GIFT OF 
 
 = 
 
 1 1 
 
ALLYN AND BACON'S COLLEGE LATIN SERIES 
 
 UNDER THE GENERAL EDITORSHIP OF 
 CHARLES E. BENNETT AND JOHN C. ROLFE 
 
 Q. HORATI FLACCI 
 SERMONES ET EPISTULAE 
 
 WITH INTRODUCTION AND NOTES BY 
 
 JOHN CAREW ROLFE 
 
 PROFESSOR OF LATIN IN THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN 
 
 or THE 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 or 
 
 Boston 
 
 ALLYN AND BACON 
 1901 
 
ft ft A/ 
 
 COPYRIGHT, 1901, BY 
 JOHN CAREW ROLFE. 
 
 NortooolJ ^Drrss 
 
 J. S. Gushing & Co. - Berwick & Smith 
 Norwood Mass. U.S.A. 
 
H? 
 
 PATRI CARISSIMO 
 
 WILLIAM J. KOLFE, LITT.D. 
 
 L. M. 
 FILIUS 
 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 IN the preparation of this edition the needs of college 
 students have steadily been kept in view, and I have en- 
 deavored not to lose sight of the fact that Horace is usually 
 read in the earlier years of the college course. Therefore, 
 while I have made full use of the available critical and 
 epexegetical material, the commentary is usually brief and 
 somewhat dogmatic, rarely offering more than one interpre- 
 tation of the many disputed passages. The discussion of 
 variant readings is also excluded. 
 
 I have consulted no American edition, for obvious reasons ; 
 but as I am more or less familiar with all of them, it is 
 difficult to say how much I may be indebted to them indi- 
 rectly. The same statement applies to the English editions, 
 except that I have occasionally consulted Palmer and Wil- 
 kins. I have freely used the standard German commen- 
 taries, especially that of Kiessling. 
 
 I am under obligation to my friend, Professor Charles E. 
 Bennett, for permission to use a part of his Introduction 
 ( 1-14, and the greater part of his " General Character of 
 Latin Poetry "), as well as for many helpful suggestions. 
 Dr. Clarence L. Meader, of the University of Michigan, has 
 read all the proofs, and my father has given me the benefit 
 of his criticism of the Outlines and the Introduction. 
 
 JOHN CAREW ROLFE. 
 
 ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, 
 August, 1901. 
 
INTRODUCTION TO THE SATIRES. 
 
 HORACE'S LIFE. 
 
 1. Birth and Early Life. Quintus Horatius Flaccus was 
 born at the little town of Venusia, on the borders of Apulia 
 and Lucania, December 8, 65 B.C. His father was a freed- 
 man, who seems to have been a collector of taxes. In this 
 business he saved some money, and, dissatisfied with the 
 advantages offered by the school at Venusia, took the young 
 Horace to E/ome for his early education. This plan evi- 
 dently involved no little personal and financial sacrifice on 
 the father's part a sacrifice appreciated to the full by 
 Horace, if not at the time, at least in his later life. In a 
 touching passage almost unique in ancient literature (Sat. i. 
 6. 70 ff.), the poet tells us of the father's devotion at this 
 period. Ambitious only for his son's mental and moral 
 improvement, without a thought of the larger material 
 prizes of life, he not only provided Horace with the best in- 
 struction the capital afforded, but watched with anxious care 
 over the boy's moral training as well, even accompanying 
 him to school and back again to his lodgings. One of Hor- 
 ace's teachers at this period was Orbilius, who is referred 
 to in Epist. ii. 1. 70 as a severe disciplinarian (plagosum). 
 Under Orbilius, Horace apparently pursued the grammatical 
 studies which formed the staple of the literary training 
 of the day. Later, he probably devoted attention to the 
 
viii HORACE'S LIFE. 
 
 more advanced rhetorical training; under what teacher is 
 unknown. 
 
 2. Athens. In his nineteenth year or thereabouts (i.e. 
 about 46 B.C.), Horace went to Athens to add the finishing 
 touches to his education by the study of philosophy, which 
 still enjoyed a nourishing existence and was represented 
 by several schools, the Stoic, Epicurean, Peripatetic, and 
 Academic. The Greek poets also engaged his attention 
 largely. Among his friends at this time may be mentioned 
 the young Cicero, son of the orator, and M. Valerius Mes- 
 salla, who, with many other young Romans, were residing at 
 Athens for the purpose of study. 
 
 3. Brutus and Philippi. After some two years, the ' still 
 air of delightful studies ' was rudely agitated for Horace by 
 political events. Caesar had been assassinated in March of 
 44 B.C., and, in September of that year, Brutus arrived in 
 Athens, burning with the spirit of republicanism. Horace 
 was easily induced to join his standard, and, though with- 
 out previous military training or experience, received the 
 important position of tribunus militum in Brutus's army. 
 The battle of Philippi (November, 42 B.C.) sounded the 
 death-knell of republican hopes, and left Horace in bad 
 case. His excellent father had died, and the scant patri- 
 mony which would have descended to the poet had been 
 confiscated by Octavian in consequence of the son's support 
 of Brutus and Cassius. 
 
 4. Return to Rome. Beginning of Career as Man of Let- 
 ters. Maecenas. The Sabine Farm. Taking advantage of 
 the general amnesty granted by Octavian, Horace returned 
 to Rome in 41 B.C. and there secured a position as quaestor's 
 clerk (scriba), devoting his intervals of leisure to composi- 
 tion in verse. He soon formed a warm friendship with 
 Virgil, then just beginning his career as poet, and with 
 
HORACE'S LIFE. ix 
 
 Varius ; through their influence he was admitted (39 B.C.) 
 to the intimacy and friendship of Maecenas, the confidential 
 adviser of Octavian, and a generous patron of literature. 
 About six years later (probably 33 B.C.), he received from 
 Maecenas the Sabine Farm, situated some thirty miles to 
 the northeast of Rome, in the valley of the Digentia, a 
 small stream flowing into the Anio. This estate was not 
 merely adequate for his support, enabling him to devote 
 his entire energy to study and poetry, but was an unfailing 
 source of happiness as well ; Horace never wearies of singing 
 its praises. 
 
 5. Horace's Other Friendships. Horace's friendship -with 
 Maecenas, together with his own admirable social qualities 
 and poetic gifts, won him an easy entrance into the best 
 Roman society. His Odes bear eloquent testimony to his 
 friendship with nearly all the eminent Romans of his time. 
 Among these were : Agrippa, Octavian's trusted general, 
 and later his son-in-law; Messalla, the friend of Horace's 
 Athenian student days, and later one of the foremost ora- 
 tors of the age ; Pollio, distinguished alike in the fields of 
 letters, oratory, and arms. The poets Virgil and Varius 
 have already been mentioned. Other literary friends were: 
 Quintilius Varus, Valgius, Plotius, Aristius Fuscus, and 
 Tibullus. 
 
 6. Relations with Augustus. With the Emperor, Hor- 
 ace's relations were intimate and cordial. Though he had 
 fought with conviction under Brutus and Cassius at Phi- 
 lippi, yet he possessed too much sense and patriotism to be 
 capable of ignoring the splendid promises of stability and 
 good government held out by the new regime inaugurated 
 by Augustus. In sincere and loyal devotion to his sover- 
 eign, he not merely accepted the new order, but lent the 
 best efforts of his verse to glorifying and strengthening it. 
 
X HORACE'S WORKS. 
 
 In the life of Horace attributed to Suetonius, we learn 
 that Augustus offered the poet the position of private sec- 
 retary. Horace, with dignified independence, declined the 
 offer, a step that seems to have made no difference, how- 
 ever, in the cordial friendship with which Augustus con- 
 tinued to honor him. 
 
 He remained true to the Muse till his death, November 
 27, 8 B.C., a few days before the completion of his fifty- 
 seventh year, and but a few weeks after the death of his 
 patron and friend, Maecenas. 
 
 II. 
 HORACE'S WORKS. 
 
 7. The Satires. Horace's first published work was Book I. 
 of the Satires, which appeared in 35 B.C. Five years later, 
 Book II. was published. Though conventionally called 
 ' Satires/ and alluded to by Horace himself as satirae, these 
 were entitled by him Sermones, as being talks, so to speak, 
 couched in the familiar language of everyday life. They 
 represent a type of literature whose early beginnings are 
 obscure, but which is clearly an indigenous Roman product 
 and not an imitation of Greek models, as is the case with 
 almost every other type of Latin poetry. Horace was not 
 the first representative of this kind of writing among the 
 Romans. Ennius, Lucilius, and Varro had been his prede- 
 cessors in the same field. Of these three, Lucilius beyond 
 question exercised the greatest influence upon the poet. In 
 Horace's hands, satire consists in the main of urbane com- 
 ment upon the vices and foibles of the day, coupled with 
 amusing incidents of personal experience and good-natured 
 raillery at the defects of the prevailing philosophical systems, 
 of which he was always an earnest and intelligent student. 
 Besides this we have several pieces dealing directly with 
 
HOE ACE'S WORKS. xi 
 
 the scope and function of satire as a species of literary 
 composition. 
 
 8. The Epodes. These were published in 29 B.C. and 
 mark the transition from the Satires to the Odes. They 
 resemble the Satires in their frequent polemic character, the 
 Odes in the lyric form in which they are cast. Though 
 published after the two books of the Satires, several of 
 them apparently represent the earliest of Horace's efforts 
 in verse that have been preserved. 
 
 9. The Odes and Carmen Saeculare. Books I. III. of the 
 
 Odes were published in 23 B.C., when Horace was forty-two 
 years old. Many of them had unquestionably been written 
 several years before, some apparently as early as 32 B.C. 
 These Odes at once raised Horace to the front rank of Roman 
 poets, and assured his permanent fame. Six years later 
 (17 B.C.), he was the natural choice of Augustus for the com- 
 position of the Carmen Saeculare to be sung at the saecular 
 celebration held in that year. In 13 B.C. appeared Book IV. 
 of the Odes. Though containing some of the poet's best 
 work, this last book nevertheless bears certain traces of 
 perfunctoriness. The Suetonian life of Horace records that 
 it was written at the express request of the Emperor a 
 statement borne out by the lack of spontaneity characteristic 
 of some of the poems. 
 
 10. The Epistles and Ars Poetica. There are two books 
 of Epistles. Book I. was published in 20 B.C., Book II. 
 probably in 14 B.C. Of the epistles contained in Book I., 
 some are genuine letters such as friend might write to 
 friend; others are simply disquisitions in verse form on 
 questions of life, letters, or philosophy. Book II. consists of 
 but two epistles, one to Julius Floras, the other to Augustus. 
 Both these pieces deal with questions of literary criticism 
 and poetic composition. 
 
Xli MANUSCRIPTS, SCHOLIA, EDITIONS. 
 
 The Ars Poetica, as it is conventionally designated, is an 
 essay on the art of poetic composition chiefly the drama. 
 It is addressed to a certain Piso and his two sons, and 
 Horace probably entitled it simply Epistula ad Pisones. 
 The date of this composition is uncertain ; but as it is one 
 of the ripest, so it is probably one of the latest, if not the 
 very latest, of all his extant writings. It is often printed 
 as the third epistle of Book II. 
 
 11. Chronological Table of Horace's Works : 
 
 35 B.C. Satires, Book I. 
 
 30 B.C. Satires, Book II. 
 
 29 B.C. The Epodes. 
 
 23 B.C. The Odes, Books I.-III. 
 
 20 B.C. The Epistles, Book I. 
 
 17 B.C. The Carmen Saeculare. 
 
 14 B.C. The Epistles, Book II. 
 
 13 B.C. The Odes, Book IV. 
 9 B.C. (?) The Ars Poetica. 
 
 III. 
 MANUSCRIPTS, SCHOLIA, EDITIONS. 
 
 12. Manuscripts. There are some two hundred and fifty 
 manuscripts of Horace's works. No one of these is older 
 than the eighth century, and most belong to the eleventh 
 century and later. Among the most important manuscripts 
 may be mentioned : 
 
 F. Blandinius Vetustissimus. This manuscript, which 
 once belonged to the Abbaye de St. Pierre on Mont Blandin 
 (the modern Blankenberg), is now lost. It was destroyed 
 by fire, together with the abbey, in 1566. But Cruquius 
 (Jacques de Crusque), professor at Bruges, had previously 
 examined it with care, and cites its readings with great 
 
MANUSCRIPTS, SCHOLIA, EDITIONS. xiii 
 
 frequency in his edition of 1577. Some critics have chal- 
 lenged the very existence of this manuscript, and have 
 charged that Cruquius's citations of its alleged readings 
 are forgeries. But while Cruquius is often guilty of care- 
 lessness and gross blunders, it is improbable that he was 
 guilty of dishonesty, and most Horatian critics to-day recog- 
 nize that Fwas a real manuscript, and that its readings as 
 noted by Cruquius are of value. 
 
 B. Bernensis, 363, in the municipal library at Berne, 
 Switzerland. This belongs to the ninth century, and has 
 recently been published in an admirable photographic fac- 
 simile. 
 
 R. Sueco-Vaticanus, No. 1703, formerly the property of 
 Queen Christina of Sweden, and now in the Vatican. This 
 was written in the eighth century and, according to Keller, 
 is the oldest of our extant manuscripts of Horace. 
 
 Keller attaches the greatest weight to these last two manu- 
 scripts, B and R, and holds that in nine cases out of ten 
 their agreement points to the reading of the archetype of 
 all our extant manuscripts. 
 
 No convincing classification of Horatian manuscripts has 
 yet been made, and the great difficulties of the problem ren- 
 der extremely doubtful the eventual success of any such 
 attempt. 
 
 13. Scholia. Scholia are explanatory notes on the 
 ancient writers. Sometimes these form separate works 
 of elaborate scope ; at other times they consist simply of 
 additions made by copyists to the manuscripts themselves. 
 Our Horatian scholia comprise the following : 
 
 PORPHYRIO, a scholiast who lived probably in the early 
 part of the third century A.D. and has left us an extensive 
 commentary on all of Horace's writings. 
 
 This collection bears the name of Hele- 
 
xiv MANUSCRIPTS, SCHOLIA, EDITIONS. 
 
 nius Acron, who belonged perhaps in the third century of 
 our era ; but these scholia are not the work of Acron. His 
 name apparently became attached to them only in late medi- 
 aeval times, as a result of the tradition that Acron was the 
 author of certain scholia on Horace. These scholia of the 
 pseudo-Acron are not even the work of a single hand, but 
 are manifestly gathered from several sources. 
 
 COMMENTATOR CRUQLTIANUS. This is a collective name 
 given to the scholia gathered by the Cruquius already men- 
 tioned, from several manuscripts. They are relatively un- 
 important. 
 
 14. Editions. Only a few of the most important editions 
 are here given. 
 
 TEXTUAL. 
 
 Eichard Bentley, 1726, and often reprinted. 
 Keller and Holder. Editio major. Leipzig. 1864-1870. 
 Keller and Holder. Editio minor. Leipzig. 1878. 
 Keller and Holder. Iterum recensuit Otto Keller. Vol. I. 
 
 (Odes, Epodes, and Carmen /Saeculare). Leipzig. 1899. 
 
 Vol. II. (Satires and Epistles) has not yet appeared. 
 Otto Keller, Epilegomena zu Horaz, Leipzig. 1879-1880. 
 
 An exhaustive presentation of variant readings, with 
 
 discussion. 
 
 EXPLANATORY. 
 COMPLETE EDITIONS. 
 
 Orelli, Editio Quarta Major, Curaverunt Hirschf elder et 
 
 Mewes. Berlin. 1886, 1892. With complete word 
 
 index. 
 A. Kiessling. Berlin. 2d edition. 1890-1898. Vol. I. 
 
 (Odes and Epodes) is now in 3d edition. 1898. 
 H. Schtitz. Berlin. 1880-1883. Vol. I. (Odes and Epodes) 
 
 is now in 3d edition. 1889. 
 
THE DEVELOPMENT OF ROMAN SATIRE. XV 
 
 Wickham. Oxford. Clarendon Press. Odes and Epodes, 
 
 3d edition. 1896. Satires and Epistles, 1891. 
 Page, Palmer, and Wilkins. London and New York. 1896. 
 
 EDITIONS OF ODES AND EPODES. 
 
 K. K. Kiister. Paderborn. 1890. 
 L. Mtlller. Leipzig. 1900. 
 
 EDITIONS OF SATIRES AND EPISTLES. 
 
 G. T. A. Kriiger. Leipzig. 14th edition. 1898, 1901. 
 L. Miiller. Leipzig. 1891, 1893. 
 
 IV. 
 
 THE DEVELOPMENT OF ROMAN SATIRE. 
 A. THE DRAMATIC SATURA. 
 
 15. The derivation of the adjective satur has not been 
 satisfactorily explained. It is the only adjective in -ur in 
 the Latin language which belongs to the o-declension, a fact 
 which was observed and commented on by the native gram- 
 marians. 1 Its early occurrence in the sense of ' full ' makes 
 it improbable that it is a borrowed word, from the Greek 
 o-drvpoi. It is used with that meaning, for instance, by 
 Plautus, Men. 927, uU satur sum, nulla crepitant: quando 
 esurio, turn crepant; cf. Horace, Serm. i. 1. 119, cedat uti 
 conviva satur. In a metaphorical sense, as applied to the 
 mind, the word is early and frequent, occurring, for example, 
 in Plant. Poen. prol. 8, qui non edistis, saturi Jite fabulis. In 
 post-classical Latin the adjective gradually went out of 
 use, doubtless on account of its isolated grammatical form. 
 Satiatus (It. sazio) and satullus (It. estollo; Fr. soul) seem to 
 have taken its place. 
 
 1 E.g. Charisius in Keil's Gramm. Lat. I. 183. 7. 
 
Xvi THE DEVELOPMENT OF ROMAN SATIRE. 
 
 The original, and classical, orthography was satura. Be- 
 sides this we find satira and satyra. The former was very 
 likely due to false analogy with words like maxumus : maxi- 
 mus; optumus : optimus; the latter to a fancied connection 
 with the Greek a-drvpoi. 
 
 The transition to the meaning ' mixed ' is found in the 
 expression per saturam, found, for example, in Sallust, Jug. 
 29. 5, dein postero die quasi per saturam sententiis exquisitis, 
 in deditionem accipitur. Here we perhaps have ellipsis of 
 legem, although the often quoted lex satura and lanx satura 
 are not found in the literature, but rest only on the authority 
 of the grammarians. 
 
 16. The noun satura (sc. fabula) is applied by Livy, vii. 
 2. 4 ff. to an early form of the native Italian drama. Ac- 
 cording to his very unsatisfactory account, the dramatic 
 satura formed a transition from the rude Fescennine verses 
 to the Graeco-B-oman comedy of Livius Andronicus. The 
 aetiological character of Livy's narrative is generally recog- 
 nized, and some scholars l have gone so far as to deny the 
 existence of a dramatic satura, believing that it was invented 
 as a parallel to the Greek satyr-drama or to the Old Comedy. 
 This view has not been generally accepted, and the non- 
 existence of a dramatic satura cannot be regarded as proved. 2 
 
 Concerning the meaning of satura, as applied to the drama, 
 opinions differ widely. Mommsen 3 regards it as signifying 
 'the mask of the full men,' while Eibbeck 4 assumes that 
 
 1 See Hendrickson, The Dramatic Satura and the Old Comedy at 
 Rome, and A pre-Varronian Chapter of Roman Literary History, 
 Amer. Jour, of Phil xv. (1895), pp. 4 ff., and xviii. (1898), 285 ff. 
 
 2 See especially Schanz, Geschichte der romischen Litteratur, I 2 , 
 p. 19 ; Pease, article Satira in Harper's Diet, of Class. Lit. and 
 Antiquities. 
 
 3 Rom. Geschichte, I 6 , p. 28. 
 
 * Geschichte der romischen Dichtung, I 2 , p. 9. 
 
THE DEVELOgg^AN SATIRE. xvii 
 
 the word has the sense of the Greek a-drvpoi and refers to 
 the dress of the actors, who he believes were clad in goat- 
 skins. It seems simplest to regard the word as meaning ' a 
 medley.' This view establishes a connection between the 
 dramatic and the literary satura, and has a parallel in 
 French farce ( = farsa) and in Juvenal's lines, 1 
 
 Quidquid agunt homines, votum, timor, ira, voluptas, 
 Gaudia, discursus, nostri farrago libelli est. 
 
 B. THE LITERARY SATURA. 
 1. TJie School of Ennius. 
 
 17. When the dramatic satura gave place to the Graeco- 
 Roman comedy, it seems to have survived as a literary 
 form. The same thing was true of the versus Fescennini, 
 which appear in the classical period in the epitlmlamia, in 
 the songs of the soldiers during the triumphal processions, 
 and the like. In its earliest form it seems to have been a 
 medley of prose and of verse in various metres, in which a 
 variety of subjects were briefly treated. The earliest repre- 
 sentative of this form of composition is said to have been 
 Cn. Naevius (269-204 B.C.) of Campania, the well-known 
 dramatic and epic poet. It is, however, very probable that 
 the satura of Naevius, to which Festus refers, was dramatic. 
 
 18. The first writer who is known to have published 
 saturae is Quintus Ennius (239-169 B.C.) of Rudiae in Cala- 
 bria, 2 ' the father of Roman poetry,' from whose work a 
 number of fragments have been preserved. Quintilian, ix. 
 2. 26, tells us that they consisted, in part at least, of dia- 
 logue: ut Mortem ac Vitam, quas contendentes in satura 
 tradit Ennius. They seem to have been wholly in verse and 
 
 1 I. 86. 
 
 2 Porphyrio, on Hor. Serm. i. 10. 46, Ennius qui quattuor libros- 
 saturarum reliquit. 
 
xviii THE DEVELOPMENT OF ROMAN SATIRE. 
 
 to have been composed in various metres. No prose frag- 
 ments can with certainty be attributed to the elder Ennius. 
 
 To what extent Ennius was indebted to Greek originals 
 is a matter of dispute. If we take into account the well- 
 known statement of Quintilian 1 and the case of Varro, 2 it 
 seems probable that the form was original with Ennius, 
 and that it was adapted from the dramatic satura, although 
 in his subject-matter he undoubtedly followed Greek sources. 
 It is perhaps noteworthy that the early writers of satire, as 
 well as those to whom such works are attributed, were also 
 dramatic poets. 
 
 The satires of Ennius also resembled those of Horace, in 
 that he recorded his personal experiences and feelings, 
 and made free use of the Aesopian fables. 3 
 
 Saturae are attributed by Diomedes 4 arid by Porphyrio 5 
 to the nephew of Ennius, the tragic poet and painter, 
 M. Pacuvius (220-132 B.C.) of Brundisium, but it is pos- 
 sible that his saturae, like those of Naevius, were dramatic. 6 
 
 19. The Menippean satires of M. Terentius Varro (116- 
 28 B.C.) of E-eate belong to the school of Ennius, so far as 
 their form is concerned. In a medley of prose and verse, the 
 latter representing many different metres, he describes and 
 comments on familiar events of everyday life. The collec- 
 tion consisted of one hundred and fifty books, and its nature 
 is indicated by some of the titles of the various topics which 
 have come down to us : Cave canem; Nescis quid vesper serus 
 vehat; Cras credo, Jiodie nihil; Bimarcus; Marcopolis, etc. 
 
 The titles, as well as the statement of Cicero in Acad. 
 Post. ii. 8, lead to the inference that, while Varro modelled 
 his work in general on the ^TrovSoyeAotoi/ of Menippus of 
 
 1 Satura quidem tota nostra est, x. 1. 93. 
 
 2 See below. * Gramm. Lat. i. 485. 33. K. 
 8 See Gellius, ii. 29. 20. 5 On Hor. Serm. i. 10. 46. 
 
 6 See, however, Hopkins, Proc. Amer. Phil. Assoc. xxxi. (1901) p. 1. 
 
THE DEVELOPMENT OF KOMAN SATIRE. xix 
 
 Gadara (about 250 B.C.), he inserted much, original matter, 
 and that he chose as his literary form the native Bornan 
 satura. 
 
 Although the existing fragments belong to a work of 
 superior finish and interest to that of Lucilius, it seems 
 never to have become popular. Horace does not mention it 
 at all, and in fact ignores the entire school of Ennius. 1 
 
 2. TJie School of Lucilius. 
 
 20. At the hands of C. Lucilius the satura received a form 
 which, through Horace's recognition of it as a standard, be- 
 came the conventional one. After experimenting with vari- 
 ous metres, he finally adopted the dactylic hexameter, and 
 in that measure the greater part of his thirty books are 
 composed. To the subject-matter also Lucilius gave a con- 
 ventional form, which, though variously modified by his 
 successors, continued to be regarded as characteristic of that 
 class of writing. 
 
 Lucilius was born in Suessa Aurunca, in Campania, in 
 180 B.c.,*and. died in 103. He was of equestrian rank, and 
 is said by^Forphyrio to have been a grand-uncle of Pompey 
 the Great. He served with the younger Scipio in the Nu- 
 mantine War, and was afterwards on terms of familiar 
 intimacy with his commander and with the latter's friend, 
 Laelius. 3 
 
 21. Lucilius composed thirty books of satires, which ap- 
 pear to have been published in three instalments, xxvi.-xxx., 
 
 1 See note on jSerm. i. 10. 47. 
 
 2 Hieronymus gives the date of his birth as 147 B.C., but the sugges- 
 tion of Haupt is very probable, and has been generally accepted, that 
 Hieronymus confused the consuls of the year 180, A. Postumius Albinus 
 and C. Calpurnius Piso, with those of 147, Sp. Postumius Albinus and 
 L. Calpurnius Piso. 
 
 8 See Serm. ii. 1. 71 ff. 
 
XX THE DEVELOPMENT OF ROMAN SATIRE. 
 
 xxii.-xxv., and i.-xxi. The first collection was composed in 
 various metres, the last two in hexameters. 
 
 Of the work of Lucilius only a comparatively small num- 
 ber of fragments survive, and the longest continuous passage 
 consists of but fourteen lines. Nevertheless, from these 
 and from the scattered notices of the grammarians, some 
 idea of their contents may be derived, and the extent of Hor- 
 ace's indebtedness to his predecessor may be inferred. 
 
 Book xxvi., which was the first in order of publication, 
 contained a justification of Satire, an account of the Nu- 
 maiitine War, and an erotic satire. Book xxx. also treated 
 of the nature and the object of Satire, and literary criticism 
 seems to have been a feature of this, as well as of some of 
 the other books. In Book ii. a suit is described, which was 
 brought by T. Albucius against Q. Mucius Scaevola, on 
 account of the latter's extortions in Asia. Book iii. con- 
 tained an account of a journey from Rome to the Straits 
 of Messana, on which Horace modelled the fifth Sermo of 
 his first book. Book iv. included a discourse on gluttony, 
 followed by Persius in his third satire. Book ix. dealt with 
 literary criticism and with grammatical questions, in par- 
 ticular with orthography. Book x. inspired Persius to 
 write Satire, and Book xiii. seems to have had the same 
 theme as Horace's Serm. ii. 4. Of Book xvi. Porphyrio l 
 says : liber Lucilii sextus decimus Collyra inscribitur, eo quod 
 de Collyra arnica in eo scriptum sit. 
 
 22. An examination of the existing fragments of Lucilius 
 confirms Horace's judgment of his work, as given in Serm. 
 i. 4 and 10, and in ii. 1. His language and versification 
 are rude and unpolished, not only when judged by classical 
 standards, but also as compared with the earlier writings of 
 Terence. Munro 2 regards Horace's estimate of him as far 
 
 1 On Hor. Odes, i. 22. 10. 2 Jour, of Phil. vii. p. 294. 
 
THE DEVELOPMENT OF ROMAN SATIRE. xxi 
 
 too high, ' raised designedly, not to excite the ill-will of his 
 contemporaries.' His popularity was, however, unquestion- 
 ably great in ancient times, and is testified to by Cicero, 
 Quintilian, and Tacitus. 
 
 23. Horace seems to have written at first along the lines 
 followed by Lucilius, to judge from Serm. i. 2. This style 
 of writing did not, however, accord with his personal dis- 
 position, and in Serm. i. 4 and 10 l he criticises the work of 
 his predecessor and defines his own ideal. At the same 
 time, he regarded Lucilius as having established the out- 
 ward form of this species of composition, and he follows 
 him in using the dactylic hexameter, ignoring Varro's re- 
 turn to the old-fashioned medley. While deprecating 
 Lucilius's severity in invective, he follows the general lines 
 of his predecessor, giving us experiences from his own life, 2 
 treating ethical problems, 3 and defining his literary aims 
 and ideals. 4 
 
 24. The first collection, consisting of Serm. i., was pub- 
 lished between 37 and 33 B.C., probably in the year 35. 
 The title appears to have been Sermones, 5 or ' Talks,' while 
 Satura seems to be a general designation for this species of 
 composition and includes the Epistulae as well. 6 The book 
 
 1 See the * Outlines.' 2 i. 5, 6, 7, 9. i. 1, 2, 3. 4 i. 4, 10. 
 
 6 See Porph. on Serm. i. 1, Quamvis saturam esse opus hoc suum 
 Horatius ipse confiteatur, cum ait : Sunt quibus in satura videar nimis 
 acer, et ultra Legem tendere opus (Serm. ii. 1. 1-2), tamen proprios 
 titulos voluit ei accommodare. Nam hos priores duos libros ' Ser- 
 monum," 1 posteriores ' Epistularum ' inscribens, in sermonum nomine 
 vult intellegi quasi apud praesentem se loqui, epistulas vero quasi ad 
 absentes missas. In this book the terms Satires and Satire are used of 
 the Sermones and Epistulae together or of the literary satire in general. 
 The two divisions are referred to separately either by their Latin names, 
 or as Sermones and Epistles. 
 
 6 See below, p. xxii. 
 
xxii THE DEVELOPMENT OF ROMAN SATIRE. 
 
 begins in due form with a dedication to Maecenas, and the 
 arrangement of the separate satires is a natural, though not 
 a chronological one, and may well be the one chosen by 
 Horace himself. In most cases the poet himself appears as 
 the speaker, 1 although considerable dialogue is introduced. 
 That the reception given to this work was not altogether 
 favorable, is shown by Horace's own words in the intro- 
 ductory satire of the second Book of Sermones, which seems 
 to have been published in 30 B.C. This book has no formal 
 dedication and no epilogue, and is cast for the most part in 
 dialogue form. Horace himself plays usually a very sub- 
 ordinate part, and in one satire he does not appear at all. 2 
 The first and sixth satires are of a personal nature; the 
 former is a dialogue between Horace and Trebatius, the 
 latter practically a monologue, although it is assimilated to 
 the other works of the collection by the introduction of 
 Cervius and his fable of the town and the country mouse. 
 
 25. The Epistulae belong to the general class of Saturaef 
 but they are distinguished from the Sermones not only by 
 their form, but by their contents as well. Hexameter verse 
 is not well suited to dialogue, and Horace evidently pre- 
 ferred to adopt a new literary form, the poetic epistle, for 
 his saturae, rather than to abandon the conventional metre. 
 
 The first book of Epistulae seems to have been issued in 
 20 B.C. During the ten years which had elapsed since his 
 last venture in the field of satire, Horace had published 
 three books of Odes, and had reached the age of forty-five. 
 The practical philosophy of life now seems to him the thing 
 most worthy of his attention, and it is to the teaching of. 
 this that his first book of Epistles is in the main devoted. 
 
 1 The only real exception is i. 8. 2 ii. 5. 
 
 8 See above, p. xxi., and Hendrickson's Are the Letters of Horace 
 Satires? Amer. Jour, of Phil, xviii. (1897), pp. 313 ff. 
 
THE DEVELOPMENT OF ROMAN SATIRE. xxiii 
 
 It is dedicated to Maecenas and closes with, an epilogue. 
 It consists of actual letters and of fictitious ones. 1 
 
 The second book of Epistles is devoted wholly to literary 
 criticism. Horace has renounced the writing of lyrics, he 
 tells us, and will hereafter teach the art of poetry instead 
 of practising it. The chronology of this book offers not a 
 few difficulties. The second Epistle is evidently the earliest 
 and may be placed between 20 and 17 B.C. 
 
 The recognition of Horace as the poet laureate of Rome, 
 by the invitation to write the Carmen Saeculare, gave him a 
 very different position before the public, and is responsible 
 for the assured tone of the De Arte Poetica, originally the 
 third letter of the collection, although the second in chrono- 
 logical order. It is assigned with most probability to the 
 year 16 B.C. These two letters, with an introductory epistle 
 in which the collection is dedicated to Augustus, appear to 
 have been published in 14 B.C. 
 
 26. The school of Lucilius is further represented by the 
 six satires of A. Persius Flaccus (34-62 A.D.) of Volaterrae in 
 Etruria. He was a diligent reader and ardent admirer of 
 Horace, whose language he frequently paraphrases in his 
 own peculiar style. Also by the sixteen satires of D. lunius 
 luvenalis (circ. 46-130 A.D.) of Aquinum. 
 
 27. Of other writers of satire, evidently of the school 
 of Lucilius, Horace expressly mentions 2 P. Terentius Varro 
 (82-37 B.C.) of Atax in Gallia Narbonensis, called Atadnus 
 to distinguish him from the author of the Saturae Menippeae. 
 No fragments of his satires have been preserved, although 
 we have scanty remains of an epic, the Bellum Sequanum, 
 of a Chorographia, and of an Epliemeris. 
 
 The quibusdam aliis of the same passage may refer to 
 
 1 E.g. 13 and 14. 2 Serm. i. 10. 46. 
 
XXIV GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SATIRES. 
 
 Saevius Nicanor 1 and L. Albucius, 2 and perhaps to others 
 whose very names have been lost. 
 
 28. A decided satiric vein is found in many Roman 
 writers whose works properly belong to other fields of 
 literature. This is strikingly the case with Martial and 
 with Tacitus. The latter's Germania has often erroneously 
 been supposed to have been designed as a satire on Roman 
 corruption and degeneracy. 3 
 
 The work of Petronius Arbiter, of the time of Nero, is 
 pervaded by this satiric vein, and has some resemblance to 
 the satire of the school of Ennius in its literary form ; but, 
 like the Metamorphoses of Apuleius, it belongs properly to 
 the field of the Romance. 
 
 V. 
 GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SATIRES. 
 
 29. Horace expressly states that the model of his Satires 
 is Lucilius, and, as has already been said, this is confirmed 
 by a comparison of the two works, so far as this is pos- 
 sible. For reminiscences of Lucilius, see the Notes, passim. 
 Horace's wide reading, both in the Greek literature and that 
 of his native land, is shown by numerous passages. His 
 acquaintance with, and admiration for, the Homeric poems 
 are directly stated in Epist. i. 2, and are shown besides by 
 frequent allusions to the heroes and events of the Iliad and 
 the Odyssey, as well as by the occurrence of phrases and 
 expressions which are reminiscent of both poems. He 
 must have been a diligent reader of the dramatic writers 
 both of Greece 4 and of Rome, and a frequent attendant at 
 
 1 Suet, de Gramm. 5. 2 Varro, De Re Bust. iii. 2. 7. 
 
 3 See Gudeman's Germanic/,, Introd. p. xi. 
 
 4 See Serm. ii. 3. 11 f. 
 
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SATIRES. XXV 
 
 the theatre, to judge from his numerous references to the 
 stage, and the abundance of metaphors derived from the 
 drama. Although he does not anywhere mention Lucretius, 
 the number of passages which show a parallelism with the 
 De Rerum Natura is very striking. See the Notes, passim. 
 
 30. As Lucilius had evidently done, 1 Horace gives us in 
 his Satires an intimate acquaintance with .his life and hab- 
 its. He sketches his early life and training, and pays a 
 well-deserved tribute to his father. He tells us of his friend- 
 ships and his enmities, his successes and disappointments. 
 As a rule he is contented with his lot, although it is clear 
 that the envious gossip which he pretends to despise and the 
 unfavorable criticism of his literary work were not without 
 a sting. He was evidently on most friendly terms with 
 Virgil and Tibullus, and with Varius and other less well- 
 known poets of the day. Propertius he never mentions by 
 name, and while there is no evidence at all that the ' bore ' 
 of Serm. i. 9 is Propertius, there is an evident allusion to 
 him in Epist. ii. 2. 95 ff., of such a nature as to show that he 
 and Horace were rivals rather than friends. 
 
 31. One of the most striking features of the Satires is the 
 keen observation of the daily life of the Romans by which 
 they are characterized. It was Horace's custom, he tells us, 
 to wander about the city and to observe the various occupa- 
 tions and amusements of the people. This he turned to 
 account by drawing from them lessons for his own guidance 
 and that of his friends, as well as by enlivening his lit- 
 erary work with many realistic pictures of daily life, not 
 only that of the higher classes, but also that of the humbler 
 artisans and the slaves. Quite striking is the impression 
 which the vast commercial and business interests of Home 
 
 1 See Serm. ii. 1. 32. 
 
xxvi THE SATIRES IN MODERN TIMES. 
 
 made upon him, and the number of allusions to them which 
 are found in his works. 1 
 
 32. The Satires are characterized by a genial and good- 
 natured humor. This appears in Horace's choice of names 
 for the objects of his comment, such as Novius, the parve- 
 nue ; Balbinus, the doting lover ; Porcius, the glutton ; Opi- 
 mius, the rich man ; and the like. That these names occur 
 in inscriptions and were many of them in common use is no 
 proof that they were not selected (not invented) with refer- 
 ence to their appropriateness. Other phases of his humor 
 are his parody of the epic, and higher poetic, style, and lan- 
 guage under ludicrously inappropriate circumstances, his 
 plays upon words, and his coinage of new terms, his irony 
 and sarcasm, and in general a quizzical way of looking at 
 things and an eye for the comical side of life. 
 
 VI. 
 THE SATIRES IN MEDIEVAL AND MODERN TIMES. 
 
 33. Horace's works, as he himself had foreseen, became 
 school text-books at an early period, and Suetonius speaks 
 of elegies and a letter in prose which were falsely attributed 
 to him. The number of commentators on his works 2 is a 
 further testimony to his popularity. He was evidently 
 extensively read in medieval times as well, and his works 
 were used for purposes of instruction. Numerous imitators 
 of the Satires are found in this period. Of the Ecbasis 
 Captivi, a 'beast-epic' of the tenth century, a fifth part 
 consists of centos from Horace. The satirist Amarcius, of 
 the eleventh century, made extensive use of Horace. Al- 
 
 1 See Knapp, Business Life as seen in Horace, Proc. Amer. Phil. 
 Assoc. xxix., p. xliv. 
 
 2 See above, p. xiii f. 
 
LANGUAGE AND STYLE OF THE SATIRES, xxvii 
 
 though Horace's fame in the Middle Ages was much less 
 than that of Virgil, he too was regarded as a magician, and 
 his grave was held in honor. These were, however, purely 
 local manifestations and were confined to Palestrina and 
 Venusia. 
 
 34. To speak here fully of Horace's popularity and influ- 
 ence in modern times is out of the question. He has been 
 probably the most widely read and admired of all the Roman 
 poets, and has appealed to men of the most widely different 
 tastes. 
 
 Together with Juvenal, his influence upon French satire, 
 which culminated in Boileau, was very great, while the 
 English satirists, Dry den, Butler, Pope, Swift, Prior, Gay, 
 Congreve, and others, show many evidences of the influence 
 of Horace or Juvenal, or of both. 
 
 VII. 
 
 THE LANGUAGE AND STYLE OF THE SATIRES. 1 
 1. FORMS AND VOCABULARY. 
 
 35. a. Archaisms are frequent: e.g. ausim, i. 10. 48 ; 2 
 faxis, ii. 3. 38 ; ii. 6. 5 ; ast, i. 6. 125 ; i. 8. 6 ; duetto, E. i. 2. 
 7 ; ii. 2. 98 ; autumat, ii. 3. 45 ; sodes, i. 9. 41 ; E. i. 1. 62 ; E. 
 1. 7. 15; licebit, ii. 2. 59; and the archaic infinitive in -ier, 
 which occurs five times in the Sermones and three times 
 in the Epistulae. 
 
 1 The examples are not intended to be exhaustive, and the Introduc- 
 tion as a whole is intended to be suggestive rather than complete. In 
 his own teaching of Horace the editor is in the habit of assigning 
 topics, such as are briefly touched on in the Introduction, to different 
 members of the class for special study, being guided, of course, in his 
 selection by the degree of advancement and capacity of the students. 
 
 2 References like this are to the Sermones ; those to the Epistulae 
 are in the form E. i. 2. 7. 
 
XXviii LANGUAGE AND STYLE OF THE SATIRES. 
 
 b. Horace frequently, in common with, other Roman poets, 
 uses the simple verb in place of a compound : e.g. temnens 
 = contemnens, i. 1. 116 ; solvas = dissolvas, i. 4. 60 ; poni = 
 apponi, ii. 3. 148 ; ii. 4. 14 ; ruam = eruam, ii. 5. 22. 
 
 c. Some borrowed words are found : e.g. from the Greek, 
 obsonia, i. 2. 9 ; hybrida, i. 7. 2 ; apotheca, ii. 5. 7. Celtic or 
 Germanic, raeda, i. 5. 86 ; mannus, E. i. 7. 77. Syrian, anibu- 
 baia, i. 2. 1 ; etc. In i. 10. 21, seri studiorum, he translates 
 a Greek word ; and, like many other Roman writers, he 
 avoids pliilosoplius and philosophia, using instead sapiens 
 and sapientia. 
 
 d. Horace coins many new words : e.g. abnormis, ii. 2. 3 ; 
 ingustata, ii. 8. 30 ; inamarescere, ii. 7. 107 ; prodocere, E. j. 
 1. 55. 
 
 e. Short forms of the verb, contractions, or formations of 
 the aorist type, occur in i. 9. 48, summosses ; i. 9. 62, nosset; 
 i. 9. 73, surrexe; ii. 3. 169, divisse. 
 
 36. In the spelling, the Sermones and Epistles, which 
 reflect the language of everyday life, were probably less 
 conservative than the Odes, and the editor has made the 
 orthography conform, in the main, to the standard of the 
 Augustan age. For forms and spellings especially charac- 
 teristic of the colloquial language, see below, 55. 
 
 2. SYNTAX. 
 a. The Cases. 
 
 37. The vocative is used in place of a direct object in : 
 Matutine pater, sen lane libentius audis, ii. 6. 20; rexque 
 paterque audisti coram, E. i. 7. 37. The nominative is used 
 for the vocative in Ars Poet. 292, o Pompilius sangius, car- 
 men reprehendite. 
 
LANGUAGE AND STYLE OF THE SATIRES. xxix 
 
 38. a. The accusative is found with some verbs which do 
 not ordinarily govern a direct object: e.g. ut.apnim cenem 
 ego, ii. 3. 234; si pranderet holus, E. i. 17. 13; census eques- 
 trem summam, Ars Poet. 384 ; neu quid medios intercinat actus, 
 Ars Poet. 194. 
 
 b. The accusative of the inner object (sometimes called 
 ' cognate accusative ') is frequent : e.g. reges atque tetrarchas, 
 omnia magna loquens, i. 3. 12 ; Pythia cantat, Ars Poet. 414. 
 With the neuter of the adjective : cernis acutum, i. 3. 26 ; 
 serviet aeternum, E. i. 10. 41 ; insanire sollemnia, E. i. i. 
 101. Some bold uses of the construction occur : e.g. pastorem 
 saltaret uti Cyclopa, i. 5. 63 ; agrestem Cyclopa movetur, E. ii. 
 2. 125 ; cum Ilionam edormit, ii. 3. 61 ; magna coronari Olym- 
 pia, E. i. 1. 50. 
 
 c. The accusative of specification, or Greek accusative, 
 occurs in mentem concussa, ii. 3. 295 ; curatus capillos, E. i. 1. 94. 
 Many so-called examples of this construction are better ex- 
 plained in other ways. Thus we have appositives in nugas 
 hoc genus, ii. 6. 44 ; tremis ossa pavore (partitive apposition), 
 ii. 7. 57 ; the accusative of the inner object in distat nil, ii. 
 2.29. 
 
 Passive verbs are often used with the force of the middle, 
 and govern a direct object: e.g. nasum nidore supernor, 
 ii. 7. 38 ; purgor bilem, Ars Poet. 302. Here we may put 
 fractus membra labor e, i. 1. 5 although membra may be taken 
 as a Greek accusative, and fractus as passive. 
 
 39. a. The dative is used with verbs meaning < contend/ 
 'compare,' and the like: e.g. certans semper melioribus, 
 ii. 5. 19 ; Sidonio contendere ostro vellera, E. i. 10. 26 ; dlter- 
 cante libidinibus pavore, ii. 7. 57. 
 
 b. The so-called dative of the agent is used not only with 
 the future passive participle, but with the perfect parti- 
 ciple : Graecis intacti carminis, i. 10. 66 ; bella tibi pugnata, 
 
XXX LANGUAGE AND STYLE OF THE SATIRES. 
 
 E. i. 16. 25 ; and with the uncompounded tenses : carmina 
 quae scribuntur aquae potoribus, E. i. 19. 3. 
 
 c. The dative of the goal occurs in si quis casus puerum 
 egerit Oreo, ii. 5. 49. 
 
 d. Constructions influenced by the analogy of the Greek 
 are : idem facit occidenti, Ars Poet. 467 ; dignis paratus, 
 E. i. 7. 22 ; Graecia Barbariae lento collisa duello, E. i. 2. 7. 
 See also 55. g below. 
 
 e. The passive of verbs governing the dative is used with a 
 subject in the nominative (instead of the impersonal con- 
 struction) in imperor, i. 5. 21 ; invideor, Ars Poet. 56. 
 
 40. a. The genitive is used with adjectives much more 
 freely than in classical prose. The extension of this con- 
 struction is doubtless due to the analogy of the Greek geni- 
 tive of specification: e.g. pauperrimus bonorum, i. 1. 79; 
 cerebri felicem, i. 9. 11 ; pravi docilis, ii. 2. 52 ; donandi parca, 
 ii. 5. 79. 
 
 b. The genitive with verbs and adjectives denoting sepa- 
 ration is due to the analogy of the Greek : e.g. morbi purga- 
 tum illius, ii. 3. 27 ; in medio positorum abstemius, E. i. 12. 7. 
 
 c. Noteworthy also are: the free use of the genitive of 
 the whole, num qua vitiorum, i. 3. 35; fictis rerum, ii. 8. 83; 
 gladiatorum centum, ii. 3. 85; and in the predicate, operum 
 hoc tuorum est, i. 7. 35 ; scribe tui gregis hunc, E. i. 9. 13 ; of 
 the appositive genitive, patrimoni mitte talenta, ii. 3. 226; 
 pueri pulchri munere, E. i. 18. 74 ; and nee ciceris nee invidit 
 avenae, ii. 6. 84, after the analogy of verbs of plenty. 
 
 41. a. The ablative of instrument is used freely: e.g. 
 teneas tuis te, ii. 3. 324; ire mulo, i. 6. 105; postico falle 
 clientem, E. i. 5. 31 ; with adjectives, laeva stomachosus 
 habena, E. i. 15. 12 ; sermo lingua concinnus utraque, i. 10. 23; 
 in place of the ablative of agency with ab : curatus inaequali 
 
LANGUAGE AND STYLE OF THE SATIRES. xxxi 
 
 tonsore capillos, E. i. 1. 94, and probably cena ministratur 
 pueris tribus, i. 6. 116. 
 
 b. The ablative of association occurs with, verbs of join- 
 ing, changing, mixing, and the like : e.g. verbis Graeca Latinis 
 miscuit, i. 10. 20 ; stipare Platona Menandro, ii. 3. 11 ; forti 
 miscebat mella Falerno, ii. 4. 24. 
 
 c. The participle alone is used in the ablative absolute : 
 e.g. parto quod avebas, i. 1. 94; lecto aut scripto quod me 
 iuvet, i. 6. 122 ; neglectis Jlagitium ingens, ii. 4. 82 ; vadato, 
 i. 9. 36. 
 
 42. Not infrequently a case may be taken in a different 
 sense with two words in the same sentence, and may be 
 said to be governed by both the O.TTO KOLVOV construction : 
 e.g. quid causae est merito quin illis Juppiter ambas iratus buccas 
 inflet, i. 1. 20 ; male laxus in pede calceus haeret, i. 3. 31 ; 
 tempestivum pueris concedere ludum, E. ii. 2. 142 ; data 
 Romanis venia est. indigna poetis, Ars Poet. 264. See Notes. 
 
 b. Tlie Verb. 
 
 1. AGREEMENT. 
 
 43. a. A singular verb is used with a compound subject 
 whose members are singular : dum ficus prima calorque dis- 
 signatorem decorat, E. i. 7. 5 ; si quaestor avus pater atque 
 meus patruusque fuisset, i. 6. 131. 
 
 b. The neuter is used referring to a person in nil fuit 
 umquam sic impar sibi, i. 3. 18 ; quod eram narro, i. 6. 60 ; 
 nisi quae terris semota suisque temporibus defuncta videt, fas- 
 tidit et odit, E. ii. 1. 21. 
 
 2. THE TENSES. 
 
 44. a. The present is often used with the force of the 
 future, a common usage in the language of everyday life : 
 e.g. nemon oleum fert ocius ? ii. 7. 34 ; ut te ipsum serves, non 
 
xxxii LANGUAGE AND STYLE OF THE SATIRES. 
 
 expergisceris? E. ii. 2. 33; and in a future condition, nisi 
 damnose bibimus, moriemur inulti, ii. 8. 34. It has almost an 
 aoristic force in divinare magnus mihi donat Apollo, ii. 5. 60. 
 
 b. The imperfect is used with nearly the force of the 
 present in non tu corpus eras sine pectore, E. i. 4. 6 ; poteras 
 dixisse, Ars Poet. 328. See Notes on these two passages. 
 The epistolary imperfect occurs in liaec tibi dictabam, 
 E. i. 10. 49. 
 
 c. The future is frequently used with the force of a 
 milder imperative: e.g. hoc mihi iuris cum venia dabis, i. 4. 
 105; ferramenta Teanum tolletis, E. i. 1. 87; Augusto reddes 
 volumina, E. i. 13. 2. It has a gnomic force in sordidus a 
 tenui victu distabit, ii. 2. 53, and a somewhat similar force in 
 ut tu semper eris derisor, ii. 6. 54. 
 
 d. The gnomic perfect is frequent : e.g. non domus et fun- 
 dus aegroto domini deduxit corpore febres, E. i. 2. 48; sedit 
 qui timuit ne non succederet, E. i. 17. 37 ; and combined with 
 the future : haec seges ingratos tulit et feret omnibus annis, E. 
 i. 7. 21. 
 
 e. The potential perfect subjunctive is often used with 
 practically the same force as the present : e.g. dederim, i. 4. 
 39 ; contulerim, i. 5. 44 ; dixeris, i. 4. 41. 
 
 /. The perfect infinitive is used with the force of the 
 present in ii. 3. 187, ne quis humasse velit Aiacem. Usually, 
 however, while approaching the force of the present, it rep- 
 resents instantaneous or completed action : e.g. amet scrip- 
 sisse ducentos ante cibum versus, i. 10. 60 ; sapientia prima 
 stultitia caruisse, E. i. 1. 42 ; quod cures proprium fecisse, E. 
 i. 17. 5. 
 
 3. THE MOODS. 
 
 45. a. The indicative is used for vividness in the apod- 
 osis of conditions contrary to fact : dedisses . . . erat, i. 3. 
 17 ; per earn male si non optimum erat, ii. 1. 7. 
 
 b. The indicative is sometimes used with quamvis : e.g. 
 
LANGUAGE AND STYLE OF THE SATIRES, xxxiii 
 
 quamvis tacet, i. 3. 129 ; quamvis distat nil, ii. 2. 29 ; quam- 
 vis periurus erit, ii. 5. 15. 
 
 c. The indicative is sometimes used after est qui and simi- 
 lar expressions, though usually with a slightly different 
 force from that of the subjunctive ; c/. E. ii. 2. 182, sunt qui 
 non habeant, est qui non curat habere. 
 
 d. The relatively rare ' can ' and ' could ' potential, con- 
 fined to the second person singular of verbs of seeing, per- 
 ceiving, thinking, knowing, and believing, is found in i. 4. 
 86, saepe tribus lectis videos cenare quaternos; and trans- 
 posed to past time in i. 5. 76, videres; ii. 8. 77, videres. 
 See Bennett, 'Critique of Some Recent Subjunctive Theo- 
 ries/ Cornell Studies in Class. Phil. ix. pp. 41 ff. 
 
 e. The stipulative subjunctive is found in i. 8. 12, mille 
 pedes in fronte, trecentos cippus in agrum, hie dabat, heredes 
 monumentum ne sequeretur; Ars Poet. 12, hanc veniam 
 damus, sed non ut placidis coeant immitia, non ut serpentes 
 avibus geminentur, tigribus agni; E. i. 18. 107, sit mihi quod 
 nunc est, etiam minus, ut mihi vivam, quod superest aevi. 
 See Bennett, Trans. Amer. Phil. Assoc. xxxi. pp. 223 ff. 
 
 /. The iterative subjunctive occurs in Ars Poet. 438, Quin- 
 tilio si quid recitares, ' corrige, sodes,' aiebat. 
 
 46. a. The infinitive occurs freely with adjectives where 
 other constructions would be used in classical prose: e.g. 
 dignus notari, i. 3. 24 ; durus componere versus, i. 4. 8 ; 
 pigerferre laborem, i. 4. 12; doctus cantare, i. 10. 19 ', cereus 
 in vitium Jlecti, Ars Poet. 163. 
 
 b. The infinitive is used in exclamations : huncine solem 
 tarn nigrum surrexe mihi ! i. 9. 73 ; te petere ! ii. 2. 30 ; tene 
 ut ego accipiar torquerier ! ii. 8. 67. 
 
 c. The historical infinitive is occasionally used: e.g. 
 pueris convicia nautae ingerere, i. 5. 12 ; ire modo ocius, inter- 
 dum consistere . . . dicere, i. 9. 9. 
 
xxxiv LANGUAGE AND STYLE OF THE SATIRES. 
 
 d. The infinitive is used freely as the subject and object 
 of verbs, and governed by the preposition praeter : e.g. quo 
 tibi, Tilli, sumere clavum, i. 6. 24 ; inquiram, quid sit furere, 
 ii. 3. 41 ; res gerere et captos ostendere civibus hostes attingit 
 solium lovis, E. i. 17. 33 ; dum tantundem haurire relinquas, 
 i. 1. 52; adimam cantare sevens, E. i. 19. 9; nihil sibi legatum 
 praeter plorare, ii. 5. 69. 
 
 47. The future participle is very freely used to denote 
 intention, destiny, and similar ideas. It is usually best 
 translated by a relative clause or by an independent clause : 
 e.g. quattuor him rapimur milia, mansuri oppidulo (intention), 
 i. 5. 86 ; redis mutatae frontis, ut arte emendaturus fortunam, 
 ii. 8. 85 ; his me consolor, victurum suavius ac si (destiny), 
 i. 6. 130 ; i pede fausto, grandia laturus praemia (and you will 
 receive), E. ii. 2. 37 ; arma Caesaris Augusti non responsura 
 lacertis (which were fated not to respond}, E. ii. 2. 48; segetes 
 moxfrumenta daturas (which will presently give), E. ii. 2. 161. 
 
 c. Other Parts of Speech. 
 
 48. a. The usage, hie . . . hie for hie . . . ille, found chiefly 
 in poetry, is frequent : e.g. hunc atque hunc superare laborat, 
 i. 1. 112 ; hoc amet, hoc spernat, Ars Poet. 45 ; haec amat 
 obscurum, volet haec sub luce videri, Ars Poet. 363. Horace, 
 like most of the other poets, seldom uses is, either omitting 
 it entirely or using a demonstrative pronoun as a substitute 
 for it. A very rare poetic use of the pronominal adverb 
 occurs in ii. 2. 75, hac rabiosa fugit canis, hac lutulenta ruit 
 sus. 
 
 Hie has about the force of talis, a man like that, in E. i. 6. 
 40, nefueris hie tu; E. i. 15. 42, nimirum hie ego sum. Simi- 
 larly, ille in i. 1. 63, quid facias illi. 1 
 
 1 See Meader, The Latin Pronouns is : hie : iste : ipse. The Mac- 
 millan Company, 1901. 
 
LANGUAGE AND STYLE OF THE SATIRES. XXXV 
 
 b. The forms of the relative and interrogative from the 
 i-stem are sometimes used in the ablative singular, and in 
 the dative-ablative plural: e.g. qui, i. 1. 1 ; quis, i. 3. 96, 
 etc. Cum always precedes the ablative of the relative pro- 
 noun, instead of being used as an enclitic : e.g. eorum vixi 
 cum quibus, i. 4. 81. 
 
 c. The plural utrique is used in i. 8. 25 of a closely con- 
 nected pair of individuals. Unus is used for quidam in i. 
 
 5. 21. See also 55. /, below. 
 
 49. a. Adjectives are frequently used to denote the effect 
 produced : e.g. tarda podagra, i. 9. 32 ; plumbeus Auster, ii. 
 
 6. 18 ; exsangue cuminum, E. i. 19. 18. 
 
 b. Adjectives are frequently used as substantives: 
 
 1. Without an ellipsis, the meaning of the substantive 
 being determined by the gender of the adjective : e.g. diversa 
 sequentis, i. i. 3; iocularia, i. 1. 23; avidos aegros, i. 4. 126. 
 Contrary to the usage of the best prose, both pronouns and 
 adjectives are used as substantives in oblique cases where 
 the gender, and consequently the meaning, is ambiguous : 
 e.g. his ego quae nunc, olim queue, scripsit Lucilius, eripias si 
 ( = his rebus), i. 4. 56; turpi secernis honestum, i. 6. 63 ; maiore 
 reprensis, i. 10. 55. In the first case there is no question as 
 to the interpretation, but in the last two some editors see 
 masculine substantives, others neuters. 
 
 2. With ellipsis of a substantive. Here the meaning of 
 the new substantive is determined by the omitted word, 
 although there is not always a consciousness of the ellipsis : 
 e.g. venalis (sc. servos), i. 1. 47; Appia (via), i. 5. 6; recta 
 (via), i. 5. 71 ; Atabulus (ventus), i. 5. 78 ; ferae (bestiae), 
 i. 8. 17; secundas (partes), i. 9. 46; impenso (pretio), ii. 3. 
 245 ; limis (oculis), ii. 5. 53 ; agninae (carnis), E. i. 15. 35. 
 
 50. Numerals are frequently used, not in their literal 
 sense, but of indefinite large or small numbers, as in Eng- 
 
xxxvi LANGUAGE AND STYLE OF THE SATIRES. 
 
 lish we say ( hundreds' or ' thousands of,' 'half a dozen/ 
 and the like. For an indefinite large number mille is most 
 frequent : e.g. mille versus, ii. 1. 4; quot capitum vivunt, toti- 
 dem studiorum milia, ii. 1. 27 ; cf. ii. 3. 116. Examples of 
 other numerals used in this way are : saepe ducentos, saepe 
 decem servos, i. 3. 11 ; plostra ducenta, i. 6. 42 ; trecentos 
 inserts, i. 5. 12; and combined with mille: Catienis mille 
 dueentis clamantibus, ii. 3. 61 ; ter centum milibus, ii. 3. 16. 
 Of indefinite small numbers we have : decem vitiis, E. i. 
 18. 25 ; decem servos, i. 3. 12 ; quinque dies, E. i. 7. 1 ; tribus 
 Anticyris, Ars Poet. 300. See Notes. 
 
 51. a. The adverb is frequently used to modify esse : e.g. 
 recte tibi semper erunt res, ii. 2. 106 ; bene erat non piscibus 
 urbe petitis, ii. 2. 120 ; recte est, ii. 3. 162 ; pulchre fuerit tibi, 
 ii. 8. 19. 
 
 b. The following uses are also noteworthy : fautor inepte 
 est, i. 10. 2 ; male laxus, i. 3. 31 (see above, 42) ; turpiter 
 hirtum, E. i. 3. 22 ; turpiter atrum, Ars Poet. 3. 
 
 3. WORD ORDER. 
 
 52. In spite of the trammels of metre, abundant scope is 
 allowed in poetry for effective word order, and of this Horace 
 takes the fullest advantage. Words are emphasized by being 
 put out of their normal position ; for most words the begin- 
 ning or the end of lines and of clauses are emphatic posi- 
 tions. Anaphora, chiasmus, antithesis, and hyperbaton 
 serve the same purpose. Considerations of space make it 
 impossible to go into details. See the Notes, passim. 
 
 4. FIGURES OF KHETORIC AND GRAMMAR. 
 
 53. The following may be mentioned : a. Asyndeton : 
 e.g. contentus vivat, laudet diversa sequentis, i. 1. 3. 
 
 b. Anaphora : non ego me claro natum patre, non ego cir- 
 
LANGUAGE AND STYLE OF THE SATIRES. xxxvii 
 
 cum . . . i. 6. 58 ; aeque pauperibus prodest, locupletibus aeque 
 (combined with chiasmus), E. i. 1. 25. 
 
 c. Anacoluthon : nam ut ferula caedas . . . non vereor, 
 i. 3. 122 (see the Notes). Closely allied are combinations 
 of two constructions : e.g. esse pares res furta latrociniis, 
 i. 3. 122 ; saepe velut qui currebat fugiens hostem, i. 3. 9 ; 
 animae quales neque candidiores terra tulit, i. 5. 41. See the 
 Notes on these passages. Cf. also the loose appositives, 
 garrulus, i. 4. 12 ; sermo merus } i. 4. 48. 
 
 d. Brachylogy : magnis parva mineris falce recisurum 
 simili, i. 3. 122 ; cui non conveniet sua res, ut calceus olim, si 
 pede maior erit, subvertet, si minor, uret, E. i. 10. 42. See 
 Notes. 
 
 e. Chiasmus : stultus honores dot indignis et famae servit 
 ineptus, i. 6. 16; hinc vos, vos hinc, i. 1. 17; numquam 
 inducant animum cantare rogati, iniussi numquam desistunt 
 (combined with anaphora), i. 3. 2. 
 
 /. Hendiadys : operum primos vitaeque labores, ii. 6. 21 ; 
 dolor quod suaserit et mens, E. i. 2. 60 ; veniam somnumque, 
 E. i. 5. 10. 
 
 g. Hyperbaton : di bene fecerunt inopis me quodque pusilli 
 finxerunt animi, i. 4. 17; quattuor hinc rapimur viginti et 
 milia raedis, i. 5. 86 ; incertus scamnum faceretne Priapum, 
 i. 8. 2; Aiax immeritos cum occidit desipit agnos, ii. 3. 211. 
 
 h. Hypallage : non me Satureiano vectari rura caballo, 
 i. 6. 59. 
 
 i. Litotes : non inultus, i. 8. 44 ; nee non verniliter ipsis 
 fungitur officiis, ii. 6. 108 ; haud ignobilis, E. ii. 2. 128. 
 
 k. Metonymy : Volcano, i. 5. 73 ; Venerem, E. ii. 2. 56. 
 
 1. Oxymoron : strenua inertia, E. i. 11. 28 ; concordia dis- 
 cors, E. i. 12. 19 ; Stertinium deliret acumen, E. i. 12. 20 ; 
 symphonia discors, Ars Poet. 374. 
 
 ra. Pleonasm : verbumnon amplius addam, i. 1. 121 ; nimio 
 plum, E. ii. 1. 198. 
 
XXXviii COLLOQUIAL LANGUAGE IN THE SATIRES. 
 
 n. Prolepsis : quid premat obscurum lunae orbem, E. i. 12. 
 18. 
 
 o. Tmesis : argento post omnia ponas, i. 1. 86 ; quando- 
 cumque, i. 9. 33; unde-octoginta, ii. 3. 117; quo-circa, ii. 6. 
 95. 
 
 p. Zeugma: dum terras hominumque colunt genus, E. ii. 
 1. 7. 
 
 q. Metaphors and similes are very numerous. It is char- 
 acteristic of Horace's style that in the latter he identifies the 
 person or thing with that with which it is compared. See 
 note on Tantalus, i. 1. 68. 
 
 r. Of other rhetorical devices may be mentioned : quid 
 rides, i. 1. 69; horum pauperrimus esse bonorum, i. 1. 79; 
 immo alia et fortasse minora, i. 3. 20 : donent tonsore, ii. 3. 17 ; 
 nocturno certare mero, putere diurno, E. i. 19. 11. 
 
 VIII. 
 THE COLLOQUIAL LANGUAGE IN THE SATIRES. 
 
 54. Beside the literary language in the classical period, 
 we find also the sermo familiaris or sermo cotidianus, the 
 language used by educated Romans in the ordinary conver- 
 sation of every -day life, and the sermo plebeius or sermo rus- 
 ticus, the language of the common people. 1 Of the former 
 we have representatives in the classical literature in the 
 Letters of Cicero, and in the Sermones, and, to a less marked 
 degree, in the Epistles of Horace. In early Latin, the plays 
 of Terence belong to the same class, while in those of Plau- 
 tus we have a combination of the sermo cotidianus and 
 the sermo plebeius. It is not always easy to distinguish 
 between the sermo cotidianus and the sermo plebeius, or to 
 distinguish what is colloquial from what is merely archaic ; 
 
 1 See Cooper's Word Formation in the Roman Sermo Plebeius, Introd. 
 
COLLOQUIAL LANGUAGE IN THE SATIRES, xxxix 
 
 but the following features may safely be said to be charac- 
 teristic of the language of every-day life : 
 
 55. a. Vocabulary. We find in the Satires a goodly num- 
 ber of words which were current in every-day conversation, 
 but not in the literary language. In many cases these words 
 eventually displaced the literary words and took their place 
 in the Romance languages : e.g. caballus, French cheval, Ital- 
 ian cavallo. Such words as French equitation, and the like, 
 are so-called ' learned words/ i.e. they did not come into the 
 language by direct descent, but were formed from classical 
 Latin words in the same way that our ' telephone/ ' phono- 
 graph/ etc., are formed from Greek. As examples of col- 
 loquial words may be cited: bucca, i. 1. 21 ; caballus, i. 6. 59 ; 
 i. 6. 103 ; E. i. 7. 88 ; E. i. 18. 36 ; elutius, ii. 4. 16 ; ocreatus, ii. 
 3. 234 ; autumare, ii. 3. 45 ; scabere, i. 10. 71 ; largiter, i. 4. 132. 
 
 Many words which are not in themselves colloquial are 
 used in colloquial senses : e.g. latraverit, ii. 1. 85 ; extuderit, 
 ii. 2. 14; eripiam, ii. 2. 23; radere, ii. 4. 83. 
 
 b. Certain forms are also colloquial : e.g. the archaisms 
 faxis, ausim, sodes, etc. (see above, 35. a.) ; the full forms, 
 exclusus fuero, i. 9. 58; iniecta fuerit, i. 4. 95; the iteratives 
 and intensives, captat, i. 1. 68; imperitarent, i. 6. 4; grassare, 
 ii. 5. 93 ; the syncopated forms, caldior, i. 3. 53 ; valdius, E. 
 i. 9. 6 ; the contracted verb forms (see 35. e, above) ; and 
 perhaps also in some cases the use of the simple verb for 
 the coinpound (see 35. b, above). 
 
 c. Many colloquial phrases occur: e.g. si me amas, i. 9. 
 38 ; unde et quo Catius, ii. 4. 1 ; quid agis, dulcissime rerum, 
 i. 9. 4 ; numquid vis, i. 9. 6 ; cf. the use of the adverb with 
 esse, 51. a, above. 
 
 d. Ellipsis. While the grammatical construction requires 
 us to supply something, as a rule no ellipsis is consciously 
 present to the speaker's mind: e.g. unde mihi lapidem? ii. 7. 
 
xl COLLOQUIAL LANGUAGE IN THE SATIRES. 
 
 116; unde et quo Catius, ii. 4. 1. Especially characteristic 
 is the ellipsis of a subjunctive copula : e.g. i. 8. 32. 
 
 See also 49. b, above. 
 
 e. The free use of diminutives. In many cases these have 
 supplanted, in the Romance languages, the word from which 
 they were derived : e.g. auricula, French oreille. Horace uses 
 many diminutives; in some cases they have actual diminu- 
 tive force, as parvola, i. 1. 33 ; villula, i. 5. 45 ; plostello, ii. 3. 
 247. In some cases they denote possession or the like, as 
 lectulus, i. 4. 133 ; pelliculam, ii. 5. 38 ; often affection, as 
 catelle, ii. 3. 259 ; matercula, E. i. 7. 7 ; nutricula, E. i. 4. 8 ; 
 frequently contempt or depreciation, as popello, E. i. 7. 65 ; 
 litterulis graecis, E. ii. 2. 7 ; asellus, i. 1. 90. In other cases 
 they appear to have no force which is ordinarily associated 
 with diminutives, although the choice of the word produces 
 a certain comic effect : e.g. auriculas, i. 9. 20 ; auriculis, E. i. 
 81.6; gemelli, E. i. 10. 3. 
 
 /. The frequent expression of the first and second personal 
 pronouns : e.g. cum tu argento post omniaponas, i. 1. 86 ; post 
 lianc vagor, aut ego lecto . . . unguor, i. 6. 122 (the position 
 of ego, etc., with the second verb is a favorite use of Hor- 
 ace's) : and such redundant expressions as utrumne, ii. 3. 
 251 ; ii. 6. 73 ; and the like. See also 53. m, above. Para- 
 phrases for the first personal pronoun : hunc hominem, i. 9. 
 47 ; noster, ii. 6. 48. The use of the so-called ethical dative : 
 quid milii Celsus agit, E. i. 3. 15. 
 
 g. The frequent use of the paratactic construction: e.g. 
 milia frumenti tua triverit area centum, non tuns hoc capiet 
 venter phis ac meus, i. 1. 45 ; deciens centena dedisses : quin- 
 que diebus nil erat in loculis, i. 3. 15; scribe decem a Nerio; 
 non est satis; adde Cicuti nodosi tabulas decem; effugiet 
 tamen, ii. 3. 69; non es avarus; abi, E. ii. 2. 205. 
 
 h. Pleonasm, anacoluthon, and alliteration. See 53. 
 c, m, above, and 58 below. 
 
METRES. xli 
 
 i. Proverbs and proverbial expressions : stans pede in uno, 
 i. 4. 10 ; in silvam ligna /eras, i. 10. 34 ; hac urget lupus, hac 
 cam's, ii. 2. 64 ; ignem gladio scrutare, ii. 3. 276 ; etc. And the 
 frequent allusions to fables. 
 
 k. Plays upon words : saccis . . . sacris, i. 1. 70-71 ; 
 libettos, i. 4. 66 and 71 ; mordacem Cynicum, E. i. 17. 18 ; 
 ventoso curru, E. ii. 1. 177. 
 
 IX. 
 
 METRES. 
 INTRODUCTORY. 
 
 GENERAL CHARACTER OF LATIN POETRY. 
 
 English poetry, as-a rule, is based on stress, i.e. on a 
 regular succession of accented and unaccented syllables. 
 The versification of 
 
 This is the forest primeval, the murmuring pines and the hemlocks, 
 depends entirely upon this alternation of accented and un- 
 accented syllables, and the same thing is true of all ordi- 
 nary English verse. This basis of English poetry, moreover, 
 is a result of the very nature of the English language. 
 Like all languages of the Teutonic group, our English 
 speech is characterized by a strong word-accent. 
 
 Latin verse, on the other hand, was based on quantity; 
 a line of Latin poetry consisted of a regular succession of 
 long and short syllables, i.e. of syllables which it took a 
 long or short time to pronounce. This basis of Latin 
 poetry, as in the case of English poetry, is strictly in con- 
 formity with the character of the spoken language; for 
 classical Latin was not a language in which there was a 
 strong word-accent. The word-accent, in fact, must have 
 been extremely weak. Different languages differ very 
 greatly in this respect, and we ought to bear this fact in 
 
xlii METRES. 
 
 mind in thinking of Latin. In Latin, word-accent was so 
 weak that it could not be made the basis of versification as 
 it is in English, while, on the other hand, quantity was a 
 strongly marked feature of the spoken language. Thus we 
 see how it came about that quantity was made the basis of 
 Latin verse, and why accent was not. 
 
 We are, then, to conceive of a line of Latin poetry as 
 consisting simply of a regular arrangement of long and 
 short syllables nothing else. To read Latin poetry, 
 therefore, it is necessary simply to pronounce the words 
 with the proper quantity. This takes some patience and 
 practice, but it is easily within the power of every pupil of 
 Latin who can read Latin prose with quantitative accuracy. 
 It is in Latin as in English : any one who can read prose 
 with accuracy and fluency has no difficulty in reading 
 poetry. The poet arranges the words in such wise that 
 they make poetry of themselves, if they are only properly 
 pronounced. No other kind of poetry was ever known in 
 any language. No other is easily conceivable. 
 
 Of course it necessarily takes time for the student's ear 
 to become sensitive to quantitative differences and to ac- 
 quire a feeling for the quantitative swing of Latin verse. 
 Yet, with patience and abundant practice in careful pro- 
 nunciation, the quantitative sense is bound to develop. 
 
 ICTUS. 
 
 Two views of ictus are held. According to one view, 
 ictus is a stress accent. This makes Latin verse accentual, 
 precisely like English poetry. According to the other view, 
 ictus is merely the quantitative prominence inherent in 
 the long syllable of every fundamental foot, the iambus, 
 trochee, dactyl, and anapaest. 1 
 
 1 The full discussion of this view of ictus may be found in the 
 American Journal of Philology, vol. xix. No. 76. 
 
METRES. xliii 
 
 WORD-ACCENT. 
 
 In reading Latin poetry, the ordinary accent of the words 
 should not be neglected. But, as we have already seen 
 above (p. xxv), the word-accent in Latin was exceedingly 
 slight. We almost invariably accent Latin words altogether 
 too strongly. As a result we destroy the quantity of the 
 remaining syllables of a word. Thus, in a word like evl- 
 tabatur, we are inclined to stress the penultimate syllable 
 with such energy as to reduce the quantity of the vowel in 
 each of the three preceding syllables. In this way the 
 pupil says e-vl-ta-ba-tur. Such a pronunciation is a fatal 
 defect in reading. What we ought to do is to make the 
 quantity prominent and the accent very slight. Where 
 this is done, the accent will be felt to be subordinate to the 
 quantity, as it ought to be, and as it must be if one is ever 
 to acquire a feeling for the quantitative character of Latin 
 poetry. If the quantity is not made more prominent than 
 the accent, the accent is bound to be more prominent than 
 the quantity, which will be fatal to the acquisition of a 
 quantitative sense for the verse. 
 
 SPECIAL CAUTIONS TO BE OBSERVED IN ORDER TO SECURE 
 CORRECT SYLLABIC QUANTITY IN READING. 
 
 Inasmuch as Latin poetry was based on the quantity of 
 syllables, it is obvious that the greatest care must be taken 
 in the pronunciation of the words with a view to securing 
 an absolutely correct syllabic quantity. Otherwise the 
 metrical (i.e. quantitative) character of the verse is violated, 
 and the effect intended by the poet is lost. To ignore the 
 proper quantity of the syllables is as disastrous in a line of 
 Latin poetry as it would be in English poetry to misplace 
 the word-accent. If one were to read the opening line of 
 Longfellow's Evangeline, for example, as follows : 
 This is the forest prfnaeval 
 
xliv METRES. 
 
 the result would be no more fatal than to read a line of 
 Latin poetry with neglect of the quantity. 
 
 In reading Latin verse, there are two classes of errors to 
 which the student is particularly liable, either one of which 
 results in giving a wrong syllabic quantity. 
 
 Class First. 
 In ' Open ' 1 Syllables 
 
 Here the quantity of the syllable is always the same as 
 the quantity of the vowel. Thus, in ma-ter, the first syllable 
 is long ; in pa-ter, the first syllable is short. 
 
 This being so, it is imperative that the pupil should in 
 'open' syllables scrupulously observe the quantity of the 
 vowel. If he pronounces a short vowel long, or a long 
 vowel short, he thereby gives a false quantity to the syl- 
 lable, and thus wrecks the line completely. The pupil, 
 therefore, must know the quantity of every vowel, and 
 must pronounce in the light of his knowledge. He must 
 not say gero, tero, sero (for gerd, tero, sero) ; nor must he 
 say pater, ager, nisi, quod, quibus, ingenium, es (' thou art '), 
 etc. One such error in a verse is fatal to its metrical struc- 
 ture, and the pupil who habitually commits such errors in 
 reading is simply wasting valuable time. 
 
 Class Second. 
 In ' Closed ' 2 Syllables. 
 
 It is a fundamental fact that a ' closed ' syllable is long. 
 But in order to be long it must be actually closed in pro- 
 
 1 An ' open ' syllable is one whose vowel is followed by a single con- 
 sonant (or by a mute with I or r). This single consonant (or the mute 
 with I or r) is joined with the vowel of the following syllable, thus 
 leaving the previous syllable * open.' 
 
 2 A ' closed ' syllable is one whose vowel is followed by two or more 
 consonants (except a mute with I or r). The first of the two (or more) 
 
METRES. xlv 
 
 nunciation. Right here is where the pupil is apt to err. 
 He fails to make the syllable ' closed/ i.e. he does not join 
 the first of the two or more consonants to the preceding 
 vowel, but joins all of the consonants with the following 
 vowel. He thus leaves the preceding syllable 'open.' 
 Hence, if the vowel itself is short, the syllable by this in- 
 correct pronunciation is made short, where it ought to be 
 made long. Thus the student is apt to say tem-pe-sta-ti-bus 
 where he ought to say tem-pes-ta-ti-bus, i.e. he joins both the 
 s and the t with the following vowel, where he ought to 
 join the s with the preceding vowel (thus making a ' closed ' 
 syllable), and only the t with the following vowel. 1 
 
 Errors of the kind referred to are so liable to occur that 
 it seems best to classify them by groups : 
 
 a. The commonest group consists of those words which 
 contain a short vowel followed by doubled consonants (pp, 
 cc, tt, etc.), words of the type of ap-parabat, ac-cipiebam, 
 at-tigerant, ges-serunt, ter-ra-rum, an-norum, ad-diderat, Jlam- 
 marum, excel-lentia, ag-gerimus, etc. In Latin, both of the 
 doubled consonants were pronounced, one being combined 
 with the previous vowel (thus closing the syllable and 
 making it long), one with the following vowel. But in 
 English we practically never have doubled consonants. 
 We write them and print them, but we do not pronounce 
 them. Thus, we write and print Jcit-ty, fer-ry, etc., but we 
 do not pronftoficeTworT's^ or two Vs in these words any 
 more than in ~piky, which we write with one t, or in very, 
 
 consonants is regularly joined in pronunciation with the preceding 
 vowel, thus closing the preceding syllable. This is the real significance 
 of the common rule that a syllable is long when a short vowel is fol- 
 lowed by two consonants. It is because one of the consonants is joined 
 to the preceding vowel, thus closing the syllable. 
 
 1 This doctrine, to be sure, contradicts the rules given in grammars for 
 division of words into syllables ; but those rules apply only to writing, 
 not actual utterance. See Bennett, Appendix to Latin Grammar, 35. 
 
xlvi METRES. 
 
 which we write with one r. Now, in pronouncing Latin 
 the pupil is very apt to pronounce the doubled consonants 
 of that language as single consonants, just as he does in 
 English. Thus he naturally pronounces the words above 
 given, not ap-pa-ra-bat, etc., but d-pa-rabat, a-cipiebam, d-tige- 
 rant, ge-serunt, te-rdrum, a-norum, d-diderat, fld-mdrum, exce- 
 lentia, d-gerimus. In other words, the pupil pronounces only 
 one consonant, where he ought to pronounce two, and that 
 one consonant he joins with the following vowel. He thus 
 leaves the preceding syllable ' open,' i.e. he makes it short 
 when it ought to be long. 
 
 The effects of this pronunciation are disastrous in read- 
 ing Latin poetry, for these doubled consonants occur on an 
 average in every other line of Latin poetry. 
 
 b. The second group consists of words in which a short 
 vowel is followed by sp, sc, st-, also by scl, scr, str. In 
 English, when the vowel following these combinations is 
 accented, we usually combine the consonants with the fol- 
 lowing vowel. Thus we say a-scribe, OrStounding, etc. Now, 
 the Latin pupil is almost certain to do the same thing in 
 pronouncing Latin, unless he is on his guard, i.e. he is likely 
 to say a-spersus, i-storum, tempe-stwus, coru-scdbat, mi-scuerat, 
 magi-strorum, ctrscripsit, etc. What he ought to do is to join 
 the s with the preceding vowel (thus making the syllable 
 closed, and long), pronouncing as-persus, is-torum, tempes- 
 tivus, corus-cdbat, mis-cuerat, magis-trorum, as-cripsit, etc. By 
 joining all the consonants to the following vowel he leaves 
 the preceding syllable open. Hence, when the preceding 
 vowel is short, the syllable also becomes short. This 
 destroys the metre of the line. 
 
 c. The third group consists of words containing a short 
 vowel followed by r and some consonant. In our common 
 English utterance we are very apt to neglect the r. This 
 tendency is all but universal in New England, and is widely 
 
METRES. xlvii 
 
 prevalent in the Middle states. As a result, the pupil is 
 apt to pronounce Latin with the same neglect of the r that he 
 habitually practises in the vernacular. This omission occurs 
 particularly where the preceding vowel is unaccented, e.g. in 
 portarum, terminorum, etc. The pupil is likely to say 
 po(r)-tarum, te(r)-minorum, i.e. he makes the preceding syl- 
 lable 'open' and short, where it ought to be ' closed' and 
 long. In order to close the syllable, a distinct articulation 
 of the r is necessary. When this is overlooked, the quantity 
 of the syllable is lost and the metrical character of the line 
 is destroyed. 
 
 d. The fourth group of words consists of those ending 
 in s, preceded by a short vowel and followed by words be- 
 ginning with c, p, t, v, m, n, /. In English we are very apt 
 to join the final s to the initial consonant of the following 
 word. Thus we habitually say grievou stale for grievous tale; 
 Lewi sTaylor for Lewis Taylor, etc. There is great danger 
 of doing the same thing in Latin. Experience teaches that 
 pupils often say urbi sportas for urbis portas; capi scanem 
 for capis canem; even urbl svici for urbis vici, etc. Care 
 must be taken to join the final s clearly with the preceding 
 vowel. Otherwise the preceding syllable will be left ' open ' 
 and short where it ought to be ' closed ' and long. 
 
 The foregoing cautions are not mere theoretical inventions. 
 They are vital, and are based on experience of the errors 
 which we as English-speaking people naturally commit when 
 we pronounce Latin. It is only by a conscientious observ- 
 ance of the principles above laid down that any one can 
 read Latin poetry quantitatively ; and unless we do so read 
 it, we necessarily fail to reproduce its true character. 
 
 COMMON SYLLABLES. 
 
 As is well known, when a short vowel is followed by a 
 mute with I or r (pi, d, tl; pr, cr, tr; etc.), the syllable is 
 
xlviii METRES. 
 
 common, i.e. it may be either long or short in verse at the 
 option of the poet. The explanation of this peculiarity is 
 as follows : 
 
 In a word like patrem, for example, it was recognized 
 as legitimate to pronounce in two ways : either to combine 
 the tr with the following vowel (pa-trem), thus leaving the 
 preceding syllable 'open' and short, or to join the t with 
 the preceding vowel (pat-rem), thus closing the preceding 
 syllable and making it long. Hence, in the case of common 
 syllables, the quantity in each individual instance depends 
 upon the mode of pronunciation, i.e. the mode in which we 
 divide the syllable. In reading Latin poetry, therefore, it 
 will be necessary for the pupil to observe how the poet 
 treats each common syllable, and to pronounce accordingly. 
 
 ELISION. 
 
 The rule for Elision, as stated in our Latin grammars, is 
 in substance as follows : " A final vowel, a final diphthong, 
 or m with a preceding vowel, 1 is regularly elided before a 
 word beginning with a vowel or h." 
 
 The exact nature of Elision, as observed by the ancients 
 in reading Latin verse, is still very uncertain. The Romans 
 may have slurred the words together in some way, or they 
 may have omitted the elided part entirely. 
 
 RULES FOR READING. 
 
 1. Observe the quantity of each syllable scrupulously, 
 taking care to observe the division of the syllables as indi- 
 cated by the hyphens, joining the consonant before the hyphen 
 with the preceding vowel, and so closing the syllable. 
 
 2. Make the word-accent light; subordinate it carefully 
 to quantity. 
 
 1 The elision of final m with a preceding vowel is sometimes called 
 Ecthlipsis. 
 
METRES. xlix 
 
 3. Endeavor to cultivate the quantitative sense, i.e. to feel 
 the verse as consisting of a succession of long and short 
 intervals. 
 
 4. Do not attempt to give special expression to the ictus 
 in any way. The ictus will care for itself if the syllables 
 are properly pronounced. 
 
 THE METRE OF THE SATIRES. 
 
 56. The metre of the Sermones and Epistulae is the dac- 
 tylic hexameter, consisting of six dactyls (_ ww), of which 
 the last is catalectic, i.e. _w(w). In any foot, including 
 the last, a spondee ( __ ) may be substituted for the dactyl. 
 The last syllable is therefore long or short at the option of 
 the poet. The fifth foot is always a dactyl, except for a 
 single spondaic line in Ars Poet. 467, invitum qui servat, 
 idem facit occidenti. We thus have the following scheme : 
 
 The most common caesura, as in classical Eoman poetry 
 generally, is the so-called penthemimeral in the middle of 
 the third foot : e.g. i. 1. 1, 
 
 qui fit, Maecenas, || ut nemo quam sibi sortem 
 
 Next in frequency is the so-called hepthemimeral, in the 
 fourth foot, which is usually accompanied by another 
 caesura in the second foot: e.g. i. 1. 30, 
 
 audaces \\ mare qui currunt \\ hac mente laborem 
 
 Sometimes the caesura in the second foot is omitted: e.g. 
 ii. 3.142, 
 
 pauper Opimius argenti || positi intus et auri 
 
 The so-called feminine caesura, after a short syllable, is not 
 uncommon : e.g. i. 3. 51, 
 
 postulat ut videatur. \\ At est truculentior atque 
 
1 METRES. 
 
 The bucolic caesura, after the fourth foot, is comparatively 
 frequent: e.g. i. 8. 25, 
 
 cum Sagana maiore ulutantem. II Pallor utrasque 
 
 A verse without a caesura, written purposely to illustrate 
 faulty metre, occurs in Ars Poet. 263, 
 
 non quivis videt immodulata poemata index. 
 
 In the Sermones, as in Comedy, and less so in the Epis- 
 tulae, so-called elision, probably a blending of two vowels, is 
 frequent. It is found in the first syllable of lines, e.g. i. 1. 
 52, dum ex parvo nobis tantundem haurire relinquas; before 
 the caesura, e.g. i. 4. 58, tempora certa modosque, II et quod 
 prius ordine verbum est; and with long vowels: e.g. i. 1. 59, 
 at qui tantuli eget quanto est opus, is neque limo ; i. 9. 30, 
 quod puero cecinit divina mota anus urna. 
 
 Hypermetric verses, the final vowels of which are elided 
 before a vowel at the beginning of the next line, occur in 
 
 1. 4. 96 and i. 6. 102. Four lines (i. 2. 62; ii. 3. 117; E. ii. 
 
 2. 93 ; Ars Poet. 424) are united to the following lines by a 
 compound word, which is divided between the two lines by 
 tmesis. 
 
 57. Metrical licenses are numerous. 
 
 a. Hiatus occurs with the interjection in ii. 3. 265; 
 E. i. 19. 19; Ars Poet. 301 ; and with num in ii. 2. 28. Semi- 
 hiatus (with shortening of the first vowel) occurs in i. 9. 28, 
 si me amas, and Ars Poet. 65, diu aptaque. 
 
 b. We have synezesis of two vowels in i. 5. 37, in Mamur- 
 rarum lassi deinde urbe manemus; i. 6. 39, deicere; i. 8. 43, 
 cerea; ii. 3. 91, quoad; ii. 6. 67, prout; ii. 1. 222, reprehen- 
 dere. 
 
 c. Semivowels are treated as vowels and vowels as semi- 
 vowels: e.g. i. 7. 30, vindemiator et invictus, cui saepe viator; 
 
METRES. H 
 
 ii. 2. 76 and E. i. 1. 108, pituita; ii. 8. 1, Nasidieni; i. 8. 17, 
 suetae. 
 
 d. The original long quantity of vowels which had in the 
 classical period become short is retained in i. 5. 90, callidus 
 ut soleat umeris portare viator; i. 9. 21, subilt; E. i. 6. 40, 
 fuerls. After the analogy of such cases, originally short 
 vowels are lengthened in i. 4. 82, defendlt; ii. 2. 74, miscuerls; 
 ii. 3. 260, acjlt; ii. 3. 1, scribis. 
 
 e. The original short quantity of a vowel which had be- 
 come long is retained in i. 10. 45, annuerunt; E. i. 4. 7, 
 dederunt. 
 
 58. Alliteration is frequent, and onomatopoeia may often 
 be observed : e.g. i. 3. 136, magnorum maxime regum; i. 6. 57, 
 pudor prohibebat plura profari (alliteration and onomato- 
 poeia) ; i. 9. 24, membra movere mollius; ii. 8. 78, stridere 
 secreta divisos aure susurros (alliteration and onomatopoeia) ; 
 E. i. 2. 43, labitur et labetur in omne volubilis aevum (of a 
 flowing stream ; note the abundance of dactyls, the allitera- 
 tion, and the onomatopoeia) ; Ars Poet. 260, in scaenam mis- 
 sos cum magno pondere versus (parodying the heavy spondaic 
 verses of Ennius). We have rhyme in E. i. 12. 25, ne tamen 
 ignores, quo sit Romana loco res; Ars Poet. 176-177, seniles 
 . . . viriles. 
 
 In some cases the choice of words is determined by the 
 requirements of the metre : e.g. i. 5. 37, in Mamurrarum 
 urbe (instead of Formiae); ii. 1. 17, Scipiadam (instead of 
 Scipwnem) ; cf. i. 5. 87, mansuri oppidulo quod versu dicere 
 non est. 
 
Q. HORATI FLACCI 
 
 SERMONUM 
 
 LIBER PRIMUS. 
 
 I. 
 
 ON AVARICE. 
 A DEDICATION OF THE FIRST BOOK OF THE SERMONES TO MAECENAS. 
 
 1. Outline : Nearly all men are discontented and unhappy : the 
 cause is avarice : 
 
 1. All men are dissatisfied with their own callings, and envy the 
 
 lot of others, 1-3 ; 
 
 They say that their life is full of hardship, 4-14 ; 
 Yet they would not change places with any one else, if they had 
 the opportunity, 14-22. 
 
 2. The real cause of their discontent is their desire for wealth : 
 a) They say that they are toiling to secure a provision for old 
 
 age; 
 But if this were so, they would cease when they had enough 
 
 to live on, 23-40 ; 
 6) They assert that if they retire and use their store, it will 
 
 soon melt away ; 
 But if they do not use it, it has no real value, 41-51 ; 
 
 c) There is more satisfaction, they declare, in drawing on a 
 
 great hoard ; 
 
 But if a man has enough, greater possessions are only a 
 burden and a source of danger, 51-60 ; 
 
 d) They allege that men are esteemed in proportion to their 
 
 wealth ; 
 
 Such a perverted view can be treated only with contempt, 
 61-67. 
 
 1 
 
SERMONUM [I. 
 
 3. The avaricious man is always wretched : 
 
 a) He does not know how to enjoy his wealth, 68-75 ; 
 &) He is in constant fear and apprehension, 76-79 ; 
 
 c) He cannot buy affection, 80-91 ; 
 
 d) And sooner or later some dreadful fate overtakes him, 92-100. 
 
 4. Yet a man should not go to the other extreme. He should aim 
 
 at a mean between stinginess and prodigality, 101-107 : 
 a) He will thus be free from discontent and envy, 108-116 ; 
 6) He will live happily and die contented, 117-119. 
 
 5. Horace ends abruptly, to avoid the charge of garrulousness, 120- 
 
 121. 
 
 2. Time: 35 t.c. 
 
 Qu i fit, Maecenas, ut nemo, quam sibi sortem 
 
 ratio dederit seu fors obiecerit, ilia 
 Contentus vivat, laudet diversa sequentis ? 
 
 <0 fortunati mercatores ! ' gravis annis 
 
 Miles ait, multo iam fractus membra labore. 5 
 
 Contra mercator, navem iactantibus Austris : 
 
 ' Militia est potior. Quid enim ? Concurritur ; horae 
 
 Momento cita mors veriit aut victoria laeta.' 
 
 Agricolam laud at iuris legumque peritus, 
 
 Sub galli cantum consult^^ibi ostia pulsat. 10 
 
 Ille datis vadibus qui rure extractus in urbem est, 
 
 Solos felices viventis clamat in urbe. 
 
 Cetera de genere hoc adeo sunt multa loquacem 
 
 Delassare valent Fabium. Ne te morer, audi 
 
 Quo rem deducam. Si quis deus * En ego ' dicat 15 
 
 ' Iam f aciam quod voltis ; eris tu, qui modo miles, 
 
 Mercator; tu consul tus modo, rusticus: hinc vos, 
 
 Vos hinc mutatis discedite partibus. Heia ! 
 
 Quid statis ? ' nolint. Atqui licet esse beatis. 
 
 Quid causae est, merito quin illis luppiter ambas 20 
 
 Iratus buccas inflet neque se fore posthac 
 
 Tarn facilem dicat, votis ut praebeat aurem ? 
 
 Praeterea ne sic, ut qui iocularia, ridens 
 Percurram quamquain ridentem dicere verum 
 
L] LIBER I. 3 
 
 Quid vetat ? ut pueris olim dant crustula blandi 25 
 
 Doctores, elementa velint ut discere prima ; 
 Sed tarn en amoto quaeramus seria ludo 
 Ille gravem duro terrain qui vertit aratro, 
 Perfidus hie caupo, miles, nautaeque per omne 
 Audaces mare qui cur runt, hac mente laborem 30 
 
 Sese ferre, senes ut in otia tuta recedant, 
 Aiunt, cum sibi sint congesta cibaria ; sicut 
 1*arvola nam exemplo est magni formica laboris 
 Ore trahit quodcumque potest atque addit acervo, 
 t Quem struit, haud ignara ac non incauta futuri. 35 
 
 ^Quae, simul inversum contristat Aquarius annum, 
 Non usquam prorepit et illis utitur ante 
 Quaesitis sapiens, cum te neque fervidus aestus 
 Demoveat lucro, neque hieins, ignis, mare, ferrum, 
 Nil obstet tibi, dum ne sit te ditior alter. 40 
 
 Quid iuvat iminensuin te argenti pondus et auri 
 Furtim defpssa timidum deponere terra ? 
 ' Quod si comminuas, vilem redigatur ad assem.' 
 At ni id fit, quid habet pulchri constmctus acervus ? 
 - Milia frumenti tua triverit area centum ; 45 
 
 Non tuus hoc capiet venter plus ac meus ; ut si 
 Reticuluin panis venalis inter onusto 
 Forte vehas umero, nihilo plus accipias quam 
 Qui nil portarit. Vel die, quid referat intra 
 Naturae finis viventi iugera centum an 50 
 
 Mille aret ? 
 
 < At suave est ex rnagno tollere acervo. 7 
 Dum ex parvo nobis tantundem haurire relinquas, 
 Cur tua plus laudes cuineris granaria nostris ? 
 Ut tibi si sit opus liquidi non amplius urna 
 Vel cyatho, et dicas ' magno de flumine mallem, 55 
 
 Quam ex hoc fonticulo tantundem sumere.' Eo fit, 
 Plenior ut si quos delectet copia iusto, 
 
4 SERMONUM [I. 
 
 \jCum ripa simul avolsos ferat Aufidus acer. 
 At qui tantuli eget, quanto est opus, is neque limo 
 Turbatam haurit aquam neque vitam amittit in undis. 60 
 
 At bona pars hominum decepta cupidine falso 
 'Ml satis est' inquit <quia tanti quantum habeas sis.' 
 YQuid facias illi? lubeas miserum esse, libenter 
 Quatenus id facit ; ut quidam memoratur Athenis 
 Sordidus ac dives, populi contemnere voces 65 
 
 Sic solitus : ' Populus me sibilat, at mihi plaudo 
 
 Ipse domi, simul ac nummos contemplor in area.' 6 ^ 
 
 Tantalus a labris sitiens fugientia captat 
 Flumina Quid rides? Mutato nomine de te 
 Fabula narratur ; congestis undique saccis 70 
 
 Indormis inhians et tamquam parcere sacris 
 Cogeris aut pictis tamquam gaudere tabellis. 
 Nescis quo valeat nummus ? quern praebeat usum ? 
 Panis ematur, hQlus, vini sextarius, adde 
 Quis humana sibi doleat natura negatis* 75 
 
 An vigilare metu exanimem, noctesque diesque 
 Formidare malos fures, incendia, servos, 
 Ne te compilent fugierites, hoc iuvat ? Horum 
 Semper ego optarim pauperrimus esse bonorum.'^" 
 
 At si condoluit temptatum frigore corpus 80 
 
 Aut alius casus lecto te adfixit, habes qui 
 Adsideat, fomenta paret, medicum roget, ut te 
 Suscitet ac reddat gnatis carisque propinquis ? 
 Non uxor salvum te volt, non films ; omnes 
 Vicini oderunt, noti, pueri atque puellae. 85 
 
 Miraris, cum tu argerito post omnia ponas, 
 Si nemo praestet, quern non merearis, amorem ? 
 An si cognatos, nullo natura labore 
 Quos tibi dat, retinera velis servareque amicos, 
 Infelix operam ^r^sfuFsi quis asellum 90 
 
 In Campo doceat parentem currere frenis ? 
 
L] LIBER I. 5 
 
 Denique sit finis quaerendi, cumque habeas plus, 
 Pauperism metuas minus et finire laborem 
 Incipias, parto quod avebas, ne facias quod 
 Umniidius quidam. Non longa est fabula : dives, 95 
 
 Ut metiretur nummos, ita sordidus, ut se 
 Non umquam servo melius vestiret, ad usque 
 Supremum tempus, ne se penuria victus 
 Opprimeret, metuebat. At hunc liberta securi 
 ^i visit medium, fortissima Tyndaridarum. 100 
 
 ' Quid mi igitur suades ? Ut vivam Naevius, aut sic 
 Ut Nomentanus ? ' Pergis pugnantia secum 
 Frontibus adversis componere ; non ego, avaruin 
 Cum veto te fieri, vappain iubeo ac nebulonem. 
 Est inter Tanain quiddam s&cerumque Viselli. 105 
 
 Est modus in rebus, sunt certi denique fines, \ 
 Quos ultra citraque nequit consistere rectum. 
 
 Illuc, unde abii, redeo, qui nemo, ut^varus, 
 Se probet ac potius laudet diversa sequentis, \ 
 Quodque aliena capella gerat distentius uber, 110 
 
 Tabescat, neque se maiori pauperiorum 
 Turbae comparet, hunc atque hunc superare laboret. 
 Sic festinanti semper locupletior obstat, 
 Ut, cum carceribus missos rapit ungula currus, 
 Instat equis auriga suos vincentibus, ilium 115 
 
 Praeteritum temnens extremes inter euntem. 
 
 Iride fit, ut raro, qui se vixisse beatum 
 Dicat et exacto contentus tempore vita 
 Cedat uti conviva satur, reperire queamus. 
 
 lam satis est ; ne me Crispini scrinia lippi 120 
 
 Compilasse putes, verbum non amplius addam. 
 
6 SERMON UM [II. 
 
 II. 
 
 The coarseness of this satire leads to omission of an outline. 
 Ambubaiarum collegia, pharmacopolae, 
 Mendici, mimae, balatrones, hoc genus omne 
 Maestum ac sollicitum est cantoris morte Tigelli. 
 Quippe benignus erat. Contra hie, ne prodigus esse 
 Dicatur metuens, inopi dare nolit amico, 5 
 
 Frigus quo duramque famem propellere possit. ^ 
 
 Hunc si perconteris, avi cur atque parentis 
 Praeclaram ingrata stringat malus ingluvie rem, 
 Omnia conductis coemens obsonia nummis ; 
 Sordidus atque animi quod parvi nolit haberi, 10 
 
 Kespondet. Laudatur ab his, culpatur ab illis. 
 Fundius vappae faniam timet ac nebulonis, 
 Dives agris, dives positis in faenore nummis ; 
 Quinas hie capiti mercedes exsecat, atque 
 Quanto perditior qui&que est, tanto acrius urguet ; 15 
 
 Nomina sectatur modo sumpta veste virili 
 Sub patribus duris tironum. < Maxime ' quis non 
 ' luppiter ! ' exclamat, simul atque audivit ? i At in se 
 Pro quaestu sumptum facit. 7 Hie ? Vix credere possis, 
 Quam sibi non sit amicus, ita ut pater ille, Terenti 20 
 
 Fabula quern miserum gnato vixisse fugato 
 Inducit, non se peius cruciaverit atque hie. 
 
 Si quis nunc quaerat ' Quo res haec pertinet ? ' Illuc : 
 Dum vitant stulti vitia, in contraria currunt. 
 
 Maltinus tunicis demissis ambulat ; est qui 25 
 
 Inguen ad obscenum subductis usque facetus. 
 Pastilles Eufillus olet, Gargonius hircum. 
 Nil medium est. Sunt qui nolint tetigisse nisi illas, 
 Quarum subsuta talos tegat instita veste ; 
 Contra alius nullam nisi olenti in fornice stantem. 30 
 
 Quidam notus homo cum exiret fornice, ' Macte 
 Virtute esto ' inquit sententia dia Catonis : 
 
II.] LIBER I. 7 
 
 * Nam simul ac venas inflavit taetra libido, 
 Hue iuvenes aequuin est descendere, non alienas 
 Permolere uxores.' ' Nolim laudarier } inquit 35 
 
 ' Sic me ' mirator cunni Cupiennius albi. 
 
 Audire est operae pretium, procedere recte 
 Qui moechos non voltis, ut omni paite laborent, 
 Utque illis multo corrupta dolore voluptas, 
 Atque haec rara, cadat dura inter saepe pericla. 40 
 
 Hie se praecipitem tecto dedit, ille flagellis 
 Ad mortem caesus, fugiens hie decidit acrem 
 Praedonum in turbam, dedit hie pro corpore nummos, 
 Hunc perminxerunt calones ; quin etiam illud 
 Accidit, ut cuidam testis caudamque salacem 45 
 
 Demeterent f erro. ' lure ' omnes ; Galba negabat. 
 
 Tutior at quanto merx est in classe secunda, 
 Libertinarum dico, Sallustius in quas 
 Non minus insanit quam qui moechatur. At hie si, 
 Qua res, qua ratio suaderet, quaque modeste 50 
 
 Munifico esse licet, vellet bonus atque benignus 
 Esse, daret quantum satis esset, nee sibi damno 
 Dedecorique foret. Verum hoc se amplectitur uno, 
 Hoc amat et laudat, * Matronam nullam ego tango.' 
 Ut quondam Marsaeus, amator Originis ille, 55 
 
 Qui patrium mimae donat fundumque Laremque 
 ' Nil fuerit mi ' inquit ' cum uxoribus umquam alienis.' 
 Verum est cum miinis, est cum meretricibus, unde 
 Fama malum gravius quam res trahit. An tibi abunde 
 Personam satis est, non illud, quicquid ubique 60 
 
 Officit, evitare ? Bonam deperdere famam, 
 Rem patris oblimare, malum est ubicumque. Quid inter 
 Est in matrona, ancilla peccesne togata ? 
 Villius in Fausta Sullae gener, hoc miser uno 
 Nomine deceptus, poenas dedit usque superque 65 
 
 Quam satis est, pugnis caesus ferroque petitus, 
 
8 SERMONUM [II. 
 
 Exclusus fore, cum Longarenus foret intus. 
 
 Huic si mutonis verbis mala tanta videnti 
 
 Diceret haec animus ' Quid vis tibi ? numquid ego a te 
 
 Magno prognatum deposco consule cunnum 70 
 
 Velatumque stola, mea cum conferbuit ira ? ' 
 
 Quid responderet ? i Magno patre nata puella est.' 
 
 At quanto meliora monet pugnantiaque istis 
 
 Dives opis natura suae, tu si modo recte 
 
 Dispensare velis ac non fugienda petendis 75 
 
 Immiscere. Tuo vitio rerumne labores, 
 
 Nil referre putas ? Quare, ne paeniteat te, 
 
 Desine matronas sectarier, unde laboris 
 
 Plus haurire mali est quam ex re decerpere fructus. 
 
 Nee magis huic, inter niveos viridesque lapillos 80 
 
 Sit licet, hoc, Cerinthe, tuum tenerum est femur aut crus 
 
 Rectius, atque etiam melius persaepe togatae est. 
 
 Adde hue quod mercem sine fucis gestat, aperte 
 Quod venale habet ostendit, nee, si quid honesti est. 
 lactat habetque palam, quaerit quo turpia celet. 85 
 
 Regibus hie mos est, ubi equos mercantur; opertos 
 Inspiciunt, ne si facies, ut saepe, decora 
 Molli fulta pede est, emptorem inducat hiantem, 
 Quod pulchrae clunes, breve quod caput, ardua cervix. 
 Hoc illi recte ; ne corporis optima Lyncei 90 
 
 Con tern plere oculis, Hypsaea caecior ilia 
 Quae mala sunt spectes. < crus, o bracchia ! ' Verum 
 Depugis, nasuta, brevi latere ac pede longo est. 
 Matronae praeter faciem nil cernere possis, 
 Cetera, ni Catia est, demissa veste tegentis. 95 
 
 Si interdicta petes, vallo circumdata nam te 
 Hoc facit insanum multae tibi turn efficient res, 
 Custodes, lectica, ciniflones, parasitae, 
 Ad talos stola demissa et circumdata palla, 
 Plurinia, quae invideant pure apparere tibi rem. 100 
 
II.] LIBER I. 9 
 
 Altera, nil obstat; Cois tibi paene videre est 
 
 Ut nudam, ne crure malo, ne sit pede turpi ; 
 
 Metiri possis oculo latus. An tibi mavis 
 
 Insidias fieri pretiumque avellier ante 
 
 Quam mercem ostendi ? ' Leporem venator ut alta 105 
 
 In nive sectetur, positum sic tangere nolit/ 
 
 Cantat et adponit <Meus est amor huic similis; nam 
 
 Transvolat in medio posita et fugientia captat.' 
 
 Hiscine versiculis speras tibi posse dolores 
 
 Atque aestus curasque gravis e pectore tolli ? no 
 
 Nonne, cupidinibus statuat natura modum quern, 
 
 Quid latura sibi, quid sit dolitura negatum, 
 
 Quaerere plus prodest et inane abscindere soldo? 
 
 Num, tibi cum fauces urit sitis, aurea quaeris 
 Pocula ? Num esuriens fastidis omnia praeter 115 
 
 Pavonem rhombumque ? Tument tibi cum inguina, num, si 
 Ancilla aut verna est praesto puer, impetus in quern 
 Continue fiat, mails tentigine rumpi ? 
 Non ego : namque parabilem amo Venerem f acilemque. 
 Illam < Post paullo ' ; ' Sed pluris ' ; ' Si exierit vir ' 120 
 
 Gallis, hanc Philodemus ait sibi, quae neque magno 
 Stet pretio neque cunctetur, cum est iussa venire. 
 Candida rectaque sit, munda hactenus, ut neque longa 
 Nee magis alba velit quam dat natura videri. 
 Haec, ubi supposuit dextro corpus mihi laevum, 125 
 
 Ilia et Egeria est ; do nomen quodlibet illi, 
 Nee vereor ne, dum futuo, vir rure recurrat, 
 lanua frangatur, latret canis, undique magno 
 Pulsa domus strepitu resonet, vepallida lecto 
 Desiliat mulier, miseram se conscia clamet, 130 
 
 Cruribus haec metuat, doti deprensa, egomet mi. 
 Discincta tunica fugiendum est ac pede nudo, 
 Ne nuinmi pereant aut puga aut denique fania. 
 Deprendi miserum est : Fabio vel iudice vincam. 
 
10 SERMONUM [III. 
 
 III. 
 
 ON INTOLERANT JUDGMENT. 
 
 1. Outline: 
 
 1. Men have no patience with the faults of others, but are lenient 
 
 toward their own : 
 a) They see many inconsistencies in the conduct of their 
 
 neighbors, 1-19 ; 
 &) They plead guilty to a certain degree of fallibility, but their 
 
 silly self-love makes them pardon themselves, 19-28 ; 
 
 c) They will not see the good qualities of their fellows, even 
 
 though these far outweigh their defects, 29-37 ; 
 
 d) They would do well to cultivate love's blindness, and re- 
 
 gard their friends' failings as virtues, 38-54 ; 
 
 e) As a matter of fact, they exaggerate these failings into serious 
 
 faults, 55-66 ; 
 /) As they judge, so will they be judged, 66-75. 
 
 2. Intolerant judgment is fostered by the doctrine of the Stoics, 
 
 that all faults are equal. This doctrine is false : 
 a) It is the height of folly to make no distinction between 
 
 trivial offences and crimes, 76-95 ; 
 &) To regard all faults as equal is contrary to common sense 
 
 and to the interests of society ,'96-98 ; 
 
 c) It is founded on a false conception of the nature of law : 
 
 1) As man emerged from a state of barbarism, he made 
 
 laws for his own protection, 99-112 ; 
 
 2) They were not based on a simple division of all acts 
 
 into right and wrong, but on a gradation of offences 
 according to their effect on the welfare of the com- 
 munity, 113-124 ; 
 
 d) "VVe might infer its falsity from that of another absurd doc- 
 
 trine of the Stoics, that the philosopher, as such, is skilled 
 in every kind of work and is a king among men, 124-136. 
 
 3. Horace prefers to be a private citizen, and to live on terms of 
 
 mutual tolerance with his fellowmen, 136-142. 
 
 2. Time : The exact date is uncertain ; not after 35 B.C. 
 
 Omnibus hoc vitium est cantoribus, inter amicos 
 Ut numquam inducant animum cantare rogati, 
 Iniussi numquam desistant. Sardus habebat 
 Hie Tigellius hoc. Caesar, qui cogere posset, 
 
III.] LIBER I. 11 
 
 Si peteret per amicitiam pat^J^t^e^suam, non 5 
 
 Quicquam proficeret ; si collfbuisset, ab ovo 
 
 Usque ad mala citaret ' io Bacchae ' modo summa 
 
 Voce, modo hac, resonat quae chordis quattuor ima. 
 
 Nil aequale homini fuit illi : saepe velut qui 
 
 Currebat f ugiens hostem, persaepe velut qui 10 
 
 lunonis sacra ferret ; habebat saepe ducentos, 
 
 Saepe decem servos ; modo reges atque tetrarchas, 
 
 Omnia magna loquens, modo ' Sit mihi mensa tripes et 
 
 Concha salis puri et toga, quae defendere frigus, 
 
 Quamvis crassa, queat.' Deciens centena dedisses 15 
 
 Huic parco, paucis cpntento: quinque diebus 
 
 Nil erat in loculis. Noctes vigilabat ad ipsum 
 
 Mane, diem toturn stertebat. Nil fuit umquam 
 
 Sic impar sibi. 
 
 Nunc aliquis dicat mihi ' quid tu ? 
 
 Nullane habes vitia ? ' Immo alia, et fortasse minora. 20 
 Maenius absentem Novium cum carperet, ' heus tu ' 
 Quidam ait ' ignoras te, an ut ignotum dare, nobis 
 Verba putas? ' ( Egomet im* ignosccr Maenius inquit. 
 Stultus et improbus hie amor est dignusque notari. 
 Cum tua pervideas oculis mala lippus inimctis, 25 
 
 Cur in amicorum vitiis tarn cernis acutum, 
 Quam aut aquila aut serpens Epidaurius ? \At tibi contra , 
 Evenit, inquirant vitia ut tua rursus et illi^l 
 " Iracundior est paullo, minus apt us acutis 
 Naribus horum hominum ; rideri possit eo, quod 30 
 
 Rusticius tonso toga defluit et male laxus 
 In pede calceus haeret ; at est bonus, ut melior vir 
 Non alms quisquain, at tibi amicus, at ingenium ingens 
 Inculto latet hoc sub corpore. Denique te ipsum 
 Concute, num qua tibi vitiorum inseverit olim 35 
 
 Natura aut etiam consuetude mala; namque 
 Neglectis urenda filix innascitur agris. 
 
12 SERMONUM [III. 
 
 Illuc praevertamur : amatorem quod amicae 
 Turpia decipiunt caecum, vitia aut etiam ipsa haec 
 Delectant, veluti Balbinum polypus Hagnae. 40 
 
 Vellem in amicitia sic erraremus et isti 
 Errori nomen virtus posuisset honestum. 
 Ac pater ut gnati, sic nos debemus amici 
 Si quod sit vitium, non fastidire. Strabonem 
 Appellat paetum pater, et pullum, male parvus 45 
 
 Si cui films est, ut abortivus fuit olim 
 Sisyphus ; hunc varum distortis cruribus, ilium 
 
 Slbutjt scaurum, pravis f ultum male tails. ' 
 rcius hie vivit : frugi dicatur. Ineptus 
 Et iactautior hie paullo est : concinnus amicis 50 
 
 Postulat ut videatur. At est truculentior atque 
 Plus aequo Hlbef : simplex f ortisque habeatur. 
 Caldior est : acris inter numeretur. Opinor, 
 Haec res et iungit, iunctos et servat amicos. 
 
 At nos virtutes ipsas invertimus atque 55 
 
 Sincerum cupimus vas incrustare. Probus quis 
 Nobiscum vivit, multum demissus homo ; illi 
 Tardo cognomen pingui damus. Hie fugit omnis 
 Insidias nullique malo latus obdit apertum ; 
 Cum genus hoc inter vitae versetur, ubi acris GO 
 
 Invidia atque vigent ubi crimina, pro bene sano 
 .Ac non incauto fictum astutumque vocamus. 
 Simplicior quis et est, qualem me saepe libenter 
 Obtulerim tibi, Maecenas, ut forte legentem 
 Aut taciturn impellat quovis sermone : f Molestus ! 65 
 
 Communi sensu plane caret ' inquimus. 
 
 Eheu, 
 
 Quam temere in nosmet legem sancimus iniquam ! 
 Nam vitiis nemo sine nascitur ; optimus ille est, 
 Qui minimis urgetur. Amicus dulcis, ut aequum est, 
 Cum mea conipenset vitiis bona, pluribus hisce, 70 
 
III.] LIBER I. 13 
 
 Si modo plura raihi bona sunt, inclinet, amari 
 Si volet. Hac lege in trutina ponetur eadein. 
 Qui ne tuberibus propriis offendat amicum 
 Postulat, rgnoscet verrucis illius : aequum est 
 - Peccatis veniam poscentem reddere rursus. 75 
 
 Denique, quatenus excidi penitus vitiun/irae, 
 Cetera item nequeunt stultis haerentia, cur non 
 Ponderibus modulisque suis ratio utitur, ac res 
 Ut quaeque est, ita suppliciis delicta coercet ? 
 Si quis eum servum, patinam qui tollere iussus 80 
 
 Semesos piscis tepidumque ligurrierit ius, 
 In. cruce suffigat, Labeone insanior inter 
 Sanos dicatur. Quanto hoc furiosius atque 
 Maius peccatum est : paullum deliquit amicus, 
 Quod nisi concedas, habeare insuavis, acerbus : 85 
 
 Odisti et fugis ut Rusonem debitor aeris, 
 Qui nisi, cum tristes misero venere Kalendae, 
 Mercedem aut nummos unde unde extricat, amaras 
 Porrecto iugulo historias captivus ut audit. 
 Comminxit lectum potus .mensave catillum 90 
 
 Evandri manibus tritum deiecit; ob hanc rem, 
 Aut positum ante mea quia pullum in parte catini 
 Sustulit esuriens, minus hoc iucundus amicus 
 Sit mihi ? Quid faciarn si furtum f ecerit, aut si 
 Prodiderit commissa_fide,sponsumve negarit? 95 
 
 Quis paria esse fere placuit peccata, laborant 
 Cum ventum ad verum est : sensus moresque repugnant 
 Atque ipsa utilitas, iusti prope mater et aequi. 
 
 Cum prorepserunt primis animalia terris, 
 Mutum et turpe pecus, glandem atque cubilia propter 100 
 Unguibus et pugriis, dein fustibus, atque ita porro 
 Pugnabaut armis, quae post fabricaverat usus, 
 Donee verba, quibus voces sensusque notarent, 
 Nominaque invenere ; dehinc absistere bello, 
 
14 SERMONUM [III. 
 
 Oppida coeperunt munire et ponere leges, 105 
 
 Ne quis fur esset, neu latro, neu quis adulter; 
 lura inventa metu iniusti fateare necesse est, ill 
 
 Tempora si fastosque veils evolvere mundi. 
 
 Nee natura potest iusto secernere iniquum, 
 Dividit ut bona diversis, fugienda petendis ; 
 Nee vincet ratio hoc, tantundera ut peccet idemque, 115 
 
 Qui teheros caules alieni fregerit horti 
 Et qui nocturnus sacra divum legerit. Adsit 
 Regula, peccatis quae poenas inroget aequas, 
 Ne scutica dignum horribili sectere flagello. 
 Nam ut ferula caedas meritum maiora subire 120 
 
 Verbera, non vereor, cum dicas esse pares res 
 Furta latrociniis et magnis parva mineris 
 Falce recisurum simili te, si tibi regnum 
 Permittant homines. 
 
 Si dives, qui sapiens est, 
 
 Et sutor bonus et solus formosus et est rex, 125 
 
 Cur optas quod habes ? ' Non nosti, quid pater ' inquit 
 'Chrysippus dicat: sapiens crepidas sibi numquam 
 Nee soleas fecit, sutor tamen est sapiens/ Qui ? 
 f Ut quamvis tacet Hermogenes, cantor tarnen atque 
 Optimus est modulator ; ut Alfenus vafer omni 130 
 
 Abiecto instrumento artis clausaque taberna 
 Tonsor erat ; sapiens operis sic optimus omnis 
 Est opifex, solus sic rex.' Vellunt tibi barbam 
 Lascivi pueri, quos tu nisi fuste coerces, 
 Urgueris turba circum te stante miserque 135 
 
 Rumperis et latras, magnorum maxime regurn. 
 
 Ne longum faciam, dum tu quadrante lavatum 
 Rex ibis neque te quisquam stipator ineptum 
 Praeter Crispinum sectabitur, et mihi dulces 
 Ignoscent si quid peccaro stultus, amici, 140 
 
 Inque vicem illorum patiar delicta libenter, 
 Privatusque magis vivam te rege beatus. 
 
IV.] LIBER I. 15 
 
 IV. 
 THE OLD AND THE NEW SATIRE. 
 
 1. Outline: 
 
 1. The earlier satire attacked all men who were vulnerable, and 
 
 held them up to public ridicule. It was therefore gener- 
 ally feared and detested : 
 
 a) Its prototype was the Old Comedy of the Greeks, 1-5 ; 
 
 &) Its greatest Roman representative was Lucilius, who had 
 two serious faults, 6-7 : 
 
 1) He was too diffuse, 8-12 ; 
 
 2) He was careless in composition, 12-13 ; 
 
 c) Horace proposes to improve on Lucilius in two ways : 
 
 1) By not writing voluminously and carelessly, 13-21 ; 
 
 2) By not forcing his works on a public to which they 
 
 might be distasteful, 21-38. 
 
 2. Horace's conception of satire, and his reasons for choosing that 
 
 field of writing : 
 
 a) He does not claim the title of poet. He merely describes 
 the events of everyday life in verse, 38-62 ; 
 
 6) It is unreasonable to fear him, for no blameless man is at- 
 tacked. -Moreover, he writes merely for the entertainment 
 and instruction of a small circle of friends, 63-78 ; 
 
 c) He does not take pleasure in hurting people's feelings. He 
 finds amusement in the weaknesses and eccentricities of 
 others, but without malice, 78-103 ; 
 
 d} It is natural for him to observe the conduct of others. He 
 was trained to do so in his youth by his father, as a means 
 of self-improvement, 103-126 ; 
 
 e) He endeavors not merely to note the good and the bad quali- 
 ties of others, but to profit by his observation. His readers 
 may draw their own moral, 126-137 ; 
 
 /) To jot down his thoughts is doubtless a weakness, but it 
 should be forgiven. If not, he will call all his fellow-poets 
 to his aid and compel his critics to join the craft, 137-143. 
 
 2. Time : The exact date is uncertain ; not after 35 B.C. 
 
 Eupolis atque Cratinus Aristophanesque poetae 
 Atque alii, quorum comoedia prisca virorum est, - 
 Si quis erat dignus describi, quod nialus ac fur, 
 
16 SERMONUM [IV. 
 
 Quod moechus foret aut sicarius aut alioqui 
 Famosus, multa cum Jibertate notabant. 5 
 
 Hinc omni's pendet Lucilius, hosce secutus 
 
 ' . . x-^wo- 
 
 Mutatis tatitum pedibus numerisque, facetus, v 
 
 Emunctae naris, $urus componere versus. 
 
 Nam fuit hoc vitiosus : in bora saepe ducentos, 
 
 Ut magnum, versus dictabat stans pede in uno. 10 
 
 Cum flueret lutulentus, erat quod ; tollere velles; 
 
 Garrulus atque piger scribendi ferr'e laborem, 
 
 Scribendi recte ; nam ut multum, nil moror.^ 
 
 ' Ecce, 
 
 Crispinus minimo me provocat : ' accipe, si vis, 
 Accipe iam tabulas ; detur'nobis locus, hora, 15 
 
 Custodes ; videamus uter plus scribere possit.' 
 Di bene fecerunt, inopis me quodque pusilli 
 "Finxerunt animi, raro et perpauca loquentis; 
 
 C At tu conclusas hirquinis follibus auras 
 Usque laborantis, dum ferrum molliat ignis, 20 
 
 . Ut mavis, imitare. 
 
 Beatus Fannius ultro 
 Delatis capsis et imagine ; cum mea nemo 
 Scripta legat, volgo recitare timentis ob hanc rem, 
 Quod sunt quos genus hoc minime iuvat, utpote pluris 
 Culpari dignos. Quemvis media elige turba ; 25 
 
 Aut ab avaritia aut misera ambitione laborat. 
 Hunc capit argenti splendor ; stupet Albius aere; 
 Hie mutat merces surgente a sole ad eum quo 
 Vespertina tepet regio ; quin per mala praeceps 30 
 
 Fertur, uti pulvis collectus turbine, ne quid 
 Suinma deperdat metuens aut ampliet ut rem. 
 Omnes hi metuunt versus, odere poetas. 
 ' Faenum habet in cornu, longe fnge ; dummodo risum 
 Excutiat sibi, non hie cuiquam parcet ainico ; 35 
 
 Et quodcumque semel chartis inleverit, omnis 
 
IV.] LIBER I. 17 
 
 Gestiet a furno redeuntis scire lacuque 
 Et pueros et a'nus.V_ 
 
 Agedum, pauca accipe contra. 
 
 Primum ego me illorum, dederim quibus esse poetas, 
 Excerpam numero ; neque enim concludere versum 40 
 
 Dixeris esse satis; neque, ^si qui scribat uti nos 
 Serin oni propiora, putes hunc esse poetam. 
 Ingenium cui sit, cui mens divinior atque os 
 Magna sonaturum, des nominis huius honorem. 
 Idcirtjo quidam comoedia necne poema 
 Esset quaesivere, quod acer spiritus ac vis ,,^\^ 
 Nee verbis nee rebus inest, nisi quod pede certo 
 Differt serm'oni, sermo merus. ' At pater ardens 
 Saevit, quod meretr-ice nepos insanus arnica 
 Filius uxorem grandi cum dote recuset, 50 
 
 Ebrius-et, magnum quod dedecns, ambulet ante 
 Noctem cum facibus.' Numquid Pomponius istis 
 Audiret leyiora, p^ter si viveret ? Ergo 
 Non satis est rYtms versum perscribere verbis, 
 Quern si dissolvas, quiv^is siomachetur eodem 55 
 
 Quo personatus pacto pater. His, ego quae mine, 
 Olim quae scripsit Lucilius, eripias si 
 Tempor'a certa modpsque, et quod prius ordine verbum est 
 Posterius facias, praeponens ultima primis, 
 Non, ut si solvas ' postquam Discordia taetra 60 
 
 Belli ferratos postis portasque refregit,' 
 Invenias etiam disiecti membra poetae. 
 
 Hactenus haec: alias iustum sit necne poema; 
 Nunc illud tantum quaeram, meritone tibi sit 
 Suspectum genus hoc scribendi. Sulcius acer 65 
 
 Ambulat et Caprius, rauci male cumque libellis, 
 Magnus uterque timor latronibus ; at bene si quis 
 Et vivat puris manibus, contemna-t utrumque. 
 Ut sis tu similis Caeli Birrique latronum, 
 
18 SERMONUM [IV. 
 
 Non ego sim Gapri neque Sulci ; cur m^etuas me ? 70 
 
 , Nulla taberna meos habeat neque pna libellos, 
 Quis manus insudet volgi Hermogenisque Tigelli; 
 Nee recito cuiquam nisi amicis, idque coactus, 
 Non ubivis coramve quibuslibet. In medio qui 
 Scripta f oro recitent sunt rnulti, quique lavantes ; 75 
 
 Suave locus voci resonat conclusus. Inanis 
 Hoc iuvat, baud illud quaerentis, num sine sensu, 
 Tempore num faciant alieno. ^^ 
 
 1 Eaedere gaudes,' 
 
 Inquit ' et hoc studio pravus facis.' Unde petitum 
 Hoc in me iacis ? Est &uctor (Jtiis 'd'enique^ e6rum * 80 
 
 Vixi cum quibus ? Absentem qui rodit amicum, 
 Qui non defendit alio culpante, solutos 
 Qui captat risus hominum famamque dicacis, 
 Fiu^ere qui non visa potest, commissa tacere 
 Qui nequit; hie niger esl, hunc tu, Romane, caveto. 85 
 
 Saepe tribus lectis videas cenare quaternos, 
 E quibus unus amet quavis aspergere cunctos 
 Praeter eum qui praebet aquam ; post hunc quoque potus, 
 Condita cum verax aperit praecordia Liber. 
 Hie tibi comis et urbanus liberque videttir, 90 
 
 Infesto nigris ; ego si fisi, quod ineptus 
 Pastillos Eufillus olet, Gargonius hircum, 
 Lividus et mordax videor tibi ? Mentio si quae 
 De Capitolini f uriis iniecta Petilli 
 
 Te coram f uerit, defendas ut tuus est mos : 95 
 
 e Me Capitolinus convictore usu^ amicoque 
 A puero est, causaque mea permulta rogatus 
 Fecit, et incolumis laetor quod vivit in urbe ; 
 Sed tamen adiniror quo pacto indicium illud 
 Fugerit.' Hie nigrae sucus lolligi'nis, haec est 100 
 
 Aerugo mera; quod vitium p^ocul aJPore' chartis 
 Atque animo prius, ut si quid promittere de me 
 
IV.] LIBER I. 19 
 
 Possum aliud vere, proraitto. 
 
 Liberius si 
 
 Dixero quid, si forte iocosius, hoc mihi iuris 
 Cum venia dabis ; insuevit pater optimus hoc me, 105 
 
 Ut fugerem exeinplis vitiorum quaeque notando. 
 Cum me hortaretur, parce frugaliter atque 
 Viverem uti contentus eo quod mi ipse parasset : 
 f Nonne vides, Albi ut male vivat filius utque 
 Baius inops ? Magnum documentum, ne patriam rem 110 
 Perdere quis velit.' A turpi meretricis ainore 
 Cum deterreret : e Scetani dissimilis sis.' 
 Ne sequerer moechas, concessa cum venere uti 
 Possem : < Deprensi non bella est fama Treboni ' 
 Aiebat. ' Sapiens, vitatu quidque petitu 115 
 
 Sit melius, causas reddet tibi ; mi satis est, si 
 Traditum ab antiquis morem servare tuamque, 
 Dum custodis eges, vitani (famamque tueri 
 Incolumem possum ; srnimac'ti.uraverit aetas 
 Membra animumque tuum, nabis sine cortice.' Sic me 120 
 Forrnabat puerum dictis, et sive iubebat^ ^ 
 Ut facerem quid, ' habes auctorem, quo facias hoc/ 
 Unum ex iudicibus selectis obiciebat ; 
 Sive vetabat, ' an hoc inhonestum et inutile factu 
 Necne sit addubites, flagret rumore malo cum 125 
 
 Hie atque ille ? ' 
 
 Avidos vicinum funus ut aegros 
 Exanimat mortisque metu sibi parcere cogit, 
 Sic tenero's animos aliena opprobria saepe 
 Absterrent vitiis. I^h^c. ego sanus ab illis/"^"" 1 
 Perniciem quaecumque ferunt, mediocribus et quis 130 
 
 Ignoscas vitiis teneor. Fortassis et istinc 
 Largiter abstulerit longa aetas, liber amicus, 
 Consilium proprium ; neque enim, cum lectulus aut me 
 Porticus excepit, desum mihi. ' Rectius hoc est. 
 
20 SERMONUM [V. 
 
 Hoc faciens vivam melius. Sic dulcis amicis 135 
 
 Occurram. Hoc qui^am non belle; numquid ego illi 
 Imprudens olim faciam simile ? ' 
 
 Haec ego mecum 
 
 Compressis agito labris ; ubi quid datur oti, 
 Inhido chartis. Hoc est mediocribus illis 
 Ex vitiis unum ; cui si concedere nolis, 140 
 
 Multa poetarum veniet manus, auxilio quae 
 Sit mihi nam multo plures sumus, ac veluti te 
 ludaei cogemus in hanc concedere turbam. 
 
 V. 
 A JOURNEY TO BRUNDISIUM. 
 
 1. Occasion of the Satire : In the year 40 B.C. Antony and Octa- 
 vian became reconciled, and struck a treaty at Brundisium. Two years 
 later Octavian was defeated in a naval engagement by Sextus Pompeius, 
 and despatched Maecenas to Athens, to ask Antony for help. In the 
 spring of 37 the latter appeared off Brundisium with a fleet of three 
 hundred ships, and Octavian, who had meanwhile repented of his call 
 for aid, sent Maecenas, with Cocceius and Fonteius Capito, to come to 
 terms with his rival. It is the journey of Maecenas to Brundisium on 
 this occasion which the satire describes. Maecenas was evidently in 
 no haste, since the trip, which might have been made in from six to 
 nine days, occupied fifteen. 
 
 Antony was not allowed to land at Brundisium, and a treaty was 
 finally made, with some difficulty, at Tarentum. 
 
 Lucilius had described a journey from Rome to Capua and thence 
 along the coast to the Straits of Messana. It is not impossible that 
 Horace placed this satire immediately after his criticism of Lucilius 
 with the purpose of challenging comparison. An examination of the 
 few extant fragments of the narrative of Lucilius fully supports Hor- 
 ace's claim of superiority in versification and general finish. 
 
 2. The Itinerary : The distances are for the most part known 
 from inscriptions. Uncertainty is caused in three cases by doubt as to 
 the exact location of the villa near Trivicum and the oppidulum quod 
 versu dicere non est. Desjardins assumes that the travellers did not 
 spend the night at Capua or at Beneventum, while Gibbon does not 
 allow a night at Terracina. 
 
V.] LIBER I. 21 
 
 Distance in 
 Day. Stopping place. Roman miles Verses. 
 
 1. Aricia ........ 16 . 1-3 
 
 2. Forum Appi ....... 27 . 3-9 
 
 3. Night journey by canal-boat, through the 
 
 Pomptine marshes, to Lucus Feroniae . 16\iq . 9-23 
 
 Terracina ....... 31. 23-33 
 
 no f _ . 34-38 
 Formiae . . 13 J 
 
 5. Sinuessa . . 181 ^ sg ^ Q 
 
 Villa near Fons Cainpanus . . . 9 / 
 
 6. 
 
