Title: The Works of Horace, with English Notes
Author: Horace
Annotator: A. J. Macleane
Editor: Reginald Heber Chase
Release date: September 22, 2014 [eBook #46938]
Most recently updated: October 24, 2024
Language: Latin
Credits: Produced by Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, Jim Dishington, and
the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
http://www.pgdp.net.
The individual works — odes (carmina), satires, epistles and treatises — and their respective sets of notes are hyperlinked to each other by way of their headings. For convenience, each book of poems has been provided with a set of hyperlinks to the individual works within the book.
The cover image that appears in e-book versions was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.
Errata and other changes from the original text are found at the end of this digital version.
THE
WORKS OF HORACE,
WITH
ENGLISH NOTES,
BY THE
Rev. A. J. MACLEANE, M.A.
HEAD-MASTER OF KING EDWARD’S SCHOOL, BATH
REVISED AND EDITED
BY
REGINALD H. CHASE, A.M.
ALLYN AND BACON.
1895.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by
JOHN BARTLETT.
in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts
TWENTIETH EDITION.
University Press John Wilson & Son,
Cambridge.
The materials for Horace’s life are derived almost entirely from his own works. A few additional facts are obtained from a short memoir, attributed to Suetonius.
He was born on the 8th of December, A. U. C. 689 (B. C. 65), at or near Venusia[1] (Venosa), in the Apennines, on the borders of Lucania and Apulia. His father was a freedman,[2] having, as his name proves, been the slave of some person of the Horatia gens. As Horace implies that he himself was ingenuus,[3] his father must have obtained his freedom before his birth. He afterwards followed the calling of a coactor,[4] a collector of money in some way or other, it is not known in what. He made, in this capacity, enough to purchase an estate, probably a small one, near the above town, where the poet was born. We hear nothing of his mother, except that Horace speaks of both his parents with affection.[5] His father, probably seeing signs of talent in him as a child, was not content to have him educated at a provincial school, but took him (at what age he does not say, but probably about twelve) to Rome, where he became a pupil of Orbilius Pupillus,[6] who had a school of much note, attended by boys of good family, and whom Horace remembered all his life as an irritable teacher, given unnecessarily to the use of the rod.[viii] With him he learnt grammar, the earlier Latin authors, and Homer. He attended other masters (of rhetoric, poetry, and music perhaps), as Roman boys were wont, and had the advantage (to which he afterwards looked back with gratitude) of his father’s care and moral training during this part of his education. It was usual for young men of birth and ability to be sent to Athens, to finish their education by the study of Greek literature and philosophy under native teachers; and Horace went there too, at what age is not known, but probably when he was about twenty. Whether his father was alive at that time, or dead, is uncertain. If he went to Athens at twenty, it was in B. C. 45, the year before Julius Cæsar was assassinated. After that event, Brutus and Cassius left Rome and went to Greece. Foreseeing the struggle that was before them, they got round them many of the young men at that time studying at Athens, and Horace was appointed tribune[7] in the army of Brutus, a high command, for which he was not qualified. He went with Brutus into Asia Minor, and finally shared his defeat at Philippi, B. C. 42. He makes humorous allusion to this defeat in his Ode to Pompeius Varus (ii. 7). After the battle he came to Italy, having obtained permission to do so, like many others who were willing to give up a desperate cause and settle quietly at home. His patrimony,[8] however, was forfeited, and he seems to have had no means of subsistence, which induced him to employ himself in writing verses, with the view, perhaps, of bringing himself into notice,[9] rather than for the purpose of making money by their sale. By some means he managed to get a place as scriba[10] in the Quæstor’s office, whether by purchase or interest does not appear. In either case, we must suppose he contrived soon to make friends, though he could not do so by the course he pursued,[ix] without also making many enemies. His Satires are full of allusions to the enmity his verses had raised up for him on all hands. He became acquainted, among other literary persons, with Virgil and Varius, who, about three years after his return (B. C. 39), introduced him to Mæcenas, who was careful of receiving into his circle a tribune of Brutus, and one whose writings were of a kind that was new and unpopular. He accordingly saw nothing of Horace for nine months after his introduction to him. He then sent for him (B. C. 38), and from that time continued to be his patron and warmest friend.
At his house, probably, Horace became intimate with Pollio, and the many persons of consideration whose friendship he appears to have enjoyed. Through Mæcenas, also, it is probable Horace was introduced to Augustus; but when that happened is uncertain. In B. C. 37, Mæcenas was deputed by Augustus to meet M. Antonius at Brundisium, and he took Horace with him on that journey, of which a detailed account is given in the fifth Satire of the first book. Horace appears to have parted from the rest of the company at Brundisium, and perhaps returned to Rome by Tarentum and Venusia. (See S. i. 5, Introduction.) Between this journey and B. C. 32, Horace received from his friend the present of a small estate in the valley of the Digentia (Licenza), situated about thirty-four miles from Rome, and fourteen from Tibur, in the Sabine country. Of this property he gives a description in his Epistle to Quintius (i. 16), and he appears to have lived there a part of every year, and to have been fond of the place, which was very quiet and retired, being four miles from the nearest town, Varia (Vico Varo), a municipium perhaps, but not a place of any importance. During this interval he continued to write Satires and Epodes, but also, it appears probable, some of the Odes, which some years later he published, and others which he did not publish. These compositions, no doubt, were seen by his friends, and were pretty well known before any of them were collected for publication. The first book of the Satires was published probably in B. C. 35, the Epodes in B. C. 30, and the second book of Satires in the following year, when Horace was about thirty-five years old.[x] When Augustus returned from Asia, in B. C. 29, and closed the gates of Janus, being the acknowledged head of the republic, Horace appeared among his most hearty adherents. He wrote on this occasion one of his best Odes (i. 2), and employed his pen in forwarding those reforms which it was the first object of Augustus to effect. (See Introduction to C. ii. 15.) His most striking Odes appear, for the most part, to have been written after the establishment of peace. Some may have been written before, and probably were. But for some reason it would seem that he gave himself more to lyric poetry after his thirty-fifth year than he had done before. He had most likely studied the Greek poets while he was at Athens, and some of his imitations may have been written early. If so, they were most probably improved and polished, from time to time, (for he must have had them by him, known perhaps only to a few friends, for many years,) till they became the graceful specimens of artificial composition that they are. Horace continued to employ himself in this kind of writing (on a variety of subjects, convivial, amatory, political, moral,—some original, many no doubt suggested by Greek poems) till B. C. 24, when there are reasons for thinking the first three books of the Odes were published. During this period, Horace appears to have passed his time at Rome, among the most distinguished men of the day, or at his house in the country, paying occasional visits to Tibur, Præneste, and Baiæ, with indifferent health, which required change of air. About the year B. C. 26 he was nearly killed by the falling of a tree, on his own estate, which accident he has recorded in one of his Odes (ii. 13), and occasionally refers to; once in the same stanza with a storm in which he was nearly lost off Cape Palinurus,[11] on the western coast of Italy. When this happened, nobody knows. After the publication of the three books of Odes, Horace seems to have ceased from that style of writing, or nearly so; and the only other compositions we know of his having produced in the next few years are metrical Epistles to different friends, of which he published a volume probably in B. C. 20 or 19. He seems to have taken[xi] up the study of the Greek philosophical writers, and to have become a good deal interested in them, and also to have been a little tired of the world, and disgusted with the jealousies his reputation created. His health did not improve as he grew older, and he put himself under the care of Antonius Musa, the emperor’s new physician.[12] By his advice he gave up, for a time at least, his favorite Baiæ. But he found it necessary to be a good deal away from Rome, especially in the autumn and winter.[13]
In B. C. 17, Augustus celebrated the Ludi Seculares, and Horace was required to write an Ode for the occasion, which he did, and it has been preserved. This circumstance, and the credit it brought him, may have given his mind another leaning to Ode-writing, and have helped him to produce the fourth book, a few pieces in which may have been written at any time. It is said that Augustus particularly desired Horace to publish another book of Odes, in order that those he wrote upon the victories of Drusus and Tiberius (4 and 14) might appear in it. The latter of these Odes was not written, probably, till B. C. 13, when Augustus returned from Gaul. If so, the book was probably published in that year, when Horace was fifty-two. The Odes of the fourth book show no diminution of power, but the reverse. There are none in the first three books that surpass, or perhaps equal, the Ode in honor of Drusus, and few superior to that which is addressed to Lollius. The success of the first three books, and the honor of being chosen to compose the Ode at the Ludi Seculares, seem to have given him encouragement. There are no incidents in his life during the above period recorded or alluded to in his poems. He lived five years after the publication of the fourth book of Odes, if the above date be correct, and during that time, I think it probable, he wrote the Epistles to Augustus and Florus which form the second book; and having conceived the intention of writing a poem on the art and progress of poetry, he wrote as much of it as appears in the Epistle to the Pisones which has been preserved among his works. It seems,[xii] from the Epistle to Florus, that Horace at this time had to resist the urgency of friends begging him to write, one in this style and another in that, and that he had no desire to gratify them and to sacrifice his own ease to a pursuit in which it is plain he never took any great delight. He was likely to bring to it less energy as his life was drawing prematurely to a close, through infirmities either contracted or aggravated during his irrational campaigning with Brutus, his inaptitude for which he appears afterwards to have been perfectly aware of. He continued to apply himself to the study of moral philosophy till his death, which took place, according to Eusebius, on the 27th of November, B. C. 8, in the fifty-seventh year of his age, and within a few days of its completion. Mæcenas died the same year, also towards the close of it; a coincidence that has led some to the notion, that Horace hastened his own death that he might not have the pain of surviving his patron. According to Suetonius, his death (which he places after his fifty-ninth year) was so sudden, that he had not time to execute his will, which is opposed to the notion of suicide. The two friends were buried near one another “in extremis Esquiliis,” in the farthest part of the Esquiliæ, that is, probably, without the city walls, on the ground drained and laid out in gardens by Mæcenas. (See S. i. 8, Introduction.)
FOOTNOTES
[1] C. iii. 4. 9; C. iv. 9. 2; S. ii. 1. 34.
[2] S. i. 6. 6. 46, 47.
[3] S. i. 6. 8.
[4] S. i. 6. 86.
[5] S. i. 6. 96.
[6] Epp. ii. 1. 71; ibid. 2. 41.
[7] S. i. 6. 48.
[8] Epp. ii. 2. 50.
[9] Some persons reject this notion, supposing Horace to mean, in the passage on which it is founded (Epp. ii. 2. 51), that poverty made him desperate and careless of consequences, but that when he became comparatively rich he lost that stimulus.
[10] Suet. Vit. S. ii. 6. 36.
[11] C. iii. 4. 28.
[12] Epp. i. 15.
[13] Epp. i. 7. 1-13.
I. | II. | III. | IV. | V. | VI. | VII. | VIII. | IX. | X. | XI. | XII. | XIII. | XIV. | XV. | XVI. | XVII. | XVIII. | XIX. | XX. | XXI. | XXII. | XXIII. | XXIV. | XXV. | XXVI. | XXVII. | XXVIII. | XXIX. | XXX. | XXXI. | XXXII. | XXXIII. | XXXIV. | XXXV. | XXXVI. | XXXVII. | XXXVIII.
| Maecenas atavis edite regibus | |
| O et praesidium 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; | |
| Illum si proprio condidit horreo | |
| Quidquid de Libycis verritur areis. | 10 |
| Gaudentem patrios findere sarculo | |
| Agros Attalicis conditionibus | |
| Nunquam dimoveas, ut trabe Cypria | |
| Myrtoum pavidus nauta secet mare. | |
| Luctantem Icariis fluctibus Africum | 15 |
| Mercator metuens otium et oppidi | |
| Laudat rura sui; mox reficit rates | |
| Quassas indocilis pauperiem pati. | |
| Est qui nec veteris pocula Massici | |
| Nec partem solido demere de die | 20 |
| Spernit, nunc viridi membra sub arbuto | |
| [2]Stratus, nunc ad aquae lene caput sacrae. | |
| Multos castra juvant et lituo tubae | |
| 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 hederae praemia frontium | |
| Dis miscent superis; me gelidum nemus | 30 |
| Nympharumque leves cum Satyris chori | |
| Secernunt populo, si neque tibias | |
| Euterpe cohibet nec Polyhymnia | |
| Lesboum refugit tendere barbiton. | |
| Quod si me lyricis vatibus inseris, | 35 |
| Sublimi feriam sidera vertice. |
| Jam satis terris nivis atque dirae | |
| Grandinis misit Pater, et rubente | |
| Dextera sacras jaculatus arces | |
| Terruit Urbem, | |
| Terruit gentes, grave ne rediret | 5 |
| Seculum Pyrrhae nova monstra questae, | |
| Omne cum Proteus pecus egit altos | |
| Visere montes, | |
| Piscium et summa genus haesit ulmo | |
| Nota quae sedes fuerat columbis, | 10 |
| Et superjecto pavidae natarunt | |
| Aequore damae. | |
| Vidimus flavum Tiberim retortis | |
| Littore Etrusco violenter undis | |
| Ire dejectum monumenta regis | 15 |
| Templaque Vestae; | |
| Iliae dum se nimium querenti | |
| [3]Jactat ultorem, vagus et sinistra | |
| Labitur ripa Jove non probante u- | |
| xorius amnis. | 20 |
| Audiet cives acuisse ferrum | |
| Quo graves Persae melius perirent; | |
| Audiet pugnas vitio parentum | |
| Rara juventus. | |
| Quem vocet divum populus ruentis | 25 |
| Imperi rebus? prece qua fatigent | |
| Virgines sanctae minus audientem | |
| Carmina Vestam? | |
| Cui dabit partes scelus expiandi | |
| Juppiter? 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 Mauri peditis cruentum | |
| Voltus in hostem; | 40 |
| Sive mutata juvenem figura | |
| Ales in terris imitaris, almae | |
| Filius Maiae, patiens vocari | |
| Caesaris ultor: | |
| Serus in caelum redeas diuque | 45 |
| Laetus intersis populo Quirini; | |
| Neve te nostris vitiis iniquum | |
| Ocior aura | |
| Tollat: hic magnos potius triumphos, | |
| Hic ames dici pater atque princeps, | 50 |
| Neu sinas Medos equitare inultos | |
| Te duce, Caesar. |
| Sic te diva potens Cypri, | |
| Sic fratres Helenae lucida sidera, | |
| Ventorumque regat pater, | |
| Obstrictis aliis praeter Iapyga: | |
| Navis, quae tibi creditum | 5 |
| Debes Virgilium finibus Atticis | |
| Reddas incolumem precor, | |
| Et serves animae dimidium meae. | |
| Illi robur et aes triplex | |
| Circa pectus erat qui fragilem truci | 10 |
| Commisit pelago ratem | |
| Primus, nec timuit praecipitem Africum | |
| Decertantem Aquilonibus | |
| Nec tristes Hyadas, nec rabiem Noti | |
| Quo non arbiter Hadriae | 15 |
| Major tollere seu ponere volt freta. | |
| Quem Mortis timuit gradum | |
| Qui siccis oculis monstra natantia, | |
| Qui vidit mare turgidum et | |
| Infames scopulos Acroceraunia? | 20 |
| Nequicquam deus abscidit | |
| Prudens Oceano dissociabili | |
| Terras si tamen impiae | |
| Non tangenda rates transiliunt vada. | |
| Audax omnia perpeti | 25 |
| Gens humana ruit per vetitum nefas. | |
| Audax Iapeti genus | |
| Ignem fraude mala gentibus intulit. | |
| Post ignem aetheria domo | |
| Subductum macies et nova febrium | 30 |
| Terris incubuit cohors, | |
| Semotique prius tarda necessitas | |
| [5]Leti corripuit gradum. | |
| Expertus vacuum Daedalus aëra | |
| Pennis non homini datis; | 35 |
| Perrupit Acheronta Herculeus labor. | |
| Nil mortalibus ardui est; | |
| Caelum ipsum petimus stultitia neque | |
| Per nostrum patimur scelus | |
| Iracunda Jovem ponere fulmina. | 40 |
| Solvitur acris hiems grata vice veris et Favoni, | |
| Trahuntque siccas machinae carinas, | |
| Ac neque jam stabulis gaudet pecus aut arator igni; | |
| Nec prata canis albicant pruinis. | |
| Jam Cytherea choros ducit Venus imminente Luna, | 5 |
| Junctaeque Nymphis Gratiae decentes | |
| Alterno terram quatiunt pede, dum graves Cyclopum | |
| Volcanus ardens urit officinas. | |
| Nunc decet aut viridi nitidum caput impedire myrto | |
| Aut flore terrae quem ferunt solutae. | 10 |
| Nunc et in umbrosis Fauno decet immolare lucis, | |
| Seu poscat agnam sive malit haedum. | |
| 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, | |
| Nec regna vini sortiere talis | |
| Nec tenerum Lycidan mirabere, quo calet juventus | |
| Nunc omnis et mox virgines tepebunt. | 20 |
| 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. |
| 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 nec gravem | 5 |
| Pelidae stomachum cedere nescii | |
| Nec cursus duplicis per mare Ulixei | |
| Nec saevam Pelopis domum | |
| Conamur tenues grandia, dum pudor | |
| [7]Imbellisque lyrae 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 proelia virginum | |
| Sectis in juvenes unguibus acrium | |
| Cantamus vacui, sive quid urimur | |
| Non praeter solitum leves. | 20 |
| Laudabunt alii claram Rhodon aut Mytilenen | |
| Aut Epheson bimarisve Corinthi | |
| Moenia vel Baccho Thebas vel Apolline Delphos | |
| Insignes aut Thessala Tempe. | |
| Sunt quibus unum opus est intactae Palladis urbem | 5 |
| Carmine perpetuo celebrare et | |
| Undique decerptam fronti praeponere olivam. | |
| Plurimus in Junonis honorem | |
| Aptum dicit equis Argos ditesque Mycenas. | |
| Me nec tam patiens Lacedaemon | 10 |
| Nec tam Larissae percussit campus opimae, | |
| Quam domus Albuneae resonantis | |
| Et praeceps Anio ac Tiburni lucus et uda | |
| Mobilibus pomaria rivis. | |
| Albus ut obscuro deterget nubila caelo | 15 |
| Saepe Notus neque parturit imbres | |
| Perpetuo, sic tu sapiens finire memento | |
| Tristitiam vitaeque labores | |
| Molli, Plance, mero, seu te fulgentia signis | |
| Castra tenent, seu densa tenebit | 20 |
| Tiburis umbra tui. Teucer Salamina patremque | |
| [8]Cum 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 saepe viri, nunc vino pellite curas; | |
| Cras ingens iterabimus aequor. |
| Lydia, dic, per omnes | |
| Te deos oro, Sybarin cur properas amando | |
| Perdere; cur apricum | |
| Oderit campum patiens pulveris atque solis? | |
| Cur neque militaris | 5 |
| Inter aequales equitat, Gallica nec lupatis | |
| Temperat ora frenis? | |
| Cur timet flavum Tiberim tangere? Cur olivum | |
| Sanguine viperino | |
| Cautius vitat, neque jam livida gestat armis | 10 |
| Brachia saepe disco, | |
| Saepe trans finem jaculo nobilis expedito? | |
| Quid latet, ut marinae | |
| Filium dicunt Thetidis sub lacrymosa Trojae | |
| Funera ne virilis | 15 |
| Cultus in caedem et Lycias proriperet catervas? |
| Vides ut alta stet nive candidum | |
| Soracte, nec 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 cetera, qui simul | |
| Stravere ventos aequore fervido | 10 |
| Deproeliantes nec cupressi | |
| Nec veteres agitantur orni. | |
| Quid sit futurum cras fuge quaerere, et | |
| Quem Fors dierum cunque dabit lucro | |
| Appone, nec dulces amores | 15 |
| Sperne puer neque tu choreas, | |
| Donec 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. |
| Mercuri facunde nepos Atlantis, | |
| [10]Qui feros cultus hominum recentum | |
| Voce formasti catus et decorae | |
| More palaestrae, | |
| Te canam magni Jovis et deorum | 5 |
| Nuntium curvaeque lyrae parentem, | |
| Callidum quidquid placuit jocoso | |
| Condere furto. | |
| Te boves olim nisi reddidisses | |
| Per dolum amotas puerum minaci | 10 |
| Voce 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 coërces | |
| Aurea turbam, superis deorum | |
| Gratus et imis. | 20 |
| Tu ne quaesieris, scire nefas, quem mihi, quem tibi | |
| Finem di dederint, Leuconoë, nec Babylonios | |
| Tentaris numeros. Ut melius quidquid erit pati, | |
| Seu plures hiemes seu tribuit Juppiter ultimam, | |
| Quae nunc oppositis debilitat pumicibus mare | 5 |
| Tyrrhenum. Sapias, vina liques, et spatio brevi | |
| Spem longam reseces. Dum loquimur fugerit invida | |
| Aetas: carpe diem quam minimum credula postero. |
| Quem virum aut heroa lyra vel acri | |
| Tibia sumis celebrare, Clio, | |
| Quem deum? Cujus recinet jocosa | |
| Nomen imago | |
| Aut in umbrosis Heliconis oris | 5 |
| 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? | |
| Unde nil majus generatur ipso, | |
| Nec viget quidquam simile aut secundum: | |
| Proximos illi tamen occupavit | |
| Pallas honores. | 20 |
| Proeliis audax, neque te silebo | |
| Liber et saevis inimica Virgo | |
| Beluis nec te, metuende certa | |
| Phoebe sagitta. | |
| Dicam et Alciden puerosque Ledae, | 25 |
| Hunc equis, illum superare pugnis | |
| Nobilem; quorum simul alba nautis | |
| Stella refulsit | |
| Defluit saxis agitatus humor, | |
| Concidunt venti fugiuntque nubes, | 30 |
| Et minax, quod sic voluere, ponto | |
| Unda recumbit. | |
| Romulum post hos prius an quietum | |
| [12]Pompili regnum memorem an superbos | |
| Tarquini fasces dubito, an Catonis | 35 |
| Nobile letum. | |
| Regulum et Scauros animaeque magnae | |
| Prodigum Paullum superante Poeno | |
| Gratus insigni referam Camena | |
| Fabriciumque. | 40 |
| Hunc et incomptis Curium capillis | |
| Utilem bello tulit et Camillum | |
| Saeva paupertas et avitus apto | |
| Cum lare fundus. | |
| Crescit occulto velut arbor aevo, | 45 |
| Fama Marcelli; micat inter omnes | |
| Julium sidus velut inter ignes | |
| Luna minores. | |
| Gentis humanae pater atque custos | |
| Orte Saturno, tibi cura magni | 50 |
| Caesaris fatis data: tu secundo | |
| Caesare regnes. | |
| Ille, seu Parthos Latio imminentes | |
| Egerit justo domitos triumpho | |
| Sive subjectos Orientis orae | 55 |
| Seras et Indos, | |
| Te minor latum reget aequus orbem; | |
| Tu gravi curru quaties Olympum, | |
| Tu parum castis inimica mittes | |
| Fulmina lucis. | 60 |
| Cum tu, Lydia, Telephi | |
| Cervicem roseam, cerea Telephi | |
| Laudas brachia vae meum | |
| Fervens difficili bile tumet jecur. | |
| Tunc nec mens mihi nec color | 5 |
| [13]Certa sede manet, humor et in genas | |
| Furtim labitur, arguens | |
| Quam lentis penitus macerer ignibus. | |
| Uror, seu tibi candidos | |
| Turparunt humeros immodicae mero | 10 |
| Rixae sive puer furens | |
| Impressit memorem dente labris notam. | |
| 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, nec malis | |
| Divolsus querimoniis | |
| Suprema citius solvet amor die. | 20 |
| O navis, referent in mare te novi | |
| Fluctus! O quid agis? Fortiter occupa | |
| Portum. Nonne vides ut | |
| Nudum remigio latus | |
| Et malus celeri saucius Africo | 5 |
| Antennaeque gemant ac sine funibus | |
| Vix durare carinae | |
| Possint imperiosius | |
| Aequor? 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, | |
| [14]Nunc desiderium curaque non levis, | |
| Interfusa nitentes | |
| Vites aequora Cycladas. | 20 |
| Pastor cum 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 Dardanae | 10 |
| Genti! Jam galeam Pallas et aegida | |
| Currusque et rabiem parat. | |
| Nequicquam Veneris praesidio ferox | |
| Pectes caesariem grataque feminis | |
| Imbelli cithara carmina divides; | 15 |
| Nequicquam thalamo graves | |
| Hastas et calami spicula Cnossii | |
| Vitabis strepitumque et celerem sequi | |
| Ajacem; tamen heu serus adulteros | |
| Crines pulvere collines. | 20 |
| Non Laërtiaden, exitium tuae | |
| Genti, non Pylium Nestora respicis? | |
| Urgent impavidi te Salaminius | |
| Teucer et Sthenelus sciens | |
| Pugnae, sive opus est imperitare equis | 25 |
| Non auriga piger; Merionen quoque | |
| Nosces. Ecce furit te reperire atrox | |
| Tydides melior patre, | |
| Quem tu cervus uti vallis in altera | |
| [15]Visum parte lupum graminis immemor | 30 |
| Sublimi fugies mollis anhelitu, | |
| Non hoc pollicitus tuae. | |
| Iracunda diem proferet Ilio | |
| Matronisque Phrygum classis Achilleï; | |
| Post certas hiemes uret Achaïcus | 35 |
| Ignis Iliacas domos. |
| O matre pulchra filia pulchrior, | |
| Quem criminosis cunque voles modum | |
| Pones ïambis, sive flamma | |
| Sive mari libet Hadriano. | |
| Non Dindymene, non adytis quatit | 5 |
| Mentem sacerdotum incola Pythius, | |
| Non Liber aeque, non acuta | |
| Sic geminant Corybantes aera | |
| Tristes ut irae, quas neque Noricus | |
| Deterret ensis nec mare naufragum | 10 |
| Nec saevus ignis nec tremendo | |
| Juppiter ipse ruens tumultu. | |
| Fertur Prometheus, addere principi | |
| Limo coactus particulam undique | |
| Desectam, et insani leonis | 15 |
| Vim stomacho apposuisse nostro. | |
| 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 ïambos | |
| Misit furentem; nunc ego mitibus | 25 |
| [16]Mutare quaero tristia, dum mihi | |
| Fias recantatis amica | |
| Opprobriis animumque reddas. |
| Velox amoenum saepe Lucretilem | |
| Mutat Lycaeo Faunus et igneam | |
| Defendit aestatem capellis | |
| Usque meis pluviosque ventos. | |
| Impune tutum per nemus arbutos | 5 |
| Quaerunt latentes et thyma deviae | |
| Olentis uxores mariti, | |
| Nec virides metuunt colubras | |
| Nec Martiales Haedileae lupos, | |
| Utcunque dulci, Tyndari, fistula | 10 |
| Valles et Usticae cubantis | |
| Laevia personuere saxa. | |
| Di me tuentur, dis pietas mea | |
| Et Musa cordi est. Hic tibi copia | |
| Manabit ad plenum benigno | 15 |
| Ruris honorum opulenta cornu. | |
| Hic in reducta valle Caniculae | |
| Vitabis aestus et fide Teïa | |
| Dices laborantes in uno | |
| Penelopen vitreamque Circen; | 20 |
| Hic innocentis pocula Lesbii | |
| Duces sub umbra, nec Semeleïus | |
| Cum Marte confundet Thyoneus | |
| Proelia, nec metues protervum | |
| Suspecta Cyrum, ne male dispari | 25 |
| Incontinentes injiciat manus | |
| Et scindat haerentem coronam | |
| Crinibus immeritamque vestem. |
| Nullam, Vare, sacra vite prius severis arborem | |
| Circa mite solum Tiburis et moenia Catili. | |
| Siccis omnia nam dura deus proposuit, neque | |
| Mordaces aliter diffugiunt sollicitudines. | |
| Quis post vina gravem militiam aut pauperiem crepat? | 5 |
| Quis non te potius, Bacche pater, teque, decens Venus? | |
| At ne quis modici transiliat munera Liberi | |
| Centaurea monet cum Lapithis rixa super mero | |
| Debellata, monet Sithoniis non levis Euius, | |
| Cum fas atque nefas exiguo fine libidinum | 10 |
| Discernunt avidi. Non ego te, candide Bassareu, | |
| Invitum quatiam, nec variis obsita frondibus | |
| Sub divum rapiam. Saeva tene cum Berecyntio | |
| Cornu tympana, quae subsequitur caecus Amor sui | |
| Et tollens vacuum plus nimio Gloria verticem, | 15 |
| Arcanique Fides prodiga, perlucidior vitro. |
| Mater saeva 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 voltus nimium lubricus adspici. | |
| In me tota ruens Venus | |
| [18]Cyprum deseruit, nec patitur Scythas | 10 |
| Et versis animosum equis | |
| Parthum dicere nec quae nihil attinent. | |
| Hic vivum mihi caespitem, hic | |
| Verbenas, pueri, ponite thuraque | |
| Bimi cum patera meri: | 15 |
| Mactata veniet lenior hostia. |
| Vile potabis modicis Sabinum | |
| Cantharis Graeca quod ego ipse testa | |
| Conditum levi, datus in theatro | |
| Cum tibi plausus, | |
| Care Maecenas eques, ut paterni | 5 |
| Fluminis ripae simul et jocosa | |
| Redderet laudes tibi Vaticani | |
| Montis imago. | |
| Caecubum et prelo domitam Caleno | |
| Tu bibes uvam: mea nec Falernae | 10 |
| Temperant vites neque Formiani | |
| Pocula colles. |
| Dianam tenerae dicite virgines, | |
| Intonsum, pueri, dicite Cynthium | |
| Latonamque supremo | |
| Dilectam penitus Jovi. | |
| Vos laetam fluviis et nemorum coma, | 5 |
| [19]Quaecunque 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. | |
| Hic bellum lacrumosum, hic miseram famem | |
| Pestemque a populo et principe Caesare in | |
| Persas atque Britannos | 15 |
| Vestra motus aget prece. |
| Integer vitae scelerisque purus | |
| Non eget Mauris jaculis neque arcu | |
| Nec venenatis gravida sagittis, | |
| Fusce, pharetra, | |
| Sive per Syrtes iter aestuosas | 5 |
| Sive facturus per inhospitalem | |
| Caucasum vel quae loca fabulosus | |
| Lambit 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, | |
| Nec Jubae tellus generat leonum | 15 |
| Arida nutrix. | |
| Pone me pigris ubi nulla campis | |
| Arbor aestiva recreatur aura, | |
| Quod latus mundi nebulae malusque | |
| Juppiter urget; | 20 |
| Pone sub curru nimium propinqui | |
| [20]Solis in terra domibus negata: | |
| Dulce ridentem Lalagen amabo, | |
| Dulce loquentem. |
| Vitas hinnuleo me similis, Chloë, | |
| Quaerenti pavidam montibus aviis | |
| Matrem non sine vano | |
| Aurarum et silüae metu. | |
| Nam seu mobilibus veris inhorruit | 5 |
| Adventus foliis seu virides rubum | |
| Dimovere lacertae, | |
| Et corde et genibus tremit. | |
| Atqui non ego te tigris ut aspera | |
| Gaetulusve leo frangere persequor: | 10 |
| Tandem desine matrem | |
| Tempestiva sequi viro. |
| Quis desiderio sit pudor aut modus | |
| Tam cari capitis? Praecipe lugubres | |
| Cantus, Melpomene, cui liquidam pater | |
| Vocem cum cithara dedit. | |
| Ergo Quinctilium perpetuus sopor | 5 |
| Urget! cui Pudor, et Justitiae soror | |
| Incorrupta Fides nudaque Veritas | |
| Quando ullum inveniet parem? | |
| Multis ille bonis flebilis occidit, | |
| [21]Nulli flebilior quam tibi, Virgili. | 10 |
| Tu frustra pius heu non ita creditum | |
| Poscis Quinctilium deos. | |
| Quod si Threïcio blandius Orpheo | |
| Auditam moderere arboribus fidem, | |
| Non vanae 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 |
| Parcius junctas quatiunt fenestras | |
| Ictibus crebris juvenes protervi, | |
| Nec tibi somnos adimunt, amatque | |
| Janua limen, | |
| Quae prius multum facilis movebat | 5 |
| Cardines; audis minus et minus jam: | |
| “Me tuo longas pereunte noctes, | |
| Lydia, dormis?” | |
| Invicem moechos anus arrogantes | |
| Flebis in solo levis angiportu, | 10 |
| Thracio bacchante magis sub inter- | |
| lunia vento, | |
| Cum tibi flagrans amor et libido | |
| Quae solet matres furiare equorum | |
| Saeviet circa jecur ulcerosum, | 15 |
| Non sine questu | |
| Laeta quod pubes hedera virente | |
| Gaudeat pulla magis atque myrto, | |
| Aridas frondes hiemis sodali | |
| Dedicet Hebro. | 20 |
| Musis amicus tristitiam et metus | |
| Tradam protervis in mare Creticum | |
| Portare ventis, quis sub Arcto | |
| Rex gelidae metuatur orae, | |
| Quid Tiridaten terreat unice | 5 |
| Securus. O, quae fontibus integris | |
| Gaudes, apricos necte flores, | |
| Necte meo Lamiae coronam, | |
| Pimplea dulcis! Nil sine te mei | |
| Prosunt honores: hunc fidibus novis, | 10 |
| Hunc Lesbio sacrare plectro | |
| Teque tuasque decet sorores. |
| Natis in usum laetitiae scyphis | |
| Pugnare Thracum est: tollite barbarum | |
| Morem, verecundumque Bacchum | |
| Sanguineis prohibete rixis! | |
| Vino et lucernis Medus acinaces | 5 |
| Immane quantum discrepat: impium | |
| Lenite clamorem, sodales, | |
| Et cubito remanete presso! | |
| Voltis severi me quoque sumere | |
| Partem Falerni? Dicat Opuntiae | 10 |
| Frater Megillae quo beatus | |
| Volnere, qua pereat sagitta. | |
| Cessat voluntas? Non alia bibam | |
| [23]Mercede. Quae te cunque domat Venus | |
| Non erubescendis adurit | 15 |
| Ignibus ingenuoque semper | |
| Amore 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 Chimaera. |
| Te maris et terrae numeroque carentis arenae | |
| Mensorem cohibent, Archyta, | |
| Pulveris exigui prope litus parva Matinum | |
| Munera, nec quidquam tibi prodest | |
| Aërias tentasse domos, animoque rotundum | 5 |
| Percurrisse polum morituro. | |
| Occidit et Pelopis genitor, conviva deorum, | |
| Tithonusque remotus in auras | |
| Et Jovis arcanis Minos admissus, habentque | |
| Tartara Panthoiden iterum Orco | 10 |
| Demissum, quamvis clipeo Trojana refixo | |
| Tempora testatus nihil ultra | |
| Nervos atque cutem morti concesserat atrae, | |
| Judice te non sordidus auctor | |
| Naturae verique. Sed omnes una manet nox | 15 |
| Et calcanda semel via leti: | |
| Dant alios Furiae torvo spectacula Marti; | |
| Exitio est avidum mare nautis; | |
| Mixta senum ac juvenum densentur funera, nullum | |
| Saeva caput Proserpina fugit. | 20 |
| Me quoque devexi rapidus comes Orionis | |
| [24]Illyricis Notus obruit undis. | |
| At tu, nauta, vagae ne parce malignus arenae | |
| Ossibus et capiti inhumato | |
| Particulam dare: sic quodcunque minabitur Eurus | 25 |
| Fluctibus Hesperiis Venusinae | |
| Plectantur silvae 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 | 35 |
| Injecto ter pulvere curras. |
| Icci, beatis nunc Arabum invides | |
| Gazis, et acrem militiam paras | |
| Non ante devictis Sabaeae | |
| Regibus, horribilique Medo | |
| Nectis catenas? Quae tibi virginum, | 5 |
| Sponso necato barbara serviet? | |
| Puer quis ex aula capillis | |
| Ad cyathum statuetur unctis, | |
| Doctus sagittas tendere Sericas | |
| Arcu paterno? Quis neget arduis | 10 |
| Pronos relabi posse rivos | |
| Montibus et Tiberim reverti, | |
| Cum tu coëmptos undique nobilis | |
| Libros Panaeti Socraticam et domum | |
| Mutare loricis Hiberis | 15 |
| Pollicitus meliora tendis? |
| O Venus, regina Cnidi Paphique, | |
| Sperne dilectam Cypron, et vocantis | |
| Thure te multo Glycerae decoram | |
| Transfer in aedem. | |
| Fervidus tecum puer et solutis | 5 |
| Gratiae zonis properentque Nymphae | |
| Et parum comis sine te Juventas | |
| Mercuriusque. |
| Quid dedicatum poscit Apollinem | |
| Vates? quid orat de patera novum | |
| Fundens liquorem? Non opimae | |
| Sardiniae segetes feraces, | |
| Non aestuosae grata Calabriae | 5 |
| Armenta, non aurum aut ebur Indicum, | |
| Non rura quae Liris quieta | |
| Mordet aqua taciturnus amnis, | |
| 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 aequor Atlanticum | |
| Impune. Me pascunt olivae, | 15 |
| Me cichorea, levesque malvae. | |
| Frui paratis et valido mihi, | |
| [26]Latoë, dones et precor integra | |
| Cum mente, nec turpem senectam | |
| Degere, nec cithara carentem. | 20 |
| Poscimur. Si quid vacui sub umbra | |
| Lusimus tecum quod et hunc in annum | |
| Vivat et plures, age dic 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 haerentem puerum canebat | 10 |
| Et Lycum nigris oculis nigroque | |
| Crine decorum. | |
| O decus Phoebi et dapibus supremi | |
| Grata testudo Jovis, o laborum | |
| Dulce lenimen, mihi cunque salve | 15 |
| Rite vocanti. |
| Albi, ne doleas plus nimio memor | |
| Immitis Glycerae, neu miserabiles | |
| Decantes elegos cur tibi junior | |
| Laesa praeniteat fide. | |
| Insignem tenui fronte Lycorida | 5 |
| [27]Cyri torret amor, Cyrus in asperam | |
| Declinat Pholoën; sed prius Apulis | |
| Jungentur capreae lupis | |
| Quam turpi Pholoë peccet adultero. | |
| Sic visum Veneri, cui placet impares | 10 |
| Formas atque animos sub juga aënea | |
| Saevo mittere cum joco. | |
| Ipsum me, melior cum peteret Venus, | |
| Grata detinuit compede Myrtale | |
| Libertina, fretis acrior Hadriae | 15 |
| Curvantis Calabros sinus. |
| Parcus deorum cultor et infrequens | |
| Insanientis dum sapientiae | |
| Consultus erro, nunc retrorsum | |
| Vela dare atque iterare cursus | |
| Cogor relictos; namque Diespiter, | 5 |
| Igni corusco nubila dividens | |
| Plerumque, per purum tonantes | |
| Egit equos volucremque currum | |
| Quo bruta tellus et vaga flumina, | |
| Quo Styx et invisi horrida Taenari | 10 |
| Sedes Atlanteusque finis | |
| Concutitur. Valet ima summis | |
| Mutare et insignem attenuat deus | |
| Obscura promens; hinc apicem rapax | |
| Fortuna cum stridore acuto | 15 |
| Sustulit, hic posuisse gaudet. |
| O Diva, gratum quae regis Antium, | |
| Praesens vel imo tollere de gradu | |
| Mortale corpus, vel superbos | |
| Vertere funeribus triumphos, | |
| Te pauper ambit sollicita prece | 5 |
| Ruris colonus, te dominam aequoris | |
| Quicunque Bithyna lacessit | |
| Carpathium pelagus carina. | |
| Te Dacus asper, te profugi Scythae | |
| Urbesque gentesque et Latium ferox | 10 |
| Regumque matres barbarorum et | |
| Purpurei metuunt tyranni, | |
| 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 manu | |
| Gestans aëna, nec severus | |
| Uncus abest, liquidumque plumbum. | 20 |
| Te Spes et albo rara Fides colit | |
| Velata panno nec comitem abnegat, | |
| Utcunque mutata potentes | |
| Veste domos inimica linquis. | |
| At volgus 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 | |
| [29]Fratrumque. Quid nos dura refugimus | |
| Aetas? quid intactum nefasti | 35 |
| Liquimus? unde manum juventus | |
| Metu deorum continuit? quibus | |
| Pepercit aris? O utinam nova | |
| Incude diffingas retusum in | |
| Massagetas Arabasque ferrum! | 40 |
| Et thure et fidibus juvat | |
| Placare et vituli sanguine debito | |
| Custodes Numidae deos, | |
| Qui nunc Hesperia sospes ab ultima | |
| Caris multa sodalibus, | 5 |
| Nulli plura tamen dividit oscula | |
| Quam dulci Lamiae, memor | |
| Actae non alio rege puertiae | |
| Mutataeque simul togae. | |
| Cressa ne careat pulchra dies nota, | 10 |
| Neu promptae modus amphorae, | |
| Neu morem in Salium sit requies pedum, | |
| Neu multi Damalis meri | |
| Bassum Threïcia vincat amystide, | |
| Neu desint epulis rosae, | 15 |
| Neu vivax apium, neu breve lilium. | |
| Omnes in Damalin putres | |
| Deponent oculos, nec Damalis novo | |
| Divelletur adultero | |
| Lascivis hederis ambitiosior. | 20 |
| Nunc est bibendum, nunc pede libero | |
| Pulsanda tellus, nunc Saliaribus | |
| Ornare pulvinar deorum | |
| Tempus erat dapibus, sodales. | |
| Antehac nefas depromere Caecubum | 5 |
| Cellis avitis, dum Capitolio | |
| 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 | |
| Redegit in veros timores | 15 |
| Caesar, ab Italia volantem | |
| Remis adurgens, accipiter velut | |
| Molles columbas, aut leporem citus | |
| Venator in campis nivalis | |
| Haemoniae, daret ut catenis | 20 |
| Fatale monstrum: quae generosius | |
| Perire quaerens, nec muliebriter | |
| Expavit ensem nec latentes | |
| Classe cita reparavit oras. | |
| Ausa et jacentem visere regiam | 25 |
| Voltu 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. |
| Persicos odi, puer, apparatus, | |
| Displicent nexae philyra coronae; | |
| Mitte sectari rosa quo locorum | |
| Sera moretur. | |
| Simplici myrto nihil allabores | |
| Sedulus curo: neque te ministrum | |
| Dedecet myrtus neque me sub arta | |
| Vite bibentem. |
I. | II. | III. | IV. | V. | VI. | VII. | VIII. | IX. | X. | XI. | XII. | XIII. | XIV. | XV. | XVI. | XVII. | XVIII. | XIX. | XX.
| Motum ex Metello consule civicum | |
| Bellique causas et vitia et modos | |
| Ludumque Fortunae gravesque | |
| Principum amicitias et arma | |
| Nondum expiatis uncta cruoribus, | 5 |
| Periculosae plenum opus aleae, | |
| Tractas et incedis per ignes | |
| Suppositos cineri doloso. | |
| Paullum severae Musa tragoediae | |
| Desit theatris: mox ubi publicas | 10 |
| Res ordinaris grande munus | |
| Cecropio repetes cothurno, | |
| Insigne maestis praesidium reis | |
| Et consulenti, Pollio, curiae, | |
| Cui laurus aeternos honores | 15 |
| Delmatico peperit triumpho. | |
| Jam nunc minaci murmure cornuum | |
| Perstringis aures, jam litui strepunt, | |
| Jam fulgor armorum fugaces | |
| Terret equos equitumque voltus: | 20 |
| Audire magnos jam videor duces | |
| [33]Non indecoro pulvere sordidos, | |
| Et cuncta terrarum subacta | |
| Praeter atrocem animum Catonis. | |
| Juno et deorum quisquis amicior | 25 |
| Afris inulta cesserat impotens | |
| Tellure victorum nepotes | |
| Rettulit inferias Jugurthae. | |
| Quis non Latino sanguine pinguior | |
| Campus sepulcris impia proelia | 30 |
| Testatur auditumque Medis | |
| Hesperiae sonitum ruinae? | |
| Qui gurges, aut quae flumina lugubris | |
| Ignara belli? quod mare Dauniae | |
| Non decoloravere caedes? | 35 |
| Quae caret ora cruore nostro? | |
| Sed ne relictis, Musa procax, jocis, | |
| Ceae retractes munera neniae: | |
| Mecum Dionaeo sub antro | |
| Quaere modos leviore plectro. | 40 |
| Nullus argento color est avaris | |
| Abdito terris, inimice lamnae | |
| Crispe Sallusti, nisi temperato | |
| Splendeat usu. | |
| Vivet extento Proculeius aevo | 5 |
| Notus in fratres animi paterni; | |
| Illum aget penna metuente solvi | |
| Fama superstes. | |
| Latius regnes avidum domando | |
| Spiritum, quam si Libyam remotis | 10 |
| Gadibus jungas et uterque Poenus | |
| Serviat uni. | |
| Crescit indulgens sibi dirus hydrops, | |
| [34]Nec sitim pellit nisi causa morbi | |
| Fugerit venis et aquosus albo | 15 |
| Corpore languor. | |
| Redditum Cyri solio Phraaten | |
| Dissidens plebi numero beatorum | |
| Eximit Virtus, populumque falsis | |
| Dedocet uti | 20 |
| Vocibus, regnum et diadema tutum | |
| Deferens uni propriamque laurum | |
| Quisquis ingentes oculo inretorto | |
| Spectat acervos. |
| Aequam memento rebus in arduis | |
| Servare mentem, non secus in bonis | |
| Ab insolenti temperatam | |
| Laetitia, moriture Delli, | |
| Seu maestus omni tempore vixeris, | 5 |
| Seu te in remoto gramine per dies | |
| Festos reclinatum bearis | |
| Interiore nota Falerni. | |
| Quo pinus ingens albaque populus | |
| Umbram hospitalem consociare amant | 10 |
| Ramis? Quid obliquo laborat | |
| Lympha fugax trepidare rivo? | |
| Huc vina et unguenta et nimium breves | |
| Flores amoenae ferre jube rosae, | |
| Dum res et aetas et sororum | 15 |
| Fila trium patiuntur atra. | |
| Cedes coëmptis saltibus et domo | |
| Villaque flavus quam Tiberis lavit, | |
| Cedes et exstructis in altum | |
| Divitiis potietur heres. | 20 |
| Divesne prisco natus ab Inacho | |
| [35]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 aeternum | |
| Exilium impositura cumbae. |
| Ne sit ancillae tibi amor pudori, | |
| Xanthia Phoceu! Prius insolentem | |
| Serva Briseis niveo colore | |
| Movit Achillem; | |
| Movit Ajacem Telamone natum | 5 |
| Forma captivae dominum Tecmessae; | |
| Arsit Atrides medio in triumpho | |
| Virgine rapta, | |
| Barbarae postquam cecidere turmae | |
| Thessalo victore et ademptus Hector | 10 |
| Tradidit fessis leviora tolli | |
| Pergama Grais. | |
| Nescias an te generum beati | |
| Phyllidis flavae decorent parentes: | |
| Regium certe genus et penates | 15 |
| Maeret iniquos. | |
| Crede non illam tibi de scelesta | |
| Plebe dilectam, neque sic fidelem, | |
| Sic lucro aversam potuisse nasci | |
| Matre pudenda. | 20 |
| Brachia et voltum teretesque suras | |
| Integer laudo; fuge suspicari, | |
| Cujus octavum trepidavit aetas | |
| Claudere lustrum. |
| Nondum subacta ferre jugum valet | |
| Cervice, nondum munia comparis | |
| Aequare nec tauri ruentis | |
| In venerem tolerare pondus. | |
| Circa virentes est animus tuae | 5 |
| Campos juvencae, nunc fluviis gravem | |
| Solantis aestum, nunc in udo | |
| Ludere cum vitulis salicto | |
| Praegestientis. Tolle cupidinem | |
| Immitis uvae: jam tibi lividos | 10 |
| Distinguet Auctumnus racemos | |
| Purpureo varius colore. | |
| Jam te sequetur: currit enim ferox | |
| Aetas et illi quos tibi dempserit | |
| Apponet annos; jam proterva | 15 |
| Fronte petet Lalage maritum: | |
| Dilecta quantum non Pholoë fugax, | |
| Non Chloris albo sic humero nitens, | |
| Ut pura nocturno renidet | |
| Luna mari, Cnidiusve Gyges, | 20 |
| Quem si puellarum insereres choro | |
| Mire sagaces falleret hospites | |
| Discrimen obscurum solutis | |
| Crinibus ambiguoque vultu. |
| Septimi, Gades aditure mecum et | |
| Cantabrum indoctum juga ferre nostra et | |
| Barbaras Syrtes ubi Maura semper | |
| [37]Aestuat unda, | |
| Tibur Argeo positum colono | 5 |
| Sit meae sedes utinam senectae, | |
| Sit modus lasso maris et viarum | |
| Militiaeque! | |
| Unde si Parcae prohibent iniquae, | |
| Dulce pellitis ovibus Galaesi | 10 |
| Flumen et regnata petam Laconi | |
| Rura Phalantho. | |
| Ille terrarum mihi praeter omnes | |
| Angulus ridet ubi non Hymetto | |
| Mella decedunt viridique certat | 15 |
| Baca Venafro; | |
| Ver ubi longum tepidasque praebet | |
| Juppiter brumas, et amicus Aulon | |
| Fertili Baccho minimum Falernis | |
| Invidet uvis. | 20 |
| Ille te mecum locus et beatae | |
| Postulant arces: ibi tu calentem | |
| Debita sparges lacrima favillam | |
| Vatis amici. |
| O saepe mecum tempus in ultimum | |
| Deducte Bruto militiae duce, | |
| Quis te redonavit Quiritem | |
| Dis patriis Italoque caelo, | |
| Pompei meorum prime sodalium, | 5 |
| Cum quo morantem saepe diem mero | |
| Fregi coronatus nitentes | |
| Malobathro Syrio capillos? | |
| Tecum Philippos et celerem fugam | |
| Sensi relicta non bene parmula, | 10 |
| Cum fracta virtus et minaces | |
| [38]Turpe solum tetigere mento. | |
| Sed me per hostes Mercurius celer | |
| Denso paventem sustulit aëre; | |
| Te rursus in bellum resorbens | 15 |
| Unda fretis tulit aestuosis. | |
| Ergo obligatam redde Jovi dapem | |
| Longaque fessum militia latus | |
| Depone sub lauru mea nec | |
| Parce cadis tibi destinatis. | 20 |
| Oblivioso levia Massico | |
| Ciboria exple; funde capacibus | |
| Unguenta de conchis. Quis udo | |
| Deproperare apio coronas | |
| Curatve myrto? quem Venus arbitrum | 25 |
| Dicet bibendi? Non ego sanius | |
| Bacchabor Edonis: recepto | |
| Dulce mihi furere est amico. |
| Ulla si juris tibi pejerati | |
| Poena, Barine, nocuisset unquam, | |
| Dente si nigro fieres vel uno | |
| Turpior ungui, | |
| Crederem. Sed tu, simul obligasti | 5 |
| Perfidum votis caput enitescis | |
| Pulchrior multo, juvenumque prodis | |
| Publica cura. | |
| Expedit matris cineres opertos | |
| Fallere et toto taciturna noctis | 10 |
| Signa cum caelo, gelidaque divos | |
| Morte carentes. | |
| Ridet hoc inquam Venus ipsa, rident | |
| Simplices Nymphae ferus et Cupido | |
| Semper ardentes acuens sagittas | 15 |
| [39]Cote cruenta. | |
| Adde quod pubes tibi crescit omnis, | |
| Servitus crescit nova nec priores | |
| Impiae tectum dominae relinquunt | |
| Saepe minati. | 20 |
| Te suis matres metuunt juvencis, | |
| Te senes parci miseraeque nuper | |
| Virgines nuptae, tua ne retardet | |
| Aura maritos. |
| Non semper imbres nubibus hispidos | |
| Manant in agros aut mare Caspium | |
| Vexant inaequales procellae | |
| Usque, nec Armeniis in oris, | |
| Amice Valgi, stat glacies iners | 5 |
| Menses per omnes aut Aquilonibus | |
| Querceta Gargani laborant | |
| Et foliis viduantur orni: | |
| Tu semper urges flebilibus modis | |
| Mysten ademptum, nec tibi Vespero | 10 |
| Surgente decedunt amores | |
| Nec rapidum fugiente Solem. | |
| At non ter aevo functus amabilem | |
| Ploravit omnes Antilochum senex | |
| Annos, nec impubem parentes | 15 |
| Troilon, aut Phrygiae sorores | |
| Flevere semper. Desine mollium | |
| Tandem querelarum, et potius nova | |
| Cantemus Augusti tropaea | |
| Caesaris et rigidum Niphaten, | 20 |
| Medumque flumen gentibus additum | |
| Victis minores volvere vertices, | |
| Intraque praescriptum Gelonos | |
| Exiguis equitare campis. |
| Rectius vives, Licini, neque altum | |
| Semper urgendo neque, dum procellas | |
| Cautus horrescis, nimium premendo | |
| Litus iniquum. | |
| Auream quisquis mediocritatem | 5 |
| Diligit tutus caret obsoleti | |
| Sordibus tecti, caret invidenda | |
| Sobrius aula. | |
| Saepius ventis agitatur ingens | |
| Pinus et celsae graviore casu | 10 |
| Decidunt turres feriuntque summos | |
| Fulgura montes. | |
| Sperat infestis, metuit secundis | |
| Alteram sortem bene praeparatum | |
| Pectus. Informes hiemes reducit | 15 |
| Juppiter, 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. |
| Quid bellicosus Cantaber et Scythes, | |
| [41]Hirpine Quinti, cogitet Hadria | |
| Divisus objecto remittas | |
| Quaerere, nec trepides in usum | |
| Poscentis aevi pauca. Fugit retro | 5 |
| Levis juventas et decor, arida | |
| Pellente lascivos amores | |
| Canitie facilemque somnum. | |
| Non semper idem floribus est honor | |
| Vernis neque uno Luna rubens nitet | 10 |
| Voltu: quid aeternis 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 praetereunte lympha? | 20 |
| Quis devium scortum eliciet domo | |
| Lyden? Eburna dic age cum lyra | |
| Maturet in comptum Lacaenae | |
| More comas religata nodum. |
| Nolis longa ferae bella Numantiae, | |
| Nec dirum Hannibalem, nec Siculum mare | |
| Poeno purpureum sanguine mollibus | |
| Aptari citharae modis; | |
| Nec saevos Lapithas et nimium mero | 5 |
| Hylaeum domitosque Herculea manu | |
| Telluris juvenes, unde periculum | |
| Fulgens contremuit domus | |
| Saturni veteris; tuque pedestribus | |
| [42]Dices historiis proelia Caesaris, | 10 |
| Maecenas, melius ductaque per vias | |
| Regum colla minacium. | |
| Me dulces dominae Musa Licymniae | |
| Cantus, me voluit dicere lucidum | |
| Fulgentes oculos et bene mutuis | 15 |
| Fidum pectus amoribus; | |
| Quam nec ferre pedem dedecuit choris, | |
| Nec certare joco nec dare brachia | |
| Ludentem nitidis virginibus, sacro | |
| Dianae celebris die. | 20 |
| Num tu quae tenuit dives Achaemenes, | |
| Aut pinguis Phrygiae Mygdonias opes | |
| Permutare velis crine Licymniae, | |
| Plenas aut Arabum domos? | |
| Dum flagrantia detorquet ad oscula | 25 |
| Cervicem, aut facili saevitia negat, | |
| Quae poscente magis gaudeat eripi, | |
| Interdum rapere occupet. |
| Ille et nefasto te posuit die, | |
| Quicunque primum, et sacrilega manu | |
| Produxit, arbos, in nepotum | |
| Perniciem opprobriumque pagi; | |
| Illum et parentis crediderim sui | 5 |
| Fregisse cervicem et penetralia | |
| Sparsisse nocturno cruore | |
| Hospitis; ille venena Colchica | |
| Et quidquid usquam concipitur nefas | |
| Tractavit, agro qui statuit meo | 10 |
| Te, triste lignum, te caducum | |
| In domini caput immerentis. | |
| Quid quisque vitet nunquam homini satis | |
| [43]Cautum est in horas: navita Bosporum | |
| Poenus perhorrescit neque ultra | 15 |
| Caeca timet aliunde fata, | |
| Miles sagittas et celerem fugam | |
| Parthi, catenas Parthus et Italum | |
| Robur; sed improvisa leti | |
| Vis rapuit rapietque gentes. | 20 |
| Quam paene furvae regna Proserpinae | |
| Et judicantem vidimus Aeacum | |
| Sedesque discretas piorum et | |
| Aeoliis fidibus querentem | |
| Sappho puellis de popularibus, | 25 |
| 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 volgus. | |
| Quid mirum, ubi illis carminibus stupens | |
| Demittit atras belua centiceps | |
| Aures et intorti capillis | 35 |
| Eumenidum recreantur angues? | |
| Quin et Prometheus et Pelopis parens | |
| Dulci laborum decipitur sono; | |
| Nec curat Orion leones | |
| Aut timidos agitare lyncas. | 40 |
| Eheu fugaces, Postume, Postume, | |
| Labuntur anni, nec pietas moram | |
| Rugis et instanti senectae | |
| Afferet indomitaeque morti,— | |
| Non, si trecenis, quotquot eunt dies, | 5 |
| [44]Amice, places illacrumabilem | |
| Plutona tauris, qui ter amplum | |
| Geryonen Tityonque tristi | |
| Compescit unda, scilicet omnibus | |
| Quicunque terrae 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 Aeolides laboris. | 20 |
| Linquenda tellus et domus et placens | |
| Uxor, neque harum quas colis arborum | |
| Te praeter invisas cupressos | |
| Ulla brevem dominum sequetur. | |
| Absumet heres Caecuba dignior | 25 |
| Servata centum clavibus, et mero | |
| Tinget pavimentum superbo | |
| Pontificum potiore coenis. |
| Jam pauca aratro jugera regiae | |
| Moles relinquent; undique latius | |
| Extenta visentur Lucrino | |
| Stagna lacu, platanusque caelebs | |
| Evincet ulmos; tum violaria et | 5 |
| Myrtus et omnis copia narium | |
| Spargent olivetis odorem | |
| Fertilibus domino priori, | |
| Tum spissa ramis laurea fervidos | |
| [45]Excludet ictus. Non ita Romuli | 10 |
| Praescriptum et intonsi Catonis | |
| Auspiciis veterumque norma. | |
| Privatus illis census erat brevis, | |
| Commune magnum: nulla decempedis | |
| Metata privatis opacam | 15 |
| Porticus excipiebat Arcton, | |
| Nec fortuitum spernere caespitem | |
| Leges sinebant, oppida publico | |
| Sumptu jubentes et deorum | |
| Templa novo decorare saxo. | 20 |
| Otium divos rogat in patente | |
| Prensus Aegaeo, simul atra nubes | |
| Condidit lunam neque certa fulgent | |
| Sidera nautis; | |
| Otium bello furiosa Thrace, | 5 |
| Otium Medi pharetra decori, | |
| Grosphe, non gemmis neque purpura ve- | |
| nale neque auro. | |
| Non enim gazae neque consularis | |
| Summovet lictor miseros tumultus | 10 |
| Mentis, et curas laqueata circum | |
| Tecta volantes. | |
| Vivitur parvo bene cui paternum | |
| Splendet in mensa tenui salinum, | |
| Nec 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 | |
| [46]Cura nec 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 beatum. | |
| 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 volgus. | 40 |
| Cur me querelis exanimas tuis? | |
| Nec dis amicum est nec mihi te prius | |
| Obire, Maecenas, mearum | |
| Grande decus columenque rerum. | |
| Ah te meae si partem animae rapit | 5 |
| Maturior vis, quid moror altera, | |
| Nec carus aeque nec superstes | |
| Integer? Ille dies utramque | |
| Ducet ruinam. Non ego perfidum | |
| Dixi sacramentum: ibimus, ibimus | 10 |
| Utcunque praecedes, supremum | |
| Carpere iter comites parati. | |
| Me nec Chimaerae spiritus igneae | |
| [47]Nec, 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, cum populus frequens | 25 |
| Laetum theatris ter crepuit sonum: | |
| Me truncus illapsus cerebro | |
| Sustulerat, nisi Faunus ictum | |
| Dextra levasset, Mercurialium | |
| Custos virorum. Reddere victimas | 30 |
| Aedemque votivam memento: | |
| Nos humilem feriemus agnam. |
| Non ebur neque aureum | |
| Mea renidet in domo lacunar; | |
| Non trabes Hymettiae | |
| Premunt columnas ultima recisas | |
| Africa; neque Attali | 5 |
| Ignotus heres regiam occupavi; | |
| Nec Laconicas mihi | |
| Trahunt honestae purpuras clientae: | |
| At fides et ingeni | |
| Benigna vena est, pauperemque dives | 10 |
| Me petit; nihil supra | |
| Deos lacesso, nec potentem amicum | |
| Largiora flagito, | |
| Satis beatus unicis Sabinis. | |
| Truditur dies die, | 15 |
| [48]Novaeque pergunt interire lunae. | |
| 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 clientium | 25 |
| Salis avarus? Pellitur paternos | |
| 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? Aequa tellus | |
| Pauperi recluditur | |
| Regumque pueris, nec satelles Orci | |
| Callidum Promethea | 35 |
| Revexit auro captus. Hic superbum | |
| Tantalum atque Tantali | |
| Genus coërcet; hic levare functum | |
| Pauperem laboribus | |
| Vocatus atque non vocatus audit. | 40 |
| Bacchum in remotis carmina rupibus | |
| Vidi docentem—credite posteri— | |
| Nymphasque discentes et aures | |
| Capripedum Satyrorum acutas. | |
| Euoe, recenti mens trepidat metu | 5 |
| Plenoque Bacchi pectore turbidum | |
| Laetatur. Euoe, parce Liber, | |
| [49]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 | |
| Disjecta non leni ruina, | 15 |
| Thracis et exitium Lycurgi. | |
| Tu flectis amnes, tu mare barbarum, | |
| Tu separatis uvidus in jugis | |
| Nodo coërces viperino | |
| Bistonidum sine fraude crines: | 20 |
| Tu, cum parentis regna per arduum | |
| Cohors Gigantum scanderet impia, | |
| Rhoetum retorsisti leonis | |
| Unguibus horribilique mala; | |
| Quamquam choreis aptior et jocis | 25 |
| Ludoque dictus non sat idoneus | |
| Pugnae 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. |
| Non usitata nec tenui ferar | |
| Penna biformis per liquidum aethera | |
| Vates, neque in terris morabor | |
| Longius, invidiaque major | |
| Urbes relinquam. Non ego pauperum | 5 |
| Sanguis parentum, non ego quem vocas, | |
| Dilecte Maecenas, obibo, | |
| [50]Nec Stygia cohibebor unda. | |
| Jam jam residunt cruribus asperae | |
| Pelles, et album mutor in alitem | 10 |
| Superne, nascunturque leves | |
| Per digitos humerosque plumae. | |
| Jam Daedaleo ocior Icaro | |
| Visam gementis litora Bospori | |
| Syrtesque Gaetulas canorus | 15 |
| Ales, Hyperboreosque campos. | |
| Me Colchus et qui dissimulat metum | |
| Marsae cohortis Dacus et ultimi | |
| Noscent Geloni, me peritus | |
| Discet Hiber Rhodanique potor. | 20 |
| Absint inani funere neniae | |
| Luctusque turpes et querimoniae; | |
| Compesce clamorem ac sepulcri | |
| Mitte supervacuos honores. |
I. | II. | III. | IV. | V. | VI. | VII. | VIII. | IX. | X. | XI. | XII. | XIII. | XIV. | XV. | XVI. | XVII. | XVIII. | XIX. | XX. | XXI. | XXII. | XXIII. | XXIV. | XXV. | XXVI. | XXVII. | XXVIII. | XXIX. | XXX.
