qui recte ponere possit,
Et spondere levi pro paupere, et eripere atris
Litibus inplicitum, mirabor si sciet inter-
Noscere mendacem verumque beatus amicum. 425
Tu seu donaris, seu quid donare voles cui,
Nolito ad versus tibi factos ducere plenum
Lastitiae ; clamabit enim, Pidchre ! bene ! recte !
Pallescet super his ; etiam stillabit amicis
Ex oculis rorem, saliet, tundet pede terram, 430
Ut, quae conductae plorant in funere, dicunt
Et faciunt prope plura dolentibus ex animo, sic
Derisor vero plus laudatore movetur.
Reges dicuntur multis urguere culullis,
Et torquere mero, quern perspexisse laborant, 435
An sit amicitia dignus : si carmina condes,
Nunquam te fallant animi sub vulpe latentes.
Quinctilio si quid recitares, Corrige sodes
Hoc, aiebat, et hoc. Melius te posse negares,
Bis terque expertum frustra, delere jubebat, 440
Et male tornatos incudi reddere versus.
Si defendere delictum, quam vertere, malles,
Nullum ultra verbum aut operam insumebat inanem ;
Quin sine rivali teque et tua solus amares.
Vir bonus et prudens versus reprehendet inertes, 445
Culpabit duros, incomtis allinet atrum
254 a. HORATII FLACCI EPISTOLA AD PISONES
Transverso calamo signum, ambitiosa recidet
Ornamenta, parum claris lucera dare coget,
Arguet ambigue dictum, mutanda notabit,
Fiet Aristarchus ; non dicet : Cur ego amicum 450
Offendam in nugis ? Hae nugae seria ducent
In mala derisum semel exceptumque sinistre.
Ut mala quern scabies aut morbus regius urget,
Aut fanaticus error, et iracunda Diana,
Vesanum tetigisse timent fugiuntque poetam, 455
Qui sapiunt ; agitant pueri, incautique sequuntur
Hie dum sublimis versus ructatur, et errat,
Si veluti merulis intentus decidit auceps
In puteum foveamve, licet, Succurrite, longum
Clamet, io rives ! ne sit, qui tollere curet. 460
Si curet quis opem ferre, et demittere funem,
Qui scis, an prudens hue se projecerit, atque
Servari nolit ? dicam, Siculique poetse
Narrabo interitum. Deus immortalis haberi
Dum cupit Empedocles, ardentem frigidus ^Etnam 465
Insiluit. Sit jus liceatque perire poetis.
Invitum qui servat, idem facit occidenti.
Nee semel hoc fecit ; nee, si retractus erit, jam
Fiet homo, et ponet famosas mortis amorem.
Nee satis apparet, cur versus factitet ; utrum 4 70
Minxerit in patrios cineres, an triste bidental
Moverit incestus : certe furit, ac velut ursus
Objectos cavea3 valuit si frangere clathros,
Indoctum doctumque fugat recitator acerbus :
Quern vero arripuit, tenet, occiditque legendo, 476
Non missura cutem, nisi plena cruoris, hirudo.
EIPLANiTORY NOTES.
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
ODES.
The word Ode (from the Greek fodrj) was not introduced into the Latin
tongue until the third or fourth century of our era, and was then first used
to denote any pieces of a lyric nature. The grammarians, perceiving
that Horace had more than once used the word carmen to designate this
kind of poetry, ventured to place it at the head of his odes, and their ex-
ample has been followed by almost all succeeding editors. We have no
very strong reason, however, to suppose that the poet himself ever in-
tended this as a general title for his lyric productions. (Compare Les
Poisies D' Horace, par Sanation, vol. i., p. 6.)
Ode I. Addressed to Maecenas, and intended probably by Horace as a
dedication to him of part of his odes. It is generally thought that the
poet collected together and presented on this occasion the first three
books of his lyric pieces. From the complexion, however, of the last ode
of the second book, it would appear that the third book was separately
given to the woi'ld, and at a later period.
The subject of the present ode is briefly this : The objects of human
desire and pursuit are various. One man delights in the victor's prize at
the public games, another in attaining to high political preferment, a third
in the pursuits of agriculture, &c. My chief aim is the successful culti-
vation of lyric verse, in which if I shall obtain your applause, O Maecenas,
my lot will be a happy one indeed.
1-2. 1. Maecenas atavis, &c. " Maecenas, descended from regal ances-
tors." Caius Cilnius Maecenas, who shared with Agrippa the favor and
confidence of Augustus, and distinguished himself by his patronage of
literary men, belonged to the Cilnian family, and was descended from
Elbius Volterrenus, one of the Lucumones, or ruling chieftains of Etruria.
He is even said to have numbered Porsena among his more remote an-
cestors. Compare Life, p. liii. — 2. O ct prcesidium, Sec. " O both my
patron and sweet glory." The expression dulce decus meum refers to the
feeling of gratification entertained by the poet in having so illustrious a
patron and friend. — The synaloepha is neglected in the commencement
of this line, as it always is in the case of O, Heu, Ah, &c, since the voice
is sustained and the hiatus prevented by the strong feeling which these
interjections are made to express.
3. Sunt quos curriculo, &c. "There are some, whom it delights to
have collected the Olympic dust in the chariot-course," i. e., to have con-
tended for the prize at the Olympic games. The Olympic, the chief of
the Grecian games, are here put /car' efo^v for any games. TLe Olyna-
258 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE I.
pic games were celebrated at Olympia in Elis, on the banks of the Al-
pheus, after an interval of four years, from the eleventh to the fifteenth of
the month Hecatombaeon, which corresponds nearly to our July. They
were celebrated in honor of Jove, and the crown which formed the prize
was of wild olive {oleaster, kotlvoc). The other great games were the
Pythian, the prize, a crown of bay ; the Nemean, a crown of fresh parsley ,
and the Isthmian, first a crown of pine, then of withered parsley, and
then again of pine.
4. Metaque fervidis, Sec. " And whom the goal, skillfully avoided by
the glowing wheels." The principal part of the charioteer's skill was
displayed in coming as near as possible to the metce, or goals. In the
Roman circus, a low wall was erected which divided the Spatium, or
race-ground, into two unequal parts. At each of its extremities, and rest-
ing on hollow basements, were placed three pillars formed like cones;
these cones were properly called metce; but the whole was often collect-
ively termed in the singular meta. The chariots, after starting from the
carceres, or barriers, where their station had been determined by lot, ran
seven times around the low wall, or spina, as Cassiodorus calls it. The
chief object, therefore, of the rival charioteers, was to get so near to the
spina as to graze (evitare) the meta in turning. This, of course, would give
the shortest space to run, and, if effected each heat, would ensure the
victory. In the Greek hippodromes, the starting place and goal were
each marked by a square pillar, and half way between these was a third.
5-6. 5. Palmaque nobilis. " And the ennobling palm." Besides the
crown, a palm-branch was presented to the conqueror at the Grecian
games, as a general token of victory : this he carried in his hand. (Com-
pare Pausanias, viii., 48.) — 6. Terrarum dominos. "The rulers of the
world," referring simply to the gods, and not, as some explain the phrase,
to the Roman people.
7-10. 7. Hunc. Understand juvat. Hunc in this line, ilium in the
9th, and gaudentem in the 11th, denote, respectively, the ambitious aspi-
rant after popular favors, the eager speculator in grain, and the content-
ed farmer. — 8. Certat tergeminis, &c. " Vie with each other in raising
him to the highest offices in the state." Honoribus is here the dative, by
a Graecism, for ad honores. The epithet tergeminis is equivalent merely
to amplissimis, and not, as some think, to the three offices of Curule iEdile,
Praetor, and Consul. Observe, moreover, the poetic idiom in certat tollere,
where the prose form of expression would be certat ut tollat, or certat ad
tollendum. — 9. Ilium. Understand juvat. — 10. Libycis. One of the prin-
cipal granaries of Rome was the fertile region adjacent to the Syrtis Minor,
and called Byzacium or Emporiaa. It formed part of Africa Propria.
Horace uses the epithet Libycis for Africis, in imitation of the Greek
writers, with whom Libya (Acj3v7]) was a general appellation for the en-
tire continent of Africa. Other grain countries, on which Rome also re-
lied for a supply, were Egypt and Sicily. — Areis. The ancient threshing-
floor was a raised place in the field, open on all sides to the wind.
11-15. 11. Gaudentem. "While a third who delights." — Sarculo.
" "With the hoe." Sarculum is for sarriculum, from sarrio. — 12. Attalicis
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE I. 259
conditioned?. " By Liters of all the wealth of Attains." Alluding to Atta-
lus III., the last king of Pergamus, famed for his riches, which he bequeath-
ed, together with his kingdom, to the Roman people. — 13. Trabe Cypria
The epithet " Cyprian" seems to allude here not so much to the commerce
of the island, extensive as it was, as to the excellent quality of its naval
timber. The poet, it will be perceived, uses the expressions Cypria,
Myrtoum, Icariis, Africum, Massici, «Sec. na~' e^ojpfV, fur any ship, any
sea, any waves, &c. — 14. Myrtoum. The Myrtoan Sea was a part of the
iEgeau, extending from the promontory of Carystus, at the southeastern
extremity of Eubcea, to the promontory of Malea in Laconia, and there-
fore lying off Attica, Argolis, and the eastern coast of Laconia. It reach-
ed eastward as far as the Cyclades. The name was derived from the
small island of Myrtos near Euboea. — Pavidus nauta. "Becoming a timid
mariner." — 15. Icariis fiuctibus. The Icarian Sea was part of the jEgean,
between and also to the south of Icaria and Samos. It derived its name,
as the ancient mythologists pretend, from Icarus, the son of Daedalus, who,
according to them, fell into it and was drowned, when accompanying his
father in his flight from the island of Crete. — Africum. The wind Africus
denotes, In strictness, the "west-southwest." In translating the text, it
will be sufficient to render it by " southwest." It derived its name from
the circumstance of its coming in the direction of Africa Propria.
16-19. 16. Mercator. The Mercatorcs, among the Romans, were those
who, remaining only a short time in any place, visited many countries,
and were almost constantly occupied with the exportation or importation
of merchandise. The Xegotiatores, on the other hand, generally con-
tinued for some length of time in a place, whether at Rome or in the
provinces. — Metuens. "As long as he dreads." Equivalent to dum
metuit. — Otium et oppidi, &c. "Praises a retired life, and the rural
scenery around his native place." Orelli, less correctly, joins in construc-
tion oppidi sui otium et rura. Acidalius [ad Veil. Paterc.) conjectures
tuta for rura, which Bentley adopts. But the received reading is every
way superior. — 18. Pauperiem. " Contracted means." Horace and the
best Latin writers understand by pauperies and paupertas, not absolute
poverty, which is properly expressed by egestas, but a state in which we
are deprived indeed of the comforts, and yet possess, in some degree, the
necessaries of life. — 19. Massici. Of the Roman wines, the best growths
are styled indiscriminately Massicum and Falernvm (vinum). The Massic
wine derived its name from the vineyards of Mons Massicus, now Monte
Massico, near the ancient Sinuessa. Consult Excursus VLU.
20-21. 20. Partem sol ido, &.c. Upon the increase of riches, the Romans
deferred the casna, which used to be their mid-day meal, to the ninth hour
(or three o'clock afternoon) in summer, and the tenth hour in winter, taking
on.y a slight repast (prandium) at noon. Nearly the whole of the natural
day was therefore devoted to affairs of business, or serious employment,
and was called, in consequence, dies solidus. Hence the voluptuary, who
begins to quaff the old Massic before the accustomed hour, is said "to
take away a part from the solid day," or from the period devoted to more
active pursuits, and expend it on his pleasures. This is what the poet,
on another occasion (Ode 2, 6, 7) calls " breaking the lingering day witb
wine," diem morantem frangere mero. Wolf, less correctly, understands
2C>0 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE I.
by the words of the text, the taking of an afternoon sleep. — Membra
stratus. Consult Zumpt, § 458. — 21. Arbuto. The a?-butus (or arbutum)
is the arbute, or wild strawberry-tree, corresponding to the «d/zapoc of the
Greeks, the unedo of Pliny, and the Arbutus unedo of Linnaeus, class 10.
The fruit itself is called Kopa/jov, fiEtiainvlov, or. ixLjiaUvXov (AtJienceus,
2, 35), and in Latin arbutum. It resembles our strawberry very closely,
except that it is larger, and has no seeds on the outside of the pulp like
that fruit.
22-28. 22. Aqua lene caput sacrce. " The gently-murmuring source
of some sacred stream." The fountain-heads of streams were supposed
to be the residence of the river-deity, and hence were always held sacred.
Fountains generally were sacred to the nymphs and rural divinities.
Compare Jacob, Qutcst. Epic, p. 13, seq. — 23. Et lituo tubes, fcc "And
the sound of the trumpet intermingled with the notes of the clarion."
Tbe tuba was straight, and used for infantry ; the lituus was bent a little
at the end, like the augur's staff, and was used for the cavalry : it had the
harsher sound. — 25. Detestata. " Held in detestation." Taken passively.
Compare abominatus, in Epod. xvi., 8. — Manet. " Passes the night."
Equivalent to pernoctat. Compare Sat., ii., 3, 234. — Sub Jove frigido.
" Beneath the cold sky." Jupiter is here taken figuratively for the higher
regions of the air. Compare the Greek phrase vko Aide. — Catulis. The
dative by a Graecism for a catulis. Scheller and others erroneously un-
derstand this of the young of the deer. — 28. Teretes. "Well-wrought."
The epithet teres here conveys the idea of something smooth and round,
and therefore refers properly to the cords or strands of the net, as being
smooth, and round, and tapering, and forming, therefore, a well-wrought
net. Orelli adopts the same general idea, rendering teretes by festge-
dreht, " sti-ong-twisted," i. e., ex funiculis complicatis et contortis con,-
nexa. — Marsus. For Marsicus. The mountainous country of the Mars'
in Italy, abounded with wild boars of the fiercest kind.
29-34. 29. Me doctarum, &c. Croft conjectured Te in place of me, an
emendation first made known by Hare, and subsequently approved of by
Bentley, Sanadon, Markland, Fea, Wolf, and others. The main argu-
ment in its favor is the antithesis which it produces. But the common
reading is well explained and defended by Orelli. — Edera. " Ivy-crowns."
The species of ivy here alluded to is the Edera nigra, sacred to Bacchus,
and hence styled Aiovvaia by the Greeks. It is the Edera poetica of
Bauhin. Servius says that poets were crowned with ivy, because the
poetic "furor" resembled that of the Bacchanalians. — Doctarum pramia
frontium. Poets are called docti, "learned," in accordance with Grecian
usage : aoidol oofyoL — 30. Dis miscent superis. " Raise to the converse
of the gods above." Literally, "mingle with the gods above." i. e., raise
to a level with them ; raise to the high heavens. Compare the explana-
tion of Doring, " Corona ederacea cinctus deorum admittor concilio." — 33.
Euterpe cokibet, &c. Euterpe and Polyhymnia, two of the muses, are here
very appropriately introduced. Euterpe plays on the tibia, Polyhymnia ac-
companies her voice with the lyre ; hence both are naturally invoked by
the lyric poet. — 34. Lesboum refugit, &c. " Refuses to touch the Lesbian
lyre." The lyre is called "Lesbian" in allusion to Sappho and Alcaeug,
both natives of Lesbos, and both famed for their lyric productions.
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE II. 261
Ode II. Octavianus assumed his new title of Augustas on the 17th of
January (xvi. Cal. Febr.), A.U.C. 727. On the following night Rome
was visited by a severe tempest, and an inundation of the Tiber. The
present ode was written in allusion to that event. The poet, regarding
the visitation as a mark of divine displeasure, proceeds to inquire on what
deity they are to call for succor. Who is to free the Romans from the
pollution occasioned by their civil strife ? Is it Apollo, god of prophecy ?
Or Venus, parent of Rome ? Or Mars, founder of the Roman line ? Or
Mercury, messenger of the skies ? — It is the last, the avenger of Caesar, the
deity who shrouds his godhead beneath the person of Augustus. He alone,
if heaven spare him to the earth, can restore to us the favor of Jove, and na-
tional prosperity. — Many of the old commentators refer the subject of this
ode to the prodigies that occurred on the death of Julius Caesar, and some
modern scholars have adopted the same idea ; but this is decidedly inferior.
1-4. 1. Terris. A Graecism for in terras. — Nivis. It was not the snow
itself that formed the prodigy, but the heavy fall of it, and the violence of
the accompanying storm. Snow may be an unusual visitant at the present
day in central Italy, but it does not appear to have been so in the time of
Horace. Consult the remarks of Arnold on this subject, Hist, of Rome,
vol. i., p. 499, seqq. — Dirce grandinis. Every thing sent by the wrath of
the gods (del ira) was termed dirum. — 2. Pater. "The Father of gods
and m en." Jupiter. Harr/p avdpuv re Seuv re. — Rubente dextera. " With
his red right hand." Red with the reflected glare of the thunderbolt : an
idea very probably borrowed from some ancient painting. — 3. Sacras arces.
" The sacred summits (of the temples)." The lightning struck the Capitol
containing the temples of Jupiter, Minerva, and Juno. It is unusual to
find jaculari with the accusative of the thing that is struck. Compare,
however, Od., iii., 12, 11, "Jaculari cervos." — 4. Urbem. "The city," i. e.,
Rome. Compare Quintilian (8, 2), " Urbem Romam accipimus."
5-10. 5. G entes. Understand timentes. " He has terrified the nations,
fearing lest," &c. Analogous to the Greek idiom, h<p6i3rjae fir}. — 6. S<b-
culum Pyrrha;. Alluding to the deluge of Deucalion in Thessaly, when,
according to the legend, Deucalion and his spouse Pyrrha were the only
mortals that were saved. — Nova monstra. " Strange prodigies," i. e.,
wonders before unseen. — 7. Proteus. A sea-deity, son of Oceanus and
Tethys, gifted with prophecy and the power of assuming any form at
pleasure. His fabled employment was to keep " the flocks" of Neptune,
i. e., the phocce, or seals. — 8. Visere. A Graecism for ad visendum. — 10. Pa-
lumbis. The common reading is columbis, but the true one is palumbis.
The " palumbae," or " wood-pigeons," construct their nests on the branch-
es and in the hollows of trees ; the columba, or "doves," are kept in dove»
cots. It is idle to say, in opposition to this, that columbm is the generic
name.
13-16. 13. Flav urn Tibcrim. '• The yellow Tiber." A recent travel-
ler remarks, with regard to this epithet of the Tiber : " Yellow is an ex-
ceedingly undescriptive translation of that tawny color, that mixture of
red, brown, gray, and yellow, which should answer to fiavns here; but I
may not deviate from the established phrase, nor do I know a better."
[Rome in the Nineteenth Century, vol. i., p. 84.) — Rctartis. "Being hurl-
262 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE II.
ed back." — 1 4. Lilore Etrusco. The violence of the storm forced the wave»
of the Tiber from the upper or Tuscan shore, and caused an inundation on
the lower bank, or left side of the river, where Rome was situated. Some
make Utorc Etrusco refer to the sea-coast, and suppose that the violence
of the storm drove back the waters of the Tiber from the mouth of the
river, and that this retrocession caused the inundation spoken of. Our
explanation, however, suits the context better, and especially the "sinis-
tra labitur ripa," in line 18, seq. — 15. Mcmumenta regis. " The venerated
memorial of King Numa." Observe the force of the plural in momimenta,
which we have ventured to express by an epithet. The allusion is to the
palace of Numa, which, according to Plutarch, stood in the immediate
vicinity of the Temple of Vesta, and was distinct from his other residence
on the auirinal Hill. (Plut., Vit. Num., c. 14.)— 16. Vesta. What made
the omen a peculiarly alarming one was, that the sacred fire was kept in
this temple, on the preservation of which the safety of the empire was
supposed in a great measure to depend. If a vestal virgin allowed the
sacred fire to be extinguished, she was scourged by the Pontifex Maxi-
mus. Such an accident was always esteemed most unlucky, and expiated
by offering extraordinary sacrifices. The fire was lighted up again, not
from another fire, but from the rays of the sun, in which manner it was
renewed every year on the first of March, that day being anciently the be-
ginning of the year.
17-19. 17. Wee dum se, &c. " While the god of the stream, lending
too ready an ear to his spouse, proudly shows himself an avenger to the
too complaining Ilia." We have followed Orelli in joining nimium with
querenti. It may also be taken with ultorem, " an intemperate avenger,"
but the collocation of the words seems to be more in favor of the former, as
Orelli correctly remarks. The allusion is to Ilia or Rea Silvia, the mother
of Romulus and Remus, and the ancestress of Julius Caesar, whose assas-
sination she is here represented as making the subject of too prolonged a
complaint, since the expiatory sufferings of Rome had already been suffi-
ciently severe. Ancient authorities differ in relation to her fate. Ennius,
cited by Porphyrion in his scholia on this ode, makes her to have been
cast into the Tiber, previously to which she had become the bride of the
Anio. Horace, on the contrary, speaks of her as having married the god
of the Tiber, which he here designates as uxorius amnis. Servius (ad
JEn., 1, 274) alludes to this version of the fable, as adopted by Horace
and others. Acron also, in his scholia on the present passage, speaks of
Ilia as having married the god of the Tiber. According to the account
which he gives, Ilia was buried on the banks of the Anio, and the river,
having overflowed its borders, earned her remains down to the Tiber;
hence she was said to have espoused the deity of the last-mentioned
stream. It may not be improper to add here a remark of Niebuhr's in
relation to the name of this female. " The reading Rhea," observes the
historian, "is a corruption introduced by the editors, who very unseason-
ably bethought themselves of the goddess : rea seems only to have signi-
fied 'the culprit,' or 'the guilty woman:' it reminds us ofreafemina,
which often occurs, particularly in Boccacio." (Niebuhr's Roman His-
tory, vol. i., p. 176, Cambr. transl.) — 19. Jove non probante. Jupiter did
dot approve that the Tiber should undertake to avenge the death of Ccesar,
a task which he had reserved for Augustus.
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE II. 263
22-27. 22. Graves Persce. "The forcnidable Parthians." Compare,
as regards the force of gravis, the similar employment of fiapvc in Greek.
Thus Alexander is called fiapvg Ylipaaiai. (Theocrit., xvii., 19.) — Persce.
Horace frequently uses the terms Medi and Persa to denote the Parthians
The Median preceded the Persian power, which, after the interval of the
Grecian dominion, was succeeded by the Parthian empire. The epithet
graves alludes to the defeat of Crassus, and the check of Mai'c Antony. — •
Perirent. For perituri fuissent. (Zumpt, § 525.) — 23. Vitio parcritum
rara juventus. "Posterity thinned through the guilt of their fathers."
Alluding to the sanguinary conflicts of the civil contest. — 25. Vocet. For
invocet. — Ruentis imperi rebus. " To the affairs of the falling empire."
Rebus by a Graecism for ad res. — 26. Piece qua. " By what supplications."
— 27. Virgines sancta. Alluding to the vestal virgins. — Minus audientem
carmina. " Less favorably hearing their solemn prayers." Carmen is
frequently used to denote any set form of words either in prose or verse.
The reference here is to prayers and supplications, repeated day after day,
and constituting so many set forms of the Roman ritual. As Julius Caesar
was Pontifex Maximus at the time of his death, he was also, by virtue of
his office, priest of Vesta ; it being particularly incumbent on the Pontifex
Maximus to exercise a superintending control over the rites of that god-
dess. Hence the anger of the goddess toward the Romans on account of
Caesar's death.
29-39. 29. Partes scelus expiandi. " The task of expiating our guilt."
Scehis refers to the crimes and excesses of the civil conflict. They who
were polluted by the stain of human blood were excluded from all partici-
pation in the sacred rites until proper atonement had been made. This
atonement in the present case is to consist, not in punishing the slayers of
Caesar, which had already been done, but in placing the state once more
on the firm basis of peace and concord. As this seemed too great a task
for a mere mortal, the aid of the gods is solicited. (Gesner, ad loc.) — 31.
Nube candentes, &c. " Having thy bright shoulders shrouded with a cloud."
The gods, when they were pleased to manifest themselves to mortal eye,
were generally, in poetic imagery, clothed with clouds, in order to hide
from mortal gaze the excessive splendor of their presence. — Augur Apollo.
"Apollo, god of prophecy." — 33. Erycina ridens. "Smiling goddess of
Eryx." Venus, so called from her temple on Mount Eryx in Sicily. — 34.
Quam Jocus circum, Sec. " Around whom hover Mirth and Love." — 36.
Retpicis. "Thou again beholdest with a favoring eye." "When the gods
turned their eyes toward their worshippers, it was a sign of favor; when
they averted them, of displeasure. — Auctor. "Founder of the Roman
line." Addressed to Mars as the reputed father of Romulus and Remus.
— 39. Marsi. The MSS. have Mauri, for which Faber conjectured Marsi,
and this last has been adopted by Dacier, Bentley, Cunningham, Sana-
don, and others. The people of Mauretania were never remarkable for
their valor, and their cavalry, besides, were always decidedly superior to
their infantry. The Marsi, on the other hand, were reputed to have been
one of the most valiant nations of Italy. The modern German editors have
generally retained Mauri, and give peditis the meaning of " dismounted,"
making the allusion to be to the defeat of Juha at Thapsus. This, how-
ever, is extremely unsatisfactory. — Omentum. This epithet beautifully
: foe, as transfixed by the weapon of Hie Maisiau, and "wel
204 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE III.
41-51. 41. Sive mutata, &c. " Or if, winged son of the benign Maia,
having changed thy form, thou assumest that of a youthful hero on the
earth." Mei'cury, the offspring of Jupiter and Maia, is here addressed.
The epithet " winged" has reference to the peculiar mode in which Mer-
cury or Hermes was represented in ancient works of art, namely, with
wings attached to his petasus, or travelling hat, and also to his staff and
sandals. — Juvencm. Referring to Augustus. He was now, indeed, thirty-
six years of age ; but the term juvenis applies to all in the bloom and
likewise prime of life ; in other words, it comprehended the whole period
from eighteen to forty or forty-five. — 43. Patiens vocari, &c. "Suffering
thyself to be called the avenger of Caesar." An imitation of the Greek
idiom, for te vocari Cccsaris ultorem. — 46. Lcetus. "Propitious." — 47. Ini-
quum. "Offended at." — 48. Ocior aura. " Too early a blast." Supply
recto. More freely, " an untimely blast." The poet prays that the de-
parture of Augustus for the skies may not be accelerated by the crimes
and vices of his people. — 49. Magna* triumphos. Augustus, in the month
of August, A.U.C. 725, triumphed for three days in succession: on the first
day over the Pannonians, Dalmatians, Iapydae, and their neighbors, to-
gether with some Gallic and Germanic tribes; on the second day, for the
victory at Actium ; on the third, for the reduction of "Egypt. The successes
over the Gauls and Germans had been obtained for him by his lieutenant,
C. Carinas. — 50. Pater atque Princeps. Augustus is frequently styled on
medals, Pater P atria:, a title which the succeeding emperors adopted from
him. — 51. Medos. "The eastern nations." Alluding particularly to the
Parthians. Compare note on line 22 of this Ode. — Equitare inultos. " To
transgress their limits with impunity." To make unpunished inroads into
the Roman territory. The main strength of the Parthians lay in their
cavalry. Hence the peculiar propriety of equitare.
Ode III. Addressed to the ship which was about to convey Virgil to
the shores of Greece. The poet prays that the voyage may be a safe and
propitious one : alarmed, however, at the same time, by the idea of the
dangers which threaten his friend, he declaims against the inventor of
navigation, and the daring boldness of mankind in general. — According to
Heyne (Virgilii vita per annos digesta), this ode would appear to have
been written A.U.C. 735, when, as Donatus states, the bard of Mantua
had determined to retire to Greece and Asia, and employ there the space
of three years in correcting and completing the iEneid. (Donat., Virg.
vit. § 51.) " Anno vero quinquagesimo secundo" observes Donatus, "ut
ultimam manum JEneidi imponeret, statuit in Gratciam ct Asiam scce-
dere, triennioque continuo omnem operam limationi dare, ut reliqua vita
tantum philosophies vacaret. Sed cum ingressus iter Athenis occur risscl
Augusto, ab Oriente Romam revertenti, una cum Catsare redire statuit.
Ac cum Megara, vicinum Athenis oppidum, visendi gratia peteret, languo-
rem nactus est .• quern non intermissa navigatio auxit, ita ut gravior in-
dies, tandem Brundisium adventarit, ubi diebus paucis obiit, X. Kal. Oc-
tobr. C Sentio, Q. Lucretio Coss.
1-4. 1. Sic te Diva,potens Cypri, &c. "O Ship, that owest to the
shores of Attica, Virgil intrusted by us to thy care, give him up in safety
(to his destined haven), and preserve the one half of my soul, so ma3r the
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE III. 265
goddess who rules over Cyprus, so may the brothers of Helen, bright lu-
minaries, and the father of the winds direct thy course, all others being
confined except Iapyx." Observe that sic, in such constructions as the
present, becomes a conditional form of wishing : "if you do as I wish you
to do, so (i. e., in that event) may such or such a result happen unlo you."
Here, however, in order to render it more forcible, the conditional sic is
placed first, which cannot, of course, be imitated in translating. — Diva
potens Cypri. Venus. From her power over the sea, she was invoked
by the Cuidians, as EvrzAoca, the dispenser of favorable voyages. (Pau-
san., i., 14.) — 2. Fratres Helena. Castor and Pollux. It was the partic-
ular office of "the brothers of Helen" to bring aid to mariners in time of
danger. They were identified by the ancients with those luminous ap-
pearances, resembling balls of fire, which are seen on the masts and yards
of vessels before and after storms. — 3. Ventorum paler. iEolus. The isl-
and La which he was fabled to have reigned was Strongvle, the mo lern
Stromboli. — 4. Obstnctis alii*. An allusion to the Homeric fable of
Ulysses and his bag of adverse winds. — Iapyga. The west-northwest.
It received its name from Iapygia, in Lower Italy, which country lay
partly in the line of its direction. It was the most favorable wind for sail-
ing from Brundisium toward the southern parts of Greece, the vessel hav-
ing, in the course of her voyage to Attica, to double the promontories of
Tamarus and Malea. — Aninus dimidium metE. A fond and frequent ex-
pression to denote intimate friendship. Thus the old scholiast remarks,
*bi/.ia eorl fiia ipvxi] kv dvolv ctjpaaiv.
9-15. 9. I/li robxtr et <zs triplex, &.c. "That mortal had the strength
of triple brass around his breast." Robur et ces triplex is here put for ro-
bureeris triplici*, and the allusion may pei'haps be to the ancient coats of
mail, that were formed of iron rings twisted within one another like chains,
or else to those which were covered with plates of iron, triplic.i ordine, in
the form of scales. — 12. Africum. The west-southwest wind, answering
to the Aii[j of the Greeks. — 13. Aquilouibvs. The term Aquilo deuotes, in
strictness, the wind which blows from the quarter directly opposite to
that denominated Africus. A strict translation of both terms, however,
would diminish, in the present instance, the poetic beauty of the passage.
The whole may be rendered as follows : " The headlong fury of the south-
west wind, contending with the northeastern blasts." — 14. Tristes Hya-
das. "The rainy H3ades." The Hyades were seven of the fourteen
daughters of Atlas, their remainiug sisters being called Pleiades. These
virgins bewailed so immoderately the death of their brother Hyas, who
was devoured by a lion, that Jupiter, out of compassion, changed them into
stars, and placed them in the head of Taurus, where they still retain their
grief, their rising and setting being attended with heavy rains. Hence the
epithet tris/es ("weeping," "rainy") applied to them by the poet. — 15.
Hadrice. Some commentators insist that Hadrice is here used for the sea
in general, because, as the Adriatic faces the southeast, the remark of Hor-
ace cannot be true of the south. In the age of the poet, however, the
term Hadria was used in a very extensive sense. The sea which it des-
ignated was considered as extending to the southern coast of Italy and
the western shores of Greece.
17-19. i7. Quern mortis timuit gradum. "What path of death did
M
266 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE IV.
lie fear," i. e., what kind of death. Equivalent to quam viam ad Orcum.
— 18. Rectis oculis. "With steady gaze," i. e., with fearless eye. Most
editions read siccis oculis, which Bentley altered, on conjecture, to rectis
Others prefer Jixis oculis- — 19. Et infamcs scopulos Acroceraunia. "And
the Acroceraunia, ill-famed cliffs." The Ceraunia were a chain of mount-
ains along the coast of Northern Epirus, forming part of the boundary be-
tween it and Illyricum. That portion of the chain which extended beyond
Oricum formed a bold promontory, and was termed Acroceraunia (A/cpo-
KepavvLa), from its summit (u/cpa) being often struck by lightning (nepav-
voc). This coast was much dreaded by the mariners of antiquity, because
the mountains were supposed to attract storms ; and Augustus narrowly
escaped shipwreck here when returning from Actium. The Acrocerau-
nia are now called Monte Chimera.
22-39. 22. Dissociabili. "Forbidding all intei-course." Taken in an
active sense. — 24. Transsiliunt. "Bound contemptuously over." — 26.
Audax omnia perpeti. A Greek construction : fipaovc Tcuvra r/S/vac
"Boldly daring to encounter every hardship." — 25. Per vetiium et nefas.
"Through what is forbidden by all laws both human and divine." The
common text has vclitum nefas, which makes a disagreeable pleonasm
The reading which we have adopted occurs in two MSS., and is decidedly
preferable. — 27. Atrox Iapeti genus. "The resolute son of Iapetus."
Prometheus. We have adopted atrox, the conjecture of Bothe. The
common reading is audax, but the repetition of this epithet appears ex-
tremely unpoetical. As regards the force of atrox here, compare Od., ii.,
1, -2A -. " Prater atrocem animum Catonis." — 28. Erande mala. "By an
unhappy fraud." The stealing of the fire from heaven is called " an un-
happy fraud," in allusion to Pandora and her box of evils, with which Ju-
piter punished mankind on account of the theft of Prometheus. — 29. Post
ignem aitheria domo subductum. "After the fire was drawn down by
stealth from its mansion in the skies." — 33. Corripuit gradum. " Accel
erated its pace." We have here the remnant of an old tradition respect-
ing the longer duration of life in primeval times. — 34. Expertus (est).
" Essayed." — 36. Perrupit Acheronta Herculeus labor. " The toiling Her-
cules burst the barriers of the lower world." Alluding to the descent of
Hercules to the shades. Acheron is here put figuratively for Orcus. The
expression Herculeus labor is a Graecism, and in imitation of the Homeric
form Bin 'HpaK.?<.nein. (Od., xi., 600.) So, also, KucTopoc 8ia (Pind.,
Pyth., xi., 93) ; Tv6eog (3ia (^Esch., S. C. Th., 77), &c— 39. Caslum. Al-
luding to the battle of the giants with the gods.
Ode IV. The ode commences with a description of the return of spring.
After alluding to the pleasurable feelings attendant upon that delightful
season of the year, the poet urges his friend Sextius, by a favorite Epicu-
rean argument, to cherish the fleeting hour, since the night of the grave
would soon close around him, and bring all enjoyment to an end.
The transition in this ode, at the 13th line, has been censured by some
as too abrupt. It only wears this appearance, however, to those who are
unacquainted with ancient customs and the associated feelings of the Ro
mans. " To one who did not know," observes Mr. Dunlop, "that the mor-
tuary festivals almost immediately succeeded those of Faunus, the line3
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE IV. 26"?
in question might appear disjointed and incongruous. But to a Roman,
who at once could trace the association in the mind of the poet, the sud-
den transition from gayety to gloom would seem but an echo of the senti-
ment which he himself annually experienced."
1-4. 1. Solvitur acris hiems, &c. "Severe winter is melting away
beneath the pleasing change of spring and the western breeze." Liter-
ally, "is getting loosened or relaxed." — Veris. The spring commenced,
according to Varro (R. R., i., 28), on the seventh day before the Ides of
February (7 Feb.), on which day, according to Columella, the wind Favo-
nius began to blow. — Favoni. The wind Favonius received its name ei-
ther from its being favorable to vegetation (favens geniturce), or from its
fostering the grain sown in the earth (fovens sata). — 2. Trahuntqne sic-
cus machiiuB carinas. " And the rollers are drawing down the dry hulls
(to the shore)," i. e., the dry hulls are getting drawn down on rollers. As
the ancients seldom prosecuted any voyages in winter, their ships during
that season were generally drawn up on land, and stood on the shore sup-
ported by props. When the season for navigation returned, they were
drawn to the water by means of ropes and levers, with rollers placed be-
low.— 3. Igni. "In his station by the fire-side." — 4. Canis pruinis
" With the hoar-frost."
5-7. 5. Cytlierea. "The goddess of Cythera." Venus: so called from
the island of Cythera, now Cerigo, near the promontory of Malea, in the
vicinity of which island she was fabled to have first landed. — Choros du-
cit. "Leads up the dances." — Imminentc luna. "Under the full ligv t of
the moon." The moon is here described as being directly overhead, and,
by a beautiful poetic image, threatening, as it were, to fall. — 6. Junctceqne
Nympkis Gratia decentes. " And the comely Graces joined hand in hand
with the Nymphs." We have rendered decentes here by the epithet
"comely." In truth, however, there is no single term in our language
which gives the full meaning of the Latin expression. The idea intended
to be conveyed by it is analogous to that implied in the to icaXov of the
Greeks, i. e., omne quod pulckrum et decorum est. We may therefore
best convey the meaning of Gratia decentes by a paraphrase : "the Graces,
arbitresses of all that is lovely and becoming." — 7. Dum graves Cyclo-
pum, &c. "While glowing Vulcan kindles up the laborious forges of the
Cyclopes." The epithet ardens is here equivalent to jlammis relucens,
and beautifully describes the person of the god as glowing amid the light
which streams from his forge. Horace is thought to have imitated in this
passage some Greek poet of Sicily, who, in depicting the approach of
spring, lays the scene in his native island, with Mount iEtna smoking in
the distant horizon. The interior of the mountain is the fabled scene of
Vulcan's labors ; and here he is busily employed in forging thunderbolts
for the monarch of the skies to hurl during the storms of spring, which are
of frequent occurrence in that climate. — Cyclopum. The Cyclopes wera
the sons of Ccelus and Terra, and of the Titan race. In the later legend,
here followed, they are represented as the assistants of Vulcan.
9-12. 9. Nitidum. " Shining with unguents." — Caput impedire. At
the banquets and festive meetings of the ancients, the guests were crown-
ed with garlands of flowers, herbs, or leaves, tied and adorned with rib-
268 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE V.
bons, or with the inner rind of the linden-tree. These crowns, it was
thought, prevented intoxication. — Myrto. The myrtle was sacred to Ve-
nus.— 10. Solutce. "Freed from the fetters of winter." — 11. Fauna.
Faunus, the guardian of the fields and flocks, had two annual festivals
called Faunalia, one on the Ides (13th) of February, and the other on the
Nones (5th) of December. Both were marked by great hilarity and joy
— 12. Scu poscat agna, &c. " Either with a lamb, if he demand one, or
with a kid, if he prefer that offering." Many editions read agnam and
hcedum ; but most of the MSS., and all the best editions, exhibit the leo
tion which we have given.
13-16. 13. Pallida Mors, &c. "Pale Death, advancing with impartial
footstep, knocks for admittance at the cottages of the poor and the lofty
dwellings of the rich." Horace uses the term rex as equivalent to beatus
or dives. As regards the apparent want of connection between this por-
tion of the ode and that which immediately precedes, compare what has
been said in the introductory remarks. — 15. Jnchoare. "Day after day to
renew." — 16. Jam te prcmet nox, <5cc. The passage may be paraphrased
as follows : " Soon will the night of the grave descend upon thee, and the
manes of fable crowd around, and the shadowy home of Pluto become also
thine own." The zeugma in the verb premo, by which it is made to as-
sume a new meaning in each clause of the sentence, is worthy of notice.
By the manes of fable are meant the shades of the departed, often made
the theme of the wildest fictions of poetry. Observe that fabula is not
the genitive here, but the nominative plural, and equivalent to fabulosi.
Compare Callimachus, Epigr., xiv., 3 : ri 6i Haovtuv ; Mvdoc : and Per-
sius, Sat., v., 152 : " Cinis et manes etfabulajies."
17-18. 17. Simul. For Simu I ac. — 18. Talis. This may either be the
adjective, or else the ablative plural of talus. If the former, the meaning
of the passage will be, " Thou shalt neither cast lots for the sovereignty
of such wine as we have here, nor," ice. ; whereas if talis be regarded as
a noun, the interpretation will be, " Thou shalt neither cast lots with the
dice for the sovereignty of wine, nor," &c. This latter mode of rendering
the passage is the more usual one, but the other is certainly more aninia
ted and poetical, and more in accordance, too, with the very early and
curious belief of the Greeks and Romans in relation to a future state.
They believed that the souls of the departed, with the exception of those
who had offended against the majesty of the gods, were occupied in the
lower world with the unreal performance of the same actions which had
formed their chief object of pursuit in the regions of day. Thus, the friend
)f Horace will still quaff his wine in the shades, but the cup and its con
;ents will be, like their possessor, a shadow and a dream : it will not be
such wine as he drank upon the earth. — As regards the expression, "sov-
ereignty of wine," it means nothing more than the office of arbiter bibendi,
or "toast-master." (Compare Ode ii., 7, 25.)
Ode V. Pyrrha, having secured the affections of a new admirer, is ad-
dressed by the poet, who had himself experienced her inconstancy and
faithlessness. He compares her youthful lover to one whom a sudden
and dangerous tempest threatens to surprise on the deep — h<ir.nself to the
mariner just rescued from the perils of shipwreck.
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE VI. 269
1-5. 1. Multa in rosa. " Crowned with many a rose." An imitation
of the Greek idiom, ev otequvoic elvai [Eurip., Here. Fur., 677). — 3. Ur-
get. Understand te. " Prefers unto thee his impassioued suit.'" Urget
would seem to imply an affected coyness and i*eserve on the part of Pyrrha,
in order to elicit more powerfully the feelings of him who addresses her. —
5. Simplex munditi is. "With simple elegance." Milton translates this,
'•Plain in thy neatness." — Fidem mutatosque deos. " Thy broken faith,
and the altered gods." The gods, who once seemed to smile upon his
suit, are now, under the epithet of mutati (" altered"), represented as
frowning upon it, adverse to his prayer.
7-12. 7. Xigris ventis. "With darkening blasts," i. e., blasts darken-
ing the heavens with storm-clouds. The epithet nigri, here applied to
the winds, is equivalent to "caslum nigrum reddentes." — 8. Emirabitnr
insolens. u Unaccustomed to the sight, shall be lost in wonder at." Ob-
serve that emirabitur is a urza^ /.eyojuEvov for the Golden Age of Latinity,
but is well defended here by MSS. The verb occurs subsequently in Ap-
puleius [Met., p. 274) and Luctatius Placidus {Enarr.fab., p. 251, Mu nek.).
It means "to wonder greatly at," "to be lost in wonder at," and to indi-
cate this feeling by the gestures. To the same class belong elaudare,
emo7iere, emutare, euerberare, &c. — 9. Aurea. "All golden," i.e., possess-
ing a heart swayed by the purest affection toward him. — 10. Vacuam.
"Free from all attachment to another." — 11. Xescius aurce fallacis
Pyrrha is likened in point of fickleness to the wind. — 12. Kites. An idea
borrowed from the appearance presented by the sea when reposing in a
calm, its treacherous waters sparkling beneath the rays of the sun.
13. Me tabula sacer, &c. Mariners rescued from the dangers of ship-
wreck were accustomed to suspend some votive tablet or picture, together
with their moist vestments, in the temple of the god by whose interposi-
tion they believed themselves to have been saved. In these paintings, the
storm, and the circumstances attending their escape, were carefully de-
lineated. In the age of Horace, Neptune received these votive offerings ;
in that of Juvenal, Isis. Ruined mariners frequently carried such pictures
about with them, in order to excite the compassion of those whom they
chanced to meet, describing at the same time, in songs, the particulars of
their story. (Compare the Epistle to the Pisos, v. 20.) .Horace, in like
manner, speaks of the votive tablet which gratitude has prompted him to
offer in thought, his peace of mind having been nearly shipwrecked by the
brilliant but dangerous beauty of Pyrrha.
Ode VI. M. Vipsanius Agrippa, to whom this ode is addressed, was the
intimate friend of Augustus, and a celebrated commander, distinguished
for various exploits both by land and sea. It was he who, as commander
of the naval forces of Augustus, defeated Sextus Pompeius off the coast
of Sicily, and was afterward mainly instrumental in gaining the victory at
Actium. He became eventually the son-in-law of Augustus, having mar-
ried, at his request, Julia, the widow of Maicelhis. The Pautheon was
erected by him. He is thought to have complained of the silence which
Horace had preserved in relation to him throughout his various pieces.
The poet seeks to justify himself on the ground of his utter inability to
270 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE VI.
handle so lofty a theme. " Varius will sing thy praises, Agrippa, with
all the fire of a second Homer. For my own part, I would as soon attempt
to describe in poetic numbers the god of battle, or any of the heroes of the
Iliad, as undertake to tell of thy fame and that of the royal Caesar." The
language, however, in which the bard's excuse is conveyed, while it speaks
a high eulogium on the characters of Augustus and Agrippa, proves, at the
same time, how well qualified he was to execute the task which he declines.
Sanadon, without the least shadow of probability, endeavors to trace an
allegorical meaning throughout the entire ode. He supposes Pollio to be
meant by Achilles, Agrippa and Messala by the phrase duplicis Ulixei,
Antony and Cleopatra by the "house of Pelops," Statilius Taurus by the
god Mars, Marcus Titius by Meriones, and Maecenas by the son of Tydeus.
1. Scribe/is Vario, &c. "Thou shalt be celebrated by Varius, a bird
of Maeonian strain, as valiant," &c. Vario and aliti are datives, put by a
Graecism for ablatives. — The poet to whom Horace here alludes, and who
is again mentioned on several occasions, was Lucius Varius, famed for his
epic and tragic productions. Q.uintilian (10, 1) asserts, that a tragedy of
his, entitled Thyestes, was deserving of being compared with any of the
Grecian models. He composed, also, a panegyric on Augustus, of which
the ancient wi-iters speak in terms of high commendation. Macrobius
(Sat., 6, 1) has preserved some fragments of a poem of his on death.
Varius was one of the friends who introduced Horace to the notice of Mae-
cenas, and, along with Plotius Tucca, was intrusted by Augustus with
the revision of the iEneid. It is evident that this latter poem could not
have yet appeared when Horace composed the present ode, since he would
never certainly, in that event, have given Varius the preference to Virgil.
2-5. 2. MtBonii carminis aliti. " A bird of Maeonian song," i. e., a poet
who sings with all the majesty of Homer, and who wings as bold a flight.
In other words, a second Homer. The epithet " Maeonian" contains an
allusion to Homer, who was generally supposed to have been born near
Smyrna, and to have been consequently of Maeonian (i. e., Lydian) descent.
The term aliti refers to a custom in which the ancient poets often indulged,
of likening themselves to the eagle and the swan. — 3. Qitam rem cunque.
•' For whatever exploit," i. e., quod attinet ad rem, quamcuaqnc, <Scc. Ob-
serve the tmesis.
5-1 2. 5. Nee gravem Pelida stomachum, &c. "Nor the fierce resent-
ment of the son of Peleus, ignorant how to yield," i. c, the unrelenting son
of Peleus. The allusion is to the wrath of Achilles, the basis of the Iliad,
and his beholding unmoved, amid his anger against Agamemnon, the dis-
tresses and slaughter of his countrymen. — 7. Cursus duplicis Ulixei.
'•'The wanderings of the crafty Ulysses." These form the subject of the
Odyssey. —8. S&vam Pelopis domum. "The cruel line of Pelops," i. e.,
the blood-stained family of the Pelopidae, namely, Atreus, Thyestes, Aga-
memnon, Orestes, &c, the subjects of tragedies. — 10. Imbellisque lyra
Musa potent. "And the Muse that sways the peaceful lyre." Alluding
to his own inferiority in epic strain, and his being better qualified to han-
dle sportive and amatory themes. — 12. Culpa deterere ingeni. "To di-
minish by any want of talent on our part," ft. e., to weaken, &c. The lit*
eral meaning of deterere is " to wear away," " to consume by wearing,"
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE VII. 271
fcnd the metaphor is here borrowed from the friction and wear of metals.
Compare Orelli, " Tralatio a mctallo, quod usu deteritur, extcnuatur, ac
splendore privaiur."
14-20. 14. Digne. " In strains worthy of the theme." — 15. Merionen.
Merioues, charioteer and friend of Idomeneus. — 16. Tydiden. Diomede,
son of Tydeus. — Superis parem. "A match for the inhabitants of the
skies." Alluding to the wounds inflicted on Venus and Mars by the Gre-
cian warrior. — 17. Nos convivia, «Sec. "We, whether free from all attach-
ment to another, or whether we burn with any passion, with our wonted
exemption from care, sing of banquets ; we sing of the contests of maidens,
briskly assailing with pared nails their youthful admirers." — 18. Sect-is.
Bentley conjectures strictis, "clinched," and makes the construction to
be strictis in juvenes ; and, according to Wagner, this emendation of the
great English scholar was always cited by Hemsterhuis as an instance
" certcc critices." Still, however, we may be allowed, at the present day,
to dissent even from this high authority, and express a decided preference
for the ordinary reading. Bentley's conjecture, as Orelli well remarks,
"nescio quid habet furiale ct agreste," and even the great critic himself
appears subsequently to have regarded his own emendation with less
favor. Compare Mus. Crit., i., p. 194.
Ode VII. Addressed to L. Munatius Plancus, who had become suspect-
ed by Augustus of disaffection, and meditated, in consequence, retiring
from Italy to some one of the Grecian cities. As far as can be conjectured
from the present ode, Plancus had communicated his intention to Horace,
and the poet now seeks to dissuade him from the step, but in such a way,
however, as not to endanger his own standing with the emperor. The
train of thought appears to be as follows : " I leave it to others to celebrate
the far-famed cities and regions of the rest of the world. My admiration
is wholly engrossed by the beautiful scenery around the banks and falls
of the Anio." (He here refrains from adding, "Betake yourself, Plancus,
to that lovely spot," but merely subjoins), " The south wind, my friend,
does not always veil the sky with clouds. Do you therefore bear up man-
fully under misfortune, and, wherever you may dwell, chase away the
cares of life with mellow wine, taking Teucer as an example of patient
endurance worthy of all imitation."
1. Laudabunt alii. " Others (in all likelihood) will praise." The future
here denotes a probable occurrence. — Claram Rhodon. "The sunny
Rhodes." The epithet claram is here commonly rendered by "illustri-
ous," which weakens the force of the line by its generality, and is deci-
dedly at variance with the well-known skill displayed by Horace in the
selection of his epithets. The interpretation which we have assigned to
the word is in full accordance with a passage of Lucan (8, 248), " Clar-
amque reliquit sole Rhodon." Pliny (H. N., 2, 62) informs us of a boast
on the part of the Rhodians, that not a day passed during which their isl-
and was not illumined for an hour at least by the rays of the sun, to which
luminary it was sacred. — Mytilenen. Mytilene, the capital of Lesbos, and
birth-place of Pittacus, Alcaeus, Sappho, and other distinguished individ-
uals. Cicero, in speaking of this city (2 Orat. in Rull.t 14), says, " Urbs.
272 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE VII.
et natum, et situ et descriplione adifcioi-um, et pulchritndine, in primis
nubilis The true form of the name is Mt/lile/tc, not Mil 'yleiie, as appears
from coins. Compare Eckhel, Doctr. Num., ii., p. 303.
2—4. 2. Epheson. Ephesus, a celehrated city of Tonia, in Asia Minor,
famed for its temple and worship of Diana. — Bimarisve. Corinthi mania.
" Or the walls of Corinth, situate between two arms of the sea." Corinth
lay on the isthmus of the same name, between the Sinus Corinthiacus
(G-nlf of Lepatdo) on the west, and the Sinus Saronicus (Gulf of Engia) on
the southeast. Its position was admirably adapted for commerce. — 3. Vel
Baccho Thebas, &e. " Or Thebes ennobled by Bacchus, or Delphi by Apol-
lo.'' Thebes, the capital of Boeotia, was the fabled scene of the birth and
nurture of Bacchus. Delphi, on Mount Parnassus in Phocis, was famed for
its oracle of Apollo. — 4. Tempe. The Greek accusative plural, Te/ll-ij, con-
tracted from Tipirea. Tempe was a beautiful valley in Thessaly. between
the mountains Ossa and Olympus, and through which flowed the Peneus.
5-7. 5. Intacta: Palladia arces. " The citadel of the virgin Pallas."
Alluding to the Acropolis of Athens, sacred to Minerva. Arcca, plural of
excellence for arcem. — 7. Indcque decerptam fronti, Sec. "And to place
around their brow the olive crown, deserved and gathered by them for
celebrating such a theme." The olive was sacred to Minerva. Some
editions read "Undiqne" for " Indeque," and the meaning will then be, "To
place around their brow the olive crown deserved and gathered by numer-
ous other bards." The common lection Undiqne decerpiafrondi, &c, must
be rendered, "To prefer the olive leaf to every other that is gathered."
Our reading Indeque is the emendation of Schrader. Hunter cites, in par-
tial confirmation of it, the following line of Lucretius (iv., 4) : " Insignemque
?neo capiti petere inde coronam."
9-11. 9. Aptum eqnis Argos. "Argos, well-fitted for the nurture o<
steeds." An imitation of the language of Homer, "kpytoc 'nrnofioToio ( 11.,
2, 237). — Ditcxqve Mycenars. Mycenae was the earlier capital of Argolis, anc
the city of the Pelopidas. Compare, as regards the epithet dites, Sopho-
cles {Electr., 9), M.vni]vac rue -KoAvxpvcovg. — 10. Patient Lacedcemon. Al
hiding to the patient endurance of the Spartans under the severe institu
tions of Lycurgus. — 11. Larissa: campus opimce. Larissa, the old Pelasgie
capital of Thessaly, was situate on the Peneus, and famed for the rich an^
fertile territory in which it stood. Compare Homer, II., ii., 841, Aupiacrav
epLJ3ula.Ka. — Tarn percussit. " Has struck with such warm admiration.''
12. Domus Albunets resonantis. " The home of Albunea, re-echoing te
the roar of waters." Commentators and tourists are divided in opinion
respecting the domus Albnneee. The general impression, however, seems
to be, that the temple of the Sibyl, on the summit of the cliff at Tibur
(now Tivoli), and overhanging the cascade, presents the fairest claim tc
this distinction. It is described as being at the present day a most beau-
tiful ruin. "This beautiful temple," obsei-ves a recent traveller, "which
stands on the very spot where the eye of taste would have placed it, and
on which it ever reposes with delight, is one of the most attractive features
of the scene, and perhaps gives to Tivoli its greatest charm." [Rome in
the Nineteenth Century, vol. ii., p. 398, Am. ed.) Among the arguments iii
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE VII. 273
favor of the opinion above stated, it may be remarked, that Varro, as quoted
by Lactantius (De Falsa Pel., 1, 6), gives a list of the ancient sibyls, and
among them enumerates the one at Tibur, sumarned Albunea, as the tenth
and last. He farther states that she was worshipped at Tibur, on the
banks of the Anio. Suidas also says, Askut7] ij T L,iovpria, bvop.art 'Aa-
fiovvala. Eustace is in favor of the " Grotto of Neptune," as it is called
at the present day, a cavern in the rock, to which travellers descend in
order to view the second fall of the Anio. (Class. To7ir, vol. ii., p. 230,
Lond.ed.) Others, again, suppose that the domus Albunea? was in the
neighborhood of the Aqua Albulte, sulphureous lakes, or now rather pools,
close to the Via Tiburtina, leading from Rome to Tibur; and it is said,
in defence of this opinion, that, in consequence of the hollow ground in the
vicinity returning an echo to footsteps, the spot obtained from Horace the
epithet of resonant is. (Spence's Polymetis.) Tlie idea is certainly an in-
genious one, but it is conceived that such a situation would give rise to
feelings of insecurity rather than of pleasure.
13-15. 13. Prceceps Anio. "The headlong Anio." This river, now
the Tcverone, is famed for its beautiful cascades near the ancient town
of Tibur, now Ttvoli. — Tiburni lucus. This grove, in the vicinity of Tibur,
took its name from Tiburnus, who had here divine honors paid to his mem-
ory.— 15. Albus ut obscuro. Some editions make this the commencement
of a new ode, on account of the apparent want of connection between
this part and what precedes ; but consult the introductory remarks to the
present ode, where the connection is fully shown. By the Albus Xotus,
" the clear south wind," is meant the Asvkovotoc, or 'Apyearrjc Roroc (II.,
11, 306) of the Greeks. This wind, though for the most part a moist and
damp one, whence its name (voroc, a votlc, "moisture," "humidity"), in
certain seasons of the year well merited the appellation here given it by
Horace, producing clear and serene weather. — Deterget. " Chases away "
Literally, "wipes away." Present tense of deter geo.
19-22. 19. Molli mero. "With mellow wine." Some editions place a
comma after tristitiam in the previous line, and regard molli as a verb in
the imperative : " and soften the toils of life, O Plancus, with wine." This,
however, is inferior. — 21. Tui. Alluding either to its being one of his fa-
vorite places of retreat, or, more probably, to the villa which he possessed
there. — Teucer. Son of Telamon, king of Salamis, and Hesione, daughter
of Laomedon, and, consequently, half-brother of Ajax. On his return from
the Trojan war, he was banished by his father for not having avenged his
brother's death. Having sailed, in consequence of this, to Cyprus, he there
built a town called Salamis (now Costanza), after the name of his native
city and island. — 22. Uda Lyao. "Wet with wine." Lyams is from the
Greek Avaloe, an appellation given to Bacchus, in allusion to his freeing
the mind from care (Aveiv, "to loosen," "to free"). Compare the Latin
epithet Liber ("qui liberat a cura").
23-32. 23. Populea. The poplar was sacred to Hercules. Teucer
wears a crown of it on the present occasion, either as the general badge
of a hero, or because he was offering a sacrifice to Hercules. The white
or Bilver poplar is the species here meant. — 26. O socii comitesqiie. " O
companions in arms and followers." Socii refers to the chieftains who
M2
274 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE VIII.
were his companions : comites, to then- respective followers. — 27. Auspice
Teucro. "Under the auspices of Teucer." — 29. Ambiguam tcllure nova,
ice. " That Salamis will become a name of ambiguous import by reason
of a new land." A new city of Salamis shall arise in a new land (Cyprus),
so that whenever hereafter the name is mentioned, men will be in doubt,
for the moment, whether the parent city is meant, in the island of the
same name, or the colony in Cyprus. — 32. Cras ingens itcrabimus aqnor.
" On the morrow, we will again traverse the mighty surface of the deep.''
They had just returned from the Trojan war, and were now a second time
to encounter the dangers of ocean. The verb iterare is employed here in
a sense somewhat similar to that which occurs in Columella, ii., 4 :
11 Quod jam proscissum est iterare," i. e., "to plough again."
Ode VIII. Addressed to Lydia, and reproaching her for detaining the
young Sybaris, by her alluring arts, from the manly exercises in which be
had been accustomed to distinguish himself.
2-5. 2. Amando. "By thy love." — 4. Campum. Alluding to the Cam-
pus Martius, the scene of the gymnastic exercises of the Roman youth.
— Pattens pulveris atque solis. " Though once able to endure the dust
and the heat." — 5. Militaris. "In martial array." Among the sports of
the Roman youth were some in which they imitated the costume and
movements of regular soldiery.
6-9. 6. ^Equates. " His companions in years." Analogous to the
Greek rove ?)?UKac. — Gallica nee lupatis, &c. "Nor manages the Gallic
steeds with curbs fashioned like the teeth of wolves." The Gallic steeds
were held in high estimation by the Romans. Tacitus {Ann., ii., 5) speaks
of Gaul's being at one time almost drained of its horses : "fessas Gallias
ministrandis equis." They were, however, so fierce and spirited a breed,
as to render necessary the employment of "frena lupata," i. e., curbs
armed with iron points resembling the teeth of wolves. Compare the cor-
responding Greek terms ?ivkoi and e^lvot- — 8. Flavum Tiberim. Com-
pare Explanatory Notes, Ode ii., 13, of this book. — 9. Olivum. "The oil
of the ring." Wax was commonly mixed with it, and the composition
was then termed ceroma (KTjpufia). With this the wrestlers were anoint-
ed in order to give pliability to their limbs, and, after anointing their bod-
ies, were covered with dust, for the purpos-e of affording their antagonists
a better hold.
10-16. 10. Armis. "By martial exercises." — 11. S&pe disco, <fcc
"Though famed for the discus often cast, for the javelin often hurled, be-
yond the mark." The discus (diaiioc), or quoit, was round, flat, and perfo-
rated in the centre. It was made either of iron, brass, lead, or stone, and
vas usually of great weight. Some authorities are in favor of a central
iperture, others are silent on this head. The Romans borrowed this ex-
ercise from the Greeks, and, among the latter, the Lacedaemonians were
particularly attached to it. — 12. Expedito. This term carries with it the
idea of great skill, as evinced by the ease of performing these exercises. —
13. Ut marina, &c. Alluding to the story of Achilles having been con-
*ealed in female vestments at the court of Lycomedes, king of Scyros, i»
EXPLANATORY NOTES. — -BOOK I., ODE IX. 275
order to avoid going- to the Trojan war. — 14. Sub lacrymosa Trojcefunera.
" On the eve of the mournful carnage of Troy," i. e., in the midst of the
preparations for the Trojan war. — 15. Virilis cultus. "Manly attire."-—
16. In ccc&em et Lycias catervas. A hendiadys. " To the slaughter of the
Trojan bands." Lycias is here equivalent to Trojanas, and refers to the
collected forces of the Trojans and their allies.
Ode IX. Addressed to Thaliarchus, whom some event had robbed of
his peace of mind. The poet exhorts his friend to banish care from his
breast, and, notwithstanding the pressure of misfortune, and the gloomy
severity of the winter season, which then prevailed, to enjoy the present
hour and leave the rest to the gods.
The commencement of this ode would appear to have been imitated
from Alcasus.
2-3. 2. Soracte. Mount Soracte lay to the southeast of Falerii, in the
territory of the Falisci, a part of ancient Etruria. It is now called Monte
S. Silvestro, or, as it is by modern corruption sometimes termed, Sunt'
Oreste. — 3. Laborantes. This epithet beautifully describes the forests as
struggling and bending beneath the weight of the superincumbent ice and
snow. The difference between the temperature of summer and winter in
ancient Italy may be safely assumed, from this as well as other passages,
to have been much greater than it now is. Compare note on Ode i., 2, 1.
3-10. 3. Gelu acuta. " By reason of the keen frost." — 5. Dissolve fn-
gus. " Dispel the cold." — 6. Benignius. "More plentifully," i. e., than
usual. "We may supply solito. Some regard benignius here as an ad-
jective, agreeing with merum, "rendered more mellow by age ;" but the
Horatian term in such cases is mitis. — 7. Sabina diota. " From the Sa-
bine jar." The vessel is here called Sabine, from its containing wine
made in the country of the Sabines. The diota received its name from
its having two handles or eai*s (die and ovc). It contained generally forty-
eight sextarii, about twenty-seven quarts English measure. — 9. Qui simvl
stravere, &c. "For, as soon as they have lulled," &c. The relative is
here elegantly used to introduce a sentence, instead of a personal pronoun
with a particle. — ^Squore fervido. " Over the boiling surface of the deep."
13-24. 13. Fuse qucErere. " Avoid inquiring." Seek not to know. —
14. Quod Fors dierufn cunque dabit. A tmesis for quodcunque dierum
fors dabit, i. e., quemcunque diem, &c. — Lucro appone. "Set down as
gain." — 16. Pucr. "While still young."' — Neque tu clwreas. The use, or
rather repetition, of the pronoun before choreas is extremely elegant, as
denoting earnestness of injunction, and in imitation of the Greek. — 17. Do-
nee virenti, <5cc. "As long as morose old age is absent from thee, still
blooming with youth." — 18. Campus et area. " Rambles both in the Cam-
pus Martius and along the public walks." By area are here meant those
parts of the city that were free from buildings, the same, probably, as the
squares and parks of modern days, where young lovers were fond of stroll-
ing.— Sub noctem. "At the approach of evening." — 21. Nunc et lo.tentis,
&c. The order of the construction is, et nunc gratus risus (repetatur^ ab
intimo angulo, proditor latentis puellce. The verb repetofycr is under
276 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE X.
stood. The poet alludes to some youthful sport, by the rules of which a
forfeit was exacted from the person whose place of concealment was dis-
covered, whether by the ingenuity of another, or the voluntary act of the
party coucealed. — 24. Male pertinaci. "Faintly resisting." Pretending
only to oppose.
Ode X. In praise of Mercury. Imitated, according to the Scholiast
Porphyrion, from the Greek poet Alcaeus.
1-6. 1. Facunde. Mercury was regarded as the inventor of language
and the god of eloquence. — Nepos Allan/is. Mercury was the fabled son
of Maia, one of the daughters of Atlas. — The word Atlantis must be pro-
nounced here A-tlantis, in order to keep the penultimate foot a trochee.
This peculiar division of syllables is imitated from the Greek. — 2. Feros
cullus komiiium recentum. " The savage manners of the early race of
men." The ancients believed that the early state of mankind was but
little removed from that of the brutes. — 3. Voce. " By the gift of lan-
guage." — Catus. " Wisely." Mercury wisely thought that nothing
would sooner improve and soften down the savage maimers of the prim-
itive race of men than mutual intercourse, and the interchange of ideas by
means of language. Calus, according to Varro, was a word of Sabine or-
igin. Its primitive meaning was " acute" or " shrill," aud hence it came
co signify " shrewd," " sagacious," &c. — Decora more pal&strce. " By the
institution of the grace-bestowing palaestra." The epithet decora is here
used to denote the effect produced on the human frame by gymnastic ex-
ercises.— 6. Curva lyra parentem. "Parent of the bending lyre." Mer-
cury [Hymn, in Merc, 20, seqq.) is said, while still an infant, to have form-
ed the lyre from a tortoise which he found in his path, stretching seven
strings over the hollow shell (e~ru 6i <jvp,(j)0)vovc olcjv iravvoaaro x°P~
due). Hence the epithets 'Ep/xain and Kv/^nvuin, which are applied to
this instrument, and hence, also, the custom of designating it by the terms
Xe/.vc, clielys, testudo, &c. Compare Gray [Progress of Poesy), " En
chanting shell." Another, aud pi-obably less accurate account, makes
this deity to have discovered, on the banks of the Nile, after the subsiding
of an inundation, the shell of a tortoise, with nothing remaining of the
body but the sinews : these, when touched, emitted a musical sound, and
gave Mercury the first hint of the lyre. (Compare Isidor., Orig., hi., 4.)
It is very apparent that the fable, whatever the true version may be, has
an astronomical meaning, and contains a reference to the seven planets,
and to the pretended music of the spheres.
9-11. 9. Te Loves ohm nisi reddidisses, &c. " "While Apollo, in former
days, seeks, with threatening accents, to terrify thee, still a mere stripling,
unless thou shouldst have restored the cattle removed by thy art, he laughed
to find himself deprived also of his quiver." — Botes. The cattle of Adme-
tus were fed by Apollo on the banks of the Amphrysus, in Thessaly, after
that deity had been banished for a time from the skies for destroying the
Cyclopes. Mercury, still a mere infant, drives off fifty of the herd, and
conceals them near the Alpheus, nor does he disclose the place where
they are hidden until ordered so to do by his sire. (Hymn, in Merc, 70,
seqq.) Lucian (Dial., D., 7) mentions other sportive thefts of the sam<
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE XI. 277
ieity, by which he deprived Neptune of his trident, Mars of his sword,
Apollo of his bow, Venus of her cestus, and Jove himself of his sceptre.
He would have stolen the thunderbolt also, bad it not been too heavy and
'uw. {El 6e fif] fiapv-epoc 6 KEpavvbc r/v, nai tzoav to rtvp eixe, kukeivov
av vqei/.eto. Lucian. I. c.) — 11. Viduus. A Graecism for viduum se sen-
TiC7is. norace, probably following Alcaeus, blends together two mytho-
logical events, which, according to other authorities, happened at distinct
periods. The Hymn to Mercury merely speaks of the theft of the cattle,
after which Mercury gives the lyre as a peace-offering to Apollo. The
only allusion to the arrows of the god is where Apollo, after this, express-
es his fear lest the son of Maia may deprive him both of these weapons
and of the lyre itself.
Aetdia, Macddoc vie, diunrope, TroiKi?.ofiTJTa,
lirj pot uvaKAE^rrjc Kcddprjv nai fcapTrv/ia ro^a.
13-19. 13. Quin et Atridas, fee. "Under thy guidance, too, the rich
Priam passed unobserved the haughty sons of Atreus." Alluding to the
visit which the aged monarch paid to the Grecian camp in order to ran-
som the corpse of Hector. Jupiter ordered Mercury to be his guide, and
to conduct him unobserved and in safety to the tent of Achilles. (Consult
Homer, II., 24, 336, seqq.) — 14. Dives Priamus. Alluding not only to his
wealth generally, but also to the rich presents which he was bearing to
Achilles. — 15. Thessalos ig-nes. "The Thessalian watch-fires." Refer-
ring to the watches and troops of Achilles, the Thessalian leader, through
whom Priam had to pass in order to reach the tent of their leader. — 16. Fe-
ftllit. Equivalent here to the Greek i/.atiev- — 17. Tu pias loetis, &c.
Mercury is here represented in his most important character, as the guide
of departed spirits. Hence the epithets of ipvxo—ofXTZoc and veK.po-ofj.Tv6g,
or venpayuyor, so often applied to him. The verb reponis in the present
stanza receives illustration, as to its meaning, from the passage hi Virgil,
where the future descendants of jEneas are represented as occupying
abodes in the land of spirits previously to their beiug summoned to the
regions of day. {JEn., 6, 756, seqq.) Hence Mercury is here said "to
replace" the souls of the pious in, or " to restore" them to their former
abodes. — 18. Virgaque levem coerces, &c. " And with thy golden wand
dost check the movements of the airy throng." The allusion is to the
caduceus of Mercury, and coerces is a metaphor borrowed from a shepherd's
guiding of his flock, and keeping them together in a body with his pastoral
staff. — 19. Superis dcorum et imis. " To the upper ones and lowest ones
of the gods," i. e., to the gods above and below. A Graecism for superis
et imis deis.
Ode XI. Addressed to Leuconoe, by which fictitious name a female
friend of the poet's is thought to be designated. Horace, having discover-
ed that she was in the habit of consulting the astrologers of the day in or-
der to ascertain, if possible, the term both of her own as well as his ex-
istence, entreats her to abstain from such idle inquiries, and leave the
events of the future to the wisdom of the gods.
1-4. 1. Tu ne quccsieris. "Inquire not, I entreat." The subjunctive
mood is here used as a softened imperative, to express entreaty or request
278 EXI'LAXATOUY NOTEs. Ii;)OK i., ODE XII.
and the air of earnestness with which the poet addresses his female
friend is increased by the insertion of the personal pronoun. — 2. Finem.
" Term of existence.1' — Babylonios numeros. " Chaldean tables," i. e.,
tables of nativity, horoscopes. The Babylonians, or, more strictly speak-
ing, Chaldeans, were the great astrologers of antiquity, and constructed
tables for the calculation of nativities and the prediction of future events.
This branch of charlatanism made such progress and attained so regular a
form among them, that subsequently the terms Chaldean aud Astrologer
became completely synonymous. Rome was filled with these impostors.
— 3. Ut melius. " How much better is it." Equivalent to quanto sapicn-
iius. — Erit. For accident. — 4. Ultimam. " This as the last."
5-8. 5. Qua nunc oppositis, &c. "Which now breaks the strength
of the Tuscan sea on the opposing rocks corroded by its waves." By the
term pumicibis are meant rocks corroded aud eaten into caverns by the
constant dashing of the waters. — 5. Vina liques. "Filtrate thy wines."
Observe that sapias and liques are subjunctives used as imperatives.
[Zumpt, § 529.) The wine-strainers of the Romans were made of linen,
placed round a frame-work of osiers, shaped like an inverted cone. In
consequence of the various solid or viscous ingredients which the an-
cients added to their wines, frequent straining became necessary to pre-
sent inspissatiou. Consult Excursus VI. — Spatio brcvi, &c. " In conse-
quence of the brief duration of existence, cut short long hope (of the fu-
ture)," i. e., since human life is at best but a span, indulge in no lengthen-
ed hope of the future, but improve the present opportunity for enjoyment.
•—8. Carpe diem. "Enjoy the present day." A pleasing metaphor.
"Pluck" the present day as a flower from the stem, and enjoy its fra-
grance while it lasts.
Ode XII. Addressed to Augustus. The poet, intending to celebrate
the praises of his imperial master, pursues a course extremely flattering
to the vanity of the latter, by placing his merits on a level with those of
gods aud heroes. This ode is generally supposed to be in part imitated
from Pindar, Ol., ii., 1, seq. : 'Ava^npopjutyyec vpvoi, u. r. ?».
1-6. 1. Quern virum aut heroa. "What living or departed hero."
Compare the remark of the scholiast, " Quern virum- de vivis ? quern heroa
de mortuis ?" — Lyra vel acri tibia. "On the lyre, or shrill-toned pipe,"
i. e., in strains adapted to either of these instruments. — 2. Celebrare. A
Gra;cism for ad celebrandum. — Clio. The first of the nine Muses, and pre-
siding over epic poetry and history. — 3. Jocosa imago. " Sportive echo."
Understand vocis. Literally, "the sportive image (or reflection) of the
voice." As regards the term jocosa, compare the explanation of Orelli :
"Jocosa autem, quia viatores quasi consulto ludificatur, unde auribus ac-
cidat, ignorantes." — 5. In zimbrosis Heliconis oris. " Amid the shady
regions of Helicon." A mountain of Boeotia, sacred to Apollo and the
Muses. On its summit was the grove of the latter, and a little below
the grove was the fountain of Aganippe, produced from the earth by a blow
of the hoof of Pegasus. Helicon is now called Pal&ovouni or Zagora. —
6. Super Pindo. " On the summit of Pindus." The chain of Pindus
separated Thessaly from Epirus. It was sacred to Apollo and the Muses
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE XII. 27S
— H&mo. Mount Hoernus stretches its great belt round the north of TJirace,
In a direction nearly parallel with the coast of the iEgean. The modern
name is Emineh Dag, or Balkan.
7-15. 7. Vocalem. "The tuneful." — Temere. "In wild confusion."
Compare the explanation of Orelli : " Promiscue, sine ordine, cur secta-
rentur cantorem vix sibi conscice." The scene of this wonderful feat of
Orpheus was near Zone, on the coast of Thrace. {Mela, 2, 2.) — 9. Arte
materna. Orpheus was the fabled son of Calliope, one of the Muses. —
11. Blandum et auritas, &c. " Sweetly persuasive also to lead along
with melodious lyre the listening oaks," i. e., who with sweetly persua-
sive accents and melodious lyre led along, Sec. The epithet auritas is
here applied to quercus by a bold image. The oaks are represented as fol-
lowing Orpheus with pricked-up ears. — 13. Quidprius dicam, ice. "What
shall I celebrate before the accustomed praises of the Parent of us all ?"
Some read parentum instead of parentis, "What shall J first celebrate,
in accordance with the accustomed mode of praising adopted by our fa-
thers 1" Others, retaining parentum, place an interrogation after dicam,
and a comma after laudibus. " What shall I first celebrate in song I In
accordance with the accustomed mode of praising adopted by our fathers, I
will sing of him who," &c. — 15. Variis horis. "With its changing sea-
sons."— Temperat. " Controls."
17-26. 17. Unde. "From whom." Equivalent to ex quo, and not, as
some maintain, to qvare. Compare Sat., i., 6, 12, and ii., 6, 21. — 19. Proxi-
mos tamen, &c. " Pallas, however, enjoys honors next in importance to
his own." Minerva had her temple, or rather shrine, in the Capitol, on the
right side of that of Jupiter, while Juno's merely occupied the left. Some
commentators think that Minerva was the only one of the deities after
Jupiter who had the i*ight of hurling the thunderbolt. This, however, is
expressly contradicted by ancient coins. (Rasche, Lex. Rci Numism.,
vol. ii., pt. 1, p. 1192. Heyne, Excurs. ad Virg., sEn., 1, 42.) — 21. Proeliis
audax Liber. The victories of Bacchus, and especially his conquest of
India, form a conspicuous part of ancient mythology. — 22. S&vis inimica
Virgo belluis. Diana. Compare her Greek epithets SnponTOVOc and
iox£(itpa. — 25. Alcidcn. Hercules, the reputed grandsou of Alcaeus. —
Puerosqzce Led<e. Castor and Pollux. — 26. Hinic. Alluding to Castor.
Compare the Homeric Kdcropa L7c~66up.ov. {H-,3, 237.) — Ilium. Pollux.
Compare the Homeric rrt'jf uyadbv TLo?Lv6evKea. {II., I. c.) — Pugnis.
"In pugilistic encounters," literally, "with fists." Ablative oipugnus.
27-35. 27. Quorum simul alba, &c " As soon as the propitious star
of each of whom," &c. Alba is here used not so much in the sense of
lucida and clara, as in that of purum ac serenum caslum reddens. Com-
pare the expression Albus Xotus {Ode i., 7, 15), and Explanatory Notes
on Ode i., 3, 2. — 29. Agitatus humor. "The foaming water." — 31. Ponto
rccumbit. " Subsides on the surface of the deep." — 34. Pompili. Numa
Pompilius. — Superbos Tarquini fasces. "The splendid fasces of Tarquin-
ius," i. e., the splendid and energetic reign of Tarquinius Priscus. Some
commentators refer these words to Tarquinius Superbus, but with less
propriety. The epithet superbos has the same force here as in Ode i., 35,
T. — 35. Catonis nobile letum. The allusion is to the younger Cato, who
280 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE XII.
put an end to his own existence at Utica. The poet calls his death a no-
ble one, without any fear of incurring the displeasure of Augustas, whose
policy it was to profess an attachment to the ancient forms of the repub-
lic, and a regard for its defenders. Cunningham conjectures Junii fazcts,
making the allusion to be to the first Brutus. Bentley, again, thinking
Calonis too bold, proposes Curti, as referring to Curtius, who devoted
himself for his country by plunging into the gulf or chasm at Rome.
37-41. 37. Rcgulum. Compare Ode iii., 5, where the story of Regulus
is touched upon. — Scauros. The house of the Scauri gave many distin-
guished men to the Roman republic. The most eminent among them
were M. ^Emilius Scaurus, princeps senatus, a nobleman of great ability,
and his son M. Scaurus. The former held the consulship A.U.C. 639. Sal-
lust gives an unfavorable account of him {Jug., 15). Cicero, on the other
hand, highly extols his virtues, abilities, and achievements {De Off., 1, 22
et 30. Brut., 29. Orat. pro Murcp.na, 7). Sallust's account is evidently
tinged with the party-spirit of the day. — 38. Paullum. Paullus iErnilius,
consul with Terentius Varro, and defeated, along with his colleague, by
Hannibal, in the disastrous battle of Cannae. — Pceno. "The Carthagin-
ian." Hannibal. — 40. Fabricium. C. Fabricius Luscinus, the famed op-
ponent of Pyrrhus and of the Samuites. It was of him Pyrrhus declared
that it would be more difficult to make him swerve from his integrity than
to turn the sun from its course. (Compare Cic, de Off-, 3, 22. Vol. Max.,
4, 3.) — 41. Incomtis Curium capillis. Alluding to Manius Curius Denta-
tus, the conqueror of Pyrrhus. The expression incomtis capillis refers
to the simple and austere manners of the early Romans.
42-44. 42. Camillum. M. Furius Camillus, the liberator of his coun
try from her Gallic invaders. — 43. S&ua paupertas. " A life of hardy pri
vation," i. e., a life of privation, inuring to toil and hardship. Pauperta?
retains here its usual force, implying, namely, a want not of the neces-
saries, but of the comforts of life. — Et avitus apto cum lare fundus. " And
an hereditary estate, with a dwelling proportioned to it." The idea in-
tended to be conveyed is, that Curius and Camillus, in the midst of scanty
resources, proved far more useful to their country than if they had been
the owners of the most extensive possessions, or the votaries of luxury.
45-47. 45. Crescit occulto, &c. " The fame of Marcellus increases like
a tree amid the undistinguished lapse of time." The term Marcelli here
contains a double allusion, first to the celebrated M. Claudius Marcellus,
the conqueror of Syracuse, and opponent of Hannibal, and secondly to the
young Marcellus, the son of Octavia, and nephew of Augustus. The fame
of the earlier Marcellus, increasing secretly though steadily in the lapse
of ages, is now beginning to bloom anew in the young Marcellus, and to
promise a harvest of fresh glory for the Roman name. — 46. Micat inter
omnes, &c. The young Marcellus is here compared to a bright star, il-
luming with its effulgence the Julian line, and forming the hope and
glory of that illustrious house. He married Julia, the daughter of Augus
tus, and was publicly intended as the successor of that emperor, but his
early death, at the age of eighteen, frustrated all these hopes and plunged
the Roman world in mourning. Virgil beautifully alludes to him at tin
close of the sixth book of the iEneid. — Julium sidus. "The star of th«=
EXPLANATORY NOTES. buOK I., ODE XIII. & i
Julian Hue," i. e., the glory of the Julian house, commencing with Caesar,
and perpetuated in Augustus. — 47. Ignes minores. " The feebler fires of
the night." The stars.
50-54. 50. Orte Saturno. Jupiter, the Greek Kpoviuv- — 51. Tu secun-
<Lo Ccesare regnes. " Reign thou (in the heavens) with Caesar as thy vice-
gerent (upon earth)," i. e., Grant, I pray, that thou mayest so parcel out
thy empire as to sway thyself the sceptre of the skies, and allow Augus-
tus to represent thee upon earth. Observe the employment of the sub-
junctive for the imperative. — 53. Parthos Latio imminentes . Horace is
generally supposed to have composed this ode at the time that Augustus
was preparing for an expedition against the Parthians, whom the defeat
of Crassus, and the check sustained by Antony, had elated to such a de-
gree, that the poet might well speak of them as '-now threatening the re-
pose of the Roman world." Latio is elegantly put for Romano imperio.
— 54. Egerit justo triumpho. "Shall have led along in just triumph."
The conditions of a "Justus triumphus," in the days of the republic, were
as follows : 1. The war must have been a just one, and waged with foreign-
ers ; no triumph was allowed in a civil war. 2. Above 5000 of the enemy
must have been slain in one battle (Appian says it was in his time 10,000).
3. By this victory the limits of the empire must have been enlarged.
55-60. 55. Subjectos Orientis ora. " Lying along the borders of the
East," i. e.t dwelling on the remotest confines of the East. Observe that
or<z is the dative, by a Graecism for sub ora. — Seras. By the Seres are
evidently meant the natives of China, whom an overland trade for silk hac
gradually, though imperfectly, made known to the western nations.—
57. Te minor. " Inferior to thee alone." Understand solo. — 59. ParurK
castis. " Polluted." Alluding to the corrupt morals of the day. The an-
cients had a belief that lightning never descended from the skies except
on places stained by some pollution.
Ode XIII. Addressed to Lydia, with whom the poet had very proba-
bly quarrelled, and whom he now seeks to turn away from a passion for
Telephus. He describes the state of his own feelings, when praises are
bestowed by her whom he loves on the personal beauty of a hated rival ;
and, while endeavoring to cast suspicion upon the sincerity of the latter's
passion for her, he descants upon the joys of an uninterrupted union found-
ed on the sure basis of mutual affection.
2-8. 2. Cervicem roseam. " The rosy neck." Compare Virgil (dEn.,
1, 402) : "Rosea cervicc refuhit." — 3. Cerea brachia. The epithet cerea,
" waxen," carries with it the associate ideas of whiteness, glossy sur-
face, &.C, the allusion being to the white wax of antiquity. Bentley, how-
ever, rejects cerea, and reads lactea. — Telephi. The name is purposely
repeated, to indicate its being again and again on the lips of Lydia. —
Difficili bile. "With choler difficult to be repressed." The liver was
held to be the seat of all violent passions. — 6. Manent. The plural is here
employed, as equivalent to the double manet. It is given likewise by
Orelli, and has also strong MS. authority in its favor. Bentley, however,
prefers manet, on account of the preceding nee . . . nee, and lengthens the
282 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE XIV.
final syllable of manet by the arsis. Compare Zumpt, § 374, and the pas-
sage cited from Pliny, Paneg., 75. — Humor et in genas, &c. " And the
tear steals silently down my cheeks." — 8. Lentis ignibus. " By the slow-
consuming fires."
9-20. 9. Uror. " I am tortured at the sight." Equivalent to adspectu
crucior. — 10. Immodicce mero. "Rendered immoderate by wine." — 12.
Memorem. " As a memorial of his passion." — 13. Si me satis audias.
" If you give heed to me." If you still deem my words worthy of your at-
tention.— 14. Perpetuum. "That he will prove constant in his attach-
ment." Understand fore. — Dulcia barbare Icedeniem oscula. "Who bar-
barously wounds those sweet lips, which Venus has imbued with the fifth
part of all her nectar." Each god, observes Porson, was supposed to
have a given quantity of nectar at disposal, and to bestow the fifth or the
tenth part of this on any individual was a special favor. The common,
but incorrect interpretation of quinta parte is "with the quintessence." —
18. Irrupta copula. " An indissoluble union." — 20. Suprema die. "The
last day of their existence." Observe that suprema citius die is an un-
usual construction for citius quam suprema die.
Ode XIV. Addressed to the vessel of the state, just escaped from the
stormy billows of civil commotion, and in danger of being again exposed
to the violence of the tempest. This ode appears to have been composed
at the time when Augustus consulted Maecenas and Agrippa whether he
should resign or retain the sovereign authority. Some, however, refer it
to the dissensions between Octavianus and Antony, B.C. 32, which pre-
ceded the battle of Actium. In either case, however, the allegory must
not be too closely pressed.
1-8. 1. O navis, referunt, &c. " O ship ! new billows are bearing
thee back again to the deep." The poet, in his alarm, supposes the ves-
sel (i. e., his country) to be already amid the waves. By the term navis
his country is denoted, which the hand of Augustus had just rescued from
the perils of shipwreck ; and by mare the troubled and stormy waters of
civil dissension are beautifully pictured to the view. — 2. Novi Jluctus.
Alluding to the commotions which must inevitably arise if Augustus aban-
dons the helm of affairs. — 3. Portum. The harbor here meant is the tran-
quillity which was beginning to prevail under the government of Augus-
tus.— Ut nudum remigio latus. "How bare thy side is of oars." — 6. Ac
sine funibus carince. " And thy hull, without cables to secure it." Some
commentators think that the poet alludes to the practice common among
the ancients of girding their vessels with cables in violent storms, in order
to prevent the planks from starting asunder. Incarince we have the plu-
ral used emphatically for the singular, and intended to designate every
part of the hull. A similar usage occurs even in Cicero : " Quid tarn in
navigio necessarium quam latera, quam carinas, quam prora, quam pup-
pis ?" (De Or., iii^ 46) where some, less correctly, read cavernm. — Pos-
sunt. We have not hesitated to read gemunt and possunt, on good MS.
authority, as far more graphic than gemant and possint, the reading of
many editions. Even Bentley approves of the indicative here, though he
does not edit it — 8. Imperiosius cequor. " The increasing violence of th«
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE XV. 283
sea." The comparative describes the sea as growing every moment
more and more violent.
10-13. 10. Di. Alluding to the tutelary deities, Neptune, or Castor
and Pollux, whose images were accustomed to be placed, together with
a small altar, in the stern of the vessel. The figurative meaning of the
poet presents to us the guardian deities of Rome offended at the sangui-
nary excesses of the civil wars, and determined to withhold their protect-
ing influence if the state should be again plunged into anarchy and confu-
sion.— 11. Pontica pinus. "Of Pontic pine." The pine of Pontus was
hard and durable, and of great value in ship-building. Yet the vessel of
the state is warned by the poet not to rely too much upon the strength of
her timbers. — 12. Silvcejilia nobilis. "The noble daughter of the forest."
A beautiful image, which Martial appears to have imitated (xiv., 90) :
" Xon sum Maurce Jilia silvan." — 13. Et genus et nomen inutile. "Both
thy lineage and unavailing fame." The idea intended to be conveyed by
the whole clause is as follows : " Idle, O my country ! will be the boast
of thy former glories, and the splendor of thy ancient name."
14-20. 14. Pictis puppibus. Besides being graced with the statues of
the tutelary deities, the sterns of ancient vessels were likewise embel-
lished, on the outside, with paintings and other ornaments. Hence Homer
occasionally calls ships pi/.roTrdpyoi, "red-cheeked." A purple color was
also sometimes employed. — 15. Nisi debes vends htdibrium. "Unless
thou art doomed to be the sport of the winds." An imitation of the Greek
idiom, 6$?.eiv yO.ura. — 17. Xuper sollicitum, &c. "Thou who wast lately
a source of disquietude and weariness to me, who at present art an object
of fond desire and strong apprehension," &c. The expression sollicitum
tcedium refers to the unquiet feelings which swayed the bosom of the poet
during the period of the civil contest, and to the weariness and disgust
which the long continuance of those scenes produced in his breast. Under
the sway of Augustus, however, his country again becomes the idol of his
warmest affections (desiderium), and a feeling of strong apprehension
{euro, non levis) takes possession of him, lest he may again see her in-
volved in the horrors of civil war. — 20. Xitentes Cycladas. "The Cycla-
des, conspicuous from afar." The epithet nitentes appears to refer, not so
much to the marble contained in most of these islands, as to the circum-
stance of its appearing along the coasts of many of the group, and render-
ing them conspicuous objects at a distance. (Compare Vanderbourg,
ad loc.)
Ode XV. This ode is thought to have been composed on the breaKin?
out of the last civil war between Octavianus and Antony. Nereus, the
sea-god, predicts the ruin of Troy at the very time that Paris bears Helen
over the iEgean Sea from Sparta. Uuder the character of Paris, the poet,
according to some commentators, intended to represent the infatuated An-
tony, whose passion for Cleopatra he foretold would be attended with the
same disastrous consequences as that of the Trojan prince for Helen ; and
by the Grecian heroes, whom Nereus, in imagination, beholds combined
against Ilium, Horace, it has been said, represents the leaders of the par-
ty of Augustus.
284 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE XV.
1-4. 1. Pastor. Paris, whoso early life was spent among the shr^v
herds of Mount Ida, in consequence of his mother's fearful dream. Sana-
don, who is one of those that attach an allegorical meaning to this ode,
thinks that the allusion to Antony commences with the very first word of
the poem, since Antony was one of the Luperci, or priests of Pan, the god
of shepherds. — Traherct. "Was bearing forcibly away." Horace here
follows the authority of those writers who make Helen to have been car-
ried off by Paris against her will. (Compare Ovid, Her., xvii., 21.) Some
commentators, however, make traherct here the same as raperet, i. e.,
tanquam prccdam secum abdnceret ; while others, again, regard the term
as equivalent to lenta navigatione circnmduceret, since Paris, according
to one of the scholiasts and Eustathius, did not go directly from Lacedae-
mon to Troy, but, in apprehension of being pursued, sailed to Cyprus,
Phoenicia, and Egypt. — Navibus Idceis. "In vessels made of the timber
of Ida." — 3. Ingrato otio. "In an unwelcome calm." Unwelcome, say
the commentators, to the winds themselves, which are ever restless, anil
ever love to be in motion. Hence they are styled by iEschylus nandoxo-
"koi. — 4. Ut caneret f era fata. " That he might foretell their gloomy des-
tinies."
5-12. 5. Mala avi. "Under evil omens." Compare Ode hi., 3, 61,
" alite lugubri ;" and Epod. x., 1, " mala alite." — 7. Conjurata iuas rum-
pere nnptias, &c. " Bound by a common oath to sever the union between
thee and thy loved one, and to destroy the ancient kingdom of Priam."
A Groecism for qua conjuravit se rvpturam. The term nuptias is here
used, not in its ordinary sense, but with reference to the criminal loves of
Paris and Helen. — 9. Quantus sudor. "What toil." — 10. Quanta funera.
"What carnage." — 11. ^Egida. "Her aegis." In Homer, the aegis (ai-
yic) is the shield of Jove, which Minerva sometimes bears (H., v., 738),
and this signification is retained by Seneca {Here. Fur., 905). At a later
period, it is Minerva's corselet (Evrip., Ion, 1012, ed. Herm. Ovid, Met.,
vi., 17). The term is used in this last sense on the present occasion. —
12. Et rabiem parat. " And is kindling up her martial fury." The zeug-
ma in parat, and the air of conciseness which it imparts to the style, are
peculiarly striking.
13-19. 13. Veneris prcesidio ferox. "Proudly relying on the aid of
Venus." This goddess favored him, since to her he had adjudged the
prize of beauty over Juno and Minerva. — 14. Grataque ferninis, Sec. "And
distribute pleasing strains among women on the unmanly lyre." The ex-
pression carmina dividere ferninis means nothing more than to execute
different airs for different females in succession. This is Ddring's explana-
tion, and is adopted by Dillenburger. Orelli's interpretation appears stiff
and far-fetched. It is as follows : " Cantus vocalis et citham soni inter se
conjuncti totam efficiunt symphoniani ; jam singulatim spectatis his par-
tibus, u.ol6t]v dividit cithara cantus, uotdrj citham sonos, id est, altera
utra dimidia totius symphonies pars est." The allegorical meaning is con-
sidered by some as being still kept up in this passage : Antony, accordiug
to Plutarch, lived for a time at Samos with Cleopatra, in the last excesses
of luxury, amid the delights of music and song, while all the world around
were terrified with apprehensions of a civil war. — 16. Thalamo. " In thy
bed-chamber," i. e., by seeking shelter therein. — 17. Calami spicula Cno
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK 1., ODE XVI. 285
sii. Cnosus was one of the oldest and most important cities of Crete, sit-
uate on the River Caeratus. Hence Cnosius is taken by synecdoche in
the seuse of " Cretan." The inhabitants of Crete were famed for their skill
in archery. The correct form of the name of the city is Cnosus, as appears
from coins [Eckltel, Doctr. Num., ii., p. 307), not Cuossus, or Gnossus, as
commonly written. Hence the true form of the gentile adjective is
Cnosius, not Cnossius or Gnossius. — 18. Strepitumquc, et celerem sequi
Ajacem. "And the din of battle, and Ajax swift in pursuit.'' The ex
pressiou celerem sequi is a Groecism for celerem ad sequendum. The Oileat
Ajax is here meant, who was famed for his swiftness, and whom Homei
calls 'Oi?>7Joe ruxi'C Alag. {H-, ii., 527.) — 19. Tamen. This particle is
to be referred to quamvis, which is implied in servs, i. e., quamvis serus,
tamen collines. "Though late in the conflict, still,'' &c. Paris was
slain in the last year of the war by one of the arrows of Philoctetes.
21-28. 21. Laertiaden. " The son of Laertes." Ulysses. The Greek
form of the patronymic (AaepTtudnc) comes from Aaiprtoc, for AuiprTjc.
[MaithuB, G. G., vol. i., p. 130.) The skill and sagacity of Ulysses were
among the chief causes of the downfall of Troy. — 22. Pyhuvi Nestora.
There are three cities named Pylos in the Peloponnesus, two inElis and
one in Messenia, and all laid claim to the honor of being Nestor's birth-
place. Strabo is in favor of the Triphylian Pylos, in the district of Tri-
phylia, iu Elis. (Compare Heyne, ad II., 4, 591 ; 11, 681.) — 23. Salaminius
Teucer. Teucer, son of Telamon, king of Salamis, and brother of Ajax. —
24. Teucer. A trochee in the first place, to avoid which some read Teucer
te in place of Teucer et. — Sthenelus. Son of Capaneus, and charioteer of
Diomede. — 26. Merionen. Charioteer of Idomeueus, king of Crete. —
28. Tydides melior patre. " The son of Tj'deus, in arms superior to his
sire." Horace appears to allude to the language of Sthenelus (//., 4, 405) in
defeuding himself and Diomede from the reproaches of Agamemnon, when
the latter was marshalling his forces after the violation of the truce by
Pandarus, and thought that he perceived reluctance to engage on the part
of Diomede and his companion. 'Hf/elc rot Traripuv fiiy' ufieivovec ev-
%6/Lied' elvai, are the words of Sthenelus, who means that they, the Epi-
goni, were braver than their sires, for they took the city of Thebes, before
which their fathers had fallen.
29-35. 29. Quern tu, cervus, &c. " Whom, as a stag, unmindful of its
pasture, flees from a wolf seen by it in the opposite extremity of some
valley, thou, effeminate one, shalt flee from with deep pantings, not hav-
ing promised this to thy beloved." Compare Ovid, Her., 16, 356. — 33. Ira-
cunda diem, &c. Literally, "The angry fleet of Achilles shall protract
the day of destruction for Ilium," <5cc, i. e., the anger of Achilles, who re-
tired to his fleet, shall protract, <5cc. — 35. Post certas hiemes. "After a
destined period of years." — Ignis lliacas domos. We have here a tro-
chee in the first place, as in line 24. Some editors, in order to bring in
the spondee, read Pergameas, which makes an awkward change from
Ilio in line 33. Withofius, with much more taste, proposes barbarioas.
Ode XVI. Horace, in early life, had written some severe verses against
a young female. He now retracts his injurious expressions, and lays the
286 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE XVI.
blame on the ardent and impetuous feelings of youth. The ode turns
principally on the fatal effects of unrestrained anger. An old commentatoi
informs us that the name of the female was Gratidia, and that she is the
same with the Canidia of the Epodes. Acron and Porphyrion call her
Tyndaris, whence some have been led to infer that Gratidia, whom Horace
attacked, was the parent, and that, being now in love with her daughter
Tyndaris, he endeavors to make his peace with the former by giving up his
injurious vei-ses to her resentment. Acron, however, farther states, that
Horace, in his Palinodia, imitates Stesichorus, who, having lost his sight
as a punishment for an ode against Helen, made subsequently a full re-
cantation, and was cured of his blindness. Now, as Tyndaris was the
patronymic appellation of Helen, why may not the Roman poet have
merely transferred this name from the Greek original to his own produc-
tion, without intending to assign it any particular meaning?
2-5. 2. Criminosis iambis. "To my injurious iambics." The iambic
measure was peculiarly adapted for satirical effusions. In the heroic
hexameter, which preceded it, there was a measured movement, with its
arsis and thesis of equal lengths ; whereas in the iambic versification the
arsis was twice as long as the thesis, and therefore its light, tripping
character was admirably adapted to express the lively play of wit and
sarcasm. — 4. Mari Hadriano. The Adriatic is here put for water general-
ly. The ancients were accustomed to cast whatever they detested either
into the flames or the water. — 5. Non Dindymene, &c. "Nor Cybele,
nor the Pythian Apollo, god of prophetic inspiration, so agitate the minds
of their priesthood in the secret shrines, Bacchus does not so shake the
soul, nor the Corybantes when they strike with redoubled blows on the
shrill cymbals, as gloomy anger rages." Understand quatiunt with Cory-
bantes and tree respectively, and observe the expressive force of the zeug-
ma. The idea intended to be conveyed is, when divested of its poetic
attire, simply this : "Nor Cybele, nor Apollo, nor Bacchus, nor the Cory-
bantes, can shake the soul as does the power of anger." — Dindymene.
The goddess Cybele received this name from being worshipped on Mount
Dindymus, near the city of Pessinus in Galatia, a district of Asia Minor
She was worshipped with wild and orgiastic rites.
6-11. 6. Incola Pythius. The term incola beautifully expresses the
prophetic inspiration of the god : "habitans quasi in pectore." — 8. Cory-
bantes. The Corybantes were the enthusiastic priests of Cybele, who
with drums, cymbals, horns, and in full armor, performed their orgiastic
dances in the forests and on the mountains of Phrygia. — 9. Noricus ensis.
The iron of Noricum was of an excellent quality, and hence the expression
Noricus ensis is used to denote the goodness of a sword. Noricum, after
its reduction under the Roman sway, corresponded to the modern Carin-
thia, Styria, Salzburg, and part of Austria and Bavaria. — 11. S&vus
ignis. " The unsparing lightning." The^re of the skies. — Nee tremendo,
&c. " Nor Jove himself, rushing down with fearful thunderings." Com-
pare the Greek expression Zevg Karai(3aT7]c, applied to Jove hurling his
thunderbolts.
13-16. 13. Fertur Prometheus, Sec. According to the legend here fol-
lowed by Horace, it appears that Prometheus, or his brother Epimetheus.
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE XVI. 28"7
ha ring exhausted his stock of materials in the formation of other animals,
was compelled to take a part from each of them (particulam undique dc-
sectayn), and added it to the clay which formed the primitive element of
man {principi limo). Hence the origin of anger, Prometheus having
"placed in our breast the wild rage of the lion" (insani leonis vtm, 1. e.,
insanam leonis vim). Whence Horace borrowed this legend is uncertain,
probably from some Greek poet. The creation of the human race out
of clay by Prometheus is unknown to Homer and Hesiod, and can not
be traced higher than Erinna. {Anthol. Pal., i., p. 301, ep., 352.) The
(iidog of Prometheus, as given by Protagoras in the Platonic dialogue of
that name (p. 320), approaches very nearly to it. — 16. Stomacho. The term
stomackus properly denotes the canal through which aliment descends
into the stomach : it is then taken to express the upper orifice of the
stomach (compare the Greek napdia), and finally the ventricle in which
the food is digested. Its reference to anger or choler arises from the cir-
cumstance of a great number of nerves being situated about the upper
orifice of the stomach, which render it very sensitive; and from thence also
proceeds the great sympathy between the stomach, head, and heart.
17-18. 17. Tree. "Angry contentions," i. e., the indulgence of angry
feelings between the brothers Atreus and Thyestes. — Thyesten exitio
gravi stracere. These words, besides containing a general allusion to the
ruined fortunes of Thyestes, have also a special reference to his having
been made to banquet, unconsciously, upon the flesh of his own sons. — 18.
Et altis urbibus, &c. "And have been the primary cause to lofty cities
why," &c. A Graecism for et ultima stetere causes cur alta urbes fundi-
lus perirent. "And have ever been the primary cause why lofty cities
perished from their very foundations," i. e., have been utterly destroyed.
Compare, as regai'ds the epithet ultima, the explanation of Orelli : " ab
ultimo initio repetitce, et propterea prteciputs." The expression altis ur-
bibus is in accordance with the Greek, alizv nroXledpov, noXic alireiij.
The elegant use of stetere for exstitere or fuere must be noted. It carries
with it the accompanying idea of something fixed and certain. Compare
Virgil (uEn., vii., 735) : " Stant belli caused."
20-27. 20. Imprimeretque muris, &c. Alluding to the custom, preva-
lent among the ancients, of drawing a plough over the ground previously
occupied by the walls and buildings of a captured and ruined city, and
sowing salt, as the type of barrenness, in the furrows. — 22. Compesce
mentein. " Restrain thy angry feelings." — Pectoris tentavit fervor. "The
glow of resentment seized." Literally, "made trial of." The poet lays
the blame of his injurious effusion on the intemperate feelings of youth,
which hurried him away. — 24. Celeres iambos. "The rapid iambics."
The rapidity of this measure rendered it peculiarly fit to give expression
to anerry feelings. Compare note on " criminosis iambis," v. 2, and also
the Epistle to tlie Pisos, v. 251. — 25. Mitibus mutare tristia. " To ex-
change bitter taunts for soothing strains." Mitibus, though, when render-
ed into our idiom, it has the appearance of a dative, is in reality the ab-
lative, as being the instrument of exchange. — 27. Recantatis opprobriis.
" My injurious expressions being recanted." — Animum. " My peace of
mind."
288 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE XVII.
Ode XVII. Horace, having in the last ode made his peace with Tyn
daris, now invites ner to his Sabine farm, where she will find retirement
and security from the brutality of Cyras, who had treated her with un-
manly rudeness and cruelty. In order the more certainly to induce an ac-
ceptance of his offer, he depicts in attractive colors the salubrious position
of his rural retreat, the tranquillity which reigns there, and the favoring
protection extended to him by Faunus and the other gods.
1-4. 1. Velox amcefium, &c. " Ofttimes Faunus, in rapid flight, changes
Mount Lycasus for the fair Lucretilis." Lycceo is here the ablative, as de-
noting the instrument by which the change is made. They who make
this an hypallage for Lucretili . . . Lycamrn, confound the English idiom
with the Latin. — Lucretilem. Lucretilis was a mountain in the country
of the Sabines, and amid its windings lay the farm of the poet. It is now
Monte Libretti. — 2. Lycceo. Mount Lycagus was situated in the south-
western angle of Arcadia, and was sacred to Faunus or Pan. — Faunus.
Faunus, the god of shepherds and fields among the Latins, appears to
have become gradually identified with the Pan of the Greeks. — 3. Defendit.
"Wards off." — 4. Pluviosque ventos. "And the rainy winds." The poet
sufficiently declares the salubrious situation of his Sabine farm, when he
speaks of it as being equally sheltered from the fiery heats of summer,
and the rain-bearing winds, the sure precursors of disease.
5-17. 5. Arbutos. Compare the note on Ode i., 1, 21. — 6. Thyma. The
thyme of the ancients is not our common thyme, but the thymus capitatus,
qui Dioscoridis, which now grows in great plenty on the mountains of
Greece. — 7. Ole?itis uxores mariti. "The wives of the fetid husband."
A periphrasis for caprce. — 9. Nee Martiales Hcedilice lupos. " Nor the
fierce wolves of Haadilia." It appears from a gloss appended to one of the
earliest MSS., that Huedilia was a mountain in the vicinity of the poet's
farm, infested by wolves. All the MSS. have Hcedilice ; but the copyists,
uot understanding the meaning of the term, changed it to liinnulcw, which
last, Bentley, by an ingenious emendation, and guided by analogy, altered
into the new word hcedulece, "young female kids." The restoration of the
true reading of the MSS. was made by Orelli. The epithet Martiales, as
applied to lupos, has a double meaning, since it indicates the wolf not only
as a fierce and savage animal, but also one sacred to Mars. — 10. Utcunque.
"Whenever." For quandocunque. — 11. Usticce cubantis. "Of the low-
lying Ustica," i. e., gently sloping. This was a small mountain near the
poet's fartn. — 12. Levia. In the sense of attrita, " worn smooth by the
mountain rills." — 14. Hie tibi copia, &c. " Here plenty, rich in rural hon-
ors, shall flow in to thee, from benignant horn filled to the very brim." A
figurative allusion to the horn of Plenty. — 17. Ln reducta valle. " In a
winding vale.'" — Caniculce. We translate this term by " the dog-star,"
without specifying whether we mean Sirius, the great dog-star, or Pro-
cyon, the little dog-star. It may, however, be either, since their heliacal
risings do not differ by many days. But, strictly speaking, canicula is
Procyon, and the dies caniculares, or classical " dog-days," are the twenty
days preceding and the twenty days following the heliacal rising of Ca-
nicula.
18-21. 18. Fide Tela. " On the Teian lyre," i. e., in Auacreontic strain
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE XVII. 289
Anacreon was born at Teos, in Asia Minor. — 19. Laborante* in uno.
" Striving ior one and the same hero," i. e., Ulysses. Laborantea is ex-
tremely graphic here, and implies that anxious state of feeling which they
who love are wont to experience. — 20. Vitreamque Circen. "And glass-
like Circe,'' i. e., as bright and dazzling, but, at the same time, as frail
and as unworthy of reliance as glass. Compare Sat., ii., 3, 222 : " Vitrea
fama." — 21. Ivnucentts Le*bii. The Lesbian wine would seem to have
possessed a delicious flavor, ibr it is said to have deserved the name of
ambrosia rather than of wine, and to have been like nectar when old.
(Atheiuens, i., 22.) Horace terms the Lesbian an innocent or unintoxicat-
ing wiue ; but it was the prevailing opinion among the ancients that all
sweet wines were less injurious to the head, and less apt to cause iutox-
icatiou, than the strong dry wines. Consult JExcursusYlL
22-27. 22. Duces. "Thou shalt quaff." — 23. Semeleins Th//o?icns.
"Bacchus, offspring of Semele." This deity received the name of Thyo-
neus, according to the common account, from Thyoue, an appellation of
Semele. It is more probable, however, that the title in question was de-
rived from &vu), "to rage,'' "to rush wildly." — 24. Nee metues protcrintm,
&c. "Nor shalt thou, an object of jealous suspiciou. fear the rude Cyrus.'
— 23. Male di*pari. " 111 fitted to contend with him." — 26. Inconti mntes
'Rash," "violent." — 27. Coronam. Previous to the introduction of the
second course, the guests were provided with chapiets of leaves or flow-
ers, which they placed on their foreheads or temples, and occasionally,
also, on their cups. Perfumes were at the same time offered to such as
chose to anoint their face and hands, or have their garlands sprinkled with
them. This mode of adorning their persons, which was borrowed from
the Asiatic nations, obtained so universally among the Greeks and Ro-
mans, that, by almost every author after the time of Homer, it is spoken
of as the necessary accompaniment of the feast. It is said to have origi
nated from a belief that the leaves of certain plants, as the ivy, myrtle,
and laurel, or certain flowers, as the violet and rose, possessed the power
of dispersing the fumes and counteracting the noxious effects of wine. On
this account the ivy has been always held sacred to Bacchus, and formed
the basis of the wreaths with which his images, and the heads of his wor-
shippers, were encircled ; but, being deficient in smell, it was seldom em-
ployed for festal garlands, and in general the preference was given to the
myrtle, which, in addition to its cooling or astringent qualities, was sup-
posed to have an exhilarating influence on the mind. On ordinary occa-
sions, the guests were contented with simple wreaths fiom the latter
shrub; but, at their gayer entertainments, its foliage was entwined with
roses and violets, or such other flowers as were in season, and recom-
mended themselves by the beauty of their colors or the fragrance of their
smell. Much taste was displayed in the arrangement of these garlands,
which was usually confided to female hands ; and, as the demand for them
was great, the manufacture and sale of them became a distinct branch of
trade. To appear in a disordered chaplet was reckoned a sign of inebri-
ety ; and a custom prevailed of placing a garland, confusedly put together
Wvfiaiov c~r.6a.vov), on the heads of such as were gujlty of excess in their
cups. [Henderson's History of Ancient and Modern Wines, p. 119, seoq.)
N
290 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I», ODE XVIII.
Ode XVIII. Varus, the Epicurean, and friend of Augustus, of whon
mention is made by Q_uintilian (6, 3, 78), being engaged in setting out
trees along bis Tiburtiue possessions, is advised by the poet to give the
" sacred vine" the preference. Amid the praises, however, which he bo-
stows on the juice of the grape, the bard does not forget to inculcate a
useful lesson as to moderation in wine. The Varus to whom this ode is
addressed must not be confounded with the individual of the same name
who killed himself in Germany after his disastrous defeat by Arminius.
*-Ie is rather the poet Quintilius Varus, whose death, which happened
V.U.C. 729, Horace deplores in the 24th Ode of this book.
1-4. 1. Sacra. The vine was sacred to Bacchus, and hence the epi-
het afj,7re?io<{)VTup (" producer of the vine"), which is applied to this god.
—Pans. "In preference to." — Scveris. The subjunctive is here used as
a softened imperative : " Plant, I entreat." (Zumpt, § 529, note.) The
whole of this line is imitated from Alcoeus : Mqdev a/.Xo (bvrevoyc Trpore-
pov devdpeov ujUTreXu. — 2. Circa mite solum Tibwris. " In the soil of the
mild Tibur, around the walls erected by Catilus." The preposition circa
is here used with solum, as nepi sometimes is in Greek with the accusa-
tive : thus, Thucyd., 6, 2, rrepl ndcrav tjjv HiKeMav, "in the whole of
Sicily, round about." The epithet mite, though in grammatical construc-
tion with solum, refers in strictness to the mild atmosphere of Tibur. And,
lastly, the particle et is here merely explanatory, the town of Tibur hav-
ing been founded by Tiburtus, Coras, and Catillus or Catilus, sons of Cn-
tillus, and grandsons of Amphiaraus. Some commentators, with less pro-
priety, render mite sol urn "the mellow soil," and others "the genial soil."
The true idea is given by Braunhard : " Mite solum, propter aeris mitioris
temperiem." — 3. Siccis omnia nam dura, &c. "For the deity has made
all things appear difficult to those who abstain from wine." More literal-
ly, "has placed all things as difficult before the view of those," &c. The
meaning is simply this : the deity has made all those things, which they
who refrain from wine undertake, appear to them as burdensome and
difficult. — 4. Mordaces sollicitudines. "Gnawing cares." — Aliter. "By
any other means," i. e., by the aid of any other remedy than wine.
5-8. 5. Post vina. " After free indulgence in wine." The plural im-
parts additional force to the term. — Crepat. "Talks of." The verb in
this line conveys the idea of complaint, and is equivalent to "rails at," or
" decries." In the succeeding verse, however, where it is understood, it
implies encomium. — 6. Quis non te potins, &c. "Who is not rather loud
in thy praises." Understand crepat. — Deceits Venus. "Lovely Venus."
— 7. Modici munera Liberi. "The gifts of moderate Bacchus," i. e., mod
eration in wine. The appellation Liber, as applied to Bacchus, is a trans-
lation of the Greek epithet Avaloc, and indicates the deity who frees the
soul from cares. — 8. Centanrea monc/, &c. Alluding to the well-known
conflict between the Centaurs and Lapithae, which arose at the nuptials
of Pirithous, king of the Lapithae, and Hippodamia. — Super mero. " Over
their wine." Merum denotes wine in its pure and most potent state, un-
mixed with water. The Greeks and Romans generally drank their wines
diluted with water. The dilution varied according to the taste of the
drinkers, and the strength of the liquor, from one part of wine and lour
of water, to two of wine and four or else live parts of water, which last
seems to have been the favorite mixture. Compare Excursus IX
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE XVIII. 291
9-10. 9. Sithoniis non levis. " Unpropitious to the Thracians." Al-
ludintr to the intemperate habits of the Thracians, and the stem influence
which the god of wine was consequently said to exercise over them. The
Sithonians are here taken for the Thracians generally. In strictness,
however, they were the inhabitants of Sithonia, one of the three penin-
sulas of Chalcidice, subsequently incorporated into Macedonia. — Euins.
A name of Bacchus, supposed to have originated from the cry of the Bac-
chanalians, evoi. Others derive the appellation from an exclamation of
Jupiter (ev vie, " Well done, son !"), in approval of the valor displayed by
Bacchus during the contest of the giants. — 10. Cum fas of que nefas, &c.
" When, prompted by their intemperate desires, they distinguish right
from wrong by a narrow limit," i. e., when the only difference in their eyes
between good and evil is marked by the feeble barrier which their own
inclinations interpose.
11. Non ego te candide Bassareu, &c. " T will not disturb thee against
thy will, brightly -beauteous Bassareus." The epithet candidc is equiva-
lent here, as Orelli remarks, to " pulchritvdine splendent." The mythol-
ogy of the Greeks and Romans assigned perpetual youth and beauty to
the god of wine. The epithet Bassareus, applied to Bacchus here, is de-
rived by Creuzer from 3da<jupoc, " a fox ;" and he thinks that the garment
called fSuooapic, worn in Asia Minor by the females who celebrated the
rites of this deity, derived its name from its having superseded the skins
of foxes, which the Bacchantes previously wore during the orgies. (Sym-
bolik, iii., p. 363.) In order to understand more fully the train of ideas in
this and the following part of the ode, we must bear in mind that the poet
now draws all his images from the rites of Bacchus. He who indulges
moderately in the use of wine is made identical with the true and accept-
able worshipper of the god, while he who is given to excess is compared
to that follower of Bacchus who undertakes to celebrate his orgies in an
improper and unbecoming manner, and who reveals his sacred mysteries
to the gaze of the profane. On such a one the anger of the god is sure
to fall, and this anger displays itself in the infliction of disordered feelings,
in arrogant and blind love of self, and in deviations from the path of in-
tegrity and good faith. The poet professes his resolution of never incur-
ring the resentment of the god, and prays, therefore (v. 13), that he may
not be exposed to such a visitation.
12-16. 12. Qnatiam. The verb qnatio has here the sense of moveo,
and alludes to the custom of the ancients in bringing forth from the tem-
ples the statues and sacred things connected with the worship of the gods,
on solemn festivals. These were carried round, and the ceremony began
by the waving to and fro of the sacred vases and utensils. — Nee variis ob-
si/o frond i bus, ice " Nor will I hurry into open day the things concealed
under various leaves." In the celebration of the festival of Bacchus, a se-
lect number of virgins, of honorable families, called navntyopou carried
small baskets of gold, in which were concealed, beneath vine, ivy, and
other leaves, certain sacred and mysterious things, which were not to be
exposed to the eyes of the profane. — 13. Strva lene cum Berecyntio, ice
"Cease the shrill-clashing cymbals, with the Berecyntian horn." Bere
cyntus was a mountain in Phrygia, where Cybele was particularly wor
shipped. Cymbals and horns were used at the festivals of this- goddes?
292 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE XIX.
as at those of Bacchus. — 14. Qihe subscquitur, &c. " In whose train fol-
lows."— 15. Gloria. " Foolish vanity." — Verticem vacuum. "The empty
head." — 16. Arcaaijides prodiga. "Indiscretion prodigal of secrets."
Ode XIX. The poet, after having bid farewell to love, confesses that
the beauty of Glycera had again made him a willing captive. Venus,
Bacchus, and Licentia are the authors of this change, and compel him to
aoaudon all graver employments. A sacrifice to the first of these deities,
in order to propitiate her influence, now engrosses the attention of the
bard. Some commentators have supposed that the poet's object iu com-
posing this piece was to excuse himself to Maecenas for not having cele-
brated in song, as the latter requested, the operations of Augustus against
the Scythians and the Parthians. We should prefer, however, the simpler
and more natural explanation of the ode as a mere sportive effusion.
1-5. 1. Mater sceva Cupidinum. "The cruel mother of the Loves."
The later poets made Venus the mother of numerous loves, who formed
her train. — 2. Thebauos iSemeles puer. Bacchus; hence called Zep.e'A?j-
yeveTTjg. — 3. Lasciva Licentia. "Frolic License." — 5. Aitor. "The
brilliant beauty."
6. Pario marmore purius. Paros was famed for its statuary marble.
The quarries were in Mount Marpessus. For an interesting account of a
visit to these quarries, consult Clarke's Travels, vi., p. 134.
8-12. 8. Ef, vvltus nimium lul/ricns aspici. "And her countenance
too dangerous to be gazed upon." Lubricus aspici is analogous to the
Greek cpa/.spbg $Ae-xeodai, and lubricus, like aga/.epbc, carries with it
the idea of something slippery, delusive, dangerous, &c. — 9. Tata. "In
all the strength." — 10. Cyprum. The island of Cyprus was the favorite
abode of Venus. Here she had her celebrated Idaliau grove. — Scythas.
By the Scythians are here meant the tribes dwelling on or near the banks
of the Ister, and who were among the most persevering foes of the Roman
name. Horace professes his inability to sing of Roman triumphs under
Augustus, or to handle in any way such lofty themes, in consequence of
the all-controlling power of love. — 11. Versis animosum, &c. "The Par-
thian, fiercely contending on retreating steeds." Compare the language
oi Plutarch in describing the peculiar mode of fight practiced by this na-
tion. ( Vit. Crass., c. 24 ; ed. Hutten, vol. iii., p. 422.) 'YTttcpevyov yap
upa jBdX/.nvTec oi TLdpdoi. nai rovro updriGTa tzolovoi nerd Znvtlar- nai
oo(Purar6v ecriv, upvvopevovc errl ru au&cdai, rrjc (pvyrjc dqaipelv to
alaxpbv. "For the Parthians shot as they fled ; and this they do with a
degree of dexterity inferior only to that of the Scythians. It is indeed au
excellent invention, since they fight while they save themselves, and thus
escape the disgrace of flight." — 12. Nee quce. nihil attinent. Understand
ad se. " Nor of aught that bears no relation to her sway."
13-14. 13. Vivnm ccspitem. "The verdant turf." An altar of turf is
now to be erected to the goddess. This material, one of the earliest that
was applied to such a purpose, was generally used on occasions where
little previous preparation could be made. — 14. Verbenas. " Vervain-'
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE XX. 293
The Verbena of the Romans corresponds to the 'Itpo loravn or UepLorepsuv
of the Greeks, and to the Verbena officinalis of Linnaeus (Gen. 43). The
origin of the superstitious belief attached to this plant, especially among
the Gauls, can hardly be ascertained with any degree of certainty. One
of the Greek names given to it above {'Itpoooruvr/, "sacred plant"), shows
the high estimation in winch ir was held by that people. The Latin ap-
pellation is supposed to come from the Celtic je, fain, from which last is
also derived the English word "vervain." It became customary, how-
ever, to call by the name of verbena all plants and leaves used for sacred
purposes. Compare tiervitu, ad Virg., JEn., 12, 120.
1.3-16. 15. Bimi meri. " Of wine two years old." New wine was al-
ways preferred for libations to the gods. So, also, the Romans were ac-
customed to use their own, not the Greek wini-;s, for such a purpose, the
former being more free from any admixture of water. Hence the remark
of Pliny (H. N., 14, 19), " (rrceca vina libare nej'a*, qnoniam aquam ha-
beauty — 16. Mactata hostia. Tacitus informs us (Hist., 2) that it was un-
lawful for any blood to be shed on the altar of the Paphian Venus, " Samrui-
nem arte offundere vet/turn," and hence Catullus (66, 91) may be explain-
ed : " Placabisfestis luminibiis Venerem sanguinis expertem" It would
appear, however, from other authorities, especially Martial (9, 91), that
animal sacrifices in honor of this goddess, and for the purpose of inspect-
ing the entrails in order to ascertain her will, were not unfrequent. The
very historian, indeed, from whom we have just given a passage, clearly
proves this to have been the case. {Tacit., I. c), " Ho*tice, ut quiaque
rovit,scd mare* ddiguntur. Certissima fdes hredumm Jibris." The ap-
parent contradiction into which Tacitus falls may be explained away, if
we refer the expression " sanguine m ar<e offundere vetitnrri" not to the
total absence of victims, but merely to the altar of the goddess beins kept
untouched by their blood. The sacrifices usually ofi'ered to Venus would
seem to have been white goats and swine, with libations of wine, milk,
and honey. The language of Virgil, in describing her altars, is somewhat
in accordance with that of Catullus : " Thure calent ar<e, sertttque recen-
tibus halant." {s£n., 1, 417.)
Ode XX. Addressed to Maecenas, who had sismified to the poet his in-
tention of spending a few days with him at his Sabine farm. Horace
warns him that he is not to expect the generous wine which he has been
accustomed to quaft' at home; and yet, while depreciating the quality of
that which his own humble roof affords, he mentions a circumstance re-
specting its a_re, which could not but prove peculiarly gratifying to his
patron and intended guest.
1-3. 1. Vile Sabinnm. " Common Sabine wine.'' The Sabine appears
to have been a thin table-wine, of a reddish color, attaining its maturity
in seven years. Pliny IH. X., xiv., 2) applies to it the epithets crndum
and nu*feritm. — 2. Canthari*. The cantharus was a bowl or vase for
holding wine, furnished with handles, and from winch the liquor was trans-
ferred to the drinking-cups. It derived its name, according to most au-
thorities, crom its being made to resemble a beetle (Kuvdapoc). Some,
however, deduce the appellation from a certain Cantharus, who was th#
29-1 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE XX.
inventor of the article. The cantharus was peculiarly sacred to Bacchus
— Te<ta. The testa, or "jar," derived its name from having been sub-
jected, when first made, to the action of fire [testa, quasi to*ta, a tnrreo).
The vessels for holding wine, in general use among the Greeks and Ro-
mans, were of earthenware. — 3. Levi. " I closed up." When the wine-
vessels were filled, and the disturbance of the liquor had subsided, the
covers or stoppers were secured with plaster or a coating of pitch, mixed
with the ashes of the vine, so as to exclude all communication with the
external air. — Datus in theatro, &c. Alluding to the acclamations with
which the assembled audience greeted Maecenas on his entrance into the
theatre, after having, according to most commentators, recovered from a
dangerous malady. Some, however, suppose it to have been on occasion
of the celebrating of certain games by Maecenas ; and others, among whom
is Faber, refer it to the time when the conspiracy of Lepidus was detect-
ed and crushed by the minister. (Compare Veil. Patcrc, ii., 88, 3.) The
theatre alluded to was that erected by Pompey, probably after the termi-
nation of the Mithradatic war. It was overlooked by the Vatican on the
other side of the river, and is generally supposed to have stood in that
part of the modern city called Carnpo di Fiorc.
."i-9. 5. Care Maecenas eques. ■ Dear Maecenas, contented with eques-
trian rank." We have paraphrased rather than translated eques. Mae-
cenas, notwithstanding the height of favor and power to which he attain-
ed under Augustus, remained ever contented with bis equestrian rank.
Hence the term eqne< here is meant to be peculiarly emphatic. Bentley,
following one of his MSS., reads Clare, Macena*, eques, in order to give
eques an epithet; but Ca re breathes more of the feeling of true friendship.
— Palerni fiuminis. The Tiber is meant. The ancestors of Maecenas
were of Etrurian origin, and the Tiber belonged in part to Etruria, as it
formed, in a great measure, its eastern and southern boundary. — 7. Vati-
can/ mantis. The Vatican Mount formed the prolongation of the Janicu-
lum toward the north, and was supposed to have derived its name from
the Latin word vates, or vaticiuium, as it was once the seat of Etruscan
divination. — 8. Imago. "The echo." Understand vocis. — 9. Ccecvbam.
The Caecuban wine derived its name from the Ccecubus ager, in the vicin-
ity of Amyclae, and is described by Galen as a generous, durable wine,
but apt to affect the head, and ripening only after a long term of years.
(A-'heua?us, i., 27.) — Caleno. The town of Cales, now Calvi, lay to the
south of Teanum, in Campania. The ager Calenus was much celebrated
for its vineyards. It was contiguous, in fact, to that famous district, so
well known in antiquity under the name of ager Falernus, as producing
thft best wine in Italy, or, indeed, in the world. Compare E.rcvrsusYIlL
11-12. 11. Formiani. The Formian Hills are often extolled for the
superior wine which they produced. Formiae, now Mola di Gaeta, was
a city of great antiquity in Latium, near Caieta. — 12. Mea tempera nt poc-
tila. " Mix my cups," i. e., with water. The meaning of the whole clause
may be best expressed by a paraphrase: "Neither the produce of the
Falernian vines, nor that of the Formian hills, mingles in my cups with
the tempering water." These were the drinking-cups, into which the wine
was poured after having been diluted with water in the crater, or mixer.
EXPLANATORY NOTE:*. BOOK I., ODE XXI. 295
Ode XXI. A hymn in praise of Apollo and Diana, which has given
rise to much diversity of opinion among the learned. Many regard it as a
piece intended to be sung in alternate stanzas by a chorus of youths and
maidens on some solemn festival. Acron refers it to the Saccular Games,
and Sanadon, who is one of those that advocate this opinion, actually re-
moves the ode from its present place and makes it a component part of
the Saecular Hymn. Others, again, are in favor of the Ludi Apollinares.
All this, however, is perfectly arbitrary. No satisfactory arguments can
be adduced for making the present ode an amceboean composition, nor can
it be fairly proved that it was ever customary for such hymns to be sung
in alternate chorus. Besides, there are some things in the ode directly
at variance with such an opinion. Let us adopt, for a moment, the distri-
bution of parts which these commentators recommend, and examine the
result. The first line is to be sung by the chorus of youths, the second by
the chorus of maidens, while both united sing the third and fourth. In the
succeeding stanzas, the lines from the fifth to the eighth inclusive are as-
signed to the youths, and from the ninth to the twelfth inclusive to the
maidens, while the remaining lines are again sung by the double chorus.
In order to effect this arrangement, we must change, with these critics,
the initial Hie in the thirteenth line to Hcec, in allusion to Diana, making
the reference to Apollo begin at hie miseram. Now, the impropriety of
making the youths sing the praises of Diana (verses 5-8), and the maid-
ens those of Apollo (v. 9-12), must be apparent to every unprejudiced ob-
server, and forms, we conceive, a fatal error. Nor is it by any means a
feeble objection, whatever grammatical subtleties may be called in to ex-
plain it away, that mofus occurs in the sixteenth line. If the concluding
«tanza is to commence with the praises of Diana as sung by the youths,
men evidently motus should be mot a, which would violate the measure.
The conclusion, therefore, to which we are drawn, is simply this : The
present ode is merely a private effusion, and not intended for any public
solemnity. The poet only assumes in imagination the office of choragus,
and seeks to iustruct the chorus in the proper discharge of their general
duties.
1-8. 1. Dianam. Apollo and Diana, as typifying the sun and moon,
were ranked in the popular belief among the averters of evil [Dii aver-
runci, Seoi auT7Jpeg, uXe^iKaKOi, &c), and were invoked to ward off fam-
ine, pestilence, and all national calamity. — 2. Intonsum Cynthium.
"Apollo ever young." Compare the Greek ctKepaeKOfj.7]V. It was cus-
tomary among the ancients for the first growth of the beard to be conse-
crated to some god. At the same time the hair of the head was also cut
off, and offered up, usually to Apollo. Until then they wore it uncut.
Hence the epithet intonsus (literally, "with unshorn locks'), when ap-
plied to a deity, carries with it the idea of unfading youth. — The appella-
tion of Cynthius is given to Apollo from Mount Cynthus in th« island of
Delos, near which mountain he was born. — 4. Dilectam penitus. ' Deep-
ly beloved." — 6. Qucecunque ant gclido, &c. "Whatsoever (foliage of
groves) stands forth prominent to the view, either on the bleak Algidus,
or," (Sec. Commentators complain of tautology here ; but they forget that
nemus is strictly speaking a part, and silva a whole. — Algido. Algidua
was a mountain in Latium, consecrated to Diana and Fortune. It ap-
pears to havw been, strictly speaking, that chain which stretched from the
296 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE XXII.
rear of the Alban Mount, and ran parallel to the Tusculan Hills, being
separated from them by the valley along which ran the Via Latiua. —
7. Erymnn'hi. Ervmanthus was a chain of mountains in Arcadia, on the
borders of Elis, and forming one oi the highest ridges in Greece. It was
celebrated in fable as the haunt of the savage boar destroyed by Hercu-
les.— 8. Cragi. Cragus was a celebrated ridge of Lycia, in Asia Minor,
extending along the Glaucus Sinus. The fabulous monster Chimera, said
to have been subdued by Bellerophon, frequented this range, according to
the poets.
9-15. 9. Tempe. Compare the note on Ode i., 7, 4. — 10. Natalem Del on.
Delos, one of the Cyclades, and the fabled birth-place of Apollo and Diana.
— 12. Fraterua Lyra. The invention of the lyre by Mercury has already
been mentioned. (Compare note on Ode i., 10, 6.) This instrument he
bestowed on Apollo after the theft of the oxen was discovered. — 15. Per-
«M atque Britannos. Maiking the farthest limits of the empire on the
east and west. By the Pcrsce are meant the Parthians. (Compare note
on Ode i., 2, 22.)
Ode XXII. It was a very prominent feature in the popular belief of
antiquity, that poets formed a class of men peculiarly under the protec-
tion of the gods ; since, wholly engrossed by subjects of a liyht and pleas-
ing nature, no deeds of violence, and no acts of fraud or perjury, could ever
be laid to their charge. Horace, having escaped imminent danger, writes
the present ode In allusion to this belief. The innocent man, exclaims
the bard, is shielded from peril, wherever he may be, by his own purity
of life and conduct. (The innocent man is here only another name for
poet.) The nature of the danger from which he had been rescued is next
described, and the ode concludes with the declaration that his own in-
tegrity will ward off every evil, in whatever quarter of the world his lot
may be cast, and will render him, at the same time, tranquil in mind, and
ever disposed to celebrate the praises of his Lalage.
The ode is addressed to Aristius Fuscus, to whom the tenth Epistle of
the first book is inscribed.
1-6. 1. Integer vitce, Sec. "The man upright of life, and free from
guilt." — 2. Mauris jaculis. For Manritanicis jacnlis. The natives of
Mauritania were distinguished for their skill in darting the javelin, the
frequent use of this weapon being required against the wild beasts which
infested their country. — 5. Syrtex ce-tuosa*. '-The burning Syrtes." The
allusion here is not so much to the two remarkable quicksands or gulfs on
the Mediterranean coast of Africa, known by the name of the Greater and
Smaller Syrtis (now the gulfs of Sidra and Cabes), as to the sandy coast
lying aloni.' the same, i Compare 0>c/li, ad toe.) — 6. I nhospitalem Cau-
casian. The name Caucasus was applied to the ridge of mountains be-
tween the Euxine and the Caspian Seas. The epithet iiiho*pttalem r©
fers to the dreary solitude, and the fierce wild beasts with which it was
supposed to abound.
7-12. 7. Vel quce loca, Sec. " Or through those regions which the Hy-
daspes, source of many a fable, laves." The epithet fabulosus refers to
EXPLANATORY NOTE*. BOOK I., ODE XXII. 297
the strange accounts which were circulated respecting this river, its gold-
en sands, the monsters inhabiting its waters, i5cc. The Hydaspes, now
the Fylum, is one of the five eastern tributaries of the Indus, which, by
their mion, form the Punjnub, while the region which they traverse is de-
nominated the Punjab, or country of the rive rivers. — 9. Xamquc. Equiv
alent to the Greek nai yap. Supply the ellipsis as follows : "And this 1
have plainly learned from my own case, for," «Sec. — Silva in Sabina. He
refers to a wood in the vicinity of his Sabine farm. — 10. Ultra terminum
" Beyond my usual limit." — 11. Cnris expedttis. " With all my cares dis
pelled." Some read curls expeditus, "freed from cares." — 12. Inermem
' Though unarmed."
12-17. 12. Militaris Daunias. "Warlike Daunia." Danniaa is here
the Greek form of the nominative. The Daunii were situate along the
northern coast of Apulia. The Apulians, like the Marsi, were famed for
their valor among the nations of Italy. — 14. Jnbcs /ellns. "The land of
Juba." Mauritania is meant. The allusion is to the second or younger
Juba, who had been replaced on his father's throne by Augustus. — 17.
Pone me pigris, <5cc. " Place me where nn tree is refreshed, in torpid
plains," «Sec. i. e., in the torpid or frozen regions of the north. For the
connection between this and the previous portion of the ode, consult the
introductory remarks. The poet alludes in this stanza to what is termed
at the present day the frozen zone, and he describes it in accordance with
the general belief of his age. The epithet pigris refers to the plains of
the north, lying sterile and uncultivated by reason of the excessive cold.
Modern observations, however, assign two seasons to this distant quarter
of the globe : a long and rigorous winter, succeeded, often suddenly, by
insupportable heats. The power of the solar beams, though feeble, from
the obliquity of their direction, accumulates during the days, which are
extremely long, and produces effects which might be expected only in the
torrid zone. The days for several months, though of a monotonous mag-
nificence, astonishingly accelerate the growth of vegetation. In three
days, or rather three times twenty-four hours, the snow is melted, and
the flowers begin to blow. {Malte-Brun, Geogr., vol. i., p. 418.)
19-22. 19. Quod latus mundi, &c. "In that quarter of the world,
which clouds and an inclement sky continually oppress." Complete the
sentence as follows : In eo latere mundi, quod latus mundi, «Sec. — 21. Nim-
turn propinqui. "Too near the earth." Understand lerris. — 22. Domi-
bus negata. "Denied to mortals for an abode." Most of the ancients
conceived that the heat continued to increase from the tropic toward the
equator. Hence they concluded that the middle of the zone was unin-
habitable. It is now, however, ascertained that many circumstances
combine to establish even there a temperature that is supportable. The
clouds; the great rains; the nights naturally very cool, their duration be-
ing equal to that of the days; a strong evaporation; the vast expanse of
the sea; the proximity of very high mountains, covered with perpetual
snow ; the trade-winds, and the periodical inundations, equally contribute
to diminish the heat. This is the reason why, in the torrid zone, we meet
with all kinds of climates. The plains are burned up by the heat of the
sun. All the eastern coasts of the great continents, fanned by tne trade-
winds, enjoy a mild temperature. The elevated districts are even cold;
298 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE XXIV.
the valley of Quito is always green; and perhaps the interior of Africa
contains more tuati one region which nature has gifted with the same
privilege. [Malte-Brun, Geogr., vol. i., p. 416.)
Ode XXIII. The poet advises Chloe, now of nubile years, no longer to
follow her parent like a timid fawn, alarmed at every whispering breeze
and rustling of the wood, but to make a proper return to the affection of
due whom she had no occasion to view with feelings of alarm.
1-10. 1. Hinnnleo. The term hinnuleus is here used for hinnvlus. —
2. Pavidam. Denoting the alarm of the parent for the absence of her off-
spring.— Aviis. " Lonely." — 5. Vepris, The common reading is veris
instead of vepris, and in the next line adventus instead of ad ventum. The
one which we have adopted is given as a conjectural emendation by Bent-
ley, though claimed for others before him. Great difficulties attend the
common reading. In the first place, the foliage of the trees is not suffi-
ciently put forth in the commencement of spring to justify the idea of its
being disturbed by the winds ; secondly, the young fawns do not follow
the parent animal until the end of this season, or the beginning of June ;
and, in the third place, it is very suspicious Latinity to say adventus veris
iuhorruit foliis, since more correct usage would certainly require folia
inhorrverunt adveutu veris. — 6. Inhorruit. " Has rustled." — 10. G&tu-
lusve leo. That part of Africa which the ancients denominated Gaetulia,
appears to answer in some measure to the modern Belad-el-Djerid. —
Frangere. This verb has here the meaning of " to rend," or " tear in
pieces," as dyvvvai is sometimes employed in Greek.
Ode XXIV. The poet seeks to comfort Virgil for the loss of their mu-
tual friend. The individual to whom the ode alludes was a native of Cre-
mona, and appears to have been the same with the Q.uhactilius of whom
Horace speaks in the Epistle to the Pisos (v. 438).
1-7. 1. Desiderio tarn cari capitis. "To our regret for the loss of so
dear an individual." The use of caput in this clause is analogous to that of
KE(pa2,i] and /cdpa in Greek. — 2. Praecipe higubres cantus. " Teach me the
strains of woe." Literally, "precede me in the strains of woe." — 3. Mel-
pomene. One of the Muses, here invoked as presiding over the funeral
dirge, but elsewhere the muse of Tragedy. — Liquidam vocem. " A clear
and tuneful voice." — Pater. The Muses were the daughters of Jupiter
and Mnemosyne. — 5. Ergo Quinctilium. The muse here commences the
funeral dirge. — 7. Nudaque Veritas. " And undisguised Truth." Anal
lusion to the sincerity that characterized his thoughts and actions.
11-16. 11. Tu frustra pius, &c. "Thou, alas! fruitlessly displaying
a pious affection, dost ask the gods for Q,uinctilius, not on such terms in-
trusted to their care." The meaning is this : When with vows and prayers
thou didst intrust Quinctilius to the care of the gods as a sacred deposite,
thou didst not expect that he would be so soon taken away by a cruel
fate. Thy pious affection, therelore, has proved altogether unavailing,
and it ha» not been allowed thee to obtain him back again from the gods
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE XXVI. 299
[Orelli, ad loc.) — 13. Blandiics moderere. " Thou rule with more persua-
sive melody." Observe the employment of the subjunctive here, and also
in redeat. The meaning- is, that even if there be a possibility of his ruling
or swaying the lyre more sweetly than Orpheus, still there is no possibil-
ity of his friend's being restored to existence. The allusion is to the le-
gend of Orpheus and Eurydice. — 16. Virgo, horrida. "With his gloomy
wand." Alluding to the caduceus. The epithet horrida regards its
dreaded influence over the movements of departed shades, as they pass on-
ward to the fatal river. — 17. Non lenis, &c. " Not gentle enough to open
the fatal portals in compliance with our prayers," i. e., sternly refusing to
change the order of the fates, &c. Lenis recludere, a Graecism for lenis ad
recludendu-m.
Ode XXVI. In praise of iElius Lamia, a Roman of ancient and illus-
trious family, and distinguished for his exploits in the war with the Can-
tabri. The bard, wholly occupied with the Muses and his friend, consigns
every other thought to the winds. As regards the Lamian line, consult
notes on Ode iii., 17.
2-:>. 2. Mare Creticum. The Cretan, which lay to the north of the
island of Crete, is here put for any sea. — 3. Portare. " To waft them."
— Quis sub Arcto, &c. "By whom the monarch of a frozen region be-
neath the northern sky is feared," Sec, i. e., by what people, &c. The
present ode appears to have been written at the time when Phrahates,
king of Parthia, had been dethroned by his subjects for his excessive
cruelty, and Teridates, who headed a party against him, appointed in his
stead. Phrahates fled for succor to the Scythians, and a monarch of that
nation was now on his march to restore him. The king of the frozen re-
gion is therefore the Scj'thian invader, and the people who fear his ap
proach are the Parthians with Teridates at their head. Dio Cassias in-
forms us that Phrahates was reinstated in his kingdom, and that Teridates
fled into Syria. Here he was allowed to remain by Augustus, who obtain-
ed from him the son of Phrahates, and led the young prince as a hostage
to Rome. This sou was subsequently restored to the father, and the
standards taken by the Parthians from Crassus and Antony were deliv-
ered in exchauge. (Compare Dio Cassius, 51, 18, vol. i., p. 649, e d. Reim.
Justin., 42, 5.) Strabo, however, states that the son of Phrahates was re
ceived as a hostage from the father himself, and along with him sons and
grandsons (~al6ac aal Tracduv 7raiSag. Strab., 6, extr.). Compai*e with
this the language of Suetonius {pit. Aug., 43), who speaks of the hostages
of the Parthians (" Parlhorum obsides"). — Unice securus. "Utterly re-
gardless."
6-11. 6. Fontibus integris. " The pure fountains." By the fontes in-
legri lyric poetry is designated, and the poet alludes to the circumstance
of his having been the first of his countrymen that had refreshed the litera-
ture of Rome with the streams of lyric verse. Hence the invocation of
the muse. — 6. Apricos necte flores. "Entwine the sunny flowers." By
aprici fiores are meant flowers produced in sunny spots, and therefore
of sweeter fragrance and brighter hue. These "sunny flowers" and
the chaplet which they form are figurative expressions, and mean sim
300 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE XXVII.
ply a lyric effusion. The muse is solicited to aid the bard in celebrating
the praises of his friend. — Pimple*. The Muses were called Pimpleldes
from Pimplea, a town and fountain of Pieria, sacred to these goddesses.
Orpheus was said to have been born here. — 9. Nil sine te met, &c
"Without thy favoring aid, the honors which I have received can prove
of no avail in celebrating the praises of others." By the term konores
the poet alludes to the reputation he has gained for his successful cul-
tivation of lyric verse. — 10. Fulibus novis. "In new strains," i. e., in
lyric verse. Hence the bard speaks of himself as the first that had adapt-
ed the iEolian strains to Italian measures (Ode iii., 30, 13). — 11. Lea bio
plvctro. " On the Lesbian lyre." The plectrum, or quill, is here taken
figuratively for the lyre itself. Compare Ode i., 1, 34. This verse is ob-
jectionable in point of rhythm, and is the only instance of the kind in
Horace. On all other occasions, if the fourth syllable of the minor alcaic
end in a word, that word is a monosyllable. Compare Lackmann, up.
Frank., p. 239. — ISacrare. " To consecrate to immortal fame."
Ode XXVII. The poet is supposed to be present at a festal party,
where the guests, warming under the influence of wine, begin tv break
forth into noisy wrangling. He reproves them in severe terms for conduct
so foreign to a meeting of friends, and, in order to draw oft' their attention
to other and more pleasing subjects, he proposes the challenge in verse
10th, on which the rest of the ode is made to turn.
1-6. 1. Natis in usum, &c. "Over cups made for joyous purposes."
The scyphus was a cup of rather large dimensions, used both on festal oc-
casions, and in the celebration of sacred rites. Like the canlharua, it was
sacred to Bacchus. — 2. Thracum est. Compare note on Ode i., 18, 9. —
3. Verecundum. " Foe to excess." Equivalent here to modicum. — 5. Vi-
no et Inccrnia, &c. " It is wonderful how much the dagger of the Parthian
is at variance with nocturnal banquets," literally, " with wine and lights."
Immane quantum is analogous to the Greek ^avfiacrbv baov. Vino and
luccrnia are datives, put by a Graecism for the ablative with the preposi-
tion a. — Modus. Compare Ode i., 2, 51. — Acinaccs. The term is of Per-
sian origin. The acinaces was properly a small dagger in use among the
Persians, and boiTowed from them by the soldiers of later ages. It was
worn at the side. Hesychius, in explaining the word, calls it dopv TLep-
"JiKov, Zityoc. Suidas remarks : uklvuktjc, (iiupbv dopv Uepcucov, and
Pollux (I, 138), Tlepouibv tjcpidLov re, r<2> /unp£> irpoqnprrifxzvov. This last
comes nearest the true explanation as given above. — 6. Impinm clarno-
rem. The epithet impiits has here a particular reference to the violation
of the ties and duties of friendship, as well as to the profanation of the
table, which was always regarded as sacred by the ancients.
8-9. 8. Cubito remanete presso. " Remain with the elbow pressed on
the couch," i. e., stir not from your places. Alluding to the ancient cus-
tom of reclining at their meals. — 9. Severi Falerni. All writers agree in
describing the Falernian wine as very strong and durable, and so rough
in its recent state that it could not be drunk with pleasure, but required
to be kept a great number of years before it was sufficiently mellow
For farther remarks on this wine, consult Excursus VIII.
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE XXVIII. 301
10-14. 10. Opuntics. So called from Opus, the capital of the Opun-
tiau Locri in Greece, at the northern extremity of Boeotia. — 13. Cessat
voluntas. " Does inclination hesitate ?" i. e., dost thou hesitate so to do ?
— Son alia bibam mercede. " On no other condition will I drink." — 14
Qnce te cunque, «Sec. An encomium well calculated to remove the bashful
reserve of the youth. The whole sentence may be paraphrased as fol-
lows : " Whoever the fair object may be that sways thy bosom, she causes
it to bum with a flame at which thou hast no occasion to blush, for thou
always indulgest in an honorable love." The allusion in ingenuo amove
is to a female of free birth, as opposed to a slave or freed-woman.
18-23. 18. Ah miser ! The exclamation of the poet when the secret
is divulged. — 19. Quanta laborabas, «Sec. " In how fearful a Charybdis
wast thou struggling!" The passion of the youth is compared to the dan-
gers of the fabled Charybdis, and hence the expression Quanta laborabas
Cliarybdi is equivalent in effect to Quam periculosam tibi puellam ama-
bas. — 21. Thessaiis venenis. Thessaly was remarkable for producing nu-
merous herbs that were used in the magical rites of antiquity. — 23. Vix
illigatum, &c. " (Even) Pegasus will hardly extricate thee, entangled by
this three-shaped Chimaera." Anew comparison is here made, by which
the female in question is made to resemble the fabled Chimaera. This
animal, according to the legend, was a lion in the fore part, a serpent in
the hinder part, and a goat in the middle ; and it also spouted forth fire.
It was destroyed, howe^ jc, by Bellerophon mounted on the winged steed
Pegasus.
Ode XXVIII. The object of the present ode is to enforce the useful
lesson, that we are all subject to the power of death, whatever may be
our station in life, and whatever our talents and acquirements. The dia-
logue form is adopted for this purpose, and the parties introduced are a
mariner and the shade of Archytas. The former, as he is travelling along
the shore of Southern Italy, discovers the dead body of the philosopher,
which had been thrown up by the waves near the town of Matinum, on
the Apulian coast. He addresses the corpse, and expresses his surprise
that so illustrious an individual could not escape from the dominion of the
grave. At the seventh verse the shade replies, and continues on until the
end of the ode. "Be not surprised, O mariner, at beholding me in this
state," exclaims the fallen Pythagorean. "Death has selected far nobler
victims. Bestow the last sad offices on my remains, and so shall pi-osper-
ous fortune crown your every effort. If, on the contrary, you make light
of my request, expect not to escape a just retribution."
The ode would appear, from its general complexion, to have been imi-
tated from the Greek.
1. Te maris el terrce. Sec. The order of construction is as follows : " Par
va munera exigui pulveris (negata tibi) cohibent te, &c. " The scanty
present of a little dust (denied to thy remains) confines thee," &c. Tht
ellipsis of negata tibi must be noted, though required more by the idiom
of our own than by that of the Latin tongue. According to the popular
belief, if a corpse were deprived of the rites of sepulture, the shade of the
deceased was compelled to wander for a hundred years either around the
302 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE XXVIII.
dead body or along the banks of the Styx. Hence the peculiar propriety
of cohibent in the present passage. In order to obviate so lamentable a
result, it was esteemed a most solemn duty for every one who chanced to
encounter an unburied corpse to perform the last sad offices to it. Sprink-
ling dust or sand three times upon the dead body was esteemed amply
sufficient for every purpose. Hence the language of the text, " pulveris
exigui parva munera." Whoever neglected this injunction of l-elitdon
was compelled to expiate his crime by sacrificing a sow to Ceres. Some
editors maintain that pulveris exigui parva munera is a mere circumlo-
cution for locus exiguus, and that cohibent is only the compound used for
the simple verb. Hence, according to these commentators, the meaning
will be, " A small spot of earth now holds thee," &c. This mode of ex-
plaining, however, appears stiff and unnatural. — Maris et terra menso-
rem. Alluding to the geometrical knowledge of Archytas. — Numeroque
carentis arena:. The possibility of calculating the number of the grains
of sand was a favorite topic with the ancient mathematicians. Archime-
des has left us a work on this subject, entitled 6 ^afifiirrjc {Arenarius), in
which he proves that it is possible to assign a number greater than that
of the grains of sand which would fill the sphere of the fixed stars. This
singular investigation was suggested by an opinion which some persons
had expressed, that the sands on the shores of Sicily were either infinite,
or, at least, would exceed any numbers which could be assigned for them ;
and the success with which the difficulties caused by the awkward and
imperfect notation of the ancient Greek arithmetic are eluded by a device
identical in principle with the modern method of logarithms, affords one
of the most striking instances of the genius of Archimedes.
2-7. 2. Archyta. Archytas was a native of Tarentum, and distinguish
ed as a philosopher, mathematician, general, and statesman, and was no
less admired for his integrity and virtue both in public and private life. He
was contemporary with Plato, whose life he is said to have saved by his
influence with the tyrant Dionysius. He was seven times the general
of his native city, though it was the custom for the office to be held for no
more than one year; and he commanded in several campaigns, in all of
which he was victorious. As a philosopher, he belonged to the Pytha-
gorean school, and, like the Pythagoreans, paid much attention to mathe-
matics. He was also extremely skillful as a mechanician, and construct-
ed various machines and automatons, among which his wooden flying
dove in particular was the wonder of antiquity. He perished in a ship-
wreck on the Adriatic. — 3. Matinum. Some difference of opinion exists
with regard to the position of this place. D'Anville makes the Matinian
shore to hare been between Callipolis and the lapygian promontory on
the Tarentine Gulf; and the town of Matinum to have lain some little
distance inland. Later investigations, however, place Matinum, and a
mountain called Mons Matinus, in Apulia, near the promontory of Garga-
num, and northeast of Sipontum. — 5. Aerias tentasse domos, &c. " To have
essayed the ethereal abodes." Alluding to the astronomical knowledge
of the philosopher. — Rotundum polun^. " The round heavens." — 6. Mori-
turo. " Since death was to be thy certain doom." — 7. Pelopis genifor.
Tantalus. — Conviva deorum. "Though a guest of the gods." The com-
mon mythology makes Tantalus to have been the entertainer, not the
guest, of the gods, and to have served up his own son as a banquet in or
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE XXVIII. 303
der to test their divinity. Horace follows the earlier fable, by which Tan-
talus is represented as honored with a seat at the table of the gods, and
as having incurred their displeasure by imparting nectar and ambrosia to
mortals. (Piud., Olymp., i., 98, se.qq.)
8-14. 8. Tithonnsque remotus in auras. "And Tithouus, though
translated to the skies." An allusion to the fable of Tithouus and Aurora.
— 9. Arcanis. Understand coasiliis. — Minos. In order to gain more rev-
erence for the laws which he promulgated, Minos pretended to have bad
secret conferences with Jove respecting them. — 10. Panthoiden. " The
son of Panthous." Euphorbus is here meant in name, but Pythagoras in
reality. The philosopher taught the doctrine of the transmigration of souls,
and is said to have asserted that be himself had animated various bodies,
and had been at one time Euphorbus the Trojan. To prove his identity
with the son of Panthous, report made him to have gone into the Temple
of Juno at or near Mycenae, where the shield of Euphorbus had been pre
served among other offerings, and to have recognized and taken it down
—Iterum Oreo demissnm. Alluding to the doctrine of the transmigration
of souls. — 11. Clypeo refixo. " By the shield loosened from the wall of the
temple." — 13. Nervos atque cutem. " His sinews and skin," i. e., his body.
— 14. Judice te, &c. " Even in thine own estimation, no mean expounder
of nature and truth." These words are addressed by the shade of Archy
tas to the mariner, not by the latter to Archytas, and they are meant to
indicate the widespread reputation of Pythagoras as a Natural and Moral
Philosopher, since his name had become so well known as to be even in
the mouths of the lower classes. In this explanation, Doring, Orelli, Braun-
hard, Dillenburger, and most other commentators agree. Some read ww>,
applying the remark to the speaker himself, but without any necessity.
15-22. 15. Una nox. This expression, and also semel immediately
after, contain nothing inconsistent with the Pythagorean tenets, since
they merely regard the end or limit of each particular transformation. —
18. Avidum mare. "The greedy ocean." Some editions read avidis
(" greedy after gain") as agreeing with 7iaufis. This, however, would
imply a censure on the very individual from whom the favor of a burial is
supposed to be asked. — 19. Mixta senum, <kc. "The intermingled funer-
als of the old and young are crowded together." Densentur is from den-
seo, ere, an old verb, used by Lucretius, and after him by Virgil and Pliny.
The common text has den<antur, from denso, -are. — Nullum caput, &.c.
"Xo head escapes the stern Proserpina." An hypallage for nullum
caput fugit s&vam Proserpinam. The ancients had a belief that no one
could die unless Proserpina, or Atropos her minister, cut a lock of hair
from the head. The idea was evidently borrowed from the analogy of ani-
mal sacrifices, in which the hair cut from the front, or from between the
horns of the victims, was regarded as the first offering. Compare Vcgil,
sEn., iv., 698, seq. — 21. Devexi Orionis. " Of the setting Orion." The
setting of this star was always accompanied by tempestuous we? ther.
It took place on the fifth day before the Ides of November, or, accovding
to our mode of expression, on the ninth of the month. — 22. Illyricis undis.
"Amid the Illyrian waters." The allusion is to the Adriatic Sea in gen-
eral. The Illyrians, besides their settlements on the northeastern shores
of the Adriatic, had at one time extended themselves as far as Ancona,
-m the coast of Italv.
304 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE XXIX.
23-35. 23. Ne parce malignus dare. " Do not unkindly refuse to be-
stow."— 24. Capiti inkumato. Observe the apparent hiatus here. In
reality, however, no hiatus whatever takes place between the two words,
but one of the two component short vowels in the final syllable of capttl
is elided before the initial vowel of the next word, and the remaining one
is then lengthened by the arsis. There is no need, therefore, of our read-
ing intumnlato with some editors. — 25. Sic. " So," i. c., if you do so, or
on this condition. — 26. Fluctihus Hesperiis. "The western waves." The
seas around Italy, which country was called Hesperia by the Greeks. —
Vennsince plectanlur silv<z. " May the Venusian woods be lashed by it."
— 28. Unde potest. Equivalent to a quibus hocferi potest, " For they are
able to enrich thee." In construing, place vnde potest at the end of the
sentence. — 29. Sacri custode Neptuui. Neptune was the tutelary deity
of Tarentum. — Neglizis immerilo, &c. " Dost thou make light of com-
mitting a crime which will prove injurious to thy unoffending posterity 1"
The crime here alluded to is the neglecting to perform the last sad offices
to the shade of Arehytas. — 31. Postmodo ie natis. Equivalent to nepoti-
bus. Te is uere the ablative, depending on natis. — Fors et dtbita jura,
&c. "Perhaps both a well-merited punishment and a haughty retribu-
tion may be awaiting thee thyself." — 33. Inultis. "Unheard." Literal-
ly, "unavenged." — 35. Licebit i?ijecto, &c. "Thou mayest run on after
having thrice cast dust on my remains." Three handfuls of dust were on
such an occasion sufficient for all the purposes of a burial.
Ode XXIX. The poet, having learned that his friend Iccius had aban-
doned the study of philosophy, and was turning his attention to deeds of
arms, very pleasantly rallies him on this strange metamorphosis.
1-5. 1. Beatis gazis. "The rich treasures." Beatus is often used, as
in the present instance, for dives, from the idea of happiness which the
crowd associate with the possession of wealth. — Nunc. Emphatical, re-
ferring to his altered course of life. — Arabum. Augustus, A.U.C. 730
(which gives the date of the present ode), sent iElius Gallus, praefect of
Egypt, with a body of troops against Arabia Felix. The expedition
proved unsuccessful, having failed more through the difficulties which the
country and climate presented than from the desultory attacks of the un-
disciplined enemy. It was in this army that Iccius would seem to have
had a command. — SabcetE. Sabaea, a part of Arabia Felix, is here put for
the whole region. The Sabcei would seem to have occupied what cor-
responds to the northernmost part of the modern Yemen. — Horribilique
Medo. "And for the formidable Parthian." It is more than probable,
from a comparison of Ode i., 12, 56, and i., 35, 31, with the present passage,
that Augustus intended the expedition, of which we have been speaking,
not merely for Arabia Felix, but also for the Parthians and Indi. — 5. Nectis
catenas. A pleasant allusion to the fetters in which Iccius, already vic-
torious in imagination, is to lead his captives to Rome. — Quce virginum
barbara. " What barbarian virgin." A Graecisni for quce virgo barbara.
7-15. 7. Puer quis ex aula. Equivalent to quis puer regius. The
term aula may refer to the royal court either of the Arabians or the Par
thians — 8. Ad cyathum statuetur. "Shall stand as thy cup-bearer."
EXPLANATORY NOTES.- — BOOK I., ODE XXXI. 305
Literally, "shall be placed," &c. — 9. Doctus tendere. "Skilled in aim-
ing." A Graecism. — Sencas. The Seres were famed for their manage-
ment of the bow. The reference here, however, is not so much to these
people in particular as to the Eastern nations in general, hi relation to
the Seres, compare Explanatory Note, Ode i., 12, 56. — 11. Rtlabi posse.
" Can glide back." In this sentence, montibus is the dative by a Grae-
cism. Prose Latinity would require ad monies. Some make montibus the
ablative, with which they join pronos in the sense of decur rentes. This
arrangement is decidedly inferior to the one first given. As regards the
idea intended to be conveyed, it may be observed, that the poet compares
his friend's abandonment of graver studies for the din of arms to a total
alteration of the order of nature. The expression appears to be a pro-
verbial one, and is evidently borrowed from the Greek. — 12. Reverti.
" Return in its course." — 13. Coemtos undique. "Bought up on all sides."
A pleasant allusion to his friend's previous ardor in philosophic pursuits
— 14. Panceti. Panaetius, a native of Rhodes, holds no mean rank among
the Stoic philosophers of antiquity. He passed a considerable part of his
life at Rome, and enjoyed an intimate acquaintance with several eminent
Romans, particularly Scipio aud Laelius. Cicero highly extols his moral
doctrine in his treatise " De Officii*." Toward the end of his life Panae-
tius removed to Athens, where he died. — Socraticam et domum. "And
the writings of the Socratic school." Alluding to the philosophical inves
tiizja^ions of Plato, Xenophon, iEschines, and others. — 15. Loricis Iberis
The Spanish coats of mail obtained a decided preference among the Ro-
mans, from the excellence of the metal and its superior temper. Com-
pare Shakspeare : " It is a sword of Spain, the ice-brook's temper :" Othel-
lo, v., 11, referring to the blades of Toledo.
Ode XXX. Venus is invoked to grace with her presence, and with
that of her attendant retinue, the temple prepared for her at the home of
Glycera.
1-8. 1. Cnidi. Cnidus was a Doriau city, on the coast of Caria, at the
extremity of the promontory of Triopium. Venus was the tutelary god-
dess of the place. — Paphique. Paphos was a very ancient city of Cyprus,
on the southwestern side of the island. It was famed for the worship of
Venus, who was fabled to have been wafted from Cythera to the coast in
its vicinity after her birth amid the waves. — 2. Sperne. " Look with con-
tempt on," r. e., leave — 3. Decoram. "Adorned for thy reception." — 5.
Fcrvidus pner. Cupid. — Solutis zonis. Indicative, as Braunhard re-
marks, of" /tc™lige)itia amabilis." — 7. Parian eonis sine te. " Little able
to please without thee." Observe the inverted form of expression, for
" deriving additional attractions from thee." — Jnvcntas. The goddess of
youth, or Hebe, who appears also in the train of Venus in the Homeric
Hymn to Apollo, v. 195. — 8. Mercuriuxque. Mercury is enumerated
among tbe retinue of Venus, in allusion to his being the god ol language
and persuasive eloquence.
Ode XXXI. The poet raises a prayer to Apollo on the day when Au-
gustus dedicated a temple to this deity on the Palatine Hill. Standing
306 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE XXXI.
amid the crowd of worshippers, each of whom is offering up some petition
to the god, the bard is supposed to break forth on a sadden with the abrupt
inquiry, "What does the poet (i. c, what do I) ask of Apollo on the dedi-
cation of his temple ?'" His own reply succeeds, disclaiming all that the
world considers essential to happiness, and ending with the simple and
beautiful prayer for the "mens sana in corpore sa?w."
1-8. 1. Dedicatum. " On the dedication of his temple.'' — 2. Novum
liquorem. It was customary to use wine of the same year's make in liba-
tions to the gods. Compare Petron., c. 130 : " Spumabit paleris hornus
liquor." — 4. Sardinia;. Sardinia was famed for its fertility, which com-
pensated in some degree for its unhealthy climate. — Segetes. " Har-
vests."— 5. Grata armenta. "The fine herds." — yEstuosa? Calabria.
" Of the sunny Calabria." Calabria, in Southern Italy, was famed for its
mild climate and excellent pastures. — 6. Ebur Indicurn. The ivory of
India formed one of the most costly instruments of Roman luxury. Com-
pare Virgil, Georg.,\.,bl: "India mittit ebur." — 7. Liris. This river,
mow the Garigliano, rises in the Apennines, and falls into the Tuscan
Sea near Miuturnae. The Liris, after the southern boundary of Latium
was extended below the Circaean Promontory, separated that region from
Campania. Subsequently, however, the name of Latium was extended
to the mouth of the Vulturnus and the Massic Hills. (Compare Cramer's
Ancient Italy, vol. ii., p. 11, and the authorities there cited.) — 8. Mordet.
"Undermines" or "eats away."
9-16. 9. Premant. "Let those prune." — Calena falce. An allusion
to the Faleruian vineyards. Compare note on Ode i., 20, 9. — 11. Exsic-
cet. Equivalent to ebibat. " Let the rick trader drain." — Culullis. The
culullus was properly of baked earth, and was used in sacred rites by the
pontifices and vestal virgins. Here, however, the term is taken in a gen-
eral sense for any cup. — 12. Syra reparata merce. " Obtained in exchange
for Syrian wares." By Syrian wares are meant the aromatic products of
Arabia and the more distant East, brought first to the coast of Syria by
the overland trade, and shipped thence to the western markets. — 16. Ci-
ckorca. " Endives." The term cichoreum (Kixopsia, or nix&piov) is,
strictly speaking, confined to the cultivated species of Intvbum or Inty-
lum. The wild sort is called aipic by the Greeks, and answers to our
bitter succory. The name cichoreum is of Coptic or Egyptian origin, the
plant itself having been brought from Egypt into Europe. The appella-
tion Endive comes from the barbarous word end/via, used in the Middle
Ages, and an evident corruption as well of the Arabic hendib as of the
classical intybum. (Compare Fie, Flore de Virgile, p. 70, 71. Martyn
ad Virg., Georg., i., 120.) — Levesque malva. "And mallows, easy of di
gestion." Compare Orelli : " stomach um non gravantes ; facile conco-
quenda." Dioscorides (ii., Ill) and Theophrastns (i., 5) both designate
mallows as aliment: the first of these two authors speaks of the garden
mallows as preferable, in this respect, to the uncultivated kind, from
which it may be fairly inferred that several species of this plant were
used as articles of food. The Greek name of the mallows (fiaXuxv), from
which both the Latin and English are said to be deduced, has reference
to their medicinal properties. It is foi'ined from /laXdcoo), " to soften,"
fee.
EXPLANATORY NOTES. — BOOK I., ODE XXXIV. 307
17-20. 17. Frui paratis, &c. "Son of Latona, give me, I pray, to en>
joy my present possessions, being, at the same time, both healthful in
frame and with a mind unimpaired by disease." Or, more freely, " Give
me a sound mind in a sound body, that I may enjoy, as they should be en-
joyed, the possessions which are mine." The expression dories mild val-
ido, &tc.,frui paratis, is a Graecism for dories ut ego validus, &.c, fruar
paratis. Compare, in relation to the idea here expressed, the well-known
line of Juvenal (x., 356) : " Orandum eat ut sit mens sana in corpore sano."
Compare also, in reference to the structure of the whole sentence, the ex-
planation of Dillenburger : " Dnte voti Horatiani partes sunt : dones pre-
cor et valido mihi et Integra cum mente paratis frui; turn donesdegere
senectam nee turpem ncc cithara carentem. Hunc ordinem verborum ipse
Horatius indicavit artijiciose positis particulis, et . . . et, nee . . . nee." —
19. Nee turpem senectam degere, <5cc. "And to lead no degenerate old
age, nor one devoid of the lyre," i. e., no old age unworthy of my present
contentment, nor devoid of the charms of poetry and music. (Osborne,
ad loc.)
Ode XXXII. The bard addresses his lyre, and blends with the address
the praises of Alcaeas. The invocation comes with a peculiar grace from
one who boasted, and with truth, of having been the first to adapt the
iEolian strains to Italian measures. (Compare Ode hi., 30, 13.)
1-15. 1. Poscimur. "We are called upon for a strain." Compare
Ovid, Met., v., 333, " Poscimur, Aonides." The request probably came
from Augustus or Maecenas. Bentley reads Posamus, which then becomes
a part of the apostrophe to the lyre. — Si quid vacui lusimus tecum. " If
we have ever, in an idle moment, produced in unison with thee any sportive
effusion." — 3. Die Latinvm carmen. "Be responsive to a Latin ode."
— 5. Lesbio primum,&.c. "Attuned to harmony most of all by a Lesbian
citizen." Primum is here equivalent to maxime. Horace assigns to
Alcaeus the merit of having brought lyric poetry to its highest state of
perfection. — 6. Ferox bello. Understand quamvis. — 7. Udo litore. "On
the wave-washed shore." Supply in. — 9. Illi semper harentem. "Ever
clinging to her side." — 14. Laborum dulce lenimen. "Sweet solace of
toils." — 15. Mihi cunque, &c. "Be propitious unto me whenever duly
invoking thee." Cunque for quandocunquc.
Ode XXXIV. Horace, a professed Epicurean, having heard thunder m
a cloudless sky, abandons the tenets which he had hitherto adopted, and
declares his belief in the superintending providence of the gods. Such,
at least, appears to be the plain meaning of the ode. It is more than
probable, however, that the poet merely wishes to express his dissent
from the Epicurean dogma which made the gods take no interest what-
ever in the affairs of men. The argument employed for this purpose is
trivial enough in reality, and yet to an Epicurean of the ancient school it
would carry no little weight along with it. Thus Lucretius positively
states that thunder in a serene and cloudless sky is a physical impossi
bility :
" Fulmina gigni de crassis, alteque, putandum est,
308 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE XXXT.
Kubibus cxstrvctis: nam caslo nulla sereno,
Nee leviter densts miltuntur nubibus nnquam."
De R. A., vi., 245, seqq.
1-7. 1. Parens deorum, &c. The Epicureans would appear only to
have conformed to the outward ceremonies of religion, and that, too, in no
very strict or careful manner. The doctrine of their founder, after all that
may be said in its praise, tended directly to atheism; and there is strong
reason to suspect that what he taught concerning the gods was artfully
designed to screen him from the odium and hazard which would bavti at-
tended a direct avowal of atheism. — 2. Insanientis dum philosophic, «Sec.
" While I wander from the true path, imbued with the tenets of a vi don-
ary philosophy." The expression insanientis sap, entice (literally, " an
unwise system of wisdom') presents a pleasing oxymoron, and is levelled
directly at the philosophy of Epicurus. Consullus is here equivalt/.t to
versatus in doctrina, as in the expression juris consultus. Compare Liv.,
x., 22 : "Juris afque eloquentice consnltus." — 4. Ilerare cursus reiictos.
"To return to the course which I had abandoned." Heinsius proposes
relectos for reiictos, which Bentley advocates and receives into his text.
— 5. Diespiter. " The father of light." Jupiter. — l.Perpumm. "Through
a cloudless sky." Understand caelum. Thunder in a cloudless sky was
ranked among prodigies.
9-14. 9. Bruta tellus. By the "brute earth" is meant, in the language
of commentators, " terra qua sine, sensu vmmotaet gravis manet.'' — 10. [v-
visi korrida Ta^nari sedes. The promontory of Tsnarus, forming the south-
ernmost projection of the Peloponnesus, was remarkable for a cave in its
vicinity, said to be one of the entrances to the lower world, and by which
Hercules dragged Cerberus to the regions of day. — 11. Atlantensque finis.
"And the Atlantean limit," i.e., and Atlas, limit of the world. The an-
cients believed this chain of mountains to be the farthest barrier to the
west. — 12. Valet ima sumrnis, &c. "The deity is all powerful to change
the highest things into the lowest." Literally, "to change the highest
things by means of the lowest." Observe that summts is the instru-
mental ablative. — Attenuat. " Humbies." Literally, "weakens," or
"makes feeble." The train of thought is as follows: Warned by this
prodigy, I no longer doubt the interposition of the gods in human affairs ;
nay, I consider the deity all-powerful to change things from the lowest to
the highest degree, and to humble to the dust the man that now occupies
the loftiest and most conspicuous station among his fellow-creatures. —
14. Hinc apiccm, &c. " From the head of this one, Fortune, with a sharp,
rushing sound of her pinions, bears away the tiara in impetuous flight;
on the head of that one she delights to have placed it." Sn<tu/it is here
taken in an aorist sense, as denoting what is usual or customary. As re-
gards the term apicem, it maybe remarked, that, though specially signify-
ing the tiara of Eastern royalty, it has here a general reference to the
crown or diadem of kin^s.
Ode XXXV. Augustus, A.U.C. 726, had levied two armies, the cne
intended against the Britons, the other against the natives of Arabia Fe-
lix and the East. The former of these was to be led by the emperor in
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE XXXV. 309
person. At this period the present ode is supposed to have been written.
It is an address to Fortune, and invokes her favoring influence for the
arms of Augustus.
The latter of these two expeditious has already been treated of in the
Introductory Remarks on the 29th ode of this beok. The first caly pro-
ceeded as far as Gaul, where its progress was arrested by the Britons
suing for peace, and by the troubled state of Gallic affairs. The negotia-
tions, however, were subsequently broken off, and Augustus prepared
anew for a campaign against the island; but the rebellion of the Salassi,
Cantabri, and Astures intervened, and the reduction of these tribes en-
grossed the attention of the prince. (Compare Dw Cassius, 53, 22, and
25, vol. i-, p. 717 and 719, ed. Reim.)
1-8. 1. Antium. A city on the coast of Latium, the ruins of which are
now called Porto d'Anzo, celebrated for its temple of Fortune. — 2. Prce-
sens tollere. " That hi an instant canst raise." By prce-tentes del are meant
those deities who are ever near at hand and ready to act. — 3. Vel super-
bos, &c. " Or convert splendid triumphs into disasters." Fimeribus is
the instrumental ablative. — 5. In this and the following line, we have
adopted the punctuation recommended by Markland, viz., a comma after
price, and another after runs, which latter word will then depend on dom-
iuam understood, and the whole clause will then be equivalent to " pau-
per colonus, sollicita. prece, ambit te, dominant ruris ; quicunque lacessit,
&.c, te domtnam aquoris {ambit)." — Ambit sollicita prece. " Supplicates
in anxious prayer." — 7. Bilhyna. Bithyuia, in Asia Minor, was famed
for its natural productions, which gave rise to a very active commerce be-
tween this region and the capital of Italy. The expression in the text,
however, refers more particularly to the naval timber in which the coun-
try abounded. — 8. Carpalhium pelagus. A name applied to that part of
the Mediterranean which lay between the islands of Carpathus and Crete.
9-13. 9. Dacus. Ancient Dacia corresponds to what is now, in a great
measure, Wallachia, Transylvania, Moldavia, and that part of Hungary
which lies to the east of the Teiss. — Profugi Scythe. " The roving Scyrh-
ians." The epithet profugi is here used with reference to the peculiar
habits of this pastoral race, in having no fixed abodes, but dwelling in
wagons. — 10. Latium ferox. "Warlike Latium." — 11. Regum barbaro-
rum. An allusion to the monarchs of the East, and more particularly to
Parthia. — 12. Purpurri Tyranni. "Tyrants clad in purple." — 13. Inju-
rio*o ne pedc, &c. " Lest with destructive foot thou overthrow the stand-
ing column of affairs." The scholiast makes stantem columnam equiva-
lent to praise idem felicitate m, and the allusion of the poet is to the exist-
ing state of affairs among the Dacians, Scythians, and others mentioned
in tin; text. A standing column was a general symbol among the ancients
of public security. Some editions place a colon or period after tyranni,
aud the meaning then is, " Do not with destructive foot overthrow the
standing column of the empire," alluding to the durability of the Roman
sway. The interpretation first given, however, is decidedly preferable:
the change in the latter is too sudden and abrupt.
14-18. 14. Xeu popnlus frequens, &,c. "Or lest the thronging popu-
late aro*use the inactive to arms ! to arms ! and destroy the public repbse."
310 EXFLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE XXXV.
The repetition of the phrase ad arma is intended to express the redoubled
-outcries of an agitated throng, calling upon the dilatory and inactive to
add themselves to their number. Compare Ovid, Met., xi., 377 : "Cnncti
coeamus et arma, Arma capessamns." The term imperium in this pas-
sage is equivalent merely to publicam quietem, or reipttblica; statum, tak-
ing respublica in the general sense of " government." — 17. Te semper an-
tcit, &c. The idea intended to be conveyed is, that all things must yield
to the power of Fortune. This is beautifully expressed in the language of
the text: "Thee thy handmaid Necessity ever precedes." — Anteit must
be pronounced ant-ytt, as a dissyllable, by synaeresis. — 18. Clavos traba-
les. Necessity is here represented with all such appendages as may
serve to convey the idea of firm and unyielding power. Thus she bears
in her hand clavos trabales, "large spikes," like those employed for con-
necting closely together the timbers of an edifice. She is armed also
with " wedges," used for a similar purpose, not for cleaving asunder, as
some explain it. In like manner, the "unyielding clamp" [severua uncus)
makes its appearance, which serves to unite more firmly two masses of
stone, while the "melted lead" is required to secure the clamp in its bed.
Some commentators erroneously regard the clavos trabales, &c, as instru-
ments of punishment.
21-29. 21. Te Spes et albo, &c. The idea which the poet wishes to
convey is, that Hope and Fidelity are inseparable from Fortune. In other
words, Hope always cheers the unfortunate with a prospect of better days
to come, and a faithful friend only adheres the more closely to us under
the pressure of adversity. The epithet rara alludes to the paucity of true
friends, while the expression albo velata panno refers in a very beautiful
manner to the sincerity and candor by which they are always distinguish-
ed.— 23. Utcunque mutata, &c. "Whenever, clad in sordid vestments,
thou leavest in anger the abodes of the powerful." Prosperous fortune is
arrayed in splendid attire, but when the anger of the goddess is kindled,
and she abandons the dwellings of the mighty, she changes her fair vest-
ments for a sordid garb. — 26. Cadis cum face siccatis. " When the casks
are drained to the very dregs." Faithless friends abandon us after our
resources have been exhausted in gratifying their selfish cupidity. — 28.
Ferre jitg-um pariter dolosi. A Graecism for dolosiores quam ut ferant,
&c. "Too faithless to bear in common with us the yoke of adversity." —
29. Ultimos orbis Britannos. In designating the Britons as " ultimos
orbis," Horace must be understood to speak more as a poet than a geog
rapher, since the Romans of his day were well acquainted with the exist
ence of Hibei-nia. It must be acknowledged, however, that it was no un
common thing to call all the islands in this quarter by the general name
of Insula Britannicce (BpeT-aviKai vf/coi).
30-33. 30. Juvenum recens examen. " The recent levy of youthful war-
riors." These are compared to afresh swarm of bees issuing from the
parent hive. — 32. Oceanoque Rubro. "And by the Indian Sea." The al-
lusion is to the Mare E rytkramm or Indian Ocean, not to the Sinus Arab-
icus, or Red Sea. — 33. Eheu ! cicatricum, &c. " Ah ! I am ashamed of our
scars, and our guilt, and of brothers — " The poet was going to add, " slain
by the hand of brothers," but the thought was too horrid for utterance, and
the sentence is therefore abruptly broken off. Hence we have placed a
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE XXXVI. 311
dash after / rat rumque. He merely adds, in general language, "What,
in fine, have we, a hardened age, avoided ?" &c. The reference through-
out the stanza is to the bloody struggle of the civil wars.
38-39. 33. O utinam diffingas. "O mayest thou forge again." The
poets prayer to Fortune is, that she would forge anew the swords which
had been stained with the blood of the Romans in the civil war, so that
they might be employed against. the enemies of the republic. "While
polluted with civil blood, they must be the objects of hatred and aversion
to the gods. — 39. In Massagelas Arabasque. "To be wielded against
the Massagetas and the Arabians." The Massagetae were a branch of the
great Scythian race, and, according to Herodotus (i., 204), occupied a level
tract of country to the east of the Caspian. They are supposed by some
to have occupied the present country of the Kirgish Tatars.
Ode XXXVI. Plotius Numida having returned, after a long absence,
from Spaiu, where he had been serving under Augustus in the Cantabrian
war, the poet bids his friends celebrate in due form so joyous an event.
This ode would appear to have been written about A.U.C. 730.
1-10. 1. Et thure et fdibus, &c. " With both incense and the music
of the lyre, and the blood of a steer due to the fulfillment of our vow."
The ancient sacrifices were accompanied with the music of the lyre and
flute. — 3. Sumida. A cognomen of the Plotian and iEmilian lines. —
4. He<peria ab ultima. "From farthest Spain." Referring to the situa-
tion of this country as farthest to the west. Hesperia was a more com-
mon name for Italy, as lying to the west of Greece. For distinction's
sake, Spain was sometimes called Hesperia ultima. — 6. Dividit. " Dis-
tributes.'*— 8. Non alio rege. "Under the same preceptor." — Puertia.
Coutracted for pueritia. — 9. Mutatceque simul togm. Young men, among
the Romans, when they had completed their seventeenth year, laid aside
the toga pratexta, and put on the toga viri/is, or manly gown. — 10. Cressa
nota. "A white mark." The Romans marked their lucky days, in the
calendar, with white or chalk, and their unlucky days with black.
11-20. 11. Neu promta>, Sec. " Nor let \xs spare the contents of the
wine jar taken from the vault." Literally, "nor let there be any limit to
the wine-jar," «Sec. ; i. e., any limit to an acquaintance with its contents. —
12. Solium. The Salii, or priests of Mars, twelve in number, were in-
stituted by Numa. They were so called because on solemn occasions
they used to go through the city dancing (saltante*). After finishing their
solemn procession, they sat down to a splendid entertainment. Hence
Saliarts dope* means " a splendid banquet." — 13. Multi Damalis meri
" The hard-drinking Damalis." — 14. Threicia amystide. " In tossing off"
the wine-cup after the Thracian fashion." The amystis {uuvong) was a
mode of drinking practiced by the Thracians, and consisted in draining
the cup without once closing the lips. (a. priv., uvu, to close.) It denotes,
also, a large kind of drinkin^-cup. — 1*3. Vivox opium. '■ The parsley that
long retains its verdure." The poet is thought to allude to a kind of wild
parsley, of a beautiful verdure, which preserves its freshness for a long
pei-iod. — Breve lilium. " The short-lived lily."
312 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE XXXVII.
Ode XXXVII. Written in celebration of the victory at Actium, and
the final triumph of Augustus over the arms of Antony ami Cleopatra
The name of the unfortunate Roman, however, is studiously concealed,
and the indignation of the poet is made to fall upon Cleopatra.
2-6. 2. Nunc Saliai-ibus, &c. "Now was it the time to deck the
temples of the gods with a splendid banquet." The meaning becomes
plainer by a paraphrase: "We were right, my friends, in waiting until
the present moment: this was indeed the true period lor the expression
of our joy." We must imagine these words to have proceeded from the
poet after the joyous ceremonies had already begun. — Saliaribus dapibus.
Literally, "with a Salian banquet." Consult note on verse 12 of the pre-
ceding ode. — 3. Pulviuar. The primitive meaning of this term is, a cush-
ion or pillow for a couch; it is then taken to denote the couch itself; and
finally it signifies, from the operation of a peculiar custom among the
Romans, a temple or shrine of the gods. When a general had obtained
a signal victory, a thanksgiving was decreed by the Senate to be made in
all the temples, and what was called a Lertisternium took place, when
couches were spread for the gods, as if about to feast; and their ima-res
were taken down from their pedestals, and placed upon these couches
around the altars, which were loaded with the richest dishes. Dr. Adam,
in his work on Roman Antiquities, states that on such occasions the image
of Jupiter was placed in a reclining posture, and those of Juno and Minerva
^rect on seats. The remark is an erroneous one. The custom to which
ie refers was confined to solemn festivals in honor of Jove. Compare
Val. Max., ii., 1, 2. With regard to the meaning we have assigned pul-
'inar in the text, and which is not given by some lexicographers, con-
sult Ernesti, Clav. Cic, s. v. Schiitz, Index Lat. in Cic Op., s. v. —
5. Antehac. To be pronounced as a dissyllable (ant-yac). The place of
.he caesura is not accurately observed either in this or the 14th line. Con-
sult Classical Journal, vol. xi., p. 354. — Ccecubnm. Used here to deuote
any of the more generous kinds of wine. Compare note on Ode i., 20, 9.
— 6. Dum Capitolio, &c. "While aphrensied queen was preparing ruin
for the Capitol and destruction tor the empire." An hypallage for dum
Capitolio rcgina dcmcns, &c. Horace indulges here in a spirit of poetic
exaggeration, since Antony and Cleopatra intended merely, in case they
proved victorious, to transfer the seat of empire from Rome to Alexandrea.
Dio Cassius (50, 4, vol. i., p. 606, cd. Reimar) states as one of the rumors
of the day, that Antony had promised to bestow the city of Rome as a
present upon Cleopatra, and to remove the government to Egypt.
9-14. 9. Contaminato cum grczc, &c. "With a contaminated herd of
followers polluted by disease." — 10. Quidlibet impotent sperare. "Weak
enough to hope for any thing." A Graacism for impotens ut quidlibet
speraret. Observe that impotens is here equivalent to impotens sui, i. e ,
having so little control over herself as to hope for any thing. — 11. For-
tunaque dulci cbria. "And intoxicated with prosperity." — 13. Sospes nb
iambus. " Saved from the flames." We have here somewhat of poetic
exaggeration. Cleopatra fled with sixty ships, while three hundred were
taken by Augustus. Many of Antouy's vessels, however, were destroy-
ed by fire during the action. — 14. Lymphatam Mareotico. "Maddened
with Mareotie wine." A bitter, though not strictly accurate, allusion to
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE XXXVII. 313
the luxurious habits of Cleopatra. The poet pretends in this way to ac-
count for the panic which seized her at Actium. — Mareotico. The Mareotic
wine was produced along the borders of the Lake Mareotis, in Egypt. It
was a light, sweetish white wine, with a delicate perfume, of easy diges-
tion, and not apt to affect the head, though the allusion would seem to im-
ply that it had not always preserved its innocuous quality.
16-23. 16. Ab Italia volantem, &c. " Pursuing her with swift galley?,
as she fled from Italy." The expression ab Italia volantem is to be ex-
plained by the circumstance of Antony and Cleopatra's having intended
to make a descent upon Italy before Augustus should be apprised of their
coming. Hence the flight of Cleopatra, at the battle of Actium, was in
reality ab Italia. — 20. H&monia. Hoemonia was one of the early names
of Thessaly. — Catenis. Augustus did not proceed to Alexandrea till the
year following; but the poet blends the defeat with the final conquest.
(O<borne, ad loc.) — 21. Fatale monstrum. * The fated monster," i. e-, the
fated cause of evil to the Roman world. — Qua?. A syllepsis, the relative
being made to refer to the person indicated by monstrum, not to the gram-
matical gender of the antecedent itself. — 23. Expavit ensem. An allusion
to the attempt which Cleopatra made upon her own life, when Proculeius
was sent by Augustus to secure her person. — Xcc latentes, &c. "Nor
sought with a swift fleet for other and secret shores." Observe the force
of repnravit, and compare the explanation of Orelli : " Spe novi regni
condendi, alias sibi parare et assequi studuit reziones,'' &c. By latentcs
oras are meant coasts lying concealed from the sway of the Romans.
Plutarch states that Cleopatra formed the design, after the battle of Actium.
of drawing a fleet of vessels into the Arabian Gulf, across the neck of land
called at the present day the Isthmus of Suez, and of seeking some remote
country where she might neither be reduced to slavery nor involved in
war. The biographer adds, that the first ships transported across were
burned by the natives of Arabia Petraea, and that Cleopatra subsequently
abandoned the enterprise, resolving to fortify the avenues of her kingdom
against the approach of Augustus. The account, however, which Dio
Cassius tzives, differs in some respect from that of Plutarch, since it makes
the vessels destroyed by the Arabians to have been built on that side of
the isthmus. Compare Plutarch, Vit. Anton., c. 69, vol. vi., p. 143, cd.
Hutten, and Dio Cassius, 51, 7, vol. i., p. 637, ed. Reimar.
23-26. 25. Jacentem regiam. "Her palace plunged in affliction.-'—
26. Forti* et asperas, &c. "And had courage to handle the exasperated
serpents." Horace here adopts the common opinion of Cleopatra's death
having been occasioned by the bite of an asp, the animal having been pre-
viously irritated by the queen with a golden bodkin. There is a great
deal of doubt, however, on this subject, as may be seen from Plutarch's
statement. After mentioning the common account, which we have just
given, the biographer remarks, " It was likewise reported that she car-
ried about with her certain poison in a hollow bodkia which she wore in
her hair, yet there was neither any mark of poison on her body, nor was
there any serpent found in the monument, though the track of a reptile
was said to have been discovered on the sea-sands opposite the windows
of her apartment. Others, again, have affirmed that she had two small
punctures on her arm, apparentlv occasioned bv the asp's sting, and to
O
314 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE XXXVIII.
this Caesar obviously gave credit, for her effigy which he carried in
triumph had an asp on the arm." It is more than probable that the asp
on the arm of the effigy was a mere ornament, mistaken by the populace
for a symbolical allusion to the manner of Cleopatra's death. Or we may
conclude with Wrangham that there would of course be an asp on the
diadem of the effigy, because it was peculiar to the kings of Egypt.
29-30. 29. Deliberata morte ferocior. " Becoming more fierce by a de-
termined resolution to die." Compare Orelli : " Per mortem deliberatam
ferocior facta." Morte is the instrumental ablative. — 30. Saevis Libumis,
&.c. "Because, a haughty woman, she disdained being led away in the
hostile galleys of the Liburuians, deprived of all her former rank, for the
purpose of gracing the proud triumph of Augustus." Superbo triumpho
is here put by a Grascism for ad supcrbum triumphum. The naves Li-
burnai were a kind of light galleys used by the Liburnians, an Illyrian race
along the coast of the Adriatic, addicted to piracy. To ships of this con-
struction Augustus was in a great measure indebted for his victory at Ac-
tium. The vessels of Antony, on the other hand, were remarkable for
their great size. Compare the tumid description of Florus (iv., 11, 5) :
" Turribus atque tabulatis allevatat, castellorum et urbium specie, nori sine
gemitu maris, et labore ventorum ferebantur."
Ode XXXVIII. Written in condemnation, as is generally supposed,
of the luxury and extravagance which marked the banquets of the day.
The bard directs his attendant to make the simplest preparations for his
entertainment.
1-5. 1. Persicos apparatus. " The festal preparations of the Per-
sians," i. e., luxurious and costly preparations. — Nexte philyra corona'.
M Chaplets secured with the rind of the linden." Chaplets, as already re-
marked, were supposed to be of efficacy in checking intoxication. Among
the Romans they were made of ivy, myrtle, &c, interwoven chiefly with
violets and roses. If fastened on a strip of bark, especially the inner rind
of the linden tree, they were called sutiles. — 3. Mitte sectari. " Give over
searching." — 4. Moretur. " Loiters beyond its season." — 5. Nihil alla-
bores sedulus euro. The order is nihil euro (ut) sedulus allabores. " I am
not at all desirous that you take earnest pains to add any thing." We
have given euro with Orelli, Dillenburger, and others. Wakefield [Silv.
Crit., $ 55) proposes curat, joining it in construction with seduh/s. Cun-
ningham, Valart, and Doring adopt it. Bentley reads cura, taking cura
as an imperative in the sense of cave
BOOK II.
Ode I. C. Asinius Pollio, distinguished as a soldier, a pleader, and a
tragic writer, was engaged in writing a history of the civil war. The
poet earnestly entreats him to persevere, and not to return to the paths
of tragic composition until he should have completed his promised narra-
tive of Roman affairs. The ode describes in glowing colors the expecta-
tions entertained by the poet of the ability with which Pollio would treat
so interesting and difficult a subject.
1-6. 1. Ex Metello conside. " From the consulship of Metellus." The
narrative of Pollio, consequently, began with the formation of the first
triumvirate, by Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus, A.U.C. 694, B.C. 59, in the
consulship of Q.. Caecilius Metellus Celer and L. Afranius. This may
well be considered as the germ of the civil wars that ensued. The Ro-
mans marked the year by the names of the consuls, and he wbo had most
suffrages, &c., was placed first. The Athenians, on the other hand, des-
ignated their years by the name of the chief archon, who was hence call-
ed 'Apx&v 'E-uvvfiog. — 2. Bellique causas, Sec. "And of the causes, and
the errors, and the operations of the war." The term vi/ia has here a
particular reference to the rash and unwise plans of Pompey and his fol-
lowers.— 3. Ludumque Fortunes. " And of the game that Fortune play-
ed."— Grave<que principum amicitias. "And of the fatal confederacies
of the chiefs." An allusion to the two triumvirates. Of the first we have
already spoken. The second was composed of Octavianus, Antony, and
Lepidus. — 5. Nondum expiatis. Compare Ode i., 2, 29. — 6. Periculosce
plenum, Sec. "An undertaking full of danger and of hazard." Opus is
applied by some, though less correctly, we conceive, to the civil war itself.
The metaphor of the poet is borrowed from the Roman games of chance.
8-12. 8. Cineri. The dative, put by a Graecisrn for the ablative. —
9. Paullum severce, Sec. "Let the muse of dignified tragedy be absent
for a while from our theatres," i. e., suspend for a season thy labors in the
field of tragic composition. The muse of tragedy' is Melpomene, who pre-
sided also over lyric verse. Compare Explanatory Notes, Ode i., 24, 3.
— 10. Ubi publicas res ordinaris. "When thou hast chronicled our pub-
lic affairs," i. e., hast completed thy history of our public affairs. The pas-
sage may also be rendered, "When thou hast settled our public affairs,"
i. e., when, in the order of thy narrative, thou hast brought the history of
our country down to the present period of tranquillity and repose. The
former interpretation is decidedly preferable. — 11. Grande jhuhu.<, Sec.
"Thou wilt resume thy important task with all the dignity of the Athe-
nian tragic muse," i. e., thou wilt return to thy labors in the walks of trag-
edy, and rival, as thou hast already done, the best efforts of the dramatic
poets of Greece. — 12. Cecropio cothurno. Literally, " with the Cecropian
buskin." Cecropio is equivalent to Attico, and alludes to Cecrops as the
mythic founder of Athens. The cothurnus was the buskin worn by the
tragic actors, and is here taken figuratively for tragedy itself.
316 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., ODE I.
13-23. 13. Insignc moestis, &c. "Distinguished source of aid to the
sorrowful accused.'' Alluding to his abilities as an advocate. — 14. Con
sulenti curice. "To the senate asking thy advice." It was the dutv of
the consul or presiding magistrate to ask the opinions of the individual
senators (consuJere senatum). Here, however, the poet very beautifully
assigns to the senate itself the office of him who presided over their delib-
erations, and in making them ask the individual opinion of Pollio, repre-
sents them as following with implicit confidence his directing and coun-
selling voice. — 16. Dalmatico trtumpho. Pollio triumphed A.U.C. 715,
B.C. 38, over the Parthini, an Illyrian race, in the vicinity of Epidamnus.
— 17. Jam nunc minaci, &c. The poet fancies himself listening to the re-
cital of Pollio's history, and to be hurried on by the animated and graphic
periods of his friend into the midst of combats, and especially into the
great Pharsalian conflict. — 19. Fugaces terret equos. Sec "Terrifies the
flying steeds, and spreads alarm over the countenances of their riders."
The zeugma in terret is worthy of attention. — 21. AuJtrc magnos, &c.
"Already methinks I hear the cry of mighty leaders, stained with no in-
glorious dust." — 23. Et cuncta terrarum, &c. "And see the whole world
subdued, except the unyielding soul of Cato." After cuncta understand
loca. Cato the younger is alluded to, who put an end to his existence at
Utica. Compare note on Ode i., 12, 35.
25-40. 25. Juno et deorum, &c. "Juno, and whosoever of the gods,
more friendly to the people of Africa, unable to resist the power of the
Fates, had retired from a land they could not then avenge, in after days
offered up the descendants of the conquerors as a sacrifice to the shade of
Jugurtha." The victory at Thapsus, where Caesar triumphed over the
remains of Pompey's party in Africa, and after which Cato put an end to
his own existence at Utica, is here alluded to in language beautifully po-
etic. Juno, and the other tutelary deities of Africa, compelled to bend to
the loftier destinies of the Roman name in the Punic conflicts and in the
war with Jugurtha, are supposed, in accordance with the popular belief
on such subjects, to have retired from the land which they found them-
selves unable to save. In a later age, however, taking advantage of the
civil dissensions among the conquerors, they make the battle-field at Thap-
sus, where Roman met Roman, a vast place of sacrifice, as it were, in
which thousands were immolated to the manes of Jugurtha and the fallen
fortunes of the land. — 29. Quis -non Latino, &c. The poet, as an induce-
ment for Pollio to persevere, enlarges in glowing colors on the lofty and
extensive nature of the subject which occupies the attention of his friend.
— 31. Auditumque Medis, Sec. "And the sound of the downfall of Italy,
heard even by the distant nations of the East." Under the term Medis
there is a special reference to the Parthians, the bitterest foes to the Ro-
man name. — 34. Daunia cades. "The blood of Romans." Daunice is
here put for Italm or Romance. Compare note on Ode i., 22, 13. — 37. Scd
ne relictis, &c. "But do not, bold muse, abandon sportive themes, and
resume the task of the Caean dirge," i. e., never again boldly presume to
direct thy feeble efforts toward subjects of so grave and mournful a char-
acter. The expression Ccex nccn'ue refers to Simonides, the famous bard
of Ceos, distinguished as a writer of mournful elegy, and who flourished
about 605 B.C. — 39. Dionazo siib antro. "Beneath some cave sacred to
Venus." Dione was the mother of Venus, whence the epithet Dioiucut
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., ODE II. 317
applied to the latter goddess and what concerned her. — 40. Leviore plec
tro. " Of a lighter strain." Compare note on Ode i., 26, 11.
Ode II. The poet shows that the mere possession of riches can never
bestow real happiness. Those alone are truly happy and truly wise who
know how to enjoy, in a becoming manner, the gifts which Fortune may
bestow, since otherwise present wealth only gives rise to an eager desire
for more.
The ode is addressed to Crispus Sallustius, nephew to the historian, and
is intended, in fact, as a high encomium on his own wise employment of
the ample fortune left him by his uncle. Naturally of a retired and philo-
sophic character, Sallust had remained content with the equestrian rank
in which he was born, declining all the offers of advancement that were
made him by Augustus.
1-12. 1. Nullus argento color. " Silver has no brilliancy." — 2. Inimice
lamnat nisi temperato, &.c. "Thou foe to wealth, unless it shine by mod-
erate use." Lamnee (for lamina:) properly denotes plates of gold or silver,
i. c, coined money or wealth in general. — 5. Extento arvo. " To a distant
age."' The dative used poetically for in cxtentum ccvum. — Proculeius.
