Name: The Works of Horace, with English Notes Twentieth Edition
Author: Horace

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 εὐφημεῖν, in its first meaning signifies the speaking words of good omen. But it came as commonly to signify total silence, as here. Horace speaks as if he despaired of impressing his precepts on any but the young, and bids the rest stand aside, as incapable of being initiated in the true wisdom of life.

3. Musarum sacerdos] Ovid calls himself the same (Amor. iii. 8. 23):--

"Ille ego Musarum purus Phoebique sacerdos."

5. Regum timendorum] He begins by saying that even kings, though they are above their people, are themselves inferior to Jove, and goes on to say that, though one man may be richer or nobler than another, all must die; that the rich have no exemption from care, but much more of it than the humble.

7. triumpho, Cuncta] There is some abruptness in this, from the absence of 'et.' But it is not wanted. As to the Giants' wars, see C. ii. 12. 6, n., 19. 21; iii. 4. 43, 50.

9. Est ut] This is equivalent to ἐστὶν ὡς, 'it may be.' 'Esto' without 'ut' occurs in Sat. i. 6. 19. The meaning of the sentence is, that one man possesses more lands than another.

10. hic generosior] 'Generosior' is more noble by birth, as another is more distinguished for his character and deeds, and a third for the number of his clients, of whom it was the pride of the wealthy Romans to have a large body depending on them.

11. Descendat in Campum] The Campus Martius was an open space, which afterwards came to be encroached upon by buildings, outside the city walls on the northeast quarter, and on the left bank of the Tiber. The comitia centuriata, at which the election of magistrates took place, were held in the Campus Martius. 'Descendere' is the word used for gladiators going into the arena to fight, and is also applied to the contests for office.

12. meliorque fama] For 'famaque melior.'

13. Contendat,] 'runs against him.' This verb is used sometimes as a transitive verb for 'petere,' as in Cic. in Verr. (ii. 2. 53), "Hic magistratus a populo summa ambitione contenditur."

16. Omne capax] Compare C. ii. 3. 26, and likewise i. 4. 13; ii. 18. 32.

18. Siculae dapes] The Sicilians were at one time proverbial for good living. The story alluded to is that of Damocles, told by Cicero (Tusc. Disp. v. 21), who was invited by Dionysius of Syracuse to a feast, and was set in the midst of luxuries, but with a sword hanging by a single hair over his head; by which the king meant him to understand the character of his own happiness, which had excited the admiration of Damocles. Horace says generally, that the rich cannot enjoy their riches, since they have ever a sword, in the shape of danger, hanging over them.

19. Dulcem elaborabunt saporem,] 'shall force sweet appetite.'

20. Non avium] It is said that Mæcenas sought sleep by the help of distant music. Aviaries were not uncommon in the houses of the rich.

21. Somnus agrestium] 'Virorum' depends on 'domos.'

24. Tempe] The word is plural,--in Greek τὰ Τέμπη.

27. Arcturi cadentis--orientis Haedi,] Arcturus sets early in November. The constellation Auriga, of which the kids (two stars) form a part, rises about the first of October.

29. verberatae grandine vineae] See Epp. i. 8. 4: "Grando contuderit vites." 'Mendax fundus' is like "spem mentita seges" (Epp. i. 7. 87), and opposed to "segetis certa fides" (C. iii. 16. 30).

30. arbore nunc aquas] Horace says he who is content with a little has never to complain, like the rich, of storms by sea or land, or of the failing of his fruits through rain, heat, or frost, which last he expresses thus: "or his farm disappointing him, when his trees complain one while of the rains, another of the constellation (Sirius) that parches the fields, and again of the cruel frosts."

33. Contracta pisces aequora sentiunt] Compare C. ii. 18. 20, and Epp. i. 1. 84.

35. Caementa demittit redemptor] Compare C. iii. 24. 3, sq. The walls were faced on either side with stone, and loose stones ('caementa') were thrown in between. 'Frequens--redemptor' means 'many a contractor.' 'Dominus' is the proprietor of the estate. 'Redimere' or 'conducere' was said of one who undertook to perform certain work for a stipulated price, and the person who gave him the work was said 'locare.' See C. ii. 18. 17, n.

36, 37. terrae Fastidiosus] 'disdaining the land.'

39. triremi, et] The 'aerata triremis' was the rich man's private yacht. The epithet is commonly applied to ships of war, because their rostra were ornamented and strengthened with bronze ('aes'). See C. ii. 16. 21.

41. Phrygius lapis] See C. ii. 18. 3, n.

43. Delenit] The expression 'purpurarum usus sidere clarior' is uncommon. The first two words, which belong properly to 'purpurarum,' are transferred to 'usus,'--'the enjoyment or possession of purple brighter than a star': which, though 'sidus' should be taken for the sun, as it may be, or a constellation, as it usually is, is rather a singular comparison for purple.

44. Achaemeniumque costum,] 'Persian oil.' See C. ii. 12. 21. 'Costum' was an Eastern aromatic shrub. The Greeks called it κόστος, but the name is probably Eastern. It is not the spikenard, as it is generally called.

45. Cur invidendis] 'Why should I build a high palace, with a splendid entrance and in the modern style? Why change my Sabine vale for troublesome wealth?' On the construction with 'permutem,' see C. i. 17. 2, n.

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,--

ὁ δ᾽ αὖ θάνατος κίχε καὶ τὸν φυγόμαχον.

'Persequi' signifies 'to pursue and overtake.' 'Timido' applies to both 'poplitibus' and 'tergo' (see note on C. i. 2. 1).