| Odi profanum vulgus et arceo; | |
| Favete linguis: carmina non prius | |
| Audita Musarum sacerdos | |
| Virginibus puerisque canto. | |
| Regum timendorum in proprios greges, | 5 |
| Reges in ipsos imperium est Jovis | |
| Clari Giganteo triumpho, | |
| Cuncta supercilio moventis. | |
| Est ut viro vir latius ordinet | |
| Arbusta sulcis, hic generosior | 10 |
| Descendat in Campum petitor, | |
| Moribus hic meliorque fama | |
| Contendat, illi turba clientium | |
| Sit major: aequa lege Necessitas | |
| Sortitur insignes et imos; | 15 |
| Omne capax movet urna nomen. | |
| Districtus ensis cui super impia | |
| Cervice pendet non Siculae dapes | |
| Dulcem elaborabunt saporem, | |
| Non avium citharaeque cantus | 20 |
| Somnum reducent. Somnus agrestium | |
| Lenis virorum non humiles domos | |
| Fastidit umbrosamque ripam, | |
| [52]Non Zephyris agitata Tempe. | |
| Desiderantem quod satis est neque | 25 |
| Tumultuosum sollicitat mare, | |
| Nec saevus Arcturi cadentis | |
| Impetus aut orientis Haedi, | |
| Non verberatae grandine vineae | |
| Fundusque mendax, arbore nunc aquas | 30 |
| Culpante nunc torrentia agros | |
| Sidera nunc hiemes iniquas. | |
| Contracta pisces aequora sentiunt | |
| Jactis in altum molibus; huc frequens | |
| Caementa demittit redemptor | 35 |
| Cum famulis dominusque terrae | |
| Fastidiosus. Sed Timor et Minae | |
| Scandunt eodem quo dominus, neque | |
| Decedit aerata triremi, et | |
| Post equitem sedet atra Cura. | 40 |
| Quodsi dolentem nec Phrygius lapis | |
| Nec purpurarum sidere clarior | |
| Delenit usus nec Falerna | |
| Vitis Achaemeniumque costum, | |
| Cur invidendis postibus et novo | 45 |
| Sublime ritu moliar atrium? | |
| Cur valle permutem Sabina | |
| Divitias operosiores? |
| Angustam amice pauperiem pati | |
| Robustus acri militia puer | |
| Condiscat, et Parthos feroces | |
| Vexet eques metuendus hasta, | |
| Vitamque sub divo et trepidis agat | 5 |
| In rebus. Illum ex moenibus hosticis | |
| Matrona bellantis tyranni | |
| Prospiciens et adulta virgo | |
| Suspiret, eheu, ne rudis agminum | |
| [53]Sponsus lacessat regius asperum | 10 |
| Tactu leonem, quem cruenta | |
| Per medias rapit ira caedes. | |
| Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori: | |
| Mors et fugacem persequitur virum, | |
| Nec parcit imbellis juventae | 15 |
| Poplitibus timidoque tergo. | |
| Virtus repulsae nescia sordidae | |
| Intaminatis fulget honoribus, | |
| Nec sumit aut ponit secures | |
| Arbitrio popularis aurae. | 20 |
| Virtus recludens immeritis mori | |
| Caelum negata tentat iter via, | |
| Coetusque volgares et udam | |
| Spernit humum fugiente penna. | |
| Est et fideli tuta silentio | 25 |
| Merces: vetabo qui Cereris sacrum | |
| Vulgarit arcanae sub isdem | |
| Sit trabibus fragilemve mecum | |
| Solvat phaselon; saepe Diespiter | |
| Neglectus incesto addidit integrum: | 30 |
| Raro antecedentem scelestum | |
| Deseruit pede Poena claudo. |
| Justum et tenacem propositi virum | |
| Non civium ardor prava jubentium, | |
| Non voltus instantis tyranni | |
| Mente quatit solida, neque Auster | |
| Dux inquieti turbidus Hadriae, | 5 |
| Nec fulminantis magna manus Jovis; | |
| Si fractus illabatur orbis | |
| Impavidum ferient ruinae. | |
| Hac arte Pollux et vagus Hercules | |
| Enisus arces attigit igneas, | 10 |
| Quos inter Augustus recumbens | |
| [54]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 | |
| Fatalis incestusque judex | |
| Et mulier peregrina vertit | 20 |
| In pulverem, ex quo destituit deos | |
| Mercede pacta Laomedon, mihi | |
| Castaeque damnatum Minervae | |
| Cum populo et duce fraudulento. | |
| Jam nec Lacaenae splendet adulterae | 25 |
| Famosus hospes nec Priami domus | |
| Perjura pugnaces Achivos | |
| Hectoreis opibus refringit, | |
| Nostrisque ductum seditionibus | |
| Bellum resedit. Protinus et graves | 30 |
| Iras et invisum nepotem | |
| Troica quem peperit sacerdos | |
| Marti redonabo; illum ego lucidas | |
| Inire sedes, ducere 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 inultae stet Capitolium | |
| Fulgens, triumphatisque 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 | |
| Cum terra celat spernere fortior, | 50 |
| Quam cogere humanos in usus | |
| [55]Omne sacrum rapiente dextra. | |
| Quicunque mundo terminus obstitit | |
| Hunc tangat armis, visere gestiens | |
| Qua parte debacchentur ignes, | 55 |
| Qua nebulae pluviique rores. | |
| Sed bellicosis fata Quiritibus | |
| Hac lege dico, ne nimium pii | |
| Rebusque fidentes avitae | |
| Tecta velint reparare Troiae. | 60 |
| Troiae renascens alite lugubri | |
| Fortuna tristi clade iterabitur, | |
| Ducente victrices catervas | |
| Conjuge me Jovis et sorore. | |
| Ter si resurgat murus aëneus | 65 |
| Auctore Phoebo ter pereat meis | |
| Excisus Argivis, ter uxor | |
| Capta virum puerosque ploret. | |
| Non hoc jocosae conveniet lyrae: | |
| Quo, Musa, tendis? Desine pervicax | 70 |
| Referre sermones deorum et | |
| Magna modis tenuare parvis. |
| Descende caelo et dic age tibia | |
| Regina longum Calliope melos, | |
| Seu voce nunc mavis acuta, | |
| Seu fidibus citharaque Phoebi. | |
| Auditis, an me ludit amabilis | 5 |
| Insania? Audire et videor pios | |
| Errare per lucos amoenae | |
| Quos et aquae subeunt et aurae. | |
| Me fabulosae Vulture in Apulo | |
| Altricis extra limen Apuliae | 10 |
| Ludo fatigatumque somno | |
| [56]Fronde nova puerum palumbes | |
| Texere, mirum quod foret omnibus, | |
| Quicunque celsae nidum Acherontiae | |
| Saltusque Bantinos et arvum | 15 |
| Pingue tenent humilis Forenti, | |
| Ut tuto ab atris corpore viperis | |
| Dormirem et ursis, ut premerer sacra | |
| Lauroque collataque myrto, | |
| Non sine dis animosus infans. | 20 |
| Vester, Camenae, vester in arduos | |
| Tollor Sabinos, seu mihi frigidum | |
| Praeneste seu Tibur supinum | |
| Seu liquidae placuere Baiae. | |
| Vestris amicum fontibus et choris | 25 |
| Non me Philippis versa acies retro, | |
| Devota non exstinxit arbos, | |
| Nec Sicula Palinurus unda. | |
| Utcunque mecum vos eritis, libens | |
| Insanientem navita Bosporum | 30 |
| Tentabo et urentes arenas | |
| Litoris Assyrii viator; | |
| Visam Britannos hospitibus feros | |
| Et laetum equino sanguine Concanum, | |
| Visam pharetratos Gelonos | 35 |
| Et Scythicum inviolatus amnem. | |
| Vos Caesarem altum, militia simul | |
| Fessas cohortes addidit oppidis, | |
| Finire quaerentem labores | |
| Pierio recreatis antro. | 40 |
| Vos lene consilium et datis et dato | |
| Gaudetis almae. Scimus, ut impios | |
| Titanas immanemque turmam | |
| Fulmine sustulerit caduco, | |
| Qui terram inertem, qui mare temperat | 45 |
| Ventosum, et urbes regnaque tristia, | |
| Divosque mortalesque turbas | |
| Imperio regit unus aequo. | |
| Magnum illa terrorem intulerat Jovi | |
| Fidens juventus horrida brachiis, | 50 |
| Fratresque tendentes opaco | |
| [57]Pelion imposuisse Olympo. | |
| Sed quid Typhoëus et validus Mimas, | |
| Aut quid minaci Porphyrion statu, | |
| Quid Rhoetus evolsisque truncis | 55 |
| Enceladus jaculator audax | |
| Contra sonantem Palladis aegida | |
| Possent ruentes? Hinc avidus stetit | |
| Volcanus, hinc matrona Juno et | |
| Nunquam humeris positurus arcum, | 60 |
| Qui rore puro Castaliae lavit | |
| Crines solutos, qui Lyciae tenet | |
| Dumeta natalemque silvam, | |
| Delius et Patareus Apollo. | |
| Vis consili expers mole ruit sua: | 65 |
| Vim temperatam di quoque provehunt | |
| In majus; idem odere vires | |
| Omne nefas animo moventes. | |
| Testis mearum centimanus Gyas | |
| Sententiarum, notus et integrae | 70 |
| Tentator Orion Dianae | |
| Virginea domitus sagitta. | |
| Injecta monstris Terra dolet suis | |
| Maeretque partus fulmine luridum | |
| Missos ad Orcum; nec peredit | 75 |
| Impositam celer ignis Aetnen, | |
| Incontinentis nec Tityi jecur | |
| Reliquit ales, nequitiae additus | |
| Custos; amatorem trecentae | |
| Pirithoum cohibent catenae. | 80 |
| Caelo Tonantem credidimus Jovem | |
| Regnare: praesens divus habebitur | |
| Augustus adjectis Britannis | |
| [58]Imperio gravibusque Persis. | |
| Milesne Crassi conjuge barbara | 5 |
| Turpis maritus vixit et hostium, | |
| Pro curia inversique mores! | |
| Consenuit socerorum in armis | |
| Sub rege Medo Marsus et Apulus, | |
| Anciliorum et nominis et togae | 10 |
| Oblitus aeternaeque Vestae, | |
| Incolumi Jove et urbe Roma? | |
| Hoc caverat mens provida Reguli | |
| Dissentientis condicionibus | |
| Foedis et exemplo trahentis | 15 |
| Perniciem veniens in aevum, | |
| Si non periret immiserabilis | |
| Captiva pubes. Signa ego Punicis | |
| Adfixa delubris et arma | |
| Militibus sine caede, 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, | |
| Nec vera virtus quum semel excidit | |
| Curat reponi deterioribus. | 30 |
| Si pugnat extricata densis | |
| Cerva plagis erit ille fortis | |
| Qui perfidis se credidit hostibus, | |
| Et Marte Poenos proteret altero, | |
| Qui lora restrictis lacertis | 35 |
| Sensit iners timuitque mortem. | |
| Hic unde vitam sumeret inscius | |
| Pacem duello miscuit. O pudor! | |
| O magna Karthago, probrosis | |
| Altior Italiae ruinis! | 40 |
| Fertur pudicae conjugis osculum | |
| Parvosque natos ut capitis minor | |
| Ab se removisse et virilem | |
| [59]Torvus humi posuisse voltum: | |
| Donec labantes consilio patres | 45 |
| Firmaret auctor nunquam alias dato, | |
| Interque maerentes 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 | 55 |
| Aut Lacedaemonium Tarentum. |
| Delicta majorum immeritus lues, | |
| Romane, donec templa refeceris | |
| Aedesque labentes deorum et | |
| Foeda nigro simulacra fumo. | |
| Dis te minorem quod geris imperas: | 5 |
| Hinc omne principium, huc refer exitum. | |
| Di multa neglecti dederunt | |
| Hesperiae 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 Aethiops, | |
| Hic classe formidatus, ille | 15 |
| Missilibus melior sagittis. | |
| Fecunda culpae secula nuptias | |
| Primum inquinavere et genus et domos; | |
| Hoc fonte derivata clades | |
| [60]In patriam populumque fluxit. | 20 |
| Motus doceri gaudet Ionicos | |
| Matura virgo et fingitur artibus; | |
| Jam nunc et incestos amores | |
| De tenero meditatur ungui: | |
| Mox juniores quaerit adulteros | 25 |
| Inter mariti vina, neque eligit | |
| Cui donet impermissa raptim | |
| Gaudia luminibus remotis; | |
| Sed jussa coram non sine conscio | |
| Surgit marito, seu vocat institor | 30 |
| Seu navis Hispanae magister, | |
| Dedecorum pretiosus emptor. | |
| Non his juventus orta parentibus | |
| Infecit aequor sanguine Punico, | |
| Pyrrhumque et ingentem cecidit | 35 |
| Antiochum Hannibalemque dirum; | |
| Sed rusticorum mascula militum | |
| Proles, Sabellis docta ligonibus | |
| Versare glebas et severae | |
| Matris ad arbitrium recisos | 40 |
| Portare fustes, sol ubi montium | |
| Mutaret umbras et juga demeret | |
| Bobus fatigatis, amicum | |
| Tempus agens abeunte curru. | |
| Damnosa quid non imminuit dies? | 45 |
| Aetas parentum pejor avis tulit | |
| Nos nequiores, mox daturos | |
| Progeniem vitiosiorem. |
| Quid fles, Asterie, quem tibi candidi | |
| Primo restituent vere Favonii | |
| Thyna merce beatum, | |
| [61]Constantis juvenem fide, | |
| Gygen? Ille Notis actus ad Oricum | 5 |
| Post insana Caprae sidera frigidas | |
| Noctes non sine multis | |
| Insomnis lacrimis agit. | |
| Atqui sollicitae nuntius hospitae, | |
| Suspirare Chloën et miseram tuis | 10 |
| Dicens ignibus uri, | |
| Tentat mille vafer modis. | |
| Ut Proetum mulier perfida credulum | |
| Falsis impulerit criminibus nimis | |
| Casto Bellerophonti | 15 |
| Maturare necem, refert. | |
| Narrat paene datum Pelea Tartaro, | |
| Magnessam Hippolyten dum fugit abstinens; | |
| Et peccare docentes | |
| Fallax historias movet. | 20 |
| Frustra: nam scopulis surdior Icari | |
| Voces audit adhuc integer. At tibi | |
| Ne vicinus Enipeus | |
| Plus justo placeat cave; | |
| Quamvis non alius flectere equum sciens | 25 |
| Aeque conspicitur gramine Martio, | |
| Nec quisquam citus aeque | |
| Tusco denatat alveo. | |
| Prima nocte domum claude neque in vias | |
| Sub cantu querulae despice tibiae, | 30 |
| Et te saepe vocanti | |
| Duram difficilis mane. |
| Martiis caelebs quid agam Kalendis, | |
| Quid velint flores et acerra thuris | |
| Plena miraris, positusque carbo in | |
| [62]Caespite vivo, | |
| Docte sermones utriusque linguae? | 5 |
| Voveram dulces epulas et album | |
| Libero caprum prope funeratus | |
| Arboris ictu. | |
| Hic dies anno redeunte festus | |
| Corticem adstrictum pice dimovebit | 10 |
| Amphorae fumum bibere institutae | |
| 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. | |
| Neglegens ne qua populus laboret | 25 |
| Parce privatus nimium cavere; | |
| Dona praesentis cape laetus horae et | |
| Linque severa. |
| Donec gratus eram tibi | |
| Nec quisquam potior brachia candidae | |
| Cervici juvenis dabat, | |
| Persarum vigui rege beatior. | |
| Donec non alia magis | 5 |
| Arsisti neque erat Lydia post Chloën, | |
| Multi Lydia nominis | |
| [63]Romana vigui clarior Ilia. | |
| Me nunc Thressa Chloë regit | |
| Dulces docta modos et citharae sciens, | 10 |
| Pro qua non metuam mori | |
| Si parcent animae fata superstiti. | |
| Me torret face mutua | |
| Thurini Calais filius Ornyti, | |
| Pro quo bis patiar mori | 15 |
| Si parcent puero fata superstiti. | |
| Quid si prisca redit Venus | |
| Diductosque jugo cogit aëneo, | |
| Si flava excutitur Chloë | |
| Rejectaeque patet janua Lydiae? | 20 |
| Quamquam sidere pulchrior | |
| Ille est, tu levior cortice et improbo | |
| Iracundior Hadria, | |
| Tecum vivere amem, tecum obeam libens. |
| Extremum Tanain si biberes, Lyce, | |
| Saevo nupta viro, me tamen asperas | |
| Porrectum ante fores objicere incolis | |
| Plorares Aquilonibus. | |
| Audis quo strepitu janua, quo nemus | 5 |
| Inter pulchra satum tecta remugiat | |
| Ventis, et positas ut glaciet nives | |
| Puro numine Juppiter? | |
| Ingratam Veneri pone superbiam, | |
| Ne currente retro funis eat rota. | 10 |
| Non te Penelopen difficilem procis | |
| Tyrrhenus genuit parens. | |
| O quamvis neque te munera nec preces | |
| Nec tinctus viola pallor amantium | |
| Nec vir Pieria pellice saucius | 15 |
| [64]Curvat, supplicibus tuis | |
| Parcas, nec rigida mollior aesculo | |
| Nec Mauris animum mitior anguibus. | |
| Non hoc semper erit liminis aut aquae | |
| Caelestis patiens latus. | 20 |
| Mercuri,—nam te docilis magistro | |
| Movit Amphion lapides canendo,— | |
| Tuque testudo resonare septem | |
| Callida nervis, | |
| Nec loquax olim neque grata, nunc et | 5 |
| Divitum mensis et amica templis, | |
| Dic modos Lyde quibus obstinatas | |
| Applicet aures, | |
| Quae velut latis equa trima campis, | |
| Ludit exsultim metuitque tangi, | 10 |
| Nuptiarum expers et adhuc protervo | |
| Cruda marito. | |
| Tu potes tigres comitesque silvas | |
| Ducere et rivos celeres morari; | |
| Cessit immanis tibi blandienti | 15 |
| Janitor aulae | |
| Cerberus, quamvis furiale centum | |
| Muniant angues caput ejus atque | |
| Spiritus teter saniesque manet | |
| Ore trilingui. | 20 |
| Quin et Ixion Tityosque voltu | |
| Risit invito, stetit urna paullum | |
| Sicca dum grato Danai puellas | |
| Carmine mulces. | |
| Audiat Lyde scelus atque notas | 25 |
| Virginum poenas et inane lymphae | |
| Dolium fundo pereuntis imo, | |
| [65]Seraque fata | |
| Quae manent culpas etiam sub Orco. | |
| Impiae,—nam quid potuere majus?— | 30 |
| Impiae sponsos potuere duro | |
| Perdere ferro! | |
| Una de multis face nuptiali | |
| Digna perjurum fuit in parentem | |
| Splendide mendax et in omne virgo | 35 |
| Nobilis aevum, | |
| Surge, quae dixit juveni marito, | |
| Surge, ne longus tibi somnus, unde | |
| Non times, detur; socerum et scelestas | |
| Falle sorores, | 40 |
| Quae velut nactae vitulos leaenae | |
| Singulos eheu lacerant: ego illis | |
| Mollior nec te feriam neque intra | |
| Claustra tenebo. | |
| Me pater saevis oneret catenis | 45 |
| Quod viro clemens misero peperci: | |
| Me vel extremos Numidarum in agros | |
| Classe releget. | |
| I pedes quo te rapiunt et aurae | |
| Dum favet nox et Venus, i secundo | 50 |
| Omine et nostri memorem sepulcro | |
| Scalpe querelam. |
| Miserarum est neque amori dare ludum neque dulci | |
| Mala vino lavere, aut exanimari metuentes | |
| Patruae verbera linguae. | |
| Tibi qualum Cythereae puer ales, tibi telas | |
| Operosaeque Minervae studium aufert, Neobule, | 5 |
| Liparaei nitor Hebri, | |
| Simul unctos Tiberinis humeros lavit in undis, | |
| [66]Eques ipso melior Bellerophonte, neque pugno | |
| Neque segni pede victus; | |
| Catus idem per apertum fugientes agitato | 10 |
| Grege cervos jaculari et celer alto latitantem | |
| Fruticeto excipere aprum. |
| O fons Bandusiae, splendidior vitro, | |
| Dulci digne mero non sine floribus, | |
| Cras donaberis haedo | |
| Cui frons turgida cornibus | |
| Primis et venerem et proelia destinat; | 5 |
| Frustra: nam gelidos inficiet tibi | |
| Rubro sanguine rivos | |
| Lascivi suboles gregis. | |
| Te flagrantis atrox hora Caniculae | |
| Nescit tangere, tu frigus amabile | 10 |
| Fessis vomere tauris | |
| Praebes et pecori vago. | |
| Fies nobilium tu quoque fontium, | |
| Me dicente cavis impositam ilicem | |
| Saxis, unde loquaces | 15 |
| Lymphae desiliunt tuae. |
| Herculis ritu modo dictus, o plebs, | |
| Morte venalem petiisse laurum | |
| Caesar Hispana repetit penates | |
| [67]Victor ab ora. | |
| Unico gaudens mulier marito | 5 |
| Prodeat justis operata sacris, | |
| Et soror clari ducis et decorae | |
| Supplice vitta | |
| Virginum matres juvenumque nuper | |
| Sospitum. Vos, o pueri et puellae | 10 |
| Jam virum expertae, male ominatis | |
| Parcite verbis. | |
| Hic dies vere mihi festus atras | |
| Eximet curas; ego nec tumultum | |
| Nec 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 |
| Dic et argutae properet Neaerae | |
| Murrheum nodo cohibere crinem; | |
| Si per invisum mora janitorem | |
| Fiet, abito. | |
| Lenit albescens animos capillus | 25 |
| Litium et rixae cupidos protervae; | |
| Non ego hoc ferrem calidus juventa | |
| Consule Planco. |
| Uxor pauperis Ibyci, | |
| Tandem nequitiae fige modum tuae | |
| Famosisque laboribus: | |
| Maturo propior desine funeri | |
| Inter ludere virgines | 5 |
| Et stellis nebulam spargere candidis. | |
| Non si quid Pholoën satis | |
| [68]Et te, Chlori, decet: filia rectius | |
| Expugnat juvenum domos, | |
| Pulso Thyias uti concita tympano. | 10 |
| Illam cogit amor Nothi | |
| Lascivae similem ludere capreae: | |
| Te lanae prope nobilem | |
| Tonsae Luceriam, non citharae decent, | |
| Nec flos purpureus rosae | 15 |
| Nec poti vetulam faece tenus cadi. |
| Inclusam Danaën turris aënea | |
| Robustaeque fores et vigilum canum | |
| Tristes excubiae munierant satis | |
| Nocturnis ab adulteris, | |
| Si non Acrisium virginis abditae | 5 |
| Custodem pavidum Juppiter 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 subruit aemulos | |
| Reges muneribus; munera navium | 15 |
| 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 | |
| [69]Partes linquere gestio, | |
| Contemptae dominus splendidior reï, | 25 |
| Quam 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 nec Calabrae mella ferunt apes | |
| Nec Laestrygonia Bacchus in amphora | |
| Languescit mihi nec pinguia Gallicis | 35 |
| Crescunt vellera pascuis, | |
| Importuna tamen pauperies abest, | |
| Nec si plura velim tu dare deneges. | |
| Contracto melius parva cupidine | |
| Vectigalia porrigam, | 40 |
| Quam si Mygdoniis regnum Alyattei | |
| Campis continuem. Multa petentibus | |
| Desunt multa: bene est cui deus obtulit | |
| Parca quod satis est manu. |
| Aeli vetusto nobilis ab Lamo, | |
| (Quando et priores hinc Lamias ferunt | |
| Denominatos et nepotum | |
| Per memores genus omne fastos, | |
| Auctore ab illo ducit originem | 5 |
| Qui Formiarum moenia dicitur | |
| Princeps et innantem Maricae | |
| Litoribus tenuisse Lirim | |
| Late tyrannus) cras foliis nemus | |
| Multis et alga litus inutili | 10 |
| Demissa tempestas ab Euro | |
| [70]Sternet, aquae nisi fallit augur | |
| Annosa cornix. Dum potis aridum | |
| Compone lignum: cras Genium mero | |
| Curabis et porco bimestri | 15 |
| Cum famulis operum solutis. |
| Faune, Nympharum fugientum amator, | |
| Per meos fines et aprica rura | |
| Lenis incedas abeasque parvis | |
| Aequus alumnis, | |
| Si tener pleno cadit haedus anno, | 5 |
| Larga nec desunt Veneris sodali | |
| Vina craterae. Vetus ara multo | |
| Fumat odore, | |
| Ludit herboso pecus omne campo, | |
| Cum tibi Nonae redeunt Decembres; | 10 |
| 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. |
| Quantum distet ab Inacho | |
| Codrus pro patria non timidus mori | |
| Narras, et genus Aeaci | |
| [71]Et pugnata sacro bella sub Ilio: | |
| Quo Chium pretio cadum | 5 |
| Mercemur, quis aquam temperet ignibus, | |
| Quo praebente domum et quota | |
| Pelignis caream frigoribus, taces. | |
| Da lunae propere novae, | |
| Da noctis mediae, da, puer, auguris | 10 |
| Murenae: tribus aut novem | |
| Miscentur 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 invidus | |
| Dementem strepitum Lycus | |
| Et vicina seni non habilis Lyco. | |
| Spissa te nitidum coma, | 25 |
| Puro te similem, Telephe, Vespero, | |
| Tempestiva petit Rhode: | |
| Me lentus Glycerae torret amor meae. |
| Non vides, quanto moveas periclo, | |
| Pyrrhe, Gaetulae catulos leaenae? | |
| Dura post paullo fugies inaudax | |
| Proelia raptor | |
| Cum per obstantes juvenum catervas | 5 |
| Ibit insignem repetens Nearchum, | |
| Grande certamen tibi praeda cedat | |
| [72]Major an illi. | |
| Interim, dum tu celeres sagittas | |
| Promis, haec dentes acuit timendos, | 10 |
| Arbiter pugnae posuisse nudo | |
| Sub pede palmam | |
| Fertur, et leni recreare vento | |
| Sparsum odoratis humerum capillis, | |
| Qualis aut Nireus fuit aut aquosa | 15 |
| Raptus ab Ida. |
| O nata mecum consule Manlio, | |
| Seu tu querelas sive geris jocos | |
| Seu rixam et insanos amores | |
| Seu facilem, pia testa, somnum, | |
| Quocunque lectum nomine Massicum | 5 |
| Servas, moveri digna bono die, | |
| Descende, Corvino jubente | |
| Promere languidiora vina. | |
| Non ille, quamquam Socraticis madet | |
| Sermonibus, te negleget horridus: | 10 |
| Narratur et prisci Catonis | |
| Saepe mero caluisse virtus. | |
| Tu lene tormentum ingenio admoves | |
| Plerumque duro; tu sapientium | |
| Curas et arcanum jocoso | 15 |
| Consilium retegis Lyaeo; | |
| 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 laeta aderit, Venus | |
| Segnesque nodum solvere Gratiae | |
| Vivaeque producent lucernae, | |
| Dum rediens fugat astra Phoebus. |
| Montium custos nemorumque, Virgo, | |
| Quae laborantes utero puellas | |
| Ter vocata audis adimisque leto, | |
| Diva triformis, | |
| Imminens villae tua pinus esto, | 5 |
| Quam per exactos ego laetus annos | |
| Verris obliquum meditantis ictum | |
| Sanguine donem. |
| Caelo supinas si tuleris manus | |
| Nascente Luna, rustica Phidyle, | |
| Si thure placaris et horna | |
| Fruge Lares avidaque porca, | |
| Nec pestilentem sentiet Africum | 5 |
| Fecunda vitis nec sterilem seges | |
| Robiginem aut dulces alumni | |
| Pomifero grave tempus anno. | |
| Nam quae nivali pascitur Algido | |
| Devota quercus inter et ilices | 10 |
| Aut crescit Albanis in herbis | |
| Victima pontificum secures | |
| Cervice tinget: te nihil attinet | |
| Tentare multa caede bidentium | |
| Parvos coronantem marino | 15 |
| Rore deos fragilique myrto. | |
| Immunis aram si tetigit manus, | |
| [74]Non sumptuosa blandior hostia | |
| Mollivit aversos Penates | |
| Farre pio et saliente mica. | 20 |
| Intactis opulentior | |
| Thesauris Arabum et divitis Indiae | |
| Caementis licet occupes | |
| Tyrrhenum omne tuis et mare Apulicum, | |
| 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 Getae | |
| Immetata quibus jugera liberas | |
| Fruges et Cererem ferunt, | |
| Nec cultura placet longior annua, | |
| Defunctumque laboribus | 15 |
| Aequali recreat sorte vicarius. | |
| Illic matre carentibus | |
| Privignis mulier temperat innocens, | |
| Nec dotata regit virum | |
| Conjux nec nitido fidit adultero. | 20 |
| Dos est magna parentium | |
| Virtus et metuens alterius viri | |
| Certo foedere castitas; | |
| Et peccare nefas aut pretium est mori. | |
| O quisquis volet impias | 25 |
| Caedes et rabiem tollere civicam, | |
| Si quaeret Pater Urbium | |
| Subscribi statuis, indomitam audeat | |
| Refrenare licentiam, | |
| [75]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 nec Boreae finitimum latus | |
| Durataeque solo nives | |
| Mercatorem abigunt, horrida callidi | 40 |
| Vincunt aequora navitae, | |
| Magnum pauperies opprobrium jubet | |
| Quidvis et facere et pati | |
| Virtutisque viam deserit arduae? | |
| Vel nos in Capitolium | 45 |
| Quo clamor vocat et turba faventium, | |
| Vel nos in mare proximum | |
| Gemmas et lapides aurum et inutile, | |
| Summi materiem mali, | |
| Mittamus scelerum si bene poenitet. | 50 |
| Eradenda cupidinis | |
| Pravi sunt elementa, et tenerae nimis | |
| Mentes asperioribus | |
| Formandae studiis. Nescit equo rudis | |
| Haerere ingenuus puer | 55 |
| Venarique timet, ludere doctior, | |
| Seu Graeco jubeas trocho | |
| Seu malis vetita legibus alea, | |
| Cum perjura patris fides | |
| Consortem socium fallat et hospitem | 60 |
| Indignoque pecuniam | |
| Heredi properet. Scilicet improbae | |
| Crescunt divitiae; tamen | |
| Curtae nescio quid semper abest reï. |
| Quo me, Bacche, rapis tui | |
| Plenum? quae nemora aut quos agor in specus | |
| Velox mente nova? quibus | |
| Antris egregii Caesaris audiar | |
| Aeternum meditans decus | 5 |
| Stellis inserere et consilio Jovis? | |
| Dicam insigne recens adhuc | |
| Indictum ore alio. Non secus in jugis | |
| Exsomnis stupet Euias | |
| Hebrum prospiciens et nive candidam | 10 |
| Thracen ac pede barbaro | |
| Lustratam Rhodopen, ut mihi devio | |
| Ripas et vacuum nemus | |
| Mirari libet. O Naïadum potens | |
| Baccharumque valentium | 15 |
| Proceras manibus vertere fraxinos, | |
| Nil parvum aut humili modo, | |
| Nil mortale loquar. Dulce periculum est, | |
| O Lenaee, sequi deum | |
| Cingentem viridi tempora pampino. | 20 |
| Vixi puellis nuper idoneus | |
| Et militavi non sine gloria; | |
| Nunc arma defunctumque bello | |
| Barbiton hic paries habebit, | |
| Laevum marinae qui Veneris latus | 5 |
| [77]Custodit. Hic hic ponite lucida | |
| Funalia et vectes et arcus | |
| Oppositis foribus minaces. | |
| O quae beatam diva tenes Cyprum et | |
| Memphin carentem Sithonia nive, | 10 |
| Regina, sublimi flagello | |
| Tange Chloën semel arrogantem. |
| Impios parrae recinentis omen | |
| Ducat et praegnans canis aut ab agro | |
| Rava decurrens lupa Lanuvino | |
| Fetaque vulpes. | |
| Rumpat et serpens iter institutum | 5 |
| Si per obliquum similis sagittae | |
| Terruit mannos: ego cui timebo | |
| Providus auspex, | |
| Antequam stantes repetat paludes | |
| Imbrium divina avis imminentum, | 10 |
| Oscinem corvum prece suscitabo | |
| Solis ab ortu. | |
| Sis licet felix ubicunque mavis, | |
| Et memor nostri, Galatea, vivas, | |
| Teque nec laevus vetet ire picus | 15 |
| Nec vaga cornix. | |
| Sed vides quanto trepidet tumultu | |
| Pronus Orion. Ego quid sit ater | |
| Hadriae novi sinus et quid albus | |
| Peccet Iapyx. | 20 |
| Hostium uxores puerique caecos | |
| Sentiant motus orientis Austri et | |
| Aequoris nigri fremitum et trementes | |
| Verbere ripas. | |
| Sic et Europe niveum doloso | 25 |
| [78]Credidit tauro latus et scatentem | |
| Beluis pontum mediasque fraudes | |
| Palluit audax. | |
| Nuper in pratis studiosa florum et | |
| Debitae Nymphis opifex coronae | 30 |
| Nocte sublustri nihil astra praeter | |
| Vidit et undas. | |
| Quae simul centum tetigit potentem | |
| Oppidis Creten: Pater, o relictum | |
| Filiae nomen pietasque, dixit, | 35 |
| Victa furore! | |
| Unde quo veni? Levis una mors est | |
| Virginum culpae. Vigilansne ploro | |
| Turpe commissum, an vitiis carentem | |
| Ludit imago | 40 |
| Vana quae porta fugiens eburna | |
| Somnium ducit? Meliusne fluctus | |
| Ire per longos fuit an recentes | |
| Carpere flores? | |
| Si quis infamem mihi nunc juvencum | 45 |
| Dedat iratae lacerare ferro et | |
| Frangere enitar modo multum amati | |
| Cornua monstri. | |
| Impudens liqui patrios Penates, | |
| Impudens Orcum moror. O deorum | 50 |
| Si quis haec audis, utinam inter errem | |
| Nuda leones! | |
| Antequam turpis macies decentes | |
| Occupet malas, teneraeque sucus | |
| Defluat praedae, speciosa quaero | 55 |
| Pascere tigres. | |
| Vilis Europe, pater urget absens: | |
| Quid mori cessas? Potes hac ab orno | |
| Pendulum zona bene te secuta | |
| Laedere collum. | 60 |
| Sive te rupes et acuta leto | |
| Saxa delectant age te procellae | |
| Crede veloci, nisi herile mavis | |
| Carpere pensum | |
| Regius sanguis dominaeque tradi | 65 |
| [79]Barbarae pellex.—Aderat querenti | |
| Perfidum ridens Venus et remisso | |
| Filius arcu. | |
| Mox ubi lusit satis: Abstineto, | |
| Dixit, irarum calidaeque rixae | 70 |
| Cum tibi invisus laceranda reddet | |
| Cornua taurus. | |
| Uxor invicti Jovis esse nescis: | |
| Mitte singultus; bene ferre magnam | |
| Disce fortunam; tua sectus orbis | 75 |
| Nomina ducet. |
| Festo quid potius die | |
| Neptuni faciam? Prome reconditum | |
| Lyde strenua Caecubum | |
| Munitaeque adhibe vim sapientiae. | |
| Inclinare meridiem | 5 |
| Sentis ac, veluti stet volucris dies, | |
| Parcis deripere horreo | |
| Cessantem Bibuli consulis amphoram. | |
| Nos cantabimus invicem | |
| Neptunum et virides Nereïdum comas; | 10 |
| Tu curva recines lyra | |
| Latonam et celeris spicula Cynthiae; | |
| Summo carmine quae Cnidon | |
| Fulgentesque tenet Cycladas et Paphon | |
| Junctis visit oloribus; | 15 |
| Dicetur merita Nox quoque nenia. |
| Tyrrhena regum progenies, tibi | |
| Non ante verso lene merum cado | |
| Cum flore, Maecenas, rosarum et | |
| Pressa tuis balanus capillis | |
| Jamdudum apud me est. Eripe te morae; | 5 |
| Ne semper udum Tibur et Aesulae | |
| Declive contempleris arvum et | |
| Telegoni juga parricidae. | |
| Fastidiosam desere copiam et | |
| Molem propinquam nubibus arduis; | 10 |
| Omitte mirari beatae | |
| Fumum et opes strepitumque Romae. | |
| Plerumque gratae divitibus vices, | |
| Mundaeque parvo sub lare pauperum | |
| Coenae sine aulaeis et ostro | 15 |
| Sollicitam explicuere frontem. | |
| Jam clarus occultum Andromedae 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, | 30 |
| Ridetque si mortalis ultra | |
| Fas trepidat. Quod adest memento | |
| Componere aequus; cetera fluminis | |
| [81]Ritu feruntur, nunc medio aequore | |
| Cum pace delabentis Etruscum | 35 |
| In mare, nunc lapides adesos | |
| Stirpesque raptas et pecus et domus | |
| Volventis una non sine montium | |
| Clamore vicinaeque silvae, | |
| Cum fera diluvies quietos | 40 |
| Irritat amnes. Ille potens sui | |
| Laetusque deget, cui licet in diem | |
| Dixisse Vixi: cras 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 laeta negotio et | |
| Ludum insolentem ludere pertinax | 50 |
| Transmutat incertos honores, | |
| Nunc mihi, nunc alii benigna. | |
| Laudo manentem; si celeres quatit | |
| Pennas resigno quae dedit, et mea | |
| Virtute me involvo probamque | 55 |
| Pauperiem sine dote quaero. | |
| Non est meum si mugiat Africis | |
| Malus procellis ad miseras preces | |
| Decurrere, et votis pacisci | |
| Ne Cypriae Tyriaeque merces | 60 |
| Addant avaro divitias mari: | |
| Tunc me biremis praesidio scaphae | |
| Tutum per Aegaeos tumultus | |
| Aura feret geminusque Pollux. |
| Exegi monumentum aere perennius | |
| Regalique situ pyramidum altius, | |
| Quod non imber edax, non Aquilo impotens | |
| [82]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 aquae Daunus agrestium | |
| Regnavit populorum, ex humili potens, | |
| Princeps Aeolium carmen ad Italos | |
| Deduxisse modos. Sume superbiam | |
| Quaesitam meritis et mihi Delphica | 15 |
| Lauro cinge volens, Melpomene, comam. |
I. | II. | III. | IV. | V. | VI. | VII. | VIII. | IX. | X. | XI. | XII. | XIII. | XIV. | XV.
| Intermissa, Venus, diu | |
| Rursus bella moves? Parce, precor, precor. | |
| Non sum qualis eram bonae | |
| Sub regno Cinarae. Desine, dulcium | |
| Mater saeva Cupidinum, | 5 |
| Circa lustra decem flectere mollibus | |
| Jam durum imperiis: abi | |
| Quo blandae juvenum te revocant preces. | |
| Tempestivius in domum | |
| Paulli purpureis ales oloribus | 10 |
| Comissabere Maximi, | |
| Si torrere jecur quaeris idoneum: | |
| Namque et nobilis et decens | |
| Et pro sollicitis non tacitus reis | |
| Et centum puer artium | 15 |
| Late signa feret militiae tuae, | |
| Et quandoque potentior | |
| Largi muneribus riserit aemuli | |
| Albanos prope te lacus | |
| Ponet marmoream sub trabe citrea. | 20 |
| Illic plurima naribus | |
| [84]Duces thura, lyraeque et Berecyntiae | |
| Delectabere tibiae | |
| Mixtis carminibus non sine fistula; | |
| Illic bis pueri die | 25 |
| Numen cum teneris virginibus tuum | |
| Laudantes pede candido | |
| In morem Salium ter quatient humum. | |
| Me nec femina nec puer | |
| Jam nec spes animi credula mutui, | 30 |
| Nec certare juvat mero | |
| Nec vincire novis tempora floribus. | |
| Sed cur heu, Ligurine, cur | |
| Manat rara meas lacruma per genas? | |
| Cur facunda parum decoro | 35 |
| Inter verba cadit lingua silentio? | |
| Nocturnis ego somniis | |
| Jam captum teneo, jam volucrem sequor | |
| Te per gramina Martii | |
| Campi, te per aquas, dure, volubiles. | 40 |
| Pindarum quisquis studet aemulari, | |
| Iule, ceratis ope Daedalea | |
| Nititur pennis vitreo daturus | |
| Nomina ponto. | |
| Monte decurrens velut amnis imbres | 5 |
| Quem super notas aluere ripas | |
| Fervet immensusque ruit profundo | |
| Pindarus ore, | |
| Laurea donandus Apollinari, | |
| Seu per audaces nova dithyrambos | 10 |
| Verba devolvit numerisque fertur | |
| Lege solutis; | |
| Seu deos regesve canit deorum | |
| [85]Sanguinem per quos cecidere justa | |
| Morte Centauri, cecidit tremendae | 15 |
| Flamma Chimaerae; | |
| Sive quos Elea domum reducit | |
| Palma caelestes pugilemve equumve | |
| Dicit et centum potiore signis | |
| Munere donat: | 20 |
| Flebili sponsae juvenemve raptum | |
| Plorat et vires animumque moresque | |
| Aureos educit in astra nigroque | |
| Invidet Orco. | |
| Multa Dircaeum levat aura cycnum | 25 |
| Tendit, Antoni, quotiens in altos | |
| Nubium tractus. Ego apis Matinae | |
| More modoque | |
| Grata carpentis thyma per laborem | |
| Plurimum circa nemus uvidique | 30 |
| Tiburis ripas operosa parvus | |
| Carmina fingo. | |
| Concines majore poëta plectro | |
| Caesarem quandoque trahet feroces | |
| Per sacrum clivum merita decorus | 35 |
| Fronde Sygambros, | |
| Quo nihil majus meliusve terris | |
| Fata donavere bonique divi, | |
| Nec dabunt quamvis redeant in aurum | |
| Tempora priscum. | 40 |
| Concines laetosque dies et Urbis | |
| Publicum ludum super impetrato | |
| Fortis Augusti reditu forumque | |
| Litibus orbum. | |
| Tum meae si quid loquar audiendum | 45 |
| Vocis accedet bona pars et, O Sol | |
| Pulcher! o laudande! canam, recepto | |
| Caesare felix. | |
| Teque dum procedis, io Triumphe! | |
| Non semel dicemus, io Triumphe! | 50 |
| Civitas omnis dabimusque divis | |
| Thura benignis. | |
| Te decem tauri totidemque vaccae, | |
| [86]Me tener solvet vitulus relicta | |
| Matre qui largis juvenescit herbis | 55 |
| In mea vota, | |
| Fronte curvatos imitatus ignes | |
| Tertium lunae referentis ortum, | |
| Qua notam duxit niveus videri | |
| Cetera fulvus. | 60 |
| Quem tu, Melpomene, semel | |
| Nascentem placido lumine videris, | |
| Illum non labor Isthmius | |
| Clarabit pugilem, non equus impiger | |
| Curru ducet Achaico | 5 |
| Victorem, neque res bellica Deliis | |
| Ornatum foliis ducem, | |
| Quod regum tumidas contuderit minas, | |
| Ostendet Capitolio: | |
| Sed quae Tibur aquae fertile praefluunt | 10 |
| Et spissae nemorum comae | |
| Fingent Aeolio carmine nobilem. | |
| Romae principis urbium | |
| Dignatur suboles inter amabiles | |
| Vatum ponere me choros, | 15 |
| Et jam dente minus mordeor invido. | |
| O, testudinis aureae | |
| Dulcem quae strepitum, Pieri, temperas, | |
| O mutis quoque piscibus | |
| Donatura cycni, si libeat, sonum, | 20 |
| Totum muneris hoc tui est: | |
| Quod monstror digito praetereuntium | |
| Romanae fidicen lyrae, | |
| Quod spiro et placeo, si placeo, tuum est. |
| Qualem ministrum fulminis alitem, | |
| Cui rex deorum regnum in aves vagas | |
| Permisit expertus fidelem | |
| Juppiter in Ganymede flavo, | |
| Olim juventas et patrius vigor | 5 |
| Nido laborum propulit inscium, | |
| Vernique jam nimbis remotis | |
| Insolitos docuere nisus | |
| Venti paventem, mox in ovilia | |
| Demisit hostem vividus impetus, | 10 |
| 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 Raetis bella sub Alpibus | |
| Drusum gerentem Vindelici;—quibus | |
| Mos unde deductus per omne | |
| Tempus Amazonia securi | 20 |
| Dextras obarmet quaerere distuli, | |
| Nec scire fas est omnia;—sed diu | |
| Lateque victrices catervae | |
| Consiliis juvenis revictae | |
| 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, | |
| [88]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, | |
| Dirus 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 Poenorum tumultu | |
| Fana deos habuere rectos; | |
| 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 aequoribus sacra | |
| Natosque maturosque patres | 55 |
| Pertulit Ausonias ad urbes, | |
| Duris ut ilex tonsa bipennibus | |
| Nigrae feraci frondis in Algido, | |
| Per damna, per caedes, ab ipso | |
| Ducit opes animumque ferro. | 60 |
| Non hydra secto corpore firmior | |
| Vinci dolentem crevit in Herculem, | |
| Monstrumve submisere Colchi | |
| Maius Echioniaeve Thebae. | |
| Merses profundo, pulchrior evenit: | 65 |
| Luctere, multa proruet integrum | |
| Cum laude victorem geretque | |
| Proelia conjugibus loquenda. | |
| Karthagini jam non ego nuntios | |
| Mittam superbos: occidit, occidit | 70 |
| Spes omnis et fortuna nostri | |
| Nominis Hasdrubale interempto. | |
| Nil Claudiae non perficient manus, | |
| [89]Quas et benigno numine Juppiter | |
| Defendit et curae sagaces | 75 |
| Expediunt per acuta belli. |
| Divis orte bonis, optime Romulae | |
| Custos gentis, abes jam nimium diu; | |
| Maturum reditum pollicitus patrum | |
| Sancto concilio redi. | |
| Lucem redde tuae, dux bone, patriae: | 5 |
| Instar veris enim vultus ubi tuus | |
| Affulsit populo, gratior it dies | |
| Et soles melius nitent. | |
| Ut mater juvenem, quem Notus invido | |
| Flatu Carpathii trans maris aequora | 10 |
| Cunctantem spatio longius annuo | |
| Dulci distinet a domo, | |
| Votis ominibusque et precibus vocat, | |
| Curvo nec faciem litore demovet: | |
| Sic desideriis icta fidelibus | 15 |
| Quaerit patria Caesarem. | |
| Tutus bos etenim rura 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 poena premit comes. | |
| Quis Parthum paveat, quis gelidum Scythen, | 25 |
| Quis Germania quos horrida parturit | |
| Fetus, incolumi Caesare? quis ferae | |
| Bellum curet Hiberiae? | |
| Condit quisque diem collibus in suis | |
| [90]Et vitem viduas ducit ad arbores; | 30 |
| Hinc ad vina redit 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! dicimus integro | |
| Sicci mane die, dicimus uvidi | |
| Cum Sol Oceano subest. | 40 |
| Dive, quem proles Niobea magnae | |
| Vindicem linguae Tityosque raptor | |
| Sensit et Trojae prope victor altae | |
| Phthius Achilles, | |
| Ceteris major, tibi miles impar; | 5 |
| Filius quamvis Thetidis marinae | |
| Dardanas turres quateret tremenda | |
| Cuspide pugnax. | |
| Ille, mordaci velut icta ferro | |
| Pinus aut impulsa cupressus Euro, | 10 |
| Procidit late posuitque collum in | |
| Pulvere Teucro. | |
| Ille non inclusus equo Minervae | |
| Sacra mentito male feriatos | |
| Troas et laetam Priami choreis | 15 |
| Falleret aulam; | |
| Sed palam captis gravis, heu nefas heu, | |
| Nescios fari pueros Achivis | |
| Ureret flammis, etiam latentem | |
| Matris in alvo, | 20 |
| Ni tuis victus Venerisque gratae | |
| [91]Vocibus divom pater annuisset | |
| Rebus Aeneae potiore ductos | |
| Alite muros. | |
| Doctor argutae fidicen Thaliae, | 25 |
| Phoebe, qui Xantho lavis amne crines, | |
| Dauniae defende decus Camenae, | |
| Levis Agyieu. | |
| Spiritum Phoebus mihi, Phoebus artem | |
| Carminis nomenque dedit poëtae. | 30 |
| Virginum primae puerique claris | |
| Patribus orti, | |
| Deliae tutela deae fugaces | |
| Lyncas et cervos cohibentis arcu, | |
| Lesbium servate pedem meique | 35 |
| Pollicis ictum, | |
| Rite Latonae puerum canentes, | |
| Rite crescentem face Noctilucam, | |
| Prosperam frugum celeremque pronos | |
| Volvere menses. | 40 |
| Nupta jam dices: Ego dis amicum, | |
| Seculo festas referente luces, | |
| Reddidi carmen, docilis modorum | |
| Vatis Horati. |
| Diffugere 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 aestas | |
| [92]Interitura simul | 10 |
| Pomifer Auctumnus fruges effuderit, et mox | |
| Bruma recurrit iners. | |
| Damna tamen celeres reparant caelestia lunae: | |
| Nos ubi decidimus, | |
| Quo pius Aeneas quo dives Tullus et Ancus | 15 |
| Pulvis et umbra sumus. | |
| Quis scit an adjiciant hodiernae crastina summae | |
| Tempora di superi? | |
| Cuncta manus avidas fugient heredis amico | |
| Quae dederis animo. | 20 |
| Cum 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, | |
| Nec Lethaea valet Theseus abrumpere caro | |
| Vincula Pirithoo. |
| Donarem pateras grataque commodus, | |
| Censorine, meis aera sodalibus, | |
| Donarem tripodas, praemia fortium | |
| Graiorum, neque tu pessima munerum | |
| Ferres, divite me scilicet artium | 5 |
| Quas aut Parrhasius protulit aut Scopas, | |
| Hic saxo, liquidis ille coloribus | |
| Sollers nunc hominem ponere, nunc deum. | |
| Sed non haec mihi vis, non tibi talium | |
| Res est aut animus deliciarum egens. | 10 |
| Gaudes carminibus; carmina possumus | |
| Donare et pretium dicere muneri. | |
| Non incisa notis marmora publicis, | |
| [93]Per quae spiritus et vita redit bonis | |
| Post mortem ducibus, non celeres fugae | 15 |
| Rejectaeque retrorsum Hannibalis minae, | |
| Non incendia Karthaginis 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 Iliae | |
| Mavortisque puer si taciturnitas | |
| Obstaret meritis invida Romuli? | |
| Ereptum Stygiis fluctibus Aeacum | 25 |
| Virtus et favor et lingua potentium | |
| Vatum divitibus consecrat insulis. | |
| Dignum laude virum Musa vetat mori; | |
| Caelo Musa beat. Sic Jovis interest | |
| Optatis epulis impiger Hercules, | 30 |
| Clarum Tyndaridae sidus ab infimis | |
| Quassas eripiunt aequoribus rates, | |
| Ornatus viridi tempora pampino | |
| Liber vota bonos ducit ad exitus. |
| Ne forte credas interitura quae | |
| Longe sonantem natus ad Aufidum | |
| Non ante vulgatas per artes | |
| Verba loquor socianda chordis: | |
| Non si priores Maeonius tenet | 5 |
| Sedes Homerus Pindaricae latent | |
| Ceaeque et Alcaei minaces | |
| Stesichorique graves Camenae; | |
| Nec si quid olim lusit Anacreon | |
| Delevit aetas; spirat adhuc amor | 10 |
| Vivuntque commissi calores | |
| [94]Aeoliae fidibus puellae. | |
| Non sola comptos arsit adulteri | |
| Crines, et aurum vestibus illitum | |
| Mirata regalesque cultus | 15 |
| Et comites Helene Lacaena, | |
| Primusve Teucer tela Cydonio | |
| Direxit arcu; non semel Ilios | |
| Vexata; non pugnavit ingens | |
| Idomeneus Sthenelusve solus | 20 |
| Dicenda Musis proelia; non ferox | |
| Hector vel acer Deiphobus graves | |
| Excepit ictus pro pudicis | |
| Conjugibus puerisque primus. | |
| Vixere fortes ante Agamemnona | 25 |
| Multi; sed omnes illacrumabiles | |
| Urgentur ignotique longa | |
| Nocte, carent quia vate sacro. | |
| Paullum sepultae 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, | |
| Consulque non unius anni | |
| Sed quoties bonus atque fidus | 40 |
| Judex honestum praetulit utili, | |
| Rejecit alto dona nocentium | |
| Vultu, per obstantes catervas | |
| Explicuit sua victor arma. | |
| Non possidentem multa vocaveris | 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 | |
| Aut patria timidus perire. |
| O crudelis adhuc et Veneris muneribus potens, | |
| Insperata tuae cum veniet pluma superbiae, | |
| Et quae nunc humeris involitant deciderint comae, | |
| Nunc et qui color est puniceae flore prior rosae | |
| Mutatus Ligurinum in faciem verterit hispidam, | 5 |
| Dices heu quotiens te speculo videris alterum: | |
| Quae mens est hodie, cur eadem non puero fuit? | |
| Vel cur his animis incolumes non redeunt genae? |
| Est mihi nonum superantis annum | |
| Plenus Albani cadus; est in horto, | |
| Phylli, nectendis apium coronis; | |
| Est hederae vis | |
| Multa, qua crines religata fulges; | 5 |
| Ridet argento domus; ara castis | |
| Vincta verbenis avet immolato | |
| Spargier agno; | |
| Cuncta festinat manus, huc et illuc | |
| Cursitant mixtae pueris puellae; | 10 |
| Sordidum flammae trepidant rotantes | |
| Vertice fumum. | |
| Ut tamen noris quibus advoceris | |
| Gaudiis, Idus tibi sunt agendae, | |
| Qui dies mensem Veneris marinae | 15 |
| Findit Aprilem; | |
| Jure sollemnis mihi sanctiorque | |
| [96]Paene natali proprio, quod ex hac | |
| Luce Maecenas meus adfluentes | |
| Ordinat annos. | 20 |
| Telephum, quem tu petis, occupavit | |
| Non tuae sortis juvenem puella | |
| Dives et lasciva, tenetque grata | |
| Compede vinctum. | |
| Terret ambustus Phaëthon avaras | 25 |
| Spes, et exemplum grave praebet ales | |
| Pegasus, terrenum equitem gravatus | |
| Bellerophontem, | |
| Semper ut te digna sequare et ultra | |
| Quam licet sperare nefas putando | 30 |
| Disparem vites. Age jam, meorum | |
| Finis amorum— | |
| Non enim posthac alia calebo | |
| Femina—condisce modos amanda | |
| Voce quos reddas; minuentur atrae | 35 |
| Carmine curae. |
| Jam veris comites quae mare temperant | |
| Impellunt animae lintea Thraciae; | |
| Jam nec prata rigent nec fluvii strepunt | |
| Hiberna nive turgidi. | |
| Nidum ponit, Ityn flebiliter gemens, | 5 |
| Infelix avis et Cecropiae domus | |
| Aeternum 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 Arcadiae placent. | |
| Adduxere sitim tempora, Virgili; | |
| [97]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. |
| Audivere, Lyce, di mea vota, di | |
| Audivere, Lyce: fis anus, et tamen | |
| Vis formosa videri | |
| Ludisque et bibis impudens | |
| Et cantu tremulo pota Cupidinem | 5 |
| Lentum sollicitas. Ille virentis et | |
| Doctae psallere Chiae | |
| Pulchris excubat in genis. | |
| Importunus enim transvolat aridas | |
| Quercus, et refugit te quia luridi | 10 |
| Dentes, te quia rugae | |
| Turpant et capitis nives. | |
| Nec Coae referunt jam tibi purpurae | |
| Nec clari lapides tempora, quae semel | |
| Notis condita fastis | 15 |
| Inclusit volucris dies. | |
| Quo fugit venus, heu, quove color? decens | |
| [98]Quo motus? quid habes illius, illius, | |
| Quae spirabat amores, | |
| Quae me surpuerat mihi, | 20 |
| Felix post Cinaram, notaque et artium | |
| Gratarum facies? Sed Cinarae breves | |
| Annos fata dederunt, | |
| Servatura diu parem | |
| Cornicis vetulae temporibus Lycen, | 25 |
| Possent ut juvenes visere fervidi | |
| Multo non sine risu | |
| Dilapsam in cineres facem. |
| Quae cura patrum quaeve Quiritium | |
| Plenis honorum muneribus tuas, | |
| Auguste, virtutes in aevum | |
| Per titulos memoresque fastos | |
| Aeternet, o qua sol habitabiles | 5 |
| Illustrat oras maxime principum? | |
| Quem legis expertes Latinae | |
| 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 proelium | |
| Commisit immanesque Raetos | 15 |
| Auspiciis pepulit secundis, | |
| Spectandus in certamine Martio, | |
| Devota morti pectora liberae | |
| Quantis fatigaret ruinis; | |
| Indomitas prope qualis undas | 20 |
| Exercet Auster, Pleïadum choro | |
| [99]Scindente nubes, impiger hostium | |
| Vexare turmas et frementem | |
| Mittere equum medios per ignes. | |
| Sic tauriformis volvitur Aufidus, | 25 |
| Qua regna Dauni praefluit Apuli, | |
| Cum saevit horrendamque cultis | |
| Diluviem meditatur agris, | |
| Ut barbarorum Claudius agmina | |
| Ferrata vasto diruit impetu | 30 |
| Primosque et extremos metendo | |
| Stravit humum sine clade victor, | |
| Te copias, te consilium et tuos | |
| Praebente divos. Nam tibi, quo die | |
| Portus Alexandrea 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 praesens | |
| Italiae dominaeque Romae. | |
| Te fontium qui celat origines | 45 |
| Nilusque et Ister, te rapidus Tigris, | |
| Te beluosus qui remotis | |
| Obstrepit Oceanus Britannis, | |
| Te non paventis funera Galliae | |
| Duraeque tellus audit Hiberiae, | 50 |
| Te caede gaudentes Sigambri | |
| Compositis venerantur armis. |
| Phoebus volentem proelia me loqui | |
| [100]Victas et urbes increpuit lyra, | |
| Ne parva Tyrrhenum per aequor | |
| Vela darem. Tua, Caesar, aetas | |
| Fruges et agris rettulit uberes | 5 |
| Et signa nostro restituit Jovi | |
| Derepta Parthorum superbis | |
| Postibus, et vacuum duellis | |
| Janum Quirini clausit, et ordinem | |
| Rectum evaganti frena licentiae | 10 |
| Injecit, emovitque culpas, | |
| Et veteres revocavit artes | |
| Per quas Latinum nomen et Italae | |
| Crevere vires famaque et imperi | |
| Porrecta majestas ad ortus | 15 |
| Solis ab Hesperio cubili. | |
| Custode rerum Caesare 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 Tanaïn prope flumen orti. | |
| Nosque et profestis lucibus et sacris | 25 |
| Inter jocosi munera 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. |
| Phoebe silvarumque potens Diana, | |
| Lucidum caeli 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 feraci | |
| Lege marita, | 20 |
| Certus undenos decies per annos | |
| Orbis ut cantus referatque ludos | |
| Ter die claro totiesque grata | |
| Nocte frequentes. | |
| Vosque veraces cecinisse, Parcae, | 25 |
| Quod semel dictum est stabilisque rerum | |
| Terminus servat, bona jam peractis | |
| [102]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 Aeneas patriae superstes | |
| Liberum munivit iter, daturus | |
| Plura relictis: | |
| Di, probos mores docili juventae, | 45 |
| Di, senectuti placidae quietem, | |
| Romulae genti date remque prolemque | |
| Et decus omne! | |
| Quaeque vos bubus veneratur albis | |
| Clarus Anchisae Venerisque sanguis, | 50 |
| Impetret, bellante prior, jacentem | |
| Lenis in hostem! | |
| Jam mari terraque manus potentes | |
| Medus Albanasque timet secures, | |
| Jam Scythae responsa petunt, superbi | 55 |
| Nuper, et Indi. | |
| Jam Fides et Pax et Honos Pudorque | |
| Priscus et neglecta redire Virtus | |
| Audet, apparetque beata pleno | |
| Copia cornu. | 60 |
| Augur et fulgente decorus arcu | |
| Phoebus acceptusque novem Camenis, | |
| Qui salutari levat arte fessos | |
| Corporis artus, | |
| Si Palatinas videt aequus arces | 65 |
| Remque Romanam Latiumque, felix | |
| Alterum in lustrum meliusque semper | |
| [103]Proroget aevum. | |
| Quaeque Aventinum tenet Algidumque, | |
| Quindecim Diana preces virorum | 70 |
| Curet et votis puerorum amicas | |
| Applicet aures. | |
| Haec Jovem sentire deosque cunctos | |
| Spem bonam certamque domum reporto, | |
| Doctus et Phoebi chorus et Dianae | 75 |
| Dicere laudes. |
I. | II. | III. | IV. | V. | VI. | VII. | VIII. | IX. | X. | XI. | XII. | XIII. | XIV. | XV. | XVI. | XVII.
| Ibis Liburnis inter alta navium, | |
| Amice, propugnacula, | |
| Paratus omne Caesaris periculum | |
| Subire, Maecenas, tuo. | |
| Quid nos, quibus te vita si superstite | 5 |
| Jucunda, si contra gravis? | |
| Utrumne jussi persequemur otium, | |
| Non dulce ni tecum simul, | |
| An hunc laborem mente laturi decet | |
| Qua ferre non molles viros? | 10 |
| 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, | 15 |
| Imbellis ac firmus parum? | |
| Comes minore sum futurus in metu, | |
| Qui major absentes habet; | |
| Ut assidens implumibus pullis avis | |
| Serpentium allapsus timet | 20 |
| Magis relictis, non, ut adsit, auxili | |
| [105]Latura plus praesentibus. | |
| 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 mutet pascuis, | |
| Neque ut superni villa candens Tusculi | |
| Circaea tangat moenia. | 30 |
| Satis superque me benignitas tua | |
| Ditavit: haud paravero | |
| Quod aut avarus ut Chremes terra premam, | |
| Discinctus aut perdam nepos. |
| Beatus ille qui procul negotiis, | |
| Ut prisca gens mortalium, | |
| Paterna rura bobus exercet suis, | |
| Solutus omni fenore. | |
| Neque excitatur classico miles truci, | 5 |
| Neque horret iratum mare, | |
| Forumque vitat et superba civium | |
| Potentiorum limina. | |
| Ergo aut adulta vitium propagine | |
| Altas maritat populos, | 10 |
| Aut in reducta valle mugientium | |
| Prospectat errantes greges, | |
| Inutilesque falce ramos amputans | |
| Feliciores inserit, | |
| Aut pressa puris mella condit amphoris, | 15 |
| Aut tondet infirmas oves; | |
| Vel cum decorum mitibus pomis caput | |
| Auctumnus agris extulit, | |
| Ut gaudet insitiva decerpens pira, | |
| [106]Certantem et uvam purpurae, | 20 |
| Qua muneretur te, Priape, et te, pater | |
| Silvane, tutor finium! | |
| Libet jacere modo sub antiqua ilice, | |
| Modo in tenaci gramine. | |
| Labuntur altis interim ripis aquae, | 25 |
| Queruntur in silvis aves, | |
| Fontesque lymphis obstrepunt manantibus, | |
| Somnos quod invitet leves. | |
| At cum tonantis annus hibernus Jovis | |
| Imbres nivesque comparat, | 30 |
| Aut trudit acres hinc et hinc multa cane | |
| Apros in obstantes plagas, | |
| Aut amite levi rara tendit retia, | |
| Turdis edacibus dolos, | |
| Pavidumque leporem et advenam laqueo gruem | 35 |
| Jucunda captat praemia. | |
| Quis non malarum quas amor curas habet | |
| Haec inter obliviscitur? | |
| Quodsi pudica mulier in partem juvet | |
| Domum atque dulces liberos, | 40 |
| Sabina qualis aut perusta solibus | |
| Pernicis uxor Apuli, | |
| Sacrum vetustis exstruat lignis focum | |
| Lassi sub adventum viri, | |
| Claudensque textis cratibus laetum pecus | 45 |
| Distenta siccet ubera, | |
| Et horna dulci vina promens dolio | |
| Dapes inemptas apparet: | |
| Non me Lucrina juverint conchylia | |
| Magisve rhombus aut scari, | 50 |
| Si quos Eois intonata fluctibus | |
| Hiems ad hoc vertat mare; | |
| Non Afra avis descendat in ventrem meum, | |
| Non attagen Ionicus | |
| Jucundior, quam lecta de pinguissimis | 55 |
| Oliva ramis arborum | |
| Aut herba lapathi prata amantis et gravi | |
| Malvae salubres corpori, | |
| Vel agna festis caesa Terminalibus, | |
| [107]Vel haedus ereptus lupo. | 60 |
| Has inter epulas ut juvat pastas oves | |
| Videre properantes domum, | |
| Videre fessos vomerem inversum boves | |
| Collo trahentes languido, | |
| Positosque vernas, ditis examen domus, | 65 |
| Circum renidentes Lares! | |
| Haec ubi locutus fenerator Alphius, | |
| Jam jam futurus rusticus, | |
| Omnem redegit Idibus pecuniam, | |
| Quaerit Kalendis ponere. | 70 |
| Parentis olim si quis impia manu | |
| Senile guttur fregerit, | |
| Edit cicutis allium nocentius. | |
| O dura messorum ilia! | |
| Quid hoc veneni saevit in praecordiis? | 5 |
| Num viperinus his cruor | |
| Incoctus herbis me fefellit? an malas | |
| Canidia tractavit dapes? | |
| Ut Argonautas praeter omnes candidum | |
| Medea mirata est ducem, | 10 |
| Ignota tauris illigaturum juga | |
| Perunxit hoc Jasonem; | |
| Hoc delibutis ulta donis pellicem | |
| Serpente fugit alite. | |
| Nec tantus unquam siderum insedit vapor | 15 |
| Siticulosae Apuliae, | |
| Nec munus humeris efficacis Herculis | |
| Inarsit aestuosius. | |
| At si quid unquam tale concupiveris, | |
| Jocose Maecenas; precor | 20 |
| Manum puella savio opponat tuo | |
| Extrema et in sponda cubet. |
| Lupis et agnis quanta sortito obtigit, | |
| Tecum mihi discordia est, | |
| Hibericis peruste funibus latus | |
| Et crura dura compede. | |
| Licet superbus ambules pecunia, | 5 |
| Fortuna non mutat genus. | |
| Videsne, Sacram metiente te viam | |
| Cum bis trium ulnarum toga, | |
| Ut ora vertat huc et huc euntium | |
| Liberrima indignatio? | 10 |
| Sectus flagellis hic triumviralibus | |
| Praeconis ad fastidium | |
| Arat Falerni mille fundi jugera | |
| Et Appiam mannis terit, | |
| Sedilibusque magnus in primis eques | 15 |
| Othone contempto sedet! | |
| Quid attinet tot ora navium gravi | |
| Rostrata duci pondere | |
| Contra latrones atque servilem manum | |
| Hoc, hoc tribuno militum? | 20 |
| At, o deorum quidquid in caelo regit | |
| Terras et humanum genus, | |
| Quid iste fert tumultus? aut quid omnium | |
| Vultus in unum me truces? | |
| Per liberos te, si vocata partubus | 5 |
| [109]Lucina veris affuit, | |
| Per hoc mane purpurae decus precor, | |
| Per improbaturum haec Jovem, | |
| Quid ut noverca me intueris aut uti | |
| Petita ferro belua? | 10 |
| Ut haec trementi questus ore constitit | |
| Insignibus raptis puer, | |
| Impube corpus quale posset impia | |
| Mollire Thracum pectora, | |
| Canidia brevibus implicata viperis | 15 |
| Crines et incomptum caput | |
| Jubet sepulcris caprificos erutas, | |
| Jubet cupressus funebres, | |
| Et uncta turpis ova ranae sanguine, | |
| Plumamque nocturnae strigis, | 20 |
| Herbasque quas Iolcos atque Hiberia | |
| 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 currens aper. | |
| Abacta nulla Veia conscientia | |
| Ligonibus duris humum | 30 |
| Exhauriebat ingemens laboribus, | |
| Quo posset infossus puer | |
| Longo die bis terque mutatae dapis | |
| Inemori spectaculo, | |
| Cum promineret ore quantum exstant aqua | 35 |
| Suspensa mento corpora; | |
| Exsucca uti medulla et aridum jecur | |
| Amoris esset poculum, | |
| Interminato cum semel fixae cibo | |
| Intabuissent pupulae. | 40 |
| Non defuisse masculae libidinis | |
| Ariminensem Foliam | |
| Et otiosa credidit Neapolis | |
| Et omne vicinum oppidum, | |
| Quae sidera excantata voce Thessala | 45 |
| [110]Lunamque caelo deripit. | |
| Hic irresectum saeva dente livido | |
| Canidia rodens pollicem | |
| Quid dixit aut quid tacuit? O rebus meis | |
| Non infideles arbitrae, | 50 |
| Nox et Diana quae silentium regis | |
| Arcana cum fiunt sacra, | |
| Nunc, nunc adeste, nunc in hostiles domos | |
| Iram atque numen vertite! | |
| Formidolosis dum latent silvis ferae | 55 |
| Dulci sopore languidae, | |
| Senem, quod omnes rideant, adulterum | |
| Latrent Suburanae canes | |
| Nardo perunctum, quale non perfectius | |
| Meae laborarint manus.— | 60 |
| Quid accidit? Cur dira barbarae minus | |
| Venena Medeae valent? | |
| Quibus superbam fugit ulta pellicem, | |
| Magni Creontis filiam, | |
| Cum palla, tabo munus imbutum, novam | 65 |
| Incendio nuptam abstulit. | |
| Atqui nec herba nec latens in asperis | |
| Radix fefellit me locis. | |
| Indormit unctis omnium cubilibus | |
| Oblivione pellicum.— | 70 |
| Ah ah! solutus ambulat veneficae | |
| Scientioris carmine. | |
| Non usitatis, Vare, potionibus, | |
| O multa fleturum caput, | |
| Ad me recurres, nec vocata mens tua | 75 |
| Marsis redibit vocibus: | |
| Maius parabo, maius infundam tibi | |
| Fastidienti poculum. | |
| Priusque caelum sidet inferius mari, | |
| Tellure porrecta super, | 80 |
| Quam non amore sic meo flagres uti | |
| Bitumen atris ignibus.— | |
| Sub haec puer jam non ut ante mollibus | |
| Lenire verbis impias, | |
| Sed dubius unde rumperet silentium | 85 |
| [111]Misit Thyesteas preces: | |
| Venena magnum fas nefasque non valent | |
| Convertere humanam vicem; | |
| Diris agam vos; dira detestatio | |
| Nulla expiatur victima. | 90 |
| Quin ubi perire jussus exspiravero | |
| Nocturnus occurram Furor | |
| Petamque vultus umbra curvis unguibus, | |
| Quae vis deorum est manium, | |
| Et inquietis assidens praecordiis | 95 |
| Pavore somnos auferam. | |
| Vos turba vicatim hinc et hinc saxis petens | |
| Contundet obscoenas anus; | |
| Post insepulta membra different lupi | |
| Et Esquilinae alites; | 100 |
| Neque hoc parentes heu mihi superstites | |
| Effugerit spectaculum. |
| Quid immerentes hospites vexas canis | |
| Ignavus adversum lupos? | |
| Quin huc inanes, si potes, vertis minas | |
| Et me remorsurum petis? | |
| Nam qualis aut Molossus aut fulvus Lacon, | 5 |
| Amica vis pastoribus, | |
| Agam per altas aure sublata nives | |
| Quaecunque praecedet fera: | |
| Tu, cum 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 | 15 |
| Inultus ut flebo puer? |
| Quo, quo scelesti ruitis? aut cur dexteris | |
| Aptantur enses conditi? | |
| Parumne campis atque Neptuno super | |
| Fusum est Latini sanguinis, | |
| Non ut superbas invidae Karthaginis | 5 |
| Romanus arces ureret, | |
| Intactus aut Britannus ut descenderet | |
| Sacra catenatus via, | |
| Sed ut secundum vota Parthorum sua | |
| Urbs haec periret dextera? | 10 |
| Neque hic lupis mos nec fuit leonibus | |
| Unquam nisi in dispar feris. | |
| Furorne caecus, an rapit vis acrior, | |
| An culpa? Responsum date. | |
| Tacent et albus ora pallor inficit | 15 |
| Mentesque perculsae stupent. | |
| Sic est: acerba fata Romanos agunt | |
| Scelusque fraternae necis, | |
| Ut immerentis fluxit in terram Remi | |
| Sacer nepotibus cruor. | 20 |
| Rogare longo putidam te seculo, | |
| Vires quid enervet meas! | |
| Cum sit tibi dens ater et rugis vetus | |
| Frontem senectus exaret, | |
| Hietque turpis inter aridas nates | 5 |
| [113]Podex velut crudae bovis. | |
| Sed incitat me pectus et mammae putres, | |
| Equina quales ubera, | |
| Venterque mollis et femur tumentibus | |
| Exile suris additum. | 10 |
| Esto beata, funus atque imagines | |
| Ducant triumphales tuum, | |
| Nec sit marita, quae rotundioribus | |
| Onusta baccis ambulet. | |
| Quid, quod libelli Stoici inter sericos | 15 |
| Jacere pulvillos amant: | |
| Illiterati num minus nervi rigent, | |
| Minusve languet fascinum? | |
| Quod ut superbo provoces ab inguine, | |
| Ore allaborandum est tibi. | 20 |
| Quando repostum Caecubum ad festas dapes | |
| Victore laetus Caesare | |
| Tecum sub alta—sic Jovi gratum—domo, | |
| Beate Maecenas, bibam | |
| Sonante mixtum tibiis carmen lyra, | 5 |
| Hac Dorium, illis barbarum? | |
| Ut nuper, actus cum freto Neptunius | |
| Dux fugit ustis navibus, | |
| Minatus Urbi vincla, quae detraxerat | |
| Servis amicus perfidis. | 10 |
| Romanus,—eheu, posteri negabitis— | |
| Emancipatus feminae | |
| Fert vallum et arma miles, et spadonibus | |
| Servire rugosis potest, | |
| Interque signa turpe militaria | 15 |
| Sol adspicit conopium. | |
| At huc frementes verterunt bis mille equos | |
| [114]Galli, canentes Caesarem, | |
| Hostiliumque navium portu latent | |
| Puppes sinistrorsum citae. | 20 |
| Io Triumphe, tu moraris aureos | |
| Currus et intactas boves? | |
| Io Triumphe, nec Jugurthino parem | |
| Bello reportasti ducem, | |
| Neque Africanum, cui super Karthaginem | 25 |
| Virtus sepulcrum condidit. | |
| Terra marique victus hostis punico | |
| Lugubre mutavit sagum. | |
| Aut ille centum nobilem Cretam urbibus | |
| Ventis iturus non suis, | 30 |
| Exercitatas aut petit Syrtes Noto, | |
| Aut fertur incerto mari. | |
| Capaciores affer huc, puer, scyphos | |
| Et Chia vina aut Lesbia, | |
| Vel, quod fluentem nauseam coërceat, | 35 |
| Metire nobis Caecubum: | |
| Curam metumque Caesaris rerum juvat | |
| Dulci Lyaeo solvere. |
| Mala soluta navis exit alite | |
| Ferens olentem Maevium: | |
| Ut horridis utrumque verberes latus, | |
| Auster, memento fluctibus! | |
| Niger rudentes Eurus inverso mari | 5 |
| Fractosque remos differat; | |
| Insurgat Aquilo quantus altis montibus | |
| Frangit trementes ilices; | |
| Nec sidus atra nocte amicum appareat | |
| Qua tristis Orion cadit; | 10 |
| Quietiore nec feratur aequore, | |
| [115]Quam Graia victorum manus, | |
| Cum Pallas usto vertit iram ab Ilio | |
| In impiam Ajacis ratem! | |
| O quantus instat navitis sudor tuis, | 15 |
| Tibique pallor luteus | |
| Et illa non virilis ejulatio | |
| Preces et aversum ad Jovem, | |
| Ionius udo cum remugiens sinus | |
| Noto carinam ruperit! | 20 |
| Opima quodsi praeda curvo litore | |
| Projecta mergos juveris, | |
| Libidinosus immolabitur caper | |
| Et agna Tempestatibus. |
| Petti, nihil me sicut antea juvat | |
| Scribere versiculos amore percussum gravi, | |
| Amore qui me praeter omnes expetit | |
| Mollibus in pueris aut in puellis urere. | |
| Hic tertius December, ex quo destiti | 5 |
| Inachia furere, silvis honorem decutit. | |
| Heu me, per Urbem—nam pudet tanti mali— | |
| Fabula quanta fui! Conviviorum et poenitet; | |
| In quis amantem et languor et silentium | |
| Arguit et latere petitus imo spiritus. | 10 |
| Contrane lucrum nil valere candidum | |
| Pauperis ingenium? querebar applorans tibi, | |
| Simul calentis inverecundus deus | |
| Fervidiore mero arcana promorat loco. | |
| Quodsi meis inaestuat praecordiis | 15 |
| Libera bilis, ut haec ingrata ventis dividat | |
| Fomenta vulnus nil malum levantia, | |
| Desinet imparibus certare summotus pudor. | |
| Ubi haec severus te palam laudaveram, | |
| [116]Jussus abire domum ferebar incerto pede | 20 |
| Ad non amicos heu mihi postes et heu | |
| Limina dura, quibus lumbos et infregi latus. | |
| Nunc gloriantis quamlibet mulierculam | |
| Vincere mollitie amor Lycisci me tenet, | |
| Unde expedire non amicorum queant | 25 |
| Libera consilia nec contumeliae graves, | |
| Sed alius ardor aut puellae candidae | |
| Aut teretis pueri longam renodantis comam. |
| Quid tibi vis, mulier nigris dignissima barris? | |
| Munera quid mihi, quidve tabellas | |
| Mittis nec firmo juveni neque naris obesae? | |
| Namque sagacius unus odoror, | |
| Polypus an gravis hirsutis cubet hircus in alis, | 5 |
| Quam canis acer ubi lateat sus. | |
| Qui sudor vietis et quam malus undique membris | |
| Crescit odor, cum pene soluto | |
| Indomitam properat rabiem sedare; neque illi | |
| Jam manet humida creta colorque | 10 |
| Stercore fucatus crocodili, jamque subando | |
| Tenta cubilia tectaque rumpit! | |
| Vel mea cum saevis agitat fastidia verbis: | |
| Inachia langues minus ac me; | |
| Inachiam ter nocte potes, mihi semper ad unum | 15 |
| Mollis opus. Pereat male quae te | |
| Lesbia quaerenti taurum monstravit inertem, | |
| Cum mihi Cous adesset Amyntas, | |
| Cujus in indomito constantior inguine nervus | |
| Quam nova collibus arbor inhaeret. | 20 |
| Muricibus Tyriis iteratae vellera lanae | |
| Cui properabantur? Tibi nempe, | |
| Ne foret aequales inter conviva, magis quem | |
| [117]Diligeret mulier sua quam te. | |
| O ego non felix, quam tu fugis ut pavet acres | 25 |
| Agna lupos capreaeque leones! |
| Horrida tempestas caelum contraxit et imbres | |
| Nivesque deducunt Jovem; nunc mare, nunc siluae | |
| Threïcio Aquilone sonant: rapiamus, amici, | |
| Occasionem de die, dumque virent genua | |
| Et decet, obducta solvatur fronte senectus. | 5 |
| Tu vina Torquato move consule pressa meo. | |
| Cetera mitte loqui: deus haec fortasse 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 Simoïs, | |
| Unde tibi reditum certo subtemine Parcae | 15 |
| Rupere, nec mater domum caerula te revehet. | |
| Illic omne malum vino cantuque levato, | |
| Deformis aegrimoniae dulcibus alloquiis. |
| Mollis inertia cur tantam diffuderit imis | |
| Oblivionem sensibus, | |
| Pocula Lethaeos ut si ducentia somnos | |
| [118]Arente fauce traxerim, | |
| Candide Maecenas, occidis saepe rogando: | 5 |
| Deus, deus nam me vetat | |
| Inceptos, olim promissum carmen, iambos | |
| Ad umbilicum adducere. | |
| Non aliter Samio dicunt arsisse Bathyllo | |
| Anacreonta Teïum, | 10 |
| Qui persaepe cava testudine flevit amorem | |
| Non elaboratum ad pedem. | |
| Ureris ipse miser: quodsi non pulchrior ignis | |
| Accendit obsessam Ilion, | |
| Gaude sorte tua; me libertina neque uno | 15 |
| Contenta Phryne macerat. |
| Nox erat et caelo fulgebat luna sereno | |
| Inter minora sidera, | |
| Cum tu magnorum numen laesura deorum | |
| In verba jurabas mea, | |
| Artius atque hedera procera adstringitur ilex, | 5 |
| Lentis adhaerens brachiis: | |
| Dum pecori lupus et nautis infestus Orion | |
| Turbaret hibernum mare, | |
| Intonsosque agitaret Apollinis aura capillos, | |
| Fore hunc amorem mutuum. | 10 |
| O dolitura mea multum virtute Neaera! | |
| Nam si quid in Flacco viri est, | |
| Non feret assiduas potiori te dare noctes, | |
| Et quaeret iratus parem, | |
| Nec semel offensae cedet constantia formae, | 15 |
| Si certus intrarit dolor, | |
| Et tu, quicunque es felicior atque meo nunc | |
| Superbus incedis malo, | |
| Sis pecore et multa dives tellure licebit | |
| [119]Tibique Pactolus fluat, | 20 |
| Nec te Pythagorae fallant arcana renati, | |
| Formaque vincas Nirea, | |
| Eheu translatos alio maerebis amores: | |
| Ast ego vicissim risero. |
| Altera jam teritur bellis civilibus aetas, | |
| Suis et ipsa Roma viribus ruit: | |
| Quam neque finitimi valuerunt perdere Marsi | |
| Minacis aut Etrusca Porsenae manus, | |
| Aemula nec virtus Capuae nec Spartacus acer | 5 |
| Novisque rebus infidelis Allobrox, | |
| Nec fera caerulea domuit Germania pube | |
| Parentibusque abominatus Hannibal, | |
| Impia perdemus devoti sanguinis aetas, | |
| Ferisque rursus occupabitur solum. | 10 |
| Barbarus 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 | 15 |
| Malis carere quaeritis laboribus: | |
| Nulla sit hac potior sententia, Phocaeorum | |
| 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 haec: Simul imis saxa renarint | 25 |
| Vadis levata, ne redire sit nefas; | |
| Neu conversa domum pigeat dare lintea, quando | |
| [120]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, | |
| Credula nec ravos timeant armenta leones, | |
| Ametque salsa levis hircus aequora. | |
| Haec et quae 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 praeter 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 olivae, | 45 |
