The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Works of Horace, with English Notes This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook. 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] Language: Latin Credits: Produced by Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, Jim Dishington, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net. *** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WORKS OF HORACE, WITH ENGLISH NOTES *** Produced by Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, Jim Dishington, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net. 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. Boston: 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. CONTENTS. PAGE Life of Horace vii Carminum Liber Primus 1 Carminum Liber Secundus 32 Carminum Liber Tertius 51 Carminum Liber Quartus 83 Carmen Saeculare 101 Epodon Liber 104 Satirarum Liber Primus 124 Satirarum Liber Secundus 152 Epistolarum Liber Primus 181 Epistolarum Liber Secundus 210 Epistola ad Pisones (De Arte Poëtica) 223 NOTES. Odes.--Book I. 239 Odes.--Book II. 285 Odes.--Book III. 312 Odes.--Book IV. 352 The Secular Hymn 375 The Book of Epodes 379 Satires.--Book I. 403 Satires.--Book II. 449 Epistles.--Book I. 498 Epistles.--Book II. 545 The Art of Poetry 562 Beck's Introduction to the Metres of Horace 577 LIFE OF HORACE. 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. 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, 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. 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 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, 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 [Footnote 1: C. iii. 4. 9; C. iv. 9. 2; S. ii. 1. 34.] [Footnote 2: S. i. 6. 6. 46, 47.] [Footnote 3: S. i. 6. 8.] [Footnote 4: S. i. 6. 86.] [Footnote 5: S. i. 6. 96.] [Footnote 6: Epp. ii. 1. 71; ibid. 2. 41.] [Footnote 7: S. i. 6. 48.] [Footnote 8: Epp. ii. 2. 50.] [Footnote 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.] [Footnote 10: Suet. Vit. S. ii. 6. 36.] [Footnote 11: C. iii. 4. 28.] [Footnote 12: Epp. i. 15.] [Footnote 13: Epp. i. 7. 1-13.] CARMINUM LIBER PRIMUS. CARMEN I. 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 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. CARMEN II. 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 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. CARMEN III. 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 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 CARMEN IV. 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 CARMEN V. 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. CARMEN VI. 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 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 CARMEN VII. 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 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. CARMEN VIII. 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? CARMEN IX. 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. CARMEN X. Mercuri facunde nepos Atlantis, 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 CARMEN XI. 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. CARMEN XII. 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 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 CARMEN XIII. Cum tu, Lydia, Telephi Cervicem roseam, cerea Telephi Laudas brachia vae meum Fervens difficili bile tumet jecur. Tunc nec mens mihi nec color 5 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 CARMEN XIV. 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, Nunc desiderium curaque non levis, Interfusa nitentes Vites aequora Cycladas. 20 CARMEN XV. 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 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. CARMEN XVI. 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 Mutare quaero tristia, dum mihi Fias recantatis amica Opprobriis animumque reddas. CARMEN XVII. 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. CARMEN XVIII. 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. CARMEN XIX. 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 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. CARMEN XX. 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. CARMEN XXI. Dianam tenerae dicite virgines, Intonsum, pueri, dicite Cynthium Latonamque supremo Dilectam penitus Jovi. Vos laetam fluviis et nemorum coma, 5 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. CARMEN XXII. 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 Solis in terra domibus negata: Dulce ridentem Lalagen amabo, Dulce loquentem. CARMEN XXIII. 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. CARMEN XXIV. 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, 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 CARMEN XXV. 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 CARMEN XXVI. 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. CARMEN XXVII. 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 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. CARMEN XXVIII. 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 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. CARMEN XXIX. 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? CARMEN XXX. 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. CARMEN XXXI. 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, Latoë, dones et precor integra Cum mente, nec turpem senectam Degere, nec cithara carentem. 20 CARMEN XXXII. 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. CARMEN XXXIII. Albi, ne doleas plus nimio memor Immitis Glycerae, neu miserabiles Decantes elegos cur tibi junior Laesa praeniteat fide. Insignem tenui fronte Lycorida 5 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. CARMEN XXXIV. 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. CARMEN XXXV. 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 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 CARMEN XXXVI. 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 CARMEN XXXVII. 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. CARMEN XXXVIII. 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. CARMINUM LIBER SECUNDUS CARMEN I. 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 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 CARMEN II. 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, 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. CARMEN III. 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 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. CARMEN IV. 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. CARMEN V. 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. CARMEN VI. Septimi, Gades aditure mecum et Cantabrum indoctum juga ferre nostra et Barbaras Syrtes ubi Maura semper 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. CARMEN VII. 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 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. CARMEN VIII. 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 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. CARMEN IX. 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. CARMEN X. 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. CARMEN XI. Quid bellicosus Cantaber et Scythes, 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. CARMEN XII. 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 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. CARMEN XIII. 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 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 CARMEN XIV. Eheu fugaces, Postume, Postume, Labuntur anni, nec pietas moram Rugis et instanti senectae Afferet indomitaeque morti,-- Non, si trecenis, quotquot eunt dies, 5 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. CARMEN XV. 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 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 CARMEN XVI. 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 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 CARMEN XVII. 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 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. CARMEN XVIII. 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 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 CARMEN XIX. 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, 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. CARMEN XX. 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, 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. CARMINUM LIBER TERTIUS. CARMEN I. 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, 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? CARMEN II. 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 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. CARMEN III. 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 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 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. CARMEN IV. 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 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 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 CARMEN V. Caelo Tonantem credidimus Jovem Regnare: praesens divus habebitur Augustus adjectis Britannis 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 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. CARMEN VI. 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 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. CARMEN VII. Quid fles, Asterie, quem tibi candidi Primo restituent vere Favonii Thyna merce beatum, 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. CARMEN VIII. Martiis caelebs quid agam Kalendis, Quid velint flores et acerra thuris Plena miraris, positusque carbo in 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. CARMEN IX. 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 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. CARMEN X. 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 Curvat, supplicibus tuis Parcas, nec rigida mollior aesculo Nec Mauris animum mitior anguibus. Non hoc semper erit liminis aut aquae Caelestis patiens latus. 20 CARMEN XI. 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, 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. CARMEN XII. 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, 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. CARMEN XIII. 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. CARMEN XIV. Herculis ritu modo dictus, o plebs, Morte venalem petiisse laurum Caesar Hispana repetit penates 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. CARMEN XV. 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 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. CARMEN XVI. 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 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. CARMEN XVII. 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 Sternet, aquae nisi fallit augur Annosa cornix. Dum potis aridum Compone lignum: cras Genium mero Curabis et porco bimestri 15 Cum famulis operum solutis. CARMEN XVIII. 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. CARMEN XIX. Quantum distet ab Inacho Codrus pro patria non timidus mori Narras, et genus Aeaci 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. CARMEN XX. 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 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. CARMEN XXI. 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. CARMEN XXII. 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. CARMEN XXIII. 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, Non sumptuosa blandior hostia Mollivit aversos Penates Farre pio et saliente mica. 20 CARMEN XXIV. 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, 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. CARMEN XXV. 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 CARMEN XXVI. Vixi puellis nuper idoneus Et militavi non sine gloria; Nunc arma defunctumque bello Barbiton hic paries habebit, Laevum marinae qui Veneris latus 5 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. CARMEN XXVII. 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 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 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. CARMEN XXVIII. 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. CARMEN XXIX. 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 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. CARMEN XXX. Exegi monumentum aere perennius Regalique situ pyramidum altius, Quod non imber edax, non Aquilo impotens Possit diruere aut innumerabilis Annorum series et fuga temporum. 5 Non omnis moriar, multaque pars mei Vitabit Libitinam: usque ego postera Crescam laude recens dum Capitolium Scandet cum tacita virgine pontifex. Dicar qua violens obstrepit Aufidus 10 Et qua pauper 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. CARMINUM LIBER QUARTUS. CARMEN I. 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 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 CARMEN II. 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 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, 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 CARMEN III. 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. CARMEN IV. 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, 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, Quas et benigno numine Juppiter Defendit et curae sagaces 75 Expediunt per acuta belli. CARMEN V. 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 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 CARMEN VI. 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 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. CARMEN VII. 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 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. CARMEN VIII. 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, 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. CARMEN IX. 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 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. CARMEN X. 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? CARMEN XI. 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 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. CARMEN XII. 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; Sed pressum Calibus ducere Liberum Si gestis, juvenum nobilium cliens, 15 Nardo vina merebere. Nardi parvus onyx eliciet cadum Qui nunc Sulpiciis accubat horreis, Spes donare novas largus amaraque Curarum eluere efficax. 20 Ad quae si properas gaudia, cum tua Velox merce veni: non ego te meis Immunem meditor tingere poculis, Plena dives ut in domo. Verum pone moras et studium lucri, 25 Nigrorumque memor, dum licet, ignium Misce stultitiam consiliis brevem: Dulce est desipere in loco. CARMEN XIII. 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 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. CARMEN XIV. 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 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. CARMEN XV. Phoebus volentem proelia me loqui 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. CARMEN SAECULARE. 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 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 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. EPODON LIBER CARMEN I. 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 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. CARMEN II. 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, 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, 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 CARMEN III. 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. CARMEN IV. 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 CARMEN V. 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 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 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 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. CARMEN VI. 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? CARMEN VII. 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 CARMEN VIII. 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 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 CARMEN IX. 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 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. CARMEN X. 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, 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. CARMEN XI. 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, 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. CARMEN XII. 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 Diligeret mulier sua quam te. O ego non felix, quam tu fugis ut pavet acres 25 Agna lupos capreaeque leones! CARMEN XIII. 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. CARMEN XIV. Mollis inertia cur tantam diffuderit imis Oblivionem sensibus, Pocula Lethaeos ut si ducentia somnos 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. CARMEN XV. 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 Tibique Pactolus fluat, 20 Nec te Pythagorae fallant arcana renati, Formaque vincas Nirea, Eheu translatos alio maerebis amores: Ast ego vicissim risero. CARMEN XVI. 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 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. CARMEN XVII. 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 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 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? SATIRARUM LIBER PRIMUS. SATIRA I. 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 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, "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 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. SATIRA II. 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 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." 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, 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. SATIRA III. 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 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 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 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. SATIRA IV. 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, 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 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 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; 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. SATIRA V. 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 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 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, 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. SATIRA VI. 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, 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 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 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. SATIRA VII. 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 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. SATIRA VIII. 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 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 SATIRA IX. 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 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 Inclamat voce; et "Licet antestari?" Ego vero Oppono auriculam. Rapit in jus; clamor utrinque; Undique concursus. Sic me servavit Apollo. SATIRA X. 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 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. 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. SATIRARUM LIBER SECUNDUS. SATIRA I. "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 _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 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." SATIRA II. 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 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 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 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 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." SATIRA III. "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, 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, 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 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 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!-- 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, 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 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 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! SATIRA IV. "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. 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. 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 SATIRA V. "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 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 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 SATIRA VI. 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 "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 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.'" SATIRA VII. "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 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 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 "Unde mihi lapidem?"--"Quorsum est opus?"--"Unde sagittas?" "Aut insanit homo aut versus facit." "Ocius hinc te Ni rapis, accedes opera agro nona Sabino." SATIRA VIII. "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 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 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 EPISTOLARUM LIBER PRIMUS. EPISTOLA I. 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 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. 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, 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. EPISTOLA II. 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, 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 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. EPISTOLA III. 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 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. EPISTOLA IV. 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. EPISTOLA V. 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. 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. EPISTOLA VI. 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 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, 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. EPISTOLA VII. 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 "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 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 Qui semel adspexit quantum dimissa petitis Praestent, mature redeat repetatque relicta. Metiri se quemque suo modulo ac pede verum est. EPISTOLA VIII. 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. EPISTOLA IX. 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, 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. EPISTOLA X. 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. 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 EPISTOLA XI. 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 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 EPISTOLA XII. 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, 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. EPISTOLA XIII. 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. EPISTOLA XIV. 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 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. EPISTOLA XV. 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 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. EPISTOLA XVI. 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, 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: 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." EPISTOLA XVII. 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. Si te grata quies et primam somnus in horam Delectat, si te pulvis strepitusque rotarum, Si laedit caupona, Ferentinum ire jubebo; Nam neque divitibus contingunt gaudia solis. 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: "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. EPISTOLA XVIII. 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 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 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 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. EPISTOLA XIX. 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 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. EPISTOLA XX. 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 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. EPISTOLARUM LIBER SECUNDUS. EPISTOLA I. 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 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 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? 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, 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. 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 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: 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 EPISTOLA II. 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 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 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 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 "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 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." EPISTOLA AD PISONES SIVE DE ARTE POËTICA LIBER. 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 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, 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 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 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 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 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 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, 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, 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: 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. 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, "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. NOTES. ODES.--BOOK I. ODE I. 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 [Greek: estin hous]. 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 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 [Greek: nussê]. 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 [Greek: lips], are 'praeceps,' '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 [Greek: machesthai tini]. 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,' [Greek: teirô], and its cognate words, and its meaning 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 [Greek: sophoi]. 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. ODE II 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, [Greek: heimenos ômoiïn nephelên] (Il. xv. 308). Virg. (Aen. viii. 720): "candentis lumine 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 [Greek: philommeidês Aphroditê]. Venus is called Erycina, from Mount Eryx in Sicily, where she had a temple. [Greek: Himeros] and [Greek: Erôs] (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. ODE III. 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 [Greek: hôs] 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 [Greek: potnia], 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 [Greek: euploia, limenias], 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 [Greek: arôgonautai], '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 [Greek: hêmisu tês psuchês] is attributed to Pythagoras. 9. _Illi robur et aes triplex_] This too is an imitation of the Greek, as Aesch. Prom. 242: [Greek: sidêrophrôn te kak petras eirgasmenos]. 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 [Greek: huein], 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: [Greek: deinôn d' aêma pneumatôn ekoimise stenonta ponton]. 'Sive' is omitted before 'tollere,' as the Greeks frequently omitted [Greek: eite] 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_] [Greek: xêrois aklaustois ommasin] (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.:-- [Greek: polla ta deina, kouden an- thrôpou deinoteron pelei. touto kai poliou peran pontou cheimeriô notô chôrei, peribruchioisin perôn hup' oidmasin. ] '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 [Greek: genos], which occurs not rarely in the Tragedians. Eurip. (Cyclops 104) has [Greek: drimu Sisuphou genos], 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 [Greek: hupo] 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, [Greek: biê Hêraklêeiê] 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. ODE IV. 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 [Greek: Phoibos Apollôn]. 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 [Greek: phlegei], '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 [Greek: thaumazein]. It occurs again Epod. iii. 10.--As to 'talis,' 'dice,' see S. ii. 3. 171, n. It was usual at feasts for one to be chosen by lot, or by throw of dice, president, called by the the Greeks [Greek: symposiarchos], 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. ODE V. 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 [Greek: chrysea] 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 [Greek: Pelagia], 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 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. ODE VI. 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 [Greek: mênin oulomenên] (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_] [Greek: diplous], 'double-minded or double-tongued,' as he is described by Hecuba in Euripides's play of the Trojan Women (v. 285):-- [Greek: hos panta takeithen enthad' antipal' authis ekeise diptychô glôssa phila ta proter' aphila tithemenos pantôn. ] '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 OEnomaus 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 [Greek: chalkochitôn]. 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.' ODE VII. 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, 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:-- [Greek: ê toi emoi treis men poly philtatai eisi polêes, Argos te Spartê te kai euryaguia Mykênê. ] She had a celebrated temple between Argos and Mycenæ called the [Greek: Hêraion]. Homer (Il. ii. 287) calls Argos [Greek: hippobaton] ('aptum equis'), the plain in which the city was placed being famous for breeding horses. 'Dites Mycenas' is later: [Greek: Mykênas tas polychrysous] (Soph. Elect. 9). 'Opimae Larissae' is Homeric; [Greek: Larissa eribôlax] (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 [Greek: eplêxe] 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 [Greek: leukonotos] 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 [Greek: kai pheugôn homôs]. 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 [Greek: saphês] in [Greek: ei Zeus eti Zeus chô Dios Phoibos saphês] (Oed. Col. 623). 29. _Ambiguam_] Of doubtful name, i.e. liable to be confounded with the old Salamis. ODE VIII. 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. ODE IX. 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 [Greek: oxeia chiôn] 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, [Greek: ôta]) 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 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 [Greek: gonu chlôron]. '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. ODE X. 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 [Greek: logios]. 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 [Greek: agônios]. 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 [Greek: psychopompos], and as the bearer of a golden wand, he was named [Greek: chrysorrapis]. This wand the Greeks called [Greek: kêrykeion], the Latins 'caduceus.' 20. _imis._] That is, Pluto and Proserpine. ODE XI. 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.' ODE XII. 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 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 Phoebus 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:-- [Greek: anaxiphorminges hymnoi tina theon, tin' hêrôa, tina d' andra keladêsomen; ] 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 Boeotia, 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 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. ODE XIII. 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' ([Greek: melancholia]). 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). ODE XIV. 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. ODE XV. 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 [Greek: Oilêos tachys Aias] (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 [Greek: polemou eu eidôs], and 'Tydides melior patre' is taken from Sthenelus's vaunt, Il. iv. 405: [Greek: hêmeis toi paterôn meg' ameinones euchometh' einai]. 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. ODE XVI. 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 [Greek: prôton archon pêlon] in Soph. Frag. (432 Dind.), [Greek: kai prôton archon pêlon orgazein cheroin]. 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. ODE XVII. 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." [Greek: Allassein, ameibein] 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 his mother, Semele, who was also named Thyone, from [Greek: thyein], '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.' ODE XVIII. 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, [Greek: mêthen allo phyteusês proteron dendreon ampelô]. 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. '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 [Greek: bassaris], 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. ODE XIX. 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 [Greek: erôs] was derived from the Greeks by the Romans. 3. _Licentia_] This is the same impersonation as the Greek [Greek: Hubris]. 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). ODE XX. 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. ODE XXI. 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 [Greek: akersekomês]. 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 [Greek: alexikakos], 'the averter of evil,' particularly in respect of Augustus, his reputed son. 'Lacrimosum' corresponds to the [Greek: dakryoeis polemos] of Homer, and 'lacrimabile bellum' of Virgil. 15. _Persas_] The Parthians. See C. 2. 21, n. ODE XXII. 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); 'integer aevi' (Aen. ix. 255); 'amens animi (Aen. iv. 203); 'praestans animi juvenis' (Aen. xii. 19). Compare [Greek: Hagnas men, ô pai, cheiras haimatos phereis] (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 [Greek: hapanthrôpon pagon]. 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 [Greek: hê Daunias]. 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 [Greek: argos]. 20. _urget_] 'lies heavily upon.' 22. _domibus negata_] 'uninhabitable.' ODE XXIII. This appears to be imitated from a poem of Anacreon, of which a fragment has been preserved in Athenæus (ix. p. 396):-- [Greek: aganôsti hate nebron neothêlea galathênon host' en hulês keroessês apoleiphtheis hupo mêtros eptoêthê. ] 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. ODE XXIV. 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 [Greek: ergô] '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 [Greek: eidôlon]. 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 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. ODE XXV. 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. ODE XXVI. 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 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. ODE XXVII. 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 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: [Greek: ouranion hoson, thaumaston hoson, amuthêton hoson, thaumasta hêlika, amêchanon hoson],--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.) ODE XXVIII. 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 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. [Greek: ammon metrein, kumata metrein] 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, [Greek: ho psammitês], 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 [Greek: moira]. 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) [Greek: Dios megalou oaristês], 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 [Greek: Poinai], or [Greek: Arai], the divinities which executed vengeance on the guilty, and in that character stirred up strife, as here represented. So Virgil (Aen. iv. 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, [Greek: steichô d' ep' autên hôs katarxômai xiphei hieros gar houtos tôn kata chthonos theôn hotou tod' enchos kratos hagnisê tricha. ] The general practice in commencing a sacrifice ([Greek: katarchesthai tôn hierôn]) 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, [Greek: leptê d' agos pheugontos ôs epên konis] (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.' ODE XXIX. 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, 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 [Greek: anô potamôn] became a proverb from Euripides (Med. 410): [Greek: anô potamôn hierôn chôrousi pagai]. 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. ODE XXX. 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 [Greek: Kupron himertan lipoisa kai Paphon perirrhyton], 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 ([Greek: Hêbê]), Hermes, the god of eloquence, Persuasion ([Greek: Peithô]), 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.) ODE XXXI. 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 [Greek: antagorazesthai]. (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' [Greek:(Latôe)]; 'O son of Lato,' or Latona. ODE XXXII. 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 Phoebus, 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,_] [Greek: Barbitos] 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 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, [Greek: ouk egô Lukon en Moisais alegô]. 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.' ODE XXXIII. 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 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. ODE XXXIV. 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 [Greek: sophia asophos]. 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 [Greek: Zeus]. 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), [Greek: termonôn t' Atlantikôn]. 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 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. ODE XXXV. 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 [Greek: Skuthas d' aphixei nomadas hoi plektas stegas Pedarsioi naious' ep' eukuklois ochois] (Aesch. P. V. 709). 'Profugus' is repeated in C. iv. 14. 42. 11. _Regumque matres barbarorum_] Orelli quotes the description in the fifth 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), [Greek: kai gar ei perix s' echei têktos molybdos]. 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 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. ODE XXXVI. 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 ([Greek: a, muein]). For Threïcia see i. 27. 2. 17. _putres Deponent oculos,_] 'will fix their languishing eyes.' The Greeks expressed 'putres' by [Greek: têkomenoi]. 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. ODE XXXVII. 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, [Greek: nun chrê methusthên kai tina pros bian pinên epeidê katthane Mursilos. ] 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 [Greek: echrên] 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 [Greek: akratês], 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 [Greek: nympholêptos], '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 [Greek: ta kena tou polemou]. 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. ODE XXXVIII. 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 more. It corresponds to [Greek: prosponein], 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.' ODES.--BOOK II. ODE I. 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 'cruoribus' is unusual, and savors of the Greek. So Aesch. Supp. 265: [Greek: palaiôn haimatôn miasmasin]. 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 [Greek: syntassein] for writing a book. Plutarch uses [Greek: syntagma] for a book. [Greek: Anataxasthai] 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 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. ODE II. 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 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 Phoenician settlement, of which there were many in Spain, whence Horace says 'uterque Poenus,' the Phoenicians 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." ODE III. 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 [Greek: historikos]. 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,--[Greek: leukê], which was white, and [Greek: aigeiros], which was dark. Virgil calls the white 'bicolor.' 'Amant,' as in C. iii. 16. 10, is used like the Greek [Greek: philousi] '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.' ODE IV. 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 [Greek: Aiantos geras] (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):-- [Greek: rhêiteroi gar mallon Achaioisin dê esesthe keinou tethnêôtos enairemen. ] 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. ODE V. 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 [Greek: peri] 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:-- [Greek: horô gar hêbên tên men herpousan prosô, tên d' au phthinousan. ] (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 [Greek: lalein], "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. ODE VI. 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. 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 [Greek: herkos], 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. ODE VII. 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 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, [Greek: Argeios hanêr authis]. 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 [Greek: rhipsaspis], 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 Phoebus 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 [Greek: hygrô], 'supple.' Theocritus (vi. 68) calls it [Greek: polygnampton selinon]. 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. 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, [Greek: thelô thelô manênai]. The Edoni were a people of Thrace (see C. i. 27. 2). ODE VIII. 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, [Greek: puri panta bebaptai]. 'Semper' belongs to 'ardentes.' 20. _Saepe minati_] 'Though they have often threatened it.' 21. _juvencis,_] This is used as the Greeks would say [Greek: pôlois]. 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. ODE IX. 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):-- [Greek: êdê dyo men geneai meropôn anthrôpôn ephthiato--meta de tritatoisin anassen. ] 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 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. ODE X. 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 'olo,' 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.' ODE XI. 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' ([Greek: trepô]), 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 [Greek: hêssôn], 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 [Greek: houtôs], 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. ODE XII. 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 [Greek: gêgeneis], '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 [Greek: te] often follows [Greek: oute], 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 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 [Greek: pezos logos] 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 [Greek: phthanein], 'to be beforehand,' 'to anticipate,'--'sometimes she is the first to snatch.' ODE XIII. 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, 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 [Greek: bous poros] requires that the name should be written thus, and not Bosphorum, as it is often spelt. The Phoenicians 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 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 [Greek: makarôn nêsoi]. 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' ([Greek: plêktron]) 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' ([Greek: eu menos], '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 [Greek: oukoun] 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. ODE XIV. 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 [Greek: adamastos]. 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 [Greek: pankoinon limnan]. 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, [Greek: hos thnêtos t' eiê kai edoi Dêmêteros aktên] (Il. xiii. 322), [Greek: hoi arourês karpon edousi] (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, [Greek: katagnôstheis ponou], as observed C. ii. 9. 17, n. 20. _Sisyphus Aeolides_] Homer too calls him [Greek: Sisuphos Aiolidês], and says he was [Greek: kerdistos andrôn], '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 [Greek: oligochronios] and [Greek: minunthadios]. 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. ODE XV. 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 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 [Greek: ton tuchonta]. Horace alludes to the ruined state of the temples in C. ii. 18. 2. ODE XVI. 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, [Greek: patridos phygas]. 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 [Greek: minynthadios] (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 [Greek: dibapha]; 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' (C. S. 25). The Parcae, who correspond to the Greek [Greek: Moirai], 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 [Greek: Moira], 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. ODE XVII. 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 [Greek: philon esti], and equivalent to 'placet.' 