 
 17 
 
 47_49 
 
 7. 
 
 Villa of Cocceius near Caudium 
 
 . 21 
 
 . 50-70 
 
 8. 
 
 Beneventum 
 
 . 11 
 
 . 71-76 
 
 9. 
 
 Villa near Trivicum .... 
 
 . 24? 
 
 . 77-81 
 
 10. 
 
 Oppidulum quod versu dicere non est . 
 
 .24? 
 
 . 86-90 
 
 11. 
 
 Canusium ...... 
 
 . 35? 
 
 . 91-93 
 
 12. 
 
 Rubi . . ' . . . 
 
 . 23 
 
 . 94-95 
 
 13. 
 
 Barium 
 
 . 23 
 
 . 96-97 
 
 14. 
 
 Gnatia ....... 
 
 . 37 
 
 . 97-103 
 
 15. 
 
 Brundisium 
 
 39. 
 
 104 
 
 3. Time : About 37 B.C. 
 
 Egressum magna me accepit Aricia Roma 
 Hospitio modico ; rhetor comes Heliodorus, 
 Graecorum longe doctissimusT^inde Forum Appi, 
 Differtum nautis, cauponibus atque malignis. 
 Hoc iter ignavi divisimus, altius ac nos 5 
 
 Praecinctis unum ; minus est gravis Appia tardis. 
 Hie ego propter aquam, quod erat deterrira'a, ventri 
 Indico bellum, cenantis haud aniino aequo 
 Exspectans comites. 
 
 lam nox inducere terris 
 
 Umbras et caelo diffundere signa parabat ; 10 
 
 Turn pueri nautis, pueris coiivicia nautae 
 Ingerere : ' hue appelle ! trecentos inseris ; ohe 
 lam satis est ! ' Dum aes exigitur, dum mula ligatur, 
 Tota abit hora. Mali culices ranaeque palustres 
 
22 S.ERMONUM [V. 
 
 Avertunt spmnos, absentem ut cantat amicam 15 
 
 Multa prolutus vappa nauta atque viator 
 
 Certatiin. Tandem fessus dormire viator 
 
 Incipit, ac missae pastum retinacula mulae 
 
 Nauta piger saxo religat stertitque supinus. 
 
 lamque dies aderat, nil cum procedere lintrem 20 
 
 Sentimus; donec^cerefrrdsus prosilit unus - v^ 
 
 Ac mulae nautaeque caput lumbosque saligno 
 
 Fuste dolat ; quarta vix demum exponimur hora. 
 
 Ora manusque tua lavimu^, Feronia, lympha; 
 Milia turn pransi tria repimus atque subimus 25 
 
 Impositum saxis late candentibus Anxur. 
 Hue venturus erat Maecenas optimus atque 
 Cocceius, missi magnis de rebus uterque 
 Legati, aversos soliti componere amicos. 
 Hie oculis ego nigra meis collyria lippus^-*^' 30 
 
 Inlinere. Interea Maecenas advenit atque 
 Cocceius, Capitoque simul Fonteius, ad ungueni ^ 
 Factus homo, Antoni non ut magis alter amicus. 
 
 Fundos Aufidio Lusco praetore liberiter 
 Linquimus, insani ridentes 'praemia scribae, 35 
 
 Praetextam et latum clavum ,prunaeque vatillum. 
 In Mamurrarum lassi deinde urbe manemus, 
 Murena praebente domum, Capitone culinam. 
 
 Postera lux oritur multo gratissima; namque 
 Plotius et Varius Sinuessae Vergiliusque 40 
 
 Occurrunt, animae, qualis neque cahdidiores 
 Terra tulit, neque quis me sit devinctior altpr. 
 qui complexus et gaudia quanta f uerunt ! 
 Nil ego contulerini iucundo sanus amico. 
 Proxima Canipano ponti quae villula, tectum 45 
 
 Praebuit, et parochi (^1113,6 dgbent ligna salemque. 
 
 Hinc muli Capuae clitellas tempore ponunt. 
 Lusum it Maecenas, dormitum ego Vergiliusque : 
 
 
V.] LIBER I. 23 
 
 Namque pila lippis inimicum et ludere crudis. 
 
 Hinc nos Coccei recipit plenissima villa, 50 
 
 Quae super est,audi cauponas. Nunc mihi paucis 
 Sarnienti scurrae' pugnam Messique Cicirri, 
 Musa, velim memores, et quo patre natus uterque 
 Contulerit litis. Messi clarum genus Osci ; 
 Sarnienti domina exstat ; ab his maioribus orti 55 
 
 Ad pugnam venere. Prior Sarmentus 'Equi te 
 Esse feri similem dico.' Ridemus, et ipse 
 Messius ' Accipio/ caput et movet. ' 0, tua cornu 
 Ni f oret exsecto frons/ inquit, ' quid faceres, cum 
 Sic mutilus minitaris ? ' At illi f oeda cicatrix 60 
 
 Setosam laevi frontem turpaverat oris. 
 Cainpanura4n morbnm, in faciem permulta iocatus, 
 Pastorem saltaret uti Cyclopa rogabat ; 
 Nil illi larva aut tragicis opus esse coturnis, .-^ 
 Multa Qi,cirrus ad haec : donasset iamne cate'ham 65 
 
 Ex voto Laribus, quaerebat ; scriba quod esset, 
 Nilo deterius dominae ius esse. Kogabat 
 Denique cur umquam fugisset, cui satis una 
 Farris libra foret, gracili sic tamque pusillo. 
 Prorsus. iucunde cenarn producimus illam. 70 
 
 Tendimus hinc recta Beneventuni, ubi sedulus hospes 
 Paene macros arsit dum turdos versat in igni ; 
 Nam vaga per veterem dilapso flamma culinam 
 Volcano summum properabat lambere tectuni. 
 Con vivas avidos cenam servosque timentis 75 
 
 Turn rapere atque omnis restinguere velle videres. 
 
 Incipit ex illo montis Apulia notos 
 Ostentare mihi, quos torret Atabulus et quos 
 Numquam erepsemus, nisi nos vicina Trivici 
 Villa recepisset, lacrimoso non sine fumo, 80 
 
 Udos cum foliis ramos urente camino. 
 
 Quattuor hinc rapimur viginti et milia raedis, 
 
24 SERMONUM [VI. 
 
 Mansuri oppidulo, quod versu dicere non est, 
 Signis perfacile est : venit vilissima rerum 
 Hicjaqua, sed panis longe pulcherrimus, ultra 
 Callidus ut soleat umeris portare viator. 90 
 
 Nam Canusi lapidosus, aquae non ditior urna 
 Qui locus a forti Diomede est conditus olim. 
 Flentibus hie Varius discedit maestus amici. v ,.. 
 Inde Rubos fessi pervenimus, upote longum 
 Carpentes iter et factum corruptius imbri. 95 
 
 Postera tempestas melior, via peior ad usque 
 Bari moenia piscosi ; ^dein Gnatia lymphis 
 Iratis exstructa credit risusque iocosque, 
 Dum flamma sine tura liquescere limine sacro. 
 Persuadere cupit. Credat ludaeus Apella, 100 
 
 Non ego; namque deos didici securum agere aevum, 
 Nee, si quid miri faeiat natura, deos id 
 Tristis ex alto caeli demittere tecto. 
 Brundisium longae finis chartaeque viaeque est. 
 
 VI. 
 
 ON AMBITION. 
 ADDRESSED TO MAECENAS. 
 
 1. Occasion of the Satire : Horace's friendship with Maecenas had 
 evidently led to unkind and unfair criticism, to which he replies in detail. 
 
 2. Outline : Worth, not station, makes the man. Therefore one 
 should not aspire to positions for which one is not fitted. Horace 
 has never done so. He owes his intimacy with Maecenas to his early 
 training and his consequent good character. 
 
 1. The truly great estimate a man not by his social position, but 
 
 by his personal character : 
 
 a) Thus Maecenas, though of royal lineage, does not despise 
 the lowly born, 1-6 : 
 
 1) For such men have often shown themselves worthy 
 of high positions, 7-11 ; 
 
VI.] LIBER I. 25 
 
 2) While men of noble birth have been despised even 
 
 by the common herd, 12-17 ; 
 
 &) Since the judgment of the common people is notoriously 
 bad, a truly superior man of humble origin ought not to 
 aspire to office : 
 
 1) For he will be accused with justice of being out of 
 
 his sphere, 17-89 ; 
 
 2) And it is often some insignificant trait which catches 
 
 the popular fancy, 40-44. 
 
 2. Horace's position as a friend of Maecenas is not due to ambi- 
 tion : 
 
 a) He is criticised because, though the son of a freedman, he 
 was tribune under Brutus and is now intimate with Mae- 
 cenas, 45-48 : 
 
 1) The first reproach is perhaps justified ; 
 
 2) The second is not, because he did not force himself 
 
 on Maecenas, 49-62 ; 
 
 6) He is proud of the distinction because it is a proof of high 
 character, 62-64 ; 
 
 c) But the real credit belongs to his father : 
 
 1) For he gave his son the best possible educational 
 
 advantages, 65-80 ; 
 
 2) And the benefit of his personal supervision, 81-84 ; 
 
 3) Not that Horace might fit himself for a high position, 
 but that he might be a cultured gentleman, 85-88 ; 
 
 d) Horace honors his father, and is not ashamed of his parent- 
 
 age. Besides, he would not, if he could, change places 
 with any man of noble ancestry, 89-99 : 
 
 1) For a high position demands social duties and a dis- 
 
 play for which he has no inclination, 100-109 ; 
 
 2) And he would be forced to give up his present sim- 
 
 ple and independent life, 110-131. 
 
 3. Time: Before the gift of the Sabine farm; between 37 and 
 35 B.C. 
 
 Non quia, Maeoj^s, Lydorum quid^uid Etruscos 
 Incoluit finis, n^j^B^erosior est te, 
 Nee quod avus I^^Katernns fuit atque paternus, ^r 
 Oliin qui inagnis J^ionibus imperitarent, \^ 
 
 TJITplerique solent, naso suspendis adunco 5 
 
 Ignotos, lit me libertino patre natum. 
 
26 SERMONUM [VI. 
 
 Cum referre negas quali sit quisque parente 
 Natus, duin ingenuus, persuades hoc tibi vere, 
 Ante potestatem Tulli atque ignobile regnum 
 Multos saepe viros nullis maioribus ortos 10 
 
 Et vixisse probos, amplis et honoribus auctos; 
 Contra Laevinum, Yaleri genus, unde Superbus 
 Tarquinius regno pulsus fugit, unius assis 
 Non umquam pretio pluris licuisse, notante 
 ludice quo nosti, populo, qui stultus honores 15 
 
 Saepe dat indignis et famae servit ineptus, 
 Qui stupet in titulis et imaginibus. 
 
 Quid oportet 
 
 Nos facere a volgo longe longeque remotos ? 
 Namque esto, populus Laevino mallet honorein 
 Quam Decio mandare novo, censorque moveret 20 
 
 Appius, ingenuo si non essem patre natus : 
 Vel rnerito, quoniam in propria non pelle quiessem. 
 Sed fulgente trahit constrictos Gloria curru 
 Non minus ignotos generosis. Quo tibi, Tilli, 
 Sum ere depositum clavum,nerique tribune? 25 
 
 Invidia adcrevit, private quae minor esset. 
 Nam ut quisque insanus nigris medium impediit crus 
 Pellibus et latum demisit pectore clavum, 
 Audit continue ^quis homo hie et quo patre natus ? ' 
 Ut si qui aegrotet quo morbo Barrus, haberi 30 
 
 Ut cupiat formosus, eat quacumque, puellis 
 Iniciat curam quaerendi singula, quali 
 Sit facie, sura, quali pede, dente, capillo : 
 Sic qui promittit, civis, urbem sibi curae, 
 Imperium fore et Italiam, delul)ra deorum, 35 
 
 Quo patre sit natus, num ignota matre inhonestus, 
 Omnis mortalis curare et quaerere cogit. 
 ' Tune, Syri, Damae aut Dionysi films, audes 
 Deicere de saxo civis aut tradere Cadnio ? ' 
 
VI.] LIBER I. 27 
 
 ' At Novius collega gradu post me sedet uno ; 40 
 
 Namque est ille, pater quqd^erat meus. 7 ' Hoc tibi Paulus 
 Et Messalla videris ? At hie, si plostra ducenta 
 Concurrantque f oro tria funera^magna^ sonabit 
 Cornua quod vincatque tubas ; saltern tenet hoc nos.' 
 
 Nunc ad me redeo libertino patre natum, 45 
 
 Quern rodunt omnes libertino patre natum, 
 Nunc, quia sim tibi, Maecenas, convictor, at olim, 
 Quod mini pareret legio Romana tribune. 
 
 Dissimile hoc illi est, quia non, ut forsit honorem 
 lure mihi invideat quivis, ita te quoque amicum, 50 
 
 Praesertim cautum dignos adsumere, prava 
 Ambitione procul. Felicem dicere non hoc 
 Me possim, casu quod te sortitus amicum ; 
 Nulla etenim mihi te fors obtulit ; optimus olim 
 Yergilius, post hunc Varius dixere quid essem. 55 
 
 Ut veni corain, singultim pauca locutus . 
 Inf ans namque pudor prohibebat plura prof ari 
 Non ego me claro natum patre, non ego circum 
 Me Satureiano vectari rura caballo, 
 
 Sed quod eram narro. Eespondes, ut tuus est mos, 60 
 
 Pauca ; abeo, et revocas nono post mense iubesque 
 Esse in amicorum numero. 
 
 Magnum hoc ego duco, 
 
 Quod placui tibi, qui turpi seceruis honestum, 
 Non patre praeclaro sed vita et pectore puro. 
 
 Atqui si vitiis rnediocribus ac rnea paucis 65 
 
 Mendosa est natura, alioqui recta, velut si 
 Egregio insparsos reprehendas corpore naevos, 
 Si neque avaritiam neque sordis ac mala lustra 
 Obiciet vere quisquam mihi, purus et insons, 
 Ut me conlaudem, si et vivo carus amicis, 70 
 
 Causa fuit pater his, qui macro pauper agello 
 Noluit in Flavi ludum me mittere, magni 
 
28 SERMONUM [VI. 
 
 Quo pueri magnis e centurionibus orti, 
 
 Laevo suspensi loculos tabulamque lacerto, 
 
 Ibant octonos referentes Idibus aeris, 75 
 
 Sed puerum est ausus Eomain port<are docendum 
 
 Artis, quas doceat quivis eques atque senator 
 
 Semet prognatos. Yestem servosque sequentis, 
 
 In magno ut populo, si qui vidisset, avita 
 
 Ex re praeberi sumptus mihi crederet illos. 80 
 
 Ipse mihi custos incorruptissimus omnis 
 
 Circum doctores aderat. Quid multa ? Pudicum, 
 
 Qui primus virtutis honos, servavit ab onmi 
 
 Non solum facto, verum opprobrio quoque turpi ; 
 
 Nee timuit, sibi ne vitio quis verteret, olim 85 
 
 Si praeco parvas aut, ut fuit ipse, coactor 
 
 Mercedes sequerer ; neque ego essem questus. At hoc nunc 
 
 Laus illi debetur et a me gratia maior. 
 
 Nil me paeniteat sanum patris huius ; eoque 
 Non, ut magna dolo factum negat esse suo pars, 90 
 
 Quod lion ingenues habeat clarosque parentis, 
 Sic me defendam. Longe mea discrepat istis 
 Et vox et ratio ; nam si natura iuberet 
 A certis annis aevum remeare peractum 
 Atque alios legere ad fastum quoscumque parentis 95 
 
 Optaret sibi quisque, meis contentus honestos 
 
 Fasaibus et sellis nollem mihi suniere, demens 
 
 -^__ 
 
 ludicio volgi, sanus fortasse tuo, quod 
 
 Nollem onus hand umquam solitus portare molestum. 
 
 Nam mihi continue maior quaerenda foret res 100 
 
 Atque salutandi plures, ducendus et unus 
 Et comes alter, uti ne solus rusve peregreve 
 Exirem, plures calones atque caballi 
 Pascendi, ducenda petorrita. Nunc mihi curto 
 Ire licet mulo vel si libet usque Tarentum, 105 
 
 Mantica cui lumbos onere ulceret atque eques armos ; 
 
VI.] LIBER I. 29 
 
 yf 
 
 Obiciet nemo sordis mini, quas tibi, Tilli, 
 
 Cum Tiburte via praetorem quinque sequuntur (J 
 
 Te pueri, lasanurn portantes oenophorumque. 
 
 Hoc ego commodius quam tu, praeclare senator, no 
 
 Milibus atque aliis vivo. Quacumque libido est, 
 Incedo solus, percenter quanti holus ac far, 
 Fallacein circum vespertiriiimque pererro 
 Saepe forum, adsisto divinis, inde domum me 
 Ad porri et ciceris refero laganique catinum ; 115 
 
 Cena ministratur pueris tribus, et lapis albus 
 Pocula cum cyatho duo sustinet, astat echinus 
 Vilis, cum patera guttus, Campana supellex. 
 Deinde eo dormitum, noii sollicitus, milii quod eras 
 Surgendum sit mane, obeundus Marsya, qui se 120 
 
 Voltum ferre negat Noviorum posse minoris. 
 Ad quartam iaceo ; post hanc vagor aut ego lecto 
 Aut scripto quod me taciturn iuvet, unguor olivo, 
 Non quo fraudatis immuiidus Natta lucernis. 
 Ast ubi me fessum sol acrior ire lavatum 125 
 
 Admonuit, fugio campum lusumque trigonem. 
 Pransus non avide, quantum interpellet inani 
 Ventre diem durare, domesticus otior. Haec est 
 Vita solutorum misera anibitione gravique. 
 His me consoler victurum suavius, ac si - 130 
 
 Quaestor avus pater atque meus patruusque fuisset. 
 
30 SERMONUM [VII. 
 
 VII. 
 A CLEVER PUN. 
 
 1. Occasion of the Satire : The main point of this brief but finished 
 satire is the pun of Persius, which had evidently become the talk of 
 the town. The incident occurred during Horace's service as tribune 
 in the army of Brutus. In 43 B.C. the latter went from Macedonia 
 into Asia, to raise troops and money, and to confer with Cassius. At 
 Clazomenae one of his followers, P. Turpilius Rex, became involved in 
 a lawsuit, which was tried before Brutus. 
 
 2. Outline: 
 
 1. The characteristics of the litigants, 1-8 ; 
 
 2. Their bitter animosity, 9-21 ; 
 
 3. The speech of Persius. He lauds Brutus and his staff, with 
 
 the exception of Rex, whom he roundly abuses, 22-27 ; 
 
 4. Rex overwhelms him with a torrent of invective, 28-31. 
 
 5. But Persius turns the tables by his wit, 32-35. 
 
 3. Time : Opinions differ widely. Some assert that the story could 
 have no point unless it were told soon after the event, and regard this 
 as Horace's earliest satire. Others think that his attitude towards 
 Brutus, and the finished style, point to a much later date. The latter 
 view seems the more probable. 
 
 . 
 roscripti E/egis Rupili pus atque venenum 
 
 Hybrida quo pacto sit Persius ultus, opinor 
 Omnibus et lippis notum et tonsoribus esse. 
 
 Persius hie permagna negotia dives habebat 
 Clazomeni*s, etiam litis cum E,ege molestas, 5 
 
 Durus homo atque odio qui posset vincere Begem, 
 Confidens tumidusque, adeo sermonis amari, 
 Sisennas, Barros ut equis praecurreret albis. 
 
 Ad Eegem redeo. Postquam nihil inter utrumque 
 Convenit (hoc etenim sunt omnes iure molesti, 10 
 
 Quo fortes, quibus adversum belluni incidit : inter 
 Hectora Priamiden animosum atque inter Achillem 
 Ira fuit capitalis, ut ultima divideret mors, 
 
VIII. ] LIBER I. 31 
 
 Non aliam ob causam, nisi quod virtus in utroque 
 Summa f uit ; duo si discordia vexet inertis 15 
 
 Aut si disparibus bellum incidat, ut Dioniedi 
 Cum Lycio Glauco, discedat pigrior, ultro 
 Muneribus missis) : Bruto praetore tenente 
 Diteni Asiam, Kupili et Persi par pugnat, uti non 
 Compositum melius cum Bitho Bacchius. In ius 20 
 
 Acres procurrunt, magnum spectaculum uterque. 
 
 Persius exponit causam ; ridetur ab omni 
 Conventu ; laudat Brutum laudatque cohortem, 
 Solem Asiae Brutum appellat stellasque salubris 
 Appellat comites, excepto Rege ; canem ilium 25 
 
 Invisum agricolis sidus, venisse. Ruebat 
 Flumen ut hibernuin, fertur quo rara securis. 
 
 Turn Praenestinus salso multoque fluent! 
 Expressa arbusto regerit convicia, durus 
 Vindemiator et invictus, cui saepe viator 30 
 
 Cessisset magna compellans voce cuculum. 
 
 At Graecus, postquam est Italo perfusus aceto, 
 Persius exclamat : ' Per magnos, Brute, deos te 
 Oro, qui reges consueris tollere, cur non 
 Hunc Regem iugulas ? Operum hoc, mihi crede, tuorum 
 est/ 35 
 
 VIII. 
 PRIAPUS AND THE WITCHES. 
 
 1. Occasion of the Satire : The god Priapus, warder of the gar- 
 dens of Maecenas, tells of the gruesome rites of two witches, and how 
 he frightened them away. 
 
 The part of the Esquiline Hill which lay outside the wall of Ser- 
 vius Tullius was used until the time of Augustus as a burial place for 
 slaves, criminals, and paupers, who were cast indiscriminately into 
 pits, together with the carcasses of animals and general refuse. Close 
 by were the tombs and columbaria in which the ashes of those who 
 
32 ' SERMONUM [VIII. 
 
 were not wealthy, but could yet afford to belong to a Burial Society, 
 were deposited. This region was the resort of those who practised 
 magic rites, since such ceremonies were associated with the under- 
 world and with the dead. 
 
 At some time which is not exactly known, Maecenas purchased the 
 place, and had it filled in and laid out with gardens. Here also stood 
 his palace with a high tower (c/. Odes iii. 29. 10). 
 
 The tombs and columbaria seem to have been left undisturbed (c/. 
 line 36), and on this account, or on account of the old associations of the 
 place, the gardens were still sought by dealers in magic. Possibly the 
 events described in the satire belong to a time when the gardens had 
 been laid out, but the building of the palace had not been completed. 
 
 2. Outline: 
 
 1. Description of the god and his domain, 1-13 ; 
 
 2. He is annoyed by sorcerers, 14-22 ; 
 
 3. He describes the obscene rites of Canidia and Sagana, 23-36 ; 
 
 4. He drives them away in terror, 40-50. 
 
 3. Time : The exact date is uncertain ; not after 35 B.C. 
 
 Olim truncus eram ficulnus, inutile lignum, 
 Cum faber, incertus scamnum faceretne Priapum, 
 Maluit esse deum. Deus inde ego, furuin aviumque 
 Maxima f ormido ; nam fures dextra coercet ; 
 Ast importunas volucres in vertice harundo 5 
 
 Terret fixa vetatque novis considere in hortis. 
 Hue prius augustis eiecta cadavera cellis 
 Conservus vili portanda locabat in area ; 
 Hoc miserae plebi stabat commune sepulcrum ; 1 
 
 Pantolabo scurrae Nomentanoque nepoti. 
 Mille pedes in fronte, trecentos cippus in agrum 
 Hie dabat, heredes monumentum ne sequeretur. 
 
 Nunc licet Esquiliis habitare salubribus atque 
 Aggere in aprico spatiari, qua modo tristes 15 
 
 Albis informem spectabant ossibus agrum ; 
 Cum mihi non tantum furesque feraeque suetae 
 Hunc vexare locum curae sunt atque labori, 
 
VllL] LIBER I. 33 
 
 Quantum carminibus quae versant atque venenis 
 Humanos animos. Has nullo perdere possum 20 
 
 Nee prohibere modo, simul ac vaga luna decorum 
 Protulit os, quin ossa legant herbasque nocentis. 
 
 Vidi egoinet nigra succinctam vadere palla 
 Canidiam pedibus nudis passoque capillo, 
 Cum Sagana maiore ululantem ; pallor utrasque 25 
 
 Fecerat horrendas adspectu. Scalpere terrain 
 Unguibus et pullam divellere mordicus agnam 
 Coeperunt ; cruor in fossam confusus, ut inde 
 Manis elicerent, animas responsa daturas. 
 Lanea et effigies erat, altera cerea ; maior .30 
 
 Lanea, quae poenis compesceret inferiorem ; 
 Cerea suppliciter stabat, servilibus ut quae 
 lam peritura modis. Hecaten vocat altera, saevam 
 Altera Tisiphonen ; serpentis atque videres 
 Infernas errare canes, lunamque rubentem, 35 
 
 Ne foret his testis, post magna latere sepulcra. 
 
 Singula quid memorem, quo pacto alterna loquentes 40 
 Umbrae cum Sagana resonarint triste et acutum, 
 Utque lupi barbam variae cum dente colubrae 
 Abdiderint furtim terris, et imagine cerea 
 Largior arserit ignis, et ut non testis inultus 
 Horrueriin voces Furiarum et facta duarum. 45 
 
 ****** 
 
 At illae currere in urbem ; 
 Canidiae dentes, altum Saganae caliendrum 
 Excidere atque herbas atque incantata lacertis 
 Vincula cum magno risuque iocoque videres. 50 
 
34 SERMONUM [IX. 
 
 IX. 
 
 A PUSHING FELLOW. 
 
 1. Outline : Horace describes his sufferings at the hands of a de- 
 termined fellow, who forced himself upon him in the hope of being 
 presented to Maecenas. The poet freely reveals his lack of the moral 
 courage necessary for snubbing his tormentor. The man very likely 
 had no real existence, but merely represents a type ; at any rate, all 
 attempts to identify him have failed. 
 
 1. The bore succeeds in attaching himself to Horace : 
 
 a) Horace is accosted, and makes the fatal mistake of replying 
 
 politely, 1-8 
 6) He tries to rid himself of the fellow, but though the latter 
 
 sees that his company is unwelcome, he refuses to be 
 
 shaken off, 8-19 ; 
 
 c) The man tries to recommend himself by enumerating his 
 
 doubtful accomplishments, 20-25 ; 
 
 d) Horace interrupts him but cannot speak his mind, 26-34 ; 
 
 e) An engagement which the man has in court promises relief, 
 
 but he prefers to let it go, 35-43. 
 
 2. After wearing out Horace's rather feeble resistance, the man 
 
 reveals his purpose : 
 a) He assumes that Horace's intimacy with Maecenas is 
 
 prompted by self-interest, and offers to help him push 
 
 his fortunes, 43-48 ; 
 6) Horace assures him that he is mistaken. His sense of 
 
 humor leads him to encourage the fellow, 48-60. 
 
 3. A meeting with Aristius Fuscus gives Horace a ray of hope, 
 
 but the former, who knows his friend's fatal weakness, 
 
 amuses himself at his expense : 
 a) He pretends not to see the situation, 60-66 ; 
 6) He admits an appointment which Horace claims to have 
 
 with him, but puts it off to a more favorable time, 66-74 ; 
 c) The plaintiff in the lawsuit plays the part of a deus ex 
 
 machina, 74-78. 
 
 2. Time : The exact date is uncertain ; not after 35 B.C. 
 
 Ibam forte Via Sacra, sicut ineus est mos 
 Nescio quid meditans nugarum j totus in illis. 
 
IX.] LIBER I. 35 
 
 Accurrit quidam notus mihi nomine tantum, 
 Arreptaque manu 'Quid agis, dulcissime rerum?' 
 
 < Suaviter, ut nunc est/ inquam ' et cupio omnia, quae vis.' 5 
 Cum adsectaretur, < Numquid vis ? ' occupo. At ille 
 'Noris nos' inquit, 'docti sumus.' Hie ego 'Pluris 
 
 Hoc ' inquam ' mihi eris.' 
 
 Misere discedere quaerens, 
 Ire modo ocius, interdum consistere, in aurem 
 Dicere nescio quid puero, cum sudor ad imos 10 
 
 Manaret talos. ' te, Bolarie, cerebri 
 Felicem ' aiebam tacitus, cum quidlibet ille 
 Garriret, vicos, urbem laudaret. Ut illi 
 Nil respondebam, ' Misere cupis' inquit 'abire; 
 lamdudum video ; sed nil agis ; usque tenebo ; 15 
 
 Persequar. Hinc quo nunc iter est tibi ? ' ' Nil opus est te 
 Circumagi; quendam volo visere non tibi notum. 
 Trans Tiberim longe cubat is prope Caesaris hortos.' 
 
 < Nil habeo quod agam et non sum piger ; iisque sequar te. y 
 
 Demitto auriculas, ut iniquae mentis asellus," " 20 
 
 Cum gravius dorso subiit onus. Incipit ille : 
 ' Si bene me novi, non Viscum pluris amicum, 
 Non Variuni f acies ; nam quis me scribere pluris 
 Aut citius possit versus ? Quis membra movere 
 Mollius ? Invideat quod et Hermogenes ego canto. 7 25 
 
 Interpellandi locus hie erat: 'est tibi mater, 
 Cognatij quis te salvo est opus ? ' ' Hand mihi quisquain. 
 Omnis composui.' ' Felices ! Nunc ego resto. 
 Corifice ; namque instat fatum mihi triste, Sabella 
 Quod puero cecinit divina mota anus urnaT: 30 
 
 "Hunq,neque dira venena nee hosticus auferet ensis, 
 Nee laterum dolor aut tussis, nee tarda podagra; 
 Garrulus hunc quando consumet cumque ; loquaces, 
 Si sapiat, vitet, simul atque adoleverit aetas." ' 
 
 Ventum erat ad Vestae, quarta iam parte diei 35 
 
36 SERMONUM [IX. 
 
 Praeterita, et casu tune respondere vadato 
 
 Debebat ; quod ni fecisset, perdere litem. 
 
 ' Si me amas,' inquit ' paullum hie ades.' ' Inteream, si 
 
 Aut valeo stare aut novi civilia iura ; 
 
 Et propero quo scis.' 'Dubius sum quid faciam' inquit, 40 
 
 * Tene relinquam an rem. 7 ' Me, sodes.' ' Non faciam ' ille, 
 
 Et praecedere coepit ; ego, ut contendere durum est 
 
 Cum victore, sequor. 
 
 1 Maecenas quomoflo tecum ? ' 
 
 Hinc repetit; 'Paucorum hominum et mentis-iene^ganae; 
 Nemo dexterius fortuna est usus. Haberes" 45 
 
 Magnum adiutorem, posset qui ferre secuadas, 
 Hunc hominem velles si tradere ; okpeream, ni 
 Summosses omnis. 7 <Non isto vivimus illic 
 Quo tu rere modo ; domus hac nee purior ulla est 
 Nee magis his aliena malis ;<*nil mi officit/ inquam, 50 
 
 ^I)itior hie aut est quia doctior; est locus uni 
 Cuique suus.' ' Magnum narras, vix credibile.' ^Atqui 
 Sic habet. 7 ' Accendis, quare cupiam magis illi 
 Proxumus esse. ? ; Velis tantummodo ; quae tua virtus, 
 Expugnabis ; et est qui vinci possit, eoque 55 
 
 Difficilis aditus primes habet. ? ' Hand mihi dero. 
 Muneribus servos corrumpam ; non, hodie si 
 Exclusus fuero, desistam ; tempora quaeram, 
 Occurram in triviis, deducam. Nil sine magno 
 Vita labore dedit mortalibus.' 
 
 Haec dum agit, ecce 60 
 
 Fuscus Aristius occurrit, mihi carus, et ilium 
 Qui pulchre nosset. Consistimus. ' Unde venis ? ' et 
 ' Quo tendis ? ' rogat et responded Vellere coepi 
 Et pressare manu lentissima bracchia, nutans, 
 Distorquens oculos, ut me eriperet. Male salsus Go 
 
 Kidens dissimulare ; meum iecur)urere" bilis. 
 ' Certe nescio quid secreto velle loqui te 
 
X.] LIBER I. 37 
 
 Aiebas mecum.' 'Memini bene, sed meliore 
 
 Tempore dicam ; hodie tricesima sabbata ; vin tu 
 
 Curtis ludaeis oppedere?' 'Nulla mihi' inquam 70 
 
 'Religio est. ? 'At mi; sum paullo infirmior, unus 
 
 Multorum. Ignosces ; alias loquar.' Huncine solem 
 
 Tarn nigrum surrexe mihi ! Fugit improbus ac me 
 
 Sub cultro linquit. ^ ^ 
 
 Casu venit obvius illi 
 
 Adversarius et 'Quo tu turpissime?' magna 75 
 
 Inclamat voce, et ' licet antestari ? ' Ego vero 
 Oppono auriculam. Rapit in ius; clamor utrimque, 
 Undique concursus. Sic me servavit Apollo. 
 
 X. 
 
 ON SATIRE. 
 
 1. Occasion of the Satire : Horace's criticism of Lucilius (c/. iv.) 
 had doubtless awakened a great deal of opposition. In this satire, 
 which forms the epilogue to his first collection, he justifies his opinion 
 of his predecessor, and more fully defines his own position. 
 
 2. Outline: 
 
 1. Horace not only found faults in Lucilius, but good points as 
 
 well. He repeats his previous statement, 
 a) The versification of Lucilius is careless and rude, although 
 
 his wit is keen, 1-6 ; 
 &) His style lacks brevity and variety, 7-14 ; 
 
 c) He is too caustic. Good-natured raillery is often more 
 
 effective, 14-19; 
 
 d) His admirers praise his free use of Greek words and phrases. 
 
 This is really a defect, 20-35. 
 
 2. Horace defines his own ideal. He would found a new school 
 
 of satire : 
 
 a) He leaves epic and dramatic poetry to others. He finds 
 himself best adapted to satire (c/. iv., Outline, 2, c, ff.), 
 36-45 ; 
 
 6) He does not claim to equal Lucilius, but this does not pre- 
 vent him from recognizing, and trying to avoid, the 
 latter's faults, 46-64 ; 
 
38 SERMONUM [X. 
 
 c) Lucilius marks an advance on his predecessors. He is 
 
 faulty, however, when judged by the higher standard of 
 Horace's own day, 64-71 ; 
 
 d) Horace writes to please a small and critical circle of culti- 
 
 vated men. He despises the verdict of the general 
 public, 72-91 ; 
 
 e) After thus defining his ideal, he launches his book, 92. 
 
 3. Time : 35 B.C. 
 
 Lucili, quam sis mendosus, teste Catone 
 
 Defensore tuo pervincam, qui male factos 
 
 Emendare parat versus, hoc lehius ille, 
 
 Quo melior vir et est longe subtilior illo, 
 
 Qui multum puer et loris et funibus udis 5 
 
 Exoratus, ut esset opem qui ferre poetis 
 
 Antiquis posset contra fastidia nostra, 
 
 Grammaticorum equitum doctissimus. Ut redearn illuc : 
 
 rJ^~ 
 
 Nempe incomposito dixi pede currere versus 
 Lucili. Quis tarn Lucili fautor inepte est 
 Ut non hoc f ateatur ? At idem, quod sale multo 
 Urbem defricuit, charta laudatur eadem. 
 Nee tamen, hoc tribuens, dederim quoque cetera ; nam sic 5 
 Et Laberi mimos, ut pulchra poemata, mirer. 
 
 Ergo non satis est risu diducere rictum 
 Auditoris ; et est quaedam tamen hie quoque virtus. 
 Est brevitate opus, ut currat sententia neu se 
 Impediat verbis lassas onerantibus auris, 10 
 
 Et sermone opus est modo tristi, saepe iocoso, 
 Defendente vicem modo rhetoris atque poetae, 
 Interdum urbani parcentis viribus atque 
 Extenuantis eas consulto. 
 
 Eidiculum acri 
 
 Fortius et melius magnas plerumque secat res. 15 
 
 Illi, scripta quibus comoedia prisca viris est, 
 Hoc stabant, hoc sunt imitandi ; quos neque pulcher 
 
X.] LIBER I. 39 
 
 Hermogenes umquam legit, neque simius iste 
 Nil praeter Calvum et doctus cantare Catullum. 
 
 1 At magnum fecit, quod verbis Graeca Latinis 20 
 
 Miscuit.' seri studiorum, quine putetis 
 Difficile et mirum, Rhodio quod Pitholeonti 
 Contigit ? At sermo lingua coricinnus utraque 
 Suatfior, ut Ohio nota si commixta Falerni est.' 
 Cum versus facias, te ipsum percontor, an et cum 25 
 
 Dura tibi peragenda rei sit causa Petilli ? 
 Scilicet oblitus patriae^ua pati-isque Latini, 
 Cum Pedius causas exsudetPublicola atque 
 Corvinus, patriis intermiscere petita 
 
 Verba foris malis, Canusini more bilinguis ? 30 
 
 Atque ego cum Graecos facerem, natus mare citra, 
 Versiculos, vetuit me tali voce Quirinus, 
 Post mediam noctern visus, cum somnia vera : 
 1 In silvam non ligna feras insanius, ac si 
 Magnas Graecorum malis implerd catervas.' 35 
 
 Turgidus Alpinus iugulat duni Memnona dumque 
 Defingit Rheni luteum caput, haec ego ludo, 
 Quae neque in aede sonent certantia iudice Tarpa, 
 Nee redeant iterum atque item in spectanda theatris. 
 Arguta meretrice potes Davoque Chremeta 40 
 
 Eludente senem comis garrire libellos 
 Unus vivorum, Fundani ; Pollio regum 
 Facta canit pede ter percusso ; forte epos acer 
 Ut nemo Varius ducit ; rnolle atque facetum 
 Vergilio adnuerunt gaudentes rure Camenae. 45 
 
 Hoc erat, experto frustra Varrone Atacino 
 Atque quibusdam aliis, melius quod scribere possem, 
 Inventore minor ; neque ego illi detrahere ausim 
 Haerentem capiti cum multa laude coronam. 
 At dixi fluere hunc lutulentum, saepe ferentem 50 
 
 Plura quidem tollenda relinquendis. Age, quaeso, 
 
40 SERMONUM, [X. 
 
 Tu nihil in magno doctus reprehendis Homero ? 
 
 Nil coinis tragici mutat Lucilius Aeci, 
 
 Non ridet versus Enni gravitate minores, 
 
 Cum de se loquitur npn ut maiore reprensis ? 55 
 
 Quid vetat et nosmet Lucili scripta legentis 
 
 Quaerere, num illius, num re rum dura negarit 
 
 Versiculos natura magis factos et euntis 
 
 Mollius, ac si quis pedibus quid claudere senis, 
 
 Hoc tantum contentus, amet scripsisse ducentos 60 
 
 Ante cibum versus, totidem cenatus ? Etrusci 
 
 Quale fuit Cassi rapido ferventius amni 
 
 Ingenium, capsis quern fama est esse librisque 
 
 Ambustum propriis. 
 
 Fuerit Lucilius, ir^quam, 
 
 Comis et urbanus, fuerit liniatior idem, 65 
 
 Quam rudis et Graecis intacti carminis auctor 
 Quamque^ poetarum seniorum turba ; sed ille, 
 Si foret hoc nostrum fato dilatus in aevum, 
 Detereret sibi multa, recideret omne quod^ ultra 
 Perfectum traheretur, et in versu faciendo 70 
 
 Saepe caput scaberet, vivos et roderet unguis^ 
 
 Saepe stilum vertas, iterum quae digna legi sint 
 Scripturus, neque te ut miretur turba labores, 
 Contentus paucis lectoribus. An tua demens 
 Vilibus in ludis dictari carmina malis ? 75 
 
 Non ego ; nam satis est equitem mini plaudere, ut audax, 
 Contemptis aliis, explosa Arbuscula dixit. 
 Men rnoveat cimex Pantilius, aut cruciet quod 
 Yellicet absentem Demetrius, aut quod ineptus 
 Fannius Hermogenis laedat con viva Tigelli ? 80 
 
 Plotius et Varius, Maecenas Vergiliusque, 
 Valgius et probet haec Octavius optimus atque 
 Fuscus et haec utinam Viscorum laudet uterque ! 
 Ambitione relegata te dicere possum, 
 

 X.] LIBER I. R 41 
 
 Pollio, te, Messalla, tuo cum fratre, simulque 85 
 
 Vos, Bibule et Servi, simul his te, candide Furni, 
 Compluris alios, doctos ego quos et amicos 
 Prudens praetereo ; quibus haec, sint qualiacumque, 
 Arridere velim, doliturus, si placeant spe 
 Deterius nostra. Demetri, teque, Tigelli, 90 
 
 Discipularum inter iubeo plorare cathedras. 
 I, puer, atque meo citus haec subscribe libello. 
 
 
 
SERMONUM 
 
 LIBER SECUNDUS 
 
 i. 
 
 THE POET'S REPLY TO HIS CRITICS. 
 A DIALOGUE WITH C. TREBATIDS TESTA. 
 
 - 1. Occasion of the Satire : The first collection of Sermones had 
 been severely criticized. In the introduction to his second book 
 Horace justifies his choice of a field for his literary work, and an- 
 nounces his determination to continue writing in the same line. 
 
 2. Outline: 
 
 1. Trebatius advises Horace to give up literary work, or, since he 
 
 insists that he cannot do that, to turn to epic poetry, 1-12 ; 
 
 2. Horace replies that he has no gift for such work, and that the 
 
 time is not favorable, 12-20 ; 
 
 3. He pleads an .uncontrollable impulse to write satire, and re- 
 
 fuses to be frightened from his purpose of following his 
 bent: 
 
 a) To the threat that he will incur general detestation he 
 replies that : 
 
 1) It is his nature to write satire, 21-28; 
 
 2) He has a good precedent in Lucilius, 28-39 ; 
 
 3) It is his natural defensive weapon. He does not use 
 
 it, unless he is attacked, 39-56 ; 
 
 4) And he positively refuses to give it up, 57-60 ; 
 
 6) To the warning that he will lose his powerful friends he 
 replies that : 
 
 1) Laelius and Scipio remained on terms of the closest 
 intimacy with Lucilius, in spite of his attacks on 
 all classes of society, 60-74 ; 
 42 
 
I.J LIBER II. 43 
 
 2) He has enjoyed the same good fortune, in spite of 
 
 his humbler origin and ability, 74-79 ; 
 
 c) When warned that there is a law against lampooning any 
 one with bad (i.e. abusive) verses, Horace refuses to take 
 the matter seriously. He writes only good verses, and 
 the law does not apply to him, 79-86. 
 
 3. Time : 30 B.C. 
 
 Hor. Sunt quibus in satura videar nimis acer et ultra 
 Legem tendere opus ; sine ner vis altera quicquid 
 Composui pars esse putat similisque meorum 
 Mille die versus deduci posse. Trebati, 
 Quid faciam, praescribe. Treb. Quiescas. H. Ne 
 
 faciam, inquis, 5 
 
 Omnino versus ? T. Aio. H. Peream male, si non 
 Optimum erat ; verum nequeo dormire. T. Ter uncti 
 Transnanto Tiberim, somno quibus est opus alto, 
 Irriguumque mero sub noctem corpus habento. 
 Aut si tantus amor scribendi te rapit, aude 10 
 
 Caesaris invicti res dicere, multa laborum 
 Praemia laturus. H. Cupidum, pater optinie, vires 
 Deficiunt ; neque enim quivis horrentia pilis 
 Agmina nee fracta pereuntis cuspide Gallos 
 Aut la^entis equo describat vulnera Parthi. 15 
 
 T. Attamen et iustum poteras et scribere fortem, 
 Scipiadam ut sapiens Lucilius. H. Hand mini dero, 
 Cum res ipsa feret; nisi dextro tempore, Flacci 
 Verba per attentam non ibunt Caesaris aurem, 
 Cui male si palpere, recalcitrat undique tutus. 20 
 
 T. Quanto rectius hoc, quam tristi laedere versu 
 Pantolabum scurram Nomentanumque nepotem, 
 Cum sibi quisque timet, quamquam est intactus, et odit. 
 H. Quid faciam ? Saltat Milonius, ut semel icto { 
 Accessit fervor capiti numerusque lucernis ; 25 
 
 Castor gaudet equis, ovo prognatus eodem 
 
44 SERMONUM [I. 
 
 Pugnis ; quot capitum vivunt, totidem studiorum 
 Milia. ^^^ 
 
 Me pedibus delectat claudere verba 
 Lucili ritu, nostrum melioris utroque. 
 
 Ille velut fidis arcana sodalibus olim 30 
 
 Credebat libris, neque si male cesserat usquam 
 Decurrens alio, neque si bene ; quo fit, ut omnis 
 Votiva pateat veluti descripta tabella 
 Vita senis. Sequor hunc, Lucanus an Apulus, anceps ; 
 Nam Venusinus arat finem sub utrumque colonus, 35 
 
 Missus ad hoc pulsis, vetus est ut fama, Sabellis, 
 Quo ne per vacuum Eomano incurreret hostis, 
 Sive quod Apula gens seu quod Lucania bellum 
 Incuteret violenta. 
 
 Sed hie stilus hand petet ultro 
 
 Quemquam animantem, et me veluti custodiet ensis 40 
 
 Vagina tectus ; quern cur destringere coner 
 Tutus ab infestis latronibus ? pater et rex 
 luppiter, ut pereat positum robigine telum, 
 Nee quisquam noceat cupido milii pacis ! At ille, 
 [TJui me commorit melius non tangere! clamo 45 
 
 Flebit et insignis tota cantabitur urbe. 
 Cervius iratus leges minitatur et urnam, 
 Canidia Albuci quibus est inimica venenum, 
 Grande malum Turius, si quid se iudice certes. 
 Ut quo quisque valet suspectos terreat, utque 50 
 
 Imperet hoc natura potens, sic collige mecum. 
 Dente lupus, cornu taurus petit ; unde, nisi intus 
 Monstratum ? Scaevae vivacem crede nepoti 
 Matrem ; nil faciet sceleris pia dextera mirum, 
 Ut neque calce lupus quemquam neque dente petit bos; 55 
 Sed mala toilet anum vitiato uielle cicuta. 
 
 Ne longum faciam, seu me tranquilla senectus 
 Exspectat seu mors atris circumvolat alis, 
 
I.J LIBER II. 45 
 
 Dives, inops, Komae, seu fors ita iusserit exsul, 
 Quisquis erit vitae scribam color. 
 
 T. puer, ut sis 60 
 Vitalis metuo, et maiorum ne quis amicus 
 Frigore te feriat. H. Quid ? cum est Lucilius ausus 
 Primus in hunc operis componere carmina morem, 
 Detrahere et pellem, nitidus qua quisque per ora 
 Cederet, introrsum turpis, num Laelius et qui 65 
 
 Duxi A t ab oppressa meritum Carthagine nomen 
 Ihgenio offensi aut laeso doluere Metello 
 Famosisque Lupo cooperto versibus ? Atqui 
 Primores populi arripuit populumque tributim, 
 Scilicet uni aequus virtuti atque eius amicis. 70 
 
 Quin ubi se a volgo et caena in secreta remorant 
 Virtus Scipiadae et mitis sapientia Laeli, \ 
 
 r i- 
 
 Nugari cum illo et discincti ludere, donee 
 Decoqueretur holus, soliti. 
 
 *r<sOCL Quicquid sum ego, quamvis 
 
 Infra Lucili censum ingeniumque, tamen me 75 
 
 Cum magnis vi^isse invita fatebitur usque 
 Invidia, et fragili quaerens inlidere dentem, 
 Offendet solido, nisi quid tu, docte Trebati, 
 Dissentis. 
 
 T. Equidern nihil hinc diffingere possum ; 
 Sed tamen ut monitus caveas, ne forte negoti 80 
 
 Incutiat tibi quid sanctarum inscitia legum ; 
 Si mala condiderit in quern quis carmina, ius est 
 ludiciumque. H. Esto, si quis mala ; sed bona si quis 
 ludice condiderit laudatus Caesare ? si quis 
 Opprobriis dignum latraverit, integer ipse ? 85 
 
 T. Solventur risu tabulae, tu missus abibis. 
 
46 SERMONUM [II. 
 
 II. 
 
 A PLEA FOR RATIONAL LIVING. 
 
 1. Outline : Horace tells his friends how an old neighbor of his, in 
 his boyhood days at Venusia, advocated a frugal life, avoiding the 
 extremes of extravagance and parsimony ; and how he lived happily 
 by practising what he preached. 
 
 1. Gluttony and extravagance in diet are the results of a perverted 
 
 taste : 
 
 a) Correct ideas on the subject can be gained only from an 
 active life amid simple surroundings, 1-16 ; 
 
 6) Men's tastes are corrupted by over-eating and by lack of 
 exercise, 16-22 ; 
 
 c) Their diet is regulated by fashion and by the relative costli- 
 ness of viands, 23-52 ; 
 
 2. Stinginess and sordid living are equally reprehensible, 53-69 ; 
 
 3. A rational mode of life, avoiding both extremes, has many 
 
 advantages : 
 
 a) It gives bodily health, 70-77 ; 
 &) Vigor and elasticity of mind, 77-81 ; 
 
 c) Room for greater indulgence on festal days, when one's 
 
 strength must be recruited, and in old age, 82-93 ; 
 
 d) It keeps one from moral and financial ruin, 94-101 ; 
 
 e) Enables one to exercise charity and philanthropy, 101-105 ; 
 /) And better to endure a change of fortune, 106-111 ; 
 
 4. These views of Ofellus are shown to be true by his own life, 
 
 and by his happiness and contentment in prosperity and 
 
 in adversity : 
 a) Horace testifies to the frugality of his neighbor before, as 
 
 well as after, his change of fortune, 112-115 ; 
 6) He quotes his account of his simple life in the days of his 
 
 prosperity, 116-125 ; 
 c) And tells of his courage and contentment in adversity, 
 
 126-136. 
 
 2. Time : The exact date is uncertain ; not after 30 B.C. 
 
 Quae virtus et quanta, boni, sit vivere parvo 
 
 Nee meus hie sermo est, sed quae praecepit Ofellus 
 Eusticus, abnormis sapiens crassaque Minerva 
 Discite non inter lances mensasque nitentis, 
 
II.] LIBER II. 47 
 
 Cum stupet insamsjLcies fulgoribus et cum 5 
 
 Adclinis falsis animus meliora recusat, ^^^ 
 Verum hie impransi mecum disquirite. Cur hoc ? 
 Dicam, si potero. Male verum examinat omnis 
 Corruptus iudex. Leporem sectatus equove 
 Lassus ab indomito vel, si Romana fatigat 10 
 
 Militia adsuetum graecari, sen pila velox 
 * Molliter austerum studio f alien te laborem /. 
 Seu te discus agit,Qete cedentem aera disco) 
 Cum labor extuderit fastidia, siccus, inanis 
 Sperne cibum vilem ; nisi Hymettia mella Falerno 15 
 
 Ne biberis diluta. 
 
 Foris est promus, et atrum 
 
 Defendens piscis liiemat mare ; cum sale panis ^ 
 
 Latrantem stomachum bene leniet. VJJnde putas aut 
 Qui partum ? Non in caro nidofe voluptas -OA-HAA.\ 
 Sum ma, sed in te ipso est. Tu pulmentaria quaere 20 
 
 Sudande- ; pinguem vitiis albumque neque ostrea 
 Nee scarus aut poterit peregrina iuvare lagois. 
 Vix tamen eripiam, posito pavone velis quin 
 Hoc potius quam gallina tergere palatum, 
 Corruptus vanis rerum, quia veneat auro 25 
 
 Kara avis et picta pandat spectacula cauda ; 
 Tamquam ad rein attineat quicquam. Num vesceris ista, 
 Quam laudas, pluma ? Cocto num adest honor idem ? 
 Carne tamen quamvis distat nil, hac magis illam 
 Imparibus formis deceptum te petere ! Esto : 30 
 
 Unde clatum sentis, lupus hie Tiberinus an alto 
 Captus hiet ? Pontisne inter iactatus an amnis 
 Ostia sub Tusci ? Laudas, insane, trilibrem 
 Mullum, in singula quern minuas pulmenta necesse est. 
 Ducit te species, video: quo pertinet ergo ** ""' 35 
 
 Proceros odisse lupos ? Quia scilicet illis 
 Maiorem natura moduni dedit, his breve pondus. 
 
48 SERMONUM [II. 
 
 leiunus raro stomachus volgaria temnit. 
 
 ' Porrectum magno magnum spectare catino 
 
 Vellem' ait Harpy iis gula digna rapacibus. At vos, 40 
 
 Praesentes Austri, coquite horum oosonia. Quamquam 
 
 Putet aper rhombusque recens, mala copia quando 
 
 A^grum soilicitat stomachum, cum rapula plenus 
 
 Atque acidas mavolt inulas. Necdum omnis abacta ^ 
 
 Pauperies epulis regum ; nam vilibus ovis v** f ^ r sfl 45 
 
 Nigrisque est oleis hodie Jocu.s. Haud ita pridem 
 
 Gallon! praeconis erat acipensere mensa 
 
 Infamis. Quid? tune rhombos minus aequora alebant? 
 
 Tutus erat rhombus tutoque ciconia nido, 
 
 Donee vos auctor^docuit praetorius. Ergo *A 50 
 
 Si quis nunc m6rgos suavis edixerit assos, ' 
 
 Parebit pravi docilis Eomana iuventus. 
 
 Sordidus a tenui victu distabit, Ofello 
 ludice : nam frustra vitium vitaveris illud, 
 Si te alio pravum derorseris. Avidienus, 55 
 
 Cui Canis ex vero dictum cognomen adhaeret, 
 Quinquennis oleas^st et silvestria corna, 
 Ac nisi mutatum parcit defundere vinum, et 
 Cuius odorem olei nequeas perferre, licebit^" 
 Ille repotia, natalis aliosve dierum 60 
 
 Fe^tjos, albatus celebret, cornu ipse bilibri 
 Caulibus instillat, veteris non parcus aceti. 
 Quali igitur victu sapiens utetur, et horum 
 Utrum imitabitur ? Hac urget lupus, hac canis, aiunt. 
 Mundu? 4 erit, qua non offendat sordibus, atque 65 
 
 In neutram partem cultus miser. Hie neque servis, 
 Albuci senis exemplo, dum munia didit, 
 Saevus erit; nee sic ut simplex Naevius unctam 
 Convivis praebebit aquam : vitium hoc quoque magnum. 
 
 Accipe nunc, victus tennis quae quantaque secum 70 
 
 Adferat. In primis valeas bene; nam variae res 
 
II.] LIBER II. 49 
 
 Ut noceant homini. credas, memor illius escae. 
 .A* x>^.jJU^ >^AXCjA. ' . M . 
 
 Quae simplex ohm tibi sederit ; at simul assis 
 
 Miscueris elixa, simul conchylia turdis, 
 
 Dulcia se in bilem vertent stomachoque tuinultum 75 
 
 Lenta feret pituita. Vides, ,ut pallidus omnis 
 
 Cena desurgat dubia ? r ^^ < * / ^ 
 
 Quin corpus onustum 
 
 Hesternis vitiis animum quoque praegravat una, 
 Atque adfigit hunio divinae particulam aurae. 
 Alter, ubi dicto citius curata sopori 80 
 
 Membra dedit, vegetus praescripta ad munia surgit. 
 
 j/ Hie tamen ad melius poterit transcurrere quondam ; 
 
 / Sive diem festum rediens advexerit annus, 
 Seu recreare volet tenuatum corpus, ubique 
 Accedent anni, et tractari mollius aetas 85 
 
 Imbecilla volet; tibi quidnam accedet ad istam, 
 Quam puer et validus^^raesumis mollitiem, seu 
 Dura valetudo inciderit seu tarda senectus ? 
 Ranfcidum aprurn antiqui laudabant, non quia nasus 
 Illis nullus erat, sed, credo, liac^mente, quod hospes 90 
 
 Tardius adveniens vitiatum commodms quam 
 Integrum edax dominus consumeret. Hos utinam inter 
 Heroas natum tellus me prima tulisset ! 
 
 Das aliquid famae, quae carmine gratior" aurem 
 Occupat humanam ? Grandes rhombi patinaeque 95 
 
 Grande ferunt una cum damno dedecus. Adde 
 Iratrum patruum, vicinos, te tibi iniquum 
 Ej^froistra mortis cupidum, cum derit egenti 
 
 3 As, laquei pretium. ' lure ' inquit ' Trausius istis 
 lurgatur verbis ; ego vectigalia magna 100 
 
 Divitiasque habeo tribus amplas regibus.' 
 
 Ergo 
 
 Quod superat non est melius quo insumere possis ? 
 Cur eget indignus quisquam te divite ? Quare 
 
50 SERMONUM [II. 
 
 Templa ruunt antiqua deum ? Cur, improbe, carae 
 
 Non aliquid patriae tanto emetiris acervo*? ( 105 
 
 Uni nimirum tibi recte semper erunt res, 
 O magnus posthac inimicis risus ! Uterne 
 Ad casus dubios fidet siFi certius ? Hie qui 
 Pluribus adsuerit* mentem corpusque superbum, 
 An qui contentus parvo metuensque futuri HO 
 
 In pace, ut sapiens, aptarit idonea^llo? 
 ^Quo magis his credas, puer^huKc ego parvus Ofellum 
 Integris opibus n^siwnlatius u,sum, 
 Quam nunc aWisis. Videas me'tato in agello 
 Cum pecore et gnatis fortem mercede colonum, 115 
 
 ' Non ego 7 narrantem '< temere edi luce profesta 
 Quicquam praeter holus fumosae cum pede pernae. 
 Ac mini seu longum post tempus venerat hospes 
 Sive operum vacua gratus con viva per imbrem 
 Vicinus, bene erat non piscibus urbe petitis, 120 
 
 Sed pullo atque haedo ; tune pensilis uva secundas 
 Et nux ornabat mensas cum duplice ficu. 
 Post hoc ludus erat culpa potare ina^istra ; 
 Ac venerata Ceres, ita culmo surgeret alto, 
 Explicuit vino contractae seria frontis. 
 Saeviat atque novos moveat fortuna tumultus : 
 Quantum hinc imminuit ? Quanto aut ego parcius aut vos, 
 O pueri, nitfuistis, ut hue novus incola venit ? 
 Nam propriae telluris erum natura nee ilium 
 Nee me nee quemquam statuit ; n^os expulit ille ; 130 
 
 Ilium aut nequities aut vafri inscitia iuris, 
 Postremum expellet certe vivacior heres. 
 Nunc ager Umbreni sub nomine, nuper Ofelli 
 Dictus, erit nulli proprius, sed cedet in usum 
 Nunc mihi, nunc alii. Quocirca vivite fortes 135 
 
 Fortiaque adversis opponite pectora rebus/ 
 
III.] LIBER II. 51 
 
 III. 
 
 ON THE MADNESS OF MANKIND. 
 
 A DIALOGUE WITH DAMASIPPUS. 
 1. Outline: 
 
 1. Horace has gone to his Sabine farm for the holidays. Daraa- 
 
 sippus appears and reproaches him for not writing more, 
 1-18. 
 
 2. He explains himself by saying that, since his business career 
 
 ended in bankruptcy, he has busied himself with the 
 affairs of others, 18-26. 
 
 3. Horace says that that is only another kind of folly ; whereupon 
 
 his visitor retorts that Horace himself, in common with 
 all the rest of the world, is mad, 26-36. 
 
 4. When Damasippus would drown himself, Stertinius saved his 
 
 life by convincing him that all men, except the philoso- 
 pher, are equally mad and foolish, 37-46. 
 
 5. He quotes the arguments of the Stoic : 
 
 a) Everyone who is foolish and ignorant of the truth is a mad- 
 man. This insanity manifests itself in various ways, 46-81 ; 
 6) The avaricious are mad : 
 
 1) Because they believe that poverty is a disgrace, and 
 
 that wealth confers every blessing even wisdom, 
 82-103 ; 
 
 2) Because they hoard up riches which they are too 
 
 stingy to use, 104-119 ; 
 
 3) They may not seem mad, because avarice is so com- 
 
 mon, but they really are, 120-141 ; 
 
 4) Think of Opimius, who would not spend a few pence 
 
 in nourishing food, even to save his life, 142-157 ; 
 
 c) The ambitious are mad : 
 
 1) For they sacrifice their fortunes for office and empty 
 
 glory, 158-186 ; 
 
 2) Agamemnon, who sacrificed his daughter to his 
 
 ambition, was as mad as Ajax when he slew the 
 sheep. We should not question the madness of a 
 man who treated a lamb like a favorite daughter. 
 How about one who led his daughter like a lamb 
 to the slaughter ? 187-223. 
 
 d) The prodigal is mad : 
 
 1) If a young heir should distribute his patrimony 
 among the purveyors of luxuries, we should call 
 
52 SERMONUM [III. 
 
 him mad. This is what the prodigal really does, 
 224-238 ; 
 2) A man who squanders money on costly dainties 
 
 might as well throw it into a sewer, 239-246 ; 
 c) The amorous are all crazy : 
 
 1) For a young man to indulge in child's play is a sign 
 
 of madness. It is equally so to sigh for love, 247- 
 257; 
 
 2) The petulant lover can learn wisdom even from a 
 
 slave, 258-271 ; 
 
 3) What of the silly superstitions and the childish bab- 
 
 ble of old men, and the crimes committed by jeal- 
 ous lovers ? 272-280 ; 
 /) The superstitious are insane : 
 
 1) For instance, the man who prayed that he might live 
 
 forever, 281-287 ; 
 
 2) And the mother who sacrificed her child's life to a 
 
 mad vow, 288-295. 
 
 6. Damasippus says that Horace is no exception to the general 
 
 rule, 296-307 : 
 
 a) For he is building a house, in imitation of the great and the 
 wealthy, 308-320 ; 
 
 6) He writes satire, is hot-tempered, extravagant, and amor- 
 ous, 321-325. 
 
 7. Horace begs for mercy from his superior in madness, 326. 
 
 2. Time : 33-32 B.C. 
 
 Dam. Sic raro scribis, ut toto non quater anno 
 Membranam poscas, scriptorum quaeque retexens, 
 Iratus tibi, quod vini somnique benignus 
 Nil dignum sermone canas ; quid net ? At ipsis 
 Saturnalibus hue fugisti sobrius. Ergo 5 
 
 Die aliquid dignum promissis. Incipe. Nil est. 
 Culpantur frustra calami, immeritusque laborat 
 Iratis natus paries dis atque poetis. 
 Atqui voltus erat multa et praeclara minantis, 
 Si vacuum tepido cepisset villula tecto. 10 
 
 Quorsum pertinuit stipare Platona Menandro ? 
 Eupolin, Archilochum, comites educere tautos ? 
 
III.] LIBER II. 53 
 
 Invidiam placare paras virtute relicta ? 
 
 Contemnere miser ! Vitanda est improba Siren 
 
 Desidia, aut quicquid vita meliore parasti 15 
 
 Ponendum aequo animo. HOT. Di te, Damasippe, deaeque 
 
 Verum ob consilium donent tonsore. Sed unde 
 
 Tain bene me nosti ? 
 
 D. Postquam omnis res mea lanum 
 Ad medium fracta est, aliena negotia euro 
 Excussus propriis. Olim nam quaerere amabam, 20 
 
 Quo vafer ille pedes lavisset Sisyphus acre, 
 Quid sculptum infabre, quid fusum durms esset. 
 Callidus huic signo ponebam milia centum; 
 Hortos egregiasque domos mercarier unus 
 Cum lucro noram ; unde frequ-entia Mercuriale 25 
 
 Imposuere mihi cognomen com pita. //. Novi, 
 Et miror morbi purgatum te illius. Atqui 
 Emovit veterem mire novus, ut solet, in cor 
 Traiecto lateris miseri capitisve dolore, 
 Ut lethargicus hie cum fit pugil et medicum urget. 30 
 
 Dum ne quid simile huic, esto ut libet. D. O bone, ne te 
 Frustrere, insanis et tu, stultique prope omnes, 
 Si quid Stertinius veri crepat, unde ego mira 
 Descripsi docilis praecepta haec, tempore quo me 
 Solatus iussit sapientem pascere barbam 35 
 
 Atque a Fabricio non tristem ponte reverti. 
 
 Nam male re gesta cum vellem mittere operto 
 Me capite in flumen, dexter stetit et " Cave faxis 
 Te quicquam indignum ; pudor " inquit " te malus angit, 
 Insanos qui inter vereare insanus haberi. 40 
 
 Primum nam inquiram, quid sit furere ; hoc si erit in te 
 Solo, nil verbi, pereas quin fortiter, addam. 
 Quern mala stultitia et quemcumque inscitia veri 
 Caecum agit, insanum Chrysippi porticus et grex 
 Autumat. Haec populos, haec magnos formula reges, 45 
 
54 SERMONUM [III. 
 
 Excepto sapiente, tenet. 
 
 Nunc accipe, quare 
 
 Desipiant omnes aeque ac tu, qui tibi nomen 
 Insano posuere. Velut silvis, ubi passim 
 Palantis error certo de tramite pellit, 
 
 Ille sinistrorsum, hie dextrorsum abit, unus utrique 50 
 
 Error, sed variis inludit partibus ; hoc te 
 Crede modo insanum, nihilo ut sapientior ille, 
 Qui te deridet, caudam trahat. Est genus unurn 
 Stultitiae nihilum metuenda timentis, ut ignis, 
 Ut rupes fluviosque in campo obstare queratur. 55 
 
 Alteruin et huic varum et nihilo sapientius ignis 
 Per- medios fluviosque ruentis : clamet arnica 
 Mater, honesta soror cum cognatis, pater, uxor 
 ' Hie fossa est ingens, hie rupes maxima : serva ! ' 
 Non magis audierit, quam Fufius ebrius olim, 60 
 
 Cum Ilionam edormit, Catienis mille ducentis 
 * Mater, te appello ' clamantibus. Huic ego volgus 
 Errori similem cunctum insanire docebo. 
 Insanit veteres statuas Damasippus emendo ; 
 Integer est mentis Damasippi creditor ? Esto. 65 
 
 ' Accipe quod numquam reddas mihi ' si tibi dicam, 
 Tune insanus eris si acceperis ? an magis excors, 
 Reiecta praeda quam praesens Mercurius fert ? 
 Scribe decem a Nerio ; non est satis : adde Cicutae 
 Nodosi tabulas centum, mille adde catenas ; - 70 
 
 Effugiet tamen haec sceleratus vincula Proteus. 
 Cum rapies in ius malis ridentem alienis, 
 Fiet aper, modo avis, modo saxum et, cum volet, arbor. 
 Si male rem gerere insani est, contra bene sani, 
 Putidius multo cerebrum est, mihi crede, Perelli 75 
 
 Dictantis, quod tu numquam rescribere possis. 
 
 Audire atque togam iubeo componere, quisquis 
 Ambitione mala aut argenti pallet amore, 
 
III.] LIBER II. 55 
 
 Quisquis luxuria tristive superstitione 
 
 Aut alio mentis morbo calet ; hue propius me, 80 
 
 Dum doceo insanire omnis, vos ordine adite. 
 
 Danda.est ellebori multo pars maxima avaris; 
 Nescio an Anticyram ratio illis destinet omnem. 
 -Heredes Staberi summam incidere sepulcro, 
 Ni sic fecissent, gladiatorum dare centum 85 
 
 Darnnati populo paria atque epulum arbitrio Arri, 
 Frumenti quantum metit Africa. ' Sive ego prave 
 Seu recte hoc volui, ne sis patruus mihi.' Credo, 
 Hoc Staberi prudentem animum vidisse. ' Quid ergo 
 Sensit, cum summam patrimoni insculpere saxo 90 
 
 Heredes voluit ? ' Quoad vixit, credidit ingens 
 Pauperiem vitium et cavit nihil acrius, ut, si 
 Forte minus locuples uno quadrante perisset, 
 Ipse videretur sibi nequior ; omnis enim res, 
 Virtus, fama, decu's, divina humanaque pulchris 95 
 
 Divitiis parent ; quas qui construxerit, ille 
 Clarus erit, fortis, iustus. ' Sapiensne ? ' Etiam, et rex 
 Et quicquid volet. Hoc, veluti virtute paratum, 
 Speravit magnae laudi fore. Quid simile isti 
 Graecus Aristippus, qui servos proicere aurum 100 
 
 In media iussit Libya, quia tardius irent 
 Propter onus segnes ? Uter est insanior horum ? 
 Nil agit exemplum, litem quod lite resolvit. 
 
 Si quis emat citharas, emptas comportet in unum, 
 Nee studio citharae nee musae deditus ulli, 105 
 
 Si scalpra et formas non sutor, nautica.vela 
 Aversus mercaturis, delirus et amens 
 Undique dicatur merito. Qui discrepat istis, 
 Qui nummos aurumque recondit, nescius uti 
 Compositis metuensque velut contingere sacrum ? no 
 
 Si quis ad ingentem frumenti semper acervum 
 Porrectus vigilet cum longo" f uste, neque illinc 
 
56 SERMONUM [III. 
 
 Audeat esuriens dominus contingere granum ; 
 
 Ac potius foliis parcus vescatur amaris ; 
 
 Si positis intus Chii veterisque Falerni us 
 
 Mille cadis, nihil est, ter centum milibus, acre 
 
 Potet acetum ; age, si et stramentis incubet unde- 
 
 Octoginta annos natus, cui stragula vestis, 
 
 Blattarum ac tinearum epulae, putrescat in area ; 
 
 Nimirum insanus paucis videatur, eo quod 120 
 
 Maxima pars hominum morbo iactatur eodem. 
 Filius aut etiam haec libertus ut ebibat heres, 
 Dis inimice senex, custodis ? Ne tibi desit ? 
 Quantulum enim summae curtabit quisque dierum, 
 Unguere si caules oleo meliore caputque 125 
 
 Coeperis impexa foedum porrigine ? Quare, 
 Si quidvis satis est, periuras, surripis, aufers 
 Undique ? Tun sanus ? Populum si caedere saxis 
 Incipias servosve tuos, quos aere pararis, 
 Insanum te omnes pueri clamentque puellae ; 130 
 
 Cum laqueo uxorem interimis matremque veneno, 
 Incolumi capite es ? Quid enim ? Neque tu hoc facis Argis, 
 Nee ferro ut demens genetricem occidis Orestes. 
 An tu reris eum occisa insanisse parente, 
 Ac non ante malis dementem actum Furiis quam 135 
 
 In matris iugulo ferrum tepefecit acutum ? 
 Quin, ex quo est habitus male tutae mentis Orestes, 
 Nil sane fecit quod tu reprehendere possis ; 
 Non Pyladen ferro violare aususve sororem 
 Electran, tantum maledicit utrique vocando 140 
 
 Hanc Furiam, hunc aliud, iussit quod splendida bilis. 
 
 Pauper Opimius argenti positi intus et auri, 
 Qui Veientanum festis potare diebus 
 Camparia solitus trulla vappamque profestis, 
 Quondam lethargo grandi est oppressus, ut heres 145 
 
 lam circum loculos et clavis laetus ovansque 
 
III.] LIBER II. 57 
 
 Curreret. Hunc medicus multum celer atque fidelis 
 
 Excitat hoc pacto : mensam poni iubet atque 
 
 Effundi saccos nummorum, accedere pluris 
 
 Ad numerandum : hominem sic erigit, addit et illud : 150 
 
 * Ni tua custodis, avidus iam haec auf eret heres.' 
 
 'Men vivo?' 'Ut vivas igitur, vigila. Hoc age!' ' Quid vis?' 
 
 1 Deficient inopem venae te, ni cibus atque 
 
 Ingens accedit stomacho fultura ruenti. 
 
 Tu cessas ? Agedum, sume hoc tisanarium oryzae.' 155 
 
 1 Quanti emptae ? ' ' Parvo.' ' Quanti ergo ? ' ' Octussibus.' 
 
 <Eheu, 
 Quid refert morbo an furtis pereamque rapinis^? ' 
 
 ' Quisnam igitur sanus ? ' Qui non stultus. < Quid avarus ? ' 
 Stultus et insanus. ' Quid, si quis non sit avarus, 
 Continuo sanus ? ' Minime. ' Cur, Stoice ? ' Dicam. 160 
 Non est cardiacus Craterum dixisse putato 
 Hie aeger ; recte est igitur, surgetque ? Megabit, 
 Quod latus aut renes morbo temptentur acuto. 
 Non est periurus neque sordidus, immolet aequis 
 Hie porcum Laribus : verum ambitiosus et audax ; 165 
 
 Naviget Anticyram. Quid enim differt barathrone 
 Dones quicquid habes, an numquam utare paratis ? 
 Servius Oppidius Canusi duo praedia, dives 
 Antique censu, gnatis divisse duobus 
 
 Fertur et haec moriens pueris dixisse vocatis 170 
 
 Ad lectum : < Postquam te talos, Aule, nucesque 
 Ferre sinu laxo, donare et ludere vidi, 
 Te, Tiberi, numerare, cavis abscondere tristem ; 
 Extimui, ne vos ageret vesania discors, 
 Tu Nomentanum, tu ne sequerere Cicutam. 175 
 
 Quare per divos oratus uterque Penatis, 
 Tu cave ne minuas, tu ne maius facias id, 
 Quod satis esse putat pater et natura coercet. 
 Praeterea ne vos titillet gloria, iure 
 
58 SERMONUM [III. 
 
 lurando obstringam ambo : uter aedilis fueritve 180 
 
 Vestrum praetor, is intestabilis et sacer esto. 
 
 ID cicere atque f aba bona tu perdasque lupinis, 
 
 Latus ut in circo spatiere et aeneus ut stes, 
 
 Nudus agris, nudus nummis, insane, paternis ; 
 
 Scilicet ut plausus, quos fert Agrippa, feras tu, 185 
 
 Astuta ingenuum volpes imitata leonem ? ' 
 
 <Ne quis humasse velit Aiacem, Atrida, vetas cur ?' 
 'Bex sum.' ' Nil ultra quaero plebeius.' 'Et aequam 
 Rem imperito ; ac si cui videor non iustus, inulto 
 Dicere quod sentit permitto.' ' Maxime regum, 190 
 
 Di tibi dent capta classem redducere Troia. ^ 
 Ergo consulere et mox respondere licebit ? ' 
 ' Consule.' ' Cur Aiax heros ab Achille secundus 
 Putescit, totiens servatis clarus Achivis, 
 Gaudeat ut populus Priami Priamusque inhumato, 195 
 
 Per quern tot iuvenes patrio caruere sepulcro ? ' 
 'Mille ovium insanus morti dedit, inclitum Ulixen 
 Et Menelaum una mecum se occidere clamans.' 
 ' Tu cum pro vitula statuis dulcem Aulide gnatam 
 Ante aras spargisque mola caput, improbe, salsa, 200 
 
 Rectum animi servas cursum ? ' Insanus quid enini Aiax 
 Fecit, cum stravit ferro pecus ? Abstinuit vim 
 Uxore et gnato ; mala multa precatus Atridis, 
 Non ille aut Teucrum aut ipsum violavit Ulixen.' 
 ' Verum ego, ut haerentis ad verso litore navis 205 
 
 Eriperem, prudens placavi sanguine divos.' 
 'Nempe tuo, furiose.' ( Meo, sed non furiosus.' 
 'Qui species alias veris scelerisque tumultu 
 Permixtas capiet, commotus habebitur, atque 
 Stultitiane erret, nihilum distabit, an ira. 210 
 
 Aiax immeritos cum occidit, desipit, agnos ; 
 Cum prudens scelus ob titulos adrnittis inanis, 
 Stas animo et purum est vitio tibi, cum tumidum est cor ?' 
 
III.] LIBER II. 59 
 
 Si quis lectica nitidam ge stare amet agnam, 
 
 Huic vestem ut gnatae paret, ancillas paret, aurum, 215 
 
 Rufain aut Pusillam appellet fortiqtie marito 
 
 Destinet uxorem ; interdicto huic omne adimat ius 
 
 Praetor et ad sanos abeat tutela propinquos. 
 
 Quid ? si quis gnatam pro muta devovet agna, 
 
 Integer est animi ? Ne Idixeris. Ergo ubi prava 220 
 
 Stultitia, hie suinma est insania ; qui sceleratus 
 
 Et f uriosus erit ; quern cepit vitrea f ama, 
 
 Hunc circumtonuit gaudens Bellona cruentis. 
 
 Nunc age, luxuriam et Nomentanum arripe mecum :" 
 Vincet enim stultos ratio insanire nepotes. 225 
 
 Hie simul accepit patrimoni rnille talenta, 
 Edicit, piscator uti, pomarius, auceps, 
 Unguentarius ac Tusci turba impia vici, 
 Curn scurris fartor, cum Velabro omne macellum 
 Mane domum veniant. Quid turn ? Venere f requentes ; 230 
 Verba facit leno : ' Quicquid rnihi, quicquid et horum 
 Cuique domi est, id crede tuum et vel nunc pete vel eras. 7 
 Accipe quid contra iuvenis respondent aequus. 
 t In nive Lucana dorrnis ocreatus, ut aprum 
 Cenem ego ; tu piscis hiberno ex aequore verris. 235 
 
 Segnis ego, indignus qui tantum possideam ; aufer ! 
 Sume tibi deciens. Tibi tantundem. Tibi triplex, 
 Unde uxor media currit de nocte vocata.' 
 
 Filius Aesopi detractam ex aure Metellae, 
 Scilicet ut deciens solidum absorberet, aceto 240 
 
 Diluit insignem bacarn : qui sanior, ac si 
 Illud idem in rapidum flumen iaceretve cloacam ? 
 Quinti progenies Arri, par nobile fratrum, 
 Nequitia et nugis, pravorum et am ore gemellum, 
 Luscinias soliti impenso prandere coemptas, 245 
 
 Quorsum abeant ? Sani ut creta an carbone notati ? 
 
 Aedificare casas, plostello adiungere mures, 
 
60 SERMONUM [III. 
 
 Ludere par impar, equitare in arundine longa 
 
 Si quern delectet barbatum, amentia verset. 
 
 Si puerilius his ratio esse evincet amare, 250 
 
 Nee qnicquam differe, utrumne in pulvere, trimus 
 
 Quale prius, ludas opus, an meretricis amore 
 
 Sollicitus plores : quaero, f aciasne quod olim 
 
 Mutatus Polemon ? ponas insignia morbi, 
 
 Fasciolas, cubital, focalia, potus ut ille 255 
 
 Dicitur ex collo furtim carpsisse coronas, 
 
 Postquam est inipransi correptus voce magistri ? 
 
 Porrigis irato puero cum poma, recusat ; 
 ' Sume, catelle ! ' negat ; si non des, optet. Amator 
 Exclusus qui distat, agit ubi secum, eat an non, 260 
 
 Quo rediturus erat non arces situs, et haerat 
 Invisis foribus ? ' Nee nunc, cum me vocet ultro, 
 Accedam ? An potius mediter finire dolores ? 
 Exclusit ; revocat. Kedeam ? Non, si obsecret. 7 Ecce 
 Servus, non paulo sapientior : ' ere, quae res 265 
 
 Nee modum habet neque consilium, ratione modoque 
 Tractari non volt. In amore haec sunt mala, belluni, 
 Pax rursum ; haec si quis tempestatis prope ritu 
 Mobilia et caeca fluitantia sorte laboret 
 Beddere certa sibi, nihilo plus explicet ac si 270 
 
 Insanire paret certa ratione modoque/ 
 Quid ? cum Picenis excerpens sernina pomis 
 Gaudes, si cameram percusti forte, penes te es ? 
 Quid ? cum balba feris annoso verba palato, 
 Aedificante casas qui sanior ? Adde cruorem 275 
 
 Stultitiae, atque ignem gladio scrutare. Modo, inquam 
 Hellade percussa Marius cum praecipitat se, 
 Cerritus fuit? an commotae crimine mentis 
 Absolves hominem, et sceleris damnabis eundem, 
 Ex more imponens cognata vocabula rebus ? 280 
 
 Libertinus erat, qui circum compita siccus 
 
III.] LIBER II. 61 
 
 Lautis mane senex m ambus currebat et ' unum 
 
 Quid tarn magnum ? ' addens ' unum me surpite morti ; 
 
 Dis etenim facile est ' orabat ; sanus utrisque 
 
 Auribus atque oculis ; mentem, nisi litigiosus, 285 
 
 Exciperet dominus, cum venderet. Hoc quoque volgus 
 
 Chrysippus ponit fecunda in gente Menem. 
 
 ' luppiter, ingentis qui das adimisque dolores,' 
 Mater ait pueri menses iam quinque cubantis, 
 ' Frigida si puerum quartana reliquerit, illo 290 
 
 Mane die, quo tu indicis ieiunia, nudus 
 In Tiberi stabit.' Casus medicusve levarit 
 Aegrum ex praecipiti ; mater delira necabit 
 In gelida fixum ripa febrimque reducet. 
 Quone inalo mentem concussa ? Timore deorum." 295 
 
 Haec mihi Stertinius, sapientum octavus, amico 
 Arma dedit, posthac ne compellarer inultus. 
 Dixerit insanum qui me, totidem audiet atque 
 Respicere ignoto discet pendentia tergo. 
 
 H. Stoice, post damnum sic vendas omnia pluris, 300 
 
 Qua me stultitia, quoniam non est genus unum, 
 Insanire putas ? ego nam videor mihi sanus. 
 D. Quid caput abscisum demens cum portat Agave 
 Gnati inf elicis, sibi tune furiosa videtur ? 
 H. Stultum me f ateor liceat concedere veris 305 
 
 Atque etiam insanum ; tantum hoc edissere, quo me 
 Aegrotare putes animi vitio. D. Accipe : primurn 
 Aedificas, hoc est, longos imitaris, ab imo 
 Ad summum totus moduli bipedalis, et idem 
 Corpore maiorem rides Turbonis in armis 310 
 
 Spiritum et incessum : qui ridiculus minus illo ? 
 An quodcumque facit Maecenas, te quoque verum est 
 Tantum dissiinilem et tanto certare minorem ? 
 Absentis ranae pullis vituli pede pressis, 
 Unus ubi effugit, matri denarrat, ut ingens 315 
 
62 SERMONUM [IV. 
 
 Belua cognates eliserit. Ilia rogare 
 
 Quantane ? num tantum, sufflans se, inagna fuisset ? 
 
 ' Maior dimidio ? ? ' Num. tanto ? ? ' Cum magis atque 
 
 Se magis inflaret, ' non, si te ruperis ' inquit, 
 
 ' Par eris.' Haec a te non multum abludit imago. 320 
 
 Adde poemata nunc, hoc est, oleum adde camino ; 
 
 Quae si quis sanus fecit, sanus facis et tu. 
 
 Non dico horrendam rabiem. . . . H. Iain desine. D. Cultum 
 
 Maiorem censu ... H. Teneas, Damasippe, tuis te. 
 
 D. Mille puellarum, puerorum mille furores. ... 325 
 
 H, maior tandem parcas insane minor! ! 
 
 IV. 
 
 ON DINING AS A FINE ART. 
 
 A DIALOGUE WITH M. CATIUS. 
 1. Outline : 
 
 1. Horace accosts Catius, who is rushing off to commit to writing 
 
 a discourse on the subject of good-living, 13. 
 
 2. He apologizes for his untimely interruption, but begs Catius to 
 
 give him an outline of the discourse, which he finally 
 consents to do, 4-11 : 
 
 a) Rules for the appetizers (gustatio} : 
 
 1) For selecting eggs and cabbages, 12-16 ; 
 
 2) For making a fowl tender, 17-20 ; 
 
 3) For selecting mushrooms and berries, 20-23 ; 
 
 4) For the preparation of mulsum, 24-29 ; 
 
 5) For selecting shell-fish, 30-34. 
 
 b) Rules for the dinner (mensa prima) : 
 
 1) The cooking and seasoning of fish is as important as 
 
 their selection, 35-39 ; 
 
 2) The meats should be carefully chosen, 40-47 ; 
 
 3) The preparation and mixing of the wines is equally 
 
 important, 48-57 ; 
 
 4) How to stimulate a jaded appetite, 58-62 j 
 
 5) How to make good sauce, 63-69. 
 
 c) Rules for the dessert (mensa secunda} : 
 
 1) The selection of fruits and raisins, 70-72 ; 
 
 2) Original work of the lecturer, 73-75. 
 
IV.] LIBER II. 63 
 
 d) Proper service is essential : 
 
 1) The servants should be neat and the dishes clean, 76-80 ; 
 
 2) All the accessories should be tasteful and neat, 81-87. 
 3. Horace pretends to be greatly impressed. His sarcastic words 
 
 show his real opinion of such trifling, and reveal the pur- 
 pose of the satire, 88-95. 
 2. Time : The exact date is uncertain ; not after 30 B.C. 
 
 Hor. Unde et quo Catius ? Cat. Non est mihi tempus aventi 
 Ponere signa novis praeceptis, qualia vincunt 
 Pythagoran Anytique reum doctumque Platona. 
 H. Peccatum fateor, cum te sic tempore laevo 
 Interpellarim ; sed des veniam bonus, oro. 5 
 
 Quod si interciderit tibi nunc aliquid, repetes mox, 
 Sive est naturae hoc sive artis, mirus utroque. 
 C. Quin id erat curae, quo pacto cuncta tenerem, 
 Utpote res tenuis, tenui sermone peractas. 
 H. Ede hominis nomen, simul et, Romanus an hospes. 10 
 
 (7. Ipsa memor praecepta canara, celabitur auctor. 
 Longa quibus facies ovis erit, ilia memento, 
 Ut suci melioris et ut magis alba rotundis, 
 Ponere ; namque marem cohibent callosa vitellum 
 Cole suburbano qui siccis crevit in agris 15 
 
 Dulcior; irriguo nihil est elutius horto. 
 Si vespertinus subito te oppresserit hospes, 
 Ne gallina malum responset dura palato, 
 Doctus eris vivam musto mersare Falerno ; 
 Hoc teneram faciet. Pratensibus optima fungis 20 
 
 Natura est ; aliis male creditur. Ille salubris 
 Aestates peraget, qui nigris prandia moris 
 Finiet, ante gravem quae legerit arbore solem. 
 Aufidius f orti miscebat mella Falerno ; 
 
 Mendose, quoniam vacuis committere venis 25 
 
 Nil nisi lene decet ; leni praecordia mulso 
 Prolueris melius. Si dura morabitur alvus, 
 Mitulus et viles pellent obstantia conchae 
 
64 SERMONUM [IV. 
 
 Et lapathi brevis herba, sed albo non sine Coo. 
 
 Lubrica nascentes irnplent conchylia lunae ; 30 
 
 Sed non oinne mare est generosae fertile testae : 
 
 Murice Baiano melior Lucrina peloris, 
 
 Ostrea Circeis, Miseno oriuntur echini, 
 
 Pectinibus patulis iactat se molle Tarentum. 
 
 Nee sibi cenarum quivis temere arroget artem, 35 
 
 Non prius exacta tenui ratione saporum. 
 Nee satis est cara piscis averrere mensa, 
 Ignarum quibus est ius aptius et quibus assis 
 Languidus in cnbitum iam se conviva reponet. 
 Umber et iligna nutritus glande rotundas 40 
 
 Curvat aper lances carnem vitantis inertem ; 
 Nam Laurens malus est, ulvis et arundine pinguis. 
 Vinea submittit capreas non semper edulis. 
 Fecundi leporis sapiens sectabitur armos. 
 Piscibus atque avibus quae natura et foret aetas, 45 
 
 Ante meum nulli patuit quaesita palatum. 
 Sunt quorum ingenium nova tantum crustula promit. 
 Nequaquam satis in re una consumere curam ; 
 Ut si quis solum hoc, mala ne sint vina, laboret, 
 Quali perfundat piscis securus olivo. 50 
 
 Massica si caelo suppones vina sereno, 
 Nocturna, si quid crassi est, tenuabitur aura 
 Et decedet odor nervis inimicus ; at ilia 
 Integrum perdunt lino vitiata saporem. 
 Surrentina vafer qui miscet faece Falerna 55 
 
 Vina, columbine limum bene colligit ovo, 
 Quatenus ima petit volvens aliena vitellus. 
 
 Tostis marcentem squillis recreabis et Afra 
 Potorem coclea ; nam lactuca innatat acri 
 Post vinum stomacho ; perna magis et magis hillis 60 
 
 Flagitat immorsus refici, quin omnia malit, 
 Quaecumque immundis fervent adlata popinis. 
 
IV.] LIBER II. 65 
 
 Est operae pretiurn duplicis pernoscere iuris 
 Naturam. Simplex e dulci constat olivo, 
 Quod pingui miscere mero inuriaque decebit 65 
 
 Non alia quam qua Byzantia putuit orca. 
 Hoc ubi confusum sectis inferbuit herbis 
 Corycioque croco sparsuni stetit, insuper addes 
 Pressa Venafranae quod baca remisit olivae. 
 
 Picenis cedunt pomis Tiburtia suco ; 70 
 
 Nam facie praestant. Vennuncula convenit ollis ; 
 Rectius Albanam fumo duraveris uvam. 
 Hanc ego cum malis, ego faecem primus et allec. 
 Primus et invenior piper album cum sale nigro 
 Incretum puris circumposuisse catillis. 75 
 
 Immane est vitium, dare milia terna macello 
 Angustoque vagos piscis urgere catino. 
 Magna movet stomacho fastidia, seu puer unctis 
 Tractavit calicem manibus, dum furta ligurrit, 
 Sive gravis veteri craterae limus adhaesit. 80 
 
 Vilibus in scopis, in mappis, in scobe quantus 
 Consistit sumptus ? Neglectis, flagitium ingens. 
 Ten lapides varios lutulenta radere palma, 
 Et Tyrias dare circum inlota toralia vestis, 
 Oblitum, quanto curam sumptumque minorem 85 
 
 Haec habeant, tanto reprehendi iustius illis, 
 Quae nisi divitibus nequeunt contingere mensis? 
 
 H. Docte Cati, per amicitiam divosque rogatus, 
 Ducere me auditum, perges quocumque, memento. 
 Nam quamvis memori referas mihi pectore cuncta, 90 
 
 Non tamen interpres tantundem iuveris. Adde 
 Voltum habitumque hominis, quern tu vidisse beatus 
 Non magni pendis, quia contigit ; at mihi cura 
 Non mediocris inest, fontis ut adire remotos 
 Atque haurire queam vitae praecepta beatae. 95 
 
66 SERMONUM [V. 
 
 V. 
 
 ON WILL HUNTING. 
 A DIALOGUE BETWEEN ODYSSEUS (ULIXES) AND TIRESIAS. 
 
 1. Outline : 
 
 1. Ulixes asks Tiresias how he can enrich himself, since a man 
 
 must have wealth to be respected, 1-8 ; 
 
 2. The seer advises him to pay court to the rich and childless, in 
 
 order to be remembered in their wills, 9-17 ; 
 
 3. Ulixes objects, but yields when Tiresias tells him it is his only 
 
 hope, 18-22. 
 
 4. The latter then describes the details of the art : 
 
 a) The will-hunter must not shrink from any service, and he 
 must not be discouraged by failure, 23-44 ; 
 
 6) It is well to pay court also to a rich man who has one sickly 
 son, in order to be named second heir, 45-50 ; 
 
 c) If offered the will to read he must put it aside, not, how- 
 
 ever, without a hasty glance at. its provisions. The story 
 of the old woman of Thebes, 51-69 ; 
 
 d) He must not neglect the man's favorites, though he should 
 
 pay special attention to the testator himself, 70-88 ; 
 
 e) He must study his victim's peculiarities and adapt himself 
 
 to them, 88-98 ; 
 
 /) When his goal is reached, he must make a proper show of 
 grief, and at once lay his toils for another prize, 99-110. 
 
 2. Time : 30 B.C. 
 
 Ulixes. Hoc quoque, Tiresia, praeter narrata petenti 
 Responds, quibus amissas reparare queam res 
 Artibus atque modis. Quid rides? Tiresias. larane doloso 
 Non satis est Ithacam revehi patriosque penatis 
 Aspicere? U. O nulli quicquam mentite, vides ut 5 
 
 Nudus inopsque domum redeam te vate, neque illic 
 Aut apotheca procis intacta est aut pecus : atqui 
 Et genus et virtus, nisi cum re, vilior alga est. 
 
 T. Quando pauperiem missis ambagibus horres, 
 Accipe qua ratione queas ditescere. Ttirdus 10 
 
 Sive aliud privum dabitur tibi, devolet illuc, 
 Res ubi magna nitet domino sene; dulcia poraa 
 
V.] LIBER II. 67 
 
 Et quoscumque feret cultus tibi fundus honores, 
 
 Ante Larein gustet venerabilior Lare dives ; 
 
 Qui quamvis periurus erit, sine gente, cruentus 15 
 
 Sanguine fraterno, fugitivus, ne tamen illi 
 
 Tu comes exterior, si postulet, ire recuses. 
 
 U. Utne tegam spurco Damae latus? Haud ita Troiae 
 
 Me gessi, certans semper melioribus. T. Ergo 
 
 Pauper eris. U. Fortem hoc animum tolerare iubebo ; 2 
 
 Et quondam maiora tuli. Tu protinus, unde 
 
 Divitias aerisque main, die augur, acervos. 
 
 T. Dixi equidem et dico. Captes astutus ubique 
 Testamenta senum, neu, si vafer unus et alter 
 Insidiatorem praeroso fugerit hamo, 25 
 
 Aut spem deponas aut artem inlusus omittas. 
 Magna minorve f oro si res certabitur olim, 
 Vivet uter locuples sine gnatis, improbus, ultro 
 Qui meliorem audax vocet in ius, illius esto 
 Defensor ; f ama civem causaque priorem 30 
 
 Sperne, domi si gnatus erit fecundave coniunx. 
 'Quinte' puta aut 'Publi' gaudent praenomine molles 
 Auriculae ' tibi me virtus tua fecit amicum ; 
 Ius anceps novi, causas defendere possum ; 
 Eripiet quivis oculos citius mihi quam te 35 
 
 Contemptum cassa nuce pauperet ; haec mea cura est, 
 Ne quid tu perdas, neu sis iocus.' Ire domum atque 
 Pelliculam curare iube; fi cognitor ipse; 
 Persta atque obdura, seu rubra Canicula findet 
 Infantis statuas seu pingui tentus omaso 4 
 
 Furius hibernas cana nive conspuet Alpis. 
 'Nonne vides' aliquis cubito stantem prope tangens 
 Inquiet, 'ut patiens, ut amicis aptus, ut acer? ' 
 Plures adnabunt thunni et cetaria crescent. 
 
 Si cui praeterea validus male films in re 45 
 
 Praeclara sublatus aletur ; ne manifestuni 
 
68 SERMONUM [V. 
 
 Caelibis obsequium nudet te, leniter in spem 
 
 Arrepe officiosus, uti scribare secundus 
 
 Heres et, si quis casus puerum egerit Oreo. 
 
 In vacuum venias ; perraro haec alea f allit. 50 
 
 Qui testamentum tradet tibi cumque legendum, 
 Abnuere et tabulas a te removere memento, 
 Sic tamen, ut limis rapias quid prim a secundo 
 Cera velit versu ; solus multisne coheres, 
 Veloci percurre oculo. Plerumque recoctus 55 
 
 Scriba ex quinqueviro corvum deludet hiantem, 
 Captatorque dabit risus Nasiea Corano. 
 U. Num. furis ? An prudens ludis me obscura canendo ? 
 T. Laertiade, quicquid dicam, aut erit aut non; 
 Divinare etenim magnus mini donat Apollo. 60 
 
 U. Quid tamen ista velit sibi fabula, si licet, ede. 
 T. Tempore quo iuvenis Parthis horrendus, ab alto 
 Demissum genus Aenea, tellure marique 
 Magnus erit, forti nubet procera Corano 
 Filia Nasicae, metuentis reddere soldum. 65 
 
 Turn gener hoc f aciet : tabulas socero dabit atque 
 Ut legat orabit ; multum Nasica negatas 
 Accipiet tandem et tacitus leget, invenietque 
 Nil sibi legatum praeter plorare suisque. 
 
 Illud ad haec iubeo ; mulier si forte dolosa 70 
 
 Libertusve senem delirum temperet, illis 
 Accedas socius ; laudes, lauderis ut absens : 
 Adiuvat hoc quoque, sed vincit longe prius ipsum 
 Expugnare caput. Scribet mala carmina vecors ; 
 Laudato. Scortator erit ; cave te roget ; ultro 75 
 
 Penelopam facilis potiori trade. U. Putasne, 
 Perduci poterit tarn frugi tamque pudica, 
 Quam nequiere proci recto depellere cursu ? 
 T. Venit enim magnum donandi parca iuventus, 
 Nee tantum Veneris quantum studiosa culinae ; 80 
 
V.] LIBER II. 69 
 
 Sic tibi Penelope f rugi est ; quae si semel uno 
 
 De sene gustarit tecum partita lucellum, 
 
 Ut canis a corio numquam absterrebitur uncto. 
 
 Me sene, quod dicam factum est : anus improba Thebis 
 
 Ex testamento sic est elata: cadaver 85 
 
 Unctum oleo largo nudis umeris tulit heres, 
 
 Scilicet elabi si posset mortua ; credo, 
 
 Quod niniium institerat viventi. 
 
 Cautus adito, 
 
 Neu desis operae, neve iminoderatus abundes. 
 Difficilem et morosum offendet garrulus ; ultra 90 
 
 Non etiam sileas. Davus sis coraicus atque 
 Stes capite obstipo, multuni similis metuenti. 
 Obsequio grassare; mone, si increbruit aura, 
 Cautus uti velet carum caput ; extrahe turba 
 Oppositis umeris ; aurem substringe loquaci. 95 
 
 Inportunus amat laudari ; donee i Ohe iam ! ' 
 Ad caelum manibus sublatis dixerit, urge et ; 
 Crescentem tumidis infla sermonibus utrem. 
 
 Cum te servitio longo curaque levarit, 
 
 Et certum vigilans, ' Quartae esto partis Ulixes, 100 
 
 Audieris, ' heres;' 'Ergo nunc Dama sodalis 
 Nusquam est ? Unde mini tarn fortem tamque fidelem ? ' 
 Sparge subinde et, si paullurn potes, inlacrimare ; est 
 Gaudia prodentem voltum celare. Sepulcrum 
 Permissum arbitrio sine sordibus exstrue ; funus 105 
 
 Egregie factum laudet vicinia. Si quis 
 Forte coheredum senior male tussiet, huic tu 
 Die, ex parte tua sen fundi sive domus sit 
 Emptor, gaudentem nummo te addicere. Sed me 
 Imperiosa trahit Proserpina ; vive valeque. no 
 
70 SERMONUM [VI. 
 
 VI. 
 THE DELIGHTS OF COUNTRY LIFE. 
 
 1. Outline : Horace finds life on his Sabine Farm more agreeable 
 than the distractions of the metropolis. 
 
 1. He has his heart's desire and envies no man. He prays only 
 
 for a continuance of his present blessings and for intel- 
 lectual activity, 1-15 ; 
 
 2. He can 'find no better subject for his muse than the praises of 
 
 country life, 16-23 : 
 
 a) Life in Rome is full of care and annoyance : 
 
 1) A thousand and one duties call him forth in all 
 
 weathers, and keep him in a constant turmoil, 
 23-39 ; 
 
 2) Even his friendship with Maecenas is a cause of 
 
 envy and of constant demands for information 
 on political matters, 40-58. 
 
 b) Life in the country abounds in simple pleasures and in 
 
 opportunities for self-improvement : 
 
 1) He is able to read and to devote himself to literary 
 
 work, 59-62 ; 
 
 2) At table there is simple fare and improving convjer- 
 
 sation, 63-76 ; 
 
 3) A rural neighbor points morals by means of fables. 
 
 For example, to teach contentment with one's 
 lot, he tells the fable of the Town and the 
 Country Mouse, 77-79 : 
 
 (a) The Country Mouse entertains his friend 
 
 from the city, 79-89 ; 
 (6) The latter induces him to go to town, 90- 
 
 100; 
 
 (c) But the luxurious surroundings do not make 
 up for the dangers which accompany 
 them, and the rustic prefers his quiet 
 country life, 100-117. 
 
 2. Time: 31-30 B.C. 
 
 Hoc erat in votis : modus agri non ita magnus, 
 Hortus ubi et v tecto vicinus iugis aquae fons 
 Et paullum silvae super his foret. Auctius atque 
 
VI.] LIBER II. 71 
 
 Di melius fecere. Bene est. Nil amplius oro, 
 
 Maia nate, nisi ut propria haec mihi munera faxis. 5 
 
 Si neque inaiorem feci rations mala rem, 
 
 Nee sum facturus vitio culpave minorem ; 
 
 Si veneror stultus nihil horum : ' si angulus ille 
 
 Proximus accedat, qni nunc denormat agellum ! 
 
 O si urnam argenti fors quae mihi monstret, ut illi 10 
 
 Thesauro invento qui mercennarius agrum 
 
 Ilium ipsum mercatus aravit, dives amico 
 
 Hercule ! ' Si, quod adest, gratum iuvat, hac prece te oro : 
 
 Pingue pecus domino facias et cetera praeter 
 
 Ingenium, utque soles, custps mihi maximus adsis ! 15 
 
 Ergo ubi me in montis et in arcem ex urbe removi, 
 Quid prius inlustrem saturis Musaque pedestri ? 
 Nee mala me ambitio perdit nee plumbeus Auster 
 Autumnusque gravis, Libitinae quaestus acerbae. 
 Matutine pater, seu lane libentius audis, 20 
 
 Unde homines operum primes vitaeque labores 
 Instituunt sic dis placitum, tu carminis esto 
 Principium. Romae sponsorem me rapis. ( Heia, 
 Ne prior officio quisquam respondeat, urge.' 
 Sive Aquilo radit terras seu bruma nivalem 25 
 
 Interiore diem gyro trahit, ire necesse est. 
 Postmodo, quod mi obsit clare certumque locuto 
 Luctandum in turba et facienda iniuria tardis. 
 ' Quid vis, insane, et quas res agis ? ' improbus urget 
 Iratis precibus : 'Tu pulses omne quod obstat, 30 
 
 Ad Maecenatem memori si mente recurras.' 
 Hoc iuvat et melli est, non mentiar. At simul atras 
 Ventum est Esquilias, aliena negotia centum 
 Per caput et circa saliunt latus. ' Ante secundam 
 Roscius orabat sibi adesses ad Puteal eras. 35 
 
 De re communi scribae magna atque nova te 
 Orabant hodie meminisses, Quinte, reverti. 
 
72 SERMONUM [VI. 
 
 Imprimat his, cura, Maecenas signa tabellis.' 
 Dixeris, 'Experiar 7 ; <Si vis, potes, 7 addit et instat. 
 
 Septimus octavo propior iarn fugerit annus, - 40 
 
 Ex quo Maecenas me coepit habere suorum 
 In numero, dumtaxat ad hoc, quern tollere raeda 
 Vellet iter faciens, et cui concredere nugas 
 Hoc genus : ' Hora quota est ? Thraex est Gallina Syro par ? 
 Matutina parum cautos iam f rigora mordent ; ' 45 
 
 Et quae rimosa bene deponuntur in aure. 
 Per totum hoc tempus subiectior in diem et horam 
 Invidiae noster. Ludos spectaverat una, 
 Luserat in campo ; ' Fortunae filius ! ' omnes. 
 Frigidus a rostris manat per cornpita rumor ; 50 
 
 Quicumque obvius est, me consulit : ' bone, nam te 
 Scire, deos quoniam propius contingis, oportet, 
 Numquid de Dacis audisti ? 7 ' Nil equidem. 7 ' Ut tu 
 Semper eris derisor. 7 ' At omnes di exagitent me, 
 Si quicquam. 7 ' Quid ? militibus promissa Triquetra 55 
 Praedia Caesar an est Itala tellure daturus ? 7 
 lurantem me scire nihil mirantur, ut unum 
 Scilicet egregii mortalem altique silenti. 
 
 Perditur haec inter misero lux non sine votis^: 
 rus, quando ego te aspiciam, quandoque licebit GO 
 
 Nunc veterum libris nunc somno et inertibus horis 
 Ducere sollicitae iucunda oblivia vitae ? 
 quando faba Pythagorae cognata simulque 
 Uncta satis pingui ponentur holuscula lardo ? 
 noctes cenaeque deum ! quibus ipse meique 65 
 
 Ante Larem proprium vescor vernasque procacis. 
 Pasco libatis dapibus. Prout cuique libido est, 
 Siccat inaequalis calices conviva solutus 
 Legibus insams, sen quis capit acria fortis 
 Pocula seu modicis uvescit laetius. Ergo 70 
 
 Sermo oritur, non de villis domibusve alienis, 
 
VI.] LIBER II. 73 
 
 Nec male necne Lepos saltet ; sed quod magis ad nos 
 Pertinet et nescire .malum est, agitamus : utrumne 
 Divitiis homines an sint virtute beati ; 
 
 Quidve ad amicitias, usus rectumne, trahat nos ; 75 
 
 Et quae sit natura boni summumque quid eius. 
 
 Cervius haec inter vicinus garrit anilis 
 Ex re fabellas. Si quis nam laudat Arelli 
 Sollicitas ignarus opes, sic incipit: ' Olim" 
 Kusticus urbanum murem mus paupere fertur 80 
 
 AcApisse cavo, veterem vetus hospes amicum, 
 Asper et attentus quaesitis, ut tamen artum 
 Solveret hospitiis animum. Quidmulta? neque ille 
 Sepositi ciceris nee longae invidit avenae, 
 Aridum et ore ferens acinum semesaque lardi 85 
 
 Frusta dedit, cupiens varia fastidia cena 
 Vincere tangentis male singula dente superbo ; 
 Cum pater ipse domus palea porrectus in horna 
 Esset ador loliumque, dapis meliora relinquens. 
 Tandem urbanus ad hunc ' Quid te iuvat,' inquit, ' amice, 90 
 Praerupti nemoris patientem vivere dorso? 
 Vis tu homines urbemque feris praeponere silvis? 
 Carpe viam, mihi crede, comes ; terrestria quando 
 Mortalis animas vivunt sortita, neque ulla est 
 Aut magno aut parvo leti fuga : quo, bone, circa, 95 
 
 Dum licet, in rebus iucundis vive beatus, 
 Vive memor, quam sis aevi brevis.' Haec ubi dicta 
 Agrestem pepulere, domo levis exsilit; inde 
 Ambo propositum peragunt iter, urbis aventes 
 Moenia nocturni subrepere. 
 
 Tamque tenebat 100 
 
 Nox medium caeli spatium, cum ponit uterque /"* 
 
 In locuplete domo vestigia, rubro ubi cocco ^ 
 Tincta super lectos canderet vestis eburnos, 
 Multaque de magna superessent fercula cena, 
 
74 SERMONUM [VII. 
 
 Quae procul exstructis inerant hesterna canistris. 105 
 
 Ergo ubi purpurea porrectum in veste locavit 
 Agrestem, veluti succinctus cursitat hospes 
 Continuatque dapes, nee non verniliter ipsis 
 Fungitur officiis, praelambens omne quod adfert. 
 Ille Cubans gaudet mutata sorte bonisque no 
 
 Eebus agit laetum convivam, cum subito ingens 
 Valvarum strepitus lectis excussit utrunique. 
 Currere per totum pavidi conclave, magisque 
 Exanimes trepidare, simul domus alta Molossis 
 Personuit canibus. Turn rusticus ' Haud mihi vita us 
 
 Est opus hac,' ait, ( et valeas ; me silva cavusque 
 Tutus ab insidiis tenui solabitur ervo.' 
 
 << 
 
 VII. 
 A SLAVE'S LECTURE ON VIRTUE. 
 
 1. Outline : Horace's slave Davus retails the views of Crispinus, 
 the Stoic. 
 
 1. Davus obtains, as a privilege of the Saturnalia, permission to 
 
 speak his mind, 1-5 ; 
 
 2. He begins by general remarks on the inconsistency of man- 
 
 kind, 6-20 ; 
 
 3. On being asked to explain himself, he directly accuses his 
 
 master : 
 a) Of longing for Rome when he is in the country, and vice 
 
 versa, 21-29 ; 
 6) Of pretending to be glad when he is not invited out, and 
 
 joyfully accepting a summons from Maecenas at the 
 
 eleventh hour, 29-37 ; 
 
 4. He proposes to prove that Horace is more foolish than his 
 
 slave, and is in fact himself a slave, by the arguments 
 
 of Crispinus, 37-45 : 
 a) A man who is again and again led into danger by his 
 
 amorous passions is a slave to them, 46-82 ; 
 6) Only the philosopher, who masters himself, is truly free, 
 
 88-89. Horace is not, for : 
 1) He yields to his passions, 89-94 j 
 
VII.] LIBER II. 75 
 
 2) He moons over pictures, like a slave staring at the 
 
 posters of a gladiatorial show, 95-101 ; 
 
 3) He is a slave to his appetite, 102-111 ; 
 
 4) And after all he cannot live contentedly or drive 
 
 away care, 111-115; 
 
 5. Horace loses his temper and silences his tormentor by threat- 
 ening to send him to work on the farm, 116-118. 
 
 2. Time : 31-30 B.C. 
 
 Davus. lamdudum ausculto et cupiens tibi dicere servus 
 Pauca reformido. Hor. Davusne ? D. Ita, Davus, amicum 
 Mancipium domino et frugi quod sit satis, hoc est, 
 Ut vitale putes. H. Age, libertate Decembri, 
 Quando ita inaiores voluerunt, utere ; narra. 5 
 
 D. Pars hominum vitiis gaudet constanter et urget 
 Propositum ; pars multa natat, inodo recta capessens, 
 Interduin pravis obnoxia. Saepe notatus 
 Cum tribus anellis, modo laeva Priscus inani, 
 Vixit inaequalis, clavum ut mutaret in horas, 10 
 
 Aedibus ex magnis subito se conderet, unde 
 Mundior exiret vix libertinus honeste ; 
 lam moechus Komae, iam mallet doctus Athenis 
 Vivere Vertumnis, quotquot sunt, natus iniquis. 
 Scurra Volanerius, postquam illi iusta cheragra 15 
 
 Contudit articulos, qui pro se tolleret atque 
 Mitteret in phimurn talos, mercede diurna 
 Conductum pavit ; quanto constantior isdem 
 In vitiis, tanto levius miser ac prior ille, 
 Qui iam contento, iam laxo fune laborat. 20 
 
 H. Non dices hodie quorsum haec tarn putida tendant, 
 Furcifer? D. Ad te, inquam. H. Quo pacto, pessime? 
 
 D. Laudas 
 
 Fortunam et mores antiquae plebis, et idem, 
 Si quis ad ilia deus subito te agat, usque recuses, 
 Aut quia non sentis quod clamas rectius esse, 25 
 
76 SERMONUM [VII. 
 
 Aut quia non firmus rectum defendis, et haeres 
 
 Nequiquam caeno cupiens evellere plantain. 
 
 Romae rus optas ; absentem rusticus urbem 
 
 Tollis ad astra levis. Si nusquam es forte vocatus 
 
 Ad cenam, laudas securum holus ac, velut usquam 30 
 
 Vinctus eas, ita te felicem dicis amasque, 
 
 Quod nusquam tibi sit potandum. lusserit ad se 
 
 Maecenas serum sub lumina prirna venire 
 
 Convivam : ' Nemon oleum fert ocius ? ecquis 
 
 Audit ? ' cum magno blateras clamore fugisque. 35 
 
 Mulvius et scurrae, tibi non referenda precati, 
 
 Discedunt. ' Etenim fateor me ' dixerit ille, 
 
 ' Duci ventre levem, nasum nidore supinor, 
 
 Imbecillus, iners, si quid vis, adde, popino. 
 
 Tu cum sis quod ego et fortassis nequior, ultro 40 
 
 Insectere velut melior, verbisque decoris 
 
 Obvolvas vitium ? ? Quid, si me stultior ipso 
 
 Quingentis empto drachmis deprenderis ? Aufer 
 
 Me voltu terrere ; manum stomachumque teneto, 
 
 Dum quae Crispini docuit me ianitor edo. 45 
 
 Te coniunx aliena capit, rneretricula Davum : 
 Evasti ; credo, metues doctusque cavebis. 
 Quaeres, quando iterum paveas iterumque perire 
 Possis, o totiens servus ! Quae belua, ruptis 70 
 
 Cum semel effugit, reddit se prava catenis ? 
 1 Non sum moechus ' ais. Neque ego, hercule, fur, ubi vasa 
 Praetereo sapiens argentea. Tolle periclum j 
 lam vaga prosiliet frenis natura remotis. 
 Tune mini dominus, rerum imperiis hominumque 75 
 
 Tot tantisque minor, quern ter vindicta quaterque 
 Imposita haud umquam misera f ormidine privet ? 
 Adde super dictis quod non levius valeat ; nam 
 Sive vicarius est, qui servo paret, uti mos 
 Vester ait, seu conservus ; tibi quid sum ego ? Nempe 80 
 
VII. ] LIBER II. 77 
 
 Tu, mihi qui imperitas, alii servis miser atque 
 Duceris ut nervis alienis mobile lignum. 
 
 Quisnam igitur liber ? Sapiens, sibi qui imperiosus, t/ 
 Quern neque pauperies neque mors neque vincula terrent, 
 Responsare cupidinibus, contemnere honores 85 
 
 Fortis, et in se ipso totus teres atque rotundus, 
 Externi ne quid valeat per leve morari, 
 In quern manca ruit semper fortuna. Potesne 
 Ex his ut proprium quid noscere ? Quinque talenta 
 Poscit te mulier, vexat foribusque repulsum 90 
 
 Perfundit gelida, rursus vocat. Eripe turpi 
 Colla iugo, ' Liber, liber sum/ die age ! Non quis ; 
 Urget enim dominus mentem non lenis et acris 
 Subiectat lasso stimulos versatque negantem. 
 Vel cum Pausiaca torpes, insane, tabella, 95 
 
 Qui peccas minus atque ego, cum Fulvi Rutubaeque 
 Aut Pacideiani contento poplite iniror 
 Proelia rubrica picta aut carbone, velut si 
 Re vera pugnent, fe riant vitentque moventes 
 Arma viri ? Nequam et cessator Davus ; at ipse 100 
 
 Subtilis veterum iudex et callidus audis. 
 
 Nil ego, si ducor libo f umante : tibi ingens 
 Virtus atque animus cenis responsat opimis ? 
 Obsequium ventris mihi perniciosius est cur ? 
 Tergo plector enim. Qui tu impunitior ilia, 105 
 
 Quae parvo sumi nequeunt, obsonia captas ? 
 Nempe inamarescunt epulae sine fine petitae, 
 Inlusique pedes vitiosum ferre recusant 
 Corpus. An hie peccat, sub noctem qui puer uvam 
 Furtiva mutat strigili ; qui praedia vendit, 110 
 
 Nil servile gulae parens habet ? Adde, quod idem 
 Non horam tecum esse potes, non otia recte 
 Ponere, teque ipsum vitas fugitivus et erro, 
 lam vino quaerens, iam somno fallere curam ; 
 
78 SERMONUM [VIII. 
 
 Frustra ; nam conies atra premit sequiturque f ugacem. 115 
 H. Unde mihi lapidem ? D. Quorsum est opus ? H. Unde 
 
 sagittas ? 
 
 D. Aut insanit homo aut versus facit. H. Ocius hinc te 
 Ni rapis, accedes opera agro nona Sabino. 
 
 VIII. 
 A COMICAL DINNER PARTY. 
 
 1. Outline : Fundanius tells Horace about the dinner party of an 
 ostentatious millionnaire, who prided himself on his novelties in the 
 gastronomic art. 
 
 1. Horace begs for an account of the affair, 1-5. 
 
 2. His friend describes the meal, which was elaborate and costly, 
 
 but spoiled by the tiresome explanations of the host and 
 
 his friend Nomentanus : 
 a) The appetizers (gustatio}, 6-9 ; 
 6) The wines. The host's ostentatious display, 10-17 ; 
 
 c) The arrangement of the guests at table (see 2 below), 18-41 ; 
 
 d) The mensa prima. Nomentanus points out the costly fea- 
 
 tures, 42-53 ; 
 
 e) An untimely accident, which reveals the host's lack of 
 
 neatness and care. He loses his presence of mind, but 
 Nomentanus comes to the rescue, 54-78 ; 
 
 /) Balatro and Vibidius divert the attention of the guests, and 
 the dinner proceeds with many luxuries, the enjoyment 
 of which is spoiled by the host's wearisome talk, 79-95. 
 
 2. The Arrangement of the Guests : In accordance with the usual 
 arrangement, couches were placed on three sides of the table, and the 
 fourth was left open to allow access to the servants. The couches had 
 arms only on one end, at a, 6, and c ; in the other places the guests 
 rested their elbows on cushions. The places on each couch next to the 
 arms were called summus locus (1, 4, 7), the next medius locus (2, 5, 
 8), and the next imus locus (3, 6, 9). 
 
 Maecenas, the guest of honor, occupied the imus locus on the medius 
 lectus, and the other two places on that couch were assigned to his 
 umbrae, Balatro and Vibidius, who distinguished themselves by their 
 bibulous feats. Fundanius, Viscus, and Varius, friends of Maecenas 
 and men of letters, occupied the summus lectus in the order named. 
 
VIII.] 
 
 
 LIBER II. 79 
 
 'Medius Lectus 
 
 b 
 
 MENSA 
 
 
 The usual place for the host would have been the summits locus on 
 the imus lectus, next to Maecenas ; but he had placed Nomentanus 
 there to entertain (?) his distinguished guest, and himself occupied 
 the medius locus. Beside him was the appropriately named buffoon, 
 Porcius. 
 
 3. Time : The exact date cannot be determined. 
 
 Hor. Ut Nasidieni iuvit te cena beati ? 
 Nam mihi quaerenti convivam dictus here illic 
 De medio potare die. Fund. Sic, ut mihi numquam 
 In vita fuerit melius. H. Da, si grave non est, 
 Quae prima iratum ventrem placaverit esca. 5 
 
 F. In primis Lucanus aper leni fuit Austro 
 Captus, ut aiebat cenae pater ; acria circum 
 Rapula, lactucae, radices, qualia lassum 
 Pervellunt stomachum, siser, allec, faecula Coa. 
 
 His ubi sublatis puer alte cinctus acernam 10 
 
 Gausape purpureo mensam pertersit, et alter 
 Sublegit quodcumque iaceret inutile quodque 
 Posset cenantis offendere ; ut Attica virgo 
 Cum sacris Cereris procedit fuscus Hydaspes, 
 Caecuba vina ferens, Alcon Chiuni maris expers. 15 
 
80 SERMONUM [VIII. 
 
 Hie erus : ' Albanum, Maecenas, sive Falernum 
 
 Te magis adpositis delectat, habemus utruraque. 
 
 H. Divitias miseras ! Sed quis cenantibus una. 
 
 Fundani, pulchre fuerit tibi, nosse laboro. 
 
 F. Surnmus ego et prope me Viscus Thurinus et infra, 20 
 
 Si meniini, Varius, cum Servilio Balatrone 
 
 Vibidius, quos Maecenas adduxerat umbras. 
 
 Nomentanus erat super ipsum, Porcius infra, 
 
 Ridiculus totas semel absorbere placentas. 
 
 Nomentanus ad hoc, qui, si quid forte lateret, 25 
 
 Indice monstraret digito : nam cetera turba, 
 
 Nos, inquam, cenamus avis, conchylia, piscis, 
 
 Longe dissimilem noto celantia sucuni, 
 
 Ut vel continuo patuit, cum passeris atque 
 
 Ingustata mihi porrexerat ilia rhombi. 30 
 
 Post hoc me docuit melimela rubere minorem 
 
 Ad lunam delecta. Quid hoc intersit, ab ipso 
 
 Audieris melius. Turn Vibidius Balatroni : 
 
 ' Kos nisi damnose bibimus, moriernur inulti,' 
 
 Et calices poscit maiores. Vertere pallor 35 
 
 Turn parochi facieni, nil sic metuentis ut acris 
 
 Potores, vel quod maledicunt liberius vel 
 
 Fervida quod subtile exsurdant vina palatum. 
 
 Invertunt Allifanis vinaria tota 
 
 Vibidius Balatroque, secutis omnibus ; imi 40 
 
 Convivae lecti iiihilum nocuere lagoenis. 
 
 Adfertur squillas inter murena natantis 
 In patina porrecta. Sub hoc erus, ' Haec gravida ' inquit 
 ' Capta est, deterior post partum carne f utura. 
 His mixtum ius est ; oleo, quod prima Venaf ri 45 
 
 Pressit cella ; garo de sucis piscis Hiberi ; 
 Vino quinquenni, verum citra mare nato, 
 Dum coquitur eocto.Chium sic convenit, ut non 
 Hoc magis ullum aliud pipere albo, non sine aceto, 
 
VIII.] LIBER II. 81 
 
 Quod Methynmaeam vitio inutaverit uvam. 50 
 
 Erucas viridis, inulas ego primus amaras 
 Moustravi incoquere ; inlutos Curtillus echinos, 
 Ut inelius muria, quod testa marina remittat.' 
 
 Interea suspensa gravis aulaea ruinas 
 
 In patinam fecere, trahentia pulveris atri 55 
 
 Quantum non Aquilo Campanis excitat agris. 
 Nos maius veriti, postquam nihil esse pericli 
 Sensimus, erigiinur. Rufus posito capite, ut si 
 Filius imiuaturus obisset, Here. Quis esset 
 Finis, ni sapiens sic Nomentanus amicum 60 
 
 Tolleret : ' Heu, Fortuna, quis est crudelior in nos 
 Te deus ? Ut semper gaudes inludere rebus 
 Hunianis ! ' Varius mappa compescere risum 
 Yix poterat. Balatro suspendens omnia iiaso, 
 1 Haec est condicio vivendi/ aiebat, ' eoque 65 
 
 Responsura tuo nurnquam est par fama labori. 
 Tene, ut ego accipiar laute, torquerier omni 
 Sollicitudine districtum, ne panis adustus, 
 Ne male conditum ius adponatur, ut omnes 
 Praecincti recte pueri comptique ministrent ? 70 
 
 Adde hos praeterea casus, aulaea ruant si, 
 Ut modo ; si patinam pede lapsus frangat agaso. 
 Sed convivatoris, uti ducis, ingenium res 
 Adversae nudare solent, celare secundae.' 
 Nasidienus ad haec : ' Tibi di, quaecumque preceris, 75 
 
 Commoda dent ! ita vir bonus es convivaque comis J ; 
 Et soleas poscit. Turn in lecto quoque videres 
 Stridere secreta divisos aure susurros. 
 
 H. Nullos his mallem ludos spectasse ; sed ilia 
 Redde, age, quae deinceps risisti. F. Yibidius dum 80 
 
 Quaerit de pueris num sit quoque fracta lagoena, 
 Quod sibi poscenti non dantur pocula, dumque 
 Ridetur fictis rerum Balatrone secundo, 
 
82 SEEMONUM LIBER II. [VIII. 
 
 Nasidiene, redis mutatae front! s, ut arte 
 
 Emendatums fortunam; deinde secuti 85 
 
 Mazonomo pueri magno discerpta ferentes 
 
 Membra gruis spars! sale multo, non sine farre, 
 
 Pinguibus et ficis pastum iecur anseris albae, 
 
 Et leporum avolsos, ut multo suavius, armos, 
 
 Quam si cum lumbis quis edit. Turn pectore adusto 90 
 
 Vidimus et merulas poni et sine clune palumbes ; 
 
 Suaves res, si non causas narraret earum et 
 
 Naturas dominus, quern nos sic fugimus ulti, 
 
 Ut nihil omnino gustaremus, velut illis 
 
 Canidia adflasset peior serpentibus Afris. 95 
 
EPISTULARLJM 
 
 LIBER PRIMUS. 
 
 I. 
 
 ON THE IMPORTANCE OF PHILOSOPHY. 
 
 1. Occasion of the Poem : Maecenas had probably urged upon Hor- 
 ace the publication of a second collection of lyrics (line 5), although he 
 may have called for an epic in praise of Augustus (c/. Serm. ii. 1. 10 
 ft.). I n dedicating the first book of Epistles to his patron, Horace 
 states his plans for the future. 
 
 2. Outline : 
 
 1. Horace proposes to give up lyric poetry, in which line he thinks 
 
 he has served his time, and to devote his spare moments 
 to philosophy, 1-12. 
 
 2. He will not follow any particular school. He regrets that he 
 
 cannot give more time to the subject, 13-26. 
 
 3. However, a slight knowledge is better than none, and serves 
 
 to alleviate many evils, even if it cannot cure them, 
 27-40. 
 
 4. The philosophers, and not the general public, are the safe guides 
 
 for the conduct of life : 
 a) For it is better to learn not to desire wealth and honors than 
 
 to toil to gain them, 41-51 ; 
 6) But the masses care for nothing but money and the position 
 
 which it secures, 52-69 ; 
 
 c) Then, too, each man has a different idea of happiness, 70-80 ; 
 
 d) And even the same individual changes his opinion from hour 
 
 to hour, 80-93 ; 
 
 e) So universal is this mad inconsistency that it attracts less 
 
 attention than carelessness in dress or in personal neat- 
 ness, 94-105. 
 
 83 
 
84 EPISTULARUM [I. 
 
 5. Horace closes with a parting thrust at the exaggerated claims 
 of the Stoics, 106-108. 
 
 3. Time : 20 B.C. 
 
 Prima dicte mihi, summa dicende Camena, 
 Spectatum satis et donatum iam rude quaeris, 
 Maecenas, iterum antique me includere ludo. 
 Non eadem est aetas, non mens. Veianius, armis 
 Herculis ad postern fixis, latet abditus agro, 
 Ne populum extrema totiens exoret harena. 
 Est mihi purgatam erebro qui personet aurem : 
 ' Solve senescentem mature sanus equum,. ne 
 Peccet ad extremum ridendus et ilia ducat.' 
 Nunc itaque et versus et cetera ludicra pono ; 10 
 
 Quid verum atque decens euro et rogo, et omnis in hoc sum ; 
 Condo et compono quae mox depromere possim. 
 
 Ac ne forte roges quo me duce, quo Lare tuter, 
 Nullius addictus iurare in verba magistri, 
 Quo me cumque rapit tempestas, deferor hospes. 15 
 
 Nunc agilis fio et mersor civilibus undis, 
 Virtutis verae custos rigidusque satelles-; 
 Nunc in Aristippi furtim praecepta relabor, 
 Et mihi res, non me rebus, subiungere conor. 
 Ut nox longa quibus mentitur arnica, diesque 20 
 
 Longa videtur opus debentibus, ut piger annus 
 Pupillis, quos dura premit custodia matrum ; 
 Sic mihi tarda fluunt ingrataque tempora, quae spem 
 Consiliumque morantur agendi naviter id quod 
 Aeque pauperibus prodest, locupletibus aeque, 25 
 
 Aeque neglectum pueris senibusque nocebit. 
 
 Restat ut his ego me ipse regain solerque elementis. 
 Non possis oculo quantum contendere Lynceus ; 
 Non tamen idcirco contemnas lippus inungui : 
 Nee, quia desperes invicti membra Glyeonis, 30 
 
 Nodosa corpus nolis prohibere cheragra.' 
 
I.] LIBER I. 85 
 
 Est quadam prodire terms, si non datur ultra. 
 
 Fervet avaritia miseroque cupidine pectus ; 
 
 Sunt verba et voces quibus hunc lenire dolorem 
 
 Possis et magnam morbi deponere partem. 35 
 
 Laudis am ore tumes ; sunt certa piacula quae te 
 
 Ter pure lecto poterunt recreare libello. 
 
 Invidus, iracundus, iners, vinosus, araator, 
 
 Nemo adeo ferus est, ut non mitescere possit, 
 
 Si modo culturae patientem commodet aurem. 40 
 
 Virtus est vitium fugere et sapientia prima 
 Stultitia caruisse. Vides, quae maxima credis 
 Esse mala, exiguum censum turpemque repulsam, 
 Quanto devites animi capitisque labore ; 
 Impiger extremes curris mercator ad Indos, 45 
 
 Per mare pauperiem f ugiens, per saxa, per ignis ; 
 Ne cures ea, quae stulte miraris et optas, 
 Discere et audire et meliori credere non vis ? 
 Quis circum pagos et circum compita pugnax 
 Magna coronari contemnat Olympia, cui spes, 50 
 
 Cui sit condicio dulcis sine pulvere palmae ? 
 
 Vilius argentum est auro, virtutibus aurum. 
 < cives, cives, quaerenda pecunia primum est ; 
 Virtus post nummos ; ' haec lanus summus ab imo 
 Prodocet, haec recinunt iuvenes dictata senesque, 55 
 
 Laevo suspensi loculos tabulamque lacerto. 
 Est animus tibi, sunt mores, est lingua fidesque, 
 Sed quadringentis sex septem milia desunt ; 
 Plebs eris. At pueri ludentes ' Rex eris/ aiunt, 
 1 Si recte facies.' Hie murus aeneus esto : 60 
 
 Nil conscire sibi, nulla pallescere culpa. 
 Roscia, die sodes, melior lex an pue,rorum est 
 Nenia, quae regnum recte facientibus offert, 
 Et maribus Curiis et decantata Camillis ? 
 Isne tibi melius suadet, qui rein facias, rem, 65 
 
86 EPISTULARUM [I. 
 
 Si possis, recte, si non, quocumque modo rem, 
 Ut propius spectes lacrimosa poemata Pupi ; 
 An qui Fortunae te responsare superbae 
 Liberum et erectum praesens hortatur et aptat ? 
 
 Quod si me populus Rom anus forte roget cur 70 
 
 Non ut porticibus sic iudiciis fruar isdem, 
 Nee sequar aut fugiam quae diligit ipse vel odit, 
 Oliin quod volpes aegroto cauta leoni 
 Respondit, referam : ( Quia me vestigia terrent, 
 Omnia te adversum spectantia, nulla retrorsum.' 75 
 
 Belua multorum es capitum. Nam quid sequar aut quern ? 
 Pars hominum gestit conducere publica ; sunt qui 
 Crustis et pomis viduas venentur avaras, 
 Excipiantque senes, quos in vivaria mittant ; 
 Multis occulto crescit res faenore. 
 
 Verum 80 
 
 Esto aliis alios rebus studiisque teneri ; 
 Idem eadem possunt horam durare probantes ? 
 1 Nullus in orbe sinus Bais praelucet amoenis ' 
 Si dixit dives : lacus et mare sentit amorem 
 Festinantis eri ; cui si vitiosa libido 85 
 
 Fecerit auspiciurn, l Cras f erramenta Teanum 
 Tolletis, fabri.' Lectus genialis in aula est ; 
 Nil ait esse prius, melius nil caelibe vita : 
 Si non est, iurat bene solis esse maritis. 
 Quo teneam voltus mutantem Prb'tea nodo ? 90 
 
 Quid pauper ? Eide : mutat cenacula, lectos, 
 Balnea, tonsores, conducto navigio aeque 
 Nauseat ac locuples, quern ducit priva triremis. 
 
 Si curatus inaequali tonsore capillos 
 
 Occurri, rides, si forte subucula pexae 95 
 
 Trita subest tunicae, vel si toga dissidet impar, 
 Bides ; quid, mea cum pugnat sententia secum, 
 Quod petiit spernifc, repetit quod nuper omisit, 
 
II.] LIBER I. ' 87 
 
 Aestuat et vitae disconvenit ordine toto, 
 
 Diruit, aedificat, rautat quadrata rotundis ? 100 
 
 Insanire putas sollemnia me neque rides, 
 
 Nee medici credis nee curatoris egere 
 
 A praetore dati, rerum tutela mearum 
 
 Cum sis et prave sectum stomacheris ob unguem 
 
 De te pendentis, te respicientis amici ? 105 
 
 Ad summam : sapiens uno minor est love, dives, 
 Liber, honoratus, pulcher, rex denique regum, 
 Praecipue sanus, nisi cum pituita molesta est. 
 