C. Proculeius Varro Muraena, a Roman knight, and the intimate friend of
Augustus. His sister was the wife of Maecenas. He is here praised for
having shared his estate with his two brothers, who had lost all their prop-
erty for siding with Pompey in the civil wars. — 6. Notus in fratres. ice.
" Well kuown for his paternal affection toward his brethren." — 7. Penna
me.'xenlc solvi. "On an untiring pinion.'' Literally, "on a pinion fearing
to be tired or relaxed.'' The allusion is a figurative one, aud refers to a
pinion guarding, as it were, against being enfeebled. Compare the Greek
TTEQV/.ayiikvij '/.vtadai- — 11. Gadibux. Gades, now Cadiz, in Spain. —
Uterque Panax. Alluding to the Carthaginian power, both at home and
along the coast of Spain. Thus we have the Poeni in Africa, and the Bas-
tuli Poeni along the lower part of the Mediterranean coast, in the Spanish
peninsula, and, again, a Carthago at home, and a Carthago nova in Spain.
— 12. Utii. Understand tibi.
13-23. 13. Crexcit indulgent sibi, &.c. "The direful dropsy increases
by self-indulgence." Compare the remark of the scholiast : " Ext autern
hydropico proprium vt quanto ampliux biberit, tanto ampliux siliat."
The avaricious man is here compared to one who is suffering under a
dropsy. In either case there is the same hankering after what only serves
to aggravate the nature of the disease. — 15. Aquosux languor. The
dropsy (vdpisip) takes its name from the circumstance of water (vdup) be-
ing the most visible cause of t\\e distemper, as well as from the pallid hue
which overspreads the countenance {urp) of the sufferer. It arises, in fact,
from too lax a tone of the solids, whereby digestion is weakened, and all
the parts are filled beyond measure — 17. Cyri solio. By the "throne of
Cyrus" is here meaut the Parthian empire. Compare note on Ode i., 2,
82. — Phrahaten. Compare note on Ode i., 26, 5. — 18. Disxidenx plebi.
"Dissenting from the crowd." — 19. Virtus. 'True wisdom" — Popu-
lumquefahis, &c. " And teaches the populace to disuse false names for
things." — 22 Propnainque laurum. "And the never-fading laurel."-»
318 EXPLANATORY NOTEri. BOOK II., ODE III.
23. Oculo irrctorto. "With a steady gaze," i. e., without an envioQS
look. Not regarding them with the sidelong glance of envy, but with the
steady gaze of calm indifference.
Ode III. Addressed to Q.. Dellius, and recommending a calm enjoy-
ment of the pleasures of existence, since death, sooner or later, will bring
all to an end. The individual to whom the ode is inscribed was remark-
able for his fickle and vacillating character; and so often did he change
sides during the civil contest which took place after the death of Caesar,
as to receive from Messala the appellation of desultorem bellorum civili-
itm ; a pleasant allusion to the Roman desultores, who rode two horses
joined together, leaping quickly from the one to the other. Compare
Seneca [Suasor., p. 7) : " Bellissimam tamen rem Dellius dixit, quern Mes-
sala Corvinus desultorem bellorum civilium vocat, quia ab Dolabella ad
Cassium transiturus salutem sibi pactus est, si Dolabellam occidisset ; et
a Cassio deinde transivit ad Antonhim : novissume ab Antonio transfugit
ad Ccesarem." Consult, also, Veil. Paterc., 2, 84, and Dio Cass., 49, 39.
2-8. 2. Non secus in bonis, &c. " As well as one restrained from im-
moderate joy in prosperity." — 4. Moriture. " Who at some time or othei
must end thy existence." Dacier well observes that the whole beauty
and force of this strophe consists in the single word moriture, which is
not only an epithet, but a reason to confirm the poet's advice. — 5. Delli.
The old editors, previous to Lambinus, read Deli; but consult Ruhnken,
ad Veil. Paterc., 2, 84, on the orthography of this name. — 6. In rcmoto
gramine. "In some grassy retreat." — Dies Fcstos. Days among the
Romans were distinguished into three general divisions, the Dies Festi,
Dies Profesti, and Dies Intercisi. The Dies Festi, " Holy days," were
consecrated to religious purposes ; the Dies Profesti were given to the
common business of life, and the Dies Intercisi were naif holidays, divided
between sacred and ordinary occupations. The Dies Fasti, on the other
hand, were those on which it was lawful {fas) for the praetor to sit in
judgment. All other days were called Dies Nefasti, or " Non-court days."
— 8. Interiore nota Falerni. " With the old Falernian," i. e., the choicest
wine, which was placed in the farthest part of the vault or crypt, marked
with its date and growth.
9-19. 9. Qua pinus ingens, &c. " Where the tall pine and silver pop
lav love to unite in forming with their branches an hospitable shade."
The poet is probably describing some beautiful spot in the pleasure-
grounds of Dellius. The editions before that of Lambinus have Quo, for
which he first substituted Qua, on the authority of some MSS. Fea and
others attempt to defend the old reading, but qua is more elegantly used
in the sense of ubi than quo. — 11. Ft obliquo laborat, Sec. "And the
swiftly- moving water strives to run murmuring along in its winding chan-
nel." The beautiful selection of terms in laborat and trepidarc is worthy
of particular notice. — 13. Nimium brevis rosa. " Of the too short-lived
rose." — 15. Res. "Your opportunities." Compare the explanation of
Oi'eih" : "Res : tota vit& turn conditio, ac singulce occasiones." — Sororum.
The Fates. — 17. Cocmptis. " Bought up on all sides." — Domo. The term
domus here denotes that part of the villa occupied by the proprietor him
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., ODE VI. 319
self, while villa designates the other buildings and appurtenances of the
estate, designed not only for use, but also for pleasure. Compare Braun-
kard, ad loc. Hence we may render the words et domoviUauue as follows :
" and from thy lordly mansion and estate." — 18. Flavua Tiberis. Com-
pare note on Ode i., 2, 13.— 19. Exstructis in aitum. " Piled up on high."
21-28. 21. Divesne prisco, &c. " It matters not whether thou dwellest
beneath the light of heaven, blessed with riches and descended from Iua-
chus of old, or in narrow circumstances and of the lowliest birth, since in
either event thou art the destined victim of unrelenting Orcus.'' The ex-
pression prisco natus ab Inacho is equivalent to autiquissima stirpe ori-
undus, Inachus having been, according to the common account, the most
ancient king of Argos. The term moreris derives elucidation from Cicero,
de Sen., 23: " commorandi natura deversornnn nobis, non habitandi lo-
cum dedit." — 25. Omnes eodem cogimur. "We are all driven toward the
same quarter." Alluding to the passage of the shades, under the guidance
of Mercury, to the other world. — Omnium versalur urna, &c. "The lots of
all arc shaken in the urn, destined sooner or later to come forth, and place
us in the bark for an eternal exile." The urn here alluded to is that held
by Necessity in the lower world. Some editions place a comma after
urna. making it the nominative to versatur ; and itma omnium will then
signify "the urn containing the destinies of all." But the construction is
too harsh; and the caesura, which would then be requisite for lengthening
the final syllable of urna, is of doubtful application for such a purpose.—
28. CymbcE. The dative, by a Graacism, for the ablative cymba.
Ode VI. The poet expresses a wish to spend the remainder of his days
along with his friend Septimius, either amid the groves of Tibur, or the
fair fields of Tarentum.
The individual to whom the ode is addressed was a member of the
equestrian order, and had fought in the same ranks with Horace during
the civil contest. Hence the language of Porphyrion : " Septimium, equi-
tem Romanum, amicum et commililonem suum hac ode alloquitur." From
the words of Horace (Epist., i., 3, 9-14) he appears to have been also a
votary of the Muses, and another scholiast remarks of him, " Titius Sep-
timius lyrlca carmina et tragcedias scripsit, Augusti tempore: sed libri
ejus nulli extant."
1-2. 1. Gades aditure mecum. "Who art ready to go with me to Ga-
des." We must not imagine that any actual departure, either for Gades
or the other quarters mentioned in this stanza, was contemplated by the
poet. He merely means, to go thither if requisite ; and hence the lan-
guage of the text is to be taken for nothing more than a genera1 eulosrium
on the tried friendship of Septimius. As respects Gades, compare Ode ii.,
2, 11. — 2. Et Cantabrum indoctum, <5cc. "And against the Cantabrian,
untaught as yet to endure our yoke." The Cantabri were a warlike na-
tion of Spain, extending over what is at present Biscay and part of Astu-
rias. Their resistance to the Roman arms was long and stubborn, and
hence the language of Horace in relation to them, Ode iii., 8, 22 : " Can-
taber sera domitus catena.'' The present ode appears to have been writ-
ten previous to their final subjugation.
320 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., ODE VII.
3-11. 3. Barbaras Syrtes. "The barbarian Syrtes." Alluding to the
two well-known gulfs on the Mediterranean coast of Africa, the Syrtis
Major, or Gulf of Sidra, and the Syrtis Minor, or Gulf of Cabes. The term
barbarus refers to the rude and uncivilized tribes in the vicinity. — Maura.
By synecdoche for Africa unda. — 5. Tibur, Argeo positum colono. Com-
pare note on Ode i., 7, 13. — 7. Sit modus lasso, &c. "May it be a limit
of wandering unto me, wearied out with the fatigues of ocean, land, and
military service." The genitives maris, viarum, and militia; are put by
a Graecism for ablatives. — 8. Militi&que. The single campaign under
Brutus, and its disastrous close at Philippi, formed the extent of the poet's
warlike experience. — 9. Prohibent. " Exclude me." — 10. Dulce pellUis
ovibics. " Pleasing to the sheep covered with skins." The sheep that
fed along the banks of the Galoesus, now the Galeso, and the valley of
Aulon, had a wool so fine that they were covered with skins to protect
their fleeces from injury. The same expedient was resorted to in the case
of the Attic sheep. The River Galaesus flowed within five miles of Ta-
rentum, and fell into the inner harbor. — 11. Laconi Phalanto. Alluding
to the story of Phalantus and the Partheniue, who came as a colony from
Sparta to Tarentum, about 700 B.C.
13-22. 13. Miki ridet. " Possesses charms for me." Literally, "looks
laughingly upon me," " smiles upon me," i. e., pleases me. A similar
usage prevails in Greek in the case of the verb ysAau. — 14. Ubi non Hy-
metto, &.c. "Where the honey yields not to that of Hymettus, and the
olive vies with the produce of the verdant Veuafrum." — Hymetto. Hy-
mettus was a mountain in Attica, famed for its honey, which is still in
high repute among the modern Greeks. It has two summits, one ancient-
ly called Hymettus, now Trelovouni ; the other, Anydros (or the dry Hy-
mettus), now Lamprovouni. — 16. Venafro. Venafrum was the last city
of Campania to the north, and near the River Vulturnus. It was cele-
brated for its olives and oil. The modern name is Venafro. — 17. Tepidas-
que brumas. " And mild winters." — 18. Jupiter. Taken for the climate
of the region, or the sky. — 19. Fertili. " Rich in the gifts of the vintage."
The common text hasfei-tilis. Aulon was a ridge and valley in the neigh-
borhood of Tarentum, and very productive. The modern name is Terra
di Melone. The term aulon itself is of Greek origin [avAuv), and denotes
any narrow valley or pass. — Minimum invidet. " Is far from envying," i. e.,
is not inferior to. Literally, "envies least." — 21. Beata colles. "Those
delightful hills." — 22. Ibi tu calentem, &c. " There shalt thou sprinkle,
with the tear due to his memory, the warm ashes of the poet, thy friend."
— Calentem. Alluding to their being still warm from the funeral pile
Ode VII. Addressed to Pompeius, a friend of the poet's, who had fought
on the same side with him at the battle of Philippi. The poet returned
to Rome, but Pompeius continued in arms, and was only restored to his
native country when the peace concluded between the triumvirs and
Sextus Pompey enabled the exiles and proscribed of the republican party
to revisit their homes. The bard indulges in the present effusion on the
restoration of his friend.
Who this friend was is far from being clearly ascertained. Most com
mentators make him to have been Pompeius Gros^hus, a Roman knight
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., ODE VII. 321
and freedman of Pornpey the Great. If this opinion he correct, he will
fce the same with the individual to whom the sixteenth ode of the present
Dook is inscribed, and who is also mentioned in Epist. i., 12, 23. Vander-
bourg, however, is in favor of Pompeius Varus. " Les MSS.," observes
this editor, "ne sont point d' accord sur les noms de cet ami de notre
poete. J'ai cru long temps avec Sanadon, et MM. Wetzel et Mitscher-
lich, devoir le confondre avec le Pompeius Grosphus de l'Ode 16 de ce
livre, et de l'epitre 12, du liv. 1. Mais je pense aujourd'hui avec les an-
ciens commentateurs, suivis en cela par Dacier et M. Voss, que Pompeius
Varus etoient ses nom et surnom veritables."
1-8. 1. O scepe mecum, &c. The order of construction is as follows :
O Pompci, prime meorum sodalium, scepe deducte mecum in ultimum tem-
p?ts, Bruto ducc militite, quis redonavit te Quiritem diis patriis Italogue
coclo ? — Tempus in ultimum deducte. " Involved in the greatest danger."
Compare Calulhis, lxiv., v. 151 : " supremo in tempore ;" and v. 169 : " ex-
tremo tempore sceta Fors." — 3. Quis te redonavit Quiritem. " Who has re
stored thee as a Roman citizen ?" i. e., with thy full rights of citizenship.
The name Quiritem here implies a full return to all the rights and privi-
leges of citizenship, which had been forfeited by his bearing arms against
the established authority of the triumvirate. — 6. Cum quo morantem, &c.
"Along with whom I have often broken the lingering day with wine."
Compare note on Ode i., 1, 20. — 8. Malohathro Syrio. " With Syrian
malobathrum." Pliny (H.N., 12, 26) mentions three kinds of malobathrum,
the Syrian, Egyptian, and Indian, of which the last was the best. The
Indian, being conveyed across the deserts of Syi*ia by the caravan-trade
to the Mediterranean coast, received from the Romans, in common with
the first-mentioned species, the appellation of " Syrian." Some diversity
of opinion, however, exists with regard to this production. Pliny describes
it as follows : "In paludibus gigni tradunt lentis modo, odoratius croco,
nigricans scabrumque, quodarn salis gustu. Minus probatur candidum.
Cclerrime situm in vetustate sentit. Sapor ejus nardo similis debet esse
sub lingua. Odor vero in vino svffervefacti aniccedit alios." Some have
supposed it to be the same with the betel or betre, for an account of which
consult De Maries, Histoire Generate de I'lnde, vol. i., p. 69. Malte-Brun,
however, thinks that it was probably a compound extract of a number of
plants with odoriferous leaves, such as the laurel, called in Malabar Fa-
mala, and the nymphea, called Famara in Sanscrit; the termination ba-
thrum being from patra, the Indian word for a leaf. (System of Geog.,
vol. iii., p. 33, Am. ed.) Weston's opinion is different. According to this
writer, the malobathrum is called in Persian sadedj hindi or sadedj of India
(Materia Medica Kahirina, p. 148, Forskal., 1775), and the term is com-
posed of two Arabic words, melabathra or esra, meaning an aromatic pos-
sessing wealth, or a valuable perfume.
9-13. 9. Tecum Phi/ippos sensi, &c. Compare "Life of Horace,"
p.xviii.of this volume. Philippi was a city of Thrace, to the northeast of
Amphipolis, and in the immediate vicinity of Mount Paugaeus. It was
celebrated for the victory gained here by Antony and Octavianus over
Brutus and Cassius. Its ruins still retain the name of Fdibah. — Relicta
non bene parmula. " My shield being ingloriously abandoned." Consult
" Life of Horace," p. xviii. — 11 . Quum fracta virtus. " When valor itself
02
322 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II. , ODE VII.
was overcome." A manly and withal true eul«gium on the spirit and
bravery of the republican forces. The better troops were in reality on the
side of Brutus and Cassius, although Fortune declared for Octavianus and
Antony. — 12. Turpe. "Polluted with gore." — Solum teiigeremento. Com-
pare the Homeric form of expression (//., ii., 41), irprjvieg ev Kovh/aiv 6ou£
?i.a^oiaro yalav- — 13. Mercnrius. An imitation of the imagery of the
Iliad. As in the battles of Homer heroes are often carried away by pro-
tecting deities from the dangers of the fight, so, on the present occasion,
Mercury, who presided over arts and sciences, and especially over the
music of the lyre, is made to befriend the poet, and to save him from the
dangers of the conflict. Compare Ode ii., 17, 29, where Mercury is styled
'• custos Mercurialium virorum."
1-1-23. 14. Denso acre. "In a thick cloud." Compare the Homeric
form, rjipc izoTiXy. — 15. Te rursus in helium, &c. "Thee the wave of bat-
tle, again swallowing up, bore back to the war amid its foaming waters."
— 17. Obligatam dapem. "Thy votive sacrifice," i.e., due to the fulfill-
ment of thy vow." He had vowed a sacrifice to Jove in case he escaped
the dangers of the war. — 20. Cadis. The Roman cadus was equivalent
to forty-eight sextarii, or twenty-seven English quarts. It was of earthen-
ware.— 21. Oblivioso Mas-si co. " With oblivious Massic." i. e., care-dis-
pelling. The Massic was the best growth among the Falernian wines.
It was produced on the southern declivities of the range of hills in the
neighborhood of the ancient Sinuessa. A mountain near the site of Sin-
uessa is still called Monte Massico. — 22. Ciboria. The ciborium was
a large species of drinking-cup, shaped like the follicule or pod of the
Egyptian bean, which is the primitive meaning of the term. It was
larger below than above. — 23. Conchis. Vases or receptacles for per-
fumes, shaped like shells. The term may here be rendered " shells." —
24. Apio. Compare note on Ode i., 36, 16.
25-27. 25. Quern Venus, &c. The ancients, at their feasts, appointed a
person to preside by throwing the dice, whom they called arbiter bibendi
{cv/J.iTO(nupxvc)' " master of the feast." He directed every thing at pleas-
ure. In playing at games of chance they used three tessera, and four tali.
The tesserce had six sides, marked I., II., III., IV., V., VI. The tali had
four sides longwise, for the two ends were not regarded. On one side was
marked one point [uuio, an ace, called Canis), and on the opposite side
six (Senio,) while on the two other sides were three and four {ternio el
quaternio). The highest or most fortunate throw was called Venus, and
determined the direction of the feast. It was, of the tesserce, three sixes ■
of the tali, when all of them came out different numbers. The worst or
lowest throw was termed Canis, and was, of the tesserae, three aces, and
of the tali when they were all the same. Compare Reitz, ad Lucian.,
Am., vol. v., p. 568, ed. Bip. ; Sutton., Aug., 71, et Crusius, ad loc, and the
Dissertation " De Talis," quoted by Gesner, Thes. L. L., and by Bailey,
in his edition of Forcellini, Lex. Tot. Lat. — 26. Non ego sanius, &c. " I
will revel as wildly as the Thracians." The Edoni or Edones were a
well known Thracian tribe on the banks of the Strymon. Their name is
often used by the Greek poets to express the whole of the nation of wL..ch
they formed a part, a custom which Horace here imitates. — 27. Reccpto
furere amico. " To indulge in extravagance on the recovery of a friend '
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., ODE IX. 323
Ode IX. Addressed to T. Valgius Rufus, inconsolable at the loss of bis
son Mystes, who had been taken from him by an untimely death. The
bard counsels his friend to cease from his unavailing sorrow, and to sing
with him the praises of Augustus.
The individual to whom the ode is inscribed was himself a poet, and is
mentioned by Tibullus (iv., 1, 180; in terms of high commendation : " Val-
gius ; ate mo propior non alter Homero." It is to the illusion of friend-
ship, most probably, that we must ascribe this lofty eulogium, since Q.uin-
tilian makes no mention whatever of the writer in question. Horace
names him among those by whom he wishes his productions to be ap-
proved. (Sat., i., 10, 82.)
1-7. 1. Non semper, «Sec. The expressions semper, usque, and menses
per omues, in this and the succeeding stanza, convey a delicate reproof
of the incessant sorrow in which the bereaved parent so unavailingly in-
dulges.— Hispidos in agros. "On the rough fields.'' The epithet hi<pi-
dus properly refers to the effect produced on the surface of the ground by
the action of the descending rains. It approximates here very closely to
the term squalidus. — 2. Ant mare Caspium, «Sec. " Xor do varying blasts
continually disturb the Caspiau Sea." According to Malte-Brun, the north
and south winds, acquiring strength from the elevation of the shores of
the Caspian, added to the facility of their motion along the surface of the
water, exercise a powerful influence in varying the level at the opposite
extremities. Hence the variations have a range of from four to eight feet,
and powerful currents are generated both with tie rising and subsiding
of the winds. (System of Geography, vol. ii., p. 313.) — 4. Armeniis in
oris. " On the borders of Armenia." The allusion is to the northern con-
fines. Armenia forms a very elevated plain, surrounded on all sides by
lofty mountains, of which Ararat and Kohi-seiban are crowned with per-
petual snow. The cold in the high districts of the country is so very in-
tense as to leave only three months for the season of vegetation, including
seed-time and harvest. (Compare Malte-Brun, System of Geography,
vol. ii., p. 103.) — 7. Querceta Gargani. "The oak-groves of Garganus."
The chain of Mount Garganus, now Monte S.Angelo, runs along a part of
the coast of Apulia, and finally terminates in the Promontorium Garga-
num, now Punta di Viesta, forming a bold projection iuto the Adriatic.
9-10. 9. Tu semper urges, «Sec. "And yet thou art ever in mournful
strains pursuing thy Mystes, torn from thee by the hand of death." Urges
is here used as a more emphatic and impressive term than the common
protequeri*, and implies a pressing closely upon the footsteps of another
m eager pursuit. — 10. Nee tibi vespero, «xc. "Xor do thy affectionate sor-
rows cease when Vesper rises, nor when he flees from before the rapidly-
ascending sun." The phrase Vespero surgente marks the evening period,
when Vesper (the planet Venus) appears to the east of the sun, and im-
parts its mild radiance after that luminary has set. On the other hand,
the expression fugiente solem indicates the morning, in allusion to that
portion of the year when the same planet appears to the west of the sun,
and rises before him. The poet, then, means to designate the evening
and morning, and to convey the idea that the sorrows of Valgius admit of
no cessation or repose, but continue unremitted throughout the night as
well as day. The planet Venus, when it goes before the sun, is called, in
324 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., ODE X.
strictness, Lucifer, or the morning star ; but when it follows the sun it ia
termed Hesperus or Vesper, and by us the evening star.
13-23. 13. Ter cevo functus senex. "The aged warrior who lived three
generations." Alluding to Nestor. Homer makes Nestor to have passed
through two generations, and to be ruling, at the time of the Trojan war,
among a third. — 14. Antilochvm. Antilochus, son of Nestor, was slain in
defence of his father by Memnon. {Horn., Od., iv., 188.) — 15. Troilurx.
Troilus, son of Priam, was slain by Achilles. (Virg., ^En., i., 474.) — 16.
PhrygitE. Put for Trojance. — 17. Desinc mollium, Sec. "Cease, then,
these unmanly complaints." Prose Latinity would require, in the place
of this Grecian, the ablative qucrelis or the infinitive qneri. — 18. Nova
Angusti tropcea. Alluding to the successful operations of Augustus with
the Armenians and Parthians, and to the repulse of the Geloni, who had
crossed the Danube, and committed ravages in the Roman territories. —
20. Rigidum Niphaten. " The ice-clad Niphates." The ancient geogra-
phers gave the name of Niphates to a range of mountains in Armenia,
forming part of the great chain of Taurus, and lying to the southeast of
the Arsissa palus or Lake Van. Their summits are covered with snow
throughout the whole year, and to this circumstance the name Niphates
contains an allusion (Si<j>uTnc, quasi vHperufine, "snowy"). — 21. Medium
flumen, «Sec. " And how the Parthian river, added to the list of conquered
nations, rolls humbler waves." By the Parthian river is meant the Eu-
phrates. The expression gentibus additum victis is equivalent merely to
in populi Romani potestatem redactum. — 23. Intraque pra*criptum, &c.
"And how the Geloni roam within the limits prescribed to them, along
their diminished plains." The Geloni, a Sarmatian race, having crossed
the Danube and laid waste the confines of the empire in that quarter,
were attacked and driven across the river by Lentulus, the lieutenant of
Augustus. Hence the use of the term preescriptum. in allusion to the
Danube being interposed as a barrier by their conquerors, and hence, too,
the check given to their inroads, which were generally made by them on
horseback, is alluded to in the expression exiguis equitare campis.
Ode X. Addressed to Licinius Murena, afterward, by adoption, Teren-
tius Varro Murena, brother of Proculeius Varro Murena, mentioned in the
second Ode (v. 5) of the present book. Of a restless and turbulent spir-
it, and constantly forming new schemes of ambition, Licinius was a total
stranger to the pleasure inseparable from a life of moderation and content.
It is the object of the poet, therefore, to portray in vivid colors the securi-
ty and happiness ever attendant upon such a state of existence.
The salutary advice of the bard proved, however, of no avail. Licinius
had before this lost his all in the civil contest, and had been relieved by
the noble generosity of Proculeius. Uninstructed by the experience of
the past, he now engaged in a conspiracy against Augustus, and was
banished and afterward put to death, notwithstanding all the interest of
Proculeius, and Maecenas, who had married his sister Terentia.
1-21. 1. Rectius. "More consistently with reason." — Neqve altum
semper vrgendo. "By neither a^ays pursuing the main ocean," i. e.
by neither always launching out boldly into the deep- — 3. Nimium pre-
EXPLANATORY NOTE:?. — BOOK II., ODE XI. 32£
mendo litus iniquum. "By keeping too near the perilous shore." —
5. Aurcmn quisquis mediocritatcm, &c. The change of meaning in caret
(which is required, however, more by the idiom of our own language than
hy that of the Latin) is worthy of notice. The whole passage may be
paraphrased as follows: "Whoever makes cnoice of the golden mean,
Bafe from all the ills of poverty (tutus), is not compelled to dwell amid
(caret) the wretchedness of some miserable abode ; while, on the other
hand, moderate in his desires (sobrius), he needs not (caret) the splendid
palace, the object of envy." — 9. S&pius. "More frequently," i. e., than
trees of lower size. Some editions have scevius. — 10. Et eels a graviore
casu, &c. " And lofty structures fall to the ground with heavier ruin,"
i. e., thau humble ones. — 11. Summos monies. " The highest mountains."
— 14. Alteram sortem. " A change of condition." — Bene pr¶lum
pectus. "A well-regulated breast." — 15. Informes hiemes. "Gloomy
winters." — 17. Non si male nunc, &.c. " If misfortune attend thee now,
it will not also be thus hereafter." — 18. Quondam cithara tacenlem, &c.
" Apollo oftentimes arouses with the lyre the silent muse, nor always
bends his bow." The idea intended to be conveyed is, that as misfortune
is not to last forever, so neither are the gods unchanging in their anger
toward man. Apollo stands forth as the representative of Olympus, pro
pitious when he strikes the lyre, oft'ended when he bends the bow. —
19. Suscitat mvsam. Equivalent, in fact, to edit sonos, puis a cithara.
The epithet tacentem refers merely to an interval of silence on the part
of the muse, i. e., of anger on the part of the god. — 21. Animosus atque
fortis. " Spirited and linn."
Ode XL Addressed to Quinctius, an individual of timid character, and
constantly tormented with the anticipation of future evil to himself and
his extensive possessions. The poet advises him to banish these gloomy
thoughts from his mind, and give to hilarity the fleeting hours of a brief
existence.
1-19. 1. Quid bell icosus Cantaber, &c. Compare note on Ode ii., 6, 2.
— 2. Hadria divisus objecto. " Separated from us by the intervening
Adriatic." The poet does not mean that the foes here mentioned were
in possession of the opposite shores of the Adriatic Sea ; such a supposi-
tion would be absurd. He merely intends to quiet the fears of Quinctius
by a general allusion to the obstacles that intervened. — 4. Xec trepides in
usum, &.C. "And be not solicitous about the wants of a life that asks
but few things for its support." — 5. Fugit retro. For recedit. — 11. Quid
aternis minorem, &c. " Why dost thou disquiet thy mind, unable to take
in eternal designs V i. e., to extend its vision beyond the bounds of human
existence. — 14. Sic temere. "Thus at ease." — 15. Canos. Equivalent
to albescentes. "Beginning to grow gray." — 17. Euius. Bacchus. Com-
pare note on Ode i., 18, 9. — 19. Restinguet ardenles, &c. " Will temper
the cups of fiery Falernian with the stream that glides by our side." The
ancients generally drank their wine diluted with water, on account >f its
strength.
326 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., ODE XII.
Ode XII. Addressed to Maecenas. The poet, having been requested
by his patron to sing the exploits of Augustus, declines attempting so
arduous a theme, and exhorts Maecenas himself to make them the subject
of an historical naiTative.
1-11. 1. Nolis. "Do not wish." The subjunctive is here employed as
a softened form of the imperative. — Louga ferae bella Numantia. Nu-
mantia is celebrated in history for offering so long a resistance to the Ro-
man arms. It was situate near the sources of the River Duiius, now the
Douro, on a rising ground, and defended on three sides by very thick
woods and steep declivities. One path alone led down into the plain, and
this was guarded by ditches and palisades. It was taken and destroyed
by the younger Africanus subsequently to the overthrow of Carthage. —
2. Siculum marc. The scene of frequent and bloody contests between
the fleets of Rome and Carthage. — 3. Mollibus citharce modis. " To the
soft measures of my lyre." — 5. Scevos. "Fierce." — Nimium. "Impelled
to unrestrained desire," i. e., to lewdness. Alluding to his attempt on the
person of Hippodamia. Compare Braunhard : " Nimius mero, qui, vino
largius poto calcfactus, ad libidincm proclivior f actus est, uKpa~7)c yevo-
fiFVoc e~idvfj.i(jv." — 7. Telluris Juveues. "The warrior-sons of earth."
Referring to the giants, Tnyeveic. — 8. Pcriculum contrcmuit. "In
trembling alarm apprehended danger." An active intransitive verb with
the accusative. — 9. Pedestribus historiis. " In prose narrative." Com-
pare the Greek ne^bc Aoyoc. — 11. Melius. "With more success," i. e.,
than I can aspire to. — Ducta. "Led in triumph." — Vias. Referring to
the streets of Rome through which the triumphal procession would pass,
but in particular to the Via Sacra, which led up to the Capitol.
13-28. 13. Domina Licymnia. " Of thy lady Licymnia." By Li-
cymnia is here meant Terentia, the young and beautiful wife of Maecenas,
and Horace, in speaking of her, employs, out of respect, a fictitious name,
observing, at the same time, the rule of the ancient poets, namely, that the
appellation substituted be the same in number and quantity of syllables
as the one for which it is used ( Terentia, Licymnia). The epithet domina
indicates respect. They who make Licymnia the name of a female friend
of the poet himself, will find a difficulty to overcome in v. 21, seqq. —
15. Bene mutuis Jidem amoribus. "Truly faithful to reciprocated love."
— 17. Ferre pedem choris. "To join in the dance." — 18. Joco. "In sport-
ive mirth." — Dare brachia. Alluding to the movements of the dance,
when those engaged in it either throw their arms around, or extend their
hands to one another. — 19. Nitidis. " In fair aiTay." — 21. Num. tu, qua
tenuit, &c. " Canst thou feel inclined to give a single one of the tresses
of Licymnia for all that the rich Achaemenes ever possessed," &c. Crine
is put in the ablative as marking the instrument of exchange. — Achaeme-
nes. The founder of the Persian monarchy, taken here to denote the op-
ulence and power of the kings of Persia in general. Achaemenes is sup-
posed to be identical with Djemschid. — 22. Aut pinguis Phrygian Myg-,
donias opes. "Or the Mygdonian treasures of fertile Phrygia," i. e., the
treasures (rich produce) of Mygdonian Phrygia. The epithet Mygdonian
is applied to Phrygia, either in allusion to the Mygdones, a Thracian tribe
who settled in this country, or with reference to one of the ancient mon
archs of the land. The former is probably the more correct opinion.
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., ODE XIII. 32T
Ode XTII. The poet, having narrowly escaped destruction from the fall-
ing of a tree, indulges in strong and angry invectives against both the
tree and the individual who planted and reared it. The subject naturally
leads to serious reflections, and the bard sings of the world of spirits to
which he had been almost a visitant. The poet alludes to this same acci-
dent in the 17th ode of the present book (v. 28), and also in the 4th ode of
the third book (v. 27), where he speaks of his celebrating the anniversary
of his deliverance on the Calends of March, the date of the accident.
1-11. 1. IUe et nefasto, &c. "0 tree, whoever first planted thee,
planted thee on an unlucky day, and with a sacrilegious baud reared thee
for the ruin of posterity and the disgrace of the district." Pagus alludes
to the village distinct of Mandela, to which Horace's Sabine farm belonged.
With quicunque primum understand posuit te. Bentley reads Ilium 6
for IUe et, and places a semicolon after pagi in the fourth line. The pas-
sage, as altered by him, will then be translated as follows : " For my part,
I believe that he whoever first planted thee," &c, and then in the fifth
line, "I say, I believe that he both made away with the life of his parent,"
&c. — Nefasto die. Compare note on Ode ii., 3, 6. — 5. Crediderim. " For
my part, I believe." The perfect subjunctive is here used with the force
of a present, to express a softened assertion. — 6. Fregisse cervicem.
" Strangled." Supply laqueo. — Et penetralia, &c. " And sprinkled the
inmost parts of his dwelling with the blood of a guest slain in the night-
season." To violate the ties of hospitality was ever deemed one of the
greatest of crimes. — 8. IUe venena Colcha, Sec. " He was wont to handle
Colchian poisons, and to perpetrate whatever wickedness is any where
conceived," &c, i. e., all imaginable wickedness. The zeugma in tracta-
vit is worthy of notice. Observe the force of the aorist in tractavit, as in-
dicating custom or habit. — Venena Colcha. The name and skill of Medea
gave celebrity, among the poets, to the poisons of Colchis. Colcha for
Colchica. — 11. Triste lignum. "Unlucky tree." Lignum marks con-
tempt.— Caducum. Equivalent here to " quod prope casurum erat."
13-18. 13. Quid quisque vitet, &c. " Man is never sufficiently aware
of the danger that he has every moment to avoid." — 14. Bosporum. Al-
luding to the Thracian Bosporus, which was considered peculiarly dan-
gerous by the early mariners on account of the Cyanean rocks* at the en-
trance of the Euxine. — 17. Sagittas et celerem fugam Parthi. Compare
note on Ode i., 19, 11. — 18. Italum robur. " An Italian prison." The
term robur appears to allude particularly to the well-known prison at
Rome called Tullianum. It was originally built by Ancus Marcius, and
afterward enlarged by Servius Tullius, whence that part of it which was
under ground, and built by him, received the name of Tullianum. Thus
Varro (L. L., 4) observes : "In hoc, pars qua sub terra Tullianum, ideo
quod additum a Tullio ?-ege." The full expression is " Tullianum ro-
bur," from its walls having been originally of oak. In this prison, captive
monarchs, after having been led through the streets of Rome in triumph,
were confined, and either finally beheaded or starved to death.
20-26. 20. Improvisa leti vis, &c. " The unforeseen attack of death
has hurried off, and will continue to hurry off the nations of the world." —
21. Quam- pcenefurvee, &c. " How near were we to beholding the realms
328 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., ODE XIII.
of sable Proserpina." — 22. Judicantem. " Dispensing justice." Plato, -
his Gorgias (p. 524, A.), represents iEacus as judging the shades from
Europe, and llhadamanthus those from Asia, while Minos sat as supreme
judge to hear appeals. The case of Horace, therefore, would have fallen
under the jurisdiction ofiEacus. — 23. Sedesque discretas pwrum. "The
separate abodes of the pious," i.e., the abodes of the good separated from
those of the wicked. The allusion is to the Elysian Fields. — 24. JEoliis
fidibus querentem, &c. " Sappho, complaining^ on her .<Eolian lyre of the
damsels of her native island." Sappho, the famous poetess, was born at
Mytilene, in the island of Lesbos, and as she wrote in the iEolic dialect,
which was that of her native island, Horace has designated her lyre by
the epithet of " iEolian." — 26. Et fe sonantem plenius aureo, &c. "And
thee, Alcaeus, sounding forth in deeper strains, with thy golden quill, the
hardships of ocean, the hardships of exile, the hardships of war." Alcaeus,
a native of Mytilene, in the island of Lesbos, was contemporary with Sap-
pho, Pittacus, and Stesichorus 'Clinton's Fasti Hellcnici, p. 5, 2d ed.),
and famed as well for his resistance to tyranny and his unsettled life, as
for his lyric productions. Having aided Pittacus to deliver his country
from the tyrants which oppressed it, he quarrelled with this friend when
the people of Mytilene had placed uncontrolled power in the hands of the
latter, and some injurious verses which he composed against Pittacus
caused himself and his adherents to be driven into exile. An endeavor
to return by force of arms proved unsuccessful, and Alcaeus fell into the
power of his former friend, who, forgetting all that had passed, generously
granted him both life and freedom. In his odes Alcaeus treated of various
topics. At one time he inveighed against tyrants ; at another, he deplored
the misfortunes which had attended him, and the pains of exile ; while,
on other occasions, he celebrated the praises of Bacchus and the goddess
of love. He wrote in the MoYic dialect.
29-39. 29. Utrumqve sacro, &c. "The disembodied spirits listen with
admiration to each, as they pour forth strains worthy of being heard in
sacred silence." At the ancient sacred rites the most profound silence
was required from all who stood around, both out of respect to the deity
whom they were worshipping, as also lest some ill-omened expression,
casually uttered by any one of the crowd, should mar the solemnities of
the day. Hence the phrase " sacred silence" became eventually equiva-
lent to, and is here used generally as " the deepest silence." — 30. Sed ma-
gis pugnas, &c. " But the gathering crowd, pressing with their shoulders
to hear, drink in with more delight the narrative of conflicts and of tyrants
driven from their thrones." The phrase " bibit aurc" (literally, " drink in
with the ear") is remarkable for its lyric boldness. — 33. Illis carminibus
stupens. "Lost in stupid astonishment at those strains." — 34. Demittit
"Hangs down." — Belhia centiccps. Cerberus. Hesiod assigns him only
fifty heads. ( Theog., 312.) Sophocles styles him "Aidov rpinpavov okv
2.o,Ka. (Track., 1114.) — 37. Quin et Prometheus, &c. "Both Prome-
theus, too, arid the father of Pelops, are cheated by the sweet melody into
a forgetlulness of their sufferings." Decipitur laborum is a Graecism.
By Pelopis parens is meant Tantalus. — 39. Orion. Consult note on Odt
iii., 4,71.
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., ODE XV. 329
Ode XIV. Addressed to a rich but avaricious friend, whom anxiety
for the future debarred from every kind of present pleasure. The poet
depicts, iu strong and earnest language, the shortness of life, the certainty
of death, and thus strives to inculcate his favorite Epicurean maxim, that
existence should be enjoyed while it lasts.
1-27. 1. Fugaces labuntur anni. "Fleeting years glide swiftly by."
— 3. Instanti. " Rapidly advancing." Pressing on apace. — 5. j\o« si
trccenis, &c. " No, my friend, (it will bring with it no delay), even though
thou strive to appease the inexorable Pluto with three hundred bulls for
every day that passes ; Pluto, who confines,'' «Sec. After non supply mo-
ram afferel. — 7. Ter amplum Geryonen. " Geryon. monster of triple size."
Aiiuding to the legend of Geryon slain by Hercules. — Tdyon. Tityos,
son of Terra, attempting to offer violence to I»tona, was slain by the
arrows of Apollo and Diana. — 9. Scilicet omnibus enaviganda. " That
stream which must be traversed by us all." Observe the force of scilicet,
which we have expressed by a repetition of the noun undfi. — 10. Tents
munere. "The bounty of the earth." — Reges. Equivalent here to divites,
a common usage with Horace. — 12. Coloni. "Tenants." Compare the
explanation of Orelli: " Qui agrum alienum colunt, vel mercede, vel pen-
sioner domino solventes." — 18. Cocytos. One of the fabled rivers of the
lower world. — Danai genus infame. Alluding to the story of the Danai-
des. — 19. Damnatus longi laboris. " Condemned to eternal toil." An
imitation of the Greek construction. Thus Karayvuadeig davdrov. — 83.
Invisas cupressus. " The odious cypresses." The cypress is here said
to be the only tree that will accompany its possessor to the grave, in allu
siou to the custom of placiug cypresses around the funeral piles and the
tombs of the departed. A branch of cypress was also placed at the door
of the deceased, at least if he was a person of consequence, to prevent the
Poutifex Maximus from entering, and thereby being polluted. This tree
was sacred to Pluto, because, when once cut, it was supposed never to
grow again. Its dark foliage also renders it peculiarly proper for a fune-
real tree. — 24. Brevem dominum. "Their short-lived master." — 25. Dig-
nior. " More worthy of enjoying them." — 26. Servata centum clavibus.
" Guarded beneath a hundred keys." Equivalent merely to diligentis-
sime servata. — 27. Superbis pontijicum potiore canis. " Superior to that
which is quaffed at the costly banquets of the pontiffs.". The banquets of
the pontiffs, and particularly of the Salii, were so splendid as to pass into
a proverb. — Some editions read superbum, agreeing with pavimentum,
and the phrase will then denote the tesselated pavements of antiquity.
Orelli and others read superbo, agreeing with mero.
Ode XV. The poet inveighs against the wanton and luxurious expen-
diture of the age, and contrasts it with the strict frugality of earlier trues.
1-7. I. Jam. "Soon." — Regies moles. " Palace-like structures." Al-
luding to the splendid dwellings or villas of the Roman nobility, scattered
over Italy. — 3. Lucrino lacu. The Lucrine lake was in the vicinity of
Baiae, on the Campauian shore. It was, properly speaking, a part of the
sea shut in by a dike thrown across a narrow inlet. The lake has entire-
ly disappeared, owing to a subterraneous eruption which took place in
330 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., ODE XVI.
1538, whereby the hill called Monte Nuovo was raised, and the water
displaced. This lake was famed for its oysters and other shell-fish. —
Stagna. "Fish-ponds." Equivalent here to piscines. — Platanusque
coelcbs, &c. " And the unwedded plane-tree shall take the place of the
elms." The plane-tree was merely ornamental, whereas the elms were
useful for rearing the vines. Hence the meaning of the poet is, that utility
shall be made to yield to the mere gratification of the eye. The plane-
tree was never employed for rearing the vine, and hence is called ccelebs,
whereas the elm was chiefly used for this purpose. — 5. Violaria. " Beds
of violets." — 6. Myrtus. Nominative plural, fourth declension. — Omnis
copia narinm. " All the riches of the smell," i. e., every fragrant flower.
Literally, "all the abundance of the nostrils." — 7. Spargent olivetis odorem.
"Shall scatter their perfume along the olive grounds," i.e., the olive shall
be made to give place to the violet, the myrtle, and every sweet-scented
plant.
9-20. 9. Fervidos ictus. Understand solis. — 10. Non ita Romuli, &e.
" Such is not the rule of conduct prescribed by the examples of Romulus
and the unshorn Cato, and by the simple lives of our fathers." As regards
the epithet intonsi, which is intended to designate the plain and austere
manners of Cato, consult note on Ode i., 12, 41. — 13. Privatus Mis, &c.
" Their private fortunes were small, the public resources extensive." —
14. Nulla decempedis, &c. "No poi-tico, measured for private individuals
by rods ten feet in length, received the cool breezes of the North." The
decempeda was a pole ten feet long, used by the agrimensores in meas-
uring land. The allusion is to a portico so large in size as to be measured
by rods of these dimensions, as also to the custom, on the part of the Ro-
mans, of having those portions of their villas that were to be occupied in
summer facing the north. The apartments intended for winter were turn-
ed toward the south, or some adjacent point. — 17. Nee fortuitum, &c.
" Nor did the laws, while they ordered them to adorn their towns at the
public charge, and the temples of the gods with new stone, permit them
(in rearing their simple abodes) to reject the turf which chance might have
thrown in their way." The meaning of the poet is simply this : private
abodes in those days were plain and unexpensive: the only ornameutal
structures were such as were erected for the purposes of the state or the
worship of the gods. — 20. Novo saxo. The epithet novo merely refers to the
circumstance of stone being in that early age a new (i. e., unusual) material
for private abodes, and appropriated solely to edifices of a public nature.
Ode XVI. All men are anxious for a life of repose, but all do not pur-
sue the true path for attaining this desirable end. It is to be found neither
in the possession of riches, nor in the enjoyment of public honors. The
contented man is alone successful in the search, and the more so from his
constantly remembering that perfect happiness is nowhere to be found
on earth. Such is a faint outline of this beautiful ode, and which proves,
we trust, how totally unfounded is the criticism of Lord Kaimes (Elements,
vol. i., p. 37), with reference to what he is pleased to consider its want of
connection.
115. i.Otium. "For repose." — Impotenti. "Stormy." The common
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., ODE XVI 331
texthas in patent i. We have given impotenti with Bentley and others. —
2. Pressus. Understand periculo. The common reading is prensus. — Si
mill. For simul ac. — 3. Condidit Lunam. "Has shrouded the moon from
view.7' — Certa. "With steady lustre." — 5. Thrace. The Greek nom-
inative, QpaKTj, for Thracia. — 6. Medi pharctra decori. "The Parthians
adorned with the quiver.'- Compare note on Ode i., 3, 51. — 7. Grospke
non gemmis, Sec. In construing, repeat the term ofium. "Repose, O
Grosphus, not to he purchased by gems, nor by purple, nor by gold." —
9. Gaza. " The wealth of kings." — Consularis Victor. " The Victor of the
consul." Each consul was attended by twelve lictors. It was one of their
duties to remove the crowd {turbam mbmovere) and clear the way for the
magistrates whom they attended. — 11. Curas laqxteata circum, Sec "The
cares that hover around the splendid ceilings of the great." Laqueata
tecta is here rendered in general language. The phrase properly refers
to ceilings formed into raised work and hollows by beams cutting each
other at right angles. The beams and the interstices [lacus) were adorn
ed with rich carved work and with gilding or paintings. — 13. Yivitur par
vo bene, Sec. " That man lives happily on scanty means, whose paternal
salt-cellar glitters on his frugal board." In other words, that man is hap-
py who deviates not from the mode of life pursued by his forefathers, who
retains their simple household furniture, and whose dwelling is the abode
not only of frugality, bat of cleanliness. Vivitur is taken impersonally
understand illi. — 14. Salinum. Among the poor, a shell served for a salt-
cellar; but all who were raised above poverty had one of silver, which
descended from father to son and was accompanied by a silver plate or
patten, which was used, together with the salt-cellar, in the domestic sac
rifices. — 15. Cupido sordidus. " Sordid avarice."
17-26. 17. Quid brevi fortes, Sec. "Why do we, whose strength is of
short duration, aim at many things ? Why do we change our own for
lands warming beneath another sun ? What exile from his country is an
exile also from himself?" After mutamus understand nostra {scil. terra),
the ablative denoting the instrument of exchange ; and as regards the
meaning of the phrase brevi fortes aevo, compare the explanation of Braun-
hard : " Quid nos, qui ad breve tempus floremus, valemus, et vivimus,mul
ta nobis proponimus," &c. — 19. Patrice qui* exsul. Some commentators
regard the expression patriae exsul as pleonastic, and connect patriae with
the previous clause, placing after it a mark of interrogation, and making
it an ellipsis for patri<e sole. — 20. Sequoquefugit. Referring to the cares
and anxieties of the mind. — 21. ^Eratas naves. "The brazen-beaked
galleys." The ancient ships of war usually had their beaks covered with
plates of brass. — Vitwsa cura. "Corroding care." — 23. Agente nimbos.
• ,\» it drives onward the tempests." — 25. Lcetus in prcescn*, Sec. "Let
the mind that is contented with its present lot dislike disquieting itself
about the events of the future." — 26. Lento risu. " With a careless
smile," i. e., with the calm smile of philosophic indifference. Lent us here
is passionless, as opposed to violentus. The common reading is Imto.
30-33. 30. Tithonnm minuit. "Wasted away the powers of Titho-
tras." — 32. Hora. "The changing fortune of the hour." (Compare Ruhn
ken, ad Veil. Paterc, ii., 18, p. 127.)-- 34. Hinnitum. The last syllable
being ci.it ofl before opta by ecthlipsis and synalcepha, ni becomes the last
332 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., ODE XVII.
syllable of the verse, and may consequently be made short. — 35. Apta
quadrigis. "Fit for the chariot." The poet merely wishes to express
the generous properties of the animal. The ancients gave the preference
in respect of swiftness to mares. The term quadrigce properly denotes a
chariot drawn by four horses or mares. The Romans always yoked the
animals that drew their race-chariots abreast. Nero drove a deccmjugis
at Olympia, but this was an unusual extravagance. — Bis Afro viurice
tinctcB. Vestments twice dyed were called dibapha (6ti3a^a). The ob-
ject of this process was to communicate to the garment what was deemed
the most valuable purple, resembling the color of clotted blood, and of a
blackish, shining appearance. The purple of the ancients was obtained
from the juice of a shell-fish called murex, and found at Tyre, in Asia Mi-
nor ; in Meninx, an island near the Syrtis Minor; on the Gaetulian shore
of the Atlantic Ocean, in Africa, and at the Taenariau promontory in the
Peloponnesus. — 37. Parva rura. Alluding to his Sabine farm. — 38. Sptr-
itum Graiaz, &c. " Some slight inspiration of the Grecian muse," i. e.,
some little talent for lyric verse.
Ode XVII. Addressed to Maecenas, languishing under a protracted and
painful malady, and expecting every moment a termination of his exist-
ence. The poet seeks to call off" the thoughts of his patron and friend
from so painful a subject, and while he descants in strong and feeling lan-
guage on the sincerity of his own attachment, and on his resolve to accom-
pany him to the grave, he seeks, at the same time, to inspire him with
brighter hopes, and with the prospect of recovery from the hand of disease.
The constitution of Maecenas, naturally weak, had been impaired by
effeminacy and luxurious living. " He had labored," observes Mr. Dun-
lop, "from his youth under a perpetual fever; and for many years before
his death he suffered much from watchfulness, which was greatly aggra-
vated by his domestic chagrins. Maecenas was fond of life and enjoy-
ment, and of life even without enjoyment. He confesses, in some verses
preserved by Seneca, that he would wish to live even under every accu-
mulation of physical calamity. (Seneca, Epist., 101.) Hence he anx-
iously resorted to different remedies for the cure or relief of this distress-
ing malady. Wine, soft music sounding at a distance, and various other
contrivances, were tried in vain. At length Antonius Musa, the imperial
physician, obtained for him some alleviation of his complaint by means of
distant symphonies and the murmuring of falling water. But all these
resources at last failed. The nervous and feverish disorder with which
he was afflicted increased so dreadfully, that for three years before his
death he never closetl his eyes." (History of Roman Literature, vol. iii.,
p. 42, Lond. ed.)
Whether this ode was written shortly before his dissolution, or at some
previous period, can not be ascertained, nor is it a point of much importauce.
1-14. 1. Querelis. Alluding to the complaints of Maecenas at the
dreaded approach of death. Consult Introductory Remarks to this ode. —
3. Obire. Understand mortem, or diem supremum. — 5. Mece partem ani-
mcE. "The one half of my existence." A fond expression of intimate
friendship. — 6. Maturior vis. "Too early a blow," i. e., an untimely
death. — Quid moror altera, &c. "Why do I, the remaining portion, lir>
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., ODE XVIII. 333
ger here behind, neither equally dear to myself, nor surviving entire 1" —
8. Utramque ducet ruuiam. "'Will bring ruin to us each." — 10. Sacra-
mcntum. A figurative allusion to the oath taken by the Roman soldiers,
the terms of which were, that they would be faithful to their commander,
and follow wherever he led, were it even to death. — 11. Ltcunque.
Equivalent to quandocunque. — 14. Gyas. One of the giants that attempt-
ed to scale the heavens. He was hurled to Tartarus by the thunderbolts
of Jove, and there lay prostrate and in fetters. Goettling reads Tvrjg, in
Hesiod, Theog., 149, which would make the Latin form Gyes. We have
followed Meinecke and others in giving Gyas.
17-28. 17. Adspicit. " Presides over my existence." The reference
s here to judicial astrology, according to which pretended science, the
stars that appeared above the horizon at the moment of one's birth, as
well as their particular positions with reference to each other, were sup-
posed to exercise a decided influence upon, and to regulate the life of the
individual. — 18. Pan violentior, &c. " The more dangerous portion of
the natal hour.'' — 19. Capricornus. The rising and setting of Capricor-
nus was usually attended with storms. (Compare Propertius, iv., 1, 107.)
Hence the epithet aquosus is sometimes applied to this constellation. In
astrology. Libra was deemed favorable, while the influence of Scorpius
and Capricornus was regarded as malign. — 20. Utrumque nostrum, &c.
" Our respective horoscopes agree in a wonderful manner." The term
horoscope is applied in astrology to the position of the stars at the moment
of one's birth. Mitscherlich explains the idea of the poet as follows : '•/«
quocunque zodiaci sidere horoscopus mens fuerit inventus, licet diverso a
tui horoscopi sidere, tamen horoscopus meus cum tuo quam maxime con-
sentiat necesse est." — 21. Impio Saturno. "From baleful Saturn." — 28.
Refulgens. "Shining in direct opposition." — 26. Latum ter crepuit so-
num. "Thrice raised the cry of joy." Acclamations raised by the peo-
ple on account of the safety of Maecenas. Compare note on Ode i., 20, 3.
— 28. Sustulerat. For sustulis set. The indicative here imparts an air of
liveliness to the representation, though in the conditional clause the sub-
junctive is used. (Zumpt, § 519, b.) As regards the allusion of the poet,
compare Ode ii., 13.
Ode XVIII. The poet, while he censures the luxury and profusion of
the atie, describes himself as contented with little, acceptable to many
friends, and far happier than those who were blessed with the gifts of for-
tune, but ignorant of the true mode of enjoying them.
1-7. 1. Aureum lacunar. "Fretted ceiling overlaid with gold." Com
pare note on Ode ii., 16, 11. — 3. Trabes Hymettia. " Beams of Hymettian
marble." The term trabes here includes the architrave, frieze, cornice, Sec
The marble of Hymettus was held in high estimation by the Romans
Some editions have Hymettias, and in the following line recisa, so that
trabes rccisai ultima Africa will refer to African marble, and Hymettias
columnas to Hymettian wood ; but the wood of Hymettus does not appeal
to have been thought valuable by the Romans. — Ultima recisas Africa
Alluding to the Numidian marble. The kind most highly prized had a
dark surface variegated with spots. — 6. Attali. Attalus the Third, famed
334 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK IT., ODE XVIII.
for his immense riches, left the kingdom of Perganius and all his treasures
by will to the Roman people ; at least, such was the construction which
the latter put upon it. (Compare Duker, ad Flor., ii., 20.) After his
death, Aristonicus, a natural son of Eumenes, father of Attalus {Livy,
xlv., 19; Justin, xxxvi., 4), laid claim to the kingdom, but was defeated
by the consul Perperna and carried to Rome, where he was put to death
in prison. It is to him that the poet alludes under the appellation of hceres
ignotus. — 7. Nee Laconicas mihi, &c. " Nor do female dependents, of no
ignoble birth, spin for me the Spartan purple." The purple of Laconia,
obtained in the vicinity of the Tamarian promontory, was the most highly
prized. Compare note on Ode ii., 16, 35. By honestee client* are meant
female clients of free birth ; not freed women, but citizens working for
their patron us.
9-22. 9. At fides et ingeni, &c. "But integrity is mine, and a liberal
vein of talent." — 13. Potentem amicum. Alluding to Maecenas. — 14. Satis
beatus, &.C. " Sufficiently happy with my Sabine farm alone." — 15. Tru-
ditur dies die. The train of thought appears to be as follows: Contented
with my slender fortune, I am the less solicitous to enlarge it, when I re-
flect on the short span of human existence. How foolishly then do they
act, who, when day is chasing day in rapid succession, are led on by their
eager avarice, or their fondness for display, to form plans on the very brink
of the grave. — 16. Pergunt interire. "Hasten onward to their wane." —
17. Tu secanda marmora, &c. "And yet thou, on the very brink of the
grave, art bargaining to have marble cut for an abode." Directly opposed
to locare, in this sense, is the verb redimere, " to contract to do any thing,"
whence the term redemtor, " a contractor." — 20. MarisqueBaiis, &c. B aiae,
on the Campanian shore, was a favorite residence of the Roman nobility,
and adorned with beautiful villas. There were numerous warm springs
also in its vicinity, which were considered to possess salutary properties
for various disorders. — 21. Summovere. " To push farther into the deep,"
i. e., to erect moles on which to build splendid structures amid the waters.
— 22. Pannn locuples, &c. " Not rich enough with the shore of the main
land," i. e., not satisfied with the limits of the land.
23-40. 23. Quid? quod usque, &c. "What shall I say of this, that
thou even removest the neighboring land-marks?" i. e., why need I telf
of thy removing the land-marks of thy neighbor's possessions ? The allu
sion is to the rich man's encroaching on the grounds of an inferior. This
offence was the more heinous, since land-marks anciently were invested
with a sacred character, as emblems of the god Terminus. — 24. Ultra
salis. " Leapest over." The verb salio is here used to express the con-
temptuous disregard of the powerful man for the rights of his dependents.
Hence salis ultra may be freely rendered " contemnest." — 26. Avarus.
"Prompted by cupidity." — 27. Ferens. "Bearing, each." — 28. Sordidos.
"Squalid." In the habiliments of extreme poverty. — 29. Nulla ccrtior
tamen, &c. "And yet no home awaits the rich master with greater cer-
tainty than the destined limit of rapacious Orcus." Fine beautifully marks
the last limit of our earthly career. Some editions have sede instead of Jim,
and the use of the latter term in the feminine gender has been made prob-
ably the ground for the change. But finis is used in the feminine by some
of the best writers.— 22 Quid ultra tendis. " Why strivest thou foi
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., ODE XIX. 335
more ?" Death must overtake thee in the midst of thy course. — ^Eqva
tel/us. "The impartial earth." — 34. Regumque pueris. The allusion is
to the wealthy and powerful. — Satelles Orci. Alluding to Charon. —
35. Callidum Promethea. Alluding to some fabulous legend respecting
Prometheus which has not come down to us. — 37. Tantali genus. Pelops,
Atreus, Thyestes, Agamemnon, Orestes. — 40. Moratus. The common
text has vocafus, for which we have given the elegant emendation of
Withofius. Levare depends on vocatus.
Ode XIX. Celebrating, in animated language, the praises of Bacchus,
and imitated, very probably, from some Greek dithyrambic ode. There
is nothing, however, in the piece itself to countenance the opinion that it
was composed for some festival in honor of Bacciius.
1-20. 1. Carmina docentem. "Dictating strains," e., teaching how
to celebrate bis praises in song. Compare the Greet in of expression,
didaanuv dpuua. As the strains mentioned in the £kl are supposed to
have reference to the mysteries of the god, the sce*»3 is hence laid in re-
motis rupibus, " amid rocks far distant from the haunts of ineu.'' — 4. Anitas.
"Attentively listening." Literally, "pricked up to listen." — 5. Evoel
The Greek Evoi. The poet now feels himself under the powerful in-
fluence of the god, and breaks forth into the well-known cry of the Bac-
chantes when they celebrate the orgies. — Recenti me/is trepidat metu,
&c. MMy mind trembles with recent dread, and, my bosom being filled
with the inspiration of Bacchus, is agitated with troubled joy." Both
trepidat and l&tatur refer to mens, and lurbidum is to be construed as
equivalent to turbide. The arrangement of the whole clause is purpose-
ly involved, that the words may, by their order, yield a more marked echo
to the sense. — Gravi metuende ihyrso. Bacchus was thought to inspire
with fury by hurling his thyrsus. — 9- Fas pervicaces, &c. " It is allowed
me to sing of the stubbornly-raging Bacchantes," i. e., my piety toward
the god requires that I sing of, &c. — 10. Viuique fontem, <5cc. The poet
enumerates the gifts bestowed upon man in earlier ages by the miracu-
lous powers of the god. At his presence all nature rejoices, and, under
his potent influence, the earth, struck by the thyrsi of the Bacchantes,
yields wine and milk, while honey flows from the trees. The imagery is
here decidedly Oriental, and must remind us of that employed in many
parts of the sacred writings. — 12. Iterarc. " To tell again and again of."
— 14. Honorem. Equivalent to ornamentum or decus. The allusion is to
the crown of Ariadne (corona bo real is), one of the constellations, consist-
ing of nine stars. The epithet bealce, applied to Ariadne, refers to her
having been translated to the skies, and made one of the "blessed" im-
mortals.— Penthe'i. Alluding to the legend of Pentheus, king of Thebes,
who was torn in pieces by his own mother and her sisters, and his palace
overthrown by Bacchus. — 16. Lycur<ri. Lycurgus, king of the Edones in
Thrace, punished for having driven the infant Bacchus from his kingdom.
— 18. Tu Jlectis amnes, &c. "Thou turnest backward the courses of
rivers, thou swayest the billows of the Indian Sea." Alluding to the won-
ders performed by Bacchus in his fabled conquest of India and other re-
gions of the East. The rivers here meant are the Orontes and Hydaspea.
— 18. !Tw separatis, &c " On the lonely mountain tops, moist with wine,
336 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., ODE XX.
thou confinest, without harm to them, the locks of the Bacchantes with a
knot of vipers," i. e., under thy influence, the Bacchantes tie up their locks,
&c. — 20. Bistonidum. Literally, "of the female Bistones." Here, how-
ever, equivalent to Baccharum.
23-31. 23. Leonis unguibus. Bacchus was fabled to have assumed on
this occasion the form of a lion. — 25. Quanquam choreis, &c. "Though
said to be fitter for dances and festive mirth." — 26. Non sat idoneus. "Not
equally well suited." — 27. Sed idem,. &c. " Yet, on that occasion, thou,
the same deity, didst become the arbiter of peace and of war." The poet
means to convey the idea that the intervention of Bacchus alone put an
end to the conflict. Had not Bacchus lent his aid, the battle must have
been longer in its duration, and different perhaps in its issue. — 29. Fnsons.
"Without offering to harm." Bacchus descended to the shades for the
purpose of bringing back his mother Semele. — Anreo cornu decorns. , A
figurative illustration of the power of the god. The horn was the well-
known emblem of power among the ancients. — 31. Et recedentis trilmgui,
Sec. The power of the god triumphs over the fierce guardian of the shades,
who allows egress to none that have once entered the world of spirits.
Ode XX. The bard presages his own immortality. Transformed into
a swan, he will soar away from the abodes of men, nor need the empty
honors of a tomb.
1-23. 1. Non usitata, Sec. " A bard of twofold form, I shall be borne
through the liquid air on no common, no feeble pinion." The epithet
liformis alludes to his transformation from a human being to a swan,
which is to take place on the approach of death. Then, becoming the
favored bird of Apollo, he will soar aloft on strong pinions beyond the
reach of envy and detraction. The common text has nee tenni, but we
have read non tenni, as more forcible, with Mitscherlich, Doling, and
others. — 4. Invidiaqne major. " And, beyond the reach of envy." — 5. Pari-
perum sanguis parentum. "Though the offspring of humble f>arents." —
6. Non ego quern vocas, &c. " I, whom thou salutest, O Maecenas, with
the title of beloved friend, shall never die." Dilecte is here a quotation,
and therefore follows vocas as a kind of accusative ; in other words, it is
taken, as the grammarians express it, materially. The reading of this
paragraph is much contested. According to that adopted in our text, the
meaning of the poet is, that the friendship of Maecenas will be one of his
surest passports to the praises of posterity. — 9. Jam jam residunt, Sec.
" Now, even now, the rough skin is settling on my legs." The transforma-
tion is already begun : my legs are becoming those of a swan. — 11. Su-
perna. "Above." The neuter of the adjective used adverbially. Quod
ad superna corporis membra attinet. — Nascunturqne /eves pluma. " And
the downy plumage is forming." — Notior. The common text has ocior,
which appears objectionable in a metrical point of view, since the word,
as it stands in the common text, presents a solitary instauce of a vowel in
hiatu between the iambic and dactylic parts of the verse. From the na-
ture, also, and succession of the metrical ictus, the final letter of Dadaleo
is left even without the pretence of ictus to support it as a long syllable
Bentley conjectures tutior, but this seems too bold a change. — 14. Bospori.
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., ODE XX. 337
Consult note on Ode ii., 13, 14. — 15. Syrtesque Gcetulas. Consult note on
Ode i., 22, 4. — Canorus ales. " A bird of melodious note." Consult note
on Ode i.t 6, 2. — 16. Hyperboreozque campos. "And the Hypex'borean
fields," i. e., the farthest plains of the north. More literally, "the plains
beyond the northern blast." — 17. Et qui dissimulat, &c. Alluding to the
Parthian. The Marsi were regarded as the bravest portion of the Ro-
man armies, and hence Marsce is here equivalent to Romance. Consult
note on Ode i., 2, 39. — 18. Dacus. Consult note on Ode i., 35, 9. — 19. Ge-
loni. Consult note on Ode ii., 9, 23. — Peritus Iber. " The learned Span-
iard." The Spaniards imbibed a literary taste from the Romans, as these
last had from the Greeks. — 20. Rhodaniqve potor. "And he who quaffs
the waters of the Rhone." The native of Gaul. — 22. Tvrpes. "Unman-
ly."— 23. Siipervacuos. The poet will need no tomb : death will never
claim him for his own, since he is destined to live forever in the praises
of posterity.
P
BOOK III.
Ode I. The general train of thought in this beautiful Ode is simply as
follows : True happiness consists not in the possession of power, of public
honors, or of extensive riches, but in a tranquil and contented mind.
1-4. 1. Odi profanum valgus, &c. " I hate the uninitiated crowd, and
I keep them at a distance." Speaking as the priest of the Muses, and be-
ing about to disclose their sacred mysteries (in other words, the precepts
of true wisdom) to the favored few, the poet imitates the form of language
by which the uninitiated and profane were directed to retire from the
mystic rites of the gods. The rules of a happy life can not be compre-
hended and may be abused by the crowd. — 2. Favetc Unguis. ''Preserve
a religions silence." Literally, M favor me with your tongues." We have
here another form of words, by which silence and attention were enjoiu-
ed on the true worshippers. This was required, not only from a principle
of religious respect, but also lest some ill-omened expression might casual-
ly fall from those who were present, and mar the solemnities of the oc-
casion. Compare the Greek evg-nfielre- — Cannina non prhis audita.
" Strains before unheard." There appears to be even here an allusion to
the language and forms of the mysteries in which new and important
truths were promised to be disclosed. — 4. Virgiuibus puerisque canto.
The poet supposes himself to be dictating his strains to a chorus of virgins
and youths. Stripped of its figurative garb, the idea intended to be con-
veyed will be simply this : that the bard wishes his precepts of a happy
life to be carefully treasured up by the young.
5-14. 5. Regum timendorum, <5cc. The poet now unfolds his subject.
Kings, he observes, are elevated far above the ordinary ranks of men, but
Jove is mightier than kings themselves, and can in an instant humble
their power in the dust. Royalty, therefore, carries with it no peculiar
claims to the enjoyment of happiness. — In proprios greges. "Over their
own flocks." Kings are the shepherds of their people. — 9. Cuncta super-
cilio moventis. "Who shakes the universe with his nod." Compare
Homer, II. , i., 528. — 9. Est ut viro vir, &c. " It happens that one man
arranges his trees at greater distances in the trenches than another,''
i. e., possesses wider domains. The Romans were accustomed to plant
their vines, olive-trees, &c., in trenches or small pits. Some editions have
Esto for Est: "Grant that one man," &c, or "suppose that." — 10. Hie
generosior descendat, &c. "That this one descends into the Campus Mar-
tins a nobler applicant for office." — 12. Moribus /tic meliorque fama, «5cc.
Alluding to the novushomo, or man of ignoble birth. — 14. yEqua lege Ne-
ccssitas, &c. " Still, Necessity, by an impartial law, draws forth the lots
of the high and the lowly; the capacious urn keeps in constant agitation
the names of all." Necessity is here represented holding her capacious
urn containing the names of all. She keeps the urn in constant agitation,
and the lots that come forth from it every instant are the signals of death
to the individuals whose names are inscribed on them. The train of
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK III., ODE I. 339
thought, commencing with the third stanza, is as follows : Neither exten-
sive possessions, nor elevated birth, nor purity of character, nor crowds
of dependents, are in themselves sufficient to procure lasting felicity, since
death sooner or later must close the scene, and bring all our schemes of
interest and ambition to an end.
17-31. 17. Destrictus cusis. An allusion to the well-known story of
Damocles. The connection in the train of ideas between this and the pre-
ceding stanza is as follows : Independently of the stern necessity of death,
the wealthy and the powerful are prevented by the cares of riches and
ambition from attaining to the happiness which they seek. — 18. Non Sicu-
Ice dopes, &c. " The most exquisite viands will create no pleasing relish
in him, over whose impious neck," &c. The expression Siculce dapes is
equivalent here to ezquisitissiynce cpula:. The luxury of the Sicilians in
their banquets became proverbial. — 20. Avium citharceque cantus. "The
melody of birds and of the lyre." — 24. Non Zephyris agitata Tempe.
" She disdains not Tempe, fanned by the bi-eezes of the west." Tempe
is here put for any beautiful and shady vale. Consult note on Ode i., 7, 4.
— 23. Desiderantcm quod satis est, <kc. According to the poet, the man
"who desires merely what is sufficient for his wants," is free from all the
cares that bring disquiet to those who are either already wealthy, or are
eager in the pursuit of gain. His repose is neither disturbed by ship-
wrecks, nor by losses in agricultural pursuits. — Arcturi. Arcturus is a
star of the first magnitude, in the constellation of Bootes, near the tail of
the Great Bear (apuroc, ovpd). Both its rising and setting were accom-
panied by storms. — 28. Hcedi. The singular for the plural. The Hccdi,
or kids, are two stars on the arm of Auriga. Their rising is attended by
stormy weather, as is also their setting. — 30. Mendax. " Which disap-
points his expectations." Compare Epist., i., 7, 87 : " Spem mentita se-
ges." — Arbore. Taken collectively, but still with a particular reference
to the olive. — Aquas. "'The excessive rains." — 31. Torrentia agros si-
dera. "The influence of the stars parching the fields." Alluding partic-
ularly to Sirius, or the dog-star, at the rising of which the trees were apt
to contract a kind of blight, or blast, termed sideratio, and occasioned by
the excessive heat of the sun. Compare note on Ode i., 17, 17.
33-47. 33. Contracta pisces, &c. In order Xp prove how little the mere
possession of riches can minister to happiness, the poet now adverts to
the various expedients practiced by the wealthy for the purpose of ban-
ishing disquiet from their breasts, and of removing the sated feelings that
continually oppressed them. They erect the splendid villa amid the wa-
ters of the ocean, but fear, and the threats of conscience, become also its
inmates. They journey to foreign climes, but gloomy care accompanies
them by sea and by land. They array themselves in the costly purple,
but it only hides an aching heart; nor can the wine of Falernus, or the
perfumes of the East, bring repose and pleasure to their minds. "Why,
then," exclaims the bard, " am I to exchange my life of simple happiness
for the splendid but deceitful pageantry of the rich ?" — 34. Jactis in altuvi
molibus. " By the moles built out into the deep." Consult oote on Ode
ii., 18, 20. — Freqvens redemtor cum famulis. "Many a contractor with
his attendant workmen." Consult note on Ode ii., 18, 18. — IK Cccmenta.
By camenta are here meant rough and broken stones, as they come from
340 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK III., ODE 11.
the quarry, used for the purpose of filling up, and of no great size. — 36.
Terra fastidiosus. " Loathing the land," i. e., weary of the land, and
hence building, as it were, on the sea. Compare Ode ii., 18, 22 : "Parum
locuples continente ripa." — 37. Timor et Mince. "Fear and the threats
of conscience." — 41. Phrygius lapis. Referring to the marble of Synnada,
in Phrygia, which was held in high estimation by the Romans. It was
of a white color, variegated with red spots, and is now called paonazzetto
[t was used by Agrippa for the columns of the Pantheon. — 42. Purpura-
rum sidere clarior usus. " The use of purple coverings, brighter than any
star." With purpurarum supply vestium, the reference being to the ves-
tes straguloe, and construe clarior as if agreeing with vestium in case. —
43. Falema vitis. Consult note on Ode i., 20, 9. — 44. Achcemcniumve cos-
lum. " Or Eastern nard." Achamenium is equivalent literally to Persi-
tum (i. e., Parthicum). Consult notes on Ode ii., 12, 21, and i., 2, 22. —
15. Invidendis. " Only calculated to excite the envy of others." — Novo
ritu. " In a new style of magnificence." — 47. Cur valle permulem Sabina.
" Why am I to exchange my Sabine vale for more burdensome riches 1"
i. e., for riches that only bring with them a proportionate increase of care
and trouble. Valle, as marking the instrument of exchange, is put in the
ablative.
Ode II. The poet exhorts his luxurious countrymen to restore the strict
discipline of former days, and train up the young to an acquaintance with
the manly virtues which once graced the Roman name.
1-17. 1. Angustam amice, &c. "Let the Roman youth, robust of
frame, learn cheerfully to endure, amid severe military exercise, the hard
privations of a soldier's life." The expression amici pati is somewhat
analogous to the Greek aya—rjT&g (fiipeiv, to bear a thing kindly, i. e., with
patience and good will. The common text has amici. — Puer. The Ro-
man age for military service commenced after sixteen. — 5. Sub divo.
"In the open air," i. e., in the field. — Trepidis in rebus. "In the midst
of dangers," i. e., when danger threatens his country. The poet means,
that, when his country calls, the young soldier is to obey the summons
with alacrity, and to shrink from no exposure to the elements. — 7. Matrona
bcllantis tyranni. " The consort of some warring monarch." BeUantis
is here equivalent to cum Populo Romano bellum gerentis. — 8. Et adulta
virgo. "And his virgin daughter, of nubile years." — 9. Suspiret, eheu!
nc rudis agminum, Sec. " Heave a sigh, and say, Ah ! let not the prince,
affianced to our line, unexperienced as he is in arms, provoke," &c. By
sponsus regius is here meant a young lover of royal origin, betrothed tc
toe daughter. — 13. Dulce et decorum, &c. Connect the train of ideas as
follows : Bravely, then, let the Roman warrior contend against the foe,
remembering that "it is sweet and glorious to die for ond's country/' —
17. Virtus repulsa nescia, &c. The Roman youth must not, however,
confine his attention to martial prowess alone. He must also seek after
time virtue, and the firm precepts of true philosophy. When he has suc-
ceeded in this, his will be a moral magistracy, that lies not in the gift of
the crowd, and in aiming at which he will never experience a disgraceful
repulse. His will be a feeling of moral worth, which, as it depends not
on the breath of popular favor, can neither be given nor taken away by the
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK IT!., ODE III. 341
fickle multitude. — Securest. A figurative allusion to tne axes and fasces
of the lictors, the emblems of office
21-31. 21. Virtus recludens, &c. The poet mentions another incite-
ment to the possession of true virtue, the immortality which it confers. —
22. Negata via. "By a way denied to others," i. e., by means peculiarly
her own. — 23. Coetusque vulgares, &c. "And, soaring on rapid pinion,
spurns the vulgar herd and the cloudy atmosphere of earth." As regards
the force of the epithet udam here, compare the explanation of Orelli :
" Crasso aire obsitam, ac propterea minime disnam in qua virtvs more-
tur." — 25. Est et Jidcli, &c. Imitated from Simonides : Igtl nai or/uc
ani.vdvvov yepac. This was a favorite apophthegm of Augustus. (Plut.,
Apoph., t. ii., p. 207, Fr.) Thus far the allusion to virtue has been general
in its nature. It now assumes a more special character. Let the Roman
youth learn in particular the sure reward attendant on good faith, and the
certain punishment that follows its violation. — 26. Qui Cereris sacrum,
&c. Those who divulged the mysteries were punished with death, and
their property was confiscated. — 29. Phaselon. The phaselus (<pdo7/Aoc)
was a vessel rather long and narrow, apparently so called from its resem-
blance to the shape of a phaselus, or kidney-bean. It was chiefly used
by the Egyptians, and was of various sizes, from a mere boat to a vessel
adapted for a long voyage. It was built for speed, to which more atten-
tion seems to have been paid than to its strength, whence the epithetyVa-
gilem here applied to it by Horace. — 30. Incesto addidit integrum. "In-
volves the innocent with the guilty.'* — 31. Raro Antecedentem scelestum,
Sec. "Rarely does punishment, though lame of foot, fail to overtake the
wicked man moving on before her," i. e., justice, though often slow, is sure.
Ode III. The ode opens with the praises of justice and persevering
firmness. Their recompense is immortality. Of the truth of this remark
splendid examples are cited, and, among others, mention being made of
Romulus, the poet dwells on the circumstances which, to the eye of ima-
gination, attended his apotheosis. The gods are assembled in solemn
conclave to decide upon his admission to the skies. Juno, most hostile
before to the line of ^Eneas, now declares her assent. Satisfied with past
triumphs, she allows the founder of the Eternal City to participate in the
joys of Olympus. The lofty destinies of Rome are also shadowed forth,
and the conquest of nations is promised to her arms. But the condition
which accompanies this expression of her will is sternly mentioned. The
city of Troy must never rise from its ashes. Should the descendants of
Romulus rebuild the detested city, the vengeance of the goddess will
again be exerted for its downfall.
It is a conjecture of Faber's (Epist., ii., 43) that Horace wishes, in the
present ode, to dissuade Augustus from executing a plan he had at this
time in view, of transferring the seat of empire from Rome to Ilium, and
of rebuilding the city of Priam. Suetonius (Vit. Ivl.) speaks of a similar
project in the time of Catsar. Zosimus also states that, in a later age,
Consfantine actually commenced building a new capital in the plain of
Troy, bat was soon induced by the superior situatiou of Byzantium to
abandon his project. (Zos., ii., 30.)
342 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK III., ODE III.
1-22. 1. Justum et tenacem, &c. "Not the wild fury of his fellow-citi-
zens ordering evil measures to be pursued, nor the look of the threaten-
ing tyrant, nor the southern blast, the stormy ruler of the restless Adriatic,
nor the mighty hand of Jove wielding his thunderbolts, shakes from his
settled pm-pose the man who is just and firm in his resolve." In this no-
ble stanza, that firmness alone is praised which rests on the basis of in-
tegrity and justice. — 2. Pravajubentium. Equivalent, in fact, to " iniquas
leges fereutium." The people were said jubere leges, because the formula
by which they were called upon to vote ran thus : Velitis, jubeatis Qiti-
rites ? (Braunhard, ad loc.) — 7. Si fractus illabatur orbis, &e. " If the
shattered heavens descend upon him, the ruins will strike him remaining
a stranger to fear." — 9. Hac arte. "By this rule of conduct," i. c, by in-
tegrity and firmness of purpose. — Vagus Hercules. "The roaming Her-
cules."— 12. Purpureo ore. Referring either to the dark-red color of the
nectar, or to the Roman custom of adorning on solemn occasions, such as
triumphs, &c, the faces of the gods with vermilion. — 13. Hac merentem.
" For this deserving immortality." — 14. Vexere. " Bore thee to the skies."
Bacchus is represented by the ancient fabulists as returning in triumph
from the conquest of India and the East in a chariot drawn by tigers. He
is now described as having ascended in this same way to the skies by a
singular species of apotheosis. — 16. Martis eqiiis, &c. Observe the ele-
gaut variety of diction in the phrases arces attigit igneas, quos inter Au-
gustzts recumbens, vexere tigres, and Acheronta fugit, all expressive of
the same idea, the attaining of immortality. According to the legend,
Mars carried off his son to heaven on the nones of duinctilis, and during a
thunder-storm. Compare Ovid, Fast., ii., 495; Met., xiv., 816. — 17. Gra-
turn elocuta, &c. " After Juno had uttered what was pleasing to the gods
deliberating in council." — 18. Ilion, Ilion, &c. An abrupt but beautiful
commencement, intended to portray the exulting feelings of the triumph-
ant Juno. The order of construction is as follows : Judex fatalis incestus-
que, et mulier peregrina, vertit in pulverem Ilion, Ilion, damnatum miki
cast&que Minervce, cujfi populo et fraudulenlo ducc, ex quo Laomedon des-
tituit deos pacta mercede. — 19. Fatalis incestusque judex, &c. "A judge,
the fated author of his country's ruin, and impure in his desires, and a fe-
male from a foreign land." Alluding to Paris and Helen, and the legend
of the apple of discord. — 21. Ex quo. "From the time that," i. e., ever
since. Supply tempore. — Destituit deos, &c. "Defrauded the gods of
their stipulated reward." Alluding to the fable of Laomedon's having
refused to Apollo and Neptune their promised recompense for building
the walls of Troy. — 22. Mihi casta:que damnatum Minervce. " Consigned
for punishment to me and the spotless Minerva." Condemned by the
gods, and given over to these two deities for punishment. The idea is
Dorrowed from the Roman law by which an insolvent debtor was deliver-
ed over into the power of his creditors.
25-48. 25. Splendet. " Displays his gaudy person." It is simplest to
make Lacamai adulterce the genitive, depending on hospes. Some, how-
ever, regard it as the dative, and, joining it with splendet, translate, " Dis-
plays his gaudy person to the Spartan adulteress." — 29. Nostris ductnm
seditionibus. "Protracted by our dissensions." — 31. Invisum nepotem-
Romulus, grandson to Juno through his father Mars. — Troia sacerdo*
Ilia. — 34. Discere. "To learn to know." The comm«i t#»«* h ItcV"*
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK III., ODE IV. 343
i4to quaff." — 37. Dum longus inter. Sec. "Provided a long tract of ocean
rage between Ilium and Rome." Provided Home be separated from the
plain of Troy by a wide expanse of intervening waters, and tbe Romans
rebuild not the city of their forefathers. Consult Introductory Remarks.
— 38. Exsules. The Romans are here meant, in accordance with the pop-
ular belief that they were the descendants of iEneas and the Trojans, and
exiles, consequently, from the land of Troy, the abode of their forefathers.
— 39. Qualibet in parte. "In whatever (other) quarter it may please
them to dwell." — 40. Busto insultet. " Trample upon the tomb." — 42.
Catulos celent. " Conceal therein their young." Catulus is properly the
young of the dog, and is then applied generally to the young of any ani-
mal.— 43. Fulzens. "In all its splendor.'* — 44. Dare jura. "To give
laws." — 45. Horrenda. "An object of dread." — 46. Medius liquor. "The
intervening waters." — 48. Arva. Understand yEg-ypti.
49-70. 49. Aurum irrepertum spcrnerefortior. "More resolute in de-
spising the trold as yet unexplored in tbe mine," i. e., the gold of the mine.
Observe the Grsecism in spernerefortior. Compare, as regards the idea
intended to be conveyed, the explanation of Orelli : " Nulla prorsus cu-
piditate accendi ad auri vcnas investigandas." — 51. Quam cogere, Sec
"Than in bending it to human purposes, with a right hand plundering
every thing of a sacred character." The expression omne sacrum rapi-
ente dextra is only another definition for boundless cupidity, which re-
spects not even the most sacred objects. Among these objects gold is
enumerated, and with singular felicity. It should be held sacred by man ;
it should be allowed to repose untouched in the mine, considering the
dreadful evils that invariably accompany its use. — 53. Quicunque mundo,
Sec. "Whatever limit bounds the world." More literally, "whatever
limit has placed itself in front for the world," i. e., in that particular quar-
ter. (Compare Orelli, ad loc.) — 54. Visere gestiens, Sec. "Eagerly de-
siring to visit that quarter, where the fires of the sun rage with uncon-
trolled fury, and that, where mists and rains exercise continual sway."
We have endeavored to express the zeugma in debacclientur, without
losing sight, at the same time, of the peculiar force and beauty of the term.
The allusion is to the ton-id and frigid zones. Supply the ellipsis in the
text as follows : visere earn partem qua parte, Sec. — Hac lege. " On this
condition." — Ximium pii. " Too piously affectionate (toward their parent
city)." The pious affection here alluded to is that which, according to
ancient ideas, was due from a colony to its parent city. — 61. Alite lugnbri.
"Under evil auspices." — 62. Fortuna. "The evil fortune." — 65. Murus
aineus. "A brazen wall," i. e., the strongest of ramparts. — 66. Auctore
Phasbo. As in the case of the former city. Auctore is here equivalent to
conditore. — 70. Desine pervicax, Sec. " Cease, bold one, to relate the dis-
courses of the gods, and to degrade lofty themes by lowly measures."
Ode TV. The object of the poet, in this ode, is to celebrate the praises
of Augustus for his fostering patronage of letters. The piece opens with
an invocation to the Muse. To this succeeds an enumeration of the bene-
fits conferred on the bard, from his earliest years, by the deities of Heli
con, under whose protecting influence, no evil, he asserts, can ever ap-
proach him. The name of Augustus is then introduced. If the humble
344 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK III., ODE IV.
poet is defended from barm by tbe daughtei^s of Mnemosyne, mucb more
will tbe exalted Caesar experience their favoring aid ; and he will also give
to the world an illustrious example of the beneficial effects resulting from
power when controlled and regulated by wisdom and moderation.
1-20. 1. Die longum melos. "Give utterance to a long melodious
strain." — Regina. A general term of honor, unless we refer it to Hesiod,
Tkeog., 79, where Calliope is described as npocQepeGTarn airaaewv
(Movoawv). — 3. Voce acuta. "With clear and tuneful accents." — 4. Fid-
ibus citharaque. For Jidibus citharce. "On the strings of Apollo's lyre."
— 5. Auditis ? "Do you hear her?" The poet fancies that the Muse,
having heard his invocation, has descended from tbe skies, and is pouring
forth a melodious strain. Hence the question, put to those who are sup-
posed to be standing around, whether they also hear the accents of the
goddess. Fea, one of the modern commentators on Horace, gives on con-
jecture Audiris ? in the sense of " Are you heard by me 1" " Do you an-
swer my invocation?*' — Amabilis i?isania. "A fond phrensy." — 7. Amcenee
quo» et, &.c. A beautiful zeugma. " Thi'ough which the pleasing waters
glide and refreshing breezes blow." — 9. Fabulosee. " Celebrated in fa-
ble."— Vulture. Moris Vultur, now Monte Voltore, was situate to the
south of Venusia, and was, in fact, a mountain ridge, separating Apulia
from Lucania. As it belonged, therefore, partly to one of these countries,
and partly to the other, Horace might well use the expression Altricis
extra limen Apulia:, when speaking of the Lucaniau side of the mountain.
— Apulo. Observe that the initial vowel is long in this word, but short
in Apulia in the next line. Some, therefore, read here Appulo ; but for
this there is no need, since tbe Latin poets not unfrequently vary the
quantity of proper or foreign names. Thus we have Pridmus and Prid-
mides ; Stcdnus and Sicdnia ; J talus and Italia ; Bdtdvus and Bdtdvus.
— 10. Altricis Apulia. " Of my native Apulia." — 11. Ludo fati gatumque
sornno. "Wearied with play and oppressed with sleep." — 13. Mirum
quod forct, &c. "Which might well be a source of wonder," &c. —
14. CelscB nidum Acherontia. " The nest of the lofty Acherontia."
Acherontia, now Acerenza, was situated on a hill difficult of access, south
of Foi'entum, in Apulia. Its lofty situation gains for it from the poet the
beautiful epithet of nidus. — 15. Saltusque Bajitinos. Bantia, a town of
Apulia, lay to the southeast of Venusia. — 16. Forenti. Forentum, now
Forenza, lay about eight miles south of Venusia, and on the other sid^
of Mount Vultur. The epithet hnmilis, "lowly," has reference to its si*
nation near the base of the mountain. — 20. Non sine dis animosus. " De
riving courage from the manifest protection of the gods." The deities
here alluded to are the Muses.
21-36. 21. Vester, Camasna. "Under your protection, ye Muse».
In arduos tollor Sabinos. " I climb unto the lofty Sabines," i. e., the
lofty country of the Sabines. The allusion is to his farm in the mount-
ainous Sabine territory. — 23. Prceneste. Praeneste, now Palcestrina, was
situate about twenty-three miles from Rome, in a southeast direction.
The epithet fri gidum, in the text, alludes to the coolness of its tempera-
ture.— Tibur supinum. "The sloping Tibur." This place was situated
on the slope of a hill. Consult note on Ode i., 7, 13. — 24. Liquids Baia.
"Baise with its waters." Consult note nv Ode ii., 18, 20 —26. Philippis
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK III., ODE IV. 345
versa acies retro. "The army routed at Philippi." Consult "Life of
Horace," p.xviii, and note on Ode ii., 7, 9. — 27. Devota arbor. "The ac-
cursed tree." Consult Ode ii., 13. — 28. Palimirus. A promontory on the
coast of Lucania, now Capo di Palinuro. Tradition ascribed the namf
to Palinurus, the pilot of iEneas. {Virgil, yEn., vi., 380.) It was notec
for shipwrecks. — 29. Utcunque. Put for quandocunque. — 30. Bosporum.
Consult note on Ode ii, 13, 14. — 32. Littoris Assyrii. The epithet Assyrii
is here equivalent to Syrii. The name Syria itself, which has been
transmitted to us by the Greeks, is a corruption or abridgment of Assyria,
and was first adopted by the Ionians who frequented these coasts after
the Assyrians of Nineveh had made this country a part of their empire.
The allusion in the text appears to be to the more inland deserts, the
Syria Palmyrenae solitudines of Pliny, H. N., v., 24. — 33. Britannos hos-
pitibus feros. Acron, in his scholia on this ode, informs us that the Britons
were said to sacrifice strangers. St. Jerome informs us that they were
cannibals. {Adv. Jovin., ii., 201.) — 34. Concanum. The Concani were a
Cantabrian tribe in Spain. As a proof of their ferocity, the poet mentions
their drinking the blood of horses intermixed with their liquor. — 35. Ge-
lonos. Consult note on Ode ii., 9, 23. — 36. Scylhicum amnem. The
Tanais, or Don.
37-64. 37. Ccesarem altum. "The exalted Caesar." — 38. Fessas co-
hortes abdidit oppidis. Alluding to the military colonies planted by Au-
gustus, at the close of the civil wars. Some editions have reddidit for
abdidit, which will then refer merely to the disbanding of his forces. —
40. Pierio antro. A figurative allusion to the charms of literary leisure.
Pieria was a region of Macedonia directly north of Thessaly, and fabled
to have been the first seat of the Muses, who are hence called Pierides.
— 41. Vos lene consilium, Sec. " You, ye benign deities, both inspire
Caesar with peaceful counsels, and rejoice in having done so." A com-
plimentary allusion to the mild and liberal policy of Augustus, and his pa-
tronage of letters and the arts. In reading metrically consilium et must
be pronounced consil-yet. — 44. Fulmine sustulerit corusco. " Swept away
with his gleaming thunderbolt." — 50. Fidens brachiis. " Proudly trusting
in their might." Proudly relying on the strength of their arms. — 51. Fratrcs.
Otus and Ephialtes. The allusion is now to the giants, who attempted
to scale the heavens. — 52. Pelion. Mount Pelion, a range in Thessaly
along a portion of the eastern coast, and to the south of Ossa. — Olympo.
Olympus, on the coast of northern Thessaly, separated from Ossa by the
vale of Tempe. — 53. Sed quid Typhdeus, &c. Observe that TyphoeTis is a
trisyllable, in Greek TvQuevc. The mightiest of the giants are here
enumerated. The Titans and giants are frequently confounded by the
ancient writers. — 58. Hinc avidus stetit, Sec. " In this quarter stood Vul-
can, burning for the fight ; in that, Juno, with all a matron's dignity."
In illustration of avidus here, compare the Homeric ?\.c?Miopevoc ito?J/lloio.
The term matrona, analogous here to norvia, and intended to designate
the majesty and dignity of the queen of heaven, conveyed a much strong-
er idea to a Roman than to a modern ear. — 61. Pore puro Castalia. " In
the limpid waters of Castalia." The Castalian fount, on Parnassus, was
sacred to Apollo and the Muses. — 63. Lycia: dumeta. "The thickets of
Lycia." Lycia was one of the principal seats of the worship of the sun-
god. — Natalem silvam. "His natal wood," on Mount Cynthus, in tbe
346 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK III., ODE V.
island of Delos. — 64. Delius et Patareus Apollo. "Apollo, god of Deios
and of Patara.'' Literally, "the Delian and Patarean Apollo." The city
of Patara, in Lycia, was situate on the southern coast, below the mouth
of the Xanthus. It was celebrated for an oracle of Apollo, and that deity
was said to reside here during six months of the year, and during the re-
maining six at Delos. (Virg., yEn., iv., 143. Serv., ad loc.)
65-79. 65. Vis consili expers, Sec. "Force devoid of judgment sinks
under its own weight,"' i. e., the efforts of brute force, without wisdom,
are of no avail. — 66. Temperatam. " When under its control," i. c, when
regulated by judgment. Understand consilio. — Provehunt in majus. "In-
crease."— Animo moventes. "Meditating in mind." — 69. Gyas. Gyas,
Cottus, and Briareus, sons of Ccelus and Terra, were hurled by their father
to Tartarus. Jupiter, however, brought them back to the light of day, and
was aided by them in overthrowing the Titans. Such is the mythological
narrative of Hesiod. (Theog., 617, seqq.) Horace evidently confounds
this cosmogonical fable with one of later date. The Centimani ('Etfa-
Toyxeipeg) are of a much earlier creation than the rebellious giants, and
fight on the side of the gods ; whereas, in the present passage, Horace
seems to identify one of their number with these very giants. — 71. Orion.
The well-known hunter and giant of eai-ly fable. — 73. Injecta monstris.
A Grascisni for se injectam esse dolet, Sec. "Earth grieves at being cast
upon the monsters of her own production." An allusion to the overthrow
and punishment of the giants. (TrjyevElc-) Enceladus was buried under
Sicily, Polybotes under Nisyrus, torn off by Neptune from the isle of Cos,
Otus under Crete, &c. (Apollod., i., 6, 2.) — Partus. The Titans are now
meant, who were also the sons of Terra, and whom Jupiter hurled to Tar-
tarus.— 75. Nee peredit impositam, «Sec. " Nor has the rapid fire ever eaten
through iEtna placed upon (Enceladus)," i. e., eaten through the mass of
the mountain so as to reduce this to ashes, and free him from the superin-
cumbent load. More freely, "nor is Enceladus lightened of his load."
Pindar {Pylh., i., 31) and iEschylus {Prom. V., 373) place Typhoeus under
this mountain. — 77. Tityi. Tityos was slain by Apollo and Diana for at-
tempting violence to Latona. — 78. Ales. The vulture. — Nequitia addi-
tus custos. " Added as the constant punisber of his guilt." Literally,
" added as a keeper to his guilt," nequitice being properly the dative.
— 79. Amatorem Pirilkoum. "The amorous Pirithous," i. e., who sought
to gain Proserpina to his love. Pirithous, accompanied by Theseus, de-
scended to Hades for the purpose of carrying off Proserpina. He was
seized by Pluto, and bound to a rock with "countless fetters" (trecentis
catenis). His punishment, however, is given differently by other writers.
Ode V. According to Dio Cassius (liv., 8), when Phraates, the Parthian
monarch, sent ambassadors to treat for the recovery of his son, then a
hostage in the hands of the Romans, Augustus demanded the restoration
of the standards taken from Crassus and Antony. Phraates at first re-
fused, but the fear of a war with the Roman emperor compelled him at
length to acquiesce. The ode therefore opens with a complimentary al-
lusion to the power of Augustus, and the glory he has acquired by thus
wresting the Roman standards from the hands of the Parthians. The
bard then dwells for a time upon the disgraceful defeat of Crassus, after
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK III., ODE V. 347
which the noble example of Regulus is introduced, and a tacit comparison
is then made during the rest of the piece between the high-toned princi-
ples of the virtuous Roman and the strict discipline of Augustus.
1-3. 1. Coelo tonantem, &c. "We believe from his thundering that
Jove reigns in the skies." — 2. Prcesens divus, &c. Having stated the
common grounds on which the belief of Jupiter's divinity is founded, name-
ly, his thundering in the skies, the poet now proceeds, in accordance with
the flattery of the age, to name Augustus as a " deity upon earth" [prcesens
divus), assigning, as a proof of this, his triumph over the nations of the
farthest east and west, especially his having wrested from the Pai'thians,
by the mere terror of his name, the standards so disgracefully lost by Cras-
sus and Antony. — 3. Adjeclis Britannis, Sec. "The Britons and the for-
midable Parthiaus being added to his sway." According to Strabo, some
of the princes of Britain sent embassies and presents to Augustus, and
placed a large portion of the island under his control. It was not, how-
ever, reduced to a Roman province until the time of Claudius. What
Horace adds respecting the Parthiaus is adorned with the exaggeration
of poetry. This nation was not, in fact, added by Augustus to the empire
of Rome ; they only surrendered, through dread of the Roman power, the
standards taken from Crassus and Antony.
5-12. 5. M'dcsne Crassi, &c. "Has the soldier of Crassus lived, a de-
graded husband, with a barbarian spouse I" An allusion to the soldiers
of Crassus made captives by the Parthiaus, and who, to save their lives,
had intermarried with females of that nation. Hence the peculiar force
of vixit, which is well explained by one of the scholiasts : " ux>res a vic-
toribus acceperant, ut vitam mererentur.'' To constitute a lawful mar-
riage among the Romans, it was required that both the contracting parties
be citizens and free. There was no legitimate marriage between slaves,
nor was a Roman citizen permitted to marry a slave, a barbarian, or a
foreigner generally. Such a connection was called connubium, not matri-
monium. — 7. Proli curia, inversique mores ! "Ah! senate of my coun-
try, and degenerate principles of the day !" The poet mourns over the
want of spirit on the part of the senate, in allowing the disgraceful defeat
of Crassus to remain so long unavenged, and over the stain fixed on the
martial character of Rome by this connection of her captive soldiery with
their barbarian conquerors. Such a view of tho subject carries with it a
tacit but flattering eulogium on the successful operations of Augustus. —
8. Consenuit. Nearly thirty years had elapsed since the defeat of Cras-
sus, B.C. 53. — 9. Sub rcge Medo. "Beneath a Parthian king." — Marsus
et Apulus. The Marsians and Apulians, the bravest portion of the Ro-
man armies, are here taken to denote the Roman soldiers generally. On
the quantity of Apulus, consult note on Ode iv., 9, of the present book. —
10. Anciliorum. The ancilia were " the sacred shields" carried round in
procession by the Salii or priests of Mars. — Et nominis et togce. "And
of the name and attire of a Roman." The toga was the distinguishing
part of the Roman dress, and the badge of a citizen. — 11. y^Eternceque
Vestac. Alluding to the sacred fire kept constantly burning by the vestal
virgins in the temple of the goddess. — 12. Incolumi Jove et urbc Roma.
"The Capitol of the Roman city being safe," i. e., though the Roman power
remains still supei'ior to its foes. Jove is here put for Jove Capitohno,
equivalent, in fact, to Capitolio.
348 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK TIL, ODE V.
13-38. 13. Hoc caverat, &c. The example of Regulus is now cited,
who foresaw the evil effects that would result to his country if the Roman
soldier was allowed to place his hopes of safety any where but in arms.
Hence the vanquished commander recommends to his countrymen not to
accept the terms offered by the Carthaginians, and, by receiving back the
Roman captives, establish a precedent pregnant with ruin to a future
age. The soldier must either conquer or die ; he must not expect that,
by becoming a captive, he will have a chance of being ransomed and thus
restored to his country. — 14. Dissentientis conditio nibus, &c. "Dissent-
ing from the foul terms proposed by Carthage, and a precedent pregnant
with ruin to a future age." Alluding to the terms of accommodation, of
which he himself was the bearer, and which he advised his countrymen
to reject. The Carthaginians wished peace and a mutual ransoming of
prisoners. — 17. Si non peri rent, &c. "If the captive youth were not to
perish unlamented." The common reading is periret, where the arsis
lengthens the final syllable of periret. — 20. Militibus. " From our sol-
diery."— 23. Portasque non clusas, &c. " And the gates of the foe stand-
ing open, and the fields once ravaged by our soldiery now cultivated by
their hands." Regulus, previous to his overthrow, had spread terror to the
very gates of Carthage. But now her gates lie open in complete security
— 25. Auro repensus, &c. Strong and bitter irony. " The soldier, after be-
ing ransomed by gold, will no doubt return a braver man!" — 28. Medicaid,
fuco. "When once stained by the dye." — 29. Vera virtus. "True valor."
— 30. Deterioribus. Understand animis. " In minds which have become
degraded by cowardice." — 35. liters. "With a coward's spirit." — Ti-
muitque mortem, &c. "And has feared death from that very quarter,
whence, with far more propriety, he might have obtained an exemption
from servitude." He should have trusted to his arms ; they would have
saved him from captivity. Vitam is here equivalent to salutem. There
must be no stop after mortem. The common text has a period after mor-
tem, and reads Hie in place of Hinc, in the next line. — 38. Pacem et duello
miscuit. " He has confounded peace, too, with war." He has surrender-
ed with his arms in his hands, and has sought peace in the heat of action
from his foe by a tame submission. Observe the old form duello for bello
40-56. 40. Probrosis altior Italia: minis. "Rendered more glorious
by the disgraceful downfall of Italy." — 42. Ut capitis minor. " As one no
longer a freeman." Among the Romans, any loss of liberty or of the
rights of a citizen was called Deminutio capitis. — 45. Donee labantcs,
&c. "Until, as an adviser, he confirmed the wavering minds of the fa-
thers by counsel never given on any previous occasion," i. e., until he set-
tled the wavering minds of the senators by becoming the author of advice
before unheard. Regulus advised the Romans strenuously to prosecute
the war, and leave him to his fate. — 49. Atqui sciebat, &c. There is con-
siderable doubt respecting the story of the sufferings of Regulus. — 52.
Peditus. The plural here beautifully marks his frequent attempts to re-
turn, and the endeavors of his relatives and friends to oppose his design.
Abstract nouns are frequently used in the plural in Latin, where our own
idiom does not allow of it, to denote a repetition of the same act, or the
existence of the same quality in different subjects. — 53. Longa negotia.
"The tedious concerns." — 55. Venafranos in agros. Consult note on Ode
ii., 6, 16. — 56. Lacedamonium Tarentum. Consult note on Ode ii , 6, 11.
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK III., ODE VI. 349
Ode VI. Addressed to the corrupt and dissolute Romans of his age,
and ascribing the national calamities which had befallen them to the an-
ger of the gods at their abandonment of public and private virtue. To
heighten the picture of present corruption, a view is taken of the simple
manners which marked the earlier days of Home.
Although no mention is made of Augustus in this piece, yet it would
seem to have been written at the time when that emperor was actively
engaged in restraining the tide of public and private corruption; when,
as Suetonius informs us [Vit. Aug., 30), he was rebuilding the sacred edi-
fices which had either been destroyed by fire or suffered to fall to ruin;
while by the Lex Julia, " De adulteriis," and the Lex Papia-Poppaea,
"De maritandis ordinibus," he was striving to reform the moral condition
of his people. Hence it may be conjectured that the poet wishes to cele-
brate, in the present ode, the civic virtues of the monarch.
1-11. 1. Delicto, majorum, &c. "Though guiltless of them, thou shalt
atone, O Roman, for the crimes of thy fathers." The crimes here alluded
to have reference principally to the excesses of the civil wars. The
offences of the parents are visited on their children. — 3. ^Edes. "The
shrines." Equivalent here to delubra. — 4. Fasda nigro, &c. The statues
of the gods in the temples were apt to contract impurities from the smoke
of the altars, &c. Hence the custom of annually washing them in running
water or the nearest sea, a rite which, according to the poet, had been
long interrupted by the neglect of the Romans. — 5. Imperas. "Thou
holdest the reins of empire." — 6. Hinc omne principium, &c. " From
them derive the commencement of every undertaking, to them ascribe its
issue." In metrical reading, pronounce principium hue, in this line, as if
written princip-yuc. — 8. Hcsperia. Put for Italics. Consult note on Ode
i., 36, 4. — 9. Monceses et Pacori manus. Alluding to two Parthian com-
manders who had proved victorious over the Romans. Monoeses, more
commonly known by the name of Surena, is the same that defeated Cras-
sus. Pacorus was the son of Orodes, the Parthian monarch, and defeated
Didius Saxa, the lieutenant of Marc Antony. — 10. Non auspicates contu-
dit impetus. "Have crushed our inauspicious efforts." — 11. Et adjecisse
pradam, &c. "And proudly smile in having added the spoils of Romans
to their military ornaments of scanty size before." By torques are meant,
among the Roman writers, golden chains, which went round the neck,
bestowed as military rewards. These, till now, had been the only orna-
ment or prize of the Parthian soldier. The meaning is, in fact, a figurative
one. The Parthians, a nation of inferior military fame before this, now
exult in their victories over Romans.
13-45. 13. Occupatam seditionibus. "Embroiled in civil dissensions."
According to the poet, the weakness consequent on disunion had almost
given the capital over into the hands of its foes. — 14. Dacus et yEtkiops.
An allusion to the approaching conflict between Augustus and Antony.
By the term sEthiops are meant the Egyptians generally. As regards
the Dacians, Dio Cassius (51, 22) states that they had sent ambassadors
to Augustus, but, not obtaining what they wished, had thereupon inclined
to the side of Antony. According to Suetonius ( Vit. Aug., 21), their incur-
sions were checked by Augustus, and three of their leadeis slain. — 17.
Nuptias ivqvmavere.- "Have polluted the purity of the nuptial compact.'
350 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK III., ODE VIII.
Compare the account given by Heineccius of the Lex Julia, " De adulte
rio," and the remarks of the same writer relative to the laws against this
offence prior to the time of Augustus. (Antiq. Horn., lib. 4, tit. 18, § 51,
ed. Haubold, p. 782.) Consult, also, Suetonius, Vit. Aug., 34. — 20. In pa-
triain populumque. The term patriavi contains an allusion to public ca-
lamities, while populnm, on the other hand, refers to such as are of a pri-
vate nature, the loss of pi'operty, of rank, of character, &c. — 21. His parent-
ibvs. "From parents such as these." — 23. Cecidit. "Smote." — 25. Rui-
ticorum militum. The best portion of the Roman troops were obtained
from the rustic tribes, as being most inured to toil. — 26. Sabellis legioni-
bus. The simple manners of earlier times remained longest in force
among the Sabines and the ti'ibes descended from them. — 30. Etjuga de-
meret, «Sec. Compare the Greek terms f3ov/.voie and PovXvtoc. — 32. Agens.
"Bringing on." Restoring. — 33. Damnosa dies. " Wasting time." Dies
is most commonly masculine when used to denote a particular day, and
feminine when it is spoken of the duration of time.
Ode VIII. Horace had invited Maecenas to attend a festal ceVbration
on the Calends of March. As the Matronalia took place on this same day,
the poet naturally anticipates the surprise of his friend on the occasion.
" Wonderest thou, Maecenas, what I, an unmarried man, have to do with
a day kept sacred by the matrons of Rome 1 On this very day my life was
endangered by the falling of a tree, and its annual return always brings
with it feelings of grateful recollection for my providential deliverance."
1-10. 1. Martiis caslebs, Szc. " Maecenas, skilled in the lore of either
tongue, dost thpu wonder what I, an unmarried man, intend to do on the
Calends of March, what these flowers mean, and this censer," Sec, i. e.,
skilled in Greek and Roman antiquities, especially those relating to
sacred rites. — 7. Libero. In a previous ode (ii., 17, 27) the bard attributes
his preservation to Faunus, but now Bacchus is named as the author of
his deliverance. There is a peculiar propriety in this. Bacchus is not
only the protector of poets, but also, in a special sense, one of the gods of
the country and of gardens, since to him are ascribed the discovery and
culture of the vine and of apples. (Theocr., ii., 120. Warton, ad loc.
Atkenceus, iii., 23.) — Dies festus. Consult note on Ode ii., 3, 6. — 10. Cor-
ticem adstrictum, &c. " Shall remove the cork, secured with pitch, from
the jar which began to drink in the smoke in the consulship of Tullus."
Amphorce, the dative, is put by a Graecism for ab amphora. "When the
wine-vessels were filled, and the disturbance of the liquor had subsided,
the covers or stoppers were secured with plaster, or a coating of pitch
mixed with the ashes of the vine, so as to exclude all communication
with the external air. After this, the wines were mellowed by the ap-
plication of smoke, which was prevented, by the ample coating of pitch
or plaster on the wine-vessel, from penetrating so far as to vitiate the
genuine taste of the liquor. Previously, however, to depositing the am-
phorae in the wine-vault or apotheca, it was usual to put upon them a
label or mark indicative of the vintages, and of the names of the consuls
in authority at the time, in order that, when they were taken out, their
age and growth might be easily recognized. If by the consulship of Tul-
lus, mentioned in the text, be meant that of L. Volcatius Tullus, who had
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK III., ODE IX. 351
M. iErnilius Lepidus for his colleague, A.U.C. 688, and if the present ode,
as would appear from verse 17, seqq., was composed A.U.C. 734, the wine
offered by Horace to his friend must have been more than forty-six years
old.
13-25. 13. Sumc Mcecenas, &c. " Drink, dear Maecenas, a hundred
cups in honor of the preservation of thy friend." A cup drained to the
health or in honor of any individual, was styled, in the Latin idiom, his
cup (ejus poculum) ; hence the language of the text, cyaihos amici. The
meaning of the passage is not, as some think, " do thou drink at thy home,
I being about to drink at mine ;" but it is actually an invitation on the
part of the bard. — Cyathos centum. Referring merely to a large number.
— 15. Perfer in luccm. "Prolong till daylight." — 17. Mitte civiles, &c.
" Dismiss those cares, which, as a statesman, thou feelest for the welfare
of Rome." An allusion to the office of Prcefectus urbis, which MaBcenas
held during the absence of Augustus in Egypt. — 18. Daci Cotisonis agmen.
The inroads of the Dacians, under their king Cotiso, were checked by
Lentulus, the lieutenant of Augustus. (Suet., Vit. Aug., 21. Flor., iv.,
12, 18.) Compare, as regards Dacia itself, the note on Ode i., 35, 9. —
19. Medus infestus sibi. " The Parthians, turning their hostilities against
themselves, are at variance in destructive conflicts." Consult note on
Ode i., 26, 3. Orelli joins sibi luctuosis. Dillenburger explains the clause
by infestus sibi, sibi luctuosis, making it an example of the construction
utto KOtvov. The construction, however, which we have adopted, is in
every point of view preferable. — 22. Sera domitus catena. " Subdued
after long-protracted contest." The Cantabrians were reduced to subjec-
tion by Agrippa the same year in which this ode was composed (A.U.C.
734), after having resisted the power of the Romans, in various ways, for
more than two hundred years. Consult note on Ode ii., 6, 2. — 23. Jam
Scythes laxo, Sec. "The Scythians now think of retiring from our frontiers,
with bow unbent." By the Scythians are here meant the barbarous
tribes in the vicinity of the Danube, but more particularly the Greloni,
whose inroads had been checked by Lentulus. Consult note on Ode ii.,
9, 23. — 25. Negligens ne qua, &c. " Refraining, amid social retirement,
from overweening solicitude, lest the people any where feel the pressure
of evil, seize with joy the gifts of the present moment, and bid adieu for a
time to grave pursuits." The common text has a comma after laboret,
and in the 26th line gives Parce privatics nimium cavere. The term neg-
ligens will then be joined in construction with parce, and negligens parce
will then be equivalent to parce alone, " Since thou art a private person,
be not too solicitous lest," &c. The epithet privatus, as applied by the
poet to Maecenas, is then to be explained by a reference to the Roman
usage, which designated all individuals, except the emperor, as privati.
The whole reading, however, is decidedly bad. According to the lection
adopted in our text, negligens cavere is a Graecism for negligens cavendi.
Ode IX. A beautiful Amoebean ode, representing the reconciliation of
two lovers. The celebrated modern scholar Scaliger regarded this ode,
and the third of the fourth book, as the two most beautiful lyric produc
tions of Horace. (Seal., Poet., 6.)
352 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK III., ODE XI.
2-24. 2. Potior. " More favored."— 3. Dnbat. "Was accustomed to
throw." — 4. Persarum vigui, &c. " I lived happier than the monarch of
the Persians," i. e., I was happier than the richest and most powerful of
kings. — 6. Alia. "For another." — 7. Multi nominis. " Of distinguished
fame." — 8. Ilia. The mother of Romulus and Remus. — 10. Dulces docta
modos, Sec. "Skilled in sweet measures, and mistress of the lyre." —
12. Animee superstiii. "Her surviving soul." — 13. Torret face mutua.
"Burns with the torch of mutual love." — 14. Thurini Ornyti. " Of the
Thurian Ornytus." Thurii was a city of Lucania, on the coast of the Si-
nus Tarentiuus, erected by an Athenian colony, near the site of Sybaris,
which had been destroyed by the forces of Crotona. — 17. Prisca Venvs.
" Our old affection." — 18. Diductos. "Us, long parted." — 21. Sidere pul-
chrior. "Brighter in beauty than any star." — 22. Levior cortice. "Light-
er than cork." Alluding to his inconstant and fickle disposition. — Im-
probo. " Stormy." — 24. Tecum vivcrc anient, &c. " Yet with thee I shall
love to live, with thee I shall cheerfully die." Supply tamen, as required
by quamquam which precedes.
Ode XL Addressed to Lyde, an obdurate fair one. Horace invokes
Mercury, the god of music and of rhetoric, to aid him in subduing her
aversion.
1-22. 1. Te magistro. "Under thy instruction." — 2. Amphion. Am-
phion, son of Jupiter and Antiope, was fabled to have built the walls of
Thebes by the music of his lyre, the stones moving of themselves into
their destined places. Eustathius, however, ascribes this to Amphion
conjointly with his brother Zethus. — 3. Testudo. " O shell." Consult
note on Ode i., 10, 6. — Resonare septem, &c. " Skilled in sending forth
sweet music with thy seven strings." Callida resonare by a Graecism
for callida in resonando. — 5. Nee loquax olim, Sec. " Once, neither vocal
nor gifted with the power to please, now acceptable both to the tables of
the rich and the temples of the gods." — 9. Tu potes tigres, Sec. An allu-
sion to the legend of Orpheus. — Comites. "As thy companions," i. e., in
thy train. — 12. Blandienti. " Soothing his anger by the sweetness of thy
notes." — 16. Aulce. "Of Pluto's hall." Orpheus descends with his lyre
to the shades, for the purpose of regaining his Eurydice. — 13. Furiale ca-
put. " His every head, like those of the Furies." — 14. j^Estuet. "Rolls
forth its hot volumes." — 15. Teter. "Deadly," "pestilential." — Sanies.
"Poisonous matter." — 18. Stetit urna paulum, Sec. "The vase of each
stood for a moment dry," i. e., the Danaides ceased for a moment from
their toil. — 22. Et inane lympha, Sec. "And the vessel empty of water,
from its escaping through the bottom." Dolium is here taken as a gen-
eral term for the vessel, or receptacle, which the daughters of Danaus
were condemned to fill, and the bottom of which, being perforated with
numerous holes, allowed the water constantly to escape.
26-48. 26. Nam quid potuere majus, Sec. "For, what greater crime
could they commit?" Understand scelus. — 29. Una de multis. Alluding
to Hypermnestra, who spared her husband Lynceus. — Face nuptiali dig-
na. At the ancient marriages, the bride was escorted from her father's
house to that of her husband amid the light of torches. — 30. Perjiirnm fuit
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK III., ODE XII. 353
in parentem, «Sec. " Proved gloriously false to her perjured parent." The
Danaldes were bound by an oath, which their parent had imposed, to de-
stroy their husbands on the night of their nuptials. Hypermnestra alone
broke that engagement, and saved the life of Lynceus. The epither per-
jurum, as applied to Danaus, alludes to his violation of good faith toward
his sons-in-law. — 31. Virgo. Consult Heyne, ad Apollod., ii., 1, 5. — Unde.
"From a quarter whence," i. e., from one from whom. — 35. Socerum et
sceleslas, &c. "Escape by secret flight from thy father-in-law and my
wicked sisters." Falle is here equivalent to the Greek ?.ude- — 37. Xactcs.
" Having got into their power." — 39. Neque intra claustra tenebo. " Xor
will I keep thee here in confinement," i. e., nor will I keep thee confined
in this thy nuptial chamber until others come and slay thee. — 43. Me pater
s&vis, 6cc. Hypermnestra was imprisoned by her father, but afterward,
on a reconciliation taking place, was reunited to Lynceus. — 47. Memorem
querelam. " A mournful epitaph, recording the story of our fate."
Ode XII. The bard laments the unhappy fate of Neobule, whose affec
tion for the young Hebrus had exposed her to the angry chidings of ai
offended relative.
1-10. 1. Miserarum est. " It is the part of unhappy maidens," i. e.,
unhappy are the maidens who, <5cc. — Dare ludum. " To indulge in." Lit-
erally, " to give play to." — 2. Lavere. The old stem-conjugation, and the
earlier form for lavdre. — Aut exanimari, &c. "Or else to be half dead
with alarm, dreading the lashes of an uncle's tongue," i. e., or, in case
they do indulge the tender passion, and do seek to lead a life of hilarity,
to be constantly disquieted by the dread of some morose uncle who chances
to be the guardian of their persons. The severity of paternal uncles was
proverbial. Compare Erasmus, ChiL, p. 463, ed. Steph., " Xesis patruus
mihi," and Ernesti, Clav. Cic, s. v. Patruus. — 4. Operos&que Minerva,
studium. "And all inclination for the labors of Minerva." Literally,
"all affection for the industrious Minerva." — 5. Liparei. "Of Lipara."
Lipara, now Lipari, the largest of the Iusulae iEoliae, or Vulcaniae, off the
coasts of Italy and Sicily. — 6. Unctos humeros. The ancients anointed
themselves previously to their engaging in gymnastic exercises, and
bathed after these were ended. The arrangement of the common text is
consequently erroneous, in placing the line beginning with Simul unctos
after segni pede victus. — 7. Bellerophonte. Alluding to the fable of Bel-
lerophon and Pegasus. In Bellerophonte the last syllable is lengthened
from the Greek, Bt/./.epoqovr^. — 8. Catus jaculari. A Graecism for catus
jaculandi. — 10. Celer arcto latitantem, &c. "Active in surprising the
boar that lurks amid the deep thicket." Celer excipere for celer in ex-
cipiendo or ad excipiendum.
Ode XIII. A sacrifice is promised to the fountain of Bandusia and an
immortalizing of it in verse.
1-15. 1. Ofons Bandusia. The common text has Blandusiw, but the
true forni of the name is Bandusice, as given in many MSS. Pea cites
also an ecclesiastioal record in its favor (Privileg. Paschalis II., anm
354 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK III., ODE XIV.
1103, ap. Ughell. Ital. Sacr., torn. 7, col. 30, ed. Ven., 1721), in the follow
ing words : " In Bandusino fonte apud Venusiam," and, a little after,
"cum aliis ecclesiis de castello Bandusii." From this it would appear
that the true Bandusian fount was near Venusia, in Apulia; and it has
been conjectured that the poet named another fountain, on his Sabine
farm, and which he here addresses, after the one near Venusia, which he
had known in early boyhood. — 2. Dulci digne mero, Sec. The nymph of
the fountain is to be propitiated by a libation, and by garlands hung around
the brink. — Splendidior vitro. " Clearer than glass." — 3. Donaberis.
" Thou shalt be gifted," i. e., in sacrifice. — 6. Frustra. Sc. cetas eum Ve-
neri et preeliis destinat. — Nam gclidos injicict, «Sec. The altars on which
sacrifices were offei'ed to fountains, were placed in their immediate vicini-
ty, and constructed of turf. — 9. Tc jlagrantis atrox, Sec. "Thee the
fiei'ce season of the blazing dog-star does not affect." Literally, "knows
not how to affect." Consult note on Ode i., 17, 7. — 13. Fies nobilium tu
quoque fontium. " Thou too shalt become one of the famous fountains."
By the nobiles fontes are meant Castalia, Hippocrene, Dirce, Arethusa,
&c. The construction jtfes nobilium fontium is imitated from the Greek.
— 14. Me dicente. " While I tell of," i. e., while I celebrate in song. —
15. Loquaces lymphce tuce. "Thy prattling waters."
Ode XIV. On the expected return of Augustus from his expedition
against the Cantabri. The poet proclaims a festal day in honor of so
joyous an event, and while the consort and the sister of Augustus, accom-
panied by the Roman females, are directed to go forth and meet their
prince, he himself proposes to celebrate the day at his own abode with
wine aud festivity.
What made the return of the emperor peculiarly gratifying to the Ro-
man people was the circumstance of his having been attacked by sick-
ness during his absence, and confined for a time at the city of Tarraco.
1-6. 1. Herculis ritu, Sec. " Augustus, O Romans, who so lately was
said, after the manner of Hercules, to have sought for the laurel to be
purchased only with the risk of death, now," &c. The conquests of Au-
gustus over remote nations are here compared with the labors of the fa-
bled Hercules, and as the latter, after the overthrow of Geryon, returned
in triumph from Spain to Italy, so Augustus now comes from the same
distant quarter victorious over his barbarian foes. The expression morte
venalcm petiisse laurum refers simply to the exposure of life in the achiev-
ing of victory. Compare the remark of Acron : "Mortis contemtu laus
victoria quceritur et triumphi." — 5. Unico gaudens mulicr marito, Sec.
" Let the consort who exults in a peerless husband, go forth to offer sacri-
fices to the just deities of heaven." The allusion is to Livia, the consort
of Augustus. As regards the passage itself, two things are deserving of
attention : the first is the use of unico, in the sense of praeslantissimo, on
which point consult Heinsius, ad Ovid, Met., in., 454 ; the second is the
meaning we must assign to operata, which is here taken by a poetic id-
iom for rit operelur. On the latter subject compare Tibullus, ii., 1, 9, ed.
Heyne ; Virgil, Georg., i., 335, ed. Heyne, and the comments of Mitscher-
lich and Daring on the present passage. — 6. Justis divis. The gods are
here styled "just" from their granting to Augustus the success which his
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK III., ODE XVI. 355
valor deserved. This, of course, is mere flattery. Augustus was never
remarkable either for personal bravery or military talents.
7-28. 7. Soror clari duels. Octavia, the sister of Augustus. — Decora
supplice vitta. "Adorned with the suppliant fillet,'' i. e., bearing, as be-
comes them, the suppliant fillet. According to the scholiast on Sophocles
(CEd. T., 3), petitioners among the Greeks usually carried boughs wrap-
ped around with fillets of wooL Sometimes the hands were covered with
these fillets, not only among the Greeks, but also among the Romans. —
9. Virginian. "Of the young married females," whose husbands were
returning in safety from the war. (Compare, as regards this usage of
Virgo, Ode ii., 8, 23; Virg., Eel., vi., 47; Ov., Her., i., 115.) — Xi/pcr.
Referring to the recent termination of the Cantabrian conflict. — 10. Vos,
O pueri, &.c. " Do you, ye boys, and yet unmarried damsels, refrain from
ill-omened words." Virum is here the genitive plural, contracted for
virorum. Some editions read expertce, and make virum the accusative,
by which lection pudlae jam virum expertce is made to refer to those but
lately married. — 14. Tumultum. The term properly denotes a war in
Italy or an invasion by the Gauls. It is here, however, taken for any dan-
gerous war either at home or in the vicinity of Italy. — 17. Pete unguentum
et coronas. Consult note on Ode i., 17, 27. — 18. Et cadum Marsi, &c
" And a cask that remembers the Marsian war," i. e., a cask containing old
wine made during the period of the Marsian or Social war. This war pre-
vailed from B.C. 91 to B.C. 88, and if the present ode was written B.C. 23,
as is generally supposed, the contents of the cask must have been from sixty-
five to sixty-eight years old. — 19. Spartacum si qua, &c. " If a vessel of
it has been able in any way to escape the roving Spartacus." With qua
understand ratione. Qua for aliqua, in the nominative, violates the metre.
Spartacus, a Thracian gladiator, who headed the gladiators and slaves in
the Servile war, B.C. 73-71. Four consular armies were successively
defeated by this daring adventurer. He was at last met and completely
routed by the praetor Crassus. He " roved" from Campania to Mutina,
and thence into lower Italy, until he was defeated by Crassus near Petilia
in Lucania. — 21. Arguta. "The tuneful," i. e., the sweet-smgins-. —
22. Myrrhcum. " Perfumed with rnyrrh." Some commentators errone-
ously refer this epithet to the dark color of the hair. — 27. Hoc. Alluding
to the conduct of the porter. — Ferrem. For tulissem. — 2S. Consule Planco.
Plancus was consul with M. iErnilius Lepidus, B.C. 41, A.U.C. 712, at
which period Horace was about twenty-three years of age.
Ode XVI. This piece turns on the poet's favorite topic, that happiness
consists not in abundant possessions, but in a contented mind.
1-19. 1. Inclusam Danaen. The story of Danae and Acrisius is well
known. — Turris aenea. Apollodorus merely mentions a brazen cham-
ber, constructed under ground, in which Danae was immured (ii., 4, 1).
Later writers make this a tower, and some represent Danae as having
been confined in a building of this description when about to become a
mother. (Hryne, ad Apollod., 1. c.) — 3. Tristes. "Strict." Equivalent
to sever ce. — Munierant. "Would certainly have secured." Observe the
peculiar force of the indicative, taking the place of the ordinary miintis-
356 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK III., ODE XVI.
sent. (Znmpt, § 519, b.) — 4. Adulter is. For amatoribus. Compare Orelh :
"Etiam de iis dicitur qnivirginum castitati insidiantur." — 5. Acrisium.
Acrisius was father of Danae, and king of Argos in the Peloponnesus. —
6. Cnstodem pavidum. Alluding to his dread of the fulfillment of the ora
cle. — 7. Fore enim, &c. Understand sciebant. — 8. Converso in pretium.
"Changed into gold." By the term pretium in the sense of aurum, the
poet hints at the true solution of the fahle, the bribery of the guards. —
9. Ire amat. " Loves to make its way." Amat is here equivalent to the
Greek <Pl?leI, and much stronger than the Latin solet. — 10. Saxa. "The
strongest barriers." — 11. Auguris Argivi. Amphiaraus is meant. Poly-
nices bribed Eriphyle with the golden collar of Harmonia to persuade
Amphiaraus her husband to accompany him in the expedition of Adrastus
against Thebes, although the prophet was well aware that no one of the
leaders but Adrastus would return alive. Amphiaraus was swallowed up
by an opening of the earth; and, on hearing of his father's death, his son
Alcmogon, in obedience to his parent's injunction, slew his mother Eri-
phyle. The necklace proved also the cause of destruction to Alcmaeon at
a later day. — 12. Ob hicrum. " From a thirst for gold." — 14. Vir Macedo.
Philip, father of Alexander. Compare the expression of Demosthenes,
MaKedtJV avrjp. How much this monarch effected by bribery is known to
ah. — 15. Munera navium, &c. Horace is thought to allude here to Meno-
dorus, or Menas, who was noted for frequently changing sides in the war
between Sextus Pompeius and the triumvirs. Compare Epode, iv., 17.
— 16. Scevos. " Paragh." Some, however, make scevos here equivalent
to fortes. — 17. C rescentem sequitur, &c. The connection in the train of
ideas is this : And yet, powerful as gold is in triumphing over difficulties,
and in accomplishing what, perhaps, no other human power could effect,
still it must be carefully shunned by those who wish to lead a happy life,
for " care ever follows after increasing riches as well as the craving desire
for more extensive possessions." — 19. Late conspicuum, &c. " To raise
the far conspicuous head," i. e., to seek after the splendor and honors
which wealth bestows on its votaries, and to make these the source of
vainglorious boasting.
22-43. 22. Plura. For tanto plura. — Nil cupientium, &c. The rich
and the contented are here made to occupy two opposite encampments. —
23. Nudus. " Naked," i. e., divested of every desire for more than fortune
has bestowed. Compare the explanation of Braunhard: "Pauper, et in
paupertate sua sibi placens.'" — 24. Linquere gcstio. "I take delight in
abandoning." — 25. Contemla? dominus, Sue. "More conspicuous as the
possessor of a fortune contemned by the great." — 30. Segetis certajides
mece. " A sure reliance on my crop," i. c, the certainty of a good crop. — ■
31. Fulgentem imperio, &c. "Yield a pleasure unknown to him who is
distinguished for his wide domains in fertile Africa." Literally, " escapes
the observation of him who," &c. Fallit is here used for the Greek ?mv-
ddvEL. As regards the expression/e/-^7is Africa, consult note on Ode i.,
1, 10. — 32. Sorte beatior. " Happier in lot am I." Understand sum. The
common text places a period after beatior, and a comma after fallit, a
harsh and inelegant reading, even if it be correct Latin. — 33. Calabrai,
&c. An allusion to the honey of Tarentum. Consult note on Ode ii., 6,
14. — 34. Nee Lcestrygonia Bacchus, &c. " Nor the wine ripens for me in
a Laestrygonian jar." An allusion to the Foz-mian wine. Formiai was
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK III., ODE XVII. 357
regarded by the ancients as having been the abode and capital of the Lae-
strygones. Compare note on Ode i., 20, 11. — 35. Gallicis pcucuia. The
pastures of Cisalpine Gaul are meant. — 37. Importuna lamen, &c. "Yet
the pinching of contracted means is far away." Consult note on Ode i.,
12, 43. — 39. Contracto melius, <5cc. " 1 shall extend more wisely my hum-
ble income by contracting my desires, than if I were to join the realm of
Alyattes to the Mygdonian plains," i. e., than if Lydia and Phrygia were
mine. Alyattes was King of Lydia and father of Croesus, who was so
famed for his riches. As regards the epithet " Mygdonian" applied to
Phrygia, consult note on Ode ii., 12, 22. — 43. Bene est. Understand ei.
" Happy is the man on whom the deity has bestowed with a sparing hand
what is sufficient for his wants."
Ode XVII. The bard, warned by the crow of to-morrow's storm, ex-
horts his friend L. iElius Lamia to devote the day, when it shs>U arrive, to
joyous banquets.
The individual to whom this ode is addressed had signalized himself in
the war with the Cantabri as one of the lieutenants of Augustus. His
family claimed descent from Lamus, son of Neptune, and the most an-
cient monarch of the Laestrygones, a people alluded to in the preceding
ode (v. 34).
1-16. 1. VeHisto nobilis, &c. " Nobly descended from ancient Lamus."
— 2. Priores hinc Lamias denominates. " That thy earlier ancestors of
the Lamian line were named from him." We have included all from line
2 to 6 within brackets, as savoring strongly of interpolation, from its awk-
ward position. It is thrown entirely out by Sanadon. — 3. Et nepotum,
«Sec. " And since the whole race of their descendants, mentioned in re-
cording annals, derive their origin from him as the founder of their house."
The Fasti were public registers or chronicles, nuder the care of the Pon-
tifex Maximus and his college, in which were marked, from year to year,
what days were fasti and what nefasti. In the Fasti were also recorded
the names of the magistrates, particularly of the consuls, an account of
the triumphs that were celebrated, &c. Hence the splendor of the La-
mian line in being often mentioned in the annals of Rome. — 6. Formia-
rum. Consult note on Ode hi., 16, 34. — 7. Et innanfem, «5cc. " And the
Liris, where it flows into the sea through the territory of Minturnae." The
poet wishes to convey the idea that Lamus ruled, not only over Formiae,
but also over the Minturnian territory. In expressing this, allusion is
made to the nymph Marica, who had a grove and temple near Minturnae,
and the words Maries litora are used as a designation for the region
a:ound the city itself. Minturnae was a place of great antiquity, on the
tanks of the Liris, and only three or four miles from its mouth. The
country around abounded with marshes. The nymph Marica was fabled
by some to have been the mother of Latinus, and by others thought to
have been Circe. — 9. Late tyrannus. "A monarch of extensive sway."
Tyrannus is used here in the earlier sense of the Greek rvpavvoc. — 12.
Aqua augur comix. Compare Ovid, Am., ii., 6, 34: " Pluvial gracnlus
auzvr aqncB." — 13. Annosa. Hesiod (Fragm., 50) assigns to the crow,
for the duration of its existence, nine ages of men. — Dum potis. " While
you can,'' i. e., while the weather will allow you, and the wood is still
358 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK III., ODE XIX.
dry. Supply es. — 14. Cras genium mero, &c. "On the morrow, thou
slialt honor thy genius with wine." According to the popular belief of
antiquity, every individual had a genius (dai/uuv), or tutelary spirit, which
was supposed to take care of the person during the whole of life. — 16.
Operum solutis. "Released from their labors." A Grascism for ab opere
solutis.
Ode XVIII. The poet invokes the presence of Faunus, and seeks to
propitiate the favor of the god toward his fields and flocks. He then de-
scribes the rustic hilarity of the day, made sacred, at the commencement
of winter, to this rural divinity. Faunus had two festivals {Faunalia):
one on the Nones (5th) of December, after all the produce of the year had
been stored away, and when the god was invoked to protect it, and to
give health and fecundity to the flocks and herds ; and another in the be-
ginning of the spring, when the same deity was propitiated by sacrifices,
that he might preserve and foster the grain committed to the earth. This
second celebration took place on the Ides (13th) of February.
1-15. 1. Faxino. Consult note on Ode i., 17, 2. — 2. Lenis incedas.
'' Mayest thou move benignant." — Abeasque parvis, &c. "And ni ayes'*
thou depail propitious to the little nurslings of my farm," i. e., lambs, kids,
calves, &c. The poet invokes the favor of the god on these, as being more
exposed to the casualties of disease. — 5. Pleno anno. "At the close of
every year." Literally, "when the year is full." — 7. Vetus ara. On
which sacrifices have been made to Faunus for many a year. A pleasing
memorial of the piety of the bard. — 10. Nonce Decembres. Consult Intro-
ductory Remarks. — 11. Festus in pralis, &c. " The village, celebrating
thy festal day, enjoys a respite from toil in the grassy meads, along with
the idle ox." — 13. Inter audaces, &c. Alluding to the security enjoyed by
the flocks, under the protecting care of the god. — 14. Spargit agrestes,
&c. As in Italy the trees do not shed their leaves until December, the
poet converts this into a species of natural phenomenon in honor of Fau-
nus, as if the trees, touched by his divinity, poured down their leaves to
cover his path. It was customary among the ancients to scatter leaves
and flowers on the ground in honor of distinguished personages. Compare
Virgil, Eclog., v., 40: " Spargite humum foliis." — 15. Gaudet invisam,
&c. An allusion to the rustic dances which always formed part of the
celebration.
Ode XIX. A party of friends, among whom was Horace, intended to
celebrate, by a feast of contribution (epavoc), the recent appointment of
Murena to the office of augur. Telephus, one of the number, was con-
spicuous for his literary labors, and had been for some time occupied in
composing a history of Greece. At a meeting of these friends, held, as a
matter of course, in order to make arrangements for the approaching ban
quet, it may be supposed that Telephus, wholly engrossed with his pur-
suits, had introduced some topic of an historical nature, much to the an-
noyance of the bard. The latter, therefore, breaks out, as it were, with
an exhortation to his companion to abandon matters so foreign to the sub-
ject under discussion, and attend to things of more immediate importance.
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK III., ODE XIX. 359
Presently, fancying himself already in the midst of the feast, he issues his
edicts as symposiarch. and regulates the number of cups to be drunk in
honor of tbe Moon, of Night, and of rhe augur Murena. Then, as if impa-
tient of delay, he bids the music begin, and orders the roses to be scatter-
ed. The ode terminates with a gay allusion to Telephus.
1-1-. 1. Inacho. Consult note on Ode ii., 3, 21. — 2. Codrus. The last
of the Athenian kings, who sacrificed his life when the Dorians invaded
Attica. If we believe the received chronology, Inachus founded the king-
dom of Argos about 1856 B.C., and Codrus was slain about 1070 B.C. The
interval, therefore, will be 786 years. — 3. Germs JEaci. The iEacidae, or
descendants of iEacus, were Peleus, Telamon, Achilles, Teucer, Ajax, <5cc.
— 5. Chium cadum. "A cask of Chian wine." The Chian is described
by some ancient writers as a thick, luscious wine, and that which grew
on the craggy heights of Ariusium, extending three hundred stadia along
the coast, is extolled by Strabo as the best of the Greek wines. — 6. Mcr-
ccmur. "We may buy." — Quis aquam temperet ignibus. Alluding to
the hot drinks so customary among the Romans. Orelli, Braunhard, L)il-
lenburger, and others, make the allusion to be to the preparing of warm
baths, the party being a picnic one, and one individual furnishing the
wine, another house-room and warm baths before supper. The arrange-
ment, however, of quis aquam temperet ignibus before quo prcebente do-
mum, and not after this clause, seems to militate against this mode of ex-
plaining.— 7. Quota. Supply hora. — 8. Pelignis caream frigoribus . " I
may free myself from Pelignian colds," i. e., may fence myself against the
cold, as piercing as that felt in the country of the Peligni. The territory
of the Peligni was small and mountainous, and was separated from that
of the Marsi, on the west, by the Apennines. It was noted for the cold-
ness of its climate. — 9. Da I una propere nova, &c. " Boy, give me quick-
ly a cup in honor of the new moon." Understand poculum, and consult
note on Ode iii., 8, 13. — 10. Auguris Murena. This was the brother of
Terentia, the wife of Maecenas. — 11. Tribus aut novem, &c. "Let our
goblets be mixed with three or with nine cups, according to the temper-
aments of those who drink." In order to understand this passage, wg
must bear in mind that the poculum was the goblet out of which each
guest drank, while the cyalhus "was a small measure used for diluting the
wine with water, or for mixing the two in certain proportions. Twelve
of these cyathi went to the sextarius. Horace, as symposiarch, or master
of the feast, issues his edict, which is well expressed by the imperative
form miscentor, and prescribes the proportions in which the wine and wa-
ter are to be mixed on the present occasion. For the hard drinkers,
therefore, among whom he classes the poets, of the twelve cyathi that
compose the sextarius, nine will be of wine and three of water ; while
for the more temperate, for those who are friends to the Graces, the pro
portion, on the contrary", will be nine cyathi of water to three of wine
In the numbers here given there is more or less allusion to the mystic no-
tions of the day, as both three and nine were held sacred.
13-27. 13. Musas impares. "The Muses, uneven in number." — 14. At-
tonitus rates. " The enraptured bard." — 18. Berecyntia. Consult note
on Ode i., 30, r.. The Berecyntian or Phrygian flute was of a crooked
form, whence it is sometimes called cornu. — 21. Parcentes dcxteras.
360 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK III., ODE XXI.
"Sparing bauds," i. e., not liberal witb tbe wine, flowers, perfumes, &c
— 24. Vicina. " Our fair young neighbor." — Non habdis. "Ill suited,"
i. e., in point of years. — 25. Spissa te nitidum coma, &c. The connection
is as follows : The old and morose Lycus fails, as may well be expected,
in securing the affections of her to whom he is united. But thee, Tele-
phus, in the bloom of manhood, thy Rhode loves, because her years are
matched with thine. — 26. Puro. "Bright." — 27. Tempestiva. " Of nu-
bile years."
Ode XXI. M. Valei'ius Messala Corvinus having promised to sup with
the poet, the latter, full of joy at the expected meeting, addresses an am-
phora of old wine, which is to honor the occasion with its contents. To
the praise of this choice liquor succeed encomiums on wine in general.
The ode is thought to have been written A.U.C. 723, B.C. 31, when Cor-
vinus was in his first consulship.
1-11. 1. O nata mecum, &c. " O jar, whose contents were brought
into existence with me during the consulship of Manlius." Nata, though
joined in grammatical construction with testa, is to be construed as an
epithet for the contents of the vessel. Manlius Torquatus was consul
A.U.C. 689, B.C. 65, and Messala entered on his first consulate A.U.C.
723 ; the wine, therefore, of which Horace speaks, must have been thirty-
four years old. — 4. Seu facilem, pia, somnum. " Or, with kindly feelings,
gentle sleep." The epithet pia must not be taken in immediate construc-
tion with testa. — 5. Quocunquc nomine. Equivalent to in quemcunque
jinem, "for whatever end." — 6. Movcri digna bono die. "Worthy of be-
ing moved on a festal day," i. e., of being moved from thy place on a day
like this, devoted to festivity. — 7. Descende. The wine is to come down
from the horreum, or uTTodrjKT]. Consult note on Ode iii., 28, 7. — 8. han-
guidiora. "Mellowed by age." — 9. Quanquam Socraticis madet ser-
monibus. "Though he is well-steeped in lore of the Socratic school,"
i. e., has drunk deep of the streams of philosophy. The term madet con-
tains a figurative allusion to the subject of the ode. — 10. Sermonibus.
The method of instruction pursued by Socrates assumed the form of famil-
iar conversation. The expression Socraticis sermonibus, however, refers
more particularly to the tenets of the Academy, that school having been
founded by Plato, one of the pupils of Socrates. — Horridus. " Sternly."
— 11. Narraiur et prisci Catonis, &c. " Even the austere old Cato is re-
lated to have often warmed under the influence of wine." As regards the
idiomatic expression Catonis virtus, consult note on Ode i., 3, 36. The
reference is to the elder Cato, not to Cato of Utica, and the poet speaks
merely of the enlivening effects of a cheerful glass, of which old Cato is said
to have been fond.
13-23. 13. Tu lene tormenlum, &c. " Thou frequently appliest gentle
violence to a rugged temper," i. e., thou canst subdue, by thy gentle vio-
lence, dispositions cast in the most rugged mould. — 1 4. Sapientium. " Of
the guarded and prudent." — 15. Jocoso Lyao. "By the aid of sportive
Bacchus." — 18. Et addis cornua pauperi. "And addest confidence to
him of humble means." Pauper implies a want, not of the necessaries,
but of the comforts of life. The expression cornua addis is one of a pro-
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK III., ODE XXIII. 361
verbial character, the horn being symbolical of confidence and power.
Consult note on Ode ii., 19, 29. — 19. Post te. "After tasting of thee." —
20. Apices. "Tiaras." A particular allusion to the costume of Parthia
and the East. — Militum. " Of foes in hostile array." — 21. Lata. "Pro-
pitious."— 22. Segnes vodum solvere. " Slow to loosen the bond of union."
A Graecism for sesrnes ad solvendum nodum. The mention of the Graces
alludes here to the propriety and decorum that are to prevail throughout
the banquet. — 23. Vivceque lucerncE. " And the living lights." — Producent.
" Shall prolong." The expression te producent is equivalent, in fact, to
convivium producent.
Ope XXIII. The bard addresses Phidyle, a resident in the country,
wnom the humble nature of ner offerings to the gods had filled with deep
solicitude. He bids her be of good cheer, assuring her that the value of
every sacrifice depends on the feelings by which it is dictated, and that
one of the simplest and lowliest kind, if offered by a sincere and pious
heart, is more acceptable to heaven than the most costly oblations.
1-20. 1. Supinas manus. " Thy suppliant hands.'* Literally, "thy
hands with the palms turned upward." This was the ordinary gesture
of those who offered up prayers to the celestial deities. — 2. Nascent? luna.
" At the new moon," i. e., at the beginning of every month. The allusion
is to the old mode of computing by lunar months. — 3. Placaris. The final
syllable of this tense is common : here it is long. (Consult Anthon's Lat.
Pros., p. 94, note.) — Et hornafruge. " And with a portion of this year's
produce." — 5. Africum. Consult note on Ode i., 1, 15. Some commenta-
tors make the wind here mentioned identical with the modern Sirocco. —
6. Sterilem robiginem. "The blasting mildew." — 7. Dulces alumni.
"The sweet nurslings of my farm." Compare Ode hi., 18, 3. — 8. Pomi-
fero grave tempus anno. " The sickly season in the fruit-yielding period
of the year," i. e., in the autumn. As regards the poetic usage by which
annus is frequently taken in the sense of a part, not of the whole year,
compare Virgil, Eclog., iii., 57; Hot:, Epod., ii., 39 ; Statins, Sylv., i., 3,
8, &c. — 9. Nam quce nivali, &c. The construction is as follows : Xmn
victima, diis devota, quce pascitur nivali Algido, inter quercus et ilices,
ant crescit in Albanis herbis, tinget cervice secures pontijicum. The idea
involved from the 9th to the 16th verse is this : The more costly victims
shall fall for the public welfare ; thou hast need of but few and simple of-
ferings to propitiate for thee the favor of the gods. — Algido. Consult note
on Ode i., 21, 6. — 11. Albanis in herbis. "Amid Alban pastures." Al-
luding to the pastures around Mous Albanus and the ancient site of Alba
Longa. — 13. Cervice. "With the blood that streams from its wounded
neck." — Te nihil attinet, inc. " It is unnecessary for thee, if thou crown thy
little Lares with rosemary and the brittle myrtle, to seek to propitiate
their favor with the abundant slaughter of victims." The Lares stood in
the atrium or hall of the dwelling. On festivals they were crowned with
garlands, and sacrifices were offered to them. Consult note on Ode i.. 7,
11. — 16. Frag Hi. The epithet fragilis here means, in fact, "whose little
stalks are easily broken." — 17. Immunis. "Without a gift.'* Equiva-
lent to liber a munere, the reference being to one who needs no gift to
otft«r sirne his lifp and conduct are unstained by guilt. Hence arises the
Q
362 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK III., ODE XXIV.
more general meaning of " innocent." (Orelli, ad loc.) — 18. Non sumluosa
blandior hostia, &c. "Not rendered more acceptable by a costly sacri-
fice, it is wont to appease,'' &c, i. e., it appeases the gods as effectually
as if a costly sacrifice were offered. — 20. Farre pio et saliente mica.
" With the pious cake and the crackling salt." Alluding to the salted
cake (mala salsa), composed of bran or meal mixed with salt, which was
sprinkled on the head of the victim.
Ode XXIV. The bard inveighs bitterly against the luxury and licen-
tiousness of the age, and against the unprincipled cupidity by which they
were constantly accompanied. A contrast is drawn between the pure
and simple manners of barbarian nations and the unbridled corruption of
his countrymen, and Augustus is implored to save the empire by inter-
posing a b airier to the inundation of vice.
1-15. 1. Intactis opulentior, &c. The construction is as follows:
11 Licet, opulentior intactis thesauris Arabum et divitis India, occupes
omnc Tyrrhenum et Apulicum mare tuis ccementis, tamen si dira Neces-
sifasjigit, &c. " Though, wealthier than the yet unrifled treasures of the
Arabians and of rich India, thou coverest with thy structures all the Tus-
can and Apulian Seas, still, if cruel Destiny once fixes her spikes of ada-
mant in thy towering pinnacles, thou wilt not free thy breast from fear,
thou wilt not extricate thy life from the snares of death." The epithet
intactus, applied to the treasures of the East, refers to their being as yet
free from the grasp of Roman power. — 3. Casmentis. The term ccemenia
literally means "stones for filling up.'" Here, however, it refers to the
structures reared on these artificial foundations. — 4. Tyrrhenum omne,
«Sec. The Tyrrhenian denotes the lower, the Apulian the upper or Adriatic
Sea. — 6. Summis verticibus. We have given here the explanation of
Orelli, which seems the most reasonable: " Dum homo ille locuples as-
sidue moles jacit, cedesque exstruit, necopinato supervenit Ytlpappevq
^kvuynTj), clavosque suos, quibus nihil resistere potest, in cedium culmine
Jigit, domino veluti acclamans : Hucusque nee ultra: adest jam tibi ter-
minus fatalis !" Bentley, however, takes verticibus to denote the heads
of spikes, so that summis verticibus will mean, according to him, "up to
the very head," and the idea intended to be conveyed by the poet will be
"sic clavos figit necessitas summis verticibus, ut nulla vi evelli possint."
— 9. Campestres melius Scy'hcB, &c. " A happier life lead the Scythians,
that roam along the plains, whose wagons drag, according to the custom
of the race, their wandering abodes." An allusion to the Scythian mode
of living in wagons, along the steppes {campi) of Tartary. — 10. Rite. " Ac
cording to the custom of the race." Compare the explanation of Doling :
" utfert eorum mos et vitas ratio.'' — 11. Rigidi Getce. "The hardy Getae."
The Getae originally occupied the tract of country which had the Danube
to the north, the range of Hcemus to the south, the Euxine to the east,
and the Crobyzian Thracians to the west. It was within these limits that
Herodotus knew them. Afterward, however, being dislodged, probably
by the Macedonian arms, they crossed the Danube, and pursued their
Nomadic mode of life in the steppes between the Danube and the T^ras,
or Dniester. — 12. Immetata jugera. "Unmeasured acres," i. e , unmark-
ed by boundaries. Alluding to the land beiner in common. The term im-
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK III., ODE XXIV. 363
metata is what the grammarians term a urra^ /-eyofievov, since it occurs
only in this passage of Horace. — Liberas fruge* et Ccrerem. "A harvest
free to all.'' Cere rem is here merely explanatory of frit ge*. — 14. Xec cul-
tura placet, «Sec. " Nor does a culture longer than an annual one please
them." Alluding to their annual change of abode. Compare Caesar's ac
count of the Germans, B. G., vi., 39. — 15. Defunctumque laboribus, (Sec.
11 And a successor, upon equal terms, relieves him who has ended his la-
bors of a year."
17-40. 17. lllic matre carentibus, &c. "There the wife, a stranger to
guilt, treats kindly the children of a previous marriage, deprived of a
mother's care," i. e., is kind to her motherless step-children. — 19. Dotota
cotijux. "The dowered spouse." — 20. Xitido adidtero. "The gaudy
adulterer." — 21. Dos est magna parentium, «Sec. A noble sentence, but
requiring, in order to be clearly understood, a translation bordering upon
paraphrase. "With them, a rich dowry consists in the virtue instilled
by parental instruction, and in chastity, shrinking from the addresses of
another, while it firmly adheres to the marriage compact, as well as in
the conviction that to violate this compact is an offence against the laws
of heaven, or that the punishment due to its commission is instant death."
— 27. Pater Urbiitm subscribi statu is. " To be inscribed on the pedestals
of statues as the Father of his country." An allusion to Augustus, and to
the title of Pater Patriot conferred on him by the public voice. — 28. In-
domitam licentiam. "Our hitherto ungovernable licentiousness." —
30. Clams postgenitis. "Illustrious for this to after ages.'" — Quatenus.
" Since." — 31. Virtutem incolumem. "Merit, while it remains with us,"
i. v., illustrious men, while alive. — 32. Invidi. Compare the remark of
the scholiast, " Vere enim per invidiam ft, tit boni viri, cum amissi suit.
de<iderentur." — 34. Culpa. "Crime." — 35. Sine moribus. "Without
public morals to enforce them." — 36. Si nequefervidis, &c. An allusion
to the torrid zone. Consult note on Ode i., 22, 22. — 33. Sec Boreas finiti-
mum latus. "Nor the region bordering on the North." — 40. Horrida cal
lidi, &c. "If the skillful mariners triumph over the stormy seas? If
narrow circumstances, now esteemed a great disgrace, bid us," &c.
45-58. 45. Vel nos in Capitolium, &c. The idea intended to be con-
veyed is this : If we sincerely repent of the luxury and vice that have tar-
nished the Roman name, if we desire another and a better state of things,
let us either carry our superfluous wealth to the Capitol and consecrate it
to the gods, or let us cast it as a thing accursed into the nearest sea. The
words in Capitolium are thought by some to contain a flattering allusion
to a remarkable act on the part of Augustus, in dedicating a large amount
of treasure to the Capitoline Jov««. exceeding 16,000 pounds' weight of
gold, besides pearls and precious stones. (Suet., Aug., 30.) — 46. Fawn-
tium. "Of our applauding fellow citizens." — 47. In mare proximum.
Things accursed were wont to be thrown into the sea, or the nearest run-
ning water. — 49. Materiem. "The germs." — 51. Eradenda. "'Are to be
eradicated." — 52. Teneraz nimis. "Euervatedby indulgence." — 54. Xes-
cit equo, rudis, <5cc. " The free-born youth, trained up in ignorance of
manly accomplishments, knows not how to retain his seat on till! sl«;«''l.
and fears to hunt." Among the Romans, those who were born of pnresr>t
thai" had always been free were sty<.-d mgenui. — 57. Gur.co trochv. Tim
iftj-i EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK III., ODE XXV.
vrochus (rpoxoc;) was a circle of brass or iron, set round with rings, and
with which young men and boys used to amuse themselves. It was bor-
rowed horn the Greeks, and resembled the modern hoop. — 58. Sen malix.
"Or, it' thou prefer.'' — Vettta legibus alea. All games of chance were
forbidden among the Romans except at the celebration of the Saturnalia.
These laws, however, were not strictly observed.
59-62. 59. Perjura patris Jides. "His perjured and faithless parent."
—60. Consortem socium, et hospdem. " His partner and guest-customer."
Consortem socium is equivalent to sortis socium, sors being the capital
which each brings in. By hoxpitem is meant a guest, and, at the same
time, customer. — 61. Indignoque pecuniam, «Sec. "And hastens to amass
wealth for an heir unworthy of enjoying it." — 6'2. Scilicet improbas crescunl
diviticn, &c. " Riches, dishonestly acquired, increase, it is true, yet some-
thing or other is ever wanting to what seems an imperfect fortune in the
eyes of its possessor."
Ode XXV. A beautiful dithyrambic ode in honor of Augustus. The
bard, full of poetic enthusiasm, fancies himself borne along amid woods
and wilds, to celebrate, in some distant cave, the praises of the monarch.
Then, like another Bacchanalian, he awakes from the trance-like feelings
into which he had been thrown, and gazes with wonder upon the scenes
that lie before him. An invocation to Bacchus succeeds, and allusion is
again made to the strains in which the praises of Augustus are to be
poured forth to the world.
1-19. 1. Tui plenum. "Full of thee," i. e., of thy inspiration. — Quts
nemora. Supply the preposition from the clause which follows. — 3. Velox
mente nova. " Moving swiftly under the influence of an altered mind."
Nova refers to the change wrought by the inspiration of the god. Qaibus
antris, &c. The construction is as follows : " In quibus antris andia?
meditans inserere, &c. — 5. Meditans inserere. " Essaying to enroll." Med-
itans refers to exercise and practice, on the part of the bard, before a full
and perfect effort is publicly made. — 6. Consilio Jovis. Alluding to the
twelve Dii Consentes or Majores. — 7. Dtcam insigne, &c. " I will send
forth a lofty strain, new, as yet unuttered by other lips." The pleonastic
turn of expression in " recens, adhuc indicium ore alio," accords with the
wild and irregular nature of the whole piece — 8. No?i seats tnjvgis, &c.
"So the Bacchanal, awaking from sleep, stands lost in stupid astonish-
ment on the mountain tops, beholding in the distance the Hebrus, and
Thrace white with snow, and Rhodope traversed by barbarian foot." The
poet, x-ecovering from the strong influence of the god, and surveying with
alarm the arduous nature of the theme to which he has dared to approach,
compares himself to the Bacchant, whom the stern power of the deity
that she serves has driven onward, in blind career, through many a Btrange
and distant region. Awakening from the deep slumber into which ex-
hausted nature had at length been compelled to sink, she finds herself,
when returning recollection comes to her aid, on the remote mountair
tops, far from her native scenes, and gazes in silent wonder on the proa
pect before her : the dark Hebrus, the snow-clad fields of Thrace, and the
chain of Rhodope rearing its summits to the skies. Few passages can b6
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK III., ODE XXVII. 36b
cited from any ancient or modern writer containing more of the true spirit
of poetry. — 10. Hebrum. The modern name of the Hebius is the Maritza.
— 12. Rhodopett. Rhodope, now Despoto-Dagk, a Thracian chain, lying
along the northeastern borders of Macedonia. — Ut miln devio, <5cc. " How
it delights me, as I wander far from the haunts of men." — 13. Vacuum
nemus. "The lonely grove." — 14. O Naiadum potens, &c. "O god of
the Naiads and of the Bacchantes, powerful enough to tear up," &c. —
19. O Leucec. " O god of the wine-press." The epithet LencBus comes
from the Greek Arjvalo^, which is itself a derivative from Xrjvoc, " a wine-
press." Mitscherlich well explains the concluding idea of this ode, which
lies couched uuder the figurative language employed by the bard: "Ad
aigumentum carminis ; si postrema transferas, erit : Prujcctissimce qui-
dem audaci(B est, Augustum celebrare ; sed aleajacta esto."
Ode XXVII. Addressed to Galatea, whom the poet seeks to dissuade
from the voyage which she intended to make during the stormy season
of the year. The train of ideas is as follows : "I will not seek to deter
thee from the journey on which thou art about to enter, by recounting evil
omens ; I will rather pray to the gods that no danger may come nigh
thee, and that thou mayest set out under the most favorable auspices.
Yet, Galatea, though the auguries forbid not thy departure, think, I en-
treat, of the many perils which at this particular season are brooding over
the deep. Beware lest the mild aspect of the deceitful skies lead thee
astray, and lest, like Europa, thou become the victim of thy own impru-
dence." The poet then dwells upon the story of Europa, and with this
the ode terminates.
1-15. 1. Impios parrce, &c. "May the ill-omened cry of the noisy
screech-owl accompany the wicked on their way." The leading idea in
the first three stanzas is as follows : Let evil omens accompany the wick-
ed alone, and may those that attend the departure of her for whose safety
I am solicitous, be favorable and happy ones. — 2. Agro Lanuvino. Lana-
vium was situate to the right of the Appian Way, on a hill commanding
an extensive prospect toward Antium and the sea. As the Appian Way
was the direct route to the port of Brundisium, the animal mentioned in
the text would cross the path of those who travelled in that direction. —
5. Rumput et serpens, &c. " Let a serpent also interrupt the journey just
begun, if, darting like an arrow athwart the way, it has terrified the
horses." Maruius means properly a small horse or nag, and is thought to
be a term of Gallic origin. The reference is here to draught horses, or
those harnessed to the chariot. — 7. Ego cut timebo, &c. The construction
is as follows : Providus auspex, suscitabo prece illi, cui ego timebo, osci-
item corvum ab ortu soils, antequam avis divina immineutum imbrium
repetat stantes paludes. "A provident augur, I will call forth by prayer,
on account of her for whose safety I feel anxious, the croaking raven from
the eastern heavens, before the bird that presages approaching rains shall
revisit the standing pools." Among the Romans, birds that gave omens
by their notes were called Oscines, and those from whose flight auguries
were drawn received the appellation of Preepete*. Hence oscinem means
here, more literally, " giving omens by its cry." The cry of the raven,
when heard from the east, was deemed favorable. — 10. Imbrium divina
366 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK III., ODE XXVII.
avis imminentum. The crow is here meant. — 13. Sis licet felix. " Mayest
thou be happy." The train of ideas is as follows : I oppose not thy wishes,
Galatea. It is permitted thee, as far as depends on me, or on the omens
which I am taking, to be happy wherever it may please thee to dwell. —
15. Ltevus picus. " A wood-pecker on the left." When the Romans
made omens on the left unlucky, as in the present instance, they spoke
in accordance with the Grecian custom. The Grecian augurs, when they
made observations, kept their faces toward the north; hence they had the
east or lucky quarter of the heavens on their right hand, and the west on
their left. On the contrary, the Romans, making observations with their
faces to the south, had the east upon their left hand, and the west upon
their right. Both sinister and leevxis, therefore, have, when we speak
Romano more, the meaning of lucky, fortunate, &c, and the opposite im-
port when we speak Grceco more.
17-39. 17. Qua?ito irepidet tumultu, &c. "With what a loud and
stormy noise the settiug Orion hastens to his rest," i. e., what tempests
are prepariug to burst forth, now that Orion sets. Consult note on Ode i.,
28, 21. — 19. Novi. Alluding to his own personal experience. He knows
the dangers of the Adriatic because he has seen them. — Et quid albus
peccet lapyx. " And how deceitful the serene Iapyx is." As regards
the epithet albus, compare Ode i., 7, 15 ; and, with regard to the term
Iapyx, consult note on Ode i., 3, 4. — 21. Ceecos motus. " The dark com-
motions."— 24. Verbere. "Beneath the lashing of the surge." Under-
stand Jlnctuum. — 25. Sic. "With the same rashness." — Europe. The
Greek form for Europa. — 26. At scatentem belluis, &c. "But, though bold
before, she now grew pale at the deep teeming with monsters, and at the
fraud and danger that every where met the view." The term fraudes,
in this passage, denotes properly danger resulting to an individual from
fraud and artifice on the part of another, a meaning which we have en-
deavored to express. — 28. Palluit. This verb here obtains a transitive
force, because an action is implied, though not described in it. — Audax.
Alluding to her rashness, at the outset, in trusting herself to the back of
the bull. — 30. Debita Nymphis. " Due to the nymphs," in fulfillment of
a vow. — 31 Node sublustri. " Amid the feebly-illumined night." The
stars alone appearing in the heavens. — 33. Centum potentem urbibus-
Compare Homer, II., ii., 649 : Kp?jT7]V iKa~6fiiro?LLv. — 34. Pater, O relic-
tvm, &c. "Father! O title abandoned by thy daughter, and filial affec-
tion, triumphed over by frantic folly !" Nomen is in apposition with pater,
and Jilice is the dative for the ablative. (Orelli, ad loc.) — 38. Vigilans.
"In my waking senses." — 39. An vitio carentem, &c. "Or, does some
delusive image, which a dream, escaping from the ivory gate, brings with
it, mock me, still free from the stain of guilt?" In the Odyssey (xix., 562,
seqq.), mention is made of two gates through which dreams issue, the one
of horn, the other of ivory : the visions of the night that pass through the
former are true ; through the latter, false. To this poetic imagery Horace
here alludes.
47-75. 47. Modo. " But a moment ago." — 48. Monstri. A mere ex-
pression of resentment, and not referring, as some commentators have sup-
posed, to the circumstance of Jove's having been concealed under the
form of the animal, since Europa could not as yet be at all aware of this
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK III., ODE XXVIII. 367
— 49. Impudens liqui, Sec. " Shamelessly have I abandoned a father's
roof; shamelessly do I delay the death that I deserve.*' — 54. Te/ierce
prcedce. The dative, by a Gropcism, for the ablative. — Succus. " The
tide of life.-' — 55. Spectosa. "While still in the bloom of early years,"
and hence a more inviting prey. So nuda in the 52d line. — 57. Vilis
Europe. She fancies she hears her father upbraiding her, and the address
of the angry parent is continued to the word peljex in the 66th line. — Pater
urget abseus. A pleasing oxymoron. The father of Europa appears as
if present to her disordered mind, though hi reality far away, and angrily
urges her to atone for her dishonor by a voluntary and immediate death.
" Thy father, though far away, angrily urging thee, seems to exclaim."
The student will mark the zeugma in urget, which is here equivalent
to acritcr insistens clamat. — 59. Zona bene te secuta. "With the girdle
that has luckily accompanied thee." — 61. Acuta leto. " Sharp with death,'
i. e., on whose sharp projections death may easily be found. — 62. Te pro
ccUce crede veloci. " Consign thyself to the rapid blast,'' i. e., plunge head-
long down. — 67. Remisso arcu. As indicative of having accomplished his
object. — 69. Ubi lusit satis. "When she had sufficiently indulged her
mirth." — 70. Irarum calida>que rix&. The genitive, by a Graecism, for
the ablative. — 71. Quum tibi invisus, &c. Venus here alludes to the in-
tended appearance of Jove in his proper form. — 73. Uxor invicti Jo-vis.
&c. "Thou knowest not, it seems, that thou art the bride of resistless
Jove." The nominative, with the infinitive, by a Gra;cism, the reference
being to the same person that forms the subject of the verb. — 75. iSectus
orbis. "A division of the globe." Literally, "the globe being divided."
Ode XXVIII. The poet, intending to celebrate the Neptunalia, or festi-
val of Neptune, bids Lyde bring the choice Caecuban and join him in song.
The female to whom the piece is addressed is thought to have been the
same with the one mentioned in the eleventh ode of this book, and it is
supposed, by most commentators, that the entertainment took place under
her roof. We are inclined, however, to adopt the opinion, that the day
was celebrated in the poet's abode, and that Lyde was now the superin-
tendent of his household.
1-16. 1. Festo die Neptuni. The Neptunalia, or festival ot Neptune,
took place on the fifth day before the Kalends of August (28th July). —
2. Recondition. "Stored far away in the wine-room." Alluding to old
wine laid up in the farther part of the crypt. Compare Ode ii., 3, 8. —
3. Lyde strenua. " My active Lyde." Some commentators, by a change
of punctuation, refer strenua, in an adverbial sense, to protne. — i. Muni-
tcsque adhibe, Jcc. "And do violence to thy guarded wisdom," i. e., bid
farewell, for this once, to moderation in wine. The poet, by a pleasing
figure, bids her storm the camp of sobriety, and drive away its accustomed
defenders. — 5. Indinarc sentis, &c. "Thou seest that the noontide is in-
clining toward the west," i. e., that the day begins to decline. — 7. Parcis
deriperc horreo, &c. " Dost thou delay to hurry down from the wine-room
the lingering amphora of the consul Bibulus?" i. e., which contains wine
made, as the mark declares, in the consulship of Bibulus (A.U.C. 695, B.C.
59). The wine, therefore, would be, according to Orelli, about thirty-five
years old. The epithet cessantem beautifully expresses the impatience
368 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK III., ODE XXIX.
of the poet himself. — The lighter wines, or such as lasted only finm one
vintage to another, were kept in cellars ; hut the stronger and more dura-
ble kinds were transferred to another apartment, which the Greeks called
utzoOtikt], or niduv, and the poet, on the present occasion, horreum. With
the Romans it was generally placed above the fumarium, or drying-
kiln, in order that the vessels might be exposed to such a degree of smoke
as was calculated to bring the wines to an early maturity. — 9. Inviccm.
"In alternate strain." The poet is to chant the praises of Neptune, and
Lyde those of the Nereids. — 10. Virides. Alluding to the color of the sea.
— 12. Cynthice. Diana. An epithet derived from Mount Cynthus in De-
los, her native island. — 13. Summo carmine, &c. "At the conclusion of
the strain, we will sing together of the goddess who," &c. The allusion
is to Venus. — Gnidon. Consult note on Ode i., 30, 1. — 14. Fulgentes Cyc-
ladas. " The Cyclades, conspicuous from afar." Consult note on Ode i.,
14, 20. — Paplbon. Consult note on Ode i., 30, 1. — 15. Junctis oloribus.
" With her yoked swans." In her car drawn by swans. — 16. Dicetur
merita, &c. " Night, too, shall be celebrated, in a hymn due to her praise."
The term ncsnia is beautifully selected here, though much of its peculiar
meaning is lost in a translation. As the nasnia, or funeral dirge, marked
the close of existence, so here the expression is applied to the hymn that
ends the banquet, and whose low and plaintive numbers invite to repose.
Ode XXIX. One of the most beautiful lyric productions of all antiqui-
ty. The bard invites his patron to spend a few days beneath his humble
roof, far from splendor and affluence, and from the noise and confusion of
a crowded capital. He bids him dismiss, for a season, that anxiety for
the public welfare in which he was but too prone to indulge, and tells him
to enjoy the blessings of the present hour, and leave the events of the fu
ture to the wisdom of the gods. That man, according to the poet, is alone
truly happy, who can say, as each evening closes around him, that he has
enjoyed in a becoming manner the good things which the day has be-
stowed ; nor can even Jove himself deprive him of this satisfaction. The
surest aid against the mutability of fortune is conscious integrity, and he
who possesses this need not tremble at the tempest that dissipates the
wealth of the trader.
1-19. 1. Tyrrhenarcgum progenies. "Descendant of Etrurian rulers."
Consult note on Ode i., 1, 1. — Tibi. "In reserve for thee." — 2. Non ante
verso. " Never as yet turned to be emptied of any part of its contents,"
i. e., as yet unbroached. The allusion is to the simplest mode practiced
among the Romans for drawing off the contents of a wine-vessel, by inclin-
ing it to one side, and thus pouring out the liquor. — 4. Balanus. " Per-
fume." The name balanus, or myrobalanum, was given by the ancients
to a species of nut, from which a valuable unguent or perfume was ex-
tracted.— 5. Eripe te mora. "Snatch thyself from delay," i. e., from every-
thing in the city that may seek to detain thee there — from all the engross-
ing cares of public life. — 6. Ut semper -xidxim. We have followed here the
very neat emendation of Hardinge, which has received the commenda-
tions of many eminent English scholars. The common text has ne sem-
per tidum, which involves an absurdity. How could Maicenas, at Rome,
contemplate Tibur. which was twelve or sixteen miia's off.' — Til
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK III., ODE XXIX. 369
Consult note on Ode i., 7, 13. — ^Esulce declive solum. "The sloping soil
of iEsula." This town is supposed to have stood in the vicinity of Tibur,
and from the language of the poet must have been situate on the slope of
a hill. — 8. Telcgoni juga parricidce. Alluding to the ridge of hills on
which Tusculum was situated. This city is said to have been founded
by Telegonus, son of Ulysses and Circe, who came hither after having
killed his father without knowing him. — 9. Fastidiusam. "Productive
only of disgust." The poet entreats his patron to leave for a season that
" abundance," which, when uninterrupted, is productive only of disgust. —
10. Molem propinquam, &c. Alluding to the magnificent villa of Maece-
nas, on the Esquiline Hill, to which a tower adjoined remarkable for its
height. — 11. Bcatce Romce. "Of opulent Rome." — 13. Vices. "Change."
— 14. Parvo sub tare. "Beneath the humble roof." — 15. Sine aulceix et
ostro. " Without hangings, and without the purple covering of the couch."
Literally, " without hangings and purple." The aulma, or hangings, were
suspended from the cielings and side-walls of the banqueting rooms. — 16.
Solhcitam explicucre frontem. " Are wont to smooth the anxious brow,"
i. e., to remove or unfold the wrinkles of care. Explicucre has here the
force of an aorist, and is equivalent to explicare solent. — 17. Clarus An-
dromeda pater. Cepheus ; the name of a constellation near the tail of the
Little Bear. It rose on the 9th of July, and is here taken by the poet to
mark the arrival of the summer heats. — Occultum ostendit ignem. Equiv-
alent to oritur. — 18. Procyon. A constellation rising just before the dog-
star. Hence its name TLponvuv (irpo, ante, and kvuv, canis), and its Latin
appellation of antecanis. — 19. Stella vesani Leonis. A star on the breast
of Leo, rising on the 24th of July. The sun enters into Leo on the 20th
of the same mouth.
22-64. 22. Horridi dumeta Silvani. "The thickets of the rough Sil-
vanus." The epithet horridus refers to his crown of reeds and the rough
pine-branch which he carries in his hands. This deity had the care of
groves and fields. — 24. Ripa tacituma. A beautiful allusion to the still-
ness of the atmosphere. — 25. Tu civitatem quis deceat status, &c. "Thou,
in the mean time, art anxiously considering what condition of affairs may
be most advantageous to the state." Alluding to his office of Prarfectus
Urbis. — 27. Seres. The name by which the inhabitants of China were
known to the Romans. — Regnata Bactra Cyro. " Bactra, ruled over by
an Eastern king." Bactra, the capital of Bactriana, is here put for the
whole Parthian empire. — 28. Tanaisque discors. "And the Tanais, whose
banks are the seat of discord." Alluding to the dissensions among the
Parthians. Consult note on Ode iii., 8, 19. — 29. Prudens futuri, &c. "A
wise deity shrouds in gloomy night the events of the future, and smiles if
a mortal is solicitous beyond the law of his being." — 32. Quod adest me-
mento, &.c. " Remember to make a proper use of the present hour." —
33. Cetera. "The future." Referring to those things that are not un-
der our control, but are subject to the caprice of fortune or the power of
destiny. The mingled good and evil which the future has in store, and
the vicissitudes of life generally, are compared to the course of a stream,
at one time troubled, at another calm and tranquil. — 41. Ille po'.cns sui,
&c. "That man will live master of himself.'' — 42. In diem. "Each
day." — 43. Vixi. " I have lived," i. e., I have enjoyed, as they should be
Bivjoyed, the blessings of existence. — 44. Occupato. A zeugma operates
370 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK III., ODE XXX.
in this verb : in the first clause it has the meaning of " to shroud," in the
second "to illumine." — 46. Quodcunque retro est. "Whatever is gone
by." — 47. Diffinget infectumque reddet. " Will he change and undo." —
49. Scbvo leeta negotio, &c. "Exulting in her cruel employment, and per-
sisting in playing her haughty game." — 53. Manentem. "While she re-
mains."— 54. Resigno qvce dedit. " I resign what she once bestowed."
Resigno is here used in the sense of rescribo, and the latter is a term bor-
rowed from the Roman law. When an individual borrowed a sum of
money, the amount received and the borrower's name were written in
the banker's books ; and when the money was repaid, another entry was
made. Hence scribere nummos, "to borrow ;" rescribere, "to pay back."
— Mea virtute me involvo. The wise man wraps himself up in the mantle
of his own integrity, and bids defiance to the storms and changes of for-
tune.— 57. Non est meum. " It is not for me." It is no employment of
mine. — 59. Et votis pacisci. " And to strive to bargain by my vows." —
62. Turn. " At such a time as this." — 64. Aura geminusque Pollux.
"A favoring breeze, and the twin-brothers Castor and Pollux." Consult
note on Ode i., 3, 2.
Ode XXX. The poet's presage of immortality. It is generally sup-
posed that Horace intended this as a concluding piece for his odes, and
with this opinion the account given by Suetonius appears to harmonize,
since we are informed by this writer, in his life of the poet, that the fourth
book of odes was added, after a long interval of time, to the first three
books, by order of Augustus.
1-16. 1. Exegi monimentum, &c. "I have reared a memorial of my-
self more enduring than brass." Compare the beautiful lines of Ovid, at
the conclusion of the Metamorphoses : "Jamque opus exegi quod necJovis
ira, nee igues," &c. — 2. Regalique situ, Sec. "And loftier than the regal
structure of the pyramids." — 3. Imber edax. " The corroding shower." —
4. Innumerabilis annorum series, &c. "The countless series of years,
and the flight of ages." — 7. Libitinam. Libitina, at Rome, was worship-
ped as the goddess that presided over funerals. When Horace 6ays
that he will escape Libitina, he means the oblivion of the grave. Libitina
and Venus were regarded as one and the same deity, so that we have
here, as elsewhere, a union of the power that creates with that which
destroys. — Usque recens. "Ever fresh," i. e., ever blooming with the
fresh graces of youth. — 8. Dum Capitolium, &c. On the ides of every
month, according to Varro, solemn sacrifices were offered up in the Capi-
tol. Hence the meaning of the poet is, that so long as this shall be done,
so long will his fame continue. To a Roman the Capitol seemed destined
for eternity. — 10. Dicar. To be joined in construction with princeps de-
duxisse. "I shall be celebrated as the first that brought down," &c. —
Avfidus. A very rapid stream in Apulia, now the Ojanto. — ML. Et qua
pauper aqucz, &c. "And where Daunus, scantily supplied with water,
ruled over a rustic population." The allusion is still to Apulia (the epi-
thet being merely transferred from the country to the early monarch of the
6ame), and the expression pauper aquas refers to the summer heats of that
country. Consult note on Ode i., 22, 13.— 12. Regnavit populorum. An
imitation of the Greek idiom, ^pfe ?>auv. — Ex humili potens. " I, be-
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK III., ODE XXX. 37*
come powerful from a lowly degree." Alluding to the humble origin and
subsequent advancement of the bard. — 13. JEolium carmen. A general
allusion to the lyric poets of Greece, but containing, at the same time, a
more particular refereuce to Alcaeus and Sappho, both writers in the
iEolie dialect. — 14. Deduxisse. A figure borrowed from the leading down
of streams to irrigate the adjacent fields. The stream of lyric verse is
drawn down by Horace from the heights of Grecian poesy to irrigate and
refresh the humbler literature of Rome. — 15. Delphica lemro. ""With
the Delphic bay," i. e., with the bay of Apoho. — lo'. Voiens. " Prooi-
tiously.''
BOOK IV.
Ode II. The Sygambri, Usipetes, and Tenctberi, who dwelt beyond
the Rhine, having made frequent inroads into the Roman territory, Au-
gustus proceeded against them, and, by the mere terror of his name, com-
pelled them to sue for peace. {Dto Cassius, 54, 20, vol. i., p. 750, ed. Rei-
mar.) Horace is therefore requested by lulus Autonius, the same year
in which this event took place (A.U.C. 738), to celebrate in Pindaric strain
the successful expedition of the emperor and his expected return to the
capital. The poet, however, declines the task, and alleges want of talent
as an excuse ; but the very language in which this plea is conveyed
shows how well qualified he was to execute the undertaking from which
he shrinks.
lulus Antonius was the younger son of Marc Antony and Fulvia, and
was brought up by his stepmother Octavia at Rome, and after his father's
death (B.C. 30) received great marks of favor from Augustus, through Oc-
tavia's influence. Augustus married him to Marcella, the daughter of Oc-
tavia by her first husband C. Marcellus, conferred upon him the praetor-
ship in B.C. 13, and the consulship in B.C. 10. In consequence, however,
of his adulterous intercourse with Julia, the daughter of Augustus, he was
condemned to death by the emperor in B.C. 2, but seems to have antici-
pated his execution by a voluntary death. He was also accused of aim-
ing at the empire.
1-11. 1. jfcmnlari. "To rival." — 2. lule. To be pronounced as a
dissyllable, yu-le. Consult Remarks on Sapphic Verse, p. Ixviii.— Ceratis
ope Dcedalea. " Secured with wax by Daedalean art." An allusion to the
well-known fable of Daedalus and Icarus. — 3. Vitreo daturus, &c. " Des-
tined to give a name to the sparkling deep." Vitreo is here rendered by
some " azure," but incorrectly ; the idea is borrowed from the sparkling
of glass. — 5. Monte. "From some mountain." — 6. Notas ripas. "Its ac-
customed banks." — 7. Fervet immensusgue, &c. "Pindar foams, and rolls
on unconfined with a mighty depth of expression." (Osbome, ad loc.)
The epithet immensus refers to the rich exuberance, and prof undo ore to
the sublimity of the bard. — 9 Donandus. " Deserving of being gifted."
— 10. Sett per audaces, Sec. Horace here proceeds to enumerate the sev-
eral departments of lyric verse, in all of which Pindar stands pre-eminent.
These are, 1. Dithyrambics ; 2. Peeans, or hymns and encomiastic effu-
sions ; 3. Epinicia (eTrivinia), or songs of victory, composed in honor of
the conquerors at the public games ; 4. Epicedia (eiun-qdeia), or funeral
songs. Time has made fearful ravages in these celebrated productions :
all that remain to us, with the exception of a few fragments, are forty-five
of the ETtLVLKia aafxara. — 10. Nova verba. " Strange forms of expression,"
i. e., new and daring forms of style. Compare the explanation of Mitsch-
erlich : " Composittone, junctura, signipcatu denique innovata, cum novo
orationis habitu atque structura," and also that of Doring : "Nova zen-
tentiarum lumina, nove effictas grandisonorum verborum formulas."
Horace alludes to the peculiar licence enjoyed by dithyrambic poets, and
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK IV., ODE II. 373
more especially by Pindar, of forming novel compounds, introducing novel
arrangements in the structure of their sentences, and of attaching to terms
a boldness of meaning that almost amounts to a change of signification.
Hence the epithet "daring' (an daces) applied to this species of poetry.
Dithyrambics were originally odes in praise of Bacchus, and their very
character shows their Oriental origin. — 11. Numetis lege solvtis. "In
uushackled numbers." Alluding to the privilege enjoyed by dithyrambic
poets, of passing rapidly and at pleasure from one measure to another.
13-32. 13. Seu deos, regesve, &c. Alluding to the Paeans. The reges,
deornm sanguinem, are the heroes of earlier times; and the reference to
the centaurs and the chimaera calls up the recollection of Theseus, Piri-
thous, and Bellerophon. — 17. Sive quos Elea, &c. Alluding to the Epi-
nicia. — Elea palma. " The Elean palm," i. e., the palm won at the Olym-
pic games, on the banks of the Alpheus, in Elis. Consult note on Ode
i., 1, 3. — 18. Ccelestes. "Elevated, in feeling, to the skies." — Equnmve.
Not only the conquerors at the games, but their horses also, were cele-
brated in song and honored with statues. — 19 Centum potiore signis.
■' Superior to a hundred statues." Alluding to one of his lyric effusions.
— Flebili. "Weeping." Taken in an active sense. The allusion is now
to the Epiccdia, or funeral dirges. — Juvenemve. Strict Latinity requires
that the enclitic be joined to the first word of a clause, unless that be a
monosyllabic preposition. The present is the only instance in which Hor-
ace deviates from the rule. — 22. Et vires animumque, Sec. "And extols
his strength, and courage, and unblemished morals to the stars, and res-
cues him from the oblivion of the grave." Literally, "envies dark Orcus
the possession of him." — 25. Multa Dirc&um. "A swelling gale raises
on high the Dircaean swan." An allusion to the strong poetic flight of
Pindar, who, as a native of Thebes in Bceotia, is here styled "Dircaaan,"
from the fountain of Dirce situate near that city, and celebrated in the
legend of Cadmus. — 27. Ego apis Matina, &c. " I, after the nature and
habit of a Matinian bee." Consult note on Ode i., 28, 3. — 29. Per laborem
plnrimum. " With assiduous toil." — 31. Tiburis. Alluding to his villa
at Tibur. — 32. Fingo. The metaphor is well kept up by this verb, which
has peculiar reference to the labors of the bee.
33-59. 33. Majore poeta plectro. " Thou, Antonius, a poet of loftier
strain." Antonius distinguished himself by an epic poem in twelve books,
entitled Diomedeis. — 34. Quandoque. For quandocunque. — 35. Per so-
crum clivum. "Along the sacred ascent." Alluding to the Via Sacra,
the street leading up to the Capitol, and by which triumphal processions
were conducted to that temple. — 36. Fronde. Alluding to the laurel
crown worn by commanders when they triumphed. — Sygambros. The
Sygambri inhabited at first the southern side of the Lupia or Lippe.
They were afterward, during this same reign, removed by the Romans
into Gaul, and had lands assigned them along the Rhine. Horace here
alludes to them before this change of settlement took place. — 39. In
aumm priscum. "To their early gold," i. e., to the happiness of the
Golden Age. — 43. Fommqne litibus orbnm. "And the forum tree from
litigation." The courts of justice were closed at Rome not merely in
cases of public mourning, but also of public rejoicing. This cessation of
business was called Justitium. — 45. Turn. Alluding to the expected
374 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK IV., ODE III.
triumphal entry of Augustus. No triumph, however, took place, as the
emperor avoided one by coming privately into the city. — Mece vocis bona
pars accedet. " A large portion of my voice shall join the general cry.'-
— 46. O sol pulcher. " O glorious day." — 49. Tuque dum procedis, Szc.
" And while thou art moving along in the train of the victor, we will often
raise the shout of triumph ; the whole state will raise the shout of
triumph." The address is to Antonius, who will form part of the tri-
umphal procession, while the poet will mingle in with, and help to swell
the acclamations of the crowd. With civitas omnis understand dicet. —
53. Te. Understand solvent, " shall free thee from thy vow." Alluding
to the fulfillment of vows offered up for the safe return of Augustus. —
55. Lnrgis herbis. " Amid abundant pastures." — 56. In mea vota. "For
the fulfillment of my vows." — 57. Curvatos ignes. "The bending fires
of the moon when she brings back her third rising," i. e., the crescent of
the moon when she is three days old. The comparison is between the
crescent and the horns of the young animal. — 59. Qua notam duxit, Sec.
"Snow-white to the view where it bears a mark; as to the rest of its
body, of a dun color." The animal is of a dun color, and bears a conspi-
cuous snow-white mark, probably on his forehead. — Niveus videri. A
Graecism, the infinitive for the latter supine.
Ode III. The bard addresses Melpomene, as the patroness of lyric
verse. To her he ascribes his poetic inspiration, to her the honours which
he enjoys among his countrymen; and to her he now pays the debt of
gratitude in this beautiful ode.
1-24. 1. Quern tu, Melpomene, See. "Him on whom thou, Melpomene,
mayest have looked with a favoring eye, at the hour of his nativity." —
3. Labor Isthmius. " The Isthmian contest." The Isthmian, celebrated
at the Isthmus of Corinth, in honor of Neptune, are here put for any games.
—4. Clarabit pugilem. "Shall render illustrious as a pugilist." — 5. Curru
Ackaico. " In a Grecian chariot." An allusion to victory in the chariot-
race. The whole of lower Greece was at this time called Achaia by the
Romans, so that the allusion here is to the Grecian games in general.
— 6. Resbellica. "Some warlike exploit." — Deliisfoliis. "With the De-
lian leaves," i. e., with the bay, which was sacred to Apollo, whose natal
place was the Isle of Delos. — 8. Quod regum tumidas, Sec. " For hav-
ing crushed the haughty threats of kings." — 10. Pr&fluunt. F 'or prwter-
Jluunt. "Flow by." The common text has perjluunt, "flow through."
The reference is to the waters of the Anio. Consult, as regards Tibur
and the Anio, the note on Ode i., 7, 13. — 12. Fingent yEolio, Sec. The
idea meant to be conveyed is this, that the beautiful scenery around
Tibur, and the peaceful leisure there enjoyed, will enable the poet to cul-
tivate his lyric powers with so much success as, under the favoring in-
fluence of the Muse, to elicit the admiration both of the present and com-
ing age. As regards the expression j&olio carmine, consult note on Ode
iii., 30, 13. — 13. Roma, prijicipis urbium, Sec. "The offspring of Rome,
queen of cities." By the "offspring of Rome" are meant the Romans
themselves. — 17 O testudinis aurea, Sec. " O Muse, that rulest the
sweet melody of the golden shell." Consult notes on Odes iii., 4, 40, and
\., 10, 6. — 20. Cycni sonum. "The melody of the dying swan." Consult
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK IV., ODE IV. 375
note on Ode i., 6, 2. — 22. Quod monstror. "That I am pointed out.' —
23. Romano.' Jidicen lyrcc. "As the minstrel of the Roman lyre." —
24. Quod spiro. "That I feel poetic inspiration."
Ode TV. The Raeti and Vindelici having made frequent inroads into
the Roman territory, Augustus resolved to inflict a signal chastisement on
these barbarous tribes. For this purpose, Drusus Nero, then only twenty-
three years of age, a son of Tiberius Nero and Livia, and a step-son con-
sequently of the emperor, was sent against them with an army. The ex-
pedition proved eminently successful. The young prince, in the very first
battle, defeated the Raeti at the Tridentine Alps, and afterward, in con-
junction with his brother Tiberius, whom Augustus had added to the war,
met with the same good fortune against the Vindelici, united with the
remnant of the Raeti and with others of their allies. (Compare Dio Cas-
sius, liv., 22 ; Veil. Patcrc, ii., 95.) Horace, being ordered by Augustus
(Suet on., Vit. Horat.) to celebrate these two victories in song, composed
the present ode in honor of Drusus, and the fourteenth of this same book
in praise of Tiberius. The piece we are now considering consists of three
divisions. In the first, the valor of Drusus is the theme, and he is com-
parer, by the poet to a young eagle and lion. In the second, Augustus is
extolled for his paternal care of the two princes, and for the correct cul-
ture bestowed upon them. In the third, the praises of the Claudian line
are sung, and mention is made of C. Claudius Nero, the conqueror of Has-
drubal, after the victory achieved by whom, over the brother of Hannibal,
Fortune again smiled propitious on the arms of Rome.
1-21. 1. Qualem ministrum, &c. The order of construction is as fol-
lows : Qualem olim juventas et patrius vigor propulit nido inscium labo-
rum alitem ministrum ful minis, cui Jupiter, rex deorum, permisit regnum
in vagas aves, expertus (eum) Jidelem in fiavo Ganymede, vernique venti,
nimbis jam remotis, docuere paventom insolitos nisus ; mox vividus im
petus, &c, (talem) Vindelici videre Drusum gerentem bella sub Rcetis
Alpibus. " As at first, the fire of youth and hereditary vigor have im
pelled from the nest, still ignorant of toils, the bird, the thunder-bearer, to
whom Jove, the king of gods, has assigned dominion over the wandering
fowls of the air, having found him faithful in the case of the golden-haired
Ganymede, and the winds of spring, the storms of winter being now re-
moved, have taught him, still timorous, unusual darings ; presently a fierce
impulse, &c, such did the Vindelici behold Drusus waging war at the
foot of the Raetian Alps." — Alitem. Alluding to the eagle. The ancients
believed that this bird was never injured by lightning, and they therefore
made it the thunder-bearer of Jove. — Vernique. The eagle hatches her
eggs toward the end of April. — 12. Amor dapis atque pugnce. "A desire
for food and fight." — 14. FuIvcb matris ab ubere, Sec. "A lion just wean-
ed from the dug of its tawny dam." — 16. Dente novo peritura. "Doomed
to perish by its early fang." — 17. R&tis Alpibus. The Raetian Alps ex-
tended from the St. Gothard, whose numerous peaks bore the name of
Adula, to Mount Brenner in the Tyrol. — 18. Vindelici. The country of
the Vindelici extended from the Lacus Brigantinus (Lake of Co nstance)
to the Danube, while the lower part of the (Enus, or Inn, separated it
from Noricnm. — Quibus mos unde deductus, &c. "To whom from what
376 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK IV., ODE IV.
source the custom he derived, which, through every age, arms their right
hands against the foe with an Amazonian battle-axe, I have omitted to
inquire." The awkward and prosaic turn of the whole clause, from qui bus
to omnia, has vei*y justly caused it to be suspected as an interpolation:
we have therefore placed the whole within brackets. — 20. Amazonia se-
curi. The Amazonian battle-axe was a double one, and, besides its
edges, it had a sharp projection, like a spike, on the top. — "21. Obarmet.
The verb obarmo means " to arm against another."'
24-33. 24. Consiliis juvenis revictee. " Subdued, in their turn, by the
skillful operations of a youthful warrior." Consult Introductory Remarks.
25. Sensere, quid mens, &c. "Felt what a mind, what a disposition, duly
nurtured beueath an auspicious roof — what the paternal affection of Au-
gustus toward the young Neros could effect." The Vindelici at first be-
held Drusus waging war on the Rasti, now they themselves were destined
to feel the prowess both of Drusus and Tiberius, and to experience the
force of tbose talents which had been so happily nurtured beneath the
roof of Augustus. — 29. Fortes creantur fortibus. The epithet /or/ /s ap-
pears to be used here in allusion to the meaning of the term Nero, which
was of Sabine origin, and signified "courage," "firmness of soul." — 30.
Patrum virtus. "The spirit of their sires." — 33. Doctrina sed vim, &c.
The poet, after conceding to the young Neros the possession of hereditary
virtues and abilities, insists upon the necessity of proper culture to guide
those powers into the path of usefulness, and hence the fostering care of
Augustus is made indirectly the theme of praise. The whole stanza may
be translated as follows : " But it is education that improves the powers
implanted in us by nature, and it is good culture that strengthens the
heart : whenever moral principles are wanting, vices degrade the fair en-
dowments of nature." It is evident from this passage that Horace was
familiar with the true notion of education, as a moral training directed to
the formation of character, and not merely the communication of knowl-
edge. (Osborne, ad loc.)
37-64. 37. Quid debeas, O Roma, Neronibus, &c. "We now enter on
the third division of the poem, the praise of the Claudian line, and the
poet carries us back to the days of the second Punic war, and to the vic-
tory achieved by C. Claudius Nero over the brother of Hannibal. — 38. Me-
taurumjlumen. The term Metaurum is here taken as an adjective. The
Metaurus, now Metro, a river of Umbria, emptying into the Adriatic, was
rendered memorable by the victory gained over Hasdrubal by the consuls
C. Claudius Nero and It Livius Salinator. The chief merit of the victory
was due to Claudius Nero, for his bold and decisive movement in march-
ing to join Livius. Had the intended junction taken place between Has-
drubal and his brother Hannibal, the consequences would have been most
disastrous for Rome. — 39. Pulcher ille dies. "That glorious day." Pul-
cher may also be joined in construction with Latio, " rising fair on Latium."
According to the first mode of interpretation, however, Latio is an abla-
tive, tenebris fugatis Latio, "when dai'kness was dispelled from Latium."
— 41. Adorea. Used here in the sense of victoria. It properly means a
distribution of com to an array, after gaining a victory. — 42. Dims per
vrbes, &c. "From the time that the dire son of Afric sped his way
through the Italian cities, as the flame does through the pines, or the
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK IV., ODE V. 377
southeast wind over the Sicilian waters." By dirus Afer Hannibal is
meant. — 45. Laboribm. Equivalent here to preeliis. — 47. Tumultu. Con-
sult note on Ode iii., 14, 14. — 43. Deos habuere rectos. "Had their grods
again erect.-' Alluding to a general renewing of sacred rites, which had
been interrupted by the disasters of war. — 50. Cervi. "Like stags.'- —
51. Quo* opimus fallere, &c. " Whom to elude by flight is a glorious
triumph." The expression fallere et effugere may be compared with the
Greek idiom hadovrac (pevyeiv, of which it is probably an imitation. —
53. Qua cremato fortis, <3cc. " Which bravely bore from Ilium, reduced
to ashes." — 57. Tonsa. "Shorn of its branches." — 58. Nigra? feraci fro n-
dis, <5cc. "On Algidus, abounding with thick foliage." Consult note on
Ode i., 21, 6. — 62. Vinci dole/item. "Apprehensive of being overcome."
— 63. Colchi. Alluding to the dragon that guarded the golden fleece. —
64. Echionimve Theboe. "Or Echionian Thebes." Echion was one of
the number of those that sprung from the teeth of the dragon when sown
by Cadmus, and one of the live that survived the conflict. Having aided
Cadmus in building Thebes, he received from that prince his daughter
Agaue.
65-74. 65. Pulchrior evenit. "It comes forth more glorious than be-
fore." Orelli adopts exiet, given by Meinecke from Valart, as more in ac-
cordance with the futures proruet and geret, which follow. But there is
no good classical authority for such a form. We meet with it only in
Tertullian (adv. Jud., 13), and so redies in Apuleius (Mel., p. 419). In Ti-
bullus (i., 4, 27) we must change transiet to transiit. — 66. Integrum.
"Hitherto firm in strength." — 68. Conjugibus loqvenda. "To be made a
theme of lamentation by widowed wives." Literally, "to be talked of by
wives." Some prefer conjugibus as a dative. The meaning will then
be, "to be related by the victors to their wives," i. e., after they have re-
turned from the war. — 70. Occidit, occidit, &c. "Fallen, fallen is all our
hope." — 73. Nil Claudia? non perficient manus. "There is nothing now
which the prowess of the Claudian line will not effect," i. e., Rome may
now hope for every thing from the prowess of the Claudii. We can not
but admire the singular felicity that marks the concluding stanza of this
beautiful ode. The future glories of the Claudian house are predicted by
the bitterest enemy of Bx>me, and our attention is thus recalled to the
young Neros, and the martial exploits which had already distinguished
their career. — 74. Quas et benigno numine, &c. "Since Jove defends
them by his benign protection, and sagacity and prudence conduct them
safely through the dangers of war."
Ode V. Addressed to Augustus, long absent from his capital, and in-
voking his return.
1-24. 1. Divis arte bonis. " Sprung from propitious deities." Allud-
ing to the divine oricin of the Julian line, for Augustus had been adopted
by Julius Caesar, and this latter traced his descent from Venus through
lulus and .Eneas. — 2. Abes jam nimium diu. " Already too long art thou
absent from us.-- Augustus remained absent from his capital for the space
of nearly three years, being occupied with settling the affairs of Gaul (from
A.U<' : - *!>.—" ide /;..?, &•:• i: Auspicious prince. re:v.
378 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK IV., ODE V.
the light of thy presence to thy country." — 8. Et soles melius nite^t
"And the beams of the sun shine forth with purer splendor." — 10. Car
pathii maris. Consult note on Ode i., 35, 8. — 11. Cunctantern spatio, &c.
"Delaying longer than the annual period of his stay." — 12. Vocat. "In-
vokes the return of." — 15. Desideriis ictefidelibus. " Pierced with faith-
ful regrets." — 17. Etenim. Equivalent to koX yap. "And no wonder she
does so, for," &c. — Tuta. The common text has rura, for which we have
given tuta, the ingenious emendation of Bothe, thus avoiding the awk-
wardness of having rura in two consecutive lines. The blessings of
peace, here described, are all the fruits of the rule of Augustus ; and
hence, in translating, we may insert after etenim the words " by thy
guardian care." — 18. Almaque Faustitas. " And the benign favor of heav-
en," i. e., benignant prosperity. — 19. Volitant. " Pass swiftly," i. e., are
impeded in their progress by no fear of an enemy. — 20. Culpari metvit
fides. " Good faith shrinks from the imputation of blame." — 21. Nullis
polluitur, &c. Alluding to the Lex Julia " de Adulterio," passed by Au-
gustus, and his other regulations against the immorality and licentious-
ness which had been the order of the day. — 22. Mos et lex maculosum, <5cc.
" Purer morals and the penalties of the law have brought foul guilt to sub-
jection." Augustus was invested by the senate repeatedly for five years
with the office and title of Magister morum. — 23. Simili prole. "For an
offspring like the lather." — 24. Culpam Pozna. premit comes. "Punish-
ment presses upon guilt as its constant companion."