6. _altera,_] 'I, the other part.' Two definitions of friendship by Pythagoras are worth preserving. One is, [Greek: sômata men duo psychê de mia], and the other [Greek: esti gar hôs phamen ho philos deuteros egô]. 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 [Greek: oi synapothnêskontes]. 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_] [Greek: Dikê] and the [Greek: Moirai] were daughters of Zeus and Themis, 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 [Greek: an] 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). ODE XVIII. 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 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 [Greek: phthinein], 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 'audit' with 'non vocatus.' 'Functum laboribus,' 'when he has finished his labors,' is derived from the Greek [Greek: kekmêkota]. ODE XIX. 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 [Greek: Bakchos], 'the shouter,' is properly no more than an adjunct of [Greek: Dionysos]. 2. _docentem--discentes_] These correspond to the terms [Greek: didaskein] and [Greek: manthanein], 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 [Greek: oxeis ta ôta], but only describes Pan as having the lower extremities like a goat, [Greek: ta katô aigi eoikôs]. 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 [Greek: dunaton esti]. 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 [Greek: thuein], '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 Rhoetus. 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 [Greek: chrusokerôs], 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 [Greek: hekatompodôn Nêrêïdôn] signifies the hundred Nereids (Soph. Oed. Col. v. 717). See note on ii. 13. 34. ODE XX. 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,' [Greek: kreisson]. 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, [Greek: andrôn makarôn homilos]; a sacred family, [Greek: hiera genea], 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.' ODES.--BOOK III. ODE I. 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 [Greek: euphêmein], 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 [Greek: estin hôs], '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 [Greek: ta Tempê]. 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' was an Eastern aromatic shrub. The Greeks called it [Greek: kostos], 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. ODE II. 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,-- [Greek: ho d' au thanatos kiche kai ton phygomachon. ] '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_] [Greek: esti kai sigas akindunon geras, ] 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 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 [Greek: Mystêria]. _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 [Greek: hysteropoinoi], [Greek: hysterophthoroi]. 'Pede claudo,' 'of limping foot,' and so, 'slow.' ODE III. 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 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 [Greek: kyklos] with or without [Greek: ouranou]. 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 [Greek: helkein] and [Greek: span]. They both occur in one verse of Euripides (Cycl. 417), [Greek: Espasen t' amustin helkusas. ] 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): [Greek: Hêrên de proseeipe kasignêtên alochon te. ] 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.' ODE IV. 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 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: 'Apulo'--'Apuliae.' 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 [Greek: kamatô addêkotes êde kai hupnô] (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): "Connubio 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 (Coeus 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 [Greek: kataibatês] 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 [Greek: cheiressi pepoithotes] (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 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 ([Greek: Typhôeus]) warred with Zeus on his own account. He belonged neither to the Titanes nor the Gigantes. Mimas and Rhoetus 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 [Greek: peiran]. 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 [Greek: Gaia], the Earth, and Uranus, whence they were called [Greek: gêgeneis] (C. ii. 12. 6). 74. _luridum_] This word is perhaps a contraction of 'livoridus,' and akin to 'lividus,' and so to the Greek [Greek: pelidnos] (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.' ODE V. 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. ODE VI. 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 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. 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 [Greek: ex hapalôn onychôn], 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. ODE VII. 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 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 Proetus, 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), [Greek: hôs de petros ê thalassios klydôn adouei.] (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. ODE VIII. 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 ([Greek: libanôtis]). 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 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.' ODE IX. 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.' ODE X. 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 [Greek: paraklausithyron], 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 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. ODE XI. 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,' '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_] [Greek: hysterophthoron dikên]. See note on C. iii. 2. 32. 31. _potuere_] 'they had the heart.' This would be expressed by [Greek: etlêsan] 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.) ODE XII. 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. ODE XIII. 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 [Greek: Seirios]. 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. ODE XIV. 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 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 [Greek: euphêmeite] 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. ODE XV. 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. ODE XVI. 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' 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 [Greek: philei], 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 [Greek: olet' en Thêbaisi gynaiôn heineka dôrôn] (Odyss. xv. 247), and of his wife Eriphyle, [Greek: hê chryson philou andros edexato timêenta] (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), [Greek: aiei de pleonôn echei himeros auton]. 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,' '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, [Greek: lanthanei olbiôteron on]. 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),-- [Greek: hebdomatê d' hikomestha Lamou aipu ptoliethron, têlepulon Laistrugoniên. ] 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. _Nec si plura velim_] Compare Epod. i. 31: "Satis superque me benignitas tua Ditavit." There was a Mygdonia in Mesopotamia, and Bithynia is said to have been called by that name of old. The Mygdonia of Asia Minor (part of Macedonia was also so called) was not very clearly defined. That Horace identifies it with Phrygia appears from C. ii. 12. 22. 'Alyattei' is the genitive of 'Alyatteus,' another form of 'Alyattes' (king of Lydia), as Achilleus -ei of Achilles, Ulixeus -ei of Ulixes. 'Vectigalia' means properly the public revenue, but is here used for a private fortune, not without reason, as he is comparing himself with kings. See S. ii. 2. 100, n. 42. _Multa petentibus_] The same sentiment in different words appears below (C. iii. 24. 63). 'Bene est' occurs again in S. ii. 6. 4, 8. 4. Epp. i. 1. 89. It is familiarly known in the formulas S. V. B. E. V. ('si valeas bene est, valeo'), which the Romans prefixed to their letters. ODE XVII. The short Ode, C. i. 26, and this Ode, were addressed to the same person, L. Aelius Lamia (see Introduction to C. i. 26). He was a young man of good birth, being of the Aelia gens, who were plebeians, but of old standing. Like other families, the Lamiæ were, perhaps, glad to trace their origin to a fabulous hero, and believed their founder to be Lamus, mythical king of the Læstrygonians, and builder of Formiæ, whence they must have migrated to Rome (see last Ode, v. 33, n.). Horace had an affection for the young man, Lamia, whose father was a friend of Cicero's, and died rich. It is not improbable that the Ode was written at his house in the country, whether at Formiæ or elsewhere. It is an exhortation to Lamia to make preparations for enjoying a holiday on the next day. The verses have no particular merit, and could have cost Horace little labor. He must have written many such that have never been published, and these two Odes were probably included in the collection out of compliment to Lamia. Lamia had a brother Quintus, who died early, to the great grief of Lucius (see Epp. i. 14. 6). In two passages Juvenal alludes to the Lamiæ as a family of distinction (S. iv. 154, and vi. 385). Tacitus (Ann. vi. 27), mentioning the death of this Lamia, says his 'genus' was 'decorum.' Argument.--Ælius, ennobled with the blood of Lamus,--for like all the Lamias thou derivest thy birth from him who founded Formiæ and ruled on the banks of the Liris,--a storm is coming; get in the wood while it is dry: to-morrow the servants shall have holiday, and thou wilt do sacrifice to thy genius. 2. _Quando_] The same as 'quoniam,' 'since.' 4. _memores--fastos,_] These were the family records and genealogies, not the Fasti Consulares, in which only this Lamia would appear, and that after Horace wrote. He was consul A.D. 3. The words occur again in C. iv. 14. 4: "Per titulos memoresque fastos." 'Fastos' and 'fastus' (2d and 4th declension) are both found. See Epp. ii. 1. 48, n. 5. _ducis_] What Horace says is nearly as follows: 'Since it is reported the first Lamiæ had their name from Lamus, and the same tradition has come down through their successors in the annals of the family, no doubt you draw your origin from that noble source';--in which there is nothing more than a little jocular irony, which would amuse Lamia, whether it pleased his family pride or not. The poets, both Latin and Greek, often omit the personal pronoun, even when it is wanted for emphasis, as here and in C. i. 1. 35, "Quod si me lyricis vatibus inseris," where Mæcenas is emphatically addressed; and in C. iv. 2. 33. 6. _Formiarum_] See Introduction. 7. _Maricae Litoribus_] This means the coast of Minturnæ on the borders of Latium and Campania, where the nymph Marica, the mother of Latinus, first king of Latium, was worshipped. 8. _Lirim_] See C. i. 31. 7. 9. _Late tyrannus_] 'lord of a wide domain.' 12. _aquae--augur_] See below, C. iii. 27. 10, "Imbrium divina avis imminentum"; and Ovid (Am. ii. 6. 34), "pluviae graculus auctor aquae." 14. _cras Genium mero Curabis_] 'Genium curare' is a phrase not found elsewhere. 'Placare' and 'indulgere' are the usual words. Lamia was going to keep holiday next day, on what occasion does not appear, but as it was usual to offer sacrifice to the Genius on birthdays, it may have been his birthday Lamia was going to keep. As to 'Genius,' see Epp. i. 7. 94. 16. _operum solutis._] This construction, like "desine querelarum" (C. ii. 9. 17), and other expressions there quoted, is similar to the Greek, [Greek: ponou lelymenois]. On these constructions Prof. Key says (L. G. § 940, and note): "Occasionally verbs of removal or separation have a genitive of the 'whence' in old writers and in poetry." "The legal language here, as in so many cases, retained traces of the old construction, as in 'liberare tutelae.'" "Me omnium jam laborum levas" is a like construction quoted by Mr. Key from Plautus. ODE XVIII. It was usual to offer sacrifice to Faunus at the beginning of spring, though the Faunalia did not take place till the Nones of December. (See C. i. 4. 11, and i. 17.) This Ode is an invocation to that deity, and is very elegant, especially the picture of rustic security and cheerfulness in the last two stanzas. The confusion of the Greek Pan with the Latin god Faunus has been noticed before. Argument.--Faunus, come with mercy to my fields, and depart gentle to my young lambs, for I sacrifice and pour libations to thee at the fall of the year. When thy Nones come round, the old altar smokes with incense; the flocks sport in safety, the oxen are at rest, and the village is gay; the wood sheds its leaves, and the clown smites his enemy, the earth, in the dance. 3. _incedas abeasque_] Faunus was not a stationary divinity. He was supposed to come in the spring, and depart after the celebration of his festival in December. From 'parvis alumnis' we may suppose this Ode was written in spring. The word occurs below (C. iii. 23. 7). 5. _Si tener pleno cadit haedus anno,_] 'If a young kid is offered in sacrifice at the end of the year'; when the Faunalia took place. Horace claims the protection of Faunus for his lambs in the spring, on the ground of his due observance of the rites of December, which he then goes on to describe. Horace here makes the wine-cup the companion of Venus, as he made 'Jocus' in C. i. 2. 34. See also C. i. 30. 5, sqq. He uses both forms, 'crater' and 'cratera.' 'Vetus ara' may be an old altar Horace found on his farm when he came into possession of it. 13. _audaces_] 'fearless,' on account of the presence of Faunus. 14. _Spargit--frondes;_] It does not quite appear why the wood should be said to shed its leaves in honor of Faunus: it may be in sorrow for his departure, or as a carpet for him to tread upon, or for his worshippers to dance upon. 16. _Ter_] 'Ter' expresses the triple time of the dance, from which is derived the verb 'tripudiare.' 'Fossor' is put generally, I imagine, for a laboring husbandman, who may be supposed to have no love for the earth that he digs for another. ODE XIX. The impetuosity and liveliness of this Ode are remarkable. The occasion for which it was composed was a supper in honor of Murena's installation in the college of augurs. In regard to this person see C. ii. 2 and 10. Telephus is no doubt a fictitious name. It occurs in two other Odes (i. 13 and iv. 11. 21), and efforts have been made to prove the person to be the same in each case. But there is no resemblance. All the names at the end are fictitious. Argument.--Talk not of Codrus, and Inachus, and Trojan wars: tell us what we may get a cask of Chian for, who will give us bath and house-room, and at what hour we may dine to-day. A cup, boy, to the new moon, another to midnight, and a third to Murena the augur; three and nine, or nine and three; the rapt poet loves the nine; pure, the Graces forbid. Let us be mad: bring music, scatter roses, let old neighbor Lycus and his young ill-sorted partner hear our noise and envy us. Rhode runs after thee, Telephus, with thy beautiful hair and bright face: as for me, I am wasting with love of Glycera. 1. _Quantum distet ab Inacho,_ &c.] The number of years between Inachus, first king of Argos, and Codrus, the last king of Athens, is said to be eight hundred. 3. _genus Aeaci_] The sons of Æacus, king of Ægina, were Telamon, the father of Ajax and Teucer, and Peleus, the father of Achilles. 4. _sacro--sub Ilio:_] This is Homer's epithet, [Greek: Troiês hieron ptoliethron]. 5. _Chium--cadum_] This is the same form of expression as "Laestrygonia amphora," "Sabina diota"; and the vessels were all the same. On the Chian wine see Sat. ii. 8. 15. The best foreign wines were Thasian, Lesbian, Chian, Sicyonian, Cyprian, and Clazomenian. Only the second and third are mentioned by Horace, who puts them together in Epod. ix. 34. They were mild wines. Lesbian he speaks of as 'innocens' (C. i. 17. 21). 6. _quis aquam temperet ignibus,_] This is equivalent to 'who can give us a bath?' So Cicero, writing to Pætus, with whom he was going to dine (ad Fam. ix. 16, sub fin.), says, "ego tibi unum sumptum afferam quod balneum calfacias oportebit." 8. _Pelignis--frigoribus_] Cold as severe as the Peligni know, who inhabited a high part of the Apennines in the Samnite territory. 'Quota' means at what hour we may sup. 9. _Da lunae propere novae,_] The scene is suddenly shifted to the supper table. On the construction with the genitive, see above (C. iii. 8. 13). 'Lunae novae' means the Kalends, which was a feast day. (Compare iii. 23. 2, "nascente luna.") The months of Numa's calendar being lunar, the association of the new moon with the first day of the month remained after the calendar was altered. A cup for midnight does not appear to have any other meaning than an excuse for another toast. "Dicetur merita Nox quoque naenia," he says below (C. iii. 28. 16). 10. _auguris Murenae:_] See Introduction. 11. _tribus aut novem Miscentur cyathis_] The 'cyathus' was a ladle with which the drink was passed from the mixing bowl to the drinking cup. The ladle was of certain capacity, and twelve 'cyathi' went to the sextarius. Horace therefore says in effect, "Let the wine be mixed in the proportion of three cyathi of wine to nine of water, or of nine of wine to three of water." He says, also, the poet under the inspiration of the Muses likes the stronger proportion, but the Graces (in other words, good breeding and good temper) forbid the wine to be drunk pure, lest it lead to intoxication and strife. 'Tres supra' means the 'three over' the largest proportion of nine, which if added, would make the drink 'merum.' 'Commodis,' fit and proper 'cyathi,' that is, bumpers. 'A proper man' is 'totus teres atque rotundus,' in whom nothing is wanting. 13. _Qui Musas amat_] The Muses are 'impares' as being nine in number. 'Attonitus' is equivalent to [Greek: embrontêtos], 'struck from heaven,' that is, inspired. 17. _Nudis_] See C. i. 30. 5. 18. _Insanire juvat:_] This is a repetition of C. ii. 7. 28. Berecyntus was a mountain in Phrygia, where Semele was worshipped. Compare C. iv. 1. 22, sqq. 22. _sparge rosas;_] See Epp. i. 5. 14. ODE XX. There can be very little doubt that this Ode is imitated from the Greek. It represents in heroic language a contest between Pyrrhus and a girl not named, for the affections of the handsome Nearchus. The last two stanzas furnish a striking group for a picture. The passion of the jealous girl, as of a lioness robbed of her whelps, and the conscious pride of the beautiful boy are happily painted. Argument.--As well rob the lioness of her whelps, Pyrrhus. That girl will rush to the rescue of her lover, and, like a coward and thief, thou shalt quit the field after a hard fought battle, in which he shall stand like Nireus or Ganymede, the umpire of the fight. 3. _inaudax_] This word, which is not found elsewhere, is a direct translation of [Greek: atolmos], 'cowardly.' 5. _per obstantes_] i.e. 'when, like the lioness bursting through a host of huntsmen, she shall rush to the rescue of Nearchus, more beautiful than all (insignem).' 8. _Major an illi._] 'A mighty struggle, whether the prize shall rather come to thee or to her.' If this were expressed in Greek it might run [Greek: potera hê leia soi meizôn hêxei ê ekeinê], where [Greek: meizôn] would be equivalent, not to [Greek: leias meizon meros], but to [Greek: mallon]. Probably Horace found [Greek: meizôn], in the original he copied from, in some such combination as I have supposed. 'Certamen' has no regular government. The construction, however, is quite intelligible without supplying 'est' or 'erit,' as some propose. 11. _Arbiter pugnae_] Nearchus is represented as standing in doubt to which of the combatants he shall yield himself, with bare shoulder, his long perfumed hair floating in the wind, and his naked foot upon the palm of victory, looking like Nireus, [Greek: hos kallistos anêr hypo Ilion êlthen tôn allôn Danaôn met' amymona Pêleiôna] (Il. ii. 673), or like Ganymede. The difference between the perfect 'posuisse' and the present 'recreare,' the one as representing a complete, and the other a continuing action, is here clearly marked. (See C. i. 1. 4, n.) Of 'fertur' it is difficult to fix the exact meaning. It looks like a literal copy, and indicates a composition not flowing from the mind of the writer, and therefore liable to some confusion, though to him it was plain enough. 15. _aquosa Raptus ab Ida_] Ganymede was said to have been the son of Tros, but the legends respecting him differ in every particular. Horace adopts that which supposes Jupiter to have sent his eagle to carry him away from Ida, which range was the source of most of the rivers of Troas, and is therefore called 'aquosa.' ODE XXI. M. Valerius Messalla Corvinus was an acquaintance of Horace, probably as early as his residence at Athens, and they were together during the campaigns of Brutus and at the battle of Philippi, after which Messalla took part with M. Antonius, till, in consequence of his proceedings with Cleopatra, he left him and joined Augustus, for whom he fought at Actium, and who always held him in high esteem. After the peace, he took up literary pursuits and oratory, and having a large fortune, he patronized literary men, and Horace, it would seem, in particular. By Horace he is called indiscriminately Messalla (which means 'of Messana') and Corvinus, which name was given to a distinguished member of the Valeria gens three hundred years before Messalla was born. This Ode is addressed to the 'testa' containing the wine intended to be drunk at a supper to which Messalla had invited himself. Argument.--Thou amphora, who was filled at my birth, whether thy mission be one of sorrow or joy, of strife or love or sleep, come down, for Corvinus would have my better wine. Learned though he be, he will not despise thee, for neither did old Cato. Thou dost soften the inflexible, and open the heart, and bring back hope, and give strength and courage to the humble. Liber, Venus, and the Graces shall keep thee company till the dawn of day. 1. _O nata mecum_] Horace was born B.C. 65, when L. Manlius Torquatus and L. Aurelius Cotta were consuls, in which year the amphora addressed is here said to have been filled. (See above, C. iii. 8. 12, n.) 'Testa,' which signifies properly any earthen vessel, was used to express the 'dolium' as well as the 'amphora.' Here it means the latter. In Epod. xiii. 6, Horace had before referred to this wine. The force of the epithet 'pia' is more easily felt than rendered. 'Gentle' is Francis's translation, and I know no better, for the meaning is to be derived from its connection with 'facilem somnum.' 5. _Quocunque--nomine_] 'on whatever account.' 'Nomen' signifies an entry in an account (see Epp. ii. 1. 105, n.). The derived sense of the word as used here is better illustrated by Cic. de Am. c. 25: "Multis nominibus est hoc vitium notandum," i.e. on many accounts, or in many particulars. 'Lectum' applies to the gathering of the grape from which the wine was made. The word 'descende' is used because the apotheca was in the upper part of the house. (See above, C. iii. 8. 11, n.) For the same cause 'deripe' is used (C. iii. 28. 7). 'Dignus' is used sometimes by the later prose-writers with an infinitive. In Horace's day and by Cicero it was used only with the relative pronoun in construction with a verb. 'Languidiora' corresponds to 'languescit mihi' above (C. iii. 16. 35). 9. _madet_] 'is steeped in.' This word would hardly have been used for 'imbuitur' in this sense on any other occasion. 11. _Narratur et prisci Catonis_] This is the Cato mentioned on C. ii. 15. 11. His being fond of wine is most likely an invention of Horace's. 13. _Tu lene tormentum ingenio_] 'Thou appliest a gentle spur to the usually ungenial temper.' 'Duro ingenio' means the reserved temper whose sympathies and purposes are not easily drawn out, as in Terence (Phorm. iii. 2. 12), "Adeon' ingenio esse duro te atque inexorabili." 14. _sapientium_] This applies to the philosophical and thoughtful (as 'sapientia' is put for philosophy, C. i. 34. 2), who have little to do with mirth till they are brought out of themselves by cheerful company. It is said that in his Odes Horace always uses the termination 'ium' for the genitive plural of nouns ending in 'ens,' and for participles the termination 'tum.' But the instances of either are not numerous enough to determine a rule, and the so-called nouns are usually participles, as 'sapiens' is. 18. _cornua_] That is, strength, and confidence, of which horns were the symbol. See C. ii. 19. 30, n. 19. _Post te_] "Quis post vina gravem militiam aut pauperiem crepat?" (C. i. 18. 5.) As to 'apices,' see C. i. 34. 14. 21. _Te Liber_] He says, 'Thee, Liber, and Venus (if she will be cheerful and come), and the Graces slow to loose the bond that binds them, and the burning lamps, shall protract even until Phoebus on his return puts the stars to flight.' The meaning is, the wine shall go round and the lamps shall burn, with jollity and love (women commonly were of the company on these occasions) and good humor for our companions, till sunrise. 22. _Segnesque nodum solvere_] 'unwilling to be separated.' As Horace represents the Graces, naked, or with loose robes (C. i. 30. 5, n.), 'nodum' cannot signify the zone, as some commentators say. It seems to mean the bond that unites them. They are usually grouped with their arms intertwined. Here they represent good humor, as opposed to brawling. 23. _Vivaeque producent lucernae,_] See C. iii. 8. 14. ODE XXII. Horace on some occasion thought fit to dedicate a pine in his garden to Diana, and wrote these two stanzas as an inscription perhaps. The dedication of trees to particular divinities was not uncommon. Argument.--Diana, who protectest the mountains and woods, and deliverest women in childbirth, to thee I dedicate this pine, and will offer thee the sacrifice of a boar. 1. _Montium--nemorumque,_] See C. i. 21. 5, and C. S. 1. Diana shared with Juno the attributes of Lucina, the divinity that brings children to the birth, as explained on C. S. 13. Diana was 'Diva triformis,' as being Luna in Heaven, Diana on Earth, and Hecate in Hell; whence Virgil speaks of "Tergeminamque Hecaten tria virginis ora Dianae" (Aen. iv. 511), alluding (as Horace does) to the statues of the goddess, with three faces, set up where three roads met, so that she could look down all three at once, from which she was called Trivia. 2. _laborantes utero_] For 'parturientes.' 5. _tua--esto_] 'be sacred to thee.' 6. _Quam per exactos ego laetus annos_] The antecedent to 'quam' is implied in 'tua.' 'Per exactos annos' means 'every year,' as each year is finished. 7. _obliquum meditantis ictum_] This expresses the way in which a boar strikes at an object with one of its projecting tusks, with which a wild hog has not rarely been known, when incautiously pursued, to rip open a horse's belly. See Ovid, Met. viii. 344: "obliquo latrantes dissipat ictu." ODE XXIII. Horace, wishing to embody the principle that any offering to heaven is acceptable according to a man's means (see note on v. 20), put it into the form of an address to the plain and pious Phidyle, a person of his own creation, bringing a humble offering to her Lares with doubts as to its acceptance, or lamenting that she could not, for her poverty, offer a worthier sacrifice. Argument.--My humble Phidyle, lift thy hands to heaven, and bring the Lares but incense, fresh corn, and a sucking-pig, and they shall protect thy vines and fields and lambs. Herds and flocks, fed on Algidus or Alba, are for the pontifices: do thou but crown thy gods with rosemary and myrtle, for it is the clean hand and not the costly sacrifice that comes with acceptance to the altar. 1. _supinas_] The clasping of the hands in prayer does not seem to have been usual with the ancients. 'Supinus' and [Greek: huptios] contain the same element, and both signify 'upturned.' The 's' in the Latin word corresponds to the aspirate of the Greek, as in 'silva' and [Greek: hulê]. As to 'nascente Luna,' see C. iii. 19. 9, n. Phidyle is derived from [Greek: pheidesthai], and means 'thrifty.' The prose form of 'hornus' is 'hornotinus.' 4. _Lares_] These were the Manes or spirits of deceased members of a family, who were worshipped as Penates or household gods (see below, v. 19, and Epp. ii. 2. 209, n.). Their altar was usually in the atrium or entrance-hall. They had libations and prayers offered to them daily at the principal meal, and had especial sacrifices on the Kalends, Nones, and Ides. 5. _Africum_] See C. i. 1. 15. 7. _dulces alumni_] 'Alumnus,' for a lamb, occurs above (C. iii. 18. 4). 8. _Pomifero grave tempus_] 'The deadly time when the year brings round the fruit,' i.e. Autumn (S. ii. 6. 18). 10. _Devota_] In the oak woods of Mount Algidus (in Latium) and the pastures of Alba were fed swine and cattle, especially for sacrifice. 15. _marino Rore_] 'Rosmarinus' is the name of a plant which grows wild in warmer climates than ours. We call it rosemary, after the Latin name, which the ancients supposed to be composed of 'ros' and 'marinum,' 'sea-dew.' It is rather sea-rose, 'rosa marina.' 17. _Immunis aram_] 'If the hand be innocent that touches the altar (not more welcome with sumptuous victim), it appeaseth the angry Penates with pious meal and crackling salt.' 'Immunis' signifies 'pure.' It does not occur elsewhere in this sense without a genitive. 19. _Penates_] The Penates of a family included the Lares, to whom Phidyle is supposed to be sacrificing. But other gods who were supposed to protect households and to promote the peace of families were counted Penates, and among them Jupiter, Juno, and Vesta. 20. _Farre pro et saliente mica_] This means the salted meal offered in sacrifice. The Roman practice and the Greek were different. The [Greek: oulai] and [Greek: oulochytai] were the entire grain of barley mixed with salt. The grain was not pounded by the Greeks; by the Romans it was, and the salt mixed with it. So "Dant fruges manibus salsas" (Aen. xii. 173). Socrates was the first among the ancients, as far as is known, who took the view here given of the gods and their offerings. His opinions are related by Xenophon (Memor. i. 3. 3), and they are confirmed by the highest authority, which tells us, that "if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, not according to that he hath not" (2 Cor. viii. 12). ODE XXIV. This Ode is of the same class, and was probably written about the same time as the early ones of the third book, i.e. about A.U.C. 728. It deals with the licentious abuses of the times, and points indirectly to Augustus as the real reformer of them, as in the second Ode of the first book. The variety of images and illustrations in this Ode is very remarkable, and they are particularly well chosen and original. There is none that exhibits Horace's peculiar style more completely than this does. Argument.--Let a man be as rich and extravagant as he may, yet, when Fate overtakes him, fear and death will seize him. The wandering tribes of the North--with their free plains and toils equally shared, where step-mothers are kind and wives are obedient and chaste, and where crime meets with its reward--are happier than we are. He who would gain a name for future times (for merit is only recognized after death), let him put a check upon the licentiousness of the age. Of what use is it to complain, if crime goes unpunished? Of what use are laws without morals? We are running everywhere in quest of money, urged on by the shame of poverty. If we really repent, let us give our gold to the gods, or cast it into the sea, eradicate the seeds of avarice, and strengthen our minds with nobler pursuits. Our youth are idle: their fathers lay up wealth by fraud: for, let riches increase as they will, they always fall short of men's desires. 1. _Intactis_] Cn. Pompeius, Marcellus, and others, had entered Arabia Petræa; but Arabia Felix, which is here referred to, had not yet been invaded. The disastrous expedition under Ælius Gallus did not take place till B.C. 25, which was probably after the composition of this Ode. See C. i. 29, Int. India and Arabia are again coupled, Epp. i. 6. 6. 3. _Caementis licet occupes_] This is explained by C. ii. 18. 20; iii. 1. 35. 4. _mare Apulicum,_] This would apply to the bay on which Tarentum is situated, and there the Romans had handsome villas. Horace, however, had the other sea more in mind, perhaps with reference to Baiæ in particular, that place being situated on the northern projection of the Sinus Cumanus. 6. _Summis verticibus_] This has been variously explained. It probably means, 'when stern Fate has driven her adamantine nails into thy head' (that is, to kill thee). 8. _Non mortis laqueis_] Death entangling men in his net is not an uncommon idea with the poets. The same occurs in the Psalms: "The snares of death compassed me round about" (cxvi. 3). 9. _Campestres melius Scythae_] See C. i. 19. 10, n.; 35. 9, n. Herod. iv. 46. 12. _Immetata_] This does not occur elsewhere. Virgil assigns to the golden age this freedom from enclosures (Georg. i. 125, 126). 'Liberas' means 'common property.' 14. _Nec cultura placet_] The habits of the Suevi, as described by Cæsar (Bell. Gall. iv. 1), are here assigned to the Getæ, who are included with the Scythians. "They had 100 districts ('pagi')," says he, "each of which supplied annually 1,000 soldiers, who served a year and were then relieved by others, who in their turn served a year and were relieved. Those who stayed at home cultivated the fields. They had no enclosures, and occupied the same ground only for one year." 15. _Defunctumque laboribus_] This phrase is applied to death above (C. ii. 18. 38); here it is, 'and when one has finished his work, a substitute relieves him with an equal share of the toil.' 18. _temperat_] 'holds her hands from,' 'parcit.' 19. _Nec dotata_] The wife who brought a large 'dos' with her might have a tendency to rule her husband. 'Nec fidit' means she does not trust her rich paramour ('nitido,' 'sleek') to shield her with his influence from her husband's anger. 21. _Dos est magna parentium_] 'An ample portion for wives is their virtue and that chastity which, living in unbroken bonds, shrinks from any other man (than the husband).' 27. _Pater urbium_] This is not a title found elsewhere, but is analogous to 'Pater patriae' (C. i. 2. 50, n.). With 'refrenare licentiam' compare C. iv. 15. 9, sqq. 'Post-genitis' does not occur elsewhere. 30. _quatenus_] Forcellini gives other instances of this sense, 'quandoquidem,' 'since.' See S. i. 1. 64, 3. 76. The sentiment is repeated and illustrated in the first epistle of the second book, vv. 10, sqq. 33. _Quid tristes querimoniae_] 'What is the use of complaining so sadly, if crime is to go unpunished?' There were many perhaps who complained, as Horace did, of the state of society, but he says active measures are wanted for the suppression of crime, and these Augustus resorted to, by the enactment of laws regulating expense, marriage, etc. See Epp. ii. 1. 3, n. 35. _Quid leges sine moribus_] 'But then,' he goes on, 'laws are of little use, unless the character of the age supports them, for there are vices which the law cannot reach, such as the spirit of avarice,' which he goes on to speak of. Tacitus has echoed Horace's words: "Bonae leges minus valent quam boni mores" (Germ. 19). See C. iv. 5. 22, n. 40. _Mercatorem_] On the 'mercatores,' see C. i. 31. 12, n. The enterprise of these men, and the effects their visits had on uncivilized people, are illustrated by the passing notice they get from Cæsar (B. G. i. 1). Speaking of the Belgæ, he says, "Of all these the bravest are the Belgæ, because they are farthest removed from the civilization and refinement of the Provincia (Gallia), and to them the 'mercatores' make less frequent visits than to others, importing those things which tend to make the mind effeminate." 45. _Vel nos in Capitolium_] He recommends that the rich should take their wealth and offer it to the gods in the Capitol, or throw it into the sea. 46. _Quo clamor vocat_] Multitudes, he says, would applaud such a sacrifice, and accompany those who made it to the temple. 54. _Formandae_] 'Formo' occurs in the same sense, C. i. 10. 2. S. i. 4. 121. Epp. ii. 1. 128. A. P. 307. _Nescit equo rudis_] The young are brought up in idle, dissipated habits, and instead of manly exercises they amuse themselves with the childish Greek sports and gambling (see S. ii. 2. 11, n.), while their fathers are employed in making money by fraud. 57. _Seu Graeco jubeas trocho_] The 'trochus' was a hoop of metal, and it was guided by a rod with a hook at the end, such as boys use now. 58. _vetita legibus alea,_] There were laws at Rome, as there are with us, against gaming, which practice was nevertheless very prevalent among all classes, in the degenerate times of the republic and the empire. Juvenal complains that young children learnt it from their fathers (xiv. 4). 60. _Consortem socium_] This means the partner whose capital ('sors') was embarked with his own. The Romans held it to be a very serious offence for a man to cheat his partner. Cicero (pro Rosc. Am. c. 40) says "in rebus minoribus fallere socium turpissimum est." Horace couples the crimes of cheating a partner and a ward in Epp. ii. 1. 123. 62. _improbae_] This is one of the most difficult words to which to assign its proper meaning. Forcellini gives three or four separate heads with quotations illustrative of each, under any one of which most of the examples in the others might be classed. Orelli has quoted instances (on C. iii. 9. 22) in which it is applied to labor, a jackdaw, a man, a mountain, a tiger, winter, and the Hadriatic Sea. He might have added others, as self-love (S. i. 3. 24), an old woman (S. ii. 5. 84), an angry man (S. ii. 6. 29), etc. It implies 'excess,' and that excess must be expressed according to the subject described. 'Of course, vile wealth increases; still the store falls short, and something's lacking ever.' ODE XXV. This Ode reads at first like an introduction to one on a larger scale in honor of Augustus; but we need not suppose that such a sequel ever was composed. The occasion, to judge by the enthusiasm of the language, may have been the announcement of the taking of Alexandria, B.C. 30. Argument.--Bacchus, whither dost thou hurry me? In what woods or caves shall I sing of Cæsar added to the gods, a new and noble strain unheard before? As the sleepless Euiad looks out from the heights upon the sacred hills and rivers of Thrace, so do I love to wander by the river-side and in the silent grove. O thou lord of the Nymphs, no vulgar strain will I sing. I will follow thee, for the danger of thy company is sweet. 2. _quae nemora_] The preposition before 'specus' governs both nouns. 'Spec-us' seems to contain the same root as [Greek: spe-os], the original meaning of which is unknown. The derivation of [Greek: antron] is equally uncertain. If, therefore, there is any distinction between them, etymology does not help us to determine it. 5. _meditans_] 'Inserere' may be governed by 'audiar,' or 'meditans,' or both. 'Meditari,' which is akin to [Greek: meletan], signifies 'to revolve in the mind,' and often expresses the giving utterance to that which the mind has conceived. Here it has the same meaning as Virgil's "musam meditaris avena," "meditaris arundine musam." 7. _Dicam insigne_] 'Aliquid' or 'carmen' must be supplied. 9. _Exsomnis stupet Euias_] This name for the attendants on Bacchus, like Euius, his own name (C. i. 18. 9; ii. 11. 17), is derived from [Greek: euoi] (Euoe, C. ii. 19. 7), the bacchanal cry. The Euiad catches inspiration by looking out from the hill-tops upon the haunts of the god, and so the poet turns aside from his wonted path to the river-banks and groves where Bacchus is found. The picture of the Euiad looking out with silent awe, through a moonlight winter's night, upon the quiet plains of Thrace, and drawing inspiration from contemplating the scenes that her deity frequents, is very beautiful. 11. _pede barbaro_] This refers to the troops of Mænads ([Greek: Mainades] from [Greek: mainomai], as [Greek: Thuiades] from [Greek: thuein], C. i. 17. 23, n.) celebrating the orgies of Bacchus. 12. _Rhodopen,_] This was a lofty chain which formed the western boundary of Thrace proper, and in which the Hebrus took its rise. _ut mihi_] The word that usually follows 'aeque' is 'ac.' But Horace has 'aeque ut' (C. i. 16. 7-9), and other writers have 'pariter ut,' 'non minus ut' (Prop. i. 15. 7), 'perinde ut,' which are analogous to 'non secus ut.' Of this there seems to be no other instance, but perhaps 'ut' is used in preference to 'ac,' because that word occurs in the line before. 14. _Naïadum potens Baccharumque_] These are the Nymphs mentioned, C. ii. 19. 3. The Bacchæ, as distinguished from the Naïades, are the wood-nymphs (Dryades). 19. _Lenaee,_] This is a name of Bacchus derived from [Greek: lênos], a wine-press. 20. _tempora pampino._] Compare C. iv. 8. 33: "Ornatus viridi tempora pampino Liber." ODE XXVI. This Ode represents a successful gallant's first refusal, and his mortification and wrath at his defeat. It is a purely fanciful composition. Argument.--Till now I have fought and won. Now I hang up my arms to Venus. Here, here hang my torches, my bars, and my bow. O thou queen of Cyprus and of Memphis, do but once lay thy rod upon the proud Chloe. 1. _idoneus_] He means 'till now the women liked me, and my conquests were great and glorious.' The words would be suitable to a youthful lover under the chagrin of a first disappointment. Ovid says love is a warfare, "Militiae species amor est, discedite segnes" (A. A. ii. 233); "Militat omnis amans et habet sua castra Cupido" (Am. i. 9. 1). The arms this lover proposes to hang up in the temple of Venus on the left wall, as being most propitious (but see next Ode, v. 15, n.), are the torch that lighted him to his mistress, the crowbar that broke open her door, and the bow and arrows which he carried as emblems of his passion perhaps. For what other purpose he could use them it is not easy to see. 5. _marinae_] See C. i. 3. 1, n. 9. _beatam--Cyprum_] See C. 29. 60. 10. _Memphin_] Herodotus (ii. 112) speaks of a temple at Memphis to [Greek: Xeinê Aphroditê], built by Proteus on the occasion of Paris and Helen being driven upon the coast of Egypt, according to a local legend, which makes Herodotus think that Helen herself was the [Greek: Aphroditê] in question. As to Sithonia, see C. i. 18. 9. 11. _sublimi_] 'lifted high,' that the blow might be the sharper. ODE XXVII. The subject of this Ode appears to be a journey to Greece (v. 19), proposed by a lady of Horace's acquaintance, whom he pretends to deter from her purpose, by reciting the dangers she will have to encounter, and the fate that waits upon female obstinacy, as illustrated by the story of Europa, which story occupies two thirds of the Ode, and puts aside Galatea and her journey. The length of the digression is a way with Horace (as in the story of Regulus, C. iii. 5, and of Hypermnestra, iii. 11), and Pindar took the same liberty with greater freedom. Argument.--Let the wicked go on their way with evil omens. I do but pray for thee that the storm may be averted. Be happy, go where thou wilt, and remember me, Galatea. Fear not those idle omens: but see the rising storm: I know the dangers it portends. May they fall upon my enemy rather than on thee. It was thus Europa left her girlish task, and crossed the sea by night, but feared not, till she stood on the shore of Crete. Then she cried out in anguish: "Alas! my father, a daughter's name I have abandoned; love is swallowed up in madness. What an exchange is here! Many deaths do I deserve to die. Am I awake, or is it a dream? Was it better to cross the sea than to gather young flowers at home? O that I might avenge myself on that monster, once too dearly loved! Shame on me that I left my home; shame that I delay to die. Let me go naked among lions and perish by tigers, rather than waste away in a lingering death. 'Vile girl!' my father cries, 'why dost thou not die? Here thou mayest hang by thy girdle, or dash thee on the rocks, or into the stormy waves, unless thou wouldst yield thyself a barbarian's slave.'" Then came Venus and her son, and laughed mischievously, and said: "Cease thy wrath, when the monster shall come back to give thee thy revenge. What, knowest thou not that thou art the spouse of Jove? Away with sighs. Bear thy noble destiny, for one half the world shall take its name from thee." 1. _parrae_] What this bird was is not determined. 3. _Rava decurrens_] The meaning of 'ravus' is not certain. Horace applies it to a wolf or a lion (Epod. xvi. 33), in the latter case imitating perhaps Homer's [Greek: charopoi leontes] (Odyss. xi. 611), for 'ravus' is said to be akin to [Greek: charopos]. The wolf is represented as running down from the hills of Lanuvium, because that town was near the Appia Via leading to Brundisium, where Galatea would embark. 6. _Si per obliquum_] The image of the snake shooting across the road recalls Jacob's prophecy in respect to his son Dan: "Dan shall be a serpent by the way; an adder in the path that biteth the horse's heels, so that his rider shall fall backwards" (Gen. xlix. 17). 7. _ego cui timebo_] 'For my part, on behalf of her for whom I am anxious, like a far-seeing augur, before that bird (the crow) which tells of the coming storm shall go back to his stagnant pool, the croaking raven with my prayers I will call up from the East,' which would be an omen of good weather, and the crow flying to the marsh, of bad. 'Oscines aves' were birds whose omens were taken from their note, as 'praepetes' from their flight. 13. _Sis licet felix_] There is a tenderness apart from familiarity in these two stanzas, which gives much reality to the Ode. 15. _laevus vetet ire picus_] The woodpecker was a bird of ill-omen. There was some confusion among the Romans as to the right hand and left in augury, as to which was the propitious side. The confusion may have arisen from the different practice of the Greeks and Romans in taking note of birds, the former facing the north and the latter the south, as is commonly supposed. But what is confusion to us, was none to a Roman. (C. 26. 5.) 