| Suamque pulla ficus ornat arborem, | |
| Mella cava manant ex ilice, montibus altis | |
| Levis crepante lympha desilit pede. | |
| Illic injussae veniunt ad mulctra capellae, | |
| Refertque tenta grex amicus ubera; | 50 |
| Nec vespertinus circumgemit ursus ovile, | |
| Neque intumescit alma viperis humus. | |
| Pluraque felices mirabimur: ut neque largis | |
| Aquosus Eurus arva radat imbribus, | |
| Pinguia nec siccis urantur semina glebis, | 55 |
| Utrumque rege temperante caelitum. | |
| Non huc Argoo contendit remige pinus, | |
| Neque impudica Colchis intulit pedem, | |
| Non huc Sidonii torserunt cornua nautae | |
| Laboriosa nec cohors Ulixei. | 60 |
| Nulla nocent pecori contagia, nullius astri | |
| Gregem aestuosa torret impotentia. | |
| Jupiter illa piae secrevit litora genti, | |
| Ut inquinavit aere tempus aureum; | |
| Aere, dehinc ferro duravit secula: quorum | 65 |
| Piis secunda vate me datur fuga. |
| Jam jam efficaci do manus scientiae, | |
| Supplex et oro regna per Proserpinae, | |
| Per et Dianae non movenda numina, | |
| Per atque libros carminum valentium | |
| Refixa caelo devocare sidera, | 5 |
| Canidia, parce vocibus tandem sacris | |
| Citumque retro solve, solve turbinem. | |
| Movit nepotem Telephus Nereïum, | |
| In quem superbus ordinarat agmina | |
| Mysorum et in quem tela acuta torserat. | 10 |
| Unxere matres Iliae addictum feris | |
| Alitibus atque canibus homicidam Hectorem, | |
| Postquam relictis moenibus rex procidit | |
| Heu pervicacis ad pedes Achilleï. | |
| Setosa duris exuere pellibus | 15 |
| Laboriosi remiges Ulixeï | |
| Volente Circa membra; tunc mens et sonus | |
| Relapsus atque notus in vultus honor. | |
| Dedi satis superque poenarum tibi, | |
| Amata nautis multum et institoribus. | 20 |
| Fugit juventas et verecundus color | |
| Reliquit ossa pelle amicta lurida; | |
| Tuis capillus albus est odoribus; | |
| Nullum a labore me reclinat otium; | |
| Urget diem nox et dies noctem, neque est | 25 |
| Levare tenta spiritu praecordia. | |
| Ergo negatum vincor ut credam miser | |
| Sabella pectus increpare carmina | |
| Caputque Marsa dissilire nenia. | |
| Quid amplius vis? O mare, o terra, ardeo, | 30 |
| Quantum neque atro delibutus Hercules | |
| Nessi cruore, nec Sicana fervida | |
| [122]Virens in Aetna flamma; tu donec cinis | |
| Injuriosis aridus ventis ferar | |
| Cales venenis officina Colchicis. | 35 |
| Quae finis aut quod me manet stipendium? | |
| Effare; jussas cum fide poenas luam, | |
| Paratus expiare, seu poposceris | |
| Centum juvencos, sive mendaci lyra | |
| Voles sonari: Tu pudica, tu proba | 40 |
| Perambulabis astra sidus aureum. | |
| Infamis Helenae Castor offensus vicem | |
| Fraterque magni Castoris victi prece | |
| Adempta vati reddidere lumina. | |
| Et tu, potes nam, solve me dementia, | 45 |
| O nec paternis obsoleta sordibus, | |
| Neque in sepulcris pauperum prudens anus | |
| Novendiales dissipare pulveres. | |
| Tibi hospitale pectus et purae manus, | |
| Tuusque venter Pactumeius, et tuo | 50 |
| Cruore rubros obstetrix pannos lavit, | |
| Utcunque fortis exsilis puerpera. | |
| Quid obseratis auribus fundis preces? | |
| Non saxa nudis surdiora navitis | |
| Neptunus alto tundit hibernus salo. | 55 |
| Inultus ut tu riseris Cotyttia | |
| Vulgata, sacrum liberi Cupidinis, | |
| Et Esquilini Pontifex venefici | |
| Impune ut Urbem nomine impleris meo! | |
| Quid proderat ditasse Pelignas anus, | 60 |
| Velociusve miscuisse toxicum? | |
| Sed tardiora fata te votis manent: | |
| Ingrata misero vita ducenda est in hoc | |
| Novis ut usque suppetas laboribus | |
| Optat quietem Pelopis infidi pater, | 65 |
| Egens benignae Tantalus semper dapis, | |
| Optat Prometheus obligatus aliti, | |
| Optat supremo collocare Sisyphus | |
| In monte saxum; sed vetant leges Jovis. | |
| Voles modo altis desilire turribus, | 70 |
| [123]Modo ense pectus Norico recludere, | |
| Frustraque vincla gutturi nectes tuo | |
| Fastidiosa tristis aegrimonia. | |
| Vectabor humeris tunc ego inimicis eques, | |
| Meaeque terra cedet insolentiae. | 75 |
| An quae movere cereas imagines, | |
| Ut ipse nosti curiosus, et polo | |
| Deripere lunam vocibus possim meis, | |
| Possim crematos excitare mortuos | |
| Desiderique temperare pocula, | 80 |
| Plorem artis in te nil agentis exitus? |
I. | II. | III. | IV. | V. | VI. | VII. | VIII. | IX. | X.
| Qui fit, Maecenas, ut nemo quam sibi sortem | |
| Seu ratio dederit seu fors objecerit illa | |
| Contentus vivat, laudet diversa sequentes? | |
| “O fortunati mercatores!” gravis annis | |
| Miles ait multo jam fractus membra labore. | 5 |
| Contra mercator, navem jactantibus Austris: | |
| “Militia est potior. Quid enim, concurritur: horae | |
| Momento 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 vultis: eris tu, qui modo miles, | |
| Mercator; tu, consultus modo, rusticus: hinc vos, | |
| Vos hinc mutatis discedite partibus: Eia! | |
| Quid statis?” nolint. Atqui licet esse beatis. | |
| Quid causae est merito quin illis Juppiter ambas | 20 |
| Iratus buccas inflet, neque se fore posthac | |
| [125]Tam facilem dicat votis ut praebeat aurem? | |
| 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 seria ludo. | |
| Ille gravem duro terram qui vertit aratro, | |
| Perfidus hic caupo, miles, nautaeque per omne | |
| Audaces mare qui currunt, hac mente laborem | 30 |
| Sese ferre, senes ut in otia tuta recedant, | |
| Aiunt, quum sibi sint congesta cibaria: sicut | |
| Parvula, nam exemplo est, magni formica laboris | |
| Ore trahit quodcunque potest atque addit acervo, | |
| Quem struit haud ignara ac non incauta futuri. | 35 |
| Quae, simul inversum contristat Aquarius annum, | |
| Non usquam prorepit et illis utitur ante | |
| Quaesitis sapiens; quum te neque fervidus aestus | |
| Demoveat lucro, neque hiems, ignis, mare, ferrum, | |
| 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 pulchri constructus acervus? | |
| Milia 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 dic quid referat intra | |
| Naturae fines viventi, jugera centum an | 50 |
| Mille aret? “At suave est ex magno tollere acervo.” | |
| Dum ex parvo nobis tantundem haurire relinquas, | |
| Cur tua plus laudes cumeris granaria nostris? | |
| Ut tibi si sit opus liquidi non amplius urna, | |
| Vel cyatho, et dicas, “Magno de flumine malim | 55 |
| Quam ex hoc fonticulo tantundem sumere.” Eo fit | |
| Plenior ut si quos delectet copia justo | |
| 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, | |
| [126]“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 ac nummos contemplor in arca.” | |
| Tantalus a labris sitiens fugientia captat | |
| Flumina.... Quid rides? mutato nomine de te | |
| Fabula narratur: congestis undique saccis | 70 |
| Indormis inhians et tamquam parcere sacris | |
| Cogeris aut pictis tamquam gaudere tabellis. | |
| Nescis quo valeat nummus? quem praebeat usum? | |
| Panis ematur, olus, vini sextarius, adde | |
| Quis 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 condoluit tentatum frigore corpus, | 80 |
| Aut alius casus lecto te adfixit, habes qui | |
| Adsideat, fomenta paret, medicum roget ut te | |
| Suscitet ac gnatis reddat carisque propinquis.” | |
| Non uxor salvum te vult, non filius; omnes | |
| Vicini oderunt, noti, pueri atque puellae. | 85 |
| Miraris, quum tu argento post omnia ponas, | |
| Si nemo praestet quem non merearis amorem? | |
| An si 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 quaerendi, quumque habeas plus | |
| Pauperiem metuas minus et finire laborem | |
| Incipias, parto quod avebas, ne facias quod | |
| Ummidius quidam; non longa est fabula: dives | 95 |
| Ut metiretur nummos; ita sordidus ut se | |
| Non unquam servo melius vestiret; adusque | |
| Supremum tempus, ne se penuria victus | |
| Opprimeret metuebat. At hunc liberta securi | |
| Divisit medium, fortissima Tyndaridarum. | 100 |
| “Quid mi igitur suades? ut vivam Maenius? aut sic | |
| [127]Ut Nomentanus?” Pergis pugnantia secum | |
| Frontibus adversis componere: non ego avarum | |
| Quum veto te fieri vappam jubeo ac nebulonem. | |
| Est inter Tanaïn quiddam socerumque Visellî. | 105 |
| Est modus in rebus, sunt certi denique fines, | |
| Quos ultra citraque nequit consistere rectum. | |
| Illuc unde abii redeo, nemo 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, illum | 115 |
| Praeteritum 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. |
| Ambubaiarum collegia, pharmacopolae, | |
| Mendici, mimae, balatrones, hoc genus omne | |
| Maestum ac sollicitum est cantoris morte Tigelli. | |
| Quippe benignus erat. Contra hic, ne prodigus esse | |
| Dicatur metuens, inopi dare nolit amico | 5 |
| Frigus quo duramque famem propellere possit. | |
| Hunc si perconteris avi cur atque parentis | |
| Praeclaram ingrata stringat malus ingluvie rem, | |
| Omnia conductis coëmens obsonia nummis, | |
| Sordidus atque animi quod parvi nolit haberi, | 10 |
| Respondet. Laudatur ab his, culpatur ab illis. | |
| Fufidius vappae famam timet ac nebulonis, | |
| Dives agris, dives positis in fenore nummis: | |
| Quinas hic capiti mercedes exsecat atque | |
| [128]Quanto perditior quisque est tanto acrius urget; | 15 |
| Nomina sectatur modo sumpta veste virili | |
| Sub patribus duris tironum. Maxime, quis non, | |
| Juppiter! exclamat simul atque audivit? At in se | |
| Pro quaestu sumptum facit hic. Vix credere possis | |
| Quam sibi non sit amicus, ita ut pater ille Terenti | 20 |
| Fabula quem miserum gnato vixisse fugato | |
| Inducit non se pejus cruciaverit atque hic. | |
| Si quis nunc quaerat, Quo res haec pertinet? illuc: | |
| Dum vitant stulti vitia in contraria currunt. | |
| Maltinus tunicis demissis ambulat; est qui | 25 |
| Inguen ad obscoenum subductis usque facetus; | |
| Pastillos Rufillus olet, Gargonius hircum. | |
| Nil medium est. Sunt qui nolint tetigisse nisi illas | |
| Quarum subsuta talos tegat instita veste; | |
| Contra alius nullam nisi olenti in fornice stantem. | 30 |
| Quidam notus homo cum exiret fornice, “Macte | |
| Virtute esto,” inquit sententia dia Catonis. | |
| Nam simul ac venas inflavit tetra libido | |
| Huc juvenes aequum est descendere, non alienas | |
| Permolere uxores. “Nolim laudarier,” inquit, | 35 |
| “Sic me,” mirator cunni Cupiennius albi. | |
| Audire est operae pretium, procedere recte | |
| Qui moechos non vultis, ut omni parte laborent; | |
| Utque illis multo corrupta dolore voluptas, | |
| Atque haec rara, cadat dura inter saepe pericla. | 40 |
| Hic se praecipitem tecto dedit; ille flagellis | |
| Ad mortem caesus; fugiens hic decidit acrem | |
| Praedonum in turbam; dedit hic pro corpore nummos; | |
| Hunc perminxerunt calones; quin etiam illud | |
| Accidit, ut quidam testes caudamque salacem | 45 |
| Demeteret ferro. Jure omnes; Galba negabat. | |
| Tutior at quanto merx est in classe secunda, | |
| Libertinarum dico, Sallustius in quas | |
| Non minus insanit quam qui moechatur. At hic si | |
| Qua res, qua ratio suaderet, quaque modeste | 50 |
| Munifico esse licet, vellet bonus atque benignus | |
| Esse, daret quantum satis esset nec sibi damno | |
| Dedecorique foret. Verum hoc se amplectitur uno, | |
| Hoc amat et laudat: “Matronam nullam ego tango.” | |
| [129]Ut quondam Marsaeus, amator Originis ille, | 55 |
| Qui patrium mimae donat fundumque laremque, | |
| “Nil fuerit mi,” inquit, “cum uxoribus unquam alienis.” | |
| Verum est cum mimis, est cum meretricibus, unde | |
| Fama malum gravius quam res trahit. An tibi abunde | |
| Personam satis est, non illud quidquid ubique | 60 |
| Officit evitare? Bonam deperdere famam, | |
| Rem patris oblimare, malum est ubicunque. Quid inter | |
| Est in matrona, ancilla, peccesne togata? | |
| Villius in Fausta Sullae gener, hoc miser uno | |
| Nomine deceptus, poenas dedit usque superque | 65 |
| Quam satis est, pugnis caesus ferroque petitus, | |
| Exclusus fore cum Longarenus foret intus. | |
| Huic si mutonis verbis mala tanta videntis | |
| Diceret haec animus: “Quid vis tibi? numquid ego a te | |
| Magno prognatum deposco consule cunnum | 70 |
| Velatumque stola mea cum conferbuit ira?” | |
| Quid responderet? “Magno patre nata puella est.” | |
| At quanto meliora monet pugnantiaque istis | |
| Dives opis natura suae, tu si modo recte | |
| Dispensare velis ac non fugienda petendis | 75 |
| Immiscere. Tuo vitio rerumne labores, | |
| Nil referre putas? Quare ne poeniteat te | |
| Desine matronas sectarier, unde laboris | |
| Plus haurire mali est quam ex re decerpere fructus. | |
| Nec magis huic inter niveos viridesque lapillos | 80 |
| (Sit licet hoc, Cerinthe, tuum) tenerum est femur aut crus | |
| Rectius, atque etiam melius persaepe togatae est. | |
| Adde huc quod mercem sine fucis gestat, aperte | |
| Quod venale habet ostendit, nec si quid honesti est | |
| Jactat habetque palam, quaerit quo turpia celet. | 85 |
| Regibus hic mos est: ubi equos mercantur opertos | |
| Inspiciunt, ne si facies ut saepe decora | |
| Molli fulta pede est emptorem inducat hiantem, | |
| Quod pulchrae clunes, breve quod caput, ardua cervix. | |
| Hoc illi recte: ne corporis optima Lyncei | 90 |
| Contemplere oculis, Hypsaea caecior illa | |
| Quae mala sunt spectes. O crus! o brachia! Verum | |
| Depugis, nasuta, brevi latere ac pede longo est. | |
| Matronae praeter faciem nil cernere possis, | |
| [130]Cetera, ni Catia est, demissa veste tegentis. | 95 |
| Si interdicta petes, vallo circumdata (nam te | |
| Hoc facit insanum), multae tibi tum officient res, | |
| Custodes, lectica, ciniflones, parasitae, | |
| Ad talos stola demissa et circumdata palla, | |
| Plurima quae invideant pure apparere tibi rem. | 100 |
| Altera nil obstat: Cois tibi paene videre est | |
| Ut nudam, ne crure malo, ne sit pede turpi; | |
| Metiri possis oculo latus. An tibi mavis | |
| Insidias fieri pretiumque avellier ante | |
| Quam mercem ostendi? “Leporem venator ut alta | 105 |
| In nive sectetur, positum sic tangere nolit,” | |
| Cantat et apponit: “Meus est amor huic similis; nam | |
| Transvolat in medio posita et fugientia captat.” | |
| Hiscine versiculis speras tibi posse dolores | |
| Atque aestus curasque graves e pectore pelli? | 110 |
| Nonne cupidinibus statuat natura modum quem, | |
| Quid latura sibi quid sit dolitura negatum, | |
| Quaerere plus prodest et inane abscindere soldo? | |
| Num tibi cum fauces urit sitis aurea quaeris | |
| Pocula? num esuriens fastidis omnia praeter | 115 |
| Pavonem rhombumque? Tument tibi cum inguina, num si | |
| Ancilla aut verna est praesto puer impetus in quem | |
| Continuo fiat malis tentigine rumpi? | |
| Non ego: namque parabilem amo venerem facilemque. | |
| Illam, “Post paulo,” “Sed pluris,” “Si exierit vir,” | 120 |
| Gallis, hanc Philodemus ait sibi quae neque magno | |
| Stet pretio neque cunctetur cum est jussa venire. | |
| Candida rectaque sit; munda hactenus ut neque longa | |
| Nec magis alba velit quam dat natura videri. | |
| Haec ubi supposuit dextro corpus mihi laevum | 125 |
| Ilia et Egeria est: do nomen quodlibet illi, | |
| Nec vereor ne dum futuo vir rure recurrat, | |
| Janua frangatur, latret canis, undique magno | |
| Pulsa domus strepitu resonet, vepallida lecto | |
| Desiliat mulier, miseram se conscia clamet, | 130 |
| Cruribus haec metuat, doti deprensa, egomet mî. | |
| Discincta tunica fugiendum est ac pede nudo, | |
| Ne nummi pereant aut puga aut denique fama. | |
| Deprendi miserum est; Fabio vel judice vincam. |
| Omnibus hoc vitium est cantoribus, inter amicos | |
| 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 | 5 |
| Quidquam proficeret; si collibuisset ab ovo | |
| Usque ad mala citaret, Io Bacche! modo summa | |
| Voce, modo hac resonat quae chordis quattuor ima. | |
| Nil aequale homini fuit illi; saepe velut qui | |
| Currebat fugiens hostem, persaepe velut qui | 10 |
| Junonis sacra ferret; habebat saepe ducentos, | |
| Saepe decem servos; modo reges atque tetrarchas, | |
| Omnia magna loquens; modo, “Sit mihi mensa tripes et | |
| Concha salis puri et toga quae defendere frigus | |
| Quamvis crassa queat.” Decies centena dedisses | 15 |
| Huic parco paucis contento, quinque diebus | |
| Nil erat in loculis. Noctes vigilabat ad ipsum | |
| Mane, diem totum stertebat; nil fuit unquam | |
| Sic impar sibi.—Nunc aliquis dicat mihi: “Quid tu? | |
| Nullane habes vitia?” Immo alia et fortasse minora. | 20 |
| Maenius absentem Novium cum carperet, “Heus tu,” | |
| Quidam ait, “ignoras te, an ut ignotum dare nobis | |
| Verba putas?” “Egomet mi ignosco,” Maenius inquit. | |
| Stultus et improbus hic amor est dignusque notari. | |
| Cum tua pervideas oculis mala lippus inunctis, | 25 |
| Cur in amicorum vitiis tam cernis acutum | |
| Quam aut aquila aut serpens Epidaurius? At tibi contra | |
| Evenit, inquirant vitia ut tua rursus et illi. | |
| Iracundior est paulo, minus aptus acutis | |
| Naribus horum hominum; rideri possit eo quod | 30 |
| Rusticius tonso toga defluit et male laxus | |
| In pede calceus haeret: at est bonus ut melior vir | |
| Non alius quisquam, at tibi amicus, at ingenium ingens | |
| Inculto latet hoc sub corpore. Denique te ipsum | |
| Concute num qua tibi vitiorum inseverit olim | 35 |
| [132]Natura, aut etiam consuetudo mala; namque | |
| Neglectis urenda filix innascitur agris. | |
| Illuc praevertamur, amatorem quod amicae | |
| Turpia decipiunt caecum vitia, aut etiam ipsa haec | |
| Delectant, veluti Balbinum polypus Hagnae. | 40 |
| Vellem in amicitia sic erraremus; et isti | |
| Errori nomen virtus posuisset honestum. | |
| At pater ut gnati sic nos debemus amici | |
| Si quod sit vitium non fastidire: strabonem | |
| Appellat paetum pater, et pullum male parvus | 45 |
| Si cui filius est, ut abortivus fuit olim | |
| Sisyphus: hunc varum distortis cruribus; illum | |
| Balbutit scaurum pravis fultum male talis. | |
| Parcius hic vivit, frugi dicatur. Ineptus | |
| Et jactantior hic paulo est, concinnus amicis | 50 |
| Postulat ut videatur. At est truculentior atque | |
| Plus aequo liber, simplex fortisque habeatur; | |
| Caldior est, acres inter numeretur. Opinor | |
| Haec res et jungit junctos et servat amicos. | |
| At nos virtutes ipsas invertimus, atque | 55 |
| Sincerum cupimus vas incrustare. Probus quis | |
| Nobiscum vivit, multum demissus homo: illi | |
| Tardo cognomen pingui damus. Hic fugit omnes | |
| Insidias nullique malo latus obdit apertum, | |
| Cum genus hoc inter vitae versetur 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 tacitum impellat quovis sermone molestus, | 65 |
| 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 aequum est | |
| Cum mea compenset vitiis bona; pluribus hisce | 70 |
| (Si modo plura mihi bona sunt) inclinet, amari | |
| Si volet: hac lege in trutina ponetur eadem. | |
| Qui ne tuberibus propriis offendat amicum | |
| Postulat ignoscet verrucis illius; aequum est | |
| Peccatis veniam poscentem reddere rursus. | 75 |
| [133]Denique, quatenus excidi penitus vitium irae | |
| Cetera item nequeunt stultis haerentia, cur non | |
| Ponderibus modulisque suis ratio utitur, ac res | |
| Ut quaeque est ita suppliciis delicta coërcet? | |
| Si quis eum servum patinam qui tollere jussus | 80 |
| Semesos pisces trepidumque ligurierit jus | |
| In cruce suffigat, Labeone insanior inter | |
| Sanos dicatur. Quanto hoc furiosius atque | |
| Majus peccatum est: paullum deliquit amicus, | |
| Quod nisi concedas habeare insuavis, acerbus: | 85 |
| Odisti et fugis ut Rusonem debitor aeris, | |
| Qui nisi cum tristes misero venere Kalendae | |
| Mercedem aut nummos unde unde extricat, amaras | |
| Porrecto jugulo historias captivus ut audit. | |
| Comminxit lectum potus mensave catillum | 90 |
| Evandri 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 |
| Quis paria esse fere placuit peccata laborant | |
| Cum ventum ad verum est; sensus moresque repugnant | |
| Atque ipsa utilitas, justi prope mater et aequi. | |
| Cum 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, | |
| Donec verba quibus voces sensusque notarent | |
| Nominaque invenere; dehinc absistere bello, | |
| Oppida coeperunt munire et ponere leges, | 105 |
| Ne quis fur esset, neu latro, neu quis adulter. | |
| Nam fuit ante Helenam cunnus teterrima belli | |
| Causa, sed ignotis perierunt mortibus illi, | |
| Quos venerem incertam rapientes more ferarum | |
| Viribus editior caedebat, ut in grege taurus. | 110 |
| Jura inventa metu injusti fateare necesse est, | |
| Tempora si fastosque velis evolvere mundi. | |
| Nec natura potest justo secernere iniquum, | |
| Dividit ut bona diversis, fugienda petendis; | |
| Nec vincet ratio hoc, tantundem ut peccet idemque | 115 |
| [134]Qui teneros caules alieni fregerit horti | |
| Et qui nocturnus sacra divum legerit. Adsit | |
| Regula peccatis quae poenas irroget aequas, | |
| Ne scutica dignum horribili sectere flagello. | |
| Nam ut ferula caedas meritum majora subire | 120 |
| Verbera non vereor, cum dicas esse pares res | |
| Furta latrociniis et magnis parva mineris | |
| Falce recisurum simili te, si tibi regnum | |
| 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 Hermogenes, cantor tamen atque | |
| Optimus est modulator; ut Alfenius vafer, omni | 130 |
| Abjecto instrumento artis clausaque taberna, | |
| Sutor erat, sapiens operis sic optimus omnis | |
| Est opifex solus, sic rex. Vellunt tibi barbam | |
| Lascivi pueri; quos tu nisi fuste coërces | |
| 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. |
| Eupolis atque Cratinus Aristophanesque poëtae, | |
| Atque alii quorum comoedia prisca virorum est, | |
| Si quis erat dignus describi quod malus ac fur, | |
| Quod moechus foret aut sicarius aut alioqui | |
| Famosus, multa cum libertate notabant. | 5 |
| Hinc omnis pendet Lucilius, hosce secutus | |
| Mutatis tantum pedibus numerisque, facetus, | |
| [135]Emunctae naris, durus componere versus. | |
| Nam fuit hoc vitiosus: in hora saepe ducentos | |
| Ut magnum versus dictabat stans pede in uno. | 10 |
| Cum 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, | 15 |
| Custodes; videamus uter plus scribere possit.” | |
| “Di bene fecerunt inopis me quodque pusilli | |
| Finxerunt animi, raro et perpauca loquentis. | |
| At tu conclusas hircinis follibus auras, | |
| Usque laborantes dum ferrum molliat ignis, | 20 |
| Ut mavis imitare.” Beatus Fannius ultro | |
| Delatis capsis et imagine; cum mea nemo | |
| Scripta legat vulgo recitare timentis ob hanc rem, | |
| Quod sunt quos genus hoc minime juvat, utpote plures | |
| Culpari dignos. Quemvis media erue turba: | 25 |
| Aut ob avaritiam aut misera ambitione laborat. | |
| Hic nuptarum insanit amoribus, hic puerorum; | |
| Hunc capit argenti splendor; stupet Albius aere; | |
| Hic mutat merces surgente a sole ad eum quo | |
| Vespertina tepet regio, quin per mala praeceps | 30 |
| Fertur uti pulvis collectus turbine, ne quid | |
| Summa deperdat metuens aut ampliet ut rem. | |
| Omnes hi metuunt versus, odere poëtas. | |
| “Foenum habet in cornu; longe fuge: dummodo risum | |
| Excutiat sibi non hic cuiquam parcet amico; | 35 |
| Et quod cunque semel chartis illeverit omnes | |
| Gestiet a furno redeuntes scire lacuque | |
| Et pueros et anus.” Agedum, pauca accipe contra. | |
| Primum ego me illorum dederim quibus esse poëti | |
| Excerpam numero: neque enim concludere versum | 40 |
| Dixeris esse satis; neque si qui scribat uti nos | |
| Sermoni propiora: putes hunc esse poëtam. | |
| Ingenium cui sit, cui mens divinior atque os | |
| Magna sonaturum, des nominis hujus honorem. | |
| Idcirco quidam comoedia necne poëma | 45 |
| Esset quaesivere, quod acer spiritus ac vis | |
| Nec verbis nec rebus inest, nisi quod pede certo | |
| [136]Differt sermoni sermo merus. At pater ardens | |
| Saevit, quod meretrice nepos insanus amica | |
| Filius uxorem grandi cum dote recuset, | 50 |
| Ebrius et, magnum quod dedecus, ambulet ante | |
| 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 | 55 |
| Quo personatus pacto pater. His ego quae nunc, | |
| Olim quae scripsit Lucilius, eripias si | |
| Tempora certa modosque, et quod prius ordine verbum est | |
| Posterius facias, praeponens ultima primis, | |
| Non ut si solvas “Postquam Discordia tetra | 60 |
| Belli ferratos postes portasque refregit” | |
| Invenias etiam disjecti membra poëtae. | |
| Hactenus haec: alias justum sit necne poëma, | |
| Nunc illud tantum quaeram, meritone tibi sit | |
| Suspectum genus hoc scribendi. Sulcius acer | 65 |
| Ambulat et Caprius rauci male cumque libellis, | |
| 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? | 70 |
| Nulla taberna meos habeat neque pila libellos, | |
| Quis manus insudet volgi Hermogenisque Tigelli; | |
| Nec recito cuiquam nisi amicis, idque coactus, | |
| Non ubivis coramve quibuslibet. In medio qui | |
| Scripta foro recitent sunt multi quique lavantes: | 75 |
| Suave locus voci resonat conclusus. Inanes | |
| Hoc juvat, haud illud quaerentes, num sine sensu, | |
| Tempore num faciant alieno. “Laedere gaudes,” | |
| Inquit, “et hoc studio pravus facis.” Unde petitum | |
| Hoc in me jacis? Est auctor quis denique eorum | 80 |
| Vixi cum quibus? Absentem qui rodit amicum; | |
| Qui non defendit alio culpante; solutos | |
| Qui captat risus hominum famamque dicacis; | |
| Fingere qui non visa potest; commissa tacere | |
| Qui nequit; hic niger est, hunc tu, Romane, caveto. | 85 |
| Saepe tribus lectis videas coenare quaternos, | |
| E quibus unus amet quavis adspergere cunctos | |
| [137]Praeter eum qui praebet aquam; post hunc quoque potus, | |
| Condita cum verax aperit praecordia Liber. | |
| Hic tibi comis et urbanus liberque videtur, | 90 |
| Infesto nigris. Ego si risi quod ineptus | |
| Pastillos Rufillus olet, Gargonius hircum, | |
| Lividus et mordax videor tibi? Mentio si qua | |
| De Capitolini furtis injecta Petilli | |
| Te coram fuerit, defendas ut tuus est mos: | 95 |
| “Me Capitolinus convictore usus amicoque | |
| A puero est causaque mea permulta rogatus | |
| Fecit, et incolumis laetor quod vivit in urbe; | |
| Sed tamen admiror, quo pacto judicium illud | |
| Fugerit.” Hic nigrae succus loliginis, haec est | 100 |
| Aerugo mera. Quod vitium procul afore chartis | |
| Atque animo prius, ut si quid promittere de me | |
| Possum aliud vere, promitto. Liberius si | |
| Dixero quid, si forte jocosius, hoc mihi juris | |
| Cum venia dabis: insuevit pater optimus hoc me, | 105 |
| Ut fugerem exemplis vitiorum quaeque notando. | |
| Cum me hortaretur, parce, frugaliter, atque | |
| Viverem uti contentus eo quod mi ipse parasset: | |
| “Nonne vides Albi ut male vivat filius, utque | |
| Barrus inops? Magnum documentum ne patriam rem | 110 |
| Perdere quis velit.” A turpi meretricis amore | |
| Cum deterreret: “Scetani dissimilis sis.” | |
| Ne sequerer moechas concessa cum venere uti | |
| Possem: “Deprensi non bella est fama Treboni,” | |
| Aiebat. “Sapiens vitatu quidque petitu | 115 |
| Sit melius causas reddet tibi: mi satis est si | |
| Traditum ab antiquis morem servare tuamque, | |
| Dum custodis eges, vitam famamque tueri | |
| Incolumem possum; simul ac duraverit aetas | |
| Membra animumque tuum nabis sine cortice.” Sic me | 120 |
| Formabat puerum dictis; et sive jubebat | |
| Ut facerem quid: “Habes auctorem quo facias hoc;” | |
| Unum ex judicibus selectis objiciebat; | |
| Sive vetabat: “An hoc inhonestum et inutile factu | |
| Necne sit addubites, flagret rumore malo cum | 125 |
| Hic atque ille? Avidos vicinum funus et aegros | |
| Exanimat, mortisque metu sibi parcere cogit; | |
| [138]Sic teneros animos aliena opprobria saepe | |
| Absterrent vitiis.” Ex hoc ego sanus ab illis | |
| Perniciem quaecunque ferunt, mediocribus et quis | 130 |
| Ignoscas vitiis teneor; fortassis et istinc | |
| Largiter abstulerit longa aetas, liber amicus, | |
| Consilium proprium; neque enim cum lectulus aut me | |
| Porticus excepit desum mihi. “Rectius hoc est: | |
| Hoc faciens vivam melius: Sic dulcis amicis | 135 |
| Occurram: Hoc quidam non belle: numquid ego illi | |
| Imprudens olim faciam simile?” Haec ego mecum | |
| Compressis agito labris; ubi quid datur oti | |
| Illudo chartis. Hoc est mediocribus illis | |
| Ex vitiis unum; cui si concedere nolis | 140 |
| Multa poëtarum veniat manus auxilio quae | |
| Sit mihi (nam multo plures sumus), ac veluti te | |
| Judaei cogemus in hanc concedere turbam. |
| Egressum magna me excepit Aricia Roma | |
| Hospitio modico; rhetor comes Heliodorus, | |
| Graecorum longe doctissimus; inde Forum Appi, | |
| Differtum nautis cauponibus atque malignis. | |
| Hoc iter ignavi divisimus, altius ac nos | 5 |
| Praecinctis unum; minus est gravis Appia tardis. | |
| Hic ego propter aquam, quod erat deterrima, ventri | |
| Indico bellum, coenantes haud animo aequo | |
| Exspectans comites. Jam nox inducere terris | |
| Umbras et caelo diffundere signa parabat; | 10 |
| Tum pueri nautis, pueris convicia nautae | |
| Ingerere. Huc appelle! Trecentos inseris: ohe | |
| Jam satis est! Dum aes exigitur, dum mula ligatur, | |
| Tota abit hora. Mali culices ranaeque 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 | |
| [139]Nauta piger saxo religat stertitque supinus. | |
| Jamque dies aderat, nil cum procedere lintrem | 20 |
| Sentimus, donec cerebrosus prosilit unus | |
| Ac mulae nautaeque caput lumbosque saligno | |
| Fuste dolat: quarta vix demum exponimur hora. | |
| Ora manusque tua lavimus, Feronia, lympha. | |
| Milia tum pransi tria repimus atque subimus | 25 |
| Impositum saxis late candentibus Anxur. | |
| Huc venturus erat Maecenas optimus atque | |
| Cocceius, missi magnis de rebus uterque | |
| Legati, aversos soliti componere amicos. | |
| Hic oculis ego nigra meis collyria lippus | 30 |
| Illinere. Interea Maecenas advenit atque | |
| 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, animae quales neque candidiores | |
| Terra tulit neque quis 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 mihi paucis | |
| Sarmenti scurrae pugnam Messique Cicirrhi, | |
| 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 cornu | |
| [140]Ni foret exsecto frons,” inquit, “quid faceres, cum | |
| Sic mutilus miniteris?” At illi foeda 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. | |
| Multa Cicirrhus ad haec: donasset jamne catenam | 65 |
| Ex voto Laribus, quaerebat; scriba quod esset, | |
| Nihilo deterius dominae jus esse. Rogabat | |
| Denique cur unquam fugisset, cui satis una | |
| Farris libra foret gracili sic tamque pusillo. | |
| Prorsus jucunde coenam produximus illam. | 70 |
| Tendimus hinc recta Beneventum, ubi sedulus hospes | |
| Paene macros arsit dum turdos versat in igni: | |
| Nam vaga per veterem dilapso flamma culinam | |
| Vulcano summum properabat lambere tectum. | |
| Convivas avidos coenam servosque timentes | 75 |
| Tum 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. | |
| Hic ego mendacem stultissimus usque puellam | |
| Ad mediam noctem exspecto; somnus tamen aufert | |
| Intentum veneri; tum immundo somnia visu | |
| Nocturnam vestem maculant ventremque supinum | 85 |
| Quattuor hinc rapimur viginti et milia rhedis, | |
| Mansuri oppidulo quod versu dicere non est, | |
| Signis perfacile est: venit vilissima rerum | |
| Hic aqua; sed panis longe pulcherrimus, ultra | |
| Callidus ut soleat humeris portare viator; | 90 |
| Nam Canusi lapidosus, aquae non ditior urna | |
| Qui locus a forti Diomede est conditus olim. | |
| Flentibus hinc Varius discedit maestus amicis. | |
| Inde Rubos fessi pervenimus utpote longum | |
| Carpentes iter et factum corruptius imbri. | 95 |
| Postera tempestas melior, via pejor ad usque | |
| Bari moenia piscosi; dein Gnatia lymphis | |
| Iratis exstructa dedit risusque jocosque, | |
| [141]Dum flamma sine thura liquescere limine sacro, | |
| Persuadere cupit. Credat Judaeus Apella, | 100 |
| Non ego; namque deos didici securum agere aevum, | |
| Nec si quid miri faciat natura deos id | |
| Tristes ex alto caeli demittere tecto. | |
| Brundisium longae finis chartaeque viaeque est. |
| Non quia, Maecenas, Lydorum quidquid Etruscos | |
| Incoluit fines nemo generosior est te, | |
| Nec quod avus tibi maternus fuit atque paternus | |
| Olim qui magnis legionibus imperitarent, | |
| Ut plerique solent, naso suspendis adunco | 5 |
| Ignotos, ut me libertino patre natum. | |
| Cum 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 famae servit ineptus, | |
| Qui stupet in titulis et imaginibus. Quid oportet | |
| Nos facere a volgo 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, | |
| [142]Audit continuo: “Quis homo hic est? quo patre natus?” | |
| Ut si qui aegrotet quo morbo Barrus, haberi | 30 |
| Ut cupiat formosus, eat quacunque puellis | |
| Injiciat curam quaerendi singula, quali | |
| Sit facie, sura, quali pede, dente, capillo: | |
| Sic qui promittit cives, urbem sibi curae, | |
| Imperium fore et Italiam, delubra deorum, | 35 |
| Quo patre sit natus, num ignota matre inhonestus, | |
| Omnes mortales curare quaerere cogit. | |
| “Tune Syri, Damae aut Dionysi filius, audes | |
| Dejicere e saxo cives aut tradere Cadmo?” | |
| “At Novius collega gradu post me sedet uno; | 40 |
| Namque est ille pater quod erat meus.” “Hoc tibi Paullus | |
| Et Messalla videris? At hic, si plostra ducenta | |
| Concurrantque foro tria funera magna, sonabit | |
| Cornua quod vincatque tubas; saltem tenet hoc nos.” | |
| Nunc ad me redeo libertino patre natum, | 45 |
| Quem 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 |
| Praesertim cautum dignos assumere prava | |
| Ambitione procul. Felicem dicere non hoc | |
| Me possum 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 praeclaro sed vita et pectore puro. | |
| Atqui si vitiis mediocribus ac mea paucis | 65 |
| Mendosa est natura alioqui recta, velut si | |
| Egregio inspersos reprehendas corpore naevos; | |
| Si neque avaritiam neque sordes aut mala lustra | |
| [143]Objiciet vere quisquam mihi, purus et insons | |
| (Ut me collaudem) si et vivo carus 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 aera; | 75 |
| Sed puerum est ausus Romam portare docendum | |
| Artes quas doceat quivis eques atque senator | |
| Semet prognatos. Vestem servosque sequentes, | |
| In magno ut populo, si quis vidisset, avita | |
| Ex re praeberi sumptus 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; | |
| Nec timuit sibi ne vitio quis verteret olim, | 85 |
| Si praeco parvas aut, ut fuit ipse, coactor | |
| Mercedes sequerer; neque ego essem questus: at 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. Longe mea discrepat istis | |
| Et vox et ratio: nam si natura juberet | |
| A certis annis aevum remeare peractum | |
| Atque alios legere ad fastum quoscunque parentes | 95 |
| Optaret sibi quisque, meis contentus honestos | |
| Fascibus et sellis nollem mihi sumere, demens | |
| Judicio volgi, sanus fortasse tuo, quod | |
| Nollem onus haud unquam solitus portare molestum. | |
| Nam mihi continuo major quaerenda foret res | 100 |
| Atque salutandi plures, ducendus et unus | |
| 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 eques armos: | |
| Objiciet nemo sordes mihi quas tibi, Tilli, | |
| Cum Tiburte via praetorem quinque sequuntur | |
| [144]Te pueri lasanum portantes oenophorumque. | |
| Hoc ego commodius quam tu, praeclare senator, | 110 |
| Millibus atque aliis vivo. Quacunque libido est, | |
| Incedo solus, percontor quanti olus ac far; | |
| Fallacem Circum vespertinumque pererro | |
| Saepe Forum; adsisto divinis; inde domum me | |
| Ad porri et ciceris refero laganique catinum; | 115 |
| Coena ministratur 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 cras | |
| Surgendum sit mane, obeundus Marsya, qui se | 120 |
| Voltum ferre negat Noviorum posse minoris. | |
| Ad quartam jaceo; post hanc vagor; aut ego, lecto | |
| Aut scripto quod me tacitum 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. Haec est | |
| Vita solutorum misera ambitione gravique; | |
| His me consolor victurum suavius ac si | 130 |
| Quaestor avus, pater atque meus patruusque fuisset. |
| Proscripti Regis Rupili pus atque venenum | |
| Hybrida quo pacto sit Persius ultus, opinor | |
| Omnibus et lippis notum et tonsoribus esse. | |
| Persius his 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 praecurreret albis. | |
| Ad Regem redeo. Postquam nihil inter utrumque | |
| Convenit, (hoc etenim sunt omnes jure molesti | 10 |
| Quo fortes quibus adversum bellum incidit: inter | |
| [145]Hectora Priamiden animosum atque inter Achillem | |
| Ira fuit capitalis ut ultima divideret mors, | |
| Non aliam ob causam nisi quod virtus in utroque | |
| Summa 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 Asiae Brutum appellat, stellasque salubres | |
| Appellat comites excepto Rege: canem illum, | 25 |
| Invisum agricolis sidus venisse; Ruebat | |
| Flumen ut hibernum fertur quo rara securis. | |
| Tum Praenestinus salso multoque fluenti | |
| Expressa arbusto regerit convicia, durus | |
| Vindemiator et invictus, cui saepe viator | 30 |
| Cessisset magna compellans voce cucullum. | |
| At Graecus, postquam est Italo perfusus aceto, | |
| Persius exclamat: Per magnos, Brute, deos te | |
| Oro qui reges consueris tollere, cur non | |
| Hunc Regem jugulas? Operum hoc, mihi crede, tuorum est. |
| Olim truncus eram ficulnus, inutile lignum, | |
| Cum faber, incertus scamnum faceretne Priapum, | |
| Maluit esse deum. Deus inde ego furum aviumque | |
| Maxima formido: nam fures dextra coërcet | |
| Obscoenoque ruber porrectus ab inguine palus; | 5 |
| Ast importunas volucres in vertice arundo | |
| Terret fixa vetatque novis considere in hortis. | |
| Huc prius angustis ejecta cadavera cellis | |
| Conservus vili portanda locabat in arca. | |
| Hoc miserae plebi stabat commune sepulcrum, | 10 |
| [146]Pantolabo scurrae Nomentanoque nepoti: | |
| Mille pedes in fronte, trecentos cippus in agrum | |
| Hic dabat: Heredes monumentum ne sequeretur. | |
| Nunc licet Esquiliis habitare salubribus atque | |
| Aggere in aprico spatiari, quo modo tristes | 15 |
| Albis informem spectabant ossibus agrum; | |
| Cum mihi non tantum furesque feraeque, suëtae | |
| Hunc vexare locum curae sunt atque labori, | |
| Quantum carminibus quae versant atque venenis | |
| Humanos animos. Has nullo perdere possum | 20 |
| Nec prohibere modo, simul ac vaga luna decorum | |
| Protulit os, quin ossa legant herbasque nocentes. | |
| Vidi egomet nigra succinctam vadere palla | |
| Canidiam pedibus nudis passoque capillo, | |
| Cum Sagana majore ululantem; pallor utrasque | 25 |
| Fecerat horrendas adspectu. Scalpere terram | |
| Unguibus et pullam divellere mordicus agnam | |
| Coeperunt; cruor in fossam confusus, ut inde | |
| Manes elicerent, animas responsa daturas. | |
| Lanea et effigies erat, altera cerea: major | 30 |
| Lanea, quae poenis compesceret inferiorem; | |
| Cerea suppliciter stabat servilibus, ut quae | |
| Jam peritura modis. Hecaten vocat altera, saevam | |
| Altera Tisiphonen: serpentes atque videres | |
| Infernas errare canes, Lunamque rubentem | 35 |
| Ne foret his testis post magna latere sepulcra. | |
| Mentior at si quid merdis caput inquiner albis | |
| Corvorum, atque in me veniat mictum atque cacatum | |
| Julius et fragilis Pediatia furque Voranus. | |
| Singula quid memorem? quo pacto alterna loquentes | 40 |
| Umbrae cum Sagana resonarent triste et acutum, | |
| Utque lupi barbam variae cum dente colubrae | |
| Abdiderint furtim terris et imagine cerea | |
| Largior arserit ignis, et ut non testis inultus | |
| Horruerim voces Furiarum et facta duarum. | 45 |
| Nam displosa sonat quantum vesica pepedi | |
| Diffissa nate ficus; at illae currere in urbem. | |
| Canidiae dentes, altum Saganae caliendrum | |
| Excidere atque herbas atque incantata lacertis | |
| Vincula cum magno risuque jocoque videres. | 50 |
| 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 quae vis.” | 5 |
| Cum assectaretur: “Num quid vis?” occupo. At ille, | |
| “Noris nos,” inquit; “docti sumus.” Hic ego, “Pluris | |
| Hoc,” inquam, “mihi eris.” Misere discedere quaerens | |
| Ire modo ocius, interdum consistere, in aurem | |
| Dicere nescio quid puero, cum sudor ad imos | 10 |
| Manaret talos. O te, Bolane, cerebri | |
| Felicem! aiebam tacitus; cum 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 te | |
| Circumagi; quendam volo visere non tibi notum; | |
| Trans Tiberim longe cubat is prope Caesaris hortos.” | |
| “Nil habeo quod agam et non sum piger; usque sequar te.” | |
| Demitto auriculas ut iniquae mentis asellus, | 20 |
| Cum gravius dorso subiit onus. Incipit ille: | |
| “Si bene me novi non Viscum pluris amicum, | |
| Non Varium facies; nam quis me scribere plures | |
| Aut citius possit versus? quis membra movere | |
| Mollius? Invideat quod et Hermogenes ego canto.” | 25 |
| Interpellandi locus hic erat: “Est tibi mater, | |
| Cognati, quis te salvo est opus?”—“Haud mihi quisquam. | |
| Omnes composui.”—Felices! nunc ego resto. | |
| Confice; namque instat fatum mihi triste Sabella | |
| Quod puero cecinit divina mota anus urna: | 30 |
| Hunc neque dira venena nec hosticus auferet ensis | |
| Nec laterum dolor aut tussis nec tarda podagra: | |
| Garrulus hunc quando consumet cunque; loquaces | |
| Si sapiat vitet simul atque adoleverit aetas. | |
| Ventum erat ad Vestae, quarta jam parte diei | 35 |
| [148]Praeterita, et casu tunc respondere vadato | |
| Debebat, quod ni fecisset perdere litem. | |
| “Si me amas,” inquit, “paulum hic ades.” “Inteream si | |
| Aut valeo stare aut novi civilia jura; | |
| Et propero quo scis.” “Dubius sum quid faciam,” inquit, | 40 |
| “Tene relinquam an rem.” “Me sodes.” “Non faciam” ille; | |
| Et praecedere coepit. Ego ut contendere durum est | |
| Cum victore sequor. “Maecenas quomodo tecum?” | |
| Hinc repetit; “paucorum hominum et mentis bene sanae; | |
| Nemo dexterius fortuna est usus. Haberes | 45 |
| Magnum adjutorem posset qui ferre secundas, | |
| Hunc hominem velles si tradere; dispeream ni | |
| Submosses omnes.” “Non isto vivimus illic | |
| Quo tu rere modo; domus hac nec purior ulla est | |
| Nec magis his aliena malis; nil mi officit unquam, | 50 |
| Ditior hic aut est quia doctior; est locus uni | |
| Cuique suus.” “Magnum narras, vix credibile!” “Atqui | |
| Sic habet.” “Accendis, quare cupiam magis illi | |
| Proximus esse.” “Velis tantummodo: quae tua virtus, | |
| Expugnabis; et est qui vinci possit, eoque | 55 |
| Difficiles aditus primos habet.” “Haud mihi deero: | |
| Muneribus servos corrumpam; non hodie si | |
| Exclusus fuero desistam; tempora quaeram, | |
| Occurram in triviis, deducam. Nil sine magno | |
| Vita labore dedit mortalibus.” Haec dum agit, ecce | 60 |
| Fuscus Aristius occurrit, mihi carus et illum | |
| 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 bene, sed meliore | |
| Tempore dicam; hodie tricesima sabbata: vin tu | |
| Curtis Judaeis oppedere?” “Nulla mihi, inquam, | 70 |
| Religio est.” “At mi; sum paulo infirmior, unus | |
| Multorum; ignosces; alias loquar.” Huncine solem | |
| Tam nigrum surrexe mihi! Fugit improbus ac me | |
| Sub cultro linquit. Casu venit obvius illi | |
| Adversarius et: “Quo tu turpissime?” magna | 75 |
| [149]Inclamat voce; et “Licet antestari?” Ego vero | |
| Oppono auriculam. Rapit in jus; clamor utrinque; | |
| Undique concursus. Sic me servavit Apollo. |
| Nempe incomposito dixi pede currere versus | |
| Lucili. Quis tam Lucili fautor inepte est | |
| Ut non hoc fateatur? At idem quod sale multo | |
| Urbem defricuit charta laudatur eadem. | |
| Nec tamen hoc tribuens dederim quoque cetera; nam sic | 5 |
| Et Laberi mimos ut pulchra poëmata mirer. | |
| Ergo non satis est risu diducere rictum | |
| Auditoris (et est quaedam tamen hic quoque virtus). | |
| Est brevitate opus, ut currat sententia neu se | |
| Impediat verbis lassas onerantibus aures; | 10 |
| Et sermone opus est modo tristi saepe jocoso, | |
| Defendente vicem modo rhetoris atque poëtae, | |
| Interdum urbani, parcentis viribus atque | |
| Extenuantis eas consulto. Ridiculum acri | |
| Fortius et melius magnas plerumque secat res. | 15 |
| Illi scripta quibus comoedia prisca viris est | |
| Hoc stabant, hoc sunt imitandi; quos neque pulcher | |
| Hermogenes unquam legit neque simius iste | |
| Nil praeter Calvum et doctus cantare Catullum. | |
| “At magnum fecit quod verbis Graeca Latinis | 20 |
| Miscuit.” O seri studiorum! quine putetis | |
| Difficile et mirum Rhodio quod Pitholeonti | |
| Contigit? “At sermo lingua concinnus utraque | |
| Suavior, ut Chio nota si commixta Falerni est.” | |
| Cum versus facias, te ipsum percontor, an et cum | 25 |
| Dura tibi peragenda rei sit causa Petilli? | |
| Scilicet oblitus patriaeque patrisque, Latine | |
| Cum Pedius causas exsudet Poplicola atque | |
| Corvinus, patriis intermiscere petita | |
| Verba foris malis, Canusini more bilinguis? | 30 |
| Atque ego cum Graecos facerem natus mare citra | |
| [150]Versiculos, vetuit me tali voce Quirinus, | |
| Post mediam noctem visus cum somnia vera: | |
| “In silvam non ligna feras insanius ac si | |
| Magnas Graecorum malis implere catervas.” | 35 |
| Turgidus Alpinus jugulat dum Memnona, dumque | |
| Defingit Rheni luteum caput, haec ego ludo, | |
| Quae neque in aede sonent certantia judice Tarpa, | |
| Nec redeant iterum atque iterum spectanda theatris. | |
| Arguta meretrice potes Davoque Chremeta | 40 |
| Eludente senem comis garrire libellos | |
| Unus vivorum, Fundani; Pollio regum | |
| Facta canit pede ter percusso; forte epos acer | |
| Ut nemo Varius ducit; molle atque facetum | |
| Virgilio annuerunt gaudentes rure Camenae. | 45 |
| Hoc erat, experto frustra Varrone Atacino | |
| Atque quibusdam aliis, melius quod scribere possem, | |
| Inventore minor; neque ego illi detrahere ausim | |
| Haerentem capiti cum multa laude coronam. | |
| At dixi fluere hunc lutulentum, saepe ferentem | 50 |
| Plura quidem tollenda relinquendis. Age, quaeso, | |
| Tu nihil in magno doctus reprehendis Homero? | |
| Nil comis tragici mutat Lucilius Acci? | |
| Non ridet versus Enni gravitate minores, | |
| Cum de se loquitur non ut majore reprensis? | 55 |
| Quid vetat et nosmet Lucili scripta legentes | |
| Quaerere, num illius, num rerum dura negarit | |
| Versiculos natura magis factos et euntes | |
| Mollius ac si quis pedibus quid claudere senis, | |
| Hoc tantum contentus, amet scripsisse ducentos | 60 |
| Ante cibum versus, totidem coenatus; Etrusci | |
| Quale fuit Cassi rapido ferventius amni | |
| Ingenium, capsis quem fama est esse librisque | |
| Ambustum propriis? Fuerit Lucilius, inquam, | |
| Comis et urbanus, fuerit limatior idem | 65 |
| Quam rudis et Graecis intacti carminis auctor, | |
| Quamque poëtarum seniorum turba; sed ille, | |
| Si foret hoc nostrum fato dilatus in aevum, | |
| Detereret sibi multa, recideret omne quod ultra | |
| Perfectum traheretur, et in versu faciendo | 70 |
| Saepe caput scaberet vivos et roderet ungues. | |
| [151]Saepe stilum vertas iterum quae digna legi sint | |
| Scripturus, neque te ut miretur turba labores, | |
| Contentus paucis lectoribus. An tua demens | |
| Vilibus in ludis dictari carmina malis? | 75 |
| Non ego: nam satis est equitem mihi plaudere, ut audax | |
| Contemtis aliis explosa Arbuscula dixit. | |
| Men’ moveat cimex Pantilius, aut cruciet quod | |
| Vellicet absentem Demetrius, aut quod ineptus | |
| Fannius Hermogenis laedat conviva Tigelli? | 80 |
| Plotius et Varius, Maecenas Virgiliusque, | |
| Valgius et probet haec Octavius optimus atque | |
| Fuscus, et haec utinam Viscorum laudet uterque! | |
| Ambitione relegata te dicere possum, | |
| Pollio, te, Messala, tuo cum fratre, simulque | 85 |
| Vos, Bibuli et Servi, simul his te, candide Furni, | |
| Complures alios, doctos ego quos et amicos | |
| Prudens praetereo; quibus haec, sint qualiacunque, | |
| Arridere velim, doliturus si placeant spe | |
| Deterius nostra. Demetri, teque, Tigelli, | 90 |
| Discipularum inter jubeo plorare cathedras. | |
| I, puer, atque meo citus haec subscribe libello. |
I. | II. | III. | IV. | V. | VI. | VII. | VIII.
| “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 praescribe.” “Quiescas.” “Ne faciam, inquis, | 5 |
| Omnino versus?” “Aio.” “Peream male si non | |
| Optimum erat: verum nequeo dormire.” “Ter uncti | |
| Transnanto Tiberim somno quibus est opus alto, | |
| Irriguumque mero sub noctem corpus habento. | |
| Aut si tantus amor scribendi te rapit aude | 10 |
| Caesaris invicti res dicere, multa laborum | |
| Praemia laturus.” “Cupidum, pater optime, vires | |
| Deficiunt: neque enim quivis horrentia pilis | |
| Agmina nec fracta pereuntes cuspide Gallos | |
| Aut labentis equo describat vulnera Parthi.” | 15 |
| “Attamen et justum poteras et scribere fortem, | |
| Scipiadem ut sapiens Lucilius.” “Haud mihi deero | |
| Cum res ipsa feret. Nisi dextro tempore Flacci | |
| Verba per attentam non ibunt Caesaris aurem, | |
| Cui male si palpere recalcitrat undique tutus.” | 20 |
| “Quanto rectius hoc quam tristi laedere versu | |
| [153]Pantolabum scurram Nomentanumque nepotem, | |
| Cum sibi quisque timet, quamquam est intactus, et odit!” | |
| “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 nostrûm melioris utroque. | |
| Ille 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 colonus, | 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 hic stilus haud petet ultro | |
| Quemquam animantem et me veluti custodiet ensis | 40 |
| Vagina tectus; quem cur distringere coner | |
| Tutus ab infestis latronibus? O pater et rex | |
| Juppiter, ut pereat positum rubigine telum, | |
| Nec 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, cornu taurus petit: unde nisi intus | |
| Monstratum? Scaevae vivacem crede nepoti | |
| Matrem; nil faciet sceleris pia dextera: mirum, | |
| Ut neque calce lupus quemquam neque dente petit bos; | 55 |
| Sed mala tollet anum vitiato melle cicuta. | |
| Ne longum faciam: seu me tranquilla senectus | |
| Exspectat seu Mors atris circumvolat alis, | |
| Dives, inops, Romae, seu fors ita jusserit, exsul, | |
| Quisquis erit vitae scribam color.” “O puer, ut sis | 60 |
| Vitalis metuo et majorum ne quis amicus | |
| [154]Frigore te feriat.” “Quid, cum est Lucilius ausus | |
| Primus in hunc operis componere carmina morem, | |
| Detrahere et pellem, nitidus qua quisque per ora | |
| Cederet, introrsum turpis, num Laelius aut qui | 65 |
| Duxit ab oppressa meritum Karthagine nomen, | |
| Ingenio offensi aut laeso doluere Metello | |
| Famosisque Lupo cooperto versibus? Atqui | |
| Primores populi arripuit populumque tributim, | |
| Scilicet uni aequus virtuti atque ejus amicis. | 70 |
| Quin ubi se a volgo et scena in secreta remorant | |
| Virtus Scipiadae et mitis sapientia Laeli, | |
| Nugari cum illo et discincti ludere donec | |
| 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.” “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.” “Esto, si quis mala; sed bona si quis | |
| Judice condiderit laudatus Caesare? si quis | |
| Opprobriis dignum latraverit, integer ipse?” | 85 |
| “Solventur risu tabulae, tu missus abibis.” |
| Quae virtus et quanta, boni, sit vivere parvo, | |
| Nec meus hic sermo est, sed quae praecepit Ofella | |
| Rusticus abnormis sapiens crassaque Minerva, | |
| Discite, non inter lances mensasque nitentes | |
| Cum stupet insanis acies fulgoribus et cum | 5 |
| Acclinis falsis animus meliora recusat, | |
| Verum hic impransi mecum disquirite. Cur hoc? | |
| Dicam si potero. Male verum examinat omnis | |
| Corruptus judex. Leporem sectatus equove | |
| [155]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 aëra disco; | |
| Cum labor extuderit fastidia, siccus, inanis | |
| Sperne cibum vilem; nisi Hymettia mella Falerno | 15 |
| 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 | |
| Nec 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; | |
| Tamquam ad rem attineat quidquam. Num vesceris ista | |
| Quam laudas pluma? Cocto num adest honor idem? | |
| Carne tamen quamvis distat nil, hac magis illam | |
| Imparibus formis deceptum te petere! Esto: | 30 |
| Unde datum sentis lupus hic Tiberinus an alto | |
| 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 volgaria temnit. | |
| “Porrectum magno magnum spectare catino | |
| Vellem,” ait Harpyiis gula digna rapacibus. At vos, | 40 |
| Praesentes Austri, coquite horum obsonia,—quamquam | |
| Putet aper rhombusque recens, mala copia quando | |
| Aegrum sollicitat stomachum, cum rapula plenus | |
| Atque acidas mavolt inulas. Necdum omnis abacta | |
| Pauperies epulis regum; nam vilibus ovis | 45 |
| Nigrisque est oleis hodie locus. Haud ita pridem | |
| Galloni praeconis erat acipensere mensa | |
| Infamis. Quid, tunc rhombos minus aequora alebant? | |
| Tutus erat rhombus tutoque ciconia nido | |
| [156]Donec vos auctor docuit praetorius. Ergo | 50 |
| Si quis nunc mergos suaves edixerit assos, | |
| Parebit pravi docilis Romana juventus. | |
| Sordidus a tenui victu distabit, Ofella | |
| Judice: nam frustra vitium vitaveris illud | |
| Si te alio pravum detorseris. Avidienus, | 55 |
| Cui Canis ex vero dictum cognomen adhaeret, | |
| 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 aceti. | |
| Quali igitur victu sapiens utetur, et horum | |
| Utrum imitabitur? Hac urget lupus, hac canis, aiunt. | |
| Mundus erit qua non offendat sordibus, atque | 65 |
| In neutram partem cultus miser. Hic neque servis, | |
| Albuti senis exemplo, dum munia didit | |
| Saevus erit; nec sic ut simplex Naevius unctam | |
| Convivis praebebit aquam: vitium hoc quoque magnum. | |
| Accipe nunc victus tenuis quae quantaque secum | 70 |
| Afferat. In primis valeas bene: nam variae res | |
| Ut noceant homini credas memor illius escae | |
| 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 | |
| Coena desurgat dubia? Quin corpus onustum | |
| Hesternis vitiis animum quoque praegravat una, | |
| Atque affigit humo divinae particulam aurae. | |
| Alter ubi dicto citius curata sopori | 80 |
| Membra dedit vegetus praescripta ad munia surgit. | |
| Hic tamen ad melius poterit transcurrere quondam, | |
| Sive diem festum rediens advexerit annus, | |
| Seu recreare volet tenuatum corpus, ubique | |
| Accedent anni et tractari mollius aetas | 85 |
| Imbecilla volet; tibi quidnam accedet ad istam | |
| Quam puer et validus praesumis mollitiem, seu | |
| Dura valetudo inciderit seu tarda senectus? | |
| Rancidum aprum antiqui laudabant, non quia nasus | |
| [157]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 famae quae carmine gratior aurem | |
| Occupet humanam: grandes rhombi patinaeque | 95 |
| Grande ferunt una cum damno dedecus; adde | |
| Iratum patruum, vicinos, te tibi iniquum, | |
| Et frustra mortis cupidum, cum deerit egenti | |
| As laquei pretium. “Jure,” inquit, “Trausius istis | |
| Jurgatur verbis; ego vectigalia magna | 100 |
| Divitiasque habeo tribus amplas regibus.” Ergo | |
| Quod superat non est melius quo insumere possis? | |
| Cur eget indignus quisquam te divite? Quare | |
| Templa ruunt antiqua deum? Cur, improbe, carae | |
| Non aliquid patriae tanto emetiris acervo? | 105 |
| Uni nimirum recte tibi semper erunt res. | |
| O magnus posthac inimicis risus! Uterne | |
| Ad casus dubios fidet sibi certius? Hic qui | |
| Pluribus adsuerit 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 Ofellam | |
| Integris opibus novi non latius usum | |
| Quam nunc accisis. Videas metato in agello | |
| Cum pecore et gnatis fortem mercede colonum, | 115 |
| “Non ego,” narrantem, “temere edi luce profesta | |
| Quidquam praeter olus fumosae cum pede pernae. | |
| Ac mihi seu longum post tempus venerat hospes, | |
| Sive operum vacuo gratus conviva per imbrem | |
| Vicinus, bene erat non piscibus urbe petitis, | 120 |
| Sed pullo atque haedo; tum pensilis uva secundas | |
| Et nux ornabat mensas cum duplice ficu. | |
| Post hoc ludus erat culpa potare magistra, | |
| Ac venerata Ceres ita culmo surgeret alto, | |
| Explicuit vino contractae seria frontis. | 125 |
| Saeviat atque novos moveat Fortuna tumultus, | |
| Quantum hinc imminuet? Quanto aut ego parcius aut vos, | |
| O pueri, nituistis ut huc novus incola venit? | |
| Nam propriae telluris herum natura neque illum | |
| [158]Nec me nec quemquam statuit: nos expulit ille; | 130 |
| Illum aut nequities aut vafri inscitia juris, | |
| Postremum expellet certe vivacior heres. | |
| Nunc ager Umbreni sub nomine, nuper Ofellae | |
| Dictus, erit nulli proprius, sed cedet in usum | |
| Nunc mihi nunc alii. Quocirca vivite fortes | 135 |
| Fortiaque adversis opponite pectora rebus.” |
| “Sic raro scribis, ut toto non quater anno | |
| Membranam poscas, scriptorum quaeque retexens, | |
| Iratus tibi quod vini somnique benignus | |
| Nil dignum sermone canas. Quid fiet? At ipsis | |
| Saturnalibus huc fugisti. Sobrius ergo | 5 |
| Dic aliquid dignum promissis: incipe. Nil est: | |
| Culpantur frustra calami, immeritusque laborat | |
| Iratis natus paries dis atque poëtis. | |
| Atqui voltus erat multa et praeclara minantis | |
| Si vacuum tepido cepisset villula tecto. | 10 |
| Quorsum pertinuit stipare Platona Menandro, | |
| Eupolin, Archilochum, comites educere tantos? | |
| Invidiam placare paras virtute relicta? | |
| Comtemnere miser; vitanda est improba Siren | |
| Desidia, aut quidquid vita meliore parasti | 15 |
| Ponendum aequo animo.” “Di te, Damasippe, deaeque | |
| Verum ob consilium donent tonsore. Sed unde | |
| Tam bene me nosti?” “Postquam omnis res mea Janum | |
| Ad medium fracta est aliena negotia curo, | |
| Excussus propriis. Olim nam quaerere amabam, | 20 |
| Quo vafer ille pedes lavisset Sisyphus aere, | |
| Quid sculptum infabre, quid fusum durius esset | |
| Callidus huic signo ponebam millia centum; | |
| Hortos egregiasque domos mercarier unus | |
| Cum lucro noram; unde frequentia Mercuriale | 25 |
| Imposuere mihi cognomen compita.” “Novi, | |
| [159]Et miror morbi purgatum te illius. Atqui | |
| Emovit veterem mire novus, ut solet, in cor | |
| Trajecto lateris miseri capitisve dolore, | |
| Ut lethargicus hic cum fit pugil et medicum urget. | 30 |
| Dum ne quid simile huic esto ut libet.” “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 cum 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. | |
| Quem 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 aeque ac tu qui tibi nomen | |
| Insano posuere. Velut silvis ubi passim | |
| Palantes error certo de tramite pellit, | |
| Ille sinistrorsum hic dextrorsum abit: unus utrique | 50 |
| Error, sed variis illudit partibus; hoc te | |
| Crede modo insanum, nihilo ut sapientior ille | |
| Qui te deridet caudam trahat.” Est genus unum | |
| Stultitiae nihilum metuenda timentis, ut ignes, | |
| Ut rupes fluviosque in campo obstare queratur; | 55 |
| Alterum et huic varum et nihilo sapientius ignes | |
| Per medios fluviosque ruentis: clamet amica | |
| Mater, honesta soror cum cognatis, pater, uxor: | |
| “Hic fossa est ingens, hic rupes maxima, serva!” | |
| Non magis audierit, quam Fufius ebrius olim, | 60 |
| 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. | 65 |
| Accipe quod nunquam reddas mihi si tibi dicam, | |
| [160]Tune insanus eris si acceperis, an magis excors | |
| Rejecta praeda quam praesens Mercurius fert? | |
| Scribe decem Nerio; non est satis: adde Cicutae | |
| Nodosi tabulas centum, mille adde catenas: | 70 |
| Effugiet tamen haec sceleratus vincula Proteus. | |
| Cum rapies in jus malis ridentem alienis, | |
| Fiet aper, modo avis, modo saxum et cum volet arbor. | |
| Si male rem gerere insani est, contra bene sani, | |
| 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 tristive superstitione | |
| Aut alio mentis morbo calet; huc propius me, | 80 |
| Dum doceo insanire omnes, vos ordine adite. | |
| Danda est ellebori multo pars maxima avaris; | |
| 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 cum 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 | |
| Graecus Aristippus? qui servos projicere aurum | 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, emptas comportet in unum, | |
| Nec studio citharae nec Musae deditus ulli; | 105 |
| Si scalpra et formas non sutor, nautica vela | |
| [161]Aversus mercaturis: delirus et amens | |
| Undique dicatur merito. Quî 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 parcus vescatur amaris; | |
| Si positis intus Chii veterisque Falerni | 115 |
| Mille cadis—nihil est, tercentum millibus, acre | |
| Potet acetum; age, si et stramentis incubet, unde- | |
| Octoginta annos natus, cui stragula vestis, | |
| Blattarum ac tinearum epulae, putrescat in arca; | |
| Nimirum insanus paucis videatur, eo quod | 120 |
| Maxima pars hominum morbo jactatur eodem. | |
| Filius aut etiam haec libertus ut ebibat heres, | |
| Dis inimice senex, custodis?—Ne tibi desit? | |
| Quantulum enim summae curtabit quisque dierum, | |
| Ungere si caules oleo meliore caputque | 125 |
| Coeperis impexa foedum porrigine? Quare, | |
| Si quidvis satis est, perjuras, surripis, aufers | |
| Undique? Tun sanus? Populum si caedere saxis | |
| Incipias servosve tuos, quos aere pararis, | |
| Insanum te omnes pueri clamentque puellae: | 130 |
| Cum laqueo uxorem interimis matremque veneno, | |
| Incolumi capite es? Quid enim, neque tu hoc facis Argis, | |
| Nec ferro ut demens genitricem occidis 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 est habitus male tutae mentis Orestes | |
| Nil sane fecit quod tu reprehendere possis: | |
| Non Pyladen ferro violare aususve sororem | |
| Electram, tantum maledicit utrique vocando | 140 |
| Hanc Furiam, hunc 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 laetus ovansque | |
| [162]Curreret. Hunc medicus multum celer atque fidelis | |
| Excitat hoc pacto: mensam poni jubet atque | |
| Effundi saccos nummorum, accedere plures | |
| Ad numerandum; hominem sic erigit; addit et illud: | 150 |
| Ni tua custodis avidus jam haec auferet heres. | |
| Men’ vivo? Ut vivas igitur vigila. Hoc age! Quid vis? | |
| Deficient inopem venae te ni cibus atque | |
| Ingens accedit stomacho fultura ruenti. | |
| Tu cessas? Agedum, sume hoc ptisanarium oryzae. | 155 |
| Quanti emptae? Parvo. Quanti ergo? Octussibus. Eheu! | |
| Quid refert, morbo an furtis pereamque rapinis?— | |
| Quisnam igitur sanus? Qui non stultus. Quid avarus? | |
| Stultus et insanus. Quid, si quis non sit avarus, | |
| Continuo sanus? Minime. Cur, Stoïce? Dicam. | 160 |
| Non est cardiacus—Craterum dixisse putato— | |
| Hic aeger: recte est igitur surgetque? Negabit, | |
| Quod latus aut renes morbo tentantur acuto. | |
| Non est perjurus neque sordidus; immolet aequis | |
| Hic porcum Laribus: verum ambitiosus et audax; | 165 |
| Naviget Anticyram. Quid enim differt, barathrone | |
| Dones quidquid habes, an nunquam utare paratis? | |
| Servius Oppidius Canusi duo praedia, dives | |
| Antiquo censu, gnatis divisse duobus | |
| Fertur et hoc moriens pueris dixisse vocatis | 170 |
| Ad lectum: Postquam te talos, Aule, nucesque | |
| Ferre sinu laxo, donare et ludere vidi, | |
| Te, Tiberi, numerare, cavis abscondere tristem | |
| Extimui, ne vos ageret vesania discors, | |
| Tu Nomentanum, tu ne sequerere Cicutam. | 175 |
| Quare per divos oratus uterque Penates, | |
| Tu cave ne minuas, tu ne majus facias id | |
| Quod satis esse putat pater et natura coërcet. | |
| Praeterea ne vos titillet gloria jure | |
| Jurando obstringam ambo: uter aedilis fueritve | 180 |
| Vestrum praetor, is intestabilis et sacer esto. | |
| In cicere atque faba bona tu perdasque lupinis, | |
| Latus ut in circo spatiere et aëneus ut stes, | |
| Nudus agris, nudus nummis, insane, paternis; | |
| Scilicet ut plausus quos fert Agrippa, feras tu, | 185 |
| Astuta ingenuum vulpes imitata leonem!— | |
| [163]Ne quis humasse velit Ajacem, Atrida, vetas cur? | |
| Rex sum. Nil ultra quaero plebeius. Et aequam | |
| Rem imperito; ac 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 insanus morti dedit, inclitum Ulixen | |
| Et Menelaum una mecum se occidere clamans. | |
| Tu cum pro vitula statuis dulcem Aulide natam | |
| Ante aras spargisque mola caput, improbe, salsa, | 200 |
| Rectum animi servas? Quorsum? Insanus quid enim Ajax | |
| Fecit cum stravit ferro pecus? Abstinuit vim | |
| Uxore et gnato; mala multa precatus Atridis, | |
| Non ille aut Teucrum aut ipsum violavit Ulixen. | |
| Verum ego, ut haerentes 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. | 210 |
| Ajax immeritos cum occidit desipit agnos: | |
| Cum prudens scelus ob titulos admittis inanes, | |
| Stas animo et purum est vitio tibi, cum tumidum est, cor? | |
| Si quis lectica nitidam gestare amet agnam, | |
| Huic vestem, ut gnatae, 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 ubi prava | 220 |
| Stultitia hic summa est insania; qui sceleratus, | |
| Et furiosus erit; quem cepit vitrea fama, | |
| Hunc circumtonuit gaudens Bellona cruentis. | |
| Nunc age luxuriam et Nomentanum arripe mecum: | |
| Vincet enim stultos ratio insanire nepotes. | 225 |
| Hic simul accepit patrimoni mille talenta, | |
| [164]Edicit piscator uti, pomarius, auceps, | |
| Unguentarius ac Tusci turba impia vici, | |
| Cum scurris fartor, cum Velabro omne Macellum, | |
| Mane domum veniant. Quid tum? Venere frequentes. | 230 |
| Verba facit leno: Quidquid mihi, quidquid et horum | |
| Cuique domi est, id crede tuum et vel nunc pete vel cras. | |
| Accipe quid contra juvenis responderit aequus: | |
| In nive Lucana dormis ocreatus ut aprum | |
| Coenem ego; tu pisces hiberno ex aequore verris. | 235 |
| Segnis ego, indignus qui tantum possideam: aufer: | |
| Sume tibi decies; tibi tantumdem; tibi triplex | |
| Unde uxor media currit de nocte vocata. | |
| Filius Aesopi detractam ex aure Metellae, | |
| Scilicet ut decies solidum absorberet, aceto | 240 |
| Diluit insignem baccam: quî sanior ac si | |
| Illud idem in rapidum flumen jaceretve cloacam? | |
| Quinti progenies Arri, par nobile fratrum, | |
| Nequitia et nugis pravorum et amore gemellum, | |
| Luscinias soliti impenso prandere coëmptas, | 245 |
| Quorsum abeant? Sanin creta an carbone notandi? | |
| Aedificare casas, plostello adjungere mures, | |
| Ludere par impar, equitare in arundine longa, | |
| Si quem delectet barbatum amentia verset. | |
| Si puerilius his ratio esse evincet amare, | 250 |
| Nec quidquam differre utrumne in pulvere trimus | |
| Quale prius ludas opus, an meretricis amore | |
| Sollicitus plores, quaero faciasne quod olim | |
| Mutatus Polemon? punas insignia morbi, | |
| Fasciolas, cubital, focalia, potus ut ille | 255 |
| Dicitur ex collo furtim carpsisse coronas | |
| Postquam est impransi correptus voce magistri? | |
| Porrigis irato puero cum poma recusat: | |
| Sume, catelle! negat; si non des optet: amator | |
| Exclusus quî distat agit ubi secum eat an non | 260 |
| Quo rediturus erat non arcessitus, et haeret | |
| Invisis foribus? Nec nunc cum me vocat ultro | |
| Accedam? An potius mediter finire dolores? | |
| Exclusit; revocat: redeam? Non si obsecret. Ecce | |
| Servus non paulo sapientior: O here, quae res | 265 |
| Nec modum habet neque consilium ratione modoque | |
| [165]Tractari non volt. In amore haec sunt mala, bellum, | |
| Pax rursum: haec si quis tempestatis prope ritu | |
| Mobilia et caeca fluitantia sorte laboret | |
| Reddere certa sibi, nihilo plus explicet ac si | 270 |
| Insanire paret certa ratione modoque. | |
| Quid, cum Picenis excerpens semina pomis | |
| Gaudes si cameram percusti forte, penes te es? | |
| Quid, cum balba feris annoso verba palato, | |
| Aedificante casas quî sanior? Adde cruorem | 275 |
| Stultitiae atque ignem gladio scrutare. Modo, inquam, | |
| Hellade percussa Marius cum praecipitat se | |
| Cerritus fuit, an commotae crimine mentis | |
| Absolves hominem et sceleris damnabis eundem, | |
| Ex more imponens cognata vocabula rebus? | 280 |
| Libertinus erat, qui circum compita siccus | |
| Lautis mane senex manibus currebat et, Unum— | |
| Quid tam magnum? addens—, unum me surpite morti, | |
| Dis etenim facile est! orabat; sanus utrisque | |
| Auribus atque oculis; mentem, nisi litigiosus, | 285 |
| Exciperet dominus cum venderet. Hoc quoque volgus | |
| Chrysippus ponit fecunda in gente Meneni. | |
| Juppiter, ingentes qui das adimisque dolores, | |
| Mater ait pueri menses jam quinque cubantis, | |
| Frigida si puerum quartana relinquerit, illo | 290 |
| Mane die quo tu indicis jejunia nudus | |
| In Tiberi stabit. Casus medicusve levarit | |
| Aegrum ex praecipiti mater delira necabit | |
| In gelida fixum ripa febrimque reducet; | |
| Quone malo mentem concussa? Timore deorum. | 295 |
| Haec mihi Stertinius, sapientum octavus, amico | |
| Arma dedit, posthac ne compellarer inultus. | |
| Dixerit insanum qui me totidem audiet atque | |
| Respicere ignoto discet pendentia tergo.” | |
| “Stoice, post damnum sic vendas omnia pluris, | 300 |
| Qua me stultitia, quoniam non est genus unum, | |
| Insanire putas? ego nam videor mihi sanus.” | |
| “Quid, caput abscissum demens cum portat Agave | |
| Gnati infelicis, sibi tum furiosa videtur?” | |
| “Stultum me fateor, liceat concedere veris, | 305 |
| Atque etiam insanum; tantum hoc edissere, quo me | |
| [166]Aegrotare putes animi vitio?” “Accipe: primum | |
| Aedificas, hoc est, longos imitaris ab imo | |
| Ad summum totus moduli bipedalis, et idem | |
| Corpore majorem rides Turbonis in armis | 310 |
| Spiritum et incessum: quî ridiculus minus illo? | |
| An quodcunque facit Maecenas te quoque verum est | |
| Tantum dissimilem et tanto certare minorem? | |
| Absentis ranae pullis vituli pede pressis, | |
| Unus ubi effugit, matri denarrat, ut ingens | 315 |
| Bellua cognatos eliserit. Illa rogare: | |
| Quantane? num tantum, sufflans se, magna fuisset? | |
| Major dimidio. Num tanto? Cum magis atque | |
| Se magis inflaret, Non si te ruperis, inquit, | |
| Par eris. Haec a te non multum abludit imago. | 320 |
| Adde poëmata nunc, hoc est, oleum adde camino; | |
| Quae si quis sanus fecit sanus facis et tu. | |
| Non dico horrendam rabiem. Jam desine.” Cultum | |
| Majorem censu. Teneas, Damasippe, tuis te. | |
| Mille puellarum, puerorum mille furores. | 325 |
| O major tandem parcas, insane, minori! |
| “Unde et quo Catius?” “Non est mihi tempus aventi | |
| Ponere signa novis praeceptis, qualia vincant | |
| Pythagoran Anytique reum doctumque Platona.” | |
| “Peccatum fateor cum te sic tempore laevo | |
| Interpellarim; sed des veniam bonus oro. | 5 |
| Quod si interciderit tibi nunc aliquid repetes mox, | |
| Sive est naturae hoc sive artis, mirus utroque.” | |
| “Quin id erat curae quo pacto cuncta tenerem, | |
| Utpote res tenues tenui sermone peractas.” | |
| “Ede hominis nomen, simul et Romanus an hospes.” | 10 |
| “Ipsa memor praecepta canam, celabitur auctor. | |
| Longa quibus facies ovis erit illa memento, | |
| Ut succi melioris et ut magis alba rotundis, | |
| Ponere; namque marem cohibent callosa vitellum. | |
| [167]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 mixto mersare Falerno: | |
| Hoc teneram faciet. Pratensibus optima fungis | 20 |
| Natura est: aliis male creditur. Ille salubres | |
| Aestates 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 praecordia 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; | 30 |
| Sed non omne mare est generosae fertile testae. | |
| Murice Baiano melior Lucrina peloris, | |
| Ostrea Circeiis, Miseno oriuntur echini, | |
| Pectinibus patulis jactat se molle Tarentum. | |
| Nec sibi coenarum quivis temere adroget artem, | 35 |
| Non prius exacta tenui ratione saporum. | |
| Nec satis est cara pisces avertere mensa | |
| Ignarum quibus est jus aptius et quibus assis | |
| Languidus in cubitum jam se conviva reponet. | |
| Umber et iligna nutritus glande rotundas | 40 |
| Curvat aper lances carnem vitantis inertem: | |
| Nam Laurens malus est, ulvis et arundine pinguis. | |
| Vinea submittit capreas non semper edules. | |
| Fecundae leporis sapiens sectabitur armos. | |
| Piscibus atque avibus quae natura et foret aetas | 45 |
| Ante meum nulli patuit quaesita 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 securas olivo. | 50 |
| Massica si caelo suppones vina sereno | |
| Nocturna si quid crassi est tenuabitur aura, | |
| Et decedet odor nervis inimicus; at illa | |
| Integrum perdunt lino vitiata saporem. | |
| [168]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 | 60 |
| Flagitat immorsus refici; quin omnia malit | |
| Quaecunque immundis fervent allata popinis. | |
| Est operae 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 Venafranae quod baca remisit olivae. | |
| Picenis cedunt pomis Tiburtia succo: | 70 |
| Nam facie praestant. Venucula convenit ollis; | |
| Rectius Albanam 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 inluta toralia vestes, | |
| Oblitum quanto curam sumtumque minorem | 85 |
| Haec habeant tanto reprehendi justius illis | |
| Quae nisi divitibus nequeant contingere mensis?” | |
| “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, quem 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 |
| “Hoc quoque, Tiresia, praeter narrata petenti | |
| Responde, quibus amissas reparare queam res | |
| Artibus atque modis. Quid rides?” “Jamne doloso | |
| Non satis est Ithacam revehi patriosque penates | |
| Adspicere?” “O nulli quidquam mentite, vides ut | 5 |
| Nudus inopsque domum redeam, te vate, neque illic | |
| Aut apotheca procis intacta est aut pecus; atqui | |
| Et genus et virtus nisi cum re vilior alga est.” | |
| “Quando pauperiem, missis ambagibus, 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.” | |
| “Utne tegam spurco Damae latus? Haud ita Trojae | |
| Me gessi certans semper melioribus.” “Ergo | |
| Pauper eris.” “Fortem hoc animum tolerare jubebo; | 20 |
| Et quondam majora tuli. Tu protinus unde | |
| Divitias aerisque ruam dic, augur, acervos.” | |
| “Dixi equidem et dico: captes astutus ubique | |
| Testamenta 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 natis, improbus, ultro | |
| Qui meliorem audax vocet in jus, illius esto | |
| Defensor; fama civem causaque priorem | 30 |
| Sperne, domi si natus erit fecundave conjux. | |
| Quinte, puta, aut Publi, (gaudent praenomine molles | |
| Auriculae,) tibi me virtus tua fecit amicum; | |
| Jus anceps novi, causas defendere possum; | |
| Eripiet quivis oculos citius mihi, quam te | 35 |
| [170]Contemptum cassa nuce pauperet; haec mea cura est, | |
| Ne quid tu perdas neu sis jocus. 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 adnabunt thunni et cetaria crescent. | |
| Si cui praeterea validus male filius in re | 45 |
| Praeclara sublatus aletur, ne manifestum | |
| Caelibis obsequium nudet te, leniter in spem | |
| Adrepe officiosus, ut et scribare secundus | |
| Heres et, si quis casus puerum egerit Orco, | |
| In vacuum venias: perraro haec alea fallit. | 50 |
| Qui testamentum tradet tibi cunque legendum, | |
| 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 |
| Scriba ex quinqueviro corvum deludet hiantem, | |
| Captatorque dabit risus Nasica Corano.” | |
| “Num furis? an prudens ludis me obscura canendo?” | |
| “O Laërtiade, quidquid dicam aut erit aut non: | |
| Divinare etenim magnus mihi donat Apollo.” | 60 |
| “Quid tamen ista velit sibi fabula, si licet, ede.” | |
| “Tempore quo juvenis Parthis horrendus, ab alto | |
| Demissum genus Aenea, tellure marique | |
| Magnus erit, forti nubet procera Corano | |
| Filia Nasicae metuentis reddere soldum. | 65 |
| Tum gener hoc faciet: tabulas socero dabit atque | |
| Ut legat orabit; multum Nasica negatas | |
| Accipiet tandem et tacitus leget, invenietque | |
| Nil sibi legatum praeter plorare suisque. | |
| Illud ad haec jubeo: mulier si forte dolosa | 70 |
| Libertusve senem delirum temperet, illis | |
| Accedas socius; laudes, lauderis ut absens. | |
| Adjuvat hoc quoque, sed vincit longe prius ipsum | |
| Expugnare caput. Scribet mala carmina vecors: | |
| Laudato. Scortator erit: cave te roget; ultro | 75 |
| [171]Penelopam facilis potiori trade.” “Putasne? | |
| Perduci poterit tam frugi tamque pudica, | |
| Quam nequiere proci recto depellere cursu?” | |
| “Venit enim magnum donandi parca juventus, | |
| Nec tantum veneris, quantum studiosa culinae. | 80 |
| Sic tibi Penelope frugi est, quae si semel uno | |
| De sene gustarit tecum partita lucellum, | |
| Ut canis a corio nunquam absterrebitur uncto. | |
| Me sene quod dicam factum est: anus improba Thebis | |
| Ex testamento sic est elata: cadaver | 85 |
| Unctum oleo largo nudis humeris tulit heres, | |
| Scilicet elabi si posset mortua; credo | |
| Quod nimium institerat viventi. Cautus adito: | |
| Neu desis operae neve immoderatus abundes. | |
| Difficilem et morosum offendet garrulus ultro; | 90 |
| Non etiam sileas. Davus sis comicus atque | |
| Stes capite obstipo, multum similis metuenti. | |
| Obsequio grassare; mone, si increbuit aura, | |
| Cautus uti velet carum caput; extrahe turba | |
| Oppositis humeris; aurem substringe loquaci. | 95 |
| Importunus amat laudari; donec Ohe jam! | |
| Ad caelum manibus sublatis dixerit, urge, | |
| Crescentem tumidis infla sermonibus utrem. | |
| Cum te servitio longo curaque levarit, | |
| Et certum vigilans, Quartae sit partis Ulixes, | 100 |
| Audieris, Heres: Ergo nunc Dama sodalis | |
| Nusquam est? Unde mihi tam fortem tamque fidelem? | |
| Sparge subinde; et, si paulum potes, illacrimare: est | |
| Gaudia prodentem voltum celare. Sepulcrum | |
| Permissum arbitrio sine sordibus exstrue; funus | 105 |
| Egregie factum laudet vicinia. Si quis | |
| Forte coheredum senior male tussiet, huic tu | |
| Dic, ex parte tua seu fundi sive domus sit | |
| Emptor, gaudentem nummo te addicere. Sed me | |
| Imperiosa trahit Proserpina; vive valeque.” | 110 |
| Hoc erat in votis: modus agri non ita magnus | |
| Hortus ubi et tecto vicinus jugis aquae fons | |
| Et paulum silvae super his foret. Auctius atque | |
| Di melius fecere. Bene est. Nil amplius oro, | |
| Maia nate, nisi ut propria haec mihi munera faxis. | 5 |
| Si neque majorem feci ratione mala rem | |
| Nec sum facturus vitio culpave minorem; | |
| Si veneror stultus nihil horum: “O si angulus ille | |
| Proximus accedat qui nunc denormat agellum! | |
| O si urnam argenti fors quae mihi monstret, ut illi | 10 |
| Thesauro invento qui mercenarius agrum | |
| Illum ipsum mercatus aravit, dives amico | |
| Hercule!” si quod adest gratum juvat, hac prece te oro: | |
| 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? | |
| Nec mala me ambitio perdit nec plumbeus Auster | |
| Auctumnusque gravis, Libitinae quaestus acerbae. | |
| Matutine pater, seu Jane libentius audis, | 20 |
| Unde homines operum primos vitaeque labores | |
| Instituunt, sic dis placitum, tu carminis esto | |
| Principium. Romae sponsorem me rapis. Eja, | |
| Ne 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 vis, insane, et quas res agis?” improbus urget | |
| Iratis precibus; “tu pulses omne quod obstat, | 30 |
| Ad Maecenatem memori si mente recurras?” | |
| Hoc juvat et melli est; non mentiar. At simul atras | |
| Ventum est Esquilias aliena negotia centum | |
| Per caput et circa saliunt latus. “Ante secundam | |
| Roscius orabat sibi adesses ad Puteal cras.” | 35 |
| [173]“De re communi scribae magna atque nova te | |
| Orabant hodie meminisses, Quinte, reverti.” | |
| “Imprimat his cura Maecenas signa tabellis.” | |
| 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 nugas | |
| Hoc genus: “Hora quota est? Thrax est Gallina Syro par? | |
| Matutina parum cautos jam frigora mordent;” | 45 |
| Et quae rimosa bene deponuntur in aure. | |
| Per totum hoc tempus subjectior in diem et horam | |
| Invidiae noster. Ludos spectaverat una, | |
| Luserat 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; | |
| Numquid 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 vitae? | |
| 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, | |
| Nec 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; | 75 |
| [174]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 artum | |
| Solveret hospitiis animum. Quid multa? neque ille | |
| Sepositi ciceris nec longae invidit avenae, | |
| Aridum et ore ferens acinum semesaque lardi | 85 |
| Frusta dedit, cupiens varia fastidia coena | |
| Vincere tangentis male singula dente superbo; | |
| Cum pater ipse domus palea porrectus in horna | |
| Esset ador loliumque, dapis meliora relinquens. | |
| Tandem urbanus ad hunc: ‘Quid te juvat,’ inquit, ‘amice, | 90 |
| Praerupti nemoris patientem vivere dorso? | |
| Vis tu homines urbemque feris praeponere 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 aevi brevis.’ Haec ubi dicta | |
| Agrestem pepulere domo levis exsilit; inde | |
| Ambo propositum peragunt iter, urbis aventes | |
| Moenia nocturni subrepere. Jamque tenebat | 100 |
| Nox medium caeli spatium cum 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 nec non verniliter ipsis | |
| Fungitur officiis, praelambens omne quod affert. | |
| Ille cubans gaudet mutata sorte bonisque | 110 |
| Rebus agit laetum convivam, cum subito ingens | |
| Valvarum strepitus lectis excussit utrumque. | |
| Currere per totum pavidi conclave, magisque | |
| Exanimes trepidare, simul domus alta Molossis | |
| Personuit canibus. Tum rusticus: ‘Haud mihi vita | 115 |
| Est opus hac,’ ait, ‘et valeas; me silva cavusque | |
| Tutus ab insidiis tenui solabitur ervo.’” |
| “Jamdudum ausculto et cupiens tibi dicere servus | |
| Pauca reformido.” “Davusne?” “Ita, Davus, amicum | |
| Mancipium domino et frugi quod sit satis, hoc est, | |
| Ut vitale putes.” “Age, libertate Decembri, | |
| Quando ita majores voluerunt, utere; narra.” | 5 |
| “Pars hominum vitiis gaudet constanter et urget | |
| Propositum; pars multa natat, modo recta capessens, | |
| Interdum pravis obnoxia. Saepe notatus | |
| Cum tribus annellis, modo laeva Priscus inani, | |
| Vixit inaequalis, clavum ut mutaret in horas, | 10 |
| Aedibus ex magnis subito se conderet, unde | |
| Mundior exiret vix libertinus honeste; | |
| Jam moechus Romae, jam mallet doctus Athenis | |
| Vivere, Vertumnis, quotquot sunt, natus iniquis. | |
| Scurra Volanerius, postquam illi justa cheragra | 15 |
| Contudit articulos, qui pro se tolleret atque | |
| Mitteret in phimum talos, mercede diurna | |
| Conductum pavit; quanto constantior isdem | |
| In vitiis, tanto levius miser ac prior illo, | |
| Qui jam contento, jam laxo fune laborat.” | 20 |
| “Non dices hodie, quorsum haec tam putida tendant, | |
| Furcifer?” “Ad te, inquam.” “Quo pacto, pessime?” “Laudas | |
| Fortunam et mores antiquae plebis, et idem | |
| Si quis ad illa deus subito te agat usque recuses, | |
| Aut quia non sentis quod clamas rectius esse, | 25 |
| Aut quia non firmus rectum defendis, et haeres | |
| Nequicquam coeno cupiens evellere plantam. | |
| Romae rus optas, absentem rusticus urbem | |
| Tollis ad astra levis. Si nusquam es forte vocatus | |
| Ad coenam laudas securum 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 |
| [176]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, cum sis quod ego et fortassis nequior, ultro | 40 |
| Insectere velut melior verbisque decoris | |
| Obvolvas vitium? Quid, si me stultior ipso | |
| Quingentis emto drachmis deprenderis? Aufer | |
| Me vultu terrere; manum stomachumque teneto, | |
| Dum, quae Crispini docuit me janitor edo. | 45 |
| Te conjux aliena capit, meretricula Davum: | |
| Peccat uter nostrum cruce dignius? Acris ubi me | |
| Natura intendit, sub clara nuda lucerna | |
| Quaecunque excepit turgentis verbera caudae, | |
| Clunibus aut agitavit equum lasciva supinum, | 50 |
| Dimittit neque famosum neque sollicitum ne | |
| Ditior aut formae melioris meiat eodem. | |
| Tu cum projectis insignibus, annulo equestri | |
| Romanoque habitu, prodis ex judice Dama | |
| Turpis, odoratum caput obscurante lacerna, | 55 |
| Non es quod simulas? Metuens induceris, atque | |
| Altercante libidinibus tremis ossa pavore. | |
| Quid refert uri, virgis ferroque necari | |
| Auctoratus eas, an turpi clausus in arca, | |
| Quo te demisit peccati conscia herilis, | 60 |
| Contractum genibus tangas caput? Estne marito | |
| Matronae peccantis in ambo justa potestas? | |
| In corruptorem vel justior? Illa tamen se | |
| Non habitu mutatve loco, peccatve superne. | |
| Cum te formidet mulier neque credat amanti, | 65 |
| Ibis sub furcam prudens, dominoque furenti | |
| Committes rem omnem et vitam et cum corpore famam. | |
| Evasti, credo metues doctusque cavebis; | |
| Quaeres quando iterum paveas iterumque perire | |
| Possis, o toties servus! Quae bellua ruptis, | 70 |
| Cum semel effugit, reddit se prava catenis? | |
| Non sum moechus ais. Neque ego hercule fur ubi vasa | |
| Praetereo sapiens argentea: tolle periclum, | |
| Jam vaga prosiliet frenis natura remotis. | |
| Tune mini dominus, rerum imperiis hominumque | 75 |
| [177]Tot tantisque minor, quem 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 | 80 |
| Tu mihi qui imperitas alii servis miser atque | |
| Duceris ut nervis alienis mobile lignum. | |
| Quisnam igitur liber? Sapiens sibi qui imperiosus, | |
| Quem neque pauperies neque mors neque vincula terrent, | |
| Responsare cupidinibus, contemnere honores | 85 |
| 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? Quinque talenta | |
| Poscit te mulier, vexat foribusque repulsum | 90 |
| Perfundit gelida, rursus vocat; eripe turpi | |
| Colla jugo; Liber, liber sum, dic age. Non quis; | |
| Urget enim dominus mentem non lenis et acres | |
| Subjectat lasso stimulos versatque negantem. | |
| Vel cum Pausiaca torpes, insane, tabella, | 95 |
| Quî peccas minus atque ego, cum Fulvi Rutubaeque | |
| Aut Pacideiani contento poplite miror | |
| Proelia rubrica picta aut carbone, velut si | |
| Re vera pugnent, feriant, vitentque moventes | |
| Arma viri? Nequam et cessator Davus; at ipse | 100 |
| Subtilis veterum judex et callidus audis. | |
| Nil ego si ducor libo fumante: tibi ingens | |
| Virtus atque animus coenis responsat opimis | |
| Obsequium ventris mihi perniciosius est cur? | |
| Tergo plector enim. Qui tu impunitior illa | 105 |
| Quae parvo sumi nequeunt obsonia captas? | |
| Nempe inamarescunt epulae sine fine petitae. | |
| Illusique pedes vitiosum ferre recusant | |
| Corpus. An hic peccat, sub noctem qui puer uvam | |
| Furtiva mutat strigili: qui praedia vendit, | 110 |
| Nil servile gulae parens habet? Adde, quod idem | |
| Non horam tecum esse potes, non otia recte | |
| Ponere, teque ipsum vitas, fugitivus et erro, | |
| Jam vino quaerens, jam somno fallere curam: | |
| Frustra; nam comes atra premit sequiturque fugacem.” | 115 |
| [178]“Unde mihi lapidem?”—“Quorsum est opus?”—“Unde sagittas?” | |
| “Aut insanit homo aut versus facit.” “Ocius hinc te | |
| Ni rapis, accedes opera agro nona Sabino.” |
| “Ut Nasidieni juvit te coena beati? | |
| Nam mihi quaerenti convivam dictus here illic | |
| De medio potare die.” “Sic ut mihi nunquam | |
| In vita fuerit melius.” “Da, si grave non est, | |
| Quae prima iratum ventrem placaverit esca.” | 5 |
| “In primis Lucanus aper; leni fuit Austro | |
| Captus, ut aiebat coenae 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 coenantes offendere; ut Attica virgo | |
| Cum sacris Cereris procedit fuscus Hydaspes | |
| Caecuba vina ferens, Alcon Chium maris expers. | 15 |
| Hic herus: Albanum, Maecenas, sive Falernum | |
| Te magis appositis delectat, habemus utrumque.” | |
| “Divitias miseras! Sed quis coenantibus una, | |
| Fundani, pulchre fuerit tibi, nosse laboro.” | |
| “Summus ego et prope me Viscus Thurinus et infra | 20 |
| Si memini Varius; cum Servilio Balatrone | |
| Vibidius, quas Maecenas adduxerat umbras. | |
| Nomentanus erat super ipsum, Porcius infra | |
| Ridiculus totas semel obsorbere placentas; | |
| Nomentanus ad hoc, qui si quid forte lateret | 25 |
| Indice monstraret digito: nam cetera turba, | |
| Nos, inquam, coenamus aves, conchylia, pisces, | |
| Longe dissimilem noto celantia succum; | |
| Ut vel continuo patuit, cum passeris atque | |
| Ingustata mihi porrexerat ilia rhombi. | 30 |
| Post hoc me docuit melimela rubere minorem | |
| [179]Ad lunam delecta. Quid hoc intersit ab ipso | |
| Audieris melius. Tum Vibidius Balatroni: | |
| Nos nisi damnose bibimus moriemur inulti: | |
| Et calices poscit majores. Vertere pallor | 35 |
| Tum parochi faciem nil sic metuentis ut acres | |
| Potores, vel quod male dicunt liberius vel | |
| Fervida quod subtile exsurdant vina palatum. | |
| Invertunt Allifanis vinaria tota | |
| Vibidius Balatroque, secutis omnibus; imi | 40 |
| Convivae lecti nihilum nocuere lagenis. | |
| Affertur squillas inter muraena natantes | |
| In patina porrecta. Sub hoc herus: ‘Haec gravida,’ inquit, | |
| ‘Capta est, deterior post partum carne futura. | |
| His mixtum jus est: oleo quod prima Venafri | 45 |
| Pressit cella; garo de succis piscis Hiberi; | |
| Vino quinquenni, verum citra mare nato, | |
| Dum coquitur—cocto Chium sic convenit, ut non | |
| Hoc magis ullum aliud;—pipere albo, non sine aceto, | |
| Quod Methymnaeam vitio mutaverit uvam. | 50 |
| Erucas virides, inulas ego primus amaras | |
| Monstravi incoquere; inlutos Curtillus echinos, | |
| Ut melius muria quod 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 risum | |
| Vix poterat. Balatro suspendens omnia naso, | |
| ‘Haec est condicio vivendi,’ aiebat, ‘eoque | 65 |
| Responsura tuo nunquam est par fama labori. | |
| Tene ut ego accipiar laute torquerier omni | |
| Sollicitudine districtum, ne panis adustus, | |
| Ne male conditum jus apponatur, ut omnes | |
| Praecincti recte pueri comptique ministrent! | 70 |
| Adde hos praeterea casus, aulaea ruant si | |
| [180]Ut modo; si patinam pede lapsus frangat agaso. | |
| Sed convivatoris uti ducis ingenium res | |
| Adversae nudare solent, celare secundae.’ | |
| Nasidienus ad haec: ‘Tibi di quaecunque preceris | 75 |
| Commoda dent! Ita vir bonus es convivaque comis.’ | |
| Et soleas poscit. Tum in lecto quoque videres | |
| Stridere secreta divisos aure susurros.” | |
| “Nullos his mallem ludos spectasse; sed illa | |
| Redde age quae deinceps risisti.” “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 mutatae 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 avolsos, ut multo, suavius, armos, | |
| Quam si cum lumbis quis edit; tum pectore adusto | 90 |
| Vidimus et merulas poni et sine clune palumbes, | |
| Suaves res, si non causas narraret earum et | |
| Naturas dominus; quem nos sic fugimus ulti, | |
| Ut nihil omnino gustaremus, velut illis | |
| Canidia afflasset pejor serpentibus Afris.” | 95 |
I. | II. | III. | IV. | V. | VI. | VII. | VIII. | IX. | X. | XI. | XII. | XIII. | XIV. | XV. | XVI. | XVII. | XVIII. | XIX. | XX.