17. Virtus repulsae nescia sordidae] 'Nescia' seems to mean 'unconscious of,' because 'indifferent to' the disgrace of rejection, which, if disgraceful to any, is not so to the virtuous, but to those who reject them.

18. Intaminatis] This word is not found elsewhere. Like 'contaminatus,' 'attaminatus,' it is derived from the obsolete word 'tamino,' and contains the root 'tag' of 'tango,' as 'integer' does.

20. popularis aurae.] 'the (fickle) favor of the people.' This word, which means that the popular judgment is like a shifting breeze, setting now this way, now that, appears in Virgil (Aen. vi. 817):--

"Nimium gaudens popularibus auris."

Compare, for the sentiments, C. iv. 9. 39, sqq.

25. Est et fideli tuta silentio]

ἐστὶ καὶ σιγᾶς ἀκίνδυνον γέρας,

which words of Simonides it appears Augustus was acquainted with, and approved. Plutarch tells this story. When Athenodorus was about to leave Augustus's camp, he embraced the emperor, and said, "O Cæsar, whenever thou art wroth, say nothing, do nothing, till thou hast gone over in thy mind the twenty-four letters of the alphabet." Whereupon the emperor took him by the hand, and said, "I have need of thee still"; and he detained him a whole year, saying, "Silence, too, hath its safe reward." Horace's indignation is levelled against the breaking of faith generally, and the divulging of the secrets of Ceres (whose rites, however, it appears, were only attended by women) is only mentioned by way of illustration. Secrecy is a sign of good faith, and not an easy one to practise. There are few moral qualities that can be said to take precedence of it. It is the basis of friendship, as Cicero says, and without it society cannot exist. (Compare S. i. 4. 84, n.) It is probable, if Plutarch's story be true, that Horace had heard Augustus repeat his favorite axiom.

26, etc.] 'I will not suffer the person who has divulged the sacred mysteries of Ceres to be under the same roof, or to sail in the same vessel, with me.'

29. Solvat phaselon;] That is, 'de littore,' 'to unmoor.' The precise character of the worship of Ceres at Rome is not easily made out. There were no mysteries among the Romans corresponding to the Eleusinian or any of the other Greek Μυστήρια.

Diespiter] See C. i. 34. 5, n. 'Oft doth Jove neglected join the pure with the unclean,' that is, punishes the innocent with the guilty who have offended him. For another example of 'incesto,' see next Ode (v. 19). 'Addidit' and 'deseruit' have the force of the aorist.

32. Deseruit pede Poena claudo.] The avengers of guilt are called by the Greek tragedians ὑστερόποινοι, ὑστεροφθόροι. 'Pede claudo,' 'of limping foot,' and so, 'slow.'

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 κύκλος with or without οὐρανοῦ.

6. fulminantis] This is a word not used by prose-writers of Horace's day. The same may be said of 'triumphatis' (v. 43).

7. illabatur] The regular construction would be with the future, as the future follows in 'ferient.' 'Illabatur' should have 'feriant' in prose. See below, C. 9. 12, n.

9. arte] 'quality' or 'virtue.'

10. Enisus] This means struggling forward with earnestness, which is the force of 'e.' Compare C. iv. 8. 29. Epp. ii. 1. 5, sq.

12. Purpureo bibit ore nectar.] See note on Epp. ii. 1. 15. The epithet 'purpureo' is applied to 'ore' in its sense of 'lips.'

16. Martis equis] This appears to have been the genuine old legend of the disappearance of Romulus. See Ovid, Met. xiv. 820, sqq. Fast. ii. 495, sq. See note on Epod. xvi. 13.

17. Gratum elocuta] See Introd.

19. incestusque] See C. 2. 30.

21. ex quo] 'ever since.' This signifies that the fall of Troy was determined from the time of Laomedon's crime, and that the crime of Paris and Helen caused its accomplishment. 'Destituo' with an ablative is unusual. In the Iliad (xxi. 441, sqq.) Poseidon relates how he built the walls of Troy, while Apollo kept sheep for Laomedon, father of Priam, and how they were cheated of their pay and dismissed with threats, when their work was done. The same king cheated Hercules out of some horses he had promised him, and he lost his life for his pains. Juno and Minerva had their own quarrel with Troy for the judgment of Paris, which gave Venus the prize of beauty; but Juno here makes out a different case against the city.

23. damnatum] Agreeing with 'Ilion' (v.18). The feminine form 'Ilios' occurs elsewhere (Epod. xiv. 14).

25. adulterae] It is doubtful whether Horace meant that for the dative or genitive case, that is, whether it goes with 'splendet' or 'hospes.'

28. refringit,] Equivalent to 'repellit.'

29. ductum] 'Ducere' and 'trahere' are sometimes used for 'producere' and 'protrahere.'

32. Troica] There is much scorn in Juno's language, as in the words 'mulier peregrina,' 'Troica sacerdos,' 'fatalis incestusque judex,' 'exsules.' 'Invisum nepotem' was Romulus, her grandson through Mars. 'Troica sacerdos' was Rea Silvia, or Ilia, the Vestal virgin, daughter of Numitor, and descended from Æneas.

33. redonabo;] This word occurs only here and above (ii. 7. 3).

34. ducere nectaris] 'Ducere' is common in this sense of 'quaffing.' So the Greeks used ἕλκειν and σπᾷν. They both occur in one verse of Euripides (Cycl. 417),

Ἔσπασέν τ᾽ ἄμυστιν ἑλκύσας.

35. quietus Ordinibus--deorum.] This savors of the Epicureanism Horace had learned in early life: "Deos didici securum agere aevum" (S. i. 5. 101).