25-38. 25. Quis Parthum paveat, Sec. The idea intended to be con-
veyed is this : The valor and power of Augustus have triumphed over the
Parthians, the Scythians, the Germans, and the Cantabri; what have we,
therefore, now to dread? As regards the Parthians, consult notes on Ode
i., 26, 3, and hi., 5, 3. — Gelidum Scythen. "The Scythian, the tenant of
the North." By the Scythians are here meant the barbarous tribes m the
vicinity of the Danube, but more particularly the Geloni. Their inroads
had been checked by Lentulus, the lieutenant of Augustus. — 26. Quis,
Germania quos horrida, &c. "Who, the broods that horrid Germany
brings forth." The epithet horrida has reference, in fact, to the wild and
savage appearance, as well of the country as of its inhabitants. — 29. Con-
dit quisque diem, &e. " Each one closes the day on his own hills." Un-
der the auspicious reign of Augustus, all is peace; no war calls off the
vine-dresser from his vineyard, or the husbandman from his fields. —
30. Vtduas ad arbores. " To the widowed trees." The elms have been
widowed by the destruction of the vineyards in the civil wars. — 31. Et
alteris te mensis, &c. " And at the second table invokes thee as a god."
The cozna of the Romans usually consisted of two parts, the mensa prima,
or first course, composed of different kinds of meat, and the mensa secunda
or altera, second course, consisting of fruits and sweetmeats. The wine
was set down on the table with the dessert, and, before they began drink-
ing, libations were poured out to the gods. This, hy a decree of the senate,
was done, also, in honor of Augustus, after the battle of Actium. — 33. Pro-
sequitur. " He worships." — 34. Et Laribus tuum, &c. " And blends thy
protecting divinity with that of the Lares, as grateful Greece does those
of Castor and the mighty Hercules." Under the name Castorh, the
Dioscuri, Castor and Pollux, are meant. The Lares here alluded to are
the Lares Vublici, or Dii Patrii, supposed by some to be identical with
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK IV., ODE VI. 379
lae Peuates. — 37. Longas O utinam, <5cc. " Auspicious prince, mayest
thou afford long festal days to Italy," t. e., long mayest thou rule over us.
— 38. Diet mus integro, &c. "For this we pray, in sober mood, at early
dawn, while the day is still entire ; for this we pray, moistened with the
juice of the grape, when the sun is sunk beneath the ocean." Integer
dies is a day of which no part has as yet been used.
Ode VI. The poet, being ordered by Augustus to prepare a hymn for
the approaching Secular celebration, composes the present ode as a sort
of prelude, and entreats Apollo that his powers may prove adequate to
the task enjoined upon him.
1-23. 1. Magna vindicem lingua "The avenger of an arrogant
tongue." Alluding to the boastful pretensions of Niobe, in relation to
her offspring. — 2. Tityosque raptor. Compare Ode ii., 14, 8. — 3. Sensit.
"Felt to be." Supply esse. — Trojce prope victor altoe. Alluding to his
having slain Hector, the main support of Troy. — 4. Phthius Achilles. The
son of Thetis, according to Homer (//., xxii., 359), was to fall by the hands
of Paris and Phoebus. Virgil, however, makes him to have been slain by
Paris. {.sEn., vi., 56, seqq.) — 5. Cceteris major, tibi miles impar. "A
warrior superior to the rest of the Greeks, but an unequal match for thee."
— 7. Mordaci ferro. "By the biting steel," i. e., the sharp-cutting axe. —
10. Impulsa. "Overthrown." — 11. Posuitque. "And reclined." — 13. Ille
non, inclusus, &c. The poet means that, if Achilles had lived, the Greeks
would not have been reduced to the dishonorable necessity of employing
the stratagem of the wooden horse, but would have taken the city in open
fight. — Equo Minerva sacra mentito. " In the horse that belied the wor-
ship of Minerva," i. e., which was falsely pretended to have been an offer-
ing to the goddess. — 14. Maleferiatos. " Giving loose to festivity in an
evil hour." — 16. Falleret. For fefellisset. So, in the 18th verse, ureret
for nssisset. — 17. Palam gravis. " Openly terrible." — 18. Nescios fari
infantes. An imitation of the Greek form, v7J7zta tekvo.. — 21. Flexvs.
"Swayed." Bent from his purpose. — 22. Vocibus. "Entreaties." — Ad'
nuisset. " Granted." — 23. Potiore luctos alite. " Reared under more
favorable auspices."
25-39. 25. Doctor A~jiw tr ,. " G'xi of the lyre, instructor of the
Grecian Muse." ThaiuK is v ir>, equivalent to Masai Jyricae, and Apollo
is invoked as the deity who taught the Greeks to excel in lyric numbers,
or, in other words, was the yopodiducKaSAc Movauv. — 26. Xantho. Al-
luding to the L.ycian, not tne Trojan Xanthus. This stream, though the
largest in Lycia, was yet of inconsiderable size. On its banks stood a
city of the same name, the greatest in the whole country. About sixty
stadia eastward from the mouth of the Xanthas T^as the city of Patara,
famed for its oracle of Apollo. — 27. Daunia d'.fende decus Camas na.
"Defend the honor of the Roman Muse," i. e, g'-ari that in the SaBcular
hymn, which Augustus bids me compose, I miy zv^ovt the honor of the
Roman lyre. As regards Dannia, put hero for ft-ilce, i. e.. Romance,
consult the notes on Ode ii., 1, 34, and i., 22. 13 — '^ Levis Azyiev. "O
youthful Apollo." The appellation Agy;2us Is or C-reek origin CA}Vtcvc),
and, if the common derivation be correct (fro^i L^\>:u, " a street"), denotes
380 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK IV., ODE VII.
" the guardian deity of streets." It was the custom ai Athens to erect
small conical cippi, in honor of Apollo, in the vestibules and before the
doors of their houses. Here he was invoked as the averter of evil, anl
was worshipped with perfumes, garlands, and fillets. — 29. Spiritum Phas-
bus mifri, &c. The bard, fancying that his supplication has been heard,
now addresses himself to the chorus of maidens and youths whom he sup-
poses to be standing around and awaiting his instructions. My prayer is
granted. "Phoebus has given me poetic inspiration, Phoebus has given me
the art of song and the name of a poet." — Virginum prima, &c. "Ye
noblest of the virgins, and ye boys sprung from illustrious sires." The
maiden and youths who composed the chorus at the Saecular celebration,
and wi.om the poet here imagines that he has before him, were chosen
from tl e first families. — 33. Delia tutela deae. " Ye that are protected by
the Dt'ian Diana." Diana was the patroness of moral purity. — 35. Les-
bium s'.rvate pedem, &c. " Observe the Lesbian measure and the striking
of my Jthumb." The Sapphic measure, which is that of the present ode,
is mea*»*;. The expression pollicis ictum refers to the mode of marking
the tetmination of cadences and measures, by the application of the thumb
to the strings of the lyre. — 38. Crescentem face Noctducam. "The god-
dess that fllumines the night, increasing in the splendor of her beams." —
39. Prosveram frugum. " Propitious to the productions of the earth.'
A Graeclsm for fru gibus. — Celeremque pronos, &c. " And swift in rolling
onward the rapid months." A Graecism for celerem in volvendis pronii
menstbus.
41-43. 42. Nupta jam dices. " United at length in the bands of wed
lock, thow sh.\lt; say." Jam is here used for tandem. The poet, in the be
ginning of this stanza, turns to the maidens, and addresses himself to the
leader of the chorus as the representative of the whole body. The induce-
ment which lie ko^ds out to them for the proper performance of their part
in the celebration is extremely pleasing ; the prospect, namely, of a hap-
py marriage ; for the ancients believed that the virgins composing the
chorus of the Saeculsr and other solemnities were always recompensed
with a happy union. — 42. Sceculo festas referente luces. "When the Sae-
ular period brought back the festal days." The Suecular games were
celebrated once every 110 years. Before the Julian reformation of the
calendar, the Roman was a lunar year, which was brought, or was meant
to be brought, into harmony with the solar year by the insertion of an in-
tercalary month. Joseph Pc&hger has shown that the principle was to in-
tercalate a month, alternately of twenty-two and twenty -three days, every
other year during periods of twenty -two years, in each of which periods
such an intercalary month was inserted ten times, the last biennium be-
ing passed over. As five years made a Ivst^wn, so five of these periods
made a sosculum of 110 years. (Scaliger, d." emt^.d:it. temp., p. 80, seqq. ;
Niebuhr's Roman History, vol. i., p. 334, Camh-. trcnsl.) — 43. Reddidi
carmen. " Recited a hymn." — Docilis modorum. frc. " After having
learned, with a docile mind, the measures of the po^t Hc"a°.e." Modorum
refers here as well to the movements as to the singing oi tue chorus.
Ode VII. This piece is similar, in its complexion, to the f~c *t*» *-te of
the first book. In both these productions the same topic h ea&ro'sJ ±he
EXPLANATORY ?'OTES. BOOK IV., ODE VII. 381
brevity of life and the wisdom of present enjoyment. The individual to
whom the ode is addressed is the same with the Torquatus to whom the
fifth epistle of the first book is inscribed. He was grandson of L. Manlius
Torquatus, who held the consulship in the year that Horace was bom.
{Ode iii., 21, 1.) Vanderbourg remarks of him as follows : "On ne con-
nait ce Torquatus que par l'ode qui nous occupe, et l'epitre 5 du livre 1,
qu'Horace lui adresse pareillement. II en resulte que cet ami de notre
»oete etait un homme eloquent et fort estimable, mais un peu attaque de
la manie de thesauriser, manie d'autant plus bizarre chez lui, qu'il etait,
lit-on, celibataire, et n'entassait que pour des collateraux."
1-26. 1. Diffugere nivcs, &c. " The snows are fled : their verdure is
uow returning to the fields, and their foliage to the trees.*' The student
must note the beauty and spirit of the tense diffugere. — 3. Mutat terra
vices. "The earth changes its appearance" Literally, "changes its
changes." Compare the Greek forms of expression, tzovov irovelv, ftaxiiv
udxeoQciL, as cited by Orelli, and also the explanation of Mitscherlich,
•' Vices terras de colore ejus, per aunuas vices apparente, ac pro dircrsa
anni tempestate variante, dicta;." — Et decrescentia ripas, &c. Marking
the cessation of the season of inundations in early spring, and the ap-
proach of summer. — 5. Audet ducere choros. "Ventures to lead up the
dances. ' — 7. Immortalia. " For an immortal existence." — 9. Monet an-
nus. " Of this the year warns thee." The vicissitudes of the seasons re-
mind us, according to the poet, of the brief nature of our own existence. —
9. Frigora mitescunt Zephyris. "The winter colds are beginning to
moderate under the influence of the western winds." Zephyri mark the
vernal breezes. — Proterit. "Tramples upon." Beautifully descriptive
of the hot and ardent progress of the summer season. — 10. Interitura,
simul, &c. " Destined in its turn to perish, as soon as fruitful autumn shall
have poured forth its stores." Simul is for simul ac. — 12. Bruma iners.
"Sluggish winter," i. e., when the powers of nature are comparatively at
rest. Compare the language of Bion (vi., 5) xei/j.a dvcepyov. — 13. Damna
tamen celeres, &c. " The rapid months, however, repair the losses occa-
sioned by the changing seasons." Before the Julian reformation of the
calendar, the Roman mouths were lunar ones. Hence lunce was fre-
quently used in the language of poetry, even after the change had taken
place, as equivalent to menses. — 15. Quo. " To the place whither." Un-
derstand eo before quo, and at the end of the clause the verb deciderunt.
— Dii-es Tullus et Aucvs. The epithet dives alludes merely to the wealth
and power of Tullus Hostilius and Ancus Marcius as mouarchs ; with a
reference, at the same time, however, to primitive days, since Claudian
'xv., 1 09;, when comparing Rome under Ancus with the same city under
the emperor, speaks of the "mania pauperis Anci."— 16. Sumus. "There
we remain." Equivalent tomanemus. — 17. Adjiciant. " Intend to add."
— Crmtina fempora. " To-moiTovv's hours." — 19. Amico quce dederis
ammo. "Which thou shalt have bestowed on thyself." Amico is here
equivalent to tuo, in imitation of the Greek idiom, by which qi/.oc is put
for e/uoc, aoc. ioc- — 21. Splendida arbitria. " His impartial sentence."
The allusion is to a clear, impartial decision, the justice of which is in-
stantly apparent to all. So the Bandusian fount is called [Ode iii., 13, 1)
splendid/or vitro. " Clearer than glass." — 24. Restituet. " Will restore
to the light of day." — 26. lafernis tenebris. "From the darkness of the
382 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK IV., ODE VIII.
lower world." Horace does not follow here the common legend. Accord-
ing to this last, iEsculapius, at the request of Diana, did restore Hippoly
tus to life, and he was placed under the protection of the nymph Egeria,
at Aricia, in Latium, where he was also worshipped. Compare Virg.,
sEji., vii., 761. — Letheea vinculo.. "The fetters of Lethe," i. e., of death.
The reference is to Lethe, the stream of oblivion in the lower wor.d, and
which is here taken for the state of death itself.
Ode VIII. Supposed to have been written at the time of the Saturnalia,
at which period of the year, as well as on other stated festivals, it was
customary among the Romans for friends to send presents to one another.
The ode before us constitutes the poet's gift to Censorinus, and, in order
to enhance its value, he descants on the praises of his favorite art. There
were two distinguished individuals at Rome of the name of Censorinus,
the father and son. The latter, C. Marcius Censorinus, is most probably
the one who is here addressed, as in point of years he was the more fit of
the two to be the companion of Horace, and as Velleius Paterculus (ii.,
102) styles him, virum demcrcndis hominibus genitum. He was consul
along with C. Asinius Gallus, A.U.C. 746.
1-11. 1. Donarem pater as, Sec. "Liberal to my friends, Censorinus, I
would bestow upon them cups and pleasing vessels of bronze," i. e., 1
would liberally bestow on my friends cups and vessels of beauteous
bronze. The poet alludes to the taste for collecting antiques, which then
prevailed among his countrymen. — 3. Tripodas. The ancients made very
frequent use of the tripod for domestic purposes, to set their lamps upon,
and also in religious ceremonies. Perhaps the most frequent application
of all others was to serve water out in their common habitations. In these
instances, the upper part was so disposed as to receive a vase. — 4. Ncque
tu pessima munerum ferres. " Nor shouldst thou bear away as thine own
the meanest of gifts." A litotes, for tu optima et rarissima muner a ferres.
— 5. Divitc me scilicet artium, &c. " Were I rich in the works of art,
which either a Parrhasius or a Scopas produced ; the latter in marble,
the former by the aid of liquid colors, skillful in representing at one time
a human being, at another a god." — Sollers ponere. A Graecism for sol-
lers in ponendo, or sollers ponendi. The artists here mentioned are taken
by the poet as the respective representatives of painting and statuary
Parrhasius, one of the most celebrated Greek painters, was a native of
Ephesus, but practiced his art chiefly at Athens. He flourished about
B.C. 400. He was noted for true proportion and for the accuracy of his
outlines. Scopas, a statuary of Paros, flourished shortly before Parrhasius.
His statue of Apollo was preserved in the Palatine library at Rome. —
9. Sed non hac mihi vis, &c. "But I possess no store of these things,
nor hast thou a fortune or inclination that needs such curiosities." In
other words, I am too poor to own such valuables, while thou art too rich
and hast too many of them to need or desire any more. — 11. Gaude* car-
minibus, Sec. " Thy delight is in verses: verses we can bestow, and can
fix a vame on the gift." The train of ideas is as follows: Thou carest far
less for tne things that have just been mentioned, than for the productions
of the Muse. Here we can bestow a present, and can explain, moreover,
the true value of the gift. Cups, and vases, and tripods are estimated in ac-
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK IV., ODE VIII. 383
cordaace with the caprice and luxury of the age, hut the fame of verse is
immortal. The bard then proceeds to exemplify the never-dying honors
which his art can bestow.
13-33. 13. Xon incisa notis, <5cc. "Not marbles marked with public
inscriptions, by which the breathing of life returns to illustrious leaders
after death." Incisa is literally "cut in," or " engraved." — 15. Xon cele-
res fugce, &.c. " Not the rapid flight of Hannibal, nor his threats hurled
back, upon him." The expression celeres fugce refers to the sudden de-
parture of Hannibal from Italy, when recalled by the Carthaginians to
make head against Scipio. He had threatened that he would overthrow
the power of Rome ; these threats Scipio hurled back upon him, and hum-
bled the pride of Carthasre in the field of Zama. — 17. Xon stipendia Car-
thaginis impice. "Not the tribute imposed upon perfidious Carthage."
The common reading is Xon incendia Carthaginis impice. which involves
an historical error, in ascribing the overthrow of Hannibal and the destruc-
tion of Carthage to one and the same Scipio. The elder Scipio imposed
a tribute on Carthage after the battle of Zama, the younger destroyed the
city. We have given, therefore, stipendia, the emendation of Doring.
Orelli supposes that two lines are wanting before ejus, in accordance with
his idea that odes in this particular metre run on in quartrains. — 18. Ejus
qui domita, &c. The order of construction is as follows : Clarius indi-
cant laudes ejus, qui rcdiit lucratus nomen ab Africa domita, quam, &cc.
Scipio obtained the agnomen of " Africanus" from his conquests in Africa,
a title subsequently bestowed on the younger Scipio, the destroyer of
Carthage. — 20. Calabrce Pier ides. " The Muses of Calabria." The allu-
sion is to the poet Ennius, who was born at Rudiae in Calabria, and who
celebrated the exploits of his friend and patron, the elder Scipio, in his
Annals or metrical chronicles, and also in a poem connected with these
Annals, and devoted to the praise of the Roman commander. — Xeque si
charted sileant, &c. " Nor, if writings be silent, shalt thou reap any re-
ward for what thou mayest have laudably accomplished." The construc-
tion in the text is mercedem (illius) quod benefeceris. — 22. Quidforet Ilia,
Sec. " What would the son of Ilia and of Mars be now, if invidious silence
had stifled the merits of Romulus 1" In other words. Where would be
the fame and the glory of Romulus if Ennius had been silent in bis praise ?
Horace alludes to the mention made by Ennius, in his Annals, of the fa-
bled birth of Romulus and Remus. As regards Ilia, compare note, Ode
hi., 9, 8. — 24. Obstaret. Put for obstitisset. — 25. Ereptum Stygiis fucti-
bus JEacnm, <5cc. " The power, and the favor, and the lays of eminent
bards, consecrate to immortality, and place in the islands of the blessed,
JEacus rescued from the dominion of the grave." Stygiis flnctibus is
here equivalent to morte. — 27. Divitibus consecrat insults. Alluding to
the earlier mythology, by which Elysium was placed in one or more ot
the isles of the Western Ocean. — 29. Sic Jovis interest, <5cc. " By this
means the unwearied Hercules participates in the long-wished-for ban-
quet of Jove." Sic is here equivalent to carminibus poetani-m. — 31. Cla-
rum Tyndarida tidus. "By this means the Tyndaridse, that bright con-
stellation." Understand sic at the beginning of this clause. The allusion
is to Castor and Pollux. Consult note on Ode i., 3, 2. — 33. Ornatus viridi
tempora pampino. We must again understand sic. "By this means
Bacchus, bavins: his temples adorned with the verdant vine-leaf, leads to
384 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK IV., ODE IX.
a successful issue the prayers of the hushandmen." In other words, By
the songs of the bards Bacchus is gifted with the privileges and attri
butes of divinity. Consult note on Ode iii., 8, 7.
Ode IX. In the preceding ode the poet asserts that the only path to
immortality is through the verses of the bard. The same idea again
meets us in the present piece, and Horace promises, through the medium
of his numbers, an eternity of fame to Lollius. " My lyric poems are not
destined to perish," he exclaims; "for, even though Homer enjoys the
first rank among the votaries of the Muse, still the strains of Pindar, Si-
monides, Stesichorus, Anacreon, and Sappho, live in the remembrance of
men; and my own productions, therefore, in which I have followed the
footsteps of these illustrious children of song, will, I know, be rescued
from the night of oblivion. The memory of those whom they celebrate de-
scends to after ages with the numbers of the bard, while, if a poet be
wanting, the bravest of heroes sleeps forgotten in the tomb. Thy praises
then, Lollius, shall be my theme, and thy numerous virtues shall live in
the immortality of verse."
M. Lollius Palicanus, to whom this ode is addressed, enjoyed, for a long
time, a very high reputation. Augustus gave him, A.U.C. 728, the gov-
ernment of Galatia, with the title of propraetor. He acquitted himself so
well in this office, that the emperor, in order to recompense his services,
named him consul, iu 732, with L. ^Etnilius Lepidus. In this year the
present ode was written, and thus far nothing had occurred to tarnish his
fame. Being sent, in 737, to engage the Germans, who had made an ir-
ruption into Gaul, he had the misfortune, after some successes, to expe-
rience a defeat, known in history by the name of Loll iana Clades, and in
which he lost the eagle of the fifth legion. It appears, however, that he
was able to repair this disaster and regain the confidence of Augustus ;
for mis monarch chose him, about the year 751, to accompany his grand-
son, Caius Caesar, into the East, as a kind of director of his youth ("vchtti
moderator inventa." Veil. Pat., ii., 102). It was in this mission to the
East, seven or eight years after the death of our poet, that he became
guilty of the greatest depredations, and formed secret plots, which were
disclosed to Caius Caesar by the king of the Parthians. Lollius died sud-
denly a few days after this, leaving behind him an odious memory.
Whether his end was voluntary or otherwise, Velleius Paterculus de-
clares himself unable to decide. We must not confound this individual
with the Lollius to whom the second and eighteenth epistles of the first
book are inscribed, a mistake into which Dacier has fallen, and which he
endeavors to support by very feeble arguments. Sanadon has clearly
shown that these two epistles are evidently addressed to a very young
man, the father, probably, of Lollia Paulina, whom Caligula took away
from C. Memmius, in order to espouse her himself, and whom he repudi-
ated soon after. We have in Pliny (N. H., ix., 35) a curious passage re-
specting the enormous riches which this Lollia had inherited from her
grandfather.
1-9. 1. Ne forte credas, &c. "Do not perchance believe that those
words are destined to perish, which I, born near the banks of the far-
resounding Aufidus, am wont to utter, to be accompanied by the strings
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK IV., ODE IX 885
of the lyre through an art before unknown." Horace alludes to himself
as the tirst that introduced into the Latin tongue the Lyric measures ol
Greece. — 2. Longe xoaantem nut»*, ice. Alluding to his having been born
in Apulia. Consult Ode iii., 30, 10. — 5. Xon si prions, ice. "Although
the Majouiau Homer holds the tirst rank among poets, still the strains of
Pindar and the Caean Simonides, and the threatening lines of Alcams, and
the dignified effusions of Stesichorus. are not hid from the knowledge of
posterity.'' More literally, " The Pindaric and Caeati muses, and the
theateuing ones of Alcajus, and the dignified ones of Stesichorus." As
regards the epithet Mteonius, applied to Horner, consult note on Ode i., 6
2. — 7. Ceeee. Consult note on Ode ii., 1, 37. — Alccei minaces. Alluding to
the effusions of Alcseus against the tyrants ol his native island. Consult
note on Ode ii.. 13, -J6. — 8. Stcsichorique graves Cumas/UB Stesichorus
was a native of Himera, in Sicily, and born about 632 B.C. He was con
temporary with Sappho, Alcaeus, and Pittaeus. He used the Doric dia
lect, and besides hymns in honor of the gods, and odes in praise of heroes,
composed what may be called lyro-epic poems, such as one entitled "The
Destruction of Troy," and another called " The Orestiad." — 9. Xec, si qu.d
ol<m, ice. " Nor, if Anacreon, in former days, produced any sportive effu-
siou, has time destroyed this." Time, however, has made fearful ravages
font* in the productions of this bard. At the present day, we can attrib-
ute to Anacreon only the fragments that were collected by Ursiuus, and
a few additional ones, and not those poems which commonly go under his
name, a few only excepted.
11-49. 11. Calores JEoI'kb puella. " The impassioned feelings of the
^Eolian maid." The allusion is to Sappho. Consult note on Ode ii., 13,
24. — 13. Xon sola comtos, &c. The order of construction is as follows:
Lacccna Hclene non sola arsit comtos crines adulteri, et mirata (est) au-
rum. " The Spartan Helen was not the only one that burned for," &o. —
14. An rum vcstibus itlttum. "The gold spread profusely over his gar-
ments," t. t\, his garments richly embroidered with gold. 15. Regale que
cul.'us et comites. "And his regal splendor and retinue." Cultus here
refers to the individual's maimer of life, and the extent of his resources.
— 17. Cydonio arcu. Cydon was one of the most ancient and important
cities of Crete, and the Cydonians were esteemed the best among the
Cretan archers. — 18. Xon semel Ilios vexata. "Not once merely has a
Troy been assailed." We have adopted here the idea of Orelli. Other
commentators make the reference a distinct one to Troy itself: " Not once
merely was Troy assailed." Troy, previous to its final overthrow, had
been twice taken, once by Hercules, and again by the Amazons. — 19. In-
gens. " Mighty in arms." — "22. Acer Delphobus. Deiphobus was regard-
ed as the bravest of the Trojans after Hector. — 29. Inertue. The dative
for ab inertia by a Graecism. — 30. Celata virtus. " Merit, when uncele-
brated," i. e., when concealed from the knowledge of posterity, for want
of a bard or historian to celebrate its praises. — Xon ego te meis, &.c. '• I
will not pass thee over in silence, uuhouored in my strains." — 33. Lividas
"Envious." — 33. Rrrvmque prudens, &c. "Both skilled in the man
ment of affairs, and alike unshaken in prosperity and misfortune." The
poet here begins to enumerate some of the claims of Lollius to an immor-
tality of fame. Hence the connection in the train of ideas is as follows :
And worthy art thou, O Lollius, Of being remembered by alter ages; for
u
386 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK IV., ODE XI.
" thou bast a mind," &c. — 37. Vindex. Pat in apposition with animus. —
38. Duccntis ad se cuncta. "Drawing all things within the sphere of its
influence." — 39. Consulgue non unius anm. "And not merely the con-
sul of a single year." A bold and beautiful personification, by which the
term consul is applied to the mind of Lollius. Ever actuated by the pur-
est principles, and ever preferring honor to views of mere private inter-
est, the mind of Lollius enjoys a perpetual consulship. — 42. Rejecit alto
dona nocentlum, &c. " Rejects with disdainful brow the bribes of the
guilty ; victorious, makes for himself a way, by his own arms, amid op-
posing crowds." Explicuit sua arma may be rendered more literally,
though less intelligibly, "displays his arms." The "opposing crowds"
are the difficulties that beset the path of the upright man, as well from
the inherent weakness of his own nature, as from the arts of the flatterer,
and the machinations of secret foes. Calling, however, virtue and firm-
ness to his aid, he employs these arms of purest temper against the host
that surrounds him, and comes off victorious from the conflict. — 46. Recte.
" Consistently with true wisdom." — Rectius oocupat nomcn beati. " With
far more propriety does that man lay claim to the title of happy." — 49.
Callet. " Well knows."
Ode XL The poet invites Phyllis to his abode, for the purpose of cele-
brating with him the natal day of Maecenas, and endeavors, by various
arguments, to induce her to come.
1-19. 1. Est mihi nonum, &c. " I have a cask full of Alban wine,
more than nine years old." The Alban wine is ranked by Pliny only as
third rate ; but, from the frequent commendation of it by Horace and Juve-
nal, we must suppose it to have been in considerable repute, especially
when matured by long keeping. It was sweet and thick when new, but
became dry when old, seldom ripening properly before the fifteenth year.
— 3. Nectendis apium coronis. "Parsley for weaving chaplets." Nee-
tendls coronis is for ad nectendas coronas. — 4. Est ederm vis multa.
"There is abundance of ivy." — 5. Fulges. "Thou wilt appear more beau
teous." The future, from the old verb fulgo, of the third conjugation,
which frequently occurs in Lucretius. — 6. Ridet argento domus. " The
houae smiles with glittering silver." Alluding to the silver vessels (?'. e.,
the paternal salt-cellar, and the plate for incense) cleansed and made
ready for the occasion, and more particularly for the sacrifice that was to
take place. Compare note on Ode ii., 16, 14. — Ara castis vincta verbenis.
The allusion is to an ara cespititia. Consult notes on Ode i., 19, 13 and
14. — 8. Spargier. An archaism for spargi. In the old language the syl-
lable er was appended to all passive infinitives.— 11. Sordidnm ftamiruz
trepidant, Sec. ** The flames quiver as they roll the sullying smoke
through the house-top," i. e., the quivering flames roll, &c. The Greeks
and Romans appear to have been unacquainted with the use of chimneys.
The more common dwellings had merely an opening in the roof, which
allowed the smoke to escape ; the better class of edifices were warmed
by means of pipes inclosed in the walls, and which communicated with a
large stove, or several smaller ones, constructed in the earth under the
building. — 14. Idus tibi sunt agendce, &c. " The ides are to be celebrated
bV tht-e, a day that cleaves April» the month of sea born Venus," i e., thou
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK IV., ODE XII. 387
art to celebrate along with me the ides of April, a month sacred to Venus,
who rose from the waves. The ides fell on the 15th ot March, May, July,
and October, and on the 13th of the other months. They received their
name from the old verb iduare, "to divide" (a word of Etrurian origin, ac-
cording to Macrobius, Sat., i., 15), because in some cases they actually,
and in others nearly, divided the month. Hence Jind it on the present oc-
casion.— 15. Mensem Veneris. April was sacred to Venus. — 17. Jure so-
tennis mill/, &c. "A day deservedly solemnized by me, and almost held
more sacred than that of my own nativity/' — 19. AJiuentes ordinat annos,
" Counts his increasing years." Compare, as regards ajjiuentes, the expla-
nation of Orelli : " sensim sibi succedentes."
Ode XII. It has never been satisfactorily determined whether the
present ode was addressed to the poet Virgil, or to some other individual
of the same name. The individual here designated by the appellation of
Virgil (be he who he may) is invited by Horace to an entertainment where
each guest is to contribute his quota» The poet agrees to supply the wine,
if Virgil will bring with him, as his share, a box of perfumes. He begs
him to lay aside for a moment his eager pursuit of gain, and his schemes
of seh'-interest, and to indulge in the pleasures of festivity.
1-27. 1. Jam veris comites, &c. "Now, the Thracian winds, the com-
panions of Spring, which calm the sea, begin to swell the sails." The al-
lusion is to the northern winds, whose home, according to the poets, was
the land of Thrace. These winds began to blow in the commencement
of spring. The western breezes are more commonly mentioned in de-
scriptions of spring, but, as these are changeable and inconstant, the poet
prefers, on this occasion, to designate the winds which blow more steadi-
ly at this season of the year. — 4. Hiberna nive. "By the melting of the
winter snow." — 6. Infelix avis. The reference is here to the nightingale,
and not to the swallow. Horace evidently alludes to that version of the
story whirh makes Procne to have been changed into a nightingale and
Philomela into a swallow. — £/ Cecropice domus, <fcc. "And the eternal
reproach of the Attic line, for having too cruelly revenged the brutal lusts
of kings." Cecropice is here equivalent simply to Atttcce, as Pandion,
the father of Procne, though king of Athens, was not a descendant of Ce-
crops. — 11. Deum. Alluding to Pan. — Sigri coltes. "The dark hills," i.
e., gloomy with forests. Among the hills, or, more properly speaking,
mountains of Arcadia, the poets assigned Lycaeus and MiPnalus to Pan as
his favorite retreats. — 13. Addnxere sitim tempora. "The season of the
year brings along with it thirst," i. e., the heats of spring, and the thirst
produced by tbem, impel us to the wine-cup. The heat of an Italian spring
almost equalled that of summer in more northern lands. — 14. Pressum
Cattbns libervm. "The wine pressed at Cales." Consult note on Ode
i., 20, 9. — 15. Juvennm nobilium cliens. Who the "juvenes nobiles" were,
to whom the poet here alludes, it is impossible to say : neither is it a mat-
ter of the least importance. Those commentators who maintain that the
ode is addressed to the bard of Mantua, make them to be the young Neros,
Drusus and Tiberius, and During, who is one of the number that advocate
this opinion relative to Virgil, regards c/irns as equivalent to the German
(Mmtling, "ftryprite." — 16. Nardo vmamerebtris. *' Thou shalt earn thy
388 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK IV., ODE XIV.
wine with spikenard." Horace, as we have already stated in the intro-
ductory remarks, invites the individual whom he here addresses to an
entertainment, where each guest is to contribute his quota. Our poet
agrees to furnish the wine, if Virgil will supply perfumes, and heuce tells
him he shall have wine tor his spikenard. — 17. Parvus onyx. "A small
alabaster box." According to Pliny (H. N., xxxvi., 12), perfume boxes
were made of the onyx alabaster. — Eliciet cadum. "Will draw forth a
cask,-' i. e., will cause me to furnish a cask of wine for the entertainment.
The opposition between parvus onyx and cadus is worthy of notice. —
18. Qui nunc Sulpieiis, &c. "Which now lies stored away in the Sul-
pician repositories." Consult note on Ode hi., 20, 7. According to Por-
phyrion in his scholia on this passage, the poet alludes to a certain Sul-
picius Galba, a well-known merchant of the day. — 19. Donarelargus. A
Gnecism for largua douand , or ad dunandum. — Amara curarum. "Bit-
ter cares." An imitation of the Greek idiom (tu TriKpa tui> /nepifivuv), ia
place of the common Latin form amara* curat. — 21. C»m lua mercc.
"With thy club," ». e., with thy share toward the entertainment; or, in
other words, with the perfumes. The part furnished by each guest to-
ward a feast is here regarded as a kind of merchandise, which partners
in trade throw into a common stock, that they may divide the profits. —
22. Non ego te mei* ioimuncm, &c. " I do not intend to moisten thee, at
free cost, with the contents of my cups, as the rich man does in some well-
stored abode." — 26. Nigrorumque memor ignium. "And, mindful of the
gloomy fires of the funeral pile," i. e., of the shortness of existence. —
27. Mtsce stultttiam consrfiis brevem, &c. "Blend a little folly with thy
worldly plans : it is delightful to give loose on a proper occasion." Desi-
pere properly signifies " to play the fool," and hence we obtain other kin-
dred meanings, such as " to indulge in festive enjoyment," " to unbend,"
"give loose," &c.
Ode XIV. We have already stated, in the introductory remarks to the
fourth ode of the present book, that Horace had been directed by Augus-
tus to celebrate in song the victories of Drusus and Tiberius. The piece
to which we have alluded is devoted, in consequence, to the praises of
the former, the present one to those of the latter, of the two princes. In
both productions, however, the art of the poet is shown in ascribing the
success of the two brothers to the wisdom and fostering counsels of Augus-
tus himself.
1-15. 1. Q'/<c cura Patrum, &c. "What care on the part of the fa-
thers, or what on the part of the Rximan people at large, can, by offerings
rich with honors, perpetuate to the latest ages, O Augustus, the remem-
brance of thy virtues, in public inscriptions and recording annals ?" —
2. Mnneribus. Alluding to the various public monuments, decrees, Sec,
proceeding from a grateful people. — 4. Titulos. The reference is to pub-
lic inscriptions of every kind, as well on the pedestals of statues, as on
arches, triumphal monuments, coins, &c. — Memoresque fastos. Consult
note on Ode iii., 17, 4. — 5. JEternet. Varro, as quoted by Nonius (ii., 57),
uses this same verb: " Litteris ac laudibus ceternare.'' — t>. Principum.
This term is here selected purposely, as being the one which Augustus
affected for a title, declining, at the same time, that of dictator or king.
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK IV., ODE XIV. 389
Compare Tacit., Ann., i., 9. — 7. Qveni legi* expertes Latino;, &c. "Whom
the Vindelici, free before from Roman sway, lately learned what thou
couldst do in war." Or, more freely and intelligibly, " Whose power in
war the Vindelici, <xc, lately experienced." We have here an imitation of
a well-known Greek idiom. — 8. Vindelici. Consult note on Ode iv., 4, 18.
— 10. Gcnaunos, implacidum genus, Breunoxqne veloces. The poet here
substitutes for the Raeti and Vindelici of the fourth ode, the Genauni and
Breuni, Alpine nations, dwelling in their vicinity and allied to them in
war. This is done apparently with the view of amplifying the victories
of the young Neros, by increasing the number of the conquered nations.
The Genauni and Breuni occupied the Val d'Asrno and Val Braunia, to
the east and northeast of the Lago Maggiore (Lacus Verbanus). — 13. De-
jecit acer plus vice simvlicu "Bravelv overthrew with more than an
equal return." — 14. Major Nero num. "The elder of the Neros." Alluding
to Tiberius, the future emperor. — 15. Immancxque Rcetos auspiciis, &.c.
"And, under thy favoring auspices, drove back the ferocious Raeti." In
the time of the republic, when the consul performed any thing in person,
he was said to do it by his own conduct and auspices (duclv, vel impcrio,
et auspicio suo) ; but if his lieutenant, or any other person, did it by his
command, it was said to be done, auspicio consults, dnctu legnti, under
the auspices of the consul and the conduct of the legatus. In this manner
the emperors were said to do every thing by their own auspices, although
they remained at Rome. By the Raeti in the text are meant the united
forces of the Raeti, Vindelici, and their allies. Theflrst of these consti-
tuted, in fact, the smallest part, as their strength had already been broken
by Drusus. Compare Introductory Remarks to the fourth ode of this book.
17-33. 17. Specto?idus in certamine Martio, Sec. " Giving an illustri-
ous proof in the martial conflict, with what destruction he could overwhelm
those bosoms that were devoted to death in the cause of freedom." The
poet here alludes to the custom prevalent among these, and other barbar-
ous nations, especially such as were of Germanic or Celtic origin, of de-
voting themselves to death in defence of their country's freedom. — 21. Ex-
ercet. "Tosses." — Pleiadum choro acindente ?nibes, &c. "When the
dance of the Pleiades is severing the clouds." A beautiftl mode of ex-
pressing the rising of these stars. The Pleiades are seven stars in the
neck of the bull. They are fabled to have been seven of the daughters of
Atlas, whence they are also called Atlantides. (Virg., Georg., i., 2-21.)
They rise with the sun on the tenth day before the calends of May (22d
of April), according to Columella. The Latin writers generally call them
Vergilice, from their rising about the vernal equinox. The appellation
of Pleiades is supposed to come from ttAeu, "to sail," because their rising
marked the season when the storms of winter had departed, and every
thing favored the renewal of navigation. Some, however, derive the
name from Tzleiovec, because they appear in a cluster, and thus we find
Manilius calling them "sidu* glomerahile." — 24. Medio* per ignes. Some
commentators regard this as a proverbial expression, alluding to an afi'aii
full of imminent dauger, and compare it with the Greek (ha irvpbc fio'/.riv.
The scholiast, on the other hand, explains it as equivalent to "per medium
pugncE fervorem." We rather think with Gesner, however, that the ref
erence is to some historical event which has not come down to us. — 25. Sic
'auriformis volvitur Aujidus. "With the same fury is the bull-formed
390 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK IV., ODE XIV.
Aufidus rolled along." The epithet tauriformis, analogous to the Greek
ravpo^ofxpoc, alludes either to the bull's head, or to the horns with which
the gods of rivers were anciently represented. The scholiast on Eurip-
ides (Orrst., 1378) is quite correct in referring the explanation of this to
the roaring of their waters. Consult note ou Ode iii., 30, 10 — 26. Qua
regna Dauni, Sec. "Where it flows by the realms of Apulian Daturas,"
i. e., where it waters the land of Apulia — Proefiuit. For preeterjluit.
Compare Ode iv., 3, 10. — 29. Agmina /errata. "The iron-clad bands.'' —
31. Metendo. "By mowing down." — 32. Sine clade. "Without loss to
himself," i. e., with trifling injury to his own army. — 33. Consilium et tuos
divos. " Thy counsel and thy favoring gods," i. e., thy counsel and thy
auspices. By the expression tuos dtvos, the poet means the favor of
heaven, which had constantly accompanied the arms of Augustus: hence
the gods are, by a bold figure, called his own. A proof of this favor is
given in the very next sentence, in which it is stated that, on the fifteenth
anniversary of the capture of Vlexandrea, the victories of Drusus and Ti-
berius were achieved over th .»arbarian foes.
34-52. 34. Nam, tibi quo die, <fcc. "For, at the close of the third lus-
trum from the day on which the suppliant Alexandrea opened wide to
thee her harbors and deserted court, propitious fortune gave a favorable
issue to the war." On the fourth day before the calends of September
(August 29th), B.C. 30, the fleet and cavalry of Antony went over to Oc-
tavius, and Antom^iud Cleopatra tied to the mausoleum, leaving the pal-
ace empty. The war with the EUsii and Viudelici was brought to a close
on the same day, according to the poet, fifteen years after. — 36. Vacuam
anlam. Alluding to the retreat of Antony and Cleopatra into the mauso-
leum.— 37. Luxt.ro. Cousult note on Ode ii., 4, 22. — 40. Laudemqn*. et op-
tatum, &.C. "And claimed praise and wished-for glory unto your finished
campaigns." — 41. Cautabe.r. Cousult note on Ode ii., 6, 2. — 42. Medvs-
que. Compare Introductory Remarks, Ode iii., 5, and note on Ode i., 26,
3. — Indus. Consult note on Ode i., 12, 55 — Scythes. Consult notes on
Ode ii., 9, 23, and iii., 8, 23. — 43. Tutela pratsens. Cousult note on Ode
iii., 5, 2. — 44. Domino:. "Mistress of the world." — 45. Fontiura qui celat
origines Xihts. The Nile, the largest river of the Old World, still con-
ceals, observes Malte-Brun, its true sources from the research of science.
At least scarcely any thing more of them is known to us now than was
known in the time of Eratosthenes. — 46. Ister. The Danube. The poet
alludes to the victories of Augustus over the Dacians and other barbarous
tribes dwelling in the vicinity of this stream. — 46. Rapidus Tigris. The
reference is to Armenia, over which country Tiberius, by the orders of
Augustus, A.U.C. 734, placed Tigraues as king. The epithet here applied
to the Tigris is very appropriate. It is a very swift stream, and its Great
rapidity, the natural effect of local circumstances, has procured for it the
name of Tigr in the Median tongue, Diglito in Arabic, and Hiddekel in
Hebrew, all which terms denote the flight of an arrow. — 47. Belhiosus.
" Teeming with monsters." — 48. Britannix. Consult note on Ode iii., 5,
3. — 49. Non parentis funera Galliot. Lucan (i., 459, seqq.) ascribes the
contempt of death which characterized the Gauls to their belief in the
metempsychosis, as taught by the Druids. — 50. Audit. " Obeys." — 51.
Sygambri. Consult note on Ode iv., 2, 36. — 52. Compositis armis. " Their
arms being laid up."
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK IV., ODE XV. 391
Ode XV. The poet feigns that, when about to celebrate in song the
battles and victories of Augustus, Apollo reproved hhn for his rash at-
tempt, and that he thereupon turned his attention to subjects of a less
daring nature, and more on an equality with his poetic powers. The bard
therefore sings of the blessings conferred on the Roman people by the
glorious reign of the monarch; the closing of the Temple of Janus; the
prevalence of universal peace ; the revival of agriculture ; the re-estab-
lishment of laws and public morals; the rekindling splendor of the Roman
name. Hence the concluding declaration of the piece, that Augustus
shall receive divine honors, as a tutelary deity, from the hands of a grate-
ful people.
1-31. 1. Phcebus volentem, &c. "Phoebus sternly reproved me, by the
striking of his lyre, when wishing to tell of battles and subjugated cities,
and warned me not to spread my little sails over the surface of the Tus-
can Sea." To attempt, with his feeble genius, to sing the victories of Au-
gustus, is, according to the bard, to venture in a little bark on a broad,
tempestuous ocean. As regards the expression increpuit lyra, compare
the explanation of Orelli : "lyra plectro tacta hoc nefacerem vetuit." —
5. Fruges uteres. " Abundant harvests." Alluding to the revival of agri-
culture after the ravages of the civil war had ceased. — 6. Et signa nostra
resti'uit Jovi. "And has restored the Roman standards to our Jove."
An allusion to the recovery of the standards lost in the overthrow of Cras-
sus and the check of Antony. Consult note on Ode i., 26, 3, and Introduc-
tory Remarks, Ode iii., 5. — 8. Et vacuum duellis, <5cc. "And has closed
the temple of Janus Quirinus, free from wars." The Temple of Janus was
open in war and closed in peace. It had been closed previous to the reign
of Augustus, once in the days of Numa, and a second time at the conclu-
sion of the first Punic war. Under Augustus it was closed thrice : once in
A.U.C. 725, after the overthrow of Antony (compare Orosius, vi., 22, and
Dio Cassius, 51, 20); again in A.U.C. 729, after the reduction of the Can-
tabri (compare Dio Cassius, 53, 26) ; and the third time when the Dacians,
Dalmatians, and some of the German tribes were subdued by Tiberius
and Drusus. (Compare Dio Cassius, 54, 36.) To this last Horace is here
supposed to allude. As regards the expression Janum Quirinum, com-
pare the language of Macrobius (Sat., i., 9): " Invocamus Janum Quiri-
num quasi bellorum potentem, ab hasta, quam Sahini curim vocant." —
9. Et ordinem rectum, &c. The order of construction is as follows : et in-
jecit frena Licentice evaganti extra rectum ordinem. "And has curbed
licentiousness, roaming forth beyond the bounus of right order," i. e., un-
bridled licentiousness. Consult note on Ode iv., 5, 22. — 12. Veteres artes.
"The virtues of former days." — 16. Ab He<perio cubili. "From his rest-
ing-place in the west." — 18. Exiget otium. " Shall drive away repose."
— 20. Inimicat. "Embroils." — 21. Non qui prof undnm, Ice. Alluding to
the nations dwelling along the borders of the Danube, the Germans, Raeti,
Dacians, «Sec. — 22. Edicta Julia. "The Julian edicts." The reference is
to the laws imposed by Augustus, a member of the Julian line, on van-
quished nations. — Getee. Consult note on Ode iii., 24, 11. — 23. Seres. Con-
sult note on Ode i., 12, 55. Florus states that the Seres sent an embassy,
with valuable gifts, to Augustus (iv., 12, 61). — Infdive Persaz. "Or the
faithless Parthians." — 24. Tannin prope Jlumen orti. Alluding to the
Scythians. Among the embassies sent to Augustus was one from the
392 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK IV., ODE XV.
Scythians. — 25. El, profestis lucibus et sacris. "Both on common and sa-
cred days." Consult note on Ode ii., 3, 7. — 26. Munera Libert. Consult
note on Ode i., 18, 7. — 29. Virtu lefunctos. " Authors of illustrious deeds."
— 30. Li/di< remixto carmine tibiis. " In song, mingled alternate with
the Lydian flutes," i. e., with alternate vocal and instrumental music.
The Lydian flutes were the same with what were called the left-handed
flutes. Among the ancient flutes, those most frequently mentioned are
the tibia dextroe. and sinistra, pares and impares. It would seem that
the double flute consisted of two tubes, which were so joined together as
to have but one mouth, and so were both blown at once. That which the
musician played on with his right hand was called tibia dextra, the right-
handed flute ; with his left, the tibia sinistra, the left-handed flute. The
former had but few holes, and sounded a deep, serious bass; the other had
many holes, and a sharper and livelier tone. The left-handed flutes, as
has already been remarked, were the same with what were called the
Lydian, while the right-handed were identical with what were denomina-
ted the Tyrian. — 31. Almaz prngeuiem Veneris. An allusion to Augustus,
who had passed by adoption into the Julian family, and consequently
claimed descent, with that line, from Ascanius, the grandson of Anchise»
and Venus.
£ P 0 D E S.
The term Epode ('£— u>d\5c) was used in more than one signification.
It was applied, in the first place, to an assemblage of lyric verses imme-
diately succeeding the strophe and antistrophe, and intended to close the
period or strain. Hence the name itself from e~L and u)6tj, denoting some-
thing sung offer another piece. In the nest place, the appellation was
given to a small lyric poem, composed of several distichs, in each of which
the first verse was an iambic trimeter (six feet), and the last a dimeter
(four feet). Of this kind were the Epodes of Archilochus, mentioned by
Plutarch in his Dialogue on Music (c. xxviii., vol. xiv., p. 234, ed. Hutten),
and under this same class are to be ranked a majority of the Epodes of
Horace. Lastly, the term Epode was so far extended in signification as
to designate any poem in which a shorter verse teas made to follow a long
one, which will serve as a general definition for all the productions of
Horace that go by this name. Compare, in relation to this last meaning
of the word, the language of Hepheesthn [De Metr., p. 129, ed.Gaisf), eloi
6' ev role TroiTJ/iaci icai oi ufipeviKug ovru Ka?.ov/j,evoi ettuSoi, brav /ze-
yu?.(f) OTiXV TrepiTTOv ri k~iq>i:pnTai' where ire pcrrov corresponds to the
Latin impar, and refers to a verse unequal to one which has gone before,
or, in other words, less than it.
Epode I. Written a short time previous to the battle of Actium. The
bard offers himself as a companion to Maecenas, when the latter was on
the eve of embarking in the expedition against Antony and Cleopatra, and
expresses his perfect willingness to share every danger with his patron
and friend. Maecenas, however, apprehensive for the poet's safety, re-
fused to grant his request.
1-19. 1. Ibis Libumis, &c. "Dear Maecenas, wilt thou venture in the
light Liburnian galleys amid the towering bulwarks of the ships of An-
tony 1" If we credit the scholiast Acron, Augustus, when setting out
against Antony and Cleopatra, gave the command of the Liburnian gal-
leys to Maecenas. — 5. Quid nos, qnibus te, 3cc. The ellipses are to be
supplied as follows : Quid nos faciamus, quibus vita est jucunda si te
superstate vivitur, si contra accident, gravis ? "And what shall I do, to
whom life is pleasing if thou survive; if otherwise, a burden? ' — 7. Jussi.
Understand a te. — 9. An hunc laborem, Sec. " Or shall I endure the toils
of this campaign with that resolution with which it becomes the brave to
bear them?" — 12. Inhospitalem Caucasum. Consult note on Ode i., 22,
6. — 13. Occideniis usque ad ultimum sinum. "Even to the farthest bay
of the west." i. e., to the farthest limits of the world on the west. — 18. Ma-
jor habet. "More powerfully possesses." — 19. Ut assidens implumibus,
Sec. "As a bird, sitting near her unfledged young, dreads the approaches
of serpents more for them when left by her, unable, however, though she
be with them, to render any greater aid on that account to her offspring
plaoed before her eyes." A poetical pleonasm occurs in the term prm-
394 EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPODE I.
sentibus, and, in a free translation, the word may be regarded as equiva-
lent simply to Us. The idea intended to be conveyed by the whole sen-
tence is extremely beautiful. The poet likens himself to the parent bird,
and, as the latter sits by her young, though even her presence can not
protect them, so the bard wishes to be with his friend, not because he is
able to defend him from harm, but that he may fear the less for his safety
while remaining by his side.
23-29. 23. Libenter hoc et omne, Sec. The idea intended to be convey-
ed is as follows : I make not this request in order to obtain from thee more
extensive possessions, the usual rewards of military service, but in the
spirit of disinterested affection, and with the hope of securing still more
firmly thy friendship and esteem. — 25. Non ut juvencis, Sec. An elegknt
hypallage for non vt plures juvenci illigati meis aratris nitantur. " Not
that more oxen may toil for me, yoked to my ploughs," i. e., not that I
may have more extensive estates. — 27. Pecusve Calabris, Sec. "Nor that
my flocks may change Calabrian for Lucanian pastures, before the burn-
ing star appears," i. e., nor that I may own such numerous flocks and
herds as to have both winter and summer pastures. An hypallage for
Calabro posmui mvtet Lucanis. The more wealthy Romans were accus-
tomed to keep their flocks and herds in the rich pastures of Calabria and
Lucania. The mild climate of the former country made it an excellent
region for winter pastures ; about the end of June, however, and a short
time previous to the rising of the dog-star, the increasing heat caused
diese pastures to be exchanged for those of Lucania, a cool and woody
country. On the approach of winter Calabria was revisited. — 29. Nee ut
svperni, Sec. "Nor that my glittering villa may touch the Circaean walls
of lofty Tusculum," i. e., nor that my Sabine villa may be built of white
marble, glittering beneath the rays of the sun, and be so far extended as
to reach even to the walls of Tusculum. The distance between the poet's
farm and Tusculum was more than twenty-five miles. Bentley considers
svperni an incorrect epithet to be applied to Tusculum, which, according
to Cluver, whom he cites, but whose meaning he mistakes, the critic
makes to have been situate uin clivo leviter assurgente." The truth is,
ancient Tusculum was built on the summit, not on the declivity oi a kill.
— Candeus. Alluding to the style of building adopted by the rich. — Tus-
culi Circcea mania. Tusculum was said to have been founded bv Tele-
s;onus, the son of Ulysses and Circe. Compare Ode iii., 29, 8.
33-34. 33. Chrem.es. Acron supposes the allusion to be to Chremes, a
character in Terence. This, however, is incorrect. The poet refers to
one of the lost plays of Menander, entitled the "Treasure" (0?/(ravp6c),
an outline of which is given by Donatus in his notes on the Eunuch of
Terence (Pro!., 10). A young man, having squandered his estate, sends
a servant, ten years after his father's death, according to the will of the
deceased, to carry provisions to his fathers monument; but he had before
sold the ground in which the monument stood to a covetous old man, to
whom the servant applied to help him to open the monument, in which
they discovered a hoard of gold aud a letter. The old man seizes the
treasure, and keeps it, under pretence of having deposited it there, for
safety, during times of war, and the young fellow goes to law with him,
-34. Discinctus aut perdam ut nepos. " Or squander away like a disso-
EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPODE II. 395
lute spendthrift." Among the Romans, it was thought effeminate to ap-
pear abroad with the tonic loosely or carelessly girded. Hence ductus
and succi actus are put for indusirius, expedites, or gnavus, diligent, ac-
tive, clever, because they used to gird the tunic when at work ; and, on
the other hand, discinctus is equivalent to incrs, mollis, ignavus, &c. —
Nepos. The primitive meaning of this term is "a grandson:" from the
too great indulgence, however, generally shown by grandfathers, and the
ruinous consequences that ensued, the word became a common designa-
tion for a prodigal.
Epode II. The object of the poet is to show with how much difficulty
a covetous man disengages himself from the love of riches. He there-
fore supposes a usurer, who is persuaded of the happiness and tranquil-
lity of a country life, to have formed the design of retiring into the coun-
try and renouncing his former pursuits. The latter calls in his money,
breaks through all engagements, and is ready to depart, when his ruling
passion returns, and once more plunges him into the vortex of gain.
Some commentators, dissatisfied with the idea that so beautiful a descrip-
tion of rural enjoyment should proceed from the lips of a sordid usurer,
have been disposed to regard the last four lines of the epode as spurious,
and the appendage of a later age. But the art of the poet is strikingly
displayed in the very circumstance which they condemn, since nothing
can show more clearly the powerful influence which the love of riches can
exercise over the mind, than that one who, like Alj-hius, has so accurate
a perception of the pleasures of a country life, should, like him, sacrifice
them all on the altar of gain.
1-22. 1. Procul negotiis. "Far from the busy scenes of life." — 2. Ut
prisca gens mortalium. An allusion to the primitive simplicity of the
Golden Age. — 3. Exercet. "Ploughs." — 4. Solutus omni frnnore. "Freed
from all manner of borrowing or lending," i. e., from all money transac-
tions. The interest of money was called fce/ius, or usura. The legal in-
terest at Rome, toward the end of the republic and under the first em-
perors, was one as monthly for the use of a hundred, equal to twelve per
cent, per annum. This was called usura ccntesima, because in a hun-
dred months the interest equalled the capital. — 5. JS'eque excitatur, <5cc.
'• Neither as a soldier is he aroused by the harsh blast of the trumpet, nor
does he dread, as a trader, the angry sea." — 7. Forum. "The courts of
law." — Superba civium, Sec. " The splendid thresholds of the more pow-
erful citizens." The portals of the wealthy and powerful. Some, how-
ever, understand by superba, an allusion to the haughtiness displayed by
the rich toward the clients at their gates. In either case, the reference
is to the custom, prevalent at Rome, of clients waiting on their patrons to
offer their morning salutations. — 11. Inutilesque, «See. All the M5S. and
early editions place this and the succeeding verse after the 13th and 14th,
with the exception of a single MS. of H. Stephens, in which they are ar-
ranged as we have given them. Many of the best editors have adopted
this arrangement. After alluding to the marriage of the vine with the
trees, it seems much more natural to make what immediately follows
have reference to the same branch of rural economy. — 12. Inserit. "In-
grafts."— 13. Mugientium. Understand bourn. — 14. Errantcs. " (rraz
396 EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPODE II.
ing." — 16. Injirmas. "Tender." Compare the remark of Doring: "Nat-
ura enim sua imbedlles sunt oves." — 17. Decorum mitibus pomis. " Adorn-
ed with mellow fruit." — 19. Insitiva pira. " The pears of his own graft-
ing."— 20. Certantem et uvam, &c. "And the grape vying in hue with
the purple." Purpuras is the dative, by a Graecism, for the ablative. —
21. Priape. Priapus, as the god of gardens, always received, as an offer-
ing, the first produce of the orchards, &c. Compare note on Ode iii., 29,
22. — 22. Tutor Jinium. " Tutelary god of boundaries."
24-47. 24. In tenaci gramine. " On the matted grass." The epithet
tenaci may also, but with less propriety, be rendered "tenacious," or
"st7*ong-rooted." — 25. Labuntur alti*, ice. "In the mean time, the streams
glide onward beneath the high banks." Some editions have rivis for ripis,
but the expression altis rivis ("with their deep waters") does not suit
the season of summer so well as altis ripix, which alludes to the decrease
jf the waters by reason of the summer heats. — 26. Queruntur. "Utter
their plaintive notes." — 27. Frondesque lymphis, &c. "And the leaves
murmur amid the gently flowing waters," i. e., the pendant branches mur-
mu>- as they meet the rippling current of the gently-flowing stream. —
28. Quod. "All which." Equivalent to id quod. — 29. Tonantis annus
kibftrnus Jovis. "The wintry season of tempestuous Jove." The allu-
sion is to the tempests, intermingled with thunder, that are prevalent in
Italy at the commencement of winter. — 30. Comparat. " Collects to-
gether."— 31. Malta cane. " With many a hound." — 33. Aut amite levi,
&c. " Or spreads the nets of large meshes with the smooth pole." Ames
denotes a pole or staff to support nets. — Levi. We have rendered this
epithet, as coming from levis ; it may also, however, have the meaning
of "light," and be regarded as coming from levis. Consult note, page lxiv,
of this volume. — 35. Advenam. "From foreign climes." Alluding to the
migratory habits of the crane, and its seeking the warm climate of Italy
at the approach of winter. Cranes formed a favorite article on the tables
of the rich. — 37. Quis non malarum, &.c. ""Who, amid employments
such as these, does not forget the anxious cares which love carries in its
train?" Complete the ellipsis as follows : Quis non oblivisdtur malarum
curarum, quas euros, &.C. — 39. In partem juvat, &c. "Aid, on her side,
in the management of household affairs, and the rearing of a sweet off-
spring."— 41. Sabina. The domestic virtues and the strict morality of
the Sabines are frequently alluded to by the ancient writers. — Aut perusta
solibus, &c. " Or the wife of the industrious Apulian, embrowned by the
sun." — 43. Sacrum. The hearth was sacred to the Lares. — Vetuslis. In
the sense of aridis — 45. Lcetum pecus. " The joyous flock." — 47. fforna
vina. "This year's wine." The poor, and lower orders, were accustom-
ed to drink the new wine from the dolium, after the fermentation had sub-
sided. Hence it was called vinum doliare. The dolium was the large
vessel in which the wine was left to ferment, before it was transferred to
the amphora or cadus.
49-54. 49. Lucrina conchylia. "The Lucrine shell-fish." The Lu-
crine lake was celebrated for oysters and other shell-fish. — 50. Rhombus.
" The turbot." — Scari. The Scarus (" Scar" or " Char") was held in high
estimation by the ancients. Pliny (H. N., ix., 17) remarks of it, that it is
the only fish which ruminates : an observation which had been made by
EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPODE III. 397
Aristotle before him ; and hence, according to this latter writer, the name
fiT}(Su£j, given to it by the Greeks. The ancients, however, were mistaken
on this point, and Buffon has corrected their error. The roasted Scarus
was a favorite dish (compare Athenaus, vii., ed. Schweigh., vol. iii., p.
175), and the liver of it was particularly commended. — 51. Si quos Eois,
&c. " If a tempest, thundered forth over the Eastern waves, turn any of
their number to this sea." — 53. Afra avis. "The Guinea fowl." Some
commentators suppose the turkey to be here meant, but erroneously, since
this bird was entirely unknown to the ancients. Its native country is
America. On the other hand, the Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) was
a bird well known to the Greeks and Romans. — 54. Attagen Ionicus.
"The Ionian attagen." A species, probably, of heath-cock. Alexander
the Myndian (Athenceus, ix., 39, vol. iii., p 431, ed. Schiceigh.) describes it
as being a little larger than a partridge, having its back marked with
numerous spots, in color approaching that of a tile, though somewhat more
reddish. Mr. Walpole thinks it is the same with the Tetrao Francolinus.
( Walpole' s Collect., vol. i., p. 262, in notis.)
57-67. 57. Herba lapathi. The lapathum, a species of sorrel, takes its
name (XuTadov) from its medicinal properties ficnrafa, purgo). — 58. Mal-
vce. Compare note on Ode i., 31, 16. — 59. Terminalibus. The Termina-
7ia, or festival of Terminus, the god of boundaries, were celebrated on the
23d of February (7th day before the calends of March). — 60. Hcedus erep-
tus Ivpo. Compare the explanation of Gesner : " Ad frugalitatem rus-
ticam refertur. Non mactaturus paterfamilias luzdum integrum, epula-
tur ereptum lupo, et alioqui periturum." — 65. Positosque vernas, «Sec.
"And the slaves ranged around the shining Lares, the proof of a wealthy
mansion," i. e., ranged around the bright fire on the domestic hearth. The
epithet renidentes is well explained by Doring : "Ignis infoco accensi
tplendore refulgentes." — 67. Hcec nbi locutus, Sec. "When the usurer
Alphius had uttered these words, on the point of becoming an inhabitant
of the country, he called in all his money on the ides — on the calends (of
the ensuing month) he seeks again to lay it out !" The usurer, convinced
of the superior felicity which a country life can bestow, calls in all his out-
standing capital for the purpose of purchasing a farm ; but when the ca-
lends of the next month arrive, and bring with them the usual period for
laying out money at interest, his old habits of gain return, the picture
which he has just drawn fades rapidly from before his view, and the in-
tended cultivator of the soil becomes once more the usurer Alphius
Among the Romans, the calends and ides were the two periods of the
month when money was either laid out at interest or called in. As the
interest of money was usually paid on the calends, they are hence called
tristes [Serm., i., 3, 87) and celeres (Ovid, Rem. Am., 561), and a book in
which the sums demanded were marked, was termed Calendarium
(Senec, Bene/., i., 2, and vii., 10. Id., Ep., xiv., 87.)
Epode III. Maecenas had invited Horace to sup with him, and had
sportively placed amid the more exquisite viands a dish highly seasoned
with garlic (moretum alliatum. Compare Donatus, ad Terent. Phorm.,
\i~, 2). Of this the poet partook, but having suffered severely in conse
quence, he here wreaks his vengeance on the offending plant, describing
398 EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPODE IV.
it as a sufficient punishment for the blackest crimes, and as forming one
of the deadliest of j>oisons.
1-17. 1. Olim. "Hereafter." — 3. Edit cicutis, &c. "Let him eat
garlic: more noxious than hemlock." The poet recommends garlic as a
punishment, instead of hemlock, the usual potion among the Athenians.
Edit is given for edat, according to the ancient mode of inflecting, edim,
edis, edit ; like sim, sis, sit. This form is adopted in all the best editions.
The common reading is edat. — 4. O dura messorum ilia. Garlic and wild
thyme (serpyllum), pounded together, were used by the Roman farmers
to recruit the exhausted spirits of the reapers, and those who had labored
in the heat. The poet expresses his surprise at their being able to endure
such food. — 5. Quid hoc veneni, &c. "What poison is this that rages in
my vitals 1" — 6. Viperinus cruor. The blood of vipers was regarded by
the ancients as a most fatal poison. — 7. Fefellit. In the sense of laticit.
— An malos Canidia, &c. " Or did Canidia dress the deadly dish ?"
Cauidia, a reputed sorceress, ridiculed by the poet in the fifth epode.
Compare the Introductory Remarks to that piece. — 9. Ut. "When." —
11. Ignota tauris, &.c. An hypallage for ignotis tauros illigaturumjugis.
An allusion to the fire-breathing bulls that were to be yoked by Jason as
one of the conditions of his obtaining from iEetes the golden fleece. — 12.
Perunxit hoc Iaxonem. Medea gave Jason an unguent, W'th which he
was to anoint his person, and by the virtues of which he was to be safe
from harm. The poet pleasantly asserts that this was none other than the
juice of garlic. — 13. Hoc delibutis, &c. "By presents infected with this
having taken vengeance on her rival, she fled away on a winged serpent."
Alluding to the fate of Creusa, or Glauce, the daughter of Creon, and the
flight of Medea through the air in a car drawn by winged serpents. — 15.
Nee tantus unquam, &c. " Nor hath such scorching heat from the stars
ever settled on thirsty Apulia." The allusion is to the supposed influence
of the dog-star in increasing the summer heats. — 17. Nee munus humeris,
&c. " Nor did the fatal gift burn with more fury on the shoulders of the
indefatigable Hercules." The reference is to the poisoned garment which
Dejanira sent to Hercules, and which had been dipped in the blood of the
centaur Nessus, slain by one of the arrows of Hercules.
Epode IV. Addressed to some individual who had risen, amid the
troubles of the civil war, from the condition of a slave to the rank of mili-
tary tribune and to the possession of riches, but whose corrupt morals and
intolerable insolence had made him an object of universal detestation.
The bard indignantly laments that such a man should be enabled to dis-
play himself proudly along the Sacred Way, should be the owner of ex-
tensive possessions, and should, by his rank as tribune, have it in his
power to 6it among the equites at the public spectacles, in advance of the
rest of the people. The scholiasts Acron and Porphyrion make this epode
to have been written against Menas, the freedman of Pompey, an opinion
adopted by the earlier commentators. In most MSS., too, it is inscribed
to him. The more recent editors, however, have rejected this supposi-
tion, and with perfect propriety. We read nowhere else of Menas's hav-
ing obtaiued the office of military tribune, nor of any servile punishments
which he had undergone in a peculiar degre* while still in a state of slav
EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPODE IV. 399
ery, neither is any mention made here of that perfidy and frequent chang-
ing of sides which formed so great a blot iu the character of this individ-
ual. Consult note ou Ode iii., 16, 15.
1-9. 1. Lupis et agnia, &c. "There is as strong an aversion on my
part toward thee, O thou whose back has been galled by the Iberian
lash, and whose legs have been lacerated by the hard fetter, as falls by
nature to the lot of wolves and lambs." — 3. Ibcricis funibus. Alluding to
a lash composed of ropes made of the spartum, or Spanish broom. This
plant grew in great abundance near Carthago Nova, on the coast of Spain.
— 4. Dura compede. Among the Romans, the worst kind of slaves were
compelled to work in fetters, as well in the ergastvlum, or work-house, as
in the fields. — 7. Sacram metiente te viam. "As thou struttest proudly
along the Sacred Way." The term metiente well describes the affected
dignity of the worthless upstart, in his measuring, as it were, his very
steps. — Sacram viam. The Sacred Way was a general place of resort
for the idle, and for those who wished to display themselves to public
view. Compare Sat., i., 9, 1. — 8. Cum bis trium ulnarum toga. The
wealthy and luxurious were fond of appearing abroad in long and loose
gowns, as a mark of their opulence and rank. — 9. Ut ora vertat, <5cc.
" How the indignation of those who pass to and fro, most openly express-
ed, turns their looks on thee."
11-20. 11. SectusjlageUis, Sec. " This wretch, (say they), cut with the
rods of the triumvirs until the beadle was weary," &c. The allusion is
to the Triumviri Capitales, who judged concerning slaves and persons of
the lowest rank, and who also had the charge of the prison and of the ex-
ecution of condemned criminals. The praico used to proclaim the offence,
and the sentence passed upon it, while that sentence was being inflicted.
— 13. Arat. In the sense of possidet. — Falcrni fundi. The wealthy Ro-
mans were accustomed to have large possessions in the fertile territory
of Campania, which is here designated by the name of its celebrated vine-
yards.— 14. Et Appiam mannis terit. " And wears out the very Appian
Way with his horses," i. e., is constantly frequenting the Appian Way with
his long: train of equipage. The Appian Way led first to Capua, and after-
ward to Brundisium. It was commenced by Appius Claudius Ceecus in
his censorship, B.C. 312, and carried on to Capua. The part from Capua
to Brundisium was begun by the consul Appius Claudius Pulcher, grand-
son of Capcus, B.C. 249, and was completed by another cousul of the same
family thirty-six years after. — 15. Sedihbusque mag?ius, &c. According
to the law of L. Roscius Otho, passed A.U.C. 686, fourteen rows of benches,
immediately after the orchestra, a place where the senate sat, were ap-
propriated in the theatre and amphitheatre for the accommodation of the
knights. As the tribunes of the soldiers had an equal right with the
equites, they were entitled to seats in this same quarter; and hence the
individual to whom the poet alludes, though of servile origin, boldly takes
his place on the foremost of the equestrian benches, nor fears the law of
Otho. — 17. Quid at&irust, &c. "To what purpose is it that so many ves-
sels, their beaks armed with heavy brass, are sent against pirates and a
band of slaves, if this wretch is made a military tribune '!" The idea in-
tended to be conveyed is as follows : Why go to so much expense in
equipping fleets against pirates and slaves, when slaves at home elevat»
400 EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPODE V.
themselves to the highest stations ? The allusion appears to be to the
armament fitted out by Octavianus (Augustus) against Sextus Pompeius,
A.U.C. 718, whose principal strength consisted of. pirates and fugitive
slaves. — 20. Tribuno militum. In each legion there were six military
tribunes, each of whom in battle seems to have had charge of ten cen-
turies, which, when full, would amount to a thousand men ; hence the cor-
responding Greek appellation is xtfuupxiJC-
Epode V. The bard ridicules Canidia, who, herself advanced in years,
was seeking by incantations and charms to regain the affections of the old
and foolish Varus. A strange scene of magic rites is introduced, and the
piece opens with the piteous exclamations of a boy of noble birth, whom
Canidia and her associate hags are preparing to kill by a slow and dread-
ful process, and from whose marrow and dried liver a philter or love-
potion is to be prepared, all-powerful for recalling the inconstant Varus.
It will be readily perceived that the greater part of this is mere fiction,
and that the real object of the poet is to inflict well-merited chastisement
on those females of the day, in whose licentious habits age had been able
to produce no alteration, and who, when their beauty had departed, had
recoux-se to strange and superstitious expedients for securing admirers.
1-24. 1. At, O deorum, &c. The scene opens, as we have already re-
marked, with the supplications of a boy, who is supposed to be surround-
ed by the hags, and who reads their purpose in their looks. He conjures
them to have compassion on him by the tenderness of mothers for their
children, by his birth, and by the justice of the gods. — 4. Truces. " Fierce-
ly turned." — 5. Partubus veris. Alluding to the frequent stealing of in-
fants on the part of these hags. — 7. Per hoc inane, &c. " By this vain or-
nament of purple." Young men of family wore a gown bordered with
purple, called the toga pratexta, until the age of seventeen, when they
put on the toga virilis. The epithet inane expresses the disregard of
Canidia for this emblem of rank.- -9. Ant utipetita, &c. " Or like a savage
beast of prey wounded by the dart." — 11. Ut hac tremente, &c. " When
the boy, after having uttered these complaints with trembling lips, stood
among them, with his ornaments stripped off, a tender body," &c. Under
the term insignia, the poet includes both the toga pr&texta and the bulla.
This latter was a golden ball or boss, which hung from the neck on the
breast, as some think in the shape of a heart, but, according to others,
round, with the figure of a heart engraved on it. The sons of freedmen
and of poorer citizens used only a leathern boss. — 15. Canidia, brevibus
implicata, &c. "Then Canidia, having entwined her locks and dishevel-
led head with small vipers," <5cc. The costume most commonly assigned
to the furies is here imitated. — 17. Jubet sepulcris, &c. Preparations are
now made for the unhallowed rites ; and first, the wood to be used for the
fire must be that of the wild fig-tree, torn up from a burying-place. The
wood supposed to be employed on such occasions was always that of soma
inauspicious or ill-omened tree, and in this class the wild fig-tree was par-
ticularly ranked, both on account of its sterility, and its springing up spon-
taneously among tombs. — 18. Cuprexsusfunebres. "Funereal cypresses."
Consult note on Ode ii., 14, 23. — 19. Et uncta turpis ova ranee sanguine,
&c. The order of construction is as follows : Et ova nocturnae strigis,
EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPODE V. 401
uncta sanguine turpis ranee, plumamque nocturnes strigis. " And the
eggs, smeared with the blood of a loathsome toad, and the plumage of a
midnight screech-owl." The ancients believed the blood of the toad, like
that of the viper, to be poisonous. — 81. Iolcos. A city of Thessaly, all
which country was famed for producing herbs used in magic rites. Iolcos
was situate, according to Pindar [Nem., iv., 87), at the foot of Mount Pelion,
and was the birth-place of Jason and his ancestors. — Iberia. A tract of
country bordering upon, and situate to the east of Colchis. The allusion
is consequently to the same herbs in the use of which Medea is reputed
to have been so skillful. — 24. Flammis aduri Colchicis. "To be concoct-
ed with magic fires." The epithet Colckicis is here equivalent to magicis,
i. e., such fires as the Colchian Medea was wont to kindle, from the wood
of baleful trees, for the performance of her magic rites.
25-39. 25. Expedita. "With her robe tucked up." The term may
also be simply rendered "active." Consult note on Epode i., 34. — So-
gana. Sagana, Veia, and Folia were sorceresses attendant on Canidia.
— 26. Avernalez aquas. Waters brought from the Lake Avernus, one of
the fabled entrances to the lower world, and used here for the purposes
of magic lustration. — 27. Marinus echinus. "A sea-urchin." The sea-
urchin among fishes is analogous to the hedgehog among land animals,
and hence the name echinus (e^tVof) applied by the ancients to both.
The sea-urchin, however, has finer and sharper prickles than the other,
resembling more human hair in a bristly state. — 28. Laurens aper. The
marshes of Laurentum, in ancient Latium, were famous for the number
and size of the wild boars which they bred in their reedy pastures. —
29. Abacta nulla conscientia. " Deterred by no remorse." — 30. Humuvi
exhauriebat. "Began to dig a pit." — 32. Quo posset infossus puer, &c.
" In which the boy, having his body buried, might pine away in full view
of food changed twice or thrice during the long day." The expression
longo die is well explained by Mitscherlich : " Qui puero fame excruciato
longissimus videbalur." — 35. Quum promineret ore, &c. "Projecting
with his face above the surface of the ground, as far as bodies suspended
by the chin are out of the water," i. e., as far as the persons of those who
swim appear above the level of the water. — 37. Exsucca medulla. "His
marrow destitute of moisture." — 36. Amoris esset poculum. " Might fonn
the ingredients of a potion for love." A philter, which had the power of
producing love. — 39. Interminato quum semel, &c. " When once his eye-
balls had withered away, fixed steadily on the forbidden food." Quum
semel is here equivalent to simul ac.
41-60. 41. Hie irresectum, Sec. The long, uncut nail occupies a prom-
inent place in the costume of the ancient sorceresses. — 43. Quid dixit?
aut quid taeu.il 1 Equivalent in spirit to Nefaria quwque effata et palam
profe&za est. — 45. Xox et Diana. Canidia, after the manner of sorceress-
es, invokes Night and Hecate, who were supposed to preside over magic
rites. — Qua silentium regis. An allusion to Diana's shining during the
silence of the night, the season best adapted for the ceremonies of magic.
— 47. Nunc, nunc ade<te, <5cc. Mitscherlich makes this an imitation of an
old form of prayer, and equivalent to " Mihi propitta sitis, ira ve*tra in
hostes obligata." The scholiast is wrong in supposing the meaning of
the latter part to be "in Varum iram vestram effundite." — 48. Sumen..
402 EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPODE V.
"Power." — 51. Senem, quod, omnes rideant, &c. "May the dogs of the
Subura drive him hither with their barking, that all may laugh at his ex
pense, the aged profligate, anointed with an essence more powerful than
any which my hands have hitherto prepared." — Senem adulterum. The
allusion is to Varus, and the manner in which he is here indicated by Ca-
nidia tends indirectly to cast ridicule upon herself for seeking to reclaim
such an admirer. — 52. Suburanm canes. The Subura was the most profli-
gate quarter of Rome, and the rambles of Varus, therefore, in this part of
the capital, were any thing else but creditable. — 53. Nardo perunctum.
The allusion here is an ironical one. Cauidia does not refer to any actual
unguent of her own preparing, but to the virtues of the magic herbs, which
are to be all-powerful in recalling the inconstant Varus. — 55. Quid acci
dit, &c. The dash at the end of the preceding verse is placed there to de
note that Canidia, after having proceeded thus far with her incantations,
pauses in expectation of the arrival of Varus, which is to be their intended
result. When this, however, is delayed longer than she imagined it
would be, the sorceress resumes her spell : " "What has happened ? Why
are my direful drugs less powerful than those of the barbarian Medea'/''
i. e., why have these once efficacious spells lost all their power in bring-
ing back the absent Varus 1 — Barbara. This epithet, here applied to
Medea, in imitation of the Greek usage, is intended merely to designate
her as a native of a foreign land, i.e., Colchis. — 57. Quibus superbam fugit,
&c. Consult uote on Epode iii., 13. — 59. Tabo. Equivalent to veneno. —
60. Incendio abstulit. Compare the graphic picture drawn by Euripides
[Med., 1163, seqq.) of the unearthly fires which consumed the unfortunate
rival of Medea.
61-79. 61. Subheec. "Upon this." — 62. Lenire. "Attempted to move."
The infinitive is here put for the imperfect of the indicative. This con-
struction is usually explained by an ellipsis of capit or cozperunt, which
may often be supplied ; in other cases, however, it will not accord with
the seuse. In the present instance, tentavit may be understood. There
appears to be some analogy between this usage of the infinitive in Latin,
and the idiom of the Greek, by which the same mood, taken as an abso-
lute verbal idea only, is made to stand for the imperative. — 63. Unde.
" In what words." The unhappy boy is at a loss in what words to ex-
press his angry and indignant feelings at the horrid rites practiced by the
hags, and at the still more horrid cruelty which they meditate toward him-
self.— 64. Thyesteas preces. " Imprecations." Such as Thyestes uttered
against Atreus. — 65. Venena magica, &c. "Drugs, of magic influence,
may confound, indeed, the distinctions between right and wrong, but they
can not alter the destiny of mortals." The idea intended to be conveyed
is this : The spells of the sorceress may succeed in accomplishing the
darkest of crimes, but they can not avert the punishment which such of-
fences will inevitably receive. — 67. Diris agam vos. " With my curses
will I pursue you." After diris understand precibus. — 70. Nocturnus oc-
cur ram furor. " I will hauut you as a tormentor iu the night season." —
72. Qua vis deorum, &c. ''Such is the power of those divinities the Ma-
nes." The ellipsis is to be supplied as follows : " Ea vi quce vis est," &c.
— 75. Vicatim. " From street to street." — 76. Obscenas anus. ■ Filthy
hags."— 77. Different. " Shall tear." — 78. Esquilince alites. The birds
of prey frequented the Esquiline quarter, because here the bodies of mal-
EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPODE VI. 403
efactors were left exposed, and here, also, the poor and slaves were in-
terred. Subsequently, however, the character of the place was entirely
changed by the splendid residence and gardens of Maecenas. Consult
note on Ode iii., 29, 10. — 79. Neque hoc parentes, <fcc. The boy's last
thoughts, observes Francis, are tenderly employed in reflecting upon the
grief of his parents ; yet he seems to comfort them, and at the same time
to confirm the truth of his prediction, by that consolation which they shall
receive in the death of these sorceresses.
Epode VI. Addressed to a cowardly and mercenary slanderer. It is
commonly thought that this piece was written against Cassius Severus,
and, in many editions, it appears with an inscription to this effect. Such
a supposition, however, is perfectly gratuitous. It is probable that the
title in question originated with some scholiast, who, having read in Taci-
tus (A an., i., 72, and iv., 21) of the licentious spirit and defamatory pen of
Cassius Severus, erroneously imagined him to be the one whom the poet
here attacks.
1-14. 1. Quid immerentes, &o. " Tbou cur, why, being cowardly
against wolves, dost thou snarl at inoffensive strangers 1" By the term
/ujspites are here meant those who are entirely unknown to the individ-
ual, but whom he, notwithstanding, makes the subjects of his envenomed
attacks — 3. Inanes. As proceeding from a cowardly and spiritless cur.
— 4. Remorsurum. " Who am ready to bite in return." — 5. Moloasus, aut
fulvus Lacon. "A Molossian, or a tawny Laconian dog." The Molos-
sian and Laconian dogs were of a robust make, and valuable as well in
hunting wild beasts as in defending the flocks from nocturnal thieves and
from the attacks of wolves. Travellers still describe the dogs in this quar-
ter as remarkable for size and extremely fierce. The Molossi occupied
the northeastern part of Epirus. — 6. Arnica vis. "A friendly aid." — 7.
Agam. qucecu nque prcecede? fera. "I will pursue whatever savage beast
shall go before me." — 10. Projection odoraris cibum. "Smell at the food
thrown to thee." A figurative mode of expressing that the individual
whom he attacks was easilv bribed to silence. — 12. Parata tollo cornua.
The poet alludes to his iambics, with which he stands prepared to assail
all evil-doers, as the bull is ready with its horns against every one who
provokes it to the attack. — 13. QuaJis Lycambce, «See. " Like him who was
rejected as a son-in-law by the faithless Lycambes, or like the fierce en-
emy of Bupalus." Lycamlxs is the dative, by a Grsecism, for the abla-
tive, and, by another Graecism, Bupalo, the dative, is put for Bupali. —
Lycaml/ce. The allusion is to Archilochus. Lycambes had promised him
his daughter Neobule in marriage, but afterward changed his mind and
gave her to another. Archilochus, in revenge, wrote a poem against him,
iu iambic verse, so cruelly satirical that both father and daughter hung
themselves in despair. Such, at least, is the common account. It would
seem, however, from some authorities, that Neobule killed herself, not
on account of the verses of Archilochus, but through despair at the loss
of her father. (Compare Schoell, Hi*t. Lit. Greec, vol. i., p. 199.) — 14.
Bupalo. The allusion is to the poet Hipponax, and the brothers Bupalus
and Anthermus.
404 EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPODE IX.
Epode VII. After the overthrow of Sextos Pompeius, the republic
seorned once more destined to taste of repose. The respite, however,
was of short duration, and the enmity of Octavianus and Antony soon re-
kindled the flames of war. It was about this period that the present
poem was written. The bard mourns over the intestine divisions of his
countrymen, and imputes the horrors of the civil wars to the evil destiny
entailed upon the Romans by the blood of Remus.
1-20. 1. Scelesti. "Stained with guilt." An allusion to the guilt and
bloodshed of the civil wars. — 2. Conditi. "So lately sheathed." Under-
stand vaginis. The poet refers to the short period of repose which ensued
after the overthrow of Sextus Pompeius. Compare Introductory Remarks.
— 3. Campis atque Ncptuno super. " On the fields and on the ocean."
Equivalent to terra marique. Compare Ode ii., 1, 29. — 5. Non ui super-
bas, <Jcc. The idea intended to be conveyed is as follows : These swords
are not drawn against the enemies of our country, as they were in former
days against haughty Carthage, and as they now should be against the
Britons, still bidding defiance to our arms: they are to be turned upon
ourselves, they are to enter our own bosoms, in order that the wishes
of the Parthians, of our bitterest foes, may be accomplished, and that
Rome may fall in ruins by the hands of her sons. — 7. Intactus. " Still
unsubdued." — Descenderet Sacra catenatus via. "Might descend in
chains along the Sacred Way," i- e., might be led in triumph through the
streets of the capital, and, after this, be consigned to imprisonment and
death. In the celebration of the triumph, the Roman general, when he
reached the spot where now is the Arch of Severus, and before he as-
cended the Capitoline Hill, gave the signal to conduct the captive kings
and leaders of the enemy to prison, and there put them to death. — 11.
Hie mos. " This custom" of raging against their own species. — Fuit.
The aorist, in the sense of deprehenditur, "is found." — 12. Nunquam
nisi in dispar feris. "Which are never cruel except toward animals
of a different kind." — 13. Vis acrior. "Some superior power," i. e., that
of destiny. — 14. Culpa. "The guilt of your forefathers, entailed upon
their offspring." The allusion is to the guilt of Romulus, which is to be
atoned for by posterity. — 15. Pallor albvs. " A deadly paleness." Con-
sult note on Ode iii., 10, 14. — 16. Mentesque perculsce stvpent. "And their
conscience-stricken minds are stupefied." — 17. Sic est, &c. After a pa-
thetic pause, as Sanadon remarks, Horace adheres to the last two causes
he had mentioned. He therefore imputes the civil wars to the destinies
and to the death of Remus, as if the destinies had condemned the Ro-
mans to expiate the fratricide of that prince by destroying one another
with their own arras. This was going very far back in order to remove
the idea of the real cause of their present calamities. — Aguut. " Harass."
— 18. Scelusque frafemce necis. The guilt of Romulus in slaying his
brother Remus. — 19. Ut. "Ever since." — 20. Sneer nepotibns. "Ac-
cursed for posterity," i.e., fatal to them. Compare the explanation of the
scholiast, a3 cited by Zeune : " Quern suo cruore expiaturi eraut."
Epode IX. Written when the news of the victory at Actium was first
received at Rome. The bard addresses his patron, then at the scene of
action.
EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPODE IX. 405
1-15. 1. Repnstum Cascubum adfestas dapes. " Caecuban wine, stored
away for jo}-ous feasts,'' i. e., put away in some inner aud secret crypt,
and purposely preserved for some joyous occasion. Consult note on Ode
i., £0, 9. — 3. Sub alia domo. "Beneath thy stately abode." Consult note
on Ode iii., 29, 10. — Sic Jovi gratum", "So is it pleasing to Jove," i. e.,
in doing this, we shall be performing an act agreeable to Jove, the guard-
ian of our empire. — 4. Beate. This epithet has reference to the opulence
of Maecenas, to his lofty abode ou the Estjuiline (alia domus), his beautiful
gardens, ice. — 5. Sonaute niixtum tibiis, Sec. "While the lyre sends
forth a straiu intermingled with the music of flutes, that uttering the Do-
rian, these the Phrygian mood." With hoc understand sonante ; with
i/lit, sonantibuz. The music of the lyre and the flute are to succeed each
other alternately : the strains of the former are to be grave and severe,
such being the character of the Dorian mood ; the music of the flutes, on
the other hand, is to be of a wild and bacchic character, in accordance
with the Phrygian mood. Donkin, in explanation of this passage, remarks
as follows : " If the ancient Dorian and Lydiau octave were employed,
the former being of the fourth species, while the latter was of the second,
and pitched two tones higher, the series of intervals heard would consist
of fourths and major thirds, or rather double tones." — 7. Actus cum freto
Neptumvs dux. "When the Neptunian chief, driven from the Sicilian
strait." The allusion is to Sextus Pompeius, who boastingly styled him
self the son of Neptune, because his father had once held the command
of the sea. Agrippa, in B.C. 36, defeated him off the northern coast of
Sicily, offMylae, and again off'Naulochus. — 10. Servis amicus perjidis. Ac
cording to Dio Cassius (xlviii., 19), the number of fugitive slaves who wenl
over to Pompeius was so great, that the Vestal Virgins were accustom
ed, during the performance of sacred rites, to offer up prayers for a ces
sation of this evil. — 11. Rmianus. The allusion is to the Romans in the
army of Antony. — 12. Emaucipatus femince. "Subjected as a voluntary
slave to a woman." The reference is to Cleopatra. — 13. Fert vallum ex
arma miles, Ice. " Bears the stake and arms as a soldier, and can yield
obedience to withered eunuchs." The poet expresses his indignation,
that Romans, hardy enough to endure the toils of military service, can, al
the same time, be so wanting in spirit as to yield obedience to the orders
of eunuchs. The allusion, in the words fert vallum, is to that paikff Ro
man discipline which compelled each soldier to carry, among othertnings.
a certain number of stakes (usually three or four) to be used in encamp
ing. — Spadonibus. The allusion seems to be principally to the eunucl
Mardion, who, according to Plutarch, along with Pothinus, Iras, and Char
mion, had the chief direction of Cleopatra's affairs (i>Q' uv rd fih/icra
dioineiTai ttjc qyepoviac. Plut., Vtt. Ant., c. lx., vol. vi., p. 132, cd. Hut
ten). — 15. Turpe couopium. " A vile Egyptian canopy." The conopium
was a canopy, curtain, or veil of net-work, used for the purpose of keep
ing off gnats and flies. It was principally employed by the Egyptians
on account of the great number of these insects produced by the marshes
of the Nile. The scholiast, in his explanation of the term, furnishes us
with its etymology : " Genus retis ad musca* et culices (icuvcjTac) abi-
gendos, quo Alexandriui potissimum utuntur propter cult cum ill/c abun-
dant /am." To a genuine Roman spirit the use of such an article appear-
ed degrading effeminacy.
406 EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPODE IX.
17-22. 17. Ad hoc frementes, &c. "Indignant at this spectacle, two
thousand Gauls turned about their steeds, Diddiug Caesar hail." The poet
evidently alludes to the defection of Deiotarus and Amyntas, two leaders
of the Gallo-Gro?cians, or Galatians, who went over to Augustas a short
time previous to the battle of Actium. In the motive, however, which
Horace assigns for this step, there is more of bitter sarcasm than histori-
cal truth. — Verterunt. The penult is here shortened by systole, as it is
called. — 19. Hostiliumqne navium portu latent, &c. "And the sterns of
hostile ships, impelled toward the left, lie concealed in the harbor." In
order to understand clearly this somewhat obscure passage, we must bear
iu mind that the present piece was written before any very definite par-
ticulars respecting the battle of Actium had reached the capital. The
poet, therefore, exercises some licence on the occasion, and supposes
that a division of Antony's fleet, equally indignant with the Gallic horse-
men, retired from the fight into the harbor, and, in order that their defec-
tion might be less apparent, rowed their vessels astern, or impelled them
into the harbor stern foremost. (Compare the Greek expression irpv/ivav
upovoaadai, and Valckenaer, ad Herodot., viii., 84.) In executing this
movement they would have necessarily to move toward the left, as Anto-
ny's fleet was drawn up on the right and facing Italy. — 21. lo Trivmphe!
&c. The poet, personifying Triumph, addresses it as a god, and complains
of its tardy approach. The idea intended to be conveyed by the whole
passage from the present line to the 26th, both inclusive, is simply as fol-
lows : When shall we celebrate the triumph due to this most glorious
victory, a triumph to be ranked far before both that of Marius over Ju
gurtha, and that of Scipio for the overthrow of Carthage ? — Aureos currus.
Alluding to the triumphal chariot, which was wont to be adorned with
gold and ivory. — 22. Intactas loves. The Roman triumphs always ended
with a sacrifice to Jove, and the victims, as in every other offering to the
gods, were to be such as had never felt the yoke. With intactas, there-
fore, we must understand jugo.
23-38. 23. Nee Jngurfhino parem, &c. "Thou didst neither bring
back a leader equal to him from the war of Jngurtha, nor Africanus, unto
whom valor reared a monument upon the ruins of Carthage," i. e., Marius
di 1 ngjareturn with equal glory from the subjugation of Jugurtha, nor the
younger Africanus from the destruction of Carthage. — 27. Punlco lugubre
mvtavit sagnm. " Has changed his purple robe for one of mourning."
An hypallage for mutavit Punicum sagnm lugubri sago. The Roman
sagnm was properly a military robe : here, however, the term is taken
in a more extended sense. The allusion in the text is to Antony, and the
epithet Punico may either refer simply to the color of his pain dame titvm,
or general's robe, or else, what appears preferable, may contain a general
censure on the previous luxury and splendor of his attire. — 29. Ant ills
centum nobilem, &c. This passage would seem to confirm the truth of the
remark made in a previous note (v. 19), that nc accurate accounts had as
yet reached the capital either respecting the details of the fight itself, or
the ulterior movements of Antony. — 30. Ventis non suis. "With unpro-
pitious winds." — 31. Exercitatas Koto. "Agitated by the blast of the
South." As regards the Syrtes, consult note on Ode i., 7, 22. — 32. Incerto
mart. "In doubtful course over the sea," i. e., as if not knowing where
to anchor.1 — 33. Capaciores offer hue, &c. The joy of Horace was too
EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPODE X. 407
lively, as Dacier remarks, to wait the reinrn of Maecenas. He celebrates
the victory the moment he receives the news, and he" thinks his appre-
hensions for the safety of Octavianus ought now to cease, for it was not
known at Rome that he intended to complete his conquest by pursuing
Antony, and exposing himself to new dangers. — 35. Fluentem nauseam.
" The rising qualm." — 37. Rerum. "For the interests." — 38. Lyceo. Con-
sult note on Ode i., 22, 4.
Epode X. Addressed to Maevius, a contemptible poet of the day, who
was on the eve of embarking for Greece. The bard prays heartily that
he may be shipwrecked, and vows a sacrifice to the storms if they will
but destroy him. This Maevius is the same with the one to whom Virgil
satirically alludes in his third Eclogue (v. 90) : " Qui Barium non odit,
amet tua carmina, Meeci." He would seem to have incurred the resent-
ment of both Virgil and Horace by his railing and slanderous propensities.
1-24. 1. Mala soluta, &c. " The vessel, loosened from her moorings,
sails forth under evil auspices, bearing as she does the fetid Maevius." —
2. Olentem. Compare the explanation of Mitscherlich : " Hircini odoris
hominem." Rutgersius (Lect. Venus., x., 10) thinks that this epithet is
rather meant to be applied to the character of Maevius as a poet, and to
his affectation of obsolete words. There is far more of bitter satire, how-
ever, in olentem, if considered as a personal allusion. — 3. Utrumquelatus.
"Each side of her." Understand navis. — i. Auster. The poet enumer-
ates the winds Auster, Eurus, and Aquilo, in order to convey a livelier
image of a tempest, by the contending together of these opposing blasts,
so that, in fact, a tornado is meant. — 5. Niger rudentes Eurus, ice. "May
the dark southeast wind scatter her rigging and shivered oars in the
sea turned up from its lowest depths." By niser is meant, in reality, a
dark, cloud-collecting wind. — 7. Quantus. ""With as great fury as," i. e.,
with all the fury it has when, &c. — 8. Trementes. "Waving to and fro
beneath the blast." — 9. Sidus amicum. "The star friendly to mariners."
The allusion is to the Dioscuri. Consult note on Ode i., 3, 2. — 10. Orion.
Consult note on Ode iii., 27, 17. — 12. Qnam Graia victorum manvs, &c.
The poet alludes to the destruction by Minerva of the vessel that bore the
Oilean Ajax, and to the shipwreck of the Grecian fleet off the promontory
of Caphareus in Euboea. — 16. Pallor luteus. Consult note on Ode iii., 10,
14. — 18. Aversum ad Jovem. "To unpropitious Jove." — 19. Ionius udo,
«5cc. " When the Ionian Sea, roaring with the blasts of the rainy South."
The term si)ius, here applied to the Ionian Sea, has reference to its being
bent into numerous gulfs. In strict geographical language, however, the
expression Ionius sinus, about the time of Horace, denoted merely a part
of the Adriatic. — 21. Opima quod si, &c. The poet vows a sacrifice to the
Tempests, if the corpse of the shipwrecked Maevius, cast unburied on the
shore, become the prey of birds. Some commentators refer the expression
oprma pratda to corpulence of person on the part of Maevius. This, how-
ever, is mere conjecture. The words may, with more propriety, be ren-
dered "a dainty prey." — 24. Tempestalibus. The ancients were accus-
tomed to sacrifice a black lamb to the Storms and Tempests, and a white
one to the Western wind.
408 EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPODE XVI.
Epode XIII. Addressed to a party of friends, with whom the poet
wishes to spend a day of l'ain and storm amid the joys of wine. He ex-
horts them to seize the present hour, aud to dismiss the future from thei*
thoughts. To add weight to this Epicurean maxim, the authority of the
Centaur Chiron is adduced, who advises the young Achilles, since fate had
destined him for a short career, to dispel his cares with wine and song.
1-6. 1. Horrida tempestas caelum contraxit. "A gloomy tempest has
narrowed the expanse of heaven." The space appears diminished when
the sky is covered with clouds. — 2. Deducunt Jovem. "Bring down the
upper air." By Jupiter is here meant the higher part of the atmosphere
[mlher). The ancients considered rain as the air dissolved. — Ztilute. A
diaeresis, on account of the metre, for silvce. — 3. Rapiamus, amici, &c.
" My friends, let us seize an opportunity from the passing day." — 5. Ob-
ducta solvatur fronte senectus. " Let the clouded brow of sadness be re-
laxed." Literally, M let sadness, with clouded brow, be relaxed." Senec-
tus does not here mean age, but "sadness" or "melancholy." Compare
the scholium of Porphyrion : " Senectutem pro gravitate ac sevcritate ac-
cipe." — 6. Tu viiia Torquato move, &c. The poet, eager for the expect-
ed entertainment, imagines his friends already present, and, addressing
himself to one of the party supposed to be assembled, exclaims, " Do thou
produce the wine, pressed when my Torquatus was consul." The force
of move, in this passage, is best explained on the principle that this was
to be a feast of contribution, and that Horace calls first upon him who was
to furnish the wine. The wine to be drank on this occasion is that
which had been made in the year when L. Manlius Torquatus was con-
sul. Consult note on Ode iii., 21, 1.
7-18. 7. C<etera mitte loqui. "Cease to talk of other things." The
poet alludes to some cause of anxiety on the part of his friend. — Deus hcec
fortasse benigna, &c. " Perhaps the deity will, by a kind change, restore
what now disquiets thee to its former state. — 8. Achcemenio. Consult note
on Ode iii., 1, 44. — Cyllenea. The lyre is here called " Cyllenean," be-
cause invented by Mercury, who was born on Cyllene, a mountain in the
northern part of Arcadia, on the borders of Achaia. — 11. Nobilis centaurus.
Chiron. — Alumno. Achilles. — 13. Assaraci tellus. " The land of Assar-
acus," i. e., Troy. Assaracus was a son of Tros, and the grandsire of An-
chises. (Compare 77., xx., 230.) — 15. Curto subtemine. "By a short
thread." We have adopted Bentley's emendation, curto. The common
lection, certo subtemine ("by a thread that fixes thy destiny"), is far in-
ferior. The term subtemen means properly the woof or weft, i. e., the
threads inserted into the warp. — 18. Deformis agrimoma, &c. "The
sweet soothers of disfiguring melancholy."
Epode XVI. The republic, as Sanadon remarks, had been violently
agitated by civil commotions for almost sixty years, beginning with the
days of Marius and Sylla. A fresh scene of bloodshed was now approach-
ing, and the quarrel between Octavianus and Antony threatened the Ro-
man world with a general dissolution. A battle was expected, and that
battle was to decide, as it were, the fate of the universe. An event of
tsuch deep interest engrossed the minds of men. A feeling of uncertainty
EXPLANATORY NOTES. fci'ODE XVI. 409
as to the issue of the contest filled them with alarm, and a remembrance
of the preceding wars collected into one point of view all the horrors
which they had produced. The poet, amid these scenes of terror, com-
posed this epode. He proposes to the Romans a desertion of their coun-
try, and a retreat to the Fortunate Islands, where the gods promised them
a more tranquil and a happier life. To confirm this advice, the example
of the Phocaeans is cited, who abandoned then- native city rather than live
under the dominion of Cyrus, and bound themselves by a common oath
never to return.
1-13. 1. Altera jam teritur, &c. " A second age is now wasting away
fh civil wars." By this second age is understood the period which inter-
vened between the death of Csesar and the contest of Octavianus and An-
tony. The first age extended from the entrance of Sylla into Rome with
an armed force to the death of Caesar. If we make the present epode to
have been written A.U.C. 721, B.C. 32, the whole antecedent period here
referred to would be fifty-six years ; and if we allow, as is commonly
done, thirty years to an &tas (or yeveu), the "second age" was within four
years of its completion. — 2. Ipsa. " Of her own accord." Equivalent to
the Greek airr). — 3. Quam neque Jinitimi, &c. The order of construction
is as follows : Nos, impia &tas, devoti sanguinis, perdemus earn civita-
tem, quam neque, &c. — 3. Marsi. The poet assigns the first place to the
Marsic, or Social War, as most fraught with danger to the republic. —
4. Minacis aut Etrusca, Sec. Alluding to the efforts of Porsena in behalf
of the banished Tarquins, and the siege which Rome in consequence un-
derwent. Niebuhr has clearly shown that Rome must have surrendered
to Porsena, and acknowledged his sovereignty by the sacrifice of a third
part of her territory. Compare Tacitus, " dedita urbe" (Hist., hi., 72;.
One of the conditions of the treaty was that the Romans should use iron
only for tillage (Plin., H. N., xxxiv., 39). This, of course, would only
have been submitted to by a conquered people. — 5. yEmula nee virtus
Capua:. "Nor the rival strength of Capua." The allusion in the text
appears to be to the bearing of Capua after the overthrow of Canna?,
when, as it would seem from Livy (xxiii., 6), she aimed at the empire of
Italy. Capua made a league with Hannibal after this battle. — Spartacus
Consult note on Ode hi., 14, 19. — 6. Novisque rebus infidelis Allobrox.
" And the Allobroges, faithless in their frequent commotions," i. e., dis*
playing their faithless character in their numerous seditions. The Allo-
broges were situate in the southern part of Gaul, between the Rhodanus
[Rhone) and Isara [Isere). — 6. Ccerulea pube. "With its blue-eyed youth."
Compare the description given by Tacitus {Germ., 4) of the Germans:
"Habitus corporum .... idem omnibus ; truces et ccerulci oculi, rutilce
comas, magna corpora." The allusion in the text seems to be principally
to the inroad of the Cimbri and Teutones. — 9. Devoti sanguinis. " Of de-
voted blood," i. c., whose blood is devoted to destruction as a punishment
for our fathers' crimes. — 10. Barbarus. Alluding to the barbarian nations
which formed part of the forces of Antony. — Et urbcm eques, &c. "And
the horsemen strike our city with sounding hoof," i. e., ride insulting over
T fallen Panne. — 13. Queeque carent ventis, &c. "And iu-olently
Ich lie concealed from winds and suns,
1 il
1 tll3
410 EXPLANATORY NOTE!!. EPODE X\ 1.
circumstance of their being dedicated to the Manes. The tombs of the
founders of cities were regarded as particularly entitled to veneration,
and it was deemed a most inauspicious omen if the remains contained in
them were, by accident or in any other way, exposed to view. As, ac-
cording to the Roman legend, Romulus was caught up to the skies, the
allusion here to his mortal remains lying in an earthly sepulchre becomes
merely a poetic one. Romulus, in fact, is here the ideal representative
of the Roman people, and by the ossa Quirini are meant the bones of
Roman citizens, which the poet, with prophetic vision, beholds scattered
about, exposed to the winds and sun, amid the overthrow and desolation
of the city. (Orelli, ad loc.)
15-37. 15. Forte quid expediaf, &c. " Perhaps yo all in common, or
else the better portion, are inquiring of yourselves what is best to be
done in order to avert these dreadful calamities." More literally, " to be
free from" or "to be rid of." By the expression melior pars are meant
those who hold civil conflicts in abhorrence, and who feel for the miseries
of their country. — 17. Phocaorum vclut projugit, &c. "As the people of
Phocaea fled, bound by solemn imprecations : as they abandoned," &c.
The Phocaaaus, a people of Ionia, rather than submit to the power of Cy-
rus, abandoned their city, binding themselves by an oath, and by solemn
imprecations, not to return before a mass of red-hot iron, which they threw
into the sea, should rise to the surface. {Herod., L, 165.) — 25. Sedjnre-
mus in hoc. Understand verba, and compare Epode xv., 4. The oath of
the Phocaeans is here imitated, excepting that stones are substituted for
iron. — Simul imis saxa renarint, &c. "That we shall all be permitted
to return, whenever these stones shall rise from the bottom of the sea,
and swim back to the surface of the water." — 27. Domum. "To our
country." — Quando Padus Matina lavcrit cacumina. "When the Po
6hall wash the Matinian summits," i. c, when the Po, in the north, shall
wash the summits of Mount Matinus, in Apulia, just above the promon-
tory of Gi-arganum. Near this mountain was the town of Matinum. — 29.
Proruperit. "Shall burst forth." — 30. Monstra junxerit. "Shall form
unnatural unions." — 31. Ut. "So that." — 33. Credula. "Persuaded of
their safety." — Flavos. Bentley reads ravos, on the authority of some
MSS., and because rava lupa occurs in Ode iii., 27, 3, and Cicero {Acad.,
ii., 23) styles the sea ravum. This, however, is unsatisfactory. — 34. Le-
vis. "Become smooth," i. e., become smooth as a fish, from having been
rough and shaggy. — 35. Hac execrata. " Having sworn to the perform-
ance of these things, under solemn imprecations." — 37. Aut pars indocili
melior grege. " Or that portion which is wiser than the indocile crowd.''
—Mollis ct ex»pes inominata, &c. " Let the faint-hearted and desponding
press these ill-omened couches," i. e., continue to dwell in this city of
gloomy auspices. The epithet mollis applies to those who want spirit
and manly daring to brave the dangers of the sea, while by exspes tho&
are designated who have, with timid minds, given up all hopes for tb>:
salvation of their country.
39-58. 39. Muliebrem tollite luctum. The poet adjures those whom
he supposes to be about to abandon their country along with him, to leave
it as men, and to shed no tears, and indulge in no womanish grief, on the
eve of their departure 10 Eh mrsa
EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPODE XVII. 411
is first to lie through the Mare Tyrrhcnum, after leaving which they are to
make for the main ocean. — 41. Nos ma net Oceanus circu muagus. " The cii
enmambient Ocean awaits us." Horace here adopts the Homeric notion
that the ocean was a vast river flowing completely round the earth, which
latter was a circular plane. — Arva, beatapetamus arva, &c. "Let us seek
the fields, the blessed fields, and the rich isles," &c. The poet advises his
countrymen to seek the Fortunate Isles of the ocean. These are general-
ly supposed to have been identical with the modern Canaries. It is more
than probable, however, that they were merely a part of the group. —
43. Reddit nbi Cercrem, &c. " Where the earth, though untouched by the
plough, yields its annual produce, and the vines, though unpruned, ever
flourish." — 46. Suamque pulla, «See. " And the dai*k fig graces its own
tree," i. e., the natural or ungrafted tree. The epithet pulla alludes to the
color of the fig when ripe. — 48. Crepante pede. "With rnstling footstep,"
i. e., with a pleasing murmur. — 50. Amicus. A pleasing reference to the
kind and friendly feelings with which, to the eye of the poet, the flock is
supposed to bestow its gifts upon the master. — 53. Nulla nocent pecori con-
tagia. Alluding to the salubrity of the atmosphere. — Nullius astri &s-
tuosa impotenlia. "The scorching violence of no star." Consult note on
Ode iii., 13, 19, and i., 17, 17. — 55. Ut neque largis, &c. "How neither
rainy Eurus wastes the fields with excessive showers," &c. Compare the
description of the Homeric Elysium in the western isles (Od., iv., 566,
seqq.). — 58. Utrumque temperante. "Controlling each extreme," i. e., of
rainy cold and scorching heat.
59-65. 59. Non hue Argoo, <5cc. "The pine sped not hither its way
with an Argoan band of rowers," i. e., the Argoan pine (the ship Argo)
never visited these happy regions to introduce the corruptions of other
lands. The allusion is to the contagion of those national vices which
commerce is so instrumental in disseminating. — 60. Impudica Colchis.
Alluding to Medea, and her want of female modesty in abandoning her
home. — 61. Cornua. " Their sail-yards." Literally, "the extremities
of their sail-yards," ant-ennarum being understood. — 62. Laboriosa cohors
Ulixei. "The followers of Ulysses, exercised in hardships," i. e., Ulysses
and bis followers schooled in toil. — 63. Jupiter ilia piae, &c. "Jupiter
set apart these shores for a pious race, when he stained the Golden Age
with brass ; when, after this, he hardened with iron the Brazen Age," i.
e., when the Brazen and the Iron had succeeded to the Golden Age. The
verb secrevit, as used in the text, well expresses the remote situation of
these blissful regions, far from the crimes and horrors of civil dissension.
— 65. Quorum pit» secunda, «fee. "From which age of iron, an auspicious
escape is granted to the pious, according to the oracle which I pronounce."
With quorum understand strculorum. The lamzunge of the poet is here
based upon the custom, followed in the most ancient times, of leading forth
colonies under the guidance of some diviner or prophet, after the oracle
had been duly consulted and its will ascertained.
Epodk XVII. A pretended recantation of the fifth Epode, to which
succeeds the answer of Canidia, now rendered haughty and insolent by
success. The submission of the bard, however, and the menaces of the
sorceress, are only irony and satire, so much more severe and violent as
412 EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPODE XVII.
1-7. 1. EJJicaci do manus sciential. " I yield submissive to thy mighty
art," i. c, I acknowledge and submit to thy power, mighty sorceress. The
expression do manus is figurative, and is used commonly to denote the
submission of the vanquished to the victors on the field of battle. — 2. Regna
per Proserpina, &c. " By the realms of Proserpina, and by the power
of Hecate, not to be provoked with impunity, and by thy books of enchant-
ments," &c. The poet here adjures Canidia by the things which she most
revered, and with which, as a sorceress, she was supposed to be most
conversant. — 5. Defixa. " Bound by thy incantations to obey." The verb
defigo is peculiar in this sense to magic rites. Hence it frequently an-
swers to our verb "to bewitch." — 7. Citumque retro solve, &c. "And
turn backward, turn, thy swift-revolving wheel." The turbo, equivalent
to the Greek fr6fi>3og, was a species of wheel, much used in magic rites.
A thread or yarn was attached to it, which began to wind around on the
wheel's being made to revolve, and, as this process was going on, the in-
dividual who was the subject of the ceremony was supposed to come
more and more under the power of the sorceress. Horace, therefore, en-
treats Canidia to turn her magic wheel backward, and untwine the fatal
thread, that he may be freed from the spell in which she had bound him.
8-22. 8. Movit. Understand ad misericordiam. The poet heightens
the ridicule of the piece by citing Achilles and Circe as examples of im-
itation for the worthless Canidia. — Ncpotem Ncreium. Achilles. — Tcle-
phus. A king of Mysia, who led an army against the Greeks when they
had lauded on his coasts, and was wounded, and afterward cured, by
Achilles. — 11. Unxere matres Ilia, &c. "The Trojan matrons anointed
the corpse of Hector, slaughterer of heroes, originally doomed to voracious
birds and dogs," &c. The idea intended to be conveyed is, that the Trojan
matrons were enabled to perfonn the last sad offices to the corpse of Hec*
tor, in consequence of the relenting of Achilles at the supplications of
Priam. — 14. Pervicacis Achillei. "Of Achilles, however inflexible." Com-
pare Ode i., 6, 6. — 15. Setosa duris, &c. " Divested their bristly limbs of
the hard skins of swine," i. e., ceased to be swine. An allusion to the
fable of Circe, and the transformation of the followers of Ulysses into
swine, as well as to their subsequent restoration by the sorceress, on the
interference of the chieftain of Ithaca. — 17. Tunc mens et sonus, &c.
"Then reason and speech glided back, and their former expression was
gradually restored to their looks." The term relapsus (the zeugma in
which must be noted) beautifully describes, as it were to the eye, the slow
and gradual nature of the change. — 19. Dedi satis superque, &c. " Enough
and more than enough have I been tormented by thee." — 21. Reliquit
ossa pelle amicta lurida. " Has left behind only bones covered over with
a livid skin," i. c., has left me a mere skeleton. — 22. Tuis capillus albus,
&.c. " My hair is become white by the force of thy magic herbs." The
poet ascribes this to the effect produced on his mind and feelings by the
incantations of the sorceress, and not, as Gesner supposes, to any unguent
actually applied by her to his locks.
24-40. 24. Est. "Is it allowed mc." An imitation of the Greek
usage, by which tort, est, is put for t^ean, licet. — 25. Levare tenia, <5cc.
" To relieve by respiration my swelling heart." — 26. Negalum. " What
I once denied." Understand a me.— 27. Sabella pectus increpare carmina,
EXPLANATORY NOTE?. EPODE XVII. 413
&c. "That Sabellian incantations disturb the breast, and that the head
splits asunder by a Marsian song." The poet here very pleasantly applies
to human being's what was thought, in the popular belief, to happen mere-
ly to snakes. The Sabellians and Marsi were famed for their skill in
magic. By the former are here meant the Sabines geuerally. Consult
note on Ode iii, 6, 38. — 32. Tu, donee cinis, Sec. "A living laboratory,
thou glowest against me with the magic drugs of Colchis, until I, become
a dry cinder, shall be borne along by the insulting winds." — 35. Quod
stipendium. "What atonement." — 38. Centum juvencis. "With a heca-
tomb of bullocks." — Mendaci lyra. " On the lying lyre," *. e., on the lyre
which will celebrate thee, a shameless woman, as the ornament of thy
sex. — 40. Perambulabis astra sidus aureum. " Thou shalt proudly move,
a brilliant constellation, amid the stars," *. e.t my verses will raise thee to
the stars of heaven. The verb perambulo carries with it the idea of a
proud and boastful demeanor.
41-46. 41. Infamis Helenas Castor, Sec. " Castor, offended at the
treatment of the defamed Helen," &c. An allusion to the story related
of the poet Stesichorus. Having defamed Helen in some injurious verses,
he was punished with blindness by her brothers, Castor and Pollux. On
the bard's publishing a recantation, they restored him to sight. — 44. Potes
nam. Equivalent to the Greek dvvaaai yap, and a usual form of expres-
sion in prayers and addresses to the gods. — 45. O nee paternis, Sec. "O
thou that art disgraced by no paternal stains." There is a great deal of
bitter satire in this negative mode of alluding to the pretended fairness
of Canidia's birth. — 46. Nee in sepulcris pauperum, Sec. "And art not
skilled, as a sorceress, in scattering the ninth-day ashes amid the tombs
of the poor," i. e., and knowest not what it is to go as a sorceress amid the
tombs of the poor, and scatter their ashes on the ninth day after interment.
The ashes of the dead were frequently used in magic rites, and the rules
of the art required that they must be taken from the tomb on the ninth
day after interment (not, as some without any authority pretend, on the
ninth day after death). The sepulchres of the rich were protected against
this profanation by watches (compare Dorville, ad Charit., p. 429, ed.
Lips.), and the sorceresses were therefore compelled to have recourse to
the tombs of the poor.
49-53. 49. Non saxa nudis, Sec. "The wintry main lashes not, with
swelling surge, rocks more deaf to the cry of the naked mariners than I
am to thine." — 51. Quid proderat ditasse, Sec. " Of what advantage was
it to me to have enriched Pelignian sorceresses, or to have mixed a speedi-
er potion V i. e., what have I gained by having paid Pelignian sorceresses
an extravagant sum for instructions in the magic art, or by having learn-
ed to mix a more potent draught of love ? The Peligni were situated to
the east of the Marsi, and, like them, were famed for their magic skill.
Consult note on Ode iii., 19, 8. — 53. Sed tardiora fata, Sec. "But a more
lingering destiny than what thy prayers shall demand awaits thee. A
painful existence is to be prolonged to thee, a miserable being, with this
sole view, that thou mayest continually survive for fresh inflictions pf
torture." The idea intended to be conveyed is as follows : Thy entreaties
for a cessation from suffering are fruitless. I w'll increase and prolong
those sufferings to such a degree that thou shalt pray to be released from
414 EXPLANATORY NOTES. SPECULAR HYMN.
them by a speedy death. That prayer, however, shall not be heard, and
thou shalt live on only to be exposed every moment to fresh inflictions of
torture.
5&-71. 56. Optat quietem, Sec. Examples of never-ending punishment
are here cited in Tantalus, Prometheus, and Sisyphus. — 57. Egcns benig-
nce, <5cc. On the punishment of Tantalus, consult note on Ode ii., 13, 37.
— 60. Sed vetant leges Jovis. The epic dignity of these words adds to
the ridicule of the whole piece. — 6~. Ense Norico. Consult uote on Ode
i., 16, 9. — 64. Fastidiosa tristis cegrimonia. "Afflicted with a sorrow
that loathes existence.'- — 65. Vcctabor humcris, Sec. " Then, as a rider,
shall I be borne on thy hostile shoulders," i. e., then will I cruelly triumph
over thee, my bitterest foe. The expression vectabor eques humeris is
intended as a figurative allusion to the pride and insolence of a conqueror.
So equitarc, nadnnreiiecv, nadnr~d&cdaL, «Sec. — 66. Meceque terra cedet in~
solentiaz. " And the earth shall retire from before my haughty might,"
i. e., in the haughtiness of my power I will spurn the earth, and make
thee bear me on thy shoulders through the regions of air. — 67. Quce movcre
cereas imagines possim. " Who can give animation to waxen images."
The witches of antiquity were accustomed to make small waxen images
of the persons whom they intended to influence by their spells, and it was
a prevailing ai'ticle of popular belief that, as the incantations proceeded,
these images gave signs of animation, and that the sorceresses could per-
ceive in their looks and manner the gradual effect of the magic charms
that were acting on the originals. — 68. Curiosus. The allusion seems to
be to some occasion when the " prying" poet discovered Canidia in the
midst of her sorceries. — 71. Artis exitum. "The effect of my art."
Secular Hymn. In the year of Rome 738, B.C. 17, and when Augus-
tus had consolidated the energies and restored the tranquillity of the Ro-
man world, the period arrived for the celebration of the Saecular Games.
Among the directions given in the Sibylline Books for the due perform-
ance of these solemnities, a hymn, in praise of Apollo and Diana, to whom
they were principally sacred, was ordered to be sung by a chorus of youths
and maidens. The composition of this hymn, on the present occasion,
was assigned by the emperor to Horace, and the production which we are
about to consider was the result of his labors, forming a proud monument
of talent, and one of the noblest pieces of lyric poetry that has descended
to our times. Apollo and Diana are invoked to perpetuate their favoring
influence toward the Roman name. Thrice the chorus address them, and
thrice the Roman empire is confided to their care.
If we were to judge from their name, these games would have been
celebrated once in every century or ssculum ; but we do not find that
they were celebrated with this regularity at any period of Roman history,
and the name ludi sceculares itself was never used during the time of the
republic. In order to understand their real character, we must distin-
guish between the time of the republic and of the empire, since at these
two periods these ludi were of an entirely different character.
During the time of the republic they were called ludi Tarmtini, Te-
tentini, or Taurii, while during the empire they bore the name of ludi
nrculares. Their origin is described by Valerius Maximus, who attrib-
EXPLANATORY NOTES. SiECULAll HYMN. 41 b
stes their institution to the miraculous recovery of three children of one
Valerius, who had been attacked by a plague raging at that time in Rorue,
and were restored to health by drinking some water warmed at a place
in the Campus Marti us called Tarentum. Valerius afterward offered sac-
rifices in Tarentum to Dis and Proserpina, to whom the recovery of his
children was supposed to be owing, spread lectistemia for the gods, and
held festive games for three successive nights, because his three children
bad been saved. The account of Valerius Maximus agrees in the main
with those of Ceusoriuus and of Zosimus, and all appear to have derived
their information from the ancient annalist, Valerius Antias. While, ac-
cording to this account, the Tarentiue Games were first celebrated by Va-
lerius, another legend seems to consider the fight of the Horatians and Cu-
riatians as connected with their first celebration. A third account ascribes
then- first institution to the reign of Tarquinius Superbus. A fearful plague
broke out, by which all pregnant women were affected in such a manner
that the children died in the womb. Games were then instituted to pro-
pitiate the infernal divinities, together with sacrifices of sterile cows (tau-
rae), whence the games were called ludi Taurii. These games and sac-
rifices took place in the Circus Flaminius, that the infernal divinities
might not enter the city. Festus and Censorinus ascribe the first cele-
bration to the consul Valerius Poplicola. This account admits that the
worship of Dis and Proserpina had existed long before, but states that the
games and sacrifices were now performed for the first time to avert a
plague, and in that part of the Campus Martius which had belonged to
the last king Tarquinius, from whom the place derived its name Tarentum.
Valerius Maximus and Zosimus, who knew of the celebration of these
games by Valerius Poplicola, endeavor to reconcile their two accounts by
representing the celebration of Poplicola as the second in chronological
order. Other less important traditions are mentioned by Servius and by
Varro.
As regards the names Tarentini or Taurii, they are perhaps nothing but
different forms of the same word, and of the same root as Tarquinius. All
the accounts mentioned above, though differing as to the time at which,
and the persons by whom, the Tarentine games were first celebrated, yet
agree in stating that they were celebrated for the purpose of averting
from the state some great calamity by which it had been afflicted, and
that they were held in honor of Dis and Proserpina. From the time of
the consul Valerius Poplicola down to that of Augustus, the Tarentine
Games were only held three times, and again only on certain emergen-
cies, and not at any fixed time, so that we must conclude that their cele-
bration was in no way connected with certain cycles of time {scecula).
The deities in whose honor they were held during the republic, continued,
as at first, to be Dis and Proserpina. As to the times at which these
three celebrations took place, the commentarii of the quindecimviri and
the accounts of the annalists did not agree, and the discrepancy of the
statements still extant shows the vain attempts which were made in later
times to prove that, during the republic, the games had been celebrated
once in every sreculum. All these misrepresentations and distortions
arose in the time of Augustus. Not long after he had assumed the su-
preme power in the republic, the quindecimviri announced that, accord-
ing to their books, ludi sajculares ought to be held, and, at the same time,
tried to prove from history that in former times they had not only been
416 EXPLANATORY NOT.'.4:. SECULAR HYMN.
celebrated repeatedly, but almost restxlariy once in eveiy century. The
games of which the quindecimviri made this assertion were the ludi
Tarentini.
The celebrated jurist and antiquary Aleius Capito received from the
emperor the command to determine the ceremonies, and Horace was re-
quested to compose the festive hymn for the occasion. But the festival
which was now held was in reality very different from the ancient Taren-
tine games ; for Dis and Proserpina, to whom formerly the festival be-
longed exclusively, were now the last in the list of the divinities in honor
of whom the ludi saeculares were celebrated. A description of the various
solemnities is given by Zosimus. Some days before they commenced,
heralds were sent about to invite the people to a spectacle which no one
had ever beheld, and which no one would ever behold again. Hereupon
the quindecimviri distributed, upon the Capitol and the Palatine, among
the Roman citizens, torches, sulphur, and bitumen, by which they were
to purify themselves. In the same places, and on the Aventine in the
Temple of Diana, the people received wheat, barley, and beans, which
were to be offered at night-time to the Parcae, or, according to others, were
given as pay to the actors in the dramatic representations which were
performed during the festive days. The festival took place in summer,
and lasted for three days and three nights. On the first day the games
commenced in the Tarentum, and sacrifices were offered to Jupiter, Juno,
Neptuue, Minerva, Venus, Apollo, Mercury, Ceres, Vulcan, Mars, Diana,
Vesta, Hercules, Latona, the Parca?, and to Dis and Proserpina. The so-
lemnities began at the second hour of the night, and the emperor opened
them by the river side with the sacrifice of three lambs to the Parcae, upon
three altars erected for the purpose, and which were sprinkled with the
blood of the victims. The lambs themselves were burned. A temporary
scene like that of a theatre was erected in the Tarentum, and illuminated
with lights and fires.
In this scene festive hymns were sung by a chorus, and varieu3 ether
ceremonies, together with theatrical performances, took place. During
the morning of the first day, the people went to the Capitol to offer soZemn
sacrifices to Jupiter; thence they returned to the Tarentum, to sing cho-
ruses in honor of Apollo and Diana. On the second day, the noblest mat-
rons, at an hour fixed by an oracle, assembled on the Capitol, perfovrued
supplications, sang hymns to the gods, and also visited the altar of Juno.
The emperor and the quindecimviri offered sacrifices, which had been
vowed before, to all the great divinities. On the third day, Greek and
Latin choruses were sung in the sanctuary of Apollo by three times nine
boys and maidens of great beauty, whose parents were still alive. The
object of these hymns was to implore the protection of the gods for all
cities, towns, and officers of the empire. One of these hymns was the
carmen sseculare by Horace, which was especially composed for the oc-
casion, and adapted to the circumstances of the time. During the whole
of the three days and nights, games of every desci-iption were carried on
in all the circuses and theatres, and sacrifices were offered in all the
temples.
The first celebration of the ludi soeculares in the reign of Augustus took
place in the summer of the year 17 B.C. The second took place in the
reign of Claudius, A.D. 47 ; the third in the reigu of Domitian, A.D. 88 ;
and the last in the reign of Philippus, A.D. 248, and, as was generally
EXPLANATORY NOTES. SPECULAR HYMN. 417
believed, just 100O years after the building of the city. [Diet. Antiq., s. v.
Ludi Sceculares.)
3-20. 2. Liecidum coeli decus. "Bright ornament of heaven." — -4. Tem-
pore sacro. " At this sacred season." — 5. Sibyllini versus. The Sibyl-
line verses, which have reference to the Saccular Games, are preserved
in Zosimus (ii., 6, p. 109, seqq~, ed. Reitemeier). They are also given in a
more emended form by Mitscherlich. — 6. Virgines lectas paerosque castos.
The Sibylline verses directed that the youths and maidens, which com-
posed the chorus, should be the offspring of parents that were both alive
at the time, i. e., should be patrimi and matrimi. Consult Introductory
Remarks. — 7. Septem colles. An allusion to Rome, and the seven hills
on which it was built. — 9. Curru nitido diem qui, &c. " Who with tin-
radiant chariot unfoldest and hidest the day, and arisest another and the
same," i. e., different in semblance, but the same in reality. The sun is
here said to hide the day at its setting, and to arise on the morrow a new
luminary with the new day, but in all its former splendor. — 11. Possis
visere. "Mayest thou behold." — 13. Rice maturos aperire partus, ice.
" Ilithyia, propitious in safely producing mature births, protect the Roman
mothers.'' — 1(5. Genitalis. Compare the explanation ofDdring: " Qua?
gignentes sen puerperas ope sua levat, genitur& favet, et se propitiam
pr&b?t." — 17. Producas subolem. "Bring to maturity our offspring." —
Patrum. " Of the senate." — 20. Lege marita. Alluding to the Julian
law, " De maritandis ordinibus," holding out inducements for entering
the married state, and imposing penalties on celibacy. The end of it was
to promote population, and repair the loss occasioned by the carnage of
the civil wars.
21-33. 21. Certus undenos, Sec. "That the stated revolution often
times eleven years may renew the hymns and sports, celebrated by
crowds thrice in the bright season of day, and as often in the pleasing
night." The Saccular solemnities lasted three days and three nights. —
25. Vosque veraccs cecinissc, &.c. "And do you, ye Fates, true in utter
ing what has been once determined, and what the fixed event of things
confirms, join favorable destinies to those already past." The expression
veraces cecinisse is a Graecism for veraces in canendo. Dictum is equiva-
lent to constitution afato. — 29. Tell us. The Earth is here addressed as
one of the deities, to which sacrifices were ordered to be made by the
Sibylline verses. — 30. Spicca donct Cererem corona. " Gift Ceres with a
wheaten crown." This was the usual offering to Ceres. — 16. Nutriant
fetus et aquas salubres, «5cc. "And may refreshing rains, and salubrious
breezes from Jove, nourish the productions of the fields." — 33. Condiio
telo. " With thine arrow hidden in the quiver." Apollo, with bow un-
bent, is mild and gentle ; but when, in anger, he draws the arrow from
its case, and bends his bow, he becomes the god of pestilence. [Ode ii.,
10, 20.) He is here addressed in the former of these characters. — 34. Audi
pueros. From these words, and from audi puellas, toward the close of
the stanza, it would appear that the youths and maidens Bang in alternate
chorus the respective praises of Apollo and Diana. — 33. Rcgina bicomis.
" Crescent queen." Alluding to the appearance of the moon during her
first quarter. — 37. Roma si vestrum est opus. The allusion is to the Tro-
jans having abandoned their native seats, and having been led to Italy by
418 EXPLANATORY NOTES. SiECULAR HYMN.
an oracle received from Apollo. Diaua is here joined with Apollo, and
the founding of Home is ascribed by the bard to their united auspices. —
Iliceque turmae. The reference is to " the Trojan bands'' of iEneas. —
38. Litus Etruscum. The shore of the Mare Tyrrhenum, or Lower Sea,
is meant.
41-59. 41. Sine fravde. "Without hai-m." Compare the words of
Ulpian {leg. 131, de V. S.) : " Aliud fraus est, aliud poena. Fraus enim
sine poena esse potest : poena sine fraude esse non potest. Poena est noxce
vindicla ; fraus et ipsa noxa dicitur, et qvasi poena; quccdam praparatio."
— 44. Plura relictis. "More ample possessions than those left behind,"
i. c, a more extensive empire than their native one. — 45. Di. Address-
ed to Apollo and Diana jointly. — 47. Romulce genti date rcmqne, «5cc.
"Grant to the people of Romulus prosperity, and a numerous offspring,
and every honor." By decus omne is meant every thing that can in-
crease the glory and majesty of the empire. — 49. Quique vos bubus, &c.
The allusion is now to Augustus as the representative of the Roman
name. As regards the expression bubus albis, " with milk-white steers,"
it is to be observed, that the Sibylline verses prescribed the color of the
victims (^uTievKOi ravpoi). Some read quccque in this line, and impetret
in the next, " and may the illustrious descendant of Anchise», &c, obtain
those things for which he (now) worships you," &c. — 53. Jam mari ter-
raque. In this and the succeeding stanza the poet dwells upon the glories
of the reign of Augustus, the power aud prosperity of Rome. — Manus po-
tentes. "Our powerful forces." — 54. Medus. This allusion comes in
with peculiar force, since the Roman standards taken by the Parthians
from Crassus and Antony had now been restored. Consult note on Ode
iv., 14, 41. — Albanas secures. " Tne Alban axes," i. e., the Roman power.
An allusion to the securis and fasces, as the badges of civil and military
authority. Albanas is here equivalent to Romanas, in accordance with
the received belief that Rome was a colony from Alba Longa. — 57. Jam
Fides, et Pax, &c. According to the bard, the Golden Age has now re-
turned, and has brought back with it the deities, who had fled to their
native skies, during the Iron Age, from the crimes and miseries of earth.
Compare Ilesiod, *Epy. nal 'Hfl., 197, seqq.—Pax. An allusion to the clos-
ing of the Temple of Janus. Consult note on Ode iv., 15, 8. — Pudorqne
prisons. "And the purity of earlier days." — 59. Beata pleno, &c. Com-
pare Epist. i., 12, 28 : " Aurcafruges Italics pleno defudit copia cornu."
61-73. 61. Augur, etfulgente, &c. " May Apollo, god of prophecy, and
adorned with the glittering bow," &c. — 63. Qui salutari levat arte, &c.
'•' Who with healing art relieves the languid members of our frame."
With fessos supply morbo. An allusion to Apollo as the god of medicine.
Compare the appellations bestowed upon him by the Greek poets in
reference to this : aKictoe, tjtuoc, curf/p, &c. In this stanza, it will be
perceived that the four attributes of Apollo are distinctly expressed : his
skill in oracular divination, in the use of the bow, in music, and in the
healing art. — 65. Si Palatinas vidct cequus arces. " If he looks with a
favoring eye on the Palatine summits," i. e., if he lends a favoring ear to
the solemn strains which we are now pouring forth in his temple on the
Palatine Hill.— 67. Alterum in lust nan, &c. "For another lustrum, and
an always happier age."— 69. Aventinum. Diaua had a temple on flip
EXPLANATORY NOTES. — SECULAR HYMN. 419
Aventine Hill. — Algidum. Consult note on Ode i., 21, 6. — 70. Quindc-
dm preces virorum. The Quindecemvir, to whose custody the Sibylline
Dooks were confided, always began their consultation of these oracles with
prayers. To them also was intrusted the general superintendence of
the Soecular solemnities. — 73. Heec Jovem sentire, &c. The order of con-
struction is as follows : Ego chorus, doctus dicere laudes et Phcebi el
Dia nee, reporto domum bonam certamque spent, Jovem cunctosquc deos
sentire heec. This proceeds from the united chorus of youths and maidens,
who, being represented by their coryphaeus, or leader, appear as a single
individual. In our own idiom, however, the plural must be substituted :
We. the chorus," «See. — Heec sentire. " Ratify these our prayers." Sen
tire is here used in the sense of sancire.
A T I R E S.
ON ROMAN SATIRE,
The scholars of earlier days were accustomed to dispute, with no little
degree of ardor, ou the origin of Roman Satire, as well as on the mean-
ing of the term by which this species of composition is wont to be desig-
nated. The Abbe Gamier defines a Satire to be a poem without any
regular action, of a certain length, either indulging in invective, or of an
ironical character, and directed against the vices and the failings of men
with a view to their correction. Was Satire, regarded in this light, an in-
vention of the Romans, or did they, in this branch of literature, as in al-
most every other, merely follow in the path of some Grecian original ?
Julius Scaliger, Daniel Heinsius, and Spanheim have maintained the lat-
ter opinion, in opposition to Horace and Qnintilian, whose authority has
been supported and defended by Casaubon. This whole controversy,
however, proved eventually, like so many others of a similar nature, only
a dispute about words, and it ceased the moment the subject was clear-
ly understood. Dacier, Koenig, and other writers are entitled, after Ca-
saubon, to the merit of having cleared up the question to such a degree
as to render any further discussion unnecessary.
We must, above all things, guard against confounding together two
terms which have an accidental resemblance in form, but quite different
etymologies, the Greek Satyre and the Roman Satire. The former was
a species of jocose drama, in which Satyrs were made to play the prin-
cipal part, and hence the appellation which it received. We have but
one piece of this kind remaining, the Cyclops of Euripides. On the other
hand, the Roman Satire, the invention of which is ascribed by the ancient
writers to Ennius, differed from the Satyre of the Greeks iu that, being
without a plot, and embracing no regular and continued action, it was in-
tended for the closet, not for the stage. This Satire was neither a drama,
an'epic poem, nor a lyric effusion. Neither was it a didactic piece, in the
sh'ict sense of the word, according to which a did? ctic poem is taken to
signify a production in verse, which develops, not a single truth, but a
system of truths, or rather a doctrine, and not in a transitory manner or
by way of digression, but with method and formal reasoning. The an-
cients regarded each species of verse as belonging peculiarly to one par-
ticular kind of poetry. Thus the hexameter was reserved for epic and
didactic poems ; the hexameter and pentameter, alternately succeeding
each other, were employed in elegiac effusions; the iambic was used in
dramatic compositions, while the different lyric measures were devoted
io the species of poetry which bore that name. Now the Satire of En-
nius deviated from this rule in excluding none of these several metres.
All rhythms suited it equally well, and the old poet employed them all in
their turn. It is from this medley of verses, thus employed, that the name
of Satires {Satires) was given to these productions of Ennius. Among
the Romans, a platter or basin, filled with all sorts of fruits, was offered
EXPLANATORY NOTES. ON ROMAN SATIRE. 421
np every year to Ceres and Bacchus as the first fruits of the season. This
was termed Satura or Satira, the word lanx being understood. In like
manner, a law containing several distinct particulars or clauses was de-
nominated Lex Satura. From these examples, the peculiar meaning of
the term Satires, in the case of Ennius, will be clearly perceived.
After Ennius came Pacuvius, wTho took the former for his model. So
few fragments, however, remain of his writings, as to render it impossible
for us to form any definite opinion of his satirical productions. Lucilius
succeeded, and effected an important change in this species of composi-
tion, by giving the preference, and in some instances exclusively so, to the
hexameter verse. From the greater air of regularity which this altera-
tion produced, as well as from the more didactic form of his pieces, in their
aiming less at comic effect than those of Ennius, and more at the improve-
ment of others by the correction of vice, Lucilius, and not Ennius, was re-
garded by many of the ancients as the father of Satire. After his time,
the hexameter versification came to be regarded as the proper garb for
this species of poetry, and the word Satire passed from its primitive sig-
nification to the meaning given it at the commencement of these remarks,
and which has been also retained in our own days.
The finishing hand to Roman Satire was put by Horace. Thus far he
has been viewed as the great master of Roman lyric poetry, whether
amatory, convivial, or moral. We have still to consider him as a satiric,
humorous, or familiar writer, in which character (though he chiefly valued
himself on his odes) he is more instructive, and perhaps equally pleasing.
He is also more of an original poet in his Satires than in his lyric compo-
sitions. Daniel Heinsius, indeed, in his confused and prolix dissertation,
" Dc Satira Horatiana," has pointed out several passages, which he
thinks have been suggested by the comedies and satiric dramas of the
Greeks. If, however, we except the dramatic form which he has given
to so many of his Satires, it will be difficult to find any general resem-
blance between them and those productions of the Greek stage which are
at present extant. Satire had remained, in a great measure, uncultivated
at Rome since the time of Lucilius, who imitated the writers of the Greek
comedy, in so far as he unsparingly satirized the political leaders of the
state. But Horace did not live, like the Greek comedians, in an unre-
strained democracy, nor, like Lucilius, under an aristocracy, in which
there was a struggle for power, and court was in consequence occasional-
ly paid to the people.
Satire, more than any other kind of poetry, is influenced by the spirit
and manners of the age in which it appears. These are, in fact, the ali-
ment on which it feeds ; and, accordingly, in tracing the progress which
had been made in this species of composition, from the time of Lucilius
till the appearance of that more refined satire which Horace introduced, it
is important to consider the changes that had taken place during this inter-
val, both in the manners of the people and the government of the country.
The accumulation of wealth naturally tends to the corruption of a land.
But a people who, like the Romans, suddenly acquire it by war, confisca
tions, and pillage, degenerate more quickly than the nations among whom
4^2 EXPLANATORY NOTES. ON ROMAN SATIRE.
it is collected by the slower processes of art, commerce, and industry. At
Rome a corruption of morals, occasioned chiefly by an influx of wealth,
had commenced in the age of Lucilius ; but virtue had still further declined
in that of Horace. Lucilius ai'rayed himself on the side of those who af-
fected the austerity of ancient manners, and who tried to stem the torrent
of vice, which Greece and the Oriental nations even then began to pour
into the heart of the republic. By the time of Horace, the bulwark had
been broken down, and those who reared it swept away. Civil war had
burst asunder the bonds of society ; property had become insecure ; and
the effect of this general dissolution remained even after the government
was steadily administered by a wise and all-powerful despot. Rome had
become not only the seat of universal government and wealth, but also
the centre of attraction to the whole family of adventurers, the magnet
which was perpetually drawing within its circle the collected worthless
ness of the world. Expense, and luxury, and love of magnificence had
succeeded to the austerity and moderation of the ancient republic. The
example, too, of the chief minister, inclined the Romans to indulge in that
voluptuous life, which so well accorded with the imperial plans for the
stability and security of the government. A greater change of manners
was produced by the loss of liberty than even by the increase of wealth.
The voice of genuine freedom had been last heard in the last Philippic of
Cicero. Some of the distinguished Romans, who had known and prized
the republican forms of government, had fallen in the field of civil conten-
tion, or been sacrificed during the proscriptions. Of those who survived,
many were conciliated by benefits and royal favor, while others, in the
enjoyment of the calm that followed the storms by which the state had
been lately agitated, acquiesced in the imperial sway as now affording
the only security for property and life. Courtly compliance, in conse-
quence, took place of that boldness and independence which characterized
& Roman citizen in the age of Lucilius. The senators had now political
superiors to address, and the demeanor which they had employed toward
the emperor and his advisers became habitual to them in their intercourse
with their equals. Hence there prevailed a politeness of behavior and
conversation, which differed both from the roughness of Cato the censor,
and from the open-hearted urbanity of Scipio of Laelius. Satires, direct-
ed, like those of Lucilius, and the comic writers of Greece, against politi-
cal characters in the state, were precluded by the unity and despotism
of power. If Lucilius arraigned in his verses Mutius and Lupus, he was
supported by Scipio and Laelius, or some other heads of a faction. But in
the time of Horace there were no political leaders except those tolerated
by the emperor, and who would have protected a satirist in the Augustan
age from the resentment of Maecenas or Agrippa?
The rise and influence of men like Maecenas, in whom power and wealth
were united with elegant taste and love of splendor, introduced what in
modern times has been called fashion. They, of course, were frequently
imitated in their villas and entertainments by those who had no preten-
sions to emulate such superiors, or who vied with them ungracefully. The
weaLny freedman and provincial magistrate rendered themselves ridicu-
lous by this species of rivalry, and supplied endless topics of sportive
satire; for it would appear that Maecenas, and those within the pale of
fashion, had not made that progress in true politeness which induces
EXPLANATORY NOTES. ON ROMAN SATIRE. 423
either to slum the society of sucli pretenders, or to endare it without con-
tributing to their exposure. Hence the pictures of the self-importance
and ridiculous dress of Aufidius Luscus, and the entertainment of Xasi-
dienus, to which Maecenas carried his buffoons along with him to contribute
to the sport which the absurdities of their host supplied.
In the time of Augustus, the practice, which in modern times has been
termed legacy-hunting, became literally a profession and employment.
Those who followed it did not, like the parasites of old, content them-
selves with the offals from the board of a patron. Assiduous flattery, paid
to a wealthy and childless bachelor, was considered at Rome as the sur-
est and readiest mode of enrichment, after the confiscations of property
were at an end, and the plundering of provinces was prohibited. The
desire of amassing wealth continued, though the methods by which it was
formerly gained were interdicted, and the Romans had not acquired those
habits which might have procured it more honorable gratification.
About the same period, philosophy, which had never made much prog-
ress at Rome, was corrupted and perverted by vain pretenders. The un-
bending principles of the Stoics in particular had been carried to so ex-
travagant a length, and were so little in accordance with the feelings of
the day, or manners of a somewhat voluptuous court, *iiat whatever ridi-
cule was cast upon them could scarcely fail to be generally acceptable
and amusing.
In the age of Augustus the Romans had become a nation ot poets, and
many who had no real pretensions to the character sought to occupy, in
rhyrning, that time which, in the days of the republic, would have been
employed in more worthy exertions. The practice, too, of recitations to
friends, or in public assemblies, was introduced about the same period ;
and it was sometimes no easy matter to escape from the vanity and im-
portunity of those who were predetermined to delight their neighbors
with the splendor and harmony of their verses. In short, foppery and ab-
surdity of every species prevailed ; but the Augustan age was one rather
of folly than of atrocious crime. Augustus had done much for the restora-
tion of good order and the due observance of the laws, and, though the
vices of luxury had increased, the salutary effects of his administration
checked those more violent offences that so readily burst forth amid the
storms of an agitated republic. Nor did the court of Augustus present
that frightful scene of impurity and cruelty which, in the reign of Domi-
tian, raised the scorn, and called forth the satiric indignation of Juvenal.
In the time of Horace, Rome was rather a theatre, where inconsistency
and folly performed the chief parts, and where nothing better remained
for the wise than to laugh at the comedy which was enacted.
That Horace was not an indifferent spectator of this degradation of his
country, appears from his glowing panegyrics on the ancient patriots of
Rome, his retrospects to a better age, and to the simplicity of the "pritca
gens mortalium." But no better weapon was left him than the lirrlit
shafts of ridicule. What could he have gaiued by pursuing the grri
sword in hand, as it were, like Luciiius, or arrogating to himself an
courtiers and men of the world th-e character of an ancient censor ?
424 EXPLANATORY NOTES. SATIRE I.
tone which lie struck was the only one that suited the period and circuin
stances: it pervades the whole of his satires, and is assumed, whatever
may be the folly or defects winch he thinks himself called on to expose.
A wide field, in those days, was left open for satire, as its province was
not restricted or preoccupied by comedy. At Rome there never had been
any national drama in which Roman life was exhibited to the public. The
plays of Terence and his contemporaries represented Greek, not Roman
manners; and toward the close of the republic and commencement of the
empire, the place of the regular comedy was usurped by mimes or pan-
tomimes. All the materials, then, which in other countries have been
seized by writers for the stage, were exclusively at the disposal and com-
mand of the satirist. In the age of Louis XIV., Boileau would scarcely
have ventured to draw a full-length portrait of a misanthrope or a hypo-
ci'ite ; but Horace encountered no Moliere, on whose department he might
dread to encroach, and, accordingly, his satires represent almost every
diversity of folly incident to human nature. Sometimes, too, he bestows
on his satires, at least to a certain extent, a dramatic form, and thus avails
himself of the advantages which the drama supplies. By introducing va-
rious characters discoursing in their own style, and expressing their own
peculiar sentiments, he obtained a wider range than if every thing had
seemed to flow from the pen of the author. How could he have displayed
the follies and foibles of the age so well as in the person of a slave, per-
fectly acquainted with his master's private life ? how could he have ex-
hibited the extravagance of a philosophic sect so justly as from the mouth
of the pretended philosopher, newly converted to Stoicism? or how could
he have described the banquet of Nasidienus with such truth as from the
lips of a guest who had been present at the entertainment ?
Horace had also at his uncontested disposal all those materials which,
in modei'n times, have contributed to the formation of the novel or ro-
mance. Nothing resembling that attractive species of composition ap-
peared at Rome before the time of Petronius Arbiter, in the reign of Nero.
Hence those comic occurrences on the street, at the theatre, or entertain-
ments ; the humors of taverns ; the adventures of a campaign or journey,
which have supplied a Le Sage and a Fielding with such varied exhibi-
tions of human life and manners, were all reserved untouched for the Sa-
tiric Muse to combine, exaggerate, and diversify. The chief talent of
Horace's patrons, Augustus and Maecenas, lay in a true discernment of
the tempers and abilities of mankind; and Horace himself was distin-
guished by his quick perception of character, and his equal acquaintance
with books and men. These qualifications and habits, and the advantages
derived from them, will be found apparent in almost every satire. (Dun-
lop's Roman Literature, vol. iii., p. 239, seqq. Sclioll, Hist. Lit. Rom.,
vol. i., p. 143, seqq.)
Satire I. A desire of amassing enormous wealth was one of the most
prevalent passions of the time, and, amid the struggles of civil warfare,
the lowest of mankind had succeeded in accumulating fortunes. It is
against this inordinate rage that the present satire is directed. In a dia-
logue, supposed to be held between the poet and a miser, the former
exposes the folly of those who occupy themselves solely in the acquisition
EXPLANATORY XOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE I. 425
of wealth, and replies to all the arguments which the miser adduces in
favor of hoarding. {Dunlop's Roman Literature, vol. iii., p. 247.)
1-10. 1. Qui Jit, Mcecenas, Sec. The construction is as follows : Qui
Jit, Mcecenas, xit nemo vivat contentus ilia sorte, quam sortem ecu ratio
dederit, seu fors objecerit, (sed) laudet sequentes di versa. "How happens
it, Maecenas, that no man lives contented with that lot. -which either re-
flection may have given him, or chance have thrown in his way, hut rather
deems their condition enviable, who follow pursuits in life that are dif-
ferent from his own?'' Ratiohere denotes that deliberation and reflection
which direct our choice in selecting a career for life. — 3. Laudet. We
must mentally supply quisque from nemo, as a subject for laudet, although
there is, in reality, no ellipsis of it. (Heindorf, ad loc.) — 4. O fortunati
mercatores. "Ah! ye happy traders." As regards the peculiar meaning1
of the term mercator, consult note on Ode i., 1, 16. — Gravis annis. " Bow-
ed down by long years of military service," i. e., after long service and
little remuneration. — 7. Militia est potior. "A soldier's life is better,"
i. e., than this which I pursue. — Quid enim ? M Why, then, (is it) ?" i. e.,
why, then, does he think it preferable. Quid is governed by ob under-
stood. Compare the Greek rt yap. — Concurritur. "The combatants en-
gage." Taken impersonally. — Horce momento. "In an hour's space."
Momenio is contracted from movimento, "in the motion," i. e., in the space.
— 9. Juris lesrumqueperitus. "The lawyer." Literally, "he who is versed
in the principles of justice and in the laws." — 10. Sub galli cantum, Sec.
" "When a client knocks, by cock-crow, at his door." The Roman lawyer;;
received their clients early in the morning; but here the client rouses him
at the period called Gallicinium, or the first cock-crow, about three o'clocl;
in the morning.
11-22. 11. llle, datis vadibus, Sec. " He who, having given bail for his
appearance, has been forced from the country into the city." The allusion
is to the defendant in a suit. In the Roman courts of law, as in our own,
the plaintiff required that the defendant should give bail for his appear-
ance in court (vades) on a certain day, which was usually the third day
after. Hence the plaintiff was said vadari reum, and the defendant vades
dare, or vadimonium promittere. — 14. Fabium. The individual here named
appears to have been a loquacious and tiresome personage, but whether
a philosopher or a lawyer is uncertain. — 15. Quo rem deducam. " To what
conclusion I will bring the whole affair." — 18. Mutatis partibus. " Your
conditions in life being changed." Partes is a term borrowed from the
language of the stage, and denotes a part or character sustained by one
— Eia! quid statis? "Come! why do you stand here?" i. e., why do
you not go and assume the different characters for which you are longing?
(Compare Hand, ad Tins., ii., p. 364.) — 19. Nolint. "They will be un-
willing (to accept the offer)." The subjunctive is here employed, because
the sentence depends on si qnis dicat which precedes. — Atqui licet este
beatis. " And yet they have it in their power to be happy." A Graecism
for licet iis esse beatos. — 20. Merito qttin ill is, Sec. ""Why justly offended
Jove may not puff out against them both his cheeks." The poet draws
rather a ludicrous picture of angry Jove, swelling with indignation. Per-
haps, however, it is on this very account more in keeping with the con
text.— 22. Facilem. "Ready."
426 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE I.
23-37. 23. Prceterea, ne sic, &c. " But, not to run over a matter ctf this
kind in a laughing way, as they who handle sportive themes." — 23. Olim.
"Sometimes." — 26. Doctores. "Teachers." The poet institutes a com-
parison, no less amusing than just, between the pedagogue on the one
hand, and the iEsopean or Socratic instructor on the other. The former
bribes his little pupils "to learn their letters" by presents of "cake," the
latter makes instruction palatable to the full-grown children whom they
address by arraying it in the garb of mirth and pleasantry. — 27. Sed tamen.
"But still." These particles, as well as the simple sed, igitur, autem,
&c, are elegantly used to continue a sentence or idea which has been in-
terrupted by a parenthesis. — 29. Perfidus hie cautor. "This knavish
lawyer." As regards the term cautor, compare the remark of Valart :
"Cautor vocabulum juris est: cavere enim, unde cautor, omnes consulti
partes significant et implct." The common text has caupo, " a tavern-
keeper" or "landlord." Cautor is an emendation of Schrader's. — 32.
Quum sibi sint congesta cibaria. "When a provision for life shall have
been collected by them." — 33. Parvula ma gni formica laboris. "The
little ant of great industry." The epithets parvula and magni present a
very pleasing antithesis. — Nam exemplo est. " For it is the example they
use," i. e., it is the example or instance which they are fond of citing. Sup-
ply Mis. — 35. Hand ignara ac non incauta fuluri. " Not ignorant nor im-
provident of the future." — 36. Qua?. " (Yes), but she." The poet here
suddenly breaks in and turns their argument against them. The ant u$es
what she has collected, but you do not. Observe that qua, beginning a
clause, is here equivalent to at ca. (Heindorf, ad loc.) — Simul inversum
contristat, &c. "As soon as Aquarius saddens the ended year." The year
is here considered as a circle constantly turning round and renewing its
course. Hence the epithet inversus ("inverted," i. e., brought to a close)
which is applied to it when one revolution is fully ended and another is
just going to commence. The allusion in the text is to the beginning of
winter. According to Porpbyrion, the sun passed into Aquarius on the
seventeenth day before the calends of February (16th of January), and
storms of rain and severe cold mai'ked the whole period of its continuance
in that sign of the zodiac. — 37. Et Mis utitur ante, &c. "And wisely
uses those stores which it has previously collected." The ant shows more
wisdom than the miser, in using, not boarding up, its gathered stores.
38-47. 38. Neque fervidus astus, &c. The allusion is here to things vio-
lent in themselves, and which every moment threaten injury or destruction.
"Neither the scorching heat of summer, nor the winter's cold, fire, ship-
wreck, or the sword." — 40. Dum. "Provided." — 41. Quid juvat immen-
sum, &c. " What pleasure does it yield thee timidly to bury in the earth,
dug up by stealth to receive it, an immense sum of silver and of gold ?" —
43. Quod, si comminuas, &c. The miser is here supposed to answer in
defence of his conduct. "Because, if once thou beginnest to take from it,
it may be reduced to a wretched as." Therefore, argues the miser, it had
better remain untouched in the earth. — 44. At, ni id Jit, &c. The poet
here replies to the misers argument. "But, unless this is done (i. e., un-
less thou breakest in upon thy wealth), what charms does the accumulated
hoard contain?" — 45. Mtllia frumenti tua triverit, &c. "Thy threshing
floor may have yielded a hundred thousand measures of grain; still thy
etomacb will contain, on that account, no more of it than mine." With
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE I. 421
centum millia supply modionnn. — 47. Reticulum. "A netted bag." Retic-
ulum, called by Varro Panarium (L. L., iv., 22), was a species of sack or
bag, wrought in the form of a net, in which the slaves were wont to car-
ry bread. Tbe Italians bave this custom at the present day. — Venales.
Equivalent to servos.
50-56. 50. Vivcnti. A dative after the impersonal refert, as in the pres-
int instance, is unusual, but can not, therefore, be pronounced incorrect, as
some maintain it to be, who substitute viventis. It must be regarded as
a dativus commodi. (Consult Ramshorn, Gramm., § 114, p. 336 ; Reisig,
Sprachl., p. 673.) — Jugcra. Commonly rendered " acres." For the true
dimensions, however, of the jugerum, consult Diet. Ant., s. v. — 51. At
suave est, &c. A new argument on the part of the miser. " But it is
pleasing to take from a large heap." — 52. Dum ex parvo nobis, &c. We
nave here the poet's reply, simple and natural, and impossible to be con-
troverted. "If thou permittest us to take just as much from our small
heap, why shouldst thou extol thy granaries above our humble corn-bask-
ets ?" i. e., while our wants can be as easily supplied from our scanty
stores, what advantage have thy granaries over our small corn-baskets I"
By cumera is meant a species of basket or hamper for holding grain
Orelli says that the Sicilians at the present day use baskets for holding
grain, made of reeds and twigs, which they call canicci. We have given
granaria here, with Hemdorf, its ordinary meaning; according to Palla
dius, however (i., 19), they were the ccllce, "bins," in the horreum, ir
which the different kinds of grain were kept. But compare Otto, ad Cic.
de Fin., ii., 26. — 54. Liquidi non amplius urna vel cyatho. "No more
than a pitcher or cup of water." Liquidum is here used substantively,
like the Greek vypov. The urna, strictly speaking, was half an amphora,
which last contained 5 gallons 7.577 pints. The cyathus contained »0825
of a pint English. It was, in later times at least, the measure of the
common drinking-glass among the Romans, who borrowed it from the
Greeks. — 56. Quam ex hoc fonticulo. " Than from this little fountain
that flows at my feet." — Eojit, plenior ut si quos, &c. The idea intend-
ed to be conveyed is this : Hence it happens, that if any, despising the
humble fountain, prefer to draw from the stream of some large and im-
petuous river like the Aufidus, being seized by its current they will be
swept away and perish amid the waters ; i. e., those who, not content
with humble means, are continually seeking for more extensive yjosses-
sions, will eventually suffer for their foolish and insatiable cupidity. As
regards the Aufidus, consult note on Ode iii., 30, 10.
61-68. 61. At bona pars hominum, &c. After having proved by unan-
swerable arguments that riches, except we use them, have nothing valu-
able, beautiful, or agreeable, the poet here anticipates an objection which
a miser might possibly make, that this love of money is only a desire of
reputation, since we are always esteemed in proportion to our wealth.
This objection might have some weight, for a love of public esteem has
virtue in it. But the miser falsely disguises his avarice under the name
of a more innocent passion, and wilfully mistakes. {Deccpta cup/dine
falso.) — 62. Quia tanti, quantum habeas, sis. "Because thou wilt be
esteemed in proportion to thy wealth." — 63. Quid facias illi ? " What
wilt thou do with such a one as this ?" — 64. Quatenus. " Since " Equiv-
428 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE I.
alent to quandoquidem. — 68. Tantalus a labris, &c. The idea intended
to be conveyed is this : Thou who merely gazest on thy money hoarded
up in thy coffers without putting it to any use, or deriving any benefit
from it, art like Tantalus, who, tormented with thirst, catches in vain at
the water that escapes from his lips. This is supposed to be addressed
by the poet, not to the miser with whom he has been reasoning, but to
the sordid Athenian whom he has just been picturing to the view. On
hearing the allusion to Tantalus, the miser bursts into a laugh, and the
poet turns upon him with the question Quid rides ? The miser laughs at
the poet's citing what the prevalent skepticism of the day regarded as one
of a mere tissue of fables.
69-79. 69. Mvtato nomine, Sec. "The name changed, the story is told of
thee." The train of ideas is as follows : Dost thou laugh, and ask what
Tantalus is to thee ? Change names with Tantalus, and thou wilt occupy
his place ; for, as he saw the water before his eyes and yet could not taste
it, so thou gazest upon thy money, but derivest no benefit from the accu-
mulated hoard. — 70. Congestis undique saccis, &c. "Gaping at them
with eager admiration, thou makest thy bed upon thy money-bags, brought
together from on all sides." The miser makes his bed upon his bags, in
order to guard them the better ; and he keeps gazing eagerly at them, as
if he would devour them in his delight, until nature overpowers him, and
he falls asleep upon them. Undique refers to the circumstance of his
wealth's being accumulated in every way. A striking picture of the dis-
turbed and restless slumbers of the miser, who, even in his sleeping mo-
ments, appears engrossed with the thoughts of his darling treasure. —
71. Et tanquam pay-cere sacris, Sec. "And art obliged to spare them as
if sacred offerings," &c., i. e., thy avarice will no more let thee use thy
money than if the coins were the sacred offerings in some temple, which
it would be impiety to touch, and gives you no more enjoyment of them
than if they were paintings, which only give pleasure to the sight.
{Keigktley, ad loc.) — 73. Nescis quo valeat nummus ? " Art thou ignorant
of the true value of money'?" Literally, " Knowest thou not in what di-
rection money may avail 1" — 74. Vini sextarius. "A pint of wine." The
sextarius was one sixth of the congius, whence its name. It was about
an English pint. — Adde queis liumana, Sec. " Add those other comforts,
which being withheld from her, human nature will experience pain," i. e.,
those comforts which nature can not want without pain. — 77. Malosfurcs.
" Wicked thieves." The poet imitates here the simplicity of the Homeric
idiom : thus we have in Homer, nandc ■d-dvaroc, " evil death ;" nanbc jud-
poc, K.a.K.7] vovaoc, Sec. — 78. Ne te compilent fugientes. "Lest they rob
thee, and abscond." — 79. Semper ego optarim, Sec. " For my part, I wish
to be ever very poor in such possessions as these," i. e., I never wish to
come to the possession of such burdensome and care-producing riches.
80-100. 80. At si condoluit, Sec. The miser here rallies, and advances
a new argument. When sickness comes upon us, our wealth, according
to him, will secure us good and faithful attendance, and we shall speedily
be restored to the domestic circle. — Tcntatum frigorc. "Attacked with
the chill of fever." — 81. Habes qui assideat. " Thou hast one to sit by thy
bed-side." — 82. Fomenta paret. "To prepare warm fomentations." — Ut
te suscitct. " To raise thee from the bed of sickness," or, more freely, " to
- EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE I. 429
restore thee to health." — 84. N071 uxor salvum te vult, &c. The indignant
reply of the poet. — 85. Pueri atque puellae. " The very children in the
streets." — 86. Post ovinia ponas. A tmesis for postponas omnia. — 88. An
sic cognatos, &c. " Or dost thou purpose, by such a course of conduct as
this, to retain those relations whom nature of her own accord gives thee,
and to keep them thy frieuds I" i. e., dost thou fancy to thyself that thy
relations will continue to love thee, when all thy affections are centred in
thy gold ? — 90. Infelix. The vocative. — 94. Parto quod avebas. "What
thou didst desire being now obtained." Understand eo. — 95. Qui, tarn,
&.C. "Who, (the story is not long), so rich that he measured his money."
We have given qui, tain, with Bentley. The common text has quidam.
— 97. Ad usque supremum tern pus. "To the very last moment of his
life." — 100. Fortissimo Tyndaridarum. " Bravest of the children of Tyn-
darus," i. e., a second Clytemnestra. The poet likens the freed-woman to
Clytemnestra, who slew her husband Agamemnon, and, in so doing, proved
herself, as he ironically expresses it, the bravest of the Tyndaridte. This
term, Tyndaridcr, though of the masculine gender, includes the children
of Tyndarus of both sexes.
101-106. 101. Quid mi igitur suades, <Scc. " What, then, dost thou ad-
vise ma to do? To live like Maenius, or in the "way that Nomentanus
does?" Maenius aud Nomentanus appear to have been two dissipated
prodigals of the day, and the miser, in whose eyes any, even the most
trifling expenditure, seems chargeable with extravagance, imagines, with
characteristic spirit, that the poet wishes him to turn spendthrift at once.
The scholiast says that Nomentanus spent 700,000 sesterces on his table
and pleasures. — 102. Pergis pugnantia secum, &c. We have here the
poet's reply, "Art thou going to unite things that are plainly repugnant ?"
Literally, "things that contend together with opposing fronts." A meta-
phor taken from the combats of animals, particularly of rams. — 103. Xo/i
ego, avarum, &c. " "When I bid thee cease to be a miser, I do not order
thee to become a spendthrift and a prodigal.'' Vappa properly denotes
palled or insipid wine : it is thence figuratively applied to one whose ex-
travagance and debaucheries have rendered him good for nothing. The
origin of the term nebulo is disputed. — 105. Est inter Tanain quiddam,
&c. " There is some difference, certainly, between Tanais and the father-
in-law of Visellus." The poet offers the example of two men, as much
unlike as the miser is to the prodigal. Compare the remark of During :
" Tanais, Macenalis liberties, spado, at socer quidem Yiselli herniosus
fuisse dicitur. Multum inter se differebant igitur isli duo homines." —
106. Est modus in rebus, &c. "There is a mean in all things ; there are,
in fine, certain fixed limits, on either side of which what is right can not
be found." Rectum is here equivalent to the to bpdov of the Greeks
(" Quod ad certam normam recti Jit").
108-120. 103. llluc unde abii redeo. The poet now returns to the prop-
osition with which he originally set out, that all men are dissatisfied with
their respective lots. — Neman' ut avarus, &c. "Will no man, like the
miser, think himself happy, and will he rather deem their condition envi-
able who ' are different from his own?" — 112,
' Will he pi Lie with envy ' " — ]
\nd will he not compare himself with the greater m
430 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., 8AVI3E II.
of those who are less supplied than himself with the comforts of life?"— <
114. Carceribus. "From the barriers." Consult note on Ode i., 1, 4. —
115. Suos vinccntibus. " That outstrip his own." Understand cquos. —
120. Ne me Crispini, &c. " Lest thou mayest think that I have been rob-
bing the portfolio of the hlear-eyed Crispinus. ' The individual here allud-
ed to would seem to have been a ridiculous philosopher and poet of the
day, and notorious for his garrulity. (Compare Sat., i., 3, 139.) Accord-
ing to the scholiast, he wrote some verses on the Stoic philosophy, and,
on account of his loquacity, received the appellation of aperdXoyoc. "Why
Horace should here style him "blear-eyed," when he labored under this
defect himself (Sat., i., 5, 30 and 49), has given rise to considerable dis-
cussion among the commentators. The explanation of Doringis the most
reasonable. This critic supposes that Horace, having been called by
Crispinus, and other of his adversaries, " the blear-eyed poet," through
contempt, now hurls back this epithet (lippus) upon the offenders, with
the intent, however, that it should refer rather to the obscurity which
shrouded their mental vision.
Satire II. "In the previous satire," remarks Watson, "Horace had
observed that there was a measure in things ; that there were fixed and
stated bounds, out of which it would be in vain to look for what was
right. Yet so it is with the greater part of mankind, that, instead of
searching for virtue where reason directs, they always run from one ex-
treme to another, and despise that middle way where alone they can have
any chance to find her. The design of the poet in the present satire is to
expose the folly of this course of conduct, and to show men that they
thereby plunge themselves into a wider and more unfathomable sea of
misery, increase their wants, and ruin both their reputation and their for-
tune ; whereas, would men be but prevailed upon to live within the
bounds prescribed by nature, they might avoid all these calamities, and
have wherewith to supply their real wants. He takes occasion from the
death of Tigellius, a well-known singer, to begin with observing the va-
rious judgments men pass upon actions and character, according to their
different humors. Some commend a man as liberal and generous, whom
others censure as profuse and extravagant. From this difference of judg-
ment proceeds a difference of behavior, in which men seldom observe any
degree of moderation, bat always run from one extreme to another. One,
disdaining to be thought a miser, profusely squanders away his estate ;
another, fearing to be accounted negligent in his affairs, practices all the
unjustifiable methods of extortion, and seeks in every way to better his
fortune. Thus it happens that the middle course is neglected; for
" ' Dum vitemt sliilli vilia, in contraria currunt.'
The poet then proceeds to show that the same observation holds good in
all the other pursuits of life, as well as in those several passions by which
men are commonly influenced. Fancy and inclination usually determine
them, when little or no regard is paid to the voice of reason. Hence he
takes occasion to attack two of the reigning vices of his time."
1-11. 1. Ambubaiarum collegia, &c. "The colleges of music-girls, the
quacks, the sharping vagabonds, the female mime-playcrs, the trencher-
cousins of Uie day," &e. The Ambubaice were female flute-players and
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIZE II. 431
dancers, from Syria. The morals of this class of females may be ascer-
tained from Juvenal, iii., 62. They were accustomed to wander about the
Forum and the streets of the capital, and the poet very pleasantly applies
here to their strolling bands the dignified appellation of collegia, a term
reserved at Rome for legal associations, such as that of the augurs. —
Pkannacopolce. Not " apothecaries," as some translate the term, but
rather wandering quacks, armed with panaceas and nostrums. — 2. Men-
did. The allusion here is not to actual mendicants, but to the priests of
Isis and Cybele, and other persons of this stamp, who, while in appear-
ance and conduct but little removed from mendicity, practiced every mode
of cheating and imposing upon the lower orders. — Mima*. These were
female players of the most debauched and dissolute kind. — Balatroncs.
The various explanations given of this term render it difficult to determ-
ine what the true meaning is. Our translation accords with the remark
of Doring, who makes the word denote the whole class of low and dirty
parasites. Festus says that the proper meaning of this word was the
clots of mud that adhered to people's clothes or shoes after a journey. It
then was applied to the scurrce, perhaps, as Orelli says, because they
stuck to the rich man like dirt to the shoes. (Keightley, ad loc.) — 3. Ti-
gelli. The reference is to M. Hermogenes Tigellius, a native of Sardinia,
and a w oil-known singer and musician of the day, who had stood high in
favor with Julius Caesar, and after him with Augustus. He seems to have
been indebted for his elevation to a fine voice, and a courtly and insinua-
ting address. His moral character may be inferred from those who are
said here to deplore his death, and on whom he would appear to have
squandered much of his wealth. — 4. Quippe benignus erat. " For he was
a kind patron." — Contra hie. The reference is now to some other indi-
vidual of directly opposite character. — 7. Hume si perconteris, &c. " If
thou ask a third, why, lost to every better feeling, he squanders the noble
inheritance of his ancestors in uugrateful gluttony." — 8. Stringat. The
allusion is properly a figurative one to the stripping off the leaves from a
branch. — 9. Omnia conductis coemeas, &c. "Buying up with borrowed
money every rare and dainty viand." The lender is said locare pecuni-
am, the borrower, conducere pecuniam. — 10. Animi parvi. " Of a mean
spirit." — 11. Laudatur ab his, *5cc. " For this line of conduct, he is com-
mended by some, he is censured by others."
12-20. 12. Fujidius. A noted usurer. — Vappce famam timet ac ne-
bulonis. Consult note en Satire i., 1, 104. — 13. Positisinfenorc. "Laid
out at interest." Pecuniam in fenore poncre is used for pecuniam fenort
dare. — 14. Quirias hie capi'i, »xe. "He deducts from the principal five
common interests." Among the Romans, as among the Greeks, money
was lent from month to month, and the interest for the month preceding
was paid on the calends of the next. The usual rate was one as month-
ly for the use of a hundred, or twelve per cent, per annum ; which was
called usura centesima, because in a hundred months the interest equalled
the principal. In the present case, however, Fuiidius charges five per
cent, monthly, or sixty per cent, per annum ; and. not content even with
this exorbitant usury, actually deducts the interest before the money is
lent. For instance, he lends a hundred pounds, and at the end of tha
month the borrower is to pay him a hundred and five, principal and in-
But 1 gives only ninety-five pounds, deducting his interest wber
432 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE III.
he lends the money, and thus in twenty months he doubles his priucipal.
15. Qitanto perditior, &c. "The more of a spendthrift he perceives
one to be, the more he rises in his demands.'' — 16. Nomina sectatur, modo
sumta veste virili, &c. " He is at great pains in getting young heirs into
his debt, who have just taken the manly gown, and who live under the
control of close and frugal fathers," i. e., he is anxious to get their names
on his books. Among the Romans, it was a customary formality, in bor-
rowing money, to write down the sum and subscribe the person's name in
the banker's books. Hence nomen is put for a debt, for the cause of a debt,
for an article of account, &c. — Modo sumta veste virili. The toga virilis,
or manly gown, was assumed at the completion of the seventeenth year.
— 18. At in se pro qucestu, &c. " But, thou wilt say, his expenses are in
proportion to his gains." — 19. Quam sibi non sit amicus. " How little he
is his own friend," i. e., how he pinches himself. — 20. Terenti fabula qucm
miscntm, &c. "Whom the play of Terence represents to have led a
wretched life, after he had driven his son from his roof." The allusion is to
Menedemus, in the play of " The Self-tormentor" (Heautontimorumenos),
who blames himself for having, by his unkind treatment, induced his only
son to forsake him and go abroad into the army, and resolves, by way of
self-punishment, to lead a miserable and penurious life.
Satire III. This Satire is directed against the inclination which many
persons feel to put a bad construction on the actions of others, and to ex-
aggerate the faults which they may perceive in their character or dispo-
sition. This failing, which perhaps had not been very prevalent in re-
publican Rome, when the citizens lived openly in each other's view, had
increased under a monarchical government, in which secrecy produced
mistrust and suspicion. The satirist concludes with refuting the absurd
principle of the portico, that all faults and vices have the same degree
of enormity. [Dunlop's Roman Literature, vol. iii., p. 248.)
3-10. 3. Sardus habebat, &c. "That Tigellius of Sardinia had this
failing." Ille is here strongly emphatic, and indicative, at the same time,
of contempt, and is the same as saying, "that Tigellius of Sardinia whom
ever?/ body knoics.'' As regards Tigellius, consult note on Satire i., 2, 3,
— 4. Ccesar. Alluding to Augustus. — 5. Patris. Alluding to Julius Cajsar,
whose adopted son Augustus was. — 6. Si collibuisset. "If he himself felt
in the humor." — Ab ovo usque ad mala, &c. " He would sing Io Bacche !
over again and again, from the beginning to the end of the entertainment."
These words Io Bacche ! formed the commencement of the drinking catch
which Tigellius incessantly repeated, and hence, in accordance with a
custom prevalent also in our own times, they serve to indicate the song
or catch itself. The final vowel in Bacche is made long by being in the
arsis. As regards the expression ab ovo usque ad mala, it may be ob-
served, that the Romans began their entertainments with eggs and end-
ed with fruits. — 7. Modo summa voce, &c. "At one time in the highest
key, at another time in that which corresponds with the base of the te-
trachord." Literally, " which sounds gravest among the four strings of
chord." The order of cons tmcHosi is as follows: "modo -
, modo hac voce qua: resonat [i. c., est) in quaiuor chordis ima.''
"*r's interpretation, which is usually followed, appears extremely harsh.
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE III. 433
It is this : •• TigcUius modo utebatur ea voce, quee summa chorda Tc'ra
chordi, ry vTrury, resonat, h. e., gravissima ; modo ca quce ima chorda, ry
VTjry, eademque acutissima, resonat. Non jungendum suruina voce sed
summa chorda." The explanation which we have adopted appears far
more natural. — 9. Nil aquale homini fuit Mi. " There was nothing uni-
form in that man." — Scepe velut qui currebat, &c. The construction is
sccpc currebat velut qui hostemfugiens (scil. curreret). — 10. Persoepc velut
qui Junonis, &c. We must not understand currebat here with perscepe,
hut lento gradu incedebat, or something equivalent, as is plainly required
by the context. From this passage, and from a remark of the scholiast,
it would appear that on the festivals of Juno processions were customary,
in which Canephori, or maidens bearing baskets containing sacred and
mysterious offerings, had a part to bear. Their gait was always dignified
and slow. Tigellius is compared here to one of these, and qui is employ-
ed, not qua;, because the poet is speaking of a man.
12-21. 12. Tctrarchas. "Tetrarchs." Tctrarcha originally denoted
one who ruled over the fourth part of a country or kingdom (from Terpdc
and apxfi)- Afterward, however, the term merely came to signify a minor
or inferior potentate, without any reference to the extent of territory gov-
erned.— 13. Loquens. "Talking of." This term here carries with it the
idea of a boastful and pompous demeanor. — Mensa tripes. The tables of
the poorer class among the Romans commonly had but three feet. Such
tables were called Delphicce, because resembling the sacred tripod at
Delphi. — 14. Concha sails puri. "A shell of clean salt." A shell form-
ed in general the salt-cellar of the poor. A silver salinum, on the con-
trary, was employed by the more wealthy. Compare Ode ii., 16, 13. —
15. Decies ccntena dedisses. "Hadst thou given a million of sesterces to
this frugal being, this man who could live happily on so little, in five days
there was nothing in his coffers." The use of the indicative erat, in place
if the subjunctive, serves to give more liveliness to the representation.
As regards the expression Decies centena, it must be recollected that there
is an ellipsis of mill la sestertium. (Zumpt, § 873.) The sum here meant
would amount to more than $38,000. — Loculis. The loculi were little box-
es of wood or ivory, in which the Romans carried their money, trinkets,
&c. — 17. Nodes vigilabat ad ipsum mane, &c. " He would sit up all night
until the very morning, he would snore away the entire day. Never was
there any thing so inconsistent with itself." Nil is much stronger here
than nemo would have been. — 20. Imo alia, etfortasse minora. "Yes, I
have faults of another kind, and perhaps less disagreeable," i. e., and I
hope less disagreeable. Fortasse is here the language of Roman urbani-
ty. Some editors read hand in place of ct, others at, but they are refuted
by Orelli and Hand. The last-mentioned critic remarks, " Immo alia s
nijicat, immo habco vitia, sed alia." — 21. Ma?nius. Horace, after acknowl-
edging that he was not without faults, here resumes the discourse. I am
far, says the poet, from being like Mrenius, who defames his friend, and at
the same time winks at much greater failings in himself. On the con-
trary, I consider him every way deserving of the severest censure. The
individual here alluded to is, in all probability, the same with the Maenius
mentioned in the first Satire. There he appears as a worthless and prof-
,v> 1^ a "landei
T
434 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE III.
22-27. 22. Ignores te? an ut ignotum, dec. "Art tliou unacquainted
with thyself? or dost thou think that thou art going to impose upon us, as
one who is a stranger to his own failings ?" With ignotum understand
sibi. The phrase dare verba means "to impose upon," "to deceive," i. e.,
by giving words for things. — 24. Stultus et improbus hie amor est. "Thi3
is a foolish and unjust self-love." With amor supply sui. — 25. Quum tua
pervideas oculis, &c. " When thou lookest on thine own faults as it were
with anointed eyes, obscure of vision to thine own harm." The man who
winks at his own defects is not unaptly compared to one who labors un
der some distemper of vision (lippitudo), and whose eyes, smeared with
ointment [collyrium), are almost closed on external objects. Pervideas,
in the text, is used for the simple verb, as in Greek Karidelv for idelv.
As regards the construction of male with lippus, it must be observed, that
the meaning of this adverb, in passages, when thus construed, varies ac-
cording to the nature of the context : thus, male laxus is for nimis laxus,
male sedulus for importune scdulus, male raucus for moleste raucus, &c.
— 26. Acutum. Put for acute. The common text has mala in the sense
of vitia. Our reading is that of Bentlej'. — 27. Epidaurius. Either an
ornamental epithet, or else alluding to the circumstance of the serpent
being sacred to iEsculapius, who had a celebrated temple at Epidaurus,
in Argolis. The ancients always ascribed a very piercing sight to ser-
pents, particularly to their fabled dragon. Hence, probably, the etymolo-
gy of draco, from depKO/xai, dpaKelv.
29-36. 29. Iracundior est paulo. " A friend of thine is a little too
quick-tempered." The poet here begins to insist on the duty we owe our
friends, of pardoning their little failings, especially if they be possessed of
talents and moral worth. Some commentators suppose him to be here
describing Virgil; but Bentley, Orelli, and Wiistemann think that the
poet means himself. — Minus aplus acutis naribus, &c. " He is too home-
ly a person for the nice perceptions of gentility which these individuals
possess." As regards the phrase acutis naribus, it may be remarked
that it stands in direct opposition to obesis naribus. The former, taken in
a more literal sense than in the present passage, denotes a natural quick-
ness and sharpness of the senses, the latter the reverse. — 30. Rideri pos-
sit, eo quod, &c. " He is liable to be laughed at, because his hair is out
in too clownish a manner, his toga drags on the ground, and his loose shoe
hardly keeps on his foot." The Romans were very particular about the
sit of the toga. Compare Becker's Gallus, p. 336. — 31. Rusticius tonso.
More literally, " to him shorn in too clownish a manner." Understand
Mi. — Male. This adverb qualifies hard, and not laxus, as Orelli and
others think. — 32. At est bonus, &c. " But he is a worthy man ; so much
so, indeed, that a worthier one does not live." The idea intended to be con-
veyed by the whole passage is as follows : But what of all this ? He is a
man of worth, he is thy friend, he has distinguished talents, and, therefore,
thou shouldst bear with his failings. — 33. lngenium ingens inculto, &c.
" Talents of a high order lie concealed beneath this unpolished exterior."
— 34. Denique te ipsum concute. "In fine, examine thine own breast
carefully," i. e., be not a censor toward others, until thou hast been one to
thyself. Concute means, literally, "shake," and is a metaphor taken
from the shaking out of a bag, &c, in order to ascertain if any thing be
lurking therein, — :3<V Namque neglectis uremia, *c. -'.For fern, lit onlv
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE III. 435
to be burned, is produced in neglected fields." The idea intended to be
conveyed is this : As neglected fields must be cleared by fire of the tern
which has overrun thern, so must those vices be eradicated which either
nature or evil habits have produced in breasts where moral culture has
been neglected.
38-40. 38. Uluc prceverlamur, amatorem, &c. The transition here is
short, and, consequently, somewhat obscure. Prcevertcre signifies, proper-
ly, to get before another by taking a shorter path ; and hence, when the
context, as in the present instance, refers to the manner in which a sub-
ject is to be considered, this verb will denote an abandoning of more for-
mal and tedious arguments in order to arrive at our conclusion by a nearer
and simpler way. The passage under consideration, therefore, may be
rendered as follows : " But, omitting more formal arguments, let us mere-
ly turn our attention to the well-known circumstance that the disagree-
able blemishes of a beloved object escape her blinded admirer." Pras-
vertamur is used here in a middle sense. To desire mankind, as Sana-
don well remarks, to examine their own hearts, and inquire whether their
vices proceed from nature or custom, constitution or education, is to en-
gage them in a long and thorny road. It is an easier and shorter way to
mark the conduct of others, to turn their mistakes to our own advantage,
and endeavor to do by virtue what they do by a vicious excess. — 40. Pol-
ypus. The first syllable is lengthened by the arsis. By the polypus is
here meant a swelling in the hollow of the nostrils, which either grows
downward, and dilates the nostrils so as to deform the visage, or else,
taking an opposite direction, extends into the fauces, and produces danger
of strangulation. In both cases a very offensive smell is emitted. It re-
ceives its name from resembling, by its many roots or fibres, the sea ani-
mal termed polypus, so remarkable for its numerous feet, or rather feelers
(iroXvc and ttovc).
41-48. 41. Vellem in amicitia, &c. " I could wish that we might err
in a similar way where our friends are concerned, and that virtue would
give to this kind of weakness some honorable name," i. e., would that, as
the lover is blind to the imperfections of his fair one, so we might close
our eyes on the petty failings of a friend, and that they who teach the pre-
cepts of virtue would call this weakness on our pai't by some engaging
name, so as to tempt more to indulge in it. — 43. At. " But at least," i. e.,
if we would not go as far as that, namely, turning defects into perfections,
we ought at least to imitate those parents who give gentle names to the
imperfections of their children. (Keightley, ad he.) The construction of
the passage is as follows : " At, ut pater non fastidit, si quod sit vitium
gnati, sic nos debemus nonfaslidire, si quod sit vitium amici." — 44. Stra*
bonem appellat Poetum pater. " His squint-eyed boy a father calls Pectus,"
i. e., pink-eyed. Palus is one who has pinking eyes, or, as we would
say, " a gentle cast" in the eye ; far different from the positive squint im
plied in strabo. [Osborne, ad loc.) This was accounted a beauty, and
Venus's eyes were commonly painted so. Hence Venus Peeta. Com-
pare Ovid, A. A., ii., 659. — 45. Et pullum, male parvus, «Sec. "And if
any parent has a son of very diminutive size, as the abortive Sisyphus for-
merly was, he styles him Pullus," i. e., his chicken. The personage here
alluded to under the name of Sisyphus was a dwarf of Marc Antony's.
436 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE III.
Ke was of very small stature, under two feet, but extremely shrewd and
acute, whence he obtained the appellation of Sisyphus, in allusion to that
dexterous and cunning chieftain of fabulous times. — 47. Varum. " A Va-
rus."— 48. Scaurum. " One of the Scauri." It will be observed that all
the names here given by the poet, Patus, Pullus, Varus, and Scaurus,
were surnames of Roman families more or less celebrated, derived, prob-
ably, from some ancestor in whom corresponding defects existed. This
imparts a peculiar spirit to the original, especially in the case of the two
latter, where the parent seeks to cover the deformities of his offspring
with names of dignity. Varus, as an epithet, denotes one who has the
legs bent inward, or, as the scholiast expresses it, "cujus pedes introrsum
retortce sunt." This, when not very great, is hardly regarded as a defect,
being considered a sign of strength ; but the fond father thus calls his son
whose legs were actually distorted. — Balbutit. "He calls in child-like
accents," i. e., he imitates the child's half-stammering mode of speaking;
he fondly calls. — Scaurum. By scaui-us is meant one who has the ankles
branching out, or is club-footed. — Pravisfultum male talis. " Badly sup-
ported on distorted ankles." By pravis fultus talis is here meant one
whose aukles branch out so far that he walks, as it were, on them.
49-66. 49. Parcius hie vivit ? frugi dicatur. The poet here exempli-
fies this rule as he would wish it to operate in the case of friends. "Does
this friend of thine live rather too sparingly? let him be styled by thee a
man of frugal habits." — Ineptus etjactantior hie paulo est ? "Is this one
accustomed to forget what time, and place, and circumstance demand,
and is he a little too much given to boasting ?" As regards the term in-
eptus, our language appears to be in the same predicament, in which, ac-
cording to Cicero, the Greek tongue was, having no single word by which
to express its meaning. (De Orat., ii., 4.) Some translate it by the term
" a bore." — 50. Concinnus amicis postulat, &c. " He requires that he
appear to his friends an agreeable companion," i. e., he requires this by
the operation of the rule which the poet wishes to see established in mat-
ters of friendship. — 51. At est truculentior, &c. " But is he somewhat
i,ough, and more free in what he says than is consistent with propriety?
let him be regarded as one who speaks just what he thinks, and who is a
stranger to all fear." — 53. Caldior est? acres inter numeretur. "Is he
too passionate? let him be reckoned among men of spirit." — 55. At nos
virtutes ipsas invertimus, &c. " We, however, misrepresent virtues them-
selves, and are desirous of smearing over the cleanly vessel," i. c, but we
do the very reverse of all this : we invert the virtues and turn them into
faults by our nomenclature. We, as I may say, are not content to let the
vessel remain clean in its present state ; we would fain daub and disfigure
it with dirt. [Keightley, adloc.) — 57. Multum est demissus liomo 1 "Is
lie a man of very modest and retiring character?" — Illi tardo cognomen,
&c. "We call him heavy and dull." There is a great difference of opin-
ion with regard to this whole passage. We have followed the most nat-
ural mode of explaining it. — 59. Nullique malo latus obdit apertum.
" And exposes an unguarded side to no ill-designing person," i. e., lays
himself open to the arts of no bad man. An image borrowed from the
gladiatorial shows. — 61. Crimina. In the sense of criminationes. — Pro
bene sano ac non incauto, &c. " Instead of a discreet and guarded, w«
style him a disguised and subtle man "—63. Shnplicior quit, ct est, &c.
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE III. 437
" Is any one of a more simple and thoughtless character than ordinary,
and is he snch a person," <5cc. By the term simplicior is here meant an
individual of plain and simple manners, who thoughtlessly disregards all
those little matters to which others so assiduously attend who wish to
gain the favor of the rich and powerful. Horace names himself among
these, probably to remove a reproach thrown upon him by his enemies of
being a refined courtier. — 63. Libenter. " Whenever the humor has seiz-
ed me," i. e., freely, without reflection. — 64. Ut forte legentem aut tad'
turn, <5cc. " So as, perhaps, unseasonably intrusive, to interrupt another,
when reading or musing, with any trifling conversation." — 66. Communi
sensu plane caret. " The creature evidently wants common sense." The
communis sensus, to which reference is here made, is a knowledge of
what time, place, and circumstance demand from us in our intercourse
with others, and especially with the rich and powerful.
67-82. 67. Quam temere in nosmet, &c. The idea intended to be con-
veyed is as follows : How foolish is this conduct of ours in severely mark-
ing the trifling faults of our friends. We have all our faults, and should
therefore be mutually indulgent. — 69. Amicus dulcis, ut aquum est, &c.
"Let a kind friend, when he weighs my imperfections against my good
qualities, incline, what is no more than just, to the latter as the more nu-
merous of the two, if virtues do but preponderate in me." The metaphor
is taken from weighing in a balance, and the scale is to be turned in favor
of a friend. The expression mea bona compenset vitiis is a species of hy-
pallage for vitia mea compenset bonis. Many editors less correctly read
cum as a preposition instead ofquum, and connect itwithvitiis. — 72. Hac
lege. "On this condition." — In trutina ponetur eadem. "He shall be
placed in the same balance," i. e., his failings shall be estimated in return
by me with equal kindness. — 76. Denique, quatenus excidi, &.c. " Final-
ly, since the vice of anger can not be wholly eradicated." The idea is
this : Since no man is faultless, the only remedy is to apportion accurate-
ly the degree of blame or punishment to be assigned to each transgres-
sion. The second part of the satire begins here. — 77. Stultis. The Sto-
ics called all persons who did not practice their peculiar rules of wisdom
fools and mad. — 78. Potidcribus modulisque suis. "Her weights and
measures." — Ratio, "reason," was regarded by the Stoics as the great
guide and director of life. — JR.es ut quasque est. " According to the nature
of each particular case," i. c., as each particular case requires. — 80. Toh
lere. "To take away," i. c., from table. — 81. Semesos pisces, &c. "May
have licked up the half-eaten fishes and the half-cold sauce." — 82. Labe'
one. Who this Labeo was is altogether uncertain. The scholiast says
that it was If. Antistius Labeo, the celebrated lawyer, who, being a stur-
dy republican, spoke and acted with great freedom against Augustus;
and Horace, according to the same authority, pays his court here to An.
gustus by describing him as insane. If, however, Labeo the jurisconsult
be actually meant here, he must have been a very young man at the
time, and not as yet eminent for legal knowledge, so that the madness
charged asrainst him by the poet may be referred to cruelty displayed by
him In the punishment of slaves. (Consult Orelli, ad loc.)
83-8S. 83. Quantofuriosius, <5cc. " How much more insane, and how
much greater than this is the crime of which thou art guilty." Hoc ia
438 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE III.
here the ablative, not the nominative, and refers to the cruel conduct of
the master toward his slave. The crime alluded to in peccatum is stated
immediately after, " Paulura dcliquit amicus," &c. — 85. Concedas. " Over-
lookest." — Instiavis. "Unkind." — 86. Rusonem. Ruso was a well-known
usurer, and at the same time prided himself on his literary talents. When
his debtors were unable to pay the principal or the interest that was due,
their only way to mitigate his anger was to listen patiently to him while
he read over to them his wretched historical productions. He was thus,
as Francis well observes, a double torment : he ruined the poor people,
who borrowed money, by his extortion, and he read them to death with
his works. — 87. Tristes Kalenda. The calends are here called tristes, or
gloomy, in allusion to the poor debtor who finds himself unable to pay
what he owes. Money was lent among the Romans from month to month,
and the debtor would of course be called upon for payment of the princi-
pal or intei'est on the calends of the ensuing month. Another part of the
month for laying out money at interest or calling it in was the ides. Con-
sult note on Epode ii., 67. — 88. Mercedem aut nummos. " The interest or
principal.'' — Unde unde extricat. "Makes out in some way or other."
Extrico is to disengage from trica;, or little impediments, such as hairs,
threads, Sec., which get about things. — Amaras. Equivalent to inepte
scriptas. — 89. Porrecto jugulo. Ruso reads his unfortunate hearer to
death with his silly trash, and the poor man, stretching out his neck to
listen, is compared to one who is about to receive the blow of the execu-
tioner.— Audit. " Is compelled to listen to."
91-95. 91. Evandri manibus tritum. As regards the Evander here
mentioued, the scholiast informs us that he was a distinguished artist,
earned from Athens to Alexandrea by Marc Antony, and thence subse-
quently to Rome by Augustus, and that he executed in this latter city
some admirable works. Some commentators, however, understand by
the expression Evandri manibus tritum a satirical allusion to the great
antiquity of the article in question, as if it had been " worn smooth," as it
were, by the very hands of Evander, the old monarch of early Roman
story. This latter appears to be the more correct opinion. If, however,
the other explanation be preferred, tritum must then be translated "fash-
ioned in relief.'' — 95. Commissa Jide. " Secrets confided to his honor."
F;de is here the old form of the dative. Compare Ode hi., 7, 4. — Spon-
sumve negarit. " Or has refused to fulfill a promise," i. e., has broken his
word.
96-110. 96. Queis paria esse fere placuit, «fee. Render fere here " in
general." The poet here begins an attack on the Stoic sect, who main-
tained the strange doctrine that all offences were equal in enormity. Ac-
cording to them, every virtue being a conformity to nature, and every vice
a deviation from it, all virtues and vices were equal. One act of benefi-
cence or justice is not more truly so than another : one fraud is not more
a fraud than another; therefore there is no other difference in the essen-
tial nature of moral actions than that some are vicious and others virtuous.
— 97. Quum ventum ad verum est. "When they come to the plan reali-
ties of life." — Sensus moresque. " The general sense of mankind and the
established customs of all nations." — 99. Quum prorepserunt, &c. Horace
here follows the opinion of Epicurus respecting the primitive state of man.
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE III. 43U
According to this philosopher, the first race of men rose out of the earth,
in which they were formed by a mixture of heat and moisture. Hence
the peculiar propriety of prorcpscrunt in the text. — Prirnis terris. " On
the new earth." — 100. Midum. By this epithet is meant the absence of
articulate language, and the possession merely of certain natural cries
like other animals. According to Epicurus and bis followers, articulate
language was an improvement upon the natural language of man, produced
by its general use, and by that general experience which gives improve-
ment to every thing. — 101. Pugnis. From pu gnus. — 102. Usus. "Ex-
perience."— 103. Quibus voces sensusque notarent. "By which to mark
articulate sounds, and to express their feelings." A word is an articulate
or vocal sound, or a combination of articulate and vocal sounds, uttered by
the human voice, and by custom expressing an idea or ideas. — 104. Nom-
ina. "Names for things." — 105. Ponere. "To enact." — 110. Viribus
editior. "The stronger."
111-123. 111. Jura inventa metu, &c. This was against the principle
of the Stoics, who maintained to difcatov <pvaei elvai nal firj SeaeL. His-
tory proves, says Horace, that utility was the origin of law, and, there-
fore, this should be the rule followed in the inflicting of penalties. (Keight-
ley, ad loc.) — 112. Tempora fastosque mundi. "The by-gone ages and
the annals of the world." By fastos mundi are meant the earliest ac-
counts that have reached us respecting the primitive condition of man. —
113. Nee natura potest, <fcc. A denial, as just stated, of the Stoic maxim,
that justice and iujustice have their first principles in nature itself. —
114. Dividit. "Discerns." — 115. Nee vincet ratio hoc, &c. "Nor will the
most subtle reasoning ever prove that he sins equally and the same," &c.
Vincet is for evincet. By ratio are here meant the refined and subtle dis-
quisitions of the Stoics on the subject of morals. — 116. Qui teneros caules,
&c. " Who has broken off (and carried away) the tender cabbages of an-
other's garden." Literally, '■ the tender cabbage-stalks," for caules has,
in fact, brassicas understood, and is here put by synecdoche for the cabbage
itself. — 117. Nocturnus. "In the night-season." — Adsit regula. "Let
some standard be fixed." — 118. yEquas. " Proportioned to them." —
119. Scutica. The scutica was a simple " strap" or thong of leather, used
for slight offences, particularly by school-masters in correcting their pu-
pils. The flagellum, on the other hand, was a " lash" or whip, made of
leathern thongs or twisted cords, tied to the end of a stick, sometimes
sharpened with small bits of iron or lead at the end. This was used in
correcting great offenders. — 120. Nc ferula ccedas, &c. The ferula was a
"rod" or stick, with which, as with the scutica., boys at school were ac-
customed to be corrected. The common text has nam ut in place of ne.
But correct Latinity requires ne in this place, not ut. — 122. Magnis parva.
"Small equally with great offences." — 123. Si tibi regnum, <5cc. The
poet purposely adopts this phraseology, that he may pass the more easily,
by means of it, to another ridiculous maxim of the Stoic school. Hence
the train of reasoning is as follows : Thou sayest that thou wilt do this if
men will oD*y intrust the supreme power into thy hands. But why wait
for this, when, according to the very tenets of thy sect, thou already hast
what thou wantest ? For thy philosophy teaches thee that the wise man
is in fact a king. The doctrine of the Stoics about their wise men, to
Wbi;h the p' t here alludes, was strangely marked with extravagance
440 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE III.
and absurdity. For example, they asserted that he feels neither pain
nor pleasure ; that he exercises no pity ; that he is free from faults ; that
he is Divine; that he can neither deceive nor be deceived; that he does
all things well: that he alone is great, noble, ingenuous ; that he is the
only friend ; that he alone is free ; that he is a prophet, a priest, and a
king; and the like. In order to conceive the true notion of the Stoics
concei*ning their wise man, it must be clearly understood that they did
not suppose such a man actually to exist, but that they framed in their
imagination an image of perfection toward which every man should con-
stantly aspire. All the extravagant things which are to be met with in
their writings on this subject, may be referred to their general principle
of the entire sufficiency of virtue to happiness, and the consequent indif-
ference of all external circumstances. (Enfield's Hist. Phil., vol. i., p.
346, scqq.)
126-132. 126. Non nosti quid pater, &c. The Stoic is here supposed
to rejoin, and to attempt an explanation of this peculiar doctrine of his
sect. — 127. Chrysippus. After Zeno, the founder of the school, no philos-
opher more truly exhibited the character, or more strongly displayed the
doctrines of the Stoic sect, than Chrysippus. — 127. Crepidas nee soleas.
"Either sandals or slippers." — 129. Hermo genes. This was probably a
different person from the Tigellius spoken of in the beginning of the sat-
ire. Dillenburger supposes that he was his adopted son. — 130. Alfenus
vafer. "The subtle Alfenus." Alfenus Varus, a barber of Cremona,
growing out of conceit with his profession, quitted it, and came to Rome,
where, attending the lectures of Servius Sulpicius, a celebrated lawyer,
he made so great proficiency in his studies as to become eventually the
ablest lawyer of his time. His name often occurs in the Pandects. He
was advanced to some of the highest offices in the empire, and obtained
the consulship A.U.C. 755. — 132. Operis optimus omnis opifcx. "The
best artist in every kind of work."