| 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 postem 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 curo 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. | |
| Ut nox longa quibus mentitur amica, diesque | 20 |
| Longa videtur opus debentibus, ut piger annus | |
| [182]Pupillis quos dura premit custodia matrum; | |
| Sic mihi tarda fluunt ingrataque tempora, quae spem | |
| Consiliumque morantur agendi naviter id quod | |
| Aeque pauperibus prodest, locupletibus aeque, | 25 |
| Aeque neglectum pueris senibusque nocebit. | |
| Restat ut his ego me ipse regam solerque elementis. | |
| Non possis oculo quantum contendere Lynceus, | |
| Non tamen idcirco contemnas lippus inungi; | |
| Nec quia desperes invicti membra Glyconis, | 30 |
| Nodosa corpus nolis prohibere cheragra. | |
| 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. | 35 |
| Laudis amore tumes, sunt certa piacula quae te | |
| Ter pure lecto poterunt recreare libello. | |
| Invidus, iracundus, iners, vinosus, amator, | |
| Nemo adeo ferus est ut non mitescere possit, | |
| Si modo culturae patientem commodet aurem. | 40 |
| Virtus est vitium fugere et sapientia prima | |
| Stultitia caruisse. Vides quae maxima credis | |
| Esse mala, exiguum censum turpemque repulsam, | |
| Quanto devites animi capitisque labore. | |
| Impiger extremos curris mercator ad Indos, | 45 |
| Per mare pauperiem fugiens, per saxa, per ignes: | |
| 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, | 50 |
| Cui sit condicio dulcis sine pulvere palmae? | |
| Vilius argentum est auro, virtutibus aurum. | |
| “O cives, cives, quaerenda pecunia primum est; | |
| Virtus post nummos.” Haec Janus summus ab imo | |
| Perdocet, haec recinunt juvenes dictata senesque, | 55 |
| Laevo suspensi loculos tabulamque lacerto. | |
| Est animus tibi, sunt mores et lingua fidesque; | |
| Sed quadringentis sex septem milia desunt, | |
| Plebs eris. At pueri ludentes, “Rex eris,” aiunt, | |
| “Si recte facies.” Hic murus aëneus esto, | 60 |
| Nil conscire sibi, nulla pallescere culpa. | |
| [183]Roscia, dic sodes, melior lex an puerorum est | |
| Nenia, quae regnum recte facientibus offert, | |
| Et maribus Curiis et decantata Camillis? | |
| Isne tibi melius suadet qui rem facias, rem, | 65 |
| Si possis recte, si non quocunque modo rem, | |
| Ut propius spectes lacrimosa poëmata Pupi, | |
| An qui Fortunae te responsare superbae | |
| Liberum et erectum praesens hortatur et aptat? | |
| Quodsi me populus Romanus forte roget, cur | 70 |
| Non ut porticibus sic judiciis fruar isdem, | |
| Nec 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. | 75 |
| Belua multorum es capitum. Nam quid sequar aut quem? | |
| 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 | 80 |
| Esto aliis alios rebus studiisque teneri: | |
| Idem eadem possunt horam durare probantes? | |
| Nullus in orbe sinus Baiis praelucet amoenis, | |
| Si dixit dives, lacus et mare sentit amorem | |
| Festinantis heri; cui si vitiosa libido | 85 |
| Fecerit auspicium, “Cras ferramenta Teanum | |
| Tolletis, fabri.” Lectus genialis in aula est, | |
| Nil ait esse prius, melius nil caelibe vita; | |
| Si non est jurat bene solis esse maritis. | |
| Quo teneam vultus mutantem Protea nodo? | 90 |
| Quid pauper? Ride: mutat coenacula, lectos, | |
| Balnea, tonsores, conducto navigio aeque | |
| Nauseat ac locuples quem ducit priva triremis. | |
| Si curatus inaequali tonsore capillos | |
| Occurri, rides; si forte subucula pexae | 95 |
| Trita subest tunicae vel si toga dissidet impar, | |
| Rides: quid, mea cum pugnat sententia secum, | |
| Quod petiit spernit, repetit quod nuper omisit, | |
| Aestuat et vitae disconvenit ordine toto, | |
| Diruit, aedificat, mutat quadrata rotundis? | 100 |
| Insanire putas sollemnia me neque rides, | |
| [184]Nec medici credis nec curatoris egere | |
| A praetore dati, rerum tutela mearum | |
| Cum sis et prave sectum stomacheris ob unguem | |
| De te pendentis, te respicientis amici. | 105 |
| Ad summam: sapiens uno minor est Jove, dives, | |
| Liber, honoratus, pulcher, rex denique regum; | |
| Praecipue sanus, nisi cum pituita molesta est. |
| Trojani belli scriptorem, maxime Lolli, | |
| Dum tu declamas Romae Praeneste relegi; | |
| Qui quid sit pulchrum, quid turpe, quid utile, quid non, | |
| Planius ac melius Chrysippo et Crantore dicit. | |
| Cur ita crediderim, nisi quid te detinet audi. | 5 |
| Fabula qua Paridis propter narratur amorem | |
| Graecia Barbariae lento collisa duello | |
| Stultorum regum et populorum continet aestus. | |
| Antenor censet belli praecidere caussam: | |
| Quid 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 Achivi. | |
| Seditione, dolis, scelere atque libidine et ira | 15 |
| Iliacos intra muros peccatur et extra. | |
| Rursus quid virtus et quid sapientia 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 Circae pocula nosti; | |
| Quae si cum sociis stultus cupidusque bibisset, | |
| Sub domina meretrice fuisset turpis et excors, | 25 |
| Vixisset canis immundus vel amica luto sus. | |
| Nos numerus sumus et fruges consumere nati, | |
| [185]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 oculos festinas demere, si quid | |
| Est animum differs curandi tempus in annum? | |
| Dimidium facti qui coepit habet: sapere aude; | 40 |
| Incipe. Qui recte vivendi prorogat horam | |
| Rusticus exspectat dum defluat amnis; at ille | |
| Labitur et labetur in omne volubilis aevum. | |
| Quaeritur argentum puerisque beata creandis | |
| Uxor, et incultae pacantur vomere silvae: | 45 |
| Quod satis est cui contingit nil amplius optet. | |
| Non domus et fundus, non aeris acervus et auri | |
| Aegroto domini deduxit corpore febres, | |
| Non animo curas. Valeat possessor oportet | |
| Si comportatis rebus bene cogitat uti. | 50 |
| Qui cupit aut metuit juvat illum sic domus et res | |
| Ut lippum pictae tabulae, fomenta podagram, | |
| Auriculas citharae collecta sorde dolentes. | |
| Sincerum est nisi vas quodcunque infundis acescit. | |
| Sperne voluptates, nocet empta 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 et mens, | 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 | |
| [186]Pectore verba, puer, nunc te melioribus offer. | |
| Quo semel est imbuta recens servabit odorem | |
| Testa diu. Quodsi cessas aut strenuus anteis, | 70 |
| Nec tardum opperior nec praecedentibus insto. |
| 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 curo. | |
| Quis sibi res gestas Augusti scribere sumit? | |
| Bella quis 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? | |
| Ut valet? ut meminit 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 caussis acuis seu civica jura | |
| Respondere paras seu condis amabile carmen, | |
| Prima feres hederae victricis praemia. Quodsi | 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 |
| [187]Quantae conveniat Munatius; an male sarta | |
| Gratia nequicquam 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. |
| Albi, nostrorum sermonum candide judex, | |
| Quid nunc te dicam facere in regione Pedana? | |
| Scribere quod Cassi Parmensis opuscula vincat, | |
| An tacitum silvas inter reptare salubres, | |
| Curantem quidquid dignum sapiente bonoque est? | 5 |
| Non tu corpus eras sine pectore. Di tibi formam, | |
| Di tibi divitias dederunt artemque fruendi. | |
| Quid voveat dulci nutricula majus alumno, | |
| Qui sapere et fari 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 |
| Cum ridere voles Epicuri de grege porcum. |
| Si potes Archiacis conviva recumbere lectis | |
| Nec modica coenare times olus omne patella, | |
| Supremo te sole domi, Torquate, manebo. | |
| Vina bibes iterum Tauro diffusa palustres | |
| Inter Minturnas Sinuessanumque Petrinum. | 5 |
| Si melius quid habes, arcesse vel imperium fer. | |
| [188]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 |
| Aestivam sermone benigno tendere noctem. | |
| Quo mihi fortunam si non conceditur uti? | |
| Parcus 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 quem non fecere disertum? | |
| Contracta quem non in paupertate solutum? | 20 |
| Haec ego procurare et idoneus imperor et non | |
| 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 coëat par | 25 |
| Jungaturque pari. Butram tibi Septiciumque, | |
| Et nisi coena prior potiorque puella Sabinum | |
| Detinet, assumam; locus est et pluribus umbris: | |
| Sed nimis arta premunt olidae convivia caprae. | |
| Tu quotas esse velis rescribe, et rebus omissis | 30 |
| Atria servantem postico falle clientem. |
| Nil admirari prope res est una, Numici, | |
| Solaque quae 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 | |
| [189]Quo cupiens pacto; pavor est utrobique molestus, | 10 |
| Improvisa simul species exterret utrumque. | |
| Gaudeat an doleat, cupiat metuatne, quid ad rem, | |
| Si quidquid vidit melius pejusve sua spe | |
| Defixis oculis animoque et corpore torpet? | |
| Insani sapiens nomen ferat, aequus iniqui, | 15 |
| Ultra quam satis est virtutem si petat ipsam. | |
| I nunc, argentum et marmor vetus aeraque et artes | |
| Suspice, cum gemmis Tyrios mirare colores; | |
| Gaude quod spectant oculi te mille loquentem; | |
| Navus mane forum et vespertinus pete tectum, | 20 |
| Ne plus frumenti dotalibus emetat agris | |
| Mutus et, indignum quod sit, pejoribus ortus | |
| Hic tibi sit potius quam tu mirabilis illi. | |
| Quidquid sub terra est in apricum proferet aetas; | |
| Defodiet condetque nitentia. Cum 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 ut | |
| Lucum ligna: cave ne portus occupet alter, | |
| Ne Cibyratica, ne Bithyna negotia perdas; | |
| Mille talenta rotundentur, totidem altera, porro et | |
| Tertia succedant et quae 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 hic tu. Chlamydes Lucullus, ut aiunt, | 40 |
| Si posset centum scenae praebere rogatus, | |
| “Qui possum tot?” ait; “tamen et quaeram 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, | |
| [190]Mercemur servum qui dictet nomina, laevum | 50 |
| Qui fodicet latus et cogat trans pondera dextram | |
| Porrigere. “Hic multum in Fabia valet, ille Velina; | |
| Cui libet hic fasces dabit eripietque curule | |
| Cui volet importunus ebur.” Frater, Pater, adde; | |
| Ut cuique est aetas ita quemque facetus adopta. | 55 |
| Si bene qui coenat bene vivit, lucet, eamus | |
| 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 |
| Emptum mulus aprum. Crudi tumidique lavemur, | |
| Quid deceat, quid non, obliti, Caerite 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. |
| Quinque dies tibi pollicitus me rure futurum, | |
| Sextilem totum mendax desideror. Atqui | |
| Si me vivere vis sanum recteque 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. | |
| Quodsi bruma nives Albanis illinet agris, | 10 |
| 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 |
| [191]“Jam satis est.” “At tu quantum vis tolle.” “Benigne.” | |
| “Non invisa feres pueris munuscula parvis.” | |
| “Tam teneor dono, quam si dimittar onustus.” | |
| “Ut libet; haec porcis hodie comedenda relinques.” | |
| Prodigus et stultus donat quae spernit et odit; | 20 |
| Haec seges ingratos tulit et feret omnibus annis. | |
| Vir bonus et sapiens dignis ait esse paratus, | |
| Nec tamen ignorat quid distent aera lupinis: | |
| Dignum praestabo me etiam pro laude merentis. | |
| Quodsi me noles usquam discedere, reddes | 25 |
| Forte latus, nigros angusta fronte capillos, | |
| Reddes dulce loqui, reddes ridere decorum et | |
| Inter vina fugam Cinarae maerere protervae. | |
| 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 artum quem macra subisti.” | |
| Hac ego si compellor imagine cuncta resigno; | |
| Nec somnum plebis laudo satur altilium, nec | 35 |
| Otia divitiis Arabum liberrima muto. | |
| Saepe verecundum laudasti, rexque paterque | |
| Audisti coram, nec verbo parcius absens: | |
| Inspice si possum donata reponere laetus. | |
| Haud male Telemachus, proles patientis Ulixei: | 40 |
| “Non est aptus equis Ithace locus, ut neque planis | |
| Porrectus spatiis nec multae prodigus herbae; | |
| Atride, magis 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 hic non laeve jussa Philippi | |
| Accipiebat—“abi, quaere et refer, unde domo, quis, | |
| Cujus fortunae, quo sit patre quove patrono.” | |
| It, redit et narrat, Volteium nomine Menam, | 55 |
| [192]Praeconem, tenui censu, sine crimine, notum | |
| Et properare loco et cessare et quaerere et uti, | |
| Gaudentem parvisque sodalibus et lare certo | |
| Et ludis et post decisa negotia Campo. | |
| “Scitari libet ex ipso quodcunque refers; dic | 60 |
| Ad coenam veniat.” Non sane credere Mena, | |
| Mirari secum tacitus. Quid multa? “Benigne,” | |
| Respondet. “Neget ille mihi?” “Negat improbus et te | |
| Negligit aut horret.” Volteium 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 coenas hodie mecum.” “Ut libet.” “Ergo | 70 |
| Post nonam venies: nunc i, rem strenuus auge.” | |
| Ut ventum ad coenam est, dicenda tacenda locutus | |
| Tandem dormitum dimittitur. Hic ubi saepe | |
| Occultum visus decurrere piscis ad hamum | |
| Mane cliens et jam certus conviva, jubetur | 75 |
| Rura suburbana indictis comes ire Latinis. | |
| Impositus mannis arvum caelumque Sabinum | |
| Non cessat laudare. Videt ridetque Philippus, | |
| Et sibi dum requiem, dum risus undique quaerit, | |
| Dum septem donat sestertia, mutua septem | 80 |
| Promittit, persuadet uti mercetur agellum. | |
| Mercatur. Ne te longis ambagibus ultra | |
| Quam satis est morer, ex nitido fit rusticus atque | |
| Sulcos et vineta crepat mera; praeparat ulmos, | |
| Immoritur studiis et amore senescit habendi. | 85 |
| Verum ubi oves furto, morbo periere capellae, | |
| Spem mentita seges, bos est enectus arando, | |
| Offensus damnis media de nocte caballum | |
| Arripit iratusque Philippi tendit ad aedes. | |
| Quem simul adspexit scabrum intonsumque Phillippus, | 90 |
| “Durus,” ait, “Voltei, nimis attentusque videris | |
| Esse mihi.” “Pol me miserum, patrone, vocares, | |
| Si velles,” inquit, “verum mihi ponere nomen! | |
| Quod te per Genium dextramque deosque Penates | |
| Obsecro et obtestor, vitae me redde priori.” | 95 |
| [193]Qui semel adspexit quantum dimissa petitis | |
| Praestent, mature redeat repetatque relicta. | |
| Metiri se quemque suo modulo ac pede verum est. |
| Celso gaudere et bene rem gerere Albinovano | |
| Musa rogata refer, comiti scribaeque Neronis. | |
| Si quaeret quid agam, dic multa et pulchra minantem | |
| Vivere nec recte nec suaviter: haud quia grando | |
| Contuderit vites oleamque momorderit aestus, | 5 |
| Nec 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 |
| Quae nocuere sequar, fugiam quae profore credam; | |
| Romae 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. |
| Septimius, Claudi, nimirum intelligit unus | |
| Quanti me facias: nam cum rogat et prece cogit | |
| Scilicet ut tibi se laudare et tradere coner, | |
| Dignum mente domoque legentis honesta Neronis | |
| Munere cum fungi propioris censet amici, | 5 |
| Quid possim videt ac novit me valdius ipso. | |
| Multa quidem dixi, cur excusatus abirem; | |
| Sed timui mea ne finxisse minora putarer, | |
| [194]Dissimulator opis propriae, mihi commodus uni. | |
| Sic ego majoris fugiens opprobria culpae | 10 |
| Frontis ad urbanae descendi praemia. Quodsi | |
| Depositum laudas ob amici jussa pudorem, | |
| Scribe tui gregis hunc et fortem crede bonumque. |
| Urbis amatorem Fuscum salvere jubemus | |
| Ruris amatores, hac in re scilicet una | |
| Multum dissimiles, at caetera 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 caelum fertis rumore secundo: | |
| Utque sacerdotis fugitivus liba recuso; | 10 |
| Pane egeo jam mellitis potiore placentis. | |
| Vivere naturae si convenienter oportet | |
| Ponendaeque domo quaerenda est area primum, | |
| Novistine locum potiorem rure beato? | |
| Est ubi plus tepeant hiemes, ubi gratior aura | 15 |
| Leniat et rabiem Canis et momenta Leonis, | |
| Cum 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? | |
| Nempe inter varias nutritur silva columnas, | |
| Laudaturque domus longos quae prospicit agros. | |
| Naturam expellas furca, tamen usque recurret, | |
| Et mala perrumpet furtim fastidia victrix. | 25 |
| Non qui Sidonio contendere callidus ostro | |
| Nescit Aquinatem potantia vellera fucum | |
| Certius accipiet damnum propiusque medullis, | |
| Quam qui non poterit vero distinguere falsum. | |
| [195]Quem res plus nimio delectavere secundae, | 30 |
| Mutatae quatient. Si quid mirabere pones | |
| Invitus. Fuge magna; licet sub paupere tecto | |
| Reges et regum vita praecurrere amicos. | |
| Cervus equum pugna melior communibus herbis | |
| Pellebat, donec 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 vehit improbus atque | 40 |
| Serviet aeternum, quia parvo nesciet uti. | |
| Cui non conveniet sua res, ut calceus olim, | |
| Si pede major erit, subvertet, si minor uret. | |
| Laetus sorte tua vives sapienter, Aristi, | |
| Nec 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. | |
| Haec tibi dictabam post fanum putre Vacunae, | |
| Excepto quod non simul esses caetera laetus. | 50 |
| Quid tibi visa Chios, Bullati, notaque Lesbos, | |
| Quid concinna Samos, quid Croesi regia Sardes, | |
| Smyrna quid et Colophon? Majora minorave fama, | |
| Cunctane prae Campo et Tiberino flumine 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 furentem. | 10 |
| Sed neque qui Capua Romam petit imbre lutoque | |
| Adspersus volet in caupona vivere; nec, qui | |
| Frigus collegit furnos et balnea laudat | |
| [196]Ut fortunatam plene praestantia vitam. | |
| Nec, si te validus jactaverit Auster in alto, | 15 |
| Idcirco navem trans Aegaeum mare vendas. | |
| Incolumi Rhodos et Mytilene pulchra facit quod | |
| Paenula 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 dulcia differ in annum, | |
| Ut quocunque loco fueris vixisse libenter | |
| Te dicas: nam si ratio et prudentia curas, | 25 |
| Non locus effusi late maris arbiter aufert, | |
| Caelum non animum mutant qui trans mare currunt. | |
| Strenua nos exercet inertia; navibus atque | |
| Quadrigis petimus bene vivere. Quod petis hic est, | |
| Est Ulubris, animus si te non deficit aequus. | 30 |
| Fructibus Agrippae Siculis quos colligis, Icci, | |
| Si recte frueris non est ut copia major | |
| Ab Jove donari possit tibi. Tolle querelas: | |
| Pauper enim non est cui rerum suppetit usus. | |
| 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; | |
| Cum tu inter scabiem tantam et contagia lucri | |
| Nil parvum sapias et adhuc sublimia cures: | 15 |
| Quae mare compescant caussae, quid temperet annum, | |
| Stellae sponte sua jussaene vagentur et errent, | |
| [197]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 Phraates | |
| Caesaris accepit genibus minor; aurea fruges | |
| Italiae pleno defundit Copia cornu. |
| 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. | 5 |
| Si te forte meae gravis uret sarcina chartae, | |
| 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 furtivae Pyrrhia lanae, | |
| Ut cum pileolo soleas conviva tribulis. | 15 |
| Ne vulgo narres, te sudavisse ferendo | |
| Carmina, quae possint oculos auresque morari | |
| Caesaris; oratus multa prece nitere porro. | |
| Vade, vale, cave ne titubes mandataque frangas. |
| 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. | 5 |
| Me quamvis Lamiae pietas et cura moratur | |
| Fratrem maerentis, 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 mediastinus tacita prece rura petebas, | |
| Nunc urbem et ludos et balnea villicus optas; | 15 |
| Me constare mihi scis, et discedere tristem | |
| Quandocunque trahunt invisa negotia Romam. | |
| Non eadem miramur; eo disconvenit inter | |
| Meque et te: nam quae deserta et inhospita tesca | |
| Credis amoena vocat mecum qui sentit, et odit | 20 |
| Quae tu pulchra putas. Fornix tibi et uncta popina | |
| Incutiunt urbis desiderium, video, et quod | |
| Angulus iste feret piper et thus ocius uva, | |
| Nec vicina subest vinum praebere taberna | |
| Quae possit tibi, nec meretrix tibicina, cujus | 25 |
| Ad strepitum salias terrae gravis: et tamen urges | |
| Jampridem non tacta ligonibus arva bovemque | |
| Disjunctum curas et strictis frondibus exples; | |
| Addit opus pigro rivus, si decidit imber, | |
| Multa mole docendus aprico parcere prato. | 30 |
| Nunc age quid nostrum concentum dividat audi. | |
| Quem tenues decuere togae nitidique capilli, | |
| Quem scis immunem Cinarae placuisse rapaci, | |
| Quem bibulum liquidi media de luce Falerni, | |
| Coena brevis juvat et prope rivum somnus in herba; | 35 |
| [199]Nec lusisse pudet sed non incidere ludum. | |
| Non istic obliquo oculo mea commoda quisquam | |
| Limat, non odio obscuro morsuque venenat; | |
| Rident vicini glebas et saxa moventem. | |
| Cum servis urbana diaria rodere mavis; | 40 |
| 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. |
| Quae sit hiems Veliae, quod caelum, Vala, Salerni, | |
| Quorum hominum regio et qualis via, (nam mihi Baias | |
| Musa supervacuas Antonius, et tamen illis | |
| Me facit invisum, gelida cum perluor unda | |
| Per medium frigus. Sane murteta relinqui | 5 |
| Dictaque cessantem nervis elidere morbum | |
| Sulphura contemni vicus gemit, invidus aegris, | |
| Qui caput et stomachum supponere fontibus audent | |
| Clusinis Gabiosque petunt et frigida rura. | |
| Mutandus locus est et deversoria nota | 10 |
| Praeteragendus equus. Quo tendis? Non mihi Cumas | |
| Est iter aut Baias, laeva stomachosus habena | |
| Dicet eques; sed equi frenato est auris in ore.) | |
| Major utrum populum frumenti copia pascat, | |
| Collectosne bibant imbres puteosne perennes | 15 |
| Jugis aquae; (nam vina nihil moror illius orae; | |
| Rure meo possum quidvis perferre patique, | |
| Ad mare cum veni generosum et lene requiro, | |
| Quod curas abigat, quod cum spe divite manet | |
| In venas animumque meum, quod verba ministret, | 20 |
| Quod me Lucanae juvenem commendet amicae.) | |
| Tractus uter plures lepores, uter educet apros, | |
| Utra magis pisces et echinos aequora celent, | |
| Pinguis ut inde domum possim Phaeaxque reverti, | |
| Scribere te nobis, tibi nos accredere par est. | 25 |
| [200]Maenius, ut rebus maternis atque paternis | |
| Fortiter absumptis urbanus coepit haberi, | |
| Scurra vagus non qui certum praesepe teneret, | |
| Impransus non qui civem dinosceret hoste, | |
| Quaelibet in quemvis opprobria fingere saevus, | 30 |
| Pernicies et tempestas barathrumque macelli, | |
| Quidquid quaesierat ventri donabat avaro. | |
| Hic ubi nequitiae fautoribus et timidis nil | |
| Aut paulum abstulerat patinas coenabat omasi | |
| Vilis et agninae, tribus ursis quod satis esset; | 35 |
| Scilicet ut ventres lamna candente nepotum | |
| Diceret urendos, correctus Bestius. Idem | |
| Quidquid erat nactus praedae majoris ubi omne | |
| Verterat in fumum et cinerem, Non hercule miror, | |
| Aiebat, si qui comedunt bona, cum sit obeso | 40 |
| Nil melius turdo, nil vulva pulchrius ampla. | |
| Nimirum hic ego sum; nam tuta et parvula laudo | |
| Cum res deficiunt, satis inter vilia fortis; | |
| Verum ubi quid melius contingit et unctius idem | |
| Vos sapere et solos aio bene vivere, quorum | 45 |
| Conspicitur nitidis fundata pecunia villis. |
| Ne perconteris fundus meus, optime Quinti, | |
| Arvo pascat herum an baccis opulentet olivae, | |
| Pomisne et pratis an amicta vitibus ulmo, | |
| Scribetur tibi forma loquaciter et situs agri. | |
| Continui montes ni dissocientur opaca | 5 |
| Valle, sed ut veniens dextrum latus adspiciat Sol, | |
| Laevum discedens curru fugiente vaporet. | |
| 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 nec | |
| Frigidior Thracam nec purior ambiat Hebrus, | |
| [201]Infirmo capiti fluit utilis, utilis alvo. | |
| Hae latebrae dulces, etiam si credis amoenae, | 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, donec manibus tremor incidat unctis. | |
| Stultorum incurata pudor malus ulcera celat. | |
| Si quis bella tibi terra pugnata marique | 25 |
| Dicat et his verbis vacuas permulceat aures: | |
| “Tene magis salvum populus velit an populum tu | |
| Servet in ambiguo qui consulit et tibi et urbi: | |
| Juppiter;” Augusti laudes agnoscere possis: | |
| Cum pateris sapiens emendatusque vocari, | 30 |
| Respondesne tuo dic sodes nomine? Nempe | |
| Vir bonus et prudens dici delector ego ac tu. | |
| Qui dedit hoc hodie cras si volet auferet, ut si | |
| Detulerit fasces indigno detrahet idem. | |
| “Pone, meum est:” inquit. Pono tristisque recedo. | 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 | |
| Quem nisi mendosum et medicandum? Vir bonus est quis? | 40 |
| Qui consulta patrum, qui leges juraque servat, | |
| Quo multae magnaeque secantur judice lites, | |
| Quo res sponsore et quo causae teste tenentur. | |
| Sed videt hunc omnis domus et vicinia tota | |
| Introrsum turpem, speciosum pelle decora. | 45 |
| “Nec furtum feci nec fugi,” si mihi dicat | |
| Servus, “Habes pretium, loris non ureris,” aio. | |
| “Non hominem occidi.” “Non pasces in cruce corvos.” | |
| “Sum bonus et frugi.” “Renuit negitatque Sabellus: | |
| Cautus enim metuit foveam lupus accipiterque | 50 |
| Suspectos laqueos et opertum miluus hamum. | |
| Oderunt peccare boni virtutis amore; | |
| Tu nihil admittes in te formidine poenae: | |
| [202]Sit spes fallendi, miscebis sacra profanis; | |
| Nam de mille fabae modiis cum surripis unum, | 55 |
| Damnum est non facinus mihi pacto lenius isto.” | |
| Vir bonus, omne forum quem spectat et omne tribunal, | |
| Quandocunque deos vel porco vel bove placat, | |
| Jane pater! clare, clare cum dixit, Apollo! | |
| Labra movet metuens audiri: “Pulchra Laverna, | 60 |
| Da mihi fallere, da justo sanctoque videri, | |
| Noctem peccatis et fraudibus objice nubem.” | |
| Quî melior servo, qui liberior sit avarus, | |
| In triviis fixum cum 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 cum possis captivum occidere noli; | |
| Serviet utiliter: sine pascat durus aretque, | 70 |
| Naviget ac mediis hiemet mercator in undis; | |
| Annonae prosit; portet frumenta penusque. | |
| Vir bonus et sapiens audebit dicere: “Pentheu, | |
| Rector Thebarum, quid me perferre patique | |
| Indignum coges?” “Adimam bona.” “Nempe pecus, rem, | |
| Lectos, argentum: tollas licet.” “In manicis et | 76 |
| Compedibus saevo te sub custode tenebo.” | |
| “Ipse deus simul atque volam me solvet.” Opinor | |
| Hoc sentit: “Moriar; mors ultima linea rerum est.” |
| Quamvis, Scaeva, satis per te tibi consulis, et scis | |
| Quo tandem pacto deceat majoribus uti, | |
| Disce, docendus adhuc, quae censet amiculus, ut si | |
| Caecus iter monstrare velit; tamen adspice 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; | |
| [203]Nam neque divitibus contingunt gaudia solis. | |
| Nec 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 aiunt: | |
| “Scurror ego ipse mihi, populo tu; rectius hoc et | |
| Splendidius multo est. Equus ut me portet, alat rex, | 20 |
| Officium facio: tu poscis vilia rerum, | |
| Dante minor quamvis fers te nullius egentem.” | |
| Omnis Aristippum decuit color et status et res, | |
| Tentantem majora, fere praesentibus aequum. | |
| Contra quem duplici panno patientia velat | 25 |
| Mirabor vitae via si conversa decebit. | |
| Alter purpureum non exspectabit amictum, | |
| Quidlibet indutus celeberrima per loca vadet, | |
| Personamque feret non inconcinnus utramque; | |
| Alter Mileti textam cane pejus et angui | 30 |
| Vitabit chlamydem, morietur frigore si non | |
| Rettuleris pannum. Refer et sine vivat ineptus. | |
| Res gerere et captos ostendere civibus hostes | |
| Attingit solium Jovis et caelestia tentat: | |
| Principibus placuisse viris non ultima laus est. | 35 |
| Non cuivis homini contingit adire Corinthum. | |
| Sedit qui timuit ne non succederet. Esto! | |
| Quid qui pervenit, fecitne viriliter? Atqui | |
| Hîc est aut nusquam quod quaerimus. Hic onus horret, | |
| Ut parvis animis et parvo corpore majus: | 40 |
| Hic 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, hic fons. | 45 |
| “Indotata mihi soror est, paupercula mater, | |
| Et fundus nec vendibilis nec pascere firmus,” | |
| Qui dicit, clamat, “Victum date.” Succinit alter: | |
| [204]“Et mihi dividuo findetur munere quadra.” | |
| Sed tacitus pasci si posset corvus haberet | 50 |
| Plus dapis et rixae multo minus invidiaeque. | |
| Brundisium comes aut Surrentum ductus amoenum | |
| Qui queritur salebras et acerbum frigus et imbres, | |
| Aut cistam effractam et subducta viatica plorat, | |
| Nota refert meretricis acumina, saepe catellam, | 55 |
| Saepe periscelidem raptam sibi flentis, uti mox | |
| Nulla fides damnis verisque doloribus adsit. | |
| Nec semel irrisus triviis attollere curat | |
| Fracto crure planum, licet illi plurima manet | |
| Lacrima, per sanctum juratus dicat Osirim: | 60 |
| “Credite non ludo; crudeles, tollite claudum.” | |
| “Quaere peregrinum,” vicinia rauca reclamat. |
| Si bene te novi metues, liberrime Lolli, | |
| Scurrantis speciem praebere professus amicum. | |
| Ut matrona meretrici dispar erit atque | |
| Discolor, infido scurrae distabit amicus. | |
| Est huic diversum vitio vitium prope majus, | 5 |
| Asperitas agrestis et inconcinna gravisque, | |
| Quae se commendat tonsa cute, dentibus atris, | |
| Dum vult libertas dici mera veraque virtus. | |
| Virtus est medium vitiorum et utrinque reductum. | |
| Alter in obsequium plus aequo pronus et imi | 10 |
| Derisor lecti sic nutum divitis horret, | |
| Sic iterat voces et verba cadentia tollit, | |
| Ut puerum saevo credas dictata magistro | |
| Reddere vel partes mimum tractare secundas | |
| Alter rixatur de lana saepe caprina, | 15 |
| Propugnat nugis armatus: “Scilicet ut non | |
| Sit mihi prima fides, et vere quod placet ut non | |
| Acriter elatrem! Pretium aetas altera sordet.” | |
| Ambigitur quid enim? Castor sciat an Dolichos plus; | |
| Brundisium Minuci melius via ducat an Appi. | 20 |
| [205]Quem damnosa Venus, quem praeceps alea nudat, | |
| Gloria quem supra vires et vestit et ungit, | |
| Quem tenet argenti sitis importuna famesque, | |
| Quem paupertatis pudor et fuga, dives amicus | |
| Saepe decem vitiis instructior odit et horret: | 25 |
| Aut si non odit regit, ac veluti pia mater | |
| Plus quam se sapere et virtutibus esse priorem | |
| Vult, et ait prope vera: “Meae (contendere noli) | |
| Stultitiam patiuntur opes; tibi parvula res est: | |
| Arta decet sanum comitem toga; desine mecum | 30 |
| Certare.” Eutrapelus cuicunque nocere volebat | |
| Vestimenta dabat pretiosa: beatus enim jam | |
| Cum pulchris tunicis sumet nova consilia et spes, | |
| Dormiet in lucem, scorto postponet honestum | |
| Officium, nummos alienos pascet, ad imum | 35 |
| Thrax erit aut olitoris aget mercede caballum. | |
| Arcanum neque tu scrutaberis illius unquam, | |
| Commissumque teges et vino tortus et ira; | |
| Nec tua laudabis studia aut aliena reprendes, | |
| Nec cum venari volet ille poëmata panges. | 40 |
| Gratia sic fratrum geminorum Amphionis atque | |
| Zethi dissiluit, donec suspecta severo | |
| Conticuit lyra. Fraternis cessisse putatur | |
| Moribus Amphion: tu cede potentis amici | |
| Lenibus imperiis, quotiesque educet in agros | 45 |
| Aetolis onerata plagis jumenta canesque, | |
| Surge et inhumanae senium depone Camenae, | |
| Coenes ut pariter pulmenta laboribus empta. | |
| Romanis sollemne viris opus, utile famae | |
| Vitaeque et membris, praesertim cum valeas et | 50 |
| Vel cursu superare canem vel viribus aprum | |
| Possis. Adde virilia quod speciosius arma | |
| Non est qui tractet:—scis, quo clamore coronae | |
| Proelia sustineas campestria; denique saevam | |
| Militiam puer et Cantabrica bella tulisti | 55 |
| Sub duce qui templis Parthorum signa refigit | |
| 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; | 60 |
| [206]Partitur lintres exercitus; Actia pugna | |
| Te duce per pueros hostili more refertur; | |
| Adversarius est frater, lacus Hadria, donec | |
| Alterutrum velox Victoria fronde coronet. | |
| Consentire suis studiis qui crediderit te, | 65 |
| Fautor utroque tuum laudabit pollice ludum. | |
| Protinus ut moneam, si quid monitoris eges tu | |
| Quid de quoque viro et cui dicas saepe videto. | |
| Percontatorem fugito, nam garrulus idem est, | |
| Nec retinent patulae commissa fideliter aures, | 70 |
| Et semel emissum volat irrevocabile verbum. | |
| Non ancilla tuum jecur ulceret ulla puerve | |
| Intra marmoreum venerandi limen amici, | |
| Ne dominus pueri pulchri caraeve puellae | |
| Munere te parvo beet aut incommodus angat. | 75 |
| 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, | |
| Ut penitus notum, si tentent crimina, serves | 80 |
| Tuterisque tuo fidentem praesidio: qui | |
| Dente Theonino cum circumroditur, ecquid | |
| Ad te post paulo ventura pericula sentis? | |
| Nam tua res agitur paries cum proximus ardet, | |
| Et neglecta solent incendia sumere vires. | 85 |
| Dulcis inexpertis cultura potentis amici; | |
| Expertus metuit. Tu dum tua navis in alto est | |
| Hoc age, ne mutata retrorsum te ferat aura. | |
| Oderunt hilarem tristes tristemque jocosi, | |
| Sedatum celeres, agilem navumque remissi; | 90 |
| 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. | 95 |
| Inter cuncta leges et percontabere doctos, | |
| Qua ratione queas traducere leniter aevum; | |
| Num te semper inops agitet vexetque cupido, | |
| Num pavor et rerum mediocriter utilium spes; | |
| Virtutem doctrina paret, naturane donet; | 100 |
| [207]Quid minuat curas, quid te tibi reddat amicum; | |
| Quid pure tranquillet, honos an dulce lucellum, | |
| An secretum iter et fallentis semita vitae. | |
| Me quoties reficit gelidus Digentia rivus, | |
| Quem Mandela bibit, rugosus frigore pagus, | 105 |
| Quid sentire putas? quid credis, amice, precari? | |
| Sit mihi quod nunc est, etiam minus; et mihi vivam | |
| Quod superest aevi, si quid superesse volunt di; | |
| Sit bona librorum et provisae frugis in annum | |
| Copia, neu fluitem dubiae spe pendulus horae. | 110 |
| Sed satis est orare Jovem quae donat et aufert: | |
| Det vitam, det opes, aequum mi animum ipse parabo. |
| Prisco si credis, Maecenas docte, Cratino, | |
| Nulla placere diu nec vivere carmina possunt | |
| Quae scribuntur aquae potoribus. Ut male sanos | |
| Adscripsit Liber Satyris Faunisque poëtas | |
| Vina fere dulces oluerunt mane Camenae. | 5 |
| Laudibus arguitur vini vinosus Homerus; | |
| Ennius ipse pater nunquam nisi potus ad arma | |
| Prosiluit dicenda. “Forum putealque Libonis | |
| Mandabo siccis, adimam cantare severis:” | |
| Hoc simul edixi non cessavere poëtae | 10 |
| Nocturno certare mero, putere diurno. | |
| Quid, si quis vultu torvo ferus et pede nudo | |
| Exiguaeque togae simulet textore Catonem, | |
| Virtutemne repraesentet moresque Catonis? | |
| Rupit Iarbitam Timagenis aemula lingua, | 15 |
| Dum studet urbanus tenditque disertus haberi. | |
| Decipit exemplar vitiis imitabile: quodsi | |
| Pallerem casu biberent exsangue cuminum. | |
| O imitatores, servum pecus, ut mihi saepe | |
| Bilem, saepe jocum vestri movere tumultus! | 20 |
| Libera per vacuum posui vestigia princeps, | |
| Non aliena meo pressi pede. Qui sibi fidit | |
| [208]Dux reget 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, | |
| Nec socerum quaerit quem versibus oblinat atris, | 30 |
| Nec sponsae 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? | |
| Non ego ventosae plebis suffragia venor | |
| Impensis coenarum et tritae munere vestis; | |
| Non ego nobilium scriptorum auditor et ultor | |
| Grammaticas ambire tribus et pulpita dignor: | 40 |
| Hinc illae lacrimae. “Spissis indigna theatris | |
| Scripta pudet recitare et nugis addere pondus,” | |
| Si dixi: “Rides,” ait, “et Jovis auribus ista | |
| Servas; fidis enim manare poëtica mella | |
| Te solum, tibi pulcher.” Ad haec ego naribus uti | 45 |
| Formido, et luctantis acuto ne secer ungui, | |
| “Displicet iste locus,” clamo, “et diludia posco.” | |
| Ludus enim genuit trepidum certamen et iram, | |
| Ira truces inimicitias et funebre bellum. |
| 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. | 5 |
| Non erit emisso reditus tibi. “Quid miser egi? | |
| Quid volui?” dices ubi quis te laeserit; et scis | |
| [209]In breve te cogi cum plenus languet amator. | |
| Quodsi non odio peccantis desipit augur, | |
| Carus eris Romae donec te deserat aetas; | 10 |
| Contrectatus ubi manibus sordescere vulgi | |
| Coeperis, 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. | |
| Cum 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, praecanum, solibus aptum, | |
| Irasci celerem, tamen ut placabilis essem. | 25 |
| Forte meum si quis te percontabitur aevum, | |
| Me quater undenos sciat implevisse Decembres | |
| Collegam Lepidum quo duxit Lollius anno. |
| Cum tot sustineas et tanta negotia solus, | |
| Res Italas armis tuteris, moribus ornes, | |
| Legibus emendes, in publica commoda peccem | |
| Si longo sermone 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 praegravat artes | |
| Infra se positas; exstinctus amabitur idem. | |
| Praesenti tibi maturos largimur honores, | 15 |
| Jurandasque tuum per nomen ponimus aras, | |
| Nil oriturum alias, nil ortum tale fatentes. | |
| Sed tuus hic populus, sapiens et justus in uno, | |
| Te nostris ducibus, te Graiis anteferendo, | |
| Cetera nequaquam simili ratione modoque | 20 |
| Aestimat, et nisi quae terris semota suisque | |
| [211]Temporibus defuncta videt, fastidit et odit; | |
| Sic fautor veterum ut tabulas peccare vetantes | |
| Quas bis quinque viri sanxerunt, foedera regum | |
| Vel Gabiis vel cum rigidis aequata Sabinis, | 25 |
| Pontificum libros, annosa volumina vatum, | |
| Dictitet Albano Musas in monte locutas. | |
| Si quia Graecorum sunt antiquissima quaeque | |
| Scripta vel optima Romani pensantur eadem | |
| Scriptores trutina, non est quod multa loquamur; | 30 |
| Nil intra est oleam, nil extra est in nuce duri; | |
| Venimus ad summum fortunae; pingimus atque | |
| Psallimus et luctamur Achivis doctius unctis. | |
| Si meliora dies ut vina poëmata reddit, | |
| Scire velim chartis pretium quotus arroget annus. | 35 |
| 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 poëtas, | |
| An quos et praesens et postera respuat aetas? | |
| Iste quidem veteres inter ponetur honeste | |
| Qui vel mense brevi vel toto est junior anno. | |
| Utor permisso caudaeque pilos ut equinae | 45 |
| Paullatim vello et demo unum, demo et item unum, | |
| Dum cadat elusus ratione ruentis acervi | |
| Qui redit in fastos et virtutem aestimat 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. | |
| Naevius in manibus non est et mentibus haeret | |
| Pene recens? Adeo sanctum est vetus omne poëma. | |
| Ambigitur quotiens uter utro sit prior, aufert | 55 |
| Pacuvius docti famam senis, Accus alti, | |
| Dicitur Afrani toga convenisse Menandro, | |
| Plautus ad exemplar Siculi properare Epicharmi, | |
| Vincere Caecilius gravitate, Terentius arte. | |
| Hos ediscit et hos arto stipata theatro | 60 |
| Spectat Roma potens; habet hos numeratque poëtas | |
| [212]Ad nostrum tempus Livi scriptoris ab aevo. | |
| Interdum vulgus rectum videt, est ubi peccat. | |
| Si veteres ita miratur laudatque poëtas | |
| Ut nihil anteferat, nihil illis comparet, errat: | 65 |
| Si quaedam nimis antique, si pleraque dure | |
| Dicere credit eos, ignave multa fatetur, | |
| Et sapit et mecum facit et Jove judicat aequo. | |
| Non equidem insector delendaque carmina Livi | |
| Esse reor, memini quae plagosum mihi parvo | 70 |
| Orbilium dictare; sed emendata videri | |
| Pulchraque et exactis minimum distantia miror; | |
| Inter quae verbum emicuit si forte decorum, et | |
| Si versus paullo concinnior unus et alter, | |
| Injuste totum ducit venditque poëma. | 75 |
| Indignor quidquam reprehendi, non quia crasse | |
| Compositum illepideve putetur, sed quia nuper; | |
| Nec veniam antiquis sed honorem et praemia posci. | |
| Recte necne crocum floresque perambulet Attae | |
| Fabula si dubitem, clament periisse pudorem | 80 |
| Cuncti pene patres, ea cum reprehendere coner | |
| Quae gravis Aesopus, quae 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 Numae carmen qui laudat, et illud | |
| Quod mecum ignorat solus vult scire videri, | |
| Ingeniis non ille favet plauditque sepultis, | |
| Nostra sed impugnat, nos nostraque lividus odit. | |
| Quod si tam Graecis novitas invisa fuisset | 90 |
| Quam nobis, quid nunc esset vetus? aut quid haberet | |
| Quod legeret tereretque viritim publicus usus? | |
| 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, | |
| Suspendit picta vultum mentemque tabella, | |
| Nunc tibicinibus, nunc est gavisa tragoedis; | |
| Sub nutrice puella velut si luderet infans, | |
| Quod cupide petiit mature plena reliquit. | 100 |
| Quid placet aut odio est quod non mutabile credas? | |
| [213]Hoc paces habuere bonae ventique secundi. | |
| Romae dulce diu fuit et sollemne reclusa | |
| Mane domo vigilare, clienti promere jura, | |
| Cautos nominibus rectis expendere nummos, | 105 |
| Majores audire, minori dicere, per quae | |
| Crescere res posset, minui damnosa libido. | |
| Mutavit mentem populus levis et calet uno | |
| Scribendi studio; puerique patresque severi | |
| Fronde comas vincti coenant et carmina dictant. | 110 |
| Ipse ego qui nullos me adfirmo scribere versus | |
| Invenior Parthis mendacior, et prius orto | |
| Sole vigil calamum et chartas et scrinia posco. | |
| Navim agere ignarus navis timet; abrotonum aegro | |
| Non audet nisi qui didicit dare; quod medicorum est | 115 |
| Promittunt medici; tractant fabrilia fabri: | |
| Scribimus indocti doctique poëmata passim. | |
| Hic 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; | |
| Militiae quamquam piger et malus, utilis urbi, | |
| Si das hoc parvis quoque rebus magna juvari. | 125 |
| Os tenerum pueri balbumque poëta figurat, | |
| Torquet ab obscoenis jam nunc sermonibus aurem, | |
| Mox etiam pectus praeceptis format amicis, | |
| Asperitatis et invidiae corrector et irae; | |
| Recte facta refert, orientia tempora notis | 130 |
| Instruit exemplis, inopem solatur et aegrum. | |
| Castis cum pueris ignara puella mariti | |
| Disceret unde preces vatem ni Musa dedisset? | |
| Poscit opem chorus et praesentia numina sentit, | |
| Caelestes 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, | |
| [214]Cum sociis operum, pueris et conjuge fida, | |
| Tellurem porco, Silvanum lacte piabant, | |
| Floribus et vino Genium memorem brevis aevi. | |
| Fescennina per hunc inventa licentia morem | 145 |
| Versibus alternis opprobria rustica fudit, | |
| Libertasque recurrentes accepta per annos | |
| Lusit amabiliter, donec jam saevus apertam | |
| In rabiem coepit verti jocus et per honestas | |
| Ire domos impune minax. Doluere cruento | 150 |
| Dente lacessiti; fuit intactis quoque cura | |
| Condicione super communi; quin etiam lex | |
| Poenaque lata malo quae nollet carmine quemquam | |
| Describi; vertere modum, formidine fustis | |
| Ad bene dicendum delectandumque redacti. | 155 |
| Graecia capta ferum victorem cepit et artes | |
| Intulit agresti Latio: sic horridus ille | |
| Defluxit numerus Saturnius et grave virus | |
| Munditiae pepulere; sed in longum tamen aevum | |
| Manserunt hodieque manent vestigia ruris. | 160 |
| Serus enim Graecis admovit acumina chartis, | |
| Et post Punica bella quietus quaerere coepit | |
| Quid Sophocles et Thespis et Aeschylus utile ferrent. | |
| Tentavit quoque rem, si digne vertere posset, | |
| Et placuit sibi, natura sublimis et acer: | 165 |
| 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 veniae 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. | |
| Quem 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. | |
| [215]Saepe etiam audacem fugat hoc terretque poëtam, | |
| 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 plaudit. | |
| Verum equitis quoque jam migravit ab aure voluptas | |
| Omnis ad incertos oculos et gaudia vana. | |
| Quattuor aut plures aulaea premuntur in horas, | |
| Dum fugiunt equitum turmae 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, | 195 |
| Sive elephas albus vulgi converteret ora; | |
| Spectaret populum ludis attentius ipsis, | |
| Ut sibi praebentem mimo spectacula plura; | |
| Scriptores autem narrare putaret asello | |
| Fabellam surdo. Nam quae pervincere voces | 200 |
| Evaluere sonum referunt quem nostra theatra? | |
| Garganum mugire putes nemus aut mare Tuscum, | |
| Tanto cum strepitu ludi spectantur et artes | |
| Divitiaeque peregrinae, quibus oblitus actor | |
| Cum 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 | |
| Cum recte tractent alii laudare maligne; | |
| Ille per extentum funem mihi posse videtur | 210 |
| Ire poëta, meum qui pectus inaniter angit, | |
| Irritat, 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 saepe poëtae, | |
| (Ut vineta egomet caedam mea,) cum tibi librum | 220 |
| Sollicito damus aut fesso; quum laedimur unum | |
| [216]Si quis amicorum est ausus reprehendere versum; | |
| Cum loca jam recitata revolvimus irrevocati; | |
| Cum lamentamur non apparere labores | |
| Nostros et tenui deducta poëmata filo; | 225 |
| Cum speramus eo rem venturam ut simul atque | |
| Carmina rescieris nos fingere commodus ultro | |
| Arcessas, et egere vetes, et scribere cogas. | |
| Sed tamen est operae pretium cognoscere, quales | |
| Aedituos habeat belli spectata domique | 230 |
| Virtus, indigno non committenda poëtae. | |
| Gratus Alexandro regi Magno fuit ille | |
| Choerilus, incultis qui versibus et male natis | |
| Rettulit acceptos, regale nomisma, Philippos | |
| Sed veluti tractata notam labemque remittunt | 235 |
| Atramenta, fere scriptores carmine foedo | |
| Splendida facta linunt. Idem rex ille poëma | |
| Qui tam ridiculum tam care prodigus emit, | |
| Edicto vetuit ne quis se praeter Apellen | |
| Pingeret, aut alius Lysippo duceret aera | 240 |
| Fortis Alexandri vultum simulantia. Quodsi | |
| Judicium subtile videndis artibus illud | |
| Ab libros et ad haec Musarum dona vocares, | |
| Boeotum in crasso jurares aëre natum. | |
| At neque dedecorant tua de se judicia atque | 245 |
| Munera, quae multa dantis cum laude tulerunt | |
| Dilecti tibi Virgilius Variusque poëtae; | |
| Nec magis expressi vultus per aënea signa, | |
| Quam per vatis opus mores animique virorum | |
| Clarorum apparent. Nec 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 nec meus audet | |
| Rem tentare pudor quam vires ferre recusent. | |
| Sedulitas autem stulte quem diligit urget, | 260 |
| Praecipue cum se numeris commendat et arte: | |
| [217]Discit enim citius meminitque libentius illud | |
| Quod quis deridet, quam quod probat et veneratur. | |
| Nil moror officium quod me gravat, ac neque ficto | |
| In pejus vultu proponi cereus usquam, | 265 |
| Nec prave factis decorari versibus opto, | |
| Ne rubeam pingui donatus munere, et una | |
| Cum scriptore meo, capsa porrectus aperta, | |
| Deferar in vicum vendentem thus et odores | |
| Et piper et quidquid chartis amicitur ineptis. | 270 |
| Flore, bono claroque fidelis amice Neroni, | |
| Si quis forte velit puerum tibi vendere natum | |
| Tibure vel Gabiis, et tecum sic agat: “Hic et | |
| Candidus et talos a vertice pulcher ad imos | |
| Fiet eritque tuus nummorum millibus octo, | 5 |
| Verna ministeriis ad nutus aptus heriles, | |
| Litterulis Graecis imbutus, idoneus arti | |
| Cuilibet; argilla quidvis imitaberis uda; | |
| Quin etiam canet indoctum sed dulce bibenti: | |
| Multa fidem promissa levant, ubi plenius aequo | 10 |
| Laudat venales qui vult extrudere merces. | |
| Res urget me nulla: meo sum pauper in aere. | |
| Nemo hoc mangonum faceret tibi; non temere a me | |
| Quivis ferret idem. Semel his cessavit et, ut fit, | |
| In scalis latuit metuens pendentis habenae. | 15 |
| Des nummos, excepta nihil te si fuga laedat;”— | |
| Ille ferat pretium poenae 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 tum profeci mecum facientia jura | |
| Si tamen attentas? Quereris super hoc etiam, quod | |
| Exspectata tibi non mittam carmina mendax. | 25 |
| [218]Luculli miles collecta viatica multis | |
| Aerumnis, lassus dum noctu stertit, ad assem | |
| Perdiderat; post hoc vehemens lupus et sibi et hosti | |
| Iratus pariter, jejunis dentibus acer, | |
| Praesidium 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 nummum. | |
| Forte sub hoc tempus castellum evertere praetor | |
| Nescio quod cupiens, hortari coepit eundem | 35 |
| Verbis quae timido quoque possent addere mentem: | |
| “I, bone, quo virtus tua te vocat, i pede fausto, | |
| Grandia laturus meritorum praemia. 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 paullo plus artis Athenae, | |
| Scilicet ut vellem curvo dignoscere rectum, | |
| Atque inter silvas Academi quaerere verum. | 45 |
| Dura sed emovere loco me tempora grato, | |
| Civilisque rudem belli tulit aestus in arma | |
| Caesaris Augusti non responsura 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 poëmata: quid faciam vis? | |
| Denique non omnes eadem mirantur amantque: | |
| Carmine tu gaudes, hic 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. | |
| Praeter caetera, me Romaene poëmata censes | 65 |
| [219]Scribere posse inter tot curas totque labores? | |
| Hic sponsum vocat, hic auditum scripta relictis | |
| Omnibus officiis; cubat hic in colle Quirini, | |
| Hic extremo in Aventino, visendus uterque; | |
| Intervalla vides humane commoda. Verum | 70 |
| Purae sunt plateae, nihil ut meditantibus obstet. | |
| Festinat calidus mulis gerulisque redemptor, | |
| 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 urbem, | |
| Rite cliens Bacchi somno gaudentis et umbra: | |
| Tu me inter strepitus nocturnos atque diurnos | |
| Vis canere et contracta sequi vestigia vatum? | 80 |
| Ingenium sibi quod vacuas desumpsit Athenas, | |
| Et studiis annos septem dedit insenuitque | |
| Libris et curis, statua taciturnius exit | |
| Plerumque et risu populum quatit: hic ego rerum | |
| Fluctibus in mediis et tempestatibus urbis | 85 |
| Verba lyrae motura sonum connectere digner? | |
| Frater erat Romae consulti rhetor, ut alter | |
| Alterius sermone meros audiret honores, | |
| Gracchus ut hic illi, foret huic ut Mucius ille, | |
| Qui minus argutos vexat furor iste poëtas? | 90 |
| Carmina compono, hic elegos. “Mirabile visu | |
| Caelatumque novem Musis opus!” Adspice primum, | |
| Quanto cum fastu, quanto molimine circum- | |
| Spectemus vacuam Romanis vatibus aedem! | |
| Mox etiam, si forte vacas, sequere et procul audi, | 95 |
| Quid ferat et quare sibi nectat uterque coronam. | |
| Caedimur et totidem plagis consumimus hostem | |
| Lento Samnites ad lumina prima duello. | |
| Discedo Alcaeus puncto illius; ille meo quis? | |
| Quis nisi Callimachus? Si plus adposcere visus, | 100 |
| Fit Mimnermus, et optivo cognomine crescit. | |
| Multa fero ut placem genus irritabile vatum, | |
| Cum scribo et supplex populi suffragia capto; | |
| Idem, finitis studiis et mente recepta, | |
| Obturem patulas impune legentibus aures. | 105 |
| [220]Ridentur mala qui componunt carmina; verum | |
| Gaudent scribentes et se venerantur, et ultro, | |
| Si taceas, laudant quidquid scripsere beati. | |
| At qui legitimum cupiet fecisse poëma | |
| 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 Vestae. | |
| Obscurata diu populo bonus eruet atque | 115 |
| Proferet in lucem speciosa vocabula rerum, | |
| Quae 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; | |
| Luxuriantia compescet, nimis aspera sano | |
| Levabit cultu, virtute carentia tollet, | |
| 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 laetus sessor plausorque theatro; | 130 |
| Caetera qui vitae servaret munia recto | |
| More, bonus sane vicinus, amabilis hospes, | |
| Comis in uxorem, posset qui ignoscere servis | |
| Et signo laeso non insanire lagenae, | |
| Posset qui rupem et puteum vitare patentem. | 135 |
| Hic ubi cognatorum opibus curisque refectus | |
| Expulit helleboro morbum bilemque meraco | |
| Et redit ad sese: “Pol me occidistis, amici, | |
| Non servastis,” ait, “cui sic extorta voluptas | |
| Et demptus per vim mentis gratissimus error.” | 140 |
| Nimirum sapere est abjectis utile nugis, | |
| Et tempestivum pueris concedere ludum; | |
| Ac non verba sequi fidibus modulanda Latinis, | |
| Sed verae numerosque modosque ediscere vitae. | |
| Quocirca mecum loquor haec tacitusque recordor: | 145 |
| [221]“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 cum 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 aere, | |
| Quaedam, si credis consultis, mancipat usus; | |
| Qui te pascit ager tuus est, et villicus Orbi, | 160 |
| Cum segetes occat tibi mox frumenta daturas, | |
| Te dominum sentit. Das nummos, accipis uvam, | |
| Pullos, ova, cadum temeti: nempe modo isto | |
| Paullatim mercaris agrum fortasse trecentis | |
| Aut etiam supra nummorum millibus emptum. | 165 |
| Quid refert vivas numerato nuper an olim? | |
| Emptor Aricini quondam Veientis et arvi | |
| Emptum coenat olus, quamvis aliter putat; emptis | |
| Sub noctem gelidam lignis calefactat aënum; | |
| Sed vocat usque suum, qua populus adsita certis | 170 |
| Limitibus vicina refugit jurgia: tamquam | |
| Sit proprium quidquam, puncto quod mobilis horae | |
| 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 | |
| Praeferat Herodis palmetis pinguibus, alter | |
| Dives et importunus ad umbram lucis ab ortu | 185 |
| [222]Silvestrem flammis et ferro mitiget agrum, | |
| Scit Genius, natale comes qui temperat astrum, | |
| Naturae deus humanae, mortalis in unum | |
| Quodque caput, vultu mutabilis, albus et ater. | |
| Utar et ex modico quantum res poscet acervo | 190 |
| Tollam, nec metuam quid de me judicet heres, | |
| Quod non plura datis invenerit; et tamen idem | |
| Scire volam quantum simplex hilarisque nepoti | |
| Discrepet et quantum discordet parcus avaro. | |
| Distat enim spargas tua prodigus an neque sumptum | 195 |
| Invitus facias neque plura parare labores, | |
| Ac potius, puer ut festis Quinquatribus olim, | |
| Exiguo gratoque fruaris tempore raptim. | |
| Pauperies immunda domus procul absit: ego, utrum | |
| Nave ferar magna an parva, ferar unus et idem. | 200 |
| Non agimur tumidis velis aquilone secundo; | |
| Non tamen adversis aetatem ducimus austris, | |
| Viribus, ingenio, specie, virtute, loco, re, | |
| Extremi primorum, extremis usque priores. | |
| Non es avarus: abi; quid, caetera 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 exempta 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 | 215 |
| Rideat et pulset lasciva decentius aetas.” |
| Humano capiti cervicem 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? | 5 |
| Credite, Pisones, isti tabulae fore librum | |
| Persimilem cujus, velut aegri somnia, vanae | |
| Fingentur species, ut nec pes nec caput uni | |
| Reddatur formae. Pictoribus atque poëtis | |
| Quidlibet audendi semper fuit aequa potestas. | 10 |
| Scimus et hanc veniam petimusque damusque vicissim; | |
| Sed non ut placidis coëant immitia, non ut | |
| Serpentes avibus geminentur, tigribus agni. | |
| Inceptis gravibus plerumque et magna professis | |
| Purpureus, late qui splendeat, unus et alter | 15 |
| Assuitur pannus, cum lucus et ara Dianae | |
| Et properantis aquae per amoenos ambitus agros, | |
| Aut flumen Rhenum aut pluvius describitur arcus: | |
| Sed nunc non erat his locus. Et fortasse cupressum | |
| Scis simulare; quid hoc, si fractis enatat exspes | 20 |
| Navibus aere dato qui pingitur? Amphora coepit | |
| [224]Institui: currente rota cur urceus exit? | |
| Denique sit quidvis simplex duntaxat et unum. | |
| Maxima pars vatum, pater et juvenes patre digni, | |
| Decipimur specie recti. Brevis esse laboro, | 25 |
| Obscurus fio; sectantem levia nervi | |
| Deficiunt animique; professus grandia turget; | |
| Serpit humi tutus nimium timidusque procellae; | |
| Qui variare cupit rem prodigialiter unam, | |
| Delphinum silvis appingit, fluctibus aprum. | 30 |
| In vitium ducit culpae fuga si caret arte. | |
| Aemilium circa ludum faber unus et ungues | |
| Exprimet et molles imitabitur aere capillos, | |
| Infelix operis summa quia ponere totum | |
| 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 aequam | |
| Viribus et versate diu quid ferre recusent, | |
| Quid valeant humeri. Cui lecta potenter erit res, | 40 |
| Nec facundia deseret hunc nec lucidus ordo. | |
| Ordinis haec virtus erit et venus, aut ego fallor, | |
| Ut jam nunc dicat jam nunc debentia dici, | |
| Pleraque differat et praesens in tempus omittat; | |
| Hoc amet, hoc spernat promissi carminis auctor. | 45 |
| In verbis etiam tenuis cautusque serendis, | |
| 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 sumpta pudenter; | |
| Et nova fictaque nuper habebunt verba fidem si | |
| Graeco fonte cadant, parce detorta. Quid autem | |
| Caecilio Plautoque dabit Romanus ademptum | |
| Virgilio Varioque? Ego cur acquirere pauca | 55 |
| Si possum invideor, cum lingua Catonis et Enni | |
| Sermonem patrium ditaverit et nova rerum | |
| Nomina protulerit? Licuit, semperque licebit | |
| Signatum praesente nota producere nomen. | |
| Ut silvae foliis pronos mutantur in annos, | 60 |
| Prima cadunt; ita verborum vetus interit aetas, | |
| [225]Et juvenum ritu florent modo nata vigentque. | |
| Debemur morti nos nostraque: sive receptus | |
| Terra Neptunus 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 melius, 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, | |
| Quem 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 poëta 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 coena 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, cum pauper et exsul uterque | |
| Projicit ampullas et sesquipedalia verba, | |
| Si curat cor spectantis tetigisse querela. | |
| Non satis est pulchra esse poëmata; dulcia sunto | |
| Et quocunque volent animum auditoris agunto. | 100 |
| Ut ridentibus arrident, ita flentibus adsunt | |
| [226]Humani vultus: si vis me flere dolendum est | |
| Primum ipsi tibi; tunc tua me infortunia laedent, | |
| Telephe vel Peleu: male si mandata loqueris | |
| Aut dormitabo aut ridebo. Tristia maestum | 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 maerore 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, | |
| Mercatorne 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 Ino, | |
| Perfidus Ixion, Io vaga, tristis Orestes. | |
| Si quid inexpertum scenae committis et audes | 125 |
| Personam formare novam, servetur ad imum | |
| Qualis ab incepto processerit, et sibi constet. | |
| Difficile est proprie communia dicere; tuque | |
| Rectius Iliacum carmen deducis in actus, | |
| Quam si proferres ignota indictaque primus. | 130 |
| Publica materies privati juris erit, si | |
| Non circa vilem patulumque moraberis orbem, | |
| Nec verbo verbum curabis reddere fidus | |
| Interpres, nec desilies imitator in arctum | |
| Unde pedem proferre pudor vetet aut operis lex. | 135 |
| Nec sic incipies, ut scriptor cyclicus olim: | |
| “Fortunam Priami cantabo et nobile bellum.” | |
| Quid dignum tanto feret hic promissor hiatu? | |
| Parturiunt montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. | |
| Quanto rectius hic, qui nil molitur inepte: | 140 |
| “Dic mihi, Musa, virum, captae post tempora Trojae | |
| [227]Qui mores hominum multorum vidit et urbes.” | |
| Non fumum ex fulgore 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 plausoris eges aulaea manentis et usque | |
| Sessuri donec cantor ‘Vos plaudite’ dicat, | 155 |
| Aetatis cujusque 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 |
| Imberbis juvenis tandem custode remoto | |
| Gaudet equis canibusque et aprici gramine campi, | |
| Cereus in vitium flecti, monitoribus asper, | |
| Utilium tardus provisor, prodigus aeris, | |
| Sublimis cupidusque et amata relinquere pernix. | 165 |
| Conversis studiis aetas animusque virilis | |
| 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 agitur res in scenis, aut acta refertur. | |
| Segnius irritant animos demissa per aurem, | 180 |
| Quam quae sunt oculis subjecta fidelibus, et quae | |
| [228]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 Procne 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 |
| Nec deus intersit nisi dignus vindice nodus | |
| Inciderit; nec 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 peccare timentes; | |
| Ille dapes laudet mensae brevis, ille salubrem | |
| Justitiam legesque et apertis otia portis; | |
| Ille tegat commissa deosque precetur et oret, | 200 |
| Ut redeat miseris, abeat fortuna superbis. | |
| Tibia non ut nunc orichalco vincta tubaeque | |
| Aemula, sed tenuis simplexque foramine pauco | |
| Adspirare et adesse choris erat utilis atque | |
| Nondum spissa nimis complere sedilia flatu; | 205 |
| Quo sane populus numerabilis, utpote parvus, | |
| Et frugi castusque verecundusque coïbat. | |
| Postquam coepit agros extendere victor, et urbes | |
| Latior amplecti murus vinoque diurno | |
| Placari Genius festis impune diebus, | 210 |
| Accessit numerisque modisque licentia major; | |
| Indoctus quid enim saperet liberque laborum | |
| Rusticus urbano confusus, turpis honesto? | |
| Sic priscae motumque et luxuriem addidit arti | |
| Tibicen traxitque vagus per pulpita vestem; | 215 |
| Sic etiam fidibus voces crevere severis, | |
| Et tulit eloquium insolitum facundia praeceps, | |
| 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 | |
| [229]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 Tragoedia versus, | |
| Ut festis matrona moveri jussa diebus, | |
| Intererit Satyris paullum pudibunda protervis. | |
| Non ego inornata et dominantia nomina solum | |
| Verbaque, Pisones, Satyrorum scriptor amabo; | 235 |
| Nec sic enitar tragico differre colori | |
| Ut nihil intersit Davusne loquatur et audax | |
| Pythias emuncto lucrata 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 sumptis accedit honoris. | |
| Silvis deducti caveant me judice Fauni, | |
| Ne velut innati triviis ac paene forenses | 245 |
| Aut nimium teneris juvenentur versibus unquam, | |
| Aut immunda crepent ignominiosaque dicta: | |
| Offenduntur enim quibus est equus et pater et res, | |
| Nec, si quid fricti ciceris probat et nucis emptor, | |
| Aequis accipiunt animis donantve corona. | 250 |
| Syllaba longa brevi subjecta vocatur iambus, | |
| Pes citus; unde etiam trimetris accrescere jussit | |
| Nomen iambeis, cum 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 quarta socialiter. Hic et in Acci | |
| Nobilibus trimetris apparet rarus, et Enni | |
| In scenam missos cum magno pondere versus | 260 |
| Aut operae celeris nimium curaque carentis | |
| [230]Aut ignoratae premit artis crimine turpi. | |
| Non quivis videt immodulata poëmata judex, | |
| Et data Romanis venia est indigna poëtis. | |
| Idcircone vager scribamque licenter? an omnes | 265 |
| Visuros peccata putem mea, tutus et intra | |
| Spem veniae cautus? Vitavi denique culpam, | |
| Non laudem merui. Vos exemplaria Graeca | |
| Nocturna versate manu, versate diurna. | |
| At vestri proavi Plautinos et numeros et | 270 |
| Laudavere sales; nimium patienter utrumque, | |
| Ne dicam stulte, mirati, si modo ego et vos | |
| Scimus inurbanum lepido seponere dicto | |
| Legitimumque sonum digitis callemus et aure. | |
| Ignotum tragicae genus invenisse Camenae | 275 |
| Dicitur et plaustris vexisse poëmata Thespis, | |
| Quae canerent agerentque peruncti faecibus ora. | |
| Post hunc personae pallaeque repertor honestae | |
| Aeschylus et modicis instravit pulpita tignis | |
| Et docuit magnumque loqui nitique cothurno. | 280 |
| Successit vetus his comoedia, 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 poëtae, | 285 |
| Nec minimum meruere decus vestigia Graeca | |
| Ausi deserere et celebrare domestica facta, | |
| Vel qui praetextas vel qui docuere togatas. | |
| Nec virtute foret clarisve potentius armis | |
| Quam lingua Latium, si non offenderet unum | 290 |
| Quemque poëtarum limae labor et mora. Vos, o | |
| Pompilius sanguis, carmen reprehendite quod non | |
| Multa dies et multa litura coërcuit, atque | |
| Perfectum decies non castigavit ad unguem. | |
| Ingenium misera quia fortunatius arte | 295 |
| Credit et excludit sanos Helicone poëtas | |
| Democritus, bona pars non ungues punere curat, | |
| Non barbam, secreta petit loca, balnea vitat. | |
| Nanciscetur enim pretium nomenque poëtae, | |
| Si tribus Anticyris caput insanabile nunquam | 300 |
| Tonsori Licino commiserit. O ego laevus, | |
| [231]Qui purgor bilem sub verni temporis horam! | |
| Non alius faceret meliora poëmata. Verum | |
| Nil tanti est. Ergo fungar vice cotis, acutum | |
| Reddere quae ferrum valet exsors ipsa secandi; | 305 |
| Munus et officium, nil scribens ipse docebo, | |
| Unde parentur opes, quid alat formetque poëtam; | |
| Quid deceat quid non; quo virtus, quo ferat error. | |
| Scribendi recte sapere est et principium et fons: | |
| Rem tibi Socraticae poterunt ostendere chartae, | 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 | 315 |
| Reddere personae scit convenientia cuique. | |
| Respicere exemplar vitae morumque jubebo | |
| Doctum imitatorem et vivas 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, praeter laudem nullius avaris. | |
| Romani pueri longis rationibus assem | 325 |
| Discunt in partes centum diducere. “Dicat | |
| Filius Albini: Si de quincunce remota est | |
| Uncia, quid superat? Poteras dixisse.” “Triens.” “Eu! | |
| Rem poteris servare tuam. Redit uncia, quid fit?” | |
| “Semis.” At haec animos aerugo et cura peculi | 330 |
| Cum semel imbuerit, speramus carmina fingi | |
| Posse linenda cedro et levi servanda cupresso? | |
| Aut prodesse volunt, aut delectare poëtae, | |
| Aut simul et jucunda et idonea dicere vitae. | |
| Quidquid praecipies esto brevis, ut cito dicta | 335 |
| Percipiant animi dociles teneantque fideles: | |
| Omne supervacuum pleno de pectore manat. | |
| Ficta voluptatis causa sint proxima veris, | |
| Nec quodcunque volet poscat sibi fabula credi, | |
| Neu pransae Lamiae vivum puerum extrahat alvo. | 340 |
| Centuriae seniorum agitant expertia frugis, | |
| [232]Celsi praetereunt austera poëmata Ramnes: | |
| Omne tulit punctum qui miscuit utile dulci, | |
| Lectorem delectando pariterque monendo. | |
| Hic meret aera liber Sosiis; hic et mare transit | 345 |
| Et longum noto scriptori prorogat aevum. | |
| Sunt delicta tamen quibus ignovisse velimus: | |
| Nam neque chorda sonum reddit quem vult manus et mens, | |
| Poscentique gravem persaepe remittit acutum; | |
| Nec 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? | |
| Ut scriptor si peccat idem librarius usque, | |
| Quamvis est monitus venia caret; ut citharoedus | 355 |
| Ridetur chorda qui semper oberrat eadem: | |
| Sic mihi qui multum cessat fit Choerilus ille, | |
| Quem bis terve bonum cum risu miror, et idem | |
| Indignor quandoque bonus dormitat Homerus; | |
| (Verum operi longo fas est obrepere somnum.) | 360 |
| Ut pictura poësis: erit quae si propius stes, | |
| Te capiat 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 | |
| Caussarum mediocris abest virtute diserti | 370 |
| Messalae nec scit quantum Cascellius Aulus, | |
| Sed tamen in pretio est; mediocribus esse poëtis | |
| Non homines, non di, non concessere columnae. | |
| Ut gratas inter mensas symphonia discors | |
| Et crassum unguentum et Sardo cum melle papaver | 375 |
| Offendunt, poterat duci quia coena sine istis; | |
| Sic animis natum inventumque poëma juvandis, | |
| Si paulum summo decessit, vergit ad imum. | |
| Ludere qui nescit, campestribus abstinet armis, | |
| Indoctusque pilae discive trochive quiescit, | 380 |
| Ne spissae risum tollant impune coronae: | |
| [233]Qui nescit versus tamen audet fingere. Quidni? | |
| Liber et ingenuus, praesertim 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 | |
| Caedibus et victu foedo deterruit Orpheus, | |
| Dictus ob hoc lenire tigres rabidosque leones | |
| Dictus et Amphion, Thebanae conditor arcis, | |
| 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, | |
| Tyrtaeusque mares animos in Martia bella | |
| Versibus exacuit; dictae 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 nec studium sine divite vena | |
| Nec rude quid possit video ingenium: alterius sic | 410 |
| Altera poscit opem res et conjurat amice. | |
| 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 |
| Nec satis est dixisse: “Ego mira poëmata pango; | |
| Occupet extremum scabies; mihi turpe relinqui est | |
| Et quod non didici sane nescire fateri.” | |
| Ut praeco, ad merces turbam qui cogit emendas, | |
| Assentatores jubet ad lucrum ire poëta | 420 |
| Dives agris, dives positis in fenore nummis. | |
| [234]Si vero est unctum qui recte ponere possit | |
| Et spondere levi pro paupere et eripere atris | |
| Litibus implicitum, 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 | |
| Laetitiae; clamabit enim Pulchre! bene! recte! | |
| Pallescet super his, etiam stillabit amicis | |
| Ex oculis rorem, saliet, tundet pede terram. | 430 |
| Ut qui conducti plorant in funere dicunt | |
| Et faciunt prope plura dolentibus ex animo, sic | |
| Derisor vero plus laudatore movetur. | |
| Reges dicuntur multis urgere culullis | |
| Et torquere mero quem perspexisse laborant, | 435 |
| An sit amicitia dignus: si carmina condes | |
| Nunquam te fallant animi sub vulpe latentes. | |
| Quintilio 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, incomptis adlinet atrum | |
| Traverso calamo signum, ambitiosa recidet | |
| Ornamenta, parum claris lucem 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 quem scabies aut morbus regius urget | |
| Aut fanaticus error et iracunda Diana, | |
| Vesanum tetigisse timent fugiuntque poëtam | 455 |
| Qui sapiunt; agitant pueri incautique sequuntur. | |
| Hic, dum sublimis versus ructatur et errat, | |
| Si veluti merulis intentus decidit auceps | |
| In puteum foveamve, licet, “Succurrite,” longum | |
| Clamet, “Io cives!” non sit qui tollere curet. | 460 |
| Si curet quis opem ferre et demittere funem, | |
| [235]“Quî scis an prudens huc se projecerit atque | |
| Servari nolit?” dicam, Siculique poëtae | |
| Narrabo interitum. Deus immortalis haberi | |
| Dum cupit Empedocles, ardentem frigidus Aetnam | 465 |
| Insiluit. Sit jus liceatque perire poëtis: | |
| Invitum qui servat idem facit occidenti. | |
| Nec semel hoc fecit, nec, si retractus erit jam | |
| Fiet homo et ponet famosae mortis amorem. | |
| Nec satis apparet cur versus factitet, utrum | 470 |
| Minxerit in patrios cineres, an triste bidental | |
| Moverit incestus: certe furit ac velut ursus | |
| Objectos caveae valuit si frangere clathros, | |
| Indoctum doctumque fugat recitator acerbus; | |
| Quem vero arripuit tenet occiditque legendo, | 475 |
| Non missura cutem nisi plena cruoris hirudo. |
This Ode was probably written as a dedication to Mæcenas of the three first books, when they were collectively published, probably in the forty-second year of Horace’s age, B. C. 24. He says that different men have different tastes; the Greek loves the Olympic games, the Roman to get place or money; one is quiet, another restless, and so on; while he only loves the lyre, and seeks to be ranked by Mæcenas among lyric poets.