"Scilicet is superis labor est, ea cura quietos Sollicitat." (Aen. iv. 379.)

37. Dum longus inter] See Introd.

38. exsules] The Romans.

40. Priami--busto] Priam had no tomb, according to Virgil's account (Aen. ii. 557), but Horace assumes that he had one. No greater affront could be supposed than is here desired. Electra represents Ægisthus as leaping on her father's grave intoxicated with wine (Eurip. Elect. 326, sq.). Compare Epod. xvi. 10, sqq., and Il. iv. 177.

42. inultae] 'unmolested.' 'Capitolium'; see C. i. 2. 3, n.

48. rigat arva Nilus,] The connection between the two stanzas is this 'Let Rome extend her arms as she will,--to the ends of the earth, to the pillars of Hercules, to the Nile,--only let her not, as her possessions increase, learn to prize gold above virtue'; which is thus expressed, 'Only be she stronger by despising the gold that yet lies hid, and is better placed when concealed in the earth, than by gathering it for man's use with hand that plunders all that is sacred.' 'Humanos in usus' is opposed to 'divinos' implied in 'sacrum.'

53. Quicunque mundo terminus obstitit,] 'Whatever boundary presents itself to the world.'

54. tangat] 'reach.'

58. ne nimium pii] She supposes the Romans to make it a reason for rebuilding Troy, that it was a pious duty they owed to their ancestors. See Introduction.

61. alite lugubri] The auspices were usually taken before the building of a town.

64. Conjuge me Jovis et sorore.] Both Horace and Virgil (Aen. i. 46) get this combination from Homer (Il. xvi. 432):

Ἥρην δὲ προσέειπε κασιγνήτην ἄλοχόν τε.

65. Ter si resurgat] Three is often used for an indefinite number, as here. See Georg. i. 281; iv. 384. Ovid, Met. x. 452; also below, C. 4. 79, "trecentae catenae."

murus aëneus] Horace is partial to this epithet. See Epp. i. 1. 60. C. 9. 18. C. 16. 1. It means no more, in this derived use, than strength and stability. 'Aëneus' is never used as a word of three syllables.

66. Auctore Phoebo,] Virgil has "Troiae Cynthius auctor" (G. iii. 36). See note on v. 21.

70. pervicax] 'bold.'

72. Magna modis tenuare parvis] 'To degrade lofty themes by your humble strains.'

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: 'Āpūlo'--'Ăpūliae.' Such variations in proper names are not unusual in the Latin poets. The word 'Sicanus' is used as three different feet. 'Italus' has the first syllable long or short, and so with other names.

11. Ludo fatigatumque somno] It is clear that some other word, like 'oppressum,' must be understood for 'somno.' It is a translation of καμάτῳ ἀδδηκότες ἠδὲ καὶ ὕπνῳ (Il. x. 98). Acherontia, Bantia, and Forentum were neighboring towns, and still retain their names under the forms Acerenza, Vanci, Forenza. Stories, such as Horace has here invented for himself, are told of Stesichorus, Pindar, Æschylus, Plato.

17. Ut--Dormirem] This is connected with 'mirum'; 'how I slept.'

22. Tollor] Ovid uses the word in this sense (Met. vii. 779). The Sabine hills were part of the Apennines, which Horace had to climb when he went to his farm. 'Seu' is understood after 'vester.' The epithet 'liquidae,' applied to Baiæ, has reference to the clearness and purity of the atmosphere.

23. Praeneste seu Tibur] See Epp. i. 2. 2, n., as to 'Praeneste,' and C. ii. 6. 5, n., as to 'Tibur,' which rose from the plain on the right bank of the Anio, on the side of a hill, from which it is called 'supinum.'

25. Vestris--fontibus] All retired streams and shady groves were held sacred to the Muses (v. 6). Parnassus had its fountain, Castalia; and Helicon two, Hippocrene and Aganippe.

26. Philippis] See C. ii. 7. 9.

28. Nec Sicula Palinurus unda.] Horace's escape from shipwreck off Cape Palinurus is nowhere else related; and it is doubtful when it happened. 'Sicula unda' for the Tuscan Sea is an unusual limitation. It must not be confounded with Mare Siculum, which was on the other side of Sicily. Palinurus was on the western coast of Lucania. It retains its name as Capo di Palinuro.

32. Littoris Assyrii] The Syrian coast. See note on C. ii. 11. 16.

33. Visam Britannos] The stories of the human sacrifices of the ancient Britons are too authentic to be doubted. See Tacitus (Ann. xiv. 30). Virgil (Georg. iii. 463) relates of the Geloni (C. i. 19. 10), that they used to eat cheese dipped in horse's blood. Whether the Concani, who were a Cantabrian tribe, did the same, is doubtful. Horace, perhaps, got his idea from Virgil.

36. Scythicum--amnem.] The Tanais.

38. addidit] In the year B.C. 25, after the conquest of the Salassi, a people of the Gaulish Alps, Augustus assigned their territory to some of the prætorian troops, and there they built Augusta Prætoria (Aosta), and about the same time there were assigned to others lands in Lusitania on which they built Augusta Emerita (Merida). 'Additis' is used in a like case by Tacitus (Ann. xiii. 31): "Coloniae Capua atque Nuceria additis veteranis firmatae sunt."

40. Pierio recreatis antro] Suetonius, in his Life of Augustus (84, 85), relates that he followed literary pursuits with great zeal, and dabbled in poetry. He could not have had much time for such pursuits when this Ode was written, but he may have said enough to let it be seen that he desired leisure to follow them. As to 'Pierio,' see A. P. 405.