18. _Pronus Orion._] Orion sets about the beginning of November. On 'albus Iapyx,' see C. 3. 4 and 7. 15 of the first book. 21. _Hostium uxores_] So in C. i. 21. 13, sqq., he prays Apollo to turn away war, famine, and pestilence from his country to her enemies, the Parthians and Britons. Such diversion is common with the poets, as Virgil (Georg. iii. 513), "Di meliora piis erroremque hostibus illum." The Romans used 'pueri' for children of either sex. 'Oriens' is not usually applied to the rising of a wind, as Horace applies it here. 25. _Sic et Europe_] The story of Europa, the daughter of Agenor and sister of Cadmus, carried off from Phoenicia to Crete by Zeus, under the form of a bull, is told by Ovid, at the end of the second book of the Metamorphoses. 28. _Palluit_] So 'expalluit' (Epp. i. 3. 10) and 'contremuit' (C. ii. 12. 8) are used transitively. 33. _centum--Oppidis_] See Epod. ix. 29. The description is taken from Homer's [Greek: Krêtên hekatompolin] (Il. ii. 649). Europa's speech is that of one just awake to her real position, after the terror of her voyage and the departure of her companion; left alone in a strange land, with the consciousness of her folly first coming upon her. She begins distractedly, 'Father,--alas! I have forfeited a daughter's name, and love hath given place to madness.' 37. _Unde quo veni?_] This implies, not that she was so distracted that she had forgotten whence she had come, but 'What an exchange have I made! So dear a home for this strange place!' It is all very natural and beautiful. 'Una mors' is perhaps an imitation of Sophocles (Antig. 308): [Greek: ouch hymin Haidês mounos arkesei]. 38. _Vigilansne ploro_] 'Am I awake and weeping for my foul fault, or, free from guilt, doth some vain image mock me, which, taking flight from out the ivory gate, brings me a dream?' 41. _porta fugiens eburna_] Homer (Odyss. xix. 562) describes two gates in the house of Sleep, one of them horn and the other ivory, for the exit of dreams, of which those which came out of the ivory gate were false, those out of the other, true. Virgil has imitated Homer's description, Aen. vi. 894, sqq. 44. _Carpere flores?_] Ovid makes her put flowers about the animal's neck: "flores ad candida porrigit ora," Met. ii. 861. 49. _Impudens liqui_] 'For lack of shame I left my father's house, for lack of shame I hesitate to die,' either because she deserved to die, or because her chastity was in danger. 'Orcum moror' is equivalent to 'dubito mori,' like Ovid (Heroid. ix. 146): "Impia quid dubitas Deïanira mori", but it is an unusual form. Seeing nothing but death before her, she prays to be killed at once, rather than die a lingering death by hunger, and go down to Hades robbed of her beauty. This notion is Greek, and from the Greek it is probably imitated. 'Ere ugly leanness seize my lovely cheeks, and their young victim's blood runs dry, thus in my beauty I would feed the tigers.' 60. _Laedere collum_] 'Laedere' corresponds to [Greek: lôbasthai] in Soph. Ant. 54, [Greek: plektaisin artanaisi lôbatai bion]. Several heroines ended their lives in this unromantic way,--Antigone, Jocasta, Phædra, Amata; and the tragedians have no stronger expression for suffering, than that it is enough to make one hang one's self. 61. _Sive te rupes_] As to 'sive,' see i. 6. 19, n. 'Acuta leto,' 'sharp to kill,' whose sharp edges are fatal. 66. _Aderat querenti_] Venus and Cupid come to laugh her out of her fears, and to teach her the greatness of her destiny. 67. _remisso_] Cupid's bow is unstrung, as the Scholiast says, because it has done its work with Europa. 69. _Abstineto,--irarum_] This is a Greek form, noticed before (C. ii. 9. 17). 71. _invisus_] They speak ironically. 73. _esse nescis:_] This may be 'you know not how to be' (that is, 'to bear yourself as'), or 'you know not that you are.' 'Scire' in this last sense does not usually govern the infinitive mood. 76. _Nomina_] The plural is thus used for the singular in C. iv. 2. 4, and Ovid (Tr. i. 1. 90): "Icarus Icariis nomina fecit aquis." Horace seems to give Europe half the world, and the other parts the rest. He is not speaking with exactness. ODE XXVIII. This Ode professes to be written on the day of the Neptunalia. The time is the afternoon, and the poet calls upon Lyde (an imaginary person) to come and drink with him, and sing an amebean address to the divinity of the day and the other gods usually honored on such occasions. Argument.--Lyde, bring out the best Cæcuban, and take wisdom by storm, for what can I do better on Neptune's holiday? The noon is past, make haste. Let us sing; I of Neptune and the Nereids, you of Latona and Diana; both of us together of Venus;--and we will not forget a song for Night. 2. _reconditum_] This is explained by (C. ii. 3. 8) "Interiore nota Falerni" (see note). 'Strenua' is put instead of the adverb. 4. _Munitaeque adhibe vim sapientiae._] This has something of the heroic in it: 'lay siege to wisdom in her strong-hold.' 7. _horreo_] The 'apotheca' at the top of the house, where the 'amphorae' were kept (C. i. 37. 6; iii. 8. 11, n.). 8. _Bibuli consulis_] M. Calpurnius Bibulus was consul with Julius Cæsar, B.C. 59. See C. iii. 8. 12, n. 9. _Nos cantabimus invicem_] See Argument. 12. _Cynthiae;_] Diana, the Latin form of Artemis, was born, like her brother Apollo, on Mount Cynthus, in the island of Delos. Latona (the Latin name of [Greek: Lêtô]) was their mother, by Zeus. 13. _Cnidon_] See C. i. 30. 1. 'Summo carmine' is the conclusion of their duet, not their last song. 14. _Fulgentes_] See C. i. 14. 19. We do not hear elsewhere of Venus frequenting the Cyclades. As to Paphon, see C. i. 30. 1. 15. _oloribus;_] Compare Ovid (Met. x. 717): "Vecta levi curru medias Cytheraea per auras Cypron olorinis nondum pervenerat alis." 16. _Dicetur merita Nox_] See C. iii. 19. 10. 'Nenia' is here a sort of lullaby. See Epod. xvii. 29, n. ODE XXIX. This is an invitation from the poet to his patron, pressing him to pay him a visit at his farm. He bids him throw off the cares of the state, and live for the enjoyment of the hour. The time is the dog-days. The year is uncertain. Argument.--Come, Mæcenas, the wine and oil and the flowers are ready. Stay not for ever gazing from a distance at the pleasant fields of Tibur, buried in the magnificence and the uproar, the wealth and the smoke, of the city. The rich man often likes to sup at the poor man's table. The days of drought are come back; the shepherd seeks the shade, the flock seeks the stream, not a breath is on the river-banks: but thou art distracting thyself with imaginary dangers. Heaven has wisely hidden the future from man, and does but smile at his fears. Live for the present; all else is like the stream, that now flows in peace, now is swollen to a flood, and sweeps all with it to the sea. He lives happy who lives to-day, and leaves to-morrow to Heaven, seeing that Jove himself cannot undo what is done. As to Fortune, she is fickle, and changes from day to day. If she stays with me, I am glad; if she flies, I am resigned. If the storm rages, I have no merchandise to fear for, and can put out into any sea with safety in my little bark. 1. _Tyrrhena regum progenies,_] Compare C. i. 1. 1. 'Verso' is equivalent to 'moveri' in "moveri digna bono die" (C. iii. 21. 6). The 'balanus' was an oleaginous nut of some kind, and is here put for the oil expressed from it. 5. _Eripe te morae;_] 'Morae' is the dative. 6. _Ne semper udum_] 'Udum' is an epithet commonly applied to Tibur, which stood on the banks of the Anio. The town itself was built on the side of a hill (C. iii. 4. 23), but the fields below seem to have been damp (see C. i. 7. 14) from a number of small streams which watered them. It appears that Mæcenas was sighing for the country all the time he was detained at Rome. Telegonus, son of Ulysses and Circe, was the reputed founder of Tusculum and Præneste. One of the legends of the death of Ulysses attributes it to this son. Æsula was probably a town between Præneste and Tibur, but no traces of its site remain, and Pliny says that it no longer existed in his time (iii. 5). 10. _Molem_] This signifies Mæcenas's palace on the Esquiline Hill at Rome. It is mentioned in Epod. ix. 3. 11. _Omitte_] This is the only instance in this book of an iambus at the beginning of the third verse. It occurs four times in the first book, and twice in the second. It does not occur in the fourth. 15. _aulaeis et ostro_] The meaning of 'aulaeis' is explained in Sat. ii. 8. 54. It was usual to spread tapestry to catch any dust that might fall from the ceiling. 'Aulaeis et ostro' may form one subject, or 'ostro' may mean the coverings of the couches. See S. ii. 3. 118, n. 16. _Sollicitam explicuere frontem._] This expression is repeated in Sat. ii. 2. 125: "Explicuit vino contractae seriae frontis." The perfect has the force of the Greek aorist. 17. _Andromedae pater_] Cepheus, a northern star below Ursa Minor, rises at the beginning of July. Procyon, a star of the first magnitude, in the constellation Canis Minor, and called 'Ante Canem' by a literal version of the Greek name, rises about the same time, and the sun enters Leo: see above, C. iii. 13. 8, n. 'Stella' is not commonly put for 'sidus,' the constellation, as it is here. 25. _Tu civitatem_] See Introduction. As to 'regnata,' see C. ii. 6. 11. The Seres represent indefinitely the farthest Eastern nations known to the Romans (see C. i. 12. 56). The Bactrians were formerly part of the Persian empire, and were at this time partly subject to the Parthians and partly to a Scythian race, the Tochari. Bactra was their capital. The meaning of Horace is, that Mæcenas should not trouble himself about improbable dangers. 34. _aequore_] 'Aequore' is equivalent to 'alveo,' the channel of the river. Virgil has "viridesque secant placido aequore silvas" (Aen. viii. 96). The next line describes well the quiet flow of a river. 43. _cras vel atra_] Compare C. ii. 10. 15. On 'diffinget,' see C. i. 35. 39. 'Vexit' is employed unusually for 'avexit.' 49. _Fortuna saevo_] The caprice of Fortune, represented as a coquette transferring her favors from one favorite to another, and delighting to trifle with the happiness of men, is the lowest Epicurean view of life and the world's government. But Horace writes conventionally. He has just assigned to the Father of all the ordering of men's lives. 51. _Transmutat incertos honores,_] Compare C. i. 34. 12, sqq. 53. _si celeres quatit_] Horace uses 'si' where other writers would use 'sin.' 54. _resigno_] This is equivalent to 'rescribo' in a money sense, 'to pay back.' 'Mea virtute me involvo' is a picture of self-satisfaction. The man wraps his cloak of virtue complacently around him, and sits down in contented indifference to the proceedings of Fortune, as if she had nothing to do with him, and unites himself to poverty, as to a bride without a portion. 60. _Cypriae Tyriaeque merces_] Cyprus abounded in copper and other metals, including gold and silver, together with precious stones. It exported wines also and oil. The trade of Phoenicia, which at this time formed part of the Roman province of Syria, was carried on through Sidon more largely than Tyre, which, however, was a port of some consequence under the emperors. Horace is speaking generally, and 'Tyriae merces' answered his purpose as well as any other expression. 62. _biremis--scaphae_] A two-oared boat, [Greek: elatês dikôpou]. 'Biremis' is not so used elsewhere, but for two banks of oars. 64. _feret_] See above, C. iii. 9. 12, n. 'Geminusque Pollux' is an elliptical way of expressing 'Pollux cum gemino fratre.' See C. i. 3. 2. ODE XXX. This Ode appears to have been written as an epilogue to the first three books, as C. i. 1 was the prologue. It expresses the conviction, which time has justified, that, through his Odes, Horace had achieved an immortal name. The same just pride had been shown by poets before him; as by Sappho in a poem of which the first line only has been preserved, [Greek: mnasasthai tina phami kai husteron ammeôn] (16 Bergk); and by Ennius, in the lines (see C. ii. 20. 21, n.),-- "Nemo me lacrimis decoret nec funera fletu Faxit. Cur? volito vivu' per ora virum," which words Virgil has made his own (Georg. iii. 9). Propertius (iii. 1), Ovid (Met. xv. 871, sqq.), and Martial (x. 2. 7, sqq.) have all imitated Horace very closely. Argument.--I have built myself a monument which storms shall not destroy, nor Time himself. I shall not die, but live in freshness of fame so long as the world endures. It will be said, on the banks of my native river, that I, a humble man made great, was the first to fit the Grecian strain to the lyre of Italy. Put on the bay that thou hast earned, my Muse. 2. _situ_] This word is nowhere else used in this sense. It here signifies the building, and not the site. 3. _impotens_] This word is equivalent to 'impotens sui,' 'violent,' 'intemperate.' See Epod. xvi. 62. 7. _Libitinam:_] See S. ii. 6. 19, n. _usque_] In this sense of 'continually,' 'usque' only occurs in poetry and is always joined to a verb. What follows means 'while the Pontifex Maximus shall, on the Ides of every month, go up to the Capitol to offer sacrifice, the Vestal virgins walking silently in the procession,' as they did, and the boys at the same time sang hymns. With a Roman this was equivalent to saying 'for ever.' 10. _Dicar qua violens obstrepit Aufidus_] See Introduction and C. iv. 9. 2, n. 'Violens' is not a common form of 'violentus.' It occurs again Epp. i. 10. 37, and in Persius (Sat. v. 171), "nunc ferus et violens." 'Obstrepere' is used absolutely again, Epod. ii. 27. 11. _Et qua pauper aquae_] 'Pauper' takes a genitive in S. i. 1. 79; ii. 3. 142. As to Daunus, see C. i. 22. 14, n. Apulia was badly watered. Horace calls it elsewhere 'Siticulosa' (Epod. iii. 16, n.). 12. _Regnavit_] This word, though it is used in the passive voice (see last Ode, v. 27), here only has a noun after it. Horace gives it the genitive, in imitation of [Greek: archein]. He wrote with his mind full of Greek constructions and words, and took the liberty of using them very freely. _ex humili potens,_] Horace uses the expression 'potentium vatum' in the eighth Ode of the next book (v. 26). He considered Alcæus and Sappho as his chief models in lyric poetry, which he sums up in the formula 'Aeolium carmen' here and in C. iv. 3. 12. 'Delphica lauro' is the same as 'laurea Apollinari' in the next book (C. iv. 2. 9). ODES.--BOOK IV. ODE I. It is said that Augustus wished Horace to publish another book of Odes, in order that those he had written in honor of Drusus and Tiberius (4, 14) might appear in it. If so, he collected a few written since, and some perhaps before, the publication of the three books, among which was this. He tells us (v. 6) that he was about fifty, which age he attained 10th December, B.C. 15. He professes to deprecate the attacks of Love, now that he is old. The Ode is not unlike one he wrote when he was much younger (i. 19), and it is probable both are imitations from the Greek. Argument.--Art thou at war with me again, Venus? Spare me, for I am old. Go to the young. Go to Paullus, for he is noble, handsome, clever. Give him the victory, and he will give thee in return a marble statue in a shrine of citron, with incense, music, and dancing, in his home by the Alban lake. I have no longer a heart for love and wine, and yet, Ligurinus, why do I weep and dream of thee? 2. _Rursus bella moves?_] See Introduction. 3. _Non sum qualis eram_] Epp. i. 1. 4. He here calls Cinara good, because she is dead, elsewhere he calls her 'rapax' (Epp. i. 14. 33). It seems likely that this name represents a real person, whether she appears under another name elsewhere or not, and that Horace had an affection for her. In the thirteenth Ode of this book (v. 22) her death is mentioned with feeling, and there is a reality in the references to her in all the places where she is alluded to, which cannot be connected with fiction. She was associated, in all probability, with Horace's early days. [Greek: Kynara] signifies, some say, a wild rose-thorn ([Greek: kynosbatos]); [Greek: kinara], an artichoke. 5. _Mater saeva Cupidinum_] Repeated from i. 19. 1. Horace here does not copy himself, I believe, but some Greek original. 'Flectere' is a metaphor taken from the breaking in of a horse. 6. _lustra_] C. ii. 15. 13, n. See Introduction. 9. _in domum_] 'More seasonably shalt thou keep thy revels in the house of Paullus Maximus, drawn by thy beautiful swans.' So Livy (xl. 7), "Quin comissatum ad fratrem imus." Here 'comissabere' is equivalent to 'comissatum ibis,' and therefore the reading 'in domum' is correct. [Greek: Kômasdô poti tan Amaryllida] is an expression of Theocritus just like this (iii. 1). [Greek: Kômô chreesthai es allêlous] occurs in Herodotus (i. 21). 'Purpureis,' (which signifies beauty without reference to color) savors of the Greek. 'Torrere jecur' is like Theocritus's [Greek: opteumenos ex Aphroditês] (vii. 55). 14. _sollicitis non tacitus reis_] Compare C. ii. 1. 13, where he calls Pollio "Insigne moestis praesidium reis." 15. _centum_] This is a large definite number for an indefinite. 16. _Late signa feret_] The idea corresponds to "militavi non sine gloria" (iii. 26. 2). 17. _Et quandoque_] i.e. 'whenever, with thine aid, his smiles shall beat the rich presents of his rival, he shall set thee up in marble, under a citron roof, by the shore of the Alban lakes,' of which there were two close together, the Albanus (Albano) and Nemorensis (Nemi), and on one of these it appears Fabius had a house. As to Berecyntiæ, compare C. iii. 19. 18. 'Lyrae' and 'tibiae' are in the dative case after 'mixtis.' 22. _Duces thura,_] 'Ducere' is used for drinking, and here for inhaling. It has a great variety of meanings, which the context will generally explain. 28. _ter quatient humum._] See C. iii. 18. 16. On the first few days of March, during the festival of Mars, the Salii, his priests, went in procession through the city singing and dancing, whence they are said to have derived their name. "Jam dederat Saliis (a saltu nomina ducunt)" (Ovid, F. iii. 387). The practice, according to Livy, was instituted by Numa (i. 20), "per urbem ire canentes carmina cum tripudiis sollennique saltatione jussi sunt." See Epp. ii. 1. 86. 30. _spes animi_] 'the fond trust of mutual love.' 35. The last syllable in this line is cut off. 40. _per aquas,_] C. i. 8. 8. He dreams he sees him swimming in the Tiber. ODE II. Iulus Antonius was son of M. Antonius the triumvir. He was a man of letters and a poet. In B.C. 17 the Sigambri, with two other German tribes, crossed the Rhine and laid waste part of the Roman territory in Gaul. They defeated the legate Lollius, and this disaster was sufficient to induce Augustus to go in person to Gaul, which he did, and at his approach the Germans withdrew into their own territories, and, giving hostages, obtained peace. The defeat of Lollius had caused great consternation at Rome, and the news of the barbarians' subjection was hailed with proportionate joy. Augustus did not return for two years to Rome, having meanwhile restored order in Germany, Gaul, and Spain; but it is probable this Ode was written in the expectation of his return, and while the news respecting the Sigambri was still fresh, that is to say, about the end of B.C. 16. Augustus's return to Rome was expected long before it took place (see C. 5 of this book). The general impression derived from the Ode is that Antonius had pressed Horace to write a poem in honor of Augustus's victory in the style of Pindar's [Greek: epinikia], and that he very wisely declined. At the same time he pays Antonius the compliment of saying that he could celebrate Augustus's victory better than himself. Argument.--Whoso would rival Pindar must expect the fate of Icarus. His numbers roll like a swollen river. His is the bay, whether he tune the dithyramb or sing of gods and heroes, of victors or of women bereaved. The swan of Dirce soars to the clouds. I am but as a bee, sipping the flowers of Tibur. Thou, Antonius, shalt sing of the triumphs of Cæsar, greatest and best, and of the holiday rejoicings that hail his return: and I will add my small voice to thine: and we will all sing songs of triumph, and will sacrifice, thou with bulls and cows, I with a young heifer. 2. _Iule,_] Virgil makes this name trisyllabic, after the Greek. Antonius's grandmother on his father's side was Julia, one of the Cæsars, though how related to the dictator is not known. _ceratis ope Daedalea_] Dædalus, to escape from Crete, is said to have made for himself and Icarus, his son, wings, fastened to their shoulders with wax. Those of Icarus melted, and he fell into the Ægean, part of which was called after him (see C. iii. 7. 21). As to the plural 'nomina,' see C. iii. 27. 76. 10. _nova--Verba_] The 'dithyrambus,' of which word the etymology is uncertain, was a song in honor of Bacchus, and sung at his festivals. It was wild and enthusiastic in its character. 'Nova verba' signifies words coined for the occasion, as was common, and to be expected from the nature of the poetry, of which the metre seemed to a Roman irregular and arbitrary ('lege solutis'). A few fragments remain of dithyrambic poems by Pindar. All his entire poems extant are [Greek: epinikia], odes of triumph for victors at the Olympic, Pythian, Nemean, and Isthmian games. 13. _Seu deos regesve_] Among Pindar's works were [Greek: hymnoi, paianes, parthenia, prosodia], in honor of the gods, and [Greek: enkômia], in honor of illustrious men. He may have written on the subject of the victory of Peirithous over the Centaurs (C. i. 18. 8, n.), and that of Bellerophon over the Chimæra (C. i. 27. 24). 17. _Elea_] This applies to the [Greek: epinikia] above mentioned. The plain of Olympia, on which the Olympic games were celebrated every fourth year, was in Elis, in the Peloponnesus. The chariot race and boxing ('pugilemve equumve') were the most prominent of these games. 'Equum' is put for the rider, as in A. P. 84. 21. _Flebili sponsae_] This has reference to another class of poems, called [Greek: thrênoi], 'dirges for the dead.' 23. _Aureos_] See C. i. 5. 9, n. 25. _Multa Dircaeum_] 'A strong breeze lifts the swan of Dirce,' that is, Pindar who was born at Thebes, near which was the fountain Dirce. 27. _apis Matinae_] See C. ii. 6. 15, n. Mons Matinus was in Apulia. The image here employed is very common. 'Ripas' signifies the banks of the Anio (see C. iii. 25. 13, n.). 'Operosa' describes, perhaps, the process by which nearly all Horace's Odes were produced. No great poet is more artificial, and few more skilled in concealing their art, and giving it the appearance of nature. 'Fingo' corresponds to [Greek: plattô], which word the Greeks used especially with reference to the making of honey. 'Plurimum' belongs to 'laborem.' 33. _Concines_] The pronoun, though emphatic, is omitted, which is not uncommon. (See C. iii. 17. 5.) 'Concines' has particular force, expressing a chant in which many voices are joined. 34. _feroces_] The Sigambri had earned the epithet of 'cruel' by their treatment of the Roman officers, who, having gone to collect their tribute, were taken by them and hanged, which was the beginning of this revolt. See Introduction. 35. _sacrum clivum_] The 'clivus sacer' was a declivity between the Via Sacra and the Forum, down which the triumphal processions passed. A certain number of prisoners were usually kept to walk behind the victor, and when the procession reached a certain point in the Forum, they were carried off to prison and strangled. See Epod. vii. 8. 37. _Quo nihil majus_] This flattery is repeated Epp. ii. 1. 17. The unbounded kindness which Horace received from Augustus merited the word 'melius'; in 'majus' he was not far wrong. 'Divis bonis' is repeated below (C. iv. 5. 1). 43. _Fortis Augusti reditu_] Orelli mentions that there are coins of the year B.C. 16, with the inscription S.P.Q.R.V.S. PRO S. ET RED. AVG. (vota suscepta pro salute et reditu Augusti). 44. _Litibus orbum._] A 'justitium' had been ordered by the senate; that is, a suspension of business, during which the prætor did not hold his courts. 48. _felix_] Whether 'felix' refers to Horace himself, or to the sun, is doubtful. 49. _Teque dum procedis,_] 'Triumphus' is addressed as a divinity, as in Epod. ix. 21, and Horace says, 'As thou marchest, we will shout thus thy name, Io Triumphe! and again, Io Triumphe!' 53. _Te decem tauri_] Iulus was rich. Five or six years after this he was consul. 54. _Me tener solvet vitulus_] So "nos humilem feriemus agnam" (C. ii. 17. 32). 58. _Tertium--ortum,_] 'Its young horns just bent to the form of the moon's crescent when she is three days old.' 59. _duxit_] That is, has contracted or received. 'Traxit' would do equally well, and appears in one MS. ODE III The impression produced by the publication of his three books of Odes, which had previously been known only to a few, was such as, no doubt, to silence envy, and to establish Horace in the high position he here asserts as "Romanae fidicen lyrae"; and when, after several years' silence, he produced the Carmen Saeculare in B.C. 17, it was received probably with so much favor as to draw forth this Ode. It has all the appearance of genuine feeling, and shows how much Horace had suffered from the vexatious detractions to which he was at one time subjected. It is an address to the Muse, gratefully attributing to her all his success. Argument.--He on whom thou lookest at his birth, Melpomene, derives his fame, not from the games, or from triumphs, but from the streams and woods of Tibur, inspiring him with Æolian song. They have named me the tuner of the Roman lyre, and envy assaults me no longer as it did; and to thee I owe this gift of pleasing, O Muse, who rulest the shell, and art able to give the music of the swan to the voiceless fish, if thou wilt. 3. _labor Isthmius_] The Isthmian games were celebrated every third year, on the Isthmus of Corinth, and were attended, like the Olympian games, by all the Greek states. The games were the same generally at both. 4. _Clarabit_] This word occurs nowhere else in this sense. 6. _Deliis--foliis_] This is another way of expressing 'laurea Apollinari,' 'Delphica lauro' (C. iii. 30. 15). 9. _Ostendet Capitolio:_] The triumphal processions ended at the Capitol, whither the victors went to return thanks to Jove in his temple. 10. _aquae_] The river Anio. He says the waters that flow past Tibur and the leafy groves shall make him glorious with the song of Lesbos, which he practises by the stream and in the grove. 12. _Aeolio carmine_] See C. iii. 30. 13, n. 16. _Et jam dente minus_] See Introduction. 17. _testudinis aureae_] This is Pindar's [Greek: chryseas phormingos] (Pyth. i. 1). 18. _Pieri,_] This singular is not common. Ovid uses it (Fast. iv. 222): "Pieris orsa loqui." 19. _mutis--piscibus_] The Greek [Greek: ellopas ichthys] is thus explained by some, but the meaning of that word is doubtful. 23. _Romanae fidicen lyrae,_] In Epp. i. 19. 32, he calls himself "Latinus fidicen." 'Quod spiro' means that I breathe the breath, not of life, but of poetry. Compare C. iv. 6. 29: "Spiritum Phoebus mihi--dedit." ODE IV. The history of this Ode is easily made out. The Vindelici were a tribe whose territories lay between the Danube and the Lake of Constanz, comprising the greater part of modern Bavaria and Suabia, and some part of the Tyrol. The Ræti lay to the south of the Vindelici, and reached to Lake Como on the south. These tribes, whom the historians describe as very fierce and warlike, commenced a system of predatory incursions into Cisalpine Gaul, in which they appear to have practised the greatest atrocities. Augustus was at this time (B.C. 16-15) in Transalpine Gaul, and Tiberius was with him. Drusus, his step-son, and younger brother of Tiberius, was Quæstor at Rome, and in his twenty-third year. He was required by Augustus to take the field against the offending tribes, whom he met under the Tridentine Alps and defeated signally. But, though driven from Italy, they continued their attacks upon Gaul, and Tiberius was accordingly sent by Augustus with more troops to his brother's assistance, and they between them effectually humbled the tribes, whose territories were constituted a Roman province under the united name of Rætiæ, Rætia Prima or Proper, and Secunda, which embraced the possessions of the Vindelici: these also comprised several other tribes, of whom Horace particularly mentions the Genauni and Breuni. The whole of this war took place in the spring and summer of the year B.C. 15, and we are led to suppose from C. iv. 14. 34-38, that it was brought to a conclusion in the month of August, on the anniversary of the capture of Alexandria by Augustus in the year 30 (C. i. 37, Introduction). In honor of these victories Horace composed this Ode and the fourteenth of this book, the one more expressly to celebrate the name of Drusus, the other of Tiberius. The two Odes therefore must historically be viewed together, though it seems likely that this Ode was written immediately after the victory of Drusus, while the other was composed two years afterwards, when Augustus returned to Rome. Argument.--Like the young eagle just darting on its prey, or the young lion fresh from its dam, was Drusus when he met the rude Vindelici, and made them feel what hearts could do trained under the eye of Augustus. The brave give birth to the brave. The steer and the horse have the blood of their sires, and the eagle gives not birth to the dove. But education brings out the seeds of virtue. What Rome owes to the Nerones let the Meturus witness, and the day which saw Hasdrubal defeated, and drove the clouds and the fierce African from Latium. Our strength grew and our gods returned from that day, and Hannibal was forced to cry, "As the deer might pursue the wolf, we are pursuing those we should fly. Like the shorn oak, they gave strength with every blow, as the Hydra or the monsters of Thebes. Sink them in the deep, they rise more glorious than ever, and overthrow their victor in his strength. No more shall I send messengers of victory to Carthage; fallen, fallen are our hopes, and our fortune, for Hasdrubal is gone!" The hand of a Claudius prospers, for Jove and his own sagacity deliver him from danger. 1. _Qualem_] The apodosis of this long opening (which, however, gains power as it proceeds) is to be found in the seventeenth verse. The best way to render it will be by changing the cases in 'ministrum' and 'juventas': 'as the thunderbolt's winged minister one day by youth and native strength from its nest is driven, and by the breezes of spring is fluttering taught,' etc. Virgil calls the eagle "Jovis armiger" (Aen. v. 255), which Pliny (N. H. x. 3, 4) says is his conventional title. 2. _aves vagas_] 'Vaga,' as an epithet applied to birds, corresponds to the Greek [Greek: êerophoitos]. Horace follows a legend later than Homer in the story of Ganymede (see C. iii. 20. 16). 5. _Olim_] See C. ii. 10. 17, n. 'Propulit,' 'docuere,' 'demisit,' 'egit,' are used in an aoristic sense. 9. _mox in ovilia_] 'Then on the fold by instinct quick is hurried hostile down, again on the writhing snake is sent by love of food and fight.' 13. _Qualemve laetis_] 'Or as a she-goat, intent on glad pastures, sees the lion's whelp, fresh from his tawny mother's dugs, just weaned,--she by his young tooth soon to die.' 14. _matris ab ubere_] 'Ab,' like [Greek: apo], is used absolutely; 'fresh from the dugs of his dam, yea, just weaned from the milk of his mother.' 17. _Raetis_] See Introduction. 18. _quibus Mos unde_] All we can gather from these verses is, that the Vindelici carried some species of battle-axe, that the Romans had felt the weight and edge of it, and that the Vindelici were counted a strange, wild race, whose origin and history the Romans professed to know nothing about. 21. _quaerere distuli,_] 'I ask not now,'--the question would be out of place, he means, and some commentators, agreeing with him, have discarded this stanza as an interpolation. 22. _Nec scire fas est_] C. i. 11. 1. _sed diu_] 'Sed' is commonly used after digressions to recover the thread of the subject. 24. _revictae_] That 're' is added to some verbs without materially changing their meaning, has been shown before (C. i. 31. 12, n.). 25. _quid mens_] The difference between 'mens' and 'indoles' is, that one refers to the head, the other to what we should call the heart, the disposition. 28. _Nerones._] The father of Tiberius and Drusus was Tiberius Claudius Nero, which was also the emperor's name. Drusus was Nero Claudius Drusus. The latter was not born till three months after his mother Livia married Augustus. 29. _Fortes creantur_] It is more than probable that Horace had in his mind the words of Euripides,-- [Greek: esthlôn ap' andrôn esthla gignesthai tekna, kakôn d' homoia tê physei tê tou patros] (Fr. Alcm. 7). 'Fortibus et bonis' corresponds to the common Greek expression, which it is so difficult to render, [Greek: kalois kagathois]. Those words are in the ablative case. Horace does not refer to the father of these youths, who was a worthless person, but generally to their family, the Claudia gens, among whom were many persons of distinction. They were divided into a patrician and a plebeian branch. To the latter belonged the Marcelli. See C. i. 12. 46, n. 37. _Neronibus_] Claudius Nero, who was of the family of which Tiberius and Drusus came, defeated and slew Hasdrubal, when he was coming to the help of his brother Hannibal, B.C. 207, on the banks of the Metaurus, a river in the north of Italy. Hannibal had been nearly eleven years in Italy, and had met with few reverses, but after his brother's defeat his cause failed, and, though he remained four years longer in Italy, it was far away in the mountains of the south, and the Romans ceased to be harassed by him. Horace, therefore, is accurate here. 38. _Metaurum_] See A. P. 18: "Aut flumen Rhenum." The name is formed into an adjective in both cases. 41. _adorea,_] 'Ador' was a coarse grain called by the Greeks [Greek: zeia], but the name was applied to grain in general, and in the form 'adorea' signified the supply of corn given to soldiers after a victory, and hence was used as synonymous with victory itself. 42. _Dirus_] C. ii. 12. 2, n. This is the third time this epithet is applied to Hannibal, whom with reason the Romans held in greater respect than any enemy they ever had, though 'perfidia plus quam Punica' was freely attributed to him. 'Ut,' 'ever since' (Epod. vii. 19). 'Taedas' is not torches but a forest of pines, a conflagration in which is one of the most terrific sights that the eye can witness. 'Equitavit' seems to be taken from Eurip. (Phoen. 209),-- [Greek: perirrhytôn hyper akarpistôn pediôn Sikelias Zephyrou pnoais hippeusantos en houranô kalliston keladêma. ] 51. _Sectamur ultro_] 'We are pushing on and pursuing those whom to evade and to escape is our noblest triumph.' There is often some difficulty in translating 'ultro.' 'Uls' is an old preposition involving the same root as 'ille,' and signifying 'on the other side of,' opposed to 'eis.' 'Ultro' signifies to a place beyond, as 'ultra' at a place beyond. If 'ultro,' therefore, ever means 'voluntarily,' it is not as involving the root 'vol' of 'volo,' but as implying the forwardness of the agent to do what he is not obliged or asked. With this speech of Hannibal may be compared the words Livy puts into his mouth (xxvii. 51). 54. _Jactata Tuscis aequoribus_] Virgil represents Æneas as having barely rounded the western promontory of Sicily, and entered the Mare Tyrrhenum, when the storm arose that drove him back to the coast of Africa (Aen. i. 67, iii. 705, sqq.). His voyage was prosperous after he left Sicily the second time, according to Virgil's account. _sacra_] Æneas is said to have brought with him to Rome the fire of Vesta and the images of the 'Penates publici,' who were ever after worshipped at Rome. They were the protectors of the city, as the 'Penates domestici' or 'privati' were of private houses, and like them they were worshipped as Lares. (See C. iii. 23. 19; iv. 4. 19; S. ii. 3. 26, n.) 59. _Per damna,_] See Livy (xxix. 3), "Illis Romanam plebem, illis Latium juventutem praebuisse majorem semper frequentioremque pro tot caesis adolescentibus subolescentem." 62. _Vinci dolentem_] 'Indignant at the thought of being beaten', or 'refusing to be beaten,' as "penna metuente solvi" (C. ii. 2. 7), 'a wing that will not melt.' The destruction of the hydra, a monster with nine heads, each of which, as Hercules knocked it off with his club, was replaced by two new ones, is the second of the labors of that hero. 63. _Colchi_] Jason, when he went for the golden fleece, sowed at Colchis part of the teeth of the dragon which Cadmus had killed, and whose teeth he had sown at Thebes. From both sprung up armed men, to whom Hannibal here likens the Romans. Echion was one of the [Greek: gêgeneis], 'earth-borns,' who helped Cadmus to build Thebes, which is therefore called after him. 66. _integrum_] That is, 'in all his strength,' 'intact,' 'unhurt.' 73. _Claudiae_] See note on v. 29. 76. _acuta belli._] This corresponds to Hom. (Il. iv. 352), [Greek: oxyn Arêa]. The same construction occurs C. iv. 12. 19, "amara curarum." 'Expediunt' means 'carry them through': 'diligence and sagacity carry them through the dangers of war.' ODE V. This Ode was written after the German victories celebrated in the last Ode and C. 14, and perhaps sent to Augustus in Gaul B.C. 14. Its professed object is to induce Augustus to hasten his return, and to describe the blessings of his reign. What were the reasons for the emperor's protracted absence, we cannot tell. It was perhaps the policy of Augustus to make his absence felt, and we may believe that the language of Horace, which bears much more the impression of real feeling than of flattery, represented the sentiments of great numbers at Rome, who felt the want of that presiding genius which had brought the city through its long troubles and given it comparative peace. There could not be a more comprehensive picture of security and rest obtained through the influence of one mind than is represented in this Ode, if we except that with which no merely mortal language can compare (Isaiah xi. and lxv.; Micah iv.). The Carmen Seculare contains much that is repeated here. Virgil's description in his fourth Eclogue may be read in connection with this Ode. Argument.--Too long hast thou left us, our guardian; fulfil thy promise and return as the spring to gladden our hearts. As the mother for her absent son, so does Rome sigh for her Cæsar. Our fields are at peace, the very sea is at rest, our morals are pure, our women are chaste, the law is strong, our enemies are silenced, each man lives in quiet and blesses thy name, as Greece that of Castor or Hercules. Long mayest thou be spared to bless us, is our prayer, both morning and evening. 1. _Divis orte bonis,_] Compare C. iv. 2. 38. 'Custos' is repeated in "custode rerum Caesare" (C. iv. 15. 17). 'Romulus' or 'Romuleus,' 'Dardanus' or 'Dardanius,' are used as the metre requires by the poets. 5. _Lucem_] 'joy.' 7. _it dies_] C. ii. 14. 5, "Quotquot eunt dies." 10. _Carpathii_] The Carpathian Sea is that part of the Ægean which lies between Rhodes and Crete, taking its name from the island Carpathus, which lay half-way between those two islands. 13. _Votis ominibusque et precibus_] 'with vows, and watching the omens, and prayers.' 18. _Nutrit rura_] The repetition of 'rura' is plainly designed. 'The ox wanders in security over the fields, to the fields Ceres gives fertility.' 'Faustitas' is a new name, not elsewhere met with, for 'Felicitas.' Velleius (ii. 89) thus describes the blessings secured by Augustus: "Rediit cultus agris, sacris honos, securitas hominibus, certa cuique rerum suarum possessio." 19. _Pacatum_] This means 'delivered from pirates,' who infested the Mediterranean till Augustus put them down. 20. _Culpari metuit Fides,_] 'men's faith is without reproach.' 22. _Mos et lex_] This is the combination required in C. iii. 24. 35: "Quid leges sine moribus." On the proper distinction between 'mos' and 'lex,' see article 'Jus' in Smith's Dict. Ant. 23. _Lauduntur simili prole puerperae,_] This is a way of expressing chastity derived from the Greeks. Horace is referring in these verses to a law for the suppression of adultery, passed by Augustus, B.C. 17. 24. _Culpam poena premit comes._] 'Crime is followed close by punishment.' 25. _Quis Parthum_] This stanza shows that the enemies mentioned were still objects of uneasiness; but the Parthians were at this time quiet; the most troublesome of the German tribes had been humbled by Augustus or his stepsons, and he was employed in quelling disturbances in Spain. 29. _Condit_] There are many examples of this use of 'condo,' which signifies to bring to an end, and as it were to lay up in store. "Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig-tree, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, all the days of Solomon" (1 Kings iv. 25). 31, 32. _et alteris Te mensis adhibet deum;_] 'and invites thee, as a god, to the second course.' 34. _Laribus_] At the second course, it was usual to offer libations and prayers to the Lares (see C. iii. 23. 4, n.). Dion Cass. (li. 19) says that after the battle of Actium the senate decreed that all men should offer libations to Augustus at private tables as well as in the public feasts, and that his name should be inserted in the hymns of praise as the name of the gods. As to 'pateris' see S. i. 6. 118. 37, 38. _Longas--ferias Praestes Hesperiae!_] 'Mayest thou give to Italy long holidays,' or 'seasons of rejoicing.' See Argument. 39. _dicimus uvidi_] 'Uvidus' is the same word as 'udus,' which is a contracted form. It is not formed from 'uva,' though it here means 'drenched with wine.' ODE VI. The appointment of Horace to compose the principal Ode at the Secular Games, B.C. 17, seems to have given him much pleasure, and to have given his mind a new stimulus in favor of ode-writing. To the honor thus conferred upon him we owe, perhaps as much as to Augustus's bidding, this fourth book, of which the third, sixth, eighth, and ninth, all bear marks of the legitimate pride that circumstance awakened. This sixth Ode is a kind of preface to the Secular Ode, and dwells chiefly on the praises of Apollo as having been the slayer of Achilles, and thereby having preserved Æneas to be the founder of the Roman family; and having prayed for and obtained the help of that god for the task he is going to perform, Horace turns, as choragus, to the members of his chorus, consisting of twenty-seven boys and as many girls of noble birth (C. S., Int.), and instructs them in their duty. Argument.--O thou, the punisher of Niobe and Tityos, and the slayer of Achilles, he who shook the walls of Troy was no match for thee, but fell under thy strength as the pine-tree laid low by the axe, or the cypress by the east wind. He would have taken Troy, not by guile but by cruel force, but that Jove had granted Æneas to thy prayers and those of his dear Venus. O Apollo, support the honor of the Roman Muse. His spirit is upon me: ye virgins and boys, keep time to my song, and sing of Apollo and Diana. O damsel! when a bride, thou shalt look back and say, "When the age brought back its festival, I sang the pleasant song that the poet Horace made." 1. _Dive,_] The purpose of the Ode being to invoke the assistance of Apollo for the composition of the Secular Ode, the invocation is suspended here, and not taken up again till the praises of the god have been sung, as the avenger of crime and the destroyer of Achilles. _proles Niobea_] The number of Niobe's children is stated variously by different authors. The version best known is that which Achilles gives to Priam, when he is comforting him for Hector (Il. xxiv. 602-617), that she had six sons and as many daughters, and that, because she had boastfully compared the number of her offspring with that of Lato's, who had but Artemis and Apollo, these two shot all her children, who were turned to stone by Zeus. She was afterwards changed to stone herself. Considerable remains of a group of figures, said to be by Scopas (C. 8. 6), representing Niobe and her children, exist in the Gallery at Florence. _magnae--linguae_] This is a close copy of [Greek: Zeus gar megalês glôssês kompous Hyperechthairei] (Soph. Antig. 127). 2. _Tityos_] See C. ii. 14. 8, n. 3. _altae_] This is an Homeric epithet for Troy, [Greek: Ilios aipeinê]. 4. _Phthius Achilles,_] See C. ii. 16. 19, n. The death of Achilles by the hand of Apollo was foretold by Hector (Il. xxii. 358, sqq.), and is stated by Sophocles (Philoct. 334),-- [Greek: tethnêken andros oudenos theou d' hypo toxeutos, hôs legousin, ek Phoibou dameis. ] The common legend assigns it to Paris, but not without Apollo's help (Virg. Aen. vi. 57). The country from which Achilles is said to have come was Phthiotis in Thessaly. 14. _male feriatos_] 'keeping untimely holiday.' The chorus in the Troades of Euripides (541, sqq.) relates how there was singing and dancing and joy in the city for the departure of the Greeks, when the cry of battle was suddenly heard, children clung to their mothers' garments, armed men kept issuing from the horse, and murdered the Trojan youth at the altars and in their beds. See also Virg. Aen. ii. 248. 17. _captis_] This is not a genuine reading, but the true word is lost. 23. _ductos_] Aen. i. 423: "Pars ducere muros." The Greeks would say [Greek: toichous elaunein]. 'Potiore alite' is 'under better auspices.' As observed before, the auspices were taken when a town was to be built. Here Rome is meant. 25. _Doctor argutae_] Apollo had in later times the title of [Greek: mousagetês] as leader of the Muses' choir and their instructor. 26. _Xantho lavis amne crines,_] See Epod. xv. 9, about Apollo's hair. The river Xanthus here mentioned was in Lycia (see C. iii. 4. 62). 27. _Dauniae_] See C. i. 22. 14, n. 28. _Levis Agyieu_] The Greeks gave this name ([Greek: aguieus]) to Apollo, as worshipped in and protecting the streets of cities. 31. _Virginum primae_] The chorus on this great occasion was chosen from noble families, as the passage shows. (See Introduction.) The Lesbian foot was the Sapphic. There is no example of this passive use of 'tutela' earlier than Horace. 