Argument.—Mæcenas, my protector, my pride, various are the aims of men. The Greek seeks glory from the race; the lords of the world are supremely happy, one in the honors of the state, the other in his well-filled barns. The farmer will not plough the seas; the merchant is restless on land. One man loves his ease and his wine; another, the camp and the din of war; while the huntsman braves all weathers for his sport. My glory is in the ivy crown, my delight to retire to the groves with the nymphs and the satyrs, where my muse breathes the flute or strikes the lyre. Placed by thee among the lyric choir, I shall lift my head to the skies.
1. atavis] A noun substantive, signifying properly an ancestor in the fifth degree, thus: ‘pater,’ ‘avus,’ ‘proavus,’ ‘abavus,’ ‘atavus’; compounded of ‘ad’ and ‘avus,’ and corresponding to ‘adnepos’ in the descending scale. Mæcenas belonged to the family of Cilnii, formerly Lucumones or princes of Etruria, and up to a late period possessed of influence in the Etrurian town of Aretium, whence they were expelled by their own citizens B. C. 300. See Liv. x. 3. Compare Propert. iii. 9. 1:
“Maecenas, eques Etrusco de sanguine regum,
Intra fortunam qui cupis esse tuam.”
Martial xii. 4. 2: “Maecenas atavis regibus ortus eques.” See also C. iii. 29. 1. S. i. 6. 1, sqq.
2. O et praesidium] ‘My protector, my delight, and pride.’ Virgil (G. ii. 40) addresses Mæcenas in the same affectionate terms:
“O decus, O famae merito pars maxima nostrae,
Maecenas”;
and Propertius, ii. 1. 73.
3. Sunt quos] The Greeks say ἔστιν οὕς. The indicative is used with ‘sunt,’ or ‘est qui,’ when particular persons are alluded to, as here the Greeks in opposition to the Romans. So Epp. ii. 2. 182: “Argentum — sunt qui non habeant, est qui non curat habere,” where, by the latter, is distinctly indicated the wise man. Here Horace alludes to the Greeks of[240] former days, and is led to refer to them, because this was the chief subject of Pindar’s poetry.
— curriculo] This may mean either the chariot (formed from ‘curro,’ as ‘vehiculum’ from ‘veho’) or the course.
4. Collegisse] The perfect is used to express the frequent repetition of the action, like the Greek aorist. The best illustration of what follows is in the Iliad (xxiii. 338, sqq.). ‘Meta’ was the conical pillar at the end of the course round which the chariots turned on their way back to the starting place. By the Greeks it was called νύσση. It was the mark of a skilful driver to turn the goal as closely as possible without touching it, which is implied in ‘fervidis Evitata rotis.’
6. Terrarum dominos] That is, the Romans. Virgil (Aen. i. 282) calls them “Romanos rerum dominos.”
8. tergeminis] This refers to the three curule magistracies, those of the ædile, prætor, and consul. Though the quæstorship was usually the first step in the line of promotion, it is not included, because it was not a curule office. ‘Tergeminus’ here signifies no more than ‘triplex.’ ‘Geminus’ is used in this combination with cardinal numbers frequently. So Virgil (Aen. vi. 287) calls Briareus ‘centumgeminus.’ ‘Honoribus’ is the ablative case, as (C. i. 21. 9): “Vos Tempe totidem tollite laudibus.” Tac. Ann. i. 3: “Claudium Marcellum pontificatu et curuli aedilitate — M. Agrippam geminatis consulatibus extulit.”
Certat — tollere] The poets, following the Greek idiom, use for convenience and conciseness this construction of the infinitive with verbs, which in prose would require ‘ut’ with the subjunctive, or a supine, or ‘ad’ with a gerund or some other construction. In the next Ode we have “egit visere”; in the 12th, “sumis celebrare”; in the 26th, “tradam portare,” and so on. Verbs of all kinds signifying desire and the reverse are frequently used with the infinitive, as in this Ode: “demere spernit,” “refugit tendere”; C. 9. 13, “fuge quaerere,” &c. Propertius uses the infinitive after ‘ire,’ which the prose writers never do: “Ibat et hirsutas ille videre feras” (i. 1. 12).
10. de Libycis verritur areis.] The great mass of the corn consumed at Rome was imported from Sicily and Libya. See C. iii. 16. 26, 31. S. ii. 3. 87. The ‘area’ was a raised floor on which the corn was threshed, and, after the wind had winnowed it, the floor was swept, and the corn was thus collected. See Virgil (Georg. i. 178, sqq.), where directions are given for making an ‘area’.
11. findere sarculo] There is something of contempt in these words, where we should have expected ‘arare’. The soil must be poor that was worked by a hoe, and the owner ‘macro pauper agello’ (Epp. ii. 2. 12). ‘Scindere’ is the proper word for the plough; ‘findere,’ for the hoe or lesser instruments—‘Attalicis conditionibus’ signifies ‘the most extravagant terms.’ There were three kings of Pergamus of this name, which was proverbial for riches. The third left his great wealth to the Romans (B. C. 134). See C. ii. 18. 5. Compare for ‘conditionibus’ Cic. ad Qu. Fr. i. 2. 8: “Nulla conditio pecuniae te ab summa integritate deduxerit.”
13. dimoveas,] From the meaning of ‘de,’ ‘down from,’ ‘demoveo’ is more properly used when the place from which the removal takes place is expressed, and ‘dimoveo’ when the sentence is absolute, as here. For instance, ‘demovet’ is the proper reading in C. iv. 5. 14: “Curvo nec faciem littore demovet.” The MSS. have in many instances ‘dimovet’ where ‘demovet’ is wanted. The same remark applies to ‘diripio’ and ‘deripio’—‘Cypria,’ ‘Myrtoum,’ ‘Icarus’ (C. iii. 7. 21), ‘Africum,’ are all particular names for general, as ‘Bithyna carina’ (C. i. 35. 7). By adding names more life is given to the description—Horace’s epithets for Africus, which was the west southwest wind, and corresponded to the Greek λίψ, are ‘praeceps,’[241] ‘pestilens,’ ‘protervus.’ He uses the phrase ‘Africae procellae’ (C. iii. 23. 5) to signify the storms for which this wind was proverbial.—‘Luctari,’ ‘certare,’ ‘decertare,’ ‘contendere,’ are used by the poets with the dative case, instead of the ablative with ‘cum,’ after the manner of the Greek μάχεσθαί τινι.
16. otium et oppidi Laudat rura sui;] He commends the peaceful fields about his native town; for ‘otium et rura’ may be taken as one subject.
18. indocilis — pati.] Examples of this Greek construction for ‘ad patiendum’ are very numerous. To go no further than this book, we have ‘audax perpeti,’ ‘blandum dicere,’ ‘nobilem superare,’ ‘impotens sperare,’ ‘callidum condere,’ ‘doctus tendere,’ ‘praesens tollere,’ ‘ferre dolosi’—‘Pauperies,’ ‘paupertas,’ ‘pauper,’ are not usually by Horace taken to signify ‘privation,’ or anything beyond a humble estate, as, among many other instances, “meo sum pauper agello” (Epp. ii. 2. 12). “Probamque pauperiem sine dote quaero” (C. iii. 29. 56). ‘Paupertas,’ ‘inopia,’ ‘egestas,’ is the climax given by Seneca (de Tranq. Animi, 8).
19. Est qui] See above, v. 3. This is the only instance in which ‘est qui’ is followed by the indicative where the person is not expressed or clearly understood. Horace may have had some one in his mind, and the description would apply to many of his friends, or to himself.
— Massici] The wine grown on Mons Massicus in Campania was of delicate flavor. See S. ii. 4. 54.
20. solido demere de die] That is, to interrupt the hours of business. So (C. ii. 7. 6) “morantem saepe diem mero fregi.” ‘Solidus’ signifies that which has no vacant part or space; and hence ‘solidus dies’ comes to signify the business hours, or occupied part of the day.
The ‘solidus dies’ ended at the hour of dinner, which with industrious persons was the ninth in summer and tenth in winter. The luxurious dined earlier, the busy sometimes later. The commencement of the day varied with the habits of different people.
21. viridi] This is not an idle epithet, which Horace never uses. The arbutus is an evergreen, which is expressed by ‘viridi.’
22. caput] This is used for the mouth as well as the spring of a river. Virg. Georg. iv. 319, “Tristis ad extremi sacrum caput astitit amnis.” Caes. (B. G. iv. 10) says of the Rhine, “multis capitibus in Oceanum influit.” Here it is the spring. Shrines were usually built at the fountain-head of streams, dedicated to the nymphs that protected them, which explains ‘sacrae.’
23. lituo tubae] The ‘lituus’ was curved in shape and sharp in tone, and used by the cavalry: ‘tuba,’ as its name indicates, was straight and of deep tone, and used by the infantry. “Non tuba directi, non aeris cornua flexi” (Ov. Met. i. 98). The ‘lituus’ is said to have been in shape a mean between the ‘tuba’ and the ‘cornu’; not so straight as the one, nor so twisted as the other. See C. ii. 1. 17.
24. bellaque matribus Detestata.] ‘Detestatus’ is nowhere else used passively, except by the law-writers, who use it for one convicted by evidence: ‘modulatus’ (C. i. 32. 5), ‘metatus’ (ii. 15. 15), are likewise instances of deponent participles used passively.
25. sub Jove] The atmosphere, and so the sky. Epod. iii. 2: “Nivesque deducunt Jovem.” The Latin writers represented the atmosphere by Jupiter, the Greeks by Hera.
26. tenerae] This word occurs frequently in Horace in the sense of ‘young.’ See C. 5. 19 (tenerum Lycidam).
28. teretes] This word may be rendered ‘smooth and round.’ It has always more or less closely one of these meanings, or both. It contains the same root as ‘tero,’ ‘tornus,’ τείρω, and its cognate words, and its meaning[242] is got from the notion of rubbing and polishing. Horace applies it to a woman’s ankles, a smooth faced boy, the cords of a net, and a faultless man. It is applied by Ovid (Fast. ii. 320) to a girdle, and by Virgil (Aen. xi. 579) to the thong of a sling, where, as here, it represents the exact twisting of a cord. ‘Plagae’ were nets of thick rope with which the woods were surrounded to catch the larger beasts as they were driven out by dogs and beaters (Epod. ii. 32. Epp. i. 6. 58; 18. 46). Marsus for Marsicus, as Medus for Medicus, is the only form Horace uses. The country of the Marsi, east of Rome, Umbria, and Lucania were all famous for boars, being abundant in acorns, on which they fed and grew fat. Laurentian boars were also celebrated. See S. ii. 3. 234; 4. 41, 43.
29. Me doctarum hederae praemia frontium] The ivy, which was sacred to Bacchus, made a fit and usual garland for a lyric poet. “Doctarum frontium” is the proper description of poets, who by the Greeks were called σοφοί.
30. me gelidum nemus] This is an imaginary scene, in which Horace supposes himself wandering in cool groves, surrounded with dancing bands of wood nymphs (Dryads and Hamadryads) and satyrs, and listening to the flute of Euterpe, and the lyre of Lesbos struck by Polyhymnia. ‘Tibia’ was a sort of flageolet. When it is used in the plural (as here, C. iv. 15. 30, Epod. ix. 5), it has reference to two of these instruments played by one person. Their pitch was different, the low-pitched tibia being called ‘dextra,’ because it was held in the right hand, and the high pitched ‘sinistra,’ because it was held in the left. Euterpe, the Muse, was said to have invented the ‘tibia,’ and she especially presided over music. Polyhymnia, or Polymnia, another Muse, invented the lyre.
34. Lesboum — barbiton.] The lyre of Sappho and Alcæus, who were natives of Mytilene in the island of Lesbos, and flourished at the same time, about the end of the seventh century B. C. (C. 32. 5).
35. Quod si] Although the personal pronoun ‘tu’ is emphatic in this sentence, it is omitted, as is often the case in poetry, where no opposition of persons is intended—‘Lyricis’ is less common than ‘melicis,’ to describe the lyric poets of Greece.
Lyricis] The most celebrated of the lyric poets of Greece were Pindar, Alcæus, Sappho, Stesichorus, Ilycus, Bacchylides, Simonides, Alcmeon, and Anacreon.
This Ode seems to have been written on the return of Augustus to Rome, after the taking of Alexandria, when the civil wars were brought to a close and the temple of Janus was shut, B. C. 29. Horace here urges Augustus to take upon himself the task of reducing to order the elements of the state, which so many years of civil war had thrown into confusion, and he does so in the following manner. He refers to the prodigies at Julius Cæsar’s death, as evidences of the divine wrath for the guilt of the civil wars. He then invokes one god after another to come and restore the state, and finally fixes upon Mercury, whom he entreats to take upon himself the form of a man, and not to leave the earth till he has accomplished his mission and conquered the enemies of Rome. The man whose form Mercury is to take is Augustus.
If this Ode is read with C. ii. 15, and the others mentioned in the introduction to that Ode, the feeling with which Horace entered into the mission of Augustus as the reformer will be better understood.
Argument.—Portents enough hath Jove sent upon the earth, making it afraid lest a new deluge were coming, as the Tiber rolled back from its mouth, threatening destruction to the city, the unauthorized avenger of Ilia.
Our sons shall hear that citizens have whetted for each other the steel that should have smitten the enemy. What god shall we invoke to help us? What prayers shall move Vesta to pity? To whom shall Jove assign the task of wiping out our guilt? Come thou, Apollo; or thou, smiling Venus, with mirth and love thy companions; or thou, Mars, our founder, who hast too long sported with war; or do thou, son of Maia, put on the form of a man, and let us call thee the avenger of Cæsar; nor let our sins drive thee too soon away; here take thy triumphs; be thou our father and prince, and suffer not the Mede to go unpunished, whilst thou art our chief, O Cæsar.
1. Jam satis — ] These are the prodigies which are said to have followed the death of Julius Cæsar. They are related also by Virgil (Georg. i. 466-489), which description Horace may have had in his mind. See also Ovid, Met. xv. 782, sqq.
dirae] It is very common in Horace (though not peculiar to him) to find an epithet attached to the latter of two substantives, while it belongs to both, as here, and “fidem mutatosque Deos” (C. i. 5. 6), “poplitibus timidoque tergo” (C. iii. 2. 16), and many other places. Horace uses this construction so frequently that it may be looked upon as a feature in his style; and he often uses it with effect.
2, 3. rubente Dextera] With his right hand, glowing with the light of the thunderbolt which it grasped.
arces] The sacred buildings on the Capitoline Hill. They were called collectively Capitolium or Arx (from their position), Arx Capitolii, and sometimes “Arx et Capitolium.” (Livy, v. 39, &c.) They embraced the three temples of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, Juno, and Minerva, of Jupiter Feretrius, and of Terminus. Horace uses ‘jaculari’ three times, and always with an accusative. Other writers use it absolutely. See C. ii. 16. 17; iii. 12. 9.
6. nova monstra] The prodigies alluded to are those enumerated in the following verses; namely, the occupation of the mountains by sea animals, of the waters by the deer, and the trees by the fishes.
7. pecus] The herds of Neptune, or the larger sea animals, fabulous or otherwise, which were said to be under the charge of Proteus. The deluge of Deucalion, the husband of Pyrrha, and its causes, are described at length by Ovid (Met. i. 125-347).
10. columbis,] The proper name for a wood-pigeon is ‘palumbus,’ of ‘-ba,’ or ‘-bes’; but ‘columbus,’ ‘-ba,’ are the generic terms for pigeons.—‘Damae’ is both masculine and feminine. Georg. iii. 539: “timidi damae cervique fugaces.”
11. superjecto] ‘Terris’ may be understood. Virgil uses the word (Aen. xi. 625), “Scopulisque superjacit undam.”
13. flavum] This common epithet of the Tiber arose out of the quantity of sand washed down in its stream. Aen. vii. 31: “Vorticibus rapidis et multa flavus arena.” By ‘vidimus’ Horace means that his generation had seen the prodigies he refers to, as Virgil says of the eruptions of Ætna:
“Quoties Cyclopum effervere in agros
Vidimus undantem ruptis fornacibus Aetnam.”—Aen. i. 471.
13, 14. retortis Littore Etrusco violenter undis] “Its waters driven violently back from the shore of the Etruscan sea,” into which the Tiber emptied itself. It is said that the overflowings of the Tiber are still by the common people accounted for by the violence of the sea driving back the stream. They were always held to be ominous, and many such are mentioned in Livy and other writers.
15. monumenta regis] This signifies the palace of Numa adjoining the temple of Vesta, hence called ‘atrium regium’ (Liv. xxvi. 27), as forming a kind of ‘atrium’ to the temple. Ovid (Fasti, vi. 263) thus alludes to this building:—
“Hic locus exiguus, qui sustinet atria Vestae,
Tunc erat intonsi regia magna Numae.”
17. Iliae — ultorem,] Tiber is represented as taking upon himself, without the sanction of Jove, and in consequence of Ilia’s complaints, to avenge the death of Julius Cæsar, the descendant of Iulus, her ancestor. Ilia, or Rea Silvia, the mother of Romulus and Remus, is variously reported to have been married to the Tiber and the Anio, because into one of those streams she was thrown by order of Amulius. Jove may be supposed to have disapproved the presumption of the river-god, because he had reserved the task of expiation for other hands and happier means. One of the chief purposes professed by Augustus was the avenging of his adoptive father’s death, and his enemies made this a handle against him.
21. cives acuisse ferrum] ‘Inter se’ or ‘in semetipsos’ may be understood. ‘Audiet acuisse’ does not mean ‘shall hear them sharpen,’ but ‘shall hear of their having sharpened.’ Horace is not predicting what is to be, but lamenting what has been.
22. Quo — perirent,] ‘By which it were better that the hostile Parthians should die.’
Persians, Medes, and Parthians are names freely interchanged by Horace. The Parthian empire, at the time Horace wrote, extended nearly from the Indus to the Roman province of Syria; and the Parthians were in the habit of making incursions into that province, which fact is referred to in the last stanza of this Ode. Although the name of Augustus, assisted by their own disputes, did something towards keeping them in check, they were held by the Romans to be their most formidable enemies. Augustus meditated, but never carried out, war with the Parthians; and the Romans never till the reign of Trajan gained any successes against them. Their empire was broken up, and succeeded by the Persian kingdom of the Sassanidæ, during the reign of Alexander Severus, A. D. 226.—‘Perirent’ would in prose be ‘perituri forent.’
24. Rara juventus.] ‘Our children thinned by the crimes of their fathers.’ It took years of peace and the enactment of stringent marriage-laws to restore the population of Rome, which was thinned not only by bloodshed, but by indifference to marriage and laxity of morals.
25. Quem vocet divum] Vesta was the tutelary goddess of Rome. See Virg. Georg. i. 499, sqq.
“Dii patrii Indigetes, et Romule, Vestaque mater,
Quae Tuscum Tiberim et Romana palatia servas.”
She is represented as turning a deaf ear to the prayers of her virgins, because Cæsar as Pontifex Maximus had particular charge of her temple and rites. On vocet, see Z.
29. scelus] The guilt of the civil wars and of Cæsar’s death, which, as Horace implies in what follows, was to be expiated by Augustus in the character of Mercury, the messenger of peace—‘Partes’ means ‘office,’ ‘duty.’
Æneas was said to have preserved the fire of Vesta and brought her to Rome. ‘Carmina’ (‘hymns’) is opposed to ‘prece’ as a set formula to other prayers. ‘Carmen’ has that meaning in respect to legal or any other formal documents. Liv. i. 26: “Lex horrendi carminis.” Epp. ii. 1. 138: “Carmine Di superi placantur carmine Manes.”
31. Nube candentes humeros amictus] So Homer describes him, εἱμένος ὤμοιϊν νεφέλην (Il. xv. 308). Virg. (Aen. viii. 720): “candentis lumine[245] Phoebi.” ‘Humeros’ is the Greek accusative: ‘your bright shoulders veiled in a cloud.’
32. Augur] Applied to Apollo as the deliverer of oracles and god of divination.
33. Sive] See i. 3. 12, n. ‘Erycina ridens’ corresponds to φιλομμείδης Ἀφροδίτη. Venus is called Erycina, from Mount Eryx in Sicily, where she had a temple. Ἵμερος and Ἔρως (two forms of Love) were the sons of Venus. ‘Jocus’ is an invention of Horace’s. Apollo is appealed to as the steadfast friend of Troy, and, according to his flatterers, the father of Augustus; Venus, as the mother of Æneas and of the Julian family; and Mars, as the father of Romulus. Mercury (the son of Jove and Maia), as above stated (v. 29), is selected as the representative of Augustus, because he is the messenger of peace.
36. Respicis] ‘You regard.’ Cic. (de Legg. ii. 11) proposes the title ‘Fortuna respiciens,’ which he explains by ‘ad opem ferendam,’ for a temple of Fortune.
37. ludo,] See C. i. 28. 17: “Dant alios Furiae torvo spectacula Marti.”
38. leves,] ‘Polished’ or ‘burnished.’
39. Mauri peditis] Translate in the following order: ‘et Vultus Mauri peditis Acer in cruentum hostem.’ The force of ‘peditis’ here appears to be that the rider has had his horse killed under him, or has dismounted to attack his enemy hand to hand, or in consequence of a wound. See S. ii. 1. 13: “Aut labentis equo describit vulnera Parthi.” The troops of Mauritania were chiefly cavalry. There is a particular meaning in the reference to them rather than to any other troops.
41. juvenem] So Augustus is called, though he was forty years old at this time. So Virg. (Georg. i. 500):—
“Hunc saltem everso juvenen succurrere saeclo
Ne prohibete.”
See C. iii. 14. 9; Epp. i. 8. 14; and S. ii. 5. 62, where the word is again applied to Augustus.
‘Juvenis’ and ‘adolescens’ were used for any age between ‘pueritia’ and ‘senectus.’ Cicero speaks of himself as ‘adolescens’ at the time he put down Catiline’s conspiracy, when he was forty-four years old, and as ‘senex’ when he delivered his 2d Philippic, at which time he was sixty-two.
42. Ales] Agreeing with ‘Filius.’
43. Filius] Is the nominative used for the vocative.—‘Patiens vocari,’ a Grecism. “Patiarque vel inconsultus haberi” (Epp. i. 5. 15). “Cum pateris sapiens emendatusque vocari” (Epp. i. 16. 30).
45. Serus in caelum redeas] Ovid, Met. xv. 868, sqq.:—
“Tarda sit illa dies et nostro serior aevo
Qua caput Augustum, quem temperat orbe relicto,
Accedat caelo.”
See also Trist. v. 2. 47. The adjective for the adverb is common in respect of time. The instances in Horace are very numerous.
49. triumphos,] Augustus had just celebrated, or was just about to celebrate, three triumphs on three successive days, for his victories, (1.) over the Gauls, Pannonians, and Dalmatians, (2.) at Actium, and (3.) at Alexandria. ‘Triumphos’ is governed by ‘ames,’ as ‘pocula’ is governed by ‘spernit’ (i. 1. 19); in both which cases we have an accusative case and an infinitive mood governed by the same verb.
50. pater] The title of ‘pater patriae’ was not assumed by Augustus till A. U. C. 752. It was the highest title of honor that could be conferred on a citizen, and was first given by the Senate to Cicero (the army had formerly bestowed it on Camillus), on the occasion of his suppressing Catiline’s conspiracy. Juv. viii. 243:—
“Roma parentem, —
Roma patiem patriae Ciceronem libera dixit,”
where ‘libera’ seems to mean that the Senate were no longer free agents when Augustus took the name. See C. iii. 24. 27, n.
princeps,] Tac. Ann. i. 1: “Cuncta discordiis civilibus fessa principis sub imperium accepit.” In the Senate there was always one person who was called ‘princeps senatus,’ chosen at their own discretion by the censors. It was nominally as such that Augustus took the title of ‘princeps’ rather than ‘rex,’ which was odious to the Romans. He and his successors are more often styled ‘princeps’ than ‘imperator’ by the historians. The latter title, from which ‘emperor’ is derived, they had in virtue of the ‘imperium,’ for an explanation of which term see Smith’s Dict. Ant.
51. Medos equitare inultos,] That is, the Parthians. See above, v. 21, n.
52. Te duce, Caesar] The name of Cæsar is introduced abruptly where that of Mercury might be expected. This abruptness increases the effect.
This Ode is addressed to the ship that was carrying Virgil the poet on some occasion to Greece. His constitution was weak, and he probably made several voyages for the sake of his health. He went and only returned to die in B. C. 19, but this ode was written before then. It is taken up with reproaches against him who first invented navigation, and a lament for the presumption of mankind.
Argument—We commit to thee Virgil, O thou ship! deliver him safe on the shores of Attica, and preserve him whom I love as my life, and may the skies and winds prosper thee. Hard and rash was the man who first tempted the sea and defied the winds. In what shape should he fear the approach of death, who unmoved could look on the monsters of the deep, and the swelling waves, and dangerous rocks? In vain did God separate lands, if man is to leap over the forbidden waters. So doth he ever rush into sin. Prometheus brought fire into the world, and with that theft came all manner of diseases, Dædalus soared on wings, and Hercules burst into hell. Deterred by nothing, we would climb heaven itself, and our guilt suffers not Jove to lay aside his bolts.
1. Sic] ‘Sic’ in this place amounts to no more than ‘utinam’ in a strong form, as ὡς does in Greek. There are other passages where ‘sic’ follows the prayer on which it depends, as C. i. 28. 25:
“Ne parce malignus arenae — particulam dare:
Sic quodcunque minabitur Eurus,” —
where the condition and its consequence are clearly marked, and an opposite wish is implied if the condition be not fulfilled. But such is not the case here; first Horace says, ‘May the stars and winds prosper thee,’ and then goes on, ‘O ship, deliver thy trust in safety.’
‘Potens,’ like its kindred word πότνια, is used with a genitive after it. Venus (a Latin divinity) is confounded by the poets with the Greek Aphrodite, who, from her supposed origin, was imagined to have power over the sea; hence Horace calls her ‘marina’ (C. iii. 26. 5; iv. 11. 15). She had the titles εὐπλοία, λιμένιας, had temples built for her in harbors and is represented on coins with a rudder, shell, and dolphin. Her principal temples were at Idalium and Paphos in Cyprus, in the island of Cythera off the Peloponnesus, Eryx (C. 2. 33) and Cnidus in Caria.
2. Sic fratres Helenae] Castor and Pollux had among other titles that of ἀρωγόναυται, ‘sailor helpers’. The appellation ‘lucida sidera’ is supposed to be derived from certain meteoric appearances after storms, which the ancients supposed to indicate the presence of Castor and Pollux. Similar phenomena are still called by the Italian sailors the fire of St. Elmo, a corruption (it is believed) from Helena, sister of Castor and Pollux. Compare Eurip. Helen. 1495, sqq., and C. iv. 8. 31.
3. pater,] Æolus is steward of the winds in Homer (Odyss. x. 21), king in Virgil, and father here.
4. praeter Iapyga:] The Iapygian or northwest wind, so called from Iapygia in Apulia, whence it blows down the Adriatic, was favorable for a voyage from Brundisium, where Virgil would embark for Greece.
6. finibus Atticis] ‘Deliver him safe on the shores of Attica’, ‘finibus’ being the ablative case. ‘Reddere’ is the word for delivering a letter.
8. animae dimidium meae] See C. ii. 17. 5. The definition of a friend ἥμισυ τῆς ψυχῆς is attributed to Pythagoras.
9. Illi robur et aes triplex] This too is an imitation of the Greek, as Aesch. Prom. 242: σιδηρόφρων τε κὰκ πέτρας εἰργασμένος. We are to understand a man whose heart is hard, as if cased in oak and a triple coat of bronze.
13. Aquilonibus] The dative, depending on ‘decertantem’.
14. tristes Hyadas,] These were three stars in the head of Taurus, whose name (derived from ὕειν, to rain) explains the epithet ‘tristes,’ ‘dull,’ ‘unhappy.’
15. arbiter] This may be rendered ‘tyrant.’ ‘Notus’ is called ‘dux turbidus Hadriae’ (C. iii. 3. 5). ‘Ponere freta’ is like Virg. (Aen. i. 66), “placide straverunt aequora venti”, and Soph. Aj. 674: δεινῶν δ᾽ ἄημα πνευμάτων ἐκοίμισε στένοντα πόντον. ‘Sive’ is omitted before ‘tollere,’ as the Greeks frequently omitted εἴτε in the first clause. This is common in Horace.
17. gradum] This is not ‘degree,’ but ‘step’. It must be rendered in some such way as this: ‘in what shape should he fear the approach of death’.
18. siccis oculis] ξηροῖς ἀκλαύστοις ὄμμασιν (Aesch. S. c. Theb. 696). The ancients were less exact in ascribing the proper signs to emotion or they wept less sparingly than men do now. Cæsar, describing the effect of fear on his men, says, “Hi neque vultum fingere neque interdum lacrimas tenere potuerunt” (B. G. i. 39); and Ovid (Met. xi. 539), describing sailors in a storm, says:—
“Non tenet hic lacrimas: stupet hic: vocat ille beatos
Funera quos maneant”:
It was enough to make them weep, to think that their bodies could not meet with burial. ‘Sicci occuli’ are fitting accompaniments of a heart so hard as this venturous discoverer is said to have had.
20. Acroceraunia?] ‘Ceraunii montes’ was the ancient name for the range of mountains that runs down the coast of Epirus, the northern extremity of which was the promontory called ‘Acroceraunia’. The navigation in the neighborhood of this promontory appears to have been dangerous. Vessels going from Italy to Greece were liable to be driven upon it, which accounts for its mention here.
22. dissociabili] Used actively, as “penetrabile telum” (Aen. x. 48), “genitabilis aura Favoni” (Lucret. i. 11), and in Horace ‘amabilem’ (C. i. 5. 10), ‘illacrimabilem’ (ii. 14. 6), which is used passively C. iv. 9. 26. Tacitus uses ‘dissociabilis’ passively (Agr. 3), “res olim dissociabiles miscuerit principatum et libertatem.” ‘Prudens’ is ‘providens,’ foreseeing the evil to come.
25. Audax omnia perpeti] ‘Presumptuous (enough) to endure all sufferings.’ Compare with this Soph. Antig. 332, sqq.:—
πολλὰ τὰ δεινὰ, κοὐδὲν ἀν-
θρώπου δεινότερον πέλει.
τοῦτο καὶ πολιοῦ πέραν
πόντου χειμερίῳ νότῳ
χωρεῖ, περιβρυχίοισιν
περῶν ὑπ᾽ οἴδμασιν.
‘Perpeti’ means to endure to the end. ‘Vetitum’ with ‘nefas’ is not altogether redundant. It expresses crimes which are obviously forbidden, as shown by the obstructions thrown in the way of their commission.
27. Iapeti genus] ‘Son of Iapetus’ (Prometheus). This is after the use of γένος, which occurs not rarely in the Tragedians. Eurip. (Cyclops 104) has δριμὺ Σισύφου γένος, for Ulysses, and Virg. (Aen. iv. 12) “genus esse Deorum.” Compare S. ii. 5. 63.—Prometheus also claimed to be the inventor of ships (Aesch. P. V. 467).
28. fraude mala] ‘Mala’ means mischievous or fatal theft, referring to its consequences. Technically ‘dolus malus’ means a fraud with bad intent, and ‘dolus bonus’ with good intent, a pious fraud.
30. Subductum] ‘stolen.’ ‘Sub’ in composition has sometimes that force of ὑπό which signifies ‘suppression’ and so ‘deception’ in every form. But it does not always convey a bad meaning.
31. incubuit] This word does not always take a dative case after it. Lucret. vi. 1141:—
“Mortifer aestus —
Incubuit tandem populum Pandionis omnem.”
In what follows ‘prius’ belongs to ‘semoti,’ and ‘tarda necessitas leti’ are one subject. Translate, ‘tardaque necessitas leti, prius semoti, corripuit gradum,’ ‘the power, once slow, of death remote before, hastened its step.’ So that ‘prius’ also affects ‘tarda.’ The story of the diseases and ills which issued from Pandora’s box, and which were a punishment for the theft of Prometheus, will be found in any classical dictionary.
36. Herculeus labor.] So Odyss. xi. 600, βιή Ἡρακληείη for Hercules. “Catonis virtus” (C. iii. 21. 11), “virtus Scipiadae et miris sapientia Laeli” (S. ii. 1. 72), may be taken in the same way. The descent of Hercules to Hades, for the purpose of bringing up Cerberus, was the twelfth labor imposed on him by Eurystheus.
L. Sestius, whose name is used in this Ode, was one of those who served with Horace under Brutus, and they were no doubt on terms of intimacy. The Ode professes to be written at the beginning of spring, and its subject is the uncertainty of life and the duty of enjoying it.
Argument.—The winter is thawing; the spring is returning; the ships are being launched; the herds quit their stalls and the ploughman his fireside; and the meadows are no longer white with frost. Venus and the Graces are leading the dance, and the Cyclops’ forge is burning. Let us bind the head with myrtle or the earth’s first flowers and sacrifice a lamb or kid to Pan. Death calls on rich and poor alike. Life is short, O Sestius! and our hopes we must contract. The grave awaits thee, and when there, no more shalt thou preside at the feast, or sigh for the fair young Lycidas.
2. machinae] The machines here mentioned are called by Cæsar (B. C. ii. 10) ‘phalangae.’ They were rollers. Vessels were drawn up on shore from the Ides of November to the Ides of March, during which time “Defendens pisces hiemat mare” (S. ii. 2. 17). As to ‘Favonius’ see C. iii. 7. 2. The usual word for ‘to launch’ (for which ‘trahunt’ is here used) is ‘deducere,’ the reverse of which, ‘to haul up on shore,’ is ‘subducere.’
3. neque — aut — nec] The two first of these form one branch of the sentence, and the last the other. “Neque (pecus aut arator) gaudet nec prata albicant.” See C. ii. 3, at the beginning.
4. canis-pruinis] The hoar-frost.
5. imminente Luna,] ‘with the moon overhead.’ ‘Cytherea Venus’ is unusual, but is analogous to Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων.
6. Junctaeque Nymphis] ‘Nymphis’ is dative. Translate ‘decentes’ ‘comely.’ See C. 30. 5, and 7, n.
7. graves] This epithet may have a variety of meanings. Perhaps Horace meant ‘laborious.’ The eruptions of Ætna, where the thunderbolts of Jove were supposed to be forged, taking place chiefly in the summer and early autumn, the Cyclops are fitly represented as preparing these bolts in spring.
8. urit] This seems to be an adaptation of φλέγει, ‘lights up,’ and is an unusual sense for ‘uro.’ Ovid (Fast. iv. 473) has “Antraque Cyclopum, positis exusta caminis,” which was possibly imitated from this.
9. nitidum] i.e. with oil. C. ii. 7. 22, n.; Epp. i. 5. 14, n.
11. Fauno decet immolare] The Faunalia took place on the Ides of December. But a lesser festival was observed on the Ides of February, at the advent of Faunus (Pan, the two being identified by the later Romans). See C. iii. 18. At that time the flocks and herds went out to graze, and the god was invoked for their protection. ‘Immolare’ admits of two constructions: with an ablative, as (Livy xli. 14) “immolantibus Jovi singulis bubus”; and with an accusative, as (Virg. Aen. x. 519) “inferias quas immolet umbris.” Horace himself has the latter construction elsewhere (S. ii. 3. 164): “Immolet aequis hic porcum Laribus.” So Virgil (Ecl. iii. 77), “facias vitula.”
13. pulsat] Ovid, Heroid. xxi. 46, “Persephone nostras pulsat acerba fores.”
14. Reges] This word is commonly applied to the rich by Horace, and by Terence too, as Phormio (i. 2. 20): “O! regem me esse opportuit.” The Romans, after the expulsion of the kings, used the terms ‘rex,’ ‘regnum,’ ‘regnare,’ for the most part, in an invidious sense.—‘Beatus’ means one who is rich and lives free from misfortunes. Sestius shared the defeat of Brutus at Philippi, but returning to Rome he was favored by Augustus, and rose to be consul.
15. inchoare] ‘To enter upon.’ This word means properly to begin a thing and not to bring it to an end. The derivation is uncertain.
16. premet] From this word, which belongs more properly to ‘nox,’ we must understand appropriate words for ‘Manes’ and ‘domus.’ Orelli supplies ‘circumvolitabunt’ and ‘teget.’
fabulaeque Manes] This is explained by Juv. S. ii. 149:—
“Esse aliquid (or aliquos) Manes —
Nec pueri credunt nisi qui nondum aere lavantur.”
Persicus has imitated Horace, S. v. 152: “cinis et Manes et fabula fies.” ‘Fabulae,’ therefore, signifies ‘unreal.’ See Epp. ii. 2. 209, n.—‘Exilis’ is ‘bare,’ as in Epp. i. 6. 45: “Exilis domus est qua non et multa supersunt.”—‘Simul’ is used commonly by Horace for ‘simul ac,’ ‘as soon as.’—‘Mirabere,’ as expressing affection, savors of the Greek θαυμάζειν. It occurs again Epod. iii. 10.—As to ‘talis,’ ‘dice,’ see S. ii. 3. 171, n. It was usual[250] at feasts for one to be chosen by lot, or by throw of dice, president, called by the the Greeks συμποσίαρχος, and by the Romans ‘rex bibendi’ or ‘magister bibendi,’ his office being principally to regulate the quantity and quality of wine to be drunk. Compare C. ii. 7. 25.
This is a graceful fancy poem. It expresses a lover’s jealousy, under the pretence of being glad to escape from the toils of an inconstant mistress. He supposes her to be at this time engaging the affections of some inexperienced youth unknown, who is embarked on the dangerous sea from which he has himself barely escaped. Milton has made a good translation of this Ode.
Argument.—What slender youth art thou toying with now, Pyrrha? He thinks, poor, credulous boy, it will always be thus with thee, and will timidly wonder when the tempest ariseth. I pity those who have no experience of thee; for my part, I have escaped out of the storm, as the walls of the Sea-god show, whereon my dripping garments and the picture of my wreck are hung.
1. multa — in rosa] ‘on a bed of roses.’
5. Simplex munditiis?] ‘Munditia,’ in the singular and plural, signifies elegance of dress without pretension. Translate ‘plain in thy neatness.’
6. Mutatosque deos] ‘Mutatos’ applies equally to ‘fidem’ and ‘deos.’ See C. ii. 1, n.
8. Emirabitur] This word is not found in other good authors. It is a stronger form of ‘miror,’ which is a common effect of ‘e’ and ‘de’ in composition, as, among many other instances, ‘decertantem’ in the third Ode. ‘Demiror’ is a word used by Cicero and others, and adopted here by some editors.—‘Insolens’ is either used absolutely or with a genitive.
9. aurea:] ‘All gold’ is Milton’s translation, and none other that I know of will do. It implies perfection, just as ‘aurea mediocritas’ signifies that perfect state which transgresses neither to the right nor to the left. So Homer calls Venus χρυσέα frequently.
10. vacuam,] ‘heart free.’ “Elige de vacuis quam non sibi vindicet alter,” Ov. Herod. xx. 149. See also C. i. 6. 19: “Cantamus vacui sive quid urimur.”—‘Amabilem’ Gesner understands actively. It may be either, or both. See C. i. 3. 22.
13. tabula] This practice of persons escaped from shipwreck hanging up in the temple of Neptune or other sea-god a picture representing their wreck and the clothes they escaped in, is mentioned twice again by Horace, S. ii. 1. 33; A. P. 20. Also, among many others, by Virgil, Aen. xii. 768:
“Servati ex undis ubi figere dona solebant
Laurenti divo, et votas suspendere vestes.”
The temples of Isis in particular were thus adorned, after the introduction of her worship into Rome, which was not till quite the latter years of the Republic. She was worshipped in Greece as Πελαγία, and the Romans placed themselves under her protection at sea. Juvenal asks (S. xii. 28): “Pictores quis nescit ab Iside pasci?” There is a little confusion in the sentence; for Horace says, ‘the wall shows with its votive picture that he has hung up his clothes to the sea-god.’ This may be accounted for if we suppose that he meant to say, ‘the wall with its picture shows that he has[251] escaped drowning,’ to which the other is equivalent, but expresses more, namely, the hanging up of the clothes.
15. potenti — maris] ‘Potenti’ governs ‘maris,’ as “potens Cypri,” C. i. 3. 1.
This Ode is addressed to M. Vipsanius Agrippa, the friend and general, and at a later time the son-in-law, of Augustus. It was probably written after the battle of Actium, where Agrippa commanded the fleet of Augustus against M. Antonius. He may have asked Horace to write an ode in his honor, and he declines in a modest way, professing to be unequal to such high exploits, which he places on the same level with those of Homer’s heroes.
Argument.—Varius shall sing in Homeric strain of thy victories by sea and land. My humble muse does not sing of these, of the wrath of Achilles, or the wanderings of Ulysses, or the fate of Pelops’s house, nor will she disparage thy glories and Cæsar’s. Who can fitly sing of Mars, mail-clad,—of Meriones, black with the dust of Troy,—of Diomed, a match for gods? I sing but of feasts, and of the battles of boys and girls.
1. Scriberis] See next Ode, v. 1, n. L. Varius Rufus was a distinguished epic and tragic poet frequently mentioned by Horace, with whom he was intimate, and whom he introduced to Mæcenas. He was popular with his contemporaries, and much admired by them. Augustus also had an affection for him (see Epp. ii. 1. 247).
2. carminis alite,] ‘Alite’ is in apposition with ‘Vario.’ Translate, ‘bird of Homeric song.’ In prose the ablative of the agent without a preposition is not admissible. But Horace has the same construction, C. iii. 5. 24. S. ii. 1. 84. Epp. i. 1. 94. It is most frequently found in Ovid. Homer is called ‘Maeonius’ from the fact that Smyrna, a town of Lydia, more anciently called Mæonia, was one of those that claimed to be his birthplace.
3. Quam rem cunque] The construction is by attraction. The full expression would be ‘scriberis et scribetur omnis res quamcunque.’ Agrippa’s great successes up to this time had been in the Perusian war against L. Antonius, B. C. 41 (in which he had the principal command under Augustus), in Gaul and Germany, by land; and against Sex. Pompeius and at Actium, by sea.
4. te duce] See next Ode, v. 27, n.
5. neque haec — nec gravem] This is as if he had said: ‘I should not think of singing of these victories, any more than I should of the wrath of Achilles.’ Compare C. iii. 5. 27-30:
“Neque amissos colores
Lana refert medicata fuco,
Nec vera virtus cum semel excidit
Curat reponi deterioribus.”
‘As the stained wool does not recover its lost color, so true virtue once lost will not be restored to the degenerate.’ ‘Gravem stomachum’ is a translation of μῆνιν οὐλομένην (Il. i. 1), and ‘cedere nescii’ is explained by ‘inexorabilis,’ A. P. 121. This construction with ‘nescius’ is not uncommon. Virgil, Aen. xii. 527: “Rumpuntur nescia vinci pectora.” Ovid, Ep. ex Pont. ii. 9. 45: “Marte ferox et vinci nescius armis.”
7. duplicis] διπλοῦς, ‘double-minded or double-tongued,’ as he is described by Hecuba in Euripides’s play of the Trojan Women (v. 285):—
ὃς πάντα τἀκεῖθεν ἐνθάδ᾽
ἀντίπαλ᾽ αὖθις ἐκεῖσε διπτύχῳ γλώσσᾳ
φίλα τὰ πρότερ᾽ ἄφιλα τιθέμενος πάντων.
‘Ulixeï’ is a genitive of the second declension, ‘Ulixeus’ being an old Latin form of ‘Ulysses.’
8. saevam Pelopis domum] Alluding to Varius’s tragedy Thyestes. Tantalus, the founder of his house, served up his own son Pelops at a feast of the gods. Pelops, restored to life, murdered Œnomaus his father-in-law and his own son Chrysippus (Thucyd. i. 9). Atreus, the son of Pelops, murdered and placed before their father as a meal the children of Thyestes his brother, who had previously seduced the wife of Atreus. Atreus was killed by Ægisthus, his nephew and supposed son, who also seduced the wife of his cousin, Agamemnon (the son of Atreus), who was murdered by the said wife Clytemnestra, and she by her son Orestes, who was pursued to madness by the Erynnyes of his mother: all of which events furnished themes for the Greek tragedians, and were by them varied in their features as suited their purpose, or according to the different legends they followed.
11. Laudes] It is said that Varius wrote a panegyric on Augustus, and if so, it is possible Horace means indirectly to refer to it here.
13. tunica tectum adamantina] This expresses Homer’s epithet χαλκοχίτων.
15. Merionen] The charioteer of Idomeneus, king of Crete. ‘Pulvere Troico nigrum’ is like ‘non indecoro pulvere sordidos’ (C. ii. 1. 22). With the help of Pallas, Diomed encountered Mars and wounded him (Il. v. 858).
18. Sectis — acrium] The order is, ‘virginum in juvenes acrium, Sectis tamen unguibus.’
19. sive quid urimur] The construction has been noticed before (3. 15), and ‘vacuus’ occurs in the last Ode (v. 10). See Z. § 385.
20. Non praeter solitum leves.] ‘Trifling, according to my usual practice.’
Munatius Plancus, who followed Julius Cæsar both in Gaul and in his war with Pompeius, after Cæsar’s death attached himself to the republican party, but very soon afterwards joined Augustus; then followed Antonius to the East, and B. C. 32, the year before Actium, joined Augustus again. He was consul in B. C. 42. See C. iii. 14. 27,
“Non ego hoc ferrem, calidus juventa,
Consule Planco.”
He had a son Munatius, who is probably the person referred to in Epp. i. 3. 31. To which of them this Ode was addressed, if to either, is uncertain. It might have been addressed to any one else, for its only subject is the praise of a quiet life and convivial pleasure, which is supported by a story about Teucer, taken from some source unknown to us. Much of the language and ideas seems to have been copied from the Greek.
Argument.—Let others sing of the noble cities of Greece, and dedicate their lives to the celebration of Athens and all its glories. For my part, I care not for Lacedæmon and Larissa, as for Albunea’s cave, the banks of Anio, and the woods and orchards of Tibur. The sky is not always dark, Plancus: drown care in wine, whether in the camp or in the shades of Tibur. As Teucer, though driven from his father’s home, bound poplar on his head, and cheered his companions, saying: “Let us follow fortune,[253] my friends, kinder than a father: despair not, while Teucer is your chief; Apollo has promised us another Salamis: drown care in wine, for to-morrow we will seek the deep once more.”
1. Laudabunt] This future is like ‘scriberis’ in the last Ode (v. 1), ‘others shall if they please.’ ‘Claram’ means ‘bright,’ with reference to its cloudless skies. ‘Bimaris’ is an unusual word. It refers to the position of Corinth, which, standing at the south of the isthmus, commanded the shore of the Sinus Corinthiacus, by two long walls reaching from the town to the sea, and had its eastern port Cenchreæ on the Sinus Saronicus.
5. Sunt quibus] ‘There are those who make it the single business of their lives to tell of chaste Minerva’s city in unbroken song, and to gather a branch from every olive to entwine their brow.’ A ‘perpetuum carmen’ is a continuous poem, such as an Epic; and ‘a branch from every olive,’ or, more literally, an ‘olive-branch from every quarter,’ means that the various themes connected with the glory of Athens are as olive-trees, from each of which a branch is plucked to bind the poet’s brow. The figure is appropriate to the locality, where the olive flourished and was sacred to Minerva (see Herod. v. 8. Soph. Oed. Col. 694, sqq.). We do not know of any poem or poems to which Horace may have alluded, but Athens furnished subjects for the inferior poets of the day.
8. Plurimus] This word for ‘plurimi’ standing alone occurs nowhere else; with a substantive it is not uncommon, as ‘Oleaster plurimus,’ Georg. ii. 182. ‘Plurimus aeger,’ Juv. iii. 232. ‘In honorem,’ for the ablative, is an unusual construction. But Propertius (iv. 6. 13) says, “Caesaris in nomen ducuntur carmina,” which is an analogous case. See Hom. Il. iv. 51, where Here says:—
ἦ τοι ἐμοὶ τρεῖς μὲν πολὺ φίλταταί εἰσι πόληες,
Ἄργος τε Σπάρτη τε καὶ εὐρυάγυια Μυκήνη.
She had a celebrated temple between Argos and Mycenæ called the Ἡραῖον. Homer (Il. ii. 287) calls Argos ἱππόβατον (‘aptum equis’), the plain in which the city was placed being famous for breeding horses.
‘Dites Mycenas’ is later: Μυκήνας τὰς πολυχρύσους (Soph. Elect. 9). ‘Opimae Larissae’ is Homeric; Λάρισσα ἐριβώλαξ (Il. ii. 841). There were several towns of this name, and it is uncertain which Homer meant, but probably that in Thessaly. Horace perhaps took his town, with its epithet, without thinking much where it was. But he may have been at all these places while he was in Greece. ‘Patiens’ is the Spartan’s historical character, but also that of Horace’s age. Cicero (Tusc. v. 27) says, “Pueri Spartiatae non ingemiscunt verberum dolore laniati. Adolescentium greges Lacedaemone vidimus ipsi, incredibili contentione certantes pugnis, calcibus, unguibus, morsu denique, ut exanimarentur prius quam se victos faterentur.” ‘Percussit’ is generally used with the ablative of the instrument or cause. Standing alone in this way, and in the aoristic perfect, it savors very much of ἔπληξε which is used in the same sense.
12. Albuneae resonantis] Albunea, one of the Sibyls worshipped at Tibur, gave her name to a grove and fountain. See Virg. Aen. vii. 81, sqq.
13. Tiburni lucus] Tiburnus (or -tus), Catillus, and Coras were the mythical founders of Tibur. See Virg. Aen. vii. 671. The brothers were worshipped and had a grove there. Tiburnus was the tutelar deity of Tibur, as Tiberinus was of the river Tiber, Anienus of the Anio, &c. They are in fact adjectives. Tibur was famous for its orchards. As to ‘uda’ see C. iii. 29. 6, n. Close to Tibur there is a fall of the Anio, which explains ‘praeceps.’
15. Albus — Notus] This is the λευκόνοτος of the Greeks. We have also ‘candidi Favonii’ (C. iii. 7. 1) and ‘albus Iapyx’ (C. iii. 27. 19). In the latter place it represents a treacherous wind. Horace prefers the older forms in ‘eo,’ as ‘deterget,’ ‘tergere’ (S. ii. 2. 24), ‘densentur’ (C. i. 28. 19).
19. fulgentia signis] The standards in front of the ‘praetorium,’ the commander-in-chief’s quarters, were decorated with plates of burnished gold or silver.
21. Teucer] Teucer was brother of Ajax, and son of Telamon, king of Salamis, that island on the southern coast of Attica where Themistocles defeated the forces of Xerxes. When he returned from Troy, his father refused to receive him, because he came without his brother, whereupon he went with his followers to Cyprus, and built a city there, which he called after his native place, Salamis. ‘Cum fugeret tamen’ is an imitation of the Greek καὶ φεύγων ὅμως. But this use of ‘tamen’ is not uncommon in Cicero. Teucer selected Hercules as his protector, and so wore a crown of poplar, which was sacred to that hero. See Virg. Aen. viii. 276.
25. Fortuna melior parente] ‘Fortune, kinder than my father.’
27. duce et auspice] Horace puts technical distinctions into Teucer’s lips, of which he could know nothing. The commander-in-chief of a Roman army had a power called ‘imperium’ given him, in virtue of which his acts in the war in which he was engaged were done on behalf of the state. He alone had the power of taking the auspices under which the war was carried on. The difference between ‘dux’ and ‘auspex’ was the difference between a commander who had the ‘imperium’ (and therefore the ‘auspicium’) and one who had not. If an ‘imperator’ commanded in person, the war was said to be carried on under his ‘ductus’ as well as his ‘auspicia’; otherwise only under his ‘auspicia,’ his ‘legatus’ being the ‘dux.’ Thus Tacitus says (Ann. ii. 41), “recepta signa cum Varo amissa ductu Germanici auspiciis Tiberii.” Tiberius as ‘imperator’ alone had the ‘auspicium,’ which the emperors rarely delegated to their generals. See last Ode, v. 4. C. iv. 14. 33. Epp. ii. 1. 254. ‘Certus’ is equivalent to σαφής in εἰ Ζεὺς ἔτι Ζεὺς χὠ Διὸς Φοῖβος σαφής (Oed. Col. 623).
29. Ambiguam] Of doubtful name, i.e. liable to be confounded with the old Salamis.
This Ode contains an expostulation with a damsel, Lydia, who is supposed to be spoiling by her charms a youth, Sybaris, once distinguished in all manly sports, which he has now forsaken. Sybaris was the name of a Greek town on the Sinus Tarentinus, the inhabitants of which were idle and luxurious. The name, which was proverbial though the town had long been destroyed, is given to this youth by way of representing the character into which he has fallen.
Argument.—Lydia, why art thou spoiling Sybaris thus, so that he shuns all manly exercises? He who was once so active, why does he no longer ride and swim and wrestle, and throw the quoit and javelin in the Campus Martius? Why does he hide himself with thee, like Achilles, in woman’s apparel?
3, 4. apricum campum] The Campus Martius, where the youth of Rome used to practise manly and warlike exercises.
5. militaris] ‘as a soldier should.’
6. Gallica nec lupatis] The best horses were bred in Cisalpine Gaul. Lupata (plur.) is used as a substantive by Virgil (Georg. iii. 208). It was the sharpest kind of bit, so called from the jagged teeth of the wolf, which it resembled. It was also called ‘lupus.’ The participle is not elsewhere used.
8. Tiberim tangere? Cur olivum] The Romans bathed often in the Tiber, before which, and before their exercises in the Campus Martius, they were wont to rub oil on their limbs. C. iii. 12. 6. S. i. 6. 123; ii. 1. 8.
10. armis] The discus (S. ii. 2. 13) and lance, the violent use of which strained and discolored the arms.
13. Quid latet,] ‘Why is he hiding himself in your house?’ as Achilles was hid in a woman’s dress, in the palace of Lycomedes, in the island of Scyros, lest he should be carried to Troy; a legend which Homer knew nothing of. Thetis foresaw that the siege of Troy would be fatal to Achilles. In Ovid (Met. xiii. 165, sqq.) Ulysses relates the story, and tells how he discovered Achilles and dragged him to the war.
16. Lycias — catervas?] The Lycians assisted the Trojans under the command of Sarpedon and Glaucus.
This is a drinking song for the winter, imitated from an Ode of Alcæus. A party is supposed to be assembled in the city, and one calls upon the master of the feast to bring out his best wine, and make the fire burn bright, that they may banish care and all thought for the future, since youth is the time for innocent enjoyment.
Argument.—You see how Soracte stands out with snow, and the woods are bending with their burden, and the sharp frost hath frozen the streams. Heap logs on the fire, and draw your best Sabine wine, feast-master, and leave the rest to the gods, at whose bidding the fierce winds are still and the woods have rest. Ask not what is to come; enjoy the present day; let the dance be ours while we are young, the Campus Martius, the promenade, the nightly assignation, and the coy girl that loves to be caught.
1. stet] ‘stands out.’ This signifies a fixed and prominent appearance. ‘Stant lumina flamma’ (Aen. vi. 300) may be rendered in the same way. Soracte was one of the Faliscan range of hills, about 2200 feet high and twenty-four miles from Rome. It is now called Monte Tresto, a corruption from ‘San Oreste.’ It is seen very clearly from the northern point of the city. Apollo had a temple there: “Summe deum sancti custos Soractis Apollo,” Aen. xi. 785.
4. constiterint] ‘have ceased flowing.’ See Ov. Tr. v. 10. 1: “Ut sumus in Ponto ter frigore constitit Ister.” ‘Acuto,’ as applied to cold, corresponds to the ὀξεῖα χιών of Pindar, and ‘penetrabile frigus’ of Virgil. But Horace also applies it to heat (Epp. i. 10. 17): “Cum semel accepit solem furibundus acutum.” In English, we say ‘a sharp frost,’ but do not use the same word for heat.
7. Deprome quadrimum Sabina, — diota.] The first of these words means here to draw the wine from the ‘diota’ into the crater or bowl in which it was mixed with water. The diota (so called from its having two handles or ears, ὦτα) was the same as the ‘amphora’ (so called for the same reason), ‘testa,’ or ‘cadus,’ which were names for the vessels of earthen-ware or glass in which the wine was kept, as we keep it in bottles, after it was drawn from[256] the ‘dolium,’ the larger vessel in which it was put to ferment when new. The name of the wine is applied to the vessel containing it here, as in ‘Graeca testa’ (i. 20. 2); ‘Laestrygonia amphora’ (iii. 16. 34). Sabine wine was not among the best, nor was it of the worst sort. It was a sweet wine, and probably after four years’ keeping was in its prime. Horace calls it elsewhere (C. i. 20. 1) “vile Sabinum,” but that was as compared with Mæcenas’s more expensive sorts.
14. Fors] ‘Chance.’ Cic. (de Legg. ii. 11) distinguishes ‘Fors’ from ‘Fortuna’ thus: “Fortuna valet in omnes dies; Fors in quo incerti casus significantur magis.” ‘Fors’ and ‘Sors’ differ as cause and effect. See S. i. 1. 1. ‘Quem dierum cunque’ is equivalent to ‘quemcunque diem’; ‘whatever day chance shall bestow.’
lucro Appone,] ‘set it down to good luck.’ Cic. Div. 9. 17: “de lucro prope jam quadriennium novimus,” i.e. of good luck and contrary to expectation. Liv. (xi. 8) has the same expression: “De lucro vivere me scito.” ‘Lucrari’ is said of things gained without our own effort, according to Forcellini’s explanation.
17. virenti] Epod. 13. 4: “dumque virent genua.” The Greeks used γόνυ χλωρόν. ‘Virere’ is also applied to old age, and we speak commonly of a ‘green old age.’ “Cruda ac viridis senectus,” Tac. Agr. 29.
18. areae] Courts and open places about the temples and in different parts of the town, used as promenades and for games. ‘Any place in a city not built upon,’ is the jurists’ definition of ‘area.’
24. male pertinaci.] ‘slyly obstinate,’ or ‘not obstinate,’ that is, which does not resist the snatching of the ring; for ‘male’ may be taken in either sense. See below, C. 17. 25, n.
In the following Ode, which is a translation or close adaptation of one written by Alcæus, the attributes and legends belonging to Hermes, the Greek divinity, are applied to Mercurius, the Latin, who was properly the god who presided over commerce. Ovid gives much the same account of Mercurius in the fifth book of the Fasti (663, sqq.). His description begins with the same apostrophe as this, ‘Clare nepos Atlantis.’
Argument.—Mercury, thou who in their infancy didst tame the human race by the gifts of speech and the palæstra, of thee will I sing, thou messenger of the gods, thou master of the lyre and prince of thieves. Why, while Apollo was threatening thee for stealing his cows, he turned and laughed to find his quiver gone. By thee Priam passed through the Grecian camp. Thou conductest souls to their last home, thou favorite of the gods above and gods below!
1. nepos Atlantis,] Hermes was the son of Zeus and Maia the daughter of Atlas.
3. Voce formasti] Hermes was looked upon as the herald of the gods, and so as gifted above all others with eloquence; hence he was called λόγιος. He was said to have invented the first written language.
decorae More palaestrae,] ‘The practice (exercise) of the graceful palæstra,’ so called as giving grace to the limbs. As the inventor and patron of gymnastic exercises, Hermes was called ἀγώνιος.
6. lyrae parentem,] Hermes was said, when a child, to have taken the shell of a tortoise and put strings to it, and so to have invented the lyre.
7. Callidum quidquid] All arts of cunning were supposed to have originated with Hermes, who as the god of gain patronized thieving.
9. Te boves olim] Translate in the following order: ‘Olim Apollo, dum Te puerum terret (terrebat) minaci Voce, nisi reddidisses boves per dolum amotas, Risit viduus (spoliatus) pharetra.’ Hermes is also said to have stolen when a child some cows of Apollo’s. After some time, that god discovered the thief, and when threatening to punish him if he did not restore them, he turned and found his bow and arrows gone; and Horace says he smiled at the expertness of the theft. This story is said to have been first told by Alcæus. Ovid, in the place above mentioned, relates it.
14. Ilio dives Priamus] Horace uses the forms Ilios (feminine) and Ilion (neuter). The story of Priam going through the Grecian camp to beg the body of his son Hector of Achilles, is told by Homer in the 24th book of the Iliad (334, sqq.).
15. Thessalos ignes] The watch-fires of the troops of Achilles.
17. Tu pias laetis] As the conductor of the dead, Hermes was called ψυχοπομπός, and as the bearer of a golden wand, he was named χρυσόῤῥαπις. This wand the Greeks called κηρυκεῖον, the Latins ‘caduceus.’
20. imis.] That is, Pluto and Proserpine.
The swarms of impostors from the East, who pretended to tell fortunes and cast nativities at Rome in the time of the empire, became a public nuisance, and they were expelled and laws passed against them, but without the effect of putting them down. Tacitus (Hist. i. 22) describes them as “Genus hominum infidum, sperantibus fallax, quod in civitate nostra et vetabitur semper et retinebitur.” They were becoming numerous in Cicero’s time. As might be supposed, they were most successful in engaging the attention of women (Juv. vi. 569, sqq.), and Horace here addresses himself to one of that sex, whom he calls Leuconoë, a name which appears to be equivalent to ‘folly.’
Argument.—Look not into the book of fate, Leuconoë, nor consult the astrologers. How much better to be satisfied, whether we have yet many winters to see, or this be the last! Be wise, strain the wine, think of the shortness of life, and cut your expectations short. Even while we speak, time flies. Live to-day; trust not to-morrow.
1. scire nefas,] ‘Nefas’ means that which is not permitted by the gods. It does not always signify what is wrong, but sometimes what is impossible for the above reason.
2. Babylonios numeros.] ‘The calculations of the Chaldeans.’
6. vina liques,] ‘strain the wine.’ See S. ii. 4. 51, n.
spatio brevi] This means ‘cut down distant hopes, and confine them within a narrow compass.’
8. Carpe diem] ‘Seize the (present) day.’
The object of this Ode is to celebrate the popular divinities and heroes of Rome; but the design is so worked out as to draw the chief attention to[258] Augustus. The Muse is asked whom she will praise,—Jove and his children, or some one of the worthies of Rome, of whom many are mentioned, beginning with Romulus and ending with Augustus, of whom it is declared that he is under the especial care of Jove, and that he holds from him the sceptre of the world. These persons are mentioned without reference to chronological order, and it does not appear why some were chosen rather than others of more or equal note who are omitted.
Argument.—Whom wilt thou sing among gods or men, Clio? Whose name shall the echoes of Pindus or Helicon repeat, or of Hæmus, whose woods followed the sweet music of Orpheus? Whom, before the Almighty Father, who knows no equal or second? After him cometh Pallas, and then brave Liber, and the huntress Diana, and Phœbus the archer, and Hercules, and Leda’s sons, the horseman and the fighter, before whose star the tempests fly. Then shall it be Romulus, or the peaceful Numa, or proud Tarquin, or Cato, who nobly died? Regulus, and the Scauri, and Paulus, who gave up his great soul to the Carthaginian, gratefully I will sing, and Fabricius and Curius and Camillus, all trained for war in poverty’s school. The fame of Marcellus is growing up insensibly, like a tree, and the star of Julius is brighter than all stars. To thee, great Father, is given the care of Cæsar; share with him thy kingdom. Putting Parthians to flight, and subduing the nations of the East, he shall rule the world, as thy vicegerent, with a righteous sway, while thou dost shake Olympus, and hurlest thy bolts on the haunts of impiety.
1. Quem virum] This opening is taken from the beginning of the second Olympic Ode of Pindar:—
ἀναξιφόρμιγγες ὕμνοι
τίνα θεόν, τίν᾽ ἥρωα, τίνα δ᾽ ἄνδρα κελαδήσομεν;
2. sumis celebrare,] See C. i. 1. 8, n. Horace invokes the Muses without much discrimination; but Clio is not improperly invoked here, as the Muse of history, to which the names of the worthies recounted belong. Calliope, the Epic Muse, is invoked C. iii. 4. 2; Melpomene, the tragic, is asked for a dirge, i. 24. 3, and is invoked by Horace as his patroness in iv. 3; Euterpe and Polymnia, the proper lyric Muses, occur i. 1. 33. ‘Imago’ is used absolutely for the echo (for which the Romans had no corresponding term) by Cicero, Tusc. iii. 2: “ea (laus bonorum) virtuti resonat tanquam imago.” Virgil gives the full expression, Georg. iv. 50: “Vocisque offensa resultat imago.” See C. i. 20. 8. Our verse-writers are fond of Horace’s epithet, ‘sportive echo.’
5. Heliconis oris] Helico was a range of mountains in Bœotia, and Pindus between Thessaly and Epirus. Both were celebrated as the abodes of the Muses. Hæmus was a range on the north of Thrace, and Orpheus was a Thracian. See A. P. 391, 405, n.
9. Arte materna] Orpheus was the son of the Muse Calliope.
15, 16. Qui mare ac terras] Virgil addresses Jove in the same way:—
“O qui res hominumque deumque
Aeternis regis imperiis et fulmine terres.”—Aen. i. 230.
variisque mundum — horis] ‘Mundum’ here signifies ‘the sky,’ as in Georg. i. 240, and ‘horis’ has its Greek signification,—‘seasons.’
17. Unde nil majus] ‘Unde’ occurs several times in Horace as referring to persons. See, among other places, Cicero de Senect. 4, fin., “fore unde discerem neminem.”
19. Proximos] This, signifying the next in order without reference to distance, does not contradict what goes before. ‘Secundum’ means close proximity. Pallas is said to hold the next place to Jupiter, not[259] absolutely, but among those ‘qui generantur ipso,’ and only these are mentioned.
21. Proeliis audax] Horace confounds the Latin divinity Liber with the Greek Dionysus or Bacchus, whose Indian wars and contests with the giants (ii. 19. 21) are here alluded to.
26. Hunc equis, — ] S. ii. 1. 26.
29. Defluit saxis agitatus humor,] The waters that in their fury covered the rocks flow back to their bed. See C. i. 3. 2, n.
33. Romulum post hos, etc.] The order is, ‘dubito utrum prius post hos memorem Romulum, an quietum Pompili regnum,’ etc.
34. superbos Tarquini fasces] Tarquinius Priscus is probably referred to, and ‘superbos’ must in that case be taken in a good sense.
35. Catonis] M. Cato, surnamed Uticensis from the fortress of Utica in Africa, where he died. He put himself to death, rather than fall into the hands of Julius Cæsar, B. C. 46.
37. Scauros] The plural is used for the singular (see S. i. 7. 8, n.), and M. Æmilius Scaurus is meant, who was consul B. C. 115. The story of M. Atilius Regulus, who as consul commanded the Roman army in the first Punic war, and was taken by the Carthaginians, is told in C. iii. 5. L. Æmilius Paullus commanded with Varro, his colleague in the consulship, at the battle of Cannæ, when the Romans were defeated by Hannibal, and Paullus lost his life by refusing to fly when he might have done so. C. Fabricius Luscinus was consul, and commanded in the war with Pyrrhus, B. C. 278, three years after which M. Curius Dentatus was consul and commander in the same war. Both of these consuls were celebrated for the simplicity of their habits, and for rejecting the bribes of the Samnites, in respect to which a notable saying of Curius is related by Cicero (De Senect. c. 16). The older Romans wore their hair and beards long. These heroes are represented as negligent of their appearance. L. Furius Camillus is he who was said to have forced the Gauls to raise the siege of the Capitol, B. C. 390.
43, 44. Saeva paupertas] ‘Saevus’ does not necessarily bear a bad sense, nor is it so used in C. iii. 16. 16. ‘Apto cum lare’ means ‘with a suitable house,’—a house of a size proportionate to the small ancestral farm.
45. occulto — aevo] ‘By an imperceptible growth,’ as Ovid, Met. x. 519: “Labitur occulte fallitque volatilas aetas.” Marcellus was he who took Syracuse in the second Punic war, B. C. 212, and his name stands for all his descendants, and particularly the young Marcellus, who married Julia, the daughter of Augustus, B. C. 25, and died in less than two years after. This allusion makes it probable he was alive when the Ode was written. The star of Julius Cæsar, and the lesser lights of that family, are meant by what follows. By ‘Julium sidus’ is meant Cæsar himself, at whose death a comet is reported to have appeared, which was supposed to be his spirit translated to the skies. (See Ovid, Met. xv. sub fin.)
53. Ille, seu Parthos] See C. 2. 21, n. The Romans had hopes that Augustus would conquer the Parthians, and redeem the disgrace they had suffered from them, and this is written in anticipation of that event. ‘Justo triumpho’ is a complete triumph. (See Cic. de Am. c. 20, ad Fam. xv. 6, with Long’s notes.)
56. Seras et Indos,] See notes on C. iii. 29. 27; iv. 15. 23.
This Ode expresses a lover’s jealousy, being addressed to his mistress, Lydia, who is supposed to be coquetting with a youth named Telephus.
Argument.—Lydia, while thou art praising Telephus’s neck, Telephus’s arms, oh! my heart is ready to burst. My mind tosses about; my color comes and goes; and the tear stealing down my cheek tells of the slow fire that burns within. It galls me when his rough hands hurt thy shoulders, or his teeth leave their mark on thy lips: think not he will be constant who could hurt that nectared mouth. How happy they whom love binds fast, to the day of their death!
2. cerea Telephi] ‘Cerea’ means ‘white as wax.’ The Romans wore their necks and arms bare, the tunic being cut so as to expose the throat and upper part of the chest, and having no sleeves.
4. difficili bile] ‘Jealousy.’ The Romans expressed anger by ‘splendida’ or ‘vitrea bilis,’ and melancholy by ‘atra bilis’ (μελαγχολία).
6. manet,] The lengthening of a short syllable in such positions is not uncommon. So C. ii. 13. 16: “Caeca timet aliunde fata.”
12. memorem] ‘lasting’; which will long tell the tale of his violence.
13. Non, — Speres] This more emphatic negative is used not uncommonly in prohibitive sentences, instead of ‘ne,’ as “non — sileas,” S. ii. 5. 91; “non ulceret,” Ep. i. 18. 72; “non sit qui tollere curet,” A. P. 460.
16. Quinta parte sui nectaris imbuit.] Some of the Greek poets had notions about the relative sweetness of nectar and honey which Horace has here imitated, and “quinta parte sui nectaris” probably means honey.
18. irrupta] This word is not found elsewhere.
20. Suprema citius] This construction for ‘citius quam suprema’ only occurs once again in Horace, in “plus vice simplici” (C. iv. 14. 13).
During the troubles in Mitylene, his native city, Alcæus wrote an Ode, of which this seems to be a close imitation. It was written most probably during the civil wars, that is, between B. C. 41 and 30 (when Horace returned to Rome). The state is likened to a ship drifting out to sea with its rigging crippled, and in danger of destruction.