41. Vos lene consilium] The penultimate vowel coalesces with the next, as in 'principium' (iii. 6. 6), 'Alfenius' (S. i. 3. 130), 'Nasidieni' (S. ii. 8. 1). So Virgil says (Aen. i. 73): "Connūbio jungam stabili." 'Ye give peaceful counsel, and rejoice in giving it, because ye are gentle ('almae'),' is the meaning of the words, which are to be taken generally.

43. Titanus immanemque turmam] The wars of the Titanes (with Uranus), the Gigantes, the Aloïdæ, Typhon, or Typhoëus (with Zeus), are all mixed up together in the description which follows. Virgil has given a description (Georg. i. 279, sqq.) where the Titans (Cœus and Iapetus), Typhon, and the Aloïdæ are brought together with little distinction. But neither Horace nor Virgil was writing a mythological history, and in this description of Horace there is great power.

44. caduco] 'swift-descending,' as καταιβάτης in Æschylus.

45. terram inertem,] Elsewhere we have 'bruta tellus' in the same sense, 'the dull, motionless earth' (C. i. 34. 9).

46. regna tristia] 'the gloomy realms' (of Pluto).

50. Fidens juventus horrida] This appears to be an imitation of Homer's χείρεσσι πεποιθότες (Il. xii. 135). 'Horrida juventus' means the Gigantes, a family different from the Titanes, and younger.

51. Fratresque tendentes] The brothers Horace speaks of were Otus and Ephialtes, the sons of Aloëus, whose exploit of piling Pelion on Ossa in their attack upon Olympus (Olympus, Ossa, and Pelion formed a continuous range, running down the coast of Thessaly), is first mentioned by Homer (Odyss. xi. 314). See Virg. (Georg. i. 280),--

"Et conjuratos caelum rescindere fratres, Ter sunt conati imponere Pelio Ossam Scilicet, atque Ossae frondosum imponere Olympum,"

where 'frondosum' explains Horace's 'opaco.' Ovid inverts the order, and puts Pelion uppermost, as Horace does:--

"Ignibus Ossa novis et Pelion altior Ossa Arsit." (Fast. iii. 441.)

In the fifth book of the Fasti (v. 35, sqq.), he attributes to the hundred-handed giants (v. 69) the exploit which the oldest legend assigns to the Aloidæ. These variations are only worth noticing as they help to show that the Romans set little value by these stories, and only used them as ornaments of poetry; and to prevent students from wasting their time in attempting to reconcile statements which are not reconcilable--Typhoëus (Τυφωεύς) warred with Zeus on his own account. He belonged neither to the Titanes nor the Gigantes. Mimas and Rhœtus were of the Gigantes. Porphyrion and Enceladus were of the same family.

57. sonantem Palladis aegida] The 'aegis' was the skin of the goat Amalthea, the nurse of Zeus, and is said to have been worn by him first in these wars with the Gigantes. It is occasionally found in ancient representations of Jupiter, but more commonly of Minerva. To account for the epithet 'sohantem,' we must understand that the 'aegis' was taken to represent, not only the goat-skin folded over the breast, but also a shield (Il. xv. 229, sqq.), and a metal breastplate, either of which it may signify here. Homer represents both Apollo and Pallas as wearing their father's 'aegis.'

58. avidus] This means 'avidus pugnae,' as in Virg. (Aen. xii. 430), "Ille avidus pugnae suras incluserat auro." Tacitus puts the word absolutely (Ann. i. 57), "Caesar avidas legiones quatuor in cuneos dispertit." In enumerating the principal gods who assisted Zeus in the battle, Horace means to say that, although they were present, it was Pallas to whom the victory was mainly owing. See Introduction. 'Hinc--hinc'; 'in one place--in another.'

59. matrona Juno] The Greek Here was commonly represented naked, or partly so. The Roman Juno was always clad as a matron from head to foot. Her favorite character was Juno Matrona or Romana, which meant the same thing. Her introduction, therefore, under this title, is meant as a compliment to Rome.

61. Qui rore puro] The description of Apollo combines his various places of abode. Castalia was a fountain on Parnassus. 'Lyciae dumeta' are woods about Patara, a town in Lycia, where Apollo passed six months of the year, as he passed the other six at Delos, which place Horace means by 'natalem silvam,' i.e. the woods on Mount Cynthus. See Herod. i. 182.

66. temperatam] 'governed and regulated' (by reason).

67. idem] 'and yet they.' 'Vires' signifies 'brute force.'

69. Gyas] See note on C. ii. 17. 14. He belonged to another family consisting of three brothers, Gyas, Cottus, and Briareus or Ægæon, distinguished from the rest by having each of them a hundred arms. Most accounts represent these brothers as helping Zeus. Horace follows a different legend, and so does Virgil (Aen. x. 565, sqq.).

70. integrae] 'Integer' is equivalent to 'intactus,' and involves the same root (see above, C. iii. 2. 18, n).

71. Tentator Orion] 'Tentator' is not elsewhere used for a seducer. It is taken from the Greek πειράν. The story of Orion is told in a variety of ways. Here it is that he tried to seduce Artemis, and that she shot him with an arrow. He is referred to above (C. ii. 13. 39) as pursuing his favorite sport in Hades.

73. Terra] All the monsters above mentioned, except the Aloïdæ, were said to be the children of Γαῖα, the Earth, and Uranus, whence they were called γηγενεῖς (C. ii. 12. 6).