36. _Pollicis ictum,_] The beating of time by the motion of the thumb. 38. _Noctilucam,_] This was a name given to Diana as the Moon, which she represented, as Janus (the masculine form of the same name) represented the Sun. 39. _Prosperam frugum_] This and 'docilis modorum' (v. 43) are Greek constructions. The first means 'her who prospers the fruits of the earth,' which Diana would do by bringing round the seasons, for she was 'swift the onward months to roll.' 42. _festas--luces,_] The Secular Games lasted three days and nights. ODE VII. It is pretty certain that this Ode is addressed to the same person as the fifth Epistle of the first book. But who Torquatus was, we have no means of deciding. The Ode bears a strong likeness to C. i. 4, and may very likely have been written about the same time, and afterwards inserted here to help out a volume. It contains an exhortation to present enjoyment since Death is certainly at hand for all. Argument.--The winter is gone, and the spring is returning with its green leaves, its gentler streams, and its Graces. The seasons change and remind us of our end, but the revolving year repairs its losses, while we go to the dust for ever, and we know not when it will be. What thou dost enjoy thyself, is so much taken from thy greedy heir. When thou art dead, Torquatus, thy family, thine eloquence, and thy piety will not restore thee to life, any more than the love of Diana could bring back Hippolytus, or the friendship of Theseus, Peirithous. 3. _Mutat--vices_] 'undergoes its changes.' This is no more than 'subit vices.' 'Vices' is what is termed a cognate accusative. The meaning of the next words is, that the streams, lately swollen by the winter rains or by the first melting of the snow, had subsided and no longer overflowed their banks, but flowed quietly along them. See C. iv. 12. 3. Respecting the Graces, see C. i. 4. 6; 30. 5, n. 13. _Damna--caelestia_] 'Tamen' shows that the changes and deteriorations of the weather and seasons are intended, and 'celeres lunae' are the quick-revolving months. 15. _pius Aeneas_] Horace's purpose is to show that no means are sufficient to bring back the dead, not piety, nor wealth, nor power. There is a similar verse in Epp. i. 6. 27. 19. _amico Quae dederis animo._] 'Whate'er thou givest thine own dear soul.' This seems to be a literal version of [Greek: philê psychê charizesthai]. 21. _splendida_] 'Judgment august hath passed.' 'Splendida' is an unusual word for such a meaning. As to Minos, see C. ii. 13. 23, n. 26. _Liberat Hippolytum,_] This is in accordance with the legends of Greece respecting Artemis and Hippolytus. She was unable to bring him to life. The Latin poets make Hippolytus return from the dead, being brought to life by the skill of Æsculapius; and Diana, in Ovid's account, takes him and gives him into the care of Egeria, in the woods of Aricia (Met. xv. 543, sqq.). See also Virg. Aen. vii. 765, sqq. 27. _Nec Lethaea valet_] The common story of Theseus and his friend is, that, both having been consigned to their punishment together, Hercules went down and delivered Theseus, leaving Peirithous to his fate. This may be the legend Horace follows: for it may be understood that Theseus pleaded for Peirithous when he was himself returning, but failed to obtain his release. ODE VIII. C. Marcius Censorinus, the person to whom this Ode is addressed, was a man of birth and education, a favorite with Augustus, and generally much beloved, according to Velleius, who says of his death (in A.D. 2), "Graviter tulit civitas." Horace pays him the compliment of believing that he would esteem an Ode of his more highly than any costly gifts he could offer, in accordance with the common practice among friends of making each other presents ('strenas') on new-year's day and other festivals. Censorinus was consul the year that Horace died. Argument.--If I were rich in statues and pictures, I would give such to my friends, and the best to thee, Censorinus. But I have none, and thou desirest not these. What I have I offer,--verses in which thou delightest. No monuments of marble, not their own mighty deeds, could ennoble the Scipiones like the verses of Ennius. Thine own virtues must remain obscure but for the Muse. What would Æacus or Romulus have been without her? She raises men to the skies, as did Hercules, the Tyndaridæ, and Liber. 1. _pateras_] See S. i. 6. 118, n. _commodus,_] 'liberally.' "Miscentur cyathis pocula commodis" (C. iii. 19. 12) is a like use of the word. 2. _aera_] See S. i. 4. 28, n. 3. _tripodas,_] In the temple of Apollo, at Delphi, was a bronze altar on three legs, called from its form [Greek: tripous]. Imitations of this tripod were presented to the victors at the Pythian games. Herodotus mentions their being given at the games of Apollo at Triopium in Cnidus (i. 144). 5. _artium_] 'Artes' as 'works of art' occurs in Epp. i. 6. 17: "Marmor vetus aeraque et artes Suspice." Also in Cic. (de Legg. ii. 2), "antiquorum artibus"; and in Virg. (Aen. v. 359), "clypeum--Didymaonis artes." 6. _Parrhasius_] This painter flourished at Athens with Zeuxis about the end of the Peloponnesian war, B.C. 404. Many of his pictures were to be seen at Rome when Horace wrote. Scopas, the sculptor and architect of Paros, who flourished (also at Athens) about the same time as Parrhasius, is the reputed author of some works that exist to this day; particularly the group referred to on C. 6. 1, which, if not the original, is an ancient copy. The statue set up by Augustus in the temple he built to Apollo (C. S. 33, n.) was also by Scopas, and it appears on Roman coins as Apollo Actius or Palatinus. _protulit_] 'Proferre,' meaning to 'produce' (as we say) a work of art, is not common. Perhaps it does not occur elsewhere. 'Ponere' is a more common word. See A. P. 34: "Quia ponere totum Nesciet." 15. _fugae_] This is only a way of expressing his hasty departure from Italy at the summons of the Carthaginian senate. 16. _Rejectaeque retrorsum_] This refers to Hannibal's final defeat at Zama, as is shown by the reference to the muse of Ennius ('Calabrae Pierides,' v. 20), which was employed in the praises of the elder Scipio. 17. _Non incendia_] Carthage was destroyed by Scipio Africanus Minor, B.C. 146. 18. _nomen ab Africa Lucratus_] These words refer to Scipio Africanus Minor. In S. ii. 1. 65 he is mentioned in the same way as the man "qui Duxit ab oppressa meritum Carthagine nomen." From a strict rendering of Horace's words, therefore, it would seem as if Ennius had written the praises, not only of the elder, but also of the younger Scipio, who burnt Carthage twenty-three years after the death of Ennius. But, with a reader acquainted with the facts, no confusion could arise, and Horace wrote for those who knew them well. 20. _Calabrae Pierides:_] The muse of Calabria, i.e. of Ennius, who was born at Rudiæ, a Calabrian town, B.C. 239. He wrote, as observed above, a poem on the elder Scipio. 25. _Aeacum_] This was a mythical king of Ægina, and much celebrated for his justice. After his death he was made judge in Elysium (C. ii. 13. 23, n.), which, according to the later mythology, was one of the divisions of Tartarus, but which the earlier notions placed in certain blessed islands in the Western Ocean, by the Romans identified with the Azores. (See Epod. xvi, Int.) Horace says it was not only his virtue and the public esteem, but also the poet's praise, that gained Æacus this honor. His praises and those of his family are frequent in Pindar. 29. _Sic Jovis interest_] These heroes are all referred to in C. iii. 3. 9, sqq. 32. _eripiunt aequoribus_] See C. i. 3. 2, n. 33. _Ornatus viridi_] See C. iii. 25. 20. 34. _Liber vota bonos_] This only means, that, by the help of the muse, Liber was made a god, and as such receives and answers the prayers of his worshippers. ODE IX. M. Lollius, to whom this Ode is addressed, as we have seen (C. iv. 2, Int.), was defeated by the Sigambri, B.C. 27, which disaster caused a great deal of alarm at Rome, and very probably raised a good many voices against him, and gave an advantage to his enemies. It is not improbable, therefore, that Horace wrote this Ode to meet their attacks, and to console Lollius under his defeat. He declares that his name shall not die, as many noble names have died, for lack of a poet to sing it. He praises him for his sagacity, uprightness, freedom from avarice, and hatred of corruption. Argument.--Think not that my verses will die: though Homer stands first among poets, Pindar, Simonides, Alcæus, Stesichorus, Anacreon, Sappho,--these all survive. Helen was not the first woman that loved; nor Ilium the only city that has been sacked; nor the heroes of the Iliad all that have fought; but the rest have been forgotten, because they have no poet to sing of them. Buried virtue is little better than buried dulness. I will not, therefore, let thy labors pass unsung, Lollius; thy sagacity and uprightness, thy mind free from avarice and secure from corruption. It is not the possessor of riches that is wealthy, but the man who knows how to use the gifts of Heaven, and to endure poverty, who hates corruption, and is ready to lay down his life for his country or his friends. 1. _Ne forte_] 'Lest perchance you should suppose--remember that, even if Homer stands first, Pindar is not forgotten.' For other examples of 'ne' thus used, see S. ii. 1. 80; Epp. i. 1. 13; 18. 58; ii. 1. 208; A. P. 406. 2. _natus ad Aufidum_] Though Horace says he was born near the Aufidus, Venusia, his native town, was fifteen miles south of that river, on that branch of the Via Appia which leads from Beneventum to Tarentum. The Aufidus (Ofanto) is invariably described by Horace as a boisterous river (see C. iii. 30. 10; iv. 14. 25; S. i. 1. 58). But the character of such streams varies with the season of the year. 7. _Alcaei minaces_] See C. i. 32. 5, n. 8. _Stesichorique graves Camenae:_] The muse of Stesichorus is called 'gravis,' as, though a lyric poet, he chose for his subjects principally those which belonged to Epic poetry, as wars and heroes, and so forth. He was born at Himera in Sicily, about the middle of the seventh century B.C. 12. _Aeoliae--puellae._] Sappho. See C. i. 1. 34. 13. _arsit_] This governs 'crines' as 'mirata' governs the other accusatives. See C. ii. 4. 7, n. Laodamia writes thus to her husband of the charms by which Helen was won:-- "Venerat (Paris) ut fama est multo spectabilis auro, Quique suo Phrygias corpore ferret opes:-- His ego te victam, consors Ledaea, gemellis, Suspicor; haec Danais posse nocere puto" (Ov. Her. 13. 57, sqq.); and Hecuba upbraids Helen with the same weakness (Eur. Tro. 991):-- [Greek: hon g' eisidousa barbarois esthêmasi chrusô te lampron exemargôthês phrenas. ] See C. i. 15. 14. 17. _tela Cydonio_] Teucer is described by Homer as [Greek: aristos Achaiôn toxosunê] (II. xiii. 313). Cydon was a town of Crete, and the Cretans were famous archers. See C. i. 15. 17, n., and compare Virg. Ecl. x. 59: "Torquere Cydonia cornu Spicula." 20. _Idomeneus Sthenelusve_] The first of these led the Cretans, and the other the Argives, in the Trojan war. Deiphobus was Hector's favorite brother (Il. xxii. 233), and was reckoned, next to him, the chief strength of the Trojans. 27. _Urgentur_] So C. i. 24. 5: "Ergo Quinctilium perpetuus sopor Urget?" 'Illacrimabilis' is used in an active sense, C. ii. 14. 6. 29. _Paullum sepultae_] Virtue, if it be left in obscurity, is in no better position than dulness (which signifies generally a gross, unspiritual nature), when that too is buried; one is on a par with the other as far as influence is concerned, for neither exercises any influence at all; and, as far as his reputation goes, a man may as well be buried in stupidity as have his virtues buried in oblivion. There are some well-known verses in Gray's Churchyard Elegy that correspond closely to Horace's. 31. _Chartis_] See S. ii. 3. 2. _silebo,_] So C. i. 12. 21: "Neque te silebo, Liber." 32. _Totve tuos patiar labores_] These lines seem to have reference to the unpopularity of Lollius in connection with his defeat, which appears to be alluded to in the word 'dubiis' below. He may also have been the object of slander in respect to his personal character, which Horace here warmly defends, but which in after years was much blackened. There seems to be no other way of accounting for the earnestness with which Horace declares his friend's innocence of the vice of avarice, for instance, than to suppose that fault had been laid to his charge, as it was so freely after his death (see Introduction). 33. _carpere lividas_] The plural 'obliviones' is nowhere else used. 'Carpere' is used in the sense of gradually consuming, and has something like that meaning here. 'Lividus' is akin to the Greek [Greek: pelidnos], and to the Latin 'luridus' (C. iii. 4. 74, n.). It means 'dark,' and is commonly associated with envy, which connects it with oblivion caused by envy. Horace says dark oblivion shall not swallow up the labors of Lollius with impunity; as if he were his champion, ready to defend him against the attacks of oblivion, his enemy. 34. _Est animus tibi_] 'Rerum prudentia' is a knowledge of the world. "Cato multarum rerum usum habebat" (Cic. de Am. ii. 6) expresses the same kind of experience. 'Rectus' means 'erect,' not stooping or bowed down, as "Fana deos habuere rectos" (C. iv. 4. 48). See also Ennius, quoted by Cicero (De Senect. c. 6): "Quo vobis mentes, rectae quae stare solebant Antehac, dementes sese flexere viai?" 37. _abstinens--pecuniae,_] For similar Grecisms, see C. ii. 9. 17, n. 39. _Consulque non unius anni_] Compare C. iii. 2. 19. Lollius was consul, B.C. 21, but Horace says that an upright 'judex' is always on a level with the highest magistrates, and such ever was Lollius, besieged like others with temptations to corruption, but resisting them all, and so overcoming the enemies who encompassed him, and delivering himself by his virtue from their calumnies. 41. _Judex honestum_] That it should be a matter of great merit and difficulty to maintain the character of an uncorrupt judex, does not say much for the honesty of those who exercised the functions of jurors. The corruption of the senatorian body led to the judicial power being transferred from them to the equites, but they in their turn were found so corrupt that it was given back to the senatores, and afterwards the judices were selected from both orders. See S. i. 4. 123, n. 44. _Explicuit_] 'Through hostile crowds hath carried safe his arms victorious.' 'Explicare' seems to correspond with 'expedire' in C. iv. 4. 76. 52. _Non ille--timidus_] 'He fears disgrace worse than death,--not fearful he to die for his country,' i.e. but he is not fearful. See C. iii. 19. 2. "Codrus pro patria non timidus mori." See also C. iii. 2. 13, n. ODE X. Ligurinus is a merely poetical personage, and probably Horace composed this Ode with a Greek original before him or in his mind. Argument.--Cruel and lovely boy; when the down shall have passed upon thy cheek, and thy flowing locks have fallen, and thy soft complexion vanished, thou shalt look in the glass, and say, "Why did I not, as a boy, feel as I do now; or why, with these feelings, have I not the beauty I had then?" 2. _pluma_] This word corresponds to the Greek [Greek: ptilon], used in the sense of the early down upon a boy's cheek. The word is nowhere else used in this sense. [Greek: Aptilos] was a name given by the Greeks to beardless boys. Boys' hair was allowed to grow till they assumed the 'toga virilis,' when it was cut off, as observed on C. ii. 5. 24. The feathers of a bird are as good a likeness to the down on a young cheek as wool, from which 'lanugo,' the usual word in this sense, is derived. 6. _te speculo videris_] 'Speculo' here, without 'in,' is the ablative of the instrument. 'Alterum' is nowhere else used exactly in this sense, 'mutatum,' and, though the word admits of that use, it is so like the Greek [Greek: heteron], which is frequently so used, that I think it is a translation of that word. 'Heu' is an exclamation of the poet, not of Ligurinus. What follows is like two lines in Terence (Hec. i. 1. 17, sq.):-- "Eheu me miseram! cur non aut istaec mihi Aetas et forma est aut tibi haec sententia?" The mirrors of the Romans at this time were only of metal, glass mirrors having been introduced later, and then of an inferior quality. ODE XI. This Ode professes to be an invitation to Phyllis to come and sup with Horace on the 15th of April, Mæcenas's birthday. It is possible that the Ode was sent to Mæcenas himself, and was only thrown into the form of an address to Phyllis for poetical convenience. Argument.--I have a good old amphora of Alban, with parsley and ivy to make thee a crown, Phyllis; silver on my board, and an altar that waits for the sacrifice; the slaves are busy, the fire is burning; come and celebrate the Ides of April, for it is Mæcenas's birthday, more sacred to me than my own. Telephus is matched already, and is no match for thee. The fates of Phaëthon and Bellerophon teach thee to beware of ambition. Come, my last love, with thy sweet voice sing the song I shall teach thee; song shall drive care away. 2. _Albani cadus;_] The wine of the Alban hills was of the better kind; and at Nassidienus's supper it was offered to the chief guest with Falernian (Sat. ii. 8. 16). Pliny (N. H. xiv. 6) places it third among the wines of Italy. Juvenal (v. 33) speaks of Albanian wine, and classes it with Setian, both of great age. The rich glutton drank it, he says, as a corrective of yesterday's debauch. 5. _qua crines religata fulges;_] 'Crowned with which thou art beautiful.' 7. _verbenis_] See C. i. 19. 14, n. 8. _Spargier agno;_] It has been questioned whether the Romans shed blood on birthdays. In the earliest times, perhaps they did not, but the practice was different in Horace's time, as this passage shows. See also Juv. xi. 84. 10. _Cursitant mixtae pueris puellae;_] 'Puellae' is most rarely used for female slaves. The word in use was 'ancillae.' 12. _Vertice fumum._] 'Vertice' is the top of the flame, which 'flickers as it whirls the dark smoke on its crest'; a spiral flame, terminating in a column of smoke. It seems as if Horace were writing with a fire burning before him, and caught the idea as he wrote. 15. _marinae_] C. i. 3. 1. Venus ([Greek: Aphroditê]) was said to have risen from the sea in the month of April, which was therefore her month, the name of which Macrobius derives from [Greek: aphros]: Varro, more probably, from 'aperio,' as the month that opens the year. The word 'idus' is derived from 'iduare,' which signifies to divide, and this explains 'findit.' 19. _adfluentes Ordinat annos._] 'Reckons each year as it succeeds.' 21. _Telephum,_] Telephus is a favorite name with Horace. For what reason this is the name he chooses for youths whom maidens vainly love, does not appear; but such is the fact. 'Occupavit' signifies 'has pre-occupied' (C. ii. 12. 28). 22. _Non tuae sortis_] This belongs to 'juvenem,' not to 'puella.' 'A youth not of thy condition.' "Si qua voles apte nubere, nube pari" (Ovid, Heroid. ix. 32). 23. _grata Compede_] This is repeated from C. i. 33. 14. 25. _Phaëthon_] The story of Phaëthon getting permission to drive the horses of his father Helios (the sun), setting fire to the earth, and finally killed by lightning and falling into the Eridanus, is told at much length by Ovid (Met. ii. 1-324). 27. _Pegasus_] The story was, that the winged horse of Zeus was given by Athene or Poseidon to Bellerophon (C. i. 27. 24) to help him to kill the Chimæra, and that afterwards Bellerophon tried, with the help of Pegasus, to rise to heaven; but for his presumption he was thrown off. 29. _et ultra_] 'And counting it impious to hope beyond what is allowed, avoid one who is not thy match.' 32. _Finis_] Compare Propert. i. 12. 19:-- "Mi neque amare aliam neque ab hac discedere fas est; Cynthia prima fuit, Cynthia finis erit." It is not necessary to infer from this, as some do, that Horace was old. However literally the words may be taken, they only mean that he intended to be constant to Phyllis. 34. _condisce modos_] These words correspond very closely to those of C. iv. 6. 43: "Reddidi carmen docilis modorum Vatis Horati." ODE XII. This is written in the form of an invitation to Virgil the poet (though this has been much disputed) to sup with him. Argument.--The spring is come, the frost is fled, the stream flows gently, the swallow has built her nest, the shepherds are piping to Pan in the fields, and the days of drought have returned, Virgil. Bring me a box of nard, and I will bring thee in return some generous Calenian from Sulpicius's cellar. If my bargain please thee, make haste; lay aside business; and, remembering that thou must die, relax while thou mayest into folly for a time. 1. _temperant_] This is explained by C. i. 3. 16 (see note). The Thracian winds are here the northeast winds of spring. 3. _nec fluvii strepunt_] This explains C. iv. 7. 3. The time is not quite the beginning of spring, when the snows melt and the rivers are swollen, but after they have subsided, which soon takes place. 5. _Nidum ponit,_] The story of Procne, daughter of Pandion, king of Attica (Cecropia), turned into a swallow, is gracefully introduced here to give ornament to a common fact and sign of spring. Horace elsewhere introduces the swallow with the west wind (Epp. i. 7. 13). One version of the story changes Philomela into the swallow, and Procne, the mother of Itys, into the nightingale. Virgil makes Philomela the mother and slayer of Itys (Ecl. vi. 79):-- "Quas illi Philomela dapes, quae dona pararit? Quo cursu deserta petiverit, et quibus ante Infelix sua tecta supervolitaverit alis?" In short, the legend is more varied than almost any other. 7. _male_] This may go with 'barbaras' to strengthen it, as "rauci male" (S. i. 4. 66), or with 'ulta.' 8. _Regum_] The lust of kings, as exemplified in one of them, Tereus, the Thracian king, who, having married one of the above sisters, concealed her, and married the other, under the pretence that she was dead. The fraud was discovered, and the first wife, whichever of the two it was (see above), murdered her son Itys, and put his limbs before his father as a banquet. The sisters then ran away, and Tereus pursuing them, they were all changed into birds. 9. _Dicunt_] C. iii. 4. 1. 11. _deum_] Pan, who was chiefly worshipped in Arcadia. 14. _Calibus_] See C. i. 20. 9. As to 'ducere,' see C. iii. 3. 34, n. 15. _juvenum nobilium cliens,_] These are said by the Scholiasts to be Augustus and Mæcenas. 'Juvenis' is applied to the former in C. i. 2. 41 (see note). 17. _Nardi parvus onyx_] A pound of 'nard' was worth upwards of 300 denarii, which sum was equivalent to more than 10_l._ sterling. The 'onyx' was another name for alabaster, of which, as we find in the New Testament, as well as here and elsewhere, boxes were made for ointments. 18. _Sulpiciis--horreis,_] These were famous wine-cellars, which originally belonged to one of the Sulpician family, and, according to the Scholiasts, continued to bear the name of Galba, the cognomen of a branch of that gens, in their day. There are inscriptions extant in which mention is made of the 'horrea Galbiana.' Horace, professing to have no good wine of his own, says he will buy a cadus of Calenian. (C. i. 20. 10, n.) 19. _amaraque Curarum_] This is a Greek construction, but not uncommon in Horace, as "acuta belli" (C. iv. 4. 76); "corruptus vanis rerum" (S. ii. 2. 25), "fictis rerum" (S. ii. 8. 83); "vilia rerum" (Epp. i. 17. 21); "abdita rerum" (A. P. 49). 23. _Immunem_] 'for nothing,' as we say. It is equivalent to 'asymbolus' in Terence (Phorm. ii. 2. 25). "Ten' asymbolum venire!" The drone is represented as "immunis sedens aliena ad pabula" (Virg. Georg. iv. 244), and Horace says of himself, "quem scis immunem Cinarae placuisse rapaci" (Ep. i. 14. 33). 25. _studium lucri,_] This looks like a joke, but the point of it is lost. 26. _Nigrorum--ignium_] This epithet is commonly applied to the funeral fires, as (Aen. xi. 186), "subjectis ignibus atris." ODE XIII. This Ode has been noticed in the introduction to C. iii. 10. It is not unlike the fifteenth of the same book. It is professedly addressed to an old woman, Lyce, who is trying to keep up her charms. The poet writes as if the gods had answered his prayers by taking away her beauty for the cruelty she had shown him. It is most probably an imitation. Argument.--My prayers are answered, Lyce. Thou art old, and would captivate still; but love abides only on the fresh cheek, and runs away from the withered trunk, and from thee, with thy black teeth, and wrinkles, and gray hairs. Try and hide thy years with purple and jewels, but the telltale records betray thee. Where is the girl that I loved only next to Cinara?--whom Fate carried off too soon, while it left Lyce to grow old, that her lovers might laugh at her decline. 7. _Chiae_] 'Chia' is a proper name. 'Delia' and 'Lesbia' are formed in the same way. 8. _excubat in genis._] This is a close imitation of Sophocles (Antig. 782):-- [Greek: Erôs hos en ktêmasi pipteis hos en malakais pareiais neanidos ennucheueis. ] 9. _aridas Quercus,_] This corresponds to C. i. 25. 19, "aridas frondes"; as to 'luridi,' see C. iii. 4. 74, n. 13. _Coae_] These are thin, transparent textures of some sort, from the island of Cos in the Ægean. 14. _clari lapides_] The precious stones of the costlier sort most in use by Roman women were pearls ('margaritae') and emeralds ('smaragdi'). They were chiefly worn in necklaces, and as ear drops and rings; and libertinae distinguished for their beauty could make a great display of jewels received as presents from their admirers. 15. _Notis condita fastis_] 'Buried in the public annals.' Horace means to say, that the days she has seen are all buried, as it were, in the grave of the public annals, and there any one may find them, but she cannot get them back. It is a graphic way of identifying the years, and marking their decease, to point to the record in which each is distinguished by its consuls and its leading events. 'Notis' merely expresses the publicity and notoriety of the record by which the lapse of time is marked. As to 'fasti,' see Epp. ii. 1. 48, n. 18. _illius, illius,_] This word is very emphatic, as in "quantum mutatus ab illo Hectare" (Aen. ii. 274). On 'surpuerat' compare "unum me surpite morti" (Sat. ii. 3. 283); C. i. 36. 8, n; S. i. 5. 79, n. Regarding Cinara, see C. iv. 1. 3, n; and for the form 'nota artium gratarum' compare "notus in fratres animi paterni" (C. ii. 2. 6). 'Et' is redundant, and the sentence is a little irregular: 'What hast thou left of her, of her who breathed but love, who stole me from myself, blest next to Cinara, that fate, too, so familiar in its lovely charms?' 24. _parem--temporibus_] This means that Lyce and the crow go on together getting old and never dying. 'Vetulae' is a contemptuous form of 'annosa,' used elsewhere (C. iii. 17. 13). Martial speaks of an old woman who had survived all the crows (x. 67). She was the daughter (he says) of Pyrrha, and Nestor's step-mother, an old woman when Niobe was a girl, grandmother of Laertes, nurse of Priam, and mother-in-law of Thyestes. 28. _Dilapsam_] This expresses well the crumbling of a burnt-out torch. The idea is very original. There is an intentional contrast in 'fervidi.' 'That burning youths might see with loud laughter the torch's flame crumbling away to ashes.' ODE XIV. The circumstances under which this Ode was written, and its probable date, are given in the Introduction to C. 4 of this book, to which the student is referred. The common inscriptions, which make it an address in honor of Augustus, sufficiently describe the spirit of it, though its professed purpose is to celebrate the part that Tiberius took, with Drusus, in the victories over the German tribes. It is probable that, whereas the Ode for Drusus was written soon after his victory, this was not written till Augustus returned from Gaul, two years afterwards. Argument.--With what honors shall we perpetuate thy virtues, O mightiest of princes, whose strength the insolent Vindelici have felt? With great slaughter Drusus cast them down from their heights, and Tiberius drove them before him, as the south wind drives the waves, or the swollen Aufidus lays waste the corn,--a scathless victory; and thou didst lend thine armies, thy counsels, and thine auspices. 'T was fifteen years from that day when Alexandria opened her gates to thee, that Fortune brought this glory to thine arms. All nations bow down to thee, from the east to the west, from the north to the south, O thou guardian of Italy and Rome! 4. _fastos Aeternet,_] As to 'titulos,' see S. i. 6. 17, n., and for 'fastos,' see Epp. ii. 1. 48, n. 'Aeternare' is a word which had probably become almost obsolete in Horace's time. It is not found in any other author, except in a fragment of Varro. Many words used by Horace, and by no other extant writer, were probably common enough before the age of Cicero. 'Habitabiles oras,' like [Greek: hê oikoumenê], so commonly used by Plutarch and the writers of the New Testament, signifies the Roman world. 7. _Quem--didicere--Quid Marte posses._] This construction is not uncommon in Plautus, as (Asin. i. 1. 45), "verum meam uxorem, Libane, scis qualis siet"; and Terence, as (Eun. iv. 3. 15), "Ego illum nescio qui fuerit," and other places. With the Greek poets nothing is more common, as in Sophocles (Trachin. 429):-- [Greek: pros theôn phrason, philê despoina, tonde tis pot' estin ho xenos; ] 10. _Genaunos,_] The Genauni were one of the southern tribes of Rætia, lying between the lakes Verbanus (Maggiore) and Larius (Como), in the modern Val d'Agno. The Breuni were a small but warlike tribe, also occupying part of Raetia. The character Horace gives of these tribes is that which is given by all writers of the time. 'Implacidum' is a word not found in any writer earlier than Horace. It is as likely that he made as that he found it: either may be true. 13. _plus vice simplici;_] The literal version would thus be, 'with more than an even exchange,' i.e. of blood, he being 'sine clade victor' (v. 32). As to the construction 'plus vice,' see C. i. 13. 20. 14. _Major Neronum_] Tiberius. See C. iv. 4. 28, n. 17. _Spectandus--Quantis_] This seems imitated from the Greek idiom [Greek: thaumastos hosois.] 'A noble sight, how in the strife of war he drove with mighty slaughter those hearts devoted to a freeman's death.' 20. _Indomitas prope qualis_] It may be observed, that the fourth verse of the Alcaic stanza is frequently constructed with a noun and its adjective in the first and last place, and corresponding in their last syllables. In this Ode we have vv. 12, 16, 20, 36, 52, answering to this rule or habit. 'Prope' has no particular force. Horace, whose ear was familiar with the language of the Greek tragedians, copied their [Greek: schedon ti] (a common phrase in comparisons) here and in other places. The setting of the Pleiades, at the beginning of November, was reckoned as the commencement of winter; they therefore are said to burst the clouds ('scindere nubes'), which poured down rain upon the earth. 24. _medios per ignes._] 'Ignes' means the flames of war. 25. _tauriformis_] This is taken from the Greek [Greek: tauromorphos], applied to the Cephissus by Eurip. (Ion, 1261). The only other Italian river that was represented under this form was the Eridanus, of which Virgil says (Georg. iv. 371, sqq.):-- "Et gemina auratus taurino cornua vultu Eridanus, quo non alius per pinguia culta In mare purpureum violentior effluit amnis." He was therefore represented not only with horns, but with gilded horns. Horace has probably invented this description of his native river, by way of magnifying its importance, and ranking it with the greater streams. Whence this conception of a bull, as representing the form of a river-god, may have arisen, it is not easy to say, but probably from the branching of so many large streams at their mouths, though that would not apply to the Aufidus. 26. _Dauni_] See C. i. 22. 14, n. 28. _meditatur_] See C. iii. 25. 5, n. 31. _metendo_] 'And, mowing down first and hindmost, strewed the earth, a scathless victor.' Horace (like Virgil, Aen. x. 513, "Proxima quaeque metit gladio") gets his word from Homer (II. xi. 67), [Greek: hoi d' hôst' amêtêres enantioi allêloisin Ogmon elaunôsin]. 32. _sine clade_] See note on v. 13. 33. _te--Praebente divos._] See C. i. 7. 27, n. Augustus had the 'auspicium,' and his step-sons were his 'legati.' 34. _quo die_] See C. i. 37, Introduction, iv. 4, Introduction. 40. _Imperiis decus arrogavit._] 'Claimed for the wars carried on under thy imperium the glory thou didst desire.' What follows is a compendious review of the successes of Augustus, all of which have been noticed in these Odes. Before the present Ode was written, the Cantabri had been finally subdued by Agrippa; the Parthians had restored the standards of Crassus and M. Antonius; the Scythians had sent to ask to be taken into alliance; the distant nations of Asia had done the same (see C. S. 55, sq.); the successes of Lentulus had checked the inroads of the tribes of the Danube (ii. 9. 23); Egypt had long been a tributary province; Armenia (Tigris) had been ceded by the Parthians; Britain, though only threatened, had sent tokens of submission. Augustus was just returned from Gaul and Spain, where he had put down the last efforts of rebellion, having also driven back the German tribes (Sigambri), whose success against Lollius had thrown a stain upon the arms of Rome (see C. 2 of this book, Introduction). 45. _Te fontium qui celat origines_] This applies only to Nilus. The ancient representations of the Nile exhibit him as covering his head with his robe, or with the waters flowing from under his robe; while the Ister is exhibited with his urn in a medal of Trajan, on whose column he is represented as rising out of his stream to do homage to Rome. 47. _belluosus_] This word does not occur elsewhere in any classical writer. It reduces to the form of an adjective 'scatentem belluis' (C. iii. 27. 26). It corresponds to [Greek: polythremmôn] of Æschylus, [Greek: polykêtês] of Theocritus, and Homer's [Greek: megakêtês]. 49. _Te non paventis funera Galliae_] Caes. de B. G. vi. 14: "In primis hoc volunt persuadere (Druidae) non interire animos sed ab aliis post mortem transire ad alios, atque hoc maxime ad virtutem excitari putant, metu mortis neglecto." ODE XV. This Ode appears in early times to have been read as part of the fourteenth; but there can be little doubt the Odes were written separately, though probably about the same time, on the return of Augustus to Rome, B.C. 13. All that is here said of the subjection of the world and the universal peace was said in effect at the close of the fourteenth Ode; but it was natural that if Horace had received the emperor's commands to publish another book of Odes, he should conclude it with one addressed to Augustus himself, reviewing the blessings of his reign, which at this time had been crowned by a series of successes by which universal peace was established. Argument.--When I would sing of wars, Phoebus checked me with his lyre. Thy reign, O Cæsar, hath brought back our lost honor, with plenty and peace and order, and the means by which our name and strength have become great. Under thy protection we fear no wars at home or abroad; the North and the East obey thy laws, and we with our wives and children will sing of the heroes of old, of Troy, and Anchises, and of Venus's son. 2. _increpuit lyra,_] This is explained by Ovid (A. A. ii. 493):-- "Haec ego cum canerem subito manifestus Apollo Movit inauratae pollice fila lyrae." 'Increpuit lyra' therefore signifies 'checked me by touching the strings of his lyre, and leading me to a strain more fitted to my muse.' The other metaphor is common enough. See Virgil (Georg. ii. 41): "Pelagoque volans da vela patenti." 4. _Tua, Caesar, aetas_] The abruptness with which this is introduced is worth remarking. A longer preface would have weakened the Ode. 5. _Fruges et agris_] This is a repetition of C. iv. 5. 17, sq. 6. _nostro--Jovi_] To the temple of Jupiter Capitolinus. 7. _Derepta_] As the standards were quietly and voluntarily sent to Augustus by Phraates, Horace's language is somewhat exaggerated. The recovery (see C. iii. 5, Introd.) of the standards lost by Crassus was one of the greatest causes of rejoicing that ever happened at Rome. Without it, the restoration effected by Augustus, and of which Horace here gives a compendious picture, would have been wanting in one of its chief features; the honor, as well as the peace, of Rome was restored. These praises are repeated from or in (for we cannot say which was written first) Epp. ii. 1. 251, sqq. See also Epp. i. 18. 56. 9. _Janum Quirini_] If 'Janum Quirini' and not 'Janum Quirinum' be the true reading, Horace assigns to Romulus the building of the temple of Janus, which is usually assigned to Numa. The other would mean 'Janus called Quirinus,' a name given him as Janus of the Quirites. As to the shutting of the temple, see Epp. ii. 1. 255, n. 10. _evaganti_] This nowhere else appears with an accusative case, but 'evadere' and 'exire' are used with an accusative repeatedly. (Compare C. iii. 24. 29.) 'Artes' means those virtues in which the discipline of life is placed, as prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. 17. _furor Civilis aut vis_] 'Civilis' belongs to 'furor,' and 'vis,' which is a technical word, means here 'personal violence.' 'Ira' applies to foreign quarrels. See C. iii. 14. 14, n. 20. _inimicat_] This is another word which Horace probably found in use by writers of a former day. Later writers have taken it from him. It means 'sets at enmity.' 'Apprecati' (v. 28), 'remixto' (v. 30), are also words first found in Horace. 21. _qui profundum Danubium bibunt_] The German tribes, particularly the Vindelici lately subdued. 'Edicta Julia' can only mean here the laws of Augustus, laid upon them at their conquest, though in its technical sense the word 'edicta' would not apply. The rules of a governor published in his province were his 'edictum,' and these people were not in a province. Horace therefore does not use the word in its legal sense. The Getæ lay towards the mouths of the Danube, while the Daci were situated to the west of them, on the same or south side of the river. 23. _Seres--Tanaïn_] See C. iii. 29. 27, n. The Seres and Indi are not much distinguished by Horace (see C. i. 12. 56), and, when he is referring to the East, their names are generally associated with the Parthians, more for the sake of amplification than with historical or geographical accuracy. The Roman armies had not yet even crossed the Tigris. But when Augustus was in Syria, we are informed by Suetonius, ambassadors came from the far East to ask his protection and alliance. 25. _lucibus_] This word is used for 'diebus' by Ovid (Fast. iii. 397):-- "His etiam conjux apicati cincta Dialis Lucibus impexas debet habere comas." The singular is more common. 29. _Virtute functos_] This is a concise way of expressing 'virtutis munere functos,' as in Cicero (Tusc. i. 45): "Nemo parum diu vixit qui virtutis perfectae perfecto functus est munere." _more patrum_] Cic. (Tusc. i. 2) tells us that in the Origines of Cato it is stated that it was the custom of old to sing songs at meals upon the virtues of great men. The practice may have been partially revived in Horace's day. The conclusion of this Ode recalls C. iv. 5. 31, sq. 30. _Lydis_] Plato tells us that the Lydian and Ionian melodies were best suited to delicacy and feasting, the Dorian and Phrygian to war; and Aristotle that the Lydian were most suitable to the tender age of boyhood, as harmonizing the mind and training it to good. There is no particular force, however, here in the word 'Lydis.' As to 'tibiis,' see C. i. 1. 32, n. The pipes used by the Lydians themselves are called by Herodotus (i. 17) [Greek: aulos andrêïos] and [Greek: aulos gynaikêïos], probably as representing the voices of a man and a woman respectively. 31. _Anchisen_] The family of Anchises, the grandfather of Iulus, are mentioned here, because Augustus belonged by adoption to the Julian family, of which Iulus was the reputed founder. THE SECULAR HYMN. When Augustus had completed the period of ten years for which the imperial power was at first placed in his hands (B.C. 27-17), he determined to celebrate his successes at home and abroad by an extraordinary festival, and he took as his model the Ludi Tarentini or Taurii, which had in former times been observed as a means of propitiating the infernal deities, Dis and Proserpina, on occasions of great public calamities. It does not appear that this festival ever was held at regular intervals. How, therefore, the name Ludi Seculares arose, is not clear, but, as it was now for the first time given, it was probably convenient to have it believed that the games were no more than the observance of a periodical solemnity. The Quindecimviri were ordered to consult the Sibylline books, and they reported, no doubt as they were desired, that the time was come when this great national festival should be repeated, and the details of it were laid down as from the commands of the oracle in a set of hexameter Greek verses, composed of course for the occasion, and which have been preserved to us by the historian Zosimus. Horace appears to have been much pleased at being chosen poet-laureate of the occasion (see C. iv. 6, Introd.). The Ode was sung at the most solemn part of the festival, while the emperor was in person offering sacrifice at the second hour of the night, on the river-side, upon three altars, attended by the fifteen men who presided over religious affairs. The chorus consisted of twenty-seven boys and twenty-seven girls of noble birth, well trained no doubt for the occasion (C. iv. 6). The effect must have been very beautiful, and no wonder that the impression on Horace's feelings (for in all probability he was present) was strong and lasting. Argument. Apollo and Diana, hear the prayers we offer you in obedience to the Sibyl's commands (1-8). O Sun, that rulest the day, thou lookest upon nothing mightier than Rome (9-12). Ilithyia, protect our mothers and children, and prosper our marriage-law that so, in the cycle of years, this our festival may come again (13-24). And ye, Parcæ, who do prophesy truly, let our future destiny be as the past. Let the earth and air give strength to our flocks and fruits (25-32). Hide thy weapon, Apollo, and hear thy suppliant boys (33, 34). Queen of the stars, O Moon, hear thy maidens (35, 36). Since Rome is your handiwork, and at your bidding Æneas brought his remnant to these shores (37-44). Ye gods, give virtue to the young and peace to the old, and power and sons and glory to the family of Romulus (45-48). Grant the prayers of the noble son of Anchises, for his victories shall be tempered with mercy (49-52). Humbled are the Mede, the proud Scythian, and the Indian (53-56). Peace, plenty, and all the virtues have returned to our land (57-60). May Phoebus, the augur, the prince of the bow and of song, the physician who favorably regardeth his Palatine temple and the fortunes of Rome and Latium, ever extend our blessings to another and still happier lustrum (61-68). May Diana, who inhabiteth the Palatine and Algidus, hear our prayers (69-72). We, the choir of Phoebus and Diana, will go home believing that our prayers are heard (73-76). 1. _silvarumque potens_] Compare C. iii. 22. 1. 'Lucidum caeli decus' applies to both deities. 5. _Sibyllini_] See Introd. These were oracular books written, it is conjectured, on palm-leaves, in Greek verse, which were kept in the Capitol and consulted on extraordinary occasions. The leaves taken at random were supposed to give the directions required. They were under the care of certain persons, at this time fifteen in number ('quindecimviri,' v. 70), who alone had power to consult them. The books were said originally to have been sold to Tarquinius Superbus by an old woman, and to have been three in number. They were burnt with the Capitol, B.C. 82, but collections of these verses having accumulated in various towns of Italy, they were got together and deposited in the same building, and used as before. 6. _Virgines lectas_] See Introd. 7. _septem placuere colles_] The seven hills of Rome, which were Coelius, Esquilinus, Viminalis, Quirinalis, Capitolinus, Palatinus, Aventinus. 9. _Alme_] This epithet is to be taken in its proper sense as derived from 'alo.' 'Sun the nurturer.' This stanza is addressed to Phoebus, and was sung perhaps by the boys. The two next, addressed to Diana, may have been taken up by the girls, but this is uncertain. 13. _Rite maturos_] 'O thou whose office it is gently to bring babes to the birth in due season.' 'Rite' means 'according to thy province and functions.' [Greek: Eileithuia], the Greek name for Hero and Artemis, or more properly in the plural number for their attendants, when presiding at the delivery of women, (which name is said to contain the root of [Greek: elthein], but that seems doubtful,) is represented by the Latin 'Lucina,' "quae in lucem profert," which title also was given indiscriminately to Juno and Diana. The title 'Genitalis' does not occur elsewhere in this sense, but appears to be a version of the Greek [Greek: Genetullis], which was applied to Aphrodite as well as Artemis and her attendants. 17. _producas_] This signifies 'to rear,' as in C. ii. 13. 3. 18. _Prosperes decreta_] In B.C. 18, the year before this Ode was written, a law was passed which, after Augustus, was called "Lex Julia de Maritandis Ordinibus," its object being the regulation and promotion of marriages. It is referred to in the note on C. i. 2. 24. 21. _Certus undenos_] The notion that the Secular Games were celebrated every 110 years, which seems to have been the length of a seculum as measured by the Etruscans, was a fiction invented probably at this time. There is no trace or probability of their having been so celebrated either before or after Augustus. They lasted three days and nights. They were celebrated by Claudius, A.D. 47, and again by Domitian, A.D. 88. 