'When Augustus had brought the civil wars to an end, B.C. 28, he applied himself to the reformation of manners, and Horace probably wrote this and other Odes to promote the reforms of Augustus—perhaps by his desire, or by that of Maecenas. They were probably all written between B.C. 28 and 25, and should be read together.' The general purport of this Ode is an exhortation to moderate living and desires. The first stanza is generally regarded as an introduction to this Ode and to the five immediately following. I HATE and drive away the crowd profane. Of their own subjects sovereigns are the dread : Shakes universal being with his nod. This man than that, plants trees in furrowed rows Over more ground. To Campus Martius goes One candidate of better pedigree: Better in morals and repute than he Contends a second, while a denser herd The urn capacious stirs their every name. With drawn sword dangling o'er his impious head, Him who is with Sicilian dainties fed I. ODI profanum volgus et arceo : Virginibus puerisque canto, Regum timendorum in proprios greges, Reges in ipsos imperium est Jovis, Clari Giganteo triumpho, Cuncta supercilio moventis. Est ut viro vir latius ordinet Omne capax movet urna nomen. Districtus ensis cui super impia Their savour sweet affects not, nor is he In him who than enough no more requires: But a foreboding consciousness and fear Scale with him the same eminence. Black care |