74. luridum] This word is perhaps a contraction of 'livoridus,' and akin to 'lividus,' and so to the Greek πελιδνός (see C. iv. 9. 33). It signifies dismal, dark, and so forth.

75. nec peredit] 'Nor does the fire ever consume' the mountain, and so liberate the giant placed under it. The offender on whom Ætna was laid is variously said to have been Typhon or Typhoëus, Enceladus, and Briareus. Which version Horace adopted does not appear.

78. nequitiae additus] 'Nequitiae' may mean 'propter nequitiam' by a Greek construction, or it may be put for 'nequam,' the crime for the criminal. As to Tityos and Pirithous, see C. ii. 14. 8, and C. iv. 7. 28.

79. amatorem] Supply 'Proserpinae.' Understand 'trecentae' as representing any large number, as we would say 'a thousand.'

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 ἐξ ἁπαλῶν ὀνύχων, which signifies 'from tender years,' when the nails are delicate, and such is the meaning here, but it does not contradict 'matura,' as some suppose: the expression will apply to a girl in the earliest stage of womanhood.

26. Inter--vina,] The same form occurs in Epp. i. 7. 28, 'ad vina,' in C. iv. 5. 31.

27. impermissa] This word occurs nowhere else. 'Inconcessus' is used by Virgil and Ovid, and Horace uses 'interdicta.'

31. Hispanae] Metals appear to have been the chief articles imported from Spain, with red-lead and those stones which were polished into mirrors, whatever stones those may have been.

32. Dedecorum] There is no other instance of 'pretiosus' in an active sense, 'one who gives a large price.' 'Magister' was one who had sole charge of a ship. 'Institor' was a shopman. The latter was only an agent, and was usually a slave. The 'magister' might be a degree higher, but he was usually a person who received wages; nevertheless he had means of becoming rich, which the 'institor' could not, except by robbing his employer.

34. Infecit aequor] See C. ii. 12. 3, n.; and on 'dirum' see the verse before that. 'Cecidit' is used with some latitude. Their projects were cut short, but not their lives. Pyrrhus was driven from Italy through a defeat he sustained from Curius, the consul, near Beneventum, in B.C. 274, and lost his life two years afterwards, at Argos. Antiochus the Great was defeated by Acilius Glabrio, at Thermopylæ, B.C. 191, and by L. Scipio in Asia the next year. He lost his life in an attempt to plunder a temple in one of his own towns, three years later. Hannibal was defeated by P. Scipio, at Zama, B.C. 202, but lived twenty years after that battle.

38. Sabellis] 'Sabelli' was the name given by the Romans to all the tribes which issued from the Sabine stock. The Sabine mountaineers were particularly noted for the simplicity of their habits and the honesty of their characters. Here Horace contrasts them with the Romans of his own day. See Epod. ii. 41; Epp. ii. 1. 25; and compare the description Horace gives of his own neighbors, S. ii. 6. 77; Epp. i. 14. 3.

39, sqq. severae--fustes,] 'to cut and carry home fagots, at the bidding of an exacting mother.'

41. sol ubi] There are not many poets who could incidentally have expressed in so few words, and so graphically, the hour of evening.

42. Mutaret] That is, by lengthening them.

44. agens] 'bringing on.' The last stanza is a solemn and comprehensive conclusion to these six stirring and instructive Odes.

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 Prœtus, king of Argos, fell in love with Bellerophontes, and when he rejected her proposals, she accused him to her husband, as Potiphar's wife accused Joseph.

14. Falsis impulerit] 'Impello' is used with the infinitive mood by Tacitus (Ann. xiii. 54; xiv. 60). The common construction is with 'ut,' as (Epp. ii. 2. 51) "impulit audax Ut versus facerem."

17. Pelea] Astydamia or Hippolyte, the wife of Acastus, king of Iolcos, out of revenge for his rejection of her, induced her husband to expose Peleus to destruction by wild beasts on Mount Pelion, where he took him to hunt, and left him asleep without his sword. Hippolyte is called 'Magnessam' because Iolcos was in Magnesia. Joseph's virtue has its parallels in Grecian fable.

19. peccare docentes] 'inciting to sin.'

20. Fallax historias movet.] 'Mentionem movere' occurs in Livy; 'cantus movere' in Virgil; 'carmen movere' in Ovid. 'Historias movere' is therefore a legitimate expression, 'brings up,' 'calls to his mind.'

21. Frustra:] A complete and very comprehensive sentence. It occurs below (C. 13. 6). Some persons join the word on with the last line, which weakens its force. Icari is the Icarium Mare, that part of the Ægean which washes the coast of Caria. With these words compare Euripides (Med. 28), ὡς δὲ πέτρος ἣ θαλάσσιος κλύδων ἀδούει. (See also Androm. 537, and Epod. xvii. 54, sq.).

25. flectere equum] This was to wheel the horse round in a small circle:

"Sive ferocis equi luctantia colla recurvas Exiguo flexos miror in orbe pedes,"

says Phaedra to Hippolytus (Heroid. iv. 79, sq.). Tacitus (Germ. vi.) says the German horses were not taught like the Roman 'variare gyros.'

28. denatat] This word in used nowhere else. Compare C. i. 8. 3, sqq.; iii. 12. 7. 'Tusco alveo' is the stream of the Tiber which rises in Etruria.

29. neque in vias] This use of 'neque' for 'neve,' in connection with the imperative mood, is confined to the poets.

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 (λιβανωτίς). The derivation is uncertain.

4. Caespite vivo,] 'on an altar of green turf.' See C. i. 19. 13.

5. Docte sermones utriusque linguae?] These words express a man well read in the literature of Greece and Rome. Elsewhere he addresses his patron as 'Maecenas docte' (Epp. i. 19. 1).