25. _Vosque veraces cecinisse,_] 'Ye too who are true to declare, O Parcæ, that which hath been once decreed, and which the steadfast order of events is confirming' (that is, the power of Rome). The orders of the oracle (see Introduction) directed a special sacrifice of lambs and goats, [Greek: pontogonois Moirais], which was the Greek name of the Parcæ (some writers derived their birth from Oceanus and Ge, the earth). 'Semel' in the sense of 'once for all' ([Greek: kathapax]), is common enough. The Parcæ could not but be true exponents of the decrees ('fata') of Jove, since to them their execution was intrusted. That was their province (see C. ii. 16. 39). There may be some inconsistency in asking them to give good fates to Rome, since they could only execute ministerially 'quod semel dictum est.' But such confusion is common. 33. _Condito mitis placidusque telo_] The boys take up the song for two lines, the girls for two more, and after that they probably join their voices. On the promontory near Actium there was a statue of Apollo with his bow bent and a fierce aspect, which was an object of terror to the sailors who approached the coast. (See Virg. Aen. iii. 274, sq.) And again on the shield of Æneas (viii. 704) the same figure is represented. To this god Augustus paid his devotions before his battle with M. Antonius, and to him he attributed his success. Accordingly, on his return to Rome, he built a temple to Apollo of Actium on Mons Palatinus (v. 65; C. i. 31; Epp. i. 3. 17), and set up a statue (executed by Scopas, see C. iv. 8. 6, n.) of that god, but in a different character, the bow being laid aside and a lyre substituted for it in one hand, and a plectrum in the other. He was clad also in a long flowing robe. Propertius was present at the dedication of the temple, and gives a description of it (ii. 31); the last object he mentions being the statue of Apollo, as above described. This change of character is what Horace alludes to. 35. _regina bicornis_] In a rilievo on Constantine's arch, Diana, as the moon, is represented in her chariot drawn by two horses, and with a small crescent on her forehead, which is a common way of representing her on gems and medals. In the above group Hesperus is flying in front of her. 37. _Roma si vestrum est opus,_] Æneas tells Dido (Virg. Aen. iv. 345) that it was the oracle of Apollo that bade him seek Italy, and Horace introduces this with good effect, associating Diana with her brother for the occasion. See C. iv. 6. 21, n. 41. _fraude_] C. ii. 19. 20. 42. _Castus_] C. iii. 2. 30, where the correlative term is used: "Neglectus incesto addidit integrum." Aen. vi. 661: "Quique sacerdotes casti." 43. _Liberum munivit iter,_] 'Made a free course,' 'opened the way.' 'Munire' is used commonly in this sense both literally and figuratively. See Livy (xxi. 37, where he is describing Hannibal's passage of the Alps): "Inde ad rupem muniendam per quam unam via esse poterat milites ducti," etc. Cicero (In Verrem, ii. 3. 68), "Existimat easdem vias ad omnium familiaritatem esse munitas." 49. _Quaeque vos bobus veneratur_] 'Veneratur' is equivalent to 'venerando precatur,' and is used transitively here and in S. ii. 2. 124; 6. 8, as well as in other authors. The oracle required that milk-white bulls should be offered by day to Zeus. 51. _bellante prior,_] 'Bellante' is opposed to 'jacentem,' and 'prior' to 'lenis.' 'Mightier than his enemy in the fight, but merciful when he is fallen.' The chorus pray rather for the blessings of peace than the triumphs of war, and therefore praise Augustus's clemency to his conquered enemies, which accorded with the warning of Anchises (Aen. vi. 852, where Virgil plainly had reference to Augustus):-- "Tu regere imperio populos, Romane, memento; Hae tibi erunt artes, pacisque imponere morem, Parcere subjectis, et debellare superbos." 54. _Albanas--secures,_] The Roman fasces, as "Albanique patres" (Aen. i. 7). Ascanius or Iulus, the son of Æneas, according to the legends from which the Romans had their notions of their own history, transferred the seat of his father's kingdom to Alba Longa, and there it continued till Romulus, his descendant, founded a kingdom on the banks of the Tiber, about ten miles from Alba. 55. _responsa_] Replies to their offers of submission and petitions for friendship. This word is used for the replies of the gods, and here perhaps expresses the majesty of Augustus delivering his will as that of a god, like Virgil (Ecl. i. 45): "Hic mihi responsum primus dedit ille petenti." But 'responsum' is also a technical term for the answer of a jurisconsult to a client, or a superior to an inferior, as of the emperor to the governor of a province. 57. _Jam Fides et Pax_] This group occurs nearly in the same combination in C. i. 24. 6. The figures are variously represented on medals, &c. 'Fides' represents honesty, good faith, and is called in the above place 'justitiae soror.' 'Honos' has nothing to do with what we call honor in the sense of honesty ('fides'), but represents Gloria in her good character (for she had a bad, as vainglory, C. i. 18. 15). 'Virtus' is most usually represented in a military character, as Fortitudo; but the name embraced all moral courage and steadfastness in well-doing, with which military courage was closely associated in the mind of a Roman. 'Pudor,' or 'pudicitia,' represents conjugal fidelity. Juvenal speaks of her especially as having left the earth at the close of the reign of Saturn. But all these virtues are said to have left the earth with Astræa at the close of the golden age, and their return is intended to represent the return of that age. 60. _Copia cornu._] Copia, whose horn was most properly the symbol of Fortune (C. i. 17. 14, n.), but was also given to many other divinities, as Fides, Felicitas, Concordia, Honos, &c., was herself represented under the forms of Abundantia and Annona, the latter signifying the supply of corn for consumption in the city. 61. _Augur_] All prophets and augurs were held to be servants of Apollo, and to derive their knowledge from him. _et fulgente decorus arcu_] This seems to contradict the prayer in v. 33; but the bow of Apollo did not always inspire dread. He is sometimes represented with this unstrung at his back, and the lyre and plectrum in his hands (C. ii. 10. 19); and it is uncertain whether he did not so appear in the statue above referred to. 62. _acceptusque novem Camenis,_] See C. iv. 6. 25, n. In some ancient rilievi and paintings Apollo is represented as seated in the midst of the nine Muses, who are all paying attention to him. 63. _Qui salutari_] Apollo's attribute as the healer is one of the oldest that was attached to him, and is most commonly exhibited in his statues and other representations. It is symbolized by the serpent which always attends the figures of Salus, Æsculapius, and others connected with the healing art. Ovid makes him say:-- "Inventum medicina meum est, opiferque per orbem Dicor, et herbarum subjecta potentia nobis." (Met. i. 521.) 65. _Si Palatinas videt aequus arces,_] See above, v. 33, n. 'Felix' agrees with 'aevum,' and 'videt' governs 'arces,' 'rem,' and 'Latium.' 'May he prolong this happy age to another and another lustrum, and ever to a happier.' It is common with Horace to put an adjective and its substantive at the two extremes of a period. 69. _Quaeque Aventinum_] Diana had a temple on Mons Aventinus and on Algidus (C. i. 21. 6). From this stanza it has been assumed by some that the sacred commissioners (the 'quindecimviri,' see Introd. and v. 5, n.) took part in the singing, which is not very probable. Their number, which was originally two, and was increased to ten about 150 years after the establishment of the Republic, was raised to fifteen either by Sulla or Julius Cæsar. 71. _puerorum_] This includes the whole choir of boys and girls. 74. _reporto,_] The whole choir take up this last stanza, or else the leader does so for them, declaring their confidence that the prayers they have offered have been heard by Jove and all the gods. 75. _Doctus_] C. iv. 6. 43: "docilis modorum Vatis Horati." EPODES. EPODE I. When Augustus had determined on the expedition against M. Antonius and Cleopatra, which led to the battle of Actium, B.C. 31, he summoned, as we learn from Dion Cassius (50. 11), the leading senators and men of Equestrian rank to meet him at Brundisium, for the benefit of their counsel, and (the historian says) to keep the Equestrians from mischief, and also to show the world the harmony to which he had brought men of all orders at Rome. Mæcenas obeyed this summons, and went to Brundisium, but was sent back by Augustus to watch over the peace of the city and the affairs of Italy. It is very possible that Mæcenas may have had the offer of a command on the expedition against M. Antonius, and that both he and Horace believed he was going on that service, until, on his arrival at Brundisium, Augustus thought fit to send him back to discharge more important duties at Rome. Horace, supposing him to be going, wished to accompany him, but Mæcenas would not allow it (v. 7), which gave occasion for this Epode. It is an affectionate remonstrance against being left behind. Argument.--Thou art going into the midst of danger, Mæcenas, to share the fortunes of Cæsar. Shall I stay at home at ease, or meet the danger with thee, on whose life my happiness depends? I will go with thee withersoever thou goest. To what end shall I go? As the bird fears less for her young when she is near them, so shall I fear less for thee, if I go with thee, and I go to win thy love, not thy favors. Thy love hath given me enough. I seek not wide lands or fine houses and cattle, and gold to hide or to squander. 1. _Liburnis_] These were light vessels, that took their name from the ships used by the Liburnians, a piratical tribe on the Illyrian coast. Augustus employed them in his expeditions against Sex. Pompeius, and they were of great use at Actium (C. i. 37. 30). All writers on the battle of Actium describe the ships of M. Antonius and Cleopatra as of enormous size. Like those of the Greeks, which the Romans copied, the Egyptian vessels were fitted with towers ('propugnacula'), from which the men fought. 4. _Subire,--tuo_] 'Tuo periculo,' 'meo,' 'suo,' 'nostro,' are all common, and 'periculum' is used in the ablative case in 'summo periculo,' 'minimo periculo,' where the ablative is an ablative of cost, and is not to be explained by supplying 'cum.' 9. _mente laturi_] This sentence is not complete; 'ibimus,' or something of that sort, must be supplied. 'Shall I, at thy bidding, seek repose, which hath no pleasure if not shared by thee, or go to bear this danger with the heart with which the hardy soldier ought to bear it?' 12. _Inhospitalem--Caucasum,_] This is repeated from or in C. i. 22. 6. 16. _firmus parum?_] This is probably taken from the Greek [Greek: analkis], which goes commonly with [Greek: aptolemos] (as Doering says). 19. _Ut assidens_] 'As a bird sitting on her unfledged brood fears the serpent's stealthy coming more if she leave them, though not likely to help them more if she be near and they before her.' 'Relictis' is the dative. 'Supposing that' is a common meaning of 'ut' with the subjunctive. 'Ut adsit,' followed by 'praesentibus,' is rather redundant. But such repetitions are not uncommon. See Ter. (Adelph. iii. 3. 39): "Non quia ades praesens dico hoc." Ib. (iv. 5. 34): "Cum hanc sibi videbit praesens praesentem eripi." 23. _militabitur Bellum_] This phrase is like "bella pugnata" (C. iii. 19. 4), which expression is repeated, Epp. i. 16. 25. 'In spem,' 'looking to the hope,' is used where we should say 'in the hope.' 27. _Pecusve Calabris_] Flocks of sheep were fed in the plains of Calabria during the cool months of the year, and driven up to the hills of Lucania in the summer. 'Mutet' is used for taking in exchange, as in C. i. 17. 2, and elsewhere. The heat of Calabria is referred to in C. i. 31. 5. 29. _Neque ut_] He says he does not want a villa near Tusculum, where there were many handsome houses, which he thus expresses: 'Nor that for me a splendid house should touch Circæan walls of Tusculum on the hill.' The ancient Tusculum was built on the top of the hill of which the modern town, Frascati, is built on the slope. 'Circaea' is explained by C. iii. 29. 8, n. 'Candens' means shining with marble. 31. _Satis superque_] This expression occurs again Epod. xvii. 19. The sentiment is repeated C. ii. 18. 12; iii. 16. 38. 33. _Chremes_] The allusion is to a character in some play of Menander's. 34. _Discinetus_] 'dissolute'; indicating by his slovenly dress his dissipated habits. EPODE II. Horace, meaning to write on the praises of the country, put his poem into the shape of a rhapsody by a money-getting usurer, who, after reciting the blessings of a country life, and sighing for the enjoyment of them, resolving to throw up his business, and persuading himself that he desires nothing so much as retirement and a humble life, finds habit too strong for him, and falls back upon the sordid pursuits which, after all, are most congenial to him. Though the greater part of the speech must be admitted to be rather out of keeping with the supposed speaker, yet the picture is very beautiful, and the moral true. In the most sordid minds more genial impulses will sometimes arise; but the beauties of nature and the charms of a peaceful retirement are, like virtue itself, only attractive in the distance and at intervals to the minds that have grown addicted to the pursuit of gain for its own sake. To such minds domestic and innocent pleasures offer no lasting gratification, and the picture of rustic enjoyment on the one hand, and of the jaded but still grasping usurer struggling for a moment against his propensities on the other, affords a wholesome lesson for many. Argument.--"Happy is the man who lives on his farm, remote from the troubles of the city and the dangers of war and of the sea. He trains his vines, or watches his flocks, or grafts his trees, or stores his honey, or shears his sheep, or brings offerings of fruit to Priapus and Silvanus, or lies in the shade or on the soft grass, where birds are singing and streams are murmuring; or hunts the boar, or lays nets for the birds and hares, and herein forgets the pangs of love. Give me a chaste wife, who shall care for my home and children, milk my goats, prepare my unbought meal, and no dainties shall please me like my country fare, as I sit and watch the kine and oxen and laborers coming home to their rest at even." So said Alphius, the usurer, and, determining to live in the country, he got in all his money, but soon repented, and put it out to usury again. 4. _Solutus omni fenore,_] It must be remembered that a usurer is speaking. See Introduction. 9. _Ergo_] This is an adverb of emphasis, like [Greek: dê], the use of which it is not easy to define. Here it expresses a feeling of pleasure in the contemplation of the scenes described. In the occupations and amusements that follow, no particular order of seasons is observed, but one recreation after another is mentioned as it occurs. 15. _amphoris,_] These vessels were used for keeping honey, as well as wine. 16. _infirmas_] This is no more than an ornamental epithet. 17. _Vel cum_] 'Vel' has here a copulative force, and not a disjunctive, as "Silvius Aeneas pariter pietate vel armis Egregius" (Aen. vi. 769). 'Et' would have made the sentence too much of a climax, especially with the exclamation 'ut gaudet.' 19. _gaudet--decerpens_] This is after the Greek idiom [Greek: drepôn hêdetai]. 21. _Priape,_] This was one of the inferior order of divinities, only acknowledged as such in later times. He was accordingly treated with contempt sometimes, as in S. i. 8. He presided over gardens, protected flocks, and generally was worshipped in connection with the pursuits of husbandry. 22. _Silvane, tutor finium!_] Silvanus here only is called the protector of boundaries, which province belonged to the god Terminus. Virgil calls him the god of corn-fields and cattle (Aen. viii. 601); but, as his name implies, he was chiefly connected with woods and plantations. 24. _tenaci_] This is merely a redundant epithet. Grass, especially short turf grass, which is here meant, binds the soil and tenaciously adheres to it, both of which ideas seem to be included in this word. 25. _interim_] As we say, 'the while.' 'Altis ripis' are rocky, overhanging banks. 27. _lymphis obstrepunt_] 'Obstrepunt' is used absolutely, as in C. iii. 30. 10. 'Lymphis' is the ablative absolute. 28. _Somnos quod invitet_] Compare Virg. (Ecl. i. 56): "Saepe levi somnum suadebit inire susurro." 29. _annus_] This is used for the season of the year, as in Virgil (Ecl. iii. 57), "formosissimus annus." 31. _Aut trudit acres_] The hunters encompassed some large space (generally the foot of a wooded hill) with strong nets, which they gradually drew into a more and more narrow circle, while dogs and beaters with torches were set to drive the beasts into a given spot, where they were attacked and slain; or else they were driven down to the nets, with which they were entangled or stopped, unless they contrived, as they sometimes did, to break through them, which would give occasion for a chase in the open plain (see C. i. 1. 28). Plutarch, in his life of Alexander, speaks of toils twelve miles long. The poets, Latin and Greek, used the feminine gender in speaking of hunting-dogs, as mares are more often mentioned than horses for the race. 'Amites' were forked stakes on which the nets were stretched. 'Plagae' were the strong nets mentioned above; 'retia' were finer ones for birds and fish; 'retia rara' were those with wider meshes than fishing-nets, and therefore used only for birds. 'Edacibus' represents their depredations on the corn. 'Laqueo' may be pronounced as a dissyllable. 39. _in partem_] 'on her part.' The Greeks said [Greek: en merei]. 41. _Sabina_] See C. iii. 6. 37, n. Horace is fond of introducing his Sabine and Apulian friends. See C. iii. 5. 9, n. 42. _Pernicis_] 'Pernix' signifies patient, steadfast, being compounded of 'per' and 'nitor.' When applied to motion, it comes to mean swift, by the natural consequence of a steady movement of the wings or feet, which accomplishes distance more rapidly than irregular speed. 43. _Sacrum vetustis_] The fire-place was sacred to the Lares. The wood must be old that it might not smoke, like that which plagued the travellers at Trevicum (S. i. 5. 80). The 'focus' was either a fixture of stone or brick, in which case it was synonymous with 'caminus' or it was movable and made of bronze, and then it was usually called 'foculus.' In either case it was a wide and shallow receptacle for wood or charcoal, the smoke of which found its way out by apertures at the top of the room, or, in some rare instances, by chimneys. 'Sub,' with the accusative case, in phrases of time signifies 'immediately after.' 'Sub adventum viri' is not 'in anticipation of her husband's arrival'; but 'as soon as he has made his appearance,' weary with his day's work, she puts wood on the fire and gets up a cheerful blaze. But in the phrases "sub lacrimosa funera" (C. i. 8. 14), "sub ipsum funus" (C. ii. 18. 18), 'sub' can only mean close upon, but before the event. 47. _horna--dolio_] Poor wine of that year, which had not been bottled for keeping, but was drunk direct from the 'dolium.' Like the other parts of this description, this is meant to convey the notion of primitive simplicity. The wine of the year is generally drunk now, in and about Rome. 48. _inemptus_] Georg. iv. 132:-- "seraque revertens Nocte domum dapibus mensas onerabat inemptis." As to the oysters of the lacus Lucrinus, see S. ii. 4. 32. 50. _rhombus_] See S. ii. 2. 42, n. The 'scarus,' whatever that fish may be (for it is not certain), is said by Pliny to have abounded most in the Carpathian Sea. The storm, therefore, must come from the east that should drive it to the coast of Italy. 51. _intonata_] This participle occurs nowhere else in extant writers, but it is not likely Horace invented it. It represents the noise of the wind, rather than the thunder of the clouds, as Virgil (Georg. i. 371) says, "Eurique Zephyrique tonat domus." 53. _Afra avis_] What bird is meant we cannot tell. The Greeks called them [Greek: meleagridas]. Martial (iii. 58. 15) speaks of "Numidicae guttatae," 'speckled,' which seems to be the same bird and answers to the appearance of the guinea-fowl. The 'attagen' is usually said to be the moor-fowl. Martial says it was one of their most delicious birds (xiii. 61). It is repeatedly mentioned by Aristophanes. Aristotle, in his History of Animals, numbers it among [Greek: konistikoi ornithes], birds which do not fly high. 57. _Aut herba lapathi_] Both the 'lapathus' and the 'malva' were gently purgative. See Sat. ii. 4. 29. 59. _caesa Terminalibus,_] The Terminalia took place in the early spring (23 February), about the time of lambing, and lambs were offered to Terminus, the god who protected boundaries. Plutarch says that sheep rescued from the jaws of the wolf were thought to be better flavored than others. The thrifty would eat them for economy. That is the idea Horace means to convey. 61. _ut juvat_] See v. 19, "ut gaudet." 65. _vernas, ditis examen domus,_] 'Verna' was a slave born on the owner's estate. There was a hearth near which the images of the Lares were placed, in the centre of the 'atrium,' the entrance room, and round it the slaves had their supper. 'Renidentes' means shining by the light of the fire. 67. _fenerator Alphius,_] A usurer of this name is mentioned by Columella, as an authority on the subject of bad debts. 'Redigere' is the technical word for getting in money out on loan, and 'ponere' for putting it out, as [Greek: kataballein, ballein, tithenai]. The settling days at Rome were the Kalends, Nones, and Ides. Horace says that Alphius delivered the foregoing speech when he had made up his mind to turn farmer immediately, and that with this view he got in all his money on the Ides (the middle of the month), but when the next Kalends came (the first of the month) he could not resist putting it out again. EPODE III. Horace here vents his wrath against some garlic which he had eaten the day before at Mæcenas's table, and which had disagreed with him. He seems to imply that Mæcenas had played a practical joke upon him, and the whole Epode is full of humor and familiarity. Argument.--If a man has murdered his father, only make him eat garlic. What poison have I within me? Was a viper's blood in the mess, or did Canidia tamper with it? Sure with such poison did Medea anoint Jason and his intended bride. Apulia in the dog days never burnt like this, nor the coat on Hercules's shoulders. If thou dost ever take a fancy to such stuff, Mæcenas, mayst thou ask for a kiss and be refused! 1. _Parentis olim_] He uses the same illustration in cursing the tree that nearly killed him (C. ii. 13. 6). 3. _Edit_] The old form of the present subjunctive was 'edim,' 'edis,' 'edit.' It occurs again (Sat. ii. 8. 90). Cicero uses this form, and Plautus frequently. 4. _O dura_] 'O the tough bowels of those country folk.' Horace perhaps remembered Virgil's line (Ecl. ii. 10): "Thestylis et rapido fessis messoribus aestu Allia serpyllumque herbas contundit olentes." 5. _praecordiis?_] This is sometimes put for the intestines, as in Sat. ii. 4. 26. 6. _viperinus--cruor_] See C. i. 8. 9. 7. _fefellit?_] C. iii. 16. 32, n. 8. _Canidia_] This is one of the few names of which we may be pretty sure that it represents a real person. The Scholiasts on this place, and Sat. i. 8. 24, say that her real name was Gratidia, and that she was a Neapolitan seller of perfumes. She is mentioned always as a witch. In Epod. v. she is the principal person concerned in the murder of the boy; in Epod. xvii. Horace addresses his mock apologies to her. She figures in the scene on the Esquiliae represented in S. i. 8, and is incidentally mentioned in S. ii. 1. 48; 8. 95. It is impossible, from Horace's poems, to gather the cause of his anger against this woman, or his connection with her. 9. _praeter omnes_] These words go with 'mirata est.' The Argonautae included fifty of the greatest heroes, and among them Hercules, the Dioscuri, Orpheus, Theseus, Nestor, etc. To all the rest Medea preferred Jason, the leader of the party, and married him, and helped him in the performance of his tasks, one of which was the yoking two fire-breathing oxen to a plough, and turning up the soil in which he was to sow the dragon's teeth. 13. _Hoc delibutis,_] Horace assigns opposite qualities to the poison in Medea's hands. It protects Jason and destroys Creusa (or Glauce), daughter of Creon, king of Corinth, whom Jason married, deserting Medea. Her revenge is well known. (See Epod. v. 63.) 14. _Serpente fugit alite_] After destroying her rival, Medea fled in a chariot drawn by winged serpents. 15. _insedit vapor_] 'Vapor' is equivalent to 'calor,' the effect to the cause. 'Siderum vapor' is the heat of the dog days. (Compare Epod. xvi. 61.) The arid, unwatered character of Apulia has been noticed before (C. iii. 30. 11). 17. _Nec munus humeris_] i.e. the garment smeared with the blood of Nessus, given by Deianira to Hercules. She gave it as a love-charm, and it burnt him to death. See Epod. xvii. 31. 20. _Jocose_] See Introduction. 21. _savio opponat tuo_] 'Savium' means 'a lip.' 22. _sponda_] The side of the bed on which the person got in was called 'sponda,' the opposite side 'pluteus.' EPODE IV. All the positive information we can derive from this Ode in respect to its purport and date is, that it contains a vehement invective against some person of low birth and contemptible character, who gave himself airs and disgusted the people of Rome; he was also a military tribune. Argument.--I hate thee, thou whipped slave, as the lamb hates the wolf and the wolf the lamb. Be thou never so proud, luck doth not change the breed. See, as thou swaggerest down the road, how they turn and say, "Here is a scoundrel who was flogged till the crier was tired, and now he has his acres, and ambles on his nag, and sits among the Equites, and snaps his fingers at Otho and his law. What is the use of our sending ships to attack the pirates, if such a rascal as this is to be military tribune?" 1. _sortito_] 'In virtue of their condition.' 'Sors' is the condition which choice, accident, fate, or nature (as here) has assigned. See notes on C. i. 9. 14. S. i. 1. 1. 3. _Hibericis--funibus_] These were cords made of 'spartum,' usually said to be the Spanish broom. It was made into ropes, especially for ships' rigging. In the army they flogged with vine twigs. 7. _metiente_] 'As thou measurest the Sacred Way.' 'Metiri' is used by the poets in expressing motion of various kinds, with 'viam,' 'iter,' 'mare,' etc. Here it shows the man's strut and swagger. The Via Sacra was crowded with public buildings, and was a favorite lounge. See S. i. 9. 1. 8. _bis trium ulnarum toga,_] The Romans of this period used 'ulna' as an equivalent for 'cubitus', therefore 'bis trium ulnarum' must be understood to have reference to the width of the toga, not the length, which was much greater, about three times the height of the wearer from the shoulder to the ground. The effect of so wide a toga would be to give a broad imposing appearance to the man's person. Compare S. ii. 3. 183. "Latus ut in Circo spatiere." 9. _vertat_] This means that the passengers turned to one another, and also turned to look at the coxcomb and point at him. _huc et huc euntium_] 'Huc et huc,' 'hinc et hinc' (Epod. ii. 31, v. 97), are poetical ways of expressing what in prose is expressed with 'illuc,' 'illinc' in the second place. 11. _Sectus_] This is supposed to be the language each man holds to his neighbor. The 'triumviri capitales' were magistrates of police, and they had the power of summarily punishing slaves. A crier stood by while floggings were going on, and kept proclaiming the offender's crime. So Plato lays down, in the Laws, that the swindler shall be flogged at the rate of one blow for each drachma, while the crier declares his crime. 13. _Arat Falerni_] The Falernus ager, in Campania, was covered with vines, but the vineyards were ploughed between the trees, and sown with corn. The Appian road, leading into Campania, would be passed and repassed by this man as he went to and from his estates. 'Tero' is equivalent to [Greek: tribô], which is used in the same connection. 15. _eques_] If the person was a military tribune, he had equestrian rank; and, if of one of the four first legions, he had a seat in the Senate, and wore the 'latus clavus.' See S. i. 6. 25. If he had an income of 400,000 sesterces, he could, under the law of L. Roscius Otho (passed B.C. 67), take his place in any of the fourteen front rows in the theatre, and laugh at Otho, whose purpose was to keep those seats for persons of birth. See Epp. i. 1. 62. 19. _Contra latrones_] In the year B.C. 38 Augustus declared war against Sex. Pompeius, who had enlisted in his service pirates and slaves. These Horace alludes to. 20. _tribuno militum?_] Each legion in the Roman army had six tribunes (the post Horace held under Brutus), who were their principal officers, having each usually about a thousand men under them. EPODE V. There is much likeness between this singular Ode and part of the eighth Satire of the first book. A scene is represented in which the unfortunate woman Canidia (Epod. iii. 8, n.), satirized by Horace for a succession of years, is the chief actress. She is passionately in love with one Varus, whom she calls an old sinner, but whose heart she is resolved to win. To this end she resorts to magical philters, for the composition of which, in company with three other witches, she gets a boy of good family, strips him naked, and buries him up to his chin in a hole, in order that there, with food put before him, he might wither away in the midst of longing, and so his liver might form, in conjunction with other ingredients, a love-potion, to be administered to the faithless Varus. What could have put such a scene into Horace's head, it is hard to say. Argument.--"Tell me, by the gods, by thy children, if Lucina hath ever blessed thee, by this purple toga, which should protect my childhood, tell me what meaneth this horrid scene! Why look ye at me so sternly?" As these words drop from the trembling and naked child, Canidia bids them bring branches from the tombs, a screech-owl's wing, and eggs steeped in frogs' blood, poisonous herbs of Thessaly and Hiberia, and bones snatched from the jaws of a hungry bitch, to burn in the magic flames. Sagana meanwhile sprinkles waters of Avernus over the chamber, and Veia digs a pit, where the boy must stand buried to the chin, that his marrow and liver may dry up, and become fit ingredients for the potion. Folia, too, is there, charming stars and moon from the sky. Then Canidia bursts forth, saying: "Night and Diana, avenge me on my enemies. Give me such an ointment to smear the old man with, that the dogs may bark at him as he goes to his vile haunts. But what is this? How did Medea succeed while I fail? I know every herb. I have anointed his bed. I see, I see. Some charm more skilled has set him free. No common potion therefore, no hackneyed spell, will I prepare for thee, Varus: the skies shall sink below the sea if thou burn not with love for me." Then the boy bursts out into cursing, and says: "The destiny of man is unchangeable. I will curse you, and my curse no sacrifice shall avert. My ghost shall haunt you by night, and tear your flesh, and rob you of sleep. Men shall stone you, and wolves and vultures shall tear your unburied carcases, and my parents shall live to see it." 1. _At, o deorum_] 'At' is the same word as 'ad,' and is not always or usually an adversative particle. It is contained in 'atque' and 'autem,' neither of which is adversative. So [Greek: alla] and [Greek: de] have not necessarily that force, but are used to open sentences, and carry on the meaning of a discourse. When 'at' is used at the opening, it expresses abruptness, and is as though the speaker were only continuing a sentiment previously conceived, but not expressed. It denotes a sudden emotion of the mind, and is employed in sudden transitions of speech. See S. ii. 2. 40, n. _deorum quidquid_] Livy uses the same expression more than once (ii. 5, xxiii. 9). See also S. i. 6. 1. 6. _veris_] In this word a doubt is implied of the woman's fertility. The charge is retracted in Epod. xvii. 50, sqq. As to Lucina, see C. S. 15, n. 7. _purpurae decus_] The 'toga praetexta,' with a purple stripe, the sign of nobility and of childhood, which should have turned his persecutors from their purpose, but did not. In addition to this toga, children of free parents wore a small round plate of gold ('bulla') suspended from their neck. Both were laid aside on the assumption of the 'toga virilis' (usually at about fifteen), and the 'bulla' was presented as an offering to the Lares. Pliny calls the 'praetexta' "majestas pueritiae" (ix. 36). 'Odia novercalia' were proverbial. (See Tac. Ann. xii. 2.) 8. _Per improbaturum_] Compare C. i. 2. 19. 12. _Insignibus_] That is, his 'praetexta' and 'bulla.' 'Impube corpus' is in apposition with 'puer.' 14. _Thracum_] The Thracians are put for any barbarians. 21. _Iolcos atque Hiberia_] Iolcos was a town of Thessaly, and Hiberia a region east of Colchis and south of the Caucasus, now part of Georgia, which is referred to in C. ii. 20. 20. Elsewhere in Horace, Hiber and Hiberia have reference to Spain. 24. _Flammis aduri Colchicis_] Flames of Colchis mean magic flames, such as Medea used. 25. _expedita_] This answers to the description of Canidia herself, given Sat. i. 8. 23:-- "Vidi egomet nigra _succinctam_ vadere palla Canidiam." Sagana is there again introduced in her company. 26. _Avernales aquas_] So Dido, in her pretended magical ceremony, sprinkled "latices simulatos fontis Averni" (Aen. iv. 512). 28. _currens aper_] As Sagana is represented running about furiously, the rushing of a boar is not a bad simile. It is intelligible to any one who has seen a wild hog bursting from a jungle, and then tumbling along the open plain faster than dog or rider can follow him. 29. _nulla--conscientia_] Unconscious or careless of the horrible suffering the child was to endure. Though she groaned, it was only with the labor. We are to understand that the transaction was going on, and the grave being dug, in the open court, the 'impluvium' or 'peristylium' (C. iii. 10. 5, n.). The nature and purpose of the boy's torture are sufficiently explained in the Introduction. 33. _Longo die bis terque_] 'Longo' belongs to 'die,' not to 'spectaculo.' On every weary day, food was to be put before him, and changed two or three times, that his soul might yearn for it, like Tantalus, and its longings might be worked into the spell that was to inflame the heart of Varus. 'Inemori' is not found anywhere else. The ordinary form is 'immori.' 'Bis terque' signifies 'frequently', 'bis terve,' 'rarely.' 39. _Interminato_] This word, compounded of 'inter' and 'minor,' is a stronger way of expressing 'interdicto,' 'forbidden.' It is the interposition of a threat, instead of a plain command. 'As soon as his eyeballs, fixed on the forbidden food, should have wasted.' Sat. ii. 1. 24: "Ut semel icto Accessit fervor capiti." 42. _Ariminensem Foliam_] Folia of Ariminum (an Umbrian town) represents some woman of unnatural lewdness, well known at Naples and its neighborhood, where, Horace means to say, when this story was told, everybody believed she had had a hand in it. This is the most obvious way of explaining the passage, without supposing the scene to be laid at Naples, which it cannot be. See vv. 58 and 100. 43. _otiosa_] So Ovid calls it "in otia natam Parthenopen" (Met. xv. 711). 45. _Quae sidera excantata_] This faculty of witches is sufficiently well known. Virg. (Ecl. viii. 69): "Carmina vel caelo possunt deducere Lunam." _Thessala_] C. i. 27. 21. 55. _Formidolosis_] This is equivalent to 'horridis,' as Virg. (Georg. iv. 468), "Caligantem nigra formidine lucum." The word bears an active and a passive meaning. 57. _Senem, quod omnes rideant,_] She here prays that the dogs may bark at Varus, as he goes to the brothels of the Suburra, so that all may turn out and laugh at the vile old man, scented with the richest perfumes, such as even she, Canidia, had never made. (See Epod. iii. 8, n.). 58. _Suburanae canes_] Suburra was the name of that part of the city which lay between the Esquiline and the Viminal. It was very populous and profligate. Propertius (iv. 7. 15) describes it as the resort of thieves, and Martial of prostitutes (vi. 66). 61. _Quid accidit?_] She wonders why her drugs (which she calls the drugs of Medea, as imitating those) take no effect upon him, when she suddenly breaks out with the exclamation, "Ah! ah! I see; some stronger spell is at work, but I will find one that is stronger than any" (v. 71). 62. _Venena Medeae_] She speaks as if she had been actually using the drugs of Medea. 63. _fugit ulta pellicem,_] See Epod. iii. 13. 69. _Indormit unctis_] She had smeared the couch he slept on with drugs, to make him forget all women but herself. 'Unctis' goes with 'oblivione.' 73. _Vare,_] Who Varus was, we cannot tell. Some ancient MSS. inscriptions call him 'Alfius Varus.' 74. _caput_] See C. i. 24. 2, n. 76. _Marsis--vocibus:_] That is, by common spells or charms, such as have been learnt from the Marsi, and were usually practised (Epod. xvii. 29). Virgil has (Aen. vii. 758): "Marsis quaesitae in montibus herbae." 86. _Thyesteas preces:_] Curses such as Thyestes might have imprecated on the head of Atreus (see C. i. 6. 8, n.). The opening sentence of the boy's speech is variously interpreted. The words may be translated as they stand: "Witchcraft, or the great powers of right and wrong, cannot change the fate of men"; i.e. nothing can, whether it be good or bad, which interpretation is the least strained, with reference to the collocation of the words. The omission of a connecting particle between 'venena' and 'magnum' is no argument against this version. 90. _Nulla expiatur victima_] See C. i. 28. 34. 91. Quin] See next Epod. v. 3, n. 92. _Nocturnus occurram Furor_] He threatens to haunt them at night by his ghost, in the shape of madness, with sharp claws tearing their faces, and sitting like a nightmare on their breast. 'Furor' is nowhere else personified, as far as I am aware. 'Diris' means 'curses.' 94. _Quae vis deorum est manium,_] The spirits of the dead were, to their surviving kindred, divinities, 'Dii Manes.' They had their sacred rites secured them by the laws (see Cic. de Legg. ii. 9), and their annual festival, Feralia. In the early period of Rome they were identical with the Lares, the deities who protected each homestead, and whose hearth was in every hall. See Epp. ii. 1. 138, n. 100. _Esquilinae alites;_] On the Campus Esquilinus malefactors of the lower sort were executed, and their bodies left for the vultures and jackalls to devour. Compare Epod. xvii. 58, and S. i. 8. 8, n. EPODE VI. It is impossible to say with certainty who is the person attacked in this Ode. It is some virulent writer. Horace meets him on his own ground, challenging him to attack himself, rather than level his abuse at innocent strangers, who could not defend themselves. Argument.--Why snarl at innocent strangers, dog, and run away from the wolf? Attack me, if thou darest. I am ever ready to hunt the prey, while thou dost but bark and turn aside to fill thy belly. Beware! for I have lifted my horns, even as Archilochus and Hipponax lifted theirs. If I am attacked, thinkest thou I will stand like a child, and cry? 3. _Quin--vertis_] 'Quin' is in this combination only equivalent to 'qui' and a negative, taken interrogatively. 'Quin vertis' is a direct question. An instance of 'quin' as a direct assertion, which is a conventional secondary usage, occurs in the Epode preceding, v. 91. 6. _Amica vis pastoribus,_] Lucretius (vi. 1221) speaks of "fida canum vis," and Virg. (Aen. iv. 132), "odora canum vis." 'Vis' signifies 'a pack.' Whatever the Molossian and Laconian dogs were, they were used for hunting, and were loved by shepherds because in packs they destroyed the wolves and beasts of prey. (See Georg. iii. 405, sqq.) 13. _Lycambae--Bupalo._] Archilochus, the lyric poet of Paros, attacked Lycambes (a citizen of the island of Thasos, to which Archilochus migrated), who, after promising him his daughter Neobule in marriage, retracted his promise, so sharply that he is said to have hanged himself; and the same fate was supposed to have befallen Bupalus and Athenis, two sculptors, who turned into ridicule the ugly features of Hipponax, the lyric poet of Ephesus, who flourished in the sixth century B.C., about 150 years after Archilochus. The daughters of Lycambes were included, as the story goes, in Archilochus's invectives, and also destroyed themselves. See Epp. i. 19. 25. 16. _Inultus ut flebo puer?_] The construction is 'inultus, flebo ut puer.' EPODE VII. This Epode appears to have been written when some fresh war was breaking out. It may have been the last war between Augustus and M. Antonius, which ended in the battle of Actium and the taking of Alexandria. See Epod. i., Introduction. This is as likely a time as any other, but it is not easy to decide. Argument.--Whither run ye to arms?--hath not blood enough of Romans been shed? 'T is not to burn the walls of Carthage, or humble the Briton, but that the Parthian may rejoice in seeing Rome fall by her own hand. The beasts do not war upon their kind. Is it madness, or force irresistible, or wickedness, that drives you? They are dumb: they answer not. 'T is even so: the blood of Remus is visited on the destinies of Rome. 2. _conditi?_] Swords which were 'lately sheathed.' 7. _Intactus_] See C. iii. 24. 1. What Horace means to say is, "The blood that has been spilt in these civil wars has been shed, not for the destruction of Carthage, as in the war that Scipio led, or that the Briton might be led in chains, as he was by Julius Cæsar, but for the destruction of Rome herself." 'Intactus' means 'untouched,' till Julius Cæsar invaded them and carried away prisoners, many of whom walked in his triumph. The first time after Cæsar's expeditions that a Roman army invaded Britain was in the expedition of Claudius, A.D. 43. 8. _Sacra catenatus via,_] See C. iv. 2. 35, n. 12. _dispar_] This signifies an animal of another species. 'Feris,' agreeing with 'lupis' and 'leonibus,' may be rendered 'fierce though they be.' 13. _vis acrior,_] This seems to be an absolute expression (not comparative with 'furor'), and equivalent to [Greek: theou bia, theoblabeia]; and it is so explained by Gaius with reference to such a visitation of God as a storm, earthquake, and so forth (Dig. 11. 25. 6). "Vis major, quam Graeci [Greek: theou bian], id est, vim divinam appellant, non debet conductori damnosa esse." Horace means some irresistible force. 19. _Ut immerentis_] 'Ut' signifies 'ever since,' as C. iv. 4. 42, and elsewhere. Horace here fetches his reasons from a distant source, more fanciful than natural. He wrote more to the purpose afterwards, C. i. 2; ii. 1. EPODE VIII. Addressed to a licentious old woman. EPODE IX. The date of this Ode is not to be mistaken. It was written when the news of Actium was fresh, in September, B.C. 31, immediately before the 37th of the first book. It is addressed to Mæcenas, who is called upon to celebrate with a feast at his new house the victory of Augustus, which is described as if by an eyewitness. Argument.--When shall we drink under thy tall roof, Mæcenas, to Cæsar the conqueror, as late we did when the son of Neptune lost his fleet and fled,--he who threatened us all with the chains his slaves had worn? Will our sons believe it? Romans have sold themselves to serve a woman and her eunuchs, and the luxurious gauze hath fluttered among the standards of war! But their allies deserted to our side, and their ships skulked from the fight. Io Triumphe! bring forth the golden chariot and the sacrifice. So great a conqueror never came from Africa before. The enemy hath changed his purple for mourning, and hath fled to Crete or the Syrtes, or knoweth not whither to fly. Bigger cups, boy,--Chian, or Lesbian, or Cæcuban,--we will drown our old anxieties for Cæsar in wine. 3. _sub alta--domo,_] This was the house built by Mæcenas on the Campus Esquilinus. See Introduction to S. i. 8. 6. _barbarum?_] Phrygian, for which this was a common equivalent, as opposed to Grecian. So (Epp. i. 2. 7): "Graecia barbariae lento colliso duello." Virg. Aen. ii. 504: "Barbarico postes auro spoliisque superbi." Catull. (lxiv. 265): "Barbaraque horribili stridebat tibia cantu." See C. i. 1. 32, n. on the plural 'tibiis,' and C. iv. 15. 30, n., as to Dorian and Phrygian music. 7. _nuper,_] This was between five and six years before, when Sextus Pompeius was defeated by Agrippa off Naulochus, on the coast of Sicily, B.C. 36, when his fleet was burnt, and he himself obliged to fly to Asia. Horace says he threatened to fasten upon the free citizens those chains which he had taken from the fugitive slaves, who formed a large part of his force. Sextus appears to have boasted that Neptune was his father, and the sea his mother. See Epod. iv. 19. 12. _Emancipatus_] There is no variation in the MSS. here, but the sense would seem to require 'mancipatus.' "'Mancipatio' is the form by which a person who was not 'sui juris' was transferred to the 'potestas' of another, as in the case of adoption. 'Emancipare' seems to be the proper term to express the making a person 'sui juris' by the act of 'mancipatio'; but 'mancipo' and 'emancipo' are often confounded in the MSS." Here, however, we must take 'emancipatus' as the true reading and it can only signify 'sold into slavery.' There may be a shade of difference in the meaning of the words, which it is not easy to trace. 13. _Fert vallum et arma_] 'Valli' were stakes, of which every soldier carried one or two for the purpose of defending the 'agger' or mound of earth, formed round an encampment or a besieged town. 'Arma' includes not only his weapons of offence and defence, but an axe, saw, chain, etc. The accoutrements of a Roman soldier were very heavy, but they had slaves ('calones') who helped to carry them. See C. ii. 13. 18, n. 16. _conopium_] A gauze mosquito curtain. 17. _At huc_] 'Huc' is 'to our side.' 