133-140. 133. Vellunt tibi barham. The poet replies, A king ! why
thou hast no power whatever ; the very boys "pluck thee by the beard ;"
and he then proceeds to draw a laughable picture of the philosophic mon-
arch, surrounded by the young rabble in the streets of Rome. To pluck a
man by the beard was regarded as such an indignity that it gave rise to
a proverb among both the Greeks and Romans. To this species of insult,
however, the wandering philosophers of the day were frequently exposed
from the boys in the streets of Rome, the attention of the young torment-
ors being attracted by the very long beards which these pretenders to
wisdom were fond of displaying. — 136. Rumperis et latras. "Thou burst-
est with rage and snaidest at them." He compares the poor Stoic 'to a
dog whom a parcel of mischievous boys are tormenting. — 137. Ne longum
faciam. Supply sermonem. "Not to be tedious." — Quadrante lavatum.
" To bathe for a farthing," i. e., to the farthing bath. As the public baths
at Rome were built mostly for the common people, they afforded but very
indifferent accommodations. People of fashion had always private baths
of their own. The strolling philosophers cf the day frequented, of course,
these public baths, and mingled with the lowest of the people. The price
of admission was a quadrans, or the fourth part of an as. — 138. Stipator
"Life-guardsman." A laughable allusion to the retinue of the Stoic mon
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE IV. 441
arch. His royal body-guard consists of the ridiculous Crispinus. Com*
pare, as respects this individual, the note on Satire i., 1, 120. — 140. Stultus.
Another thrust at the Stoics. Compare note on verse 77.
Satire IV. It would appear that, during the lifetime of Horace, the
public were divided in their judgment concerning his satires, some blam-
ing them as too severe, while others thought them weak and trifling. Our
author, in order to vindicate himself from the charge of indulging in too
much asperity, shows, in a manner the most prepossessing, that he had
been less harsh than many other poets, and pleads, as his excuse for at
all practicing this species of composition, the education he had received
from his father, who, when he wished to deter him from any vice, showed
its bad consequences in the example of others.
1-2. 1. Eupolis. An Athenian poet of the old comedy. He was born
about B.C. 446, and was nearly of the same age with Aristophanes. — Cra-
tirius. Another Athenian poet of the old comedy, born B.C. 519. — Aris-
tophanes. Of Aristophanes antiquity supplies us with few notices, and
those of doubtful credit. The most likely account makes him the son of
Philippus, a native of iEgina (Acharn., 651, 652. Schol. Vit. Aristoph.
Anonym., Atkenasus, vi., 227). The comedian, therefore, was an adopted,
not a natural citizen of Athens. The exact dates of his birth and death
are equally unknown. — 2. Atque alii, quorum, &c. " And others, whose
comedy is of the old school," i. e., and other writers of the old comedy.
Ancient comedy was divided into the old, the middle, and the neic. In
the first, the subject and the characters were real. J^n the second, the
subject was still real, but the characters were invented. In the third,
both the story and the characters were formed by the poet. The middle
comedy arose toward the end of the Peloponnesian war, when a few per-
sons had possessed themselves of the sovereignty in Athens, contrary to
the Constitution, and checked the licence and freedom of the old comedy
by h^ing a decree passed that whoever was attacked by the comic poets
might prosecute them : it was forbidden, also, to bring real persons on
the stage, to imitate their features with masks, &c. The comic drama,
after more than half a century of vacillating transition from its old to its
subsequent form, in the age of Alexander finally settled down, through
the ill-defined gradations of the middle, into the new comedy. The old
comedy drew its subjects from public, the new from private life. The old
comedy often took its " dramatis personoe" from the generals, the orators,
the demagogues, or the philosophers of the day; in the new the charac-
ters were always fictitious. The old comedy was made up of personal
satire and the broadest mirth, exhibited under all the forms and with all
the accompaniments which uncontrolled fancy and frolic could conceive.
The new comedy was of a more temperate and regulated nature ; its sat-
ire was aimed at the abstract vice or defect, not at the individual offender.
Its mirth was of a restrained kind ; and, as being a faithful picture of life,
its descriptions of men and manners were accurate portraits, not wild car-
icatures, and, for the same reason, its gayety was often interrupted by
scenes of a grave and affecting character. The principal writers of the
middle comedy were Eubulus, Araros, Antiphanes, Anaxandrides, Alexis,
and Epicrates; of the new Philippides, Timocles, Philemon, Menander
T 2
442 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE IV.
Diphilus, Apollodoras, and Posidippus. [Theatre of the Greeks, 2*7 ed., p.
165, seqq.)
3-11. 3. Erat dignus describi. "Deserved to be marked out." — Mo-
llis. "A knave." — 5. Famosus. " Infamous."— Multa cum libertate nota-
bant. "Branded him with great freedom." — 6. Hinc omnis pcndet Lucil-
ius. Literally, "from these Lucilius entirely hangs," i. e., this freedom
of satire was also the great characteristic of Lucilius. Lucilius was a
Roman knight, born A.U.C. 505, at Suessa, a town in the Auruncan terri-
tory. He was descended of a good family, and was grand uncle, by the
mother's side, to Pompey the Great. His chief characteristic was his
vehement and cutting satire. Macrobius (Sat., iii., 16) calls him " acer et
violcntus poeta." — 7. Mutatis tantum pedibus numerisque, &c. "Having
changed merely the feet and the rhythm of his verse." This applies to
the greater part, not, however, to all of his satires. The Greek comic
writers, like the tragic, wrote in iambic verse (trimeters). Lucilius, on
the other hand, adopted the hexameter versification in twenty books of
his satires, from the commencement, while in the rest, with the excep-
tion of the thirtieth, he employed iambics or trochaics. — 8. Emunctce na-
ris, durus componere versus. " Of nice discernment, though harsh in the
structure of his lines." Emuncta naris is literally "of clean-wiped nose,"
which makes the sense of smell more acute. Its figurative meaning here
prevails. — Componere versus. A Graecisra for in componendis vCrsibus.
So piger ferre, a little farther on. — 10. Ut magnum. " As if it were a
great feat." Compare the explanation of the scholiast : " Tanquam rem
magnam et laude dig nam." — Stans pede in uno. " Standing on one foot."
This, of course, mus^f be taken in a figurative sense, and is intended mere-
ly to signify "in a very short time," or, as we sometimes term it, "off-
hand." Horace satirizes Lucilius for his hurried copiousness and facility.
— 11. Quum jlueret lutulentus, «Sec. "As he flowed muddily along, there
was always something that one would feel inclined to throw away," i. e.,
to take up and cast aside as worthless. Horace compares the whole po-
etry of Lucilius to a muddy and troubled stream, continually bearing im-
purities on its surface that one would feel inclined to remove. As regards
the meaning oHollere here, compare Epist., ii., 2, 123.
12-21. 12. Scribendi laborem. By this is meant, in fact, the labor of
correction, as the poet himself immediately after adds. — 13. Scribendi
recte, &c. " I mean of writing correctly, for, as to how much he wrote, I
do not at all concern myself about that." After scribendi recte supply
dico. Lucilius was a very voluminous writer. — 13. Ecce, Crispinus min-
imo me provocat. Understand nummo. " See, Crispinus challenges me
in the smallest sum I choose to name." After minimo supply pignorc.
The connection in the train of ideas is as follows : But, while I am talking
thus, there is Crispinus, who sets such value on this same readiness and
fertility, that he proposes to give me any odds 1 wish, and make verses
against me. (Keightley, ad loc.) — Accipe, si vis, accipiam. The prose
form of expression, as Heindorf remarks, would be accipe tu, accipiam et
ego. — 15. Tabulas. "Tablets." — 16. Custodes. "Inspectors," to see that
they neither brought with them verses already composed, nor such as
were the production of others. — 17. Di bene fecerunt, &c. The idea in-
tended to be conveyed is this : I will have nothing to do with thy wager
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE IV. 443
Crispiuus. The gods be praised for having made me what I am, a man
of moderate powers and retiring character. Do thou go on, undisturbed
by any rivalry on my part, with thy turgid and empty versifying. — Inopis
me quodque pusilli, &c. '"In having made me of a poor and humble
mind." — 19. At tu conclusas, «Sec. The order of construction is as follows :
At tu imitare, ut mavis, auras conclusas hircinisfollibus, laborantcs us-
que dum ignis molliat ferrum. — 20. Usque. " Constantly.-' — 21. Ut ma-
vis. " Since thou dost prefer this."
21-32. 21. Beatus Fannius. "A happy man is Fannius, his writings
and his bust having been carried, without any trouble on his part, to the
public library." In rendering ultro (which is commonly translated "un-
asked for"), we have followed the authority of the scholiast: "Fannius
Quadratics, poeta malus, cum liberos non haberet, hmredipetoe sine ejus
cura et studio (ultro) libros ejus et imaginem in publicas bibliotliecas re-
ferebant, nullo tamen merito scriptoris." In this way ultro may have a
double meaning : the one mentioned by the scholiast in relation to the
legacy-hunters, and the other slyly alluding to the absence of all mental
exertion on the part of Fannius himself toward rendering his productions
worthy of so high an honor. At Rome, when a poet had gained for him-
self a distinguished name among his contemporaries, his works and his
bust were placed in the public libraries. Fannins, however, lucky man,
secures for himself a niche there, without any trouble on his part, either
bodily or mental. Some commentators, however, rejecting the explana-
tion of the scholiast, make the admirers of Fannius to have spontaneously
presented that poet himself with handsomely-ornamented capsce and his
own bust. This, however, wants spirit. The capxa was, like the serin-
inm, a box or case in which manuscripts and other articles were kept;
so that capsis here will mean, literally, li his cases," i . e., containing his
writings, and hence, figuratively, his "writings" themselves. — 23. Timen-
tis. The genitive, as in apposition with the personal pronoun mei, which
is implied in the possessive mea. — 24. Genus hoc. Understand scribendi.
Alluding to satire. — Utpote plures culpari dignos. "As being the ma-
\ority of mankind who deserve reprehension." Observe here the accusa-
tive by attraction from quos which precedes. The common form of ex-
pression would have been quippe cvm plures culpari disrni sint. — 2o.
Quemvis media elige turba. "Take any one at random from the midst
)f the crowd." The poet now proceeds to state the reasons why, and the
kind of persons by whom, satiric poetry is dreaded. — 27. Hunc capit ar
genti splendor, &c. "This one the glitter of silver-plate captivates; Al-
oius is lost in admiration of bronze." By argenti, with which supply
facti, vessels of silver are meant; and by cere, vessels and statues of
bronze. — Albius. Not the poet, Albius Tibullus, as Baxter would have
us believe, but some individual or other, remarkable merely for his pas-
sionate attachment to bronze. Some suppose the JEs Corinihiacum to be
here meant, but this is quite unnecessary. — 28. Mutat merce*. '■ Trades."
— Ad eum, quo vespertina, <5cc. An elegant circumlocution for " the west."
With eum supply solem. — 29. Qui n per mala praxeps, &c. "Nay. like
dost gathered by the whirlwind, he is borne headlong through the midst
of d?-ngers." — 31. Summa deperdat. For perdat de summa.
12-42. 32. Omiies hi metuunt ter.<u$, &c. "Because their sordid and
144 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE IV.
debasing pursuits are so frequently exposed and ridiculed in verse." — 33.
Femtm habct in comu. " He has hay on his horn," i. e., he is a danger-
ous creature. This, according to the satirist, is the cry with which the
poet is greeted whenever he shows himself to any of the characters that
have just been described, and they instantly clear the way for him by a
rapid retreat. The expression in the text is a figurative one, and is taken
from the Roman custom of tying hay on the horns of such of their cattle
as were mischievous and given to pushing, in order to warn passengers
to be on their guard. — Dummodo risum excutiat sibi. "If he can only
raise a laugh for his own amusement." — 35. Et, quodcunque semel chartis
illeverit. "And whatever he has once scribbled on his paper." With
illeverit supply atramento. — Omnes gestiet a fur no, &c. The idea in-
tended to be conveyed is, that the poet will take delight in showing his
productions to all, even to the very rabble about town. — 36. Afurno rede-
untes lacuquc. "As they return from the bake-house and the basin."
By lacus is here meant a basin, or receptacle containing water, supplied
from the aqueducts for public use. — 38. Dederim quibus esse poetis.
" Whom, for my part, I allow to be poets." Poetis is put by a Graecism
for poetas. The pei-fect of the subjunctive is here used, for the purpose of
softening the assertion that is made, and removing from it every appear-
ance of arrogant authority. So crcdiderim, "for my part I believe ;" affir-
maverim, "I am inclined to affirm," &c. — 39. Concludere versum. "To
complete a verse," i. c, to give it the proper number of feet. — 42. Ser-
moni. "To prose," i. e., the every-day language of common intercourse.
Horace here refers to the style of his satires, and their purposely-neglect-
ed air. His claims to the title of poet rest on his lyric productions ; but
at the time when the present satire was written, he had made only a
few efforts in that species of versification in which he was afterward to
receive the highest honors of poetry. — 42. Ingenium cut sit, &c. "Unto
him who has genius, who has inspiration, and a mouth about to utter lofty
strains," i. c, able to utter. The participle sonaturus is here formed like
prcestaturus, by Cicero, from prcesto. The term ingenium here means
that invention, and the expression metis divinior that enthusiasm or po-
etic inspiration, which can alone give success to the votaries of the epic,
tragic, or lyric muse. By the os magna sonaturum is meant nobleness
of style, which also forms an important attribute in the character of a poet
44-55. 44. Quidam. The Alexandi#ean grammarians are meant. Com
pare Cic, Orat., 20. — Comoedia. The order is Comoedia esset poema necne.
The new comedy of the Greeks, and the Latin drama, are here meant,
not the old comedy, in winch beautiful poetry occurs. — 45. Quod acer spir-
itus ac vis, &c. "Because neither the style nor the subject-matter possess-
es fire and force; because it is mere prose, except in so far as it differs
from prose by having a certain fixed measure." The reasoning in the
text is as follows : Three things are requisite to form a great poet : rich-
es of invention, fire of imagination, and nobleness of style ; but, since com-
edy has none of these, it is doubted whether it be a real poem. — 47. At
pater ardeiis, &c. The poet here supposes some one to object to his re-
mark respecting the want of fire and force in comedy, by referring to the
spirited mode in which the character of the angry father is drawn, wher
railing at the excesses of a dissipated son. The allusion is to Dcmea in
Terence's Adelphi, and to Chremes in the " Self-Tormentor" of the same
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE IV. 445
poet. — 48. Quod meretrice nepos, &c. " Because his dissolute son, madly
in love with a harlot-mistress.'' Observe that the noun nepos has here the
force of an adjective. — 50. Ambulet ante noctem cum facibus. The refer-
ence here is more to Greek than Roman manners, the comedies of Ter-
ence being mere imitations of those of Menander. The intoxicated and
profligate youth among the Greeks were accustomed to rove about the
streets with torches at a late hour of the night, after having ended their
orgies within doors, and serenade their female friends. But far more dis-
graceful was it to appear in the public streets in a state of intoxication,
and bearing torches, before the day was drawn to a close. Ante noctem
here means merely "before nightfall," i. e., while it is still light, while it
is twilight. Compare Orelli : " comissalur jam per crepu senium." Some
commentators erroneously render it ''before midnight." — 51. Numquid
Pomponius istis, &c. We have here the reply of the poet, which is sim-
ply this, that, with whatever vehemence of language the angry father rates
his son, it is very little different from what Pomponius might expect from
his father, if he were alive. It is the natural language of the passions ex-
pressed in measures. — 52. Leviora. " Less severe reproofs." — Ergo. In
order to understand the connection here between this sentence and the
one which precedes, we must suppose the following to be understood be-
fore ergo: Now, if the railings of the angry father have nothing in them
either sublime or poetical, and if they are equally devoid of ornament and
elegance (i. e., if they are pura, scil. opprobria), "then," &c. — 53. Puris
verbis. "In words equally devoid of ornament and elegance." — 55. Per-
sonatus paler. " The father represented on the stage." Literally, " the
masked father."
57-71. 57. Tempora certa modosque, &c. "Their fixed times and
rhythm." The tempora are the feet, composed of long and short syllables
in a certain order ; the modi are the rhythmic arrangement of the feet
[Keightley, ad loc.) — 60. Xon, ut si solvas, &c. The construction is Xon
etiam invenias membra disjecti poctce, ut si solvas (hos versus Ennii).
"Thou wilt not still find," ice. Observe the force of etiam, "still," i. e.,
after this dislocation has taken place. The meaning of the poet is, that
the lines composed by Lucilius and himself become, when divested of
number and rhythm, so much prose, and none will find the scattered frag-
ments animated with the true spirit of poetry, as he will if he take to
pieces the two lines of Ermius which are cited. — 62. Alias. "At some
other time." He now proceeds to show that the dread and dislike of
satiric poetry are unreasonable. — 64. Sulcius accret Caprius. The scho-
liast describes these two persons as informers, and at the same time law-
yers, hoarse with bawling at the bar, and armed with their written accu-
sations.— 65. Rauci male cumque libellis. " Completely hoarse with bawl-
ing, and armed with their written accusations." Rauci male is equiva-
lent to valde rauci. — 68. Ut sis lu stmilis, «Sec. " So that, even if thou art
like the robbers Caelius aud Birrius, I am not like Caprius or Sulcius,"
i. e., if thou art a robber like Caelius and Birrius, I am not an informer
like Caprius or Sulcius. This is a biting piece of satire. However bad
thy character may be, thou hast nothing to fear from me. I neither accuse
nor expose people ; I only laugh at little defects of character. [Keight-
ley, ad loc.) — 71. Nulla taueraa mcos, dec. "No bookseller's shop nor
pillar has any productions of mine. Books at Rome were exposed for
446 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE IV.
pale in regular establishments {tabcrnes libraries), chiefly in the Argiletum
and in the Vicus Sandalarius. On the shop-door, or on a pillar, as the case
miirht be, there was a list of the titles of books on sale. — 71. Queis manus
insudet, &c. " Over which the hand of the rabble and of Hermogenes
Tigellius may sweat."
72-84. 72. Nee recito. Understand quce scripsi. — 73. In medio qui,
<&c. It is here objected to the poet, that if he himself does not openly
recite satirical verses of his composing, yet there are many who do recite
theirs, aud that, too, even in the forum and the bath ; selecting the latter
place in particular, because, "being shut in on every side by walls, it
gives a pleasing echo to the voice.'7 To this the poet replies, that such
persons are mere fools, and altogether ignorant of what propriety demands,
as is shown in their selection of the place where they choose to exhibit
themselves. — 76. Haud Mud qucerentes. "Who never stop to put this
question to themselves." — Sine sensu. "Without any regard to what
propriety demands." — 77. Lcedere gaudes, &c. The poet's antagonist is
here supposed to return to the attack with a new charge. Well, then,
if thou recitest in private and not in public, it is only the prompting of a
malicious spirit, that thou mayest slander with the more impunity amid
the secret circle of thy friends; for "thou takest delight in assailing the
characters of others" (L&dsre gaudes). — 78. Inquit. "Says one." The
common reading is inquis. — Et hoc studio pravus facts. "And this thou
doest from the eager promptings of an evil heart." Literally, " and this,
evil-hearted, thou doest with eager feelings." — Unde petitum hoc in me
jacis. The poet indignantly repels the charge, and introduces a most
beautiful moral lesson respecting the duties of friendship. — 79. Est auctor
quis, &c. Observe that quis is here, as Reissig remarks, the simple in-
terrogative, and does not stand for aliquis, as Heindorf maintains. —
80. Absentem qui rodit amicum. In order to connect the train of ideas,
we must suppose something like the following clause to precede the pres-
ent line : No, the maxim by which my conduct is governed is this : " He
who backbites an absent friend," &c. There is no term in our language
which more forcibly expresses the meaning of rodere in this passage than
the homely one which we have adopted, " to backbite." And yet even
this, in some respects, does not come fully up to the signification of the
original. The allusion is to that " gnawing" of another's character, which
is the more injurious as it is the more difficult to be detected and put
down. — 81. Solutos qui captat risus hominum, &c. "Who seeks eager-
ly for the loud laughter of those around him, and the reputation of a wit.'
The allusion is to one who values not the character or the feelings of
others if he can but raise a laugh at their expense, and who will sacrifice
the ties of intimacy and friendship to some paltry witticism. — 85. Hii
niger est, &c. " This man is black of heart ; shun him, thou that hast th«
spirit of a Roman."
85-87. 85. Scepe tribus lectis, &c. The poet now proceeds to give a
proof of the unreasonable conduct of those who chai'ged him with maligni-
ty. The usual number of couches placed around the mensa or table, ia
the Roman banqueting-room, was three, one side of the table being left
open for the slaves to bring in and out the dishes. Hence the name tru
clininm given to the banqueting-room. On each couch there were com
EXPLANATORY NOTES. *— BOOK I., SATIRE IV. 447
monly three guests, sometimes four. As Varro directs that the guests
should never be below the number of the Graces, nor above that of the
Muses, four persons on a conch would exceed this rule, and make what,
in the language of the day, would be called a large party. Hence the
present passage of Horace may be paraphrased as follows : " One may
often see a large party assembled at supper.'' — 87. Imus. "He that oc-
cupies the lowest seat." The allusion is to the scurra, buffoon, or jester,
who occupied the last seat on the lowest couch, immediately below the
entertainer. When we speak here of the lowest couch in a Roman en-
tertainment, the term must be taken in a peculiar sense, and in accord-
ance with Roman usage. The following diagram will explain the subject
more fully ; and, for farther particulars, the student is referred to the Diet.
Antiq., s. v. Triclinium.
lectus medius.
■
-
■3
8B
E
p
y
a
3
m
6
j
4
gummus
7
3
imus
medius
8
2
medius
imus
9
1
summus
The place of the scurra is No. 9 ; that of the entertainer, Xo. S. — 86. Quoins
ad.<pergere ctinctos. "To attack the whole party with every kind of wit-
ticism." Literally, "to besprinkle them all in any way." With quavis
understand ratione, and not aqua, as some commentators maintain. —
87. Prosier eum, qui prabet aquam. "Except him who furnishes the
water," i. e., the entertainer, who supplies the guests with water, either
hot or cold, but more particularly the former, for the purpose of tempering
their wine. — Hunc. The entertainer. Understand adspcrgcre.
89-105. 89. Hie tibi comis, &c. "And yet this man appears to thee,
who art such a foe to the black-hearted, courteous, entertaining, and frank
in disposition." By ?iigris are here meant the whole race of seci'et calum-
niators and detractors. — 94. Capitolini PetiUi. He now proceeds to give
an instance of pure malignity in the case of Petillius. According to the
scholiasts, this Petillius received his surname of Capitolinus from having
been governor of the Capitol. They add that he was accused of having
stolen, during his office, a irolden crown consecrated to Jupiter, and that,
having plead his cause in person, he was acquitted by the judges in order
to gratify Augustus, with whom he was on friendly terms. — 94. Defendas,
ut iuus e*f mos. "Thou wilt, in all likelihood, defend him in thy usual
way." Literally, "as is thy custom." — 9f>. Me us»s est. "Has had me
as." — Amicoque. The final syllable que is to be joined to the next line
in scanning by synapheia. — 98. Scd tamen admiror, &c. This but, as
Francis remarks, spoils all ; and this artful and secret calumny has some-
thing infinitely more criminal in it than the careless, open freedom cf
ice. — 99. Hie nicrrte succus lolisrinis. "This is the very venom of dark
action." Literal! (he black raitie-fish,"
i. >'.., the bhick juice of the cuule-iish. The hoiigo or cuttle-fish emits, when
448 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE IV.
pursued, a liquor as black as ink, in order to escape by tbus discolor «
the waters around. Fea reads fucus, "the dye," from several MSS. —
100. JErugo mera. "This is pure malignity.' yErugo means, literal-
ly, the rust of copper, as ferrugo does that of iron. The figurative appli
cation is extremely beautiful. As the rust eats away the metal, so does
the gnawing tooth of malignity corrode the character of its victim. —
101. Atque animo prius. "And from my breast before I turn to write."
— Ut si quid promittere, &c. "So that, if I can pi-omise any thing else
truly of myself, I promise (this)." — 104. Insuevit hoc me. "Accustomed
me to this," i. e., led me into this habit, by the peculiar mode of instruc-
tion which he adopted in my case. — 105. Utfugerem, exemplis, &c " That
by pointing out to me each particular vice in living examples, I might be
induced to shun them." After fugerem understand ea (ac. vitia).
108-121. 108. Albi ut male vivat Jllius. "What an evil life the son
of Albius leads." — 109. Barrus. The scholiast describes him as a man
"vilissima libidinis atque vita." — Inops. Supply sit. — 112. Sapiens.
" A philosopher." It belongs to philosophers to explain the reason of
things, and to show why one action is honest and another base. The
poet's father, of but mean rank, could not be supposed to be deeply ac-
quainted with these matters. It was enough that he knew how to train
up his son according to the institutions of earlier days, to teach him plain
integrity, and to preserve his reputation from stain and reproach. As he
grew up he would be able to manage for himself. — 116. Duraverit.
" Shall have strengthened." — 117. Nabis sine cortice. A metaphor taken
from swimming, in which learners, in their first attempts, make use of
pieces of cork to bear them up. — 119. Habes anctorem, quo facias hoc
" Thou hast an authority for doing this." — 120. Unum ex judicibus selec-
tis. The Judices Selecti were chosen in the city by the praetor, and in
the provinces by the governors. They were taken from the most distin
guished men of senatorian or equestrian rank, and to this circumstance
the epithet selecti particularly refers. Their duties were, in general, con-
fined to criminal cases. — Objiciebat. " He presented to my view." —
121. An hoc. For utrum hoc.
123-140. 123. Avidos vicinum funus, &c. "As the funeral of a neigh-
bor terrifies the sick when eager after food." With avidos understand
potus et ciborum. The poet now proceeds to show the consequences of
this mode of instruction. — 124. Sibi parcere. " To spare themselves," i. e.,
to curb their appetites, and have a care for their health. — 126. Ex hoc.
"By the force of such culture as this." — 128. Istinc. "From the number
of these." — 129. Liber amicus. "A candid friend." — 130. Consilium pro
prium. " My own reflection." — 131. Porticus. " The public portico."
The porticoes were structures of great beauty and magnificence, and
were used chiefly for walking in or riding under cover. — 133. Non belle.
Understand fecit. — 135. Agito. "I revolve." — 136. Ilhido chartis. "I
amuse myself with writing." — Hoc. Alluding to his habit of frequent
writing, or versifying. — 137. Concedere. "To extend indulgence." In
the sense of ignoscere. — 139. Nam multo plures sumus. " For we are a
much stronger body than one would suppose." — Ac veluti te, «Sec. Horace,
observes Francis, knows not any better revenge against the enemies of
poetry than to force them to become poets themselves. This pleasantry
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE V. 449
arises from the proselyting spirit of tbc Jews, who insinuated themselves
into families, entered into the courts of justice, disturbed the judges,
and were always more successful in proportion as they were more impu-
dent. Such is the character given them by St. Ambrose. — 140. In hanc
concedere turbam. " To join this numerous party of ours.''
Satire V. This little poem contains the account of a journey from
Rome to Brundisium, which Horace performed in company with Mae-
cenas, Virgil, Plotius, and Varius. Though travelling on arFarrs of state,
their progress more resembled an excursion of pleasure than a journey
requiring the dispatch of plenipotentiaries. They took their own villas
on the way, where they entertained each other in turn, and declined no
amusement which they met with on the road. They must, indeed, have
proceeded only one or two stages daily, for the distance was 312 miles,-
and, according to those critics who have minutely traced their progress,
and ascertained the resting places, the journey occupied fifteen days.
The poet, in imitation of Lucilius, satirically describes the inconveniences
encountered on the road, and all the ludicrous incidents which occurred.
Orelli gives the following statement of places and distances on the route :
Days. Places. Miles
1 Aricia _ 16
2.. Forum Appii 20
3 Anxur 20
Fundi 13
4...
F orrniae 12
Sinuessa 18
Villa near the Campanian Bridge _ 3
6 Capua 22
7.. Cocceius's Villa at Caudium 21
8 Beneventum 12
9 Villa at Trivicum \
10 5 Town not capable of be- f 24
ing named in verse
11 Canusium
. 30
12 B-ubi
13 Barium 21
14 Egnatia 37
15 Brundisium 44
312
As the last two stages, however, seem unreasonably long, Orelli thinks
that Horace may have passed over two stations between Barium and
Brundisium, which are noticed in the Itinerarium Antonini, and that thi»
part of the route may have been as follows :
13 Barium.
14 Ad Turres 21
15 E gnatia 16
16 .Ad Speluncas 20
17 Brundisinm 24
1-4. 1. Magna. This epithet is here applied to the capital, as mark-
ing the difference in size between it and Aricia, though, considered by ifr
450 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE V.
self, the latter was no inconsiderable place. — Aricia. A city of Latium,
on the Appian Way, a little to the west of Lamivium, now La Riccia. —
2. Hospitio modico. "In a middling inn." — Heliodonts. Nothing is
known of this rhetorician. Villoison supposed (Proleg. ad Apoll. Lex..
p. xxiv.) that he was the same with the Heliodorus mentioned by Marias
Victorinus (p. 127, ed. Gaisf.), bat he is refuted by Ritschl. (Alex. Bib-
lioth., p. 145. Compare Bergk, Mem. Obsc, c. vi. N. Rhen. Mus., i., p.
374). — 3. Forum Appi. Now Borgo Lungo, near Treponti. It derived
its name from Appius Claudius Cascus, the maker of the Via Appia, on
which it lay. The term Forum was applied to places in the country
where markets were held and justice administered. — 4. Differtum nautis,
&c. " Crammed with boatmen and knavish inn-keepers." The boatmen
were found at this place in great numbers, because from hence it was
usual to embark on a canal, which ran parallel to the Via Appia, and was
called Decennovium, its length being nineteen miles.
5-24. 5. Hoc iter ignavi divisimus, Sec. " This part of our route, which,
to more active travellers than ourselves, is the journey of a single day, we
lazily took two to accomplish." The allusion is to the route from Rome
to Forum Appii ; not, as Fea maintains, from Aricia to Anxur. The ex-
pression altius prcecinctis refers to the Roman custom of tucking up the
toga in proportion to the degree of activity that was required, and hence
prcecinclus, like succinclus, comes to denote generally a person of active
habits. — 6. Minus est gravis, &c. " The Appian Way is less fatiguing to
those who go slowly." This refers to the abundance of good inns on the
Appian Way, in which the other road, the Via Minucia, was deficient.
Fea, adopting the reading of several MSS., gives nimis for minus, and ex-
plains it by supposing that those who made but one day's journey of it
from Anxur escaped the inconvenience of the halt at Forum Appii. Fea
is followed by Doering and some others. — 7. Deterrima. " Very inferior."
Bentley's teterrima is too strong. — Ventri indico helium. "Declare war
against my stomach," i. e., take no supper. — 8. Haud animo aquo. " With
impatience." — 9. Jam nox, &c. A mock-heroic passage. — 10. Signa.
" The constellations." — 11. Turn pucri nautis, Sec. " Then our slaves be-
gan to abuse the boatmen, the boatmen our slaves." — 12. Hue appelle.
" Come to here." This is the exclamation of one of the slaves to the men
in the canal-boat. The moment the boat is brought to, a large number
crowd on board, and then arises the second cry from the slave, bidding
the boatman stop and take in no more, as he has already three hundred
on board. The round number is here used merely to denote a great
crowd. — 13. JEs. "The fare." — Mula. The mule to draw the canal-
boat. — 14. Mali culices. " The troublesome gnats:" — 15. Ut. " While in
the mean time." — 16. Mnlta prolutus vappa. " Soaked with plenty of
wretched wine." Vappa is properly wine that has lost its flavor. It is
here put for any wretched kind. — 21. Cerebrosus. " A passionate fellow."
— Prosilit. "Leaps out," i. e., out of the canal-boat on the land. — 23. Dolat.
"Belabors." The literal import of this verb is "to hew roughly," "to
chip," &c. It is here used in an acceptation frequently given to it by the
Roman vulgar. — Quarta hora. The fourth hour from sunrise is here
meant, answering to our ten o'clock. — 24. Feronia. The grove and fount-
ain of Feronia were on the Appian Way, about three miles above Tei
taciua or Anxur.
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE V. 451
23-3-2. 25. Repimus. This alludes to the slowness of their journey up
hill to Terracina. — 26. Impositam saxis late candentibus Anxur. " Anxur
perched on rocks conspicuous from afar." This city on the coast of Latium
was also called Terracina. It stood on the ridge of a mountain, at the foot
of which the modern Tarracina is situated. This mountain is covered
with the same grayish limestone with which so many other mountains in
Italy are. (Keigktley,adloc.) — 29. Aversos soliti componere amicos. The
"friends" here alluded to were Augustus and Antony. Maecenas and
Cocceius had already effected the treaty of Brundisium. — 30. Nigra col-
lyria. "Black salve." Celsus says that the most common kind of col-
lyrium was called by some nvdiov, and by others, on account of its ash-
colored appearance, ri^ptov. (Cels., vi., 6, § 7.) — Lippus. "Being afflict-
ed with sore eyes." This was a complaint to which Horace was subject.
— 32. Ad unguem f actus homo. "A man of the most polished manners."
A metaphor taken from workers in marble, who try the smoothness of the
marble and the exactness of the joinings by running the thumb-nail over
them. We would say, in our own idiom, " a perfect gentleman."
34-36. 34. Fundos. The town of Fundi, in Latium, was situated on
the Appian Way, a little to the northeast of Anxur. — Avjidio Lusco prce-
tore. In this there is a double joke. First, in the title of praetor being
applied to a mere recorder of a petty town, whether assumed by himself,
or foolishly given to him by the inhabitants ; and, secondly, in the mode in
which their departure from the place is announced, imitating the formal
Roman way of marking events by consulships: "We leave Fundi dur-
ing the praetorship of Aufidius Luscus." — Libenter. " In high glee." —
35. Proemia. "The magisterial insignia." — 36. Pratextam. The toga
prcetexta was a white robe, bordered with purple, and used by the higher
class of magistrates. — Latum clavum. A tunic or vest, with two borders
of purple, the middle or opening of it woven down to the bottom, in such
a way that, when the tunic was drawn close, the two purple borders join-
ed, and seemed to form a single broad one. If these borders were large,
the tunic was called latus clams, or tunica laticlavia, and was peculiar
to senators; if they were narrow, it was then named angustus clavus, or
tunica angusticlavia, and was peculiar to the knights or equites. — Pnc-
nceque batillum. This appears to have been a censer or pan containing
coals of fire, and carried before the higher magistrates on solemn occa-
sions, for the purpose of burning perfumes in honor of the gods, as the
Romans were accustomed to perform no important act without a previ-
ous offering to the gods of some kind or other. Luscus deems the arrival
of Maecenas an occasion that calls for such a ceremony, and he foolishly
assumes this badge of dignity among the rest.
37-38. 37. Mamurrarum urbe. The allusion is to Formiae, now Mola
di Gaeta, a short distance to the southeast of Fundi. According to the
scholiast, Horace calls Formiae the city of the Mamurrae, in allusion to
Mamurra, a Roman senator of great wealth, who owned the larger part
of the place. The scholiast, however, forgets to tell us that the poet
means by this appellation to indulge in a stroke of keen, though almost
imperceptible satire. Mamurra was indeed a native of Formiae, but of
obscure origin. He served under Julius Caesar, in Gaul, as praefectus
fabrorum, and rose so high in favor with him, that Caesar permitted him
452 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE V.
to enrich himself at the expense of the Gauls in any way he was ahle
Maruurra, in consequence, became, by acts of the greatest extortion, pos-
sessed of enormous riches, and returned to Rome with his ill-gotten wealth
Here he displayed so little modesty and reserve in the employment of his
fortune, as to be the first Roman that incrusted his entire house, situate
on the Ccelian Hill, with marble. We have two epigrams of Catullus, in
which he is severely handled. Horace, of course, would never bestow
praise on such a man, neither, on the other hand, would he be openly
severe on one whom Augustus favored. His satire, therefore, is the
keener, as it is the more concealed, and the city of the venerable Lamian
line (Ode iii., 17) is now called after a race of whom nothing was known.
— Manemus. "We stop for the night." — 38. Murena prabente domum,
&c. The party supped at Capito's and slept at Murena's. The individ-
ual last mentioned was a brother of Terentia, the wife of Maecenas. He
was subsequently put to death for plotting against Augustus.
39-49. 39. Poslera lux oritur. Another amusing imitation of the epic
style. — 40. Plotius et Varius. These were the two to whom Augustus
intrusted the correction of the iEneid after Virgil's death. — Sinuessa.
Sinuessa was a Roman colony of some note, situate close to the sea on
the coast of Latium, and founded, as is said, on the ruins of Sinope, an an-
cient Greek city. It lay below Minturnae, and the mouth of the Liris, and
was the last town of New Latium, having originally belonged to Cam-
pania.— 41. Animce, quales. For animce tales, quales. Compare Epode
v., 59. — Candidiores. " More sincere." — 42. Devinctior. " More strongly
attached." — 44. Sanus. " As long as I am in my right mind." — 45. Cam-
pano Ponti. The bridge over the little river Savo, now Savone, is here
meant. It was three miles from Sinuessa. The modern name is Ponte
Ceppani. — 46. Parochi. "The commissaries." Before the consulship
of Lucius Posthumius, the magistrates of Rome travelled at the public
charge, without being burdensome to the provinces. Afterward, how-
ever, it was provided by the Lex Julia, de Provinciis, that the towns
through which any public functionary, or any individual employed in the
business of the state, passed, should supply him and his retinue with fire-
wood, salt, hay, and straw, in other words, with lodging and entertain-
ment. Officers were appointed, called Parochi (ndpoxoi), whose business
it was to see that these things were duly supplied. The name Parochus,
when converted into its corresponding Latin form, will be Prcebilor, which
occurs in Cicero, De Off., i., 15. Porphyrion, however, calls them Copiarii.
— 47. Capuce. Capua was once the capital city of Campania, and in-
ferior only to Rome. — Tempore. "In good season." The distance from
their last starting-place to Capua was only nineteen miles. — Ponunt.
"Put down." F or deponnnt. — 48. Lusum. Understand pila. The game
of ball was a great favorite with the Romans as with the Greeks. For
the various modes of playing it, consult Diet. Ant., s. v. Pila. — Dormitum.
Alluding to the siesta or afternoon sleep. — 49. Crudis. " To those who
are troubled with indigestion." In the term lippis he alludes to himself
in crudis, to Virgil.
51-64. 51. Caudi cauponas. "The inns of Caudium." Caudium was
a town of the Samnites, and gave name to the celebrated defile (Fauces
Caudina) where the Romans were compelled by the Samnites to pass
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE V. 453
auder the yoke. — 52. Pugnam. " The wordy war." — 53. Musa velim me-
mores, &c. Another burlesque imitation of the epic style. — 54. Contulerit
litcs. " Engaged in the conflict." — Messi clarum genus Osci. The con-
struction is Osci sunt clarum genus Messi. By the Osci are here meant
the Campanians generally, who were notorious for their vices. Hence
the satirical allusion in the epithet clarum. (Compare Munk, de Atclla-
nis, p. 28.) — 55. Sarmenti domina exstat. " The mistress of Sarmentus
still lives." This was the widow of Favonius. Her husband had been
put to death after the battle of Philippi. Sarmentus was therefore a slave,
though his mistress, probably, was afraid of offending Maecenas, in whose
retinue he at present was, by claiming him. — 5G. Equiferi. As Messius
seems to have been tall of stature and fierce-looking, Jacobs and Dillen-
burger think the allusion may be to the unicorn described by iElian [de
Nat. An., xvi., 20) and Pliny [H. N, viii., 21). — 58. Accipio. "I accept
thy challenge," i. e., 'tis even so, I grant. I am like the animal which
you name, and will soon make you feel it. Messius jocosely admits the
truth of the comparison, and shakes his head in imitation of a wild horse
shaking its mane for the purpose of alarming a foe. On this, Sarmentus
renews the attack. — O, tua cornu, &c. Uttered by Sarmentus, and equiv-
alent to " O, quid faceres, si tibi in fronte non exsectum esset cornu ?"
The allusion is to a lai'ge wart which had been cut away from the left
side of Messius's head. — 60. Cicatrix. The scar left after the removal
of the wart. — 61. Selosam Icevifrontem oris. "The bristly surface of his
left temple." — Setosam. Purposely used in place oihispidam. — 62. Cam-
panum morbum. The disorder here alluded to was peculiar to Campania,
and caused large warts to grow on the temples of the head and on the
face. — 63. Pastorcm saltaret uli Cyclopa. "To dance the part of the
Cyclops-shepherd," i. e., to represent, in dancing, the part of Polyphemus,
and his awkward and laughable wooing of the nymph Galatea. The al-
lusion is to the Roman pantomimes, a species of dramatic exhibition, in
which characters, either ludicrous or grave, more commonly the former,
were represented by gesticulation and dancing, without words. — 64. Nil
Uli larva, &c. The raillery is here founded on the great size and horrible
ugliness of Messius. His stature will save him the trouble of putting on
high-heeled cothurni (like those used in tragedy) in order to represent the
gigantic size of Polyphemus, while the villainous gash on his temple win
make him look so like the Cyclops that there will be no necessity for his
wearing a larva, or hideous mask.
C5-68. 65. Donasset jamnc catenam, &c. A laughable allusion to the
slavery of Sarmentus. The Roman youth of good families, on attaining
the age of seventeen, and assuming the manly gown, were accustomed
to consecrate their bulla, or the little gold boss which they wore depend-
ing from their necks, to the Lares, or household deities. In like manner,
young girls, when they had left the years of childhood, consecrated their
dolls to the same. Messius makes a ludicrous perversion of this custom
in the case of Sarmentus, and asks him whether, when he left the state
of servitude in which he had so recently been, he took care to offer up his
fetters to the Lares In accordance with his vow. As only the worst slaves
were chained, the ridicule is the more severe. From an epigram in Mar-
tial (iii., 29), ii appears that slaves, when freed, consecrated th. Lr fetters
to Saturn, in allusion to the absence of slavery nn<i the equality ofcondi-
454 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE V.
tion which prevailed in the Golden Age. — 66. Scriba. Sarmentus would
seem to have held this situation in the retinue of Maecenas. — 67. Nihilo.
To be pronounced as a dissyllable, nilo. So vehcmens, in Epist. ii., 2, 120,
Messius affects to regard the other as a runaway slave, and therefore re»
marks that the fact of his being a scribe will not in the least affect his
mistress's right to claim him as her property. — Cur unquam fugissel?
Messius supposes him to have run away on account of not receiving suffi-
cient food. — 68. Una f arris libra. By the laws of the Twelve Tables, a
slave was allowed a pound of corn a day.
71-81. 71. Recta. "Direct," i. e., without stopping. Supply via. —
Beneventum. This place was situate about twelve miles beyond Cau-
dium, on the Appian Way. — Ubi sedulus hospes, &c. "Where the offi-
cious landlord was almost burned up while he is busily employed in turn-
ing some lean thrushes at the fire." Observe that arsit is here equivalent
to combustus est. The purposely confused arrangement of the wonU in
the line is technically called synchysis (avyxvaic). — 73. Nam vaga per
velerem, &c. Another imitation of the epic style, but more elegant and
pleasing than those which have gone before. There being no chimney,
and the bustling landlord having made a larger fire than usual, the flames
caught the rafters of the building. On the want of chimneys among the
ancients, consult note on Ode iv., 11, 11. — 75. Avidos. "Hungry." Un-
derstand edendi. — T arterites. The slaves were afraid of being punished
in case the supper were lost. — 76. Rapere. Equivalent toraptim auferre.
— 77. Ex Mo. " After leaving this place." — Notos. Apulia was the na-
tive province of Horace. — 78. Quos iorret Atabulus. "Which the wind
Atabulus parches.'' The Atabulus was an easterly wind, cold and parch-
ing, which frequently blew in Apulia. Etymologists deduce the name
from utt] and /3a2/,«. It is now called the Altino. — 79. Erepsemus.
For erepsisscmus. — Tr/rici. Trivicuni was a small place among the
mountains separating Samnium from Apulia. The vehicles that contain-
ed the party were compelled to turn off to a farm (villa) in its neighbor-
hood, as the town itself was difficult of access on account of its mountain-
ous position. — 80. Lacrymoso. "That brought tears into our eyes." — 81.
Udos cumfoliis, &c. A proof, as Wieland remarks, that the place where
they lodged was nothing more than a farm-house, and that the owner was
unaccustomed to receive guests of this description.
82-89. 82. Rapimur. "We are whirled along." — Rhcdis. "In trav-
elling-carriages." The rheda was of Gallic origin, and was the usual ve-
hicle employed by the Romans in making their journeys. It had four
wheels. — 83. Mansuri. " To take up our quarters for the night." — Quod
versu dicere non est, &c. "Which it is not possible, indeed, to name in
verse, though it is a very easy matter to describe it by external marks."
This town, with the intractable name, is commonly, but incorrectly, sup-
posed to have been Equus Tulicus or Equotuticus. It was probably
some unmetrically -named place near Asculum. Equus Tuticus lay com-
pletely out of the road from Beneventum to Canusium. — 84. Venil. "Is
sold." — Vilissima rernm. " The cheapest of all things," i. e., which is
every where else the cheapest. — 85. Ultra. The bread is so good, that
" the wary traveller" is accustomed to carry it along with him, "from this
place farther on." Ultra is here equivalent to ultcrius inde —86 Hu
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK 1., SATIRE V. 455
'Uteris. " On his shoulders," *. (., in the netted bag, or reticulum. Com-
pare Sat. i., 1, 47. — 87. Afcun Canusi lapidosus. ''For that of Canusium
as gritty." With lapidosus supply panis. Canusium was situate on the
right bank of the Aufidus, or Ofanto, and about twelve miles from its
mouth. — Aqua; non ditwr urna. "Which place, not richer than the other
by a single pitcher of water, was founded," &c, i. e., Canusium labors un-
der the same scarcity of good water as the place with the unmetrical
name. There must be no stop after urna, the words aqua; non ditior
urna being connected with the succeeding line, and the whole forming
another instance of Horace's affected carelessness of construction.
90-93. 90. Rubos. Rubi, now Ruvo, lay to the southeast of Canusium.
The distance between the two places is given in the Itinerary of Antoni-
nus as twenty-three miles, whence the expression longum iter in our text.
— 91. Factum corrupting. "Rendered worse than usual.'- — 92. Pejor.
"Worse than the day before." — 93. Bari. Barium was a town of some
note, on the coast of Apulia, below the mouth of the Aufidus. The epithet
piscosi is given to it in the text on account of its extensive fishery. The
modern name is Bari. — Dehinc. To be pronounced as a monosyllable.
Bentley gives dein, which has been generally followed. — Gnatia. Gna-
tia, or Egnatia, was situate on the coast of Apulia, below Barium. It
communicated its name to the consular way that followed the coast from
Canusium to Brundisium. The ruins of this place are still apparent near
the Torre d'Agnazzo and the town of Monopoli. Horace gives the name
which the town bore in the common language of the day, and this also
occurs in the Tab* Peuting. The more correct form, however, is Egna-
tia.— Lymphis iratis extructa. "Built amid the anger of the waters."'
The meaning of the poet here is somewhat uncertain, as is evident from
the scholiast giving us our choice of three different explanations. Thus
he remarks, " Vel quia eget aquis, vel quod eas salsas habet et amaras,
vel quod in pedc montis sita est ; ei idcirco videntur aqua; irasci, cum tor-
rentes de montibus impetu inagno decurrentes s&pe magnas urbis partes
diruunt." The first of these, the scarcity of good water, appears to us
the simplest, and it is adopted as the true one by Mannert. Perhaps,
however, the poet has purposely used this expression, in order that it
may be susceptible of a double meaning, and that one of these may refer
to the silly superstition, or rather moon-struck madness of the inhabitants,
to which he refers immediately after.
93-100. 9.j. Dum Jlamma sine tura liqucscerc, Sec. Pliny informs us
that a certain stone was shown at Egnatia which was said to possess the
property of setting fire to wood that was placed upon it. [H. X., ii., 107.)
It was this prodigy, no doubt, which afforded so much amusement to
Horace, and from the expression limine sacro, the stone in question would
appear to have been placed in the entrance of a temple, serving for an
altar. — 96. Judaus Apella. "The Jew Apella." Scaliger is undoubted-
ly right in considering Apella a mere proper name of some well-known
and superstitious Jew of the day. The Jews were very numerous at this
time in Rome, and remarkable for their superstition. The greater part
of them belonged to the class oilibertini. Apella, moreover, as the name
of libertini, is of frequent occurrence in inscriptions. — 97. Xamquc deos
didici, &i* "For 1 have learned that the guds pass their time free from
456 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE VI.
all concern about the affairs of men." Horace here acknowledges his be
lief in one of the most remarkable doctrines of the Epicurean school. —
99. Tristes. "Disquieting themselves about us." — 100. Brundisium.
The most ancient and celebrated town on the coast of Apulia, now Brindisi.
Satire VI. This poem, addressed to Maecenas, is chiefly valuable for
the information it contains concerning the life of our author, particularly
his early education, and the circumstances attending his first introduction
to that minister. He also descants on the virtue and frugality of his own
life — he mentions candidly some of his foibles, and describes his table,
equipage, and amusements. Here every particular is interesting. We
behold him, though a courtier, simple in his pleasures, and in his temper
and his manners, honest, warm, and candid, as the old Auruncan. {Dun
lop's Roman Literature, vol. iii., p. 251.)
1-10. 1. Non, quia, Maecenas, &c. The order of construction is as fol-
lows : Mazcenas, non, ut plcrique solent, suspendis adunco naso ignotos,
ut me natum libertino patre, quia nemo Lydorum, quidquid Lydorum in-
coluit E truscos fines, est generosior te, ncc quod matemus atque paternus
avusfuii tibi qui olim imperitarunt magnis legionibus. " Maecenas, thou
dost not, as most are wont to do, regard with a sneer persons of lowly
birth, as, for instance, me, the son of a freedman, because no one of the
Lydians that ever settled in the Etrurian territories is of nobler origin
than thou, nor because thou hast maternal and paterna]^ ancestors, who in
former days commanded powerful armies." The idea intended to be con-
veyed is simply this : Though of the noblest origin, O Maecenas, thou dost
not, as most others do, regard high extraction as carrying with it a right
to sneer at the low-born. — Lydorum quidquid Etruscos, &c. It was the
popular but erroneous belief that Etruria had been colonized from Lydia.
Horace means, by the language of the text, to describe the origin of Mae-
cenas as equaling, if not surpassing, in nobility, that of any individual in
the whole Etrurian nation. Compare notes on Ode i., 1, 1. — 4. Legioni-
bus. The term legio is here put, Romano more, for exercitus. — Imperi-
tarunt. This reading has been adopted by Fea, Reisig, and Wiistemann,
and is undoubtedly the true one. The original reading was imperitarent,
for which Bentley gave, from several MSS., imperitarint. — 5. Naso sus-
pendis adunco. This, in a literal translation, is precisely equivalent to
our vulgar phrase, "to turn up the nose at one." Thus, "thou dost not,
as most are wont to do, turn up thy nose at persons of lowly birth." —
8. Dum ingenuus. " Provided he be a man of worth." There is a singu-
lar beauty in the use of the term ingenuus on the present occasion. By
ingenui, among the Romans, were meant those who were born of parents
that had always been free. The poet, however, here applies the epithet
to a higher kind of freedom, that of the mind and of the heart; a freedom
from all moral contamination, and a nobility of thought and action, in re-
spect of which the nobly-born are sometimes even the vilest of slaves. —
9. Tulli. Servius Tullius. — Ignobile regnum. An allusion to the servile
origin of this monarch. The idea which the poet intends to convey is this,
that, before the reign of Tullius, many individuals, as meanly born as bin -
self, had often obtained honors equally as high, and led a life equally a?
praiseworthy. — 10. Nullis maioribus ortos. "Sprung from no long line
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE VI. 457
of ancestors," i. e., of obscure birth. Xullis is here equivalent iu spirit to
ignobilibus.
12-17. 12. Lcevinum. We have here an example, on the other hand,
of a man descended from illustrious ancestors, but so degraded by vices
as to be held in universal contempt, and never to have gained an office be-
yond the quaestorship. — Valeri genus, u?ide, &c. "A descendant of that
Valerius by whom," &c. Unde is here for a quo. The allusion is to the
celebrated Valerius Poplicola, who was elected to the consulship A. LLC.
244, in the stead of Collatinus, and became the colleague of Brutus in that
office. From Valerius were descended the families of the Laavini, Corvini,
Mess aloe, Catuli, &c. — 13. Fugit. The present tense in place of the past,
in order to make the narrative more graphic and animated. — Unius assis
non unquam, &c. " Has never been valued more highly than a single as,
even when the populace themselves, with whose decision in matters of
this kind thou art well acquainted, estimate bis mei'its as the judge ; the
populace, who often," 6cc. Licuisse properly refers to bidding at auction,
bo that the idea intended to be conveyed is, that the people would never
have bid more for him, had he been set up at auction, than a single as. —
15. Quo nosti. By attraction, in imitation of the Greek idiom, for quern
nosti, and equivalent in effect to quern qualis judex sit nosti. According
to the poet's idea, Lasvinus must be worthless enough, if the populace
even think him so, since they most commonly are blinded to a person's
defects of character by the brilliancy of his extraction. — 17. Qui siupet
in titulis et imaginibus. "Who are lost in stupid admiration of titles and
of images," i. e., of a long line of titled ancestors. An allusion to the Ro-
man jits imaginum.
18-19. 18. Vos. The idea intended to be conveyed is this : If, then,
the very populace themselves pay but little i*egard to the nobility of such
a man as Lsevinus, "how ought persons like thee to act, who art far, far
removed in sentiment from the vulgar herd?" The answer is not given
by the poet, but may be easily supplied : They should act even as thou
dost : they should disregard, not in one, but in every instance, the adven-
titious circumstances of birth and fortune, and they should look only to
integrity, to an upright and an honest heart. — 19. Namque esto, &c. The
poet here gives a slight turn to his subject in a somewhat new direction.
The connection in the train of ideas appears to be as follows : Such, then,
being the true principle of action, and such the light in which merit, how-
ever humble its origin, is regarded by the wise and good, let those unto
whom titled ancestry is denied repine not at their condition, but remain
contented with what they have. For suppose [Namquo esto) the people
should even be unjust toward a candidate of lowly birth, or a censor like
Appius should eject an individual from the senate because his father had
not always been free, what great harm is suffered by this ? Is he not
rather treated as he should be ? And ought he not to have been contented
with his previous lot, with the approbation of those whose good opinion
was his best reward, without going on an idle chase after vain and dis-
quieting honors ?
QO-QH. 20. Dccio novo. ''To a new man like Decius." The term De-
do is here used as a species of appellative. So, in the preceding line,
TJ
458 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE VI.
Lcevino must be rendered " to a Laevinus." The allusion in the words
Decio novo is to P. Decius Mus {Livy, viii., 9), who, like Cicero, was the
first of his family that attained to a curule office. — Censor Appius. "A
censor like Appius." The poet alludes to Appius Claudius Pulcher, wh>
was censor A.U.C. 702, and ejected many individuals from the senate be-
cause they were the sons of freedmen. — 22. Vel merito. "Deservedly
would this even be done." — In propria pell e. "In my own skin," i. e., in
my own proper sphere. — 23. Sed fulgente trahit, &c. "But glory, thou
wilt say, leads all men captive at the wheels of her glittering car." An
allusion, beautifully figurative, to the triumphal chariot of a conqueror.
The poet supposes some one to urge, in extenuation of the conduct which
he has just been condemning, the strong and mastering influence that a
thirst for distinction exercises upon all men, whatever their origin or con-
dition in life. To this he replies in the next line, " Quo tibi, Tilli," &c,
by showing how little real pleasure attends the elevation of the low-born,
amid the sneers and frowns of the very populace themselves, as well as
of those into whose circle they have thus intruded.
24-38. 24. Quo tibi, Tilli. " In what way has it proved of advantage
unto thee, Tillius 1" Supply profuit. A common ellipsis. (Compare
Ovid, A. A., i., 303, and Heinsius, ad loc.) According to the scholiast,
Tillius (or, as he writes the name, Tullius) was removed from the senate
by Caesar for being a partisan of Pompey's. After the assassination of
Caesar, however, he regained his senatorian rank, and was made a mili-
tary tribune. He was an individual of low origin. — 25. Sumere depositum
clavum. " To resume the laticlave which had been put off by thee." The
laticlave (latus clavus) was one of the badges of a senator. — Tribuno. A
Graecism for tribunum. — 26. Privato quae minor esset. "Which would
have been less to thee, hadst thou remained in a private station," *". e.,
which thou wouldst have escaped, hadst thou remained in the obscurity
to which thou wast forced to return. — 27. Nam ut quisque insanus, &c.
"For the moment any vain and foolish man covers his leg up to the mid-
dle with the black buskins." Among the badges of senatorian rank were
black buskins (here called nigree pclles, literally, "black skins"), reaching
up to the middle of the leg, with the letter C in silver on the top of the
foot. Hence calceos mutare, "to become a senator" (Cic, Phil., xiii., 13).
— 30. Ut si qui cegrotet, &c. " Just as if one labor under the same disor-
der that Barrus does, so as to desire to be thought a handsome man." As
regards Barrus, consult note on Satire i., 4, 110. — 34. Sic qui promittit,
&c. An allusion to the form of the oath taken by the magistrates when
about to enter on the duties of their office. — 35. Imperium. "The govern
ment of the provinces," i. e., as opposed to Rome and Italy. (Compare
Wuslemann, ad loc.) — 36. Inkonestus. "Dishonored." — 38. Tune Syri^
Dames, &c. " Darest thou, the son of a Syrus, a Dama, or a Dionysius,
hurl Roman citizens down from the Tarpeian Rock, or deliver them over
to the executioner Cadmus?" Syrus, Dama, and Dionysius are the names
of slaves, used here as appellatives, and the meaning of the passage is,
"Darest thou, the son of a slave," «Sec. The poet supposes some individual
of the people to be here addressing a tribune of the commons, who had
risen from the lowest origin to that office of magistracy, by virtue of which
he presided over the execution of condemned malefactors.
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE VI. 459
40-44. 40. At Novius crtlega, &c. The tribune is here supposed to
answer, and to urge in his defence that his colleague Novius is of hum-
bler origin than himself. To which the poet replies by demanding of
him whether he fancies himself on that account a Paulus or a Messala, or.
in other words, one of the old nobility. Paulus was the cognomen of one
of the families of the gens ^Emilia, and Messala of one of those of the gens
Valeria. — Gradu post me sedet uno. " Sits one row behind me," i. e., is
inferior to me in rank. The reference is to the fourteen rows of seats set
apart for the equestrian order at the public spectacles. The tribune of
the commons, to whom the poet here alludes, as well as his colleague
Novius, having obtained equestrian rank in consequence of possessing the
requisite fortune, had seats, of course, among these fourteen rows. It
would seem, however, that, in occupying these seats, those of better ori-
gin always preceded those who were inferior to them in this respect. —
41. Kamque est Me, &c. "For he is what my father was," i. e., he is a
freedman, whereas I am the son of a freedman, and consequently one de-
gree his superior. — Hoc tibi Paulus, &c. " Dost thou fancy thyself, on
this account, a Paulus and a Messala?" iEmilius Paulus and Messala
Corvinus were two distinguished noblemen of the day, and the question
here put is equivalent to this : Dost thou fancy to thyself that, on this ac-
count, thou art deserving of being compared with men of the highest rank
and tha most ancient families ? — 42. At hie, si plostra ducenta, &c. The
individual with whom the tribune is supposed to be engaged in argument
here replies to the excuse which the latter has advanced : Well, suppose
thy colleague Novius has been advanced to office, although a freedman,
did not his merits obtain this station for him ? Has he not a voice loud
enough to drown the noise of two hundred wagons and three funerals
meeting in the Forum ? It is this that pleases us in the man, and there-
fore we have made him a tribune. All this, it will be readily perceived,
is full of the most bitter and cutting irony against poor Novius (under
which character the poet evidently alludes to some personage of the day),
since his whole merit appears to have consisted in the strength of his
lungs, and the people had advanced to the tribuneship a man who was
only fit to be a public crier. — 43. Tria funera The funerals of the Ro-
mans were always accompanied with music; and, for this purpose, per-
formers of various kinds, trumpeters, cornetters, flute-players, &c, were
employed. — Magna sonabit cornua, &c. This must be rendered in such
a way as to express the foolish admiration of the person who utters it.
"Will send forth a mighty voice, so as to drown the notes of the horns
and the trumpets." Observe that magna is the neuter plural used ad-
verbially, in imitation of the Greek. — 44. Saltern. There is something
extremely amusing in the self-importance which this saltern denotes. —
Tenet. In the sense of delcctat.
45-64. 45. Nunc ad me redco, dec. The digression from which the poet
now returns commenced at the 23d line. — 46. Rodunt. " Carp at." — Lib-
ertino. The repetition of this word is meant to show how those who en-
vied him used to carp at the circumstance of his humble origin. — 48. Qiwd
mihi parerct, &c. The poet alludes to the command which he once held
in the army of Brutus and Cassius. In each Roman legion there were
six military tribunes, who commanded under the general in pairs, each
pair two months. — 49. Dissimile hoc Mi est. " This latter case is differ-
460 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE VI.
ent from the former." Hoc refers to his having obtained the office of mil-
itary tribune ; Uli relates to the circumstance of his being a constant gaest
at the table of Maecenas (convictor). — Quia non ut forsit honorcm, &c.
"Because, though any one may, perhaps, justly envy me the military ad
vancement that I once enjoyed, he can not with the same justice also envy
me the possession of thy friendship, especially as thou art careful to take
unto thee those alone that are worthy of it, and art far removed from the
baseness of adulation." More literally, " from a base seeking after favor."
Ambitio is here the seeking for favor by flattery and degrading arts. The
idea involved is this, that however justly we may envy others the posses-
sion of what fortune bestows, we can not, with the same propriety, envy
them the enjoyment of what they obtain by their own deserts. — Forsit.
The same as fors sit, and equivalent to forsitan. — 51. Dignos. Under-
stand amicitia tua. — 52. Felicem diccre non hoc, &c. " I can not call my-
self lucky on this account," i. e., lucky as in the case of my military trib-
uneship. — 55. Varius. Consult notes on Satire i., 5, 40, and Ode i., 6, 1. —
Quid essem. "What I was," i. e., what was my character for talents,
l-ectitude, &c. — 56. Singullim pauca locutus. " Having stammered out
a few words." — 57. Infans pudor. "Childish bashfulness." — 58. Circmn-
vectari. Divided by tmesis. — 59. Satureiano caballo. " On a Satureian
nag." Saturium was a spot in the Tarentine territory, frequently alluded
to by the ancient writers. It was famed for its fertility, and for its breed
of horses. — Rura. "My fields." Equivalent to fundos or agros. — 63.
Turpi honcstum. Both adjectives are in the masculine. — 64. Non pat re
praclaro, &c. " Not by reason of illustrious parentage, but by purity of
life and of principles."
65-75. 65. Atqui si vitiis, &c. The order of construction is Atqui si
mea natura est mendosa mediocribus et paucis vitiis. Atqui must be here
rendered "Now." — 68. Sordes. " Sordidness." — Mala lustra. "A fre-
quenting of the haunts of impurity." Lustra literally denotes the dens
or haunts of wild beasts ; hence it is figuratively applied to the abodes
of profligacy and vice. — 69. Purus et insons, &c. The order of construc-
tion is Si vivo purus et insons {ut me collaudem) et earns amicis. Ob-
serve that ut me collaudem is added by a slight irony, in order to disarm
the hearer or reader. (Keightley, ad loc.) — 71. Macro pauper agello.
" Though in narrow circumstances, and the owner of a meagre farm." —
72. In Flavi ludum. " To the school of Flavius." Flavius was a school-
master at Venusia, the poet's native place. Magni quo pueri, &c. There
is much of keen satire in the epithets magni and magnis as applied to
the sons of these centui'ions and their parents. The poor parent of the bard
sends his humble offspring to Rome, the great centurions send their great
sons to the mean and petty school of the provincial pedagogue. — 74. Lcevo
suspensi loculos, &c. " With their bags of counters and their ciphering
tables hanging on the left arm." Literally, "hung as to their bags of
counters," &c. The term tabula is here applied to the table for reckon-
ing and for performing various operations in arithmetic, used by the Ro-
man boys and others. The computations were carried on, for the most
part, by means of counters ; sometimes, as with us, characters were cm-
ployed. In the latter case, the table was covered with sand or dust.
The more common name is abacus. — 75. Octonis referentes Idibus ara.
" Bringing with them, from home, their tuition-money on the ides of eacb
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE VI. 461
ot the eight school months." There was, as appears from Martial (x., G2),
a long vacation in the schools every summer, apparently extending from
the ides of June to those of October. As this would leave only eight
months in the year for school, Hermann and others suppose that this is
what is meant by Octonis Idibus, the didanrpov, or fee, being brought to
the master on the ides of each month, school-fees, like interest, appearing
to have been paid monthly. [Keightley, ad loc.) Another interpretation
is as follows : " Bringing with them, from home, calculations of interest,
for a given sum, to the day of the ides." These are sums, as we would
call them, which the boys receive from their master to take home and
work there. The answers they are to bring with them to school the next
morning. The sums given are computations of interest ; to ascertain, for
example, how much a certain amount will yield, within a certain time,
and at a certain rate of interest. The period up to which they are to cal-
culate is fixed, it will be perceived, for the ides of the ensuing month ; in
other words, the calculations on which they are employed have reference
to monthly rates of interest. This was in accordance with Roman usage,
by which the interest of money was paid either on the calends or the
ides of every month. As regards the epithet octonis, it may be remark-
ed, that it is here applied to the ides, because in every month eight days
intervened between the nones and them. As our language affords no
corresponding epithet, it is regarded by those who adopt this latter mode
of explaining the text as merely expletive, and not to be translated.
75-81. 75. Est ausus. The allusion is to the boldness of his parent m
giving him an education, the expense of which could have but ill accord-
ed with his narrow finances. — 77. Artes. " Accomplishments." — Doceat.
" Causes to be taught." Equivalent to docendas curet. — 79. In magno
lit populo. " As far as was possible in the midst of a crowded populace."
Amid the crowd of a large city, little attention is comparatively paid to
the appearance of others. We have followed here the explanation of
Heindoi'f and Orelli, making ut equivalent to quatenus id fieri poterat.
Bentley and others, however, supply fit, or accidere solet, after ut, and
suppose an opposition to be intended to the custom of country towns,
where appearance was less attended to. — Avita ex re. " From some
hereditary estate." The poet means, that he appeared to the view of
men, not as the son of a freedman, but as if he had been the heir of some
wealthy family. — 80. Illos. Equivalent to tarn magnos. — 81. Ipse mihi
custos, <5cc. Among the Romans, each youth of good family had his pceda-
gogits, or slave, to accompany him to and from school, and discharge the
duties of protector and private instructor. The public teachers were call-
ed doctores or prceceptores . The anxious father of Horace, however, will
not trust him even with one of these, but himself accompanies his son
85-98. 83. Sibi ne vitio quis verteret olim. "Lest any one might, iu
after days, allege it as a reproach against him." — 86. Coactor. Com.
mentators are divided in relation to the employment pursued at Rome by
the father of Horace. In the life of the poet which is ascribed to Sueto-
nius, his parent is styled, according to the common reading, exactionunx
coactor, "a tax-gatherer," or "collector of imposts." Gesner, however,
suggested as an emendation, exauctionum coactor, " an officer attendant
upon sales at auction, who collected the purchase-money." This co/rsu*
462 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE VI.
tion has been generally adopted. — 87. Parvas mercei.es sequercr. * I
should come to follow an employment attended with petty gains," i. e., I
should be compelled to follow a mean employment, and one utterly at
variance with the education I had received — Ad hoc. " On this ac-
count."— 89. Sanum. "As long as I am in my right senses." — Eoque
non, ut magna, &c. "And, therefore, I will not seek to excuse myself
as a lai'ge number do, who declare it to be owing to no fault on their part
that they have not freeborn and illustrious parents." — 93. Et vox ei ratio.
"Both my language and sentiments." — 94. A certis annis. "From any
particular period of life." This seems to mean if Nature would allow each
person to select the year from which he would go ba^k. For many might
be well enough content with their condition of late years. [Keightley,
ad loc.) — 95. Atque alios legere adfastum, Sec. " And to select any other
parents whatever, as might suit our pride." — 96. Optaret sibi quisque,
&c. " Each one might choose for himself what parents he pleased ; con-
tented with mine, I should feel no inclination to take unto myself such as
might even be graced with the fasces and the curule chair," i. e., with the
badges of magistracy. The fasces were borne before dictators, consuls,
and praetors. — 98. Sanus. "A man of sense," i. e., of sound mind.
101-106. 101. Atque salutandi plures. " And a crowd of morning visit-
ors must be received." Literally, " a greater number must be saluted."
The allusion is to the complimentary visits paid by clients and others to
the rich and powerful. These were made in the morning; and the poet's
meaning is, that, as the offspring of powerful parents, he would have to
receive a large number of them. — 104. Petorrita. The Petorritum, which
is here taken generally to denote any carriage or vehicle, was properly a
Gallic carriage or wagon, and drawn by mules. Celtic scholars derive
the name from pedwar,." four," and rit, "a wheel." — 104. Curto mulo.
The scholiast explains this by mulo cauda curta ("on my bob-tailed mule").
It may be very reasonably doubted, however, whether this interpretation
is correct, especially as we have no other proof that the English custom
of docking horses was ever practiced in the south of Europe. At all
events, the epithet curto, if such is its true meaning in the present pas-
sage, has very little, as far as regards force or felicity of expression, to
recommend it. We would incline to the opinion of those who make curto
here refer to the diminutive size of the animal in question : so that the
meaning of cvrto mulo will be, " on my little mule." — 106. Mantica. Cor-
responding to the modern " saddle-bags."
107-114. 107. Sordes. " The sordid meanness. ' — 108. Tiburie via.
The Tiburtine Way led from the Esquiline gate of the capital to the town
of Tibur. The praetor is travelling along it to reach his villa at the latter
place, and the meanness, to which the poet alludes, is his carrying along
with him certain things which will save him the expense of stopping at
inns by the way. — 109. Lasanum. " A travelling kitchen." We have
followed the explanation of Seebode. — CE nophorumque. "And a vessel
for holding wine." He carries also his wine with him. — 110. Hoc. "In
this way."— 112. Incedo. "I stroll." — 113. Fallacem. "The resort of
cheating impostors." According to the scholiast, there was always a
large number of impostors, fortune-tellers, astrologers, and oheats of every
description collected at the Circus, who imposed upon the ignorant and
EXPLANATORY \OTES. BOOK I., SATIRE VI. 463
tnwary part of the spectators. — Circum. The allusion is to the Circus
Maximus, situate in the eleventh region of Rome, in the valley between
the Aventine and Palatine Hills. — Vespertmumque forum. The forum,
at evening, must have been the scene of many curious adventures, as it
was the common place of resort for the idlers among the lower orders.
Horace esteems it one of the peculiar pleasures of his hamble situation,
as a private individual, that he can mingle unnoticed with the crowds of
the populace, amuse himself with their various modes of diversion, and
stroll wherever he pleases through the lanes and by-ways of the Capital.
This one of higher rank could not do without being noticed and insulted.
— 114. Divinis. " The fortune-tellers."
115-113. 115. Ciceris. The chick-pea, which is here meant, is still a
favorite article of food in the south of Europe. It is the cece of the Italians,
and the garbanzo of the Spaniards. (Keightley, ad loc.) — Lagani. "Pan-
cakes."— 116. Pueris tribus. Namely, a cook, a structor, or slave who
laid the table, and brought on the viands, and a pocillator, or cup-bearer.
— Lapis albus. The scholiast A cron explains this by " mensa marmorea"
but Fea shows very conclusively that the reference here is to a species
of marble stand, with holes cut in for the purpose of receiving dnnking-
cups and other vessels of this kind, which could not stand of themselves,
by reason of their spherical bottoms. Wustemann calls it a dumb-waiter.
— 117. Pocula cum cyatho duo. One of these cups held water, the other
wine, and the cyathus would be used for mixing the contents of the two.
— Echinus. This term is commonly, though erroneously, supposed to de-
note here a vessel in which the cups were washed. The true meaning,
however, is "a salt-cellar." — 118. Guttus. "A cruet." A small vessel
with a narrow neck, from which the liquor which it contained issued by
drops {guttatim), or else in very small quantities. It was chiefly used in
sacred rites, and is therefore classed here with the patera, or bowl for of-
fering libations. — Campana supellcx. " Campanian ware." This was
cheap and common.
119-120. 119. Non sollicitus, mihi quod eras, &c. "Disquieted by no
necessity of rising early the next morning, and visiting the statue of Mar-
syas." Literally, " not disturbed in mind because I must rise," &c. The
poet means that he has no lawsuit, nor any business whatever connect-
ed with the courts, that will disturb his slumbers over night, and require
his attendance early in the morning. — 120. Marsya. A statue of Mar-
syas, the satyr, who contended with Apollo for the prize in music, and
was flayed alive by the conqueror, stood in the Roman forum, in front of
the rostra. The story of Marsyas presents a remarkable instance of well-
merited punishment inflicted on reckless presumption, and as this feeling
is nearly allied to, if not actually identified with, that arrogant and un-
governable spirit which formed the besetting sin of the ancient democra-
cies, we need not wonder that, in many of the cities of antiquity, it was
customary to erect a gro up e of Apollo and Marsyas in the vicinity of their
courts of justice, both to indicate the punishment which such conduct
merited, and to denote the omnipotence of the law. — Qui se vultum ferre
negat, <5cc. The younger Novius, as the scholiast informs us, was accus-
tomed to carry on his shameful usuries near the statue of Marsyas, and, as
the satyr was represented with one hand raised up (compare Serrius, ad
464 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., BATIKS VII.
Virg., JEn., iv., 58), Horace wittily supposes that this was done by him
to show his aversion to such beings as Novius, and to drive thein, as it
were, from bis presence.
122-131. 122. Ad quartam jaceo. "I lie abed until the fourth hcur."
The fourth hour with the Romans answered to ten o'clock in the morn-
ing.— Lecto aut scripto quod me, &c. "After having read or written
something that may serve to occupy my thoughts agreeably when in a
musing mood." Lecto and scripto are ablatives, eo being understood.
Some commentators make them frequentative verbs. — 124. Non quofrau-
datis, &.c. " Not with such as the filthy Natta is, and which lie has stolen
from his lamps." Or, more literally, "not with such as the filthy Natta
is, his lamps being cheated of their oil." Natta defrauded the lamps by
using such oil as was only fit for them. With f ran datis understand oleo.
— Natta. Understand ungitur. — 126. Fttgio campvm lusumque trigonem.
"I abandon the Campus Martius, and the game of ball." The game of
ball was called pila trigonalis, or trigon, when the parties who played it
were placed in a triangle (rpiyuvov), and tossed it from one to another :
he who first let it come to the ground was the loser. The common text
has fugio rabiosi tcmpora sig?ii, i. c, as the scholiast explains it, " aes-
tuosos dies caniculares," or the heat of the dog-days. It is very evident,
however, that this has nothing to do with the object and meaning of the
context. Bentley therefore adopts the reading which we have given, on
the authority of the oldest of the Blandinian MSS. — 127. Pransus non
avide, &c. "Having taken a moderate dinner, sufficient to prevent my
passing the day with an empty stomach." The mid-day meal of the Ro-
mans was generally very slight, after riches had increased among them,
and the principal repast was the cana, or supper. The meaning of the
poet is, that he took little food during the day, but waited until evening. —
128. Domesticus otior. " I idle away the rest of my time at home." — 130.
His me consolor victurum suavius. " I comfort myself with the hope that
I will lead a happier existence by such rules as these," &c. — 131. Quces-
tor. This term is purposely used in place of either Consul or Prcetor,
as containing a satirical allusion to the quaestors of the day, and to their
rapacity in accumulating wealth, which characterized so many of them
as frequently to render a quaestorian descent quite other than a subject
of boastinar.
Satire VII. A lawsuit is here mentioned for the purpose of introducing
a very indifferent witticism of one of the litigants. The case was plead-
ed before Marcus Brutus, who at the time was governor of Asia Minor,
and was making a progress through his province for the purpose of dis-
tributing justice. The parties being named Persius and Bupilius Rex,
the former, during the hearing of the cause, asked Brutus wiry, as it was
the practice of his family to destroy kings, he did not cut the throat of his
opponent. "A miserable clench," says Dryden, "in my opinion, for
Horace to record. I have heard honest Mr. Swan make many a better,
and yet have had the grace to hold my countenance." At this distance
of tirre, the story has certainly lost all its zest ; but the faces and gestures
of the parties, and the impudence of addressing this piece of folly to such
a man as Brutus, may have diverted the audience, and made an impres
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE VII. 465
»ion on Horace, who was perhaps present, as he at that time followed the
fortunes of the conspirator. (Dunlop's Rom. Lit., vol. iii., p. 251.)
1-5. 1. Proscripti Regis Rupili, «Sec. "In what way the mongrel
Persius took vengeance on the filth and venom of outlawed Rupilius, sur-
named the King, is known, I imagine, to every blear-eyed person and
barber about town." According to the scholiast, P. Rupilius Rex was a
native of Praeneste, who, having been proscribed by Octavianus (Augus-
tus), then a triumvir, fled to the army of Brutus, and became a fellow-
soldier of the poet. Jealous, however, of the military advancement which
the latter had obtained, Rupilius reproached him with the meanness of
his origin, and Horace therefore retaliates in the present satire. — 2. Hyb-
rida. The term hybrida properly denotes a creature begotten between
animals of different species ; when applied to human beings, among the
Romans, it designated a person whose parents were of different countries,
or one of whose parents was a slave. In the present instance, Persius is
called hybrida, because, according to the scholiast, his father was a Greek
and his mother a Roman. — 3 Lippis. The disorder of the eyes termed
lippitudo appears to have been very common at Rome. The offices of
the physicians, therefore, would always contain many patients laboring
under this complaint, and who, while waiting for their turn to come un-
der the hands of the practitioner, would amuse themselves, of course,
with the news and gossip of the day. — 4. Permagna negotia habebat.
" Was carrying on very extensive moneyed transactions." The allusion is
here, not to trade, as the scholiast and many commentators pretend, but
to the loaning of money. — 5. Clazomenis. Clazomenae was a city of Asia
Minor, in the region of Ionia. It lay to the west of Smyrna, on the Sinus
Smyrnaeus, and, on account of its advantageous situation for commerce,
received many favors from Alexander the Great, and subsequently from
the Romans.
6-8. 6. Durus homo, Sec. "A fellow of harsh and stubborn temper,
and who in insolent importunity could surpass even the king." As regards
the peculiar meaning of odium in this passage, compare Ruhnken, ad Ter-
ent., Phorm., v., 6, 9 ; Emesti, Clav. Cic, s. v. — 7. Adeo sermonis amari,
Sec. "Of so bitter a tongue, as far to outstrip the Sisennae, the Barri."
The terms Sisennas and Barros are here taken as appellatives, and the
reference is to persons in general, as infamous for the virulence of their
defamatory railings as Sisenna and Barrus. "With regard to the latter of
these two individuals, consult note on Satire i., 4, 110. Dacier thinks
that the other is the same with Cornelius Sisenna, of whom Dio Cassiua
(54, 27) relates a very discreditable anecdote. — 8. Equis prcecurreret al
bis. A proverbial form of expression, and equivalent to longe superaret
Various explanations are assigned for this peculiar mode of speech, the
most common of which is, that white horses were thought by the ancients
to be the swiftest. Compare Erasmus (Chil. 1, cent. 4, 21, p. 138, cd.
Steph.) : *' Ubi quern aliis quapiam in re longe superiorcm signifcabant,
longoque anteire intervallo, eum albis equis prcecedere dicebant ; vel, quod
antiquitus equi albi meliores haberentur ; vel, quod victores in triumpha
albis equis vectari solcrent ; vel, quod albi equi fortunatiores et auspicaii-
ores esse crederenlur, nt ad equestrc certamen referamus metaphoramy
406 EXPLANATORY NOTES.— BOOK tM SATIRE VII.
9-17. 9. Fostquam nil inter utrumqtie convenit. " When no reconcile
ation could be effected between them. ' Or, more literally, " after noth-
ing was agreed upon between the two." — 10. Hoc etenim sunt omnes, &.C.
" For all, between whom adverse war breaks out, are, by this fixed law of
our nature, troublesome to one another in proportion as they are valiant."
All from hoc etenim to missis in line 18 is parenthetic; not indicating, as
Keightley thinks, the unpracticed poet by its awkwardness, but purpose-
ly introduced to heighten the burlesque air of the piece. — 12. Hectora
Priamidcn, &c. The comparison here drawn is extremely amusing, and
is intended to give an air of seriousness and importance to this mighty
combat. 'Tis death alone, observes the poet, that can terminate the dif-
ferences between brave men, such as Hector and Achilles, Persius and
Rupilius; whereas, if two faiut-hearted men engage, or two persons not
equally matched in courage and in strength, one of them is always sure
to give up. — 13. Irafuit capitalis, &c. The order of construction is fuit
(tarn) capitalis ira ut ultima mors solum dividcrct illos. " There was so
deadly a feud, that the utter destruction of one of the two could alone ter-
minate their difference." Literally, "could alone separate them." Cap-
italis means, properly, "what affects the head," i. e., the life. — 15. Duo si
discordia vexet inertes. "Whereas, if discord set two faint-hearted men
in action." — 16. Diomedi cum Lycio Glauco. Alluding to the exchange
of armor between Glaucus and Diomede. — 17. Pigrior. "The weaker
of the two."
18-19. 18. Bruto proetore tenente, &c. Brutus was praetor when he
took part in the assassination of Julius Coesai-. Asia formed, in fact, a
proconsular province, that is, its governor was to be a man of consular
rank. In the confusion, however, which succeeded the death of Caesar,
this rule, with many others of a similar nature, was not, of course, accu-
rately complied with ; and the Roman senate, who, amid all their weak-
ness and timidity, still felt convinced that their only hope of restoring the
republic rested with Brutus, exerted themselves to strengthen his hands
by provincial appointments. He received, therefore, first, the government
of Crete, as propraetor, afterward that of Macedonia, and, A.U.C. 711, the
province of Asia, a part of which, however, he had first to reduce to his
authority by force of arms. It is evident, therefore, that Horace uses the
term pratore in the text in the sense of "governor" (propr&tore would
have been unmanageable in verse), and with the more propriety, in the
present instance, as Brutus never had obtained a higher rank in the re-
public than the praetorian. — 19. Rupili ct Pcrsi par pugnat. " The pair,
Rupilius and Persius, enter the lists." Our idiom rejects the genitive
("the pair of Rupilius and Persius"), which, in the original, conveys an
air of peculiar elegance to the clause, being based upon the expi'ession
par gladiatorum. — Utinon compositi melius cum Bitho Bacchius. "With
bo much spirit, that the gladiators Bacchius and Bithus were not mora
equally matched."
21-26. 21. Acres. "Eager to bring their cause to a hearing." — Mag-
num spectaculum uterque. " Each a very diverting spectacle." — 22. Per-
sius exponit causam. "Pei'sius opens the case," i. e., lays before the
court the grounds on which the action was brought. He was the plaintiff.
— Ridetur ab omni conventu. " He is laughed at by the whole assembly."
EXPLANATORY NOTES. — BOOK I., SATIRE VIII. 467
Conventus here included all who were present at the hearing- of the case.
—23. Cohortem. "His retinue." — 24. Solem, Asia. As illumining the
whole province of Asia by the splendor of his authority and name. — 25.
Canem ilium, iavisum agricolis, «See. "That Rupilius had come like that
hound, the star hateful to husbandmen.'' The allusion is to the dog-star.
Consult note on Ode i., 17, 17. — 26. Ruebat, fiumen ut hibernum^ &c. "He
poured along, as a wintry flood is wont, in places whither the axe of the
woodman seldom comes." Persius, choking with rage while he pours
forth his torrent of angry invective against Rupilius, is compared to a
6tream swollen by the winter rains, and choked in its coarse by the thick
underwood, and other impediments of the kind which it encounters.
2€-30. 28. Turn P rcenestinus salso, &c. " Then the native of Prae-
neste, like a stubborn and unconquered vine-dressei-, to whom the pas-
senger hath often been obliged to yield, when calling him cuckoo with
roaring voice, retorts upon his opponent, as he flowed along in his cutting
and copious style, invectives drawn, as it were, from the vulgar raillery
of the vineyard itself." The vines in Italy were trimmed and pruned
early in the spring. If any vine-dresser, therefore, attended to this branch
of his duties late in the season (the period when the cuckoo begins to put
forth its note), he was sure of encountering the raillery of passengers for
his indolence and loss of time, and it was customary with them, in allusion
to the lateness of the season, in which his labors had only just commenced,
to salute his ears with the cry of cucullus (" cuckoo," i. e., in the vulgar
dialect of our own days, " lazy lubber'). On this a fierce war of invective
and abuse invariably ensued, in which the more extensive vocabulary of
the vine-dressers generally insured them the victory. Horace compares
Rupilius, therefore, to a vine-dresser who had been in many such conflicts,
and had always come oft* conqueror; in other words, he pays a high com-
pliment to his unrivalled powers of abuse. — 29. Arbusto. The Italian
vines were trained along trees. Hence the use of arbustum to denote a
vineyard. — 30. Vindemiator. This term properly denotes one who gathers
the grapes for the vintage. It is here used, however, in the sense of put a-
tor. In metrical reading, vindemiator must be pronounced vindem-yator.
32-35. 32. Greecus. Compare note on verse 2. — Italo accto. The in-
vectives and abuse uttered by Rupilius are here designated by the ap-
pellation of " Italian vinegar." — 34. Qui reges consuesti tollere. Brutus
had aided in slaying Caesar only, but Junius Brutus, one of his ancestors,
had driven Tarquin from Rome. Persius therefore addresses him as an
hereditary tyrannicide. — 35. Opcrum hoc miki crede tuorum est. "This
is one, believe me, of the deeds that peculiarly belong to thee," i. e., this,
trust me, is a work for thee alone, the hereditary foe of kings, to accom-
plish. We may either understand unum after operum tuorum, or, what
is far preferable, make the genitive here an imitation at once of the Greek
idiom.
Satire VIII. The design of this satire is to ridicule the superstitions
of the Romans. Priapus is introduced, describing the incantations per-
formed by Canidia, in Maecenas's newly -laid-out gardens on the Esquiline
Hill, which he protected from thieves. But he could not sriard them from
468 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE VIII.
the intrusion of Canidia and a sister hag, who resorted thither for the eel
ehration of their unhallowed rites.
1-10. 1. Inutile lignum. The wood of the fig-tree was very little used,
on account of its hrittleness. Hence the Greek proverb, Civrjp ovklvoc,
"A fig-tree man," to denote one that is of little firmness or real value. —
2. Faber. " The carpenter." Supply lignarius. — Incerlus, scamnumfa-
ceretne Priapum. Horace here represents the carpenter as at a loss
whether to make a bench or a Priapus out of the wood in question. This,
of course, is a mere witticism on the part of the poet, at the expense of
the strange deity to whom he alludes. — 3. Furttm aviumque maxima
formido. A wooden figure of Priapus was generally set up in gardens
and orchards. He was usually represented with a crown of reeds or of
garden herbs, and holding in his right hand a wooden club, or else scythe,
while his body terminated in an unsightly trunk. The Roman poets ap-
pear, in general, to have entertained little, if any, respect for him ; and with
the vulgar he degenerated into a mere scare-crow, whose only employment
seemed to be to drive away the birds and thieves. — 4. Dextra. Alluding
to the club or scythe with which his right hand was armed. — 5. Arundo.
Referring to his crown of reeds, the rattling of which served to terrify the
birds. — 6. Novis hortis. By the " new gardens" are here meant those of
Maecenas on the Esquiline Hill, which were laid out on what had been
previously a common burying-place for the lower orders, for slaves and for
ruined spendthrifts. It seems to have been called Puticuli, because the
bodies were thrown into common " pits," as is done in some parts of Italy
at the present day. Slaves were crucified, and criminals executed at this
place. As it was naturalby, from its noxious effluvia, a source of annoy-
ance to those who lived in the vicinity, Maecenas, having obtained pos-
session of it (we know not precisely in what manner), laid it out iu a pai-k.
{Keightley, ad loc.) — 7. Prhts. Before the gardens of Maecenas were laid
out. — Angustis ejecta cellis. " Tossed out of their narrow cells." The
term ejecta forcibly denotes the unfeeling manner in which the corpses of
slaves were disposed of. By cellis are meant their little cells, or dormi-
tories at home. — 8. Conservus locabat. " The fellow-slave bargained for,"
i. e., he bargained with the designator, or undertaker, to have the dead
body or bodies earned forth and interred. Orelli and others suppose that
the conservi made up a common purse, as it were, among themselves, in
order to defray the expense of this. Not so, however, by any means.
The conservus merely bargained with the designator on his master's ac-
count. Compare Keightley, ad loc. — Vili in area. "In a mean coffin."
The coffin was only used for carrying the body to the grave, and had no
cover or top. The corpse was thrown into the grave coffinless, a custom
which still prevails among the poorer classes in Italy. The corpses of the
higher orders and the wealthy were conveyed on litters (lecticce) to the
funeral pile. — 9. Commune sepulcrum. "A common burial-place." —
10. Pantolabo scurrce, Nomentanoque nepoti. "For such beings as the
buffoon Pantolabus and the spendthrift Nornentanus." Both Pantolabus
and Nornentanus were still alive, as appears from Satire ii., 1, 19, and the
poet, with cutting satire, makes their names grace, as appellatives, two
entire classes of men. As regards Pantolabus, the scholiast tells us his
true name was Mallius Verna. and that he received the appellation ol
Pantolabus from the habit of indiscriminate borrowing. With respect to
Nornentanus, consult note on Satire i., 1, 101.
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE VIII. 469
11-18. 11. Mille pedes in. f rente, &c. " Here a small stone pillar mark-
ed out for it a thousand feet of ground in front, three hundred toward the
fields ; (ryith the injunction added) that this place of burial should not de-
scend to the heirs of the estate.'' This describes the whole extent of the
burial-ground, which probably, as Keightley remarks, formed only a part
of Maecenas's gardens. It was the custom, when ground was set apart
by any individual, as in the present instance, for a place of interment, to
erect upon it a small square pillar of stone, with an inscription on it, des-
ignating the limits of the piece of land to be appropriated for this pur-
pose, and declaring that it never was to return to the heirs of the estate.
The cippus alluded to in the text marked out a thousand feet for the
breadth (in /route, i. e., along the road), and three hundred for the depth
(in agrum, i. e., extending inward toward the fields), and it had also the
common injunction respecting the land's not descending to the heirs of the
estate. — 14. Aggere in aprico. " On an open and sunny terrace." The
allusion is to the Agger, or high wall of Servius Tullius, which, like the
Boulevards of continental towns in Europe, was probably used as a prom-
enade. It is termed opticus on account of its height and sunny situation
Juvenal (viii., 43), for the same reason, calls it ventosus. (Keightley, aa
loc.) — Modo. "A short time ago." — Tristes. Referring to the passers
by, and the feelings that came upon them as this place of interment met
their view. — 16. Quum. "While, in the mean time." Quum is here
equivalent to cum interea, and Priapus alludes to the period which has
intervened between the first formation of the gardens and the present
moment in which he is represented as speaking. — Ferce. " Birds of prey."
They are called Esquilince alites in Epode v., 100. — Suetce. Equivalent
to quce solebant. — 18. Quantum. Understand veneficas stmt. — Carmini-
bus quce versant, «Sec. "Who turn people's brains by their incantations
and drugs."
20-28. 20. Vaga Luna. The epithet vaga, " wandering," is merely
applied to the moon in allusion to her course through the heavens. —
22. Vidi egomet. " I myself saw," i. e., I saw with my own eyes. A
piece of humorous solemnity, as Keightley remarks. — Nigra succinctam
palla. "With her sable robe tucked up." Diintzer and others think
that palla is here used for tunica ; incorrectly, however, since, as Wuste-
niann remarks, the full-bosomed palla is meant, in the capacious sinus
of which Canidia would carry the several articles required for her incan-
tations. Keightley supposes the poet to mean the ordinary toga pulla,
worn by women of Canidia' s class, the palla being the peculiar mantle or
robe of the Banian lady, and, according to him, out of place here. — 24. Cum
Sagana majore. "With the elder Sagana." The scholiast makes this
Sagana to have been a freedwoman of Pomponius, a Boman senator pro-
scribed by the triumvirate, and to have had a sister younger than herself;
whence the epithet major (sc. natu) here applied to her. During thinks
that Sagana may have been termed majore by Horace, as being older
than Canidia. — 26. Scalpere terram ungvibus, &c. The witches are here
represented as digging a trench with their nails, and tearing the victim
in pieces with their teeth. This, of course, is invented by the poet, in
order to give a more ridiculous appearance to the whole scene. — 26. Pul-
latn agnam. Black victims were always offered to the gods of the lower
world. — 27. Confusus. " All poured." — 28. Inde. This may either refer
470 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE IX.
to the trench or the blood. The latter appears to us more correct, and
inde will therefore be equivalent to hac re, " by means of this." Nothing
was supposed to be more delicious to the souls of the departed than blood.
They would not foretell any future events, nor answer any questions, until
they had tasted of it. — Manes. The Dei Manes, of course, are meant.
29-35. 29. Lanea et effigies erat, &c. There were two images, one of
larger size, and made of wool, the other smaller, and composed of wax.
The former represented Canidia, the latter the intended victim of the
charm ; and this one stood in a suppliant posture before the other, as if
about to receive some signal punishment. The general rule in magic rites
seems to have been, to make the images of those who were to be bene-
fited of wool, and to employ wax in the case of those who were to be op-
erated upon. The wool was deemed invulnerable, whereas the wax was
either pierced with needles, or was made to melt away in magic fires. —
31. Qua pasnis compesccret inferiorem. "Which was to keep the smaller
one within bounds by certain punishments," i. e., was to keep the indi-
vidual whom the image represented from wandering in his affections, by
the infliction of certain severe punishments. — 32. Servilibus modis. " Like
a slave," i. e., by the severest inflictions of suffering. Compare Orelli :
" Miserabiliter peritura, liquejieri enim debebat." — 34. Lunamque ruben-
tem. "And the blushing moon." The moon blushes with shame at these
abominable rites. — 35. Magna sepulcra. Not, as some suppose, the high-
raised graves in the gardens, for these had long since disappeared, if they
ever had been there at all, but probably the lofty tombs of some of the Ro
man nobility along the Via Tiburtina in the vicinity. (Keightley, ad loc.x
37-39. 37. Umbra. The manes evoked by the incantations cf the srr
ceress. — Resonarent triste et acutum. The spirits of the dead are here
represented, in accordance with the popular belief, as uttering a plaintive
and shrill sound when speaking. — 38. Lupi barbam. Pliny (H. N., xxviii.,
10) informs us that the snout of a wolf (rostrum lupi) was thought to pos-
sess the greatest virtue in repelling enchantments, and was therefore
fixed up over the doors of farm-houses. The modern belief respecting the
efficacy of the horse-shoe is akin to this. On the present occasion, the
hags bury a wolfs beard in order to guard their own enchantments against
any counter-charm. — 43. Cerea. To be pronounced, in metrical reading,
cer-ya. Compare Sat. ii., 2, 21, where a similar contraction occurs in the
word ostrea.
Satire IX. Horace describes the unavailing efforts which he employs
to get rid of an importunate fellow, a fop and poetaster, who tires and
overwhelms him with his loquacity. Sometimes he stops short, and then
walks fast, but all his endeavors are vain to shake off the intruder. A
few of the touches of this finished portrait, which is surpassed by none in
delicacy of coloring and accuracy of delineation, have been taken from the
characters of Theophrastus. The individual here described belonged to a
class of persons, then so numerous at Rome, who fancied themselves to
be bel-esprits, men of talents and accomplishments, and entitled to be,
like Horace and Virgil, admitted to the society of the great. The poet
here depicts the mean artifices by which they thought this was to be ef
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE IX. 471
fected. and indirectly informs the world how things really were in the
hoase of Maecenas. (Keightley, ad loc.)
1-10. 1. Ibam forte Via Sacra. "I chanced to be strolliag along- the
Sacred Way." Compare Ode iv., 2, 34 ; Epode vii., 7. — 2. Nescio quid
meditans nugarum. " Musing on some trifle or other." — 4. Quid agis,
dnlcissime rerum ? " My dearest of friends in the whole world, how goes
it ?" More freely, " My dearest fellow, how do you do ?" Some punc-
tuate as follows : Quid agis, dnlcissime, rerum ; but, as Wiistemann re-
marks, tbe usual expression was quid rerum geris. — 5. Suaviter ut nunc
est, &c. "Pretty well at present, I reply, and thou hast my best wishes
for thy welfare," i. e., pretty well, as times go. The expression cupio
omnia qua vis (literally, " I desire all things to come to pass as thou wish-
est") was a form employed in taking leave of a person. Hence it is used
by the poet on the present occasion, in turning away from the individual
who accosts him. — 6. Num quid vis? occupo. "Dost thou want any
thing else of me ? I ask, before he has time to begin a regular conversa-
tion." Supply aliud after quid. The phrase num quid vis ? was another
customary mode of taking leave, and is of frequent occurrence in the
comic writers. According to Donatus, it was used among the Romans in
order that they might not seem to take their leave too abruptly. Our
modern phrase, "Hast thou any thing with me?" is precisely analogous.
— Occupo. The peculiar force of this verb in the present instance must
be noted. The poet means that he gets the start of the troublesome indi-
vidual with whom he has come in contact, and proceeds to bid him good-
by before the latter has time to make a regular onset and commence talk-
ing at him. — 7. Noris nos, inquit ; docti sumus. " Yes, replies he, I want
thee to become acquainted with me : I am a man of letters." Complete
the ellipsis as follows : velim ut nos noris. Orelli and Wiistemann, how-
ever, say that noris is here not the perfect subjunctive, but the past or
complete future, and means " Surely thou knowest us." This, however,
is less natural. — 8. Hoc. "On this account." — Misere discedere quarens.
" Wanting sadly to get away from him." — 9. Ire. The historical infini-
tive, as it is termed, used in the sense of the imperfect, ibam. So, also,
dicere for dicebam. — 10. Puero. The "servant boy" who accompanied
bim, according to custom. — Quum. "While all the while."
11-21. 11. O te, Bolane, &c. "Ah! Bolanus, murmured I to myself,
nappy in thy irritable temper !" i. e., would that I were blessed for this
occasion with that temper of thine. According to the scholiast, the indi-
vidual hero alluded to was a man of irritable and fiery temper, who had a
summary mode of getting rid of such acquaintances by telling them to
their faces what he thought of them. — 13. Vicos. " The streets," i. e., the
fine appearance of the houses on both sides of the way. — 15. Sed nil agis,
usque tenebo. "But 'tis all in vain. I'm determined to stick close by
thee." This is meant for a bon-mot by the poet's persecutor. — 16. Perse-
quar. "I'll follow thee wherever thou goest," i. e., I will accompany
thee all the way to where thou art going. Bentley's prosequar is merely
" I will escort thee." — Hinc quo nunc iter est tibil "Whither does thy
route lie now from this quarter?" — 18. Cubat. "He is sick in bed." —
CcBsaris hortos. The reference is to the gardens of Julius Caesar, which
he left by his will to the Roman people. (Suet., Cces., S3.) They we-e
472 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE IX.
situate on the right bank of the Tiber. — 19. Piger. " In a lazy mood."—
Usque sequar te. "I will accompany thee as far." — 20. Ut iniquaz mentis
asellus. "Like a surly young ass." Beasts of burden, says Keightley,
when out of temper, lay back their ears. — 21. Quum gravius dorso subiit
onus. The construction is quum subiit (i. e., iit sub) gravius onus dorso.
"When a heavier load than ordinary is put upon his back." Literally
" when he goes under a heavier load than ordinary with his back." Th&
final syllable of subiit is lengthened by the arsis.
22-28. 22. Viscum. There were two brothers named Viscus, of sena-
torian rank, and sons of Vibius Viscus, a Roman knight, who stood high in
favor with Augustus. They were both distinguished by their literary tal-
ents, and both are named by Horace, in the tenth satire of this book, among
those persons whose good opinion was to him a source of gratification.
From the present passage it would appear, that, at this time, he was par-
ticularly intimate with one of the two. — 24. Quis membra movere mol-
lius ? &c. " Who can dance more gracefully ? My singing, too, even
Hermogenes would envy." Consult note on Satire i., 6, 1. — 26. Interpel-
landi locus hie erat. " An opportunity here offered itself for interrupting
him." The poor bard, driven to despair by the garrulity of his new ac-
quaintance, and finding it impossible to shake him off, seeks some little
relief under his misery by endeavoring to change the conversation, and
introduce the subject of his neighbor's extraction. He asks him, there-
fore, if he has a mother living, if he has any relations who are interested
in his welfare. — 27. Queis te salvo est opus. " Who are interested in
thy welfare," i. e., who are wrapped up in the safety and preservation
of so valuable a man as thou. Literally, "who have need of thee safe."
The poet, driven to extremities, indulges in a sneer at his persecutor, but
the armor of the other is proof against the blow. — 28. Omnes composui.
" I have laid them all at rest," i. c., I have buried them all. Compono is
the proper term for laying the corpse on the bier, or placing the ashes in
the urn. The talkative fellow wishes to intimate to Horace how able he
is to serve the bard as well as all other friends, from the circumstance of
his being free from the claims of any relatives on his time and attention.
— Felices ! " Happy they," mutters the poor bard to himself, who are
now out of the reach of thy never-ending tongue. From this to aetas, in
the 34th line, inclusive, is supposed to be spoken aside by the poet.
Nothing can be more amusing than to picture to ourselves the poor bard,
moving along with drooping head, and revolving in mind his gloomy des-
tiny. The prediction, of course, to which he alludes is a mere fiction, and
got up expressly for the occasion.
29-37. 29. Confice. " Dispatch me," i. e., come, make quick work of
me. — Sabella quod puero, &c. " Which an old Sabine sorceress foretok
unto me when a boy, after having shaken her urn." The common read-
ing is divina mota anus urna, to which Cruquius and Bentley both ob-
ject, on the ground of ambiguity. We have adopted the order which they
recommend instead of it, namely, mold divina anus urna. This avoids
the elision of the long vowel, which will occur if we read divina mold
anus urna. Compare si me amas in verse 38. The divination here al-
luded to was performed in the following manner : A number of letters
and entire words were thrown into an urn and shaken together. When
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE IX. 473
they were all well mixed they were thrown out, and, from the arrange-
ment thus brought about by chance, the witch formed her answers respect-
ing the future fortunes of the person that consulted her. — 31. Hunc. Re-
ferring to the boy Horace. — Xec hosticus avferet ensis. The poet escaped
from the battle-field. (Ode ii., 7, 10.) — 32. Laterum dolor. "Pleurisy."
— 33. Quando consumet cunque. A tmesis for quandocunque consumet,
" Shall one day or other make away with." — 35. Ventum erat ad Vesta.
Understand templum. This temple would seem to have stood between
the Via Nova and that continuation or branch of the Via Sacra which is-
sued from the western angle of the Forum. — 36. Et casu tunc respondere
vadato debebat. " And it so happened that he had to answer in court to
a person who had held him to bail." Vadari aliquem is to compel any
one to give bail for his appearance in court on a certain day. Hence
vadatus, the participle of this deponent, becomes equivalent, as in the
present case, to petitor or plaintiff. With regard to the time of day men
tioned by the poet (quarto- jam parte diei preeterita), it may be remarked,
that, as the Roman day was divided into twelve hours, the fourth part of
the day would correspond to the third hour, or nine o'clock in the morning
with us. At this hour the courts of law opened, according to Martial
("exercet raucos tertia causidicos." Epig., iv., 8), and the companion of
Horace, therefore, when he reached the temple of Vesta, was after the
time when he ought to have been present in court. — 37. Quod ni fecisset,
perdere litem. " And if he did not do this, he would lose his cause." Per-
dcre is governed by debebat understood. According to the rule of the Ro-
man law, if the defendant was not in court when the case came on, he
was said deserere vadimonium, and the praetor put the plaintiff in posses-
sion of his effects. The present case, however, would seem to have been
one in which the defendant had bound himself to pay a certain sum, equal
to the amount in controversy, if he forfeited his recognizance. As he did
not appear at the time stipulated, judgment went against him by default,
and hence a new action arises on the recognizance. To compel his at-
tendance at this new suit, the plaintiff goes in quest of him, and, on find-
ing, drags him to court. Compare note on verse 76.
38-44. 38. Si me amas. This must not be read si m'amas, but si m£
amas ; in other words, the long vowel in me parts with one of its shore
component vowels before the initial vowel of amas, and retains the other.
— Paulum hie ades. "Help me hei'e a little." Adesse, in the legal
phraseology of the Romans, was equivalent to patrocinari. It is here
used in this sense. — 39. Stare. This term, like adesse in the preceding
line, is used here in a legal sense, and is equivalent to advocati partes
sustinere. Hence the reply made by Horace is as follows : "May I die
if I am either able to act the part of an advocate, or have any acquaintance
whatever with the laws of the state." Inteream is here equivalent to oui
colloquial English phrase, "Hang me!" — Novi. The peculiar propriety
of this term on the present occasion is worthy of notice. Noscerc is to be
acquainted with any thing as an object of perception, and the poet there
fore wishes to convey the idea that he is so great straneer to the laws at
not to know even their very form and language. — 41. Rem. " My suit."
— Me, sodes. "Me, I beg." Sodes is said to be contracted for si audes
— 42. Ut. In the sense of siquidem or quandoquidetn. "Since." — ±'3. Ma
cenas quomodo tecum. " How is Maecenas with thee 1" i. e., on what foot
474 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE IX.
ing art thou with Maecenas ? Supply agit. — 44. Hie repetit. " He he.re
resumes." The troublesome fellow now begins to unfold the motive which
had prompted him to hang so long on the skirts of the poor bard ; the de-
sire, namely, of an introduction through him to Maecenas. — Paucorum
hominum et mentis bene sance, &c. " He is one that has but few intimates,
and in this he shows his good sense. No man has made a happier use of
the favors of fortune (than thou hast, Horace ; still, however), thou wouldst
have," &c. Supply quam tu after est usus, and tamen with haberes.
From Maecenas quomodo tecum down to omncs, in verse 48, is all one
speech of the companion of Horace, and there must be no dash, therefore,
before haberes. The words nemo dexterius fortuna est usus allude to
Horace's good fortune in securing the friendship of a man like Maecenas,
who has so few intimates.
46-64. 46. Posset qui ferre secundas. " One who could play the sec-
ond part." Understand partes. The allusion is a figurative one to the
practice of the ancient Greek stage. — 47. Hunc hominem. Pointing to
himself. — Tradere. "Introduce." — Dispeream ni summosses omnes.
" May I be utterly undone, if thou wouldst not supplant in a moment
every rival." The pluperfect summosses (for summovisses) carries with
it here the idea of rapid performance. — 48. Non isto vivitur illic, &c.
" We do not live there in the way that thou supposest." Isto is here
employed in its genuine sense, as referring to the person spoken to. The
poet, finding his antagonist determined not to take a hiut, however broad
it may be, now deals openly and plainly with him. — 49. Domus hac nee
purior ulla est, &c. " No house is marked by more purity of principle
than this, nor is freer from these evils." By mala are here meant jeal-
ousies and rivalships, with their attendant evils. — 50. Nil mi ojficit in-
quam. " It gives me, I tell thee, no umbrage." — 52. Atqui sic habet.
" And yet it is even as I say." — 53. Accendis, quare cupiam. " Thou
makest me more and more desirous." Literally, "thou inflamest me
wherefore I am to desire." Supply me after accendis. — Illi. Alluding to
Maecenas. — 54. Veils tantummodo ; qua tua virtus, &c. Bitter irony.
" Thou hast only to entertain the wish ; such is thy merit, thou wilt carry
every thing before thee." The ellipsis in qua tua virtus must be sup-
plied as follows : ea virtute, qua tua virtus est. — 55. Eoque. " And for
that very reason," i. e., and because he is well aware of his own yielding
temper. An amusing piece of irony, and well calculated to provoke a
smile from Maecenas, when the passage met his view. — 56. Haud mihi
deero, &c. A laughable picture. The garrulous man, completely miscon-
struing the poet's ironical advice, already, in imagination, triumphs over
every obstacle, and makes his way like a conqueror, detailing all the mean
and vulgar artifices on which he counted for success. — 58. Tempora quat-
rain. "I will watch my opportunities." — 59. Triviis. Trivium proper-
ly denotes a spot where three roads meet (rpiodoc) ; here, however, it is
taken in a general sense, for any place of public resort. — Deducam. " I
will escort him home." This was regarded as a mark of honor, and was
always paid to distinguished individuals. — 61. Fuscus Aristius. The
same to whom the 22d ode of the 1st book, and the 10th epistle of the 1st
book, are inscribed. He was a grammarian, a poet, and an orator, and the
intimate friend of Horace. — 62. Pulchre. In familiar language equivalent
to bene, and used in this sense particularly by the comic writers, as ki'Auc
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE IX. 475
among the Greeks. — 64. Lentissima brachia. "His arms, which seemed
devoid of the least feeling." They were apparently dead to all the poet's
attempts. This, of course, was done on purpose. — Male salsus, «Sec.
"With cruel pleasantry, he laughed and pretended not to understand
me," i. e., not to perceive my object. Observe the employment of the
historical infinitive instead of the imperfect, to give animation and rapid-
ity to the narrative. So urere immediately after.
67-77. 67. Certe nescio quid, &c. A short dialogue here ensues be-
tween the bard and Aristius Fuscus. — Xescio quid. " Something or oth-
er.''— 69. Hodie tricesima Sabbata, <fcc. " To-day is the thirtieth Sabbath :
dost thou wish to offend the circumcised Jews ?" The ancient scholiasts,
as well as the modern commentators, are divided in opinion with regard
to what is here denominated " the thirtieth Sabbath." Some refer it to
the Jewish Passover, which commenced on the thirtieth Sabbath of their
year. It is better, perhaps, to adopt the opinion of Scaliger (de Emend.
Temp., iii., p. 309) and Selden [de I. N., iii., 15), and understand by trice-
sima Sabbata the thirtieth day of the lunar month, in part, at least, kept
sacred by the Jews. Roeder, whom Orelli follows, supposes the Feast
of Tabernacles to be meant, which was about thirty weeks after the be-
ginning of the Jewish year in April ; while Bretschneider maintains that
there was no such festival at all as that mentioned in the text, and that
the whole was an impramtu fiction of Fuscus, who was evidently a wag,
to increase the comic embarrassment of his friend. (Compare Keightley,
ad loc.) — Nulla mihi, inquam, religio est. "I have no religious scruples
on that head, replied I." — 71. At vii; sum paulo infirmior, «See. "But I
have. I am a little weaker, iu that respect, than thou art; I am one of
the multitude," i. e., I am one of the common herd, not a sage Epicurean
like thee. The Latins use multi like the oi to1?.oi of the Greeks. — 73.
Nigrum. In the sense of infaustuvi. — Surrexe. For surrexisse. — Im-
probus. "The wicked rogue." Alluding to Fuscus. — 74. Sub cultro.
The poet pleasantly compares himself to a victim about to suffer, as it
were, "under the knife" of the sacrificer. The garrulous man is going to
talk him to death. — Casu venit obvius, &c. "As good luck would have
it, his adversary meets him." By adversarius is meant the opposite
party in the law-suit. — 76. Licet antistari ? " Wilt thou be a witness to
the arrest?" According to the rules of the Roman law, a plaintiff had
the right of ordering his opponent to go with him before the praetor. If
he refused, the prosecutor took some one present to witness, by saying
licet antistari 1 If the person consented, he showed his acquiescence by
offering the tip of his ear (auriculam opponebat), which the prosecutor
touched, and the latter might drag the defendant to court by force in any
way, even by the neck, according to the law of the Twelve Tables. As
regards the peculiar circumstances which warranted the arrest in the
present instance, compare note on verse 37 of the present satire. — 77. Au-
riculam. The ancients believed that the seat of the memory was in the
kip of the ear, and hence their custom of touching it, in order to remind
another of a thing, or for the purpose of calling him to witness any circum»
stance or occurrence.
47G EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE X.
Satire X. In tins piece, which is entirely critical, Horace supports as
opinion which he had formerly pronounced respecting the satires of Lu
cilius, and which had given offence to the numerous admirers of that an-
cient hard.
1-8. 1. Lucili. The first eight verses of this satire are printed in a dii
ferent type from the rest, because it is uncertain whether they were com-
posed by Horace or not. — C atone. The allusion is to Valerius Cato, a gram-
marian and poet. He lost his patrimony at an early age, and, in conse-
quence, turned his attention to literary pursuits. Horace here describes
him as preparing to amend the ill-wrought verses of Lucilius. — 3. Male
factos versus. "Thy badly-wrought verses." — Hoc lenius illc, &c. " In
this he acts a milder part, by how much he is a better man, far more
acute than that one who, when a boy, was often urged on," &c, i. e., Cato
makes a fairer defender of Lucilius, and is far more frank in acknowledg-
ing the errors of the old satirist, by how much he possesses a larger share
of critical ability than that grammarian of equestrian rank whose critical
acumen was flogged into him at school. — 8. Grammalicorum- equitum.
"Of grammarians of equestrian rank." The individual here alluded to
is unknown.
9-22. 9. Nempe incomposito, &c. "I did indeed say that the verses of
Lucilius ran not smoothly along." Compare Sat. i., 4, R, where Lucilius
is described as being durus componere versus. — 10. Tarn inepte. " To so
foolish a degree." — 11. Quod sale mtdto urbem defricuit. " For having
lashed the town with abundant humor." Literally, "for having rubbed
down the city with much salt," i. e., he rubbed the city with salt, and
made it smart, as wounds and sores do when thus treated. {Keightley,
ad loc.) — 12. Charta eadem. " In the same piece," i. e., in the same satire.
— 14. Laberi. Laberius was a Roman knight of respectable family and
character, who occasionally amused himself with the composition of what
were called mimes. These were a species of drama, to which mimetic
gestures of every kind, except dancing, were essential, as also the exhi-
bition of grotesque characters which had often no prototypes in real life.
The titles and a few fragments of forty-three of the mimes of Laberius
are still extant; but, excepting the prologue, these remains are too in-
considerable and detached to enable us to judge of their subject or merits.
Horace condemns, in the present passage, an admiration of the mimes
of this writer, but he does not appear to have been an infallible judge
of true poetic excellence. He evidently attached more importance to
correctness and terseness of style, than to originality of genius or fertility
of invention. Probably, too, the freedom of the prologue, and other pas-
sages of his dramas, contributed to draw down the disapprobation of the
Augustan critic. — 16. Et est qucedam tamen, &c. " Though there is a cer-
tain kind of meiit even in this," i. e., in exciting the laughter of an audi-
ence.— 17. Neu se impediat verbis, &c. " And may not embarrass itself by
a multitude of words, that only serve to load the wearied ears." — 19 El
sermone opus est, Sec. " There is need, too, of a style at one time grave,
at another playful ; now supporting the character of an orator or a poet,
at times that of a refined and polished rallier, who curbs the force of lug
pleasantry and purposely weakens it." — 22. Ridiculum acri fortius el
melius, «Sec. " Ridicule often decides matters of importance more effectu
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE X. 477
Rlly, ami in a better manner, than severity of satire." This serves as an
explanatory comment on what precedes, viz., " parcentis viribus," &c.
24-27. 24. 77//, scripta quibus, &c. The construction is Illi viri, qui-
bus viris prisca Comasdia scripta est. "The writers of the old comedy."
Consult note on Sat. i., 4, 2. — 25. Hoc stabant. " Depended on this for
success," i. e., owed their success to this preference of the jocose to the
serious style. Sto is a dramatic term, expressing the success of a piece.
— PulcherHermogen.es. "The smooth-faced Hermogenes." This appears
aimed at the effeminate habits of the man. The Hermogenes here allud-
ed to is the same with the singer whose death is mentioned in the com-
mencement of the second satire. We must bear in mind that these pro-
ductions of Horace are not arranged in the order of time. — 26. Simius.
" That little ape." The poet means, by this contemptuous appellation,
to designate either some performer of the day, who made himself ridicu-
lous by his ape-like imitation of Hermogenes, and who is generally sup-
posed to be the Demetrius of verses 87 and 98, or else some individual of
a dwarfish and deformed person. — 27. Nil prater Calvum, &c. "Who is
skilled in nothing but singing the compositions of Calvus and Catullus." —
Calvum. The allusion is to C. Licinius Calvus, who was equally distin-
guished as an orator and a poet. He is classed by Ovid among the licen-
tious writers, and it is to this character of his writings that Horace here
seems to allude. — Catullum. The celebrated Catullus, well known as an
elegant though most licentious poet.
28-32. 28. At magnum fecit, &c. One of the admirers of Lucilius is
here introduced, who urges, as a decided proof of his high merit, the in-
termixture of Greek with Latin words. The poet's reply is given in the
following line. — 29. O seri studiorum. "Ye late learned," i. e., ye who
are but little advanced in the paths of learning, to which your attention
has only at a late period been directed. Sen studiorum means properly
those who begin not their studies until at a late period of life. As they
never, in general, arrive at any great degree of perfection, so the pains
they are forced to be at, in order to master the easiest subjects, make
them apt to admire trifles, such as Greek mixed with Latin, for example,
in the writings of Lucilius. — Quine putetis. "How can you think?" —
30. Rhodio Pitholeonti. Compare the explanation of the scholiast: "Di-
citur Pitholeon epigrammata ridicula (/. e., inepta) scripsisse, in quibus
GrcRca verba mixta erant cum Latinis." — 31. Conligit. To complete the
sentence understand faccre. — At sermo lingua concinnus, &c. The ad-
mirer of Lucilius replies to the bard. "But a style elegantly composed
of both tongues is, on that very account, the more pleasing, as when Fa-
lernian wine is mixed with Chian," i. c., the roughness of the former be-
ing corrected by the sweetness of the latter. — 32. Nota Falerm is here
used for vinum Falernum, from the Roman custom of marking their am-
phora and other wine-vessel3 with the names of the consuls, in order to
designate the year when the wine was put in, and. consequently, mark
its age.
33-33. 33. Quuin versus facias, See. At the beginning of this sen-
tence supply the words Utrum tunc tantum. The poet here puts a ques-
tion to his antagonist well calculated to expose the absurdity of the re
478 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE X.
mark which the latter has just made. He demands of him whether he
intends to confine this mixed phraseology, which so strongly excites his
admiration, to the composition of verse merely (utrum tunc tantum quum
versus facias), or whether he is to carry it with him into other fields of
exertion, to the pleadings of the har, for example, and is to use, in the
management of some important case, a jargon like that of the double-
tongued Canusian, while other advocates are striving to defend their cli-
ents in a style marked by purity of language. — 34. Pctilli. An allusion
to the story of Petillius Capitolinus. Consult note on Satire i., 4, 94. —
35. Patriaque patrisque. " Of both country and parent," i. e., of thy native
tongue, and of the father who taught it thee. — Latine quum Pedius causas
exsudet Publicola, &c. " While Pedius Publicola and Corvinus are plead-
ing their causes with elaborate care in the Latin tongue," *. e., strive, by
every means in their power, to prevent the admission of foreign words
into their oral style. The individuals here alluded to were two distin-
guished lawyers of the day. — 38. Canusini more bilinguis. "After the
manner of a double-tongued Canusian." The inhabitants of Canusium
spoke a mixed dialect, made up of Oscan and Greek.
39-47. 39. Natus mare citra. "Born on this side the water," i. e., in
Ttaly, not in Greece. — 40. Vetuit me. " Forbade me so to do," i. e., to
write Greek verses. Horace is generally supposed to refer here to the
period when he was pursuing his studies at Athens. — Quirinus. Romu-
lus is here selected, because naturally more interested than airy other
deity in obliging his descendants not to cultivate any language but their
own. — 41. Quum somnia vera. It was a common belief among the an-
cients that dreams after midnight and toward morning were true. — 42
In silvam non ligna feras, &c. The proverbial form of expression, " in
silvam ligna ferre," to denote a useless and superfluous effort, is analo-
gous to the common English one, "to carry coal to Newcastle." — Insa-
iiius. "With more folly." — 44. Turgidus Alpinus jvgulat, &.c. The al-
lusion is to a wretched poet, named Alpinus, who, in describing Memnon
slain by Achilles, kills him, as it were, a second time, by the miserable
character of his description. — Dumque defingit Rheni licteum caput.
" And while, with inventive genius, he describes the muddy fountain-head
of the Rhine." We have here au ironical allusion to another laughable
feat of the same poet, in giving to the Rhine a head of mud. Dejingo
does not merely mean " to describe," but carries with it also the idea of
laborious and misapplied invention. Compare Orelli: "Defingit; operost
et naK.o£j]?MC format, describit." In the present case, the invention oi
fiction is all the poet's own. — 46. In aide. " In some temple." The allu-
sion is to the Roman custom of compelling the dramatic poets to read over
their pieces before some person or persons appointed by the aediles to de-
cide upon the merits of their compositions. The successful piece was
represented on the stage. A temple was usually selected for this pur-
pose.— Certantia judice Tarpa. "Contending for the prize, with Tarpa
as the judge." Compare the account given by the scholiast, who is
wrong, however, in what he states respecting the Temple of Apollo.
Compare, also, preceding note: "Melius (or Mascius) Tarpa fv.it judex
criticus, auditor assiduus poematum et poetarum, in aide Apollinis scv
Musarum, quo convenire pocta solebant, suaquc scripta rccitare, qua nisi
Torpa ant alio critico probarentur, in scenam non deferebantur." — 47
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE X. 479
Nee redeant iterum, &c. The construction is, nee redeant theatris, iterum
atque iterum spectanda.
48-52. 48. Arguta meretrice potes, &c. "Thou, Fundanius, alone of
all men living, dost possess the talent of prattling forth tales in a sportive
vein, where an artful courtesan and a Davus impose upon an old Chremes."
The allusion is to comedy, in which, according to the account here given
by Horace, Fundanius appears to have been distinguished, though we
know nothing of him from the testimony of other writers. The characters
introduced into the text have reference to one of the plays of Terence, but
are intended, also, to be general in their application to comic writing. —
Davo. Davus is the name of a wily slave in Terence. — 50. Pollio. The
poet refers to C. Asinius Pollio, whose acquirements enabled him to shine
in the noblest branches of polite literature, poetry, eloquence, and history.
— 51. Pede ter percusso. " In iambic trimeters." The iambic trimeter
verse is here thus styled, from the circumstance of its being scanned by
measures of two feet, after each of which measures the time was marked
by the percussion of the musician's foot. There being three of these
measures or metres in the trimeter, there were, consequently, three per-
cussions.— Forte epos acer, &c. The construction is, acer Varius, ducit ut
nemo forte epos. "The spirited Varius leads along the manly epic in a
style that none can equal." In a literal translation, repeat ducit after
nemo. — 52. Molle atque facetum Virgilio annuerunt, &c. " The Muses
that delight in rural scenes have granted softness and elegance to Virgil."
It is evident from this, as well as from the poet's placing Varius at the
head of the Roman epic writers, that the iEneid was not published when
the present satire was composed, and that the Bucolics and Georgics had
alone as yet appeared.
54-74. 54. Hoc erat, experto frustra, &c. " This kind of writing, in
which I here indulge, was what, after the Atacinian Varro, and certain
others, had essayed it in vain, I was enabled to pursue with better suc-
cess, though inferior to the inventor." With hoc supply genus scribendi.
The allusion is to satire, and the inventor of it, to whom Horace here ac-
knowledges his inferiority, was Lucilius. — Varrone Atacino. The Varro
here meant was not the learned Roman, but a native of Gallia Narbonen-
sis, who was called Atacinus after the little River Atax, in that quarter,
now the Aude. — 58. At dixijluere hunc lutulentum, &,c. Compare Satire
i., 4, 11, seqq. — 60. Doctus. "A learned critic." Ironical. — 61. Comis
Lucilius. " The courtly Lucilius." The epithet comis appears to be here
used by way of derision. — Atti. Attius (or Accius, as he is sometimes,
but improperly called) was a Roman tragic writer, born about A.U.C.
584. His compositions were harsh in their character, but were held in
high estimation by his countrymen. Only some fragments remain. —
6-2. Non ridet versus Enni, Sec. " Does he not ridicule some of the verses
of Ennius as too trifling for the dignity of the subject?" Lucilius ridi-
culed various verses of Ennius for their want of epic dignity. Compare
Servius, ad Virg., jEn., xi., 601. — 63. Quum de se loquitur, &c. ''When
he speaks of himself, is it not as of one who is superior to those that are
censured by him ?" — 64. Num illius, num rerum, &.c. " Whether his
own genius, or the difficult nature of the topics which he handles, has de-
nied him verses in any respect more finished, and flowing more smoothly,
than if one, satisfied merely with this, with confining namely any thing
480 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE X.
whatever in the limits of six feet," &c, i. e., within the limits of an hex-
ameter verse. When that is the ease with Lucilius, why should not I,
asks Horace, acting with the same modesty as he did, play the part of the
critic on his own writings also ? (Keightley, ad loc.) — 69. Etrusci Cassi.
The "Etrurian Cassius" here spoken of appears to have been a distinct
individual from the "Cassius of Parma" (Cassius Parmensis) mentioned
in Epist. i., 4, 3, though confounded with him by some. Of the Etrurian
Cassius we know little, if any thing, except that he was a most rapid
writer. — 71. C apsis qucm fama est, &c. "Who, as the story goes, was
burned at the funeral pile by means of his own book-cases and produc-
tions." A satirical allusion to the number of his works. So many were
they, that, together with the cases that contained them, they furnished
fuel enough to consume his corpse. The story, of course, may be believed
or not, as we see fit. The poet's object is answered notwithstanding. —
72. Fuerit Lucilius, inquam, &c. " Grant, I say, that Lucilius is a court-
ly and pleasing writer ; grant that he is also more polished than Ennius,
the first writer in a species of poetry then still rude in its character, and
never attempted by the Greeks." The word auctor is here equivalent to
scriptor. — 74. Rudis et Greeds intacti carminis. Satire is meant. Com-
pare Remai-ks on Roman Satire.
75-85. 75. Poetarum seniorum. The allusion is to Livius Andronicus,
Nasvius, Ennius, Attius, Pacuvius, and others. — Tile. Referring to Lu-
cilius. Horace's meaning is this : Grant, however, all that is asked for
Lucilius ; even that poet himself, if living at the present day, would see
and acknowledge that his verses were deficient in polish. — 78. Et in
versufaciendo. " And in polishing his verse." — 79. Scepe caput scaberct,
&c. A sportive mode of conveying the idea, that he would exercise the
greatest care and attention. — Vivos. " To the quick." Equivalent to ad
vivum usque. — 80. Scepe stilum vertas, &c. "Be frequent in thy correc-
tions, if thou intendest to write what shall be worthy of a second perusal. '
Quitting the subject of Lucilius, he now gives some advice to writers in
general. Literally, "turn the stilus often," &c. An allusion to the Ro-
man mode of writing. The ordinary writing materials of the Romans
were tablets covered with wax, and, besides these, paper and parchment.
The former, however, were most commonly employed. The stilus, or in
strument for writing, was a kind of iron pencil, broad at one end, and hav-
ing a sharp point at the other. This was used for writing on the tablets,
and when they wished to correct any thing, they turned the stilus and
smoothed the wax with the broad end, that they might write on it anew.
— 82. Contentus paucis lectoribus. " Content with a few readers of taste."
— 83. Vilibus in ludis dictari. " To be dictated by pedagogues to their
pupils in petty schools." Literally, " in cheap schools." Copies of works
being scarce, the schoolmasters, in ancient times, were accustomed to
read aloud, or dictate to their pupils the verses of an author, and these
the boys had to write down and get by heart. — 85. Explosa Arbuscula.
The female here alluded to was a freedwoman, and a celebrated mime-
player. The anecdote to which Horace refers is this : Having been hiss
ed on one occasion on the stago by the lower riders of the people, she
observe;*:!, with great spirit, that she cared nothing lor the rabble as long
as she pleased the more cultivated part nf hor audience among the eques-
trian ranks.
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., SATIRE X. 481
86-100. 86. Men moveat cimcx Pant thus ? &c. The poet here alludes
by name to four of his adversaries, Pautilius, Demetrius, Fannius, and Ti-
gellius, as mere fools, and worthy only of his contempt. — Cimex. " That
bug-." He compares him to a bug-, that not merely bites, but offends by
its odious smell. This epithet is intended to denote here, in a figurative
sense, an individual of so disagreeable a character, and so mean and in-
sidious in his attacks, as to be deserving of general aversion. — 87. Vellicet.
Understand me. And so, also, with laedat in the following line. — Deme-
trius. Compare note on verse 26. — 89. Plotius. Consult note on Satire
i., 5, 40. — Varius. Consult note on Ode i., 6, 1. — 90. Valgius. Consult
Introductory Remarks, Ode ii., 9. — Octavius. Concerning this friend of
the poet's nothing is known. He must not by any means be confounded
with Octavianus (Augustus), since Horace always styles the latter either
Cajsar or Augustus. — 91. Fuscus. Aristius Fuscus, to whom Ode i., 22,
and Epist. i., 10, are inscribed. — Viscomm uterqne. Consult note on
Satire i., 9, 22. — 92. Ambit/one relegata. "Every feeling of vain -glory
apart." The poet, in naming the illustrious individuals tl at follow, wishes
to be understood as not intending to pride himself on their powerful sup-
port, but as referring to them simply in the light of candid and able judges
of poetical merit. — 93. Pollio. Compare Introductory Remarks, Ode ii„
1. — Mussala. Compare Introductory Remarks, Ode iii., 31. — 94. Bibule.
Bibulus, to whom the poet here alludes, is thought to have been the sou of
M. Calpurnius Bibulus, who was consul with Julius Caesar, A.U.C. 694.
— Servi. The poet refers probably to Servius Sulpicius, the cousin of D.
Brutus, who was attached to the study of philosophy and the liberal arts,
and was tribune of the commons A.U.C. 706. — Simul his. For una cum
his. — Furni. The scholiast gives the following account of this Furnius :
" Furnius historiarum fide et elegant ia claruit." He seems, therefore, to
have enjoyed eminence as an historical writer. — 96. Prudcns. "Purpose
ly." He adds this in order to avoid giving offence. — Hcec. " These my
productions." — 97. Arridere. " To please." An unusual sense of this
verb; but it is so used by Cicero, Ep. ad Att., xiii., 21. — 98. Dcterius.
Equivalent here to minus. Compare Epist. i., 10, 19. — Demetri, tcque,
Tigelli, &c. The poet, having brought to a conclusion his defence of him-
self against the admirers of Lucilius, now ends his poem by an address to
Demetrius and Tigellius, in which he takes leave of them, not in the com-
mon form, but by bidding them go and mourn amid the seats of their fe-
male pupils. — Jubeo plorare. An imitation of the Greek forms of expres-
sion, ol/j.u^e, and oifiu&LV ?.eyu cot. The more usual Latin phrases are
"Pereas," "Malum tibi sit" (Liv., iv., 49), " I in malam cracem.'' — 100. /,
. a/que mco, &c. The poet bids his amanuensis write down what he
lias uttered against Demetrius and Tigellius, that it may not be lost.
This is to be added to the satire as far as dictated to the scribe. — Mco
libcllo. " To my present production."
X
BOOK II.
Satire I. Our author, observing that many persons were irritated and
alarmed by the licence of his satiric muse, states the case to his aged
friend, the lawyer Trebatius, who had been known as a professed wit in
the age of Cicero, and who humorously dissuades him from again ven-
turing on the composition of satires. Tbe poet, however, resolves to per-
severe, and, in pleading his cause, indulges in his natural disposition for
satire and ridicule with his wonted freedom.
1-8. 1. Et ultra legem tendere opus. " And to push this species of
writing beyond its proper limits." Legem is here equivalent, in spirit, to
normam or rcgulam, i. e., the laws or rules of this species of composition,
and the simple verb tendere is employed by the poet for the compound
cxtendere, " to stretch," i. e., to push ; a metaphor borrowed from bending
a bow or straining a cord. — 2. Sine nereis. " Without force," i. e., hav-
ing, as it were, no strings to be stretched. (Keightley, ad loc.) — 4. Deduci
posse. "Might be spun." Deduci is a metaphorical expression taken
from spinning wool, and drawing down the thread. — Trebati. The poet
is here supposed to address himself to C. Trebatius Testa, a distinguish-
ed lawyer, and a man well known for his wit. — Qtiiescas. "Write m
more." Begin now to keep quiet, and put an end to thy satirical effusions.
Supply, for a literal translation, prcescribo ut, " I advise that thou keep
quiet." — 6. Aio. The poet here very pleasantly makes use of another
expression peculiar to the lawy ers of the day. Thus, when they affirmed,
it was Aio; when they denied, Nego; and when the point required de-
liberation, their form of reply was Deliberandum sentio. — 7. Erat. The
Latin and English idioms differ here. We translate erat as if it were
esset, whereas, in the original, the advantage referred to is spoken of as
something actual, in the indicative mood, though the circumstances which
would have realized it never have taken place. Compare Heindorf, ad
Plat., Phad., § 35. — Vcrum nequeo dormire. The sentence is elliptical,
and, when completed, will run as follows : "But I can't sleep at night,
and, therefore, to fill up the time, I write verses." — Ter uncti transnanto,
«5cc. " Let those who stand in need of deep repose, having anointed them
selves, swim thrice across the Tiber." Some commentators suppose
that the anointing with oil, which is here alluded to, is recommended in
the present instance in oi-der to give more pliancy to the limbs in swim-
ming. It would seem, however, to refer rather to the Roman gymnastic
exercises, preparation for which was always made by anointing the body,
and which were generally succeeded by swimming. Hence the advice
which Trebatius gives the poet is simply this, to go through a course of
gymnastic exercises, then swim thrice across the Tiber, and, lastly, end
the day with plenty of wine {Irriguumque mero sub noctcm, &c). These
directions on the part of Trebatius are intended to have a sly allusion to
his own habits, and, like an honest, good-natured physician, he is made to
prescribe for Horace two things which ho himself loved best, swimming
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE I. 483
and drinking. — 8. Transnanto. This form is of a legal character, and
therefore purposely used on the present occasion. It is chiefly employed
for the sake of emphasis in the wording of laws.
11-17. 11. Casaris. Augustus. — 12. Pater. Trebatius was now ad-
vanced in years, hence the customary appellation of pater. — 13. Horrentia
pills agmina. The allusion here is to the Roman battalia, the pilum be-
ing peculiar to the Roman troops. — 14. Fracta pereuntcs cuspide Gallos.
An allusion to the contrivance which Marius made use of in his engage-
ment with the Cimbri. Until then the Romans had been accustomed to
fasten the shaft of the pilum to the iron head with two iron pins. But
Marius, on this occasion, letting one of them remain as it was, had the
other taken out, and a weak wooden peg put in its place. By this he in-
tended that, when the pilum struck in the enemy's shield, it should not
stand right out ; but that the wooden peg breaking, and the iron pin bend-
ing, the shaft of the weapon should drag upon the ground, while the point
stuck fast in the shield. The Cimbri, it will be perceived, although of
Germanic origin, are here called by the appellation of Galli. The Ger-
mans and Gauls were frequently confounded by the Roman writers. We
may observe, remarks Keightley, that, in speaking of the Gauls and Par-
thians, Horace does not mean victories gained by Caesar over them, for, in
effect, he never fought against either, and the Gauls had been completely
subdued by his uncle. They are merely named here as the most formida-
ble foes the Romans had as yet encountered. — 16. Et justum et fortem.
"Both just and energetic." — 17. Scipladam ut sapiens Lucilius. "As
the discreet Lucilius did Scipio." Scipladam is put for the more regular
patronymic form Sclpioniadem. The allusion is either to the elder or
younger Africanus, but to which of the two is not clearly ascertained.
Most probably the latter is meant, as Lucilius lived on terms of the closest
intimacy with both him and his friend Laelius. Horace styles Lucilius
"sapiens" (discreet), with reference, no doubt, to his selection of a sub-
ject ; Lucilius having confined himself to the pacific virtues of his hero,
and thus having avoided the presumption of rivalling Ennius, who had
written of the warlike exploits of the elder Africanus. Keightley, less
correctly, refers the epithet sapiens to the prudent care taken by Lucilius
to make himself powerful friends.
18-29. 18. Quum res ipsaferet. " When a fit oppoi'tunity shall offer/'
— Nisi dextro tempore. "Unless offered at a proper time." — "-20. Cut male
si palpere, &c. " Whom if one unskillfully caresses, he will kick back
upon him, being at all quarters on his guard." Horace here compares
Augustus to a spirited horse, which suffers itself with pleasure to be ca-
ressed by a skillful hand, but winces and kicks at those who touch him
roughly. The idea intended to be conveyed by the whole passage is this,
that the productions of the bard, if well timed, will be sure to elicit the at-
tention of Augustus ; whereas, shielded as lie is on every side against the
arts of flatterers, he will reject ill-timed praise with scorn and contempt.
— 21. Hoc. " This course," i. c., to celebrate the exploits of Augustus.—
Tristi Icedere versu. " To attack in bitter verse." — 22. Pantolabum scur-
ram, &c. This line has already occurred, Sat. i., 18, 11. — 23. Intactus.
"Though as yet unassailed." — Et odit. "And hates both verses of this
kind aud those who comoose them." — 24. Quid faciam ? Sec. The poet
484 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE I.
here strives to excuse himself, and alleges the following plea in his de-
fence. Human pursuits are as various as men themselves are many.
One individual is fond of dancing the moment his head is turned with
wine, another is fond of horses, a third of pugilistic encounters ; my de-
light, like that of Lucilius, consists in writing satirical effusions. — Sal tat
Milonius. The Romans held dancing in general in little estimation. — Ui
semel icto, &c. "The moment his head, affected with the fumes of wine,
grows hot, and the lights appear doubled to his view." More literally,
"when once heat is added to his head wounded (with wine), and number
to the lights." With icto, for a literal translation, supply vino. — 26. Cas-
tor gaudet eqnis. Compare Ode i., 12, 26. — Ovo prognatus eodcm. Pol-
lux. Compare Ode i., 12, 26. — 28. Pedibus claudere verba. " To versify."
— 29. Nostrum inch '.oris lit roque. The argument a fortiori. If Lucilius,
"who was superior in point of birth and fortune to us both" [nostrum mc-
lioris utroquc), was not ashamed to write satires, with much stronger
reason should I, a man of ignoble birth, banish all fear of degrading my-
self by indulging in this same species of composition.
31-39. 31. Neque, si male cezserat, &c. "Neither having recourse else-
where, if his affairs went ill, nor if well." — 32. Quo Jit ut omnis, &c.
"Whence it happens that the whole life of the old bard is as open to the
view as if it were represented in a votive painting." The expression
votiva tabella alludes to the Roman custom of hanging up, in some temple
or public place, in accordance with avow, a painting, in which was repre-
sented some signal deliverance, or piece of good fortune, that had happen-
ed to the individual. It was most frequently done in cases of ^escape from
shipwreck. — 34. Seqnor hunc, Lncanus an Appulus, anceps, &c. A pleas-
ing and slyly-satirical imitation of the rambling and talkative manner of
Lucilius in describing the circumstances and events of his own life. One
geographical mile south of Venusia, there wa3 a chain diverging from the
Apennines, which separated Apulia from Lucania. Hence the city of
Venusia, the natal place of Horace, would lie on the immediate confines
of the latter region. With anceps supply an sim. — 36. Ad hoc. "For
this purpose." — Sabellis. The allusion here is to the Samnites, who were
driven out of this quarter by Curius Dentatus, A.U.C. 463. — 37. Quo nc
per vacuum, &c. " That the enemy might make no incursions into the
Roman territory, through an unguarded frontier." Quo ne is here equiv-
alent to ut ne. Compare Heindorf, ad loc. With Romano supply agro.
Some supply populo, making the term Romano equivalent therefore to
Romanis. — 39. Incuteret. Equivalent to info-ret, but in reality a much
stronger term, as violenta is stronger than bellicosa.
39-49. 39. Vitro. Equivalent to non lacessitus. — 42. O pater et rex
Jupiter, ut per eat, &c. " O Jupiter, father and sovereign, may my weapon
be laid aside and consumed with rust." To show that he is not too much
in earnest, the poet parodies in his prayer a line of Callimachus (Fragm.
7). Ut is here used for utinam, as C)C in Callimachus for side. — 45. Qui
me corrmiorit. " Who shall irritate me." Understand ira in the ablative.
< — 46. Flebil. '■ Shall be sorry for it." — Insignis. " Marked out by me in
verse." — 17. Ccrvius iratus leges, &c. The poet, intending to express
the idea that every one has arms of some kind or other, with which to at-
tack » to defend, introduces, for this purpose, four infamous characters,
EXPLANATORY NOTES. — BOOK II., SATIRE I. 485
well equipped with evil arts for the injury of others. The first of these,
Cervius, appears to have been a public informer. — Leges et urnam.
"With the laws and a prosecution." Literally, "with the laws and the
(judiciary) urn." Urna refers to the practice of the Roman judges, in ex-
pressing their opinions, of throwing their votes or ballots into an urn
placed before them. — 48. Canidia. Compare Introductory Remarks,
Epode v. Canidia is here made to threaten her enemies with the same
poison that Albutius used. According to the scholiast, this individual
poisoned his own wife. — 49. Grande malum Turius, «Sec. " Turius great
injury, if one goes to law about any thing while he presides as judge."
The allusion is to a corrupt judge, and by grande malum is meant an un-
fortunate and unjust termination of a cause, brought about by bribery or
personal enmity.
50-61. 50. Ut, quo qui^que valet, ice. "How every creature strives
to terrify those who are taken by it for enemies, with that in which it is
most powerful, and how a strong natural instinct commands this to be
done, infer with me from the following examples." — 53. Scarce vivacem
crede ncpoti, &c. The poet here, in his usual manner, so manages his
argument as to convert it into a means of lashing one of the abandoned
characters of the day. The train of thought is as follows : But Scaeva, the
spendthrift, one will say, is an exception to my rule ; for he makes no use
whatever of the weapons of attack that nature has bestowed upon him ;
he employs open violence against no being. Ay ! intrust his aged mother
to his power. He won't do her any open harm. Oh ! no, he is too pious
for that. But he will remove the old woman by a secret dose of poison.
According to the scholiast, Scaeva poisoned his mother because 6he lived
too long. — 53. Vivacem matrem. "His long-lived mother." — 54. Pia.
Ironical. — Mirum, ut nequc calce lupzis, &c. "A wonder indeed! just
as the wolf does not attack any one with his hoof, nor the ox with his
teeth." Wonderful indeed ! observes the poet ; how, pray, do other an-
imals act 1 since the wolf does not attack with his hoof, but his fangs, and
the ox not with his teeth, but his horn. Horace does not mean to dimin-
ish the criminality of Scaeva's conduct because he secretly made away
with his mother; on the contraiy, he considers it equally as criminal as
if he had been guilty of open and violent parricide. His leading position
must be borne in mind, that all, whether men or animals, have their own
ways of attack and defence, and that he too has his, the writing of sat-
ires.— 56. Vitiato mclle. "In the honey poisoned with it." Keightley
supposes it may have been an electuary, or a draught of muhum, i. e.,
wine and honey. — 59. Jusserit. Supply si. — 60. Quisqj'is erit vita co-
lor. "Whatever shall be the complexion of my life." — O puer ut sis vi-
talis metuo. " My son, I am afraid that thou wilt not live long." After
the verbs metuo, timeo, vercor, ne is used when the following verb ex-
presses a result contrary to our wish, ut when it is agreeable to it.
Trebatius wishes Horace to enjoy a long life, but is afraid he will not.
(Zumpt, § 533.) Hence ne after such verbs must be rendered by that, and
ut by that not. — 61. Et ma jorum ne quis amicus, &c. "And that some
one of thy powerful friends will kill thee by a withdrawing of his favor."
Frigore is here equivalent to amicitia remissione. The idea intended to
be conveyed by the whole reply of Trebatius is as follows : Yes, yes, my
good friend, it would be very well if even exile alone were involved iu
480 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE J.
this matter. But there is something worse connected with it. At pres-
ent all is fair ; thou livest at Rome in the society of the great and power-
ful, and they smile on thee, because thou amusest them. But where is
thy safety ? In an unguarded moment, those very powers of satire, which
they now laud to the skies, will be directed against some one of their own
number : coldness and aversion will succeed, on their part, to intimate
and familiar friendship, and thou, unable to bear the change, wilt pine
away in vexation and grief, until death closes the scene.
63-77. 63. In hunt operis morem. "After this manner of writing. —
64. Detrahere et pellem. " And to tear away the covering," or, more freely,
" to remove the mask." Compare the explanation of Orelli : " Vulpinam
pellem simulationis ac fraudis."~-Per ora cederct. "Moved proudly be-
fore the faces of men." Ce&eret is for incederet. — 65. Qui duxit ab oppres-
sa, &c. Alluding to the younger Africanus. — 67. lngenio. " By his satiric-
al vein." — Offensi. Supply sunt. — Metello. The reference is to Metellus
Macedonicus, who, as a political opponent of Scipio's, was of course satir-
ized by Luciliug. As Metellus was a political opponent, one might rather
expect Scipio to have been gratified at his being attacked. But the mean-
ing, as Orelli rightly observes, is, that he did not take alarm at seeing
men of high rank attacked, fearing his own turn might come next.
{Keiglitlcy, ad loc.) — 68. Lupo. The allusion is to L. Cornelius Lentulus
Lupus, a considerable man in the Etonian state, and who held the consul-
ship A.U.C. 598, but who was noted for his wickedness and impiety. Lu-
cilius, in one of his books of satires, represents an assembly of the gods
deliberating on human affairs, and, in paiticular, discussing what punish-
ment ought to be inflicted on him. — 69. Arripuit. " He attacked." — Tri-
butim. " Tribe after tribe." Not content with lashing the patricians, he
van through all the thirty-five tribes, one after another, every where select-
ng, with an impartial hand, those whose vices or failings made them the
egitimate objects of satire. — 70. Scilicet uni cequus virtuti, &c. "In
short, sparing virtue alone and virtue's friends." — 71. Quin ubi seavulgo,
&c. " And yet, when the brave Scipio and the mild and wise Laelius had
withdrawn themselves from the crowd and the scene of public life to the
privacy of home, they were accustomed to trifle and divert themselves
with him, free from all restraint, while the herbs were cooking for their
supper." — 72. Virtus Scipiadce et mitis sapientia Lmli. An imitation of
the Greek idiom, for fortis Scipio et mitis atque sapiens Lalius. Laelius
received the cognomen of Sapiens. — 73. Ludere. The scholiast relates
the following little incident, as tending to show the intimacy of the indi-
viduals alluded to : " Scipio Africanus et Lcelius fcruntur tarn fuisse
familiares et amid Lucilio, ut quodam tempore Lcelio circum lectos tri-
clinii fugienti Lucilius superveniens cum obtorta mappa quasi feriturus
sequerelur." — 75. Infra Lucili censum ingeniumquc. " Inferior to Lucilius
in birth and talents." Compare verse 29 of this same satire. Lucilius
was of equestrian origin, and grand-uncle to Pompey the Great, on the
mother's side. — 76. Magnis. Alluding to Augustus, Maecenas, &c. — 77. Et
fragili quarens illidere dentem, &c. « And, while seeking to fix its tooth
jn something brittle, shall strike against the solid," i. e., while endeavor-
ing to find some weak point of attack in me, shall discover that I am on
all sides proof against its envenomed assaults. The idea in the text is
borrowed from the apologue cf the viper and the file.
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE II. 487
79-86. 79. Equidcm nihil hinc diffindere possum. " Indeed, I can deny
bo part of this." The term diffindere suits the character of the speaker,
being borrowed from the courts of law. In this sense it means properly
to put off a matter, as requiring further consideration, to another day, and
it is here employed, with the negative, to convey the idea that the pres-
ent matter is too clear for any further discussion, and can not be denied.
— 80. Ne forte negoti incutiat tibi, «Sec. "Lest an ignorance of the estab-
lished laws may chance to bring thee into any trouble." The allusion is
to the laws of the day against libels and defamatory writing of every kind.
— 82. Si mala condiderit, «Sec. In order to understand the reply of Horace,
which follows, the term mala must be here plainly and literally rendered :
"If any person shall compose bad verses against an individual, there is a
right of action, and a suit may be brought." In the law, as here cited by
Trebatius, mala means "libellous," "slanderous," «Sec. ; but Horace, hav-
ing no serious answer to make, plays upon the word, pretending to take
it in the sense of " badly-made," and hence he rejoins, Esto, si quis mala :
sed bona si quis, «Sec. — 86. Solve?itur risu tabula, «Sec. " The indictment
shall be quashed with a laugh." The term tabula is here taken for the
libellus, or indictment as we would term it, and which was written on
tablets. — Missus. "Freed," i. e., from any danger attending the prose-
cution. Put for dimissus.
Satire H. This satire, on the luxury and gluttony of the Romans, is
put into the mouth of a Sabine peasant, whom Horace calls Ofellus, and
whose plain good sense is agreeably contrasted with the extravagance
and folly of the great. He delivers rules of temperance with the utmost
ease and simplicity of manner, and thus bestows more truth and liveliness
on the pictures than if Horace (who was himself known to frequent the
luxurious tables of the patricians) had inculcated the moral precepts in his
own person.
1-9. L. JJoni. " My good friends." — Vivere parvo. " To live cheerful-
ly upon little." — 2. Nee meus hie sermo est. Compare Introductory Re-
marks.— 3. Abnormis sapiens, crassaque Minerva. "A philosopher with-
out rules, and of strong, rough common sense." The expression abnormis
sapiens is here used to denote one who was a follower of no sect, and de-
rived his doctrines and precepts from no rales of philosophizing as laid
down by others, but who drew them all from his own breast, and was
guided by his own convictions respecting the fitness or unfitness of things.
The phrase crassa Minerva is meant to designate one who has no ac-
quaintance with philosophical subtleties or the precepts of art, but is
swayed by the dictates and suggestions of plain, native sense. — 4. Men-
sasque niientes. "And glittering tables," i. e., glittering with plate. —
5. Quum stupet insanis, «Sec. "When the sight is dazzled by the sense-
less glare." The allusion in the term insanis appears to be to the folly of
those who indulge in such displays. Some commentators, however, make
it equivalent simply to ingenlibus. — 6. Acclinisfalsis. "Inclined to false
things." Acclinis is formed like inclinis, reclinis, «Sec, and properly
means "leaning upon," " resting upon," «Sec. Compare Orelli : " I ncl hia-
tus, propensus ad falsa probanda." — 7. Impransi. "Before you have
dined," or, more freely, " apart from splendid banquets." — 8. Dican si
488 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE IT.
potcro, &c. The idea intended to be conveyed by the whole passage is
as follows : The mind, when allured by a splendid banquet, becomes, like
a corrupt judge, incapable of investigating the truth. He alone that is
thirsty and hungry despises not common viands. Therefore, if thou wilt,
either by hunting or riding, or, should these please thee more, by a per-
formance of Grecian exercises, by throwing the ball or discus, drive away
loathing , and then, both hungry and thirsty, thou wilt not contemn home-
ly fare, thou wilt not wait for mulsum nor for fish, but wilt appease thy
sharpened appetite with plain bread and salt. — 9. Lcporem sectatus,
equove, &c. Hunting and riding formed among the ancients a principal
part of those exercises by which the body was thought to be best prepared
for the toils of war. Compare Ode iii., 24, 54, and Epist. i., 18, 49.
10-22. 10. Romano, militia. "The martial exercises of Rome." The
two most important of these, hunting and riding, have just been mention-
ed.— 11. Assuetum Greecari. "Accustomed to indulge in Grecian games,"
?'. e., in less hardy exercises. These were the games of the pila and dis-
cus, as is stated immediately after. — 12. Molliter austcrum studio, &c.
"While the excitement of the sport softens, and renders the player insen-
sible to, the severity of the exercise." Keightley regards ansterum as
ironical. — 13. Discus. The discus was a quoit of stone, brass, or iron,
which they threw by the help of a thong put through a hole in the middle
of it. It was of different figures and sizes, being sometimes square, but
usually broad and round. The sport seems to have been to try who could
throw it farthest. — Agit. In the sense oidelectat or allicit. — 14. Extuderit.
"Shall have driven away." Literally, "shall have pounded out," i. e.,
worked off. — Siccus. "Thirsty." — 15. Spcrne. " Despise if thou canst."
— Nisi Hymettia mella Falerno, &c. An allusion to the Roman drink call-
ed mulsum, which was made of wine and honey. As the Falernian here
indicates the choicest wine, so the Hymettian is meant to designate the
best honey. The drink here referred to was generally taken to whet the
appetite. — 17. Defendens pisces. "Protecting its fish," i. e., from being
caught. — Hiemat. "Is stormy." — 18. Latrantcm stomachum. "A hun-
gry stomach." Literally, " a barking stomach," i. e., one that, being
empty of aliment and full of wind, demands food by the noise it makes.
— Unde putasr ant qui partuwil "Whence or in what way dost thou
think that this is obtained?" i. c, comes to pass. — 19. In caro nidore.
" In the price and savor of thy food." Literally, " in the dear-bought
savor," &c. — 20. Tu pnlmentaria quaere sv.dando. "Do thou seek for
delicate dishes in active exercise," i. e., do thou seek in active exercise
for that relish which delicious and costly viands are falsely thought to be-
stow. The terms pulmentarium and pulmentum originally denoted every
thing eaten with pals. Subsequently they came to signify eveiy thing
eaten with bread or besides bread, and hence, finally, they serve to indi-
cate all manner of delicate and sumptuous dishes. — 21. Pingvcrn vitiis
albumquc. "Bloated and pale with excessive indulgence." Vitiis hero
alludes to high living generally, and to all the evils that follow in its train.
— Ostrea. To be pronounced, in metrical reading, as a dissyllable, ost-ra.
— 22. Scants. Consult note on Epode ii., 50. — Lagois. The Lagois is
quite unknown; some think it a bird, others a fish. The former, very
probably, is the true opinion, as the fish of this name 'the Cyclopterut
Lumpus of modern ichthyology) is not esculent. The bird Lagois is said
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE II. 489
to have tasted like a hare, whence its name from the Greek "kayuc . Bax-
ter makes it the same with the Greek AaywTrouc, a species of grouse,
which the French term Francolin, and the Germans Birkhun or Berg-
huhn. Schneider, however, in his Lexicon (s. v. ?.o-/6c), thinks that the
lagopus corresponds to the modern Schneehuhn, or " White Game."
23-29. 23. Vix tamen eripiam, &c. "And yet with difficulty will 1
prevent thee, if a peacock be served up, from wishing to gratify thy palate
with this, rather than a fowl, misled as thou art by mere outside, because,"
<5tc. More literally, " with difficulty will I drag thee away." So tergere
palatum, literally, "to rub thy palate;" an almost comic expression, ob-
serves Keightley, produced by Ofellus's indignation and contempt. The
idea intended to be conveyed is this : And yet, after all my advice, and
all my precepts to the contrary, I shall have no easy task in eradicating
from thy mind that false opinion, which, based on mere external appear-
ance, leads thee to prefer the peacock, as an article of food, to the com-
mon fowl, merely because the former is a dearer bird, and adorned with
a rich and gaudy plumage. — 25. Vanis rerum. A Graecism for vanis
rebus. — 26. Et picta pandat spectacula cauda. " And unfolds to the
view a brilliant spectacle with its gaudy tail." — 27. Tanquam ad rem,
&c. " As if this were any thing to the purpose," i. e., as if this rarity and
beauty of the peocock have any thing at all to do with the taste of it. —
28. Cocto num adest, &c. No ecthlipsis operates in num, but in metrical
reading the word must be retained unaltered, cocto num adest. — Honor
idem. " The same beauty." — 29. Came tamen quamvis, &c. The mean-
ing of this passage has given rise to much contrariety of opinion. The fol-
lowing appears to us to yield the fairest sense : " Though there is indeed
a difference in the flesh of the fowl and the peacock, yet it is plainly evi-
dent that thou art deceived not more by the latter than the former, but
merely by the discrepancy in external appearance," i. e., Quamvis distal
gallinae caro a pavonis, tamen nihil (non) hoc (pavonis) magis ilia (gal-
linae, sed) imparibus formis dcceptnm ie essepatet.
31-34. 31. Unde datum sentis. For nnde tibi concessum est ut sentias.
" Whence is it given thee to perceive," i. e., by what means art thou able
to discover. The scholiast alludes to this nicety of taste on the part of
the Roman epicures, by which they pretended to be able to tell whether
a fisb had been taken between the Mulvian and Sublician bridges, or at
the mouth of the Tiber. In the former case, the fish was thought to have
a better taste, as having been caught in more rapid water. — Lupxis. The
Perca labrax of modern ichthyology. The Italians call it spigola ; the
people of Marseilles, loupasson. Keightley says it is peculiar to the
Mediterranean, and must not be confounded with the pike, whose Italian
name, luccio (old English luce) is apparently derived from the Greek ?.vnoc
— 32. Amnis Tusci. The Tiber. — 33. Laudas insane trilibrem, <5cc. The
poet now passes to another piece of folly, in the gourmands of the da\ ,
by whom the rarer the food, the more highly is it esteemed, and the more
eagerly sought after, while other viands, of equal flavor in every respect-»
are despised because they are common and easy to be procured. Thus
the case of the mullet and lupus is cited, the former a small, the latter a
long fish. If the mullet, which seldom exceeded two pounds, according
to Pliny (//. N., ix., 17), even when kept in the vivaria and piscines of the
X2
490 EXPLANATORY NOTES. — BOOK If., SATIRE IT.
rich, could only be procured of three pounds' weight, it was esteemed one
of the greatest of rarities, while the lupus, though weighing many pounds,
was thought to be far its inferior. — 34. Mullum. Horace here alludes to
a three-pound mullet, as a prize of rare occurrence. — In singula quern
minuas pulmenta necesse est. " Which thou art compelled to cut into
small bits." The allusion is to the small pieces into which the fish must
be divided, in order that each of the guests may have a share. Ofellus,
says Keightley, is wrong here in what he implies, namely, that you might
as well have bought small ones, for the large, full-grown fish is generally
the best.
35-47. 35. Ducit. In the sense of traliit or capit. — 37. His. Alluding
to mullets. — 38. Jejunus raro stomachus, &c. In construction (if the line
be genuine), raro must be joined with jejunus, and the allusion is to the
stomach of the rich, which is here described as "rarely hungry." This,
therefore, is the reason, according to Ofellus and the poet, why the stom-
ach of the rich contemns common food, and gives the preference to the
small mullet over the large pike. Bentley considers the line spuiious,
but the sense would be incomplete without it. — 39. Magnum. Under-
stand mullum. — 40. Ait Harpyiis gula digna rapacibus. "Exclaims
a gullet worthy of the ravenous Harpies," i. e., exclaims some glutton,
whose craving paunch renders him a fit companion for the ravenous Har-
pies.— 41. Coquite horum opsonia. "Taint the dishes of these men." —
Quamquam putet aper, &c. "Though the boar and the fresh-caught tur-
bot are already nauseous, when surfeitiug abundance provokes the sick-
ened stomach ; when, overloaded with dainties, it prefers rapes and sharp
elecampane." Putet is here equivalent to nauseam creat, and the oxy-
moron is worth noting between it and recens. — Rhombus. Consult note
on Epode ii., 50. — 43. Rapula. The rape is a plant of the genus Brassica,
called also cole-rape and cole-seed, and of which the navew, or French
turnip, is a variety. — 44. Inulas. The elecampane marks a genus of
plants, of many species. The common elecampane has a perennial, thick,
branching root, of a strong odor, and is used in medicine. It is sometimes
called yellow star-wort. Horace applies to this herb the epithet acidas,
not, as the scholiast pretends, because it was commonly preserved in
vinegar, but from the sharp and pungent nature of the plant itself. — Nec-
dum omnis abacta, &c. "Nor is every kind of homely fare yet driven
away from the banquets of the rich." Rex is here used, as elsewhere in
Horace, in the sense of beatior, ditior, Sec. — 46. Nigris oleis. Columella
(xii., 48) recommends the dark-colored olives as the best for preserving.
— Hand ita pridem, Szc. " It is not so long ago that the table of Gallonius,
the crier, was exclaimed against by all for having a sturgeon served upon
'%" i. e., was exclaimed against by all for this piece of extravagance in
one of such contracted means. This is the Gallonius whom Lucilius lashes
in his satires, and whom, for his gluttony, he calls gurges. The phrase
haud ita pridem, therefore, must be considered here as used with consid-
erable latitude of meaning. Compare Epist. ad Pis., 254 ; Cicero, de Firu,
ii., 8. — 47. Acipensere. The sturgeon with us is far from being regarded
as a delicacy. In the time of Pliny it would seem to have been viewed as
a common fish, and the naturalist expresses his surprise at the fallen for-
tunes of this "piscium apud antiquos nobilissimi." So, in the present in-
stance, neither Horace nor Ofellus praises the sturgeon, but they only al-
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE II. 491
lude to the change of tastes iu the case of this fish aud the turbot, the lat-
ter having completely superseded the former.
48-50. 48. Quid 1 turn rhombos, Sec. The meaning is, that the turbot
is now in as great repute as the sturgeon was in the time of Gallonius.
Did the sea then furnish no turbots ? Far from it ; but no fool had as yet
brought them into fashion. — 50. Donee vos auctor docuit prcetorius. " Un-
til a man of pi-a^torian rank first taught you to eat these birds." The al-
lusion is to a certain Asinius Sempronius Rufus, who was the first that in-
troduced young storks as an article of food, an addition to the luxuries of
the table made in the reign of Augustus. Horace, in giving Sempronius
the appellation of prcetorius, indulges in a bitter sarcasm. This individ-
ual never was praetor; he had merely stood candidate for the office, and
had been rejected by the people on account of the badness of his private
character.
51-62. 51. Edixerit. Another hit at Sempronius. Ediccre properly
means to issue an edict as praetor. — 53. Sordidus a tenuivictu, Sec. Ofel-
lus thus far has been inveighing, through the poet, against the luxurious
and the gluttonous, and recommending a plain and simple course of life.
He now interposes a caution, and warns us that this plain mode of life,
which he advocates, must by no means be confounded with a mean and
sordid one. — 54. Namfrustravitium vitaveris illud, <5cc. " For to no pur-
pose wilt thou have shunned that vice which has just been condemned,
if thou perversely turn away to its opposite." — Avidienus. A fictitious
name, most probably. We know nothing further of this personage than
what Horace states. His filth and his impudence obtained for him the
nickname of "Dog." He ate olives that were five years old, whereas
they were usually accounted good for nothing after two years. — 56. Due-
turn. "Derived." — 57. Est. "Eats." From edo. — 58. Ac nisi mutatum,
&c. " And avoids pouring out his wine until it has become sour." Parcit
defundere is elegantly used for non defundit or nonvult defundere. — Et
cujus odorem olei nequeas perferre, Sec. The order of construction is as
follows: Et (licebit ille albatus celebret repotia, natales, aliosve festos
dierum) ipse instillat, bilibri cornu, caulibus, oleum, odorem. cujus olei
nequeas perferre, non parcus veteris aceti. — 59. Licebit. " Although." In
the sense of licet or quamvis. The meaning is, no matter how solemn or
festive the occasion. — 60. Repotia. The repotia was an entertainment
given by the husband on the day after the marriage, when presents were
sent to the bride by her friends and relations, and she began to act as mis
tress of the family by performing sacred rites. — Dierum festos. A Grae-
cism for dies festos. — CI. Albatus. " Clothed in white." The general
color of the Roman toga was white : this color, however, was peculiarly
adopted by the guests, or those who bore a part, at formal banquets, or on
occasions of ceremony. — Ipse. " With his own hands." In this showing
his mean and sordid habits, since, afraid that his guests, or his slaves,
should be too profuse of his oil, bad as it was, he pours it out himself.
Nor is this all : he pours it out drop by drop {instillat). Moreover, the
vessel containing it was of two pounds' weight, i. e., about two pints, as
if it were his whole store, and it was of horn, that it might last the longer.
— 62. Veteris non parcus aceti. This, at first view, seems not to agree
with the close and sordid character of Avidienus. because old vinegar "13
492 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE II.
always the best. Hence some commentators have been disposed to make
vetcris, in the present passage, mean "stale" or "flat." On the other hand,
Gesner thinks that the early reading, nonlargus aceti, would answer bet-
ter than the received one. There appears to be no necessity, however,
for either the one or the other of these remarks. Old vinegar was not
more costly than new, and, besides, it would serve better to correct the
smell of his oil on his cabbage.
64-68. 64. Utrum. Alluding to the case of Gallonius on the one hand,
and that of Avidienus on the othei". Compare the scholiast : " Utrum ;
Gallonium an Avidienum?" — Hac iirget lupus, &c. "On this side, as
the saying is, presses the wolf, on that the dog." We have here a pro-
verbial form of expression, used whenever one was between two dangers
equally threatening. In the present instance the adage applies with ro-
mai'kable felicity, lupus denoting the glutton, and cants Avidienus —
65. Mundus crit, qui non ojfendat sordidus, &.c. "He will be regarded as
one that observes the decencies and proprieties of life, who does not of-
fend by sordid habits, and who gives no occasion for censure by running
into either mods ">f life," i. c, by either carrying a regard for the proprie-
ties of life too far on the one hand, or indulging in sordidness or want of
cleanliness (whether intentional or the result of careless habits) on the
other. Observe that cultus is the genitive singular. — 66. Miser. Literal-
ly, " is wretched" or " unhappy." Supply sit. One is disliked for his se-
verity, the other contemned for his weakness. Of each of these opposite
characters an example is given, the one carrying a regard for exactness
and precision to such an extreme as to punish his slaves for the most
trifling omission ; and the other, a good-natured, easy, and indulgent
master, who lets his slaves act just as they please, the consequence of
which is, that these negligent domestics even serve greasy water (unctam
aqnam) to his guests to mix with their wine. — 67. Dum munia didit.
"While he assigns them their several employments," i. c, apportions
their duties and places in attendance at table. — Scevits erit. By threat-
ening them with severe punishment in case of negligence or failure. —
68. Simplex Ncevius. "The easy, good-natured Naevius." — Unctam
aquam. " Greasy water."
71-77. 71. Valcas. Equivalent to Valebis. — Varies res. "A mixture
of one's food." Equivalent, literally, to varia ciborum genera. — 72. Memor
illius escce, Sec. "When thou callest to mind that fare, which, simple in
its nature, sat so well on thy stomach in former days." — 74. Miscueris.
For some remarks on the quantity of the final ris in the second future of
the indicative and perfect subjunctive, consult A?ithon's Lat. Pros., p. 94,
note. — 75. Dulcia. " The sweet," i. e., the natural juices of the food, or
the chyle in the stomach. (Keightlcy, ad loc.) — 76. Lentapituita. " The
viscid mucus." This is the imicus which covers the intestines. He calls
it lenta, "viscid," or "tough," because in an unhealthy state. (Keigkt-
ley, ad loc.) Obsei-ve that pituita is to be pronounced, in metrical read-
ing, pit-u-ila. — 77. Coena dubia. "From a doubtful banquet." Coena
dubia denotes a feast, where there are so many dishes that a man knows
not whicn to eat of; and, consequently, a splendid banquet where every
luxury and delicacy present themselves (compare Terence, Phorm., ii., 2,
28} ; whereas caena ambigua merely signifies a banquet half meat and half
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE II. 493
fish served up together. — Quin corpus onnstum, Sec. "Besides this, the
body, overcharged with yesterday's excess, weighs down the soul also
with it, and fixes to the earth this portion of the divine essence," or, more
freely, " and immerses amid gross matter this particle of the divinity.-'
Horace, to give a higher idea of the nobleness and dignity of the soul,
borrows the language of the Pythagoreans, the Stoics, but particularly
the Platonists, respecting the origin of the human soul. These and other
schools of ancient philosophy believed the souls of men to bo so many por-
tions or emanations of the Deity.
80-93. 80. Dicto citius. Referring, not to sopori, but to curata mem-
bra. The allusion is now to a frugal repast, in opposition to " a doubtful"
one, and to the ease and quickness with which such a meal as the former
is dispatched, as well as to the peaceful slumbers which it brings, and the
renewed bodily vigor which it bestows for the labors of the ensuing day.
— 81. Prcescripta ad munia. " To his prescribed duties," i. c., to the du-
ties of his calling. — 82. Hie tamen ad melius, Sec. "And yet even this
abstemious man may on certain occasions have recourse to better cheer."
— 84. Tenuatum. "Worn out with toil." — Ubiquc. "And when." —
86. Tibi quidnam accedet ad istam, Sec. " What will be added for thee to
that soft indulgence, which, young and vigorous, thou art now anticipating,
if either ill health or enfeebling age shall come upon thee 1" i. c, thou art
now anticipating the only things that can support thee amid the pains of
sickness or under the pressure of age. When age and sickness come,
where will be their aid ? — 90. Credo. " I presume." — Quod hospes tar-
dins adveniens, Sec. " That a guest, arriving later than ordinary, might
better partake of it, tainted as it was, than that the greedy master should
devour it all himself, while sweet." Integrum has here the force otrecen-
(em, " fresh," " sweet." — 92. Hos iitinam inter heroas, Sec. Ofellus is in
earnest. The poet indulges in a joke. — 93. Tellus prima. " The 3'oung
earth." The good Ofellus, in his earnestness, confounds the "antiqui"
and their "rancidus aper" with the happy beings who lived in the Golden
Age, and the rich banquets that nature provided them. — Tulisset. In al-
lusion to the belief that the primitive race of men were produced from the
earth.
94-111. 94. Das aliquid fames, Sec. "Hast thou any regard for fame,
which charms the human ear more sweetly than music 1" Byfama is here
meant, in fact, 'good report, praise. The idea here intended to be convey-
ed is said to be borrowed from a remark of Antisthenes the philosopher.
— 96. Una cum damno. "Along with ruin to fortune." — 97. Iratum pa-
truum. The uncle on the father's side {patruus) was always regarded
as a severe censor. — Te tibi iniquum. "Thee angry with thyself." —
98. Quum deerit egenti, Sec. " When an as, the price of a halter, shall be
wanting to thee in thy poverty," i. e., when plunged in abject poverty,
thou shalt not have wherewithal to purchase a halter in order to put an
end to thy misery. — 99. Jure, inquit, Trausius istis, Sec. These words are
supposed to proceed from some rich and luxurious individual. " Trausias
(says some rich individual) is deservedly reproached in such words as
these : as for me, I possess great revenues, and riches sufficient for three
kings," i. e., go and read these wise lectures to Trausius, I am too rich to
need them. Trausius was one who had wasted his patrimony in luxury
494 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE II.
and debauchery. — 101. Ergo quod supcrat, non est, &c. " Hast thou, then,
no better way in which thou mayest employ thy superfluous resources 1"
Superat is here, as often elsewhere, equivalent to superest. — 103. Cur
eget indignus quisquam. " Why is any man, who deserves not so to be.
suffering under the pressure of want ?" With indignus supply, for a lit-
eral translation, qui egeat. — 105. Tanto emetiris acervo ? The terms are
here extremely well selected. The wealth of the individual in question
is a heap, and he does not count his riches, but measures them. — 106. Nimi-
rum. " No doubt." Ironical. — 107. Posthac. Alluding to the possibility
of his experiencing hereafter some reverse of fortune. — Ulerne. "Which
of the two.'' — Casus dubios. " Doubtful emergencies." — 109. Pluribus.
"To a thousand artificial wants." — Superbum. "Pampered." — 111. In
pace, ut sapiens, «Sec. A beautiful comparison. As the prudent man, in
time of peace, improves and strengthens his resources against the sudden
arrival of war and the attacks of an enemy, so the temperate man, in pros-
perity, enjoys with moderation the favors of fortune, in order that the
change to adversity may neither be too sudden nor too great.
112-124. 112. His. "These precepts," i. e., as uttered by Ofellus.—
Puer hunc ego parvus, &c. "I took notice, when I was a little boy, that
this Ofellus did not use his resources in any way more freely when unim-
paired, than he does now that they are diminished." — 114. Videas metato
in agello, &c. " One may see the stout-hearted countryman, surrounded
with his flocks and children, laboring for hire on his own farm, now meas-
ured out to another, and talking to this effect." Ofellus was involved in
the same misfortune with Virgil, Tibullus, and Propertius. Their lands
were distributed among the veteran soldiers who had served at Philippi
against Brutus and Cassius ; those of Ofellus were given to one Umbre-
nus, who hired their former possessor to cultivate them for him. — Metato.
"Measured out," i. e., transferred or assigned to another. In distributing
the land to the veterans, they measured it, and allowed each so many
acres. — 116. Non temere. Equivalent to non facile, i. e., raro, "rarely."
— Luce pro jesta. " On a work-day." The dies profesti were directly op-
posed to the dies festi. — 117. Pernce. The pema was the pig's ham, or
rather hind leg salted and dried; for it contained the foot also, since Cato
(R. R., 162) directs the ungula to be cut off previous to salting. Horace
says pede, as we would say shank, to indicate that it was only the worst
part he ate on work-days. {Keightley, ad loc.) — 119. Operum vacuo per
imbrem. "Freed from labor by the badness of the weather." — 120. Bene
erat. "We had a pleasant time of it." We regaled ourselves. — 121. Pcn-
silis uva. " The dried grape." A species of raisin. The grapes here re-
ferred to were hung up within doors to dry. — 122. Duplicejicu. The al-
lusion is to "the split fig." The sweetest figs, according to Aristotle,
were those that were split, dried, and then pressed together again (d/^a
EGXLGH-eva). This process is still followed in some parts of Italy and
Sicily. — 123. Post hoc ludus erat, culpa potare magistra. "After this we
amused ourselves with drinking, having the fine of -a bumper as the ruler
of the feast.' The phrase culpa potare magistra clearly alludes to the
custom prevalent at the entertainments of former days, and not disused
even in our own times, by which the individual who might chance to of-
fend against any of the rules of the feast was fined in one cup, or in many,
according to the extent of his offence. The nature of his fault, therefore,
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE III. 495
would be the standard by which his amercement was to be estimated.
Compare Orelli, ad loc. — 124. Ac vencrata Ceres, ita culmo, Sec. "And
Ceres was worshipped that the corn might thereupon rise in a lofty stem."
Vencrata is here taken passively, and the allusion is to a libation poured
out in honor of the goddess. — Ita. Equivalent to "thereupon." — Sur-
geret. Understand ut.
128-134. 128. Nituistis. " Have you fared." Equivalent, by a pleas-
ing figure, to nutriti estis. Compare the remark of Doring : " nam bene
nutriti, pr&cipue rustici, nitent vultu et corpore." — Ut. " Since." — Novus
incola. Alluding to Umbrenus. — 129. Nam propria telluris, &c. " For
nature has made neither him, nor me, nor any one else, owner of a piece
of land as a lasting possession." — 131. Nequities, aut vafri ins citia juris.
" An evil course of life, or a want of acquaintance with the subtleties of
the law." — 132. Vivaciorheres. "His longer-lived heir." — 134. Erit nulli
proprius. " It will be a lasting possession to no one."
Satire III. Horace here converses with Damasippus, a broken mer
chant, who had lately taken to Stoicism. Damasippus breaks in upon the
poet at his Sabine villa, whither the latter had retired at the time of the
Saturnalia, and forces on him a long lecture. In this fictitious dialogue,
the pretended philosopher adduces the authority of a brother charlatan to
prove that all mankind are mad, with the exception of the stoical sage.
They deal out folly to every one in large portions, and assign Horace him-
self his full share. The various classes of men, the ambitious, luxurious,
avaricious, and amorous, are distributed by them, as it were, into so many
groups, or pictures, of exquisite taste and beauty, in which are delineated,
with admirable skill, all the ruling passions that tyrannize over the heart
of man. Some of their precepts are excellent, and expressed in lively
and natural terms ; but occasional bursts of extravagance show that it was
the object of the poet to turn their theories into jest, and to expose their
interpretation of the principles established by the founders of their sect.
(Dunlop's Roman Literature, vol. iii., p. 256.)
1-7. 1. Scribis. The allusion is to the composing of verses. Dama-
sippus, says Keightley, begins by upbraiding the poet with his indolence,
a thing which the Stoics, in contrast to the Epicureans, strongly condemn-
ed.— 2. Membranam. " Parchment," i. c, in order to copy upon it what
had been written upon his waxen tablets. — Scriptorum qu&que retexens.
" Retouching each of thy former productions." Retcxo is properly applied
to the operation of unweaving ; it is here metaphorically used for correct-
ing and retouching a work. — 3. Benignus. "Prone to indulge in." —
4. Dignum sermone. "Worthy of mention." — Quidjict? "What is to
be done 1" i. e., what dost thou intend doing ? wilt thou write, then, or not?
— Ab ipsis Saturnalibus hue fugisti. The train of ideas is as follows:
One would imagine, indeed, from thy conduct, that the former of these
plans had been adopted, and that thou wast actually going to write, for
"thou hast fled hither," to the retirement of thy villa, "from the very
feast of Saturn itself." Hue refers to the poet's Sabine villa, whither he
had retired from the noise and confusion attending the celebration of the
Saturnalia in the streets of the capital. — 5. Sobrius. " In sober mood,"
496 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE III.
i. e., amid the sober tranquillity and the retirement of thy villa. — Incivc.
After uttering this, Damasippus is supposed to pause a while, waiting for
the poet to begin the task of composition. At length, tired with waiting
to no purpose, he exclaims Nil est. "Nothing is forthcoming." — 7. Ca-
lami. "Tire pens." When writing on paper or parchment, the Romans
made use of a reed sharpened and split in the point, like our pens, which
they dipped in ink [atr amentum). — Immeritusque laborat iratis natus
paries, &c. " And the unoffending wall suffers, born under the maledic-
tion of gods and of poets." A humorous allusion. The walls of a poet's
chamber, observes Francis, seem built with the curse of the gods upon
them, since the gods have subjected them to the capricious passions of the
rhyming tribe, who curse and strike them in their poetical fits as if they
were the cause of their sterility.
JJ-16. 9. Atqxti vitltus erat, &c. "And yet thou hadst the air of one
that threatened many fine things, if once thy little villa should receive
thee, disengaged from other pursuits, beneath its comfortable roof." —
Minantis. Compare the scholiast : pollicentis, promittentis. The allu-
sion is to the pi'omised results of the poet's labors. — 10. Vacuum. Sup-
ply the ellipsis as follows : te vacuum a negotiis. — Tepido. Alluding to
the comfortable accommodations at4he poet's Sabine villa. — 11. Quorsum
pertinuit stipare, &c. "What good purpose has it answered to pack
Plato on Menander, Eupolis on Archilochus." The allusion is to the
works of these writers, which the poet is supposed to have packed up and
brought with him into the country. Plato is selected by the poet for the
precepts and maxims of philosophy with which he abounds, Archilochus
for his iambic humor and bitterness, and the writers of the Old and New
Comedy are represented by Eupolis and Menander. (Orelli, ad loc.) —
13. Invidiam placare paras, virtute rclicta? "Art thou attempting to
allay the odium excited against thee by abandoning the path of virtue 1"
i. e., art thou endeavoring to allay the odium excited by thy satirical writ-
ings by abandoning altogether that branch of composition ? The writing
of satires is here dignified with the appellation of "virtus," its object be-
ing to lash the vices and the failings of men. — 15. Quidquid. Understand
laudis. — Vita meliore. " In the better period of thy life," in those better
days when spiritless and indolent feelings had not as yet come upon thee,
and when thou wast wont to lash with severity the failings of men. —
16. Ponendum. " Must be given up." For deponcndum.
17-25. 17. Doncnl tonsore. Horace pretends not to be aware that
Damasippus is a philosopher, and therefore nourishes a length of beard,
but charitably wishes him a bai-ber, who may remove from his chin its
unseemly covering, to the uncouth appearance of which the want of per-
sonal cleanliness had, no doubt, largely contributed. — 18. Postquam omnis
res mea Janum, &c. "After all my fortunes were shipwrecked at the
middle Janus." — Janum ad medium. By this is meant what we would
term, in modern parlance, " the exchange." On the northern side of the
Forum there were three arches or arcades dedicated to this god, standing
at some distance apart, and forming by their line of direction a kind of
street, as it were (foi-, strictly speaking, there were no streets in the
Foruui). The central one of these arches was the usual rendezvous of
brokers and money-lenders, and was termed medius Janvs, while the
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE III. 497
other two were denominated, from their respective positions, summits
Janus, and injtmw, or imus Janus. Damasippus speaks of himself as
having become bankrupt at the middle one of these. — 19. Aliena ncgotia
euro, excussus propriis. " I attend to the concerns of other people, being
thrown completely out of my own," i. e., having none of my own to occu-
py me. — 20. Olim nam qucerere amabam, &c. With qucercrt supply oes.
The Trodavnnijp, or foot-bath, is meant. The allusion, however, is, in fact,
to vessels of bronze generally, and Damasippus, describing the line of
employment which he had pursued up to his bankruptcy, makes himself
out to have been what we would term a virtuoso and a dealer in antiques,
for which there appears to have been a great rage at the time at Rome.
— 21. Quo vafer tile pedes, &c. Sisyphus was the most crafty chieftain
of the heroic age. A bronze vessel as old as his time would meet with
many sad unbelievers among the common herd of men. — 22. Ivfabre.
"With inferior skill." — Durius. '• In too rough a mould." This term is
directly opposed to mollius. — 23. Callidus kuic signo, &c. "Being a con-
noisseur in such things, I estimated this statue at a hundred thousand ses-
terces." With millia centum supply sestertium or nummum. As regards
the use of the verb pono in this passage, compare the analogous expres-
sion ponere pretium, to estimate, or set a value upon. — 23. Cum lucro.
" At a bargain." — Unde freque/aia Mercuriale, &.c. " Whence the crowds
attending auction in the public streets gave me the surname of Mercury's
favorite." — Frequentia compita. Literally, " the crowded streets." The
allusion, however, is to the crowds attending sales at auction in the public
streets. Damasippus, a professed connoisseur, made it a point to attend
every sale of this kind, however low, in the hope of picking up bargains.
27-36. 27. Morhi purgatum illius. The genitive is here used by a
Graecism, Kadapdivra -fje vooov. Horace alludes to the antiquarian mania
under which Damasippus had labored. — Atqui. "Why.'' — 28. Ut solet,
in cor trajecto, &c. " As is wont to happen when the pain of the afflict-
ed side or head passes into the stomach." Car is often used by the Latin
writers, in imitation of the Greek napdia, to signify the stomach. Dama-
sippus wishes to convey the idea that his antiquarian fit was converted
into a philosophical one, just as pleurisy sometimes changes into a cardiac
affection. — 31. Huic. The poet means himself. Provided you do not do
so, and fall on mc, says Horace, jokingly, do as you please. (Keightley
adloc.) — 32. Xe iefrustrcre. "Don't deceive thyself." — Stultique propt
amnes, i. e., et prope omnes, utpote stulti. The wise man of the Stoics is
alone excepted. Consult note on Satire i., 3, 77. — 33. Si quid Stcrtinius
vert crepat. " If Stertinius utters any truth." The use of the indicative
in this passage is intended to express the full reliance which Damasippus
has in the infallibility of Stertinius. This Stertinius was a Stoic of the
day, who left behind him, according to the scholiast, two hundred and
twenty volumes on the philosophy of his sect, written in the Latin tongue !
— Crepat. The peculiar force of this verb, in the present instance, is lost
in a translation. It refers to the authoritative tone assumed by Stertinius
in uttering his oracles of wisdom — 33. Sapientem pascere barbam. " To
nurse a philosophic beard,' i. e., a long and flowing one, the badge of wis-
dom.— 30. Fabricto ponte. This bridge connected the island in the Tiber
with the left bank of that river. It was erected by L. Fabricius, super
intendent of Ways, in the consulship of Q.. Lepidus and M. Lollius, as an
498 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE III.
inscription still remaining on one of the arches testifies. The modern
name is Ponte di quattro Capi, "the bridge of the four heads," from a
four-faced statue of Janus erected near it. — Non tristem. " With my mind
at ease." No longer plunged in melancholy.
37-45. 37. Operto capite. Among the ancients, all who had devoted
themselves to death in any way, or on any account, previously covered
the head. Damasippus intended to destroy himself, on the occasion al-
luded to, in consequence of the ruin of his private affairs. — 38. Dexter
stetit. " He stood, on a sudden, by my side, like a guardian genius." —
Cave. The final vowel of this word is short, the form here employed be-
ing deduced from the old cavo, -ire, the primitive and stem-conjugation of
caveo, -ere. Consult Anthon's Lat. Pros., p. 70, note 2. — 39. Pudor malus.
"A false shame." — 43. Mala stultitia. "Vicious folly." — 44. Chrysippi
porticus et grex. " The portico, and the school of Chrysippus." The
ignorant Stoic here confounds the disciple with the master, and, instead
of referring to Zeno, the actual founder of the Stoic sect, names Chrysip-
pus as such. — 45. Autumat. "Deem." — Hac formula. "This defini-
tion," i. e., of madness. — Tenet. In the sense of complect itur.
48-60. 48. Velut silvis, ubi passim, dec. The train of ideas is as fol-
lows : As is accustomed to happen in woods, where those who wander
about generally all go wrong ; this one mistakes his way to the left, that
one to the right ; each errs, but in a different way from the other : in this
same manner {hoc modo) believe thyself to be insane ; while he who
laughs at thee is in no respect whatever a wiser man than thou art, and
will be himself laughed at by others as not in possession of his senses. —
53. Caudam trahat. A metaphor, taken, as the scholiast informs us, from
a custom among children, who tied a tail behind a person whom they had
a mind to laugh at. — 56. Huic varum. " The opposite to this." Varum
is here equivalent to diversum, and is a much better reading than the or-
dinary varium. Compare Satire i., 3, 47. — 57. Clamet arnica mater
" Though an affectionate mother cry out." — 58. Honesta soror. " A duti
ful sister." — 59. Serva. " Take care." — 60. Non magis audierit quam
Fufius ebrius olim, &c. The idea of a person madly making his way
amid such dangers as those mentioned in the text, deaf to all the exclama-
tions and warnings of his friends, naturally reminds Stertinius of the laugh-
able anecdote relative to the actor Fufius. The Iliona was a celebrated
play of the Roman poet Pacuvius, resembling somewhat in plot the Hecu-
ba of Euripides. In this piece Priam was represented as having sent his
son Polydorus, when quite young, to his daughter Iliona, who was mar
ried to Polymestor, king of Thrace, to be taken care of by her. Iliona
made him pass for her own son, and her son Deiphilus for her brother, so
that when Polymestor, at the instigation of the Greeks, killed, as he
thought, Polydorus, it was his own son that he slew. The ghost of De-
iphilus then appeared to his mother in her sleep, and began to addresa
her in the words Mater, te appello, proceeding to relate what had hap-
pened to him, and entreatingthe rites of burial. The drunken Fufius, who
should have awakened and sprang from his couch at the very first words
Mater, te appello, slept away in good earnest, while Catienus, the per-
former who acted the part of the shade, and the entire audience after him
{Catienis mille ducentis), kept calling out the wcrds to no purpose, the in-
toxicated actor being too soundly asleep to heat them.
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE III. 499
61-62. 61. Quum Ilionam edormit. "When he sleeps through the
part of Ilioua." Madvig (Opusc. Acadcm., ii., p. 225) is correct in regard-
ing edormit here as the simple present, and differs therefore from Zumpt,
who makes it a contracted perfect. Compare donat in Satire i., 2, 5C.
Orelli and Wustemann agree with Madvig. (Orelli, Prcef. ad T., ii., p.
vi.) — Catienis mille ducentis. The audience joined in the cry of Catienus
to the sleeping performer, and hence they are pleasantly styled so many
Catienuses. — 62. Huic ego vulgus, &c. The construction is as follows :
Ego docebo cunctum vulgus insanire errorem similem huic errori. " I
will now show that the common herd of mankind are all similarly insane,"
i. e., resemble either one or the other of the two instances which I have
cited. The term vulgus is here purposely employed, as keeping up the
distinction between the wise man of the Stoics and the less favored por-
tion of his fellow-creatures.
64-72. 64. Insanit veteres statuas, &c. Stertinius now proceeds to.
prove his assertion that the common herd of mankind are all mad. The
train of ideas is as follows : Damasippus is mad in buying up old statues ;
the creditor of Damasippus, who lends him the money wherewith to make
these purchases, is also mad, for he knows very well it will never be re-
paid ; usurers are mad in putting out money at interest with worthless
and unprincipled men, for, however careful thejr may be in taking written
obligations for repayment, these Proteus-like rogues will slip through
their fingers. Finally, he is mad who lends money at such an exorbitant
rate of interest that it can never be paid by the debtor. — 63. Esto. Ac-
cipe, quod numquam, &c. An indirect mode is adopted to prove the in-
sanity of Damasippus's creditor. The poet, for argument sake, concedes
at first that he is sane (Esto. "Suppose for a moment that he is so'*),
only to prove him eventually altogether out of his senses. If I tell thee,
observes Stertinius, to take what I know thou wilt never be able to re-
pay, will it be madness in thee to accept of it ? Will it not rather be the
height of madness for thee to refuse such an offer ? It is I, then, that am
mad in acting this part to thee. — 68. Prcesens Mercurius. "Propitious
Mercury." — 69. Scribe decern a Nerio : non est satis, &c. Stertinius is
now supposed to address some sordid usurer, whom he advises to take
care and not be over-reached in lending out his money. "Write ten ob-
ligations for the repayment of the money, after the form devised by Nerius :
'tis not enough : Add the hundred covenants of the knotty Cicuta,*' i. e.,
make the individual, who borrows of thee, sign his name, not to one mere-
ly, but to ten obligations for repayment, and let these be drawn up after
the form which Nerius, craftiest of bankers, has devised, and which he
compels his own debtors to sign. Still, this form, cautious and guarded
as it is, will not prove strong enough. Add to it the hundred covenants
of the banker Cicuta, with which, as if they were so many knots, he ties
down his debtors to their agreements. With decern supply tabulas. The
form of the obligation or bond is given in the Digests (xii., 1, 40) as follows :
"L. Titius scripsi me accepisse a P. Mcevio," &c. This form would be
followed by Nerius, a Nerio being, besides the other changes, substituted
for a P. Mcevio, and hence the words a Nerio in the text are, in fact, a
quotation from the bond, and serve to indicate it as such. The meaning
of the whole passage is, that the money-lender, with all his precautions,
gives away his money as effectually as the extravagant Damasippus. —
500 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE IIT.
7~\ Malis ridentem alienis. "Laughing with the cheeks of another. '
Commentators differ in their explanation of this phrase. According te
some, it means "laughing immoderately;" others take it to denote "laugh-
ing at the expense of another," while a third class render it "forcing a
laugh." The first of these explanations is the best, the individual being
sure that his adversary will lose his cause. The expression is borrowed
from the Odyssey (xx., 347), yvabfiolai yeXoiuv uXtiOTpioiaiv. There,
however, the presence of Trpdc (3iav shows that a forced laugh is meant.
Compare Orelli, ad loc.
75-88. 75. Pvlidius multo cerebrum est, &c. "Believe me, the brain
of Perillius is by far the more addle of the two, who lends thee money
which thou canst never repay," i. e., lends it at such an exorbitant rate of
interest as to preclude the possibility of its being ever repaid. Perillius
appears to have been a noted usurer. — 76. Dictantis. This term here re-
fers literally to the creditor's dictating the form of the written obligation
for repayment. This the borrower writes and signs. If the money is re-
paid, another writing is signed by both the borrower and lender. Hence
scribere, "to borrow," and rcscribcre, "to repay." — 77. Audire atgve togam
jubeo componere, &c. Thus far, the examples of insanity, which Stertinius
has adduced, have grown naturally out of the particular case of Dama-
sippus. He now enters on a wider field of observation. The expression
togam componere refers to an attentive hearer. — 80. Calet. In the sense
of cestuat. — 82. Ellebori. The black hellebore, or Veratrum, was pre-
scribed by the ancients in cases of madness or melancholy. It is not so
employed at present. — 83. Anticyram omnem. "The whole produce of
Anticyra." There were two Anticyras in the ancient world, one inThes-
saly and the other in Phocis. The first of these places was situate at the
mouth of the River Sperchius. It was said to produce the genuine helle-
bore. The second lay on a bend of the Sinus Corinthiacus, east of the
Sinus Crissaeus. It was also celebrated for its producing hellebore. —
84. Hasredcs Staberi summam, &c. "The heirs of Staberius engraved the
sum he left them on his tomb." With summam the genitive hoereditatis
may be supplied. — 85. Gladiatorum dare centum, &c. " They were bound
by the will to exhibit a hundred pair of gladiators to the people." The
term damnati contains an allusion to the form of the will, in which the tes-
tator required any thing of his heirs, Hares meus damnas esto, or Hccredcs
met damnas sunto. — 86. Arri. Arrius appears to have been a noted gour-
mand of the day, and an entertainment such as he should direct would
be, of course, no unexpensive one. — 87. Frumenti quantum metit Africa.
Africa Propria, corresponding to the modern kingdom of Tunis, with part
of Tripoli, was famed for its fertility. — Sive ego prave scu rccte hoc volui,
ne sis patruus mihi. The words employed by Staberius in his will. —
88. Ne sis patruus mihi. "Be not severe against me," i. e., blame me
not. Consult note on Satire ii., 2, 97.
89-103. 89. Prudentevi. Ironical. — Hoc vidissc. " Foresaw this," i.
e., that they would refuse to engrave the amount of the inheritance on his
tomb, unless they were forced to do it by severe penalties. — 91. Quoad.
To be pronounced, in metrical reading, as a word of one syllable. — 94. Vi-
deretur. For the common form visus esset. — 98. Hoc. Alluding to his ac
cumulated riches : and in this we see the reason for the injunction which
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE III- 501
Staberius laid upon his heirs. As he himself thought every thing of
wealth, he conceived that posterity would adopt the same standard of ex-
cellence, and entertain the higher opinion of him, the greater they saw
the sum to be which he had amassed during his life, and left by testament
to his heirs. — 99. Quid simile isti Grrecas Aristippus. "What did the
Grecian Aristippus do like this man," i. e., how unlike to this was the
conduct of the Grecian Aristippus. The philosopher here named was
founder of the Cyrenaic sect, which derived its name from his native city,
Cyrene in Africa. Pleasure, according to him, is the ultimate object of
human pursuit, and it is only in subserviency to this that fame, friend-
ship, and even virtue are to be desired. Since pleasure then, argued
our philosopher, is to be derived, not from the past or the future, but the
present, a wise man will take care to enjoy the present hour, and will be
indifferent to life or death. His doctrine was, of course, much decried by
the Stoics, and Stertinius, who was himself a Stoic, has given an ill-na-
tured turn to this story. — 103. Nil agit exemplum litem quod lite resolvit.
"An instance, which solves one difficulty by raising another, concludes,
thou wilt say, nothing." Stertinius here anticipates an objection that
might be urged against his mode of reasoning, and in so doing indulges
his feelings of opposition to the doctrines of Aristippus. The excessive
regard for wealth which characterized Staberius can not be censured by
adducing the opposite example of Aristippus, for this last, according to
him, is equally indicative of an insane and distempered mind.
104-128. 104. Si quis emat citharas, &c. Stertinius allows the force
of the objection, that it is impossible to decide who is the greater fool,
Staberius or Aristippus ; but he now gives other instances to determine
the question against the former. Money to a miser is like an instrument
of music in the hands of a man who knows not how to play on it. They
both owe their harmony to the art of using them. — 105. Nee studio citharce,
nee Mus<s deditus ulli. " Neither from any love for the lyre, nor because
attached to any Muse," i. e., to any branch of the liberal arts. — 106. Forma*.
"Lasts." — 108. Undique. " On all sides," i. e., by all. — Qui. "How." —
110. Compositis. "What he has accumulated." — 113. Domi?ius. "Though
the owner of the same." — 114. Foliis amaris. "Bitter herbs," i. c, suc-
cory, endive, Sec. — 115. Chii vete risque Falerni. The Chianwas the most
valued of the Greek wines, the Falernian of the Italian ones. — 11G. Nihil
est. "Nay." Literally, " 'tis nothing." Compare Orelli, " Quid dico?
non satis est." — 117. Age. "Still further." Equivalent to audi porro. —
Undeoctoginta annos nattcs. "When seventy-nine years old." — 120. Xi-
mirum. " No doubt." Ironical. — 121. Morbo jactatur eodem. "Labor
under the same malady." Literally, " are tossed to and fro by the same
disease." — 123. Dis inimice. " Object of hatred to the gods themselves."