6. dulces epulas] A solemn sacrifice was commonly followed by a banquet, at which libations were poured to the god to whom the sacrifice had been offered.

7. Libero caprum prope funeratus] This last word is not found in any other writer earlier than Pliny. He and others after him use 'funero' for 'to bury.' Horace here attributes to Liber the deliverance he had before attributed to Mercury, Faunus, and the Muses, successively (see C. ii. 17. 28, n.).

10. dimovebit] See C. i. 1. 13, n.

11. Amphorae fumum] The amphoræ were kept in the apotheca in the upper part of the house, to which the smoke from the bath had access, as this was thought to hasten the ripening of the wine and to improve its flavor, just as Madeira wine is improved by being kept in a warm temperature. The amphora being lined with pitch or plaster, and the cork being also covered with pitch, the smoke could not penetrate if these were properly attended to. 'Amphorae' is the dative.

12. Consule Tullo.] L. Volcatius Tullus was consul B.C. 66, the year before Horace was born. This wine, therefore, had probably been in the amphora upwards of forty years. Sulla once treated the Romans with some 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 παρακλαυσίθυρον, such as that supposed one, of which a fragment is given in C. i. 25. This species of serenade was so common among the Greeks, that we may suppose Horace had some poem of the sort in his mind when he wrote this. The thirteenth Ode of the fourth book is nominally connected with this; but as there is no necessity for supposing, nor any likelihood, that Horace wrote this from his own experience, so neither is it likely that he wrote that to taunt in her decline the girl who is supposed to reject his addresses here.

Argument.--Were Scythia thy dwelling-place, Lyce, this inclement night should move thee to pity me. Hear how the wind howls; see how the snow lies freezing. Venus loves not pride: the rope may break and the wheel run back; though nothing bends thee, neither presents, nor prayers, nor these sallow cheeks of mine, nor thy husband's faithlessness, though thou be hard as the oak and cruel as the serpent, yet as a goddess have pity! Flesh and blood will not stand this for ever.

1. Tanain si biberes,] This is the way of speaking adopted in C. ii. 20. 20, and iv. 15. 21.

2. Saevo nupta viro,] 'wedded to a barbarian husband.'

3. objicere incolis] 'thou wouldst grieve to expose me to the north-winds that there have their home.'

5. nemus] Shrubs and flowers were sometimes planted round the impluvium of a Roman house, but more largely in the peristylium, which was an open space at the back part of the house, surrounded by colonnades, and, like the impluvium, usually having a cistern or fountain in the middle. 'Remugiat ventis,' 'echoes back to the winds their howling.'

7. ut glaciet] It is easy to supply 'vides,' or 'sentis,' or any other word more appropriate than 'audis' to the freezing of the snow. One verb of sense is often made to serve for two or three. 'How Jove with his bright power freezeth the snow as it lies.' 'Jove' is the atmosphere (see C. i. 1. 25, n.). 'Puro' is a good epithet to express a clear frosty night.

10. Ne currente retro funis eat rota] 'Lest the wheel turn back and the rope with it,' 'retro' applying to both 'currente' and 'eat.' The metaphor is taken from a rope wound round a cylinder, which being allowed to run back, the rope runs down and the weight or thing attached goes with it. The 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] ὑστεροφθόρον δίκην. See note on C. iii. 2. 32.

31. potuere] 'they had the heart.' This would be expressed by ἕτλησαν in Greek. In a more familiar passage 'possum' occurs with the same kind of meaning (Epp. i. 5. 1): "Si potes Archiacis conviva recumbere lectis," 'if you can make up your mind.'

37. Surge, quae dixit] Ovid has borrowed all but the words of Horace in Hypermnestra's letter to Lynceus, one of the most touching of his poems,--

"Surge age, Belida, de tot modo fratribus unus: Nox tibi ni properas ista perennis erit." (Her. xiv. 73, sq.)

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 Σείριος. It rises in July.

13. Fies nobilium] This is a Greek construction, 'unus' having to be supplied. 'Tu quoque,' 'thou too,' as well as the fountains celebrated by the Greek poets.

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 εὐφημεῖτε in Greek.

14. tumultum Nec mori per vim] 'Tumultus' and 'vis' are well-distinguished terms. 'Tumultus' was a public affair, a sudden outbreak. 'Vis,' 'violence,' was either 'publica' or 'privata,' and the distinction between the two will be found on referring to the article 'Vis' in Smith's Dict. Ant. Horace says he is not afraid of losing his life by any popular insurrection, and so forth, or by the hand of an assassin or private malice.

18. Marsi memorem duelli,] The Marsic or Social War continued from B.C. 91 to 89. It was a rising of the Socii, the states of Italy, for the purpose of getting the Roman franchise. The Marsi took a prominent part in the war, which was sometimes called by their name. The Servile War lasted from B.C. 73 to 71. It was an outbreak of the slaves of Italy, who, under Spartacus, himself a slave and gladiator, were formed into a vast army, and traversed the whole country from Rhegium to the Po. Horace speaks contemptuously of Spartacus, but the Romans never had a more able or more successful enemy. The wine Horace wanted would have been at least sixty-five years old. There seems to have been something remarkable in the vintage of that period so as to make it proverbial; for Juvenal, one hundred years afterwards, speaking of the selfish gentleman who keeps his best wine for his own drinking, says,--

"Ipse capillato diffusum consule potat Calcatamque tenet bellis socialibus uvam." (S. v. 30, sq.).