Argument.—Thou art drifting again to sea, thou ship; oh! haste, and make for the harbor; oars lost, mast split, yards crippled, and rigging gone, how canst thou weather the storm? Thy sails are torn, thy gods are gone, and, noble hull though thou be, there is no strength in thy beauty. If thou be not fated to destruction, avoid the rocks, thou who wert but late my grief, and art now my anxious care.
6. sine funibus] ‘deprived of her rigging.’ Some understand it to mean ‘without girding ropes,’ referring to St. Luke’s description of their undergirding the ship in which St. Paul was being conveyed to Rome (Acts xxvii. 16).
10. Non di,] “Accipit et pictos puppis adunca deos” (Ov. Heroid. xvi. 112). There was usually a niche in the stern of a ship where the image of the tutelary god was kept.
11, 12. Pontica pinus,] The best ship timber came from Pontus. ‘Pinus’ is in apposition with the subject of ‘Jactes,’ and ‘nobilis’ agrees with ‘Silvae.’
15. nisi — Debes ludibrium,] i.e. ‘if thou be not fated to destruction.’
17. Nuper sollicitum] Taking the Ode as an address to the state, we can only understand Horace to mean, that while he was attached to Brutus, or before he had received pardon, he had no other feelings than fear for his own safety and disgust with the state of the country; but now, under Augustus, he watches its fate with the affection and anxiety of a friend. The order is, ‘(Tu) quae nuper eras mihi sollicitum taedium (et quae) Nunc (es) desiderium curaque non levis, Vites aequora Interfusa (inter) nitentes Cycladas.’
19. nitentes] This is like ‘fulgentes’ (C. iii. 28. 14), shining, as cliffs will do in the sun. The Cyclades abound in white marble.
This is probably an early composition of Horace, made up of materials from the Greek, and written merely to exercise his pen.
Argument.—Paris is carrying off Helen, when Nereus causes a calm, and thus prophesies their fate: With dark omen art thou carrying home her whom Greece hath sworn to recover. Alas for the sweating horse and rider, and the deaths thou art bringing upon Troy! Pallas prepareth her arms and her fury. Under Venus’s shelter, comb thy locks and strike thy lyre, and hide thyself in thy chamber; but it shall not avail thee. Seest thou not Laertes’s son, Nestor of Pylos, Teucer of Salamis, and Sthenelus the fighter and bold charioteer? Merion too, and the son of Tydeus, from whom thou shalt flee panting, as the stag fleeth from the wolf,—thou, who didst boast better things to thy fair one? Achilles’s wrath may put off the evil day, but the fire of the Greek shall consume the homes of Troy.
2. Helenen] Horace uses the Greek inflections in his odes, and the Latin in his iambic verses, satires, and epistles (Bentley). This might be expected, especially when, as in this instance, the imitation of Greek writers is obvious.
5. Nereus] He is made to speak, because the sea-gods were endowed with the gift of prophecy. ‘Mala avi’ is like ‘alite lugubri,’ C. iii. 3. 61; “mala alite,” Epod. x. 1.
7. Conjurata — rumpere] This is a legitimate prose construction. “Conjuravere patriam incendere” (Sal. Cat. 52. 24. See Liv. 22. 38). ‘Rumpere’ governs ‘regnum’ as well as ‘nuptias,’ though for its sense it ought only to belong to ‘nuptias.’
11. aegida] The ‘aegis’ was properly the skin of the goat Amalthea, the nurse of Zeus, which he used as a shield or as a breastplate (see C. iii. 4. 57), where it is worn, as here, by Pallas. The word is not confined in use to the original meaning, but is taken for a metal shield or breastplate worn by Zeus, Pallas, or Apollo. It had a Gorgon’s head upon it.
13. Veneris praesidio] See Hom. Il. iii. 44, and on v. 16 see Il. iii. 380; vi. 321. Horace’s description of Paris is drawn, not from Homer, who makes him brave, but from later writers who altered the Homeric characters. See Heyne, Exc. i. Aen. ii. See also Aen. iv. 215, sqq.
14. Pectes caesariem] See C. iv. 9. 13.
15. divides;] ‘Dividere carmina’ is perhaps to sing and play alternately.
17. Cnosii] Cnossus or Cnosus or Gnosus was the principal city of Crete. See C. iv. 9. 17, n.
19. Ajacem;] The son of Oileus. Homer calls him Ὀϊλῆος ταχὺς Aἴας (Il. ii. 527).
24. Teucer et] In this verse and in v. 36 Horace has introduced a trochee in the first foot, contrary to his own custom, but in accordance with the practice of the Greeks. ‘Sciens pugnae’ is Homer’s πολέμου εὖ εἰδώς, and ‘Tydides melior patre’ is taken from Sthenelus’s vaunt, Il. iv. 405: ἡμεῖς τοι πατέρων μέγ᾽ ἀμείνονες εὐχόμεθ᾽ εἶναι.
31. Sublimi — anhelitu] ‘Panting heavily,’ as the fleeing stag, with its head raised in the air.
32. tuae.] C. i. 25. 7.
33. diem] For ‘diem supremam.’ In this form the expression is like the Hebrew, which we meet with frequently in the Scriptures: “Remember the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem” (Ps. cxxxvii. 7), and “they that come after him shall be astonished at his day, as they that went before were affrighted” (Job xviii. 20). The word which expresses the wrath of Achilles is applied to his fleet.
Horace appears to have written some severe verses against some woman or other, and this seems to be written in mock penitence for that offence. He represents the evils of anger, and begs her to destroy his verses and forgive him.
Argument.—Lovely daughter of a lovely mother, destroy those abusive verses how thou wilt. Cybele, Apollo, Liber, agitate not their votaries’ hearts as anger does, which is stopped neither by sword, nor by waves, nor by fire, nor by the falling of the skies themselves. When Prometheus was bidden to take a part from every animal to give to man, he implanted in our hearts the lion’s fury. Wrath laid Thyestes low, and hath brought proud cities to the dust. Be appeased. In the sweet season of youth I was tempted by hot blood to write those rash verses. I would now lay aside all unkindness, if thou wilt but let me recall my libel, and give me back thy heart.
2. criminosis] ‘abusive.’
5. Dindymene,] Cybele, the mother of the gods, so called from Mount Dindymus, in Galatia, where she had a temple. Her priests were called Galli (from this locality) and Corybantes. Her rites were celebrated by these priests in a very mad fashion, as were those of Bacchus.
9. Noricus] The best steel for sword-blades came from Noricum, on the Danube.
13. Fertur Prometheus,] This story is not found elsewhere. ‘Principi limo,’ ‘the prime clay,’ corresponds to πρῶτον ἄρχον πηλόν in Soph. Frag. (432 Dind.), καὶ πρῶτον ἄρχον πηλὸν ὀργάζειν χεροῖν. It means the clay before the soul was put into it.
18. ultimae Stetere causae] Liv. vii. c. 1. “Ea ultima fuit causa cur bellum Tiburti populo indiceretur.” The final or proximate cause: that which immediately leads to a thing. See Virg. Aen. vii. 553: “Stant causae belli.”
24. celeres] A. P. 251: “iambus pes citus.” The quality of the measure is mentioned as some palliation, perhaps, of the severity of the verses.
This professes to be an invitation to a woman named Tyndaris to visit Horace at his farm. He promises her peace and plenty, and security from the jealousy of her husband or lover, Cyrus.
Argument.—Tyndaris, often doth Pan leave Lycæus to visit Lucretilis, protecting my flocks from sun and wind; my goats go unharmed, and fear not snake or wolf, when his sweet pipe sounds in the vale of Ustica. The gods love me for my piety and my muse. Here Plenty awaits thee; here shalt thou retire from the heat, and sing of the loves of Penelope and Circe for Ulysses. Here shalt thou quaff mild Lesbian wine in the shade, nor shall strife be mingled with the cup, nor shalt thou fear lest the jealous Cyrus lay his violent hand upon thee.
1. Lucretilem] ‘Mons Lucretilis’ is identified with the lofty mountain (or range) called Monte Gennaro, that overhangs the valley of the Licenza,—Horace’s Digentia (Epp. i. 18. 104),—in which his estate lay. Ustica was probably the name of a spot on the slope of the hills, and ‘cubantis’ in that case means ‘sloping.’
2. Mutat Lycaeo Faunus] Faunus is put for Pan (C. i. iv. 11, n.), who had his principal temple on Mount Lycæus in Arcadia.—The construction with ‘muto,’ ‘permuto,’ by which the remoter object becomes the nearer, is not peculiar to Horace, but it will be found to occur several times in his works. Virg. Georg. i. 8: “Chaoniam pingui glandem mutavit arista.” Ἀλλάσσειν, ἀμείβειν also admit of this double construction, sometimes the thing given in exchange being in the accusative, sometimes the thing taken.
3. capellis] The dative.
7. Olentis uxores mariti,] ‘the she-goats.’ See Georg. iii. 125, “Quem legere ducem et pecori dixere maritum.”
9. Nec Martiales Haediliae lupos,] ‘Haediliae’ was perhaps the name of one of the Sabine hills.
10. fistula] This instrument corresponded nearly to the Greek syrinx, and to what we call the Pandean pipe.
14. Hic tibi copia] The order of the words is ‘hic copia opulenta ruris honorum manabit ad plenum tibi benigno cornu.’ ‘Here Plenty, rich in the glories of the country, shall pour herself out for thee abundantly from her generous horn.’ ‘Ad plenum’ occurs in the same sense, Georg. ii. 244. The ‘cornu copiae,’ so common in ancient works of art as a horn filled with fruit and flowers, was a symbol belonging properly to the goddess Fortuna, to whom it is said to have been presented by Hercules, who won it from the river-god, Achelous. It was the horn of Amalthea, the goat-nurse of Zeus, who gave it such virtue that it was always filled with anything the owner wished. (See C. S. 60.)
18. fide Teïa] The lyre of Anacreon, who was born at Teos on the coast of Ionia. ‘Laborantes in uno’ means in love with the same person, that is, Ulysses. Circe was the daughter of a sea-nymph, Perse, and was herself reckoned among the sea-goddesses. Hence, perhaps, the epithet ‘vitrea,’ ‘glassy,’ which applies properly to the sea, is given to Circe, just as ‘caerula’ is applied to Thetis in Epod. xiii. 16, and ‘virides’ to the sea-gods in Ov. Tr. i. 2. 59: “Pro superi viridesque Dei quibus aequora curae.”
21. Lesbii] This is one of three Aegean wines mentioned by Horace, the others being from Cos and Chios. Lesbian was a mild wine.
22. Semeleïus — Thyoneus] Bacchus is here called by both the names of[264] his mother, Semele, who was also named Thyone, from θύειν, ‘to be frenzied,’ from which the Bacchanals were called Thyades.
25. male dispari] ‘By no means his match’. ‘Male’ is sometimes used as a negative, as S. ii. 3. 137, “male tutae mentis,” and sometimes to strengthen a word, as here and S. i. 3. 31, “male laxus calceus.”
28. immeritam vestem.] ‘your innocent robe.’
This is a translation or close imitation of an ode of Alcæus in the same metre, one verse of which is almost literally translated in the first verse of this Ode, μηθὲν ἄλλο φυτεύσῃς πρότερον δένδρεον ἀμπέλω. It professes to be addressed to a friend who is making a plantation near his house at Tibur. The friend’s name is Varus, and that was the cognomen of Quinctilius, whose death is lamented in C. 24 of this book. But whether this is the person intended or not it is impossible to say, and it does not signify, since the scene is most probably imaginary. Varus is advised to plant the vine before all other trees, since wine, if used in moderation, drives care away, though if abused its attendants are strife, self-love, vainglory, and broken faith.
Argument.—The vine is the first tree thou shouldst plant, Varus, by the walls of Tibur. Hardships are only for the sober; wine drives away all cares. Who speaks of battles and poverty, rather than of Bacchus and Venus, when he is under the influence of wine? But that no man exceed, let him think of the bloody frays of the Centaurs and Lapithæ, and of the Thracians, over their cups, when the appetite confounds right and wrong. I’ll not rouse thee unbidden, beautiful Bassareus, nor drag thy mysteries from their secret places. Silence the horn and drum, whose followers are vainglory and broken faith.
2. Tiburis et moenia Catili.] See C. i. 7. 13, n. Horace shortens the penultimate syllable of Catillus’s name for the sake of the metre, and the same liberty is taken with the name of Porsenna, Epod. xvi. 4.
4. aliter] By any other means than wine, which is not expressed, but sufficiently implied in ‘siccis.’
6. te potius,] A verb must be understood more suitable than ‘crepat,’ which is equivalent to ‘croaks,’ or something of that sort. ‘Laudat’ or ‘canit’ may be supplied.
8. super mero] ‘over their wine,’ that is, while they were drinking. ‘Super’ with the ablative generally means ‘about,’ ‘on behalf of,’ or ‘concerning,’ a thing; but it is also used to express time, as in Aen. ix. 61 we have ‘nocte super media.’ The story is, that at the marriage-feast of Peirithous, king of the Lapithæ, the Centaurs, being guests, attempted in their drunkenness to carry off the bride, Hippodamia, and the other women present, which led to a battle, in which the Centaurs were beaten.
9. Sithoniis non levis Euius,] The Sithonians were a people of Thrace, on the borders of the Euxine. Bacchus was angry with the Thracians, and visited habitual drunkenness upon them, because their king, Lycurgus, forbade the cultivation of the vine. See C. i. 27. 1, sq.
10. Cum fas atque nefas] ‘Cum’ refers to ‘super mero.’ ‘When the greedy of wine distinguish between right and wrong by the slender line of their lusts,’ that is, the slender distinction that lust so inflamed can draw.[265] ‘Avidus’ is used absolutely for ‘avidus pugnae,’ C. iii. 4. 58, as here it means ‘avidi vini.’
12. quatiam,] This is explained by Aen. iv. 301:—
“Qualis commotis excita sacris
Thyas ubi audito stimulant trieterica Baccho
Orgia nocturnusque vocat clamore Cithaeron,”
‘I will not rouse thee against thy will, nor drag to light thy mysteries, hidden in leaves.’ There were sacred things contained in small chests, ‘cistae,’ which were carried in the processions at the Dionysia, covered with the leaves of vine and ivy. Bassareus was a title of Bacchus, of which the origin is uncertain. It is said to be derived from βασσαρίς, the fox-skin worn by the Bacchanals.
16. Arcanique Fides prodiga,] ‘The faith which betrays secrets.’ See C. iii. 21. 16. Epod. xi. 14. S. i. 4. 89. Epp. i. 5. 16.
The hero of this Ode, whoever he may be, says that, though he had meant to put away love from his heart, Glycera’s charms have taken such hold upon him, that he can no longer sing of grave subjects, which are nothing to him, but must build an altar, and offer sacrifice to propitiate the goddess of love.
Argument.—The mother of love, Semele’s son, and wantonness recall my heart to love, which I thought I had put away for ever. I burn for Glycera, fairer than marble, and the mischievous face so dangerous to look upon. With all her strength hath Venus come upon me, and bids me sing no more of idle themes,—the Scythian and the Parthian. Build me an altar, slaves; bring boughs and incense and wine, for I would soften the goddess with a victim.
1. Mater saeva Cupidinum] This verse occurs again C. iv. 1. 5. The multiplication of the forms of ἔρως was derived from the Greeks by the Romans.
3. Licentia] This is the same impersonation as the Greek Ὕβρις.
8. lubricus] Forcellini derives this from the verb ‘labor.’ ‘Vultus lubricus adspici’ is a face dangerous to look upon, as slippery ground is dangerous to tread upon.
10. Scythas] Under this name Horace, with the historians of this period, understood all nations on and beyond the Tanais, as well as those on the north of the Danube, as the Geloni, Getæ, Daci, with one or more of whom the Romans were at this time perpetually at war. See Virg. Georg. iii. 31: “Fidentemque fuga Parthum versisque sagittis”; and C. ii. 13. 17: “Miles sagittas et celerem fugam Parthi.”
11. versis — equis] The Parthians are described as in the habit of pretending to fly in battle, and, as the enemy pursued, shooting their arrows or throwing their darts at them from horseback.
12. quae nihil attinent.] They were nothing to a man in love.
13. vivum — caespitem,] This rude sort of altar was enjoined upon the Israelites in the wilderness in preference to any other (Exod. xx. 24). The word ‘verbena’ was used for any boughs employed for crowning the altar or for sacred purposes. ‘Verb,’ and ‘herb’ in ‘herba,’ are the same root.
16. veniet] That is, Venus will come. When sacrifice was offered to Venus, the blood of the victim was not allowed to stain the altar (Tac. Hist. ii. 3).
This Ode informs Mæcenas of the wine he will get when he comes to sup with Horace, who had it appears invited him.
Argument.—You shall have some poor Sabine, Mæcenas, bottled at that time when the echoes of the Vatican resounded your praises. You drink Cæcuban and Calenian, but the vines of Falernum and Formiæ are not for me.
1. Vile potabis modicis Sabinum Cantharis] It has been said before (C. 9. 7, n.) that Sabine wine was none of the worst; but it was cheap and poor compared with the best, to which Mæcenas was used, and this probably had not had the benefit of keeping. Horace commends it, therefore, by referring to the circumstances under which it was bottled (as we should say)—The most ordinary kind of earthen-ware jug was called ‘cantharus,’ supposed to be the name of its inventor. Horace had tried to improve his wine by putting it into a ‘testa’ or ‘amphora,’ which had contained some of the rich wine of the Ægean.
3. levi,] The cork of the ‘testa’ was covered with pitch or gypsum after the wine was put into it, and this Horace says he did with his own hand. He would at the same time seal it with his own seal, and attach to it a label with the date, and he could so vouch for its being the wine he speaks of. And when he says he did it with his own hand, he means also to show the pains he had taken to celebrate Mæcenas’s recovery. ‘Condere’ and ‘diffundere’ were the words used for putting the wine into the ‘amphora.’ (C. 9. 7, n.)
5. Care Maecenas eques,] Mæcenas was content with the equestrian rank, and would take no higher; hence the frequent repetition of the title ‘eques,’ by Horace and others. (See C. iii. 16. 20.) It appears that Mæcenas recovered from a bad attack of fever the same year that Horace was nearly killed by the falling of a tree, and the first time he went to the theatre after his recovery the people received him with applause. The circumstance is referred to again in C. ii. 17. 22, sqq.
7. Vaticani Montis imago.] The theatre must have been that of Pompeius, which was opposite to the Vatican hill, on the left bank of the river, the hill being on the right or Etruscan bank, which gives propriety to the words ‘paterni fluminis ripae.’ The second syllable of Vaticanus is long in Martial and Juvenal. On ‘imago’ see above, C. 12. 3, n.
10. Tu bibes] The future has here the same signification as above, C. 6. 1, 7. 1. ‘You may drink, if you please, the richer wines. I have none such.’ ‘Caecubum’ was the finest sort of wine in Horace’s time. It was grown in the ‘Caecubus ager,’ in Latium, at the head of the bay of Amyclæ. The Calenian was from Cales (now Calvi) in Campania. Close by Cales was the ‘Falernus ager,’ which produced several varieties of the best quality. The hills about Formiæ on the Appia Via (see S. i. 5. 37, n.) produced a good wine.
The year after Augustus returned to Rome from the taking of Alexandria, that is, B. C. 28, he dedicated a temple to Apollo on the Palatine hill (C. i. 31), and instituted quinquennial games in honor of Apollo and Diana, and called them the ‘Ludi Actiaci.’ This or some like festival seems to have suggested these verses, in which a chorus of boys and girls are called upon to sing the praises of Diana and Apollo, and Latona, their mother.
Argument.—Sing, ye damsels, of Diana, sing, ye youths, of Apollo, and Latona, dear to Jove; of Diana, who rejoices in the streams and woods of Algidus, or Erymanthus, or Cragus. Praise ye no less Tempe and Delos, Apollo’s birthplace, and the shoulder that is graced with the quiver and the lyre,—that in answer to your prayer he may turn the griefs of war, famine, and plague from Rome and her prince upon the heads of her enemies.
2. Intonsum] ‘Ever-youthful,’ the Greek ἀκερσεκόμης.
6. Algido] Algidus was the name of a mountain in Latium, sacred to Diana (C. S. 69), so called from its cold temperature. It is elsewhere called ‘nivalis’ (iii. 23. 9). Cragus in Lycia and Erymanthus in Arcadia were mountains on which the goddess was supposed to hunt.
9. Vos Tempe] Tempe is mentioned because there Apollo purified himself after slaying the serpent Pytho.
12. Fraterna] Invented by Mercury (C. 10. 6).
13. Hic bellum lacrimosum,] Apollo was especially ἀλεξίκακος, ‘the averter of evil,’ particularly in respect of Augustus, his reputed son. ‘Lacrimosum’ corresponds to the δακρυόεις πόλεμος of Homer, and ‘lacrimabile bellum’ of Virgil.
15. Persas] The Parthians. See C. 2. 21, n.
Aristius Fuscus was an intimate friend of Horace, and the wag whom he represents as playing him false on the Sacra Via (S. i. 9. 61). Horace and he were
“paene gemelli,
Fraternis animis; quicquid negat alter, et alter;
Adnuimus pariter; vetuli notique columbi” (Epp. i. 10).
We know nothing more of him except that he is said to have been a writer of plays and a grammarian.
Fuscus, as usual, has not much to do with the Ode, which relates how a wolf fled from the poet as he was walking in the woods on his own estate, making verses on Lalage; showing that an honest man is always safe.
Argument.—An honest man, Fuscus, may go unarmed along the burning shores of Africa, over the wild Caucasus, or to the fabulous East. As I wandered careless in the woods, singing of my Lalage, a wolf, such as Apulia and Africa rear not, met me and fled! Set me in the cold and stormy North, or in the burning and uninhabited tropic, still will I love my smiling, prattling Lalage.
1. Integer vitae scelerisque purus] These are Grecisms, but not peculiar to Horace. Virgil, for instance, has ‘animi maturus Aletes’ (Aen. ix. 246);[268] ‘integer aevi’ (Aen. ix. 255); ‘amens animi’ (Aen. iv. 203); ‘praestans animi juvenis’ (Aen. xii. 19). Compare Ἁγνὰς μέν, ὦ παῖ, χεῖρας αἵματος φέρεις (Eurip. Hipp. 316). The more usual prose form with the ablative occurs S. ii. 3. 213: “purum est vitio tibi quum tumidum est cor?”
2. Mauris] The same as ‘Mauretanicis.’
5. per Syrtes iter aestuosas] That is, along the burning coast that borders on the Syrtes. ‘Aestuosus’ is used again in this sense in C. i. 31. 5.
6. inhospitalem] Caucasus has the same epithet applied to it again, Epod. i. 12, and Aesch. (P. V. 20) calls it ἁπάνθρωπον πάγον.
7. fabulosus] On the Hydaspes, one of the tributaries of the Indus, Alexander the Great gained his victory over Porus. India was known to the Greeks and Romans chiefly through the Greek historians of Alexander’s campaigns, and the stories of merchants, which were often marvellous and false. The Hydaspes is now the Vitasta, in the Punjab.
11. curis — expeditis,] Like ‘solvo,’ ‘expedio’ admits of two constructions. See Catull. 31. 7, “O quid solutis est beatius curis?” But there is also “solvite corde metum, Teucri,” Aen. i. 562. Horace says (C. iii. 24. 8): “non animum metu Non mortis laqueis expedies caput.” It is common in this measure for the middle and last syllables to have the same sound. Besides this verse there will be found six instances in this one Ode, vv. 3, 9, 14, 17, 18, 22.
14. Daunias] This is properly an adjective, but here a substantive ἡ Δαυνιάς. Daunia is the ancient name of Apulia, or more properly the northern part of that which the Romans called Apulia. It was said to have been derived from Daunus, a native king, the father-in-law of Diomed (C. ii. 1. 34; iii. 30. 11; iv. 14. 26). In C. iv. 6. 27, Daunia is put for the whole of Italy. ‘Militaris’ means ‘famous for soldiers.’ We do not hear that the Apulians were particularly warlike. They were Horace’s own countrymen.
aesculetis,] This word is not found elsewhere. The slopes of the Apennines which run down into the plain of Apulia were thickly wooded.
15. Jubae tellus] Juba, the son of Hiempsal, was king of Numidia. His son, by favor of Augustus, was restored to that kingdom, but afterwards received in exchange for it Mauritania and parts of Gætulia. It is uncertain which of the two kings Horace had in mind, or whether he means generally the northern parts of Africa, which were famous for lions. See next Ode, v. 10.
17. pigris] ‘dull,’ that is, unfruitful. ‘Piger’ is here equivalent to the Greek ἀργός.
20. urget] ‘lies heavily upon.’
22. domibus negata] ‘uninhabitable.’
This appears to be imitated from a poem of Anacreon, of which a fragment has been preserved in Athenæus (ix. p. 396):—
ἀγανωστὶ
ἅτε νεβρὸν νεοθηλέα γαλαθηνὸν ὅστ᾽ ἐν ὕλῃς
κεροέσσης ἀπολειφθεὶς ὑπὸ μητρὸς ἐπτοήθη.
Argument.—Thou fliest from me, Chloe, as a fawn that has lost its dam, and trembles at every breeze. I follow not as a wild beast, to tear thee. O cease from following thy mother, for ’t is time to follow after man.
1. hinnuleo] The same as ‘hinnulo.’
4. Aurarum et silüae metu.] Virg. (Aen. ii. 728): “Nunc omnes terrent aurae, sonus excitat omnis Suspensum.” ‘Silüae’ = ‘silvae.’
12. Tempestiva — viro.] Aen. vii. 53: “Jam matura viro, jam plenis nubilis annis.” ‘Tempestiva’ means ‘of a suitable age,’ old enough.
Quinctilius Varus was born at Cremona, and was a neighbor and friend of Virgil, through whom it is probable Horace made his acquaintance. He is referred to in the Epistle to the Pisones, v. 438, sqq., as a discerning critic. He died young, B. C. 24, and this Ode is intended to console Virgil for the loss of his friend.
Argument.—What bounds shall be set to our grief for one so dear? Teach us a mournful strain, Melpomene. Can it be that Quinctilius, whose like Modesty, Justice, Fidelity, and Truth shall not behold again, is gone to his everlasting rest? Many good men mourn for him, but none more truly than thou, Virgil. ’T was not for this thou didst commit him to the care of Heaven. But in vain thou dost ask him back. The lyre of Orpheus could not bring him to life again. ’T is hard to bear, but patience makes that lighter which no power can change.
2. capitis?] The Greek and Latin poets use the head for the whole person, especially when affection is meant to be expressed.
3. Melpomene,] See C. i. 12. 2, n.
5. Ergo] From the Greek ἔργῳ ‘indeed,’ ‘can it be?’
6. Pudor et Justitiae soror — Fides] These personages are associated again C. S. 57. Cicero (De Off. i. 7) says: “Fundamentum autem justitiae est fides, id est dictorum conventorumque constantia et veritas.”
8. inveniet.] It is Horace’s usual but not invariable practice to have the verb in the singular number after several substantives, as here.
11. Tu frustra pius heu non ita creditum] ‘It is vain, alas! that with pious prayers thou dost ask the gods to restore Quinctilius, whom thou didst intrust to their keeping, but not on these terms’ (i.e. that they should take him away).
13. Quodsi] Horace never uses ‘sin,’ which Virgil uses as often and in the same way as Horace uses ‘quodsi,’ ‘but if.’
15. imagini,] ‘Imago’ (‘spectre,’ ‘shade’) was that unsubstantial body in which the soul was supposed to dwell after death, called by the Greeks εἴδωλον. Such were the forms which Æneas saw:—
“Et ni docta comes tenues sine corpore vitas
Admoneat volitare cava sub imagine formae,
Irruat, et frustra ferro diverberet umbras.”
—Aen. vi. 292, sqq.
16. virga] The caduceus.
17. Non lenis precibus fata recludere] This Greek construction has been noticed before (1. 18). The expression ‘fata recludere’ seems to mean ‘to open the door of hell when Fate has closed it.’
18. Nigro compulerit — gregi.] ‘Has gathered to the dark crowd.’ The dative is only admissible in poetry. It is like S. ii. 5. 49: “Si quis casus pueram egerit Orco,” for ‘ad Orcum.’ As to ‘virga,’ and ‘Mercurius’ as conductor of the dead, see C. 10. 17, n.
19. Durum: sed levius] Donatus says that Virgil was much in the habit[270] of commending this virtue of patience, saying that the hardest fortunes might be overcome by a wise endurance of them. Therefore, says, Fabricius, Horace consoles Virgil with his own philosophy.
20. nefas.] ‘impossible.’ See C. 11. 1.
This Ode is addressed to a woman whose beauty has faded, and who, the poet says, must pay the penalty of her former pride, by seeing herself neglected in her old age.
Argument.—Thy windows are no longer assailed and thy slumbers broken by saucy youths; thy door turns no more on its hinges; the serenade is silent. Now ’t is thy turn, in some lone alley, on a dark night, with the winter wind blowing, and thy heart on fire with lust, to cry for lovers, and complain that young blood goes after the tender plant, and bids the old leaves go float upon the Hebrus.
2. Ictibus] Throwing of stones.
3. amat] ‘it cleaves to,’ as ‘littus ama’ (Aen. v. 163). ‘Multum’ in this sense is rather a favorite expression with Horace, as ‘multum demissus homo,’ S. i. 3. 57; ‘multum celer,’ S. ii. 3. 147.
7. Me tuo] ‘While I, thy lover, am pining through the tedious nights.’ The possessive pronoun is used thus abruptly once before (i. 15. 32), “non hoc pollicitus tuae”, and Ov. Remed. Am. 492: “Frigidior glacie fac videare tuae.” The words are supposed to be those of a serenade, or lover’s song, sung under her windows. Such a serenade is C. iii. 10.
10. angiportu,] An alley, or narrow passage. It is compounded of a root ‘ang-’, which appears in ‘angustus,’ and ‘portus,’ which word was not, according to Festus, confined to a harbor for ships, but also meant a house.
11. Thracio bacchante] While the north-wind blows more bitterly than ever, in the intervals of the moon, that is, in dark nights when the moon does not shine.
14. furiare] This word we do not meet with before Horace.
18. pulla] This word, which means ‘dark,’ belongs to ‘myrto.’ Young beauties are compared to the fresh ivy and dark myrtle, while the faded old woman is likened to withered leaves which are tossed to the winds, to carry if they please to the cold and distant waters of the Hebrus, in Thrace. This expression is like that at the beginning of the next Ode.
This Ode is an invocation of the Muse, praying her to do honor to Lamia, respecting whom see C. iii. 17. It would appear that, at the time it was written, the affairs of the Parthians were occupying a good deal of attention at Rome, since Horace speaks of himself as the only one who gave no heed to them. The circumstances that may be supposed to be referred to are to be gathered from the following account. In the year B. C. 30, Phraates (Arsaces XV.) being on the Parthian throne, and having by his cruelties made himself obnoxious to his subjects, Tiridates, likewise one of the family of Arsacidæ, was set up as a rival to Phraates, but was defeated in his attempt to dethrone him, and fled for protection that same year to Augustus, who[271] was then in Syria after the death of M. Antonius. Shortly afterwards, however, the Parthians succeeded in getting rid of their king, and Tiridates was called to the throne. In B. C. 25, Phraates, having obtained assistance from the Scythians, returned and recovered his kingdom, and Tiridates fled to Augustus once more for protection. He was then in Spain. The assembling of the Scythian force, and the alarm of Tiridates, are evidently referred to here, and the two seem to be associated. It is natural to infer, therefore, that it was just before Tiridates fled from his kingdom, in B. C. 25, that the Ode was composed.
Argument.—As the friend of the Muses should, I toss care to the winds, and mind not, as every one else does, the alarms of Tiridates. Sweet Muse, weave a garland for my Lamia. All my honors, without thee, are naught; him shouldst thou with thy sisters consecrate with the lyre.
1. Musis amicus] See C. iii. 4. 25: “Vestris amicum fontibus et choris.”
2. Tradam protervis] See the last note on C. 25.
3. quis] This is the dative case, and refers to the terror implied in Tiridates and his party by the approach of the Scythians. See Introduction.
6. integris] ‘pure.’
9. Pimplea] ‘Muse’; derived from Pimplea, a mountain of Thrace, in which was a fountain called by the same name, and sacred to the Muses.
10. fidibus novis,] ‘Lyric strains new’ to the Romans,—unknown, till introduced by Horace.
This is a convivial Ode, in which the poet supposes himself at table with a noisy drinking party. He bids them put away brawls, and when they call upon him to join them, he makes it a condition that a young man of the party, whose looks betray that he is in love, shall tell him the name of his mistress. The youth whispers it in his ear, and the poet breaks out into compassion for his hopeless situation. The Ode is said to be imitated from Anacreon.
Argument.—Let barbarous Thracians fight over their wine. Stop your unhallowed noises, my friends, and let each lie quietly on his couch. What, am I to join you? Then let that boy tell me who has got his heart. Will he not? Then I drink not. Whoever it is, thou hast no cause to be ashamed. Here, whisper it in my ear.—Ah! poor boy, into what a Charybdis hast thou been drawn! What witch, what god, shall deliver thee! Pegasus himself could not do it.
1. Natis — laetitiae] ‘Intended by nature for purposes of merriment.’
2. Thracum] See C. 18. 9, n.
3. verecundum] In Epod. xi. 13 he is called ‘inverecundum,’ but the cases are different.
4. prohibete] ‘Prohibere’ and ‘arcere’ are used with the accusative of the person and the ablative of the thing or vice versa. The latter is the more usual construction. (See Epp. i. 1. 31; 8. 10. A. P. 64.)
5. Vino et lucernis] In prose these datives would be expressed by the ablative with ‘a.’ The same construction is found in ‘dissidens plebi,’ C. ii. 2. 18; “medio ne discrepet imum,” A. P. 152.
acinaces] This word, which signifies the Persian scymitar, or short sword, appears to have been introduced into Greece after the Persian wars. It is[272] commonly used by Herodotus. Horace seems to have been the first Latin writer who employed it.—Horace says quarrelling is vastly unsuited to those jovial meetings which are kept up to a late hour,—‘vino et lucernis.’ The Romans sat down to table seldom later than three or four o’clock, and commonly continued there till past midnight.
6. Immane quantum] This form is imitated from the Greek: οὐράνιον ὅσον, θαυμαστὸν ὅσον, ἀμύθητον ὅσον, θαυμαστὰ ἡλίκα, ἀμήχανον ὅσον,—phrases commonly met with in the Greek writers. The same expression occurs in Tacitus and Sallust, and ‘mirum quantum,’ ‘nimium quantum,’ are used by Cicero, and Livy (ii. 1, fin.). The indicative mood is right, ‘immane quantum’ being merely an expletive.
8. cubito — presso] ‘with elbow rested’ on the cushion of the couch.
10. Opuntiae] The birthplace of Megilla (the Locrian Opus) is added, as Buttmann remarks, only “to give the poem a fresher look of individuality.” The same remark will apply in other instances, as, “Xanthia Phoceu,” C. ii. 4. 2.
13. Cessat voluntas?] ‘Are you reluctant’ to confess? The young man is shy, and will not tell at first; when he does, Horace is supposed to break out with ‘Ah miser,’ etc.
19. laborabas] Orelli may be right in saying the imperfect refers to the time when the question was put. But I am not sure that some finer sense of the imperfect tense is not to be traced in this word, as in “Tempus erat dapibus, sodales” (C. i. 37. 4, where see note).
Charybdi,] This whirlpool, which still exists near Messina, was the terror of ancient navigators. It is taken here to represent the dangerous position of the youth, through his love for some famous beauty and coquette.
21. Thessalis] The Thessalians were famous for witchcraft. See Epod. v. 45.
24. Pegasus expediet Chimaera.] Bellerophon, being ordered by the king of Lycia to destroy the monster Chimæra, is said to have done so with the help of the winged horse Pegasus. This part of the story is later than Homer (see Il. vi. 179, sqq.). Chimæra was a mountain in Lycia, from which flames were always issuing. The spot has been identified, and this phenomenon is still visible. The ancients described it, from some fanciful conception, as a female monster, with the head of a lion, the waist of a goat, and the tail of a serpent. (See Aen. vi. 288.)
Septimius, one of Horace’s most intimate friends, had a villa at Tarentum (C. ii. 6), where it is likely Horace on some occasion, if not often, paid him a visit. He may have seen a body cast on shore at that place, where the scene of this Ode appears to be laid. The spirit of a shipwrecked man is introduced, moralizing upon death and asking for burial. His reflections take the form, in the first instance, of an address to Archytas, the philosopher, whose name was associated with the place; and he joins with him other worthies, whose wisdom and greatness had not saved them from the common lot of all. Then, seeing a seafaring man passing by, he calls upon him to cast dust upon his unburied body, in order that he may have rest.
Argument.—Even thee, thou measurer of earth and sea, thou counter of the sands, Archytas, how small a portion of earth contains thee now! It profits thee not to have searched the air and traversed the heavens, since thou wert to die. So Tantalus, Tithonus, and Minos have died, and Pythagoras[273] too, with all his learning, hath gone down once more to the grave. But so it is: all must die alike; some to make sport for Mars, some swallowed up in the deep: old and young go crowding to the grave: none escape: I, too, have perished in the waters. But grudge me not, thou mariner, a handful of earth: so may the storm spend itself on the woods, while thou art safe, and thy merchandise increases. Is it a small matter with thee to bring ruin on thy children? Yea, perhaps retribution awaits thyself: my curses will be heard, and then no atonement shall deliver thee. ’T is but the work of a moment,—thrice cast earth upon me, and hasten on.
1. Te maris et terrae] ‘Te’ is emphatic, ‘even thee,’ as the abruptness of the opening requires. ἄμμον μετρεῖν, κύματα μετρεῖν were proverbial expressions for lost labor. See Georg. ii. 104, sqq.:—
“Neque enim numero comprendere refert;
Quem qui scire velit, Libyci velit aequoris idem
Dicere quam multae Zephyro turbentur arenae.”
Archimedes wrote a work, ὁ ψαμμίτης, in which he computed the grains of sand on the shores of Sicily, and it may be alluded to here. There is no reason to suppose that Archytas ever attempted to solve any such problem.
2. Archyta,] Archytas was a native of Tarentum, born towards the end of the fifth century B. C. He was for a long time the leading man in that city, the power and consequence of which he was the means of extending. He was a celebrated philosopher and mathematician. It would seem, from this passage, that there was a legend to the effect that Archytas was buried on the shore under the promontory of Matinum, running out from the range called Mons Garganus, in Apulia. Possibly, a tomb was shown there as his. That Archytas was shipwrecked on a voyage down the Adriatic, (which is the general opinion,) cannot be proved from this Ode.
3. parva — Munera,] ‘a small portion.’ ‘Munus’ seems to contain the same element as μοῖρα. It is not properly equivalent to ‘donum.’
7. Pelopis genitor,] See C. 6. 8, n.
8. Tithonus] He was the husband of Aurora, carried by her into heaven, on her golden chariot (Eur. Tro. 852).
9. Minos] Called by Hom. (Odyss. xix. 149) Διὸς μεγάλου ὀαριστής, the grandson of him who became judge in Hades.
10. Panthoiden] The story alluded to is that of Pythagoras, who, to prove his doctrine of metempsychosis, declared that he had been Euphorbus, the son of Panthous, who fell in the Trojan war. In support of which he claimed as his own a shield hung up in the temple of Juno at Argos, which, when taken down, proved to have the name of Euphorbus engraved on it.
11. quamvis] “Tacitus and the later writers use ‘quamvis’ with an indicative, and, vice versa, ‘quanquam’ with a subjunctive.” (Key’s Gram. 1227, b. note.) The prose-writers of Horace’s time would not use ‘quamvis’ with an indicative; and he uses the subjunctive where the case is strictly hypothetical, as C. iv. 2. 39, or where it suits the metre, as C. iv. 6. 7.
quamvis clipeo] ‘although, by taking down the shield, and testifying to the season of the Trojan war, he proved that he had surrendered nothing but his sinews and his skin to death.’
14. Judice te] Archytas professed to follow the doctrines of Pythagoras.
non sordidus auctor Naturae verique.] i.e. ‘no mean teacher of truth, physical and moral,’ or, as we should say, ‘no mean authority’ on such subjects. ‘Auctor’ is one whose evidence may be relied upon.
17. Furiae] This name represents the Greek notion of the Erinnyes, as Ποῖναι, or Ἀραί, the divinities which executed vengeance on the guilty, and in that character stirred up strife, as here represented. So Virgil (Aen. iv.[274] 610) calls them ‘Dirae ultrices.’ See also Aen. vii. 324, and xii. 845-852. ‘Spectacula’ corresponds to ‘ludo’ in C. i. 2. 37. ‘Avarum’ is repeated C. iii. 29. 61.
19. densentur] ‘Densere’ occurs in Lucretius, Virgil, and Tacitus. Livy has only ‘densare.’
20. Proserpina fugit.] The perfect has the aoristic sense here. The allusion is explained by Virg. Aen. iv. 698:—
“Nondum illi (Didoni) flavum Proserpina vertice crinem
Abstulerat Stygioque caput damnaverat Orco.”
In Eurip. (Alc. 74) Death says in respect to his victim,
στείχω δ᾽ ἐπ᾽ αὐτὴν ὡς κατάρξωμαι ξίφει
ἱερὸς γὰρ οὗτος τῶν κατὰ χθονὸς θεῶν
ὅτου τόδ᾽ ἔγχος κρατὸς ἁγνίσῃ τρίχα.
The general practice in commencing a sacrifice (κατάρχεσθαι τῶν ἱερῶν) was to cut off the forelock of the victim.
21. devexi — Orionis] Orion sets about the beginning of November, a bad time for sailors. C. iii. 27. 18. Epod. xv. 7. Virg. Aen. vii. 712.
22. Illyricis — undis.] The waters of the Hadriatic, which wash the coast of Illyricum.
23. At tu, nauta,] ‘Nauta’ is not properly a common sailor, but ‘navicularius,’ a shipmaster. Such a person may be supposed to be passing, and the shade to appeal to him.
24. capiti inhumato] Other hiatuses occur, C. ii. 20. 13; iii. 14. 11. Epod. v. 100; xiii. 3.
25. sic] See note on i. 3. 1.
26. Venusinae] See C. iii. 4. 9, n.; iv. 9. 2, n. The ghost prays that the east wind may spend its force on the forests of the Apennines, before it reaches the Etruscan Sea, where the sailor may be supposed to be voyaging.
29. custode Tarenti.] Taras, the founder of Tarentum, was a son of Neptune, who is represented on Tarentine coins as the tutelary deity of the place.
30. Negligis — fraudem committere?] ‘Art thou careless of doing a wrong which shall presently fall upon thine innocent sons?’ ‘Postmodo’ belongs to ‘nocituram,’ and ‘te’ is dependent on ‘natis.’ ‘Modo’ limits ‘post’ to a short time.
32. vicesque superbae] ‘stern retribution.’
33. precibus] ‘curses.’ See Epod. v. 86. S. ii. 6. 30.
36. Injecto ter pulvere] The number three is so familiar in all ceremonies of a religious nature, that we need not be surprised to find it here. The watchman, speaking of the corpse of Polyneices, says, λεπτὴ δ᾽ ἄγος φεύγοντος ὣς ἐπὴν κόνις (Sop. Ant. 256). The chief object in respect to the burial of the dead was that the face should be covered (Cic. de Legg. ii. 22). The expiation required by the Roman law for neglect of this duty to the dead, was a sow, and the person neglecting it was said ‘porcam contrahere.’
In the year B. C. 24 an army was sent into Arabia Felix by Augustus, under Ælius Gallus, who was governor of Egypt. The force chiefly consisted of troops stationed in that province, but the prospect of wealth which the expedition held out, from the indefinite knowledge then possessed of the country, attracted young men at Rome, and induced, it would seem, Iccius,[275] a man of studious habits, to join it. The expedition was attended with nothing but disaster, and the greater part of the force perished. But Iccius survived, and we find Horace writing to him a few years later as Agrippa’s steward in Sicily (Epp. i. 12). Beyond this, nothing is known of Iccius. The Ode is a piece of good-tempered, jocular irony, of which the point lies in the man of books going forth as a conqueror to subdue fierce nations, untamed before, and to return laden with the spoils of the East. Later times have seen young and chivalrous men hastening to an El Dorado in expectation of wealth and distinction, and finding nothing but disappointment, and such appears to have been the case on the occasion of this expedition into Arabia.
Argument.—What, Iccius, after all, dost thou grudge the Arabs their wealth, and prepare chains for the princes of Sabæa and the fierce Mede? Which of the fair barbarians dost thou mean to bring home for thy bed, or what royal page for thy table? Sure, rivers shall flow back to their mountains, and the Tiber turn again, if Iccius can desert his books to put on the breastplate.
1. nunc] This word expresses surprise: ‘what now, to belie all expectations, and abandon all your pursuits!’
3. Sabaeae] The Romans had possession of parts of Arabia Petræa, but not of Arabia Felix. Hence Horace says, “Intactis opulentior Thesauris Arabum” (C. iii. 24. 1). It may have been reported that the army would proceed against the Parthians, after the Arabs were conquered, or, as is more probable, the ‘horrible Mede’ is only introduced to heighten the coloring of the picture in a jocular way.
5. Quae — virginum — barbara] A very uncommon construction for ‘quae virgo barbara’ or ‘quae virginum barbararum.’ There is humor in the question, as if Iccius had only to choose for himself some royal damsel, whose betrothed he was to slay with his own hand, and an Eastern page of great beauty, brought from his native wilds to wait upon one of the princes of this happy land. If Horace mixes up Tartars (Sericas) and Parthians, it only makes the picture more absurd.
Puer — ex aula] ‘A royal page.’ Boys whose office it was to pour out the wine, are called in inscriptions ‘pueri a cyatho’ or ‘ad cyathum,’ or ‘ab argento potorio,’ ‘ad argentum potorium,’ ‘a potione,’ and so forth.
9. sagittas tendere] For ‘arcum tendere.’ Virgil also says (Aen. ix. 606), “spicula tendere cornu,” and (Aen. v. 508) “pariterque oculos telumque tetendit.”
11. Pronos relabi posse rivos] The phrase ἄνω ποταμῶν became a proverb from Euripides (Med. 410): ἄνω ποταμῶν ἱερῶν χωροῦσι παγαί.
12. Montibus] The dative.
14. Socraticam et domum] Socrates’s school, as Plato, Xenophon, &c. Cicero speaks of the “familia Peripateticorum” (Div. ii. 1); and Horace supposes himself to be asked “quo me duce, quo Lare tuter” (Epp. i. 1. 13). Panætius was a philosopher of Rhodes, from whom Cicero appears to have gathered the substance of his work De Officiis. He professed the doctrines of the Stoics, but seems to have qualified them with opinions derived from the writings of Plato, and others of the Socratic school, which accounts for their being mentioned in connection with his name. He flourished in the second century B. C., and was intimate with the younger Scipio.
15. loricis Hiberis] ‘Spanish mail.’ The steel of Hiberia (Spain) was celebrated.
It is not improbable that the main incident of this Ode, that of a lady sacrificing or dedicating a little chapel to Venus, is taken from life; but there is a fragment of one of Alcman’s poems, running Κύπρον ἱμερτὰν λιποῖσα καὶ Πάφον περίῤῥυτον, which appears to have been imitated in the first two verses.
Argument.—Royal Venus, leave thy beloved Cyprus, and come, dwell in Glycera’s temple. Let Love come with thee, and the Graces and Nymphs, and Youth, who is unlovely without thee, and Mercury too.
1. Cnidi Paphique,] See C. 3. 1, n.
4. aedem.] The humblest houses had their little chapel, set apart for an image.
5. solutis Gratiae zonis] The oldest painters and sculptors represented the Graces clothed; afterwards it became the fashion to represent them naked; but the latest practice lay between the two, and they were painted and sculptured with loose, transparent drapery. Horace varies in his descriptions. See C. i. 4. 6; iii. 19. 16; iv. 7. 6.
7. Et parum comis sine te Juventas] Cupid (‘fervidus puer’) or several Cupids (C. 19. 1), Youth (Ἥβη), Hermes, the god of eloquence, Persuasion (Πειθώ), and the Graces, were the principal companions of Venus, according to the notions of the Greeks. The nymphs of the woods, or of the hills, were likewise usually represented as her companions. (See C. iv. 6.)
In B. C. 28 (25th October), Augustus dedicated a temple, with a library attached, which he had built in honor of Apollo, on the Palatine Hill, to commemorate his victory at Actium. After the ceremonies of the day of dedication were over, we may suppose Horace putting in his own claim to the god’s favor in this Ode, in which he represents himself as offering a libation (whether in private or at the temple is uncertain) and asking for that which, according to Juvenal (x. 356), should be the end of all prayer, ‘mens sana in corpore sano!’
Argument.—What asks the poet of Apollo? Not cups, or herbs, or gold and ivory, or rich fields. Let those who may prune Calenian vines, and rich merchants drink rich wine out of cups of gold, favorites of heaven, who traverse the deep in safety. My food is the olive, the chicory, and the mallow. Let me enjoy what I have, thou son of Lato, sound in body and mind, and let my age pass with honor and the lyre.
1. dedicatum] This word is applied to the god as well as his temple. So Cic. de N. D. ii. 33, says, “ut Fides ut Mens quas in Capitolio dedicatas vidimus proxime a M. Aemilio Scauro.”
2. novum] Libations were made with wine of the current year.
4. Sardiniae] This island supplied much of the corn consumed at Rome. ‘Ferax’ is properly applied to the soil which produces; here it is said of the produce itself, and means ‘abundant.’
5. Calabriae] Where flocks were pastured in the winter season. C. ii. 6. 10. Epod. i. 27, n.
7. Liris] This river, now called Garigliano, took its rise near the Lacus Fucinus, in the country of the Æqui, and, passing through the richest part of Latium, emptied itself below Minturnæ into the sea (S. i. 5. 40, n.). The upper part of the stream is much broken by waterfalls. Horace’s description applies only to the lower part, where, having left the Apennines and joined the Trerus (Sacco), it flows quietly through the cultivated lands of Latium.
9. Premant] Virgil uses this word in the same sense (Georg. i. 157): “et ruris opaci Falce premes umbras”; and Ovid (Met. xiv. 629). ‘Calena’ is transferred from the vine to the knife, as in ‘Sabina diota’ (9. 7), ‘Laestrygonia amphora’ (iii. 16. 34), ‘Graeca testa’ (i. 20. 2), where to the press that makes or the vessel which contains the wine is applied the name of the wine itself. As to Calenian wine, see C. 20. 10, n.
12. Vina Syra reparata merce,] Wine taken in exchange for Syrian goods, which includes all the costly merchandise of the East; elsewhere called ‘Tyriae merces.’ The seaports of Syria were entrepôts for goods from and for the East, and were frequented by a vast number of ships from all parts.—Horace uses many words compounded with ‘re’ without any perceptible difference of meaning from the simple words, as ‘retractare,’ ‘resecare,’ ‘resolvere,’ ‘revincere,’ ‘renare,’ ‘remittere.’ But there is the force of bartering in this word, as in ἀνταγοράζεσθαι. (See C. i. 37. 24, n.) ‘Mercator’ was a dealer in wares who generally sailed or travelled into foreign parts. The ‘mercatores’ were an enterprising class, and penetrated into barbarous and distant countries and dangerous seas. The mention of the Atlantic is a little out of place, immediately after ‘Syra merce’; but, as usual, Horace writes generally, and does not aim at strict accuracy. ‘Aequor Atlanticum’ suited his verse. The travelling merchants are often referred to by Horace. See C. i. 1. 15; iii. 24. 40; S. i. 1. 6, 4. 29. Epp. i. 1. 45, 16. 71, and elsewhere.
16. leves] ‘Setting lightly’ on the stomach.
17. Frui paratis, etc.] The order is, ‘Precor (ut) dones mihi, et valido .... et integra Cum mente, frui paratis.’ ‘Latoë’ (Λατῷε); ‘O son of Lato,’ or Latona.
This is an address of the poet to his lyre, calling upon it to help him now and whenever he shall require its aid.
Argument.—I am asked to sing. If I have ever composed a song that shall not die, with thee, my lyre, come, help me to a Latin song,—thou whom Alcæus did first touch, who, in the field or on the deep, still sung of Liber, the Muses, Venus and her son and Lycus, with dark eyes and hair. Thou glory of Phœbus, welcome at the table of the gods, thou consoler of my toils, help me whenever I shall invoke thee.
1. Poscimur.] ‘Poscitur a nobis carmen.’ This may mean that the poetic afflatus is on him, and he feels called upon to sing.
2. Si quid vacui] ‘If ever, at my ease under the shade, with thee I have sung aught that shall live this year, yea more.’
4. Barbite,] Βάρβιτος is used as a feminine noun by the early Greek writers. The later make it masculine. Here it is masculine, and in C. 1. 34.
5. Lesbio — civi,] Alcæus of Mytilene (C. 1. 34, n.). He fought in the civil wars of his native country, and left his arms behind him on the field of[278] battle, in a war with the Athenians in Troas. He was exiled by Pittacus, tyrant of Mytilene, and travelled in different countries, particularly Egypt. Horace says, that in the midst of his battles and wanderings he still found time to sing of wine and love. But he also sang of dangers by sea and land (C. ii. 13. 27), and inspired his countrymen with martial odes (‘minaces Camenae,’ C. iv. 9. 7).
modulate] See C. i. 1. 24, n.
6. qui ferox bello, etc.] ‘Who, though a fierce warrior, would yet, if he were in the camp, or had moored his sea-tossed bark on the wet shore, sing of Bacchus and the Muses, and Venus and her ever-attendant son.’
10. haerentem] This verb ‘haerere’ is taken by Horace with a dative, as here and S. i. 10. 49; or with an ablative with ‘in,’ as S. i. 3. 32; or without ‘in,’ as C. i. 2. 9. S. ii. 3. 205.
11. Et Lycum] A young friend of Alcæus, whose name appears in a fragment still extant, οὐκ ἐγὼ Λύκον ἐν Μοΐσαις ἀλέγω.
14. testudo] See C. 10. 6, n.
15. cumque] As ‘quandoque’ is put for ‘quandocumque,’ ‘cumque’ is put for ‘cumcumque’ or ‘quumquumque,’ which occurs in Lucret. ii. 113. ‘Cumque’ belongs to ‘vocanti,’ ‘whenever I shall invoke thee,’ as if it were ‘quandocumque vocem.’
Albius Tibullus, the poet, was a favorite with his contemporaries. To him was addressed the fourth Epistle of the first book, as well as this Ode. He appears on some occasion to have been in bad spirits, and crossed in love, and Horace sent him this little poem, to amuse and cheer him.
Argument.—Come, Albius, do not be drawling pitiful poetry upon Glycera, because she prefers a younger man to you. Pretty Lycoris loves Cyrus, Cyrus inclines to Pholoë, who admires the vulgar sinner as the she-goat loves the wolf. Such are Love’s diversions, bringing opposites under the yoke together. So it happened to me,—a tender heart was attached to me, while I could not free myself from the fetters of Myrtale, more impetuous than the waves of the Adriatic.
1. memor] ‘ever thinking of.’
2. neu miserabiles, etc.] ‘And do not (always) sing doleful strains, because,’ &c.
3. cur] ‘Cur’ or ‘quur’ is formed from ‘qui,’ and has the force of ‘quod’ here, as in Epp. i. 8. 10.
5. tenui fronte] A low forehead was considered a beauty, and the women braided their hair accordingly, as is seen in some statues. The same appears to have been considered an attraction in men. Epp. i. 7. 26: “reddes — nigros angusta fronte capillos.” Intellectual beauty, as we view it in men, is better described by Pliny, Epist. iii. 6. 2: “rari et cedentes capilli; lata frons.”
7. Cyrus in asperam Declinat Pholoën] All these are imaginary persons.
8. Jungentur capreae lupis] This is a common hyperbole. Epod. xvi. 30: “Novaque monstra junxerit libidine Mirus amor,” &c.
9. adultero.] ‘libertine.’
10, 11. impares — animos] ‘ill-matched persons and dispositions.’
12. Saevo cum joco] ‘In cruel sport.’
14. compede] This word is used twice again by Horace in the singular[279] number: “grata compede vinctum” (C. iv. 11. 24); “nivali compede vinctus” (Epp. i. 3. 3); and once by Tibullus: “Spes etiam valida solatur compede vinctum” (ii. 6. 25). These are the only instances till after the Augustan age. Myrtale was a common name among freedwomen.
16. Curvantis Calabros sinus.] ‘Breaking into bays the coast of Calabria’; that is, indenting the coast of Calabria, and so forming bays. By Calabria, the Romans understood the whole of the peninsula which was called by the Greeks Iapygia or Messapia, washed by the Hadriatic on one side, and the Gulf of Tarentum on the other.
If we are to take Horace at his word, he was one day startled by the phenomenon of a thunder-clap, or other noise, when the sky was clear; and he appears to have been frightened into considering the error of his ways, which led him to abandon the loose doctrines of Epicurus, by which he had been guided before.
Argument.—Careless of Heaven, I have been wandering in the darkness of an insane creed; I now retrace my steps, awakened by the sign of Jove’s chariot dashing through an unclouded sky,—that chariot with which he shakes the earth, the waters, and hell, and the ends of the world. God is strong to bring down the mighty and exalt the low, to take the crown from one and place it on the head of another.
2. Insanientis sapientiae] ‘A wild philosophy,’ the Greek σοφία ἄσοφος. The doctrines of Epicurus are here alluded to. This creed Horace professed, writing in his twenty-eighth year, to hold,
“Deos didici securum agere aevum
Nec si quid miri faciat natura, deos id
Tristes ex alto caeli demittere tecto.”
(Sat. i. 5. 101.) On ‘consultus,’ which is used like ‘jurisconsultus,’ see Forcelli.
5. relictos:] ‘Iterare cursus relictos’ signifies to return to the paths he had left; ‘iterare’ being equivalent to ‘repetere.’
Diespiter,] It is said that this name was given to Jove as ‘diei pater.’ ‘Dies’ is an old form of the genitive. But probably the first two syllables are only a different form of ‘Jup-’ in ‘Juppiter,’ and from the same root as Ζεύς.
7. per purum tonantes] The phenomenon of thunder heard in a clear sky is frequently alluded to by the ancients, and was held especially ominous. See Virg. Georg. i. 487. Aen. vii. 141, etc.
10. Taenari] Taenarum (Matapan) was the most southern promontory of the Peloponnesus, where was a cave, supposed to lead down to Hades.
11. Atlanteusque finis] Apparently imitated from Eurip. (Hipp. 3), τερμόνων τ᾽ Ἀτλαντικῶν. The African range Atlas was supposed to be the boundary of the world in that direction.
12. Valet ima summis] This language is like the opening of the next Ode. It may be compared with various familiar passages of the sacred Scriptures; as, “He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and exalted them of low degree.” (Luke i. 52.) “Promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the Judge; he putteth down one, and setteth up another.” (Psalm lxxv. 6, 7.) The sentiment, however, is[280] common. Tacitus seems to have had Horace’s words in his mind, when he wrote of the public funeral given to Flavius Sabinus, and the overthrow of Vitellius, that they were “magna documenta instabilis fortunae summaque et ima miscentis” (Hist. iv. 47).
14. hinc apicem] ‘Apex’ signifies properly the tuft (composed of wool wrapped round a stick) or the top of the Flamen’s cap. It appears to stand for any covering of the head, and Horace applies it to the royal crown, here and in C. iii. 21. 20. ‘Valere’ with an infinitive is not used by prose-writers till after the Augustan age.
When Augustus was meditating an expedition against the Britons, and another for the East, Horace commended him to the care of Fortune the Preserver, to whom this Ode is addressed. The design of invading Britain was interrupted by an insurrection of the Salassians, an Alpine people. The goddess Fortuna, under different characters, had many temples at Rome; but her worship was most solemnly maintained, when Horace wrote, at Præneste and at Antium, where she had an oracle, and was worshipped under a double form, as ‘prospera’ and ‘adversa.’ Tacitus mentions a temple belonging to an Equestris Fortuna, in which the Equites set up a statue they had vowed for the recovery of Augusta (Ann. iii. 71). She was represented on Roman coins with a double ship’s rudder in one hand and a cornucopiæ in the other, which may furnish a clew to the allusions in the second stanza. There are passages which may have been drawn from paintings in the temple at Antium.
Argument.—Queen of Antium, all-powerful to exalt or to debase, the poor tenant cultivator worships thee, and the mariner on the deep. Thou art feared by the savage Dacian and nomad Scythian, by all cities and nations; yea, by proud Latium herself; by royal mothers trembling for their sons, and kings fearing for their crowns. Necessity, with her stern emblems, goes before thee. Hope and Fidelity go with thee, when thou leavest the house of prosperity, while false friends fall away. Preserve Cæsar as he goeth to conquer Britain; preserve the fresh levies destined for the East. It repenteth us of our civil strife and impious crimes. Let the sword be recast, and whetted for the Scythian and the Arab.
1. Antium,] A maritime town of Latium, now called Porto d’ Anzo. (See Introduction.)
2. Praesens] There is no other instance of ‘praesens’ with an infinitive. ‘Praesens’ is often used with the signification of ‘potens.’ In its application to the gods, it expresses their presence as shown by their power. “God is a very present help in trouble.” Ps. xlvi. 1. Cicero (Tusc. Disp. i. 12. 28) says of Hercules, “apud Graecos indeque prolapsus ad nos et usque ad Oceanum tantus et tam praesens habetur deus.”
4. funeribus] The same as ‘in funera.’
6. colonus,] See C. ii. 14. 12, n.
7, 8. Bithyna — carina] A vessel built of the timber of Bithynia.
9. profugi Scythae] This is to be explained by the wandering habits of the Scythians. It explains ‘campestres Scythae’ (C. iii. 24. 9), and corresponds to Σκύθας δ᾽ ἀφίξει νομάδας οἳ πλεκτὰς στέγας Πεδάρσιοι ναίους᾽ ἐπ᾽ εὐκύκλοις ὄχοις (Aesch. P. V. 709). ‘Profugus’ is repeated in C. iv. 14. 42.
11. Regumque matres barbarorum] Orelli quotes the description in the fifth[281] chapter of Judges, ver. 28. “The mother of Sisera looked out at a window, and cried through the lattice, Why is his chariot so long in coming? why tarry the wheels of his chariot?” There are four objects in respect of which Fortune is here said to be invoked,—the seasons, the winds, war, and faction. (See Introduction.) She is said to be an object of reverence to the distant and barbarous nations, as well as the cities and provinces of the Roman world, and Eastern mothers and tyrants fearing for their crowns.
14. Stantem columnam,] The figures of Peace, Security, Happiness, and others, are each represented on old monuments as resting on a column. What Horace means is, that tyrants are afraid lest Fortune should overthrow their power, represented figuratively by a standing column.
15. Ad arma — ad arma] The repetition of these words suggests the cry of the ‘thronging people’ (‘frequens populus’). ‘Cessantes’ means the peaceably disposed.
17. Te semper anteit saeva Necessitas] The several things that Necessity is here represented as holding, are emblems of tenacity and fixedness of purpose,—the nail, the clamp, and the molten lead: they have nothing to do with torture, as many have supposed. ‘Anteit’ is to be scanned as a dissyllable.
18. Clavos trabales] These were nails of the largest sort, for fastening beams in large houses. There is said to be one in the Museum of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, at Florence, weighing fifty pounds, made of bronze. ‘Clavi trabales’ had passed into a proverb with the Romans. Compare Cicero (in Verr. Act. ii. 5. 21) “ut hoc beneficium, quemadmodum dicitui, trabali clavo figeret.” ‘Cunei’ were also nails wedge-shaped. On the nails of Fate, see C. iii. 24. 7. The metaphor of molten lead, used for strengthening buildings, is used by Euripides (Androm. 267), καὶ γὰρ εἰ πέριξ σ᾽ ἔχει τηκτὸς μόλυβδος.
21. Te Spes et albo] The picture represented in this and the following stanzas, apart from the allegory, is that of a rich man in adversity, going forth from his home, with hope in his breast, and accompanied by a few faithful friends, but deserted by those who only cared for his wealth. In the person of Fortune, therefore, is represented the man who is suffering from her reverses; and in that of Fidelity, the small (‘rara’) company of his true friends. Fortune is represented in the garments of mourning (‘mutata veste’), and Fides in a white veil, emblematic of her purity. With such a veil on their heads, men offered sacrifice to her. She is called by Virgil (Aen. i. 292), ‘Cana Fides,’ but there it probably means ‘aged.’ According to Livy (i. 21), Numa established religious rites for Fides.
22. nec comitem abnegat,] ‘nor refuses herself for thy companion,’ as if ‘se’ were understood.
28. Ferre jugum pariter dolosi.] ‘Too faithless to bear the yoke together with him.’ This metaphor is taken from beasts unequally yoked.
29. Serves iturum] See Introduction.
ultimas Orbis Britannos] “Et penitus toto divisos orbe Britannos” (Virg. Ec. i. 67), “Extremique hominum Morini” (Aen. viii. 727), are like Horace’s phrase.
32. Oceanoque rubro.] The force that was to conquer Arabia (see C. i. 29) was probably at this time preparing.
36. unde] ‘From what?’
39. diffingas retusum] ‘Diffingas’ is a word met with in no author but Horace, who uses it here and in C. iii. 29. 47: “neque Diffinget infectumque reddet.” It means here to break up or unmake, with the purpose of forging it again. ‘O I pray thee on new anvil recast the blunted sword for the Scythian and the Arab.’ It had been blunted in civil war, and was to be whetted again for the destruction of the barbarians.
40. Massagetas] These people are said by Herodotus (i. 204) to have inhabited[282] the great plain east of the Caspian; but the Romans had no distinct knowledge of them, and the name is used for the unknown regions of Northern Asia, like the name of the Scythians.
Who Numida was, we have no means of knowing. That he was an intimate friend of Horace’s appears from this Ode. He was also a great friend of Lamia’s (see C. 26 of this book). He appears to have lately returned from the army in Spain, and Horace writes this Ode for the occasion, calling upon Numida’s friends to celebrate his return with sacrifice, music, and wine.
Argument.—Let us sacrifice to the guardian gods of Numida, on his safe return from Spain; he is come to embrace his dear friends, but none more heartily than Lamia, in remembrance of their early days. Mark the fair day with a white mark; bring out the wine without stint; cease not the dance; let Bassus out-drink Damalis the drunken; bring the rose, the parsley, the lily, for our feast. Though all eyes shall languish for Damalis, she will cleave only to Numida.
4. Hesperia] In the year B. C. 26, Augustus went into Spain to put down an insurrection of the Cantabri. He returned to Rome two years afterwards, and Numida returned with him, or perhaps a little before, since Augustus was detained by sickness (C. iii. 14).
7. Lamiae,] See Introduction.
8. Actae non alio rege puertiae] ‘Rege’ may perhaps be put in a familiar way for their schoolmaster; if so, it was Orbilius Pupillus (Epp. ii. 1. 71). But the meaning is not quite certain.
puertiae] For ‘pueritiae.’ Other instances of syncope are ‘lamnae,’ ‘surpuerat,’ ‘surpite,’ ‘soldo,’ ‘caldior,’ etc.
9. Mutataeque simul togae.] They were of the same age, and therefore had taken the ‘toga virilis’ together. See Epod. v. 7, n.
10. Cressa ne careat pulchra dies nota,] The custom of marking fair days with a white stone or mark, and unlucky ones with a black, had passed, if not into practice, into a proverb with the Romans. Hence Persius (ii. 1, sqq.), writing to his friend on his birthday, says:
“Hunc, Macrine, diem numera meliore lapillo,
Qui tibi labentes apponit candidus annos.”
‘Cressa’ is the adjective formed from ‘creta,’ chalk, so called as coming from Cimolus, a small island near Crete.
11. Neu — amphorae] ‘And let there be no measured use of the wine-jar brought out.’
12. Neu morem in Salium] ‘Salium’ is an adjective like ‘Saliaris’ in the next Ode. It occurs again in C. iv. 1. 28, where see note.
13. multi Damalis meri] ‘Damalis, great drinker (as she is).’ Such is the expression ‘Multi Lydia nominis’ (C. iii. 9. 7). Ovid (Met. xiv. 252) has nearly the same words: “Eurylocumque simul, multique Elpenora vini.” Who Bassus was, we cannot tell, without knowing more of his friend Numida. Damalis may be anybody,—a woman like Lyde (C. ii. 11. 22), brought into the Ode to make up a scene. The name was common among freedwomen.
14. Threïcia vincat amystide,] ‘Amystis’ was a deep draught, taken without drawing breath or closing the lips (ἀ, μύειν). For Threïcia see i. 27. 2.
17. putres Deponent oculos,] ‘will fix their languishing eyes.’ The Greeks expressed ‘putres’ by τηκόμενοι.
20. ambitiosior.] This is the only passage in which the word occurs in this sense of ‘clinging,’ the nearest to ‘ambire’ in its primitive meaning.
The occasion that gave rise to this Ode, and the time therefore of its composition, are sufficiently clear. Intelligence of the deaths of M. Antonius and Cleopatra was brought to Rome in the autumn of B. C. 30, and on this occasion Horace wrote the following Ode, which is directed chiefly against Cleopatra. Horace appears to have started with an ode of Alcæus on the death of Myrsilus in his head. It began,
νῦν χρὴ μεθύσθην καί τινα πρὸς βίαν
πίνην ἐπειδὴ κάτθανε Μύρσιλος.
The historical facts referred to may be gathered from Plutarch’s Life of M. Antonius.
Argument.—’T is time to drink, to smite the earth, and set out a feast for the gods, my friends. We might not bring down the Cæcuban, while that mad queen with her foul herd was threatening Rome with destruction. But her fury is humbled, her fleet in flames, her drunken heart shook with fear when Cæsar hunted her from Italy, as the hawk pursues the dove or the hunter the hare, to chain the accursed monster; who feared not the sword nor fled to secret hiding-places, but chose to die, rather than submit to be led in triumph by the conqueror.
2. nunc Saliaribus] A Saliaric banquet is a rich banquet, fit for the Salii, the priests of Mars. The feasts of the Pontifices were proverbial for profusion. On great occasions, a banquet was set out, in place of a sacrifice, and images of the gods were placed upon couches, as for the purpose of eating. This sort of banquet was called a ‘lectisternium.’
3. pulvinar] Properly, the cushion of the couch, and so put here for the couch itself.
4. Tempus erat] This imperfect tense seems to mean that this was the time that the Fates had intended for such festivities. Ovid (Tr. iv. 8. 24, sq.) has it twice over in this unusual way:—
“Sic igitur tarda vires minuente senecta
Me quoque donari jam rude tempus erat;
Tempus erat nec me peregrinum ducere caelum
Nec siccam Getico fonte levare sitim.”
The Greeks used the imperfect ἐχρῆν in the same undefined way. See note on i. 27. 19.
6. Cellis] The ‘cella’ was, properly speaking, a chamber, partly above and partly under ground, in which the ‘dolia’ were kept. That in which the ‘amphorae’ were stored was called ‘apotheca,’ and was in the upper part of the house: hence the terms, ‘depromere,’ ‘deripere,’ ‘descendere.’ ‘Capitolio’ is equivalent to ‘urbi.’ See C. iii. 3. 42; iii. 30. 8. ‘Imperio’ is used for the sovereign power of Rome, as in C. iii. 5. 4.
7. Regina dementes ruinas] ‘Dementes’ is transferred from ‘regina’ to ‘ruinas’ as in Virg. (Aen. ii. 576): “Uleisci patriam et sceleratas sumere poenas,” where ‘sceleratas’ expresses the guilt of Helen.
9. Contaminato cum grege turpium Morbo virorum,] ‘with her filthy herd of men (forsooth) foul with disease.’ The corrupt lusts of that class of persons who were most about an Eastern queen, are properly called a disease. ‘Virorum’ is used ironically. In Epod. ix. 11, Horace complains:—
“Romanus eheu! posteri negabitis
Emancipatus foeminae
Fert vallum et arma miles, et spadonibus
Servire rugosis potest.”
10. impotens Sperare] ‘wild enough to expect anything.’ This is a common construction, noticed at C. i. 1. 18. ‘Impotens’ corresponds to ἀκρατής, and signifies violence, want of self-control. See Epod. xvi. 62.
13. Vix una sospes navis] Cleopatra’s fleet escaped from the battle of Actium, but M. Antonius saved no more than his own ship, in which he fled to Egypt. From motives of delicacy no allusion is made to M. Antonius throughout the Ode.
14. Mentemque lymphatam Mareotico] ‘Lymphatus’ is equivalent to νυμφόληπτος, ‘lympha’ and ‘nympha’ being the same word. Mareotic wine was from the shores of the Lake Mareotis in the neighborhood of Alexandria. ‘In veros timores’ is opposed to what the Greeks called τὰ κενὰ τοῦ πολέμου. Cleopatra’s fleet fled from Actium, before a blow was struck, under the influence of a panic; but Horace chooses to say it was a ‘verus timor.’ The historical facts are not accurately represented in this Ode. Though it is said that Cleopatra meditated a descent upon Italy, in the event of M. Antonius and herself proving successful at Actium, she fled from that place to Egypt, and never went near Italy, whither Augustus returned after the battle; and it was not till the next year, A. U. C. 724, that he went to Alexandria, and the deaths of M. Antonius and Cleopatra occurred.
20. Haemoniae,] This is an ancient name for Thessaly.
24. reparavit] Literally, ‘took in exchange for her own kingdom shores out of the sight of men.’ It is said that Cleopatra contemplated quitting Egypt, to escape from Augustus, and that she transported vessels across the desert to the Red Sea; but they were destroyed by the Arabs, and she abandoned her design. Plut. Ant. c. 69. On the word ‘reparavit,’ see C. i. 31. 12, n.
25. jacentem] On Cleopatra’s death, etc., see Plut. Ant. c. 84.
26, 27. asperas — serpentes] ‘venomous asps.’ ‘Atrum’ is ‘deadly.’
29. Deliberata morte ferocior] ‘Growing bolder, when she had resolved to die.’
30. Liburnis] See Epod. i. 1, n.
This Ode was probably written as a song, and set to music. There is not much to remark upon it. No great pains are usually bestowed on such matters. Some suppose it to be a translation, others an original composition. It is probably only a good imitation of Anacreon. The time is supposed to be Autumn (v. 4).
Argument.—I hate your Persian finery. Hunt not for the rose, boy; I care only for the myrtle, which equally becomes thee, the servant, and me, thy master.
2. philyra] The linden-tree was so called by the Greeks; and its thin inner bark was used for a lining, on which flowers were sewed to form the richer kind of chaplets, called ‘sutiles.’
3. Mitte] ‘forbear,’ equivalent to ‘omitte.’
5. allabores] This is a coined word, and signifies to labor for something[285] more. It corresponds to προσπονεῖν, and occurs again, Epp. viii. 20. The order is, ‘curo nihil sedulus allabores simplici myrto,’ ‘I wish you to take no trouble to add anything,’ &c.
7. sub arta Vite] ‘Arta’ signifies ‘thick,’ ‘close-leaved.’
This Ode is addressed to C. Asinius Pollio, the friend and companion in arms of Julius Cæsar. In B. C. 40 he was consul, and in the following year he was sent by M. Antonius against the Parthini, a tribe of Illyricum, and having defeated and subdued them he was allowed a triumph on his return to Rome. He then betook himself to literature, and practising as an orator in the courts of justice, and speaking in the senate. He patronized literary men, built a library, wrote poetry, particularly tragedies, and composed a history of the civil wars, in most of which he had taken an active part. The Ode was written after hearing Pollio recite part of this work, a practice which he is said to have been the first to introduce among literary men at Rome.
Argument.—The civil wars, their causes, their progress, and their fatal results,—a dangerous task is thine, and treacherous is the ground thou art treading.
Leave the tragic Muse for a little while, and thou shalt return to her when thou hast finished the historian’s task, O Pollio! advocate, senator, conqueror! Even now I seem to hear the trumpet and the clarion, the flashing of arms, and the voices of chiefs, and the whole world subdued but the stubborn heart of Cato. The gods of Africa have offered his victors’ grandsons on the tomb of Jugurtha. What land, what waters, are not stained with our blood? But stay, my Muse, approach not such high themes.
1. Motum ex Metello consule] The foundation of the civil wars is here laid in the formation of the (so-called) triumvirate by Cæsar, Pompeius, and Crassus, which took place in the consulship of Q. Caecilius Metellus Celer, and L. Afranius, A. U. C. 694, B. C. 60. But though this was the first great act of aggression on the liberties of Rome, the civil war did not break out till the year A. U. C. 704, B. C. 50, when Cæsar and Pompeius came to their final rupture. Pollio’s work was in seventeen books, and probably ended with the battle of Actium.
2. modos] The ‘plans’ pursued by the opposing parties.
4. Principum amicitias] The alliance of Cæsar and Pompeius, and the subsequent coalition of M. Antonius and Augustus, more than once broken and renewed, and always maintained at the expense of the people’s liberties, and therefore called ‘graves,’ ‘oppressive,’ are here principally referred to. See Plutarch, Vit. Caes. c. 13. Pollio was himself the means of reconciling Antonius and Augustus, in the year of his consulship B. C. 40.
5. Nondum expiatis uncta cruoribus,] See C. i. 2, Introduction. The 29th verse of that Ode, “Cui dabit partes scelus expiandi,” compared with this, makes it probable the two were written about the same time. The plural[286] ‘cruoribus’ is unusual, and savors of the Greek. So Aesch. Supp. 265: παλαιῶν αἰμάτων μιάσμασιν.
6. Periculosae plenum opus aleae,] ‘A task full of hazard,’ literally, ‘full of perilous chance.’ Pollio had been faithful to Julius Cæsar, but after his death had sided rather with M. Antonius than Augustus; and therefore, when the latter had succeeded in putting an end to his rival, and had the entire power in his own hands, it was a bold and difficult task that Pollio had undertaken. It does not appear, however, that he involved himself in any difficulty with Augustus, for he lived quietly to a good old age, dying in his eightieth year at his villa at Tusculum, A. U. C. 758, A. D. 4. It is probable that his history was written with impartiality, and that Augustus was not jealous, and could afford to be otherwise. See Tac. Ann. iv. 34. ‘Aleae’ was the name for dice (see C. iii. 24. 58); here it means ‘hazard,’ ‘risk.’
7. Incedis per ignes] ‘Thou art treading on ashes that cover a smouldering fire,’ like the ashes at the mouth of a volcano, cool on the surface but burning below.
10. mox ubi publicas Res ordinaris] ‘When you shall have finished your history of public events.’ The Greeks used συντάσσειν for writing a book. Plutarch uses σύνταγμα for a book. Ἀνατάξασθαι occurs in the preface to St. Luke’s Gospel, and is thus rendered in the Vulgate translation, “Quoniam quidem multi conati sunt ordinare narrationem.” It seems that Pollio was writing tragedy at the same time with his history, and the style of the one may have affected the style of the other, so that Horace advises him to lay aside his tragedies, in order that he may do justice to his history. As the theme is delicate, and he is well able to adorn it, he should put aside the only obstacle to its proper accomplishment, viz. his tragedies. They were probably of no great merit. None have survived, and he has no credit for them, except with Horace and Virgil, who were under personal obligations to him. See S. i. 10. 42, and Virg. Ec. viii. 10.