 II. 
 
 HOMER THE TEACHER OF TRUE PHILOSOPHY. 
 
 ADDRESSED TO LOLLIUS MAXIMUS. 
 
 1. Outline : 
 
 1. Horace has been re-reading Homer and believes him a better 
 
 guide for the conduct of life than many a philosopher, 1-5 : 
 a) The Iliad serves as a warning, by showing the folly of the 
 
 conduct of Paris and the chiefs of the Greeks, 6-16 ; 
 6) The Odyssey sets before us a model, by showing what cour- 
 age and self-control can accomplish, 17-26 ; 
 c) The majority of men are like the Suitors and the Phaeacians, 
 sunk i sloth and caring only for pleasure, 27-31. 
 
 2. The lessons that we should learn are these : 
 
 a) It is better to exert oneself to live aright than in trying to 
 remedy the evil results of negligence and sloth, 32-43 ; 
 
 6) Not wealth, but a contented mind, brings true happiness, 
 44-54 ; 
 
 c) One who cannot govern himself becomes a slave to his pas- 
 sions, 55-63. 
 
 3. One can learn wisdom only when young. Now is the time for 
 
 Lollius to begin, 64-71. 
 
 2. Time : About 22 B.C. 
 
 Troiani belli scriptorem, Maxime Lolli, 
 Dum tu declamas Romae, Praeneste relegi, 
 Qui quid sit pulchruni, quid turpe, quid utile, quid non, 
 
88 EP1STULABUM [II. 
 
 Planius ac melius Chrysippo et Crantore dicit. 
 
 Cur ita crediderim, nisi quid te distinct, audi. 5 
 
 Fabula, qua Paridis propter narratur amorem 
 Graecia barbariae lento conlisa duello, 
 Stultorum regum et populorum continet aestus. 
 Antenor censet belli praecidere causam : 
 Quid Paris ? ut salvus regnet vivatque beatus, 10 
 
 Cogi posse negat. Nestor componere litis 
 Inter Peliden festinat et inter Atriden. 
 Hunc amor, ira quidem communiter urit utrumque. 
 Quicquid delirant reges, plectuntur Achivi. 
 Seditione, dolis, scelere atque libidine et ira 15 
 
 Iliaeos intra muros peccatur et extra. 
 
 Rursus, quid virtus et quid sapientia possit, 
 Utile proposuit nobis exemplar Ulixen, 
 Qui domitor Troiae multorum providus urbes 
 Et mores hominum inspexit, latumque per aequor, 20 
 
 Dum sibi, dum sociis redituin parat, aspera multa 
 Pertulit, adveVsis rerum immersabilis undis. 
 Sirenum voces et Circae pocula nosti ; 
 Quae si cum sociis stultus cupidusque bibisset, 
 Sub domina meretrice fuisset turpis et exeors, 25 
 
 Vixisset canis immuudus vel arnica lutp,sus. 
 
 Nos numerus sumus et fruges consumere nati, 
 Sponsi Penelopae nebulones Alcinoique 
 In cute curanda plus aequo operata iuventus, 
 Cui pulchrum fuit in medios dormire dies et 30 
 
 Ad strepitum citharae cessatum ducere curam. 
 
 Ut iugulent hominem, surgunt de riocte latrones ; 
 Ut te ipsum serves, non expergisceris ? Atqui 
 Si noles sanus, curres hydropicus ; et ni 
 Posces ante diem librum cum lumine, si non 35 
 
 Intendes animum studiis et rebus honestis, 
 Invidia vel amore vigil torquebere. Nam cur 
 
II.] LIBER I. 89 
 
 Quae laedunt oculum festinas deinere ; si quid 
 
 Est animum, differs curandi tempus in annum ? 
 
 Dimidium facti qui coepit habet ; sapere aude ; 40 
 
 Incipe. Qui recte vivendi prorogat horam, 
 
 Rusticus exspectat dum defluat amnis ; at ille 
 
 Labitur et labetur in omne volubilis aevum. 
 
 Quaeritur argentuni puerisque beata creandis 
 Uxor, et incultae pacantur vomere silvae; 45 
 
 Quod satis est cui contingit, nihil amplius optet. 
 Non.domus et fundus, non aeris acervus et auri 
 Aegroto domini deduxit corpore febris, 
 Non animo curas ; valeat possessor oportet, 
 Si comportatis rebus bene cogitat uti. 50 
 
 Qui cupit aut metuit, iuvat ilium sic domus et res, 
 Ut lippum pictae tabulae, fomenta podagram, 
 Auriculas citharae collecta sorde dolentis. 
 Sincerum est nisi vas, quodcumque infundis acescit. 
 
 Sperne voluptates ; nocet empta dolore voluptas. 55 
 
 Semper avarus eget ; certum voto pete finem. ^ a k Xttli 
 Invidus alterius macrescit rebus opimis ; 
 Invidia Siculi non invenere tyranni 
 Maius tormentum. Qui non moderabitur irae, 
 Infectum volet esse, dolor quod suaserit et mens, 60 
 
 Durn poenas odio per vim festinat inulto. 
 Ira furor brevis est ; animum rege ; qui nisi paret, 
 Imperat : hunc frenis, hunc tu compesce catena. 
 
 Fingit equum tenera docilem cervice rnagister 
 Ire viam qua monstrat eques ; venaticus, ex quo 65 
 
 Tempore cervinam pellern latravit in aula, 
 Militat in silvis catulus. Nunc adbibe puro 
 Pectore verba, puer, nunc te melioribus offer. 
 Quo semel est imbuta recens servabit odorem 
 Testa diu. Quodsi cessas aut strenuus anteis, 70 
 
 Nee tardum opperior nee praecedentibus insto. 
 
90 EPISTULARUM [III. 
 
 III. 
 A LITERARY STAFF. 
 
 1. Occasion of the Epistle : When Augustus made his journey to 
 the East in 21 B.C., he went by way of Samos. At the same time he 
 sent an army by the land route through Macedonia and Thrace, under 
 the command of Tiberius, who was at that time twenty-one years old. 
 Tiberius, who was himself an admirer of the Hellenistic Greek poetry, 
 had surrounded himself with a staff of young literary men. The letter 
 is addressed to one of their number, Julius Florus, while the army was 
 on the march. 
 
 2. Outline : 
 
 1. Horace asks where the army is at present, 1-5 ; 
 
 2. He inquires what literary work the staff is engaged in, and asks 
 
 after several personal friends, 6-20 ; 
 
 3. He wishes to know what work Florus is doing and whether he 
 
 has become reconciled with Munatius. He prays for their 
 safe return, 20-36. 
 
 3. Time : The autumn of 21 B.C. 
 
 lull Flore, quibus terrarum militet oris 
 Claudius Augusti privignus, scire laboro. 
 Thracane vos Hebrusque nivali compede vinctus, 
 An freta vicinas inter currentia turns, 
 An pingues Asiae campi collesque morantur ? 5 
 
 Quid studiosa cohors operum struit ? Hoc quoque euro. 
 Quis sibi res gestas Augusti scribere sumit ? 
 Bella quis et paces longum diffundit in aevum ? 
 Quid Titius Romana brevi venturus in ora ? 
 Pindarici fontis qui non expalluit haustus, 10 
 
 Fastidire lacus et rivos ausus apertos. 
 Ut valet ? Ut meminit nostri ? Fidibusne Latinis 
 Thebanos aptare modos studet auspice Musa, 
 An tragica desaevit et ampullatur in arte ? 
 Quid mihi Celsus agit? Monitus multumque monendus, 15 
 Privatas ut quaerat opes et tangere vitet 
 
IV.] LIBER I. 91 
 
 Scripta Palatinus quaecumque recepit Apollo, 
 Ne, si forte suas repetitum venerit olim 
 Grex avium plumas, moveat cornicula risum 
 Furtivis nudata coloribus. 
 
 Ipse quid audes ? 20 
 
 Quae circumvolitas agilis thyma? Non tibi parvum 
 Ingenium, non incultum est et turpiter hirtum : 
 Seu linguam causis acuis seu civica iura 
 Respondere paras seu condis amabile carmen, 
 Prima feres hederae victricis praemia. Quod si 25 
 
 Frigida curarum fomenta relinquere posses, 
 Quo te caelestis sapientia duceret, ires. 
 Hoc opus, hoc studium parvi properemus et ampli, 
 Si patriae volumus, si nobis vivere cari. 
 Debes hoc etiam rescribere, sit tibi curae, 30 
 
 Quantae conveniat, Munatius ; an male sarta 
 Gratia nequiquarn coit et rescinditur, ac vos 
 Seu calidus sariguis seu rerum inscitia vexat 
 Indomita cervice feros ? Ubicumque locorum 
 Vivitis, indigni fraternum rumpere foedus, 35 
 
 Pascitur in vestrum reditum votiva iuvenca. 
 
 IV. 
 AN EXHORTATION TO CONTENTMENT. 
 
 ADDRESSED TO ALBIUS TIBULLUS. 
 
 1. Outline: 
 
 1. Horace inquires how Tibullus is spending his time in the 
 
 country, 1-5; 
 
 2. He reminds his friend, who he had heard is suffering from 
 
 melancholy, of the blessings which the gods have show- 
 ered upon him, 6-1 1 
 
 3. And urges him to enjoy each passing hour. He suggests that 
 
 a visit to the Sabine Farm may divert him, 12-16. 
 
 2. Time : The exact date cannot be determined. Not after 20 B.C. 
 
92 EPISTULARUM * [V. 
 
 Albi, nostrorum sermonum candide index, 
 
 Quid nunc te dicam f acere in regione Pedana ? 
 
 Scribere quod Cassi Parinensis opuscula vincat, 
 
 An taciturn silvas inter reptare salubris, 
 
 Curantem quicquid dignum sapiente bonoque est ? 5 
 
 Non tu corpus eras Tsine pectore. Di tibi formam, 
 Di tibi divitias dederunt artemque fruendi. 
 Quid voveat dulci nutricula maius alumno, 
 Qui sapere et fari possit quae sentiat, et cui 
 Gratia, fama, valetudo contingat abunde, 10 
 
 Et mundus victus non deficiente crumena ? 
 
 Inter spem curamque, timores inter et iras 
 Onmem crede diem tibi diluxisse supremum ; 
 Grata superveniet, quae non sperabitur hora. 
 Me pinguem et nitidum bene curata cute vises, 15 
 
 Cum ridere voles Epicuri de grege porcum. 
 
 V. 
 
 AN INVITATION. 
 
 ADDRESSED TO MANLIUS TORQUATUS. 
 
 1. Outline: 
 
 1. Horace invites Torquatus to spend the emperor's birthday with 
 
 him in Rome, and to celebrate the event by a simple 
 dinner, 1-11 ; 
 
 2. One should enjoy life and drive away care. The beneficent 
 
 effects of wine, 12-20 ; 
 
 3. He promises neat and suitable accessories, and opportunities 
 
 for confidential talk. He asks Torquatus to help select 
 the guests, 21-31. 
 
 2. Time: Sept. 23, B.C. 21 or 20. 
 
 Si potes Archiacis conviva recumbere lectis 
 Nee modica cenare times holus omne patella, 
 Supremo te sole dorni, Torquate, manebo. 
 
V.] LIBER I. 93 
 
 Vina bibes iterura Tauro diffusa palustris 
 
 Inter Minturnas Sinuessanumque Petrinum. 5 
 
 Si nielius quid habes, arcesse vel iniperium fer. 
 
 lamdudum splendet focus et tibi munda supellex. 
 
 Mitte levis spes et certamina divitiarum 
 
 Et Moschi causam : eras nato Caesare festus 
 
 Dat veniam somnumque dies ; impune licebit 10 
 
 Aestivarn sermone benigno tendere nocteni. 
 
 Quo mihi f ortunam, si non conceditur uti ? 
 Parcus ob heredis curam nimiunique severus 
 Adsidet insano : potare et spargere flores 
 Incipiam patiarque vel inconsultus haberi. 15 
 
 Quid non ebrietas dissignat ? Operta recludit, 
 Spes iubet esse ratas, ad proelia trudit iiiertem, 
 Sollicitis animis onus exiinit, addocet artis. 
 Fecundi calices quern non fecere disertum, 
 Contracta quern non in paupertate solutum ? 20 
 
 Haec ego procurare et idoneus imperor et non 
 Invitus, ne turpe toral, ne sordida mappa 
 Conruget naris, ne non et cantharus et lanx 
 Ostendat tibi te, ne fidos inter amicos 
 
 Sit qui dicta foras eliminet, ut coeat par 25 
 
 Iimgaturque pari. Butrani tibi Septic iumque 
 Et nisi cena prior potiorque puella Sabinum 
 Detinet adsumam. Locus est et pluribus umbris, 
 Sed nimis arta premunt olidae convivia caprae. 
 Tu quotus esse velis rescribe et rebus oniissis 30 
 
 Atria servantem postico falle clientem. 
 
94 EPISTULARUM [VI. 
 
 VI. 
 
 ON PHILOSOPHIC INDIFFERENCE. 
 
 ADDRESSED TO NDMICIUS. 
 
 1. Outline: 
 
 1. The only way to be happy is to cultivate a spirit of indifference 
 
 to the possession or the loss of material blessings. Even 
 the pursuit of virtue may be carried to excess, 1-16 ; 
 
 2. It is folly to strive for wealth and position, which cannot affect 
 
 one's ultimate destiny, 17-27 ; 
 
 3. One must either cultivate indifference or spend one's life in a 
 
 constant struggle : 
 a) By sacrificing everything to the pursuit of virtue, with a 
 
 selfish purpose, 28-31 ; 
 6) Or to acquiring wealth, in the belief that it confers all the 
 
 blessings of life, 31-48 ; 
 
 c) Or to winning the favor of the people and political prefer- 
 
 ment, 49-55 ; 
 
 d) To luxurious living, 56-64 ; 
 
 e) Or to love and pleasure, 65-66 ; 
 
 4. Since it is well known that such pursuits cannot confer happi- 
 
 ness, Numicius should follow Horace's precept, unless he 
 can suggest a better one, 67-68. 
 
 2. Time : The exact date cannot be determined ; between 25 (line 
 26) and 20 B.C. 
 
 Nil admirari prope res est una, Numici, 
 Solaque quae possit facere et servare beatura. 
 Hunc solem et stellas et decedentia certis 
 Tempora momentis sunt qui formidine nulla 
 Imbuti spectent : quid censes munera terrae, 5 
 
 Quid maris extremes Arabas ditantis et Indos, 
 Ludicra quid plausus et amici dona Quiritis, 
 Quo spectanda modo, quo sensu credis et ore ? 
 Qui timet his adversa, fere miratur eodem 
 Quo cupiens pacto ; pavor est utrobique molestus, 10 
 Iniprovisa simul species exterret utruinque. 
 Gaudeat an doleat, cupiat metuatne, quid ad rem, 
 
VI.] LIBER I. 95 
 
 Si, quicquid vidit melius peiusve sua spe, 
 
 Defixis oculis animoque et corpore torpet ? 
 
 Insani sapiens nomen fer.at, aequus iniqui, 15 
 
 Ultra quam satis est virtutem si petat ipsam. 
 
 I nunc, argentum et marmor vetus aeraque et artis 
 Suspice, cum gemmis Tyrios mirare colores ; 
 Gaude quod spectant oculi te mille loquentem ; 
 Navus mane forum et vespertinus pete tectum, 20 
 
 Ne plus frumenti dotalibus emetat agris 
 Mutus et indignum, quod sit ^peioribus ortus 
 Hie tibi sit potius quam tu mirabilis illi. 
 Quicquid sub terra est, in apricum proferet aetas ; 
 Defodiet condetque nitentia. Cum bene notum 25 
 
 Porticus Agrippae et via te conspexerit Appi, 
 Ire tamen restat Numa quo devenit et Ancus. 
 
 Si latus aut renes morbo temptantur acuto, 
 Quaere fugam morbi. Vis recte vivere ; quis non ? 
 Si virtus hoc una potest dare, fortis omissis 30 
 
 Hoc age deliciis. 
 
 Virtutem verba putas et 
 Lucum ligna ; cave ne portus occupet alter, 
 Ne Cibyratica, ne Bithyna negotia perdas ; 
 Mille talenta rotundentur, totidem altera, porro et 
 Tertia succedant, et quae pars quadret acervum. 35 
 
 Scilicet uxorem cum dote fidemque et amicos 
 Et genus et formam regina Pecunia donat, 
 Ac bene nummatum decorat Suadela Venusque. 
 Mancupiis locuples eget aeris Cappadocum rex ; 
 Ne fueris hie tu. Chlamydes Lucullus, ut aiunt, 40 
 
 Si posset centum scaenae praebere rogatus, 
 ' Qui possum tot ? ' ait ; ' tamen et quaeram, et quot habebo 
 Mittam.' Post paulo scribit, sibi milia quinque 
 Esse domi chlamydum ; partem vel tolleret omnis. 
 Exilis domus est, ubi non et niulta supersunt 45 
 
96 EPISTULAHUM [VII. 
 
 Et dominion fallunt et prosunt furibus. Ergo 
 
 Si res sola potest facere et servare beatum, 
 
 Hoc primus repetas opus, hoc postremus omittas. 
 
 Si fortunatum species et gratia praestat, 
 Mercemur servuin, qui dictet nomina, laevum 50 
 
 Qui fodicet latus et cogat trans pondera dextram 
 Porrigere: 'Hie multum in Fabia valet, ille Velina; 
 Cui libet hie fascis dabit, eripietque curule 
 Cui volet importunus ebur.' ' Frater ' * pater ' adde ; 
 Ut cuique est aetas, ita quemque facetus adopta. 55 
 
 Si bene qui cenat bene vivit, lucet, eamus 
 Quo ducit gula ; piscemur, venemur, ut olim 
 Gargilius, qui mane plagas, venabula, servos, 
 Differtum transire forum populumque iubebat, 
 Unus ut e rnultis populo spectante referret 60 
 
 Emptum mulus aprum. Crudi tumidique lavemur, 
 Quid deceat, quid non, obliti, Caerite cera 
 Digni, remigium vitiosum Ithacensis Ulixi, 
 Cui potior patria fuit interdicta voluptas. 
 
 Si, Minmermus uti censet, sine amore iocisque 65 
 
 Nil est iucundum, vivas in amore iocisque. 
 
 Yive, vale. Si quid novisti rectius istis, 
 Candidus imperti ; si nil, his utere mecum. 
 
 VII. 
 
 AN INDEPENDENT SPIRIT. 
 ADDRESSED TO MAECENAS. 
 
 1. Occasion of the Epistle : Horace had left Rome in the month of 
 August and gone to his Sabine Farm on account of his health. Mae- 
 cenas had evidently taken him to task for remaining longer than he 
 had promised, and had perhaps hinted at Horace's obligations to him. 
 The frank independence of the poet's reply is creditable alike to him- 
 self and to his patron. 
 
VII.] LIBER I. 97 
 
 2. Outline: 
 
 1. Horace explains his reasons for prolonging his absence from 
 
 Rome. He announces his intention of spending the winter 
 by the sea, and of remaining away from the city until 
 springtime, 1-13 ; 
 
 2. He is duly grateful for his patron's favors and for the spirit in 
 
 which they are conferred ; but he must consider his 
 health and his time of life, 14-28 ; 
 
 3. He would rather give up all that he has received than sacrifice 
 
 his personal independence, 29-39 ; 
 
 4. One should lead the life for which nature has designed him. 
 
 Horace finds Tibur and Tarentum more congenial than 
 the capital, 40-45 ; 
 
 5. He illustrates his meaning by the story of Volteius Mena : 
 
 a) The humble but contented auctioneer attracts the attention 
 
 of Philippus, 46-59 ; 
 6) The latter invites him to dinner, and then takes him to his 
 
 estate in the country, 60-76; 
 
 c) Volteius becomes enamored of the country, and his patron 
 
 helps him to buy a farm, 77-82 ; 
 
 d) But the denizen of the city does not make a success of his 
 
 new life, and begs Philippus to restore him to his former 
 condition, 82-98. 
 
 3. Time : The summer of 21 B.C. 
 
 Quinque dies tibi pollicitus me rure futurum, 
 Sextilem totum mendax desideror. Atqui 
 Si me vivere vis sanum recteque valentem, 
 Quarn mihi das aegro, dabis aegrotare timenti, 
 Maecenas, veniam, dum ficus prima calorque 5 
 
 Dissignatorem decorat lictoribus atris, 
 Dum pueris omnis pater et matercula pallet, 
 Officiosaque sedrulitas et. opella f orensis 
 Adducit febris et testamenta resignat. 
 
 Quod si brurna nives Albanis inlinet agris, , 10 
 
 Ad mare descendet vates tuns et sibi parcet 
 Contractusque leget ; te, dulcis amice, reviset 
 Cum Zephyris, si concedes, et hirundine prima. 
 
98 EPISTULARUM [VII. 
 
 Non quo more piris vesci Calaber iubet hospes 
 Tu me fecisti locupletem. ' Vescere, sodes.' 15 
 
 ' lam satis est. ? ' At tu quantum vis tolle.' ' Benigne.' 
 <Non invisa feres pueris munuscula parvis.' 
 * Tarn teneor dono, quam si dimittar onustus.' 
 ' Ut libet ; haec porcis hodie comedenda relinques.' 
 Prodigus et stultus donat quae spernit et odit ; 20 
 
 Haec seges ingratos tulit et feret omnibus annis. 
 Vir bonus et sapiens dignis ait esse paratus, 
 Nee tamen ignorat quid distent aera lupinis. 
 Dignum praestabo me etiam pro laude merentis. 
 Quod si me noles usquam discedere, reddes 25 
 
 Forte latus, nigros angusta fronte capillos, 
 Reddes dulce loqui, reddes ridere decorum et 
 Inter vina fugam Cinarae maerere protervae. 
 
 Forte per angustam tennis volpecula rimam 
 Kepserat in cumeram frumenti, pastaque rursus 30 
 
 Ire foras pleno tendebat corpore frustra. 
 Cui mustela procul ' Si vis/ ait, ( effugere istinc, 
 Macra cavum repetes artum, quem rnacra subisti/ 
 Hac ego si compellor imagine, cuncta resigno ; 
 Nee somnum plebis laudo satur altilium nee 35 
 
 Otia divitiis Arabum liberrima muto. 
 Saepe verecundum laudasti, rexque paterque 
 Audisti coram, nee verbo parcius absens ; 
 Inspice si possum donata reponere laetus. 
 
 Hand male Telemachus, proles patientis Ulixi : 40 
 
 i Non est aptus equis Ithace locus, ut neque planis 
 Porrectus spatiis nee multae prodigus herbae ; 
 Atride, magis apta tibi tua dona relinquam.' 
 Parvum parva decent ; mihi iam non regia Roma, 
 Sed vacuum Tibur placet aut imbelle 'Tarentum. 45 
 
 Strenuus et fortis causisque Philippus agendis 
 Clarus, ab officiis octavam circiter horam 
 
VII. ] LIBER I. 99 
 
 Dum redit atque Foro nimium distare Carinas 
 
 Iain grandis natu queritur, conspexit, ut aiunt, 
 
 Adrasum quendam vacua tonsoris in umbra 50 
 
 Cultello proprios purgantem leniter unguis. 
 
 ' Demetri/ puer hie non laeve iussa Philippi 
 
 Accipiebat ' abi, quaere et refer, unde doino, quis, 
 
 Cuius fortunae, quo sit patre quove patrono.' 
 
 It, redit et narrat, Volteium nomine Menani, 55 
 
 Praeconem, tenui censup si ne crimine, notum 
 
 Et properare loco et cessare et quaerere et uti, 
 
 Gaudentem parvisque sodalibus et lare certo 
 
 Et ludis et post decisa negotia Campo. 
 
 ' Scitari libet ex ipso quodcumque refers ; die, 60 
 
 Ad cenam veniat.' Non sane credere Mena, 
 Mirari secuni tacitus. Quid multa ? ' Benigne ? 
 Respondet. * Neget ille mihi ? 7 ' Negat irnprobus. et te 
 Neglegit aut horret.' Volteium mane Philippus 
 Vilia vendentem tunicato scruta popello 65 
 
 Occupat et salvere iubet prior ; ille Philippo 
 Excusare laborem et mercennaria vincla, 
 Quod non mane domum venisset, denique quod non 
 Providisset eum. ' Sic ignovisse putato 
 Me tibi, si cenas hodie mecum.' 'Ut libet.' 'Ergo 70 
 
 Post nonam venies ; mine i, rem strenuus auge.' 
 Ut ventum ad cenarn est, dicenda tacenda locutus 
 Tandem dormitum dimittitur. Hie ubi saepe 
 Occultum visus decurrere piscis ad hamum, 
 Mane cliens et iam certus conviva, iubetur 75 
 
 Rura suburbana indictis comes ire Latinis. 
 
 Impositus mannis arvum caelumque Sabinum 
 Non cessat laudare. Videt ridetque Philippus, 
 Et sibi dum requiem, dum risus undique quaerit, 
 Dum septem donat sestertia, mutua septem 80 
 
 Promittit, persuadet uti rnercetur agellum. 
 
100 EPISTULARUM [VIII. 
 
 Mercatur. 
 
 Ne te longis ambagibus ultra 
 
 Quam satis est morer, ex nitido fit rusticus atque 
 
 Sulcos et vineta crepat mera, praeparat ulmos, 
 
 Immoritur studiis et amore senescit habendi. 85 
 
 Verum ubi oves furto, morbo periere capellae, 
 
 Spem inentita seges, bos est enectus arando ; 
 
 Offensus damnis media de nocte caballum 
 
 Arripit iratusque Philippi tendit ad aedis. 
 
 Quein simul aspexit scabrum intonsumque Philippus, 90 
 /'Durus,' ait, 'Voltei, nimis attentusque videris 
 \Esse mihi.' ' Pol, me miserum, patrone, vocares, 
 
 Si velles' inquit ' verum mihi ponere nomen. 
 
 Quod te per Genium dextramque deosque Penatis 
 
 Obsecro et obtestor, vitae me redde priori ! ' 95 
 
 Qui semel aspexit quantum dimissa petitis 
 
 Praestent, mature redeat repetatque relicta. 
 
 Metiri se quemque suo modulo ac pede verum est. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 A WORD OF WARNING. 
 
 1. Occasion of the Epistle : Albinovanus Celsus was a member of 
 the staff of Tiberius referred to in i. 3. He had so far won the 
 approval of his commander as to be made his private secretary. 
 Horace warns his young friend not to be too much elated by his good 
 fortune. The thought is the same as in Odes, ii. 3. 2-4. 
 
 2. Outline: 
 
 1. Horace addresses his muse, and bids her report him as out of 
 
 health, out of temper, and dissatisfied with himself, 1-12 ; 
 
 2. And to warn Celsus against undue elation, 13-17. 
 
 3. Time : The autumn of 21 B.C. 
 
 Celso gaudere et bene rem gerere Albinovano 
 Musa rogata refer, comiti scribaeque Neronis. 
 
IX.] LIBER I. 101 
 
 Si quaeret quid again, die multa et pulchra minantem 
 
 Vivere nee recte nee suaviter ; hand quia grando 
 
 Contuderit vitis oleamque momorderit aestus, 5 
 
 Nee quia longinquis armentum aegrotet in agris ; 
 
 Sed quia mente minus validus quam corpore toto 
 
 Nil audire velim, nil discere, quod levet aegruin ; 
 
 Fidis offendar medicis, irascar amicis, 
 
 Cur me funesto properent arcere veterno ; 10 
 
 Quae nocuere sequar, fugiain quae profore credam; 
 
 Romae Tibur amem ventosus, Tibure Romam. 
 
 Post haec, ut valeat, quo pacto rein gerat et se, 
 Ut placeat iuveni percontare, utque cohorti. 
 Si dicet ' Recte/ primum gaudere, subinde 15 
 
 Traeceptum auriculis hoc instillare memento : 
 c Ut tu fortunam, sic nos te, Celse, feremus.' 
 
 IX. 
 
 A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION. 
 ADDRESSED TO TIBERIUS. 
 
 1. Occasion of the Epistle: Septimius, to whom Odes, ii. 6 is 
 addressed, had asked Horace to recommend him for a position on the 
 staff of Tiberius. The fact that the letter was published indicates that 
 the recommendation was successful. 
 
 2. Outline: 
 
 1. Horace tells Tiberius how reluctantly he granted his friend's 
 
 request, 1-9 ; 
 
 2. He recommends Septimius in a few words, 10-13. 
 
 3. Time : B.C. 21. 
 
 Septimius, Claudi, nimirum intel legit unus, 
 Quanti me facias ; nam cum rogat et prece cogit, 
 Scilicet ut tibi se laudare et tradere coner, 
 Dignum mente domoque legentis honesta Neronis, 
 
102 EPISTULARUM [X. 
 
 Munere cum fungi propioris censet amici, 5 
 
 Quid possim videt ac novit me valdius ij.so. 
 Multa quidem dixi, cur excusatus abirem ; 
 Sed timui mea ne finxisse minora putarer, 
 Dissimulator opis propriae, mihi commodus uni. 
 
 Sic ego, maioris fugiens opprobria culpae, 10 
 
 Frontis ad urbanae descendi praemia. Quod si 
 Depositum laudas ob amici iussa pudorem, 
 Scribe tui gregis hunc, et fortem crede bonuinque. 
 
 X. 
 
 THE ADVANTAGES OF COUNTRY LIFE. 
 
 1. Occasion of the Epistle : Not only had Maecenas missed Horace 
 during his sojourn in the country, but his friend Aristius Fuscus (see 
 Serm. i. 9. 59 ff.) had evidently urged him to return to Rome, pointing 
 out the attractions of city life. 
 
 2. Outline: : J 2 
 
 ' 1. Horace agrees with his friend on every subject except that of 
 th3 relative attractions of the city and of the country, 
 1-11; 
 
 2. He prefers the country : 
 
 a) Because there one can live a natural life, 12-25 ; 
 6) While the city creates artificial tastes, which make men 
 slaves to money-making, 26-41 ; 
 
 3. But every one should be at liberty to follow his own inclinations. 
 
 Horace is perfectly contented except for the absence of 
 his friend Fuscus, 42-50. 
 
 3. Time: Apparently the same year as i. 7 ; i.e. 21 B.C. 
 
 Urbis amatorem Fuscum salvere iubemus 
 E/uris amatores ; hac in re scilicet una 
 Multum dissimiles, at cetera paene gemelli 
 Fraternis animis quidquid negat alter, et alter 
 Adnuimus pariter, vetuli notique colurnbi. 
 Tu nidum servas, ego laudo ruris amoeni 
 Kivos et musco circumlita saxa nemusque. 
 
X.] LIBER I. 103 
 
 Quid quaeris ? Vivo et regno, simul ista jeliqui 
 
 Quae vos ad caelum effertis rumore secundo, 
 
 Utque sacerdotis fugitivus liba recuso ; 10 
 
 Pane egeo iani mellitis potiore placentis. 
 
 Vivere naturae si convenienter oportet, 
 Ponendaeque domo quaerenda est area primum, 
 Novistine locum potiorem rure beato ? 
 
 Est ubi plus tepeant hiemes, ubi gratior aura 15 
 
 Leniat et rabiem Canis et momenta Leonis, 
 Cum seniel accepit Solem furibundus acutum ? 
 Est ubi divellat somnos minus invida cura ? 
 Deterius Libycis olet aut nitet herba lapillis ? 
 Purior in vicis aqua tendit rumpere plumbum, 20 
 
 Quam quae per pronum trepidat cum murmure rivum ? 
 Nempe inter varias nutritur silva columnas, 
 Laudaturque domus longos quae prospicit agros. 
 Naturam expelles furca, tamen usque recurret, 
 Et mala perrumpet furtim fastidia victrix. 25 
 
 Non qui Sidonio contendere callidus ostro 
 Nescis Aquinatem potantia vellera fucum 
 Certius accipiet damnum propiusve medullis, 
 Quam qui non poterit vero distinguere falsum. 
 Quern res plus ninaio delectavere secimdae, 30 
 
 Mutatae quatient. Si quid mirabere, pones 
 Invitus. Fuge magna ; licet sub paupere tecto 
 Reges et regum vita praecurrere aniicos. 
 Cervus equum pugna melior corninunibiis herbis 
 Pellebat, donee minor in certaniine longo 35 
 
 Imploravit opes hominis frenumque recepit. 
 Sed postquam victor violens discessit ab hoste, 
 Non equitem dorso, non frenum depulit ore. 
 Sic qui pauperiem veritus potiore metallis 
 Libertate caret, dominum vehet improbus atque 40 
 
 Serviet aeternum, quia parvo nesciet uti. 
 
104 EPISTULARUM [XL 
 
 Cui non conveniet sua res, ut calceus olim, 
 Si pede maior erit, subvertet, si minor, uret. 
 Laetus sorte tua vives sapienter, Aristi, 
 Nee me dimittes incastigatum, ubi plura 45 
 
 Cogere quam satis est ac non cessare videbor. ' 
 Imperat aut servit collecta pecunia cuique, 
 Tortum digna sequi potius quam ducere funem. 
 
 Haec tibi dictabam post fanum putre Vacunae, 
 Excepto quod non simul esses, cetera laetus. 50 
 
 XI. 
 
 ON CONTENTMENT. 
 
 ADDRESSED TO BULLATIUS. 
 
 1. Outline: 
 
 1. Horace asks for his friend's impression of the places he has 
 
 visited, 1-10 ; 
 
 2. He reminds him that happiness does not depend on one's place 
 
 of abode, but on oneself, 11-21 ; 
 
 3. The wise course is to enjoy each hour as it passes. Content- 
 
 ment with one's lot will bring happiness amid the most 
 unattractive surroundings, 22-30. 
 With the sentiment of the Epistle, c/. Odes, ii. 16. 17-20. 
 
 2. Time : The exact date cannot be determined. Not after 20 B.C. 
 
 Quid tibi visa Chios, Bullati, notaque Lesbos, 
 Quid concinna Samos, quid Croesi regia Sardis, 
 Smyrna quid et Colophon ? niaiora rninorave fama ? 
 Cunctane prae Campo et Tiberino flumine sordent, 
 An venit in votum Attalicis ex urbibus una, 5 
 
 An Lebedum laudas odio maris atque viarum ? 
 1 Scis, Lebedus quid sit : Gabiis desertior atque 
 Fidenis vicus ; tamen illic vivere vellem, 
 Oblitusque meorum obliviscendus et illis 
 Neptunum procul e terra spectare furentem.' 10 
 
 Sed neque, qui Capua Romam petit, imbre lutoque 
 
XII.] LIBER I. 105 
 
 Aspersus volet in caupona vivere ; nee qui 
 
 Frigus collegit, furnos et balnea laudat 
 
 Ut fortunatani plene praestantia vitam ; 
 
 Nee, si te validus iactaverit Auster in alto, 15 
 
 Idcirco navem trans Aegaeum niare vendas. 
 
 Incolumi Khodos et Mytilene pulchra facit, quod 
 
 Paenula solstitio, campestre nivalibus auris, 
 
 Per brumam Tiberis, Sextili mense caminus. 
 
 Dum licet ac voltum servat Fortuna benignum, 20 
 
 Komae laudetur Sainos et Chios et Rhodes absens. 
 
 Tu quamcumque deus tibi fortunaverit horam 
 Grata sume manu neu dulcia differ in annum, 
 Ut quocumque loco fueris, vixisse libenter 
 Te dicas ; nam si ra|io et prudentia curas, 25 
 
 Non locus effusi late maris arbiter aufert, 
 Caelum, nbn animum mutant, qui trans mare currunt. 
 Strenua nos exercet inertia ; navibus atque 
 Quadrigis petimus bene vivere. Quod petis hie est, 
 Est Ulubris, animus si te non deficit aequus. 30 
 
 XII. 
 
 CONSOLATION. 
 
 1. Occasion of the Epistle : Iccius is represented in Odes, i. 29, as 
 on the point of abandoning the study of philosophy, in order to go to 
 Arabia in search of wealth. He is now procurator of Agrippa's estates 
 in Sicily. He seems to have complained to Horace of his failure in 
 attempting to make a fortune, and perhaps also of the small amount 
 of time which he could devote to his studies. The tone of the reply is 
 one of good-natured raillery. 
 
 2. Outline: 
 
 1. Iccius has no cause to complain. Wealth could add nothing 
 
 to his bodily health, and such a true philosopher would 
 of course live simply under any circumstances, 1-11 ; 
 
 2. He deserves great credit for keeping up his interest in his stud- 
 
 ies in spite of his business cares, 12-20 ; 
 
106 EPISTULARUM [XII. 
 
 3. He will do well to cultivate the acquaintance of Grosphus 
 
 (cf. Odes, ii. 16), 21-24 ; 
 
 4. Horace gives his friend the latest news from Rome, 25-29. 
 
 3. Time : 20 B.C. 
 
 Fructibus Agrippae Siculis, quos colligis, Icci, 
 Si recte frueris, non est ut copia maior 
 Ab love donari possit tibi. Tolle querellas ; 
 Pauper enim non est, cui rerum suppetit usus. 
 Si ventri bene, si lateri est pedibusque tuis, nil 5 
 
 Divitiae poterunt regales addere mains. 
 Si forte in medio positorum abstemius herbis 
 Vivis et urtica, sic vives protinus, ut te' 
 Confestim liquidus Fortunae rivus inauret, 
 Vel quia naturam mutare pecunia nescit, 10 
 
 Vel quia cuncta putas una virtute niinora. 
 
 Miramur, si Democriti pecus edit agellos 
 Cultaque, dum peregre est animus sine corpore velox; 
 Cum tu inter scabiem tantam et contagia lucri 
 Nil parvum sapias et adhuc sublimia cures : 15 
 
 Quae mare compescant causae, quid temperet annum, 
 Stellae sponte sua iussaene vagentur et errent, 
 Quid premat obscurum Lunae, quid proferat orbem, 
 Quid velit et possit rerum concordia discors, 
 Empedocles an Stertinium deliret acumen ? 20 
 
 Verum seu piscis seu porrum et caepe trucidas, 
 Utere Pompeio Grospho et si quid petet, ultro 
 Defer ; nil Grosphus nisi verum orabit et aequum. 
 Vilis amicorum est annona, bonis ubi quid deest. 
 
 Ne tamen ignores, quo sit Romana loco res, 25 
 
 Cantaber Agrippae, Claudi virtute Neronis 
 Armenius cecidit ; ius imperiumque Phraates 
 Caesaris accepit genibus minor ; aurea fruges 
 Italiae pleno defundit Copia cornu. 
 
XIII.] LIBER I. 107 
 
 XIII. 
 INSTRUCTIONS TO A MESSENGER. 
 
 1. Occasion of the Epistle : Horace sends a copy of his Odes 
 (Books I. to III.) to Augustus by a friend of his in court circles, one 
 Vinius Asina. Instead of addressing himself directly to Augustus, the 
 poet writes a playful note of instruction to the messenger, whom he 
 likens, on account of his cognomen, to a beast of burden. Its purpose 
 is to amuse the emperor, and at the same time to express Horace's un- 
 willingness to force his works on him at an unfavorable time. 
 
 2. Outline : 
 
 1. Vinius is to perform his mission with tact and discretion or not 
 
 at all, 1-9 ; 
 
 2. He is to use all haste, and to carry and deliver the book grace- 
 
 fully, 10-15 ; 
 
 3. He is not to boast of the value of his burden, though he must 
 
 guard it with all care, 16-19. 
 
 3. Time : 23 or 22 B.C. 
 
 Ut proficiscentem docui te saepe diuque, 
 Augusto reddes signata volumina, Vim, 
 Si validus, si laetus erit, si denique poscet ; 
 Ne studio nostri pecces odiumque libellis 
 Sedulus importes opera vehemente minister. 5 
 
 Si te forte meae gravis uret sarcina chartae, 
 Abicito potius, quam quo perferre iuberis 
 Clitellas ferus impingas, Asinaeque paternum 
 Cognomen vertas in risum et fabula fias. 
 
 Viribus uteris per clivos, flumina, lamas. 10 
 
 Victor propositi simul ac perveneris illuc, 
 Sic positum servabis onus, ne forte sub ala 
 Fasciculum portes librorurn ut rusticus agnum, 
 Ut vinosa glomus furtivae Pyrrhia lanae, 
 Ut cum pilleolo soleas conviva tribulis. 15 
 
 Ne volgo narres te sudavisse ferendo 
 
108 EPISTULARUM [XIV. 
 
 Carniina quae possint oculos aurisque morari 
 Caesaris. Oratus multa prece, nitere porro. 
 Vade ! vale ; cave ne titubes inaudataque frangas. 
 
 XIV. 
 MASTER AND SLAVE. 
 
 1. Occasion of the Epistle : Horace has been obliged to remain in 
 town longer than usual on account of the illness of his friend L. Aelius 
 Lamia. The letter is addressed to his steward, who had been discon- 
 tented when in Rome, but is now longing for the city. 
 
 2. Outline: 
 
 1. Horace asks which is the more successful, the steward in up- 
 
 rooting weeds from the soil, or his master in clearing his 
 mind of the weeds of discontent, 1-5 ; 
 
 2. Although a pious duty detains Horace, his mind will turn 
 
 towards the country. In this respect he is no wiser than 
 his slave, 6-13 ; 
 
 3. But the steward longed for the country when he was in Rome : 
 
 Horace is at least consistent. Moreover, the slave is at- 
 tracted by the low pleasures of the city and by the desire 
 to escape the hard work on the farm, 14-30 ; 
 
 4. The master has learned to despise degrading amusements; the 
 
 slave has not, and is therefore discontented, like the 
 majority of mankind, 31-44. 
 
 3. Time : The exact date cannot be determined. Not after 20 B.C. 
 
 Vilice silvarum et inihi me reddentis agelli, 
 Quern tu fastidis, habitatum quinque focis et 
 Quinque bonos solitum Variam diinittere patres, 
 Certemus, spinas animone ego fortius an tu 
 Evellas agro, et melior sit Horatius an res. 5 
 
 Me quamvis Lamiae pietas et cura moratur, 
 Fratrein inaerentis, rapto de fratre dolentis 
 Insolabiliter ; tamen istuc mens animusque 
 Fert et amat spatiis obstantia rumpere claustra. 
 Rure ego viventem, tu dicis in urbe beaturn : 10 
 
XIV.] LIBER I. 109 
 
 Cui placet alterius, sua nimirum est odio sors. 
 Stultus uterque locum immeritum causatur inique : 
 In culpa est animus, qui se non effugit uniquam. 
 
 Tu mediastinus tacita prece rura petebas, 
 Nunc urbem et ludos et balnea vilicus optas. 15 
 
 Me constare mihi scis et discedere tristem, 
 Quandocumque trahunt invisa negotia Romam. 
 Non eadem miramur ; eo disconvenit inter 
 Meque et te ; nam quae deserta et inhospita tesqua 
 Credis, amoena vocat niecum qui sentit, et odit 20 
 
 Quae tu pulchra putas. Fornix tibi et uncta popina 
 Incutiunt urbis desiderium, video, et quod 
 Angulus iste feret piper et tus ocius uva, 
 Nee vicina subest vinum'praebere taberna 
 Quae possit tibi, nee meretrix tibicina, cuius 25 
 
 Ad strepitum salias terrae gravis ; et tamen urges 
 lampridern non tacta ligonibus arva bovemque 
 Disiunctum curas et strictis f rondibus exples ; 
 Addit opus pigro rivus, si decidit imber, 
 Multa mole docendus aprico parcere prato. 30 
 
 Nunc age, quid nostrum concentum dividat audi. 
 Quern tenues decuere togae nitidique capilli, 
 Quern scis immunem Cinarae placuisse rapaci, 
 Quern bibuluni liquidi media de luce Falerni, 
 Cena brevis iuvat et prope rivum somnus in herba. 35 
 
 Nee lusisse pudet, sed non incidere ludum. 
 Non istic obliquo oculo mea commoda quisquam { 
 Limat, non odio obscuro morsuque venenat ; 
 Bident vicini glaebas et saxa rnoventern. 
 Cum servis urbana diaria rodere mavis ; 40 
 
 Horum tu in numerum voto ruis ; invidet usum 
 Lignorum et pecoris tibi calo argutus et horti. 
 Optat ephippia bos piger, optat arare caballus. 
 fouam scit uterque, libens, censebo, exerceat artemA 
 
110 EPISTULARUM [XV. 
 
 XV. 
 
 A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION. 
 
 1. Occasion of the Epistle : Horace has now decided to spend the 
 winter at the seashore (see Epist. i. 7. 11), and writes to a friend of 
 his, Numonius Vala, for information about the climate and resources 
 of Velia and Salernum. Numonius was evidently a native of southern 
 Italy (c/. line 25) ; the family is known from inscriptions of Paestum, 
 Vibo, and Regium. 
 
 Horace represents himself as false to his ideals of life (cf. i. 1. 18, 
 nunc in Aristippi furtim praecepta relabor)^ a state of mind doubtless 
 due to his ill-health (cf. i. 8. 3-12), although we are hardly justified in 
 taking him quite seriously. 
 
 2. Outline: 
 
 1. Horace inquires particularly about the climate, the people, the 
 
 streets, the drinking-water, and the meats and fish, 1-25 ; 
 
 2. He explains his interest in matters which might well be matters 
 
 of indifference to one of his views of life by telling the 
 story of Maenius, 26-41 ; 
 
 3. He admits that he is like Maenius in being fond of good living, 
 
 but praising simple fare when he can get nothing better, 
 42-46. 
 
 3. Time : The Epistle belongs to the same year as 7, 8, and 10, i.e. 
 21 B.C. 
 
 Quae sit liiems Veliae, quod caelum, Vala, Salerni, 
 Quorum hominum regio et qualis via nam mihi Baias 
 Musa supervacuas Antonius, et tamen illis 
 Me facit invisum, gelida cuni perluor unda 
 Per medium frigus. Sane inurteta reliiiqui 5 
 
 Dictaque cessantem nervis elidere morbum 
 Sulpura contemni vicus gemit, invidus aegris, 
 Qui caput et stomachum supponere foiitibus audent 
 Clusinis, Gabiosque petunt et frigida rura. 
 Mutandus locus est et deversoria nota 10 
 
 Praeteragendus equus. 'Quotendis? Non mihi Cuma 
 Est iter aut Baias ' laeva stomachosus habena 
 
XV.] LIBER I. Ill 
 
 Dicet eques ; sed equi frenato est auris in ore *~ 
 
 Maior utrum populum frumenti Copia pascat, 
 
 Collectosne bibant imbres puteosne perennis 15 
 
 lugis aquae nanuvina nihil moror. illius orae. 
 
 Rure ineo possum quidvis perf erre patique ; 
 
 Ad mare cum veni, generosum et lene require, 
 
 Quod curas abigat, quod cum spe divite manet 
 
 In venas animumque meum, quod verba ministret, 20 
 
 Quod me Lucanae iuvenem commendet amicae 
 
 Tractus uter pluris lepores, uter educet apros ; 
 
 Utra magis piscis et echinos aequora celent, 
 
 Pinguis ut inde domum possim Phaeaxque reverti, 
 
 Scribere te nobis, tibi iios accredere par est. 25 
 
 Maenius, ut rebus maternis atque paternis 
 Fortiter absumptis urbanus coepit haberi 
 Scurra, vagus, non qui certum praesepe teneret, 
 Impransus non qui civem dinosceret hoste, 
 Quaelibet in quemvis opprobria fingere saeyus, 30 
 
 Pernicies et tempestas barathrumque macelli, 
 Quicquid quaesierat, ventri donabat avaro. 
 Hie ubi nequitiae fautoribus et timidis nil 
 Aut paullum abstulerat, patinas cenabat omasi 
 Vilis et agninae, tribus ursis quod satis esset ; 35 
 
 Scilicet ut ventres lamna candente nepotum 
 Diceret urendos correctus Bestius. Idem, 
 Quicquid erat nanctus praedae maioris, ubi omne 
 Verterat in fumum et cinerem, 'Non hercule miror/ 
 Aiebat, ' si qui comedunt bona, cum sit obeso 40 
 
 Nil melius turdo, nil volva pulchrius ampla.' 
 
 Nimirum hie ego sum ; nam tuta et parvola laudo, 
 Cum res deficiunt, satis inter vilia fortis : 
 Verum ubi quid melius contingit et unctius, idem 
 Vos sapere et solos aio bene vivere, quorum 45 
 
 Conspicitur nitidis fundata pecunia villis. 
 
112 EPISTULARUM [XVI. 
 
 XVI. 
 HAPPINESS DEPENDS UPON VIRTUE. 
 
 1. Occasion of the Epistle : Horace fears that his friend Quinctius 
 Hirpinus, to whom he addressed Odes, ii. 11, cares too much for office 
 and for political favor. He reminds him in what true virtue consists, 
 and that it alone can confer lasting happiness. 
 
 2. Outline: 
 
 1. Horace describes the simple attractions of his Sabine Farm, 1-16 ; 
 
 2. Hirpinus is generally regarded as a happy man ; he can be truly 
 
 so, only by having right ideals of life, 17-20: 
 a) He must not rate too highly the verdict of the masses, and 
 
 think himself a good man because they call him so, 21-32 ; 
 6) A wise man will not value their honors, which they can take 
 
 away as well as give, or fear their criticism, 33-40 ; 
 c) Appearances are deceitful. A man may be outwardly good, 
 
 because he fears the law, while his heart is filled with evil 
 
 desires ; such a one is really no better than a slave, 40-72 ; 
 <f) The truly virtuous man will fear nothing ; no threats, even 
 
 of death, can make him guilty of an unworthy act, 73-79. 
 
 3. Time : The exact date cannot be determined. Not after 20 B.C. 
 
 Ne perconteris, fundus meus, optime Quincti, 
 Arvo pascat erum an bacis opulentet olivae 
 Pomisne et pratis an amicta vitibus ulmo, 
 Scribetur tibi forma loquaciter et situs agri. 
 Continui raontes, ni dissocientur opaca 5 
 
 Valle, sed ut veniens dextrum latus adspiciat sol, 
 Laevum discedens curru fugiente vaporet. 
 Temperiem laudes. Quid si rubicunda benigni 
 Corna vepres et pruna ferant, si quercus et ilex 
 Multa f ruge pecus, multa dominum iuvet umbra ? 10 
 
 Dicas adductum propius frondere Tarentum. 
 Tons etiam rivo dare nomen idoneus, ut nee 
 Frigidior Thracam nee purior ambiat Hebrus, 
 Infirmo capiti fluit utilis, utilis alvo. 
 
XVL] LIBER I. 113 
 
 Hae latebrae dulces etiam, si credis, amoenae, 15 
 
 Incolumeni tibi me praestant Septembribus horis. 
 
 Tu recte vivis, si curas esse quod audis. 
 lactamus iam pridem omnis te Roma beatum ; 
 Sed vereor ne cui de te plus quam tibi credas, 
 Neve putes alium sapiente bonoque beatum, 20 
 
 Neu, si te populus sanum recteque valentem 
 Dictitet, occultam febrem sub tempus edendi 
 Dissimules, donee manibus tremor incidat unctis. 
 Stultorum incurata pudor malus ulcera celat. 
 Si quis bella tibi terra pugnata marique 25 
 
 Dicat, et his verbis vacuas permulceat auris, 
 ' Tene magis salvum populus velit, an populum tu, 
 Servet in ambiguo, qui consulit et tibi et urbi, 
 luppiter,' August! laudes adgnoscere possis ; 
 Cum pateris sapiens emendatusque vocari, 30 
 
 Respondesne tuo, die, sodes, nomine ? f Neinpe 
 Vir bonus et prudens dici delector ego ac tu.' 
 
 Qui dedit hoc hodie, eras si volet auferet, ut si 
 Detulerit fasces indigno, detrahet idem. 
 i Pone, meum est/ inquit ; pono tristisque recedo. 35 
 
 Idem si clamet furem, neget esse pudicum, 
 Contendat laqueo collum pressisse paternum, 
 Mordear opprobriis falsis mutemque colores ? 
 Falsus honor iuvat et mendax infamia terret 
 Quern nisi mendosum et medicandum ? 
 
 Vir bonus est quis ? 40 
 
 1 Qui consulta patrum, qui leges iuraque servat, 
 Quo multae magnaeque secantur iudice lites, 
 Quo res sponsore et quo causae teste tenentur.' 
 Sed videt hunc omnis domus et vicinia tota 
 Introrsum turpem, speciosum pelle decora. 45 
 
 ' Nee furtum feci nee fugi,' si mihi dicat 
 Servus, ( Habes pretium, loris non ureris,' aio. 
 
114 EPISTULARUM [XVI. 
 
 1 Non hominem occidi.' ' Non pasces in cruc'e corvos.' 
 
 ' Sum bonus et frugi.' Eenuit negitatque Sabellus. 
 
 Cautus enim metuit foveam lupus accipiterque 50 
 
 Suspectos laqueos et opertum miluus hamum. 
 
 Oderunt peccare boni virtutis amore. 
 
 Tu nihil admittes in te formidine poenae. 
 
 Sit spes fallendi, miscebis sacra profanis. 
 
 Nam de mille fabae modiis cum surripis unum, 55 
 
 Damnum est, non facinus, mini pacto lenius isto. 
 
 Yir bonus, omne forum quern spectat et omne tribunal, 
 
 Quandocumque deos vel porco vel bove placat, 
 
 1 lane pater ! ' dare, clare cum dixit ' Apollo ! ' 
 
 Labra movet inetuens audiri : 'Pulchra Laverna, 60 
 
 Da mihi fallere, da iusto sanctoque videri, 
 
 Noctem peccatis et fraudibus obice nubem. 7 
 
 Qui melior servo, qui liberior sit avarus, 
 
 In triviis fixum cum se demittit ob assem, 
 
 Non video : nam qui cupiet, metuet quoque ; porro 65 
 
 Qui metuens vivet, liber mihi non erit umquam. 
 
 Perdidit arma, locum virtutis deseruit, qui 
 
 Semper in augenda festinat et obruitur re. 
 
 Yendere cum possis captivum, occidere noli. 
 
 Serviet utiliter ; sine pascat durus aretque, 70 
 
 Naviget ac niediis hiemet mercator in undis, 
 
 Annonae prosit, portet frumenta penusque. 
 
 Vir bonus et sapiens audebit dicere : ' Pentheu, 
 Rector Thebarum, quid me perferre patique 
 Indignum coges ? ' ' Adimam bona.' ' Nempe pecus, 
 
 rem, 75 
 
 Lectos, argentum. Tollas licet.' ' In manicis et 
 Compedibus saevo te sub custode tenebo.' 
 ' Ipse deus, simul atque volam, me solvet.' Opinor, 
 Hoc sentit ' Moriar.' Mors ultima linea rerum est. 
 
XVII.] LIBER I. 115 
 
 XVII. 
 
 ON TRUE INDEPENDENCE. 
 
 1. Occasion of the Epistle : In this letter addressed to Scaeva, who 
 is otherwise unknown, Horace shows that one may observe proper 
 deference towards a patron without sacrificing one's self-respect, 
 lie gives some humorous directions for gaining the favor of great 
 men. 
 
 2. Outline: 
 
 1. Horace modestly asks to be allowed to express his views on 
 
 the subject, 1-5 ; 
 
 2. If one is really indifferent to riches and honors, one must act 
 
 accordingly, 6-12 ; 
 
 3. But such an attitude is not essential to a proper independence : 
 a) This is shown by the conduct of Aristippus. The excessive 
 
 asceticism of Diogenes was due to the fact that he did 
 not know how to act in good company, and to a desire to 
 win the approbation of the vulgar, 13-32 ; 
 6) There is no disgrace in being great. Consequently to win 
 the friendship of the great is not of necessity degrading, 
 33-42; 
 
 4. How to behave toward a patron : 
 
 a) One must make one's requests with good judgment, and 
 know how to preserve a discreet silence, 43-51 ; 
 
 6) The client must not clamor for help in all his little troubles, 
 or he will not be taken seriously when he is really in 
 difficulty, 52-62. 
 
 3. Time : The exact date cannot be determined. Not after 20 B.C. 
 
 Quamvis, Scaeva, satis per te tibi consulis et scis 
 Quo tandem pacto deceat maioribus uti, 
 Disce, docendus adhuc quae censet amiculus, ut si 
 Caecus iter monstrare velit ; tamen adspice, si quid 
 Et nos, quod cures proprium fecisse, loquainur. 5 
 
 Si te grata quies et primam somnus in horam 
 Delectat, si te pulvis strepitusque rotarum, 
 Si laedit caupona, Ferentinum ire iubebo. 
 
116 EPISTULARUM [XVII. 
 
 Nam neque divitibus contingunt gaudia soils, 
 
 Nee vixit male, qui natus moriensque fefellit. 10 
 
 Si prodesse tuis paulloque benignius ipsum 
 
 Te tractare voles, accedes siccus ad unctum. 
 
 ' Si pranderet holus patienter, regibus uti 
 Nollet Aristippus.' ' Si sciret regibus uti, 
 Fastidiret holus qui me notat.' Utrius liorum 15 
 
 Verba probes et facta doce, vel iunior audi 
 Cur sit Aristippi potior sententia. Namque 
 Mordacem Cynicum sic eludebat, ut aiunt : 
 ' Scurror ego ipse rnihi, populo tu ; rectius hoc et 
 Splendidius multo est. Equus ut me portet, alat rex, 20 
 Officium facio ; tu poscis vilia, verum 
 Dante minor, quamvis fers te nullius egentem.' 
 Omnis Aristippum decuit color et status et res, 
 Temptantem maiora fere, praesentibus aequum. 
 Contra, quern duplici panno patientia velat, 25 
 
 Mirabor, vitae via si conversa decebit. 
 Alter purpureum non exspectabit amictum, 
 Quidlibet indutus celeberrima per loca vadet, 
 Personamque feret non inconcinnus utramque; 
 Alter Mileti textam cane peius et angue 30 
 
 Vitabit chlamydem ; morietur frigore, si non 
 Kettuleris pannum. Eefer et sine vivat ineptus. 
 
 Kes gerere et captos ostendere civibus hostis, 
 Attingit solium lovis et caelestia temptat. 
 Principibus placuisse viris non ultima laus est. 35 
 
 Non cuivis homini con tin git adire Corinthum. 
 Sedit qui timuit, ne non succederet : esto. 
 Quid ? qui pervenit, fecitne viriliter ? Atqui 
 Hie est aut nusquam quod quaerimus. Hie onus horret, 
 Ut parvis animis et parvo corpore maius ; 40 
 
 Hie subit et perfert. Aut virtus nomen inane est, 
 Aut decus et pretiurn recte petit experiens vir. 
 
XVIII.] LIBER I. 117 
 
 Coram rege suo de paupertate tacentes 
 Plus poscente ferent. Distat, sumasne pudenter 
 An rapias ; atqui rerum caput hoc erat, hie fons. 45 
 
 ' Indotata mihi soror est, paupercula mater, 
 Et fundus nee vendibilis nee pascere firmus ' 
 Qui dicit, clamat ' Victum date.' Succinit alter 
 ' Et mihi ! ' dividuo findetur munere quadra. 
 Sed tacitus pasci si posset corvus, haberet 60 
 
 Plus dapis, et rixae multo minus invidiaeque. 
 
 Brundisium comes aut Surrentum ductus amoenum, 
 Qui queritur salebras et acerbum frigus et irnbres, 
 Aut cistam effractam et subducta viatica plorat, 
 Nota refert meretricis acumina, saepe catellam, 55 
 
 Saepe periscelidem raptam sibi flentis, uti mox 
 Nulla fides damnis verisque doloribus adsit. 
 Nee semel inrisus triviis attollere curat 
 Fracto crure planum. Licet illi plurima manet 
 Lacrima, per sanctum iuratus dicat Osirim, 60 
 
 * Credite, non ludo ; crudeles, tollite, claudum ; ' 
 1 Quaere peregrinum ' vicinia rauca reclamat. 
 
 XVIII. 
 ON THE PROPER DEMEANOR TOWARDS A PATRON. 
 
 1. Occasion of the Epistle : Horace's friend Lollius Maximus (see 
 i. 2) had evidently found a powerful and distinguished patron who 
 is unknown to us. The high-spirited and well-connected young man 
 seems to have found the relation somewhat trying, and Horace assures 
 him that he can show a proper deference without laying himself open 
 to the charge of obsequiousness. 
 
 2. Outline: 
 
 1. An excessive display of independence is ill-judged and un- 
 necessary. The true gentleman does not need to vindi- 
 cate his claim to the title, 1-20} 
 
118 EPISTULARUM [XVIII. 
 
 2. Certain marks of consideration are due a man from whom one 
 
 is willing to accept patronage : 
 
 a) A life of high ideals. The great man can allow himself 
 
 some indulgences which would ruin his prote'ge'. One 
 
 ' must regulate one's conduct according to one's position 
 
 in life, 21-36 ; 
 6) Respect for the patron's confidences, 37-38 ; 
 
 c) An effort to take part cheerfully in his amusements, re- 
 
 gardless of one's own inclinations, 39-66 ; 
 
 d) Discretion in criticising others, 66-71 ; 
 
 e) And in his relations with the patron's household, 72-75 ; 
 /) Extreme care in recommending men to the patron's favor, 
 
 but unfailing loyalty to those whom he has once judged 
 worthy of it, 76-85 ; 
 
 3. To maintain a proper attitude is not easy. It requires : 
 
 a) Constant watchfulness of one's conduct and no little self- 
 denial, 86-95 ; 
 
 6) A constant study of the true philosophy of life and of the 
 real causes of happiness, 96-103 ; 
 
 c) Horace's own ideas of happiness, 104-112. 
 
 3. Time : 20 B.C. 
 
 Si bene te novi, metues, liberrime Lolli, 
 Scurrantis speciem praebere, professus amicum. 
 Ut matrona meretrici dispar erit atque 
 Discolor, infido scurrae distabit amicus. 
 Est huic diversum vitio vitium prope mains, 5 
 
 Asperitas agrestis et inconcinna gravisque, 
 Quae se commendat tonsa cute, dentibus atris, 
 Dum volt libertas dici mera veraque virtus. 
 Virtus est medium vitiorum et utrimque reductum. 
 Alter in obsequiuni plus aequo pronus et imi 10 
 
 Derisor lecti sic nutum divitis horret, 
 Sic iterat voces et verba cadentia tollit, 
 Ut puerum saevo credas dictata magistro 
 Reddere vel partis minium tractare secundas; 
 Alter rixatur de lana saepe caprina, 15 
 
 Propugnat nugis armatus : ( Scilicet, ut non 
 
XVIII.] LIBER I. 119 
 
 Sit mihi prima fides et, vere quod placet, ut non 
 Acriter elatrem, pretium aetas altera sordet.' 
 Ambigitur quid enim ? Castor sciat an Docilis plus ; 
 Brundisium Minuci melius via ducat an Appi. 20 
 
 Quern damnosa Venus, quern praeceps alea nudat, da./* 
 Gloria quern supra vires et vestit et unguit, 
 Quern tenet argenti sitis importuna famesque, 
 Quern paupertatis pudor et fuga, dives amicus, 
 Saepe decem vitiis instructior, odit et horret, 25 
 
 Aut, si non odit, regit ac veluti pia mater 
 Plus quam se sapere et virtutibus esse priorem 
 Volt et ait prope vera: ' Meae contendere noli 
 Stultitiam patiuntur opes ; tibi parvola res est. 
 Arta decet sanum comitem toga ; desine niecum 30 
 
 Certare.' Eutrapelus cuicumque nocere volebat 
 Vestimenta dabat pretiosa : ' Beatus enim iam 
 Cum pulchris tunicis sumet nova consilia et spes, 
 Dormiet in lucem, scorto postponet honestum 
 Officium, nummos alienos pascet, ad imum 35 
 
 Thraex erit aut holitoris aget mercede caballuin.' 
 
 Arcanum neque tu scrutaberis illius umquam, 
 Commissumque teges et vino tortus et ira. 
 Nee tua laudabis studia aut aliena reprendes, 
 Nee, cum venari volet ille, poemata panges. 40 
 
 Gratia sic fratrum geminorum, Amphionis atque 
 Zethi, dissiluit, donee suspecta severo 
 Conticuit lyra. Fraternis cessisse putatur 
 Moribus Amphion: tu cede potentis amici 
 Lenibus imperiis, quotiensque educet in agros 45 
 
 Aetolis onerata plagis iumenta canesque, 
 Surge et inhumanae senium depone Camenae, 
 Cenes ut pariter pulmenta laboribus empta ; 
 Eomanis sollemne viris opus, utile famae 
 Vitaeque et membris, praesertim cum valeas et 50 
 
120 EPISTULARUM [XVIII. 
 
 Vel cursu superare canem vel viribus aprum 
 
 Possis. Adde virilia quod speciosius arma 
 
 Non est qui tractet ; scis, quo clamore coronae 
 
 Proelia sustineas campestria ; denique saevam 
 
 Militiam puer et Cantabrica bella tulisti 55 
 
 Sub duce qui templis Parthorum signa refigit 
 
 Nunc et, si quid abest, Italis adiudicat armis. 
 
 Ac ne te retrahas et inexcusabilis absis, 
 
 Quamvis nil extra nuinerum fecisse modumque 
 
 Curas, interdum nugaris rure paterno : 60 
 
 Partitur lintres exercitus, Actia pugna 
 
 Te duce per pueros hostili more ref ertur ; 
 
 Adversarius est frater, lacus Hadria, donee 
 
 Alterutrum velox victoria fronde coronet. 
 
 Consentire suis studiis qui crediderit te, 65 
 
 Fautor utroque tuum laudabit pollice ludum. 
 
 Protinus ut moneam siquid monitoris eges tu, 
 Quid de quoque viro et cui dicas, saepe videto. 
 Percontatorem f ugito ; nam garrulus idem est, 
 Nee retinent patulae commissa fideliter aures, 70 
 
 Et semel emissum volat inrevocabile verbum. 
 
 Non ancilla tuum iecur ulceret ulla puerve 
 Intra marmoreum venerandi limen amici, 
 Ne dominus pueri pulchri caraeve puellae 
 Munere te parvo beet aut incommodus angat. 75 
 
 Qualem commendes, etiam atque etiam aspice, ne mox 
 Incutiant aliena tibi peccata pudorem. 
 Fallimur et quondam non dignum tradimus : ergo 
 Quern sua culpa premet, deceptus omitte tueri, 
 Ut penitus notum, si temptent crimina, serves 80 
 
 Tuterisque tuo fidentem praesidio : qui 
 Dente Theonino cum circumroditur, ecquid 
 Ad te post paullo ventura pericula sentis ? 
 Nam tua res agitur, paries cum proximus ardet, 
 
XVIII.] LIBER I. 121 
 
 Et neglecta solent incendia sumere vires. 85 
 
 Dulcis inexpertis cultura potentis amici ; 
 Expertus metuet. Tu, dum tua navis in alto est, 
 Hoc age, ne mutata retrorsum te ferat aura. 
 Oderunt hilarem tristes tristemque iocosi, 
 Sedatum celeres, agilem navumque remissi ; 90 
 
 Potores bibuli media de nocte Falerni 
 Oderunt porrecta negantem pocula, quamvis 
 Nocturnes iures te formidare tepores. 
 Deme supercilio nubem : plerumque modestus 
 Occupat obscuri speciem, taciturnus acerbi. 95 
 
 Inter cuncta leges et percontabere doctos, 
 Qua ratione queas traducere leniter aevum, 
 Num te semper inops agitet vexetque cupido, 
 Num. pavor et rerum mediocriter utilium spes, 
 Virtutem doctrina paret naturane donet, 100 
 
 Quid minuat curas, quid te tibi reddat amicum, 
 Quid pure tranquillet, honos an dulce lucellum, 
 An secretum iter et fallentis semita vitae. 
 
 Me quotiens reficit gelidus Digentia rivus, 
 Quern Mandela bibit, rugosus frigore pagus, 105 
 
 Quid sentire putas ? Quid credis, amice, precari ? 
 ' Sit mihi, quod nunc est, etiam minus, ut mihi vivam 
 Quod superest aevi, si quid superesse volunt di; 
 Sit bona librorum et provisae frugis in annum 
 Copia, neu fluitem dubiae spe pendulus horae.' 110 
 
 Sed satis est orare lovem, quae ponit et aufert ; 
 Det vitam, det opes; aequum mi animum ipse parabo. 
 
122 EPISTULARUM [XIX. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 THE POET ON HIS CRITICS. 
 
 1. Occasion of the Epistle : The Odes (Books I.-III.) had evidently 
 met with unfavorable criticism outside of the small circle of the poet's 
 friends. He points out to Maecenas the injustice of the charges which 
 have been made against him, and expresses contempt for his detrac- 
 tors. 
 
 2 Outline: 
 
 1. It is one thing to follow a model, quite another to stoop to 
 
 slavish and ignorant imitation : 
 a) Because Homer, Cratinus, and Ennius have written in 
 
 praise of wine, obscure poets hope to become great by 
 
 hard drinking, 1-11 ; 
 6) Just as if the virtue of a Cato depended on his stern face 
 
 and careless dress, or a poet's success on his complexion, 
 
 12-18 ; 
 
 2. Horace is a pioneer and no imitator. He followed Greek 
 
 originals, but not with servile imitation. Alcaeus and 
 Sappho also had their models, 19-34; 
 
 3. The real reason for his unpopularity is that he has not tried 
 
 to please the masses, or deigned to court the favor of 
 the critics. If he is therefore accused of arrogance, he 
 prefers not to argue the matter, 35-49. 
 
 3. Time : From its position in the collection the letter would seem 
 to belong to the year 20 B.C. 
 
 Frisco si credis, Maecenas docte, Cratino, 
 Nulla placere dm nee vivere carmina possunt, 
 Quae scribuntur aquae potoribus. Ut male sanos 
 Adscripsit Liber Satyris Faunisque poetas, 
 Vina fere dulces oluerunt mane Camenae. 5 
 
 Laudibus arguitur vini vinosus Homerus ; 
 Ennius ipse pater numquam nisi potus ad arma 
 Prosiluit dicenda. ' Forum putealque Libonis 
 Mandabo siccis, adimam cantare severis: ' 
 Hoc simul edixi, non cessavere poetae 10 
 

 XIX.J LIBER I. 123 
 
 Nocturne certare mero, putere diurno. 
 
 Quid ? Si quis voltu torvo ferns et pede nudo 
 
 Exiguaeque togae simulet textore Catonem, 
 
 Virtutemne repraesentet moresque Catonis ? 
 
 Rupit larbitam Timagenis aemula lingua, 15 
 
 Dum studet urbanus tenditque disertus haberi. 
 
 Decipit exemplar vitiis imitabile. Quod si 
 
 Pallerem casu, biberent exsangue cuminum. 
 
 imitatores, servum pecus, ut mihi saepe 
 Bilem, saepe iocnm vestri movere tumultus! 20 
 
 Libera per vacuum posui vestigia princeps, 
 Non aliena meo pressi pede. Qui sibi fidet, 
 Dux reget examen. Parios ego primus iambos 
 Ostendi Latio, numeros animosque secutus 
 Archilochi, non res et agentia verba Lycatnben. 25 
 
 Ac ne me foliis ideo brevioribus ornes, 
 Quod timui mutare modos et carminis artem, 
 Temperat Archilochi musam pede mascula Sappho, 
 Temperat Alcaeus, sed rebus et ordine dispar, 
 Nee socerum quaerit, quern versibus oblinat atris, 30 
 
 Nee sponsae laqueum famoso carmine nectit. 
 Hunc ego, non alio dictum prius ore, Latinus 
 Volgavi fidicen. luvat irnmernorata ferentem 
 Ingenuis oculisque legi manibusque teneri. 
 
 Scire velis, mea cur ingratus opuscula lector 35 
 
 Laudet ametque domi, premat extra limen iniquus : 
 Non ego ventosae plebis suffragia venor 
 Impensis cenarum et tritae rnunere vestis ; 
 Non ego, nobilium scriptorum auditor et ultor, 
 Grammaticas ambire tribus et pulpita dignor. 40 
 
 Hinc illae lacriniae. 'Spissis indigna theatris, 
 Scripta pudet recitare et nugis addere pondus ' 
 Si dixi, ' Rides ' ait, ' et lovis auribus ista 
 Servas ; fidis enini, manare poetica mella 
 
124 EPISTULARUM [XX. 
 
 Te solum, tibi pulcher.' Ad haec ego naribus uti 45 
 
 Formido et, luctantis acuto ne secer ungui,- 
 'Displicet iste locus' clamo et diludia posco. 
 Ludus enim genuit trepidum certamen et iram, 
 Ira trucis inimicitiaset funebre bellum. 
 
 XX. 
 
 EPILOGUE. 
 
 1. Subject of the Epistle: Horace addresses his book, which is 
 represented as anxious to try its fate with the public. He compares 
 it to a young and beautiful slave, and foretells its destiny. 
 
 2. Outline : 
 
 1. The poet warns his book that, once issued, it cannot return, 
 
 1-8; 
 
 2. He predicts its career : 
 
 a) Success until it falls into the hands of the vulgar ; 
 
 6) Banishment to the provinces ; 
 
 c) An old age spent in the schools, 9-18 ; 
 
 3. He charges it in the days of its prosperity to make known the 
 
 parentage, career, and personal characteristics of its 
 author, 19-28. 
 
 3. Time : Between December 8, 21 B.C., and December 8, 20 B.C. 
 
 Vertumimm lanumque, liber, spectare videris, 
 Scilicet lit prostes Sosiorum pumice mundus. 
 Odisti clavis et grata sigilla pudico, 
 Paucis ostendi gemis et communia laudas, 
 Non ita nutritus. Fuge quo descendere gestis : 5 
 
 Non erit emisso reditus tibi. ' Quid miser egi ? 
 Quid volui ? ' dices, ubi quid te laeserit, et scis 
 In breve te cogi, cum plenus languet amator. 
 
 Quodsi non odio peccantis desipit augur, 
 Cams eris Eomae, donee te deserat aetas ; 10 
 
 Contrectatus ubi manibus sordescere volgi 
 
XX.] LIBER I. 125 
 
 Coeperis, aut tineas pasces taciturnus inertis 
 
 Aut fugles Uticam aut vinctus mitteris Ilerdam. 
 
 Ridebit monitor non exauditus, ut ille 
 
 Qui male parentem in rupes protrusit asellum 15 
 
 Iratus ; quis enini in vi turn servare laboret ? 
 
 Hoc quoque te manet, ut pueros elementa docentem 
 
 Occupet extremis in vicis balba senectus. 
 
 Cum tibi sol tepidus pluris admoverit auris, 
 Me libertino natum patre et in tenui re 20 
 
 Maiores pinnas nido extendisse loqueris, 
 Ut quantum generi demas, virtutibus addas ; 
 Me primis urbis belli placuisse domique, 
 Corporis exigui, praecanum, solibus aptum, 
 Irasci celerem, tamen ut placabilis essem. 25 
 
 Forte meum si quis te percontabitur aevum, 
 Me quater undenos sciat implevisse Decembris, 
 Collegam Lepidum quo dixit Lollius anno. 
 
 
EPISTULARUM 
 
 LIBER SECUNDUS. 
 
 i. 
 
 ON THE POPULAR TASTE AND JUDGMENT. 
 
 1. Occasion of the Epistle : Horace dedicates his second collection 
 of Letters to Augustus, who had apparently urged him to undertake 
 something in the line of dramatic or of epic poetry. He complains of 
 the poor taste shown by the general public, especially in regard to the 
 drama, and says that he is unwilling to make an attempt in that line. 
 For epic poetry he has no ability. 
 
 2. Outline: 
 
 1. Horace will be brief and not make great demands on the time 
 
 of a busy man, 1-4 ; 
 
 2. Augustus is more fortunate than Romulus, Castor and Pollux, 
 
 and Hercules, in having his services to his country recog- 
 nized during his lifetime, 5-17 ; 
 
 3. In this the people have shown excellent judgment ; but in 
 
 literary criticism they fail to use the same discrimination : 
 a) They admire only what is ancient, justifying themselves by 
 
 the plea that the earliest works of the Greeks were their 
 
 best, 18-33 ; 
 
 6) If their view is correct, what limits would they set ? An- 
 tiquity is a relative term, 34-49 ; 
 c) They blindly follow the critics and admire everything from 
 
 Livius down to their own day, 50-62 ; 
 d} Horace is ready to agree with them in praising the earlier 
 
 writers, if only they will be reasonable, 63-68 ; 
 e) He has no patience with admiration of ancient poetry as 
 
 such, and with wilful blindness to its obvious defects, 
 
 69-85; ' 
 
 126 
 
LIBER II. 127 
 
 /) The real motive of the' critics is envy of their contem- 
 poraries. That the Greeks had had no such spirit is 
 shown by the development of their literature, which 
 would otherwise have ended, as it began, with Homer, 
 86-102 ; 
 
 4. As a matter of fact, Roman literature, like the Greek, de- 
 
 veloped gradually : 
 a) The people were for a long time devoted to practical life 
 
 and to money-making, 103-107 ; 
 6) Nowadays every one writes, regardless of his fitness for 
 
 such work. Even Horace cannot keep his resolve to 
 
 compose no more poetry, 108-117 ; 
 c) This state of things has its advantages : 
 
 1) It cultivates an indifference to material things, 118- 
 
 125; 
 
 2) It fosters general education and refinement by pre- 
 
 senting worthy models for imitation, 126-131 ; 
 
 3) It furnishes a means by which men may address 
 
 the gods, 132-138 ; 
 
 5. This gradual development is clearly seen in the history of 
 
 dramatic poetry : 
 a) Out of the harvest festivals grew a rude Italic drama, whose 
 
 freedom of speech had finally to be regulated by law, 
 
 139-155 ; 
 6) But our conquest of Greece led to the introduction of 
 
 Greek art, though the native uncouthness was only grad- 
 ually eliminated, 156-160 ; 
 c) First came tragedy, well suited to Roman tastes, but marred 
 
 by careless composition, 161-167 ; 
 eZ) Then comedy, which suffers even more from careless writing, 
 
 in which Plautus made but an indifferent success, 168-176 ; 
 
 6. To-day dramatic poetry has passed its zenith, and Horace has 
 
 no desire to write in that line, 177-181 : 
 a) For success depends largely on the judgment of the masses, 
 
 who care only for spectacular effects, 182-186 ; 
 &) While the better class have similar tastes in a slightly higher 
 
 form, 187-200 ; 
 c) The audience is noisy and cares not what the actor says, 
 
 provided he makes an imposing appearance, 200-207. 
 
 7. Still Horace has no prejudice against dramatic writing as such, 
 
 provided it be done with due care, 208-213 ; 
 
 8. But he believes that Augustus ought especially to favor epic 
 
 and lyric verse : 
 
128 EPISTULARUM [I. 
 
 a) They are worthy of his patronage, although some poets run 
 the risk of losing it : 
 
 1) By presenting their works at an unfavorable time ; 
 
 2) By oversensitiveness to criticism ; 
 
 3) By a lack of originality ; 
 
 4) And by too great a desire for recognition, 214-228 ; 
 6) He should be careful in selecting those who are to sing his 
 
 praises : 
 
 1) It would be bad to fall into the hands of a Choerilus, 
 
 whom Alexander, in spite of his good taste in 
 painting and sculpture, judged so falsely, 229-244 ; 
 
 2) But Augustus has better taste, and has honored 
 
 himself by honoring Varius and Virgil, 245-250 ; 
 
 3) Horace himself would gladly write an epic if he had 
 
 the ability, 250-257 ; 
 
 4) But Augustus is worthy of a greater poet. Horace 
 
 does not wish to undertake a task beyond his 
 powers, and thus do more harm than good, 257- 
 263; 
 
 5) His reluctance is due less to consideration for 
 
 Augustus, than to regard for his own reputation, 
 264-270. 
 3. Time: 14 B.C. 
 
 Cum tot sustineas et tanta negotia solus > 
 Ees Italas armis tuteris, moribus ornes, 
 Legibus eniendes; in publica commoda peccem, 
 Si longo sermone merer tua tempera, Caesar. 
 
 Romulus et Liber pater et cum Castore Pollux, 5 
 Post ingentia facta deorum in templa recepti, 
 Dum terras hominumque colunt genus, aspera bella 
 Componunt, agros adsignant, oppida conduut, 
 Ploravere suis non respondere favorem 
 Speratum meritis. Dirarn qui contudit hydram 10 
 
 Notaque fatali portenta labore subegit, 
 Comperit invidiam supremo fine domari. 
 Urit enim fulgore suo, qui praegravat artis 
 < Infra se positas ; exstinctus amabitur idem. 
 Praesenti tibi matures largimur honores, 15 
 
I.] LIBER II. 129 
 
 lurandasque tuum per numen ponimus aras, 
 Nil orituruin alias, nil ortuin tale fatentes. 
 
 Sed tuus hie populus, sapiens et iustus in uno, 
 Te nostris ducibus, te Grais anteferendo, 
 Cetera nequaquam simili ration e modoque 20 
 
 Aestimat et, nisi quae terris semota suisque 
 Temporibus defuncta videt, fastidit et odit, 
 Sic fautor veterum, ut tabulas peccare vetantis 
 Quas bis quinque viri sanxerunt, foedera regum 
 Vel Gabiis vel cum rigidis aequata Sabinis, 25 
 
 Pontificuni libros, annosa volumina vatum 
 Dictitet Albano Musas in monte locutas. 
 Si, quia Graecorum sunt antiquissima quaeque 
 Scripta vel optima, Komani pensantur eadem 
 Scriptores trutina, non est quod multa loquamur : 30 
 
 Nil intra est olea, nil extra est in iiuce duri ; - 
 Venimus ad summum fortunae, pingimus atque 
 Psallimus et luctamur Achivis doctius ujictis. 
 
 Si meliora dies, ut vina, poemata reddit, 
 Scire velim, chartis pretiuni quotus adroget annus. 35 
 
 Scriptor abhinc annos centum qui decidit, inter 
 Perfectos veteresque referri debet an inter 
 Vilis atque novos ? Excludat iurgia finis ! 
 < Est vetus atque probus, centum qui perficit annos.' 
 Quid ? qui deperiit minor uno mense vel anno, 40 
 
 Inter quos referendus erit ? Veteresne poetas, 
 An quos et praesens et postera respuat aetas ? 
 ' Iste quidern veteres inter ponetur honeste, 
 Qui vel mense brevi vel toto est iunior anno/ 
 Utor permisso, caudaeque pilos ut equinae 45 
 
 Paullatim vello, et demo unum, demo etiam unum 
 Dum cadat elusus ratione mentis acervi, 
 Qui redit in fastos et virtutem aestimat annis 
 Miraturque nihil nisi quod Libitina sacravit. 
 
130 EPISTULARUM [I. 
 
 Ennius, et sapiens et fortis et alter Homerus, 50 
 
 Ut critic! dicunt, leviter curare videtur, 
 Quo promissa cadant et somnia Pythagorea. 
 Naevius in manibus non est et mentibus haeret 
 Paene recens ? Adeo sanctum est vetus omne poema. 
 Ambigitur quotiens uter utro sit prior, aufert 55 
 
 Pacuvius docti famam senis, Accius alti; tyht 
 Dicitur Afrani toga convenisse Menandro, 
 Plautus ad exemplar Siculi properare Epicharnii, 
 Vincere Caecilius gravitate, Terentius arte. 
 Hos ediscit et hos arto stipata theatro 60 
 
 Spectat Roma potens, habet hos numeratque poetas 
 Ad nostrum tempus Livi scriptoris ab aevo. 
 
 Interdum volgus rectum yidet ; est ubi peccat. 
 Si veteres ita miratur laudatque poetas, 
 Ut nihil antef erat, nihil illis comparet, errat ; 65 
 
 Si quaedam niniis antique, si pleraque dure 
 Dicere credit eos, ignave multa fatetur, 
 Et sapit et niecum facit et love iudicat aequo. 
 
 Non equidem in sector delendave carmina Livi 
 Esse reor, memini quae plagosum mini parvo 70 
 
 Orbilium dictare ; sed emendata videri 
 Pulchraque et exactis minimum distantia miror. 
 Inter quae verbum emicuit si forte decorum, 
 Si versus paullo concinnior unus et alter, 
 Iniuste totum ducit venditque poema. 75 
 
 Indignor quicquam reprehendi, non quia crasse 
 Compositum inlepideve putetur, sed quia nuper, 
 Nee veniam antiquis, sed honorem et praemia posci. 
 Recte necne crocum floresque perambulet Attae 
 Fabula si dubitem, clament periisse pudorem 80 
 
 Cuncti paene patres, ea cum reprehendere coner, 
 Quae gravis Aesopus, quae doctus Roscius egit ; 
 Vel quia nil rectum, nisi quod placuit sibi, ducunt, 
 
L] LIBER II. 131 
 
 Vel quia turpe putant parere minoribus, et quae 
 
 Imberbes didicere, senes perdenda fateri. 85 
 
 lam Saliare Numae carmen qui laudat et illud, 
 Quod mecum ignorat, solus volt scire videri, 
 Ingeniis non ille favet plauditque sepultis, 
 Nostra sed impugnat, nos nostraque lividus odit. 
 Quod si tarn Graiis novitas invisa fuisset ^ 90 
 
 Quam nobis, quid nunc esset vetus ? Aut quid haberet, 
 Quod legeret tereretque viritim publicus usus ? 
 Ut primum positis nugari Graecia bellis 
 Coepit et in vitiuni fortuna labier aequa, 
 Nunc athletamm studiis, nunc arsit equorum, 95 
 
 Marmoris aut eboris fabros aut aeris amavit, 
 Suspendit picta voltum mentemque tabella, 
 Nunc tibicinibus, nunc est gavisa tragoedis ; 
 Sub nutrice puella velut si luderet infans, 
 Quod cupide petiit, mature plena reliquit. 100 
 
 Quid placet aut odio est, quod non rnutabile credas ? 
 Hoc paces habuere bonae ventique secundi. 
 
 Romae dulce diu fuit et sollemne reclusa 
 Mane domo vigilare, clienti proniere iura, 
 Cautos nominibus rectis expendere nummos, . 105 
 
 Maiores audire, minori dicere per quae 
 Crescere res posset, minui damnosa libido. 
 Mutavit mentem populus levis et calet uno i r 
 
 Scribendi studio ; pueri patresque severi 
 Fronde comas vincti cenant et carmina dictant. no 
 
 Ipse ego, qui nullos me adfirmo scribere versus, 
 Invenior Parthis mendacior, et prius orto 
 Sole vigil calamum et chartas et scrinia posco. 
 Navem agere ignarus navis timet, habrotonum aegro 
 Non audet nisi qui didicit dare, ( quod niedicoruin est n 5 
 Promittunt medici, tractant fabrilia fabri ; 
 Scribimus indocti doctique poemata passim. 
 
132 EPISTULARUM [I. 
 
 Hie error tamen et levis haec insania quantas 
 
 Virtutes habeat, sic collige. Vatis avarus 
 
 Non temere est animus ; versus amat, hoc studet unum ; 120 
 
 Detrimenta, fugas servorum, iricendia ridet, 
 
 Non fraudein socio puerove incogitat ullam 
 
 Pupillo ; vivit siliquis et pane secundo ; 
 
 Militiae quamquam piger et malus, utilis urbi, 
 
 Si das hoc, parvis quoque rebus magna iuvari. 125 
 
 Os tenerum pueri balbumque poeta figurat, 
 
 /forquet ab obscaenis iam nunc sermonibus aurem, , 
 
 | Mox etiam pectus praeceptis format arnicis, 
 
 j Asperitatis et invidiae corrector et irae, 
 
 ijrlecte facta refert, orientia tempera notis 130 
 
 Instruit exernplis, inopem solatur et aegruni. 
 
 Castis cum pueris ignara puella mariti 
 
 Disceret unde preces, vatem ni Musa dedisset ? 
 
 Poscit opem chorus et praesentia minima sentit, 
 
 Caelestis implorat aquas docta prece blandus, 135 
 
 Avertit morbos, metuenda pericula pellit, 
 
 Impetrat et pacem et locupletem f rugibus annum. 
 
 Carmine di superi placantur, carmine Manes. 
 Agricolae prisci, fortes parvoque beati, 
 
 Condita post frumenta levantes tempore festo 140 
 
 Corpus et ipsum animum spe finis dura ferentem, 
 
 Cum sociis operum, pueris et coniuge fida, 
 
 Tellurem porco, Silvanum lacte piabant, 
 
 Floribus et vino Genium memorem brevis aevi. 
 
 Fescennina per hunc invecta licentia morem 145 
 
 Versibus alternis opprobria rustica fudit, 
 
 Libertasque recurrentis accepta per annos 
 
 Lusit amabiliter, donee iam saevus apertam 
 
 In rabiem coepit verti iocus et per honestas 
 
 Ire domos impune minax. Doluere cruento ^ 150 
 
 Dente lacessivit ; fuit intactis quoque cura 
 
I.] LIBER II. 133 
 
 Condicione super cornmuni, quin etiam lex 
 
 Poenaque lata, malo quae nollet carmine quern quam 
 
 Describi. Vertere modum formidine fustis 
 
 Ad bene dicendum delectandumque redact!. 155 
 
 Graecia capta ferum victorem cepit, et artis 
 Intulit agresti Latio. Sic horridus ille 
 Defluxit numerus Saturnius, et grave virus 
 Munditiae pepulere ; sed in longum tamen aevum 
 Manserunt hodieque manent vestigia ruris. 160 
 
 Seras enim Graecis admovit acumina chartis, 
 Et post Punica bella quietus quaerere coepit, 
 Quid Sophocles et Thespis et Aeschylos utile ferrent. 
 Temptavit quoque rem si digne vertere posset, 
 Et placuit sibi, natura sublimis et acer ; 165 
 
 Nam spirat tragicum satis et feliciter audet, 
 Sed turpem putat inscite metuitque lituram. 
 Creditur, ex medio quia res arcessit, habefe 
 Sudoris minimum, sed habet comoedia tanto 
 Plus oneris quanto veniae minus. Adspice Plautus 170 
 
 Quo pacto partis tutetur amantis ephebi, 
 Ut patris attenti, lenonis ut insidiosi, 
 Quantus sit Dossennus edacibus in parasitis, 
 Quam non adstricto percurrat pulpita socco ; 
 Gestit enim nummum in loculos demittere, post hoc 175 
 
 Securus cadat an recto stet fabula talo. 
 
 Quern tulit ad scaenam ventoso Gloria curru, 
 Exanimat lentus spectator, sedulus inflat ; 
 Sic leve sic parvum est, animum quod laudis avarum 
 Subruit aut reficit. Valeat res ludicra, si me 180 
 
 Palma negata macrum, donata reducit opimum. 
 Saepe etiam audacem fugat hoc terretque poetam, 
 Quod numero plures, virtute et honore ininores, 
 Indocti stolidique et depugnare parati, 
 Si discordet eques, media inter carmina poscunt 185 
 
134 EPISTULARUM [I. 
 
 Aut ursum aut pugiles ; his nam plebecula gaudet. 
 
 Verum equitis quoque iam migravit ab aure voluptas 
 
 Omnis ad incertos oculos et gaudia vana. 
 
 Quattuor aut pluris aulaea premuntur in horas, 
 
 Dum fugiunt equitum turmae peditumque catervae; 190 
 
 Mox trahitur manibus regum fortuna retortis, 
 
 Esseda festinant, pilenta, petorrita, naves, 
 
 Captivum portatur ebur, captiva Corinthus. 
 
 Si foret in terris, rideret Democritus, sen 
 
 Diversum confusa genus panthera camelo 195 
 
 Sive elephas albus volgi converteret ora; 
 
 Spectaret populum ludis attentius ipsis, 
 
 Ut sibi praebentem nimio spectacula plura ; 
 
 Scriptores autem nan-are putaret asello 
 
 Fabellam surdo. Nam quae pervincere voces 200 
 
 Evaluere sonum, ref erunt quern nostra theatra ? 
 
 Garganum mugire putes nemus aut mare Tuscum, 
 
 Tanto cum strepitu ludi spectantur et artes 
 
 Divitiaeque peregrinae, quibus oblitus actor 
 
 Cum stetit in scaena, concurrit dextera laevae. 205 
 
 ' Dixit adhuc aliquid ? ' ' Nil sane.' ' Quid placet ergo ? ' 
 
 ' Lana Tarentino violas imitata veneno.' 
 
 Ac ne forte putes me, quae facere ipse recusem, 
 Cum recte tractent alii, laudare maligne ; 
 Ille per extentum funem mihi posse videtur 210 
 
 Ire poeta, meum qui pectus inaniter angit, 
 Inritat, mulcet, falsis terroribus implet, 
 Ut magus, et modo me Thebis, modo ponit Athenis. 
 
 Verum age et his, qui se lectori credere malunt 
 Quam spectatoris fastidia ferre superbi, 215 
 
 Curam redde brevem, si munus Apolline dignum 
 Vis complere libris et vatibus addere calcar, 
 Ut studio maiore petant Helicona virentem. 
 Multa quidem nobis facimus mala saepe poetae 
 
I.] LIBER II. 135 
 
 Ut vineta egomet caedam mea cum tibi libruin 220 
 
 Sollicito damns aut f esso ; cum laedirnur, unum 
 
 Si quis amicorum est ausus reprehendere versum ; 
 
 Cum loca iam recitata revolvimus inrevocati; 
 
 Cum lamentamur, non apparere labores 
 
 Nostros et tenui deducta poemata filo ; 225 
 
 Cum speramus eo rem -venturam, ut simul atque 
 
 Carmina rescieris nos fingere, commodus ultro 
 
 Arcessas et egere vetes et scribere cogas. 
 
 Sed tamen est operae pretium cognoscere, qualis 
 Aedituos habeat belli spectata domique 230 
 
 Virtus, indigno non committenda poetae. 
 Gratus Alexandro regi Magno fuit ille 
 Choerilus, incultis qui versibus et male natis 
 Rettulit acceptos, regale nomisma, Philippos. 
 Sed veluti tractata notam labemque remittunt 235 
 
 Atramenta, fere scriptores carmine foedo 
 Splendida facta linunt. Idem rex ille, poema 
 Qui tarn ridicnilum tarn care prodigus emit, 
 Edicto vetuit, ne quis se praeter Apellen 
 Pingeret, aut alius Lysippo duceret aera 240 
 
 Fortis Alexandri voltum simulantia. Quod si 
 Indicium subtile videndis artibus illud 
 Ad libros et ad haec Musarum dona vocares, 
 Boeotum in crasso iurares aere natum. 
 
 At neque dedecorant tua de se iudicia atque 245 
 
 Munera quae multa dantis cum laude tulerunt 
 Dilecti tibi Vergilius Variusque poetae, 
 Nee magis expressi voltus per ae'nea signa, 
 Quam per vatis opus mores animique virorum 
 Clarorum adparent. 
 
 Nee sermones ego mallem 250 
 
 Repentis per humum quam res componere gestas 
 Terrarumque situs et flumina dicere et arces 
 
 
136 EPISTULARUM [II. 
 
 Montibus impositas et barbara regna, tuisque 
 
 Auspiciis totum confecta duella per orbem, 
 
 Claustraque custodem pacis cohibentia lanum, 255 
 
 Et formidatam Parthis te principe Eoniam, 
 
 Si quantum cuperem possem quoque ; sed neque parvum 
 
 Carmen maiestas recipit tua, nee meus audet 
 
 Bern temptare pudor quam vires ferre recusent. 
 
 Sedulitas autem stulte queni diligit, urget ; 260 
 
 Praecipue cum se numeris commendat et arte : 
 
 Discit enim citius meminitque libentius illud 
 
 Quod quis deridet, quam quod probat et veneratur. 
 
 Nil moror officium quod me gravat, ac neque ficto 
 
 In peius voltu proponi cereus usquam 265 
 
 Nee prave factis decorari versibus opto, 
 
 Ne rubeam pingui donatus munere et una 
 
 Cum scriptore meo capsa porrectus operta 
 
 Deferar in vicum vendentem tus et odores 
 
 Et piper et quicquid chartis amicitur ineptis. 270 
 
 II. 
 A RENUNCIATION OF LYRIC POETRY. 
 
 1. Occasion of the Epistle : In this letter to Julius Floras, to 
 whom i. 3 is also addressed, Horace expresses at greater length the 
 same general sentiments as in i. 1. He intends to devote himself to 
 philosophy and to write only in the field represented by the Sermones 
 and Epistulae. 
 
 2. Outline: 
 
 1. Horace reminds his friend, that while he promised to write to 
 
 him, he expressly said that he was not a good correspon- 
 dent. He is therefore no more liable to blame than a 
 slave-dealer would be, who had sold a slave with the 
 admission that he had once played truant, 1-24 ; 
 
 2. He accounts for his failure to send Florus some verses by 
 
 saying that he has renounced poetry : 
 
II.] LIBER II. 137 
 
 a) He no longer feels the necessity of writing verse. The story 
 
 of the veteran of Lucullus, 24-54 ; 
 
 b) He is too old for such youthful folly, 55-57 ; 
 
 c) He cannot please everybody ; his readers are like guests at 
 
 a banquet, who all call for something different, 58-64 ; 
 
 d) It is impossible to write amid the distractions of the city : 
 
 1) He has many visits to pay and duties to attend to 
 
 in widely separated parts of the town, 65-70 ; 
 
 2) The noises and dangers in the streets prevent quiet 
 
 thought, 70-76 ; 
 
 3) Poets need seclusion. Even in quiet Athens one 
 
 cannot always write acceptably ; how much less 
 in Rome, 77-86 : 
 
 e) To succeed one must form an alliance for mutual admira- 
 
 tion, 87-101 ; 
 /) Careful and conscientious work is not appreciated, 102- 
 
 125; 
 <7) To write poetry in such times one would need to be blind 
 
 to his surroundings, like the madman of Argos, 126-140 ; 
 3. Horace therefore proposes to devote himself to philosophy, as 
 
 a more profitable study and one more appropriate to his 
 
 time of life, 141-145 ; 
 a) If one were suffering from disease, he would consult a 
 
 physician. One ought to be equally anxious to be cured 
 
 of false views of life, 146-154 ; 
 6) Riches cannot make a man wise or permanently happy. 
 
 Death finally makes all men equal, 155-179 ; 
 
 c) True happiness consists in following the golden mean, 
 
 avoiding both avarice and extravagance, and in indif- 
 ference to material blessings, 180-204 ; 
 
 d) It is not enough to be free from one fault ; one must re- 
 
 nounce them all. And when a man has sufficiently 
 enjoyed life, he must be ready to withdraw from it like a 
 satisfied guest, 205-216. 
 
 3. Time : Between 20 and 17 B.C. 
 
 Flore, bono claroque fidelis amice Neroni, 
 Si quis forte velit puerum tibi vendere natum 
 Tibure vel Gabiis, et tecum sic agat : ' Hie et 
 Candidas et talos a vertice pulcher ad imos 
 Fiet eritque tuus nummorum milibus octo, 5 
 
138 EPISTULAKUM [II. 
 
 Verna mini sterns ad nutus aptus erilis 
 
 Litterulis Graecis imbutus, idoneus arti 
 
 Cuilibet;argilla quid vis iniitaberis uda; 
 
 Quin etiam canet indoctum sed dulce bibenti. 
 
 Multa fidem promissa levant, ubi plenius aequo 10 
 
 Laudat venalis qui volt extrudere merces. 
 
 Res urget me nulla ; meo sum pauper in aere. 
 
 Nemo hoc mangonum faceret tibi ; non temere a me 
 
 Quivis ferret idem. Semel hie cessavit et, ut fit, 
 
 In scalis latuit metuens pendentis habenae ; ' 15 
 
 Des nummos, excepta nihil te si f uga laedat ; 
 
 Ille ferat pretium poenae securus opinor. 
 
 Prudens emisti vitiosum, dicta tibi est lex; 
 
 Insequeris tamen hunc et lite moraris iniqua ? 
 
 Dixi me pigrum proficiscenti tibi, dixi * 20 
 
 Talibus officiis prope mancum, ne mea saevus 
 
 lurgares ad te quod epistula nulla rediret. 
 
 Quid turn profeci, mecum facientia iura 
 
 Si tamen attemptas ? 
 
 Quereris super hoc etiam, quod 
 
 Exspectata tibi non mittam carmina mendax. 25 
 
 Luculli miles collecta viatica multis 
 Aerumnis, lassus dum noctu stertit, ad assem 
 Perdiderat ; post hoc vemens lupus et sibi et hosti 
 Iratus pariter, ieiunis dentibus acer, 
 
 Praesidium regale loco deiecit, ut aiunt, 30 
 
 Summe munito et multarum divite rerum. 
 Clarus ob id factum, donis ornatur honestis, 
 Accipit et bis dena super sestertia minimum. 
 Forte sub hoc tempus castellum evertere praetor 
 ISTescio quod cupiens, hortari coepit eundem 35 
 
 Verbis, quae timido quoque possent addere mentem 
 ' I bone, quo virtus tua te vocat, i pede fausto, 
 Grandia laturus meritorum praemia. Quid stas ? ' 
 
II.] LIBER II. 139 
 
 Post haec ille catus, quantuinvis rusticus ' Ibit, 
 
 Ibit eo, quo vis, qui zoiiam perdidit ' inquit. 40 
 
 K/omae nutriri mihi contigit atque doceri, 
 Iratus Grais quantum nocuisset Achilles. 
 Adiecere bonae paulo plus artis Athenae, 
 Scilicet ut vellem curvo dinoscere rectum 
 Atque inter silvas Academi qiiaererp, verum. f ',_ 45 
 
 Dura sed emovere loco me tempora grato, 
 Civilisque rudem belli tulit aestus in arma, 
 Caesaris Augusti non responsura lacertis. 
 Unde simul primum me dimisere Philippi, 
 Decisis humilem pinnis inopemque paterni 50 
 
 Et laris et fundi Paupertas iinpulit, audax 
 Ut versus facerem. Sed quod non desit habentem 
 Quae poterunt umquam satis expurgare cicutae, 
 Ni melius dormire putem quam scribere versus ? 
 
 Singula de nobis anni praedantur euntes : 55 
 
 Eripuere iocos, Venerem, convivia, ludum ; 
 Tendunt extorquere poemata ; quid f aciam vis ? 
 
 Denique non omnes eadem mirantur amantque : 
 Carmine tu gaudes, hie delectatur iambis, 
 Ille Bioneis sermonibus et sale nigro. 60 
 
 Tres mihi convivae prope dissentire videntur, 
 Poscentes vario multum diversa palato. 
 Quid dem ? Quid non dem ? Renuis tu, quod iubet alter ; 
 Quod petis, id sane est invisum acidumque duobus. 
 
 Praeter cetera me Romaene poemata censes 65 
 
 Scribere posse inter tot curas totque labores ? 
 Hie sponsum vocat, hie auditum scripta, relictis 
 Omnibus officiis ; cubat hie in colle Quirini, 
 Hie extreme in Aventino, visendus uterque : 
 Intervalla vides humane commoda. 'Verum 70 
 
 Purae sunt plateae, nihil ut meditantibus obstet/ 
 Festinat calidus mulis gerulisque redemptor, 
 
140 EPISTULARUM [II. 
 
 Torquet nunc lapidem, nunc ingens machina tignum, 
 
 Tristia robustis luctantur fun era plaustris, 
 
 Hac rabiosa fugit can is, liac lutulenta ruit sus : 75 
 
 I nunc et versus tecum ineditare canoros. 
 
 Scriptorum chorus omnis amat nemus et fugit urbem, 
 
 Rite cliens Bacchi somno gaudentis et umbra ; 
 
 Tu me inter strepitus nocturnos atque diurnos 
 
 Vis canere et contracta sequi vestigia vatum ? 80 
 
 Ingenium, sibi quod vacuas desumpsit Athenas 
 
 Et studiis annos septem dedit insenuitque 
 
 Libris et curis, statua taciturnius exit 
 
 Plerumque et risu populum quatit : hie ego rerum 
 
 Fluctibus in mediis et tempestatibus urbis 85 
 
 Verba lyrae motura sonum conectere digner ? 
 
 ^Frater erat Romae consulti rhetor, ut alter 
 
 Alterius sermone meros audiret honores, 
 
 Gracchus ut hie illi, foret huic ut Mucius ille. 
 
 Qui minus argutos vexat furor iste poetas ? 90 
 
 Carmina conipono, hie elegos. Mirabile visu 
 
 Caelatumque novem Musis opus ! Adspice primum, 
 
 Quanto cum fastu, quanto rnolimine circum 
 
 Spectemus vacuam Romanis vatibus aedem ; 
 
 Mox etiam, si forte vacas, sequere et procul audi, 95 
 
 Quid ferat et quare sibi nectat uterque coronam. 
 
 Caedimur et totidem plagis consumimus hostem 
 
 Lento Samnites ad lumina prima duello. 
 
 Discedo Alcaeus puncto illius ; ille meo quis ? 
 
 Quis nisi Callimachus ? Si plus adposcere visus, 100 
 
 Fit Mimnermus et optivo cognomine crescit. ^ 
 
 Multa fero, ut placem genus irritabile vatum, 
 Cum scribo et supplex populi suffragia capto ; 
 Idem, finitis studiis et mente recepta, 
 
 Obturem patulas impune legentibus auris. 105 
 
 Ridentur mala qui componunt carmina ; veruni 
 
II.] LIBER II. 141 
 
 Gaudent scribentes et se venerantur et ultro, 
 
 Si taceas, laudant quicquid scripsere beati. 
 
 At qui legitimum cupiet fecisse poema, 
 
 Cum tabulis animum censoris sunset honesti. * 110 
 
 Audebit, quaecunique parum splendoris habebunt 
 
 Et sine pondere erunt et honore indigna ferentur, 
 
 Verba movere loco, quamvis invita recedant 
 
 Et versentur adhuc intra penetralia Vestae; \ e~^ -v-c 
 
 Obscurata din populo bonus eruet atque 115 
 
 Proferet in lucem speciosa vocabula rerum, 
 
 Quae priscis memorata Catonibus atque Cethegis 
 
 Nunc situs informis premit et deserta vetustas ; 
 
 Adsciscet nova, quae genitor produxerit usus. 
 
 Veheniens et liquidus puroque simillimus amni 120 
 
 Fundet opes Latiumque beabit divite lingua ; 
 
 Luxuriantia compe^cet, minis aspera sano 
 
 Levabit cultu, virtute carentia toilet, 
 
 Ludentis speciem dabit et torquebitur, ut qui c</^<o 
 
 Nunc Satyrum, nunc agrestem Cyclopa movetur. 125 
 
 Praetulerim scriptor delirus inersque videri, 
 Dum niea delectent mala me vel denique fallant, 
 Quaui sapere et ringi ? Fuit baud ignobilis Argis, 
 Qui se credebat miros audire tragoedos 
 In vacuo laetus sessor plausorque theatro, 130 
 
 Cetera qui vitae servaret munia recto 
 More, bonus sane vicinus, arnabilis hospes, 
 Comis in uxorem, posset qui ignoscere servis 
 Et signo laeso non insanire lagoenae, - <^t n$ 
 Posset qui rupem et puteum vitare patentem. 135 
 
 Hie ubi cognatorum opibus curisque refectus 
 Expulit elleboro morbum bilemque rneraco, 
 Et redit ad sese ' Pol, me occidistis, amici, 
 Non servastis ' ait, ' cui sic extorta voluptas 
 Et dernptus per vim mentis gratissimus error.' 140 
 
142 EPISTULARUM [II. 
 
 Nimiruni sapere est abiectis utile nugis, 
 Et tempestivum pueris concedere ludum, 
 Ac non verba sequi fidibus modulanda Latinis, C 
 Sed verae numerosque modosque ediscere vitae. 
 Quocirca mecum loquor haec tacitusque recorder : 145 
 
 Si tibi nulla sitim fmir,et copia lymphae, - 
 Narrares medicis ; quod, quanto plura parasti, 
 Tanto plura cupis, nulline faterier audes ? 
 Si volnus tibi mon strata radice vel herba 
 Non fieret levins, fugeres radice vel herba 150 
 
 Proficiente nihil curarier : audieras, cui 
 Rein di donarent, illi decedere pravam 
 Stultitiam ; et, cum sis nihilo sapientior, ex quo 
 
 Plenior es, tamen uteris monitoribus isdem t ^^** HO 
 
 . . *^ 
 
 At si divitiae prudeutem reddere possent, 
 
 Si cupidum timidumque minus te, nempe ruberes, 
 Viveret in terris te si quis avarior uno. 
 Si proprium est, quod quis libra mercatus et aere est, 
 Quaedam, si credis consultis, mancipat usus ; 
 Qui te pascit ager, tuus est, et vilicus Orbi, 
 Cum segetes occat tibi mox frumenta daturas, 
 Te dominum sentit. Das nummos, accipis uvam, 
 Pullos, ova, cadiirrTtemeti. Nempe modo isto 
 Paulatirn inercaris agrum, fortasse trecentis 
 ; Aut etiam supra nummorum milibus emptum. 
 \Quid refert, vivas numerate nuper an olim? 
 Emptor Aricini quondam Veientis et arvi 
 Emptum cenat holus, quamvis aliter putat ; emptis 
 Sub noctem gelidam lignis calefactat aenum ; 
 Sed vocat usque suum, qua populus adsita certis 
 Lirnitibus vicina ref ugit iurgia ; tamquam 
 Sit proprium quicquam, puncto quod mobilis horae 
 Nunc prece, nunc pretio, nunc vi, nunc morte suprema 
 Perniutet dominos et cedat in altera iura. 
 
II.] LIBER II. 143 
 
 Sic quia perpetuns nulli datur usus, et heres . 175 
 
 Heredem alterius velut unda supervenit undam, 
 
 Quid vici prosunt aut HUfreaV 5 * Quidve Calabris ( \^jj^\M 
 
 Saltibus adiecti Lucani, si metit Orcus 
 
 Grandia cum parvis, non exorabilis auro ? 
 
 Gemmas, marmor, ebur, Tyrrhena sigilla, tabellas, 180 
 Argentum, vestes Gaetulo murice tinctas 
 Sunt qui non habeant, est qui non curat habere. 
 Cur alter fratrum cessare et ludere et ungiii 
 Praeferat Herodis palmetis pinguibus, alter 
 Dives et importunus ad umbram lucis ab ortu 185 
 
 Silvestrem flammis et ferro mitiget agrura, 
 Scit Genius, natale comes qui temperat astrum, 
 Naturae deus humanae, mortalis in unuin 
 Quodque caput, voltu mutabilis, albus et ater. 
 Utar et ex modico quantum res poscet acervo 190 
 
 Tollam nee metuam, quid de me iudicet heres, 
 Quod non plura datis invenerit ; et tamen idem 
 Scire volam, quantum simplex hilarisque nepoti 
 Discrepet et quantum discordet parcus avaro. 
 Distat enim, spargas tua prodigus, an neque sumptum 195 
 Invitus facias neque plura parare labores, 
 Ac potius, puer ut festis Quinquatribus olim, 
 Exiguo gratoque fruaris tempore raptim. 
 Pauperies immunda tamen procul absit; ego utrum ^ dt.u 
 Nave fera magna an parva, ferar unus et idem. 200 
 
 Non agimur tumidis velis Aquilone secundo : 
 Non tamen adversis aetatem ducimus Austris, 
 Viribus, ingenio, specie, virtute, loco, re 
 Extremi primorum, extremis usque priores. f j 
 
 Non es avarus : abi. Quid ? Cetera iam simul isto 205 
 Cum vitio fugere ? Caret tibi pectus inani 
 Ambitione ? Caret mortis formidine et ira ? 
 
 \ U '^i ^ vi - 
 
 Somnia, terrores magicos, miracula, sagas, 
 
 
144 EPISTULARUM [III. 
 
 Nocturnes lemures portentaque Thessala rides ? 
 
 Natalis grate numeras ? ignoscis amicis ? 210 
 
 Lenior et melior fis accedente senecta ? 
 
 Quid te exempta iuvat spinis de pluribus una ? 
 
 Vivere si recte nescis, decede peritis. 
 
 Lusisti satis, edisti satis atque bibisti : 
 Tempus abire tibi est, ne potum largius aequo 215 
 
 Rideat et pulset lasciva decentius aetas. 
 
 III. 
 ON THE ART OF POETRY.i 
 
 ADDRESSED TO THE PISONES. 
 1. Outline: 
 
 I. General rules for poetic composition : 
 
 1. The subject matter : 
 
 a) The work must have unity, and must not combine discord- 
 ant elements, 1-13 ; 
 
 6) Unnecessary digressions must not be introduced merely for 
 decorative effect, 14-23 ; 
 
 2. The expression : 
 
 a) Must be uniform in tone ; care must be taken in avoiding 
 
 one extreme not to go to the other, 24-31 ; 
 &) All parts of the poem must be equally finished, 32-37 ; 
 c) The arrangement and choice of words : 
 
 1) Both depend on choosing a subject within one's 
 
 powers, 38-41 ; 
 
 2) A good arrangement consists in saying each thing 
 
 in its proper place, 42-45 ; 
 
 3) To secure fitting language : 
 
 (a) New words should be employed only when it is 
 necessary, and their meaning should be made 
 clear by the arrangement of the context, 46-51 ; 
 
 (6) They may best be drawn from Greek sources. 
 This license, allowed the ancient poets, will 
 not be refused to the moderns, 52-59 ; 
 
 1 This Epistle was at an early period, but not by Horace, given the 
 special title De Arte Poetica Liber, and is usually so cited. 
 
III.] LIBER II. 145 
 
 (c) Language is a living thing, and words are born 
 and die. The language of one generation 
 must give place to that of another, 60-72 ; 
 
 3. The metre must be chosen to suit the subject. Each kind of 
 
 composition has its appropriate verse-form, 73-85 ; 
 
 4. The style, too, must suit the subject : 
 
 a) Broad general distinctions must be observed; the tragic 
 style must differ from the comic, 86-92 ; 
 
 &) In the same work the style must be varied to suit different 
 conditions, 93-98 ; 
 
 c) Since a poem must appeal to the emotions as well as to 
 the intellect, the language of the characters must be 
 suited to their circumstances. Age, sex, and nationality 
 must be duly regarded, 99-118 ; 
 
 1) The poet must follow tradition in the representation 
 
 of stock characters. If he invents new ones, they 
 must be consistent throughout, 119-127 ; 
 
 2) On the whole it is better to use old material, but 
 
 it should be handled in an original way, 128- 
 135; 
 
 3) For the sake of unity, and to keep up the interest, 
 
 the introduction must be simple and unpreten- 
 tious. Homer is a good model, 136-152 ; 
 II. Special rules for dramatic poetry : 
 
 1. The characters must be carefully drawn. Different periods of 
 
 life must be represented with their proper characteristics 
 and impulses, 153-178 ; 
 
 2. The dramatic proprieties must be observed. Actions not fit 
 
 for representation should merely be described, 179-188 ; 
 
 3. The number of actors, the use of the deus ex machina, 
 
 and the division into acts must conform to tradition, 
 189-192 ; 
 
 4. The chorus must be closely connected with the action of the 
 
 play ; it must favor the righteous cause ; it must be the 
 hero's confidant, 193-201 ; 
 
 5. The music must be appropriate and subordinate to the dramatic 
 
 action. Its present development is an extravagant one, 
 202-219. 
 
 6. The purpose and nature of the satyr drama must be remem- 
 
 bered : 
 
 a) Its action must not fall to the level of extravaganza, but 
 must preserve something of the dignity of tragedy, 
 220-233 ; 
 
146 EPISTULARUM [III. 
 
 &) Its language, too, should be carefully chosen. It must 
 
 differ from that of tragedy, without descending to-that of 
 
 the streets, 234-250 ; 
 7. The versification must be carefully studied : 
 
 a) The senarius is a skilful combination of iambs and spondees, 
 
 and must be handled properly, 251-258 ; 
 &) The early Roman poets were careless, because the ears of 
 
 their audience were dull, 258-264 ; 
 c) Greek models should be studied and followed, 265-274 ; 
 
 1) The Greeks invented and developed tragedy ; and 
 
 also the old comedy, which came to an end through 
 excessive freedom of speech, 275-284 ; 
 
 2) Our forefathers followed them and also invented 
 
 new dramas based on Roman life ; only want 
 of care prevented them from surpassing their 
 teachers, 285-294 ; 
 III. The poet and his work : Some people think that mere externals 
 
 make a poet. Hence Horace prefers to exercise the function 
 
 of critic, 295-308 : 
 
 1. The material : 
 
 a) The first essential is true wisdom, and a knowledge of 
 
 human character, 309-322 ; 
 6) We must follow the Greeks with their high ideals. Roman 
 
 life is too practical, 323-332 ; 
 
 2. Its proper presentation : 
 
 a) The poet must please or teach, or both, 333-334 : 
 
 1) The didactic parts should be brief, 335-337 ; 
 
 2) The parts designed to please should be credible, 
 
 338-340 ; 
 
 3) A combination of amusement with instruction is 
 
 the best, 341-346 ; 
 
 6) The critic should use judgment. He should view the work 
 as a whole and overlook slight defects. The same faults 
 must not be often repeated, 347-365 ; 
 
 3. The poet's ideals (addressed to the elder Piso) : 
 
 a) The poet must have gifts which rise above the ordinary, 
 
 366-373 ; 
 6) It is better not to write at all than to fall short of the 
 
 highest standard, 374-384 ; 
 
 c) The poet should subject his work to competent criticism, 
 
 385-390 ; 
 
 d) He should remember that poetry is of divine origin, and 
 
 played an important part in civilizing the race, 391-399 ; 
 
III.] LIBER II. 147 
 
 e) Later it roused to war, and voiced the oracles, 400-407 ; 
 /) A combination of natural ability and hard work make the 
 
 poet, 408-418 ; 
 gr) He must seek impartial criticism from those capable of 
 
 expressing a frank opinion, 419-452 ; 
 h) A man who refuses to submit his work to criticism, and 
 
 regards himself as divine, is a dangerous madman, who 
 
 should be shunned, 453-476. 
 
 2. Time: 16 B.C. 
 
 Humano capiti cervicem pictor equinam 
 lungere si velit et varias inducere plumas 
 Undique conlatis membris, ut turpiter atrum 
 DeSinat in piscem mulier formosa superne; 
 Spectatum admissi risum teneatis, araici ? 5 
 
 Credite, Pisones, isti tabulae fore librum 
 Persimilem, cuius, velut aegri somnia, vanae 
 Fingentur species, ut nee pes nee caput uni 
 Reddatur formae. ' Pictoribus atque poetis 
 Quidlibet audendi semper fuit aequa potestas.' 10 
 
 Scimus, et hanc veniam petimusque damusque vicissim ; 
 Sed non ut placidis coeant immitia, non ut 
 Serpentes avibus geminentur, tigribus agni. 
 
 Inceptis gravibus plerumque et magna professis 
 Purpureus, late qui splendeat, unus et alter 15 
 
 Adsuitur pannus, cum lucus et ara Dianae 
 Et properantis aquae per amoenos ambitus agros 
 Aut flumen Rhenum aut pluvius describitur arcus. 
 Sed nunc non erat his locus. Et fortasse cupressum. 
 Scis simulare : quid hoc, si fractis enatat exspes- 20 
 
 Navibus, dato aere qui pingitur ? Amphora coepit 
 Institui ; currente rota cur urceus exit ? 
 Denique sit quidvis, simplex dumtaxat et unum. 
 
 Maxima pars vatum, pater et iuvenes patre digni, 
 Decipimur specie recti. Brevis esse laboro, 25 
 
148 EPISTULARUM [III. 
 
 Obscurus fio ; sectantem levia nervi 
 
 Deficiunt animique ; professus grandia turget ; 
 
 Serpit humi tutus nimium tiniidusque procellae ; 
 
 Qui variare cupit rem prodigialiter unam, 
 
 Delphinum silvis adpingit, fluctibus aprum. 30 
 
 In vitium ducit culpae fuga, si caret arte. 
 
 Aemilium circa ludum faber imus et unguis 
 Exprimet et mollis imitabitur aere capillos, 
 Infelix operis summa, quia ponere totuin 
 Nesciet. Hunc ego me, si quid componere curem, 35 
 
 Non magis esse velim, quam naso vivere pravo 
 Spectanduin nigris oculis nigroque capillo. 
 
 Sumite materiam vestris, qui scribitis, aequam 
 Viribus et versate diu quid ferre recusent, 
 Quid valeant umeri. Cui lecta potenter erit res, 40 
 
 Nee facundia deseret hunc nee lucidus ordo. 
 
 Ordinis haec virtus erit et Venus, aut ego fallor, 
 Ut iam nunc dicat iam nunc debentia dici, 
 Pleraque differat et praeseiis in tempus omittat ; 
 Hoc amet, hoc spernat promissi carminis auctor. 45 
 
 In verbis etiam tennis cautusque serendis 
 Dixeris egregie, notum si callida verbum 
 Keddiderit iunctura novum. Si forte necesse est 
 Indiciis monstrare recentibus abdita rerum, 
 Fingere cinctutis non exaudita Cethegis 50 
 
 Continget dabiturque licentia sumpta pudenter. 
 
 Et nova fictaque nuper habebunt verba fideiu, si 
 Graeco fonte cadent parce detorta. Quid autem 
 Caecilio Plautoque dabit Romanus, ademptuni 
 Vergilio Varioque ? Ego cur, adquirere pauca 55 
 
 Si possum, invideor, cum lingua Catonis et Enni 
 Sermonem patrium ditaverit et nova rerum 
 Nomina protulerit ? Licuit semperque licebit 
 Signatum praesente nota producere nomen. 
 
III.] LIBER II. 149 
 
 Ut silvae foliis pronos nmtantur in annos, 60 
 
 Prima cadunt, ita verboram vetus interit aetas, 
 Et iuvenum ritu florent modo nata vigentque. 
 Debemur morti nos nostraque. Sive receptus 
 Terra Neptunus classes Aquilonibus arcet, 
 Regis opus, sterilisve pains dm aptaque remis 65 
 
 Vicinas urbes alit et grave sentit aratrum, 
 Sen cursum mutavit iniquum frugibus amnis, 
 Doctus iter melius; mortalia facta peribunt, 
 Nedum sermonum stet honos et gratia vivax. 
 Multa renascentur quae iain cecidere, cadentque 70 
 
 Quae nunc sunt in honore vocabula, si volet usus, 
 Quern penes arbitrium est et ius et nornia loquendi. 
 
 Res gestae regumque ducumque et tristia bella 
 Quo scribi possent numero, monstravit Homerus. 
 Versibus im par iter iunctis querimonia primum, 75 
 
 Post etiani inclusa est voti sententia compos ; 
 Quis tamen exiguos elegos emiserit auctor, 
 Grammatici certant et adhuc sub iudice lis est. 
 Archilochum proprio rabies armavit iambo : 
 Hunc socci cepere pedem grandesque coturni, 80 
 
 Alternis aptuni sennonibus et popularis 
 Vincentein strepitus et natum rebus agendis. 
 Musa dedit fidibus divos puerosque deorum 
 Et pugilem victorem et equura certamine primum 
 Et iuvenum curas et libera vina referre. 85 
 
 Descriptas servare vices operumque colores, 
 Cur ego si nequeo ignoroque, poeta salutor ? 
 Cur nescire pudens prave quam discere inalo ? 
 
 Versibus exponi tragicis res comica non volt ; 
 Indignatur item privatis ac prope socco 90 
 
 Dignis carminibus narrari cena Thyestae. 
 Singula quaeque locum teneant sortita decentem. 
 Interdum tamen et vocem comoedia tollit, 
 
150 EPISTULARUM [III. 
 
 Iratusque Chremes tumido delitigat ore ; 
 
 Et tragicus plerumque dolet sermone pedestri 95 
 
 Telephus et Peleus, cuni pauper et exsul uterque 
 
 Proicit ampullas et sesquipedalia verba, 
 
 Si curat cor spectantis tetigisse querella. 
 
 Non satis est pulchra esse poemata ; dulcia sunto 
 Et quocmnque volent animum auditoris agunto. 100 
 
 Ut ridentibus arrident, ita flentibus adsunt 
 Humani voltus : si vis me flere, dolendum est 
 Primum ipsi tibi : tune tua me infortunia laedent, 
 Telephe vel Peleu ; male si mandata loqueris, 
 Aut dormitabo aut ridebo. Tristia maestum 105 
 
 Voltum verba decent, iratum plena minarum, 
 Ludentem lasciva, severuin seria dictu. 
 Format enim natura prius nos intus ad omnem. 
 Fortunarum habitum ; iuvat aut impellit ad iram, 
 Aut ad humum maerore gravi deducit et angit j 110 
 
 Post effort animi motus interprete lingua. 
 Si dicentis erunt fortunis absona dicta, 
 Romani tollent equites peditesque cachinnum. 
 Intererit multum divusne loquatur an heros, 
 Maturusne senex an adhuc florente iuventa 115 
 
 Fervidus, et matrona potens an sedula nutrix, 
 Mercatore vagus cultorne virentis agelli, 
 Colchus an Assyrius, Thebis nutritus an Argis. 
 
 Aut famam sequere aut sibi convenientia finge. 
 Scriptor honoratum si forte reponis Achillem, 120 
 
 Impiger, iracundus, inexorabilis, acer 
 lura neget sibi nata, nihil non adroget armis. 
 Sit Medea ferox invictaque, flebilis Ino, 
 Perfidus Ixion, lo vaga, tristis Orestes. 
 Si quid inexpertum scaenae committis et audes 125 
 
 Personam formare novam, servetur ad imum, 
 Qualis ab incepto processerit, et sibi coustet. 
 
III.] LIBER II. 151 
 
 Difficile est proprie communia dicere ; tuque 
 Rectius Iliacum carmen deducis in actus, 
 Quam si proferres ignota indictaque primus. 130 
 
 Publica materies privati iuris erit, si 
 Non circa vilem patulumque moraberis orbem, 
 Nee verbum verbo curabis reddere fidus 
 Interpres, nee desilies imitator in artum, 
 Unde pedem proferre pudor vetet aut operis lex. 135 
 
 Nee sic incipies, ut scriptor cyclicus olini : 
 'Fortunam Priam i cantabo et nobile bellum.' 
 Quid diguum tanto feret hie promissor hiatu ? 
 Parturient moiites, nascetur ridiculus mus. 
 Quanto rectius hie, qui nil molitur inepte : 140 
 
 ' Die mini, Musa, virum, captae post tempora Troiae 
 Qui mores hominum multorum vidit et urbes.' 
 Non fumum ex fulgore, sed ex fumo dare lucein 
 Cogitat, ut speciosa dehinc miracula promat, 
 Antiphaten Seyllamque et cum Cyclope Charybdim ; 145 
 Nee reditum Diomedis ab interitu Meleagri, 
 Nee gemino bellum Troianum orditur ab ovo ; 
 Semper ad eventum festinat et in medias res 
 Non secus ac notas auditorem rapit, et quae 
 Desperat tractata nitescere posse, relinquit, 150 
 
 Atque ita mentitur, sic veris falsa remiscet, 
 Primo ne medium, medio ne discrepet imum. 
 
 Tu quid ego et populus mecum desideret audi. 
 Si plosoris eges aulaea manentis et usque 
 Sessuri, donee cantor ' vos plaudite ' dicat ; 155 
 
 Aetatis cuiusque notandi sunt tibi mores, 
 Mobilibusque decor^ naturis dandus et annis. 
 Reddere qui voces iam scit puer et pede certo 
 Signat humum, gestit paribus conludere et iram 
 Colligit ac ponit temere et mutatur in horas. 160 
 
 Imberbis iuvenis tandem custode remoto 
 
152 EPISTULARUM [III. 
 
 Gaudet equis canibusque et aprici gramine cainpi, 
 
 Cereus in vitium flecti, monitoribus asper, 
 
 Utilium tardus provisor, prodigus aeris, 
 
 Sublimis cupidusque et amata relinquere pernix. 165 
 
 Conversis studiis aetas animusque virilis 
 
 Quaerit opes et amicitias, inservit honori, 
 
 Commisisse cavet quod mox mutare laboret. 
 
 Multa senem circuniveniunt incommoda, vel quod 
 
 Quaerit et inventis miser abstinet ac timet uti, 170 
 
 Vel quod res omnis timide gelideque ministrat, 
 
 Dilator, spe longus, iners, avidusque futuri, 
 
 Difficilis, querulus, laudator temporis acti 
 
 Se puero, castigator censorque minorum. 
 
 Multa ferunt anni venientes commoda secum, 175 
 
 Multa recedentes adimunt. Ne forte seniles 
 
 Mandentur iuveni partes pueroque viriles : 
 
 Semper in adiunctis aevoque morabimur aptis. 
 
 Aut agitur res in scaenis aut acta refertur. 
 Segnius inritant animos demissa per aurem 180 
 
 Quam quae sunt oculis subiecta fidelibus et quae 
 Ipse sibi tradit spectator ; non tamen intus 
 Digna geri promes in scaenam multaque tolles 
 Ex oculis, quae mox narret facundia praesens. 
 Ne pueros coram populo Medea trucidet, 185 
 
 Aut humana palam coquat exta nefarius Atreus, 
 Aut in avem Procne vertatur, Cadmus in anguem. 
 Quodcumque ostendis milii sic, incredulus odi. 
 
 Neve minor neu sit quinto productior actu 
 Fabula, quae posci volt et spectanda reponi ; 190 
 
 Nee deus intersit, nisi dignus vindice nodus 
 Inciderit ; nee quarta loqui persona laboret. 
 
 Actoris partis chorus officiumque virile 
 Defendat, neu quid medios intercinat actus 
 Quod non proposito conducat et haereat apte. 195 
 
III.] LIBER II. 153 
 
 Ille bonis faveatque et consilietur amice, 
 
 Et regat iratos et ainet pacare timentis : 
 
 Ille dapes laudet mensae brevis, ille salubrem 
 
 lustitiam legesque et apertis otia portis ; 
 
 Ille tegat commissa, deosque precetur et oret 200 
 
 Ut redeat iniseris, abeat fortuna superbis. 
 
 Tibia non, ut nunc, orichalco vincta tubaeque 
 Aemula, sed tenuis simplexque foramine pauco 
 Adspirare et adesse choris erat utilis atque 
 Nondum spissa nimis complere sedilia flatu ; 205 
 
 Quo sane populus numerabilis, utpote parvus, 
 Et fmgi castusque verecundusque coibat. 
 Postquam coepit agros extendere victor, et urbis 
 Latior amplecti murus, vinoque diurno 
 Placari Genius festis inipune diebus ; 210 
 
 Accessit numerisque modisque licentia maior. 
 Indoctus quid enim saperet liberque laborum 
 Kusticus urbano confusus, turpis honesto ? 
 Sic priscae motumque et luxuriem addidit arti 
 Tibicen traxitque vagus per pulpita vestein ; 215 
 
 Sic etiam fidibus voces crevere sevens, 
 Et tulit eloquium insolitum facundia praeceps, 
 Utiliumque sagax rerum et divina futuri 
 Sortilegis non discrepuit sententia Delphis. 
 
 Carmine qui tragico vileni certavit ob hircum, 220 
 
 Mox etiam agrestis Satyros nudavit et asper 
 Incolumi gravitate iocum temptavit, eo quod 
 Inlecebris erat et grata novitate morandus 
 Spectator functusque sacris et potus et exlex. 
 Verum ita risores, ita comniendare dicacis 225 
 
 Conveniet Satyros, ita vertere seria ludo, 
 Ne quicumque deus, quicumque adhibebitur heros, 
 liegali conspectus in auro nuper et ostro, 
 Migret in obscuras humili sermone tabernas, 
 
154 EPISTULARUM 
 
 Aut, dum vitat humum, nubes et inania captet. 
 Effutire levis indigna tragoedia versus, 
 Ut festis matrona mover! iussa diebus, 
 Intererit Satyris paulluin pudibunda protervis. 
 