'Frementes' agrees with 'equos.' Horace means to say that part of the enemy's force deserted to Cæsar. For the expression 'canentes Caesarem' compare Virg. (Aen. vii. 698): "Ibant aequati numero regemque canebant." The Galli were cavalry of Galatia (or Gallogræcia) under Deiotarus their king, and his general (who afterwards succeeded him), Amyntas. 20. _sinistrorsum citae._] This is probably a nautical term. The Greeks had an expression [Greek: prumnên krousasthai], 'to back water.' Something of that sort, connected with flight, is probably the meaning of 'sinistrorsum citae.' Whether Horace exactly states what he had heard, and whether the information was precisely correct, we cannot tell. He wrote while the tidings were fresh, and probably gave only popular reports. The defection of the Galatians is mentioned by Plutarch (Ant. 63). 'Citae' is the participle of 'cieo.' 21. _Io Triumphe,_] Triumphus is personified, as in C. iv. 2. 49. _aureos Currus_] A gilded chariot was used by conquerors in their triumphs. The form of the chariot was that of a round tower. Four horses, which on special occasions were white, were used for drawing the triumphal chariot. Heifers that had not been under the yoke, were offered in sacrifice at the close of the procession. Scipio Africanus Minor triumphed in A.U.C. 608 (B.C. 146), for the conquest of Carthage, and Marius in B.C. 104, for his victories over Jugurtha. 25. _cui super Karthaginem_] All that is here said about Scipio's tomb is, that his valor built him one on the ruins of Carthage, which is no more than a repetition of C. iv. 8. 17. Horace is speaking of a tomb of renown, in which Scipio's memory is enshrined, not his body. 27. _Terra marique_] There was no land engagement; but all the forces of Antonius, when he deserted them, laid down their arms. 'Punicum sagum' is called by the Greek writers [Greek: phoinikis]. The 'sagum' was properly the cloak worn by the common soldier on service; but qualified as it is here by 'punicum,' 'purple,' it can only mean the 'paludamentum,' or officer's military cloak. Horace says the enemy has changed his purple cloak for a black one, in token of mourning and shame for his defeat. It is to be observed, that, though M. Antonius is clearly the person uppermost in the writer's mind, he only uses the general expressions 'hostis,' 'Romanus' (v. 11). 'Mutavit' signifies, as elsewhere, 'has taken in exchange.' 29. _centum--urbibus_] See C. iii. 27. 33, n. 'Ventis non suis' means 'unfavourable winds.' Ovid (Met. iv. 373): "Vota suos habuere deos." 33. _Capaciores affer_] The transition here is as abrupt and expressive as in C. iii. 19. 9. 36. _Metire nobis_] 'Metire' is equivalent to 'misce,' because the wine and the water were measured out and mixed in regular proportions, by means of the cyathus (C. iii. 19. 12). EPODE X. Mævius was an inferior poet of the day, who appears to have employed himself in abusing his betters. He is most popularly known through Virgil's familiar line, "Qui Bavium non odit amet tua carmina, Maevi" (Ecl. iii. 90). It appears that he went or meditated going to Greece, and Horace took a different leave of him from that he took of his friend Virgil on a like occasion (C. i. 3). He calls him the stinking Mævius, and promises an offering to the tempests if they will sink his ship. Argument.--Bad luck go with the stinking Mævius. Blow, ye winds, and shatter his ship; no friendly star peep forth in the sky: let him be driven as the Greeks were by Pallas for the crime of Ajax. O how the sailors will sweat! and thou wilt turn deadly pale, and cry like a woman, and fall to thy prayers! Let me only hear the gulls are feasting upon thy carcass, and I will offer a goat and a lamb to the storms. 10. _tristis Orion_] See C. i. 28. 21, n. 14. _Ajacis_] The son of Oïleus. The story is, that he was destroyed by Athene, on his return from Troy, for having dragged Cassandra from her altar and violated her. See Virg. Aen. i. 41. Homer tells the story a little differently (Odyss. iv. 499, sqq.). But either account suits Horace's description. 17. _illa_] He speaks as though he heard the man crying. 19. _Ionius--sinus_] The southern part of the Hadriatic was called the Ionian sea, and it is called 'sinus,' as the Hadriatic itself is called so in C. iii. 27. 18. 23. _immolabitur caper_] See Virg. Aen. iii. 120; v. 772. Black animals were usually offered to the Tempests, to deprecate their wrath. The offerings Horace promised are in the way of thanksgiving. EPODE XI. This is a love poem, probably imitated from the Greek. The poet complains that he is so smitten by the heavy hand of love that he cannot write as he used. Two years before, he says, he had given up Inachia, who preferred richer lovers to himself, but now the young Lyciscus has caught his heart, and nothing but some new love can deliver him from the snare. The poet addresses his friend Pettius, as one who had before been his confidant and adviser (v. 12). Argument.--Pettius, I am so smitten with the heavy hand of love, who makes me above others his victim, that I cannot write as I used. 'T is two years since I gave up Inachia. Ah! what a by-word I was then! How I sighed in company and poured out my complaints to thee, when wine had opened my heart! "Has the poor man's wit no chance against the rich man's purse? My wrath is kindled. I cast my modesty and my sighs to the winds, I will contend with such rivals no more." Thus did I boast, but my feet carried me still to her cruel door. And now, boasting that I have no woman to fear, Lyciscus has caught my heart, nor can counsel or raillery deliver me, nor aught but some new flame. 1. _Petti,_] This name is not found elsewhere. It may nevertheless be a real name, though it seems only to be introduced to give an air of reality to the Ode. 3. _me praeter omnes expetit_] 'Me' is governed by 'expetit,' not by 'urere.' 'Expetit--urere' is a Greek construction; 'quem urat' is the regular Latin. 4. _in pueris_] This use of 'in' is not very common. It occurs Ov. Met. iv. 234, "Neque enim moderatus in illa Solis amor fuerat." 6. _Inachia_] This is another of those names from the Greek which Horace invariably adopts in his merely poetical compositions. See Introduction. _honorem decutit._] This expression is used by Virgil, who either borrowed it from Horace, or from some common original (Georg. ii. 404): "Frigidus et silvis Aquilo decussit honorem." See C. i. 17. 16: "Ruris honorum opulenta." 8. _Fabula_] Epp. i. 13. 9: "Fabula fias." He means he was the talk of the town. 'Arguit' (v. 10) is the preterperfect tense. 11. _Contrane_] 'Can it be that the honest genius of the poor man has no influence against gold?' 'Ne' might be omitted, but then it would be a mere exclamation, 'To think that,' etc. 12. _applorans_] This word is not found elsewhere, except in Seneca. 13. _inverecundus deus_] When Horace means to discourage brawling over wine, he calls Bacchus 'verecundus' (C. i. 27. 3). The best works of art represent this god as young and effeminately beautiful, with long hair, like Apollo, as the emblem of eternal youth. It is a coarse modern notion to represent him as a jolly round faced boy, or a drunken sot. This character belongs to Silenus, who is always drunk. 15. _Quodsi meis_] 'But now that in my heart is boiling wrath so free that it doth scatter to the winds these thankless remedies that cure not my sad wound, my modesty removed shall cease to strive with rivals not mine equals.' He means to say, that his wrath has got the better of his love and modesty, and he will cast his complaints and his shyness to the winds, and cease to contend with rivals that are unworthy of him. 'Fomenta' means sighs and complainings with which grief is sought to be relieved. 'Libera bilis' is like (Epod. iv. 10) "liberrima indignatio." 'Imparibus' signifies his rivals who are beneath him in mind, though his betters in fortune. 'Desinet certare summotus pudor' is equivalent to 'desinam certare summoto pudore.' 'Imparibus' is the dative case. See C. i. 1. 15, n. 'Inaestuo' is not used elsewhere, but Horace is free in his use of prepositions in composition, after the manner of the Greeks. 19. _palam laudaveram,_] 'Palam' is used both as an adverb and a preposition. 'Laudaveram' is equivalent to 'jactaveram.' 20. _incerto pede_] 'With wavering foot,' that is, with steps that would go one way, and are forced to go another. The poet represents himself as making fine boasts before his friend, but striving in vain to keep them when he leaves him. 21. _non amicos heu mihi postes_] Compare "asperas porrectum ante fores" (C. iii. 10. 2), where 'porrectum' explains 'lumbos et infregi latus,' which means that he wearied his body by lying on the hard ground. 24. _mollitie amor_] The hiatus in this verse, and the short syllable in v. 26, are explained by the rule, that, the two verses being composed of two separate measures, the last syllable in each is common, and independent of the syllable that follows. The name Lyciscus is probably formed from Lycus, Alcæus's favorite boy. 26. _Libera consilia_] 'Candid counsels,' opposed to 'contumeliae graves'; but neither are meant seriously. 28. _teretis pueri_] 'Smooth-faced boy.' See note on C. i. 1. 28. As to 'longam comam,' see C. iv. 10. 3, n. 'Renodantis,' which some render 'untying, and allowing to flow upon the shoulders,' means rather 'tying up in a knot,' like a girl. EPODE XII. This Ode is addressed to a licentious woman. EPODE XIII. This Ode is like the ninth of the first book,--a convivial song, written in winter. There can be little doubt of the subject as well as the metre being imitated from the Greek. The reference to Achilles reminds us of C. i. 7, and the allusion to Teucer. There is a fragment of Anacreon which bears some likeness to the opening of this Epode. Argument.--The tempest is raging, let us make merry, my friends, while we are young, and leave the rest to the gods, who will give us a good turn yet. Bring ointment and music, as Chiron taught his great pupil, saying, "To Troy thou must go, and not return; while there, drown care in wine and song, which are grief's pleasant comforters." 1. _contraxit_] This word is only to be explained by observing the different aspect of the sky when it is closed in with clouds, and when it is spread out in all its breadth and cloudless. A frowning sky is a notion easily understood, and common to all languages. 2. _Jovem;_] See C. i. 1. 25; 16. 12. Virgil (Ecl. vii. 60): "Juppiter et laete descendet plurimus imbri." Georg. ii. 325:-- "Tum pater omnipotens fecundis imbribus aether Conjugis in gremium laetae descendit." 3. _rapiamus, amici, Occasionem de die,_] This is explained by C. iii. 8. 27: "Dona praesentis cape laetus horae." 'Die' means the present day as opposed to to-morrow, not, as some take it, 'from this stormy day.' 4. _dumque virent genua_] See C. i. 9. 17, n. The strength of an active man lies very much in his legs, and so they are put for his strength, as in the 147th Psalm (v. 10): "He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man": and the knees are a chief part of the legs, therefore [Greek: gounata luein] is used for [Greek: kteinein]. 'Dum virent genua,' therefore, means merely 'while our limbs are strong, and we are young.' The tottering of the knees is one of the first signs of old age. 5. _obducta--fronte_] 'Clouded brow.' 'Senectus' is nowhere else used in this sense of 'melancholy,' though 'senium' is not uncommonly. 'Tu' is the master of the feast (C. i. 4. 18, n.). Sextus Manlius Torquatus was consul, B.C. 55, when Horace was born. Compare "O nata mecum consule Manlio" (C. iii. 21. 1). 7. _Cetera_] See C. i. 9. 9: "Permitto divis cetera." Either it is a literal version of the Greek [Greek: hetera], in the sense of 'adverse,' or the troubles of the times may be referred to, or generally Horace may mean by 'cetera,' all troublesome thoughts opposed to mirth and wine. 8. _vice._] The short syllables here and in vv. 10, 14, 'pectora,' 'flumina,' are explained on v. 24 of the last Ode. _Achaemenio_] See C. ii. 12. 21, n. 'Nardo' is from 'nardum,' not 'nardus,' as in Epod. v. 59: "Nardo perunctum quale non perfectius." 9. _fide Cyllenea_] The lyre invented by Mercury, born on Mount Cyllene in Arcadia. 11. _grandi_] Juvenal (vii. 210) describes Achilles as a big boy at school, "Metuens virgae jam grandis Achilles Cantabat patriis in montibus"; but 'grandis' has not that meaning here, though some have supposed it has. _Centaurus_] Cheiron, the instructor of Achilles and other heroes. Whether Horace took what follows from any story or not, it is impossible to determine, as with the similar episode of Teucer in C. i. 7. 13. _frigida_] This is an adaptation of Homer's description (Il. xxii. 151): [Greek: hê d' heterê thereï proreei eikuia chalazê Ê chioni psychrê]. 'Domus Assaraci,' 'proles Assaraci,' are common in Virgil. Assaracus was great-grandfather of Æneas. Homer took a more heroic view of the dimensions of the river Scamander, which was [Greek: megas potamos bathydinês] (Il. xx. 73). 15. _subtemine_] 'The woof of the web.' 'Certo subtemine' means only by an unalterable destiny. See Catull. 64. 328, &c.: "Currite ducentes subtemina currite fusi." 'Mater caerula' means Thetis. 18. _alloquiis._] 'Alloquiis' signifies 'consolations,' and is in apposition with 'vino cantuque.' There is no other instance of 'alloquium' being used otherwise than with reference to conversation. But Horace may have followed, after his custom of imitating the Greeks, the use of [Greek: paramythion, parêgoria], which were applied, in a derived sense, to anything that gave relief to sorrow. EPODE XIV. The object of this Ode is to excuse Horace for his indolence in not having finished a poem, or volume of poems, he had long promised (v. 7). He says it is love that has prevented him, and that Mæcenas ought to sympathize with him. Argument.--Thou killest me, my noble Mæcenas, asking again and again if I have drunk the waters of Lethe. It is love, it is love that keeps back the verses I have promised,--such love as Anacreon wept, in his flowing numbers, for Bathyllus, the Samian. Thou, too, feelest the flame, and if thou art more blessed than I, be thankful. Thou lovest the most beautiful of women: I am in torment for a harlot. 1. _imis--sensibus,_] So Virgil (Ecl. iii. 54): "Sensibus haec imis (res est non parva) reponas." 4. _traxerim,_] This is the earliest instance of this use of 'traho.' 'Duco' is more common (C. i. 17. 22; iii. 3. 34; iv. 12. 14). Ovid and later writers use 'traho' (see Forcell.). The Greeks used [Greek: spaô] and [Greek: helkô] commonly in this sense. 'Candide' seems to signify 'generous,' 'true.' It is used familiarly. 6. _Deus_] That is, love. 8. _Ad umbilicum adducere._] The several sheets of parchment on which the contents of a book were written were joined together, and at the end of the last was fastened a stick on which the whole was rolled, like our maps; and in the same way, at the ends of this roller, were knobs, which were called 'cornua' or 'umbilici.' The former word is obvious enough. The latter belongs more properly, perhaps, to the shape that the ends of the roll would take when these knobs were wanting; but it was also applied to the knobs themselves, and so 'ad umbilicum adducere' is to bring a volume to the last sheet. It has been disputed whether 'carmen' means a volume or a single poem. 'Ad umbilicum adducere' seems to refer to a volume, 'carmen' to a single poem; but the former might be taken in a derived sense, 'ad finem adducere,' as reasonably as the latter in a collective sense, and I think a single poem is meant. Perhaps it never was finished. Whether 'olim' belongs to 'inceptos' or 'promissum' is open to doubt. In sense it applies to both. 9. _Bathyllo_] C. ii. 4. 7, n. Anacreon's verses were full of passionate addresses to boys. The name of Bathyllus does not occur in any of the fragments that have come down to us; but it is mentioned by others besides Horace, and he is known to have been one of Anacreon's chief favourites. He was a graceful performer on the flute, which accomplishment Anacreon took delight in praising. One of the Odes falsely attributed to Anacreon is addressed [Greek: eis neôteron Bathyllon·] and from that we also learn that he was a Samian, [Greek: ên d' es Samon pot' elthês Graphe Phoibon ek Bathyllou]. Anacreon, being driven from his native town, Teos in Ionia, lived many years at Samos, under the protection of Polycrates. 12. _Non elaboratum ad pedem._] This means that his style was easy and his rhythm flowing, which is verified by the few fragments that remain. The poems that go by Anacreon's name are of a later age. 13. _Ureris ipse miser:_] See Introduction. Terentia, Mæcenas's wife, is here alluded to. EPODE XV. This is probably a composition from the Greek. It is addressed to an imaginary Neæra by the poet, in his own person. He complains of her deserting him for a wealthier rival. He bids her remember her vows, and beware of provoking him, lest he leave her for ever. And he pities the man whom she has caught, and warns him that, be he rich and wise as he may, she will soon leave him for another. Horace introduces the same name in a much later Ode (iii. 14. 21), and it is used throughout the third book of Elegies commonly attributed to Tibullus. The Ode is in Ovid's style, and worthy to have been written by him. Argument.--Remember that night when the moon was in the sky, and thou didst swear fidelity to me, saying, that so long as the sheep feared the wolf, and storms vexed the winter's sea, and Apollo's locks floated in the breeze, our mutual love should last. Thou shalt rue my firmness, Neæra. Flaccus will bear no rival. Let thy faithlessness drive him to wrath, and he will seek a true heart elsewhere. Let him once learn to hate thy beauty, and he will be its captive no more, when grief shall have settled in his soul. And thou, whosoever thou art, that boastest thyself in my sorrow, be thou rich in flocks and fields, and let Pactolus run gold for thee; be thou wise in the secrets of Pythagoras, and of form more beautiful than Nireus; yet shalt thou weep for her love transferred to another, and my turn to laugh shall come. 2. _Inter minora sidera,_] 'Sidus' properly signifies a collection of stars, a constellation; but here it is equivalent to 'stella,' which in its turn appears for 'sidus' in C. iii. 29. 19. In C. i. 12. 47 it is also a single star, and the moon is represented as she is here: "Micat inter omnes Julium sidus, velut inter ignes Luna minores." 3. _laesura_] 'Laedere' is applied to injury by word or deed, to fraud ('laesa fides'), or slander, or violence done to the person, or damage of any kind. It applies to high-treason, whereby the majesty of the sovereign power is violated, and to perjury, as blaspheming the name of God. Compare Ovid (Heroid. ii. 43):-- "Si de tot laesis sua numina quisque deorum Vindicet, in poenas non satis unus eris." The offence, however, of lovers' perjury was not supposed to weigh very heavily (see C. ii. 8. 13, n.). The Dii Magni were twelve in number: Juppiter, Minerva, Juno, Neptune, Venus, Mars, Vulcan, Vesta, Apollo, Diana, Ceres, and Mercury. 4. _In verba jurabas mea,_] This is the usual way of expressing the oath of obedience taken by soldiers, the words being dictated to the men. Hence the phrases 'conceptis verbis jurare,' 'conceptis verbis pejerare.' 'Jurare in verba' was conventionally applied to any oath of allegiance, and the poet says Neæra swore by the gods eternal devotion to his will. Elsewhere Horace expresses by these words the blind adherence to a particular teacher, declaring that he is "Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri" (Epp. i. 1. 14). 6. _Lentis adhaerens brachiis:_] 'Lentissima brachia' is used in a different sense in S. i. 9. 64. Here 'lentis' signifies 'twining,' as that which is soft and pliant. 7. _Dum pecori lupus_] 'Infestus' belongs to both clauses, but in the first 'foret' must be supplied. There is a slight irregularity in the sentence. As to 'Orion,' see C. i. 28. 21. 9. _Intonsosque agitaret_] Long hair was the mark of youth (C. iv. 10. 2, n.), and Apollo as well as Bacchus (see Epod. xi. 13, n.) was held to be always young. Hence in all ancient representations of Apollo he has long hair, either braided or flowing, in which respect he is frequently compared with Bacchus by the poets. See Ovid (Met. iii. 421), "Et dignos Baccho dignos et Apolline crines." Hence the expression in the text is almost proverbial, and Neæra's vow is one of eternal fidelity. Other allusions to Apollo's hair will be found in C. i. 21. 2, "Intonsum pueri dicite Cynthium"; C. iii. 4. 62, "Qui rore puro Castaliae lavit Crines solutos"; and C. iv. 6. 26, "Phoebe qui Xantho lavis amne crines." 11. _virtute_] 'Virtus' here signifies moral courage, determination, and firmness. See note on C. S. 58. The name Neæra is formed from [Greek: neiaira], which is used by Homer, and is said to be an irregular comparative of [Greek: neos], so that Neæra signifies 'the younger.' 14. _parem,_] One who is his match, equally loving and true. 15. _Nec semel offensae_] 'Offensus' is here used as the object of dislike. Horace says, 'Nor shall his firmness yield to thy beauty, if he hate it once, when settled pain has entered his soul.' 19. _licebit_] This use of the future tense shows that 'licet' and some other words, which are called by the grammarians conjunctions, are in fact only verbs, after which 'ut' is understood. 'Licebit' is used below (S. ii. 2. 60), and by Ovid (Trist. v. 14. 3), "Detrahat auctori multum fortuna licebit." The Pactolus, in Lydia, was not the only golden stream of the ancients. The Tagus, Hebrus, Po, and Ganges, all had the same repute. What the secret learning of Pythagoras was, is expressed in the epithet given him, 'renati.' His metempsychosis is referred to in C. i. 28. 10. As to Nireus, see C. iii. 20. 15. EPODE XVI. This Ode is written with great care, and was probably one of those compositions by which Horace brought himself into public notice. It has more the appearance of having been written for fame than any other in the book. Probably it was written at the outbreak of the Perusian war, B.C. 41. Horace mourns over the civil wars, and proposes that all good citizens shall migrate to the Fortunate Islands. Argument.--Another age is wasting in civil wars. She whom no enemy could tame, shall be destroyed by her own accursed children; the wild beast shall devour her; the barbarian shall trample upon her, and scatter the dust of her Romulus to the winds. What are we to do? Go forth like the Phocæans, leave our homes and our temples to be the dens of beasts, and go wherever the winds shall waft us. Shall it be so? Then why delay? But let us swear:--When rocks shall swim, and the Po shall wash the tops of Matinus, and the Apennine be cast into the sea; when the tiger shall lie with the hind, and the dove with the hawk, and the herds fear not the lion, and the he-goat shall love the waves,--then we will return to our home. Thus let the nobler spirits resolve, while the craven clings to his couch. For us there are those happy isles where the earth yields her harvests and the trees their fruit, unbidden; where honey drops from the oak, and the stream leaps babbling from the hills; where the goat comes unbidden to the milk-pail, and udders are full, and the fold fears no beasts, and the ground bears no vipers; where the rain-flood and the drought are not known; whither the venturous sail comes not; where the flock is unhurt by pestilence or heat. Jove destined these shores for the pious, when the golden age had passed away, and thither the pious may resort and prosper. 1. _Altera_] The last being that of Sulla, which ended about forty years before. 3. _Marsi_] This refers to the Social War, mentioned in C. iii. 14. 18. 4. _Porsenae_] The penultimate syllable of this name is usually long, but it is here short. Porsena was king of Clusium, in Etruria. He espoused the cause of Tarquinius Superbus, and attacked Rome with a large army. The Roman legends of Cocles, who defended the bridge, of Cloelia, who with her maidens swam over the river, and of Mucius Scævola, who thrust his hand into the fire, are all connected with this period. Though the Roman historians have thrown disguises over the fact, there is every reason to believe that Porsena reduced the city to submission, and took from her all the territory she had obtained north of the Tiber. 5. _Aemula nec virtus_] After the battle of Cannæ, Hannibal established himself in Capua, and Livy (xxiii. 6) relates a boasting speech of the Campanians,--how they expected that Hannibal, when he withdrew to Carthage, would leave Rome a wreck and the power over Italy in the hands of Capua. They also sent ambassadors to Rome, and demanded, as a condition of their assistance, that one of the consuls should always be a Campanian. Five years afterwards the Romans took the town, and dealt very severely with it, reducing it to a praefectura (see S. i. 5. 34, n.). As to Spartacus, see C. iii. 14. 19. 6. _Allobrox,_] The Allobroges, whose country lay on the left bank of the Rhone, between that river and the Isère, had ambassadors at Rome at the time of Catiline's conspiracy, praying for redress for certain grievances. These men were tampered with by the conspirators, and promised to forward their designs, which, soon repenting, they betrayed, and became the principal witnesses against the conspirators (Sall. Cat. 41; Cic. in Catil. iii. 2-4). This explains Horace's meaning. Two years afterwards these people, having broken out in war and invaded Gallia Narbonensis, were defeated by C. Pomptinus, governor of that province. Their restlessness is mentioned by Cæsar (B. G. iv. 5). 8. _Parentibus_] This is like "bella matribus detestata" (C. i. 1. 24). 11. _insistet_] 'Insistere' is followed by the accusative case sometimes, particularly when it implies motion, as 'insistere viam,' which peculiarity is found in the Greek [Greek: kathezomai]. It more usually governs the dative case, or is followed by the ablative after 'in.' See Aen. vi. 563: "Sceleratum insistere limen." Ezekiel's prophecy against Tyre declares that Nebuchadnezzar "with the hoofs of his horses shall tread down all her streets" (xxvi. 11); and Jeremiah exclaims (viii. 1, 2): "At that time they shall bring out the bones of the kings of Judah, and the bones of his princes, and the bones of the priests, and the bones of the prophets, and the bones of the inhabitants of Jerusalem out of their graves, and they shall spread them before the sun: they shall not be gathered nor be buried; they shall be as dung on the face of the earth." Horace does not take account of the apotheosis of Romulus, which he himself refers to elsewhere (C. iii. 3. 16). Porphyrion, on the authority of Varro, says the tomb of Romulus was behind the Rostra. 15. _expediat_] This belongs to 'carere'; 'what course befits us best, that we be free from our vile sufferings,' where the Greeks would express or (more commonly) understand [Greek: hôste]. The story of the Phocæans abandoning their city when Harpagus was besieging it, and declaring that they would not return till a bar of iron they threw into the sea should float, is told by Herodotus (i. 165). It must have been familiar to educated men, and the form of oath may have become proverbial. 'Exsecrata' is used in a middle sense, 'binding themselves under a curse,' [Greek: epoiêsanto ischuras kataras]. So 'agros' is governed by 'profugit,' not by 'exsecrata.' 23. _Sic placet?_] 'Placetne?' the usual formula addressed to the people at the comitia. The poet fancies himself addressing a meeting of the citizens. 'Habet suadere' is another Greek construction, [Greek: peithein echei]. 25. _Sed juremus in haec:_] 'but let us take an oath in this form'; to make our departure inevitable. 33. _ravos_] C. iii. 27. 3, n. 'Levis hircus amet,' 'the goat become sleek, and love.' 41. _Oceanus_] The Atlantic. 42. _divites et insulas,_] See C. iv. 8. 25, n. 46. _Suamque pulla ficus ornat arborem,_] 'and the purple fig adorns its own tree'; that is, without grafting. 51. _vespertinus_] See C. 1. 2. 45. Virg. Georg. iii. 538: "Nocturnus obambulat." 57. _Non huc Argoo_] He means to say, that no venturous sail has reached these islands; not the Argo, in which Jason sailed for the golden fleece, nor Medea, who returned with him to Greece, nor the Phoenicians, who went everywhere with their merchandise, nor the crew of Ulysses, who wandered about the seas for ten years. 62. _aestuosa--impotentia_] 'the burning excess'; that is, 'the excessive heat.' 65. _quorum_] This depends on 'fuga.' 'Safe flight from which is offered to the pious, if I be prophet.' EPODE XVII. This poem is written with the ironical purpose of making peace between the poet and Canidia. The recantation is not less severe than the libels (see Epodes iii. and v., and S. i. 8). The poet humbly retracts his charges of base birth, sterility, witchcraft, &c., but in such language as to make them worse: and in the latter part of the Epode Canidia makes a reply refusing forgiveness, and vowing vengeance on her traducer. Argument.--I yield, I yield; I pray thee by Proserpine, by Diana, by thine own mighty spells, Canidia, cease thy charms; stay, stay thy wheel. Achilles had compassion upon Telephus, and healed him. He was entreated, and gave back the body of Hector, and the matrons of Troy anointed him for burial. Circe restored the companions of Ulysses. Surely I have been punished enough, O thou that art loved of sailors and of hucksters! The complexion of youth is gone from me; my hair is white; I rest not day or night, and sighs give me no relief. I now believe what I once denied. What wouldst thou more? O sea and earth, I am on fire, like Hercules with the blood of Nessus, and Ætna's everlasting flame. As a crucible filled with Colchian drugs, thou wilt burn till I shall be consumed, and my ashes scattered to the winds. What death or what penalty awaits me? Speak, and I will offer a hundred oxen, or praise thy chastity in lying song. The brothers of Helen were entreated, and gave the poet back his eyes; and do thou, for thou canst, loose me from my madness. Indeed thou art _not_ debased by thy parents' sins; thou dost _not_ scatter the new-buried ashes of the poor; thy heart is kind, thy hands are pure, thy son is thine own, and thy births are no pretence. Why waste thy prayers upon ears that are deaf as the rock lashed by the waves? To think thou shouldst publish and laugh with impunity at our mystic rites, and fill the town with my name! What profit, then, have I of the skill I have learnt? Thus shalt thou live with strength ever renewed for fresh endurance, as Tantalus vainly seeks to be at rest, Prometheus to be delivered from his vulture, and Sisyphus to plant his stone on the top of his mountain. Thou wilt seek death in every form, and it shall not come. I will bestride thee, and spurn the earth in my pride. What! must I, who can move images, bring down the moon or raise the dead,--I, the mingler of love charms,--must I see my spells of no avail for such as thee? 1. _Jam jam_] The repetition denotes haste and eagerness, 'See, see I yield.' They are said 'dare manus,' who give their hands to the chains of a conqueror. The phrase is common enough. See Virgil (Aen. xi. 568): "neque ipse manus feritate dedisset." Cæsar (B. G. v. 31): "tandem dat Cotta permotus manus; superat sententia Sabini." Cicero uses it repeatedly. The speaker invokes Proserpina and Hecate, as the divinities with whom the witch has most communication. 4. _Per atque libros_] This position of 'atque' is peculiar to the poets. 5. _Refixa_] Virgil says (Aen. v. 527) "Caelo ceu saepe refixa Transcurrunt crinemque volantia sidera ducunt." 7. _solve, solve turbinem._] 'Turbo' is a wheel of some sort used by sorceresses, often alluded to by the poets: [Greek: rhombos] is the Greek name for it. Threads of various colors arranged artificially were spun round the wheel, and formed a magical web, supposed to involve somehow or other the affections or fortunes of him who was the object of the spell. 'Retro solvere' means to relax the onward motion of the wheel, which will then of itself roll back. 8. _Movit nepotem_] Telephus was king of Mysia, during the Trojan war, and his country being invaded by the Greeks, he was wounded by Achilles. It having been declared by an oracle that Troy could not be taken without the help of Telephus, and Telephus having learnt that his wound could only be cured by Achilles, he gave his services to the Greeks, and was cured. Achilles is called 'nepos Nereius' because he was the son of Thetis, the daughter of Nereus. Propertius refers to the story (ii. 1. 63). See also Ovid (Trist. i. 1. 99, sqq.). 11. _Unxere_] Achilles, moved by the entreaties of Priam (Il. xxiv. 510), gave back Hector's body, which he had threatened the dogs should devour (Il. xxiii. 182). Homer does not mention the fact that the Trojan women anointed Hector's body; but Horace only makes them do what the Greeks did for Patroclus (Il. xviii. 350), [Greek: kai tote dê lousan te kai êleipsan lip' elaiô]. 'Homicidam' is a literal version of [Greek: androphonon], Homer's epithet for Hector. The rhythm of the line in which it occurs is without a precedent in Horace. 16. _Laboriosi_] This epithet is repeated from the last Epode (v. 60). 17. _Circa_] In the Epodes, Satires, and Epistles, Horace uses the Latin terminations, and in the Odes only the Greek. 20. _Amata nautis_] While he professes to flatter and pacify her, he provokes her by saying she was the admiration of vulgar shipmasters and shop-men. See C. i. 28. 23, n., and C. iii. 6. 30, n., as to 'nauta' and 'institor.' 21. _Fugit juventas_] From this description of himself, it has been supposed that Horace was advanced in years when he wrote this. But the whole is ironical. He says the bloom of youth has left him, he is nothing but skin and bone, has lost his color, and is gray, all through her poisonous drugs or ointments. 23. _odoribus;_] This is equivalent to 'unguentis' or 'venenis.' 24. _ab labore_] This preposition is used like [Greek: apo], 'after,' and 'est' in the next verse like [Greek: esti] for [Greek: exesti]. 27. _Ergo negatum_] 'Therefore I am compelled, poor wretch, to believe what I once denied, that Sabine charms are lashing my heart, and that my head is splitting with Marsic spell.' 'Increpare' is used in a singular way. It is used elsewhere for the dashing of waves against the shore, and in almost every sense connected with loud noises. It is difficult to give it its exact meaning here. The Sabine, Pelignian, and Marsican women had credit above others for witchcraft. See S. i. 9. 29, and below, v. 60, and Epod. v. 76. 'Nenia' is used for a charm, as in Ovid (A. A. ii. 102). "Mixtaque cum magicis nenia Marsa sonis." For its other meanings, see C. ii. 1. 38, n. 31. _Quantum neque atro_] See Epod. iii. 17. 33. _Virens_] This probably means 'undying,' 'ever fresh.' _tu donec cinis_] 'Thou dost burn as a crucible filled with Colchian drugs ("venena Medeae," Epod. v. 62), till, reduced to dry cinders, I shall be carried away by the insolent winds.' 36. _stipendium?_] It is possible this may mean 'service,' which is its military sense; or it may be 'penalty,' but the meaning is doubtful. 'Quae finis' means 'what death?' Captives led in triumph were always put to death. See C. iv. 2. 35, n. 40. _sonari:_] 'Sono' is used as an active verb only by the poets, after the manner of [Greek: êchein]. The satire of what follows is very amusing. In his plea for forgiveness he repeats his offence, implying that to call her chaste he must lie, which, however, he is willing to do. The following words are the substance of what he promises to say in her praise, placing her, like Ariadne and other virtuous women, among the constellations. 42. _Infamis Helenae_] The story is, that Stesichorus (C. iv. 9. 8, n.) was struck with blindness for writing a libel on Helen, and that on writing a recantation ([Greek: palinôdia]) he was restored to sight by Helen, or, as Horace here says, by her brothers, Castor and Pollux. 'Vicem' means 'on behalf of.' In this independent form the word often occurs in Livy. The Greek poets used [Greek: charin] and [Greek: moiran] in the same way. 45. _potes nam,_] This is a common formula in entreaties both in Greek ([Greek: dunai gar]) and Latin. 46. _O nec paternis_] 'O thou who art not debased by the sins of thy parents, who art not an old witch skilled in sprinkling on the ninth day the ashes on the tombs of the poor.' In this way, while he pretends to recant, he makes his language more libellous than ever. _obsoleta_] This is applied in an unusual sense. It usually signifies that which is gone to decay (out of use), as clothes, houses, faded pictures, &c. (see Forcell.), and so it comes to mean generally that which is spoilt and worthless, as here. See C. ii. 10. 6. 48. _Novendiales_] It appears, if we are to believe the old commentators, to have been the practice to bury the ashes nine days after death. Therefore, Horace means to say that the witch dug up the ashes of the dead immediately after their burial, while they were fresh, and better suited on that account for magical ceremonies. The ashes of the poor are fixed upon, perhaps, because they were not watched as the rich man's were. 'Novendiales' usually signifies 'of nine days' continuance,' but it cannot have that meaning here. Hector was buried after nine days (Il. xxiv. 784). 50. _Tuusque venter Pactumeius,_] In Epod. v. 5 it is insinuated that Canidia is childless, that the children she pretends to have are not hers, and her childbirths are a fiction, perhaps to extract money from her lovers, on whom her pretended children were affiliated. Here the libel is withdrawn, but in such a way as to leave it untouched, for in the last line he insinuates that her travail is at least not very difficult. 'Venter' is used by the law-writers to signify the child in the womb, or a woman with child. 'Pactumeius' is a Roman name; why Horace uses it, no one can tell. There is some allusion that would have been intelligible at the time. 53. _Quid obseratis_] From this point Canidia is supposed to reply. 56. _ut tu riseris_] 'Ut' is an exclamation of scorn. 'To think that you should.' It occurs again (S. ii. 5. 18): "Utne tegam spurco Damae latus!" The festival in honor of Cotys or Cotytto was of Thracian origin, and transferred to Corinth and other Greek states. It found its way into Sicily, but was never introduced into the Italian states, and was unknown at Rome except to the learned. The rites of this goddess were very impure, and, like other works of darkness, professed secrecy, as Juvenal says (ii. 91):-- "Talia secreta coluerunt orgia taeda Cecropiam soliti Baptae lassare Cotytto." Canidia is made to call her witch's orgies Cotyttia, by which the libel that runs through the poem is maintained. 58. _Et Esquilini pontifex venefici_] She charges him with thrusting himself upon the orgies as if he were the priest, who alone of men might attend them. As to the Campus Esquilinus, where the witches were supposed to hold their midnight meetings, see Epod. v. 100, and S. i. 8, Introduction. 60. _Quid proderat ditasse_] 'What good, then, did I get by spending money upon the old Pelignian witches (i.e. to teach me my craft), and mingling for thee a more quick and potent draught? But though it be quick and potent, yet the death that awaits thee shall be slower than thou wouldst have it.' The country of the Peligni lay to the north of the Marsi, who bordered on the Sabini. See note on v. 27. 63. _in hoc_] 'For this purpose.' 65. _Pelopis infidi_] See C. i. 6. 8, n. 66. _Egens benignae_] The poets of the Augustan age, in relating the punishment of Tantalus, refer only to that legend according to which, standing in the midst of water with fruit-trees over his head ('benigna dapes'), he is not able to reach either (Hom. Odyss. xi. 582). The other story, followed by Pindar and other Greek poets, of a great stone suspended over his head, and ever threatening to fall on him, the Roman poets do not allude to. But Cicero does, and only to that (De Fin. i. 18; Tusc. Disp. iv. 16). See S. i. 1. 68. 67. _Prometheus_] Horace is not inconsistent in respect to Prometheus, whom in C. ii. 13. 37, 18. 85, he places in Tartarus. The story, as related prophetically by Hermes in the play of Æschylus (P. V. 1016, sqq.), is, that the Scythian rock on which Prometheus was first bound by Hephæstus was struck down, with him upon it, by Zeus into Hades, and that he was brought thence after a long time ([Greek: makron mêkos ekteleutêsas chronou]) to undergo upon earth the punishment awarded to Tityos in hell, of having his liver devoured by an eagle. 68. _Sisyphus_] See C. ii. 14. 20, n., where his punishment is called very aptly 'longus labor.' 71. _Norico_] The steel of Noricum (Carynthia and Styria) is mentioned elsewhere (C. i. 16. 9). 74. _Vectabor humeris_] She threatens to bestride his hated shoulders in triumph, and to spurn the earth in the pride of her revenge. 76. _movere cereas imagines,_] To give life to waxen images made to represent an absent youth, and inspired with the tenderness or the pains he should feel. In S. i. 8. 30 such an image is introduced (see note), and the witch in Theocritus (ii. 28) melts a waxen image, and says:-- [Greek: hôs touton ton karon egô daimoni takô, hôs takoith' hup' erôtos ho Mundios autika Delphis, ] which Virgil has imitated in his eighth Eclogue (v. 80):-- "Limus ut hic durescit, et haec ut cera liquescit Uno eodemque igni, sic nostro Daphnis amore." And Hypsipyle says of Medea (Ovid, Heroid. vi. 91):-- "Devovet absentes simulacraque cerea figit, Et miserum tenues in jecur urget acus." 80. _Desideri--pocula_] Love potions. 81. _in te nil agentis_] 'Of no avail against thee.' SATIRES.--BOOK I. SATIRE I. The professed purpose of this Satire, or that with which Horace seems to have begun, may be gathered from the first two lines. Discontent with the condition that Providence had assigned them; disappointment with the position many years' labor, and perhaps dishonesty, have gained them; envy of their neighbors' circumstances, even if they be worse than their own; dissatisfaction, in short, with what they have and are, and craving for something they have not and are not,--these are features common to the great majority of men. For this vice of discontent the Greeks had a comprehensive name, [Greek: mempsimoiria]. It will be seen that, after propounding the whole subject in the shape of a question to Mæcenas, Horace confines himself to one solution of it, and that not the most comprehensive (see notes on vv. 28, 108). Avarice is the only reason he assigns for the universal disease, and any one will see that hereby he leaves many untouched who are as culpably restless as the avaricious, but not in their sordid way. The Satire is put first in the order of this book, not as an introduction (of which it bears no signs), but because it is addressed to Mæcenas. 1. _quam sibi sortem_] See note on C. i. 9. 14, as to 'sors' and 'fors.' These two are opposed, as effect and cause, the condition and that which produces it. 'Fors' and 'ratio' are opposed as that which a man cannot help, and that which he carves out for himself. 'Fors' is 'accident,' 'ratio' is 'choice.' 3. _laudet_] This sense of 'laudare,' 'felicem praedicare,' [Greek: makarizein] is repeated below, v. 9, and in v. 109, where it occurs in combination with, and as equivalent to, 'probare.' So Cicero (De Am. c. 7) says: "Ex quo illorum beata mors videtur, horum vita laudabilis." _laudet diversa sequentes?_] This is briefly expressed, for 'sed quisque laudet.' In the transition from negative to positive statements, the positive element which is contained in the former is often carried on in the mind, so as to affect the latter, as in those sentences which are coupled by 'nec' and 'et,' [Greek: oute] and [Greek: te]. 'Nemo vivit' is 'quisque non vivit'. 'Diversa' indicates, not merely different, but 'opposite' careers. 4. _gravis annis_] Virgil says (Aen. ix. 246): "Hic annis gravis atque animi maturus Aletes." And 'gravis' is one of the commonest words applied to old age, as may be gathered from Cicero's treatise De Senect.; and [Greek: barus] is equally common in the same connection. Horace, in his own campaigning, had undoubtedly heard many a veteran grumbling at his condition. 7. _Quid enim, concurritur:_] See C. ii. 18. 23, n. _horae Momento_] 'Horae momento' is a common phrase in Livy and other writers. Horace has below, 'puncto mobilis horae.' 'Punctum' is perhaps a little more precise than 'momentum,' which signifies the progress of time, though conventionally its smallest division. Pliny draws a distinction between them (Panegyr. iv. c. 56): "Quod momentum, quod immo temporis punctum aut beneficio sterile aut vacuum laude?" 9. _juris legumque peritus_] 'Jurisperiti,' 'jurisconsulti,' were persons who expounded the law. Their expositions were called 'responsa,' and they gave them gratuitously. They were distinct from the professors or teachers ('advocati') and others, who were paid for their services, and from 'oratores,' though the 'consultus' sometimes combined with his calling as such that of the 'orator' or 'patronus.' If we are to believe this statement of Horace, and another to the same effect (Epp. ii. 1. 103), we must suppose that these learned persons sacrificed their own convenience to the anxiety of their clients, and received them at a very early hour in the morning. 'Jus' embodied all law. As to 'leges,' see Epp. i. 16. 41, n. On 'laudat,' see v. 3, n. 11. _datis vadibus_] 'Vades' were sureties provided by the defendant, to secure his appearance before the prætor at a time agreed upon between the plaintiff and himself. If he did not appear, he forfeited the amount of the 'vadimonium' or agreement, and his 'vades' were liable to pay it if he did not (see S. 9. 36, n.). The person here represented, therefore, is the defendant in an action, going up reluctantly to Rome, to appear before the prætor according to his agreement. 'Ille' is as if the man were before us. 14. _Delassare valent_] Though 'delasso' does not occur elsewhere, there is no reason to suspect the word, or alter it. The intensive force of 'de' is well added to 'lasso.' It corresponds to [Greek: kata], which has the same force. Who Fabius was, it is impossible even to conjecture with probability. 