— Xe tihi desit ? Supply an. " Or is it lest want may overtake thee T"
— 124. Quantulum cnirn summat, &c. The train of ideas, when the ellipsis
is supplied, is as follows : Be of good cheer, old man ! want shall not come
h thee ! "for, how little will each day take from thy accumulated hoard,
if," ftc. — 125. !ro vjclinrc. Compare Terse 5&of the ]
ceding satire satis est. '"If any thing s'Hli -eg," /. >\, if
our wonts arc so few M thou maintain eat them tQ be. Covetous men
have always some excuse at hand to palliate and disguise their avarice ,
that they deny themselves nothing necessary ; that nature is satisfied
502 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE III.
with a little, <5cc. Stertinius here retorts very severely upon them. If
nature's wants are so few, why dost thou commit so many crimes to heap
up riches, which thou canst be as well without. — 128. Tun sanus. We
have here a new character introduced, and a new species of madness
passes in review. — Ccedcre. " To pelt."
131-141. 131. Quum laqueo uxorem intcrimis, &c. The scene again
changes, and the Stoic now addresses one who had strangled his wife to
get into possession of a rich portion, and another who had poisoned his
mother in order to attain the sooner to a rich estate. Thus avarice is regu-
larly conducted through all its degrees, until it ends in murder and parri-
cide.— 132. Quid enim? " And why not ?" Stertinius, at lirst, ironically
concedes that the individual in question is not insane, because, forsooth,
he neither killed his mother at Argos, nor with the sword, as Orestes
did, just as if the place or instrument had any thing to do with the crimi-
nality of the act. After this, however, he changes to a serious tone, and
proceeds to show that Orestes, in fact, was the less guilty of the two. The
latter slew his mother, because, contrary to the common belief, the Furies
maddened and impelled him to the deed ; but the moment his mother fell
beneath his hand, insanity departed, and reason returned ; whereas the
person whom the Stoic addresses, after having committed crimes to which
nothing but his own inordinate desire of riches prompted him, is still as
insane as ever in adding to his store. — 137. Quin ex quo habitus male
tuta, «Sec. " Moreover, from the time that Orestes was commonly regard-
ed as of unsound mind." The expression male tuta: is here equivalent to
male sana. — 139. Pyladen. Pylades, the well-known and intimate friend
of Orestes. — 141. Splendida bilis. " High-toned choler." The Stoic will
have that Orestes was not insane after he had slain Clytemnestra, but
only in a state of high-wrought excitement. This statement, so directly
in opposition to the common account, but necessary here for the argument,
may either be a discovery of the Stoic's himself, or else Horace may have
followed a different tradition from that which Euripides adopted.
142-155. 142. Pauper Opimius, &c. Another instance of the insanity
of avarice. " Opimius, poor amid silver and gold hoarded up within." —
143. Veientanum. Understand vinum. The Veientan wine, his holiday
beverage, is described by Porphyrion as being of the worst kind. Per-
sius (v. 147) calls it rubellum from its color, and makes it the drink of the
common sailors. — 144. Campana trulla. "From an earthen trulla." The
epithet Campana is here used to indicate the earthen-ware of Campania.
The trulla was a species of ladle or cup used for drawing wine, and from
which the liquor was also poured into the drinking-cups. The meaning
of the text therefore is, not that Opimius drank his wine immediately
from the trulla, but after it had been poured from such a vessel (made of
earthen-ware, and not of better materials, such as silver, gold, &c.) into
the poculum or cup. — 147. Multum celer atque jidelis. "A man of great
promptness and fidelity." — 152. Men vivo? "What! while I am yet
alive?" — Ut vivas igitur, vigila: hoc age. The reply of the physician.
Connect the train of ideas as follows : In the state in which thou at pres-
ent art, thou canst hardly be said to be alive ; that thou mayest live, there-
fore, in reality, arouse thyself, do this which I bid. — 151. Ruenti. In the
sense of dejicienti. The term is here employed on account of its direct
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE III. 503
opposition to fultur a. — 155. Hoc ptisanarium oryzas. "This ptisaiie of
rice," i. e., rice gruel. Ptisanum was barley or rice unhusked and sodden
in water.
160-166. 160. Cur, Stoice. Stertinius here puts the question to him-
self, and immediately subjoins the answer, following, as Keightley re-
marks, the usual dramatic mode of the Stoics. — 161. Non est cardiacus.
" Has nothing the matter with his stomach." The cardiacus morbus is a
disorder attended with weakness and pain of the stomach, debility of
body, great sweatings, &c. — Craterum. Craterus was a physician, of
whom Cicero speaks in a flattering manner in his correspondence with
Atticus (Ep. ad Att., 12, 13, and 14).— 162. Xegabit. Scil. Craterus.—
163. Quod latus aut renes, &c. This verse occurs again in Epist. i., 6,
28. — Tentantur. "Ai-e attacked." The MS3. are divided, many of them
reading tententur, which would be the proper term if we suppose him to
be repeating the words of the doctor. (Keightley, ad loc.) — 164. yEquis.
In the sense of Propitiis. — 165. Porcum. As all the good and bad acci-
dents that happened in families were generally attributed to the house-
hold deities, Stertinius advises the mail who by the favor of these gods is
neither perjured nor a miser, gratefully to sacrifice a hog to them, which
was their usual oblation. — 166. Naviget Anticyram. Compare note on
verse 83. The expression naviget Anticyram (or Anlicyras) is one of a
proverbial character, and equivalent to " iusanus est." — Barathro. " On
the greedy and all-devouring gulf of the populace." The populace, con-
stantly demanding new gratifications from the candidates for their favor,
and never satiated, are here forcibly compared to a deep pit or gulf, into
which many things may be thrown, and yet no perceptible diminution in
depth present itself.
169-171. 169. Dives antiquo censu. "Rich according to the estimate
of former times," i. e., who in the earlier and simpler periods of the Ro-
man state, when riches were less abundant, would have been regarded
as a wealthy man. — Divisse. Contracted from divisisse. — 171. Talos
nucesque. "Thy tali and nuts," i. e., thy playthings. The tali here
meant were a kind of bones, with which children used to play, by throw-
ing them up and catching them on the back or the palm of the hand. Con-
sult Diet. Antiq., s. v. Tali. — Nuces. Walnuts are supposed to be meant,
with which probably they played at what was called Par irnpar, "Even
or odd," Compare verse 248.
172-186. 172. Sinu laxo. " In the bosom of thy gown left carelessly
open." Aulus carried about his playthings in the bosom or sinus of his
pratexta, which he allowed to hang in a loose and careless manner about
him. The anxious father saw in this, and in what immediately follows
(donare et luderc), the seeds, as he feared, of prodigality in after-life. Do-
nare et luderc. " Give them away to others, and lose them at play." —
173. Tristan. "With an anxious brow." — 174. Vesania discors. "Dif-
ferent kinds of madness," i. e., the father feared lest Aulus should become
a prodigal, and Tiberius a miser. — 175. Nomentanum. Consult note on
Sat. i., 1, 101. — Cicutam. Compare note on verse 69. — 178. Coercet. "As-
signs as a limit," i. e., deems sufficient. What is sufficient to answer all
the deniauds of nature. — 160 JEdilis, fueritve vestrum pr&tor. The of-
504 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE III.
fices of sedile and praetor being the principal avenues to higher prefer-
ment, and those who were defeated in suing for them finding it difficult,
in consequence, to attain any office of magistracy for the time to come, it
was a necessary result that canvassing for the respective dignities of
pedile and praetor should open a door to largesses and heavy expenditure,
for the purpose of conciliating the good-will of the voters. — 181. Intesta-
bilis et saccr. " Infamous and accursed." The epithet intestabilis, which
both here and in general is equivalent simply to infamis, denotes, in its
proper and special sense, an individual who is neither allowed to give
evidence in a court of justice, to make a will, be a witness to one, nor re-
ceive any thing by testamentary bequest. — 182. In cicere atque faba, &c.
Alluding to largesses bestowed on the populace. Horace here puts for
largesses in general those of a particular kind, though of an earlier date.
— 183. Lalus. " Puffed up with importance." — Et acncus ut stes. "And
that thou mayest stand in bronze," i. e., mayest have a bronze statue
raised to thy honor, and as a memorial of thy liberality. — 184. Nudus
agns, nudus nummis, &c. Alluding to the ruinous effects of largesses
on the private resources of the individual who bestows them. — 185. Scili-
cet. Ironical. — Agrippa. M. Vipsanius Agrippa, the illustrious Roman,
having been elected aedile A.U.C. 721, displayed so much magnificence in
the celebration of the Circensian games, and in the other spectacles which
he exhibited, and also evinced such munificent liberality in the public
buildings with which he caused the city to be adorned, as to be every
where greeted with the loudest acclamations by the populace. — 186. As
luta vulpcs. Supply veluti, or some equivalent particle. "Like a cun-
ning fox having imitated a noble lion."
187-191. 187. Nc quis humasse velit, &c. Stertinius now brings for-
ward a new instance of insanity, that of no less a personage than the royal
Agamemnon himself, in offering up his own daughter as a victim to Dia-
na. The transition at first view appears abrupt, but when we call to mind
that this new example is aimed directly at the criminal excesses to which
ambition and a love of glory lead, the connection between it and the
concluding part of the previous nai'rative becomes immediately appar-
ent. A man of lower rank is here introduced, who inquires of Agamem-
non why the corpse of Ajax is denied the rites of burial. The monarch
answers that there is a just cause of anger in his breast against the son
of Telamon, because the latter, while under the influence of phrensy, slew
a flock of sheep, calling out at the same time that he was consigning to
death Ulysses, Menelaus, and Agamemnon. The interrogator then pro-
ceeds to show, in reply to this defence on the part of the Grecian king,
'hat the latter was far more insane himself when he gave up his daughter
Iphigenia to the knife of the sacrificer. — 188. Rex sum. " I am a king,"
i. e., I do this of my own royal pleasure, and no one has a right to inquire
into the motives of my conduct. — Et cequam rem impcrito. The humility
of his opponent, in seeming to allow his royal manner of deciding the
question, now extorts a second and more condescending reply from the
monarch. — 189. Inulto. " With impunity."' — 1 91. D> tibi rfr.nt, &c. Com-
pare Homer, II., ;.. 1 '.
192-207. 192. ConsvJce. " To ask qu< w. b$o1
*jww<?w, as used in the present passage, are terms borrowed from the
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE III. 505
practice of the Roman bar. — 145. Gaudeat ut populus Priami, «Sec. Com-
pare Homer, II., i., 255 : f] kev yij07jaai Upia/ioc Hptupoio re naldee. —
197. Mille ovium insanus, <5cc. In this and the following line we have
the reply of Agamemnon, but almost the very first word he utters (insanus)
excuses, in fact, Ajax, and condemns himself. A man, as Sanadon re-
marks, who revenges himself upon the corpse of an insane person, must
be more insane himself than the individual was who injured him. —
199. Natam. Iphigenia. — Aulide. Aulis, on the coast of Boaotia, and al-
most opposite Chalcis in Eubcea, is celebrated in history as the rendez-
vous of the Grecian fleet, when about to sail for Troy. — 200. Improbe.
"Wicked man." — 201. Rectum animi. " Thy right mind." — Quorsum?
"What art thou aiming at?" Supply tendis. The common text has
quorsum insanus? "Why is the hero styled by thee insane?" — 203. Uxorc
et gnato. Teemessa and Eurysaces. — Mala multa prccatus Atridis.
" Though he uttered many imprecations against the Atridae." — 204. Ipsura
Ulixen. " Ulysses himself,' who was the cause of his madness. — 205. Ve-
rum ego, ut heerentcs, &c. Agamemnon speaks, and refers to the well-
known story respecting the sacrifice of his daughter. — Adverso litore.
"On an adverse shore." — 206. Pmdens. "Being fully aware of what I
was do'ng." Opposed to insanus or furiosus. — Divos. The common ac-
count assigns the adverse wiuds, which detained the Grecian fleet, to the
instrumentality of Diana alone ; here, however, the allusion is not only to
Diana, but to the other deities, who are supposed to have been request-
ed by Diana, and to have aided her in the accomplishment of her wishes.
— 207. Nempe. "Yes." Ironically.
208-222. 208. Qui species alias, <5cc. "He who shall form in mind
ideas other than true ones, and confounded together in the tumult of crime,
will be regarded as a man of disordered intellect." By sceleris tumultu
is meant, in fact, that disordered state of mind which leads to crime. The
general meaning of the passage is, that whoever holds wrong and confused
opinions is mad. — Fern. The ablative of comparison after alias. Most
of the MSS. and editions have veri. The present reading, however, is fol-
lowed by Orelli, Dillenburger, and some of the best continental editors.
— 210. Stultitiane an ira. Compare the remark of the scholiast. " Stul-
titiane ut tu ; an ira, ut Ajax." — 212. Ob titulos inanes. Alluding to the
ambitious feelings of Agamemnon, and to his desire of distinction both
with the present age and with posterity. — 213. Quum tumidum est.
"When it is swollen with ambition." — 214. Si quis lectica, &c. The
plebeian gives his royal antagonist no quarter. He has already shown
that his folly was criminal, he now proves that it was ridiculous. —
L»15. Aurum. "Golden ornaments." — 217. Interdicto huic omnc, &c.
" Let the praetor, by a decree, deprive this madman of all control over his
property, and the care of it devolve on his relations of sound mind." He
uses adimat and abeat in the subjunctive, says Keightley, as if he were
issuing the decree himself. It may be observed that we have here an
amusing instance of the licence taken by the poet with the umos Ro-
manus," or Roman custom of applying to other nations, and to other
times, expressions and epithets which suit only the Roman state. —
221. Qui sceleratus, et furiosus erit. "He who is wicked will also be
mad," i. e., every wicked man is at the same time a madman. — 222. Quern
vepit vitrea fama, &<.■. " Around tho head of him whom glassy fame has
506 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE III.
captivated, Bellona, delighting in scenes of bloodshed, has rolled her thun
ders," i. e., the man whom a love of glory seizes, is also mad, for that glory
can only be attained by wading through seas of blood. Vitrea properly
means here, as bright and yet as fragile as glass. Consult note on Odt
i., 17, 20. As regards the expression circumtonuit, it may be remarked,
that the ancients ascribed to thunder a maddening or deranging influence
on the mind. Hence the words hunc circumtonuit Bellona become, in
a free translation, equivalent to "him Bellona has thundered out of his
senses and plunged into phrensy."
224-229. 224. Nunc age, luxuriam, &c. Stertinius, intending next to
prove that spendthrifts and prodigals are mad, returns to Nomentanus,
whom he had brought upon the scene in the 175th verse. — Arripe. " Ar-
raign."— 225. Vincet. "Will prove." Equivalent to argumentis pro-
habit. — 228. Tusci turba impia vici. "The worthless crew of the Tus-
can street." The Tuscan street was a little to the south of the Vicus Ju-
garius, and consequently nearer the Palatine. It appears to have led
from the Forum to that part of the city called the Velabrum, and from
thence to the Circus Maximus. This street was occupied by the worth-
less and corrupt of every desciiption. — 229. Fartor. "The poulterer."
[Becker, Gallus, p. 139.) Literally, "the fowl-crammer." The term fartor
also denotes " a sausage-maker," u2.XavT07rtj2.vc. The former, however,
is the preferable meaning here. Consult Porphyrion, ad loc, and Colu-
mella, viii., 7. — Cum Velabro. " With the venders of the Velabrum," i. e.,
with those who sell various kinds of food in the quarter of the city denom-
inated Velabrum. The name of Velabrum was applied generally to all
the ground which lies on the left bank of the Tiber, between the base of
the Capitol and the Aventine. — Macellum. "The market." Under this
name were comprehended the various market-places where different
commodities were sold. These were all contiguous to one another along
the Tiber.
231-246. 231. Verba facit leno. "The pimp speaks for the rest."
Compare the scholiast, " Apud luxuriosum leno primum loquitur tarn-
quam patronus omnium nebulonum." — 233. Juvenis cequus. " The just
youth," i. e., having a just perception of the merits and services of others.
Ironical. — 234. In nive Lucana. Lucania was famed for its wild boars.
— Ocreatus. "Booted." — 237. Sume tibi decies. With decies supply cen-
tcna millia sestertium. — 238. Filius /Esopi detractam, &c. We have here
a new instance of prodigality, rivalling even that of Nomentanus, in the
case of Clodius, son of the famous tragedian iEsopus. The story told of
him by Stertinius will remind us of the one relative to Cleopatra. Pliny,
however, assigns to Clodius the merit of having invented this piece of ex
travagance, though Cleopatra surpassed the Roman spendthrift in the
value of the pearl which she dissolved. — Metellce. Who this female was
is uncertain. Some suppose her to be the one of whom Cicero speaks,
Ep. ad Att., xi., 23. She must have been wealthy, since none but the
richest females were able to wear such expensive ornaments as those tn
which the story alludes. — 239. Decies solidum. " A whole million of ses
terces." As we would say, " a solid million," i. e., a million at once. Ob-
serve that solidum is here the neuter singular, not the genitive plural con-
tracted. The use of solidus (nummus) for aureus appears not to have
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE III. f>07
come in until the time of the Emperor Alexander Severus. (Heiudorf,
ad loc.) — 240. Qui sanior, ac si. "In what respect less insane than if."
— 240. Quinfi progenies Arri. Compare note on verse 86. — 243. Nequitta
et nugis, «Sec. " Most closely assimilated to each other in profligacy and
folly, and in perverted desires." Gemellum is here equivalent to similli-
mum, and agrees as an epithet with par. — 244. Impenso. "At an ex-
travagant price.'' With impenso (which is here equivalent to per mag no)
supply pr&io. — 245. Quorsum abeantl &c. "To which class are they
to go ? Are they to be marked with chalk as sane, or with charcoal as
insane ?" Among the Romans, white was the lucky color, black the un-
lucky. Hence things of a favorable or auspicious nature were denoted by
the former, and those of an opposite character by the latter.
246-252. 246. yEdiJicare casas. "To build baby-houses." — 247. Lai-
dcre par impar. " To play at even and odd." — 248. Amentia verset.
•'Let it be taken for granted that he is mad." Literally, "let madness
agitate him." — 249. Si puerilius his ratio, &c. " If reason shall clearly
prove that to love is more puerile even than these, and that it makes no
difference whether thou raise in the dnst such childish works as thou
formerly didst when three years old, or," &c. Stertinius here passes to
the madness of those who are enslaved by the passion of love. The ques-
tion put by the Stoic is as follows : If reason shall clearly establish the
point that they who love are guilty of even greater puerilities than those
just enumerated, will it not be better for lovers to follow the example of
Polemon, and, by changing entirely their feelings and sentiments, enter
on a wiser and a better course of life ? — 252. Quod olim mutatus Polemon.
"What the reformed Polemon once did." Polemon was an Athenian of
distinction, who in his youth had been addicted to infamous pleasures.
As he was one morning, about the rising of the sun, returning home from
the revels of the night, clad in a loose robe, crowned with garlands, strong-
ly perfumed, and intoxicated with wine, he entered the school of Xenoc-
rates, with the intention of turning the philosopher and his doctrine to ridi-
cule. The latter, however, dexterously changed his discourse to the topics
of temperance and modesty, which he recommended with such strength
of argument and energy of language, that Polemon, heartily ashamed of
the contemptible figure which he made in so respectable an assembly,
took his garland from his head, concealed his naked arm under his cloak,
assumed a sedate and thoughtful aspect, and, in short, resolved from that
hour to relinquish his licentious pleasures, and devote himself to the pur-
suit of wisdom. With such ardour did he apply himself to his studies as
to succeed Xenocrates in his school.
253-256. 253. Ponas. F 'or deponas. — Insignia morbi. "The marks
of thy distemper." The distemper he? s alluded to is the mania of de-
bauchery and illicit pleasure. — 254. Fasciolas, cubital, focalia. "Thy
rollers, elbow -cushion, mufflers." These properly were confined to wom-
en, and only adopted by the more effeminate of the other sex. The Fas
ciola were pieces of cloth or other material, with which the effeminate
youth of the day, in imitation of the women, covered their arms and legs,
wrapping them around their limbs like bands or rollers. The F.omans, it
will be recollected, wore neither stockings nor any undergarment for the
hips and thighs. These fa iciolce were also used by persons in delicate
508 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE III.
health. The cubital was a cushion or small pillow, for supporting the el-
bow of the effeminate when reclining at au entertainment. Some, how-
ever, understand by the term a kind of fore-sleeve, extending from the
elbow downward, and others a species of short cloak, descending as far
as the elbow, and with which the head might be covered, if requisite -,
used properly by those who were in feeble health. The focalia (quasi
faucalia, afaucibus) were a kind of woollen wrapper, or shawl, to keep
the neck and throat warm. — 256. Correptus. " Rebuked." — Impransi
magistri. " Of the sober sage."
258-264. 258. Amator exclusus qui distat ? " How does a discarded
Lover differ from this?" — 259. Agit ubi secum. "When he deliberates
with himself." This whole passage is an imitation of a scene in the
Eunuchus of Terence {Act i., Sc. i.), where Phaedria, conceiving himself
slighted by Thais, is debating whether he shall answer a summons from
her or not, while the slave Parmeno tries to urge on his master to firmness
of resolve and a more rational course of conduct. — 261. Ne nunc. For ne
nunc guidem, which Terence has. — 262. Finire dolorea. " To put an end
to my sufferings," i. c, by abandoning forever the author of them. —
264. Qu<b res ncc modum habet, &c. "That which has not in itself either
measure or advice, refuses to be controlled by reason and by measure."
Horace here imitates in some degree the language of Terence.
269-277. 269. Reddere certa sibi. "To render steady and fixed.' —
Ac si insanire paret certa ratione modoque. " Than if he try to play the
madman in accordance with fixed reason and measure," i. c, by right
reason and rule. — 271. Quid ? quum Picenis, &c. The Stoic now passes
to another kind of insanity connected with the passion of love, the prac-
ticing, namely, of various foolish and superstitious contrivances, for the
purpose of ascertaining if one's passion will be successful. Under this
head he alludes to a common mode of divining, adopted in such cases by
lovers. They placed the seeds of apples between their fore-finger and
thumb, and shot them forth in an upward direction. If the seed struck
the ceiling of the chamber, it was considered an excellent omen. — 271. Pi-
cenis pomis. The apples of Picenum, as being of the best kind, are here
put, /car' kijoxqv, for anj\ — 272. Penes te es ? "Art thou in thy senses l"
More literally, " art thou under thy own control ?" — 273. Quum balbaferis
annoso verba palato. "When thou strikest lisping words against thy
a?ed palate," i. e., when thou strikest thy aged palate with lisping words.
The allusion is now to some " senex amator." — 274. ^Edijicantc cams.
Compare note on verse 246. — Adde cruorem stultitice. " To the folly of
love add the bloodshed which it often occasions." — 275. Atquc ignem
gladio scrutare modo. " And only stir the fire with a sword." Not to
stir the fire with a sword {irvp fj.axo.Lpa yj] GnaAeveiv) was a precept of
Pythagoras, by which the philosopher meant that we ought not to provoke
a man in a passion, or throw him into a more violent rage ; and further,
that a man transported by passion ought not to give in to every thing that
his rage dictates. Horace here applies this saying to the conduct of
lovers, whose passions often cany them to murders, bloodshed, and all
manner of extravagance ; often, too, their rage turns against themselves.
as in the case of Marius, mentioned immediately after, who, in a fit oi
iealousy, slew his mistress, and then, in despair, threw himself headlong
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE III. 509
from a rock. We have followed Heindorf and Wiisteniann in joining
modo with scrutare. Orelli adopts Bentley's arrangement, namely, a
period alter scrutare, and a new sentence to commence with Modo, to
which he assigns the meaning of "on a late occasion," nuper. — 276. Hel-
lade pcrcussa Marius, &c. Compare the scholiast: "Marin* quidam ob
amoris impatientiam Helladem puellam occidit, quod ab ca contemneretur.''
— 277. Cerritusfuit? "Was he oat of his senses 1" The derivation of
cerritus is uncertain. It is commonly formed from cereritus, as if intend-
ed to express the anger of Ceres, exerted in driving one mad. Perhaps
there is here a confounding of Ceres with the Phrygian Cybele and her
orgiastic worship. Compare Hartung, Relig. der Romer, i., p. 69. — An
commot(B crimine mentis, &c. Every wicked man, observes Francis, is
a fool, for vice and folly are synonymous terms. But mankind endeavor
to divide these ideas, thus nearly related, by giving to each of them, at
particular times, a different name. As, when they would find Marius
guilty of murder, they would acquit him of madness. But the Stoic con-
demns him of both, since, in his philosophy, murder and madness are
"kindred terms" (cognata vocabula).
280-289. 280. Libertinus erat, qui circvm, &c. The Stoic now directs
his a:tack against those who display their folly by seeking for things that
are inconsistent with their condition, or by addressing vows to the gods
that are unreasonable and absurd. There is not a word here, as Dacier
well remarks, which does not aggravate the folly of this conduct on the
part of the freedman. He was old, senex, and should have better known
what prayer to make ; siccus, his folly was not an effect of wine ; lautis
vianibus, he washed his hands with calmness, and a real spirit of religion ;
and yet he makes this extravagant petition, only because the gods are
able to grant it, not that it is in itself just and reasonable. — Compita. In
the compita, or places where two or more roads met, Augustus ordered
statues of the public Penates to be erected, that public worship might be
openly rendered to them by those who passed by. — Unum, unum me sur-
pite morti. "Save me, alone, from death." Surpite is for surripite. —
282. (Quid tarn magnum? addens.) "Adding, 'what is there so great
in this V " i. e., this is but a trifling favor that I ask. We have given here
Bentley's emendation, with Orelli and others. The common reading is
Quiddam magnum addens, the allusion in which is to some secret vow.
— 284. Nisi lititriosus. Masters were bound, if they warranted a slave at
the time of sale, to make that warranty a full and perfect one. When ths
seller srave a false account, or omitted to mention any defects, the pur-
chaser had a right of action against him. — 296. MenenL A passing thrust
at some individual of the day, remarkable for his stupidity and folly, and
who is here honored by being placed at the head of a whole family, as it
were, of fools. — 287. Jupiter, ingentes qui das, <5cc. A frightful instance
of superstition is here given. A mother begs of Jupiter to cure her son,
and at the same time makes a vow, the fulhllrneut of which, on her part
will bring certain death to him. — 288. Menses jam quinque cu/iantis
"Who has been lying sick now for five months." — 289. Illo mane die quo
tu indicis, <5cc. "On the morning of that day, when thou dost appoint a
fast, naked shall he stand in the Tiber." The commentators seem gen-
erally airreed that the day alluded to is Thursday [dies Jovii), and that
the satire of the poet is levelled at the superstitious observances, of Jew
510 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE III.
ish and Egyptian origin, which had begun about this time to be introduced
among the lower classes at Rome. The placing of her son in the Tiber
appears to be an imitation, on the part of the superstitious mother, of some
Egyptian rite.
292-297. 292. Ex prcecipiti. " From his imminent danger," •'. e., from
the dangerous malady which threatens his life. — 294. Timorc deorum.
Compare the Greek expression dscoidai/xovia. — 295. Hcec mini Sterti?*,-
ius, <fcc. Damasippus, after recounting his interview with Stertinius,
and the remarks of the latter, now resumes the conversation in person
with Horace, which had been broken off at verse 41. — 294. Arma. Al-
luding to the precepts just laid down by the Stoic. — 297. Totidcm audiet.
" Shall hear as much of himself." — Atque respiccre ignoto discet, «Sec.
"And shall learn to look back at the things which hang behind him, and
of which he is ignorant." Some explain this passage by a reference to
verse 53, "caudam trahat." It is better, however, to regard it, with other
commentators, as an allusion to the fable of JEsop, which says, that Ju-
piter threw over the shoulder of every mortal two bags ; that the faults
of his neighbor were put into the bag before him, and his own into that
behind him.
299-308. 299. Stoice, post damnum, &c. The poet wishes, as Torren-
tius and Sanadon remark, that Damasippus may sell every thing here-
after for more than it is worth ; a wish that insults the honest wisdom of
a philosopher. Thus, in covert terms, he advises him to return to his mer-
chandise, and trouble his head no more about philosophy. Damasippus
understands the ridicule, and is very sufficiently, though with not too much
delicacy, revenged. — 302. Agaue. This female, inspired with Bacchana-
lian fury, toie in pieces her son Pentheus, whom she mistook for a wild
beast, and carried his head about with her as a trophy of the animal which
she supposed had been destroyed by her. — 307. JEdijicas. Wieland sup-
poses that Horace, about this time, was improving the appearance of his
Sabine farm, which he had received as a gift from his patron, and con-
verting the small farm-house that stood on it into a kind of villa. This
excited the ill-will of his enemies at Rome, and, as Maecenas at this same
time was erecting a splendid residence on the Esquiline, they charged
the poet with an attempt to ape the conduct of his superiors. It is to this
that Horace pleasantly alludes, under the character of Damasippus. —
Longos. " The great." There is a pun in this word as opposed to
moduli bipedalis, since it means tall as well as great. Horace was of
diminutive stature, as he himself acknowledges, in Epist. i., 20, .24. —
308. Et idem corpore majorem, &c. " And yet thou art wont to laugh at
the fierceness and the martial air of Turbo when in arms, as too great for
his stature." Turbo was a brave but diminutive gladiator.
3] 1-325. 311. Te quoque verum est. Supply facere. Verum is here
equivalent to rectum or aquum. — 312. Tantum dissimilem et tanto ccrtare
miiwrem. " So unlike (him), and too inferior to vie with so exalted a per-
sonage." We have given tantum, in the sense of tarn, with Bentley,
Orelli, aud others. The common reading is tanto dissimilem, which vio-
lates Latinity. Minorcm certare is a Graec'sm. — 313. Absentis ranee pul-
lis, <fcc. A.though this fable is not to be found among those that remain
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE IV. 511
to us of jEsop's, yet there is every probability that it is one of his. Phae-
drus, however, recounts the fable in a different manner. He tells us that
a frog, seeing a bull in the meadow, became jealous of his bulk, and began
to blow herself up that she might rival him. Horace's manner is by far
the more lively. — 314. Matri dcnarrat. " He tells his mother all the par-
ticulars." The verb denarro is happily chosen. — 315. Cognatos. "His
brothers." Equivalent here to una secum natos. — 316. Num tantum.
Supply ingens. — 320. Oleum adde camino. A proverbial form of expres-
sion, and equivalent here to insaniaz nova alimenta pra.be. Horace, ac-
cording to Damasippus, is mad enough already ; if, in addition to this, he
goes on writing verses, the increase of madness will be so violent, that it
may fitly be compared to the flame which fiercely arises when oil is thrown
upon the fire. — 321. Qua si quis sanus fecit, sanus facis et tu. The idea
intended to be conveyed is, that all poets are unsound in mind. The an-
cients would seem to have believed, indeed, that no one could either be a
genuine poet, or great in any department of exertion, unless he left the
beaten track, and was influenced by some sort of -feeling bordering on mad-
ness or melancholy. — 322. Non dico horrendam rabiem. "I say nothing of
thy dreadfully vindictive spirit." — Cultum majorem censu. " Thy style of
living, too expensive for thy fortune." — 324. Teneas, Damasippe, tuis te.
"Damasippus, do mind thy own affairs." Keep thyself to the things
which concern thee, my good friend. — 325. O major tandem parcas, &c.
u O greater madman of the two, spare at length one who is in this thy
inferior."
Satire IV. A person called Catius repeats to Horace the lesson he had
received from an eminent gastronome, who, with the most important air,
and in the most solemn language, had delivered a variety of culinary pre-
cepts. The satire is written with the view of ridiculing those who made
a large portion of human felicity consist in the pleasures of the table.
This abuse of the genuine doctrines of Epicurus, the poet, himself a
staunch adherent of the more refined forms of that philosophy, under-
takes, for the honor of his master, to expose and deride. Doring sup-
poses that Horace, having frequently heard the secrets of the culinary art
made a topic of conversation by some of the guests at the table of Maece-
nas, seizes the present opportunity of retaliating upon them, and that, un-
der the fictitious name of Catius, he alludes to an entire class of persons
of this stamp. According to Manso (Schriften und Abkandlungen, p. 59),
Catius appears to have had for his prototype one Matius, a Roman knight,
famed for his acquaintance with the precepts of the culinary art.
1-7. 1. Unde et quo Catius ? A familiar mode of salutation. The sub-
stitution of the third for the second person shows the intimacy of the par-
ties. For a literal translation, supply the ellipsis as follows : unde venit
et quo tendit Catius ? — Non est mihi tempus. Understand confabulandi.
— 2. Ponere signa novis praceptis. " To commit to writing some new
precepts." An elegant form of expression, for litteris mandare nova prce-
cepta. — Novis. This epithet implies that the precepts in question are
such as have never before been made known. — 3. Anytique reum. "And
him who was accused by Anytus," i. e., Socrates, in the number of whose
accusers was Anytus. This individual was a leather-dresser, and a pow»
512 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE IV.
erful demagogue, who had long entertained a personal enmity against
Socrates, for reprehending his avarice in depriving bis sons of the bene-
fits of learning, that they might pursue the gains of trade. The other two
accusers were Meletus, a young tragic poet, and Lycon, an orator. — 4. Sic
tempore Iobvo. " At so unseasonable a time." — 6. Inter cider It tibi. "Shall
have escaped thee," i. e., in consequence of my interruption. — 7. Hoc.
" This faculty," i. e., of recollecting, or recalling a thing to mind. The al-
lusion is to memory, both natural and artificial. — Mirus utroque. Ironical.
8-14. 8. Quin id erat curce, &c. "Why, I was just then consider-
ing how I might retain them all in mind, as being nice matters, and ex-
pressed in nice language." — 10. Hominis. The individual who uttered
these precepts to Catius. — Hospes. "A stranger," i. e., probably a Greek,
as the Greeks were the great professors of this science. (Keightley, ad
loc.) — 11. Celabitur auctor. The poet evidently had some person in view,
to whom all could make the application, even though his name was kept
back. It was most probably some man of rank, whom he did not wish
openly to provoke. — 12. Longaquibus fades ovis erat, Sec. "Remember
to serve up those eggs which shall have a long shape, as being of a better
taste, and more nutritious than the round." Catius preserves a regular
order in delivering his precepts. He begins with the first course of the
Roman tables, then proceeds to the fruit, which was called the second
table, and ends his remarks with some general reflections upon neatness
and elegance. The Roman entertainments, it will be recollected, always
commenced with eggs. Consult not» on Sat. i., 3, 6. — 14. Namque marem
cohibent callosa vilellum. " For they have a thicker white, and contain
a male yolk." Literally, " for, being of a thicker white, they," &c. The
verb cohibent is extremely well selected ; the albumen of such eggs, being
of a thicker consistence than that of others, keeps the yolk confined, as it
were, on every side, and in a state of equilibrium.
15-23. 15. Suburbano. " Raised in gardens near the city." — 16. Ir
riguo nihil est elutius horto. " Nothing is more insipid than the produce
of a much-watered garden." The proper meaning of eluo is "to wash
out," whence elutius is "more tasteless" or "insipid," the flavor being,
as it were, all washed out by constant watering. {Keightley, ad loc.)
The precept here laid down by Catius is denied by the commentators to
be true, and they cite, in opposition to it, the remark of Palladius, iii., 24.
Catius, however, may, after all, be right, if he means to contrast merely
the productions of the fields, matured in due season, with the forced off-
spring of the gardens. — 17. Subito te oppresserit. " Shall have come upon
thee by sm-prise." — 18. Ne gallina malum responset, &c. " In order that
the hen served up to him may not prove tough, and badly answer the ex-
pectations of his palate." The hen which is killed on the sudden arrival
of a guest, and immediately thereafter cooked, will prove, according to
Catius, tough and unpleasant. To remedy this evil, the fowl should be
plunged, before it is killed, in Falernian must. Pea tells us that the cooks
in Italy at the present day pour strong wine, or brandy, down the throats
of the live fowl, to make their flesh tender. — 20. Pratensibus optima fun-
gis, &c. Connoisseurs declare that this precept is false, and that the best
mushrooms, generally speaking, are those gathered in woods and on heaths
or downs. These, they maintain, are more wholesome, and better flavor-
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE IV. 51?
ed, than those of meadows. Lenz, however, a German writer on this sub-
ject, informs us that the locality has no influence whatever on the edible
or poisonous properties of mushrooms. According to him, more mush-
rooms, as well edible as poisonous, grow iu woods than on meadows ,
while those which grow on meadows are generally edible, and but few
poisonous. — 21. Male creditur. " It is unsafe to trust." Literally, " cre-
dence is ill given." — 22. Qui nigris prandia morisjiniet. Another false
precept. Mulberries should be eaten before, not after dinner. Compare
Pliny, " Ipsa poma (mori) ad prisons stoinacho utilia, refrigerant, sitim
faciunt. Si non superveniat alius cibus intumescunt." (H. N., xxiii.,
70.) — 23. Ante gravem qua legerit, &c. The juices of tenderer fruit, ob-
serves Francis, evaporate by the heat of the sun, but are collected and con-
fined by the coldness of the night. On the contrary, harder and firmer
fruit, such as apples, should be gathered in the middle of the day, when
the sun has ripened and concocted their juices.
24-32. 24. Aufidius forti miscebat, &c. Aufidius, an epicure, is here
blamed for having introduced a kind of mulsum, or mead, composed of
honey and strong Falernian wine. In this he was wrong, for he made it
too strong. The precept laid down by Catius goes to recommend a mild-
er draught. The mulsum of the Romans was either taken early in the
morning, in order to fortify the stomach and promote digestion, or else at
the gustatio, the first part of the caena, consisting of dishes to excite the
appetite, whence what was eaten and drunk to whet the appetite was
named promulsis. The Aufidius mentioned in the text is supposed to
have been M. Aufidius Lurco, who was the first that fattened pea-fowl for
sale, and by which he made a great deal of money. (Plin., H. N., x., 20.)
— 25. Vacuis venis. Because the mulsum was taken at the beginning of
the meal. — 27. Si dura morabitur alvus. " If thou art costive." Liter-
ally, " if thy stomach shall be hard-bound." — 28. Conchce. The mention
of shell-fish comes in very naturally here, as they formed, in general, a
part of the promulsis. — 30. Lubrica nascentes implent, &c. This is an
error much older than the days of Catius. It is contradicted by constant
and universal experience. — 32. Murice Baiano melior Lucrina peloris.
" The peloris from the Lucrine Lake is better than the murex from Baiae."
By the peloris is meant a large kind of oyster, deriving its name, accord-
ing to Athenaeus, from its size, at 6*£ TreAwp/dec uvojiacdvcav napu to tts-
A&piov- Casaubon, however, prefers deducing the name from the Sicilian
promontory of Pelorus, around which they were taken in great numbers.
The murex appears to be the same with the burret, or purple fish, a spe-
cies of shell-fish, from the juice of which the purple dye was procured.
33-45. 33. Echini. Consult note on Epode v., 27. — 34. Pectinibus pa-
tulis jactat se, &c. " The luxurious Tarentum prides herself on her broad
scallops." The pecten of the Latins is the ktuc of the Greeks, and both
receive their names from the indented and comb-like appearance of their
snells. — 36. Non prius exacta tenui ratione saporum. " Unless the nice
subject of tastes shall have been first carefully considered by him." —
37. Cara ptsces averrere mensa. " To sweep off the fishes from a dear
stall," *. e., to buy them at a high price. — 38. Quibus est jus aptius, &c.
* For which kind sauce is better adapted, and for which, when broiled, the
already sated guest will replace himself on his elbow," i. e., will prepare
Y2
514 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SAT RE IV.
for eating again. The Romans, when eating at table, lay with the uppei
part of the body reclined on the left elbow. — 40. Iligna glande. " With
the acorn of the holm-oak." — Rotundas curvet lances camera vitantis in-
erlem. " Bend with its weight the round dishes of him who dislikes flab-
by meat." — 42. Nam Laurens mains est, &c. All people of taste, observes
Dacier, have ever esteemed boars fed in marshy ground as of higher
flavor, although Catius is of another opinion. — Pinguis. "Fattened." —
43. Summittit. In the sense of suppeditat. — 44. Fecundce leporis, sapiens,
scctabitur, <kc. This precept also is laughed at by connoisseurs, since no
part of the hare is less juicy than the shoulders. Some commentators, to
save the credit of Catius, make armos here mean the back. As regards
the term /ecu nda, " fruitful," Keightley remarks as follows : "This seems
a strange epithet, for the hare (unlike the rabbit) has young only once a
year, and goes only a month with young. But the ancients had strange
notions of her superfetation. They seem to have confounded the hare
with the rabbit. Heindorf, indeed, regards fecunda here as equivalent to
gravida, i. c, ' pregnant,' but of this sense no example has been pro-
duced."— 45. Piscibus atque avibus qu& natura, Sec. " What might be
the nature and age of fishes and of birds, though inquired into, was ascer
tained by no palate before mine." A false and foolish boast.
47-62. 47 '. Nova crustula. " Some new kind of pastry." — 50. Securus.
"Regardless." — 51. Massica si cozlo, &c. Pliny tells us that this ought
to be done with all the wines of Campania, and that they should be ex-
posed both night and day to the wind and rain. — 53. Odor. The bouquet,
or strong fragrant smell. {Keightley, ad loc.) — 54. Vitiata. " When
strained." The meaning is, that these wines lose all their strength if
they are strained through linen. The ancients used to strain their wine
through the colum, or cullender, and through the saccus, a linen bag. This
last was thought to reduce its strength. — 55. Surrentina vafer qui miscct,
&c. The wine of Surrentum, on the south side of the Bay of Naples, be-
ing of a light quality, they used to mix it with the lees of the strong Fa-
lernian, which were dried and made up into cakes for the purpose. This,
of course, made the wine muddy, and it required then to be fined with
eggs, as is done at the present day. {Keightley, ad loc.) — 56. Columbino
limum bene colligit ovo. " Succeeds in collecting the sediment with a
pigeon's egg." — 57. Aliena. "Foreign substances." — 58. Marcentem po-
torem. "The jaded drinker." — Squillis. The shell-fish here alluded to
is the same with our prawn or larger kind of shrimp. — Afra cochlea. Di-
oscorides (ii., 11) ranks the African with the Sardinian snails among the
best of their kind. Snails are still a favorite dish in the south of Europe.
— 59. Nam lactuca innatat acri, Sec. The lactuca, or lettuce, is the Spidal;
of the Greeks, and possesses cooling properties. Catius here condemns
the eating of it after wine, a precept directly at variance with the custom
of the day, since this plant, being naturally cold, was thought well adapt-
ed to dissipate the fumes and allay the heat occasioned by drinking. Let-
tuce, therefore, at this time closed the entertainments of the Romans.
(Compare Apicius, iii., 18, and Virgil, Moret., 76.) At a later period, how
ever, we find it actually used at the beginning of the casna (compare Mar
tial, 13, 14), which maybe some defence for Catius against the ridicule of
commentators. — 60. P?rna magis ac magis hillis, Sec. ' Aroused by ham
rather, and by sausages rather, than by this, it seeks to be restored to its
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE IV 515
former powers." Supply stomachus, not potor, as some insist. The allu-
sion is to the effect of salt food on a languid stomach, in exciting a relish
and rousing it to fresh exertion. — Hillis. The term hilloe properly denotes
the intestines of animals, and is a diminutive from hira. Our sausages
are clearly meant. — 61. Quin omnia malit, <fcc. According to Catius, a
languid stomach will prefer any thing to lettuce, even the dishes brought
from dirty cook-shops. — 62. Fervent allata. For afferuntur ferventia
" Are brought hot and steaming."
63-69. 63. Duplicis juris. " Of the two kinds of sauce." Catius first
speaks of the jus simplex, down to the end of verse 66. He then pro-
ceeds to state how this may be converted into the jus duplex. — 64. Dulci.
" Fresh." Equivalent here to recente, and opposed to rancido. — 65. Pin-
gui mero. "With old rich wine." The epithet pingue seems to allude
to that oily appearance and taste which the more generous wines acquire
by age. — 66. Quam qua Byzantia putuit orca. "Than that with which
the Byzantine jar has been tainted." The allusion is to the Byzantine
pickle made of the tunny-fish, which were taken in large numbers near
that city. This is pronounced by Catius to be the best, and the term
putuit, as used in the text, will serve to give us some idea of its pungent
odor. — Orca. A large vessel or jar, round below, and having a narrow
neck. Compare the Greek opKt] and vp^a. — 67. Hoc ubi confusum sectis,
dec. "When this, after herbs cut small have been mixed in, has been
made to boil, and has then stood to cool for a time, sprinkled over with
Corycian saffron." Stetit here refers to the placing of the sauce apart
from the fire, but also, and in a more particular sense, to the thickening
or concretion which results from the process of cooling. — 68. Corycio.
The Corycian saffron was produced in the vicinity of Corycus, a town on
the coast of Cilicia Campestris, southeast of Seleucia Trachea. It was
considered of the best quality. — 69. Pressa Venafrana quod bacca, &c.
The oil of Venafrum was celebrated for its excellence. Venafrum was
the last city of Campania to the north. It was situate near the River Vul-
turnus, and on the Latin Way. — Remisit. "Yields." The aorist, in the
sense of what is accustomed to take place.
70-77. 70. Picenis pomis. Consult note on Sat. ii., 3, 272. Catius now
passes to the second course, consisting of fruits, &c. — Tiburtia. The ap-
ples of Tibur are meant. — 71. Venucula convenit ollis. "The Yenucula
is proper for preserving in jars." The allusion here is to a particular spe-
cies of grape, of which nothing definite is known at the present day. It
was kept in jars, much in the manner of the grapes that come from Spain
at the present day. The Alban grape, on the other hand, was kept by
being hung up where the smoke would have access to it. Orelli observes
that the Italians still fumigate chestnuts. — 72. Duraveris. In the sense
of servaveris. The Alban grape would not seem to have been any of the
beit. — 73. Hanc ego cum malis, &c. "I am found to have been the first
that placed here and there on table, in clean little dishes, this kind of
grape along with apples : I am found to have been the first that served
up in this way a sauce composed of burned tartar and fish-pickle; I, too,
am found to have been the first that presented thus to my guests white
pepper sprinkled over with black salt." The phrase purls circumposuisse
eaiillis has been necessarily rendered with some freedom in the two lat-
516 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE IV.
ter clauses of this sentence, in order to suit better the idiom of our own
tongue. The poet happily expresses, by the repetition of the personal
pronoun and of the adjective primus, the earnest air with which the merit
of these several important discoveries is claimed. — Fcccem. The "ge-
brannter Weinstein" of the German commentators. Faex is here equiva-
lent to faex usta. It was added as a condiment to the allec. Tartar is
an acid concrete salt, formed from wines completely fermented, and ad-
hering to the side of the casks in the fonn of a hard crust. It is white or
red, the white being most esteemed, as containing less dross or earthy
parts. The best comes from Germany, and is the tartar of the Rhenish
wine. — Allec. This was a kind of caviare, being the imperfect garum of
the scombri. — 74. Piper album. This was said to be milder than the piper
nigrum. — Sale nigro. It was considered the strongest kind. — 75. Incre-
turn. This term properly denotes " sprinkled over through a sieve." —
Circumposuisse. We must not imagine, with some commentators, that
the catilli were served up, one to each guest, but that they were placed
here and there [circum-) on the table, after the manner of the modern as-
siettes. — 76. Immane est vitium, dare millia terna macello, &c. Catius
calls it a monstrous folly not to know how to make an entertainment,
after having gone to an immense expense at the shambles in the pur-
chase of provisions. To pui-chase, for example, fish of the most costly
kind, and then serve them up in small and narrow dishes where they have
to lie piled one upon another. With millia terna supply sestertium. —
77. Vagos. Applying to the fish as accustomed to move freely about in
their native element. The epithet is contrasted in a very pleasing man-
ner with angusto.
78-81. 78. Magna movet stomacko fastidia, &c. Some general pre-
cepts are now given respecting cleanliness and elegance at entertain-
ments.— Unctis manibus, dum furta ligurrit. "With fingers made
greasy while he hastily devours the stolen fragments of the feast." —
80. Sive gravis veteri cratera? limus adhcesit. " Or if a thick scurf has
adhered to the old mixer." — Crateroe. The cratera (uparfip), or mixer,
was the vessel in which the wine and water were mixed. — 81. Scopis.
For cleansing the pavement of the banqueting-i*oom. — Scobe. "Saw
dust." Used, as sand with us, when the pavements were swept in the
banqueting-rooms, and serving to dry up any moisture that might be upon
them. Scobs is, in fact, a very extensive term, and denotes, in general,
any powder or dust produced by filing, sawing, or boring, though in the
present passage its meaning is limited. — Quintus. Equivalent here to
quam parvus, or quantulus.
83-85. 83. Ten lapides varios lutulenta radere palmal "Does it be-
come thee to sweep a tesselated pavement with a dirty palm-broom?"
Nothing is more common, especially in Terence, than this elliptical use
of the infinitive, to express earnestness, strong censure, indignation, &c.
The full form of expression would be tene decet radere, &c. — Lapides varios.
The Homans adorned the pavements of their dwellings with rich mosaio
work, made of small pieces of marble of different kinds and colors curious-
ly joined together, most commonly in the form of checker- work. — Palma.
A broom made of palm leaves. — 84. Et Tyrias dare circum, tec. The
construction is : et dare illota toralia circum Tyrias vestes. " And to
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE V. b *7
throw unwashed coverings over the purple furniture of thy couches."
Toral, or torale, denotes the covering which was thrown over the couch
to prevent its heing soiled or otherwise injured. If the toral be illotum,
it occasions the very evil it was intended to prevent. — 85. Oblitum, quanto
curam sumtumque minorem, &c. " Not recollecting that by how much less
care and expense these things require, by so much the more justly may
their absence be blamed, than that of those which can only belong to the
tables of the rich," or, more literally, " which can have nothing to do with
any but the tables of the rich."
88-92. 88. Docte Cati, &c. The conclusion is in a happy strain of
irony. The poet expresses his gratitude in the liveliest terms, and begs
to be introduced to an audience with the distinguished author of these
precepts, that he may hear them from his own lips, and drink in at the
fountain-head the rules and maxims of a happy life. — 89. Ducere me
auditum. "To take me to hear the man himself." — Perges quocunque.
" Whithersoever thou shalt go to find him," i. e., wherever he may dwell.
This refers back to verse 11, where Catius declares that he will not men-
tion the name of the individual. — 91. Interpres. "As a relator mere-
ly."— 92. Vultum habitumque hominis. " The look and manner of the
man." Habitum has an ironical reference to the grave and dignified de-
portment of this sage instructor. — 93. Quia contigit. "Because such has
been thy lot."
Satire V. To this satire also, like the last, a dramatic form is given.
In a discourse, supposed to be held between Ulysses and the soothsayer
Tiresias, Horace satirizes the sordid attempts frequently made by Roman
citizens to enrich themselves by paying assiduous court to old and wealthy
bachelors and widowers. There is considerable pleasantry in the satire
itself, but its subject is introduced in a forced and improbable manner.
Homer, in the eleventh book of the Odyssey, had represented Ulysses as
consulting Tiresias on the means of being restored to his native country ;
and Horace, commencing his dialogue at the point where it was left off
by the Greek poet, introduces Ulysses, ruined in fortune, and destitute of
all things, seeking advice of Tiresias as to the mode of repairing his shat-
tered affairs. The answer of the prophet fonns the subject of the satire,
and is so directly levelled at the manners of the Romans, that we can not
forget the incongruity of these being described in a dialogue between a
Grecian chief and a Grecian soothsayer, both of whom existed, if we fol-
low the common account, before the foundation of Rome. The whole,
however, may perhaps be regarded as a sort of parody, in which Greek
names and characters are accommodated to the circumstances of Roman
life. (Dunlop's Roman Literature, vol. iii., p. 257.)
1-17. 1. Prater narrata. "In addition to what thou hast already told
me." — Amissas res. " My ruined fortunes." This ruin had been effected
partly by shipwreck and partly by the squandering of the suitors. — 3. Do-
loso. Understand tibi. — 6. Te vate. " As thou predictest." — 7. Apotheca.
" My wine-room." Apotheca means a store-room in general ; in particu-
lar, that in the upper part of the house, in which the wines were kept. —
Atqui et genus et virtus, &c. " While now, as well birth as merit, unless
518 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE V.
accompanied by substance, are held in lower estimation than sea-weed. ''
Nothing could have been of less value in the eyes of the ancients, whc
did not make the modern uses of it, thau sea-weed. — 9. Quando. " Since."
Equivalent to quand.oqv.idem. — Missis ambagibus. " Circumlocutions be-
ing laid aside," i. e., to come to the point at once. — 10. Accipe. In the
sense of audi. — Turdus sive aliud privum, &c. " If a thrush, or any other
(delicacy), shall be given thee for thy own private use. let it fly thither,"
&c. Observe that turdus is here equivalent to si turdus, the si being in-
cluded in the following sive. — 11. Privum. "For thy own private use."
This must not be joined with aliud. (Heindorf, ad loc.) — 13. Quoscunque
honores. "Whatever productions." The allusion is to the primitia, or
first-fruits of the year. These were wont to be offered to the Lares, but
on the present occasion, they must go to the rich man, for he is " venerabil-
ior Lare." — 15. Sine gente. " Of no family." — 16. Fugitivus. " A run-
away slave." — 17. Exterior. "On the left." The phrase ire comes exte-
rior is analogous to lotus tegere or claudere, and both, according to the best
commentators, signify "to accompany one on the left." The term exte-
rior here refers to the position of the sycophant or legacy-hunter, as pro-
tecting the rich individual, who in this sense is interior ; and the left side
was the one protected or guarded on such occasions, because it was consid-
ered the weaker of the two, and was also more exposed to injury or attack.
18-30. 18. Utne tegam spurco Dama latus. "Dost thou bid me pro-
tect the side of the vile Damas?" t. e., of one like Damas, who has been
in his time a worthless slave. Understand jubes. Damas is An/nuc, con-
tracted from ArjfiT/Tptoc, like Mnvdc from Mnvodcopoc. — 19. Melioribus.
Equivalent to me prcsstantioribus, and referring to Achilles, Ajax, &c. —
22. Ruam. " I may quickly draw together." Put for eruam, i. e., effo-
diam, a figurative allusion to riches concealed, as it were, beneath the
surface of the earth, and a much more forcible term than either parem or
colligam would have been, since it denotes the resolution of Ulysses to
triumph over every obstacle. — 23. Caples. " Try to catch," or, more free-
ly, though more in accordance with what follows, "go a fishing for."
Capto is precisely the verb to be here employed, as characterizing the
efforts of legacy-hunters, and persons of that stamp. — 24. Vafer unus et
alter. " One or two cunning fellows," i. e., rich and cunning old men. —
25. Insidiatorem. Supply te. — Praroso lnamo. "After having nibbled
the bait from off the hook," i. e., after having received the presents sent
them, without making the expected return. — 27. Si olim. " If at any
time." — 28. Vivet. Supply si from the preceding verse. — Ultro. "Un-
provoked," or " without any grounds of action." — 29. Illius defensor. " His
advocate." — 30. Fama civem causaque priorem spcrne. "Pay no regard
to the citizen who is superior in reputation, and in the justice of his cause "
Sperne is here equivalent to " defensor ei adesse noli."
31-38. 31. Quinte, puta, aut Publi, Sec. The connection is as follows :
Address the rich man whom thou art desirous of securing in such words
as these : " Q,uintus," for instance, or "Publius," &c. Observe that puta
has the final vowel short, as here, only when taken adverbially. When
it stands as an imperative, which it really is, the final vowel is long.
[Anthon's Lat. Pros., p. 67, n. 2.) — Gaudeni prctnomine molles auricula?.
"Delicate ears delight in hearing the praenomen used." In addressing
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE V. 519
Roman citizens, the preenomen, or first part of the name, was generally
used, as being peculiar to freemen ; for slaves had no pramomen. — 33. Vir-
tus tua. "Thy great merit." — 34. Jus anceps. "All the knotty points
of the law," i. e., susceptible of a double interpretation, and which a crafty
advocate, after starting, may easily convert to his client's advantage. —
35. Quam te contcmtum cassa nuce pauperet. " Than treat thee with
contempt, and defraud thee to the value of a nut-shell." Pauperare liter-
ally means " to impoverish ;" here, however, it is taken in a stronger
sense. — 37. Ire domum atque pelliculam curare jube. The connection is
as follows : When, by dint of language such as this, thou hast succeeded
in conciliating his good will, " bid him go home, and make much of him-
self." The phrase pelliculam curare is analogous to " genio indulgere." —
38. Fi cognitor ipse. " Do thou become his advocate," i. e., do thou take
care of his cause for him. Cognitor is a term of the Roman law, and the
cognitores were those to whom the management of a suit was intrusted
by either of the parties, in the presence of the court, after which the lat
ter might retire if they felt inclined.
39-44. 39. Persia atque obdura, &c. The idea intended to be convey
ed is simply this : " Persevere and hold out," through either extreme of
heat or cold. In expressing it, however, Horace, as usual, seizes the op
portunity of indulging more freely his satirical humor, and throws well-
merited ridicule on two silly specimens of contemporary versification. In
the first of these, statues recently made were termed infantes ("infant,"
" young") ; a ludicrous image, which the poet here parodies in a very
amusing manner, by applying the same epithet to wooden statues just
finished, and made of quite fresh materials, so as to split, in consequence,
under the intense heat of the dog-days. Who the author of this curious
metaphor was, which is thus so deservedly laughed at, we have no cer-
tain means of ascertaining. He is generally supposed, however, to have
been none other than Furius Bibaculus, to whom, as the text informs us,
the second of these strange poetic thoughts unquestionably belongs. In
this last-mentioned one, Jupiter was described as spitting forth snow upon
the Alps, an idea low, harsh, and extravagant. To render his parody of
this the more severe, Horace substitutes Furius himself for the monarch
of the skies, and, to prevent all mistake, applies to the former a laughable
species of designation, drawn directly from his personal appearance (pin.'
gui tentus omaso, "distended with his fat paunch"). According to the
scholiast, the line of Bibaculus, which we have just been considering, oc-
curred in the beginning of a poem which he had composed on the Gallic
war, and ran as follows : " Jupiter hibernas cana nive conspuit Alpes." —
40. Omaso. The term omasum properly denotes a bullock's paunch : it
is here humorously applied to the abdominal rotundity of Furius himself.
— 43. Ut patiens ! ut amicis aptus ! ut acer ! " How indefatigable he
is ! how serviceable to his friends ! how warm in their cause !" — 44. Plures
annabunt tkunni et cetaria crescent. " More tunnies will swim in, and
thy fish-ponds will increase." The thunnus of the ancients is the scomber
ikunnus of modern ichthyologists. These fish always swim in great num-
bers, and from this circumstance the present image is drawn, rich old men
being here compared to so many tunnies swimming in shoals into the net
of the legacy -hunter. — Cetaria. The cetaria were fish-ponds of salt-water,
near the sea-side, intended for the larger kind offish.
520 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE V.
45-54. 45. Validus male. "In feeble health." — 46. Sublatus aletur.
" Shall be reared." Literally, "having' been taken up, shall be nurtured."
The term sublatus has reference here to the Roman custom of lifting a
new-bora infant from the ground. This was done either by the father, or,
in his absence, by some friend authorized to act for him, and was equiva-
lent to an acknowledgment of the child's legitimacy. Hence the phrases
"tollerejilium," to raise or educate a son, and "non tollere," to expose. —
Ne manifestum ccelibis obsequium, &c. "Lest too open courting of a sin-
gle man may expose thee," i. e., may lay open the real motive that act-
uates thee. Calebs does not merely denote a bachelor, but a single man
generally, and hence is sometimes, as in the present instance, used to sig-
nify a widower. — 47. Leniter in spent arrepe officiosus, &c. " Creep gen
tly, by thy assiduities, into the hope of both being written in his will as
second heir, and, if any chance shall have driven the boy to the shades,
of coming into possession of the vacant inheritance. This game very rare
ly fails." — 48. Secundus heres. A second heir was sometimes named in
wills, who was to succeed to the property if the heir or heirs first appoint-
ed did not choose to accept, or died under age. — 49. Si quis casus puervm
egerit Oreo. Equivalent to " si forte accidat utfilius prius patre moria
tur." — 53. Ut limis rapias. "As to ascertain by a hasty side-glance."
Understand oculis. — Quid prima secundo cera velit versu. By prima cera
is here meant " the first part of the will," i. e., prima pars tabulce ccratce,
testaments being usually written on tablets covered with wax, because in
them a person could most easily erase what he wished to alter. If a
phraseology be adopted here more in accordance with the custom of our
own day, the whole passage may be rendered as follows : "What the
second line of the first page intimates." In this part of the will would be
contained the names of the heirs. — 54. Solus multisne coheres. Under-
stand sis.
55-57. 55. Plerumque recoctus Scriba ex Quinqueviro, &c. " Often-
times will a cunning notary, who has risen from the station of duinquevir,
disappoint the gaping raven." Recoquere appears to be a term borrowed
from dyers, who say of any thing that it is recoctum, when it has been dip-
ped several times, and has taken the color well. Hence those were call-
ed recocti whom long use and practice had rendered expert. — 56. Quin-
queviro. The Quinqueviri were individuals chosen from the people to
execute certain minor duties, such as distributing public lands, repairing
walls and towers, <fcc. It was a station of no great importance or respect-
ability, as may be inferred from the text. — Corvum kiantem. An allu-
sion to the well-known fable of the fox and the raven. The epithet hiantem
represents the bird as in the act of opening its mouth, and allowing the
meat to fall to the ground. — 57. Captator. "The fortune-hunter," or
" will-catcher." — Corano. Coranus is the name of the notary to whom
allusion has just been made, and the story is told by Tiresias in the 62d
and subsequent verses.
58-69. 58. Numfuris, &c. " Art thou really inspired, or dost thou pur-
posely mock me, in thus uttering obscurities ?" Furis here refers to the
supposed influence of prophetic inspiration on the mind of the seer. —
59. Aut erit aut non. "Will either come to pass or will not," as I shall
have predicted. — 60. Divinare. Equivalent to divinandi facultatcm.—
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE V. 521
61. lata f alula. " That story," to which thon wast alluding. — 62. Juvents.
The prophet, with mock gravity, fixes the time of this important event,
the poet taking occasion to compliment Augustus. The reference, in the
term juvents, is to Octavianus (Augustus). As the present satire was
written between A.U.C. 719 and 721, Octavianus, at this time, must have
been about thirty years of age, and might therefore, without any impro-
priety, be still called juvenis, according to the Roman acceptation of the
term. — Parthis horrendus. Consult notes on Ode i., 26, 3, and iii., 5, 3. —
Ab alto demissum genus ^Ene&. Alluding to the origin of the Julian line,
into which Octavianus had come by adoption. — 64. Forti. " Stout." —
Procera filia. "The tall, gawky daughter." — 65. Metuentis reddere sol-
dum. "Disquieted about the repayment of the principal that he owes."
Soldum (contracted from solidum) here denotes the principal, or the main
debt itself, as distinguished from the interest. The disquiet of Nasica in
the premises may have arisen from avaricious feelings, or else, and what
is far more probable, from a consciousness of his inability to refund what
he had borrowed. His creditor is Coranus, to whom he, therefore, marries
his daughter, in the hope that his new son-in-law will either forgive him
the debt at once, or else leave him a legacy to that amount in his will,
which would of course be a virtual release. He is disappointed in both
these expectations. Coranus makes his will, and hands it to his father-in-
law, with a request that he will read it ; the latter, after repeatedly de-
clining so to do, at last consents, and finds, to his surprise and mortifica-
tion, no mention made in the instrument of any bequest to him or his. —
67. Multum Nasica negatas, Sec. The etiquette of the day required that,
in a case like this, there should be merely an interchange of compliments,
but no actual examination of the will. Poor Nasica, however, could not re-
sist the tempting offer, and was paid for his curiosity. — 69. Prater plorare.
"Except to go and mourn," i. e., except the bitter feelings attendant upon
disappointed hopes.
70-90. 70. Illud ad hcec jubeo. "Unto these methods I bid thee add
the following." Supply te addere. — Mulier dolosa. A freed woman is
meant. — 71. Senem delirum temperei. "Shall have got the management
of some old dotard." — 72. Laudes, lauderis ut absens. " Praise them (to
him), that thou mayest be praised (by them nnto him) when absent." —
73. Sed vincit longe priiis, &c. "But to storm the capital itself is far su-
perior to the former method," i. e., the best and surest way is to gain the
old fellow himself. Prius is here in the accusative, governed by vincit. —
Anus improba. " A wicked old jade." The epithet improba is here used,
not with any reference to the moral character of the person spoken of, but
in jocose allusion to the mischievous and sportive humor which dictated
so strange a will. — 74. Est elata. Supply ad funus. — 76. Scilicet elabi
si posset mortua. " No doubt to try if she could slip through his fingers
when dead." Supply tentans. — 77. Institerat. "Had annoyed her."
More literally, "had pressed upon her." Supply ei. — Cautus adito. "Be
cautions in thy approaches." Compare verse 48: " Leniter arrepe." —
78. Neu desis operae, Sec. " Neither on the one hand be wanting in thy
efforts, nor on the other be immoderately abundant in them," i. e., nor, on
the other hand, overdo the matter. "With abundes supply opera. — 79. Dif-
ficilem. "One that is of a fastidious turn." — Ultro non etiam sileas. "And
again, thou must not be more silent than is proper."
522 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE VI.
80-99. 80. Davus sis comicus. " Copy Davus in the play." The allu-
sion is to a cunning slave in the Andria of Terence. — 81. Capite obslipo.
"With head bent stiffly forward." The attitude of a person showing
great deference to another, and having his head stiffly fixed like a stipes
or stake. The leading idea, however, in the phrase is merely that of rigid
stifihess, without reference to inclination in any particular direction, and
hence while it here denotes deference, and in Persius, Sat. iii., 80, indi-
cates an appearance of deep thought, it is applied in Suetonius (Vit. Tib., c.
68) to one who walks with head stiffly erect. — Multum similis metuenti.
" Much like one who stands in awe of another." — 82. Obsequio grassare.
"Ply him with assiduities." — Increbuit. "Has begun to freshen." —
88. Velet caput. The Romans were accustomed, in the city, as a screen
from the heat or wind, to throw over their head the lappet of their gown.
— 84. Aurem substringe loquaci. " Lend an attentive ear to him if he is
fond of talking." Substringere literally means "to bind close," "to tie
tight," &c. Hence its figurative signification in the present case. — 85. Im-
portunus amat laudari ? " Is he extravagantly fond of being praised?"
— Ohejam ! Supply satis est. — 86. Urge. "Press him hard," i. e., ply
him well. — 89. Certum vigilans. " Wide awake," i. e., far from dream-
ing.— Quartan esto partis Ulixes, &c. The language of the will. — 90. Ergo
nunc Dama sodalis, <5cc. The construction is as follows : Sparge subinde,
Est sodalis Dama ergo nusquam? &c. "Throw out, from time to time,
some such expressions as these : \ Is my friend Dama then no more V "
&c. — 91. Unde mihi tamfortem tamque Jidelem ? Supply parabo. — 92. Et
si paulum potes illacrymare. " And if thou canst shed a few tears, do so."
Understand illacryma. — Est gaudia prodentem vultum celare. " One is
able, in this way, to disguise a countenance indicative otherwise only of
joy." Est is here equivalent to licet, and the passage may be para-
phrased as follows: "licet lacrymando animi Icetitiam de hereditate, in
vultu expressam, occultare." — 94. Permissum arbitrio. " Left to thy dis-
cretion."— Sine- sordibus. "Without any meanness." — 95. Egregie fac-
tum. "Celebrated in a handsome manner." — 96. Forte senior male tus-
siet. "Happens to be advanced in years, and to have a bad cough." —
Huic tu die, ex parte tua, &c. " If he wishes to become the purchaser,
either of a farm or a house, out of thy share, do thou tell him that thou
wilt make it over to him with pleasure for a nominal sum," i. e., for nothing
at all. Addicere nummo is to make a thing over to another for any small
piece of money, just to answer the law, which required that, in the trans-
fer of property, money should be given as an equivalent, in order to render
the sale a valid one. This species of sale, therefore, was in reality a gift
or present. — 99. Jmperiosa trahit Proserpina. " The inexorable Proser-
pina drags me hence." — Vive valeque. A common form of bidding farewell.
Satire VI. A panegyric on the felicity of rural existence, in which the
poet contrasts the calm and tranquil amusements of the country with the
tumultuous and irregular pleasures of the capital, and delightfully ex-
presses his longing after rural ease and retirement. In order to give force
to his eulogy on a country life, he introduces the well-known and apposite
fable of the town and country mouse.
'-IS, 1. In votis. "Among my wishes," i. e., one of my wishes.-
EXPLANATORY NOTES. B03K II., SATIRE VI. 523
Modus agri nnn ita magnus. " A piece of ground, not so very large."
Literally, " not so large." In cases like the present, ita is commonly said
So have the force of valde, or admodum. The expression, however, is in
kct an elliptical one, and ita retains its natural meaning; i. e., "not so
large (as people commonly wish for)." Compare Hand, ad Tursellin^
iii., p. 489. — 2. Jugis aqu<z fons "A spring of never-failing water." —
3. Et paulum silvce super his. " And a little woodland in addition to
Ihese." Compare the Greek iizl tovtolc. — Auctius atque Di melius fe-
tere. " The gods have done more bountifully, and better, for me than
this." — 5. Maia nate. He addresses his prayer to Mercury, not only be-
cause this god was a patron of poets in general, and Horace, as we find in
his odes, had been particularly favored and protected by him, but also be-
cause he presided over all sudden acquisitions of wealth, or increase of
worldly prosperity. — Propria. "Lasting," i. e., permanently mine. —
Ratione mala. "By evil means." — 7. Vitio culpave. " By vicious pro-
fusion or culpable neglect." — 8. Veneror. In the sense of precor. — 9. Ac-
cedat. " May be added unto me." — Denormat. " Spoils the shape of," i.
e., prevents from being square and even. Equivalent to denormem red-
dit. — 10. Fors qu<z. " Some chance." Qua is here put for aliqua.—
11. Thesauro invento qui mercenarius, &c. The construction is, Qui
thesauro invento mercatus est ilium ipsum agrum quern uti mercenarius
aravit. — 12. Dives amico Hercule. " Enriched by the favor of Hercules."
Sudden acquisitions of gain were ascribed to both Hercules and Mercury
(compare note on verse 5), with this distinction, however, according to
Casaubon {ad Pers., ii., 11), that when any thing was found in the forum,
or in the streets of the city, it was attributed to Mercury, as being &ebc
uyopaioc, and if elsewhere, to Hercules, as TvXovrodoTTjc .
13-19. 13. Si quod adest gratum juvat. " If what I at present have
pleases and makes me grateful." Quod adest is eqnivalent here to the
Greek to napov. — 14. Et cetera prater ingenium. The poet prays to have
every thing fat except his understanding. We have here a play on the
double meaning of pingue, which, when applied to ingenium, denotes an
understanding that is heavy and dull. — 16. In arcem. The poet regards
his country house as a mountain citadel inaccessible to the cares and an-
noyances that besieged him at Rome. — 17. Quid prius illustrcm Satiris
Musaque pedestri ? The effect of this parenthesis is extremely pleasing :
no sooner is allusion made to his escape from the noise and crowd of the
capital, than the poet, struck with the idea of the pure enjoyment that
awaits him amid the peaceful scenery of his Sabine vale, breaks forth
into the exclamation: "What can I rather celebrate in my Satires and
with my prosaic Muse V i. e., what rather than the pleasures of this re-
tirement can I celebrate in the prosaic verse of my satiric productions ?
— Mus&que pedestri. Compare the Greek form of expression, ~e^oc ?>6yoc,
to indicate "prose," and note on Ode ii., 12, 9. — 18. Plumbens. The epi-
thet well expresses the influence produced on the human frame by the
wind alluded to, in rendering it heavy and inert. The poet's retreat was
covered by mountains, in such a manner that he had nothing to fear from
its bad effects. — 19. Auctumnusque gravis. "And the sickly autumn."
The season when the wind just mentioned prevails. — Libitinae qu&stus
acerbee. "The gain of the baleful Libitina." The allusion is to the nu-
merous deaths in the sickly period of autumn, and the gain accruing there-
524 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE VI.
from to the Temple of Libitina, the goddess of funerals, where all things
requisite for interments were either sold or hired out.
20-27. 20. Matutine pater. "Father of the morning." The poet, in-
tending to describe the employments and bustle of the capital, imitates
the custom of the epic writers, and, as they commence their labors with
the invocation of some muse, so here he begins with an address to Janus,
the god to whom not only the opening of the year was consecrated, but
also that of the day. — Seu Jane libentius audis. " Or if with more pleas-
sure thou hearest the appellation of Janus." Jane is here taken mate-
rially, as occurring in the language of invocations. Many commentators,
however, prefer giving audis at once, like the Greek unovae, the mean-
ing of diceris or appellaris. — 21. Unde. " From whom," i. e., under whose
favoring influence. — 23. Romee sponsorem me rapis. "When at Rome,
thou hurriest me away to become bail for another." The address is still
to Janus, who is here supposed to be assigning to each individual his em-
ployments for the day, and among the rest giving his also to the poet. —
Eia, ne prior officio, &c. " Come, make haste ! lest any one answer to
the call of duty before thee," i. e., lest any one anticipate thee in this office
of friendship. This is uttered by the god. — 25. Radii. "Sweeps." — Seu
bruma nivalem, &c. " Or whether winter contracts the snowy day with-
in a narrower circle." Bruma (quasi brevima, i. e., brevissima dies) is prop-
erly the winter solstice, the shortest day in the year : here, however, it is
taken to denote the season of winter generally. The inequality in the
length of the solar day is very beautifully illustrated by a figure drawn
from chariot-races, in which the driver, who was nearest the metce, or
goal (around which the chariots had to run), marked a narrower circuit,
and was therefore called interior, while those further off were obliged to
take a larger compass, and were hence styled exteriores. — 26. Ire necesse
est. " Go I must." — 27. Postmodo, quod mi obsit, &c. "After this, when
I have uttei'ed, with a clear voice and in express words, what may prove
an injury to me at some future day, I must struggle with the erowd, and
rough measures must be used toward those who move slowly along," i. e.t
who move at a slow pace before me and block up the way. The expres-
sion clare certumque locuto refers to the formality of becoming bail for an-
other. After this is done, the poet leaves the court, and endeavors to
make his way through the crowd. In order to accomplish this, he has to
push aside, without much ceremony, all who oppose his progress by their
slow and dilatory movements.
29-35. 29. Quid tibi vis, insane? &c. " ' What dost thou want, mad-
man ? and what meanest thou by this rude behavior V exclaims one of the
crowd, pursuing me with imprecations." — 30. Tu pulses ovine quod ob-
stat, &c. " Must thou push aside whatever comes in thy way, if, with a
head full of nothing else, thou art running as usual to Maecenas ?" — 31. Re-
curras. The peculiar force of this compound, in the present instance, as
indicating the habitual repetition of an act, is deserving of notice. — 32.
Hoc juvat et melli est. His visits to Maecenas are here meant. — Atras
Esquilias. Alluding to the circumstance of this quarter having been a
common burial-place for the poor, before the splendid residence of Mnece
nas was erected there. Compare Sat. i., 8, 14. — 33. Aliena negotia cen-
tum, &c. " A hundred affairs of other people leap through my head and
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE VI. 525
around my side/' i e , beset me on every side. Compare the form which
the same idea would assume in our vulgar idiom: "I am over head and
ears in the affairs of others." Wustemann thinks that Horace at the time
was acting as a scriba, or secretary, to Maecenas. — 34. Ante secundam.
"Before eight." Literally, "before the second hour." We must suppose
that, when Horace reaches the abode of his patron on the Esquiline, a
slave meets him, and mentions who had been there for him, and what
they wished. — 35. Ad puteal. " At the puteal." The tei-ui puteal prop-
erly means the inclosure surrounding the opening of a well, to protect per-
sons from falling into it. It was either round or square, and seems usu-
ally to have been of the height of three or four feet from the ground. It is
then taken to denote any cavity or hole in the earth, surmounted by a
cover ; and, last of all, signifies a place surrounded by a wall, in the form
of a circle or square, and roofed over, resembling somewhat a kind of altar.
These little structures were commonly erected on spots which had been
struck by lightning, though not always. The puteal of Libo is supposed
by C. F. Hermann to have been the same with the old puteal erected in
the Forum, either on account of the whetstone of the Augur Navius, or
because the spot had been struck by lightning. This was repaired and
rededicated by Scribonius Libo, who had been commanded to examine
the state of the sacred places. Libo erected in its neighborhood a tribunal
for the praetor, in consequence of which the place was, of course, frequent-
ed by persons who had law-suits, such as money-lenders and the like
36-44. 36. De re cmmmuni scribes, &c. "The notaries, duintus, re-
quested that thou wouldst bear in mind to return to them to-day, in order
to consult about an important and novel matter, which concerns their
whole number." The scribes were notaries or clerks, who wrote out the
public accounts, the laws, and all the proceedings of the magistrates. —
38. Imprimat his cura Maecenas, Sec. "Be so good as to get Maecenas to
seal these tablets," i. e., to put the imperial seal to these writings. Mae-
cenas would seal them in the name of the emperor, from whom he had
received the imperial signet; a duty which appertained to him as prce-
fectus urbis and the minister of Augustus. The address in the text
comes, not like the two previous ones, through the medium of the slave,
but from the applicant himself. — 39. Dixeris. For si dixeris, and that for
si dixerim. — Si vis, poles. "Thou canst if thou wilt." — 40. Septimus oc-
tavo propior, &c. " The seventh year, approaching to the eighth, is now,
if I mistake not, elapsed," i. e., 'tis now, if I mistake not, nearly eight
years. The elegant use of the subjunctive mood in fugerit, which we
have endeavored to preserve in our version, must be carefully noted. —
42. Duntaxat ad hoc, <5cc. " Only thus far, however, as one whom he
might wish to take along with him in his chariot, when going on a jour-
uey." — 44. Hoc genus. " Of this kind," i. e., such as these that follow. —
Threx est Gallina Syro par? "Is Gallina, the Thracian, a match for
Syrus?" The allusion is to two gladiators of the day, and the term
" Thracian" has reference, not to the native country of the individual in
question, but to the kind of arms in which he was arrayed, imitating those
of the Thracians. The Mirmillo, to whom the Threx was usually opposed,
was armed in the Gallic fashion, with the figure of a fish {p,opfj.v?.ov or
uopfivpov) on his helmet. Syrus is here the Mirmillo, and as the fight
was to take place probably in a few days, Maecenas asks Horace what
his opinion was with respect to it. \Ke.giuiey, ad ,
526 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE VI.
45-50. 45. Matutina parum cantos, &c. " The cold morning air be-
gins now to pinch those who neglect to provide against it," i. e., who do
not put on attire suited to the change of the season. — 46. Et quce. "And
other things which." For et alia qua. — Bene. "Safely." The refer-
ence is to things of no importance, which may be safely confided to any
one, even if he be of the most loquacious and communicative habits, since
it is a matter of indifference whether he divulges them or not. The ex-
pression auris rimosa (" a leaky ear," " an ear full of chinks") is opposed
to auris tuta, and imitated from Terence (Eun., i., 2, 25). — 48. Noster.
" Our friend." The reference is to Horace, and the term itself is quoted,
as it were, from the sneering language of others in relation to him. — Ludos
spectaverit una, &c. " If he has witnessed the public spectacles in com-
pany with Maecenas, if he has played ball along with him in the Campus
Martius ; Lucky fellow! all exclaim." With spectaverit and luserit re-
spectively, understand si. — 50. Frigidus a Rostris manat, Sec. " If any
disheartening rumor spreads from the Rostra through the crowded streets."
With manat understand si. — Rostris. The Rostra are here named as be-
ing the most conspicuous object in the forum, and the place where the
greatest crowds were accustomed to assemble. By the term Rostra is
meant the elevated seat from which the Roman orators, and men in office,
addressed the assembled people. The appellation was derived from the
circumstance of its having been adorned with the beaks of some galleys
taken from the city of Antium. (Liv., viii., 12.)
52-63. 52. Deos. Alluding to Augustus and Maecenas, and analogous
to our term " the Great." — 54. Ut tu semper eris derisor ! " How fond
thou always art of playing the fool with other people," or, more literally,
" what a roguish dissembler thou wilt ever be." — 55. Si quidquam. " If I
have heard any thing at all about the matter." Understand audivi. —
Militibus promissa Triquetra prcedia, &c. " Is Caesar going to give the
lands he promised the soldiers in Sicily or Italy?" According to Bent-
ley, the reference here is to the division of lands which took place after
Augustus had overthrown Sextus Pompeius, and brought Lepidus to sub-
jection.— Triquetra. An appellation given to Sicily from its triangular
shape. — 57. Unum. Equivalent to pros omnibus aliis. — 58. Scilicet. "To
be sure." — 59. Perditur h&c inter, &c. "Amid such things as these the
whole day is lost for poor me, not without many a secret aspiration," i. e.,
not without aspirations like the following. — 61. Somno. The allusion is
to the mid-day slumber, or siesta, so customary in warm climates. The
poet sighs the more deeply for this, as it will not be broken in upon by the
annoying duties of a city life. — Inerlibus horis. The dolce far niente of
the modern Italians. — 62. Ducere sollicitce jucunda oblivia vitte. " To
drink a sweet oblivion of the cares of life." A beautiful allusion to the
fabled waters of Lethe, which all who entered Elysium previously drank,
and lost, in consequence, every recollection of the cares and troubles of
life. — 63. Faba Pyihagora cognata. " The bean related to Pythagoras."
A playful allusion to the famous precept of Pythagoras, to abstain from
beans, kvu/uuv aTvixsodai. This precept is one of the mysteries which the
ancient Pythagoreans never disclosed. Horace, however, evidently re
fers here to that solution which makes the philosopher to have regarded
beans as among the receptacles of souls, and hence he jocosely styles the
bean cognata, on the supposition of its containing the soul of some rela-
te the safe's.
EXPLANATORY NOTES. — BOOK II., SATIRE VI. 527
65-87. 65. O nodes ccenaque dcxim ! "Ah! nights and refections of
the gods !*' Equivalent to nodes coenccque dels dignte. They went late to
dinner and sat late. — Meiquc. V nder stand familiares or amici. — 66. Ante
lartt proprium. "Before my own hearth." Analogous, in one sense, to
our modern phrase, "by my own fireside." It would appear that people
in the country used to dine and sit, especially in cold weather, in the
atrium, by the hearth of which was placed the family lar. — Vernas pro-
caces. "My saucy house-slaves." Those slaves who were born in their
master's house were called vernm, and were more forward and pert than
otners, because they were commonly more indulged. — 67. Libatis dapi-
bus. "From the dishes off" which we have supped." Libatis is here
used in the sense of degustatis or adesis. — Prout. To be pronounced as
a monosyllable. — 68. Licequales. "Of different sizes," i. e., either large or
small, as might suit the guest. — 69. Legibus insanis. Alluding to the laws
which the master of the feast, or symposiarch, at the ancient entertain-
ments, was accustomed to impose on the guests, and in conformity with
which, they were compelled to drink equal quantities of liquor, and out
of cups of an equal size. — Seu quis capit acria fortis pocula. "Whether
one of a strong head chooses brimming bumpers." The expression acria
pocula is intended to denote such cups as best suit hard drinkers, acres
potores. — 70. Uvescit. "Grows mellow." — 72. Lepos. The name of a
celebrated dancer of the day, and in high favor with Augustus. He de-
rived his name, according to the scholiast, from his graceful dancing, a
lepide saltando. — 73. Agitamus. "We discuss." — 75. Usus rectumne.
"Utility or virtue." The former of these indicates the Epicurean doc-
trine, the latter the Stoic. — 76. Qua sit natura boni, &c. " What is the
natui-e of good, and what its perfection." — 77. Garritanilesexrefabellas.
" Prates away old wives' tales adapted to the subject in hand." The ex-
pression aniles fabellas must be here taken without the least intermixture
of irony. — 78. Arelli. Arellius would seem to have been some wealthy
individual in the neighborhood, full of anxious care (the curse that gener-
ally accompanies wealth) respecting the safe possession of his treasures.
The whole moral of the story which is here introduced turns upon the dis-
quiet and solicitude that are so often the companions of riches. — 79. Olim.
" Once upon a time." — 80. Rusticus urbanum murem mus, &c. The beau-
tiful effect produced by the antithetical collocation of the words in this line
is deserving of all praise. It is repeated in the succeeding one. — Paupere
cnvo. "In his poor hole." — 82. Asper. "Frugal." — TJt tamen arctum,
fcc " Yet so as to open, at times, in acts of hospitality, his bosom, close-
ly attentive otherwise to his narrow circumstances." Ut tamen is equiv-
alent to ita tamen ut, and arctnm animum, as Doring well explains it, to
animnm arctis rebus intentum. — 83. Quid multa ? "To cut short a long
story." — Ncf/ue illc invidit. " He neither grudged him," *. e., he spread
plentifully before him. — Sepositi. "Hoarded." — 86. Fastidia. "The
daintiness." — 87. Tangentis male. "Who scarcely deigned to touch."
88-109. 88. Pater ipse damns. "The good man of the house himself."
The country mouse is thus pleasantly styled, as the entertainer of the city
mouse. — Palea in noma. " On fresh straw," i. c., just collected in this
years harvest. — 89. Esset ador loliumquc. "Kept eating wheat and
darnel." By ador, strictly speaking, is here meant a species of grain, of
the genus Trit'n m < ailed '• the Germans ' Dinkel," "Spelz," and by
528 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE VII.
us " Spelt." — Relinquens. Understand hospili. — 91. Nemoris. The term
nemus is here taken to denote " a woody height." — Patientem vivere. "In
leading a life of privations." — 93. Mihi crede. " Take my advice." — Ter-
restrict guando mortales animas, &c. " Since all terrestrial things live,
having obtained as their lot mortal souls," i. c, since mortal souls have
been allotted to all things that exist upon the earth. The city mouse,
having seen more of the world than his country acquaintance, appears to
great advantage by the side of the latter, and deals out the doctrines of
Epicurus respecting the non-existence of a future state with all the gravi-
ty of a philosopher. A mouse turned skeptic is, indeed, an odd sight ! —
95. Quo bone circa. A tmesis for quocirca bone. — 98. Pepulere. "Had
wrought upon." Equivalent to impulere. — 100. Jamque tenebat nox, &c.
An amusing imitation of the gravity and dignity of epic verse. Accord-
ing to the poets, Night ascends from the east in her chariot, as the sun is
sinking in th« ocean, and pursues her course toward the west. — 102. Coc-
co. The ancients regarded the coccus as a kind of grain. It is, in reality,
however, an excrescence on the bark of the Quercus coccifera, contain-
ing little worms, which yield a juice that gives a beautiful scarlet dye. —
Candcret. "Glowed." — 105. Quae procul czstructis, &c. "Which were
from yesterday in baskets piled up at a little distance." These were
probably like our plate-baskets, used for removing the dishes. Since pro-
cul implies distance without limitation, it may signify " hai'd by" as
well as " afar off." — 107. Veluti succinctus cursitat kospes. " He runs up
and down like an active host.'' — 108. Conlinuatque dapes. " And keeps
serving up one dish after another." — Verniliter ipsis fungitur officiis.
"Performs all the duties of an attentive servant." Literally, "performs
the duties themselves of the entertainment like a slave." — 109. Prcsli-
bans. "Tasting previously." The city mouse here performs the office
of prceguslator. The proegustatores were slaves, whose business it was
to ascertain, by previously tasting them, whether the dishes to be set on
table were properly seasoned or not.
110-117. 110. Bonisque rebus agit, &c. "And plays the part of a de-
lighted guest amid the good cheer which surrounds him." — 112. Valva-
rum. " Of the folding doors." — Lectis excussit utrumque. " Drove them
each in terror from their couches." — Currere per totum, Sec. Being both
strangers in the house, they did not know where to find a hole. — 114. Mo-
lossis canibus. Consult note on JEpode vi., 5. — 151. Turn. When they had
got into a place of safety. — 116. Valeas. "Fare thee well." — 117. Tenui
ervo. " With the humble vetch."
Satire VII. The dialogue which here takes place between Horace
and one of his slaves must be supposed to have been held daring the
Saturnalia. Availing himself of the freedom allowed to his class during
that season of festive enjoyment, the slave upbraids his master with his
defects and vices, and maintains, in conformity with one of those para-
doxes borrowed from the Grecian schools, that the wise man alone is free.
His sarcasms have so much truth and bitterness, that his master at length
loses temper, and, being unable to answer him, silences him with men-
aces. The fifth satire of Persius hinges on the same philosophical para-
dox ; but that poet has taken twice the number of verses to express the
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE VII. 529
same ideas as Horace, and, after all, has expressed them more obscurely.
(Dunlop's Roma». Literature, vol. iii., p. 253.)
1-8. 1. Jamdudum ausculto, &c. " I have for a long while been listen-
ing to thy remarks, and, being desirous of speaking a few words with thee,
I dread to do so because I am a slave." — 2. Davusne ? " Is this Davus?"
The poet expresses his angry surprise at the familiarity of his slave, but
a moment after recollects nimself, and grants him the usual licence of the
Saturnalia. — Ita. " 'Tis even so." — 3. Etfrugi quod sit satis, &c. " And
an honest one, too, as far as is needful, that is, so that thou mayest think
him likely to live long." Frugi is generally regarded as a dative case of
the old noun frux, used adjectively. It is more probably, however, an
actual adjective, shortened from a form f 'rug-is by dropping the final let-
ter.— 3. Hoc est, ut vitale, &c. The Romans had the same popular preju-
dice among them that exists even at the present day. When any one
was distinguished in an eminent degree for virtue or merit, they imagined
he would not live long. Davus therefore explains, in accordance with
this belief, what he means by quod sit satis. He is honest enough, but not
to such a degree as may tempt the gods to withdraw him from the earth.
— 4. Age, libertate Decembri, &c. The reference is to the festival of the
Saturnalia. — 6. Constanter. " Without any intermission," i. e., they pur-
sue one constant course of vice. Davus here enters upon his subject with
the voice and manner of his master. The character of Priscus is of the
same kind with that of Tigellius in the third satire of the first book. —
7. Propositum. "Whatever they have once proposed unto themselves,"
how dishonorable soever it may be. — Natat. '• Fluctuate." — 8. Pravis
obnoxia. "Exposed to the contamination of evil." — S&pe notatus cum
tribus anellis, &c. "Priscus was frequently observed with three ring;;,
at other times with his left hand completely bare of them," i. e., Priscus
sometimes wore three rings on his left hand, at other times none. With
inanis supply anellis.'
10-14. 10. Vixit in<zqualis. "He led an inconsistent life." " Nil
cequale komini fuit illi." — Clavum tit mutaret in horas. " So as to change
his clavus every hour," i. e., so as to appear one moment in the latus davus
of a senator, and at another in the angustus clavus of an eques. From this
it would follow that Priscus, if he had, indeed, any real existence, was a
member of the equestrian order, and of senatorian rank. — 11. yEdibzis ex
magnis subito se condcret, dec. "From a splendid mansion he would on
a sudden hide himself in a place from which one of the more decent class
of freedmen could hardly with propriety come out." Mundior literally
means one a little more attentive than ordinary to the decencies and pro-
prieties of life, and hence mundior liberliaus denotes one of the more de-
cent class of freedmen, and who is raised above the ordinary level. —
13. Doctus. "As a man of letters." The early editions exhibit doclus,
which is the reading also of many MSS., and is given by Bentley, Hein-
dorf, Orelli, and Jahn. A greater number of MSS. give doctor, but, as
Keightley remarks, it seems absurd to suppose a Roman senator giving
lectures at Athens. — 14. Vcriumuis, quotquot sunt, natus iniquis. " Born
beneath the anger of the Vertumni, as many as there are." Vertumnus
was an ancient deity of the Etrurians, whose worship was brought to
Rome. He possessed, like the Grecian Proteus, the power of transform-
7
530 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE VII.
ing himself into any shape or form at pleasure, an attribute which the
plural name is here purposely used to express, as if each new shape were
a separate Vertumnus. Hence the meaning here intended to be convey*
ed is as follows : that whenPriscus was born, Vertumnus, in anger, gave
him a changing, fickle, and inconstant disposition.
15-26. 15. Justa. "Well-merited," i. e., the just punishment of his in-
temperance and high living. — 16. Contudit. "Had crippled." — 17. Phi-
mum. " The box" in which the tali and tessera were shaken, and from
which they were thrown out upon the gaming board. It is the same,
therefore, with our modern dice-box. Other names for it were fritillus
vn&pyrgus. It was formed with parallel indentations on the inside, so
as to make a rattling noise when the dice were shaken out. Phimus is
the Greek fyifibc Latinized. — Talos. The tali here meant are those de-
scribed in the note on Ode ii., 7, 25. For the other kind, consult note on
Sat. ii., 3, 171. — 18. Pavit. "Maintained" or "kept." — 19. Tanlo levins
miser ac prior Mo, <5cc. " By so much less wretched and better off than
the other, who one while struggles with a tight, another with a loosen-
ed cord," i. e., who one moment struggles with his passions, and the next
instant yields to their violence. Orelli regards this as a metaphor, bor-
rowed from the movements of seamen, who sometimes pull the sheets of
the sails too taut, sometimes leave them loose. — 21. Hodie. Equivalent
here to statim. — Hac tarn putida. " Such stupid stuff as this." — 22. Fur-
cifer. " Rascal." The term furcifer literally denotes a slave who has
been subjected to the punishment of the f urea. It was a piece of wood
that went round their necks, and to which their hands were tied. In this
state they were driven about the neighborhood under the lash, more, how-
ever, for the sake of ignominy than that of actual bodily punishment. —
23. Plebis. In the sense oipopuli. — 24. Ad ilia. Supply quee laudas. —
Te agat. " Transfer thee." — 25. Aut quia non sentis, &c. "Either be-
cause thou dost not really think that to be more correct, which thou criest
up as such." — 26. Firmus. "With any kind of firmness." — Et hares ne-
quidquam canto, &c. "And stickest fast, vainly desiring to pluck thy
foot out of the mire."
28-36. 28. Romce. "When at Rome."— 29. Levis. "Ever fickle."—
30. Securum olus. " Thy quiet dish of herbs." — Ac, velut usquam vinctus
eas, &c. " And, as if thou always goest out any where to sup on compul-
sion, so, if not invited abroad, thou callest thyself a lucky fellow, and art
delighted, because thou art obliged to drink nowhere." — 32. Jusserit ad
se McBcenas, &c. The train of ideas is as follows : But see how inconsis-
tent thy conduct is in this also. Should Maecenas invite thee to sup with
him, immediately with a loud tone of voice thou callest on thy slaves to
bring thee whatever may be needed for the visit, and hastenest away with
rapid footsteps. The buffoons, who expected to sup with thee, depart,
after heartily cursing and abusing thee aside. — 33. Serum, sub lumina
prima. " Late in the evening, at the first lighting of the lamps." The
usual time for the Roman castia was the ninth hour, or three o'clock after-
noon in summer, and the tenth hour in winter. Maecenas, however, be-
ing intrusted, as minister, with the administi-ation of a wide empire,
could not observe so seasonable an hour as others. — 34. Oleum. The oil
ia here wanted for the lamp which is to guide his footsteps us he proceeds
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE VII. 531
to the residence of his patron, and also when returning from the same.— •
36. Mulvius et scurrce. Supply ccteri. Horace would seem from this ta
have had parasites of his own as well as the great. In a city like Rome,
which might be called a world in itself, this could not be well otherwise.
— Tibi non referenda precati. " After having uttered secret imprecations
against thee." The expression tibi non referenda is equivalent here to
tibi non audienda.
37-45. 37. Etenim, fateor, me, dixerit Me, &c. Mulvius here utters a
part of the abuse which has just been alluded to. It must be supposed,
however, to be spoken aside. — Dixerit Me. " Mulvius may say." — 38. Duel
ventre levem. " That I am easily led away by my stomach," to play the
part of a parasite and buffoon. — Nasum nidore supinor. " I raise my nose
at a savory smell." A Graecism for nasus mihi supinatur. — 39. Si quid
vis. " If thou pleasest." — 40. Ultro. "Unprovoked by me." — 41. Verbis-
que decoris obvolvas vitium? "And wilt thou cloak thy vices beneath
specious names 1" — 42. Quid si me stultior ipso, &c. Davus now speaks
in his own person. "What if thou art found to be a greater fool even
than myself, who was purchased for five hundred drachmas ?" i. e., even
than myself, a poor cheap slave. Five hundred drachmas was a low price
for a slive. It would amount in our currency to about $88. — 43. Aufer
me vultu terrere, &c. Horace, unable to bear patiently the sarcasms of
Davus, especially the one last uttered, assumes an angry look, and raises
his hand in a threatening manner, and hence the slave observes, " Away
with trying to terrify me by that look ; restrain thy hand and thy anger."
45-51. 45. Tune mihi dominus, &c. "Art thou, my master, thyself
subjected to the dominion of so many and powerful passions and men,
whom the praetor's rod, though thrice and four times laid upon thy head,
can never free from wretched fears ?" — 46. Vindicta. The rod with which
the praetor touched the head of those who received their freedom, accord-
ing to the form of manumission styled "per Vindictam." The meaning
of the passage is, that the praetor might make the body indeed free, but
not the miud. This last was only to be accomplished by wisdom. —
48. Adde super, dictis quod non levius valeat. " Add, besides, what is of
no less weight than the things already mentioned by me." — 49. Vicarius.
" An underling." Slaves were sometimes allowed by their masters to lay
out what little money they had saved with their consent (called their pecu-
Hum) in the purchase of a slave for themselves, who was styled vicarius,
and from whose labors they might make profit. — Uti mos vester ait. " As
your custom expresses it," i. e., as it is customary with your masters to
call him. — 50. Tibi quid sum ego ? "What am I in respect of thee ?" —
51. Aliis servis miser, atque duceris, &c. "Art thyself a wretched slave to
others, and art managed, as a puppet is by means of sinews not his own."
53-61. 53. Sapiens. Davus here quotes the well-known maxim of the
Stoic sect. Consult note on Sat. i., 3, 123. — Sibi qui imperiosus. "Who
exercises dominion over himself." — 55. Responsare cupidinibus, kc.
"Firm in resisting his appetites, in contemning the honors of the world."
Fort is responsare is a Graecism for fortis in responsando, and so, also, for-
tis contcmnerc for fortis in contemnendo. — 56. In se ipso totus. " Uelying
solely on himself." According to the Stoics, since those things only aro
532 EXPIANATORY NOTES. BOOK li., SATIRE VIT.
truly good which are becoming and virtuous, and since virtue, which is seat-
ed in the mind, is alone sufficient for happiness, external things contribute
nothing toward happiness. The wise man, in every condition, is happy
in the possession of a mind accommodated to nature, and all external
things are consequently indifferent. — Teres atque rolundus. "Smooth
and round." The metaphor is taken from a globe, which the ancients re-
garded as the most perfect of forms. Our defects are so many inequali-
ties and roughnesses, which wisdom polishes and rubs off. The image,
too, suits extremely well with the other part of the description, in seipso
tofus. — Extern» ne quid valeat, &c. " So that no external substance can
adhere to the surface, by reason of the polish which it possesses," i. e., so
that no moral defilement can attach itself where there is nothing congenial
to receive it. — 08. Manca. " With feeble power." — Potesne ex his ut pro-
priinn quid noseere? "Canst thou, out of all these qualities, recognize
any one that belongs peculiarly to thee?" — 59. Non quis. "Thou canst
not." Quis from quco. — GO. Dominus non lenis. "An unrelenting mas-
ter," i. e., the tyrant sway of thy passions. — 61. Versatque negantem.
"And urges thee on, though striving to resist." Equivalent to repug-
nantcm incitat.
62-67. 62. Pausiaca torpas tabclla. " Art lost in stupid admiration of
a picture by Pausias." Pausias was a Greek painter, a native of Sicyon,
and flourished about 360 B.C. As his works were mostly what we call
cabinet pictures, there might be many of them at Rome. {Keightley, ad
loc.) — 63. Qui peccas minus atque ego, &c. "How art thou less deserv
ing of blame than I V — Fulvi, Rutubceque, aut Placideiani, &c. Fulvius,
Rutuba, and Placideianus were three famous gladiators of the day, and
the allusion in the text is to the delineations of gladiatorial combats, which
were put up in public, and were intended to announce the coming sports,
being analogous in this respect to our modern show-bills. These repre-
sentations were in general rudely drawn ; sometimes, however, much
skill was displayed in their execution. — 64. Contento poplite. "With
the sinews of the ham strongly stretched." This is intended to represent
the posture of a gladiator, when facing his antagonist, resting firmly on
one leg, and having the other thrown out in advance, "contento poplite."
— 67. Nequam et cessator Davus, &c. The connection is as follows:
" Davus, if he spends any time in gazing upon such sights, is called a
knave and a loiterer, while thou art styled a nice and experienced judge
of ancients works of art." Audis, literally, " thou hearest thyself styled,"
in imitation of the Greek usage with respect to the verb ukovu. Consult
note on Sat. ii., 6, 20.
69-85. 69. Nil ego. "I am called a good-for-nothing rascal." — Tibi
ingens virtus atque animus, &c. " Do thy mighty virtue and courage re-
sist the temptation of a good supper?" Compare, as regards responsat,
verse 85. — 71. Obsequium ventris mihi perniciosius est, &c. The train
of ideas is as follows : if I, in order to satisfy the cravings of a hungry
stomach, lay my hands on a smoking cake, it is more fatal to me; and
why, pray 1 Because my back must pay for it. And dost thou imagine
that thou obtainest with auy more impunity those rare and exquisite
dishes ? Thou wilt pay in truth but too dearly for them. Those endless
repasts create only palling and distaste, and thy enfeebled and tottering
EXPLANATORY NOTE?. BOOK II., SATIRE VIII. 533
feet can not sustain the weight of thy pampered and sickly frame. —
73.- Qihe parro sumi nequeunt. " Which can not be obtained at a trifling
expense." Equivalent to quce parvo pretio parari non possunt. — 74. In-
amarescunt. "Begin to pall." Compare Sat. ii., 2, 43. — 75. Ilhisique
pedes. "And thy tottering feet." — 76. Qui vvamfurtiva mutat strigili.
" Who exchanges a stolen scraper for a bunch of grapes." Uva is here
taken collectively. By the strigilis of the Romans was meant a kind of
scraper, used in the baths, to rub off the sweat and filth from the body. It
was made of horn or brass, sometimes of silver or gold. Consult Diet.
Antiq., s. v. — 77. Qui prcedia vendit, nil servile, &c. ■ And has he noth-
ing servile about him, who, the slave of his appetite, sells his estates," i.
e., in order to obtain means for its gratification. — 79. Tecum esse. " Hold
converse with thyself." — Non otia recte ponere. " Nor employ thy leisure
moments as they should be employed." — 80. Teque ipsum vitas fit sit ivus
et erro. "And shunnest self-examination like a fugitive and a vagrant
slave." — 83. Unde mihi lapidem? "Where shall I get a stone?" In
this angry exclamation the verb is omitted by a very natural ellipsis.
Supply sxtmam or pet am. — 85. Accedes opera agro nona Sabino. "Thou
shalt go as the ninth slave to labor on my Sabine farm." Literally, " thou
shalt be added to my Sabine farm as a ninth laborer." Opera is put for
operari is. Horace had eight slaves thus employed already, and threatens
that Davus shall make the ninth.
Satire VIII. This satire contains an account, by one of the guests who
was present, of a banquet given by a person of the name of Xasidienus to
Maecenas. The host had invited three persons, of first-rate distinction at
the court of Augustus, along with the minister. Maecenas brought with
him besides these invited guests a couple of buffoons to amuse the
party. The description of the entertainment exhibits a picture, probably
as true as it is lively, of a Roman feast, given by a person of bad taste af-
fecting the manners that prevailed in a superior rank. An ill-judged ex-
pense and profusion had loaded the table ; every elegance of the season
was procured, but was either tainted from being too long kept, or spoiled
in dressing by a cook who had forgotten his art in a miser's kitchen. Yet
the host commends every dish with such an impertinent and ridiculous
affectation, that he at last talks his guests out of his mansion.
1-3. 1. Xasidieni. To be pronounced Xasid-yeni in metrical reading.
Who Xasidienus himself was can not be ascertained, nor is it of the least
importance. From the 58th verse it would appear that the name of the
individual in question was Xasidienus Rufus. — Beati. Equivalent to rfi-
vilis, a usage of frequent occurrence in Horace. — 2. Natn nihi convivam
quarenti, &c. The construction is, Nam dictus es heri mihi qiutreiiti te
convivam, potare illic de medio die. " For I was told yesterday, when seek-
ing to make thee my guest, that thou wast drinking there since noon."
— 3. De medio die. Equivalent, in strictness, to a medio sta/im die. The
usual time for the Roman coena was the ninth hour, or three o'clock after-
noon in summer, and the tenth hour in winter. It was esteemed luxuri-
ous to sup earlier than this, and an entertainment, therefore, begun before
the usual time, and prolonged till late at night, was called, by way of re-
proach, convivium lempestivum, under which class the present one would
534 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE VIII.
fall. What is here stated respecting the hours of the Roman cccna, ap
plies, of course, only to times of luxury and wealth. The pi'imitive Ro-
mans supped at evening, and made the prandium, or dinner, a hearty
meal, whereas with their descendants the prandium became a very slight
repast, and the casna the principal meal. — Sic tit milii nanquam in vita
fuerit melius. " Why, it pleased me so much, that nothing in the whole
course of my life ever delighted me more."
4-11. 4. Da, si grave non est. " Tell me, if it is not too much trouble."
— 5. Placaverit. "Appeased." — G. Lucanus aper. Consult note on Sat.
ii., 3, 234. — Lenifuit Austro captus. " It was taken while the south wind
blew gently." The flesh of the boar, if the animal was taken when the
south wind blew violently, soon became rancid, but if taken when the
same wind blew gently, would be tender and high. Either by buying it
cheap, or by keeping it too long, the boar in question was probably taint-
ed ; but the host would insinuate that it had a particular flavor by being
taken when the south wind blew gently, and was delicate and tender. —
7. Acria circum rapula, &c. The articles here mentioned were such a3
might best, by their sharp and pungent taste, overcome the tainted flavor
of the boar, as well as excite the guests to eat. — 8. Rapula. Consult
note on Sat. ii., 2, 43. — Lactucce. Consult note on Sat. ii., 4, 59. — 9. Per-
vellunt. "Arouse." Literally, "pinch," "pluck," &c. — Allec. Consult
note on Sat. ii., 4, 73. — F&cula Coa. "Burned tartar of Coan wine."
Consult note on Sat. ii., 4, 73. — 10. Puer alte cinctus. " A young slave
tucked high." Among the Romans, the young slaves, employed in the
interior of the dwellings, were generally clad in a short tunic, descending
no further than the knees. This was done, not so much with a view to
activity and expedition, as from a refinement of luxury. The custom is
here carried by Nasidienus to a ridiculous extreme, in oi'der that every
part of this strange entertainment may be in unison. — Acernam. Accord-
ing to Pliny (H. N., xvi., 15), the maple was next in value to the citron
wood. The scholiast remarks that the circumstance of his having a maple-
wood table is another proof of the sordid habits of Nasidienus, since a man
of his riches should have had a table of citron wood, with which, too, the
gausape purpureum, mentioned immediately after, would have much bet-
ter comported. — 11. Gausape purpureo. The gausape {gausapa or gausa-
pum) was a kind of towel or cloth, having on one side a long nap ; those
used by the rich were made of wool, and dyed of some bright color. — Et
alter sublegit quodcunque jaceret inutile, Sec. The allusion is to the frag-
ments of the feast, the crumbs, bones, &c. The slave, whose duty it was
to collect these, was styled analecta.
13-20. 13. Ut Attica virgo cum sacris Cereris. The allusion is to the
Canephori, or young Athenian females, who bore, at the mystic festival
of Ceres and Prosegpina, certain sacred symbols belonging to the secret
worship of these deities, covered over in baskets. Their pace was al-
ways slow and solemn. Horace, in expressing the comparison between
the gait of Hydaspes and that of the females just alluded to, means, of
course, to turn into ridicule the stately march of the slave. — 14. Hydaspes.
A slave, as his name proves, from India. The wealthy Romans were
fond of having in their household establishments slaves of various nations.
««15, Chium maris expers, Horace is generally supposed to mean that
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE VIII. 535
this wine, served up by Nasidienus, was of an inferior quality, from the
want of salt water ; it is more probable, however, that by expers mans he
intends to insinuate that the wine in question was a factitious or home-
made kind, "winch had never crossed the sea." — 18. Divitias miser as.
Not uttered by Nasidienus, as some commentators pretend, but by Horace.
The poet makes use of this expression as a kind of apposition with utrum-
que in the preceding line. Fundanius states that he has both Alban and
Falernian wine, and yet he is prevented by his avarice from offering them
to his guests. Horace justly calls these "divitias miseras.'* — Una. Un-
derstand tecu m. — 19. Nosselaboro. "I am impatient to know." — 20. Sum-
mits ego. " I was first on the highest couch." Consult note on Sat. i., 4,
87. Each of the three couches held three persons, and the post of honor
on each was the central place, the guests who occupied the middle of each
of the three couches being styled respectively primus summi lecti, primus
medii lecti, primus imi lecti. The most honorable of these three places,
and, consequently, of the whole entertainment, was the primus medii lecti,
and here, on the present occasion, was the post of Maecenas. The ar-
rangement of the whole party, then, will be as follows : On the summits
lectus will be placed Viscus Thurinus, Fundanius, and Varius, the first
of these occupying the bottom of the couch nearest the bottom of the table,
the second the centre, which makes him primus summi lecti, or, as it is
expressed in the text, summus, and the third the part nearest the top of
the table. On the medius lectus, the individual nearest the lower extrem-
ity of the summits lectus will be Servilius Balatro, in the middle will re-
cline Maecenas, and below him will be Vibidius. On the imus lectus the
arrangement will be Nomentanus, Nasidienus, and Porcius ; the first of
these reclining on the upper part of the couch, Nasidienus occupying the
middle, and Porcius being the lowest guest of all. It must be borne in
mind, that those who recline on the summus lectus have their bodies ex-
tended upward along the couch in a diagonal direction, and those on the
imus lectus downward, while the guests on the medius lectus recline with
their heads toward the summus lectus. — Viscus Thurinus. Called Thu-
rinus, as being probably a native of Thurii in Calabria, and distinguished
by this cognomen from the brothers Vised, the friends of Horace, mentioned
in Sat. i., 10, 83.
22-30. 22. Umbras. " As uninvited guests." Among the Romans,
persons of distinction, when invited to an entertainment, had liberty to
bring with them unbidden guests, who were styled umbrm. The umbras
brought on this occasion by Maecenas were two buffoons (scurra>). — 24.
Ridiculus totas simul, &.c. "Who made himself ridiculous by swallow
ing whole cakes at once." Porcius was a parasite of their entertainer. —
Placentas. The placenta [tt/.okovc) was a thin cake made of flour, cheese,
and honey. It was large, and was usually cut into pieces. The art of
Porcius seems to have lain in rolling up a placenta so that he might
gradually swallow it without breaking' it, just as a Neapolitan does mac-
aroni. (Keightley, ad loc.) — 23. Nomentanus ad hoc, &c. " Nomentanus
was present for this purpose, in order that if any thing should chance to
pscape the observation of the guests, he might point it out with his fore-
finger." An individual who performed such a duly as this at an enter-
tainment was styled an indicator. — Cetera turba. "The rest of the
company."' — 28. Longe dissimilem noto, &c. "Which concealed in them
530 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATfRF, VITT.
a juice far different from the known one." Henco the office cf Xomen-
tanns in pointing out these hidden excellences of the viands. There is
much malice, as Dacier well observes, in the ambiguous wording of the
text. The food not being over-excellent in its kind, was disguised by
sauces and seasoning. Nomentanus declares its taste to be very peculiar
and delicate, while Fundanius ironically confesses he had never eaten
any thing like it before. — 29. Passeris. " Of' a flounder." Understand
marini. The fish here meant is the Pleuronectes P2esns of ichthyologists
— 30. Ingustata. "Such as I had never before tasted."
31-38. 31. Mclirnela. "Honey-apples." These properly belonged to
the second course, or dessert, and their presence in this part of the enter-
tainment serves only to show how unaccustomed their host was to the
rules and proprieties of an entertainment. — Minorem ad lunam. " At the
waning moon." — 32. Quid hoc intersit. "What difference this makes,"
?'. e., whether they are gathered when the moon is in her wane, or at any
other time. — 34. Nos nisi damnose bibimus, &c. "If we do not drink to
his cost, we shall die unrevenged," i. e., let us drink hard, and punish by
so doing the foolish vanity, and sordid and ridiculous avarice of our host.
— 35. Vertere. Understand coepit. — 36. Parochi. " Of our entertainer."
The term is employed here humorously. Consult, as regards its ordi-
nary meaning, Sat. i., 5, 46. — 38. Subtile exsurdant palatum. "Blunt
the nice perception of the palate." Literally, "quite deafen." A trans-
ference from one sense to another. The true reason, the fear which Na-
sidienus entertained for his wine, is ironically withheld.
39-46. 39. Inverlunt Allifanis vinana tola. "Empty whole wine-
jars into Allifanian cups," *. e., drain, by means of Allifanian cups, the
contents of entire wine-jars. With vinaria understand vasa, and pocu I is
with Allifanis. The Allifanian cups, made at Allifae, a city of Samnium,
were of a larger size than usual. Hence the figurative language of the
text. — 40. Imi convives lecti. The allusion is to Nomentanus and Porcius.
These, together with Nasidienus, occupied the imus Icclus, and being de-
sirous, as parasites, of pleasing the avaricious entertainer, "did no harm
to the flagons," i.e., drank sparingly of his wine. — 42. Squillas. Consult
note on Sat. ii., 4, 58. — Murazna. " A lamprey." A kind of sea-eel, of
which the Romans were very fond. The best were caught in the Sicilian
Straits. The wealthy kept them in their sea-water piscina?, or fish-ponds.
— Xatantes. "That were swimming in the sauce." Supply j u re. — 43.
Porrccta. Alluding to the length of the fish. — Sub hoc. "Upon this,"
i. e., upon the lamprey's being brought in. — 44. Deterior post partum came
futura. The ablative came is here equivalent to quod attinet ad ejus
carnem, and the passage may berendered, " since, after having spawned,
it would have been less delicate in its flesh." This is a well-known fact
— 45. His mixtum jus est. " The sauce was mixed for it with the follow ■
ing ingredients." Supply rebus with his. Dacier less correctly refers hi\
to sqtiillis understood: "For these a sauce was mixed as follows." —
Prima. "The best." — Venafri. Consult note on Sat. ii., 4, 69. — 46.
Garo de succis piscis Iberi. " With sauce from the juices of the Spanish
fish." Garum was a species of pickle, made originally from a fish of small
size, called by the Greeks yupog, and afterward from the scomber, a fish
said to resemble the mackerel. It appears to have been like the modern
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II , SATIRE VIII. 537
anchovy sauce in nature and use. The intestines of the scomber were
principally used. The best garum, and which is meant in this place,
was the garum sociorum, made at New Carthage, in Spain. — Piscis Iben.
The scomber was so called because found in abundance on the coast of
Spain.
47-53. 47. Citra mare nato. Alluding to Italian wiue. Compare Sat.
i., 10, 31. — 48. Dum coquitur, &c. The Italian wine is to be put in at
once, and boiled with the other ingredients. When it has cooled, Chian
wine is to be added. — 50. Quod Melhymnceam vitio mutaverit uvam.
"Which, by its sharpness, has soured the Methymnaean grape." By the
Methymnaean grape is meant Lesbian wine, of which the vinegar in ques-
tion was made. Methymna was a city in the island of Lesbos. — 51. Eru-
cas. "Rockets." — 52. Illotos. "Unwashed," i. c., without having the
pickle in which they had been lying washed off. — Curtillus. An epicure
of the day. — 53. Ut melius muria, &c. "As being better than the pickle
which the sea shell-fish yield," i. e., the brine adhering to the illoti echini
superseded the necessity of employing the pickle in question, and an-
swered, in fact, a better purpose.
54-56. 54. Aulaa. The aulaa were "hangings" suspended in ban-
queting-rooms for the purpose of intercepting the dust. As regards the
accident itself, most commentators suppose that the hangings of which
mention is made in the text fell on the very table and dishes. Fea, how-
ever, maintains, and we think correctly, that they merely fell from the
side-walls, bringing with them in their descent a large quantity of dust,
and covering, of course, the dishes and table with it. Had the hangings
themselves fallen on the table and the guests, there would have been an
end of the entertainment. Hence the expression nihil pericli which
follows. — 55. Pulveris atri. Supply tantum. — 57. Majus. " Something
worse." — 58. Erigimur. " Resume courage." — Rufus. The surname of
Nasidienus. — 59. Immaturus. "By an untimely death." Equivalent to
non maturus morti. — Esset. TForfuisset, and so tolleret, a little after, for
sustulisset. — 60. Sapiens XomeJitanus. Ironical. — 63. Mappa. "With
his napkin." The guests used to bring their own mappce with them, as
we do our pocket handkerchiefs. — 64. Suspendcns o?nnia Jiaso. " Making
a joke of every thing that passed." — 65. Hmc est conditio vivendi. " This
is the condition of human life," i. e., such is the lot of life. — Eoque. "And
therefore." — 66. Tuo labori. This is addressed to Nasidienus.
67-78. 67. Tene. Understand ccquum est, or some equivalent expres-
sion.— 70. Prcccincti. Compare note on verse 10. — 71. Hos casus. "Such
accidents as the following." — 72. Pede lapsus agaso. All this comforta-
ble speech, observes Francis, is mere irony. The bread was burned, the
sauce ill made, the servants awkwardly dressed, and some of them brought
from the stable to wait at supper [agaso denoting, in fact, a groom, or per-
son to take care of horses, ice). Poor Nasidienus, however, takes it all
in good part, and thanks his guest for his goodnature. — 74. Xudare. "To
disclose." — 77. Et soleas poscit. That he might rise from table. The
guests laid their slippers on the floor, at the end of the couch, when they
took their places for their supper. This was done in order not to soil the
rich covering or furniture of the couches on which they reclined. — Videres.
538 EXPLANATORY NOTES. — BOOK It., SATIRE VIII.
" Might one aee."<— 78. Siridere sccrela divisos aure susurros. " Divided
Whispers buzzing in each secret ear." An elegant verse. The expres-
sion sccreta aure has reference to the ear's being the confidential deposi-
tory of secrets, while by divisos susurros are meant whispers on the part
of each to his companion.
82-94. 82. Non dantur pocula. Alluding to the slowness of the at-
tendants in furnishing the wine. — Dumque ridetur Jictis rerum. "And
while we give vent to our laughter under various pretences." Ridetur
is used impersonally. Fictis rerum is a Graecism for Jictis rebus. The
guests laugh in reality at the avarice and folly of Nasidienus, but pretend
to have their mirth excited by other causes. — 83. Balatrone secundo.
"Balatro seconding us." — 84. Nasidiene redis mutatcz frontis. A bur-
lesque imitation of the epic style. — 86. Mazonomo. The mazonomus
(jua£6vo/j,oc, fia&fyopoc) was a kind of large dish or " charger." The name
was first applied to a large dish used for the purpose of holding the spe-
cies of food termed maza (/j.d^a), but was afterward extended so as to
become a general term. — 87. Gruis. As regards the estimation in which
cranes were held by the Roman epicures, compare the remarks of Pliny,
H. N., x., 30 : " Cornelius Nepos, qui Divi Augusti principatu obiit, cum
scribcrct turdos paulo ante cazptos saginari, addidit, ciconias magis pla-
cere quam grues : cum haec nunc ales inter primas expetatur, Mam nemo
velit attigisse." — Non sine farre. "Together with grated bread." — 88.
Pinguibus. "Fattening." — Ficis pastum. The livers of geese were es-
teemed by the Roman, as they still are by modern epicures, a great deli-
cacy, and these birds were purposely fattened on various kinds of food,
among the rest on figs, with the view of increasing the size of their livers.
— Anseris albce. The liver of the goose was preferred to that of the gan-
der, and the white geese were esteemed the best of their kind. — b9. Le
porum armos. Nasidienus should have kept these away from his guests,
and have served up the other parts that are ironically condemned in the
text. — 90. Edit. The old form of the subjunctive, from cdim. Compare
Epode iii., 3. — Adusto. "Burned." — 91. Merulas. "Blackbirds." — Sine
chine palumbes. Our host, observes Francis, had probably bought these
birds at a cheap price, since the rumps, which are the most delicious part,
were so tainted as not to be brought on table. — 92. Suaves res. Ironical.
— Causas et naturas. "Their causes and natures," i. e., the causes, by
reason of which a particular part was sometimes to be preferred to all the
rest of the body, and one part to another, as well as the peculiar natures
of these several parts. In other words, their talkative host became more
insupportable than the entertainment itself, and they were glad to escape
from him. — 94. Velut Mis Canidia afflasset, &c. " As if Canidia, more
venomous than African serpents, had poisoned them with her breath."
With afflasset supply venenum.
EPISTLES.
It has been frequently discussed whether the Epistles of Horace should
be considered as a continuation of his satires, or, if they be not a sequel
to them, what forms the difference between these two sorts of composi-
tion? Casaubon has maintained that the satires and epistles were orig-
inally comprised under the general name of Sermones ; but that, in the
poems to which critics subsequently gave the name of satires, Horace has
attempted to extirpate prejudices, and in the epistles, to inculcate lessons
of virtue, so that the two works, united, form a complete course of morals.
This opinion has been adopted by Dacier, Wieland, and many other crit-
ics. Some commentators, however, have found that the satires and epis-
tles have so many other distinctive characteristics that they can not be
classed together. An epistle, they' maintain, is necessarily addressed to
an individual, not merely in the form of a dedication, but in such a man-
ner thai; his character, and the circumstances under which it is inscribed
to him, essentially affect the subject of the poem. The legitimate object
of satire is to brand vice or chastise folly; but the epistle has no fixed or
determinate scope. It may be satirical, but it may, with equal propriety,
be complimentary or critical. Add to this that the satire may, and in the
hands of Horace frequently does, assume a dramatic shape ; but the epis-
tle can not receive it, the epistolary form being essential to its existence.
The epistles of Horace were written by him at a more advanced pe-
riod of life than his satires, and were the last fruits of his long experience.
Accordingly, we find in them more matured wisdom, more sound judgment,
mildness, and philosophy, more of his own internal feelings, and greater
skill and perfection in the versification. The chief merit, however, of the
epistles depends on the variety in the characters of the persons to whom
they are addressed; and, in conformity with which, the poet changes his
tone and diversifies his coloring. They have not the generality of some
modern epistles, which are merely inscribed with the name of a friend,
and may have been composed for the whole human race ; nor of some an-
cient idyls, where we are solely reminded of an individual by superfluous
invocations of his name. Each epistle is written expressly for the enter-
tainment, instruction, or reformation of him to whom it is addressed. The
poet enters into his situation with wonderful facility, and every word has
a reference, more or less remote, to his circumstances, feelings, or preju-
dices. In his satires, the object of Horace was to expose vice and folly;
but in his epistles he has also an eye to the amendment of a friend, on
whose failings he gently touches, and hints, perhaps, at their correction.
That infinite variety of Roman character, which was of so much serv-
ice to Horace in the composition of his satires, was also of advantage to
the epistles, by affording opportunities of light and agreeable compliment,
or of gentle rebuke, to those friends to whom they were addressed. "The
knowledge of these characters," says Blackwall, "enables us to judge with
540 EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPISTLES.
certainty of the capital productions of the Roman genius, and the conduct
of their most admired writers, and thus observe the addi-ess of Horace in
adjusting his compliments to the various tempers of his friends. One was
proud of his high descent, but ashamed to own that he was so; another
valued himself on the honors and offices he had bome ; and a third, de-
spising these honors, hugged himself in the elegance of his table, and the
pleasures of his private life. A hint to the first of these, of the nobleness
of his blood, would make it flush in his face. Consulships, and triumphs,
and provinces would be the welcome subject to the ears of the second ;
and the vanity of these pageants, a smile at a lictor, or a jest on the fas-
ces, would steal a smile from the last."
The first book contains twenty epistles of a very miscellaneous nature.
Oar poet asks news from Julius Floras, inquires concerning the health
and occupations of Tibullus, invites Manlius Torquatus to supper, recom-
mends a friend to Tiberius, and explains himself to Maecenas with regard
to some want of deference or attention, of which his patron had complain-
ed. On such ordinary and even trivial topics, he bestows novelty, variety,
and interest, by the charm of language and expression. Other epistles
treat of his favorite subject, the happiness and tranquillity of a country
life ; and we know that these were actually penned while enjoying, dur-
ing the autumn heats, the shady groves and the cool streams of his Sa-
bine retreat. In a few, he rises to the higher to»e of moral instruction,
explaining his own philosophy, and inveighing, as in the satires, against
the inconsistency of men, and their false desires for wealth and honors.
From his early youth, Horace had collected maxims from all the sects of
Greece, searching for truth with an eclectic spirit, alike in the shades of
the Academy and the Gardens of Epicurus. In these philosophic epis-
tles, he sometimes rises to the moral grandeur and majesty of Juvenal,
while other lines possess all the shrewdness, good sense, and brevity of
the maxims of Publius Syrus.
The great principle of his moral philosophy is, that happiness depends
on the frame of the mind, aud not on the adventitious circumstances of
wealth or power. This is the precept which he endeavors to instill into
Aristius, this is his warning to Bullatius, who sought, by roaming to other
lands, to heal his distempered spirit. What disposition of mind is most
conducive to tranquillity and happiness, and how these are best to be ob-
tained, form the constant subject of his moral inquiries.
The epistles of the first book are chiefly ethical or familiar. Those of
the second are almost wholly critical. The critical works of Horace have
generally been considered, especially by critics themselves, as the most
valuable part of his productions. Hurd has pronounced them " the best
and most exquisite of all his writings," and of the Epistle to the Pisos, in
particular, he says, "that the learned have long since considered it as a
kind of summary of the rules of good writing, to be gotten by heart by ev»
ery student, and to whose decisive authority the greatest masters in taste
aud composition must Anally submit." Mr. Giffoi'd, in the introduction to
his translation of Juvenal remarks, that, " as an ethical writer, Horace
has not many claims to the esteem of posterity; but as a critic, be is en-
titled to all our veneration. Such is the soundness of his judgment, the
EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPISTLES. 541
correctness of Iris taste, and the extent and variety of Iris knowledge, that
a body of criticism might be selected from his works more perfect in its
kind than any thing which antiquity has bequeathed us." Of course, no
person can dispute the correctness or soundness of Horace's judgment ;
but he was somewhat of a cold critic, and from his habits as a satirist had
acquired the Parnassian sneer. He evidently attached more importance
to regularity of plan, to correctness and terseness of style, than to original-
ity of genius or fertility of invention. He admitted no deviation from the
strictest propriety. He held in abhorrence every thing incongruous or
misplaced, he allowed no pageantry on the stage, and tolerated nothing
approaching the horrible in tragedy or the farcical in comedy. I am sat-
isfied that he would not have admired Shakspeare ; he would have con-
sidered Addison and Pope as much finer poets, and would have included
Falstaff, Autolycus, Sir Toby Belch, and all the clowns and boasters of the
great dramatist, in the same censure which he bestows on the Plautinos
sales, and the Mimes of Laberius. Of poetry he talks with no great en-
thusiasm, at least in his critical works ; of poets in general he speaks at
best with compassion and indulgence ; of his illustrious predecessors in
particular, with disparagement and contumely. In his ethical verses, ou
the other hand, connected as they are with his love of a rural life of tran
quillity, freedom, and retirement, there is always something heartfelt and
glowing. A few of his speculative notions in morals may be erroneous,
but his practical results are full of truth and wisdom. His philosophy, it
has been said, gives too much dignity and grace to indolence ; places too
much happiness in a passive existence, and is altogether destructive of
lofty views. But in the age of Horace, the Roman world had got enough
of lofty views, and his sentiments must be estimated, not abstractly, but
in reference to what was expedient or salutary at the time. After the
experience which mankind had suffered, it was not the duty of a moralist
to sharpen the dagger of a second Brutus ; and maxims which might have
flourished in the age of Scipio or Epaminondas, would have been mis
placed and injurious now. Such virtues, however, as it was yet permit-
ted to exercise, and such as could be practiced without danger to the state,
are warmly and assiduously inculcated.
"Horace," says Dryden, "instructs us how to combat our vices, to reg-
ulate our passions, to follow nature, to give bounds to our desires, to dis-
tinguish between truth and falsehood, and between our conceptions of
things and things themselves ; to come back from our prejudicate opin-
ions, to understand exactly the principles and motives of all our actions,
and to avoid the ridicule into which all men necessarily fall, who are in-
toxicated with those notions which they have received from their masters,
and which they obstinately retain, without examining whether or not
they be founded on right reason. In a word, he labors to render us hap-
py in relation to ourselves, agreeable and faithful to our friends, and dis-
creet, serviceable, and well bred in relation to those with whom we are
obliged to live and to converse." And though, perhaps, we may not very
highly estimate the moral character of the poet himself, yet it can not be
doubted, that, when many of his epistles were penned, his moral sense
and feelings must have been of a highly elevated description; for where
shall we find remonstrances more just and beautiful against luxury, envy,
and ambition ; against all the pampered pleasures of the body, and all the
542 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE I.
turbulent passions of the mind ? In his satires and epistles to his friends,
he successively inculcates cheerfulness in prosperity, and contentment in
adversity, independence at court, indifference to wealth, moderation in
pleasure, constant preparation for death, and dignity and resignation in
life's closing scene. (Dunlop's Rom. Lit., vol. iii., p. 261 sqq.)
Epistle I. This epistle, addressed to Maecenas, contains the poet's
excuse for the inactivity into which he had fallen since the publication of
his third book of odes. Three years had elapsed without any new work
of the bard's having made its appearance, an interval which had been
spent by him in the calm enjoyment of existence. The contrast that pre-
sents itself between his own mode of thinking, and the folly of those who
run on in the pursuit of the gifts of fortune and the favors of the great, con-
stitutes the principal charm of the piece.
1-3. 1. Prima dicle mihi, &c. " Maecenas, subject of my earliest, that
hast a right to be the subject of my latest Muse, dost thou seek to shut
me up once more in the old place of exercise, after having been tried suf-
ficiently, and when now gifted with the rod ?" The name of his patron
stands at the head of the Odes, Epodes, and Satires, as it does here at
the commencement of the Epistles. — 2. Spectatum satis. The poet com-
pares himself to a gladiator, who has been sufficiently tried in exhibitions
of skill, and has at last received his dismissal by the favor of the people.
The word spectatum is the proper term here, and was usually applied to
gladiators who had been often victorious. Hence the letters S P. were
marked on the tessera of discharge given to them. (Orelli, ad loc.) — Do-
natum rude. Gladiators, when discharged from fighting, received a rod,
or wooden sword, as a mark of their exemption. This was either obtain-
ed at the expiration of the years of service for which they had engaged,
or was granted by the person who exhibited them (editor), at the desire
of the people, to an old gladiator, or even to a novice, for some uncommon
act of courage. Those who received it (rude donati) were called Rudiarii,
and suspended their arms, as an offering, at the entrance of the temple of
Hercules. They could not again be compelled to fight, but were some-
times induced by great hire once more to appear in public and engage. —
3. Antiquo ludo. The reference is to the school, or place where the glad-
iators were exercised and trained (ludus gladiatorius), and hence those
who were dismissed on account of age or any other cause were said de-
lusisse. Horace began to write about twenty-six years of age, and he is
now forty-six, so that the expression antiquo ludo is used with great pro-
priety, as also non eadem est &tas in the succeeding line.
4-6. 4. Non eadem est oetas, non mens. " My age is not the same, my
habits of thinking are changed." — Veianius. A celebrated gladiator of
the day who., having obtained his dismissal, retired into the country, in
order to avoid all risk of again engaging in the combats of the arena. — 5.
Herculis ad postern. " At the gate of the temple of Hercules." Literally,
" at the door-post," &c. It was customary with the ancients, when they
discontinued aoy art or calling, to offer up the instruments connected with
it to the deity under whose auspices that art or calling had been pursued.
Gladiators, therefore, when they ceased from the profession of arms, of-
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE I. 543
fered up their instruments of combat to Hercules, who was regarded as
the tutelary deity of this class of men. — 6. Ne populum extrema toties ex-
oret arena. " That he may not so often entreat the favor of the people
from the extremity of the arena." The Rudiarii, as has already been re-
marked in a previous note, were not again compelled to fight, but were
sometimes, however, induced by great hire to appear once more in public
and engage in combats. When they resumed their profession in this way,
and wished, after having served a second time, to be again dismissed, the
same formality of receiving the rudis had to be observed. When a glad-
iator requested the favor of dismissal from the people, he came to the
edge or extremity of the arena to prefer his supplication. By the arena
is meant the place in the amphitheatre where the gladiators fought. It
received its name from being covered with sand, in order to prevent the
combatants from slipping, and to absorb the blood. Saw-dust was some
times employed in place of sand. Keightley mistakes entirely the mean
ing of the passage, in rendering ne populum, &c, " so that he has not," &c
7-12. 7. Est mihi purgatam, &c. "I have a monitor that keeps con
tinually ringing in my cleansed ear," i. e., in my ear that hears distinctly
what is said. Observe that purgatam is here equivalent to ratione pur-
gatam ; but the allusion, as Obbarius remarks, is evidently to the cleans-
ing of the ear, and the removal of obstructions by the fumes of vinegar, or
by injecting that liquid. Compare Cclsus, vi., 7, 7. The connection in the
train of ideas is as follows : In order that I may do what Veianius did, a
monitor is not wanting unto me, who fills my ear with these words, &c.
The poet's monitor on this occasion is his own better judgment. — 8. Solve
senescentem mature, &c. "Wisely, in time, release from the chariot the
steed now advancing in years, lest he fail at last, only to be exposed to
the laughter of the spectators, and become broken-winded." Ilia ducat,
literally, " draw his flanks together." — 10. Nunc itaque, Sec. "Where-
fore, now," yielding obedience to this monitor. — Et cetera ludicra. " And
other things of a sportive nature." — 11. Curo et rogo. " My cares and in
quiries are directed toward." Literally, "I care and ask about." Rogo
refers to his inquiring of the philosophers in their writings. — Et omnis in
hoc sum. "And am wholly engaged in this." — 12. Condo ct compono,
qu<s mox depromere possim. " I treasure up and digest what I may at
some future period draw forth into action." The reference here is to the
precepts of philosophy.
13-15. 13. Quo me duce, quo lare tuter. "Under what guide, under
what sect I take shelter." Lar is here equivalent to familia, a term fre-
quently applied by the Roman writers to denote a philosophical sect. Tu-
ter, as Orelli remarks, contains a reference to the protecting lar. — 14. Xul-
lius addictus jurare in verba magistri. " Bound to swear to the tenets of
no particular master," i. e., blindly addicted to the tenets of no particular
sect. The addicti were properly those debtors whom the praetor adjudged
to their creditors, to be committed to prison, or otherwise secured, until
satisfaction was made. Soldiers, however, were also called addicti, in al-
lusion to the military oath which they took when enrolled. It is in this
last sense that Horace here uses the word, an idea arising probably from
duce in the preceding verse. The expression addictus jurare is a Grae-
cism for addictus vt jurem. — 15. Quo me cunque rapit tempestas, deferor
544 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE 1.
hospcs. A pleasing image borrowed from the sea. " Whithersoever the
tempest hurries me, thither am I borne a guest," i. c, to the writings of
whatsoever philosopher, the inclination of the moment, or the course of
events, shall drive me, with them do I take up my abode, but only as a
guest, and as one who intends, when circumstances shall demand it, to re
tire to some other quarter. The poet here describes himself as a species
of Eclectic philosopher, culling from the doctrines of different sects what-
ever appears to approach nearest to the truth, but blindly following the
general authority of none.
16-18. 16. Nunc agilisjio, Sec. "Now I become an active man, and
plunge amid the waves of public life," i. e., now 1 follow the precepts of
the Stoic sect, and lead an active life amid the bustle of public affairs.
Observe that mcrsor has here the force of the middle voice. The Stoics di-
rectly inculcated the propriety of their wise man's exerting his best en-
deavors for the general welfare of those around him, and the common good
of mankind. Attention to civil or public affairs would be a necessary con-
sequence of this rule. — 17. Virtutis vera. The allusion, as Orelli remarks,
is to the ideal virtue of the Stoics. — Rigidus. Alluding to the rigor of the
Stoic discipline. — 18. Nunc in Aristippifurtim, «Sec. "Now 1 glide back
insensibly into the precepts of Aristippus." Horace suys rclabor, because
this was the system to which he was originally inclined. (Keigktlej/, ad
loc.) Aristippus, the founder of the Cyrenaic sect, made the summum bo-
num. consist in pleasure. Consult note on Sat. ii., 2, 99.
20-23. 20. Lenta die*, &c. " As the day passes tardily unto those who
owe to another the performance of any task." Supply est in both this and
the succeeding clause. The allusion is a general one to all who owe the
performance of any daily task or labor, either for actual hire, or from sit-
uation and circumstances. — Ut pi ger annus pv pill is, Sec. "As the year
moves slowly to minors, whom the strict watchfulness of mothers re-
strains." Since minors were not under the guardianship of the mothers,
the reference here must of course be to that watchful care which a parent
exercises over her young offspring, in restraining them from the paths of
dissipation, and teaching them the lessons of frugality and virtue. — 22.
Sic mihi tarda Jluunt ingrataque tempora, Sec. The poet, ardently desir-
ous of making a rapid advance in the pursuit of true wisdom, and perceiv-
ing, at the same time, how little the actual progress he had made accord-
ed with his own wishes, well describes, by the comparisons here em-
ployed, the impatience under which he labors, at being withheld from a
speedy consummation of what he so earnestly covets. — 23. Quod ague
paupcribus prodest, locuplctibus aique, &c. These lines contain a true
and well-merited eulogium on wisdom. For, as it is what equally con-
cerns rich and poor, and what, when neglected, proves equally injurious
to young and old, it naturally follows that the study of it ought to be our
first care, as being essential to our happiness.
26-33. 26. Rested, ut his ego me, Sec. The connection in the train of
ideas is as follows : Since I can not then embrace in its full extent that
wisdom which I so earnestly desire, " it remains for me to govern and
console myself by these first principles of philosophy." The maxim
which the poet proceeds to inculcate is this : Never aim at any thing be-
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK [., EPISTLE I. 545
yond the powers which nature has bestowed on thee, but use care and dil-
igence in their preservation and improvement. This position is illustrat-
ed by two examples : Who is so wanting in judgment as, because he has
not the keenness of sight which Lynceus is fabled to have possessed, to
neglect the care of his eyes ? or who, because he can not boast of a frame
like that of Glycon, will take no pains to remove or avert diseases from
the one that he has. — 29. Glyconis. Glycon was a famous gladiator in the
time of Horace. 31. Est quadam prodire tenus. &c. " It is always in
our power to^dvance to a certain point, if it is not permitted us to go
further." Est is here equivalent to licet, as, in Greek, egtl for i^eart.
— 32. Miseroque cnpidine. "And with a wretched desire for more." The
difference between avarice and a desire of increasing our wealth is here
strongly marked. The former dares not enjoy what it possesses, the lat-
ter ardently wishes for whatever seems to gratify its desires. 33. Sum
verba et voces. "There are words and charms." The precepts of philos-
ophy, by which we are commanded to drive from our breasts every avari-
cious and covetous feeling, are here beautifully compared to the incanta-
tions and charms by which, according to the popular belief, diseases were
thought to be expelled from the human frame.
35-39. 35. Laudis amorc tumes ? "Dost thou swell with the love of
praise?" i.e., art thou influenced by an eager desire for praise? Tumeo
is frequently thus applied to denote any strong affection or desire, undei
the influence of which the mind, as it were, swells forth. — Sunt certa piac
via, qu(z te, &c. " There are sure and cleansing remedies which will r6
store thee to moral health, if some treatise of philosophy be thrice read
over with purity of mind." — Piacula. " The people of the olden time,"
says Celsus, " ascribed diseases to the anger of the gods, and hence had re-
course to expiatory rites for their removal." This is the primitive mean-
ing of piacula. Here, however, it has a more general force, as will ap-
pear from the following remark of Cruquius : " Piacula : Medicamenta pur-
gantia, nadupoieg, i. e., prcecepta philosopkica." — 36. Ter pure lecto. The
number three, as here employed, appears to contain some allusion to the
religious customs of antiquity, in accordance with which, they who puri-
fied themselves were compelled to sprinkle their persons thrice with lus-
tral water, or thrice to plunge the head in some running stream. — 37.
Amator. "Libidinous." — 39. Cultures. "To the lessons of wisdom."
Compare the explanation of Doring : " Culturae : prczceptis, quibus ani-
mus excolatur." Philosophy, says Cicero, is the culture of the mind {cul-
tura animi philosophia est) ; it tears up our vices by the roots ; it prepares
the soul to receive the seeds of virtue, and sows whatever will produce
the most plentiful harvest.
40-46. 40. Sapientia prima. "The beginning of wisdom." Compare
the explanation of Kcightley : " Well now, suppose all that done, and the
passions and appetites brought under control ; we have only attained to
the first steps of virtue and wisdom, and we must go on vigorously." — 41.
Vides, &.c. The train of ideas is as follows: "Thou seest how thou wilt
shun no toil or danger to escape what thou regardest as evils; but would
it not be better to learn to disre-rai'd them ?" (Keigktley, ad loc) — 42.
Exiguum censum. "A small fortune." — 43. Capitisque labore. "And
risk of life." — 44. Curris mercator ad Indo». Before the reduction of
546 EXPLANATORY NOTF^. HOOK I., EPISTLE I.
Eg3"pt, as Sanadon remarks, the passage to India was unknown to the
Romans. Strabo tells us, that while iElius Gallus governed E.evpt,
A.U.C. 727, a fleet of twenty-six merchantmen set sail from Myoshor-
mus, on the Sinus Arabicus, for India. It was then that the Roman nav-
igation between Egypt and India began to be regulated. As regards the
term mercator, consult note on Ode i., 1, 16. — 45. Per ig?ies. A proverb-
ial form of expression, equivalent in effect to per summa quaque pericula.
— 46. Ne cures ea, qu<z stulte miraris, &c. "Art thou unwilling to learn,
and to hear, and to trust thyself to the guidance of some wiser friend, that
thou may est no longer care for those things which thou foolishly admirest
and wishest for 1" i. e., would it not be better for thee to learn not to care
for these things ? Discere here applies to instruction obtained by perus-
ing the works of philosophers, and audire to that which is received by list-
ening to their oral teaching.
48-50. 48. Quispugnax. "What petty champion." The idea intend-
ed to be conveyed is as follows : Who would not rather be crowned at the
Olympic games, especially if he could obtain the palm there without the
necessity of exertion, than roam about, a village champion, and spend his
days in ignoble conflicts ? Or, in more general language : Who is there
that would prefer things of a low and humble nature, such as riches and
the world's honors, to the pursuit of true wisdom, which no danger ac-
companies, and which carries with it no cares or anxieties to embitter
our existence? — 49. Magna coronari contemnat Olympia. "Will scorn
being crowned at the great Olympic games." Magna coronari Olympia
is in imitation of the Greek idiom, OTetyavovodai 'OXiifnua, in place of the
regular Latin form, coronari in magnis Olympiis. — 50. Cui sit condicio
dulcis sine pulvere palmce. " Who shall have the condition proposed to
him, of gaining without toil the glorious palm." As regards the rewards
bestowed at the Olympic and other games, as well as respecting the na-
ture of these games themselves, consult note on Ode i., 1, 3, and i., 1, 5. —
Sine pulvere. As to the possibility of a victor's obtaining the prize at the
Olympic, or any other games, without toil or exertion, it may be remarked,
that this could easily happen, if no antagonist came forward to meet the
champion.
51-59. 51. Vilius argentum est auro, &c. The poet now enters on a
general train of reasoning, in order to show the superiority of virtue over
all that the world prizes, and makes the object of its pursuit. If what is
more valuable, argues he, is to be preferred to what is less so, then is vir-
tue to be preferred to gold, as gold is to silver. The maxims of the day,
it is true, teach that money is first to be acquired, and virtue after money,
but be it thine to obtain that before all other things, which brings with it
a conscience unstained by guilt, and a countenance that never changes
from a sense of crime. — 53. Hcec Janus summus ab imo prodocet. "These
precepts the highest Janus from the lowest openly inculcates," i. e., this
is the language openly held by the money-dealers of the day. Consult
note on Sat. ii., 3, 18. — 54. Prodocet. Pro has here the same force in
composition as in producere, prqferre, prodire, «Sec. — Hcec dictata. "These
maxims." — 55. Lcevo suspensi loculos, &c. Compare Sat. i., 6, 74. — 57.
Scd quadringentis sex septem millia desint. " But to complete the four
hundrod thousand sesterces, six or seven thousand may be wanting."
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE I. 547
Four hundred thousand sesterces was the fortune which a person must
possess before he could be enrolled among the equestrian order. It is on
this rule that the remark of the poet turns. Thou hast spirit, good morals,
eloquence, and unshaken fidelity, but it may so happen that thy fortune
is not exactly equal to the equestrian standard : well, then, a plebeian
wilt thou remain, and all thy good qualities will be as dust in the balance.
— 58. At pueri ludentes, Rex eris, aiunt, &c. The play to which the poet
here alludes is supposed to have been a kind of game at ball, in which
the one who made the fewest failures received the appellation of king. —
59. Hie murus aeneus esto, &c. This noble passage is introduced by the
poet as a species of parenthesis, and springs naturally, as it were, from the
cry of the boys in then* game. After having given it utterance, he re-
turns, in the 62d verse, to the regular course of his subject. Compare the
explanation of Keightley: "And this is right, adds the poet; there is a
deeper sense in this than the boys think. To act right is the main point ;
this is what will defend one like a wall of brass."
61-68. 61. Roscia lex. Alluding to the law of L. Roscius Otho, which
assigned to the equites, at the public spectacles, fourteen rows of seats,
separate from the rest, and next the orchestra, or place where the sena-
tors sat. — 62. Ncenia. "The song." The common import of the term in
question is, a funeral song or dirge. — 63. Et maribus Curiis et decantata
Camillis. "Sung even in manhood both by the Curii and the Camilli."
Literally, " sung both by the manly Curii and Camilli." The idea intend-
ed to be conveyed is this, that the song of the boys, offering the kingdom
to those that do right, was not merely sung by Curius and Camillus in the
days of their boyhood, but the principle which it inculcated was acted
upon by them even in maturer years, and their applause was given, not to
the rich, but to the virtuous and the good. — 64. Qui, rem facias, &c. "Who
advises thee to make money ; money, if thou canst, by fair means ; if not,
money in any way." "With qui understand suadet. — 66. Ut propius spec-
tes lacrymosa pocmata Pupi. " That thou mayest view from a nearer
bench the moving tragedies of Pupius," i. e., mayest veiw the representa-
tion as an eques, seated on one of the fourteen rows assigned to that or-
der by the laws of Otho; in other words, that thou mayest attain to
equestrian rank. Compare note on verse 62. — 67. Pupi. Pupius, a
dramatic writer, famed for the effect produced by his tragedies in moving
an audience to tears. — 68. Responsare. " To resist." Compare Sat. ii.,
7, 85. — 68. Prczsens. " Standing by," i. e.t adding weight to his precepts
by his presence.
68-79. 68. Cur non ut porticibus, &c. "Why I do not hold to the
same sentiments with them, as I enjoy the same porticoes, and do not
pursue or shun whatever they themselves admire or dislike." Consult
note on Sat. i., 4, 134. As in verse 13 he had supposed Maecenas to ask
him a question, so here he supposes the Roman people to inquire why, as
he lived among them, he did not think as they did ; and to tnis he replies,
that it is not safe to do so, and, moreover, that they do not think all alike.
(Keightley, ad loc.) — 73. Quia me vestigia terrcnt, &c. The fox dreaded
the treachery of the lion, the poet shrinks from the corrupt sentiments and
morals of the populace. — 75. Bellua multorum est capitum. "It is a
many-headed monster." The people, ever prone to error, and constantly
5-48 EXPLANATORY NOTES. COOK I., EPISTLE T.
changing- from one species of vice to another, are here not unaptly com-
pared to the Lernean 113-dra {-Q-npiov 7roXvKi(pa?iOv). — 76. Conducere pub-
lico,. "In farming the public revenues." Understand rectigalia. Hence
the farmers of the revenue, who were principally of equestrian rank, were
styled Publlcani. The office was much more honorable at Rome than in
the provinces, where the inferior agents practiced every kind of extortion.
— 78. Excipiantquc seizes, quos in vivaria mittant. " And catch old men,
whom they may send to their ponds." Old men are here compared to fish,
as in Sat. ii., 5, 44 : " Plures annabunt thunni, ct cetaria crescent." Ex-
cipere is the proper term to be used here. Compare the Greek kudexeadai.
Both are here used to denote the securing of any prey or game. — Vivaria.
A general term to express places where living animals are kept for fu-
ture use. We have rendered it by the word "ponds," as the reference
here appears to be to the same idea which has already been expressed in
Sat. ii., 5, 44. — 79. Fenore. The legal rate of interest at this time was 12
per cent. A much larger amount, however, was usuriously exacted of
young heirs on their coming of age, for sums lent them in their minority
on secret terms.
79-85. 79. Verum esto, aliis alios rebus studiisque teneri, &c. " But
grant that different men are engaged in different employments and pur-
suits : can the same persons continue for a single hour praising the same
things ?" It were of little consequence that mankind differed from each
other if they could agree with themselves. We might believe they had
found the way to happiness if they would always continue in it. But
how can they direct us with certainty, who are not determined them-
selves ? — 82. Nullus in orbe sinus Baiis pralncet amamis. " No bay in
the world surpasses in beauty the delightful Baia;." With orbe supply
terrarum. — 83. Lacus et mare sentit amorem, &c. " The lake and the sea
experience the eagerness of the impatient master," i. e., buildings imme-
diately rise along the margin of the Lucrine lake and the shores of the
sea. Consult note on Ode ii., 15, 3. — 84. Cui si vitiosa libido fecerit aus-
picium, Sec. "To whom, if sickly caprice shall give the omen, he will
cry, to-morrow, workmen, you will convey your tools to Teanum," i. e.,
if the sickly fancy once come across his brain, receiving it as an auspi-
cious omen, he will immediately abandon his plans at Baia?, and will leave
the vicinity of the sea for the interior of the country. The force and spirit
of the passage consist in the opposition between Baioe, situate on the
coast, and Teanum, an inland town. — 85. Teanum. There were two
towns of this name in Italy, one in Apulia, on the right bank of the River
Frento (cow Fortore), and called, for distinction' sake, Appulum ; and the
other in Campania, about fifteen miles northwest of Capua. This last is
the one here alluded to. It was famed for the beauty of the surrounding
country, and became one of the favorite places of resort for the Roman no-
bility and men of wealth, who erected splendid villas in its neighborhood
Some cold acidulous springs are noticed in its vicinity by the ancient writ
ers ; they are now called Aequo delle Caldarelle. The Teanum of which
we are here speaking received the epithet of Sidicinum from its being
situate among the Sidicini, and as contradistinguished from the first ona
mentioned.
86-91. 86. Lectus genialis in aula est. "The nuptial couch stands h>
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE I. 549
his hall," i. c, is he a married man? The nuptial coach was placed in
the hall, opposite the door, and covered with flowers. — 88. Si non est. "If
it does not stand there," i. e., if he is not married. — 89. Protea. Alluding
to the rich man, full of capricious fancies, and whose opinions undergo as
many changes as Proteus was capable of assuming forms. — 90. Quid pau-
per? ride, ut mulat, &c. It might well seem that this inconsistency, this
wandering of spirit, was peculiar to the rich alone, but it is the folly of
human nature, to which the poor are equally liable, although they are
guilty of it only in miniature. — Caniacula, lectos, balnea, tonsores. "His
lodgings, couches, baths, barbers." By cosnacula are meant the highest
chambers or apartments in a house, those immediately under the roof,
which at Rome, in consequence of the great population of the city, and
the want of other accommodations, were filled by the poorer sort of peo-
ple. (Compare Vitruvius, ii., 8, ad Jin.) The term lectos is meant to re-
fer to the place of supping, some eating-house or tavern, which the poor
man changes with as much fastidious caprice as the rich do the scenes of
their splendid entertainments. As to the balnea or baths, it may be re-
marked, that these were the public ones, which the poor were accustomed
to use ; for the rich had private baths of their own : while, as the number
of tonslrinw, or barber's shops, was far from small, a person might easily
consult variety in changing from one to another at pleasure. — 91. Con-
ducto navigio ceque nauseat, &c. " He gets as sea-sick in a hired boat
as the rich man whom his own galley conveys."
93-103. 93. Curatus incequah tonsore capillos. " With my hair cut
by an uneven barber," i. e., in an uneven manner. By the expression
incsqualis tonsor is meant, in fact, a barber who cuts in an uneven man-
ner. Horace, as he is drawing to a conclusion, makes a transition to
Maecenas. In a light kind of humor he touches on his own inconsistency,
as he had done at the end of the seventh satire of the second book, and
also on Maecenas's own fastidiousness. [Keighlley, ad loc.) — 94. Si forte
subucula pex&, &c. " If I chance to have a threadbare shirt under a new
tunic." The subuctda was a woolen garment, worn next the skin, like
the modern shirt. It was also called indusium, and by later writers, in-
terula and camisia. It would seem, however, that the term subucula
was chiefly used to designate the under tunic or shirt of men, and that in-
terulawas applied equally to the under tunic of both sexes. Linen cloths
were not used by the ancient Romans, and are seldom mentioned in the
classics. — Pexa. Literally, " with the nap on," i. e., new. — 95. Impar.
"Too much on one side." — 96. Pugnat secum. "Contradicts itself." —
98. JExtuat. "Fluctuates." — Disconvenit. "Is at variance with." —
100. Jnsanire putas solennia me? "Dost thou think me affected with
the current madness V' i. e., with a madness common to all the world.-»--
101. Nee curatores egere a prmlore dati. Consult note on Sat. ii., 3, 217.
— 103. Et prave sectum stomachcris cb luigucm. "And art angry at a
badly-pared nail," i. e., and art so careful of mc as even to get angry if
thou seest my nails ill pared. A humorous allasion to Maecenas's fastid-
iousness. (K
105-107. 105. Ad summam. "To us uno minor est
Jove.. &c. The idea with which the poet intends to conclude his epistle is
this, that he alone is happy who regulates his life by the maxims of wis-
550 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE II.
doni. In order to express this, he adopts the language which the Stoics
of the day were fond of using in reference to the superior privileges of
their wise man. As the Stoics, however, carried their notions of their
wise man to a ridiculous length, it is easy to perceive that Horace, though
he embraced what was good in the philosophical tenets of this sect, could
not give in to their ridiculous paradoxes. Hence the piece of raillery with
which the epistle terminates. — 107. Praic'xpue sanus, &c. The Stoics re-
garded a sound and healthy frame as among the many advantages which
their discipline conferred. But after alluding to this, the poet sarcastic-
ally adds, nisi quum pituita molesta est, meaning to imply that there
were occasions when the wise man of the Stoics was brought down to the
level of the common herd. In order to comprehend the full force of the
raillery here employed, we must bear in mind that they who labor under
any defluxion of phlegm experience at the same time a dullness in the
senses of smell and taste, and that this, applied in a figurative sense to
the intellect, conveys the idea of an unfitness for any subtle examination
of things, or any nice exercise of judgment. Hence it will be perceived
that sa?nts in the text is purposely used in an ambiguous sense, as refer-
ring not merely to the body, but also to the mind. — Pituita. To be pro-
nounced, in metrical reading, as a trisyllable, pitwita.
Epistle II. Horace, having retired for some time into the country,
had taken the opportunity of that solitude to read over Homer again with
particular attention, and, writing to his friend Lollius at Rome, sends him
his remarks upon that poet, and an explanation of what he takes to be the
main design of his two poems. He finds that the works of this admira-
ble poet are one continued lesson of wisdom and virtue, and that he gives
the strongest picture of the miseries of vice, and the fatal consequences
of ungoverned passion. From this he takes occasion to launch forth in
praise of wisdom and moderation, and shows that, to be really happy,
we must learn to have the command of ourselves. The passions are head-
strong, unwilling to listen to advice, and always push us on to extremi-
ties. To yield to them is to engage in a series of rash and inconsiderate
steps, and create matter of deep regret to ourselves in time to come. A
present gratification, thus obtained, is a dear purchase, and what no wise
man will covet.
1-3. 1. Maximc Lolli. " Eldest Lollius." Understand natu. The in-
dividual here addressed would appear to have been the son of M. Lollius
Palicanus, who was consul with Q.. ^milius Lepidus. — 2. Dum tu decla-
mas Roma. "While thou art exercising thyself at Rome in the art of
public speaking." Young persons of distinction at Rome, whose views
were directed toward a public life, were accustomed to exercise them-
selves in oratory by declamations in private on feigned subjects, and it is
to this practice that the text alludes. — Prccneste relegi. "I have read
over again at Praeneste." Consult note on Ode hi., 4, 23. — 3. Pulchrum.
"Becoming." Analogous to the to naTiov of the Greeks. — Quid non.
"What injurious." The poet does not merely mean what is simply use-
less, but what also brings injury along with it.
4-fl 4. Planius. "More clearly." — Chrysippo. Consult note on SaL
EXPLANATORY NOTE3. BOOK T., EPISTLE II. 551
i., 3, 127. — Crantore. Crantor was a philosopher of the Old Academy,
who studied under Xenocrates and Polemo. He adhered to the Platonic
system, and was the first that wrote commentaries on the works of Plato.
— 6. Fabula, qua Paridis propter, <fcc. The poet now proceeds to sub-
stantiate his position, that Homer, by various examples of folly, crime, un-
lawful passion, and anger, on the one hand, and wisdom, piety, virtue, and
moderation, on the other, accurately delineated, and forcibly placed before
the eyes of his readers, conveys the lessons of philosophy with greater
clearness and better success than either Chrysippus or Crantor. Fabula
must here be rendered "the story." — 7. Barbarice lento collisa duello.
" To have been engaged in conflict, during a long-protracted war, with a
barbarian land." Literally, " to have been dashed against." This line is
thought, both from the use of collisa and the presence of duellum, an old
form for bellum, to have been either taken or imitated from Ennius. —
8. Stultorum regum et populorum continet cestus. " Contains a narra-
tive of the effects produced by the excited passions of foolish princes and
their people." JEstus is here equivalent to affectus concitatos. Com-
pare verse 15.
9-15. 9. Anterior censet, &c. Antenor, one of the most prudent of the
Trojans, and adding the authority of age to the weight of his advice, rec-
ommends that Helen be given up, and "that they cut off," in this way,
"the whole cause of the war." Prcecidcre is properly a nautical term,
and means "to cut the cable." (Orelli, ad loc.) — 10. Quod Paris, ut sal-
vus regnet, &c. "Paris declares that he can not be induced to take this
step, even though it be in order that he may reign in safety, and enjoy a
happy life." We have adopted Bentley's emendation and pointing, name-
ly, Quod Paris, the pronoun quod referring back to belli prcecidere causam.
The common text has Quid Paris ? where we must supply facit. — Reg-
net. By this is meant, in fact, not that he should reign himself, but that
he should continue to enjoy his rank and state as one of the king's sons
[Keightley, ad loc.) — 12. Festinat. " Is anxious." — 13. Hunc. Hunc re-
fers to Agamemnon. Horace, intending at first to assign love as the im-
pelling cause in the case of Agamemnon, and anger in that of Achilles,
corrects himself, as it were, and subjoins quidem, with the view of show-
ing that both the chieftains were equally under the influence of resent-
ment. Agamemnon, therefore, compelled to surrender Chryseis, whom he
passionately loved, to her father, and inflamed with anger toward Achil-
les, the chief instigator to this step, deprived the latter of his prize Briseis.
— 14. Quidquid delirant reges, plectuntxir Achivi. "The Greeks suffer
for whatever folly their princes commit." The intransitive verb deliro ob-
tains here a transitive force, because an action exerted upon an object is
implied, though not described, in it. — 15. Seditione, dolls, &c. The poet
means that much that was morally wrong was done on both sides
17-27. 17. Rursum. The allusion is now to the Odyssey. — Virtus,
"Courage." — 18. Proposuit. " He has set before us." — 19. Qui, domitor
Trojte. Almost a verbal rendering of the eirei Tpoinc lepbv irTo/.iedpov
trrepae of the Odyssey. The address and artifice of Ulysses were more
effectual in reducing Troy than the valor of an Achilles or Agamemnon.
— 19. Providus. "Carefully." — 22. Immersabilis. "Not to be sunk."— «
84. Stultus cupidtuque. "Like a fool, and a man enslaved by his pas-
552 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE II.
sious.' Ulysses did not taste the contents of the cup until he had made
use of the plant given him by Mercury, as of sovereign power against en-
chantments.— 25. Turpis et excors. "A debased and senseless slave."
— 26. Vixisset canis immundus. Supply sicuti before canis. — 27. Nos
numerus sumus, Sec. " We are a mere number." Numerus is here a
word of contempt, and spoken of men as mere ciphers, who served no oth-
er end but to fill up places. The connection in the train of ideas is as fol-
lows : We, therefore, who do not follow the example of virtue and of wis
dom, which is set before us in the character of Ulysses, seem born only to
consume the productions of the earth, and to add to the bulk of mankind.
We are no better than the suitors of Penelope ; we are no better than the
effeminate and luxurious Phaeacians, whose chief employment consisted
in pampering their bodies, in prolonging their slumbers until midday, and
in dispelling their cares with wine, dancing, and song.
28-30. 28. Sponsi Penelopes, ncbulones Alcinoique. "Mere suitors of
Penelope, mere effeminate and luxurious subjects of Alcinous." The term
ncbulones is here used in a somewhat softened sense, though still full of
reproach, and the allusion is to the Phaeacians, over whom Alcinous ruled,
and who were famed for their soft and effeminate mode of life, as well as
their luxurious indulgence. The Phaeacia of Homer was the Corcyra of
later geography, now Corfu. — 29. In cute curanda plus cequo operetta ju-
yentus. "A race occupied, more than was proper, in pampering their
bodies," i. e., in feasting, and the pleasures of the table. The allusion is
still to the subjects of Alcinous, and this is continued to the end of the
31st verse. — 30. Et ad strepitum cithara ccssatum ducerc curam. " And
to lull care to rest by the tones of the lyre." Ccssatum is the supine.
32-37. 32. Utjugulent homines, Sec. The poet now calls off the atten
tion of his young friend from the picture he has just drawn of indolence
and effeminacy, to the importance of active and industrious exertion in
promoting the great ends of moral and mental improvement. — 33. Ut te
ipsum sei-ves. "To save thyself." The idea is this : Even common rob-
bers are alert, and rise by night to commit crime ; how much more, then,
shouldst thou exert thyself to preserve thy moral health. — 33. Atqui si
notes sarins, curres hydropicus. "Well, then, if thou wilt not use exer-
cise when in health, thou wilt have to run when dropsical." People in
the dropsy were ordered by their physicians to use active exercise. Hor-
ace, it will be observed, intends the allusion to the dropsy in a metaphor-
ical sense, and the idea which he means to convey is simply this : If thou
wilt not exert thy power when thou canst, thou shalt be made to do so
when no alternative is left. — 34. Et ni posces ante diem librum cum lu-
mine. According to the old Roman custom, every individual arose at the
break of day to attend to his particular avocations. To prolong one's slum-
bers into the day, as the luxurious Phaeacians did, would have been as
dishonorable to a freeman as appearing abroad intoxicated in the public
streets. To get up, therefore, before break of day, for the purposes of
inrntal improvement, was not requiring too much of a young man of fam-
ily like Lollius, wrho was desirous of acting a distinguished part on the
theatre of life, and who would therefore feel the strongest inducement to
put in operation this good old rule of former days. — 37. Vigil. "In thy
waking moments," i. c, after thou shalt have extended thy slumbers into
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE II. 553
the middle of the day. The allusion in the words invidia vel amors s not
merely to these passions in particular, but to all the depraved desires and
affections which mental culture, and the pursuits of philosophy, can alone
drive away.
39-43. 39. Est animum. "Preys upon the mind." — 40. Dimidium
facti, qui ccepit, liabet. " He who makes a beginning has accomplished
the one half of an undertaking." Compare the Greek proverb, upxv VMl<™
navroc. — 42. Rusticus exspectat dum deflttat amnis, Sec. With rusticus
supply ut or sicuti. The leading idea in the comparison here instituted
is as follows : He who neglects the present season for self-improvement,
and keeps waiting for some more favorable opportunity to arrive, waits
in vain, like the rustic on the river's bank, who foolishly thought that the
stream would flow by and become exhausted ; for time, like that stream,
glides along in rapid course, and the hour which has once passed will
never return. — 43. Volubilis. " Rolling on."
44-54. 44. Quceriturargentum,puerisque,&.c. The connection in the
train of ideas is as follows : The bulk of mankind, however, pay little, if
any, attention to mental culture and the lessons of wisdom and virtue.
Their chief object of pursuit is the accumulation of wealth. — Puerisque
beata crcandis uxor. "And a rich and fruitful spouse." It may be doubt-
ed whether pueris crcandis, as here employed, should be at all translated,
and whether it is not rather a mere formal expression, borrowed from the
language of the Roman nuptials. — 45. Pacantur. "Are subdued." The
poet, by the use of this term, would seem to ridicule the excessive desire
on the part of the Romans of extending their cultivated grounds, so as to
strive to subject to the plough the most stubborn soils, and even to bend
the forests to its sway. — 47. Non domus et fundus. "Not lordly city man-
sion and country estate." By domus is meant a splendid mansion in the
city; hy fundus, the land and villa in the country. — 48. Deduxit. "Re-
moves." Taken aoristically to denote what is accustomed to happen, and
to be rendered, therefore, by the present. — 49. Valeat possessor oportet.
"Their possessor must enjoy health both of body and of mind." That va-
leat here refers not merely to bodily, but also to mental health, is evident
from the 51st verse and what follows. — 51. Qui cupit aut metuit. "Who
is a slave to desire or to fear," i. e., who is continually desiring more, or
else fears to touch what he at present has, as if it were something sacred.
The poet means that he who is mentally diseased derives no more pleas-
ure from his wealth, than a man with weak eyes from pictures, &c. —
5-2 Ut lippum pictcs tabula. That strength of coloring, which gives great
er pleasure to a good eye, affects a weak one with greater pain. — Fometi
ta podagmm. Fomentations are spoken of by the ancient physicians
among the remedies for the gout, though but little real good was effected
by them. The disorder in question proceeds from such an inward sharp-
ness of humors as no outward remedies can correct. We must regulate
our whole course of life in hopes of a cure. — 53. Auriculas cithara collecta
sordc dolentcs. "The tones of the lyre, ears that labor with collected
filth." Dolentes is here equivalent to Male sehabentcs. — 54. Sincerumest
nisi vas. &c. The idea intended to be conveyed is this : unless the mind
is pure, and free from the contamination of vice, whatever enters will be-
come in like manner vitiated.
A A
554 EXPLANATORY NOTES. — BOOK I., EPISTLE III.
55-70. 55. Emta dolore. " When purchased with pain," i. e., when so
purchased that pain follows after it. The poet here adds some yvu/xai, or
moral sentences. The passions noticed by him are those which make the
vas non esse sincerum. (Orelli, ad loc.) — 56. Certum voto pete finem.
"Seek a certain limit for thy wishes," i. e., set a fixed limit to thy wishes.
58. Siculi tyranni. Alluding to Phalaris, Agathocles, and the two Dio
nysiuses. The particular reference, however, is to the brazen bull of Phal-
aris.— 60. Dolor quod suaserit amens. " "Which mad resentment shall
have prompted." The common reading is Dolor quod suaserit et mens,
but mens appears entirely out of place here, and we have therefore adopt-
ed amens for et mens. The reading amens is given in one of the oldest
Vatican MSS., and is advocated and adopted by several editors. Com-
pare the remarks of Crombie, Gymnas., ii., p. 136. — 61. Dum posnas odio,
&c. "While by some act of violence he hastens satisfaction for his unap-
peased vengeance," i. c, while he is impatient to satiate it. — 62. Animum
rege. " Govern thy temper (therefore)." — 64. Fingit equum tencra docilem,
&c. The idea intended to be conveyed is this : As steeds and hounds are
trained when young, so should oar earlier years be given to the lessons of
wisdom and virtue, for the mind, at that period of life, easily receives im-
pressions, and what is then learned is seldom forgotten. — 66. Ccrvinam
pellem latravit in aula. Alluding to the custom of training up young
hounds by placing before them the skin of a stag, stuHed with straw or
other materials, so as to resemble the living animal. Latravit for alia-
travit. — In aula. " In the court-yard." Aula is here a courtyard, or area
generally, inclosed on all sides, and in which young dogs were trained to
the hunt. — 67. Militat. "Perforins service," i. e., hunts. — Nunc adbibc
puro peclore verba, &c. " Now, in the days of thy youth, drink deep into
thy pure breast the language of instruction ; now give thyself up to those
who are wiser." Verba may also be here rendered " these my words,"
but with less propriety and force. — 69. Quo semcl est imbuta recens, &e.
"A jar will long retain the odor of the liquor, with which, when new, it
was once impregnated." — 70. Quod si cessas, &c. The idea intended to
De here conveyed is thus expressed by Francis, from Torrentius and Da-
cier : If thou wilt run the race of wisdom with me, let us run together ;
for if thou stoppest or endeavorest to get before me, I shall not wait for
thee, nor strive to overtake thee. When we enter the lists of virtue, to
wait for those behind us is indolence, too earnestly to pursue those before
us is envy.
Epistle III. In the year of the city 731, Tiberius was sent at the head
of an army into Dalmatia. Julius Florus, to whom this epistle is address-
ed, was in his train. He continued visiting and regulating the provinces
until the year 734, when he received orders from Augustus to march to
Armenia, and replace Tigranes on the throne. It is at this time that Hor-
ace writes to Florus. Our poet here marks the route of Tiberius througl*
Thrace, and across the Hellespont, into Asia Minor, thus making his epis-
tle a kind of public historical monument. Florus had reproached the bard
for never writing to him, and the latter, in a pleasant kind of revenge,
reckons a large number of particulars of public and private news which
he expected in answer to his letter. It would seem, however, that Hor-
ace had also another objert in view, and this was, to make his friend sens
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE III. 555
ible how prejudicial to him his ambition and his love of riches were, which
he does in the softest and most friendly manner.
1-4. 1. Juli Flore. This is the same with the one to whom the sec-
ond epistle of the second book is inscribed. He is there called the faithful
friend of Nei'O, whence it has been conjectured that he was a person of
consideration at court. — 2. Claudius Augusti privignus. The reference
is to Tiberius Claudius Nero, son of Tiberius Nero and Livia. He is here
styled " the step-son of Augustus," from his mother having married that
emperor. The expedition on which the prince was sent has been al
ready alluded to in the introductory remarks. As the expedition to which
we are referring was made with great dispatch, it was sometimes not ex-
actly known at Rome where the army was. Hence the questions put by
the poet. — Laboro. "I am anxious." — 3. Thracane. As regards the
Greek form Thraca, here employed for Thracia, compare the remark of
the scholiast : " Grace protulit QpynTj pro Thracia." Tiberius directed
his course through Macedonia into Thrace, and, as would appear from the
present passage, either in the winter, or early in the spring before the
frost was gone. — Hebrusque nivali compede vinctus. The expedition was
made in the winter season. As regards the Hebrus itself, consult note on
Ode iii., 25, 10. — 4. Anj'reta vicinas inter currentia turres. A description
of the Hellespont, which the Roman troops crossed on this occasion. —
Asia. The Roman province of Asia is meant, comprehending nearly
the whole of Asia Minor. — Morantur. Equivalent to detinent.
C-14. 6. Studiosa cohors. " The studious train." The young Romans
who attended Tiberius in this expedition, at once to form his court and to
guard his person, were men of letters and genius, whence they are here
styled studiosa cohors. To the number of these belonged Titius, Celsus,
and Munatius, mentioned in the course of the epistle. — Operum. Gov-
erned by quid, and alluding to the literary labors of the individuals com-
posing the studiosa cohors. — Curo. Supply scire. — 8. Bella quis et paces
longum diffundit in arvxLml "Who transmits his wars and treaties of
peace to distant ages 1" i. e., the martial and peaceful glories of his reign.
— 9. Titius. The same with the Titius Septimius to whom the sixth ode
of the second book is inscribed. This individual appears to have been a
young man, devoted to poetical studies, and who intended in a short time
to publish his works. (Romana brevi venturus in ora.) — 10. Pindarici
fontis qui non expalluit haustus, &c. "Who, having dared to contemn
the lakes and streams open to the use of all, has not feared to drink of the
Pindaric spring," i. e., who has separated himself from the herd of com-
mon poets, and, aiming at higher efforts, has boldly taken the Grecian Pin-
dar for his model. — 12. Ut valet ? " How is he V — Fidibusne Lalinis
Thebanos, «Sec. Alluding to his imitation of Pindar, a native of Thebes, in
Latin verse. — 13. Auspice Musa. "Under the favoring auspices of the
Muse." — 14. An tragica descevit et ampullatur in arte? "Or does he
rage and swell in tragic strains 1" Horace, while he praises his friend
Titius, appears at the same time, from the language of the text, especially
from the irony implied in ampullatur, to designate him as a turgid poet.
15-20. 15. Quid mihi Celsus agitl "What is my Celsus doing?"
The pronouns mihi, tibi, sibi. nobis, vobis, are often used in this way, with
556 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE III.
the force of possessives, and in imitation of the Greek idiom. This is often
done for the purpose of gentle sarcasm, as in the present instance. The
individual here alluded to is generally supposed to have been the same
with Celsus Albinovanus, to whom the eighth epistle of this book is in-
scribed. He appears to have been addicted to habits of plagiarism. —
16. Privatas opes. "Treasures of his own." Opes here applies to the
literary resources of individuals. — 17. Palatinus Apollo. An allusion to
the Palatine library, where the writings of the day, if useful or valuable,
were treasured up along with the productions of other nations and times.
The Palatine library was founded by Augustus A.U.C. 726. It was con-
nected with the temple of Apollo on the Palatine Hill, and was filled with
the works of the best Greek and Latin authors. — 18. Olim. "At any
time." — 19. Cornicula. Supply sicuti. The allusion is to the well-known
fable of iEsop, excepting that, for the more common term graculus, we
have here cornicula, a unaf; 7~.ey6p.EVOV. — 20. Furtivis nudata coloribus.
" Stripped of its stolen colors," i. c, stripped of the feathers of the peacock,
which it had assumed for its own. — Ipse quid audes 1 " What dost thou
thyself venture upon V i. e., what literary enterprise hast thou thyself in
view ?
21-28. 21. Agilis. " Like the industrious bee." Horace, on a former
occasion, has compared himself to the same little creature. {Ode iv., 2,
27.) — 22. No?i incultum est ct turpiter hirtum. "It is not uncultivated and
shamefully rough." The mental powers, in their neglected state, are aptly
compared to a field left without culture, and rough with briers and thorns.
— 23. Seu linguam causis acuis. "Whether thou art sharpening thy
tongue for causes," i. e., training thyself for public speaking. — 23. Civica
jura rcspondcrc. "To give answers on points of civil law." — 24. Amabile
carmen. " The pleasing strain." — 25. Prima feres edercB victricis prasmia.
Compare Ode i., 1, 29. — 26. Frigida curarum- j omenta. "The cold fo-
mentors of care." A beautiful expression. The poet is alluding to am-
bition, and to a love of riches : these increase our cares, and at the same
time render the breast cold and dead to the lessons of virtue and the in-
spirations of poetry. — 28. Hoc opus, hoc studium. Alluding to the prac-
tice of virtue and wisdom.
30-36. 30. Si tibi cur&, quanta conveniat, Munatius. "Whether thou
hast still that regard for Munatius which becomes thee," i. e., whether thou
art still on the same terms of friendship with one, between whom and thee
there never ought to have been the least variance. The individual here
styled Munatius is thought to have been the son of that Munatius Plan-
cus who was consul A.U.C. 712, and to whom the 7th Ode of the first
book is addressed. The son himself obtained the consulship A.U.C. 766.
There would seem to have been a difference between the latter and Flo-
ras, which their common friends had united themselves to heal. Such
forced reconciliations, however, are generally as little durable as sincere,
and the poet, therefore, is afraid lest this one may soon be interrupted. —
31. An male sarta gratia nequidquam coit et rescinditur ? " Or does the
ill-sewed reconciliation close to no purpose, and is it getting again rent
asunder?" We have translated the expi-ession male sarta literally, in
order to preserve effectually the force of the allusion. The reference is to
a wound badly sewed up, and which begins to bleed afresh. — 33. Calidus
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE IV. 557
sanguis. "The hot hlood of youth." — Inscilia rerum. "Want of expe-
rience."— 34. Indomita cervice. "With untamed neck." — 35. Indigni.
" Too worthy." — Fraternum rumperefozdus. Dacicr thinks that Florus
and Munatius were brothers by the mother's side, and sees no reason,
from the difference of names, why they might not also be brothers by the
father's side, as Murena and Proculeius. Sanadon, however, makes them
entirely different families ; and says, that the expressions employed in
the text mean no more than that Florus and Munatius had formerly loved
one another as brothers. This is certainly the more correct opinion. —
36. In vestrum reditum. "Against your return." The use of vest nan
here implies that the poet wishes them to return not only in safety, but as
friends. For this the votive sacrifice is to be offered, and the promised
entertainment given.
Epistle IV. Horace inquires of the poet Tibullus whether he is occu
pied at his villa with writing verses, or roams about in its vicinity and
muses on the best way of spending existence. After passing some enco-
miums on the mental and personal accomplishments of his friend, our poet
invites him to his abode.
1-3. 1. Nostrorum sermonum. " Of our satires." It needs hardly to
De remarked that the term sermo, as applied to the satirical productions
of Horace, has reference to their unambitious and almost prosaic style.
Compare Sat. i., 1, 42. — 2. In regione Pedana. "In the country about
Pedum." Pedum was a town of Latium, often named in the early wars
of Rome, and which must be placed between Tusculum and Praeneste.
Tibullus possessed a villa in the regio Pedana, which was all that re-
mained of his property, the rest having been confiscated in the proscrip-
tions of 711 and 712. — 3. Cassi Parmensis. " Cassius of Parma," here men-
tioned, appears to have been a distinct person from the Etrurian Cassius,
spoken of in Sat. i., 10, 61. He is described by one of the scholiasts as
having tried his strength in various kinds of poetry, and having succeeded
best in elegiac and epigrammatic writing.
4-10. 4. An taciturn silvas inter, &c. " Or that thou art sauntering si-
lently amid the healthful woods." — 5. Quidquid dignum sapiente bonoque
est. The subject of meditation here indicated is the best means of attain-
ing to happiness, and enjoying, in a proper manner, the favors of the gods.
— 6. Non tu corpus eras sine pectorc. " Thou wast not a mere body with-
out a mind." The reference is to the hour of his birth, and the passage
may therefore be paraphrased as follows: "Nature did not form thee a
mere body," &c. — 7. Divitias. Tibullus himself informs us that he was
not rich, and his property is said to have been greatly reduced in the civil
wars. Still he may have had enough remaining to make him rich in the
eyes of our moderate bard. (Keightlei/, ad loc.) — Artcmque frnendi.
"And the true art of enjoying them." — 8. Voveat. In the sense of optet.
— Nutricula. "An affectionate nurse." — Alum?io, qui sape)-e etfari pos-
sit, &.c. The connecting link in the chain of construction is as follows:
Alumno, tali qualis tu es, Qui, &c. We have here the subject of the
nurse's prayers, that he may be all this. — 9. Sapere. "To possess intel-
ligence."— Fari quae sentiat. "To express his thoughts" with propriety
558 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE V.
and elegance. The allusion is to ability in public speaking. — 10. Gratia.
"The favor of the great." The allusion is particularly to the terms of
friendship on which Tibullus stood with the celebrated Messala Corvinus.
12-16. 12. Inter spent curamque, &c. The advice here given is that
by which Horace regulated his own course of conduct. An Epicurean,
observes Sanadon, who considers every day as his last, will enjoy the
pleasure that day brings. He bounds all his hopes, fears, cares, and proj-
ects by this little compass, without disquieting himself about what may
happen on the morrow, which neither depends upon him nor he upon it.
Such is the doctrine to which Horace attributes his own joyous plight of
body, his good humor, and easy carelessness of life. — 15. Pinguem et niti-
dum bene curata cute. "Fat and sleek with good keeping." — 16. Epicuri
de grege porcum. This serves to keep up and render more definite the
allusion contained in the preceding lines. The Epicureans, in conse-
quence of the corrupt and degenerate maxims of some of their number
relative to pleasure, were stigmatized, in the popular language of the day,
as mere sensualists, though many of them were most undeserving of this
obloquy. Horace, therefore, playfully applies to himself one of the well-
known phrases that were wont to be used by their enemies, as a sweep-
ing denunciation of all the followers of Epicurus.
Epistle V. The poet invites Torquatus to come and sup with him on
the eve of the birth-day of Augustus. He promises him a homely enter-
tainment, but a welcome reception, and that what is wanting in magnifi-
cence shall be made up in neatness and cleanliness. We have in this
epistle some strokes of morality, for which Torquatus might possibly have
occasion. They are enlivened by a panegyric on wine, short, but spirited,
as if it were a declaration of the good humor with which he proposed to
receive his guest.
1-4. 1. Si potes Archiacis conviva, &c. "If thou canst prevail on thy-
self to recline as a guest upon short couches made by Archias." The
short couches made by Archias, a mechanic of the day, were plain and
common ones, used only by persons in moderate circumstances. — 2. Nee
modica carnare times, &c. " And art not afraid to sup on all kinds of herbs
from a dish of moderate size." — 3. Supremo sole. "Toward sunset."
This was later than the usual time for supping, but is purposely named
by Horace in order that his friend may have full time before it to get
through all the business of the day. (Orelli, ad loc.) — Torquate. The in-
dividual here addressed is supposed to be the same with the Torquatus to
whom the seventh ode of the fourth book is inscribed. — Manebo. "I shall
expect thee." — 4. Iterum Tauro. Understand consule. The second con-
sulship of T.Statilius Taurus was A.U.C. 728, whence Bentley, reckoning
from the time when this epistle is supposed to have been written, namely,
A.U.C. 734, makes the wine in question between six and seven years of
age. — Diffusa. " Racked off." The term alludes to the pouring of the
wine into the vessels intended to receive it, when it had stood some time
in the large dolia. — Palustres inter Minturnas, &c. "Between marshy
Minturnae and Petrinum, in the territory of Sinuessa."
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE V. 559
6-11. 6. Melius. "Better than what I have mentioned." Referring
not only to the wine, but also to the vegetables of which the poet has spok-
en.— Arcesse, vel imperium fer. " Order it to be brought hither, or else
obey the commands that I impose," i. e., or else submit to me. Arcesse,
according to the best commentators, is equivalent here to " afferri jube.''
- Imperium fer. The master of the house exercised a kind of authority
over his guests. — 7. Tib/. "In honor of thee." — 8. Leves spes. "Thy vain
hopes." The reference here is unknown. Some suppose that Torquatus
entertained at this time the hope of arriving at some public office. — Certa-
mina divitiarum. An elegant expression, to denote the striving to be
richer than others. — 9. Et Moschi causam. The scholiast informs us that
Moschus was a rhetorician of Pergamus, whose defence Torquatus and
Asinius Pollio undertook when he was accused of poisoning. — Cras nato
Ccesare festus, &c. The festival here alluded to was the nativity of Au-
gustus, namely, the 9th day before the calends of October, or September
23d. — 10. Datveniam somnumque. "Allows of indulgence and repose."
With reniam supply otiandi, or else bibendi. The former part of the next
day being nefastus, and the praetor therefore holding no court, Torquatus
might lie abed in the morning. Compare Orelli. ad loc. — 11. Tendere.
" To lengthen out."
12-20. 12. Quo miki fortunam, si non conceditur uti ? " Why shall I
seek for myself the gifts of fortune, if it is not allowed to enjoy them?"
Supply comparem or qu&ram after fortunam. This elliptical form of ex-
pression is of frequent occurrence. Most of the early editions and many
MSS. give quo mihifortuna, si non conceditur uti ? where the final sylla-
ble mfortuna is lengthened by the arsis. Xylander altered the punctua-
tion to quo mihi, fortuna si non conceditur uti, making fortund the abla-
tive, and supplying prodest, or something equivalent, with miki. This
has been adopted by several later editors. — 13. Parcus ob heredis curam,
&c. "He that lives sparingly, and pinches himself too much out of regard
to his heir, is next-door neighbor to a madman." Literally, "sits by the
side of the madman." The use of assidet is here extremely elegant.
Compare the opposite expression, " Dissidere ab insano." — 15. Patiarque
vel inconsultus haberi. "And I will be content to be regarded even as in-
considerate and foolish." We have no single epithet that appears to con-
vey the full force of inconsultus in this passage. — 16. Quid non ebrietas
designat. " What does not wine effect?" or, more freely, " to what lengths
does not wine proceed?" — 18. Addocet artes. Many of the commentators
strangely err in making this expression mean that wine has power to
teach the arts ! The poet intends merely to convey the idea that wine
warms and animates the breast for the accomplishment of its plans.
Hence the clause may be rendered, "teaches new means for the accom-
plishment of what we desire." The force of the preposition in addocet
must be carefully marked. — 19. Fecundi calices quern nonfecere disertum ?
" Whoni have not the soul-inspiring cups made eloquent ?" The epithet
fecundi, as here employed, is made by some to signify "full" or "over-
flowing," but with much less propriety. It is equivalent, rather, to ani-
mumfecundum reddentes. — 20. Solutum. Understand curis.
21-31. 21. Hcec ego procurare et idoneus imperor, &c. "I, who am
both the proper person, and not unwilling, am charged to take care of the
560 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE VI.
following particulars," i.e., the task that best suits me, and which I will-
ingly undertake, is as follows. — 22. Ne turpe toral. "That no dirty cov-
ering on the couch." — Ne sordida mappa. "No foul napkin." — 23. Cor-
ru<ret nares. " May wrinkle the nose," i. e., may give offence to any of the
guests. According to duintiliau, Horace was the first that used the verb
corrugo. — Ne non et cantharus et lanx, &c. "That both the bowl and the
dish may show thee to thyself," i. e., may be so bright and clean that thou
may est see thyself in them. As regards the cantharus, consult note on
Ode i., 20, 2. — 25. Eliminet. Elegantly used for evulget. — Ut coeat par
jungaturque pari. " That equal may meet and be joined with equal."
Paris here taken in a very extensive sense, and denotes not only equality
of age, but also congeniality of feeling and sentiment. — 26. Butram Sep-
ticiumque. The names of two of the guests. — 27. Coena prior. "A prior
engagement." — Potior. " Whom he prefers to us." — 28. Umbris. "At-
tendant friends." Compare Sat. ii., 8, 22. — 29. Sed nimis arcta premuni
olidce, &c. "But a strong scent rendei's too crowded an entertainment
disagreeable." An allusion to the strong scent from the arm-pits, which
the Romans termed capra. — Premunt. Equivalent to molestia afficiunt.
— 30. Tu, quotus esse velis, rescribe. "Do thou write me back word of
what number thou mayest wish to be one," i.e., how large a party thou
mayest wish to meet. — 31. Atria servantem. "Who keeps guard in thy
hall," i. e., who watches for thee there, either to prefer some suit, or else
to show his respect by becoming one of thy retinue. — Postico. Under-
stand ostio.
Epistle VI. The poet, with philosophical gravity, teaches his friend
Numicius that human happiness springs from the mind when the latter is
accustomed to view every thing with a cool and dispassionate eye, and,
neither in prosperity nor adversity, wonders at any thing, but goes on un-
disturbed in the acquisition of wisdom and virtue.
1-5. 1. Nil admirari. "To wonder at nothing," i. e., to be astonished
at nothing that we see around us, or that occurs to us in the path of our
existence, to look on every thing with a cool and undisturbed eye, to judge
of every thing dispassionately, to value or estimate nothing above itself.
Hence results the general idea of the phrase, to covet nothing immoder-
ately, to be too intent on nothing, and, on the other hand, to think nothing
more alarming or advei-se than it really is. — Numici. The gens Numi-
cia at Rome was one of the ancient houses. The individual here address-
ed, however, is not known. He would seem to have been some person
that was too intent on the acquisition of riches, and the attaining to public
office. — 3. Et decedentia certis tempora momentis. " And the seasons re-
tiring at fixed periods." — 5. Imbuti. "Agitated." The idea intended to
be conveyed by this clause is well expressed by Gesner : " Sapientis est
non metuere sibi quidqvam ab echpsi solis, a Saturni et Martis conjunc-
tione et similibus, qua genethliaca superstitio timet." Thus, the wise
man contemplates the heavens, and the bodies that move in them, as well
as the several changes of the seasons, without any feeling of astonishment
or alarm, for he knows them to be governed by regular and stated laws,
under the direction of a wise aud benevolent Providence.
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE VI. 561
5-14. 5. Quid censes tnunera terra ? The connection in the train of
ideas is as follows : If this be the case with the phenomena of the heav
ens, how much more should it be so with the products of the earth and the
acts of man. {Keightley, ad loc.) — 6. Marls. Understand munera. The
reference is to the pearls, &c, of the East. — 7. Ludicra. "The public
shows," i. e., the sports of the circus, theatre, and amphitheatre. — Amici
dona Quiritis. An allusion to the offices conferred by the people on the
candidates to whom they are well disposed. — 8. Quo sensu et ore? "With
what sentiments and look 1" — 9. Fere miratur eodem, quo cupiens facto.
"Rates them by the same high standard almost as he who actually de-
sires them." H013.ee, after speaking of those who set a high value on
riches, public shows, popular applause, and elevation to office, turns his
discourse upon men of a less declared ambition, who do not so much de-
sire these things as fear their contraries, poverty, solitude, disgrace. He
states that both proceed on the same wrong principle, and that both rate
things too highly, the former directly, the latter indirectly ; for he who
dreads poverty, solitude, and disgrace, thinks as highly, in fact, of their
opposites, although he does not positively seek after them, as he who
makes them the objects of his pursuit. — 10. Pavor. "An unpleasant
disturbance of mind," i. c, mental agitation. — 11. Improvisa simvl species,
&c. The idea intended to be conveyed is, that the moment any thing
unexpectedly adverse happens, both are equally alarmed ; the one lest
he may lose what he is seeking for, the other lest he may fall into what
he is anxious to avoid. Neither of them gazes with calmness on misfor-
tune. Simul for simul ac. — 12. Quid ad rem. "What matters it."—
14. Dejixis oculis, animoque, &c. " With fixed gaze, he becomes as one
inanimate in mind and in body," i. e., he stands like a statue with fixed
and stupid gaze. Dejixi oculi here are not demissi et dejecti oculi, as Tor-
rentius thinks, but immobiles, stupidi.
16-23. 16. Ultra quam satis est. "Beyond proper bounds." To show
that there is no exception to the rule which he has laid down, and that the
feeling which produces fear or desire is equally vicious and hurtful, the
poet observes, that, were even virtue its object, it would not cease to be
blamable if it raises too violent desires even after virtue itself, for vir-
tue can never consist in excess of any kind. — 17. I nunc, argentum et
marmor vetus, &c. Ironical. The connection in the train of ideas ap-
pears to be as follows : If we ought to fix our minds too intently upon
nothing, and if even virtue itself forms no exception to this rule, but may
become blamable, like other things, when carried to excess, how little
should our attention be turned to the acquisition of riches, of popular fa-
vor, and of other objects equally fleeting and transitory. Go, now, and
seek these riches, strive to become conspicuous before the eyes of all for
the splendors of affluence, present thyself as a candidate for public honors,
and fix upon thee the gaze of admiring thousands, while thou art harang-
uing them from the rostra; and when all this is done, and the object of thy
wishes is attained, then sink into the grave, that leveller of all distinctions,
and be forgotten. — Argenlum. " Vases of silver." Understand factum.
— Marmor vetus. Ancient Greek statues, &c. — ^Era. "Bronze ves-
sels."— Artes. "Works of art." — 18. Suspice. " Gaze with admiration
upon." — 19. Loquentem. "While haranguing in public." — 20. Gnavua
mane forum, &c. The allusion here is either to the pleading of causes,
A a2
562 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE VI.
and the gain as well as populai-ity resulting therefrom, or else, and what
appears more probable, to the money matters transacted in the forum, the
laying out money at interest, the collecting it in, &c. — 21. Dotalibus.
" Gained by marriage," i. e., forming a part or the whole of a wife's dowry.
— 22. Mutus. Some individual is here meant of ignoble birth, but enriched
by marriage. — Indignum, quod sit pejoribus ortus. " What would be
shameful indeed, since he has sprung from meaner parents." — 23. Mira-
bilis. Equivalent to invidendus, and referring back to nil admirari.
24-27. 24. Quidquid sub terra est, &c. We have here the apodosis of
the sentence which began at the 17th verse. It is continued on to the end
of the 27th verse. The idea intended to be conveyed is, that as whatever
is concealed in the bosom of the earth will one day or other see the light,
so whatever now shines above the surface of the ground will one day or
other descend into it. Though thou art now conspicuous for wealth and
public honors, yet sooner or later shalt thou go to that abiding-place whith-
er Numa and Ancus have gone before. — 25. Quum. Equivalent to quam-
vis. — Bene notum. On account of the frequency of his appearance there.
- -26. Portions Agrippa. The portico here alluded to was in the vicinity
of the Pantheon, another of the splendid works for which the capital was
indebted to the public spirit and munificence of Agrippa. It was called
also Porticus Neptuni or Argonautarum, being adorned with paintings,
the subjects of which were taken from the legend of the Argonautic expe-
dition, and was built A.U.C. 729. In this the upper classes and the rich
were accustomed to take exercise by walking. — Via Appi. The Appian
Way was another general place of resort for the wealthy and the great, es-
pecially in their chariots. Compare Epode iv., 14. — 27. Numa quo devenit
et Ancus. Compare Ode iv., 7, 15, scqq.
28-38. 28. Si latus aut renes, dec. The train of ideas is as follows : If
thou art laboring under any acute disease, drive it off by using proper rem-
edies ; if thou art desirous of living happily, come, despise the allurements
of pleasure, and follow the footsteps of virtue, for she alone can teach thee
the true course which thou art to pursue. If, however, thou art of opinion
that virtue consists merely in words, not in actual practice, as a grove ap-
pears to thee to be merely a parcel of trees, and to derive no part of its
venerable character from the worship of the gods celebrated within its
precincts ; well, then, prefer riches to virtue, use all thy speed in their
acquisition, see that no one enter the harbor before thee, take care that no
loss be incurred, let the round sum of a thousand talents be made up, and
others at the back of that. In fine, take from sovereign money whatever
«she bestows, and shine with these before the eyes of men. — Tentantur.
"Are attacked." — 29. Fugam morbi. "Some remedy that may put the
disorder to flight." — 30. Fortis omissis hoc age deliciis. " Do thou, aban-
doning pleasures, attend strenuously to this," *. e., the pursuit of virtue.
— 32. Cave ne portus occupet alter. " Take care that no one gain the har-
bor before thee." — 33. Ne Cibyratica, ne Biihyna negotia perdas. "That
thou lose not the profits of thy trade with Cibyra, with Bithynia," i. e., by
the cargoes being brought too late into the harbor, and after the favorable
moment for realizing a profit on them has gone by. — Cibyratica. Cibyra
was a flourishing commercial city in the southwest angle of Phrygia, be-
tween Lycia and Caria. — Bithyna. As regards the commerce carried or
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE VI. 563
between Bithynia and Italy, consult note on Ode i., 35, 7. — 34. Mille ta-
lenta rotundentur. " Let the round sum of a thousand talents be made
up." — Altera. Understand mille talenta. — 35. Et quce pars quadret acer-
vum. "And the part that may render the heap fourfold," i. e., may com-
plete the sum of four thousand talents. — 36. Scilicet. " For." — Fidem.
"Credit." — Regina pecunia. "Sovereign money." — 38. Ac bene num-
matum decorat, &c. " And Persuasion and Venus adorn the well-mon-
eyed man," i. e., the rich man easily finds flatterers to style him an elo-
quent and persuasive speaker, a pleasing and agreeable companion, &c.
39-46. 39. Mancipiis locuples eget eeris, &c. The connection in the
train of ideas is as follows : Heap up riches ; not such, however, as the
King of the Cappadocians has, who possesses many slaves indeed, but is
poor in money, but such as Lucullus is said to have had, who was sc
wealthy that he knew not the extent of his riches ; for, being asked on
one occasion, &c. — Cappadocum rex. The greater part of the Cappado
cians were, from the despotic nature of their government, actual slaves,
and the nation would seem to have been so completely wedded to servi
tude that, when the Romans offered them their liberty, they refused, and
chose Ariobarzanes for their king. On the other hand, money was sc
scarce that they paid their tribute in mules and horses. — 40. Nefueris hie
tu. "Be not thou like him," i. e., do not want money as he does, but get
plenty of it ! The final syllable of fueris is lengthened by the arsis. —
Chlamydes. The chlamys was a military cloak, generally of a purple
color. — Lucullus. The famous Roman commander against Mithradates
and Tigranes. The story here told is no doubt a little exaggerated, yet it
is well known that Lucullus lived with a magnificence almost surpassing
belief. His immense riches were acquired in his Eastern campaigns. —
44. Tolleret. Referring to the person who made the request; either the
individual who had charge of the scenic arrangements for the occasion, or
else one of the aediles. — 45. Exilis domus est. "That house is but poorly
furnished," i. e., in the estimation of the votaries of wealth. Ironical. —
46. Fallunt. " Escape the notice of." — Furibus. Thievish slaves are par-
ticularly meant. — Ergo si res sola potest facere, &c. The idea intended to
be conveyed is as follows : If, then, thou thinkest virtue a mere name,
and if riches alone (res sola) can make and keep a man happy, make the
acquisition of them thy first and last work.