 Non ego inornata et dominantia nomina solum 
 Verbaque, Pisones, Satyrorum scriptor amabo, 
 Nee sic enitar tragico differre colori, 
 Ut nihil intersit, Davusne loquatur et audax 
 Pythias, emuneto lucrata Simone talentum, 
 An custos famulusque dei Silenus alumni. 
 Ex noto fictum carmen sequar, ut sibi quivis 
 Speret idem, sudet multum frustraque laboret 
 Ausus idem : tantum series iuncturaque pollet, 
 Tantum de medio sumptis accedit honoris. 
 Silvis deducti caveant me iudice Fauni, 
 Ne velut innati triviis ac paene forenses 
 Ant nimium teneris iuvenentur versibus umquam, 
 Aut inimunda crepent ignominiosaque dicta ; 
 Offenduntur enim, quibus est equus et pater et res, 
 Nee, si quid fricti ciceris probat et nucis emptor, 
 Aequis accipiunt animis donantve corona. 
 
 Syllaba longa brevi subiecta vocatur iambus, 
 Pes citus ; iinde etiam trimetris adcrescere iussit 
 Nomen iambeis, cum senos redderet ictus 
 Primus ad extremum similis sibi. Non ita pridem, 
 Tardior ut paulo graviorque veniret ad auris, 
 Spondeos stabilis in iura paterna recepit 
 Commodus et patiens, non ut de sede secunda 
 Cederet aut quarta socialiter. Hie et in Acci 
 Nobilibus trimetris apparet rarus, et Enni 
 In scaenam missos cum magno pondere versus 
 Aut operae celeris nimium curaque carentis 
 Aut ignoratae premit artis crimine turpi. 
 Non quivis videt immodulata poemata index, 
 
III.] LIBER II. 155 
 
 Et data Komanis venia est indigna poetis. 
 
 Idcircone vager scribamque licenter ? An omnis 265 
 
 Visuros peccata putem mea, tutus et intra 
 
 Spem veniae cautus ? Vitavi denique culpam, 
 
 Non laudem merui. Vos exeinplaria Graeca 
 
 Nocturna versate manu, versate diurna. 
 
 At vestri proavi Plautinos et numeros et 270 
 
 Laudavere sales, nimimu patienter utrumque, 
 
 Ne dicam stulte, mirati, si modo ego et vos 
 
 Scimus inurbanum lepido seponere dicto, 
 
 Legitimumque sonuin digitis calleinus et aure. 
 
 Ignotum tragicae genus invenisse Camenae 275 
 
 Dicitur et plaustris vexisse poemata Thespis 
 Quae canerent agerentque peruncti faecibus ora. 
 Post hunc personae pallaeque repertor honestae 
 Aeschylus et modicis instravit pulpita tignis 
 Et docuit magnum que loqui nitique cothurno. 280 
 
 Successit vetus his comoedia, non sine multa 
 Laude ; sed in vitiuin libertas excidit et vim 
 Dignam lege regi. Lex est accepta chorusque 
 Turpiter obticuit sublato iure nocendi. 
 
 Nil intemptatum nostri liquere poetae ; 285 
 
 Nee minimum meruere decus vestigia Graeca 
 Ausi deserere et celebrare domestica facta, 
 Vel qui praetextas vel qui docuere togatas. 
 Nee virtute foret clarisve potentius armis, 
 Quam lingua Latium, si non offenderet unum 290 
 
 Quemque poetarum limae labor et mora. Vos, o 
 Pompilius sanguis, carmen reprehendite quod non 
 Multa dies et multa litura coercuit atque 
 Perfectum deciens non castigavit ad unguem. 
 
 Ingenium misera quia fortunatius arte 295 
 
 Credit et excludit sanos Helicone poetas 
 Domocritus, bona pars non unguis ponere curat, 
 
156 EPISTULARUM [III. 
 
 Non barbam, secreta petit loca, balnea vitat. 
 
 Nanciscetur enim pretiuin nomenque poetae, 
 
 Si tribus Anticyris caput insanabile numquam 300 
 
 Tonsori Licino commiserit. ego laevus, 
 
 Qui purgor bilem sub verni temporis horani ! 
 
 Non alius f aceret meliora poemata : verum 
 
 Nil tanti est. Ergo fungar vice cotis, acutum 
 
 Eeddere quae f erruin valet, exsors ipsa secandi ; 305 
 
 Munus et officium, nil scribens ipse, docebo, 
 
 Unde parentur opes, quid alat formetque poetam, 
 
 Quid deceat, quid non, quo virtus, quo ferat error. 
 
 Scribendi recte sapere est et principium et f ons : 
 Rem tibi Socraticae poterunt ostendere chartae, 310 
 
 Verbaque provisam rem non in vita sequentur. 
 Qui didicit patriae quid debeat et quid arnicis, 
 Quo sit amore parens, quo frater amandus et hospes, 
 Quod sit conscripti, quod iudicis officium, quae 
 Partes in bellum niissi ducis ; ille profecto 315 
 
 Reddere personae scit convenientia cuique. 
 Respicere exemplar vitae morumque iubebo 
 Doctum imitatorem et vivas hinc ducere voces. 
 Interdum speciosa locis niorataque recte 
 Fabula nullius Veneris, sine pondere et arte, 320 
 
 Valdius oblectat populum meliusque moratur, 
 Quani versus inopes reruin nugaeque canorae. 
 
 Grais ingenium, Grais dedit ore rotundo 
 Musa loqui, praeter laudem nullius avaris. 
 Romani pueri longis rationibus asseni 325 
 
 Discunt in partis centum diducere. ' Dicat 
 Filius Albini : si de quincunce remota est 
 Uncia, quid superat ? Poteras dixisse.' ' Triens.' i Eu ! 
 Rem poteris servare tuam. Redit uncia, quid fit ? ' 
 1 Semis/ At haec animos aerugo et cura peculi 330 
 
 Cum semel imbuerit, speramus carmina fingi 
 
III.] LIBER II. 157 
 
 Posse linenda cedro et levi servanda cupresso ? 
 
 Aut prodesse volunt, aut delectare poetae, 
 Aut siniul et iucunda et idonea dicere vitae. 
 Quicquid praecipies, esto brevis, ut cito dicta 335 
 
 Percipiant aninii dociles teneantque fideles : 
 Ornne supervacuum pleno de pectore manat. 
 Ficta voluptatis causa sint proxima veris. 
 Ne quodcumque velit poscat sibi fabula credi, 
 Neu pransae Lamiae vivum puerum extrahat alvo. 340 
 
 Centuriae seniorum agitant expertia frugis, 
 Celsi praetereunt austera poeraata Ramnes : 
 Omne tulit punctum, qui miscuit utile dulci, 
 Lectoreni delectando pariterque monendo. 
 Hie ineret aera liber Sosiis, hie et mare transit 345 
 
 Et longiun noto scriptori prorogat aevum. 
 
 Sunt delicta tamen quibus ignovisse velimus ; 
 Nam neque chorda somim reddit, quern volt manus et rnens, 
 Poscentique gravem persaepe remittit acutum ; 
 Nee semper feriet, quodcumque minabitur, arcus. 350 
 
 Verum ubi plura nitent in carmine, non ego paucis 
 Offendar inaculis, quas aut incuria fudit 
 Aut hum ana parum cavit natura. Quid ergo est ? 
 Ut scriptor si peccat idem, librarius usque, 
 Quainvis est monitus, venia caret, et citharoedus 355 
 
 Eidetur, chorda qui semper oberrat eadem ; 
 Sic mihi, qui multurn cessat, fit Choerilus ille, 
 Quern bis terque bonum cum risu miror ; et idem 
 Indignor quandoque bonus dormitat Homerus. 
 Yerum operi longo fas est obrepere somnuin. 360 
 
 Ut pictura poesis : erit quae, si propius stes, 
 Te capiat magis, et quaedam si longius abstes. 
 Haec arnat obscurum ; volet haec sub luce videri, 
 ludicis argutum quae non f orrnidat acumen ; 
 Haec placuit semel, haec deciens repetita placebit. 365 
 
158 EPISTULARUM 
 
 maior iuvenum, quamvis et voce paterna 
 Fingeris ad rectum et per te sapis, hoc tibi dictum 
 Tolle memor, certis medium et tolerabile rebus 
 Recte coiicedi. Consultus iuris et actor 
 Causarum mediocris abest virtute diserti 
 Messallae, nee scit quantum Cascellius Aulus, 
 Sed tamen in pretio est ; niediocribus esse poetis 
 Non homines, non di, non concessere columnae. 
 
 Ut gratas inter mensas symphonia discors 
 Et crassum unguentum et Sardo cum melle papaver 
 Offendunt, poterat duci quia cena sine istis ; 
 Sic animis natum inventumque poema iuvandis, 
 Si paulum summo decessit, vergit ad imum. 
 Ludere qui nescit, campestribus abstinet armis, 
 Indoctus que pilae discive trochive quiescit, 
 Ne spissae risum tollant impune coronae : 
 Qui nescit versus tamen audet fingere. Quidni ? 
 Liber et ingenuus, praesertim census equestrem 
 Sum mam nummorum, vitioque remotus ab omni. 
 
 Tu nihil invita dices faciesve Minerva, 
 Id tibi indicium est, ea mens ; si quid tamen olim 
 Scripseris, in Maeci descendat iudicis auris 
 Et patris et nostras, nonumque prematur in annum, 
 Membranis intus positis ; delere licebit, 
 Quod non edideris ; nescit vox missa reverti. 
 
 Silvestris homines sacer interpresque deorum 
 Caedibus et victu foedo deterruit Orpheus, 
 Dictus ob hoc lenire tigris rabidosque leones. 
 Dictus et Amphion, Thebanae conditor urbis, 
 Saxa movere sono testudinis et prece blanda 
 Ducere quo vellet. Fuit haec sapientia quondam, 
 Publica privatis secernere, sacra profanis, 
 Concubitu prohibere vago, dare iura maritis, 
 Oppida moliri, leges incidere ligno. 
 
III.] LIBER II. 159 
 
 Sic honor et nomen divinis vatibus atque 400 
 
 Carminibus venit. Post hos insignis Homerus 
 
 Tyrtaeusque mares animos in Martia bella 
 
 Versibus exacuit ; dictae per carmina sortes, 
 
 Et vitae monstrata via est ; et gratia regum 
 
 Pieriis temptata modis ; ludusque repertus, 405 
 
 Et longorum operum finis : ne forte pudori 
 
 Sit tibi Musa lyrae sollers et cantor Apollo. 
 
 Natura fieret laudabile carmen an arte, 
 Quaesitum est : ego nee studium sine divite vena, 
 Nee rude quid prosit video ingenium ; alterius sic 410 
 
 Altera poscit opem res et coniurat amice. 
 Qui studet optatam cursu contingere inetam, 
 Multa tulit fecitque puer, sudavit et alsit, 
 Abstinuit Venere et vino ; qui Pythia cantat 
 Tibicen, didicit prius extimuitque magistrum. 415 
 
 Nunc satis est dixisse : ' Ego mira poemata pango ; 
 Occupet extremum scabies ; mihi turpe relinqui est, 
 Et quod non didici sane nescire fateri.' 
 
 Ut praeco, ad merces turbam qui cogit emendas, 
 Adsentatores iubet ad lucruin ire poeta 420 
 
 Dives agris, dives positis in faenore nuramis. 
 Si vero est, unctum qui recte ponere possit 
 Et spondere levi pro paupere et eripere atris 
 Litibus implicitum, mirabor si sciet inter 
 Noscere mendacem verumque beatus amicum. 425 
 
 Tu seu donaris seu quid donare voles cui, 
 Nolito ad versus tibi factos ducere plenum 
 Laetitiae ; clamabit enim c Pulchre ! bene ! recte ! ' 
 Pallescet super his, etiam stillabit amicis 
 Ex oculis rorem, saliet, tundet pede terram 430 
 
 Ut qui conducti plorant in funere dicunt 
 Et faciunt prope plura dolentibus ex animo, sic 
 Derisor vero plus laudatore movetur. 
 
160 EPISTULARUM [III. 
 
 Eeges dicuntur multis urgere culullis 
 
 Et torquere mero, quem perspexisse laborant, 435 
 
 An sit araicitia dignus ; si carmina condes, 
 
 Numquam te fallent animi sub volpe latentes. 
 
 Quintilio si quid recitares, ' Corrige, sodes, 
 
 Hoc ' aiebat l et hoc.' Melius te posse negares, 
 
 Bisterque expertum frustra; delere iubebat 440 
 
 Et male tornatos incudi reddere versus. 
 
 Si defendere delictum quam vertere malles, 
 
 Nullum ultra verbum aut operam insumebat inanem, 
 
 Quin sine rivali teque et tua solus amares. 
 
 Vir bonus et prudens versus reprehendet inertis, 445 
 
 Culpabit duros, incomptis adlinet atrum 
 
 Transverso calamo signum, ambitiosa recidet 
 
 Ornamenta, parum Claris lucem dare coget, 
 
 Arguet ambigue dictum, mutauda notabit, 
 
 Fiet Aristarchus ; non dicet : ' Cur ego amicum 450 
 
 Offendam in nugis? ' Hae nugae seria ducent 
 
 In mala derisum semel exceptumque sinistre. 
 
 Ut mala quem scabies aut rnorbus regius urget 
 Aut fanaticus error et iracunda Diana, 
 
 Vesanum tetigisse timent fugiuntque poetam, 455 
 
 Qui sapiunt ; agitant pueri incautique sequuntur. 
 Hie dum sublimis versus ructatur et errat, 
 Si veluti merulis intentus decidet auceps 
 In puteum f oveamve, licet * Succurrite ' longum 
 Clamet <Io cives,' non sit qui tollere curet. 400 
 
 Si curet quis opem ferre et demittere fun em, 
 ' Qui scis, an prudens hue se deiecerit atque 
 Servari nolit ? ' dicam, Siculique poetae 
 Narrabo interitum. Deus immortalis haberi 
 Dum cupit Empedocles, ardentem frigidus Aetnam 405 
 
 Insiluit. Sit ius liceatque perire poetis : 
 Invitum qui servat, idem facit occidenti. 
 
III.] LIBER II. 161 
 
 Nec semel hoc fecit, nee si retractus erit, iain 
 
 Fiet homo et ponet famosae mortis amorem. 
 
 Nee satis apparet, cur versus f actitet ; utrum 470 
 
 Minxerit in patrios cineres, an triste bidental 
 
 Moverit incestus. Certe furit, ac velut ursus, 
 
 Obiectos caveae valuit si frangere clatros, 
 
 Indoctum doctumque fugat reeitator acerbus ; 
 
 Quern vero arripuit, tenet occiditque legendo, 475 
 
 Non missura cutem, nisi plena cruoris, hirudo. 
 
 
NOTES. 
 
 SERMONES BOOK I. 
 SERMO I. 
 
 The Title : the manuscripts are practically unanimous for Sermo- 
 num liber primus and Sermonum liber secundus. Strict Latinity 
 would require liber prior and liber alter. On Sermonum, see Introd. 
 24. 
 
 1. qui fit, Maecenas : how does it happen, Maecenas ? These 
 words serve as a dedication of the first book of Sermones to Horace's 
 friend and patron, Maecenas ; see Introd. 4. Qui is an adverb from 
 the i-stem of the interrogative pronoun ; with qui and quo, cf. quibus 
 and quorum. See Introd. 48. b. quam . . . sortem . . . ilia = 
 ilia sorte . . . quam, a common form of expression in Latin. sor- 
 tem : lot, condition in life, either as the result of fors or ratio. 
 
 2. ratio dederit . . . fors obiecerit : his own choice has given 
 him, or chance has thrown in his way ; cf. Cic. ad Att. xiv. 13. 3, sed 
 haec fors viderit, ea quae talibus in rebus plus quam ratio potest. 
 Dederit and obiecerit are subjunctive by attraction, the relative clause 
 forming an essential part of the consecutive clause ut . . . vivat. 
 
 3. laudet : but each man envies ; sc. quisque, implied in nemo ; cf. 
 Cic. de Orat. iii. 14. 52, nemo extulit eum verbis . . . sed contempsit 
 eum. Laudet means ' to praise as happy,' and so * to envy ' ; cf. Greek 
 /j-aicapifa. Note the asyndeton. diversa : opposite, i.e. differing 
 widely from his own. sequentis : those who follow. Note that this 
 idea, expressed in Greek by the article and the participle, is expressed 
 in Latin by the participle alone ; eos sequentis would have a different 
 meaning. See note on quaesitis, line 38 below. 
 
 4. mercatores : traders ; the reference is to men who sail in their 
 own ships to foreign ports, i.e. wholesale traders, as opposed to cau- 
 pones ; cf. Odes, i. 1. 16. After the general statement of his subject 
 
 163 
 
164 BOOK I. SERMO 1. [PAGE 2. 
 
 in lines 1-3, Horace presents it more vividly by the selection of specific 
 types. In reading this line, be careful to give the spondees in the first 
 four feet their full quantitative value, otherwise the rhythm is wholly 
 lost. gravis annis : a descriptive epithet. Horace has in mind a 
 soldier who has lost the vigor and enthusiasm of youth, but is not yet 
 incapacitated for service. In his walks about the city (see i. 6. Ill f.) 
 he must often have seen such men and heard their complaints. 
 
 5. multo . . . labore : note the separation of the adjective and the 
 substantive, a very common order in Latin. iam : at last, i. e. after 
 years of service. membra : object of fractus, which is used in a 
 middle sense. See Introd. 38. c. 
 
 6. contra : on the other hand, a common expression in the Serm. 
 and Epist. ; cf. i. 2. 4 ; i. 2. 30 ; i. 6. 12 ; etc. iactantibus : note 
 the tense. It is in the midst of the storm that the trader envies the 
 soldier. Austris : the reference is of course to winds in general, 
 but Horace, as usual, gives vividness to his picture by selecting a spe- 
 cific example. Auster, the burning sirocco, is often used of a stormy 
 wind ; cf. Odes, iii. 3. 4 ; iii. 27. 22 ; iv. 14. 21 ; etc. 
 
 7. quid enim? why so? a colloquial expression. Cf. Porph. ad 
 loc., quasi interpellate affectu hoc dicitur, et est etiam consuetudinis 
 nostrae. In Cicero, quid enim introduces a point that might be 
 advanced in opposition to an argument, and is always followed by a 
 question ; e.g. Tusc. Disp. iv. 4. 8, quid enim 9 metusne conturbet ? 
 concurritur : impersonal. horae momento : in a short time ; 
 cf. puncto mobilis horae, Epist. ii. 2. 172. In these expressions, 
 horae does not have its literal meaning of ' an hour,' but is prac- 
 tically synonymous with temporis, as in Livy xxxv. 11. 13, momento 
 temporis castra relicta erant. The same thing is probably true of 
 Plin. N. H. vii. 172, Maecenati triennio supremo nullo horae momento 
 contigit somnus, where of course we have hyperbole. 
 
 8. cita mors : contrasted with the trader's end after a long strug- 
 gle with the gale; cf. Porph. ad loc., quasi diu navem iactantibus 
 austris hoc dicitur. 
 
 9. laudat : for the meaning, see note on line 3 above. iuris 
 legumque peritus : the reference is not to the professional lawyer 
 (causidicus, patronus), but to the city gentleman skilled in legal lore 
 (iuris consultus). His clients called on him early in the morning, at 
 the time of the salutatio ; cf. Epist. ii. 1. 103-104. The early rising 
 which these services made necessary would appear to Horace a special 
 hardship ; cf. i. 6. 122 ; ii. 3. 3. 
 
PAGE 2.] BOOK I. SERMO 1. 165 
 
 10. sub galli cantum : just before cock-crow. The anxious client 
 arrives betimes. ubi : note the position of the word, a common 
 order in Latin. ostia pulsat : knocks at the door. Cf. Odes, i. 4. 
 13, Pallida mors aequo pulsat pede pauperum tabernas, Begumque 
 turris. 
 
 11. ille : does not refer to the consultor, who comes of his own 
 accord, but with the city gentleman is contrasted a countryman 
 (agricola, line 9 ; rusticus, line 17) who, because he has given bail to 
 appear in court on a certain day (datis vadibus), is obliged to come to 
 the city against his will (extractus) ; cf. i. 9. 36. 
 
 12. solos, etc. : note the spondees in the first four feet, and see 
 note on line 4. clamat : cries out. The countryman is evidently 
 visiting the city for the first time, and is amazed at its beauty and 
 magnificence. 
 
 13. cetera de genere hoc : other instances of the kind. A com- 
 mon expression in Lucretius, of whom there are many reminiscences 
 in Horace. Cf., e.g., Lucr. v. 164, Cetera de genere hoc adfingere et 
 JfQre, Memmi, Desiperest. adeo sunt multa: parenthetical, 
 instead of adeo sunt multa ut . . . valeant. A common Latin usage. 
 loquacem : i.e. even so loquacious a fellow as Fabius. Note the em- 
 phatic position of the adjective. 
 
 14. Fabium : Porph. says Q. (uod} Fabius Maximus Narbonensis, 
 equestri loco natus, Pompeianas partes secutus, aliquot libros ad Stoi- 
 cam philosophiam pertinentes conscripsit. Since such a note might be 
 constructed from the hint given in the text, it is doubtful whether much 
 weight ought to be assigned to this and similar utterances of Porphyrio. 
 valent: are enough to. ne te morer : not to delay you, i.e. to 
 make a long story short a parenthetical final clause. 
 
 15. quo rem deducam : to what conclusion lam coming; more 
 lit., ' to what end I will spin the thread of my discourse,' si 
 quis deus : Horace, in his usual manner, has a specific god in mind, 
 namely, Jupiter, as appears below. See notes on mercatores, line 4, 
 and Austris, line 6 above. en ego . . . iam faciam quod voltis : 
 lo I I will forthwith do what you wish. The god appears to grant the 
 wishes of the dissatisfied men. The scene is sketched vividly, as it 
 might be acted on the stage. The god is thought of as appearing 
 between the pairs of men whose lots in life are to be exchanged. 
 
 16. qui modo miles : sc. eras. The ellipsis, which is not con- 
 sciously present to the mind, is characteristic of the colloquial lan- 
 guage. 
 
166 BOOK I. SERMO 1. [PAGE 2. 
 
 17. hinc vos, vos hinc . . . discedite : i.e. go your several 
 ways. Note the chiasmus. 
 
 18. mutatis . . . partibus : with your roles (in the drama of life) 
 changed. heia: well! an exclamation of impatience, as the men 
 hesitate to accept the opportunity offered them. 
 
 19. nolint : sc. mutare partes, the apodosis to dicat in line 15. 
 licet : sc. eis, to the case of which beatis is attracted. 
 
 20. causae : genitive of the whole with quid. merito : note 
 the emphatic position. Grammatically merito modifies iratus ; in 
 sense it refers both to the anger and to the mode of expressing it. 
 quin: why . . . not, 'the original meaning (c/. qui, line 1). It in- 
 troduces the indirect deliberatives inflet . . . dicat. illis : the dative 
 is governed both by buccas inflet and iratus (see note on merito above) , 
 an example of the dirb KOIVOV construction. ambas . . . buc- 
 cas inflet : a comic representation of anger, such as Horace had doubt- 
 less seen in some mime, or farce. Bucca (French bouche) is the col- 
 loquial word, which eventually displaced the classical os. Cf. Cic. ad 
 Att. i. 12. 4, si rem nullam habebis, quod in buccam venerit scribito. 
 See In trod. 55.' a. x 
 
 22. facilem: easy-going, good naturedS 
 
 23. praeterea : taking up the subject again with ille gravem . . . 
 in line 28. A common expression in Lucretius (c/. cetera de genere 
 hoc, line 13, and the note) ; e.g. ii. 757, Praeterea si nulla colons 
 principiis est Reddita natura. ... ut qui iocularia : sc. percurrit : 
 like one who rattles off jokes, i.e. like a writer of farces. Cf. Liv. vii. 
 2. 5, imitari deinde eos iuventus simul inconditis inter se iocularia 
 fundentes versibus coepere. On the ellipsis, see note on i. 1. 16. 
 
 24. quamquam : and yet. 
 
 25. olim : sometimes; olim, from ol- + the instrumental ending 
 -im, means at that time (i.e. any time except the present), hence 
 formerly, hereafter, or sometimes. dant crustula : c/. Quint, i. 
 1. 26, non excludo autem, id quod est notum irritandae ad discendum 
 infantiae gratia eburneas etiam litterarum formas in lusum offerre; 
 Hieron. Epist. 12, interim modo litterarum elementa cognoscat, iungat 
 syllabas . . . atque ut voce tinnula ista meditetur, proponantur ei 
 crustula, mulsa praemia. 
 
 26. elementa prima : their letters. velint . . . discere : 
 may wish to learn, i.e. may regard it as a pleasure to learn. 
 
 27. sed tamen : but yet, 'i.e. quamquam niliil vetat ridentem 
 dicere verum, implied in quamquam . . . quid vetat ? quaeramus 
 
PAGES.] BOOK I. SERMO 1. 167 
 
 seria : i.e. let us consider the matter seriously. Seria is the neuter 
 plural of the adjective used as a substantive, object of quaeramus. See 
 Introd, 49. b. 
 
 28. ille gravem duro, etc. : the same examples as in lines 4-14, 
 except that here, since avarice is to be named as the cause of discon- 
 tent, the perfidus caupo (see note on mercatores, line 4) is substituted 
 for the iuris consultus, whose services were given without compensa- 
 tion. See above, line 9. Note the juxtaposition of gravem and 
 duro, emphasizing the difficulty of the labor. Cf. Odes, i. 1. 11. 
 
 29. hie : opposed to ille in the preceding line. nautae = 
 mercatores j cf. Tibull. i. 3. 39, Nee vagus ignotis repetens compendia 
 terris Presserat externa navita merce ratem. 
 
 30. currant : a common expression in such a connection. Cf. 
 Epist. i. 1. 45, and Virg. Aen. iii. 191, vastum cava trabe currimus 
 aequor, cited by Porphyrio. hac mente : with this idea. Note 
 the emphatic position of the phrase. 
 
 31. senes : when they are old men. tuta : contrasted with the 
 dangers of military service or of a seafaring life. 
 
 32. sint congesta : the subjunctive shows that the cwm-clause is 
 part of the indirect discourse introduced by hac mente. cibaria : 
 i.e. enough to live on ; the word is used of the rations of slaves or 
 of soldiers, and implies the bare necessities of life. 
 
 33. parvola : tiny, diminutive otparvus. The use of diminutives 
 is characteristic of the colloquial language, but here parvola is used 
 for the sake of contrast. See note on magni laboris below, and 
 Introd. 55. e. exemplo est: sc. eis, that is their model, i.e. the 
 example they cite in self-justification ; exemplo is the dative of pur- 
 pose, for which the poets, especially Propertius and Ovid, sometimes 
 use the predicate nominative or accusative ; e.g. Prop. i. 22. 6. 
 Sic mihi praecipue, pulvis Etrusca, dolor. magni . . . laboris : 
 magni is contrasted with parvola, ' that tiny type of giant industry ' 
 (Conington). Cf. line 56 below. The genitive of quality -modifies 
 formica directly, instead of the usual formica, animal magni laboris; 
 cf. Odes, i. 36. 13 ; Liv. iv. 41. 12, exactae iam aetatis Capitolinus. 
 
 36. quae = at ea. simul = simul ac, as. frequently ; cf. line 
 67 below. inversum contristat Aquarius annum : in January 
 the sun is in Aquarius, and the year has completed its circle ; hence 
 inversum, brought to an end. Contristat is appropriately used of 
 the rainy Roman winter ; cf. Porph. ad loc., maxime sole in Aquario 
 constituto tempestates horrendae et frigora ingentia solent esse. 
 
168 BOOK I. SERMO 1. [PAGE 3. 
 
 The adjective tristis is a frequent epithet of imber and the like ; cf. 
 Odes, i. 3. 14, tristis Hyadas. 
 
 38. quaesitis = acquisitis, modifies illis, the store that it has got 
 together. Notice the difference in meaning between illis quaesitis 
 and sequentis in line 2 ; see the note. The use of the simple for the 
 compound verb is colloquial and poetic. sapiens : like a true phi- 
 losopher ; note the position of the word. Sapiens is the Latin equiv- 
 alent of the Greek philosophus. It is used as a substantive ; see note 
 on line 27 above. cum : adversative, whereas. 
 
 39. demoveat : potential subjunctive. 
 
 40. dum ne : a colloquial expression, instead of the usual dum- 
 modo ne. alter : note that the word is alter, not alius ; hence 
 THE other man, your rival. The avaricious man is willing to endure 
 any hardship or encounter any danger, provided he can keep his 
 rival from outstripping him in the race for riches. 
 
 41. quid iuvat . . . te : what pleasure can it give you ? 
 
 42. furtim . . . timidum : these words vividly portray the anxiety 
 which comes with increase of riches. deponere : the usual word 
 for intrusting money to some one's care ; here used ironically. 
 
 43. quod = at id ; cf. quae in line 36. The miser tries to justify 
 his conduct. vilem . . . assem : a paltry farthing. The as was 
 the unit of the Roman coinage, originally a pound of copper. It was 
 gradually reduced until its weight was but half an ounce and its value 
 less than a cent. It was used proverbially of a small sum ; cf. 
 Epist. ii. 2. 27, viatica ad assem perdiderat. 
 
 44. at ni id fit: i.e. nisi comminuas. pulchri : genitive of the 
 whole j cf. causae, line 20 above. constructus acervus : the poet 
 has in mind the figure of the ant ; cf. acervus quern struit, line 34. 
 
 45. milia frumenti: sc. medimnum, genitive plural. Cf. Lucil. 
 486 L., Milia dum centum frumenti tollis medimnum, Vini mille 
 cadum. triverit : jussive subjunctive with concessive force ; cf. i. 
 3. 15. area: threshing-floor, a paved surface near the field, on 
 which the sheaves were spread. The grain was then trodden out by 
 oxen, or threshed out by the tribulum or by flails. Cf. Varro, De Re 
 Rustica, i. 52, id (tribulum} fit e tabula lapidibus aut ferro asperata, 
 quae cum imposito auriga aut pondere gram trahitur iumentis iunctis, 
 discutit e spica grana. Such threshing-floors may be seen to-day in 
 Italy and Greece. 
 
 46. hoc : on this account ; cf. i. 3. 93. 
 
 47. reticulum : the bag (English reticule} in which bread for 
 
PAGE 3.] BOOK I. SERMO 1. 169 
 
 the use of the troop of slaves was carried. Cf. Juv. xii. 60, Mox cum 
 reticulis et pane et venire lagonae Aspice sumendas in tempestate 
 secures. venalis : slaves; strictly, slaves offered for sale, who are 
 here represented as being driven in a gang to the slave-market. Such 
 a-sight must have been a common one in Rome, and furnishes an apt 
 illustration. The rich man has the burden of his wealth to carry, but 
 can do no more than satisfy his actual needs. Venalis is a substantive 
 formed by the ellipsis of servos. See note on line 27 above. inter : 
 governs venalis. The anastrophe of dissyllabic prepositions is com- 
 mon in Horace. 
 
 48. forte vehas : you should happen to carry. Horace is fond of 
 conditions of this type. accipias . . . portarit : note the tenses, 
 you would receive no more at the halt for dinner, than he who carried 
 nothing on the march. 
 
 49. quid referat : what difference would it make ? apodosis to 
 the protasis implied in viventi. iiitra naturae finis viventi : to 
 one icho lives within the bounds which nature sets, i.e. if you live 
 according to nature's laws. The dative' (viventi), which is rare with 
 refert, is a dative* of 'reference ; cf. Tac. Ann. xv. 65, non referre 
 dedecori, si citharoedus demoveretur et tragoedus succederet, where 
 Nipperdey proposes to read dedecoris; Plaut. True. 394, quoi rei te 
 adsimulare retulit ? The usual construction is the genitive, or ad with 
 the accusative. 
 
 50. iugera : acres. The iugerum was strictly about two-thirds 
 of an acre, containing 28,800 square feet, while the acre contains 
 43,560. centum an mille : either amount would be too great for 
 one intra naturae finis viventi. 
 
 51. at suave est : an attempt at self-justification by the avaricious 
 man. 
 
 52. parvo: sc. acervo. See note on line 27 above. tantun- 
 dem : just as much as the rich man, who required no more than the 
 poor man to satisfy his actual needs. haurire relinquas: allow 
 us to take, a poetical use of the infinitive. 
 
 53. cumeris : chests or bins of pottery or wicker-work (cf. Epist. 
 i. 7.30) contrasted with the granaries of the rich man. Ablative of 
 comparison with plus. 
 
 54. liquidi : i.e. aquae, to be taken with urna. Urna is the jar 
 in which water was drawn and carried, while cyatho is the ladle for 
 dipping it out. 
 
 55. mallem : I should prefer. The form of the apodosis contrary 
 
170 BOOK I. SERMO 1. [PAGE 3. 
 
 to fact, since the man is thought of as standing by the little brook 
 (note hoc) and wishing that he might draw from the great river. 
 
 56. fonticulo : brooklet. The diminutive is here used in its 
 literal sense and contrasted with magno. See note on line 33 above. 
 eo : ablative of cause, thus it happens. 
 
 57. plenior . . . iusto : greater than is, right. lusto is the 
 neuter of the adjective used substantively. 
 
 58. cum ripa simul: bank and all. Aufidus acer: as usual, 
 Horace uses a specific example (see note on Austris, line 6 above), and 
 naturally chooses the river near his home. With the epithet acer, cf. 
 Odes, iii. 30. 10 ; iv. 9. 2 ; iv. 14. 25. 
 
 59. qui . . . is : the man who ; for is . . . qui (see note on quam 
 sortem . . . ilia, line 1 above). tantuli : genitive with eget. See 
 B. 212. 1. eget . . . est opus : desires only so much as is actually 
 necessary. limo turbatam : the poet is thinking of the Aufidus 
 when swollen by the spring freshets, at which time only could it 
 properly be called magnum flumen. 
 
 61. bona pars = magna pars. Porph. says : bona mine pro 
 magna dictum, ut saepe Ennius et alii veteres. Cf. Odes, iv. 2. 46. 
 The expression is not found in the fragments of Ennius which have 
 come down to us, but is found in Ter. Eun. 123, Nam hie quoque 
 bonam magnamque partem ad te .attulit; Cic. De Orat. ii. 3. 14, 
 bonam partem sermonis in hunc diem esse dilatam. cupidine: 
 always masculine in Horace. falso : blind, i.e. misleading. 
 
 62. quia tanti quantum habeas sis : because you are rated by 
 the amount of your possessions. Cf. Lucil. Inc. 23 M., Quantum 
 habeas, tantum ipse sies tantique habearis. Quanti is genitive of 
 value, used predicately with sis. Habeas and sis are subjunctive be- 
 cause of the indefinite second person singular. 
 
 63. illi : such a man as that, the individual suggested by boi 
 pars. The usual construction with facio in this sense is the insti 
 mental ablative. The dative occurs also in Cic. pro Caec. 11. 30, qui 
 huic tu homini facias ? libenter : of his own free will. Note 
 emphatic position. 
 
 64. quatenus : as long as, i.e. since. Quatenus always has 
 meaning in Horace. It is found first in Lucr. ii. 927, Quatenus 
 pullos animalis vertier ova Cernimus alituum. Lucr. is followed 
 Horace and Ovid, but the usage is not found in prose before 
 Max. id facit : i.e. miser est. quidam . . . Athenis : a mi 
 at Athens, a colloquial form of expression. 
 
PAGE 4.] BOOK T.srifaiMl 171 
 
 65. populi voces : popular opinion. 
 
 66. sibilat : a means of expressing disapproval in the theatre, as 
 plaudo expressed the reverse. Both words are used metaphorically. 
 
 68. Tantalus-: the stories of the crime and punishment of Tantalus 
 are variously told. This is the Homeric version, which we might 
 expect Horace to follow. Our English verb to tantalize is derived 
 from Tantalus. Note that, as usual, Horace identifies the person 
 addressed and the one with whom he is compared, instead of saying 
 sicut Tantalus, captas. Cf. lines 32-33 above. captat : note the 
 intensive verb. 
 
 69. quid rides ? what are you laughing at ? A rhetorical device. 
 The poet anticipates a derisive laugh at his hackneyed story. 
 
 70. saccis : there is evidently a pun on saccis and sacris (at the 
 end of line 71). Such plays on words are common in comedy, to 
 which satire, especially in its "dialogues, is closely allied, since both 
 represent the language of everyday life. 
 
 71. indormis inhians: you fall asleep, gloating over i.e. he sits 
 so long in contemplation of his wealth, that sleep overcomes him. 
 et : and yet, adversative. tamquam : modifies sacris. 
 
 72. cogeris : the verb has the force of the middle voice, force 
 yourself. pictis tamquam gaudere tabellis: enjoy them as if 
 they were pictures, i. e. through the sight alone. A painting of a pUe 
 of money-bags would in reality be just as useful. 
 
 73. quo valeat nummus : what money is for. 
 
 74. panis . . . bolus, vini sextarius : the bare necessaries of life, 
 since wine was regarded as an essential article of food, and not as a 
 luxury. The sextarius was .54 of a litre, i.e. about a pint. ema- 
 tur : jussive subjunctive. 
 
 75. quis . . . doleat natura negatis : i.e. the comforts, but not 
 the luxuries of life ; things whose loss would really be felt. Negatis 
 has a conditional force. , On the form quis (ablative), cf. note on 
 qui, line 1. 
 
 76. an : here, as often, with an ironical force, introducing a reduc- 
 tio ad absurdum. vigilare : in apposition with hoc in line 78. 
 
 77. incendia : fires were of frequent occurrence in ancient Rome, 
 and were greatly dreaded. servos : another source of constant 
 menace. Cf. Fest. p. 348, quot servi, tot hostes, in proverbio est; Sen. 
 Epist. 47. 5, deinde eiusdem arrogantiae proverbium iactatur : totidem 
 hostes esse quam servos. The same dangers are spoken of together in 
 Epist. ii. 1. 121. 
 
172 
 
 BOOK I. SERMO 1. 
 
 [PAGE 4. 
 
 78. ne te compilent fugientes : lest they rob you, and take to 
 their heels. The slaves run away, and rob their master before leaving 
 the house. 
 
 79. optarim : potential subjunctive. bonorum : genitive with 
 pauperrimus, an extension of the construction with adjectives of 
 plenty and want ; cf. Odes, iii. 30. 11 ; Serm. ii. 3. 142 ; and see 
 Introd. 40. a. After pauperrimus, bonorum, which is reserved to the 
 end of the sentence, comes in the nature of a surprise, a common 
 device in Horace ; note the emphatic position of horum. 
 
 80. frigore : a chill of fever, a common affection in the malarial 
 district in which Rome was situated. Cf. frigida quartana, ii. 3. 290. 
 
 81. casus : misfortune, with the double idea of ' chance ' or 
 'accident,' and ' danger.' Cf. ii. 5. 49, si quis casus puerum egerit 
 Oreo. lecto te adfixit: has confined you to your bed. qui 
 adsideat : some one to sit by your side ; the subjunctive has a final 
 force. 
 
 83. gnatis : in the Sermones, the spelling of the substantive is 
 gnatus (gnata), while that of the participle is natus. Cf. i. 3. 43 ; i. 
 5. 53 ; ii. 3. 203. In the Odes, both are spelled without the g. Cf. 
 ii. 18. 28 ; iii. 5. 42 ; iv. 4. 55. 
 
 85. pueri atque puellae : of both sexes, a stereotyped expres- 
 sion. Cf. ii. 3. 130, Insanum te omnes pueri clamentque puellae. 
 
 86. tu : emphatic personal pronoun, contrasted with nemo. 
 argento : dative governed by post-ponas, which is divided by tmesis. 
 For the tmesis, cf. i. 3. 92 ; i. 6. 58. 
 
 87. si nemo praestet : a subjunctive protasis with the apodosis 
 in the indicative (wu'ram). merearis : subjunctive by attraction. 
 
 88. an si : see note on an in line 76. nullo labore : sc. tuo, 
 with no effort on your part. cognates . . . amicos : correspond- 
 ing respectively to uxor and filius and vicini, noti, lines 84 and 
 above. 
 
 90. infelix : fruitlessly, applied not only to plants (infelix loliui 
 Virg. Georg. i. 154), but to men as well ; cf. Ars Poet. 34, infelix 
 summa. asellum : the diminutive does not here, as in line 
 refer merely to size, but, as often, has a notion of contempt, a sorry at 
 
 91. in Campo : sc. Martio, i.e. on the race-course. 
 
 92. denique : in short, summing up the discourse and bringing 
 to a close. plus : a superfluity, more than enough for your acti 
 needs. 
 
 94. parto : sc. eo, antecedent of quod; ablative absolute. qi 
 
PAGE 5.] BOOK I. SERMO 1. 173 
 
 avebas : with reference to cum habeas plus, and to congesta cibaria, 
 line 31. facias : meet with the fate of. 
 
 95. dives: followed by an explanatory consecutive clause, though 
 not modified by an adverb, not an uncommon construction in the 
 Satires. See i. 7. 13 ; ii. 7. 10 ; Epist. i. 16. 12 ; and cf. ita sordidus, 
 ut in line 96. 
 
 96. ut metiretur nummos : a proverbial expression for great 
 wealth. Cf. Petron. 37, Fortunata appellatur, quae nummos modio 
 metitur. 
 
 97. servo : the singular may possibly imply that Ummidius had 
 but one slave (than his slave}, which would vividly portray his mean- 
 ness. Cf., however, Epist. i. 16. 63, qui melior servo avarus, 'how 
 much better is the miser than a slave.' ad usque supremum 
 tempus : sc. vitae, up to his very last moment. 
 
 99. at : but in fact. Hejtell a victim not to penuria victus, but to 
 the liberta. liberta : freed slaves were called liberti (-ae) with ref- 
 erence to their former masters, libertini with reference to their posi- 
 tion in the community. 
 
 100. divisit medium : cut in two. Tyndaridarum : of Tyn- 
 dareus' 1 children, referring to Clytemnestra, who slew her husband 
 Agamemnon with an axe. On the identification of the liberta with 
 Clytemnestra, see note on Tantalus, line 68 above. 
 
 101. Naevius . . . Nomentanus : the latter was a well-known 
 spendthrift, often mentioned by Horace ; e.g. i. 8. 11 ; ii. 1. 22 ; ii. 3. 
 175 and 224. The former may possibly be the same as the simplex 
 Naevius of ii. 2. 68. 
 
 102. pugnantia . . . frontibus adversis : like contending gladi- 
 ators ; cf. i. 7. 20. The metaphor is not an unusual one ; cf. Lucr. 
 vi. 117, concurrere nubes Frontibus adversis. Horace is fond of 
 metaphors derived from gladiators and gladiatorial contests. 
 
 103. componere : to reconcile. 
 
 104. vappam: a good-for-nothing, lit. vapid wine. Cf. Plin. 
 N.H. 14. 125, vappae accipit nomen probrosum etiam hominum, cum 
 degeneravit animus. nebulonem : a colloquial word, occurring also 
 in Lucil. 391 L., Publius Parus mihi [tubitanus] quaestor Hibera In 
 terra fuit, lucifugus, nebulo id genus sane. It is connected with 
 nebula, cloud, mist. 
 
 105. Tanain . . . socerumque Viselli : these two men illus- 
 trated extremes of some sort. Tanain is in form a Greek accusative. 
 
 107. quos ultra citraque : note the anastrophe, and cf. line 47 
 
174 BOOK I. SERMO 1. [PAGE 5. 
 
 above. nequit consistere rectum : one cannot be right, lit. right 
 cannot exist. 
 
 108. illuc, unde abii, redeo : i.e. to the beginning of the Satire. 
 qui : cf. qui jit in line 1. Qui is used very often by Horace in direct 
 questions, but only here in an indirect question. Cf. , however, Lucr. 
 iv. 633, Nunc aliis alius qui sit cibus unicus aptus Expediam ; iv. 887, 
 nunc qui fiat . . . dicam. ut avarus: on account of avarice, inas- 
 much as he is avaricious. The ut is explanatory ; cf. ii. 2. Ill, ut 
 sapiens ; Odes, iii. 5. 42, ut capitis minor. Avarice has been found to 
 be the cause of the universal discontent, and is now for the first time 
 directly stated as such. 
 
 110. aliena capella : another's goat. Cf. Ovid, Ars Amat. i. 349, 
 Fertilior seges est alienis semper in ayris, Vicinumque pecus grandius 
 uber habet. 
 
 111. tabescat : cf. Epist. i. 2. 57, invidus alterius macrescit rebus 
 opimis. 
 
 112. hunc atque hunc : one man after the other. The double 
 meaning of superare suggests the following figure. Note that Horace, 
 in his usual manner, identifies the miser and the charioteer ; see note 
 on Tantalus, line 68 above. 
 
 113. sic : modifying festinanti and not correlative with the follow- 
 ing ut. obstat : bars his way. 
 
 114. carceribus : the stalls from which the chariots started ; 
 also called claustra ; cf. Epist. i. 14. 9, amat spatiis obstantia rumpere 
 claustra. missos : the technical word for the start of a race. Cf. 
 Enn. Ann. 89, quam mox emittat pictis exfaucibus currus. With the 
 whole passage, cf. Virg. Georg. i. 512, 
 
 At cum carceribus sese effudere quadrigae, 
 Addunt in spatia etfrustra retinacula tendens 
 Fertur equis auriga, neque audit currus habenas. 
 
 115. suos : sc. equos, object of vincentibus. ilium praeteritum : 
 i.e. aurigam quern praeteriit. 
 
 116. temnens = contemnens, a somewhat rare use of the word, 
 and one which is confined to poetry. See note on quaesitis, line 38 
 above. extremes inter euntem = quasi inter extremos eat or ut 
 inter extremos euntem. 
 
 117. inde fit : that is why it happens, the answer to qui fit in 
 line 1. raro : a modified statement ; cf. nemo in line 1. 
 
 119. cedat uti conviva satur: cf. Lucr. iii. 938, Cur non ut 
 
PAGE 11. J BOOK I. SERMO 3. 175 
 
 plenus vitae conviva recedis, Aequo animoque capis securam, stulte, 
 quietem 9 Cedat is subjunctive in a clause of characteristic. 
 
 120. Crispin! : a Stoic and a versifier, whom Horace satirizes also 
 in i. 3. 139 ; i. 4. 14 ; and ii. 7. 45. In the second of the passages 
 named, as is implied here, he is described as an unduly prolific writer. 
 scrinia : cylindrical boxes, usually of beech-wood, for holding rolls of 
 manuscript. lippi : this affection, which seems to have been a 
 common one at Rome, is often the subject of jests. So by Horace, 
 although he suffered from it himself ; see i. 5. 30 and 49. 
 
 121. verbum non amplius addam : a pleonastic expression ; cf. 
 Lucr. iii. 941, cur amplius adder e quaeris ? 
 
 SERMO III. 
 
 1. vitium: this word, from viere, 'bend,' 'twist,' and cognate 
 with vitis, 'vine,' designates primarily a straying or deviation from the 
 norma, or conventional standard ; cf. English wrong, from Old English 
 wringan ('bend,' 'twist'), English wring. Hence it is applied, not 
 only to faults, but also to eccentricities of conduct. 
 
 2. inducant anirnum : for inducant in aJiimum, make up their 
 mind. rogati, iniussi : note the chiastic order and the resulting 
 emphasis. 
 
 3. Sardus : in the emphatic position, as a term of contempt ; cf. 
 Cic. ad Fam. vii. 24, Sardos venales, alium alio nequiorem. 
 
 4. ille : the notorious, hoc: sc. vitium. Caesar : the reference 
 is to Octavian, i. e. C. Julius Caesar Octavianus, afterward Augustus. 
 posset: note the tense, was in a position to compel him; subjunctive 
 in a characteristic clause. 
 
 5. peteret : a future condition transferred to past time. patris : 
 i.e. his adoptive father, Julius Caesar. 
 
 6. collibuisset : in the same construction as peteret. , The verb is 
 used only in the tenses from the perfect stem. ab ovo usque ad 
 mala : a proverbial expression, meaning from the beginning to the end 
 of a dinner. Eggs formed a part of the gustatio, the appetizers which 
 introduced the cena (see ii. 8 and the Outline); while apples and 
 other fruits were served with the mensa secunda, or dessert. Music 
 was a common form of entertainment at the close of a dinner, but 
 Tigellius, if the fancy seized him, would sing from beginning to end. 
 
 7. io Bacchae : apparently the beginning of a dithyramb. modo 
 summa voce . . . ima : i.e. now in a deep bass voice, now in a 
 
176 BOOK I. SERMO 3. [PAGE 11. 
 
 shrill falsetto. The summa chorda, which was the longest, had the 
 deepest tone, the ima the highest. The terms were reversed when 
 applied to the voice, as we see from Quint, xi. 3. 42, ima vim non 
 habet, summa rumpi periclitatur. Horace seems to use the terms 
 suited to the tetrachord, but to apply them to the voice. 
 
 8. chordis : probably instrumental ablative. 
 
 9. aequale : consistent ; cf. line 19. velut qui . . . hostem : 
 a combination of currebat velut fugiens hostem and currebat velut is 
 currit quifugit hostem. ' 
 
 10. persaepe : sc. incedebat, implied in currebat. "With the whole 
 passage, cf. Sail. Cat. 15 (of Catiline), citus modo, modo tardus 
 incessus. 
 
 11. sacra ferret: i.e. with slow and stately tread ; cf. Ovid, Amor. 
 iii. 13. 27, More patrum sancto velatae vestibus albis Condita supposito 
 vertice sacra ferunt. ducentos : hundreds of; the choice ofducen- 
 tos to represent an indefinite large number is perhaps affected by the 
 alliteration ducentos . . . decem. See Introd. 50. 
 
 12. decem servos: a small number for a man of his station. 
 reges atque tetrarchas : the cognate accusative, or accusative of the 
 inner object, in its extended form. See Introd. 38. b. Cf. Cic. ad 
 Att. ix. 2. 3, Postumus Curtius venit, nihil nisi classes loquens et 
 exercitus. Tetrarch was a general title for a petty Oriental prince. 
 
 13. omnia magna: in apposition with reges atque tetrarchas; 
 magna is in predicate relation to omnia, all things big. mensa 
 tripes: i.e. an old-fashioned table. Cf. Plin. N.H. xxxiv. 14, nam 
 triclinia aerata abacosque et monopodia Cn. Jtfanlium Asia devicta 
 primum invexisse triumpho suo, quern duxit anno urbis DLXVII, L. 
 Piso auctor est. 
 
 14. concha: i.e. a shell, instead of the silver salt-cellar which 
 was sometimes the adornment even of a humble table. Cf. Odes, ii. 
 16. 14. salis purl: i.e. of plain salt, not flavored with other con- 
 diments ; cf. Plin. N.H. xxxi. 37, servandis carnibus aptior (saZ) acer 
 et siccus, ut Megaricus. Conditur etiam odoribus additis et pulmentari 
 vicem implet. 
 
 15. quamvis crassa: however coarse it may be. deciens 
 centena: sc. milia sestertium (genitive plural), about $50,000. 
 dedisses : jussive subjunctive with conditional force, if you had given. 
 
 17. erat : apodosis to the condition contrary to fact ; erat is used 
 instead of fuisset for vividness. 
 
 18. mane: here a substantive, a use mainly confined to poetry 
 
PAGE 11.] BOOK I. SEKMO 3. 177 
 
 and to post- Augustan prose. nil fuit umquam : there never was 
 anything. With the use of the neuter, cf. i. 6. 55, dixere quid essem; 
 Odes, i. 12. 17. Introd. 43. b. 
 
 19. sic impar sibi : so inconsistent; cf. line 9, nil aequale homini 
 fuit illi. nunc : at this point. dicat : may say; genuine 
 potential subjunctive, without an implied apodosis. See B. 280. 1. 
 quid tu? how about yourself? sc. fads, and note the emphatic tu. 
 
 20. immo : oh, yes. Immo contradicts or corrects a preceding state- 
 ment, and has therefore the general meaning * yes ' after a negative 
 and ' no ' after an affirmative sentence. minora : this word comes in 
 the nature of a rhetorical surprise, since from the form of the sentence 
 we should expect maiora or magna. See note on bonorum, i. 1. 79. 
 
 21. Maenius : a typical figure in the satires of Lucilius. 
 
 22. ut ignotum : i.e. as if we did not know you. dare verba : 
 deceive, give words instead of the reality ; a common expression in 
 comedy. Cf. Plaut. Copt. 651, verba mihi data esse video, etc. 
 
 23. egomet mi : note the strong emphasis on the first personal 
 pronoun. 
 
 24. stultus et improbus : note the emphatic position. notari : 
 for the infinitive with dignus, see Introd. 46. a. 
 
 25. pervideas . . . inunctis : look upon your own faults like a 
 purblind man with anointed eyes. Mala is a stronger expression than 
 vitia ; cf. the ' beam ' and the * mote ' of scripture. 
 
 26. in : in the case of. acutum : accusative of the inner object ; 
 see note on line 12 above. For a similar phrase, see Lucr. iv. 802, 
 acute cernere ; for a similar construction, i. 8. 41. 
 
 27. aquila : cf. H. xvii. 673, 
 
 *Ps &pa (f><i}vri<r 
 iravrove ira.irra.ivw war' cu'eros, 8v pd T <pa<riv 
 virovpavtuv 
 
 serpens Epidaurius: the serpent was regarded by the Greeks as 
 keen-sighted, whence the name Spdwv (from StpnofMi, 5/>aKetV). The 
 symbol of Asklepios, whose principal shrine was at Epidaurus, was a 
 serpent. When the temple to Asklepios (Aesculapius) was built on 
 the island in the Tiber, a serpent was brought to it from Epidaurus, 
 as the representative of the god. 
 
 28. vitia . . . tua : both the faults referred to hi lines 29-32 are 
 mentioned by Horace as characteristic of himself. Cf. Epist. i. 20. 
 25 and i. 1. 94-96. 
 
178 BOOK I. SERMO 3. [PAGE 11. 
 
 29. acutis naribus : keen criticism. Cf. i. 4. 8, and the opposite 
 expression, naris obesae, in Epod. 12. 3. 
 
 30. possit: potential subjunctive, like dicat, in line 19. 
 
 31. rusticius tonso : his hair is cut in a somewhat countrified 
 style, and. Cf. Epist. i. 1. 94. Tonso is dative of reference, nearly 
 equivalent to a possessive genitive. toga defluit : i.e. his toga does 
 not fall about him in carefully arranged folds, but hangs carelessly. 
 Cf. Epist. i. 1. 96. male laxus . . . haeret : his shoe is too loose, 
 and will hardly stay on his foot. Male appears to modify both laxus 
 and haeret airb KOLVOV; cf. illis, i. 1. 20. For the meaning of haeret, 
 cf. Odes, i. 17. 27 ; iii. 24. 55 ; Serm. i. 10. 49. With the whole passage, 
 cf. Quint, xi. 3. 137, et toga et calceus et capillus tarn nimia cura 
 quam neglegentia sunt reprehendenda. 
 
 32. ut melior vir: sc. sit, a result clause without an introductory 
 adverb (see note on i. 1. 95) and with the verb omitted. 
 
 34. te ipsum : note the emphasis, expressed both by the words 
 and their position. 
 
 35. concute : i.e. give yourself a thorough shaking. vitiorum: 
 genitive of the whole with qua ; qua vitia. inseverit : subjunctive 
 in an indirect question, governed by the idea of asking implied in con- 
 cute. The figure is changed to one derived from agriculture, thus 
 making a mixed metaphor. olim : see note on i. 1. 25. 
 
 36. consuetude : inseverit does duty as the verb both of natura 
 and of consuetudo. With the latter we should rather expect insue- 
 verit (cf. i. 4. 105). The similarity of sound between insueverit and 
 inseverit may very likely have determined the choice of the latter 
 word. 
 
 37. filix: the fern, called by Virg. Georg. ii. 189, curvis invisa 
 aratris. Such weeds were often destroyed by fire. See Plin. JV. H. 
 xviii. 300, sunt qui accendant in arvo et stipulas, magno Vergili 
 praeconio ; summa autem eius ratio ut herbarum semen exurant. 
 
 38. illuc praevertamur : let us rather turn to this point. ama- 
 torem . . . caecum : note the emphatic position of the adjective at 
 the end of its sentence. 
 
 39. turpia : ugly 'defects, blemishes. The adjective is used as a 
 substantive. 
 
 40. Balbinum : otherwise unknown. The cognomen is a common 
 one ; it may have been selected for a doting lover on account of its 
 resemblance to balbutire and balbus. See note on line 48 below. 
 
 41. vellem : / could wish, apodosis of an unfulfilled condition. 
 
PAGE 12.] BOOK I. SERMO 3. 179 
 
 42. nomen . . . honestum : whereas as a matter of fact such 
 blindness to one another's faults on the part of friends is stigmatized 
 as flatted y. 
 
 43. ac pater ut gnati : sc. vitia non fastidit. 
 
 44. si quod sit vitium = vitium, si quod sit. 
 
 45. paetum : this word, as well as pullus, varus, and scaurus, 
 was in actual use as a proper name in distinguished Roman families ; 
 all had their origin in personal peculiarities. Paetus and strabo are 
 thus distinguished by Porph. : strabo detortis qui est oculis, paetus 
 leniter declinatis. To be paetus was regarded as a mark of beauty, 
 and the term is applied to Venus, e.g. by Petron. 68, quod strabonus 
 est non euro, sicut Venus spectat. Lines 44-49 seem to be suggested 
 by Lucr. iv. 1160-1169, on the blindness of lovers to the defects of 
 their sweethearts ; cf. lines 38-39 above. There is also a parallel 
 passage in Ovid, Ars Amat. ii. 657 ff., while the opposite attitude 
 is described in the Hem. Amor. 327 ff. pullum : cf. Fest. p. 316, 
 antiqui puerum quern quis amabat pullum eius dicebat. male 
 parvus: i.e. small to the point of deformity, dwarfed, stunted; cf. 
 male laxus, line 31 above. 
 
 47. Sisyphus: Porph. says : Sisyphus M. A ntoni III viri pumilio 
 fuisse dicitur, intra bipedalem staturam, ingenio tamen vivax. va- 
 rum . . . scaurum : Porph. thus distinguishes these two defects : 
 vari appellantur introrsum retortis pedibus : scauri sunt qui extantes 
 talos habent. 
 
 48. balbutit : fondly calls; the word really means 'stammer,' or 
 'lisp,' and is used of ' baby- talk.' Cf. Tibull. ii. 5. 94, balbaque cum 
 puero dicere verba senem. 
 
 49. parcius : rather stingily ; the comparatives in this line and in 
 the two following denote a moderate degree of the respective faults. 
 ineptus : the positive is used instead of the comparative, because 
 of the meaning of the word, since the fault does not admit degrees. 
 Cf. Cic. de Oral. ii. 4, 17, qui in aliquo genere aut inconcinnus aut 
 multus est, is esse ineptus dicitur. See i. 6. 16. The comparative and 
 superlative of the word are rare, but both are used by Quintilian. 
 
 50. concinnus: i.e. commodus, agreeable. Cf. Plaut. Mil. 1024, 
 age ut tibi maxume concinnumst. amicis : may be taken both with 
 videatur and with concinnus, airb KOIVOV. 
 
 52. liber : outspoken. simplex : frank, candid. 
 
 53. caldior : the syncopated form of calidior. The shorter form, 
 due to a more rapid pronunciation, belongs in general to the colloquial 
 
180 BOOK I. SERMO 3. [PAGE 12. 
 
 language. In the Augustan poets the frequent use of the shorter form 
 is doubtless often due to metrical requirements. 
 
 55. invertimus : i.e. regard them as faults. In a somewhat similar 
 sense in Odes, iii. 5. 7, pro curia inversique mores/ 
 
 56. incmstare : befoul, properly of the deposit left by wine in an 
 unwashed vessel ; here used figuratively of slander. 
 
 57. demissus : spiritless, here used in an uncomplimentary sense. 
 Cf., however, Cic. de Orat. ii. 43. 182, ea omnia, quae proborum, de- 
 missorum, non acrium, non pertinacium, non litigiosorum, non acer- 
 borum sunt, valde benevolentiam conciliant. 
 
 58. tardo . . . pingui : tardo is here used in a complimentary, or 
 at least in a neutral, sense ; pingui, with depreciatory force. Cf. 
 pingue ingenium, ii. 6. 14. 
 
 61. vigent crimina : i.e. slander is believed. 
 
 62. fictum : a dissembler, fromftngere, 'makeup.' Cf. English 
 'fiction.' 
 
 63. simplicior quis et est: et serves as a connective with the 
 preceding sentence. Note the order, which is not uncommon in 
 poetry. 
 
 64. libenter obtulerim : have freely shown myself. Obtulerim is 
 subjunctive in a clause of characteristic. The parenthetical clause, 
 qualem . . . obtulerim, refers only to simplicior, not to what 
 follows. 
 
 66. communi sensu : cf. Sen. de Benef. i. 12. 3, nemo tarn stultus 
 est, ut monendus sit, ne cui gladiatores aut venationem iam munere 
 edito mittat, et vestimenta aestiva bruma . .* . / sit in beneficio sensus 
 communis. Tempus, locum observet. 
 
 68. nemo : emphasized by its position, between vitiis and sine. 
 Note the anastrophe. 
 
 69. urgetur : loaded down, as if one carried them in a bag on his 
 back. Cf. ii. 3. 299, and the note ; Catull. 22. 20, Suus cuique attri- 
 butus est error, Sed non videmus manticae quod in tergo est. amicus 
 dulcis: a kindly friend. Cf. Cic. de Amic. 24. 90, scitum est illud 
 Catonis, melius de quibusdam acerbos inimicos mereri quam eos 
 amicos, qui dulces videantur. 
 
 71. inclinet : like the beam of the balance. Cf. in trutina . . . 
 eadem, line 72. 
 
 72. hac lege : on this condition. 
 74. illius : scanned w o 
 
 76. quatenus : since, ' as long as.' See note on i. 1. 64. excidi : 
 
PAGE 13.] BOOK I. SERMO 3. 181 
 
 sc. nequit, implied in nequeunt. Cf. Lucr. iii. 310, nee radicitus evelli 
 mala posse putandumst. 
 
 77. stultis : according to the Stoics, vices were the result of 
 stultitia. 
 
 80. tollere : to remove from the table. Cf. ii. 8. 10. 
 
 81. ligurrierit : cf. ii. 4. 79, dum furta ligurrit. Subjunctive as 
 part of the condition. 
 
 82. Labeone : Porph. says : M. Antistius Labeo praetorius, iuris 
 etiam peritus, memor libertatis, in qua natus erat, multa contumaciter 
 adversus Caesarem dixisse et fecisse dicitur, propter quod nunc 
 Horatius adulans Augusto insanum eum dicit. 
 
 83. furiosius : implying a more violent madness than insanus. 
 Cf. Cic. Tusc. Disp. iii. 5. 11, hanc enim insaniam, quae iuncta stul- 
 titia patet latins, a furore disiungimus . . . itaque non est scriptum 
 (in duodecim tabulis) si insanus, sed si furiosus escit. Here the 
 word is used with ironical exaggeration. 
 
 85. insuavis: the opposite of dulcis, line 69. acerbus : nay, 
 even harsh, a stronger expression than insuavis. 
 
 86. Rusonem : Porph. says : Octavius Huso acerbus faenerator 
 fuisse traditur, idem historiarum scriptor. See note on Fabium, i. 1. 14. 
 debitor aeris : the debtor, in which meaning debitor alone is frequent 
 and classical. 
 
 87. Kalendae : the monthly interest was due on the Kalends, 
 hence the epithet tristes, from the point of view of the debtor. The 
 word is one of a very few in which the letter k is retained in classical 
 Latin, doubtless on account of its occurrence in legal formulas. 
 
 88. mercedem: the interest, in distinction from the principal, 
 nummos. unde unde extricat : gets together somehow or other. 
 Unde unde has the force of undecumque (cf. Lucr. vi. 1017). The 
 expression occurs only here in classical Latin, unless it be read in 
 Catull. 67. 27, and is probably colloquial. amaras . . . historias 
 audit: i.e. the creditor forces his unhappy debtor to listen to the 
 reading of his works. 
 
 89. porrecto iugulo : as if awaiting the stroke of the execu- 
 tioner's axe. captivus ut: like a prisoner ; explanatory utj cf. 
 i. 1. 108, ut avarus. 
 
 90. catillum . . . tritum: i. e. a rare old bowl. Cf. ii. 3. 21, Quo 
 vafer ille pedes lavisset Sisyphus aere ; and Mart. viii. 6. 9, Hi duo 
 longaevo censentur Nestorefundi : Pollice de Pylio trita columba nitet. 
 
 92. ante : temporal in sense, modifying sustulit. 
 
182 BOOK I. SERMO 3. [PAGE 13. 
 
 95. tide : a form of the dative, found in early Latin and in poetry ; 
 originally a locative. See B. App. 174. sponsum negarit : should 
 disown his bond. 
 
 96. quis: dative. paria . . . peccata: this was the view of 
 the Stoics. Of. Cic. Mur. 29. 61, omnia peccata esse paria, omne 
 delictum scelus esse nefarium. Fere qualifies the statement somewhat. 
 
 97. sensus moresque: cf. Cic. de Fin. iv. 19. 55, recte facta 
 omnia aequalia, omnia peccata paria. Quae cum magnifice primo did 
 viderentur, considerata minus probabantur ; sensus enim cuiusque, et 
 natura rerum atque ipsa veritas clamabat quodam modo non posse 
 adduci, ut inter eas res, quas Zeno exaequaret, nihil interesset. 
 
 99 f. are evidently modelled on Lucr. v. 780 ff. 
 
 99. primis : primeval. animalia : creatures, living things, not 
 yet worthy the name of men. 
 
 100. glandem : used generally for food, as the chief article of diet 
 of primitive man. Cf. Lucr. v. 939, glandiferas inter curabant 
 corpora quercus. cubilia : cf. Lucr. v. 969 ff., Silvestria membra 
 Nuda dabant terrae, nocturno tempore capti, Circum se foliis ac frondi- 
 bus involventes. 
 
 101. unguibus: cf. Lucr. v. 1283 ff., Arma antiqua manus 
 ungues dentesque fuerunt, Et lapides et item silvarum fragmina rami 
 . . . Posterius ferri vis est aerisque reperta. porro: in due course. 
 
 102. post: here used as an adverb = postea. Cf. ante, line 92 
 above. 
 
 s 103. verba . . . nominaque : i. e. verbs and nouns, the two great 
 divisions of language, here used for language itself. voces . . . 
 notarent : i.e. give articulate form to their cries (voces) and express 
 their feelings ; zeugma. Notarent is final subjunctive. Cf. Lucr. v. 
 1087, varii sensus animalia cogunt Muta tamen cum sint, varias 
 emittere voces. 
 
 105. oppida . . . munire : cf. Lucr. v. 1108, condere coeperunt 
 urbis. ponere leges : to make laws ; a somewhat unusual ex- 
 pression, corresponding to the Greek OtaOai vdpovs. Cf. Cic. Verr. 
 2. 5. 11. 28, iste . . . illis legibus, quaein poculis ponebantur, diligen- 
 ter obtemperabat. 
 
 106. ne: final. 
 
 111. fateare necesse est : a favorite expression with Lucr., e.g. 
 i. 399, esse in rebus inane tamen fateare necessest. 
 
 112. evolvere : unroll, like a scroll. mundi : the world, man- 
 
PAGE 14.] BOOK I. SERMO 3. 183 
 
 113. nee natura potest: i.e. men cannot by nature. With the 
 sentiment, c/.Sen. Epist. 97. 15, illic dissentiamus cum Epicuro, ubi 
 dicit nihil iustum esse natura. 
 
 114. diversis: from the opposite, i.e. evil. Cf. i. 1. 3, diversa 
 sequentis, and the note. 
 
 115. vincet : prove. tantundem idemque : referring respec- 
 tively to quantity and quality. 
 
 116 f. .Cf. Cell. xi. 18. 3, (Draco) furem cuiusmodicumque furti 
 supplicio capitis poeniendum esse et alia pleraque nimis severe censuit 
 sanxitque. 
 
 117. divum : with the genitive ending ~um, which was dis- 
 placed for the most part in o-stems by the ending -orum (after the 
 analogy of the pronominal ending -arum of the a-stems). It was 
 retained in some words, and is frequently found in deum and divum. 
 legerit: stolen, lit. gathered; cf. English 'sacrilegious.' 
 
 118. aequas : equitable, just. 
 
 119. scutica: a leather thong, a milder instrument than the scourge 
 (flagellum), which was set with knobs of bone or metal, to tear the 
 flesh. 
 
 120. ut : we should expect ne. Apparently we have a kind of 
 anacoluthon, as if verisimile non est or something similar were going 
 to follow. ferula: the cane, used in punishing refractory children 
 and schoolboys. Cf. Mart. x. 62. 10, ferulaeque tristes, sceptra paeda- 
 gofjorum. 
 
 121. pares res . . . latrociniis : a combination of two construc- 
 tions, esse paria furta latrociniis and esse pares resfurta et latrocinia. 
 Cf. note on line 9, velut qui . . . hostem. 
 
 122. magnis : governed by simile, brachylogy for falce simili ei 
 (/?') qua mayna. 
 
 124. si dives, etc. : a common expression; cf. Epist. i. 1. 107; 
 Cic. Mur. 29. 61 ; solos sapientes esse . . . si servitutem serviant, reges, 
 etc. 
 
 126. cur optas quod babes? i.e. regnum, with reference to 123- 
 124. pater Chrysippus : so called as one of the heads of the Stoic 
 school; cf. Ennius pater, Epist. i. 19. 7, as the father of Roman 
 poetry. 
 
 127. crepidas: high Greek shoes, as contrasted with soleae, 
 sandals. 
 
 128. nee : nor even. sutor est sapiens : in the same way the 
 sapiens is potentially, not actually, king. 
 
184 BOOK I. SERMO 4. [PAGE 14. 
 
 129. ut . . . tacet : a localized version of Diog. vii. 125, Trdvra, 
 efi TroietV rbv ffO(f>bv, us Kal Trdvra (f>a/j,^v TO. avXrjfjLara, e$ auXetV rbv 
 'IfffjL-rjvtav. Note the indicative with quamvis, and see Introd. 45. b. 
 
 130. modulator : musician, a broader term than cantor. Al- 
 fenus : apparently a barber of the day, who abandoned his trade and 
 became a lawyer. vafer : this term is often applied to the law and 
 to lawyers ; cf. ii. 2. 131, vafri inscitia iuris. 
 
 136. rumperis : you burst, with anger or with 'barking.' Note 
 the passive used with the force of the middle. latras : bark, ap- 
 plied humorously to the Cynics, whose name was derived from /ciW, 
 dog. magnorum inaxime regum : ironical ; great potentate 
 though you are. Note the alliteration. 
 
 137. ne longum faciam : in short; cf. i. 1. 120. dum . . . 
 rex ibis : while you go, king that you are. Dum with the future is 
 rare. It expresses time contemporaneous and coextensive with 
 vivam. quadrante : a fourth of an as, about a quarter of a 
 cent. 
 
 138. stipator . . . sectabitur: i. e. your only body-guard is. Cf. 
 Varr. L. L. vii. 52, qui circum latera erant regi . . . postea a stipa- 
 tione stipatores appellarunt. 
 
 139. Crispinus : cf. i. 1. 120. et : correlative with -que in line 
 142. This combination is rather rare, though it occurs in Cicero. Cf. 
 Enn. Ann. 199 V., Hos et ego in pugna vici victusque sum ab isdem; 
 Cic. de Fin. v. 22. 64, quis est quin intellegat et eos . . . fuisse . . . 
 nosque . . . dud. 
 
 140. stultus : through folly, an appositive adjective. Cf. line 77 
 for the force of the word. 
 
 SERMO IV. 
 
 1. Eupolis . . . poetae : the three greatest of the writers of the 
 Old Comedy, corresponding to Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides in 
 Tragedy. Cf. Quint, x. 1. 66, plures eius auctores, Aristophanes ta- 
 men et Eupolis Cratinusque praecipui. Tragoedias primus in lucem 
 Aeschylus protulit . . . sed longe clarius inlustraverunt hoc opus 
 Sophocles atque Euripides. Of Eupolis (died about 411 B.C.) and 
 Cratinus (died about 422) only scanty fragments have come down to 
 us ; of Aristophanes (444-388) we have eleven plays, of which two, 
 the Ecclesiazusae and the Plutus, belong to the Middle Comedy. 
 
 2. alii . . . virorum est: for alii viri, quorum, etc., cf. i. 1.1. 
 
PAGE 16.] BOOK I. SERMO 4. 185 
 
 The reference is to the less famous representatives of the Old Comedy, 
 such as Crates, Phrynichus, etc. 
 
 3. describi: i.e. held up for censure; cf. Epist. ii. 1. 154. On 
 the construction, see note on notari, i. 3. 24. malus ac fur : cf. 
 malos fures, i. 1. 77. 
 
 4. foret = esset. This form of the verb is rare in Cicero and is 
 not found in Caesar. It is frequent in Plautus and Terence, and may 
 be archaic or colloquial. Its use was originally confined to conditions 
 contrary to fact and to expressions having a future force. alioqui : 
 in other respects a colloquial word, apparently first used in literature 
 by Horace (Lucr. iii. 414 is doubtful; see Lachmann's note), again 
 in i. 6. 66. It occurs frequently in Pliny's letters. 
 
 5. famosus : used in a bad sense, notorious, infamous. liber- 
 tate : freedom of speech, a characteristic of the Old Comedy, before it 
 was restrained by law ; cf. Quint, x. 1. 65, antiqua comoedia . . . 
 facundissimae libertatis est et in insectandis vitiis praecipua; Ars 
 Poet. 281 ff. 
 
 6. bine . . . pendet : i.e. takes these as his model. Cf. Epist. 
 i. 1. 105, de te pendentis amid. Lucilius : see Introd. 20. 
 
 7. mutatis . . . pedibus : i.e. using the dactylic hexameter, in 
 which most of the Satires of Lucilius were written, instead of the 
 iambic trimeter of Attic Comedy. 
 
 8. emunctae . . . naris : keen-scented, in discovering the weak- 
 nesses of others. Cf. i. 3. 29 ; ii. 2. 89 ; and the opposite expression, 
 naris obesae, in Epod. 12. 3. durus componere : harsh in the 
 composition. For the construction of componere, see Introd. 46. a. 
 
 9. hoc: in this (i.e. the following) respect. 
 
 10. ut magnum : i. e. as if it were a great thing. Explanatory ut ; 
 cf. i. 1. 108. stans pede in uno : i.e. easily, without effort, 
 apparently proverbial. Cf. the reverse expression in Quint, xii. 9. 18, 
 in his actionibus omni, ut agricolae dicunt, pede standum est. 
 
 11. flueret lutulentus : i. e. like a stream swollen and turbid from 
 the spring freshets, whose water was not fit to use until it had been 
 allowed to stand for a while and settle. tollere: blot out. Cf. 
 i. 10. 50, fluere hunc lutulentum, saepe ferentem Plura quidem tollenda 
 relinquendis. velles : subjunctive in a clause of characteristic, that 
 you icished. 
 
 12. garrulus : a wordy fellow ; returning to Lucilius after the digres- 
 sion in lines 9-11. Cf. sermo merus in line 48. The style is colloquial. 
 
 13. ut multum : i.e. as to the amount of his work, 'as to its 
 
186 BOOK I. SERMO 4. [PAGE 16. 
 
 being much.' nilmoror: I don't care a bit for that, a colloquial 
 expression. 
 
 14. Crispinus : see note on i. 1. 120. minimo : sc. pignore, at 
 long odds, i.e. offering a large wager against a small one, the opposite 
 of our form of expression. Cf. Catull. 44.4, quovis Sabinum pignore 
 esse contendunt ; Virg. Eel. 3. 31, tu die, mecum quo pignore certes. 
 provocat : challenges, sc. contendere, and cf. note on minimo above. 
 
 15. accipe iam : the repeated imperative shows the impatience of 
 Crispinus, who counts on an easy victory. 
 
 16. custodes : umpires, to see that there was a fair contest, with- 
 out cheating or misrepresentation. 
 
 17. di bene fecerunt: i.e. the gods be thanked. quodque: 
 hyperbaton ; -que really connects inopis and pusilli; cf. i. 6. 43; i. 
 8. 2 ; ii. 3. 139, etc. 
 
 18. loquentis : i.e. so that I speak ; loquentis agrees with animi, 
 a loose form of expression characteristic of colloquial speech. 
 
 20. molliat : subjunctive on account of the idea of expectation or 
 anticipation ; the personal and impersonal ideas are blended, since the 
 person and the thing are identified with each other. See note on 
 Tantalus, i. 1. 68. 
 
 21. beatus: sc. est. Fannius: a parasite of Hermogenes Tigel- 
 lius ; cf. i. 10. 80. ultro . . . imagine : Fannius, without being 
 asked to do so (ultro}, proffers his books to be read ; cf. Epist. i. 12. 
 23, si quid petet, ultro defer. The idea seems to be that Fannius 
 forces his works on a reluctant public, but is happy to have them read 
 under any circumstances. The books are kept in capsae, or cylin- 
 drical boxes for holding manuscript rolls, and are ornamented with 
 the author's portrait (imagine'). 
 
 22. cum: whereas; adversative cum; cf. i. 1. 38. 
 
 23. volgo recitare : i.e. to give a public reading to invited guests, 
 a custom said to have been inaugurated by Asinius Pollio. Cf. Sen. 
 Contr. 4, Praef . 2, (Asinius Pollio) primus omnium Bomanorum advo- 
 catis hominibus scripta sua recitavit. That Horace read his poems, by 
 request, to his intimate friends, is seen from line 73. timentis : 
 agrees with the genitive implied in mea in line 22. 
 
 24. genus hoc : i.e. scripta hoc genus, satire. pluris : many, the 
 logical subject of sunt, attracted to the case of quos ; hence the indica- 
 tive iuvat. 
 
 26. ab avaritia : on account of avarice. laborat : suffers; is 
 troubled. 
 
PAGE 17.] BOOK I. SERMO 4. 187 
 
 27. capit: fascinates, i.e. catches his fancy. 
 
 28. argenti splendor . . . aere : cf. Epist. i. 6. 17. In aere, the 
 reference is doubtless to Corinthian bronzes, which were highly prized. 
 Cf. Plin. Epist. in. 6; iii. 1. 9. stupet: has a craze for; cf. Plin. 
 Epist. iii. 1. 9, sunt in usu et Corinthia, quibus delectatur nee adflcitur. 
 
 29. mutat merces : carries cargoes ; the regular expression ; cf. 
 Virg. Eel. 4. 38, nee nautica pinus mutabit merces. surgente a 
 sole ad eum : i.e. from the far east to the west. 
 
 30. vespertina . . . regio : sc. caeli, the west, i.e. Italy. Cf. 
 Lucan, vii. 17, vespere pacato. quin : for quin etiam, nay more. 
 
 32. ampliet ut : that he may not increase, depending on metuens, 
 with the usual meaning of ut after a verb of fearing. 
 
 33. versus . . . poetas : used in a general sense. On account 
 of the severity of satirists, they fear and hate all poets. 
 
 34. faenum ... in cornu : at Rome, dangerous cattle were 
 marked this way when driven through the streets. For the com- 
 parison of the satirist with an ugly bull, cf. Epod. 6. 11,- cave, cave : 
 namque in malos asperrimus Parata tollo cornua. 
 
 35. sibi : dative of advantage, so-called ; at his witticisms. 
 
 36. chartis inleverit: scribbled on his paper, a contemptuous ex- 
 pression. 
 
 37. furno: the (public) bakery. lacu: the water-tank, for the 
 general use of the people. Cf. Plin. JV. H. xxxvi. 121, Agrippa in 
 aedilitat? . . . lacus DCC fecit. 
 
 38. pueros et anus : slaves and old women, who were notorious 
 sources of gossip. 
 
 39. primum : introduces the reply to odere poetas in line 33 ; the 
 second point is introduced by nunc illud quaeram, in line 64. de- 
 derim : potential subjunctive. The perfect in this case does not differ 
 in force from the present. 
 
 40. concludere versum : to write verse ; for verba pedibus clau- 
 dendo versum efficere. The expression for ' prose ' is oratio soluta, as 
 opposed to pedibus claudere. 
 
 41. dixeris: you would not say. The apodosis of the protasis 
 implied in concludere versum. 
 
 42. sermoni propiora : more like ordinary conversation. Cf. 
 Auct. ad Her. iii. 13. 23, sermo est oratio remissa etfinitima cotidianae 
 locutioni. 
 
 43. ingenium: intellectual gifts, not 'genius,' which is rare, 
 mens divinior : inspiration, 'the divine afflatus.' os magna sona- 
 
188 BOOK I. SERMO 4. [PAGE 17. 
 
 turum : the power of lofty expression j magna is accusative of the 
 inner object. 
 
 45. comoedia . . . necne poema esset: cf. Cic. Orat. 20. 67, 
 video visum esse nonnullis, Platonis et Democriti locutionem, etsi absit 
 aversu, tamen, quod incitatius feratur et clarissimis verborum lumini- 
 bus utatur, potius poema putandum quam comicorum poetarum. 
 
 46. acer spiritus ac vis : fiery inspiration and vigor. 
 
 47. pede certo : the regular rhythm. 
 
 48. sermo merus : it being in fact plain prose, in apposition with 
 comoedia in line 45 ; cf. garrulus, line 12 above. at : introduces 
 the words of a defender of comedy as poetry ; cf. Ars Poet. 93 f. 
 The scene which follows is from an unknown palliata, or comedy 
 based on Greek life. ardens : sc. ira. 
 
 49. meretrice . . . arnica : ablative -ef cause ; cf. Plaut. ^Merc. 
 443, sanus non est ex amore ; 447, insanior ex amore. 
 
 50. filius . . . recuset : a common incident in comedy. 
 
 51. ambulet : sc. in publico. Such revels were common enough ; 
 the disgrace consisted in carrying them on publicly in broad daylight. 
 
 52. Pomponius: otherwise unknown. Evidently a notorious 
 young prodigal. . istis: i.e. those to which you refer, quae pater 
 ardens effundit. 
 
 54. puris . . . verbis : unadorned language ; sine figuris et 
 magno sono, Ps-Acron. 
 
 55. quern si dissolvas : i.e. of such a sort that if you should write 
 it in prose order. Dissolvas means to free from the trammels of 
 metre ; see note on line 40. 
 
 56. personatus . . . pater : the father in the play, i.e. the actor 
 wearing the mask of a father. Masks seem to have been worn by 
 comic actors soon after the time of Terence. The figure of the mask 
 and the color of the hair differed according to the character imper- 
 sonated. In earlier times the characters were distinguished by their 
 wigs and their dress. his : dative of separation with eripias. In 
 good prose we should have his rebus, since the form his is ambiguous 
 as regards its gender. See Introd. 49. b. ego quae mine : sc. 
 scribo, implied in scripsit. 
 
 58. tempora certa modosque : i.e. the rhythm and metre; 
 cf. pede certo, line 47. The features which gave satire the outward 
 form of poetry were the metre, the caesura, and the poetic word order, 
 not the language. 
 
 60. solvaa = dissolvas ; see line 55. postquam . . . refregit: 
 

 PAGE 18.] BOOK I. SERMO 4. 189 
 
 from Ennius, Annales, 270 V., evidently alluding to the opening of 
 the temple of Janus. Cf. Virg. Aen. vii. 607, belli ferratos rumpit 
 Saturnia pastes. If this verse of Elinius should be written in prose 
 order, the language would still be that of poetry. 
 
 63. alias : this promise was kept many^ears later by the publica- 
 tion of the Ars Poetica. iustum . . . poema : i.e. real poetry ; 
 sc. quaeram and satura, implied in hoc genus scribendi in line 5. 
 
 65. Sulcius . . . et Caprius: these two men belonged to the 
 class which made a business of bringing criminals to justice for the 
 sake of the reward. Though less objectionable than the delatores of 
 later times, they were held in disrepute ; cf. Cic. Brut. 34. 130, M. 
 Brutus, in quo magnum fuit, Brute, dedecus generi vestro . . . magi- 
 stratus non petivit, sed fuit accusator vehemens et molestus; De 
 Off. ii. 14. 50, duri hominis vel potius vix hominis videtur peri- 
 culum capitis inferre multis. 
 
 66. rauci male : very hoarse, or with unpleasantly hoarse voices, 
 from constant and vehement pleading in court. Cf. male laxus, 
 i. 3. 31. libellis: indictments, i.e. note-books containing their 
 accusations. 
 
 69. ut sis tu : suppose you are, concessive ut : cf. Ter. Hec. 296, 
 ut tacean . quoivis facile scitu est quam fuerim miser. Note the em- 
 phatic tu. 
 
 70. sim : potential subjunctive. Capri neque Sulci : sc. similis. 
 
 71. taberna : book-stall. habeat : optative subjunctive. 
 pila: one of the pillars which separated the arcade in which the 
 book-stall was located from the street. On these were hung lists of 
 the books for sale within. Cf. Ars Poet. 373; Mart. i. 117. 10 : 
 
 Contra Caesaris est forum taberna. 
 Scriptis postibus hinc et inde totis 
 Omnes ut cito perlegas poetas. 
 
 A prominent firm of booksellers at Rome was that of the Sosii, 
 Epist. i. 20. 2. meos : emphatic, contrasting Horace's libelli with 
 those of Sulcius and Caprius. libellos : humble works. The 
 diminutive is chosen for the sake of a play on the double meaning 
 of libelli ; cf. line 66. 
 
 72. quis : dative. See note on qui, i. 1. 1. quis . . . insudet: 
 the subjunctive has a final force, for the hands of the vulgar to soil. 
 Hermogenis Tigelli : the optimus modulator of i. 3. 129 ; not the 
 same as the Tigellius of i. 3. 3. The transposition of the nomen and 
 
 
190 BOOK I. SERMO 4. [PAGE 18. 
 
 cognomen is rare in classical prose, but very common in later Latin. 
 It never occurs where all three names are given ; cf. Odes, ii. 2. 3 ; 
 Serm. i. 6. 12 ; i. 7. 1. 
 
 73. aniicis : i.e. not volgo ; cf. line 23 and the note. idque 
 coactus : and that only on compulsion. 
 
 75. lavantes : i.e. in the public baths. Cf. Petron. 92, dum lavor, 
 paene vapulavi, quia conatus sum circa solium sedentibus carmen 
 recitare. 
 
 77. illud : referring to the following num . . . faciant. sensu : 
 sc. communi, and cf. i. 3. 66. 
 
 78. alieno : unseasonable. laedere gaudes : the reply of the 
 imaginary opponent. Cf. Lucil. 913 L., Gaudes, cum de me ista foris 
 sermonibus differs, Et male dicendo in multis sermonibus differs. 
 
 79. hoc : accusative, referring to laedere. studio : purposely. 
 Cf. Cic. Rose. Am. 91, ut omnes intellegant me non studio accusare, 
 sed officio defendere. pravus : predicate adjective = cum pravus 
 sis. petitum : the participle, where have you found this charge 
 to make against me ? 
 
 80. quis : any one; for aliquis, on account of the implied num. 
 denique : in short, i.e. not to go over a list of all the possible sources 
 of the criticism. 
 
 81. cum quibus : Horace does not use cum in the enclitic position 
 with relatives ; cf. Odes, ii. 7. 6. absentem : behind his back, 
 lit. in his absence. rodit : backbites, slanders. 
 
 82. qui non defendit : cf. lines 94-103. The final syllable of 
 defendit is here long. This is not a reminiscence of an original long 
 quantity, but is doubtless due to the analogy of such cases. Cf. figit, 
 Odes, iii. 24. 5 ; agit, Serm. ii. 3. 260 ; and see Introd. 57. d. 
 
 84. commissa tacere : keep a secret; cJ\Epist. i. 18. 70, nee 
 retinent patulae commissa Jideliter aures. 
 
 85. niger : black-hearted, a scoundrel, in contrast with animae 
 candidae; cf. i. 5. 41. Cf. Cic. Caec. 10. 27, Phormio, nee minus 
 niger nee minus confldens quam ille Terentianus. hunc . . . caveto : 
 a parody of an oracular utterance ; cf. Liv. xxv. 12. 5, amnem, Tro- 
 .iugena, fuge Cannam. 
 
 86. videas : you can see ; an example of the relatively rare ' can '- 
 potential ; see Introd. 45. c. quaternos : i.e. four on each of the 
 three couches. Ordinarily three was the maximum number ; cf. ii. 8, 
 Outline. 
 
 87. aspergere : slander, lit. besprinkle ; used in the same figurative 
 
PAGE 19.] BOOK I. SERMO 4. 191 
 
 sense by Auct. ad Her. iv. 49. 62, circum inspectans hue et illuc, si 
 quern reperiat cui aliquid mail . . . lingua aspergere possit. 
 
 88. qui praebet aquam : i.e. the host (convivator, ii. 8. 73) who 
 had water passed around among his guests at the beginning of the 
 dinner ; cf. Petr. 31, tandem discubuimus, pueris Alexandrinis aquam 
 in manus nivatam infundentibus ; or used of the hot and cold water 
 furnished for mixing with the wine ; cf. Juv. v. 63, quando rogatus 
 adest calidae gelidaeque minister 9 hunc : sc. aspergere amat. 
 
 89. aperit . . . Liber: cf. Odes, iii. 21. 13 ff. praecordia : re- 
 garded as the seat of the feelings. We should say ' heart.' 
 
 90. liber : frank ; cf. libertate, line 5. 
 
 91. nigris : cf. niger, line 85. 
 
 92. pastilles : accusative of the inner object. The word is a 
 diminutive, cognate with panis. For the meaning, cf. Mart. i. 87. 1, 
 Ne gravis hesterno fragres, Fescennia, vino, Pastillos Cosmi luxuriosa 
 voras. 
 
 94. Capitolini : Porph. says : Petillius Capitulinus cum Capitoli 
 curam ageret, coronae subreptae de Capitulio causam dixit absolutus- 
 que a Caesare est. It is known that Petillius Capitolinus was accused 
 of theft and acquitted in spite of strong evidence against him. The 
 charge mentioned by Porph. may well have been invented to account 
 for the name Capitolinus, since the crime was a proverbial one ; cf. 
 Plaut. Trin. 83, Nam mine ego si te surrupuisse suspicer lorn coronam 
 de capite ex Capitolio ; Men. 941, at ego te sacram coronam surru- 
 puisse lovi scio. 
 
 96. me . . . amicoque : a hypermetric verse. Horace has but 
 one other in his hexameters (i. 6. 102). Such lines occur several times 
 in the Odes (e.g. iv. 2. 22) and are not uncommon in Virgil, especially 
 with lines ending in -que. 
 
 98. in urbe : instead of being in exile. 
 
 100. nigrae : with reference to line 85. sucus lolliginis : cf. 
 Plin. N. H. ix. 84, (saepiae) ubi sensere se adprehendi, effuso atra- 
 mento, quod pro sanguine his est, infuscata aqua absco?iduntur. 
 
 101. aerugo : malice, lit. verdigris. Cf. Mart. x. 33. 5, viridi 
 tinctos aerugine versus. quod = at id; cf. quae, i. 1. 36. 
 
 102. prius : before that, i.e. he will not even think such things, 
 much less write them down. ut si quid : i.e. ut promitto, si quid. 
 
 104. hoc mihi iuris : this privilege, which is my right ; iuris is 
 genitive of the whole, governed by hoc. 
 
 105. dabis: future with the force of a mild imperative. in- 
 
192 BOOK I. SERMO 4. [PAGE 19. 
 
 suevit : with a double accusative, after the analogy of verbs of teach- 
 ing. Cf. adsuescere with the accusative and the ablative of association 
 (or the dative), ii. 2. 109. hoc : i.e. liberius dicere. 
 
 106. ut fugerem : depends on notando. vitiorum quaeque : 
 may be taken both with fugerem and notando, dirb KOIVOV. Cf. illis, i. 
 1. 20. 
 
 109. ut male . . . vivat : how wretchedly young Albius lives, 
 in a material, not in a moral, sense. The reference is perhaps the 
 same as in line 28. 
 
 110. Baius : a Roman gentile name, known from inscriptions. 
 Nothing further is known about the individual mentioned here, 
 documentum : lesson (cf. docere) ; in apposition with the preceding 
 wi-clause ; cf. sermo merus, line 48. 
 
 112. Scetani : otherwise unknown. . 
 
 115. sapiens : your philosopher; see note on i. 1. 38. 
 
 116. causas reddet : will explain. 
 
 118. custodis : i.e. a paedagogus. See i. 6. 81, Ipse mihi custos 
 incorruptissimus omnis Circum doctores aderat. vitam : health. 
 
 120. nabis sine cortice : a proverbial expression ; cf. Plaut. Aul. 
 595, Quasi pueri qui nare discunt scirpea induitur ratis, qui laborent 
 minus, facilius ut nent et moveant manus. 
 
 121. formabat : moulded, a very common metaphor ; cf. Epist. 
 ii. 1. 128 ; ii. 2. 8 ; Cic. Arch. 3., 4, ut primum ex pueris excessit 
 Archias atque ab eis artibus quibus aetas puerilis ad humanitatem 
 informari solet. iubebat : sc. aliquid, since Horace does not use 
 an w-clause with iubere ; ut facerem quid depends on the verb of say- 
 ing implied with habes auctorem. The apodosis to sive iubebat is not 
 obiciebat, but the verb of saying understood in line 122. The style is 
 strongly colloquial. 
 
 122. quo : in accordance with which. 
 
 123. iudicibus selectis : the list of those from whom jurors were 
 selected, recorded in the album iudicum. At this time senators, 
 equites, and tribuni aerarii were eligible for such service. On their 
 qualifications, see Cic. Cluent. 43. 121, praetores urbani, qui iurati 
 debent optimum quemque in lectos iudices referre. 
 
 126. avidos: gluttons; the adjective is used substantively., 
 vicinum funus : i.e. vicinifunus; cf. aliena opprobria, line 128. 
 
 127. sibi parcere : i.e. look out for their health, by refraining 
 from over-eating; cf. Epist. i. 7. 11, Ad mare descendet vates tuus 
 et sibi parcet. 
 
PAGE 20.] BOOK I. SERMO 4. 193 
 
 128. aliena = aliis obiecta. 
 
 129. ex hoc : sc. more patris, on account of this early training. 
 sanus ab illis : sc. vitas, free from those faults. 
 
 130. perniciem : danger to life and health ; cf. line 118. quis 
 ignoscas : sc. vitiis, pardonable faults. See i. 3. 20 and 140 ; i. 6. 65. 
 Quis is dative ; cf. line 72 above. The subjunctive is a potential 
 characterizing clause, being parallel with the adjective mediocribus. 
 
 131. istinc : i.e. ex istis vitiis. 
 
 132. abstulerit : used absolutely ; cf. aufers, ii. 3. 127 ; aufer, 
 ii. 3. 236. liber : outspoken, frank; cf. line 90. 
 
 133. consilium proprium : communion with myself. lectulus : 
 l my own little bed," 1 where he lay and reflected, or perhaps a couch for 
 studying (lectus lucubratorius). Note the force of the diminutive ; cf. 
 Cic. Cat. i. 4. 9 ; Ov. Trist. i. 11. 37 : 
 
 ' Non haec in nostris, ut quondam, scribimus hortis, 
 Nee, consuete, meum, lectule, corpus habes. 1 
 
 134. porticus : the colonnades were favorite resorts, especially in 
 bad weather, or in the heat of the day. This was particularly true of 
 the porticus adjoining Pompey's theatre ; cf. Catull. 55. 3 f. : 
 
 ' Te campo quaesivimus minore, 
 Te in circo, te in omnibus libellis 
 Te in templo sumnii lovis sacrato. 
 In Magni simul ambulatione 
 Femellas omnes, amice, prendi.' 
 
 desum mihi : neglect myself; cf. i. 9. 56. ii. 1. 17. He tries to cor- 
 rect his faults by meditating on them, as well as on those of others. 
 
 135. dulcis . . . occurram: i.e. be agreeable to the friends 
 whom I meet. 
 
 136. quidam : so and so. non belle : sc. fecit. 
 
 137. olim : ever. See note on i. 1. 25. 
 
 138. compressis . . . labris: a sign of earnest thought. Cf. 
 Pers. iii. 82, exporrecto trutinantur verba labello. 
 
 139. inludo cuartis: / amuse myself by putting my thoughts on 
 . paper, cf. i. 10. 37, haec ego ludo. mediocribus illis : see line 130 
 
 above. 
 
 140. concedere : cf. line 143, and note the play on the two mean- 
 ings of the word. 
 
 143. ludaei : Jews were numerous in Rome in Horace's day and 
 
194 BOOK I. SERMO 5. [PAGE 21. 
 
 very active in marking converts. Of. Cic. Place. 28. 66, sets, quanta 
 sit (ludaeorum) manus, quanta concordia. quantum valeant in con- 
 tionibus. 
 
 SERMO V. 
 
 1. magna . . . Roma : the adjective emphasizes the contrast be- 
 tween Rome and the little village with its hospitium modicum. 
 Aricia : sixteen miles * southeast of Rome, on the lower slope of the 
 Alban Hills. It was about three miles from the celebrated temple and 
 grove of Diana, on the lacus Nemorensis. See Macaulay, Lake Re- 
 gillus, 171 ff.: 
 
 ' From the still glassy lake that sleeps 
 Beneath Aricia's trees 
 Those trees in whose dim shadow 
 The ghastly priest doth reign, 
 The priest who slew the slayer, 
 And shall himself be slain. ' 
 
 2. hospitio modico : a modest inn; cf. Cic. de Sen. 23. 84, ex vita 
 ita discedo tamquam ex hospitio, non tamquam ex domo. Judging 
 from the references in literature, and from the ruins of inns found at 
 Pompeii, they were never very attractive ; cf. Epist. i. 11. 11, neque 
 qui Capua Homam petit imbre lutoque Aspersus volet in caupona 
 vivere. The well-to-do traveller usually had friends with whom he 
 could stop. Heliodorus : unknown, except for this reference of 
 Horace. 
 
 3. Graecorum . . . doctissimus : an exaggerated expression char- 
 acteristic of the mock-heroic style which Horace adopts in several 
 parts of this satire (see notes on lines 9, 20, 51, 73), a form of wit 
 common in modern times. inde : next. Forum Appi : twenty- 
 seven miles beyond Aricia, at the beginning of the Pomptine marshes. 
 A canal led from there to the spring and grove of Feronia, about six- 
 teen miles away. 
 
 4. differtum : crowded, lit. stuffed, apparently a colloquial word, 
 used in a humorous sense ; cf. Epist. i. 6. 59, differtum forum ; 
 Caes. B. C. iii. 32. 4, erat plena lictorum et imperiorum provincia, 
 differta praefectis atque exactoribus. nautis : boatmen, not * sail- 
 ors.' malignis : grasping, extortionate, contrasted with benignus 
 in the sense of generous; cf. i. 1. 29, perfidus caupo. 
 
 1 All the distances are given in Roman miles, = 4854 feet. 
 
PAGE 22.] BOOK I. SERMO 5. 195 
 
 5. hoc iter : i.e. the forty-three miles from Rome to Forum Appi. 
 ignavi : since we were inclined to take things easily. For the adjec- 
 tive with causal force, cf. i. 3. 85, acerbus odisti ; i. 4. 79, pravus 
 fads. altius . . . praecinctis : for more rapid travellers, evi- 
 dently a general expression, though derwed originally from travel on 
 foot. It does not appear to occur elsewhere. When a Roman wished 
 to walk rapidly, he would naturally gird his tunic high, to leave the 
 legs free. ac : than. Horace is the first to use atque (ac) in this 
 sense after a comparative without a preceding negative (Cic. ad Alt. 
 xiii. 3 is doubtful). The usage is apparently colloquial. It occurs 
 frequently in the Sermones, e.g. i. 6. 130 ; i. 10. 59 ; etc. 
 
 6. unum : sc. iter, a single day's journey. minus est gravis : 
 because the road was paved with large blocks of stone, which would 
 cause a carriage, if driven rapidly, to jolt badly. It is difficult to 
 see how this expression can refer to any other mode of travelling, 
 though there is no mention of mules or carriages, as in other parts 
 of the Satire. Appia: used as a substantive, with ellipsis of via; 
 cf. Epod. 4. 14, Appiam mannis terit. 
 
 7. hie : here, i.e. at Forum Appi. aquam : Porph. says, hodie- 
 que Foro Appi viatores propter aquam, quae ibi deterrima est, ma- 
 nere vitant. The meaning doubtless is that the water was too bad to 
 drink, even when mixed with wine. 
 
 8. indico bellum : declare war against ; a humorous metaphor. 
 Since the reference is clearly to the water of Forum Appi, the mean- 
 ing is that Horace took no dinner, or perhaps ate lightly, because he 
 did not venture to risk drinking the water. 
 
 9. comites : i.e. his fellow-travellers. iam nox, etc. : epic dic- 
 tion, used humorously ; see note on Graecorum . . . doctissimus, line 3. 
 
 10. signa : i.e. the constellations; cf. Odes, ii. 8. 10, taciturna 
 noctis signa. 
 
 11. pueri : the slaves of the travellers. 
 
 12. ingerere : historical infinitive, not common in Horace ; cf. i. 
 9. 9 ; Epist. i. 1. 67. hue appelle . . . satis est : apparently not 
 a dialogue, but the words of the pueri, those of the boatmen being 
 omitted. trecentos : used of an indefinite large number ; cf. 
 Odes, ii. 14. 5 ; iii. 4. 79. See Introd. 50. 
 
 13. aes : the money, i.e. the fare (naulum). ligatur : appar- 
 ently = navigio adligatur. 
 
 15. somnos : sleep; for the plural cf. Odes, i. 25. 3; ii. 16. 15; 
 Epod. 5. 96. ut : while. 
 
 
196 BOOK I. SERMO 5. [PAGE 22. 
 
 16. prolutus : soaked. Cf. Virg. Aen. i. 739, ille impiger hausit 
 Spumantem pateram et plena se proluit auro. vappa : see note on 
 i. 1. 104. viator : Porph. understood this word to refer collectively 
 to all the passengers. It seems more probable that it refers to one of 
 them. 
 
 18. pastum : supine. retinacula : the traces, by means of 
 which the mule towed the boat. 
 
 19. saxo : instrumental ablative. 
 
 20. iamque . . . aderat . . . cum . . . sentimus : a good ex- 
 ample of ' cum inversum ' ; B. 288, 2. Here, too, we have a parody 
 of the heroic style ; see note on line 3. 
 
 21. donee : and then, cerebrosus: hot-tempered; cf. i. 9. 11, 
 te, Bolane, cerebri felicem ! prosilit : i.e. jumps out of the boat. 
 unus = quidam, a unique use of the word. 
 
 22. saligno fuste : a willow cudgel, doubtless from one of the 
 trees growing along the bank of the canal. 
 
 23. dolat : belabors, a colloquial expression. The word is usually 
 used of hewing timber, and occurs only here in this sense. quarta 
 vix bora: i.e. it was fully ten o'clock. The Roman hora was one- 
 twelfth of the period from sunrise to sunset, and hence differed in 
 length at various seasons of the year. Its greatest duration was 
 seventy-five and one-half minutes ; its least, forty-two and one-half. 
 exponimur : we are landed; cf. Virg. Aen. vi. 416, virum informi 
 limo glaucaque exponit in ulva. 
 
 24. lavimus : poetic and ante-classical form for lavamus. Cf. 
 Odes, ii. 13. 18. Feronia : an ancient Italian goddess, identified 
 with Juno, and hence called Juno Feronia. Her temple was three 
 miles north of Terracina. 
 
 25. pransi : after having breakfasted. repimus : crawl, mak- 
 ing slow progress on account of the steep road. The travellers were 
 in no haste, since they were to wait for Maecenas and his party at 
 Anxur. 
 
 26. Anxur : the old Volscian name for Terracina. Anxur, how- 
 ever, was at the top of the hill, while the Roman city lay at its 
 base. 
 
 27. venturus erat: probably from a conference with Octavian, 
 held perhaps at Lanuvium, a favorite resort of his. Cf. Suet. Any. 
 72, ex secessions praecipue frequentavit maritima insulasque Cam- 
 paniae, aut proxima urbi oppida, Lanuvium, Praeneste, Tibur. 
 
 28. Cocceius : L. Cocceius Nerva, consul suffectus in 39 B.C., who 
 
PAGE 22.] BOOK I. SERMO 5. 197 
 
 assisted in making the treaty of Brundisium in 40 B.C. M. Cocceius 
 Nerva, who may have been a brother of Lucius, was great-grandfather 
 of the emperor Nerva. 
 
 29. aversos . . . componere amicos : to bring together friends 
 who were estranged. The reference is to the reconciliation of Octa- 
 vian and Antony by the treaty of Brundisium in 40 B.C. See Introd. 
 to the Satire. soliti : because they had already done it once. 
 
 30. lippus : see note on i. 1. 120. 
 
 31. interea : i.e. while Horace was attending to his eyes. 
 
 32. Capito Fonteius: consul in 33 B.C. He was a friend and 
 partisan of Antony, whom he afterwards accompanied to Syria, 
 whence he was sent on a mission to Cleopatra. On the transposition 
 of the nomen and cognomen, see note on i. 3. 72. ad unguem fac- 
 tus homo : a polished gentleman. Porph. says : translatio a mar- 
 morariis qui iuncturas marmorum turn demum perfectas dicunt^ si 
 unguis superductus non offendat. Unde iam quaecumque perfectis- 
 sima esse volumus significare, ad unguem facta dicimus. Of. Ars 
 Poet. 294, castigavit ad unguem. 
 
 33. Antoni . . . amicus : a bosom friend of Antony. Sc. sit, 
 and cf. Nepos, Epam. 2. 1, eruditus sic ut nemo Thebanus magis ; Cic. 
 de Fin. i. 4. 11, scripta multa sunt, sic ut plura nemini e nostris. 
 
 34. Fundos : about twelve miles from Anxur. Aufidio . . . 
 praetore : in the praetorship of Aufidjus Luscus, a satirical expres- 
 sion, as if the vain 'praetor' were as important as a Roman consul. 
 The chief magistrates of the municipia had various titles, of which 
 the most common was duoviri. According to C. I. L. i. 1187 f., the 
 chief magistrates at Fundi were three aediles. Praetore may be used 
 for metrical reasons ; Horace frequently uses praetor as a typical des- 
 ignation for a magistrate, and twice employs the word in a general 
 sense ; see Serm. i. 7. 18 ; Epist. ii. 2. 34. 
 
 35. scribae : clerk, the humble office from which Aufidius had 
 risen. Cf. Suet. Vesp. 3 (of Vespasian's father-in-law), nee quicquam 
 amplius quam quaestorio scriba (genitus}. 
 
 36. praetextam . . . clavum : the toga praetexta, the broad 
 purple stripe on the tunic (latus clavus}, and the torches borne be- 
 fore him, were rightful insignia of Aufidius. He is ridiculed for the 
 display of them which his vanity led him to make, pmnae . . . 
 vatillum : a pan of coals for lighting the torches (see previous note). 
 Although it was broad daylight, Aufidius paraded this with his other 
 insignia. 
 
198 
 
 BOOK I. SERMO 5. 
 
 [PAGE 22. 
 
 37. Mamurrarum . . . urbe : Formiae, about thirteen miles 
 from Fundi. Mamurra was a friend of Julius Caesar, and had ac- 
 quired great wealth in Gaul. Catull. 41. 4 calls him decoctor Formi- 
 anus, ' the bankrupt of Formiae.' Formiae does not fit into dactylic 
 verse ; hence the paraphrase. Of. line 87 below. 
 
 38. Murena : L. Licinius Terentius Varro Murena, afterwards 
 brother-in-law of Maecenas ; cf. Odes, ii. 10. He and Capito evidently 
 had villas on the shore at Formiae, which was a favorite resort. Cf. 
 Mart. x. 30. 1, O temperatae dulce Formiae litus. 
 
 40. Plotius . . . Varius : M. Plotius Tucca and L. Varius, who 
 edited the Aeneid after Virgil's death. On the latter, cf. Odes, i. 6 ; 
 Serm. i. 6. 55. Sinuessae : eighteen miles from Formiae. 
 
 41. animae : souls. qualis neque candidiores terra tulit : 
 the fairest earth ever produced. The expression qualis candidiores 
 seems to be a combination of quibus candidiores and quales candidis- 
 simas. For similar combinations, cf. i. 3. 9 and 121. 
 
 42. quis : dative. 
 
 44. contulerim : potential subjunctive. The tense does not differ 
 in force from the present ; cf. dederim, i. 4. 39. sanus : while I am 
 in my senses; quam diu sana mente sum, Porph. Sanus serves as the 
 protasis of contulerim. 
 
 45. Campano ponti : a bridge over the Savo, not far from the 
 Campanian frontier. villula : a post-house, for the reception of 
 travellers on public business. 
 
 46. parochi : it was their duty to supply those who put up at the 
 villula with the necessaries of life, here expressed typically by ligna 
 salemque. Cf. Cic. ad Att. V..16. 3, scito non modo nos faenum, aut 
 quod lege Julia dari solet, non accipere, sed ne ligna quidem; nee 
 praeter guattuor lectos et tectum quemquam accipere quidquam. 
 
 47. Capuae : as the distance was short (about seventeen miles), 
 the travellers arrived betimes (tempore~), and Maecenas had time for a 
 game of ball before the cena. The modern Capua is three miles 
 nearer to Rome than the ancient city. 
 
 48. lusum : sc. pila, and cf. note on line 49. 
 
 49. pila : instrumental ablative ; see B. 218. 7. lippis ; refer- 
 ring to Horace ; cf. line 30 above. That his condition was not always 
 so bad is shown by the description of his habits in i. 6. 123 ff. 
 crudis : dyspeptics, referring to Virgil. Donatus (p. 59 R.) says: 
 (Vergilius} plerumque a stomacho et a faucibus ac dolore capit 
 laborabat. Horace's care of himself is in accordance with the dii 
 
PAGE 23.] BOOK I. SERMO 5. 199 
 
 tions of Celsus, i. 2 : qui parum (concoxit) requiescere debet, et si 
 mane surgendi necessitas fuerit redormire ; qui non concoxit, ex 
 toto conquiescere ac neque exercitationi neque negotiis credere. 
 
 50. Coccei : see line 32 above. plenissima : well-stocked. Cf. 
 Juv. viii. 100, plena damns tune omnis. 
 
 51. super: i.e. it was situated on the hills above the town. 
 Caudi : in Samnium, twenty-one miles east of Capua. It was 
 the scene of the inglorious defeat of the Romans by the Samnites in 
 321 B.C. mine mini : the account of the contest between the two 
 buffoons is given in the mock-heroic style, opening with an invocation 
 to the muse ; cf. lines 3 and 9 above. 
 
 52. Sarmenti : Sarmentus probably belonged to the suite of 
 Maecenas. Quint, vi. 3. 58 gives a specimen of his wit : Sarmentus 
 sen P. Blessius lulium, hominem nigrum et macrum et pandum, 
 'fibulamf err earn" 1 dixit. Cicirrus : the game-cock, probably a local 
 wit. The cognomen is Oscan, and is perhaps onomatopoetic, repre- 
 senting the crowing of a cock. 
 
 54. clarum genus : ironical, since the Oscan-speaking Italiotes 
 were despised by the Romans, as the descendants of an inferior race. 
 Osci is nominative plural, predicate to genus. 
 
 55. domina exstat: i.e. he had been a slave (filius nullius) and 
 had no lineage. 
 
 56. equi feri: the unicorn, described as follows by Plin. N. JST.viii. 
 76 : asperrimam feram monocerotem, reliquo corpore equo similem, 
 capite cervo, pedibus elephanto, cauda apro, mugitu gram, uno cornu 
 nigro media fronte cubitorum duorum eminente. Messius is likened to 
 this monster, on account of his size and ugliness, as well as on account 
 of the scar mentioned in line 60. For a similar comparison, cf. Lucil. 
 82 L. , Broncus Bovillanus, dente adverso eminulo hie est, Rhinoceros 
 velut Aethiopus. 
 
 58. accipio : I admit it. caput movet : playfully imitating 
 the unicorn. cornu exsecto : ablative of quality, used predica- 
 tively. He had had a wen cut from his forehead. The Comm. Cruq. 
 says : hoc enim quasi a natura Campanis fere omnibus inest, ut 
 capitis temporibus magnae verrucae innascantur, in modum cornuum, 
 quo* cum incidi faciunt, cicatrices in fronte manent, quasi notae 
 exsectorum cornuum. 
 
 SO. sic mutilus : i.e. dehorned though you are. at: and in 
 fact ; cf. i. 3. 27. The contrast is between the actual state of affairs 
 and the joke of Sarmentus, which exaggerated it. 
 
200 BOOK I. SERMO 5. [PAGE 23. 
 
 61. laevi oris: the left side of his face. A use of the adjective 
 similar to that in summits mons, 'the top of the mountain,' etc. 
 
 62. in faciem : on his personal appearance. 
 
 63. pastorem . . . Cyclopa : accusative of the inner object ; 
 cf. Veil. Paterc. ii. 73, Plancus . . . cum Glaucum saltasset in con- 
 vivio ; Juv. vi. 63, Ledam molli saltante Bathyllo. See Introd. 38. b. 
 The dance was pantomimic, doubtless representing the wooing of 
 Galatea by the Cyclops, Polyphemus. 
 
 64. larva . . . coturnis, i.e. he was big and ugly enough to play 
 the part without any paraphernalia. Coturnis is the regular spelling 
 in the Mss. of Horace. esse : infinitive in indirect discourse ; the 
 verb of saying is implied in rogabat. 
 
 65. donasset . . . catenam : a joke on the former servitude of 
 Sarmentus. Slaves when manumitted made an offering to the lares, 
 or household gods ; so a runaway slave from the chain-gang might 
 facetiously be supposed to make an offering of his chain. As a matter 
 of fact, Sarmentus had been regularly manumitted. 
 
 66. ex voto : in accordance with his vow. Thank-offerings were 
 usually symbolic, consisting of the implements of one's trade or pro- 
 fession, a representation of a part of the body which had been cured 
 of disease, or something equally appropriate. Cf. Odes, i. 5. 15 ; iii. 
 26. 4 ; Epist. i. 1. 5. Ex voto has become in English the technical 
 term for such offerings. 
 
 68. una libra : slaves received four or five pounds of meal a day 
 as rations. A little fellow like Sarmentus needed but one, and could 
 have sold the rest, and thus soon have earned money enough to pur- 
 chase his freedom. 
 
 69. sic tamque : the terms are not quite synonymous ; slender as 
 he was and so puny. 
 
 70. prorsus : very, exceedingly, modifying iucunde. 
 
 71. recta : with ellipsis of via. Beneventum : about twelve 
 miles from Caudium. It was originally called Maleventum, from the 
 Greek MaX6-/rejTa, 'apple town,' and the name was changed for the 
 sake of the omen, since people associated the name with male, 
 ' badly.' See Plin. N. H. iii. 105, cetera intus in secunda regione 
 Hirpinorum colonia una Beneventum auspicatius mutato nomine, 
 quae quondam appellata Maleventum. sedulus hospes: the 
 attentive host. Since the travellers stopped at an inn, apparently 
 neither Maecenas nor any member of the company had an intimate 
 friend in the neighborhood. See note on line 2. 
 
PAGE 23.] BOOK I. SERMO 5. 201 
 
 72. arsit : had his house burned up. Cf. Virg. Aen. ii. 311, proxi- 
 mus ardet Ucalegon; Juv. iii. 201, Ultimus ardebil, quern tegula sola 
 tuetur. Kiessling sees in the involved word order a representation of 
 the confusion of the scene. 
 
 73. vaga . . . veterem . . . Volcano : the alliteration and the 
 metonymy ( Volcano for igni) are marks of the mock-heroic style ; see 
 note on line 3 above. dilapso : falling out of the stove (see note 
 on line 81). The wood, which the sedulus hospes had caused to be 
 piled on too lavishly, fell out, and the fire ran up the side of the room 
 to the roof. 
 
 75. avidos : hungry; in a different sense in i. 4. 126, avidos vici- 
 num funus ut aegros exanimat. timentis : frightened, either for 
 fear of punishment, or at the fire, or both. 
 
 76. velle : trying. videres : you could see ; an example of the 
 relatively rare 'could '-potential. Cf. videas, i. 4. 86 and the note. 
 Here the action of the verb is transferred to the past. 
 
 77. ex illo : sc. tempore, after that, next. Cf. Prop. ii. 29. 42, Ex 
 illo felix nox mihi nulla fuit. notos : familiar, because they were 
 near Horace's birthplace. 
 
 78. mihi : with ostentare. Atabuhis : a local name for the 
 sirocco, a hot wind from the south. Cf. Sen. Nat. Quaest. v. 17. 5, 
 Atabulus Apuliam infestat ; Gell. ii. 22. 25, sunt alii plurifariam 
 venti commenticii et suae quisque regionis indigenae, ut est Horati- 
 anus quoque ille ' atabulus." 1 
 
 79. erepsemus erepsissemus, perhaps a contracted form. See 
 Lindsay, Lat. Lang. p. 464. The word is used of slow travelling, 
 like repimus in line 25 above. Trivici : an obscure village not 
 mentioned elsewhere. Villa seems to be used here in the sense of a 
 little village, as in Apul. Met. viii. 17, villae vero, quam tune forte 
 praeteribamus, coloni. The word may, however, have its usual mean- 
 ing, in which case Trivici would be governed by vicina as in Lucan, 
 ix. 432, ora Sub nimio proiecta die, vicina perusti Aetheris. 
 
 80. lacrimoso fumo : tearful smoke, i.e. smoke that brought tears 
 to the eyes. 
 
 81. cum foliis : leaves and all. camino : stove. The word 
 usually means forge, but is also applied to an open stove ; cf. Epist. 
 i. 11. 19; by metonymy =fire; Serm. ii. 3. 321. 
 
 86. quattuor . . . viginti et milia : twenty-four miles. Note 
 the position of et, a bold hyperbaton. rapimur : used of rapid 
 travel ; the opposite of repere, lines 25 and 79. raedis : carriages, 
 
202 BOOK I. SERMO 5. [PAGE 24. 
 
 large and heavy, with four wheels. Cf. Juv. iii. 10, Dum tola domus 
 raeda componitur una. The word, like some others connected with 
 horses and carriages (e.g. petorritum, esseda, mannus), is not a native 
 Latin one. The Romans themselves believed it to be Gallic ; cf. Quint. 
 i. 5. &7,plurima Gallica evaluerunt ut 'raeda' 1 ac 'petorritum^ quo- 
 rum altero tamen Cicero, altero Horatius utitur. That we have here 
 the first mention of carriages, does not of necessity imply that any 
 part of the journey was made on foot, which would be very unusual 
 for men of the station of Maecenas and his party. 
 
 87. mansuri : intending to put up. Horace uses the future par- 
 ticiple very freely, to denote intention, destiny, purpose, and similar 
 ideas. See Introd. 47. oppidulo : what the name of this village 
 was is uncertain. Some believe it to have been Eqitus Tuticus, as 
 Porph. suggests ; others Asculum, either of which would be impossible 
 in hexameter verse in the locative. Porph. suggests that Horace is 
 here imitating Lucil. 254 L., servorum est festus dies hie, Quern plane 
 hexametro versu non dicere possis. Lucilius may have followed 
 Archestratus, 48. 3, Ribb. , t'xMos avr)6tvTos Sv tv n^rpy ov 6t(jus elirelv. 
 Cf. line 37 ; Ovid, ex Pont. iv. 12. 1-17. non est : it is not 
 possible, a colloquial usage ; cf. ii. 5. 103 ; Epist. i. 1. 32. 
 
 88. perfacile est : sc. dicere, from the preceding clause. By 
 zeugma the word here has the meaning describe. venit : is actually 
 sold j note the emphatic position. Observe the e. vilissima rerum : 
 the least valuable of all things. 
 
 89. ultra : farther on, i.e. to Canusium. 
 
 90. callidus : experienced, knowing. soleat : the original long 
 quantity of the final syllable is preserved. See Introd. 57. (?. 
 
 91. lapidosus : gritty, from the friable nature of the mill-stones, 
 a characteristic which the bread of Canusium is said to retain to-day. 
 aquae non ditior urna : not a pitcherful richer in water. Aquae is 
 genitive with ditior after the analogy of adjectives of plenty, and urna 
 is ablative of degree of difference. 
 
 92. Diomede : he is said to have founded Beneventum and Equus 
 Tuticus as well. Virgil also connects Diomedes with Apulia. See 
 Aen. viii. 9, Mittitur et magni Venulus Diomedis ad urbem (refer- 
 ring to Argyripa). 
 
 93. flentibus . . . amicis : dative of separation. See B. 188, 
 2, d. hie : at this point, here. He probably returned to Rome. 
 
 94. Rubos : twenty-four miles from Canusium. utpote . . . 
 carpentes : since we were making, explanatory of fessi. Utpote is 
 
PAGE 24.] BOOK I. SERMO 5. 203 
 
 more commonly used with a relative, but cf. i. 4. 24, and ii. 4. 9. 
 With the whole passage, cf. Lucil. 87 L., Praeterea omne iter est hoc 
 lab<isum atque lutosum. 
 
 96. postera tempestas : the weather next day, for postridie tem- 
 pestas. 
 
 97. Bari : Barium was twenty-three miles farther on, on the coast ; 
 hence the epithet piscosi. Gnatia: the colloquial form of Egn a tia, 
 thirty-seven miles from Barium. lymphis . . . exstmcta : built 
 under the anger of the icater-nymphs, a facetious way of saying that 
 the water was bad, a kind of parody of the familiar dis iratis cf. ii. 
 3. 8, iratis natus paries dis atque poetis. 
 
 98. risusque iocosque : food for laughter and jests. 
 
 99. flamma sine: note the anastrophe ; see note on inter, i. 1. 
 47. tura liquescere : that the incense melts. 
 
 100. cupit : sc. ea = Gnatia. This miracle, which was probably 
 due to some volcanic phenomenon, was a feature of the town ; cf. 
 Plin. X.H. ii. 240, reperitur inter auctores . . . in Sallentino oppido 
 Egnatia* impost to ligno in saxum quoddam ibi sacrum, protinus 
 flammam exsistere. ludaeus Apella : the Jews were regarded 
 by the Romans as especially superstitious. Apella is a common 
 name for slaves and freedmen, occurring frequently in inscrip- 
 tions. 
 
 101. didici: from Epicurus and his disciple Lucretius. Cf. 
 Lucr. v. 82, yam bene qui didicere deos securum agere aevom; 
 ii. 646 : 
 
 
 Omnis eniin per se divom natura necessest 
 Immortali aevo summa cum pace fruatur, 
 Seniota ab nostris rebus seiuuctaque longe.' 
 
 And Tennyson, Lotus Eaters, 110, "On the hills like gods together, 
 careless of mankind." 
 
 102. natura : i.e. the creative power of the universe. Cf. Lucr. i. 
 630, rerurn natura creatrix. 
 
 103. tristis : in their anger. Such portents were commonly 
 regarded as manifestations of the wrath of the gods. 
 
 104. Brundisium : the modern Brindisi, thirty-nine miles from 
 Gnatia, or, according to others, forty-four. Brindisi has in modern 
 times become an important town for the same reason which led to its 
 prominence in antiquity, i.e. because it is the most convenient point 
 of departure from Italy to the Orient and to Egypt. 
 
 
204 BOOK I. SEHMO 6. [PAGE 25. 
 
 SERMO VI. 
 
 1. non : modifies suspendis, in line 5 ; note the emphatic position. 
 quia: belongs more to the colloquial language than quod. Quia 
 is much more frequent than quod in early Latin, and from Tacitus 
 on ; Horace uses the former only twice in the Odes, but frequently in 
 the Sermones and Epistles. Lydorum : the Lydians are said by. 
 Herod, i. 94, to have settled in Etruria. See also Tac. Ann. iv. 55 : 
 Sardiani decretum Etruriae recitavere ut consanguinei : nain Tyrrhe- 
 num Lydumque Atye rege genitos ob multitudinem divisisse gentem ; 
 Lydum patriis in terris resedisse, Tyrrheno datum novas ut conderet 
 sedes ; et ducum e nominibus indita vocabula illis per Asiam, his in 
 Italia. The real origin of the Etruscans is one of the unsolved prob- 
 lems of ethnology. Lydorum depends on both quidquid and nemo, 
 &ir6 KOIVOV ; cf. illis, i. 1. 20. 
 
 2. generosior : of nobler birth. Note the derivation of the word. 
 For its application to Maecenas, cf. Odes, i. 1. 1. 
 
 3. maternus : among the Etruscans, pedigrees were traced on the 
 mother's side. Horace may or may not have had this in mind. Prob- 
 ably he merely means to say that both branches of Maecenas's family 
 were distinguished. 
 
 4. olim : referring to the time of fuit. See note on i. 1. 25. 
 legionibus : this word, strictly used of Roman troops alone, is here 
 used in the general sense of forces, as in Plaut. Amph. 217, contra 
 Teloboae legiones educunt suas; Sail. Cat. 53, sciebam saepe numero 
 parva manu cum magnis legionibus hostium contendisse; and else- 
 where, imperitarent : this frequentative or intensive of impero 
 is not found in Caesar or Cicero and is rare in pre-Augustan Latin. 
 Horace has it four times (cf. Odes, i. 15. 25 ; Serm. ii. 3. 189 ; ii. 7. 
 81), apparently with the same meaning as impero. The frequent 
 use of such forms is characteristic of colloquial Latin. Cf. also Lucr. 
 iii. 1027, Inde alii multi reges rerumque potentes Occiderunt, magnis 
 qui gentibus imperitarunt. 
 
 5. naso suspendis adunco : turn up your nose at; cf. ii. 8. 64, 
 suspendens omnia naso. Pers. i. 40, rides, ait, et nimis uncis naribus 
 indulges. 
 
 6. ignotos = ignobiles. libertino : see note on liberta, i. 1. 
 99. That Horace was not ashamed of his parentage 'is shown by 
 the repetition of the phrase libertino patre natum in lines 45 and 46. 
 Cf. Epist. i. 20. 20. 
 
 
PAGE 26.] BOOK I. SERMO 6. 205 
 
 7. cum . . . negas : the explicative use of cum, in saying that it 
 makes no difference. 
 
 8. ingenuus : free-born. Maecenas apparently would not associate 
 with slaves and freedmen. The same thing was true of Augustus ; 
 see Suet. Aug. 74, Valerius Messalla tradit neminem umquam libertino- 
 rum adhibitum ab eo (i.e. Augustus) cenae, excepto Mena, sed asserto 
 in ingenuitatem. persuades hoc tibi vere: you are convinced, 
 and rightly. 
 
 9. Tulli : referring to Servius Tullius, who, according to the tradi- 
 tion, was the son of an unknown father and a slave. Cf. Liv. iv. 3. 
 12, Servium Tullium . . . captiva Corniculana natum, patre nullo 
 matre serca, ingenio virtute regnum tenuisse ; Juv. viii. 259, Ancilla 
 natus tf abeam et diadema Quirini Et fasces meruit, regum ultimus ille 
 bonorum. With ante potestatem Tulli, cf. vixere fortes ante Agamem- 
 nona, Odes, iv. 9. 25. ignobile regnum : the adjective is used only 
 with reference to the parentage of Tullius ; cf. the passage from Juv. 
 cited in the last note. Translate accordingly. 
 
 10. nullis maioribus : cf. the passage from Livy, cited in the note 
 on Tulli, line 9. A slave was legally filius nullius. 
 
 11. vixisse : instead offuisse, a common use in Horace ; cf. line 70 
 below ; i. 4. 98. honoribus : in its technical sense of public offices. 
 
 12. contra, adverb, on the other hand. Laevinum : this par- 
 ticular member of the family is otherwise unknown. Porph. says : hie 
 P. Valerius adeo foedis et proiectis in omnem turpitudinem moribus 
 vixit, utprovehi non potuerit ultra quaestoriam dignitatem. Valeri 
 genus = Valeri progenies, a descendant of the Valerii. Cf. Odes, 
 i. 3. 27, audax lapeti genus. unde = <? quo ; cf. unde generatur, 
 Odes, i. 12. 17. Horace uses ab and the ablative with fugio only in 
 Serm. i. 1. 68. See note on ii. 3. 4. Superbus Tarquim'us : on 
 the transposition of the nomen and cognomen, see the note on Serm. 
 i. 4. 72. Here the order is doubtless influenced by the meaning of the 
 cognomen. 
 
 14. non umquam . . . licuisse : was never valued at more than 
 a single penny. Pluris, genitive of value, is governed by licuisse, and 
 assis by pretio. notante : ablative absolute with populo. Notante 
 has a technical force, being the term used of the official rebukes of the 
 censors. For the meaning of noto, cf. i. 3. 24 ; i. 4. 5 ; i. 4. 106; etc. 
 
 15. quo : in sense, object of nosti, but attracted to the case of 
 populo. stultus : in its folly, opposed to sanus. The idea is 
 emphasized by ineptus, line 16. 
 
BOOK I. SERMO 6. [PAGE 26. 
 
 16. famae servit : is a slave to mere renown, i.e. rates highly men 
 of noble birth, regardless of their personal character. ineptus : 
 note the emphatic position, and the chiastic arrangement of the sen- 
 tence qui . . . ineptus. 
 
 17. stupet in : is dazzled by. Stupet is constructed with in and 
 the ablative, cf. also Virg. Aen. x. 455, stupet in Turno ; with the 
 ablative -alone, cf. i. 4. 24 ; with the accusative, cf. Juv. iv. 119, 
 nemo magis rhombum stupuit. titulis et imaginibus : i.e. the wax 
 masks of a long line of ancestors, hung in the hall of the man of high 
 birth, with the inscriptions recounting their offices and exploits. 
 
 18. nos : people like us, i.e. men of education and discretion. The 
 reference is to both Horace and Maecenas, since a volgo longe lon- 
 geque remotos would seem arrogant and out of place, if applied to 
 Horace alone. longe longeque : note the emphasis given by the 
 repetition of the word, which is more effective than longissime would 
 have been. 
 
 19. esto : let us suppose a case. Laevino : a Laevinus, i.e. 
 a man like Laevinus. mallet : a paratactic condition contrary to 
 fact ; if the people preferred, as in fact they did not. 
 
 ' 20. Decio . . . novo : a Decius of obscure birth, another type ; 
 cf. Laevino in line 19. P. Decius Mus, who devoted himself to death 
 in the battle of Mt. Vesuvius (340 B.C.), to save his country, was the 
 first curule magistrate in his family and hence a novus homo. 
 
 21. Appius : since the personages named in the passage are types, 
 it seems most natural to think of the famous Appius Claudius Caecus. 
 si: since, i.e. if I were not, as in fact I am not. The mood of essem 
 is assimilated to that of mallet and moveret. 
 
 22. vel merito : sc. facerent, they would be quite right ; the apod- 
 osis to mallet and moveret is implied in vel merito. The thought is 
 that men like Horace ought to be content with their proper sphere in 
 life, and not aspire to positions to which they are not eligible. quo- 
 niam . . . quiessem : alluding to the fable of .the Ass in the 
 Lion's Skin ; cf. ii. 1. 64. Allusions to the fables of Aesop are fre- 
 quent in Horace. The mood of quiessem is assimilated to that of 
 facerent. 
 
 23. sed : i.e. as a matter of fact, the majority of people cannot 
 open their eyes to the truth, but struggle to acquire office. Gloria : 
 Ambition, personified. Cf. Epist. ii. 1. 177, Quern tulit ad scaenam 
 ventoso Gloria curru. curru : ablative of association ; cf. chordis, 
 Odes, iv. 9. 4 ; litore, ii. 3. 205 ; and see Introd. 41. b. 
 