15. _Si quis Deus,_] This is not a Roman way of speaking but Greek, [Greek: ei daimôn tis]. 'En ego' does not belong to 'faciam,' but is absolute: 'Here am I.' 'Eia' is an exclamation of haste, 'Away!' 'Nolint,' 'they would not' ([Greek: ouk etheloien an]), is the apodosis to 'si quis Deus.' Compare S. ii. 7. 24. "Si quis ad illa deus subito te agat, usque recuses." 'Atqui' is another form of 'atquin,' and 'quin' represents 'qui,' with a negative particle affixed. 18. _partibus:_] An expression taken from the language of the theatre: 'the part you have to play' in life. 21. _Iratus buccas inflet,_] An obvious, but not very reverential, representation of passion. 25. _olim_] See C. ii. 10. 17, n. 27. _Sed tamen amoto_] 'Sed,' 'sed tamen,' 'veruntamen,' are often used, and especially by Cicero, not to express opposition, but after a parenthesis or digression, as here and C. iv. 4. 22. See, for another instance among many, Cic. in Verr. ii. 3. 2. 28. _Ille gravem_] The cause of that discontent which was spoken of at the beginning is here traced to the love of money, each man thinking that his neighbor is getting it faster than he is, and wishing therefore to change places with him. But Horace does not mean that to be the only solution of the universal discontent. That would be absurd, and one at least of his own examples would contradict his theory, the jurisconsultus, who did not pursue his laborious vocation for pay. He therefore shifts or limits his ground a little, and dwells upon that which he supposes to be the most prevalent cause of discontent; and with his ground he changes his examples. 'Nauta' and 'mercator' here are the same person, the trader navigating his own ship. (See C. i. 28. 23.) 'Perfidus caupo' appears again in 'cauponibus atque malignis' (S. i. 5. 4). 'Per omne Audaces mare qui currunt' is repeated from C. i. 3. 9, sqq. 32. _cibaria:_] This word, which is generally used for the rations of soldiers or slaves, is used here ironically for the humblest provision that can be made for the latter years of life, as if that was all that these men set before their minds. 33. _nam exemplo est,_] 'for this is their model.' 35. _haud ignara ac non incauta futuri._] Experience tells her that times will change, and instinct teaches her to provide against that change; she knows what is coming, and provides accordingly. This is what Horace means; but the ant is torpid in the winter, and lays up no store in her house for that season, though no error is more common than to suppose she does. These animals work hard during the warmer months of the year, but the food they gather is consumed before the winter. 36. _Quae, simul inversum_] 'Quae' is opposed to 'quum te' (v. 38): 'now she.' 'Inversum annum' is compounded of the two notions 'inversum caelum' and 'mutatum annum.' The sun enters Aquarius in the middle of January. Virgil uses the word 'contristat' (Georg. iii. 279): "unde nigerrimus Auster Nascitur, et pluvio contristat frigore caelum." The ant is one of the "four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise,"--the ants, the conies, the locusts, and the spiders. (Prov. xxx. 24, sqq.) 39. _ignis, mare, ferrum,_] This is a mere proverbial way of speaking, common to all languages. No obstacles are too great for a man who has a selfish purpose to serve, if he has set his heart upon it. The second person is used to give force to the language. The self-deceiver is confronted with his own illustration. 43. _Quod si comminuas_] The miser is supposed to interrupt, and say, "But if you were to take from it, it would soon dwindle to a paltry 'as.'" 'Quod' is always the neuter of the relative, but here, as often elsewhere, it is used to connect a new sentence with what precedes, and is not connected with 'pondus' as its antecedent. 45. _Millia frumenti_] 'Modiorum' must be supplied. As to 'millia,' 'mille,' see S. ii. 3. 197, n. On 'area,' see C. i. 1. 10, n. 'Triverit,' 'suppose that it threshes.' This is the concessive use of the subjunctive. The practice of putting a note of interrogation in such sentences as this is exploded. The older editions generally have it. Similar constructions are S. 10. 64, "Fuerit Lucilius inquam Comis et urbanus; fuerit limatior--sed ille," etc.; S. 3. 15, "Decies centena dedisses:--quinque diebus nil erat in loculis"; S. ii. 6. 50; Epp. i. 1. 87; and many other places. 46. _plus ac meus:_] This construction occurs again, S. i. 6. 130; 10. 34, 59; ii. 3. 270. Cicero likewise uses 'ac' with the comparative (Ad Att. xiii. 2), "Diutius abfuturus ac nollem." 'Plus quam' occurs immediately below. The scene that follows is that of a rich man's household preceding him to the country, a pack of slaves ('venales'), some carrying provisions and particularly town-made bread in netted bags ('reticula'), and others with different burdens, and some with none at all. The man who carried the bread would not get any more of it on that account, when the rations were given out, but all would share alike. 49. _Quid referat--viventi,_] 'Refert' is 'rem fert,' and the construction 'mea,' 'tua,' etc.; 'refert' is no more than a corruption of 'meam,' 'tuam,' etc., 'rem fert.' So 'magni refert' is 'rem magni fert,' 'it brings with it a matter of great price,' and 'refert viventi' signifies 'it brings something that concerns him who lives,' that is, it affects him, and 'quid refert' is 'wherein does it affect him?' 51. _At suave est_] 'At' introduces the supposed answer to the preceding question. A rejoinder immediately follows to this effect: "You might as well say, if you only wanted a pitcher of water, you had rather draw it from a broad stream, like the Aufidus, than from the little spring by your side. The consequence of which might be that you would be drowned." 53. _cumeris_] Acron explains 'cumera' as a large basket of wicker-work, or earthen-ware vessel like a 'dolium,' in which the poorer sort kept their wheat. 54. _liquidi_] This word is used for 'aqua' by Ovid (Met. v. 454): "Cum liquido mixta perfundit diva polenta." The 'urna,' one of the Roman liquid measures, contained half an 'amphora,' or twenty four 'sextarii.' As observed before (C. iii. 19. 14), the 'cyathus' contained one twelfth of a 'sextarius,' which was one forty-eighth of an 'amphora.' 55. _malim_] 'Malim' simply means 'I would rather'; 'mallem' (the reading of the early editions), 'I would have done it if I could, but the time is past.' The Aufidus (Horace's native river, C. iii. 30. 10) is still described as a rapid and violent stream at some seasons. 61. _bona pars_] 'The greater part.' A. P. 297: "Bona pars non ungues ponere curat." On 'cupido,' see C. ii. 16. 15, n. 62. _quia tanti quantum habeas sis._] 'because you are valued according to your wealth.' 63. _illi?_] 'Such a man as this.' 'Quatenus' signifies 'since.' 'Bid him be miserable, since he likes to be so.' 'Facio' is sometimes used in this way. See C. iii. 24. 30. The story that follows may have been picked up by Horace at Athens, or invented by him. The language ('sibilat--plaudo') is taken from the theatre. 68. _Tantalus_] See Epod. xvii. 66, n. 69. _Quid rides?_] The miser is supposed to laugh at Horace's trite illustration, and the solemn way in which it is announced. 71. _tamquam parcere sacris_] This appears to have been a proverbial expression. See S. ii. 3. 109, sq. 72. _Cogeris_] 'you force yourself.' 74. _sextarius,_] See v. 54, n. A 'sextarius' of wine would be enough for one temperate man's consumption in a day. 78. _compilent fugientes,_] 'rob you, and run away.' 79. _pauperrimus--bonorum._] C. iii. 30. 11: "Pauper aquae Daunus." S. ii. 3. 142. 80. _At si condoluit_] This is an argument urged by the avaricious man: 'If you have money, you will have anxious friends to nurse you in sickness.' The answer is, 'Your nearest relatives have no wish you should live, and no wonder either, since you prefer your money to all the world.' _tentatum frigore_] 'Tentatum' is the word commonly used in connection with diseases. 85. _pueri atque puellae._] This, which appears to be a proverbial sort of expression, occurs again S. ii. 3. 130. 86. _argento post omnia ponas,_] i.e. 'postponas omnia argento.' 88. _An si cognatos,_] 'But say, if you seek to retain and keep the affection of those relations whom nature gives you without any trouble of your own, would you lose your labor, like the luckless fool that tries to turn an ass into a racer?' Training an ass to run in the Campus Martius among the thorough-bred horses that were there exercised (see C. i. 8. 5; iii. 12. 8) was perhaps a proverbial way of expressing lost labor. 'Amicos' belongs to 'cognatos' in the way I have translated it, and 'servare amicos' is 'to keep them fond of you.' 92. _quaerendi,_] 'money-getting.' 'Plus' means 'a superfluity.' 94. _ne facias_] 'Lest you fare,' [Greek: mê prassês]. 95. _Ummidius quidam;_] Who this person was, is unknown. All that can be safely said of him is what Horace says, that he was very rich and mean, and that he was murdered by one of his freedwomen (his mistress probably), who, Horace says, was as stout-hearted as Clytemnestra, the bravest of her family, who killed her husband Agamemnon. 'Tyndaridarum' is masculine: 'Tyndaridum' would be the feminine form. The sons of Tyndarus, therefore, as well as his daughters, should, strictly speaking, be included. 97. _adusque_] Forcellini gives only two other instances of this word from writings of Horace's day,--Virgil (Aen. xi. 262), and Horace himself (S. i. 5. 96). It is only an inversion of 'usque ad,' 'every step to.' 101. _ut vivam Maenius?_] The construction is the same as "discinctus aut perdam nepos" (Epod. i. 34), where it has been proposed to insert 'ut' before 'nepos.' Mænius and Nomentanus appear to have been squanderers of money, and good livers, according to the obvious meaning of this passage. They are united again in S. i. 8. 11, ii. 1. 21, where the former appears under the name Pantolabus, one who lays his hands on anything he can get ([Greek: panta labôn]), or borrows money from any one who will lend it. He spent his money and turned parasite. Both Mænius and Nomentanus are names used by Lucilius for characters of the same kind, and Horace may very probably have only borrowed the names to represent some living characters, whom he does not choose to point out by their own names. Nomentanus was the name of one of the guests at the dinner of Nasidienus (S. ii. 8. 25). He appears again, S. ii. 3. 224, sqq. 103. _Frontibus adversis componere:_] These words go together, 'to bring face to face, and compare or match.' 104. _vappam_] 'Vappa,' wine which has got flat and sour, expresses a worn-out debauchee: 'nebulo,' a frivolous fellow, light as a mist ('nebula'). 105. _Tanaïn--socerumque Visellî._] The Scholiast says that Horace has conveyed under these names a well-known Greek proverb. What the distinction between them may have been, is unknown. 108. _nemo ut avarus_] 'I return to that point from which I have digressed, how that no covetous man is satisfied with himself.' The reading is not certain, and the hiatus is unusual. Horace qualifies the general assertion he made at the outset, by limiting his remark to the avaricious. See note on v. 28; and on 'laudet,' see v. 3. 114. _Ut, quum carceribus_] These lines are a little like the last three verses of Virgil's first Georgic. 119. _Cedat uti conviva satur,_] These are so like the words of Lucretius (iii. 951), that perhaps Horace remembered them when he wrote,-- "Cur non ut plenus vitae conviva recedis, Aequo animoque capis securam, stulte, quietem?" 120. _Crispini scrinia lippi_] We know nothing about Crispinus. The fertility of his pen has profited him nothing. He was more anxious to write much than to write well. See S. i. 4. 14, sqq. Crispinus appears in the third Satire of this book (v. 139), where he is the only attendant of the would-be 'rex.' He appears again in S. ii. 7. 45. 'Lippi' is used for mental blindness. SATIRE II. This Satire, the coarsest of all written by Horace, seems to have been suggested by the death of Tigellius, a celebrated musician of the time. It is directed against the tendency of men to run into extremes, and to pass from one extreme to the other. Illustrations of this subject are drawn from the social life of Rome. The ideas and the language are marked by a grossness which is unusual with Horace. SATIRE III. The last Satire was, as has been said, written on the death of one Tigellius, an eminent musician, a native of Sardinia, and a friend of Julius Cæsar. Some of the vices and follies of the age are attacked in strong language, and besides Tigellius, who was dead, it is probable many living persons felt injured by that Satire, and perhaps by others that have not come down to us. We may infer from the present poem, that Horace wished to clear himself from the imputation of a censorious spirit, and so to set himself right with Mæcenas and his friends. The connection between the two Satires is seen in the opening of this, in which Tigellius is again introduced, and the peculiarities of his character described, for no other reason, as it would seem, than to serve as a text for the discourse that follows, on the duty of judging others charitably, as we wish to be judged ourselves. In the course of his remarks on this subject, Horace falls upon two of the Stoic absurdities; one, that all faults are alike (v. 96, sqq.), which he meets by the Epicurean absurdity that expediency is the foundation of right; and the other, that every wise man (that is, every Stoic) is endowed with all the gifts of art and fortune, from the skill of the mechanic to the power of a king. With a jest upon this folly the Satire closes. 4. _Tigellius_] See Introduction. This person is described as a capricious, inconsistent man, of whom you never could tell what he would do next. 6. _ab ovo Usque ad mala_] The 'promulsis,' otherwise called 'gustus,' preceded the regular meal, and consisted of things calculated to provoke the appetite, of which a list is given in the eighth Satire of the second book, v. 8, sq., where, however, eggs are not mentioned, but they were usual, and 'ab ovo usque ad mala,' 'from the eggs to the dessert,' was a common way of speaking. The 'gustus' was eaten with a draught of 'mulsum' (S. ii. 2. 15, n.) sometimes before they sat down, or even before they left the bath. 7. _citaret, Io Bacche!_] This use of 'citare,' 'to shout,' is not common. There were convivial songs among the Greeks to which they gave the name [Greek: iobakchoi]. Several fragments of such songs by Archilochus have been preserved. The final syllable in 'Bacche' is lengthened, and should properly be pronounced as the singer might be supposed to pronounce it. _modo summa_] The strings in the tetrachord, or harp with four strings, which continued to be used even after the heptachord was invented (see A. P. 83, n.), from which the low notes proceeded, were uppermost as the player held it in his hand, and the notes of the voice which corresponded with these are expressed by 'summa voce.' For the same reason, the high notes would be those which harmonized with the lowest of the strings. The 'summa chorda' was called in Greek [Greek: hupatê], and the 'ima' [Greek: nêtê]. 'Chordis' is the dative case, the literal translation being, 'that voice which is the lowest (where, for the above reason, those notes are called the lowest which we should call the highest), and that echoes to the four strings.' 11. _Junonis sacra ferret;_] This refers to the 'canephoroe,' damsels who carried the basket of sacred instruments on their head at sacrifices. Those of Juno are mentioned here; but the practice was observed at all sacrifices. _habebat saepe ducentos,_] Ten slaves were a very small household for a rich man, and Tigellius was rich. The number of slaves in wealthy houses in primitive times was small, but afterwards grew to an extraordinary number. 12. _modo reges atque tetrarchas,_] 'Modo,' as an adverb of time, signifies 'now,' or some time not far from the present. It is the ablative of 'modus,' 'measure,' and 'modo' is 'within measure,' and therefore its sense is confined to limited quantities. Compare the use of 'modo' and 'admodum' in Terence (Hec. iii. 5. 8): "Advenis modo? Pam. Admodum." 'Are you coming now?--Just now.' 'Modo' thus comes to have the meaning of 'nunc,' and to be used in the same combinations, as here 'nunc reges--loquens; nunc, sit mihi mensa tripes' would have the same meaning; and likewise in S. 10. 11. Tetrarchs were properly governors of a fourth part of a province or other territorial division; but the title was not so limited in practice. It was a title originally confined to the petty princes of Asia Minor; the Romans gave it to different members of Herod's family, who succeeded to different parts of his dominions. 13. _mensa tripes_] This was the simplest and most old-fashioned shape, and the tables were small, only suited to a person dining by himself, or with one or two companions. The wealthy Romans were very extravagant about their tables. See S. ii. 2. 4, n. The salt-cellar was usually, except among the poorest sort, of silver, and an heirloom. It stood in the middle of the table, and had a sacred character. See C. ii. 16. 14. As to 'concha,' see C. ii. 8. 23, n. 'Puri' means 'clean.' 15. _Decies centena_] 'A million of sesterces,'--a common way of expressing the largest number. The sestertium was a sum of money equal to 1,000 sestertii, each sestertius being of the value of twopence and a very small fraction, of English money. After 'centena' must be understood 'millia.' On the construction, see above, S. 1. 45, n. 'Erat' is used in an uncommon way; [Greek: ên an] would be the Greek equivalent. It is a loose, conversational way of speaking. 19. _Nunc aliquis dicat mihi:_] Here we leave Tigellius, and enter upon the subject of mutual charity in judging of each other. 20. _Immo alia_] Professor Key has given the precise meaning of 'immo' here (L. G. 1429): "'Immo' seems to have signified properly an assent with an important qualification." This explanation is borne out by the etymology of the word, which is compounded of 'in' and 'modo.' The qualification is found in 'et fortasse minora.' Horace means to say, he admits he has his faults, though they may not be so glaring as those of Tigellius, and he is not so selfish and foolish as Mænius (see S. 1. 101 of this book), who reviled the man Novius behind his back, and, when told to look at his own faults, said he made excuses for himself which he would not make for others. Novius may be anybody: we know nothing about him. Whether he has any connection with the Novius mentioned in the sixth Satire of this book, v. 40, the plebeian tribune, or the usurer in v. 121 of the same Satire, it is impossible to say. 'Dare verba' means to give words in the place of facts, to deceive. 24. _improbus_] See C. iii. 24. 62, n. 'Amor' means 'self-love.' As to 'notari,' see S. 6. 14. 25. _Cum tua pervideas_] 'While you see through your own faults, as well as a blear-eyed man sees with his eyes smeared with ointment.' 27. _serpens Epidaurius?_] The serpents of Epidaurus (on the Sinus Saronicus) were proverbial, in consequence of Æsculapius having been conveyed in the form of a serpent from that place, where above others he was worshipped, to Rome, to avert a pestilence. (See Liv. Epit. lib. xi.) 29. _Iracundior est paulo,_] Horace is illustrating here the tendency of those quick-sighted critics of their neighbors' characters to magnify the faults they find. The first instance is of a man who is sensitive under ('not suited for') the sharp judgment of the men of that day ('horum hominum'), men who had the keenness of a bloodhound's scent in finding out defects, and no delicacy in proclaiming them. 'Rusticius' belongs to 'tonso,' and 'defluit' is absolute, 'hangs down.' 'Male' belongs to 'laxus.' (See v. 45, and C. i. 17. 25, n.) To be slipshod ([Greek: meizô tou podos hupodêmata phorein], Theophr. Char. 4) has always been the proverbial characteristic of a sloven. "Nec vagus in laxa pes tibi pelle natet" (Ovid, A. A. i. 516). 'At' is often repeated in the same way as here by Cicero. 34. _hoc sub corpore._] He speaks as if the man were before him. 35. _Concute_] The metaphor is probably derived from the shaking of a cloak, or anything of that sort, to see if there is anything hid in it. It means 'to search,' as suspected persons are searched by the police. 'Excutio' is used in that connection. See Phædrus (Fab. v. 16): "Sic porcelli vocem est imitatus sua Verum ut subesse pallio contenderent Et excuti juberent." 37. _Neglectis urenda filix_] This has the appearance of a proverb. Virgil calls the fern "curvis invisam aratris." 38. _Illuc praevertamur,_] 'Before we go further, let us first turn our attention to this, namely, how lovers are blind to the faults of their mistresses.' Balbinus and Hagna are persons unknown. The former is a Roman name. Hagna is derived from [Greek: hagnê], 'pure.' The first syllable of 'polypus' is always long, though derived from [Greek: polus pous], the Æolic form, [Greek: pôlus], being followed rather than the Attic. 42. _nomen virtus posuisset_] The Romans used 'ponere nomen,' after the Greek [Greek: onoma tithenai]. 44. _strabonem Appellat paetum_] The difference between 'strabo' and 'paetus' is one only of degree; 'strabo' signifies 'squinting'; 'paetus,' 'a slight cast of the eye,' which is by some considered a beauty, whence Venus had the epithet 'paeta' applied to her. Sisyphus was the name of a dwarf kept by M. Antonius. Dwarfs were kept by the rich to amuse them and play to them, for they were generally instructed in music. That 'varus' is a soft term for those who have bent legs, and 'scaurus' for one whose ankles are ricketty, we may gather from this passage. From 'varus' is derived 'praevaricari,' 'to shuffle.' 49. _frugi_] See S. ii. 5. 77, n. _Ineptus_] This word signifies want of tact. Cicero thus defines the word (De Or. ii. 4): "Qui aut tempus quid postulet non videt, aut plura loquitur aut se ostentat--aut denique in aliquo genere aut inconcinnus aut multus est, is ineptus dicitur." Such a man's failing is to be softened down, Horace says, into a wish to make himself agreeable to his friends. 'Truculentior' means coarse and approaching to brutality in his behavior. 'Acres' means 'high-spirited.' 56. _Sincerum cupimus vas incrustare._] 'We are ready and even anxious to foul the clean vessel.' This is the original meaning of 'sincerus.' 57. _multum demissus homo:_] 'Demissus' is used in a bad sense: 'a very abject fellow,' 'a driveller.' Compare v. 147 of S. ii. 3, "multum celer atque fidelis"; "multum similis metuenti" (S. ii. 5. 92). 58. _Tardo cognomen_] 'Another because he is slow we call fat, lazy.' The dative 'pingui' is correct, as "cui nunc cognomen Iulo Additur" (Aen. i. 267). It is the common construction, in prose as well as poetry, to put the name in the dative. 59. _malo_] This is masculine: he lays himself open to no malignant person, gives him no handle. 'Hoc genus vitae' means men who live on the principles of the present day; like 'horum hominum' (v. 30). 63. _Simplicior quis et est,_] By 'simplicior' Horace means 'unsophisticated': one who in the simplicity of his feelings may perhaps sometimes obtrude himself upon those he likes, thinking he must be welcome because he is himself pleased to meet them. He says he has often acted in that way with Mæcenas. 65. _impellat_] 'Impellere' means here 'to interrupt' or 'intrude upon': he breaks in upon one when reading or meditating, with some irrelevant talk. 'Common sense,' for which the Greeks had the expression [Greek: ho koinos nous], is so called, not as being exercised upon common, every-day things, but as being supposed to be common property, and not confined to the learned. 67. _legem sancimus_] 'Sancire legem' is properly to give full effect to a law, by inserting a penalty for the breach of it. See Cic. de Am. c. 13 (Long): "Haec igitur prima lex amicitiae sanciatur." 70. _Cum mea compenset vitiis bona;_] 'Cum' belongs to 'vitiis.' 'Compensare' is a legal term. 'Compensatio' is a 'set-off.' 72. _trutina_] This word applies equally to the 'libra,' a balance with two scales ('lances'), and to the 'statera,' or steelyard, both of which were in common use among the Romans. 'In trutina ponetur eadem,' 'he shall be weighed in the same balance,' is another, but not very exact, way of saying, he shall be tried by the same standard, his character shall be estimated in the same way. 'Hac lege' is 'on this condition.' 76. _quatenus excidi penitus_] He now draws his conclusion from the preceding remarks. 'In short, inasmuch as (C. iii. 24. 30) the vice of passion and all other vices that cleave to us fools cannot be entirely eradicated, we ought to judge others as we judge ourselves, and visit each fault with no more than its due censure.' Literally, 'Why does not our judgment use its own weights and measures, and, according to the circumstances of each case, check faults with their penalties?' All were fools with the Stoics, who were not wise after their fashion. 80. _patinam_] 'Pisces patinarii' were boiled fish served up with sauce in an open dish. 82. _In cruce suffigat,_] Cicero has the expressions 'in crucem sublatum' (Verr. ii. 5. 3), 'ad palum alligatos' (Ib. c. 6), which have the same meaning. In the latter place he has the construction "damnatis crucem servis fixeras." See Dict. Antt. art. 'Crux,' for an account of the punishment by crucifixion, which was only inflicted as a general rule upon slaves or the worst sort of malefactors. A master might put his slave to death, or punish him in any other way he pleased. _Labeone insanior_] Different persons are identified with this Labeo, but it is impossible to say who is meant. 84. _paulum deliquit amicus,_] 'Say your friend has committed a small fault; such that, if you do not excuse it, you must be looked upon as harsh; you hate him in your bitterness, and run away from him.' 'Concedo' is used in this way by other writers. 86. _Rusonem_] Ruso, whoever he was, seems to have made a stipulation with his debtors that they should, besides paying interest, listen to his recitations of his own writings. 'Historias' means tales or narratives of some sort. See C. iii. 7. 20. 87. _tristes--Kalendae_] See note on Epod. ii. 70. 'Merces' is used only by Horace in the sense of 'usurae,' 'interest' (S. 2. 14). It signifies money paid for rent (see S. ii. 2. 115), or for the use of anything. 90. _catillum Evandri manibus tritum_] A plate that had been used by Evander, the old king and ally of Æneas; an exaggeration meant to heighten the absurdity of the man. 92. _Aut positum ante_] The words are not very regularly placed. 'Or because to the chicken served on my part of the dish he helps himself before me, in the eagerness of his hunger.' The meats were cut up on a side table by a slave called 'structor,' and the guests helped themselves with their fingers, and threw the bones and remnants on the floor. The man who had a dish before him, and fancied a particular part of it, might count it unmannerly if his neighbor stretched out his hand and took what he had set his heart upon. 95. _fide_] This is a form both of the genitive and dative. See C. iii. 7. 4: "Constantis juvenem fide." As to 'sponsum,' see S. ii. 6. 23. 96. _Quis paria esse fere_] See Introduction. This common doctrine of the Stoics is noticed by Cicero (De Fin. iv. 19) and condemned on the principles of common sense and truth, as here. 'Laborant,' 'they are in a dilemma.' 98. _justi prope mater_] In making expediency the parent of justice, or something like it ('prope,' S. ii. 3. 32), Horace follows an Epicurean notion. One of the dogmas of Epicurus appears to have been, that justice was nothing by itself, but merely a social compact, by which men bound themselves to abstain from injuring one another: a very narrow view of the case. The Stoics had more true notions of Justice, whom they held to be the daughter of Zeus. 99. _Cum prorepserunt_] He goes on to illustrate this doctrine, saying that men lived at first like beasts, till expediency taught them to make laws. 102. _usus,_] Here this signifies 'need.' It generally occurs (in this sense) in combination with 'est' or 'venit.' 103. _Donec verba_] 'Verba nominaque' embraces all the parts of speech, like the Greek [Greek: onomata kai rhêmata]. (A. P. 234.) 'Notae' are symbols, as in short-hand writing for instance; and this line may perhaps be most accurately rendered, 'till they invented language, whereby they could give a symbolical form to the sounds of their voice, and to their feelings.' 110. _Viribus editior_] 'Superior in strength.' 'Editus' is used for 'exalted,' 'high.' It nowhere else appears in the sense Horace gives it here. 111. _Jura inventa metu injusti_] If this be admitted, as of course it must be, then Injustice--and, if so, Justice--was anterior to any laws or social compact, express or implied; so that the doctrine above laid down falls to the ground; and that justice of which expediency is said to be the mother, turns out to be nothing more than magistrates' justice,--the justice of statutes, which may be just or unjust. 112. _evolvere_] This word which signifies 'to read,' is taken from the unrolling of a parchment 'usque ad umbilicum.' See Epod. xiv. 8, n. As to 'fastos,' see C. iii. 17. 4, n. Epp. ii. 1. 48, n. 114. _bona diversis,_] 'Bona' means things which it is good to have and to get, not virtues, but the gifts of fortune and such like. 115. _Nec vincet ratio hoc,_] 'Nor will any logic prove this.' 'Vincere causam' is an ordinary expression for winning a cause. 'Idem' is explained by 'tantundem,' the same in degree of guilt. 117. _sacra divum legerit._] 'Legere' is not uncommonly used in the sense of robbing. Hence our word 'sacrilege.' 119. _Ne scutica dignum_] The epithet 'horribili' belongs to 'flagello,' which was a severer instrument than the 'scutica,' and was sometimes constructed with horrible cruelty, and fatal in its application. The 'scutica' had but one thong, of leather. 'Ferula' was a switch, usually from the vine. The Latin derivatives from [Greek: skutos] are short in the first syllable. There are other instances (as 'anchora' from [Greek: ankura], 'crepida' from [Greek: krêpis], etc.) in which the quantity of the Greek vowel is changed in the Latin. 120. _ut ferula caedas_] The rule in respect to verbs of fearing is that "the Latin inserts a negative where the English has none, and _vice versa_," that is, 'vereor ne' means 'I fear it will'; 'vereor ut,' 'I fear it will not.' There is no deviation from the rule here; for the position of 'ut' makes it independent of 'vereor.' 'For that you should beat,' or 'as to your beating with a switch one who deserves to undergo a severer flogging, of this I have no fear.' 122. _Furta latrociniis_] This is not strictly a technical distinction, nor is 'latrocinium' a technical term. All robbery was 'furtum,' whether attended with violence or not; but Horace means to distinguish between thefts without violence and robbery with violence ('rapina'). 'Cum dicas,' 'though you do say.' 124. _Si dives qui sapiens est,_] The word 'regnum' turns the discourse to another doctrine of the Stoics not connected with the main subject of the Satire, namely, that the sage is the only rich, capable, handsome man, and a king. The absurdity of the doctrine, which is repeated in Epp. i. 1. 107, consists not so much in the statement that the wise man's intelligence contains in itself the germ of all practical knowledge, and that such knowledge is power, as in the limitation of wisdom to the pale of a sect, and the attempt to give a practical application to a notion of this kind. 127. _Chrysippus dicat:_] The later Stoics looked to Chrysippus as the founder of their philosophy; but he adhered, with little essential deviation, to the doctrines taught him by his master Cleanthes, and Cleanthes was a devoted disciple of Zeno. He was born at a town in Cilicia, B.C. 280, and was a very voluminous writer. 'Inquit' means that some Stoic says this, including from 'non nosti' to 'sapiens,' and after 'qui?' to 'sic rex' (v. 133). What he means to affirm in reply to the taunt 'cur optas quod habes?' is, that a man may be, in the Stoic sense, a king, and yet not be in a condition to exercise authority, as an artisan or a singer may still be great in his calling, even when he has laid aside the practice of it. _crepidas--soleas_] 'Crepida' ([Greek: krêpis]) was a low shoe or slipper copied from the Greeks and worn in undress: 'solea' was a plain sandal fastened over the instep by a strap, and worn by men as the 'sandalium' was worn by women. The 'soccus' was not materially different from the 'crepida,' and the 'Gallica,' adopted from Gaul, was like the 'solea.' None of these were walking shoes ('calcei') fit for wet or dirty roads, but were ordinarily worn only in the house. 129. _Hermogenes_] This person has been confounded with Tigellius, whose death is mentioned in the second Satire, and whose character is described at the beginning of this. Hermogenes is also called Tigellius in S. 4. 72; 10. 80, 90. But as he is always spoken of as alive, it is impossible he can be Tigellius the Sardinian, to whom there are no grounds for giving the name Hermogenes, though the Scholiasts give it him. Hermogenes Tigellius was a teacher of music (S. 10. 90), and (whether ironically or not it is not easy to say) Horace calls him a first-rate singer here, and implies as much in S. 9. 25. But he had a contempt for him in other respects as appears from S. 4. 72; 10. 17 (where he calls him a coxcomb); and 10. 79 (where he introduces him with a fool for his friend or parasite). He may have had some private pique against him. 130. _Alfenius vafer,_] Who Alfenius was, is very doubtful, and the reading 'sutor' is not quite certain. Some editions have 'tonsor.' From 'erat' it has been inferred that Alfenius was dead when the Satire was written. It merely means, that, though he threw up his trade, he still continued to be a 'sutor.' 133. _Vellunt tibi barbam_] The Romans of this period did not usually wear beards. But those who affected philosophy let theirs grow, and may have been hooted and insulted by the boys in the streets for doing so (see S. ii. 3. 17). 137. _Ne longum faciam:_] The chief subject of the Satire is a censorious temper. To this Horace returns, and says that, as long as he can live on terms of mutual indulgence with his friends, the Stoics and their crabbed doctrines are nothing to him: he will be happier than all the self-styled kings in the world. _dum tu quadrante lavatum_] 'Quadrante lavari' (Juvenal, S. vi. 447) was an expression equivalent to taking a public bath, because a 'quadrans' was the ordinary fee paid by each visitor. But it may be inferred from Horace's words, that they who paid this sum were not the richer sort of bathers; for he seems to say, 'While you, a fine king as you are, go and bathe for a quadrans.' The rich may perhaps have paid more, and had more privacy and better bathing and attendance. The 'quadrans,' which was the fourth of an 'as,' and therefore the sixty-fourth part of a 'denarius,' after the reduction of the 'as' to one sixteenth of that coin, was of the value of about half a farthing of English money, taking the value of the 'denarius' at 8½_d_. The Romans were great bathers. 139. _Crispinum_] See S. i. 1. 120, n. The bodyguards of kings were called 'stipatores.' Horace therefore uses the word ironically in that sense. SATIRE IV. Here again Horace is at pains to defend himself from the charge of malevolence. This charge, no doubt, was loudly brought against him by those who were or thought themselves the objects of his satire; and he attributes it, as well as the neglect his poems experienced compared with the inferior poetry of the day and the old poetry of Lucilius, to the jealousy and fears of the multitude, every man apprehending that he may be attacked next; and also in some measure to a false taste, which preferred a wordy, flowing style to the terseness and accuracy of his own. His object is to contrast his own style and pretensions with those of Lucilius and of the Crispinuses and Fanniuses of the day, as well as to quiet the apprehensions of his friends, and disarm the malignity of his enemies. Everybody must admire the way in which he takes occasion, from the necessity of self-defence, to pay a tribute of grateful affection to his father's memory; and it would be difficult to find a more pleasing picture of paternal solicitude and sound sense, as applied to a boy's education, than Horace has drawn in the latter part of this Satire. 1. _Eupolis atque Cratinus Aristophanesque_] He begins by describing the character of Lucilius as a satirist, and says he followed in the steps of the old Greek comedians. The Greek comedy was divided by the Alexandrine grammarians into three periods, the Old, the Middle, and the New. The three persons here named were the chief poets of the Old Comedy. Cratinus was the eldest of the three, and died B.C. 422, when Aristophanes was a young man. He was the last of that period. The other writers of the Old Comedy, whom Horace alludes to with respect, are very little known to us. Horace fixes on the Comoedia Prisca, because the subsequent phases of the Greek Comic Drama were not of the same personally satirical cast, the license granted to the old writers having been taken away by law. The words 'poëtae' and 'virorum' are used emphatically, as below in S. 10. 16: "Illi scripta quibus comoedia prisca viris est." 5. _multa cum libertate notabant._] During the period of the Old Comedy, the law of Athens did not interfere with the poet's liberty of speech, except upon two occasions, when psephisms were passed prohibiting the introduction upon the stage of living characters as objects of satire by name,--a restriction of no great force, since the substitution of a feigned name, slightly altered from the true, would make the allusions equally intelligible and more ridiculous. Neither of these psephisms lasted more than a couple of years. See S. i. 6. 14, n., on 'notare.' 6. _Hinc omnis pendet Lucilius,_] 'Hinc' means 'upon them,' as 'unde' is elsewhere used with reference to persons. What Horace says of Lucilius is briefly this: that his whole strength was laid out on the satirizing of vice in the persons of living characters, that he especially imitated herein the writers of the Old Comedy, only changing their metre; that he was funny ('facetus') and acute ('emunctae naris'), but harsh in his style of versification; wordy and sometimes vulgar, in consequence of the haste with which he wrote and his impatience of the trouble of correcting. He adds below (S. 10. 3), that the most idolatrous admirer of Lucilius could not deny that his style was uncouth. He there also adds, that Lucilius loved to mix up Greek words with his own language (v. 20), that he was good-tempered, notwithstanding his satirical vein (v. 53), and again that he was very unreserved and frank (S. ii. 1. 30-34). The fragments of Lucilius that have come down to us are too short to form a very accurate opinion upon, but in some points, at least, (such as the absurd mixture of Greek and Latin,) they bear out Horace's statements. 7. _Mutatis tantum pedibus_] The writings of Lucilius appear to have been very early divided by the grammarians into thirty books, of which two thirds were written in hexameter verse, and the rest in the iambic and trochaic measures. That Lucilius imitated the comedians in all but their measures, cannot be true. The character of their plays could not be transferred to satirical poems like his, though some of their features might suit, as their coarseness and personalities. 8. _Emunctae naris,_] 'Emunctae naris' is one who has his nose well wiped, and is therefore no driveller. Phædrus explains it in his description of Æsop (1. iii. f. 3, v. 14):-- "Aesopus ibi stans naris emunctae senex, Natura nunquam verba cui poterit dare." 'Emungere' is used by the comic writers for 'cheating,' as among other places (see A. P. 238) in the fragment from the Epiclerus of Cæcilius quoted by Cicero de Am. 26. "To wipe a man's nose for him, is, to imply that he is a driveller who cannot do it for himself, and hence it means to 'outwit' and to 'cheat' him." (Long in loco.) Others explain 'emunctae naris' as 'keen-scented,' like a hound, which is wrong. 10. _versus dictabat_] See S. 10. 92, n. The words 'stans pede in uno' mean with the utmost facility, or 'standing at ease,' as we might say. Others explain 'stans pede in uno' to mean within the time a man could stand on one foot. The other is right. 11. _Cum flueret lutulentus_] 'Lutulentus' combines two notions, dirtiness and obscurity. Lucilius may have imitated the obscenity of the old comedians; and in this, as in other respects, his verse may have been like a muddy stream. The word, no doubt, comprehends defects of taste as well as style. 12. _piger scribendi ferre laborem,_] 'Piger ferre' is a Greek construction, common in the Odes, but not so in the language of the Satires. (See C. i. 1. 18, n.) In C. iv. 14. 22, we have 'impiger' in the same construction. 14. _Crispinus minimo_] See S. i. 1. 120, n. 'Minimo me provocat,' 'he offers me the greatest odds,' literally, 'he challenges me at the smallest amount' to be staked on my side, while he puts down a large one on his. The mention of the negligent way in which Lucilius wrote, leads on to the mention of small poets of the day, Crispinus and Fannius. See Introduction. 15. _Accipiam tabulas;_] This is nothing more than a polite challenge to see which could write most verses in a given time. 'Take tablets if you please, and I will take them too.' The omission of the personal pronoun before 'accipiam' to express antithesis, is nothing in familiar talk, where there could be no mistake. 'Custodes' are umpires to see that there is no foul play. 18. _raro et perpauca loquentis._] 'The gods have done me a kindness in making me of a poor and unpretending disposition, that speaks but seldom, and very little at a time.' This is Horace's reply to the challenge, which he declines. 19. _At tu conclusas_] Persius imitates this, S. v. 10. 21. _Beatus Fannius_] This Fannius is spoken of in another place (S. i. 10. 80) as a contemptible person, and a parasite of Hermogenes Tigellius (S. 3. 129, n.). It appears probable, from Horace's words, that he had his admirers, as rant and emptiness will always have, and that they made him a present, by way of a testimonial as it is called, of a set of handsome 'capsae' and a bust. The 'capsa' was a round box, suited to hold one or more rolled volumes. The larger sort was called 'scrinium.' 22. _cum mea nemo_] See Introduction. That Horace wrote many pieces which have not been preserved, appears clear from this passage and v. 71, sqq. 23. _vulgo recitare timentis_] See note on v. 73. The usage which leaves the personal pronoun to be inferred from the possessive, is common both in Greek and Latin. (See C. iii. 22. 6.) Compare Ovid (Heroid. v. 45): "Et flesti, et nostros vidisti flentis ocellos." 'Timeo' and 'metuo' do not govern an infinitive mood in the prose writings of Horace's day. 'Vereor' is used in that construction. 24. _sunt quos_] 'There are some who are by no means pleased with this sort of writing, as being for the most part worthy of censure themselves.' As to 'sunt quos,' see C. i. 1. 3, n. He seems to have particular persons or classes in view. 26. _Aut ob avaritiam_] 'Laborare ob' is an unusual construction, and the sentence begins with one form of expression and ends with another. 'Ambitio' generally had an epithet of a strong kind applied to it. Horace has 'prava,' 'inanis,' 'mala,' 'misera'; and Cicero (De Off. i. 26) says, "Miserrima est omnino ambitio honorumque contentio." The practice, therefore, seems to have been habitual, which, if we consider the evils that arose out of personal ambition, and the eagerness with which places of honor were sought at all times of the Republic, is not surprising. 28. _Hunc capit argenti splendor;_] Cups and other vessels curiously wrought in silver and Corinthian bronze, and very costly (such as Juvenal describes, S. i. 76), were among the many objects of extravagance at Rome. The exaggerated admiration of the persons Horace alludes to, for such works of art, might be comparatively harmless, if it did not lead them into dishonest ways of acquiring them, and beggaring their families, as Albius did, of whom we know nothing. His son is mentioned below (v. 108), as living in want through his father's extravagance. 'Stupet,' with the ablative, occurs below (S. 6. 17); and 'torpere,' an equally strong word, is used in the same connection in S. ii. 7. 95. 29. _Hic mutat merces_] See C. i. 31. 12, n. _surgente a sole_, etc.] This means from east to west ("ad ortus Solis ab Hesperio cubili," C. iv. 15. 15). 'Mutare merces' can hardly be applied to any but a mercator. 'Mala' means dangers and hardships. 34. _Foenum habet in cornu;_] A law of the XII. Tables gave an action to any man who was injured by a vicious animal. It became customary, therefore, that any ox or other animal of vicious propensities should be marked in such a way as to warn passengers, and enable them to get out of its way. Hence the proverb, "He has a wisp of hay on his horn." 37. _a furno_] 'Furnus' is the bakehouse, to which the lower sort of people, old women and children, carried their bread to be baked. 'Lacus' were tanks distributed in all parts of the city, into which water was conveyed from the aqueducts, and to which poorer persons resorted who could not afford to have water laid on at their houses. 38. _Agedum,_] 'Dum,' as an enclitic, signifies 'awhile'; 'agedum,' 'come a moment.' 39. _Primum ego me illorum_] 'Primum' means 'in the first place'; before I begin, let me dispose of the fallacy which classes writers like myself among poets (the word assumed above, "Omnes hi metuunt versus, odere poëtas," v. 33). This question occupies twenty-four verses, after which he returns to the main point, which is the odium attaching to writers of Satire. The dative is commonly used after 'licet esse,' 'datur esse,' etc. See S. i. 1. 19; 2. 51. A. P. 372. 40. _concludere versum_] This expression is repeated below (S. 10. 59: "si quis pedibus quid claudere senis"). 42. _Sermoni propiora:_] 'Sermoni' means common conversation. Hence the name 'Sermones' given to the Satires and Epistles. 