49-50. 49. Si fortunatum species et gratia prazstat. " If splendor and
popularity make a man fortunate." Species has here a general reference
to external splendor, official pomp, &c. — 50. Mercemur servum, qui dictet
nomina, &c. " Come, let us purchase a slave to tell us the names of the
citizens, to jog us, every now and then, on the left side, and make us
stretch out our hand over all intervening obstacles." What pondera ac-
tually refers to here remains a matter of mere conjecture. The general
allusion in this passage is to the office ofnomenclator. The Romans, when
they stood candidate for any office, and wanted to ingratiate themselves
with the people, went always accompanied by a slave, whose sole busi-
ness it was to learn the names and conditions of the citizens, and secretly
inform his master, that the latter might know how to salute them by their
proper names.
564 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE VI.
52-55. 52. Hie multum in Fabia valet, &c. The slave now whispers
into his master's ear, " This man has great influence in the Fabian tribe,
that one in the Veline." With Fabia and Velina respectively, under-
stand tribu. — 53. Cui libet hie fasces dabit, &c. The allusion is now to a
third person. By the term fasces is meant either the consulship or praetor-
ship. — Curule ebur. "The curule chair." The allusion appears, from
what precedes, to be to the aedileship, or office of curule aedile, although
the sella curulis was common, in fact, to all the higher magistrates. — 54.
Importunus. " Indefatigable in his efforts." — Frater, pater, adde. "Add
the titles of brother, father." Frater and pater are here taken, as the
grammarians term it, materially. They stand for accusatives, but, being
supposed to be quoted, as it were, from the speech of another, where they
are used as vocatives, they remain unaltered in form. — 55. Ut cuique est
cetas, &.c. The direction here given is as follows : If the individual ad-
dressed be one of thy own age, or somewhat under, address him, in a fa-
miliar and friendly way, with the title of " brother ;" if, however, he be an
older man than thyself, approach him respectfully, and salute him with the
name of "father." — Facetus. " Courteously." — Adopla. "Adopt him," i.e.,
adopt him into thy family by this salutation ; address him as a relation.
56-67. 56. Lucet. " 'Tis light," i. e., the day is now breaking. — 57.
Gula. " Our appetite." The idea intended to be conveyed by the whole
clause is as follows : As soon as the day breaks, let us attend to the calls
of appetite. — Piscemur, vencmur. Instead of merely saying, let us pro-
cure the materials for the banquet, the poet employs the common expres-
sions in the text, "let us go a fishing, let us go a hunting," that he may
bring in with more effect the mention of Gargilius. — 58. Gargilius. Who
the individual here alluded to was, is unknown. The picture, however,
which the poet draws of him is a pleasing one, and might very easily be
made to apply to more modern times. — 60. Unus ut e multis, &c. "To
the intent that one mule out of many might bring back, in the sight of the
same populace, a boar purchased with money." — 61. Crudi tumidique la-
vemur. " Let us bathe with our food undigested, and a full-swollen stom-
ach." Bathing so soon after a meal was decidedly injurious, but the epi-
cures of the day resorted to this expedient, that they might hasten the
natural digestion, and prepare themselves for another entertainment. — 62.
Ceerite cera digni. " Deserving of being enrolled among the Caerites."
The term cera has reference to the Roman mode of writing on tablets cov-
ered with wax, and hence the expression in the text, when more literally
rendered, will mean, being enrolled in the same registers, or on the same
tablets, that contain the names of the Caerites. According to the common
account, the Caerites, or inhabitants of Caere, having received the vestal
virgins and tutelary gods of Rome, when it was sacked by the Gauls, the
Romans, out of gratitude, gave them the privileges of citizens, with the
exception of the right of suffrage. What was to them, however, an honor,
would prove to a Roman citizen an actual degradation; and therefore,
when any one of the latter was guilty of any disgraceful or infamous con-
duct, and lost, in consequence, his right of suffrage by the decree of the
censors, he was said to be enrolled among the Caerites [in tabulas Cceri-
turn referri).—63. Remigium vitiosum Ithacensis Ulixei. Supply sicuti.
— 64. Interdicta voluptas. " Forbidden pleasure." Ulysses had warned
hi» companions not to touch the cups of Circe if they wished to revisit
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE VII. 565
their country. The advice proved fruitless. — 65. Mimnermus. A poet of
Colophon, in Ionia, who flourished about 590 B.C. He composed elegiac
strains, and is regarded as the first that applied the alternating hexame-
ter and pentameter measures to such subjects. — 67. Istis. Referring to
the maxims which the poet has here laid down respecting the felicity
that virtue alone can bestow.
Epistle VII. Horace, upon retiring into the country, had given bis
promise to Maecenas that he would return in five days ; but, after continu-
ing there the whole month of August, he writes this epistle to excuse his
absence. He tells him that the care of his health had obliged him to re-
main in the country during the dog-days, and that, when winter comes on,
the same care would render it necessary for him to go to Tarentum, but
that he intended to be with him early in the spring. As Horace, how-
ever, was under the strongest ties to Maecenas, and did not wish to be
thought unmindful of what he owed him, he takes pains to show that the
present refusal did not proceed from want of gratitude, but from that sense
of liberty which all mankind ought to have, and which no favor, however
great, could countervail. He acknowledges his patron's liberality, and the
agreeab.e manner he had of evincing it. He acknowledges, too, that he
had been a close attendant upon him in his younger years, but assures
him, at the same time, that if he was less assiduous now, it did not pro-
ceed from want of affection and friendship, but from those infirmities of
age, which, as they were sensibly growing upon him, rendered it incon-
sistent with the care which his health demanded of him.
1-9. 1. Quinque. A definite for an indefinite number. — 2. Sextilem
totum mendax desideror. "False to my word, I am expected by thee
during the whole month of August" The Romans, at first, began their
year at March, whence the sixth month was called SextUis, even after
January and February were added by Numa to the calendar of Romulus.
It afterward took from Augustus the name mensis Augustus, as the month
before it was called mensis Julius, from Julius Cassar. — Atqui. "And
yet." — 3. Recteque videre valentem. "And to see me enjoying sound
health." — 5. Veniam. " The indulgence." The poet alludes to the liberty
of remaining in his villa, apart from his patrons presence. — Dum jicus
prima, &c. An elegant and brief description of the season of autumn,
when the fig first reaches its maturity, and the heat of the sun proves in-
jurious to the human frame. The dog-days, and, in general, all the autum-
nal season, were sickly at Rome. At this time the poet chose to retire
to his Sabine farm, and breathe the pure mountain atmosphere. — 6. Design
natorem decorat lictoribus atris. " Adorn the undertaker with all his
gloomy train." By the designator is here meant the individual whose
business it was to regulate the order of funerals, and assign to every per-
son his rank and place. He was one of the principal officers of the god-
dess Libitina, and resembled, in his general duties, the modern undertak-
er. "When called to take charge of a funeral solemnity, the designator
usually came attended by a troop of inferior officers, called by Seneca libi-
tinarii, such as the pollinctores, vespillones, ustores, sandapilarii, &.C.
These attendants were all arrayed in black, and, besides their other du-
ties, served to keep off the crowd like the lictors of the magistrates, witn
566 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE VII.
whom they are compared by the language of the text. — 7. Matercula.
" Tender mother." — 8. Ojfficiosa sedulitas. "An assiduous attendance on
the great." — Opellaforensis. "The petty operations of the bar." — 9. Tes-
tamenta rcsignat. The autumnal season, when the greatest mortality
prevailed, is here said, by the agency of assiduous attention on the great,
and by the distracting business of the bar, to open wills, i. e., to kill, wills
never being opened until the death of the testator.
10-13. 10. Quod si. Referring here to time. " "When, however." —
Albanis. Equivalent to Latinis. — Illinet. " Shall spread." — 11. Ad mare.
Lambinus thinks the reference is here to the Sinus Tarentinus, an opin-
ion which derives support from verse 45, and also from Ode ii., 6, 10. — Sibi
parcet. "Be careful of himself," i.e., will guard himself against what-
ever might prove injurious to health. — 12. Contractus. " Gathered up,"
i. e., crouching from the cold ; for he was, as he tells us, solibus aptum,
and, of course, of a chilly nature. {Keightley, ad loc.) There are other ex-
planations, however, of this clause. — 13. Hirundine prima. " "With the
first swallow," i. e., in the very beginning of the spring. The wind Favo-
nius began to blow on the 6th of February, and in a fortnight after the
swallows appeared.
14-28. 14. Non, quo more piris vesci, &c. He now reminds Maecenas
of his previous generosity toward him. The idea intended to be conveyed
is this : Thou hast not gifted me with what thou thyself despised, as the
Calabrian rustic gave away his pears, or as a foolish prodigal squanders
upon others what he regards as contemptible and valueless, but thou hast
bestowed such things upon thy poet as a good and wise man is always
prepared to give to those whom he deems worthy of them. — 16. Benigne.
" I thank thee kindly." Supply facis. Bene and benigne were terms of
politeness among the Romans, as Ka2.dc and inaivu among the Greeks,
when they refused any thing offered to them. — 19. Hodie. Observe the
force of the adverb here, implying that the pears will not keep longer than
the present day. — 21. Hcec seges ingratos tulit, Sec. "This soil has pro-
duced, and always will produce, ungrateful men," i. e., this liberality has
had, and in all ages will have, ingratitude for its certain crop. A foolish
and unmeaning prodigality deserves no better return; for acknowledg-
ment ought always to be in proportion to the benefit received, and what
is given in this manner is not worthy the name of a benefit. — 22. Vir bo-
nus et sapiens dignis ait esse paratus. " A good and wise man says that
he is ready for the deserving," i. e., professes himself ready to confer favors
on those who deserve them. The allusion in vir bonus et sapiens is to
Maecenas, i. e., but the wise and truly generous man, such as thou art, on
the contrary, &c. We have here an elegant imitation, in paratus, of the
Greek construction, by which a nominative is joined with the infinitive
whenever the reference is to the same person. Thus, the expression in
the text, if converted into Greek, would be 6 KaXbc nayadbc role aijioic
(prjalv elvai 7c/j66vp.oc. The common Latin structure requires se paratum
esse. — 23. Nee tamen ignorat, quid distent (Era lupinis. "And yet is not
ignorant how true money differs from lupines." The players upon the
stage were accustomed to make use of lupines instead of real coin (com-
pare Muretus, ad Plaut., Poen., iii., 2, 20), and so, also, boys at their games.
Hence, when the poet states that the good and wise man can distinguish
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE VII. 567
well between true coin and that which players use upon the stage, or
boys at their games, he means to convey the idea that such a man knows
what he gives, that he can tell whether it be of value or otherwise, wheth
er it be suitable or unsuitable to him on whom it is conferred. — 24. Dig-
num prccstabo me etiam pro laude merentis. "I, too, as the praise of my
benefactor demands, will show myself worthy of the gifts that I have re
ceived," i.e., I will show myself worthy of what my generous patron has
bestowed upon me, that he may enjoy the praise of having conferred his
favors on a deserving object. — 25. Usquam discedere. " To go any where
from thee," i. e., to leave thy society and Rome. — 26. Forte latus. " My
former vigor." Keightley explains this by " strength of wind." Latus
and latera are frequently used in the Latin writers to indicate strength of
body, as both corporeal vigor and decay show themselves most clearly in
that part of the human frame. — Nigros angusta f route capillos. "The
black locks that once shaded my narrow forehead." As regards the esti-
mation in which low foreheads were held among the Greeks and Romans
as a mark of beauty, consult note on Ode i., 33, 5. In the present case
the reference would seem to be to the hair's being worn so low down as
almost to cover the forehead. The Romans, says Keightley, used to cut
the hair straight across the forehead, so as to let only a narrow strip of it
appear, than which nothing is more unbecoming in our eyes. So the
beauties in the early part of the seventeenth century used to arrange
their hair in small curls all along the forehead. So capricious is fashion !
— 27. Dulce loqui. " My former powers of pleasing converse." — Ridere
decorum. " The becoming laugh that once was mine." — 28. Fugam Ci-
Tiarce protervce. Horace elsewhere (Ode iv., 1, 3) tells us that he was a
young man when he surrendered his heart to the charms of Cinara.
29-34. 29. Forte per angustam, &c. The connection in the train of
ideas is as follows : I am not one, Maecenas, that wishes merely to feed
and fatten in thy abode ; I have not crept into thy dwelling as the field-
mouse did into the basket of corn : for if I am indeed like the field-mouse
in the fable, and if my only object in coming nigh thee has had reference
to self, then am I willing to surrender all the favors that thy kindness
has bestowed upon me. — Tenuis vulpecula. " A lean fox." Vulpecula is
the reading of all the MSS., and in iEsop and Babrius also it is a fox.
Bentley, however, conjectured nitedula, " a field-mouse," and he has been
followed by all the editors, till Jacobs vindicated the original reading (Led.
Venn*., p. 99), who shows that the writers of ancient apologues and fables
were less solicitous about external or physical probability than the moral
lesson which they were anxious to convey. Hence Bentley's objection
that the fox eats no corn becomes one of little value. — 30. Cumeram fru-
rnenti. " A basket of corn." — 31. Pleno corpore. " Being grown fat." —
34. Hac ego si compellor imagine, &c. "If 1 be addressed by this simili-
tude, I am ready to resign all that thy favor has bestowed," i. e., if this fa-
ble of the field-mouse be applicable to me, if I have cre'pt into thy friend-
ship merely to enjoy thy munificent kindness and benefit myself, &c —
Rcsigno. Consult note on Ode ill., 29, 54.
35-37. 35. Nee sommim plebis laudo, &c. "Neither do I, sated with
delicacies, applaud the slumbers of the poor, nor am I willing to exchange
my present repose, and the perfect freedom that accompanies it, for all the
568 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE VII.
riches of the Arabians." The poet means to convey the idea that he ia
not one of those who first surfeit themselves, and then extol the frugal ta-
bles and the easy slumbers of the poor, but that he has always loved a
life of repose and freedom, and will always prefer such a one to the splen-
dors of the highest affluence. Hence the same idea is involved in this
sentence, as in the passages which immediately precede, namely, that
the poet has never sought the friendship of his patron merely for the sake
of indulging in a life of luxury. — Altilium. The epithet altilis, in its gen
eral import, denotes any thing fattened for human food ; when taken in a
special sense, however, as in the present instance, it refers to birds, par-
ticularly those of the rarer kind, reared for this purpose in an aviary. —
37. Scepe verecundum lauda&ti, Rexque Paterque, &c. " Thou hast often
commended my moderation ; when present, thou hast heard thyself salut-
ed by me as king and father; nor have I been more sparing in thy praise,
when thou wert absent, by a single word." For a literal translation, un-
derstand audisti with nee verbo parcius absens, and, as regards the pecu-
liar meaning in which the verb is here employed ("thou hast heard thy-
self called," i. e., thou hast been called or saluted), consult note on Sat.
ii., 7, 101, and ii., 6, 20. Horace is not afraid to call Maecenas himself as
a witness of his disinterestedness and gratitude. Thou hast often, says
he, commended me for a moderation which could alone set bounds to thy
liberality. Thou know est that I ever spoke of thee in the language of ten-
derness and respect, as my friend and benefactor. — Pater. Maecenas was
a few years the elder. — Verecundum. It will be perceived from the fore-
going note that we have, with Lambinus, referred this term to the mod-
eration of the poet, amid the favors of his patron. Most commentators,
however, make it allude merely to his modesty of deportment. — Rexque
Paterque. The first of these appellations refers to the liberality, the sec-
ond to the kind and friendly feelings, of Maecenas toward the bard.
39-45. 39. Inspice, si possum donata reponere Icetus. " See whether I
can cheerfully restore what thou hast given me." The connection in the
train of ideas is as follows : I said just now, that if the apologue of the
fox were applicable to my own case, I was perfectly willing to resign
all the favors which thy kindness had conferred upon me. Try me then,
my patron, and see whether I am sincere in what I have said. — 49. Haud
male Telemachus, &c. "Well did Telemachus answer, the offspring of
the patient Ulysses." This answer of Telemachus is taken from the 4th
book of the Odyssey, and was made to Menelaus, who urged him to ac-
cept a present of horses. The application is obvious : Tibur or Tarentum
was our poet's Ithaca, where Maecenas's gifts could be of no more use to
him than the present of Menelaus to Telemachus. — 41. Nonestaptus Ith-
ace locus, &c. Horace has here expressed Horn., Od., iv., 601, seqq. — Ut
neque planis porrectus spatiis, Sec. " As it is neither extended in plains
nor abounds with much grass." — 45. Vacuum Tibur. " The calm retreat
of Tibur." The epithet vacuum is here equivalent in some respect to
otiosum, and designates Tibur as a place of calm retreat for the poet, and
of literary leisure. — Imbelle Tarentum. "The peaceful Tarentum."
46-48. 46. Strenuus et fortis . " Active and brave." The allusion in
the text is to Lucius Marcius Philippus, of whom Cicero makes frequent
mention. He was equally distinguished for eloquence and courage, which
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE VII. 569
raised him to the censorship and consulship. The little tale here intro-
duced is the longest, but not the least agreeable, of the three with which
Horace has enlivened his letter. It is told with that natural ease and vi-
vacity which can only make this kind of stories pleasing. The object
of the poet is to show how foolishly those persons act who abandon a sit-
uation in life which suits them, and to which they have been long accus-
tomed, for one of a higher character and altogether foreign to their habits.
— 47. Ab officiis. "From the duties of his profession." — Octavam drcitcr
horam. " About the eighth hour," i. e., about two o'clock. The first hour
of the day, among the Romans, commenced at six o'clock. The courts
opened at nine o'clock. — 48. Carinas. It is disputed where that part of
Rome which was called the " Carinae" lay. The old opinion, and which
many still hold, was that it was the hollow extending at the foot of the Es-
quiline from the Forum of Nerva to the Colosseum; but it is quite clear
that it was on an eminence (compare Dion. Hal., iii., 22), and there seems
to be no reason for dissenting from those who, like Bunsen and Beck-
er, suppose it to be that part of the Esquiline where now stands the
church of San Pietro in Vincoli, perhaps on the site of the temple of Tel-
lus. As the edge of the hill makes a circuit from the Subura to the Colos-
seum, this may have given origin to the name, as resembling the " keel"
of a ship. The greater part of it was situate in the fourth region. From
the epithet of lautce, which Virgil applies to it, we may infer that the
houses which stood in this quarter of ancient Rome were distinguished by
an air of superior elegance and grandeur. From the same passage of Vir-
gil it appears that the Carinae did not stand very far from the Forum. The
house of Philippus stood, perhaps, at the farther end of the Carinae, over
the Subura, and hence he complains of the distance. (Keightley, ad loc.)
50-58. 50. Adrasum. " Close shaved." — Vacua tonsoris in umbra.
"In a barber's shop, that resort of idlers." Vacua is here equivalent to
otiosa. With regard to the term umbra, it may be remarked, that though
rendered by the word "shop," in order to suit modern ideas, it properly
denotes a shed or awning open to the street, as is still customary with the
shops in the south of Europe. — 51. Cultello proprios purgantem leniter
rcngues. " Leisurely paring his own nails." Proprios here denotes his
doing for himself what was commonly done by the barber, especially for
people of fashion. — 52. Non lavejussa Philippi accipiebat. "Was very
Bmart at taking Philip's commands." — 53. Qu&re et refer. Philip's object in
sending his slave on this errand was as follows : Returning home from the
fatiguing avocations of the bar, and complaining of the distance to his own
abode, which, though short in itself, the growing infirmities of age caused
to appear long to him, Philip espies, on a sudden, a person seated at his
ease in a barber's shop, and paring his nails with an air of the utmost com-
posure. Touched with a feeling somewhat like envy on beholding a man
so much happier to all appearances than himself, he sends his slave to as-
certain who the individual was, and to learn all about him. — 53. Unde domo.
" Where he lives." — 55. Enarrat. He obtains the information from some
of the neighbors probably. — Vulteium nomine Menam. " That he was by
name Vulteius Menas." Menas was a servile name abbreviated from Meno-
dorus, as Lucas from Lucanus. The individual in question, therefore, was
a libertus or freedman of one of the Vulteii. — 56. Pra:conem. " An auc-
tioneer." Compare verse 65. — Tenui censu. "Of slender means." — Sine
570 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE VII.
crimine, notum. Bentley reads sine criminc natum, i. e., "born without
a stain ;" but this clashes with the idea of his being a libertus, and, conse-
quently, of servile origin. — 57. Et properare loco et cessare, &c. " That he
was wont, as occasion required, to ply his business with activity and take
his ease, to gain a little and spend it." Loco is here equivalent to tem-
pore opportuno. — 58. Gaudentem parvis sodalibus, et lare certo, &c.
" Delighting in a few companions of humble life, and in a house of his
own, and also in the public shows, and, when the business of the day was
over, in a walk through the Campus Martius." By lare certo is denoted
that he had a fixed abode, and did not lodge in a casnaculum.
60-65. 60. Scitari libet ex ipso, &c. "I would know from the man
himself all that thou reportest." — 62. Benigne. " I thank thy master kind-
ly." Menas expresses his thanks for the honor of the invitation, but, at
the same time, declines accepting it. — 63. Improbus. "The rascal." — Et
te negligit aut horret. " And either slights, or is afraid of thee." Hor-
rere and horror are properly meant of that awe and respect which we
feel in approaching any thing sacred; and as the vulgar are apt to look
upon great men as somewhat above the ordinary rank of mortals, the
same words have been used to express the respect they feel when ad-
mitted to their presence, as well as the dread they have of coming into it.
— 64. Vulteium mane Philippus, Sec. " Next morning Philip comes upon
Vulteius, as he was selling second-hand trumpery to the poorer sort of
people, and salutes him first." The verb occupare, as here employed,
means to surprise, to come upon another before he is aware of our ap-
proach.— 65. Tunicato popello. This expression literally refers to the
poorer part of the citizens as clad merely in tunics, their poverty prevent-
ing them from purchasing a toga in which to appear abroad. Foreigners
at Rome seem also to have had the same dress, whence homo tunicatus
is put for a Carthaginian, Plant., Pasnul., v., 3, 2. — Scruta. By this term
is meant any kind of old second-hand furniture, movables, clothes, &c.
and they who vended them were called scrutarii.
66-72. 66. Tile Philippo excusare laborem, Sec. "He began to plead
to Philip his laborious vocation and the fetters of business as an excuse
for not having waited upon him that morning ; in fine, for not having seen
him first." The expression mercenaria vincla refers to his employment
as auctioneer, and his being bound to give up his whole time to it, for
which he received a fixed compensation (merces) from those who employ-
ed him to sell. (Orelli, ad loc.) — 68. Quod non mane domum venisset.
Clients and others waited upon distinguished men early in the morning
for the purpose of paying their respects. Menas apologizes for not having
called upon Philip at this time, both to salute him and excuse himself for
not having accepted his invitation. — 69. Sic. " On this condition." — 70.
Ut libet. A form of assenting. — 71. Post nonam. " After the ninth hour."
Or, to adopt our own phraseology, " after three o'clock." — 72. Dicenda ta-
eenda. " Whatever came into his head." Literally, " Things to be men-
tioned, and things about which silence should have been kept." The
poet evidently intends this as an allusion to the effects of Philip's good old
wine upon his new guest.
73-98. 73. Hie, ubi sape occultnm, Sec. " He, when he had often been
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE VIII. 571
seen to repair, like a fish to the concealed hook, in the morning- a client,
and now a constant guest, is desired, on the proclaiming of the Latin hol-
idays, to accompany Philip to his country-seat near the city." — 75. Mane
cliens. Compare note on verse 68. — 76. Indictis. Understand a consule.
The Ferice Latinos, or Latin holidays, were first appointed by Tarquin for
one day, but after the expulsion of the kings they were continued for two,
then for three, and at last for four days. They were kept with great so-
lemnity on the Alban Mountain. The epithet indictee marks them as
movable, and appointed at the pleasure of the consul, a circumstance
which places them in direct opposition to the Status Feria:, or fixed festi-
vals of the Romans. Philip could go into the country during these holi-
days, as the courts were then shut. — 79. Et sibi dum requiem, &c. "And
while he seeks recreation for himself, while he endeavors to draw amuse-
ment from every thing." — 80. Mutua septempromittit. " Promises to lend
him seven thousand more." — 83. Ex nitido. " From a spruce cit." — Atque
sulcos et vineta crepat mera. " And talks of nothing but furrows and vine-
yards." Mcra is here literally, "solely," "only," being the neuter of the
adjective used adverbially. — 84. Prceparat ulmos. "Prepares his elms,"
i. e., for the vines to grow around. — 85. Immoritur studiis, &c. " He al-
most kills himself with eager application to his labors, and grows old be-
fore his time through a desire of possessing more," i. e., of increasing his
wealth. More literally, "He dies (as it were) with eager application,"
&c. — 87. Spem mentita seges. "His harvest deceived his hopes." — Enec-
tus. " Killed outright," i. e., not merely worn away and exhausted. — 89.
Iratus. Angry with himself for having ever left his former peaceful and
happy life. — 90. Scabrum. " Rough." After Menas had turned farmer,
he ceased to be nitidus, and neglected his person. — 91. Durus nimis at-
tentusque. "Too laborious and earnest." — 92. Pol. "Faith." — 93. Po-
nere. Used for imponere, i. e., dare. — 96. Qui semel aspexit, &c. "Let
him who has once perceived how much better the things he has discarded
are than those for which he has sought, return in time," &c. — 98. Suo
modulo ac pede. " By his own last and foot," i. e., by the measure of his
own foot, by his own proper standard. • The application of this story is
given as follows by Keightley : People should try to return to their former
condition when they find it better than the new one ; and they should
measure themselves by their own rule, i. e., seek to be in that rank and
situation of life for which nature or habit had adapted them. So Horace
finds a retired life best suited to him ; and if Maecenas will not consent to
his enjoying it, he is willing to resign his Sabine farm and all his other
gifts and favors.
Epistle VIII. Horace gives us in this epistle a picture of himself, as
made up of contradictions and chagrin, miserable without any apparent
cause, and dissatisfied he could not tell why ; in fine, a complete hypo-
chondriac. If the poet really intended this for his own portrait, it must be
confessed to be very unlike the joyous carelessness of his life in general.
In almost perfect health, possessed of an easy fortune, and supported by a
good understanding, he makes himself wretched with causeless disqui-
etudes, and an unaccountable waywardness of temper. May we not sup-
pose that the Epicurean principles of Horace forbid any such application
to himself, and that he merely assumes these infirmities, that he may
572 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE V1I1.
with more politeness reproach Albinovanus, who was actually subject to
them ? Such, at least, is the opinion of Torrentius and others of the com-
mentators.
1-10. 1. Celso gaudere et bene rem gerere Albinovano, &c. The order
of construction is as follows : Musa, rogata, refer Celso Albinovano, comiti
scribesque Neronis, gaudere et gerere rem, bene. — Gaudere et bene rem ge-
rere refer. "Bear joy and prosperity," i. e., give joy and wish success.
In place of using the common Latin form of salutation, Salutem, Horace
here imitates the Greek mode of expression, xaipziv nal ev Trpdrreiv. —
2. Comiti scribesque Neronis. Celsus Albinovanus has already been men-
tioned as forming part of the retinue of Tiberius (Epist. i., 3, 15), who was
at that time occupied with the affairs of Armenia. — 3. Die, multa et pul-
chra minantem, &c. "Tell him that, though promising many fine things,
1 live neither well nor agreeably." The distinction here made is one,
observes Francis, of pure Epicurean morality. Recte vivere is to live ac-
cording to the rules of virtue, and vivere suaviter to have no other guidance
for our actions but pleasure and our passions. As regards the force of mi-
nantem in this same passage, consult note on Sat. ii., 3, 9. — Hand quia
grando, &c. " Not because the hail has bruised my vines, or the heat
blasted the olive," &c, i. e., my disquiet arises not from the cares of
wealth. It is not produced by the feelings that break the repose of the
rich, when their vineyards have been lashed by the hail, or their olive-
grounds have suffered from the immoderate heats, &c. — 5. Momorderit.
More literally, "Has nipped." The verb mordeo is applied by the LatiD
writers to denote the effects as well of cold as of heat. — 6. Longinqiiis in
agris. As, for example, those of Calabria or Cisalpine Gaul, where the
wealthy had large flocks of sheep. Consult note on Epode i., 27. — 7. Mi-
nus validus. "Less sound." The poet describes himself (if, indeed, he
refers to his own case) as laboring under that peculiar malady which is
now termed hypochondria, and which has its seat far more in the mind
than in any part of the body. The picture that he draws admirably de-
lineates the condition of one who is suffering under the morbid influence
of hypochondriac feelings. — 8. yEgrum. Supply me. — 9. Fidis offendar
medicis. "Because I am displeased with my faithful physicians." With
irascar, sequar, fugiam, and amem respectively, quia must be supplied
in translating. — 10. Cur mefxmesto properent arcere veterno. " For being
eager to rouse me from this fatal lethargy." Cur is here equivalent to
ideo, quod.
12-17. 12. Veniosus. "Driven about by every wind," i. e., inconstant,
and changeable as the wind. Compare Epist. i., 9, 37 : " Plebs ventosa."
— 13. Quo pacto rem gerat et se. "How he manages his official duties,
and himself," i. e., how he is coming on in his office of secretary, and what
he is doing with himself. — 14. Juveni. "The young prince." Alluding
to Tiberius, who was then about twenty -two years of age. — Cohort!.
Consult note on Epist. i., 3, 6. — 17. Ut tu fortunam, &c. "As thou, Cel-
sus, bearest thy fortune, so will we bear ourselves unto thee," i. e., if, amid
thy present good fortune, and the favor of thy prince, thou still continues!
to remember and love thy former friend, bo will he In turn love thee.
EXPLANATORY NOTES. — BOOK I., EPISTLE IX. 573
Epistle IX. A letter of introduction to Tiberius Claudius Nero, given
by the poet to his friend Titias Septimius. Horace seems to have been
very sensible of the care and nicety that were requisite on such occasions,
especially in addressing the great, and he has left the epistle now before
us as an undoubted proof of this. He stood high in favor with Tiberius,
and the regard Augustus had for him gave him a further privilege. More-
over, Septimius was one of his dearest friends, a man of birth and known
merit ; yet with what modesty, diffidence, and seeming reluctance does
the poet recommend him to the notice of the prince. The epistle appears
to have been written a short time previous to the departure of Tiberius
for the Eastern provinces.
1-6. 1. Septimius, Claudi, nimirum intelligit unus, &c. " O Claudius,
Septimius alone knows, forsooth, how highly thou esteemest me." The
poet modestly seeks to excuse his own boldness in addressing an epistle
like the present to the young Tiberius, on the ground that his friend Sep-
timius would have that he stood high in favor with the prince, whereas
he himself knew no such thing. — 3. Scilicet ut tibi se laudare, &c. "To
undertake, namely, to recommend and introduce him to you." — 4. Dignum
mente domoque, &c. " As one worthy the esteem and intimacy of Nero,
who always selects deserving objects," i. e., one whose habits of thinking
and acting are in unison with those of the individual addressed, and who
is worthy of being numbered among his intimate friends, and becoming a
member of his household. This verse does equal honor both to Tiberius
and Septimius, since it shows the one a discerning prince, and the other
a deserving man. We are not to consider these as words of mere com-
pliment on the part of the poet. Tiberius, in his early days, was indeed
the person he is here represented to be, a good judge of merit, and ready
to reward it. — 5. Munere fungi propioris amid. "That I fill the station
of an intimate friend." — 6. Quid possim vidct, &c. "He sees and knows
what I can effect with thee better than I do myself," i. e., he sees and
knows the extent of my influence with thee, &c. This explains the nimi-
rum intelligit unus of the first line. Observe that valdius is here equiv-
alent to melius.
8-13. 8. Sed timui, mea nc, &c. "But I was afraid lest I might be
thought to have pretended that my interest with thee was less than it re-
ally is ; to be a dissembler of my own strength, inclined to benefit myself
alone." By dissimulator opis propria? he means, in fact, concealing his
own influence, and reserving it all for himself. — 10. Ma j oris culpa. The
major culpa, here alluded to, is the unwillingness to serve a friend. — 11.
Fronds ad urbanos descendi prmmia. " I have descended into the arena
to contend for the rewards of town-bred assurance," i. e., I have resolved
at last to put in for a share of those rewards which a little city assurance
is pretty certain of obtaining. The frons urbana is sportively but truly
applied to that open and unshrinking assurance so generally found in the
popplation of cities. — 12. Jussa. " The importunities." — 13. Scribe tut
gregis kunc. " Enroll this person among thy retinue." Grex is here taken
ia a g«od sense to denote a society of friends and followers.
574 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPJSTJLE X.
Epistle X. The poet loved to retire into the country, and indulge, amid
rural scenes, in reading, and in wooing his muse. Fuscus, on the other
hand, gave the preference to a city life, though in every thing else his
views and feelings were in unison with those of his friend. In the pres-
ent epistle, therefore, Horace states to his old companion the grounds of
his choice, and paints, in masterly colors, the innocent pleasures, the sim
plicity, and the calm repose of a country life.
1-10. 1. Urbis amatorem. Beautifully opposed" to ruris amatores in
the following line. — Fuscum solvere jubemus. "Bid Fuscus hail." Fus-
cus Aristius, who is here addressed, was a distinguished grammarian
and rhetorician of the day, a man of prohity, but too much influenced by
the desire of accumulating riches, the common vice of the times, and pre-
ferring, therefore, a city life to the repose of the country. He is the
same individual to whom the 22d ode of the first book is addressed. —
3. Pcene gemelli. " Almost twins." Compare Sat. i., 3, 44. — 4. Et alter.
Supply negat. — 5. Annuimus pariter vetuli notique columbi. "We nod
assent to each other, like old and constant doves." Supply veluti or si-
cuti, and compare the explanatory remark of Doling: " Si alter ait, alter
quoque ait, alter alteri in omni re pari modo annuity — Noti. Alluding
literally to long acquaintance, and to constancy of attachment resulting
therefrom. — 6. Nidum. The comparison is still kept up, and the city to
which Fuscus clings, and in which all his desires appear to centre, is
beautifully styled the nest, which he is said to keep, while the poet roams
abroad. — 7. Musco circumlita saxa. " The moss-grown rocks." — 8. Quid
quarts ? " In a word." For a literal translation, supply ultra. This was
a form of expression used when they wanted, in few words, to give a
reason for, or an explanation of, any thing. — Vivo et regno. "I live and
reign," i. e., I live as happy as a king ; I lead a life of independence and
happiness. — 9. Rumore secundo. " With favoring acclaim." — 10. Utque
saccrdotis fugitivus, &c. "And, like a priest's runaway slave, I reject
the sweet wafers ; I want plain bread, which is more agreeable to me
now than honeyed cheese-cakes." By liba are meant a kind of consecrat
ed cake or wafer, made of flour, honey, and oil, which were offered up,
during the performance of sacred rites, to Bacchus {Ovid, Fast., iii., 735),
Ceres, Pan, and other deities. They became the perquisite of the priests,
and their number was so great that the latter gave them, as an article of
food, to their slaves. The placenta were cheese-cakes, composed of fine
wheat flour, cheese, honey, &c. Compare Cato, R. R., 76. — The idea in-
tended to be conveyed by this passage is this : As the priest's slave, who
is tired of living on the delicacies offered to his master's god, runs away
from his service, that he may get a little common bread, so the poet would
retreat from the false taste and the cloying pleasures of the city, to the
simple and natural enjoyments of the country.
1-2-17. 12. Vivere naturae si convenienter oportet, &c. "If we ought to
live conformabl}- to nature, and if a spot of ground is to be sought after, in
the first place, for a dwelling to be erected upon it," i.e., if we would lead
an easy life, and one agreeable to nature, and if, for this end, we make it
our first care to find out some fit place whereon to build us a house. Ob-
serve that domo is here the old form of the dative for domui. This same
form occurs sometimes in Cato, e. g., R. R., 134, &c. The poet begins
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE X. 575
here the first part of his epistle, and assigns, as the first reason for his pre-
ferring the country to the city, that we can live there more conformably to
the laws of nature, and with greater ease supply whatever she demands,
or disengage ourselves from the desire of what she does not really want.
— 14. Potiorem rure beato. "Preferable to the blissful country." — 15. Est
ubi plus tepeant hiemes ? " Is there a spot where the winters are milder?"
— 16. Rabiem Canis. Consult note on Ode i., 17, 17. — Momenta Leonis.
11 The season of the Lion." Alluding to the period when the sun is in the
sign of Leo (part of July and August), and to the heat which marks that
portion of the year. — 17. Solem acutum. "The scorching sun."
18-25. 18. Divellat. "Disturbs." Several MSS. have depellat, an ev-
ident interpretation of the true reading. — 19. Deterius Libycis olet, &c.
"Is the grass inferior in smell or beauty to the tesselated pavements of
Numidian marble V By Libyci lapilli are here literally meant small
square pieces of Numidian marble forming tesselated or mosaic pavements.
Compare Orelli, ad loc. The idea intended to be conveyed by the ques-
tion of the bard is strikingly beautiful. Can the splendid pavement, with
all its varied hues, compare for a moment with the verdant turf or the en-
amel of the fields ? Does it send forth on the air a sweeter perfume than
the wild flower 1 The Romans, it must be remembered, used to sprinkle
essences on the floors of their dining-rooms, as on the stage of the theatres.
— 20. In vicis tendit rumpere plumbum. "Strives to burst the lead in the
streets," i. e., the leaden pipes that convey it through the streets of the
city. Water was brought to Rome in aqueducts, and then distributed
throughout the city, from the castella, or reservoirs of the aqueducts, by
means of leaden or terra cotta pipes. — 21. Quam quce per pronum, &c.
'• Than that which runs murmuring along its sloping channel." — 22. Nempe
inter varias, &c. The connection in the train of ideas is as follows :
They who dwell in cities endeavor, it is true, to procure for themselves,
by means of art, the beauty and the enjoyment of rural scenes. " For ex-
ample, a wood is reared amid columns of variegated marble, and that
abode is praised which commands a prospect of distant fields," yet na-
ture, though men strive to expel her by violence, will as often return, and
will insensibly triumph over all their unreasonable disgusts. As regards
the expression inter varias nutritur silva columnas, consult note on Ode
iii., 10, 5. — 24. Nattiram expellas furca. By natura is here meant that
relish for the pleasures of a rural life which has been implanted by Nature
in the breast of all, though weakened in many by the force of habit or ed-
ucation. This natural feeling, says the poet, can never entirely be eradi-
cated, but must eventually triumph over every obstacle. The expression
expellas furca is metaphorical, and refers to the driving away by violence.
It appears to be a mode of speaking derived from the manner of rustics,
who arm and defend themselves with forks, or remove, by means of the
same instrument, whatever opposes them. — 25. Mala fastidia. " Unrea-
sonable disgusts." Literally, " evil disgusts," i. c., harmful. Alluding to
those disgusts which keep away the rich and luxurious from the calm and
simple enjoyments of a country life, and which thus prove harmful by de-
priving them of a source of the truest happiness.
26, 27. 26. Non, qui Sidonio, <5cc. Horace compares the taste of Na-
tire to the true- purple, and that of the passions to an adulterated and eoun-
576 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE X.
terfeit purple. The man, he observes, who can not distinguish between
what is true and what is false, will as surely injure himself, as the mer-
chant who knows not the difference between the genuine purple and that
which is the reverse. — Sidonio. Sidon was a famous commercial city, the
capital of Phoenicia, about 24 miles north of Tyre, which was one of its col-
onies.— Contendere callidus. " Skillfully to compare." People who com-
pare pieces of stuff together, stretch them out near each other, the better
to discern the difference. — 27. Aquinatem potantia vellera fncum. " The
fleeces that drink the dye of Aquinum." According to the scholiast, a
purple was manufactured at Aquinum in imitation of the Phoenician.
Aquinum was a city of the Volsci, in new Latium, situate a little be-
yond the place where the Latin Way crossed the Rivers Liris and Melfis
— Fucum. Consult note on Ode iii., 5, 28.
30-38. 30. Quern, res plus nimio, &c. The idea intended to be con-
veyed is this : They who bound their desires by the wants of nature (and
such is usually the temper of a country life), are independent of Fortune's
favors and resentments, her anger and inconstancy. — 31. Si quid mira-
here, pones invitus. " If thou shalt admire any thing greatly, thou wilt be
unwilling to resign it." — 32. Licet sub paupere tccto &c. " One may live
more happily beneath an humble roof, than the powerful and the friends
of the powerful." Reges is here equivalent to potentiores or ditiores. —
34. Cervus equum, &c. The fable here told is imitated from Stesichorus,
who repeated it to the inhabitants of Himera, in Sicily, when the latter
were about to assign a body-guard to Phalaris, tyrant of Agrigentum,
whom they had called to their aid, and made commander of their forces.
Stesichorus, as Aristotle informs us (Rhet., ii., 39), undertook by this apo-
logue to show the Himereans of what folly they would be guilty if they
thus delivered themselves up into the hands of a powerful individual.
— Communibus herbis. "From their common pasture." — 35. Minor.
"Worsted." Proving inferior. — 37. Victor violens. "An impetuous vic-
tor."— 38. Depulit. Equivalent to depellere potuit.
39-50. 39. Sic, qui pauperiem veritus, &c. " In like manner, he who,
from a dread of narrow circumstances, parts with his liberty, more pre-
cious than any metals, shall shamefully bear a master, and be forever a
slave, because he shall not know how to be contented with a little," i. e.,
he who, not content with a little, regards the precious boon of freedom as
of inferior moment when compared with the acquisition of riches, shall be-
come the slave of wealth and live in eternal bondage. — Metallis. Used
contemptuously for divitiis. — 42. Cui non conveniet sua res, &c. "As a
shoe at times, if it shall be larger than the foot, will trip up, if less, wiil
gall, (so) will his own condition him, whom (that condition) shall not suit."
The idea intended to be conveyed is simply this : When a man's foi*-
tune does not suit his condition, it will be like a shoe, which is apt to
cause us to trip if too large, "and which pinches when too small. — 45.
Nee me dimittes incastigatum, &c. The poet makes use of this correct-
ive to soften the advice which he has given to his friend. He desires to
be treated with the same frankness, whenever he shall appear enslaved
by the same passions. — 46. Cogere. Equivalent to congerere. — 47. Impe-
rat aut servit, &c. "If the possessor of wealth be a wise man, he will
vximmand his riches ; if a fool, he will be commanded by them, and become
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE XL 577
their slave. — 48. Tortum digna sequi, &c. " Though deserving rather to
follow, than to lead, the twisted rope," i. e., deserving rather to be held in
subjection than itself to subject others. The metaphor here employed is
taken from beasts that are led with a cord. — 49. Dictabam. " I dictated,"
i. c, to my amanuensis. In writing letters, the Romans used the imper-
fect tense to denote what was going on at the time when they wrote,
putting themselves, as it were, in the place of the person who received
the letter, and using the tense which would be proper when it came to
his hands. (Compare Zumpt, § 503.) — Post fanum putre Vacunce. "Be-
hind the mouldering fane of Vacuna." Vacuna was a goddess, worship-
ped principally by the Sabines, but also by the Latins. According to some
authorities, she was identical with Victoria, and the Lake Cutiliae, in the
centre of Italy, was sacred to her. Others made her the same with Diana,
Ceres, or Minerva. This last was the opinion of Varro. The temple of
the goddess, in the Sabine territory, not far from a grove likewise conse-
crated to her, would seem to have been in the viciuity of the poet's villa.
Behind its mouldering remains, seated on the grassy turf, Horace dictated
the present epistle. — 50. Excepto, quod non simul esses, <5cc. "In all other
respects happy, except that thou wast not with me." There is no need
of any ellipsis of eo after excepto ; the clause that comes after, namely, quod
non simul esses, must be regarded as a noun of the neuter gender, and as
the subject of the participle. (Zumpt, § 647.)
Epistle XI. The poet instructs his friend Bullatius, who was roaming
abroad for the purpose of dispelling the cares which disturbed his repose,
that happiness does not depend upon climate or place, but upon the state
of our own minds.
1-3. 1. Quid tibi visa Chios, &c. "How does Chios appear to thee,
Bullatius, and famed Lesbos?" — Chios. An island in the jEgean Sea,
off the coast of Lydia, and one of the twelve states established by the
Ionians after their emigration from the mother country to Asia. It is
now Scio. — Lesbos. An island of the iEgean, north of Chios. Its mod-
ern name is Metelino or Metelin, a corruption of Mytilene, the name of the
aucieut capital. Lesbos was colonized by the iEolians in the first great
emigration. The epithet nota, which is here given it, applies not so
much to the excellent wine produced there, as to the distinguished per-
sons who were natives of the island, and among whom may be mention-
ed Sappho, Alcaeus, Theophrastus, &c. — 2. Concinna Samos. "Hand-
some Samos." Samos lies southeast of Chios. It is about six hundred
stadia in circumference, and full of mountains. This, also, was one of
the twelve Ionian states of Asia. The epithet concinna, here bestowed
on it, would seem to refer to the neatness and elegance of its buildings.
— Quid Crossi regia Sardis ? Sardis was the ancient capital of the
Lydian kings, and stood on the Biver Pactolus. It was afterward the
residence of the satrap of Lydia, and the head-quarters of the Persian
monarchs when they visited western Asia. — 3. Smyrna. This city stood
on the coast of Lydia, and was one of the old jEolian colonies ; but the pe-
riod of its splendor belongs to the Macedonian era. Antigonus and Ly-
simachus made it one of the most beautiful towns in Asia. The modern
town, Ismur, or Smyrna, is the chief trading-place of the Levant. — Colo
B B
578 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE XI.
pkon. A city of Ionia, northwest of Ephesus, famed for its excellent cav-
airy. — Fama ? " Than fame represents them to be ?"
4-11. 4. Cunctane pros campo, &c. " Are they all contemptible in
compai-ison with the Campus Martius and the River Tiber?" Sordeo is
here equivalent to contemnor, nihili pendor, &c. — 5. An venit in votum,
&c. " Or does one of the cities of Attalus become the object of thy wish ?"
Literally, " enter into thy wish," i. e., dost thou wish to dwell in one of
the cities of Attalus? Among the flourishing cities ruled over in earlier
days by Attalus, were Pergamus, the capital, Myndus, Apollonia, Tralles,
Thyatira, &c. — 6. Lebedum. Lebedus was a maritime city of Ionia, north-
west of Colophon. It was at one time a large and flourishing city, but,
upon the removal of the greater part of its inhabitants to Ephesus by
Lysimachus, it sank into insignificance, and, in the time of Horace, was
deserted and in ruins. — Gabiis. There were two cities of the name of
Gabii in Italy, one among the Sabines and the other in Latium. The lat
ter was the more celebrated of the two, and is the place here referred to
In the time of Horace it was in a ruined and deserted state, having suf
fered severely during the civil wars. It was raised, however, from this
state of ruin and desolation under Antoninus and Commodus, and became
a thriving town. It was situate on the Via P?-cenestina, about twelve
miles from Rome. — 8. Fidenis. Fidenae was a small town of the Sabines,
about four or five miles from Rome, and is well known as a brave though
unsuccessful antagonist of the latter city. It was stormed A.U.C. 329 by
the dictator ^Emilius Mamercus, and remained after this a deserted place
until some time after the age of Horace. — 11. Sed neque, qui Capua, &c.
The idea intended to be conveyed, from this line to the close of the epis-
tle, is as follows : But, whatever city or region may have pleased thee,
my friend, return now, I entreat thee, to Rome. For, as he who journeys
to the latter place from Capua does not feel inclined to pass the rest of
his days in an inn by the way, because, when bespattered with rain and
mire, he has been able to dry and cleanse himself there ; and as he who,
when laboring under the chill of a fever, has obtained relief from the stove
and the warm bath, does not therefore regard these as sufficient to com-
plete the happiness of life ; so do thou linger no more in the places which
at present may delight thee, nor, if a tempest shall have tossed thee on
the deep, sell, in consequence, thy vessel, and revisit not for the time to
come thy native country and thy friends. Rhodes and the fair Mytilene
are to him who visits them when in sound health precisely the same as
other things, which, though good in themselves, prove, if not used at the
proper period, injurious rather than beneficial. Return, therefore, and,
far removed from them, praise foreign cities and countries from Rome.
Enjoy the good things which fortune now auspiciously offers, in order
that, wherever thou mayest be, thou mayest be able to say that thy life
has been passed happily. For if the cares of the mind are removed, not
by pleasing scenery, but by reason and reflection, they, surely, who run
beyond the sea, change climate only, not the mind. Yet such is human
nature : we are borne afar, in ships and chariots, to seek for that which
lies at our very doors.
13-19. 13. Frigus. Consult note on Sat. i., 1, 80. — 14. Ut fortvnalam
plene, &c " As completely furnishing the means of a happy life."— 17. In
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE XII. 579
tnlumi Rkodos et Mytilene, &c. "Rhodes and fair Mytilene are, to a man
fir good health, the same as a great coat at the summer solstice, a pair of
drawers alone in the snowy season." As regards Mytilene, compare note
ru verse 1, " notaque Lesbos." The pcenula was a thick cloak, chiefly
used by the Romans in travelling, in place of the toga, as a protection
against the cold and rain. It appears to have been a long cloak without
nfeeves, and with only an opening for the head. By the campestre is prop-
erly meant a sort of linen covering, worn around the loins by those who
exercised naked in the Campus Martius. We have rendered the term
" a pair of drawers" merely lor the sake of making the general meaning
r aore intelligible to " modern ears." — 19. Tiberis. The allusion is to bath-
L \g. — Sextili mense. Consult note on Epist. i., 7, 2.
21-30. 21. Romce laudetur Samos, &c. "Let Samos, and Chios, and
Rhodes, far away, be praised by thee at Rome." — 22. Fortunaverit.
Equivalent to beaverit. The verb fortunare belongs properly to the lan-
guage of religious formulas. Thus we have in Afranius (ap. Non., p. 109),
" Deos ego omnis ut fortunassint precor." — 24. Libenter. Equivalent to
4'eliciter or jucunde. — 26. Non locus, effusi late maris arbiter. "Not a place
that commands a prospect of the wide-extended sea." — 28. Slrenua nos
exercel inertia. " A laborious idleness occupies us," i. e., we are always
doing .something, and yet, in reality, doing nothing. A pleasing oxymoron
The indolent often show themselves active in those very things which
they ought to avoid. So here, all these pursuits of happiness are mere
idleness, snd turn to no account. We are at incredible pains in pursuit
of happiness, and yet, after all, can not find it ; whereas, did we under-
stand ourselves well, it is to be had at our very doors. — 29. Petimus bene
vivere. "We .seek for a spot in which to live happily." — 30. Ulubris.
Ulubrae was a small town of Latiura, and appears to have stood in a plain
at no great distance from Velitras. Its marshy situation is plainly alluded
to by Cicero (Ep. ad Fam., 7, 18), who calls the inhabitants little frogs.
Juvenal also gives us but a wretched idea of the place. And yet even
here, according to Horaor, may happiness be found, if he who seeks for
it possesses a calm and .->qual mind, one that is not the sport of ever-vary-
ing resolves, but is contented with its lot.
EriSTLE XII. The poot advises Iccius, a querulous man, and not con-
tented with his present wealth, to cast aside all desire of possessing more,
and remain satisfied with what bo has thus far accumulated. The epistle
concludes with recommending Pompeius Grosphus, and with a short ac-
count of the most important news p,t Rome. The individual here address-
ed is the same with the one to whom the twenty-ninth ode of the first book
is inscribed, and from that piece it would appear, that, in pursuit of his
darling object, he had at one time takan up the profession of a soldier.
Disappointed, however, in this expectation, he looked around for other
means of accomplishing his views ; and not i -\ vain ; for Agrippa appoint-
ed him superintendent of his estates in Sicily, a station occupied by him
when this epistle was written. It should be further remarked, that the
individual addressed had pretensions also to the chargcter of a philosopher
In the ode just referred to, Horace describes him as a philosophical soldier
: here as a philosophical miser, but he becomes equally ridtsulns i»
either character.
580 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE XII.
1-4. 1. Fructibus Agrippcc Siculis. "The Sicilian produce of Agrip-
pa," i. e., the produce of Agrippa's Sicilian estates. After the defeat of
Sextus Pompeius off the coast of Sicily, near Messana, and the subjection
of the whole island which followed this event, Augustus, in return for so
important a service, bestowed on Agrippa very extensive and valuable
lands in Sicily. Iccius was agent or farmer over these. — 2. Non est ut.
"It is not possible that." An imitation of the Greek idiom ova Iotlv o)$
or oTTCJc- So that non est ut possit is equivalent in effect to the simple non
potest. According to Horace's way of thinking, he that has enough has
all ; any thing beyond this is useless and hurtful. — 3. Tolle querelas. We
may suppose Iccius, like other avaricious men, to have indulged in fre-
quent complaints respecting the state of his affairs. — 4. Cui rerum sup-
petit usus. "For whom the usufruct of property is sufficient," i. e., who
is satisfied with the enjoyment of property belonging to another. Usus
is opposed in this sense to mancipium. The property was Agrippa's,
though his agent or factor could enjoy the product of it. — Si ventri bene,
&c. The whole clause, from si to tuis inclusive, is equivalent in effect to
si vales.
7, 8. 7. Si forte. Iccius very probably lived in the way here described :
the poet, however, in order to soften down his remark, adds the term forte,
as if he were merely stating an imaginary case. — In medio positorum.
"In the midst of abundance." Literally, "in the midst of the things placed
before thee." The reference is to the rich produce of Agrippa's estates.
— 8. Urtica. " On the nettle." Young nettles were eaten by the lower
classes, as they still are by the modern Italians. Compare Pliny, N. H.,
xxi., 15 : "Urtica, incipiens nasci vere, non ingrato, multis etiam religioso
in cibo est ad pcllendos totius anni morbos." — Sic vives protenus, ut, &c.
" Thou wilt continue to live so, even though," «Sec. Compare the explana-
tion of Hunter: "Sic vives protenus est, sic porro vives, sic pcrges vivere,
ut (etiamsi) te confestim liquidus fortunae rivus inauret, i. e., etiamsi re-
pente dives f actus sis." The allusion in the words liquidus fortuna rivus
inauret is thought by some commentators to be to the story of Midas and
the River Pactolus. We should have great doubts respecting the accura-
cy of this remark. The phrase in question would rather seem to be one
of a mere proverbial character.
10-13. 10. Vel quianaturam, Sec. The poet here amuses himself with
the philosophic pretensions of Iccius, and involves him in a ludicrous and
awkward dilemma. The train of ideas is as follows : What? art thou a
philosopher, and dost thou complain of not being richer ? Suppose that
wealth were to come suddenly into thy possession, what wouldst thou gain
from such a state of things ? evidently nothing. For thy present mode of
life is either the result of thy natural feelings, or of thy philosophy : Is it
of the former? Gold can not change thy nature. Is it of the latter? Thy
philosophy teaches thee that virtue alone contributes to true happiness.
The whole argument is keenly ironical. — 12. Miramur, si Democriti, &c
The train of ideas is as follows : We wonder at the mental abstraction of
Democritus, who was so wrapped up in his philosophical studies as to neg-
lect entirely the care of his domestic concerns, and allow the neighboring
flock to feed upon his fields and cultivated grounds ; but how much mora
»ught we to wonder at thee, Iccius, who canst attend at the same time ta
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE XII. 581
thy pecuniary affairs and the investigations of philosophy, and not, like
Democritus, sacrifice the former to the latter. Ironical. — Democriti. De-
mocritus was a native of Abdera, in Thrace, and the successor of Leucip-
pus in the Eleatic school. He was contemporary with Socrates, Anax-
agoras, Archelaus, Parmenides, Zeno, and Protagoras. The story here
told of him deserves little credit, as well as the other, which states that
he gave up his patrimony to his country. He is commonly known as the
laughing philosopher. — Pecus. Supply alienum. — 13. Dum peregre est
animus sine corpore velox. Horace, in this, follows the Platonic notion,
that the soul, when employed in contemplation, was in a manner detach-
ed from the body, that it might the more easily mount above earthly
things, and approach nearer the objects it desired to contemplate.
14-19. 14. Inter scabiem tantam ct contagia lucri. " Amid so great an
itch for and contagion of gain (as now prevails)." Compare Orelli : " Sca-
bies significat acria avaritiae irritamenta." — 15. Adhuc. "Still." Equiva-
lent to nunc quoque. — 16. Qua mare compescant causae. "What causes
set bounds to the sea," i. e., the causes of the tides, &c. — Quid temperet
annum. "What regulates the changes of the year." — 17. Stella; sponte
sua, &.c. Alluding to the planets. — 18. Quid premat obscurum lunce, &c
" What spreads obscurity over the moon, what brings out her orb," i. e.,
what occasions the eclipses of the moon, what the reappearance of her
light. Premat is here equivalent to abscondat. — 19. Rerum concordia
discors. " The discordant harmony of things." The reference here is to
those principles of things, which, though ever in direct opposition to each
other, yet ever agree in preserving the great scheme of the universe. In
other words, there is in this scheme apparent discord, but real concord.
20-24. 20. Empedocles, an Stertinium deliret acumen. " Whether Era-
pedocles, or the acuteness of Stertinius be in the wrong." Empedocles
was a native of Agrigentum, in Sicily, and flourished about 444 B.C. He
supposed the world to consist of four elements, by whose attraction and
repulsion all things were formed. The Stoics, on the other hand, viewed
a divinity as the cause of all. Stertinius, the ridiculous " sapientum octa-
vus" (Sat. ii., 3, 293), is humorously made the representative of the latter
sect. — 21. Verum seu pisces, &c. An ironical allusion to the doctrines of
Pythagoras respecting the metempsychosis, according to which the souls
of men passed not only into animals, but also into plants, &c. Hence to
feed on these becomes actual murder. Empedocles agreed with Pythag-
oras in a belief in the transmigration of souls. Horace, therefore, jokes
here, as if Iccius, like Empedocles, was a Pythagorean, and held all organ-
ized bodies to be animated. — 22. Utere Pompeio Grospho. " Give a kind
reception to my friend Pompeius Grosphus." Utere is equivalent here to
utere ut amico. The individual here meant is the same to whom the poet
addresses the sixteenth ode of the second book, according to the opinion
of some commentators. (Compare Introductory Remarks, Ode ii., 7.) —
Ultra defer. "Readily grant it." — 24. Vilis u-.nicorum e*t annona, &c.
"The price of friends is low when good men want any thing," i.e., friends
are to be had cheap when good men like Grosphus want any thing, be-
cause they are so moderate in their demands.
25-27. 25. Romana res. "The Roman affairs." The poet here pro
582 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE Xin.
Ceeds to communicate four pieces of intelligence to Iccius : 1st. The re-
duction of the Cantabri by Agvippa. 2d. The pacification of Armenia by
Tiberius. 3d. The acknowledgment of the Roman power by the Parthians.
4th. The abundant harvests of the year. This was A.U.C. 734, B.C. 20.—
26. Cantaber Agrippa. Consult note on Ode iii., 8, 22. — Claudi virtute
Neronis Armenius occidit. Horace, it will be perceived, does not here
follow that account which makes Artaxias, the Armenian king, to have
fallen by the treachery of his relations, but enumerates his death among
the exploits of Tiberius. This, of course, is done to flatter the young
prince, and is in accordance with the popular belief of the day. — 27. Jus
imperkimque Phrahates Ccesaris accepit, &c. " Phrahates, on bended
knee, has acknowledged the supremacy of Caesar." Genibus minor means
literally, " lower than the knees of," i. e., at the knees of Cossar. This,
after all, however, is only a poetical mode of expression for " submissive-
ly," since Phrahates never met Augustus in person. Jus imperiumqur,
as here employed, includes the idea of both civil and military power, i. e.,
full and unlimited authority. The allusion is to the event already men-
tioned in the note on Ode i., 26, 3, when Phrahates, through dread of the
Roman power, surrendered the Roman standards and captives.
Epistle XIII. The poet, having intrusted Vinius with several rolls of
his writings (volumina) that were to be delivered to Augustus, amuses
himself with giving him directions about the mode of carrying them, and
the form to be observed in presenting them to the emperor.
1-7. 1. Ut prqficiscentem docvi, &c. "Vinius, thou wilt deliver these
sealed rolls to Augustus in the way that I repeatedly and long taught
thee when setting out," i. e., in handing these rolls to the emperor, remem-
ber the many and long instructions which I gave thee at thy departui*e. —
2. Signata volumina. Horace is supposed by the commentators to have
sent on this occasion not only the epistle to Augustus (the first of the sec-
ond book), but also the last odes and epistles he had written. He calls
these pieces volumina, because they were separately rolled up (the usual
form of books in those days), and they are sealed, in order that they might
not be exposed to the prying curiosity of the courtiers. — Vini. Vinius is
thought to have been one of our poet's neighbors, and a man evidently of
low birth. The family, however, rose into importance under the succeed-
ing emperors, and we find Titus Vinius filling the consulship under Gralba.
— 3. Si validus, si Icetus erit, <fcc. "If he shall be in health, if in spirits, if,
in fine, he shall ask for them." Validus stands opposed to male validus.
With poscet we may supply tradi sibi volumina. — 4. JVe studio nostri
pecces, &c. " Lest, through eagerness to serve me, thou give offence, and
.ndustriously bring odium on my productions as an over-officious agent."
Join in construction opera vehemente, as the ablative of quality, with min-
ister. Literally, "as an agent of vehement endeavor." — 6. Uret. Equiv-
alent to premet or vexabit. — 7. Quam quo perferre juberis, «Sec. "Thai»
roughly throw down thy pannier where thou art directed to carry it, and
turn into ridicule thy paternal cognomen of Asella," i.e., thy family name
of Asella. Horace puns upon the name of his neighbor, and tells him that
he should beware of blundering in the presence of the courtiers, who
would most certainly rally him, in such an event, upon his surname of
EXPLANATORY VOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE XIV. 583
Asella (i. e., a little ass). The poet prepares us for this witticism, such as
;t is, by the use of clitellas in the commencement of the line, under which
term the rolls above mentioned are figuratively referred to.
10-15. 10. Lamas. "Fens." Compare the Vet. Gloss. :" Lama, ttij-
hudeic tokol." — 11. Victor propositi simul ac, &.c. "As soon as thou
shalt have arrived there, after having conquered all the difficulties of the
way." The poet, both in this and the preceding line, keeps up the pun-
ning allusion in the name Asella. — 12. Sub ala. " Under thy arm.'' —
14. Ut vinosa glomus, <5cc. "As the tippling Pyrrhia the clew of pilfered
yarn."' The allusion is to a comedy written by Titinius, in which a slave,
named Pyrrhia, who was addicted to drinking, stole a clew or ball of yarn,
and, in consequence of her drunkenness, carried it in such a way as to be
easily detected. As Vinius had, without doubt, been several times pres-
ent at the representation of this piece, Horace reminds him of that image
which we may suppose had produced the strongest impression upon him.
As regards the term glomus (which we have adopted after Bentley, in-
stead of the common glomos), it may be remarked, that the neuter form is
decidedly preferable to the masculine, and that the meaning, also, is im-
proved by its being here employed. — 15. Ut cum pileolo soleas conviva
tribulis. "As a tribe-guest his slippers and cap." By conviva tribttlis
is meant one of the poorer members of a tribe, and in particular a native
of the country, invited to an entertainment given by some richer individ-
ual of the same tribe ; a custom occasionally pursued by the wealthy Ro-
mans in order to keep up their influence. The guest, in the true country
fashion, having no slave to follow him and carry these articles, proceeds
barefoot to the abode of his entertainer, with his slippers and cap under
his arm. The former are to be put on when he reaches the entrance, that
he may appear with them in a clean state before the master of the house.
The cap was to be worn when they returned; for, as they sometimes
went, on such occasions, to sup at a considerable distance from home, and
returned late, the cap was necessaiy to defend them from the injuries of
the air.
16-19. 16. Neu vulgo narres, Sec. " And don't tell every body," &c. —
18. Oratus multa prece, nitere porro. "Though entreated with many a
prayer, push onward," i. e., though those whom you meet may be very
urgent to know what you are carrying, give no heed to them, but push on.
— 19. Cave, ne titubes, &zc. "Take care lest thou stumble and mar my di-
rections." Literally, " break" them. Observe that cave has the final syl
lable short, as in Sat. ii., 3, 38.
Epistle XIV. The poet, in this epistle, gives us the picture of an un-
steady mind. His farm was commonly managed by a master-servant,
who was a kind of overseer or steward, and, as such, had the whole care
of it intrusted to him in his master's absence. The office was at this time
filled by one who had formerly been in the lowest station of his slaves at
ttome, and, weary of that bondage, had earnestly desired to be sent to
employment in the country. Now, however, that he had obtained his
wish, he was disgusted with a life so laborious and solitary, and wanted
to be restored to his former condition. The poet, in the mean time, who
584 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE XIV.
was detained at Rome by his concern for a friend who mourned the loss
of his brother, and had no less impatience to get into the country than his
steward to be in town, writes him this epistle to correct his inconstancy,
and to make him ashamed of complaining that he was unhappy in a place
which afforded so much delight to his master, who thought he never had
any real enjoyment as long as he was absent from it.
1-9. 1. Villice silvarum, &c. "Steward of my woods, and of the little
farm that always restores me to myself." The villicus was usually of
servile condition. — 2. Habitatum quinque focis, &c. "Though occupied
by five hearths, and accustomed to send five honest heads of families to
Varia." By focis are meant, in fact, dwellings or families. The poet
merely wishes by the expression quinque bonos solitum, &c, to add still
more precision to the phrase habitatum quinque focis in the second verse.
His farm contained on it five families, and the fathers or heads of these
families were the poet's tenants, and were accustomed, as often as their
private affairs or a wish to dispose of their commodities called them thith-
er, to go to the neighboring town of Varia. In this way he strives to re-
mind the individual whom he addresses that the farm in question, though
small in itself, was yet, as far as regarded the living happily upon it, suf-
ficiently extensive. Varia, now Vicovaro, was situate in the Sabine ter-
ritory, eight miles from Tibur, on the Via Valeria. — 4. Spinas. The
thorns of the mind are its vitia or defects. — 5. Et melior sit Horatius an
res. " And whether Horace or his farm be in the better condition." — 6.
Lami& pietas et cura. "The affection and grief of Lamia," i. e., his affec-
tionate grief. The allusion is to the grief of Lamia, not of Horace. By
Lamia is meant L. ^Elius Lamia, to whom Horace addressed Odes i., 26,
and iii., 17. — Me moratur. "Detain me here," i. e., at Rome. — 7. Rapto.
" Snatched away by death." Supply a morte. — 8. Mens animusque.
Equivalent to totus mens animus. When the Latin writers use mens
animusque, they would express all the faculties of the soul. Mens regards
the superior and intelligent part; animus, the sensible and inferior, the
source of the passions. — 9. Et amat spatiis obstantia rumpere clausti-a.
" And long to break through the barriers that oppose my way." A figur-
ative allusion to the carceres, or barriers in the circus (here called claus-
tra), where the chariots were restrained until the signal given for start-
ing, as well as to the spatia, or course itself. The plural form spatia is
more frequently employed than the singular, in order to denote that it was
run over several times in one race.
10-19. 10. Viventem. "Him who lives." — Inurbe. Supply viventem.
— 11. Sua nimirum est odio sors. "His own lot evidently is an unpleas-
ing one." The idea intended to be expressed by the whole line is this :
'Tis a sure sign, when we envy another's lot, that we are discontented
with our own. — 12. Locum immeritum. "The unoffending place." Lit-
erally, " the undeserving place," i. e., innocent. Referring to the place in
which each one is either stationed at the time, or else passes his days. —
13. Qui se non effugit unquam. Compare Ode ii., 16, 20 : " Patrice quis
exsul se quoque fugitV — 14. Mediastinus. "While a mere drudge, at
every one's beck." Mediastinus denotes a slave of the lowest rank, one
who was attached to no particular department of the household, but was
accustomed to perform the lowest offices, and to execute pot ou'y any
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE XV. 585
commands which the master might impose, bat even those which the other
slaves belonging to particular stations might see fit to give. Hence the
derivation of the name from medius, as indicating one who stands in the
midst, exposed to the orders of all, or, in other words, a slave of all work.
15. Villicus. Supply f actus. — 16. Me constare mi hi scis. It is very ap-
parent from the satires, and one in particular (ii., 7, 28), that Horace was
not always entitled to the praise which he here bestows upon himself for
consistency of character. As he advanced in years, the resolutions of the
poet became more fixed and settled. — 19. Tesqua. " "Wilds." A Sabine
term, according to the scholiast.
22-34. 22. Quid nostrum concentum dividat. "What prevents our
agreeing on these points." Literally, " what divides our agreement," i. e.,
keeps it apart or separate. — 23. Tenues toga. " Fine garments." Tenues
is here equivalent to delicatiores, or minime crassce. — Nitidique capilli.
•'And locks shining with unguents." — 24. Bibulum. "A quaffer." Com-
pare Epist. i., 18, 91 : " Potores bibuli media de node Falerni." — 26. Net
lusisse pudet, &c. "Nor is it a shame to have sported (in this way), but (it
is a shame) not to cut short such folly," i. e., by bringing maturer judgment
to one's aid. With lusisse supply Mo modo. — 27. Non istic obliquo oculo,
&c. " There no one with envious eye takes aught away from my enjoy-
ments."— Limat. Literally, "files away," i. e., diminishes. It was a
common superstition among the ancients, that an envious eye diminished
and tainted what it looked upon. A belief in the supposed effect of the
evil eye is still prevalent in modern times. — 28. Venenat. " Seeks to poi-
son them." — 29. Moventem. Supply me. — 30. Cum servis urbana diaria,
&c. " Wouldst thou rather gnaw with my other slaves thy daily allow-
ance?" Diaria was the allowance granted to slaves by the day. This
was less in town than in the country, for their allowance was always pro-
portioned to their labor. Hence the term rodere is employed in the text,
not only to mark the small quantity, but also the bad kind of food that was
given to slaves in the city. — 31. Invidet usum lignorum, Sec. "The cun-
ning city slave, on the other hand, envies thee the use of the fuel, the
flocks, and the garden." The term calo is here taken in a general sense.
33. Optat ephippia bos, &c. " The ox wishes for the horse's trappings,
the lazy horse wishes to plough." The ephippia were, properly speak
ing, a kind of covering (vestis stragula), with which the horse was said to
be constratus. We have followed Bentley and Orelli in placing a stop
after bos, aud assigning piger as an epithet to caballus. The caesural
pause alone makes the propriety of this arrangement sufficiently appar-
ent.— 34. Quam scit uterque, libens, &c. "My opinion will be, that each
of you ply contentedly that business which he best understands." — Uter-
que. Referring to the villicus and the calo.
Epistle XV. Augustus having recovered from a dangerous illness by
the use of the cold bath, which his physician Antouius Musa had prescrib-
ed, this new remedy came into great vogue, and the warm baths, which
had hitherto been principally resorted to, began to lose their credit. An-
tonius Musa, who was strongly attached to the system of treatment that
had saved the fife of his imperial patient, advised Horace, among others,
to make trial of it. The poet therefore writes to his friend Nunxonius
B b 2
586 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE XV.
Vala, who had been using for some time the baths of Velia and Salernum,
in order to obtain information respecting the climate of these places, the
maimers of the inhabitants, &c.
1-3. 1. Qu<z sit hiems Veliae, &c. In the natural order of construction
we ought to begin with the 25th verse, " Scribere te nobis," See. The con-
fusion produced by the double parenthesis is far from imparting any beau-
ty to the epistle. — Velice. Velia, called also Elea and Hyele, was a city
of Lucania, situate about three miles from the left bank of the River Heles
or Elees, which is said to have given name to the place. — Salerni. Sa
lernum was a city of Campania, on the Sinus Paestanus. It is said to have
been built by the Romans as a check upon the Picentini. It was not,
therefore, situated, like the modern town of Salerno, close to the sea, but
on the height above, whei*e considerable remains have been observed. —
2. Quorum hominum regio, &c. " With what kind of inhabitants the coun-
try is peopled, and of what nature is the road to them." — Nam mihi Baias,
&c. Understand censet. "For Antonius Musa thinks that Baiae is of no
service to me," i. e., I ask these questions, because Antonius Musa thinks
that I can derive no benefit from the warm baths at Baiae. — 3. Musa An-
tonius. As regards the celebrated cure performed by this physician on
Augustus, which proved the foundation of his fame, compare the account
of the scholiast. He recommended the cold bath to Horace, also, for the
weakness in his eyes. — Et tamen Mis mefacit invisum, &c. "And yet
makes me odious to that place, when I am going to be bathed in cold wa-
ter, in the depth of winter," i. e., and yet makes the people of that place
highly incensed against me, when they see me about to use the cold bath
of another place in mid-winter, instead of their own warm baths. Ob-
serve here the force of tamen, " and yet makes me odious" to them, in-
stead of himself, the real cause of my deserting them. Perluor, as here
employed, does not suppose that the poet had already used the cold bath,
but that he was on the point of doing so. It is equivalent, therefore, to
cum in eo sum ut perluar. The supposed anger of the people of Baiae
arises from seeing their warm baths slighted, and their prospects of gain
threatened with diminution.
5-9. 5. Myrteta. Referring to the myrtle groves of Baiae, in which the
baths were situate. — 6. Cessantem morbum. This morbus cessans ("lin-
gering disease") is caused, observes Sanadon, by a phlegmatic humor,
which, obstructing the nerves, produces a languid heaviness, and some-
times deprives the part affected of all sensation and action, as in palsies
and apoplexies. — Elidere. " To drive away." Literally, " to dash out."
The term strikingly depicts the rapidity of the cure. — 7. Sulfura. "Their
sulphur baths." The allusion is to the vapor baths of Baiae. — Invidus
eegris. " Bearing no good will to those invalids." — 8. Qui caput et stom-
achum, &c. The allusion here would seem to be to a species of shower
baths. — 9. Clusinis. Clusium was a city of Etruria, nearly on a line with
Perusia, and to the west of it. It is now Chiusi. — Gabiosque. Consult
note on Epist., i., 11, 7. — Frigida. Cold because mountainous.
10-25. 10. Mutandus locus est, dec. The idea intended to be conveyed
is this : I must obey my physician, I must change my baths, and go no
more to Baiae. The poet now humorously supposes himself on the point
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE XV. 587
pf setting out. If, perchance, observes be, my horse shall refuse to turn
away from the road leading to Cumae or to Baiae, and to leave his usual
stages, I, his rider, will chide him for his obstinacy, angrily pulling in the
left-hand rein ; but horses hear not words, their ear is in the bit. — Dever-
soria nota prcetcr agendus. An anastrophe for agendus prater deversoHa
nota. — 11 Quo tendis ? Addressed by the rider to his horse. — Cumas.
Cumae was an ancient city of Campania, placed on a rocky hill washed
by the sea, and situate some distance below the mouth of the Vulturnus.
— 12. Lceva stomachosus kabena. At the entrance into Campania the
road divides : the right leads to Cumas and Baiae, the left to Capua, Sa-
lernum, and Velia. The horse is going to his usual stage at Baiae, but
Horace turns him to the left, to the Lucanian road. — 13. Eques. Refer-
ring to himself. — 14. Major utrum populum, &c. To be referred back to
the second line of the epistle, so as to stand in connection with it, as a
continuation of the poet's inquiries. — 16. Jugis aqu<B. Our poet was
obliged to drink more water than wine for fear of inflaming his eyes, and
he was therefore more curious about it. — Nam vina nihil moror illius ores.
" For I stop not to inquire about the wines of that region," i. e., I need not
make inquiries about the wines of that part of the country ; I know them
to be of inferior quality, and therefore do not intend to use them. — 17.
Quidvis. A general reference to plain and homely fare, but particularly
to wine. On my Sabine farm I can put up with any kind of food or drink,
because there the mountain air and frequent walks abroad facilitate di-
gestion ; but, when I come down to the sea-coast in the winter season,
suffering from cold, I want generous and mellow wine. — 18. Mare. Al-
luding to the lower or Tuscan Sea. — Generosum et lene requiro. "I want
generous and mellow wine." — 21. Tractus uter. "Which tract of coun-
try." Alluding to the respective territories of Velia and Salernum. — 22.
Echinos. Consult note on Epode v., 27. — 23. Phceazque. " And a true
Phaeacian," ?'. c, as sleek as one of the subjects of Alcinous. Consult note
on Epist. i., 2, 28. — 24. Scribere te nobis, &c. Compare note on verse 1.
25-31. 25. Maenius. This individual has already made his appearance
before us in Sat. i., 1, 101, and i., 3, 2. Our poet assures us that he knew
how to reconcile himself equally to a frugal or a sumptuous table ; and, to
justify his conduct, he cites, with a bitter spirit of satire, the example of
Maenius, with whose character he finishes the epistle. — Rebus matemis
atque paternis. " His maternal and paternal estates," i. e., the whole of
his patrimony. — 26. Urbanus. " A merry fellow." — 27. Scurra vagus,
non qui certum, Sec. " A wandering buffoon, who had no fixed eating-
place ; who, when in want of a dinner, could not tell a citizen from a
stranger," i. e., would fasten on them alike. Hostis is here employed in
its primitive meaning of a stranger or foreigner. (Compare Cicero, de Off.,
i., 12.) As regards the expression scurra vagus, it may be remarked,
that there were two kinds of buffoons : some who kept entirely to one
master, and others who changed about from one to another, according as
they met with the best entertainment. — Pr&sepe. A happy term, mark-
ing out Maenius as a species of gluttonous animal, and serving to introduce
the rest of the description. — 29. Qucelibet in quemvis opprobria Jingere
savus. "Merciless in inventing any calumnies against all without dis-
tinction." The comparison is here indirectly made with an animal raging
through want of food. So Maenius would quarrel with auy one that would
588 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE XVI.
not feed him. — 30. Pernicics et tempestas barathrumque macelli. " The
very destruction, and hurricane, and gulf of the market." Horace calls
Maenius the ruin and destruction of the market, because he would con-
sume, if let alone, all that was in it. So Parmeno, in Terence {Eunuch.,
i., 1, 34), styles Thais "Fundi nostri calamitas," i. e., the storm that rav-
ages our farm. — 31. Barathrum. Consult note on Sat. ii., 3, 166. — Quic-
quid qucesierat. " Whatever he had been able to obtain."
32-38. 32. Nequitice fatitoribus et timidis. "From the favorers of his
scurrility, and from those who dreaded it." Two sources of support for
the scurra are here alluded to, and two classes of persons are meant,
namely, those who directly favored and encouraged his abuse of others,
and those who, through the dread of suffering from it, purchased an escape
by entertainments, &c. — 33. Patinas casnabat omasi, &c. " Would devour
for supper whole dishes of tripe and wretched lamb." With agnince sup-
ply carnis. Lamb was little esteemed. — 35. Nimirum hie ego sum, &c.
"Just such a one am I; for, when I have nothing better, I commend my
quiet and frugal repast ; resolute enough amid humble fare." The poet
now refers to himself. Quum res dejiciunt may be more literally render-
ed, "when better means fail." Hie is by an elegant usage equivalent to
talis. — 37. Verum, ubi quid melius contingit et unctius. "When, how-
ever, any thing better and more delicate offers," or, more literally, "ialls
to my lot." — 38. Quorum conspicitur nitidis, &c. "Whose money is
seen well and safely laid out, in villas conspicuous for their elegance and
beauty." Fundata is here equivalent to bene et tuto collocata; and niti-
dis to pulchritudine et nitore conspicuis.
Epistle XVI. duinctius Hirpinus is thought to have written to Horace,
repi'oaching him with his long stay in the country, and desiring a descrip-
tion of that little retirement where the poet professed to find so much hap-
piness, and which he was so unwilling to exchange for the society of the
capital. Horace yields to his request, and, after a short account of his re-
treat, and the manner in which he enjoyed himself there, falls into a di-
gression concerning virtue ; where, after rejecting several false accounts
and definitions, he endeavors to teach its true nature and properties. As
this discussion is of a serious character, the poet seeks to enliven it by
adopting the dialogue form.
1-8. 1. Quincti. The individual here addressed is generally supposed
to be the same with the one to whom the eleventh ode of the second book
is inscribed. Bothe, however, maintains, that the person meant is T.
duinctius Crispinus, who was consul A.U.C. 745, and one of those driven
into exile in the affair of Julia, the daughter of Augustus. — 2. Arvo. "By
tillage," i. e., by its harvests. — 3. An amicta vitibus ulmo. "Or with
what the vine-clad elm bestows," i. e., with wine. Literally, "or with
the vine-clad elm." An elegant allusion to the Roman practice of train-
ing the vine along the trunk and branches of the elm. — 4. Loquaciter.
" In loquacious strain," i. e., at large. The description, after all, is only
ten lines ; but the poet perhaps felt that some indirect apology was re-
quired for again turning to his favorite theme, although he intended to be
brief in what he said. — Continui monies, &c. " A continued range of
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE XVI. 58&
mountains, except where they are parted by a shady vale," i. e., imag-
ine to thyself a continued chain of mountains, divided only by a shady
vale. For the grammatical construction, we may supply hie sunt with
monies, though the translation is far neater if no verb be expressed. The
poet is pointing, as it were, to the surrounding scenery, and his friend is
supposed to be stationed by his side. — Sed ut veniens dextrum latus, &c.
" So situated, however, that the approaching sun views its right side, and
warms its left when departing in his rapid car." Orelli makes vaporet
signify here, "covers with an exhalation," and refers in explanation to
the usual appearance of an Italian evening, "utjit vesperi sub coelo Itali-
co." — 8. Temper iem. "The temperature." Supply a eris. — Quid? Sup-
ply diceres. — Si rubicunda benigni coma, &c. "If the very briers pro-
duce in abundance the ruddy cornels and sloes." This is said jocosely,
since neither of them was in any repute.
10-17. 10. Multa fruge. "With plenty of acorns." Fruge is here
equivalent to glande. — Pecus. Equivalent here to sues. — 11. Dicas ad-
ductum propius frondere Tarentum. " Thou mightest say that Tarentum
blooms here, brought nearer to Rome," i. e., that the delicious shades of
Tarentum have changed their situation and drawn nearer to Rome. —
12. Foils etiam rivo dare nomen idoneus. "A fountain, too, fit to give
name to a stream," i. e., large enough to form and give name to a stream.
The stream here meant is the Digentia, now Licenza, and the fountain
formed its source. Compare the note on Ode iii., 4, 16. — Idoneus dare
A Graecism for idoneus qui det. — 14. Utilis. In the sense of salubris. —
15. Latebrce. "Retreats." — Amasna. "Delicious." — 16. Incolumem tibt
me praBstant. " Preserve me in health and safety for thee amid Septem
ber hours," i. e., during the sickly season of September. — 17. Tu recte
vivis, si curas esse quod audis. " Thou leadest a happy life, if it is thy
care to be what thou art reputed." Audis is here equivalent to diceris
esse, like k?.velc and aicoveic in Greek. Horace, observes Francis, is here
very careless of the connection. After having described his farm, he
would insinuate to Cluinctius that the tranquil and innocent pleasures he
found there were infinitely preferable to the dangerous and tumultuous
pursuits of ambition. He would inform him that happiness, founded upon
the opinion of others, is weak and uncertain ; that the praises which we
receive from a mistaken applause are really paid to virtue, not to us ; and
that, while we are outwardly honored, esteemed, and applauded, we are
inwardly contemptible and miserable. Such was probably the then situa-
tion of Quinctius, who disguised, under a seeming severity of manners,
the most irregular indulgences of ambition and sensuality. Some years
afterward he broke through all restraint, and his incontinence plunged
him into the last distresses.
18-24. 18. Omnis Roma. Equivalent to nos omnes Romani. — 19. Sed
vereor, ne cui de te plus, &c. " But I am under great apprehensions lest
thou mayest give more credit concerning thyself to any other than thyself,
or lest thou mayest imagine that one may be happy who is other than
wise and good," i. e., I am afraid lest, in a thing that so intimately con-
cerns thee as thy own happiness, thou mayest trust more to the testimony
of others than to the suggestions of thine own mind, and mayest fancy
that happiness can subsist without wisdom and virtue. As regards the
590 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE XVI.
construction of the sentence, it maybe remarked, that the ablatives sa-
piente and bono follow alium, because this last implies a comparison.—
21. Neu, si tepopulus, &c. The continuation of ideas is as follows : I am
afraid, also, lest, though all pronounce thee well and in perfect health,
thou mayest in reality be the prey of disease, and resemble him who con-
ceals the lurking fever, at the hour for eating, lest food be denied him, un-
til his malady too plainly shows itself by the trembling of his hands while
busied with the contents of the dish. The degree of intimacy that sub-
sisted between Horace and duinctius may easily be inferred from the
present passage and the lines which immediately precede it ; for who but
a very intimate friend would hold such language to another? — 23. Manx-
bus unctis. Greasy, because the Romans did not use knives and forks in
eating, but employed their fingers. His tremor, of course, would make his
hands more greasy than usual. (Keightley, ad loc.) — 24. Pudor malus.
"The false shame." Compare Celsus, iii., 2: "Neque dubium est, quia
vix quisquam, qui non dissimulavit, sed per abstinentiam mature morbo
occurrit, wgrotet."
25-30. 25. Tibi pugnata. "Fought by thee."— 26. Dicat. "Should
talk of," i. e., should talk in thy presence of them. We must not join tibi,
in construction, with dicat, but with pugnata, making it equivalent to a
te. — Vacuas. "Open to his strains." — 27. Tene magis salvum populus
velit, &c. The careless manner of introducing the praises and name of
Augustus is not the least beautiful part of this passage. That his glories
are inseparable from those of the state, and that his happiness consists in
loving and being beloved by his people, are the highest praises which can
possibly be given to a great and good prince. — 28. Servet in ambiguo.
The wish expressed in the text is this, that Jupiter may keep it in doubt
whether the people be more solicitous for the welfare of the prince, or the
prince for that of the people, so that it may not appear that the one is sur-
passed by the other in feelings of attachment. — 30. Quum pateris sapiens
emendatusque vocari, &c. " When thou sufterest thyself to be styled a
wise and virtuous man, tell me, I entreat, dost thou answer to these ap-
pellations in thy own name ?" i. e., dost thou answer to this character as
thy own? The connection in the train of ideas is as follows : No private
man, that has the least glimpse of reason, can take for his own the praises
that belong only to a great prince, famed for his victories and success.
And yet wherein is it less ridiculous to imagine ourselves wise and vir-
tuous, without any real perception of these qualities within ourselves, only
because the people ignorantly ascribe them to us?
31-44. 31. Nempe vir bonus et prudens, &c. " To be sure ; I love to be
called a good and wise man as well as thou." The poet here supposes
his friend Cluinctius to reply to his question. Every one would willingly
pass for a good and wise man, but the folly of it is placed in a strong light
by bringing in the word did. — 33. Qui dedit hoc hodie, eras, si volet, au-
feret, Sec. This is the answer which Horace makes to Q,uinctius. Were
the populace steady in their approbation, there would be less reason to
find fault with those who are at so much pains to acquire it ; because it
would procure them the same advantages, at least with regard to the pop-
ulace, as real virtue ; but as there is nothing more changeable, it is mere
madness to build our hopes on a foundation so chimerical and uncertain.
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE XVI. 591
— t>6. Pone. "Put it down," i. e., lay aside this appellation of a good and
wise man. — 36. Idem si clamet furcm, &c. The construction is si idem
clamet me esse furem, &c. — 39. Falsus honor. "Undeserved honor." —
Alendax infamia. "Lying calumny.-' — 40. Mendoswn et medicandum.
"The vicious man, and him that stands in need of a cure." — 41. Servat.
"Observes." We are here supposed to have duinctius's definition of a
vir bonus, which is the same, in fact, with the definition given by the
crowd. — 42. Secantur. "Are decided." Compare Sat. i., 10, 15. — 43. Quo
res sponsore, et quo causes teste tenentur. " By whose surety property is
retained, and by whose testimony causes are won." — 44. Sed videt huuc
omnis domus, &c. " Yet all his family and neighbors see this man to be
polluted within, though imposing to the view with a fair exterior." Van-
ity, observes Sanadon, point of honor, sense of decency, or some other mo-
tive of interest, disguise mankind when they appear abroad ; but at home
they throw off the mask, and show their natural face. A magistrate ap-
pears in public with dignity, circumspection, and integrity. A courtier
puts on an air of gayety, politeness, and complaisance. But let them en-
ter into themselves and all is changed. A man may be a very bad man
with all the good qualities given him by our poet's definition, as that slave
may be a bad one who is neither a thief, murderer, nor fugitive.
48-61. 48. Non pasces in cruce corvos. The capital punishment of
slaves was crucifixion. The connection in the train of ideas, which has
already been hinted at, is as follows : The man who aims only at obeying
the laws, is no more than exempt from the penalties annexed to them ; as
a slave, who is no fugitive nor thief, escapes punishment. But neither
the one nor the other can on that account claim the character of virtue, be-
cause they may act only from a vicious motive, and, notwithstanding their
strict adherence to the law, be still ready to break it when they can do
so with impunity. — 49. Renuit uegitatque Sabellus. Horace here styles
himself Sabellus, i. e., "the Sabine farmer," in imitation of the plain and
simple mode of speaking prevalent among the inhabitants of the country.
— 50. Foveam. "The pitfall." A usual mode of taking wolves. — 51. Mi-
luus. The poet alludes to a species of fish, living on prey, and some-
times, for the sake of obtaining food, darting up from the water like the
flying-fish when pursued by its foe. Keightley, less correctly, makes it
the kite, remarking that this bird is often caught in this way, or by a snap-
trap baited with a piece of meat. — 56. Damnum est, non f acinus, mihi
pacto lenius isto. "My loss, it is true, is in this way less, but not thy vil-
lainy." The poet here touches, as it would appear, upon the doctrine of
the Stoics respecting the essential nature of crime. He puts the Stoic
paradox, omnia peccata esse aqualia, in its true light; for all peccala are
(Kqualia inasmuch as they are such, but all are not equally injurious, and
so should not be punished alike. {Keightley, ad loc.) — 57. Vir bonus,
omne forum, &c. Horace here introduces another vice, common to those
who falsely affect a character of virtue ; they want also to deceive the
world by putting on an exterior of devotion. They go to the temple, offer
sacrifices, and pray so as to be heard by all. When they have prayed to
gain the good opinion of the public, they mutter their secret wishes for
the success of their villainies and hypocrisy. It is not the poet's design to
censure either public or private prayer, but the abuse of it, and the wif
bonus here introduced to our notice is, like the one that has preceded him
592 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE XVI.
merely entitled to this appellation in the opinion of the vulgar, who are
governed entirely by external circumstances. — 59. Jane pater. To Janus
not only the opening of the year was consecrated, but also that of the day,
and he was, of course, invoked to aid the various undertakings in which
men engaged. — 60. Pulchra Laverna. Laverna, in the strange mythology
of the Romans, was the goddess of fraudulent men and of thieves. — 61.
Dajusto sanctoque videri. A Graecism.
63-72. 63. Qui melior servo, &c. In this latter part of his epistle the
poet shows that there is no servitude equal to that which our passions
impose upon us. Men of a covetous temper, for example, stoop to the
meanest arts of acquiring wealth. Horace justly compares them to that
sordid class of beings, who descended so low as to stoop to take up a
piece of false money, fixed to the ground by children on purpose to de-
ceive those who passed by. — 64. In triviis Jixum. " Fixed in the cross-
roads." The mode of doing this is explained by Pseudocornutus, ad Pers.,
Sat. v., iii. : " Solent pueri, ut ridendi causam habeant, assent in silice
plumbatum affigcre, ut, qui viderint, se ad colligendum inclinent nee ta-
men possint evellere, quo facto, pueri, * etiam !' clamitare solent, 'etiam!' "
— 65. Porro. "Then.'' — 67. Perdidit arma, locum virtutis deseruit, &c.
"The man who is perpetually busy, and immersed in the increasing of
his wealth, has thrown away his arms, has abandoned the post of virtue."
By arma are here meant the precepts of virtue and wisdom. The poet
draws a noble and beautiful idea of life. The deity has sent us into this
world to combat vice, and maintain a constant warfare against our pas-
sions. The man who gives ground is like the coward that has thrown
away his arms and abandoned the post it was his duty to preserve. —
69. Captivum. "This captive." The avaricious and sordid man is here
ironically styled a captive, because a complete slave to his covetous feel-
ings. Captives might either be put to death or sold, and the poet humor-
ously recommends the latter course, or else that he be retained and made
useful in some way. — 70. Sine pascat durus aretque. " Let him lead the
hard life of a shepherd or a ploughman." — ?2. Annonce prosit. " Let him
contribute to the cheapness of grain," i. e., by his labor. — Penusque. "And
other provisions."
73-79. 73. Vir bonus et sapiens, &c. After rejecting the several false
notions of virtue which have just passed in review, the poet now lays
down the position that the truly good and wise man is he whom the loss
of fortune, liberty, and life can not intimidate. With unexpected spirit
and address he brings a god upon the stage, in the character of this good
man, instead of giving a formal definition. The whole passage is imitated
from the Bacchae of Euripides (484, seqq.), where Pentheus, king of Thebes,
threatens Bacchus with rough usage and with chains. — Pentheu, rector
Thebarum, &c. Bacchus speaks. — 75. Nempe pecus, rem, lectos, &c. "My
cattle, I suppose, my lands, my furniture, my money; thou mayest take
them." — 78. Ipse deus simul atque volam, &c. " A god will come in per-
son to deliver me, as soon as I shall desire it." — Opinor, hoc sentit, «Sec.
" In my opinion, he means this : I will die. Death is the end of our race."
In the Greek play, Bacchus means that he will deliver himself, and when
he pleases. Horace, therefore, in his imitation of the Greek poet, aban.
dons the idea just alluded to, and explains the words conformably to his
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE XVII. 593
own design, of showing that the fear even of death is not capable of shak-
ing the courage of a good man, or of obliging him to abandon the cause of
virtue. — 79. Moriar. " I will die." An allusion to the Stoic doctrine of
the lawfulness of suicide. — Mors ultima linea rerum est. A figurative al-
lusion to chariot races. Linea was a white or chalked rope drawn across
the circus, and serving to mark both the beginning and the end of the race.
It answered, therefore, to the starting and winning post of modern days.
Epistle XVII. Horace, in this epistle, gives his young friend some in-
structions for his conduct at court, that he may not only support his own
character there, but proceed with happiness in that dangerous and slip-
pery road. He shows that an active life, the life of a man who attempts
to gain and preserve the favors of the great by honorable means, is far more
reputable than an idle life without emulation and ambition. He then as-
sures him that nothing can more probably ruin him at court than a mean
and sordid design of amassing money by asking favors.
1-5. 1. Quamvis. Joined with the indicative here to denote certain-
ty, as in verse 22, and Epist. i., 14, 6. — Scceva. As this and the next
epistle are written upon the same subject, the copyists would seem to
have joined them together. Baxter and Gesner incline to the opinion
that they were both written to the same person. We do not find, how-
ever, as Gesner himself acknowledges, that the house of Lollius ever took
the cognomen of Scceva, which appears in the Junian and Cassian fami-
lies only. It is probable that the individual here meant was the son of
that Scaeva whose valor is so highly spoken of by Cassar (B. C, iii., 53). —
Per te. Equivalent to iua ipsius prudentia. — Et scis, quo tandem pacto
dcceat majoribus uti. " And knowest well how to conduct thyself toward
thy superiors," i. e., and art no way at a loss as to the manner of living
with the great. — 3. Disce, docendus adhuc qua censet amiculus. "Yet
learn what are the sentiments of thy old friend upon the subject, who him-
self still requires to be taught." — Ut si ccecus iter monstrare velit. "As
if a blind guide should wish to show thee the way." The poet here, in
allusion to the docendus adhuc, which has gone before, styles himself emeus,
a blind guide. — 5. Quod cures proprium fecisse. "Which thou mayest
deem it worth thy while to make thine own." Proprium fecisse is here
equivalent to in usum tuum convertisse.
6-11. 6. Primam somnus in horam. " Sleep until the first hour," i. <.,
until seven o'clock. — 8. Caupona. "The noise of the tavern." — Ferenti-
num. A city of Latium, on the Via Lavicana, in the territory of the Hernici,
forty-eight miles from Rome. The situation was mountainous and lonely.
— 10. Nee vixit male qui natus moriensque fefellit. "Nor has he lived ill,
who, at his birth and death, has escaped the observation of the world," /.
e., nor has he made an ill choice of existence who has passed all his Jays
in the bosom of obscurity. Compare the saying of Epicurus, lade fiiioaac.
— 11. Si prodesse tuis pauloque benignius, &c. "If, however, thou shalt
feel disposed to be of service to thy friends, and to treat thyself with a lit-
tle more indulgence than ordinary, thou wilt go a poor man to the rich,"
i. e., if thou shalt want to be useful to thy friends, and indulge thjse'f more
freely in the pleasures of life, then make thy court to the great. Siccus,
594 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE XVII.
when the reference is to drinking, is opposed to uvidus, but, in the case
of eating, to unctus. The term uncti, therefore, is used in speaking of
those who fare sumptuously, while by sicci are meant such as are con-
fined, from scanty x'esources, to a spare and frugal diet.
13-22. 13. Si pranderet olus patienter, &c. " If he could dine con-
tentedly on herbs, Aristippus would not feel inclined to seek the society
of kings." These are the words of Diogenes the Cynic. Compare Diog.
Laert., i., 2, 68. — Horace, after laying it down as a maxim that every one
ought to live according to his taste and liking, suddenly introduces Diog-
enes, the well-known founder of the Cynic sect, opposing this decision,
and condemning every species of indulgence. — 14. Si sciret regibus uti,
&c. The reply of Aristippus. The allusion in regibus is to Dionysius
the elder, tyrant of Syracuse, at whose court he resided for some time. —
15. Qui me notat. " He who censures my conduct." Alluding to Diog-
enes.— 18. Mordacem Cynicum sic eludebat. "He thus eluded the snarl-
ing Cynic," i. e., he thus parried the blow which the latter sought to in-
flict. Eludo is a gladiatorial term. — 19. Scurror ego ipse mihi, populo tu.
"I play the buffoon for my own advantage, thou to please the populace."
Aristippus, observes Sanadon, does not, in fact, acknowledge he was a
buffoon, but rather makes use of the term to insult Diogenes, and dexter-
ously puts other words of more civil import in the place of it, when he
again speaks of himself, namely, officium facio. My buffoonery, says
he, if it deserve the name, procures me profit and honor; thine leaves thee
in meanness, indigence, filth, and contempt. My dependence is on kings,
to whom we are born in subjection ; thou art a slave to the people, whom
a wise man should despise. — Hoc. " This line of conduct that I pursue."
— 21. Officium facio. "I pay court." Aristippus, remarks Dacier, pays
his court to Dionysius without making any request. Diogenes, on the
other hand, asks even the vilest of things (vilia rerum) from the vilest of
people. He would excuse himself by saying that he asks only because
what he asks is of little value ; but if the person who receives an obliga-
tion is inferior at that time to the person who bestows it, he is inferior in
proportion to the meanness of the favor he receives. — 22. Quamvis fers te
nullius egentem. " Though thou pretendest to be in want of nothing."
23-25. 23. Omnis Aristippum decuit color, &c. "Every complexion,
and situation, and circumstance of life suited Aristippus." Aristippus
possessed a versatility of disposition and politeness of manners which,
while they enabled him to accommodate himself to every situation, emi-
nently qualified him for the easy gayety of a court. Perfectly free from
the reserve and haughtiness of the preceptorial chair, he ridiculed the sin-
gularities which were affected by other philosophers, particularly the
stately gravity of Plato and the rigid abstinence of Diogenes. — 24. Ten-
tantem majora, fere prcesentibus eequum. " Aspiring to greater things,
fet in general content with the present," i. e., losing no opportunity to
setter his foi'tune, but still easy in his present situation. — 25. Contra, quern
iuplici panno, &c. " On the other hand, I shall be much surprised if an
opposite mode of life should prove becoming to him, whom obstinacy
clothes with a thick, coarse mantle." Literally, " with a double piece of
cloth," i. e., with a mantle as thick as two. The Cynics, instead of wear-
ing, like other people, a pallium and tunic, went without the latter ; and
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE XVII. 595
they used to double their cloak of coarse cloth, and called this a dnv/.otc.
(Keightley, ad loc.) — Patientia. The main Cynic virtue was patientia,
called in Greek Kaprepia, i. e., endurance of privations, &c. Here, how-
ever, mere stubborn obstinacy is meant by it.
27-32. 27. Alter. Alluding to Aristippus. — Non expectabit. " Will not
wait for." — 28. Quidlibet. Any sort of cloak, old or new, coarse or fine. —
Celeberrima per loca. " Through the most frequented places." — 29. Per-
lonamque feret non inconcinnus utramque. "And will support either
character without the least admixture of awkwardness," i. e., will acquit
himself equally well, whether he appears in a fine or a coarse garment,
in a costly or a mean one. — 30. Alter Mileti textam, &c. " The other will
shun a cloak wrought at Miletus, as something more dreadful than a rabid
dog or a snake." Miletus, an Ionian city, on the western coast of Asia
Minor, was famed for its woollen manufactures aud its purple dye. — 31.
Morietur frigore, si non retuleris pannum. " He will die with cold if one
does not restore him his coarse cloak," i. e., he will rather perish with
cold than appear in any other but his coarse cloak. Compare the story
related by the scholiast : " Aiunt Aristippum, invitato Diogene ad bal-
neas, dedisse operant, ut omnes prius egrederentur, ipsiusque pallium in-
duisse, ill que purpureum reliquisse, quod Diogenes cum induere noluisset,
suum repetiit : tunc Aristippus increpuit Cynicum, fama servientem, qui
algere mallet quam conspici in veste purpurea." — 32. Refer, et sine vivat
incptus. " Restore it, and let the fool live."
33-36. 33. Res gerere et captos ostendere civibus kostes, &c. " To per-
form exploits, and to show the citizens their foes led captive, reaches the
throne of Jove and aspires to celestial honors," i. e., is, in fact, a mounting
up to the throne of Jupiter, aud treading the paths of immortality. The
expression captos ostendere civibus hostes alludes to the solemnity of a
Roman triumph. Horace continues his argument, to prove that an active
life, the life of a man who aims at acquiring the favor of the great, is pref-
erable to the indolent life of those who renounce all commerce with the
world, and are actuated by no ambition. His reasoning is this : Princes
who gain great victories, and triumph over their enemies, almost equal
the gods, and acquire immortal renown : in like manner, they whose mer-
it recommends them to the favor of these true images of the deity, are by
this raised above the rest of their species. The poet here both makes his
court to Augustus, and defends the part he had himself chosen ; for, in the
first satire of the second book, he tells us that envy itself must own he
had lived in reputation with the great. — 35. Principibus viris. "The
great." Principibus is here used in a more extended signification than
ordinary, and indicates the great, the powerful, the noble, &c. — 36. Xon
cuivis homini contingit adire Corinthum. A proverbial form of expres-
sion, aud said of things that are arduous and perilous, and which it is not
the fortune of every one to surmount. Horace, by using this adage, in-
tends to show that all people have not talents proper for succeeding in a
court, while he seeks, at the same time, to raise the glory of those who
have courage to attempt and address to conquer the difficulties there.
37-40. 37. Sedit qui timuit, &c. The idea intended to be conveved is
this : The man that doubts of success sits still, and so far is well. Be it
596 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE XVIII.
so. What then ? He who has carried his point, has he not acted with
the spirit of a man ? Now, the things that we seek after are to be ob-
tained by the exercise of moral courage and resolution, or not at all. This
man dreads the burden, as too gi*eat either for his strength or courage ;
another attempts it, and happily succeeds, &c. In this way Horace seeks
to impress upon Scaeva the importance of zealous and untiring effort in
conciliating the favor of the great. — 42. Aut decus et pretium recte petit
experiens vir. " Or he who makes the attempt deservedly claims the
honor and the reward." If there be difficulty or danger, he certainly de-
serves the highest praise who tries to succeed ; and if virtue be any thing
more than a mere idle name, he may with justice claim a reward propor-
tional to his merit. — 43. Coram rege suo, Sec. " They who say nothing
about narrow means in the presence of their patron, will receive more
than the importunate." By rege is meant the great man, the patron. —
44. Distat, sumasne pudenter, an rapias. "There is a difference, wheth-
er one take with modesty what is offered, or eagerly snatch at it." — 45.
Atqui rerum caput hoc erat, hicfons. " For this (the receipt of some ad-
vantage) is the capital point, this is the fountain-head of all your exer-
tions." Tbe imperfect, as here employed, does not accord with the usage
of our own language, and must therefore be rendered by the present. In
the original, however, it gives a very pleasing air to the clause, as mark-
ing a continuance of action in the two particular cases to which he refers.
— 49. Indotata mihi soror est, &c. "The man who tells his patron, ' My
sister has no portion, my mother is in straitened circumstances, and my
farm is neither saleable nor to be relied upon for my support,' cries out, in
effect, ' Give me food.' " — 48. Succinit alter, Et mihi dividuo, See. " An-
other responds, ! A quarter shall be cut out for me, too, from the divided
gift.' " An imitation of the cry of mendicants in asking charity. Quadra
is properly a piece of bread or cake cut in the form of a quarter. — 49. Sed
tacitus pasci si posset corvus, Sec. The poet compares the cries made by
the raven when lighting on food to the clamors of the importunate.
Epistle XVIII. As in the preceding epistle the poet has given advice
to Scasva on the line of conduct to be pursued in his intercourse with the
great, so here he lays down precepts to the same effect for the guidance
of Lollius. The individual to whom this epistle is addressed, appears, as
Wetzel correctly supposes, to be the same person with the one to whom
the second epistle of the present book is inscribed.
1-12. 1. Liber rime Lolli. "Frankest Lollius." Horace here mentions
a leading quality in his friend, which might be serviceable or not, accord-
ing as he employed it. — 2. Scurrantis speciem prcebere, Sec. " To display
the character of a mean flatterer, when thou hast professed thyself a
friend." As regards the peculiar force of scurrantis in this passage,
compare the explanation of the scholiast: "Scurrantis : turpiter adulan,
tis." — 3. Huic vitio. Alluding to base and sordid flattery. — 4. Asperita*
agrestis et inconcinna gravisque. "A clownish, and unmannerly, and of-
fensive rudeness." — 5. Tonsa cute. " By being shorn to the skin." To
have the hair cut quite close was regarded as a mark of clownisbness.
The expression tonsa cute is equivalent to the Greek rrj tv %pco tcovpa.
Compare Epist. i., 7, 50.—- 6. Libertas mera. " Mere frankness." — 7. Vir
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK L, EPISTLE XVIII. 597
tus est medium vitiorum, &c. " Virtue holds a middle place between these
opposite vices, and is equally removed from each." — 8. Alter in obsequium
plus <squo pronus, &c. "The one too prone to obsequious fawning, and
a buffoon of the lowest couch," i. c, carrying his obsequious complaisance
to excess, and degenerating into a mere buffoon. The reference is to the
scurra. The expression imi devisor lecti has been much misunderstood.
In order to comprehend its true meaning, we must bear in mind that the
buffoons or jesters at a Roman entertainment were placed on the lowest
couch along with the entertainer (consult note on Sat. ii., 8, 40), and hence
derisor imi lecti does not by any means imply, as some suppose, a rallier
of those who recline on the lowest couch, but is merely intended as a gen-
eral designation for the buffoon or jester of the party. Horace advances
a general proposition, and, to make flatterers appear the more odious, he
says very judiciously, that, in pushing their complaisance too far, they de-
generate into mere buffoons. — 9. Sic nutum divitis horret. "Is so fear-
fully attentive to every nod of his patron." — 10. Et verba cadentia tollit.
" And catches up his falling words," i. e., his casual remarks. He calls
the attention of the company to, and extols as brilliant specimens of wit
or talent, the merest expressions that chance to fall from his patron's lips.
— 12. Red dere. " Is repeating." Equivalent to recitare. As regards the
term dictata, consult note on Sat. i., 10, 75. — Mimum. " A mime-player."
Consult note on Sat. i., 10, 6.
13-18. 13. Alter rixatur de lana scepe caprina. " The other often
wrangles about things of no consequence whatever." Alter here refers
to the man of rude and blunt manners. The expression de lana caprina
rixari is a proverbial one, and is well explained by the scholiast : " De
lana caprina: proverbium, h. e. de re vili et paene nulla; de nihilo, quia
capr& nulla est lana, sed pili." — 14. Propugnat nugis armatus. "Arm-
ed with trifles, stands forth an unflinching champion," i. e., armed with
mere trifles and nonsense, he combats every thing that is advanced. —
Scilicet. " For example." The poet now gives a specimen of that zeal-
ous contention for trifles which marks the character that is here condemn-
ed. Observe the construction here, armatus nugis, not pugnat pro nugis.
— 15. Et vcre quod placet ut non acriter elatrem. " And that I should not
boldly speak out what are my real sentiments." — 16. Pretium cetas altera
sordet. "Another life is worthless when purchased at such a price," i.
e., I would reject with scorn another life upon such base conditions. Lit-
erally, "another life is valueless as the price of if." — 17. Ambigitur quid
enim ? " And, pray, what matter is in dispute 1 Why, whether Castor or
Dolichos knows more of his profession," i. e., whether Castor or Dolichos
be the more expert gladiator. Compare the scholiast : " Castor et Doli-
chos erant illius temporis nobiles gladiatores." — 18. Minuci Compare
the scholiast : " Minucia via est a porta Minucia, sive Trigemina, per
Sabinos ad Brundisium."
19-23. 19. Gloria quern supra vires, &c. "Him whom vanity both
clothes and perfumes beyond his means," i. e., the man who is led by a
foolish desire of distinction into a style of living far beyond his means.
The poet now enters upon an enumeration of those failings, from which he
who seeks the favor of the great and powerful should be free. — 21. Pau-
pertatis pndor etfuga. "A shame of, and aversion for narrow means,"
598 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE XVIII.
i. e., a dread of narrow means, and an anxious care to avoid them.—
22. Scepe decern vitiis instructior. " Though not unfrequently ten times
more vicious." Equivalent, in effect, to scepe decies vitiosior. This pre-
cept is of great importance, observes Sanadon. A prince or powerful per-
son, however vicious himself, pays a secret homage to virtue, and treats
with just contempt those faults in others which render him really contempt-
ible. He requires a regularity of conduct, which he breaks by his own ex-
ample, as if he proposed to conceal his vices under their virtues. — 23. Re-
git. " Gives him rules for his conduct." — Ac, veluti pia mater, &c. The
idea intended to be conveyed is this : And, as an affectionate mother
wishes that her offspring may be wiser and better than herself, so the pa-
tron wishes that his dependent may be wiser and more virtuous than he is.
25-29. 25. Et ait prope vera. " And says what is tolerably true." Ob-
serve the force of prope. — Mece stultitiam patiuntur opes, &c. " My riches
allow some indulgence in folly." The follies and vices of the rich and
poor are equal in themselves, yet they are very unequal in their conse-
quences. The former are better able to support them without ruining
themselves and families, whereas, when a man of but moderate fortune
indulges in such a line of conduct, ruin both to him and his is sure to en-
sue.— 27. Arcta decet sanum comitem toga. " A scanty gown becomes a
prudent dependent." Comes is here employed to designate a man who
attaches himself to some rich and powerful patron. The wearing of a wide
toga indicated wealth and luxury. The precept here laid down, however,
is a general one, and does not merely apply to dress, but extends, in fact,
to buildings, table, equipage, &c. — 28. Eutrapelus, cuicunque nocere vole-
bat, &c. To the praise which the rich man has just bestowed upon his
wealth, as forming a kind of shield for his follies, the poet, to show his
contempt of riches, immediately subjoins the story of Eutrapelus, who was
accustomed to bestow, on those he wished to injure, costly and magnificent
garments, that by these allurements they might be gradually led away
into habits of luxury and corruption. The individual here referred to had
the appellation of Eutrapelus (evrpdirehoc), "the rallier," given him for
his wit and pleasantry. His real name was P. Volumnius. Having for-
gotten to put his surname of Eutrapelus to a letter he wrote to Cicero,
the orator tells him he fancied it came from Volumnius the senator, but
was undeceived by the Eutrapelia (evrpaTreXia), the spirit and vivacity
which it displayed. — 29. Beatus enim jam, &c. "For now, (said he), a
happy fellow in his own eyes," &c. Supply, for a literal translation, dixit
Eutrapelus.
31-35. 31. Arcanum neque tu scrutaberis, &c. " Thou wilt not at any
time pry into a secret of his, and wilt keep close what is intrusted to thee,
though tried by wine and by anger," i. e., and wilt let nothing be forced
out of thee either by wine or by anger. The poet here proceeds to give
advice to be secret and to be accommodating. — Illius. Referring to the
wealthy pati'on. — 33. Tua studia. " Thine own diversions." — 35. Gratia
sic fratrum geminorum, &c. " Thus the friendship of the twin-brothers
Amphion and Zethus was broken, until the lyre, disliked by the latter,
who was rugged in manners, became silent." Amphion and Zethus were
sons of Jupiter and Antiope, and remarkable for their different tempers.
Amphion was fond of music, and Zethus took delight in tending flocks
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE XVIII. 599
But as Zethus was naturally of a rugged disposition (compare Propcrtius,
iii., 15, 20, and Statins, Theb., x., 443), and hated the lyre, this produced
continual disputes between them, until Amphion at length, for the sake
of harmony with his brother, renounced music entirely. Horace refers to
the Antiope of Euripides, a play composed on this legend, but of which
only fragments remain.
40-51. 40. ^Etolis plagis. The epithet ^Etolis is here merely orna-
mental, and contains an allusion to the famous boar-hunt near Calydon, in
iEtolia, on which occasion Meleager so greatly distinguished himself. —
41. Et inhumancs senium depone Camence. "And lay aside the peevish-
ness of the unsocial muse," i. e., lay aside the peevish and morose habits
which are superinduced by unsocial and secluded studies. Senium prop
erly denotes the peevishness of age, though taken here in a general sense.
— 42. Pariter. " Along with him." — Pulmenta laborious emta. " On the
dainties purchased by your labors." As regards the term pulmenta, con-
sult note on Sat. ii., 2, 20. — 43. Opus. Alluding to the hunt. — 46. Adde,
virilia quod speciosius arma, &c. The order of construction is as follows :
Adde, quod non est alius qui tractet virilia arma speciosius te. The term
speciosius maybe rendered " more gracefully," and has reference, in some
degree, to the public exhibition made of one's skill. — 47. Quo clamore
corona. " With what acclamations from the surrounding spectators." —
48. Campestria. "In the Campus Martius." — 50. Duce. Alluding to
Augustus. — Qui iemplis Parthorum signa refigit nunc. "Who is now
taking down the Roman standards from the temples of the Parthians."
Consult note on Ode iv., 15, 6, and i., 26, 3, and also Introductory Remarks,
Ode iii., 5. According to Bentley, this epistle was written at the time
when Phraates restored the Roman standards, Augustus being in Bithyn-
ia, Tiberius in Armenia, and the consulship being filled by M. Appuleius
and P. Silius Nerva. Horace would then be entering his 4Gth year. —
51. Et si quid abest, Italis adjudicat armis. " And, if any thing is want-
ing to universal empire, adds it to the Romans by the power of his arms,"
i. e., if any thing has not been reduced, &c. Bentley thinks that Horace
here alludes to the subjugation of Armenia, the same year in which the
Parthians restored the Roman standards.
52-59. 52. Ac ne te retrahas, et inexcusabilis abstes. "And that thou
mayest not withdraw thyself from such diversions, and stand aloof with-
out the least excuse." The train of ideas is as follows : And that thou
mayest not suffer thyself to be kept away from hunting with a powerful
friend, nor be induced by some pretence, which can never excuse thee,
to absent thyself on such occasions from his presence, recollect, I entreat,
that thou thyself, though careful to observe all the rules and measures of
a just behavior, yet sometimes dost indulge in amusing sports on thy pa-
ternal estate. — 53. Extra numerum modumque. "Out of number and
measure," ?'. c, in violation of the rules and measures of a just behavior.
Numerus and modus are properly metrical terms, the former denoting the
rhythm, the latter indicating the component feet of a verse. They are
here figuratively applied to the harmony of behavior and social intercourse
which the poet is anxious to inculcate. Compare the Greek form of ex-
pression, rrapa. frvdfwv nai y.ekoc. — 55. Partitur lintres exercitus. "Mock
iorces divide the little boats into two squadrons.'' The young Loliius was
600 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE XVIII.
accustomed to celebrate the victory at Actium by a mock conflict on a
lake in his paternal grounds. — 56. Per pueros. "By slaves." The mock
forces on both sides are composed of slaves. — Refertur. " Is represent-
ed."— 57. Lacus Hadria. " A lake serves for the Adriatic." — 58. Fronde.
Alluding to the bay. — 59. Consentire suis studiis qui crediderit te, Sec.
"He who shall believe that thou dost come into his particular taste, will
as an applauder praise thine own without the least scruple." Literally,
" with both his thumbs." The allusion in utroque pollice is borrowed from
the gladiatorial sports. When a gladiator lowered his arms as a sign of
being vanquished, his fate depended on the pleasure of the people, who,
if they wished him to be saved, pressed down their thumbs (pollices pre-
mebant), and if to be slain, turned them up [pollices vertebant). Hence
pollices premere, " to favor," " to approve," &c. : the populace only extend-
ed this indulgence to such gladiators as had conducted themselves bravely.
61-72. 61. Protinus ut moneam. " To proceed still further in my ad
monitions." — 66. Etiam atque etiam adspice. " Consider again and again."
— 67. Aliena peccata. " Another's faults," i. e., the failings of the person
recommended. — 68. Quondam. "Sometimes." — Tradimus. "We rec-
ommend."— 69. Sua culpa. "His own misconduct." — Tueri. Supply
eum. — 70. At penitus notum, &c. Bentley's conjectural emendation, At,
is decidedly preferable to the common reading Ut. The advice given by
the poet is as follows : Do not, after being once deceived, defend one who
suffers by his own bad conduct ; but, on the other hand, shield from unjust
reproach him whom thou knowest thoroughly, and protect an innocent
man who puts all his confidence in thee : for if he be assailed with im-
punity by the tooth of slander, hast thou not reason to dread lest this may
next be thy fate ? — Si tentent crimina. " If false accusations assail him."
— 72. Dente Theonino. In place of saying "with the tooth of calumny,"
Horace uses the expression " with the tooth of Theon." This individual
appears to have been noted for his slanderous propensities, whether he
was a freedman, as the scholiast informs us, or, as is much more probable,
some obscure poet of the day.
76-85. 76. Dulcis inexpertis cultura potentis amici. " To cultivate the
friendship of the great seems delightful to those who have never made
the trial." The pomp and splendor by which great men are surrounded
makes us apt to think their friendship valuable, but a little experience
soon convinces us that it is a most rigorous slavery. — 77. Dum tua navis
in alto est. " While thy vessel is on the deep," i. e., while thou art en-
joying the favor and friendship of the great. — 78. Hoc age, ne mutata re-
trorsum, &c. " Look to this, lest the breeze may change, and bear thee
back again," i. e., lest the favor of the great may be withdrawn. — 79. Ode-
runt hilarem tristes, &c. The idea intended to be conveyed is this : Men
of unlike tempers and characters never harmonize ; do thou, therefore,
accommodate thyself to thy patron's mode of thinking and acting, study
well his character, and do all in thy power to please. — 80. Seddtum cele-
res. " Men of active minds hate him that is of a dilatory temper." — 81.
Potores bibuli, &c. "Well-soaked drinkers of Falernian at midnight,"
&c. There is nothing pleonastic, as Bentley thinks, in the expression
potores bibuli. Fea well explains bibuli by bibuli ut spongice, and com-
pares with it the Italian sponghini, an epithet applied to hard drinkers-
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE XVIII. 601
The phrase media de node is equivalent here to per medics noctis tempus.
(Compare Hand, ad Tursell., ii., p. 205.) — 83. Nocturnos vapores. The
reference is to the "heats" under which those labor, in sleep, who have
indulged freely in wine. — 84. Deme supercilio nubem. " Remove every
cloud from thy brow," i. e., smooth thy forehead. The ancients called
those wrinkles which appear upon the forehead, above the eyebrows, when
any thing displeases us, clouds ; for as clouds obscure the face of heaven,
so wrinkles obscure the forehead, and cause an appearance of sadness. —
Plerumque. "Oftentimes." — 85. Occupat obscuri speciem. '-"Wears the
appearance of one that is reserved and close." — Acerbi. " Of one that is
morose."
86-93. 86. Inter cuncta. "Amid all thy employments," i. e., in what-
ever way thou mayestbe employed about some powerful friend. Equiv-
alent in fact, therefore, to omni tempore. (Orelli, ad loc.) The epistle
concludes with some excellent moral maxims and reflections. Horace
after giving Lollius precepts respecting the mode of life which he is to
pursue with the great, lays down, also, some rules for his conduct toward
himself. He endeavors chiefly to make him sensible that happiness does
not consist in the favor of princes, but must be the fruit of our own reflec-
tion and care, and a steady purpose of keeping our passions within the
bounds of moderation. — 87. Leniter. " In tranquillity." — 88. Semper in-
ops. " That can never be satiated." — 89. Pavor. " Troublesome agita-
tion of mind." — 90. Virtutem doctrina paret naturane donet. " Whether
instruction procures virtue, or nature bestows it," i. e., whether virtue is
the result of precept or the gift of nature. Horace here alludes to the
question, el 5i8aKTov i] iiptrr}, discussed by Socrates, and considered at
large by iEschines [Socrat. Dial., 1), and by Plato, in his Menon. — 91.
Quid te tibi reddat amicum. " What may make thee a friend to thyself,"
i. e., what may give rise to such habits of thinking and of acting as mav
make thee pleased with thyself. Compare Epist. i., 14, 1, where Horace
speaks of his farm as capable of restoring him to himself. — 92. Quid pure
tranquillet. "What may bestow pure and unalloyed tranquillity." — 93
Secretum Her, etfallentis semita vitce. "A retired route, and the path of
an humble life," i. e., of a life that passes unnoticed by the world. Fallen-
tis is here equivalent to oculos hominum latentis. It is not the poet's de-
sign to create in Lollius a disgust of his present way of life, or make him
quit the court to enjoy retirement. This would have been imprudent and
unfair, and contrary, also, to his own sentiments of things. His true aim
is, to persuade him that, if happiness is to be found only in peaceful retire-
ment, this ought to be his study even in the exercise of his employment.
In this way he tacitly advises him to moderate his ambition and avarice
because, in a retired life, riches and honors are rather a troublesome bur-
den than any needful help.
94-101. 94. Digentia. The Digentia, now the Licenza, was a stream
formed by the Fons Bandusia, and running near the poet's abode through
the territory of Mandela, a small Sabine village in the vicinity. — 95. Ru-
gosu$ frigorc pagus. " A village wrinkled with cold." The consequence
of its mountainous situation. — 96. Quid sentire putas ? quid credis amice
precari? With sentire and precari respectively, supply me. — 97. Sit
mihi, quod nunc est; etiam minus. "We have here a fine picture of the
602 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE XIX.
manner in which Horace sought for tranquillity. He was so far from de-
siring more that he could be even satisfied with less. He wanted to live
for himself, cultivate his mind, and be freed from uncertainty. — 99. Et
provisos frugis in annum. " And of the productions of the earth laid up
for the year," i. e., and of provisions for a year. — 100. Neu fiuitem dubia
spe pendulus horce. " And let me not fluctuate in suspense as regards the
hope of each uncertain hour," i. e., and let me not fluctuate between hope
and fear, filled with anxious thoughts as regards the uncertain events of
the future. — 101. Sed satis est orare Jovem, qua donat et aufert, &c. "But
it is sufficient to ask of Jupiter those things which he gives and takes
away," &c. Horace distinguishes between the things we ought to hope
for from the gods, and those we are to expect only from ourselves. Life
and riches depend, according to the poet, upon the pleasure of Jove, but
an equal mind upon our own exertions.
Epistle XIX. This epistle is a satire on the poets of our author's time,
who, under pretence that Bacchus was a god of poetry, and that the best
ancient bards loved wine, imagined that by equalling them in this partic-
ular they equalled them in merit. Horace laughs at such ridiculous im-
itation.
1-7. 1. Prisco Cratino. For some account of Cratinus, consult the
note on Satire i., 4, 1. — 2. Nulla placere diu nee vivcre carmina possunt,
Sec. This was probably one of Cratinus's verses, which Horace has trans-
lated.— 3. Ut male sanos adscripsit Liber, &c. " Ever since Bacchus
ranked bards, seized with true poetic fury, among his Fauns and Satyrs,
the sweet Muses have usually smelt of wine in the morning," i. e., ever
since genuine poets existed, they have, scarcely with a single exception,
manifested an attachment to the juice of the grape. With respect to the
ranking of poets among Fauns and Satyrs, it may be observed, that the
wild dances and gambols of these frolic beings were regarded as bearing
no unapt resemblance to the enthusiasm of the children of song. — 6. Lau-
dibus arguitur vini vinosus Homerus. " From his praises of wine, Ho
mer is convicted of having been attached to that liquor." (Compare 11.,
vi., 261 ; Od., xiv., 463, seqq.) — 7. Ennius pater. The term pater is here
applied to Eunius as one of the earliest of the Roman bards. — Potus.
14 Mellow with wine." — Ad arma dicenda. An allusion to the poem of
Ennius on the second Punic war, in which the praises of the elder Afri-
canus were celebrated.
8-11. 8. Forum putealque Libonis, Sec. "The Forum and the puteal
of Libo I will give over to the temperate; from the abstemious I will
take away the power of song." The Forum was the great scene of B-o-
man litigation, and the puteal Libonis the place where the usurers and
bankers were accustomed to meet. When the Forum, and the puteal of
Libo, therefore, are consigned to the temperate, the meaning is, that to
their lot are to fall the cares and the anxieties of life, the vexations of the
law, and the disquieting pursuits of gain. Consult, as regards the term
puteal, the note on Sat. ii., 6, 35. — 9. Cantare. " Song," i. e., the privi-
leges and honors of the poetic art. The infinitive has here the force of a
noun in the accusative. —10. Hoc simul edixi, Torrentius first perceived
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK [., EPISTLE XIX. 603
that the words which have just preceded (For um putealque Libonis, &c.)
could not be spoken either by Cratinus or by Ennius, who were both dead
long before Libo was born; nor by Bacchus, who surely would not have
waited so long to publish a decree, which the usage of so many poets had
already established ; nor by Maecenas, unless we read edixti and pall ere-^
contrary to all the manuscripts. We must therefore consider Horace him-
self as giving forth his edict in the style and tone of a Roman praetor. —
11. Nocturno certare mero, &c. " To contend in wine at night, to smell of
it by day/' i. e., to drink hard at night, and to have their breath smell of it
by day. Horace here laughs at the folly of those who imagined that by
indulging freely in wine they would be enabled to sustain the character
of poets.
12-15. 12. Qitid? si quis vultu torvo ferns, &c. The idea intended
to be conveyed is this : a person might just as soon think of attaining to
the high reputation of Cato Uticensis by aping the peculiarities of dress
and appearance which characterized that remarkable man, as of becoming
a poet by the mere quaffing of wine. — 15. Rupit Iarbitam Timagenis
ic inula lingua. "The emulous tongue of Timagenes caused Iarbita to
burst, while he desires to be thought a man of wit, and to be regarded as
eloquent." Timagenes was a rhetorician of Alexandrea, who, being taken
captive by Gabinius, was brought to Rome, where Faustus, the son of
Sylla, purchased him. He afterward obtained his freedom, and was hon-
ored with the favor of Augustus, but as he was much given to raillery,
and observed no measure with any person, he soon lost the good graces
of his patron, and, being compelled to retire from Rome, ended his days
at Tusculum. It would appear, from the expression eeinula lingua, that
the wit and the declamatory powers of Timagenes carried with them more
or less of mimicry and imitation. On the other hand, Iarbita was a native
of Africa, whose true name was Cordus, but whom the poet pleasantly
styles Iarbita ("the descendant of Iarbas," i. e., the Moor), from Iarbas..
king of Mauretania, the fabled rival of iEneas, and perhaps with some
satirical allusion to the history of that king. Now the meaning of Horace
is this : that Iarbita burst his diaphragm (more probably a blood vessel)
by imitating Timagenes in what least deserved imitation ; for he imitated
what was ill about Timagenes, not what was good. He copied his per-
sonal sarcasm, and, in endeavoring to equal his powers of declamation
also, he confounded them with mere strength of lungs, and spoke so loud
ut rumperet ilia. Hence, both in relation to this case, as well as to those
which have preceded it, the poet adds the remark, Decipit exemplar vitiis
imitabile. "An example, easy to be imitated in its faults, is sure to de-
ceive the ignorant."
18-31. l«i. Exsangue cuminum. "The pale-making cumin." Dios-
corides assures us that cumin will make people pale who drink it or
wash themselves with it. Pliny says it was reported that the disciples
of Porcius Latro, a famous master of the art of speaking, used it to imitate
that paleness which he had contracted by his studies. — 19. Ut scepe. For
quam scepe. — 21. Per vacuum. "Along a hitherto untravelled route."
Compare Ode iii., 30, 13 : " Dicar princeps Solium carmen ad
Italos deduxisse 7nodos."--22. Non aliena meo pressi pede. Supply vesti-
gia. " 1 trod not in the footsteps of others." — 23. Parios iambos. " The
604 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE XIX.
Parian iambics," i. e., the iambics of Archilochus, who was a native of
Paros, and the first who applied this species of verse to purposes of satire.
— 24. Numeros animosque secutus Archilochi, &c. "Having imitated the
numbers and spirit of Archilochus ; not, however, his subjects, and his
language that drove Lycambes to despair." Consult note on Epodevi.,
13. — 26. Foliis brevioribus. " With more fading bays." Literally, "with
leaves of shorter duration." Horace, in this passage, means to convey the
idea that his imitation of Archilochus ought not to be regarded as detract-
ing from his own fame, since both Sappho and Alcaeus made the same
poet the model of their respective imitation. — 28. Temperat Archilochi
musam, &c. " The masculine and vigorous Sappho tempers her own ef-
fusions by the numbers of Archilochus ; Alcaeus tempers his." Temperat
is here equivalent to moderantur et componunt, and the idea intended to
be conveyed is, that both Sappho and Alcaeus blend in some degree the
measures of Archilochus with their own, or, as Bentley expresses it,
" Scias utrumque Archilocheos numeros suis Lyricis immiscere." Sappho
is styled mascula from the force aud spirit of her poetry. — 29. Sed rebus
et ordine dispar. " But he differs from him in his subjects, and in the ar-
rangement of his measures." Alcaeus employed, it is true, some of the
measures used by Archilochus, but then he differed from him in arrang-
ing them with other kinds of verse. Compare the language of Bentley :
"Adscivit Alcceus metra quaedam Archilochi, sed ordine variavit, sed aliis
ac ille fecerat metris aptavit ca et connexuit, ut dactylicum Mud, Arbori-
busque comae, cum Hexamctro junxit Alcaeus, at eundem lambo comitem
dedit Archilochus. " — 30. Nee socerum qumrit, Sec. Alluding to the story
of Archilochus and Lycambes. Compare Epode vi., 13. — 31. Famoso
carmine. " By defamatory strains." The allusion in the term sponsor is
to Neobule, the daughter of Lycambes.
32, 33. Hunc ego, non alio dictum prius ore, &c. "This poet, never
celebrated by any previous tongue, I the Roman lyrist first made known
to my countrymen," i. e., I alone, of all our bards, have dared to make this
Alcaeus known to Roman ears, and my reward has been that I am the
first in order among the lyric poets of my country. Horace appears to
have been the first Roman who used the Alcaic measure. As regards
the boast here uttered by the poet, compare Ode iv., 9, 3, seqq., and, with
respect to the expression Latinus Jidicen, compare Ode iv., 3, 23 : "Ro-
mans Jidicen lyrce." — 33. Immemorata. " A new species of poetry."
Literally, "productions unmentioned before," i. e., by any Latin bard.
The reference is to lyric verse. It is deserving of remark, however, that,
although Horace did not imitate Sappho less than Archilochus and Alcaeus,
yet he does not say he was the first of the Romans who imitated her, be
cause Catullus, and some other Latin poets, had written Sapphic verses
before him.
35-41. 35. Ingratus. "Ungrateful," for not acknowledging in public
the pleasure which the reading of our poet's works gave him in private
— 36. Fremat. "Decries them." Doring supposes an ellipsis of invidia,
or else t\mt premat is here equivalent simply to contemnat. — 37. Non eg*'
ventosa plebis suffragia venor, &c. As regards the epithet ventosce, con
suit note on Epist. i., 8, 12. Horace ridicules, with great pleasantry, the
toolish vanity of certain poets, his contemporariep, who, to gain the ap-
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE XX. 605
plaase of the populace, courted them with entertainments and presents of
cast-off clothing. Suffragia is here equivalent to gratiam ovfauorem. —
39. Non ego, nobilium auctorum auditor et ultor, &c. "I do not deign,
as the auditor and defender of noble writers, to go around among the tribes
and stages of the grammarians." It was customary, about this period, at
Rome, for many who aspired to the reputation of superior learning to
open, as it were, a kind of school or auditory, in which the productions of
living writers were read by their authors, and then criticised. Horace
styles this class of persons grammatici, and informs us that he never
deigned to approach such hot-beds of conceit, either for the purpose of
listening to these distinguished effusions, or of defending them from the
attacks of criticism, and hence the odium which he incurred among these
impudent pretenders to lit' ,ary merit. It is evident that nobilium is here
ironical. — Ultor. Compare the explanation of Doring: "Ultor, qui ali-
qiiem a reprehensione, criminatione vel injuria aliqua defendit, is ejus est
quasi ultor, vindex, patronus." — 40. Pulpita. The stages from which the
recitations above referred to were made. — 41. Hinc illce lacrimcE. A pro-
verbial expression, borrowed from the Andria of Terence (i., 1, 91), and
there used in its natural meaning, but to be rendered here in accordance
with the spirit of the present passage, " Hence all this spite and malice."
42-48. 42. Et nugis addere pondus. " And to give an air of import-
ance to trifles." — 43. Rides, ait. " Thou art laughing at us, says one of
these same grammarians." — Jovis. Referring to Augustus. — 44. Afanare.
"Distill." Used here transitively, in the sense otemittere or exsudare. —
45. Tibi pulcher. " Wondrous fair in thine own eyes," i. e., extremely
well pleased with thyself. — Ad hcec ego naribus uti formido. " At these
words I am afraid to turnup my nose." Our poet, observes Dacier, was
afraid of answering this insipid raillery with the contempt it deserved for
fear of being beaten. He had not naturally too much courage, and bad
poets are a choleric, testy generation. — 46. Luctantis. " Of my antago-
nist." Literally, " of one struggling (with me)." — 47. Et diludia posco.
"And I ask for an intermission." The Latins used diludia to denote an
intermission of fighting given to the gladiators during the public games.
Horace, therefore, pleasantly begs he may have time allowed him to cor-
rect his verses before he mounts the stage and makes a public exhibition
of his powers. — 48. Genuit. The aorist. Equivalent to gignere solet.
Epistle XX. Addressed to his book. The poet, pretending that this,
the first book of his epistles, was anxious to go forth into public, though
against his will, proceeds to foretell, like another prophet, the fate that
would inevitably accompany thi3 rash design. It is evident, however,
from what follows after the 17th verse, that all these gloomy forebodings
had no real existence whatever in the poet's imagination, but that his eye
rested on clear and distinct visions of future fame.
1-5. 1. Vertumnum Janumque, &c. Near the temples of Vertumnus
and Janus were porticoes, around the columns of which the booksellers
were accustomed to display their books for sale. Consult note on Sat. i.,
4,71. — Spectare. "To look wistfully toward." — 8. Scilicet. "Forsooth."
Ironical. — Prostes. " Thou mayest stand forth for sale." — Sosiorum pu-
wicc mundus. "Smoothed by the pumice of the Sosii." A part of the
bCb EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE XX.
process of preparing works for sale consisted in smoothing the parchment
with pumice-stone, in order to remove all excrescences from the surface.
This operation was performed by the bookseller, who combined in himself
the two employments of vender and bookbinder, if the latter term be here
allowed us. (Consult note on Epode xiv., 8.) The Sosii were a plebeian
family, well known in Rome, two brothers of which distinguished them-
selves as booksellers by the correctness of their publications, and the
beauty of what we would term the binding. — 3. Odisti claves, et grata si-
gilla pudico. Most interpreters of the bard suppose that the allusion here
is to the Roman custom of not merely locking, but also of sealing, the
doors of the apartments in which their children were kept, that no persons
who might be suspected of corrupting their innocence should be allowed
to enter. This interpretation is certainly favored by the words Non ita
nutritus in the fifth line, where Horace addresses his literary offspring as
a father would a child. For a different explanation, consult O relit, ad
loc. — 4. Communia. " Public places," i. e., the public shops, or places of
sale, where many would see and handle it. — 5. Non ita nutritus. "Thou
wast not reared with this view." — Fuge quo descendere gestis. The allu-
sion is to the going down into the Roman Forum, which was situate be-
tween the Capitoline and Palatine Hills. Hence the phrase in Forum
descendere is one of frequent occurrence in Cicero and Seneca.
6-15. 6. Miser. Referring to the consequences of its own rashness. —
7. Quis. For aliquis. — 8. In breve te cogi. " That thou art getting
squeezed into a small compass," i. e., art getting rolled up close, to be laid
by. The poet threatens his book that it shall be rolled up, as if condemn-
ed never to be read again. The books of the ancients were written on
skins of parchment, which they were obliged to unfold and extend when
they designed to read them. — Plenus quum langnet amator. " When thy
cloyed admirer grows languid." Amator here signifies a passionate read-
er, who seizes a book with rapture, runs over it in haste ; his curiosity be-
gins to be satisfied ; his appetite is cloyed ; he throws it away, and never
opens it again. — 9. Quod si non odio peccantis desipit augur. "But if
the augur, who now addresses thee, is not deprived of his better judgment
by indignation at thy folly," i. e., if the anger which I now feel at thy rash
and foolish conduct does not so influence my mind as to disqualify me
from foreseeing and predicting the truth. — 10. Donee te deserat &tas.
" Until the season of youth shall have left thee," i. e., as long as thou re-
tainest the charms of novelty. — 12. Taciturnus. Elegantly applied to a
book, which, having no reader with whom, as it were, to converse, is com-
pelled to remain silent. — 13. Aut fugies Uticam, aut vinctus mitteris Iler-
dam. " Or shalt flee to Utica, or be sent tied up in a parcel to Ilerda."
Manuscripts, remarks Sanadon, must have been of such value, that people
of moderate fortune could not purchase them when they were first pub-
lished, and when they came into their hands they had grown, generally
speaking, far less valuable. They were then sent by the booksellers into
the colonies for a better sale. Horace, therefore, tells his book that, when
it has lost the charms of novelty and youth, it shall either feed moths at
Rome, or willingly take its flight to Africa, or be sent by force to Spain.
Utica and Ilerda are here put for the distant quarters in general. The
former was situate in the vicinity of the spot where ancient Carthage had
stood ; the latter was a city of Spain, the capital of the Uergetes, near the
foot of the Pyrenees, and in the northeastern section of the country. It is
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE XX. 607
now Lcrida. Those who read, with the common text, unctus instead of
vinclus, make the term equivalent to sorde pollntus, "greasy" or "dirty;"
hut this is far inferior to the lection which we have given. — 14. Ridebit
monita non exauditus, &c. The idea intended to be conveyed is this :
Then will I, whose admonitions have been disregarded by thee, laugh at
thy fate ; as the man in the fable, who, unable to keep his ass from run-
ning upon the border of a precipice, pushed him down headlong himself.
The poet here alludes to a fable, which, though evidently lost to us, was
no doubt well known in his time. A man endeavored to hinder his ass
from running upon the brink of a precipice, but, finding him obstinately
bent on pursuing the same track, was resolved to lend a helping hand,
and so pushed him over. — 15. Male parcntem asellum. " His badly-obey-
ing ass," i. e., obstinately refractory.
17-28. 17. Hoc quoque te manet, &c. Another fate which may await
his book. What the poet here pretends to regard as a misfortune, he well
knew would be in reality an honor. The works of eminent poets alone
were read ir. the schools of the day, and, though Horace himself speaks
rather slightingly of this process in one part of his writings {Sat. i., 10,
75), yet it is evident from another passage (Sat. ii., 1, 71) that this dis-
tinction was conferred on the oldest bards of Rome. — 18. Occupet. " Shall
overtake (thee)." — Extremis in vicis. "In the outskirts of the city."
Here the teachers of the young resided from motives of economy. — 19.
Quum tibi sol tcpidus plures admoverit aures. The reference is to the
latter part of the afternoon, at which time of day parents and others were
accustomed to visit the schools, and listen to the instructions which their
children received. The school-hours were continued until evening. — Aures.
Equivalent here to auditores. — 20. Me libertino natum patre, &c. Com-
pare Sat. i., 6, 45. — 21. Majores pennas nido extendisse. A proverbial
form of expression, borrowed from a bird whose wings grow too large for
its nest, and employed to denote a man's having raised himself, by his
own efforts, above his birth and condition. — 22. Addas. Supply tantum.
— 23. Primis urbis. Alluding particularly to Augustus and Maecenas. —
Belli. The poet served as a military tribune, " Bruto militia duce."
(Ode ii., 7, 2.) — 24. Prmcanum. " Gray before my time." — Solibus aptum.
" Fond of basking in the sun." "We may remark, in many places of his
works, that our poet was very sensible to cold; that in winter he went to
the sea-coast, and was particularly fond of Tarentum in that season, be-
cause it was milder there. — 25. Irasci celerem, tamen ut placabilis essem.
" Of a hasty temper, yet so as easy to be appeased." — 26. Forte meum si
quis te percontabitur cevum, <5cc. Horace was born A.U.* ,£*9, B.C. 65,
in the consulship of L. Aurelius Cotta and L. Manlius Torqnatus. From
this period to the consulship of M. Lollius and GL iEmilius Lepidus there
was an interval of forty-four years. — 28. Collegam Lepidum quo duxit
Lollius anno. " In the year that Lollius received Lepidus as a colleague."
The verb duxit, as here employed, has a particular reference to the fact
of Lollius having been elected consul previous to Lepidus being chosen.
According to Dio Cassius (54, 6), Augustus being, in the year 733, in Sicily,
the consulship was given to him and Lollius. Augustus, however, de-
clined this office, and therefore &. ^Emilius Lepidus and L. Silauus be-
came candidates for the vacant place. After much contention, the former
obtained the appointment. In this sense, then, Lollius may be said to
have received him into the consulship, i. e., to have led the way.
BOOK II.
Epistle I. This is the celebrated epistle to Augustus, who, it seems,
had, in a kind and friendly manner, chid our poet for not having address-
ed to him any of his satiric or epistolary compositions. The chief object
of Horace, in the verses which he in consequence inscribed to the em-
peror, was to propitiate his favor in behalf of the poets of the day. One
great obstacle to their full enjoyment of imperial patronage, and to their
success with the public in general, arose from that inordinate admiration
which prevailed for the works of the older Roman poets. A taste, whether
real or pretended, for the most antiquated productions, appears to have
been almost universal, and Augustus himself showed manifest symptoms
of this predilection. (Compare Suetonius, vit. Aug., c. 89.) In the age
of Horace, poetry had, no doubt, been greatly improved; but hitherto
criticism had been little cultivated, and as yet had scarcely been profess-
ed as an art among the Romans. Hence the public taste had not kept
pace with the poetical improvements, and was scarcely fitted, or duly pre-
pared to relish them. Some, whose ears were not yet accustomed to the
majesty of Virgil's numbers, or the softness of Ovid's versification, were
still pleased with the harsh and rugged measure, not merely of the most
ancient hexameter, but even of the Saturnian lines ; while others, impene-
trable to the l'efined wit and delicate irony of Horace himself, retained
their preference for the coarse humor and quibbling jests which disgraced
the old comic drama. A few of these detractors may have affected, mere-
ly from feelings of political spleen, to prefer the unbridled scurrility, and
the bold, uncompromising satire of a republican age, to those courtly re-
finements which they might wish to insinuate were the badges of ser-
vitude ; but the greater number obstinately maintained this partiality
from malicious motives, and with a view, by invidious comparison, to dis-
parage and degrade their contemporaries, who laid claim to poetical re-
nown. Accordingly, the first aim of Horace, in his epistle to Augustus,
is to lessen this undue admiration by a satirical representation of the
faults of the ancient bards, and the absurdity of those who, in spite of their
manifold defects, were constantly extolling them as models of perfection.
But it must be admitted that, in pursuit of this object, which was in some
degree selfish, Horace has too much depreciated the fathers of Roman
song. He is in no degree conciliated by their strong sense, their vigor-
ous expression, or their lively and accurate representations of life and
manners. The old Auruncan receives no favor, though he was the founder
of that art in which Horace himself chiefly excelled, and had left it to his
successor only to polish and refine. While decrying the gross jests of
Plautus, he has paid no tribute to the comic force of his Muse ; nor, in the
general odium thrown on his illustrious predecessors, has he consecrated
a single line of panegyric to the native strength of Ennius, the simple
majesty of Lucretius, or even the pure style and unsullied taste of Terence.
His epistle, however, is a master-piece of delicate flattery and critical
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., EPISTLE I. 609
art. The poet introduces his subject by confessing that the Roman peo-
ple had, with equal justice and wisdom, heaped divine honors on Augus-
tus while yet present among them ; but that, in matters of taste, they
were by no means so equitable, since they treated the living bard, how-
ever high his merit, with contempt, and reserved their homage for those
whom they dignified with the name of ancients. He confutes one argu-
ment by which this prepossession was supported : That the oldest Greek
writers, being incontestably superior to those of modern date, it followed
that the like preference should be given to the antiquated Roman masters.
Having obviated the popular and reigning prejudice against modern
poets, he proceeds to conciliate the imperial favor in their behalf, by plac-
ing their pretensions in a just light. This leads him to give a sketch of
the progress of Latin poetry, from its rude commencement in the service
of a barbarous superstition till his own time, and to point out the various
causes which had impeded the attainment of perfection, particularly in the
theatrical department; as the little attention paid to critical learning, the
love of lucre which had infected Roman genius, and the preference given
to illiberal sports and shows over all the genuine beauties of the drama.
He at length appropriately concludes his interesting subject by applaud-
ing Augustus for the judicious patronage which he had already afforded
to meritorious poets, aud showing the importance of still further extend-
ing his protection to those who have the power of bestowing immortality
on princes. It is difficult to say what influence this epistle may have had
on the taste of the age. That it contributed to conciliate the favor of the
public for the writers of the day seems highly probable ; but it does not
appear to have eradicated the predilection for the oldest class of poets,
which continued to be felt in full force as late as the reign of Nero. Dunlop.
1-4. 1. Quum tot sustineas, &c. "While thou alone (and unaided)
art sustaining the weight of so many and so important affairs." — Solus.
From A.U.C. 727, when he was, by a public decree, saluted with the title
of Augustus, an appellation which all were directed for the future to be-
stow upon him, the distinguished individual here addressed may be said
to have reigned alone, having then received, in addition to the consulship,
the tribunitian power, and the guardianship of public morals and of the
laws. — Moribus ornes. " Art adorning them with public morals." Au-
gustus was invested with censorian power, repeatedly for five years, ac-
cording to Dio Cassius (liii., 17), and, according to Suetonius, for life {Suet.,
Oct., 27), under the title of Prafectus Morum. It is to the exercise of the
duties connected with this office that the poet here alludes, and to his laws
for the suppression of adultery, the encouragement of marriage, &c. — 4.
Longo sermone. Commentators are perplexed by this expression, since,
with the exception of the epistle to the Pisos, the present is actually one
of the longest that we have from the pen of Horace. Hurd takes sermone
to signify here not the body of the epistle, but the proem or introduction
only; Parr's explanation, however, appeai-s to us the fairest: "As to
longo, the proper measure of it seems the length of the epistle itself com-
pared with the extent and magnitude of the subject." ( Warb. Tr., p.
171, n. 2.)
5-9. 5. Romulus et Liber pater, &c. The subject now opens. Augus-
610 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., EPISTLE I.
tus is more fortunate than the ancient heroes, who were not ranked among
the gods until after their death. — 6. Post ingentia facta, &c. " After
mighty exploits received into the temples of the gods," i. e., only graced
with divine honors after a long and toilsome career of labors. — 7. Colunt.
"They civilize." Equivalent to cultos reddunt. — 9. Agros assignant.
"Assign fixed settlements." — Ploravere suis, Sec. "Lamented that the
favor hoped for by them was not awarded to their deserts."
10-16. 10. Diram qui contudit hydram. Hercules, the conqueror of
the Lernean hydra. — 11. Fatali labore. "By his fated labors," i. e., the
labors imposed on him by Fate. — 12. Comperit invidiam supremo fine do-
mari. " Found that envy was to be overcome by death alone." A beau-
tiful idea. Every other monster yielded to the prowess of Hercules.
Envy alone bade defiance to his ann, and was to be conquered only upon
the hero's surrender of existence. — 13. Urit enim Jul gore suo, qui proegra-
vat artes, Sec. " For he, who bears down by superior merit the arts placed
beneath him, burns by his very splendor," i. e., he, whose superiority is
oppressive to inferior minds, excites envy by this very pre-eminence.
Artes is here equivalent in effect to artifices. — 14. Exstinctus amabitur
idem. " The same, when dead, will be an object of our love." When the
too powerful splendor is withdrawn, our natural veneration of it takes
place. — 15. Prasenti tibi rnaturos largimur honor -es, Sec. A happy stroke
of flattery, and which the poet, with great skill, makes to have a direct
bearing on his subject. According to him, the Roman people had, with
equal justice and wisdom, heaped divine honors on Augustus while yet
present among them, and yet this same people were so unfair in matters
of taste as to treat the liviug bard, whatever his merit, with contempt,
and to reserve their homage for those whom they dignified with the name
of ancients. Thus the very exception to the general rule of merit neglect-
ed while alive, which forms the striking encomium in the case of Augus-
tus, furnishes the poet with a powerful argument for the support of his
main proposition. — Maturos honores. "Living honors." — 16. Jurandas-
que tuum per numen ponimus aras. " And we raise altars whereon men
are to swear by thy divinity."
18-25. 18. In uno. "In one thing alone." — 20. Simili ratione modo-
que. "After a similar rule and manner." — 21. Suisque temporibus de-
functa. "And to have run out their allotted periods," i. e., and already
past. — 23. Sic fautor veterum. " Such favorers of antiquity," i. e., such
strenuous advocates for the productions of earlier days. The reference is
still to the Roman people. — Tabulas peccare vetantes. "The tables for-
bidding to transgress." Alluding to the twelve tables of the Roman law,
the foundation of all their jurisprudence. Horace would have done well
to have considered if, amid the manifold improvements of the Augustan
poets, they had judged wisely in rejecting those rich and sonorous diph-
thongs of the tabulce peccare vetantes which still sound with such strength
and majesty in the lines of Lucretius. — 24. Quas bis quinque viri sanxe-
runt. " Which the decemviri enacted," ft. e., which the decemviri, beiig
authorized by the people, proclaimed as laws. — Fozdera regum. Alluding
to the league of Romulus with the Sabiues, and that of Tarquiuius Superb-
us with the people of Gabii. Dionysius states (iv., 68) that the league
made by Tarquin with the people of Gabii was extant in the temple of
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., EPISTLE I. 611
Sanctis, being- written on a bull's bide stretcbed on a wooden sbield. — 25.
Vel Gabiis vel cum rigidis csquata Sabinis. In construction, cum must
be supplied witb Gabiis. Consult note on Epist. i., 11, 7.
26, 27. 26. PontipZcum libros. According to a well-known custom,
manifestly derived from very ancient times, tbe cbief pontiff wrote on a
whited table the events of tbe year, prodigies, eclipses, a pestilence, a
scarcity, campaigns, triumphs, tbe deaths of illustrious men ; in a word,
what Livy brings together at the end of the tenth book, and in such as
remain of the following ones, mostly when closing the history of a year,
in the plainest words, and with the utmost brevity ; so dry that nothing
could be more jejune. The table was then set up in the pontiff's house ;
the annals of the several years were afterward collected in books. This
custom obtained until the pontificate of P. Mucius, and the times of the
Gracchi ; when it ceased, because a literature had now been formed, and
perhaps because the composing such chronicles seemed too much below
the dignity of the chief pontiff. — Amwsa volumina vatum. Alluding to
the Sibylline oracles and other early predictions, but particularly tbe
former. — 27. Albano Musas in monte locutas. A keen sarcasm on the
blind admiration with which the relics of earlier days were regarded, as
if the very Muses themselves had abandoned Helicon and Parnassus to
come upon the Alban Mount, and had there dictated the treaties and proph-
ecies to which the poet refers. Under the terms Musas there is a particu-
lar reference to the nymph Egeria, with whom, as it is well known, Numa
pretended to hold secret conferences on the Alban Mountain. Egeria, be-
sides, was ranked by some among the number of tho Muses. Compare
Dion. Hal., ii., 60. — Albano monte. The Alban Mount, now called Monte
Cavo, had the city of Alba Longa situate on its slope, and was about
twenty miles from Rome.
28-33. 28. Si quia Graiorum sunt aniiquissima, &c. "If, because
the most ancient works of the Greeks are even the best, the Roman writers
are to be weighed in the same balance, there is no need of our saying
much on tbe subject," i. e., it is in vain to say any thing further. On the
force of vel here, consult Zumpt, $ 108. — 31. Nil intra est olea, nil extra
est in nuce duri. "There is nothing hard within in the olive, there is
nothing hard without in the nut." The idea intended to be conveyed by
this line, and the two verses that immediately succeed, is as follows : To
assert that, because the oldest Greek writers are the best, the oldest Ro-
man ones are also to be considered superior to those who have come after,
is just as absurd as to say that the olive has no pit, and the nut no shell,
or to maintain that our countrymen excel the Greeks in music, painting,
and the exercises of the palaestra. — Unctis. Alluding to the custom of
anointing the body previous to engaging in gymnastic exercises.
34-49. 34. Si meliora dies, ut vina, poemata reddit, Sec. " If length
of time makes poems better, as it does wine, I should like to know how
many years will claim a value for writings." The poet seems pleasant-
ly to allow that verses, like wine, may gain strength and spirit by a cer-
tain number of years. Then, under cover of this concession, he insensibly
leads his adversary to his ruin. He proposes a term, of a reasonable dis-
tance, for separating ancients from moderns ; and, this term being once
612 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., EPISTLE I.
received, be by degrees presses upon his disputant, wbo was not on bis
guard against surpi-ise, and wbo neither knows how to advance nor retreat.
— 36. Decidit. Equivalent to mortuus est. — 38. Excludat jurgia finis.
"Let some fixed period exclude all possibility of dispute." — 39. Est vetus
atque probus, centum qui perficit annos. "We have here the answer to
Horace's question, supposed to be given by some admirer of the ancients.
— 40. Minor. Supply natu. "Later." — 42. Anquos. Complete the el-
lipsis as follows : An inter eos quos. — 43. Honeste. "Fairly." — 45. Utor
permisso, caud&que pilos ut equina, &c. "I avail myself of this conces-
sion, and pluck away the years by little and little, as I would the hairs of
a horse's tail ; and first I take away one, and then again I take away an-
other, until he who has recourse to annals, and estimates merit by years,
and admires nothing but what Libitinahas consecrated, falls to the ground,
being overreached by the steady principle of the sinking heap," i. e., the
principle by which the heap keeps steadily diminishing. We have here
a fair specimen of the argument in logic, termed Sorites (Supirnc, from
atopoc, " a heap"). It is composed of several propositions, very little dif-
ferent from each other, and closely connected together. The conceding
of the first, which, in general, can not be withheld, draws after it a conces-
sion of all the rest in their respective turns, until our antagonist finds him-
self driven into a situation from which there is no escape. As a heap of
corn, for example, from which one grain after another is continually taken,
at length sinks to the ground, so, in the present instance, a large number
of years, from which a single one is constantly taken, is at last so dimin-
ished that we can not tell when it ceased to be a large number. Chry-
sippus was remarkable for his frequent use of this syllogism, and is sup-
posed to have been the inventor. — 46. Paulatim vello, et demo unum,
demo et item unum. With vello supply annos, and with each unum sup-
ply annum. — 47. Cadat. As if he had been standing on the heap, in
fancied security, until the removal of one of its component parts after an-
other brings him eventually to the ground. — 48. Fastos. The Fasti Con-
gulares are meant, which would be consulted in order to find under what
consuls (i. e., in what year) a poet was born. — 49. Nisi quod Libitina
sacravit. Alluding to the works of those who have been consigned to
the tomb : the writings of former days. Consult, as regards Libitina, the
note on Ode iii., 30, 7.
50-53. 50. Ennius, et sapiens, et fortis, &c. "Ennius, both learned
and spirited, and a second Homer, as critics say, seems to care but little
what becomes of his boastful promises and his Pythagorean dreams."
Thus far the poet has been combating the general prejudice of his time
in favor of antiquity. He now enters into the particulars of his charge,
and, from line 50 to 59, gives us a detail of the judgments passed upon
the most celebrated of the old Homan poets by the generality of his con
temporaries. As these judgments are only a representation of the popu
lar opinion, not of the writer's own, the commendations here bestowed
are deserved or otherwise, just as it chances. Horace commences with
Ennius : the meaning, however, which he intends to convey, has been, in
general, not very clearly understood. Ennius particularly professed to
have imitated Homer, and tried to persuade his countrymen that the soul
and genius of that great poet had revived in him, through the medium of
a peacock, according to the process of Pythagorean transmigration : a fan
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., EPISTLE I. C13
tastic genealogy to which Persius alludes (6, 10, seqq.). Hence the boast-
ftil promises {promissa) of the old bard, that he would pour forth strains
worthy of the father of Grecian song. The fame of Ennius, however, ob-
serves Horace, is now completely established among the critics of the
day, and he appears to be perfectly at ease with regard to his promises
and his dreams (leviter curare videtur, quo promissa cadant, &c). Pos-
terity, in their blind admiration, have made him all that he professed to
be. — 53. Ncevius in manibus non est, &c. " Is not Naevius in every one's
hands, and does he not adhere to our memories almost as if he had been
a writer of but yesterday 1" With recens supply ut. The idea intended
to be conveyed is this : But why do I instance Ennius as a proof of the
admiration entertained for antiquity ? Is not Naevius, a much older and
harsher writer, in every body's hands, and as fresh in their memories al-
most as if he were one of their contemporaries 1
55-58. 55. Ambigitur quoties. " As often as a debate arises," i. c,
among the critics of the day. — Aufert Pacuvius doctifamam senis, Attius
alti. " Pacuvius bears away the character of a skillful veteran, Attius of
a lofty writer." With alti supply poetae. The term senis characterizes
Pacuvius as a literary veteran ; a title which he well deserved, since he
published his last piece at the age of eighty, and died after having nearly
completed his ninetieth year. — Docti. This epithet alludes to his ac-
quaintance with the Greek poets, both epic and tragic, from whom he
used to borrow the plots of his pieces. — 57. Dicitur Afrani toga convenis-
se Menandro. " The gown of Afranius is said to have fitted Menander."
An expression of singular felicity, and indicating the closeness with which
Afranius, according to the critics of the day, imitated the manner and
spirit of the Attic Menander, or, in other words, was the Roman Menan-
der. The term toga is here employed in allusion to the subjects of Afra-
nius's comedies, which were formed on the manners and customs of the
Romans, and played in Roman dresses. His pieces, therefore, would re-
ceive the appellation of comasdiai (or fabulce) togatce, as those founded on
Grecian manners, and played in Grecian dresses, would be styled pallia-
te.— 58. Plautus ad exemplar Siculi proper are Epicharmi. "Plautusto
hurry onward, after the pattern of the Sicilian Epicharmus." The true
meaning of properare, in this passage, has been misunderstood by some
commentators. It refers to the particular genius of Plautus, whose pieces
are full of action, movement, and spirit. The incidents never flag, but
rapidly accelerate the catastrophe. At the same time, however, it can
not be denied that, if we regard his plajs in the mass, there is a consider-
able, and perhaps too great, uniformity in their fables. This failing, of
course, his admirers overlooked.
59-62. 59. Vincere Ccecilius gravitate, Terentius arte. " Caecilius to
excel in what is grave and affecting, Terence in the skillful construction
of his plots." — 60. Ediscit. "Gets by heart." — Arcto theatro. "In the
too narrow theatre," i. e., though large in itself, yet too confined to be ca-
pable of holding the immense crowds that flock to the representation. — 62.
Livi. Livius Andronicus, an old comic poet, and the freedman of Livius
Salinator. He is said to have exhibited the first play, A.U.C. 513 or 514,
about a year after the termination of the first Punic war. Roman litera-
ture is considered to have commenced with Andronicus. Orelli remarks
614 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., EPISTLE I.
that the Romans were not so much to blame in doing what Horace here
censures, since after the time of Afranius and Attius the Latin dramatic
muse had produced nothing of mei-it.
63-75. 63. Interdum vulgus rectum videt, &c. From this to the 66th
line the poet admits the reasonable pretensions of the ancient writers to
admiration. It is the degree of it aloiae to which he objects : " Si veteres
ita miratur laudalque," &c. In the next place, he wished to draw off the
applause of his contemporaries from the ancient to the modern poets.
This required the superiority of the latter to be clearly shown, or, what
amounts to the same thing, the comparative defects of the ancients to be
pointed out. These were not to be dissembled, and are, as he openly in-
sists (to line 69), obsolete language, rude and barbarous construction, and
slovenly composition. " Si qucedam nimis antique," &c. — 66. Nimis anti-
que. " In too obsolete a manner." — Dure. " In a rode and barbarous way."
— 67. Ignave. "With a slovenly air." — 68. Et Jove judicat eequo. " And
judges with favoring Jove." A kind of proverbial expression, founded on
the idea that men derive all their knowledge from the deity. Hence,
when they judge fairly and well, we may say that the deity is favorable,
and the contrary when they judge ill. — 69. Non equidcm insector delen-
dave carmina Livi esse reor, Sec. The connection in the train of ideas may
be stated as follows: But what then? (an objector replies) : these were
venial faults surely, the deficiencies of the times, and not of the men ; who,
with such deviations from correctness as have just been noted, might still
possess the greatest talents and produce the noblest designs. This (from
line 69 to 79) is readily admitted ; but, in the mean time, one thing was
clear, that they were not almost finished models, "exactis minimum dis-
tantia," which was the main point in dispute. For the bigot's absurdity
lay in this : " Non veniam antiquis, sed konorem et prcemia posci." — Livi.
Alluding to Livius Andronicus. Compare note on verse 62. — 71. Orbili-
um. Horace had been some time at the school of Orbilius Pupillus, a na-
tive of Beneventum, who had served as a soldier, and who, in his fiftieth
year, the same in which Cicero was consul, came to teach at Rome. He
is here styled plagosus, from his great severity. — Dictare. Consult note
on Sat. i., 10, 75. — Emendata. "Correct." — 72. Exactis minimum dis-
tantia. " Very little removed from perfection." — 73. Inter qua;. Refer-
ring to the carmina Livi. — Verbum emicuit si forte decorum. "If any
happy expression has chanced to shine forth upon the view," i. e., has
happened to arrest the attention. Emicare is properly applied to objects
which, as in the pi-esent instance, are more conspicuous than those around,
and therefore catch the eye more readily. — 75. Jnjuste totum ducit vendit-
quepoema. " It unjustly carries along with it, and procures the sale of the
whole poem." By the use of ducit the poet means to convey the idea
that a happy turn of expression, or a verse somewhat smoother and more
elegant than ordinary, stamps a value on the whole production, and, under
its protecting guidance, carries the poetical bark, heavily laden though it
be with all kinds of absurdities, safe into the harbor of public approbation.
79-85. 79. Recte necne crocum fioresque pcrambulet, &c. " Were I to
doubt whether Atta's drama moves amid the saffron and the flowers of
the stage in a proper manner or not," &c. The reference here is to Titus
duinctius, who received the surname of Atta from a lameness in his feet,
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., EPISTLE I. 615
which gave him the appearance of a man walking on tip-toe; j arsons
who, from a malformation, walked, as we term it, on their toes, being
named, as Festus tells us, attce. It is to this personal deformity that Hor-
ace pleasantly alludes when he supposes the plays of Atta limping over
the stage like their lame author. The Roman stage was sprinkled with
perfumed waters and strewed with flowers. We may easily infer from
this passage the high reputation iu which the dramas of Atta stood among
the countrymen of Horace. — 81. Patres. Equivalent to seniores. — 82. Quce
gravis ^Esopus, qua; doctus Roscius egit. " Which the dignified iEsopus,
which the skillful Roscius have performed." iEsopus and Roscius were
two distinguished actors of the day. Cicero makes mention of them both,
but more particularly of the latter, who attained to such eminence in the
histrionic art that his name became proverbial, and an individual that ex-
celled, not merely in this profession, but in any other, was styled a Roscius
in that branch. — 84. Minoribus. Equivalent to junioribus. — 85. Perdenda.
" Is deserving only of being destroyed."
86-88. 86. Jam Saliare Nutria carmen qui laudat, &c. The carmen
Saliare, here referred to, consisted of the strains sung by the Salii, or
priests of Mars, in their solemn procession. This sacerdotal order was in-
stituted by Numa for the purpose of preserving the sacred ancilia. There
remain only a few words of the song of the Salii, which have been cited
by Varro. In the time of this writer, the carmen Saliare was little, if at
all, understood. — 87. Scire. "To understand." — 88. Ingeniis non Me fa-
vet, &c. The remark here made is perfectly just ; for how can one, in re-
ality, cherish an admiration for that, the tenor and the meaning of which
he is unable to comprehend 1
90-92. 90. Quod si tarn Graiis novitas invisafuissset, &c. The poet,
having sufficiently exposed the unreasonable attachment of his country-
men to the fame of the earlier writers, now turns to examine the perni-
cious influence which it is likely to exert on the rising literature of his
country. He commences by asking a pertinent question, to which it con-
cerned his antagonists to make a serious reply. They had magnified (line
28) the perfection of the Grecian models. But what (from line 90 to 93) if
the Greeks had conceived the same aversion to novelties as the Romans?
How, then, could these models have ever been furnished to the public use ?
The question, it will be perceived, insinuates what was before affirmed
to be the truth of the case, that the unrivalled excellence of the Greek
poets proceeded only from long and vigorous exercise, and a painful, un-
interrupted application to the arts of verse. The liberal spirit of that peo-
ple led them to countenance every new attempt toward superior literary
excellence ; and so, by the public favor, their writings, from rude essays,
became at length the standard and the admiration of succeeding times.
The Romans had treated their adventurers quite otherwise, and the effect
was answerable. This is the purport of what to a common eye may look
like a digression (from line 93 to 108), in which is delineated the very dif
fereut genius and practice of the two nations ; for the Greeks (to line
102) had applied themselves, in the intervals of their leisure from the toils
of war, to the cultivation of literature and the elegant arts The activity
of these restless spirits was incessantly attempting some n_- at and untried
for.'n if imposition ; and when that was brought to a due degree of per-
616 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., EPISTLE I.
fection, it turned in good time to the cultivation of some other. So that
the very caprice of humor (line 101) assisted in this country to advance
and help forward the public taste. Such was the effect of peace and op-
portunity with them. Hoc paces habuere bonce ventique secundi. The
Romans, on the other hand (to line 108), acting under the influence of a
colder temperament, had directed their principal efforts to the pursuit of
domestic utilities, and a more dexterous management of the arts of gain.
The consequence was, that when (to line 117) the old frugal spirit had in
time decayed, and they began to seek for the elegances of life, a fit of
vei'sifying, the first of all liberal amusements that usually seize an idle
people, came upon them. But their ignorance of rules, and want of exer-
cise in the art of writing, rendered them wholly unfit to succeed in it.
The root of the mischief was the idolatrous regard paid to their ancient
poets, which checked the progress of true genius, and drew it aside into
a vicious and unprofitable mimicry of earlier times. Hence it came to
pass that wherever, in other arts, the previous knowledge of rules is re-
quired to the practice of them, in this of versifying no such qualification
was deemed necessary. Scribimus indocti doctique poemata passim
(Hurd, ad loc). — 92. Quod legcret tereretque, &c. " Which general use
would read and thumb over man by man," i. e., which would be read and
thumbed in common by every body.
93-102. 93. Utprimum. " As soon as." More literally, " when first."
— Nugari. " To turn her attention to lighter themes," i. e., to poetry,
painting, sculpture, gymnastic exercises, &c. — Bellis. Alluding particu-
larly to the Persian war, since from this period more attention began to
be paid to literature and the peaceful arts. — 94. Et in vitium fortuna la-,
bier aqua. " And, from the influence of prosperity, to glide into corrup-
tion," i. c., to abandon the strict moral discipline of earlier days. — yEqua.
Equivalent to secunda. — Labier. Old form for labi. — 95. Studiis. "With
an impassioned fondness for." — Equorum. Alluding to equestrian games.
— 96. Fabros. "Artists." — 97. Suspendit picta vultum mentcmque ta-
bella. "She fixed her look and her whole soul upon the painting," i. e.,
she gazed with admiration on fine paintings, and her very soul, not mere-
ly her eyes, hung, as it were, from the painting. The elegant use of sus-
pendere, in this passage, is deserving of particular attention. — 98. Tibi-
cinibus. The players on the tibia, who used to contend at the public
games. They stand here for music in general, as tragoedis does for
plays, the drama. — 99. Sub nutrice puella, &c. " As if, an infant girl, she
were sporting under a nurse, quickly cloyed she abandoned what (a mo-
ment before) she had eagerly sought," &c. The nurse had care of the
child till it was about three years old. Observe that mature is to be con-
strued with plena, not with reliquit. — 102. Hoc. " This effect." — Paces
bona ventique secundi. "The happy times of peace, and the favoring
gales of national prosperity." Compare note on verse 90.
103-117. 103. Reclusa mane domo vigilare, &c. "To be up early in
the morning with open doors, to explain the laws to clients, to put out
money carefully guarded by good securities." The terms rectis nomini-
bus have reference to the written obligation of repayment, as signed by
the borrower, and having the name of witnesses also annexed. — 106. Ma-
jores audire, minori dicere, &c. " To listen to the old, to teach the voung "
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., EPISTLE I. 617
The young listened to the old, the old, on their part, taught the young,"
&c. — 108. Mutavit mentem populus levis, &c. Such were we, says the
poet, in the good old times, when we were almost constantly at war ;*now
see the effects of paces bonce and venti secundi. Compare note on verse
90. — 109. Patresque severi. The epithet severi is ironical. — 110. Dictant.
"Dictate," i. e., to their amanaenses. — 112. Parthis mendacior. The
Parthians were a false and lying nation. Their very mode of fighting
proved this, by their appearing to fly while they actually fought ; nor is
the allusion a bad one in reference to a poet who renounces rhyming and
yet continues to write. — 113. Vigil. " Awake," i. e., leaving my couch.
— Calamum et chartas, &c. The ancients, when they wrote on paper or
parchment, used a reed slit and cut like our pens. — Scrinia. A kind of
case or port-folio to hold writing materials. — 114. Ignarus navis. Supply
agenda. — Abrotonum. " South era- wood." An odoriferous shrub, which
grows spontaneously in the southern parts of Europe, and is cultivated
elsewhere in gardens. It was used very generally in medicine before
the introduction of chamomile. {Plin., H. N., xxi., 10.) Wine, in which
southern-wood had been put (olvog aftporovirne), was thought to possess
very healthful properties. — 115. Medicorum .... medici. Bentley con-
jectured melicorum .... melici, which Sanadon, "Wakefield, Voss, and
Bothe adopt. — 116. Promittunt. In the sense of profitentur. — 117. Scri-
bimus indocti doctique poemata passim. Compare note on verse 90.
118-124. 118. Htc error tamen, et levis hcec insania, &c Having suf-
ficiently obviated the popular and reigning prejudices against the modern
poets, Horace, as the advocate of their fame, now undertakes to set forth
in a just light their real merits and pretensions. In furtherance of this
view, and in order to impress the emperor with as advantageous an idea
as possible of the worth and dignity of the poetic calling, he proceeds to
draw the character of the true bard in his civil, moral, and religious vir-
tues ; for the muse, as the poet contends, administers in this threefold
capacity to the service of the state. — 119. Vatis avarus non temereest ani-
mus. " The breast of the bard is not easily swayed by avaricious feelings."
In general, a powerful inclination for poetry mollifies and subdues all other
passions. Engaged in an amusement which is always innocent, if not
laudable, while it is only an amusement, a poet wishes to entertain the
public, and usually does not give himself too much pain to raise his own
fortune, or injure that of others. — 122. Nonfraudem socio, puerove inco-
gitat itllam pupillo. " He meditates nothing fraudulent against a part-
ner, nor against the boy that is his ward." As regards the term socio,
consult note on Ode iii., 24, 60. Incogitat is analogous to the Greek ki7L-
votl or eTU[3ov?>EV£i. Horace appears to have been the first, if not the
only writer, that has made use of this verb. — 123. Vivit siliquis etpanese-
cundo. " He lives on pulse and brown bread." Siliqua is the pod or shell
of beans, peas, &c. It is here put for those pulse themselves. — Pane sa
cundo. Literally, "bread of a secondary quality." — 124. Malus. "Unfit."
126-131. 126. Os tenerum pueri balbumque poetajigurat. " The poet
fashions the tender and lisping accents of the boy." Horace now begins
to enumerate the positive advantages that flow from his art. It fashions
the imperfect accents of the boy, for children are first made to read the
works of the poets ; they get their moral sentences by heart, and are in
618 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., EPISTLE I.
this way taught the mode of pronouncing with exactness and propriety. —
127. Torquet ab obsccenis jam nunc sermonibus aurem. "He turns away
his ear, even at this early period, from impure converse." Observe the
force oljara nunc. In a moral point of view, argues Horace, the services
of poetry are not less considerable. It serves to turn the ear of youth from
that early corrupter of its innocence, the seducement of loose and impure
communication. — 128. Mox etiam pectus prasceptis format amicis. Poetry
next serves to form our riper age, which it does with all the address and
tenderness of friendship {ajnicis prceceptis), by the sanctity and wisdom
of the lessons which it inculcates, and by correcting rudeness of manners,
and envy, and anger. — 129. Asperitatis. " Of rudeness." — 130. Recte facta
refert. "He records virtuous and noble actions." — Orientia tempora notis
instruit exemplis. " He instructs the rising generation by well-known
examples," i. e., he places before the eyes of the young, as models of imi-
tation in after life, well-known examples of illustrious men. Literally,
" the rising times." — 131. Inopem solatur et aigrtim. The poet can relieve
even the languor of ill health, and sustain poverty herself under the scorn
and insult of contumelious opulence.
132-137. 132. Castis cum pueris ignara puella mariti, &c. An elegant
expression for chorus castorum puerorum et castarum virginum. We
now enter upon an enumeration of the services which the poet renders to
religion. He composes hymns by which the favor of the gods is concilia-
ted and their anger averted. These hymns were sung by a chorus of
youths and virgins whose fathers and mothers were both alive. — 134. Et
prcesentia numina sentit. " And finds the gods propitious." — 135. Coeles-
tcs implorat aquas. In times of great drought, to avert the wrath of
heaven and obtain rain, solemn sacrifices were offered to Jupiter, called
Aquilicia. The people walked barefoot in procession, and hymns were
sung by a chorus of boys and girls. — Docta prece blandus. "Sweetly
soothing in instructed prayer," i. e., in the accents of prayer as taught
them by the bard. — 136. Avertit morbos. Phoebus, whose aid the chorus
invokes, is a deus averruncus, uTTOTponaioc. — 137. Pacem. "National
tranquillity."
139-144. 139. AgricoIcB prisci, fortes, parvoque beati, &.c. The train of
ideas is as follows : But religion, which was its noblest end, was, besides,
the first object of poetry. The dramatic muse, in particular, had her birth,
and derived her very character from it. This circumstance then leads the
poet to give an historical deduction of the rise and progress of Latin po-
etry, from its first rude workings in the days of barbarous superstition,
through every successive period of its improvement, down to his own
times. (Hurd, ad loc.) — 141. Spe finis. " Through the hope of their end
ing." — 143. Tellurem porco, Silvanum lacte piabant. The poet here se-
lects two from the large number of rural divinities, Tellus, or Ceres, and
Silvanus. — 144. Genium memorem brevis avi. "The Genius that reminds
us of the shortness of our existence." (Consult note on Ode hi., 17, 14.)
Flowers, cakes, and wine were the usual offerings to this divinity : no
blood was shed, because it appeared unnatural to sacrifice beasts to a god
who presided over life, and was worshipped as the grand enemy of death.
The poet says he taught his votaries to remember the shortness of life,
because, as he was born with them, entered into all their pleasures, and
EXPLANATORY NOTES,— BOOK II., EPISTLE I. 619
died with them, he pressed them, for his own sake, to make the best use
of their time.
145-154. 145. Fescennina per hunc invecta licentia morem, «Sec. "The
Fescennine licentiousness, introduced by this custom, poured forth its rus-
tic taunts in alternate verses," i. e., in dialogue. As the Grecian holidays
were celebrated with offerings to Bacchus and Ceres, to whose bounty
they owed their wine and corn, in like manner the ancient Italians pro-
pitiated, as the poet has just informed us, their agricultural or rustic dei-
ties with appropriate offerings ; but as they knew nothing of the Silenus
or Satyrs of the Greeks, who acted so conspicuous a part in the rural cel-
ebrations of this people, a chorus of peasants, fantastically disguised in
masks cut out from the bark of trees, danced or sung to a certain kind of
verse, which they called Saturnian. Such festivals had usually the double
purpose of worship and recreation, and, accordingly, the verses often di-
gressed from the praises of Bacchus to mutual taunts and railleries, like
those in Virgil's third Eclogu„, on th various defects and vices of the
speakers, " Versibus alternis opprobria rusticafudit." Such verses, orig-
inally sung or recited in the Tuscan and Latin villages, at nuptials or re-
ligious festivals, were first introduced at Rome by histriones, who were
summoned from Etruria to Borne in order to allay a pestilence which was
depopulating the city. (Liv., vii., 2.) These histriones, being mounted on
a stage, like our modern mountebanks, performed a sort of ballet, by dan-
cing and gesticulating to the sound of musical instruments. The Roman
youth thus learned to imitate their gestures and music, which they accom-
panied with railing verses delivered in extemporary dialogue. Such
verses were termed Fescennine, either because they were invented at
Fescennia, or Fescennium, a city of Etruria, or from Fascinus, one of the
Roman deities. The jeering, however, which had been at first confined
to inoffensive raillery, at length exceeded the bounds of moderation, and
the peace of private families was invaded by the unrestrained licence of
personal invective. This exposure of private individuals, which alarmed
even those who had been spared, was restrained by a salutary law of the
decemviri. — 147. Recurrentes accepta per annos. " Received through re-
turning years," i. e., handed down with each returning year. — 148. Ama-
biliter. "Pleasantly," i. e., causing pleasure instead of pain. — Donee jam
sarvus apertam, &c. "Until now, bitter jests began to be converted into
open and virulent abuse." — 150. Minax. "With threatening mien." —
151. Fuit intactis quoque cura, &c. "They, too, that were as yet unas-
sailed, felt a solicitude for the common condition of all." — 153. Malo qua
nollct carmine quemquam describi. "Which forbade any one being stig-
matized in defamatory strains." — 154. Vertere modum. " Our poets
thereupon changed their tone." Supply poetce, which is implied in Fes-
cennina licentta. — Formidine fustis. The punishment ordained by the
law already referred to against any one who should violate its provisions,
was to be beaten to death with clubs. It was termed fustuarium, and
formed also a part of the military discipline in the case of deserters.
156, 157. 156. Gratia capta fomm victorem cepit. " Conquered Greece
mad 3 captive her savage conqueror." The noblest of all conquests, that
of literature and the arts.— 157. Sic horridus ille defluxit numerus Satur-
%hcs. "In this way the rough Saturnian measure ceased to flow." De-
620 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., EPISTLE I.
fiuxit is here equivalent to Jluere desiit. The Saturnian was the most
ancient species of measure employed in Roman poetry. It was univer-
sally used before the melody of Greek verse was poured on the Roman
ear, and, from ancient practice, the same strain continued to be repeated
till the age of Ennius, by whom the heroic measure was introduced.
(Consult Anthon's Latin Prosody, p. 199.)
158-167. 158. Et grave virus munditia pepulcre. "And purer habits
put the noisome poison to flight," i. e., a purer and more elegant style of
composition succeeded to the rugged numbers of the Saturnian verse, and
put to flight the poison of rusticity and barbarism. The force of virus, in
this passage, is well explained by the remark of Craquius, " Doctas aurcs
enecat oratio barbara." — 160. Vestigia ruris. "The traces of rusticity."
— 161. Serus enim Gratis admovit acumina chartis. Supply Latinus.
"For the Roman was late in applying the edge of his intellect to the
Grecian pages." — 162. Quietus. " Enjoying repose." — 163. Quid Sopho-
cles, et Thespis, et ^Eschylus utile ferrent. "What useful matter Sopho-
cles, and Thespis, and iEschylus afforded." The chronological order is
Thespis, JEschylus, et Sophocles. Thespis is mentioned here merely by
way of compliment as the founder of the drama, since there is no reason
to suppose that the Romans were acquainted with or imitated any of his
pieces. (Orelli, ad loc.) — 164. Tentavit quoque rem, si digne vertere pos-
set. " He made the experiment, too, whether he could translate their
pieces in the way that they deserved." Rem is equivalent here to in-
ccptum, and depends on tentavit, not on vertere. (Orelli, ad loc.) — 165. Et
placuit sibi, natura sublimis et acer. "And he felt pleased with him-
self at the result, being by nature of a lofty and high-toned character." —
166. Nam spirat tragicum satis et feliciter audet. " For he breathes
sufficient of the spirit of tragedy, and is happy in his flights." Literally,
" and dares successfully." — 167. Sed turpem putat, &c. "But he foolish-
ly thinks a blot shameful, and (consequently) avoids it," i. e., but he thinks
the practice of correction a degrading one, and therefore shuns it. The
poet here censures the dramatic writers for not attending sufficiently to
correctness and elegance of style. Litura properly means the smoothing
out of a word on the waxen tablet with the broad end of the stylus.
168-170. 168. Creditur, ex medio quia res arcessit, &c. " Comedy, be-
cause it takes its subjects from common life, is believed to carry with it
the least degree of exertion, but comedy has so much the more labor con-
nected with itself, the less indulgence it meets with," i. e., many are apt
to think that comedy, because it takes its character from common life, is
a matter of but little labor ; it is in reality, however, a work of by so much
the greater toil, as it has less reason to hope for pardon to be extended to
its faults. Horace's idea is this : In tragedy the grandeur of the subject
not only supports and elevates the poet, but also attracts the spectator,
and leaves him no time for malicious remarks. It is otherwise, however,
in comedy, which engages only by the just delineation that is made of sen-
timents and characters. — 170. Adspiee, Plautus quo pacta partes tutetur
amantis ephebi, &c. " See in what manner Plautus supports the charac-
ter of the youthful lover; how that of the covetous father; how that of
the cheating pimp." Ironical. Horace, the better to show the difficulty
of succeeding in comedy, proceeds to point out the faults which the most
popular comic writers have committed.
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., EPISTLE I. (321
173-177. 173. Quant us. "How surfeiting." Alluding to the exag
gerated buffoonery of his characters, just as what follows refers to the
mercenary carelessness with which his pieces were composed. — 174.
Quam non adstricto, &c. " With what a loose sock he runs over the
stage," i. e., in what a careless and negligent manner he composes his
pieces. — 175. Gestit enim nummum in locvlos demittere, Sec. The allu-
sion is still to Dossennus, who, according to the poet, was attentive only
to the acquisition of gain, altogether unconcerned about the fate of his
pieces after this object was accomplished. — 177. Quern tulit ad scenam
ventoso gloria curru, &c. Horace, as Hurd remarks, here ironically
adopts the language of an objector, who, as the poet has very satirically
contrived, is left to expose himself in the very terms of his objection. He
has just been urging the love of money as another cause that contributed
to the prostitution of the Roman comic muse, and has been blaming the
venality of the Roman dramatic writers in the person of Dossennus.
They had shown themselves more solicitous about filling their pockets
than deserving the reputation of good poets. Bat, instead of insisting
farther on the excellence of this latter motive, he stops short, and brings
in a bad poet himself to laugh at it. "What ! Is the mere love of praise
to be our only object ? Are we to drop all inferior considerations, and
drive away to the expecting stage in the puffed car of vainglory ? And
why ? To be dispirited or inflated, as the capricious spectator shall think
fit to withhold or bestow his applause. And is this the mighty benefit of
thy vaunted passion for fame? No; farewell the stage, if the breath of
others is that on which the silly bard is made to depend for the contrac-
tion or enlargement of his dimensions." To all this convincing rhetoric
the poet condescends to interpose no objection, well knowing that no truer
service is oftentimes done to virtue or good sense than when a knave or
fool is left to himself to employ his idle raillery against either.
178-182. 178. Exanimat lentus spectator, scdulus infiat. "A listless
spectator dispirits, an attentive one puffs up." — 180. Submit ac rejicit.
" Overthrows or raises up again." — Valeat res ludicra. t; Farewell to the
stage," i. e., to the task of dramatic composition. — 181. Palma negata.
The poet here borrows the language of the games. So, also, in reducit.
— 182. Scepe etiam avdacem fugat hoc terretque poetam, &c. The poet
has just shown that the comic writers so little regarded fame and the
praise of good writing as to make it the ordinary topic of their ridicule,
representing it as the mere illusion of vanity and the infirmity of weak
minds, to be caught by so empty and unsubstantial a benefit. Though
were any one, he now adds, in defiance of public ridicule, so daring as
frankly to avow and submit himself to this generous motive, yet one thin°-
remained to check and weaken the vigor of his emulation. This (from
line 182 to 187) was the folly and ill taste of the undiscerning multitude.
These, by their rude clamors, and the authority of their numbers, were
enough to dishearten the most intrepid genius ; when, after all his endeav-
ors to reap the glory of a finished production, the action was almost sure
to be broken in upon and mangled by the shows of wild beasts and gladia-
tors, those amusements which the Romans, it seems, prized much above
the highest pleasures of the drama. Nay, the poet's case was still more
desperate ; for it was not the untutored rabble alone that gave counte-
nance tn these illiberal sports : ev«n rank and quality, at Rome, debased
622 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., EPISTLE I.
themselves in showing the strongest predilection for these shows, and was
as ready as the populace to prefer the uninstructing pleasures of the eye
to those of the ear, " Equitis quoque jam migravit ab aure voluptas," &c.
And because this barbarity of taste had contributed more than any thing
else to deprave the poetry of the stage, and discourage able writers from
studying its perfection, what follows, from line 189 to 207, is intended as
a satire upon this madness, this admiration of pomp and spectacle, this
seViseless applause bestowed upon the mere decorations of the scene, and
the stage-tricks of the day ; all which were more surely calculated to elicit
the approbation of an audience, than the utmost regard, on the part of the
poet, either to justness of design or beauty of execution. (Hurd, ad loc.)
183-193. 183. Quod numero plures, virtute ct honore minores, &c. In
this and the succeeding line, the poet draws a brief but most faithful pic-
ture of the Roman plebs. — 185. Eqties. The Equites, as a better educated
class, are here opposed to the plebeians. — 186. Aut visum aut pugiles.
This was before the erection of amphitheati-es. The first amphitheatre
was erected by Statilius Taurus, in the reign of Augustus. — 187. Verum
equitis quoque jam, &c. This corruption of taste now spreads even to the
more educated classes. — 188. Incertos oculos. "Eyes continually wan-
dering from one object to another," i. c, attracted by the variety and splen-
dor of the objects exhibited, so as to be uncertain on which to rest. — 189.
Quatuor aut plures aulcea prcmuntur in horas. " For four hours or more
is the curtain kept down." We have rendered this literally, and in accord-
ance with the language of former days. In the ancient theatres, when
the play began the curtain was drawn down under the stage. Thus the
Romans said tollere aulcea, "to raise the curtain," when the play was
done, and premere aulaa, when the play commenced and the performers
appeared. Horace, therefore, here alludes to a piece which, for four hours
and upward, exhibited one unbroken spectacle of troops of horse, com-
panies of foot, &c. In other words, the piece in question is a mere show,
calculated to please the eye, without at all improving the mind of the
spectator. — 191. Regum fortuna. "The fortune of kings," i. c, unfor-
tunate monarchs. — 192. Esseda festinant, &c. " Two- wheeled war-cars,
carriages, four-wheeled chariots, ships, hurry along (the stage)." The
essedum (called also esseda) was a two-wheeled car, used, especially in
war, by the Britons, Gauls, and Belgae, and also by the Germans. The
name is said to be derived from the Celtic ess, " a carriage." The pilen-
turn, was a four-wheeled covered carriage, furnished with soft cushions,
which conveyed the Roman matrons in sacred processions, and in going
to the Circensian and other games. The petorritum has already been de-
scribed, Sat. i., 6, 104. — Naves. It is best to understand this of actual
ships moved along by means of machines. Some, however, think that
the allusion is to the beaks of ships placed on vehicles, and displayed as
the ornaments of a triumphal pageant. — 193. Captivum ebur. Either
richly-wrought articles of ivory are here meant, or else tusks of elephants
{denies eburnei). — Captiva Corinthus. " A captive Corinth," i. e., a. whole
Corinth of precious and costly articles. Corinth, once so rich in every
woi-k of art, is here used as a general expression to denote whatever in
rare and valuable.
194-207. 194. Democritus. Democritus laughed, as Heraclitus wept.
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., EPISTLE I. 623
at human affairs. Consult note on Epist. i., 12, 12. — 195. Div^sum con-
fusa genus panthcra camelo. " A panther mixed with a camel, a distinct
species," i. e., distinct from the common panther. The poet alludes to
the camelopard or giraffe, an animal first brought to Rome by Julius
Caesar. — 196. EJephas albus. White elephants are as great a rarity, al-
most, in our own days, and their possession is eagerly sought after and
highly prized by some of the Eastern potentates. — Converteret. Supply
in se. — 197. Spectaret populum ludis attenlius ipsis, &c. "He would
gaze with more attention on the people than on the sports themselves, as
affording him more strange sights than the very actor." Mimo is here taken
in the general signification of histrio. — 199. Scriptores antem narrate pu-
taret, &c. "While he would think the writers told their story to a deaf
ass," i. e., while, as for the poets, he would think them employed to about
as much purpose as if they were telling their story to a deaf ass. Scrip-
tores is equivalent here to poetas. — 200. Nam qua pervincere voces evaluere
sonum, &c. " For what strength of lungs is able to surmount the din with
which our theatres resound?" i. e., for what actor can make himself heard
amid the uproar of our theatres ? — 202. Garganum mugire putes nemus,
&c. The chain of Mount Garganus, in Apulia, on the coast of the Adriatic,
was covered with forests, and exposed to the action of violent winds.
Hence the roaring of the blaft amid its woods forms no unapt comparison
on the present occasion. Consult note on Ode ii., 9, 7. — 203. Et artes,
diviticcque peregrine. " And the works of art, and the riches of foreign
lands." Artcs here refers to the statues, vases, and other things of the
kind, that were displayed in the theatrical pageants which the poet con-
demns.— 204. Quibus oblitus actor quum stetit i?i scena, &c. "As soou
as the actor makes his appearance on the stage, profusely covered with
which, the right hand runs to meet the left," i. c., applause is given by the
clapping of hands. The allusion in quibus, that is, in divilia, is to purple,
precious stones, costly apparel, &c. — 207. Lana Tarentino violas imitata
veneno. " The wool of his robe, which imitates the hues of the violet by
the aid of Tarentine dye," i. c, his robe dyed with the purple of Taren-
tum, and not inferior in hue to the violet. Veneno is here taken in the
same sense that <pdpp.aKov sometimes is in Greek.
203-213. 208. Ac ne forte petes, me, quafacere ipse recusem, &c. Here,
observes Hurd, the poet should naturally have concluded his defence of
the dramatic writers, having alleged everything in their favor that could
be urged plausibly from the state of the Roman stage, the genius of the
people, and the several prevailing practices of ill taste, which had brought
them into disrepute with the best judges; but finding himself obliged, in
the course of this vindication of the modern stage-poets, to censure, as
sharply as their, very enemies, the vices and defects of their poetry, and
fearing lest this severity on a sort of writing to which he himself had
never pretended might be misinterpreted as the effect of envy only, and
a malignant disposition toward the art itself, under cover of pleading for
its professors, he therefore frankly avows (from line 208 to 214) his pref-
erence of the dramatic to every other species of poetry, declaring the
sovereignty of its pathos over the affections, and the magic of its illusive
scenery on the imagination, to be the highest argument of poetic excel-
lence, the last and noblest exercise of human genius. — 209 Laudarc
maligne. "Condemn by Stunt praise.". More literally, "praise ill-na-
624 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., EPISTLE I.
turedly," i.e., stingily, niggardly. — 210. Ille per extentum funem mihi posse
videtur ire poeta. " That poet appears to me able to walk upon the tight
rope," i. e., able to do any thing, to accomplish the most difficult under-
takings in his art. The Romans, who were immoderately addicted to
spectacles of every kind, had in particular esteem the funambuli or rope-
dancers. From the admiration excited by their feats, the expression ire
per extentum, funem, came to denote, proverbially, an uncommon degree
of excellence and perfection in any thing. The allusion is here made
with much pleasantry, as the poet had just been rallying his countrymen
on their fondness for these extraordinary achievements. — 211. Meum qui
pectus inaniter angit. " Who tortures my bosom by his unreal crea-
tions," i. e., by his fictions. According to Hurd, the word inaniter here,
as well as the epithet falsis applied to terroribus in the ensuing verse,
would express that wondrous force of dramatic representation which com-
pels us to take part in feigned adventures and situations as if they were
real, and exercises the passions with the same violence in remote, fan-
cied scenes, as in the present distresses of actual life. — 213. Ut magus.
" Like some magician," i. e., like the magician who pretends to raise the
dead, &c. — Et modo, &c. Not in the same piece, but in different plays.
214. Verum age et his, qui se lectori credere malunt, &c. As regards
the connection in the tram of ideas, compare the remarks of Hurd : " Ono
thing still remained. Horace had taken upon himself to apologize for the
Roman poets in general ; but, after an encomium on the office itself, he
confines his defence to the writers for the stage only. In conclusion then,
he was constrained, by the very purpose of his address, to say a word or
two in behalf of the remainder of this neglected family ; of those who, as
the poet expresses it, had rather trust to the equity of the closet than sub-
ject tliemselves to tlie caprice and insolence of the theatre. Now, as before,
in asserting the honor of the stage-poets, he every where supposes the
emperor's disgust to have sprung from the wrong conduct of the poets
themselves, and then extenuates the blame of such conduct by consider-
ing still further the causes which gave rise to it, so he prudently ob-
serves the same method here. The politeness of his addresses concedes
to Augustus the just offence he had taken to his brother poets, whose
honor, however, he contrives to save by softening the occasions of it.
This is the drift of what follows (from line 214 to 229), where he pleasant-
ly recounts the several foibles and indiscretions of the Muse, but in away
that could only dispose the emperor to smile at, or at most to pity, her in-
firmities, not to provoke his serious censure and disesteem. They amount,
on the whole, but to certain idlenesses of vanity, the almost inseparable
attendants of wit as well as beauty, and may be forgiven in each, as im
plying a strong desire to please, or rather as qualifying both to please.
One of the most exceptionable of these vanities was a fond persuasion
too readily taken up by men of parts and genius, that preferment is the
constant pay of merit, and that, from the moment their talents become
known to the public, distinction and advancement are sure to follow."
215-227. 215. Spectatoris fastidia superbi. "The capricious humor of
an arrogant spectator." — 216. Curam reddc brevem. "Pay in turn some
little attention." The verb reddo properly denotes the payment of that
which is due. — Munus Apolline dignum. Alluding to the Palatine libra
EXPLANATORY NOTES. — BOOK II., EPISTLE I. 625
ry established by the emperor. Consult note on Epist. i., 3, 17. — 217.
Addere calcar. " To give a spur to," i. e., to incite. — 218. Studio. "Eag-
erness."— 219. Multa quidem nobis facimus, &c. Compare note on verse
214. — 220. Ut vineta egomet ccedam mea. "That I may prune my own
vineyards," i. e., that I may be severe against myself as well as against
others. — 221. Quum Icedimur, unum si quis amicorum, &c. Horace now
touches upon the vanity of the poetical tribe. Compare note on verse 214
— 223. Quum locajam rccitata revolvimus irrevocati. "When, unasked,
we repeat passages already read." The allusion is to the Roman custom
of authors' reading their productions to a circle of friends or critics, in order
to ascertain their opinion respecting the merits of the work submitted to
their notice. — Loca. Cicero and Gluintilian always use the masculine in
this sense. (Orelli, ad loc.) — Irrevocati. Equivalent here to injussi.