PAGE 26.] BOOK I. SERMO 6. 207 
 
 24. ignotos : cf. line 6 above. generosis : cf. note on line 1 
 above. quo tibi . . . sumere: what does it profit you to take up? 
 The infinitive takes the place of a noun in the exclamatory accusative ; 
 cf. quo mihi fortunam, Epist. i. 5. 12. See Lane, Lat. Gr. 1150; G. 
 343. 1. Tilli : the Comm. Cruq. says : Tillius hie senatu motus 
 est a Caesare quasi Pompeianus ; occiso vero Caesare recepit latum 
 iterum clavum, id est senatoriam dignitatem, et tribunus militum 
 factus est. In the same way Sallust was removed from the senate 
 and afterwards recovered his seat. 
 
 25. tribuno : dative, assimilated to the case of tibi. 
 
 26. private : serves as the protasis to esset, in a condition contrary 
 to fact. 
 
 27. ut : as soon as. insanus : because to Horace it seems mad- 
 ness to desire such things. nigris . . . pellibus : senators wore a 
 black or purple shoe, fastened by four black thongs passed about the 
 calf of the leg. These thongs (corriyiae} are here called pelles, per- 
 haps slightingly. medium : up to the middle. 
 
 28. latum . . . clavum : see note on i. 5. 36. 
 
 29. continue: immediately. quis homo hie: who is this 
 fellow ? 
 
 30. aegrotet : used figuratively, as in ii. 3. 307. Barrus : a 
 fop of the day ; according to Porph., a man of abandoned character as 
 well. Subject of aegrotet, implied in aegrotat. baberi: depends 
 on cupiat. 
 
 31. eat . . . iniciat : part of the apodosis of the conditional sen- 
 tence introduced by si qui. 
 
 32. singula : his various marks of beauty. An adjective used as 
 a substantive. 
 
 34. promittit, etc. : apparently referring in a general way to the 
 oath taken by magistrates on assuming their office. 
 
 36. ignota matre : a low-born mother. Cf. lines 6, 24, 96. 
 
 37. curare et quaerere: cf. cura quaerendi, line 32, 
 
 38. Syri, Damae . . . Dionysi : typical names of slaves. Syrus, 
 originally ethnic, 'the Syrian,' is found as the name of one of the 
 dramatis personae in Terence's Heauton and Adelphoe ; again in 
 Horace in Serm. ii. 6. 44. Dama is a favorite name with Horace, 
 occurring also Serm. ii. 5. 18 and 101 ; ii. 7. 54. Dionysius occurs 
 only here. 
 
 39. deicere : scanned _ w w , as in Lucr. iii. 877; Virg. Eel. 3. 96. 
 saxo : sc. Tarpeio. To condemn a criminal to be hurled from the 
 
208 . BOOK I. SERMO 6. [PAGE 27. 
 
 Tarpeian rock was one of the extraordinary powers of a tribune. Cf. 
 Veil. Pater, ii. 24, Publius Laenas tribunus plebei Sextum Lucilium, 
 qui priore anno tribunus plebei fuerat, saxo Tarpeio deiecit. 
 Cadmo : an executioner or jailer of the period. 
 
 40. Novius : Newman (cf. novus) one of the numerous names in 
 Horace which are selected on account of their appropriateness to the 
 situation. The fact that it is a common Roman nomen does not in 
 any way militate against this view. gradu post me uno : used 
 metaphorically, but with an allusion to the assignments of the seats in 
 the theatre according to rank. 
 
 41. Paulus et Messalla : cognomina of the old and aristocratic 
 Aemilian and Valerian families.; hence selected as types of men of 
 family, by way of contrast with Novius. 
 
 42. plostra : the colloquial form for plaustra. ducenta : used 
 indefinitely of a large number. See Introd. 50. 
 
 43. concurrant . . . sonabit : with this mixed form of the con- 
 ditional sentence, cf. Odes, iii. 3. 7-8. magna : to be taken with 
 funera. sonabit quod : i.e. will shout loudly enough to ; the 
 relative clause stands to sonabit in the relation of an accusative of the 
 inner object. 
 
 45. ad me redeo : with reference to line 6. Cf. Lucil. 1092 L., 
 nunc ad te redeo, Ut quae res me impendet rogetur. 
 
 46. rodunt : cf. Odes, iv. 3. 16 ; Serm. i. 4. 81. libertino patre 
 natum : the repetition of the phrase mimics his detractors. Cf. Odes, 
 i. 13. 1 and 2 ; i. 35. 15 ; iv. 2. 49 and 50. 
 
 47. sim : like pareret in line 48, gives the reason of his critics. 
 convictor: intimate friend ; cf. i. 4. 96. 
 
 48. tribuno : in the army of Brutus. See Introd. 3. 
 
 49. hoc : referring to the friendship of Maecenas. To this Horace 
 had a right, whereas in the office of military tribune he was out of 
 his proper sphere. forsit : this form, for fors sit, occurs only 
 here. It is doubtless colloquial. honorem : i.e. the office of tribu- 
 nus militum. Honorem is the direct object of invideat, while mihi 
 is the indirect object ; so te in line 50, with amicum in apposition. 
 
 51. cautum : agrees with te ; = cum cautus sis. prava ambi- 
 tione procul : equivalent to an adjective in appositive relation to 
 dignos. Cf. Ovid, Metam. i. 20, frigida pugnabant calidis . . . sine 
 pondere habentia pondus. 
 
 52. felicem : in the emphatic position ; it implies chance or good 
 luck. 
 
PAGE 27.] BOOK I. SERMO 6. 209 
 
 53. possim : potential subjunctive. hoc: on this account ; cf. 
 i. 1.40. casu . . . sortitus : these words, like felicem, imply mere 
 chance. With sortitus supply sum. 
 
 54. nulla . . . fors: for it was no chance. Note the emphasis 
 given by the word order. olim : some time ago. See note on i. 
 1. 25. 
 
 55. Varius : see note on i. 5. 40. quid essem : what sort of a 
 man I was. Cf. Ovid, Heroid, 12. 31, tune coepi scire quid esses; 
 and for the use of the neuter referring to a person, cf. nil, i. 3. 18. 
 
 56. singultim : brokenly, the result of infans pudor. 
 
 57. infans : here has. its literal meaning of speechless, tongue-tied, 
 caused by pudor. Cf. Odes, i. 4. 3, pallida mors. pudor . . . 
 profari : note the alliteration, and the singultim effect produced by 
 the repetition of the p. 
 
 58. non ego : i.e. Horace did not pretend to be the son of a 
 wealthy provincial. Emphasis is given by the anaphora non . . . non. 
 
 59. Satureiano = Tarentino, since Satureia was an ancient name 
 for Tarentum. The adjective belongs in sense rather with rura than 
 with caballo, with which it agrees grammatically ; cf. Odes, iii. 6. 38, 
 Sabellis ligonibus. caballo: nag ; caballus is a colloquial word, 
 which became French cheval, Italian cavallo ; cf. English chivalry. 
 See note on buccas, i. 1. 21. The claim that he rode over an ancestral 
 estate (rura) would imply that Horace's father was a rich landed 
 proprietor. The adjective Satureiano is used on the same principle 
 which actuated the use of Austris for ventis, in i. 1. 6 ; see note. 
 
 60. quod erani : a relative clause ; cf. quid essem (indirect ques- 
 tion) in line 55, and the note. 
 
 63. turpi . . . honestum: these adjectives, which are used as 
 substantives, may be either masculine or neuter ; they are probably 
 the latter. 
 
 64. patre . . . puro : note the alliteration. The ablatives modify 
 secernis. 
 
 65. atqui : yet after all. Though Horace does not owe his advance- 
 ment directly to his parentage, he does so indirectly, because of his 
 early training. vitiis : for the derivation and meaning, see note on 
 i. 3. 1. Note the contrast with recta. mea : the hyperbaton serves 
 to emphasize paucis. 
 
 66. meiidosa: cf. Ovid, Amores, ii. 4. 1, non ego mendosos ausim 
 dcfcndcre mores. 
 
 68. sorclis : niggardliness, as shown by a neglect of the elegancies 
 
210 BOOK I. SERMO 6. [PAGE 27. 
 
 of life. mala Itistra: evil communications. Cf. Paul. p. 120, 
 (Lustra) significant lacunas lutosas quae sunt in silvis aprorum 
 cubilia; a qua similitudine hi qui in locis abditis et sordidis ventri et 
 desidiae operam dant dicuntur in lustris vitam agere. Lustra would 
 have a different meaning. 
 
 71. pauper: with concessive force. macro . . . agello: a 
 small farm near Venusia ; cf. Odes, iii. 4. 9 ff. It was confiscated 
 after the battle of Philippi. 
 
 72. Flavi ludum : a school at Venusia. magni . . . magiiis : 
 note the ironical repetition of the adjective, which doubtless contains 
 the double idea of ' tall ' and * great.' Big, burly men were selected 
 as centurions, since they had to chastise unruly soldiers. Hence they 
 are referred to as types of bodily strength by Cic. De Sen. 10. 33. 
 Venusia was the seat of one of Sulla's military colonies, in which the 
 centurions would form the aristocracy of the place. They and their 
 sons looked down on Horace, the freedman's child. 
 
 74. loculos tabulamque : objects of suspensi, which is used in a 
 middle sense. Cf. membra, i. 1. 5. Loculi, which in this sense is 
 always plural, means a satchel, and is apparently synonymous with 
 capsa; cf. Juv. x. 116, Quisquis adhuc uno parcam colit asse Miner- 
 vam, Quern sequitur custos angustae vernula capsae. The tabula was 
 a tablet, for writing or figuring upon. The centurions' sons carried 
 these themselves, instead of having slaves for the purpose, as Juvenal's 
 schoolboy had, and as Horace had when in Rome. 
 
 75. octonos . . . aeris : sc. asses or nummos, their eight asses (a, 
 month), ten or twelve cents. The pay of schoolmasters in ancient 
 Rome was very small, and their lot generally an unhappy one ; this 
 must have been still more so in the small provincial towns. Octonos 
 is doubtless not to be taken literally, but as a general term for a small 
 number. Idibus : interest was due on the Kalends or Ides ; see i. 
 3. 87 ; Epod. 2. 69. Teachers' salaries appear to have been paid at 
 the same dates. 
 
 76. puerum : when I was still a boy. ausus : sc. est; had the 
 assurance, in spite of his humble position and the example of the 
 ' great ' centurions. 
 
 77. artis : i.e. artis quibus aetas puerilis ad humanitatem infor- 
 mari solet, Cic. Arch. 3. 4. Horace's father wished to give him the 
 education of a gentleman. doceat : causative, has . . . taught. 
 
 78. servos : i.e. capsarii, to carry his books and tablets ; cf. line 
 74 and the note. 
 
 
PAGE 28.] BOOK I. SERMO 6. 211 
 
 79. in magno ut populo : as was usual in a large city, where all 
 schoolboys had such attendants. avita ex re : from an hereditary 
 estate. Horace, as the son of a freedman, had no avus. 
 
 80. crederet : subjunctive in an apodosis contrary to fact ; the 
 tense, as compared with vidisset, is due to the meaning of the word, 
 since the action of crederet might continue into the present. 
 
 81. custos : i.e. Horace's father acted as his son's paedagogus ; 
 cf. the passage from Juv. cited in the note on line 74. 
 
 82. circum . . . aderat : i.e. he went around to. pudicum 
 (sc. me) : to be taken with servavit, while ab omni . . . facto is gov- 
 erned by pudicum. doctores : of these only Orbilius is mentioned 
 by name ; see Epist. ii. 1. 71. 
 
 85. sibi . . . vitio . . . verteret : criticise him ; vitio is dative 
 of purpose. Note the alliteration. olim : some day. 
 
 86. praeco : auctioneer. coactor : collector, of taxes. Cf. 
 Suet. Vit. Hor. : patre, ut ipse tradit, libertino et exactionum co- 
 actore ; ut vero creditum est, salsamentario. There seems to be no 
 reason why Horace should misrepresent his father's calling ; hence the 
 idea that he was a salsamentarius, a dealer in salt fish, was undoubt- 
 edly erroneous. 
 
 87. hoc . . . maior : the greater. mine : as it is, i.e. as mat- 
 ters have turned out. 
 
 89. paeniteat : potential subjunctive, / would never regret. 
 sanum : i.e. so long as I am in my senses ; cf. i. 5. 44. 
 
 90. dolo . . . suo : a legal expression, equivalent to culpa sua. 
 
 92. defendam : against the charge of having a freedman for a 
 father ; cf. line 46 above. istis : such people, referring, with a con- 
 temptuous force, to the individuals implied in magnapars ; dative with 
 discrepat. Brachylogy for voci et rationi istorum. 
 
 93. et vox et ratio : my words and even my thoughts. si 
 natura iuberet : i.e. if it were a law of nature, as it is not. 
 
 94. a certis annis : after a given age. remeare : i.e. iterum 
 meare, to live over again, governing aevum. 
 
 95. ad fastum : to suit his pride. quoscumque: a general 
 relative, any parents whatsoever. 
 
 96. hoiiestos : dignified by,' note the derivation of the word. 
 
 97. fascibus et sellis : sc. curulibus with sellis ; the insignia of 
 the curule magistrates, the former of the consuls and praetors, the 
 latter of the consuls, praetors, curule aediles, and censors. 
 
 98. fortasse tuo : sc. iudicio. Porph. says : hoc ad Maecena- 
 
212 BOOK I. SERMO 0. [PAGE 28. 
 
 tern recte dicitur, qui abhorrens senatoriam dignitatem, in equestris 
 honoris gradu se continuit. Fortasse is purely rhetorical, since 
 Horace had no real doubt about Maecenas's opinion. 
 
 99. nollem : the subjunctive represents the reason as in the mind 
 of Maecenas. onus . . . molestum : because, as is explained in 
 the following lines, he would have to increase his property to the 
 senatorial rating, and to assume greater state in all the relations of life. 
 baud umquam : cf. non umquam, line 14. 
 
 101. salutandi : referring to receiving calls, as well as to making 
 them. Cf. Cic. ad Fam. ix. 20. 3, mane salutamus domi ; Hieron. 
 Epist. 43, pudet dicere frequentiam salutandi, qua aut ipsi quotidie ad 
 alios pergimus aut ad nos venientes ceteros expectamus. ducendus 
 et : hyperbaton for et ducendus. unus et alter : we should say 
 one or two. 
 
 102. uti ne : a fuller form of expression for simple ne, a regular 
 classical usage. peregreve : a hypermetric verse ; cf. i. 4. 96, and 
 the note. 
 
 103. calones : grooms. caballi : see note on line 59. 
 
 104. ducenda : must be taken with me, when making a journey. 
 Cf. ducendus, line 101. petorrita : see note on redis, i. 5. 96. Fest. 
 p. 206 says : petorritum et Gallicum vehiculum esse et nomen eius dictum 
 esse existimant a numero IV rotarum ; alii Osce, quod hi quoque 
 petora quattuor vocant. The numeral also had the iormpetora in 
 Gallic, while the last part of the word is cognate with German JKaeZ, 
 'wheel.' curto: humble. 
 
 105. mulo : ablative of means, like ire pedibus. vel . . . usque 
 Tarentum : all the way to Tarentum ; i.e. to the end of the peninsula. 
 
 106. mantica: portmanteau, a hand-bag (cf. manus). He trav- 
 elled without a baggage train, carrying his scanty luggage on his own 
 mule. ulceret : galls. arnios : nearly always in classical Latin 
 used of the shoulders of an animal, as dorsum is of the back (cf. ume- 
 ros and tergum). Horace evidently rode well forward, to make room 
 for his baggage. eques : rider, used in a general sense, doubtless 
 humorously. 
 
 107. sordis : cf. line 78. Tilli : cf. line 24. 
 
 108. Tiburte via : the road to Tibur, twenty miles northeast of 
 Rome. A praetor would be expected to travel in state, with a large 
 retinue of slaves. On the number of slaves, see notes on i. 3. 11, and 
 on line 116 below. Note also praetor used typically of a high magis- 
 trate ; see note on i. 5. 34. 
 
PAGE 29.] BOOK I. SERMO G. 213 
 
 109. lasanum portantes, etc. : i.e. carrying their own supplies, 
 4 boarding themselves,' instead of putting up at inns. 
 HO. hoc : in this respect. 
 
 111. milibus atque aliis : parallel with hoc, and in thousands of 
 others. Mille is used indefinitely of a large number. See Introd. 
 50 ; and for aliis, an adjective used as a substantive in an oblique 
 case with ambiguous gender, see note on his, i. 4. 56. 
 
 112. solus : cf. i. 9. 10, where Horace is represented as attended 
 by a single slave. quanti bolus ac far : sc. stet, although no ellipsis 
 is consciously present to the writer's mind ; cf. our English expres- 
 sion, ' How much ? ' Quanti is genitive of value. Horace, as an 
 observer of the various phases of human life, strolls about the forum 
 holitorium and other public places. See Introd. 31. 
 
 113. fallacem circum : the Circus Maximus, with its porticoes 
 and the arches under the rows of seats, was a resort for hucksters, 
 astrologers, and similar characters. Cf. Cic. deDiv. i. 58. 132, de circo 
 astrologos ; Juv. vi. 582, Si mediocris erit, spatium lustrabit utrimque 
 Metarum etsortes ducet frontemque manumque Praebebit vati crebrum 
 poppysma royanti. vespertinum : in the evening, when the day's 
 business was done, and the forum was filled with idlers and loungers. 
 
 114. adsisto divinis : i.e. he stands beside the fortune-tellers, 
 and listens to their predictions to the common people. Horace's own 
 opinion of such matters is shown by Odes, i. 11. hide : from there. 
 
 115. lagani : a kind of pancake. 
 
 116. pueris : probably instrumental ablative, since the slaves were 
 regarded merely as part of the instrumenta cenae. Cf. tonsore, Epist. 
 i. 1. 94. lapis albus : Porph. says : marmoream Delphicam sig- 
 niftcat, quae scilicet pretii mayni non est. The Delphica (sc. mensa) 
 was a small three-legged table, so-called from its resemblance to the 
 Delphic tripod, for holding the mixing-bowl and wine-cups. The rich 
 man would have a table of costly wood or of some variegated marble. 
 
 117. pocula duo : drinking-cups were usually made in pairs. Cf. 
 Cic. Verr. ii. 2. 19. 47, scyphorum paria complura; Virg. Eel. iii. 36 ff. 
 and 44 ff. echinus : an unknown utensil in the shape of a sea- 
 urchin, possibly a salt-cellar. Porph. says, vitream ampullam intel- 
 legere debemus ; the Comm. Cruq., vas salis ; the pseudo-Acron, vas 
 aeneum in quo calices lavantur. 
 
 118. cum patera guttus : an oil-flask and saucer. Or perhaps 
 the fjuttus was a wine-flask, for pouring libations into the patera. 
 Campana supellex : of cheap Campanian bronze, instead of silver. 
 
214 BOOK I. SERMO 6. [PAGE 29. 
 
 Cf. ii. 3. 144. Porph. says: Campanam supellectilem vilem intellegi 
 vult, quia Capuae hodie aenea vasa studiosius fabricari dicuntur. 
 
 120. Marsya : statues of Silenus or of Marsyas were erected in 
 the market-places of many free towns of Italy, as a symbol of liberty. 
 One stood in the Roman Forum, near the praetor's tribunal. Horace 
 implies that the uplifted hand of the figure or the expression of its face 
 indicated its disgust at the appearance of the younger Novius, prob- 
 ably a usurer who had his stand among the neighboring tabernae argen- 
 tariae. The story of Marsyas was a favorite subject in plastic art and 
 in painting. 
 
 122. quartam : sc. horam, i.e. three hours after sunrise. See note 
 on i. 5. 23. iaceo : not necessarily sleeping (c/. Epist. ii. 1. 112), 
 but reading or meditating. Cf. Pliny's account of his early morning 
 work, in Epist. ix. 36. vagor : stroll about, cf. line 113 above ; 
 i. 9. 17. ego : emphatic, contrasting his habits with the life of 
 the rich senator. lecto : ablative absolute with the implied ante- 
 cedent of quod. Cf. i. 1. 94. 
 
 123. unguor olivo : preparatory to exercise. Cf. Odes, i. 8. 8. 
 Unguor is perhaps used in a middle sense. 
 
 124. Natta : a miserly fellow, otherwise unknown, who anointed 
 his body with oil fit only for burning in lamps. 
 
 125. ast : archaic form of at, used also in Epod. 15. 24, and fre- 
 quently by Virgil. fessum : by ball playing. 
 
 126. fugio : / leave. lusum trigonem : the game of ball 
 which I have finished playing ; note the perfect participle. The trigo 
 was a game in which the players stood at the apices of a triangle and 
 passed the ball from one to the other. The skill consisted in catching 
 and throwing the ball with either hand. 
 
 127. pransus : the prandium, the first substantial meal of the 
 day, the modern European dejeuner a la fourchette, was taken at 
 about noon. quantum : has for its antecedent the object (under- 
 stood) of pransus. 
 
 128. domesticus otior : idle about at home. Otior is a word 
 formed humorously after the analogy of negotior. Except here, it 
 occurs only in Cic. Off. iii. 14. 58, (Caninius) cum se Syracusas otiandi, 
 ut ipse dicere solebat, non negotiandi causa contulisset. Porph. says : 
 verbumfinxit (Horatius~). 
 
 130. victurum : destined to live. See note on mansuri, i. 5. 87. 
 
 131. quaestor : the lowest of the offices which gave admission to 
 the senate. The person whose grandfather and father had been 
 
PAGE 30.J BOOK I. SERMO 7. 215 
 
 quaestor would thus be in the lowest class of the nobiles, but would 
 have all the annoyances and burdens accompanying the rank. at- 
 que : connects avus and pater. fuisset : ac si is followed by the 
 pluperfect subjunctive, instead of the usual perfect after a primary 
 tense, to emphasize the idea of non-reality. 
 
 SERMO VII. 
 
 1. Prescript! Regis Rupili : Porph. says : P. Rupilius cognomine 
 Rex, Praenestinus, post exilium, in quod damnatus profugerat, mili- 
 tarit in Africa sub Attio Varo. Deinde cum praeturam gereret, pro- 
 scriptus a triumviris confugit ad Brutum et inter comites habitus est. 
 
 2. hybrida : half-breed, i.e. half Italian and half Greek. Per- 
 sius : obviously a banker of Clazomenae. 
 
 3. lippis et tonsoribus : the physicians' booths and the barber- 
 shops were favorite lounging places where gossip was retailed. Cf. 
 Plaut. Amph. 1013, In medicinis, in tonstrinis, apud omnes aedis 
 sacras Sum defessus quaeritando. The disease of sore eyes was so 
 common at Rome that the physicians' booths would always contain a 
 crowd of such sufferers. See note on i. 5. 30. 
 
 4. dives : since he was a rich man ; note the emphatic position of 
 the adjective. 
 
 5. etiam : sc. habebat, was involved in. 
 
 6. durus homo : an ugly customer, a hard man to manage. 
 odio : hatefulness. qui posset : a clause of characteristic, parallel 
 with the adjective durus. 
 
 7. confidens: in a bad sense, * cheeky.'' Cf. Cic. Tusc. Disp. iii. 
 7. 14, qui fortis est, idem est fidens, quoniam confidens mala consue- 
 tudine loquendi in vitio ponitur. tumidus: boastful; cf. Odes, iv. 
 3. 8, regum tumidas minas. 
 
 8. Sisennas, Barros : i.e. men like Sisenna and Barrus, who are 
 otherwise unknown, but were evidently celebrated for their vitupera- 
 tive powers. equis praecurreret albis : i. e. far outstripped, a 
 proverbial expression. White horses were regarded as the swiftest. 
 Thus the horses of Rhesus were white (Virg. Aen. i. 472 ; cf. xii. 
 83 ff.). A similar proverbial use is found in Plaut. Asin. 278, Nam si 
 huic occasioni tempus sese supterduxerit, Numquam edepol quadrigis 
 albis indipiscet postea. 
 
 9. ad Regem redeo : / return to Hex, the subject of the story. 
 The usual expression after a digression ; cf. i. 1. 108 ; i. 6. 45. post- 
 
216 BOOK I. SERMO 7. [PAGE 30. 
 
 quam . . . convenit : when no agreement was reached. The main 
 verb is pugnat, in line 19 ; convenit is impersonal. 
 
 10. hoc . . . molesti . . . quo fortes . . . incidit : i.e. all men 
 who are at variance are hard to deal with, in proportion to their valor. 
 Hoc is correlative to quo, with about the same force as if molesti and 
 fortes were comparatives. iure : rightly, naturally. 
 
 11. adversum bellum : the adjective, which is somewhat re- 
 dundant, has the same general force as in i. 1. 103, adversis frontibus } 
 it suggests a hand-to-hand fight. 
 
 12. animosum : a common epithet of Achilles ; cf. Ovid, Heroid. 
 viii. 1, Pyrrhus Achillides animosus imagine patris. atque : for 
 the position of the word, cf. atque in i. 6. 131. 
 
 13. capitalis : deadly, i.e. affecting the life (caput). ut divi- 
 deret : a consecutive clause without an introductory demonstrative 
 adverb ; cf. i. 1. 95, dives, ut metiretur nummos. ultima mors : 
 i.e. death alone. 
 
 15. vexet: embroils; cf. Epist. i. 3. 33, vos sen calidus sanguis 
 sen rerum inscitia vexat. inertis : cowards. 
 
 16. Diomedi cum . . . Glauco : see Iliad, vi. 119 ff. The inci- 
 dent had become proverbial ; cf. Plin. Epist. v. 2, epistulas ingratas ac 
 ne. illam quidem sollertiam Diomedis in permutando munere imitantes 
 (note illam). 
 
 17. pigrior : Horace seems to have the duos inertis in mind, since 
 the reason of Glaucus for declining to fight was not cowardice. 
 ultro : into the bargain. 
 
 18. praetore : the word is used in a general sense. Brutus and Cas- 
 sius had seized the province of Asia, and the former was holding court 
 at Clazomenae. For a somewhat similar use of the word, cf. i. 5. 34. 
 
 19. Rupili et Persi: appositive genitive with par. par: the 
 pair, a term used of gladiators. Horace is fond of metaphors derived 
 from gladiators ; see note on i. 1. 103. 
 
 20. compositum : sc. par sit ; in this sense par is neuter. The 
 ellipsis of the subjunctive copula is colloquial usage. cum Bitho 
 Baccbius : two gladiators of the time. The phrase is appositive to 
 par understood. in ius : into court. 
 
 21. procurrunt : like gladiators into a conflict. 
 
 22. Persius exponit causam : Persius, as the plaintiff, speaks first. 
 ridetur : the subject, as well as that of the following laudat, is Persius. 
 
 23. conventu : the court, a collective noun in the ablative of 
 agency. cobortem : his staff, the comites of Brutus; cf. Epist. i. 
 
PAGE 31.] BOOK I. SERMO 7. 217 
 
 8. 14, Ut placeat invent percontare atque cohorti (of the staff of 
 Tiberius). 
 
 25. canem : the dog-star (Sirius), a constellation of evil repute, 
 contrasted with Stellas salubres. On the general subject of the influ- 
 ence of the constellations, see Odes, ii. 17. 17-25. ilium : he, i.e. 
 Rex. 
 
 27. fertur . . . securis : i.e. in the midst of the primeval forest on 
 the mountain tops, one of the few really poetical expressions in the 
 Sermones. Its introduction heightens the comic effect by contrast. 
 For the general principle, see note on i. 5. 3. 
 
 28. Praenestinus : i.e. Bex. See note on line 1. salso . . . 
 fluenti : against him with his torrent of bitter wit. The two adjec- 
 tives, connected by -que, modify ei understood, referring to Persius. 
 
 29. expressa : wrung from, i.e. by the taunt. The word governs 
 arbusto. arbusto, the vineyard, in which the vine-dresser is at 
 work. The passer-by calls out 'cuckoo,' an intimation that the 
 cuckoo, the harbinger of spring, has come, and that the vine-dresser 
 is late in his work. The latter replies with such a flood of vituperation 
 that the wayfarer is silenced and put to flight. Cf. Plin. N.H. xviii. 
 249, exprobrationem foedam putantium vites per imitationem cantus 
 alitis temporariae quern cuculum vacant. Arbustum is for arbos-(e} turn, 
 and really refers to the trees on which the vines were trained. Cf. 
 Odes, ii. 15. 4. 
 
 30. vindemiator : a vine-dresser, with whom Rex is, in Horace's 
 usual manner, not only compared, but identified. See note on Tanta- 
 lus, i. 1. 68. The word is here scanned with four syllables, i before a 
 being treated as a semi-vowel. 
 
 31. cuculum : probably not the name of the bird, but an imitation 
 of its note ; cf. the passage from Pliny cited in the note on arbusto, 
 line 29. 
 
 32. Graecus: Persius, whose finer wit is contrasted with the 
 coarse Italo aceto. aceto: abuse, satire; used in the same sense 
 by Plaut. Pseud. 739, ecquid is homo habet aceti ; JBacch. 405, mine 
 experior sitne aceto tibi cor acre in pectore. 
 
 34. consueris : subjunctive in a characteristic clause with accessory 
 causal force. Persius humorously implies that it runs in Bratus's 
 family to kill kings. 
 
 35. Regem : Cicero records a similar pun of his on the name of 
 Q. Marcius Rex, in ad Att. i. 16. 10, l quo usque," 1 inquit, ' hunc regem 
 feremus?" 1 'Regem appellas,' inquam, ' cum Rex tui nullam men- 
 
218 BOOK I. SERMO 8. [PAGE 32. 
 
 .tionem fecerit?" 1 Ille autem Regis hereditatem spe devoraret. 
 operum . . . tuorum : genitive of the whole, instead of hoc tuum 
 opus est. With the form of expression, cf. Odes, iii. 13. 13, Fies nobi- 
 lium tit quoque fontium. 
 
 SERMO VIII. 
 
 1. inutile lignum : fig-wood seems to have been used for making 
 wooden statues. Pliny, N.H. xvi. 209, does not agree with Horace as 
 to its value ; he says : levissimae ex his (ficus, salix, tilia, betulla, 
 sabucus, populus) ficus et salix ideoque utilissimae. Omnes autem 
 ad cistas quaeque flexili crate constent habiles. Habent et candorem, 
 rigorem et in sculpturis facilitatem. It split easily under the influence 
 of heat; cf. ii. 5. 29, seu rubra Canicula findet infantes statuas. 
 
 2. faceretne : the -ne connects scamnum and Priapum ; cf. Odes, 
 i. 30. 6, solutis Gratiae zonis properentque Nymphae. Priapum : 
 the worship of this god originated in Lampsacus ; cf. Hellespontiaci in 
 the passage from Virgil cited on line 4. His statues were placed in 
 gardens as the symbol of fertility, and served at the same time as 
 scarecrows. 
 
 3. deum. Deus : this juxtaposition, and the consequent emphasis, 
 heighten the comic effect. 
 
 4. dextra : the god usually held a sickle in his left hand. Cf. 
 Virg. Georg. iv. 110, Et custos furum atque avium cum falce saligna, 
 Hellespontiaci, servet tutela Priapi. 
 
 5. ast : see note on i. 6. 125. harundo : to give motion to the 
 figure, and an appearance of life, a reed was stuck into the top of its 
 head, which waved in the wind. 
 
 7. novis . . . hortis: the newly made gardens; see Introd. to 
 this Satire. Cf. Prop. iv. 8. 1, Disce, quid Esquilias hac nocte fugarit 
 aquosas, Cum vicina novis turba cucurrit agris. 
 
 8. angustis eiecta . . . cellis : i.e. cast out of the narrow cells 
 which served as their bed-rooms. Cf. Cic. Phil. ii. 27, 67, conchyliatis 
 Cn. Pompeii peristromatis servorum in cellis lectos stratos videres. 
 
 9. conservus : probably collective. The slaves of a household 
 often formed burial associations. Cf. C.I.L. vi. 10262, collegium quod 
 est in domo Sergiae Paullinae ; etc., etc. portanda locabat : made 
 a contract for carrying. Cf. Odes, ii. 18. 18, Tu secanda marmora 
 Locas sub ipsum funus. 
 
 10. hoc : here, lit. this, in agreement with sepulcrum, miserae 
 
PAGE 33.] BOOK I. SERMO 8. 219 
 
 plebi : i.e. free citizens of small means, who could not afford private 
 tombs, but belonged to burial societies. Pantolabus and Nomentanus 
 are cited as types of this class ; cf. ii. 1. 22. 
 
 12. cippus : the boundary stone, with an inscription defining the 
 limits of the burial place, which had a frontage of 1000 feet and a 
 depth of 300. Porph. says : eleganter Pantolabo et Nomentano, qui 
 bona sua comederant, lata monimenta praestare nunc dicitur, scilicet 
 quia privata habere non poterant. 
 
 13. heredes . . . sequeretur : i.e. with the injunction that the 
 monument (and the lot) should not descend to the heirs of the person 
 or persons who gave it to the society. Stipulative subjunctive ; see 
 In trod. 45. c. The usual form of the inscription, which is of very 
 frequent occurrence, is hoc monumentum heredes non sequetur, gen- 
 erally indicated by the initials H-IVI H N S- 
 
 14. Esquiliis habitare salubribus : to find the Esquiline a health- 
 ful dwelling-place. Note the emphatic position of the adjective. 
 
 15. aggere : the embankment, which took the place of the wall 
 of Servius Tullius in the northeastern part of the city, where the 
 natural slope did not admit a wall. Portions of the outer retaining 
 wall of the agger still exist in situ, and parts of the murus are found 
 elsewhere. Cf. Juv. vi. 588, Plebeium in circo positum est et in aggere 
 fatum viii. 43, and Mayor's note. modo : but now, a short time 
 ago. tristes: gloomily. 
 
 17. cum : while, referring back to nunc licet, as the tenses show. 
 Although the Esquiline had been improved, and its worst features 
 eliminated, the tombs were allowed to stand, and the place was there- 
 fore infested by sorcerers whose charms were sought in graveyards. 
 ferae : a substantive formed by the ellipsis of bestiae. See note on 
 venalis, \. 1. 47. sue'tae : scanned with three syllables ; cf. insuevit. 
 i. 4. 105 ; consueris, i. 7. 34 ; and for a parallel to suetae, Lucr. i. 60, 
 appellare suemus. 
 
 18. curae ... labor! .- final datives. 
 
 19. carminibus atque venenis : spells and potions. The former 
 were in metrical form. versant : practise on. 
 
 21. vaga luna : a conventional epithet ; cf. Virg. Aen. i. 742, hie 
 canit errantem lunam. 
 
 22. protulit os : cf. Virg. Aen. viii. 591, Qualis ubi oceani per- 
 fusus Lucifer unda . . . Extulit os sacrum caelo tenebrasque resolvit. 
 ossa legant : a conventional expression ; cf. Prop. ii. 24. 50, vix venit 
 extremo quae legat ossa die. Objects connected with death were sup- 
 
220 BOOK I. SERMO 8. [PAGE 33. 
 
 posed to have especial efficacy in magic rites. Cf. Epod. 5. 17, iubet 
 sepulcris capriftcos erutas. 
 
 23. vidi egomet : these words suggest a parody of the heroic 
 style, as was observed by the Comm. Cruq. Cf. Virg. Aen. iii. 623, 
 Vidi egomet, duo de numero cum corpora nostro . . . , and see note 
 on i. 5. 3. nigra : black was associated with death and with the 
 deities of the underworld ; see line 27 below. With the whole descrip- 
 tion, cf. Ovid, Met. vii. 182, vestes induta recinctas, Huda pedem, nudos 
 umeris infusa capillos. 
 
 24. Canidia: cf. Epod. 5 and 17. The scholiasts say that her 
 real name was Gratidia, and that the name Canidia, which Horace 
 applies to her, was derived from canities (gray hair). She is said 
 to have been an unguentaria of Naples, with whom Horace had once 
 been in love. Note that the quantity and the number of the syllables 
 in Canidia and Gratidia agree. Thus Terentia is called Licymnia in 
 Odes, ii. 12. 23, where see Bennett's note. 
 
 25. maiore : probably referring to age. ululantem : this word 
 is usually used of the cries of women as distinguished from the shouts 
 of men ; and frequently of chants and incantations. Cf. Plin. Epist. 
 vi. 20, audires ululatus feminarum, infantum quiritatus, clamores viro- 
 rum Ovid. Met. vii. 190, ternis ululatibus ora solvit (Medea); xiv. 
 405. utrasque : the pair. The plural of uterque is used of groups, 
 and also of individuals who are associated closely together, as col- 
 leagues or the like. Cf. Caes. E.G. i. 63, utraeque (Ariovisti uxores) 
 in ea fuga perierunt. 
 
 26. scalpere terram : the digging of a trench was a regular 
 feature of rites involving the deities of the underworld. Cf. Odyss. 
 xi. 36 ff. In such work iron must not be used ; hence unguibus. 
 
 27. pullam : black victims were regular in such rites. Pullus 
 (cognate with Greek 7re\X6s and Latin palleo} is frequently used of 
 mourning, the dead, etc., but not invariably ; cf. Odes, i. 25. 18 ; Ovid, 
 Am. ii. 4. 41, Sen pendent nivea pulli cervice capilli : Leda fuit nigra 
 conspicienda coma. mordicus : adverb, with their teeth. 
 
 28. confusus: i.e. they poured the blood into the ditch together 
 (hence con-}, each from the part of the lamb which she held. inde : 
 from it, i.e. the ditch. 
 
 29. animas : in apposition with manes. 
 
 30. et= etiam, also. On this rite, cf. Virg. Eel viii. 80 ff.; Ovid, 
 Heroid. vi. 91, Devovet absentis simulacraque cereafingit, Etmiserum 
 tennis in iecur urget acus. 
 
 
PAGE 33.] BOOK I. SERMO 8. 221 
 
 31. inferiorem : contrasted with maior. 
 
 32. servilibus modis : i.e. in torture, which was applied only to 
 slaves. ut quae . . . peritura : sc. esset. A clause of char- 
 acteristic. The ellipsis of the subjunctive copula is colloquial usage. 
 
 33. altera : Canidia, as the leader (cf. lines 24-25) calls on 
 Hecate, the queen of inagic rites. Cf. Virg. Aen. vi. 247, voce vocans 
 Hecaten Caeloque Ereboque potentem. 
 
 34. serpentis : present because of their connection with the 
 furies and their general evil repute ; cf., however, i. 3. 27. 
 
 35. infernas canes: regular attendants on Hecate. Cf. Virg. 
 Aen. vi. 257, visaeque canes ululare per umbram Adeentante dea. 
 Note the gender. mbentem : the deep red of the setting moon is 
 described as a blush of shame, as it hides its face behind the tombs. 
 
 40. alterna loquentes : i.e. answering her questions. 
 
 41. umbrae : the ghosts (manes in line 29) which they had con- 
 jured up by their incantations. triste et acutum : accusative of 
 the inner object. Cf. sonabit quod, i. 6. 43, and the note. The 
 shades spoke with a thin, squeaking voice. Cf. Virg. Aen. vi. 493, 
 pars tollere vocem exiguam ; Shakespeare, Hamlet, i. 1, "The 
 sheeted dead Did squeak and gibber in the Roman streets." 
 
 42. lupi barbarn : cf. Plin. N.H. xxviii. 157, veneficiis rostrum 
 lupi resistere inveteratum aiunt, ob idque mllarum portis praejigunt. 
 variae : spotted. With the whole passage, cf. Shakespeare, Macbeth, 
 iv. 1. 
 
 43. cerea : scanned as a dissyllable ; cf. ostrea, ii. 2. 21, and 
 aureo in Virg. Aen. x. 116, solio tumluppiter aureo Surgit, caelicolae 
 medium quern ad limina ducunt. The ablative is causal, the fire 
 blazed higher as the waxen image melted and flowed into it. 
 
 44. noninultus: because he frightened the witches as much as 
 they had frightened him ; for, as they are engaged in their rites, the 
 wooden statue splits with a loud explosion. See note on line 1. 
 
 48. dentes : false teeth. See the passage from Porph. cited in the 
 next note. caliendrum : wig, apparently a high head-dress of hair. 
 Porph. says : iocatur in has, quasi altera dentibus adpositis uti solita 
 sit, altera quod glabrafuerit caliendrum, id est galericum, habere con- 
 suesset. 
 
 49. incantata . . . vincula : enchanted love-knots. Cf. Virg. 
 Eel. viii. 73, Terna tibi haec primum triplici diversa colore Licia cir- 
 cumdo. 
 
 50. videres: you could see,' see note on i. 5. 76. 
 
222 BOOK I. SERMO 9. [PAGE 34. 
 
 SERMO IX. 
 
 1. ibam forte : / chanced to be strolling. Via Sacra : the 
 Sacra Via, as it was usually called, ran from the Esquiline, through 
 the Forum, to the foot of the Capitoline Hill, where it joined the clivus 
 Capitolinus. Of. Odes, iv. 2. 35, quandoque trahet feroces Per sacrum 
 clivum merita decorus Fronde Sygambros. sicut . . . mos : refer- 
 ring to meditans. 
 
 2. nescio quid . . . nugarum : some trifle or other, perhaps a 
 composition ; cf. Epist. i. 19. 42 ; ii. 2. 141 ; Catull. i. 4, namque tu 
 solebas Meas esse aliquid putare nugas. Porph. says : sic verecunde 
 poetae nugas et lusus solent appellare versiculos suos. The word is, 
 however, common in Horace in a general sense. Cf. ii. 6. 43, vellet 
 . . . cui concedere nugas hoc genus. totus in illis : wholly ab- 
 sorbed in them. Cf. Epist. i. 1. 11, omnis in hoc sum. 
 
 3. accurrit : rushes up. This word and arrepta manu vividly 
 picture the man's offensive familiarity. quidam : a fellow. 
 Horace does not name him, and the whole incident may be fictitious. 
 
 4. quid agis : how are you f This was a common and familiar 
 greeting. Cf. Mart. ii. 67, Occurris quocumque loco mihi, Postume, 
 clamas Protinus, et prima est haec tua vox ' quid agis ? ' dulcis- 
 sime rerum : my dear fellow, a still more familiar greeting. Cf. Ovid, 
 Ars Amat. i. 213, pulcherrime rerum; Heroid. iv. 125. 
 
 5. suaviter : sc. ago, very well. Horace replies politely and thereby 
 loses his opportunity of ridding himself of the man at once. Of course 
 there is no conscious ellipsis. ut nunc est : at present. cupio 
 . . . quae vis : a conventional form of address. Cf. Plaut. Pers. 
 766, omnia quae tu vis, ea cupio. 
 
 6. adsectaretur : would join me ; the imperfect has a conative 
 force. numquid vis : a hint that he does not care to prolong the 
 interview, since the formula ' there's nothing I can do for you, I'm 
 sure ' (note num) was one of leave-taking, something like * that's all, 
 isn't it?' 
 
 7. noris nos : yes, make my acquaintance. Noris is probably 
 subjunctive, as in the parallel passage in Plaut. Mil. 575, numquid 
 nunc aliud~me vis? Ne me noveris ; cf. Capt. 191, numquid vis? 
 Venias temperi. docti : a man of parts ; doctus is used especially 
 of literary ability (cf. Epist. i. 19. I, docte Maecenas ; Tibull. iii. 6. 
 41, docte Catulle). In this case, however, other accomplishments are 
 included, as we see from line 22. pluris . . . eris : / shall like you 
 
PAGE 35.] BOOK I. SERMO 9. 223 
 
 the better for that. The weakness of making this amiable rejoinder 
 seals Horace's fate. 
 
 8. misere : dreadfully, a colloquial use of the word common in 
 comedy, and doubtless in the language of every-day life. 
 
 9. ire . . . consistere . . . dicere : the historical infinitives 
 well express Horace's efforts to escape from his tormentor. 
 
 10. puero : my slave, a pedisequus, or page. ad imos . . . 
 talos : to my very heels, i.e. from head to foot ; the full expression, 
 which is a very common one, occurs in Epist. ii. 2. 4, talos a vertice 
 pulcher ad imos. 
 
 11. Bolane : evidently a man noted for his short temper, other- 
 wise unknown. cerebri felicem : happy in thy hot temper. 
 Cerebri is genitive with felicem, an extension of the regular genitive 
 with adjectives, doubtless stimulated by the genitive of specification in 
 Greek; see Introd. 40. a. For the meaning, cf. cerebrosus, i. 5. 21. 
 
 12. tacitus : i.e. to myself. quidlibet . . . garriret : chat- 
 tered on all sorts of subjects. Quidlibet is accusative of the inner 
 object; cf. i. 10. 41 garrire libellos; ii. 6. 77, Cervius garrit aniles ex 
 re fabellas. 
 
 13. vices : the streets. 
 
 14. nil respondebam : continued to make no reply, imperfect 
 of continued action. The imperfect indicative with ut is rare. 
 misere cupis : you" 1 re dreadfully anxious. Cf. line 8. 
 
 16. persequar : Pll stick to you. hinc : next, i.e. from here. 
 
 17. circumagi : to be taken out of your way. quendam : a 
 man. non tibi notum : a hint that it would be better for the bore 
 not to go with him. 
 
 18. cubat : is sick abed. Cf. ii. 3. 289, pueri menses iam quinque 
 cnhantis; Epist. ii. 2. 68, cubat hie in colle Quirini. Caesaris hor- 
 tbs : on the Janiculum near the Tiber. They were left by Julius 
 Caesar to the people of Rome. Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, iii. 2, 
 wrongly places them ' on this side Tiber. ' 
 
 19. nil habeo quod agam : Pve nothing to do, entirely forgetting 
 the engagement referred to in line 36. usque = usque eo, even as far 
 as that, i.e. IUI go all the way with you. 
 
 20. demitto auriculas : a proverbial expression ; cf. in English 
 the opposite, ' prick up one's ears. ' The diminutive (cf. French oreille} 
 is colloquial. iniquae mentis aselltja : a stubborn ass. On the 
 diminutive, see the preceding note. 
 
 21. dorso : instrumental ablative ; cf. Virg. Aen. ii. 708, ipse subibo 
 
224 BOOK I. SERMO 9. [PAGE 35. 
 
 umeris. For the use of the word, see note on armos, i. 6. 106. Perhaps 
 also ablative of comparison with gravius, dirb KOLVOV. subiit : the 
 original long quantity of the final syllable is preserved for metrical 
 reasons. Cf. i. 4. 82, and the note. incipit ille : after having frus- 
 trated Horace's efforts to get rid of him, the bore begins his monologue. 
 
 22. si bene me novi: a colloquial expression: cf. Epist. i. 18, 1, 
 si bene te novi. Viscum : an intimate friend of Horace and of Mae- 
 cenas. See i. 10. 83, and ii. 8. 20. 
 
 23. Varium : see note on i. 5. 4. quis scribere pluris : how 
 poor a recommendation to Horace's favor this was is seen from i. 4. 
 14 ff. 
 
 24. membra movere mollius : dance more gracefully. This 
 accomplishment, too, was not highly esteemed. Cf. ii. 1. 24, and Cic. 
 Murena, 6. 13, nemo fere saltat sobrius, nisi forte insanit, neque in 
 solitudine, neque in convivio moderato atque honesto. Note the allit- 
 eration. 
 
 25. Hermogenes : see i. 4. 72. 
 
 26. locus: a good place. 
 
 27. quis: dative. See note on i. 1. 1. 
 
 28. composui : laid them to rest ; used properly of collecting the 
 ashes and depositing them in the urn. Cf . Prop. ii. 24. 25, Tu mea 
 compones et dices ' ossa, Property Haec tua sunt ; heu, heu tu mihi 
 certus eras.' 
 
 28-34. felices . . . aetas : unquestionably an aside ; so Porph. : 
 hoc Horatius tacitus apud se dicit. 
 
 29. confice : finish me, i.e. give me the death stroke, implying 
 that he talked his relatives to death. Sabella : the Sabellian peo- 
 ples, especially the Marsi and Paeligni, were notorious for the practice 
 of witchcraft. Cf. Epod. 5. 76 ; 7. 28 ; 17. 29, 60. 
 
 30. divina urna : the urn in which the lots were placed and 
 shaken (mota) before they were drawn ; hence divina, as if the urn 
 itself had magic power. Cf. Odes, ii. 3. 26, omnium Versatur urnn 
 serins ocius Sors exitura ; iii. 1. 16, Omne capax movet urna nomcn. 
 
 31. dira venena : poisoning was very prevalent in Rome. Cf. ii. 
 1. 48 and 53-56; ii. 3. 131 ; Cic. pro Cluent.; and Mayor's long and 
 interesting note on Juv. i. 71. hosticus: a poetic word, here used 
 to give an epic effect to the prophetic utterance. So also ensis, in- 
 stead of yladius, corresponding to English 'falchion,' 'glave.' 
 
 32. laterum dolor: pleurisy. tussis : cough, i.e. consumption. 
 tarda podagra: crippling gout, i.e. which makes one slow. Cf. 
 
PAGE 36.] BOOK I. SERMO 9. 225 
 
 Prop. ii. 1. 59, Tarda Philoctetae sanavit crura Machaon ; and with 
 the use of the adjective to denote the effect, pallida mors, Odes, i. 4. 13. 
 33. quando . . . cumque aliquando. Cf. Ovid, Metam. vi. 544, 
 quandocumque mihi poenas dabis. Note the tmesis, and cf. i. 1. 86. 
 
 35. ventum erat : we had come. Vestae : with ellipsis of 
 templum or aedem ; the same construction occurs in Greek and in 
 English: e.g. he went to St. Paul's. Horace would pass the temple 
 as he crossed the Forum to the Vicus Tuscus. on his way across the 
 Tiber. quarta parte diei praeterita : i.e. it was after the begin- 
 ning of the fourth hour. Horace was out unusually early ; cf. i. 6. 122, 
 ad quartam iaceo. This was the time for transacting legal business ; 
 cf. Mart. iv. 8. 2 f., Exercet raucos tertia causidicos, In quintam 
 varios extendit Roma labores. 
 
 36. reapondere : i.e. to appear in court, as he had given bail to 
 do on that day. vadato : probably an impersonal ablative absolute 
 with causal force, since respondere in this "sense is used absolutely. 
 
 37. fecisset: subjunctive in implied indirect discourse, repre- 
 senting the future perfect fecerit (i.e. respondent of the law). per- 
 dere litem: sc. debebat, to lose his case, which, in case of his 
 non-appearance, would be decided against him by default. 
 
 38. si me amas : I pray you. In this colloquial expression, which 
 in ordinary conversation doubtless formed a word group with a single 
 accent, we have a semi-elision (and semi-hiatus) of me, with shorten- 
 ing of the e, as in Greek. Cf. Epod. 5. 100 ; Virg. Eel. viii. 103, credi- 
 mus ? an qui amant ? Aen. vi. 507, te, amice, nequivi conspicere. 
 ades : give me your help, as advocatus. Cf. the pseudo-Asconius on 
 Cic. Div. in Caecil. 4. 11, qui defendit alterum in iudicio aut patronus 
 dicitur si orator est, aut advocatus si aut ius suggerit aut prae- 
 sentiam suam commodat amico. inteream : hang me ; cf. dis- 
 peream, in line 47. The latter is common in comedy, while the former 
 belongs rather to the sermo cotidianus of the more cultivated classes. 
 
 39. stare : Horace declines for three reasons : (1) he is not strong 
 enough to stand in court during the trial ; (2) he .has no knowledge of 
 civil law ; (3) he has other business. That the first reason is not con- 
 sistent with the third, since his errand involved a long walk across the 
 Tiber, is of no significance under the circumstances. 
 
 40. faciam . . . relinquam : indirect deliberatives ; cf. inflet . . . 
 dicat, i. 1. 20. 
 
 41. rem : my case; pro lite dixit, Porph. socles: pray, please, 
 for si audes, a colloquial expression. Cf. Cic. Orat. 45, 154, libenter 
 
226 BOOK I. SERMO 9. [PAGE 36. 
 
 copulando verba iungeban , ut Codes' 1 pro 'si audes," 1 'sis' pro 'si 
 vis: 
 
 42. ut durum: sc. est. Cf. Odes, i. 24. 19, durum: sed levins fit 
 patientia ; Ter. Phorm. 238, illud durum (estj. 
 
 43. Maecenas quomodo tecum : sc. agit : on what terms are 
 you and Maecenas ? The principal object of the bore is to be presented 
 to Horace's friend and patron. It must be remembered that the ellip- 
 sis is not a conscious one, any more than in similar expressions in 
 English. 
 
 44. nine repetit : sc. sermonem, he begins again. paucorum 
 hominum : genitive of quality. Cf. Ter. Eun. 409, immo sic homost : 
 paucorum hominum. Immo nullorum arbitror. It seems most 
 natural to assign these words, especially nemo . . . usus, to the bore. 
 Porph. attributes them to Horace. mentis bene sanae : of 
 very sound judgment. 
 
 45. haberes . . . velles : the condition contrary to fact shows 
 that the man knows that Horace is unwilling to grant his request ; 
 you would have . . . if you were only willing. 
 
 46. secundas : sc. partes, ' second fiddle." 1 The expression is of 
 course used with reference to the drama. Cf. Plaut. Merc. 276, metuo 
 ne illaec simiae partis ferat; Cic. Brut. 69. 242, Q. Arrius, qui fuit 
 M. Crassi quasi secundarum. 
 
 47. hunc hominem : your humble servant, also from the language 
 of comedy. Cf. Ter. Heaut. 356, tibi erunt parata verba, huic homini 
 verbera. tradere : introduce, the regular word ; cf. Epist. i. 9. 3 ; 
 i. 18. 78. 
 
 48. ni submosses omnis : if you would not have cleared the 
 field, i.e. si hunc hominem tradere voluisses. The bore, after hinting 
 at the advantage which Horace would gain by presenting him to 
 Maecenas, adds, ' why (if you had done so already), you would now 
 have rid yourself of your rivals, and would be supreme in his favor.' 
 On the form, see note on i. 5. 79. isto . . . modo : as you suppose, 
 i.e. in trying to supplant one another in Maecenas's favor. Note the 
 force of isto. illic : i.e. in the circle of Maecenas. 
 
 49. purior : more free from, governing malis in common with 
 aliena. 
 
 50. inquam : I assure you; cf. Odes, ii. 8. 13, ridet hoc, inquam, 
 Venus ipsa; Serm. ii. 7. 22 ; ii. 8. 27. 
 
 51. hie : so and so ; this man, for example. 
 
 52. magnum : a splendid state of affairs. The words imply incre- 
 
PAGE 36.] BOOK I. SERMO 9. 227 
 
 dulity. atqui sic habet : sc. res, yet it's so, in spite of your dis- 
 belief. 
 
 53. accendis . . . esse : you fire me with still greater desire to 
 be his friend; quare cupiam ( for ut ea re cupiam) is a relative clause 
 of result. 
 
 54. veils tantummodo : you have only to wish it. Horace's sense 
 of humor leads him to encourage the fellow. quae . . . expug- 
 nabis : your merit is such that you will take him by storm. 
 
 56. difficilis: predicate adjective. aditus primes: outposts, 
 keeping up the figure of expugnabis and vinci. For Maecenas's caution 
 with regard to Horace himself, see i. 6. 61, abeo : et revocas nono post 
 mense. baud mini dero : the bore takes Horace's w^rds seriously 
 and begins to lay plans as ill-suited as possible to win the friendship 
 of a man like Maecenas. For the form of dero, cf. ii. 1. 17 ; ii. 2. 98 ; 
 Epist. i. 12. 24. 
 
 58. exclusus fuero = exclusus ero, a colloquialism. tempora : 
 favorable opportunities, when Maecenas cannot escape him. Cf. 
 Virg. Aen. iv. 293, temptaturum aditus et quae mollissima fandi 
 Tempora. 
 
 59. dedacam : escort him, from his house to the forum. Cf. Cic. 
 de Sen. 18. 63, haec ipsa sunt honorabilia . . . decedi, assurgi, deduci, 
 reduci. nil ... mortalibus : an example of Horace's humor. 
 The noble sentiment is ludicrously inappropriate to the circum- 
 stances. 
 
 60. haec dum agit : i.e. while he is running on. 
 
 61. Fuscus Aristius : an intimate friend ; see Odes, i. 22 ; Epist. 
 i. 10. Horace hopes to make his escape through Fuscus, but the 
 latter sees the humor of the situation and has a little amusement at 
 his friend's expense. On the inversion of the nomen and cognomen, 
 see note on i. 4. 72. 
 
 62. qui pulchre nosset : who knew him well, subjunctive of char- 
 acteristic. The expression is colloquial ; cf. Cic. Fam. x. 23, Lepidum 
 pulcre noram. unde venis et quo tendis : a common form of 
 salutation ; cf. ii. 4. 1, unde et quo Catius ? 
 
 63. rogat et respondet : sc. Aristius; we ask each other ; lit. he 
 c*ks and replies. vellere : to pull at his toga. 
 
 64. pressare : to pinch, intensive of premere. lentissima : 
 unresponsive, because he refuses to take the hint. 
 
 65. male salsus : with mischievous wit. For the metaphorical 
 use of salsus, cf. i. 7. 28, salso multoque Jluenti. 
 
228 BOOK I. SERMO 9. [PAGE 3G. 
 
 66. dissimulate : pretends not to notice. Dissimulare and itrere 
 are historical infinitives ; cf. line 9. iecur urere bilis : cf. Odes, 
 i. 13. 3, fervens difficili bile tumet iecur. The liver was often regarded 
 as the seat of the emotions. 
 
 67. nescio : the regular quantity in the combination nescio quis. 
 
 69. tricesima sabbata : perhaps asyndeton for tricesima et 
 sabbata, the thirtieth (of the month), and a holiday. Very likely 
 no particular festival is referred to, but the term is invented by Fuscus. 
 There is no reason to suppose that he was acquainted with the minutiae 
 of Jewish rites. vin tu : you surely do not wish, do you ? implying 
 a negative answer, while vis tu simply asks a question. 
 
 70. oppedere : insult, a coarse expression. 
 
 71. infirmior : less strong-minded. 
 
 73. surrexe : infinitive in an exclamation, a construction common 
 in comedy, but found in Horace only in Epod. 8. 1 ; Semi. ii. 4. 83 ; 
 ii. 8. 67. For the form, see note on i. 5. 79. The opposite expression 
 to solem nigrum surrexe occurs in Catull. 8. 3, fulsere quondam can- 
 didi mihi soles. 
 
 74. sub cultro : like a victim at the altar. 
 
 75. adversarius: the person referred to in line 37. He might 
 have won his case by default, but apparently preferred to have it set- 
 tled regularly in court. His appearance at this time adds to the humor 
 of the situation. 
 
 76. licet antestari : may I call you to witness the arrest. Ac- 
 cording to the Twelve Tables, a plaintiff had the right, in case a 
 person whom he summoned refused to go into court, to seize him, 
 after first appealing to a witness. The law is quoted by Porph. : Si in 
 ius vocat, ni it, antestamino ; igitur en capito (Holder's text). 
 
 77. oppono auriculam : as a warning to remember the summons, 
 the summoner touched the ear of the witness. Cf. Plin. N.H. xi. 251, 
 est in aure ima memoriae locus, quern tangentes antestamur. On 
 auriculam. see note on auriculas, line 20. 
 
 78. servavit Apollo : Porph. says, hoc de illo sensu Homerico 
 sumpsit, quern et Lucilius in sexto satyrarum repraesentavit sic dicens : 
 ut discerperet hac; rbvb ttfpTra&v 'Atr6\\wv. 
 
 SERMO X. 
 
 The first eight lines are lacking in some of the manuscripts of 
 Horace, and are without doubt spurious. They must be earlier than 
 
PAGE 38.] BOOK I. SERMO 10. 229 
 
 the tenth century, since they appear in some manuscripts of that date, 
 but the exact time of their composition and their authorship are un- 
 certain. 
 
 1. teste Catone : the reference is to P. Valerius Cato, whose life 
 is sketched by Suet, de Gramm. 11. He seems to have prepared an 
 edition of Lucilius, whose works he read with the grammarian Vettius 
 Philocomus (see Suet, de Gramm. 2). 
 
 4. melior vir: an abler man; cf. ii. 1. 29, Lucili ritu nostrum 
 melioris utroque. longe subtilior : this form of comparison (with 
 longe) is not found elsewhere in Horace, who uses multo. Cf. Odes, 
 ii. 8. 7 ; Serm. ii. 8. 89, etc. ; and see note on ii. 5. 73. illo : refer- 
 ring to another editor of Lucilius. The use of ille and illo of two 
 different persons in the same sentence is an awkward construction. 
 
 5. funibus udis : rope's ends, wetted in order to strike a heavier 
 blow. 
 
 6. poetis antiquis : Naevius, Ennius, and the other earlier poets, 
 whom the boy was to be trained to defend. 
 
 7. grammaticorum . . . doctissimus : in apposition with puer; 
 who is referred to is not known. 
 
 1. nempe . . . dixi : true, I did say, with reference to i. 4. 8. 
 incomposito: rude, unformed; cf. durus componere versus, i. 4. 8. 
 currere : cf. i. 4. 11, cum Jlueret lutulentus. 
 
 2. tarn . . . inepte : modifies the verbal noun fautor, which with 
 est =favet. 
 
 3. idem : at the same time, he. sale multo . . . defricuit : 
 rubbed down the city with plenty of salt ; sale must be taken in its 
 literal sense with defricuit, but the whole expression is of course 
 metaphorical ; cf. i. 9. 65 and the note ; Epist. ii. 2. 60, hie delectatur 
 iambis, Ille Bioneis sermonibus et sale nigro. 
 
 4. charta eadem : in the same work, i.e. i. 4. For the meaning of 
 charta, cf. i. 5. 104. 
 
 5. nee tamen: yet after all. Cf. Epist. i. 7. 23, nee tamen igno- 
 rat. hoc tribuens : though I pay him this tribute. dederim : 
 potential subjunctive. See note on i. 4. 39. sic : in that case, with 
 conditional force, serving as the protasis of mirer. 
 
 6. Laberi mimos: the mimes of early times were farces, repre- 
 senting scenes from the life of the common people, usually of a coarse 
 nature; cf. Ovid, Trist. ii. 497, Quid si scripsissem mimos obscena 
 iocantes, Qui semper vetiti crimen amoris habet. They first received 
 
230 BOOK I. SERMO 10. [PAGE 38. 
 
 literary treatment at the end of the Republic by Decimus Laberius 
 and Publilius Syrus. Laberius (105-43 B.C.) belonged to the eques- 
 trian order. Caesar, whom he had offended, degraded him by making 
 him act in one of his own mimes. The prologue of protest which he 
 wrote for the occasion is preserved by Macrobius, Saturn, ii. 7. 
 Although Laberius and Syrus raised the tone of the mime, their work 
 was not poetry, according to Horace's standard ; see i. 4. 45 ff. 
 
 7. rictum : used of the open mouth. It is a classical word, used 
 by Cic. Verr. ii. 4. 43. 94 (of a statue of Hercules), ut rictum eius ac 
 mentum paullo sit attritius; Lucr. vi. 1195, inhorrescens rictum. 
 With the expression diducere rictum, cf. Juv. x. 230, Ipse ad con- 
 spectum cenae diducere rictum Suetus Mat tantum. 
 
 8. est quaedam . . . virtus: parenthetical, and yet there is some 
 merit in this, too ; hie is the adverb = in hoc. 
 
 9. brevitate: cf. Quint, vi. 3. 45, acutior est ilia atque velocior 
 in urbanitate brevitas. currat sententia : the thought may flow 
 freely. 
 
 10. se impediat verbis : i.e. overload (and obscure) itself with 
 useless verbiage. 
 
 11. sermone : language, discourse. modo tristi, saepe 
 iocoso : cf. Dryden, Art of Poetry, i. 75, "Happy who in his verse 
 can gently steer From grave to light, from pleasant to severe " ; better 
 known in Pope's imitation, "From grave to gay, from lively to 
 severe." 
 
 12. defendente vicem : playing the part. Cf. Ars Poet. 194, 
 Actons partes chorus officiumque virile Defendat ; and for the mean- 
 ing of vicem, Liv. i. 41. 6, per speciem alienae fungendae vicis opes 
 suas firmavit ; Plin. Epist. vi. 6. 6, cuius . . . ego vicem debeo 
 implere. rhetoris : here used in its Greek sense = oratoris. 
 
 13. urban! : a wit. Cf. Domitius Marsus ap. Quint, vi. 3. 105, 
 urbanus homo erit, cuius multa bene dicta responsaque erunt, et qui 
 in sermonibus, circulis, conviviis, item in contionibus, omni denique 
 loco ridicule commodeque dicet. parcentis . . . consulto : i.e. 
 treating the subject lightly, instead of seriously ; cf. ridiculum . . . 
 secat, below. Cf. Epist. i. 9. 9 ; Cic. de Orat. ii. 58. 236, est plane 
 oratoris movere risum . . . quod tristitiam ac severitatem mitigat et 
 relaxat odiosasque res saepe, quas arguments dilui non facile est, ioco 
 risuque dissolvit. 
 
 15. secat : decides. Cf. Epist. i. 16. 42, quo multae magnaeque 
 secantur iudice lites. 
 
PAGE 39.] BOOK I. SERMO 10. 231 
 
 16. illi, etc. : cf. i. 4. 1 f., Eupolis atqite Cratinus Aristophanesque 
 poetae Atque alii quorum comoedia prisca virorum est. viris : 
 attracted into the relative clause. 
 
 17. stabant : succeeded, held their ground. Cf. Ter. Hec. Prol. ii. 
 6. (14), In eis, quas primum Caecili didici novas, Partim sum earum 
 exactus, partim vix steti ; Ov. Fasti, i. 18, Inyenium vultu statque cadit- 
 que tuo. pulcher : pretty, with a contemptuous force. 
 
 18. simius : the usual form of this word is simia, feminine, or as 
 a term of abuse, masculine ; simius is rare ; cf. Vatin. ap. Cic. ad 
 Fam. v. 10. 1, simius, non semissis homo, contra me arma tulit. 
 Porph. says : Demetrium modulatorem propter maciem ac paucitatem 
 corporis hoc nomine appellat. Cf. line 90 below. 
 
 19. Calvum : of the works of C. Licinius Calvus (82-47 B.C.) only 
 scanty fragments remain. He is mentioned with high praise by Cicero 
 and other ancient writers, and his name is often linked with that of 
 Catullus. Horace's attitude toward these great lyric poets is difficult 
 to understand. It must have been modified, at least as far as Catullus 
 is concerned, in his later years, although we have no evidence of any 
 such change of opinion. cantare : for the construction, cf. Carm. 
 Saec. 75-76, Doctus et Phoebi chorus et Dianae Dicere laudes. 
 
 20. Graeca : the extant fragments of Lucilius contain a great num- 
 ber of Greek words. This recommendation of Lucilius is put into the 
 mouth of a defender, in order to be refuted. With the sentiment, cf. 
 Cic. de Off. i. 31. Ill, ut sermone eo debemus uti, qui innatus est nobis, 
 ne, ut quidam Graeca verba inculcantes, iure optimo rideamur, sic in 
 actiones omnemque vitam nullam discrepantiam conferre debemus. 
 
 21. seri studiorum : pedants. True to the principle just laid 
 down, Horace thus translates the Greek 64<ijua0ets. Cf. Cell. xi. 7. 3, 
 est adeo id vitium serae eruditionis quam Graeci 6\^ifj.aeiav appellant, 
 ut quod nunquam didiceris, diu ignoraveris, cum id scire aliquando 
 coeperis, manni facias quo in loco cumque et quacumque in re dicere. 
 quine putetis : apparently a combination of qui putetis and putetisne; 
 see note on i. 3. 10. The joining of -ne to the relative is for the most 
 part archaic. Cf. Catull. 64, 180, an patris auxilium sperem, quemne 
 ipse reliqui, which is not an exact parallel with the passage in Horace. 
 Qui may perhaps be interrogative. Cf. ii. 3. 251 and the note. 
 
 22. Pitholeonti : an unknown poet, perhaps identical with Pitho- 
 laus. Cf. Suet. Caes. 75, Pitholni carminibus maledicentissimis 
 laceratam existimationem suam civil i animo tulit (Caesar). 
 
 23. at: a further justification of Lucilius's practice; cf. line 20. 
 
232 BOOK I. SERMO 10. [PAGE 39. 
 
 concinnus: blended. lingua . . . utraque: i.e. Greek and 
 Latin ; cf. Odes, iii. 8. 5, docte sermones utriusque linguae. Instru- 
 mental ablative, modifying concinnus, which has the force of a par- 
 ticiple, like mixtus. 
 
 24. nota: the vintage-mark on the amphora, here used for the 
 wine itself ; cf. Odes, ii. 3. 8, interiore nota Falerni. The Falernian 
 was a dry wine, while the Chian was sweet. 
 
 25. cum versus facias : i.e. is this mixing of Greek and Latin 
 allowable in oratory, as well as in poetry ? There is no conscious 
 ellipsis. The subjunctive is due to the indefinite second person sin- 
 gular, te ipsum : emphatic. Horace appeals to his opponent's 
 own better judgment. 
 
 26. Petilli : cf. i. 4. 49 and the note. 
 
 27. patris Latini : your Latin father, contrasted with Canusini 
 bilinguis, line 30 below, where see the note. 
 
 28. Pedius Publicola: probably related to Messalla Corvinus 
 (see below), although not his brother, as the pseudo-Acron says, 
 exsudet : are working out, with hard labor. 
 
 29. Corvinus : M. Valerius Messalla Corvinus (circ. 65 B.C.- 
 4 A.D.), the celebrated orator and the patron of Tibullus. 
 
 30. Canusini bilinguis : in Apulia the inhabitants spoke Italic 
 (at first Oscan and later Latin) and Greek. Cf. Gell. xvii. 17. 1, 
 Quintus Ennius tria corda hdbere sese dicebat, quod loqui Graece et 
 Osce et Latine sciret. 
 
 31. mare citra : referring to the Ionian Sea, which separated 
 Italy from Greece. 
 
 33. cum somnia vera : cf. Ovid, Heroid. xviii. 195, Namque sub 
 aurora iam dormitante lucerna, Somnia quo cerni tempora vera 
 solent-, Tennyson, Morte d" 1 Arthur, 341, 
 
 " Till on to dawn, when dreams 
 Begin to feel the truth and stir of day." 
 
 34. in silvam . . . ligna feras : a proverbial expression for fruit- 
 less labor, like the English 'carry coals to Newcastle.' ac si: 
 than if. 
 
 36. turgidus: bombastic. Alpinus: Porph. says that the 
 reference is to M. Furius Bibaculus, but this is not certain. Schanz, 
 Geschichte der romischen Litteratur, i. 2 p. 117, says that there were 
 three poets of the name of Furius, and that here and in ii. 5. 41 the 
 reference is to Furius Alpinus, a contemporary of Horace. ingu- 
 
PAGE 39.] BOOK I. SERMO 10. 233 
 
 lat: cuts the throat of; i.e. describes his death, doubtless with many 
 bloody details. 
 
 37. defingit . . . luteum : muddles up, by his poor description. 
 caput : probably the mouth, rather than the source, of the river. Ac- 
 cording to some, the head of the river god. haec ego ludo : / amuse 
 myself with such writing as this ; ludo is used by way of contrast with 
 the ambitious work just described ; cf. inludo chartis, i. 4. 139. 
 
 38. aede : Porph. says: in aede Musarum, ubipoetae sua carmina 
 recitent. The place referred to is uncertain, but the reference is evi- 
 dently to readings of plays whose authors wished to have them put on 
 the stage. sonent : subjunctive in a relative clause of purpose ; 
 cf. quis . . . insudet, i. 4. 72. Tarpa : Sp. Maecius Tarpa was ap- 
 pointed by Pompey, in 55 B.C., to be judge or censor of the plays 
 which were offered for presentation in the latter's new theatre. 
 
 39. theatris: apparently the so-called dative of the agent. See 
 Introd. 39. b. 
 
 40. meretrice . . . Davo . . . Chremeta : stock characters of 
 Roman comedy. Ablative absolute in a somewhat loose relation to the 
 rest of the sentence ; cf. Odes, iii. 1. 31, Mendaxque fundus, arbore nunc 
 aquas Culpante nunc torrentia agros Sidera, nunc hiemes iniquas. 
 
 41. garrire: rattle off; cf. i. 9. 13, cum quidlibet ille garriret. 
 libellos is accusative of the inner object. Fundani : C. Funda- 
 nius, unknown except from Horace's references to him ; cf. ii. 8. 19. 
 
 42. Pollio : see Odes, ii. 1. On the tragedies, cf. Virg. Eel. viii. 
 10, sola Sophocleo tua carmina digna coturno. regum: of the 
 heroes of tragedy ; cf. Odes, iv. 2. 13, 'Sen deos regesque canit, deorum 
 Sanguinem, per quos cecidere iusta Morte Centauri, cecidit tremendae 
 Flamma Chimaerae. 
 
 43. canit : of the stately measure of tragedy, contrasted with the 
 colloquial style of comedy (garrire}. pede ter percusso: i.e. 
 in the iambic trimeter, in which the descriptive and narrative parts of 
 tragedies were composed. 
 
 44. Varius: see note on Serm. i. 5. 40; cf. Odes, i. 6. 1. 
 ducit : spins, a common term in this connection. Cf. Ovid, Tristia, 
 i. 11. 17, tamen ipse trementi Carmina ducebat qualia cumque manu. 
 molle atque facetum : tender find playful ; the reference is to the 
 Eclogues and the earlier work of Virgil. Since the Georgics and 
 Aeneid were not yet published, Quintilian's comment apparently rests 
 on a misunderstanding. Cf. Quint, vi. 3. 20, facetum quoque non 
 tantum circa ridicula opinor consistere : neque enim diceret Horatius 
 
234 BOOK I. SERMO 10. [PAGE 39. 
 
 facetum carminis genus natura concessum esse Vergilio. Decoris 
 hanc magis et excultae cuiusdam elegantiae appellationem puto. 
 Ideoque in epistulis Cicero haec Bruti refert verba : 'we illi sunt 
 pedes faceti ac delicatius ingredienti mollesS Quod convenit cum 
 illo Horatiano : ' molle atque facetum Vergilio.' 1 
 
 45. adnuerunt : the original quantity, preserved for metrical con- 
 venience ; see Introd. 58. 
 
 46. hoc : i. e. Satire. Varrone Atacino : see Introd. 27. 
 
 47. quibusdam aliis : see Introd. 27. 
 
 48. inventore : Lucilius, the inventor of this form of Satire. See 
 Introd. 20. illi : from him ; dative of separation ^with detrahere. 
 ausim : an old form used as a perfect subjunctive. 
 
 49. haerentem : cf. Odes, i. 17. 27, iniciat manus Et scindat hae- 
 rentem coronam Crinibus. 
 
 50. at dixi : but I did say. Although Horace gives Lucilius the 
 credit due him as the originator of this form of satire, yet he believes 
 that in some respects it is possible to improve on him. Cf. i. 4. 11 ff. 
 
 51. tollenda relinquendis : i.e. the parts which ought to be 
 omitted were often greater in amount than those which deserved to be 
 perpetuated. 
 
 52. doctus: 'Sir Critic" 1 (Conington) ; i.e. learned critic that 
 you are ; ironical. Homero : cf. Ars Poet. 395; Lucil. 305 ff. L., 
 nemo qui culpat Homerum, Perpetuo culpat, neque, quod dixi ante, 
 poesin : Versum unum culpat, verbum, enthymema, locumve. 
 
 53. comis : witty, contrasted with tragici. Note the juxtaposition 
 of the two words. mutat : , censures, for mutandum esse censet. 
 Cf. Gellius, xvii. 21. 49, clariorque tune in poematis eorum (Ennius, 
 Pacuvius, Accius, etc.) obtrectandis Lucilius fuit. Lucilius and 
 Accius were at variance particularly in their theories of orthography. 
 Acci : L. Accius (B.C. 170-94), the greatest of Roman tragic poets. 
 
 54. Enni : see Introd. 18. Servius, on Aen. ix. 503, tells us that 
 one line was At tuba terribili sonitu taratantara dixit ; and, on Aen. 
 xi. 601, that another was Sparsis hastis longis campus splendet et 
 horret, where Lucilius sarcastically proposed as an emendation, horret 
 et alget. gravitate minores : as inferior in dignity, to the re- 
 quirements of epic poetry. 
 
 55. non ut maiore : hyperbaton for ut non maiore. reprensis : 
 masculine, than those ivhom he has criticised. See Introd. 49. b. 
 
 56. quidvetat . . . nosmet:ie. Lucilius criticised as his prede- 
 cessors and contemporaries, why should I not criticise him ? 
 
PAGE 40.] BOOK I. SERMO 10. 235 
 
 57. illius : here only in Horace scanned with a long penult, while 
 illlus occurs eleven times. rerum : his subject. 
 
 58. factos : finished. Cf. Cic. de Oral. iii. 48. 184, oratio quae 
 quidem sit polita atque facta quodam modo. 
 
 59. ac si : than if; cf. i. 1. 46 ; i. 6. 130. pedibus senis : i.e. 
 in hexameter verse : cf. i. 4. 7, mutatis tantum pedibus numerisque, 
 and the note. 
 
 60. scripsisse : the perfect of instantaneous action. See Introd. 
 44. /. 
 
 62. Cassi : an otherwise unknown poet, confused by Porphyrio 
 with Cassius Parmensis, Epist. i. 4. 3, who was alive when the Epistle 
 in question was written. 
 
 63. capsis : see note on loculos, i. G. 74. 
 
 64. ambustum : here used for combustum, as in Tac. Hist. v. 12, 
 magna visfrumenti ambusta. fuerit : jussive subjunctive with con- 
 cessive force. inquam : / say, repeating the criticism of lines 3 
 and 53. 
 
 65. limatior: more polished. The word is derived from lima 
 ('file'), and the metaphor is a common one. 
 
 66. quam . . . auctor : auctor apparently refers to Lucilius him- 
 self, with the sense limatior quam exspectari poterat ab auctore car- 
 minis rudis et Graecis intacti. The Satires of Ennius, to whom auctor 
 is referred by some, were of a different kind (see Introd. 18), and 
 Lucilius is expressly spoken of as the inventor of this kind of compo- 
 sition, in line 48. rudis : new, untried. Cf. Catull. 64. 11, rudem 
 Amphitriten. Graecis : dative of the apparent agent. 
 
 67. poetarum seniorum turba : i.e. Livius, Plautus, Naevius, 
 etc. 
 
 68. si foret . . . dilatus: if his life had been postponed. On 
 foret, see note on i. 4. 4. 
 
 69. detereret : sc. lima. recideret : prune away, like a gar- 
 dener with his pruning knife. ultra perfectum traheretur : i.e. 
 what was superfluous, the omission of which would make the work 
 perfect. 
 
 71. scaberet : apparently a vulgar word. Cf. Lucil. 296 L., Sca- 
 berat, utporcus contritis arbore costas, and 800, caput scabit. vivos : 
 to the quick. Cf. Pers. i. 106, Nee pluteum caedit nee demorsos sapit 
 ungues ; vi. 162, crudum . . . unguem abrodens. 
 
 72. stilum vertas : the reverse end of the stylus was flat or round, 
 for erasing what had been written, by smoothing the wax. digna 
 
236 BOOK I. SERMO 10. [PAGE 40. 
 
 legi : for the classic digna quae legantur ; see note on i. 3. 24 ; cf. Cic. 
 Brut. 18. 71 (of plays of L. Andronicus), non dignae sunt quae iterum 
 legantur. t 
 
 73. scripturus : if you intend to write. See note on mansuri, \. 
 5. 87. neque : and do not, instead of the regular neve, a common 
 usage in poetry ; cf. Odes, i. 9. 15. 
 
 74. contentus: and be content; part of the injunction vertas 
 . . . labores. paucis lectoribus: i.e. such writing would appeal 
 only to the educated classes, not to the general public. 
 
 75. vilibus in ludis : i.e. to be us2d as school-books. That this 
 was Horace's fate is probable from the great number of manuscripts 
 in which his works are preserved, and is perhaps indicated by Juv. vii. 
 226, Quot stabant pueri cum totus decolor esset Flaccus, et haereret 
 nigro fuligo Maroni ; though the reference is sometimes understood 
 to be to busts of Horace and Virgil. Horace elsewhefe anticipates this 
 fate for his works ; see Epist. i. 20. 17, Hoc quoque te manet, ut pueros 
 elementa docentem Occupet extremis in vicis balba senectus. 
 
 76. equitem : used collectively, the knights, who occupied the first 
 fourteen rows above the orchestra at the theatre, and are typical of the 
 better class. Cf. Ars Poet. 248, quibus est equus et pater et res. 
 
 77. Arbuscula : a famous actress in the mimes, popular in Cicero's 
 day. Cf. Cic. ad Att. iv. 15. 6, quaeris mine de Arbuscula; valde 
 placuit. 
 
 78. Pantilius : this name occurs in inscriptions, C. L L. ix. 5277, 
 and x. 5925, but is doubtless chosen on account of its meaning. See 
 note on Novius, i. 6. 40. 
 
 79. Demetrius : apparently the simius of line 18. 
 
 80. Fannius: cf. i. 4. 21. Hermogenes: cf. i. 4. 72 ; i. 9. 25. 
 conviva : parasite. 
 
 81. Plotius : cf. i. 5. 40. 
 
 82. Valgius : C. Valgius Rufus, a friend of Horace, to whom Odes, 
 ii. 9, is addressed. Cf. Paneg. Messallae, 180, Valgius : aeterno 
 propior non alter Homero. Octavius : not Augustus, whom 
 Horace addresses as Caesar and later as Augustus, but the poet and 
 historian. Virg. (?) Catalepton 14, says of him: Scripta quidem tua 
 nosmultum mirabimur et te Raptum et Romanam flebimus historiam. 
 
 83. Fuscus : cf. i. 9. 61 ; Odes, i. 22 ; Epist. i. 10. Viscorum : 
 otherwise unknown. A Viscus is mentioned in i. 9. 22, and a Viscus 
 Thurinus in Serm. ii. 8. 20. 
 
 84. ambitione relegata : without flattery , since these are great 
 men, whom Horace might be suspected of trying to propitiate. 
 
PAKE 43.] BOOK II. SERMO 1. 237 
 
 85. Messalla : see line 28 above. fratre : L. Gellius Publicola, 
 consul in 30 B.C. He was in the army of Brutus, where Horace may 
 have met him, but afterwards went over to Octavian. 
 
 86. Bibule : perhaps referring to L. Calpurnius Bibulus. He also 
 was in the army of Brutus. Servi : perhaps a son of the celebrated 
 jurist Servius Sulpicius. Ovid, Trist. ii. 441, speaks of poems of his : 
 nee sunt minus improba Servi carmina. his :, ablative governed 
 by simul, which is here used for the first time as a preposition. 
 Furni : C. Furnius, consul in 17 B.C. Suet., p. 289. 28, Roth, says : 
 Furnii pater etfilius clari oratores habentur, quorum filius consular is 
 ante patrem moritur. 
 
 88. prudens : purposely. haec : i.e. the first book of Sermones. 
 
 89. arridere : to please. Cf. Cic. ad Alt. xiii. 21. 3, inhibere 
 illud tuum, quod, valde mihi arriserat. In a different sense in Ars 
 Poet. 101, ridentibus arrident. 
 
 90. deterius: less. 
 
 91. discipularum : female pupils. cathedras: arm-chairs, 
 used especially by women ; cf. Mart. iii. 63. 7, Inter femineas tota qui 
 luce cathedras Desidet atque aliqua semper in aure sonat. 
 
 92. puer : addressed to an amanuensis. 
 
 BOOK II. 
 SERMO I. 
 
 1. sunt quibus. etc. : on this criticism, see Introd. 24. satura : 
 Horace does not use this term in the first book. It occurs again in 
 ii. 6. 17. Satura was the Horatian orthography ; see Introd. 15. 
 videar : Horace uses both the indicative and the subjunctive after 
 est qui arid similar expressions, usually with a slightly different mean- 
 ing ; see Introd. 45. c. acer : bitter in invective. 
 
 2. legem : the proper limit; sc. operis, and cf. Ars Poet. 135, pudor 
 vetet QtUt operis lex. The word is probably used in a double sense, 
 meaning also 'what is lawful.' tenderer the figure is drawn from 
 the stretching of a bow. sine nervis : without strength, a figure 
 from the sinews of the body. 
 
 4. mille : of an indefinite large number. See Introd. 50. de- 
 duci : the regular word ; cf. ducit, i. 10. 44, and Epist. ii. 1. 225, 
 tenui deducta poemata filo. Trebati : referring to C. Trebatius 
 
238 BOOK II. SERMO 1. [PAGE 43. 
 
 Testa, a famous iuris consultus, a friend of Cicero. Into his hands 
 Horace puts his case. The brevity of the answers of Trebatius are 
 characteristic of the experienced lawyer. 
 
 5. quiescas : that you be quiet ; jussive subjunctive governed by 
 an implied praescribo. There is no conscious ellipsis. ne faciam : 
 like quiescas, depends on an implied praescribis. 
 
 6. aio : yes. peream male : hang me ; cf. inteream, i. 9. 38, 
 and the note. 
 
 7. optimum erat: ivould be best; the indicative, on account of 
 the implied idea of obligation ; cf. Ovid, Her. i. 112, in patrias artes 
 erudiendus erat. nequeo dormire . Horace implies that his writing 
 is due to sleeplessness. Cf. Plin. Epist. vii. 4. 4, dein cum meridie 
 dormiturus me recepissem nee obreperet somnus . . . id ipsum quod me 
 ad scribendum sollicitaverat his versibus exaravi. Also Epist. ii. 2. 
 54, melius dormire quam scribere versus. ter : the number three 
 was supposed to have a mystic power in prescriptions, magic rites, 
 etc. ; cf. Epist. i. 1. 37. uncti : a regular preliminary to athletic 
 exercises ; cf. Odes, i. 8. 8. 
 
 8. transnanto Tiberim : Trebatius was fond of swimming ; cf. 
 Cic. ad Fam. vii. 10. 2 (addressed to Trebatius), qui neque in Oceano 
 natare volueris, studiosissimus homo natandi. 
 
 9. irriguum mero : soaked with (unmixed) wine ; cf. Cic. ad Fam. 
 vii. 22 (addressed to Trebatius), inluseras heri inter scyphos, quod 
 dixeram . . . itaque etsi domum bene potus seroque redieram, tamen 
 id caput notavi. Also Prop. iii. 17. 13, Quod si, Bacche, tuis per 
 fervida tempora donis Accersitus erit somnus in ossa mea. Mero 
 (sc. vino~) is an adjective used as a substantive. See note on venalis, 
 i. 1. 47. 
 
 10. rapit : carries you away ; stronger than capit, which Bentley 
 reads. aude : have the courage to undertake a loftier theme. 
 
 11. Caesaris : he received the title of Augustus a few years later, 
 on January 17, 27 B.C. See note on Octavius, i. 10. 82. res = res 
 
 12. praemia : cf. Lucil. 612, L., Hunc laborem sumas, laudem 
 qui tibi ac fructum ferat ; Epist. ii. 2. 38, grandia laturus meritorum 
 praemia. laturus : and you will receive. See note on mansuri, i. 
 5. 87, and Introd. 47. cupidum : much as I should like to ; the 
 adjective has a concessive force. pater : a title of respect, used by 
 Horace in addressing both men and gods ; cf. line 42 below, and Epist. 
 i. 6. 54. Trebatius was more than twenty years older than Horace. 
 
PAGE 43.] BOOK II. SERMO 1. 239 
 
 13. quivis : every one, any one you like. While disclaiming the 
 ability to write epic poetry, Horace gives a hint, in the next two lines, 
 of what he could do in that field. borrentia pilis agmina: with 
 reference to the Roman legions, which are characterized by their 
 principal weapon, the pilum. 
 
 14. fracta . . . cuspide : with their lances broken, a sign of 
 defeat and flight. Gallos : Octavian carried on several campaigns 
 against the Gallic tribes. 
 
 15. equo . . . Parthi : the Parthians were the most formidable 
 enemies of the Romans at this time. Their strength lay principally in 
 their cavalry. Cf. Odes, i. 19. 11 ; ii. 13. 17. 
 
 16. iustum : as just (sc. eum) ; of the civic virtues of Caesar. 
 poteras : cf. erat, line 7, and the note. fortem: as brave (cf. 
 iustum") ; of his courage in war ; cf. Odes, i. 6. 11 ff . 
 
 17. Scipiadam : Scipio African us Minor. The patronymic is used, 
 as also by Lucilius, Lucretius, and Virgil, because Sclpionem will not 
 fit into hexameter verse. sapiens : sensible, in choosing a suitable 
 theme ; cf. Epist. ii. 1. 50, Ennius sapiens. baud mihi dero : cf. 
 i. 9. 56, and the note. 
 
 18. cum res ipsa feret : when opportunity offers. dextro 
 tempore : the opposite of laevo tempore, ii. 4. 4. Flacci : of a 
 Flaccus, as an obscure bard; more modest than mea. For the rest 
 of Horace's name, see Serni. ii. 6. 37 ; and Epist. i. 14. 5. 
 
 19. attentam : emphatic. 
 
 20. male si palpere : the person and the figure are combined, 
 who, like a horse, if you stroke him the wrong way. Cf. Epist. i. 4. 16 
 (of Horace), Cum rider e voles Epicuri de grege porcum ; and see note 
 on Tantalus, i. 1. 68. tutus: i.e. to protect himself. 
 
 21. tristi : abusive, the epithet transferred from the effect to the 
 cause ; cf. Lucil. 963, L., tuis saevisfactis et tristibus dictis. 
 
 22. Pantolabum : cf. i. 8. 11. A name made up from irdv\a^eiv, 
 'Catch-all,' quia a multis pecuniam mutuam erogabat, Porph. ad loc. 
 See note on Novius, i. 6. 40. Nomentanum : cf. i. 1 . 102. 
 
 23. cum: whereupon. 
 
 24. quid faciam : ivhat can I do? Horace implies that it is his 
 nature to write satire : cf. Pers. i. 12, Quid faciam? sed sum petulanti 
 splene cachinno. saltat : see note on i. 9. 24. Milonius : other- 
 wise unknown. ut semel : Horace elsewhere has cum semel ; ut 
 xpmel belongs to the language of comedy. icto : i.e. vino. 
 
 25. numerusque lucernis (accessit) : i.e. he sees double ; ap- 
 
240 BOOK II. SERMO 1. [PAGE 43. 
 
 parently a proverbial expression. Cf. Juv. vi. 304, cum iam vertiyine 
 tectum Ambulat et geminis cxsurgit mensa lucernis Petr. 64, et sane 
 iam lucernae mihi plures videbantur ardere. 
 
 26. Castor: Castor and Pollux, although twins, had different 
 tastes. ovo . . . eodem : they were the sons of Leda and the 
 swan (Jupiter). 
 
 27. quot capitum . . . totidem studiorum milia : a common 
 proverbial saying ; cf. Ter. Phorm. 454, quot homines, tot sententiae, 
 etc. On the use of mille (milia) for an indefinite large number, see 
 Introd. 50. 
 
 28. pedibus claudere verba : to write verse ; cf. i. 4. 40 ; i. 10. 59. 
 
 29. melioris : a better man, i.e. a greater poet and of higher social 
 position. After thus silencing Trebatius by freely admitting his inferi- 
 ority, Horace gives a brief critique of Lucilius's poetry. 
 
 30. fidls . . . sodalibus : Porphyrio says :^ Aristoxenis sententia 
 est. llle enim in suis scriptis ostendit Sapphonem et Alcaeum volumina 
 sua loco sodalium habuisse. Southey uses the same expression of his 
 books: "My never failing friends are they, With whom I converse 
 night and day." The word sodalis implies a high degree of intimacy, 
 'comrade,' 'boon companion.' Cf. Cic. de Sen. 13. 45. arcana: 
 i.e. his inmost thoughts, his secrets ; cf. Odes, i. 18. 16, arcani fides 
 prodiga. olim : i.e. in his day ; see note on i. 1. 25. 
 
 31. si male cesserat ... si bene : i.e. if matters had gone ill or 
 well. The expression is used impersonally (sc. illi} ; cf. Ovid, Met. 
 x. 80, sen quod male cesserat illi. 
 
 33. votiva . . . tabella : sailors who had been saved from ship- 
 wreck often hung pictures commemorating the event in the appropriate 
 temple. Cf. Odes, i. 5. 13, me tabula sacer Votiva paries indicat uvida 
 Suspendisse potenti Vestimenta maris deo. Rescue from other disas- 
 ters, relief from illness, and the like, were similarly commemorated. 
 
 34. senis : probably used without reference to his age, but with re- 
 gard to his times ; so Stat. SUv. iv. 9. 20, Bruti senis, though Brutus 
 died at the age of thirty-seven. Lucanus an Apulus : both warlike 
 races ; hence Horace's pugnacious spirit and bent for satire. an- 
 ceps : probably masculine ; cf. Liv. xxxi. 12, incertus infans mascu- 
 lus an femina esset. But it may be neuter, as Porph. regarded it ; cf. 
 Liv. xxxi. 41, clauserant portas, incertum vi an voluntate, though 
 anceps (est) as an impersonal expression does not seem to occur. 
 
 35. Venusinus . . . colonus : Venusia was formerly a city of 
 the Hirpini. It was captured in 294 B.C., and in 291 a colony of 
 
PAGE 44.] BOOK II. SERMO 1. 241 
 
 twenty thousand citizens was established there, to protect the road 
 from Tarentum into Samnium. sub : close up to. 
 
 37. quo ne: apparently the construction is influenced by the 
 implied comparative, quo Romanus tutior esset. Romano : the 
 Roman, like Lucanus and Apuhis in line 34. 
 
 38. quod : any, modifying belliim. 
 
 39. sed : adversative to sequor hunc ; i.e. Horace follows Lucilius 
 in writing satire, but, unlike his model, he will use his pen for defen- 
 sive purposes only ; hence ultro, unprovoked, ' without just cause.' 
 
 40. quemquam animantem : any living soul. 
 
 41. quern : referring to ensis ; for a similar comparison, cf. Juv. 
 i. 165, Ense velut stricto quotiens Lucilius ardens Infremuit, rubet 
 auditor. 
 
 42. tutus : as long as I am safe. 
 
 43. ut : with the force of utinam. With the whole passage, cf. 
 Catull. 66. 48, luppiter ut Chalybum omne genus pereat (following 
 Callimachus, frag. 35 c). The Chalybians were famous workers in 
 steel. positum : in a double sense, ' laid down ' and ' laid aside.' 
 
 44. nee : for neve ; cf. neque, i. 10. 73, and the note. 
 
 45. commorit = commoverit. melius non tangere : cf. our 
 expression, ' let sleeping dogs lie,' and the motto of Scotland, nemo me 
 impune lacessit. 
 
 46. insignis . . . urbe : i.e. he will be the talk of the town. 
 
 47. Cervius : an informer, not otherwise known ; not the same, of 
 course, as the garrulous rustic in ii. 6. 77. iratus : when he is an- 
 gered, urnam = indicium ; either the urn from which the names of 
 the jurors who were to serve in the trial were drawn, or that into 
 which their votes for condemnation or acquittal were cast. 
 
 48. Albuci : modifies venenum ; probably an objective genitive, 
 the poison which killed Albucius. quibus est inimica : her enemies, 
 forming a parallel to iratus in the preceding line. venenum : sc. 
 minitatur. 
 
 49. Turius : evidently a corrupt judge, who threatens to condemn 
 his enemy (an expression like iratus or quibus est inimicus is implied), 
 if ever he be brought to trial before him. Porph. says that it was 
 before this man as praetor that Verres was tried. 
 
 50. ut : how. quo quisque valet : i.e. with his most powerful 
 weapon. suspectos : the objects of his distrust; the participle 
 used as a substantive. 
 
 51. natura potens : a powerful natural instinct. 
 
242 BOOK II. SERMO 1. [PAGE 44. 
 
 52. intus : from within, apparently a colloquial use of the word. 
 
 53. Scaevae: otherwise unknown. vivacem : too long-lived ; 
 cf. Juv. xiv. 251, lam torquet iuvenem longa et cervina senectus. 
 
 54. sceleris : violence, i.e. he will not strangle, but will poison 
 her. pia : filial ; ironical. 
 
 55. ut: as is the fact that. calce : we should expect cornu (cf. 
 line 52) ; the change seems to be made because the wolf has feet, but 
 not horns, although he does not use them as offensive weapons. 
 
 56. mala . . . cicuta : contrasted with pia dextera. vitiato : 
 drugged. melle : here probably for mulsum, a mixture of wine and 
 honey. 
 
 57. ne longum faciam : in short, not to make a long story of it. 
 
 58. atris : the color of death. circumvolat : note the pres- 
 ent, is even now hovering over me. 
 
 60. vitae . . . color: i.e. whether bright (candidus) or dark 
 {ater, niger). scribam : note the position of the word, which 
 would normally follow color; cf. ii. 3. 211, Aiax, cum immeritos occi- 
 dit, desipit, agnos. ut sis vitalis : that you won't be long lived, i.e. 
 if you follow such a course of actions ; cf. Iliad, xviii. 95, wK^opos dj 
 fMi, T^KOS, eo-(T6cu, oT dyopefais. 
 
 61. maiorum : of the great ; equivalent to potentiorum ; cf. Epist. 
 i. 17. 2, quo pacto deceat maioribus uti. 
 
 62. frigore : with a chill, of the coldness of his patrons ; cf. Sen. 
 Epist. 122. 11, Montanus lulius . . . tolerabilis poeta et amicitia 
 Tiberii notus et frigore. 
 
 64. detrahere et pellem : an allusion to the fable of the Ape 
 (Lucian, Philopseud. 5) or the Ass in the Lion's skin (Lucian, Fugit. 
 13). Cf. i. 6. 22, quoniam in propria non pelle quiessem' and Epist. 
 i. 16. 45, Introrsum turpem, speciosum pelle decora. per ora : sc. 
 hominum or virum ; cf. Sail. Jug. 31. 10, incedunt per ora vestra mag- 
 nifici, and the epitaph of Ennius, volito vivos per ora virum. 
 
 65. cederet : for incederet, a colloquial use of the word ; cf. Sail. 
 Jug. 31. 10, quoted in the preceding note. Laelius : C. Laelius 
 Sapiens, consul in 140 B.C. He was a patron of Terence, and the prin- 
 cipal speaker in the Laelius, or De Amicitia, of Cicero. qui . . . 
 duxit : cf. Odes, iv. 8. 18. qui domita nomen ab Africa Lucratus rediit. 
 
 67. ingenio : wit. offensi : sc. sunt, as with soliti in line 74. 
 Metello: the reference is to Q. Caecilius Metellus Macedonicus, con- 
 sul in 143 B.C., a political enemy of Scipio ; cf. Cic. de Off. i. 25. 87, 
 fuit inter P. Africanum et Q. Metellum sine acerbitate dissensio. 
 
PAGE 45.] BOOK II. SERMO 1. 243 
 
 68. Lupo : L. Cornelius Lentulus Lupus, consul in 156 B.C., censor 
 in 147 B.C. He was attacked by Lucilius ; cf. Pers. i. 114, secuit 
 Lucilius urbem, Te, Lupe, te, Mud, et genuinum fregit in illis. 
 atqui : and yet. Lucilius attacked prominent men, as well as the 
 common herd, without offending his patrons. 
 
 69. arripuit : dragged to judgment; cf. i. 9. 77 ; ii. 3. 224. tribu- 
 tim : tribe by tribe, apparently going through the whole list, as the 
 scholiast on Pers. i. 115 says: urbem autem ideo dixit secuit, quia 
 tribus omnes triginta quinque laceravit, ex quibus urbs tota constat. 
 Mention of individual tribes occurs in Lucil. in fragments 1094 and 
 1095 L., prima, Papiria tu stolidarum . . . Priverno Oufentina 
 venit fluvioque Oufente. 
 
 70. uni aequus virtuti : ' to virtue only and her friends a friend ' 
 (Pope). 
 
 71. quin = quin etiam, nay more. scaena : the stage of public 
 life, where they had to wear a mask of dignity. 
 
 72. virtus Scipiadae : the valiant Scipio, a common circumlocu- 
 tion ; cf. Odes, iii. 21. 11, prisci Catonis virtus. On Scipiadae, see 
 note on line 17. niitis sapientia Laeli : the wise and gentle 
 Laelius ; see preceding note. 
 
 73. nugari . . . et ludere : the Comm. Cruq. says : Scipio 
 Africanus et Laelius feruntur tarn fuisse familiares et amid Lucilio, 
 ut quodam tempore Laelio circum lectos triclinii fugienti Lucilius 
 superveniens, eum obtorta mappa quasi feriturus sequeretur. Cf. also 
 Cic. de Oral. ii. 6. 22. discincti : i.e. tunicis solutis. The toga was 
 worn only in the city. 
 
 74. decoqueretur : subjunctive of anticipation. 
 
 75. censum : rank, as determined by the census. Lucilius was 
 an eques, and according to Porph. was the grand-uncle of Pompey the 
 Great. 
 
 76. cum magnis : i.e. cum Maecenate. invita : even though 
 unwilling. usque : i.e. will always be obliged to admit. 
 
 77. fragili .'. . solido : neuters; the reference seems to be to the 
 fable of the Viper and the File ; cf. Pers. i. 114, quoted above on line 68. 
 
 78. nisi quid tu : after his long monologue, Horace appeals to 
 Trebatius for his view, and resumes the dialogue form. 
 
 79. nihil nine diffindere : to take no exception to this ; lit. to cut 
 off nothing from it, as we speak of weakening an argument. 
 
 80. ut . . . caveas : that you may take warning and be on your 
 guard; depending on some expression of reminding or admonishing 
 
244 BOOK II. SERMO 2. [PAGE 45. 
 
 implied in ius est. negoti : trouble, difficulty; genitive of the 
 whole, with quid. 
 
 81. sanctarum: sacred, as they would be in the eyes of a jurist 
 like Trebatius ; cf. ii. 2. 131, vafri inscitia iuris. 
 
 82. mala condiderit . . . carmina : with reference to the 
 Twelve Tables as quoted by Cicero, de Rep. iv. 10. 12, nostrae duodecim 
 tabulae, cum perpaucas res capite sanxissent, in his hanc quoque 
 sanciendam putaverunt, si quis occentavisset sive carmen condidisset, 
 quod infamiam faceret flagitiumve alteri. The later law of Sulla was 
 milder ; see Ulpian, Digest, xlvii. 10. 5, si quis librum ad infamiam 
 alicuius pertinentem scripserit, composuerit, ediderit, dolove malo 
 fecerit . . . uti de ea re agere liceret. On condiderit, see i. 5. 90, 
 and Introd. 57. 
 
 83. esto : very well I mala : Horace humorously takes mala, 
 which in the law means 'abusive,' in the sense of poor, inferior. 
 
 84. iudice Caesare : even in Caesar's judgment ; ablative 
 absolute. 
 
 85. latraverit : for allatraverit, and so followed by the accusative. 
 Cf. Epod. 5. 58 ; Epist. i. 2. 66. integer ipse : while he himself is 
 blameless; cf. Odes, i. 22. 1, integer vitae. 
 
 86. solventur . . . tabulae : the indictment will be quashed 
 amid general laughter ; solventur = dissolventur. Porph. says, 'tabu- 
 lae: pro subsellia,' in which case the expression would be parallel to 
 Juv. vii. 86, cum fregit subsellia versu, and the meaning, that the 
 judges are so carried away by the laughter which follows the poet's 
 witty interpretation of the law, that they dismiss the case. 
 
 SERMO II. 
 
 1. quae . . . et quanta : what and how great. boni : good 
 friends. Line 16 suggests that the party may have assembled at some 
 villa on the sea-coast. parvo : on a little, i.e. frugally ; ablative of 
 instrument. 
 
 2. nee meus : cf. Plato, Symposium, 177 a, TJ iitv fwt dp%r? TOV 
 \6yov t<rrl Kara rrjv Etpnridov M.e\avtinnjv ov yap c/t6s 6 /iC0os, dXXa 
 3>ai8pjov rovde ov /xAXw \tyeiv. 
 
 3. abnormis sapiens: a self-taught philosopher ; cf. Cic. de 
 Amic. 5. 18, numquam ego dicam C. Fabricium, M\ Curium, quos sapi- 
 entes maiores nostri iudicabant, ad istorum normam fuisse sapient is. 
 crassa Minerva : plain mother-wit ; ablative of quality ; cf. Ars 
 

 PAGE 47.] BOOK II. SERMO 2. 245 
 
 Poet. 385, Tu nihil invita dices faciesve Minerva ; Cic. de Amic. 5. 19, 
 pingui Minerva ; Quint, i. 10. 28, crassiore ut vacant Musa. 
 
 4. nitentis : glittering, with silver. 
 
 5. stupet: is dazzled; cf. i. 6. 17. insanis : senseless, extrav- 
 agant; cf. Cic. Mil. 20. 53, insanas substructiones. 
 
 6. falsis : cf. line 30. 
 
 7. impransi : fasting, on an empty stomach. 
 
 9. corruptus : who has been bribed. The person who is sitting at 
 a bountiful table is a prejudiced judge of the advantages of frugal 
 living. 
 
 10. lassus ab : ab has a temporal force, tired after riding an 
 unbroken horse. Romana . . . militia: Roman field sports; cf. 
 Epist. i. 2. 67, militat in silvis catulus ; and, on the contrast between 
 the Greek and the Roman sports, Odes, iii. 24. 53 ff. 
 
 11. graecari : to play the Greek, i.e. to imitate the Greeks. pila : 
 see note on lusumque trigonem, i. 6. 126. Ball playing was a favorite 
 form of exercise among the Romans, and several different kinds of 
 games were played. 
 
 12. studio fallente : i.e. through the interest in the game, which 
 takes one's mind off the hard labor which is involved. The phrase 
 modifies agit. After laborem we must understand pila lude, to make 
 the sentence strictly grammatical, but it need not be expressed in the 
 translation. 
 
 13. agit : attracts. 
 
 14. cum labor, etc. : a kind of anacoluthon. The various forms 
 of exercise enumerated above are summed up, and the thought ex- 
 pressed by the participles sectatus and lassus is repeated in another 
 form after the parenthetical vel si Romana . . . aera disco. extu- 
 derit : has knocked out, a colloquial expression. siccus, inanis : 
 hungnj and thirsty, corresponding in chiastic order to sperne cibum 
 and ne biberis below. 
 
 15. sperne: i.e. disdain, if you can. Hymettia . . . Falerno : 
 Macrobius, Saturnalia, vii. 12, says that the best mulsum was made 
 of new Hymettian honey and old Falernian wine. 
 
 16. ne biberis : a form of prohibition almost entirely confined to 
 poetry ; cf. Odes, i. 11. 1, tu ne quaesieris. foris est promus : the 
 steward is out, so that nothing can be got from the pantry. Promus 
 is the noun of agency, cognate with promere. atrum . . . hiemat : 
 is dark and stormy. Cf. Virg. Aen. v. 11, inhorruit unda tenebris. 
 
 17. cum sale panis : a proverbial expression cf. Plin, N. H. 
 
246 BOOK II. SERMO 2. [PAGE 47. 
 
 xxxi. 89, Varro etiam pulmentarii vice usos veteres (sale) auctor est, 
 et salem cum pane esitasse eos proverbio apparet. 
 
 18. latrantem : clamoring. leniet : stay ; cf. ii. 8. 5, Quae 
 prima iratum ventrem placaverit esca. unde aut qui partum : sc. 
 hoc, i.e. that you are satisfied with bread and salt. 
 
 20. in te ipso : the answer to unde in line 18. pulmentaria : 
 cf. Varro, L. L. v. 108, quod edebant cum pulte ab eo pulmentum, ut 
 Plautus : hinc pulmentarium dictum. Hence pulmentarium means, 
 like the Greek fr/'ov, anything eaten with bread, a relish. For a special 
 sense of the word, see line 34 below. 
 
 21. pinguem : i.e. bloated. album: pale; cf. Odes, ii. 2. 15, 
 albo corpore, of the effects of dropsy. ostrea : considered a great 
 delicacy. The finest came from the Lucrine Lake ; cf. Epod. 2. 49. 
 
 22. scarus : a fish highly prized by the Romans ; cf. Epod. 2. 50. 
 lagois : perhaps the Alpine grouse. See Plin. N. H. x. 133, sicut 
 Alpium pyrrhocorax luteo rostro niger, et praecipua sapore lagopus. 
 
 23. eripiam : a strong prohibebo (cf. extuderit in line 14) and 
 hence followed by quin. quin : note the position of the word. See 
 Introd. 53. g. posito pavone : when a peacock is set before you, 
 a great luxury. Posito = anteposito ; cf. line 106 below. 
 
 24. tergere: as we say, to 'tickle.' 
 
 25. corruptus: i.e. prejudiced; cf. line 9. vanis rerum = 
 vanis rebus; cf. ii. 8. 83, fictis rerum; Epist. i. 17. 21, villa rerum 
 and Prop. iii. 9. 7, omnia rerum. Rerum is genitive of the whole. 
 veneat . . . pandat: the subjunctive implies the excuse of the glutton 
 for his preference, because, as you say. 
 
 26. pandat spectacula = pandenda cauda exhibeat spectaculum ; 
 cf. Odes, i. o3. 16, Hadriae curvantis Calabros sinus ; Plin. N. H. x. 
 43, (pavo) gemmantis expandit colores. Spectacula is a kind of 
 accusative of the inner object ; see Introd. 38. b. 
 
 27. tamquam . . . quicquam : as if that had anything to do 
 with the matter. ista : with a contemptuous force, that plumage 
 which you think so handsome. 
 
 28. cocto : sc. pavoni. num adest : the syllable ending in -m 
 is scanned short, instead of being elided, as happens sometimes in 
 Lucilius, Terence, and other early poets. Horace may have taken 
 the expression directly from Lucilius, as Palmer suggests. Cf. si me 
 amas, i. 9. 38. honor: adornment, beauty, as in Epod. 11. 6, hie 
 tertius December . . . silvis honorem decutit. 
 
 29. carne: note the emphatic position of this word and of nil. 
 
PAGE 48.] BOOK II. SERMO 2. 247 
 
 quamvis distat : for the indicative with quamvis, see Introd. 45. b. 
 nil: not a whit, adverbial accusative. magis . . . te petere: 
 think of your preferring" infinitive in an exclamation; see Introd. 
 46. 6. 
 
 30. esto : very well, i.e. let that pass without further comment. 
 
 31. unde datum sentis : whence is it given you to tell (by the 
 taste) ? Cf. i. 4. 79, unde petitum hoc in me iacis ; and Pers. v. 124, 
 unde datum hoc sumis ? lupus . . . Tiberinus : the lupi (a kind 
 of bass or pike) caught in the Tiber were preferred to those caught in 
 the sea ; and of the former those were regarded as especially choice 
 which were caught near the island in the Tiber. Cf. Columella, R. E. 
 viii. 16. 4, docta et erudita palata fastidire docuit (Marcius Philippus) 
 fluvialem lupum, nisi quern Tiberis adverse torrente def atig asset ; 
 Lucil. 1181 L., Ilium siimina ducebant atque altilium lanx, hunc pon- 
 tes Tiberinus duo inter captus catillo. alto : the deep ; the adjec- 
 tive used as a substantive ; sc. mari. 
 
 32. Met : gapes ; of the dead fish with its open mouth. iacta- 
 tus : tossed by the swirling current ; cf. the passage from Columella, 
 quoted in the note on line 31. amnis . . . Tusci : the Tiber, which 
 rises in Etruria ; cf. Odes, iii. 7. 28, nee quisquam citus aeque Tusco 
 denatat alveo. 
 
 33. sub : note the asyndeton. trilibrem mullum : the mullet 
 was a small fish ; hence the epicure prized especially those of unusual 
 size. Cf. Plin. N. H. ix. 63, (mullus) magnitude modica, binasque 
 libras ponderis raro admodum exsuperat. Seneca, Epist. 95. 42, speaks 
 of one which was said to have weighed four and a half pounds ; and 
 Juvenal, iv. 15, tells how one of six pounds sold for 6000 sesterces 
 ($300). 
 
 34. singula . . . pulmenta : portions; see note on pulmentaria, 
 line 20 above, and the citation from Varro. The meaning of pulmenta 
 ( = pulmentaria) here does not differ in reality from its usual one, 
 since the portions of the choice fish serve as a relish for the rest of the 
 banquet. 
 
 35. ducit : attracts; cf. ii. 7. 102, ducor libo fumante. video : 
 parenthetical, instead of video speciem te ducere. quo pertinet 
 ergo : what then is the object ? 
 
 36. illis : refers to lupos, for though they were mentioned last, 
 Horace is speaking especially of mullets. 
 
 38. raro: modifies ieiunus. volgaria : common foods; the 
 adjective is used as a substantive. 
 
248 BOOK II. SERMO 2. [PAGE 48. 
 
 39. magnum : sc. mullum, a big one. 
 
 40. vellem : / should like (to see) ; the form of the apodosis con- 
 trary to fact, since his wish is not likely to be realized. Harpyiis 
 digna : i.e. deserving to be persecuted by the Harpies ; cf. Epod. 12. 1, 
 mulier nigris dignissima barris. at vos : but, at any rate, if we 
 cannot count upon the Harpies, do you. 
 
 41. praesentes : who are with us, contrasted with the absent 
 Harpies. coquite . . . obsonia : cook their dainties for them, 
 i.e. taint them. quamquam : and yet (it is not necessary for the 
 South Wind to spoil the food, for). 
 
 42. putet : i.e. the sated glutton can so little appreciate dainty 
 dishes, that they might as well be spoiled. Cf. Cic. Acad. frag. ii. 8, 
 quibus etiam alabaster plenus unguenti putere videatur. mala co- 
 pia : cloying abundance. quando : causal, since Horace uses 
 temporal quando only of the future (Kiessling). The use of temporal 
 quando seems to have disappeared from the sermo urbanus at an 
 early period. 
 
 43. sollicitat : turns ; cf. Celsus, Praef., sollicitare stomachum 
 vomitu. rapula : a kind of small turnip or radish, which was 
 pickled and used as an appetizer; cf. ii. 8. 8, acria circum Eapula, lac- 
 tucae, radices, qualia lassum Pervellunt stomachum. 
 
 44. acidas inulas : the root of the elecampane, pickled in vine- 
 gar ; cf. ii. 8. 51, inulas amaras Plin. N. H. xviii. 91, inula per se 
 stomacho inimicissima, eadem dulcibus mixtis saluberrima . . . ali- 
 quando pipere aut thymo variata defectus praecipue stomachi excitat. 
 
 45. epulis regum : {even} from the feasts of the rich ; for this 
 meaning of reges, cf. Odes, i. 4. 14, pauperum tabernas regumque 
 turres. ovis . . . oleis : these formed part of the gustatio ; cf. i. 
 3. 6, and the note. 
 
 46. baud ita pridem : not so very long ago. 
 
 47. Gallon! : cf. Lucil. 1002 L., quoted by Cic. de Fin. ii. 8. 24 : 
 Publi, O gurges, Galloni; es homo miser, inquit. Cenasti in vita 
 numquam bene, cum omnia in ista Consumis squilla atque acipensere 
 cum decumano. 
 
 48. rhombus : a kind of flat-fish, which derived its name from its 
 shape ; usually identified with the turbot, but perhaps a species of 
 ray. 
 
 49. ciconia : Porph. says : (Sempronius} Eufus instituisse dicitur 
 ut ciconiarum pulli manducarentur : isque cum repulsam praeturae 
 tulisset, tale epigramma meruit : 
 
PAGE 48.] BOOK II. SERMO 2. 249 
 
 Ciconiarum Rufus iste conditor 
 Licet duobus elegantior Plancis, 
 Suffragiorum puncta non tulit septem : 
 Ciconiarum populus ultus est mortem. 
 
 If this be true, praetorius is ironical. 
 
 51. mergos : gulls ; cf. Ovid, Met. xi. 795, Aequor amat nomenque 
 tenet quia mergitnr illo. suavis : i.e. ' good eating.' edixei it : 
 the word is chosen with reference to praetorius, as if the would-be 
 praetor had issued an edict to that effect. 
 
 52. pravi : governed by docilis ; cf. Odes, iv. 6. 43, docilis modorum, 
 and see Introd. 46. a. docilis : quick to learn, with reference to 
 docuit in line 50. Romana iuventus : this epic phrase, as Orelli 
 suggests, may well have been used ironically, parodying Ennius, Ann. 
 538, Optuma cum pulcris animis Romana iuventus cf. Virg. Aen. i. 
 467, Troiana iuventus. 
 
 53. sordidus. etc. : while recommending frugal living, Ofellus 
 would not approve of stinginess. a ... victu : for the construc- 
 tion, cf. Odes, iii. 19. 1, Quantum distet ab Inacho Codrus. Horace 
 also uses the simple ablative in Epist. i. 7. 48, and the dative in Odes, 
 iv. 9. 29. distabit: a kind of gnomic use of the future; i.e. 'it 
 will be found to differ' ; cf. Plaut. Most. 1041, qui homo timidus erit, 
 in rebus dubiis nauci non erit. 
 
 54. vitaveris . . . detorseris : the future perfect in the protasis 
 (vitaveris) is the regular use, to indicate the fulfilment of the con- 
 dition as prior to that of the conclusion ; detorseris has the force of a 
 simple future, a usage common in colloquial language ; cf. Caes. B. G. 
 iv. 25, ego certe meum officium rei publicae praestitero, where Caesar is 
 quoting the words of a common soldier. 
 
 55. pravum detorseris : see note on vitium, i. 3. 1. Avidienus : 
 a notorious miser of the day. 
 
 56. Canis : on account of his bad temper and dirty habits ; cf. 
 Epist. i. 2. 26, canis immundis. ex vero dictum : rightly applied. 
 
 57. quinquennis : five years old; i.e. kept so long as to be spoiled. 
 est ^ from edo. corna : cornel berries, which grew wild and there- 
 fore cost nothing ; according to Columella, vii. 9, they were used as 
 food for swine ; cf. Epist. i. 16. 9, where their association with pruna 
 seems to imply that Horace himself did not disdain them. 
 
 58. nisi mutatum : until it has turned, i.e. soured. defundere : 
 pour out from the amphora into cups for drinking. 
 
250 BOOK II. SERMO 2. [PAGE 48. 
 
 59. cuius odorem olei: i.e. oleum cuius odorem ; olei is in sense 
 the object of instillat, but is attracted to the case of the relative ; cf. 
 Virg. Aen. i. 573, urbem quam statuo vestra est. licebit : although ; 
 the present licet became a conjunction, but the verb was used origi- 
 nally in other tenses as well with the same general force. Cf. Cic. 
 Verr. ii. 5. 5. 11, exspectate f acinus quamvultis improbum, for the usual 
 quamvis. 
 
 60. repotia : wedding breakfasts ; repotia postridie nuptias apud 
 novum maritum cenatur, quia quasi reficitur potatio, Test. p. 388. 
 
 61. albatus: in full dress, lit. clad in (a) white (toga}. Cf. Cic. 
 Vatin. 12. 30, quis umquam cenarit atratusf and ibid. 13. 31 (of a funeral 
 feast), cum ipse epuli dominus albatus esset. cornu ipse bilibri: 
 he poured the oil with his own hand from the large horn in which it 
 was kept, being too mean to buy a flask (gutta) for use at the table, 
 and fearing that his guests might help themselves too liberally. He 
 was sparing of his oil and free with his vinegar, while to make a 
 good salad he should have followed the reverse practice. Since he did 
 not drink his wine until it had turned sour, he had an abundance of 
 vinegar (see line 58 above). 
 
 63. igitur : well then ; after showing the evils of extravagance 
 and of stinginess, Horace advises a middle course. The post-positive 
 position of igitur is the classical usage, and is invariably found in 
 Horace. horum utrum : i.e. the extravagant (gluttonous) man, or 
 the miser. 
 
 64. aiunt : the saying is; i.e. it was a well-known proverb; cf. 
 Plaut. Gas. 971, hac lupi, hac canes. An English parallel is, ' between 
 the devil and the deep sea.' 
 
 65. mundus erit, qua : i.e. he will be elegant to the extent of not 
 giving offence by meanness ; cf. i. 2. 123, munda hactenus ut neque 
 longa Nee magis alba velit . . . videri, to which this seems to be the 
 corresponding relative construction in a somewhat condensed form. 
 With the sentiment, cf. Cic. de Off. i. 36, 130, adhibenda praeterea 
 munditia est non odiosa neque exquisita nimis, tantum quae fugiat 
 agrestem et inhumanam neglegentiam. 
 
 66. cultus: genitive with miser; cf. cerebri felicem, i. 9. 11, and 
 see Introd. 40. a. miser: 'pitiful,' i.e. despicable. Cf. ii. 8. 18, 
 dimtias miseras. He will not be open to censure in either direction 
 as regards his mode of life. hie : such a man. 
 
 67. Albuci : identified by Porphyrio with the person mentioned in 
 ii. 1. 48, qui, ob cupiditatem nimiam habendi alienam uxorem, suam 
 
PAGE 49.] BOOK II. SERMO 2. 251 
 
 veneno necavit ; but this is probably a mere guess on his part. dum 
 munia dedit : i.e. while assigning them their duties as waiters at the 
 table. 
 
 68. saevns erit : i.e. punish them beforehand for mistakes which 
 they might make, as Cato is said to have done. simplex : easy- 
 going, and hence careless. unctam . . . praebebit aquam : i.e. 
 give his guests greasy water to wash their hands in before dinner ; cf. 
 i. 4. 88, and the note. 
 
 70. nunc : after showing the difference between extravagant and 
 frugal living, the poet comes back to his subject as stated in line 1. 
 quae quantaque: what great advantages ; cf. line 1. 
 
 71. valeas : potential subjunctive with an implied protasis, si 
 tenui victu utaris. variae res: a mixed diet. 
 
 72. ut: how. memor : serves as the protasis of credasj if you 
 should call to mind. 
 
 73. simplex : when eaten alone, contrasted with variae res. tibi 
 sederit : agreed with you, i.e. digested quietly, contrasted with stoma- 
 cho tumultum fert in line 75. The subjunctive is due to the idea of 
 indirect discourse implied in memor. Tibi is dative of interest. 
 simul = simul ac, as frequently. 
 
 74. miscuerls : future perfect. For the long i, cf. ii. 5. 101 ; 
 Odes, iv. 7. 20 and 21 ; and see Introd. 57. 
 
 76. pituita : scanned in three syllables, the u being treated as a 
 semi-vowel. 
 
 77. cena dubia : cf. Ter. Phorm. 342, cena dubia apponitur. 
 Quid istuc verbist? Ubi tu dubites quid sumas potissimum. The 
 expression had doubtless become proverbial, like Epist. i. 19. 41, hinc 
 illae lacrimae. quin : for quin etiam, moreover. corpus . . . 
 animum : not only is the body affected by gluttony, but the mind as 
 well. 
 
 78. vitiis : excesses; see note on i. 3. 1. 
 
 79. divinae . . . aurae : the soul was conceived by many of the 
 Greek philosophers to be a part of the divine essence. 
 
 80. alter: the other, i.e. the temperate man, contrasted with the 
 glutton, whose characteristics are sketched in the preceding lines. 
 dicto citius : apparently a colloquial expression ; cf. Cic. Phil. ii. 33. 
 82, omnia sunt citius facta quam dixi. It modifies sopori . . . dedit 
 and curata. The temperate man eats a light supper and falls asleep at 
 once. curata : used, as often, of refreshing the body by food ; 
 curare membra is a variation of the common expression curare corpus. 
 
252 BOOK II. SERMO 2. [PAGE 49. 
 
 81. vegetus : fresh, lively, contrasted with line 77 f. ; cf. Liv. 
 xxii. 47. 10, fessi cum recentibus ac vegetis pugnabant. 
 
 82. tamen : i.e. notwithstanding his usual frugality. melius : 
 more generous fare; the adjective is used as a substantive. 
 transcurrere : change, a metaphorical use of the word. quon- 
 dam : at times; quondam has the same meanings as olim ; see note 
 on i. 1. 25. 
 
 84. tenuatum : sc. laborious or morbo. Not by poor living, for 
 frugal living has been shown to be wholesome. The temperate man 
 will allow himself a more luxurious diet when he actually needs it. 
 ubique accedent anni : i.e. when he grows old. 
 
 86. tibi : in the emphatic position ; but in your case ; dative of 
 reference or advantage. With the general sentiment, cf. Celsus, i. 1, 
 cavendum ne in secunda valetudine adversae praesidia consumantur. 
 quidnam : emphatic interrogative, what on earth ? 
 
 87. praesumis : anticipate ; i.e. take before it is necessary. mol- 
 litiem : indulgence. 
 
 88. valetudo : here, as often, means ill-health. tarda senec- 
 tus : enfeebling old age, a conventional epithet ; cf. Tibull. ii. 2. 19, 
 dum tarda senectus Inducat rugas. Eor a similar use of tarda, cf. 
 tarda podagra, i. 9. 32, and see Introd. 49. a. 
 
 89. rancidum: high; Comm. Cruq., leviter tantum putentem. 
 non quia : not because, introducing the statement of a fact, and 
 hence followed by the indicative. 
 
 90. quod . . . consumeret : a substantive clause, explaining 
 hac mente ; subjunctive because it represents the thought of the anti- 
 qui. 
 
 91. commodius : more fittingly. vitiatum . . . integrum : sc. 
 eum, i.e. aprum. 
 
 93. heroas : as if such customs belonged only to the Golden Age. 
 tellus . . . prima : cf. primis terris, i. 3. 99. 
 
 94. das aliquid famae : the introduction to another argument for 
 frugal living, that one has a better reputation. carmine gratior : 
 cf. Plin. Epist. vii. 21, est enim, ut Xenophon ait, TJSHTTOV &KOV<T^O. 
 STTCUPOS (Xen. Hier. 1. 14). 
 
 95. grandes . . . grande : the same adjective is used purposely. 
 Note the emphatic position of grande. 
 
 96. damno : ruin, in a financial sense. 
 
 97. patruum : the uncle was proverbial for severity ; cf. Cic. Cael. 
 25, patruus pertristis; Odes, iii. 12. 3 ; Serm. ii. 3. 88. vicinos : 
 
PAGE 50.] BOOK II. SERMO 2. 253 
 
 sc. iratos. iniquum : hateful ; cf. the opposite expression in Epist. 
 i. 18. 101, quid te tibi reddat amicum. 
 
 99. as, laquei pretium : a familiar expression in comedy and 
 probably in the colloquial language ; cf. Plaut. Pseud. 88, quid de 
 drachma facere vis? Restim volo mihi emere. Quamobrem? Qui 
 me faciam pensilem ; and our familiar expressions, 'go hang yourself,' 
 ' I'll be hanged,' and the like. iure : note the emphatic position. 
 inquit : sc. quispiam, a return to the dialogue form. Cf. inquit, i. 4. 
 79. Trausius : otherwise unknown. He had evidently ruined 
 himself by extravagant living. istis: such (as you have just 
 uttered). 
 
 100. vectigalia: income, used commonly of the revenues of a 
 state, but sometimes of individuals ; cf. Odes, iii. 16. 40, Contracto 
 melius parva cupidine Vectigalia porrigam ; Cic. ad Alt. xii. 19. 1, 
 equidem iam nil egeo vectigalibus et parvo contentus esse possum. In 
 the singular, Cic. Farad, vi. 3. 49, non intellegunt homines quam 
 magnum vectigal sit parsimonia. 
 
 101. amplas: great enough for; cf. Lucr. v. 944, pabula . . . 
 miseris mortaUbus ampla. 
 
 102. quod superat: the surplus; a substantive clause, object of 
 insumere. melius : a better object ; the adjective is used as a sub- 
 stantive, as in line 82. quo insumere possis : on which you can 
 spend ; quo is the adverb = in quod. Cf. i. 1. 73, quo valeat nummus. 
 
 103. indignus : i.e. contrary to his deserts ; sc. qui egeat, and cf. 
 Cic. Tusc. Disp. iv. 20. 46, hominum indignorum calamitates. 
 
 105. emetiris: bestow, lit. measure out; cf. Cic. Brut. 4. 16, ego 
 autem voluntatem tibi emetiar. 
 
 106. uni nimirum . . . : i.e. of course you will be an exception 
 to the general rule, that riches have wings. recte . . . erunt : the 
 use of the adverb with esse is colloquial ; see In trod. 51. a. 
 
 107. risus: laughing-stock; cf. ii. 5, 37, iocus. uterne: since 
 uter is interrogative, -ne is redundant ; cf. ii. 3. 295, quone. 
 
 108. casus dubios : i.e. the changes of fortune ; dubios is almost 
 equivalent to adversos ; cf. Odes, iv. 9. 36, et secundis Temporibus dubi- 
 isque rectus. 
 
 109. adsuerit : transitive ; cf. i. 4. 105, insuevit. superbum : 
 pampered. 
 
 111. in pace . . . aptarit idonea bello : cf. our proverbial ex- 
 pression, ' in time of peace prepare for war.' ut sapiens : cf. ut 
 avarus, i. 1. 108. 
 
254 BOOK II. SERMO 2. [PAGE 50. 
 
 112. quo . . . credas : Horace gives a practical example to illus- 
 trate his theory. his : these precepts. puer . . . parvus . . . 
 novi : evidently Ofellus lived near Venusia. 
 
 113. integris : with a long penult ; cf. integrum, line 92. la- 
 tius : more lavishly ; cf. Juv. xiv. 234, indulgere sibi lathis. Latins 
 is the opposite of anguste ; cf. Caes. B.C. iii. 16, ad rem frumentariam 
 expediendam qua anguste utebatur ; and for the adjective, angustam 
 pauperiem, Odes, iii. 2. 1. 
 
 114. videas : for the ' can '-potential, see note on i. 4. 86. me- 
 tato : confiscated, forfeited, since the lands which were allotted to 
 the soldiers were first surveyed, or 'measured'; cf. Prop. iv. 1.130, 
 Abstulit excultas pertica tristis opes. Metatus, though from a deponent 
 verb, is often used with passive force. 
 
 115. fortem mercede colonum : a sturdy hired man. Umbre- 
 nus (see 134) seems to have left the farm in the hands of Ofellus, 
 paying him a sum of money for working it ; mercede is ablative of 
 price, though the use of such an ablative modifying a substantive is 
 extremely rare. 
 
 116. non . . . temere : not without some special reason ; two 
 reasons are mentioned in lines 118-119. luce profesta : a working 
 day; profesta is opposed to sacra in Odes, iv. 15. 25, et profestis 
 lucibus et sacris. 
 
 118. longum post tempus : guests were rare in the country. 
 
 119. operum : genitive with vacuo, a Grecism. See Introd. 40. 6. 
 vacuo: when I was not busy (dative agreeing with mihi), hence 
 gratus, ' welcome.' per imbrem : which was the only time when 
 he and his neighbors had leisure to pay visits. 
 
 120. bene erat : sc. nobis, ' we made merry ' ; cf. recte erunt, line 
 106, and see Introd. 51. a. urbe : Roma. 
 
 121. pensilis uva: raisins, i.e. grapes, hung up and dried; cf. 
 Plin. N.H. xiv. 16, durant aliae per hiemes, pensili concameratae nodo. 
 secundas mensas : dessert, the second course, consisting usually of 
 fruit and the like ; cf. i. 3. 5, and the note. 
 
 122. duplice ficu: i.e. figs split in two and dried. 
 
 123. post hoc . . . magistra : i.e. no formal magister or arbiter 
 bibendi was appointed (see Odes, ii. 7. 25), but certain delinquencies 
 were punished by a forfeit, hence culpa magistra, 'with a fault 
 acting as mistress of the feast.' potare: predicate to Indus erat; 
 see Introd. 46. d. 
 
 124. venerata : besought by prayer cf. Carm. Saec. 49 ; Serm. 
 
PAGE 52.] BOOK II. SERMO 3. 255 
 
 ii. 6. 8. For the passive use of the participle, see on line 114, above. 
 ita . . . surgeret : the correlative clause is understood : ita . . . sur- 
 gas, ut tibi hum vinum, fundo, or the like. Surgeret represents surgas 
 transferred to past time and made dependent on venerata ; it is sub- 
 junctive in a substantive clause developed from the optative. 
 