11. grande munus] ‘Thou shalt put on the Attic cothurnus, and return to thy lofty task.’ The ‘cothurnus’ was a shoe worn by tragic actors, the use and name of which were borrowed by the Romans from the Athenians. It was usually ornamented with purple, and strapped up the leg nearly to the knee. When worn on the stage, it had a thick sole and a high heel, to add to the actor’s height. Men of rank wore the ‘cothurnus.’ Horace speaks figuratively, when he says that Pollio shall put on the ‘cothurnus,’ meaning that he shall return to writing tragedies (see last note).
16. Delmatico — triumpho] See Introduction.
17. Jam nunc] See C. iii. 6. 23, n. As to ‘cornua’ and ‘litui,’ see C. i. 1. 23, n.
21. Audire — videor] ‘I seem to myself to hear’ (as C. iii. 4. 6), referring to what he had heard Pollio read (see Int.). Cicero uses ‘videor’ with ‘videre’ not unfrequently, as (De Am. 12), “videre jam videor populum a senatu disjunctum.”
23. cuncta terrarum subacta] It is probable that Pollio had given a stirring account of Cæsar’s African campaign, in which he himself served, and that his description had made a great impression upon Horace. The victory of Thapsus, B. C. 46, made Cæsar master of the whole Roman world. ‘Cuncta terrarum’ is equivalent to ‘cunctas terras.’
24. atrocem] ‘stubborn.’
25. Juno et deorum] ‘Juno and all the gods that favor Africa, who had departed helplessly (i.e. after the Jugurthine war) and left that land unavenged, have offered up as an atonement (‘rettulit’) the grandsons of those victors, on the grave of Jugurtha.’ ‘Inferiae’ or ‘parentalia’ were offerings presented by relatives at the tombs of the dead. Ten thousand of the Pompeian army alone fell at the battle of Thapsus. It has been suggested that[287] the Jugurthine, rather than any of the other African wars, is referred to, because Sallust’s history had lately come out, and was attracting much attention.
29. Quis non Latino] In this and the following stanza Horace amplifies a little. But during the civil wars of Julius Cæsar, Spain, Greece, and Africa were scenes of much bloodshed, and Romans fought against each other at Mutina, at Philippi, and at Actium. That the Parthian had heard the crash of Italy in its fall, is a poetical exaggeration, meaning, in plain prose, that the bitterest enemy of Rome had watched her dissensions, and rejoiced in the prospect of her downfall.
pinguior] Comp. Virg. (Georg. i. 491):—
“Nec fuit indignum superis bis sanguine nostro
Emathiam et latos Haemi pinguescere campos.”
34. Dauniae] ‘Roman.’ See C. i. 22. 14, n; iii. 30. 11; iv. 6. 27.
35. decoloravere] ‘have deeply dyed.’
38. Ceae — neniae:] ‘The subjects which belong to the Cean Muse.’ ‘Nenia’ is used in various senses by Horace. As a dirge (C. ii. 20. 21); as a night song (C. iii. 28. 16); as a charm (Epod. xvii. 29); as a song of triumph (Epp. i. 1. 63). Here it stands for the melancholy poetry of Simonides of Ceos, who flourished in the sixth century B. C.
retractes] Equivalent to ‘tractes.’ See note on i. 31. 12.
39. Dionaeo — antro] A cave dedicated to Venus, the daughter of Dione.
Horace, meaning to write an Ode on the moderate desire and use of wealth, dedicated it to C. Sallustius Crispus, grand-nephew of the historian, and inheritor of his property. He had previously alluded to him in no terms of praise in Sat. i. 2. 48, but that Satire was written many years before this Ode, and at this time Sallustius was in high favor with Augustus, and possessed of great riches, of which Horace implies that he made a good use.
Argument.—Silver hath no beauty while hid in the earth, Sallustius. Proculeius, for his generosity to his brethren, will live for ever, and the man who rules the spirit of avarice is a greater king than if from Carthage to Gades were all his own. The dropsy grows and grows, till its cause is expelled. Phraates, restored to his throne, is not happy; he only is a king and conqueror who looks on money with indifference.
2. Abdito terris,] Sallustius possessed some valuable mines in the Alps, and to this circumstance Horace seems to refer. The character given of Sallustius by Tacitus (Ann. iii. 30) is rather different from Horace’s description. Tacitus says he was inclined to luxurious living and fine clothes, different from the practice of the old times. Horace inverts the order of the cognomen and gentilician name, as Tacitus frequently does; as, ‘Agrippam Postumum’ (Ann. i. 3), and elsewhere. The eleventh Ode of this book is addressed to Quintius Hirpinus, and the names are inverted, as here.
lamnae] Ovid (Fast. i. 207):—
“Jura dabat populis posito modo consul aratro
Et levis argenti lamina crimen erat.”
For examples of syncope, see i. 36. 8, n.
5. Vivet extento Proculeius aevo] C. Proculeius is said to have been brother of Licinius Murena, who, with one Fannius Caepio, entered into a conspiracy against the life of Augustus, and was put to death B. C. 22. See[288] C. ii. 10, Int. Who was the other brother of Proculeius is doubtful, and also on what occasion he assisted them. They may have lost their property in the civil wars, as the Scholiasts say. Proculeius was in great favor with Augustus, and was intimate with Mæcenas (who married his sister or cousin, Terentia), and probably with Sallustius. He was alive at this time, and did not die till after Horace. Proculeius was, like Mæcenas, a favorer of letters, and is so referred to by Juvenal (S. vii. 94). “Quis tibi Maecenas quis nunc erit aut Proculeius?”
6. Notus — animi] Horace’s adaptation of Greek constructions is one of the chief features of his style. He uses ‘metuente’ here in the same sense as in C. iv. 5. 20, “Culpari metuit Fides”: ‘wings that refuse to melt,’ as Icarius’s did. See C. iv. 2. 2.
9. Latius regnes] The only king was the sage, according to the Stoics, and the sage kept all his passions under control. See S. i. 3. 125, n., and below, v. 21.
10. remotis Gadibus] Gades (Cadiz) was taken poetically for the western limit of the world, so that when Horace would say his friend Septimius was willing to go with him to the ends of the earth, he says ‘Septimi Gades aditure mecum’ (C. ii. 6. 1). It was originally, like Carthage, a Phœnician settlement, of which there were many in Spain, whence Horace says ‘uterque Poenus,’ the Phœnicians in Africa and those in Hispania.
17. Phraaten] Phraates was restored to the Parthian throne B. C. 25 (C. i. 26, Introd.). It is called the throne of Cyrus, because the Parthians succeeded to the greater part of the Eastern empire founded by Cyrus the Great. See C. i. 2. 21, n.
18. plebi] See C. i. 27. 5, n. Observe the elision of the last syllable of this verse by the commencing vowel of the next; and see C. ii. 16. 34, and C. iii. 2. 22.
19. populumque, etc.] ‘And teaches men not to use wrong names for things.’
22. propriam] See S. ii. 2. 129, n.
23. inretorto] ‘Who does not look with eyes askance (that is, with longing) at vast heaps of gold?’ Compare Epp. i. 14. 37. “Non istic obliquo oculo mea commoda quisquam Limat.”
The person to whom this Ode is nominally addressed is generally supposed to be Q. Dellius, who, from being a follower, first of Dolabella, and then of Brutus and Cassius, became a devoted adherent of M. Antonius, and his tool, throughout his intrigues with Cleopatra, till shortly before the battle of Actium, when he quarrelled with Cleopatra and joined Augustus, who received him with favor (Plut. Anton. c. 59). Plutarch calls him ἱστορικός. Dellius was called ‘desultor bellorum civilium,’ in allusion to the ‘desultor’ of the circus, who rode two horses at the same time. Horace’s way of giving a name to his odes has been sufficiently noticed and in this, as in other cases, there is nothing to guide us to the person whose name he uses. The Ode is on his usual commonplaces,—moderation, the enjoyment of the present moment, and the certainty of death.
Argument.—Be sober in prosperity or adversity, in sadness or in mirth. What is the use of the shade and purling stream, if we bring not thither wine and flowers, while circumstances and youth permit and life is our own? Soon thou must give up all to thine heir; rich and noble, or poor and humble, we must all come to one place in the end.
2. non secus in] ‘Non secus ac’ is the more usual phrase, but ‘non secus’ may stand alone.
6. remoto gramine] ‘in a secluded grassy spot.’
8. Interiore nota Falerni.] The cork of the ‘amphora’ was stamped with the name of the consul in whose year it was filled, or a label with that inscription was fastened to the vessel, and the ‘amphorae’ being placed in the ‘apotheca’ as they were filled, the oldest would be the innermost.
9. Quo pinus ingens] ‘Quo’ signifies ‘to what purpose,’ as ‘quo mihi fortunam si non conceditur uti?’ (Epp. i. 5. 12).
albaque populus] The Greeks had two names for the poplar,—λευκή, which was white, and αἴγειρος, which was dark. Virgil calls the white ‘bicolor.’ ‘Amant,’ as in C. iii. 16. 10, is used like the Greek φιλοῦσι ‘are wont.’ Virgil has a like expression to ‘hospitalem’ (Georg. iv. 24) “Obviaque hospitiis teneat frondentibus arbor.”
11. obliquo laborat] ‘To what purpose does the flying stream struggle to haste down its winding channel?’ The stream is represented as striving to hurry on, in spite of the obstructions offered by its winding banks. As to ‘trepidare,’ see C. ii. 11. 4. Epp. i. 10. 21.
17. Cedes coëmptis] Compare C. 14. 21, sqq. of this book.
18. lavit,] Horace uses this form, not ‘lavat.’
21. Inacho] The name of Inachus, the earliest mythical king of Argos, appears to have been used proverbially, for we have it again in C. iii. 19. 1.
23. moreris,] This reminds us of Cicero (de Senect. xxiii.): “Commorandi natura deversorium nobis, non habitandi locum dedit.”
25. cogimur,] ‘We are driven like sheep,’ “Tityre coge pecus” (Virg. Ec. iii. 20).
26. Versatur urna] Compare C. iii. 1. 16. “Omne capax movet urna nomen.” The notion is that of Fate standing with an urn, in which every man’s lot is cast. She shakes it, and he whose lot comes out must die. Ovid has imitated this passage (Met. x. 32):—
“Omnia debemur vobis paullumque morati
Serius aus citius sedem properamus ad unam.
Tendimus huc omnes.”
28. Exilium] This is put for the place of exile, as (Ov. Fast. vi. 666): “Exilium quodam tempore Tibur erat.” The word is only another form of ‘exsidium,’ from ‘ex sedeo.’ ‘Cumbae’ is in the dative case, and is the form usually found in inscriptions for ‘cymbae.’
This amusing Ode represents a gentleman in love with his maid-servant, and jocularly consoles him with examples of heroes who had been in the same condition, and with the assurance that one so faithful must be, like the slaves of the Homeric warriors, the daughter of a royal house. The name Xanthias must be fictitious, and Phoceus indicates that the person was also supposed to be a Phocian. Why Horace, assuming a Greek name for his real or supposed friend, should also make him a Phocian, is needless to inquire. There may have been a significance in it which has passed away or never existed but for the understanding of the person addressed and perhaps a few intimate friends. Xanthias was a name given to slaves, like Geta, Sosius, &c. in the “Frogs” and other plays of Aristophanes.
Horace was born B. C. 65, and he wrote this Ode when he was just finishing his eighth lustre, which would be in December, B. C. 25.
Argument.—Be not ashamed, Xanthias; heroes have loved their maids before thee,—Achilles his Briseis, Ajax his Tecmessa, and Agamemnon his Cassandra. Doubtless your Phyllis is of royal blood: one so faithful and loving and unselfish is no common maiden. Nay, be not jealous of my praises, my eighth lustre is hastening to its close.
2. Xanthia Phoceu!] See Introd.
3. Briseis] Hippodameia, so called from her father, Briseus, king of Lyrnessus, a town of Troas, taken, with eleven others, by Achilles. He delivered up the spoils for distribution, and got Briseis for his prize (Il. ix. 328, sqq.). Agamemnon took her from him, as a compensation for the loss of his own slave, Chryseis (Il. i. 320, sqq.).
6. Tecmessae;] Tecmessa was the daughter of Teleutas, king of Phrygia, who was killed by the Greeks during the Trojan war, and his daughter became the prize of Ajax, the son of Telamon. Homer alludes to her when he speaks of Αἴαντος γέρας (Il. i. 138). Sophocles, in his play of Ajax, represents her as tenderly attached to him.
7. Arsit — Virgine rapta,] That is, Cassandra, whom Agamemnon chose, when the spoils of Troy were divided among the Greeks. ‘Arsit’ is used by Horace three times with an ablative,—here, in C. iii. 9. 5, and in Epod. xiv. 9; and once as a transitive verb (C. iv. 9. 13): “Non sola comptos arsit adulteri crines”; as it is in Virgil’s second Eclogue: “Formosum pastor Corydon ardebat Alexin.”
10. Thessalo victore] Achilles, whose native country was Phthiotis in Thessaly.
ademptus Hector] ‘the loss of Hector.’ This is from the Iliad (xxiv. 243):—
ῥηίτεροι γὰρ μᾶλλον Ἀχαιοῖσιν δὴ ἔσεσθε
κείνου τεθνηῶτος ἐναιρέμεν.
13. Nescias an] ‘You cannot tell but,’—‘You may well believe.’ All that follows, in this and the next stanza, is good-natured banter. See Introd. As to the phrase ‘nescio an,’ ‘I incline to think it is so,’ see Zumpt’s Latin Grammar, §§ 354 and 721. On ‘beati,’ see C. i. 4. 14.
17. Crede non illam] ‘Believe not that she whom thou lovest is of the villanous herd.’
22. Fuge] The same as ‘noli,’—‘do not.’
23. Cujus octavum] See Introd.; and as to ‘lustrum,’ see C. ii. 15. 13, n.
This Ode professes to be a remonstrance with one who is courting a young girl not yet come to womanhood.
Argument.—That girl is too young for a yoke-fellow; as yet, she is like an unbroken heifer, or an unripe grape. She will come to thee of her own accord, when she is a little older; then will she wax wanton, and seek a mate, and thou wilt love her above coy Pholoe or Chloris or Gyges.
5. Circa] The Greeks use περί in this way, ‘occupied with.’
7. Solantis] This is the poetical word for satisfying hunger or thirst, as Virgil (Georg. i. 159): “Concussaque famem in silvis solabere quercu.”
12. Purpureo varius colore] ‘Erelong, autumn with its varied hues will dye the green grape with purple,’ which means, that she will soon be ripe for marriage, as the purple grape is for plucking.
13. feror Aetas] Time is compared to a wild horse, as in Ovid (Fast. vi. 772): “fugiunt freno non remorante dies.” The words that follow mean, ‘she will approach the flower of her age, as you recede from it’; which is expressed thus: ‘the years which time takes from your life, he will add to hers.’ The way of speaking is like that of Deianira, when, comparing her own age and attractions with those of her rival, she says:—
ὁρῶ γὰρ ἥβην τὴν μὲν ἕρπουσαν πρόσω,
τὴν δ᾽ αὖ φθίνουσαν.
(Soph. Trach. v. 547, sqq.) It is also explained by those verses in the Epistle to the Pisones:—
“Multa ferunt anni venientes commoda secum,
Multa recedentes adimunt.”
(v. 175, sq.)
16. Lalage] This name is formed from λαλεῖν, “dulce loquentem” (C. i. 22. 24).
20. Cnidiusve Gyges,] This name, which is Lydian, Horace employs again (C. iii. 7. 5). This boy is represented as a slave from Cnidus in Caria, and he is said to be so beautiful that, if he were introduced at supper among the girls, the cleverest of the company could not detect him. ‘Discrimen obscurum’ means a difference hard to see.
24. ambiguoque vultu.] Ovid expresses the same ambiguity in the case of Atalanta very elegantly (Met. viii. 322):—
“Talis erat cultus; facies quam dicere vere
Virgineam in puero puerilem in virgine possis.”
Boys let their hair grow till they assumed the ‘toga virilis,’ about their fifteenth year.
Of Septimius, to whom this Ode is addressed, we know nothing, except that he was an intimate friend of Horace’s, as we gather also from the letter of introduction he gave him to Tiberius (Epp. i. 9). He had a house at Tarentum, where Horace probably paid him one or more visits. Beyond this we know nothing of Septimius.
It was probably on or after a visit to Septimius, that Horace composed the twenty-eighth Ode of the first book; and, probably, with the attractions of Tarentum fresh in his mind, he wrote this Ode. He says that, next to Tibur, it is the place where he would choose to end his days. He says the same in Epp. i. 7. 45.
Argument.—Septimius, I would that I might end my days at Tibur, or, if that be forbidden me, at Tarentum. Above all others I love that spot, with its honey, its olives, its long spring, and mild winter, and grapes on Mount Aulon. On that spot we ought to live together; and there thou shouldst lay my bones, and weep over them.
1. Septimi, Gades aditure mecum] That is, ‘who art ready to go with me, if need be, to the ends of the earth.’ See above C. 2. 10, n.
2. Cantabrum indoctum] At any time before B. C. 29, when the Cantabri were first reduced, they could have been called by Horace ‘indoctos juga ferre nostra,’ even though no attempt had been made to impose that yoke. In 29 they were reduced to subjection; in 26 they broke out again, and in the following year they were finally subdued, though an insurrection had to be put down by Agrippa, some years afterwards (see C. iii. 8. 21; iv. 14. 41.[292] Epp. i. 12. 26). They were one of the fiercest of the tribes of Hispania, and the last that submitted to the Romans. They occupied a part of the north coast, between the mountains and the sea.
3. Syrtes] The modern Gulfs of Sydra and Gabis.
5. Tibur] Tibur (Tivoli), which was sixteen miles east of Rome, Horace was in the habit of visiting (see C. iii. 4. 23. Epp. i. 7. 45). He here expresses a great affection for it. Some suppose he had a house there, which, as he nowhere mentions it, is improbable.
Argeo — colono] Catillus, or his brother Tiburtus (see C. i. 18. 2, n.).
7. Sit modus lasso] ‘Lasso’ may be taken with ‘maris,’ etc. (as ‘fessi rerum,’ Aen. i. 178), or absolutely, leaving the genitives to depend on ‘modus’: or the genitives may depend upon both. It is probable Horace is only speaking generally, meaning that the weary need seek no happier resting place than Tibur, or Tarentum.
10. pellitis] This word refers to the practice of covering the sheep with skins, to preserve their wool. The Galæsus (Galaso) flowed through the ager Tarentinus, which was rich in gardens and corn land, as well as in pastures.
11. regnata] Similar passives are found in C. iii. 3. 43, “Medis triumphatis”; iii. 19. 4, “Bella pugnata”; Epod. i. 23, “Bellum militabitur”; S. ii. 5. 27, “Res certabitur”. ‘Regnata’ occurs again in C. iii. 29. 27; and Tacitus (Hist. i. 16) speaks of “gentes quae regnantur.” The word is not used by prose writers of an earlier age than Tacitus. Phalanthus of Lacedæmon headed a body of youths, called from the circumstances of their birth Partheniæ, in migrating from the Peloponnesus into Italy, where they got possession of Tarentum.
15. decedunt] This word is used again in the same sense of ‘giving place to’ in the second epistle of the second book, v. 213: “decede peritis.” The honey of Tarentum or Calabria (iii. 16. 33), and of Matinum (iv. 2. 27) in Italy, of Hybla in Sicily, and of Hymettus in Attica, are those Horace celebrates most. Venafrum (hod. Venafro) the most northern town of Campania was celebrated above all places in Italy for its olives. ‘Venafro’ is the dative case. See C. i. 1. 15, n.
18. Aulon] From the name, we may suppose this was a valley near Tarentum. It gave excellent pasturage to sheep. ‘Baccho’ depends on ‘amicus.’
21. beatae — arces;] Rich heights or hills near Tarentum. ‘Arx’ is akin to ἕρκος, and signifies primarily a fortified place; and fortified places being commonly on heights, ‘arx,’ in a derived sense, came to mean a hill generally.
23. favillam] The practice of burning the dead was not general among the Romans, till towards the end of the republic. Before that, they were usually buried, though burning was known even in old times.
Pompeius Varus was a companion of Horace’s in the army of Brutus, and fought at Philippi, after which it is probable he followed the fortunes first of Sextus Pompeius and afterwards of M. Antonius, and did not return to Rome till the civil war was over. This Ode was written on his return, to welcome him.
Argument.—O Pompeius, my earliest friend and best, with whom I have served and indulged, full many a day, who hath sent thee back to us, a[293] true citizen of Rome? We fought and fled together at Philippi, but while I was carried off by Mercury, the wave drew thee back into the stormy ocean again. Come, then, pay thy vows unto Jove, and lay thy weary limbs under my laurel. Bring wine and ointment and garlands, choose a master of the feast, for I will revel like any Thracian, for joy that my friend hath returned.
1. tempus in ultimum] During the two years between his leaving Rome and the battle of Philippi, Brutus went through many hard-fought battles with the native tribes in Macedonia and in Asia Minor, as well as in resisting the assumption of his province by C. Antonius, the triumvir’s brother, to whom the Senate had assigned it. ‘Tempus in ultimum’ does not mean so much to the brink of the grave, as we should say, as into extreme danger or need.
3. redonavit Quiritem] This word ‘redonare’ is peculiar to Horace. He uses it again, C. iii. 3. 33. ‘Quiritem’ has particular force as ‘unshorn of your citizenship.’ He had not been ‘capite deminutus.’ See Aesch. Eum. 757, Ἀργεῖος ἁνὴρ αὖθις. The singular ‘Quiris’ is not found in prose-writers. It occurs again in Epp. i. 6. 7.
5. prime sodalium,] ‘Prime’ means ‘earliest and best.’ It is probable that the days Horace enjoyed so much with his friend were spent at Athens when they were both young students. The language does not seem to suit a camp life, especially on such a service as the army of Brutus went through. On ‘fregi’ see C. i. 1. 20, n.
8. Malobathro] Oil produced from an Indian shrub of that name. ‘Syrio’ is only used in the same extended application in which Ovid uses ‘Assyrium’ (Amor. ii. 5. 40): “Maeonis Assyrium foemina tinxit ebur.” See C. ii. 11. 16.
9. Philippos et celerem fugam] ‘the rout at Philippi.’ We need not take Horace too much at his word. He was not born for a soldier, any more than his friend Iccius (C. i. 29); and he could afford to create a laugh against himself as a ῥίψασπις, a coward who runs away and leaves his shield behind him. He had in mind, no doubt, the misfortune that befell Alcæus, as related by Herodotus (v. 95). See C. i. 32. 5, n. There was nothing disgraceful in the flight from Philippi, which Brutus advised and necessity compelled.
11. minaces Turpe solum] All that seems to be meant is, that the bold were struck to the ground.
13. Mercurius celer Denso — sustulit aëre;] Poets were ‘Mercuriales viri’ (C. ii. 17. 29). Horace refers his preservation directly to the Muses in C. iii. 4. 26. He had in mind, no doubt, Paris’s rescue by Venus (Il. iii. 381), and Æneas’s by Phœbus in a thick cloud (Il. v. 344. Aen. x. 81).
14. Denso aëre] ‘a cloud.’
15. resorbens Unda] Like the wave that, just as the shipwrecked man is struggling to shore, lifts him off his feet and throws him back again. See Introd.
17. obligatam] The sacrifice (and feast that followed) which he had vowed, or ought to have vowed if he had not, to Jove.
18. Longaque — militia] Pompeius had probably had no rest for more than thirteen years, beginning with the wars of Brutus, A. U. C. 710, and ending with the battle of Actium.
22. Ciboria] A drinking cup like the pod of an Egyptian bean, of which this was the name. ‘Funde’ means ‘pour upon your head.’ ‘Udo’ is like the Greek ὑγρῷ, ‘supple.’ Theocritus (vi. 68) calls it πολύγναμπτον σέλινον.
23. Unguenta de conchis.] The Romans used fragrant oils and ointments for the hair and body in great quantities, especially at meals, when slaves poured scents on their heads (see C. ii. 11. 15, n. S. ii. 7. 55. Epp. i. 14.[294] 32). ‘Concha’ was the name of a small liquid measure, but it was also used for different shell-shaped vessels.
24. Deproperare] ‘to prepare quickly.’ ‘De,’ as in many other instances, is intensive.
25. Curatve myrto?] Dillenbr. has given a variety of instances in which the enclitics ‘que,’ ‘ve,’ ‘ne’ are added to a word other than that which is to be coupled with the preceding word. There are two examples close to each other in C. ii. 19. 28, 32. Dillenbr. says this construction is adopted advisedly, to give force to the particular word to which the enclitic is added, and to strengthen the connection. The truth of this is more apparent in some other cases than in this; but it is true, and worth observing.
Venus] This was the highest cast of the dice, as ‘canis’ was the lowest. See Tacit. Ann. xiii. 15. As to ‘arbitrum bibendi,’ see above, C. i. 4. 18. ‘Dicet’ is used in the same sense as by Virgil (Georg. iii. 125): “Quem legere ducem et pecori dixere maritum”; where Servius explains ‘dixere’ by ‘designavere.’
28. furere] See C. iii. 19. 18, “Insanire juvat”; Epp. i. 5. 15; both being imitated from Pseudo-Anacreon, θέλω θέλω μανῆναι. The Edoni were a people of Thrace (see C. i. 27. 2).
This Ode is probably an imitation from the Greek, or a fancy of the poet’s. It professes to be addressed to a faithless woman under the barbarian name Barine, and complains that, in spite of all her perjury, she continues more beautiful and captivating than ever.
Argument.—Barine, if I could see thee punished for thy false vows, I might believe thee again. But the moment after thou hast forsworn thyself, thou art lovelier and more bright than ever. Perjury, then, is profitable; Venus and her train laugh at it. Fresh slaves follow thee, and the old ones cannot leave thy roof; mothers, and stingy fathers, and new-married brides, are afraid of thee.
1. juris — pejerati] Equivalent to ‘perjurii.’ This expression is not found elsewhere. It is formed by analogy from ‘jus jurandum.’
2. nocuisset] ‘impaired your beauty.’
4. Turpior] ‘plainer,’ or ‘less attractive.’
9. opertos] This word is not used elsewhere for ‘sepultos.’ There was no more common oath than by the ashes of the dead, and the moon and stars. The poet says it is worth while to swear falsely, if such is the reward.
15. Semper ardentes] This seems to be taken from a picture. Moschus (Id. i.) says of the weapons of love, πυρὶ πάντα βέβαπται. ‘Semper’ belongs to ‘ardentes.’
20. Saepe minati] ‘Though they have often threatened it.’
21. juvencis,] This is used as the Greeks would say πώλοις.
22. Senes parei] The frugal fathers fear that Barine will lead their sons into extravagance.
23. Virgines] Like ‘puellae’ (C. iii. 14. 10), this word does not belong exclusively to maids.
tua — Aura] ‘the breeze that sets them towards thee.’ ‘Popularis aura’ (C. iii. 2. 20) is used for the shifting breeze of popular opinion or favor.
C. Valgius Rufus was a poet of much merit, and appears to have been sad for the loss of a young slave. At a time of public rejoicing (probably at the closing of the temple of Janus, B. C. 24, after the Cantabri had been put down by Augustus, C. ii. 6. 2, n.), Valgius is called upon (as Tibullus was in C. i. 33) to cease from writing mournful verses on his loss, and to turn his thoughts to the praises of Augustus.
Argument.—The rain does not always fall, nor the storms rage, nor the frost continue for ever, Valgius. But thou mournest for Mystes from morning till night. Nestor did not always weep for Antilochus, nor his parents and sisters for Troilus. Cease thy wailings, and let us sing of the triumphs of Augustus.
3. inaequales] This epithet is equivalent to ‘informes,’ ‘shapeless,’ which is a way of expressing anything that is rough (C. ii. 10. 15). See C. i. 7. 15.
The table-lands of Armenia are intensely cold in winter, and covered with snow and ice. The summers are hot and dry.
7. Querceta] The Apulian range Garganus (Monte Gargano) terminated in the bold promontory of the same name, now called Punta di Viesti. It is still clothed with woods, but the forests of Italy are not what they were. See Epp. ii. 1. 202.
9, 10. Tu — ademptum] ‘But thou art ever dwelling in doleful strains upon the loss of Mystes.’
12. rapidum] Any one who has watched the rising of the sun in a cloudless horizon will understand this epithet.
13. ter aevo functus] ‘who had thrice completed the (usual) age of man.’ Cic. (de Senectut. c. 10) says, “Nestor tertiam jam aetatem hominum vivebat.” The foundation for the story is found in Homer (Il. i. 250):—
ἤδη δύο μὲν γενεαὶ μερόπων ἀνθρώπων
ἐφθίατο—μετὰ δὲ τριτάτοισιν ἄνασσεν.
The duration of an age cannot now be determined.
14. Antilochum] Antilochus, the son of Nestor and friend of Achilles, was killed by Memnon (Odyss. iv. 188). He was famed for his beauty and manliness, as well as for his filial piety.
16. Troïlon] The death of Troilus, son of Priam and Hecuba, who was killed by Achilles, is related by Virgil (Aen. i. 474), following, not Homer, but some of the Cyclic poets (see A. P. 136, n.), the event having taken place before the time at which the Iliad opens. His sisters were Creusa, Polyxena, Laodice, and Cassandra.
17. Desine mollium] A Greek construction, as ‘abstineto irarum’ (C. iii. 27. 69), ‘abstinens pecuniae’ (iv. 9. 37). Virgil too (Aen. x. 441) takes the same license, ‘tempus desistere pugnae.’ ‘Damnatus laboris’ (C. ii. 14. 19), ‘decipitur laborum’ (C. ii. 13. 38), ‘Ciceris invidit’ (S. ii. 6. 84), are other constructions with the genitive borrowed from the Greek.
20. rigidum Niphaten,] Niphates was a mountain range east of the Tigris. The name means the snow-mountain. Perhaps a part of it may have been covered with perpetual snow. The arms of Augustus were first carried into Armenia in B. C. 20 (Epp. i. 3, Int.); we must therefore suppose Horace to be speaking of conquests to come, as he does in C. i. 12. 53, sqq.
21. Medumque flumen] The Euphrates. ‘Flumen’ is the subject of ‘volvere,’ which verb depends on ‘Cantemus’ (v. 19).
22. vertices,] ‘Vertex’ is perhaps the right word, not ‘vortex,’ as it is[296] generally spelt when applied to water. Quintilian explains how ‘vertex’ passed into its applied meanings thus: “Vertex est contorta in se aqua, vel quicquid aliud similiter vertitur. Inde propter flexum capillorum pars est summa capitis, et ex hoc quod est in montibus eminentissimum. Recte inquam dixeris haec omnia vertices; proprie tamen, unde initium est” (viii. 2).
23. Gelonos] This was one of the tribes on the north bank of the Danube. ‘Intra praescriptum’ means within limits that Cæsar should prescribe them.
Licinius Murena, or A. Terentius Varro Murena, as he was called after his adoption by A. Terentius Varro, was apparently a man of restless and ambitious character, and, as we have seen, paid the penalty of his rashness with his life (C. ii. 2. 5). It is very probable that Horace wrote this Ode to his friend to warn him of the tendencies of his disposition, and to recommend to him the virtue of moderation. All else that we learn from Horace’s poems respecting Murena is, that he was of the college of augurs (C. iii. 19), and that he had a house at Formiæ, where he received Mæcenas and his party on their way to Brundisium (S. i. 5. 37, sq.).
Argument.—The way to live, Licinius, is neither rashly to tempt nor cowardly to fear the storm. The golden mean secures a man at once from the pinching of poverty and the envy of wealth. The loftiest objects fall soonest and most heavily. In adversity or prosperity the wise man looks for change. Storms come and go. Bad times will not continue for ever. Apollo handles the lyre, as well as the bow. In adversity show thyself brave, in prosperity take in sail.
5. Auream quisquis] ‘Whoso loves the golden mean (between poverty and immense riches), is safe and free from the squalor of a crazy roof, is sober and free from the envy of a palace.’
6. obsoleti] That which has gone out of use; therefore, old and decayed. This word has various applications.
9-12. ingens — celsae — summos] These words are emphatic. ‘It is the lofty pine that is oftenest shaken by the winds,’ and so forth. Translate ‘summos montes’ ‘the tops of mountains.’
14. Alteram sortem] The object of ‘metuit’ and ‘sperat.’
15. Informes hiemes] This epithet is like ‘inaequales’ in the last Ode, ‘rough,’ ‘uncouth.’ Compare C. iii. 29. 43:—
“Cras vel atra
Nube polum Pater occupato
Vel sole puro.”
17. olim Sic erit: quondam cithara] ‘Olim,’ being derived from the demonstrative pronoun ‘illo,’ of which the older form is ‘ōlo,’ or ‘ollo,’ and which only indicates the remoter object, signifies some time more or less distant, either in the past or future. So likewise ‘quondam,’ which is akin to ‘quum,’ an adverb relating to all parts of time, signifies any time not present. Translate here, ‘at times.’
Apollo is almost always represented with a bow and arrows, or a lyre, or both. Homer has many epithets describing him with his bow. The ancients believed him to be the punisher of the wicked and the author of all sudden deaths among men, as Diana (Artemis) was among women. He was the god of music, but got his lyre from Mercury (C. i. 21. 12, n).
22. idem] ‘and yet you.’
23, 24. Contrahes — vela.] The order is ‘Contrahes vela nimium Turgida secundo vento.’
This Ode is addressed to one Hirpinus, who, if a real person, is quite unknown. The poet bids him cease to trouble himself about distant nations, and put away care, since old age is approaching.
Argument.—Never mind what distant nations are about, nor trouble thyself for the wants of life, which needs but little: youth is going, and age approaching: the flowers and the moon are not always bright: why worry thyself for ever? Let us drink under the shade of yonder tree. Mix wine, boy, and bring Lyde to sing to us.
1. Quid bellicosus] As to the Cantabri, see above, 6. 2, and for the Scythians, i. 19. 10. The description of the Scythian, separated from Italy by the Hadriatic, is not geographically accurate, but Horace does not mean to be very definite (see Introduction).
2. Hirpine Quinti,] The names are inverted, as in C. ii. 2. 3, “Crispe Sallusti.”
3. remittas] ‘Remitto’ has the sense of deferring, here and in other places (as, C. iv. 4. 21, “quaerere distuli”).
4. trepides] This word, the root or stem of which is ‘trep’ (τρέπω), signifies to hurry hither and thither. Hence to be eager or anxious, as here and elsewhere. ‘Usum aevi’ means the wants of life. ‘Be not anxious for the wants of a life that asks but little’: as Goldsmith says,
“Man wants but little here below,
Nor wants that little long.”
6. Levis] ‘smooth,’ ‘beardless.’
10. rubens] This word is not commonly used to express the brilliancy of the moon. It has many different applications, as to the moon (here), to the ripe yellow corn, to the golden waters of Pactolus, to the green fields in spring (Virg. Georg. iv. 306).
11. minorem] This, like ἥσσων, signifies ‘the victim of’ or ‘a slave to,’ as we should say.
14. sic temere] ‘Sic’ has a force of its own, signifying ‘carelessly,’ ‘just as we please.’ The Greek οὕτως, has the same force.
15. Canos] Horace, or his friend, or both, had gray hair. He describes himself as prematurely gray, in Epp. i. 20. 24. As to ‘odorati,’ see above, 7. 22, n.
16. Assyriaque nardo] It was not only the poets that confounded Syria and Assyria. Cicero (in Verr. ii. 3. 33) speaks of “reges Persarum ac Syrorum,” for the kings of Persia and Assyria. See also Pliny (N. H. v. 12). Horace uses ‘Syrio’ for an Indian commodity (above, C. 7. 8), “Malobathro Syrio”; and ‘Assyrii’ for the coast of Syria (C. iii. 4. 32), and ‘Assyrius’ for any Eastern person (A. P. 118), “Colchus an Assyrius.” This confusion is easily accounted for by the title of that great division of Alexander’s empire, which embraced the whole of Asia under the dominion of a Syrian monarch.
18. Quis puer] He imagines himself at the banquet, and calling to the slaves to bring wine, which the Romans usually drank mixed with water. See C. iii. 19. 11, n.
19. Restinguet] ‘will temper,’ or ‘dilute.’
21. devium] One who lives out of the way, as (Ov., Heroid. ii. 118) “Et cecinit maestum devia carmen avis.” ‘Fidicinae’ and ‘tibicinae,’ women who played upon the lyre or the flute, were employed at dinners to entertain the company.
23. in comptum] ‘In comptum nodum’ signifies ‘into a plain knot,’ without ornament, such as the Lacedæmonian women wore.
This Ode is addressed to Mæcenas, and, from the language of it, we might suppose he had asked Horace to write something on a higher subject than he was accustomed to. Horace tells him that his lyre is not suited to wars and triumphs, but he loves to sing of the beauty of Licymnia, under which name it is supposed he means Terentia, the wife of Mæcenas. They may at this time have been lately married, but they did not long continue to live happily.
Argument.—Do not ask me with my soft lyre to sing of bloody wars, of centaurs, and of giants: as for the triumphs of Cæsar, Mæcenas, thou couldst tell them better in prose than I can in verse. My task is to sing of the beauty and faithfulness of Licymnia, who graces the dance and sports with the damsels on Diana’s holiday. Wouldst thou, for all the wealth of Persia, Phrygia, and Arabia, give a lock of Licymnia’s hair, or one of her kisses?
1. Numantiae,] The siege of Numantia, in Spain, by the Romans, lasted, like that of Troy, for ten years, when it was finished by Scipio Africanus Minor, who took the city B. C. 133. The bravery with which the Numantines behaved earned them from their enemies the title ‘feri,’ ‘savage.’
2. dirum Hannibalem,] This epithet is found three times in this connection. See C. iii. 6. 36; iv. 4. 42.
Siculum mare] Alluding to the naval victories of Duilius, Metellus, and Lutatius Catulus, in the first Punic war (see C. iii. 6. 34).
5. nimium mero] This use of ‘nimium’ is common in Tacitus, who also uses it with a genitive, as (Hist. iii. 75), “nimius sermonis erat.” Hylæus was a centaur. As to the Lapithæ, see C. i. 18. 8.
7. Telluris juvenes,] The Gigantes, who were called γηγενεῖς, ‘earth-born,’ made war upon Zeus, and were destroyed by him with the help of Hercules, and the bow and arrows given him by Apollo. Horace gives Bacchus the credit of their defeat in C. ii. 19. 21, sqq., and Pallas in C. iii. 4. 57, where Hercules is not mentioned.
unde] See C. i. 12. 17.
9. tuque pedestribus] ‘But you, rather, in prose,’ and so forth. The conjunction couples this part of the Ode with the preceding, not with what follows. ‘Que,’ after negative sentences, has a qualified adversative sense, as, among other instances (C. ii. 20. 3):—
“Neque in terris morabor
Longius, invidiaque major
Urbes relinquam.”
So τε often follows οὔτε, the fact being that every negative proposition may be resolved into an affirmative with a negation. Here the connection is between ‘nobis’ and ‘dices.’ Mæcenas was an author, though probably an indifferent one; and Horace may have put off his request that he should write a poetical account of Augustus’s achievements, by suggesting that he[299] should write one in prose. It does not follow that Mæcenas ever wrote, or that Horace ever seriously intended to advise his writing. ‘Pedestribus’ is an adaptation of the Greek πεζὸς λόγος for ‘prose,’ or ‘soluta oratio,’ which latter was the usual expression for prose in Horace’s time. He uses the word ‘pedester’ again twice to express a plain style of speech but not for prose as opposed to poetry (S. ii. 6. 17, and A. P. 95). Quintilian uses the word, but expressly as a Grecism. The word ‘prosa’ or ‘prorsa,’ as its correct form appears to be, is of later use than the age of Augustus.
11. ductaque per vias] This appears to refer to the the triumphs of Augustus noticed in C. i. 2. 49. See also C. iv. 2. 35, n. Epod. vii. 7.
12. Regum colla minacium.] The same as ‘reges minaces.’ Their necks are mentioned in allusion to their humbled pride.
13. dominae] If by Licymnia is meant Terentia (see Introduction), ‘dominae’ may stand for wife, as in Virg. (Aen. vi. 397): “Hi Ditis dominam thalamo deducere adorti.”
14. lucidum Fulgentes] The neuter adjective performs in this and like cases the office of an adverb, which is very common in all languages.
15. bene mutuis] ‘her faithful heart full of love happy and mutual’ (see Introduction).
18. certare joco] ‘to engage in a contest of wit.’
19. nitidis] ‘in festive garb.’
20. Dianae celebris die.] Her festival was held on the ides of August. The dances at her festival were led by ladies of rank (see C. iv. 6. 31. A. P. 232). ‘Choris’ appear to be private, as opposed to the sacred dances. Dancing was not unusual in private society at this time, even among ladies. Therefore it was not degrading to Terentia, who was probably fond of this amusement. Other words used with ‘brachia,’ to express dancing, are ‘jactare,’ ‘deducere,’ ‘ducere,’ ‘mittere,’ ‘movere.’ The graceful motion of the arms seems to have been one of the chief attractions in dancing, as it is still, wherever it is practised as an art.
The expression ‘ferre pedem’ is used by Virgil (Georg. i. 11), and ‘ludere’ (Ec. vi. 27). ‘Dianae celebris die’ is the day on which the temple of Diana was crowded with worshippers. ‘Celebris’ and ‘creber’ are the same word under different forms.
21. dives Achaemenes,] Achæmenes was the great-grandfather of Cyrus, the founder of the Persian monarchy, and the Achæmenid dynasty of Persian kings, of which were Darius and Xerxes, took its name from him. His name is used here loosely for those kings, but he was not a king himself, though of a noble family. See C. iii. 1. 44. Epod. xiii. 8.
22. Phrygiae Mygdonias opes] See C. iii. 16. 41, n.
23. Permutare] See C. i. 17. 2, n. ‘Crine’ here means a lock of hair.
26. facili saevitia] ‘with complying cruelty’; that is, a cruelty that is only pretended and is easily overcome.
27. poscente magis] ‘more than thou who askest them.’ ‘Occupare’ has the force of φθάνειν, ‘to be beforehand,’ ‘to anticipate,’—‘sometimes she is the first to snatch.’
It is impossible to say with certainty when the accident happened which is referred to in this Ode, but there are reasons for supposing it was when Horace was about forty years old, B. C. 25 or 26. It appears that a tree on his farm fell and nearly struck him. In this Ode he describes the danger he had escaped, and abuses the tree and the man who planted it. A year afterwards,[300] we find him celebrating the anniversary of his escape with a sacrifice to Liber (C. iii. 8. 6), and in the 17th Ode of this book (v. 32) he speaks of offering a lamb to Faunus for his preservation.
The latter part of the Ode is a remarkable instance of Horace’s way of digressing into subjects only remotely connected with his principal theme. In speaking of his escape, he is led into a description of the company he should have been brought into if he had been sent so suddenly to Hades, dwelling particularly on Alcæus and Sappho, and the power of their music over the spirits of the dead.
Argument.—Whoever planted thee, thou tree, did so on an evil day, and with impious hand he reared thee. Parricide, guest-murder,—there is no crime he would not commit. No one can provide against all dangers. The sailor fears the sea, and nothing else; the soldier fears his enemy alone; but death comes often from an unexpected source. How nearly was I sent to the regions below, where all the shades wonder, Cerberus listens, the Furies are charmed, and the damned suspend their labors, while Sappho and Alcæus sing.
1. nefasto] A ‘dies nefastus’ was properly one on which, the day being dedicated to religion, it was not lawful for the prætor to hold his court. Ovid thus defines ‘dies fasti’ and ‘nefasti’ (Fast. i. 47):—
“Ille nefastus erit per quem tria verba silentur;
Fastus erit per quem lege licebit agi”;
where the three words alluded to are said to be ‘do,’ ‘dico,’ ‘addico,’ all of them familiar and of common occurrence in Roman civil procedure. Hence the name, which is compounded of ‘ne’ and ‘fari.’ And because no secular work but what was necessary could prosper on the days called ‘nefasti,’ all unlucky days came to bear that name as here, and the word was thence applied to express all that was bad, as C. i. 35. 35. The words may be rendered, “he not only planted thee on an evil day (whoever it was that first planted thee), but with impious hand reared thee.” The ‘pagus’ was Mandela, in a valley of the Sabine hills, where Horace had his farm.
6. Fregisse cervicem] This is the ordinary phrase for strangulation. It occurs again Epod. iii. 2. The force of ‘penetralia’ is, that in the inner part of the house the images of the Penates and the hearth of Vesta were placed, where, if anywhere, the person of a guest should be sacred.
10. Tractavit,] This word is sufficient for both substantives. There is no necessity for supplying ‘patravit’ for ‘nefas,’ as Orelli says. The word ‘tractare’ is widely applied.
11. caducum] This word signifies ‘falling’ (iii. 4. 44), ‘fallen,’ or ‘ready to fall.’ More generally the last, as here. Virgil has (Aen. vi. 481): “Hic multum fleti ad superos belloque caduci Dardanidae”; where it means ‘fallen.’
14. in horus] ‘from hour to hour.’
Bosporum] The form of the Greek βοῦς πόρος requires that the name should be written thus, and not Bosphorum, as it is often spelt. The Phœnicians were proverbial as sailors, and the name is so used here.
17. celerem fugam] C. i. 19. 11, n. The defeat of Crassus by the Parthians, B. C. 55, and of M. Antonius, B. C. 36, left a deep and long impression on the Romans.
18, 19. catenas — et Italum Robur;] ‘the bonds and the prowess of the Roman.’ Among the things which the Roman soldier carried to battle with him (an axe, a saw, &c.) was a chain to secure any prisoner he might take. To this Horace probably refers in ‘catenas,’ and below in C. iii. 8. 22.
21. furvae regna Proserpinae] ‘Furvus’ is an old word signifying ‘dark,’ and is not different from ‘fulvus,’ except in usage. It is much used in connection[301] with the infernal deities and their rites. From the same root Festus derives ‘furiae,’ ‘fuligo,’ and other words of the same kind. The first syllable in Proserpina is usually long in other writers.
23. Sedesque discretas piorum] According to the notions of the ancient poets, the great divisions of Orcus were three: 1st, Erebus, the region of darkness and mourning, but not of torment, which lay on the banks of the Styx, and extended thence over a considerable tract towards the other two; 2d, Tartarus, the place of punishment; and 3d, Elysium, the place of happiness. In the first of these Minos presided, in the second Rhadamanthus, and in the third, Æacus. In the Homeric times Elysium was upon earth in the μακάρων νῆσοι. See Odyss. iv. 563, and the Schol. thereon, and C. iv. 8. 25.
24. querentem Sappho puellis de popularibus,] Some of Sappho’s poetry, of which fragments remain, is addressed to her young female friends, and complains with jealousy of their transferring their affections to others. Horace alludes to this. The Æolians settled in Lesbos, Sappho’s native island (C. i. 1. 34), wherefore her lyre is called Æolian.
26. plenius] ‘in grander strains.’
27. Alcaee, plectro dura navis,] See C. i. 32. 6, n. The ‘plectrum’ (πλῆκτρον) was a small stick (gilt or ivory or plain wood) with which the strings of the lyre were sometimes struck, instead of with the fingers.
29. sacro — silentio] ‘Strains worthy of profound (religious) silence.’
30. Mirantur — dicere;] ‘Admire them both, as they sing’; a Grecism for ‘mirantur dicentes.’ ‘Magis’ modifies ‘bibit.’
32. Densum humeris] This is rather an unusual expression for ‘crowded together.’
33. carminibus] This is the ablative case, as (S. i. 4. 28) “Stupet Albius aere”; (S. ii. 7. 95) “Vel quum Pausiaca torpes, insane, tabella.”
34. centiceps] Elsewhere Horace represents Cerberus with three heads, C. ii. 19. 31, and C. iii. 11. 20; in the latter of which places, which greatly resembles this and should be compared with it, he describes him with a hundred snakes guarding his head. Hesiod represents him with fifty heads, but three is the more usual account.
35. intorti] ‘Anguis’ is more commonly feminine than masculine.
36. Eumenidum] This name was given to the Erinnyes, as one of better omen than the other names which they bore. It signifies ‘the kind-hearted’ (εὖ μένος, ‘mens’). From Æschylus downwards they were represented in horrid forms and with snakes in their hair, as here. The Romans called them ‘Furiae,’ and, like the later Greeks, confined their number to three, whose names were Alecto, Megæra, and Tisiphone. See C. i. 28. 17, n.
37. Quin et] ‘moreover,’ or ‘nay, even.’ ‘Quin’ represents ‘qui’ with a negative particle affixed, and is strictly an interrogative, ‘why not?’ or ‘how should it not be so?’ but like οὐκοῦν it is used in direct affirmations, as here and in many other places. As to the punishments of Prometheus and Tantalus, see Epod. xvii. 65, sq. Orion the hunter is mentioned below, C. iii. 4. 71.
38. laborum decipitur] See ii. 9. 17, n. ‘Is beguiled of his sufferings.’
40. lyncas.] Elsewhere this word is only used in the feminine gender. Homer represents the heroes as following in Elysium the favorite pursuits of their lives on the earth. See Odyss. xi. 571, sqq. and Virgil, Aen. vi. 651, sqq.
Who Postumus was, or whether it is a real name, is uncertain. The subject of the Ode is the certainty of death, and it ends with a hint upon the folly of hoarding.
Argument.—Time is slipping away, Postumus, and piety will not retard the approach of age or death. No sacrifices will propitiate Pluto, who keeps even the giants Geryon and Tityos beyond that stream which all must cross, even though we expose not ourselves to the dangers of war, the sea, and climate. Thou must leave home, wife, and all thou hast, and thine heir will squander what thou hast hoarded.
1. fugaces] ‘fleeting.’
4. indomitae] The Greek ἀδάμαστος.
5. trecenis quotquot eunt dies] ‘three hundred every day.’
6. illacrimabilem] Here this word is used in an active sense. It is used passively in C. iv. 9. 26: “Omnes illacrimabiles urgentur.” See note on C. i. 3. 32. Compare “Orcus — non exorabilis auro” (Epp. ii. 2. 178).
7. ter amplum] ‘Ter’ expresses the triple form of the monster, “forma tricorporis umbrae” (Aen. vi. 289). He was a mythical king of the island Erytheia (Gades), slain by Hercules (C. iii. 14. 1). Tityos was a giant who, for attempting to violate the goddess Artemis, was killed by Apollo and cast into Tartarus, where vultures devoured his liver (C. iii. 4. 77; iv. 6. 2).
8. tristi Compescit unda,] This is Virgil’s description (Aen. vi. 438),—
“Tristique palus inamabilis unda
Alligat et novies Styx interfusa coercet,”—
which is repeated from Georg. iv. 479. Sophocles (Electra, 137) calls it πάγκοινον λίμναν.
9. scilicet] This is in reality a verb, ‘you may know,’ ‘you may be sure.’ It is used as an adverb, ‘assuredly,’ sometimes in a serious sense (as here), sometimes in an ironical.
10. Quicunque terrae munere vescimur,] This expresses the words of Homer, ὃς θνητός τ᾽ εἴη καὶ ἔδοι Δημήτερος ἀκτήν (Il. xiii. 322), οἳ ἀρούρης καρπὸν ἔδουσι (Il. vi. 142).
11. reges] This is Horace’s usual word for the rich, as observed on C. i. 4. 14. ‘Colonus’ was the lessee of a farm, the owner of which was called ‘dominus’ in respect to that property. ‘Reges,’ therefore, are ‘domini.’ A ‘colonus’ might be rich and the tenant of a large farm; but Horace refers to the poorer sort here and in C. i. 35. 6. ‘Inops’ he uses sometimes in an extreme, sometimes in a qualified sense of want, but more generally the latter, as he does ‘pauper,’ C. i. 1. 18, n. The opposition is between high and low, and the difference is one of position, as in the third Ode of this book (v. 21, sqq.). “The small and great are there, and the servant is free from his master.” (Job iii. 19.) This seems to express Horace’s meaning.
15. Frustra per auctumnos nocentem] See S. ii. 6. 18, n. With ‘nocentem’ connect ‘Corporibus.’
18. Cocytos] This was the name of a tributary of the river Acheron in Thesprotia, a part of Epirus. For some reason, these rivers came to be placed in Tartarus, and the Styx was added to them as a third. The language of the text expresses very well the character an infernal stream might be expected to wear.
Danai genus] ‘the family (or children) of Danaus.’ The punishment of the fifty daughters of Danaus is referred to in C. iii. 11.
19. damnatusque longi] ‘condemned to an endless task.’ This follows the Greek construction, καταγνωσθεὶς πόνου, as observed C. ii. 9. 17, n.
20. Sisyphus Aeolides] Homer too calls him Σίσυφος Αἰολίδης, and says he was κέρδιστος ἀνδρῶν, ‘the most gain-seeking of men’ (Il. vi. 153) and Horace calls him ‘vafer,’ S. ii. 3. 21. His punishment (‘longus labor’) was to roll a stone up a hill, down which it always rolled again when it was near the top. (See Epod. xvii. 68.) The cause of this punishment was variously stated in different legends.
23. invisas cupressos] He calls them ‘funebres’ in Epod. v. 18. The cypress was commonly planted by tombs.
24. brevem] ‘Brevis,’ is nowhere else used in this sense of ‘short-lived.’ It corresponds to ὀλιγοχρόνιος and μινυνθάδιος. With this passage compare C. ii. 3. 17, sqq.
25. Caecuba] See C. i. 20. 9, n.
dignior] This is ironical; the heir would at least know that wealth was made to spend, and so would be a worthier possessor than the man who had hoarded it.
27. superbo] The pride of the heir is transferred to the wine. Cicero (Phil. ii. 41) says, “natabant pavimenta mero, madebant parietes.” On the pontifical feastings, see C. i. 37. 2, n. As to ‘pavimenta,’ see notes on S. ii. 4. 83. Epp. i. 10. 19.
When Augustus had brought the civil wars to an end B. C. 29, he applied himself to the reformation of manners, and Horace probably wrote this and other Odes (ii. 18, iii. 1-6) to promote the reforms of Augustus, perhaps by his desire, or that of Mæcenas. They should be read together, and with C. i. 2. From the reference to the temples in the last stanza, it may be assumed perhaps that this Ode and the sixth of the third book were written about the same time, that is, B. C. 28, when Augustus set himself particularly to restore the public buildings, which had fallen into neglect during the civil wars.
Augustus passed several sumptuary laws to keep down the expensive habits of the rich citizens, regulating in particular the cost of festivals and banquets. But they soon fell into disuse and contempt, as Tiberius, writing to the Senate fifty years afterwards, declared: “Tot a majoribus refertae leges, tot quas divus Augustus tulit, illae oblivione, hae, quod flagitiosius est, contemptu abolitae securiorem luxum fecere.” (Tac. Ann. iii. 54). Horace in this Ode complains that the rich are wasting their means on fine houses and luxurious living, contrary to the example of their forefathers, who were content to live in huts while they built handsome temples for the gods.
Argument.—The rich man’s palaces and flower-gardens and ponds are occupying all our once fertile land. This was not the way of our ancestors, who had but little while the state was rich, who dwelt in no spacious houses, whom the law bade content themselves with a turf-roofed cottage, and beautify the towns and temples with marble.
1. Jam pauca aratro] Tiberius (see Introduction) complained to the Senate that Rome was entirely dependent on the provinces for her corn, and was at the mercy of the winds and waves, which might at any time cut off the supply and reduce the citizens to live on their ornamental woods and country-houses. (Compare Sall. Bell. Cat. 13.) ‘Regiae’ is used in the same way[304] as ‘rex’ elsewhere (see C. i. 4. 14). ‘Regal piles’ are the enormous villas of the rich. ‘Jam’ means ‘soon.’
2. undique latius] Cicero (ad Att. i. 18, 19, 20) complains that some of his contemporaries (‘piscinarii’ he calls them) were so devoted to their fish-ponds (‘stagna’), that they cared more for them than for all the interests of the state, as if this might fall and they still keep their playthings: “Ita sunt stulti ut amissa republica piscinas suas fore salvas sperare videantur” (18). Elsewhere he calls them ‘piscinarum Tritones’ (ii. 9). As to the ‘lacus Lucrinus,’ see A. P. 63, n.
5. tum violaria] This is opposed to ‘tum laurea’ (v. 9).
6. Myrtus] This word is of two declensions. So likewise are ‘quercus,’ ‘laurus,’ ‘pinus,’ ‘cornus,’ ‘ficus.’
omnis copia narium] ‘Every abundance of sweet smells.’ ‘Narium’ is put for the perfumes of flowers. It is not so used elsewhere.
10. ictus.] ‘Ictus’ is used by other poets besides Horace for the fierce rays of the sun. See Ovid, Met. v. 389. Lucretius, ii. 808.
11. intonsi] This is equivalent to ‘antiqui.’ ‘Catonis’ is M. Porcius Cato, called the Censor from the stern way in which he executed the duties of that office, B. C. 184, doing all he could to put down luxurious and expensive habits.
12. Auspiciis] ‘Example.’
13. census] A man’s property was called his ‘census’ because it was rated by the censors once in five years, and the period was called a ‘lustrum,’ because, when this duty was finished, the censors performed a lustration, or sacrifice of atonement for the city.
14. nulla decempedis] ‘Privatis’ agrees with ‘decempedis.’ Horace complains that the private houses of his day had verandahs (‘porticus’) so large as to be measured by a ten-foot rule. Here they dined in the hot weather, and caught the cool breezes of the north. This practice was called ‘coenatio ad Boream.’ ‘Opacam excipiebat Arcton’ is like Virgil’s ‘Frigus captabis opacum’ (Ec. i. 53), where ‘the shady coolness’ means ‘the coolness caused by the shade’: and ‘opacam Arcton’ combines the notions of the north wind and the coolness of the shady side of the house, which was the north side. ‘Metata’ is again used passively in S. ii. 2. 114, but no other writer so uses the word.
17. Fortuitum caespitem] ‘The turf that lies at hand,’ and so, ‘cheap.’ This means cottages roofed with turf, as Virgil says (Ec. i. 69), “tuguri congestum culmine caespes.” ‘Fortuitum’ is equivalent to τὸν τυχόντα. Horace alludes to the ruined state of the temples in C. ii. 18. 2.
The person to whom this Ode is addressed, Pompeius Grosphus, is said to have been of the equestrian order. He was possessed of large property in Sicily, of which island he was probably a native. On his return, Horace gave him a letter of introduction to his friend Iccius (Epp. i. 12), in which he speaks highly of his worth. He is not to be confounded with the Pompeius of C. ii. 7 (Introduction). He appears, from the latter part of the Ode, to have been in Sicily when it was written. Perhaps he had written Horace a letter which called up the particular train of thought that runs through the Ode, or had qualities which made it applicable to him. The object of the Ode is to reprove the craving for happiness which has been bestowed upon others.
Argument.—The sailor and the savage warrior alike pray for rest, but wealth cannot buy it. Riches and power cannot remove care from the dwelling. The humble alone are free. Why do we aim at so much happiness in this short life, and run away from home? We cannot fly from ourselves and care. We should be cheerful for the present, and not expect perfect happiness. One man lives many days, another has few. I may have opportunities of happiness which are denied to thee; and yet thou hast ample possessions, and I but a humble farm, a breath of the Grecian Muse, and a contempt for the vulgar.
2. Prensus Aegaeo,] ‘Deprensus’ (‘overtaken,’ ‘caught’) was a nautical term for a ship overtaken by a storm. The storms of the Ægean are mentioned C. iii. 29. 63. ‘Simul’ is the same as ‘simul ac.’
3. certa fulgent] ‘shine distinctly.’
5. Thrace] For ‘Thracia.’ See C. iii. 15. 2, n.
10. Summovet] This is the proper word to express the lictor’s duty of clearing the way. The lictor is called ‘consularis,’ because the consuls were attended by these officers, as were other high magistrates. As to ‘laqueata,’ see S. ii. 3. 273, n.
14. salinum,] See note on S. i. 3. 13. ‘Cupido,’ when it refers to the love of money, is always masculine in Horace.
17. jaculamur] See C. i. 2. 3, n.
18, 19. Quid — mutamus] ‘Why do we seek in exchange’ for our own?
Patriae — exsul] This is another Grecism, πατρίδος φυγάς. Ovid uses the same construction (Met. ix. 409): “Exsul mentisque domusque.”
21. Scandit aeratas] See C. iii. 1. 37, n. ‘Vitiosa’ may be rendered ‘morbid,’ arising from a diseased state of mind. ‘Æratas’ is ‘brazen-beaked.’ Like sentiments are found in S. ii. 7. 111-115. Epp. i. 11. 25, sqq.; 14. 12, sq.
25. quod ultra est] ‘what lies beyond’; that is, ‘the future.’
26. Oderit] This is a strong way of expressing ‘nolit,’ ‘refuse,’ ‘avoid.’
29. cita mors] See C. iv. 6. 4, n. He was destined to an early death, and therefore calls himself μινυνθάδιος (Il. i. 352).
30. Tithonum] Eos (Aurora) obtained for her husband Tithonus the gift of immortality, of which, when old age became too great a burden, he repented, and was taken by her to heaven (see C. i. 28. 8).
31. Et mihi] ‘and perhaps to me Time shall give some blessing he denies to thee.’ He then goes on to compare their respective gifts and means to say that he is as satisfied with his humble condition as Grosphus should be with his riches.
33. Siculae] See Introduction.
35. equa,] Mares rather than horses were used for racing. Virg. Georg. i. 59: “Eliadum palmas Epiros equarum.” As to ‘quadriga,’ see Epp. i. 11. 29, n.
bis Afro Murice tinctae] These garments were called δίβαφα; compare Epod. xii. 21: “Muricibus Tyriis iteratae vellera lanae.” The purple dyes most prized were the Tyrian, the Sidonian (Epp. i. 10. 26), the Laconian (C. ii. 18. 8), and African (Epp. ii. 2. 181). The garment dyed with this color was the lacerna, an outer cloak worn over the toga. It was very costly. What these garments gained in appearance by their dye, they lost in savor; for Martial reckons among the worst smelling objects “bis murice vellus inquinatum.”
38. Spiritum Graiae tenuem Camenae] ‘A slight breath of the Grecian Muse,’ which is a modest way of describing his talents as a follower of the lyric poets of Greece.
39. Parca non mendax] Elsewhere he addresses the Parcae as ‘veraces’[306] (C. S. 25). The Parcae, who correspond to the Greek Μοῖραι, were goddesses, whose office it was to execute the decrees of Jove (‘fata’), which therefore they knew, and were said sometimes to reveal. They attended men at their birth, and foretold their character and fortunes, and so Horace says Parca gave him the gifts he mentions. The original conception, which Homer adopts, supposed but one Μοῖρα, and Horace uses the singular number. But according to the later notions there were three. See next Ode, v. 16.
malignum] ‘spiteful,’ which Horace says feelingly, for he had suffered from their malice.
The last two lines of this Ode, showing that Horace had not yet paid the sacrifice he had vowed to Faunus for his preservation from death, makes it most probable that it was written not long after C. 13 of this book, B. C. 25 or 26. In the same year Mæcenas appears to have recovered from a fever, and to have been received with applause in the theatre on his first appearance after his illness (C. i. 20. 3). But his recovery seems to have been only partial, and it would appear that Horace had to listen to his complaints and apprehensions of death, his fear of which is said to have been great. Horace remonstrates with his friend in an affectionate way about his complaints and apprehensions.
Argument.—Why kill me with thy complaints? I cannot survive thee, Mæcenas; one half of my life being gone, how should the other stay behind? I have sworn to die with thee, and the monsters of hell shall not separate us. Our star is one and the same. The power of Jove rescued thee from the adverse influence of Saturn on that day when thou wert received with acclamations in the theatre, and Faunus at the same time rescued me from death. Offer thy sacrifice and dedicate thy temple, and I will offer my unpretending lamb.
2. amicum est] A translation of the Greek φίλον ἐστί, and equivalent to ‘placet.’
6. altera,] ‘I, the other part.’ Two definitions of friendship by Pythagoras are worth preserving. One is, σώματα μὲν δύο ψυχή δὲ μία, and the other ἐστὶ γὰρ ὣς φαμεν ὁ φίλος δεύτερος ἐγώ. Erasmus (Adag. Neaera et Charmion) speaks of a custom of the Egyptians, among whom it was usual for persons to bind themselves by an oath each not to survive the other, such persons being called οἱ συναποθνήσκοντες. This, if true, corresponds with Cæsar’s account of the Soldurii (B. G. iii. 22).
7. Nec carus aeque] ‘Carus’ requires ‘ipsi’ to be supplied, as (Epp. i. 3. 29), “Si patriae volumus, si nobis vivere cari.” ‘Neither so dear’ (to myself as you were to me), nor surviving with an entire life. Horace and Mæcenas died the same year, and it has been unreasonably surmised, from this coincidence and the language here used, that Horace hastened his own death in order to accompany his friend. (Compare Epod. i. 5.)
11. Utcunque] For ‘quandocunque,’ ‘whenever.’
13. Chimaerae] See C. i. 27. 24.
14. Gyas] This name is sometimes written Gyges. It belongs to one of the giants who made war upon Zeus.
16. Justitiae] Δίκη and the Μοῖραι were daughters of Zeus and Themis,[307] and the former is here introduced as associated with her sisters. See C. 16. 39, n.
17. Seu Libra] What Horace thought of astrology may be collected from C. i. 11. He introduces a little of it here to entertain his friend, showing, at the same time, but little care or knowledge of the subject, and rather a contempt for it. He says whatever the constellation may have been under which he was born, whether Libra, Scorpio, or Capricornus, his star no doubt coincided with that of Mæcenas, for that their fortunes were one.
20. Capricornus] The sun enters this constellation in the winter. It is therefore charged with the storms that then occur, and is called the tyrant of the western wave, as Notus is called the lord of the Hadriatic (C. i. 3. 15).
23. refulgens] Shining in opposition, so as to counteract his influences. Those who were born when Saturn was visible were supposed to be liable to all manner of ills. But the star of Jupiter, if it shone at the same time, would destroy the power of Saturn.
26. Laetum theatris] See Introd.
28. Sustulerat,] The use of the indicative in hypothetical cases of this kind is not easily reduced to rule; but it seems to correspond to the Greek construction of ἄν with the indicative. When the condition is not fulfilled, or is a negative condition, or implies a negation, then the consequent clause may be expressed by the indicative mood, in the pluperfect tense if the action be a complete action and past, in the perfect if it be present. “Sustulerat si non levasset: sed levavit.” Horace’s meaning might be thus expressed: “The trunk had killed me, had not Faunus lightened the blow.” It should be observed, that in sentences of this character the ‘nisi’ or ‘si’ always follows.
Horace was under the particular care of Mercury, the Muses, and Faunus, to each of whom, as well as to Liber (iii. 8. 7), he attributes his preservation on this occasion (C. iii. 4. 27). Faunus or Pan was the son of Hermes or Mercury.
29. levasset] ‘had averted.’
30. Reddere victimas] Mæcenas had vowed an offering, a shrine probably to Apollo, the healer, for his recovery; Horace had vowed a lamb to Faunus (see Introduction).
This Ode, which deals with Horace’s favorite subjects, the levelling power of death, and the vanity of wealth, and the schemes of the wealthy, is dedicated to no particular friend. It is like C. iii. 24.
Argument.—No gold in my roof, no marble in my hall, no palace have I, nor female clients to serve me, but I have honesty and understanding and, though I be poor, I am courted by the rich: what more should I ask of the gods or my friend, content with my single Sabine estate? Days are passing on, and, though ready to drop into thy grave, thou art building and stretching thy borders, and tearing up the landmarks of thy client, and driving him from his home. But to what purpose is this? To Hades thou must go in the end: the earth opens to rich and poor; Prometheus the crafty, and Tantalus the proud, they cannot escape; and the poor man finds in death a release from his toils, whether he seek it or not.
2. lacunar,] See S. ii. 3. 273, n.
3. trabes] ‘blocks.’ The architrave or base of the entablature resting[308] upon a column is probably meant. The marble from Mount Hymettus in Attica was white. The Numidian, referred to in the next verse, was yellowish.
5. Attali] See C. i. 1. 12, n. ‘I have not, a stranger heir, taken possession of the palace of Attalus.’ The meaning is, ‘I have not had the luck to come to an unexpected estate, as the Romans came in for the property of Attalus.’
7. Laconicas] See C. 16. 35, n.
8. honestae — clientae:] ‘respectable dependants,’ which may mean the rustic women on a man’s farms, the wives of the ‘coloni.’ This is not the technical sense of ‘cliens’ or ‘clienta,’ for which see Smith’s Dict. Ant.
10. Benigna vena] ‘a productive vein.’ This metaphor is from a mine.
11. Me petit] ‘seeks my company.’
14. unicis Sabinis] ‘my single Sabine estate.’ Supply ‘praediis.’ The farm which Mæcenas gave him in the valley of the Digentia, among the Sabine hills.
16. interire] This word seems to be an adaptation of φθίνειν, by which the Greek expressed the latter days of the month.
17. Tu secanda marmora Locas] You—i.e. any luxurious old man—‘You enter into contracts for the hewing of marble,’ to ornament your houses, in the way of pillars, wall-coating, and floors. ‘Locare’ may be said either of one who receives or of one who pays money: ‘locare rem faciendam’ or ‘utendam,’ to let out work to be done, or to let a thing (as a house, &c.) to be used. In the former case the ‘locator’ pays, in the latter he receives payment. Here the former is meant. The correlative terms are ‘redemptor’ and ‘conductor.’ See C. iii. 1. 35, n.
20. urges Summovere littora,] Compare with this C. iii. 1. 33, sqq. “Contracta pisces aequora sentiunt.” ‘Summovere’ is to push up or push out farther into the sea by artificial means, and so increase your grounds on which to build. As to ‘Baiae,’ see Epp. i. 1. 83, n.
22. ripa.] ‘Ripa’ is not used for ‘littus,’ ‘the shore of the sea’ (as here), so often as ‘littus’ is used for ‘ripa,’ ‘the bank of a river.’
23. Quid, quod usque] ‘Quid’ and ‘quid enim’ are commonly used to introduce a fresh instance or illustration of what has been said before, or else they carry on the flow of an argument, or something of that sort. It has been usual to insert a note of interrogation after it in these cases, which only makes an intelligible formula unintelligible.
24. Revellis agri terminos] A law of the twelve tables provided against this wrong. “Patronus si clienti fraudem fecerit, sacer esto.” Solomon thus exhorts the rich (Prov. xxiii. 10, 11); “Remove not the old landmark, and enter not into the fields of the fatherless; for their Redeemer is mighty, he shall plead with thee.”
29. Nulla certior tamen] ‘There is no dwelling marked out (or defined) which more certainly awaits the wealthy landlord than the bounds of greedy Orcus.’ Horace means to say, ‘Though you think you may push the boundary of your estate farther and farther, you must go to a home marked out for you, and which you can neither expand nor escape from.’ In ‘destinata’ (agreeing with ‘aula’) and in ‘finis’ is contained the notion of prescribed and fixed limits, in which the force of the passage lies.
34. Regumque pueris,] C. i. 4. 14, n.
35. Callidum Promethea] This story of Prometheus trying to bribe Charon is not found elsewhere.
36. Hic] i.e. Orcus, “non exorabilis auro” (Epp. ii. 2. 179).
37. Tantali Genus] See C. i. 6. 8, n.
38. coërcet] ‘confines.’
40. Vocatus atque non vocatus audit.] Horace’s language is bold, coupling[309] ‘audit’ with ‘non vocatus.’ ‘Functum laboribus,’ ‘when he has finished his labors,’ is derived from the Greek κεκμηκότα.
This Ode was perhaps composed at the time of the Liberalia, like the third elegy of the fifth book of Ovid’s Tristia. The scene is laid in the woods, and the poet is supposed to come suddenly upon the party, consisting of Bacchus, with his attendant nymphs and the wild creatures of the woods, all attending with admiration to the god as he sings his own achievements. The poet is smitten with terror, which gives place (v. 9) to the inspiration of the divinity, in virtue of which he breaks out into echoes of all he had heard.
Argument.—Among the far hills I saw Bacchus—O wonderful!—reciting, and the Nymphs learning, and the Satyrs all attention. Awe is fresh in my heart; the god is within me, and I am troubled with joy. O spare me, dread Liber! It is past, and I am free to sing of the Bacchanals; of fountains of wine and milk and honey; of Ariadne; of Pentheus, and Lycurgus; how thou tamedst the waters of the East, and dost sport with the Thracian nymphs; how thou hurledst the giant from heaven, and how Cerberus did crouch to thee, and lick thy feet.
1. Bacchum] The legends and attributes of Bacchus contained in this Ode are entirely of Greek origin. The Romans had no independent notions of this divinity, whose name Βάκχος, ‘the shouter,’ is properly no more than an adjunct of Διόνυσος.
2. docentem — discentes] These correspond to the terms διδάσκειν and μανθάνειν, as applied to the choragus who trained, and the chorus who learnt their parts in the Greek plays.
3. Nymphasque] The Naiades and Dryades (see C. iii. 25. 14). These nymphs were the nurses of Bacchus in his infancy, and are always represented as his companions.
4. Capripedum Satyrorum] The Satyrs are usually confounded with the Fauns, Faunus again being confounded with Pan, who was represented with goat’s feet like the Satyrs. Lucian describes the Satyrs as being ὀξεῖς τὰ ὦτα, but only describes Pan as having the lower extremities like a goat, τὰ κάτω αἰγὶ ἐοικώς. It is vain, therefore, trying to trace any consistency in the poet’s conceptions of these uncouth divinities.
6, 7. turbidum Laetatur] ‘beats wildly.’
9. Fas est] ‘the god permits me.’ Here the poet is supposed to recover from the terror inspired by the god, and to feel that he is at liberty to repeat what he has heard. ‘Fas est’ is equivalent to δυνατόν ἐστι. The power as well as the permission of the god is given. C. i. 11. 1, n.
Thyiadas] The attendants of Bacchus were so called, from the Greek word θύειν, ‘to rave.’
10. lactis — mella;] The same attribute that made Dionysus the god of wine also gave him milk and honey as his types. He represented the exuberance of nature, and was therein closely connected with Demeter. Any traveller in the East can tell of honeycombs on the trees as curiously wrought as any in garden-hives. Virgil says (Ec. iv. 30): “Et durae quercus sudabunt roscida mella.”
12. iterare] This means ‘to repeat’ what the poet had heard from the god, as he taught the nymphs to praise him.
13. Fas et] ‘Et’ is used by the poets as an enclitic, and put after the word it belongs to, which is not done by the prose-writers.
beatae conjugis] i.e. Ariadne, whose crown is one of the constellations, ‘corona,’ placed in heaven by Bacchus, according to the story recorded in his happy manner by Ovid (Fast. iii. 459-516).
14. tectaque Penthei] Pentheus, king of Thebes (Epp. i. 16. 74), having gone out to see the secret orgies of Bacchus, was torn to pieces by the Bacchanals, with his mother Agave at the head of them.
16. Lycurgi.] See C. i. 18. 8, n.
17. Tu flectis amnes,] The Hydaspes and Orontes, which Bacchus is said to have walked over dry-shod.
19. Nodo coërces] This is a variation of ‘nodo cohibere crinem’ (C. iii. 14. 22). ‘Bistonidum’ means the women of the Bistones, a Thracian tribe. ‘Fraus,’ in this sense of ‘harm,’ occurs again, C. S. 41.
21. Tu, cum parentis] Horace followed some legend not found by us elsewhere in this description of Bacchus changed into a lion and fighting with the giant Rhœtus. As to the wars of the Giants, see notes on C. ii. 12. 6, and iii. 4. 43, 50.
28. Pacis eras mediusque belli.] ‘You were the same, whether engaged in (in the midst of) peace or war’; the same, i.e. as vigorous in war as in the dance or jest.
30. Cornu decorum,] Dionysus was called by the Greeks χρυσόκερως, because he was the son of Jupiter Ammon, called the Horned. This symbol of power, common to the Greeks as well as to all the nations of the East (see the Hebrew Scriptures passim), was adopted from this divinity by Alexander the Great (who professed to be the brother of Bacchus and son of Ammon) and his successors, who have it represented on their coins. Compare C. iii. 21. 18: “Vires et addis cornua pauperi.”
leniter atterens Caudam,] There is a notion of tameness and pleasure in this action. ‘As you came he gently wagged his tail, as you departed he licked your feet.’ ‘Ter-’ is to turn or wag, and ‘adter-’ is to wag at or towards.
31. trilingui Ore] ‘three mouths,’ as ἑκατομπόδων Νηρηΐδων signifies the hundred Nereids (Soph. Oed. Col. v. 717). See note on ii. 13. 34.
This Ode appears to have been written impromptu, in a mock-heroic or but half serious style, in reply to an invitation of Mæcenas (v. 6). The poet says that he whom Mæcenas delights to honor cannot fail to live for ever, and that he already feels his immortality, and that wings have been given him with which he shall soar to heaven, and fly to the farthest corners of the earth.
Argument.—On a fresh, strong wing shall I soar to heaven, far above envy and the world. Whom thou, dear Mæcenas, delightest to honor, Styx hath no power to detain. Even now my plumage is springing, and I am ready to fly away and sing in distant places, and to teach barbarous nations. No wailings for me; away with the empty honors of a tomb.
1, 2. Non usitata nec tenui — Penna] ‘On no common or mean wing.’
biformis] As swan and poet.
4. invidia major] Horace was not too good to be maligned, but he could rise above it, which is the meaning of ‘major,’ κρείσσων. His birth drew contempt upon him while he held a command in Brutus’s army, and afterwards when he became intimate with Mæcenas (see Sat. i. 6. 46, sqq.); but those who envied tried as usual to make use of him (see Sat. ii. 6. 47, sqq.). He appears in some measure to have outlived detraction, according to his own words (C. iv. 3. 16):
“Jam dente minus mordeor invido.”
6. quem vocas,] ‘whom thou honored by an invitation.’ See Introduction. It was on the strength of such invitations that he affirmed,
“Pauperemque dives
Me petit.” (C. ii. 18. 10.)
9, 10. asperae Pelles] Like the skin on a swan’s legs.
11. Superne,] As this is formed from ‘supernus,’ the last syllable would naturally be long; but it is short in Lucretius twice, and the same with ‘inferne.’
13. Daedaleo ocior] Orelli has collected many examples of hiatus like this from Horace, Virgil, and Ovid. See C. i. 28. 24.
15. canorus Ales] The swan. See C. iv. 2. 25, 3. 20. Virgil (Ec. ix. 27) has,
“Vare tuum nomen —
Cantantes sublime ferent ad sidera cycni.”
16. Hyperboreosque campos.] There was a mystery attached to the distant regions of the north, to which Pindar (Pyth. x.) says no man ever found the way by land or sea. They did not however neglect the Muses. They were a happy race, ἀνδρῶν μακάρων ὅμιλος; a sacred family, ἱερὰ γενεά, free from old age, disease, and war. These considerations will explain Horace’s meaning.
18. Marsae cohortis] The Marsi were one of the hardiest of the Italian tribes, and supplied the best foot-soldiers for the Roman army, which is hence called ‘Marsa cohors’ (see C. iii. 5. 9).