The allusion is borrowed from the Roman stage, where an actor was said
revocari whose performance gave such approbation that he was recalled
by the audience for the purpose of repeating it, or, as we would say, was
encored. — 224. Non apparere. " Do not appear," i. e., are not noticed. —
223. Et tenni deducta poematajilo. "And our poems spun out in a fine
thread," i. e., and our finely-wrought verses. — 226. Eo. " To this point."
— 227. Commodus ultro arcessas. " Thou wilt kindly, of thine own ac-
cord, send for us."
229-233. 229. Sed tamen est operas pretium, &c. "It is worth while,
however, to know what kind of keepers," &c. The aditui {iepo^v?MKec
or vEOKopoi) were a kind of sextons, who had charge of the temples,
where they exhibited the sacred things to visitors, and told the p,vdoi, or
legends, connected with them. The poet therefore supposes the virtue
of Augustus to have its temple, of which poets were to be the ceditui.
(Keightlcy, ad loc.) The connection in the train of ideas is given as fol-
lows by Hurd : Horace now touches upon a new theme. Fond and pre-
sumptuous, observes he, as are the hopes of poets, it may well deserve a
serious consideration who of them are fit to be intrusted with the glory of
princes ; what ministers are worth retaining in the service of an illustri-
ous virtue, whose honors demand to be solemnized with a religious rev-
erence, and should not be left to the profanation of vile and unhallowed
hands. And, to support this position, he alleges the example of a great
monarch, who had been negligent on this head, Alexander the Great,
namely, who, when master of a vast empire, perceived, indeed, the im-
portance of gaining a poet to his service, but, unluckily, chose so ill, that
the encomiums of the bard whom he selected only tarnished the native
splendor of those virtues which should have been presented in their fair-
est hues to the admiration of the world. In his appointment of artists, on
the other hand, this prince showed a more true judgment ; for he suffered
none but an Apelles and a Lysippus to represent the form and fashion of
his person. — 233. Charilus. A poet in the train of Alexander, who is
mentioned also by Quintus Curtius (viii., 5, 8). He was probably a na-
tive of Iasos, in Caria. Alexander is said to have promised him a piece
of gold for every good verse that he made in his praise. It is also stated
that this same poet, having, by a piece of presumption, consented to re-
ceive a blow for every line of the Panegyric on Alexander which should
be rejected by the judges, suffered severely for his folly. This part of the
story, however, appears to be merely a joke. There were several other
D D
526 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., EPISTLE I.
poets of the same name. — Incultis qui versibus et male natis, &c. " Who
owed to his rough and ill-formed verses the Philippi, royal coin, that he
received." Acron, in his scholium on the 357th verse of the epistle to
the Pisos, relates, that Alexander told Chcerilus he would rather be the
Thersites of Homer than the Achilles of Chcerilus. Some commentators
have therefore supposed that Horace has altered the story in order the
better to suit his argument, and that, if Alexander did bestow any sum
of money upon Choerilus, it was on condition that he should never write
about him again. It is most probable, however, that while Alexander
paid Chcerilus liberally for his flattery, he did not conceal his contempt for
his poetry. — Philippos. Gold pieces, with Philip's head upon them,
thence called Philippi.
235-245. 235. Sedveluti tractata notant labemquercmittunt, &c. "But
as ink, when touched, leaves behiud it a mark and a stain, so writers,
generally speaking, soil by paltry verse distinguished actions." The idea
intended to be conveyed is this : But this was unwise in Alexander, for
bad poets injure their subjects just as ink stains what it touches.
{Keightley, ad loc.) — 240. Alius Lysippo. "Any other than Lysippus."
Compare the Greek idiom a?i2.og Avoimrov, of which this is an imitation.
— Duceret azra fortis Alexandri vultum simulautia. "Should mould in
brass the features of the valiant Alexander." Literally, "fashion the
brass representing the features," &c. Ducere, when applied, as in the
present instance, to metal, means to forge, mould, or fashion out, according
to some pz-oposed model. — 241. Quod si judicium subtile videndis artibus
illud, &.c. "But wert thou to call that acute perception which he pos-
sessed in examining into other arts to literary productions and to these
gifts of the Muses, thou wouldst swear that he had been bom in the thick
air of the Boeotians," i. e., was as stupid as any Boeotian. Boeotian dull-
ness was proverbial, but how justly, the names of Pindar, Epaminondas,
Plutarch, and other natives of this country will sufficiently prove. Much
of this sarcasm on the national character of the Boeotians is no doubt to be
ascribed to the malignant wit of their Attic neighbors. — Videndis. He
uses this word, as these arts are objects of sight, not, like poetry, of the
mind alone. {Keightley, ad loc.) — 245. At neque dedecorant tua de seju-
dicta, &c. As regards the connection in the train of ideas, compare the
remarks of Hurd : The poet makes a double use of the ill judgment of Al-
exander ; for nothing could better demonstrate the importance of poetry
to the honor of greatness than that this illustrious conqueror, without any
particular knowledge or discernment in the art itself, should think him-
self concerned to court its assistance. And, then, what could be more
likely to engage the emperor's further protection and love of poetry, than
the insinuation (which is made with infinite address) that, as he honored
it equally, so he understood its merits much better ? for (from line 245 to
248, where, by a beautiful concurrence, the flattery of his prince falls in
with the more honest purpose of doing justice to the memory of his friends)
it was not the same unintelligent liberality which had cherished Choerilus
that poured the full stream of Crcsnr's bounty on such persons as Varins
Bind Virgil. And, as if the spirit of these inimitable poets had at once
seized him, he breaks away in a bolder strain (from line 248 to 250) to si"
the triumphs of an art which expressed the manners and the mind in full-
er and more durable relief than painting or even sculpture had ever been
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., EPISTLE II. 62T
able to jive to the external figure, and (from line 250 to the end) apolo-
gizes for himself in adopting the humbler epistolary species, when a
warmth of inclination and the unrivalled glories of his prince were con-
tinually urging him on to the nobler encomiastic poetry.
246-270. 246. Malta dantis cum laude. "With high praise to the
giver." The favors so well bestowed by Augustus have won for him, ac-
cording to the poet, deserved encomiums from the world. — 250. Apparent.
Equivalent to exsplendescunt. — Sermones repentes per humum. The poet
alludes to his satires and epistles. — 251. Quam res componere gestas.
' Than tell of exploits," i. e., thy achievements. — 252. Arces montibus im-
positas. The allusion appears to be to fortresses, which, though erected
on lofty mountain heights by the Alpine tribes, for instance, had been re-
duced by the valor of the generals of Augustus. — 253. Barbara regna.
"Barbarian realms," i. e., the many barbarian kingdoms subdued by thee.
— 255. Claustraque custodem pacts cohibentia Janum. Augustus closed
the Temple of Janus three times. Consult note on Ode iv., 15, 8. — 25S.
Majestas. "Greatness." — Recipit. In the sense of admittit. — 260. Scdu-
litas autem stulte, quern diligit, urget. " For officiousness disgusts th%
person whom it loves without discernment," i.e., excessive zeal, praising
without discernment, only disgusts. Construe stulte with diligit. — 261.
Quum se commendat. " When it strives to recommend itself." — 262. Di-
scit. Supply aliquis. Men recollect a caricature longer than the virtues
of the original. — 264. NU moror officium. " I value not that officious re-
spect which causes me uneasiness." The idea intended to be conveyed
is this : If, says Horace, I were in that situation which might lead any
one to try to conciliate my favor by his praises, I would reject that offi-
ciousness which would prove to me a burden rather than a source of honor.
— Ac nequejtcto in pejus vultu, &c. " And neither have I the wish to be
displayed to the view in wax, with my countenance formed for the worse,"
i. e., with disfigured looks. Orelli thinks that, at this time, busts or im-
ages of distinguished men, formed in wax, were sold at Rome, to be
placed in libraries, Sec, like our plaster-of-Paris busts. — 267. Pingui mu-
nere. "With the stupid present," i. e., carmine pingui Minerva facto. —
268. Cum scriptorc meo. " With my panegyrist." — Capsa porrectus aper-
ta. "Stretched out to view in an open box." — 269. Deferar. Because
the street referred to lay in the valley below the Forum. Horace fre-
quently intimates that he lived in the higher parts of the city. (Keight-
ley, ad loc.) — In victim vendentem. " Into the street where they sell."
Literally, "into the street that sells." The Vicus Thurarius is meant —
270. Chartis ineptis. The allusion is to writings so foolish and unworthy
of perusal as soon to find their way to the grocers, and subserve the hum-
bler but more useful employment of wrappers for small purchases.
Epistle H. This epistle is also in some degree critical. Julius Floras,
a friend of our poet's, on leaving Rome to attend Tiberius in one of his
military expeditions, asked Horace to send him some lyric poems, and
wrote to him afterward complaining of his neglect. The poet offers
various excuses. One of these arose from the multitude of bad and con-
ceited poets with whica the capital swarmed. Accordingly, his justifica-
tion is enlivened with aiuch raillery on the vanity of contemporary authors,
628 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., EPISTLE II.
and their insipid compliments to each other, while the whole is animated
with a fine spirit of criticism, and with valuable precepts for our instruc-
tion in poetry. This has been parodied by Pope iu the same style as the
preceding epistle.
1-9. 1. Flore. To this same individual, who formed part of the reti-
nue of Tiberius, the third epistle of the first book is inscribed. — Nerond.
Alluding to Tiberius (Claudius Tiberius Nero), the future emperor. — 3. Ga-
biis. Consult note on Epist. i., 11, 7. — Et tecum sic agat. "And should
treat with thee as follows." — Hie et candidus, et talos a vertice, &c. " This
boy is both fair and handsome from head to foot." Candidus does not
here refer to the mind, as some commentators suppose, but to the com-
plexion, and the allusion appears to be a general one, to the bright look
of health which the slave is said to have, and which would form so im-
portant a feature in the enumeration of his good qualities. — 5. Fiet erit-
que tuus. "He shall become, and shall be, thine." An imitation of the
technical language of a bargain. — Nummorum millibus octo. " For eight
thousand sesterces." About $310. — 6. Vema ministeriis ad nutus aptus
hcrilcs. "A slave ready in his services at his master's nod," i.e., prompt
to understand and obey every nod of his master. Verna, which is here
used in a general sense for servus, properly denotes a slave born beneath
the roof of his master. — 7. Literulis Grcecis imbutus. "Having some
little knowledge of Greek." This would enhance his value, as Greek
was then much spoken at Rome. It would qualify him also for the office
of avayvua-Tjg, or reader. — 8. Argilla quidvis imitaberis uda. " Thou
wilt shape any thing out of him, as out of so much moist clay," i. e., thou
mayest mould him into any shape at pleasure, like soft clay. Horace
here omits, according to a very frequent custom on his part, the term that
indicates comparison, such as veluti, sicuti, or some other equivalent ex-
pression.— 9. Quin etiam canet indoctum, sed dulce bibenti. "Besides, he
tvill sing in a way devoid, it is true, of skill, yet pleasing enough to one
*ko is engaged over his cup." Indoctum means properly without in-
truction, in an artless manner.
10-16. 10. Fidem levant. "Diminish our confidence in a person." —
11. Extrudere. " To get them off his hands." To palm them off on an-
other.— 12. Res urget me nulla. " No necessity urges me," i. e., induces
me to sell him. — Meo sum pauper in are. " I am in narrow circumstances,
I confess, yet owe no man any thing." A proverbial expression, most
probably. — 13. Mangonum. Mango is thought by some etymologists to
be shortened from mangano, a derivative of p,dyyavov, "jugglery," "de-
ception," in allusion to the artifices employed by these men in effecting
their sales. — Noti temere a me quivis ferret idem. "It is not every one
that would readily get the same bargain at my hands." The common
language of knavish dealers in all ages. — 14. Semel hie cessavit, et, utfit,
&c. " Once, indeed, he was in fault, and hid himself behind the stairs,
through fear of the pendent whip, as was natural enough." We have
adopted the arrangement of Doi'ing, by which in scalis latuit are joined
in construction, and pendentis has a general reference to the whip's hang
ing up in any part of the house. The place behind the stairs, in a Romou
house, was dark, and fit for concealment. — 16. Excepta nihil le si fuga
Icedit. " If his running away and hiding himself on that occasion, which
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., EPISTLE II. 629
I have just excepted, does not offend thee." Absconding was regarded
as so considerable a fault in the case of a slave, that a dealer was obliged
to mention it particularly, or the sale was void.
17-25. 17. Ille ferat pretium, pcence securus, opinor. "The slave-
dealer may after this, I think, carry off the price, fearless of any legal
punishment." The poet now resumes. The law could not reach the
slave-merchant in such a case, and compel him to pay damages or refund
the purchase-money, for he had actually spoken of the slave's having once
been a fugitive, though he had endeavored, by his language, to soften
down the offence. — 18. Prudens cmisti vitiosum ; dicta tibi est lex. " Thou
hast purchased, with thine eyes open, a good-for-nothing slave ; the condi-
tion of the bargain was expressly told thee," i. e., his having once been a
fugitive. — 19. Hunc. Alluding to the slave-dealer. — 20. Dixi me pig rum
prqficiscenti tibi, &c. The connection in the train of ideas is as follows :
Thou hast no better claim on me in the present instance than thou wouldst
have on the slave-dealer in the case which I have just put. I told thee
expressly, on thy departure from Rome, that I was one of indolent habits,
and totalby unfit for such tasks, and yet, notwithstanding this, thou corn-
plainest of my not writing to thee ! — 21. Talibus officiis prope mancum
"That I was altogether unfit for such tasks." Literally, "that I was al
most maimed (or deprived of one of my hands) for such tasks." A strong
but pleasing expression. — 23. Quid turn profeci, &c. "What did I gain,
then, when I told thee tb;« if, notwithstanding, thou assailest the very
conditions that make for me! -^24. Super hoc. "Moreover." — 25. Mcn-
dax. "False to my promise."
26-40. 26. Liiculli miles, &c. We have here the second excuse that
Horace assigns for not writing. A poet in easy circumstances should
make poetry no more than an amusement. — Collecta viatica multis cerum-
nis. " A little stock of money which he had got together by dint of many
hardships." The idea implied in viatica is, something which is to furnish
the means of future support as well as of present comfort, but more par
ticularly the former. — 27. Ad assem. "Entirely," or, more literally, "to
the last penny." — 30. Presidium regale loco dejecit, ut aiunt, «Sec. "He
dislodged, as the story goes, a royal garrison from a post very strongly
fortified and rich in many things." The allusion in regale is either to
Mithradates or Tigranes, with both of whom Lucullus carried on war. —
W. Donis konestis. Alluding to the torques, phaleras, &c. — 33. Accipit et
bis dena super sestertia nummum. " He receives, besides, twenty thou-
sand sesterces." About $775. — 34. Prator. " The general." The term
praztor is here used in its earlier acceptation. It was originally ap-
plied to all who exercised either civil or military authority (Prcetor : h
qui prceit jure et exercitu). — 36. Timido quoque. "Even to a coward."
— 39. Post here ille catus, quantumvis rustievs, inquit. "Upon this, the
cunning fellow, a mere rustic though he was, replied." — 40. Zonam. •• His
purse." The girdle or belt served sometimes for a purse, especially with
the soldiery. More commonly, however, the purse hung from the neck.
Horace applies this story to his own case. The soldier fought bravely
as loi.g as necessity drove him to the step ; when, however, he made good
his losses, he concerned himself no more about venturing on desperate en-
terprises. So the poet, while his n.v>ans were contracted, wrote verses
630 EXPLANATORY NOTES,- BOOK II., EPISTLE II.
for a support ; now, however, that lie has obtained a competency, the
inclination for verse has departed.
41-45. 41. Romce nutriri mihi contigit. Horace came to Rome with
his father at the age of nine or ten years, and was placed under the in-
struction of Orbilius Pupillus. — 42. Iratus Gratis quantum nocuisset
Achilles. The poet alludes to the Iliad of Homer, which he read at school
with his preceptor, and with which the Roman youth began their studies.
— 43. Bona Athena. " Kind Athens." The epithet here applied to this
celebrated city is peculiarly jdeasing. The poet speaks of it in the lan-
guage of fond and grateful recollection, for the benefits which he there
received in the more elevated departments of instruction. — Artis. The
term ars is here used in the sense of doctrina, "learning," and the refer-
ence is to the philosophical studies pursued by Horace in the capital of
Attica. — 44. Scilicet ut possem curvo dignoscere rectum. " That I might
be able, namely, to distinguish a straight line from a curve." The poet
evidently alludes to the geometrical studies which were deemed absolute-
ly necessary, by the followers of the Academy, to the understanding of
the sublime doctrines that were taught within its precincts. — 45. Silvas
Academi. Alluding to the school of Plato. The place which the philoso-
pher made choice of for this purpose was a public grove, called Academus,
which received its appellation, according to some, from Hecademus, who
left it to the citizens for the purpose of gymnastic exercises. Adorned
with statues, temples, and sepulchres, planted with lofty plane-trees, and
intersected by a gentle stream, it afforded a delightful retreat for philoso-
phy and the Muses. Within this inclosure Plato possessed, as a part of
his humble patrimony, purchased at the price of three thousand drachma?,
a small garden, in which he opened school for the reception of those who
might be inclined to attend his instructions. Hence the name Academy,
given to the school of this philosopher, and wnich it retained long after
his decease.
47-52. 47. CiviliscBstus. " The tide of civil commotion." — 48. Casaris
Augusti no7i 7-esponswa lacertis. "Destined to prove an unequal match
for the strength of Augustus Caesar." — 49. Simul. For simul «c,—
Philippi. Philippi, the scene of the memorable conflicts which closed
the last straggle of Roman freedom, was a city of Thrace, built by Philip
<>f Macedon, on the site of the old Thasian colony of Crenidae, and in the*
vicinity of Mount Pangseus. The valuable gold and silver mines in its im-
mediate neighborhood rendered it a place of great importance. Its ruins
still retain the name of Filibah. — 50. Decisis humilem pe7i?tis, inopemque,
&c. " Brought low with clipped wings, and destitute of a paternal dwell-
ing and estate," i. e., deprived of my office of military tribune, and stripped
of my patrimony. — 51. Pauperlas impulit audax, &c. We must not un-
derstand these words literally, as if Horace never wrote verses before tho
battle of Philippi, but that he did not apply himself to poetry as a profes-
sion before that time. — 52. Sed, quod non desit, habentem, qua potcrunt
unquam satis expurgare cicutce, &c. " But what doses of hemlock will
ever sufficiently liberate me from my phrensy, now that I have all which
is sufficient for my wants, if I do not think it better to rest than to write-
verses," i. e., but now, having a competency for all my wants, I should b*
a perfect madman to abandon a life of tranquillity, and set up again for a
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., EPISTLE II. 031
poet, and no hemlock would be able to expel my phrensy. Commentator»
are puzzled to know how a poison, like hemlock, could ever have been
taken as a remedy. Taken in a large quantity it is undoubtedly fatal,
but when employed in small portions it was found to be a useful medi-
cine. Horace speaks of it here as a frigorific.
55-64. 55. Singula de nobis anni prcedantur euntes. " The years that
go by rob us of one thing after another." Horace now brings forward his
third reason for not continuing to write verses. He was at this time
about fifty-four years of age, and considered himself too old for the task. —
57. Tendunt extorquere poemata. " They are now striving to wrest from
me poetry," i. e., to deprive me of my poetic powers. — Quidfaciam vis ?
" What wouldst thou have me do 1" i. e., how can I help it ? Compare
Orelli : "Sed cedendum est necessitati." — 58. Denique non omncs eadem
mirantur amantque. The difference of tastes among mankind furnishes
Horace with a fourth excuse, such as it is, for not writing. The poet, how-
ever, knew his own powers too well to be much, if at all, in earnest here.
— 59. Carmine. " In Lyric strains." — 60. Bioneis sermonibus et sale ni-
gra. " With satires written in the manner of Bion, and with the keenest
raillery." The individual here referred to under the name of Bion is the
same that was surnamed Borysthenites, from his native place Borysthenes.
He was both a philosopher and a poet ; but, as a poet, remarkable for his
bitter and virulent satire. He was a pupil of Theophrastus, and belong-
ed to the Cyrenaic sect. — Sale nigro. The epithet nigro is here used with
a peculiar reference to the severity of the satire with which an individual
is assailed. In the same sense the verses of Archilochus (Epist. i., 19, 3)
are termed atri. — 61. Tres mihi convivaprope dissentire videntur. "They
appear to me to differ almost like three guests." The particle of compari-
son [veluti or sicuti) is again omitted, in accordance with the frequent
custom of Horace. Consult note on verse 8. The parties, who appear to
the poet to differ in the way that he describes, are those whose respective
tastes in matters of poetry he has just been describing. — 64. Invisum.
" Of unpleasant savor."
55-74. 65. Prceter cetera. "Above all." Equivalent to prce cceteris
aliis. The reason here assigned is not, like the last, a mere pretext.
The noise and bustle of a great city, and the variety of business transact-
ed there, occasion such distraction of spirit as must ever greatly disturb a
poet's commerce with the muse. — Romcene. The ne is here interrogative
— 67. Hie sponsum vocat. "This one calls me to go bail for him." — Au
ditum scripta. " To hear him read his works." Alluding to the custom
of an author's reading his productions before friends, and requesting their
opinions upon the merits of the piece or pieces. — 68. Cubat. "Lies sick."
Compare Sat. i., 9, 18. — In colle Q,uirini hie extremo in Aventino. The
Mons Quirinalis was at the northern extremity of the city, and the Mons
Aventinus at the southern ; hence the pleasantry of the expression which
follows : " intervalla humane commoda" — 70. Inicrvalla humane commo-
da. "A comfortable distance for a man to walk." — Verum pur<s sunt
platece, &c. The poet here supposes Floras, or some other person, to
arge this in reply : 'Tis true, it is a long way between the duirinal and
Aveutine, " but then the streets are clear," and one can meditate uninter-
rupted by the way. — 72. Festinat calidus mulis gerulisque redemtar
032 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., EPISTLE II.
The poet rejoins : Ay, indeed, the streets are very clear; " a builder, tut
instance, in a great heat, hurries along with his mules and porters." Col-
idus may be rendered, more familiarly, "puffing and blowing." — Redem-
tor. By this term is meant a contractor or master builder. Compare Ode
iii., 1, 35. — 73. Torquet nunc lapidern, nunc ingens machina tignum. "A
machine hoists at one moment a stone, at another a ponderous beam."
Torquet does not here refer, as some commentators suppose, to the drag
ging along of the articles alluded to, but to their being raised on high, ei
ther by means of a windlass or a combination of pulleys. — 74. Tristia ro-
bustis luctantur funera plaustris. Horace elsewhere takes notice of the
confusion and tumult occasioned at Rome by the meeting of funerals and
wagons (Sat. i., 6, 42).
78-85. 78. Rite cliens Bacchi. "Due worshippers of Bacchus," i. e.,
duly enrolled among the followers of Bacchus. This deity, as well as
Apollo, was regarded as a tutelary divinity of the poets, and one of the
summits of Parnassus was sacred to him. — 80. Et contacta sequi vestigia
vatum ? " And to tread close in the footsteps of genuine bards, until I
succeed in coming up with them?" — 81. Ingenium, sibi quod vacuas de-
svmsit Atheuas. " A man of genius, who has chosen for himself the calm
retreat of Athens." Ingenium quod is here put for ingeniosus qui. As
regards the epithet vacuas, consult note on Epist. i., 7, 45. The connec-
tion in the train of ideas should be here carefully noted. It had been ob-
jected to Horace that he might very well make verses in walking along
the streets. He is not satisfied with showing that this notion is false, he
will also show it to be ridiculous ; for, says he, at Athens itself, a city of
but scanty population compared with Rome, a man of genius, who applies
himself to study, who has run through a course of philosophy, and spent
seven years among books, is yet sure to encounter the ridicule of the peo-
ple if he comes forth pensive and plunged in thought. How, then, can any
one imagine that I should follow this line of conduct at Rome ? Would
they not have still more reason to deride me ? Horace says ingenium-,
" a man of genius," in order to give his argument the more strength ; for,
if such a man could not escape ridicule even in Athens, a city accustomed
to the ways and habits of philosophers, how could the poet hope to avoid
it at Rome, a city in every respect so different? — 84. Hie. Referring to
Rome. — 85. Et tempestatibus urbis. "And the tempestuous hurry of the
city."
87-94. 87. Auctor erat Roma consulto rhetor, &c. •' A rhetorician at
Rome proposed to a lawyer that the one should hear, in whatever the
other said, nothing but praises of himself," i. e., that they should be con-
stantly praising one another. Horace here abruptly passes to another
reason for not composing verses, the gross flattery, namely, which the
poets of the day were wont to lavish upon one another. There were, says
he, two persons at Rome, a rhetorician and a lawyer, who agreed to be-
spatter each other with praise whenever they had an opportunity. The
lawyer was to call the rhetorician a most eloquent man, a second Grac-
chus ; the rhetorician was to speak of the profound learning of the lawyer,
and was to style him a second Mucius. Just so, observes Horace, do the
poets act at the present day. We have adopted here the very elegant
emendation of Withofius. The common text has Frater erat Romas con
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., EPISTLE II. 633
sulti rhetor, which has been sought to be defended on the ground of stud
ied negligence, but in reality admits of no defence at all. — 89. Gracchus.
The allusion is to Caius Gracchus, of whose powers as a public speaker
Cicero makes distinguished mention in his Brutus, c. 33. — Mucins. Re-
ferring to Q.. Mucins Scaevola, the distinguished lawyer, who is called by
Cicero " Jurisperitorum eloquentissimus et eloquentium jurisperitissimus"
(Or., i., 3). — 90. Qui minus argutos vexat furor iste poetas ? " In what
respect does that madness exercise less influence upon the melodious
poets of the day?" The epithet argutos is ironical. By furor is meant
the desire of being lauded by others, amounting to a perfect madness. —
91. Carmina compono, hie elegos. The poet, in order the better to laugh
at them, here numbers himself among his brother bards, as one influenced
by the same love of praise. If I, observes he, compose odes, and anothei
one elegies, what wonders in their way, what master-pieces of skill, fin-
ished by the very hands of the Muses themselves, do our respective pro-
ductions appear to each other! — 92. Ccelatumque novem Musis. "And
polished by the hands of the nine Muses." — 93. Quanto cum fastu, quanto
cum molimine, &c. " With what a haughty look, with how important an
air, do we survey the Temple of Apollo, open to Roman bards." A laugh-
ble description of poetic vanity. — 94. Vacuam Romanis vatibus. Equiv-
alent to patentem poetis Romanis. The allusion is to the Temple of Apol-
lo, where the poets were accustomed to read their productions.
95-107. 95. Sequere. "Follow us within." Equivalent to sequere nos
in templum. — 96. Ferat. In the sense oi prof e rat, i. e., recitet. — 97. Caz-
dimur, et totidem plagis consumimus liostem, &c. " Like Samnite gladi-
ators, in slow conflict, at early lamp-light, we receive blows and wear out
our antagonist by as many in return." These bad poets, paying their
compliments to each other, are pleasantly compared to gladiators fighting
with foils. The battle is perfectly harmless, and the sport continues a long
time (lento duello). These diversions were usually at entertainments by
early lamp-light, and the gladiators were armed like ancient Samnites.
Consult note on Ode ii., 13, 26. — 99. Alc&us. " An Alcasus." — Puncto il-
lius. " By his vote," i. e., in his estimation. The allusion is to the mode
of counting the votes at the Roman comitia, by means of dots or points.
Compare Epist. ad Pis., 343 : " Omne tulit punctum, qui miscuit utile
dulci." — 101. Mimnermus. Compare Epist. i., G, 65. — 101. Et optivo cog-
nomine crescit. " And increases in importance through the wished-for
appellation." As regards the epithet optivo, compare the explanation of
Orelli : " Quodcunque nomen ei placet, hoc ei dare soleo." — 104. F'mitis
sludiis et mente recepta. " Having finished my poetical studies and re-
covered my reason." — 105. Impune. "Boldly." Without fear of their
resentment. — 107. Gaudent scribentes, et se venerantur, &c. The pleas-
ure of making verses, observes Sanadon, is a great temptation, but it is a
dangerous pleasure. Every poet, in the moment of writing, fancies be
performs wonders ; but when the ardor of imagination has gone by, a good
poet will examine his work in cool blood, and shall find it sink greatly in
his own esteem. On the other hand, the more a bad poet reads his pro
ductions over, the more he is charmed with them, se veneratur amatque.
109-114. 109. At qui legitimum cupiet fecisse poema. Horace, aftei
having described, in amusing colors, the vanity and conceit of bad poefcs,
D d2
634 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., EPISTLE II.
now draws a picture of a good one, and lays dow\ some excellent precepts
for the guidance of writers. This is a continuation of his reasoning. He
has shown that a poet, foolishly pleased with his own works, draws upon
himself ridicule and contempt, and he here speaks of the great exertion
requisite to give value to a poem. Hence he concludes that poetry is a
task in which no wise and prudent man will ever engage. — Lcgitimum
poema. "A genuine poem," i. e., one composed in accordance with all
the rules and precepts of art. — 110. Cum tabulis animum censoris konesti.
The idea intended to be conveyed is this, that such a writer as the one
here described will take his waxed tablets, on which he is going to com-
pose his strains, with the same feeling that an impartial critic will take
up the tablets that are to contain his criticisms ; for, as a fair and honest
critic will mark whatever faults are deserving of being noted, so a good
poet will correct whatever things appear in his own productions worthy
of correction. — 111. Audebit. " He will not hesitate." — 113. Movere loco.
" To remove." We would say, in our modern phraseology, "to blot out."
— 114. Intra penetralia Vesta. " Within the inmost sanctuary of Vesta,"
i. e., within the recesses of his cabinet or closet. Penetralia Vesta is a
figurative expression. None but the Vestal Virgins were allowed to en-
ter within the inmost shrine of the Temple of Vesta, and with this sacred
place is the poet's cabinet compared. Here his works are in a privileged
abode, inaccessible to the criticisms of the public, and it is here that the
poet himself should act the part of a rigid censor, retrench whatever is
superfluous, and give the finishing hand to his pieces.
115-124. 115. Obscurata din populo bonus eruet, &c. The order of
construction is as follows : Bonus (poeta vel scriptor) eruet atque in lucem
proferet populo, cui ilia diu obscurata sunt, speciosa vocabula rerum, qua,
memorata priscis Catonibus atque Cethegis, informis situs et dcserta ve-
tustas nunc premit. — 116. Speciosa. "Expressive." — 117. Memorata.
"Used." Equivalent to usurpata. — Priscis Catonibus atque Cethegis.
Cato the censor is here meant, and the epithet applied to him is intended
to refer to his observance of the plain and austere manners of the " olden
time." Compare Ode ii., 21, 11. The other allusion is to M. Cethegus,
whom Enuius called " Suada medulla," and with whom Cicero (Brut.,
15) commences the series of Roman orators. — 118. Situs informis. "Un-
sightly mould." — 119. Qua genitor produxerit usus. " Which usage, the
parent of language, shall have produced." Compare Epist. ad Pis., 71,
seqq. — 120. Vehemens. To be pronounced, in metrical reading, vemens. —
121. Fundet opes. " He will pour forth his treasures." By opes we must
here understand a rich abundance of words and sentiments. — 122. Luxu-
riantia compescet. "He will retrench every luxuriance." — Sano cultu.
" By judicious culture." — 123. Levabit. " He will polish." — Virtute. caren-
tia. "Whatever is devoid of merit." — Toilet. Equivalent to delebit.
Consult note on Sat. i., 4, 11. — 124. Ludentis speciem dabit, et torquebitur,
&c. " He will exhibit the appearance of one sporting, and will keep
turning about as he who one while dances the part of a satyr, at another
that of a clownish cyclops." Torquebitur has here the force of the mid-
dle voice, and is equivalent to sefiectet. A figurative allusion to the pan-
tomimes of the day, in which they expressed by dancing, and the move-
ment of their bodies, the passions, thoughts, and actions of any character
they assumed as, for example, that of a satyr or of a cyclops. Consult
EXPLAN/1CRY NOTES. BOOK II., EPISTLE II. 635
note on Sat. i., 5, 63. The idea intended to be conveyed by the whole
passage is this : that as the actor who dances the part of a satyr or a
Cyclops throws himself into different attitudes, and moves his limbs in
various ways, so he who composes verses should transpose, vary, bring
forward, draw back, and, in general, keep shifting his words and expres-
sions in every possible variety of way.
126-140. 126. Praitiilerim scriptor delirus inersque videri, &c. " For
my own part, I had rather be esteemed a foolish and dull writer, provided
my own faults please me, or at least escape my notice, than be wise and
a prey to continual vexation." The poet means that he would rather be
a bad poet, if he could only imagine himself the contrary, than a good one
at the expense of so much toil and vexation. Observe the force of the
subjunctive in prestulerim. — 128. Ringi. The deponent ringor literally
means, " to show the teeth like a dog," "to snarl." It is then taken in a
figurative sense, and signifies " to fret, chafe, or fume," &c. — Fuit hand
ignobilis Argis, &c. The poet here gives an amusing illustration of what
he has just been asserting. Aristotle (de Mirab. Auscult., init.) tells a
similar story, but makes it to have happened at Abydos, and JElian (V.
H., iv., 25) of an Athenian named Thrasyllus. — 131. Servaret. "Dis-
charged." In the sense of observaret or exsequeretur. — 134. Et signo Icbso
non insanire lagence. "And would not rave if the seal of a wine-vessel
were broken." The ancients generally sealed the lagena, to prevent their
slaves from stealing the wine. — 137. Elleboro. Consult note on Sat. ii.,
3, 82. — Morbum. Alluding to his madness, which the addition of bilem
serves more clearly to indicate. Hence the expression atra bilis, so fre-
quently used in the sense of insania. — 140. Et demtus, pretium mentis,
&c. " And a most pleasing delusion, a (fair) price for reason, has been
taken away," i. e., a pleasing delusion, the enjoyment of which one would
consider cheaply purchased by the loss of reason. The common text has
Et demtus per vim mentis gratissimus error, " and a most pleasing delu-
sion of mind has been taken away by force." In place of thie we have
adopted the singularly elegant reading {pretium) found in u, million of
Zarot, in behalf of which Gesner remarks, " Pulcherrimam sententiam
parit lectio Zaroti; qua pretium mentis dicitur error gratissimus: i. e.,
facile aliquis sana mente careat, ut tarn jucundo errore fruatur."
141-156. 141. Nimirum sapcre est abjectis utile nugis, &c. " (Such be-
ing the case), it certainly is a useful course (for us) to pursue and acquire
wisdom, trifles being laid aside, and to give up to boys a sport that is suit
ed to their years." By ludum is here meant verse-making, poetic com-
position. Observe the force of nimirum here, "certainly," "doubtless."
The poet now takes a more serious view of the subject, and this forms
the seventh excuse. He has put it last, that he might more naturally fall
into the vein of morality which concludes his epistle. He would convince
us that good sense does not consist in making verses, and ranging words
in poetical harmony, but in regulating our actions according to the bet-
ter harmony of wisdom and virtue. " Sed vera numerosque modosque
ediscere vitae." — 145. Quocirca mecum loquor hcec, tacitusque recorder.
" It is for this reason that I commune as follows with myself, and silently
revolve in my own mind." The remainder of the epistle is a conversation
which the poet holds with himself. This soliloquy is designed to make
()36 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., EPISTLE II.
his reasons come with a hetter grace to his friend, and enahle Horace tne
more easily to correct his ambition, avarice, and those other vices to which
he was subject. — 146. Si tibi nulla sitim finiret copia lymphce, &c. This
was a way of reasoning employed by the philosopher Aristippus, as Plu-
tarch has preserved it for us in his Treatise against Avarice. He who
eats and drinks a great deal without aUaymg nis appetite, has recourse
to physicians, and wants to know hia malady, and what is to be done for
a cure ; but the man who has already five rich beds, and thirsts after
ten ; who has large possessions and store of money, yet is never satisfied,
but still desires more, and spends day and night in heaping up ; this man
never dreams of apply ng for relief, or of inquiring after the cause of his
malady. — 150. Fugeres curarier. "You would give over trying to be
cured." — 151. Audieras, cui rem di donarent, Sec. The Stoics taught that
the wise man alone was rich. But there were others who overturned
this doctrine, and maintained the direct contrary. Horace, therefore,
reasons against this latter position, and endeavors to show its absurdity.
Thou hast been always told that riches banished folly, and that to be rich
and to be wise were the same ; but thou hast satisfied thyself that the in-
crease of thy riches has added nothing to thy wisdom, and yet thou art
still hearkening to the same deceitful teachers. — 153. Illi deccdere. Equiv-
alent to ab eo fugere. — 153. Et quum sis nihilo sapientior, ex quo plenior
es. " And yet, though thou art nothing wiser, since thou art become
richer." With ex quo supply tempore. — 156. Ncmpe. "Then indeed."
158, 159. 158. Si proprium est, quod quis libra mercatus et are est, Sec
" If what one buys with all the requisite formalities is his own property ,
on the other hand, there are certain things, in which, if thou believest the
lawyers, use gives a full right of property." The expression quod quis
libra mercatus et cere est (literally, " what one has purchased with the bal-
ance and piece of money") refers to the Roman mode of transferring prop-
erty. In the reign of Servius Tullius money was first <xsined at Rome,
and that, too, only of bronze. Previous to this every thing went by weight
In the alienation, therefore, of property by sale, as well as in other trans
actions where a sale, either real or imaginary, formed a part, the old Ro
man custom was always retained, even as late as the days of Horace, an(*
later. A libripens, holding a brazen balance, was always present at these
formalities, and the purchaser, having a brazen coin in his hand, struck
the balance with this, and then gave it to the other party by way of price.
— 159. Mancipat usus. To prevent the perpetual vexation of law-suits,
the laws wisely ordained that possession and enjoyment for a certain
number of years should confer a title to property. This is what the law-
yers term the right of prescription, usucapio.
160-166. 160. Qui te pascit ager, tuus est. The poet is here arguing
against the folly of heaping up money with a view to purchase lands, and
contends that they who have not one foot of ground are yet, in fact, pro-
prietors of whatever lands yield the productions which they buy. — Orbi.
Not Orbi, as a contraction, but the regular genitive of Orbius. The an-
cients, down to the end of the Augustan age, wrote the genitives of sub-
stantives in ius and ium with a single i. [Bentley, ad Ter., Andr., ii., 1,
20.) The individual here alluded to appears to have been some wealthy
person, whose steward sold annually for him large quantities of grain and
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., EPISTLE II. 637
other things, the produce of his extensive possessions. — 161. Quum sege-
tes occat. " When he harrows the fields." By segetes is here meant the
arable land, which is getting prepared by the harrow for the reception of
the grain. — 162. Te dominum sentit. "Feels that thou art the true lord
of the soil," i. e., well knows that the produce is intended for thee, and
that, thus far, thou art, to all intents and purposes, the true owner. — 165.
Emtum. Purchased originally by Orbius, but to which thou also hast, in
one sense, acquired the title of proprietor ; not, indeed, by a single large
payment, like that of Orbius, but by the constant purchase of the produce
of the land. — 166. Quid refert, vivas numerato nuper an olim ? &c.
"What difference does it make, whether thou livest on money counted
out just now or several years ago?" i. e., whether the articles on which
thou art feeding were purchased just now from the lands of another, or
whether they are the produce of lands bought by thee many years since.
The train of ideas in what follows is this : He who purchased, some time
ago, possessions situate in the neighborhood either of Aricia or of Veii,
pays, as well as thou, for the plate of herbs he sups on, though perhaps
he fancies quite otherwise ; he boils his pot at night with wood that he
has bought even as thou dost. And though, when he surveys his posses-
sions, he says " this land is mine," yet the land, in fact, is not his, any
more than it is thine ; for how can that be called the property of any one,
which, in the short space of an hour, may change masters, and come into
the possession of another by gift, by sale, by violence, or by death? — Nu-
merato. Supply nummo.
167-172. 167. Aricim. For an account of Aricia, consult note on Sat.
i., 5, 1. — Veientis. The city of Veii was one of the most famous in ancient
Etruria. It lay to the northeast of Rome, but its exact position was never
clearly ascertained until Holstenius directed the attention of antiquaries
to the spot known by the name of I'Isola Farnese, and situate about a
mile and a half to the northeast of the modern post-house of La Storta. —
170. Sed vocat usque suum, qua populus adsita, &c. " And yet he calls
the land his own, as far as where the planted poplar prevents quarrels
among neighbors, by means of the limit which it fixes." Usque must be
joined in construction with qua, as if the poet had said usque eo quo. — 171.
Refugit. The peculiar force of the perfect here is worthy of notice. Lit-
erally, " has hitherto prevented, and still continues to prevent." — 172. Sit
proprium. "Can be a lasting possession." — Puncto mobilis horce. "In
a fleeting hour's space," i. e., in the short space of a single hour.
175-182. 175. Et heres heredem alterius velut unda supervenit undam.
"And one man's heir urges on another's, as wave impels wave." The
Latinity of alterius, which Bentley and Cunningham have both questioned
(the former reading altemis, and the latter ulterior), is, notwithstanding
the objections of these critics, perfectly correct. The poet does not refer
to two heirs merely, but to a long succession of them, and in this line of
descent only two individuals are each time considered, namely, the last
and the present possessor. — 177. Vici. " Farms."' — Quidve Calabris salt-
ibus adjecti Lucani ? " Or what, Lucanian joined to Calabrian pastures,"
j. e., so wide in extent as to join the pastures of Calabria. — 178. Si met it
Orcus grandia cum parvis, &c. " If Death, to be moved by no bribe,
mows down alike the high and the lowly." — 180. Marmor, ebur. The al
638 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., EPISTLE II.
lusion is to works in marble and ivoiy. — Tyrrhena sigilla. "Etruscan
statuettes." These were bronze images of the gods, about a foot or a foot
and a half high, for the manufacture of which the Etrurians were celebra-
ted.— Tabellas. "Paintings." Supply pictas. — 181. Argentum. Vases,
and other like articles, of silver are meant.— Vestes Gcetulo murice tinctas.
" Coverings and tapestry stained with Gaetulian purple." By vestes are
here meant the coverings of couches [vestes stragulee), and hangings for
the walls of banqueting-rooms, &c. (peripetasmata). — Gcetulo murice. Gaa-
tulia, a part of Africa, is here put for the whole country. Consult note on
Ode i., 23, 10, and, as regards the people here spoken of, Ode ii., 16, 35.—
182. Est qui non curat habere. To show how unnecessary these things
are, the poet says there are many people who never give themselves any
trouble or concern about them. The indicative after est qui is an imitation
of the Greek idiom.
183-189. 183. Cur alter fratrum cessare, Sec. The connection in the
train of ideas is as follows : The dispositions of men are widely at vari-
ance with each other, and this discrepancy shows itself even in the case
of brothers ; for it often happens that one is a careless and effeminate
prodigal, the other a close and toiling miser. Why this is so is a secret
known only to the Genius who presides at our birth, and guides the course
of our existence. — Cessare et ludere etungi. The infinitives here must
be rendered in our idiom by nouns : " Idleness, and pleasure, and per-
fumes."— 184. Herodis palmelis pinguibus. " Tc 4he rich palm-groves of
Herod." These were in the country around Jericho (named the City of
Palm-trees, Deut., xxxiv., 3), and were regarded as constituting some of
the richest possessions of the Jewish monarch. — 185. Importunus. " Rest-
less."— Ad umbram lucis ab ortu. "From the dawn of day to the shades
of evening." — 186. Silvestrem. "Overrun with underwood." — Mitigct.
" Subdues," i.e., clears, and renders productive. — 187. Scit Genius, natale
comes qui temper at astrum, Sec. This is generally regarded as the locus
classicus respecting the ideas entertained by the ancients relative to what
they considered the Genius of each individual. We learn from it the fol-
lowing particulars : 1. The Genius was supposed to accompany a person
wherever he went. 2. He governed the horoscope of the party (natale
temperavit asti-um), exerting himself to avert any evil which one's natal
star might portend, or to promote any good which it might indicate. 3. He
is styled "Natural deus humanai" because he lives and dies with us. 4. He
is angry if we oppose or resist his influence, but mild and gentle if we
submit to his sway (mutabilis, albus et ater). — Natale comes qui temperat
astrum. "Our constant attendant, who governs our horoscope." — 188.
Natur& deus humana, mortalis, &c. " The god of human nature, who
dies with each individual ; mutable of aspect, benign, or offended." The
expression mortalis in unum quodque caput is added by the poet for the
purpose of explaining the words natural deus humanai, i. e., the god who,
equally with man, is subject to the power of Death. — 189. Vultu mutabi-
lis, albus et ater. Compare note on verse 187, toward the end.
190-197. 190. Utar. " I will, therefore, enjoy what I at present have."
Understand quaisitis. — Ex modico acervo. " From my little heap." — 191.
Nee metuam, quid de mejudicet keres, Sec. " Nor will I care what opinion
my heir may form of me, from his having found no more left to him thaw
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., EPISTLE II." 639
what is actually given," i. e., when he shall find the amount which is left
him to he so small. — 193. Scire volam. " Will ever wish to know," i. e.,
will never forget. Gesner makes this expression equivalent to ostcndam
me scire. — Quayitiirn simplex hilarisque, &c. "How much the open-
hearted and the cheerful man differs from the spendthrift." The poet's
maxim was to pursue the golden mean, auream mediocritatem. — 197. Fes-
tis quinquatribus. " During the holidays of Minerva." The quinquatria
were festal days in honor of Minerva's nativity, this goddess having, ac-
cording to mythological tradition, come into the world on the 19th day of
March. They were five in number, being counted from the 19th, and last-
ing until the 23d of the month. During this period there was a joyful va-
cation for the Roman school-boys.
199-215. 199. Pauperies immunda procul procul absit, &c. The poet,
estimating happiness by the golden mean, wishes neither to glitter amid
affluence, nor be depressed and humbled by poverty, but, as he himself
beautifully expresses it, to be primorum extremus et prior extremis. — 201.
Non agimur tumidis velis aquilone secundo, &c. "We are not, it is true,
wafted onward with sails swelled by the propitious gales of the north ;
and yet, at the same time, we do not pursue the course of existence with
the winds of the south blowing adverse." — 203. Specie. "In external ap-
pearance."— Loco. " In station." — Re. " In fortune." Supply familiari.
— 204. Extremi primorum, <5cc. A metaphor borrowed from races. — 205.
Abi. "Depart," i. e., if this be true, depart ; I acquit thee of the charge.
— Isto cum vitio. Alluding to avarice. — 208. Somnia. Horace here ranks
dreams with magic illusions and stories of nocturnal apparitions. This is
the more remarkable, as Augustus was of a different way of thinking, and
paid so great an attention to them as not to overlook even what others
had dreamed concerning him. — Miracula. The Epicureans laughed at
the common idea about miracles, which they supposed were performed
by the general course of nature, without any interposition on the part of
the gods. — 209. Noctumos Lemures. "Nocturnal apparitions." — Porten-
taque Thessala. Thessaly was famed for producing in abundance the
various poisons and herbs that were deemed most efficacious in magic
rites. Hence the reputed skill of the Thessalian sorcerers. — 212. Spirits
de pluribus una. The term spina is by a beautiful figure applied to the
vices and failings that bring with them compunction of conscience and
disturb our repose. — 213. Decede peritis. " Give place to those that do.w
There is a time to retire, as well as to appear. An infirm and peevish
old age is always the object either of compassion or of raillery. It is
therefore the height of wisdom to seek only the society of those whose
age and temper are congenial with our own. The poet wishes to make
Florus both wiser and happier. — Vivere recte. This means to live con-
tented with the pleasures that are in our power, and not to mar them by
chagrin, and the disquieting emotions that are incident to ambition, de-
sire, and superstitious fear. — 215. Ne potum largius aquo, &c. "Lest
that age, on which mirth and festivity sit with a better grace, laugh at
thee, having drunk more than enough, and drive thee from the stage '
More literally, " lest an age more becomingly frolicsome."
EPISTLE TO THE PISOS.
This celebrated work of Horace, commonly called the Ars Poetica, is
isually considered as a separate and insulated composition, but may be
more properly regarded as the third epistle of the present book, since,
like the others, it is chiefly critical, and addressed to the Pisos in an epis-
tolary form. These friends of the author were a father and two sons. The
father was a senator, of considerable note and distinguished talents, who
was consul in 739. He was a man of pleasure, who passed his evenings
at table, and slept till noon ; but he possessed such capacity for business,
that the remainder of the day sufficed for the dispatch of those important,
affairs with which he was successively intrusted by Augustus and Tibe-
rius. Of the sons little is accurately known, and there seems no reason
why a formal treatise on the art of poetry should have been addressed
either to them or to the father. As the subjects of Horace's epistles, how-
ever, have generally some reference to the situation and circumstances
of the individuals with whose names they are inscribed, it has been con-
jectured that this work was composed at the desire of Piso, the father, in
order to dissuade his elder son from indulging his inclination for writing
poetry, for which he was probably but ill qualified, by exposing the igno-
miny of bad poets, and by pointing out the difficulties of the art, which
our author, accordingly, has displayed under the semblance of instructing
him in its precepts. This conjecture, first formed by Wieland and adopt-
ed by Colman, is chiefly founded on the argument that Horace, having
concluded all that he had to say on the history and progress of poetry, and
general precepts of the art, addresses the remainder of the epistle, on the
nature, expediency, and difficulty of poetical pursuits, to the elder of the
brothers alone, who, according to this theory, either meditated or had ac-
tually written a poetical work, probably a tragedy, which Horace wishes
to dissuade him from completing and publishing :
" O major juvenum, quamvis et voce paterna," &c. (v. 366, seqq).
It has been much disputed whether Horace, in writing the present work,
intended to deliver instructions on the whole art of poetry, and criticisms
on poets in general, or if his observations be applicable only to certain de-
partments of poetry, and poets of a particular period. The opinion of the
most ancient scholiasts on Horace, as Acron and Porphyrion, was, that it
comprehended precepts on the art in general, but that these had been col-
lected from the works of Aristotle, Neoptolemus of Paros, and other
Greek critics, and had been strung together by the Latin poet in such a
manner as to form a medley of rules without any systematic plan or ar-
rangement. This notion was adopted by the commentators who flourish-
ed after the revival of literature, as Robortellus, Jason de Nores, and the
elder Scaliger, who concurred in treating it as a loose, vague, and desul-
tory composition ; and this opinion continued to prevail in France as late
as the time of Dacier. Others have conceived that the epistle under con-
sideration comprises a complete system of poetry, and flatter themselves
EXPLANATORY NO IBS. EPISTLE TO THE PISOS. 641
they can trace in it, from beginning to end, a regular and connected plan
D. Heinsius stands at the head of this class, and he maintains that,
wherever we meet an apparent confusion or irregularity, it has been oc-
casioned by the licentious transpositions of the copyists. The improba-
bility, however, that such a writer would throw out his precepts at ran-
dom, and the extreme difficulty, on the other hand, of reducing it to a regu-
lar and systematic treatise on poetry, with perfect coherence in all its
parts, have induced other critics to believe either that this piece contains
but fragments of what Horace designed, which was Pope's opinion, or
that the author had only an aim at one department of poetry or class of
poets. Of all the theories on this subject, the most celebrated in its day,
though now supplanted by the theory of Wieland, is that which refers
every thing to the history and progress of the Roman drama, and its actual
condition in the author's time. Lambinus, and Baxter in his edition of
Horace, had hinted at this notion, which has been fully developed by Hurd,
in his excellent commentary and notes on the present epistle, where he
undertakes to show that not only the general tenor of the work, but every
single precept, bears reference to the drama ; and that, if examined in
this point of view, it will be found to be a regular, well-conducted piece,
uniformly tending to lay open the state ana* remedy the defects of the Ro-
man stage. According to this critic, the subject is divided into three por-
tions : of these, the first (from verse 1 to 89) is preparatory to the main
subject of the epistle, containing some general rules and reflections on
poetry, but principally with a view to the succeeding parts, by which
means it serves as a useful introduction to the poet's design, and opens
it with that air of ease and negligence essential to the epistolary form.
2d. The main body of the epistle (from verse 89 to 295) is laid out in regu-
lating the Roman stage, and chiefly in giving rules for tragedy, not only
as that was the sublimer species of the drama, but, as it should seem, the
least cultivated and understood. 3d. The last portion (from verse 295 to
the end) exhorts to correctness in writing, and is occupied partly in ex-
plaining the causes that prevented it, and partly in directing to the use
of such means as might serve to promote it. Such is the general plan of
the epistle, according to Hurd, who maintains that, in order to enter fully
into its scope, it is necessary to trace the poet attentively through all the
elegant connections of his own method.
Sanadon, and a late German critic, Engel, have supposed that the great
purpose of Horace, in the present epistle, was to ridicule the pretending
poets of his age. Such, however, it is conceived, does not appear to have
been his primary object, which would in some degree have been in con-
tradiction to the scope of his epistle to Augustus. {Dunlops Roman Lit-
erature, vol. iii., p. 270, seqq.) The same remark will apply to the theory
of Ast, which is, in effect, identical with that of Sanadon and Engel. Ast
supposes that Horace, in composing this epistle, had in view the Pha;dru*
of Plato, and that, as in the Greek dialogue, the philosopher ridicules the
rhetoricians, so Horace wishes to indulge his raillery at the worthless
poets of his time. Doring maintains that the object of Horace, in the
present piece, is to guard against the pernicious influence of the bad poets
of the day, and that he therefore gives a collection of precepts, unconnect-
ed it is true, yet having all a direct bearing on the object at which ho
aims, and describing, as well the excellences in composition that should
G42 EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPISTLE TO THE PISOS.
be sought after, as the errors and defects that ought to be carefully avoid-
ed. Finally, De Bosch, in his notes to the Greek Anthology, supposes
that the poem was not actually addressed to any of the Pisos, but that the
poet made use of this name by way of prosopopoeia.
We have already remarked that the theory of Wieland has supplant
ed Hurd's, and, as we have given an outline of the latter, it may not be
amiss to subjoin a slight sketch of the former, the more especially as we
intend to follow it in our Explanatory Notes on this piece. We will use
the woi'ds of Colman. " The poet begins with general reflections address-
ed to his three friends. In these preliminary rules, equally necessaiy to
be observed by poets of every denomination, he dwells on the importance
of unity of design, the danger of being dazzled by the splendor of partial
beauties, the choice of subjects, the beauty of order, the elegance and pro-
priety of diction, and the use of a thorough knowledge of the nature of the
several different species of poetry,' summing up this introductory portion
of his epistle in a manner periw ^y agreeable to the conclusion of it
' Descriptas servare vices, operumque colores,
Cur ego si nequeo ignoroque, poeta salutor ?
Cur nescire, pudens prave, quam discere malo V (v. 86, seqq.)
From this general view of poetry, on the canvass of Aristotle, but entire-
ly after his own manner, the writer proceeds to give the rules and the his-
tory of the drama, adverting principally to tragedy, with all its constituents
and appendages of diction, fable, character, incidents, chorus, measure,
music, and decorations. In this part of the work, according to the inter-
pretation of the best critics, and indeed (I think) according to the mani-
fest tenor of the epistle, he addresses himself entirely to the two young
Pisos, pointing out to them the difficulty, as well as the excellence of the
dramatic art, insisting on the avowed superiority of the Grecian writers,
and ascribing the comparative failure of the Romans to negligence and
the love of gain. The poet, having exhausted this part of his subject,
suddenly drops a second, or dismisses at once no less than two of the three
persons to whom he originally addressed his epistle, and, turning short
on the elder Piso, most earnestly conjures him to ponder on the danger
of precipitate publication, and the ridicule to which the author of wretch-
ed poetry exposes himself. From the commencement of this partial ad-
dress, O major juvenum, &c. (v. 366, seqq.) to the end of the po*m, almost a
fourth part of the whole, the second person plural, Pisones ! — Vos ! — Vos,
O Pompilius sanguis ! &c, is discarded, and the second person singular,
Tu, Te, Tibi, Sec, invariably takes its place. The arguments, too, are
equally relative and personal, not only showing thr- uecessity of study,
combined with natural genius, to constitute a poet, /ut dwelling on the
peculiar danger and delusion of flatteiy to a writer of rank and fortune,
as well as the inestimable value of an honest friend to rescue him from
derision and contempt. The poet, however, in reverence to the Muse,
qualifies his exaggerated description of an infatuated scribbler with a
most noble encomium on the use of good poetry, vindicating the dignity of
the art, and proudly asserting that the most exalted characters would not
be disgraced by the cultivation of it.
' Ne forte pudori
Sit tibi Musa, lyres solers, et cantor Apollo.'
EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPISTLE TO THE PISOS. 643
It is worthy of observation, that in the satirical picture of a frantic bard,
with which Horace concludes his epistle, he not only runs counter to what
might be expected as a corollary of an Essay on the Art of Poetry, but
contradicts his own usual practice and sentiments. In his epistle to Au-
gustus, instead of stigmatizing the love of verse as an abominable phrensy,
he calls it a slight madness [levis hcec insania), and descants on its good
effects (quantas virtutes habeat, sic collige !). In another epistle, speak-
ing of himself, and his attachment to poetry, he says,
1 Ubi qiiid datur oti,
Illudo chartis : hoc est mediocribus illis
Ex vitiis unum,' &c.
All which, and several other passages in his works, almost demonstrate
that it was not without a particular purpose in view that he dwelt so
forcibly on the description of a man resolved
• in spite
Of nature and his stars to write.'
Various passages of this work of Horace have been imitated in Vida's
Poeticorum, in the Duke of Buckingham's Essay on Poetry, in Roscom-
mon On Translated Verse, in Pope's Essay on Criticism, and in Boi-
leau's Art Poetique. The plan, however, of this last production is more
closely formed than any of the others on the model of Horace's Epistle.
Like the first division of the Ars Poetica, it commences with some gen-
eral rules and introductory principles. The second book touches on ele-
giac and lyric poetry, which are not only cursorily referred to by Horace,
but are introduced by him in that part of his epistle which corresponds to
this portion of the present work. The third, which is the most important,
and by much the longest of" the piece, chiefly treats, in the manner of
Horace, of dramatic poetry; and the concluding book is formed on the last
section of the Epistle to the Pisos, the author, however, omitting the de-
scription of the frantic bard, and terminating his critical work with a pane-
gyric on his sovereign. Of all the modern Arts of Poetry, Boileau's is the
best. It is remarkable for the brevity of its precepts, the exactness of its
method, the perspicacity of the remarks, the propriety of the metaphors ;
and it proved of the ntmost utility to his own nation, in diffusing a just
mode of thinking and writing, in banishing every species of false wit, and
xitroducing a p/ire taste for the simplicity of the ancients. Boileau, at
the conclusion of his last book, avows, and glories, as it were, in the charge,
that his work is founded on that of Horace.
• Pour moi, qui jusqu'ici nourri dans la Satire,
N'ose encore manier la Trompette et la Lyre ;
Vous me venez pourtant, dans ce champ glorieux ;
Vous offrir ces lemons, que ma Muse au Parnasse,
B-apporta, jeune encore, du commerce d' Horace.' "
1-18. 1. Humano capiti cervicem pictor equinam, dec. The epistle be-
gins with the general and fundamental precept of preserving a unity in
the subject and disposition of every piece. A poet who neglects this
leading principle, and produces a work, the several parts of which have
*o just relation to each other or to one grand whole, is compared to a
painter who puts on canvass a form of heterogeneous character, its mem-
644 EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPISTLE TO THE PISOS.
bers taken from all kinds of auimals. Both are equally deserving of ridi-
cule.— 2. Varias inducere plumas. " To spread plumage of various hues,"
i. e., parti-colored plumage. Inducere (" to spread") is well applied to the
art of painting. — 3. Undique. "From every quarter of creation," i. e.,
from every kind of animal. — Ut turpiter atrum, «Sec. ■ So that a beauteous
woman above may foully terminate below in a loathsome fish." Some
connect turpiter with atrum, but this wants spirit. — 6. Pisones. The
father and his two sons. Compare Introductory Remarks, near the com-
mencement.— Isti tabula. Referring to the picture which has just been
described. Isti marks contempt. — 7. Cujus, velut aigri somnia, vana
Jingentur species. " The ideas in which, like a sick man's dreams, shall
be formed without any regard to sober reality.'' — 9. Heddatur\ " Can be
assigned," i. e., belongs. — Pictoribus atque poetis, &c. " Painters and
poets (some one may say) have always enjoyed av> eoual privilege of at-
tempting any thing at pleasure." This is supposeu to come from the
mouth of an objector; and the poet's reply, which is immediately subjoin-
ed, defines the use, and fixes the character of poetic licence, which unskill-
ful writers often plead in defence of their transgressions against the law
3f unity. — Scimus, et hanc veniam, &c. The idea is this : We know it,
and concede the privilege, and claim the same in our turn, but still with-
in certain limits. — 12. Sed non ut placidis coeant immitia, &c. The
meaning is, that poetical or any other licence must never be carried so
far as to unite things that are plainly and naturally repugnant to each
other. — 13. Geminentur. "May be matched." — 14. Inceptis gravibus
plerumque et magna prqfessis, &c. " Oftentimes to lofty beginnings,
and such as promise great things, are sewed one or two purple patches,
in order to make a brilliant display," &c, i. e., often, after exordiums of
high attempt and lofty promise, we are amused with the description of a
grove and altar of Diana, the meanders of a stream gliding swiftly through
pleasant fields, the River Rhine, or a rainbow, like so many purple patches
in a garment, that make, it is true, a great show, but then are not in their
proper place. The poet here considers and exposes that particular viola-
tion of uniformity into which young poets especially, under the influence
of a warm imagination, are too apt to run, arising from frequent and ill-
timed descriptions. — 18. Sed nunc non erat his locus. "But at present
these were out of place." Observe here the use of the imperfect of the
substantive verb, where we would employ the present.
19, 20. 19. Et fortasse cupressum scis simulare, &c. "And perhaps
thou knowest how to imitate a cypress," i. e., to paint one. Horace com-
pares the poets, whom he has just been censuring, to a painter who had
learned to draw nothing but a cypress-tree. As this painter, therefore,
would represent the cypress in every picture he was engaged to execute,
bo these poets, altogether unequal to the management of any individual
subject in a proper way and with a proper regard to unity of design, were
accustomed to indulge in insulated descriptions, and in common-plac*
topics, which had no bearing whatever on the main subject. — 20. Quid
hoc, si fractis enatat exspes, &c. "What is this to the purpose, if he,
who is to be painted for a given price, is to be represented as swimming
forth hopeless from the fragments of a wreck 1" Persons who had lost
their all by shipwreck were accustomed to solicit charity by carrying
around with them a painting in which the misfortune which had befalleu
EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPISTLE TO THE PISOS. 645
them was depicted. In the present case, therefore, Horace supposes a
shipwrecked mariner to have employed a painter for this purpose who
knew only how to draw a cypress, and he asks of what value such an ob-
ject would be in the intended picture, or how it could have any effect in
exciting the compassion of others.
21-25. 21. Amphora cas[At instibui ; currcnte rota cur urceus exit ? A
bad poet opens his poem with something great and magnificent, but amus-
es himself with trifles. A bad potter begins a large and beautiful vase,
but produces only a pitcher. Rota is here the potter's wheel.— 23. Deni-
que sit quidvis, simplex duntaxat et unum. "In a word, be the object
what it may, let it only be simple and uniform." — 24. Maxima pars vatum
decipimur specie recti, &c. "The greatest part of us poets, O father, and
ye youths worthy of such a father, are misled by an appearance of correct-
ness." The idea intended to be conveyed is as follows : These and other
faults, which have just been mentioned, are therefore to be carefully avoid-
ed, but we must, at the same time, guard against passing to the other ex-
treme. And this advice becomes the more important, since the fault it-
self wears the appearance of a virtue, and is therefore but too apt to mis-
lead.— 25. Brevis esse laboro, &c. " For example, I strive to be concise."
In striving to avoid diffuseness, we often, from want of judgment, become
obscure.
26-37. 26. Sectantem lenia nervi, &c. " Strength and spirit fail him
who seeks after a subdued mode of expression," i. e., smoothness and re-
finement.— 27. Professus grandia. "He who aims at the sublime."
Literally, "one having professed great things." Horace is thought by
some to mean himself here. — 29. Prodigialiter. " After a marvellous
manner," i. e., so as to amaze people. This word occurs only here and in
Columella (hi., 3). — 32. usEmilium circa ludum faber unus, &c. "An art-
ist about the iEniilian school shall, in a manner superior to all others,
both express the nails, and imitate in brass the soft and flexible hair, yet
will he fail in the completion of his work, because he will not know how
to give a just proportion to the whole." The commencement of this sen-
tence, when paraphrased, will run as follows : Among the artists who
dwell around the iEmilian school, there will probably be some individual
or other who, &c. According to the scholiast, iEmilius Lepidus had a
school of gladiators where was subsequently the public bath of Polycletes.
In the neighborhood of this school many artists appear to have resided. —
Unus. We have followed Bentley, Fea, and Orelli in making unus here
equivalent to unus omnium, i. e., prceter ceteros. (Compare Epode xii., 4 ;
Sat. i., 10, 42 ; ii., 3, 24.) Fea shows from various places of Pliny that to
imitate the hair well was a great point of excellence. — 35. Si quid com-
ponere curem. " If I should care to compose any thing," i. e., were I about
to bestow labor upon any work. — 36. Naso pravo. " With a deformed
nose," i. e., one out of shape, crooked, ugly. — 37. Spectandum. "To be
gazed at," i. c., remarkable.
38-47. 38. Sumite maleriam vestris, &c. "Do ye who write take a
subject equal to your powers, and consider long," &c. The poet here lays
down another precept, which results directly from what has just preceded.
If in the labor of literature as well as in the works of art it is all import-
646 EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPISTLE TO THE PISOS.
ant to produce a complete and finished whole, it becomes equally import
ant for us to be well acquainted with the nature and extent of our talents,
and to select such a subject as may be proportioned to them. — 40. Poten-
ter. "In accordance with his abilities." Equivalent to the Greek k<itu
dvvafiiv. — 41. Nee facundia deseret hunc, nee lucidus ordo. The poet
here enumerates the advantages which result from our selecting a subject
proportioned to our powers, namely, " eloquence of expression" {facun-
dia), i.e., a proper command of language, and "lucid arrangement" (lu-
cidus ordo). — 42. Ordinis hcec virtus erit et Venus, &c. "This will con-
stitute the chief excellence and the beauty of method (or I am much de-
ceived), that the writer say at the very moment those things which ought
at the very moment to be said, that he put off most things and omit them
for the present," i. e., that he state merely those things at present which
are requisite for the due understanding of his intent and meaning, and re-
serve the other ideas and images which may now be crowding into his
mind for another and more fitting opportunity. — 45. In verbis etiam tenuis
cautusque serendis. " Nice and cautious, too, in the employment of
words." Tenuis here has reference to nice and delicate taste, and is
equivalent to the Greek Xstttoc. — 46. Hoc amet, hoc spernat promissi car-
minis auctor. According to the arrangement in the common editions,
this verse and the one immediately preceding are transposed. The pro-
priety, however, of Bentley's position of these lines, which we have fol-
lowed in our text, all must allow. Gesner observes in its favor that it
was customary with the copyists, when a line was misplaced by them, to
denote such displacing by very minute marks, which might easily become
obliterated in the lapse of time. To the same effect are the words of
Baste (Comment. Paleogr., p. 858). The expressions in the text, hoc
amet, hoc spernat, are equivalent to aliud verbum amplectatur, aliud re-
jiciat. — 47. Callidajunctura. " Some skillful arrangement." Junctura,
observes Hurd, as here employed by the poet, is a word of large and gen-
eral import, and the same in expression as order or disposition in a sub-
ject. The poet would say, " Instead of framing new words, I recommend
to you any kind of artful management by which you may be able to give a
new air and cast to old ones."
49-52. 49. Indiciis monstrare recentibus abdita rerum. " To explain
abstruse subjects by newly-invented terms." The allusion in abdita re-
rum is to things hitherto lying concealed, and now for the first time brought
to light, *. e., inventions and discoveries, which need, of course, newly-in-
vented terms to enable others to comprehend them. — 50. Fingere cinchitis
non exaudita Cethegis continget. " It will be allowed to coin words nn
heard of by the ancient Cethegi," i. e., entirely new, not known from the
earliest periods of the language. The Cethegi are here put for the an
cient Romans generally, and Horace, in full accordance with his subject
and the better to mark their antiquity, makes use of an old term cinclutis
This epithet cinctutis properly means " girt," i. e., cinctu indutus, and
marks the habits of the early Romans. It has a special reference to the
Gabine cincture, which was so called when the lappet of the gown, tkat
nsed to be thrown over the left shoulder, was passed around the back ir
such n. maimer as to come short to the breast and there fasten in a knot
?his knot or cincture tucked up the gown, and made it shorter and strait'
er, and consequently better adapted for active employment. — 51. Sumtu
EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPISTLE TO THE PISOS. 647
pudenter. :'If used with moderation." Literally, "modestly." — 52. Ha-
bebuntjidcm. " Will enjoy credit," i. e., will be well received. — Si Grceco
fontc cadant parce detorta. " If they descend, with a slight deviation,
from a Grecian source," i. e., if we derive them gently, and without too
much violence, from their proper soui'ce, that is from a language, as the
Greek, already known and approved. The alWsWn is to Greek terms
adopted with a change of termination, as Keightley correctly remarks.,
and not, as Orelli thinks, to a mere imitation of Greek structure, as in
centimanus, tauriformis, &c.
53-59. 53. Quid autem C&cilio Plautoque, &c. Horace complains
that the earlier poets, such as Cacilius, Plautus, &c, were allowed to
coin new words, but that this same privilege was denied to writers of a
later age, such as Virgil, &c. — 55. Acquirer e pauca. Supply nova nomina.
We have already called attention in the course of these notes to some of
the terms coined by Horace. — Invideor. Consult Zusipt,] 113. Orelli
regards the present usage of invideor, for the usual invidetur n^ ti, as one
of the innovations brought in by Horace, and to which he here alludes. —
59. Signatum prcesente nota procudere nomen. "To coin a word im-
pressed with the current stamp." Words are here compared to coin
which bears the stamp of the reigning prince. Procudere is Bentley's
felicitous emendation. Ths common text has producere, " to utter," " to
put in circulation."
60-63. 60. Ut silvce, foliis pronos mutantis in annos, &c. " As the
earliest leaves of the forest, which changes in its foliage with declining
years, fall first to the ground." With mutantis supply se. We have
adopted the simple and elegant emendation of Wakefield. The common
text has ut silvce foliis pronos mutantur in annos. Horace seems here
to have had in view that fine similitude of Homer, in the sixth book of
the Iliad (146, seqq.), comparing the generations of men to the annual suc-
cession of leaves : 0177 nep <pv?.?i,uv yeverj, roiTjde nai avdpuv /c. r. A.—
63. Sive, recepto terra Neptuno, &c. "Whether, the sea being received
within the bosom of the land, a regal work shields navies from the northern
blasts ; or what was long a sterile marsh, and fit only for oars, now nur-
tures," &c. The allusion is to the Portus Julius, or Julian Harbor, con-
structed by Agrippa, under the orders of Augustus, and also to the drain-
ing of part of the Pontine Marshes, and the checking of the inundations
of the Tiber. Agrippa made an opening in the dam which ran across the
Sinus Puteolanus, from Baiae to the opposite shore. He also cut through,
at the same time, the small neck of land which parted the Avernian from
the Lucrine Lake. The Portus Julius was in this way created, the name
being given by Agrippa to the united waters of the Avernian and Lucrine
Lakes, together with the fortified entrance through the dam. This har
bor was found large enough to hold a numerous fleet of vessels of war,
and sufficed for tho daily exercise of 20,000 seamen ; and it is to this prac-
tice of exercising his galleys and men that Augustus is said to have been
indebted for his victory over Sextns Pompeius.
•5-71. 6... SterUisve diu pain» egptaqne ranis, &c. The reference is
to the draining of a part of the Pontine Marshes (Pomplincc paludes), the
second of the public works mentioned at the beginuing of the previous
648 EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPISTLE TO THE PISOS.
note. The final syllable in palus is here shortened by poetic licence.
Compare Servius, ad Virg., sEn., ii., 65 ; vi., 107 ; Priscian, xvii., 83. —
67. Seu cursum mutavit iniquum fru gibus armiis, &c. Alluding to the
third public work, mentioned in the beginning of note on verse 63, the
checking, namely, of the inundations of the Tiber. — 68. Mortalia facta
veribunt, &c. " (However all this may be, still) mortal works are des-
tined to have an end." If, argues the poet, these splendid works of pub-
lic utility can not withstand the power of all-destroying Time, how can the
lighter and more evanescent graces of language ever hope to escape ? —
69. Nedum sermonum stet honos et gratia vivax. "Much less shall the
bloom and elegance of language continue to flourish and endure." Vivax
must be joined, in construction, with stet, and the expression stet vivax
becomes equivalent to jloreat, maneatque. — 71. In honore. " In esteem."
— Si volet usus, quern penes, &c. " If custom shall so will it ; under whoso
sovereign control is the decision, and right, and standard of language."
73-78. 73. Res gestae regumque ducumque, &c. From reflections on
poetry at large, Horace now proceeds to particulars ; the most obvious
of which being the different/orms and measures of poetic composition, he
considers, in this view (from line 75 to 86), the four great species of poetry,
to which all others may be reduced, the Epic, Elegiac, Dramatic, and
Lyric. — 74. Quo numero. "In what numbers," i. e., in what kind of
measure. — 75. Versibus impariter junctis. Referring to elegiac verse,
and the alternate succession, in its structure, of hexameters and pentam-
eters.— Querimonia primum. The reference is to lamentations for the
death of friends or of eminent persons, not to the complaints of despairing
lovers. The common derivation of eXeyog is from £ £ Xeyeiv, "to cry
woe ! woe !" and is defended by Hermann [Zeitschrift fur die Alter-
tkums., 1836, N. 66), who supposes the latter part of the earlier pentame-
ters to have ended continually with the form £ £ Xey\ £ £ Xeye. Miiller,
on the other hand, regards the term eXeyog as not of Grecian, but Asiatic
origin. [Hist. Gr. Lit., p. 106.) Horace, it will be perceived, follows the
common derivation of the term. — 76. Voti sententia compos. "The
thoughts that have attained their wished-for object," i. e., successful de-
sires. The allusion is to erotic themes, the application of the eTieyoc to
which was brought in by Mimnermus. Horace makes no mention of the
protreptic or martial elegies of Callinus and Tyrtaeus, or the didactic ones
of Solon. — 77. Exiguos elegos. " The lowly elegiacs." So called, both
from the nature of their subjects, as inferior in dignity and grandeur to
epic themes, and from the shortened form of the metre. — 78. Grammatici
certant. The grammarians here meant are the critics of the Alexandrian
school, and the allusion appears to be slightly ironical to the comparative-
ly frivolous inquiries that most commonly occupied their attention. The
elegies of Callinus are generally regarded as the earliest. Their themes
were warlike ; and he is supposed to have flourished about 730 B.C. The
elegy was first adapted to plaintive themes by Simonides, who was born
556 B.C. The opinion, therefore, which Horace adopts, that the eAeyoj
was originally applied to plaintive subjects, does not appear to be correct.
79-85. 79. Archiloclium propria rabies armavit iambo. "Rage armed
Archilochus with his own iambus." Alluding to the satires of this poet,
in which the iambic measure was employed, and also to the story of Ly
EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPISTLE TO THE PISOS. 649
cambes and Neobule. Horace, by the use of the term propno, expressly
ascribes to this poet the invention of iambics. The opinion entertained
by some critics that Archilochus merely improved this measure to such a
degree as to remain ever after the model of it, and that he was not the
actual inventor, may be seen urged in Schoell, Hist. Lit. Gr., vol. i., p. 199.
— 80. Hunc socci cepere pedem, grandesque cothurni. " This foot the sock
and the stately buskin adopted." The soccus, or low shoe of comedy, and
the cothurnus, or buskin of tragedy, are here figuratively used to denote
these two departments of the drama respectively. — 81. Alternis aptum
sermonibus, &c. "As suited for dialogue, and calculated to surmount the
tumult of an assembled audience, and naturally adapted to the action of
the stage." Compare Aristotle, Poet., 10 : MuMara Kektikov rdv perpuv
to iafij3elov eari ■ anueiov 6£ tovtov ' TzXelara yap iap.(5ela "ktyopev kv
77/ dta?<.EKT(f) rrj 7rpdf ak7.rfkovc . — Populares vincentem strepitus. There
are many reasons, observes Francis, given to explain this remark. The
cadence of iambics is more sensible, and their measures are more strongly
marked than any other. (" Insignes percussiones eorum numerorum."
Cic, de Oral., iii., 47.) The pronunciation is more rapid, and this rapidity
forms, according to Aristotle, a greater number of sharp sounds. Dacier
adds, that the iambic, being less different from common conversation, more
easily engaged the attention of an audience. The trochaic or dancing
measure first prevailed in tragedy, which was originally nothing more
than a choral song. When the dialogue was introduced and formed part
of the performance, the iambic or conversational measure came in. — 83.
Fidibus. " To the lyre." — 84. Et pugilem victorem, et equum certamine
"rimum. Alluding to the lyric flights of Pindar. — 85. Et juvemtm curas
' '■ libera vina. " And the love-sick feelings of the young, and wine's un-
' mnded joys." The reference is to Sappho and Anacreon.
86-92. 86. Descriptas servare vices operttmque colores, &c. " Why am
greeted with the name of poet, if I am unable, and in fact know not how,
to observe the distinctions (just mentioned) that have been marked out (by
custom and usage), and the different characters that productions should
have in the different species of verse V Colores refers to both the style
and the versification. — 89. Res comica. " A comic subject." — 90. Privatis.
" Of a familiar cast," i. e., such as are used in describing the private life
that forms the basis of comedy, but are unsuited for kings, heroes, and the
other characters of tragedy. — 91. Casna Thyestas. The celebrated "ban
quet of Thyestes," for example, would be offended, &c, if, for instance, it
were related by the kS-ayyeXoc, who came to announce it to the audience,
in the same kind of terms as those in which Simo narrates the funeral of
Chrysis in the Andrian Female of Terence. (Keightley, ad loc.) The
banquet of Thyestes is here put for any tragic subject (res tragica), the
story of Thyestes being one of the most tragic nature. — 92. Singula qua-
que locum teneant sortila decenter. "Let each particular species of writ-
ing, when once it has had its proper place allotted to it, hold that place in
a becoming manner." Literally, "having obtained its allotted place."
The construction is singula qucsque, sortita locum, teneant eum locum de-
ccntcr.
93-96. 93. Vocem tollit. " Raises its voice.'' Compare the scholiast :
' Grandioribus verbis utitur." The poet means that the rule just laid
E E
650 EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPISTLE TO THE PISOS.
down by him is not, however, without exceptions, and he proceeds to state
instances where comedy rises to the tragic, and tragedy sinks to the comic
level. — 94. Iratusque Chremes tumido delitigat ore. " And angry Chre-
mes rails in swelling strain." Alluding to the Andrian Female of
Terence (act v., sc. 3), where the irritated Chremes breaks out against his
son. — 95. Et tragicus plerumque dolet sermone pedestri. "And sometimes
the tragic poet grieves in humble style." The poet, by a common figure,
is here made to do what he represents his characters as doing. Bentley
insists that tragicus can not stand here alone, whether we understand
scriptor or actor, and that, therefore, it qualifies Telephus, &c. Hence he
removes the stop after pedestri. We have preferred following, however,
the common punctuation and mode of explaining the verse. — 96. Telephus
et Peleus. The stories of each of these princes became the subjects of
tragedies. The allusion in the case of Telephus is to his wanderings in
quest of his parents, and to the poverty in which he was involved at the
time. Peleus, as is well known, was driven into exile from the court of
his father iEacus for having been accessary to the murder of his brother
Phorbas. — Uterque projicit ampullas et sesquipedalia verba. " Cast each
aside bombastic expressions and words a foot and a half long," i. e., con-
taining a foot and a half. These were, of course, chiefly compounds. The
old Latin tragedians were extremely fond of using them. Aulus Gellius
(xix., 7) gives the following examples from the Alcestis of Laevius : "Au-
rora pudoricolor .... curis intolerantibus .... Nestor triseclisenex et dul-
cioreloquus." To which add rudentisibilus, velivolitantibus navibus, &c.
The term ampulla properly denotes a species of vial or flask for holding
oil or vinegar, having a narrow neck, but swelling out below. Hence the
word is figuratively taken to signify inflated diction, tumid language,
bombast, rant, &c.
99,100. 99. Non satis est pulchra esse poemata ; dulcia sunto. " It is
not enough that poems be beautiful, let them also be affecting." The ref-
erence in poemata is principally to dramatic compositions, and the idea
intended to be conveyed is this, that the avoidance of faults and the ad-
herence to rules, though they give beauty to a piece, will not suffice ; it
must affect the feelings also. The following outline will give a connected
view of the remainder of this epistle. Horace's discrimination of the sev-
eral styles that belong to the different species of poetry leads him, as has
before been remarked, to consider the diction of the drama, and its accom-
modation to the circumstances and character of the speaker. A recapitu-
lation of these circumstances carries him on to treat of the due manage-
ment of characters already known, as well as of sustaining those that arc
entirely original. To the first of these the poet gives the preference, rec-
ommending knoicn characters as well as known subjects, and, on the men-
tion of this joint preference, the author leaves further consideration of the
diction, and glides into discourse upon the fable, which he continues down
to the 152d verse. Having dispatched the fable, the poet proceeds to the
consideration of the cliaracters ; not in regard to suitable diction, for of
that he has already spoken, but with reference to the manners ; and in
this branch of his subject he has as judiciously borrowed from the Rhetoric
of Aristotle, as in other parts of his epistle from the Poetics. He then di-
rects, in its due place, the proper conduct of particular incidents of the
fable, after which he treats of the chorus, from which he naturally passes
EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPISTLE TO THE P1SOS. 651
to the history of theatrical music, which is as naturally succeeded by an
account of the origin of the drama itself, commencing with the early dith-
yrambic song, and carried down to the establishment of the new Greek
comedy. From this he proceeds easily and gracefully to the Roman
stage, acknowledging the merits of the writers, but pointing out their de-
fects, and assigning the causes. He then subjoins a few general observa-
tions, and concludes his long discourse on the drama, having extended it
to 275 lines. This discourse, together with the result of all his reflections
on poets and poetry, he then applies, in the most earnest and personal
manner, to the elder Piso, and with a long peroration, to adopt an orator-
ical term, concludes the epistle.
101-112. 101. Ut ridentibus arrident, &c. From verse 101 to 118 we
have particular directions to the actors. It is not enough, accord-
ing to Horace, that the poet has done his part well iu a drama, the actor
also must do it justice by expressing all the passions in it. (Keightley,
ad loc.) — 103. Lasdent. "Will affect." — 104. Male si mandata loqueris.
"If thou shalt speak the part assigned thee badly," i. e., if thou shalt not
act up to thy true character. The reference throughout the whole pas-
sage is, as will be plainly perceived, to the actor on the stage. Hence
the explanation given to mandata by Jason de Nores, "tibia scrip/ore
tradita." — 107. Ludentem lasciva. " Sportive expressions, a playful look."
— 108. Prius. "From our very birth." Equivalent to a primo ortu. —
109. Juvat. " She delights," i. e., makes us joyful. — 111. Post. "In pro-
cess of time," i. e., as we advance toward maturer years. Post is here
opposed to prius in verse 108. — 112. Si dicentis erunt fortunis absona
dicta, &c. " If the word of the speaker shall be unsuited to his station in
life, the Roman knights and commons will raise a loud laugh at his ex-
pense." The expression equites peditesque is meant to comprehend the
whole audience, as well the educated and respectable as the uneducated
and common portion. In applying the term pedites to the common peo-
ple, the poet adopts a playful form of speech, borrowed from military lan-
guage, and marking a sportive opposition to the word equites.
114-119. 114. Intererit mullum, &c. What follows is directed to the
poet and the actor alike, as the former is to supply the language, the lat-
ter the delivery. [Keightley, ad loc.) — Divusne loquatur an heros. Many
MSS. and editions have Davusne, but as it is evidently tragedy alone
which Horace has in view, this reading, referring as it does to one of the
characters in Latin comedy, must be rejected. (Orelli, ad loc.) — 115. Ma-
turns. "Ripe for the tomb," i. e., far advanced in years. — 116. Matrona
potens. " A lady of rank." More literally, " of powerful family." — Sedula
nutrix. " A sedulous nurse," i. e., careful, anxious, <3cc. — 117. Mercatorne
vagus, cultorne virentis agelli. The mercator vagus is one who has trav-
elled much, has become acquainted with the manners and customs of
various nations, and who is not only, in consequence of this, become more
refined in his own habits, but also more shrewd, astute, and discerning.
The cultor virentis agelli, on the other hand, is a plain, honest country-
farmer, of rustic manners and simple mind. — 118. Colchus an Assyrius ;
Thebis nutritus an Argis. The Colchians were savage and inhospitable,
the Assyrians refined, crafty, and voluptuous. The Thebans labored un-
der the imputation of dullness (Epist. ii., 1, 244), the Argives were high-
652 EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPISTLE TO THE PISOS.
spirited and proud. — 119. Autfamam sequere, aut sibi convenientia fmge%
scriptor. " Thou that writest, either follow tradition, or invent such char
acters as are uniformly consistent with themselves." The connection,
observes Hurd, lies thus: "Language must agree with character, char-
ter with fame, or at least with itself. Poets, therefore, have two kinds
of characters to labor upon, either such as are already known, or such as
are of their own invention. In the first they are not at liberty to change
any thing ; they must represent Achilles, Ajax, and Ulysses, in accordance
with poetical tradition. And as to what they invent themselves, it must
be uniform and of a piece."
120-127. 120. Honoratum si forte reponis Achillem. " If haply thou
dost represent anew the honored Achilles," i. e., dost represent anew, after
Homer, Achilles honored in the verses of that ancient bard. — 121. Impi-
ger, iracundus, inexorabilis, acer. "Let him be indefatigable, wrathful,
inexorable, impetuous." Supply sit, and compare the description given
of this warrior in the Iliad (xx., 401). — 123. Sit Medea ferox, invictaquc.
Horace, observes Hurd, took this instance from Euripides, where the un-
co?iqucred fierceness of this character is preserved in that due mediocrity
which nature and just writing demand. — Flebilis Ino. "Let Ino be a
weeping one." This was probably her character in the lost play of Eurip-
ides named from her. — 124. Ixion. Both iEschylus and Euripides wrote
plays on this subject. — Vaga. "A wanderer." She is so described in
the Prometheus Vinctus of iEschylus. — Orestes. An allusion to the play
of that name by Euripides. — 125. Si quid inexpertum scenai committis.
"If thou committest to the stage any thing hitherto untried." — 126. Per-
sonam novam. " A new character." — 127. Aut sibi constet. " Or, (if it
undergo any change), let it be consistent (in that change) with itself." The
common reading is et sibi constet, for which we have given the emenda-
tion of Hurd. The change, though slight in a verbal point of view, is
otherwise important. The rule, as Hurd remarks, appears from the
reason of the thing, and from Aristotle, and is this: "Let a uniformity
of character be preserved, or at least a consistency," i. e., either let the
manners be exactly the same from the beginning to the end of the play,
as those of Medea and Orestes, for instance, or, if any change be necessa-
ry, let it be such as may consist with, and be easily reconciled to the man-
ners previously attributed, as is seen in the case of Electra and Iphigenia.
The common reading is tautological.
128. Difficile est proprie communia dicere. " It is difficult to handle
common topics in such a way as to make them appear our own proper-
ty." Many commentators regard communia, in this passage, as equiva-
lent to ignota indictaque, and as indicating new subjects, such, namely, as
have never been handled by any previous writer, and are therefore com-
mon to all. This, however, is decidedly erroneous. The meaning of this
axiom of Horace should be explained according to its most obvious sense,
which is, as we have rendered the passage above, that it is difficult to enter
on subjects which every man can handle in such a way as to make them
appear our own property, from the manner in which we alone are able to
treat them. Boileau used to say that he found this explanation in Her-
mogenes (De Gravit. apt. dicend., § 30), and he labored strenuously to sup-
port its correctness. In the British Critic, vol. v., p. 356, the opinion of
Gaudius to the same effect is cited bv Dr. Parr.
EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPI8TLE TO THE PISOS. 653
129-135. 129. Tuque rectius Iliacum, dec. "And yet with more sac-
cess dost thou dramatize the Iliad." More literally, "dost thou draw
asunder the llian song into acts." Observe here the force of the connect-
ing conjunction in tuque. The poet has just stated how, difficult it is to
handle a common subject in such a way as to make it appear like a new
one, and our own private property. But, though he acknowledges the
difficulty of the undertaking, he by no means dissuades from it. On the
contrary, he recommends it as the more correct and becoming course
Compare the remark of Gaudius, already referred to in the preceding
note. " Difficile est ita tractate communia ut tua propria, sen pri
vata, sen nova Jiant. Hunc tamen ego conatum tibi suadeo." — 131. Pub
lica materies privati juris erit. " A common theme will become thy pri-
vate property." The poet now proceeds to explain in what way we
must act if we wish " pi-oprie communia dicere." The expression pub-
lica materies serves directly to elucidate the true meaning of the term
communia in the 128th verse. — Si nee circa vilem patulumque moraberis
orbem. " If thou shalt j^either dwell upon a round of particulars, trite iD
their nature and open unto all." The poet lays down three rules for at-
taining the object in view, of which this is the first, and the meaning is,
that, in handling a common topic, we must not spend our time on the sys-
tem or circle of fables in vogue among all poets in relation to it, but must
strike out something new for ourselves. — 133. Nee verbum verbo curabis
reddere, &c. The second rule: not to be translators instead of imitators.
— 135. Nee dtsilies imitator in arctum, &c. The third rule : not to be
slavish in our imitation, or advance so far as to involve ourselves in cir-
cumstances whence we can not retreat with honor, or without violating
the very laws we have established for the conduct of the poem. Hence
the passage may be rendered as follows : "Nor shalt leap, as an imitator,
into such straits, whence either a sense of shame or the rules of thy work
may forbid thee to retreat," i. e., nor, like a servile imitator, shalt fetter
thyself by such narrow rules as to be entangled beyond the power of re-
treat, without violating what honor and the rules of our work demand. —
Arctum. Understand locum. Some commentators suppose that the ref-
erence is here to the fable of the goat in the well.
136-141. 136. Nee sic incipies, &c. "We have here a general rule with
regard to the opening verses of a poem. Whatever we may write, our
opening should be simple, and without pomp or pretension. — Ut scriptor
cyclicus olim. " Like the cyclic bard of old." By the cyclic poets are
meant a class of bards who selected for the subjects of their productions
things transacted as well during the Trojan war as before and after, and
who, in treating these subjects, confined themselves within a certain
round or cycle of fable. From the hackneyed nature of these themes, the
term cyclicus came at length to denote a poet of inferior rank, and, indeed,
of little or no merit. — 137. Fortunam Priami cantabo et nobile bellum.
'keiau Hpta/xoio rvxnv noXefidv re nheevvov. — 139. Parturiunt monies,
&c. Alluding to the well-known fable of the mountain and the mouse,
and applied, as a proverbial expression, to all pompous and imposing be-
ginnings which result in nothing. — 140. Quanto rectius hie, qui nil moli-
tur inepte. " How much more correctly does he begin who attempts noth-
ing injudiciously." The allusion is to Homer, and Horace opposes to the
pompous and swelling exordium of the cyclic poet the modesty and re-
654 EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPISTLE TO THE PISOS.
serve of Homer in the beginning of the Odyssey. — 141. Die mihi, Musa,
virum, &c. Horace here includes in two lines the three opening verses
of the Odyssey. The Roman poet does not mean his lines as a transla-
tion of these, in the strict sense of the term, hut merely wishes to convey,
in his native tongue, some idea of the simplicity and modesty that mark
the Homeric exordium.
143-151. 143. Non fumum ex Jul gore, «Sec. The meaning is that Ho
mer does not seek to begin with a flash and end in smoke, but out of
smoke to bring glorious light, and surprise us with the brilliant and daz-
zling creations of his fancy. — 144. Speciosa miracula. " His brilliant won-
ders."— 145. Antiphatcn, Scyllamquc, Sec. Antiphates was king of the Laj-
strygones, a gigantic and cannibal race, placed by some expounders of my-
thology in Sicily. (Compare Odyss., x., 80, seqq.) On Scylla and Charyb-
dis, see Odyss., xii., 85, seqq. By Cyclope is meant Polyphemus. Odyss.,
ix., 152, seqq. — 146. Nee reditum Diomedis, &c. Horace does not mean by
the "Return of Diomede" any particular production of Homer's, but only
wishes to give us a general idea of his manner of writing, and to show
that he does not, like some droning cyclic poet, begin with events which
happened long before the main action of his poem, and had no immediate
or necessary connection with it. Antimachus, a cyclic bard, had made a
poem on the Return of Diomede, and commenced the adventures of that
hero from the death of his uncle Meleager, by which means he gave a
ridiculous beginning to the action that formed the subject of his work.
Welcker thinks that the " Return" here meant is that of Diomede to iEto-
lia after the close of the second Theban war, and not his return from Troy.
— 147. Nee gemino bellum, &c. Another cyclic poet began an account of
the Trojan war with the nativity of Helen, or the story of Leda and the
eggs. He is supposed to have been Stasinus, and the passage in ques-
tion to have occurred in the Cyprian epics. — 148. In medias res. Horace
means that Homer, at the outset of the Iliad, does not delay us by a pre-
vious explanation of the causes which brought on the angry strife between
Achilles and Agamemnon, but commences at once with an allusion to the
wrath of Pelides (Mjjviv ueide deu !), as if the causes that led to it were
already known to his hearer. — 149. Non secus ac notas. "Just as if well
known." — 150. Tractata nitescere. A metaphor taken from things polish-
ed from the force of handling. History, and a poet's imagination, may
furnish him with a great variety of incidents, but his own judgment must
direct him in the choice of them. So here Homer is said to omit those
parts of the story which could not be invested with poetic splendor. — 151.
Atque ita mentitur, sic vera falsis remiscet, «Sec. "And moulds his fictions
in such a way, so blends what is false with what is true," «Sec. The mean-
ing is, that Homer so intermingles fiction with reality throughout the
whole of his poem, and so strictly connects all the parts, as to give the
entire production an air of probability, and make the beginning, middle,
and end exactly correspond.
153-157. 153. Tu quid ego, &c. "We have here some remarks on the
necessity of marking and preserving the distinguishing characteristics of
the four ages of man. Observe that tu refers to the scriptor. — 154. Si
fautoris eges, «See. "If thou wantest an applauder waiting until the cur-
tain rises," i. e., an applauding spectator who will wait until the end of
EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPISTLE TO THE PISOS. 655
the play. Literally, " waiting for the curtain." We have rendered this
phrase in accordance with Romau usage. If translated with reference to
modern custom, it would be "who will wait until the curtain falls." Con-
sult note on Epist. ii., 1, 189. — 155. Vos plaudite. All the old tragedies
and comedies acted at Rome concluded in this manner. The phrase is
equivalent to our modern expression, " your plaudits," or " clap your
hands." Who the cantor was that addressed these words to the audience
is a matter of dispute. Dacier thinks it was the whole chorus ; others
suppose it to have been a single actor, the one that spoke last ; some, the
prompter; and some, the composer. The second of these opinions is prob-
ably the more correct one. The ancient plays were all in recitative, and
therefore cantor may here be rendered " the actor." — 157. Mobilibusque
decor naturis dandus ct annis. " And a suitable character assigned to
changing dispositions and years," i. e., a certain decorum or propriety
must be observed in depicting the natures or dispositions of men, as they
change with advancing years.
158-165. 158. Reddere voces. " To express himself in words," %. e.,
who has now learned to speak. Literally, "to give back words," i. e., in
reply to words spoken to him. The poet here begins with a beautiful de-
scription of the different ages of life, based, in a great degree, upon the
description given by Aristotle in his Art of Rhetoric. — Et pede certo,
&c. " And imprints the ground with a firm footstep," i. e., is able to walk
alone. — 159. Paribus. "With his companions in years." Compare A ris-
tctle, Rhet., ii., 11 : nal §Cao§iAol, nai (ptAeraipoi, /xdAAov tuv uAAuv
rfkiKi&v. — Et iram colligit et ponit temere. " And is quick in contracting
and in laying aside anger." Compare Aristotle, ibid. : nal dv/uinoi nai
bf-vOvfioi, Kal oIol ukoaovOeiv ry bptiy. — 160. Et mutatur in koras. Com-
pare Aristotle, ibid. : tvjxerdfioAoi 61 Kal aipinopot irpbc tuq inidvfiiac.
— 161. Tandem custode remoto. The word tandem marks, in a very pleas-
ing manner, the impatience of the young to be freed from restraint. — 162.
Et aprici gramine campi. Alluding to the gymnastic exercises wont to
be performed in the Campus Martins. — 163. Cereus in vitium Jlecti. "As
pliable as wax in being bent toward vice." With cereus compare the
Greek Krjpivoc. — 164. Utilium tardus provisor. "A slow provider of use-
ful things," i. e., slow in discerning his true interests, and in providing for
the future. Compare Aristotle, ibid. : Kal fidAAov alpovvrac 7rpdrTiiv
to. KaAd ruv av/j.<f>ip6vTuv. — Prodigus &ris. Compare Aristotle, ibid. :
<pi?*oxPwarot d£ r/Kiara, dtd to /irjizu kvdeiae TreTretpdadai. — 165. Subli-
mit. "High-spirited." Compare Aristotle, ibid.: Kal fieyaAoipvxoi. —
Cupidusqve. "And of eager desires." Compare Aristotle, ibid.: Kal
tuv Tztpl to cofia ETTidv/iL&v, fiaAioTa uKoAovdrjTiKoi elat rale Tepl rd
a<ppoditJia, Kal aKparelc ravrrje.
166-178. 166. Conversis studiis. " Our inclinations having undergone
a change." — JEtas animusque virilis. "The age and spirit of manhood."
Aristotle fixes the full vigor of the body from thirty years to thirty-five,
and of the mind until about forty-nine. This, of course, is for the climate
of southern regions. — 167. Inservit honori. "Bends the knee to prefer-
ment." Literally, "is a slave" to it. — 169. Circumveniunt. "Encom-
pass."— 170. Qucerit, et inventis miser abstinet. Compare Aristotle, Rhcl.,
ii., 13 : C)cre ovte l7ri6v/xi]TiKOi, ovre irpaKTiKot, Kara rdc emdv/xtac.
05ti EXPLANATORY NOTES. — EPISTLE TO THE PISOS.
d?.?a\ uard rb nepdoc ■ dib ooxppovuioi Qaivovrai 01 tijXlkovtoi, ai re ydf.
E7Ti0v/j.iai dveiKacL, nai 6ov?.evovai t£) aipdei. — 171. Vel quod res omnes
/imide gelidcque, &c. Compare Aristotle, Rhet., ii., 13: nai SecAol nai
ndvra TrpopofljjTiKoi' evavrluc yap didnEivrai role vioic' KarEi^vyuevot
ydp clatv ' ol 6e depnol ' cjf re Trpoudo-exoivKe rb yrjpac ry deiMa ■ nai
yap 6 (j>6j3oc nardtjjvZic rig eari ' — 172. Spe longus. " Slow to hope."
Literally, "long in hope." Compare Orelli, ad loc, and Aristotle, ibid. :
dvce/iiTidec did tjjv EfXTretplav. — Avidusque futuri. " And greedy of the
future," i. e., fond of life. Aristotle calls the old (pi?io£6ovc, and Sophocles
(Frag. 64, Dind.) says of the same period of life, tov (fjv yap ovdeic uc 6
ynpdanuv kpti. — 173. DiJJicilis. " Morose." — Laudator temparis acti, Ac.
"A praiser of by-gone times, when he was a boy, a chastiser and censurer
of the young." Compare Aristotle, ibid. : dtare/.oicn yap rd yevofisva
heyovreg • dvamp.vr\GKby.zvoi yap ijdovTai. — 175. Anni venientes, &c. Ar-
istotle, as already remarked (note on verse 166), considers the powers of
the body in a state of advancement till the thirty-fifth year, and the facul-
ties of the mind as progressively improving till the forty -ninth, from which
periods they severally decline. This will serve to explain the anni veni-
entes and recedentes of Horace. — 176. Ne forte seniles, &c. " We are al-
ways to dwell with particular attention upon those things that are joined
to, and proper for, each individual age, lest haply the part of age be as
signed to youth, the part of manhood to the boy," i. e., lest the old man
speak like the youth, the boy like the man.
179-188. 179. Aut agitur res in scenis ant acta refertur. "An action
is either represented on the stage, or is there related as done elsewhere."
The poet now proceeds to state how much of the story should be acted,
how much related. — 182. Non tamen intus digna geri, &c. The idea in-
tended to be conveyed is this, that, though what we see done affects us
more strongly than what we merely hear related, still (tamen) we must not
let this principle carry us so far as to bring upon the stage things only fit to
be done behind the scenes (intus). — 184. Qua mox narret facundia pra-
sens. " Which the animated narrative of some actor, appearing on the
stage, may presently relate." Facundia is equivalent here to facundus
nuntius. Some commentators make prasens refer to the circumstance
of the actor's having heen present at the scene which he describes. The
acceptation in which we have taken it, however, is much more simple
and obvious. — 185. Ne pueros coram populo Medea trucidet. He gives
as instances of the deeds which should be related, not represented, the
murder of her children by Medea, the eating of the flesh of his children by
Thyestes, the transformation of Procne, Cadmus, &c. The scholiast Acron
calls the children of Medea, Medus and Mermerus. Seneca violates the
rule also, and represents Medea butchering her children in the face of the
spectators, and aggravates the cruelty of the execution with all the hor-
rors of a lingering act. — 186. Aut humatia palam coquat exta, &c. An
allusion to the cozna Tki/estae, mentioned at verse 91. — 187. Inavem. Ac-
cording to Anacreon, Virgil, Propertius, and others, she was changed into
a nightingale; but, according to Ovid, into a swallow. — 188. Incredulus
odi. " I view with feelings of incredulity and disgust." This refers not
bo much to Medea and Thyestes as to Procne and Cadmus.
189-192. 189. Neve minor neu sit quinto productioractufabula. Fujv
EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPISTLE TO THE PISOS. 657
ther rales for the representation. "Whether there be any thing of reality
and truth in the precept here laid down about the number of acts, may,
observes Francis, be disputed, but the best poets, ancient and modern,
have held it inviolable. They have considered it a just medium between
a length which might grow languishing and tedious, and a shortness too
much crowded with incidents. — 191. Nee deus intersit, nisi dignus Tin-
dice nodus. "Nor let any deity interfere, unless a difficulty present itself
worthy of such a liberator," i. e., of such interposition. "With vindice sup
ply tali. As regards the peculiar force of tbe term vindex, compare the
remark of Gesner : " Vindex est, qui summo in periculo versantem subito
liberat et eripit." Horace intends this precept as a censure upon a com-
mon fault among the ancient tragic poets, that of having recourse to some
deity for the unravelling of the plot, whenever they were at a loss in re-
lation to it. He was made to descend in a species of machine ; whence
the expression, deus ex machina. — 192. Nee quarta loqui persona laboret.
Horace here enjoins on the Roman dramatist the practice so strictly ob
served among the Greeks, of confining the number of actors to three. In
the origin of the drama the members of the chorus were the only perform-
ers. Thespis was his own actor, or, in other words, he first introduced
an actor distinct from the chorus. jEschylus added a second, and Sopho-
cles a third ; and this continued to be ever after the legitimate number.
Hence, when three characters happened to be already on the 6tage, and
a fourth was to come on, one of the three was obliged to retire, change his
dress, and so return as the fourth personage. The poet, however, might
introduce any number of mutes, as guards, attendants, &c.
193-200. 193. Actoris partes Chorus officiumque vxrile defendat. "Let
the chorus supply the place of a performer, and sustain an active part in
the representation." According to the rules of the ancient drama, the
chorus was to be considered as one of the actors, and its coryphaeus, or
head (or, if a female chorus, its coryphaea), spoke for the whole number
composing it. As regards the expression officium virile-, compare the ex-
planatory comment of Hurd : " Officium virile means a strenuous, diligent
office, such as becomes a person interested in the progress of the action."
The precept is levelled against the practice of those poets who, though
they allot the part of a persona dramatis to the chorus, yet for the most
part make it so idle and insignificant a one that it is of little consequence
in the representation. — 194. Neu quid medios intercinat actus, &c. " Nor
let it sing any thing between the acts that does not in some way conduce
to, and connect itself aptly with the plot." This rule was strictly observed
by jEschylus and Sophocles, but was often violated by Euripides and the
later Greek poets. How necessary this same rule might be to the Latin
writers of the Augustan age, remarks Hurd, can not certainly appear ;
but if the practice of Seneca may give room for any suspicion, it should
seem to have been much wanted, in whom I scarcely believe there is a
single instance of the chorus being employed in a manner consonant to its
true end and character. — 196. Ille bonis faveatque et consilietur amice.
" Let it both take the side of the good, and give them friendly advice."—
197. Et amet pacare tumentes. "And love to bring down to reason those
who are swelling with pride." We have followed here, with Bentley
and others, the reading of two of Pulmann's MSS. The common text has
peccare timentes, which hardly differs from the bonis of the preceding
E e2
658 EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPISTLE TO THE PItfOS.
verse, and is therefore tautological. — 198. Dapes menses brevis. "The
viands of a frugal table," i. e., temperance and content. — Salubrem justi-
tiam. "A healthful administration of justice," i. e., giving health to a
state. — 199. Et apertis otia portis. "And peace with open gates." —
200. Ille tegat commissa. "Let it keep concealed whatever secrets are
intrusted to it." The chorus, being present throughout the whole repre-
sentation, was often necessarily intrusted with the secrets of the persons
of the drama.
202-209. 202. Tibia non, ut nunc, &c. Tragedy having been origin-
ally nothing more than a chorus or song set to music, from which practice
the harmony of the regular chorus in after times had its rise, the poet
takes this occasion to pass to a history of theatrical music. — Orichalco
vincta. " Bound with orichalcum," i. e., brass-bound. The reference is
either to rings of metal placed around the tibia by way of ornament, or to
those which marked the joints of the instrument. The orichalcum of an-
tiquity (called by the Greeks dpeixa^Koc, i. e., mountain bronze) seems to
have been a factitious substance, not a natural metal. They made it on
the same basis that we make bronze at present ; but they had several
ways of doing it, and distinguished it into several kinds. — 203. Tenuis
simplcxque. " Of slender note and simple form." Tenuis is here op-
posed to tubas cemula, and simplex to orichalco vincta. — 204. Adspirare et
adcssc Choris erat utilis. " Was employed to accompany and aid the
chorus." By the term chorus, in the present passage, all the actors are
meant ; for, in the origin of the drama, the members of the chorus were
the only performers. — Atque nondum spissa nimis complere sedilia Jlatu.
"And to fill with its tones the seats of the theatre, that were not as yet
too crowded," i. c, and was loud enough to be heard all over the theatre,
as yet of moderate size. — 206. Numerabilis, utpote parvus. "Easily
counted, as being few in number." Literally, " to be counted," &c. The
term numerabilis is found in no writer before Horace. Orelli thinks that
he may perhaps have formed it from the Greek evapid/ivroc. The early
audiences here referred to were very different from the immense crowds
that flocked to the public spectacles in the poet's own day. — 207. Frugi.
"Industrious." Frugiis generally rendered here by the term "frugal,"
but improperly. It is equivalent, in the present instance, to in rem suam
attentus et diligens. — 208. Victor. Referring to populus in the 206th
verse. — 209. Latior murus. "A wider circuit of wall." — Vineoque pia-
cari Genius festis impune diebus. " And the Genius to be soothed on
festal occasions with wine drunk freely by day," i. e., and to indulge them-
selves freely in mirth and wine on festal days. The expressions vino
diurno and impune have an allusion to the early Roman custom, which
regarded it as improper to commence drinking, or entertainments, de me-
dio die (consult note on Ode i., 1, 20), as well as to the introduction of a
more social spirit by reason of the intercourse with other nations, and the
increase of wealth which conquest produced. As regards the phrase pla-
cari Genius, consult note on Ode in., 17, 14.
212-214. 212. Indoctus quid enim saperet, &c. "For what correct
means of judging in such a case could an unlettered clown, and one just
freed from labor, have, when mingled in motley group with the citizen,
the base-born with him of honorable birth ?" There is some difference of
EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPISTLE TO THE PISOS. 659
opinion with regard to the application of these lines. Many critics imag-
ine that the poet refers to the rude and simple character of the early the-
atrical music, as taking its tone from the unpolished nature of the audience
to whom it was addressed. Others, however, with more propriety, make
the passage under consideration have allusion to what immediately pre-
cedes, and to be intended as a species of explanatory comment on the It-
centia major, spoken of by Horace. — 214. Sic priscce motumque et luxu-
riem, &c. " Thus the musician added both a quicker movement and
richer modulation to the ancient art." By prisccs arti is meant the an-
cient music, the peculiar defects of which were, 1. That it moved too
slowly; and, 2. That it had no compass or variety of notes. It was the
office of those who played on musical instruments, in the performance both
of tragedies and comedies, to give to the actors and audience the tone of
feeling which the dramatic parts demanded. In tragedy the music in-
variably accompanied the chorus. It was not, however, confined to the
chorus, but appears to have been also used in the dialogue ; for Cicero
tells of Roscius, that he said he would make the music play slower
when he grew older, that he might the more easily keep up with it. (De
Orat., i., 60.)
215-218. 215. Traxitque vagus per pulpitavestem. "And, passing up
and down, drew a lengthened train along the stage." The pulpitum was
a wooden platform, raised on the proscenium to the height of five feet.
This the actors ascended to perform their parts, and here all the dramatic
representations of the Romans were exhibited, except the Mimes, which
were acted on the lower floor of the proscenium. — Vestem. Alluding to
the long theatrical robe, called cvp/ia by the Greeks, from ovpu, "to
drag" upon the ground. The present passage expresses not only the im-
provement arising from the ornament of proper dresses, but also that re-
sulting from the grace of motion ; not only the actor, whose peculiar office
it was, but the musician himself, conforming his gestures in some sort to
the music. — 216. Sic etiam Jidibus voces crevere severis, &c. "In this
way, too, new notes were added to the severe lyre, and a vehemence
and rapidity of language produced an unusual vehemence and rapidity of
elocution in the declaimer." The poet is here speaking of the great im-
provement in the tragic chorus after the Roman conquests, when the Latin
writers began to inquire Quid Sophocles et Thespis et JEschylus utile
ferrent. This improvement consisted, observes Hurd, 1. In a more in-
structive moral sentiment ; 2. In a more sublime and animated expression,
which, of course, produced, 3. A greater vehemence in the declamation; to
which conformed, 4. A more numerous and rapid music than that which had
been produced by the severe and simple tones of the early lyre. All these
particulars are here expressed, but, as the reason of the thing required,
in an inverted order. The music of the lyre (hi at being his subject, and
introducing the rest) being placed first ; the declamation, as attending
that, next; the language, facundia, that is, the subject of the declama-
tion, next ; and the sentiment, sententia, the ground and basis of the lan-
guage, last. — 218. Utiliumque sagax rerum, et divinafuturi, &c. " While
the sentiments expressed, displaying an accurate acquaintance with things
of a useful character, and predicting the events of the future, differed not
in value from the oracles delivered at Delphi." The poet here, with great
exactness, declares the specific boast and excellence of the chorus, which
660 EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPISTLE TO THE PISOS.
lay, as Heinsius has well observed, 1. In inculcating moral lessons ; and,
2. In delivering useful presages and monitions concerning future conduct
with an almost oracular prudence and authority.
220, 221. 220. Carmine qui tragico vilem certavit ob hircum. From
the tragedy of the Greeks he makes a natural transition to their Satyric
drama, and gives the laws by which it was composed, and by which, there-
fore, it should be judged. The Satyric drama was a species of merry after-
piece, and the distinguishing feature in it, and from which it derived its
name, was the chorus of Satyrs in appropriate dresses and masks. On
the origin of tragedy, as explanatory of the language of the text, vilem
certavit ob hircum, consult Diet. Ant., s. v. — 221. Agrestes Satyros nu-
davit. "Brought the wild Satyrs naked on the stage," i. e., exhibited on
the stage performers habited in skins, and resembling in appearance the
Satyrs of fable. The inventor of the Satyric drama is said to have been
Pratinas, a native of Phlius, and contemporary with iEschylus. The
Cyclops of Euripides is the only Satyric drama that has come down to us.
Of others we have merely fragments. It was customary in the poetical
contests for each poet to exhibit three tragedies and one Satyric piece,
and the four were called a tetralogy. — Etasper incolumi gravitate jocum
tentavit. "And with rough sarcasm essayed the joke, though without
abandoning the gravity of the subject."
224-229. 224. Functusque sacris, el potus, et exlex. " Just come from
festal rites, full of the fumes of wine, wild and ungovernable." After the
sacrifice and the meal on the victims came the representation of the dra-
ma.— 225. Verum ita risores, &c. "It will be expedient, however, in
such a way to recommend the bantering, in such a way the rallying Sa-
tyrs, to the favor of the audience, in such a way to turn things of a serious
nature into jest, that whatever god, whatever hero shall be introduced, he
may not, conspicuous a moment ago in regal gold and purple, descend, by
means of the vulgar language he employs, to the low level of obscure tav
eras., nor, on the other hand, while he spurns the ground, grasp at cloudi
and empty space." — 229. Migret in obscuras, &c. The former of these
faults, observes Hurd, a low and vulgar expression in the comic parts
humili sermone, would almost naturally adhere to the first essays of tin*
Roman Satyric drama, from the buffoon-genius of the Atellanae ; and tho
latter, a language too sublime in the tragic part, nubes et inania capiat,
would arise from not apprehending the true measure and degree of the
tragic mixture. To correct both these, the poet gives the exactest idea
of the Satyric drama, in the image of a Roman matron sharing in the mirth
of a religious festival. The occasion obliged to some freedoms, and yet
the dignity of her character demanded a decent reserve.
231-236. 231. Indigna. " Disdaining/'— 232. Ut festis matrona mo
veri jussa diebus. The verb moveri is here equivalent to saltare. — 233.
Intererit. "Will mingle." — Paulum pudibuuda. "With some degree
of modest reserve." — 234. Non ego inornata, «Sec. "As a writer of Satyric
pieces, O Pisos, I will not confine myself merely to nouns and verbs that
are unadorned and prevalent (in daily use)," L e., were I a writer of Sa-
tyric pieces, I would not confine myself to the ordinary nouns and verbs,
caUing every thing, for instance, by its common name. Inornaja mean*
EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPISTLE TO THE PISOS. 661
not figurative. — 236. Nee sic enitar, &c. " Nor, on the other hand, will 1
strive to deviate so far from the complexion of tragedy," &c., i. e., nor, in
my anxiety to keep clear of the style of tragedy, would I descend to the
language of the inferior characters in comedy. (Keightley, ad loc.) — Co-
lori. The dative by a Hellenism for a colore.
237-240. 237. Ut nihil intersit, &c. Davus is the name of a slave in
Terence. Pythias is the name of a female slave in the Eunuchus of the
same author; but the reference here is to a play of Caecilius, in which
another Pythias has cheated her master out of a talent. — 238. Emuncto
lucrata Simone talentum. "Having gained a talent from Simo, whom
she has gulled.'' Emuncto is literally, " having his nose blown or wiped."
The poet purposely employs the low comic word emuncto, as suited to,
and in keeping with, the subject of which he treats. — 239. Silenus. The
poets make him the governor and foster-father of B acchus, and represent
him as borne upon an ass, and usually in a state of intoxication. — 240. Ex
noto Jictum carmen sequar, &c. " From a well-known subject I will pro-
duce such a fiction that," &c. Sequar is here equivalent to exsequar
This precept, observes Hurd (from line 240 to 244), is analogous to that
before given (line 219) concerning tragedy. It directs to form the Satyric
dramas out of a known subject. The reasons are, in general, the same
for both. Only one seems peculiar to the Satyric drama. For the cast of
it being necessarily romantic, and the persons, for the most part, those
fantastic beings called Satyrs, the to o/zoiov, or probable, will require the
subject to have gained a popular belief, without which the representation
must appear unnatural. Now these subjects, which have gained a popu-
lar belief in consequence of old tradition and their frequent celebration in
the poets, are what Horace calls nota; just as newly-invented subjects,
or, which comes to the same thing, such as had not been employed by
other writers, indicia, he, on a like occasion, terms ignota. The connec-
tion, therefore, is as follows : Having mentioned Silenus in line 239, one
of the commonest characters in this species of drama, an objection imme-
diately offers itself, " but what good poet will engage in subjects and
characters so trite and hackneyed V the answer is, ex noto Jictum carmen
sequar, i. e., however trite and well known this and some other characters,
essential to the Satyric drama, are and must be, yet will there be still
room for fiction and genius to show themselves. The conduct and dispo-
sition of the play may be wholly new, and above the ability of common
writers: tantum series juncturaque pollet.
242-244. 242. Tantum series juncturaque pollet. " Such power do a
proper arrangement and connection possess." Series denotes the train of
incidents, which are mostly invented by the poet, but so blended with the
known history, or with what tradition has already settled, as to make up
the whole with every mark of probability by that happy connection which
Horace here calls junctura. — 243. Tantum de medio sumtis accedit hono-
ris. "So much grace may be imparted to subjects taken from the com-
mon mass," i. e., so capable are the meanest and plainest things of orna-
ment and grace. — 244. Silvis educti caveant, me judice, Fauni, &c.
"Fauns bred in the woods should take care, in my opinion, never either
to sport in too tender lays, like persons brought up within the precincts
of the city, and almost as if accustomed to the harangues of the Forum,
662 EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPISTLE TO THE PISOS.
nor, on the other hand, to express themselves in obscene and abusive lan-
guage." The common reading is deducti, "brought forward upon the
stage," with an ellipsis of in scenam, for which we have given educti [i. e.,
educati), the conjecture of Markland, and which Fea subsequently found
in two of his MSS. The train of ideas is given by Hm-d as follows : The
poet, having before (line 232) settled the true idea of the Satyric style in
general, now treats of the peculiar language of the Satyrs themselves.
This common sense demands to be in conformity with their sylvan char-
acter : neither affectedly tender and gallant on the one hand, nor grossly
and offensively obscene on the other. The first of these cautions seems
levelled at a false improvement, which, on the introduction of the Roman
Satyric drama, was probably attempted on the simple, rude plan of the
Greek, without considering the rustic extraction and manners of the Fauns
and Satyrs. The latter obliquely glances at the impurities of the Atel-
lane pieces, whose licentious ribaldry would, of course, infect the first es-
says of Roman Satyric composition.
245-249. 245. Innati triviis. The reference in triviis is properly to
the cross streets and thoroughfares in cities. — Forenses. The allusion ap-
pears to be to the forensic harangues and declamations in which the young
Romans were accustomed to exercise themselves, and to the choice ex-
pressions which they aimed at employing in such performances. — 246. Ju-
venentur. This is thought to be a word with which the poet himself en-
riched his native tongue, and is formed after the analogy of the Greek
veavievEcdai- — 248. Offcnduntur enim, quibus est equus, &c. " For they
are offended at this who have a steed, a father, or an estate." The allu-
sion is to the equites, the patricians, and the wealthier portion of the peo-
ple ; in other words, to the more polite and educated classes. The poet,
observes Hurd, in his endeavor to reclaim his countrymen from the taste
obscene, very politely, by a common figure, represents that as being the
fact which he wished to be so. — 249. Fricti ciceris et nucis emtor. " The
purchasers of parched peas and nuts." Alluding to the lower orders, who
purchased these articles for the purpose of consuming them during the
representation of a piece. The nut here meant is supposed by som<s to
be the chestnut. At the present day, says Keightley, women sit in the
streets of Naples and other towns selling roasted chestnuts to the passers-
by. Fea says that parched, or, rather, fried chick-peas (cecio fritto) are
used both at Rome and Naples by the lower orders, and that cecio fritto
is a common phrase of reproach applied to them.
251-260. ' 251. Syllaba longa brevi subjecta, &c. The whole critique
on the Satyric drama here concludes with some directions about the iam-
bic verse. Not that this metre was common to tragedy and the Satyric
drama, for, accurately speaking, the proper measure of the latter was, as
the grammarians teach, the iambic enlivened with the tribrach : " Gau-
dent trisyllabo pede et maxime tribracke" (Victor., 2 c. met. iamb.). Yet
there was resemblance enough to consider this whole affair of the metre
under the same head. — 252. Unde etiam trimetris accrescere jussit, &c.
" Whence, also, it ordered their name to accrue to iambic trimeters, when
it yielded six beats, from first to last like itself," i. e., the name of trime-
ters to be given to iambics, &c. With iambeis supply ve?-sibns. The
meaning is, that though six beats were yielded, or, in other words, si*
EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPISTLE TO THE PISOS. 663
iambi arranged in a verse, yet, owing to the rapidity of the foot, these six
formed only three metres, i. e., a trimeter iambic line. — 254. Primus ad
extremum similis sibi, &c. The import of these words is, that the feet
originally employed were all iambi, forming what is called a pure iambic
line. — N011 ita pridem. " No very long time ago." A strange way of
speaking, as the commentators correctly remark, since the oldest Greek
trimeters, namely, those of Archilochus, contain spondees. (Compare
Archil. Frag., ed. Lieb., p. 57.) It can only be defended on the ground of
a poet's carelessness of expression. Some think that Horace refers mere-
ly to the Roman iambic poets, but the remains which we have of Livius
Andronicus and Naevius clearly disprove this. {Orelli, ad loc.) — 255.
Tardior ut paulo graviorque, &c. The spondee was introduced to cor-
rect the swiftness of the iambic verse, and make it more consistent with
the dignity and gravity of tragic composition. — 256. Spondeos stabiles.
Spondees are here elegantly denominated stabiles, from the circumstance
of their not running on rapidly like the iambus, but moving along, by rea-
son of their greater heaviness, at a slow and steady pace. — In jura pater-
na. " Into a participation of its hereditary rights," i. e., the right, hitherto
exclusively its own, of appearing in iambic versification. Compare note
on verse 254. — 257. Commodus et patiens. " Obligingly and contentedly."
— Non ut de sede secunda, &c. " Not, however, so as to retire from the
second or the fourth place, after the manner of friends to whom all things
are in common." The iambus yields only the odd places to the spondee,
the first, third, and fifth, but preserves the second, fourth, and sixth for it-
self.— 258. Hie et in Atti nobilibus trimetris, &c. " This (iambus in the
second and fourth places) rarely appears in the noble trimeters of Attius
and Ennius." Hie is here for hie pes, i. e., iambus. The expression no-
bilibus trimetris is ironical. Horace blames Attius and Ennius for not
observing the strict rule respecting the position of the iambus in the even
places of the trimeter, and for making their verses, in consequence, hard
and heavy, by the presence of too many spondees. — 260. In scenam mis-
sus magno cum pondere versus, Sec. " A verse sent upon the stage with
a great weight (of spondees attached to it) presses hard (upon the writer)
with the disgraceful chai'ge of too rapid and careless a performance, or an
ignorance of his art." According to our poet, averse sent upon the stage
laboring beneath a heavy load of spondees reflects discredit upon its au-
thor, and either shows that he has been too hasty, and has not given him-
self time to fashion his poem, or else proves him to be ignorant of the rules
of his own art.
263-268. 263. Non quivis videt immodulata poemata judex, &c. " It
is not eveiy judge who discerns the want of harmony in poems, and an
improper indulgence is therefore extended in this case to the Roman
poets," i. e., who is able to discern, &c. Horace remarks that it is not ev-
ery one who is capable of marking the want of modulation and harmony
in a poem, and that, by reason of this, an improper licence has been ex-
tended to the Roman poets in matters of versification. He then asks
whether, in consequence of such a privilege being allowed, he ought to
fall in the common track, and write in a careless, rambling manner. In
other words, whether the negligence of other and earlier bards is deserv-
ing of imitation. The answer is concisely given, and amounts to this, that
accuracy of versification can never be dispensed with, since it constitutes
664 EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPISTLE TO THE P1SOS.
so small a portion of poetical merit, and if one be without it he can hardlj
lay claim to the appellation of poet. For suppose I think all eyes will be
turned to any faults that I^nay commit in the structure of my verses, and
am therefore on my guard against errors of this kind, what have I gained
by so doing ? I have only avoided censure, not merited praise. — 265. Ut
omnes visuros peccata putem mca. " Suppose I think that every one will
see whatever faults I may commit." Ut putem is equivalent here to fac
meputare. — 268. Exemplaria Graca. " The Grecian models."
271, 272. 271. Nimmm patienter utrumque, &c. It has been thought
strange, observes Hurd, that Horace should pass so severe a censure on
the wit of Plautus, which yet appeared to Cicero so admirable that he
speaks of it (De Off., i., 29) as elegans, urbanum, ingeniosum, facetum.
Nor can it be said that this difference of judgment was owing to the im-
proved delicacy of the taste for wit in the Augustan age, since it does not
appear that Horace's own jokes, when he attempts to divert us in this
way, are at all better than Cicero's. The common answer, so far as it
respects the poet, is, I believe, the true one : that, endeavoring to beat
down the excessive veneration of the elder Roman poets, and, among the
rest, of Plautus, he censures, without reserve, every the least defect in his
writings, though in general he agreed with Cicero in admiring him. — 272.
Si modo ego et vos, &c. " If you and I but know how to distinguish a
coarse joke from a smart sally of wit, and understand the proper cadence
of a verse by the aid of our fingers and ear." The allusion in digitis is to
the use made of the fingers in measuring the quantity of the verse.
275-280. 275. Ignotum tragicoe genus, &c. " Thespis is said to have
invented a species of tragedy before unknown to the Greeks." With ig-
notum supply antehac. Horace does not mean to say that tragedy ac
tually commenced with Thespis, but that he was the author of a new and
important step in the progress of the drama. The whole of this, however,
has been shown to be an error, arising from the confounding, by those
whom Horace follows, of the rpayudla of Thespis with the KUfioi of Su-
sarion, to which the moving from place to place in carts, and the smear-
ing of the faces of the actors with wine-lees properly belonged. Thespis
merely placed his actor upon a kind of table (e/Udc), which was thus the
predecessor of the stage, and this was done in order that, as the chorus
stood upon the steps of the thymele, or altar of Bacchus, the actor might
address them from an equal elevation. This standing-place of Thespis
was confounded subsequently with the wagon of Susarion. {Theatre of
the Greeks, p. 42, 4th ed.) — 276. Et plaustris vexisse poemata, &c. The
order of construction is, et vexisse plaustris histriones, qui, peruncti ora
fcecibus, canerent agerentque poemata ejus. — 277. Peruncti fcecibus ora.
In the earlier age of tragedy, observes Blomfield, the actors smeared their
faces either with the lees of wine, or with a kind of paint called fiarpa-
%elov. Different actors invented different masks. Who first introduced
them into comedy is unknown ; but iEschylus first used them in tragedy.
— 278. Post hunc persona, &c. " After him, jEschylus, the inventor of
the mask and graceful robe, both spread a stage upon beams of moderate
size, and taught the actor to speak in lofty strain, and tread majestic in
the buskin." Horace here briefly alludes to the improvements brought in
by /Eschylus, namely, 1. The mask, or head-piece, so constructed as to
EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPISTLE TO THE PISOS. 665
give power and distinctness to the voice. 2. An appropriate costume
3. A regular stage. 4. The thick-soled cothurnus, raising the stature of
the performers to that of the heroes represented. 5. A more dignified
and tragic expression. — 280. Docuit. The poet himself taught the actors
their part by dictation. Compare note on verse 238.
281-288. 281. Successit veins his Comoedia. With regard to the sev-
eral changes in the Greek comedy, and its division into the Old, the Mid-
dle, and the New, consult note on Sat. i., 4, 2. — 282. Sed in vitium, &c.
" But freedom of speech degenerated into licentiousness, and into outrage
deserving of being corrected by the law." — 283. Lex est accepta, &c. Ac-
cording to Clinton {Fast. Hell., vol. xi., Introd., p. liii.), the law merely
prohibited the comic poets from making any living person a character in
the piece. Personal allusions were not forbidden. Horace therefore goes
too far. It would also appear that it was the New Comedy that first dis-
pensed with a chorus, and that chiefly on account of the expense. {Keight-
ley, ad loc.) — 288. Vel qui prcetextas, vel qui docuere togatas. "Whether
they have composed tragedies or comedies for the stage." Docere fabu-
lam is analogous to the Greek expression diddoneiv 6pa.ua, and properly
means to '• teach a play" (z. e., to the actors). Since, from the state of
writing materials, the performers could not enjoy the convenience of fre-
quent transcription of their parts, they studied them by the poet's repeat-
edly reading them out, and the chorus was exercised the same way. This
was more particularly the case among the Greeks. Hence we obtain the
primitive meaning of 6i&daKtiv dpd/ia {docere fabulam), and from this
others of a more general nature result, such as, " to give a play to be act-
ed," "to exhibit a piece," or, as in the present case, simply to "compose"
one. — Prcetextas. With this epithet, and also togatas, understand fabu-
las. The term togata (scil. fabulce) was used to denote all plays in which
the habits, manners, and arguments were Roman ; and palliates, those
of which the customs and subjects were Grecian. When, however, prce-
textce is set in opposition to togatas, as in the present instance, the first
means tragedies, and the second comedies, because the prcetexta was a
robe appropriated to the higher orders, whereas the toga was the com-
mon Roman habit.
291-294. 291. Limce labor et mora. "The labor and delay of correc-
tion." Literally, " of the file." — 292. Pompilius sanguis. "Descendants
of Pompilius." Observe here the employment of the nominative for the
vocative, and consult Zumpt, $ 492. The Gens Calpurnia, to which the
family of the Pisos belonged, derived its pedigree, according to Porphyr-
in, from Calpus, the son of Numa Pompilius. — Carmen reprendite, quod
non multa dies, &c. " Condemn that poem which many a day and many
a blot have not corrected, and castigated ten times to perfect accuracy."
Coercuit is here equivalent to emendando purgavit. — 294. Prasectum ad
unguem. Literally, " to the pared nail." A metaphor taken from work-
ers in marble, who try the smoothness of the marble, and the exactness
of the joinings, by drawing the nail over them. Compare Sat. i., 5, 32.
295,296. 295. Ingenium misera quia fortunatius arte, &c. "Because
Democritus believes genius more successful than wretched art, and there
fore excludes sane poets from Helicon." Compare note on verse 296
666 EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPISTLE TO THE PJSOS.
The epithet misera is to be taken ironically, and by arte is meant learn-
ing, study, application, &c. The connection in what here succeeds is
given as follows by Hurd. From line 295 to 323, the poet ridicules the
false notion into which the Romans had fallen, that poetry and possession
were nearly the same thing; that nothing more was required in a poet
than some extravagant starts and sallies of thought; that coolness and re-
flection were inconsistent with his character, and that poetry was not to
be scanned by the rules of sober sense. This, they carried so far as to af-
fect the outward port and air of madness, and, upon the strength of that
appearance, to set up for wits and poets. In opposition to this mistake,
which was one great hinderance to critical correctness, he asserts wisdom
and good sense to be the source and principle of good writing ; for the at-
tainment of which he prescribes, 1. (From line 310 to 312), a careful study
of the Socratic, that is, moral wisdom ; and, 2. (From line 312 to 318), a
thorough acquaintance with human nature, that great exemplar of man-
ners, as he finely calls it, or, in other words, a wide, extensive view of
real, practical life. The joint direction of these two, as means of acquiring
moral knowledge, was peifectly necessary. Both together furnish a
thorough and complete comprehension of human life, which, manifesting
itself in the just and affecting, forms that exquisite degree of perfection in
the character of the dramatic poet, the want of which no warmth of genius
can atone for or excuse. Nay, such is the force of this nice adjustment of
manners (from line 319 to 323), that, where it has remarkably prevailed,
the success of a play has sometimes been secured by it, without one sin-
gle excellence or recommendation besides. — 296. Et excludit sanos Heli-
cone poetas. Consult note on Epist. i., 19, 3, and compare the following
remark of the scholiast : " Ingenium : ait enim Democritus, poeticam na-
tura magis quam arte constare, et eos solos poetas esse veros, qui insaniant ;
in qua persuasione Plato est."
298-300. 298. Balnea. There was always more or less of a crowd at
the public baths. — 299. Nanciscetur enim pretium nomenque poctce, &c.
"For one will certainly obtain the recompense and the name of a poet, if
he shall never submit to the barber Licinus a head not to be cured by the
produce of three Anticyras," i. e., one will be a poet as long as he remains
a madman, and allows no barber to meddle with his beard. Enim, like
scilicet, nimirum, &c, on other occasions, is here made to answer the pur-
poses of irony. The Licinus here alluded to is said to have been a barber,
advanced to the dignity of senator by Julius Caesar on account of his hatred
to Pompey, and subsequently made procurator of Gaul by Augustus. This,
however, can hardly be, unless we suppose that at the time when the
present epistle was written he had lost the favor of the emperor. — Pre-
tium. Public applause, the recompense of a poet's exertions. — 300. Tribus
Anticyris. There were only two Anticyras in the ancient world, both
famed for producing hellebore, the well-known remedy, in former days,
for madness. (Consult note on Sat. ii., 3, 83.) The poet, however, here
speaks of a head so very insane as not to be cured by the produce of three
Anticyras, if there even were three places of the name, and not merely two.
301-308. 301. O ego Icbvus, quipurgor bilem, &c. "What an unlucky
fellow am I, who am purged of bile at the approach of eveiy spring." If
madness, pleasantly remarks Horace, is sufficient to make a man a poet,
EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPISTLE TO THE PISOS. 667
what an unlucky dog I am iu removing the hile from my system every
spring, for this might at least increase to the degree that would qualify
me for making verses. — 303. Verum nil tanti est. " However, there is
nothing in it of so much value as to be worth this price," i. e., the loss of
my senses. — 306. Munus et officium, nil scribens ipse, docebo. "Though
I write nothing myself, I will, notwithstanding, teach the duty and office
(of one who does)." By nil scribens ipse the poet refers to his not having
composed any epic or dramatic poem. — 307. Opes. "Proper materials,"
i. e., subject-matter. — 308. Quo virtus, quo ferat error. "Whither an ac-
curate knowledge of his art, whither an ignorance of it, leads."
309-314. 309. Scribendi recte sapere est et principium etfons. " Good
sense is both the first principle and the parent-source of good writing." —
310. Socraticce chartcc. " The precepts of Socratic wisdom." The poet
sends us to the precepts of Socrates, as contained in the moral writings
of Plato and others of his disciples, for Socrates wrote nothing himself.
Charta is therefore taken here, as Doring well explains it, "pro eo quod
in charta scriptum est." — 311. Provisam rem. "The subject, after hav-
ing been previously and carefully reflected upon," i. e., examined in all its
various details, so that we are become full masters of it. — 314. Qua partes
in bellum missi ducis. "What the part of a leader sent to war," *. e.,
what part a leader sent to war should act. With partes supply sint.
317-324. 317. Respicere exemplar vitce morumque jubebo, Sec. "I will
direct the skillful imitator to attend to the great pattern of life and man-
ners which nature unfolds to the view, and to derive from this source the
language of actual life," i. e., living language, such as people actually use,
or, in other words, language that is natural. — 319. Speciosa locis morata-
que recte fabula, Sec. " A play striking in its moral topics, and marked by
a just expression of the manners, but of no poetic beauty, without force of
expression and skillful construction of plot." — 322. Nugceque canorce.
" And mere melodious trifles." — 323. Graiis ingenium, Graiis dedit, Sec.
The Greeks being eminent for philosophy, the last observation naturally
gave rise to this ; for the transition is easy from their superiority as phi-
losophers to their superiority as poets, and the more easy as the latter
is shown to be, in part, the effect of the former. Now this superiority of
the Greeks in genius and eloquence (which would immediately occur on
mentioning the Socraticce charted) being seen and confessed, we are led to
ask whence this arises. The answer is, from their making glory, not
gain, the object of their wishes. — Ore rotundo. " With a roundness of
expression." Literally, " with a round mouth," i. e.t a mouth from which
every thing issues rounded and perfect. The poet does not merely refer
to rotundity of expression, as if he were only praising the language of the
Greeks, but to a full, and rich, and finished diction, flowing at once from a
liberal and cultivated mind. — 324. Nullius. " Of nothing else." Supply
alius rei.
325-329. 329. Longis rationibus. "By long computations." — 326. Di-
cas,Jilius Albini. "Pray, tell me, thou that art the son of Albiuus." In
illustration of what he has just asserted respecting the early studies of the
Roman youth, the poet here gives us a short but amusing dialogue be-
tween an instructor and his pupil, in which the former examines the lat-
668 EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPISTLE TO THE PISOS.
ter upon his proficiency in the art of calculation, and seeks to show him
off to the by-standers. Albinus was a well-known usurer of the day,
and the expression Jilius Albini (i. e., tu qui es Jilius Albini) implies
that the son must keep up the reputation of the family in money matters,
and the mysteries of reckoning. — 327. Si de quincunce remota est uncia,
quid superet ? " If an uncia be taken from a quincunx, what remains ?"
The Roman as was divided into twelve unciae, of which the third was
termed triens, and consisted of four uncia ; the half was semis, or six
uncia; and the quincunx was five uncia. — 328. Poteras dixisse : Triens.
" Thou couldst once tell that : a third of a pound." The words poteras
dixisse are supposed to be uttered by the instructor, and are the same in
effect as saying, "Come, be quick and give an answer; you knew that
well enough once." The instructor says this, in order to urge the boy to
a speedy answer. The latter thereupon replies, Triens. — Eu ! rem po-
teris servare tuam. " Well done, my boy, thou wilt be able to take care
of thy own." The cry of the instructor, after the scholar has given the
answer. — 329. Redit uncia, quid Jit? "An uncia is added, what's the
result?" The teacher pursues his examination, but takes care to put an
easier question, to which the boy gives the true answer: Semis, "half
a pound."
330-333. 330. An, k<sc animos aerugo et cura pcculi, &c. " When once
this cankering rust and care for pelf has entered deeply into our souls, do
we expect," &c. The allusion in aerugo is to the copper as, and hence
figuratively to money. This love of gain, observes Hurd, to which Horace
imputes the imperfect state of the Roman poetry, has been uniformly as-
signed by the wisdom of ancient times, as the specific bane of arts and
letters. Longinus and duintilian account, from hence, for the decay of
eloquence, Galen of physic, Petronius of painting, and Pliny of the whole
circle of the liberal arts. — 332. Linenda cedro, et levi servanda cupresso.
The ancients, for the better preservation of their manuscripts, rubbed them
with oil of cedar, and kept them in cases of cypress. — 333. Aut prodesse
volunt aut delectare poette, &c. " Poets wish either to benefit or to de-
light," i. e., the objects of poets in their dramas is either to benefit the
auditors by yvufiat, or moral precepts, or to delight them by the charms
of extraordinary events, situations, &c, or else (v. 334) to unite, if possible,
these two objects. Horace here turns to notice another obstacle which
lay in the path of his countrymen, and impeded their success in poetry.
This was their inattention to the entire scope and purpose of the poetic
art, while they contented themselves with the attainment of only one of
the two great ends which are proposed by it. For the double design of
poetry being to instruct and please, the full aim and glory of the art can
not be attained without uniting them both, that is, instructing so as to
please, and pleasing so as to instruct. Under either head of instruction
and entertainment, the poet, with great address, insinuates the main art
of each kind of writing, which consists, 1. In instructive or didactic poetry
(from 335 to 338), in conciseness of precept ; and, 2. In works of fancy and
entertainment (line 338 to 341), in probability of fiction. But both these
(line 341 to 347) must concur in a just piece.
334-345. 334. Idonea. Equivalent to utilia. — 335. Quidquid praci
vies. " Whatever precept thou shalt lay down, be brief." — 340. Neupran
EXPLANATORY NOTES. — EPISTLE TO THE PISOS. 669
$ee Lamice vivum pucrum, «Sec. The Lamia was a species of phantom or
bugbear, whose name, like Monno or Empusa, was used by nurses to
terrify children. She was said to devour little children, like the ogress of
our nursery tales. The scholiast describes her as follows : " Est mon-
strum superne kabens speciem mulieris, inferne vero desinit in pedes asi-
ninos." Horace seems to allude here to a drama of the time, in which
the hobgoblin devoured a child entire. (Osborne, ad loc.) — 341. Centuriec
seniorum agitant expertia frugis. " The centuries of the old drive off
pieces that are devoid of instruction." The allusion is to the centuries of
the classes, and it is the senators that are meant. Agitant is equivalent
here to abigunt, exsibilant. — 342. Celsi Ramnes. "The haughty equites.''
By Ramnes are here meant the whole equestrian order. Strictly speak-
ing, however, the Ramnes were one of the three ancient tribes into which
the Roman people were divided, when the term populus included only
the patricii. These were the Latin element, as the Titienses, from King
Tatius, represented the Sabines, and Luceres the Etruscans. (Diet. Ant.,
s. v. Patricii.) — 343. Omne tulit punctum. "Gains universal applause. '
Literally, has " carried off every point," i. e., vote. The allusion is to the
mode of counting the votes at the Roman comitia by means of dots or
points (puncta). Compare Epist. ii., 2, 99. — 345. Hie liber. "Such a
work as this," *'. e., in which the author miscuit utile dulci. — Sosiis. The
Sosii were well-known Roman booksellers. Compare Epist. i., 20, 2. —
Et lojigum noto scriptori prorogat asvum. "And continues to the cele-
brated writer a long duration of fame," i. e., prolongs his fame to distant
ages. Prorogare is properly a term borrowed from the comitia.
347-359. 347. Sunt delicta tamen, &c. The bad poet is supposed to
object to the severity of the terms imposed by our author, and to urge,
that if the critic looked for all these requisites, and exacted them with
rigor, it would be impossible to satisfy him; at least it was more likely
to discourage than animate, as he proposed, the diligence of writers. To
this the reply is (from line 347 to 360) that it was not intended to exact a
faultless and perfect piece; that some inaccuracies and faults of less mo-
ment would escape the most cautious and guarded writer ; and that as he,
Horace, should condemn a piece that was generally bad, notwithstanding
a few beauties, he could, on the other hand, admire a work that was gen-
erally good, notwithstanding a few faults. — 349. Gravem. "A flat." Not
from the want of skill in the player, but from the imperfect tension in the
strings of the instrument. (Osborne, ad loc.) — Acutum. "A sharp." —
352. Fudit. Equivalent to adspersit, and alluding to the maculae, or stains
of ink on the fair paper or parchment. (Keightley, ad loc.) — 353. Quid
ergo est? "What, then, is the conclusion that we are to draw?" — 354.
Scriptor librarius. " A transcriber." — 357. Cessat. Equivalent to peccat,
— Chaerilus ille. " That well-known Chaarilus," i. e., as stupid as auother
Choerilas. Consult note on Epist. ii., 1, 233. — 358. Quern bis ierve bonum
cum risu miror. "Whom, when tolerable in two or three instances, I
wonder at with laughter." — Et idem indignor, ice. " And I am also in-
dignant whenever the good Homer nods." The idea is this : I am even
angry when Homer makes slips, because I wish him to be free from these,
and a model for others ; it must be confessed, however, that Homer is ex-
cusable on account of the length of the poem. (Orelli, ad loc.) — 359- Quan-
doque. Put for quandocunque.
670 EXPLANATORY NOTES. — EPISTLE TO THE PIS08.
861-367. 361. Ut pictura, poesis, &c. Horace here goes on (from line
360 to 366) to observe in favor of writers, against a too rigorous criticism
of their productions, that what were often called faults were not so in re-
ality ; that some parts of a poem ought to be less shining or less finished
than others, according to the light they were placed in, or the distance
from which they were viewed ; and that, serving only to connect and lead
to others of greater consequence, it was sufficient if they pleased once, or
did not displease, provided that those others would please on every re-
view. All this is said agreeably to nature, which does not allow every
part of a subject to be equally susceptible of ornament, and to the end of
poetry, which can not so well be attained without an inequality. The al-
lusions to painting which the poet uses give this truth the happiest illus-
tration.— 366. O major juvenum. " O elder of my young friends." Ad-
dressed to the elder of the young Pisos. With major supply natu. — 367.
Fingeris. " Thou art moulded." — Et per te sapis. " And art able of thy-
self to form correct judgments of things." Equivalent to et per te sapien-
ter judicas. — Hoc tibi dictum tolle memor, &c. "Yet receive the precept
which I here give thee, and treasure it up in thy remembrance : that, in
certain things, mediocrity and a passable degree of eminence are rightly
enough allowed."
370-373. 370. Abest virtute diserti Messalce, Sec. "Wants the talent
of the eloquent Messala, and possesses not the legal erudition of Cascel-
lius Aulus." The poet, with great delicacy, throws in a compliment to
two distinguished individuals of the day. — 372. Mediocribus. A Graecism
for mediocrcs, the accusative. — 373. Columnar. " Booksellers' columns."
Consult note on Sat. i., 4, 71. Every thing, according to Horace, declares
against a mediocrity in poetry. Men reject it ; the gods, Apollo, Bacchus,
and the Muses, disavow it ; and the pillars of the booksellers, that is, book-
sellers' shops, refuse to receive it. The comment of Hurd is extremely
apposite : " This judgment, however severe it may seem, is according to
the practice of the best critics. We have a remarkable instance in the
case of Apollonius Rbodius, who, though in the judgment of duintilian
the author of no contemptible poem, yet, on account of that equal medioc-
rity Which every where prevails in him, was struck out of the list of good
writers by such sovereign judges of poetical merit as Aristophanes and
Aristarchus (Quinctil., x., 1)."
374-376. 374. Ut gratas inter mensas, «Sec. The poet here assigns a
very just and obvious reason for the decision which he has just made re-
specting mediocrity in the poetic art. As the main end of poetry is to
please, if it does not reach that point (which it can not do by stopping ever
so little on this side of excellence) it is, like indifferent music, indifferent
perfumes, or any other indifferent thing, which we can do without, and
whose end should be to please, namely, offensive and disagreeable, and,
for want of being very good, absolutely and insufferably bad. — 375. Cras-
sum. Compare the explanation of Doring : "Non liquidum, sed coaga-
latum et rancidum." — Sardo cum melle papaver. Sardinia was full of
bitter herbs (Virg., Eclog., vii., 441), whence the honey of the island was
bitter and in bad repute. The honey of Corsica was in equally low es-
teem, but whether it was owing to the yew trees of the island, or to some
other cause, has been made a matter of doubt. (Compare Martyn, ad
EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPISTLE TO THE PISOS. 671
Virg., Eclog., ix., 30.) White poppy seed, roasted, was mingled with
honey by the ancients, and used for the second course. — 376. Poterat
dud. " Could have been prolonged."
379-383. 379. Ludere qui nescit, campestribus abslinct armis, <5cc. The
poet (from line 379 to 391) gives the general conclusion which he had in
view, namely, that, as none but excellent poetry will be allowed, it should
be a warning to writers how they engage in it without abilities, or pub-
lish without «severe and frequent correction. But to stimulate, at the
same time, the poet who, notwithstanding the allowances already made,
might be somewhat struck with this last reflection, he flings out (from
hue 391 to 408) a fine encomium on the dignity and excellence of the art
itself, by recounting its ancient honors. This encomium, besides its great
usefulness in invigorating the mind of the poet, has this further view, to
recommend and revive, together with its honors, the office of ancient po-
esy, which was employed about the noblest and most important subjects,
the sacred source from which those honors were derived. — 382. Qui nes-
cit, versus tamen audet Jingcre. "He who knows not how, yet dares to
compose verses." — Quidni? Liber et ingenuus, &c. "And why not,
pray ? He is free, and of a good family ; above all, he is rated at an eques-
trian fortune, and is far removed from every vice." Horace is thought, as
Sanadon remarks, to have had in view some particular knight, who fan-
cied he could write verses because he was well born and rich. — 383. Cen-
sus equcstrem summam nummorum. The fortune necessary to become
an eques was 400,000 sesterces, or about $15,000. Summam is here put
in the accusative by a Grascism, secundum or quod ad being understood.
385-390. 385. Invita Minerva. " In opposition to the natural bent of
thy genius." A proverbial form of expression. The mind can accom-
plish nothing, unless Minerva, the goddess of mind, lend her favoring aid.
— 386. Olim. "Ever.'' — 387. Meed. The allusion is to Spurius Maecius
(or Metius) Tarpa, a celebrated critic at Rome in the days of Augustus,
who was accustomed to sit in judgment on the dramatic productions that
were offered for the stage. Consult note on Sat. i., 10, 38. — 388. Nonum-
que prematur in annum. This precept, observes Colman, which, like
many others in the present epistle, is rather retailed than invented by
Horace, has been thought by some critics rather extravagant; but it ac-
quires in this place, as addressed to the elder Piso, a concealed archness,
very agreeable to the poet's style and manner. — 389. Intus. Equivalent
to in scrinio. — 390. Nescit vox missa reverti. " A word once sent forth
knows not the way of return." Missa for emissa. Compare Epist. i., 1«,
71, " Et semcl emissum volat irrevocabile verbum."
391-399. 391. Silvestres homines. "The savage race of men." Sil-
vestres is here, in fact, equivalent to degentes in silvis. — Sacer interpres-
que deorum. " The priest and the interpreter of the gods." Sacer is here
for sacerdos. Compare Virgil, JEn., vi., 645, where Orpheus is called
" Threicius sacerdos." — 392. Victufoedo. The early race of men are fa-
bled to have lived on raw flesh, acorns, roots, &c. — 393. Dictus ob hoc
lenire fibres, &c. Horace here gives the generally-received explanation
of the fable of Orpheus. The wild animals, &c, whom he is said to have
swayed by the music of his lyre, were savage men. — 394. Pictus et Am-
672 EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPISTLE TO THE PISOS.
phion, &c. Consult note on Ode iii., 11, 2. — 396. Fuit hcec sapientia
quondam. " For this, of old, was accounted wisdom." Supply nam be-
fore fuit. — 398. Maritis. "To those in the married state," i. e., both to
husbands and wives, who were equally obliged by the laws to preserve
their chastity inviolable. — 399. Leges incidere ligno. Laws were origin-
ally written in verse. Those of Solon were cut on tablets of wood. Brazen
plates were afterward employed both among the Greeks and Romans.
402-406. 402. Mares animos. "Manly spirits." — 403. Dictce per car-
mina sortes. The oracles here spoken of, remarks Hurd, are such as re-
spect not private persons (whom a natural curiosity, quickened by anxious
superstition, has ever prompted to pry into their future fortunes), but en-
tire communities ; and for these there was little place till ambition had
inspired great and eventful designs, and, by involving the fate of nations,
had rendered the knowledge of futurity important. Hence, in marking
the progress of ancient poesy, Horace judiciously postpones oracles to the
celebration of martial prowess, as being that which gave the principal eclat
to them. This species of poetry, then, is rightly placed ; though it be true,
as the commentators have objected, that oracles were much more ancient
than Homer and the Trojan war. — 404. Et vita monstrata via est. Al-
luding to the productions of Hesiod, Theognis, and other poets, which,
abounding in moral precepts, are elegantly said to lay open or discover
the road of life. — 405. Tentata. "Was sought." — Ludusque repertus, et
longorum operum finis. " Sports were also introduced, and festive relax-
ation after long-continued toil." Alluding particularly to exhibitions of a
ncenic nature (ludus being here equivalent to ludus scenicus), the rude
commencement of the drama. These ludi were the finis longorum
trperum, and succeeded to the labors of harvest. — 406. Ne forte pudori sit
fibi Musa, &c. " Let not, then, the Muse, the mistress of the lyre, and
Apollo, the god of song, haply bring the blush to thy cheeks," i. e., blush
not therefore, Piso, to make court to Apollo and the Muse.
408-417. 408. Natura fieret laudabile carmen, &c. In writing precepts
for poetry to young persons this question could not be forgotten. Horace,
therefore, to prevent Piso's falling into a fatal error, by too much con-
fidence in his genius, asserts most decidedly that Nature and Art must
both conspire to form a poet. — 409. Quccsitum est. " It has been made a
subject of inquiry," i. e., by philosophers and critics. — Studium. " Mere
study," i. e., mere art. — 410. Rude. Equivalent to incultum. — 411. Et
conjurat amice. "And conspires amicably to the same end." — 412. Qui
studet optatam, &c. The connection in the train of ideas is as follows :
As the athlete, who aims at the prize, is compelled to undergo a long and
rigorous training ; and as the musician, who performs at the Pythian
solemnities, has attained to excellence in his art by the strict discipline
of instruction ; so must he, who seeks for the name and honor of a poet,
undergo a long and rigorous course of preparatory toil and exercise. —
413. Puer. "From early life." The rigorous training of the ancient
athlete is well-known. — Sudavit et alsit. " Has borne the extremes of
heat and cold." — 414. Pytliia. " The Pythian strains." Supply cantica.
The allusion is generally supposed to be to the musical contests whirh
took place at the celebration of the Pythian games. Orelli, however, says
it is not a musical contest that is here meant, but a playing on the pipe the
EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPISTLE TO THE PISOS. 673
victory of Apollo over the serpent Python. — 416. Nee satis est dixisse, &c.
Horace is thought to have here had in view some ridiculous pretender of
the day, whose only claim to the title of poet rested upon his own com-
mendations of himself. Bentley reads nee on the authority of two MSS.,
instead of the other lection nunc ; and his reading has been very general-
ly adopted. Nunc is meant to be ironical, but nee is more forcible. —
417. Occupet extremum scabies. ''Plague take the hindmost." A pro-
verbial form of expression, borrowed from the sports of the young.
419-425. 419. Ut pr&co ad merces, &c. The pr&cones were employed
for various purposes, and, among others, for giving notice of sales by auc-
tion. As regards the connection in the train of ideas, compare the re-
marks of Hurd. "But there is one thing still wanting. The poet may be
excellently formed by nature, and accomplished by art ; but will his own
judgment be a sufficient guide, without assistance from others ? Will
not the partiality of an author for his own works sometimes prevail over
the united force of rules and genius, unless he call in a fairer and less in-
terested guide V Doubtless it will ; and therefore the poet, with the ut-
most propriety, adds (from line 419 to 450), as a necessary part of his instruct-
ive monitions, some directions concerning the choice of a prudent and sin-
cere friend, whose unbiased sense might at all times correct the preju-
dices, indiscretions, and oversights of the author. And to impress this
necessary care with greater force on the individual whom he addresses,
he closes the whole with showing the dreadful consequences of being im-
posed upon in so nice an affair ; representing, in all the strength of color-
ing, the picture of a bad poet, infatuated, to a degree of madness, by a fond
conceit of his own works, and exposed thereby (so important had been the
service of timely advice) to the contempt and scorn of the public. — 420. As-
sentatores jubet ad lucrum ire poet a, &c. Supply sic, or ita, before asse?i-
tatores. Faithful friends, as has already been stated in the preceding note,
are necessary in order to apprise poets of their errors. Such friends, how-
ever, are difficult to be obtained by rich and powerful bards. Horace very
justly compares a wealthy poet to a public crier; the latter brings crowds
together to buy up what is exposed for sale, the former is sure to collect
around him a set of base and venal flatterers. And if he is one who gives
good entertainments, and whose purse is open to the needy and unfor-
tunate, then farewell to any means, on his part, of telling a true friend
from a false one. — 422. Unctum. qui recte ponere possit. " Who can serve
a savory banquet as it should be served," i. e., with all the sauces and
accompaniments of plate, &c. (Osborne, ad loc.) Compare the explana-
tion of Acron : " Unctum autem lautum convivium et ter6um . . . unctum
igitur appellat pulmentarium bene coctum." Some less correctly trans-
late, " who can entertain a guest well," and make ponere refer to the dis-
posing of the guests on the couches around the table, and unctum (as equiv-
alent to convivam) to the custom of perfuming before reclining guests at an
entertainment. But ponere is more correctly said of putting the dishes on
the table, and seldom, if ever, of arranging the guests. — 423. Et spondere
levi pro paupere. " And become security for a poor man, who has little
credit of his own." Levi, literally, " of little weight," i. e., in the moneyed
world. — Atris. "Vexatious." Equivalent to misere vcxantibus. Liter-
ally, " dark" or "gloomy." — 425. Beatus. " Our wealthy bard."
Ff
674 EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPISTLE TO THE PISOS.
426-432. 426. Donaris. For donaveris. The poet advises the eldei
Piso never to read his verses to a person on whom he has bestowed any
present, or who expects to receive one from him. A venal friend can not
be a good critic ; he will not speak his mind freely to his patron, but, like
a corrupt judge, will betray truth and justice for the sake of interest. —
429. Super his. Equivalent to insuper, or pra&terea. — Etiam stillabit
amicis ex oculis rorem. " He will even cause the dew to fall drop by
drop from his friendly eyes." Rorem is here put for lacrymas by a pleas-
ing figure. — 431. Ut quce conducts plorant infunere. "As the mourniug
women, who, being hired, lament at funerals," i. e., who are hired to lament
at funerals. These were the pr&ficcc, who were hired to sing the funeral
song, or the praises of the deceased, and to lament their departure. —
432. Dolentibus ex animo. " Than those who grieve from their hearts,"
i. e., who sincerely grieve. — Sic derisor vero plus laudatore movctur. " So
the flatterer, who laughs at us in his sleeve, is, to all appearance, more
wrought upon than he who praises in sincerity."
436-451. 436. Et torquere mero. "And to put to the rack with wine."
A bold and beautiful expression. Wine racks the heart and draws forth
all its hidden feelings, as the torture racks the frame of the sufferer, and
forces from him the secret of his breast. — 437. Animi sub vulpe latcntes.
" Minds lying hid beneath the fox's skin." Alluding to deceitful and crafty
flatterei's. — 438. Quintilio. duintilius Varus, to whom Horace address-
ed the 18th ode of the first book, and whose death he laments in the 24th
ode of the same. — Sodes. Consult note on Sat. i., 9, 41. — 439. Negares.
Supply si. — 441. Male tornatos versus. " Thy badly-polished verses."
A metaphor from the art of turning. Guietus proposed formatos, and
Bentley reads ter natos, maintaining that the ancients never turned met-
als ; but Fea refutes him by the following passage of Vitruvius (x., 12),
44 Emboli ex a;re, torno politi," and by referring to a number of metal arti-
cles found in excavations at Rome, and in other places of Italy. (Keight-
ley, ad loc.) — 444. Sine rivali. The man who does what others are not
willing to imitate, may well be said to be without a rival. — 445. Vir bonus
et prudens versus rcprchendet inertes, &c. " An honest and correct critic
will blame verses unskillfully constructed," &c. By bonus is indicated
his honesty, and his regard for the writer ; by prudens his correct judg-
ment and taste. (Keightley, ad loc.) It particularly suited Horace's pur-
pose to paint the severe and rigid judge. of composition. — 446. Incomtis
allinet atrum, &c. " To those that are badly wrought he will affix a black
mark, by drawing his pen across them." — 447. Calamo. Consult note on
Sat. ii., 3, 7. — 450. Aristarchus. A celebrated grammarian of antiquity,
famed for his critical power, and for his impartiality as a judge of literary
merit ; hence every severe critic was styled an Aristarchus. — 451. Ha
nuga seria dncont in mala, &c. " These trifles will involve in serious
mischief the man who has once been made the sport of the flatterer, and
has met with a cold reception from the world."
453-471. 453. Ut mala quern scabies, &c. "They, who know what
they are about, fear to touch, and flee from a poet when the fit is upon
him, as from one whom," &c. The order of construction is as follows .-
Qui sapiunt, timcnt tetigisse fugiuntque vesanum poetam, ut ilium quern
mala scabies, &c. — Mala, scabies. " A leprosy." — Morbus regius. " The
EXPLANATORY NOTES. EPISTLE TO THE PISOS. 675
jaundice." So called because the patient must live delicately, and like a
king or wealthy person. — 454. Fanaticus error. " Stark staring mad-
ness," i. e., madness like that of the priests of Bellona and Cybele. Con-
sult Orclli, ad loc. — Iracunda Diana. As this goddess was the moon,
lunacy was ascribed to her anger. — 456. Agitant. "Worry him." —
457. Sublimis. " With head erect." — Ructatur, &c. "He spouts forth his
verses." — Errat. " Roams wildly to and fro," i. e., without looking where
he goes. — 459. Longum. " In lengthened tone." — 462. Prudens. " Of his
own accord." — 465. Empedocles. This story about Empedocles is de-
servedly rejected as fictitious by Strabo and other writers. — Frigidus.
"In cold blood," i. e., deliberately. Horace, by playing on the words ar-
dentem frigidus, would show, remarks Francis, that he did not believe
the story, and told it as one of the traditions which poets may use without
being obliged to vouch for the truth of them. The pleasantry continues
when he says it is murder to hinder a poet from killing himself. — 467. Idem
facit occidenti. " Does the same thing with one that kills him," i. e., does
the same as kill him. Occidenti is put by a Graecism for cum occidente,
or, more elegantly, ac occidens. This, as Orelli remarks, is the only spon-
daic verse in Horace. — 468. Nee semel hoc fecit. "Neither is it the first
time that he has acted thus," i. e., he has done this before, and will do it
again. — 469. Homo. " A reasonable being," i. e., a person of sane mind. —
Famoscs. Horace every where else uses this adjective in a bad sense. —
Ponet. "Will he lay aside." For deponet. — 470. Cur versus factitet.
" Why he is all the time making verses." Observe the force of the fre-
quentative.— Utrum minxerit in patrios cineres. "Whether he has de-
filed his father's ashes." The dead and their graves were ever held sa-
cred and inviolable among all nations, especially those of near relations.
The meaning, then, of the whole clause will be this : Whether he has been
visited with madness from heaven for some great enormity, or not, one
thing at least is certain, that he is quite beside himself and perfectly in-
sane.— 471. An tristc bidental moverit incestus. " Or with unhallowed
hands has disturbed some sad bidental." The bidental was a place that
had been struck with lightning, and afterward expiated by the erection
of an altar, and the sacrifice of sheep, hostiis bidentibus ; from which last
circumstance it took its name. The removal or disturbance of this sacred
monument was deemed sacrilege, and the very attempt a supposed judg-
ment from heaven, as a punishment for some heavy cViiAt. {Diet. Ant.,
:v.)
EXCURSUS
EXCURSUS.
(PROM HENDERSON'S HISTORY OF ANCIENT AND MODERN WINES,
p. 26, seqq.)
EXCURSUS I.
VINEYARDS OF THE ANCIENTS.
The culture of the vine was an object of diligent attention with the an-
cient writers on husbandry, and the directions which they give for the
training and management of the plant, in almost every possible situation,
are very ample. That their views were occasionally erroneous may be
readily imagined, but, considering the state of the physical sciences at the
period when they wrote, they must be allowed to have a very full knowl-
edge of the subject.
Being aware how much the health of the vine and the qualities of the
grape are liable to be affected by different soils and exposures, the an-
cients were at great pains in choosing a proper situation for their vine-
yards. They condemned those lands which were composed of stiff, unc-
tuous clay, and subject to much humidity, selecting such as were not too
thin, but light, and sufficiently porous to admit the requisite moisture, and
allow of the free expansion of the roots. A chalky or marly loam, and a
due admixture of mould with gravel or loose pebbles, were deemed favor-
able ; and the advantages of soils formed of rocky debris, or resting on
beds of flint, were not overlooked -,1 but the preference appears to have
been given to the black, crumbling soil of the Campagna, which consists
of decomposed tufa, and which, from its color, received the name of pulla.
A soil impregnated with bitter and saline substances was believed to im-
pair the flavor of the wine.2
With respect to the comparative excellence of different exposures, tne
general voice seems to have been in favor of a southern aspect. Some
writers, it is true, recommend the east, and others advise the placing of
vineyards toward the north, as the quarter where the most abundant crops
may be expected. But on this head it is well observed by Graecinus,
that the best rule is to plant the vines toward the south in cold situ-
1. " Quia enim vel mediocris agricola nesciat etiam durissimum tophum, vel car-
bunculum, simul atque sunt confracti, et in summo regesti, tempestatibus, geluve,
ncc minus sestivis putrescere caloribus ac resolvi, eosque pulcherrime radices vi-
tium per ffistatem refrigerare, succumque retinere ? Est autem, ut mea fert opinio,
vineis amicus etiam silex, cui superpositum est modicum terrenum," &c. — Colum^
UL, 11.
2. " Salsa autem tellus, et qua* perbibetur amara,
Frugibus infelix : ea nee mansuescit arando,
Nee Baccbo genus, aut pomis sua nomina servat'*
Virg., Georg., ii., 238.
680 EXCURSUS I. VINEYARDS OF THE ANCIENTS.
ations, and toward the east in warmer regions, provided they he not too
much exposed to the south and east winds, in which case it would he safer
to allow them to face the north or west ;x and Florentinus decides that the
choicest wine is produced from vines planted on dry, sloping grounds, that
look to the east or south.2 The superior flavor of wines growing on the
side of hills, compared with those raised on the plain, was universally
admitted.3
Various modes of planting and training the vine were in use among the
Romans. It was propagated either by cuttings (malleoli), by layers (mer-
gi), or by grafts, which were all selected from the best fruit-bearing
branches. For laying out new vineyards, or recruiting the old, the Italian
husbandman gave the preference to quicksets, as they were more hardy,
and sooner in a condition to yield fruit than cuttings ; but in the provinces,
where no pains were taken to form nurseries of vines, the latter were em-
ployed.4 A favorite way of disposing the plants was in the form of a
quincunx, with sufficient space between the rows to plough the ground in
diagonal furrows. In lean land, five feet were deemed a sufficient inter-
val ; but in rich soils, seven feet were allowed. The intermediate space
was frequently employed for raising a crop of beans or pulse ; but this
practice was reprobated by experienced husbandmen, as tending to de-
prive the vine of its proper nourishment.5 In those vineyards where the
land was ploughed, the vine was left without support, and raised upward;
in others, it was permitted to trail upon the ground, or it was trained upon
poles (pedamcnta), or upon square frames (juga) formed of poles or reeds,
and from four to seven feet high. This mode of distributing the branches
of the vine was the most expensive, but it was attended with the advant-
age of securing a more early and equal maturity of the fruit than the other
methods. The wine obtained from vines spread along the ground, though
very abundant, was generally of inferior quality and bad flavor. In the
provinces, the vines without props were preferred ; but they were some-
times placed on single yokes, having their projecting branches tied to
reeds that were fixed in the ground.6
The ancients, however, remarking the tendency of the vine to shoot
aloft, and distribute its branches to a great distance from the root, became
impressed with the notion that the most beneficial mode of training was
to favor this natural disposition by attaching it to lofty trees ; and they
conceived that the grapes thus grown were most likely to attain a full and
equal maturity. The trees selected for the purpose were those which
have single or contracted roots, such as the white poplar, or of which the
foliage is not too much tufted, such as the elm, the black poplar, the asp,
or the maple; but the elm was chiefly employed, because, in addition to
its other recommendations, it is of easy growth, and the leaves furnish a
grateful food for cattle. Of the two kinds of poplar, moreover, which have
just been mentioned, the white was used much less frequently than the
black. Trees thus appropriated were called arbusta, and considerable
1. Colum., iii., 12. 2. Geoponica, ii.
3. " Montibus clivisque difficulter vineae convalescunt, sed firmum probrumquo
saporem vini praebent. Humidis et planis locis robustissimse, sed infirmi saporis
vinum, nee perenne faciunt" — Colum., de Arbor., 8. 4. Colum., iii., 11
5. Geoponica, xi 6. " Vites canteriatas et caracata?." — 0)lum., v., 4
EXCURSUS II. VARIETIES OF ANCIENT VINES. 681
care was bestowed on the planting and management of them. Their
usual height was from thirty to forty feet, but in warm climates they were
allowed to grow much higher ; and, if we may credit Florentinus, there
were, in some parts of Bithynia, vines trained in this manner upon trees
sixty feet high, which, far from experiencing any degeneracy, only pro-
duced so much the better wine.1 It is, however, admitted, that it was
only in very rich soils that such a practice was allowable, and that in poor
lands it was advisable to form the trees into pollards, at the height of eight
feet from the ground ; and Columella assigns from eight to twelve feet as
the usual height of such plantations in Gaul.a
If we rely on the accounts which are given of the success attending this
mode of training, we must believe that it was not only the most convenient
and the most productive, but that the wine obtained from grapes so raised
was improved in quality, and was sweeter and more lasting than any other
kind. Cato recommends that the vine should be forced as high as possi-
ble, ** quam altissimam vineam facito ;" Pliny even goes the length of
asserting that fine vines could only be grown in this manner, " nobilia
vina non nisi in arbustis gigni;"3 and Columella agrees with him in de
scribing the produce of the loftiest trees as the best.* But, on the other
hand, it is acknowledged by the natural historian that this practice was
unequivocally condemned by Saserna, the father and son, both celebrated
writers on husbandry ; and that, although it was approved by Scrofa, yet
he was disposed to limit its application to the vines of Italy ; and, in de-
scribing the remarkable vines of his time, the same author gives an anec-
dote of Cineas, the ambassador of Pyrrhus, who, on being shown the lofty
elms on which the Arician vines grew, remarked that it was no wonder
the wine was so harsh, since its parent was hung on so high a gibbet,
"merito matrem ejus pendere in tarn alta cruce."* When, therefore, we
find that such contradictory opinions prevailed with regard to the benefits
of this mode of culture, and know that it is completely at variance with
the more approved practice of modern times, we may infer that the advo-
cates of the system were misled by their desire to obtain abundant crops,
or by some accidental circumstances connected with the method in ques-
tion, as, for instance, the freer exposure which would be afforded to the
uppermost branches, and which would certainly promote the full ripen-
ing of the fruit.
EXCURSUS II.
VARIETIES OF ANCIENT VINES.
The varieties of the vine known to the ancients were very numerous.
Columella and Pliny mention about fifty sorts, some of which they describe
with sufficient minuteness to enable us to appreciate the relation in whicli
they stand to our modern vines. Since those authors compiled their ac-
count, indeed, not only the names have been, for the most part, altered,
but the plants themselves have in all probability undergone a considera-
ble change, from the effects of culture and transplantation, and we can not
expect to recognize every species which they enumerate. If the garnet
L Geoponica, iv., 1. 2. De Re Rustic a, v., 7. 3. Hist. Nat, xvii, 23.
4. Lib. v., 6. 5. Lib. xiv., 1.
F F2
682 EXCURSUS II. VARIETIES OF ANCIENT VINES.
grape of the Rhone is found to degenerate in a few years when removed
to the soil of Burgundy, and if the maurillon of the latter province ac-
quires a new designation, and perhaps, also, new characters, when brought
to Auvergne or Orleans, it would be absurd to imagine that, after a lapse
of two thousand years, we should be able to assign the exact place, in a
modern botanical arrangement, to the varieties that adorned the Massic
or Surrentine hills. Nevertheless, it is generally agreed to consider the
Vitis prcecox of Columella as corresponding to the last-mentioned modern
variety, while the Vitis Nomentana is supposed to be the traminer, or
formentin rouge; and the Corinthian grape appears to be identified with
the Grcecula, which, we are told, was so small as not to be worth the
pains of cultivation, except in a very rich soil. But we can hardly be
mistaken with respect to the characters of the Vitis apiana, which was
so called from its liability to be attacked by bees, and which has now re-
ceived the analogous appellation of muscat or moscadella.1 It was in
high repute, as producing the most luscious and durable wine. The bu-
masti, dactyli, duracince, &c, may be easily distinguished among our
modern growths. In the recent classification of the Andalusian wines,
their names have been successfully appropriated to designate certain or-
ders or genera.
Among these varieties of the vine, a strong predilection existed in favor
of the Aminean, which is described as surpassing all others in the richness
and flavor of the grape, and of'which there were five sorts, distinguished
by their botanical characters, and their greater or less hardiness and fruit-
fulness. Next to them in excellence was ranked the Nomentan or rubel-
lia, which was still more prolific than the Aminean, but of which the fruit
seems to have contained an excess of mucilaginous matter, as this variety
was also known by the name oifecinia. The Eugenian, Helveolan, Spi-
onian, and Biturican, and several others, were, in like manner, esteem-
ed for their abundant produce, and the choice qualities of the wine which
they yielded. That the ancients spared no pains or expense to procure
all the best kinds for their vineyards, is proved by the account which they
give of the effects of their transplantation ; and that they confined their at-
tention to such as were found to answer best with particular soils, may
be inferred from the manner in which they describe certain spots as plant-
ed with a single species ; as, for example, the hills of Sorrento and Vesu-
vius, which were covered with the small Aminean grape. There is, in
fact, no part of the writings of the ancient agriculturists which is more
deserving of being recalled to notice than those passages in which they
declaim against the bad effects of the promiscuous culture of many varie-
ties of the vine, and recommend the husbandman to plant only such as are
of good and approved quality. But as all are not equally hardy, Columella
thinks it may be well, in order to guard against a failure of the crop from
unfavorable seasons, to keep three or four, or, at most, five sorts, which
will be amply sufficient for the purpose. These he would dispose in
separate divisions of the vineyard, so that the fruit of each may be kept
apart, and gathered by itself when it ripens. In this way, he observes
the labor and expense of the vintage will be lessened, the mixture of
ripe and unripe grapes will be in a great measure avoided, the genuine
I The " Vocabulario della Crusea" gives the etymon moscado, "musk."
EXCURSUS III. MANAGEMENT OF THE VINTAGE. 683
flavor of each sort will be preserved entire in the must, and improve in
the wine, until it has reached its utmost perfection.*
EXCURSUS III.
MANAGEMENT OF THE VINTAGE, AND MODES OF PREPARING THE MUST.
In warm and low situations the vintage of the ancients began toward
tne end of September, but in most places it was deferred till tbe follow-
ing month. When the tendrils of the vine were observed to fall loose
upon the stalks ; when, on pulling a grape from the bunch, the void show-
ed no tendency to fill up ; and when the stones had acquired a brown or
blackish color, the fruit was deemed sufficiently ripe for gathering. As
nothing is more prejudicial to the quality of the wine than the mixture of
unripe with ripe grapes, it was usual to begin with those parts of the vine-
yards where they had attained their fullest maturity, and with the early
and black kinds in the first instance. It was deemed improper to pull
them when they were parched by the sun or while they were covered
with dew. Those first collected were thought to yield the largest quan-
tity of must ; but the second gathering gave the best wine, the third the
sweetest. In some countries, as in Bithynia and Narbonne, it was the
custom to twist the stalks of the grapes, and to strip the leaves around
them, leaving them thus exposed to the full force of the sun's rays for a
period of thirty days previous to the vintage ; in other places, in order to
obtain a richer wine, the grapes, after they were gathered, were spread
on crates to dry for three or four days in the sun.'
In making the common wines, the grapes, as soon as collected, were
conveyed in baskets [corbes or Jiscinee) to the cellar or press-room [torcula-
rium), where they were first trodden, and afterward subjected to the ac-
tion of the press, the juice that issued being allowed to flow into the vat,
or cistern (lacus), which was generally of mason-work, fined with plaster,
and sunk into the ground. That the ancients were fully aware how much
the quality of the wine is influenced by the expedition with which these
operations are performed, appears from the direction given by Pliny,
namely, to press at once as much as would fill twenty culei ; for which
purpose he conceives that one press and one vat were amply sufficient
where the size of the vineyard did not exceed twenty jugera. When the
juice had ceased to flow from the press, some were in the practice of cut-
ting the edges of the cake, and obtaining, by a fresh pressure, a secondary
wine, which they called vinum tortivum or circumcisitium [vin de faille),
and which was kept apart, as it was apt to have an irony taste. The
pressed skins were then thrown into casks, and, being fermented with a
quantity of water, furnished an inferior liquor, called by the Greeks devre-
pLog or -&dfjLva, and by the Romans lora [quod lota acina), which serves
as a beverage for the laborers in winter, whence it was sometimes, also,
called vinum operarium.3
At first the torcular, or wine-press, appears to have been of a very sim-
1. Lib. iii., 21.
2. Plin., H. N., xviii., 31. PaUad., De Re Rustica, x., 11. Varr., i., 54. Geopon
ica, vii., 18. Colum., xii., 29. 3. Cato, De Re Rustica, 25, Varr., ioc. ciL
684 EXCURSUS III. PREPARATION OF THE MUST.
pie construction, consisting of little more than an upright frame, in which
was fixed a long beam, or lever {prelum), commonly loaded with stonea
to give it greater weight, and having thongs and ropes attached to the
handle, by which it could be more easily worked.1 Another simple mode
of pressing the grapes, if we may confide in the authority of an ancient
painting, was by placing them in a trough, fixed in the bottom of an up-
right square frame, in which were three cross-beams moving in grooves,
and having a row of conical wedges between each beam, which could be
driven in by mallets.2 When the mechanical powers became better un-
derstood, the screw and windlass were introduced, by which means a
more steady and vigorous pressure was supplied ; and subsequent inven-
tions gave a more convenient form to the rude and cumbersome appara-
tus of early times.
For the ordinary wines, the fermentation was suffered to continue till it
worked itself out, or, according to Pliny, for about nine days ; and, as the
mass was so considerable, it is evident that the process would go on with
rapidity, and that a great portion of the aroma and alcohol of the wine
would be dissipated before the operation was at an end, especially when
the grapes did not abound in saccharine matter. In order to obviate this
fault, various methods were contrived for preserving the virtues of the
must unimpaired, and for procuring from it a richer and more durable wine,
of which the authors so often referred to have transmitted very copious
details.
In the first place, the juice that flowed from the gentle pressure of the
grapes upon one another, as they were heaped in the baskets or troughs
previously to their being trodden, was carefully collected in the vessels in
which it was intended to be preserved, and set aside till the following
summer, when it was exposed during forty days to the strongest heat of
the sun.3 As it was procured from the most luscious grapes, and kept
from the contact of the external air, the fermentation which it underwent
would be very slight, and it would retain in perfection the full flavor of
the fruit. To this liquor, which appears to have been first made at Myti-
lene, in the island of Lesbos,4 and which was in very high estimation, the
ancients gave the several names of 7vp6xv/J.a, Trpodpo/iog, or TrpoTponoc,
mustum sponte dejluens, antequam calcentur uvce.
Sometimes, however, when the quantity of juice thus obtained was ei-
ther too small, or not sufficiently saccharine to enable it to keep without
further preparation, the must that collected in the vat, before the grapes
were subjected to the press (mustum lixivium), was put into an amphora,
which was properly coated and secured by a well-pitched cork, and then
sunk in a pond, where it was allowed to remain about a month, or till
after the winter solstice. When taken up, it was commonly found to have
lost all tendency to ferment, and might be preserved unchanged during a
whole year or more.5 In this state it was considered as something be-
1. The representation of a rude wine-press, as exhibited on an antique bass-relief
found among the ruins of Hadrian's villa, has been given by Piranesi, in No. 55 of
his Vasi, &c. 2. Pitture d'Ercolano, vol. i., p. 187.
3. Plin., H. N., xiv., 9. 4. Athenaus, i., 23.
5. " Antequam prelo vinacea subjiciantur, de lacu quam recentissimum addito
EXCURSUS III. PREPARATION OF THE MUST. 685
tween a sirup and a wine, and was termed by the Greeks aeiyfevicic, i. en
semper mustum. When, instead of being placed in a fresh-water pond,
the vessel was plunged into the sea, the liquor was thought to acquire
very speedily the flavor of age, " quo geiiere prcecoxfit vetustas," and the
wine so obtained was denominated ^aAaaairrjg. To this practice the
oracle given to the fishermen, desiring them to dip Bacchus into the sea,
may be supposed to allude.1
The preparation of the passum, or wine from half-dried grapes, varied
in different places. The grapes selected were chiefly of the apian or
muscat kind, and were allowed to remain on the vine until they had
shrunk to nearly one half their original bulk, or else they were gathered
when fully ripe, and, being carefully picked, were hung to dry in the sun,
upon poles or mats six or seven feet from the ground, care being taken to
protect them from the nightly dew ; but some preferred the expedient of
immersing them in boiling oil. After they had been thus treated they
were freed from the stalk and introduced into a barrel, and a quantity of
the best must, sufficient to cover the whole, was thrown over them. In
this they were allowed to soak five or six days, at the expiration of which
they were taken out, put into a frail, and submitted to the operation of
the press. This was the choicest sort of passum ; an inferior kind was
obtained by adding rain water, that had been previously boiled, instead
of must, the other parts of the process remaining the same. When the
apian grapes were used, they were first trodden in the cask, with a sprink-
ling of wine to each layer as it was thrown in, and, after five days, were
again trodden before they were squeezed. When the fermentation ceas-
ed, the liquor was decanted into clean vessels to be stored for use.
On other occasions, when the juice of the grapes was deemed too thin
and watery for the production of a good wine, as was almost always the
case in rainy seasons, it was boiled down to a greater consistence, and a
small portion of gypsum was added to it. The Lacedaemonians, we are
told by Democritus, were in the practice of reducing it one fifth part, and
keeping it four years before it was drunk ; others were satisfied with the
evaporation of a twentieth part of the bulk.2 Sometimes, however, the
inspissation was carried much further, and the boiling prolonged till one
third, one half, or even two thirds of the liquor were evaporated. The
place where this operation was performed was called the defrutarium.
When the must was inspissated to one half, it acquired the name of do-
frutum ; when two thirds were left, the liquor was denominated care-
num ; and when reduced to one third, it received the appellation of sapa
among the Romans, and alpatov and hp7]/xa among the Greeks ; but the
proportions are not always stated in the same manner, and were no doubt
regulated, in some degree, by the original quality of the must.3 The last-
mentioned liquor, when obtained from rich grapes, appears to have been
drunk as a wine, and may be regarded as corresponding to the boiled
mustum in amphoram novam, eamque oblinito, et impicato diligenter, ne quic-
quam aquae introire possit Tunc in piscinam frigidae et dulcis aquae totam am-
phoram mergito, ita ne qua pars extet Deinde post dies quadraginta eximito.
Sic usque in annum dulce permanebit." — Colum., xii., 29. Cato, c. 120.
1. Plutarch, Quaest Nat., 27 (Op., ed. Reiske, vol. ix., p. 620).
2. Geoponica, vii., 4. 3. Colum., xii., 19. Pallad., xi., 18. DUiscor., v., 9
686 EXCURSUS III. PREPARATION OF THE MUST.
wines of the moderns ; but the two former were chiefly employed for cor
recting weak must, and for preparing various condiments, which were re-
sorted to for the purpose of heightening the flavors of the/ ancient wines.
They were, in fact, identical with the sabe or raising of the French, and
the sapa of the Italians, which are still used for culinary purposes, and
which are made according to the same rules.1
Accident is said to have led to the discovery of another method of pre-
paring the must. A slave, who had stolen part of the contents of a cask,
adopted the expedient of filling up the deficiency with sea water, which,
on examination, was thought to have improved the flavor of the liquor ;
and thenceforth the practice of adding salt water to certain wines became
very common among the Greeks. For this purpose the water was direct-
ed to be taken up as far as j>ossible from the shore, and in a calm and clear
day, in order that it might be had of the requisite strength and purity,
and to be boiled down to about a third part before it was added to the
wine. Columella mentions that his uncle was in the habit of first keep-
ing it six years, and then evaporating it for use ; and that of the liquor so
prepared a sextarius was sufficient for an amphora, being in the proportion
of about a pint to little more than six gallons. "Some persons," he adds,
" throw in as much as two or three sextarii ; and I should not hesitate to do
so also, if the wine were strong enough to bear this admixture, without be-
traying a saline taste,"2 of which it must be acknowledged there was no
small risk. Nevertheless, several of the Greek sweet wines were manufac-
tured in this manner ; and Cato has left us particular receipts for imitating
them, in which the allowance of sea water, or salt, is always a conspicuous
ingredient.3 " Hoc vinum," he assures us, when speaking of one of these
artificial compounds, " non erit deteHus quam Coum." Whatever the com-
parative merits of the Coan wine may have been, there is reason to sus-
pect that the taste of the censor was not very refined, and that the liquor
which he thus extols could never have become very grateful, even al-
though it was allowed to ripen four years in the sun. When Horace de-
scribes the Chian wine, at the supper of Nasidienus, as being " maris ex-
pers,"* he has been generally supposed to allude' to its being of inferior
quality from the want of salt water, whereas he probably meant to in-
sinuate that it had never travelled on the sea, but was a factitious or
bome-made wine. For the more delicate wines, such as the avOuajxiac,
the proportion of sea water was only one fiftieth part.5
These were all the more simple preparations of the must, which appear
to have been adopted with the view of rendering it more durable ; but, as
several of the methods in question, instead of tending to preserve the
vinous qualities of the liquor, were rather calculated to injure and destroy
them, other means were devised for restoring to it a due degree of flavor
and aroma. Considering the attention that was bestowed on the evapora-
tion of the must, and the extensive scale on which the process was con-
ducted, it is somewhat extraordinary that the ancients should have con-
1. " Aujourd'hui," says Olivier de Serres, "nous appellons sabe le moust, qui par
boullir se consume de la moiti6 ; duquel nous nous servons seulement pour faire
des sauces en l'appareil des viandes." — Theatre d'Agriculture (ed. 1814), i., 297.
2. De Re Rustica, xii., 21. 3. Cap. xxiv., 105.
4. Serm., ii., 8, 15. 5. Atlwnaus, i., ~-i
EXCURSUS III. PREPARATION OF THE MUST. 687
tinued in ignorance of the art of separating the alcohol from the other
component parts of the wine, the more especially as they had occasional-
ly remai'ked the inflammability of the latter fluid ; but as no hint occurs
in their writings from which it can be inferred that they had the most dis-
tant idea of such an operation, it is clear, there could be no question of
strengthening their liquors, according to the modern fashion, by the ad-
mixture, namely, of a greater or less portion of ardent spirit. They were,
therefore, obliged to have recourse to such substances as, from their fra-
grant odor and agreeable pungency, were most likely to impart the de-
sired properties, " ut odor vino contingat, et saporis quaedam a cumina."
For this purpose it was not unusual to sprinkle a quantity of pounded
pitch or rosin on the must during the first fermentation, or, after it was
completed, to infuse the flowers of the vine, the leaves of the pine or cy-
press, bruised myrtle-berries, the shavings of cedar wood, southern wood,
bitter almonds, and numberless other articles of a similar nature -,1 but a
more common mode of proceeding seems to have been to mix these in-
gredients, in the first instance, with the defrutum, or inspissated must,
and boil the whole to a thick consistence, and then to add a small portion
of the confection to a certain quantity of the new wine. When we peruse
the receipts for this decoction which Columella has delivered, we can not
but be struck with the large proportions and potency of the substances
employed. To ninety amphorae of must, for example, which had been
evaporated to a third, ten sextarii of liquid Nemeturican pitch, or tar,
washed in boiled sea water, and a pound and a half of turpentine resin, are
directed to be added ; and the liquor being again reduced two thirds, six
pounds of crude pitch, in powder, are to be gradually mixed with it, to
gether with a liberal allowance of various aromatic herbs, such as spike-
nard, fleur-de-lis, myrrh, cardamoms, saffron, melilot, cassia, sweet-scent-
ed flag, &c, all well bruised and sifted. Of this farrago, Columella informs
us that he usually allotted four ounces to two amphorae, or thirteen and a
half gallons, when the vintage was watery, but. in dry seasons three
ounces sufficed ; and he prudently cautions the wine-dealer not to make
the artificial savor too palpable, lest his customers should be deterred by
it from purchasing the wine.3 It was only for the inferior wines, how-
ever, that such medicaments were used ; for, as the same author, in a
preceding chapter, justly remarks, " that wine which is capable of being
preserved for years without any condiment must be reckoned the best^
and nothing ought to be mixed with it by which its genuine flavor may
be corrupted and disguised ; whatever pleases by its natural qualities is
to be deemed the most choice."3
Many of the articles which enter into the above-mentioned formula, be
ing of an insoluble nature, would be gradually precipitated, and may be
considered as operating chiefly in the way of finings ; in fact, several of
them seem to have been adopted with this intention, and would, doubt-
less, often answer the twofold purpose of perfuming and clarifying the
wine. But as the disorder of acescence would be apt to occur in all
those cases where the fermentation had been allowed to exhaust itself, it
became necessary to resort to more effectual means for checking this ten-
dency, and giving to the wines a proper degree of durability. With this
1. Geoponica, vii., 12, 20. 2. De Re Rustic», xii., 20. 3. Ibid., xii., 19
689 EXCURSUS IV. WINE-VESSELS.
view, milk, chalk, pounded shells, toasted salt, or gypsum, were employ-
ed by some persons ; others used lighted torches, or hot irons, which they
extinguished in the wine ; and others, again, recommended the ashes of
the vine-stalks, roasted gall-nuts or cedar-cones, burned acorns or olive-
kernels, sweet almonds, and a variety of similar substances, which were
generally introduced into the wine after the first fermentation was finish-
ed, i Whether the ancients were acquainted with the operations of sul-
phuring is uncertain. Pliny, indeed, mentions sulphur as one of the arti-
cles used by Cato to fine his wines, " vina concinnari ;" but as that part of
his works in which he describes its employment is lost, we have no means
of determining whether he applied it in a solid form or in the state of
vapor. In one place, it is true, he directs a pitched tile, with a live coal
and various aromatics, to be suspended in the cask previously to the in-
troduction of the wine ; but this was chiefly with the design of imparting
an agreeable perfume, and with no view to the clarifying of the liquor.3
A similar receipt is given by him, for removing any unpleasant odor that
the wine may have contracted. The practice of fining with the whites of
eggs seems to have been common, as both Falladius and Fronto give di-
rections for it ;3 and the passage of Horace,* in which he alludes to the
mending of Surrentine wine with the lees of Falernian, shows that the
yolks of pigeon's eggs were also used for the same purpose, unless, as there
is some reason to suspect, the poet has mistaken the yolk for the white.
EXCURSUS IV.
OF THE WINE-VESSELS AND WINE-CELLARS OF THE ANCIENTS.
When the fermentation in the vat had ceased, the wine was introduced
into those vessels in which it was destined to remain for use, or until it
had undergone certain changes which rendered a subsequent transfusion
advisable. As it was commonly in this stage that the medicaments de-
scribed in the preceding excursus were added, a considerable degree of
secondary fermentation would necessarily take place ; and this effect
would be still further increased by the preparations which were applied
to the inside of the vessels, and which were resorted to with the same
view, and consisted of much the same substances as the condiments used
for mingling with the wine. When the wine was put into a cask, care
was taken not to fill it too full, but to allow sufficient space for the froth or
scum which would be thrown up, and which is directed to be diligently
removed by ladles, or with the hand, during the first five days.5 It was
also deemed of importance to cleanse the cellar or press-room from all pu-
trid and acescent substances, and to keep up an agreeable odor in them
by means of fumigations.
The most ancient receptacles for wine were probably the skins of ani-
mals (aCKoi, utres), rendered impervious by oil or resinous gums. When
Ulysses proceeded to the cave of the Cyclops, he is described as carrying
with him a goat-skin filled with the rich black wine he had received from
Maron, the priest of Apollo.6 In the celebrated festal procession of Ptole-
my Philadelphus there is said to have been a car twenty-five cubits in
1. Geoponica, vii., 12. 2. De Re Rustica, c. 113. 3. Geoponica, vii., 22
4. Serm., ii., 4, 55. 5. Geoponica, vi., 12. 6. Odyss., ix., 195
EXCURSUS IV. WINE-VESSELS. 689
length and fourteen in breadth, in which was borne an liter made of pan-
thers' hides, and containing three thousand amphor® of wine, which was
allowed to flow from it slowly, as it was dragged along ;* bat, unless this
enormous wine-skin had been protected by some solid casing, it could not
have resisted the lateral pressure of such a body of liquor. As the arts
improved, vessels of clay were introduced, and the method of glazing
them being unknown, or, at least, not used for this purpose, a coating of
pitch was applied, in order to prevent the exudation of the liquor. In some
places where wood abounded, as in the neighborhood of the Alps and in
Illyria, wine-casks were made of that material ; but the vessels in gen-
eral use among the Greeks and Romans were of earthen-ware; and great
nicety was shown in choosing for their construction such clay as was least
porous, and bore the action of the furnace best. But it was only the
smaller sort that could be made on the wheel ; the larger were formed on
the ground, in stoves, where a sufficient degree of heat for baking them
could be applied. 2 They had, for the most part, a bulging shape, with a
wide mouth, and the lips were turned out in such a way as to prevent the
ashes and pitch, with which they were smeared, from falling in when the
cover was removed. When new, these vessels received their coating im-
mediately on being taken out of the furnace. As such of them as were
of any considerable size were liable to rents and other accidents, it was
customary to bind them with leaden or oaken hoops, in order to preserve
them entire.3 Pancirollus affirms that they were occasionally capacious
enough to hold a wagon load of wine, or one hundred and twenty am-
phorae ;* but this is hardly credible. That they were often very large,
however, is certain, for we read of dolia sesquiculearia, or tuns which held
a culeus and a half, or three hogsheads and one third. The culearia ap-
pear to have been the vessels in which the ordinary wines were common-
ly sold.
As the Greeks gave the preference to small vessels for the preservation
of their wines, we may infer that their casks (nidot) were of more moder-
ate capacity. Their largest wine-measure was the /xeTprjTTjg, containing
eight gallons, six pints, and a quarter ; and the Kadoe, Kepu.fj.LOv, and d/x-
(popevc5 were earthen-ware vases which held about that quantity. The
quadrantal, or cube of the Roman foot, on the other hand, was equivalent
to forty-eight sextarii, or twenty-seven English quarts ; and the testa, ca-
dus, diota, and amphora of the Romans were, for the most part, of that
measure. The urna was equal to half an amphora. The last-mentioned
vessel was generally of an elegant form, with a narrow neck, to which the
two handles were attached, and the body tapering toward the bottom, by
which means it could be fixed with little trouble in the ground, and the
sediment which was deposited by the wine could not be easily disturbed
by the process of decanting. Those made at Cnidos and Athens, but par-
ticularly the latter place, were most esteemed, whence the representation
of an amphora upon certain of the Attic coins. Sometimes the name of
the maker, or of the place where they were manufactured, was stamped
upon the neck.
1. Athenaus, v., 7. 2. Geoponica, vi., 3. 3. Cato, c. 39.
4. Rerum Memorabilium, i., 138.
5. By syncope, from dn(pi<popevs, so called from the twe handles attached to the
neck, by which it was carried. The 6i wtt? had its name from a similar circumstance
690 EXCURSUS IV. WINE-CELLARS.
Occasionally these vessels received a lining of plaster, which was thought
to diminish the roughness of the wine; but the more common preparation,
as has been already hinted, was with pitch, mastic, oil, and various aro-
matic substances ; and, as the quality of the wine depended on the due seas-
oning, great care was taken to have them in proper order for the vintage.
In some of the receipts for the process in question, wax is recommended
as a useful addition to the other ingredients, especially if a dry wine was
desired ; but Pliny and other writers condemn its use, as tending to cause
acescency.1 Before the wine was introduced, the casks, or, at least, the
orifices and covers, were usually smeared with a composition of much the
same nature as the condiments above described. When the vessels were
filled, and the disturbance of the liquor had subsided, the covers, or stop-
pers, were secured with plaster, or a coating of pitch mixed with the ashes
of the vine, so as to exclude all communication with the external air.
The casks containing the stronger wines were placed in the open air, or
in sheds where they could receive the benefit of the sun's rays ;a but, in
general, they were ranged along the walls of the wine-cellar, and sunk to
a greater or less depth in sand. In this situation they were allowed to
remain till the wine was judged to have acquired a suflicient maturity,
or, after it had undergone a proper clarification, the contents were trans-
ferred to smaller vessels. In what manner they were emptied is not very
clear. The phrases descriptive of the operation would indeed imply that
the Romans had no other mode of racking their wines3 than by inclining
the cask to one side, and thus pouring out the liquor ; but such a method
must have been attended with great trouble and inconvenience, especial-
ly iu those cases where the vessels had been fixed in the ground, and as
many of them remained stationary, it may be presumed that they must
have had other contrivances for discharging the contents. The siphon
used by the Greeks and Romans for tasting their wines appears to have
been merely a tube open at both ends, like the instruments still employ-
ed for that purpose, by which a portion of wine may be drawn, by suction,
from any part of the cask ; but if the same term also denoted a fire-engine,
by which water might be forced to a considerable height,* we may fairly
conclude that the use of the piston was occasionally resorted to for the
purpose of emptying the larger tuns.
For the wine-cellar (cella vinaria), the writers on rural economy gener-
ally advise a northern aspect, and one not much exposed to the light, in or-
der that it may not be liable to sudden vicissitudes of temperature ; and they
very properly inculcate the necessity of placing it at a distance from the
furnaces, baths, cisterns, or springs of water, stables, dunghills, and every
sort of moisture and effluvia likely to affect the wine. Pancirollus is of
opinion that the ancients were not in the practice of having repositories
of wine under ground, like our modern cellars ;5 and, unquestionably, there
is no direct evidence in their works of the existence of those " extended
1. Geoponica, vi., 5, 6. Plin., H. N., xiv., 20.
2. "CampaniaB nobilissinia exposita sub dio cadis verberari sole, luna, imbre,
mentis, aptissimum videtur." — Plin., H. N., xiv., 21.