 125. explicuit . . . frontis : cf. Odes, iii. 29. 16 (mundae paupe- 
 rum cende.) sollicitam explicuere frontem. 
 
 126. nbvos: i.e. in addition to the one which had already 
 occurred. 
 
 127. hinc : i.e. from such a mode of life as has just been de- 
 scribed, parcius . . . nituistis: of good condition of body; i.e. 
 how much less well-fed have you appeared. 
 
 128. pueri : here equivalent to gnati ; cf. line 15. ut : since. 
 incola : tenant, used instead of dominus, for the reason given in the 
 next line. 
 
 129. propriae : i.e. to hold it as his own, permanently ; cf. Lucil. 
 477 L., Cetera contemnit et in usura omnia ponit Non magna : pro- 
 prium vero nil neminem habere. 
 
 130. statuit : has settled, with the idea of permanency. 
 
 131. nequities : incapacity, shiftlessness. vafri . . . iuris : 
 i.e. to be understood only by the vafer (homo*); cf. ius anceps, ii. 5. 
 34. Note the different idea of the jurist Trebatius, ii. 1. 81, sanctarum 
 inscitia legum. 
 
 132. postremum : masculine adjective agreeing with ilium, at 
 the end of his life ; or adverb ; cf. Cic. de Orat. iii. 2. 6, in quo (vesti- 
 gfi'o) ille postremum institisset. certe : at any rate ; i.e. if neither 
 incompetency nor ignorance of legal trickery does. 
 
 134. nulli : dative of the possessor, with erit. proprius : per- 
 manently, like propriae in line 129. 
 
 135. vivite fortes, etc. : with the sentiment, cf. Virg. Aen. vi. 95, 
 Tu ne cede malis, sed contra audentior ito ; i. 207, Durate et vosmet 
 rebus servate secundis. 
 
 SERMO III. 
 
 1. sic raro scribis : for a similar use of sic, cf. Cic. de Sen. 8. 26, 
 quas quidem (i.e. Cfraecas litteras') sic avide arripui . . . ut ea ipsa 
 mihi nota essent, quibus me nunc exemplis uti videtis. On scribis, see 
 Introd. 57. 
 
 2. membranam : parchment, on which books were sometimes 
 written; sometimes charta, 'papyrus,' was used; cf. i. 5. 104, Brun- 
 
256 BOOK II. SEKMO 3. [PAGE 52. 
 
 disium longae finis chartaeque viaeque est. retexens : undoing, 
 lit. unweaving ; for the force of re-, cf. Odes, i. 28. 11, refigere ; Epist. 
 i. 7. 9, rcsignare. 
 
 3. benignus : given to ; on vini somnique, see Introd. 40. a. 
 
 4. dignum sermone : worth mentioning. quid fiet : i.e. what 
 will you produce ? at : but after all. There is some hope that he 
 will accomplish something. ipsis Saturnalibus : just at the Satur- 
 nalia, a time of general holiday, hence the fact that the poet has with- 
 drawn to the country is an indication that he proposes to do some 
 serious work. Cf. Plin. Epist. ii. 17. 24, in hanc ego diaetam cum me 
 recepi, abesse mihi etiam a villa mea videor, magnamque eius volupta- 
 tem praecipue Saturnalibus capio, cum reliqua pars tecti licentia die- 
 rum festisque clamoribus personal : nam nee ipse meorum lusibus nee 
 illi studiis meis obstrepunt. The Saturnalia, at first celebrated on the 
 17th of December, were, in the last century of the Republican period, 
 extended to seven days. Augustus limited the holiday to three days, 
 so far as legal business was concerned. 
 
 5. hue : i.e. to his Sabine farm, given him by Maecenas about 
 33 B.C. sobrius : when every one else was drinking ; note .the 
 emphatic position. Cf. Juv. vii. 96, vinum toto nescire Decembri. 
 
 6. dignum promissis : cf. Epist. ii. 1. 53 (Ennius) leviter curare 
 videtur, Quo promissa cadant; Ars Poet. 138, Quid dignum tanto 
 feret hie promissor hiatu. nil est : i.e. nothing comes of the effort. 
 
 7. culpantur frustra calami : cf. Pers. iii. 12, Tune queritur, 
 crassus calamo quod pendeat umor, Nigra quod infusa vanescat sepia 
 lympha, Dilutas queritur geminet quod fistula guttas. immeritus : 
 cf. indignus, ii. 2. 103, Cur eget indignus quisquam, te divite. labo- 
 rat . . . paries : i.e. it is pounded by the poet in his desperation. 
 
 8. iratis natus dis : a common expression, here jestingly ampli- 
 fied by atque poetis ; cf. i. 5. 97 ; Ter. Andr. 664, nescio, nisi mi deos 
 fuisse iratos, qui auscultaverim ; Juv. x. 129, Dis ille adversis genitus 
 fatoque sinistro. 
 
 9. atqui voltus erat : sc. tibi ; yet you had the look (when you 
 left the city). minantis: humorously used in the sense of promis- 
 ing, boasting that you would do ; cf. Epist. i. 8. 3, multa et pulchra 
 minantem. 
 
 10. vacuum : sc. te ; at leisure. tepido : warm, contrasted 
 with the less easily heated city houses. villula : your own little 
 villa; note the force of the diminutive, and cf. lectulus, i. 4. 133, with 
 the note. 
 
PAGE 53.] BOOK II. SERMO 3. 257 
 
 11. quorsum pertinuit : what was the use? Cf. ii. 2. 35, quo per- 
 tinet ergo Proceros odisse lupos. Platona : from the connection 
 the reference is probably to the writer of comedy (428-389 B.C.) who 
 forms a connecting link between the Old and the Middle Comedy. 
 Otherwise Horace's well-known tastes would lead us to think of the 
 philosopher. We get here interesting light on Horace's method of 
 work. Menandro : ablative of association. See Introd. 41. 6. 
 
 13. virtute relicta : i.e. by ceasing to satirize vice. 
 
 14. contemnere : as well as hated. improba : froward, because 
 she tempts men to idleness, as the Sirens tempted Odysseus and his 
 companions. 
 
 15. quicquid parasti : i.e. the reputation which you had acquired. 
 
 16. ponendum : given up ; the simple verb for the compound 
 deponendum. di te . . . donent : a formula used to express wishes 
 for good or evil ; cf. Catull. 28. 14, At vobis mala multa di deaeque Dent ; 
 Plaut. Pseud. 271, di te deaeque ament. Tonsore, which is withheld 
 until the end of the sentence, takes the place of such a wish, vapa. 
 irpoffdoKtav ; cf. bonorum, i. 1. 79 ; minora, i. 3. 20. 
 
 17. unde : how ? 
 
 18. lanurn ad medium : i.e. at the middle of Janus Street, 
 extending along the north side of the Forum, from the Comitium to 
 the Temple of Antonius and Faustina. The street seems to have been 
 called ad lanurn from the temple of the god which stood near by, at 
 the entrance of the Via Argiletana. It was frequented by money- 
 lenders, bankers, and the like, whence the term ad lanum medium 
 was typical, like our 'on Wall Street.' Cf. Cic. de Off. ii. 24. 87, de 
 quaerenda, de conlocanda pecunia, etiam de utenda, commodius a 
 quibusdam optimis viris ad lanum medium sedentibus quam ab ullis 
 philosophis ulla in schola disputatur. 
 
 19. fracta est : wrecked, a not uncommon metaphor ; cf. Cic. pro 
 Sull. 14. 41, patrimonio naufragus. 
 
 20. quaerere : investigate ; as a judge and buyer of antiquities. 
 
 21. quo . . . aere : used humorously for ancient Corinthian bronzes. 
 Similarly, i. 3. 91, catillum Evandri manibus tritum deiecit. Corinthian 
 bronzes were highly prized ; cf. i. 4. 28, stupet Albius aere, and the 
 note. 
 
 22. sculptum . . . fusum : used respectively of marble and bronze, 
 durius : too rudely, stiffly, contrasted with mollius ; cf. Virg. Aen. vi. 
 847, Excudent alii spirantia mollius aera; and somewhat similarly, 
 Ars Poet. 33, mollis imitabitur aere capillos. 
 
258 BOOK II. SERMO 3. [PAGE 53. 
 
 23. callidus: shrewdly, i.e. cum lucro ; cf. line 25. ponebam: 
 paid for, invested in; cf. i. 2. 13, positis in faenore nummis ; Epod. 2. 
 70, Omnem redegit Idibus pecuniam, Quaerit Kalendis ponere. 
 
 24. mercarier : the archaic form of the present passive infinitive, 
 common in comedy and perhaps in the language of everyday life. 
 See Introd. 35. a. unus : / alone. 
 
 25. Mercuriale : the favorite of Mercury, as the god of trade; see 
 Odes, i. 2. 41, and the note; Odes, ii. 17. 29. Mercuriale instead of 
 Mercurialis, through attraction to cognomen. 
 
 26. compita: the street-corners, where auctions were held; cf. 
 Cic. de Leg. Agr. 1. 3. 7, at hoc etiam nequissimi homines consumptis 
 patrimoniis faciunt, ut in atriis auctionariis potius quam in triviis 
 aut in compitis aiictionentur. 
 
 27. morbi : genitive of separation in imitation of the Greek con- 
 struction ; cf. Odes, i. 22. 1, sceleris purus, and see Introd. 40. b. 
 Purgo is sometimes constructed with the ablative of separation, or 
 with the ablative with ab. 
 
 28. mire : modifying emovit ; it is remarkable how, etc. novus : 
 sc. morbus. 
 
 29. lateris dolore : cf. i. 9. 32, laterum dolor. 
 
 30. ut . . . cum : as is the case when. hie : for example. 
 
 31. dum ne : sc. facias; i.e. provided you don't attack me. esto 
 ut libet : i. e. have any craze you like. o bone : my good fellow ; a 
 somewhat patronizing expression ; cf. ii. 6. 51 and 95 ; Epist. ii. 2. 37. 
 
 32. stulti prope omnes : sc. sunt ; the statement is softened by 
 prope ; cf. i. 3. 96, quis paria esse fere placuit peccata. 
 
 33. Stertinius : mentioned also in Epist. i. 12. 20 ; otherwise un- 
 known, crepat : prattles, prates, a contemptuous term. uiide : 
 for a quo, to be taken with docilis in approximately the sense of doctus; 
 cf. Odes, iii. 11. 1, te docilis magistro ; Auct. ad Her. iii. 4. 7, lauda- 
 bile aut ab idoneis hominibus aut omnibus civibus. 
 
 34. tempore quo : at the time when. 
 
 35. solatus: i.e. for the loss of his fortune. sapientem pas- 
 cere barbam: to grov) a philosophic beard; ironical, as if that were 
 the only thing needful in order to become a philosopher ; cf. Plin. 
 Epist. i. 22. 6, ex istis qui sapientiae studium habitu corporis prae- 
 ferunt. 
 
 36. Fabricio . . . ponte: the bridge connecting the island in the 
 Tiber with the left bank. It was built of stone by Fabricius in G2 B.C., 
 and is still standing, with the inscription recording its construction. 
 
PAGE 54.] BOOK II. SERMO 3. '2~>\) 
 
 37. male re gesta : with reference to line 18 above. vellem : 
 I was on the point of. operto . . . capite : as usual when about 
 to die ; cf. Liv. iv. 12. 11, multi ex plebe spe amissa . . . capitibus 
 obvolutis se in Tiberim praecipitaverunt ; Suet. Jul. 82, utque {Caesar} 
 animadvertit undique se strictis pugionibus peti, toga caput obvolvit. 
 
 38. dexter : on my right, hence with good omen. cavS : with 
 short c, as frequently. faxis : an archaic form, used instead of 
 feceris; really an aorist optative, fac-s-i-s; cf. ausim, i. 10. 48. 
 
 39. malus : false. 
 
 40. insanos . . . inter: i.e. among people who are as mad as. 
 yourself. Note the anastrophe, common with dissyllabic prepositions. 
 
 41. primum : introducing a discourse on the subject in the regular 
 philosophic manner. quid sit furere : what madness is ; furere is 
 the subject of sit. 
 
 42. nil verbi: equivalent to nullum verbum; verbi is genitive of 
 the whole ; cf. van is rerum, ii. 2. 25, and the note. pereas quin : 
 to prevent you from dying, governed by the idea of preventing implied 
 in nil verbi addam. 
 
 44. caecum agit : drives blindly on; caecum modifies quern. 
 Chrysippi porticus : the o-rod at Athens, where the Stoics taught ; 
 Chrysippus was once the head of the School ; see note on 1.3. 126. 
 grex: i.e. his followers, disciples; cf. Epist. i. 4. 16, Epicuri de 
 grege porcum. 
 
 45. autumat : declare, an archaic word. populos : whole 
 nations; note the plural. formula: definition. 
 
 46. sapiente : the philosopher. See Introd. 35. c. tenet : 
 embraces. nunc : introducing the second head of the discourse ; 
 cf. primum, line 41. 
 
 48. insano : attracted to the case of tibi, as often in such 
 expressions. 
 
 49. palantis: used proleptically with pellit. 
 
 50. unus . . . partibus : i.e. one mistake, that of leaving the 
 path, but in different directions. t 
 
 53. caudam trahat ; i.e. is himself an object of ridicule ; Porph. 
 says : solent enim pueri deridentes n$scientibus a tergo caudam suspen- 
 dere, ut velut pecus caudam trahant. 
 
 54. nihilum : the earlier and fuller form of nihil = ne hilum, 
 not a whit. timentis : which fears, equivalent to a relative clause. 
 
 55. in campo : i.e. on a level, unbroken plain. 
 
 56. varum : i.e. diversum, constructed with the dative, cf. i. 4. 48, 
 
260 BOOK II. SERMO 3. [PAGE r,4. 
 
 differt sermoni Epist. i. 18. 3, meretrici dispar and the usage com- 
 mon in England, ' different to.' 
 
 57. clamet : jussive subjunctive with concessive force. arnica: 
 best taken as an adjective modifying mater. 
 
 58. honesta : honored. 
 
 59. serva : look out! a colloquial expression, common in comedy. 
 
 61. Ilionam edormit : slept through the part of Ilione, in 
 Pacuvius's play of the same name. While personating the sleeping 
 Ilione, the drunken actor went to sleep and so missed his cue, which 
 was mater, te appello. Ilionam is accusative of the inner object in its 
 freer form ; cf. i. 5. 63, and the note ; Introd. 38. b. Catienis mille 
 ducentis : i.e. the entire audience took the cue from the mouth of 
 Catienus, who was playing Deiphobus, and shouted it to the sleeping 
 actor, but in vain. Mille ducentis is used indefinitely of a large 
 number. See Introd. 50. 
 
 62. huic . . . errori : i.e. the genuine madness just described. 
 
 63. similem: sc. errorem, accusative of the inner object with 
 sanire ; cf. Ilionam, line 61 , and the note. 
 
 64. insanit : has a craze for ; cf. i. 4. 28, stupet Albius aere. 
 
 65. integer mentis : for the construction, cf. Odes, i. 22. 1, integer 
 vitae. esto : i.e. suppose (for the moment) he is ; let us look into 
 the matter ; cf. i. 6. 19. 
 
 66. reddas : the jussive force of accipe is carried into the relative 
 clause. 
 
 67. magis excors : comparative, still more mad (than an insanus). 
 Ex-cors, because the heart was regarded. as the seat of the mind ; cf. 
 Juv. vii. 159, quod laeva in parte mamillae Nil salit Arcadico iuveni. 
 
 68. reiecta praeda : with the force of a condition, parallel with 
 si acceperis in the line above. praesens : propitious. Mercury 
 was the god of thieves as well as of traders ; cf. line 25 above. 
 
 69. scribe : enter, in your account book ; addressed to the cred- 
 itor ; a technical term; cf. Cic. Hose. Com. I. 2, quemadmodum 
 turpe est scribere quod non debeatur, sic improbum est -non referre 
 quod debeas. decem : sc. milia sestertium, i.e. a million sesterces 
 (about $50,000). a Nerio : i.e. to be paid by Nerius. A Nerio is 
 not ablative of the agent, but scribe aliquid ab aliquo is a technical 
 term ; cf. Plaut. Trin. 182, a me argentum dedi ; Cure. 618, pro istac rem 
 solvi ab trapezita meo; Cic. Verr. ii. 3. 76. 177, hinc ab aerario pecuniam 
 numerari. non est satis : paratactic construction with conditional 
 
 . force ; if that is not enough, add, etc. Cicutae : a money-lender, 
 
PAGE 55.] BOOK II. SERMO 3. 261 
 
 mentioned again in line 175, but otherwise unknown. The name may 
 well be a made-up one, from cicuta ' hemlock.' See Introd. 32. 
 
 70. nodosi : crafty,' skilful in binding his debtor ; cf. Juv. viii. 
 50, Qui iuris nodos et legum aenigmata solvat. catenas : with the 
 same metaphor as in nodosi. 
 
 71. tamen : yet ; i. e. though you take all these precautions to secure 
 payment. Proteus : so called on account of his skill in extricating 
 himself from toils ; see Epist. i. 1. 90 ; Virg. Gear. iv. 387 f . ; Odyss. 
 iv. 456 f . 
 
 72. mails ridentem alienis : i.e. laughing at his creditor's expense, 
 or perhaps laughing loudly. Undoubtedly with reference to Odyss. 
 XX. 347, (j.vr)<TTf)p<ri d IlaXXds ' ' A.6-f)vri AfffiecrTov y&u wptre, iraptir\ayt> 
 5 v6rjiJ.a. Oi'5' t]drf yvad/jt.oio'i yeXolwv dXXor ptour iv . The reference in 
 the Homeric passage is to forced, unnatural laughter. Horace may 
 have misunderstood the meaning, or he may use the term humorously 
 without regard to its original force. Cf. Valerius Flaccus, viii. 164 
 (of Medea), alieno gaudia vultu semper erant. 
 
 74. male rem gerere : to ivaste one's property through mismanage- 
 ment ; cf. Cic. de Sen. 1. 22, quemadmodum nostro more male rem geren- 
 tibus patribus bonis interdict solet. contra : sc. facere ; the reverse. 
 
 75. putidius : more ' addled. ' Perelli : the name of the creditor. 
 
 76. dictantis : i.e. bidding you write an agreement to pay what 
 you cannot pay ; with a play on the words scribere (implied) and re- 
 scribere. rescribere: repay; cf. Ter. Phorm. 921, transi sodes ad 
 forum atque illud mihi argentnm rursum iube rescribi. 
 
 77. togam . . . componere : that is, to settle oneself, to listen to 
 a long discourse. 
 
 80. calet : is in a fever. me : accusative governed by propius, 
 which has the force of a preposition ; cf. Cic. Phil. vii. 9. 26, propius 
 urbem. 
 
 81. ordine : to be taken with doceo ; cf. Plaut. Mil. 875, rem 
 omnem tibi . . . domi demonstravi ordine (note the similar position 
 of the word). 
 
 82. ellebori : regarded as a cure for insanity ; the best came 
 from Anticyra in Phocis. Cf. Ars Poet. 300, tribus Anticyris caput 
 insanabile. avaris : since avarice is the principal cause of dis- 
 content and foolish conduct, see i. 1. 
 
 83. nescio an: I rather think. omnem Anticyram : i.e. all 
 the hellebore 'in the world. See note on line 82 above. ratio : a 
 fair calculation. 
 
262 BOOK II. SERMO 3. [PAGE 55. 
 
 84. Staberi : otherwise unknown. summam : i.e. the amount 
 which had been left them. So Trimalchio (Petr. 71) wishes cut on 
 his tomb : pius, fortis, fidelis, ex parvo crevit, sestertium reliquit tre- 
 centies, nee umquam philosophum audivit. 
 
 85. fecissent : implied indirect discourse, representing the future 
 perfect used by the testator ; ni fecisset depends on damnati dare. 
 
 86. paria : cf. i. 7. 19. These were to be exhibited at the funeral 
 games. One hundred pairs was a large, but not an unheard-of, number. 
 arbitrio Arri : i.e. such as Arrius would order. The reference is to 
 Quintus Arrius, mentioned by Cic. Vatin. 13. 31, who gave a dinner at 
 which several thousand guests were present (cum tot hominum milia 
 accumberent} . 
 
 87. frumenti : sc. et, which has perhaps been lost from the text ; 
 also a distribution of grain. Africa was at this time the granary of 
 Italy ; cf. Odes, i. 1. 10, Quicquid de Libycis verritur areis. 
 
 88. ne sis patruus : don't play the stern uncle, and lecture me. 
 On patruus, cf. ii. 2. 97 and the note. The words give the thought of 
 Staberius, uttered in anticipation of the protests of his heirs (hoc pru- 
 dentem . . . vidisse). 
 
 89. hoc : i.e. sive ego prave, etc., above. prudentem : prophetic. 
 quid ergo sensit : what was his idea? 
 
 91. quoad : occurs only here in Horace, and is very rare in poetry ; 
 scanned as one syllable. See Introd. 57. 
 
 92. acrius : sc. quam pauper iem. ut : so much so that; cf. i. 1. 
 95, dives ut. Here we have no word which leads up to the result clause. 
 
 93. uno quadrante : ablative of measure of difference. perisset : 
 standing for the future perfect indicative of Staberius's thought, implied 
 in videretur. 
 
 95. pulchris divitiis : cf. Juv. xiii. 33, quas habeat veneres aliena 
 pecunia. 
 
 96. parent : are inferior to. construxerit : with the same 
 metaphor in mind as in constructus acervus, i. 1. 44. 
 
 97. sapiensne : such short questions were characteristic of the 
 Stoics ; cf. Cic. Farad, praef . 2, Cato perfectus . . . Stoicus . . . minutis 
 interroyatiunculis quasi punctis quod proposuit efficit. etiam: even 
 so, yes ; cf. Cic. Acad. ii. 32, 104, aut ' etiam ' aut ' non ' respondere possit. 
 
 98. hoc : i.e. that he died rich. paratum : won. 
 
 99. magnae laudi : dative of purpose. quid simile isti : sc. 
 fecit ; how was the action of Aristippus different ? Isti has a con- 
 temptuous force. 
 
PAGE 56.] BOOK II. SERMO 3. 263 
 
 100. Aristippus : a disciple of Socrates, and founder of the Cyrenaic 
 school. Of. Epist. i. 1. 18, and i. 17. 23. The story is told by Diogenes 
 Laert. ii. 8. '77. 
 
 101. irent : note the subjunctive, because (in his opinion) they 
 were going. 
 
 103. nil agit: has no force. litem quod lite resolvit: i.e. 
 which solves one difficulty by raising another. 
 
 104. emptas : i.e. as soon as he bought them. 
 
 105. musae . . . ulli : i.e. any sort of music. 
 
 106. non sutor : though not a shoemaker. 
 
 107. aversus mercaturis : i.e. though having a distaste for com- 
 merce. Mercaturis is dative with aversus; cf. line 56 above. The 
 more common construction is ab and the ablative, as in Cic. pro Arch. 
 9. 20, aversus a musis. delirus : lit. out of the furrow (de-lira) ; 
 hence, out of the straight course, crazy. 
 
 108. undique : i.e. by all. merito : note the emphatic position, 
 and rightly, too. istis : with contemptuous force ; cf. isti in line 99. 
 For the case, see Introd. 39. a. 
 
 110. metuens . . . sacrum: cf. i. 1. 71, tamquam parcere sacris 
 cogeris. Velut modifies sacrum; for the hyperbaton, cf. tamquam 
 . . . sacris in the passage just cited. 
 
 111. ad: beside. 
 
 112. illinc : as if tollere, or a word of similar meaning, were to 
 follow. 
 
 113. esuriens dominus : i.e. quamvis esuriens et dominus. 
 
 115. positis intus : i.e. stored up in his wine-cellar. 
 
 116. nihil est : correcting the preceding too modest figure ; that's 
 nothing. Both mille and tercentum milibus are used indefinitely of a 
 large number. See Introd. 50. 
 
 117. acetum : i.e. wine which has spoiled (soured) , lit. vinegar; 
 cf. Plant. Rud. 937, Sed hie rex cum aceto pransurust Et sale, sine bono 
 pulmento. age : calling attention to the following condition ; what 
 if. stramentis : straw, without a coverlet ; cf. Plin. N. H. xviii. 14, 
 quies somnusque in stramentis erat. unde-octoginta . . . natus: 
 in his seventy-ninth year. Unde-octoginta is divided between two 
 lines, like inter-est in i. 2. 62. The definite year, instead of a general 
 round number, individualizes the case ; cf. Juv. vi. 192, Tune etiam 
 quam sextus et octogesimus annus Putsat, adhuc Graece? 
 
 118. cui : dative of reference, nearly equivalent to a possessive 
 genitive. stragula vestis : bed clothing. 
 
264 BOOK II. SERMO 3. [PAGE 56. 
 
 120. paucis : in contrast to line 107. This is so common that only 
 few people would regard it as madness. Nimirum is of course satirical. 
 
 121. iactatur: is suffering; lit. * tossing ' in a fever ; cf. Cic. in 
 Cat. i. 13. 31, aestu febrique iactantur. 
 
 122. ebibat : may drink it up, with special reference to line 115, 
 but applying as well to the other riches, which the heir will sell and 
 consume ; cf. Odes, ii. 14. 25, Absumet heres Caecuba dignior. Note 
 the interlocked order of the lines. 
 
 123. dis inimice : hated by the gods; cf. Odes, i. 26. 1, musis 
 amicus, and line 8 above, iratis dis. ne tibi desit : sc. custodis ; 
 lest you should yourself be in want; cf. i. 1. 98, ne penuria victus 
 opprimeret. 
 
 124. quantulum : diminutive, what an insignificant bit. enim : 
 absurd, for. dienim : genitive of the whole with quisque, instead 
 of quisque dies. 
 
 125. oleo meliore : the miser economizes in the same way as 
 Avidienus in ii. 2. 55. 
 
 126. porrigine: dandruff. 
 
 127. si . . . satis est : i.e. if only the bare necessities of life are 
 needful, a commonplace of the philosophers, which had become pro- 
 verbial ; cf. Plaut. Mil. 749, Si certumst tibi, Commodulum obsona, ne 
 magno sumptu : mihi quidvis sat est; Turp. fr. 144 R., ut philosophi 
 aiunt, isti quibus quidvis sat est. surripis, auiers: used respec- 
 tively of secret theft and open robbery. 
 
 128. tun : for tune. Emphatic ; are YOU ? 
 
 129. tuos : emphatic ; your own. quos acre pararis : for 
 which you have paid money ; cf. Sail. Jug. 31. 11, servi aere parati. 
 
 130. omnes pueri . . . puellae: a proverbial expression for 
 every one (of both sexes); cf. i. 1. 85. Note the irregular position 
 of que, not uncommon in poetry. 
 
 132. quid enim : cf. i. 1. 7. neque tu . . . , etc. : ironical ; 
 with the thought, cf. ii. 1. 54 f. 
 
 134. an tu reris : i.e. did Orestes go mad only after killing his 
 mother ? 
 
 135. actum Furiis : driven mad, referring to the impulse which led 
 him to commit murder, as well as to the avenging furies which pun- 
 ished the deed. Cf. Virg. Aen. iii. 331, scelerum furiis agitatus Orestes. 
 
 137. quin : nay ; = quin etiam ; cf. i. 4. 30. ex quo: sc. tern- 
 pore, male tutae : unsafe, nearly equivalent to male sanae. 
 
 138. nil sane fecit : he certainly did nothing. 
 
PAGE 57.] BOOK II. SERMO 3. 265 
 
 141. Furiam : cf. Eur. Orest. 264, /J.C o$<ra r&v tp.&v 'Epivtwv, 
 
 \i dxfuifaS' hunc aliud : doubtless with reference to a scene from 
 some lost tragedy. splendida bills : his wrath ; splendida is used 
 literally; cf. Galen, irepl Alriuv ~Zvfj.irTUfj.dTuv, ii. 50, /xAaiva xoXr; 
 ffn\irvoTtpa avTov TOV O.I/J.O.TOS ; Pers. iii. 8, vitrea bilis. 
 
 142. Opimius : probably one of Horace's made-up names, from 
 opimus ; cf. i. 6. 40, Novius. The effect of the name is heightened by 
 the ironical epithet pauper ; cf. Odes, iii. 16. 28, Magnas inter opes 
 inops. argenti . . . et auri : genitive with pauper ; cf. i. 1. 79, 
 horum pauperrimus bonorum. positi intus : cf. line 115 above. 
 
 143. Veientanum : a very inferior red wine ; cf. Pers. v. 147, 
 Veientanum rubellum, vapida laesum pice. festis diebus . . . 
 profestis : cf. ii. 2. 116. 
 
 144. Campana trulla : cf. i. 6. 118, and the note ; the trulla was 
 a ladle for dipping wine from the crater ; Opimius apparently drank 
 from this instead of from a wine-cup. vappam : here used in its 
 literal sense ; cf. i. 1. 104, and the note ; i. 5. 16. 
 
 145. lethargo : doubtless caused by old age ; cf. Epist. i. 8. 10, 
 veterno. 
 
 147. multum celer atque fidelis : colloquial for celerrimus atque 
 fidelissimus ; cf. i. 3. 57 ; ii. 5. 92 ; etc. 
 
 148. poni: for apponi ; the simple verb for a compound is fre- 
 quent in poetry. 
 
 149. pluris : several people. 
 
 150. ad munerandum : as if the property were going to be 
 divided among the heirs. 
 
 151. Jam : presently ; cf. Odes, i. 4. 16, iam te premet nox. 
 
 152. vigila : rouse yourself. hoc age : come now ! An expres- 
 sion common in comedy. 
 
 153. venae : here means the blood ; cf. Ovid, ex Pont. iii. 1. 69, Ad 
 medicum specto venis fugientibus aeger. 
 
 154. ingens : tremendous, a purposely strong word. fultura : 
 often used for food ; cf. Lucr. ii. 1148, fulcire cibus (debet}. 
 
 155. tisanarium oryzae : rice-gruel; tisanarium from the Greek 
 TTTurtivrj. Cf. Plin. N. H. 18. 74 (Indi), maxime oryza gaudent ex 
 qua tisanam conficiunt, quam reliqui mortales ex hordeo. 
 
 156. quanti ergo: well, how much? octussibus : eight asses; 
 used of an indefinite small number ; cf. octonos, i. 6. 75, and the note. 
 
 157. furtis . . . rapinis : because so high a price seems to him 
 robbery. 
 
266 BOOK II. SERMO 3. [PAGE 57. 
 
 158. non stultus : to be taken together ; no fool. 
 
 160. continuo : forthwith. 
 
 161. cardiacus ; dyspeptic, i.e. troubled with heartburn. Cra- 
 tenim : a celebrated physician of Cicero's time ; cf. Cic. ad Att. xii. 
 14. 4, de Attica doleo ; credo tamen Cratero. 
 
 162. recte est : sc. ei. A colloquial construction ; see above, 
 bene erat, ii. 2. 120, and Introd. 61. a. 
 
 163. temptentur : subjunctive, because the reason of Cratems is 
 given. 
 
 164. immolet . . . porcum : as a thank offering ; possibly with 
 a reminiscence of the custom referred to in Plant. Men. 292 of sacri- 
 ficing a pig as a cure for insanity, though of course used somewhat dif- 
 ferently here. 
 
 166. Antic^ram : to be cured by hellebore ; see line 83 above. 
 Cf. Plin. N. H. xxv. 52, Drusum . . . constat hoc medicamento liber- 
 atum comitiali morbo in Anticyra insula. Ibi enim tutissime sumitur. 
 barathrone : barathro + ne, into a pit; of throwing away money. 
 
 167. paratis : what you have acquired; cf. Odes, i. 31. 17, frui 
 paratis, Latoe, dones. 
 
 169. antique censu : according to the old standard of wealth ; cf. 
 Odes, ii. 15. 13, privatus illis census erat brems. Ablative of accord- 
 ance, divisse : equivalent to divisisse, though perhaps a different 
 formation ; cf. surrexe, i. 5. 91, and the note. 
 
 171. talos nucesque : common playthings ; cf. Suet. Aug. 83, 
 (Augustus) animi laxandi causa talis ocellatisque nucibus ludebat 
 cum pueris minutis. 
 
 172. sinu laxo : i.e. carelessly, in a loose fold of his toga, which 
 served as a pocket. ludere : sc. eis (instrumental ablative), risk 
 them at play. 
 
 173. tristem : in serious wise. 
 
 174. discors : of different kinds. 
 
 175. Nomentanum : cf. i. 1. 102. Cicutam : cf. line 69 above. 
 
 176. divos . . . Penatis : cf. Epist. i. 7. 94, per genium, dex- 
 tramque deosque Penates Obsecro et obtestor. 
 
 178. natura coercet : sc. quo; to which nature limits you; cf. i. 
 1. 50, quid ref erat intra Naturae finis viventi. 
 
 179. titillet : as we may say, tickle your fancy. gloria: i.e. a 
 desire for glory. 
 
 180. fueritve : note the position of -ve, which connects aedilis and 
 praetor, and see note on line 130 above. 
 
PAGE 58.] BOOK II. SERMO 3. 267 
 
 181. praetor : used of the corresponding office in Venusia, quat- 
 tuor vir iure dicundo ; cf. i. 5. 34, and the note. intestabilis : lit. 
 incapable of making a will, or of bearing witness ; here in the general 
 sense of infamous in the eyes of inen ; while sacer means accursed in 
 the sight of the gods. ; 
 
 182. in cicere, etc. : i.e. in largesses of food to the populace ; cf. 
 Pers. v. 177, vigila et cicer ingere large fiixanti populo, nostra tit Flo- 
 ralia possint Aprici meminisse senes. bona . . . perdas : waste 
 your substance. 
 
 183. latus . . . spatiere: cut a swell; cf. Cic. Acad. ii. 127, 
 erigimur, latiores fieri videmur, humana despicimus. aeneus : in 
 bronze, of a statue ; cf. Odes, iv. 1. 20, te Ponet marmoream sub trabe 
 citrea; Cic. Arch. 9. 22, in sepulcro Scipionum putatur is (Ennius) esse 
 constitutus ex marmore. 
 
 184. nudus agris, etc. : cf. i. 2. 13, dives agris. 
 
 185. scilicet . . . tu : ironical ; that YOU forsooth. Note the 
 emphasis of tu and its position. Agrippa : M. Vipsanius Agrippa 
 was aedile in 33 B.C., when he distinguished himself both by the mag- 
 nificence of his public works and by the splendor of his games and 
 public exhibitions. 
 
 186. astuta . . . leonem : another allusion to the fable of the 
 Ass in the Lion's Skin ; cf. i. 6. 22 ; ii. 1. 64. 
 
 187 ff. Agamemnon's crime, inspired by ambition, is just as mad 
 as the deed of Ajax. The scene referred to is at the end of the Ajax 
 of Sophocles. ne quis . . . velit : modelled on the formula com- 
 mon in the ancient laws, e.g. the Senatus Consultum de Bacchanali- 
 bus, C. I. L. i. 196 ; Lindsay, Handbook of Latin Inscriptions, xxxvii. 
 The perfect infinitive is usual in the formula. 
 
 188. plebeius: since I am one of the common people. The 
 speaker is doubtless conceived of as a philosopher. et : and besides. 
 
 189. inulto : unpunished, with impunity ; cf. Odes, iii. 3. 42, catu- 
 los ferae Celent inultae. 
 
 190. maxime reguna, di tibi dent : modelled on Iliad, i. 17 f. : 
 
 ' ArpelSai re KCU &\\ot evKv^fjades 'A%cuoi 
 deol doTev 'OAtf/xTrta dd)/j.a.T 
 i Hpidfjaio 7r6\tv, eD 5' of/caS' 
 
 192. consulere : i.e. to question you. 
 
 193. ab Achille secundus : next after Achilles, i.e. second reckon- 
 
268 BOOK II. SERMO 3. [PAGE 58. 
 
 ing from Achilles, a common use of db ; Plaut. Pseud. 597, septumas 
 aedis a porta. Aiax was regularly so ranked by the Greek poets. 
 
 195. gaudeat : the line is a reminiscence of Iliad, i. 255, ^ KCV 
 yrjd-/l(ra.i Hpia/j.os II/oid/ioi6 re tr aides. ut : is it that? iiihumato : 
 sc. illo. 
 
 197. mille ovium : the only case of the use of mille (singular) as 
 a substantive in Horace ; the construction is regular in Plautus, and 
 occasionally occurs in Nepos and Cicero ; e.g. Nep. Milt. 5. 1, ea 
 (civitas') mille misit militum. insanus . . . dedit: went mad and 
 slew. 
 
 199. pro vitula : like a heifer ; referring to the sacrifice of Iphi- 
 genia. Agamemnon, the philosopher says, was no more sane than Ajax. 
 
 200. mola . . . salsa : meal and salt were sprinkled on the heads 
 of victims before they were sacrificed. 
 
 201. rectum animi servas cursum : do you keep your senses; 
 cf. Soph. fr. 555, Nauck, ets 6pdbv 0/jovets. insanus : in his madness. 
 quid enim : why, what? 
 
 202. abstinuit vim : he withheld violence. The transitive use of 
 abstinere is common in comedy and in Cicero. Horace has the in- 
 transitive use with the genitive in Odes, iii. 27. 69, abstineto irarum, 
 and iv. 9. 37 ; elsewhere the ablative (e.g. Ars Poet. 170, 379, 414). 
 Caes. B. G. vii. 14 has the intransitive use with ab and the ablative, a 
 mulieribus atque infantibus abstinere ; cf. Tac. Dial. 40, se abstinere 
 a; see Gudeman, ad loc. 
 
 203. uxore et gnato : Tecmessa and Eurysaces. 
 
 204. non ille : strongly emphatic; cf. Odes, iv. 9. 51, non ille 
 timidus perire. ipsum : even ; though he was his enemy. 
 
 205. verum : but; Agamemnon tries to justify himself. ad- 
 verso litore : ablative of association with haereo, as in Odes, i. 2. 9, 
 Piscium et summa genus haesit ulmo. See Introd. 41. b. 
 
 206. prudens : purposely, opposed to insanus. 
 
 207. nempe tuo : but with your own. non furiosus : sc. sum. 
 
 208. alias veris : different from the true ; veris is ablative ; cf, 
 Epist. i. 16. 20, alium sapiente bonoque. sceleris . . . permixtas : 
 cf. Catull. 64. 405, malo permixta furore. Tumultu is ablative of 
 association ; cf. adverso litore, line 205 above. 
 
 209. commotus : of unsound mind, the opposite of stas ammo, in 
 line .213. 
 
 210. stultitia ... ira : the faults of Agamemnon and Ajax 
 respectively. 
 
PAGE 59.] BOOK II. SERMO 3. 269 
 
 211. desipit : note the hyperbaton, and cf. ii. 1. 60, quisquis erit 
 vitae scribam color. Desipit is emphasized by its position. 
 
 212. prudens : wittingly ; cf. line 206. titulos : glory, lit. 
 honorary inscriptions (see note on i. 6. 17), a Roman conception 
 introduced into the Homeric scene. inanis : cf. Lucr. iii. 996, 
 petere imperium quod inane 'est. 
 
 213. stas animo : cf. commotus, line 209. tumidum : i.e. with 
 pride ; cf. Odes, iv. 3. 8, regum tumidas minas. 
 
 216. Rufam aut Pusillam: ' golden-hair,' or 'little darling.' 1 
 forti : gallant, a conventional epithet; cf. ii. 5. 64, forti nubetprocera 
 Corano filia Nasicae. 
 
 217. interdicto : by an injunction; cf. Cic. de Sen. 7. 22, ut quern 
 ad modum nostro more male rem gerentibus patribus bonis interdict 
 solet, sic ilium . . . a refamiliari removerent indices. 
 
 218. ad sanos abeat tutela propinquos: the words of the 
 Twelve Tables on the subject are preserved by Cic. de Invent, ii. 50. 
 148, si furiosus escit, agnatum gentiliumque in eo pecuniaque eius 
 potestas esto. 
 
 219. devovet : as Agamemnon did his daughter pro vitula (line 
 199). 
 
 220. integer animi : cf. integer mentis, line 65 above. ne 
 dixeris : see note on ne biberis, ii. 2. 16. ergo : summing up, as 
 in line 158. 
 
 222. vitrea: i.e. glittering and perishable; cf. Publ. Syr. Sent. 
 171, Fortuna vitrea est: turn cum splendet frangitur. 
 
 223. circumtonuit : of the noisy rites of the goddess. gaudens 
 . . . cruentis: delighting in deeds of blood. Bellona was worshipped 
 by fanatics who gashed themselves with knives. 
 
 224. mine : introducing a discussion of the third mark of insanity, 
 luxurious living. Nomentanum : cf. line 175 and i. 1. 102. 
 
 225. vincet . . . ratio : cf. i. 3. 115, nee vincet ratio hoc. 
 
 226. patrimoni : inheritance, genitive of definition modifying 
 mille talenta. 
 
 227. edicit : makes proclamation. Used humorously, as in ii. 2. 51. 
 
 228. Tusci . . . vici : a street leading from the Forum toward 
 the Tiber. It was frequented by all sorts of low characters ; hence 
 turba impia. 
 
 229. scurris : parasites, who make a living by their buffoonery ; 
 cf. i. 5. 52, and the note. fartor : probably a sausage-maker. Vela- 
 bro : a street between the vicus Tuscus and the Forum Boarium, fre- 
 
270 BOOK II. SERMO 3. [PAGE 59. 
 
 quented by dealers in provisions of all sorts. See C. I. L. vi. 967, 
 negotiator penoris et vinorum de Velabro. macellum : a general 
 fish and meat market ; cf. Ter. Eun. 257, ad macellum ubi adventa- 
 mus, Concurrunt laeti mi obviam cuppedinarii omnes, Cetarii, lami, 
 coqui, fartores, piscatores. 
 
 231. verba facit : acts as spokesman. 
 
 234. ocreatus : in leggings. aprum : the accusative with ceno 
 is quite frequent in Plautus and in Horace ; otherwise it occurs occa- 
 sionally only in post- Augustan poetry. See Introd. 38. a. 
 
 235. verris : with a net ; cf. Sil. Ital. xiv. 262, sen silvis sectare 
 feras sen retibus aequor Verrere. 
 
 236. segnis ego : sc. sum, I am a lazy fellow. 
 
 237. deciens : sc. centena milia (sestertium), and see note on i. 
 3. 15. 
 
 239. Aesopi : a celebrated actor of the time of Cicero. Cicero 
 uses the same expression, ad Att. xi. 15. 3,filius Aesopi me excruciat. 
 Metellae : perhaps the wife of P. Cornelius Lentulus Spinther. 
 
 240. deciens solidum : a whole million; see note on line 236. 
 Solidum agrees with deciens taken as a sum. The same story is told 
 of Antony and Cleopatra by Plin. N. H. ix. 58. 
 
 242. illud idem : i.e. deciens solidum, in the form of the pearl. 
 
 243. Arri : cf. line 86 above. nobile : ironical. 
 
 244. gemellum : twins, agreeing with par; cf. Epist. i. 10. 3, 
 cetera paene gemelli. 
 
 245. impenso : sc. pretio. Plin. N.H. x. 141, tells us that nightin- 
 gales cost six thousand sesterces (about $300) apiece. 
 
 246. quorsum : for utrovorsum, which way, i.e. to the side where 
 the sane men stand, or to the other. carbone: i.e. ut insani. 
 The figure is derived from the connection of white with good luck, 
 and black with evil ; cf. Epist. ii. 2. 189, vultu mutabilis, albus et 
 ater. 
 
 247. casas : toy-houses. Cf. Juv. ix. 61, rusticus infans Cum 
 matre et casulis et collusore catello ; Tib. ii. 1. 24, Ludet et ex virgis 
 construct ante casas. plostello : a little cart, diminutive of plos- 
 trum, the colloquial form of plaustrum. See Introd. 55. b. 
 
 248. par impar : i.e. odd or even. The game was played with 
 nuts ; cf. line 171 above. 
 
 249. barbatum : i.e. a grown-up man. amentia verset: sc. 
 eum, i.e. he would be the victim of madness. 
 
 250. ratio evincet : cf. line 225 above, and the note. 
 
PAGE 60.] BOOK II. SERMO 3. 271 
 
 251. utrumne : the -ne is redundant ; cf. uterne, ii. 2. 107. in 
 pulvere : cf. Iliad, xv. 362 : 
 
 6ffT tirel ofiv T 
 
 &\{/ afrris <rvi>x ev TOffiv Kal -^epaiv adtipuv. 
 
 252. ludas opus : you waste your time. 
 
 254. mutatus : i.e. reformed. Polemon : the successor of Xe- 
 nocrates as head of the old Academy, formerly a dissipated Athenian 
 youth, who was converted to temperance by hearing a discourse of 
 Xenocrates, into whose lecture hall he had burst on returning from a 
 drinking-bout. insignia morbi : signs of your malady; cf. Quint. 
 xi. 3. 14, palliolum sicut fascias, quibus crura vestiuntur, et focalia et 
 aurium lig amenta" sola excusare potest valetudo. 
 
 255. cubital : apparently an elbow-cushion ; cf. Comm. Cruq., 
 cubitale pulvillus qui cubito cenantis supponi solebat. potus ille : 
 i.e. Polemon. 
 
 256. furtim: i.e. when he thought no one was looking. coro- 
 nas : the garlands which he had worn at the drinking-bout, and still 
 had on. 
 
 257. impransi : sober, as opposed to potus in line 255 ; lit. fasting. 
 
 259. catelle : little cub, a humorous term of endearment ; cf. 
 Plaut. Asin. 693, die igitur med aniticulam, columbulam, catellum. 
 
 260. qui : how ; cf. line 108. agit : the original quantity of 
 the i was short ; it is used as long after the analogy of verbs which 
 originally had a long final syllable. See Introd. 57. 
 
 262. nee nunc : with this whole dialogue, cf. Ter. Eun. 46 ff. 
 The same passage of Terence is also followed by Persius, v. 161-174. 
 
 263. finire dolores : i.e. by resisting the temptation. 
 
 265. servus : referring to Parmeno, Phaedria's slave. quae 
 res : a thing which, referring to love. 
 
 268. tempestatis . . . ritu mobilia : i.e. almost as changeable 
 as the weather. 
 
 269. caeca sorte : opposed to ratione, line 266. For the meaning 
 of sorte, see i. 1. 1, and the note. 
 
 270. reddere certa : i.e. to reduce to rule and order. 
 
 271. insanire . . . ratione modoque: to go mad by rule and 
 method. Palmer compares Shakespeare, Hamlet, ii. 2. 298, "Though 
 this be madness, yet there's method in it." 
 
 272. Picenis . . . pomis : the apples of Picenum were highly 
 
272 BOOK II. SERMO 3. [PAGE 60. 
 
 esteemed ; cf. ii. 4. 7; Juv. xi. 74, aemula Picenis et odoris mala 
 recentis. 
 
 273. cameram percusti: if a lover succeeded in snapping an 
 apple-seed so as to hit the ceiling, it was regarded as a sign that his 
 love was returned ; cf. our Hallowe'en customs. penes te es: i.e. 
 are you in your senses ? 
 
 274. balba : lisping, used of the ' baby talk ' of lovers. See note 
 on Balbinus, i. 3.40. feris: lit. strike; cf. Varro, ap. Diomedem, 
 i. 420. 10 K., (vox) fit vel exilis aurae pulsu vel verberati aeris ictu. 
 
 275. aedificante casas: cf. line 247 above. qui: how much? 
 cruorem : of murderous acts inspired by love. 
 
 276. ignem gladio scrutare: an example of folly. See Athe- 
 naeus, X. 425, ' irvp ^.a-^aLpq. /J.TJ (T/caAetfeiJ'' avrl TOV reOvfj-wfi^vov avdpa 
 /J.T] tpidalveiv ' irvp yap 6 6v/j.6s, i} d' e/ns fj.dxa.ipa. ' modo : i.e. as 
 lately happened ; with reference to the following instance. 
 
 277. praecipitat se : throws himself headlong, either in Tiberim 
 or from some high place. The word is used absolutely, without a 
 conscious ellipsis ; cf. Livy, xxxiii. 19. 6, et praecipitasse quosdam non 
 tolerantes famem constabat. 
 
 278. cerritus : crazy ; apparently connected with Cerrus, a mascu- 
 line form of Ceres. commotae, mentis : cf. commotus, line 209. 
 
 279. absolves : with crimine expressed, instead of the genitive of 
 the charge. See B. App., 327. sceleris: genitive of the charge. 
 
 280. ex more: i.e. as people usually do. cognata : kindred, 
 i.e. of nearly the same meaning. 
 
 281. libertinus : see note on libcrta, i. 1. 99. compita : cross- 
 roads, where the shrines of the Lares Compitales were located. 
 siccus : fasting, which, like lautis manibus esse, was required under 
 the circumstances. 
 
 283. quid tarn magnum : sc. est quod vos oro ; i.e. what I ask is 
 not so very great a thing. unum : repeated for emphasis. 
 
 284. dis . . . facile est : a Homeric reminiscence ; cf. Odyss. v. 
 25, TyXtfj-axov 8t <rv ir^p^ov Trt.aTantvus, Mvaaai yap. 
 
 285. nisi litigiosus : sc. esset, unless he were fond of lawsuits, for 
 one would surely follow for misrepresentation ; cf. Varr. E. Jl. ii. 10. 5, 
 in (servorum) emptione solet stipulatio intercedere sanum eum esse, 
 furtis noxisque solutum ; cf. also Epist. ii. 2. 2-19. 
 
 286. exciperet : would except, from his guarantee. hoc . . . 
 volgus : the expression implies that there were many such people. 
 
 287. Meneni : an unknown madman. 
 
PAGE 61.] BOOK II. SERMO 3. 273 
 
 289. cubantis : sick abed ; cf. i. 9. 18. 
 
 290. quartana : sc. febris, the quartan ague, occurring every 
 fourth day, according to the Roman method of inclusive reckoning. 
 
 291. die . . . ieiunia : Thursday, the day of Jupiter ; the refer- 
 ence is to the Jewish rites, to which the anxious mother resorts ; cf. 
 Juv. vi. 522 (of a superstitious woman), Hibernum fracta glade de- 
 scendat in amnem, Ter matutino Tiberi mergetur, et ipsis Verticibus 
 timidum caput abluet. 
 
 292. levarit : see note on triverit, i. 1. 45. 
 
 293. ex praecipiti : from the crisis; cf. Celsus, iii. 18, praeceps 
 periculum. 
 
 295. quone : cf. utrumne, line 251 above ; uterne, ii. 2. 107. 
 
 296. sapientum octavus : i.e. an addition to the Seven Wise 
 Men of Greece ; cf. Juv. ii. 40, tertius e caelo cecidit Cato. 
 
 297. compellarer : be abused; i.e. called insane. 
 
 298. totidem : sc. verba, shall hear as much, i.e. the same. 
 
 299. pendentia tergo : cf. line 53 above ; or perhaps with refer- 
 ence to the two sacks ; see note on i. 3. 69 ; and cf. Phaedrus, iv. 
 10, Peros imposuit luppiter nobis duos : Propriis repletum vitiis post 
 tergum dedit, Alienis ante pectus suspendit gravem. 
 
 300. sic vendas : the regular formula in wishes, usually followed 
 by an w-clause, e.g. ut dicis qua stultitia . . . putes, but here, by a 
 kind of anacoluthon, by a direct question ; cf. Odes, i. 3. If., where 
 jussive subjunctives follow. pluris : sc. quam emeris ; genitive of 
 price. 
 
 301. qua stultitia : on account of what folly ? 
 
 303. abscisum: cut off. Pentheus was torn to pieces by his 
 mother Agave and the other Bacchantes, because he despised the 
 power of Dionysus. 
 
 305. liceat: let it be allowed me, i.e. without shame. 
 
 306. tantum . . . edissere : only explain. 
 
 308. aedificas : probably on his Sabine Farm. longos imi- 
 taris : you are imitating the great; the word longos is chosen with 
 reference to Horace's short stature ; cf. Epist. i. 20. 24. 
 
 310. corpore maiorem : too great for his body ; corpore is abla- 
 tive of comparison. Turbonis : according to Porphyrio, a gladia- 
 tor of small size but of great courage. 
 
 312. verum : just, reasonable ; sc. facere. Cf. Epist. i. 7. 98, 
 ^fetiri se quemque suo modulo ac pede verum est. 
 
 313. tantum dissimilem : cf. ii. 5. 92 ; Epist. i. 10. 3. 
 
274 BOOK II. SERMO 4. [PAGE 61. 
 
 314. absentis ranae : another allusion to the Aesopian fables. 
 pullis : the young. 
 
 317. quantane : cf. quone, line 295 ; utrumne, line 251. 
 
 318. num tanto : sc. magnafuit, not so big as this? 
 
 320. abludit : a aira eiprj^vov, equivalent to abhorret. 
 
 321. oleum . . . camino : a proverbial expression, from the 
 Greek. 
 
 322. sanus : poetic inspiration is regarded as akin to madness ; cf. 
 Ars Poet. 296. 
 
 323. horrendam rabiem : one of Horace's besetting sins ; cf. 
 Odes, iii. 9. 23 ; Epist. i. 20. 25. As Kiessling remarks, it is a happy 
 touch that the mention of it here makes the poet finally lose patience, 
 and break out with desine. cultum maiorem censu : a style of 
 living beyond your means; see note on censum, ii. 1. 75. 
 
 324. teneas . . . tuis te : mind your own business, more literally, 
 'keep to your own affairs.' Tuis is instrumental ablative; cf. Caes. 
 B. C. i. 40, castris se tenebat. 
 
 326. maior . . . insane: greater madman! Insane has the 
 same effect as bonorum, i. 1. 79 ; minora, i. 3. 20 ; where see notes. 
 
 SERMO IV. 
 
 1. unde et quo : sc. venis and tendis; a common formula of 
 salutation ; cf. i. 9. 62. Catius : otherwise unknown. Porphyrio's 
 identification with a writer on the Epicurean philosophy, mentioned by 
 Cic. ad Fam. xv. 16. 1, and Quint, x. 1. 124, is very improbable. 
 aventi : i.e. though I should like to. 
 
 2. ponere signa : i.e. commit them to writing. 
 
 3. Anyti reum : Socrates. Anytus was the most prominent of 
 his accusers. 
 
 4. peccatum : my fault. sic : i.e. as I have done ; to be taken 
 with interpellarem. laevo : unfavorable ; cf. the opposite dextro 
 tempore, ii. 1. 18. 
 
 5. bonus: i.e. be a good fellow, and. 
 
 6. inter ci derit : i.e. slips your memory. 
 
 7. hoc; i.e. the power of memory. naturae sive artis: i.e. 
 natural or acquired ; cf. Auct. ad Her. iii. 3. 16, sunt duae memoriae, 
 una naturalis, altera artificiosa. 
 
 8. quin : nay. Catius says that his memory is the result of 
 training. 
 
PAGE 64.] BOOK II. SERMO 4. 275 
 
 9. tenui : equivalent to subtili. 
 
 10. homiiiis : the man, who invented the system. 
 
 11. memor : from memory. 
 
 12. ovis : as a dinner began with eggs (cf. i. 3. 7, note), bene ab 
 ovis incipit, as the Comm. Cruq. says. 
 
 13. suci : flavor. magis alba: whiter; with reference, of 
 course, to the inside. 
 
 14. ponere : to serve; cf. ii. 2. 23, posito pavone. callosa : i.e. 
 they are firm and. Cf. Plin. N. H. x. 145, quae oblonga sint ova 
 gratioris saporis putat Horatius Flaccus. 
 
 15. suburbano : grown near the city in the well-watered gardens 
 (contrasted with sleds') ; cf. Plin. N. H. xix. 138. cole: umor 
 fimusque si defuere, maior saporis gratia est ; si abundavere, laetior 
 fertilitas. 
 
 16. elutius: more insipid ; lit. washed-out. horto : used for the 
 products of the garden. 
 
 17. oppresserit : i.e. takes you by surprise. 
 
 18. malum : adverb. dura : tough. 
 
 19. doctus eris : i.e. you will do well. 
 
 20. pratensibus : i.e. which grow in the meadows, opposed to the 
 woods. 
 
 22. prandia : his luncheon. The prandium was the first sub- 
 stantial meal of the day, taken in the middle of the forenoon. It 
 corresponded to the French dejeuner a la fourchette. 
 
 24. mella Falerno : for the mulsum, taken at the beginning of 
 the meal ; hence the reason which follows. See note on ii. 2. 15. 
 Falerno is ablative of association ; see Introd. 41. b. 
 
 25. vacuis venis : i.e. an empty stomach. 
 
 29. brevis: short-leaved. 
 
 30. nascentes . . . lunae: i. e. the best shell-fish are taken at the 
 time of the full moon; cf. Lucil. 1062 L., Luna alit ostrea et inplet 
 echinos, Muribus fibras et pecui addit. 
 
 31. generosae: i.e. the best. 
 
 34. molle Tarentum : so called on account of the luxury and 
 effeminacy of its people. 
 
 35. cenarum . . . artem : the art of giving banquets ; cf. Ter. 
 Andr. 30, Quid est, Quod tibi mea ars efficere hoc possit amplius? The 
 term ars was applied not only to professions but to trades ; e.g. ars 
 coquina, figlina, etc. 
 
276 BOOK II. SERMO 4. [PAGE 64. 
 
 36. exacta : mastered; cf. Ovid, Fasti, iii. 637, non habet exactutn 
 quid agat, she does not clearly know what to do. 
 
 37. cara . . . mensa : i.e. from a dear fish-market. The mensa 
 is the slab on which the fish were exposed for sale. averrere : 
 sweep off; doubtless with some suggestion of the force of verris, ii. 3. 
 239. 
 
 38. est: the indicative, instead of the usual subjunctive, an 
 archaic, and perhaps colloquial, usage. 
 
 39. in cubitum . . . reponet : i.e. will soon (iam) eat to reple- 
 tion and sink back upon his elbow ; cf. Odes, i. 27. 6, impium Lenite 
 clamorem, sodalis, Et cubito remanete presso. 
 
 41. curvat : bends by its weight. inertem : insipid. 
 
 42. Cf. Macaulay, Battle of Lake Regillus, 185, "From the 
 Laurentian jungle, The wild hog's reedy home." 
 
 43. submittit: supplies. non semper edulis : i. e. those taken 
 in the forest are sometimes better. 
 
 44. sapiens : the connoisseur. armos : the fore-quarters ; cf. ii. 
 8. 89, et leporum avolsos, ut multo suavius, armos. 
 
 46. nulli : sc. palato. quaesita : with concessive force, modify- 
 ing both natura and aetas. 
 
 47. promit : produces. 
 
 48. satis : sc. est ; the only one out of twenty-four cases in Horace 
 where est is omitted in this expression. Kiessling suggests that it is 
 a parody of some proverbial expression in which est for satis est oc- 
 curred. 
 
 50. securus: careless, regardless. 
 
 51. Massica : a Campanian wine of the third quality, according 
 to Pliny. Of the Campanian wines in general, he says (N. H. xiv. 
 136), Campaniae nobilissima exposita sub dio in cadis verberari sole 
 luna, imbre, ventis, aptissimum videtur. 
 
 52. crassi : roughness. 
 
 53. decedet . . . inimicus : i.e. it will have a less strong odor; 
 will acquire a bouquet. ilia : i.e. Massica vina. Straining through 
 a linen cloth cleared the wine, but took away the flavor as well. 
 
 55. Surrentina : a very light Campanian wine suited to invalids ; 
 cf. Plin. N. H. xiv. 64, Tiberius Caesar dicebat consensisse medicos ut 
 nobilitatem Surrentino darent, alioqui esse generosum acetum,C. Cae- 
 sar, qui successit illi, nobilem vappam. Mixing it with the lees of 
 Falernian gave it strength and flavor. 
 
 56. limum : sediment. The wine was clarified with an egg. 
 
PAGE 65.] BOOK II. SERMO 4. 277 
 
 57. quatenus : inasmuch as, the regular meaning of the word in 
 Horace ; cf. i. 1. 64. volvens aliena: i.e. gathering up foreign sub- 
 stances. 
 
 58. marcentem : jaded, from excessive drinking. 
 
 59. innatat: i.e. it does not digest. 
 
 60. hillis : sausages, diminutive of hira. 
 
 61. immorsus: stimulated; literally, 'bitten.' quin = quin 
 etiam; nay . . . even. 
 
 62. fervent adlata : are brought smoking hot. 
 
 63. duplicis iuris : a particular kind of sauce, made by boiling 
 simplex ius and adding the ingredients named in lines 67-69. 
 
 64. dulci : fresh. 
 
 65. muria: brine, in which fish were preserved. 
 
 66. Byzantia orca: i.e. a jar of pickled fish; the Black Sea 
 abounded in tunny fish, of which Byzantium was one of the principal 
 ports of export. Cf. the Greek proverb, tx&vs els 'EXX^a-irovrov, ' carry 
 fish to the Hellespont,' and see note on i. 10. 34. 
 
 67. inferbuit : has been boiled. 
 
 68. Corycio : Corycus was a mountain in Cilicia, famous for its 
 saffron. stetit : has stood, to cool. 
 
 69. Venafranae : the best oil came from Venafrum in Samnium ; 
 cf. Odes, ii. 6. 16. 
 
 70. Picenis . . . pomis ; cf. ii. 3. 272, and the note. Tiburtia : 
 sc. poma. 
 
 71. nam : used elliptically, like KO.I ydp in Greek ; and I call your 
 attention to this, for.' vennuncula : sc.uva. ollis : for pots, i.e. 
 for preserving. 
 
 73. hanc : i.e.uvam. faecem . . . allec : used as appetizers ; 
 cf. ii. 8. 9 qualia lassum Pervellunt stomachum, siser, allec, faecula Coa. 
 
 74. primus . . . invenior : I am found to be the first. 
 
 75. incretum : from incernere, sift on. puris : clean. 
 
 76. milia terna : 3000 sesterces j the sum is used of an indefinite 
 large number. See Introd. 50. 
 
 77. vagos: roving; i.e. accustomed to range the seas. urgere : 
 cramp. 
 
 78. unctis . . . dum furta ligurrit : i.e. made greasy because he 
 has taken something from a dish which he was carrying. 
 
 80. veteri : old and valuable. limus : sediment. adhaesit: 
 perfect of adhaeresco, and so equivalent in meaning to adhaeret. 
 
 81. vilibus : cheap; note the emphatic position. 
 
278 BOOK II. SERMO 5. [PAGE 65. 
 
 82. neglectis : ablative absolute, with his understood. 
 
 83. ten: shortened from tene ; a colloquial form. lapides 
 varies : the reference is to a mosaic pavement, composed of bits of 
 marble of different colors. radere : infinitive in an exclamation ; 
 cf. I 9. 73 ; Introd. 46. b. 
 
 84. Tyrias . . . vestis: governed by circum ; note the anas- 
 trophe, which is common with dissyllabic prepositions. toralia : 
 coverings of white linen which were thrown over the purple couches 
 to keep them clean. The toralia could be washed, hence there was no 
 excuse for using soiled ones. 
 
 86. haec : these details, of neatness. tanto reprehend! iustius : 
 i.e. their neglect is more blameworthy than the absence of splendid 
 pavements and Tyrian coverlets would be. 
 
 89. auditum : to hear ; supine. 
 
 91. interpres : as a reporter of the teachings of his master. 
 adde : add to this. That is, to see the man would enhance the effect 
 of his words. 
 
 95. Apparently a parody of Lucr. i. 927, iuvat integros accedere 
 fontes Atque haurire. 
 
 SERMO V. 
 
 1. Tiresia : a famous Theban seer. He is supposed to continue 
 his conversation with Odysseus at the point where it is concluded in 
 Odyssey, xi. 149. petenti : sc. responsum ; cf. Carm. Saec. 55, iam 
 Scythae responsa petunt. 
 
 3. quid rides? cf. i. 1. 69. The seer smiles at the greed of 
 Odysseus. iamne : is it no longer, when he is assured of his safe 
 return. doloso : the man of guile, as if he were referring to a third 
 person ; doloso translates the Greek iro\iJTpoirov or iro\vfji^x avoy - Of- 
 Liv. Andr. ap. Gell. xviii. 9. 5, Virum mihi, Camena, insece versutum. 
 
 4. patriosque penatis : these words introduce a Roman color 
 into the language of Odysseus. 
 
 5. nulli . . . mentite : cf. Soph. Oed. Tyr. 299, y 
 
 6. redeam : am returning ; the future would be expressed by 
 rediturus sim. 
 
 7. apotheca: store-house; often 'wine-vault' ; Italian, bottega; 
 Spanish, bodega ; French, boutique. procis : the suitors of Penel- 
 ope, who had flocked to Ithaca during the absence of Ulysses. 
 
PAGE 67.] BOOK II. SERMO 5. 279 
 
 8. re re familiari, money ; cf. Epist. i. 1. 66. vilior alga : a 
 proverbial expression ; cf. Odes, iii. 17. 10, alga inutili ; Virg. Eel. 7. 
 42, proiecta vilior alga. It is especially appropriate as applied to the 
 seafaring Odysseus. 
 
 9. quando = quando quidem. missis ambagibus : in plain 
 language. 
 
 10. turdus : the thrush or fieldfare was greatly prized as a deli- 
 cacy ; cf. Epist. i. 15. 40 ; Mart. xiii. 92, Inter aves turdus, si quid me 
 iudice certum est Inter quadrupedes mattea prima lupus. 
 
 11. privum : as your own, like propriumj cf. Lucil. 21 L., Ad 
 cenam adducam et primum hisce abdomina thunni Advenientibus priva 
 dabo cephalaeaque Acharnae. dabitur : with conditional force, if 
 a thrush shall be given you ; the paratactic use. devolet : let it fly 
 away ; appropriately used of a bird. 
 
 12. nitet : flourishes ; of a well-kept property ; cf. ii. 2. 127, quanta 
 aut ego parcius aut vos, Opueri, nituistis. 
 
 13. honores : cf. Odes, i. 17. 16, runs honorum. 
 
 14. ante Larem : the first fruits were commonly offered to the 
 Lar Familiaris, the guardian spirit of the house. 
 
 15. erit : indicative, as in ii. 2. 29, quamvis distat nil. See 
 Introd. 45. b. sine gente : as a runaway slave (fugitivus) , he was 
 filius nullius. See note on i. 5. 54. 
 
 17. comes exterior : as his companion walking on his left. 
 Since weapons were carried in the right hand, the left was the unpro- 
 tected side ; hence to walk on one's left was a mark of honor ; cf. 
 Suet. Claud. 24, et in Capitolium eunti et inde rursus revertenti latus 
 texit (Plautio}. 
 
 18. utne : introducing an indignant question ; what! shall If Cf. 
 i. 10. 21, quine putetis. Damae : a common slave-name ; cf. i. 6. 38. 
 Troiae : before Troy. 
 
 19. melioribus : dative with a verb of contending ; see Introd. 
 39. a. Cf. Epod. 2. 20, certantem et uvam purpurae and Virg. Eel. 
 5. 8, tibi certat Amyntas. ergo : well then. 
 
 20. fortem . . . animum : a parody of the Homeric 
 hoc : this disgrace. 
 
 21. maiora tuli : cf. Odyss. xx. 18, rr\a0t 5f;, Kpadtrj Kal 
 
 pOV &\\0 TTOT T\TJ$. 
 
 22. ruam : rake up; apparently uniting the meaning of corruo 
 and eruo ('dig up'); cf. Lucil. 901 L, ruis hue et colligis omnia 
 furtim. 
 
280 BOOK II. SERMO 5. [PAGE 67. 
 
 23. dixi : said impatiently, referring to lines 10-17. captes: 
 
 the usual word, whence legacy -hunters were called captatorcs ; it 
 naturally leads up to the following metaphor. 
 
 25. praeroso hamo : after nibbling the bait from the end of the 
 hook. Lucian, Tim. 18, uses the same metaphor ; cf. Mart. vi. 63. 5, 
 Munera magna quidem misit sed misit in hamo. 
 
 26. artem : the profession; cf. Sen. de Ben. vi. 38, qui captan- 
 dorum testamentorum artem prof essi sunt ; see note on ii. 4. 35. 
 
 27. foro : in the forum, for the prose construction in foro ; cf. 
 mansuri oppidulo, i. 5. 87. res: case; cf. i. 9. 41. olim : at 
 any time; see note on i. 1. 25. 
 
 28. improbus : though he be a scoundrel. ultro : actually, i.e. 
 without just cause, when he ought himself to be arraigned ; cf. Liv. i. 
 5. 3, latrones . . . ultro accusantes. 
 
 30. priorem = meliorem. 
 
 32. Quinte : to address one by one's praenomen was a sign of fa- 
 miliarity and affection. puta: for example; i.e. supposing that to 
 be his name. The last syllable is short. molles : sensitive ; cf. Ter. 
 Heaut. 402, ut patrem tuom vidi esse habitum, diu etiam duras dabit 
 (aures) ; mollis is also used as a general epithet of the ear, in Catull. 
 25. 2, mollior . . . imula oricilla ; Pers. i. 107, teneras . . . auriculas. 
 
 34. ius anceps : cf. vafriiuris, ii. 2. 131. 
 
 35. oculos : a general term for what is dearest to a man ; cf. our 
 expression, 'the apple of one's eye' ; Catull. 14. 1, Ni te plus oculis 
 meis amarem ; also with the passage in general, cf. Plaut. Pseud. 510, 
 eclidito mihi ocuhim, si dedero. 
 
 36. contemptum . . . pauperet : for contemnat et pauperet, 
 bring contempt on you and rob you. Paupero belongs to the language 
 of everyday life ; cf. Plaut. fr. ap. Non. 157. 7, quam ego tanta pauper- 
 am per dolum pecunia. cassa nuce : an empty nut ; also colloquial, 
 cf. Plaut. Pseud. 510, Ten amatorem esse inventuminanem quasi cassam 
 nucem. 
 
 37. sis iocus : be a laughing stock ; cf. contemptum, line 36. 
 
 38. pelliculam : his precious hide. Note the force of the diminu- 
 tive. The usual expression is cutem curare; cf. Epist. i. 2. 29; i. 4. 
 15. Cf. also Juv. x. 192 (of an old man), deformem pro cute pellem. 
 ii cognitor : . be his advocate ; cf. Gains, iv. 97, cum enim certis et 
 quasi sollemnibus verbis in locum domini substituatiir, cognitor merito 
 domini loco habetur. 
 
 39. persta : cf. i. 9. 39. seu rubra, etc. : apparently a hit at 
 
PAGE 68.] BOOK II. SERMO 5. 281 
 
 some verses of Furius Bibaculus (cf. i. 10. 36), of which one is known 
 from Quint, viii. 6. 17, luppiter hibernas cana nive conspuat Alpes. 
 Here Furius is substituted for luppiter. The color of the Dog Star is 
 now a greenish blue, a sign of old age in stars ; it was apparently red 
 in ancient times ; cf. Sen. Nat. Quaest. i. 1. 7, cum in caelo quoque 
 non unus appareat color rerum, sed acrior sit Caniculae rubore, Martis 
 remissior. 
 
 40. infantis: dumb; cf. Epist. ii. 2. 83, statua taciturnius ; infans 
 has its literal meaning, as in i. 6. 57, infans pudor. pingui tentus 
 omaso : stuffed with greasy tripe. 
 
 42. cubito . . . tangens : nudging his neighbor. 
 
 43. patiens: sc. laboris, and cf. lines 39-41. 
 
 44. thunni : the same metaphor as in line 25. cetaria : either 
 weirs, in which the fish were caught (cf. Plin. N. H. xxxvii. 66 
 cetarias), or the same as vivaria (Epist. i. 1. 79), in which fish were 
 kept alive until wanted for the table. The word cetarium occurs only 
 here. 
 
 45. re: sc. familiaris ; cf. line 8 above. 
 
 46. sublatus aletur : shall be taken up and reared. A sickly 
 child might be exposed for death ; it was placed before the father, who 
 took it up if he wished it reared (hence sublatus}. 
 
 47. caelibis : objective genitive. For fear that open devotion to 
 a childless man may be seen through, the will-hunter is advised to pay 
 court also (praeterea) to a man with one sickly heir. nudet : i.e. 
 deprive you of your prize. leniter : craftily, slyly, contrasted with 
 manifestum, line 46. spem : sc. hereditatis. 
 
 48. arrepe officiosus : work your way by your attentions. The 
 ?^-clause is probably best taken with spem. secundus heres : i.e. 
 hefr to the estate in the event of the death of the son ; cf. Tac. Ann. i. 
 8, Augusti testamentum Tiberium et Liviam heredes habuit : in spem 
 secundam nepotes pronepotesque, tertio gradu primores civitatis scrip- 
 serat. 
 
 49. Oreo : dative of the goal or end of motion. 
 
 50. in vacuum : a legal term. 
 
 51. qui . . . cumque : tmesis ; see Introd. 53. o. legendum : 
 to show that he has been remembered in the will. 
 
 53. sic tamen : but in such a way. limis : sc. oculis : ' out of 
 the tail of your eye ' ; cf. Plaut. Mil. 1217, Aspicito limis, ne ille nos se 
 sentiat videre. Apparently colloquial. prima cera : the first page 
 of the tablets on which the will was written. secundo . . . versu : 
 
282 BOOK II. SERMO 5. [PAGE 68. 
 
 the second line, which generally contained the name of the heir, while 
 the testator's name appeared in the first. 
 
 54. velit : says; more lit. 'means.' solus: sole heir; heres ex 
 asse. 
 
 55. plerumque : very often; cf. i. 10. 15. recoctus: made 
 over, with reference to the story of Medea and Aeson. 
 
 56. quinqueviro : a very low official, a sort of policeman. cor- 
 vum : with reference to the fable of the Fox and the Crow ; cf. Phaed. 
 i. 13. 
 
 57. Nasica Corano : an incident of Horace's own day, detailed 
 below (64 f.), which Tiresias tells in the form of a prophecy. 
 
 58. prudens : purposely. 
 
 59. quicquid . . . non : a parody of divination. It is cited by 
 Boethius, Cons. v. 3, as a ridiculum vaticinium. 
 
 60. donat: present, because the inspiration is still continued, 
 although the action of the verb is itself past ; cf. Verg. Aen. ix. 266, 
 Cratera antiquum, quern dat Sidonia Dido. 
 
 61. tamen : yet, or yes, but. si licet : if it be laivful. 
 
 62. iuvenis : Octavian ; born B.C. 63. ab alto . . . Aenea : 
 cf. Virg. Aen. i. 288, lulius a magno demissum nomen lulo ; vi. 500, 
 genus alto a sanguine Teucri ; alto contains the idea both of antiquity 
 and nobility. 
 
 63. genus : a scion. Used also of a single person in Odes, i. 3. 
 27 ; Serm. i. 6. 12. tellure marique : a variation of the common 
 expression terra marique, perhaps for mock-heroic effect. See note on 
 i. 5. 3. 
 
 64. forti : gallant, apparently a stock epithet for a bridegroom ; 
 cf. ii. 3. 216, forti marito ; here used ironically. 
 
 65. metuentis : with the force of nolentis; cf. Odes, ii. 2. 7,penna 
 metuente solvi. soldum : Ms debts, strictly the principal ; or per- 
 haps in the sense of pay in full. For the syncopated form, cf. i. 3. 53. 
 
 66. tabulas : sc. testamenti ; cf. line 52. 
 
 67. multum : with the force of saepe ; cf. Odes, i. 25. 5 ; Epist. i. 
 3. 15 ; Ars Poet. 357. 
 
 69. legatum : left as a legacy, to be paid by the heir to the estate 
 (legare ab aliquo'). plorare : governed by the preposition praeter; 
 cf. Cic. de Fin. ii. 13. 43, inter optime valere et gravissime aegrotare 
 nihil iriteresse ; and see Introd. 46. d. 
 
 70. ad haec : besides, like praeterea in line 45. mulier dolosa : 
 probably a freedwoman mistress ; cf. i. 1. 99. 
 
PAGE 69.] BOOK II. SERMO 5. 283 
 
 71. delirum : cf. ii. 3. 107, delirus et amens Undique dicatur 
 merito. temperet: control,' cf. Odes, i. 8. 7, temperat orafrenis. 
 
 73. vincit longe : it is a far better plan, prius : first. ipsum 
 . . . caput : the citadel, i.e. the old man himself. 
 
 74. scribet : paratactic construction for si scribet. So erit. Cf. 
 Mart. xii. 40, Mentiris : credo ; recitas mala carmina : laudo. ve- 
 cors : of intellectual qualities ; cf. ii. 3. 67, excors. 
 
 76. facilis : compliantly. potiori : for utpote potiori, as to 
 your superior. putasne . . . poterit : parataxis, instead of the 
 infinitive in indirect discourse ; cf. Plaut. Hud. 1269, Censen hodie 
 despondebit earn mihi, quaeso. 
 
 79. enim : yes indeed, for. donandi parca : for the construc- 
 tion, cf.parcus aceti, ii. 2. 62 ; and in general, Odyss. xviii. 275 ff. 
 
 81. sic : under such conditions ; cf. i. 10. 5, nam sic Laberi mimos 
 mirer. tibi : your; ethical dative. quae: for at ea ; cf. i. 1. 36. 
 uno : because an old man in love would give more gifts than many 
 young suitors. 
 
 83. canis a corio : with reference to a Greek proverb, Alciphron 
 iii. 47, ou5e yap KIJUV ffKVTOTpayetv fiadovira rijs T^xvrjs ^7TiA^<reTcu ; cf. 
 Theocr. 10. 11, xaXeTroi/ %O/H'W /ctfra yev<rai. 
 
 84. me sene : when I was an old man, i.e. still on earth ; a jesting 
 variation of the usual me iuvene, me puero, etc. iniproba : mali- 
 cious, because she enjoyed in advance the discomfiture of the heir. 
 Thebis : the home of Tiresias. 
 
 85. ex testamento : cf. Petron. 143, omnes qui in testamento meo 
 legata habent praeter libertos meos, hac condicione percipient quae dedi, 
 si corpus meum in partes conciderint et astante populo comederint. 
 est elata : the regular term for carrying out a corpse for burial. 
 
 87. si posset : subjunctive in an indirect question ; (because she 
 wished to see) if she could. The ellipsis is colloquial. mortua : 
 after death. 
 
 89. operae : dative, as in i. 9. 56, hand mihi dero. abundes : 
 sc. opera. 
 
 90. difficilem et morosum : cf. Cic. de Sen. 18. 65, sunt morosi 
 et anxii et iracundi et difficiles senes. garrulus : cf. i. 9. 33. ultra 
 . . . sileas : don't be too silent either. Non is here used for ne, a 
 rare but undeniable use. Ultra = ultra quam satis sit. 
 
 91. Davus comicus : like Davus in the play. Cf. personatus 
 pater, i. 4. 56 ; and i. 10. 40, Davo Chremeta eludente, with the note. 
 
 92. capite obstipo : with bowed head; cf. Pers. iii. 80, obstipo 
 
284 BOOK II. SERMO 5. [PAGE 69. 
 
 capite et fingentes lumine terrain. multum : modifying similis ; cf. 
 ii. 3. 147 ; Epist. i. 10. 3. 
 
 93. grassare : make your advances ; frequentative of gradior. 
 increbruit : freshens. 
 
 94. velet : with the hood of the lacerna {cf. ii. 7. 65), or with a 
 fold of his toga. 
 
 95. aurem substringe: i.e. gather up your ear with your hand, 
 so as not to lose a single word. loquaci : if he is inclined to talk. 
 
 96. inportunus amat : paratactic ; if he has an insatiate desire. 
 ohe iam : hold, enough ; cf. i. 5. 12, ohe, iam satis est. 
 
 97. urge : ply him with flattery. 
 
 98. infla : cf. Cic. de Domo, 11. 29, desinant aliquando me isdem 
 inflare verbis. 
 
 99. levarit : by his death. 
 
 100. certum: sharply, the opposite of incertum vigilans, Ovid, 
 Her. 10. 9. 
 
 101. ergo: so then; cf. Odes,i. 24. 5, ergo Quintilium perpetuus 
 sopor Urget! 
 
 102. unde : for the construction, sc. quaeram, or a verb of similar 
 meaning, although there is no conscious ellipsis; cf. ii. 7. 116 ; Epist. 
 i. 5. 12. fortem . . . fidelem : with these adjectives, cf. spurco in 
 line 18. 
 
 103. sparge : as one would scatter flowers. subinde : at once, 
 a meaning not found before the Augustan age. est : it is worth 
 something, i.e. it is better than nothing. 
 
 105. arbitrio : cf. ii. 3. 86, arbitrio Arri. sine sordibus : 
 without meanness ; cf. i. 6. 107, sordes. 
 
 106. vicinia : the neighbors ; the abstract for the concrete ; cf. 
 Epist. i. 16. 44 ; i. 17. 62. 
 
 107. male tussiet : has a bad cough; i.e. is in consumption ; cf. 
 tussis, i. 9. 32. 
 
 108. ex parte tua : sc. hereditatis. sit : he would like to be. 
 
 109. nummo : for a song. It was really a free gift ; but the form 
 of a sale was gone through. Cf. Gaius, ii. 252, olim in usu erat ei, cui 
 restituebatur hereditas, nummo unoeam hereditatem dicis causa venire, 
 and our expression ' in consideration of one dollar,' etc. addicere : 
 a term used of auctioneers, to knock down. 
 
 110. imperiosa: imperious; her command must be obeyed. 
 trahit : summons me back to the shades. vive valeque : a com- 
 mon formula of farewell ; cf. Epist. i. 6. 67. 
 
PAGE 71.] BOOK II. SERMO 6. 285 
 
 SERMO VI. 
 
 1. hoc : referring to what follows, which has reference to his 
 Sabine farm. in votia : among my prayers. 
 
 2. iugis : ever-flowing; probably to be taken with aquae; cf. 
 Epist. i. 15. 16, iugis aquae. 
 
 3. super his : above these, i.e. on the slope of the hill ; cf. i. 5. 51, 
 super Caudi cauponas. foret : this form is not found in Caesar. 
 Cicero uses it only in his letters to Atticus, always in a future sense ; 
 and de Hep. ii. 12. 24. Subjunctive of characteristic. auctius : 
 more generously. 
 
 4. melius : since it was the gift of his friend Maecenas. bene 
 est : it is well. 
 
 5. Maia nate : Mercury, as god of gain ; cf. ii. 3. 68. propria : 
 my own forever; cf. Epist. i. 17. 5. faxis : the old aorist optative 
 fac-s-i-s, used with the force of a perfect subjunctive. 
 
 6. ratione mala : by evil means, i.e. by dishonesty. rem : sc. 
 familiar em ; cf. ii. 3. 18. 
 
 7. vitio culpave: by dissipation (cf. ii. 2. 21, pinguem vitiis) or 
 neglect. 
 
 8. veneror: pray for ; cf. Cic. ad Fam. vi. 7. 2, qui multa deos 
 venerati sint ; Carm. Saec. 49. stultus: from the philosophical 
 point of view, opposed to sapiens. si : introducing a wish ; really 
 a protasis, with the apodosis suppressed. This use seems to be con- 
 fined to the Augustan Poets. 
 
 9. denormat : spoils the regularity of, a technical term ; cf. denor- 
 mata linea, Agrimensores, i. 345. 20. 
 
 10. urnam argenti : i.e. a pot of coins, buried by some one, as in 
 the Aulularia of Plautus. quae : some, for aliqua, on account of 
 si. Note the hyperbaton. 
 
 11. mercennarius : for cum mercennarius esset. 
 
 12. ilium ipsum : i.e. the very field which he had formerly 
 ploughed as a hireling. mercatus aravit : bought and ploughed. 
 amico Hercule : the story is told by Porphyrio. Hercules was the 
 god who gave gain, especially in the form of hidden treasure, and a 
 tithe of the gain was given to him. Cf. Plaut. Bacch. 665, Si fru- 
 gist, Herculem fecit ex patre : Decumarn partem ei dedit, sibi novem 
 abstulit. 
 
 13. gratum : sc. me. 
 
 14. pingue : agreeing with pecus and ingenium with a double 
 
286 BOOK II. SERMO 6. [PAGE 71. 
 
 meaning. So we speak of 'fat-witted' people. Cf. ii. 2. 3, crassa 
 Minerva. 
 
 16. mentis : the Sabine Hills. in arcem : my stronghold, as 
 situated in the mountains, and as a refuge from the cares of the city. 
 
 17. prius : rather, i.e. than the delights of country life ; lit. before ; 
 cf. Odes, i. 12. 13, Q u id prius dicam solitis parentis Laudibus? satu- 
 ris : here used as the general word for this kind of writing, including 
 the Sermones and Epistulae ; see Introd. 24 ; and on the orthog- 
 raphy, Introd. 14. musa pedestri : my prosaic muse ; cf. Epist. 
 ii. 1. 250, sermones repentis per humum. 
 
 18. mala ambitio : referring to tit esome social duties, the neces- 
 sity of paying visits and the like ; cf. i. 6. 100 ff. plumbeus Auster : 
 the sirocco, an oppressive wind, hence the epithet plumbeus. 
 
 19. Libitinae : referring to Venus Libitina, in whose temple 
 funeral equipments seem to have been kept. quaestus : a source 
 of gain, since the equipments were probably rented, and the proceeds 
 went to the shrine. 
 
 20. Matutine pater : an ancient Italian god of the early morning, 
 here identical with Janus, the god of beginnings. lane : the voca- 
 tive used in place of the object ; cf. Prop. i. 18. 31, resonent mihi 
 4 Cynthia ' silvae ; see Introd. 37. 
 
 21. unde : for a quo ; cf. i. 6. 12. operum primes vitaeque 
 labores: the first labors of their daily life; in operum vitaeque we 
 have hendiadys. 
 
 22. sic dis placitum: so the gods have willed it, i.e. that Janus 
 should have this function. 
 
 23. Having begun with an invocation to Janus, as god of begin- 
 nings, Horace is thus led to speak of the early morning duties at 
 Rome. Romae : when I am at Rome. sponsorem : as a surety, 
 i.e. to give bail for some friend. rapis: i.e. hurry me into court; 
 cf. i. 9. 77, rapit in ius. Heia : Horace's thought, represented as 
 an admonition of the god. 
 
 24. prior : sc. te. officio : the call of duty. 
 
 25. Aquilo : the cold north wind, the Tramontana. 
 
 26. interiore . . . gyro : a narrower circle, in which the sun 
 appears to travel in winter. trahit : drags, as if the day resisted its 
 curtailing ; cf. ii. 5. 110, me Imperiosa trahit Proserpina. 
 
 27. mi obsit : would be to my disadvantage, in case his friend fails 
 to appear in court, and he has to pay the forfeit. Potential subjunctive. 
 locuto : sc. mihi, dative of the apparent agent with luctandum. 
 
PAGE 72.] BOOK II. SERMO 6. 287 
 
 28. luctandum: i.e. he had to rash off to some other duty, a 
 morning call or something similar. tardis : i.e. people who were 
 going leisurely about their business. 
 
 29. quid via: what do you mean? Cf. ii. 5.53, quid prima 
 secundo Cera velit versu. improbus : a violent, hot-tempered fel- 
 low, whom Horace has jostled in his haste ; cf. Odes, iii. 9. 22, improbo 
 Hadria. 
 
 30. precibus : curses ; cf. Epod. 5. 86, Thyesteas preces. pulses 
 ... si recurras : sarcastic ; of course you would knock over every- 
 thing in your way, if you should be hurrying back to Maecenas. 
 
 31. ad Maecenatem : said spitefully, and with a touch of envy. 
 memori mente : i.e. thinking of nothing but him. 
 
 32. hoc: i.e. to be taunted with his intimacy with Maecenas, 
 atras : dark, gloomy, because of the use to which it had formerly been 
 put ; cf. i. 8. 19 ff., and the Outline of i. 8. 
 
 33. aliena negotia : commissions for other people. 
 
 34. secundam : sc. horam ; about 7 o'clock. 
 
 35. sibi adesses : i.e. in court ; cf. i. 9. 38, paulum hie ades. 
 Puteal: sc. Libonis, a place in the Forum which had been struck 
 by lightning, and then surrounded by a low wall or curbing, as sacred. 
 The praetor's tribunal was near by. 
 
 36. scribae : Horace, as having been a government clerk, is still 
 regarded as a member of the guild. 
 
 37. Quinte : the praenomen used in familiar address ; cf. ii. 5. 32, 
 and the note. reverti : i.e. to the quaestor's office, in the Forum, 
 which he had just left. 
 
 38. imprimat . . . signa : sign and seal. Pliny, N. H. xxxvii. 
 10, tells us that Maecenas's seal bore a frog as its device. 
 
 39. dixeris : with conditional force ; cf. scribet, ii. 5. 74. 
 
 42. dumtaxat ad hoc: merely to this extent; taxat is an old 
 aorist subjunctive of tango, and the phrase originally meant 'provided 
 it touches,' or 'reaches to.' quern : as one whom; subjunctive of 
 characteristic. tollere raeda : i.e. 'give a lift.' For raeda, see 
 note on i. 5. 86. 
 
 43. iter faciens : e.g. on the journey to Brundisium, described in 
 i. 5, or on shorter excursions in the vicinity of Rome. 
 
 44. hoc genus : of this kind ; really in apposition with nugas. 
 See Introd. 38. c. Thraex : the Thracians were a class of gladiators, 
 so called on account of their armor, which consisted of a round shield 
 and a short curved sword or dagger. The spelling Thraex or Threx is 
 
288 BOOK II. SERMO 6. [PAGE 72. 
 
 the one found in gladiatorial inscriptions. Gallina : the Chicken, a 
 nickname. Syro : the name of a gladiator, probably a mirmillo, 
 since they were commonly matched against the Thracians. These 
 were armed in the Gallic fashion, with heavy armor and a large shield. 
 Their crest was a fish Oo/ycAos) , whence the name, mirmillo. 
 
 45. iam . . . mordent : are beginning to nip; cf. Hamlet, i. 4. 1, 
 "The air bites shrewdly, it is very cold." 
 
 46. rimosa . . . aure : a leaky (i.e. indiscreet) ear,' cf. Ter. 
 Eun. 105, Plenus rimarum sum, hac atque iliac perfluo. For the op- 
 posite, see Odes, i. 27. 18. deponuntur : often used of secrets ; see 
 Odes, i. 27. 18, depone tutis auribus. 
 
 48. noster : our friend, meaning himself ; cf. i. 9. 47, hunc homi- 
 nem ; and see Introd. 55. o. spectaverat . . . luserat : with con- 
 ditional force ; the subject is noster. 
 
 49. omnes : sc. aiunt. 
 
 50. frigidus : terrifying. per compita : around the street cor- 
 ners, where the people would be gathered together. 
 
 51. consulit : stronger than interrogat, asks my advice, consults 
 me. O bone : my good fellow. 
 
 52. deos : the gods, referring to Maecenas and the court generally. 
 propius contingis : associate more intimately with, come into closer 
 association with, i.e. than others. 
 
 53. numquid . . . audisti : you haven't heard anything, have 
 you f Dacis : the Dacians had taken the part of Antony, and war 
 was declared against them in 30 B.C. In 31 B.C., when the Satire was 
 written, an invasion was feared. ut . . . eris : how you will per- 
 sist in making fun ; cf. ii. 8. 62, ut semper gaudes inludere rebus Hu- 
 manis. 
 
 55. si quicquam : sc. audivi. militibus promissa . . . prae- 
 dia : of an allotment of land to the veterans, which had been promised 
 by Augustus. Triquetra: Sicilian, modifying tellure, the island 
 being so called from its triangular shape. Cf. Lucr. i. 717, Insula 
 quern triquetris terrarum gessit in oris. 
 
 57. unum . . . mortalem : the man of all men. Cf. Catull. 22. 
 10, unus caprimulgus. 
 
 59. haec inter : in such trifling as this. With the anastrophe, cf. 
 Epod. 2. 38. misero : sc. mi hi ; for poor me ; dative of reference. 
 
 61. veterum : the writers of earlier days; cf. ii. 3. 11-12. 
 somno : the mid-day siesta, for which there was not always time in 
 the city. 
 
PAGE 73.] BOOK II. SERMO 6. 289 
 
 62. ducere : to quaff; cf. Virg. Aen. vi. 714, Lethaei ad fluminis 
 undam Securos latices et longa oblivia potant. 
 
 63. Pythagorae cognata : Pythagoras forbade the eating of 
 beans, because they were said to contain the souls of the dead. 
 Hence Horace in jest calls them the kindred of Pythagoras. simul- 
 que : and served with it. 
 
 64. satis : sufficiently, without oil. holuscula : cabbage; note 
 the diminutive, and see Introd. 55. e. 
 
 65. cenaeque deum : feasts fit for the gods. meique : equiva- 
 lent to cum meis ; sc. amicis. 
 
 66. Larem : hearth, beside which was the altar of the Lar Fami- 
 liaris. vernas procacis : the saucy house-slaves, whose forward- 
 ness was proverbial; cf. Mart. i. 41. 1, Urbanus tibi, Caecili, videris. 
 Non es, crede mihi. Quid ergo ? Verna. 
 
 67. pasco : cf. Sen. Epist. 77. 8, cena peracta reliquiae circum- 
 stantibus dimdantur. libatis : only partly eaten, lit. tasted. 
 prout : here pronounced in one syllable by synizesis. See Introd. 57. 
 
 68. inaequalis calices : i.e. either acria or modica pocula ; see 
 below, lines 69-70. 
 
 69. legibus insanis : such as would be imposed by a magister bi- 
 bendi; cf. Odes, i. 4. 18; Serm. ii. 2. 123. capit : carries, holds, 
 i.e. is able to stand ; cf. Plaut. Cure. 103, Quantillum sitit ? Modicast, 
 capit quadrantal. 
 
 70. laetius: i.e. takes more pleasure in. ergo: accordingly, 
 i.e. the conversation corresponds with the nature of the meal. 
 
 72. Lepoa : a dancer of the day, who appeared in pantomimes. 
 
 73. agitamus: discuss; cf. i. 4. 138, haec ego mecum Compressis 
 agito labris. utrumne : cf. ii. 3. 295, and the note. 
 
 75. usus rectumne : self-interest or virtue. The former was the 
 doctrine of the Epicureans, the latter that of the Stoics. 
 
 76. summumque . . . eius : i.e. the summum bonum. 
 
 77. Cervius : a neighbor of Horace's. The name may very likely 
 be one of the made-up names, typical of old age. Cf. Juvenal's ex- 
 pression, cervina senectus, xiv. 251, which was proverbial. haec 
 inter : i.e. during the intervals of this conversation. Note the anas- 
 trophe, common with dissyllabic prepositions, and cf. line 59 above. 
 anilis . . . fabellas : old-wives' tales. Cervius is a man abnormis 
 sapiens crassaque Minerva, like Ofellus in ii. 2, who in place of 
 learned arguments tells plain and simple, but pointed, stories ex re, i.e. 
 apropos, to the point. 
 
290 BOOK II. SERMO 6. [PAGE 73. 
 
 78. Arelli : some rich and miserly neighbor. The name is perhaps 
 made from the root of aridus. 
 
 79. ignarus : i.e. foolishly, not knowing that they are sollicitas. 
 Note the juxtaposition of ignarus and sollicitas. olim : once upon 
 a time, the regular way of beginning a story. 
 
 81. veterem . . . amicum : i.e. old friends, guest and host. 
 
 82. attentus quaesitis : i.e. careful of what he had stored up. 
 ut tamen : i.e. not so much so that he could not. 
 
 83. quid multa : sc. dicam ; to make a long story short. 
 
 84. sepositi : set aside, for special occasions. longae : appar- 
 ently of the shape of the grain. The genitive with nee invidit is after 
 the analogy of that with verbs of plenty and want. 
 
 86. fastidia : lack of appetite, the regular term ; cf. Plin. N. H. viii. 
 52 (of the lion), aegritudinem fastidii tantum sentit. 
 
 87. tangentis . . . superbo : the fastidiousness of the guest is 
 vividly pictured. 
 
 88. pater . . . domus : the master of the house ; for obvious rea- 
 sons used instead of pater familias ; cf. cenae pater, ii. 8. .7. 
 
 89. esset: ate. 
 
 90. ad hunc : does not belong directly with inquit ; perhaps con- 
 versus is to be supplied. 
 
 91. patientem : enduring hardship. 
 
 92. vis tu : won't you, an exhortation, while mn tu (i. 9. 69) is 
 merely interrogative. 
 
 93. mihi crede : take my advice, trust me. terrestria quando : 
 etc. : the Epicurean doctrine. 
 
 94. sortita ; allotted by fate. 
 
 95. quo . . . circa : note the tmesis, and see Introd. 53. o. 
 
 96. dum licet : a common Horatian expression ; cf. Odes, ii. 11. 
 16 ; iv. 12. 26 ; Epist. i. 11. 20. beatus : rich and happy; cf. Odes, 
 i. 4. 14. beate Sesti. 
 
 97. aevi brevis : genitive of quality ; the expression is the oppo- 
 site of the adjective longaevus. 
 
 98. pepulere : struck, i.e. struck the fancy of, influenced. levis: 
 light-heartedly, gladly. 
 
 100. nocturni : by night. iamque tenebat, etc. : a parody of 
 the epic style ; cf. i. 5. 3, and the note. 
 
 103. canderet : blazed. Characteristic subjunctive. 
 
 104. fercula : courses, really the trays on which they are served. 
 
 105. procul : near by. hestema : i.e. from yesterday's feast. 
 
PAGE 75.] BOOK II. SERMO 7. 291 
 
 107. veluti succinctus : i.e. as if he were a waiter ; cf. ii. 8. 10, 
 puer alte cinctus. 
 
 108. continuatque dapes : i.e. serves one course after the other, 
 without intermission. nee non: and also; litotes; see Introd. 
 53. k. verniliter : like a v erna, whose impudence and greed 
 were proverbial (see note on line 66) ; he cannot resist tasting the 
 dainties himself ; cf. ii. 4. 78, sen puer unctis Tractavit calicem 
 manibus dum furta ligurrit. ipsis . . . officiis : i.e. the duties of 
 a waiter. 
 
 110. bonis rebus : ablative modifying laetum. 
 
 111. agit : plays the part of. 
 
 112. valvarum strepitus : the clanging of the folding doors, as 
 the servants come in the early morning to clean up the room. 
 
 114. Molossis . . . canibus : the Molossian hounds were cele- 
 brated for their great size and watchfulness. Molossus is often used 
 as a substantive, with ellipsis of canis. Cf. Epod. 6. 5, Molossus aut 
 fulvus Lacon. 
 
 115. baud . . . est opus : I don't care for ; lit. I have no need of; 
 cf. our slang expression, ' I have no use for.' 
 
 116. valeas : good-bye, in place of the usual vale. 
 
 SERMO VII. 
 
 1. iamdudum ausculto : I have been listening for a long time, 
 i.e. waiting to be sure that his master was not busy. 
 
 2. reformido : / shrink from so doing, knowing his master's hot 
 temper. Davusne : is it Davus? Horace does not look up, but he 
 thinks he recognizes the voice. ita : sc. est; yes. 
 
 3. frugi quod sit satis : honest enough. 
 
 4. ut vitale putes : i.e. he is not so good that his master need fear 
 that he will be short-lived ; with reference to the proverb that the 
 good die young. Cf. Sen. Contr. i. 1. 22 (Cestius Pius) aiebat tarn 
 immature magnum ingenium non esse vitale. libertate Decembri : 
 i.e. the freedom allowed at the time of the Saturnalia ; cf, ii. 3. 5, and 
 the note. 
 
 5. narra : speak; cf. ii. 5. l,praeter narrata. 
 
 6. gaudet constanter : persists in taking pleasure. urget pro- 
 positum : stick to their purpose. 
 
 7. pars multa: cf. Odes, iii. 30. 6, multa pars mei ; Serm. i. 1.61, 
 bona pars hominum, with the note. natat : i.e. drift to and fro with 
 
292 BOOK II. SERMO 7. [PAGE 75. 
 
 the current ; cf. Sen. Epist. 35. 4, mutatio voluntatis indicat animum 
 natare. modo . . . interdum : cf. i. 9. 9, modo ire ocius, interdum 
 consistere ; i. 10. 12, modo rhetoris atque poetae, interdum urbani. 
 
 8. notatus : conspicuous, with some idea of censure ; cf. i. 6. 14, 
 notante iudice . . . populo. 
 
 9. tribus anellis : to wear more than a single ring was the mark of 
 a dandy. Isid. On'#. xix. 32, mentions the fact that Crassus in his old 
 age wore two rings. laeva : the ring, or rings, were worn on the left 
 hand, because it was used less than the right ; cf. Ateius Capito, apud 
 Macr. Saturn, vii. 13, hinc factus est ut usus anulorum exemptus 
 dexterae, quae multum negotiorum gerit, in laevam relegaretur. 
 
 10. inaequalis, ut : i.e. so inconsistent that ; cf. i. 1. 95, and the 
 note. clavum ut mutaret : this may possibly mean that he ap- 
 peared now as a senator with the broad purple stripe, and now as a 
 simple eques with the narrow one ; but it seems more likely that it- 
 refers to changing his clothes adorned with the laticlave. Cf. Mart, 
 v. 79, Undecies una surrexti, Zoile, cena, Et mutata tibi est synthesis 
 undecies. 
 
 11. conderet : governed by ut in line 10. 
 
 12. mundior : i.e. of the better class. honeste : i.e. with self- 
 respect. 
 
 13. doctus : the life of a scholar ; cf. Odes, i. 1. 29, doctarum 
 frontium. 
 
 14. Vertumnis . . . iniquis : born under the displeasure of all 
 the Vertumni. Vertumrms was the god of the changing seasons ; cf. 
 Prop. iv. 2. With the expression Vertumnis iniquis, cf. i. 5. 97, 
 Lymphis iratis, and the note. 
 
 15. scurra: buffoon, parasite; cf. i. 5. 52, and Plaut. Trin. 202, 
 urbani adsidui cives, quos scurras vocant. iusta : well-earned, 
 by his gluttony. cheragra: gout in the hand; cf. podagra, i. 
 9.32. 
 
 16. contudit articulos : cf. Pers. v. 58, cum lapidosa cheragra 
 Fregerit articulos. 
 
 17. phimum : dice-box, the Greek 0t/*6s, from which the tali were 
 thrown ; cf. Odes, i. 4. 18. In this way Volanerius kept up his gam- 
 bling even after he was crippled. 
 
 18. conductum pavit : hired and kept; cf. Juv. iii. 141, quot 
 pascit servos? 
 
 19. levius miser : bears a lighter load of wretchedness, i.e. the 
 consistently bad man is happier than one whose whole existence is a 
 
PAGE 76.] BOOK II. SERMO 7. 293 
 
 constant wavering between good and evil. ac : than. prior ille : 
 i.e. Priscus, spoken of in line 9. 
 
 20. contento . . . laxo fune : the figure seems to be that of an 
 animal tied to a rope which alternately allows him free scope and 
 brings him up with a jerk. 
 
 21. hodie : now, used as in the language of every-day life and of 
 comedy. putida : ' rot, ' stuff. 
 
 22. rurcifer : gallows-bird, a common epithet of slaves in comedy. 
 ad te : sc. tendunt. laudas . . . plebis : cf. ii. 2. 89-93. 
 
 23. idem : yet you. 
 
 24. si quis deus : cf. i. 1. 15. usque : every time. 
 
 25. rectius esse : belongs in sense both with sentis and with quod 
 clamas. 
 
 26. firmus : with firm purpose. 
 
 27. caeno : with haeres and with evellere. The figure is a common 
 one. Cf. Ter. Phorm. 780, in eodem luto haesitas ; Catull. 17. 25, Et 
 supinum animum in gram derelinquere caeno. 
 
 28. absentem : usually applied to the person, but here to the 
 place ; cf. Epist. i. 11. 21, Eomae laudetur Samos absens. rusticus : 
 when you are in the country. 
 
 29. levis : fickle fellow that you are. With the general sentiment, 
 cf. Epist. i. 8. 12, Homae Tiburi amem ventosus, Tibure Homam. 
 
 30. securum : quiet, i.e. free from the cares of a formal dinner 
 party. velut . . . vinctus eas : i.e. like an unwilling slave. 
 
 31. amas : sc. te, you hug yourself; cf. Virg. Aen. v. 163, litus ama. 
 
 32. potandum: the commissatio at the end was an important 
 feature of a dinner party. iusserit : jussive subjunctive with 
 force of a proviso, let Maecenas ask you to dinner. 
 
 33. serum sub lumina prima : i.e. the invitation is sent at the last 
 moment, possibly because some guest had excused himself. Sub 
 lumina prima means just at nightfall ; the time would vary according 
 to the season of the year. With the expression, cf. sub galli cantum, 
 i. 1. 10. 
 
 34. oleum : for the lantern with which a slave would escort him 
 through the streets. The impatient questions show his eagerness to 
 accept the invitation, and his changeable nature. fert : the collo- 
 quial present with future force ; see Introd. 44. a. 
 
 35. blateras : you bawl out, a colloquial word. Festus defines it 
 as "stulte et percupide loqui." fugis : you tear off, like a runaway 
 slave. 
 
294 BOOK II. SERMO 7. [PAGE 76. 
 
 36. Mulvius et scurrae : persons who either hoped to be asked to 
 dinner with Horace, or perhaps had actually been asked. non 
 referenda : i.e. language that won't bear repeating. precati : cf. 
 iratis precibus, ii. 6. 30, and the note. 
 
 37. ille : i.e. Mulvius. dixerit : future perfect with the force 
 of a future of instantaneous action ; he will say at once ; i.e. he will 
 freely admit. 
 
 38. levem : weak. nasum supinor : / throw up my nose, the 
 better to sniff the savory food. Nasum is the object of supinor used in 
 a middle sense ; see Introd. 38. c. 
 
 39. si quid vis : if you like ; quid is accusative of extent, lit. 
 * at all.' 
 
 40. ultro: actually, i.e. are you to have the assurance to ? See ii. 
 5. 28. and the note. 
 
 41. insectere : subjunctive in an indignant question. verbis 
 decoris : fine words, i.e. he alleges his duty to his patron, Maecenas. 
 
 43. quingentis . . . drachmis : 500 drachmas, or 2000 sesterces, 
 about $100. This was a low price (cf. Epist. ii. 2. 5), and shows 
 Davus to be a slave of the lowest class. aufer . . . terrere : cease 
 to terrify ; the infinitive is used as the object of aufer; see Introd. 
 46. d. 
 
 44. stomachum : cf. Odes, i. 6. 6, gravem Pelidae stomachum. 
 teneto : the simple verb for the compound contineto / see Introd. 
 35. b. 
 
 45. Crispini : see i. 1. 120, and the note. 
 
 68. evasti : paratactic construction for si evasti; evasti is another 
 form for evasisti. credo : ironical, of course. doctus : i.e. 
 taught by experience. 
 
 69. quaeres: i.e. on the contrary, you will seek. quando . . . 
 paveas : another opportunity to be frightened ; the subjunctive has a 
 final force. 
 
 71. prava : perversely. 
 
 73. sapiens : in the sense of prudens ; i.e. he would be glad to 
 steal silver, but he doesn't dare ; and he ironically claims to be sapiens 
 on that account. 
 
 74. vaga : used proleptically, i.e. natura prosiliet et vagabitur. 
 
 76. minor: a slave to; imperiis is ablative of comparison. 
 vindicta : the rod which was used in the formal manumission of a 
 slave before the praetor. 
 
 77. formidine : dread of his master. 
 
PAGE 77.] BOOK II. SERMO 7. 295 
 
 78. super : for insuper, besides. 
 
 79. vicarius : the slave of a slave, bought with his savings (pecu- 
 1111111), to help him in his work. 
 
 80. vester : i.e. of you masters. tibi quid sum ego : the im- 
 plication is, either vicarius or conservus. 
 
 82. ut . . . lignum: like a marionette or wooden puppet, by 
 strings worked by some one else. 
 
 83. sibi imperiosus: i.e. qui sibi imperitat; cf. Stat. Silv. ii. 6. 
 16, cut triste nihil qui sponte sibique Imperiosus erat, cited by 
 Bentley. 
 
 85. responsare : defy; intensive of respondere. It is governed 
 by fortis in line 80. 
 
 86. in se ipso totus : i.e. dependent only on himself, and unaf- 
 fected by external things ; cf. e.g. Cic. Paradoxa, 2. 17, qui est totus 
 aptus ex sese quique in se uno sua ponit omnia. teres atque 
 rotundus : like a sphere, to which the Stoics compared the sapiens. 
 
 87. ne . . . morari : i.e. that nothing from without may be able 
 to rest on it, on account of its smooth surface. 
 
 88. manca : powerless, so as to be unable to injure him. 
 
 89. his: these virtues, of the sapiens. For Ms = his rebus, see 
 Introd. 49. b. quid : for aliquid. 
 
 90. te : the second accusative with poscat. 
 
 91. gelida : sc. aqua. Cf. Juv. v. 63, Quando rogatus adest calidae 
 gelidaeque minister f For the adjective used as a substantive, see 
 Introd. 49. b. 
 
 92. non quis : you cannot. 
 
 93. dominus : the figure is of libido, driving the man as one would 
 a horse, in a chariot. 
 
 94. stimulos : the goad. versat: turns you from your own 
 way to the course he wishes to take. 
 
 95. Pausiaca : of Pausias, a famous painter of Sicyon. The man 
 who has a craze for works of art is also a slave. torpes : have a 
 craze for ; cf. stupet, i. 4. 28. 
 
 96. Fulvi, etc. : names of gladiators. The last is taken from 
 Lucilius, 138 L. 
 
 98. rubrica aut carbone : the reference is to posters drawn on 
 the walls with red chalk or with charcoal. 
 
 100. nequam et cessator: a good-for-nothing and an idler, 
 because he has been sent on some errand, but wastes his time staring 
 at the posters. 
 
296 BOOK II. SERMO 7. [PAGE 77. 
 
 101. veterum : either masculine, of the old masters, or neuter, of 
 ancient works of art. audis : i.e. are called ; cf. ii. 6. 20, si lane 
 libentius audis. 
 
 102. nil: good-for-nothing, like nequam or nihili. libo: cake; 
 they were apparently cooked on the streets in the sight of the passers 
 by. tibi: emphatic; in your case; dative of reference. in- 
 gens : tremendous. 
 
 103. virtus . . . responsat : the emphasis is on virtus and ani- 
 mus ; it is character and intellect which appreciate; i.e. it is a sign 
 of character to appreciate. 
 
 105. enim : it is true. 
 
 106. sumi : i.e. emi. 
 
 107. inamarescunt : turn sour; cf. ii. 2. 75. 
 
 108. inlusi : taken off their guard by drunkenness ; cf. Plaut. 
 Pseud. 1251, (vinum} pedes captat primum, luctator dolosust. 
 
 109. hie . . . qui puer : for hie puer . . . qui. 
 
 110. furtiva : stolen. Furtiva strigili is ablative of association ; 
 cf. Odes, i. 17. 2, Lucretilem mutat Lycaeo Faunus, and see Introd. 
 40. 6. 
 
 111. gulae parens : the reason for vendit. idem : besides, you. 
 
 112. tecum : in your own company, alone. 
 
 113. ponere : dispose of, really invest, like a sum of money. 
 fugitivus et erro : applied to slaves ; erronem sic definimus, qui non 
 quidem fugit, sed frequenter sine causa vagatur et temporibus in res 
 nugatorias consumptis serius domum redit, Ulpian, Dig. xxi. 1. 17. 14 ; 
 Quid sit fugitivus Ofllius sic definit : fugitivus est qui extra domini 
 domum fugae causa, quo se a domino celaret, mansit, id. xxi. 1. 17. 1. 
 
 115. frustra : to no purpose. comes atra : i.e. Care; cf. Odes, 
 iii. 1. 40, Post equitem sedet atra Cur a. 
 
 116. node mihi lapidem : sc. reperiam ; cf. ii. 5. 102, and the 
 note ; Horace's temper gets the better of him, as at the close of ii. 3. 
 
 117. aut insanit, etc. : the man is either mad (cf. ii. 3. 127 ff.), 
 or writes poetry (cf. ii. 3. 321 1). ocius : double-quick; with 
 nearly the force of a superlative. 
 
 118. accedes opera nona : you shall become a ninth laborer ; 
 the singular opera in this sense is rare. Apparently Horace had eight 
 slaves (operae} on his Sabine Farm a small number. Sending slaves 
 to the country was a common punishment; cf. Plaut. Most. 18, Cis 
 hercle paucas tempestates, Tranio, Augebis ruri numerum, genus 
 ferratile. 
 
PAGE 79.] BOOK II. SERMO 8. 297 
 
 SERMO VIII. 
 
 1. ut : introducing a direct question, how ; a colloquial use. Nasi- 
 dieni : scanned in four syllables, the second i being pronounced as a 
 semi-vowel. beati: rich; cf. Odes, i. 4. 14, O beate Sesti. Here 
 with an underlying ironical force. 
 
 2. convivam : sc. te. With the late invitation, cf. ii. 7. 32. 
 dictus : sc. es, a colloquial use. here : the regular post- Augustan 
 form, while heri is the earlier one ; cf. Quint, i. 4. 7, in ' here ' neque 
 e plane neque i auditur. Augustus himself used the earlier form ; cf. 
 Quint, i. 7. 22, heri ad me venit, quod idem in epistulis Augusti, quas 
 sua manu scripsit aut emendavit, deprehenditur. 
 
 3. de medio . . . die: a tempestivum convinum, beginning very 
 early ; for the usual time, see Epist. i. 5. 3 ; i. 7. 71. ut . . . fuerit 
 melius : sc. iuvi ; I never had a better time ; cf. bene erat, ii. 2. 120. 
 
 5. iratum : cf. latrantem, ii. 2. 18. 
 
 6. in primis : i.e. the gustatio, consisting of dishes intended to 
 whet the appetite. The introduction of the boar at this time was a 
 mark of luxury. Cf. Plin. N. H. viii. 210, ad emendationem morum 
 quibus non tota quidem cena sed in principio bini ternique manduntur 
 apri. leni . . . Austro : when a mild south wind was blowing ; cf. 
 ii. 2. 41. Ablative of attendant circumstance. 
 
 7. captus : participle, caught. cenae pater : cf. pater domus, 
 ii. 6. 88. Great ingenuity is shown in alluding to the host in differ- 
 ent ways ; cf. lines 16, 23, 36, 43, 58, 73, 75, 93. circum : i.e. around 
 the boar. 
 
 8. rapula : these and the following articles are regular appetizers ; 
 cf. ii. 2. 43. lactucae : cf. ii. 4. 59. 
 
 9. allec : brine in which fish had been kept ; cf. ii. 4. 73. fae- 
 cula : diminutive of faex ; cf. ii. 4. 73. 
 
 10. alte cinctus : cf. ii. 6. 105, and the note. acernam . . . 
 mensam : a maple table, next in value to the citrus wood, according 
 to Plin. N. H. xvi. 66. One kind was regarded as superior to the 
 citrus ; cf. Plin. N. H. xvi. 68, molluscum . . . si magnitudine mensa- 
 rum caper et hand dubie praeferretur citro. 
 
 11. gausape: a towel; the line is modelled on Lucilius 517 L, 
 Purpureo tersit tune latas gausape mensas. 
 
 12. quodcumque . . . inutile: the analecta ; cf. Mart. vii. 20. 
 17, Colligere longa turpe necputat dextra, Analecta quidquid et canes 
 
298 BOOK II. SERMO 8. [PAGE 79. 
 
 reliquerunt. iaceret . . . posset : iterative subjunctive. See 
 Introd. 45. /. 
 
 13. Attica virgo: i.e. a Kavn<t>t>pa, alluding to the impressive 
 solemnity of the slave ; cf. i. 3. 10, Saepe (incedebat} velut qui lunonis 
 sacra ferret. 
 
 14. Hydaspes : i.e. an Indian slave from the neighborhood of the 
 river Hydaspes, an unusual luxury at this time. He appears to be 
 named after the river, like Enipeus, Odes, iii. 7. 23, and Hebrus, Odes, 
 iii. 12. 6. 
 
 15. Caecuba : the finest Italian wine ; cf.Qdes, i. 20. 9. Alcon : 
 another slave. maris expers : without sea-water, which was some- 
 times added to wines ; cf. Plin. N. H. xiv. 73, nunc gratia ante omnia 
 est Clazomenio (vino}, postquam parcius mart condiunt. Lesbium 
 sponte suae naturae mare sapit ; Plaut. Hud. 588, quasi vinis Graecis 
 Neptunus nobis suffudit mare. 
 
 17. adpositis : i.e. the Caecuban and the Chian. 
 
 18. miseras: pitiful, as leading to ostentation. quis cenan- 
 tibus una : with what fellow-guests. 
 
 19. pulchre fuerit tibi : you made merry ; cf. line 4 above, and 
 the note. 
 
 20. summus, etc. : see the Outline of the Satire, and the diagram. 
 
 22. umbras : uninvited persons brought as the parasites of some 
 distinguished guest ; cf. Epist. i. 5. 28. Maecenas seems to have had 
 a number of such hangers-on, e.g. Sarmentus, i. 5. 52. 
 
 23. Porcius : on the significant name, see Introd. 32. 
 
 24. ridiculus . . . absorbere : i.e. who made fun by swallowing 
 cakes whole. 
 
 25. ad hoc, qui : cf. ii. 6. 42, quern tollere raeda vellet, and the 
 note. si quid : i.e. any elegant or luxurious detail. 
 
 26. indice . . . digito : the forefinger; perhaps, as Kiessling 
 suggests, not to be taken literally. 
 
 27. nos, inquam : we, I mean, i.e. all but Maecenas, the guest of 
 honor. 
 
 28. noto : the familiar one ; sc. suco, ' flavor.' 
 
 29. vel: for example; vel, the old injunctive form of volo, has 
 various meanings derived from the idea of ' choosing ' or * selecting ' ; 
 cf. Epist. i. 5. 15. patuit : became evident. 
 
 30. ingustata: without my tasting them; i.e. the odor alone 
 revealed the novelty of the dish. 
 
 31. melimela . . . delecta : i.e. that the red honey apples were 
 
PAGE 81.] BOOK II. SEKMO 8. 299 
 
 gathered by the light of the waning moon ; with the form of expres- 
 sion, cf. ii. 2. 31, lupus . . . Met. 
 32. ipso : i.e. Nasidienus. 
 
 34. damnose : i. e. so as to ruin the host. bibimus : the pres- 
 ent with future force. Cf. fert, ii. 7. 34, and see Introd. 44. a. 
 moriemur inulti : an epic expression ; cf. Virg. Aen. ii. 670, num- 
 quam omnes hodie moriemur inulti, and see note on i. 5. 3. 
 
 35. vertere: spreads over; lit. changes; historical infinitive. 
 
 36. parochi : for the literal meaning of the word, see Serm. i. 5. 
 46. Here it is used for variety (see note on line 7) and with a con- 
 temptuous force, implying that Nasidienus is a mere 'purveyor,' lack- 
 ing the essential qualities of a host. acris : strong-headed j cf. 
 acria pocula, ii. 6. 69. 
 
 37. maledicunt liberius : i.e. will chaff their host, and make him 
 ridiculous before Maecenas, or will fail to appreciate his banquet. Cf. 
 i. 4. 87-89. 
 
 39. Allifanis : sc. vasis, large drinking-cups, made at Allifae in 
 Samnium. Note the metre, and see note on i. 1. 4, fortunati 
 mercatores. vinaria tota : whole wine-jars. 
 
 40. secutis : the perfect participle here has the force of a present. 
 imi convivae lecti : the parasites, who dared not offend their host 
 and patron. 
 
 42. natantis: i.e. swimming in the sauce by which the murena 
 was surrounded. 
 
 43. sub hoc : thereupon; cf. Epod. 5. 83, Sub haec puer iam non 
 ut ante . . . misit. 
 
 44. post partum : i.e. after spawning. futura: since it would 
 be; on the use of the future participle, see Introd. 47. 
 
 45. his : i.e. the ingredients which follow. prima . . . cella : 
 i.e. the oil first pressed from the olives ; cf. Colum. xii. 52. 11, sint 
 in cella olearia tres labrorum ordines, ut unus primae notae, id 
 est primae pressurae oleum recipiat, alter secundae, tertius tertiae. 
 Venafri : cf. ii. 4. 69, and the note. 
 
 46. garo: a kind of fish-jelly. The best kind, according to in- 
 scriptions of Pompeii, was called garum-flos, ' blossom brand.' pis- 
 cis Hiberi : Spanish mackerel. 
 
 47. citra mare nato : i.e. Italo. Cf. i. 10. 31. 
 
 48. dum coquitur : the Italian wine is put in while the sauce is 
 cooking, while the Chian is added after it is cooked (coco). 
 
 50. quod . . . uvam : i. e. the vinegar must be made of Methym- 
 
300 BOOK II. SERMO 8. [PAGE 81. 
 
 naean (Lesbian) wine which has soured ; lit. which it, the vinegar, has 
 soured. 
 
 51. primus . . . monstravi : i.e. Nasidienus is an original ex- 
 perimenter in the gastronomic art ; cf. ii. 2. 50. 
 
 52. incoquere : to cook in, i.e. to boil in the sauce. inlutos : 
 unwashed, the better to retain the flavor of the sea-water. Curtil- 
 lus : another gastronomic artist. 
 
 53. ut melius : in a kind of apposition to echinos; cf. ut suavius 
 in line 89. testa marina : i. e. the sea-urchin. 
 
 54. aulaea : hangings, used to decorate the walls. Cf. Odes, iii. 
 29. 15, sine aitlaeis et ostro ; Val. Max. ix. 1. 5, Attalicis aulaeis 
 contectos parietes. These fell with the dust which had accumulated 
 on them during many days. 
 
 57. maius : i.e. a greater danger, such as an earthquake or some- 
 thing similar. 
 
 58. erigimur: recover ourselves' the verb is used in a middle 
 sense. Rufus : i.e. the host, Nasidienus Rufus. 
 
 59. quis esset finis : what would have been the end 9 i.e. of his 
 lamentation. The imperfect esset is used with the force of the plu- 
 perfect. 
 
 60. sapiens: in philosophic wise; said ironically. ami cum 
 tolleret : raised his friend's spirits. 
 
 62. ut semper gaudes: how you always delight; cf. ii. 6. 54. 
 
 63. mappa : with his napkin. 
 
 64. suspendens omnia naso : always cynical, a general char- 
 acteristic. For the expression, cf. i. 6. 5, naso suspendis adunco 
 ignotos. 
 
 65. haec . . . vivendi : i.e. 'such is life.' 
 
 67. tene . . . torquerier : infinitive of exclamation ; cf. i. 9. 72 ; 
 ironical, since Balatro was an umbra, and the trouble was not taken 
 for him. 
 
 72. agaso : not to be taken literally, but meaning a clumsy slave 
 fit only to serve as a groom or stable-boy. 
 
 73. sed convivatoris, etc. : i.e. a host's savoirfaire is shown by 
 his ability to meet accidents, while a dinner which went off smoothly 
 would give no opportunity for its display. Cf. Sen. Epist. 85. 34, 
 tranquillo, at aiunt, quilibet gubernator est. 
 
 75. Nasidienus : he takes this raillery for earnest. tibi di 
 . . . dent : a common formula of blessing or gratitude ; cf. Plaut. 
 Asin. 44, Di tibi dent quaequomque optes. 
 
PAGE 82.] BOOK II. SERMO 8. 301 
 
 77. soleas poscit : the sandals were taken off when reclining at 
 table. Nasidienus calls for his, in order to go out and make arrange- 
 ments for the continuation of the dinner. videres : you could see ; 
 cf. Serm. i. 5. 76, and see Introd. 45. d. 
 
 78. stridere . . . susurros : i.e. putting their heads together and 
 exchanging whispers ; the whispering is imitated by the alliteration 
 with s (sigmatismus). 
 
 79. nullos . . . spectasse : I would rather have seen it than any 
 play. 
 
 80. quae deinceps risisti : what you found to laugh at next. 
 Vibidius, whose empty wine-cup had not been replaced by a full 
 one, asks whether the wine-jar has been broken as well (quoque}. 
 
 83. ridetur: impersonal. fictis rerum : like rani's rerum, ii. 
 2. 25: The guests exchange jests to cover the real cause of their laugh- 
 ter. Balatro secundo : with the help of Balatro ; i.e. Balatro fert 
 secundas (cf. i. 9. 46) to Vibidius. 
 
 84. Nasidiene, redis : a parody of the epic manner. mutatae 
 frontis : genitive of quality, predicate to redis : with changed counte- 
 nance, i.e. cheered up again. ut . . . emendatunis : like one 
 who was determined to improve. The expression is apparently a pro- 
 verbial one ; cf. Ter. Adelph. 741, lllud quod cecidit forte, id arte ut 
 corrigas. 
 
 86. mazonomo : a large dish, originally used for bread ; a Greek 
 word, fLOL^ovbfjuov. 
 
 87. gruis : the masculine, instead of the usual feminine, and the 
 feminine anseris in the next line are apparently intended to indicate 
 the novelty of Nasidienus's dishes. 
 
 88. pastum iecur : i.e. the liver was artificially fattened, as in the 
 modern pate defoie gras. 
 
 90. edit = edat ; an archaic form of the present subjunctive, 
 really an optative ; cf. Epod. 3. 3. 
 
 91. sine clune : intended as a refinement of luxury, though that 
 part of the bird was often regarded as a delicacy ; cf. Mart. iii. 60. 7, 
 Aureus immodicis turtur te clunibus implet. 
 
 92. causas narraret: i.e. Nasidienus explains why a male crane 
 is selected, and a white goose, etc. 
 
 93. ulti : in revenge. They refuse to eat his lauded delicacies. 
 
 94. velut : for velut si. 
 
 95. Canidia : cf. i. 8. 24, and the note. Afris : cf. Odes, iii. 10. 
 18, Nee Mauris animum mitior anyuilms. 
 
302 BOOK I. EPISTLE 1. [PAGE 84. 
 
 EPISTLES BOOK I. 
 EPISTLE I. 
 
 1. prima dicte, etc. : a dedication of the first book of Epistles to 
 Maecenas. Cf. Odes, i. 1. 1 ; Serm. i. 1. 1. prima . . . Camena: 
 with the expression, cf. Iliad, ix. 96, ' Arpeid-n Ki/5t<rre, &va avdpuv 
 ' Aydfj.efj.vov, tv vol fj,ev X-^^w, <r&> 8' &pofj.ai. Virg. Eel. viii. 11, A te prin- 
 cipium, tibi desinet ; Odes, iii. 6. 6. Camena : the Italic name for 
 the goddess of song, the Greek MoG<ra. 
 
 2. spectatum : sc. me. Horace likens himself to a gladiator who 
 has earned his discharge by a successful term of service. Instead of 
 saying me quasi gladiatorem, he as usual identifies himself with the 
 object of his simile. rude: the wooden sword, presented to the 
 discharged gladiator as a symbol of his release from the bloody and 
 deadly contests of the arena. 
 
 3. ludo: the school, the Indus gladiatorius, for the training of 
 gladiators. There is a play on the meaning of Indus as applied to some 
 forms of poetry. Cf. line 10 below ; Serm. i. 4. 139, inludo chartis. 
 
 4. non . . . aetas : sc. mihi. Veianius : Porph. says : Veianius 
 nobilis gladiator post multas palmas, consecratis Herculi Fundano 
 armis suis, in agellum se contulit, which might have been inferred 
 from the context ; see note on Fabium, Serm. i. 1. 14. 
 
 5. Herculis ad postern : i.e. on one of the columns before the 
 entrance to the temple of Hercules, who would naturally be the 
 patron of gladiators. Cf. Odes, i. 5. 13 ff. ; iii. 26. 3 f. latet abdi- 
 tus : is burled in retirement. 
 
 6. populum . . . exoret : i.e. beg for his life, if defeated by an 
 adversary. The unsuccessful combatant was either put to death by 
 the victor, or spared, if the audience desired it. They expressed their 
 wish by turning their thumbs up or down. extrema . . . harena : 
 from the edge of the arena, before the seats of the spectators. Harena 
 is the classical orthography ; our word ' arena ' comes from the later 
 form without h. See B. App. 23. totiens : i.e. as often as he was 
 obliged to during his active career. We read in one of the Pompeian 
 graffiti of a gladiator who was defeated in his fifty-first contest, and 
 spared (missus} by the people. His opponent was fighting for the 
 twenty-sixth time. 
 
 7. est qui . . . personet : some one is always dinning it into. 
 
PAGE 84.] BOOK I. EPISTLE 1. 303 
 
 mihi : dative of reference, with nearly the force of a possessive adjec- 
 tive, purgatam : attentive, lit. cleared, so as to hear plainly ; an 
 expression parallel with emunctae naris, Serm. i. 4. 8, and doubtless 
 colloquial. 
 
 8. senescentem . . . equum ; cf. Enn. Ann. ap. Cic. de Sen. 5. 14, 
 Sicutfortis equos, spatio qui saepe supremo Vicit Olumpia, nunc senio 
 confectus quiescit. mature : betimes. 
 
 9. peccet . . . ridendus : i.e. make a ridiculous failure at the end 
 of his career. The original meaning of pecco (*ped-co) is 'stumble.' 
 ilia ducat : pant with broken wind, referring to the heaving sides of 
 the animal. For a similar expression, cf. Quint, ix. 3. 101, si quis 
 ducere os exquisitis modis et frontis ac luminum inconstantia trepi- 
 dare non desinat, rideatur ; Cic. Orat. 25. 86. 
 
 10. itaque : accordingly. ludicra : follies of youth ; depositis 
 levibus fomentis animi, id est iocis ac versibus, Porph. 
 
 11. quid verum . . . euro : i.e. he devotes himself to philosophy. 
 decens : seemly, becoming. omnis in hoc sum : cf. Serm.. i. 9. 2, 
 totus in illis. 
 
 12. condo et compono : i.e. he is collecting and arranging a fund 
 of philosophical knowledge for future use, as a steward would store up 
 provisions in a house. depromere : draw on. 
 
 13. quo duce . . . quo Lare : i.e. to what school I attach myself. 
 
 14. addictus : bound, a legal term used of the insolvent debtor 
 who had been made the slave of his creditor. Cicero uses the word 
 in a similar way of philosophic views, but with an apologetic quasi, 
 in Tusc. Disp. ii. 2. 5, qui certis quibusdam destinatisque sententiis 
 quasi addicti et consecrati sunt. The word was used of the relation 
 of gladiators to their masters, and Horace evidently has his original 
 simile in mind. iurare in verba : since the oath was dictated to 
 the gladiator by his master. The same expression in Epod. 15. 4. 
 
 15. tempestas : the weather. Cf. Cic. Acad. ii. 3. 8, ad quam- 
 cumque sunt disciplinam quasi tempestate delati, ad earn tamquam ad 
 saxum adhaerescunt. 
 
 16. agilis : active, the Greek 7rpa/cTi/c6s, in accordance with the 
 views of the Stoics, who recommended an active participation in prac- 
 tical life. Cf. Sen.de Bencf. iv. 2. 2, virtus . . . ducere debet, imperare, 
 summo loco stare. fio : the elision of the second of two successive 
 long vowels is not common. mersor: used with middle force. 
 Horace himself took no part in political life, but simply means that 
 he at times inclines toward the Stoics. 
 
304 BOOK I. EPISTLE 1. [PAGE 84. 
 
 17. verae : true or genuine, as contrasted with the views of other 
 schools, especially of the Epicureans. rigidus : austere, a con- 
 ventional epithet. Cf. Sen. Cons, ad Helv. 12. 4, Stoicorum rigida et 
 virilis sapientia. satelles : disciple ; cf. Tac. Ann. xvi. 22, ( Thrasea} 
 habet sectatores vel potius satellites, qui nondum contumaciam senten- 
 tiarum, sed habitum vultumque eius sectantur, rigidi et tristes. 
 
 18. Aristippi : a pupil of Socrates, and founder of the Cyrenaic 
 School of Philosophy based on Hedonism (^5oj>7j). See note on line 19. 
 furtim : because in his heart he feels the Stoic views to be the more 
 worthy of acceptance. relabor: i.e. he backslides. 
 