The 'cadus,' 'testa,' and 'amphora,' were all names for the same vessel.

19. si qua] 'if in any way.' Supply 'ratione.'

21. argutae] 'the sweet singer.'

22. Myrrheum] 'perfumed.'

27. ferrem] For 'tulissem.'

28. Consule Planco.] L. Munatius Plancus was consul with M. Aemilius Lepidus, B.C. 42, at which time Horace was in his twenty-third year. He was now forty.

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 φιλεῖ, like "consociare amant" (C. ii. 3. 10), and "amet quavis adspergere" (S. i. 4. 87).

11. concidit auguris Argivi domus] The story is that of Amphiaraus, who

ὄλετ᾽ ἐν Θήβαισι γυναίων εἵνεκα δώρων (Odyss. xv. 247),

and of his wife Eriphyle,

ἣ χρυσὸν φίλου ἀνδρὸς ἐδέξατο τιμήεντα (Odyss. xi. 327).

Eriphyle, bribed by her brother Polyneices, induced her husband to join the expedition against Thebes, where he fell, leaving an injunction with his sons to put their mother to death, which Alcmæon did, and, like Orestes, was pursued by the Erinnyes of his mother, and was finally put to death in attempting to get possession of the gold necklace with which she had been bribed.

14. Portas vir Macedo] Plutarch, in his life of Paulus Æmilius (c. xiii.), says it was Philip's gold, not Philip, that won the cities of Greece. And Cicero (Ad Att. i. 16) repeats a saying attributed to Philip, that he could take any town into which an ass could climb laden with gold. Juvenal, following the general report, calls Philip "callidus emptor Olynthi" (xii. 47).

15. munera navium Saevos illaqueant duces.] This is supposed to refer to Menas, otherwise called Menodorus, the commander of Sex. Pompeius's fleet, who deserted from him to Augustus, and back to Pompeius, and then to Augustus again. He was rewarded beyond his merits. He was a freedman of Cn. Pompeius, and Suetonius (Octav. 74) states that Augustus made him 'ingenuus.' He is said to be alluded to by Virgil (Aen. vi. 612, sqq.):--

"Quique arma secuti Impia nec veriti dominorum fallere dextras, Inclusi poenam expectant."

See Introduction to Epod. iv. Forcellini quotes only one other instance of 'illaqueo' from Prudentius, and one of the passive participle from Cicero. 'Irretio,' as Orelli says, is the more common word of the same meaning.

18. Majorumque fames] 'Majorum' is of the neuter gender, dependent on 'fames,' as in Theocritus (xvi. 65), αἰεὶ δὲ πλεόνων ἔχει ἵμερος αὐτόν. With 'tollere verticem' compare C. i. 18.15; and on 'equitum decus' see C. i. 20. 5, n.

21. Quanto quisque sibi] This sentiment approaches as near as possible to the fundamental rule of Christian morals. The accuracy of the picture in the next verses must not be insisted on too closely. It would imply that Horace, a wealthy Epicurean, had thrown up his riches in contempt, and gone over to the ranks of the Stoics. But as Horace never was rich, he could not have acted the deserter on these terms, though he changed his opinions. Horace may sometimes be supposed to put general maxims in the first person, without strict application to himself. 'Nudus' signifies one who has left everything he had behind him. By 'contemptae' he means that the rich man with fine houses had a contempt for his little property.

26. arat impiger] Apulia, with the exception of a comparatively small tract which was productive, was occupied with forests or pasture lands, or tracts of barren hills. But Horace likes to speak of his own country with respect (see above, C. 5. 9, n.). The license by which the first syllable in 'arat' is lengthened may be admitted in the cæsural place. 'Occultare,' 'to hoard,' which was commonly done to raise the price. 'Meis' is emphatic, as 'proprio horreo' (i. 1. 9).

29. Purae rivus aquae] The small river Digentia is that which Horace alludes to (see Epp. i. 16). On 'certa fides' see C. iii. 1. 30, n. 'Fallit beatior' is a Greek construction, λανθάνει ὀλβιώτερον ὄν. Horace says, 'Mine is a happier lot than his who has all Africa for his possession, though he knows not that it is so.' The construction is like "sensit medios delapsus in hostes" (Aen. ii. 377), for 'se delapsum esse.'

33. Calabrae--apes] See C. ii. 6. 14, n.

34. Laestrygonia--amphora] This is used like 'Sabina diota,' which was the same sort of vessel (C. i. 9. 7), 'an amphora of Formian wine.' The inhabitants of Formiæ in Latium supposed it to be the same as the Læstrygonia mentioned by Homer (Odyss. x. 81),--

ἑβδομάτῃ δ᾽ ἱκόμεσθα Λάμου αἰπὺ πτολίεθρον, τηλέπυλον Λαιστρυγονίην.

See Introduction to the next Ode, and Ovid (Met. xiv. 233):--

"Inde Lami veterem Laestrygonis, inquit, in urbem Venimus."

'Languescere' means 'to lose its strength by keeping.' The Formian wine is mentioned, C. i. 20. 11. The pasture lands in the basin of the Po ('Gallica pascua') were very extensive and rich.

38. 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, πόνου λελυμένοις. 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, Τροίης ἱερὸν πτολίεθρον.