43. _os Magna sonaturum,_] This form does not appear elsewhere in this word. Cicero uses 'praestaturus,' and Sall. (Jug. 47) 'juvaturus.' Horace has 'intonata' in Epod. ii. 51. See Virg. (Georg. iii. 294): "Nunc veneranda Pales, magno nunc ore sonandum." The attributes of a poet, which Horace considers essential, are genius, inspiration, and dignified sentiments, and language suited to high subjects. 45. _Idcirco quidam_] 'In reference to this, certain persons have raised the question whether a comedy was or was not a poem': "utrum comoedia esset poëma necne esset." This is a grammarian's question, and depends upon the definition assumed for a poem, in which, however, imagination is generally supposed to have a conspicuous place, and this would exclude the comedies of Plautus and Terence, and their Greek originals of the New Comedy, from the title of poetry. But the same rule would exclude much more that has passed for poetry, with less pretension to the name even than Horace's Satires, or the Heautontimorumenos. 'Quidam' signifies the grammarians of Alexandria. 48. _Differt sermoni_] 'Discrepare,' 'dissidere,' 'distare,' 'differre,' Horace uses with the dative (see C. i. 27. 5, n.), but the two last also with the ablative and 'ab.' "It must not be supposed, however, that 'from' can in any way be the signification of the dative," which remark Professor Key applies to the analogous construction in use by the poets with verbs of taking away. _At pater ardens_] Demea in the Adelphi of Terence, and Plautus's Theuropides are instances in point. 'At,' which usually in such places introduces an objection, here seems to be the remark of one who supposed that the fury and ranting of the enraged father in the comedy might be supposed to partake of the fire of poetry. But Horace disposes of the objection very easily. Any father who had such a son as Pomponius, for instance, a dissolute youth (of whom we know nothing more), would probably storm at him in much the same terms that the man on the stage uses. It was the aim of the New Comedy, which the Roman writers followed, to put real life upon the stage by means of a plot natural and probable, and to represent men and women as they were seen and heard every day, in which it differed essentially from the Old Comedy, a mere vehicle for political and personal satire. 54. _puris--verbis,_] 'Puris' corresponds to 'inornata' (A. P. 234). It means plain language, free from any mixture of trope or other ornament. See Terence (Heaut. Prol. 44):-- "Si quae laboriosa est ad me curritur: Si lenis est ad alium defertur gregem. In hac est pura oratio." So Cicero (In Verr. ii. 4. 22) speaks of "purum argentum," plate with the ornamental work taken off. He says it is not enough (to constitute a poem) that it should be written throughout in plain language, which, if you take to pieces, it will be found that any father in common life expresses his wrath in the same terms as the father in the play. 56. _His ego quae nunc,_] 'From these verses that I now write and Lucilius wrote formerly, if you take away certain times and measures (measures regulated by beating time), and change the position of the words, you will not (as you would if you broke up such a verse as the following, Postquam, etc.) find the members of the poet thus torn to pieces.' That is, his language would be unintelligible, or there would be no more of the poet left. 60. _Postquam Discordia tetra_] The Scholiasts imply that this is a verse of Ennius, but they do not say from what poem it is taken. Virgil (Aen. i. 294) has "claudentur belli portae." As to the position of 'non,' see S. 6. 1. 63. _alias justum sit necne poëma,_] The question he has been discussing since v. 38, namely, whether he and such as he are or are not properly called poets, is not resumed, though we may perceive that Horace does not consider that his arguments have quite settled it. He goes on to show that the public have no reason to be afraid of him. 65. _Sulcius acer Ambulat et Caprius_] These persons are said by the Scholiasts to have been public informers, or else 'causidici,' 'pleaders,' and Horace may mean that they have made themselves hoarse with roaring in the courts. The 'libelli' they carried were their note-books. 'Ambulat' signifies their strutting through the streets with the consciousness that men were afraid of them. 'Delatores,' 'informers,' were more common in after years, but they were sufficiently abundant in Horace's time. Cælius and Birrus are said by Acron to have been profligate youths, meaning probably that they were young men of fortune, who had run through their money and had taken to robbing. 69. _Ut sis_] 'Say that you are.' Horace says he is not like the informers, going about seeking whom they may charge, and no one with clean hands need be afraid of him. 71. _Nulla taberna meos habeat_] In the next place, he has no wish to see his books in the shops and thumbed by the vulgar. The 'taberna' was sometimes under a porticus, in which case the titles of the books for sale within were hung upon the columns ('pilae') in front. Horace alludes to this when he says (A. P. 372), "Mediocribus esse poëtis. Non Dii, non homines non concessere columnae," which means that indifferent poets would not be patronized by the booksellers. 'Habeat' expresses a wish. On Hermogenes Tigellius, see S. 3. 129, n. 73. _Nec recito cuiquam_] Nor does he go about reciting his works in public. This practice grew to be an intolerable nuisance in the course of time. Persons who had money and dabbled in literature inflicted their productions upon their clients and others, whom they bribed to listen and applaud them. What Horace goes on to complain of are silly people reciting their own verses in public places (the forum and the baths) to chance acquaintances, or even strangers, and annoying the neighbors while they gratified themselves. Round the baths were spaces called 'scholae.' On these, people sat or walked about, and conceited authors could tease their acquaintance and the strangers that were compelled to listen to them, and in the act of bathing they could do the same. 77. _haud illud quaerentes,_] 'Illud' is thus used commonly to introduce something about to be mentioned. 78. _Laedere gaudes, Inquit,_] Horace has said, that, even if he does write or recite, it is only in a private way, and no one therefore need be afraid of him. He now disposes of the charge of writing with malicious intent. 'Studio' is used adverbally, 'of set purpose in your malignity you do it.' 80. _Est auctor quis denique eorum_] 'Quis' may be taken as an interrogative or an enclitic. It is not easy to decide. As to 'auctor,' see C. 1. 28. 14, n. 84. _commissa tacere Qui nequit;_] This, which is too commonly softened into a weakness, the inability to keep a secret, Horace very justly marks as one of the most prominent signs of a mischievous character. See C. iii. 2. 25, n. On 'Romane,' see C. iii. 6. 2, n. 86. _Saepe tribus lectis_] Four persons on each 'lectus tricliniaris' would be an unusually large party at one table. Three on each was the usual number when the table was full. Respecting the arrangement of the guests, see S. ii. 8. 20, n. 87. _E quibus unus amet_] 'Amet' is used in the same sense as in "umbram hospitalem consociare amant" (C. ii. 3. 10). 'Quavis' is 'qua ratione vis.' 'Qui praebet aquam' is an uncommon expression, but it seems to be used for the host "qui aquam temperat ignibus." See C. iii. 19. 6, n. On 'verax Liber,' see C. i. 18. 16; iii. 21. 16; Epod. xi. 14. Epp. i. 18. 38; 5. 16. A. P. 434. 92. _Pastillos Rufillus olet,_] This verse is quoted from a former Satire (2. 27) only to show the innocent subjects with which Horace's satire dealt, and he goes on to show that his satire has none of the malignity which is common in society. 'Pastillus' is a diminutive form of 'panis,' and signifies 'a small roll,' whence in a derived sense it came to mean small balls of perfume. Who Rufillus and Gargonius may have been, we cannot tell. 94. _De Capitolini furtis_] Petillius Capitolinus was charged, according to some stories, with stealing the golden crown from the statue of Jupiter when he was in charge of the Capitol. That he was tried on some serious charge and acquitted, and that the verdict did not escape scandal, is clear from the context. See also S. 10. 26. The nature of the accusation must remain a matter of doubt. We may also gather that he was a person of influence from v. 97, which he must have been, if he was acquitted, or supposed to have been acquitted, through the corruption of the jury. 95. _ut tuus est mos:_] 'In your peculiar way,' that is, sarcastically. 99. _Sed tamen admiror,_] There is sarcasm in this, which Horace calls 'succus loliginis,' the dark secretion of the cuttle-fish, black and malignant. 'Aerugo mera,' nothing but copper-rust, that eats into character and destroys it. 102. _ut si quid_] There is a little obscurity in the construction, but the sense is plain. 'I promise, as I truly can, if I can promise of myself aught else with truth.' 'Promitto, ut vere possum si aliud quid vere de me promittere possum.' 104. _hoc mihi juris_] 'So much liberty as this';--'hoc jus' would not do. 105. _insuevit pater optimus hoc me,_] 'Suesco' and its compounds have an active as well as a neuter signification, taking usually an accusative of the person and dative of the thing, which order is inverted in Virg. (Aen. vi. 833): "Ne, pueri, ne tanta animis assuescite bella." See below, S. ii. 2. 109: "Pluribus assuerit mentem corpusque superbum." I am not aware of any instances of a double accusative after 'suesco' except this. The construction is that of the Greeks, who said [Greek: ethizein ti tina]. 'Notando' has something of the technical sense. The father taught his son to avoid vices, and he did so by branding them in each instance by means of examples, which he says was the origin of his tendency to satire. See S. i. 6. 14, n., on 'notare.' 108. _quod mi ipse parasset:_] Horace's father had lived a life of frugal industry, and, in addition to any 'peculium' he may have laid by as a 'servus,' he made enough money by his occupation of 'coactor' (S. 6. 86) to purchase a farm of no great value at Venusia, to pay for his son's education at Rome, and enable him to continue it at Athens. 109. _Albi ut male vivat filius,_] See above, v. 28, n. This person, of whom nothing is known, is to be distinguished from the coxcomb in the sixth Satire (v. 30). Scetanius (otherwise Sectanius) is not more known than Barrus. Trebonius was the name of a plebeian gens of some distinction, but which of them Horace alludes to, it is impossible to say. 115. _Sapiens vitatu quidque petitu_] 'The philosopher may give you good reasons as to what is best to be avoided and what to be sought; I am satisfied if I can maintain the practice of my fathers,' etc. Horace's father had no mind to refine upon the foundation of morals, nor any pretension to a philosophical view of these matters. He knew that right was right and wrong was wrong, and followed the beaten track, and would have his son do the same. Horace expresses the same below, S. 6. 82, sqq. The whole of the passage there should be compared with this. The elder Horace was no doubt a plain, sensible man. As to 'sapiens,' see C. i. 34. 2. 121. _Formabat_] This is Horace's usual word for education. C. i. 10. 2: "Qui feros cultus hominum recentum Voce formasti." See C. iii. 24. 54, n. 123. _Unum ex judicibus selectis_] It was the duty of the Prætor Urbanus annually to select a certain number of persons whose names were registered in the Album Judicum Selectorum, and from whom were chosen by lot the 'judices' for each trial. It is uncertain whether at this time, or by a subsequent 'lex' of Augustus, their functions were extended to civil as well as criminal proceedings. The number of these 'judices' varied. By the 'lex Servilia Glaucia Repetundarum' it was fixed at 450. The law that was in force at the time Horace refers to was the 'lex Aurelia,' by which the Judices Selecti were made eligible from the Senators, Equites, and Tribuni Aerarii. Horace's father, as plain men are wont, looked up with reverence to the body in whom were rested such high functions; but the office was not an enviable one, nor always most purely exercised. See C. iv. 9. 39, n. As to 'auctor,' see above, v. 80. 126. _Avidos_] This signifies 'intemperate,' as in C. i. 18. 11. 129. _Ex hoc ego sanus_] Horace says that, owing to his father's training ('ex hoc'), he had been kept in a sound and healthy state, and preserved from those vices which in their worst form bring destruction, but which in a moderate degree may be overlooked. He implies that in this venial form he is liable to such faults; but even from this smaller measure, time, the candor of friends, and reflection will deduct a good deal. The sentence is a little irregular, but sufficiently intelligible. 'Consilium proprium' is the counsel a man takes with himself when he reviews his life, and is bent upon correcting the errors of it. This sort of reflection a man may pursue, if he be in earnest, either as he lies on his bed (see below, S. 6. 122, n.), or as he walks abroad, alone among crowds. By 'porticus' Horace means any one of the public porticoes, covered walks, of which there were many at Rome, and which were usually crowded by persons of all sorts, resorting thither for exercise, conversation, or business. 137. _olim_] See C. ii. 10. 17, n. 139. _Illudo chartis._] This means, 'I put it down in my notes by way of amusement.' As to 'chartae,' see S. ii. 3. 2, n. 141. _Multa poëtarum veniat manus_] Horace, in winding up his discourse, stops the lips of his opponents with a sally of good humor, which they would find it hard to resist. He says, if they will not make excuses for this little sin of his (that of taking notes of his neighbors' vices), he will bring a host of sinners (poets) as bad as himself, and, like the proselytizing Jews (S. 9. 69, n.), they will attack them till they have made converts and poets of them all. 'Plures' signifies any number more than one, as in Epp. i. 5. 28, "Locus est et pluribus umbris." 'Multo plures sumus' means 'there are many besides me.' SATIRE V. In the spring of the year B.C. 37, M. Antonius brought over an army to Italy, and a fleet of 300 ships (Plut. Ant. c. 35): [Greek: ek tinôn diabolôn paroxuntheis pros Kaisara], says Plutarch. He pretended, Dion says, to come for the purpose of helping to put down Sextus Pompeius, his real object being rather to see what was going on, than to take any active part. He came to Brundisium, but the people would not let him come into the harbor (according to Plutarch), and he therefore went on to Tarentum. Negotiations were carried on between the two rivals (Cæsar being at Rome) through agents employed by both, but without effect, till Octavia undertook to mediate between her husband and brother, and was finally successful in reconciling them. It has been supposed, with every probability, that the mission which Horace accompanied was sent by Augustus to meet Antonius on his expected arrival at Brundisium, on this occasion. Horace started from Rome with only one companion, Heliodorus the rhetorician (v. 2), and these two travelled together three days and one night, about fifty-six miles, till they reached Tarracina or Anxur, where, by appointment, they were to meet the official members of their party. These were Mæcenas and Cocceius, who had been employed in negotiating the first reconciliation between Augustus and Antonius (B.C. 40), and Fonteius, an intimate friend of the latter. Three days afterwards, they met at Sinuessa Horace's three most intimate friends, Plotius Tucca, Varius, and Virgil; one of whom, Varius, kept them company only for six days, and left them, for reasons which are not mentioned, at Canusium (v. 93). The rest of the party went on together till they reached Brundisium, seventeen days after Horace had left Rome. The route they took was not the shortest or the easiest, which lay through Venusia and Tarentum. They preferred taking the northeastern road, which strikes across the country from Beneventum, and, reaching the coast at Barium continues along the shore till it comes to Brundisium. They were evidently not pressed for time, and probably took the road they did because it passed through Canusium, whither one of the party was bound. Mæcenas made his journey as agreeable as, under the circumstances, it could be, by taking with him such companions; and they all appear to great advantage in Horace's good-humored diary. There was no restraint between the patron and his friends, and it is very pleasant to contemplate their affection for him and one another. It is probable that, before Horace returned to Rome, he visited Tarentum and his native place, Venusia, through which he would naturally pass. He seems to have had in mind the description by Lucilius of a journey he took to Capua, of which three or four verses only have been preserved (see note on v. 6). 1. _Egressum magna me excepit Aricia_] They left Rome by the Porta Capena, between Mons Aventinus and Mons Cælius, in the southern quarter of the city. Aricia (La Riccia), one of the most ancient towns of Latium, was sixteen miles from Rome. It was situated on the side of a hill, sloping down to a valley called Vallis Aricina, through which the Appia Via passed. This part of the road is still in good preservation. The citadel was placed on the top of the hill (Strabo, v. p. 239), and on that spot stands the modern town. Aricia was a considerable town in Horace's time, and for some centuries after. Cicero calls it "municipium--vetustate antiquissimum, splendore municipum honestissimum" (Phil. iii. 6). Its neighborhood to Rome, and accessible position, contributed to its prosperity, which was assisted by its association with the worship of Diana Aricina, who had a temple among the woods on the small lake (Lacus Nemorensis), a short way from the town, probably on the site of the modern town Nemi. The wealthy Romans had villas in the neighborhood. By 'hospitio modico' Horace means an indifferent inn; but 'hospitium' is not the Latin for an 'inn,' which was called 'caupona,' or 'taberna,' or 'diversorium,' and its keeper 'caupo.' The inns at the different stages on the great roads were never very good, the chief reason being that travellers of any importance usually found friends at the principal towns, who entertained them. 2. _rhetor comes Heliodorus,_] Horace jocularly exaggerates the merits of this Greek. Nothing is known of him from other sources. Appii Forum was thirty-nine miles from Rome, and was so called by Appius Claudius, surnamed Cæcus, who in his censorship (A.U.C. 441) constructed the Via Appia and the great aqueduct which bore his name. Some ruins of this town are said by Walckenaer still to exist. Its modern name is Borgo Lungo. The participle 'differtus' means 'full,' and is formed as from 'differcio,' which verb is not found. 'Differtus' occurs below (Epp. i. 6. 59). 'Malignis' belongs to 'cauponibus' in the same sense as 'perfidus' (S. 1. 29). 'Nautae' were the boatmen who plied on the canal mentioned below (v. 7, n.). It was to Appii Forum that some of the Christians, when they heard of St. Paul's approach, went, from Rome, to meet him. Others met him at a place called Tres Tabernae (La Castella), which was about seven miles from Aricia, and sixteen from Appii Forum. Horace must have passed through this town without stopping. It was a well-known place, and from it a Christian bishop took his title, "Felix a Tribus Tabernis." 5. _Hoc iter_] i.e. the journey from Rome to Appii Forum, which was usually made in one day, they took two to accomplish. 'Praecinctus' is opposed to 'discinctus,' and means 'one well girt,' [Greek: euzônos], and ready for active exertion, running, etc. Horace uses the word more literally, S. ii. 8. 70: "ut omnes Praecincti recte pueri comptique ministrent." The Asiatics tuck up in their girdles their long garments, when they are preparing to run or walk quick. Hence such expressions as we meet with in Scripture, "Gird up the loins of your mind." 'Succinctus,' 'tucked up,' is the more usual word. 6. _minus est gravis Appia tardis._] Horace means, that the Via Appia was less fatiguing to the slow traveller than to the quick; that it was a rough road, over which the slower you went, the less unpleasant was the journey. This road was constructed with a foundation of large squared blocks of basaltic stone, over which was laid a coating of gravel, until the Emperors Nerva and Trajan laid it with silex, according to an inscription found on a mile-stone in the neighborhood of Forum Appii. Horace speaks elsewhere of the traveller "qui Romam Capua petit imbre lutoque Adspersus" (Epp. i. 11. 11). In one of the verses of the Satire of Lucilius, mentioned in the Introduction, he says, "Praeterea omne iter est labosum atque lutosum." 7. _Hic ego propter aquam,_] At Appii Forum they were to embark at night in a boat that was to carry them by canal to Tarracina. A party were waiting at the same inn to go with them, and Horace waited with impatience till they had done supper. These he means by 'comites.' This canal was constructed by Augustus. There are still traces of it to be seen. It was nineteen miles long, and was called in consequence Decennovium. The road may have been defective hereabouts, as it was the general practice of travellers to exchange it for the canal, and to make the journey by night. 9. _Jam nox inducere terris_] This is a parody of the heroic style, unless it be taken from some poet, as Ennius. 12. _Huc appelle!_] "Put in here, and take us on board!" cries a servant. "How many more?--you'll swamp the boat!" says another to the boatman, who wants to get as many as he can. The bank is crowded; the passengers all want to be attended to at once. The collection of the fare and putting-to the mule being accomplished, Horace goes on board. The boat starts, and he lies down to sleep, disturbed much by the mosquitos and the croaking of frogs. The boatman and one of the passengers, half drunk, sing songs till the one drops off to sleep, and the other, having a mind to do the same, stops the boat, turns the mule out to graze, lays himself down and snores till the dawn of day, when one of the passengers wakes, starts up in a passion, and falls foul of the boatman and the poor mule, who is put to again, and a little after the fourth hour they reach their destination, a temple of Feronia, about seventeen miles from the place where they embarked. 'Cerebrosus' is an old word signifying 'choleric.' 'Dolare' is properly to turn a piece of wood with an axe, 'dolabra.' 'He rough-hewed him with a cudgel.' It is only here used in this sense. Feronia was a goddess, worshipped originally by the Sabines. On the site of the temple near which Horace and his party disembarked, there now stands an old tower, bearing the name Torre Ottofacia. Horace says they only washed their hands and face, which would be no little refreshment after a night spent in a canal-boat. 25. _Millia tum pransi tria repimus_] Three miles farther, on the top of a steep ascent, stood the town of Tarracina (Terracina), which by the Volscians was called Anxur, by which name it is always mentioned by the poets. The winding of the road up the hill, and the difficulty of the ascent, explains the word 'repimus.' The old town of Tarracina was built on the top of the hill, but this site was afterwards abandoned, and a new town built on the plain below, close upon the shore, which is the site of the modern Terracina. It was in Horace's day, and had been for a long time, and long continued to be, a town of great importance, as it was one of great antiquity. The buildings of white marble, perhaps, gave it the appearance described in 'late candentibus.' The same appearance is observed still in the modern town. After leaving the boat, the party lunched before they proceeded. The 'prandium' was a light meal, usually eaten about noon, but sometimes earlier, as probably was the case in this instance. 27. _Huc venturus erat_] See Introduction. L. Cocceius Nerva was a friend of M. Antonius, and was among those whom Augustus found in Perusia when he took it (B.C. 41). He offered these persons no indignity, but made friends of them, and Cocceius seems to have become especially intimate with Augustus, without betraying his friendship for M. Antonius. 29. _aversos soliti componere amicos._] After the taking of Perusia, war was threatened between Augustus and Antonius, which was averted by an arrangement made through the medium of Mæcenas, on the part of Augustus, and of Cocceius and Pollio, on the part of Antonius. This is what Horace alludes to. 30. _nigra meis collyria lippus_] 'Collyrium,' an ointment for sore eyes, was composed of juices expressed from the poppy and various shrubs, as the lycium, glaucion, acacia, hypocystis, etc. The etymology of the word is not known. 32. _Capitoque simul Fonteius,_] Not much is known of C. Fonteius Capito. He was deputed by Augustus on this occasion, as being a particular friend of M. Antonius, who afterwards, as Plutarch relates (Anton. 36), sent him, while he was in Syria, to fetch Cleopatra thither from Egypt. The expression 'ad unguem factus' is taken from the craft of the sculptor, who tries the surface of his statue by passing the nail over it; if the parts be put perfectly together, and the whole work well finished, the nail passes over the surface, and meets with no obstruction. See Persius, S. i. 64. Compare also A. P. 294. Below (S. ii. 7. 86) the perfect man is described as "in se ipso totus, teres atque rotundus, Externi ne quid valeat per leve morari," which is like the description of the text, though the metaphor is not quite the same. 33. _non ut magis alter_] This is equivalent to 'quam qui maxime' in prose. 34. _Fundos Aufidio Lusco praetore_] They arrived at Tarracina about noon, and there the principal personages met them. At Tarracina they slept, and proceeded next morning to Fundi (Fondi), sixteen miles farther to the northeast of Tarracina. Fundi was situated on the north shore of a lake, which was called after it Fundanus; and also Amyclanus from an old Greek town Amyclæ, the existence of which was only traditional when Horace wrote, but is occasionally mentioned by the poets. Fundi was one of that class of towns called 'praefectura,' which, instead of having the administration of its own affairs, was governed by a 'praefectus' sent annually from Rome by the Prætor Urbanus. At this time the 'praefectus' was one Aufidius Luscus (not otherwise known), an upstart whom Horace calls Prætor by way of ridicule. The officers of the other municipal towns were allowed to wear the 'toga praetexta,' the 'toga' with a purple border (Livy xxxiv. 7), but the 'praefecti' were not, and yet Luscus wore it. The 'latus clavus' was a broad purple stripe down the front of the tunic, and was a badge that belonged only to senators. 'Prunae batillum' was a pan of hot coals, which may have been used for burning incense or otherwise in connection with sacrifice. But its use is uncertain. Aufidius, it appears, had been a 'scriba' or clerk, probably in the prætor's office,--such a situation as Horace held at this time in the quæstor's. Persons in that capacity had opportunities of pushing their fortunes if they managed well, and the honors of Luscus are spoken of as 'praemia,' rewards of service rendered to his master. 37. _In Mamurrarum_] Disgusted with the officiousness of the promoted scribe, the party move on, in the course of the day, to Formiæ (Mola di Gaeta), about twelve miles farther, where the road, having taken an upward bend from Tarracina to Fundi, goes straight down from thence to the coast, where Formiæ was situated at the head of the Sinus Caietanus. Its supposed identity with the Læstrygonia of Homer has been noticed before (C. iii. 16. 34, n., and 17, Int.). As the scene of Cicero's frequent retirement, and his death, it is a place of much interest. Its wines Horace mentions more than once. He here calls it the city of the Mamurræ,--a family of respectability in this town. When the party got to Formiæ, having travelled upwards of twenty-five miles, they were tired, and resolved to pass the night there. Licinius Murena (C. ii. 10, Int.), having a house at this place, gave them the use of it, but as he was not there himself, and probably had no establishment in the house suitable to the entertainment of such guests, Fonteius Capito invited his fellow travellers to dine with him. He therefore appears to have had a house at Formiæ likewise. 40. _Sinuessae_] Leaving Formiæ next day, the party set out for Sinuessa, eighteen miles distant. The road crossed the Liris (C. i. 31. 7) at Minturnæ, and went down the coast till it reached Sinuessa, the most southerly of the Latin towns. The site is now called Monte Dragone (Cramer). It was on the sea, and said to have been founded on the ruins of the Greek city Sinope. Strabo (v. 234) derives its name from the Sinus Vescinus on which it stood. Plotius Tucca appears to have been a native of Cisalpine Gaul. He was associated with L. Varius Rufus by Virgil, who loved them both, as the executor of his will, and he was employed in the task of editing the Æneid after his death. Nothing more is known of him, but what we gather from this passage and S. i. 10. 81, that he was one of Mæcenas's friends, and on intimate terms with Horace. As to L. Varius, see C. i. 6. 1. S. i. 10. 44. 45. _Proxima Campano ponti_] After Sinuessa, the Appia Via continued to take a southerly direction, and crossed the Savo (Savone) about three miles from that town, and just within the borders of Campania. That river was crossed by a bridge bearing the name Pons Campanus, near which was a small house erected for the accommodation of persons travelling on public business, where there were officers appointed to supply them with ordinary necessaries. Hence they were called 'parochi,' from the Greek [Greek: parechein]. In this house the party passed the night. 47. _Hinc muli Capuae_] When it reached the right bank of the Vulturnus, four miles below the Savo, the Appia Via turned, striking inland along that bank of the river, which it crossed at the town of Casilinum, where Hannibal met with stout resistance from the Romans who garrisoned it after the battle of Cannæ (Liv. xxiii. 17). This is perhaps the site of the modern Capua. About two miles farther on the road, which now took a southeasterly direction, lay Capua, on the site of which is the modern village Santa Maria di Capoa. There the party arrived 'betimes,'--in time probably for dinner, after which meal Mæcenas and others of the party went to play at ball, while Horace, whose sight, and Virgil, whose digestion, interfered with that amusement, went early to bed. Virgil is said to have had uncertain health, and to have suffered frequently, either from toothache, headache, or complaints of the stomach. 50. _Hinc nos Cocceii_] The road, continuing in a southeast direction, passed through two small Campanian towns, Calatia (Le Galazze) and Ad Novas (La Nova), but the usual halting-place after Capua was the town of Caudium, which was the first Samnite town on the Appia Via, and was situated at the head of the pass called the Furcæ (or Fauces) Caudinæ, celebrated for the surprise and capture of the Roman army by C. Pontius, in the second Samnite war, B.C. 321. At Caudium, Cocceius had a handsome house, and Horace marks its situation by saying it lay beyond the public tavern. The town was twenty one miles from Capua. 51. _Nunc mihi paucis_] The scene that follows represents a scurrilous contest between two parasites, whom Mæcenas carried with him for the entertainment of himself and his party. The description begins with an invocation of the Muse, after the fashion of the Epic poets. Sarmentus was an Etrurian by birth, and originally a slave of M. Favonius (well known in the civil wars, and put to death by Augustus after the battle of Philippi). On the confiscation of the property of Favonius, Sarmentus passed by public sale into the hands of Mæcenas, who gave him his liberty. He then obtained the office of 'scriba' in the quæstor's department, and affected the position of an Eques. He was brought to trial for pretending to a rank he had no claim to (perhaps under the law of Otho), and got off only by the favor of the judges, and by the accuser being put out of the way. When old, he was reduced to great poverty through his licentiousness and extravagance, and was obliged to sell his place as 'scriba.' When persons taunted him with this, he showed his ready wit by replying that he had a good memory; by which probably he meant that he had no occasion to write anything down, for he could carry it in his head. It appears that at the time Horace wrote he was free, and held his scribe's office, though he continued to attend Mæcenas, for his adversary says, though he was a scribe, he was in fact only a runaway, and still belonged to his mistress, the widow of Favonius (v. 66), which is only a joke that would amuse Mæcenas, who had bought and manumitted Sarmentus. When Horace says that Messius was of the noble blood of the Osci, he only means, by way of joke, to say that he was of old and high descent. Perhaps he also alludes to the scar on his temple, which indicated the disease called Campanian (the Campanians were of Oscan descent), of which we are told that it consisted of great excrescences over the temples like horns, which used to be cut out, and left a scar. The Oscans also were the authors of the 'Atellanae fabulae,' which were full of broad raillery and coarse wit, which may have something to do with Horace's joke. 'Cicirrhus' is a nickname from [Greek: kikirrhos], which signifies, according to Hesychius, 'a cock.' With these explanations most of the allusions will be intelligible. 58. _Accipio, caput et movet._] Messius accepts Sarmentus's joke as a challenge, and shakes his head fiercely at him, on which Sarmentus takes him up and pretends to be alarmed. The wild horse to which Messius is likened is the unicorn, an imaginary animal described by Pliny as a very terrible beast. 63. _Pastorem saltaret_] That he should dance the Cyclops' dance, in which the uncouth gestures of Polyphemus courting Galatea were represented. See Epp. ii. 2. 125. Ovid (Trist. ii. 519) uses 'salto' in the passive voice: "Et mea sunt populo saltata poëmata saepe." 64. _larva_] The Greek actors always wore masks on the stage suited to the character they were performing. The Romans adopted them about B.C. 100. They were called [Greek: prosôpa] by the Greeks, and 'personae' or 'larvae' by the Romans. As to 'cothurnus,' see C. ii. 1. 12, n. 65. _Donasset jamne catenam_] See Epp. i. 1. 4, n. 67. _Nihilo deterius_] 'Nihilo' is to be pronounced as a dissyllable, like "vehemens et liquidus" (Epp. ii. 2. 120). 68. _una Farris libra_] The allowance of 'far' to each slave was four or five 'modii' by the month, and it was served out to them monthly, or sometimes daily (Epp. i. 14. 40). That allowance would give three pints a day, which Messius considers would be three times as much as Sarmentes could possibly require, so he could not better himself by running away. The 'far' was otherwise called 'adoreum' (C. iv. 4. 41, n.), and seems to have been the same as the Greek [Greek: zeia] or [Greek: olyra]. The nature of this grain is not exactly known. That two persons above the condition of slaves should be found in waiting on any man, great or otherwise, for the purpose of entertaining him with such low buffoonery as the above, seems surprising to us; but we know that there was no personal degradation to which this class of people, called 'parasites' (diners out), would not demean themselves for the pleasure of a good dinner and the company of the great. The entertainment of these persons would serve to keep the conversation from turning upon politics, which, as the deputies from both sides were now together, it was desirable to avoid. 71. _Beneventum,_] The Appia Via took a northeast turn from Caudium, for ten miles, till it came to Beneventum (Benevento), a very ancient town, by tradition said to have been founded by Diomed, and the name of which was originally, when the Samnites had it, Maleventum, or some name that sounded so like Maleventum to a Latin ear that the Romans thought fit to change it (for good luck) to Beneventum. Thither the party proceeded next day, and put up at an inn, when the host nearly set fire to his house through carelessness in roasting some indifferent thrushes for their dinner. 'Hospes paene arsit,' 'the host nearly got himself on fire,' means that he nearly burnt the house down, as the context shows. The expression is the same as in Aen. ii. 311. "Jam proximus ardet Ucalegon." The position of 'macros' is a little careless. 78. _quos torret Atabulus_] This was a cold wind, said to be peculiar to Apulia. 'Torret' is a word which applies to the effect of cold, as well as heat. 'Atabulus' is generally looked upon by the commentators as the Sirocco, a hot land wind. But it came directly off the sea from the east, and Pliny speaks of it as a winter wind. 79. _Nunquam erepsemus_] This is one of the many abbreviated forms Horace uses. See C. i. 36. 8, n., and to the examples there given add the present, and also 'surrexe,' 'divisse,' 'evasti.' 'Vixet,' in Aen. xi. 118, is a like contraction of the same tense as 'erepsemus.' Horace says that they would never have got out of these hills (the range that borders Samnium and separates it from Apulia) had they not found an inn at the town of Trivicum (Trevico), at which they were able to put up for the night. He means that the next stage, which was twenty-four miles farther on, would have been too long a journey. Horace had been familiar with these mountains in his early childhood, for they overlooked his native town. 'Notos' refers to these early reminiscences. Trivicum was probably on a cross road (Cramer, ii. 259) which lay between the two branches of the Appia Via, one of which took the most direct course from Beneventum through Venusia to Tarentum and Brundisium, and the other took a more northerly course across the Apennines, near Equus Tuticus; and then, striking directly eastward till it arrived very near the sea-coast, near Cannæ, proceeded down the line of coast till it reached Brundisium. 81. _camino._] See Epod. ii. 43, n. 86. _rhedis,_] See S. ii. 6. 42. 87. _Mansuri oppidulo_] It appears probable that the road on which Trivicum lay, entering Apulia about ten miles from that town, passed through or near the Apulian Asculum (Ascoli), and it is in that neighborhood that the little town with the unrhythmical name, at which the party stopped after Trivicum, is supposed to have stood. Of its name we must be content to be ignorant. 91. _Nam Canusi lapidosus,_] In a plain between the hills and the right bank of the Aufidus, about twelve miles from its mouth, stood the town of Canusium (Canosa), one of the ancient Greek settlements of Apulia. This town and others in Apulia (Venusia and Brundisium among them), and in other parts of Eastern Italy, were represented to have been founded by Diomed, when, after the Trojan war, he was driven to the coast of Apulia, and hospitably entertained and presented with land by Daunus, its king. His name was retained by the islands now called Tremiti, but by the ancients Diomedeæ. Many remains found among its ruins testify to the former importance and wealth of Canusium. The present town stands on a height where the citadel stood, and contains not above 300 houses. A supply of good water was brought into this town by Hadrian, the emperor. That Apulia was not well watered, has been observed before (Epod. iii. 16, n.). The turbid waters of the Aufidus must have been unfit for drinking. The bread of Canosa is described by modern travellers to be as bad as ever. It is accounted for by the softness of the millstones. 91. _aquae non ditior urna_] The only way of taking this regularly is to make 'ditior' agree with 'locus,' 'which place, being not richer in water (than the last) by a single pitcher, was built by brave Diomed.' So Orelli takes it. The construction is not very agreeable; but to avoid it we must suppose great irregularity. 93. _Varius_] See above, v. 40, n. 94. _Rubos_] This town of the Peucetii retains its name under the form Ruvo, and was thirty miles from Canusium. The road from Canusium was called Via Egnatia, from the town it led to. A modern traveller describes the remains of it for twelve miles from Canosa as paved with common rough pebbles, and passing over a pleasant down. 96. _ad usque_] See S. i. 1. 97, n. 97. _Bari moenia piscosi;_] Barium still retains its name Bari, occupying a rocky peninsula of a triangular form, about a mile in circumference. It was an important town on the coast, and a municipium. Its distance from Rubi was twenty-two miles, "a most disagreeable stony road through a vine country," and half-way there lay the town Butuntum (Bitonto). There was a harbor here formerly, but there is scarcely any now. _Gnatia_] This was perhaps the local way of pronouncing Egnatia. It was another seaport town, and thirty-seven miles from Barium. Between them lay formerly two small forts called Turris Juliana (Torre Pellosa) and Turris Aureliana (Ripagnola), the first eleven miles and the second twenty miles from Barium. Of Egnatia nothing important is recorded. Its ruins are still in existence near Torre d'Agnazzo, six miles from the town of Monopoli. Horace says it was built under the displeasure of the Nymphs, because the water was so bad, and it is so still according to the statements of travellers. 'Lymphae' and 'Nymphae' are essentially the same word, but Nymphs are not elsewhere called Lymphæ. These Nymphs are the Naiades, who protected rivers and fountains. See C. i. 1. 22, n. 100. _Judaeas Apella,_] The majority of the Jews at Rome were freedmen, and 'Apella' was a common name for 'libertini.' Their creed was a superstition of the most contemptible kind, in the eyes of a Roman; and a Jew was only another name for a credulous fool. The Jews returned their contempt with hatred, which showed itself in a turbulent spirit that made them very troublesome. Horace intimates that he had learnt from the school of Epicurus that the gods were too happy to mind the small affairs of this world, which he expresses in the words of Lucretius (vi. 57): "Nam bene qui didicere deos securum agere aevum." See C. i. 34. 2, n., and the Introduction to that Ode. 104. _Brundisium_] From this abrupt conclusion, we may judge that Horace had got tired of his journal as well as his journey. Brundisium (Brindisi) was for centuries the most important town on the eastern coast of Italy, chiefly through the convenience of its position for communicating with Greece, and the excellence of its harbor. Its distance from Egnatia was thirty-five miles. There was a station named Speluncæ (now Grotta Rosa) midway, where the party may have halted one night, and which Horace, having nothing he cared to tell us about it, has passed over in silence. SATIRE VI. In addition to the obloquy brought upon him by his Satires, Horace, after his intimacy with Mæcenas had begun to be known, had to meet the envy such good fortune was sure to excite. His birth would furnish a handle for the envious, and he was probably called an upstart and hard names of that sort. In this Satire, which is nothing but an epistle to Mæcenas, he spurns the idea of his birth being any objection to him, while, at the same time, he argues sensibly against men trying to get beyond their own legitimate sphere, and aiming at honors which are only attended with inconvenience, fatigue, and ill-will. This Satire, besides the good sense and good feeling it contains, is valuable as bearing upon Horace's life. His introduction to Mæcenas is told concisely, but fully, and with much propriety and modesty; and nothing can be more pleasing than the filial affection and gratitude shown in those parts that relate to his father, and the education he gave him. He takes pleasure in referring whatever merits he might have to this good parent, as he did in the fourth Satire. The Satire, then, may be supposed to have been written chiefly for the purpose of disarming envy, by showing the modesty of the author's pretensions, and the circumstances that led to his intimacy with Mæcenas. The views of public life which it contains were no doubt sincere, and the daily routine described at the end was better suited to Horace's habit of mind than the fatigues and anxieties of office. There is not the least appearance in any of his writings of his having been spoiled by his good fortune and by his intercourse, on terms of rare familiarity, with Augustus, Mæcenas, and others; and probably malignity never attacked any one less deserving of attack than Horace. 1. _Lydorum quidquid Etruscos_] On Mæcenas's connection with Etruria, see C. i. 1. 1, n. The legend of the Lydian settlement of Etruria is first mentioned by Herodotus (i. 94), as a tradition current among the Lydians themselves. The tradition was, that on one occasion, when Lydia was suffering from famine, the king, Atys, divided the people into two equal parts, of whom one remained at home, and the other took ship and made the coast of Etruria, and there settled, under Tyrrhenus, the son of Atys. Horace and Virgil (Aen. ii. 781) both adopted this story, which was familiar to men of learning, and perhaps believed by many. 'Lydorum quidquid,' 'all the Lydians that ever inhabited,' etc., is like Epod. v. 1: "At, o deorum quidquid in caelo regit." 3. _avus tibi maternus_] It seems from inscriptions to have been the practice of the Etrurians for men to be distinguished by the name of their mother, as well as their father. 5. _naso suspendis adunco_] This the Greeks expressed by [Greek: myktêrizein]. It is taken from that instinctive motion of the features which expresses contempt. How to account for it may not be easy, though it is so common. The expression 'naso suspendere' Horace may have invented. It occurs nowhere else, except in Persius (S. i. 118). It is repeated below, S. ii. 8. 64: "Balatro suspendens omnia naso." 'Ut' occurring twice in these two lines introduces confusion. The second means 'as for instance.' 6. _libertino patre natum._] The difference between 'libertus' and 'libertinus' is, that the latte