3. " Non ante verso lene merum cado."— Horat., Carm. iii., 29, 2.
4. See Hesychius, in voce 'Eiipwv. BeckmaniVs Gescbichte der Erfindungen, jr.
p. 430. 5. Rer. Memorab., i., 2, 8.
EXCURSUS IV. WINE-CELLARS. 691
vaults of different dimensions" which Barry has figured to himself; but,
as they were so careful to secure the benefit of a cool and equable atmos-
phere for their wines, we can hardly suppose that they would overlook
the advantages to be derived from this mode of building. The directions
given by Palladius for the construction of a wine-cellar show that it was,
at least in part, excavated ; for he recommends that it should be three or
four steps below the level of the calcatorium, or place where the grapes
were trodden, so that the liquor that collected in the vats could be drawn
off into the casks, as they stood ranged against the walls, by means of
conduits or earthen tubes.1 When the quantity of wine made was great-
er than the casks could conveniently hold, a row of tuns {ctcpcs) was dis-
posed along the middle of the floor, on raised stands, so as to leave a free
passage between them and the casks ; or, if these were buried in the
ground, with a gang-way over them.
In these cellars, which may be considered as analogous to the celliers
of the French, the lighter wines, or such as lasted only from one vintage
to another, were kept ; but the stronger and more durable kinds were
transferred to another apartment, which by the Greeks was called uttoOtj-
kij or Tuduv, and which, among the Romans, was generally placed above
the fumarium, or drying kiln, in order that the vessels might be exposed
to such a degree of smoke as was calculated to bring the wines to an early
maturity.2 This, however, was an invention of the later ages. When
Telemachus goes to draw the necessary supply of wine for his voyage, he
is represented as descending to his father's high-roofed chamber (-b-^opo^ov
daXafiov evpvv), which seems to have been a sort of treasury or store-
house, where, with jars of fragrant oil, and chests containing gold, and
brass, and raiment,
" Many a cask with season'd nectar fill'd,
The grape's pure juice divine, beside the wall
Stood waiting, orderly arranged ;"3
and he desires to fill him twelve amphorae with the wine next in richness
to that which was reserved for his sire's return, and to adapt fit stoppers
to the whole.4 From this account, it is manifest that, in the earliest times,
there was no separate repository for wines, but that it was kept in large
vessels, and in a vaulted apartment, along with other articles of value, and
was drawn off into amphorae as it was wanted for use.
From some allusions in the classics,5 it has been contended that the an-
1. *' Basilica? ipsiu9 forma, calcatorium loco habeat altiore constructum ; ad quod
inter duos lacus, qui ad excipienda vina hinc inde depreeai sint, gradibus tribus
fere aut quatuor ascendatur. Ex his lacubus canales structi, vel tubi fictiles circa
extremos parietes currant, et subjectis lateri suo doliis per vicinos meatus manantia
yina defundant" — De Re Rustica, i., 18.
2. ■ Apothecae recte superponentur his locis, unde plerumque fumus (balnearum)
exoritur, quoniam vina celeriua veterascunt, quae fumi quodam tenore prascocem
maturitatem trahunt." — Colum., i., 6.
3. 'Ep 5i xidot oipoio TTaXaiov fjSvTrdroto
tGTaoav aKprjTov, Stiov ttot6v, ivrbs ixovreS,
l\ziris iron ro?xov apfiporti. — Odyss., ii., 340.
4. AwJsKa 8' tunXrjaov Kal Tr<I>/iaoiv apaov aitavraS. — Odyss., ii., 353.
5. Hor.t Carm., ii., 3.
692 EXCURSUS V. FUMARIUM.
cients were fully aware of the advantages of having both outer and innel
cellars, and that they devoted the latter to the reception of their more val-
uable wines. Assuredly, if their repositories, as Horace insinuates, were
capable of containing a thousand amphora? at a time,1 we may easily con-
ceive that they might have been divided into different cells, and that the
innermost would be reserved for the best vintages. But, in the passage
above referred to, the phrase "interiore nota" may merely imply that the
wine in question came from the remotest end of the cellar, and was there-
fore the oldest and choicest, or that it was part of the stock which had
been put aside for festal occasions. The " hundred keys" of the cellars in
which the precious Cscuban vintages are said to have been stored, can
be considered only as a poetical amplification.
Previously, however, to depositing the amphora? in the apotheca, it was
usual to put upon them a label or mark indicative of the vintages, and of
the names of the consuls in authority at the time, in order that, when they
were taken out, their age and growth might be easily recognized.* With
the luxuriant Romans this became a point of great importance ; so that,
to particularize a choice sample, it was sufficient to mention the year in
which it was placed in the cellar, as is abundantly proved by numerous
passages of their poets ; and the term nota was very commonly employed
in reference to the quality of the liquor, as in the line of Horace above
cited. Pliny affirms that this mode of designating wines originated from
the frequent adulterations that were practiced in the manufacture, so that
they could only be distinguished by the cellar marks.3 Sometimes these
marks were obliterated by the smoke to which the vessels had been ex-
posed, as Juvenal alleges to have been the case with regard to some very
old Setine wine ;4 and the custom of placing implicit faith in such a crite-
rion must have given birth to numberless impositions, as nothing could be
more easy than to substitute one consul's name for another, or to give the
semblance of age to a new label.
EXCURSUS V.
FUMARIUM.
The application of the fumarium to the mellowing of wines was bor-
rowed from the Asiatics, who were in the habit of exposing their wines
to the heat of the sun on the tops of their houses, and afterward placing
them in apartments warmed from below, in order that they might be more
speedily rendered fit for use.5 As the flues by which the ancient dwell
ings were heated were probably made to open into the apotheca, it is ob-
vious that a tolerably steady temperature could be easily supplied, and
1. Hor., Serm., ii., 3, 115.
2. Among the amphorae lately found on the site of the ancient Leptis, and now
deposited in the British Museum, ia one with the following inscription in vermilion*
L. CASSIO
C. MARIO
COS.
It had, consequently, been filled with the vintage of the year 647 A.U.C., wheu
Jjucius Cassius Longinus and Caius Marius Nepos were consuls, and when Marius
himself was contending with Jugurthafor the possession of the adjacent province.
3. Hist. Nat., xxiii., 1. 4. Sat., v., 34. 5. Galen, Simpl., iv., 14.
EXCURSUS V. INSPISSATED WINES. 693
that the vessels would be more folly exposed to the action of the smoke
Although the tendency of this procedure may, according to our modern
notions, appear very questionable, yet, when attentively considered, it
does not seem to differ much from that of the more recent method of mel-
lowing Madeira, and other strong wines, by placing them in a hot-house,
or in the vicinity of a kitchen fire or baker's oven, which is found to assist
the development of their flavor, and to bring them to an early maturity.
As the earthen vases in which the ancient wines were preserved were
defended by an ample coating of pitch or plaster, it is not likely that the
smoke could penetrate so as to alloy and v'tiate the genuine taste and
odor of the liquor ; but the warmth which was kept up by its means
would have the effect of softening the harshness of the stronger wines,
and probably of dissipating, to a certain extent, the potent aroma of the
condiments with which they were impregnated. Although Tibullus gives
the epithet "smoky" to the Falernian wines thus prepared,1 and Horace
speaks of the amphora with which he proposed to celebrate the calends
of March as having been laid up " to imbibe the smoke" during the con-
sulship of Tullus,2 they are not to be understood as alluding to the flavoi
of the liquor, but merely to the process by which it was brought to a high
degree of mellowness. The description of Ovid, however, may be con-
sidered as more correct, for he applies the term only to the cask in which
the wine was inclosed.3 At the same time, it must be acknowledged
that the practice in question was liable to great abuse ; and we may
readily conceive that, from the success attending the experiment as ap-
plied to the first-rate growths, it might happen that many inferior wines,
though not at all adapted for the operation, would nevertheless be made
to undergo it, in the vain hope of bettering their condition ; that, from an
anxiety to accelerate the process, the wines would be sometimes exposed
to a destructive heat; or that, from inattention to the corking of the ves-
sels, the smoke might enter them, and impart a repulsive savor to the
contents. As these forced wines were in great request at Home and in
the provinces, the dealers would often be tempted to send indifferent
specimens into the market ; and it is not, perhaps, without reason, that
Martial* inveighs so bitterly against the produce of the fumaria of Mar-
seilles, particularly those of one Munna, who seems to have been a noto-
rious offender in this line, and whom the poet humorously supposes to have
abstained from revisiting Rome lest he should be compelled to drink his
own wines.
EXCURSUS VI.
INSPISSATED WINES AND VARIETIES OF ANCIENT WINES.
One certain consequence of the long exposure of the amphorae to the
influence of the fumarium must have been, that a portion of the contents
would exhale, and that the residue would acquire a greater or less degree
of consistence ; for, however well the vases might have been coated and
lined, or however carefully they might have been closed, yet, from the
nature of the materials employed in their composition, from the action of
the vinous fluid from within, and the effect of the smoke and heat from
without, it was quite impossible that some degree of exudation should not
1. Eleg., ii., 1. 2. Carm., iii., 8, 9. 3. Fast, v., 317. 4. Epig., x., 36.
694 EXCURSUS VI. INSPISSATED WINES.
take place. As the more volatile parts of the must were often evaporated
by boiling, and as various solid or viscid ingredients were added to the
wine previously to its introduction into the amphorae, it is manifest that a
further exhalation must have reduced it to the state of a sirup or extract»
In the case of the finer wines, it is true, this effect would be in some meas-
ure counteracted by the influence of the insensible fermentation; and a
large proportion of the original extractive matter, as well as of the hetero-
geneous substances suspended with it, would be precipitated on the sides
and bottoms of the vessels, in the form of lees ; but in other instances, the
process of inspissation would go on, without much abatement from this
cause. Hence it comes that so many of the ancient wines have been de-
scribed as thick and fat, and that they were not deemed ripe for use un-
til they had acquired an oily smoothness from age. Hence, too, the prac
tice of employing strainers {cola vinaria) to clarify them, and free them
from their dregs. In fact, they often became consolidated to such a de-
gree that they could no longer be poured from the vessels, and it was
necessary to dissolve them in hot water before they could be drunk. We
learn from Aristotle that some of the stronger wines, such as the Arcadian,
were reduced to a concrete mass when exposed in skins to the action of
the smoke ;x and the wine-vases, discovered among the ruins of Hercu
laneum and Pompeii, have generally been found to contain a quantity of
earthy matter. It is clear, then, that those wines which were designed
for long keeping could not have been subjected to the highest temperature
of the fumariurn without being almost always reduced to an extract. In-
deed, Columella warns the operator that such might be the issue of the
process, and recommends that there should be a loft above the apotheca
into which the wines could be removed, " ne rursvs nimia sujfttione med-
icata sint."
For the more precious wines the ancients occasionally employed ves-
sels of glass. The bottles, vases, cups, and other articles of that material,
which are to be seen in every collection of antiquities, prove that they had
brought the manufacture to a great degree of perfection. We know that,
for preserving fruits, they certainly gave the preference to glass jars ; and
at the supper of Trimalcio, so admirably depicted by Petronius, even am-
phora of glass are said to have been introduced.3 Whether they were
of the full quadrantal measure does not appear ; but, in all probability,
they were of more moderate dimensions, for we are told by Martial that
the choicest Falernian was kept in small glass bottles,3 and neither the
number of the guests nor the quality of the liquor, supposing it to have
been genuine, would have justified the use of full-sized amphora? on the
occasion above alluded to.
The ancients were careful to rack their wines only when the wind was
northerly, as they had observed that they were apt to be turbid when it
blew in an opposite direction. The weaker sorts were transferred, in the
spring, to the vessels in which they were destined to remain ; the stronger
kinds during summer ; but those grown on dry soils were not drawn off un
til after the winter solstice.* According to Plutarch, wines were most af-
fected by the west wind ; and such as remained unchanged by it were
1. Meteorolog., iv., 10. 2. Satyric, 34. 3. Epig., ii., 40. 4 Geoponica, vii , fi
EXCURSUS VI. VARIETIES OF ANCIENT WINES. 695
pronounced likely to keep well. Hence, at Athens, and in other parts of
Greece, there was a feast in honor of Bacchus on the eleventh day of the
month Anthesterion, when the westerly winds had generally set in, at
which the produce of the preceding vintage was first tasted. i In order to
allure customers, various tricks appear to have been practiced by the an-
cient wine-dealers ; some, for instance, put the new vintage into a cask
that had been seasoned with an old and high-flavored wine ; others placed
cheese and nuts in the cellar, that those who entered might be tempted
to eat, and thus have their palates blunted before they tasted the wine.
The buyer is recommended by Florentinus to taste the wines he proposes
to purchase duriug a north wind, when he will have the fairest chance of
forming an accurate judgment of their qualities.2
VARIETIES OF ANCIENT WINES.
The ancient wines were, for the most part, designated according to the
places where they grew; but occasionally they borrowed the appellation
of the grapes from which they were made ; and the name of the vine, or
vineyard, stood indiscriminately for that of the wine. When very old,
they received certain epithets indicative of that circumstance, as aanpi-
af, consulare, Opimianum. But as it sometimes happened that by long
keeping they lost their original flavor, or acquired a disagreeably bitter
taste, it was not unusual to introduce into them a portion of must, with
the view of correcting these defects : wine thus cured was called vinum
rccentatum. The wine presented to persons of distinction was termed
yeoovcioc3 or honorarium. Such was the rich sweet wine, of which
Ulysses had twelve amphoraB given him by Maron, and which was so
highly valued by the donor that he kept it carefully concealed from all
his household, save his wife and the intendant of his stores, as its attrac-
tions were not easily resisted.
None of the more generous wines were reckoned fit for drinking before
the fifth year, and the majority of them were kept for a much longer
period. The thin white wines are stated by Galen to have ripened
soonest, acquiring, first, a certain degree of sharpness, which, by the time
they were ten years old, gave place to a grateful pungency, if they did
not turn acid within the first four years. Even the strong and dry white
wines, he remarks, notwithstanding their body, were liable to acescency
after the tenth year, unless they had been kept with due care ; but if they
escaped this danger, they might be preserved for an indefinite length of
time. Such was the case more especially with the Surrentine wine
which continued raw and harsh until about twenty years old, and after-
ward improved progressively, seldom contracting any unpleasant bitter-
ness, but retaining its qualities unimpaired to the last, and disputing the
palm of excellence with the growths of Falernum.* The tramarine wines
which were imported into Italy were thought to have attained a moderate
age in six or seven years ; and such as were strong enough to bear a sea
voyage were found to be much improved by it.5
The lighter red wines (vina horna, fugacia) were used for common
1. Sympos., iii., qusest. 7. 2. Geoponica, viL, 7. 3. II., iv., 259.
1. Oribas., Coll. Med., v., 6. 5. Plin., Nat. Hist., xir., 18.
696 EXCURSUS VI. VARIETIES OF ANCIENT WINES.
drinking, and would seldom endure longer than from one vintage to an-
other, but in good seasons they would sometimes be found capable of
being preserved beyond the year. Of this description we may suppose
that Sabine wine to have been which Horace calls upon his friend tc
broach when four years old,* although in general the proper age of the Sa-
binum was from seven to fifteen years ; and the poet has abundantly
shown, in other parts of his works, that he knew how to value old wine,
and was seldom content with it so young. The stronger dark-colored
wines, when long kept, underwent a species of decomposition [cariem
vetustatis), from the precipitation of part of the extractive matter which
they contained. This, and the pungency [acumen) which such wines ac-
quired, were justly esteemed the proofs of their having arrived at their
due age. The genuine flavor of the vintage was then fully developed,
and all the roughness of its early condition was removed. From the mode,
however, in which the ancient wines were preserved, a greater or less in
spissation took place, and, if we may depend on the statement of Pliny,
this was most observable in the more generous kinds, and the taste be
came disagreeably bitter, obscuring the true flavor of the liquor. "Wine
of a middle age was therefore to be preferred, as being the most whole
some and grateful ;3 but in those days, as well as ours, it was the fashion
to place the highest value on whatever was rarest, and an extravagant
sum was often given for wines which were literally not drinkable. Such
seems to have been the case with the famous vintage of the year in which
L. Opimius Nepos was consul, being the 633d from the foundation of the
city, when, from the great warmth of the summer, all the productions of
the earth attained an uncommon degree of perfection. Velleius Patercu-
lus, who flourished 150 years afterward, denies that any of it was to be
had in his time ;3 but both Pliny and Martial, who were considerably pos-
terior to that historian, describe it as still inexhausted at the time when
they wrote. The former, indeed, admits that it was then reduced to the
consistence of honey, and could only be used in small quantities for flavor
ing other wines, or mixing with water.* Reckoning the original price to
have been one hundred nummi, or sixteen shillings and sixpence for the
amphora, he calculates that, according to the usual rate of Roman inter
est, a single ounce of this wine, at the time of the third consulate of Ca-
ligula, when it had reached its 160th year, must have cost at least one
nummus, or twopence, which would make the price of the quart amount
to six shillings and sixpence English.5
As the ordinary wines of Italy were produced in great abundance, they
were often sold at very moderate prices. Columella's reduced estimate
would make the cost about fourpence per gallon ; but we find from Pliny
that, when Licinius Crassus and Julius Caesar were consuls, an edict was
issued by them, prohibiting the sale of Greek and Aminean wine for eight
ases the amphora, which would be less than one penny a gallon ; and the
same author asserts, on the authority of Varro, that, at the time of Metel
lus's triumph, the congius, a somewhat smaller measure than our gallon,
was to be bought for a single as, or about three farthings English. With
these very low prices, however, it is not easy to reconcile the statement
1. Carm., i., 9, 7. 2. Hist. Nat, xxiii., 1.
3. Hist. Rom., ii., 7. 4. Hist. Nat xiT„ 4
5. LangwitKs Observations on Arbuthnot's Tables of Ancient Coins, &c, p. 37.
EXCURSUS VII. GREEK WINES. 697
of Cicero as to the rate of duties that were occasionally levied on wines
Thus one of the charges of maladministration brought against M. Fon
teius was that he had raised an undue sum of money in this manner ; but
Cicero proves the practice to have been by no means unusual, and men-
tions, among other instances, that of Titurius, who had exacted not less
than sixteen sestertii, or two shillings and sevenpence English for the
amphora, on the entry of wines into Toulouse i which would be upward
of four times the amount of the prices last quoted.
EXCURSUS VII.
GREEK WINES.
Among the Greek wines, the earliest of which we have any distinct
account is the Maronean, probably the production of the territory of that
name on the coast of Thrace, or of Ismaras, near the mouth of the Hebrus,
where Ulysses received the supply which he carried with him on his voy-
age to the land of the Cyclops. It was a black, sweet wine ; and from
the evident delight with which Homer enlarges on its virtues, we may
presume it to have been of the choicest quality. He describes it as "rich,
unadulterate, and fit drink for gods,-' and as so potent that it was usually
mixed with twelve measures of water.3 Pliny mentions the growths of
Maronea as being still in high estimation in his time, and of so strong a
nature that they were commonly drunk much diluted, namely, with eight
parts of water to one of wine ; and we collect from Dr. Sibthorpe's obser-
vations that one of the species of grapes now cultivated in the island of
Zante is called maronites ;3 the color, however, is white. Other parts
of Thrace were famous for their wines, but Ismarus seems to have long-
est maintained its credit.* The black wine of Sciathos, mentioned by one
of the poets, must have been of a much lighter quality, as it was drunk
with only an equal measure of water.
The Pramnian, which was a red, but not a sweet wine, appears to
have been of equal antiquity; for we find Hecamede, under the direction
of Nestor, preparing a copious draught of it for Machaon when he receiv-
ed the wound in his shoulder.5 According to certain writers, the Pram-
nian was derived from the island Icaria, where there was a rocky hill of
that name ; others describe it as the growth of Ephesus or Lesbos ; while
some, again, suppose that the appellation was intended to express its
durable quality, quasi napaiievioq, or denoted a particular grape from
which it was made.6 Be this as it may, we have sufficient authority for
pronouncing it to have been a strong, hard, astringent liquor, and perhaps
we shall not err much if we compare it to our common Port wine. It was
neither sweet nor thick, but austere, and remarkably potent and durable ;
in all which particulars it perfectly resembled the modern growth to which
we have ventured to assimilate it. Like Port, too, it was much commend-
ed for its medicinal uses, and on that account was sometimes called phar-
macifcz. The Athenians, however, would seem to have had no relish for
a beverage of this character ; for Aristophanes tells us " that they disliked
1. HLst. Nat., xiv., 4 ; xviii., 3- 2. Od., ix., 248.
3. Walpoies Collection, L, 293 4 Ovid, Fast, iii., 409. Virg., Georg., ii., 3a
5. II.. -si., 780 6. Aihemrts. i., 24.
Gg
Otft» EXCURSUS VII. GREEK WINES.
«hose poets who dealt in the rough and horrible as much as they abom-
mated the harsh Pramnian wine, which shrivelled the features and ob
structed the digestive organs. " But in these respects it was far exceed-
ed, if we may rely on the testimony of Alexis, by the Corinthian wine,
which to drink, he says, was actual torture.1 In the age of Pliny, the
Pramnian was still a noted growth of the vicinity of Smyrna.
It was in the luscious sweet wines that the Greeks surpassed all other
nations, and to this class the commendations of their later poets must be
regarded as chiefly applying. They were, for the most part, the products
of the islands of the Ionian and iEgean Seas, where the cultivation of the
vine was assiduously practiced, and where the finest climate, and the
choicest soils and exposures, gave to its fruit an uncommon degree of ex-
cellence. Lesbos, Chios, and Thasos in particular, seem each to have
contended for the superiority of its growths; but several of the other isl-
ands, such as Corey ra, Cyprus, Crete, Cnidos, and Rhodes, yielded wines
which were much esteemed for their sweetness and delicacy, and it was
from them that the greater part of Europe was supplied, till a compara-
tively recent period, with the richest sweet wines.
It has been already observed that these wines were not white, in the
proper acceptation of the term, but rather of a straw or amber color, ac-
cording to their greater or less age. This hue they would naturally derive
from their being fermented along with the skins of the grapes, which
were used in their ripest state, or after they had become partially dried,
and which, being generally of the muscat sort, would impart a grateful
perfume to the liquor, a quality on which the Greeks placed a due value,
as may be seen from the frequent allusions to it by their poets. The ex-
quisite aroma of the Saprian, which was probably Chian wine matured
by great age, has been noticed in the preceding excursus. The Lesbian
wine would seern to have been less odorous, but to have possessed a de-
licious flavor, for it is said to have deserved the name of ambrosia rather
than of wine, and to have been like nectar when old.a Horace terms the
Lesbian an "innocent" wine,3 but it was the prevailing opinion among
the ancients that all sweet wines were less injurious to the head, and
less apt to cause intoxication, than the strong dry wines. By Pliny, how-
ever, the growths of Chios and Thasos are placed before the Lesbian,
which, he affirms, had naturally a saltish taste ; but the Clazomenian,
which came from the coast of Ionia, and which was less adulterated with
sea water, is said to have been preferable to all the others, on account of
its purer flavor. The Thasian was a generous sweet wine, ripening
slowly, and acquiring by age a delicate odor of the apple. The Chian,
again, is, by some writers, described as a thick, luscious wine ; and that
which grew on the craggy heights of Ariusium, extending three hundred
stadia along the coast, is extolled by Strabo as the best of all Greek wines.*
From Athenaeus we learn that the produce of the Ariusian vineyards was
usually divided into three distinct species, a dry wine, a sweetish wine,
and a third sort of a peculiar quality, thence termed avTonparov.* All of
them seem to have been excellent of their kind, and they are frequently
1. 'O yap Kopivdioi flaaaviatibs Iotl. — Athenaus, i., 24. 2. Athenaus, i., 22
3 Carm. I, 17, 21. 4. Lib. xiv., c. ] 5. Lib. I, 25
EXCURSUS VII. GREEK WINES. 699
alluded to in terms of the highest commendation. i The Phanean, which
is extolled by Virgil as the king of wines, was also the product of the
same island. The wines of Naxos, Rhodes, and Cos, on the other hand,
were still more liable to the censure passed on the Lesbian in Pliny's time ;
and those of Zacynthus and Lcucadia had the character of being heady.
As the latter were prepared with gypsum, they were probably of a drier
nature and more potent quality than the wines of the other islands.
Among the lighter wines, the Mendean, which most likely took its name
from Mende, a town in Thrace, was a white wine, and of such moderate
strength, that it bore dilution with only three parts of water. For the
manufacture of it, the grapes, while still hanging on the vine, are said to
have been sprinkled with elaterium, which was supposed to impart a pe-
culiar softness to the wine. The Argitis, celebrated by Virgil for its ex-
traordinary durability, and procured from a small grape abounding in juice,
is also believed to have been a white wine.2 If this conjecture be well
founded, we may discover some analogy between it and the best growths
of the Rhine, which are obtained from a small white grape, and are re-
markable for their permanency. A little rough wine, named Omphacites,
was procured in Lesbos and Thasos from a particular species of grape,
which was gathered before it had attained its full maturity, and exposed
to the sun three or four days previously to pressure. After the first fer-
mentation was over, the casks were kept in a sunny situation till the
wine was sufficiently ripened.3
The above are all the principal wines of Greece to which it is possible
to assign distinctive characters. But, besides these indigenous growths,
the Greeks were familiar with the produce of the African and Asiatic
wines, of which several enjoyed a high reputation, and may be consider
ed as the parent stocks from which the first Grecian vineyards were sup-
plied. According to Florentinus, some of the Bithynian wines, but espe-
cially that procured from a species of grape called mersites, were of the
choicest quality* The wines of Byblos, in Phoeuicia, on the other hand,
vied in fragrancy with the Lesbiau ; and, if we may confide in the report
of Athenaeus, the white wines of Mareotis and Tcenia, in Lower Egypt,
were of almost unrivalled excellence. The former, which was sometimes
called Alexandrean, from the neighboring territory, was a light, sweetish
white wine, with a delicate perfume, of easy digestion, and not apt to af-
fect the head, though the allusion of Horace to its influence on the mind
of Cleopatra would seem to imply that it had not always preserved its in-
nocuous quality .s The wine of MeroS, however, which was produced at
the feast given to Caesar by that voluptuous female, would appear to have
been in still higher estimation, and to have borne some resemblance to
the Falernian.6 The T&niotic, on the other hand, which derived its name
from the narrow strip where it grew, was a gray or greenish wine ({>— c-
X^-wpoc), of a greater consistence and more luscious taste than the Mare-
otic, but accompanied with some degree of astringency, and a rich aro-
matic odor. The wine of Antylla, also the produce of the vicinity of Alex-
andrea, was the only remaining growth, from among the numerous vine-
1. Eclog., v., 71. Sil. Ital., vii., 210. 2. Georg., iL, 99.
3. Dioscorides, v., 12. 4. Geoponica, v., 2.
5. Carm i., 37. 14. 6. Lucan., Phara, x, 16a
700 EXCURSUS VIII. PRINCIPAL WINES OF THE ROMANS.
yards which flourished in Egypt, that attained any degree of celebrity.
Pliny commends the Sebennytic wine, which he describes as made from
three kinds of grapes, but without affording the means of determining its
peculiar quality.
On the mountain Tmolus, in Lydia, a brown sweet wine was produced,
which is classed by Virgil and Galen among the first-rate growths, but
described by Pliny as too luscious to be drunk by itself, and as chiefly
used for flavoring and correcting the harshness of other wines. The &cy-
bellites, so called from the place of its growth in Galatia, is only noticed
by Galen on account of its thickness and extreme sweetness. The Abates,
which was a wine of Cilicia, appears from his report to have been a sweet-
ish wine of a red color. The Tibenum, Arsynium, and Titucazenum, are
enumerated by the same author among the lighter growths of his native
country : the two first were pi-obably dry red wines ; the latter is de-
scribed as a sweet wine, but not very rich or high-colored. They ripen-
ed the soonest of all the Asiatic wines.
EXCURSUS VIII.
PRINCIPAL WINES OF THE ROMANS.
During the early ages of the republic, it is doubtful whether the Ro-
mans were much accustomed to the use of wine ; for the constant preda-
tory warfare with the neighboring states, in which they were engaged,
must have prevented them from giving that attention to their vineyards
which was necessary for bringing the produce to any degree of perfection.
Romulus directed milk to be used for the libations to the gods ; and a post-
humous law of Numa forbade the sprinkling of the funeral pile with wine,2
merely, as Pliny conceives, on account of its scarcity. That the vine,
however, was partially cultivated in those times, may be inferred from
the fact of Mezentius, king of Etruria, having been paid in wine for the
succor which he afforded the Rutilians in their war against the inhabit-
ants of Latium. It was not till the six hundredth year of the city, if the
assertion of the author just quoted be correct, that the Italian wines came
into such vogue as to be deemed superior to those of all other countries.
Few parts of Italy proved unfriendly to the vine ; but it flourished most
in that portion of the southwestern coast, to which, from its extraordinary
fertility and delightful climate, the name of Campania felix was given.
Concerning the extent of the territory in question, there is some difference
of opinion among ancient authors, in consequence of the various boundaries
that were successively assigned to it;3 but Pliny and Strabo, who have
given the fullest account of its geography, confine the appellation to the
level country reaching from Sinuessa to the promontory of Sorrento, and
including the Campi Laborini, from which the present name Terra di
Lavoro is derived. The exuberant produce of the rich and inexhaustible
soil of the whole of this district, which is so happily exposed to the most
genial breezes, while it is sheltered by the Apennines from all the colder
1. Lucan., Pharg., x., 161. 2. " Vino rogum ne respergito." — H. N., xiv^ 12,
3. '« C. Peregrini Diss, de pluribus Campaniis veterum," in Grcev., Thes. Antiq
ital., ix., 2.
EXCURSUS VIII. PRINCIPAL WINES OF THE ROMANS. 701
winds, has called forth the eulogies of every writer who has had occasion
to mention it. There the earth yields its choicest fruits almost unbidden,
" ipsa volentia rura," refusing not even the growths of the torrid zone ;x
and if the inhabitants too often remain insensible to the advantages of
their situation, the traveller can not fail to be charmed with the luxuriant
display of vegetable life which bursts upon his sight. From this district,
then, the Romans obtained those vintages which they valued so highly,
and of which the fame extended to all parts of the world. In ancient
times, indeed, the hills by which the surface is diversified seem to have
formed one continued vineyard ; and every care was taken to maintain
the choice quality of the produce. With respect to the locality and des-
ignation of particular celebrated spots, much controversy has arisen
among critics. Floras speaks of Falernus as a mountain,2 and Martial
describes it under the same title ;3 but Pliny, Polybius, and others denom-
inate it a field or territory (ager) ; and as the best growths were styled
indiscriminately Massicum and Falernum, Peregrini concurs with Vibius
in deciding that Massicus was the proper appellation of the hill which
rose from the Falernian plain. By a similar mode of reasoning it might
be inferred from the term " arvis," which occurs in conjunction with "Mas-
sicus," in the splendid description of the Falernian vineyards given by
Silius Italicus, that the epithet Massicus was applicable to more level
grounds.
The truth seems to be, that the choicest wines were produced on the
southern declivities of the range of hills which commence in the neighbor-
hood of the ancient Sinuessa, and extend to a considerable distance inland,
and which may have taken their general name from the town or district
of Falernum ; but the most conspicuous or the best exposed among them
may have been the Massicus ; and as, in process of time, several inferior
growths were confounded under the common denomination of Falernian,
correct writers would choose that epithet which most accurately denoted
the finest vintages. If, however, it be allowable to appeal to the analogy
of modern names, the question as to the locality will be quickly decided ;
for the mountain that rises from the Rocca di Mondragone, which is gen-
erally allowed to point to the site of ancient Sinuessa, is still known by
the name of Monte Massico. That the Massic wines were grown here is
sufficiently proved by the testimony of Martial, who describes them as
the produce of the Sinuessan vineyards. At a short distance to the east,
and on the slope of the adjacent ridge, are two villages, of which the up-
per is called Falciano a monte, and the lower Falciano a basso. Here
was the ancient Fauslianum, of which Falciano is a corruption.
The account which Pliny has furnished of the wines of Campania is the
most circumstantial, and, as no one had greater opportunities of becoming
familiar with the principal growths of his native country, doubtless the
most correct. "Augustus, and most of the leading men of his time," he
informs us, " gave the preference to the Setinc wine that was grown in
the vineyards above Forum Appii, as beiug of all kinds the least apt to
L Cotton has been cultivated on the plain of Sorrento with so much success
as to furnish in one year (1812) to the amount of 60,000 bales. — Chateauvieux, Let-
tres ecrites d'ltalie, torn, ii., p. 59.
2. Lib. L, c. 16. 3. Epig. xii., 57.
702 EXCURSUS VIII. PRINCIPAL WINES OF THE ROMANS.
injure the stomach. Formerly, the Ccccuban, which came from the poplar
marshes of Amyclae, was most esteemed ; but it has lost its repute, partly
from the negligence of the growers, and partly from the limited extent of
the vineyard, which has been nearly destroyed by the navigable canal that
was begun by Nero from Avemus to Ostia. The second rauk used to be
assigned to the growths of the Falernian territory, and, among them,
chiefly to the Faustianum. The territory of Falemum begins from the
Campanian bridge, on the left hand as you go to Urbana, which has been
recently colonized and placed under the jurisdiction of Capua by Sylla;
the Faustian vineyards, again, are situated about four miles from the vil-
lage, in the vicinity of Cediae, which village is six miles from Sinuessa.
The wines produced on this soil owe their celebrity to the great care and
attention bestowed on their manufacture ; but latterly they have some-
what degenerated from their original excellence, in consequence of the
rapacity of the farmers, who are usually more intent upon the quantity
than the quality of the vintages. They continue, however, in the great-
est estimation, and are, perhaps, the strongest of all wines, as they burn
when approached by a flame. They are of three kinds, namely, the dry,
the sweet, and the light Falemian. Some persons class them somewhat
differently, giving the name of Gauranum to the wine made on the tops
of the hills, of Faustianum to that which is obtained from the middle re-
gion, and reserving the appellation of Falernian for the lowest growths.
It is worthy of remark that none of the grapes which yield these wines
are at all pleasant to the taste."1
With respect to the first of the above-mentioned wines, it is surprising
that, notwithstanding the high commendation of Augustus, the Setinum
is never once mentioned by Horace, although he has expatiated with all
the fervor of an amateur on the other first-rate growths of his time. Per-
haps he took the liberty of differing from the imperial taste in this partic-
ular, as the Setine was a delicate light wine, and he seems to have had
a predilection for such as were distinguished by their strength. Both
Martial and Juvenal, however, make frequent mention of it ; and Silius
Italicus declares it to have been so choice as to be reserved for Bacchus
himself, "ipsius mensis reposta Lyc&i." Galen commends it for its innoc-
uous qualities. It was grown on the heights of Sezza,2 and, though not a
strong wine, possessed sufficient firmness and permanency to undergo the
operation of the fumarium ; for we find Juvenal alluding to some which
was so old that the smoke had obliterated the mark of the jar in which it
was contained.3
The Ccecuban, on the other hand, is described by Galen as a generous,
durable wine, but apt to affect the head, and ripening only after a long
term of years.4 In another place he remarks that the Bithynian white
wine, when very old, passed with the Romans for Caecuban, but that in
this state it was generally bitter and unfit for drinking.5 From this anal-
ogy we may conclude that, when new, it belonged to the class of rough,
sweet wines. It appears to have been one of Horace's favorite wines, of
which he speaks, in general, as reserved for important festivals.6 After
1. Hist. Nat, xiv., 6. 2. Mart., Epig., x., 74. 3. Sat, v., 34.
I. AtheruBus, i., 27. 5. Oribasius, v., 6.
6. Carm., i., 37 ; Epod., ix., 1 ; Carm., fit, 28.
EXCURSUS VIII. PRINCIPAL WINES OP THE ROMANS. 703
the breaking up of the principal vineyards which supplied it, this wine
would necessarily become very scarce and valuable, and such persons as
were fortunate enough to possess any that dated from the Opimian vint-
age would preserve it with extraordinary care.1 In fact, we are told by
Pliny, in a subsequent book, that it was no longer grown, " Cacubajam.
non gignuntur," and he also alludes to the Setine wine as an article of
great rarity.2 The Fundanum, which was the produce of the same ter-
ritory, if, indeed, it was a distinct wine, seems to have partaken of the
same characters, being, according to Galen's report, strong and full-boriied,
and so heady that it could only be drunk in small quantity.
There can be little doubt that the excellence of these wines is to be at
tributed chiefly to the loose volcanic soils on which they were produced.
Much also depended on the mode of culture ; and it is more than probable
that the great superiority of the growths of the Falernian vineyards was,
in the first instance, owing to the vines there being trained on juga, or
low frames formed of poles,3 instead of being raised on poplars, as was
the case in several of the adjacent territories. Afterward, when the pro-
prietors, in consequence of the increasing demand for their wines, became
desirous to augment the quantity, they probably adopted the latter prac-
tice, and, forcing the vines to a great height, sacrificed the quality of the
fruit. Two facts bearing on this point, and deserving of particular atten-
tion, as they show in the clearest manner how much the characters of
wine may be modified by slight variations of the seasons, are noticed by
Galen. "There are," he observes, "two sorts of Falernian, the dry and
the sweetish, which latter is produced only when the wind continues in
the south, during the vintage ; and from the same cause it also becomes
of a deeper hue [pLtXavTepoc) ; but in other circumstances the wine obtain-
ed is dry, and of a yellowish color (avarTjpbg nai t£) xP&V-arL ni^poc)."*
The operation of the same causes will be found to effect a similar change
in the character of several of our modern vintages.
No wine has ever acquired such extensive celebrity as the Falernian,
or more truly merited the name of "immortal"5 which Martial has con-
ferred upon it. At least, of all ancient wines, it is the one most generally
known in modern times ; for, while other eminent growths are overlooked
or forgotten, few readers will be found who have not formed some ac-
quaintance with the Falernian ; and its fame must descend to the latest
ages, along with the works of those mighty masters of the lyre who have
sung its praises. But, although the name is thus familiar to every one,
scarcely any attempt has been made to determine the exact nature and
properties of the liquor; and little more is understood concerning it, than
that the ancients valued it highly, kept it until it became very old, and
produced it only when they wished to regale their dearest friends. At
this distance of time, indeed, and with the imperfect data we possess, no
one need expect to demonstrate the precise qualities of that or any other
wine of antiquity ; though, by collating the few facts already stated with
some other particulars which have been handed down to us respecting the
Falernian vintages, the hope may reasonably be indulged of our being
1. Mart., Epig., iii-, 26. 2. Hist Nat, xxiii,, 1.
3. Varro, De Re Rustics, i., 8. 4. Athenaus, L, 21. 5. Epig., ix, 95.
704 EXCURSUS VIII. PRINCIPAL WINES OF THE ROMANS»
able to make soaae approach to a more correct estimate of their true char
acters, and of pointing out, at the same time, those modern growths to
which they have the greatest resemblance.
In the first place, all writers agree in describing the Falernian wine as
very strong and durable, and so rough in its recent state that it could not
be drunk with pleasure, but required to be kept a great number of years
before it was sufficiently mellow. Horace even terms it a "fiery" wine,
and calls for water from the spring to moderate its strength;! and Persiua
applies to it the epithet " indornitum," probably in allusion to its heady
quality.2 From Galen's account, it appears to have been in best condition
from the tenth to the twentieth year; afterward it was apt to contract an
unpleasant bitterness ; yet we may suppose that, when of a good vintage,
and especially when preserved in glass bottles, it would keep much longer
without having its flavor impaired. Horace, who was a lover of old wine,
proposes, in a well-known ode,3 to broach an amphora which was coeval
with himself, and which, therefore, was probably not less than thirty-three
years old, as Torquatus Manlius was consul in the six hundred and eighty
ninth year from the foundation of the city, and Corvinus, in honor of whom
the wine was to be drawn, did not obtain the consulate till 723 A.U.C. As
he bestows the highest commendation on this sample, ascribing to it all
the virtues of the choicest vintages, and pronouncing it truly worthy to be
produced on a day of festivity, we must believe it to have been really of
excellent quality. In general, howevei-, it probably suffered, more or less,
from the mode in which it was kept ; and those whose taste was not per-
verted by the rage for high-dried wines, preferred it in its middle state.
Thus Cicero, when animadverting on the style of the orations which Thu-
cydides has introduced in his History, and which, he conceives, would
have been more polished if they had been composed at a later period,
takes occasion to illustrate the subject of his discourse by a reference to
the effects of age upon wine. " Those orations," he remarks, *' I have al-
ways been disposed to admire ; but I neither would imitate them if I could,
nor could I if I would, being in this respect like one who delights in Faler-
nian wine, but chooses neither that which is so new as to date from the
last consuls, nor that which is so old as to take the name of Annician or
Opimian. Yet the wines so entitled are, I believe, in the highest repute ;
but excessive age neither has the suavity which we require, nor is it even
bearable."* The same writer, supping one evening with Damasippus,
had some indifferent wine presented to him, which he was pressed to
drink, " as being Falernian forty years old." On tasting it, he pleasantly
observed " that it bore its age uncommonly well."5
Among our present wines, we have no hesitation in fixing upon those
of Xeres and Madeira as the two to which the Falernian offers the most
distinct features of resemblance. Both are straw-colored wines, assuming
a deeper tint from age, or from particular circumstances in the quality or
management of the vintage. Both of them present the several varieties
of dry, sweet, and light. Both of them are exceedingly strong and dura-
ble wines, being, when new, very rough, harsh, and fiery, and requiring
1. Carm., ii., 11. 2. Sat, iii., 3. 3. Carm., iii., 21
4. Brut, 83. 5. Macrob., Saturnal., ii., 3.
EXCURSUS VIII. PRINCIPAL WINES OF THE ROMANS. 705
to be kept about the same length of time as the Falernian, before they at-
tain a due degree of mellowness. Of the two, however, the more palpa-
ble dryness and bitter-sweet flavor of the Sherry might incline us to de-
cide that it approached most nearly to the wine under consideration ; and
it is worthy of remark, that the same difference in the produce of the fer-
mentation is observable in the Xeres vintages as that which Galen has
noticed with respect to the Falernian, it being impossible always to pre-
dict with certainty whether the result will be a dry wine, or a sweetish
wine resembling Paxarete. But, on the other hand, the soil of Madeira
is more analogous to that of the Campagna Felice, and thence we may
conclude that the flavor and aroma of its wines are similar. Sicily, which
is also a volcanic country, supplies several growths, which an inexperi-
enced judge would very readily mistake for those of the former island, and
which would, in all probability, come still nearer to them in quality, if
more pains were bestowed upon the manufacture. Another point of co-
incidence is deserving of notice. Both Xeres and Madeira are, as is well
known, infinitely improved by being transported to a hot climate ; and
latterly it has become a common practice, among the dealers in the island,
to force the Madeira wines by a process which is absolutely identical with
the operation of the fumarium. It may, perhaps, be objected, that the in-
fluence of heat and age upon these liquors, far from producing any disa-
greeable bitterness, only renders them sweeter and milder, however long
they may be kept ; but, then, in contrasting them with the superannuated
wines of the Romans, we must make allowance for the previous prepara-
tions, and the effect of the different sorts of vessels in which they are pre-
served. If Madeira or Sherry, but particularly the latter, were kept in
earthen jars until it was reduced to the consistence of honey, there can
be little doubt that the taste would become so intensely bitter, that, to
use the expression of Cicero, we should condemn it as intolerable.
The Surrcntine wines, which were the produce of the Aminean grapes,
were, in like manner, of very durable quality, " firmissima vina," as Vir-
gil designates them ; and, on account of their lightness and wholesome-
ness, were much commended for the use of convalescents. They are
stated by Pliny to have been grown only in vineyards, and consequently
the vines which yielded them could not have been high-trained. Theii
exemption from the fault of bitterness, which most of the other wines ac-
quired by long keeping, has already been stated.1 But Athena?us, upon
the authority of Galen, observes, that they remained always thin and
weak, and never ripened thoroughly, from the want of sufficient body. In
their early state they appear to have been very harsh and sharp to the
taste ; and Tiberius used to allege that the physicians had conspired to
raise their fame, but that, in his opinion, they only merited the name of
generous vinegar. In these respects they may be compared to some of
the secondary growths of the Rhine, which, though liable at first to the
imputation of much acidity, will keep a long time, and continue to improve
to a certain extent, but never attain the oily smoothness that characterizes
the first-rate wines. The wine of Capua resembled the Surrentine.»
Such were the wines of the Campania Felix and adjacent hills^of wbicb
1. Excurs. vi 2. Athcn., L, 8L
Go2
706 EXCURSUS IX. DILUTION OF ANCIENT WINES.
most frequent mention is made, and concerning which the fullest particu-
lars have been transmitted. Respecting certain other growths, as the
Calenum, Caulinum, and Spatanum, our information is of a more imper
feet nature. "We only know that the vintages of Cales are much praised
by Horace, and described by Galen as lighter, and more grateful to the
stomach than the Falernian, while those of the latter territories are pro-
nounced to have been little, if at all, inferior to that celebrated wine
As the soils of the Campania of Rome partake of the same nature, and
present many excellent exposures for the vine, some good wines were
there produced, but none of them equal in quality to those which we have
just been reviewing. The Albanum, which grew upon the hills that rise
to the south, in view of the city, is ranked by Pliny only as a third-rate
wine ; but, from the frequent commendation of it by Juvenal and Horace,
we must suppose it to have been in considerable repute, especially when
matured by long keeping.1 It was sweet and thick when new, but be
came dry when old, seldom ripening properly before the fifteenth year.
The wine of Labicum occupied the middle station between the Falernian
and the Alban. The Signinum, on the other hand, is said to have been
so rough and astringent that it was chiefly used as a medicine. All these
were apparently white wines.
Among the lighter growths of the Roman territory, the Sabinum, Norn-
entanum, and Vcnafranum were among the most agreeable. The first
seems to have been a thin table-wine, of a reddish color, attaining its ma
turity in seven years. The Nomentan, however, which was also a deli-
cate claret wine, but of a fuller body, is described as coming to perfection
in five or six years. The wine of Spoletum, again, which was distinguish-
ed by its bright golden color, was light and pleasant.
In the arrangement of Pliny, a fourth class of wines was formed by the
Sicilian vintages. Of these, the Mamertinum, which came from the
neighborhood of Messina, and is said to have been introduced at public
entertainments by Julius Caesar, was a light and slightly asfringent wine;
but the wines of Tauromenium, being of a similar quality, were often
substituted for it. The Pollium, or Pollceum, of Syracuse, which was of
the sweet class, is noticed by several authors as a first-rate wine, being
the produce of a particular grape called biblia, so named from the town of
Bibliae, in Thrace. Of the wines of the southwestern part of the island,
whence the best growths are now supplied, no mention appears to be
made among the ancient writers.
EXCURSUS IX.
DILUTION OF ANCIENT WINES.
Amphictton is said to have issued a law, directing that pure wine
should be merely tasted at the entertainments of the Athenians ; but that
the guests should be allowed to drink freely of wine mixed with water,
after dedicating the first cup to Jupiter the Saviour, to remind them of tha
salubrious quality of the latter fluid. However much this excellent rule
1. Hor., Cann. iv., 11. Juv., xiii., 214.
EXCURSUS IX. DILUTION OF ANCIENT WINES. 707
may hare been occasionally transgressed, it is certain that the prevailing
practice of the Greeks was to drink their wines in a diluted state. Hence
a common division of them into xo?i,v§opoL, or strong wines, which would
bear a large admixture of water, and 6?uy6$opoi, or weak wiDes, which
admitted of only a slight addition. To drink wine unmixed was held dis-
reputable, and those who were guilty of such excess were said to act like
Scythians (k7riGKvdiadai). To drink even equal parts of wine and water,
or, as we familiarly term it, half and half, was thought to be unsafe, and,
in general, the dilution was more considerable, varying, according to the
taste of the drinkers and the strength of the liquor, from one part of wine
and four of water, to two of wine and four, or else five parts of water,
which last seems to have been the favorite mixture.
jTrom the account which Homer gives of the dilution of the Maronean
wine with twenty measures of water, and from a passage in one of the
books ascribed to Hippocrates, directing not less than twenty-five parts
of water to be added to one part of old Thasian wine,1 some persons have
inferred that these wines possessed a degree of strength far surpassing
any of the liquors with which we are acquainted in modern times, or of
which we can well form an idea. But it must be remembered that the
wines in question were not only inspissated, but also highly seasoned
with various aromatic ingredients, and had often contracted a repulsive
bitterness from age, which rendered them unfit for use till they had been
diffused in a large quantity of water. If they had equalled the purest
alcohol in strength, such a lowering as that above described must have
been more than enough ; but the strong heterogeneous taste which they
had acquired would render further dilution advisable, and, in fact, they
may be said to have been used merely for the purpose of giving a flavor
to the water. In the instance cited from Hippocrates' works, the mixture
with Thasian wine is prescribed for a patient in fever, and can therefore
be regarded as nothing more than a mild diluent drink.
Since water, then, entered so largely into the beverages of the ancients,
neither labor nor expense was spared to obtain it in the purest state, and
to insure an abundant supply from those fountains and streams which
were thought to yield it of the most grateful and salubrious quality. In
order more effectually to dissolve those wines which had become inspis-
sated by age, the water was sometimes purified by boiling, and, when the
solution was completed, the liquor was strained through a cloth, in order
to free it from any impurities which it might have contracted.3 As this
operation, however, was apt to communicate an unpleasant taste, or, at
least, to deprive them of their natural flavor, such persons as were nice
in the management of their wines adopted the expedient of exposing
them to the night air, which was thought to assist their clarification with-
out impairing their other virtues.3 That the liquors which had undergone
these processes would be rendered more potable and grateful than before,
may be readily conceived; but we are not prepared to fall in with the
opinion of Bacci, who pronounces them to have been superior in color, in
brightness, and in richness to our modern Malmsies and other sweet
1. ToDro £e, Qaaiov olvov iraXaidv Tt'ztTi <ai tiKoaiv vdaroS /cat Sva olvov 6i8ov.—
De Morb., in., 30. 2. Mart., Epig. xiL, 61. 3. Hor^ Serm. ii., 4.
708 EXCURSUS IX. DILUTION OF ANCIENT WINES.
wines.1 Such methods were by no means calculated to enhance any of
those qualities in good wine, and it is obvious that the repeated transfu-
sions and changes of temperature must have tended to deaden and dissi-
pate a great portion of the aroma, on the retention of which the excel'
lence of all wines so materially depends.
As the wines thus diluted were frequently drunk warm, hot water be-
came an indispensable article at the entertainments of the ancients.
Whether the Greeks and Romans were in the habit of taking draughts
of hot water by itself at their meals, is a point which, though of no great
importance, has been much discussed by grammarians, without ever be-
ing satisfactorily determined. When we find the guests at an entertain-
ment, or the interlocutors in an ancient drama, calling for hot and tepid
water (\}epfibv nai /ierd/cepac2), it does not follow that this was to be
drunk unmixed ; the water so required might be merely for diluting their
wines, or for the purposes of ablution. So far, indeed, was mere hot wa-
ter from being considered a luxury by the Romans, as some have absurd-
ly imagined to be the fact, that we find Seneca speaking of it as fit only
for the sick, and as quite insufferable to those who were accustomed to
the delicacies of life.3 In certain conditions of the stomach, however, as
in that which arises from too free indulgence in the pleasures of the table,
or from the use of gross and indigestible food, it can not be denied that hot
water will allay the uneasy feelings more effectually than cold ; and, as
the Romans were notorious for their intemperance in eating, we shall
probably find in this circumstance the true explanation of their frequent
calls for that sort of beverage.
Such of the citizens as had no regular establishment were dependent
for their daily supply of hot water on the thermopolia, or public houses, in
which all kinds of prepared liquors were sold.* These places of enter-
tainment, which were frequented in much the same way as our modern
coffee-houses, appear to have existed in considerable number even during
the republic, as we meet with frequent allusions to them in the comedies
of Plautus. In the reign of Claudius they attracted the attention of the
government, having probably become obnoxious by the freedom of conver-
sation which prevailed in them ; for an edict was issued ordering the sup-
pression of taverns, where people met together to drink, and forbidding
the sale of hot water and boiled meats under severe penalties.» This
mandate, however, like many of the other arbitrary acts of that emperor,
would seem to have been little regarded, and was probably soon repeal-
ed ; for, in a subsequent age, we find Ampelius, the prefect of Rome, sub
jecting these places of public resort to new regulations, according to which
they were not allowed to be opened before ten o'clock of the forenoon,
and no one was to sell hot water to the common people ; but it is evident
that the rage for warm drinks continued as prevalent as ever ; for the his-
torian who relates the above-mentioned circumstance observes, in another
place, when speaking of the luxurious habits and capricious conduct of the
higher classes, that, " When they have called for hot water, if a slave has
been tardy in his obedience, he is instantly chastised with three hundred
1. De Naturali Vinorum Hist., Romae, 1596, p. 92. 2. Athenaus, ill., 96.
3. Epkt. 79. 4. Plautus, PseudoL, ii., 4.
5. Dio Cassius, lx., 6, vol ii., p. 945, ed. Reimar.
EXCURSUS X. ICED LIQUORS. 709
.ashes; but, should the same slave commit a willful murder, the master
will mildly observe that he is a worthless fellow, bat that, if he repeat the
offence, he shall not escape punishment."1
EXCURSUS X.
ICED LIQUORS.
The ancients were also accustomed to have their beverages cooled and
iced in various ways. Both Galen and Pliny have described the method
which is still employed in tropical climates to reduce the temperature of
water, by exposing it to evaporation, in porous vessels, daring the night-
time ; and a simile in the Book of Proverbs2 seems to warrant the con-
clusion that the custom of preserving snow for summer use must have
prevailed among Oriental nations from the earliest ages. That it was
long familiar to the Greeks and Romans is abundantly certain. When
Alexander the Great besieged the town of Petra in India, he is reported
to have ordered a number of pits to be dug, and filled with snow, which,
being covered with oak branches, remained for a long time undissolved.3
A similar expedient is noticed by Plutarch, with this difference, that straw
and coarse cloths are recommended instead of oaken boughs.* The Ro-
mans adopted the same mode of preserving the snow which they col-
lected from the mountains, and which, in the time of Seneca, had become
an important article of merchandise at Rome, being sold in shops appro-
priated to the purpose, and even hawked about the streets.
At first the only mode of employing snow was by fusing a portion of it in
the wine or water which was to be cooled ; and this was most convenient-
ly effected by introducing it into a strainer [colum nivarium), which was
usually made of silver, and pouring the liquor over it. But as the snow
had generally contracted some degree of impurity during the carriage, or
from the reservoirs in which it was kept, the solution was apt to be dark
and muddy, and to have an unpleasant flavor from the straw ; hence those
of fastidious taste preferred ice, which they were at pains to procure from
a great depth, that they might have it as fresh as possible. A more ele-
gant method of cooling liquors came into vogue during the reign of Nero,
to whom the invention was ascribed ; namely, by placing water which
had been previously boiled in a thin glass vessel surrounded with snow,
bo that it might be frozen without having its purity impaired. It had,
however, been long a prevailing opinion among the ancients, as we may
collect from Aristotle, Galen, and Plutarch, that boiled water was most
speedily converted into ice ; and the experiments of modern chemists
would seem to prove that this doctrine was not altogether without founda-
tion. At all events, the ice so obtained would be of a more compact sub-
stance than that procured from water which had not undergone the pro
cess ; and this was sufficient to justify the preference.
1. Ammian. Marcellin,, xxviii., 4. 2. Ch. xxv., ver. 13.
3 AinenauB iii. 35. 4. Sympos., vLj auffist. 6
INDEI
OF
PROPER NAMES.
[Cam. denotes the Odes, and Serm. the Satires.
explanation.]
The other abbreviations need no
Academi silvae, Epist ii., 2, 45.
Achamenes dives, Carm. ii., 12, 21.
Achamenius. Achaeinenium costum,
Carm. iii., 1, 44. Achaemenio nardo,
Fpod.. xiii., 8.
Achaicus ignis, Carm. i., 15, 35. Acha-
ico curru, Carm. iv., 3, 5.
Acheron. Acheronta perrupit Hercu-
leus labor, Carm. i., 3, 36. Quirinus fa-
git, Carm. iii., 3, 16.
Acherontia. Acberontiae celsae nidus,
Carm. iii., 4, 14.
Achilles (JPhthius). Trojae prope altaa
victor, Carm. iv., 6, 4 ; iratus, Epist. ii.,
2, 42. Achillei classis iracunda, Carm.
i., 15, 34 ; pervicacis ad pedes rex (Pri-
amics) procidit, Epod.. x-wL, 14. Achillem
insolentem, Carm. ii., 4, 4; clarum cita
mors abstulit, Carm. ii., 16, 29 ; animosum,
Serm. i., 7, 12 ; honoratum, Epist. ad Pis.,
120. Achille, Serm. ii., 3, 193.
Achivus. Achivi, Epist. i., 2, 14. Achi-
vos pugnaces, Carm. iii., 3, 27. Achi-
vis servatis, Serm. ii., 3, 194 ; unctis,
Epist ii., 1, 33 ; flammis, Carm. iv., 6,
18.
Acrisius virginis abditsB custos pavi-
dus, Carm. iii., 16, 5.
Actius. Actia pugna, Epist L, 18, 61.
Adria, vid. Hadria.
JEacus. JE&ci genus, Carm. iii., 19, 3.
jEacum vidimus judicantem, Carm. ii.,
13, 22 ; ereptum Stygiis fluctibus, Carm.
iv., 8, 25.
Mgaeus. Mgssura mare, Epist i.. 11,
16 ; in iEgaeo patenti, Carm. ii., 16, 1.
jEgasos tumultus, Carm. iii., 29, 63.
Mmilius. Omnium ludum, Epist. ad
Pis.. 32.
Mneas pius, Carm. iv., 7, 15. ^Enea3
rebus, Carm. iv., 6, 23. jEnea ab alto
demissum genus, Serm. ii., 5, 63.
JEolides Sisyphus, Carm. ii., 14, 20.
Molhis. ./Eolia puella (Sappho), Carm.
iv., 9, 12. jEolium carmen, Carm. iii.,
30, 13, Carm. iv., 3, 12. jEoliis fidibus,
Carm. ii., 13, 24.
uEschylus person» pallaeque repertor
honestaj, Epist. ad Pis., 279 ; eum imita-
11 suut Latini, Epist. ii., 1, 163
Msopus gravis, Epist ii., 1, 32. jEso-
pi Alius, Serm. ii., 3, 239.
Mstas interitura ver proterit Carm.
iv., 7, 9.
Msula. JEsulae declive arvum, Carm.
hi., 29, 6.
Mthiops, Carm. iii, 6, 14.
jEtna. J2tnen impositam ignis non
peredit, Carm. iii, 4, 76. ^Etna in Si-
cana, Epod., xvii, 31.
Mtolus. -Etolis plagis, Epist. i., 18, 46.
Afer dirus (Hannibal), Carm. iv., 4, 42.
Afra cochlea, Serm. ii., 4. 58. Afris ser-
pentibus, Serm. ii., 8, 95. Afra (Numid-
ica) avis, Epod., ii., 53. Afro (Tyrio) mu-
rice, Carm. ii., 16, 35.
Afranius. Afrani toga, Epist ii, 1, 57.
Africa ferax frumenti, Serm. ii., 3, 87 ;
fertilis, Carm. iiL, 16, 31. Africa ultima
recisas columnas, Carm. ii., 18, 5 ; domi-
ta, Carm. iv., 8, 18.
Africanus (Scipio Africanus, Africa-
nus Major). Africanum, cui Virtus su-
per Carthaginem sepulchrum condidit,
EpocL, ix., 25.
Africus protervus, Epod., xvi., 22. Af-
ricum Icariis fluctibus luctantem, Carm.
i., 1, 15 ; praecipitem, Carm. i., 3, 12 ; pes-
tilentem, Carm. iii., 23, 5. Africo celeri,
Carm. i., 14, 5. Africis procellis, Carm.
hi., 29, 57.
Agamemnon. Agamemnona, Carm.
iv., 9, 25.
Agaue, Serm. ii., 3, 303.
Agrippa (M. Vipsanius), Serm. ii, 3,
185. AgrippaB porticus, Epist L, 6, 26 ;
fructibus Sicuh, Epist. L, 12, 1 ; virtus,
ibid., 26 ; ad eum, Carm. L, 6.
Agyieus. LevisAgyieu,Carm.iv.,6,28.
Ajax (Telamonius) ab Agamemnone
sepulturae honore prohibitus, Serm. u.,
3, 187 ; insanus, ibid, 201 ; immeritos oc-
cidit agnos, ibid., 211 ; heros ab Acbille
secundus, ibid., 193. Ajacem, ibid., 187 ;
movit forma Tecmessa?, Carm. ii., 4, 5.
Ajax (Oileus). Ajacis impiae rate*
Epod., x„ 14. Ajacem celerem sequi,
Carm. i., 15, 19.
Albanus. Albani (sc. vini) plenus ca-
dus, Carm. iv., 11, 2. Albanam, Serm.
iL, 8, 16. Albanam uvam, S^rm. ii. 4
712
INDEX OF PROPER NAMES.
72. Albano in monte, Epist. ii., 1, 27.
Albania agris, Epist. i., 7, 10. Albanos
lacus, Carm. iv., 1, 19. Albanas secures,
C. S., 54. Albanis berbis, Carm. iii., 23, 11.
Albinovanus (Celsus). Ad eum, Epist
i, 8.
Albinus. Albini filius, Epist. ad Fis.,
327.
Albius Tibullus. Ad eum, Carm. i.,
33, et Epist. i., 4.
Albius. Serm. i., 4, 28. Albi Alius,
Serm. i., 4, 108.
Albicjiea. Albuneae resonantis domus,
Carm. i., 7, 12.
Albutius. Albuti venenum, Serm. ii.,
1, 48; saevitia in servos, Serm. ii., 2, 67.
Alcaus sonans plenius plectro aureo
dura mala navis rugae et belli, Carm. ii.,
13, 27; temperat Musam Archilocbi
pede, Epist i., 19, 29. Alcaei minaces
Camenae, Carm. iv., 9, 7.
Alcidcs. Alciden, Carm. i., 12, 25.
Alcinous. Alcinoi in cute curanda plus
ssquo operata juventus, Epist. i., 2, 28.
Alcon. Serm. ii., 8, 15.
Alexander. Alexandri forti3 vultum,
Epist. ii., 1, 241. Alexandre- regi Magno
gratus fuit Chcerilus, ibid., 332.
Alrxandrca supplex, Carm. iv., 14, 35.
Alfcnius vafer, Serm. i., 3, 130.
Algidus. Algidum, C. S., 69. Algido
gelido, Carm. i., 21, 6 ; nivali, Carm. iii.,
23, 9; nigra} feraci frondis, Carm. iv.,
4,58.
Allifanus. Allifanis (calicibus), Serm.
ii., 8, 39.
Allobrox novis rebus infidelis, Epod.,
xvi., 6.
Alpes. Alpiumjuga, Epod., i., 11. Al-
pibus tremendis arces impositae, Carm.
iv., 14, 12. Alpea hibernas, Serm. ii., 5,
41. Alpibus Rhaetia, Carm. iv., 4, 17.
Alphius fcenerator, Epod., ii., 67.
Alpinus turgidus, Serrn. i., 10,36.
Alyattes. Alyattei regnum, Carm. iii.,
16, 41.
Amazonius. Amazonia securi, Carm.
iv., 4, 20.
Amor sui caecus, Carm. i., 18, 14.
Amori dare ludum, Carm. iii., 12, 1.
Amores, Carm. iv., 13, 9 ; lascivos, Carm.
iv., 13, 19; ii., 11, 7; spirabat, Carm. iv.,
13, 19.
Amphion Thebanas conditor arcis,
Epist. ad Pis., 394 ; fraternis putatur mo-
ribus cessisse, Epist. i., 18, 43 ; rnovit la-
pides canendo, Carm. iii., 11, 2. Amphi-
onis et Zethi Gratia dissiluit Epist. i.,
18, 41.
Anacreon si quid olim lusit, non dele-
vit aetas, Carm. iv., 9, 9. Anacreonta
Teium, Epod., xiv., 10.
Anchises clarus Anchisae Venerisque
sanguis, C. S., 50. Ancnisen, Carm. iv.,
15, 31.
Ancus Marcius, Carm. iv., 7, 15 ; Epist
i., 6, 27.
Andromeda clarus Andromedse pater,
Carm. iii., 29, 17.
Anio prseceps, Carm. L, 7, 13.
Antenor, Epist i., 2, 9.
Anticyra. Anticyram, Serm. ii., 3, 83,
et 166. Anticyris tribus insanabile caput,
Epist. ad Pis., 300.
A?Uilockus. Antilochum amabilem,
Carm. i., 9, 14.
Antiochus. Antiocbum ingentein,
Carm. iii., 6, 36.
Antiphates. Antiphatem, Epist ad Pis.,
145.
Antium gratum, Carm. i., 35, 1.
Antonius {Triumvir). Antoni amicus,
Serm. i., 5, 33.
Antonius Musa, Epist. i., 15, 3.
Antonius (lulus). Ad eum, Carm. iv.,
11.
Anxur impositum saxis late candenti-
bus, Serm. L, 5, 26.
Anytus. Anyti reum, Serm. ii., 4, 3.
Apella Judaeus, Serm. i., 5, 96.
Apelles. Ab eo Alexander pingi voluit,
Epist. ii., 1, 239.
Apenninus celsus, Epod., xvi., 29.
Apollo, Epist. i., 16, 59 ; augur, Carm.
i., 2, 32 ; certus, 7, 28 ; cantor, Epist. ad
Pis., 407. Palatinus, Epist. i., 3, 17 ; mi-
tis placidusque telo condito, C. S.f 34.
Debus et Patareus, Carm. iii., 4, 64 ; mag-
nus, Serm. ii., 5, 60 ; suscitat cithara ta-
centem Musam, Carm. ii., 10, 20 ; sic me
servavit Serm. i., 8, 78 ; vidaus pharetra
risit, Carm. i., 10, 12. ApoUinis intonsi
capilli, Epod., xv.,9 ; natalis Delos, Carm.
i., 21, 12. Apollinem dedicatum, Carm.
i., 31, 1. Apolline Delphos insignes,
Carm. i., 7, 3 ; munus dignum, Epist. ii.,
1, 216 ; ad eum, Carm. i., 21, 34, Carm.
iv., 6. Apollinaris laurea, Carm. iv., 2, 9.
Appia nimis est gravis tardis, Serm. i.,
5, 6. Appiam, Epod., iv., 14.
Appius Claudius Cacus censor, Serm.
i., 6, 21. Appi via, Epist. i., 6, 26, Epist
i., 18, 20.
Apulia, Serm. i., 5, 77. Apulia altri-
cis extra limen, Carm. iii., 4, 10; siticu-
losae, Epod., iii., 16.
Apulicus. Apulicum mare, Carm. iii.,
24,4.
Apulus, Carm. iii., 5, 9 ; impiger, Carm.
iii., 16. 26. Apula gens, Serm. ii., 1, 38.
Apuli pernicis uxor, Epod., ii., 42. Dau-
ni, Carm. iv., 14, 26. Apulo in Vulture,
Carm. iii., 4, 9. Apulis lapis, Carm. i.,
33, 7.
Aquinates. Aquinatem fucum, Epist
i., 10, 27.
Arabes. Arabum divitiae, Epist. i., 7,
36 ; thesauri, Carm. iii., 24, 2 ; gazae,
Carm. i., 29, 1 ; domus plenae, Carm. ii.,
12, 24. Arabas, Carm. L, 35, 40 ; extre-
mos, Epist. i., 6, 6.
Arbnscula explosa, Serm. i., 10, 77.
Arcadia. Arcadiae pecus et nigri col-
les, Carm. iv., 12, 12.
Archiacus. Archiaci lecti, Epist. i., 5, 1
Archilochus. Arcbilochi Musa pede
temperant Sappho et Alcaeua, Epist. i.,
19, 29. Archilochum magnificat Horoti
INDEX OF PROPER NAMES.
713
ua, Serm. ii., 3, 12; et imitatus est, Epist
L, 19, 25 ; proprio rabies armavit iambo,
Epist. ad Pis., 79.
Archytas. Ad euro, Carm. i., 28.
Arctos. Arcton opacam excipiebat
porticus, CaniL iL, 15, 16; sub Arcto rex
gelidae orae, Carm. L, 26, 3.
Arcturus. Arcturi cadentis saerus im-
petus, Cann. iii., 1, 27.
Arettius. Arelli sollicitas opes, Serm.
ii., 6, 73.
Argeus. Argeo colono, Carm. ii., 6, 5.
Argivus. Argivi auguris (Amphiarai)
domus, Carm. iii., 16, 11. Argivis, Carm.
iii., 3, 67.
Argonauts, Epod., iii, 9.
Argos aptum equis, Carm. i., 7, 8. Ar-
gis, Epist ii., 2, 128 ; Serm. ii., 3, 132 ;
Epist. ad Pis., 118.
Argous. Argoo remige, Epod., xvL. 57.
Aricia. Serm. L, 5, 1.
Aricinus. Aricini arvi, Epist iL, 2, 167.
Ariminenses. Ariminensem Foliam,
Epod., v., 42.
ArL<tarchus, Epist ad Pis., 450.
Aristippus, Epist. i., 17, 14 ; aurum
projicere jubet servos, Serm. ii., 3, 100.
Aristippi sententia, Epist. i., 17, 17 ; pras-
cepta, Epist i., 1, 18. Aristippum om-
nis decuit color et status et res, Epist i.,
17, 23.
Aristius Fuscus mihi (Horatio) carus,
Serm. i., 9, 61 ; ad eum, Carm. i., 22, et
Epist. L, 10.
Aristophanes, Serm. i., 4, 1.
Armenius Claudi virtute Neronis ce-
cidit Epist. i., 12, 26. Armeniis oris,
Carm. ii., 9, 4.
Arrius (Q). Arri arbitrio, Serm. ii.,
3, 86 ; progenies, ibid., 242.
Asia (major). Asiae pingues campi
collesque, Epist. i., 3, 5.
Asia (minor). AsisesolemBrutum ap-
pellat Epist i., 7, 24. Asiam ditem, ibid.,
19.
Assaracus. Assaraci tellus, Epod., xiii.,
13.
Assyrius (pro : Syrius), Epist. ad Pis.,
118. Assyria litoris arentes arenas, Carm.
iii., 4, 32. Assyria nardo, Carm. iL, 11, 16.
Atabulus. Serm. i., 5, 73.
Athena bonse, Epist. i., 2, 43. Athe-
nas vacuas. ibid., 81. Atbenis, Epist ii.,
1, 213 ; sordidus ac dives, qui populi vo-
ces contemnebat Serm. L, 1, 64 ; doctor
mallet vivere, Serm. ii., 7, 13.
Atlanteus fiDis, Carm. L, 34, 11.
Atlanticus. Atlanticum aequor, Carm.
i., 31, 14.
Atlas. Atlantis nepos, Mercuri, Carm.
i, 10, 1.
Atreus nefarius humana exta coxit,
Epist. ad Pis., 186.
Atrida. Atridis, Serm. ii., 3, 203. Atri-
das superbos, Serm. i., 10. 13. Atrides
(Agamemnon) : inter Atriden et Peliden
lites Nestor componere festinat Epist. L,
2,12. Atrida vetat Ajacem humari, Serm.
ii., 3, 187. Atride (Menelae), Epist. L, 7, 43.
Atta (T. Quinctius). AttSB fabula,
Epist ii., 1, 79.
Attalicus. Attalicis conditionibus,
Carm. L, 1, 12 ; urbibus, Carm. i., 11, 5.
Attalus. Attah' regia, Carm. ii., 18, 5.
Atticus. Attica virgo, Serm. iL, 8, 13.
Atticis finibus, Carm. L, 3, 6.
Attius aufert famam senis alti, Epist.
ii., 1, 56. Atti tragici nil mutat Lucili-
us? Serm. L, 10, 61; nobiles trimetri,
Epist ad Pis., 253.
Auctumnus, Epod., ii., 18 ; purpureo
varius colore, Carm. ii., 5, 11 ; pomifer,
Carm. iv., 7, 11 ; gravis Libitinse quees-
tus acerbse, Serm. ii., 6, 19.
Aujidius Luscus forti miscebat mella
Falerno, Serm. ii., 4, 24. Aufidio Lusco
prastore, Serm. L, 5, 34.
Aufidus videns, Carm. iii., 30, 10 ; tauri-
formis, Carm. iv., 14, 25 ; acer, Serm. L,
1, 58. Aufidum sonantem, Carm. iv., 9, 12.
Augustus purpureo bibit ore nectar,
Carm. iii., 3, 11 ; praasens Divus habebi-
tur, Carm. iii., 2, 3. August! tropsea,
Carm. ii., 9, 19 ; fortis super impetrato
reditu, Carm. iv., 2, 43 ; paternus animus
in pueros Nerones, Carm. iv., 4, 27 ; pri-
vigmis Claudius, Epist L, 3, 2; res ges-
tas, ibid., 7 ; laudes, Epist i., 16, 29. Cse-
saris lacertis, Epist ii.. 2, 43. Auguste,
Carm. iv., 14, 3 ; ad eum, Carm. L, 2, et
12; Carm. iv., 5, 14, et 15; Epist. ii., 1;
in ejus reditum ex Hispania, Carm. iii.,
14, vid. Casar.
Aulis, Serm. ii., 3, 199.
Aulon, amicus fertili Baccho, Carm. ii ,
6, 18.
Aldus. Aule, Serm. ii., 3, 171.
Ausonius. Ausonias (Italas) urbes,
Carm. iv., 4, 56.
Auster, dux turbidus inquieti Hadriaa,
Carm. iii., 3, 4. Austrum nocentem cor»
poribus per auctumnos, Carm. iL, 14, 16
Aventinus. Aventinum tenet Diana,
C. S., 69. Aventino extremo, Epist iL.
2,96. .
Avernalis. Avernales aquas, Epod., v..
26.
Avidiwus, cui Canis cognomen adhaa-
ret Serm. ii., 2, 55.
B.
Babylonius. Babylonios numeros,
Carm. L, 11, 2.
Bacchce valentes proceras manibus ver-
tere fraxinos, Carm. iii., 25, 15.
Bacchius comTpositxis cum Bitbo, Carm.
L, 7, 20.
Bacchus languescitin amphora. Carm.
iiL, 16, 34 ; vebitur tigris, Carm. iii., 3, 14.
Bacchi pleno pectore, Carm. ii., 19, 6,
somno gaudentis et umbra, Epist iL, 2,
78. Baccho fertili, Carm. L, 6. 19. Bac
chum verecundum, Carm. L, 27, 3 ; vidj
docentem carmina, Carm. ii., 19, 1. Bac
che, Carm. hi., 25, 1 ; pater, Carm, L, 18
6. Io Bacche, Serm. L. 3, 7. Bacchc
Thebas insignes, Carm. L, 7, 3 ; in eum
Carm. ii., 19 ; Carm. iiL, 25.
/ 1'
INDEX OF PROPER NAMES.
Bactra, Cyro regnata, Carm. iii., 29, 28.
Bala, liquidae, C.arm. iii., 4, 24. Baiia
ware obstrepens, Carm. ii., 18, 20 ; atuoe-
lis, Epist. i.. 1, 83. Baias, Epist. L, 15,
2; supervacuas, ib., 2.
Baianus. Baiano raurice, Serm. ii., 4,
J2.
Balatro (Servilius), umbra Maecenatis
n Nasidieni convivio, Serm. ii., 8, 21 ; in-
rertit vinaria tota Allifanis, ib., 40 ; sus-
pendens omnia naso, ib., 64 ; Balatroni,
:b., 33 ; secundo, ib., 83.
Balbinus, Serm. i., 3, 40.
Bandusia. Bandusiae ions, Carm. iii.,
3, 1.
Bantinus. Bantinos saltus, Carm. iii.,
i, 15.
Barbaria. Barbariae Graecia lento col-
dsa duello, Epist. i., 2, 7.
Barium. Bari piscosi moenia, Serm. L,
5,93.
Barrus quo morbo Barrus (laboravit),
Serm. i., 6, 30; inops, Serm. i., 4, 109;
maledicus, Serm. i., 7, 8.
Bassareus. Bassareu candide, Carm.
i., 18, 11.
Bassus. Carm. i., 36, 14.
Bellerophon. Bellerophontem, terre-
num equitem, Carm. iv., 11, 28. Bellero-
phonte eques mcllor, Carm. iii., 12, 7.
Bellona gaudens cruentis, Serm. ii., 3,
223.
Beneventum. Serm. L, 5, 71.
Berecyntius. BerecyntiaB tibiae, Carm.
iv., 1, 22 ; Carm. iii., 19, 18. Berecyntio
cornu, Carm. i., 18, 13.
Bestius corrector, Epist i., 15, 37.
Bibaculus (Furius) pingui tentus oma-
sc, Serm. ii., 5, 41.
Bibulus (M. Calpurnius). Bibuli con-
sulis, Carm. iii., 28, 9. Bibule, Serm. i.,
10, 86.
Bioneus. Bioneis sermonibus, Epist.
ii., 2. 60.
Birrius latro, Serm. i., 4, 69.
Bistonides. Bistonidum crines, Carm.
ii., 19, 20.
Bithus, Serm. i., 7, 20.
Bithynus. Bitbyna carina, Carm. i.,
35, 7 ; negotia, Epist. i., 6, 33.
BcEolii. Bceotum in crasso aere, Epist.
ii., 1, 244.
Bolanus, Serm. i., 9, 11.
Boreas. Boreas tinitimum latus mundi,
Carm. iii., 24, 28.
Bosporus. Bospori gementis, Carm.
ii., 20, 14. Bosporum navita Pcenus per-
horrescit, Carm. ii., 13, 14 ; insanientem,
Carm. iii., 4, 30.
Breuni. Breunos veloces, Carm. iv.,
14, 11.
Britannus intactus, Epod., vii., 7. Bri-
tannis remotis, Carm. iv., 14, 48 ; adjec-
tis imperio (Romano), Carm. iii., 5, 3.
Britannos, Carm. i., 21, 15; ultimos or-
bis, Carm. U 35, 30; feros hospitibus,
Carm. iii., 4, 33.
Brundisium, Serm. i., 5, 100 ; Epist i.,
17,52; Epist. i., 18, 20.
Brutus (M. Junius). Brutum Asiee
solem appellat Persius, Serm. i., 7, 23.
Brute, ib., 33. Bruto praetore tenente
Asiam, ib., 19 ; militiae duce,Carm.ii.,7,2.
Brutus conviva Horatii, Epist. i., 5, 76.
Bullatius. Ad eum, Epist. i., 11.
Bupalus. Bupalo acer hostis (Hippo-
nax), Epod. vi., 14.
Butra, Epist. i., 5, 26.
Byzantius. Byzantia orca, Serm. ii.,
4,66.
Cadmus (Thebarum conditof), Epist ad
Pis., 187.
Cadmus (carnifex Roma), Serm. i., 6,
39.
Cacilius vincere dicitur gravitate,
Epist it, 1, 59 ; nova verba finxit, Epist.
ad Pis., 54.
Cacubus. Caecubum, Carm. i., 20, 9 ;
Epod., ix., 36 ; antehac nefas depromere
cellis avitis, Carm. i., 37, 5 ; reconditum,
Carm. iii., 28, 3 ; repostum ad festas da-
pes, Epod., ix., 1. Caecuba vina, Serm.
ii., 8, 15 ; servata centum clavibus, Carm.
ii., 14, 25.
Cares, Caerite cera, Epist. i., 6, 62.
Casar (Augustus), Herculis ritu dic-
tus morte venalem petiisse laurura His-
pana repetit Penates victor ab ora, Carm.
iii., 14, 3 ; qui cogere posset (Tigellium,
ut cantaret), non quidquam proficeret
Serm. i., 3, 4; Caesaris egregii laudes,
Carm. i., 6, 11 ; Augusti tropaea, Carm.
ii., 9, 20; prcelia, Carm. ii., 12, 10; egre-
gii aeternum decus, Carm. iii., 25, 4 ; om-
ne periculum subis (Maecenas), Epod., i.,
3 ; invicti res, Serm. ii., 1, 11 ; attentam
aurem, ib., 19 ; jus imperiumque accepit
Phraates, Epist. i., 12, 28 ; oculos aures-
que, Epist i., 13, 18. Augusti lacertis,
Epist ii., 2, 48. Caesarem, Carm. iv., 2,
34 ; iturum in ultimos orbis Britannos,
Carm. i., 35, 29 ; altum, Carm. iii., 4, 37 ;
patria quaerit Carm. iv., 5, 16. Caesar,
Carm. i., 2, 52 ; Carm. iv., 15, 4 ; Epist
ii., 1, 4. Cassare principe, Carm. i., 21,
14 ; tenente terras, Carm. iii., 14, 16 ; re-
cepto, Carm. iv., 2, 48 ; incolumi, Carm.
iv., 5, 27 ; custode rerum, Carm. iv., 15,
17 ; victore, Epod., ix., 2 ; judice, Serm.
ii., 1, 84 ; nato, Epist i., 5, 9, vid. Augus-
tus.
Casar (Julius). Caesaris ultor, Carrn.
i., 2, 44 ; horti, Serm. i., 9, 18.
Calaber hospes, Epist. i., 7, 14. Cala-
brae apes, Carm. iii., 16, 33. Pierides,
Carm. iv., 8, 20. Calabris saltibus, Epist.
ii., 2, 177. Calabris pascuis, Epod., i., 27.
Calabria. Calabriae eestuosae armenta
grata, Carm. i., 31, 5.
Calais, Thurini filius Ornyti, Carm.
iii., 9, 14.
Calenum. Caleno prelo, Carm. i., 20,
9. Calena falce, Carm. i., 31, 9.
Cales. Calibus Liberum pressum,
Carm. iv., 12, 14.
Callimachus, Epist. iL, 2, 100.
INDEX OF PROPER NAMES.
715
Calliope. Ad earn, Carm. iii., 4.
Calvus {C. Licinius), Serm. i., 10, 19.
Camena. Camenaj Daunia; decus,
Carm. iv., 6, 27. Graiae spiritum tenu-
em, Carm. ii., 16, 38 ; inhurnanae senium,
Epist. i., 18, 47. Camenae, Carm. iii., 4,
21 ; dulces, Epist. i., 19, 5 ; gaudentes
rure, Serm. i., 10, 45 ; graves Stesichori,
Carm. iv., 9, 8 ; novem Camenis, C. S.,
62. — Camena3 Tragicae ignotum genus,
Epist. ad Pis., 275. Camena insigni,
Carm. i., 12, 39; prima, summa, Epist.
i., 1, 1.
Camillus {M. Furius), Carm. i., 12,
42.
Campanus. Campana supellex, Serm.
i., 6, 118. Campano ponti, Serm. i., 5, 45.
' Jampanum morbum, ib., 62. Campa-
na trulla, Serm. ii., 3, 144. Campanis
agris, Serm. ii., 8, 56.
Campus Martius. Ibi homines otiosi
ambulare et fabulari solebant, Epist. i.,
7,59.
Canicula. Caniculae aestus, Carm. i.,
17, 17 ; fiagrantis atrox hora, Carm. iii.,
13, 19.
Canidia an malas tractavit dapes ?
Epod., iii., 8 ; brevibus implicata viperis
crines et incomtum caput, Epod., v., 15 ;
irresectum saeva dente livido rodens pol-
licem, Epod., v., 42; venenum, quibus
est inimica, minitatur, Serm. ii., 1, 48 ; ad
earn, Epod., v. ; Epod., xvii.
Canis {sidus codeste) rabiem, Epist. i.,
10, 16.
Canis {cognomen Avidieni), Serm. ii.,
2,56.
Cantaber Agrippee virtute cecidit,
Epist. i., 12, 26 ; non ante domabilis,
Carm. iv., 14, 41 ; sera domitus catena
servit Hispanae vetus hostis orae, Carm.
iii., 8, 22; bellicosus, Carm. ii., 11, 1.
Cantabrum indoctum juga ferre nostra,
Carm. ii., 6, 2.
Cantabricus. Cantabrica bella, Epist.
i., 18, 55.
Canusinus. Canusini bilinguis more,
Serm. i., 10, 30.
Canusium. Canusi, Serm. i., 5, 87 ;
Serm. ii., 3, 168.
Capita {Fonteius), ad unguem factus
homo, Serm. i., 5, 32.
Capitolinus. Capitolini Petilli furtis,
Serm. i., 4, 93, 95.
Capitolium fulgens, Carm. hi., 3, 42;
rogina {Cleopatra) dementes ruinas pa-
rat, Carm. i.. 37, 6; quo clamor vocat et
turba t'aventium, Carm. iii., 24, 45. Cap-
itolio, Carm. iv., 3, 9 ; dum scandet cum
tacita Vir^ine pontifex, Carm. in., 30, 8.
Cappadox. Cappadocum rex manci-
piis locuples, Epist. i., 6, 39.
Capricornus tyvannus Hesperiae undae,
Carm. ii., 17, 20.
Caprius, Serm. i., 4, 65.
Capua, Epist i., 7, 48. Capuae aemula
virtus, Epod., xvi., 5 ; muli clitellas po-
»unt, Serm. L, 5, 47.
Carina. Carinas, Epist i., 7, 48
Carpathius. Carpathii maris aequora,
Carm. i., 35, 8. Carpathium pelagus,
Carm. iv., 5, 10.
Carthago. Carthaginis impiae stipen-
dia, Carm. iv., 8, 17 ; invidue superbas
arces, Epod., vii., 5. Carthagini nuncios
mittam superbos, Carm. iv., 4, 69 ; super
Carthaginem virtus Africano sepul-
chrum condidit, Epod., ix., 25. Cartha-
gine oppressa, Serm. h., 1, 66.
Cascellius Aulus, Epist ad Pis., 371.
Caspius. Caspium mare, Carm. hi.,
9,2.
Cassius {Etruscus). Cassi Etrusci in-
genium rapido ferventius amni, Serm. i.,
10, 70.
Cassius {Parmensis). Cassi Parmen-
sis opuscula, Epist. i., 4, 3.
Cassius {Severus). Ad eum, Epod., vi.
Cassius {Nomentanus), Serm. i., 1, 102.
Nomentano nepoti, Serm. i., 8, 10. No-
mentanum ne sequere, Serm. ii., 3, 175 ;
arripe mecum, ibid., 224.
Castalia. Castaliae rore puro, Carm.
hi., 4, 61.
Castor (Jovis ex Leda films) offensus
infamis Helenae vice, Epod., xvii., 41 ;
gaudet equis, Serm. ii, 1, 26. Castoris
Graecia memor, Carm iv., 5, 35 ; magni
frater, Epod., xvii., 42. Castore, Epist
ii., 1, 5.
Castor (gladiator), Epist. i., 18, 19.
Catienus. Catienis mille ducentis " Ma-
ter te appello" clamantibus, Serm. ii., 3,
61.
Catilus. Catili moenia, Carm. i., 18, 2.
Catius, Serm. ii., 4, 1. Cati docte,
ib., 88.
Cato Censorius (M). Catonis prisci
virtus spepe mero caluisse narratur,
Carm. hi., 21, 11 ; intonsi auspichs, Carm.
ii., 15, 11 ; sermonem patrium novis ver-
bis locupletavit, Epist. ad Pis., 56. Cato-
nibus priscis memorata situs informia
premit, Epist. ii., 2, 117.
Cato Uticensis {M.). Catonis nobile
letum, Carm. i., 12, 35 ; virtutem mores-
que, Serm. i., 19, 14.
Catullus, Serm. i., 10, 19.
Caucasus. Caucasum inhospitalem,
Epod., L, 12 ; Carm. i., 22. 7.
Caudium. Caudi cauponae, Serm. i.,
5,51.
Cecropius {Atticus). Cecropiae domus
opprobrium, Carm. iv., 12, 6. Cecropio
cothurno, Carm. ii., 1, 12.
Celsus, Epist i., 3, 15.
Censorinus {C. Martius). Ad eum,
Carm. iv., 8.
Ccntaureus. Centaurea cum Lapithis
rixa, Carm. i., 18, 8.
Centaurus nobhis {Chiron), Epod., xhL,
11. — Centauri justa morte cecidere,
Carm. iv., 2, 15.
Ceraunia alta infames scopulos, Cann.
i., 3, 20.
Cerberus insons, Carm. u., 19, 29 ; im-
manis janitor aulae, Carm. ih., 11, 15, 1C.
Ceres nutrit rura, Carm. iv., 5, 18 • ve-
716
INDEX OF PROPER NAMES.
nerata, ut culmo surgeret alto, Serm. ii.>
2, 124. Cereris arcana? sacrum, Carm.
iii., 2, 26 ; sacra, Serm. ii., 8, 14. Cere-
rem spicea corona donet, C. S., 30. — Ce-
rerem jugeraimmetataferunt, Carm. iii.,
24, 12 ; tellus inarata reddit, Epod., xvi.,
43.
Cervius (calumniator) iratus leges min-
itatur et urnam, Serm. ii., 1, 47.
Cervius (Horatii in Sabinis vicinus)
aniles fabellas garrit, Serm. ii., 6, 77.
Cethegus (A/. Cor?iclius). Cethegis
priscis rnemorata situs informis premit,
Epist. ii., 2, 117 ; cinctutis, Epist. ad Pis.,
50.
Ccus. Ceae naeniae munera, Carm. ii.,
1, 38. Camenae, Carm. iv., 9, 8.
Charon, satelles Orci, Carm. ii., 18, 34.
Charybdis. Charybdin, Epist. ad Pis.,
145. Charybdi. Carm. i., 27, 19.
Cliimara. Chimaerae igneae spiritus,
Carm. ii., 17, 13; tremendae rlammae,
Carm. iv., 2, 16. Chimaera triformi,
Carm. i., 27, 24.
Chios. Epist. i., 11, 1, 21.
Chius. Cbium vinum, Carm. iii., 19,
15 ; Epod., ix., 34 ; Serm. i., 10, 24 ; Serm.
ii., 3, 115 ; Serm. ii., 8, 15, et 18.
Chloe. Thressa me nunc regit dulces
docta modos et citharae sciens, Carm.
iii., 9, 9 ; rlava, ib., 19. Chloen, Carm.
iii., 9, 6 ; ad earn, Carm. i., 23.
Chozrilus gratus Alexandro fuit, Epist.
ii., 1, 232 ; quem cum risu miror, Epist
ad Pis., 357.
Chremes avarus, Epod., L, 33; iratus
tumido delitigat ore, Epist. ad Pis., 94.
Chremeta senem, Serm. i., 10, 40.
Chrysippus, Serm. i., 3, 127 ; Serm. ii.,
3, 287." Chrysippi porticus et grex, Serm.
ii., 3, 44 ; hoc quoque {superstitiosum
hominnni genus) ponit in gente Meneni
Chrysippo, Epist. L, 2, 4.
Cibyraticus. Cibyratica negotia, Epist
i., 6, 33.
Cicuta. Cicutae nodosi tabulas cen-
tum, Serm. ii., 3, 69. Cicutam, ib., 175.
Cinara, protervae fugam, Epist i., 7, 28.
Cirazus. Circaea mcenia {Tusculum),
Epod., i., 30.
Circe. Circes pocula, Epist. i., 2, 23.
Circen Stream, Carm. i., 17, 20. Circa
volente, Epod., xvii., 17.
Circeii. Circeiis ostrea oriuntur, Serm.
ii., 4, 33.
Claudius barbarorum agmina vasto
impetu diruit Carm. iv., 14, 29. Augusti
privignus, Epist. i., 3, 2. Claudi Neronis
virtute Armenius cecidit, Epist. i., 12, 26.
Claudi, Epist. i., 9, 1.
Claudius. Claudisa manus, Carm. iv.,
4,73.
Clazomcna, Serm. i., 7, 5.
Cleopatra, Serm. i., 37, 7.
Clio, Carm. i., 12, 2.
Clusinus. Clusmis fontibus, Epist. i.,
15,9.
Cnidos. Cnidi regina, Carm. i., 30, 1.
Cnidon, id., iii., 28, 13.
Cnosius. Calami spicula Cnosii,
Carm. i., 15, 17.
Cocceius Nerva ( jurisconsultus), Serm.
i., 5, 28. Cocceii plenissima villa, ib., 50
Cocytos, ater, flumine languido errans,
Carm. ii., 14, 17.
Codrus, pro patria non timidus mori,
Carm. iii., 19, 2.
Cozlius, Serm. i., 4, 69.
Colchis imp jdica {Medea), Epod., xri,
60.
Colchus, Carm. ii., 20, 17 ; Epist ad
Pis., 118. Colchi monstrum submisere,
Carm. iv., 4, 63. Colcha venena, Carm.
ii., 13, 8.
Colophon, Epist. i., 11, 3.
Concanus. Concanum laetum equino
sanguine, Carm. iii., 4, 34.
Copia aurea fruges Italia? pleno defu-
dit cornu, Epist i., 12, 29 ; beata pleno
cornu apparet C. S., 60.
Coranus, Serm. ii., 5, 57.
Corinthus captiva, Epist. ii., 1, 193.
Corinthi bimaris mcenia, Carm. i., 7, 2.
Corinthum, Epist i., 17, 36.
Corvinus, vid. Messala.
Corybantes, Carm. i., 16, 8.
Corycius crocus, Serm. ii., 4, 68.
Cotiso. Cotisonis Daci agmen occidit,
Carm. iii., 8, 18.
Cous. Coa faecula, Serm. ii., 8, 9.
Coo (sc. vino) albo, Serm. ii., 4, 29.
Cragus viridi8, Carm. i., 21, 8
Crantor, Epist i., 2, 4.
Crassus. Crassi miles, Carm. iii., 5. 5.
Craterus, Serm. ii., 3, 161.
Cratinus, Serm. i., 4, 1 ; vini potor in-
signis, Epist i, 19, 1.
Creon. Creontis magni filia, Epod., v.,
58.
Cressus. Cressa nota, Carm. i., 36, 10
Crela. Creten centum urbibus poten-
tem, Carm. iii., 27, 34 ; centum urbibus
nobilem, Epod., ix., 29.
Creticus. Creticum mare, Carm. i.,
26,2.
Crispinus minimo me provocat Serm.
i., 4, 14. Crispini lippi scrinia, Serm. i.,
1, 120. Crispinum ineptum, Serm. i., 3,
139.
Croesus. Crcesi Sardis regia, Epist. i.,
11,2.
Cumce, Epist i., 15, 11.
Cvpido circum volat Venerem, Carm
i., 2, 34. — Cupido eordidus {avaritia\
Carm. ii., 16, 15.
Curius Dentatus {M.). Curium in-
comtis capillis, Carm. L, 12, 41 ; maribua
Curiis, Epist. i., 1, 64.
Curtillus, Serm. ii., 8, 52.
Cyclades. Cycladas nitentes, Carm. i.,
14, 20 ; fulgentes, Carm. iii., 28, 14.
Cyclops {Polyphemus), Epist. ad Pis,
145. Cyclopa agrestem, Epist ii., 2, 125.
Cyclopum graves officinas, Carm. i., 4,
7. — Cyclopa saltaret, Serm. i., 5, 63
agrestem movetur, Epist ii., 2, 125.
Cydonius arcus, Carm. iv., 9, 17.
Cylleneus. Cyllenea fide, Epod., xiiL <)
IXDEX OF PROPER NAMES.
717
Cynthius. Cyntbiae (Diana) ceteris
epicula, Carm. iii.. 28, 12. Cyntkium
(Apollincm) intonsum, Carm. L, 11, 2.
Cyprius. Cypria trabe, Carm. i., 1, 13.
Cyprite merces, Carm. iii., 29, 60.
Cyprus. Cypri Diva poteus, Carrn. i.,
3, 1. Cyprum deseruit Venus, Carm. i.,
19, 10. Cypron dilectam sperne, Carm.
L, 30, 2.
Cyrus (Persici regni conditor). Cyri
solium, Carm. ii., 2, 17. Cyro re?nata
Bactra, Carm. iii., 29, 27.
Cyrus (juvenis protervus), Carm. i.,
17, 25.
Cytkereus. Cytherea Venus, Carm. i.,
4, 5. Cytherese puer ales, Carm. iii., 12, 3.
D.
Dacus asper, Carm. i., 35, 9 ; qui dis-
simulat metum Hans cohortis, Carm.
ii., 20, 18 ; missilibus melior sagittis, Carm.
iii., 6, 14. Dacis, Serm. ii.. 6, 53.
Dadalcus. Daedaleo Icaro, Carm. ii.,
20, 13. Daidalea ope, Carm. iv.. 2, 2.
DtEdalus. Expertus pennis vacuum
aera, Carm. L, 3, 34.
Dalmalicus. Dalmatico triumpho,
Carm. ii., 1, 16.
Dama sodalis, Serm. ii., 5, 90. Damae,
Serm. i., 6, 38 ; spurco, Serm. ii., 5, 18.
Damalis multi meri, Carm. i., 36, 13.
Damasippus insanit veteres statuas
emendo, Serm. ii., 3, 64. Damasippi
creditor, ib.. 63. Damasippe, ib., 16.
Danae. Danaen inclusam, Carm. iii.,
16, 1.
Danaus. Danai infame genu3, Carm.
ii., 14, 18 ; puellas, Carm. iii., 11, 23.
Dardanus (Trojanus). Dardanae gen-
td, Carm. i., 15, 10. Dardanas turres,
Carm. iv., 6, 7.
Dannias mill tans, Carm. i., 22, 14.
Daunius. Dauniae Camenae decus,
Carm. iv., 6, 27. Dauniae caedes, Carm.
ii., 1, 34.
Daunus aqua? pauper, Carm. iii., 30,
11. Dauni Apuli resma, Carm. iv., 14. 26.
Davus, Epist ad Pis., 114, 237 ; Serm
ii., 7, 2 ; sis comicus, Serm. ii., 5, 80 ; am
icum mancipium domino, Serm. ii., 7, 2
audit nequam et cessator, Serm. ii., 7, 67
Davo eludente Chremeta, Serm. i., 10
40.
Decius homo novus, Serm. i., 6, 20.
Decor fugit retro, Carm. ii., 11, 6.
Deiphobus acer, Carm. iv., 9, 22.
Delias Apollo, Carm. iii., 4, 64. Delias
deie tutela, Carm. iv., 8, 33. Deliis fo-
iiis, Carm. iv., 3, 6.
Dellius (Q.). Ad eum, Carm. ii., 3.
Delos. Delon, natalem Apollinis, Carm.
i., 21, 10.
Delphi. Delphos Apolline insi£nes,
Carm. i., 7, 3. Delpbis sortilesis, Epist.
ad Pis., 219.
Delphicus. Delphica lauro. Carm. iii..
30, 15.
Demetrius (modulator), Serm. i., 10, 79.
Demetri. ib., 90.
Demetrius (servus Philippi), Serm. 1.,
7,52.
Democritus rideret, Epist ii., 1, 194 ,
excludit sanos Helicone poetas, Epist. ad
Pis., 297. Democriti asellos edit pecus,
Epist. L, 12, 12.
Diana iracunda, Epist ad Pis., 454,
silvarum potens, C. S., 1 : pudicum Hip-
polytum int'ernis tenebris liberat Carm.
iv., 7, 25 ; quae Aventinum tenet Algi
dumque, C. S., 70 ; silentium regit area
na cum fiunt sacra, Epod., v., 51. Di-
anae ara, Epist. ad Pis., 16; laudes, C. S,
75 ; integrae tentator Orion, Carm. iii., 4,
71 ; numina non movenda, Epod., xvii.,
3 ; in earn, Carm. i., 21 ; Carm. iii., 12.
Diespiter, Carm. i., 34, 5.
Digentia, gelidus rivus. Epist i., 18, 104.
Dindymene, Carm. i., 16, 5.
Diomecks cum Glauco pugnavit Serm.
i., 7, 16. Diomedis reditus ab interitu
Meleagri. Epist. ad Pis., 146. Canusium
a Diomede t'orti conditum, Serm. i., 5, 88.
Dionceus. Dionaeo antro, Carm. ii., 1, 39.
Dionysius. Dionysi filius, Serm. i., 6,
38.
Dircceus. Dircaeum eyenum, Carm.
iv., 2, 25.
Dolichos, Epist. i., 18, 19.
Dorius. Dorium carmen, Epod., ix., 6.
Dossennus, Epist ii., 1, 173.
Drusus Genaunos vicit Carm. iv , 14,
10. Drusum Raetis bella sub Alpibus
gerentem, Carm. iv., 4, 18.
Echionius. Echioniae Thebae, Carm.
iv., 4, 64.
Edoni, Carm. ii., 7, 27.
Electra, Serm. ii., 3, 140.
Eleus. Elea palma, Carm. iv., 2, 17.
Empedocles, Epist i., 12, 20 ; ardentem
frigidus ^tnam insiluit Epist ad Pis.,
465.
Enceladus, jaculator audax, Carm. iii.,
4,56.
Ennius (Q.) pater nunquam, nisi po-
tus, ad arma prosiluit dicenda, Epist. i.,
19, 7 ; et sapiens et fortis et alter Home-
rus, Epist ii., 1, 50. Enni versus, Serm.
i., 10, 54 ; lingua patrium ditavit sermo-
nem, Epist ad Pis., 56 ; in scenam mis-
sus magno cum pondere versus, ib., 259.
Eous. Eois partibus, Carm. i., 35, 31 ;
fluctibu8, Epod., ii., 51.
Ephesos, Carm. i., 7. 2.
Epicharmus. Epicharmi Siculi, Epist
ii., 1, 58.
Epicurus. Epicuri de greee, Epist L,
4, 16.
Epidaurius serpens, Serm. i., 3, 27.
Erycinus. Erycina ridens, Carm. i.,
2,33.
Eri/manthus. Erymanthi nigrae silvae,
Carm. i., 21, 7.
Esqiiilia. Esquilias arra-^, Serm. ii.. 6.
35. Esquiliis salubribus, Serm. i.. 8, 14.
Esquilinus. EsquilingB alites, Epod..
v., 78.
718
INDEX OF PROPER NAMES.
Etruscus. Estrusca Porsense manus,
Epod.. xvi., 4. Etruscum mare, Carm.
iii., 29, 35 ; litus, C. S., 38 ; cf. Carm. i.,
11, 14 ; et Epod., xvi., 40. Etruscos fines,
Serm. i., 6, 1.
Euander. Euandri manibus tritum ca-
tillum, Serm. i., 3, 91.
Euias exsomnis 8tupet, Carm. iii., 25, 9.
Eviusnon levismonetSithoniis, Carm.
i., 18, 9 ; dissipat curas, Carm. ii., 11, 17.
Eumenides. Eumenidum capillis in-
torti angues, Carm. ii., 13, 36.
Eupolis, Serm. i., 4, 1 ; eum sccumpor-
tavit Horatius. Serm. ii., 3, 12.
Europa (Agenoris filia) tauro doloso
credidit niveum latus, Carm. iii., 27, 25.
Europe vilis, Carm. iii., 27, 57.
Europa (orbis terrarum pars). Euro-
pen ab Afro secernit liquor, Carm. iii., 3,
47.
Eurus minabitur fluctibus Hesperiis,
Carm. i., 28, 25; equitavit per Siculas
undas, Carm. iv., 4, 43 ; niger, Epod., x.,
5 ; aquosus, Epod., xvi., 56. Euro agente
nimbos, Carm. ii., 16, 23; ab Euro de-
missa tempestas, Carm. iii., 17, 11; im-
pulsa cupressus, Carm. iv., 6, 10.
Euterpe, Carm. L, 1, 33.
Eutrapclus (P. Volumnius), Epist. i.,
18, 31.
Fabia (tribus), Epist. i., 6, 52.
Fabius. Fabium loquacem, Serm. i.,
]. 14.
Fabricius (C), Carm. L, 12, 40.
Fabricius. A Fabricio ponte, Serm. ii.,
3, 36.
Falern us. Falernum (sc. vinum), Serm.
ii., 8, 16 ; interiore nota, Carm. ii., 3, 8.
Falerni severi partem, Carm. i., 27, 10 ;
ardentis pocula, Carm. ii., 11, 19; nota
Chio commista, Serm. i., 10, 24 ; veteris,
Serm. ii., 3, 115 ; bibuli potores, Epist. i.,
18, 91. Falerno diluta Hymettia mella,
Serm. ii., 2, 15. Falerna vitis, Carm. iii.,
1, 43 ; faece, Serm. ii., 4, 55. Falerno
musto, Serm. ii., 4, 19. Falernae vites,
Carm. i., 20, 10. Falernis uvis, Carm. ii.,
6, 19. Falerni fundi uiille jugera, Epod.,
iv., 13.
Fannius Quadratics beatus, Serm. i., 4,
21 ; ineptus, Hermogenis Tigelli conviva,
Serm. i., 10, 80.
Faunus velox, Carm. i., 17, 28. Mer-
curialium custos virorum, Carm. ii., 17,
28. Nympharum fugientium amator,
Carm. iii., 18, 1. Fauno decet immolare
lucis, Carm. i„ 4, 11. Fauni silvis de-
ducti, Epist. ad Pis., 244. Faunis, Epist.
i., 19, 4 ; ad Faunum, Carm. iii., 18.
Faustitas alma, Carm. iv., 5, 18.
Favonius. Favoni grata vice, Carm.
i., 4, 1.
Febres. Fcbrium nova cohors, Carm.
i., 3, 30.
Ferentinum, Epist. i., 17. 8.
Ferentum. Ferentihmnilis pingue ar-
vum, Carm. iii.. 4, 16
Feronia, Serm. i., 5, 24.
Fescemdnus. Fescennina carmina,
Epist. ii., 1, 145.
Fidena, Epist. i., 11, 8.
Flavius, Flavi ludum, Serm. i., 6, 72.
Florus (Julius) ad eum, Epist. i., 3 ; et
Epist., ii., 2.
Forcntum. Forenti humilis pingue ar-
vum, Carm. iii., 4, 16.
Formia. Formiarum moenia, Carm.
iii., 17, 6.
Formianus. Formiani colles, Carm. i.,
20,11.
Forum Appi differtum nautis, cauponi-
bus atque malignis, Serm. i., 5, 3.
Fufidius, Serm. i., 2, 12.
Fufius ebrius, Serm. ii., 3, 60.
Fundanius (C.). Fundani, Serm. 1.,
10, 42 ; Serm. ii., 8, 19.
Fundi, Serm. 1., 5, 34.
Furia. Furiam, Serm. ii., 3, 141. Fu-
ria3 dant alios torvo spectacula Marti,
Carm. i., 28, 17. Furiarum voces, Serm.
i., 8, 45. Furiis malis, Serm. ii., 3, 135.
Furialis. Furiale caput, Carm. iii.,
11, 17.
Furius, vid. Bibaculus.
Furnius, Serm. i., 10, 86.
Fuscus, vid. Aristius.
G.
Gabii. Gabios, Epist. i., 15, 9 ; puerum
natum, Epist. ii., 2, 3 ; cum iis ictum fee
dus a Tarquinio Superbo, Epist. ii., 1, 25.
Gades, Carm. ii., 6, 1 ; Epist. i., 11, 7.
Gadibus remotis, Carm. ii., 2, 11.
Gcetulus leo, Carm. i., 23, 10. Gaetulo
murice, Epist. ii., 2, 181. Ggetulas syrtes,
Carm. ii., 20, 15.
GaUtsns. Galaesi flumen dulce pellitis
ovibus, Carm. ii., 6, 10.
Galatea. Ad earn, Carm. iii., 27.
Galli. 1. Gallia incolce : Gallos fracta
cuspide pereuntes, Serm. ii., 1, 14. — 2.
Gallo-Graci : Galli canentes Ceesarem,
Epod., ix., 18.
Gallia. Gallieo non paventis funera,
Carm. iv., 14, 49.
Gallicus. Gallica ora, Carm. i., 8, 6
Gallicis pascuis, Carm. iii., 16, 35.
Gallina Threx, Serm. ii., 6, 44.
GalloJiius. Galloni pra3Conis mensa,
Serm. ii., 2, 47.
Ganymedcs. Ganymede flavo, Carm.
iv., 4, 4.
Garganus. Gnrgani querceta, Carm.
ii., 9, 7.
Garganus. Garganum nemus, Epist,
ii., 1, 202.
Gargilius, Epist. i., 6, 58.
Gargonius (C) hircum olet, Serm. i.(
4,91.
Geloni ultimi, Carm. ii., 20, 19. Gelo.
nos intra prasscriptum equitare exiguia
campis, Carm. ii., 9, 23; pbar^tritos,
Carm. iii., 4, 35.
Gcnauni. Genaunos, implacidum ge
nus, Carm. iv., 14, 10.
Genius, qui comes natale astrum tern
INDEX OF PROPER NAMES.
730
perat, Epist. ii., 2, 167 ; diurno vino pla-
cnri coepit, Epist. ad Pis., 210. Genium
tloribus et vino piabat, Epist ii., 1, 144 ;
eras mero curabis et porco bimestri,
Cann. iii., 17, 14 ; per Genium te obse-
cro, Serai, i., 7, 95.
Germania horrida, Carm. iv., 5, 26 ;
fera, Epod., xvi., 7.
Geryon. Geryonen ter amplum, Carm.
ii., 14, 8.
Getce, Carm. iv., 15, 22 ; riridi, Carm.
iii., 24, 11.
Gigantes. Gigantum impia cohors,
Carm. ii., 19, 22.
Glaucus Lycius, Serm. i., 7, 17.
Glycera {Horatii arnica). Glycerae vo-
cantis multo ture, Carm. i., 30, 3 ; raeae
lentus amor me torret, Carm. iii., 19, 28 ;
de ea, Carm. i., 19.
Glycon. Glyconis invicti membra,
Epist, i., 1, 30.
Gnatia lymphis iratis exstructa, Serm.
i., 5, 93.
Gnidos, vid. Cnidos.
Gnosius, vid. Cnosius.
Gracchus (Tib.), Epist. ii., 2, 89.
Greecia (Helenen) repetet multo milite,
Carm. i., 15, 6; memor Castoris et mag-
ni Herculis, Carm. iv., 5, 35; collisa Bar-
bariae longo duello, Epist i., 2, 7 ; positis
bellis nugari coepit, Epist. ii., 1, 93 ; cap-
ta, ib., 156.
Gracus. Grascorum antiquissima
scripta sunt optima, Epist. ii, 1, 28 ; mag-
nas catervas, Serm. i., 10, 35. Graecis
intacti carminis auctor, Serm. i., 10, 66.
— Giaeca testa, Carm. i., 20, 2. Grseco
fonte, EpisL ad Pis., 53 ; trocbo, Carm.
iii., 24, 57. Graecis chartis acumina ad-
movit Romanus, Epist ii., 1, 161 ; literu-
lis, Epist. ii., 2, 7. Graecos versiculos,
Serm. L, 10, 31.
Graius. Graiorum fortium praemia,
Carm. iv., 8, 4. Graiis, Epist i., 19, 90 ;
dedit Musa ingenium, Epist. ad Pis., 223.
— Graia manus victorum, Epod., x., 12.
GraiaJ Camenae, Carm. ii., 16, 38.
Gratia cum Nymphis audet ducere
choros, Carm. iv., 7. 5 ; nudis juncta so-
roribus, Carm. iii., 19, 16. Gratiae solutis
zonis, Carm. i., 30, 6. Gratiae decentes
Nymphis junctae, Carm. i., 4, 6; segnes
nodum solvere, Carm. iiL. 21, 22.
Grospkus (Pompcius), Epist. i., 12, 22.
Pompei prime meorum sodalium, Carm.
ii., 7, 5 ; ;id eum, Carm. ii., 16.
Gygts (unus ex Gigantibus) centima-
nus, Carm. ii.. 17, 14 ; testis mearum
'eutentiaruin, Carm. iii., 4, 69 ; Carm. ii.,
17, 14.
H.
'.. Hadruu arbiter
Notos, Carm. i.. 3, 15; ater anus, Carm.
iii., 'Si, 19 ; rauci ductibua fractia, Carm.
ii., 11, 14. Hadria objecta, Carm. ii., 11,
2 ; improbo iracundior, Carm. iii., 9, 23.
Hadrianus. Hadriano mari, Carm. i.,
16,4
Hadus. Haedi orientis impetus, Carm
iii., 1, 28.
Hannonia. Haemoniae nivales campi,
Carm. i., 37, 20.
HdEmus. Haemo gelido, Carm. L, 12, 6.
Hagna. Hagnae polypus, Serm. L, 3,
40.
Hannibal perfidus, Carm. iv., 4, 49;
parentibus abominatus, Epod., xvi, 8.
Hannibalis rejectae retrorsum minae,
Carm. iv., 8, 16. Hannibalem durum,
Carm. ii., 12, 2 ; dirum, Carm. iii., 6, 36.
Harpy ia. Harpyiis rapacibus, Serm.
ii., 2, 40.
Hasdrubal a C. Claudio Nerone devic-
tus, Carm. iv^ 4, 38. Hasdrubale inte-
remto, ib., 72.
Hebrus (Thraciae fluvius), Epist L, 16,
13 ; vinctua nivali compede, Epist i., 3,
3. Hebrum, Carm. iii., 25, 10.
Hebrus (adolescen3 formosus). Hebri
Liparei nitor, Carm. iii., 12, 5.
Hecate. Hecaten, Serm. i., 8, 32.
Hector ferox, Carm. iv., 9, 22. Hecto-
rem homicidam, Epod., xvii., 12. Hec-
tora Priamiden, Serm. L, 7, 12.
Hectoreus. Hectoreis opibus, Carm.
iii., 3, 28.
Helena Lacaena, Carm. iv., 9, 16. Hel-
enas fratres lucida sidera, Carm. L, 3, 2;
infamis, Epod., xvii., 41. Helenen hos-
pitam, Carm. i., 15, 2; ante Helenam,
Serm. i., 3, 107.
Helicon. Heliconia umbrosae orae,
Carm. i., 12, 5. Helicona virentem,
Epist. iL, 1, 218. Helicone, Epist ad
Pis., 296.
Heliodorus rhetor Greecorum lingusa
doctissimus, Serm. i., 5, 2.
Hellas (puella), Serm. ii., 3, 277.
Hercules vagus, Carm. iii., 2, 9 ; impi
ger, Carm. iv., 6, 30 ; delibutus atro Nes-
si cruore, Epod., xvii., 30. Herculis ritu,
Carm. iii., 14, 1 ; efficacis, Epod., iii., 17 ;
armis ad postern fixis, Epist i., 1, 5.
Herculem vinci dolentem, Carm. iv., 4,
62. Hercule amico dives, Serm. ii., 6
13.
Herculeus labor, Carm. i., 3, 36. Her-
culea manu, Carm. ii., 12, 6.
Hermogenes Tigellius (M.) morosus,
Serm. i., 3, 3 ; cantor atque optimua
modulator, Serm. i., 3, 129. Hermogenis
Tigelli morte, Serm. i., 2. 3.
Herodes. Herodis palmeta pinguia,
Epist. ii., 2, 184.
Hcspcria. 1. Italia : Hesperian luctuo
sae Di multa mala dederunt, Carm. iii.
6, 8 ; ferias praestes, Carm. iv., 5, 38.-
2. Hispania: Hesperia ab ultima, Carm
i., 36, 4.
Hesperius. 1. De Italia : Hesperias ru
inn sonitum Carm. ii., 1, 32. Hesperiij
fluctibiis, Carm. i.. 28, 26.— 2. De Hispa
nia: Hesperias undte tyraxuma, Carm
ii., 17. 20. Hesperio a cubili Solis, Carm
iv.. 15, 16.
Hippolytus. Hippolytum pudicum
Carm. iv
720
INDEX OF PROPER NAMES.
Hirpinus (Quinctius). Adeum, Carm.
ii., 11 ; et Epist. i., 16.
Hispamis. Hispanae orae vetus hostis,
Carm. iii., 8, 21. Hispana ab ora repetit
Caesar Penates, Carm. iii., 14, 3.
Homerus Maeonius, Carm. iv., 9, 6 ; vi-
nosus, Epist. i., 19, 6 ; alter, Epist. ii., I,
50 ; monstravit, res gestae regum et tris-
tia bella quod scribi possent numero,
Epist. ad Pis., 74 ; bonus dormitat, ib.,
359 ; insignis, ib., 401. Homero magno,
Serm. i., 10, 52.
Hora, quae rapit almum diem, Carm.
iv., 7, 8.
Horatius, Epist. i., 14, 5. Horati vatis
modorum, Carm. iv., 6, 44.
Hijadcs tristes, Carm. i., 3, 14.
Hydaspes (Indiae iiuvius) fabulosus,
Carm. i., 2-2, 8.
Hydaspes (servus Indus) fuscus, Serm.
ii., 8, 14.
Hydra. Non Hydra secto corpore fir-
mior vinci dolentem crevit in Herculem,
Carm. iv., 4, 61. Hydram diram, Epist
ii., 1, 10.
Hylaus nimius mero, Carm. ii., 12, 6.
Hymetiius. Hymettiae trabes, Carm.
ii., 18. 3. Hymettia mella, Serm. ii., 2, 15.
Hymettus, Carm. ii., 6, 14.
Hyperborcus. Hyperboreos campos,
Carm. ii., 20, 16.
I.
lapetus. Iapeti genus, Carm. i., 3, 27.
lapyz albus, Carm. iii., 27, 20. Iapyga,
Carm. i., 3, 4.
Iarbita. Iarbitam rupit Timagenis
semula lingua, Epist. i., 19, 15.
Ibcr peritus me discet, Carm. ii., 20,
20. Iberis loricis, Carm. i., 29, 15.
Iberia ferax venenorum, Epod., v., 21.
Iberia? ferae bellum, Carm. iv., 5, 28 ;
durae tellus, Carm. iv., 14, 50.
Ibericus. Ibericis funibus, Epod., iv., 3.
Iberus. Iberi pisces, Serm. ii., 8, 46.
Icarius. Icariis fluctibus, Carm. i., 1,
15.
Icarus. Icaro Daedaleo ocior, Carm.
ii., 20, 13.
Iccius. Ad euru, Carm. i., 29 ; et EpisL
i., 12.
Idaus. Idaeis navibus, Carm. i., 15, 2.
Idomeneus insjens, Carm. iv., 9, 20.
Ilerda, Epist. i., 20, 13.
Ilia. Romana, Carm. iii., 9, 8. Iliee
Mavortisque puer, Carm. iv., 8, 22; se
nimium querenti, Carm. i., 2, 17.
Iliacus. Iliacum carmen, Epist. ad
Pis.. 129. Iliacos muros, Epist. i., 2, 16.
Iliacas domos, Carm. i., 15, 36.
llion. Iho sub sacro bella, Carm. iii.,
19, 4 ; cremato, Carm. iv., 4, 53 ; usto,
Epod., x., 13.
flios non semel vexata, Carm. iv., 9,
18. Ilio, Carm. i., 15, 33. Ilion fatalis
incestufque iudex et mulier peregrina
vertit, Carm.'iii., 3, 18, 37.
Uiona. Ilionam edormit, Serm. ii., 3,
61.
Hithyia lenis maturos partus aperire,
C. S., 14.
Ilius. Iliae matres, Epod., xvii., 11 ;
turmae, C. S., 37.
Ulyricus. IDyricis undis, Carm. i., 28,
22.
Inachus. Ab Inacho prisco natus
Carm. ii., 3, 21 ; quantum distet Codrus,
Carm. iii., 19, 2.
India. Indiae divitis, Carm. iii., 24, 2.
Indicus. Indicum ebur, Carm. i., 31, 6
Indus, Carm. iv., 14, 42. Indi superbi,
C. S., 56. Indos, Carm. i., 12, 56 ; EpisL
;., 6, 6.
Ino flebilis, Epist. ad Pis., 123.
Io vaga, Epist ii., 3, 124.
lolcos, Epod., v., 21.
Ionicus. Ionicos motus, Carm. iii., 6,
21.
Ionius sinus, Epod., x., 19.
Ister, Carm. iv., 14, 46.
Isthmius labor, Carm. iv., 3, 3.
Italia, Carm. i., 37, 16. Italia? tutela
praesens, Carm. iv., 14, 43 ; ruinis, Carm.
iii., 5, 40 ; fruges pleno diffundit Copia
cornu, Epist. i., 12, 29.
Italus. Italo ccelo, Carm. ii., 7, 4.
Italura robur, Carm. ii., 13, 19. Itala
tellure, Serm. ii., 6, 56. Italae vires,
Carm. iv., 15, 13. Italos modos, Carm.
iii., 30, 13. Italas urbes, Carm. iv., 4, 42 ;
res, Epist ii., 1, 2.
Ithaca non aptus locus equis, Epist L,
7, 41. Itbacam, Serm. ii., 5, 4.
Ithacensis Ulyssei, Epist. i., 6, 63.
Itys. Ityn, Carm. iv., 12, 5.
Ixion perfidus, Epist ad Pis., 124 ; vul-
tu risit invito, Carm. iii., 11, 17.
J.
Janus pater, Epist. i., 16, 59 ; matutine
pater, Serm. ii., 6, 20. — De templo Jani :
Janum, Epist i., 20, 1. Quirini vacuum
duellis clausit Carm. iv., 15, 9 ; pacia
custodem, Epist. ii., 2, 255. — De vico Jani
Roma : ad Janum medium res mea frac-
ta est, Serm. ii., 3, 18. Janus summua
ab imo, Epist. i., 1, 54.
Jason, Epod., iii., 12.
Jocus, Carm. i., 2, 34.
Juba. Jubae tellus, Carm. i., 22, 15.
Judceus. Apella, Serm. i., 5, 96. Ju-
daei, Serm. i., 4, 140. Judaeis curtis,
Serm. i., 9, 70.
Jugurtha, Carm. ii., 1, 28.
Jugurthinus. Jugurthino bello, Epod,
ix., 23.
Julius. Julium sidus, Carm. i., 12, 47.
Julia edicta, Carm. iv., 15, 22.
Juno Afris arnica, Carm. ii., 1, 25 ; ma-
trona, Carm. iii., 4, 59. Junonis in hono-
rem, Carm. i., 7, 8 ; sacra, Serm. i., 3, 11.
Junone elocuta gratum, Carm. iii., 3, 17.
Jupiter, Carm. i., 2, 30 ; litora piae se.
crevit genti, Epod., xvi., 63 ; seu plures
hiemes seu ultimam tribuit, Carm. i., II,
4 : ruens tremendo tumultu, Carm. i., 16,
12; ver ubi longum praebet, Carm. ii.,
16, 18 : informes reducit hiemes, idem
INDEX OF PROPER NAMES.
721
submovct, Carm. ii., 10, 16 ; iratus, Serm.
i., 1, 20, beuigno numine defendit ma-
nus Claudiae, Carm. iv., 4, 74. Jovis
inagni, Carm. i., 10, 5 ; arcanis, Carm. i.,
23, 9 ; supremi dapibus, Carm. i., 32, 14 ;
tutela, Cai-m. ii., 17, 22 ; imperium in ip-
6os reges est, Carm. iii., 1, 6 ; fulininan-
tis magna manu, Carm. iii., 3, 6 ; con-
eilio, Carra. iii., 25, 6 ; invicti uxor, Carm.
iii., 27, 73 ; epulis, Carm. iv., 8, 29 ; to-
nantis, Epod., ii., 29 ; leges, Epod., xvii.,
60 ; aura), C. S., 32 ; solium, Epist. i., 17,
34. Jovi supremo, Carm. i., 21, 4; nos-
tro, Carm. iv., 15, 6; obligatam redde
dapem, Carm. ii., 7, 17 ; intulerat terro-
rem juventus horrida brachiis, Carm. iii.,
4, 49 ; sic gratum, Epod., ix., 3. Jovem,
C. S., 73 ; non patimur per nostrum sce-
lus ponere fulmina, Carm. L, 3, 40; per
improbaturum hsec, Epod., v., 8 ; adver-
sum preces, Epod., x., 18 ; orare 6atis
est, Epist. i., 18, 111. Jupiter maxime,
Serm. i., 2, 18. O pater et rex, Serm. ii.,
1, 42; ingentes qui das adimisque dolo-
res, Serm. ii., 3, 288 ; non probante, Carm.
i., 2, 19 ; aequo, Carm. i., 28, 29 ; Epist.
ii., 1, 68 ; incolumi, Carm. iii., 5, 12 ; uno
sapiens minor est, Epist. i., 1, 106. — Ju-
piter malus urget mundi latus, Carm. i.,
22, 20. Jovem imbres nivesque dedu-
cunt, Epod., xiii., 2; sub Jove frigido,
Carm. i., 1, 25. — Jupiter de Augusto,
Epist. L, 19, 43.
Justitia potens, Carm. ii., 17, 15 ; soror
fidei, Curm. i., 21, 6.
Labeo. Labeone insanior, Serm. i., 3, 82.
Laberius. Laberi mimi, Serm. i., 10, 6.
Lactznus. Lacaena Helene, Carm. iv.,
9, 16. Lacaenae (sc. mulieris) more co-
m&m religata, Carm. ii., 11, 24; adulte-
rs (Helena;) famosua hospes, Carm. iii.,
3,25.
Lacedamon patiens, Carm. i., 7, 9.
Lacedamonius. Lacedaemonium Ta-
rentum, Carm. iii., 5, 56.
Lacon fulvus, Epod., vi., 5. Laconi
Phalanto, Carm. ii., 6, 11.
Laconicus. Laconicas purpuras, Carm.
ii., 6, 11.
Lcelius (C), Serm. ii., 1, 65. Laeli mi-
tis sapientia, ib., 72.
Laertiades. Laertiaden, Carm. i., 15,
21. O Laertiade, Serm. ii., 5, 59.
Lastrigonius. Laestrigonia amphora,
Carm. iii., 16, 31.
Lavinus (P. Valerius). Leevino mal-
let honorem, quam Decio mandare pop-
ulus, Serm. i., 6, 19. Laevinuin Valeri
genus, ib., 12.
Lalage. Lalagen meam canto, Carm.
i., 22, 10; dulcf ricb'ntrm et dulce lo-
quentem. ib , 23.
Lamia (Q. /FJ'us). Lamina pietas et
cura, Epist. i., 1 1, 0. Lamias dnlci, Carm.
36, •; l cum, Carm. >-, 26; Carm.
«., 27.
T.'-m " (monslrum). Lamia? prans<e
H
vivum puerum extrahat alvo, Epist ad
Pis., 340.
Lamus. Lamo vetusto, Carm. iii., 17, 1.
Lanuvinus. Lanuvino ab agro, Carm,
in., 27, 3.
Laomedon, Carm. iii., 3, 22.
LapilhcE. Lapithas saevos, Carm. ii.,
12, 5; cum Lapithis Centaurea riza,
Carm. i., 18, 8.
Lar. Ante Larem proprium vescor,
Serm. ii., 6, 66. Laribus, Carm. iv., 5,
34 ; ex voto catenam donasset, Serm. i.,
5, 66 ; sequis immolet porcum, Serm. ii.,
3, 165. Lares patrios, Epod., xvi., 19;
renidentcs, Epod., ii., 66 ; si ture placa-
ris et horna iruge avidaque porca, Carm.
iiL, 23, 4 ; mutare, C. S., 39.
Larissa. Larissas opimae campus,
Carm. i., 7, 11.
Latinus. Latini patris, Serm. i., 10,
27 ; sanguinis, Epod., vii., 4. Latinae le-
gis, Carm. iv., 14, 7. Latinum nomen,
Carm. iv., 15, 13; carmen, Carm. i., 32,
3. Latinis ridibus, Epist. i., 3, 12 ; Epist
ii., 2, 143 ; verbis, Serm. i., 10, 20. Lati-
nae (Bc.ftricE), Epist i., 7, 76.
Lalium, Epist. ad Pis., 290 ; ferox,
Carm. i., 35, 10 ; felix, C. S., 66 ; beabit
divite lingua, Epist. ii., 2, 157. Latio pri-
mus ostendi Parios iambos, Epist. i., 19,
24 ; agresti artes intulit Graecia, Epist. ii.,
1, 157 ; imminentes Parthos, Carm. i., 12,
53 ; lugatis tenebris, Carm. iv., 4, 40.
Latona. Latonae puerum, Carm. iv.,
6, 37. Latonam Jovi dilectam, Carm. i.,
21, 3 ; curva lyra recines, Carm. iii., 2rt
12.
Laurens aper, Serm. ii., 4, 42.
Laverna pulchra, Epist. i., 16, 60.
Lebedus, Epist. i., 11, 7.
Leda. Ledaa pueros, Carm. i., 12, 23.
Lernzus, Carm. iii., 25, 19.
Leo. Leonis vesani Stella, Carm. iii.,
29, 19 ; momenta, Epist. i., 10, 16.
Lepidus (Q. JEmilius), Epist i., 20, 28.
Lejws, Serm. ii., 6, 72.
Lesbius. Lesbii (sc. rini) innocentia
pocula, Carm. i., 18, 21 ; cf. Epod., ix.,
34. Lesbium pedem, Carm. iv., 6, 35.
Lesbio plectro, Carm. i., 26, 11.
Lesbos nota, Epist. i., 11, 1.
Lesbous. Lesboo civi, Carm. i., 32, 5
Lesboum barbiton, Carm. i., 1, 34.
Lcthaus. Letluea vincula, Carin. iv.,
7,27.
Leuconoc. Ad earn, Carm. i., 11.
Liber, Carm. i., 16, 7 ; audax prcaliis,
Carm. i., 12, 21 ; metuendus thyrso,
Carm. ii., 19, 7 ; ornatus viridi tempora
pampino vota bonos diwit ad exitus,
Carm. iv., 8, 34 ; pater, Epist. ii., 1, a.
Liberi jocosi munera, Carm. iv., 15, 26
modici munera, Carm. i , 18, 7. Libe-
rum, Carm. i., 32. 9 ; pressum Calilms,
Carm. iv., 12, 14. Liber, Carm. iii.. 21, 21.
Libitina, l'.\n>:t. ii., 1. 4!>. T
acerbsa quaestus antumnus,
19. Lil>itinain multa para »"-■; vitabit;
Carm. iii., 30, 7.
w
722
INDEX OF PROPER NAMES.
Libo. Libonis puteal, Epist. i., 19, 8.
Libra, Carm. ii., 17, 17.
l.ibnrni. Liburnis (sc. navibus},
Epod., i., 1 ; saevis, Carm. i., 37, 30.
Libya. Libyan), Cairo, ii., 2, 10. Libya
in media, Serm. ii., 3, 101.
Libijcus. Libycis areis, Carm. i., 1, 10 ;
lapillis, Epist. i., 10, 19.
Licenlia lasciva, Carm. i., 19, 3. Li-
centiae evaganti, Carm. iv., 15, 10.
Licinius. Ad eum, Carm. ii., 10.
Licinus. Licino tonsori, EpisL ad
Pis.. 301.
Licymnia. Licymnise crine, Carm. ii.,
12, 23'; dominae, ib., 13.
JJparcus. Liparei Hebri nitor, Carm.
iii., 12, 5.
Liris quieta aqua, Carm. i., 31, 7. Li-
rim innatantem Maricas litoribus, Carm.
iii., 17, 8.
Livius Andronicns. Livi scriptoris
U3vurn, Epist. ii., 1, 62 ; carmina, ib., 69.
Lollius Palicanus (AT), Epist i., 20, 28 ;
ad eum, Carm. iv., 9.
Lollius {Maximus). Ad eum, Epist. i.,
2 et 18.
Lucania violenta, Serm. ii., 1, 38.
Lucanus aper, Serm. ii., 8, 6. Lucana
pascua, Epod., i., 28 ; in nive, Serm. ii.,
3, 234. Lucani Calabris saltibus adjecti,
Epist ii., 2, 178.
Lucilius, Serm. u, 10, 64; quae olim
«cripsit, Serm. i., 4, 56 ; bine omnia pen-
Jet, Serm. i., 4, 6 ; sapiens, Serm. ii., 1,
17; est ausus primus in nunc morem
componere carmina, ib., 62. Lucili fau-
tor, Serm. i., 10, 2 ; scripta, ib., 56 ; ritu,
Serm. ii., 1, 29; censum ingeniumque,
ib., 75.
L mi n a, C. S., 15 ; vocata par tubus nd-
fuit, Epod., v., 6.
Lucretitis. Lucrerilemamcenum svtpe
rcutat Lycreo Faunus, Carm. i., 17, 1.
Lucrinus. Lucrina conchylia, Epod.,
ii., 49 ; peloris, Serm. ii., 4, 32. Lucrino
lacu, Carm. ii., 14, 3.
l.ucullus (L.), Serm. i., 6, 40. LucuHi
miles, Epist. ii., 2, 26.
Lupus (P. Ruiilius). Lupo famosis
vcrsibus cooperto, Serm. ii., 1, 68.
Lyetvs. Lyseo uda tempora, Carm. i.,
1, 22; jocoso, Carm. iii., 21, 16; didci,
Epod., ix., 38.
Lyc<eus. Lycaeo mutat Faunus Lucre-
tik in, Carm. i., 17, 2.
Lycambes. Lycambae intido, Epod.,
vi.. 13. Lycambien, Epist i., 19, 25.
Lycia. Lyciae dumeta, Carm. iii., 4,
62.
Lycid&s. Lycidam tenerum, Carm. i.,
4,19.
Lycius. Lycias catervas, Carm. i., 8,
16.
Lycurgus. Lycurgi Thracis exitium,
Carm. ii., 19, 16.
Lycns (ptter). Lycum nigris oculis ni-
groque ciine decorum, Carm. i., 32, 11.
I • not) iuvidus, Carm. iii . 19, 23.
I . • \
Lyde. Ad earn, Carm. iii., 11; etin.,28.
Lydia non erat post Chloen, Carm. iii.,
9, 6. Lydiae rejectae janua, ib., 20; ad
earn, Carm. i., 8.
Lydus. Lydorum quicquid Etruscoa
lines incoluit, Serm. i., 6, 1. Lydis tibiis,
Carm. iv., 15, 30.
Lynceus ocuXorwrn acie excelluit Epist
i., 1, 28.
Lysippus, Epist. iin 1, 240.
M.
Macedo (Philippus) diffindit portas ur-
bium, Carm. iii., 16, 14.
MdCenas (C. Cilnius), Carm. iv., 11,
20 ; Seiro. i., 3, 64 ; Serm. i., 9, 43 ; Serm.
ii., 3, 312; Serm. ii., 7, 33 ; Serm. ii., 6,
31 ; fecit iter Brundisium ad controver-
sias Augusti et Autonii componendas,
Serm. i., 5, 27, 31 ; lusum it ib., 48 ; ei
Horatius scripta sua probari vult, Serm.
i^ 10, 81. Augusti Bigillum tenebat, Serm.
ii., 6, 38 ; convivio a Nasidieno excipitur,
Serm. ii., 8, 16, 22 ; ad eum, Carm. i., 1 ;
i., 20 ; ii., 12 ; ii., 17 ; ii., 20 ; Carm. iii.,
8 ; iii, 16 ; iii., 29 ; Epod., i. ; Epod., iii. ;
Epod.,ix. ; Serm. i., 1; Serm. i., 6; Epist
i., 1 ; Epist i., 7 ; Epist. i., 19.
Manius (parasitus et nepos), Epist. i.,
15, 25 ; inquit Serm. i., 3, 23 ; Serm. i.,
1, 101; absentem Noviura dum carperet,
Serm. i., 3, 21.
Maonius Homerus, Carm. iv., 9, 5.
Maeonii carminis, Carm. i., 6, 2.
Mtttius, vid. Tarpa.
Mavius. In eum, Epod., x.
Maia. Maias almae filius, Cairo, i., 2,
43. Maia nate, Serm. ii., 6, 5.
Mamurrarum urbs, Serm. i., 5, 37.
Mandela, Epist. i., 18, 95.
Majic.i fabulas, Carm. i., 4; 16; ut eli-
cerent Serm. i., 8, 28 ; placantur carmi-
ne, Epist. ii., 1, 133 ; vis decrum Manium
Epod., v., 72.
Manlius, vid. Torquatus.
Marcellus (M. Claudius). Mareelli fa-
ma, Carm. i., 12, 46.
Mareoticus. Mareotico vino, Carm. L,
37, 14.
Marica. Marie ae litoribus, Carm. iii.,
17,7.
Marius. Serm. ii., 3, 277.
Mars, Martis equi, Carm. iii., 3, 16
Marti, Carm. iii., 3, 33; torvo, Carm. i.,
28, 17. Martem tunica adamantina tec-
tum, Carm. i., 6, 13. Marte, Carm. iv.,
14, 9; Carm. i., 17, 23; altero Poenus
proteret Carm. iii., 5, 34 ; cruento care-
bimus, Carm. ii., 14, 13 ; nostro an'a pop-
ulata, Carm. iii., 5, 24.
Marsus, Carm. iii., 5, 9 ; aper, Carm.
i., 1, 28. Marsi peditis vultus in cruen-
rum bostem, Carm. i., 2, 39 ; duelH ca
dum memorem, Carm. iii., 14, 18 ; finiti-
mi, Epod., xvi.,3. Marsae cohortis, Carm.
ii., 20, 18. Marsa nasnia, Epod., xvii., 26.
Marsyns, Serm. i., 6, 120.
MartialU Mai!iale? \np-y& farm i,
17. Q.
INDEX OF PROPER NAMES.
23
Martius. In certamine Martio, Carm.
iv., 14, 17. Martia bella, Epist. ad Pis.,
402. Martiis calendis, Carm. iii., 8, 1.
Massagclae, Carm. i., 35, 40.
Massicus. Massici (sc. vini) veteris
pocula, Carm. i., 1, 19. Massicum lec-
tum, Carm. iii., 21, 5. Massico oblivioso,
Carm. ii , 7, 21. Massica vina, Serm. ii.,
4,51.
Matinus. Matinee apis, Carm. iv., 2,
27. Matinum litus, Carm. i., 28, 3. Ma-
tina cacumina, Epod., xvi., 28.
Maurus. Maura unda, Carm. iL, 6, 3.
Mauris jaculis, Carm. i., 22, 2.
Medea, Epod, iii., 10 ; sit ferox, Epist.
ad Pis., 123 ; ne pueros coram populo
trucidet, ib., 185. Medeee barbaraa vene-
na, Epod., v., 56.
Mediis, miratur Augustum, Carm. iv.,
14, 42. Albanas secures timet, C. S.,
54 ; infestus sibi luctuosis dissidet armis,
Carm. iiL, 8, 19. Medi pharetra decori,
Carm. ii., 16, 6. Medum flumen, Carm.
ii., 9, 21. Medo horribili, Carm. i., 29, 4 ;
sub rege, Carm. iii., 5. 9. Medis triurn-
phatis, Carm. iii., 3, 43 ; auditum Hespe-
rian ruin» sonitum? Carm. ii., 1, 31. Me-
dos inultos equitare non sinas, Carm. L,
2, 51. — Medus acmaces, Carm., i., 27, 5.
Mcgilla. MegillaB Opuntiaa frater,
Carm. i., 27, 11.
Meleager. Meleagri interitus, Epist.
ad Pis., 146.
Melpomene, Carm. i., 24, 3 ; Carm. iii.,
30, 16 ; ad earn, Carm. iv. 3.
Memnon, Serm. L, 10, 36.
Menander. Horatius eum lectitabat,
Serm. ii., 3, 11. Menandro Afrani toga
couvenisse dicitur, Epist. ii., 1, 57.
Menas, Epist. i., 7, 55 et 61.
Menenius. Meneni in fcecunda gente,
Serm. ii., 3, 287.
Mercurialis. Mercuriale cognomen,
Serm. ii., 3, 25. Mercurialium virorum
custos, Carm. ii., 17, 23.
Mercuriiis, Carm. i., 30, 8 ; Serm. ii., 3,
68; compellit horrida virga ad nigrum
gregem manes, Carm. i., 24, 18; celer,
Carm. ii., 7, 13. Mercuri, Carm. iii, 11,
11 ; ad eum, Carm. i., 10.
Meriones, Carm. i., 15, 26 ; nigrum pul-
vere Troio, Carm. L, 6. 15.
Messala (Af. Valer. Corv.), Serm. i., 10,
29 ; Serm. i., 6, 42 ; ejus judicio scripta
sua Horatius probari vult, Serm. i., 10,
85. Corvino jubente promere lauguidi-
ura vina, Carm. iii., 21, 7 ; Serm. i., 10,
85. MessalaB diserti virtus, Epist. ad
Pis., 371.
Messius Cicirrus, Serm. i., 5, 52.
Metaurus. Metaurum tlumen, Carm.
iv., 4, 38.
Metella, Serm. ii., 3, 239.
Metcllus (Q. Cacilius), Macedonians:
a Lucilio in satyris laesus, Serm. ii., 1, 67.
Metcllus (Q. Cacilius). Metello con-
eule, Carm. ii., 1, 1.
Mcthymnczus. Metbymnaeani uvam,
Serm ii . ? >0
Miletus, Epist i., 17, 30.
Milonius saltat, Serm. ii., 1, 24.
Mimas validus, Carm. iiL, 4, 53.
Mimnermus, Epist. i., 6, 64 ; Epist. ii
2, 101.
Minerva in vita nihil dices faciesve
Epist ad Pis., 385 ; crassa, Serm. ii., 2, 3
Minervee operosae studium, Carm. iii.,
12, 4 ; sacra, Carm., iv., 6, 13 ; casta,
Carm. iii., 3, 23.
Minos, Jovis arcanis admissus, Carm.
i., 28, 9 ; cum splendida fecerit arbitria,
Carm. iv., 7, 21.
Miriturna palustres, Epist i., 5, 5.
Minucius. Minuci via, Epist. i., 18, 20.
Misenum. Ad ejus oras echini optimi
capiebantur, Serm. ii., 4, 33.
Molossus, Epod., vL, 5. Molossis cani-
bus, Serm. ii., 6, 114.
Monceses, Carm. iii., 5, 9.
Mors pallida, Carm. i., 4, 13 ; atra,
Carm. i., 28, 13 ; atris alis circumvolans,
Serm. ii., 1, 53 ; gelida, Carm. ii., 8, 11 ;
indomita, Carm. ii., 14, 4 ; cita, Serm.
i., 1, 8 ; et fugacem persequitur virum,
Carm. iii., 2, 14. Mortis laquei, Carm.
iii., 24, 8.
Moschus. Moschi causa, Epist i., 5, 9.
Mucius Scavola (P.), Epist ii., 2, 89.
Mulvius, Serm. iL, 7, 36.
Munatius Plancus, vid. Plancus.
Munatius (homo quidam isnotus),
Epist. L, 3, 31.
Murena. Murense auguris, Carm. iii.,
19, 11.
Musa, Epist ii., 1, 133 ; Epist ad Pi6.,
141; Serm. L, 5, 53; Carm. iii., 3, 70;
Epist L, 8, 2 ; ccelo beat Carm. iv., 8. 29.
Graiis ingenium dedit, Epist. ad Pis., 323 ;
dulcis, Carm. ii., 12, 13 ; fidibus Divos
dedit, Epist ad Pis., 83; imbellis lyrae
potens, Carm. L, 6, 10; lyrae solers, Epist
ad Pis. 407 ; mea Dis cordi est Carm. L,
17, 14 ; procax, Carm. iL, 1, 37 ; severae
tragcediae desit theatris, Carm. ii., 1, 9 ;
vetat virum laude dignum mori, Carm.
iv., 9, 23. Musae, Serm. ii., 3, 105. Mu-
sam Archilochi, Epist i., 19, 28 ; tacentem
suscitat cithara, Carm. ii., 10, 19. Mu6a
auspice, Epist L, 3, 13 ; pedestri, Serm.
ii., 6, 17. Musarum sacerdos, Carm. iii.,
1, 3 ; dona, Epist. ii., 1, 243. Musaa ca-
nebat Carm. L, 32, 9 ; impares, Carm. iii.,
19, 13; locutas in monte Albano, Epist.
ii., 1, 27. Musis amicus, Carm. L, 26, 1 ;
dicenda praelia, Carm. iv., 9, 21. Mu6is
novem cajlatum opus, Epist. ii., 2, 92.
Mutus, Epist L, 6, 22.
Mycence dites, Carm. i., 7, 9.
Mygdonius. Mygdoniis campis, Carm.
iii., 16, 41. Mygdonias opes, Carm. iL,
12, 22.
Myrtous. Myrtoum mare, Carm. L
1,14.
Mysi. Mysorum agmina, Epod., xvii.,
10.
Mystes, Carm. ii., 9, 10.
Mytilene pulchra, Epist L, 11, 17. My*
ilenen alii laudabunt, Epist i., 7, 1.
724
INDEX OF PROPER NAMES.
N.
Navius (Cn.), Epist. ii., 1, 53.
Noevius simplex, Serni. ii., 2, 68.
Naiades. O Naiadum potens, Carm.
fii., 25, 14.
Nasica captator, Serm. ii., 5, 57. Nas-
ic8B filia, ib., 65.
Nasidienus Rufus, Serm. ii., 8, 1, 84.
Nasidieni beati coena, Serm. ii., 8, 1, sgq.
Natta immundus fraudatis lucernis,
Serm. i, 6, 124.
Ncara. Neasraa argutae, Carm. iii.,
14, 21.
Necessitas saeva, Carm. i., 35, 17 ; dira,
Carm. iii., 24, 5 ; aequa lege eortitur in-
eignes et imos. Carm. iii., 1, 14.
Neobule. Ad earn, Carm. iii., 12.
Neptunius dux, Epod., ix., 7.
Neptunus hibernus, Epod., xvii., 50;
terra receptus, Epist. ad Pis., 64. Nep-
tuni iesto die, Carm. iii., 28, 2. Neptu-
num, Carm. iii., 28, 9 ; furentem procul
e terra spectare, Epist. i., 11, 10. Nep-
tuno, Epod., vii., 3 ; sacri Tarcnti custo-
de, Carm. i., 28, 29.
Nereides. Nereidum, Epod., xvii., 8 ;
virides comas, Carm. iii., 28, 10.
Ncreus, Carm. i., 15, 5.
Nereics, Serm. ii., 3, 69.
Nero. Noronis comiti ecribaeque,
Epist. i., 8, 2 ; legemis honesta, Epist. i.,
9,4. Claudi virtute, Epist. i., 12, 26. Ne-
roni bono claroque, Epist. ii., 2, 1. Ne-
ronum major, Carm. iv., 14, 14. Nero-
nes pueros, Carm. iv., 4, 28. Neronibus,
Carm. iv., 4, 37.
Ncssus. Nessi cruore atro, Epod.,
xvii., 31.
Nestor, Epist. i., 2, 11. Nestora Pyli-
um, Carm. i., 15, 22.
Nilus tumidus, Carm. hi., 3, 48; qui
fontium celat origines, Carm. iv., 14, 46.
Niobeus. Niobea proles, Carm. iv.,
6, 1.
Niphates. Niphatem rigidum, Carm.
ii., 9, 20.
Nomentanus, Serm. ii., 1, 102; Serm.
ii., 8, 23, 25, 60. Nomentano nepoti, Serm.
i., 8, 10. Nomentanum, Serm. ii., 3, 175,
224 ; nepotem, Serm. ii., 1, 22.
Xoricus ensis. Carm. i., 16, 9. Norico
i use, Epod., xvii., 62.
Notus, Carm. iv., 5, 9.
Novius, Serm. i., 6, 40. Novium ab-
sentem dum carperet Maenius, Serm. i.,
3, 21. — Noviorum minoris, Serm. i., 6,
121.
Numa Fompilius, Epist. i., 6, 27. Nu-
maB Saliare carmen, Epist. ii., 1,86. Pom-
pili regnum quietum, Carm. i., 12, 34.
Numantia. Numantiae ferae longa bel-
la, Carm. ii., 12, 1.
Numicius. Ad eum, Epist. i., 6.
Numida Plotius. Ad eum, Carm. i., 36.
Numidcz. Numidarum extremi agri,
Carm. iii., 11, 47.
Numonius Vala, Ad eum, Epist i., 15.
Nymphet cum Gratiis comites Veneris,
Carm. i., 30, 6 ; cf. Carm. iv., 7, 5; Carm
i., 4, 6. Nympharum leves cum Satyris
chori, Carm. i., 1, 31 ; cf. Carm. ii., 19, 3 ;
fugientium amator (Faunus), Carm. iii.,
18, 1. Nymphis debitae coronae, Carm
iii.: 27, 30.
O.
Oceanus belluosus, Carm. iv., 14, 48;
circumvagus, Epod., xvi., 41. Oceano
rubro, Carm. i., 35, 32; cum sol Oceano
subest, Carm. iv., 5, 40 ; dissociabili,
Carm. i., 3, 22.
Octavius optimus, Serm. i., 10, 82.
Ofellus, rusticus, abnormis, sapiens,
Serm. ii., 2, 3. Ofelli, ib., 133. Ofellumno-
vi integris opibus non latius usum quam
accisis, ib., 112. Ofello judice, ib., 53.
Olympia magna, Epist. i., 1, 50.
Olympicus. Olympicum pulvcrcm,
Carm. i., 1, 3.
Olymjjvs. Olympo opaco, Carm. iii.,
4, 52. — Olympum gravi curru quaties,
Carm. i., 12, 58.
Opimius pauper argenti positi intus et
auri, Serm. ii., 3, 142.
Oppidius (Serv.) dives antiquo censu,
Serm. ii., 3, 168.
Orbilius Pupillus. Orbilium plago-
sum, Epist. ii., 1, 71.
Orbius. Orbi villicus, Epist. ii., 2,
160.
Orcus non exorabilis auro, Epist. ii., 2,
178. Orci rapacis fine destinata, Carm.
ii., 18, 30 ; miserantis nil victima, Carm.
ii., 3, 24 ; satelles (Charon), Carm. ii., 18,
34. Oreo nigro, Carm. iv., 2, 24. — Orcus
pro : Tartarus, Carm. iii., 4, 75.
Orestes tristis, Epist. ad Pis., 124 ; do-
mens, Serm. ii., 3, 133.
Orion (venator insignis) non curat le-
ones aut timidos lyncas agitare, Carm
ii., 13,39; tentator integral Dianae, Carm.
iii., 4, 71 ; post mortem inter sidera relalus
est: pronus, Carm. iii., 27, 18; tristis,
Epod., x., 10. Orionis rapidus comes,
Notus, Carm., i., 28, 21.
Ornytus. Ornyti Thurini filius, Carm.
iii., 9, 14.
Orpheus, sacer interpres deorum,
Epist. ad Pis., 392. Orpheo Threicio,
Carm. i., 24, 13. Orphea vocalem silvao
temere insecutae, Carm. i., 12, 8.
Oscus, Serm. i., 5, 54.
Osiris. Per sanctum juratus Osirin,
Epist. i., 17, 60.
Otho (L. Roscius). Othone contemto,
Epod., iv., 16.
P.
Pacorus. Pacori manus, Carm. iii., 6, 9.
Pacuvius (3/.). Aufert famam docti so-
nis, Epist. ii., 1, 56.
Padus, Epod., xvi., 28.
Ptzlus. Paetum pater sppellat Str»-
bonem, Serm. i., 3, 45.
Palatinus Apollo, Epist. i., 3, 17. PtH
atinas arces, C S., 68.
Palinurus, Carm. iii., 4, 28.
INDEX OP PROPER NAMES.
725
Pallas proximoa illi {Jovi) occupavit
honores, Carm. L, 12, 20 ; galeam et aegi-
da currusque et rabiem parat, Carm. i.,
J5, 11 ; ab usto Ilio in impiam Ajacia ra-
tem iram vertit, Epod., x., 13. Palladia
ope, Carm. i., 6, 15 ; intactae arces, Carm.
L, 7, 5 ; segida, Carm. hi., 4, 57.
Panatius. Panaeti nobiles libri, Carm.
i., 29, 14.
PanthoicUs. Panthoiden habent Tar-
tara, Carm. L, 28, 10.
Pantilius cimex, Scrm. i., 10, 78.
Pantolabus. Pantolabo 8curree, Serm.
i., 8, 10. Pantolabum scurram, Serm. iL,
1, '&
Paphus. Paphi regina, Carm. i., 30, 1.
Paphon, Carm. tii., 28, 14.
Parca non mendax, Carm. ii., 16, 39.
Parcaa iniquaB, Carm. ii., 6, 9 ; veracea
cecinisse, C. S., 25; reditum tibi curto
Bubtemine rupere, Epod., xiii., 15. Par-
cis sic placitum, Carm. iL, 17, 16.
Paris, Epist. i., 2, 10. Paridia buato,
Carm. iii., 3, 40 ; propter amorem, Epist
L, 2, 6.
Partus. Pario marmore, Carm. L, 19,
6. Parioa iambos, Epist i., 19, 23.
Parrhasius, Carm. iv., 8, 6.
Parthus perhorrescit catenas etltalum
robur, Carm. iL, 13, 18. Parthi celerem
fugam, ib., 17 ; labentis equo vulnera,
Serm. ii., 1, 15. Parthum animosum
versis equia, Carm. L, 19, 11 ; quis pave-
at 1 Carm. iv., 5, 25. Parthorum postibua
superbia derepta signa, Carm. iv., 15, 7 ;
secundum vota, Epod., vii., 9 ; templis,
Epist L, 18, 56. Parthia horrendua ju-
venis {Augustus), Serm. ii., 5, 62 ; formi-
datam Romam, Epiat ii., 1, 256. Parthoa
ferocea, Carm. iii., 2, 3. Latio imminen-
tes, Carm. L, 19, 12. Parthia mendacior,
Epist iL, 1, 112.
Patareus. Apollo, Carm. iii., 4, 64.
Paulus {L. jEmilius). Paulum mag-
U8B animas prodigum, Carm. L, 12, 38.
Pausiacus. Pausiaca tabella, Serm.
ii., 7, 62.
Pax, C. S., 57.
Pedanus. Pedana in regione, Epist.
i., 4, 2.
Pedius Poplicola, Serm. i., 10, 28.
Pegasus vix illigatum te triformi ex-
pediet Cbimaera, Carm. L, 27, 24 ; ales,
Carm., iv., 11, 26.
Peleus, Epist ad Pis., 96. Peleu, Epist
ad Pis., 104.
Pelides. Pelid» nescii cedere gravem
etomacbum, Carm. L, 6, 6 ; inter Peliden
et Atriden lites, Epist i., 2, 12.
Pelignus. Pelignaa anua, Epod., xvii„
51. Peligni8 frigoribus, Carm. iii., 19, 8.
Pelion, Carm. iii., 4, 52.
Pelops. Pelopis saeva domus, Carm.
i., 6, 8; genitor, Carm. i., 28, 7 ; Carm. ii.,
13, 37 ; pater infidus, Epod., xvii., 56.
Penates. Caesar repetit Carm. iii., 13,
3 ; aversoa, Carm. iii., 23, 19 ; patnoa,
Carm. iii., 27, 49 ; per Deos obaecro,
Epist i., 7, 94.
Penelope. Penelopaa sponsi, Epist L,
2, 23. PenelopeD. Carm. iii., 27, 49.
Pentheus. Penthei tecta disjecta non
levi ruin a, Carm. ii., 19, 4. Pentheu rec-
tor Thebarum, Epist. L, 16, 73.
Pergameus. Pergameas domos uret
Achaicus ignis, Carm. L, 15, 36.
Perillius. Perilli dictantis, quod nun-
quam rescribere possis, Serm. iL, 3, 75.
Perstz graves, Carm. L, 2, 22; infidi,
Carm. iv., 15, 23. Persarum rege, Carm.
iii., 9, 4; in Persaa aget pestem, Carm. L,
21, 15. Persia gravibus, Carm, iii.. 5, 4.
Persicus. Persicoa apparatus, Carm.,
i., 38, 1.
Persius hybrida, Serm. i., 7, 2 ; dives,
ib., 4 ; exponit causam, ib., 22. Persi,
ib., 19.
Petillius. Petilli Capitolinifurtia, Serm.
L, 4, 93 ; rei causa, Serm. L, 10, 26.
Petrinum, Epist L, 5, 5.
Pkaax, Epist i., 15, 24.
Pkaeihon ambustus terret avaras spes,
Carm. iv., 11, 25.
Phalantus. Phalanto Laconi regnata
rura, Carm. ii., 6, 12.
Phidyle, rustica, Carm. iii., 23, 2.
Pkilippi (urba Macedonia?), Epist iL, 2,
49. Philippoa, Carm. iL, 7, 9. PhiLppia,
Carm. iii., 4, 26.
Philippus (nummua aureua), Philip-
pos, Epist ii., 1, 234.
Philippus (L. Martius) causis agendis
clams, Epist L, 7, 46, 64, 78, 90. Philip-
pi jussu, ib., 52 ; ad aedes, ib., 89. Philip-
pe ib., 66.
Phoazi. Phocseorum exsecrata civi-
taa, Epod., xvi., 17.
Phabus rediena fugat astra, Carm. iiL,
21, 24 ; mihi spiritum dedit, Carm. iv., 6,
29 ; me lyra increpuit Carm. iv., 15, 1 ;
decorus fulgente arcu acceptusque no-
vera Camenia, C. S., 62. Phoabi decua,
Carm. i., 32, 13 ; cithara, Carm. iiL, 4, 4 ;
chorus, C. S., 75. PhaBbe, C. S^ 1 ; me-
tuende certa sagitta, Carm. L, 12, 24 ; doc-
tor ArgivaB fidicen Thaha3, Carm. iv., 6,
26. Phcebo auctore, Carm. iii., 3, 66.
Pkrahaies jua imperiumque Csesaris
accepit Epist i., 12, 27. Phrahatem red-
ditum Cyri solio, Carm. ii., 2, 17.
Phrygia. Phrygiae pinguis Mygdonias
opea, Carm. ii., 12, 22.
Phrygius lapia, Carm. iii., 1, 4L Phry-
gisB sorores, Carm. ii., 9, 16.
Phryx. Phrygum matronis, Carm. L,
15,34.
Pkthius. Achilles, Carm. iv., 6, 4.
Phyllis. Ad earn, Carm. iv., 11.
Picenus. Picenis pomia, Serm. iL, 3,
272 ; Serm. iL, 4, 70.
Pieris {Melpomene), quae dulcem strepi-
turn aureeB testitudinia temperas, Carm.
iv., 3, 18. Pieridea Calabrae, Carm. iv.,
8,20.
Pierius. Pierio antro, Carm. iii., 4, 40.
Pieriia modia, Fpist ad Pis., 405.
Pimpleis. Pimplei dulcis, Carm. L, 26, 9.
Pindaricus Pindarici fontia haustu%
726
INDEX OF PROPER NAMES.
^oist i., 3, 10. Pindaric» Camenae,
Cavm. iv., 9, 6.
Pindarus immensus ruit profundo ore,
Carm. iv., 2, 8. Pindarum, ib., 1.
Pindns, Carm. i., 12, 6.
Pirithous. Pirithoo caro vincula ab-
rumpere non valet Theseus, Carm. iv., 7,
28. Pirithoum trecenta? cohibent cate-
nae, Carm. iii., 4, 80.
Pisones, Epist. ad Pis., 6, 235.
Pitholeon. Pitholeonti Rhodio, Serm.
I., 10, 22.
Placideianus, Serm. ii., 7, 64.
Plancus (L. Munatius). Planco consu-
le, Carm. iii., 14, 28 ; ad euni, Carm. i., 7.
Plato. Platona, Serm. ii., 3, 11 ; doc-
tum, Serm. ii., 4, 3.
Plautinus. Plautinos numeros et sales,
Epist. ad Pis., 270.
Plautus {M. Accius) ad exemplar Epi-
charmi properare, Epist. ii., 1, 58. Plau-
tus quo pacto partes tutetur amantis
ephebi, ib., 170. Plauto, Epist. ad Pis., 54.
Pleiades. Pleiadum choro scindente
uubes, Carm. iv., 14, 21.
Plotius, Serm. i., 5, 40 ; Serm. i„ 10, 81.
Pluto. Plutona illacrimabilem places
tauris, Carm. ii., 14, 7.
Plutonius. Plutonia domua exilis,
Carm. i., 4, 17.
Poena raro antecedentem scelestum de-
seruit pede claudo, Carm. iii., 2, 32.
Paenus navita Bosporum perhorrescit,
Carm. ii., 13, 15. Pceno superante, Carm.
i., 12, 38. Poenorum impio tumultu,
Carm. iv., 4, 47. Poenos altero Marte
proteret, Carm. iii., 5, 34. — Poenus uter-
que serviat uni, Carm. ii, 2, 11.
Pccnus. Poeno sanguine, Carm. ii.,
12,3.
Polemon mutatus, Serm. ii., 3, 254.
Pollio (C Asinius) facta regum canit,
Serm. i., 10, 42 ; insigne mcestis praesidi-
um reis et consulenti curiae, Carm. ii., 1,
14.
Pollux geminus, Carm. iii., 29, 64 ; ar-
ces igneas adtigit, Carm. iii., 3, 39 ; cum
Castore, Epist. ii., 1, 5.
Polyhymnia, Carm. i., 1, 33.
Pompeius. Pompeio Grospho, Epist.
i., 12, 22 ; ad eum, Carm. ii, 7.
Pompilius. Pompili quietum regnum,
Carm. i., 12, 34.
Pompilius sanguis, Epist. ad. Pis., 292.
Pomponius, Serm. i., 4, 51.
Ponticus. Pontica pinus, Carm. L, 14,
11.
Pontifex. Pontificum ccenis, Carm. ii.,
14, 28 ; libros, Epist. ii., 1, 26.
Porcius ridiculus totas simul absorbere
placentas, Serm. ii., 8, 23.
Porphyrion, Carm. iii., 4, 54.
Porsena. PorsenaB minacis Etrusca
manus, Epod., xvi., 4.
Postumus ad eum, Carm. ii., 11, 14.
Praneste, Epist. i.,2, 2 ; frigidum, Carm.
Iii., 4, 23.
Pramestinus durus vindemiator, Serm.
L, 7, 30.
Priamus, Serm. ii., 3, 195 ; dives, Carm.
i., 10, 14. Priami vetus regnum, Carm.
i., 15, 8; domus, Carm. iii., 2, 26 ; busto,
Carm. iii., 3, 40 ; aulam choreis lactam,
Carm. iv., 6, 15 ; populus, Serm. ii., 3,
195 ; fortunam, Epist. ad Pis., 137.
Priapus. Priapum, Serm. i., 8, 2. Pri-
ape, Epod., ii., 21.
Priscus, Serm. ii., 7, 9.
Procne, Epist. ad Pis., 187.
Proculeius (C7.) notus in fratres animi
paterni, Carm. ii., 2, 5.
Procyon, Carm. iii., 29, 8.
Prometheus fertur addere principi limo
particulam undique desectam, Carm. i.,
16, 13 ; dulci laborum decipitur sono,
Carm. ii., 13, 37 ; obligatus aliti, Epod.,
xvii., 58. Promethea callidum, Carm. ii,
18, 35.
Proserpina imperiosa, Serm. ii., 5, 99 :
saeva nullum caput fugit, Carm. i., 28, 20.
Proserpinae furvas regna, Carm. ii., 13,
21 ; per regna oro, Epod., xvii., 2.
Proteus egit pecus altos visere montes,
Carm. i., 2, 7 ; sceleratus, Serm. ii., 3, 71.
Protea mutantem vultus, Epist i., 1, 90.
Pudor, Carm. i., 24, 6 ; priscus, C. S.,
57 ; Serm. i., 6, 57.
Punicus. Punico sanguine, Carm. iii.,
6, 34. Punico lugubre mutavit sagum,
Epod., ix., 27. Punicis delubris 6igna af-
fixa, Carm. iii., 5, 18. Punica bella, Epist
ii., 1, 162.
Pnpius. Pupi lacrymosa poemaU,
Epist. i., 1, 67.
Puteal, Serm. ii., 6, 35.
Pylades. Pyladen, Serm. ii., 3, 139.
Pylius. Pylium Nestora, Carm. i., 15, 22.
Pyrrha {arnica Horatii). Ad earn, Carm.
i., 5.
Pyrrha (Deucalionis uxor). Pyrrhaa
grave saeculum, Carm. i., 2, 6.
Pyrrhia vinosa, Epist. i., 13, 14.
Pyrrhus (Epiri rex), Carm. iii., 6, 35.
Pythagoras. Pythagoraa faba cogna-
ta, Serm. ii., 6, 63. Pythagoram, Serm.
ii., 4, 3.
Pythagoreus. Pythagorea somnia,
Epist. ii., 1, 52.
Pythia tibicen cantat, Epist. ad Pis., 414.
Pythias audax, Epist. ad Pis., 238.
Pythius incola, Carm. L, 12, 6.
a
Quintilius, Carm. i., 24, 5 et 12 ; criticua
severus carminum, Epist. ad Pis., 438.
Quinctius, vid. Hirpinus.
Quirinus. Martis equis Acheronta fu-
git, Carm. hi., 3, 15 ; post mediam noc-
tem visus, Serm. i., 10, 32 ; ossa, Epod.,
xvi., 13 ; vacuum Janum, Carm. iv., 15,
9 ; populo, Carm. L, 2, 46 ; in colle, Epist
ii., 2, 68.
Quiris. Quiritis amici dona, Epist i.,
6, 7. Quiritem te quis redonavit dhs pa-
triis, Carm. ii., 7, 3. Quiritium mobili'
urn turba, Carm. i., 1, 8 ; cura, Carm. iv.»
14, 1. Quiritibug bellicosis, Carm. iit,
3,57.
INDEX OF PROPER NAMES,
72?
R.
Fads. Alpibus, Carm. iv., 4, 17.
Ramncs celsi preetereunt austera poe-
mata, Epist. ad Pis.. 342.
Rrgulus (M. Auilius). Reguli provida
meus, Carm. iii., 5, 13. Regulum insig-
ni Camena referam, Carm. L, 12, 37.
Remus. Remi, immerentia cruor,
Epod., vii., 19.
Rhenus. Rheni luteum caput, Serm.
I., 10, «37. Rhenum flumen, Epist ad
Pia,18.
Rhode tempestiva, Carm. iii., 19, 27.
Rhodope. Rhodopen lustratam pede
barbaro, Carm. ii., 25, 12.
Rhodos incolumi pulchra facit, Epist
I., 11, 17 ; absena laudator, ib., 21. Rho-
don claram, Carm. i., 7, 1.
Rhatus, Carm. iii., 4, 55. Rhoetum
retorsisti leonis unguibus, Carm. ii., 19,
23. Rboetos immanes pepulit, Carm.
iv., 14, 15. — Rhcetis sub Alpibus, Carm.
iv., 4, 17.
Rhodanus. Rhodani potor, Carm. ii.,
20,20.
Roma, C. S., 37 ; ferox, Carm. iii., 3,
44 ; suis ipsa viribus ruit, Epod., xvi., 2 ;
regia, Epist. i., 7, 44 ; omnia, Epist. i.,
16, 18; potena, Epist. ii., 1, 61. Roma?,
Serm. ii., 1, 59 ; Serm. ii., 6, 23 ; Serm.
ii., 7, 13; beat» fumum mirari, Carm.
iii., 29, 11, 12; dominae, Carm. iv., 14,
44 ; principis urbium, Carm. iv., 3, 13 ;
amein Tibur, Epist. i., 8, 12 ; declaraas,
Epist i., 2, 2 ; erat rhetor consulto, Epist.
ii., 2, 87 ; erit carus, Epist. L, 20, 10 ; dul-
ce fuit reclusa mane domo vigilare, Epist
ii., 1, 103; me censes scribere poemata,
Epist. ii., 2, 65 ; nutriri contigit milii,
Epist ii., 2, 41 ; rus optas, Serm. ii., 7,
28. Samos laudetur, Epist i., 11, 21 ; in-
ter Romam et Ilion saeviat longus pon-
tus, Carm. iii., 3, 38 ; portare puerum au-
sus est, Serm. i., 6, 76. Tibure amem,
Epist i., 8, 12 ; me trahunt invisa nego-
tia, Epist. i., 14, 17 ; formidatam Parthia,
Epist ii., 1, 256. Roma urbe incolumi,
Carm. iii., 5, 12 ; nil majus potes visere,
C. S., 11, 12; magna egressum, Serm.
i., 5, 1.
Romanus, Serm. ii., 4, 10; Epist. ad
Pis., 54 ; 8uperbus, Epod., vii., 6 ; foemi-
naa emancipates, Epod., ix., 11, 12 ; pop-
ulus, Epist. i., 1, 70. Romano, Serm. ii.,
1, 37. Romane, Carm. iii., 6, 2 ; Serm.
i., 4, 84. Romanos agunt acerba fata,
Epod., vii., 17. — Romana pubes crevit
Carm. iv., 4, 46; legio, Serm. i., 6, 48;
militia fatigat, Serm. ii., 2, 10, 11 ; res,
Epist L, 12, 25; juventus pravi docilis,
Serm. ii., 2, 52. Ilia clarior vigui, Carm.
ii., 9, 8 ; in ora venturus, Epist. L, 3, 9.
Roman* lyrae fidicen, Carm. iv., 3, 23.
Romanam rem, C. S., 66. Romano hab-
itu, Serm. ii, 7, 54. Romani equites,
Epist ad Pis., 113 ; pueri, ib., 325 ; scrip-
tores, Epist. ii., 29, 30. Romania poena,
Epist ad Pis., 264 ; vatibus sedem vacu-
am spectemus, Epist. ii., 2, 94 ; viris opua
solenne, Epist i., 18, 49.
Romulus, Epist ii., 1, 5. Romuli prae-
scriptum, Carm. ii., 15, 10, 11 ; meritia
taciturnitas obstaret, Carm.iv., 8, 22, 24.
Romulum. Carm. i., 12, C-':.
Romulus {adj.). Romulee gentis cus-
tos, Carm. iv., 5, 1, 2 ; genti rem prolem-
que date, C. S., 47.
Roscius. Roscia lex, Epist i., 1, 62.
Roscius (Q.) doctus, Epist. iL, 1, 82.
Rubi. Rubos, Serm. i., 5, 90.
Rufillus pastillos olet Serm. i., 4, 91.
Rupilius Rex (P.) proscriptus, Serm.
i., 7, 1.
Ruso (Octavius). Rusonem debitor
eeris fugit, Serm. i., 3, 86.
Rutuba. Rutubae Fulvique proelia,
Serm. ii., 8, 96
S.
Sabaa. Sabseee regibus, Carm. i., 29, 3.
Sabellus, Epist. i., 16, 49. Sabellis pul-
sis, Serm. ii., 1, 36. — Sabella anus, Serm.
L, 9, 29, 30; carmina, Epod., xvii., 27.
Sabellis ligonibus, Carm. iii., 6, 38.
Sabinus. Sabinis rigidis, Epist. ii., 1,
25. — Sabina dicta, Carm. i., 9, 8 ; silva,
Carm. i., 22, 9; mulier, Epod., ii., 41
vallis, Carm. iii., 1, 47. Sabino agro
Serm. ii, 7, 85. Sabinos (montes) in ar
duoa tollor, Carm. iii., 4, 21, 22. Sabi
num (sc. vinum) vile, Carm. i., 20, 1
coelum, Epist i., 1, 77. Sabinis (sc. ag
ris), Carm. ii., 18, 14.
Sabinus (amicus Horatii). Sabinum,
Epist i., 5, 27.
Sagana, Epod., v., 25 ; Serm. L, 8, 24.
Salaminius. Teucer, Carm. i., 15, 23.
Salamis. Salamina Teucer cum fuge-
ret Carm. i., 7, 21 ; ambiguam tellure no-
vam futuram promisit Apollo, ib., 29.
Salernum, Epist i., 15, 1.
Saliaris. Saliare Numge carmen,
Epist ii., 1, 86. Saliaribus dapibus,
Carm. i., 37, 2.
Salii. Neu morem in Salium sit re-
quiea pedum, Carm. i., 36, 12.
Sallustius (C Crispus). Ad eum,
Carm. ii., 2.
Samnites, Epist il, 2, 98.
Samos concinna, Epist i., 11, 2. Ro-
mae laudetur, ib., 21.
Sapientia, Epist i., 3, 27.
Sappho mascula pede Archilochi Mu-
sam temperat Epist. i., 19, 28 ; queren-
tem iEoliis fidibus de puellis populari-
bus, Carm. ii., 13, 24.
Sardes. Croesi regia, Epist. L, 11, 2.
Sardinia. Sardinian feracia opimas se-
gestes, Carm. i., 31, 4.
Sardus. Tigellius, Serm. 1., 3, 3.
Sarmentus. Sarmenti 6curra3, Serm.
i., 5, 52.
Satureianns. Satureiano caballo
Serm. i., 6, 59.
Saturnalia, Serm. ii., 3, 4, 5.
Saturnius numerua, Epist i., 1, 158.
Satiernus. Saturni veteria domusi
728
INDEX OF PROPER NAMES.
Carm. ii., 12, 8, 9. Saturno impio, Carm.
ii., 17, 22, 23 ; orte, Carm. i., 12, 50.
Satyri capripedi, Carm. ii., 19, 4 ; pro-
tervi, Epist. ad Pis., 233 ; dicaces, ib., 225.
Satyrorum scriptor, Epist. ii., 3, 235. Sa-
tyris adscripsit Liber sanos poetas, Epist.
i., 19, 4 ; cum Satyris chori Nympharum,
Carm. i., 1, 31. — Satyruin moveri, Epist.
ii., 2, 125.
Scava ad eum, Epist. i., 17.
Scava (homo prodigus). Scsevae ne-
poti, Serm. ii., 1, 53.
Scamander. Scamandri parvi frigida
flumina, Epod., xiii., 14.
Scauri. Scauros insigni Camena refe-
ram. Carm. i., 12, 37.
Scetcmus, Serm. i., 4, 111.
Scipiades. Scipiadas virtus, Serm. ii.,
1, 72.
Scopas, Carm. iv., 8, 6.
Scorpius ibrmidolosus, Carm. ii., 17,
17.
Scylla, Epist. ad Pis., 145.
Scytka bellicosus, Carm. ii., 11, 1 ; pro-
fugus, Carm. iv., 14, 42 ; cf. Carm. i., 35,
9. Scythen gelidum, Carm. iv., 5, 25.
Scytha3 arcu laxo campis meditantur cc-
dere, Carm. hi., 8, 23, 24 ; campestres,
Carm. iii., 24, 9 ; superbi petunt respon-
sa, C. S., 55.
Sythicus amnis, Carm. iii., 4, 36.
Semele. Semeles Thebanae puei-, Carm.
i., 19, 2.
Semeleius. Thyoneus, Carm. i., 17, 22.
Senecta instans, Carm. ii., 14, 3 ; tarda,
Serm. ii., 1, 57 ; tranquilla, Serm. ii.,
2, 88.
Seplembribus horis, Epist. i., 16, 16.
Septicius, Epist i., 5, 26.
Septimius (7*.), Epist. i., 9, 1. Septimi-
um, Epist i., 5, 26 ; ad eum, Carm. ii., 6.
Seres, Carm. iii., 29, 27 ; Carm. iv., 15,
23. Seras subjectos Orientis oras, Carm.
i., 12, 55.
Sericus. Sericas sagittas, Carm. i., 29, 9.
Servius, Serm. i., 10, 86.
Sextilis, Epist i., 7, 2 ; Epist. i., 11, 19.
Sextius (Z.). Ad eum, Carm. i., 4.
Sibyllhius. Sibyllini versus, C. S., 5.
Sicanus. Sicana iEtna, Epod., xvii.,31.
Sicnlus. Sicula unda, Carm. hi., 4, 28 ;
cf. Carm. iv., 4, 44. Siculum mare, Carm.
ii., 12, 1. Siculi Epicharmi, Epist. ii., 1,
58; poetEB (Empedoclis), Epist. ad Pis.,
463 ; tyranni, Epist i., 2, 58. Sicula3 da-
pes, Carm. hi., 1, 18 ; vaccae, Carm. ii., 16,
33, 34. Siculis fructibus, Epist i., 12, 1.
Sidonius. Sidonio astro, Epist i , 10,
26. Sidonii nautse, Epod., xvi., 61.
Sile?ius custos famulusque dei alumni,
Epist ad Pis., 239.
Silvcmus. Silvani horridi dumeta,
Carm. hi., 29, 23. Silvanum piabant lac-
te. Epist. ii., 1, 143. Silvane, tutor nnium,
Epod., ii., 22.
Simo, Epist ad Pis., 238.
Simois lubricus, Epod., xiii., 14.
Sinuessanus. Sinuessanum Petrinum,
Epist. i., 5, 5.
Sircnes. Desidia Siren, Serm. ii., 3, 14
Sirenum voces, Epist. i., 2, 23.
Sisen7ia, Serm. i., 7, 8.
Sisyphus (jEolijilius) damnatus longi
laboris, Carm. ii., 14, 20 ; optat supremo
collocare in monte saxum, Epod., xvii.,
59 ; vafer, Serm. ii., 3, 21.
Sisyphus {nanus A'ntonii) abortivus,
Serm. i, 3, 47.
Sitkonii. Sithonhs monet levis Euius,
Carm. i., 18, 9.
Smyrna, Epist i., 11, 3.
Socraticus. Socraticam domum, Carm.
i., 29, 14. Socraticas chartae, Epist. ad
Pis., 310. Socraticis sermonibus, Carm.
iii., 21, 9.
Sol. Oceano subest, Carm. iv., 5, 40.
Solis ortus ab Ilesperio cubili, Carm. iv.,
15, 16.
Somnus facilis, Carm. ii., 11, 8; lenis,
Carm. ii., 1, 21.
Sophocles, Epist ii., 1, 163.
Soracle alta nive candidum, Carm. i0
9,2.
Sosii fratres. Sosiorum pumice, Epist.
i., 20, 2. Sosiis, Epist. ad Pis., 345.
Spartacus acer, Epod., xvi., 5. Spar-
tacum vagantem, Carm. hi., 14, 19.
Spes, Carm. i., 35, 21.
Staberius, Serm. ii., 3, 84, 89.
Stertinius, Serm. ii., 3, 33; sapientum
octavus, ib., 296.
Stesichorus. Stesichori graves Came-
na?, Carm. iv., 9, 8.
Sthcnelus sciens pugnae, Carm. i., 15,
24 ; non solus pugnavit Musis dicenda
prcelia, Carm. iv., 9, 20.
Stygius. Stygia unda, Carm. ii., 20, 8
Styghs fluctibus, Carm. iv., 8, 25.
Styx, Carm. i., 34, 10.
Suadda, Epist. i., 6, 38.
Suburanus. Suburanaa canes, Epod.,
v., 52.
Sulcius, Serm. i., 4, 64.
Sulpicius. Sulpiciis horreis, Carm. iv.,
12, 18.
Surrentum amcenum, Epist. i., 17, 52.
Surrentinus. Surrentina vina, Serm.
ii., 4, 55.
Sybaris, Carm. i., 8, 2.
Sygambri feroces, Carm. iv. 2, 36 ; Cffi-
de gaudentes, Carm. iv., 14, 51.
Syrius. Syrio malobatb.ro, Carm. ii,
7,8.
Syrtes aestuosas, Carm. i., 22, 5; bar-
baras, Carm. iL, 6, 3. Gastulas, Carm. ii,
20, 15 ; exercitatas Noto, Epod., ix., 31.
Syrus. Syra merce, Carm. i., 31, 12.
Syrus (vulgare apud Comicos servi no-
men), Serm. i., 6, 38.
Syrus (gladiator), Serm. ii., 6, 44.
T.
Tcenarus. Ta?nari invisi horrida sedes,
Carm. i., 34, 10.
Tanais (fluvius) discors, Carm. hi., 29,
28. Tanain, Carm. iv., 15, 24.
Tanais tepado quidam), Serm. i., 1;
105.
IXDEX OF PROPER NAMES.
729
Tantalus a labris fugientia captat flu-
mina sitiens, Serm. i., 1, 68 ; egens sem-
per benignae dapis, Epod., xvii., 57. Tan-
tali genus, Carm. ii., 18, 37. Tantalum
superbum, ib.
Tarentinus. Tarentino veneno, Epist
ii., 1, 107.
Tarentum ad finem Italiae situm, Serm.
i., 6, 105. Lacedaemonium, Carm. hi., 5,
56 ; molle, Serm. ii., 4, 34 ; imbelle, Epist.
L, 7, 45. Tarenti sacri custos Neptunus,
Carm. i., 28, 29.
Tarpa (Sp. Metius). Meti judicia au-
res, Epist. ad Pis., 387. Tarpa judice,
Serm. i., 10, 38.
Tarquinius Superbus, regno pulsus,
Serm. i., 6, 13. Tarquinii Superbi fasces,
Carm. i., 12, 35.
Tartarus. Tartara habent Panthoiden,
Carm. i., 28, 10.
Taurus (T. Statilius), Epist L, 5, 4.
Teanum, EpisL i., 1, 86.
Teius. Teia fide, Carm. i., 17, 18.
Telegonus. Telegoni parricidge juga,
Carm. iii., 29, 8.
Telemachus proles patientis Ulyssei,
Epist i., 7, 40.
Ttlephus (Herculis ex Auge filius, Teu-
thrantis patris adoptivi in MysiaB regno
successor) pauper et exsul, Epist ad Pis.,
96 ; movit nepotem Nereium, Epod.,
xvii., 8.
Telephus (juvenis Graecus). Telephi
cervix rosea, Carm. i., 13, 1.
Tellus (Terra) injecta monstris suis do-
!et, Carm. iii., 4, 73 ; spicea donet coro-
na Cererem, C. S., 22. Telluris juvenes,
Carm. ii., 12, 7.
Tempe. Thessala, Carm. i., 7, 4 ; agi-
tata Zephyris, Carm. iii., 1, 24 ; tollite
laudibus, Carm. i., 21, 9.
Tempestas. Tempestatibus agna im-
molabitur, Epod., x., 24.
Terentius (P.) arte vincere dicitur,
Epist ii., 1, 59. Terenti tabula, Serm. i.,
2, 20.
Teridates. Teridaten quid terreat
Carm. i., 26, 5.
Terminalis. Terminalibus festis, Epod.,
ii., 59.
Terminus, C. S., 27.
Terra, vid. Tellus.
Teucer. Salamina patremque cum fu-
geret Carm. L, 7, 21. Salaminius, Carm.
i., 15, 23 ; primuflve tela Cydonio direxit
arcu, Carm. iv., 9, 17. Teucrum non vi-
olavit (Ajax), Serm. ii., 3, 204. Teucro
duce et auspice nil desperandum, Carm.
i., 7, 27.
Teucer (adj.). Teucro pulvere, Carm.
iv., 6, 12.
Thalia. Argivae fidicen doctor, Phce-
be, Carm. iv., 6, 25.
Thaliarchus. Ad eum, Carm. L, 9.
Theba. Echionisa, Carm. iv., 4, 64.
Thebarum rector, Epist i., 16, 74. The-
bas Baccho insignes, Carm. L, 7, 3. The-
bis, Serm. ii., 5, 73; Epist ii., 1,213; Epist
ad Pis., 218.
H
Thebanus. Thebanaa Semeles puer
Carm. i., 19, 2 ; arcis conditor, Epist ad
Pis., 394. Thebanos modos. Epist i., 3, 13.
Theoninus. Theonino dente, Epist i.,
18, 82.
Theseus non valet caro Piritboo Lethea
vincula abrumpere, Carm. iv., 7, 27.
Thespis, Epist. ii., 1, 163 ; ignotum trag-
ic» genus invenisse Cameuae dicitur et
plaustris vexisse poemata, Epist ad Pis.,
276.
Thessalus. Thessala Tempe, Carm. i.,
7, 4. Thessalos ignes, Carm. i., 10, 15.
Thessala portenta, Epist ii., 2, 209. Thes-
salis venenis, Carm. i., 27, 2L
Thetis. Thetidis marinse filius, Carm.
i., 8, 14 ; Carm. iv., 6, 6. Thetide Dea na-
tus, Epod., xiii., 12.
Thraca, Thrace (Thracia), Epist i., 16,
13 ; Epist. i., 3, 3 ; bello furiosa, Carm. ii.,
16, 5. Thracen candidam nive, Carm.
iii., 25, 10, 11.
Thracius. Thraciae animse lintea im-
pellunt Carm. iv., 12, 2.
Thrax, Epist L, 18, 36. Thracum est
pugnare scyphis, Carm. i., 27, 2 ; impia
pectora mollire, Epod., v., 14. — Thrax
Gallina, Serm. ii., 6, 44.
Threicius. Threicio Aquilone, Epod.,
xiii., 3. Orpheo, Carm. i., 24, 13.
Thressa Chloe, Carm. hi., 9, 9.
Thurinus. Thurini Ornyti, Carm. hi..
9,14.
Thyestes. Thyestae ccena, Epist ad
Pis., 91. Thyesten irae gravi exitio stra-
vere, Carm. i., 16, 17.
Thyesteus. Thyesteas preces, Epod.,
v., 64.
Thyias. Thyiadas pervicaces, Carm.
ii., 19, 9.
Thyoneus. Semeleius cum Marte non
confundet prcelia, Carm. i., 17, 23.
Tiberinus lupus, Serm. ii., 2, 31. Tibe-
rino flumine, Epist L, 11, 4. Tiberinis
undis, Carm. iii., 12, 6.
Tiberis flavue, Carm. iii., 3, 18; per
brumam, Epist i., 11, 19. Tiberim, Serm.
i., 9, 18 ; Serm. ii., 1, 8 ; flavum, Carm. i.,
2, 13 ; Carm. i., 8, 8 ; reverti quis neget 1
Carm. i., 29, 12 ; in Tiberi stabit Serm
il, 3, 292.
Tiberius. Tiberi, Serm. ii., 3, 173.
Tibullus, vid. Albius Tibullus.
Tibur. Argeo colono positum, Carm.
ii., 6, 5 ; supinum, Carm. hi., 4, 23 ; udum,
Carm. hi., 29, 6 ; fertile, Carm. iv., 3, 10 ;
vacuum, Epist i., 7, 45. Romae amem,
Epist i., 8, 12. Tiburis mite solum, Carm.
i., 18, 2 ; uvidi ripas, Carm. iv., 2, 31 ; tui
densa umbra, Carm. L, 7, 21. Tibure Ro-
mam amem, Epist L, 8, 12 ; natum pue-
rum, Epist ii., 2, 3.
Tiburs. Tiburte via, Serm. i., 6, 108.
Tiburtia Picenis pomis cedent Serm. ii.,
4,70.
Tigellius Sardus, Serm. L, 3, 3. Ti-
gelli cantoris morte, Serm. L, 2, 3. Her-
mogenis, Serm. L, 4, 71 ; Sena, i., 10, 801
Tigelli, Serm. i., 10. 90.
h 2
730
INDEX OF PROPER NAMES.
Tig -is rapidus. Carm. iv., 14, 46.
Tillius, Serm. i., 6, 24 et 107.
Timagenes. Timagenis aemula linerua,
Epist. i., 19, 15.
Timor, Carm. iii., 16, 15; Carm. iii.,
1,37.
Tiresias, Serm. ii., 5, 1.
Tisiphone. Tisiphonen vocat altera
Baevam, Serm. i., 8, 33.
Thanes. Titanas impios, Carm. iii.,
i43.
Tithonus remotus in auras, Carm. i.,
28, 8. Tithonum longa miuuit senectus,
Carm. ii., 16, 30.
Titius. Romana venturus in ora, Epist
i., 3, 9.
Tityos invito vultu risit Carm. iii., 11,
21 ; raptor, Carm. iv., 6, 2. Tityi incon-
tinentis jecur, Carm. iii., 4, 77. Tityon
unda compescat, Carm. ii., 14, 8.
Torquatus (L. Manlius). Torquate,
Epist. i., 5, 2. Torquato consule, Epod.,
xiii., 6 ; ad eum, Carm. iv., 7.
Trausius, Serm. ii., 2, 99.
Trcbatius Testa (C), Serm. ii., 1, 4.
Triquetrus. Triquetra praedia, Serm.
ii., 6, 5.
Triumphus. Io Triumphe, Epod., ix.,
21 ; cf. Carm. iv., 2, 49.
Triumviralis. Triumviralibus flagel-
lis, Epod., iv., 11.
Tnvicum. Trivici villa, Serm. i., 5, 79.
Troes. Troaa male feriatos, Carm. iv.,
6, 15.
Troja. Trojae, Serm. ii., 5, 18 ; lacri-
mosa funera, Carm. i., 8, 14 ; iniqua cas-
tra, Carm. i., 10, 15 ; avitaB tecta, Carm.
iii., 3, 60 ; alite lugubri fortuna tristi cla-
de iterabitur, Carm. iii., 3, 61 ; altaB vic-
tor Achilles, Carm. iv., 6, 3 ; domitor,
Epist. i., 2, 19 ; captas post tempora,
Epist. ad Pis., 141. Trojam canemus,
Carm. iv., 15, 13; ardentem, C. S., 41.
Troja capta, Serm. ii., 3, 191 ; de Troja»
excidio Nerei vaticinium, Carm. i., 15.
Trojanus. Trojanum bellum, Epist.
ad Pis., 147. Trojani belli 6criptorem,
Epist i., 2, 1. Trojana tempora, Carm.
i., 28, 11.
Troilus. Troilon impubem, Carm. ii.,
!>, 15.
Troius. Troia sacerdos, Carm. iii., 3, 32.
Tullius (Serv.). Tulli ante potestatem,
Serm. i., 6, 9.
Tullius Hostilius dives, Carm. iv., 7, 15.
Tullus. Tullo consule, Carm. iii., 8, 12.
Turbo. Turbonis in armis, Serm. ii.,
3, 310.
Turius, Serm. ii., 1, 49.
Tusculum. Superni villa candensTus-
euli, Epod., i., 29.
Tuscus (vicus Romae). Tusci vici tur-
Da impia, Serm. ii, 3, 228.
Tuscus (amnis), Serm. ii., 2, 33. Tus-
cum mare, Epist. ii., 1, 202. Tuscis aequo-
ribus, Carm. iv., 4, 54.
Tydides atrox, Carm i., 15, 28. Tydi-
den Palladia ope superia parem, Carm.
L, 6, 16.
Tyndarida clarum eidus ab infinm
quassas eripiunt aequoribus rates, Carm.
iv., 8, 31. Tyndaridarum fortissima,
Serm. i., 1, 100.
Tyndaris. Ad earn, Carm. i., 17.
TyphDeus, Carm. iii., 4, 53.
Tyrrhenus. Tyrrbena regum proge-
nies, Carm. iii., 29, 1. Tyrrhenum mare,
Carm. i., 11, 6; Carm. iii., 24, 4; sequor,
Carm. iv., 15, 3. Tyrrhena 6igilla, Epist
ii, 2, 180.
Tyrtaus mares animos in Martia bella
versibus exacuit Epist ad Pis., 402
U.
Ulixes quartae fit partis, Serm. ii., 5, 89.
Ulixei duplicis cursus per mare, Carm.
i., 6, 7 ; laboriosa cohors, Epod., xvi., 62
laboriosi remiges, Epod., xvii., 16. Itha
censis remigium vitiosum, Epist i., 6, 63
patientis proles Telemachus. Epist i., 7
40. Ulixem inclytum, Serm. ii., 3, 197
ipsum ille (Ajaz) non violavit ib., 204
utile exemplar virtus nobis proposuit
(Homerus), Epist. i., 2, 18.
Ulubra, Epist. i., 11, 30.
Umber aper, Serm. ii., 4, 40.
Umbrenus. Umbreni sub nomine,
Serm. ii., 2, 133.
Ummidius, Serm., i., 1, 95.
Ustica. UsticaB cubantia saxa levia,
Carm. i., 17, 11.
Utica, Epist. i, 20, 13.
Vacuna. VacunaB fanum putre, Epist
i., 10, 49.
Vala, vid. Numonius.
Valerius, vid. Lavinus.
Valgius Rufus (T), Serm. I., 10, 82;
ad eum, Carm. ii., 9.
Varia, Epist i., 14, 3.
Varius (L.), Serm. i., 5, 40 ; acer forte
epos ducit, Serm. i., 10, 44 ; probet haec,
Serm. L, 10, 81; ab Augusto liberaliter
habitus est, Epist ii., 1, 247. Vario, Epist
ad Pis., 55. Varium, Serm. i., 9, 23.
Varius cum Maecenate convivio Nasi-
dieni interfuit, Serm. ii., 8, 21.
Varro (P. Terentius), Serm. L, 10, 46.
Varus. Ad eum, Carm. i, 18.
Vaticanus. Vaticani montis imago,
Carm. L, 20, 7.
Veia exhauriebat humum ligonibus,
Epod., v., 29.
Veianius latet abditus agro, Epist i., 1, 4.
Veiens. Veientis arvi emtor, Epist ii.,
2,167.
Veientanus. Ve'ientanum vinum,
Serm. ii., 3, 143.
Velabrum, Serm. ii., 3, 229.
Velio, Epist L, 15, 1.
Velina, Epist i., 6, 52.
Venafranus. VenafranaB olivaa bacca,
Serm. iu, 4, 69. Venefranos agros, Carm.
iii., 5, 55.
Venafrum. Venafri cella, Serm. ii., 8,
45. Venafro viridi bacca certajt, Carm.
ii., 6, 16.
rXDEX OF PROPER NAMES.
731
Venus, Carm. i., 13, 15; Carm. iii., 16,
6. Cytherea ducit choros, Carm. i., 4, 5;
decens, Carm. i., 18, 6; in me tota ruens
Cyprum deseruit, Carm. i., 19, 9 ; dum
favet, Carm. iii., 11, 46 ; perfidum ridens,
Cann. iii., 27, 67 ; bene nummatum deco-
rat, Epist. i., 6, 38. Veneris prsesidio fe-
rox, Carm. i., 15, 13 ; sodali, Carm. iii., 18,
6 ; grata vocibus, Carm. iv., 6, 21 ; ma-
rinsB mensem Aprilem, Carm. iv., 11, 15 ;
almae progeniem, Carm. iv., 15, 32; cla-
rus sanguis, C. S., 50. Venerem canebat,
Carm. i., 32, 9 ; regina Gnidi Papbique,
Carm. L, 30, 1 ; lseta, Carm. iii., 21, 21.—
Venus damnosa, Epist i., 18, 21 ; si pris-
ca redit, Carm. iii., 9, 17. Venerem des-
tinat, Carm. iii., 13, 5. Venerem incer-
tam rapientea, Serm. i., 3, 109 ; eripuere
anni, Epist. ii., 2, 56 ; abstinuit puer, Epist
ad Pis., 414. — Pro : puella : Venus quaa
te cunque domat, Carm. i., 27, 14 ; me-
lior, Carm. i., 13, 33. — Venus pro : venus-
tas, suavilas: Venus baec ordinis erit,
Epist. ad Pis., 42 ; fabula nulliua Vene-
ris, Epist ad Pis., 320. — De bono talorum
jactatu, Carm. ii., 7, 25.
Venusinus. Venusinos colonos, Serm.
ii., 1, 35. VenusinaB Bilvae plectantur,
Carm. i., 28, 26.
Ver. Veri8 comites, Carm. iv., 12, 1.
Ver proterit iEstas interitura, Carm. iv.,
7, 10.
Veritas nuda, Carm. i., 24, 7.
Vertumnus, Serm. ii., 7, 14; Epist. i.,
20,1.
Vesperus, Carm. ii., 9, 10; Carm. iii.,
19, 26.
Vesta. Vest» templa, Carm. i., 2, 16 ;
intra penetralia, Epist ii., 2, 114 ; ad Ves-
ts ventum erat Serm. i., 9, 35. Vestae
asternse, Carm. iii., 5, 11. Vestam minus
audientem carmina fatigent prece sane-
tee Virgines, Carm. i, 2, 28.
Vibidius, Serm. ii., 8, 22, 33, 40, 80.
Victoria lseta, Serm. i., 1, 8 ; velox,
Epist. i., 18, 64.
Vindclici. Drusum gerentem bellg
Raetis sub Alpibus videre, Carm. iv., 4,
18 ; expertes legis Latinec, Carm. iv., 14, 8.
Vinnius Fronto Asella (C). Ad euro,
Epist i., 13.
Virgilius Maro (P.), Carm. i., 3, 8;
Serm. i., 5, 41, 48; Serm. L, 6, 55; ab
Augusto donatur, Epist ii., 1, 247 ; ei Ho«
ratius carmina sua probari vult, Serm.
i., 10, 81. Virgilio molle et facetum an-
nuere gaudenteB rure Camenae, Serm.
i., 10, 44.
Virtus, Carm.ii., 2, 19 ; C. S., 58 ; Serm
ii., 3, 13, 95 ; Epist. i., 2, 17.
Viscus (Vibius). Viscum, Serm. i., 9,
22. Viscorum uterque, Serm. i., 10, 83.
Viscus. Thurinus, Serm. ii., 8, 20.
Visellius. Viselli socerum, Serm. i.,
1, 105.
Volanerius ecurra, Serm. ii., 7, 15.
Voluptas emta dolore, Epist. i., 2, 55.
Vulcanus dum ardens urit Cyclopum
officinas, Carm. i., 4, 8 ; avidus, Carm.
iii., 4, 58. Vulcano per veterem culi-
nam delapso, Serm. i., 5, 74.
Vulteius Mena, Epist i., 7, 55, 64. Vul-
tei, ib., 91.
Vultur. Vulture in Apulo, Carm. iii.,
4,9.
Xanthus. Xantho amne, Carm. iv.,
6,26.
Zephyri. Zephyris, Epist. i., 7, 13 ;
agitata Tempe, Carm. iii., 1, 24 ; frigora
mitescunt, Carm. iv., 7, 9.
Zethus (frater Amphionis), Epiet L,
1 18, 42.
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