 19. et mini res, etc. : Aristippus held that men should enjoy life, 
 without becoming slaves either to pleasure or to duty. 
 
 21. opus debentibus : hirelings (operarii), who were bound to 
 do the day's work for which they were engaged. 
 
 22. pupillis : boys who had lost their fathers were under the 
 guardianship (custodia) of their mothers until their fourteenth year. 
 To these, in their impatience for their freedom, the years seemed to 
 drag. 
 
 24. naviter : with all my might. Navus, originally gnavus, is cog- 
 nate with gnarus and (g^notus ; cf. German Jcennen and konnen. 
 
 25. aeque . . . aeque . . . aeque : the anaphora, instead of aeque 
 atque (ac), strongly emphasizes the force of aeque. 
 
 26. neglectum : agreeing with quod, the neglect of which. 
 
 27. restat : all that is left is, i.e. under the circumstances he can- 
 not hope to accomplish more. ego me ipse : emphatic. He has 
 learned enough for the guidance of his own life, but not enough to 
 presume to teach others. elementis : general principles. 
 
 28. possis : jussive subjunctive with concessive or conditional 
 force, suppose you cannot ; for non, see note on Serm. ii. 5. 90. 
 quantum contendere : i.e. see as far ; quantum is accusative of 
 extent. Lynceus : one of the Argonauts, famed for his sharp sight. 
 He was a Messenian, son of Aphareus, and the brother of Idas. His 
 name was evidently given him on account of his keen-sigh tedness ; 
 cf. English ' lynx-eyed.' 
 
 29. idcirco: for that (reason), referring to line 28. lippus 
 inungui : i.e. to use salve for your weak eyes ; cf. Serm. i. 5. 30, and 
 the note. 
 
 30. desperes : subjunctive because of the indefinite second person 
 and the influence of the neighboring subjunctives. Glycon : a fa- 
 mous athlete of the day, whose specialty was the pancratium, including 
 
PAGE 85.] BOOK I. EPISTLE 1. 305 
 
 both wrestling and boxing. His prowess is celebrated in a Greek epi- 
 gram, Anth. Pal. vii. 692 : 
 
 , rb Hepya./j.r)vbv 'Aaidt K\OS, 
 
 pavv6s, 6 TT\O.TVS ir6das, 
 6 Kaivbs " ArXas at r dviKarot 
 eppovn, TOV d irpbadev O$T' ^j 
 oij&' 'EXXdSi Tpbirwrov oftr tv 'A<rt5t, 
 6 iravra VIK&V 'AtS^s av^Tpairev. 
 
 31. cheragra : cf. Serm. ii. 7. 15, and the note. 
 
 32. est : sc. aliquid, it is worth something; cf. Serm. ii. 5. 103. 
 quadam . . . tenus: to make some degree of progress quadam tenus 
 is divided by tmesis. See Introd. 53. o. 
 
 33. fervet : is at fever heat, a paratactic condition. cupidine : 
 covetousness. Cupido is always masculine in Horace. 
 
 34. voces: formulae, charms, opposed to verba, single words. 
 lenire : soothe. As is seen from this word and those which follow, 
 Horace's elementa are sufficient to help the trouble, not to cure it. 
 
 36. tumes : see note on fervet, line 33. piacula : expiations; cf. 
 Celsus, Praef. 1, antiquissimo tempore morbi ad iram deoruin refere- 
 bantur. 
 
 37. ter : charms and other formulae of a religious or healing nature 
 were repeated three times ; cf. Odes, iii. 22. 3 ; Serm. ii. 1. 7. pure : 
 referring to the purification which was preliminary to all religious 
 rites ; cf. Serm. ii. 3. 282, lautis manibus. Here, of course, the refer- 
 ence is to mental preparation. 
 
 38. amator : the context shows that the word is here used in a bad 
 sense, as in Odes, iii. 4. 79. Cf. Cic. Tusc. Disp. iv. 12. 27, aliud est 
 amatorem esse, aliud amantem. 
 
 39. nemo : i.e. no one, in short. 
 
 40. culturae : cf. Cic. Tusc. Disp. ii. 5. 13, cultura animi philo- 
 sophia est. 
 
 41. prima : probably to be taken in thought with virtus, as well 
 as with sapientia. Cf. Quint, viii. 3. 41, prima virtus est vitio carere. 
 
 42. caruisse : note the tense ; the first step in wisdom is to have 
 rid oneself of folly. 
 
 43. censum; cf. Serm. ii. 1. 75, and the note. repulsam : the 
 regular word for defeat at the polls ; cf. Odes, iii. 2. 17. At this time 
 the elections were still held, although Augustus had the right to 
 nominate half the candidates, and had the veto power in all cases. Cf. 
 
306 BOOK I. EPISTLE 1. [PAGE 85. 
 
 Suet. Aug. 40, comitiorum pristinum ius reduxit, multiplici poena 
 coercito ambitu. 
 
 44. animi capitisque labore : i.e. mental anxiety and danger to 
 life. 
 
 45. curris : cf. Serm. i. 1. 30, and the note. extremes : i.e. 
 dwelling at the ends of the earth. 
 
 48. meliori : i.e. a wiser man than yourself. 
 
 49. pagos et . . . compita .- the villages and cross-roads, used of 
 a local pugilist. He would of course be glad to win the prize at 
 Olympia, if he could do it without the severe training which would be 
 necessary. The Olympic games were still celebrated in Horace's day 
 and continued to be until the end of the fourth century A.D. Cf. 
 Odes, i. 3. 3. 
 
 50. magna : in distinction from the insignificant country festivals. 
 Cf. Serm. i. 5. 1, magna Roma. Olympia : accusative of the inner 
 object, after the analogy of vincere Olympia. See Introd. 38. b. 
 
 54. lanus summus ab imo : Janus (street) from top to bottom. 
 See note on Serm. n. 3. 18. Summus'ab imo is equivalent to a summo 
 ad imum ; cf. Ars Poet. 254, primus ad extremum similis sibi. 
 
 55. prodocet: publicly teaches; note the force of the prefix. 
 recinunt . . . dictata : chant from dictation. They repeat the lesson 
 again and again, prompted by the teacher, to fix it in their memory. 
 senesque: the old as well as the young are pupils in that school. 
 The figure is made more vivid by the next line, which is repeated from 
 Serm. i. 6. 74. 
 
 56. loculos : on the construction, see note on Serm. i. 6. 74, and 
 Introd. 38. c. 
 
 57. mores = mores probri; cf. Odes, iii. 24. 35. lingua : 
 eloquence. 
 
 58. quadringentis : sc. milibus sestertium (about $20,000), the 
 equestrian census. 
 
 59. plebs : one of the common people. rex eris, etc. : part of a 
 trochaic tetrameter quoted by Isidore, Origines viii. 3. 4, rex eris si 
 recte fades, si non fades ndn eris. 
 
 60. hie : i.e. recte facere; hie is attracted to the gender of murus. 
 munis aeneus : i.e. a defence against the ills of life. 
 
 61. sibi : of an indefinite subject, oneself, instead of tibi in direct 
 address. 
 
 62. Roscia . . . lex : L. Roscius Otho, when tribune of the 
 people in 68 B.C., passed a law that the fourteen rows of seats at the 
 
PAGE 80.] BOOK I. EPISTLE 1. 307 
 
 theatre just above the orchestra should be assigned to the equites ; cf. 
 Serm. i. 6. 40. sodes : pray. The derivation given by Cic. Orat. 
 45. 154, is probably the correct one: libenter verba iungebant ut 
 * sodes ' pro ' si audes ' ; the meaning of audes being avidus es. 
 
 63. nenia: ditty, used of any rhyming formula; cf. Epod. 17. 29, 
 Sabella pectus increpare carmina, Caputque Marsa dissilire nenia. 
 
 64. maribus : manly. Curiis et . . . Camillis : types of the 
 Romans of the good old times. 
 
 65. facias: jussive subjunctive, governed by suadet understood. 
 rem: for rem familiarem ; notice the emphatic repetition. Bern 
 facias seems to mean practise the art of making money, after the 
 analogy of argentariam (artem') facere and the like. 
 
 67. propius : i.e. from nearer the stage ; cf. note on line 62. 
 lacrimosa : tearful, i.e. causing tears; cf. Serm. i. 5. 80, lacrimoso 
 fumo. Pupi : a writer of tragedy, otherwise unknown. 
 
 68. Fortunae . . . superbae : cf. Odes, iii. 29. 50, Fortuna 
 saevo laeta negotio et Ludum insolentem ludere pertinax. respon- 
 sare : cf. Serm. ii. 7. 85, responsare cupidinibus fortis. 
 
 69. praesens : like a guardian deity ; cf. Serm. ii. 3. 68, praeda 
 quam praesens Mercurius fert. hortatur et aptat : urges and fits 
 you. 
 
 70. quod si ... roget : cf. line 13 above. 
 
 71. porticibus : the colonnades, the lounging places of the popu- 
 lace ; cf. Serm. i. 4. 134, and the note. iudiciis : mews. 
 
 72. ipse : i.e. populus Eomanus. 
 
 73. olim : once upon a time ; see note on i. 1. 25. volpes : a 
 familiar fable, referred to also by Lucil. 919-924 L., leonem Aegrotum 
 ac lassum . . . Deducta turn voce leo ' cur tu ipsa venire Non vis haec ? ' 
 ' Quid sibi vult, quarefit ut introvorsus et ad te Spectent atque ferant 
 vestigia se omnia prorsus 9 ' 
 
 76. belua multorum capitum : a common comparison. The 
 sentiment is the same as in Serm. ii. 1. 27, quot capitum vivunt, toti- 
 dem studiorum. nam : used as an asseverative particle ; cf. Plaut. 
 Most. 368, quid ego ago nam ? Ter. Phorm. 732, nam quae haec 
 anus est ? Cf. quidnam, etc. 
 
 77. conducere publica : to undertake public 'contracts, either for 
 farming the taxes, or for such services as are mentioned by Juv. iii. 31, 
 Quis facile est aedem conducere, flumina, portus, Siccandam eluviem, 
 portandum ad busta cadaver. sunt qui . . . venentur : referring 
 to will-hunters (captatores), such as are described in Serm. ii. 5. 
 
308 BOOK I. EPISTLE 1. [PAGE 86. 
 
 78. crustis et pomis: cf. Serm. ii. 5. 10-17. 
 
 79. vivaria : preserves, where they may be kept until wanted, like 
 captive animals or like fish in a tank. 
 
 80. occulto : unobserved. verum esto : but admit for the sake 
 of argument. 
 
 82. idem : nominative plural. durare probantes : continue to 
 like. 
 
 83. sinus : of the winding shore of the bay. Bais : the favorite 
 seaside resort of the Romans ; cf. Odes, iii. 4. 24, liquidae Baiae. 
 praelucet : i.e. is preferable to; cf. Odes, i. 33. 3, cur tibi iunior 
 Laesa praeniteat fide? 
 
 84. lacus : sc. Lucrinus, into which, as well as into the sea, villas 
 were built. Cf. Odes, iii. 1. 33-36, Contracta pisces aequora sentiunt 
 lactis in altum molibus, etc. 
 
 85. vitiosa : perverted, morbid; see note on i. 3. 1. 
 
 86. fecerit auspicium : suggested ; the prompting of vitiosa libido 
 is compared with a message from the gods by means of augury. 
 Teanum : often called Teanum Sidicinum, to distinguish it from the 
 Apulian Teanum ; an inland town of Campania and a favorite resort, 
 where the rich man now decides to build a villa. 
 
 87. tolletis : future with imperative force. lectus genialis : 
 the couch symbolic of marriage, under the protection of the genius of 
 the family. It stood in the atrium, for which aula is here used. 
 
 89. bene esse : i.e. that they only enjoy life ; cf. Serm. ii. 2. 120, 
 bene erat (sc. nobis) non piscibus urbe petitis ; and see Introd. 51. a. 
 
 90. Protea : cf. Serm. ii. 3. 71, and the note. 
 
 91. quid pauper: sc. facit ; what of the man who is not rich? 
 cenacula : garrets; cf. Varro, L. L. v. 162, ubi cenabant,, cenacu- 
 lum vocitabant : posteaquam in superiore parte cenitare coeperunt, 
 superioris domus universa cenacula dicta. The poor man is as dis- 
 contented as the rich man, and makes such changes as he can. 
 
 92. aeque nauseat : gets just as seasick. Apparently a common 
 complaint ; cf. Sen. de Ira, iii. 37. 3, num quis se hieme algere miratur? 
 num quis in mari nausiare ? 
 
 94. curatus inaequali tonsore : by unsymmetric barber trimmed 
 (Lane). Cf. i. 3. 30, rideri possit eo quod Eusticius tonso toga defluit. 
 Tonsore is ablative of instrument, instead of a tonsore; cf. pueris, 
 Serm. i. 6. 116, and the note. 
 
 95. subucula : under-garment ; cf. Varro, ap. Nonius, p. 542, postea- 
 quam binas tunicas habere coeperunt, instituerunt vocare subuculam 
 
PAGE 87.] BOOK I. EPISTLE 2. 309 
 
 et indusium. pexae : fresh, new; lit. combed. When cloth was 
 prepared by the fullers, the nap was combed up with the spina ful- 
 lonia, and clipped so as to be even. 
 
 96. impar : unevenly, i.e. with one side higher than the other. 
 Great care was taken, by well-dressed men, in arranging the folds of 
 the toga ; cf. Serm. i. 3. 30, cited above on line 94. 
 
 97. pugnat secum : is inconsistent ; with the metaphor, cf. Serm. 
 i. 1. 102, pergis pugnantia secum Frontibus adversis componere, and 
 the note. 
 
 98. Note the chiastic arrangement of the line. 
 
 99. aestuat : ebbs and flows, like the tide of the sea. discon- 
 venit: is out of harmony. Cf. i. 14. 18, eo disconvenit inter Meque et 
 te, the only other place where the word is found in classical Latin. 
 
 100. mutat quadrata rotundis : probably a proverbial expression. 
 For the construction, cf. Serm. ii. 7. 110, quipueruvam Furtiva mutat 
 strigili, and the note. 
 
 101. insanire . . . sollemnia : i.e. that I am no more mad than 
 the greater part of mankind. Sollemnia is accusative of the inner 
 object, after the analogy of insanire sollemnem insaniam. . 
 
 102. curatoris a praetore dati : a guardian assigned by the. 
 praetor ; cf. Serm. ii. 3. 217. 
 
 103. rerum tutela meanim : ' the (self-appointed) protector of my 
 fortunes.' Cf. Odes, iv. 14. 43, o tutela praesens Italiae. 
 
 104. prave sectum . . . unguem : the Komans gave great atten- 
 tion to the care of their nails ; cf. i. 7. 49-50. 
 
 105. respicientis : i.e. looking to you for counsel. 
 
 106. ad summam : i.e. to sum up the whole argument. 
 
 107. honoratus : i.e. is chosen to office. 
 
 108. nisi cum, etc. : as usual Horace ends his serious discourse 
 with a jest, in this case a play on the double meaning of sanus, 'sane 1 
 and ' sound ' (in health) . pituita : scanned in three syllables. 
 
 EPISTLE II. 
 
 1. Maxime : the cognomen precedes, as in Serm. 1. 4. 27 ; see note. 
 Who is referred to, is uncertain. 
 
 2. declamas : are declaiming, i.e. studying oratory. Praeneste : 
 a favorite resort of Horace ; cf. Odes, iii. 4. 23. Locative ablative. 
 
 3. quid sit pulchrum . . . quid non: a summary of ethical 
 principles. 
 
310 BOOK, I. EPISTLE 2. [PAGE 88. 
 
 4. planius : more clearly. Chrysippus : cf. Serm. i. 3. 126, 
 and the note. Crantore : the head of the Academic School. He 
 and Chrysippus are mentioned as typical of philosophers in general. 
 
 5. crediderim : have come to think ; = sentiam. distinct : dis- 
 tracts ; i.e. unless you have something else to think of. 
 
 7. barbariae : applied after the Greek usage to Phrygia ; cf. Odes, 
 ii. 4. 9, Barbarae postquam cecidere turmae Thessalo victore. 
 lento : lingering, of the ten-year siege. duello : the archaic form 
 of bello. 
 
 B. stultorum : used in the philosophic sense. aestus : the fit- 
 ful passions; the metaphor is the same as in sententia* aestuat, i. 
 1. 99. 
 
 9. Antenor : cf. Iliad, vii. 347 f. ; Liv. i. 1.1, (Aeneas Antenorque} 
 pads reddendaeque Helenae semper auctores fuerunt. censet . . . 
 praecidere : advises cutting away, like a diseased limb. For the 
 construction, cf. Liv. xliii. 5. 8, munera mitti legatis censuerunt, etc. 
 
 10. quid Paris: sc. facit ; cf. quid pauper, i. 1. 91. ut ' . . 
 regnet: probably stipulative subjunctive (see Introd. 45. e) ; i.e. Paris 
 says that he cannot be forced to give up Helen, even on the promise 
 of securing safety and happiness. 
 
 11. Nestor : cf. Iliad, i. 247 ff. 
 
 12. inter . . . et inter : for the repetition of the preposition, 
 cf. Serm. i. 7. 11, inter Hectora . . . atque inter Achillem. 
 
 13. hunc : i.e. Agamemnon. 
 
 14. quicquid . . . Achivi : i.e. whatever folly the kings commit 
 is visited on the Greeks as a whole. Quicquid is an accusative of the 
 inner object ; cf. insanire sollemnia, i. 1. 101. 
 
 16. peccatur : impersonal, governed by the ablatives in the pre- 
 ceding line. 
 
 17. rursus: again, i.e. on the other hand; cf. Serm. i. 3. 28, at 
 tibi contra Evenit, inquirant vitia ut tua rursus et illi. 
 
 19. domitor Troiae : Odysseus was the real conqueror of the city. 
 This line arid the next two are a translation of the beginning of the 
 Odyssey. Cf. Ars Poet. 141-143. 
 
 23. Sirenum voces : the Sirens were beautiful maidens, who, by 
 their sweet singing, lured to destruction those who passed near their 
 isle. When Odysseus sailed by, he stopped the ears of his companions 
 with wax, and had them bind him to the mast, so that he might hear 
 the songs without danger. Cf. Odyss. xii. 39 ff. Circae pocula: 
 Circe, who dwelt in the island of Aeaea, was famous for her skill in 
 
PAGE 88.] BOOK I. EPISTLE 2. 311 
 
 the magic arts. When Odysseus was driven to Aeaea, some of his 
 companions wandered to Circe's palace, and drinking the drugged 
 wine which she set before them, were changed into swine. Cf. 
 Odyss. x. 136 ff. 
 
 24. stultus cupidusque : foolishly and greedily, in distinction 
 from Odysseus himself, who did not drink until he had received an 
 antidote from Hermes. 
 
 25. turpis : with the double meaning of hideous, like a beast, and 
 degraded. excors: unreasoning, foolish; cf. Serm. ii. 3. 67, an 
 magis excors, JReiecta praeda quam praesens Mercurius fert. 
 
 26. canis : the dog with the Greeks and Romans was a symbol of 
 uncleanness, and canis is often used as a term of reproach ; e.g. Epod. 
 6. 1. 
 
 27. numerus : mere ciphers, of no value alone, but swelling the 
 sum total of humanity. fniges consumere nati : a translation of 
 an Homeric phrase, Iliad, vi. 142, ^porcD?, ot dpotpijs napirbv Zdovviv. 
 
 28. sponsi : for prod, suitors. Alcinoi . . . iuventus : Al- 
 cinous was king of the Phaeacians, a mythical people, who led a life 
 of peace and perfect happiness in the island of Scheria, with which 
 Corcyra was afterward identified. Cf. Odyss. viii. 248 ff. nebulo- 
 nes : with the force of an adjective modifying sponsi. 
 
 29. cute curanda : of a life of idleness, like pelliculam curare, 
 Serm. ii. 5. 37. operata : busy, used sarcastically. 
 
 30. pulchmm : noble, fine, with sarcastic reference to pulchrum 
 in line 3. 
 
 31. cessatum . . . curam : to lull care to rest ; cessatum is the 
 supine modifying ducere. 
 
 32. de nocte : before daylight. Cf. Ter. Adelph. 840, rus eras 
 cum Jilio Cum primo luci ibo hinc. De nocte censeo. 
 
 33. expergisceris : present with future force, won't you get up ? 
 atqui : and yet, implying that a negative answer was expected to 
 the preceding question. 
 
 34. noles : sc. currere. curres hydropicus : i.e. you will have 
 to take exercise for your health. Cf. Celsus, iii. 21, hydropicis multum 
 ambulandum, currendum aliquid est. 
 
 35. posces : from a slave. Cf. ii. 1. 112, et prius orto Sole vigil 
 calamum et chartas et scrinia posco. 
 
 36. intendes animum : i.e. employ your mind. The same meta- 
 phor as in tender opus, ii. 1. 2. 
 
 37. vigil : sleepless. nam cur : equivalent to cur nam, Why in 
 
312 BOOK I. EPISTLE 2. [PAGE 89. 
 
 the world f Nam has asseverative force, as in i. 1. 76. Cf. Plant. Aul. 
 43, nam cur me verberas ? 
 
 39. est = edit from edo. in annum : for a year, with somewhat 
 the same force as in i. 18. 109, provisae frugis in annum copia. 
 
 40. dimidium . . . habet : well begun is half done; the proverb 
 is an old one ; cf. Plat, de Legg. 6. 753 e, apx?i yap X^yereu ^v TJ/J-KT^ 
 -iravrbs tv rats Trapoifjt.la.is cpyov. sapere aude : dare to be wise ; cf. 
 Virg. Aen. viii. 364, aude, hospes, contemnere opes. 
 
 42. rusticus : i.e. is like the clown who. Cf. note on spectatum, 
 i. 1. 2. The reference is doubtless to some familiar story, but it is not 
 otherwise known to us. 
 
 43. labitur . . . aevum : the abundance of dactyls and the repeti- 
 tion of the liquid I are appropriate to the flowing stream. 
 
 44. argentum : money; cf. Serm. i. 1. 86, cum tu argento post 
 omnia ponis. beata : rich ; cf. dotata coniunx, Odes, iii. 24. 19 ; 
 and for the meaning of beata, Odes, i. 29. 1, beatis gazis. 
 
 45. pacantur : are subdued, i.e. we enlarge our estates by clear- 
 ing the woods and tilling the soil. Cf. Virg. Aen. vi. 803, Alcides . . . 
 Erymanthi pacarit nemora. 
 
 46. contingit : present of continued action ; cf. i. 4. 10, cui Gratia, 
 fama, valetudo contingat abunde ; i. 15. 44. 
 
 48. deduxit : the gnomic perfect ; never has, and hence never will. 
 See Introd. 44. d. 
 
 50. comportatis : accumulated, with reference to acervus in line 
 47. bene uti : i.e. to enjoy. cogitat : thinks to, in the sense of 
 4 expects to.' 
 
 51. sic . . . ut : i.e. as little as. 
 
 52. pictae tabulae : pictures. Tabulae alone is often used with 
 that meaning, with ellipsis of pictae ; e.g. Ars Poet. 6, isti tabulae fore 
 librum persimilem. fomenta : applications of hot water, which 
 would be agreeable to a well person, but give no pleasure to one sick 
 with gout. 
 
 54. sincerum : clean. The comparison of the soul with a vase is 
 found in Plato, Protag. 314 6. 
 
 56. certum finem : i.e. set as a fixed limit to your desires the 
 amount which is sufficient for your needs. voto : dative of the 
 indirect object. 
 
 57. alterius : note the word ; his rival ; see note on alter, Serm. i. 
 1. 40. With the general sentiment, cf. Serm. i. 1. 110. 
 
 58. Siculi . . . tyranni : their cruelty, especially that of Dionysius 
 
PAGE 90.] BOOK I. EPISTLE 3. 313 
 
 and Phalaris, was proverbial ; cf. Cic. Verr. ii. 5. 56. 145, non 
 Dionysius ille nee Phalaris, tulit enim ilia quondam insula (Sicilia) 
 multos et crudelis tyrannos. 
 
 59. moderabitur : restrain. Horace dwells longer on the defect 
 of ira, as his own besetting sin. Cf. Serm. ii. 3. 323. 
 
 60. dolor . . . et mens : his angry feelings, hendiadys. 
 
 61. odio . . . inulto : dative, for his unsatisfied vengeance. 
 
 62. ira furor brevis: proverbial ; cf. Sen. de Ira, i. 1. 2, quidam 
 Hague ex sapientibus viris iram dixerunt brevem insaniam. 
 
 63. tu : note the postponement of the subject to the second part of 
 the sentence ; cf. Serm. i. 6. 122. 
 
 64. fingit : trains, moulds to his will. tenera . . . cervice : 
 i.e. when it is still young. magister : the trainer. Cf. Varr. Sat. 
 Men. 559, nam ut ecus qui ad vehendum est natus, tamen hie traditur 
 magistro. 
 
 65. viam: accusative of the inner object. See- Introd. 38.6. qua 
 monstrat eques : where his rider shows the way. venaticus : i.e. 
 trained for the chase. 
 
 66. cervinam pellem : i.e. the puppies were trained for the chase 
 by being taught to bark at a stuffed stag. aula : courtyard; for 
 atrium; cf. i. 1. 87, lectus genialis est in aula. 
 
 67. mine . . . puer : now, when still young. 
 
 68. melioribus : masculine,, as in i. 1.48. 
 
 69. quo semel . . . testa diu : cf. "You may break, you may 
 shatter the vase, if you will, The scent of the roses will cling to it 
 still." 
 
 70. strenuus : i.e. in your enthusiasm. Horace advocates the 
 golden mean, even in the pursuit of virtue. 
 
 71. ins to : press after. 
 
 EPISTLE III. 
 
 1. quibus terrarum . . . oris : cf. Virg. Aen. i. 331, quibus orbis 
 in oris. Oris implies remote lands. militet : is serving, here used 
 of the commander of the expedition. 
 
 2. Claudius : his full name was Tiberius Claudius Nero. pri- 
 vignus : stepson ; Tiberius was the son of Tiberius Claudius Nero 
 and Livia, the wife of Augustus. He was adopted by Augustus in 
 3 A.D., after the death of Gaius and Lucius Caesar. scire laboro : 
 cf. nosse laboro, Serm. ii. 8. 19. 
 
 3. Thraca : a poetical and earlier form of Thracia, used according 
 
314 BOOK I. EPISTLE 3. [PAGE 90. 
 
 to Servius (on Aen. xii. 335) by Cicero, de Eep. ii. 4. In Horace 
 again in Epist. i. 16. 13. In this and the two following lines successive 
 stages of the journey to Armenia are mentioned. nivali compede 
 vinctus : a general epithet of the proverbially cold Hebrus. 
 
 4. freta . . . currentia : the Hellespont, which has a strong west- 
 ward current. vicinas . . . turris : at Sestos and Abydos. The 
 width is less than a mile at the narrowest point. 
 
 6. studiosa : ambitious. cohors : suite, attendants on the com- 
 mander, with or without special appointments. So Catullus accom- 
 panied Meminius to Bithynia. operum: to be joined with quid; 
 genitive of the whole. euro : equivalent to scire laboro, line 2. 
 
 7. suniit : cf. Odes, i. 12. 2, sumis celebrare ; Ars Poet. 38, sumite 
 materiam vestris . . . aequam viribus. ' 
 
 8. bella et paces : i.e. his deeds in war and in peace ; cf. Serm. 
 ii. 1. 10-17. longum in aevum : cf. Odes, iv. 14. 3, virtutes in 
 aemnn . . . aeternet. 
 
 9. quid : sc. sumit or struit. Titius : otherwise unknown. 
 Romana venturus in ora : i. e. to be talked of, to become famous ; 
 cf. Ennius, ap. Cic. Tusc. Disp. i. 15. 34, volito vivos per ora virum. 
 
 10. Pindarici fontis : the spring at which Pindar drank ; on the 
 difficulty of imitating Pindar, cf. Odes, iv. 2 ; hence non expalluit. 
 haustus: object of expalluit; cf. Odes, iii. 27. 25 ff., Europe . . . sca- 
 tentem beluis pontum palluit. 
 
 11. lacus et rivos apertos : tanks (cf. Serm. i. 4. 37) and 
 streams, in distinction from Pindarici fontis. For the general idea, 
 cf. Quint, x. 1. 109, non enim pluvias, ut ait Pindarus, aquas colligit 
 (Cicero'}, sed vivo gurgite exundat. 
 
 12. ut : how ; cf. Serm. ii. 8. 1, ut Nasidieni iuvit te cena ? fidi- 
 busne Latinis . . . modos : cf. Odes, iii. 30. 13, princeps Aeolium 
 carmen ad Italos Deduxisse modos. 
 
 13. Thebanos : i.e. Pindaric. auspice Musa : with the favor 
 of the Muse. 
 
 14. desaevit : rant, as the personages of tragedy do ; cf. Serm. 
 i. 10, 36, Turgidus Alpinus iugulat dum Memnona. ampullatur : 
 of the bombastic language of tragedy ; cf. Ars Poet. 97, Telephus et 
 Peleus . . . Proicit ampullas et sesquipedalia verba. The word seems 
 to be coined by Horace, after the Greek \T)Kv6ifa. 
 
 15. mihi : my friend, a good example of the so-called ethical 
 dative. Celsus : apparently referring to Celsus Albinovanus, to 
 whom Epist. i. 8 is addressed. 
 
PAGE 92. J BOOK I. EPISTLE 4. 315 
 
 16. privatas . . . opes : material of his own, instead of borrowing 
 from earlier writers, whose works were already in the public library. 
 Cf. Ars Poet. 131, Publica materies privati iuris erit, si. . . . 
 
 17. Palatinus . . . Apollo : referring to the public library 
 founded by Octavian in 28 B.C., in the temple of Apollo on the Palatine 
 Hill. 
 
 19. cornicula : the reference is to the well-known fable of the 
 Jack-daw (here the crow) which dressed itself in borrowed plumage. 
 The diminutive expresses humorous compassion, the poor little crow. 
 
 20. furtivis: stolen; cf. Serm.ii. 7. 110. audes: venture on. 
 
 21. quae . . . circumvolitas : cf. Odes, iv. 2. 27 f., apis Matinae 
 more modoque Grata carpentis thyma per laborem Plurimum. 
 agilis: busy; cf. i. 1. 16, nunc agilis fio. 
 
 22. hirtum : rough, like a neglected field. For the use of turpiter, 
 cf. Odes, iii. 11, 35, splendide mendax ; Ars Poet. 3, turpiter atrum. 
 
 23. linguam . . . acuis : metaphorically of the work of the 
 pleader. civica iura respondere : i.e. act as iure consultus ; see 
 note on Serm. i. 1. 9. The technical term is ius civile respondere. 
 
 25. hederae : applying strictly only to condis . . . carmen. Cf. 
 Odes, i. 1. 29, doctarum hederae praemia fontium. 
 
 26. curanim : appositive genitive, i.e. cares which, like cold com- 
 presses, diminish your ardor. 
 
 27. caelestis : heaven-born. 
 
 29. nobis . . . cari : i.e. with self-respect. 
 
 30. sit tibi curae quantae conveniat : is as dear to you as he 
 ought to be ; curae is the dative of purpose. 
 
 31. Munatius : probably the son of Lucius Munatius Plancus, to 
 whom Odes i. 7 is addressed. male sarta . . . coit : like a wound 
 which has been sewed up, but does not heal. 
 
 33. rerum inscitia : i.e. ignorance of the world. 
 
 34. feros : high-spirited. 
 
 36. pascitur . . . votiva : cf. Odes, iv. 2. 54, Me tener solvet vitu- 
 lus, relicta Matre qui largis iuvenescit herbis In mea vota. 
 
 EPISTLE IV. 
 
 1. Albi : Albius Tibullus, the elegiac poet (54-19 B. c.). The use of 
 the praenomen alone indicates familiarity ; cf. i. 3. 1. sermonum : 
 referring to Horace's work, the Sermones. candide : fair, impar- 
 tial, not necessarily implying a favorable judgment. Evidently the 
 
316 BOOK I. EPISTLE 4. [PAGE 92. 
 
 Sermones had met some criticism to which the term could not, in Hor- 
 ace's opinion, be applied. 
 
 2. Pedana : Pedum was an ancient town between Tibur and Prae- 
 neste. It had apparently ceased to exist in Horace's time, though the 
 name was still applied to the district. Tibullus seems to have had a 
 villa in the neighborhood. 
 
 3. scribere : sc. dicam te. Cassi Parmensi : so called to distin- 
 guish him from C. Cassius Longinus. He also was one of the conspi- 
 rators against the life of Caesar and a fellow-soldier of Horace in the 
 army of Brutus. opuscula : literary works. Cassius tried many 
 kinds of composition. The diminutive is used by Horace of his lyrics 
 in i. 19. 35. 
 
 4. taciturn : i.e. in silent thought. reptare : strolling. Of slow 
 progress, like repere in Serm. i. 5. 25, milia turn . . . tria repimus. 
 
 5. curantem : meditating on. 
 
 6. non eras : you were never ; the action continues into the pres- 
 ent ; see Introd. 44. b. pectore : soul. 
 
 7. dedSrunt : scanned with a short penultimate e, the ancient 
 quantity. See Introd. 57. artem fruendi : i.e. the power of en- 
 joying the bounty of the gods. 
 
 8. nutricula : a fond nurse ; note the diminutive. 
 
 9. sapere et fari : i.e. to think and to speak wisely. 
 
 10. gratia : powerful friends, the abstract for the concrete, with 
 reference to his relations with Messalla and his circle ; see note on 
 Serm. i. 10. 85. 
 
 11. mundus victus : i.e. the means of living decently; cf. Serm. 
 ii. 2. 65, Mundus erit qua non offendat sordibus, atque In neutram 
 partem cultus miser. 
 
 12. inter, etc. : i.e. amid the changing fortunes of life. 
 
 13. omnem crede : i.e. believe after the dawn of each day that it 
 is your last. 
 
 14. superveniet : sc. vitae. With the thought, cf. Odes, i. 9. 13 ff., 
 Quid sit futurum eras, fuge quaerere et, Quern Fors dierum cumque 
 dabit, lucro Appone. 
 
 15. me pinguem : the Epistle closes with a jest ; cf. Serm. i. 1. 120, 
 etc. On Horace's personal appearance, cf. Suet. Vit. Hor. habitu cor- 
 poris brevisfuit atque obesus. bene curata cute : cf. i. 2. 29, in 
 cute curando, and the note. 
 
 16. porcum: identifying the person with that with which he is 
 compared. See note on Serm. ii. 1. 20. 
 
PAGE 93.] BOOK I. EPISTLE 5. 317 
 
 EPISTLE V. 
 
 1. Archiacis : i.e. probably made by a carpenter called Archias. 
 Porph. says : Archias breves lectos fecit. In any case, cheap unpreten- 
 tious furniture is meant. For the arrangement of the couches, see 
 Outline of Serm. ii. 8. recumbere : cf. Odes, iii. 3. 11, Quos inter 
 Augustus recumbens, a frequent use of the word. 
 
 2. modica : with reference to quality ; cf. Serm. i. 5. 2, hospitio 
 modico. holus omne : i.e. a meal consisting of nothing but vege- 
 tables ; holus is object of cenare ; see Introd. 38. a. 
 
 3. supremo sole : just as the sun is setting; the opposite of primo 
 sole ; cf. Ovid, Met. ix. 93, primo feriente cacumina sole. The late 
 hour is also characteristic of a modest repast ; cf. Serm. ii. 8. 3, de 
 medio potare die, and the note. 
 
 4. iterum Tauro : sc. consule, in the second consulship o/(T. Sta- 
 tilius) Taurus. The date is 26 B.C. ; his colleague was Augustus. 
 diffusa: i.e. drawn off from the jar (dolium) and sealed up in 
 amphorae. palustris Minturnas : situated on the marshy land 
 about the mouth of the Liris. Falernian and Massic wine came from 
 the same neighborhood. 
 
 5. Petrinum : a mountain, according to the Comm. Cruq. Porph. 
 says : Petrinus vicus olim et locus in agro Falerno. 
 
 6. arcesse : have it sent ; i.e. if Torquatus is not satisfied with 
 Horace's wine, and thinks he has a better brand, he is to have his 
 slaves take some to his host's house. vel imperium fer : i.e. leave 
 the matter to me ; put up with my directions as host and master of the 
 feast ; on dominus as a designation of the host, see Serm. ii. 8. 93. 
 
 7. splendet : i.e. have been cleaned in honor of your visit. The 
 wall about the hearth and the pictures of the Lares became blackened 
 with soot, which had to be cleaned off from time to time. tibi : in 
 your honor ; dative of reference. 
 
 8. levis spes : i.e. hopes about trifling matters. certamina 
 divitiarum : the struggle for wealth, not of course in a bad sense. 
 
 9. Moschi : Porph. says : Moschus hie Pergamenus fuit rhetor 
 notissimus. Reus venejicii fuit, cuius causam ex primis tune oratores 
 egerunt, Torquatus hie, de quo nunc dicit, cuius extat oralio, et Asinius 
 Pollio. nato Caesare : to whom this refers is uncertain, probably 
 to Augustus ; see note on aestivam noctem, line 10. 
 
 10. veniam somnumque : an excuse for sleep ; hendiadys. 
 
 11. aestivam noctem : The birthday of Augustus fell on September 
 
318 BOOK I. EPISTLE 5. [PAGE 93. 
 
 23, but the term aestivam noctem may be used generally of the hot sea- 
 son. Some think that the reference is to Julius Caesar, whose birthday 
 was on July 12, but Horace uses Caesar of Augustus thirty-two times, 
 and of Julius Caesar only twice (Odes i. 2. 44 ; Serm. i. 9. 18), and in 
 both cases the meaning is made evident by the context. Caesare 
 without further definition would naturally refer to Augustus. ten- 
 dere : prolong. Cf. Virg. Aen. i. 748, vario noctem sermone trahebat 
 Infelix Dido. 
 
 12. fortunam : for the construction, cf. unde mihi sagittas, Serm. 
 ii. 7. 116, and see note. 
 
 13. ob heredis curam : with the thought, cf. Odes, iv. 7. 19, 
 Cuncta manus avidas fugient heredis, amico Quae dederis animo ; 
 Pers. vi. 33, cenam funeris heres Negleget iratus, quod rem curtaveris. 
 
 14. adsidet : is next door to, apparently with reference to the 
 seats in the theatres, etc. flores : the regular accompaniment of a 
 banquet or a drinking bout ; cf. Odes, iii. 19. 21, Parcentes ego dexte- 
 ras Odi : sparge rosas. 
 
 15. vel : if you like ; the old injunctive form of velle. 
 
 16. ebrietas : wine ; the English ' drunkenness ' is not an equiva- 
 lent here. dissignat : open ; lit. unseal. operta recludit : cf. 
 Serm. i. 4. 89, Condita cum verax aperit praecordia Liber. 
 
 17. spes . . . ratas : i.e. it makes one hopeful and confident. 
 Cf. Sen. de Ira, i. 13. 3, ebrietas facit protervos et audaces. ad 
 proelia trudit inertem : cf. Sen. de Ira, i. 13. 3, multi meliores ad 
 ferrumfuere male sobrii. 
 
 18. addocet artis : i. e. teaches new arts. 
 
 19. fecundi : in a double sense, full and inspiring. 
 
 20. contracta ... in paupertate : in the chains of poverty. 
 solutum : free. 
 
 21. haec : the following duties. idoneus . . . et non invitus : 
 i.e. I am both able and willing. imperor : / charge myself; the 
 verb is used in a middle sense. 
 
 22. toral : cf. Serm. ii. 4. 84, and the note. 
 
 23. conruget naris : make you turn up your nose ; cf. Pers. iii. 86, 
 multumque torosa iuventus Ingeminat tremulos naso crispante cachin- 
 nos. ne non . . . ostendat tibi te : i.e. that you may be able to 
 see your face in the polished metal. 
 
 25. foras eliminet : carry across the threshold of the dining-room. 
 
 26. Butram, etc. : persons otherwise unknown. 
 
 27. potior puella : i.e. a girl whose society he prefers to ours. 
 
PAGE 95. J BOOK I. EPISTLE 6. 319 
 
 28. umbris: cf. Serm. ii. 8. 22, and the note. Torquatus may 
 bring a friend or two if he likes. 
 
 29. sed . . . caprae: i.e. he must not bring too many umbrae. 
 Caprae = hirci ; cf. Epod. 12. 5, gravis hirsutis cubet hircus in alis. 
 
 31. postico falle : i.e. slip out the back door, and escape the 
 client who is lying in wait for you in the atrium. Postico is ablative 
 of the way by which. 
 
 EPISTLE VI. 
 
 I. nil admirari : ie..to be indifferent to material things. 
 
 3. hunc : yonder, with a gesture. decedentia . . . momen- 
 tis : the seasons moving in regular courses. 
 
 4. formidine: i. e. superstitious fear. 
 
 5. imbuti : touched, affected. quid : introducing the question, 
 which is afterward repeated by quomodo with a change of construc- 
 tion. ' Cic. Rose. Am. 1749, quid censes ipsum Sex. Roscium, quo studio 
 et qua intellegentia esse in rusticis rebus. 
 
 6. mans: to be taken with munera, referring to the pearls for 
 which the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf were famous. 
 
 7. ludicra : in apposition with plausus and dona ; i.e. such worth- 
 less trifles as office and popular favor. dona : i.e. honores (office). 
 Quiritis is used collectively. 
 
 8. ore: expression, by which emotions would be denoted in the 
 mimes. 
 
 9. bis adversa : the opposite of these, i.e. poverty and defeat at 
 the polls. miratur : i.e. rates them too high, the opposite of nil ad- 
 mirari, a philosophic indifference. 
 
 10. pavor : excitement; cf. Virg. Aen. v. 137, exsultantiaque hau- 
 rit Corda pavor pulsans laudumque arrecta cupido. 
 
 II. simul : for simul ac; cf. Serm. i. 1. 36. exterret : startles. 
 Cf. Virg. Aen. xi. 806, fugit ante omnes exterritus Arruns Laetitia 
 mixtoque metu. 
 
 12. quid ad rem : sc. interest. 
 
 13. spe: expectation. 
 
 14. animoque et corpore : equivalent to sensu et ore, line 8. 
 
 16. ultra quam satis est : i.e. without moderation. 
 
 17. i mine : i.e. if you can, after what has been said. aera : 
 bronzes ; see note on aere, Serm. i. 4. 28. artis : works of art. 
 
 18. suspice : admire ; the opposite of despice. 
 
320 BOOK I. EPISTLE 6. [PAGE 95. 
 
 19. loquentem : as you speak (as an orator), a rare use of the 
 word ; cf. Cic. Orat. 32. 113, non idem loqui esse quod dicere. 
 
 20. navus: busy; cf. naviter, i. 1. 24. forum: as the seat of 
 trade. 
 
 21. dotalibus : gained by marriage, not by his own industry. 
 
 22. Mutus : otherwise unknown. indignum : a shame, in ap- 
 position with the following clause. sit : the subjunctive is due to 
 the idea that the criticism, comes from others. 
 
 24. in apricum : i.e. into the light of the sun ; for the usual in 
 apertum. 
 
 26. porticus Agrippae : a portico near the Pantheon, built by 
 Agrippa and adorned with paintings representing the expedition of the 
 Argonauts. It is mentioned here as one of the most popular lounging 
 places in Rome. via Appi via Appia ; the most famous and 
 fashionable of the Roman roads. Cf. Serm. i. 5. 6, and the note. 
 
 27. ire tamen restat, etc. : i.e. you must one day die. Cf. Odes, 
 iv. 7. 14, ubi decidimus, Quo pater Aeneas, quo dives Tullus et 
 Ancus. 
 
 28. si latus, etc. : one should study the way of living happily, just 
 as one would try to look out for one's bodily health. Cf. i. 2. 38, Nam 
 cur Quae laedunt oculos festinas demere, si quid Est animum, differs 
 curandi tempus in annum ? 
 
 31. hoc age: give your attention to this; cf. Serm. ii. 3. 152. 
 verba : a mere name; cf. i. 17. 41, virtus nomen inane est. putas: 
 i.e. if you think, a paratactic condition. 
 
 32. lucum ligna : sc. esse ; i.e. that a sacred grove is but so much 
 fire-wood. The expression has a proverbial ring. cave . . . alter : 
 see to it that no one reaches port before you; with the expression, cf. 
 Odes, i. 14. 2, fortiter occupa Portum ; and with the thought, Pers. v. 
 136, Tolle recens primus piper e sitiente camelo. 
 
 33. Cibyratica : of Cibyra, a commercial city of Phrygia, not far 
 from the Lycian frontier. Bitbyna : Bithynia was important com- 
 mercially, especially in the lines of timber and marble ; cf. Odes, iii. 7. 
 3, Thyna merce beatum. 
 
 34. rotundentur : be rounded off. The expression is colloquial ; 
 cf. Petr. 76, uno cursu centies sestertium corrotundavi. 
 
 35. quadret : of a fourth thousand, with reference to the four sides 
 of a square. 
 
 36. scilicet : of course ; ironical. 
 
 38. bene nummatum : a colloquial expression, like our * well- 
 
PAGE 96. J BOOK I. EPISTLE 6. 321 
 
 heeled.' Suadela : the goddess of persuasion. The rich man will 
 be eloquent and successful in love. 
 
 39. aeris : i.e. ready money. Cappadocum rex : Ariobar- 
 zanes, of whom Cic. ad Alt. vi. 1. 3, says: nullum aerarium, nullum 
 vectigal habet. 
 
 40. fueris : with i, the original quantity of the perfect subjunctive, 
 originally an aorist optative. See note on miscuerls, Serm. ii. 2. 74. 
 hie : i.e. like him. chlamydes : to be used for a chorus of warriors. 
 
 43. milia quinque : the point is that Lucullus was a genuine rich 
 man, for he did not know how much he possessed. 
 
 44. tolleret: he might take, representing the imperative or an 
 equivalent jussive subjunctive in the direct form. 
 
 45. exilis : poor; cf. Odes, i. 4. 17, domus exilis Plutonia. ubi 
 non . . . supersunt : where there are not many superfluous things. 
 et : note the hyperbaton. 
 
 46. fallunt : i.e. are forgotten by. prosunt furibus : i.e. they 
 can be stolen without being noticed. 
 
 47. The language of line 2 repeated with ironical force. 
 
 48. hoc . . . opus : i.e. rent facere. 
 
 49. species : state. gratia : cf. i. 4. 10. 
 
 50. qui dictet nomina : i.e. a nomenclator, whose business it 
 was to inform his master of the names of people whom he did not 
 know, but wished to address by name. Final subjunctive. laevum : 
 the slave walked on the left of his master ; cf. Serm. ii. 5. 17, and 
 the note. 
 
 51. pondera : the reference may be to stepping-stones in the streets, 
 such as are seen at Pompeii, and are called pondera in inscriptions ; 
 some understand the word to mean weights on the counter of a shop. 
 
 52. multum valet : has great influence. Fabia, Velina : sc. 
 tribu. 
 
 53. curule . . . ebur : the sella curulis. 
 
 54. f rater, pater : cf. Ps.-Quint. Decl. 321, quotiens blandiri volu- 
 mus his qui esse amid videntur, nulla adulatio procedere ultra hoc 
 nomenpotest, quam ut fratres. vocemus. On pater, see Serm. ii. 1. 12. 
 
 55. adopta : adopt him, by the use of the term pater or frater. 
 Cf. Spart. Jul. 4. 1, unumquemque, ut erat aetas, vel patrem vel filium 
 vel parentem affatus btandissime est. 
 
 56. si ... vivit : i.e. if the pleasures of the table are the greatest 
 happiness. lucet : day has come / it is sunrise ; i.e. it is time to be 
 up and doing. 
 
322 BOOK I. EPISTLE 7. [PAGE 06. 
 
 57. piscemur, venemur : let us fish and hunt in the market. 
 
 58. Gargilius : a common name, but the individual here referred 
 to is otherwise unknown. 
 
 59. differtum forum populumque : for Jorum differtum populo. 
 On di/ertum, see note on Serin, i. 5. 3. 
 
 60. e multis : i.e. of the long train of mules which he had taken 
 with him. 
 
 61. crudi : i.e. with our last meal still undigested. Cf. Juv. i. 142, 
 cum tu deponis amictum Turgidus et crudum pavonem in balnea 
 portas. 
 
 62. Caerite cera digni : i.e. deserving to lose their citizenship. 
 Cf. Gell. xvi. 13. 17, primos municipes sine suffragii iure Caerites esse 
 factos accepimus . . . pro sacris bello Gallico receptis custoditisque. 
 Nine ' tabulae Caerites ' appellatae versa vice, in quas censores referri 
 iubebant, quos notae causa suffragiis privabant. 
 
 63. remigium : the crew, contemptuous for socii ; the abstract for 
 the concrete. The reference is to the slaying of the cattle of Helios, 
 Odyss. xiii. 313 ff. 
 
 65. Mimnermus : an elegiac poet of Colophon, a contemporary of 
 Solon (circ. 600 B.C.). sine amore, etc. : a fragment of Mimner- 
 mus, expressing this sentiment, has come down to us. 
 
 67. vive, vale: cf. Serm. ii. 5. 110, vive valeque. Horace closes 
 abruptly, as he often does. istis : i.e. than what has been told you. 
 
 68. candidus imperti : i.e. be a good fellow and tell me. 
 
 EPISTLE VII. 
 
 1. quinque dies : a general term for a few days ; cf. Serm. i. 3. 
 16, quinque diebus nil erat in loculis. See Introd. 50. rare : the 
 form used by Horace ; ruri is the earlier form of the locative. See 
 note on here, Serm. ii. 8. 2. 
 
 2. Sextilem : the sixth month counting from March, which was 
 originally the beginning of the year ; the name August was given to it 
 in 8 B.C., in honor of Augustus. mendax : cf. ii. 2. 25, Expectata 
 tibi non mittam carmina mendax. 
 
 3. sanum recteque valentem : practically synonymous ; sound 
 and in good health. 
 
 4. quam . . . das aegro . which you give me when I am sick. 
 aegrotare : instead of the usual ne aegrotem. 
 
 5. dum: as long as. ficus prima : the fig ripened in early 
 
PAGE 98. J BOOK I. EPISTLE 7. 323 
 
 September, the unhealthiest month at Rome. Cf. Odes, in. 23. 8, 
 Pomifero grave tempus anno. 
 
 6. dissignatorem : the undertaker, who arranged (dissigno) for 
 funerals. decorat : Horace regularly uses a singular verb with a 
 compound subject. See Introd. 43. a. lictoribus atris : in grand 
 funerals iictors clad in black and carrying the fasces marched in the 
 procession. They wore the masks of such ancestors of the deceased 
 as had filled curule offices. See note on imaginibus, Serm. i. 6. 17. 
 The Iictors are spoken of as ornaments of the dissignator, the leader 
 in the procession. 
 
 7. pueris : dative of interest. Cf. Mart. x. 62. 12, aestate puen si 
 valent, satis discunt. matercula : fond mother ; cf. nutricula, 
 i. 4. 8. 
 
 8. officiosa sedulitas : i.e. conscientiousness in performing cere- 
 monial duties, such as paying morning calls, listening to recitations, 
 and the like. Cf. ii. 2. 67, Hie sponsum vocat, hie auditum scripta 
 relictis Omnibus officiis. opella : petty business ; the force of the 
 diminutive. At this season, when people of importance were for the 
 most part out of town, the legal business would be of that character. 
 The word occurs also in Lucr. i. 1114, pernosces parva perdoctus opella. 
 
 9. testanienta resignat : i.e. causes death. The will was sealed 
 and deposited in some safe place, and was unsealed only at the death 
 of the maker. 
 
 10. bruma : the winter ; lit. the winter solstice, the shortest day 
 (*breu-ma > bruma, sc. dies). The idea is that if the cold weather 
 is early and severe, Horace will go to the shore. 
 
 11. sibi parcet : i.e. will take care of his health. 
 
 12. contractus : huddled-up, a self-explanatory word. 
 
 13. cum Zephyris . . . et hirundine prima : the harbingers of 
 spring ; cf. Odes, iv. 7. 9, frigora mitescunt Zephyris ; Ovid, Fasti, ii. 
 853, Fallimur, an veris praenuntia venit hirundo? 
 
 14. quo more: i.e. showing that he gave them what he himself 
 could not use. Calaber : the name seems to be used merely to 
 localize the story, though possibly, as Kiessling suggests, it may be a 
 reminiscence of Horace's youth. 
 
 15. sodes. see note on Serm. i. 9. 41. 
 
 16. tolle ; take with you, in distinction from vescere. benigne : 
 sc. facts ; you're very kind. A polite form of refusal. 
 
 17. non invisa : i.e. your children will be glad if you take them 
 some as a gift. 
 
324 BOOK I. EPISTLE 7. [PAGE 98. 
 
 18. tarn teneor, etc. : i.e. I am as much obliged as if I took all I 
 could carry. 
 
 20. prodigus et stultus : i.e. only a wasteful fool. 
 
 21. haec seges . . . tulit : i.e. such seed bears ingratitude. Tulit 
 is the gnomic perfect ; see Introd. 44. d. 
 
 22. ait esse paratus : a Greek construction for the regular ait se 
 esse paratum^ 
 
 2 ($r ^urocti stent aera lupinis ; i.e. he knows the true value of 
 things ; the seeds of the lupine (lupinis}, a kind of vetch, were used as 
 money (aera) on the stage ; cf. Plaut. Poen. 597, aurumst profecto 
 hie, spectatores, comicum : Macerato hoc pingues fiunt auro in bar- 
 baria boves. 
 
 24. pro : in proportion to. merentis : my benefactor ; eius qui 
 meret ut nemet dignum praestem (Kiessling). 
 
 25. quod si : i.e. if you require constant personal attendance on 
 my part. reddes : the future as a mild imperative ; so below in 
 line 27. 
 
 26. latus: chest. nigros . . . capillos: cf. i. 20. 24. Horace's 
 forehead had broadened from loss of hair. On a narrow forehead as a 
 mark of beauty, cf. Odes, i. 33. 5, insignem tenui fronte Lycorida. 
 
 27. dulce loqui : cf. Odes, i. 22. 23, Lalagen . . . dulce loquentem. 
 The infinitive is used as a noun, object of redde ; see Introd. 46. d. 
 
 28. Cinarae : mentioned by Horace also in Odes iv. 1. 4 ; iv. 13. 
 21 ; Epist. i. 14. 33. He seems to have had a real attachment for her. 
 
 29. volpecula: the manuscript reading. Bentley's conjecture, 
 nitedula, is brilliant but unnecessary. The diminutive is colloquial 
 usage. See Introd. 55. e. 
 
 30. cumeram : cf. Serm. i. 1. 53, and the note. pasta : with 
 middle force. 
 
 32. mustela : the weasel, ' mouse-catcher.' procul : near by, 
 modifying an implied participle. 
 
 33. cavum : i.e. the hole by which it had entered the bin. 
 
 34. compellor: am called to account. hac imagine: i.e. by 
 this simile. resigno : give back ; used of paying back something 
 given as a gift or loan ; cf. Odes, iii. 29. 54, resigno quae dedit 
 (Fortuna). 
 
 35. somnum plebis : cf. Ode*, iii. 1.21, Somnus agrestium Lenis 
 virorum non humiles domos fastidit. Horace means to say that he 
 practises what he preaches, and does not praise frugal living when 
 his own stomach is full of dainties, 
 
PAGE 99.] BOOK I. EPISTLE 7. 325 
 
 36. Arabum : their wealth was proverbial. Cf. Odes, iii. 24. 1, 
 intactis opulentior Thesauris Arabum. 
 
 37. verecundum : sc. me ; my modesty. 
 
 38. audisti : you have been addressed as. Cf. Serin, ii. 6, 20, 
 Matutine pater sen lane libentius audis ; and the idiom bene audire a, 
 e.g. Cic. de Fin. iii. 17. 57, bene audire a parentibus. verbo : abla- 
 tive of degree of difference. 
 
 39. reponere : equivalent to resignare ; cf. line 34 above. 
 
 40. Telemachus : when declining a gift of three horses from Mene- 
 laus ; see Odyss. iv. 601 ff. Horace's words in lines 41-43 are a para- 
 phrase of the passage. patientis : a translation of the Greek TroXi/- 
 rXas. Ulixi : genitive, instead of the regular but less common Ulixis. 
 
 43. tibi : with apta and relinquam, dirb KOLVOV. See Introd. 42. 
 
 44. regia Roma : as mistress of the world. Cf. Odes, iv. 14. 44, 
 tutela praesens Italiae dominaeque Romae. 
 
 45. vacuum : quiet, peaceful. Cf. ii. 2. .81, vacuas Athenas. The 
 meaning 'free from care' (cf. Odes, i. 32. 1) is transferred from per- 
 sons to places. imbelle : peaceful. 
 
 46. Philippus: L. Marcius Philippus, consul in 91 B.C., distin- 
 guished for his energy (hence strenuus} and wit. He was an able 
 orator. Cf. Cic. Brut. 47. 173, duobus summis, Crasso et Antonio, 
 L. Philippus proximus accedebat, sed longo intervallo tamen proximus. 
 He is classed with Lucullus and Hortensius, as regards luxury, by 
 Varro, E. R. iii. 3. 10, quis enim propter nobilitatem ignorat piscinas 
 Philippi, Hortensi, Lucullorum. 
 
 47. officiis : see note on officiosa sedulitas, line 8 above. octa- 
 vam circiter horam : i.e. at about two o'clock. The exact time 
 differed according to the season ; see note on Serm. i. 5. 23. Business 
 was usually over with the fifth hour; cf. Mart. iv. 8, In quintam 
 varios extendit Roma labores: Sexta quies lassis, septima finis erit. 
 
 48. Carinas: a fashionable quarter in Rome, where Quintus 
 Cicero, Pompey, and other distinguished Romans had their houses. 
 It was on the western slope of the Esquiline, where the church of 
 S. Pietro in Vincoli now stands. It was not far from the Forum, but 
 the approach was steep and Philippus was old. 
 
 49. ut aiunt : cf. i. 6. 40. 
 
 50. adrasum : who had been shaved. umbra : here in the 
 sense of shop or booth. 
 
 51. proprios: that service was usually done by the barber. 
 leniter: quietly. 
 
326 BOOK I. EPISTLE 7. [PAGE 91). 
 
 52. nonlaeve: skilfully; litotes. iussa . . . accipiebat: i.e. 
 he was his regular pedisequus. 
 
 53. abi, quaere : a paratactic arrangement not uncommon with 
 the imperative. unde domo : i.e. what his home is ; domo is abla- 
 tive of the place from which. 
 
 54. quo patre quove patrono : i.e. whether he is freeborn or not ; 
 if not, he had no father according to law, and the name of hispatronus 
 is wanted. 
 
 55. Volteium Menam : the name shows that he was a freedman. 
 When a slave became free, he adopted the gentile name of his former 
 master, keeping his own name, which was usually of Greek origin, as 
 a cognomen. 
 
 56. praeconem : an auctioneer,- as is shown by line 65. The word 
 praeco has various meanings, as applied to trades. sine crimine : 
 i.e. with an unblemished record. 
 
 57. properare: this and the following infinitives depend on notum. 
 loco : on occasion, i.e. at the proper time. Locative ablative with 
 temporal force ; cf. Odes, iv. 12. 28, dulce est desipere in loco. ces- 
 sare : i.e. to take recreation ; cf. ii. 2. 183, cur alter fratrum cessare 
 . . . praeferat. uti : sc. quaesitis. 
 
 58. parvis : humble. lare certo : i.e. a home of his own. 
 
 59. ludis: the theatrical performances and games of the circus. 
 post decisa negotia Campo : i.e. athletic exercises in the Campus 
 Martius after business hours. Cf. Odes, i. 8. 4 ff. 
 
 60. libet : sc. mihi. 
 
 61. non sane: a strong negative. credere . . . mirari: his- 
 torical infinitives. 
 
 62. benigne : cf. line 16, and the note. 
 
 63. neget: subjunctive in an indignant question. improbus: 
 the impudent wretch. 
 
 64. neglegit aut horret: i.e. he has the assurance to scorn the 
 invitation or he is afraid to accept. mane : the next morning. 
 
 65. tunicate : the mark of the poorer people ; cf. Tac. Dial. 7, 
 vulgus imperitum et tunicatus hie populus. popello : the diminu- 
 tive implies contempt. scruta: second-hand articles; cf. Lucil. 
 1062, d, L., Quidni? et scruta quidem utvendat scrutarius laudat, Prae- 
 fractam strigilem, soleam improbus dimidiatam. 
 
 66. occupat : i.e. he greets him first. Cf. Serm. i. 9. 6, ' num 
 quid vis ? ' occupo. For the etiquette in such a case, cf. Mart. iii. 95. 
 Iff.: 
 
PAGE 100.] BOOS*^g 327 
 
 Numquam dices have, sed reddis, Naevole, semper, 
 Quod prior et corvus dicere saepe solet. 
 Cur hoc expectas a me, rogo, Naevole, dicas : 
 Nam puto nee melior, Naevole, nee prior es. 
 
 67. excusare: pleads as his excuse, for not accepting the invita- 
 tion. Historical infinitive. mercennaria vincla : i.e. the necessity 
 for following his trade. 
 
 68. quod non . . . venisset : i.e. had not made an early morning 
 call, to return thanks for the invitation. Subjunctive on account of 
 the implied indirect discourse ; so providisset. 
 
 69. providisset: had not seen (and greeted) him first, as was due 
 the superior from the inferior ; see note on line 66. sic ... si : 
 on condition that. 
 
 70. ut libet : if you please. 
 
 71. i : go ahead I rem : cf. i. 1. 65, and the note. 
 
 72. dicenda tacenda: i.e. he spoke freely and without restraint. 
 Cf. Enn. ap. Gell. xii. 4. 4, cut . . . cuncta malaque et bona dictu 
 evomeret. 
 
 74. occultum: hidden, by the bait; cf. opertum hamum, i. 16. 51. 
 
 75. mane cliens: i.e. appearing regularly to make his morning 
 call. certus conviva : a regular guest at the cena. Cf. lare certo, 
 line 58. 
 
 76. rura : accusative of the goal, like rus; the plural is not often 
 so used. indictis . . . Latinis : sc. feriis. They were held on a 
 day which was not fixed, but was appointed and announced each year ; 
 hence indictis. They were celebrated on the Alban Mount in honor 
 of Jupiter Latiaris at the end of April or the beginning of May, and 
 were the occasion of a iustitium, or suspension of legal business. 
 Hence Philippus had nothing to detain him in the city. 
 
 77. impositus mannis: i.e. in a carriage drawn by manni, or 
 Celtic horses. 
 
 78. videt: i.e. the change in Volteius. 
 
 79. dum . . . quaerit : may be translated by a present participle. 
 requiem: recreation, i.e. amusement. The form requietem is some- 
 times used. 
 
 80. septem . . . sestertia : 7000 sesterces (about $350). 
 
 82. ultra quam satis est : i.e. with too many details. 
 
 83. nitido : referring to his dress and bodily condition ; cf. Serm. 
 ii. 2. 128, nituisti. Here the contrast is between the eiegaat townsman 
 and the rustic farmer. 
 
328 BOOK I. EPISTLE 8. [PAGE 100. 
 
 84. crepat mera: talks of nothing but. Sulcos and vineta are 
 accusative of the inner object ; cf. Serm. i. 3. 13, reges atque tetrar- 
 chas, Omnia magna loquens, and see Introd. 38. b. ulmos : on 
 which to grow vines, as is the custom still in Italy ; cf. i. 16. 3, amicta 
 vitibus ulmo. 
 
 85. immoritur studiia : i.e. he nearly kills himself with work. 
 Studiis is dative ; cf. Quint, ix. 3. 72, qui se immoriturum legationi 
 dixerat. 
 
 86. morbo . . . capellae : goats are especially liable to sickness. 
 Cf. Varro, E. R. ii. 3. 5, capras sanas sanus nemo promittit ; nun- 
 quam enim sine febri sint. 
 
 . 87. mentita seges : sc. est, and for the personification, cf. Odes, 
 iii. 1. 30, fundus mendax. enectus : the word chosen (it usually 
 means killed by violence) seems to indicate that he worked his ox to 
 death. 
 
 88. media de nocte: i.e. without waiting for daylight; arripuit 
 further points to a sudden resolution. caballum : cf. Serm. i. 6. 59, 
 and the note. 
 
 90. scabrum intonsumque : unkempt and unshaven, a contrast 
 to his appearance as described in line 50. 
 
 91. durus attentusque: cf. Serm. ii. 6. 82, asper et attentus 
 quaesitis. 
 
 92. pol : by Pollux, an expression common in Plautus ; cf. ii. 2. 138. 
 
 93. ponere: for imponere ; cf. Serm. i. 3. 42, isti Errori nomen 
 virtus posuisset honestum ; and see Introd. 35. b. 
 
 94. quod : wherefore. genium : your guardian spirit ; cf. Ter. 
 Andr. 289, Quod ego per hanc te dextram oro et genium tuom. 
 
 96. qui semel, etc. : the moral of the story. 
 
 98. modulo ac pede : foot-rule. verum est : it is right ; cf. 
 Serm. ii. 3. 312. 
 
 EPISTLE VIII. 
 
 1. Celso . . . Albinovano : the cognomen precedes the gentile 
 name, as in i. 2. 1. gaudere et bene rem gerere: i.e. greeting 
 and best wishes. Cf. Plaut. Trin. 772, salutem ei nuntiet verbis pa- 
 tris : Ilium bene gerere rem et valere et vivere. 
 
 2. rogata : sc. a me; at my request. comiti: a member of the 
 staff; cf. i. 3. 6, and the note. sciibae : a private secretary, not 
 an official scriba. Neronis : i.e. Tiberius ; cf. i. 3. 2, and the note. 
 
 3. quaeret : sc. Albinovanus. minantern -. boasting that he 
 
PAGE 102.] BOOK I. EPISTLE 9. 329 
 
 would do, a poetical use of the word ; cf. Serm. ii. 3. 9, Atqui vultus 
 erat multa et praedara minantis. 
 
 4. baud quia : colloquial and post- Augustan for non quo. gran- 
 do ... vitis : a common disaster ; cf. Odes, iii. 1 . 29, verberatae 
 grandine vineae. 
 
 5. momorderit : used of cold in Serm. ii. 6. 45, Matutina parum 
 cantos iam frigora mordent. 
 
 6. longinquis . . . agris : in summer cattle were sent to the plains 
 of Lucania to pasture. Cf. Epod. 1. 27, pecusve Calabris ante sidus 
 fervidum Lucana mutat pascuis. 
 
 10. cur . . . properent: a rhetorical question in the indirect 
 form, equivalent in force to a causal clause. arcere : for prohi- 
 bere j cf. i. 1. 31, Xodosa corpus nolis prohibere cheragra. 
 
 11. sequar . . . credam : depending on quia, line 7. 
 
 12. ventosus : fickle as the wind. With the general thought, cf. 
 Serm. ii. 7. 28, Romae rus optas, absentem rusticus urbem Tollis ad 
 astra levis. Tibur : according to Suetonius (Vit. Horat.}, Horace 
 had an estate at Tibur : vixit plurimum in secessu ruris sui Sabini aut 
 Tiburtini, domusque eius ostenditur circa Tiburti luculum. Cf. also 
 i. 6. 45, sed vacuum placet Tibur. 
 
 13. quo pacto rem gerat et se : i.e. how he succeeds and fares. 
 
 14. iuveni : i.e. Tiberius, who was at this time twenty-three years 
 old. 
 
 15. gaudere : to express your pleasure, i.e. to congratulate him. 
 subinde : then; i.e. afterward; not necessarily immediately, but 
 when the occasion offered. 
 
 16. auriculis : his dear ears ; note the force of the diminutive. 
 
 EPISTLE IX. 
 
 1. Septimius : doubtless the friend addressed in Odes ii. 6. 
 Claudi : Tiberius Claudius Nero. nimirum : of course ; ironical. 
 unus : i.e. better than any one else ; cf. Serm. ii. 3. 24, domos merca- 
 rier unus Cum lucro noram. 
 
 3. scilicet : forsooth, emphasizing prece cogit. tradere : intro- 
 duce ; cf. Serm. i. 9. 47, hunc hominem velles si tradere. 
 
 4. dignum : as worthy. honesta : the neuter is more general 
 than the masculine would have been, everything honorable. Nero- 
 nis : of a Nero, i.e. of a man of Nero's character. 
 
 5. fungi : sc. me. 
 
330 BOOK I. EPISTLE 10. [PAGE 102. 
 
 6. valdius : better; cf. Ars Poet. 320, fabula nullius veneris . . . 
 valdius oblectat populum. This shorter (colloquial) form is much 
 less common than validius. 
 
 8. mea finxisse minora: i.e. pretended my influence was less 
 than it really was. 
 
 9. commodus : obliging. 
 
 10. maioris . . . culpae : i.e. that suggested in lines 8-9. 
 
 11. frontis urbanae : i.e. the assurance of the man of the world, 
 as contrasted with pudor rusticus. descend! : / have had recourse. 
 Cf. Virg. Aen. v. 782, preces descendere in omnes. praemia : privi- 
 leges. Cf. Serm. i. 5. 35, insani praemia scribae. 
 
 13. scribe tui gregis : enroll in your company. For this use of 
 the genitive of the whole, cf. Odes, in. 13. 13, Fies nobilium tu quoque 
 fontium. Grex is here synonymous with the cohors of i. 3. 6 ; Serm. 
 i. 7. 23. For a similar use of the word, cf. i. 4. 16, Epicuri de grege 
 porcum. fortem bonumque : a conventional phrase ; cf. Serm. ii. 
 5. 64, forti Corano ; Odes, iv. 4. 29, Fortes creantur fortibus et bonis. 
 
 EPISTLE X. 
 
 1. iubemus : the so-called ' plural of modesty.' 
 
 2. amatores : referring to Horace alone, but plural on account of 
 iubemus. 
 
 3. dissimiles : the genuine plural, agreeing with nos, subject of 
 adnuimus. cetera: accusative of specification. gemelli: di- 
 minutive of affection. 
 
 4. negat : parenthetical with a change of construction. As to 
 their dislikes they agree perfectly, but in their likes there is the one 
 difference, which is the subject of the Epistle. 
 
 5. noti : well-acquainted. 
 
 7. circumlita : the word is used because the moss is thought of as 
 giving color to the stones, as paint would. 
 
 8. quid quaeris : in short, a common phrase in Cicero's letters, in 
 force very much like quid multa. vivo : I really live, contrasted 
 with mere existing. regno -. am king. ista : the demonstrative 
 pronoun of the second person, looking forward to effertis, and also 
 with a touch of contempt. 
 
 9. rumore secundo : with shouts of approval, a common expres- 
 sion ; a sort of poetic formula. Cf. Enn. Ann. 260, Mox auferre domos 
 populi rumore secundo. 
 
PAGE 103.] BOOK I. EPISTLE 10. 331 
 
 10. liba recuso : the priest's slave was fed so much on sacrificial 
 cakes, that he became tired of them. As usual Horace identifies him- 
 self with the object of his comparison. 
 
 11. pane: ablative with egeo ; cf. Odes, i. 22. 2. Horace uses the 
 genitive in Serm. i. 1. 59 ; i. 4. 118, etc. iam : modifying potiore, 
 which has come to be preferable. 
 
 12. naturae convenienter : in harmony with nature; cf. Serm. 
 i. 1. 50. Naturae illustrates the use of the dative with adverbs derived 
 from verbs or adjectives which govern the dative ; cf. cui non con- 
 veniet, line 42 below. 
 
 13. ponendaeque domo : dative of the gerundive, expressing 
 purpose. Domui is the more common form of the dative, but appears 
 seldom in poetry. 
 
 15. plus tepeant hiemes : not that the winter was less severe in 
 the country, but the country house was kept warm and comfortable. 
 Cf. Serm. ii. 3. 10, tepido villula tecto. 
 
 16. leniat . . . leonis : i. e. where the summer is cooler. The sun 
 enters the constellation of the Lion July 23d, and at about the same 
 time the Dog-star rises. The Lion is represented as roused to fury by 
 the heat of the sun. 
 
 18. divellat : interrupts, instead of the more usual abrumpat. 
 
 19. Libycis . . . lapillis : referring to mosaic pavements. The 
 Numidian marble was a favorite one. The pavements were, of course, 
 made of bits of marble of different colors and kinds, but Horace, as 
 usual, takes a special example. The pavements were often sprinkled 
 with perfumes, but even then did not smell so sweet as the grass. 
 
 20. vicis : the streets, cf. Serm. i.9. 13, cum ille . . . vicos, urbem 
 laudaret. plumbum : the lead pipes in which the water was car- 
 ried from the reservoirs to the tanks (lacus}. 
 
 21. trepidat : cf. Odes, ii. 3. 12, quid obliquo laborat Lympha fugax 
 trepidare cursum. 
 
 22. nempe : why I varias : i.e. of variegated marbles, such as 
 the Phrygian. nutritur silva : even in the city one tries to counter- 
 feit the beauties of nature ; cf. Odes, iii. 10. 5, nemus Inter pulchra 
 satum tecta. 
 
 23. longos prospicit agros : an example is the house of 
 Maecenas ; cf. Odes, iii. 29. 5 ff. 
 
 24. expelles : paratactic use of the future, with conditional force. 
 For the expression, cf. Catull. 105, Mentula conatur Pipleum scandere 
 montem : Musae furcillis praecipitem eiciunt. 
 
332 BOOK I. EPISTLE 10. [PAGE 103. 
 
 25. mala . . . fastidia : perverse contempt. 
 
 26. Sidonio . . . ostro : the genuine costly Phoenician purple, 
 known variously as Sidonian and Tyrian. Dative with contendere. 
 contendere : to compare, so as to distinguish the real from the 
 imitation. 
 
 27. Aquinatem . . . fucum : a kind of lichen from which a 
 purple dye was extracted. The business seems to have been carried 
 on at Aquinurn, but we have no other mention of it. 
 
 28. propiusve medullis : closer to his heart; i.e. which will more 
 nearly affect his interests. 
 
 29. vero distinguere falsum : in moral questions, contrasted with 
 the material one just mentioned ; vero is ablative of separation. 
 
 30. plus nimio : excessively, far too much. Cf. Odes, i. 18. 15, 
 tollens vacuom plus nimio Gloria verticem. 
 
 31. quatient : cf. Odes, iii. 3. 4, mente quatit solida ; and with the 
 general sentiment, Odes, ii. 10. mirabere : with the sentiment, cf. 
 that of i. 6. 
 
 33. reges : the rich, as is clear from paupere tecto. Cf. Serm. i. 2. 
 86. praecurrere : as in a race ; cf. Serm. i. 7. 8, Barros ut equis 
 praecurreret albis. 
 
 34. cervus equum : according to Aristotle, Rhet. ii. 20, this fable 
 was invented by Stesichorus, to warn the people of Himera against 
 putting themselves in the power of Phalaris. 
 
 35. minox : the loser, i.e. the horse. 
 
 36. opes : help, strictly ' material resources ' ; cf. Cic. ad Alt. ix. 
 16, (Caesar) iam 'opes' meas, non ut superioribus litteris ^opem" 1 
 expectat. 
 
 39. veritus : through fear of. metallis : riches, lit. mines, 
 which were one of the principal sources of wealth to the Romans. 
 
 40. improbus : i.e. as he richly deserves. 
 
 41. aeternum : for ever ; accusative of the inner object with 
 serviet. Cf. Virg. Aen. vi. 617, sedet aeternumque sedebit Infelix 
 Theseus. nesciet : future, looking forward to the time of serviet. 
 
 42. cui non conveniet, etc. : the sentence is condensed, the 
 thought being : a man whose property is not suited to his condition in 
 life will be like a man with a badly fitting shoe, which will trip him up 
 if it is too large, and gall him if it is too tight. olim : cf. Serm. i. 
 1. 25, and the note. 
 
 44. laetus : if you are contented and happy ; a condensed expres- 
 sion for si laetus sorte tua vives, vives sapienter. 
 
PAGE 104.] BOOK I. EPISTLE 11. 333 
 
 45. nee dimittes : and do not let me go ; the future in a mild 
 command. incastigatum : a word coined by Horace. 
 
 46. cessare : i.e. to take a proper amount of rest and recreation. 
 Cf. i. 7. 57. 
 
 47. imperat aut servit: is either master or slave; cf. Sen. de 
 Vita Beat. 26. 1. divitiae enim apud sapientem virum in servitute sunt, 
 apud stultum in imperio. 
 
 48. digna : i.e. which ought by right. sequi funem : the 
 metaphor is from leading an animal ; cf. Serm. ii. 7. 20, Qui iam con- 
 tento iam laxo fune laborat. Tortum seems to mean strong, well 
 twisted, and so is not altogether colorless. 
 
 49. dictabam : the epistolary imperfect ; as Horace began his 
 letter somewhat after the conventional manner, so he closes. putre : 
 crumbling. Vacunae : a Sabine goddess, whose name, of uncer- 
 tain meaning, Horace connects, seriously or humorously, with vaco 
 vacuus, etc. 
 
 50. non simul esses : that you were not with me, a colloquial 
 expression ; cf. Cic. ad Att. vi. 2. 8, scribis morderi te interdum, quod 
 non simul sis. The subjunctive represents Horace's thought when 
 he wrote the letter, viewed from the time when the letter was received. 
 
 EPISTLE XI. 
 
 1. quid tibi visa : sc. est, how did you like ? For the neuter 
 quid, cf. Serm. i. 6. 55, dixere quid essem. Bullati : otherwise un- 
 known, nota : famous ; Lesbos was especially noted as the home 
 of Alcaeus and Sappho. 
 
 2. concinna : trim, of the elegance of the buildings and the regu- 
 larity of the city. regia : capital, royal abode. 
 
 3. maiora minorave fama : i.e. did they come up to your expec- 
 tations ? 
 
 4. cunctane . . . sordent ? i.e. are they all inferior ? prae : 
 in comparison icith. 
 
 5. venit in votum : i.e. would you wish to live in. Cf. Serm. ii. 6. 
 1, hoc erat in votis. 
 
 6. Lebedum : a small town on the coast between Smyrna and 
 Colophon. The point is, do you find any place, however insignificant, 
 attractive after the discomforts of travel ? odio maris atque 
 viarum : cf. Odes, ii. 6. 7, Sit modus lasso maris et viarum. 
 
 7. Gabiis . . . Fidenis: these two towns, important places in 
 
334 BOOK I. EPISTLE 11. [PAGE 104. 
 
 early times, had, with Ulubrae (line 30 below), become typical exam- 
 ples of deserted cities. Of. Juv. x. 99 ff., Hums, qui trahitur, praetextam 
 sumere mavis, An Fidenarum Gabiorumque esse potestas Et de men- 
 sura ius dicere, vasa minora Frangere pannosus vacuis aedilis Ulubris. 
 
 8. vellena: / should be glad ; potential subjunctive. 
 
 9. et : note the hyperbaton. 
 
 10. Neptunum . . . spectare : cf. Lucr. ii. 1 f. Suave, mart magno 
 turbantibus aequora ventis, E terra magnum alterius spectare laborem. 
 
 11. Capua Romam : by the Appian Way ; cf. Serm. i. 5. 6. 
 
 12. in caupona vivere : although an inn may be a delightful 
 haven of rest under the circumstances, he would not wish to spend his 
 whole life in one. 
 
 13. frigus collegit : has been thoroughly chilled. furnos : cf. 
 Serm. i. 4. 37, and the note. A man who was cold might well take 
 refuge in a public bakery or in a bath, but would not be contented to 
 remain there forever. 
 
 14. plene : to the full. 
 
 16. trans Aegaeum . . . vendas : i.e. the merchant does not 
 sell his ship and remain on the other side of the Aegean because he 
 has had a stormy passage. 
 
 17. incolumi : a healthy man dative governed by facit; cf. Serm. 
 i. 1. 63. Rhodos et Mytilene : cf. Odes, i. 7. 1. facit quod: 
 are what ; lit. do to him what. 
 
 18. paenula : a rough heavy cloak, worn in cold or rainy weather. 
 The Eastern resorts are as little suited to a man in sound health as 
 such a cloak would be in the heat of summer. campestre : sc. 
 velamentum, a leather apron worn when exercising in the Campus ; 
 cf. Aug. Civ. Dei, xiv. 17, campestria Latinum verbum est, sed ex eo 
 dictum, quod iuvenes, qui exercebantur in Campo, pudenda operiebant. 
 This, Horace says, would be an inappropriate dress in cold weather. 
 
 19. Tiberis : i.e. swimming in the Tiber, a favorite form of exer- 
 cise ; cf. Serm. ii. 1. 8. caminus : whence our word ' chimney,' a 
 kind of stove ; cf. Serm. i. 5. 81. 
 
 20. dum licet, etc. : while one may and while fortune smiles ; i.e. 
 as long as one is incolumis (cf. line 17). 
 
 21. absens : i.e. from a distance. Note the emphatic position of 
 this word and of Romae. 
 
 23. in annum : cf. i. 2. 39, differs curandi tempus in annum ? 
 
 24. vixisse . . . dicas : cf. vivo, i. 10. 8, and the note. 
 
 26. arbiter : which commands, as we speak of a place command- 
 
PAGE 106.] BOOK I. EPISTLE 12. 335 
 
 ing a fine view ; with the general sense, cf. Odes, i. 3. 15, arbiter 
 Hadriae. 
 
 28. strenua inertia : oxymoron ; cf. Plin. Epist. ix. 6. 4, otio- 
 sissimae occupationes. navibus atque quadrigis : i.e. by travel on 
 land and sea. Perhaps, as Kiessling suggests, there is in quadrigis a 
 reference to the metaphor in Serm. i. 1. 112. 
 
 29. hie: at home. 
 
 30. Ulubris : an obscure village in the Pomptine Marshes. See 
 note on Gabiis . . . Fidenis, line 7. 
 
 EPISTLE XII. 
 
 2. recte fmeris: i.e. if you know how to enjoy them to the full. 
 Cf. i. 6. 29, recte vivere. non est ut : it is not possible that ; cf. 
 Odes, iii. 1. 9. est, ut viro vir latins ordinet Arbusta sulcis. 
 
 3. ab love : the only case of ab before a consonant in the Serm. 
 and Epist. tolle : away with. Cf. Odes, ii. 5. 9, tolle cupidem 
 immitis uvae. 
 
 7. in medio positorum : what is at hand; the genitive is gov- 
 erned by abstemius ; a Greek construction ; see Introd. 40. b. 
 
 8. urtica: nettle; used as food. ut: though. 
 
 9. liquidus Fortunae rivus : the Pactolus, which had become 
 proverbial. Cf. Epod. 15. 19, Sis pecore et multa dives tellure licebit 
 Tibique Pactolus fluat. 
 
 10. vel quia : i.e. you will live economically from a natural love 
 of it, or because you think it right. nescit = nequit. 
 
 12. Democriti : Democritus of Abdera, a contemporary of Soc- 
 rates, called 'the laughing philosopher.' Cicero says of him (de 
 Fin. v. 29. 87), certe ut quam minime a cogitationibus abduceretur, 
 patrimonium neglexit, agros deseruit incultos. 
 
 13. peregre est : is abroad. 
 
 14. inter: in the midst of; cf. i. 4. 12, Inter spem curamque, 
 timores inter et iras. scabiem : cf. Cic. de Leg. i. 17. 47, quae na- 
 tura bona sunt, quia dulcedine hac et scabie carent, non cernunt satis. 
 
 15. nil parvum sapias : i.e. you follow no petty philosophy ; par- 
 vum is accusative of the inner object. adhuc : so far. sublimia : 
 celestial themes, such as are mentioned below. 
 
 16. compescant : control; cf. Odes, i. 16. 22, compesce mentem. 
 temperet : cf. Odes, i. 12. 15, Qui mare ac terras variisque mundum 
 Temperat horis. 
 
336 BOOK I. EPISTLE 13. [PAGE 106. 
 
 17. stellae : the planets. sponte sua iussaene : i.e. whether 
 they are endowed with intelligence, and control themselves, or are 
 ruled by mechanical laws. 
 
 18. quid premat, etc. : of the phases of the moon ; obscurum is 
 used proleptically with prernat, buries in darkness ; cf. Virg. Aen. 
 iv. 80, post ubidigressi, lumenque obscura vicissim Lunapremit. 
 
 19. quid velit et possit : i.e. its meaning and power. con- 
 cordia discors : the discordant harmony, an oxymoron. Manilius, 
 i. 141, speaks of it as discordia concors. 
 
 20. Empedocles : a native of Agrigentum, who lived about 450 B.C. 
 He believed that all things had their origin and their end in the influ- 
 ence of love and hate on the four elements, earth, air, water, and 
 fire. Stertinium acumen : cf. virtus Scipiadae, Serin, ii. i. 72, 
 and the note. Stertinius is mentioned as a type of the Stoics ; cf. 
 Serm. ii. 3. 33 and 296. 
 
 21. piscis seu porrum : i.e. costly or simple fare ; cf. Serm. ii. 2. 
 120, piscibusurbe petitis. trucidas : with reference to the Pythago- 
 rean belief that animals and some vegetables contained the souls of 
 human beings ; cf. Serm. ii. 6. 64, faba Pythagorae cognata. 
 
 22. utere : i.e. make friends with. Pompeio Grospho : cf. 
 Odes, ii. 16. ultro : freely, more lit. without being asked. 
 
 23. verum: right; cf. i. 7. 98. 
 
 24. amicorum : appositional genitive. The idea seems to be that 
 one can secure friends at a small outlay when those who are to be won 
 by favors are good men ; for their desires and demands will be small. 
 
 25. ignores . . . loco res : note the rhyme (probably accidental). 
 
 26. Cantaber : the Cantabrians were conquered by Agrippa in 
 
 19 B.C. 
 
 27. Armenius : Armenia submitted to Tiberius without resist- 
 ance, after the king Artaxias had been murdered by his subjects. 
 Pbraates : he restored to the Romans the standards which had been 
 taken from Crassus, and sought their friendship in 20 B.C. 
 
 28. genibus minor : i.e. humbled and on his knees, as he is repre- 
 sented in coins commemorative of the event. 
 
 EPISTLE XIII. 
 
 1. saepe diuque : repeatedly and at length. 
 
 2. reddes : future with imperative force. signata : i.e. packed 
 in a scrinium (cf. Serm. i. 1. 120) and sealed. Vini : otherwise 
 unknown. 
 
PAGE 108.] BOOK I. EPISTLE 14. 337 
 
 3. denique : finally ; i.e. even if everything else is favorable, it is 
 to be given only if Augustus asks for it. 
 
 4. studio nostri : through your interest in me. pecces : prob- 
 ably used in the same sense as in i. 1. 9. odium . . . importes : 
 i.e. make the gift unwelcome. 
 
 5. sedulus : cf. Serin, i. 5. 71. opera vehemente : i.e. by too 
 great enthusiasm. 
 
 6. uret: galls. 
 
 7. quo perferre iuberis : your destination; sc. eo modifying 
 impingas. 
 
 9. vertas in risum : i.e. are laughed at as rightly named, 
 fabula : the talk of the town ; cf. Epod. 11. 8, heu me, per Urbem . . . 
 fabula quanta fui. 
 
 10. uteris : the future has the force of an imperative. lamas : 
 bogs ; from the stem lac- (of lacus) + -ma. 
 
 11. victor propositi : i.e. having accomplished your purpose. 
 
 12. sic : looks forward to the following purpose clauses intro- 
 duced by ne. 
 
 14. Pyrrhia : Pyrrhia nomen est ancillae in quadam fabula 
 Titinii, quae furata lanae glomos ita gestavit ut deprehensa sit, Comm. 
 Cruq. 
 
 15. tribulis : a member of the same tribe as his host, and so 
 invited for political reasons. The reference is to a humble guest 
 who comes on foot, carrying his shoes and hat (to be worn home at 
 night) under his arm. 
 
 16. volgo : i.e. to anybody and everybody. 
 
 17. quae possint : a clause of characteristic; he is not to boast of 
 the excellence of the poems which he is carrying. 
 
 18. oratus : i.e. although many people earnestly beg you to stop 
 and tell them your errand. nitere porro : push on. 
 
 19. cave : with short final e, as was usual in comedy and doubtless 
 in the language of every day. mandataque frangas : and break 
 what has been entrusted to you, as if he were a beast of burden and 
 the poems were fragile ware. 
 
 EPISTLE XIV. 
 
 1. vilice : the steward or overseer of the slaves on a country 
 estate. His duties and qualifications are described at length by Cato, 
 de Agr. 5. silvarum : cf. Serin, ii. 6. 3, paulum silvae super his 
 foret. mini me reddentis: i.e. that makes me myself again. 
 
338 BOOK I. EPISTLE 14. [PAGE 108. 
 
 2. habitatum : with concessive force, though it is occupied by. 
 focis : households ; lit. hearths. 
 
 3. Variam : a small town on the Anio, eight miles from Tibur ; it 
 was the nearest market town. patres : i.e. patres familias, who 
 went to Varia to market, and for the local political meetings. 
 
 4. certemus : let us decide, as of a wager. spinas : thorns, 
 used metaphorically of moral failings. 
 
 5. res : his property, i.e. the estate. 
 
 6. Lamiae : subjective genitive. For the name, see Odes, iii. 17. 
 moratur : for the indicative with quamvis, see.Introd. 45. b. 
 
 7. fratrem . . . de fratre : the repetition emphasizes the persistence 
 of the laments ; cf. Odes, i. 13. 1, cum tu, Lydia, Telephi . . . TelephL 
 
 8. insolabiliter : a word coined by Horace. The spondaic rhythm 
 suits the thought. istuc : to where you are, i.e. to his country 
 residence. 
 
 9. amat : longs to; cf. Odes, iii. 9. 24, tecum vivere amem. 
 spatiis : the course ; a metaphor from the races. 
 
 10. viventem : sc. te. and me with beatum. 
 
 11. Cf. Serm. i. 1. Iff. 
 
 12. causatur : blames ; lit. gives as the cause of his discontent. 
 
 13. qui se non effugit : cf. i. 11. 27, Caelum non animum mutant 
 qui trans mare currunt. 
 
 14. mediastinus : when you were a drudge ; the term is used of a 
 slave who had no fixed duties, but was liable to be called on to do any 
 kind of work ; i.e. he was in medio. tacita prece: i.e. as some- 
 thing too good to be prayed for openly. 
 
 15. ludos et balnea : the chief attractions of the city for the 
 common people. 
 
 17. quandocumque : i.e. only when it is absolutely necessary. 
 
 18. eo : in that respect. disconvenit : cf. i. 1. 99, vitae dis- 
 convenit toto ordine, and the note. 
 
 19. tesqua : according to the Comm. Cruq., the word is Sabine. 
 Except for its use here and in Lucan vi. 41, it is archaic. 
 
 20. mecum qui sentit : i.e. I and people like me. 
 
 21. uncta : greasy. popina : a word of Sabine origin ; the cor- 
 responding Latin form would be coquina. 
 
 23. angulus iste : the contemptuous term applied by the vilicus 
 to Horace's estate. piper et tus : the products of Arabia and 
 India, which of course could not be grown at all in Italy. ocius : 
 rather than, lit. sooner than. 
 
PAGE 109.] BOOK I. EPISTLE 14. 389 
 
 24. praebere : the infinitive denoting purpose, a poetical construc- 
 tion. 
 
 25. meretrix tibicina : like the copa of Virgil's poem of that 
 name. 
 
 26. strepitum: cf. Odes, iv. 3. 17, testudinis aureae dulcem strepi- 
 tum. terrae gravis : i.e. treading heavily on the earth. Cf. Odes 
 iii. 18. 15; Gaudet invisam pepulisse fossor Ter pede terrain. et 
 tamen urges : and yet, though you have no amusements, you have 
 to struggle with the neglected fields ; cf. Tibull. i. 9. 8, Et durum 
 terrae rusticus urguet opus. 
 
 28. strictis frondibus : used for fodder. Cf. Cato, de Ayr. 30, 
 bubus frondem ulmeam, populneam, querneam, ficulneam, usque dum 
 habebis, dato. 
 
 29. rivus : the Digentia. 
 
 30. multa mole : with many a dam. 
 
 31. quid . . . dividat : i.e. what makes the difference between us. 
 
 32. tenues : fine, of fine material. nitidi : cf. Odes, ii. 7. 7, 
 coronatus nitentes Malobathro Syria capillos. 
 
 33. immunem : though with empty hands. Cinarae : see note 
 on i. 7. 28. 
 
 34. bibulum : governed by scis. liquid! : plear. media de 
 luce : cf. Serin, ii. 8. 3, de medio potare die. 
 
 35. cena brevis : i.e. a dinner of few courses begun at the usual 
 time instead of media de luce. somnus in herba : instead of the 
 comissatio, or symp'osium. 
 
 36. nee lusisse . . . sed non incidere : i.e. he is not ashamed 
 of having enjoyed the pleasures of youth, but he would be ashamed 
 not to be able to cut them short at the proper time. 
 
 38. limat : lit. files, and so like mordet in Odes, iv. 3. 16. Oculo 
 . . . limat makes a play on the expression limis oculis, Serm. ii. 5. 
 53, where see note. 
 
 39. rident : that is, they laugh good-naturedly at Horace's attempts 
 at farm work. 
 
 40. diaria : daily rations, instead of the abundance of the country. 
 
 41. horum : i.e. servorum urbanorum. 
 
 42. calo : il\.e stable boy, who comes with Horace from the city, 
 where his duties are doubtless those of a mediastinus (cf. line 14). 
 
 43. piger : to be taken with bos, although it makes an awkward 
 caesura ; because of his laziness, supposing the horse to have an easier 
 life. 
 
340 BOOK I. EPISTLE 15. [PAGE 109. 
 
 44. censebo : I should advise, approaching the potential subjunc- 
 tive in its force. exerceat : should practice ; jussive subjunctive 
 dependent on censebo. 
 
 EPISTLE XV. 
 
 1. Veliae : a town in Lucania, twenty-four miles south of Paestum, 
 noted for its excellent climate. caelum : the weather. Vala : 
 C. Numonius Vala, a friend of Horace's, living in the vicinity of Velia 
 and Salernum. The name occurs in inscriptions of that region. 
 Salernum : a town in Campania, twenty-three miles north of Paestum, 
 still noted for its beauty. 
 
 2. quorum homirmm : i.e. what sort of people there are there, 
 whether they are friendly and hospitable. A genitive of quality. 
 qualis via : what sort of a road there is. The via Popillia led from 
 Capua to Salernum, but then turned off toward Rhegium, so that there 
 was no regular Roman road leading to Velia. Baias : see note on 
 i. 1. 83. 
 
 3. Musa Antonius : a freedman and physician of Augustus, who 
 had cured him of a serious illness, in 23 B.C., by the cold water treat- 
 ment. See Suet. Aug. 81, quia calida fomenta non proderant, frigidis 
 curari coactus auctore Antonio Musa. On the inversion of the names, 
 see Superbus, Serm. i. 6. 12, and the note. supervacuas : useless, 
 because he prescribed the cold water treatment, and Baiae was noted 
 for its hot baths. illis . . . invisum : i.e. Horace is unpopular at 
 Baiae, because he does not use the local baths. 
 
 4. cum : now that. 
 
 5. murteta : myrtle groves near Baiae, in which there were hot 
 baths, mentioned by Celsus, ii. 17 and iii. 2. 
 
 6. dicta : which are said to. cessantem : lingering, i.e. 
 'chronic.' 
 
 7. sulpura: i.e. sulphur baths. vicus gemit : the town (i.e. 
 Baiae) laments. 
 
 8. supponere fontibus : as in a shower bath. 
 
 9. Clusinis : at Clusium in Etruria. The cold baths there are not 
 elsewhere mentioned. Gabios : cf. Juv. vii. 3, cum celebres noti- 
 que poetae Balneolum Gabiis, Romae conducere furnos Temptarent. 
 
 10. deversoria nota : sc. equo ; the familiar inns, where the road 
 turned off toward Baiae. 
 
 12. laeva stomachosus habena : with an angry pull on the left 
 
PAGE 111.] BOOK I. EPISTLE 15. 341 
 
 rein, as the horse tries to turn off to the right : habena is ablative of 
 instrument, 'showing his anger with the left rein.' 
 
 13. equi ... in ore : i.e. the horse is guided by the bit and not 
 by words. 
 
 14. Horace renews the questions which he interrupted by the 
 digression beginning with line 2, and asks about the supply of bread 
 and water. 
 
 15. collectos : i.e. in cisterns. 
 
 16. iugis aquae : running water ; cf. Serm. ii. 6. 2. nihil moror : 
 I don't care at all for. Cf. Plaut. Trin. 297, Nil ego istos moror fae- 
 ceos mores. 
 
 17. quidvis : anything, not referring to wine alone. perferre : 
 put up with. 
 
 18. ad mare cum vend : i.e. when I mingle with the fashionable 
 world at a seaside resort. 
 
 19. cum spe divite : cf. i. 5. 17, (ebrietas) spes iubet esse ratas. 
 
 21. Lucanae : with reference to Velia. iuvenem: i.e. .as if I 
 were a young man. 
 
 The questions are renewed after another digression, which artist- 
 ically breaks the monotony of a series of inquiries. 
 
 22. lepores : highly esteemed as food ; cf. Mart. xiii. 92, Inter 
 quadrupedes mattea prima lepus. apros : the Lucanian boars were 
 famous. Cf. Semi. ii. 8. 6. 
 
 23. echinos : sea-urchins. Cf. Serm. ii. 4. 33, Miseno oriuntur 
 echini. The sea-urchin is a favorite article of food with the Greeks of 
 to-day. 
 
 24. Phaeax : i.e. ' well groomed ' like a Phaeacian ; cf. i. 2. 28, 
 Alcinoique In cute curanda plus aequo operata iuventus. 
 
 25. accredere: the preposition seems to have intensive force, 
 fully believe. 
 
 26. Maenius: cf. Serm. i. 3. 21. 
 
 27. fortiter : with sarcastic force. urbanus : cf. i. 9. ll,frontis 
 urbanae praemia ; urbanus is to be taken with scurra ; cf. Plaut. 
 Most. 15, Tu urbanus vero scurra, deliciae popli, fius mihitu obiectas ? 
 
 28. vagus: explained by the following relative clause. He was 
 not a certus convira (cf. i. 7. 75) at some great man's house. prae- 
 sepe: cf. Plaut. Cure. 227, Tormento non retineri potuit ferreo, Qitin 
 reciperet se hue esum ad praesepem suam. 
 
 29. impransus : on an empty stomach, the prandium being the first 
 substantial meal of the day ; cf. Serm. ii. 2, impransi mecum disquirite. 
 
342 BOOK I. EPISTLE 15. [PAGE 111. 
 
 civem . . . hoste: a proverbial expression. Cf. Plaut. Trin. 102, 
 Hostisne an civis comedis parvi pendere. 
 
 30. fingere saevus : a common use of the infinitive in Horace. See 
 Introd. 46. a. 
 
 31. pernicies et tempestas : for a similar comparison, cf. Plaut. 
 Capt. 911, Glades calamitasque intemperies modo in nostram advenit 
 domum. barathrum : as we might say, bottomless pit. 
 
 32. quicquid quaesierat: i.e. all his earnings. 
 
 33. nequitiae : his wicked wit, which called forth applause or in- 
 spired fear, nil ... abstulerat : i.e. when he had failed to get dain- 
 ties or the means of purchasing them, he ate coarse food with avidity. 
 
 34. patinas: whole platefuls. Accusative object of cenabat ; 
 see Introd. 38. a. omasi : tripe, a coarse food. 
 
 35. agninae : a substantive with ellipsis of carnis. Cf. Plaut. 
 Aul. 373, Capt. 849. tribus ursis : so with us the bear is pro- 
 verbial for his appetite ; cf. the expression, hungry as a bear.' 
 quod satis esset : enough for. Quod refers loosely to patinas, with- 
 out taking its gender and number. Esset is subjunctive in a clause of 
 characteristic. 
 
 36. scilicet ut : i.e. to the extent of saying. lamna : the syn- 
 copated form is perhaps colloquial ; see note on caldior, i. 3. 53. Cf. 
 Odes ii. 2. 5, inimice laminae. 
 
 37. correctus Bestius: i.e. reformed to the standard of Bestius ; 
 more lit., 'corrected so as to become a Bestius.' Bestius is referred 
 to by Persius, vi. 37, Bestius urguet doctores Graios. He is perhaps 
 taken, like Maenius, from Lucilius ; at any rate, it is obvious that he 
 criticised the luxurious living of his time to such an extent as to become 
 proverbial. 
 
 38. quicquid . . . praedae maioris: i.e. whenever he had 
 made a richer haul than usual. 
 
 39. verterat in fumum et cinerem : i.e. after he had lost his 
 property ; a common metaphor. Note the pluperfect with ubi, to 
 represent the action as completed in the past. 
 
 41. turdo: a luxury; cf. Serm. ii. 2. 72; ii. 5. 10. volva : 
 the sow's matrix, considered a great delicacy by the Romans. 
 
 42. nimirum : you see. hie : that sort of a man. Cf. i. 6. 40, 
 ne fueris hie tu. 
 
 43. satis . . . fortis : i.e. in putting up with ordinary living. 
 
 44. unctius : richer. Cf. Mart. v. 44. 7, unctior cena. 
 
 46. fundata: solidly invested. Cf. Cic. Bab. Post. i. 1. 1, quod 
 
PAGE 113.] BOOK I. EPISTLE 16. 343 
 
 fortunas suas, fundatas praesertim atque optime constitutas, potestati 
 regiae libidinique commiserat. 
 
 EPISTLE XVI. 
 
 1. ne perconteris : that you may not ask, depending on scribetur 
 in line 4. Quincti : who he was, is unknown. Kiessling points out 
 that the epithet optimus is used sparingly by Horace. He applies it 
 to his father (Serin, i. 4. 105), to Maecenas (Serm. 1. 5. 27), to Virgil 
 (Serin, i. 6. 54), and to Aristius Fuscus (Serm. i. 10. 82), while he 
 calls Trebatius pater optime (Serm. ii. 1. 12). Hence Quinctius must 
 have stood high in his list of friends. 
 
 2. arvo: land ploughed for grain, and hence equivalent here to 
 grain. 
 
 3. pratis : pasture lands, hence referring to cattle ; cf. arvo, line 2 
 above. 
 
 4. forma : aspect, as determined by the kind of crops. situs : 
 its situation. loquaciter : i.e. in full detail, implying that the sub- 
 ject is one on which Horace loves to talk. 
 
 5. continui montes : sc. sint ; it would be an uninterrupted 
 mass of hilly ground but for the valley. ni dissocientur : if they 
 (the mountains) icere not divided. A condition contrary to fact with 
 the present subjunctive ; an archaic usage. 
 
 6. sed ut : i.e. the valley is shaded, except that the rising sun 
 shines on its right slope and the setting sun on its left. 
 
 8. quid si : i.e. what would you say to the following in addition to 
 what I have already told you ? 
 
 10. fruge : i.e. glandibus. 
 
 11. Tarentum : famous for its beauty and admired by Horace ; 
 cf. Odes, ii. 6. 13 f. 
 
 12. ferns : possibly the fons Bandusiae of Odes, iii. 13. rivo : 
 the Digentia ; cf. i. 14. 29 f. idoneus : i.e. large enough to. 
 
 13. Hebrus : proverbially cold ; cf. i. 3. 3, and the note, ambiat : 
 flows through in winding course ; cf. Ars Poet. 17, properantis aquae 
 per amoenos ambitus agros. 
 
 14. capiti . . . alvo : cf. i. 15. 8. 
 
 15. dulces . . . amoenae : respectively subjective and objective, 
 dear and charming. 
 
 16. incolumem : in good health; cf.i. 11. 17. Septembribus 
 horis : the unhealthful season in the city ; cf. i. 7. 5, and the note. 
 
344 BOOK I. EPISTLE 16. [PAGE 113. 
 
 17. quod audis : what you are said to be ; cf. i. 7. 38, and the note. 
 
 18. iactamus . . . oninis Roma : all of us Romans have been 
 extolling. For the construction, cf. Odes, iv. 2. 50, Non semel dicemus, 
 io Triumphe, Civitas omnis ; i. 10. 1. 
 
 19. vereor, etc. : i.e. I fear that you may care more for reputation 
 than for real worth. 
 
 20. alium sapiente : the ablative of comparison with alius cf. 
 ii. 1. 240, alius Lysippo. 
 
 22. febrem: the quartan ague (quartana, Serin, ii. 3. 290), which 
 was intermittent, and, according to Celsus, iii. 3, incipiunt fere ab 
 horrore . . . ubi totum corpus intremit. sub tempus edendi : at 
 meal time; for the force of sub, cf. Serm. i. 1. 10. 
 
 23. unctis : since the ancients ate for the most part with their 
 fingers, this epithet has not the grotesque effect that it would have if 
 translated literally into English. As Doederlein says, it is practically 
 the same as ' with knife and fork in hand.' 
 
 24. stultorum incurata: note the emphatic position of both 
 words. pudor malus : false shame ; cf. ii. 3. 39. 
 
 25. tibi: dative of the apparent agent with pugnata. 
 
 26. vacuas : attentive, to the flattery. Cf. Lucr. i. 50, vacuas 
 auris animumque . . . adhibe veram ad rationem. 
 
 28-30. According to the Comm. Cruq., these lines are from a pane- 
 gyric of Augustus by L. Varius. 
 
 28. servet in ambiguo : i.e. may he not reveal. 
 
 30. pateris : allow yourself. 
 
 31. respondesne: -ne here apparently has the force of nonne; 
 cf. Epod. 4. 7, videsne . . . ut ora vertat hue et hue euntium Liber- 
 rima indignatio? tuo nomine: i.e. accepting the compliment. 
 nempe : the reply of Quinctius to Horace's insinuation, Why, of 
 course." 1 
 
 32. ac tu : and so do you, as well as I. 
 
 33. qui: i.e. populus ; cf. line 21. 
 
 34. detulerit fascis indigno : cf. Serm. i. 6. 15, populo, qui stultus 
 honor es Saepe dat indignis. 
 
 35. tristis recede : cf. Lucr. iii. 997, semper victus tristisque 
 recedit. 
 
 36. idem : i.e. populus. furem : sc. me esse. 
 
 37. laqueo . . . paternum : as a type of the height of wickedness ; 
 cf. Odes, ii. 13. 4, Ilium et parentis crediderim sui Fregisse cervicem. 
 
 38. colores : i. e. from pale to red and back again ; hence the plural. 
 
PAGE 114.] BOOK I. EPISTLE 16. 345 
 
 40. mendosus : the opposite of emendatus in line 30. medi- 
 candum : i.e. in a moral sense. 
 
 41. qui . . . servat : i.e. the law-abiding citizen. 
 
 42. quo . . . iudice : i.e. as one of the indices selecti; see Serm. 
 i. 4. 123, and the note. secantur : are decided ; lit. ' cut off.' An 
 unusual meaning of the word ; cf. Serm. i. 10. 15. 
 
 43. sponsore : surety. tenentur: with res means secured, 
 with causae, won; zeugma. 
 
 44. sed videt : his private life does not correspond with his repu- 
 tation as a public man. 
 
 45. introrsum turpem . . . decora : see Serm. ii. 1. 64, and the 
 note. 
 
 46. Mere negative virtue amounts to little. 
 
 47. lords non ureris : cf. Epod. 4. 3, Hibericis peruste funibus 
 latus ; Serm. ii. 7. 58, uri virgis. 
 
 48. cruce : crucifixion was a common punishment for slaves. 
 
 49. Sabellus : apparently for the first person, a plain, honest 
 Sabine like myself; so called on account of his estate in the Sabine 
 country. 
 
 50. cautus enim metuit . . . lupus : yet he cannot be called 
 bonus et frugi. 
 
 51. miluus : perhaps a kind of flying fish, ' kite-fish ' ; Plin. N. H. 
 ix. 82, volat hirundo, sane perquam similis volucri hirundini, item 
 miluus. Or perhaps, as the connection with accipiter suggests, the 
 bird itself. Birds are sometimes caught with hook and line. 
 
 52. oderunt : contrasted with an implied metuunt. Note the em- 
 phatic position of oderunt and virtutis amore ; it is from love of virtue 
 that the good cannot bear to do wrong. 
 
 53. tu : emphatic ; contrasted with boni. formidine poenae : 
 contrasted with virtutis amore. 
 
 54. sit : jussive subjunctive with conditional force. 
 
 55. unum : sc. modium. 
 
 56. damnum . . . non facinus : i.e. in his master's eyes, though 
 morally it is the same thing. pacto . . . isto : in that case, i.e. 
 according to your standard. Note the force of isto. 
 
 57. vir bonus : such a one as is described in lines 41 f. 
 
 59. dare, clare : with the order and repetition, cf. line 14 above. 
 He prays loudly, but mutters his real wishes. 
 
 60. metuens audiri : for the construction, cf. i. 7. 4. Laverna : 
 a goddess of thieves. 
 
346 BOOK I. EPISTLE 17. [PAGE 114. 
 
 61. iusto sanctoque : attracted to the case of mihi, understood. 
 videri : emphatic, to SEEM. 
 
 63. qui: how? 
 
 64. in triviis fixum : probably simply lying on the ground in the 
 dust and mud. 
 
 66. mihi : in my eyes; dative of the person judging. B. 188. 2. b. 
 
 67. perdidit arma : the height of disgrace was to be a pi^do-Trts, as 
 Horace humorously describes himself as having been at Philippi ; cf. 
 Odes, ii. 7. 10. 
 
 69. possis : the indefinite second person, addressed to people in 
 general. captivum : i.e. such a man is really a slave, and may 
 have his uses. 
 
 70. durus: cf. i. 7. 91, durus, Voltei, nimis attentusque videris 
 Esse mihi. The man is really working for his own interests, but he 
 benefits the public more than he does himself. 
 
 72. annonae prosit: i.e. bring down the price of grain, as we 
 say, ' relieve the market,' by importing large quantities. penus : 
 cf. Cic. Nat. Deor. ii. 27. 68, est enim omne quo vescuntur homines 
 penus. 
 
 73. Pentheu : a paraphrase of Euripides, Bacchae, 492-498, where 
 Dionysus, disguised as a Lydian priest, defies Pentheus, king of Thebes, 
 who had attempted to prevent the introduction of the Bacchic worship. 
 
 79. ultima linea : i.e. the line which marks the finish of the 
 race. 
 
 EPISTLE XVII. 
 
 1. consulis : on quamms with the indicative, see Introd. 45. b. 
 
 2. quo tandem pacto : hoic, pray ; transferred to the indirect 
 form. maioribus: great men. Cf. Serm. ii. 1. 61, maiorum ami- 
 cus. uti : to treat, i.e. in one's association with them. 
 
 3. docendus adhuc : i.e. who has not himself learned the full 
 lesson. amiculus : a humble friend, the force of the diminutive. 
 
 4. caecus iter monstrare : a proverbial saying, somewhat like 
 ours of the blind leading the blind. 
 
 5. et nos : even 7; so-called ' plural of modesty. ' f ecisse : 
 perfect infinitive emphasizing the accomplishment of the act. Cf. i. 
 18. 59 ; Serm. \. 2. 28 ; ii. 3. 187 ; Ars Poet. 98 ; and see Introd. 44. /. 
 
 6. primam in horam : while the attendant on the great would 
 have to be up before sunrise, to be on time with his morning call. Cf. 
 Mart. iv. 8. 1, Prima salutantes atque altera content hora. 
 
PAGE 116.] BOOK I. EPISTLE 17. 347 
 
 7. pulvis . . . strepitus . . . caupona : on journeys which the 
 client sometimes made with his patron ; cf. Serm. ii. 6. 42. 
 
 8. Ferentinum : a small town in the country of the Hernici, forty- 
 eight miles from Rome. It is mentioned as a type of a quiet and ob- 
 scure town ; cf. i. 11. 8, Gabiis desertior atque Fidenis vicus, and the 
 note. iubebo : for the tense, see note on censebo, i. 14. 44. 
 
 10. natus moriensque fefellit : i.e. who was born and died in 
 obscurity; cf. Ovid, Trist. iii. 4. 25, Crede mihi: bene qui latuit,bene 
 vixit. 
 
 12. te tractare : cf. Serm. ii. 2. 85, Tractari mollius detas Imbe- 
 cilla volet. siccus: the opposite of unctum; cf. i. 15. 44. 'ubi quid 
 melius continyit et unctius. 
 
 13. bolus : object ofpranderet; cf. ii. 3. 245 ; Introd. 38. a. 
 
 14. Aristippus: cf. i. 1. 18. The speaker is Diogenes, and the 
 story is told by Diog. Laert. ii. 68. 
 
 15. notat : censures; cf. Serm. i. 4. 5. 
 
 16. doce, vel iunior audi : i.e. either tell me which of these two 
 philosophers you think is right (and why), or, as you are a younger 
 man than I, listen to my reason for preferring the view of Aristippus. 
 
 18. eludebat : parried. mordacem : with a play on the deri- 
 vation and literal meaning of cynicum, from the Greek KVUV, ' dog.' 
 
 19. scurror : I play the buffoon. 
 
 20. splendidius : nobler. equus . . . rex : depending on offi- 
 cium facio. The expression is proverbial in Greek. 
 
 21. verum dante minor : but thereby admit yourself to be the 
 inferior of the one who gives them. - 
 
 22. fers te : i.e. you represent yourself as. nullius : probably 
 neuter. Cf. Ars Poet. 324, praeter laudem nullius avaris. See Introd. 
 49. b. 
 
 23. Aristippum decuit : i.e. he could adapt himself to anything. 
 color : with the same sense as in Serm. ii. 1. 60, quisquis erit vitae, 
 scribam, color. status et res : position and circumstances. 
 
 24. temptantem maiora : i.e. aiming high. aequum : con- 
 tented; cf. Odes, iii. 29. 33, quod adest memento Componere aequus. 
 
 25. duplici panno : with its double coat of rags, referring to the 
 dress of the Cynics. Cf. Juv. iii. 115, f acinus maioris abollae, and 
 Mayor's note. patientia : the chief characteristic of the Stoics. 
 Cf. line 13. 
 
 27. alter: Aristippus. exspectabit : wait for ; i.e. he will 
 appear in public just as he is. 
 
348 BOOK I. EPISTLE 17. [PAGE 116. 
 
 29. personam feret . . . utramque : i.e. will play either part, 
 that of the rich man of the world or the poor philosopher. The per- 
 sona was strictly the mask ; cf. personatus pater, Serm. i. 4. 56. 
 
 30. Mileti textam : woven at Miletus, which was celebrated for 
 its fine wool ; cf. Virg. Georg. iii. 306, quamvis Milesia- magno 
 Vellera mutentur Tyrias incocta rubores. peius . . . vitabit : 
 cf. Odes, iv. 9. 50, peius leto flagitium timet. 
 
 33. res gerere : a career of action. The infinitive is the subject 
 of attingit. 
 
 34. attingit soliuni lovis : not only figurative, but with reference 
 to the end of the triumphal procession before the statue of Jupiter in 
 his temple on the Capitoline Hill. caelestia temptat : cf. Odes, 
 i. 1. 6, Terrarum dominos evehit ad deos ; iii. 2. 21, Virtus recludens 
 immeritis mori Caelum. 
 
 35. principibus . . . viris: i.e. such as are referred to in lines 
 33, 34. 
 
 36. non cuivis . . . Corinthum : a proverbial expression from 
 the Greek. 
 
 37. sedit : i.e. sits inactive and makes no attempt to succeed. 
 Gnomic perfect, as is also timuit ; see Introd. 44. d. 
 
 38. fecitne : ne has the force of nonne ; cf. i. 16. 31. 
 
 39. laic: .in this; i.e. in the answer to the preceding question. 
 quod quaerimus : i.e. the object of the whole discussion. 
 
 40. animis . . . corpore : ablative of comparison with mains. 
 mains: too great for. 
 
 41. subit : takes it up j cf. Serm. 1. 9. 21, cum gravius dorso 
 subiit onus. 
 
 42. experiens: enterprising. 
 
 44. ferent : will receive, as gifts. sumas pudenter : modestly 
 accept, contrasted with rapias. Cf. Ars Poet. 51, licentia sumpta 
 pudenter. 
 
 45. caput : the main point. erat : at the time when you at- 
 tached yourself to a patron. The action continues into the present ; 
 cf. eras, i. 4. 6 ; Introd. 44. b. 
 
 46. indotata . . . soror : on the feelings of the Romans on this 
 subject, see Plant. Trin. 689 f ., ne mihi hanc famam differant, Me 
 germanam meam sororem in concubinatum tibi, si sine dote dem, 
 dedisse magis quam in matrimonium. 
 
 47. nee pascere firmus: i.e. does not yield enough for their 
 needs. For the construction of the infinitive, see Introd. 46. a. 
 
PAGE 118.] BOOK I. EPISTLE 18. 349 
 
 48. clamat ' victum date' : i.e. he is no better than a common 
 beggar. succinit alter : a rival (beggar) chimes in. 
 
 49. et mini : me too 9 sc. date victum. quadra : a round loaf 
 marked off into four parts by lines across the top, so that it could 
 easily be broken. Cf. pseudo-Virg. Moret. 47, Levat opus palmisque 
 suum dilatat in orbem Et notat impressis aequo discrimine quadris. 
 
 50. tacitus pasci : the reference does not seem to be to the fa- 
 miliar fable of the Fox and the Crow, but, as Porph. says, to the habits 
 of crows in general : nam corvus cum accedit ad cibum strepitu vocis 
 alias aves arcessit, undefit ut solus pasci non possit. 
 
 52. Brundisium . . . aut Surrentum : i.e. on a business or 
 a pleasure trip. Surrentum, the modern Sorrento, was noted in 
 ancient times, as it is to-day, for its beauty and for its delightful 
 climate. 
 
 55. refert : repeats. acumina : the clever tricks. catellam : 
 apparently the diminutive of catena, not of catulus. One is reminded 
 of the modern actress and her stolen diamonds. 
 
 59. planum : an impostor, who pretends to have broken his leg. 
 A Greek word, ir\6.vos, from Tr\dvofj.ai ; lit. 'tramp,' 1 vagabond. 
 
 60. per Osirim : the worship of the Egyptian god Osiris gained a 
 footing in Rome as early as the time of Sulla (about 80 B.C.), and a 
 temple of Isis and Osiris was built by the Triumvirs after Caesar's 
 death, in 44 B.C. 
 
 62. quaere peregrinum : implying that it is an old trick in that 
 town. Note the assonance (imitating the vicinia rauca), caused by 
 the repetition of r and c in these and the following words. 
 
 EPISTLE XVIII. 
 
 1. liberrime : independent. 
 
 2. amicum : object of professus, the concrete for the abstract ; cf. 
 Odes, i. 35. 22, nee comitem abnegat. 
 
 4. discolor : the dress of the matron was the white stola, while 
 the courtesan was obliged to wear a dark toga; discolor sometimes 
 means merely different, but the choice of the word was doubtless in- 
 fluenced by the fact referred to. scurrae : dative with a verb 
 meaning ' differ from ' ; see Introd. 39. a. 
 
 5. huic vitio : i.e. that implied in scurrantis and scurra. 
 
 6. inconcinna : cf. i. 17. 29, Personamque feret non inconcinnus 
 utramque. 
 
350 BOOK I. EPISTLE 18. [PAGE 118. 
 
 7. tons a cute, dentibus atria : i.e. by ostentatious disregard of 
 personal appearance : tonsa cute means with the hair closely clipped, 
 instead of being properly trimmed. 
 
 9. medium : cf. Odes, ii. 10. 5 ff. 
 
 10. alter: the one, i.e. the scurra. imi lecti : on the lowest 
 couch, which was occupied by the host (see Outline of Serm. ii. 8), 
 and the scurrae. 
 
 11. derisor : cf. Serm. i. 4. 87 ff. 
 
 12. iterat voces : sc. divitis. He repeats his remarks, so that they 
 may not by any chance be lost to the company ; cf. the conduct of 
 Nomentanus in Serm. ii. 8. verba cadentia tollit : he takes up 
 words which fall from his patron's lips and makes them prominent ; 
 see previous note. 
 
 13. puerum . . . reddere : a schoolboy repeating what had been 
 dictated to him by his master. 
 
 14. partis tractare secundas : cf. Serm. i. 9. 46. The actors who 
 played the secundas partes in the mimes seem to have imitated the 
 action of the principal actors. Cf. Suet. Caligula, 57, cum in Laureolo 
 mimo, in quo actor proripiens se ruina sanguinem vomit, plures secun- 
 darum certatim experimentum artis darent, cruore scaena abundavit. 
 
 15. rixatur : the man who prides himself on his independence re- 
 fuses to agree to anything and argues noisily and rudely about trifles. 
 lana caprina : proverbial expression for a matter of no importance. 
 
 16. nugis : ablative of instrument with armatus. ut non . . . 
 prima fides : exclamatory ut, the idea that my opinion should not 
 settle the matter ! 
 
 17. vere : with placet. 
 
 18. pretium . . . sordet : for the meaning of sordet, cf. i. 11.4. 
 A second life would be poor compensation for not expressing my 
 opinion. Perhaps a burlesque of Iliad, ix. 444 ff. 
 
 19. Castor an Docilis : gladiators (cf. Serm. ii. 6. 44) or actors (cf. 
 Serm. ii. 6. 72). 
 
 20. Minuci . . . via : cf. Cic. ad Att. ix. 6. 1. It seems to have been 
 the road between Beneventum and Brundisium, which Horace took on 
 his journey to Brundisium. 
 
 21. damnosa : ruinous" cf. ii. 1. 107, damnosa libido. prae- 
 ceps : because it may send one headlong to ruin. 
 
 22. gloria : ostentation. 
 
 23. argenti : money ; cf. i. 2. 44. importuna : insatiate ; to be 
 taken with sitis. Cf. Virg. Aen. iii. 57, auri sacra fames. 
 
PAGE 119.] BOOK I. EPISTLE 18. 351 
 
 24. fuga: i.e. dread of; cf. i. 1. 46, pauperiem fugiens. 
 
 25. decem : used as a round number. See Introd. 50. in- 
 structior : better equipped ; used ironically. 
 
 26. regit : i.e. tries to guide him. 
 
 28. prope vera : i.e. what is nearly true ; cf. i. 6. 1, prope res una. 
 contendere : i.e. mecum certare, line 30. 
 
 29. patiuntur : i.e. are enough for. 
 
 30. arta . . . toga : in distinction from the flowing one, which was 
 at this time regarded as a mark of luxury. Cf. Epod. 4. 8 ; Epist. i. 
 19. 13. 
 
 31. Eutrapelus : P. Volumnius Eutrapelus, who received his cog- 
 nomen on account of his wit (evrpaireKla). See Cic. ad Fam. vii. 32 
 and 33. Nepos, Att. 9. 10. 
 
 32. beatus enim iam : for now rich, in his own opinion. 
 
 33. sumet : the future represents the thought of Eutrapelus as he 
 makes the gift. 
 
 34. in lucem : cf. i. 17. 6. 
 
 35. officium : his duty, perhaps with reference to the salutatio, or 
 perhaps used in a general sense. nummos alienos : a variation of 
 the common aes alienum. pascet : i.e. will fatten, make great. 
 ad imum : worst of all ; the last stage in his downward career. 
 
 36. Thraex : a gladiator ; see note on Serm. ii. 6. 44. holitoris : 
 a market gardener. 
 
 37. arcanum . . . scrutaberis : i.e. don't be too inquisitive 
 about his private affairs. The future is equivalent to a mild impera- 
 tive, illius : i.e. the dives amicus, line 24. 
 
 38. commissum teges : cf. Serm. i. 4. 84. vino tortus : cf. 
 Odes, iii. 21. 13, and Ars Poet. 435. ira : i.e. caused by some 
 slight put upon him by his patron, which might lead him to revenge 
 himself by betraying secrets. 
 
 39. aliena : i.e. the patron's. 
 
 40. venari : since poemata panges suits the taste of Lollius, it is 
 probable that venari is not a chance example, but that his unknown 
 patron was fond of the chase ; cf. line 45 below. panges : cf. Lucr. 
 i. 25, (versibus) quos ego de rerum natura pangere conor ; iv. 8. 
 
 41. gratia . . . dissiluit : i.e. the bond of affection was broken. 
 The story of the two brothers who disagreed about the value of music 
 is told in the Antiope of Euripides, and was familiar to the Romans 
 through the Antiopa of Pacuvius. It is referred to by Cic. de Orat. 
 ii. 37. 155 ; de Inv. i. 50. 94 ; de Eep. i. 18. 30. 
 
352 BOOK I. EPISTLE 18. [PAGE 119. 
 
 42. suspecta : as effeminate. severe : by the austere brother, 
 i.e. Zethus ; dative of the agent with suspecta. 
 
 46. Aetolis : doubtless suggested by the hunt of the Calydonian 
 boar. Such literary epithets, which were suggestive to the cultivated 
 reader, are common in the Augustan poets. (See Sellar, Roman Poets 
 of the Augustan Age, Virgil, p. 235.) onerata iumenta: with 
 this scene, cf. i. 6. 58 ff. 
 
 47. inhumanae : unsocial. The opposite of the geniality im- 
 plied in humani nil a me alienum puto, Ter. Heaut. 77. senium : 
 moroseness, which was sometimes characteristic of old age ; cf. 
 Cic. de Sen. 18. 65, at sunt morosi et anxii et iracundi et difflciles 
 senes. 
 
 48. pariter : as well as your patron. pulmenta : cf. Serm. ii. 
 2. 20. 
 
 49. sollemne : customary, habitual. Cf. Serm. ii. 2. 10. opus : 
 in apposition with the preceding clause ; cf. sermo merus, Serm. i. 
 4. 48. famae : cf. Serm. ii. 2. 94 f.; i. 4. 118. 
 
 52. speciosius : adverb ; in better form, than you.. 
 
 53. coronae: the ring of spectators. Cf. Ars Poet. 381. 
 
 54. proelia campestria : the athletic games in the Campus Mar- 
 tius. See Odes, i. 8. 5 ff . saevam . . . militiam : three years of 
 military service formed a regular part of the career of a young man in 
 the position of Lollius. 
 
 55. Cantabrica bella : the campaign against the Cantabrians, 
 under the lead of Augustus himself, in 27-25 B.C. Cf. Odes, iii. 8. 22 ; 
 iv. 14. 41. 
 
 56. refigit : is taking down (in 20 B.C.). Cf. Odes, iv. 15. 6 ff. ; 
 and for the meaning of refigit, Odes, i. 28. 11. 
 
 57. si quid abest : i.e. he is extending the Roman sway over the 
 whole world. adiudicat : a technical term, used of the iudex who 
 assigned a piece of land to one of two claimants. 
 
 58. ne . . . absis : parenthetical purpose, like ut ita dicam, and 
 the like ; not to shirk, you do take part in your patron's amusements, 
 even though they are not in accordance with your tastes. inex- 
 cusabilis = inexcusatus. Cf.flebilis, Odes, i. 24. 9. 
 
 59. extra numerum modumque : unseemly, lit. out of time and 
 tune. 
 
 60. curas : for the indicative with quamvis, see Introd. 45. b. 
 nugaris : by leading a sham battle, as described below. For the 
 general meaning of the word, cf. Serm. ii. 1. 73. 
 
PAGE 120.] BOOK I. EPISTLE 18. 353 
 
 61. Actia : in prose, and usually in poetry, the form Actiaca is 
 used. Cf. Virg. Aen. viii. 675. 
 
 62. pueros : slaves, or perhaps free-born children from the neigh- 
 borhood, hostili more : i.e. in realistic fashion. 
 
 63. lacus : some lake on or near his estates. 
 
 64. velox : swift ; with reference to the wings with which Victory 
 is represented in art. coronet : the anticipated result of the con- 
 test ; hence the subjunctive. 
 
 65. suis studiis : returning to the thought in lines 39-40. 
 
 66. utroque pollice : enthusiastically. In the arena the gladiator 
 was approved pollice presso, the opposite being pollicem vertere. 
 tuum . . . ludum : i.e. tua studia. 
 
 67. ut moneam : see note on line 58 above. 
 
 68. quid de quoque : Porph. says : tria dixit : quid dicas, de quo 
 dicas, cut dicas. If so, de quoque is equivalent to et de quo. 
 
 69. percontatorem : the gossip ; lit. ' the man who asks ques- 
 tions.' 
 
 70. patulae : in a double sense, wide open, to hear everything, and 
 rimosae, see Serm. ii. 6. 46. 
 
 71. irrevocabile : cf. Ars Poet. 390. 
 
 72. non . . . ulla : nulla. On non with the volitive subjunctive, 
 see Serm. ii. 5. 91, note. iecur ulceret: i.e. do not fall in love 
 with them. For iecur as the seat of the emotions, see Odes, i. 13. 4, 
 etc. 
 
 74. pueri . . . puellae : appositive genitive with munere. 
 
 75. parvo : of little value, but which the patron will regard as im- 
 posing a heavy obligation. beet : i.e. beatum faciat ; beo was nearly 
 obsolete in Horace's time. The word is in general rare and confined 
 to poetry. incommodus : churlishly ; the opposite of commodus, 
 Odes, iv. 8. 1. angat : i.e. by refusing the gift. 
 
 76. qualem commendes : i.e. what sort of people you introduce 
 to him, and thus become responsible for. 
 
 78. quondam: sometimes. tradimus: introduce; cf. i. 9.47. 
 
 79. sua culpa : emphatic, his own fault. deceptus : i.e. since 
 you have been deceived. 
 
 80. penitus notum : i.e. a man whom you thoroughly know. 
 crimina : (false) accusations, calumny, opposed to sua culpa in line 
 79. 
 
 82. Theonino : Theon was evidently a proverbial calumniator. 
 The Comm. Cruq. says: Luthienus Theon libertinus dicacitatis amari- 
 
354 BOOK I. EPISTLE 18. [PAGE 120. 
 
 tudine praeter ceteros ita patronum suum exasperavit, ut clomo eius 
 summoveretur et quaternario legato iuberetur restem sibi palumque 
 emere. circumroditur : cf. Odes, iv. 3. 16. ecquid . . . sen- 
 tis : do you not perceive ? 
 
 84. paries . . . ardet : on the common occurrence of fires at 
 Rome, see note on Serm. i. 1. 77. 
 
 87. in alto : with ellipsis of man', on the deep. 
 
 88. hoc age : i.e. give your mind to this ; see note on Serm. ii. 3. 
 152. 
 
 90. agilem : cf. i. 1 . 16. navum : cf. i. 1 . 24. 
 
 91. This line is regarded by many as an interpolation from i. 14. 34. 
 
 93. formidare tepores : i.e. abstain for your health's sake, to 
 avoid the heating effect of the wine. 
 
 94. nubem : a common metaphor in English as well. plerum- 
 que : often; cf. Serm; ii. 5. 55. 
 
 95. obscuri: crafty, 'dark: 
 
 96. inter cuncta : amid all the business of life. leges et per- 
 contabere : future with the force of a mild imperative. doctos : 
 i.e. the philosophers. 
 
 97. traducere . . . aevum : a variation of the expression tradu- 
 cere vitam. 
 
 98. semper: with agitet; i.e. whether there is any escape. 
 inops : because it can never be satisfied, and the only escape is in 
 getting rid of it. 
 
 99. renim mediocriter utilium : the expression is qualified by 
 mediocriter, because it does not include the summum bonum, virtue. 
 
 100. virtutem . . . donet : i.e. whether virtue can be learned or 
 is inborn. 
 
 101. tibi reddat arnicum : the opposite in Plaut. Bacch. 417, lam 
 aderit tempus, quom sese etiam ipse oderit. 
 
 102. pure tranquillet : sc.te; gives ijou genuine peace, honos: 
 i.e. a successful political career. lucellum : cf. Serm. ii. 5. 82. 
 