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 ἐμβρόντητος, '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 ἄτολμος, '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 πότερα ἡ λεῖα σοὶ μείζων ἥξει ἢ ἐκείνῃ, where μείζων would be equivalent, not to λείας μεῖζον μέρος, but to μᾶλλον. Probably Horace found μείζων, 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,

ὃς κάλλιστος ἀνὴρ ὑπὸ Ἴλιον ἦλθεν τῶν ἄλλων Δαναῶν μετ᾽ ἀμύμονα Πηλείωνα (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 Phœbus 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 ὕπτιος 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 ὕλη. As to 'nascente Luna,' see C. iii. 19. 9, n. Phidyle is derived from φείδεσθαι, 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 οὐλαί and οὐλοχύται 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 σπέ-ος, the original meaning of which is unknown. The derivation of ἄντρον 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 μελετᾶν, 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 εὐοῖ (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 (Μαινάδες from μαίνομαι, as Θυιάδες from θύειν, 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 ληνός, 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 Ξείνη Ἀφροδίτη, 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 Ἀφροδίτη 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 χαροποὶ λέοντες (Odyss. xi. 611), for 'ravus' is said to be akin to χαροπός. 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 Phœnicia 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 Κρήτην ἑκατόμπολιν (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): οὐχ ὗμιν Ἅιδης μοῦνος ἀρκέσει.

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 λωβᾶσθαι in Soph. Ant. 54, πλεκταῖσιν ἀρτάναισι λωβᾶται βίον. 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 Λητώ) 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 Phœnicia, 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, ἐλάτης δικώπου. '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, μνάσασθαί τινά φαμι καὶ ὕστερον ἀμμέων (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 ἄρχειν. 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).

Spotted a typo or a problem in this chapter? Tell us

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. Κυνάρα signifies, some say, a wild rose-thorn (κυνόσβατος); κινάρα, 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. Κωμάσδω ποτὶ τὰν Ἀμαρύλλιδα is an expression of Theocritus just like this (iii. 1). Κώμῳ χρέεσθαι ἐς ἀλλήλους occurs in Herodotus (i. 21). 'Purpureis,' (which signifies beauty without reference to color) savors of the Greek. 'Torrere jecur' is like Theocritus's ὀπτεύμενος ἐξ Ἀφροδίτης (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 ἐπινίκια, 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 ἐπινίκια, odes of triumph for victors at the Olympic, Pythian, Nemean, and Isthmian games.

13. Seu deos regesve] Among Pindar's works were ὕμνοι, παῖανες, παρθένια, προσόδια, in honor of the gods, and ἐγκώμια, 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 ἐπινίκια 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 θρῆνοι, '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 πλάττω, 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 χρυσέας φόρμιγγος (Pyth. i. 1).

18. Pieri,] This singular is not common. Ovid uses it (Fast. iv. 222): "Pieris orsa loqui."

19. mutis--piscibus] The Greek ἔλλοπας ἰχθῦς 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 ἠερόφοιτος. 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 ἀπό, 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,--

ἐσθλῶν ἀπ᾽ ἀνδρῶν ἐσθλὰ γίγνεσθαι τέκνα, κακῶν δ᾽ ὅμοια τῇ φύσει τῇ τοῦ πατρός (Fr. Alcm. 7).

'Fortibus et bonis' corresponds to the common Greek expression, which it is so difficult to render, καλοῖς κἀγαθοῖς. 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 ζειά, 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),--

περιῤῥύτων ὑπὲρ ἀκαρπίστων πεδίων Σικελίας Ζεφύρου πνοαῖς ἱππεύσαντος ἐν οὐρανῷ κάλλιστον κελάδημα.

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 γηγενεῖς, '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), ὀξὺν Ἄρηα. 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 Ζεὺς γὰρ μεγάλης γλώσσης κόμπους Ὑπερεχθαίρει (Soph. Antig. 127).

2. Tityos] See C. ii. 14. 8, n.

3. altae] This is an Homeric epithet for Troy, Ἴλιος αἰπεινή.

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),--

τέθνηκεν ἀνδρὸς οὐδενὸς θεοῦ δ᾽ ὕπο τοξευτός, ὡς λέγουσιν, ἐκ Φοίβου δαμείς.

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 τοίχους ἐλαύνειν. '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 μουσαγέτης 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 (ἀγυιεύς) 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 φίλῃ ψυχῇ χαρίζεσθαι.

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 τρίπους. 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):--

ὅν γ᾽ εἰσιδοῦσα βαρβάροις ἐσθήμασι χρυσῷ τε λαμπρὸν ἐξεμαργώθης φρένας.

See C. i. 15. 14.

17. tela Cydonio] Teucer is described by Homer as ἄριστος Ἀχαιῶν τοξοσύνῃ (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 πελιδνός, 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 πτίλον, used in the sense of the early down upon a boy's cheek. The word is nowhere else used in this sense. Ἄπτιλος 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 ἕτερον, 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 (Ἀφροδίτη) 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 ἀφρός: 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):--

Ἔρως ὃς ἐν κτήμασι πίπτεις ὃς ἐν μαλακαῖς παρειαῖς νεάνιδος ἐννυχεύεις.

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 ἡ οἰκουμένη, 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):--

πρὸς θεῶν φράσον, φίλη δέσποινα, τόνδε τίς ποτ᾽ ἐστὶν ὁ ξένος;

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 θαυμαστὸς ὅσοις. '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 σχεδόν τι (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 ταυρόμορφος, 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), οἱ δ᾽ ὥστ᾽ ἀμητῆρες ἐναντίοι ἀλλήλοισιν Ὄγμον ἐλαύνωσιν.

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 πολυθρέμμων of Æschylus, πολυκήτης of Theocritus, and Homer's μεγακήτης.

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, Phœbus 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) αὐλὸς ἀνδρήϊος and αὐλὸς γυναικήϊος, 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.

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