Dacus — Geloni,] See C. i. 19. 10, n. The Daci were not finally subdued till the reign of Trajan.
19. peritus] Here the meaning is ‘instructed,’ as ‘juris peritus’ is one instructed and skilled in the law. Horace means that barbarous nations will become versed in his writings: ‘mei peritus me discet’ is perhaps the full sentence. But why he should class those who drank of the waters of the Rhone (of which many Romans drank) with the barbarians mentioned, is not easy to understand.
20. Hiber] By Hiber is probably meant the Caucasian people of that name.
Rhodanique potor.] This mode of expression for the inhabitants of a country, as those who drink of their national river, is repeated twice, C. iii. 10. 1, and C. iv. 15. 21.
21. inani funere] That is, a funeral without a corpse. The poet says he shall have taken flight and shall not die. The idea is like that of Ennius in those verses (quoted by Cicero de Senect. c. 20),—
“Nemo me lacrimis decoret nec funera fletu
Faxit. Cur? Volito vivu’ per ora virum.”
22. Luctusque turpes] ‘disfiguring grief.’
24. supervacuos] The prose-writers before Pliny used the form ‘supervacaneus.’
This and the five following Odes are generally admitted to be among the finest specimens of Horace’s manner. It has been already said (C. ii. 15, Introduction) that they appear all to have been written about the same time with one another and with other Odes, namely, that time when Augustus set himself the task of social reformation, after the close of the civil wars.
The general purport of this Ode is an exhortation to moderate living and desires.
The first stanza is generally understood to have been added as an introduction to the six Odes, viewed as a whole.
Argument.—The worldly I despise, but have new precepts for the young. Kings rule over their people, but are themselves the subjects of Jove. One may be richer, another nobler than his fellows, but all alike must die. No indulgence can get sleep for him who has a sword ever hanging over him, while it disdains not the dwellings of the poor. He who is content with a little, fears not storm or drought. The rich man builds him houses on the very waters, but anxiety follows him, go where he will. If, then, the luxuries of the wealthy cure not grief, why should I build me great houses, or seek to change my lot?
1. Odi profanum vulgus] The first stanza is an imitation of the language used by the priests at the mysteries, requiring “the multitude profane,” that is, all but the initiated, or those who were to be initiated, to stand aloof. ‘Favere linguis,’ like εὐφημεῖν, in its first meaning signifies the speaking words of good omen. But it came as commonly to signify total silence, as here. Horace speaks as if he despaired of impressing his precepts on any but the young, and bids the rest stand aside, as incapable of being initiated in the true wisdom of life.
3. Musarum sacerdos] Ovid calls himself the same (Amor. iii. 8. 23):—
“Ille ego Musarum purus Phoebique sacerdos.”
5. Regum timendorum] He begins by saying that even kings, though they are above their people, are themselves inferior to Jove, and goes on to say that, though one man may be richer or nobler than another, all must die; that the rich have no exemption from care, but much more of it than the humble.
7. triumpho, Cuncta] There is some abruptness in this, from the absence of ‘et.’ But it is not wanted. As to the Giants’ wars, see C. ii. 12. 6, n., 19. 21; iii. 4. 43, 50.
9. Est ut] This is equivalent to ἐστὶν ὡς, ‘it may be.’ ‘Esto’ without ‘ut’ occurs in Sat. i. 6. 19. The meaning of the sentence is, that one man possesses more lands than another.
10. hic generosior] ‘Generosior’ is more noble by birth, as another is more distinguished for his character and deeds, and a third for the number of his clients, of whom it was the pride of the wealthy Romans to have a large body depending on them.
11. Descendat in Campum] The Campus Martius was an open space, which afterwards came to be encroached upon by buildings, outside the city walls on the northeast quarter, and on the left bank of the Tiber. The comitia centuriata, at which the election of magistrates took place, were held in the Campus Martius. ‘Descendere’ is the word used for gladiators going into the arena to fight, and is also applied to the contests for office.
12. meliorque fama] For ‘famaque melior.’
13. Contendat,] ‘runs against him.’ This verb is used sometimes as a transitive verb for ‘petere,’ as in Cic. in Verr. (ii. 2. 53), “Hic magistratus a populo summa ambitione contenditur.”
16. Omne capax] Compare C. ii. 3. 26, and likewise i. 4. 13; ii. 18. 32.
18. Siculae dapes] The Sicilians were at one time proverbial for good living. The story alluded to is that of Damocles, told by Cicero (Tusc. Disp. v. 21), who was invited by Dionysius of Syracuse to a feast, and was set in the midst of luxuries, but with a sword hanging by a single hair over his head; by which the king meant him to understand the character of his own happiness, which had excited the admiration of Damocles. Horace says generally, that the rich cannot enjoy their riches, since they have ever a sword, in the shape of danger, hanging over them.
19. Dulcem elaborabunt saporem,] ‘shall force sweet appetite.’
20. Non avium] It is said that Mæcenas sought sleep by the help of distant music. Aviaries were not uncommon in the houses of the rich.
21. Somnus agrestium] ‘Virorum’ depends on ‘domos.’
24. Tempe] The word is plural,—in Greek τὰ Τέμπη.
27. Arcturi cadentis — orientis Haedi,] Arcturus sets early in November. The constellation Auriga, of which the kids (two stars) form a part, rises about the first of October.
29. verberatae grandine vineae] See Epp. i. 8. 4: “Grando contuderit vites.” ‘Mendax fundus’ is like “spem mentita seges” (Epp. i. 7. 87), and opposed to “segetis certa fides” (C. iii. 16. 30).
30. arbore nunc aquas] Horace says he who is content with a little has never to complain, like the rich, of storms by sea or land, or of the failing of his fruits through rain, heat, or frost, which last he expresses thus: “or his farm disappointing him, when his trees complain one while of the rains, another of the constellation (Sirius) that parches the fields, and again of the cruel frosts.”
33. Contracta pisces aequora sentiunt] Compare C. ii. 18. 20, and Epp. i. 1. 84.
35. Caementa demittit redemptor] Compare C. iii. 24. 3, sq. The walls were faced on either side with stone, and loose stones (‘caementa’) were thrown in between. ‘Frequens — redemptor’ means ‘many a contractor.’ ‘Dominus’ is the proprietor of the estate. ‘Redimere’ or ‘conducere’ was said of one who undertook to perform certain work for a stipulated price, and the person who gave him the work was said ‘locare.’ See C. ii. 18. 17, n.
36, 37. terrae Fastidiosus] ‘disdaining the land.’
39. triremi, et] The ‘aerata triremis’ was the rich man’s private yacht. The epithet is commonly applied to ships of war, because their rostra were ornamented and strengthened with bronze (‘aes’). See C. ii. 16. 21.
41. Phrygius lapis] See C. ii. 18. 3, n.
43. Delenit] The expression ‘purpurarum usus sidere clarior’ is uncommon. The first two words, which belong properly to ‘purpurarum,’ are transferred to ‘usus,’—‘the enjoyment or possession of purple brighter than a star’: which, though ‘sidus’ should be taken for the sun, as it may be, or a constellation, as it usually is, is rather a singular comparison for purple.
44. Achaemeniumque costum,] ‘Persian oil.’ See C. ii. 12. 21. ‘Costum’[314] was an Eastern aromatic shrub. The Greeks called it κόστος, but the name is probably Eastern. It is not the spikenard, as it is generally called.
45. Cur invidendis] ‘Why should I build a high palace, with a splendid entrance and in the modern style? Why change my Sabine vale for troublesome wealth?’ On the construction with ‘permutem,’ see C. i. 17. 2, n.
The purpose of this Ode is to commend public and social virtue, and the opening shows that it is a continuation of the preceding Ode. It is addressed chiefly to young men, and tells them that military virtue is the parent of contentment.
Argument.—Contentment is to be learned in arms and danger. To die for our country is glorious, and death pursues the coward. Virtue is superior to popular favor or rejection, and opens the way to the skies, and rises above the dull atmosphere of this world. Good faith, too, has its reward, and I would not be the companion of the man who neglects it, lest I share his sure reward.
1. amice] ‘Amice ferre’ is the reverse of the common phrase ‘moleste ferre.’ ‘Let the youth, made strong by active warfare, learn to endure contentedly privations.’
5, 6. trepidis In rebus.] ‘in danger.’
Ilium ex moenibus] This picture represents the fears of the Parthian mother and maiden, the danger of their son and lover, and the prowess of the Roman soldier, likened to a fierce lion. Helen, looking out with her damsels from the walls of Troy (Il. iii. 139, sqq.), or Antigone looking from the walls of Thebes (Eurip. Phoen. 88), was perhaps before Horace’s mind.
13. Dulce et decorum est] In Horace’s mind there was a close connection between the virtue of frugal contentment and devotion to one’s country. They are associated below (C. iv. 9. 49, sqq.).
14. persequitur] This line is a translation from Simonides,—
ὁ δ᾽ αὖ θάνατος κίχε καὶ τὸν φυγόμαχον.
‘Persequi’ signifies ‘to pursue and overtake.’ ‘Timido’ applies to both ‘poplitibus’ and ‘tergo’ (see note on C. i. 2. 1).
17. Virtus repulsae nescia sordidae] ‘Nescia’ seems to mean ‘unconscious of,’ because ‘indifferent to’ the disgrace of rejection, which, if disgraceful to any, is not so to the virtuous, but to those who reject them.
18. Intaminatis] This word is not found elsewhere. Like ‘contaminatus,’ ‘attaminatus,’ it is derived from the obsolete word ‘tamino,’ and contains the root ‘tag’ of ‘tango,’ as ‘integer’ does.
20. popularis aurae.] ‘the (fickle) favor of the people.’ This word, which means that the popular judgment is like a shifting breeze, setting now this way, now that, appears in Virgil (Aen. vi. 817):—
“Nimium gaudens popularibus auris.”
Compare, for the sentiments, C. iv. 9. 39, sqq.
25. Est et fideli tuta silentio]
ἐστὶ καὶ σιγᾶς ἀκίνδυνον γέρας,
which words of Simonides it appears Augustus was acquainted with, and approved. Plutarch tells this story. When Athenodorus was about to leave Augustus’s camp, he embraced the emperor, and said, “O Cæsar, whenever thou art wroth, say nothing, do nothing, till thou hast gone over in thy mind the twenty-four letters of the alphabet.” Whereupon the emperor took him[315] by the hand, and said, “I have need of thee still”; and he detained him a whole year, saying, “Silence, too, hath its safe reward.” Horace’s indignation is levelled against the breaking of faith generally, and the divulging of the secrets of Ceres (whose rites, however, it appears, were only attended by women) is only mentioned by way of illustration. Secrecy is a sign of good faith, and not an easy one to practise. There are few moral qualities that can be said to take precedence of it. It is the basis of friendship, as Cicero says, and without it society cannot exist. (Compare S. i. 4. 84, n.) It is probable, if Plutarch’s story be true, that Horace had heard Augustus repeat his favorite axiom.
26, etc.] ‘I will not suffer the person who has divulged the sacred mysteries of Ceres to be under the same roof, or to sail in the same vessel, with me.’
29. Solvat phaselon;] That is, ‘de littore,’ ‘to unmoor.’ The precise character of the worship of Ceres at Rome is not easily made out. There were no mysteries among the Romans corresponding to the Eleusinian or any of the other Greek Μυστήρια.
Diespiter] See C. i. 34. 5, n. ‘Oft doth Jove neglected join the pure with the unclean,’ that is, punishes the innocent with the guilty who have offended him. For another example of ‘incesto,’ see next Ode (v. 19). ‘Addidit’ and ‘deseruit’ have the force of the aorist.
32. Deseruit pede Poena claudo.] The avengers of guilt are called by the Greek tragedians ὑστερόποινοι, ὑστεροφθόροι. ‘Pede claudo,’ ‘of limping foot,’ and so, ‘slow.’
This Ode commends the virtue of perseverance by the example of heroes who had secured divine honors by it. Juno is introduced as making a long speech to the assembled gods, when it was proposed to admit Romulus among them. This speech is contrived in order to introduce the glory and extent of the Roman empire and the praises of Augustus. It also contains indirect exhortations to abstinence and contentment, and so bears on the general scope of these Odes. It is said that Julius Cæsar meant to transfer the seat of empire to Alexandria in Troas, or to Ilium; and perhaps in Horace’s time, among the remedies proposed for the evils of the state, some may have freely spoken of transferring the seat of government to another spot. It is equally probable that the site of Troy, the city of their ancestors and the fountain of their race, may have been fixed upon for that purpose. To meet the spirit of avarice in some, and restlessness in all that would be mixed up with such a notion, seems to have been another purpose of this Ode. The Romans attached much importance to the legend which derived their origin from the Trojans. See S. ii. 5. 63.
Argument.—The upright man and firm no terrors can drive from his purpose. Through this virtue Pollux, Hercules, Augustus, Bacchus, have been translated to the skies. Romulus likewise, at the instance of Juno, who thus addressed the assembled gods: “Ilium hath paid the penalty of its founder’s crime. That impious umpire and his foreign strumpet have overthrown it. But his beauty is gone. Priam’s perjured house hath fallen; the war our quarrels protracted is at an end. My wrath then I remit. Let Mars have his hated grandson; let him come among us: only let seas roll between Ilium and Rome, and let the exiles reign where they will; let their capitol stand, and the Mede own their sway; but let the tomb of Priam and of Paris be the[316] lair of beasts. From Gades to the Nile let her be feared, but let her learn to despise the gold that lies buried in the ground. Let her stretch her arms to the limits of the earth, to the stormy North and the fiery East, but let her not dare to rebuild the walls of Troy. On an evil day would she rise again: thrice let her rise, thrice should she fall by the power of Jove’s sister and spouse.” But hold, my Muse, nor bring down such themes, to the sportive lyre.
1. Justum] i.e. “qui jus servat.”
2. jubentium,] This is the technical word for the passing of a law by the people. “Jubetisne Quirites?” was the way of putting the question. Other instances of ‘jubere’ with the accusative are S. ii. 3. 141, 5. 70. Epp. ii. 2. 63.
3. instantis] ‘menacing.’
5. Dux inquieti turbidus Hadriae,] Compare C. ii. 17. 19, and i. 3. 15. This assemblage of terrible objects is heterogeneous enough, but the seventh and eighth verses present a fine picture. ‘Though the arch (of heaven) break and fall on (him), the wreck will strike a fearless man.’ ‘Orbis’ is used for the sky, as the Greek poets used κύκλος with or without οὐρανοῦ.
6. fulminantis] This is a word not used by prose-writers of Horace’s day. The same may be said of ‘triumphatis’ (v. 43).
7. illabatur] The regular construction would be with the future, as the future follows in ‘ferient.’ ‘Illabatur’ should have ‘feriant’ in prose. See below, C. 9. 12, n.
9. arte] ‘quality’ or ‘virtue.’
10. Enisus] This means struggling forward with earnestness, which is the force of ‘e.’ Compare C. iv. 8. 29. Epp. ii. 1. 5, sq.
12. Purpureo bibit ore nectar.] See note on Epp. ii. 1. 15. The epithet ‘purpureo’ is applied to ‘ore’ in its sense of ‘lips.’
16. Martis equis] This appears to have been the genuine old legend of the disappearance of Romulus. See Ovid, Met. xiv. 820, sqq. Fast. ii. 495, sq. See note on Epod. xvi. 13.
17. Gratum elocuta] See Introd.
19. incestusque] See C. 2. 30.
21. ex quo] ‘ever since.’ This signifies that the fall of Troy was determined from the time of Laomedon’s crime, and that the crime of Paris and Helen caused its accomplishment. ‘Destituo’ with an ablative is unusual. In the Iliad (xxi. 441, sqq.) Poseidon relates how he built the walls of Troy, while Apollo kept sheep for Laomedon, father of Priam, and how they were cheated of their pay and dismissed with threats, when their work was done. The same king cheated Hercules out of some horses he had promised him, and he lost his life for his pains. Juno and Minerva had their own quarrel with Troy for the judgment of Paris, which gave Venus the prize of beauty; but Juno here makes out a different case against the city.
23. damnatum] Agreeing with ‘Ilion’ (v.18). The feminine form ‘Ilios’ occurs elsewhere (Epod. xiv. 14).
25. adulterae] It is doubtful whether Horace meant that for the dative or genitive case, that is, whether it goes with ‘splendet’ or ‘hospes.’
28. refringit,] Equivalent to ‘repellit.’
29. ductum] ‘Ducere’ and ‘trahere’ are sometimes used for ‘producere’ and ‘protrahere.’
32. Troica] There is much scorn in Juno’s language, as in the words ‘mulier peregrina,’ ‘Troica sacerdos,’ ‘fatalis incestusque judex,’ ‘exsules.’ ‘Invisum nepotem’ was Romulus, her grandson through Mars. ‘Troica sacerdos’ was Rea Silvia, or Ilia, the Vestal virgin, daughter of Numitor, and descended from Æneas.
33. redonabo;] This word occurs only here and above (ii. 7. 3).
34. ducere nectaris] ‘Ducere’ is common in this sense of ‘quaffing.’ So the Greeks used ἕλκειν and σπᾷν. They both occur in one verse of Euripides (Cycl. 417),
Ἔσπασέν τ᾽ ἄμυστιν ἑλκύσας.
35. quietus Ordinibus — deorum.] This savors of the Epicureanism Horace had learned in early life: “Deos didici securum agere aevum” (S. i. 5. 101).
“Scilicet is superis labor est, ea cura quietos
Sollicitat.” (Aen. iv. 379.)
37. Dum longus inter] See Introd.
38. exsules] The Romans.
40. Priami — busto] Priam had no tomb, according to Virgil’s account (Aen. ii. 557), but Horace assumes that he had one. No greater affront could be supposed than is here desired. Electra represents Ægisthus as leaping on her father’s grave intoxicated with wine (Eurip. Elect. 326, sq.). Compare Epod. xvi. 10, sqq., and Il. iv. 177.
42. inultae] ‘unmolested.’ ‘Capitolium’; see C. i. 2. 3, n.
48. rigat arva Nilus,] The connection between the two stanzas is this ‘Let Rome extend her arms as she will,—to the ends of the earth, to the pillars of Hercules, to the Nile,—only let her not, as her possessions increase, learn to prize gold above virtue’; which is thus expressed, ‘Only be she stronger by despising the gold that yet lies hid, and is better placed when concealed in the earth, than by gathering it for man’s use with hand that plunders all that is sacred.’ ‘Humanos in usus’ is opposed to ‘divinos’ implied in ‘sacrum.’
53. Quicunque mundo terminus obstitit,] ‘Whatever boundary presents itself to the world.’
54. tangat] ‘reach.’
58. ne nimium pii] She supposes the Romans to make it a reason for rebuilding Troy, that it was a pious duty they owed to their ancestors. See Introduction.
61. alite lugubri] The auspices were usually taken before the building of a town.
64. Conjuge me Jovis et sorore.] Both Horace and Virgil (Aen. i. 46) get this combination from Homer (Il. xvi. 432):
Ἥρην δὲ προσέειπε κασιγνήτην ἄλοχόν τε.
65. Ter si resurgat] Three is often used for an indefinite number, as here. See Georg. i. 281; iv. 384. Ovid, Met. x. 452; also below, C. 4. 79, “trecentae catenae.”
murus aëneus] Horace is partial to this epithet. See Epp. i. 1. 60. C. 9. 18. C. 16. 1. It means no more, in this derived use, than strength and stability. ‘Aëneus’ is never used as a word of three syllables.
66. Auctore Phoebo,] Virgil has “Troiae Cynthius auctor” (G. iii. 36). See note on v. 21.
70. pervicax] ‘bold.’
72. Magna modis tenuare parvis] ‘To degrade lofty themes by your humble strains.’
Pursuing his purpose, Horace here commends the power of wisdom and learning in subduing brute force and violent passions, which he illustrates by a fabulous story about himself when he was an infant, and by the protection[318] he has always received from the Muses, by the love Augustus bore them, and by the destruction of the giants when they attacked the skies, which the poet attributes to Minerva, the goddess of wisdom.
Argument.—Come down, Calliope, and sing a lofty strain. Is it a dream, or am I wandering in the Muses’ grove? I was a child, and, tired with play, I lay down to sleep on the Apulian hills. There doves made me a covering of leaves, and I slept safe, and men might well wonder how the gods were present with me. Yours am I, ye Muses, on the Sabine hills, at Tibur, at Præneste, or at Baiæ. Because I love your fountains and your choir, I perished not when the battle was turned, nor by the accursed tree, nor in the Sicilian waters. Be ye with me, and I will visit the mad Bosporus, the sands of the East, the savage Briton, the Concan, the Geloni, and the Tanais, unharmed. Ye refresh Augustus when he brings back his weary troops from the war. Mild are your counsels, and in peace is your delight. We know how that bold giant band struck terror into the heart of Jove; but what was their strength against the ægis of Pallas? ’T was that which drove them back, though Vulcan too, and Juno, and Apollo with his bow, were there. Brute force falls, self-destroyed: the gods detest violence, but tempered strength they promote: let Gyas be my witness, Orion the seducer, Earth mourning for her sons, Ætna with its ever-burning and unconsuming flame, the vulture of Tityus, and the chains of Peirithous.
2. longum] This seems to mean a sustained and stately song. Calliope was generally called the Muse of Epic poetry.
3. acuta] ‘clear,’ ‘musical.’
4. fidibus citharaque] By hendiadys for ‘citharae fidibus.’
6. pios Errare per lucos] The woods are called ‘pios,’ as sacred to the Muses.
9. fabulosae] This word belongs to ‘palumbes,’ the ‘storied doves,’ as “fabulosus Hydaspes” (C. i. 22. 8). The range of the Apennines that bore the name ‘Vultur’ was partly in Apulia and partly in Lucania. It is still called Monte Vulture. Venusia, Horace’s birthplace, was near the boundary of those provinces, whence he calls Apulia his nurse, though elsewhere (S. ii. 1. 34) he says it is doubtful whether he was an Apulian or a Lucanian. Doves, which were sacred to Venus, have their part in sundry tales. Here Horace intimates they were sent to cover him with laurel and myrtle, in token of his future fame, and that he owed his safety to the Muses (see Introduction).
9, 10. Apulo — Apuliae] The quantity of the first two syllables in these words differs, thus: ‘Āpūlo’—‘Ăpūliae.’ Such variations in proper names are not unusual in the Latin poets. The word ‘Sicanus’ is used as three different feet. ‘Italus’ has the first syllable long or short, and so with other names.
11. Ludo fatigatumque somno] It is clear that some other word, like ‘oppressum,’ must be understood for ‘somno.’ It is a translation of καμάτῳ ἀδδηκότες ἠδὲ καὶ ὕπνῳ (Il. x. 98). Acherontia, Bantia, and Forentum were neighboring towns, and still retain their names under the forms Acerenza, Vanci, Forenza. Stories, such as Horace has here invented for himself, are told of Stesichorus, Pindar, Æschylus, Plato.
17. Ut — Dormirem] This is connected with ‘mirum’; ‘how I slept.’
22. Tollor] Ovid uses the word in this sense (Met. vii. 779). The Sabine hills were part of the Apennines, which Horace had to climb when he went to his farm. ‘Seu’ is understood after ‘vester.’ The epithet ‘liquidae,’ applied to Baiæ, has reference to the clearness and purity of the atmosphere.
23. Praeneste seu Tibur] See Epp. i. 2. 2, n., as to ‘Praeneste,’ and C. ii. 6. 5, n., as to ‘Tibur,’ which rose from the plain on the right bank of the Anio, on the side of a hill, from which it is called ‘supinum.’
25. Vestris — fontibus] All retired streams and shady groves were held sacred to the Muses (v. 6). Parnassus had its fountain, Castalia; and Helicon two, Hippocrene and Aganippe.
26. Philippis] See C. ii. 7. 9.
28. Nec Sicula Palinurus unda.] Horace’s escape from shipwreck off Cape Palinurus is nowhere else related; and it is doubtful when it happened. ‘Sicula unda’ for the Tuscan Sea is an unusual limitation. It must not be confounded with Mare Siculum, which was on the other side of Sicily. Palinurus was on the western coast of Lucania. It retains its name as Capo di Palinuro.
32. Littoris Assyrii] The Syrian coast. See note on C. ii. 11. 16.
33. Visam Britannos] The stories of the human sacrifices of the ancient Britons are too authentic to be doubted. See Tacitus (Ann. xiv. 30). Virgil (Georg. iii. 463) relates of the Geloni (C. i. 19. 10), that they used to eat cheese dipped in horse’s blood. Whether the Concani, who were a Cantabrian tribe, did the same, is doubtful. Horace, perhaps, got his idea from Virgil.
36. Scythicum — amnem.] The Tanais.
38. addidit] In the year B. C. 25, after the conquest of the Salassi, a people of the Gaulish Alps, Augustus assigned their territory to some of the prætorian troops, and there they built Augusta Prætoria (Aosta), and about the same time there were assigned to others lands in Lusitania on which they built Augusta Emerita (Merida). ‘Additis’ is used in a like case by Tacitus (Ann. xiii. 31): “Coloniae Capua atque Nuceria additis veteranis firmatae sunt.”
40. Pierio recreatis antro] Suetonius, in his Life of Augustus (84, 85), relates that he followed literary pursuits with great zeal, and dabbled in poetry. He could not have had much time for such pursuits when this Ode was written, but he may have said enough to let it be seen that he desired leisure to follow them. As to ‘Pierio,’ see A. P. 405.
41. Vos lene consilium] The penultimate vowel coalesces with the next, as in ‘principium’ (iii. 6. 6), ‘Alfenius’ (S. i. 3. 130), ‘Nasidieni’ (S. ii. 8. 1). So Virgil says (Aen. i. 73): “Connūbio jungam stabili.” ‘Ye give peaceful counsel, and rejoice in giving it, because ye are gentle (‘almae’),’ is the meaning of the words, which are to be taken generally.
43. Titanus immanemque turmam] The wars of the Titanes (with Uranus), the Gigantes, the Aloïdæ, Typhon, or Typhoëus (with Zeus), are all mixed up together in the description which follows. Virgil has given a description (Georg. i. 279, sqq.) where the Titans (Cœus and Iapetus), Typhon, and the Aloïdæ are brought together with little distinction. But neither Horace nor Virgil was writing a mythological history, and in this description of Horace there is great power.
44. caduco] ‘swift-descending,’ as καταιβάτης in Æschylus.
45. terram inertem,] Elsewhere we have ‘bruta tellus’ in the same sense, ‘the dull, motionless earth’ (C. i. 34. 9).
46. regna tristia] ‘the gloomy realms’ (of Pluto).
50. Fidens juventus horrida] This appears to be an imitation of Homer’s χείρεσσι πεποιθότες (Il. xii. 135). ‘Horrida juventus’ means the Gigantes, a family different from the Titanes, and younger.
51. Fratresque tendentes] The brothers Horace speaks of were Otus and Ephialtes, the sons of Aloëus, whose exploit of piling Pelion on Ossa in their attack upon Olympus (Olympus, Ossa, and Pelion formed a continuous range, running down the coast of Thessaly), is first mentioned by[320] Homer (Odyss. xi. 314). See Virg. (Georg. i. 280),—
“Et conjuratos caelum rescindere fratres,
Ter sunt conati imponere Pelio Ossam
Scilicet, atque Ossae frondosum imponere Olympum,”
where ‘frondosum’ explains Horace’s ‘opaco.’ Ovid inverts the order, and puts Pelion uppermost, as Horace does:—
“Ignibus Ossa novis et Pelion altior Ossa
Arsit.” (Fast. iii. 441.)
In the fifth book of the Fasti (v. 35, sqq.), he attributes to the hundred-handed giants (v. 69) the exploit which the oldest legend assigns to the Aloidæ. These variations are only worth noticing as they help to show that the Romans set little value by these stories, and only used them as ornaments of poetry; and to prevent students from wasting their time in attempting to reconcile statements which are not reconcilable—Typhoëus (Τυφωεύς) warred with Zeus on his own account. He belonged neither to the Titanes nor the Gigantes. Mimas and Rhœtus were of the Gigantes. Porphyrion and Enceladus were of the same family.
57. sonantem Palladis aegida] The ‘aegis’ was the skin of the goat Amalthea, the nurse of Zeus, and is said to have been worn by him first in these wars with the Gigantes. It is occasionally found in ancient representations of Jupiter, but more commonly of Minerva. To account for the epithet ‘sohantem,’ we must understand that the ‘aegis’ was taken to represent, not only the goat-skin folded over the breast, but also a shield (Il. xv. 229, sqq.), and a metal breastplate, either of which it may signify here. Homer represents both Apollo and Pallas as wearing their father’s ‘aegis.’
58. avidus] This means ‘avidus pugnae,’ as in Virg. (Aen. xii. 430), “Ille avidus pugnae suras incluserat auro.” Tacitus puts the word absolutely (Ann. i. 57), “Caesar avidas legiones quatuor in cuneos dispertit.” In enumerating the principal gods who assisted Zeus in the battle, Horace means to say that, although they were present, it was Pallas to whom the victory was mainly owing. See Introduction. ‘Hinc — hinc’; ‘in one place — in another.’
59. matrona Juno] The Greek Here was commonly represented naked, or partly so. The Roman Juno was always clad as a matron from head to foot. Her favorite character was Juno Matrona or Romana, which meant the same thing. Her introduction, therefore, under this title, is meant as a compliment to Rome.
61. Qui rore puro] The description of Apollo combines his various places of abode. Castalia was a fountain on Parnassus. ‘Lyciae dumeta’ are woods about Patara, a town in Lycia, where Apollo passed six months of the year, as he passed the other six at Delos, which place Horace means by ‘natalem silvam,’ i.e. the woods on Mount Cynthus. See Herod. i. 182.
66. temperatam] ‘governed and regulated’ (by reason).
67. idem] ‘and yet they.’ ‘Vires’ signifies ‘brute force.’
69. Gyas] See note on C. ii. 17. 14. He belonged to another family consisting of three brothers, Gyas, Cottus, and Briareus or Ægæon, distinguished from the rest by having each of them a hundred arms. Most accounts represent these brothers as helping Zeus. Horace follows a different legend, and so does Virgil (Aen. x. 565, sqq.).
70. integrae] ‘Integer’ is equivalent to ‘intactus,’ and involves the same root (see above, C. iii. 2. 18, n).
71. Tentator Orion] ‘Tentator’ is not elsewhere used for a seducer. It is taken from the Greek πειράν. The story of Orion is told in a variety of ways. Here it is that he tried to seduce Artemis, and that she shot him with an arrow. He is referred to above (C. ii. 13. 39) as pursuing his favorite sport in Hades.
73. Terra] All the monsters above mentioned, except the Aloïdæ, were said to be the children of Γαῖα, the Earth, and Uranus, whence they were called γηγενεῖς (C. ii. 12. 6).
74. luridum] This word is perhaps a contraction of ‘livoridus,’ and akin to ‘lividus,’ and so to the Greek πελιδνός (see C. iv. 9. 33). It signifies dismal, dark, and so forth.
75. nec peredit] ‘Nor does the fire ever consume’ the mountain, and so liberate the giant placed under it. The offender on whom Ætna was laid is variously said to have been Typhon or Typhoëus, Enceladus, and Briareus. Which version Horace adopted does not appear.
78. nequitiae additus] ‘Nequitiae’ may mean ‘propter nequitiam’ by a Greek construction, or it may be put for ‘nequam,’ the crime for the criminal. As to Tityos and Pirithous, see C. ii. 14. 8, and C. iv. 7. 28.
79. amatorem] Supply ‘Proserpinae.’ Understand ‘trecentae’ as representing any large number, as we would say ‘a thousand.’
In the year B. C. 53, M. Licinius Crassus, as consul, with the province of Syria, marched an army into Mesopotamia against the Parthians. He sustained a disastrous defeat at the hands of Surenas, the Parthian general, and lost his own life, with 20,000 men killed and 10,000 prisoners, besides several eagles. Again, in the year B. C. 36, M. Antonius attacked the Parthians, and was obliged to retreat with great loss.
There would seem to have been generally prevalent at Rome a feeling of soreness and impatience under the disgrace, so long unredeemed, of these reverses; and this feeling it appears to be Horace’s purpose in this Ode to allay, and to discourage any hope or desire for the return of the Parthian prisoners. This desire Horace seems to impute to a degenerate spirit, and the story of Regulus is introduced apparently to call back men’s minds to the feeling of a former generation.
The standards and many of the prisoners were restored by Phraates, B. C. 20, as an act of conciliation towards Augustus, and their recovery was proclaimed as a triumph, and recorded upon coins with the inscription “Signis receptis.” This fiction is repeated in C. iv. 15. 6. Epp. i. 12. 27; 18. 56.
Argument.—Jove is in heaven; Augustus shall be a god upon earth when he hath subdued the Briton and the Persian. What! can a Roman forget his glorious home and live a slave with the Mede? ’T was not thus Regulus acted, when he saw the ruin a coward’s example would hang on those who should come after him; and he cried, “I have seen our standards hung on Punic walls; our freemen bound; their gates unbarred; their fields all tilled. Ye do but add ruin to shame: but virtue, like the former fair color of dyed wool, can never be restored. When the freed hind fights its captor, the prisoner released shall cope again with his foe, he who has cried for mercy and made peace for himself on the battle-field.” Then, though he knew the cruel fate which was in store for him, he parted from his wife, his children, and his friends, and went away as calmly as a man would go to Venafrum or Tarentum, to enjoy repose after concluding his labors in the city.
1. Caelo Tonantem] ‘Regnare’ goes with ‘caelo,’ and ‘Tonantem’ is absolute. Jupiter Tonans had a temple on Mons Capitolinus. ‘Credidimus’ has the force of the aorist. ‘Praesens’ means ‘praesens in terris,’ as opposed to ‘caelo.’
3. adjectis] This means ‘when he shall have added.’ Horace’s object seems to be to divert men’s attention from the Parthian prisoners and past defeat to new objects of hope and ambition, under the guidance of Augustus. (See Introduction.)
4. gravibus] This epithet is applied to the Parthians before (C. i. 2. 22).
5. Milesne Crassi] It was about twenty-eight years since the disastrous campaign of Crassus. Orelli says Horace does not allude to M. Antonius’s losses in the same quarter eighteen years afterwards, partly because it would have been indelicate towards Augustus, and partly because of his affection for his son, L. Antonius.
conjuge barbara — maritus] ‘married to a barbarian wife.’ ‘Vixit’ is emphatic, since they married to save their lives. (Aen. viii. 688.) The disgrace lay in their intermarrying with those who not only had not ‘connubium’ with Rome, but were her enemies.
7. Pro curia inversique mores!] ‘Pro’ expresses vehemence varying in kind according to circumstances. It is followed by the nominative or accusative. In the common exclamation, “Pro deum hominumque fidem!” the accusative is always used. The Curia (called Hostilia, because it was said to have been built by Tullus Hostilius) was the senate-house, and the exclamation in the text is, “Alas for our senate and our altered manners!”
8. in armis] The Roman prisoners may have served in the Parthian armies.
9. Marsus et Apulus,] See C. ii. 20. 18, n. It does not appear that the Apulians were particularly good soldiers, but the states of Italy all furnished troops (‘socii’), and the Roman army is here referred to. Perhaps Horace added the Apulians to the Marsi through affection for his native state.
10. Anciliorum] This genitive, from ‘ancile,’ is anomalous. Forcellini points out a similar irregularity in ‘Saturnaliorum,’ and Orelli adds ‘sponsaliorum.’ The ‘ancilia’ were twelve shields, of which, according to tradition, eleven were made by order of Numa after the pattern of one that was found in his house, and was supposed to have come down from heaven. It was prophesied, that while the ‘ancile’ was preserved, Rome should survive. The ‘ancilia’ were kept by the priests of Mars (Salii) in his temple. By ‘togae’ is meant his citizenship, since none but Roman citizens wore the toga. Horace collects the most distinguished objects of a Roman’s reverence, his name, his citizenship (‘togae’), the shield of Mars, only to be lost, and the fire of Vesta, only to be extinguished, when Rome should perish.
12. Incolumi Jove] That is, ‘while the Capitol is safe,’ which was Jove’s temple.
15. exemplo trahentis] Horace means to say, that Regulus had foreseen the danger to posterity of a precedent which should sanction the purchase of life upon dishonorable terms. ‘This the far-seeing mind of Regulus guarded against, when he refused to agree to dishonorable conditions, and drew from such a precedent a presage of ruin upon generations to come.’
17. Si non periret, etc.] ‘If the prisoners were not left to die unpitied.’
18. Captiva pubes.] In the year B. C. 256, during the first Punic war, M. Atilius Regulus, being consul, invaded Africa, and after many successes, taking many towns and laying waste the country, he was terribly defeated and taken prisoner with 500 others. After he had been five years a prisoner, the Carthaginians sent him to Rome to negotiate peace, which, at his own instigation, was refused. He returned, and according to the general account was put to death, it is said with torture, but that may be an invention.
22. tergo] Dative, for ‘in tergum.’
23. Portasque non clausas] ‘the gates (of Carthage) wide open.’ The same image of security appears in A. P. 199: “Et apertis otia portis.” No attempt was made to carry the war into Africa after Regulus’s defeat, though it lasted fourteen years longer.
24. Marte] Equivalent to ‘a militibus nostris.’ This belongs to ‘populata.’ See C. i. 6. 2, n.
25. repensus] This word is not used in this sense of ‘redeemed’ elsewhere. On ‘scilicet,’ see C. ii. 14. 9.
26. Flagitio additis Damnum:] Horace says, ‘Ye are adding mischief to disgrace’; and from what follows it would seem that the mischief would arise from having among them again those who had sunk so low. The disgrace had already been incurred, in the surrender of the Roman troops.
27. neque amissos] See C. i. 6. 5, n., as to this way of speaking.
28. fuco,] See Epp. i. 10. 27, n.
30. reponi deterioribus.] This has sometimes been translated as if Horace meant that true virtue would not suffer itself to be replaced by false, or virtue of a lower sort. I rather think he means that true virtue, when it has once been lost, does not care to be restored to the degenerate. Horace does not seem to consider that he is making Regulus speak bitter things against himself. The argument of Regulus is not worth much, and is an invention of Horace’s. There is an opposite statement in Virgil (Aen. ii. 367):—
“Quondam etiam victis redit in praecordia virtus.”
37. Hic unde vitam] ‘He (i.e. the coward) not considering to what he ought to owe his life (i.e. to his own sword, “una salus victis,” Aen. ii. 354), confounded peace with war’; that is to say, made peace for himself on the field of battle.
40. Altior Italiae ruinis!] On v. 52 of the last Ode was quoted from Ovid (Fast. iii. 441), “Pelion altior Ossa,” ‘Pelion raised upon the head of Ossa.’ So here is meant ‘Carthage raised above the ruins of Italy,’ and looking down upon them.
42. capitis minor] A Roman citizen taken prisoner by the enemy lost his status or civil rights, and he who had done so was said to be ‘capite minutus’ or ‘deminutus,’ or ‘capitis minor.’ Livy says the Romans always wanted compassion for their own soldiers taken in war (xxii. 61).
45. labantes] ‘wavering,’ ‘irresolute.’ ‘Consilio’ is the ablative of means with ‘Firmaret’; ‘by advice such as was never before given.’
46. auctor] One who proposed a measure was called its ‘auctor,’ as he who supported it was said ‘suadere.’
49. sciebat] Notice the force of the imperfect,—‘he knew all the while.’
50. non aliter] ‘as calmly.’
52. reditus] The plural is adopted to avoid the recurrence of a final ‘m.’
53. Quam si, etc.] As if he had been settling a dispute, as ‘patroni’ were wont to do for their ‘clientes,’ and was going to his country-seat at Venafrum or Tarentum; respecting which places, see C. ii. 6. 11, 15. ‘Clientes’ were free persons under the protection of rich and noble citizens, who in their relation to their ‘clientes’ were called ‘patroni.’ See C. iii. 1. 10, n.
As the former Odes are addressed more to qualities of young men, this refers more especially to the vices of young women, and so Horace discharges the promise with which this series of Odes begins. The state of female morals at the time Horace wrote was probably not so bad as it became shortly afterwards, though his picture is dark enough.
Argument.—On you will be visited your fathers’ guilt, O Romans, unless ye shall restore the worship and acknowledge the sovereign power of the gods. Already have they afflicted on land; twice the Parthian hath checked[324] our arms; the barbarian hath well-nigh destroyed us in the midst of our strife, the age is so full of shameless adultery and lasciviousness. Not from such parents were born the conquerors of Pyrrhus, Antiochus, and Hannibal, the manly offspring of soldiers who had handled the plough and carried the fagot. So doth time spoil all things. Our fathers were not as their fathers, nor we as they, and our children shall be worse than ourselves.
1. immeritus] The Ode is addressed, like the others, ‘virginibus puerisque,’ and they could not be said to be responsible for the guilt of the civil wars (‘delicta’) just brought to a close, but if they failed to do their duty in restoring the temples, and so repairing the consequences of the wars, they must be prepared to reap the fruits of them in the displeasure of the gods. As before mentioned (C. ii. 15, Introduction), Augustus applied himself to the restoration of the sacred buildings, and Virgil amplifies his piety, saying he erected three hundred shrines to the gods after his triumph in B. C. 29 (Aen. viii. 714, sqq.). ‘Aedes,’ in this place corresponds with Virgil’s ‘delubra,’ which were mere way-side shrines, each containing an image or an altar, or both. Tiberius followed up the work that Augustus began (Tac. Ann. ii. 49): “Iisdem temporibus deum aedes vetustate aut igni abolitas, coeptasque ab Augusto dedicavit.” The temples he built or completed were three in number, dedicated to Liber, Libera, and Ceres, to Flora, and to Juno. See C. ii. 15. 20. S. ii. 2. 104.
2. Romane,] Horace uses the same form again (S. i. 4. 85); and Virgil likewise, “Tu regere imperio populos, Romane, memento” (Aen. vi. 852). Livy often expresses himself so.
6. Hinc omne, etc.] ‘Hinc’ means ‘from the power of the gods’; ‘huc,’ ‘to it.’
principium,] See note above on C. 4. 41. See Livy (45. 39): “Majores vestri omnium magnarum rerum et principia exorsi ab Dis sunt et finem statuerunt.”
9. Monaeses et Pacori manus] Pacorus was son of the Parthian king, Orodes (Arsaces XIV.), and appointed by his father to command the army against the Romans in the place of Surenas, who defeated Crassus B. C. 53, and whom Pacorus put to death. He was associated with the renegade Labienus, and overran Syria and a great part of Asia Minor, while M. Antonius was amusing himself with Cleopatra. Monaeses is supposed to be the same as Surenas, the latter being not a name but a title. Horace alludes, perhaps without strict accuracy, to the defeat, first of Crassus, and then of M. Antonius, who was twice defeated, first through his legate, Decidius Saxa, in B. C. 40, by Pacorus, and four years later, when he commanded in person, at which time, however, Pacorus was dead. See Introduction to last Ode.
10. Non auspicatos] ‘forbidden by the auspices.’ This is the usual way of accounting for defeat, by laying it to the neglect of the auspices, which were always taken before a war.
12. renidet.] Forcellini explains this word by ‘gaudere,’ ‘laetari.’ The word is not uncommonly used for smiling, and, as it seems to be only another form of ‘niteo,’ the lighting up of the face through pleasure is perhaps the origin of this derived sense.
14. Dacus et Aethiops,] These were auxiliaries in Antonius’s army at Actium, ‘Aethiops’ standing for Egyptian. Cleopatra supplied the fleet.
20. In patriam populumque] These words are those of a common formula.
21. Motus doceri gaudet Ionicos] The Ionian was a voluptuous sort of dance, with which the Sicilians in particular were familiar, using it at the festivals of Diana. Dancing-masters were a class of slaves called Pantomimi.
22. artibus] ‘seductive accomplishments.’
23. Jam nunc] The meaning of ‘jam nunc’ is sufficiently marked in A.[325] P. 43. ‘Nunc’ is ‘now,’ and ‘jam’ gives intensive force to ‘nunc.’ ‘Jam jamque’ expresses what is expected every moment. Horace says, directly a girl has grown up, she is trained by lascivious teaching, and turns her thoughts to unchaste pleasures. The expression ‘de tenero ungui’ is taken from the Greek ἐξ ἁπαλῶν ὀνύχων, which signifies ‘from tender years,’ when the nails are delicate, and such is the meaning here, but it does not contradict ‘matura,’ as some suppose: the expression will apply to a girl in the earliest stage of womanhood.
26. Inter — vina,] The same form occurs in Epp. i. 7. 28, ‘ad vina,’ in C. iv. 5. 31.
27. impermissa] This word occurs nowhere else. ‘Inconcessus’ is used by Virgil and Ovid, and Horace uses ‘interdicta.’
31. Hispanae] Metals appear to have been the chief articles imported from Spain, with red-lead and those stones which were polished into mirrors, whatever stones those may have been.
32. Dedecorum] There is no other instance of ‘pretiosus’ in an active sense, ‘one who gives a large price.’ ‘Magister’ was one who had sole charge of a ship. ‘Institor’ was a shopman. The latter was only an agent, and was usually a slave. The ‘magister’ might be a degree higher, but he was usually a person who received wages; nevertheless he had means of becoming rich, which the ‘institor’ could not, except by robbing his employer.
34. Infecit aequor] See C. ii. 12. 3, n.; and on ‘dirum’ see the verse before that. ‘Cecidit’ is used with some latitude. Their projects were cut short, but not their lives. Pyrrhus was driven from Italy through a defeat he sustained from Curius, the consul, near Beneventum, in B. C. 274, and lost his life two years afterwards, at Argos. Antiochus the Great was defeated by Acilius Glabrio, at Thermopylæ, B. C. 191, and by L. Scipio in Asia the next year. He lost his life in an attempt to plunder a temple in one of his own towns, three years later. Hannibal was defeated by P. Scipio, at Zama, B. C. 202, but lived twenty years after that battle.
38. Sabellis] ‘Sabelli’ was the name given by the Romans to all the tribes which issued from the Sabine stock. The Sabine mountaineers were particularly noted for the simplicity of their habits and the honesty of their characters. Here Horace contrasts them with the Romans of his own day. See Epod. ii. 41; Epp. ii. 1. 25; and compare the description Horace gives of his own neighbors, S. ii. 6. 77; Epp. i. 14. 3.
39, sqq. severae — fustes,] ‘to cut and carry home fagots, at the bidding of an exacting mother.’
41. sol ubi] There are not many poets who could incidentally have expressed in so few words, and so graphically, the hour of evening.
42. Mutaret] That is, by lengthening them.
44. agens] ‘bringing on.’ The last stanza is a solemn and comprehensive conclusion to these six stirring and instructive Odes.
The idea of this graceful Ode is that of a young girl lamenting the absence of her lover, who is gone on a trading voyage to the Euxine. The names, as usual in these compositions, are foreign. Gyges is Lydian. The time is winter. The lover is supposed to be on his voyage home, and detained on the coast of Epirus, whither he had been driven by the southerly winds which prevailed at that season. He is waiting for the spring to return home, and is represented, for Chloe’s comfort, as resisting the temptations of his hostess, though she tries to frighten him with stories of women’s revenge. There is[326] great simplicity and beauty in this Ode. Whether it is original, or a free copy from the Greek, cannot be determined.
Argument.—Weep not, Asterie; Gyges is faithful, and will return with the spring, a rich man. He has been driven to Oricum, and is weeping with impatience for thee. Chloë, his hostess, is trying to seduce him, and frightens him with stories of rejected women’s revenge. But he is deaf to her seductions. Beware in thy turn of Enipeus, thy gallant neighbor. Shut thy doors and listen not to his songs.
2. Favonii] See C. i. 4. 1. Favonius, according to Pliny (ii. 47), blew ‘ab occasu aequinoctiali,’ that is, due west. It would therefore be a favorable wind for a vessel coming down the Adriatic, and not very unfavorable for sailing up the west coast of Italy. It would be in her teeth as she tried to make the Straits of Messina. But Horace’s winds are not more studied than his places and persons. The lover is waiting till the weather changes and the winds are mild and favorable. The Favonii are called ‘candidi,’ as Notus and Iapyx are each called ‘albus’ (C. i. 7. 15; iii. 27. 19).
3. Thyna merce] The Thyni and Bithyni were originally two different peoples of Thrace, who migrated into Asia Minor and displaced the natives. For some time they continued separate, but when Horace wrote, the distinction was not observed, and ‘Thyna merx’ was Bithynian merchandise (Epp. i. 6. 33). Bithynia, after it became a Roman province, included a great part of Pontus, and so comprised nearly the whole sea coast of Asia Minor, and all the trade along that coast would come under the title of ‘Thyna merx.’
4. fide,] The genitive. The older forms of genitives of this declension were four, ‘es,’ ‘ei,’ ‘i,’ and ‘e.’
5. Oricum] This was a town in Epirus, situated at the top of the bay formed by the Acroceraunian promontory. See Aen. x. 136. “Oricia terebintho.” The constellation of the goat Amalthea (Capra) rises at the beginning of October.
11. Dicens ignibus uri,] ‘Ignibus’ is used as Ovid uses it (Am. iii. 9. 56), “vixisti dum tuus ignis eram.” We may understand C. i. 27. 16, “Non erubescendis adurit Ignibus,” in the same way, i.e. the flame put for the person who causes it.
12. Tentat mille vafer modis.] On ‘tentat,’ see note on C. iii. 4. 71.
13. mulier perfida] Antea or Sthenobæa, wife of Prœtus, king of Argos, fell in love with Bellerophontes, and when he rejected her proposals, she accused him to her husband, as Potiphar’s wife accused Joseph.
14. Falsis impulerit] ‘Impello’ is used with the infinitive mood by Tacitus (Ann. xiii. 54; xiv. 60). The common construction is with ‘ut,’ as (Epp. ii. 2. 51) “impulit audax Ut versus facerem.”
17. Pelea] Astydamia or Hippolyte, the wife of Acastus, king of Iolcos, out of revenge for his rejection of her, induced her husband to expose Peleus to destruction by wild beasts on Mount Pelion, where he took him to hunt, and left him asleep without his sword. Hippolyte is called ‘Magnessam’ because Iolcos was in Magnesia. Joseph’s virtue has its parallels in Grecian fable.
19. peccare docentes] ‘inciting to sin.’
20. Fallax historias movet.] ‘Mentionem movere’ occurs in Livy; ‘cantus movere’ in Virgil; ‘carmen movere’ in Ovid. ‘Historias movere’ is therefore a legitimate expression, ‘brings up,’ ‘calls to his mind.’
21. Frustra:] A complete and very comprehensive sentence. It occurs below (C. 13. 6). Some persons join the word on with the last line, which weakens its force. Icari is the Icarium Mare, that part of the Ægean which washes the coast of Caria. With these words compare Euripides (Med. 28),[327] ὡς δὲ πέτρος ἣ θαλάσσιος κλύδων ἀδούει. (See also Androm. 537, and Epod. xvii. 54, sq.).
25. flectere equum] This was to wheel the horse round in a small circle:
“Sive ferocis equi luctantia colla recurvas
Exiguo flexos miror in orbe pedes,”
says Phaedra to Hippolytus (Heroid. iv. 79, sq.). Tacitus (Germ. vi.) says the German horses were not taught like the Roman ‘variare gyros.’
28. denatat] This word in used nowhere else. Compare C. i. 8. 3, sqq.; iii. 12. 7. ‘Tusco alveo’ is the stream of the Tiber which rises in Etruria.
29. neque in vias] This use of ‘neque’ for ‘neve,’ in connection with the imperative mood, is confined to the poets.
This Ode was composed on the anniversary of Horace’s accident with the tree (C. ii. 13). It is addressed to Mæcenas, whom he invites to join him in celebrating the day, which was the 1st of March, B. C. 25, or thereabouts.
Argument.—Wonderest thou, learned friend, what this sacrifice means on the Kalends of March, and I a bachelor? On this day I was delivered from death, and it shall be a holiday. Come, Mæcenas, a hundred cups of my oldest wine to the health of thy friend. Away with anxiety. The Dacian has fallen, the Mede is divided against himself, the Cantabrian is in chains, and the Scythian has unstrung his bow. Be here the private gentleman: never mind the people; enjoy thyself and unbend.
1. Martiis caelebs] The Matronalia, or feast of married persons in honor of Juno Lucina, when husbands made presents to their wives, and offered prayers for the continuance of happiness in their married life, was celebrated on the first of March.
2. acerra thuris] This is the proper word for a box of frankincense (λιβανωτίς). The derivation is uncertain.
4. Caespite vivo,] ‘on an altar of green turf.’ See C. i. 19. 13.
5. Docte sermones utriusque linguae?] These words express a man well read in the literature of Greece and Rome. Elsewhere he addresses his patron as ‘Maecenas docte’ (Epp. i. 19. 1).
6. dulces epulas] A solemn sacrifice was commonly followed by a banquet, at which libations were poured to the god to whom the sacrifice had been offered.
7. Libero caprum prope funeratus] This last word is not found in any other writer earlier than Pliny. He and others after him use ‘funero’ for ‘to bury.’ Horace here attributes to Liber the deliverance he had before attributed to Mercury, Faunus, and the Muses, successively (see C. ii. 17. 28, n.).
10. dimovebit] See C. i. 1. 13, n.
11. Amphorae fumum] The amphoræ were kept in the apotheca in the upper part of the house, to which the smoke from the bath had access, as this was thought to hasten the ripening of the wine and to improve its flavor, just as Madeira wine is improved by being kept in a warm temperature. The amphora being lined with pitch or plaster, and the cork being also covered with pitch, the smoke could not penetrate if these were properly attended to. ‘Amphorae’ is the dative.
12. Consule Tullo.] L. Volcatius Tullus was consul B. C. 66, the year before Horace was born. This wine, therefore, had probably been in the amphora upwards of forty years. Sulla once treated the Romans with some[328] wine upwards of forty years old (Plut. Sull. c. 35), and this is not an extreme age for some modern wines. Juvenal (S. v. 34) speaks of wine:—
“cujus patriam titulumque senectus
Delevit multa veteris fuligine testae.”
13. amici Sospitis] This is a Greek construction, which occurs again in C. iii. 19. 9, 10. Horace’s request may amount to this: ‘Pray that my life may be prolonged a hundred years.’
14. vigiles lucernas Perfer] In C. iii. 21. 23 we have “vivaeque producent lucernae,” where ‘vivae’ corresponds to ‘vigiles’ here. Virgil uses ‘ferre’ uncompounded in Aen. ix. 338: “Aequasset nocti ludum in lucemque tulisset.”
17. Mitte civiles super urbe curas:] See iii. 29. 25, n.
18. Daci Cotisonis] Cotiso was king of the Daci, one of the tribes of the Danube (C. i. 19. 10, n.). About B. C. 25 Augustus sent Lentulus against these tribes. Whether that is alluded to here or not is uncertain.
19. sibi] This word is so placed that it may depend on ‘infestus,’ ‘luctuosis,’ or ‘dissidet.’ I prefer the first. The quarrels of the Parthians among themselves are referred to in the Introduction to C. i. 26.
22. Cantaber] See C. ii. 6. 2, n.; and as to ‘catena,’ see C. ii. 13. 18, n.
23. Scythae] Some take these to be the Scythians who helped Phraates; others imagine them to be the Geloni and other trans-Danubian tribes. Horace meant no more than generally to say that the enemies of Rome were no longer disturbing her.
26. Parce privatus] This may mean, ‘Since you have no cause to be anxious about public affairs, do not be too anxious about your own.’ ‘Not anxious lest in aught the people suffer, spare for thyself excess of carefulness.’
This is an elegant trifle in the form of a dialogue, showing the process of reconciliation between two lovers, in which the desire for peace appears in the midst of pretended indifference, and mutual jealousy is made the means of reunion. The subject could hardly have been more delicately handled. Whether the treatment of it is original or not, it is impossible to say. It is just such a subject as one might expect to find among the erotic poetry of the Greeks.
Argument.—While thou didst love me better than all the world, no prince was happy as I.
While Lydia was dearest to thee of women, the name of Ilia was not so noble as mine.
Chloe, the sweet singer, is my queen: for her I would gladly die.
Calaïs loves me, and I love him: for him I would gladly die. What if the old love were to unite us again, if Chloe were cast off and turned from my door, and I opened it to Lydia again?
Though Calaïs is handsome, and thou art fickle and passionate as the stormy sea, I would live and die with thee.
1. Donec] Equivalent to ‘dum.’
2. potior] ‘more favored.’
4. Persarum — rege beatior.] A proverbial expression for ‘the happiest of men.’
5. alia] Some MSS. have ‘aliam.’ Either construction is correct (see C. ii. 4. 7, n.). On ‘multi nominis,’ see C. i. 36. 13.
12. Si parcent animae] Cic. ad Fam. (xiv. 14): “Vos meae carissimae animae quam saepissime ad me scribite.” Since ‘metuam’ here and ‘patiar’ below (v. 15) are the present subjunctive, ‘parcent,’ following those words, should, in strict Latinity, be ‘parcant.’ But the same construction occurs above (C. iii. 3. 7). Why Chloë should be a Thracian, and Ornytus of Thurii (see S. ii. 8. 20, n.), is not worth questioning.
17. prisca] Forcellini gives other instances of this use of ‘priscus,’ where ‘pristinus’ is more usual.
18. jugo cogit] ‘Jugo’ is governed by ‘cogit,’ and ‘diductos’ stands alone, ‘parted though we be.’
19. excutitur] The English “cast off” expresses the meaning best.
22. improbo] On the meaning of ‘improbus’ as a word expressing ‘excess,’ see below (C. iii. 24. 62). Here it means ‘violent,’ ‘furious.’
This is supposed to be sung by a lover under the window of his mistress, who on a cold night refuses him admission. It is what the Greeks called a παρακλαυσίθυρον, such as that supposed one, of which a fragment is given in C. i. 25. This species of serenade was so common among the Greeks, that we may suppose Horace had some poem of the sort in his mind when he wrote this. The thirteenth Ode of the fourth book is nominally connected with this; but as there is no necessity for supposing, nor any likelihood, that Horace wrote this from his own experience, so neither is it likely that he wrote that to taunt in her decline the girl who is supposed to reject his addresses here.
Argument.—Were Scythia thy dwelling-place, Lyce, this inclement night should move thee to pity me. Hear how the wind howls; see how the snow lies freezing. Venus loves not pride: the rope may break and the wheel run back; though nothing bends thee, neither presents, nor prayers, nor these sallow cheeks of mine, nor thy husband’s faithlessness, though thou be hard as the oak and cruel as the serpent, yet as a goddess have pity! Flesh and blood will not stand this for ever.
1. Tanain si biberes,] This is the way of speaking adopted in C. ii. 20. 20, and iv. 15. 21.
2. Saevo nupta viro,] ‘wedded to a barbarian husband.’
3. objicere incolis] ‘thou wouldst grieve to expose me to the north-winds that there have their home.’
5. nemus] Shrubs and flowers were sometimes planted round the impluvium of a Roman house, but more largely in the peristylium, which was an open space at the back part of the house, surrounded by colonnades, and, like the impluvium, usually having a cistern or fountain in the middle. ‘Remugiat ventis,’ ‘echoes back to the winds their howling.’
7. ut glaciet] It is easy to supply ‘vides,’ or ‘sentis,’ or any other word more appropriate than ‘audis’ to the freezing of the snow. One verb of sense is often made to serve for two or three. ‘How Jove with his bright power freezeth the snow as it lies.’ ‘Jove’ is the atmosphere (see C. i. 1. 25, n.). ‘Puro’ is a good epithet to express a clear frosty night.
10. Ne currente retro funis eat rota] ‘Lest the wheel turn back and the rope with it,’ ‘retro’ applying to both ‘currente’ and ‘eat.’ The metaphor is taken from a rope wound round a cylinder, which being allowed to run back, the rope runs down and the weight or thing attached goes with it. The[330] proverb is applied to a coquette who continues her pride till she loses her power.
12. Tyrrhenus genuit parens.] Lyce is represented as an Etruscan woman, and being such, her lover says she need not think to imitate the chaste Penelope, to whom it appears the women of Etruria did not in general bear any resemblance.
14. tinctus viola] See Argument.
15. Nec vir] He says she is not bent from her stubbornness even by her husband’s faithlessness, he being engaged with another woman, who is represented as a Pierian, just as Chloe, in the last Ode, was a Thracian, and on the same principle. Nearly all Horace’s women of this character are represented as Greeks. ‘Curvat’ is nowhere else used in this sense.
19. aquae Caelestis] He repeats the phrase Epp. ii. 1. 135. ‘Hoc latus’ is equivalent to ‘ego’; the part suffering from the threshold put for the whole person.
This is an address to the lyre, calling upon it for a song to win the heart of Lyde. The principal subject is the story of the Danaides, who murdered their husbands, but more particularly of the one who spared hers. The punishment of the sisters for their cruelty, and the tenderness of Hypermnestra, are the warning and example by which Lyde is to be won.
The common inscription Ad Mercurium is wrong, and calculated to mislead. The inscription should be Ad Testudinem, if anything; for Mercury disappears after the first two verses. The miracles alluded to, except Amphion’s, were those of Orpheus, and of the lyre in his hands, not Mercury’s, who is only introduced because he invented the lyre and taught Amphion. The Ode is of the same class as the two last. We have no means of tracing the original, if it is a copy.
Argument.—Mercury, who didst teach Amphion to move stones, and thou, lyre, once dumb, now welcome at feast and festival, tune me a strain to which even Lyde, though she be free as the young colt, must attend. Thou charmest tigers, woods, streams, and hell’s bloody sentinel, and Ixion, and Tityos, and the daughters of Danaus. Let Lyde hear of their crime and punishment, and how one was merciful and spared her young husband’s life, saying, “Rise up; begone, lest the sleep of death overtake thee. They have sprung upon their prey. My heart is not as their heart. I will do thee no harm. Let my father do with me as he will, yet go thou, while night and love protect thee. Farewell, and when I am gone, engrave a word of sorrow on my tomb.”
2. Amphion] See Epp. i. 18. 41. A. P. 394, n.
3. Tuque testudo] See C. i. 10. 6, n. The ‘testudo’ or ‘cithara’ had originally but four strings. Terpander added to it three more, about B. C. 676. The tetrachord was not however banished, though the heptachord was better adapted to more elaborate music (see S. i. 3. 8, n.).
4. Callida] ‘skilled.’
5. Nec loquax olim neque grata] ‘Formerly dumb, and powerless to give pleasure.’
10. exsultim] This word is not found elsewhere. Other words found in Horace and not elsewhere are ‘allaborare,’ ‘tentator,’ ‘inaudax,’ ‘immetata,’ ‘faustitas,’ ‘belluosus,’ ‘applorans,’ ‘inemori,’ ‘emetere,’ ‘laeve,’ ‘insolabiliter,’[331] ‘defingere,’ ‘vepallidus,’ ‘emiror,’ ‘irruptus,’ ‘aesculetum,’ ‘ambitiosus,’ ‘depugis,’ ‘uvescere,’ ‘disconvenire,’ ‘diludium,’ ‘impariter,’ ‘delitigo,’ ‘juvenari,’ ‘socialiter,’ ‘iambeus,’ ‘abstare.’ It does not follow, because we have no other examples of these words, that Horace had none.
13. Tu potes] See C. i. 12. 7, sqq.
17. Cerberus, quamvis] This passage may be compared with C. ii. 13. 33, sqq. ‘Furiale,’ ‘fury-like,’ having snakes for hair.
21. Quin et Ixion] He was king of the Lapithæ. Having treacherously murdered his father-in-law, Deioneus, he returned the goodness of Zeus, who purified him, by trying to seduce Here, for which Horace calls him rightly ‘perfidus Ixion’ (A. P. 124), and he was punished by being bound to a wheel perpetually revolving, in Hades. As to Tityos, see C. ii. 14. 8, n. For ‘quin et,’ see C. ii. 13. 37, n. ‘Vultu risit invito’ is a happy description. (S. ii. 3. 72, n.)
23. Danai puellas] The daughters of Danaus (see C. ii. 14. 18) were punished by having to fill a vessel with a hole in the bottom. They were fifty in number, and married the fifty sons of Ægyptus, their uncle. At the bidding of their father, who was afraid of his nephews, they all murdered their husbands but Hypermnestra, who spared Lynceus. Horace puts a touching speech into her mouth, bidding her young husband rise and fly for his life.
27. fundo pereuntis imo] ‘escaping by (through) the bottom.’
28. Seraque fata] ὑστεροφθόρον δίκην. See note on C. iii. 2. 32.
31. potuere] ‘they had the heart.’ This would be expressed by ἕτλησαν in Greek. In a more familiar passage ‘possum’ occurs with the same kind of meaning (Epp. i. 5. 1): “Si potes Archiacis conviva recumbere lectis,” ‘if you can make up your mind.’
37. Surge, quae dixit] Ovid has borrowed all but the words of Horace in Hypermnestra’s letter to Lynceus, one of the most touching of his poems,—
“Surge age, Belida, de tot modo fratribus unus:
Nox tibi ni properas ista perennis erit.” (Her. xiv. 73, sq.)
This Ode represents a girl lamenting to herself over a love she must not indulge. Her name is Neobule, and that of the man she loves is Hebrus, whom she represents as the perfection of beauty and manliness. The Ode appears to have been imitated, if not translated, from one of Alcæus, of which one verse in the same metre is extant.
Argument.—Poor women! we must not love, we must not drown care in wine, or a cruel guardian scolds us to death. Alas, Neobule! thou canst not spin nor work, for love of Hebrus, so beautiful as he bathes in the waters of Tiber, a horseman like Belerophon, unsurpassed in the combat and the race, in piercing the flying deer or catching the lurking boar.
1. Miserarum est] ‘It is the fate of unhappy women.’
2. aut] ‘or, if we do.’
3. Patruae] Compare (Sat. ii. 3. 88) “ne sis patruus mihi.” On the form ‘lavere,’ see C. ii. 3. 18, n.
4. qualum] ‘my wool-basket.’ The name Neobule is found in a fragment of Archilochus. Hebrus’s birthplace is mentioned to give more reality to the person. Lipara, it must be admitted, was an odd place to choose. It was one of the Vulcaniae Insulae, and is still called Lipari.
7. Simul] ‘Soon as’ is an early English equivalent for ‘whenever,’ and ‘simul’ bears that sense here. The last syllable of ‘Bellerophonte’ is long, as from the Greek. Bellerophon was usually represented as leading or riding the winged horse Pegasus, on whose back he conquered Chimæra. See C. i. 27. 24, n.
9. Neque segni] The epithet belongs to both substantives: ‘never beaten for slothfulness of hand (in boxing) or foot (in running).’
11. jaculari] C. i. 2. 3, n.
12. excipere] This seems to be a hunting word. See Epp. i. 1. 79.
The Ode is an address to a fountain about six miles from Venusia, which has been identified with one still existing, but in a very different state, bare of trees and choked up with dirt. We need only suppose that the name was suggested to Horace by the recollections of his childhood, without imagining him really on the point of offering sacrifice, or being in the neighborhood of his birthplace when he wrote. It has something of the nature of an epigramma or inscription, and is among the choicest of Horace’s small pieces.
Argument.—Fair fountain of Bandusia, thou art worthy of my libation and of the kid that shall fall for thee to-morrow, and dye thy cold stream with his blood. Thee the summer’s heat pierceth not; cool is thy water to flocks and herds. Thou, too, shalt be placed among the fountains of fame, when I sing of the oak that hangs from the rock whence thy babbling waters spring.
1. splendidior vitro,] The use of glass by the ancients was long a matter of dispute, but it is now generally allowed to have been brought by them to great perfection.
6. Frustra:] See above (C. iii. 7. 21, n.).
9. atrox hora Caniculae] ‘the burning season of the dog star.’ Canicula is another name for the well-known star of the first magnitude in the head of Canis Major, called by the Greeks Σείριος. It rises in July.
13. Fies nobilium] This is a Greek construction, ‘unus’ having to be supplied. ‘Tu quoque,’ ‘thou too,’ as well as the fountains celebrated by the Greek poets.
This Ode was composed at the close of the Cantabrian war, B. C. 25, when Augustus’s return was expected, or on his return the following year. He was detained by illness at Tarracona. The poet calls upon the citizens to rejoice, and bids the conqueror’s wife and sister go forth to offer sacrifice, declaring that he too will keep holiday.
Argument.—Cæsar is returning a conqueror from Spain, O ye people, he who but just went forth like Hercules to the field. Let his chaste wife and sister go forth to offer sacrifice with the matrons, while the young soldiers and their brides stand reverently by. I too will keep holiday; for I am safe while Augustus is lord of the world. Bring flowers, boy, and ointment, and my best old wine, and go bid Neæra come: if the churlish porter refuse[333] thee, come away; I have no mind for strife, though I might not have borne as much in the heyday of my youth.
1. Herculis ritu] As Hercules braved death, so did Augustus, and like Hercules he is returning from Spain victorious. Hercules went to Spain to get the oxen of Geryones for Eurystheus, his tenth labor. See C. ii. 14. 7, n.
o plebs,] ‘Plebs’ and ‘populus’ are used synonymously (C. ii. 2. 18, sq.), and either word stands for the common formula ‘populus plebsque Romana.’
2. Morte venalem] ‘whose price is death.’
5. Unico gaudens — marito] A poetical periphrasis for ‘chaste.’
6. justis operata sacris,] There are other examples of ‘operor’ in this sense of sacrificing. Ladies of birth appear to have been distinguished on these occasions from freedwomen by a wreath. The persons forming the procession are supposed to be the wife (Livia) and sister (Octavia) of Augustus, and the mothers of the soldiers who had returned and of their young wives, who are represented as looking on reverentially at the thanksgiving sacrifice.
9. juvenum] This and ‘pueri’ both mean the soldiers, as ‘virginum’ and ‘puellae’ both mean their wives.
11. virum expertae,] This is equivalent to ‘nuper virgines nuptae’ (C. ii. 8. 22). ‘Male ominatis’ may be pronounced as one word, as ‘maleolens,’ ‘suaveolens,’ &c. The phrase is expressed by εὐφημεῖτε in Greek.
14. tumultum Nec mori per vim] ‘Tumultus’ and ‘vis’ are well-distinguished terms. ‘Tumultus’ was a public affair, a sudden outbreak. ‘Vis,’ ‘violence,’ was either ‘publica’ or ‘privata,’ and the distinction between the two will be found on referring to the article ‘Vis’ in Smith’s Dict. Ant. Horace says he is not afraid of losing his life by any popular insurrection, and so forth, or by the hand of an assassin or private malice.
18. Marsi memorem duelli,] The Marsic or Social War continued from B. C. 91 to 89. It was a rising of the Socii, the states of Italy, for the purpose of getting the Roman franchise. The Marsi took a prominent part in the war, which was sometimes called by their name. The Servile War lasted from B. C. 73 to 71. It was an outbreak of the slaves of Italy, who, under Spartacus, himself a slave and gladiator, were formed into a vast army, and traversed the whole country from Rhegium to the Po. Horace speaks contemptuously of Spartacus, but the Romans never had a more able or more successful enemy. The wine Horace wanted would have been at least sixty-five years old. There seems to have been something remarkable in the vintage of that period so as to make it proverbial; for Juvenal, one hundred years afterwards, speaking of the selfish gentleman who keeps his best wine for his own drinking, says,—
“Ipse capillato diffusum consule potat
Calcatamque tenet bellis socialibus uvam.” (S. v. 30, sq.).
The ‘cadus,’ ‘testa,’ and ‘amphora,’ were all names for the same vessel.
19. si qua] ‘if in any way.’ Supply ‘ratione.’
21. argutae] ‘the sweet singer.’
22. Myrrheum] ‘perfumed.’
27. ferrem] For ‘tulissem.’
28. Consule Planco.] L. Munatius Plancus was consul with M. Aemilius Lepidus, B. C. 42, at which time Horace was in his twenty-third year. He was now forty.
This Ode combines with the lyric something of the spirit of the Epodes. It professes to address an old woman, Chloris, telling her it is time to put an end to her intrigues, for she is poor and ready to drop into her grave.
Argument.—Put a stop to thy intrigues, for thou art old and poor. What becometh thy daughter becometh not thee, Chloris. She may go and besiege the young men’s doors: she is in love, and cannot help it. But do thou go spin; music and flowers and wine are not for thee.
1. pauperis] He means to say that a poor man’s wife should be thrifty and mind her work, especially if she be old.
6. Et stellis nebulam] ‘To spread a cloud over those fair stars.’ An old woman in a company of girls would be like a cloud in a starry sky.
10. tympano.] The ‘tympanum’ was a tambourine, played in all respects as now, and usually by women, who danced as they beat it. As to Thyias, see C. ii. 19. 9.
13. Te lanae] See Argument.
14. Luceriam,] This was a town of Apulia, now called Lucera, in the neighborhood of which was one of the largest tracts of public pasture-land.
Horace here dwells on his favorite theme,—contentment and moderation,—which he is able to illustrate by the example of Mæcenas (v. 20), as well as his own. The mischievous influence of gold is illustrated by the stories of Danae and others, and Horace describes his own contentment with his humble but independent condition.
Argument.—A stout prison and savage watch-dogs might have kept Danae from harm; but Jove and Venus smiled, for they knew that the god need but change himself to gold, and the way would be clear before him. Gold penetrates through guards; gold shall burst rocks; thereby fell the house of Amphiaraus; thereby the Macedonian won cities; thereby stern admirals are ensnared. And as it grows, the desire for more grows too. A high estate I dread. Mæcenas, thou good knight, the more a man denies himself, the more the gods will give him. I fly from the rich to the contented, and am more independent than any poor rich man in the world. My stream, and my little wood, and my trusty field, are a happier portion than all Africa. I have no honey of Calabria, nor wine of Formiæ, nor Gaulish fleece, yet poverty doth not pinch me; and if I wanted more, thou art ready to give it.
My small income will go further by the restricting of my wants, than if I had all Lydia and Phrygia for my own. Who ask much, lack much. It is well with him who has enough.
1. Inclusam Danaën] Acrisius, king of Argos, being informed by an oracle that his daughter Danae would bear a son who would kill him, shut her up. But Jupiter found his way to her in a shower of gold, and she became the mother of Perseus who, as predicted, killed his grandfather. The fable of the shower of gold has here its simplest explanation. ‘Tristes excubiae’[335] is like Ovid’s “tristis custodia servi” (A. A. iii. 601). On the construction with ‘munierant’ see C. ii. 17. 28, n.
4. adulteris] ‘lovers.’
7. fore enim] This is an elliptical form of the oratio obliqua, in translating which, ‘they said,’ or ‘they knew,’ must be supplied. ‘Pretium’ has reference to the corruption of the guards, the price at which they were bought.
10. amat] Used as φιλεῖ, like “consociare amant” (C. ii. 3. 10), and “amet quavis adspergere” (S. i. 4. 87).
11. concidit auguris Argivi domus] The story is that of Amphiaraus, who
ὄλετ᾽ ἐν Θήβαισι γυναίων εἵνεκα δώρων (Odyss. xv. 247),
and of his wife Eriphyle,
ἣ χρυσὸν φίλου ἀνδρὸς ἐδέξατο τιμήεντα (Odyss. xi. 327).
Eriphyle, bribed by her brother Polyneices, induced her husband to join the expedition against Thebes, where he fell, leaving an injunction with his sons to put their mother to death, which Alcmæon did, and, like Orestes, was pursued by the Erinnyes of his mother, and was finally put to death in attempting to get possession of the gold necklace with which she had been bribed.
14. Portas vir Macedo] Plutarch, in his life of Paulus Æmilius (c. xiii.), says it was Philip’s gold, not Philip, that won the cities of Greece. And Cicero (Ad Att. i. 16) repeats a saying attributed to Philip, that he could take any town into which an ass could climb laden with gold. Juvenal, following the general report, calls Philip “callidus emptor Olynthi” (xii. 47).
15. munera navium Saevos illaqueant duces.] This is supposed to refer to Menas, otherwise called Menodorus, the commander of Sex. Pompeius’s fleet, who deserted from him to Augustus, and back to Pompeius, and then to Augustus again. He was rewarded beyond his merits. He was a freedman of Cn. Pompeius, and Suetonius (Octav. 74) states that Augustus made him ‘ingenuus.’ He is said to be alluded to by Virgil (Aen. vi. 612, sqq.):—
“Quique arma secuti
Impia nec veriti dominorum fallere dextras,
Inclusi poenam expectant.”
See Introduction to Epod. iv. Forcellini quotes only one other instance of ‘illaqueo’ from Prudentius, and one of the passive participle from Cicero. ‘Irretio,’ as Orelli says, is the more common word of the same meaning.
18. Majorumque fames] ‘Majorum’ is of the neuter gender, dependent on ‘fames,’ as in Theocritus (xvi. 65), αἰεὶ δὲ πλεόνων ἔχει ἵμερος αὐτόν. With ‘tollere verticem’ compare C. i. 18.15; and on ‘equitum decus’ see C. i. 20. 5, n.
21. Quanto quisque sibi] This sentiment approaches as near as possible to the fundamental rule of Christian morals. The accuracy of the picture in the next verses must not be insisted on too closely. It would imply that Horace, a wealthy Epicurean, had thrown up his riches in contempt, and gone over to the ranks of the Stoics. But as Horace never was rich, he could not have acted the deserter on these terms, though he changed his opinions. Horace may sometimes be supposed to put general maxims in the first person, without strict application to himself. ‘Nudus’ signifies one who has left everything he had behind him. By ‘contemptae’ he means that the rich man with fine houses had a contempt for his little property.
26. arat impiger] Apulia, with the exception of a comparatively small tract which was productive, was occupied with forests or pasture lands, or tracts of barren hills. But Horace likes to speak of his own country with respect (see above, C. 5. 9, n.). The license by which the first syllable in ‘arat’ is lengthened may be admitted in the cæsural place. ‘Occultare,’[336] ‘to hoard,’ which was commonly done to raise the price. ‘Meis’ is emphatic, as ‘proprio horreo’ (i. 1. 9).
29. Purae rivus aquae] The small river Digentia is that which Horace alludes to (see Epp. i. 16). On ‘certa fides’ see C. iii. 1. 30, n. ‘Fallit beatior’ is a Greek construction, λανθάνει ὀλβιώτερον ὄν. Horace says, ‘Mine is a happier lot than his who has all Africa for his possession, though he knows not that it is so.’ The construction is like “sensit medios delapsus in hostes” (Aen. ii. 377), for ‘se delapsum esse.’
33. Calabrae — apes] See C. ii. 6. 14, n.
34. Laestrygonia — amphora] This is used like ‘Sabina diota,’ which was the same sort of vessel (C. i. 9. 7), ‘an amphora of Formian wine.’ The inhabitants of Formiæ in Latium supposed it to be the same as the Læstrygonia mentioned by Homer (Odyss. x. 81),—
ἑβδομάτῃ δ᾽ ἱκόμεσθα Λάμου αἰπὺ πτολίεθρον,
τηλέπυλον Λαιστρυγονίην.
See Introduction to the next Ode, and Ovid (Met. xiv. 233):—
“Inde Lami veterem Laestrygonis, inquit, in urbem
Venimus.”
‘Languescere’ means ‘to lose its strength by keeping.’ The Formian wine is mentioned, C. i. 20. 11. The pasture lands in the basin of the Po (‘Gallica pascua’) were very extensive and rich.
38.