 103. secretum iter : i.e. a life of retirement, fallentis : cf. i. 
 17. 10. 
 
 104. reficit : restores me to health ; i.e. the cold baths ; cf. i. 15. 4. 
 
 105. Mandela: the district adjacent to the modern Cantalupo di 
 Bardella, on the hills above the confluence of the Digentia and the 
 Anio, a short distance from Horace's estate. pagus : used for the 
 inhabitants of the district ; cf. Odes, iii. 18. 12. 
 
 106. sentire : sc. me. 
 
PAGE 123.] BOOK I. EPISTLE 19. 355 
 
 107. etiam minus : cf. Epod. i. 31 ; Serm. ii. 6. 3. ut vivam : 
 on the understanding that I am to live; stipulative subjunctive; see 
 Introd. 45. e. mihi : for myself, without social or political 
 demands on my time. So-called 'dative of advantage.' 
 
 109. in annum : i.e. until the next harvest ; cf. Pers. vi. 25, Messe 
 tenuspropria vive, et granaria, fas est, Emole. Quid metuas? Occa; 
 et seges altera in herba est. 
 
 110. neu fluitem : cf. his advice to Tibullus, i. 4. 12 ff. 
 
 111. sed : a correction of the preceding wish, since such a state of 
 mind depends on oneself. ponit: sets before one; cf. Serm.ii. 2. 
 23, etc. 
 
 EPISTLE XIX. 
 
 I. docte: and hence presumably familiar with the works of 
 Cratinus ; cf. Odes, iii. 8. 5. Cratino : cf. Serm. i. 4. 1. He 
 was famous for his conviviality. An epigram of his, which Horace 
 seems to have in mind, is preserved in the Anthologia Palatina, xiii. 
 29, (dot56s) 'vdwp 8 -rrivwv ovdv &i> rtitot aotybv. 
 
 3. potoribus: dative of apparent agent, as in Serm. i. 10. 16. 
 See Introd. 39. b. ut : ever since. 
 
 4. adscripsit : enrolled among ; cf. Odes, iii. 3.35. 
 
 6. laudibus vini : cf., e.g., Iliad, vi. 261, dvSpl 5 KfKfj-ri&Ti fj-tvos 
 ptya oIi/os d^et. Ablative of cause. vinosus : fond of wine, a wine- 
 bibber ; sc.fuisse. 
 
 7. pater : a title of honor ; see note on Serm. i. 3. 126. Ennius 
 is called the father of Roman poetry ; he says of himself, Sat. 8, num- 
 quam poetor nisi si podager. 
 
 8. prosiluit : like the warriors he described ; cf. desaevit, i. 3. 14. 
 Forum putealque Libonis : i.e. a business life. The puteal Libonis 
 was a place in the Forum, which had been struck by lightning and 
 surrounded with a low circular wall. It was between the temples of 
 Castor and Vesta, and the stalls of the money-changers were close by. 
 See Serm. ii. 6. 35. 
 
 9. siccis : cf. Odes, i. 18. 3. cantare : the infinitive, object of 
 adimam. See Introd. 46. d. severis : especially water-drinkers ; 
 cf. Catull. 27. 5, hinc abite, lymphae, Vini pernicies (i.e. 'water, which 
 only spoils wine '), et ad severos Migrate. Dative of separation. 
 
 10. edixi : i.e. passed this law ; see note on ii. 2. 51. 
 
 II, nocturne . . . diurno : cf. Ars Poet. 269. Instead of certare 
 
356 BOOK I. EPISTLE 19. [PAGE 123. 
 
 diurno, which the hearer would expect, Horace substitutes putere, a 
 common rhetorical device. Cf. minora, Serm. i. 3. 20. 
 
 13. exiguae togae : cf. i. 18. 30, and the note. textore : abla- 
 tive of instrument ; cf. tonsore, i. 1. 94. Catonem : probably Cato 
 Uticensis; see Odes, i. 12. 35. 
 
 15. larbitam : Porph. says : hie larbutha (sic) Maurus regio genere 
 fuit ortus, qui dum Timaginem imitatus post convivium et inter pocula 
 declamantem, propter insolentiam faciendi quod conabatur, ipse dirup- 
 tus est. Timagenis : Timagenes was a rhetorician of Alexandria, 
 who was brought to Home as a prisoner by A. Gabinius in 55 B.C. 
 His various fortunes are given by Sen. Contr. x. 5. 22, ex captivo 
 cocus, ex coco lecticarius, ex lecticario usque in intimam amicitiam 
 Caesaris felix. 
 
 16. urbanus: witty. 
 
 17. vitiis : ablative of respect with imitabile. 
 
 18. pallerem : if I were pale ; protasis contrary to fact. bibe- 
 rent : they would drink ; i.e. the imitators, who have been implied, but 
 not yet directly mentioned. exsangue : of the effect, like pallida 
 mors, Odes, i. 4. 13. See Plin. N. H. xx. 160, omne cuminum pallorem 
 
 / bibentibus gignit. 
 
 19. seryum : used as an adjective, as in Ovid, Fast. vi. 558, serva 
 manus. 
 
 20. bilem : cf. Serm. i. 9. 66 ; ii. 3. 141. 
 
 21. libera : opposed to servum pecus. per vacuum . . . prin- 
 ceps : i.e. a leader in a new field; cf. Odes, iii. 30. 11-14. 
 
 / 22. aliena : sc. vestigia. 
 
 23. Parios iambos : i.e. the iambics of Archilochus, of Paros, who 
 was the first to make extensive use of that metre. The reference is to 
 the Epodes. 
 
 24. numeros animosque : the rhythm and spirit. 
 
 25. non res et agentia verba : not the subject-matter and the 
 ivords which pursued. Lycamben : a citizen of Paros, who refused 
 to give his daughter in marriage to Archilochus ; the latter thereupon 
 lampooned him in such bitter language that he hanged himself and 
 his daughter. 
 
 26. foliis : cf. Odes, i. 1. 29. brevioribus : scantier. 
 
 27. artem : the technique. 
 
 28. temperat : moulds. Archilochi . . . pede : by the meas- 
 ure of Archilochus. mascula : i.e. strong and worthy to rank with 
 men. 
 
PAGE 124.] BOOK I. EPISTLE 19. 357 
 
 29. ordine : arrangement, probably with reference to the strophes. 
 
 30. socerum : like Lycambes. atris : abusive; cf. Epod. 6. 15 ; 
 Serm. i. 4. 85. 
 
 31. sponsae : with reference to Nebule, the daughter of Lycambes ; 
 See note on line 25. famoso : cf. Serm. ii. 1. 68. 
 
 32. hunc : Alcaeus. Cf. Odes, iii. 30. 13 f. 
 
 33. immemorata : i.e. words not spoken before ; cf. Odes, iii. 1. 2, 
 carmina nonprius audita. 
 
 34. ingenuis : gentle, noble ; i.e. such people as are mentioned in 
 Serm. i. 10. 81-90. 
 
 35. opuscula : cf. i. 4. 3. 
 
 36. premat : equivalent to deprimat, disparages; cf. Ars Poet. 262. 
 
 37. ventosae : fickle as the wind ; cf. i. 8. 12. suffragia venor : 
 the .figure is from the elections, but the reference is undoubtedly to 
 the recitationes ; cf. Serm. i. 10. 38. 
 
 38. tritae : worn out ; cf. Pers. i. 54, Scis comitem liorridulum trita 
 donare lacerna. 
 
 39-40. Horace listens to the works only of nobilium scriptorum, 
 i.e. writers of real merit, and does not himself recite his own poems, 
 except as stated in Serm. i. 4. 73. 
 
 39. ultor : i.e. he gets even by reading his works to them in turn. 
 The expression is of course used jocosely. 
 
 40. grammaticas ambire tribus : like a politician canvassing for 
 votes. pulpita : the reader's desk, passing from the figure to the 
 reality. 
 
 41. nine illae lacrimae : this expression, from Ter. Andria, 126, 
 had become proverbial. theatris : i.e. halls hired or lent for reci- 
 tations. Cf. Serm. i. 10. 38. 
 
 42. nugis : trifles, a modest estimate of his opuscula / cf. Serm. i. 
 9. 2. 
 
 43. rides: i.e. you are joking; cf. Serm. ii. 6. 54. ait: sc. 
 quidam. lovis: i.e. Augustus. 
 
 44. manare : used with transitive force. 
 
 45. tibi pulcher : cf. Cic. Tusc. Disp. v. 22. 63, (of poets), in hoc 
 enim genere nescio quo pacto magis quam in aliis sum cuique pulchrum 
 est. Tibi is dative of the person judging. B. 188, II. b. naribus 
 uti : i.e. to turn up my nose at them ; cf. Serm. i. 6. 5. 
 
 46. acuto . . . ungui: cf. Cic. Tusc. Disp. v. 27. 77, adulescen- 
 tium greges Lacedaemone vidimus ipsi incredibili contentions certantis, 
 pugnis, calcibus, unguibus, morsu denique. 
 
358 BOOK I. EPISTLE 20. [PAGE 124. 
 
 47. iste locus : i.e. the place chosen by the opponent (note iste) 
 for the contest, as if of gladiators. diludia : occurs only here. 
 Porph. explains it as intermissionem ludorum vel dilationem. 
 
 48. ludus: with the double meaning of play and sport. genuit : 
 gnomic perfect ; see Introd. 44. d. 
 
 EPISTLE XX. 
 
 1. Vertumnum : Vertumnus deus est praesens vertendarum rerum, 
 hoc est emendarum ac vendendarum, qui in vico Turario sacellum 
 habuit, Porph. His statue stood near the book-stalls in the Vicus 
 Tuscus (cf. Serm. ii. 3. 228). lanum : cf. i. 1. 54. The place desig- 
 nated by Vertumnum lanumque was also of bad repute. Hence the 
 verb prostes in line 2, with a double meaning. 
 
 2. scilicet : sarcastic. Sosiorum : Sosii illo tempore fratres 
 erant bibliopolae celeberrimi, Porph. Cf. Ars Poet. 345, hie meret aera 
 liber Sosiis. pumice : the ends of the roll which formed the book 
 were smoothed with pumice : cf. Catull. 1. 1, Cut dono lepidum novum 
 libellum Arida modo pumice expolitum f 
 
 3. clavis et sigilla : the keys and seals with which the scrinia or 
 armarii were closed. The figure by which the book is compared with 
 the handsome slave is kept up throughout. 
 
 4. paucis : cf. Serm. i. 4. 73. communia : cf. Sen. Contr. i. 2. 
 5, meretrix vocata es, in communi loco stetisti. 
 
 5. non ita: i.e. not to desire publicity. fuge: i.e. hasten to go 
 your way, before I change my mind. descendere: the regular 
 word for going down to the Forum from the hills about it, but doubt- 
 less with the secondary meaning of descending to a lower life. 
 
 6. emisso : when you have once gone forth; cf. i. 18. 71. quid 
 egi : the lament of the book. 
 
 7. quid volui : cf. Virg. Eel. ii. 58, quid volui misero mihi ? 
 
 8. in breve cogi : with reference to the book, means to roll up 
 and put away. plenus: sated; cf. ii. 1. 100. 
 
 9. augur: the prophet, i.e. Horace himself. 
 
 10. deserat : subjunctive because of the idea of anticipation. 
 aetas : your youthful beauty. Cf. Afranius, ap. Non. 2. 7, Aetas el 
 corpus tenerum et morigeratio, Haec sunt venena formosarum muli- 
 erum. 
 
 11. manibus sordescere : cf. Serm. i. 4. 72. 
 
 12. tineas : cf. Serm. ii. 3. 119. inertis : in its literal sense of 
 
PAGE 125.] BOOK I. EPISTLE 20. 359 
 
 in-ars, vandal ; see Cic. de Pin. ii. 34. 115, artes, quibus qui carebant 
 ' inertes" 1 a maioribus nominbantur ; Juv. iii. 207, divina opici rodebant 
 carmina mures. 
 
 13. fugles . . . aut vinctus mitteris : i.e. run away of your own 
 accord, or be sent by the book-seller. Vinctus, bound (of the slave) 
 or tied in a bundle (of the books). Uticam . . . Ilerdam : used of 
 the provinces generally, where a book which had lost its popularity at 
 Rome might find a sale for a time. 
 
 14. monitor : referring to Horace, like augur in line 9. 
 
 15. qui . . . iratus: i.e. the donkey driver lost his temper at his 
 stubborn animal, which he could not keep from the edge of a cliff, and 
 pushed him off. 
 
 16. invitum servare : cf. Ars Poet. 467. 
 
 17. pueros elementa docentem : i.e. used as a school-book. 
 Double accusative with docentem. 
 
 18. extremis in vicis : i.e. in the suburbs, in inferior schools. 
 
 19. sol tepidus: i.e. toward evening, when the sun is no longer 
 hot, and more people are in the streets. 
 
 20. libertino natum patre : cf. Serm. i. 6. 46. in tenui re : cf. 
 Serm. i. 6. 58 f. 
 
 21. nido : ablative of comparison with maiores; too great for the 
 nest. Cf. Serm. ii. 3. 310, corpore maiorem. loqueris : future with 
 the force of a mild imperative. 
 
 22. ut . . . addas : i.e. the more obscure his origin, the greater 
 credit does he deserve for what he has accomplished. 
 
 24. corporis exigui : of short stature; genitive of description. 
 Cf. Serin, ii. 3. 309. praecanum : probably prematurely gray, 
 though prae- may be intensive, as it often is in composition. soli- 
 bus aptum : i.e. fond of lounging in the sun. 
 
 25. irasci celerem : cf. Odes, iii. 9. 23 ; Serm. ii. 3. 323. 
 
 27. Decembris : according to Suetonius, Horace was born on the 
 sixth day before the Ides (December 8). 
 
 28. quo . . . anno : i.e. 21 B.C. dixit : nominated. Lollius was 
 elected without a colleague, since the other consulship was intended 
 for Augustus. When Augustus declined the position, Lollius named 
 Lepidus as his colleague. Dixit has little Ms. authority as compared 
 with duxit, but is the technical term. 
 
360 BOOK II. EPISTLE 1. [PAGE 128. 
 
 BOOK II. 
 EPISTLE I. 
 
 1. solus: a slight exaggeration, since Augustus had the support of 
 Agrippa, with whom he had shared the proconsular authority since 
 23 B.C., and the tribunician power since 18 B.C. Agrippa had spent 
 most of the time in the East. 
 
 2. moribus : Augustus made a great effort to improve the morals 
 of the people. 'Of. Odes, iv. 16. 9 ff. 
 
 3. in publica commoda : against the public weal. 
 
 4. morer tua tempora : waste your time. Cf. te morer, Serm. 
 i. 1. 14. 
 
 5. Romulus . . . Pollux : all deified only after death, while 
 Augustus receives divine honors during his earthly life. 
 
 6. deorum in templa : i.e. into the abode of the gods. Cf. 
 Ennius, Ann. i. 66 V, unus erit quern tu tolles in caerula caeli Templa. 
 
 7. colunt: by zeugma, inhabit . . . care for. 
 
 8. agros adsignant : cf. Serm. i. 3. 105. 
 
 9. ploravere: had to lament. respondere : correspond' cf. 
 Serm. ii. 8. 66. 
 
 11. notaque . . . portenta : the storied monsters, overcome by 
 Hercules in the course of his twelve labors. fatal! : imposed on him 
 by fate; cf. Odes, iii. 3. 19, fatalis index. 
 
 12. invidiam: i.e. the jealousy of Juno. domari: as if it too 
 were one of the portenta. supremo fine : i.e. only by death ; cf. 
 Serm. i. 7. 23, ultima mors. 
 
 13. urit : i.e. dazzles and pains ; cf. i. 10. 43 : i. 13. 6. artis : 
 virtues ; cf. Odes, iii. 3. 9, hac arte. 
 
 14. exstinctus amabitur : cf. Odes, iii. 24. 31, Virtutem incolumem 
 odimus, Sublatam ex oculis quaerimus, invidi. 
 
 15. praesenti : while still among us, in distinction from Hercules 
 and the heroes mentioned in line 5. maturos : timely. 
 
 16. iurandas : i.e. at which oaths are to be taken. Cf. Suet. Aug. 
 62, templa . . . in nulla provincia nisi communi suo Eomaeque 
 nomine recepit. Nam in urbe quidem pertinacissime abstinuit hoc 
 honore. 
 
 19. nostris ducibus: e.g. Romulus. Grais : sc. ducibus; e.g. 
 Castor, Pollux, and Heracles. 
 
PAGE 129. J BOOK II. EPISTLE 1. 361 
 
 20. cetera : i.e. in other respects ; in literary matters. Accusative 
 of specification ; see Introd. 38. c. 
 
 21. terris semota : cf. line 14 above. 
 
 22. fastidit et odit : cf. Tac. Dial. 23, rhetorum nostrorum com- 
 mentaries fastidiunt oderunt, Calvi mirantur. 
 
 23. vetemm: neuter, like cetera, semota, defuncta. tabulas : 
 the laws of the Twelve Tables, which exerted an important literary 
 influence and were used as school-books in early times. 
 
 24. bis quinque viri : the decemvirs. 
 
 25. Gabiis : dependent on the following cum, which, in Horace's 
 usual manner, is expressed only with the second of the two words 
 which it governs. aequata : made on equal terms. 
 
 26. pontificum libros: i.e. the books containing the directions 
 for the ritual, and the annals of the pontiffs (annales pontificum, 
 annales maximi). volumina vatum : such as the Sibylline books 
 and the proverbs and saws assigned to the Marcii. 
 
 27. Albano . . . monte: the Alban Mount, with its shrine of 
 Juppiter Latiaris and its sacred associations, is thought of as the abode 
 of the Muses, like Helicon in Greece. Musas . . . locutas : cf. 
 Quint, x. 1. 99, Varro Musas, Aeli Stilonis sententia, Plautino dicat 
 sermone locuturas fuisse, si Latine loqui vellent. 
 
 29. pensantur eadem trutina : cf. Serm. i. 3. 72. The idea is 
 that if the same rule is applied to the Romans, that the oldest are the 
 best, there is nothing to be said. 
 
 30. non est quod : there is no reason why. 
 
 31. intra . . . extra : adverbs. olea : governed by the follow- 
 ing in; cf. the position of Gabiis, line 25 above. The thought is 
 this : ' olives haven't stones, and nuts haven't shells ' ; a reductio ad 
 absurdum. duri : genitive of the whole with nil . . . nil. 
 
 32. venimus . . . fortunae : we have conquered the Greeks ; 
 therefore, if we argue as suggested, we surpass them in other respects 
 as well. 
 
 34. dies : time. 
 
 35. quotus annus : which year in order, the answer being in an 
 ordinal number. 
 
 36. decidit : cf. Odes, iv. 7. 14. 
 
 38. excludat . . . finis : let there be a limit, to prevent disputes, 
 like a boundary-stone in a field. 
 
 39. probus : sterling, classic. 
 
 41. referendus erit : is he to be counted ? 
 
362 BOOK II. EPISTLE 1. [PAGE 129. 
 
 43. iste : the man you mention ; the reply of the opponent. ho- 
 neste : with honor, i.e. he will not disgrace his company. 
 
 45. utor permisso: I take advantage of the admission, i.e. he 
 proceeds, after the manner of argument called sorites, gradually to 
 reach a limit where his opponent will cease to admit that the term 
 veteres applies. 
 
 46. unum: sc. annum. 
 
 47. cadat elusus : is foiled and loses his case ; the subjunctive, 
 because of the idea of anticipation. ruentis acervi: the heap, 
 Greek <rwp6s, from which the style of argument derives its name ; see 
 line 45 above. 
 
 48. redit in fastos : trusts to the calendar. 
 
 49. Libitina : the goddess of death ; cf. Odes, iii. 30. 7 ; Serm. 
 ii. 6. 19. 
 
 50. sapiens : so called because of his philosophical poem, the 
 Epicharmus. fortis : because in his Annals he sang the fortia 
 facta patrum. alter Homenis : Ennius says that Homer appeared 
 to him in a dream and told him that his soul had passed into a peacock, 
 and then into Ennius's body. 
 
 51. leviter curare : i.e. securus esse, Porph. 
 
 52. somiiia Pythgorea : see note on alter Homerus, line 50. The 
 dream of Ennius is called 'Pythagorean,' because such transmigra- 
 tions of souls were a prominent feature of Pythagoras's philosophy. 
 
 53. Naevius : see Introd. 17. in manibus : i.e. is still read. 
 non : equivalent to nonne ; cf. Odes, iii. 20. 1. 
 
 54. paene recens: i.e. almost as if he were a modern writer. 
 
 56. Pacuvius: see Introd. 18. docti . . . alti : cf. Quint. 
 x. 1. 97, virium Accio plus tribuitur, Pacuvium mderi doctiorem, qui 
 esse docti affectant, volunt. Accius : see note on Serm. i. 10. 53. 
 
 57. Afrani : Lucius Afranius, born in 154 B.C., a writer of togatae, 
 or comedies based on Roman life ; hence the expression Afrani toga. 
 A few fragments of his works have come down to us. Menandro : 
 ' the star of the new comedy,' an Athenian, who lived from 342291 
 B.C. Only fragments of his works have been preserved. 
 
 58. properare : of the vivacity and rapid action of his comedies. 
 Epicharmi : a famous writer of the so-called Sicilian comedy, which 
 was developed from the Doric farce. He was born in Cos in 540 B.C., 
 but went as a boy to Sicilian Megara and thence to Syracuse, where 
 he lived until his death in 450 B.C. 
 
 59. Caecilius : a Roman comic writer, a native of Insubrian Gaul, 
 
.PAGE 130.] BOOK II. EPISTLE 1. 363 
 
 who lived from 219-166 B.C. Only a few fragments of his works have 
 survived, but he was ranked high by the ancients. Terentius : the 
 well-known writer of comedy (185-159 B.C.). 
 
 60. ediscit : with reference to the epic poets first mentioned. Cf. 
 Cic. Tusc. Disp. ii. 11. 27, poetae ita . . . dulces, ut non legantur 
 modo, sed etiam ediscantur. arto : i.e. too small for the large 
 audiences. 
 
 62. Livi : i.e. Livius Andronicus, whose first play was produced 
 in 240 B.C. 
 
 63. est ubi : i.e. sometimes. 
 
 64. ita : to such a degree. 
 
 66. pleraque: much; the more common meaning of the word 
 after Cicero. 
 
 67. ignave : carelessly, with too little art ; sc. dicere. 
 
 68. mecum facit : i.e. it agrees with me. love . . . aequo : 
 propitio. si quidem love irato jit ut errent homines ac delirent, 
 Porph. Cf. Serin, ii. 3. 8, iratis dis. There may be a compli- 
 mentary reference to Augustus ; cf. i. 19. 43. 
 
 69. Livi : Livius Andronicus. 
 
 70. plagosum : apparently not elsewhere used in the active 
 sense. See Introd. 1. XV/^ / 3 
 
 71. Orbilium : one of Horace's teachers at Rome. dictare : 
 dictated, to be learned by heart, the usual method of instruction ; cf. 
 i. 1. 65 ;"i. 18. 13 ; Serm. i. 10. 75. videri: i.e. to their admirers. 
 
 72. exact! s : perfect works. 
 
 74. concinnior : better turned. unus et alter : one or two. 
 
 75. ducit : carries with it. 
 
 76. quicquam : anything, used instead of aliquid, because of the 
 negative implied in indignor =non probo, ferre non possum, or the 
 like. crasse : coarsely, roughly ; cf. Serm. ii. 2. 3. 
 
 77. nuper : sc. compositum sit. 
 
 78. antiquis : either neuter or masculine. See Introd. 49. b. 
 
 79. crocum floresque : i.e. the stage, which was perfumed with 
 saffron-water. Cf. Lucr. ii. 416, cum scaena croco Cilici perfusa re- 
 cens est; Prop. iv. 1. 16, pulpita sollemnes non oluere crocos. There 
 is no other reference to flowers on the stage. Porph. takes flores as 
 referring to a play of Atta's : in fabula quae inscribitur Matertera ita 
 florum genera enumerat, ut sine dubio reprehendendus sit ob nimian 
 loquacitatem. The general meaning seems to be : ' if I express a 
 doubt whether the plays of Atta ought still to be produced. ' Atta : 
 
364 BOOK II. EPISTLE 1. [PAGE 130. 
 
 a writer of togatae, contemporary with Afranius (see line 57). He 
 died in 77 B.C. 
 
 81. patres : the older men. 
 
 82. Aesopus . . . Roscius : two actors of the Ciceronian epoch, 
 of whom the former was a great tragic actor, while the latter excelled 
 in comedy; hence the adjectives, grams, 'dignified,' and doctus, 
 'clever.' 
 
 84. parere minoribus: i.e. to follow the taste of the younger 
 generation. 
 
 85. imberbes : in their youth. senes : in their old age. 
 
 86. Saliare . . . carmen : the hymns of the Salii, a priesthood 
 said by Livy (i. 20) to have been instituted by Numa, are preserved 
 in a few fragments. They were almost unintelligible in later times. 
 Cf. Quint, i. 6. 40, Saliorum carmina vix sacerdotibus suis satis intel- 
 lecta. 
 
 87. quod mecum ignorat : i.e. of which he knows as little as I. 
 89. nostra . . . nos nostraque : emphatic. His conduct is due 
 
 not to admiration of the past, but to envy of his contemporaries. 
 lividus : cf. Serm. i. 4. 93. 
 
 92. tereret : wear out, thumb. viritim : individually. publi- 
 cus usus: the general public ; abstract for concrete. 
 
 93. positis . . . bellis : probably referring to the Persian wars, 
 which were followed by great literary activity at Athens. nugari : 
 to amuse herself, in distinction from the stern business of war. 
 
 94. in vitium : from the Roman point of view, which regarded 
 all such pursuits as unworthy of serious attention. fortuna . . . 
 aequa : since fortune was kind. labier : to drift. On the archaic 
 form, see Introd. 35. a. 
 
 95. athletarum : with reference to the great national games. 
 equomm : for the chariot races. 
 
 96. fabros : workers in. 
 
 97. suspendit . . . voltum mentemque : fixed eyes and mind 
 on. Cf. i. 6. 14. 
 
 98. tibicinibus : music in general. 
 
 99. sub nutrice : at its nurse 1 s feet. puella : the feminine, 
 because the comparison is with Graecia. 
 
 100. quod . . . petiit . . . reliquit : cf. Ars Poet. 160. plena : 
 cf. i. 20. 8. 
 
 102. paces : the plural, because the reference is to periods of 
 peace. 
 
PAGE 132.] BOOK II. EPISTLE 1. 365 
 
 103. diu : in contrast with the early development of the arts in 
 Greece. sollemne : customary. reclusa . . . domo vigilare : 
 to be up early with open house ; to receive calls of clients ; cf. Serm. 
 i. 1. 10. 
 
 104. promere iura : in early times, until the publication of the 
 Twelve Tables, knowledge of the law was confined to the patricians. 
 
 105. cautos nominibus rectis: secured by good names, i.e. 
 those of responsible debtors. With the meaning of nominibus, cf. 
 Serm. i. 2. 16. 
 
 106. maiores audire : i.e. to receive instruction and counsel from 
 older men. per quae . . . posset : to be taken both with audire 
 and dicere. 
 
 107. damnosa libido : cf. i. 18. 21. 
 
 108. calet: is fired. 
 
 110. fronde : i.e. with the ivy sacred to poets ; cf. Odes, i. 1. 29. 
 comas : accusative governed by vincti, which has a middle force. See 
 Introd. 38. c. dictant : i.e. to an amanuensis (notarius). Cf. 
 Serm. i. 10. 92. 
 
 111. qui . . . versus; cf. i. 1. 10. 
 
 112. Parthis mendacior : a proverbial expression ; cf. Livy, xxi. 
 4. 9, perfidia plus quam Punica ; a common opinion of a powerful 
 enemy. prius orto sole vigil : cf. Serm. i. 6. 122. The Romans 
 frequently composed before getting up in the morning. 
 
 114. habrotonum : a bitter herb, apparently a kind of wormwood. 
 Cf. Lucr. iv. 125 (Munro's note). It is mentioned by Plin. N. H. xxi. 
 160 as a medicine. Porphyrio's comment is, quod minore periculo 
 etiam indoctus miscere potest et dare, which makes the comparison all 
 the stronger. 
 
 115. medicorum . . . medici : the repetition makes the state- 
 ment the more emphatic. 
 
 116. promittunt: almost =profitentur. 
 
 117. indocti doctique : skilled and unskilled, i.e. even without 
 special preparation, in contrast with lines 114-116. 
 
 118. error: i.e. this departure from the life described in lines 
 103-107. 
 
 119. sic collige: cf. Serm. ii. 1. 51. avarus : cf. Ovid, Ars 
 Amat. iii. 541, Nee nos ambitio nee amor nos tangit habendi. 
 
 120. non temere : i.e. is not apt to be. 
 
 121. fugas servorum, incendia : cf. Serm. i. 1. 76 f. 
 
 122. fraudem socio : cf. Odes, iii. 24. 59 f. 
 
366 BOOK II. EPISTLE 1. [PAGE 132. 
 
 123. vivit . . . secundo : i.e. he is not luxurious. Pane secundo 
 (ablative of instrument) refers to coarse bread called panis secundarius. 
 Cf . Suet. Aug. 76, cibi . . . minimi erat (Augustus) atque vulgaris 
 fere. Secundarium panem . . . appetebat. 
 
 124. militiae : locative or genitive (see In trod. 40. c). 
 
 125. si das : if you admit. parvis rebus : such as are enu- 
 merated in the following .lines. 
 
 126. figurat : moulds, since reading was taught from the works of 
 the poets. 
 
 127. obscaenis : such as he heard from his nurse and the paeda- 
 gogus; cf. Tac. Dial. 29. iam nunc : i.e. even now, in early child- 
 hood, when his mind is tener. 
 
 128. niox etiani : i.e. when his mind is ready for such instruction. 
 
 130. orientia tempora : the rising generation; abstract for con- 
 crete, notis . . . exemplis: familiar examples, drawn from the 
 history of great and good men. 
 
 131. aegnim : sick at heart. 
 
 132. cum pueris puella : with reference to the chorus in the 
 Carm. Saec. ; see Carm. Saec. 
 
 134. praesentia : propitious. 
 
 135. caelestis . . . aquas: cf. Carm. Saec. 31 f. docta: i.e. 
 taught it by the poet. blandus : persuasive ; cf. Odes, iv. 1 . 8. 
 
 138. Manes: i.e. di Manes, in distinction from di superi. Cf. 
 Virg. Aen. xii. 646, vos o mihi manes, Este boni, quoniam superis aversa 
 voluntas. 
 
 139. agricolae prisci : the development of dramatic poetry from 
 the harvest festival. fortes : cf. Serm. ii. 2. 115. parvo beati : 
 Virg. Georg. ii. 472, patiens operum exiguoque adsueta iuventus. 
 
 141. spe finis : i.e. by the hope of rest at the end of the year's toil. 
 
 142. pueris et coniuge : who helped him in his work, before the 
 days of slaves. Cf. Serm. ii. 2. 115. 
 
 143. Tellurem : the earth, mentioned by Varro, M. 7?. i. 1. 5, as 
 one of the gods of the farmer. porco : a sow ; cf. Cato, de Agr. 134, 
 priusquam messim fades, porcam praecidaneam hoc modo fieri (i.e. 
 'sacrificed') oportet. Cereri porco femina. Porco is an epicene 
 noun. Silvanum : a rustic god of the fields and woods, and pro- 
 tector of boundaries ; cf. Epod. 2. 22. 
 
 144. Genium: cf. i. 7. 94. memorem brevis aevi: because 
 the life of the genius is identified with that of man ; logically memorem 
 belongs with the subject. 
 
PAGE 133.] BOOK II. EPISTLE 1. 367 
 
 145. Fescennina licentia : the earliest form of the drama, a sort 
 of* rude banter. See Paul. Fest. p. 60, Fescennini versus, qui caneban- 
 tur in nuptiis, ex urbe Fescennia dicuntur allati, sive ideo dicti quia 
 fascinum putdbantur arcere. Very likely, as has been suggested, 
 the derivation of the word is from fascinum, but its form is due to 
 the influence of the word Fescennia, with which it was connected 
 by popular etymology. The Fescennine verses survived in classical 
 times in wedding songs and in the songs of the soldiers during 
 triumphs. Cf. Livy, vii. 2. 
 
 147. accepta : handed down. 
 
 148. amabiliter : in a friendly way, i.e. without ill-feeling. iam 
 saevus : sc. factus, finally becoming savage, contrasted with amabi- 
 liter. 
 
 149. coepit : in classical prose the passive of coepit is commonly 
 used with a passive infinitive. 
 
 150. impune : because not yet restricted by law. cruento : 
 which drew blood. 
 
 151. intactis quoque: even those who were not assailed; cf. 
 Serm. ii. 1. 23, cum sibi quisque timet, quamquam est intactus. 
 
 152. super : with the force of de. Found in early Latin and Livy ; 
 in Cicero only in the Letters. lex poenaque : first in the Twelve 
 Tables, with a capital penalty ; cf. Cic. de Sep. iv. 10. 12. Also in the 
 Lex Cornelia of 81 B.C. 
 
 153. malo : abusive ; cf. Serm. ii. 1. 82. nollet : almost = 
 vetaret. 
 
 154. describi: cf. Serm. i. 4. 3. vertere modum : cf. our 
 colloquial expression, 'changed their tune.' fustis: death was 
 inflicted in early times by fustuarium, beating to death. Cf. Livy, v. 
 6. 14, fustuarium meretur qui signa relinquit aut praesidio decedit. 
 
 156. Graecia capta : the first Roman writer, Livius Andronicus, 
 was a Greek captive from Tarentum, and the influence of Greek models 
 on the Roman literature was very great. Greece was not actually con- 
 quered by Rome until 146 B.C., but the dates must not be pressed. 
 
 157. horridus : rude, uncouth. 
 
 158. defluxit: passed out of use. numerus Saturnius: the 
 native Roman metre, occurring seldom except in the earliest poetry, 
 e.g. the Punic War of Naevius. Whether it was based on quantity or 
 on accent is a disputed point. grave virus : * noisome venom." 1 
 
 160. vestigia ruris: traces of rustic rudeness; cf. agresti Latio, 
 line 157. 
 
BOOK II. EPISTLE 1. [PAGE 133. 
 
 161. serus: sc.ferus victor, from line 156. acumina : it is im- 
 plied that the Romans had the ability to succeed in literature, but did 
 not apply themselves to it until late. 
 
 162. post . . . quietus: i.e. having a period of peace after the 
 second Punic war. 
 
 163. Sophocles . . . Thespis . . . Aeschylus : representing the 
 growth of the Greek tragic drama, Thespis being its reputed founder. 
 As a matter of fact, the Romans adapted the plays of Euripides more 
 than those of Aeschylus and Sophocles. The name Euripides will not 
 fit into hexameter verse in the nominative. 
 
 164. rem: i.e. the subject-matter. vertere : translate. pos- 
 set: an indirect question, introduced by si ; cf. posset, Serm. ii. 5. 87. 
 
 165. placuit sibi: i.e. was satisfied with the result. sublimis 
 et acer : the lofty and vigorous character of the early Romans fitted 
 them for the writing and appreciation of tragedy. It soon lost its 
 popularity, however. 
 
 166. spirat tragicum : has tragic inspiration; cf. Odes, ii. 16. 38 ; 
 Serm. i. 4. 46. Tragicum is accusative of the inner object. See In- 
 trod. 38. b. satis : perhaps modifies feliciter audet : i.e. the early 
 tragic writers were measurably successful in innovations in language ; 
 so especially Ennius and Pacuvius. 
 
 167. turpem : because it seems too mechanical. metuit : on ac- 
 count of the labor involved. With the whole passage, cf. Ars Poet. 
 289 ff. 
 
 168. ex medio: i.e. from every-day life. 
 
 170. oneris : i.e. the labor of revision and of careful writing. 
 veniae : indulgence, since the common people can see weaknesses 
 in plays which depict their own life. 
 
 171. quopacto: i.e. how carelessly. ephebi : a youth; really 
 a Greek word meaning a young man between 18 and 20 years of age. 
 
 172. attenti : cf. i. 7. 91 ; Serm. ii. 6. 82. These are stock char- 
 acters in the comedies of Plautus ; cf. Serm. i. 10. 40. 
 
 173. quantus Dossennus: what a Dossennus he (Plautus') is. 
 Dossennus was a stock character, the buffoon or clown, in thefabulae 
 Atellanae, an early Italian (Oscan) form of the drama. See Livy, 
 vii. 2. 11-12. 
 
 174. quam non adstricto . . . socco : with what a loose sock. 
 
 175. gestit . . . demittere : that is, he aims only at making money 
 without regard to artistic work ; hardly a fair criticism of Plautus. 
 
 176. securus: indifferent; cf. leviter curare, line 51. cadat 
 
PAGE 134.] BOOK II. EPISTLE 1. 369 
 
 . . . talo : i.e. fails or succeeds. The plays were sold outright, and 
 their success or failure was a matter of unconcern to the author from 
 the pecuniary point of view ; recto talo, squarely, is an expression bor- 
 rowed from the Greek. 
 
 177. quern tulit . . . Gloria : i.e. the poet who writes plays for 
 fame and not for money. ventoso curru: in her wind-wafted 
 chariot. Cf. Serm. i. 6. 23. Ventoso suggests the fickleness of popular 
 favor ; cf. i. 19. 37. 
 
 178. exanimat: kills with anxiety. lentus: cold. Cf. Odes, 
 iii. 19. 28 ; iv. 13. 6. 
 
 180. valeat : good-by to. res ludicra : i.e. comedy. 
 
 181. reducit: brings me home, from the theatre. Cf. Odes, iv. 
 2. 17. 
 
 182. audacem . . . poetam : i.e. the poet who is bold enough to 
 try to write artistically and elegantly. 
 
 184. depugnare : to fight the matter out, i.e. to have their way by 
 force against the more cultured part of the audience. 
 
 185. eques: the knights, the more cultivated part of the specta- 
 tors. Cf. Serm. i. 10. 76. poscunt . . . pugiles: a similar thing 
 actually happened to Terence. Cf. Hec. Prol. 1.1-5; 2. 25-34. 
 
 186. pugiles : cf. Suet. Aug. 45, (Augustus} spectavit studiossisime 
 pugiles et maxime Latinos. plebecula : the dear people ; note the 
 force of the diminutive. 
 
 187. migravit ab aure : i.e. they no longer take pleasure in the 
 language and rhythm of the plays, but look for spectacular features. 
 The Romans were fond of realistic effects and of extravagant display ; 
 see Cic. ad Fam. vii. 1. 
 
 188. incertos : roving, because they are not fixed as the ear is by 
 the rhythm. 
 
 189. premuntur : are kept down, i.e. a play goes on for many 
 hours with spectacular effects of all kinds. In the ancient theatre the 
 curtain was lowered at the beginning of a performance and raised at 
 its close. 
 
 190. fugiunt : fly across the stage. 
 
 191. regum fortuna : for reges fortunati, kings once favored 
 by fortune ; cf. Catonis virtus, Odes, iii. 21. 11. manibus retortis : 
 cf. Odes, iii. 5. 22. 
 
 192. pilenta : two-wheeled covered carriages, used by women, in 
 which the priestesses and vestals rode in the triumphal procession. 
 petorrita : cf. Serm. i. 6. 104. naves : probably the beaks of 
 
370 BOOK II. EPISTLE 1. [PAGE 134. 
 
 ships (rostra}, though ships themselves may have been carried in 
 the processions. Cf. Prop. ii. 1. 33, regum auratis circumdata colla 
 catenis, Actiaque in Sacra currere rostra via. 
 
 193. captiva Corinthus : i.e. the spoils of Corinth. Sometimes 
 paintings of cities were carried in the triumph, as well as those of 
 other features of the victory. Cf. Cic. Pis. 25. 60, quid tandem habet 
 iste currus? quid vincti ante currum duces? quid simulacra oppido- 
 rum? quid aurum? quid argentum? 
 
 195. diversum . . . camelo : the camelopard or giraffe. Cf. 
 Plin. N. H. viii. 69, camelopardalis dictatoris Caesaris Circensibus 
 ludis primum visa Eomae (in 46 B.C.). For the construction of 
 genus, see Introd. 38. c. 
 
 197. spectaret : sc. Democritus. 
 
 198. nimio . . . plura : cf. i. 10. 30. 
 
 199. scriptores : i.e. the authors of the plays. narrare asello 
 surdo : a proverbial expression. 
 
 200. voces : of actors. pervincere : overcome, rise above ; 
 Ars Poet. 82. 
 
 201. evaluere : a use of the perfect parallel to that of the gnomic 
 perfect, have been able to, and so are able to, will be able to. 
 
 202. Garganum . . . nemus : cf. Odes, ii. 9. 7. mugire : cf. 
 Odes, iii. 10. 6. 
 
 203. artes : works of art, carried in the processions described in 
 line 191 f. For this meaning of artes, cf. i. 6. 17. 
 
 204. oblitus : note the quantity of the i. The idea is that of 
 being overloaded with excessive adornment. 
 
 205. concurrit . . . laevae : i.e. in applause. dextera . . . 
 laevae : sc. manus . . . manui, and see Introd. 49. 6. 
 
 206. dixit . . . aliquid ? the words of one spectator to another, 
 on hearing the applause. sane : emphasizes nil; cf. i. 7. 61. 
 
 207. lana : i.e. the actor's dress. Tarentino . . . veneno: 
 Tarentine dye, considered second only to the Tyrian purple ; cf. Plin. 
 N. H. ix. 137. 
 
 208. ne . . . putes : Horace disclaims any prejudice against 
 dramatic poetry as such. A parenthetical final clause. 
 
 209. maligne : grudgingly, in niggardly wise ; cf. Odes, i. 28. 23. 
 
 210. per extentum ... ire : proverbial for anything difficult. 
 
 211. inaniter : with illusions, i.e. by a mere representation of the 
 reality. Cf. Virg. Aen. i. 464, animum pictura pascit inani. 
 
 213. ut magus, et : and like a magician. Note the hyperbaton. 
 
PAGE 135.] BOOK II. EPISTLE 1. 371 
 
 214. et his : to these as well ; i.e. the writers of other than dramatic 
 literature. lectori : of book-poetry, contrasted with spectatoris. 
 
 216. redde : give (as their due). Cf. Odes, ii. 7. 17, etc. 
 munus . . . dignum: the library in the temple of Apollo on the 
 Palatine. Cf. i. 3. 17. 
 
 218. Helicona : a mountain in southwestern Boeotia, regarded as 
 the abode of the Muses. 
 
 219. niulta . . . facimus : i.e. we are in part to blame, since we 
 submit our works to you at unfavorable times. Cf. Martial, x. 19. 12 ff. 
 
 220. vineta . . . caedam : apparently a proverbial expression 
 for injuring oneself. Cf. Tibull. i. 2. 100, quid messis uris acerba tuas? 
 Caedam therefore means cut down, destroy. 
 
 221. cum laedimur, etc. : i. e. when we are too sensitive to criticism. 
 
 223. cum loca . . . revolvimus : i.e. when we repeat passages 
 which we consider fine, without being asked to do so (inrevocati). 
 
 224. non apparere labores : that our labor is not appreciated. 
 
 225. tenui deducta filo : a common metaphor. Cf., e.g., Serm. 
 i. 10. 44. 
 
 226. cum speramus, etc. : when we hope for immediate recogni- 
 tion. 
 
 227. ultro: i.e. making the advances. 
 
 229. operae pretium : worth while ; cf. Serm. i. 2. 37. 
 
 230. aedituos : the temple-keepers, who showed shrines to visitors, 
 and pointed out their beauties. Poets are represented metaphorically 
 as performing this service for virtus. 
 
 233. Choerilus : an epic poet of lasos who followed Alexander 
 into Asia and wrote of his deeds. versibus : dative ; the money 
 was set down to the credit of his verses, as if to a person. male 
 natis : misbegotten. 
 
 234. rettulit acceptos : entered (in his account book) as received. 
 Philippos : gold coins worth about $4.00; so-called because they bore 
 an image of Philip of Macedon ; cf. the French Louis, Louis d'or; 
 English, sovereign. 
 
 235. remittunt : leave, i.e. cause. Cf. Serm. ii. 4. 69 ; Ars Poet. 
 349. 
 
 236. fere : as a rule. 
 
 237. linunt: besmear, the word being due to the preceding com- 
 parison. Cf., however, oblitus, line 204. 
 
 239. edicto vetuit: cf. Plin. JV. H. vii. 125, idem hie imperator 
 edixit nequis ipsum alius quam Apelles pingeret, quam Pyrgoteles seal- 
 
372 BOOK II. EPISTLE 1. [PAGE 135. 
 
 peret, quam Lysippus ex aere duceret. Cf. also Cic. ad Fam. v. 2. 
 Apellen : the most famous of Greek painters, an Ionian by birth. 
 Many stories are told of the realism of his pictures. 
 
 240. alius Lysippo : other than Lysippus ; ablative of compari- 
 son ; cf. i. 16. 20. Lysippus was one of the most noted Greek sculptors, 
 a native of Sicyon. See Plin. JV". H. xxxiv. 63, nobilitatur Lysippus et 
 temulenta tibicine et canibus ac venatione. Fecit et Alexandrum Mag- 
 num multis operibus a pueritia eius ortus. See note on line 241 below. 
 aera : bronze statues. 
 
 241. voltum simulantia : cf. Prop. iii. 9. 9, Gloria Lysippi est 
 animosa effingere signa. 
 
 242. iudicium subtile: cf. Serm. ii. 7. 101. PJin. N. H. xxxv. 
 85, however, says : Alexandro Magno frequenter in officinam venti- 
 tanti . . . imperite tnulta disserenti (Apelles) silentium comiter sua- 
 debat, rideri eum dicens a pueris, qui colores tererent. artibus : 
 works of art ; cf. line 203 above. 
 
 243. adlibros . . . et dona : i.e. to literary works in distinction 
 from painting and statuary. 
 
 244. Boeotum : genitive plural. The Boeotians were proverbial 
 in ancient times for stupidity, and the characteristic was attributed to 
 the heavy air of their moist, swampy country. Cf. Cic. de Fato, 4. 7, 
 Athenis tenue caelum, ex quo etiam acutiores putantur Attici; eras- 
 sum Thebis, itaque pingues Thebani. 
 
 246. munera : Virgil is said to have received 1,000,000 sesterces 
 for the lines on Marcellus in Aen. vi. 862 ff., and Varius the same sum 
 for his tragedy Tfiyestes. 
 
 247. Varius : see note on Serm. i. 5. 40. 
 
 248. expressi : depicted; cf. Cic. Arch. 6. 14, quam multas nobis 
 imagines fortissimorum virorum expressas scriptores Graeci et Latini 
 reliquerunt. 
 
 250. sermones: referring both to the Sermones and to the 
 Epistles ; see Introd. 24. 
 
 251. repentis per humum : cf. Serm. ii. 6. 17, musa pedestri. 
 res . . . gestas: i.e. an epic poem dealing with the exploits of 
 Augustus. 
 
 252. terrarumque situs, etc. : i.e. the descriptions of the scenes 
 of the epic. 
 
 254. duella : the archaic form of bella. In this passage, as in 
 Serm. ii. 1. 13 f., Horace gives an idea of what he might have done in 
 the epic line. 
 
PAGE 138.] BOOK II. EPISTLE 2. 373 
 
 255. claustraque . . . lanum : referring to the closing of the 
 temple of Janus ; cf. Odes, iv. 15. 9. 
 
 256. Parthis : one of the deeds of which Augustus was most 
 proud, which the poets of the Augustan age constantly refer to, was 
 the recovery of the standards lost by Crassus at Carrhae in 53 B.C. 
 
 257. parvum : humble. 
 
 258. recipit: admit. 
 
 259. vires ferre recusent : cf. Ars Poet. 39. 
 
 260. stulte: emphatic, modifying diligit ; who foolishly attempts 
 devotion beyond his powers. urget : i.e. vires ferre recusant, and it 
 crushes him. 
 
 261. numeris et arte : i.e. in poetry. commendat : recom- 
 mends; cf. i. 18. 7. 
 
 262. discit : sc. aliquis, implied in quis below. The idea is that 
 one remembers faults more easily than one does merits. Cf. Cic. de 
 Orat. i. 28. 129, nihil est enim tarn insigne nee tarn ad diuturnitatem 
 memoriae stabile quam id, in quo aliquid offenderis. 
 
 264. nil moror : I care nothing ; cf. i. 15. 16. ofn'cium quod 
 me gravat : cf. sedulitas . . . urguet, line 260. 
 
 265. proponi cereus : i.e. to have waxen images of himself offered 
 for sale. 
 
 267. pingui: stupid; cf. Serm. ii. 6. 14. 
 
 268. cum scriptore meo : i.e. both the poet and his subject are 
 consigned to oblivion. porrectus : like a corpse on the bier. 
 
 269. vicuna : the Vicus Tuscus; see note on Serm. ii. 3. 228. 
 
 270. amicitur : unsalable poems were used for wrapping paper; 
 cf. Catull. 95. 7, Volusi annales Paduam morientur ad ipsam Et laxas 
 scombris saepe dabunt tunicas. 
 
 EPISTLE II. 
 
 1. Flore : cf. i. 3. 1. amice : as a member of the cohors amico- 
 rum; cf. i. 3. 6. Neroni : i.e. Tiberius; cf. i. 3. 2. 
 
 2. puerum . . . natum Tibure vel Gabiis : i.e. a verna of Italian 
 birth, regarded as more valuable than the foreign slaves. 
 
 3. agat : deal, treat, of the seller recommending his goods. 
 
 5. fiet eritque : the double term is characteristic of legal forms, 
 such as bills of sale and the like. nummonim . . . octo : 8000 
 sesterces (about $400), an average price for a slave of the kind, 
 
 6. ministeriis : dative with aptus. 
 
374 BOOK II. EPISTLE 2. [PAGE 138. 
 
 7. litterulis : a contemptuous expression natural in the mouth of 
 the slave dealer. imbutus : with a smattering of. Cf. Tac. Dial. 
 19, elementis studiorum etsi non instructus, at certe imbutus. ido- 
 neus arti cuilibet : i.e. capable of being taught any accomplishment. 
 He cQuld be made a reader or an amanuensis, or the like. 
 
 8. argilla . . . uda : i.e. he is still impressionable and capable of 
 being moulded to any form one might desire. 
 
 9. indoctum sed dulce : i.e. in a sweet but untrained voice. 
 bibenti : i.e. his singing would be acceptable at a comissatio or sym- 
 posium, where his hearers would be less critical. 
 
 10. multa, etc. : i.e. too many promises are suspicious, and give 
 the impression that the seller is anxious to get rid of a worthless article. 
 levant = leviorem faciunt. 
 
 11. extrudere : to get off his hands; see Introd. 55. a. 
 
 12. res . . . nulla : i.e. I am under no necessity. meo . . . 
 acre : i.e. in humble circumstances, but out of debt. Meum aes is the 
 opposite of aes alienum. Cf. Cic. Verr. ii. 4. 6. 11, hominem . . . non 
 modo in aere alieno nullo, sed in suis nummis multis esse. 
 
 13. hoc . . . faceret: i.e. would treat you so fairly. non 
 temere : not without special reason ; i.e. I would not do this for 
 every one. 
 
 14. semel : emphatic ; just once. cessavit : see note on cessa- 
 tor, Serm. ii. 7. 100. 
 
 15. in scalis : under the stairs. Cf. Cic. Mil. 15. 40 (cum Clodius} 
 se . . . fugiens in scalarum tenebras abdidisset. pendentis habe- 
 nae : i.e. the thong (lorum~), hung up in a conspicuous place as a 
 warning. 
 
 16. except a : the regular word for an exception or provision in a 
 bargain ; cf. Serm. ii. 3. 286. des : the apodosis of si velit . . . 
 agat, in lines 2-3. 
 
 17. poenae securus : without fear of penalty, since he had ex- 
 pressly mentioned the slave's fault. On the case of poenae, see Introd. 
 40. a. 
 
 18. prudens : wittingly, with your eyes open. lex : the condi- 
 tions of the sale. \ 
 
 19. moraris: i.e. consume his time. 
 
 20. dixi, etc. : the application of the example. 
 
 21. mancum : crippled, a stronger word than pigrum. talibus 
 officiis: i.e. letter writing ; dative of purpose with mancum. mea : 
 with epistula, a bold hyperbaton. 
 
PAGE 139.] BOOK II. EPISTLE 2. 375 
 
 23. mecum facientia iura : the law which is on my side; since he 
 had warned his friend, as the slave dealer had the purchaser. 
 
 24. super hoc : hoc seems to be accusative, since the expression 
 super haec is of frequent occurrence. 
 
 26. Luculli miles : Horace illustrates the situation by an anecdote, 
 viatica: strictly, travelling expenses; cf, i. 17. 54. Here it means 
 savings from his pay, from booty, etc. 
 
 27. ad assem : to a penny; i.e. wholly. 
 
 28. vemens lupus in apposition with the subject of deiecit, the 
 person being identified, as frequently in Horace, with the thing with 
 which he is compared. The comparison of soldiers with wolves is a 
 common one. Vemens is probably a contracted form foTvehemens. 
 
 30. praesidium : garrison. deiecit : the technical word. 
 
 31. rerum : genitive with divite. See Introd. 40. a. 
 
 32. donis honestis : gifts of honor, such as coronae aureae, hastae 
 purae, phalerae, torques, armillae. 
 
 33. bis dena sestertia: 20,000 sesterces (about $1000), probably 
 his share from the sale of the booty. minimum: not commonly 
 used after sestertia, to which it is frequently equivalent. Here it 
 means in cash. 
 
 34. praetor : general, the original meaning of the word. 
 
 35. nescid : the regular quantity in the combination nescio 
 quis, etc. 
 
 36. mentem: here meaning courage, like animus. Cf. i. 2. 60. 
 timido quoque : even to a coward. 
 
 37. pede iausto : i.e. and good luck go with you, an assurance of 
 the ease of the undertaking, as well as a wish. Ablative of attendant 
 circumstance. 
 
 38. laturus: and you will receive. See Introd. 47. quid 
 stas? cf. Serm. i. 1. 19. 
 
 39. ibit, ibit : ironically repeating the i . . . i of line 37. 
 
 40. zonam : money-belt. Apparently not like those of modern 
 times, but with a purse (crumena) hanging from them. Cf., however, 
 C. Gracch. ap. Gell. xv. 12. 4, zonas . . . plenas argenti. 
 
 41. contigit: it has been my good fortune; cf. i. 2.46. doceri 
 . . . Achilles : i.e. to study Greek and read the Iliad, which was used 
 as a text-book. Cf. Plin. Epist. ii. 14. 2, in foro pueros a centum- 
 viralibus catisis auspicari ut ab Homero in scholis. 
 
 43. Athenae : Horace, like many young men of his day, went to 
 Athens to complete his education. See Introd. 2. 
 
376 BOOK II. EPISTLE 2. [PAGE 139. 
 
 44. lit vellem . . . dinoscere : of the study of philosophy. 
 curvo : used somewhat humorously for wrong, as deflected from 
 the straight path. The same idea is found in pravum and vitium. 
 See note on Serm. i. 3. 1. 
 
 45. silvas Academi : i.e. the Academy, a grove in the suburbs of 
 Athens, where Plato had his school. Academus, from whom the grove 
 derived its name, was an Athenian hero, often identified with Cadmus. 
 
 47. aestus: the tide; cf. Odes, ii. 7. 15-16. 
 
 48. non responsura : i.e. fated not to be a match for. 
 
 49. unde : i.e. ex arstu belli civilis. simul primum : a rare 
 combination ; cf. simul ac and cum primum. 
 
 50. decisis . . . pinnis : with clipped wings, to be taken with 
 humilem (laid low}, as the position shows. paterni laris et 
 fundi: genitive with inopem. His father's estate was evidently 
 confiscated. 
 
 51. audax : with the subject of facerem, that I should venture to 
 make verses. 
 
 52. quod non desit: i.e. quod satis est, object of habentem. 
 habentem : sc. me. 
 
 53. expurgare: cure, of the disease of writing. cicutae: re- 
 garded as a cure for madness. 
 
 55. singula : one thing after another. anni . . . euntes : the 
 years as they pass. 
 
 56. ludum: of amusements in general. 
 
 57. extorquere : implying resistance on Horace's part. 
 
 58. denique, etc. : finally tastes differ, and he cannot please every 
 one. 
 
 59. carmine : lyric poetry, such as the Odes. iambis : such as 
 the Epodes; cf. Epod. 14. 7. 
 
 60. Bioneis: Bion the Borysthenite was a Scythian philosopher, 
 who lived about 250 B.C. He was notorious for his wit and cynicism. 
 The reference is to the Sermones. sale nigro: caustic wit. Cf. 
 Serm. ii. 4. 74, where sal nigrum is used of a coarse strong salt. 
 Doubtless, however, nigro is used with something of a figurative 
 meaning, as in Serm. i. 4. 85 and 100. 
 
 61. tres convivae : a small number of guests, but all of different 
 tastes. proper ironical. 
 
 62. multum diversa: widely different things. Cf. i. 10. 3. 
 
 64. acidum : used especially of wine. 
 
 65. praeter cetera : above all. 
 
PAGE 140.] BOOK II. EPISTLE 2. 377 
 
 67. sponsum : supine. Cf. Serin, ii. 6. 23. auditum scripta : 
 i.e. to a recitation of his works. 
 
 68. omnibus ofn'ciis : i.e. all other business. cubat : lies sick ; 
 cf. Serm. i. 9. 18. 
 
 70. humane commoda : reasonably convenient, ironical. Humane 
 is used to intensify commodum, like misere. verum : a suggestion 
 that the case is not so bad after all. 
 
 71. purae: clear, free from obstruction. meditantibus : i.e. 
 he can compose as he goes. Cf. Serm. i. 9. 2. 
 
 72. festinat : emphatic ; nay. the contractor rushes on in hot 
 haste. mulis gerulisque : instrumental ablative. 
 
 73. torquet : swings. machina : a derrick or crane. 
 
 74. tristia funera : cf. Serm. i. 6. 42 f. robustis : heavy, made 
 strong for carrying great loads. 
 
 75. hac : sc. via ; hac . . . hac is poetic and rare ; see Introd. 
 48. a ; cf. Virg. Aen. i. 467 f. 
 
 76. i mine : go now, if you can. Cf. i. 6. 17. 
 
 77. Bcriptorum poetarum ; cf. ii. 1. 36. urbem: the city, 
 used in a general sense. 
 
 78. rite : regularly, for all time. cliens Bacchi : cf. i. 19. 4. 
 
 80. contracta vestigia: i.e. the narrow path ; for contracta, cf. 
 contractus in i. 7. 12. 
 
 81. ingenium: a mind, i.e. a man of intellect. The idea is that 
 'not even in Athens can one give himself entirely to study and literary- 
 pursuits without making himself ridiculous ; much less is it possible at 
 Eome. vacuas : quiet ; cf. i. 7. 45. desumpsit: has chosen as 
 a home. 
 
 82. insenuit: has grown gray. 
 
 83. curis : meditation, study. statua taciturnius : a proverbial 
 expression ; cf. Serm. ii. 5. 40. 
 
 84. hie : here, i.e. in Rome. 
 
 86. motura : designed to rouse, i.e. suited for lyric poetry. co- 
 nectere : to weave. digner : am I to think fit ? 
 
 87. ut alter : of such a sort that they praised each other. For 
 the form of the result clause, cf. i. 16. 12. 
 
 88. meros honores : nothing but praise. 
 
 89. Gracchus : probably C. Gracchus, who was the greatest orator 
 of his time. As Tiberius Gracchus was also a celebrated orator, 
 Horace may use the name without special regard to either. illi : in 
 his eyes ; dative of the person judging. Mucius : there were three 
 
378 BOOK II. EPISTLE 2. [PAGE 140. 
 
 celebrated jurists named Mucius Scaevola. Here, too, Horace may use 
 the name generally, or he may have the eldest in mind as contem- 
 porary with the Gracchi. 
 
 90. qui minus : how much the less. 
 
 91. hie : another, very probably Propertius, who calls himself the 
 Roman Callimachus (Prop. iv. 1. 64 ; cf. line 100 below). mirabile 
 . . . opus : in apposition with carmina and elegos, and representing 
 the praise bestowed by the two poets on each other. 
 
 92. novem Musis : i.e. all the muses must have taken part in its 
 production. 
 
 93. molimine : conscious effort. circum spectemus : tmesis ; 
 cf. Serm. i. 2. 62-63 ; ii. 3. 117-118 ; In trod. 53. o. 
 
 94. vacuam . . . aedem : apparently referring to the bibliotheca 
 Latina in the temple of Apollo on the Palatine. 
 
 95. mox etiam : their books are received into the Palatine Library, 
 and later they recite their works in public. sequere : to the hall 
 where the recitation was given, perhaps also in the same temple. 
 
 96. coronam : the prize of victory ; cf. Odes, i. 26. 8. 
 
 97. caedimur . . . ho stem : like gladiators in combat. 
 
 98. Samnites : heavy armed gladiators, originally from Campania ; 
 cf. Liv. ix. 40. 17. ad lumina prima : i.e. until evening, when the 
 lights were lit. duello : originally a combat between two, and per- 
 haps here used on account of its original signification. 
 
 99. discedo : I come off from the contest. Alcaeus : an 
 Alcaeus, i.e. the equal of Alcaeus ; cf. Odes, ii. 13. 26. puncto : 
 vote. meo: sc. puncto. 
 
 100. Callimachus : the most brilliant of the Alexandrian school 
 of Greek poets, a native of Cyrene. His elegies were imitated by 
 Catullus, Ovid, and Propertius. si plus . . . visus : i.e. if this does 
 not satisfy him. adposcere : an archaic word found only here and 
 in Ter. Heaut. 838. 
 
 101. Mimnermus : nourished 640-600 B.C., by some regarded as a 
 greater elegiac poet than Callimachus. optivo = adoptivo, since the 
 name was not his by birth, but by adoption. 
 
 102. multa fero : / endure a great deal. 
 
 103. suffragia capto : cf. i. 19. 37. 
 
 104. mente recepta: since writing poetry is looked on as a 
 species of madness ; cf. line 90 above. 
 
 105. obturem: apodosis to the protasis implied in finitis . . . 
 recepta. impune : with obturem. 
 
PAGE 141.] BOOK II. EPISTLE 2. 379 
 
 106. verum : yet. 
 
 107. scribentes : i.e. in the act of writing. ultro: of their 
 own accord, explained by si taceas. 
 
 108. beati : with laudant, i.e. happy in their self-conceit. 
 
 109. legitimum : i.e. corresponding to the rules of art; cf. Ars 
 Poet. 274. 
 
 110. cum tabulis : i.e. when he takes his tablets in hand to write, 
 honesti : conscientious. 
 
 111. audebit : he will have the courage. 
 
 113. movere loco : expel, as the censor removes unworthy mem- 
 bers from the senate. 
 
 114. intra penetralia Vestae : within the shrine of Vesta. 
 
 115. populo : with eruet. bonus : kindly. 
 
 117. Catonibus atque Cethegis : i.e. men like Cato (the censor) 
 and Cethegus (consul in 204 B.C.), types of the olden time. 
 
 118. situs : neglect, rust. informis : of the effect produced, 
 disfiguring, ugly. deserta : abandoned. 
 
 119. adsciscet nova : sc. verba, as the censor enrolls new mem- 
 bers in the senate, genitor : as father. USUB: usage. 
 
 120. vehemens : powerful. 
 
 121. beabit : bless, enrich. Cf. Ars Poet. 57 ; and on the word, 
 i. 18. 75. 
 
 122. luxuriantia : sc. verba, excessive, likened to a vine which 
 grows too rank. aspera : rough. sano : well-regulated. He 
 will not polish his work so much as to take away its strength. 
 
 123. virtute carentia: i.e. ignava ; cf. ii. 1. 67. toilet : 
 elevate, i.e. improve their tone. 
 
 124. ludentis: of one at play, i.e. without effort. torque- 
 bitur : will use all his efforts; exert himself to the utmost; torque- 
 bitur has a middle force. 
 
 125. Satynun . . . Cyclopa : accusative of the inner object ; cf. 
 Serm. i. 5. 63. movetur : dances, passive with the force of the middle. 
 
 126. praetulerim : / should prefer, rather than to take all this 
 trouble. Potential subjunctive. delirus : see note on Serm. ii. 3. 107. 
 
 127. denique : at least. 
 
 128. ringi : to be vexed, lit. to show one's teeth like an angry dog. 
 Cf. Ter. Phorm. 341, Ditm tibi fit quod placeat, ille ringitur, on which 
 Donatus's comment is : ringi est stomachari taciturn : est enim trans- 
 latio a canibus latraturis. baud ignobilis : sc. quidam, a well- 
 known man, i.e. the story is a familiar one. Argis : at Argos, the 
 
380 BOOK II. EPISTLE 2. [PAGE 141. 
 
 Latin form of the word ; cf. Varro, Ling. Lat. ix. 50, Graecanice hoc 
 Argos, Latine Argi. 
 
 130. sessor plausorque : i.e. regularly sitting and applauding. 
 
 131. servaret : characteristic subjunctive ; in other respects a man 
 who. Cf. credebat in line 129. Vitae munia is explained in the fol- 
 lowing lines. 
 
 133. ignoscere servis : cf. Serm. i. 3. 80 f . 
 
 134. signo laeso : i.e. has stolen a jar of wine. The jars were 
 closed and sealed. 
 
 135. rupem . . . vitare : cf. Serm. ii. 3. 56 f. puteum . . . 
 patentem : an open well, i.e. with the cover off. 
 
 136. opibus : very nearly = ope. 
 
 137. elleboro : regarded as a remedy for madness ; cf. Serm. ii. 
 3. 82. bilem : supposed to cause insanity ; cf. Plaut. Amph. 720, 
 atra bili percita est. 
 
 138. Pol : cf. i. 7. 93, and the note. 
 
 141. nimirum sapere, etc. : finally, the proper occupation for a 
 man of Horace's time of life is the study of philosophy ; cf. i. 1. 
 nugis : cf. ludicra, i. 1. 10, and Serm. i. 9. 2. 
 
 142. pueris : governed both by tempestivum and by concedere, airb 
 KOIVOI ; see Introd. 42. 
 
 143. sequi: follow after, i.e. try to find. 
 
 144. numerosque modosque : cf. i. 18. 59. 
 
 145. recorder : i.e. he recalls to his mind the precepts which he 
 has learned from his teachers. 
 
 146. sitim : i.e. if you had dropsy ; cf. Odes, ii. 2. 13. 
 
 147. quant o . . . cupis : avarice, a vice which Horace is con- 
 stantly satirizing, is likened to a dropsy of the mind. 
 
 148. nulline . . . andes : i.e. would you be ashamed to confess 
 your trouble and have it treated ? Cf. i. 1C. 24. 
 
 149. monstrata : i. e. prescribed. 
 
 150. fugeres . . . curarier : you would refuse to be treated; with 
 the construction, cf. Odes, i. 9. 13. On the form curarier, see Introd. 
 35. a. 
 
 151. audieras : from the people who believed it ; cf. i. 1. 53 f. 
 
 152. donarent : a general statement, put into a past tense after 
 audieras. decedere : the technical expression for being cured of a 
 disease ; cf. Lucr. ii. 34, Nee calidae citius decedunt corpore febres. 
 
 153. ex quo : ' from the time when ' ; i.e. since you became richer. 
 
 154. plenior: richer; cf. Odes, ii. 12. 24. 
 
PAGE 143.] BOOK II. EPISTLE 2. 381 
 
 156. nempe : surely. 
 
 158. libra . . . et aere : the usual way of conveying property at 
 Rome was by a symbolic sale, in which a balance, held by a third party, 
 was struck by the recipient with a copper coin. 
 
 159. consultis : for iuris consultis ; cf. line 87 above. manci- 
 pat : makes your property ; strictly this term can be used only of the 
 process described in the note to line 158, but it is here used figura- 
 tively, usus : possession, which if long enough continued gave a 
 legal title. 
 
 160. qui te pascit ager : i.e. the field which grows the grain on 
 which you live is yours, whether you own it or another. Orbi : 
 otherwise unknown ; doubtless a rich neighbor of the poet. 
 
 161. daturas: which are to give you; see Introd. 47. 
 
 163. temeti : an old word for wine. modo isto : since the 
 elision of the last syllable of an iambic word before an accented syl- 
 lable is very rare, probably isto is to be pronounced sto, according to 
 the popular usage. The form is read in Cicero's Letters and may have 
 been the original reading here. 
 
 164. trecentis . . . milibus: 300,000 sesterces (about $15,000). 
 
 166. nuper an olim : i.e. some time ago (by buying the estate) or 
 from time to time, as you buy provisions. 
 
 167. emptor quondam : for qui quondam emit. Aricini 
 Veientis et arvi : of an estate at Aricia or Veil. 
 
 168. emptum : emphatic, boughten. So emptis. Cf. Epod. ii. 
 48, dapes inemptas. 
 
 169. sub noctem : at nightfall. 
 
 170. usque . . . qua . . . iurgia : as far as where the line of 
 poplars avoids quarrels with the neighbors by the fixed boundary which 
 it makes ; i.e. the owner plants a line of poplars and by thus fixing his 
 boundary line avoids the possibility of dispute. This estate he calls 
 his, though, as has been shown, it is only so in a certain sense. The 
 poplars are said to avoid quarrels since they free the owner from them. 
 Limitibus is ablative of instrument. 
 
 172. puncto . . . mobilis horae : in a short time; see note on 
 horae momento, Serm. i. 1. 7. 
 
 173. prece : that is as a gift. pretio : by sale. vi : for ex- 
 ample, by confiscation. morte suprema : by death, which ends 
 all. 
 
 176. alterius : sc. heredis ; a succession of heirs. velut . . . 
 undam : as wave follows wave. Cf. Ovid, Met. xv. 181, ut unda im~ 
 
382 BOOK II. EPISTLE 2. [PAGE 143. 
 
 pellitur unda. Urgeturque eadem veniente urgetque priorem Tempora 
 sic fugiunt pariter. 
 
 177. vici : great estates. Calabris : . . Lucani : referring to 
 possessions in cattle. The herds were pastured in Apulia and Cala- 
 bria in winter, and driven to the hills of Lucania and Samnium in the 
 summer. Cf. Epod. 1. 27. 
 
 178. Orcus : the comparison of death with a reaper is a familiar 
 one. 
 
 179. non exorabilis auro : cf. Odes, ii. 18. 34 ff. 
 
 180. sigilla : small statuettes of bronze. Cf. Plin. N". H. xxxiv. 
 34, signa quoque Tuscanica per terras dispersa quin in Etruria facti- 
 tata sint non est dubium. 
 
 181. argentum : plate; cf. i. 6. 17. Gaetulo : the Gaetuliau 
 purple was famous. 
 
 182. est qui non curat : there is one who does not care, namely, 
 the poet himself. Note the indicative, contrasted with the subjunctive 
 after an indefinite antecedent. See Introd. 45. c. 
 
 183. alter fratnim : such differences of temperament in brothers 
 was a favorite subject in comedy ; so in the Adelphi of Terence. 
 cessare : cf. i. 7. 57. ungui : to be anointed with oil, for a banquet 
 or revel ; cf. Odes, ii. 11. 17. 
 
 184. Herodis : Herod the Great, king of Judaea, 39-4 B.C. pal- 
 metis : used here as a synonym for great riches, since the yield in 
 dates from such a grove would be great. 
 
 185. importunus : insatiate ; cf. Serm. ii. 5. 96. ad umbram 
 lucis : i.e. until nightfall. 
 
 186. mitiget : subdues ; cf. pacantur, i. 2. 45 ; the wild land is 
 subdued like an enemy with fire and steel. 
 
 187. Genius: cf. ii. 1. 144. natale astrum : his natal star; 
 cf. Odes, ii. 17. 21. For Horace's views on astrology, cf. Odes, i. 11 ; 
 Serm. i. 6. 114. temperat : controls. 
 
 188. deus . . . mortalis : i.e. a god as regards its nature and its 
 power, but mortal as regards the individual ; see note on i. 7. 94. 
 
 189. voltu mutabilis : i.e. representing men of different charac- 
 ter, albus et ater : applying to fortune (cf. Odes, i. 12. 27) and to 
 character; cf. Cic. Phil. ii. 16. 41, qui albus aterne fuerit ignoras; 
 Catull. 93. 2, Nee scire utrum sis albus an ater homo. 
 
 190. utar : used absolutely, as in i. 7. 57. ex modico acervo : 
 the opposite of Serm. i. 1. 51. res : circumstances. 
 
 192. datis : i.e. than what was actually left him. 
 
PAGE 147.] BOOK II. EPISTLE 3. 383 
 
 193. scire volam : I shall wish to know the difference between 
 good living and extravagance, and between frugality and parsimony, 
 and regulate my life accordingly. simplex : frank, open. 
 
 197. ac potius: or rather. Quinquatribus : the festival of 
 Minerva, from March 19 to March 23. It was observed as a school 
 holiday, since Minerva was the goddess of wisdom and learning. 
 
 198. raptim : i.e. crowding as much enjoyment as possible into 
 the short time. 
 
 199. utrum ... an: as if nihil distat preceded. 
 
 201. tumidis veils : i.e. my sails are not swollen by too favorable 
 a wind (cf. Odes, ii. 10. 23), nor yet are they wholly unfavorable. 
 
 202. aetatem ducimus : cf. Epod. 17. 63. 
 
 203. specie: appearances. 
 
 204. usque: always. 
 
 205. non es : with concessive force. abi : good, go in peace; a 
 colloquial expression ; verbum vel sibi vel alien blandientis, Donatus 
 on Ter. Ad. 765. cetera: sc. vitia from vitio. inani: cf. ii. 1. 211. 
 
 207. ira: to be taken like formidine with mortis; cf. Lucr. iii. 
 1045, Tu vero dubitabis et indignabere obire? 
 
 208. somnia : i.e. a superstitious belief in dreams. 
 
 209. nocturnes lemures: umbras vagantes hominum ante diem 
 mortuorum et ideo metuendas, Porph. ad loc. Thessala : the Thes- 
 salian witches and witchcraft were famous ; cf. Epod. 5. 45 ; Odes, i. 
 27. 21. 
 
 210. natalis . . . numeras: i.e. do you enjoy each year as it 
 passes ? ignoscis amicis : cf. Serm. i. 3. 25 f. ; i. 3. 84 f . 
 
 212. exempta . . . una : sc. spina. spinis : cf. i. 14. 4. 
 
 213. decede peritis : make way for those who do. Peritis is 
 dative ; cf. Odes, ii. 6. 15. 
 
 215. abire: as from a banquet; cf. Serm. i. 1. 119. largius 
 aequo : more plentifully than is proper. 
 
 216. pulset: drive you forth. lasciva decentius : in which 
 merry-making is more seemly. 
 
 EPISTLE III. 
 
 1. humano capiti, etc. : Horace forcibly illustrates the necessity 
 of unity by describing an absurd composition in the pictorial art. 
 humano . . . equinam: the contrast is heightened by the chiastic 
 order. 
 
384 BOOK II. EPISTLE 3. [PAGE 147. 
 
 2. velit : should take it into his head. inducere : the regular 
 word for ' laying on ' color. 
 
 3. membris : probably dative with inducere. undique : i.e. 
 from all sorts of animals. turpiter atrum : to be taken together 
 (ugly black} , contrasted with formosa superne. 
 
 5. spectatum : supine. amici : even though you were friends 
 of the painter. 
 
 6. Pisones : according to Porphyrio, the Epistle is addressed to 
 L. Calpurnius Piso, consul in 15 B.C., and praefectus urbis under 
 Tiberius. His two sons are included in the term Pisones. librum : 
 a poem of any kind. Cf. ii. 1. 220. 
 
 7. vanae . . . species : fancies. There is no criticism in the 
 term itself, except in so far as it is qualified by the following wi-clause. 
 
 9. reddatur : is suited to, corresponds to. pictoribus, etc. : a 
 reply to Horace's words. 
 
 10. aequa : equal, like, i.e. both for painters and poets. 
 
 11. petimus damusque : we ask it as poets and grant it to 
 painters. 
 
 12. sed . . . non ut: but not on the understanding that; i.e. 
 there are limits. coeant : cf. i. 5. 25. Stipulative subjunctive ; 
 see Introd. 45. e. 
 
 13. geminentur : i.e. united in one form. 
 
 14. inceptis : beginnings. plerumque = saepe ; cf. Serm. ii. 5. 55. 
 
 15. purpureus . . . pannus: the reference does not seem to be 
 to the purple stripe on the tunic or toga, but rather to a patchwork 
 effect. splendeat: subjunctive of purpose. 
 
 16. lucus et ara, etc. : these incongruous details are doubtless real 
 examples taken from poets of the day, but they cannot be identified. 
 
 17. ambitus : the winding course. 
 
 18. Rhenum : the adjective, instead of the substantive Ehenus ; 
 cf. Odes, i. 10. 15. 
 
 19. sed : with an implied ellipsis ; very good, but. cupressum 
 . . . simulare : apparently proverbial ; cf. Porph. ad loc., hoc prover- 
 bium est in malum pictorem qui nesciebat aliud bene pingere quam 
 cupressum. Ab hoc naufragus quidam petiit ut pericuhim suum ex- 
 primeret. Ille interrogavit, num ex cupresso vellet aliquid adicere. 
 Quod proverbium Graecis in usu est. 
 
 20. si enatat : i.e. if you are painting an ex voto (see note on 
 Serm. i. 5. 66.) for a man who has been shipwrecked. Cf. Odes, i. 5. 
 13 ; Serm. ii. 1. 33. 
 
PAGE 148.] BOOK II. EPISTLE 3. 385 
 
 21. acre dato : i.e. he has paid his money, and has a right to 
 expect a good piece of work. 
 
 22. rota : the potter's wheel. urceus : a pitcher. The potter 
 plans an amphora and produces a small jug. Cf. line 139 below. 
 
 23. denique : in short, summing up the bearing of the preceding 
 examples. dumtaxat : provided it be. See note on Serm. ii. 6. 42. 
 
 24. vatum : of us poets, on account of decipimur. 
 
 25. specie: idea, notion; i.e. our own idea, which is often wrong. 
 
 26. levia : smoothness, polish. nervi : strength. 
 
 27. grandia : a lofty style; cf. Quint, x. 2. 16, plerumque (imita- 
 tores) declinant in peius et proxima virtutibus vilia comprehendunt 
 fiuntque pro grandibus tumidi. 
 
 28. procellae : perhaps used in the same sense as in Odes, ii. 10. 
 1 f., in which case there is a mixture of metaphors, or, as in iv. 2. 25, 
 of the dangers which attend a high flight. 
 
 29. rem . . . unam : a simple subject. prodigialiter: i.e. by 
 introducing marvels. The word seems to be coined by Horace. 
 
 31. caret : the subject is the same as that of appingit. 
 
 32. Aemilium . . . ludum : Porph. says : Aemilii Lepidi Indus 
 gladiatorius fuit, quid mine Polycleti balineum est. imus : i.e. the 
 most obscure. 
 
 33. exprimet: cf. ii. 1. 248. mollis: i.e. with lifelike effect. 
 
 34. infelix operis summa : unsuccessful in his work as a whole. 
 ponere : to represent ; cf. Odes, iv. 8. 8. 
 
 35. hunc: i.e. a man like that; cf. i. 6. 40, ne fueris hie tu; 
 Introd. 48. a. 
 
 36. pravo : crooked. 
 
 37. spectandum : worth looking at, an object of admiration. 
 nigris . . . capillo : regarded as a mark of beauty ; cf. Odes, i. 
 32. 11. 
 
 38. materiam : a subject. qui scribitis : all ye who write; not 
 addressed to the Pisones. 
 
 39. versate : consider; perhaps with the idea of trying the weight 
 before raising it to the shoulders. 
 
 40. potenter : according to his powers ; Kara rb Swarbv, Porph. 
 
 41. facundia: the power of expression. lucidus ordo : clear 
 arrangement. 
 
 42. ordinis : stands first in the sentence, as the subject of the dis- 
 cussion ; so far as arrangement is concerned. Venus : charm. 
 aut ego fallor : unless I am mistaken. 
 
386 BOOK II. EPISTLE 3. [PAGE 148. 
 
 43. ut iam mine . . . dici : i.e. to say each thing in its proper 
 place. iam mine : just now. 
 
 44. pleraque : many things. 
 
 45. promissi : i.e. one which has been long promised. 
 
 46. in verbis . . . serendis : in the choice of words. 
 
 47. callida . . . novum : i.e. to use common words in such con- 
 nections as to give an impression of novelty. 
 
 48. si forte necesse est : new words may be coined in modera- 
 tion and with circumspection, to express new ideas which cannot be 
 expressed in words yet in use. So especially Lucretius, and Cicero in 
 his philosophical works. 
 
 49. indiciis : signs. abdita rerum : abstruse thoughts; rerum 
 is genitive of the whole ; see Introd. 40. c. 
 
 50. cinctutis : kilted, an example of a new word. The cinctus or 
 campestre was a loin-cloth which in early times was worn under the 
 toga instead of the tunic. See i. 11. 18. Cethegis : typical of the 
 olden time ; cf. ii. 2. 117. 
 
 51. continget: sc. tibi; you will be allowed. sumpta puden- 
 ter : if used with moderation. 
 
 52. fidem : acceptance, credit. 
 
 53. Graeco . . . detorta : not borrowed words (cf. jSerm.i. 10.20), 
 but words formed after the analogy of the Greek. quid autem : 
 i.e. why should the privilege of coining new words be allowed the 
 early poets and denied to their successors ? 
 
 55. Vergilio : Virgil was criticised for his use of Greek words. 
 adquirere pauca : contrasted with ditaverit, line 57. 
 
 56. invideor : for mihi invidetur ; perhaps colloquial, or after the 
 analogy of the Greek <t>6ovovfj.ai. Cf. imperor, i. 5. 21. 
 
 59. signatum : stamped, like a coin. praesente nota : the 
 current device, or mint-mark. 
 
 60. foliis : ablative of specification. Cf. mutati voluntate, Cic. ad 
 Fam. v. 21. 1." pronos in annos: in annos is from year to year ; 
 cf. in horas, line 160 below ; Serm. ii. 7. 10 ; Odes, ii. 13. 14. Pronos 
 gives the idea of rapid change ; cf. Odes, iv. 6. 39. With the simile, 
 cf. Iliad, vi. 146 f . 
 
 61. prima cadunt : a clause coordinate with mutantur ; there is 
 an ellipsis in thought of something like nova succrescunt. 
 
 63. debemur : i.e. in consequence of a natural law. nostraque : 
 and our works. receptus . . . aratrum : the reference probably is 
 to the works planned by Julius Caesar and interrupted by his death. 
 
PAGE 149.] BOOK II. EPISTLE 3. 387 
 
 They are described as they would be if actually completed. These 
 undertakings became proverbial for difficult tasks ; cf. Quint, iii. 8. 
 16, an siccari palus Pomptina, an portus fieri Ostiae possit. 
 
 64. arcet: protects; cf. Cic. in Cat. i. 13. 33, tu, Juppiter, hunc a 
 tuis arts ceterisque templis arcebis, which (sometimes with the simple 
 ablative in place of the abl. with a&) is the usual prose construction. 
 
 65. regis opus: i.e. a work like those of the Babylonian and 
 Egyptian kings, or like those attributed to the early Roman kings, 
 sterilis : unproductive, barren. palus diu : the reference is to the 
 Pomptine Marshes. The final syllable of diu is shortened before the 
 following vowel ; cf. si me amas, /Serm. i. 9. 38 ; Introd. 57. a. 
 
 67. iniquum frugibus : on account of the floods ; see Odes, i. 2. 
 
 68. facta: deeds, more general than opera, which it includes. 
 peribunt : are doomed to perish ; with the same general force as the 
 future participle. 
 
 69. nedum : much less. From nedum existimes honorem stare, 
 with ellipsis of the subjunctive and attraction of the infinitive into its 
 mood and tense. sermonum : words, in distinction from facta. 
 stet . . . vivax : endure and live. 
 
 70. znulta renascentur : archaic words are common in the poets, 
 and were used to excess by the archaistic school of writers, in the 
 time of Hadrian and the Antonines (117-180 A.D.). 
 
 71. usus: cf. ii. 2. 119. 
 
 72. arbitrium . . . ius . . . norma: arbitrium quod statuimus 
 nulla causa allata, ius facultas quam ceteri ultro agnoscunt ; norma 
 regula a nobis praescripta cui ceteri obtemperant (Orelli). 
 
 73. res gestae . . . bella : the themes of epic poetry. 
 
 74. quo . . . numero : the hexameter, which doubtless existed 
 before Homer. 
 
 75. versibus impariter iunctis : the elegiac distich, consisting of 
 alternate lines of dactylic hexameter and pentameter. Impariter is 
 one of Horace's new words. querimonia: i.e. dirges, apparently 
 the earliest use to which the metre was put, though its sphere was 
 afterwards greatly extended. 
 
 76. voti sententia compos : i.e. the songs of successful lovers. 
 
 77. tamen: though the use of the metre is certain, its inventor is 
 a matter of dispute. It is attributed to Archilochus, Mimnermus, and 
 Callinus by different authorities. exiguos : slight, as compared 
 with the heroic hexameter. 
 
 79. proprio : his own. The iambic poetry was the special vehicle 
 
388 BOOK II. EPISTLE 3. [PAGE 149. 
 
 of invective, and Archilochus is believed to have "been the inventor of 
 this type. rabies: cf. i. 19. 30 f. 
 
 80. socci: comedy; see note on ii. 1. 174. cepere: adopted; 
 i.e. later. coturni : tragedy ; really the buskin, or high boot, worn 
 by the tragic actor, to add to his height and dignity. Cf. Odes, ii. 1. 
 12. On the orthography of the word, see Serm. i. 5. 64. 
 
 81. alternis . . . sermonibus : dialogue. popularis strepitus : 
 the natural hum of a large audience. 
 
 82. natum rebus agendis : i.e. like the hexameter (cf. line 73), 
 suited for describing action. 
 
 83. fidibus : to the lyre, i.e. to lyric poetry. pueros deorum : 
 kings and heroes ; cf. Odes, iv. 2. The reference is to hymns. 
 
 84. pugilem . . . primum : odes celebrating victories in the 
 games, such as Pindar's. For equum, cf. Odes, iv. 2. 17 f. 
 
 85. iuvenum curas : i.e. love songs. libera : which frees from 
 care. 
 
 86. descriptas . . . vices : the lines which have been drawn, as 
 just described. colores : style, tone; cf. Serin, ii. 1. 60. 
 
 88. pudens prave : to be taken together, from false shame ; cf. 
 pudor mains, i. 16. 24. 
 
 89. versibus . . . tragicis : i.e. in the style and metre of tragedy. 
 
 90. indignatur : a stronger nonvult. privatis : i.e. suited to 
 everyday life. 
 
 91. cena Thyestae : a typical instance of a tragic subject. 
 
 92. singula quaeque : each subject, a summing-up of the preced- 
 ing lines. sortita : i.e. which has been alloted to it. 
 
 93. et : even. vocem . . . tollit : cf. Serm. i. 4. 48 ff. 
 
 94. delitigat : probably with reference to Heaut. 1035 f. Chremes 
 is a common name in comedy. In delitigat, de- has an intensive force, 
 as in deproelian, desaevire ; the word is a coinage of Horace's. 
 
 95. plerumque : often ; cf. line 14 above. sermone pedestri : 
 cf. Odes, ii. 12. 9 ; Serm. ii. 6. 17 ; Quint, x. 1. 81, multum enim supra 
 prosam orationem, quam pedestrem Graeci vocant (Plato) surgit. 
 
 96. Telephus : the hero of tragedies by Aeschylus, Sophocles, 
 Euripides, Agathon, Ennius, and Accius. Peleus: the hero of 
 tragedies of Sophocles and Euripides. 
 
 97. proicit : throws aside ; for abicit, as in Serm. ii. 3. 100 ; ii. 7. 
 53. ampullas : cf. i. 3. 14, and the note. sesquipedalia verba : 
 of the grandiloquent style of tragedy, perhaps with special reference to 
 the polysyllabic compounds of the early Roman tragic poets. 
 
PAGE 150.] BOOK II. EPISTLE 3. 389 
 
 98. curat : sc. tragicus. 
 
 99. pulchra : beautiful, in an artistic sense. dulcia sunto : 
 they must have feeling; dulcia is used of the language of simple 
 pathos, as distinguished from the sesquipedalia verba. 
 
 104. male : with mandata, words poorly assigned, i.e. not suited 
 to your position, since Horace is speaking rather of the language of the 
 tragedy than the delivery of the actor ; cf. fortunis absona, line 112 
 below. 
 
 106. voltum : character, part, as indicated by the mask. 
 
 108. format : adapts, i.e. we are capable of sympathizing with 
 every phase of fortune. 
 
 109. iuvat : makes us glad. 
 
 111. motus : emotions. interprete lingua : through the medium 
 of the tongue. 
 
 112. fortunis absona: i.e. male mandata; cf. line 104. 
 
 113. equites peditesque : i.e. the whole audience, high and low 
 alike ; pedites seems to be used humorously, for the sake of contrast 
 with equites. cachinnum : used of derisive laughter, or jeers. 
 
 114. divusne ... an heros : a finer distinction than that above, 
 based on a difference in character, not in station. 
 
 115. maturusne senex : cf. Odes, iv. 4. 55. The distinction is 
 here between differences of temperament, due to differences in age. 
 
 116. potens : imperious. 
 
 119. famam : tradition, which prescribed conventional types. 
 
 120. honoratum : apparently restored to honor, in distinction 
 from his situation at the beginning of the Iliad. reponis : lit. rep- 
 resent again, since he had once been described by Homer. 
 
 122. nihil non : everything ; litotes. armis : dative, contrasted 
 with iura. 
 
 123. Medea : the daughter of Aeetes, king of Colchis, celebrated 
 for her skill in the magic arts. She fled with Jason to Greece, and 
 when deserted by him, murdered their two children and her rival. 
 Her story is the subject of one of the tragedies of Euripides. In the 
 case of Medea and the other characters of the tragedy here mentioned, 
 Horace names their most striking characteristics. invicta : unyield- 
 ing. Ino : the daughter of Cadmus and wife of Athamas. In en- 
 deavoring to escape from her husband, who had gone mad, she threw 
 herself from a cliff, near Corinth, into the sea. The mother and child 
 were rescued by a dolphin. 
 
 124. Ixion : notorious for his treachery, first to his father-in-law 
 
390 BOOK II. EPISTLE 3. [PAGE 150. 
 
 Deioneus, whose death he caused, and then to Zeus, who had taken 
 pity on him and purified him from his guilt. lo : the daughter of 
 Inachus. She incurred the jealousy of Juno, who changed her into a 
 heifer. Juno then sent a gad-fly which pursued her over land and 
 sea. Orestes : see Serm. ii. 3. 133 ; ii. 3. 137. 
 
 125. inexpertum : i.e. a new character. 
 
 126. servetur . . . constet : i.e. let it be sibi convenientem ; cf. 
 line 119. 
 
 128. proprie communia dicere: i.e. to give individuality to 
 common types of character. 
 
 129. deducts : the present indicative contrasted with the imper- 
 fect subjunctive prof err es, seems to imply that Piso was writing a 
 tragedy based on the story of the Iliad. The thought is that it is 
 better to take the familiar characters of myth and song, and show 
 one's originality in handling them, than to attempt to create new 
 types of character ; i.e. to make new characters who shall be ferox in- 
 victaque, flebilis, etc. ; see lines 123-124. 
 
 131. publica materies: i.e. the common stock of legends and 
 myths. privati iuris : i.e. you can make it your own by handling 
 it in an original manner. 
 
 132. vilem . . . orbem : i.e. the beaten track. 
 
 133. verbum verbo . . . reddere : i.e. simply translate your 
 original, as the early Roman poets did. 
 
 134. desilies ... in artum : i.e. rashly get into a tight place ; 
 desilies implies recklessness. 
 
 135. pudor : i.e. respect for your original. operis lex : the 
 law of composition. 
 
 136. scriptor cyclicus : one of the so-called cyclic writers, who 
 wrote on subjects connected with the Trojan War and the expedition 
 of the Seven against Thebes. 
 
 137. fortunam . . . bellum : contrasted with the simple and un- 
 ostentatious beginning of the Iliad. 
 
 138. hiatu : lit. the opening of the mouth, i. e. of such a high-sound- 
 ing introduction. 
 
 139. parturient . . . mus : a Greek proverb. 
 141-142. A paraphrase of Odyss. i. 1-3. 
 
 143. fumum . . . lucem : the contrast between a fire which blazes 
 up quickly and then smokes, and one which begins with smoke and 
 afterwards burns brightly. 
 
 144. speciosa . . . miracula : i.e. his beautiful and marvellous tale. 
 
PAGE 152.] BOOK II. EPISTLE 3. 391 
 
 146. reditum . . . Meleagri : the reference is doubtless to some 
 cyclic writer, who sang of the return of Diomedes from Troy, and 
 began his story with the death of Meleager, the uncle of Diomedes. 
 
 147. gemino ab ovo: i.e. with the birth of Helen, the daughter 
 of*Leda and the Swan ; cf. Serm. ii. 1. 20. 
 
 148. semper . . . festinat: i.e. without undue digression. in 
 medias res : so Virgil begins in the middle of his story, and the Iliad 
 in the tenth year of the Trojan war. 
 
 150. tractata nitescere posse: i.e. of being able to treat brill- 
 iantly. 
 
 151. ita . . . sic : with this object in vicic, explained by the fol- 
 lowing purpose clause. mentitur: i.e. invents. 
 
 152. primo . . . imum : i.e. so that it is consistent throughout. 
 
 153. et populus mecum : and the people as well. 
 
 154. aulaea : i.e. the raising of the curtain at the end of the per- 
 formance. See note on ii. 1. 189. 
 
 155. cantor : probably the slave who stood near the flute-player 
 and sang the lyric parts of a comedy, while the actor made the appro- 
 priate gestures. 
 
 157. decor : i.e. its fitting representation. naturis et armis : 
 i.e. the change in temperament at different periods in life. 
 
 158. reddere voces : i.e. to talk, to reply in words. 
 
 160. iram colligit : a common expression in poetry ; cf. Ovid, 
 Metam. i. 234, colligit os rabiem. in boras : from hour to hour. 
 
 161. tandem : at last, indicating his impatient desire for freedom 
 from restraint. 
 
 162. equis canibusque: horses and hounds. Cf. Ter. Andr. 55, 
 Quod plerique omnes faciunt adulescentuli, lit animum ad aliquod 
 studium adiungant, aut equos Alere aut canes ad venandum. campi : 
 i.e. the Campus Martius. 
 
 163. flecti: the infinitive depends on cereus, as easily moulded as 
 wax. See Introd. 46. a. 
 
 164. utilium . . . provisor : i.e slow in learning what is best for 
 him. 
 
 165. amata : what has pleased him. relinquere pernix : i.e. 
 he changes his fancies quickly ; cf. ii. 1. 100. 
 
 166. conversis studiis : with a change of taste ; the desires of 
 the mature man are directly the opposite of those of the youth. 
 
 167. inservit honori: i.e. he devotes himself to securing political 
 preferment. 
 
392 BOOK II. EPISTLE 3. [PAGE 152. 
 
 168. commisisse : the perfect infinitive pictures the act as com- 
 pleted. See Introd. 44. /. 
 
 169. incommoda : disagreeable circumstances, explained by the 
 quod clauses which follow. 
 
 170. inventis: i.e. the wealth which he has acquired ; opposed to 
 prodigus aeris, line 164. 
 
 171. gelide : opposed to the ardor which is characteristic of the 
 youth. 
 
 172. spe longus : i.e. clinging to his hopes, and not pushing on to 
 their speedy fulfilment. avidus futuri: i.e. eager for a long life, 
 in which to carry out his plans. 
 
 173. difficilis: ill-natured; cf. Serm. ii. 5. 90, and the note. 
 
 174. minorum: of his juniors; cf. ii. 1. 84. 
 
 175. venientes . . . recedentes: the years up to the prime of life 
 are referred to as "coming," those after as "going." 
 
 176. seniles . . . viriles : note the rhyme ; cf. ignores . . . loco 
 res, i. 12. 25. 
 
 178. aevo : to be taken both with adiunctis and aptis. On the 
 position of -que, cf. Serm. i. 4. 115. 
 
 179. scaenis : the plural, because it is a general direction. 
 
 180. segnius: i.e. are slower to. 
 
 182. ipse sibi tradit : contrasted with acta refertur. 
 
 183. digna geri : cf. Serm. i. 3. 24. 
 
 184. facundia praesens: i.e. the eloquence of an actor on the 
 stage, who is supposed to have witnessed the deed. 
 
 185. ne . . . trucidet : this is in accordance with the action in the 
 Medea of Euripides, while in the Medea of Seneca, which was not in- 
 tended for representation on the stage, the children are killed coram 
 populo. 
 
 188. sic : i.e. before my eyes on the stage. incredulus : i.e. the 
 miracle is less easily believed if actually represented than if described. 
 odi: I dislike. 
 
 189. quinto . . . actu: the division of the Greek dramas into 
 acts seems to have been the work of the Alexandrians ; the plays of 
 Plautus and Terence were first divided into acts by the editors of the 
 sixteenth century, who, however, followed rules laid down by the 
 Roman grammarians. 
 
 191. nee: instead of neve; cf. Serm. i. 10. 73. deus: the 
 reference is, of course, to the deus ex machina, introduced to bring 
 the action to a successful denouement. The device seems to have 
 
PAGE 153.] BOOK II. EPISTLE 3. 393 
 
 been abused by unskilful or indolent writers ; hence Horace's 
 injunction. 
 
 192. quarta . . . persona: the number of actors who simulta- 
 neously took part in the action of the Greek tragedies was gradually 
 increased from one to three. The same actor might personate two 
 characters who did not appear together, and additional mutae personae 
 were sometimes introduced. The same was true in general of the 
 old comedy, but not of the new. laboret : struggle, contrary to 
 the rules of the art. 
 
 193. actoris partis : i.e. the chorus should take part in the action 
 of the play through its leader, and by representing something con- 
 nected with the action, an army, a group of suppliants, etc. On 
 account of the arrangement of the Roman theatre, the chorus stood 
 upon the stage, and was thus even more closely connected with the 
 actors than, in the Greek drama. officium virile : Us full duty; cf. 
 Cic. Verr. ii. 4. 81, est aliqua mea pars virilis, quod eius civitatis 
 sum, quam ille claram reddidit. With partes defendat, cf. Serm. i. 
 10. 12. The function of the chorus was in general to interpret the 
 action to the audience and to comment on its ethical bearing. 
 
 194. actus : governed by inter in composition. 
 
 195. proposito : the theme, the plot. 
 
 196-201. Note the combination of polysyndeton and asyndetic 
 anaphora in this description of the duties of the chorus. 
 
 196. bonis faveat : the chorus usually pleaded the cause of right 
 and justice. consilietur : give counsel; lit. consult for the interest 
 of. 
 
 197. pacare timentis : to soothe those who fear. 
 
 198. mensae brevis: cf. cena brevis, i. 14. 35. 
 
 199. apertis otia portis : cf. Odes, iii. 5. 23. Apertis portis 
 seems to be ablative of quality. 
 
 200. tegat commissa : keep secrets, as the confidant of the actors. 
 Cf. Odes, iii. 2. 25 ff. 
 
 201. fortuna : i.e. good fortune ; cf. Serm. ii. 6. 49. 
 
 202. tibia : Horace now considers the musical part of the drama, 
 and sketches the development of the tibia. orichalco : a kind of 
 copper (Plin. JV. H. xxxiv. 2), called by the Greeks 6/>et'xaXicos. It was 
 connected by popular etymology with aurum, and hence often spelled 
 aurichalcum. 
 
 203. tenuis : with reference to the sound. simplex : i.e. not 
 double, as in later times. foramine pauco : with few holes. Pan- 
 
394 BOOK II. EPISTLE 3. [PAGE 153. 
 
 cus in the singular is comparatively rare, and seems to belong to the 
 sermo plebeius. 
 
 204. adspirare et adesse : to accompany and support. erat 
 utilis : was used to. Cf.flebilis for fletus, Odes, i. 24. 9. 
 
 206. quo : to which, referring to sedilia. numerabilis : easily 
 counted; a word coined by Horace. The Greek eva/n'fl^Tos. 
 
 207. frugi verecundus : and so content with simple music. 
 
 208. postquam : with the growth of the state and the increase of 
 luxury, the taste for more elaborate music was developed. urbis : 
 general. 
 
 209. latior : of wider extent. vino diurno : a mark of luxury ; 
 cf. Odes, i. 1. 20 ; Serm. ii. 8. 3. 
 
 210. placari Genius : cf. ii. 1. 144. impune : i.e. without 
 reproach. 
 
 211. numerisque modisque : cf. ii. 2. 144. 
 
 212. saperet : cf. ii. 1. 68 ; subjunctive in a dubitative question 
 transferred to the past. laborum : for the construction, cf. Odes, 
 iii. 17. 16 ; see Introd. 40. b. 
 
 213. turpis honesto : the lower classes were not yet separated 
 from the senators and knights. 
 
 214. sic: consequently. motumque et luxuriem : 'move- 
 ment of limb and splendid dress' (Bryce). 
 
 215. vagus : moving about, instead of standing in one place as 
 formerly. traxit vestem : i.e. he was clad in a long flowing 
 robe. 
 
 216. voces : notes. New strings were added to the original num- 
 ber, severis : grave ; contrasted with the tibia. 
 
 217. eloquium : language. The language of the chorus was 
 affected by the change in the music. praeceps : headlong, im- 
 petuous. 
 
 219. sententia : i. e. its style was wild and obscure, like that of 
 the Delphic oracle ; sortilegis is used in a general sense, not literally. 
 
 220. qui : i.e. the early tragic actor. The derivation of tragoedia 
 from rpdyos q>5r} was generally accepted in ancient times, although the 
 name is now believed to have arisen from the dress and appearance of 
 the actors. 
 
 221. nudavit : i.e. the chorus laid aside their robes and appeared 
 as satyrs, lightly clad in skins. asper : i.e. rudely. 
 
 222. incolunii gravitate : i.e. the dignity of the gods and heroes 
 was not sacrificed ; cf. lines 225-233. 
 
PAGE 154.] BOOK II. EPISTLE 3. 395 
 
 223. morandus : kept in his place, interested. 
 
 224. functusque sacris : a banquet always accompanied the 
 sacrifices, and free drinking was a feature of the Dionysiac festival. 
 
 225. ita: with this in mind, explained by the following purpose 
 clauses. 
 
 226. vertere seria ludo : i.e. to pass from the gravity of tragedy 
 to the gayety of the satyr-drama. 
 
 228. nuper : previously, not necessarily in the immediately pre- 
 ceding tragedy. 
 
 229. tabernas : hovels; the meaning is to represent the lower 
 classes, with language to match. 
 
 230. aut . . . captet : i.e. in aiming to avoid commonplace 
 language, become bombastic. 
 
 231. indigna : not deigning. 
 
 232. festis . . . diebus: on the Hilaria matrons danced. Cf. 
 also Odes, ii. 12. 17. Dancing, except on religious festivals, was 
 regarded as disreputable. 
 
 233. paullum pudibunda : for a time only and with proper 
 modesty ; note the alliteration. 
 
 234. dominantia : current, common, i.e. not figurative or in any 
 way peculiar or noteworthy; a translation of the Greek Ktpia. 
 nomina verbaque : cf. Serm. i. 3. 103. 
 
 235. Satyronim scriptor : i.e. if I write satyr-dramas. 
 
 236. differre : for the dative with this verb, cf. Serm. i. 4. 48. 
 
 237. Davus . . . Pythias . . . Simone : characters of Roman 
 comedy. 
 
 238. emuncto : a coarse expression, taken from comedy ; cf. Ter. 
 Phorm. 682, emunxi argento senes. 
 
 239. Silenus : an old satyr, the companion of Bacchus ; a common 
 character in the satyr-drama. His language should differ from that 
 of the slaves. Cf. Virg. Eel. vi. 31 ff. 
 
 240. carmen: a poetic style,' cf. Quint, x. 7. 19, cum hancfacili- 
 tatem (extemporalem} non in prosa modo multi sunt consecuti, sed 
 etiam in carmine. ex noto : from familiar materials. 
 
 242. series : cf. line 46, in verbis serendis. iunctura : cf. lines 
 47-48. 
 
 243. de medio sumptis : cf. Cic. Orat. 49. 163, verba . . . 
 legenda sunt potissimum bene sonantia, sed ea non ut poetae ex- 
 quisita ad sonum, sed sumpta de medio. honoris: adornment; 
 cf. Odes, ii. 19. 14. 
 
396 BOOK II. EPISTLE 3. [PAGE 154. 
 
 244. deducti: brought upon the stage. Fauni : used as synony- 
 mous with Satyri. 
 
 245. innati triviis . . . forenses : i.e. natives of the city ; there 
 seems to be no contrast intended between innati triviis and forenses. 
 
 246. teneris : too refined, decadent, contrasted with the coarse 
 vigor of the country. Both extremes are to be avoided. iuvenen- 
 tur : apparently a new coinage of Horace ; a translation of the Greek 
 veaviefe<r0ai, which means ' to act like a youth,' and hence * to act wil- 
 fully or wantonly.' 
 
 247. immunda : obscenities. crepent : blurt out. Cf. i. 7. 84. 
 
 248. quibus est equus et pater et res: i.e. the knights. Cf. 
 Serm. i. 10. 76. 
 
 249. fricti ciceris . . . emptor : the common people. Cf. Serm. 
 ii. 3. 182. 
 
 250. aequis . . . animis: with favor. donantve corona: 
 award you a crown, as in Greece ; here used figuratively. 
 
 251. syllaba . . . iambus: Horace begins his treatment of the 
 metre with a definition of the iambus. 
 
 252. pes citus : cf. Odes, i. 16. 24, celeres iambos. unde : for 
 which reason. trimetris , . . nomen : the name ' trimeter ' ; tri- 
 metris is attracted to the case of iambeis. adcrescere : (gradually) 
 to become attached. iussit : sc. pes. 
 
 253. cum : although. senos . . . ictus : six beats. It was 
 called 'trimeter' as consisting of three dipodies of two feet each. 
 
 254. primus ad extremum similis : i.e. all the feet were iambic. 
 non ita pridem : not so very long before, referring not to Horace's 
 own day, but to the time of iusstt or to the early days of the iambic 
 trimeter. Kiessling compares Cic. Brut. 10. 41, Themistocles . . . fuit 
 regnante iam Graecia, nostra autem civitate non ita pridem dominatu 
 regio liberata. 
 
 256. stabilis: stately, contrasted with the pes citus. paterna: 
 hereditary. 
 
 257. non ut : not, however, to the extent that. secunda . . . 
 aut quarta : the iambus also retained its place in the last foot. 
 
 258. socialiter : in full partnership, a word coined by Horace. 
 hie : i.e. iambus. 
 
 259. nobilibus: well-known, familiar. 
 
 260. Note the metre of the line, which imitates the peculiarity 
 which it describes. 
 
 262. premit : sc. iambus, which, through its absence, brings the 
 
PAGE 155.] BOOK II. EPISTLE 3. 397 
 
 charge. For the meaning of premit, cf. Liv. iii. 13. 1, premebat reum 
 praeter volgatam invidiam crime n unum. 
 
 263. non quivis . . . iudex : not every one is competent to judge 
 good poetry, hence the early Roman audiences were tolerant. Cicero, 
 however, says of a later time, de Orat. iii. 50. 196, at in his (numeris et 
 modis}, si paulum modo offensum est, theatra tota reclamant. On the 
 metre, see Introd. 56. 
 
 264. indigna : unworthy of them, i.e. which they ought not to have 
 needed. poetis : dative ; but it may betaken with indigna as well, 
 d-n-6 KOIVOV; see Introd. 42. 
 
 265. idcirco : therefore, because indulgence has been given to 
 others. vager: roam unrestrained; cf. vaga, Serm. ii. 7. 74. 
 an: or rather. omiiis visuros: shall I think that every one 
 will see my faults, and therefore avoid criticism ? 
 
 266. intra spem veniae: i.e. not going so far as to be beyond 
 pardon. 
 
 267. vitavi denique culpam : in that case I have only avoided 
 blame, not deserved praise ; i.e. such self-restraint is no more than 
 ought to be expected. 
 
 269. nocturna . . . diuma : i.e. read them night and day. Cf. i. 
 19. 11, and the note. 
 
 270. Plautinos . . . numeros: cf. ii. 1. 170 ff. 
 
 271. nimium patienter : with too much indulgence. 
 
 273. inurbanum: coarse. lepido: witty. 
 
 274. digitis: the fingers were used for counting the feet; cf. 
 Quint, ix. 4. 51, tempora etiam animo metiuntur etpedum et digitorum 
 ictu intervalla signant quibusdam modis. 
 
 276. plaustris : Horace appears to have confused the beginnings 
 of comedy and those of tragedy ; for while Thespis was the inventor of 
 tragedy, the rest of the description is appropriate only to comedy. 
 
 277. peruncti faecibus ora : this practice, which was confined to 
 comedy, seems to have had the same purpose as the mask, to disguise 
 the actor. 
 
 278. repertor : Aeschylus was credited with the invention of many 
 theatrical properties, some of which were doubtless in use before his 
 time. honestae : decorative, beautiful ; cf. honor, line 243 above. 
 
 279. pulpita : a stage, which was at first temporary and of moder- 
 ate size (modicis tignis). 
 
 280. magnum loqui : to adopt a lofty style. Magnum is accusa- 
 tive of the inner object. 
 
 
398 BOOK II. EPISTLE 3. [PAGE 155. 
 
 281. successit : although the origin of comedy seems to have been 
 as early as that of tragedy, its development was slower, and the state- 
 ment of the poet is true of the old comedy. his : i.e. Thespis and 
 Aeschylus. 
 
 282. libertas: freedom of speech cf. Serin, i. 4. Iff. excidit: 
 descended. 
 
 283. estaccepta: sc. a comoedia. 
 
 284. turpiter: with obticuit ; the disgrace consisted in the fact 
 that it had been necessary to restrain them by law. 
 
 285. nil intemptatum : i.e. the Roman poets tried their hand at 
 all the branches of Greek drama. 
 
 287. domestica facta : i.e. episodes in their national history and 
 life. 
 
 288. praetextas : tragedies based on Roman myth and history, in 
 which many of the characters were clad in the toga praetexta. We 
 should expect the term praetextatae, corresponding to togatae, but 
 praetextae is the usual form. togatas : comedies representing 
 scenes from Roman daily life, in which the principal personages wore 
 the toga. 
 
 290. unum quemque : some critics believe that in this tmesis Hor- 
 ace is illustrating the carelessness which he censures', but cf. ii. 2. 188. 
 
 291. limae labor : cf. Serm. i. 10. 65. 
 
 292. Fompilius sanguis : the Calpurnii, the gens of the Pisones, 
 claimed descent from Numa, through his son Calpus. For the nomi- 
 native instead of the vocative, cf. Odes, i. 2. 43. 
 
 293. multa dies : long time ; note the gender of dies. coer- 
 cuit : pruned ; cf. Cic. de Sen. 15. 52, quam (vitem') serpentem multi- 
 plici lapsu et erratico ferro amputans coercet ars agricolarum. 
 
 294. perfectum : to perfection, agreeing with quod. castiga- 
 vit ad unguem : a figure drawn from the sculptor's art ; see note on 
 Serm. i. 5. 32. 
 
 295. ingenium : talent, natural ability. misera : pitiful, 
 because of the mechanical labor it involves. 
 
 296. excludit sanos . . . poetas : cf. Cic. de-Div. i. 37. 80, negat 
 sine furore Democritus quemquam poetam magnum esse posse. 
 
 297. bona pars: i.e. most poets ; cf. Odes, iv. 2. 46 ; Serm. i. 1. 
 61. unguis ponere: i.e. they affect negligence in their personal 
 appearance ; there is perhaps a reference to ad unguem in line 294. 
 
 299. nanciscetur : the subject is 'one,' implied in bona pars. 
 
 300. tribus Anticyris : see note on Serm. ii. 3. 83 ; although 
 
PAGE 156.] BOOK II. EPISTLE 3. 399 
 
 there were three towns of this name, tribus is very likely used in a 
 general sense ; see Introd. 50. 
 
 301. Licino : a barber of the day, otherwise unknown. The 
 statement of Ps-Acron and the Comm. Cruq., who identify him with a 
 wealthy Licinius, procurator of Gaul under Augustus, has little prob- 
 ability. O ego laevus : what a fool I am! 
 
 302. bilem : accusative with purgor, which is used in a middle 
 sense. hpram: season. 
 
 303. faceret : sc. si purgarer bilem. 
 
 304. nil tanti est : it is by no means worth while. fungar vice 
 cotis : i.e. I will teach others to write. The expression goes back 
 to Isocrates. 
 
 305. valet = potest. 
 
 306. munus et ofn'cium : function and duty; sc. scriptoris. 
 
 307. opes : material. 
 
 308. virtus : literary ability. 
 
 309. recte : to be taken with scribendi; cf. Serm. i. 4. 13. 
 sapere : good sense ; a reply to the thought in line 296. 
 
 310. rem : your subject, material. Socraticae . . . chartae : 
 i.e. the writings of Plato, Xenophon, and the later pupils of Socrates. 
 
 311. verba . . . sequentur : cf. the proverb attributed to Cato, 
 rem tene, verba sequentur ; Cic. Orat. iii. 3. 125, rerum enim copia 
 verborum copiam gignit. 
 
 312. quid debeat : what one owes. 
 
 314. conscript! : sc. patris, a senator. iudicis : cf. Serm. i. 
 4. 123, and the note. 
 
 315. partes: the role. 
 
 317. exemplar: model; cf. i. 2. 18. 
 
 318. doctum imitatorem : i.e. the well-trained delineator of 
 character. vivas : trite to life. 
 
 319. speciosa locis: i.e. with brilliant passages, although as a 
 whole not artistic or strong. niorata recte : i. e. true to life ; with 
 the characters correctly drawn. 
 
 321. valdius : the colloquial form ; see note on /Serm. i. 3. 53. 
 
 322. inopes rerum : i.e. without ideas. For the case of rerum, 
 see Introd. 40. a. nugae canorae : i.e. with polished and musical 
 versification, but with commonplace subject-matter. 
 
 323. Grais : i.e. the superiority of the Greeks in literature is due 
 to their devotion to the arts rather than to commerce. ore 
 rotundo : in well-rounded phrases, the Greek 
 
400 BOOK II. EPISTLE 3. [PAGE 156. 
 
 324. praeter laudem . . . avaris : contrasted by anticipation 
 with the avarice of the Romans and their greed for gain. 
 
 326. dicat, etc. : picturing a recitation at school. 
 
 327. Albini: a usurer of the day, according to Ps-Acron. 
 
 328. poteras : the imperfect seems to express impatience, you 
 might have told me by this time. See In trod. 44. b. 
 
 330. aerugo: disease, lit. verdigris; cf. Serm. i. 4. 101. pe- 
 culi : lit. the savings of a slave, thus stigmatizing such parsimony as 
 sordid and unworthy of a freeman. 
 
 332. linenda cedro : the unwritten sides of valuable manuscripts 
 were smeared with oil of cedar, to keep off moths ; hence the phrase 
 means worth keeping. Cf. Pers. i. 42, cedro digna locntus. cu- 
 presso : according to the Comm. Cruq., book-boxes of cypress wood 
 were used to protect manuscripts from worms. 
 
 335. esto brevis : cf. Serm. i. 10. 9 f. 
 
 336. dociles . . . fideles : predicate adjectives. 
 
 337. omne supervacuum . . . manat : i.e. everything that is 
 more than enough to be intelligible is lost, just as liquid which is 
 poured into a full vessel flows off. 
 
 338. voluptatis causa : i.e. ut delectent. proxima veris : i.e. 
 such as might be imagined as actually taking" place ; credible. 
 
 339. ne : parenthetical final particle, / say this that . . . not. 
 fabula: a play. 
 
 340. Lamiae : a queen of Libya, who was loved by Zeus. Hera 
 destroyed her offspring, whereupon she became an ogress and fed upon 
 children. 
 
 341. centuriae seniorum : i.e. the older men. According to the 
 Servian constitution, those in each class who were over forty-five 
 years old. expertia frugis : i.e. without any moral. 
 
 342. Ramiies : the young nobles. The Ramnes were one of the 
 three original centuries of equites, consisting of young men of good 
 family. 
 
 343. omne tulit punctum : that is, he pleases and wins the 
 approval of everybody. On punctum, see ii. 2. 99. Tulit is gnomic 
 perfect ; see Introd. 44. d. 
 
 345. Sosiis : a well-known publishing firm of the day ; see i. 20. 
 2. mare transit: i.e. it is popular abroad as well as at home. 
 Cf. the opposite idea in i. 20. 13. 
 
 346. longum : proleptic, to a distant day. 
 
 347. sunt delicta . . velimus : i.e. there are some faults which 
 
PAGE 158.] BOOK II. EPISTLE 3. 401 
 
 we cannot avoid, for which we would ask indulgence. ignovisse : 
 the perfect infinitive has nearly, if not quite, the force of the present. 
 This use is especially common with volo and nolo, doubtless through 
 the analogy of the usage in laws ; cf. Serm. ii. 3. 187, and Introd. 
 44. /. 
 
 348. chorda : the string, of a lyre. 
 
 350. minabitur : sc. ferire. 
 
 351. plura nitent : there are more brilliant passages, i.e. they are 
 in the majority. 
 
 352. incuria : the national failing mentioned in line 291. 
 
 353. humana parum cavit natura : blemishes such as are re- 
 ferred to in lines 347 f. quid ergo est : how is it then, i.e. what 
 faults are pardonable and what are not ? 
 
 354. ut : as. scriptor . . . librarius : a copyist. peccat 
 idem : makes the same mistake. 
 
 357. multum cessat : is often negligent. fit Choerilus ille : 
 is like our friend Choerilus; cf. ii. 1.232. Ille means strictly 'the 
 well-known,' or something equivalent. 
 
 358. bis terque bonum : if he is good two or three times ; for the 
 use of -que in this expression, cf. unus et alter, ii. 1. 74. 
 
 359. indignor : I am vexed, because I expect perfection ; this is 
 inconsistent with lines 351-352. 
 
 360. verum : but yet. 
 
 361. ut pictura poesis : i.e. poetry should be judged like a paint- 
 ing. Cf. Auct. ad Her. iv. 28. 39, poema loquens pictura, pictura taci- 
 turn poema debet esse. 
 
 362. abstes : a rare word, not elsewhere found in this sense. 
 Cf. Plaut. Trin. 264, Mille modis amor ignorandust, procul adhiben- 
 dust, atque abstandus. 
 
 363. amat obscumm : needs a dim light. 
 
 364. iudicis : critic. 
 
 365. A picture which is to be exhibited once needs a different 
 treatment from one which is to be seen again and again. 
 
 366. O maior iuvenum : addressed to the elder of the two Pisos, 
 who may have shown a tendency to do careless work. 
 
 368. tolle: take to heart; cf. i. 18. 12. certis rebus: particu- 
 lar things, such as are mentioned in the following lines. 
 
 370. abest virtute : may not have the ability. 
 
 371. Messallae: see note on Serm. i. 10. 29. Cascellius 
 Aulus : a distinguished lawyer of the Ciceronian epoch. 
 
402 BOOK II. EPISTLE 3. [PAGE 158. 
 
 372. mediocribus : attracted to the case 
 
 373. columnae : the pillars in front of the book-shops (cf. pilae, 
 Serm. i. 4. 71) on which the names of the books which were for sale 
 were posted. The meaning is that such a poet's works will not sell. 
 
 374. symphonia : the music which often formed a feature of a 
 banquet. Symphonia discors is an oxymoron. 
 
 375. crassum: thick, i.e. not well mixed. Sardo melle : the 
 Sardinian honey was bitter. Porph. says : Corsicum et Sardum mel 
 pessimi saporis est. papaver : cf. Plin. N. H. xix. 168, papaver 
 candidum, cuius semen tostum in secunda mensa cum melle apud anti- 
 quos dabatur. 
 
 376. duci : carried on, like vitam ducere, not parallel with pro- 
 ducimus, Serm. i. 5. 70. 
 
 377. natum inventumque : natum of the inspiration which sug- 
 gests the poem ; inventum of the artistic details. 
 
 378. summo decessit : has fallen short of perfection. 
 
 379. campestribua armis : of the military sports in the Campus 
 Martius ; cf. i. 18. 54. 
 
 380. indoctus: followed by the genitive, after the analogy of 
 imperitus, etc. pilae discive: cf. Serm. ii. 2. 11. trochi: cf. 
 Odes, iii. 24. 57. 
 
 381. spissae : cf. line 205 and i. 19. 41. impune : rightly, with- 
 out criticism. coronae : cf. i. 18. 53. 
 
 382. fingere : with nescit and audet. quidni : ironical. 
 
 383. liber : opposed to servus. ingenuus : opposed to libertinus ; 
 cf. Serm. i. 6. 8. census : participle, rated at; the construction with 
 the ablative is more frequent ; the accusative occurs in Cic. Flacc. 32. 
 80, the only other example before Gellius. equestrem summam : 
 cf. i. 1. 58, and the note. 
 
 385. tu : addressed to the elder of the Pisos ; cf. v. 366. invita 
 ... Minerva: cf. Cic. de Off. i. 31. 110, nihil dicet invita Minerva, ut 
 aiunt, id est adversante et repugnante natura. 
 
 386. olim: ever. 
 
 387. Maeci: i.e. Maecius Tarpa ; see note on Serm. i. 10. 38. 
 
 388. nonumque in annum : perhaps with reference to the Smyrna 
 of C. Helvidius Cinna. Cf. Catull. 95. 1, Zmyrna mei Cinnae nonam 
 post denique messem Quam coepta est nonamque edita post hiemem. 
 The numeral is indefinite ; see Introd. 50. 
 
 389. membranis intus positis: i.e. the poem is to be finished 
 and then laid away for nine years. On membranis, see Serm. ii. 3. 2. 
 
PAGE 159.] BOOK II. EPISTLE 3. 403 
 
 390. nescit . . . reverti : cf. i. 18. 71. 
 
 391. silvestris homines : i.e. primitive men. sacer : cf. Odes, 
 iv. 9. 28, vate sacro. 
 
 392. victu foedo : cf. Serm. i. 3. 100, glandem. 
 
 393. lenire tigris: cf. Odes, iii. 11. 13. 
 
 394. Amphion : son of Zeus and Antiope and brother of Zethus. 
 He played so skilfully on the lyre given him by Hermes, that the 
 stones moved into place of their own accord and formed the walls of 
 Thebes; cf. Odes, iii. 11. 2. 
 
 395. prece blanda : the words of his songs distinguished from the 
 music of the lyre. 
 
 396. sapientia: predicate. 
 
 398. concubitu . . . vago : cf. Serm. i. 3. 109. iura : i.e. regu- 
 lating inheritance, etc. 
 
 399. ligno : the laws of Solon were cut on tablets of wood called 
 
 400. honor et nomen: honor and reputation, a common com- 
 bination in Latin. 
 
 401. hos: Orpheus and Amphion, and the other divini vates. 
 Homerus: sc.fuit. 
 
 402. Tyrtaeus : an elegiac poet whose poems were an inspiration 
 to the Spartans during the second Messenian war (685-668 B.C.). He 
 appears to have been born at Aphidnae in Attica ; but the story that 
 he was a lame schoolmaster, whom the Athenians sent to the Lacedae- 
 monians when the latter had been commanded by the oracle to apply 
 to Athens for help, is doubtless an invention of later times. marea : 
 cf. i. 1. 64. 
 
 403. sortes : the oracles, such as that at Delphi, were given in 
 metrical form. 
 
 404. vitae . . . via : by the gnomic and didactic poets, Hesiod, 
 Solon, Theognis, etc. gratia regum . . . temptata: referring to 
 the lyric poets, Pindar, Simonides, Bacchylides, and the like, who had 
 kings as their patrons. 
 
 405. Pieriis: the Muses, so-called from their birthplace, Pieria, 
 a district in southeastern Macedonia, near Mount Olympus ; cf. Odes, 
 iv. 3. 18. ludus : dramatic festivals, originally celebrated at the 
 end of the harvest, hence longorum operum finis (406). 
 
 406. ne ... sit: (I say this) that you may not be ashamed. 
 408. natura ... an arte : i.e. whether poets are born or made. 
 
 The question is often discussed. 
 
404 BOOK II. EPISTLE 3. [PAGE 159. 
 
 409. vena : c/. Odes, ii. 18. 10. 
 
 410. rude : untrained. sic : to such a degree, or so true is it that. 
 
 411. coniurat amice: forms a friendly alliance. 
 
 412. metam : goal, used in a different sense from that in Odes, i. 
 
 I. 4. 
 
 414. Pythia cantat: plays at the Pythian games; cf. coronari 
 Olympia, i. 1. 50. 
 
 416. mine: nowadays. 
 
 417. occupet extremum scabies : like our expression, ' the devil 
 take the hindmost.' Porph. says : hoc ex lusu puerorum sustulit, qui 
 ludentes solent dicere : ' quisque ad me novissimus venerit, habeat 
 scabiemS The last clause is rearranged by Lucian Mueller to form 
 a trochaic tetrameter : habeat scabiem quisquis ad me venerit novis- 
 simus. 
 
 418. sane : at all, with nescire. 
 
 419. praeco : an auctioneer. 
 
 420. adlucrum: i.e. to gain something from him. 
 
 421. Repeated from Serm. i. 2. 13. 
 
 422. vero: but. unctum : cf. i. 15. 44. ponere: serve; cf. 
 Serm. ii. 2. 23. For the use of the simple verb for the compound, see 
 Introd. 35. b. 
 
 423. levi : irresponsible, who, on account of his levitas, has got 
 into debt. atris: gloomy, harassing; cf. atrae curae, Odes, iv. 
 
 II. 35. 
 
 425. beatus: wealthy as he is; cf. ii. 2. 108. 
 
 426. donaris: future perfect. 
 
 427. tibi: dative of the apparent agent with factos. plenum 
 laetitiae : because he has received the gift or counts on receiving it. 
 
 429. super his: at these, i.e. at verses intended to cause terror. 
 amicis : sympathetic. 
 
 430. saliet : i.e. he will leap from his seat in admiration. 
 tundet pede terram : stamp in indignation or delight at some scene. 
 
 431. conduct! : hired mourners sang dirges at the Roman funerals. 
 Cf. Lucil. 808, L., mercede quae conductae flent alieno in funere, Prae- 
 flcae multo et capillos scindunt et clamant magis. 
 
 433. derisor : his real character, although he flatters his patron. 
 Cf. i. 18. 11. 
 
 435. torquere mero : cf. Odes, iii. 21. 13 ; Serm. i. 4. 89 ; i. 18. 38. 
 laborent : subjunctive in indirect discourse. 
 
 436. an : implying an affirmative answer. 
 
PAGE 160.] BOOK II. EPISTLES. 405 
 
 437. sub volpe : with reference to the fable of the Fox and the 
 Crow. 
 
 438. Quintilio : referring to Quintilius Varus, whose death in 
 23 B.C. Horace laments in Odes, i. 24. He is cited as an example of 
 a true friend and a sincere critic. recitares : iterative subjunctive ; 
 see B. 302. 3. a. sodes : cf. i. 1. 62. 
 
 439. aiebat : he used to say. negates : protasis without an 
 introductory word (cf. Serm. ii. 3. 57), or perhaps dependent on si 
 in line 438. 
 
 441. tornatos : turned. The tornus was used in bronze working. 
 If the work was a failure, the object was placed on the anvil and ham- 
 mered into a mass, in order to make a new attempt. 
 
 442. vertere: change, reform. malles: see note on negares, 
 line 439. 
 
 444. quin : to prevent you from. sine rival! : cf. Cic. ad Quint. 
 Frat. iii. 8. 4, o di, quam ineptus, quam se ipsum amans sine rivali. 
 
 445. vir bonus et prudens : like Quintilius, line 438. inertis : 
 weak. 
 
 446. duros : harsh ; cf. Serm. i. 4. 8. incomptis : lacking 
 elegance. 
 
 447. transverse calamo : drawing the stilus across (through) 
 them. ambitiosa : pretentious. 
 
 448. parum Claris : obscure, not expressing the thought clearly. 
 
 449. arguet : censure. 
 
 450. Aristarchus : an Aristarchus, referring to the famous Alex- 
 andrine critic (circ. 156 B.C.), especially noted for his work on the text 
 of Homer. His name had become proverbial as that of a keen, but 
 not necessarily severe critic. 
 
 451. hae nugae : i.e. these so-called trifles. seria : serious. 
 
 452. semel : once for all, i.e. when he reads his poems in public, 
 the judgment is unfavorable arid final. 
 
 453. morbus regius : the jaundice, so called, according to Celsus 
 (iii. 24), on account of the costly remedies necessary for its cure. It 
 was not contagious, but the patient was probably avoided on account 
 of his bad temper. 
 
 454. fanaticus : strictly applied to the mad devotees of the Cap- 
 padocian goddess identified with Bellona. Cf. Serm. ii. 3. 223. ira- 
 cunda Diana : the wrath of Diana ; the cause of the fanaticus error. 
 Diana here stands for luna, which was supposed to cause 4 lunacy. ' 
 With the expression, cf. lymphis iratis, Serm. i. 5. 97. 
 
406 BOOK II. EPISTLE 3. [PAGE 161. 
 
 455. tetigisse : the infinitive is used as the object of timent, 
 instead of a clause with ne. The perfect has nearly the force of the 
 present, but may denote the effect of having touched him. See 
 Introd. 44. /. 
 
 456. agitant : plague ; cf. Serm. i. 3. 133. incauti : careless 
 people,' the madman was likely to turn and attack his tormentors. 
 
 457. sublimis : with his head in the air, and his thoughts above 
 all earthly affairs. errat : i.e. wanders from the road. 
 
 459. in puteum : Thales is said to have fallen into a well while 
 contemplating the stars as he walked. See Plato, Theaet. 174 A. 
 longum : so as to be heard at a distance ; lonyum is accusative of the 
 inner object. 
 
 460. sit: there would be. 
 
 462. qui scis an: how do you know that . . . not, with an for an 
 non, an expression from the colloquial language. prudens: on 
 purpose. 
 
 463. Siculi poetae: Empedocles, whose act is described in the 
 next line. See note on i. 12. 20. 
 
 464. deus immortalis haberi : according to the story, he wished 
 the manner of his death to be unknown, that it might be thought that 
 he had been enrolled among the gods ; but one of his bronze sandals 
 was cast up by the volcano, and the truth thus discovered. 
 
 465. frigidus: in cold blood. Frigidus is contrasted by a grim 
 jest with ardentem. 
 
 467. idem facit occidenti: does the same as kill him; a Greek 
 construction. With the thought, cf. Sen. Phoen. 100, occidere est 
 vetare cupient_em mori. This is the only spondaic verse in the Ser- 
 mones and Epistles. 
 
 468. iam : at once. Cf. Odes, i. 4. 16. 
 
 469. homo : as if he had wished to appear a god like Empedocles. 
 famosae : notorious. 
 
 470. cur versus factitet : i.e. why he has been visited with this 
 frenzy. 
 
 471. bidental : when a place was struck by lightning, sheep 
 (bidentes) were sacrificed, and the place was surrounded by a low wall 
 or curb. 
 
 474. indoctum doctumque: i.e. he makes no distinction of 
 persons. 
 
 476. hirudo : like a leech. As often, Horace identifies the person 
 with the thing with which the person is compared ; see Introd. 53. q. 
 
 \. 
 

THIS BOOK IS DUE OT* 
 
YB 0?t 
 
 U.C.BERKELEY LIBRARIES 
 
 /& 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY