Non eadem eft ætas, non mens. Veianius, armis 5 Herculis ad poftem fixis, latet abditus agro; 10 Quid verum atque decens, curo & rogo, & omnis in hoc fum: Condo & compono, quæ mox depromere poffim. 15 Nunc 5. Armis Herculis ad poftem fixis.] After Hercules had wandered through the World deftroying Monsters, he was received by Greece and Italy among the Gods, who prefided over athletic Exercifes. There was generally a Temple of this God near their Amphitheatres, in which the Ceremonies of receiving a new Gladiator into the Company were performed. From hence the Custom of confecrating their Arms to Hercules. 6. Extremâ toties exoret arenâ.] Horace would authorise his Refolution of writing no more, by the Example of Vejanius, who having often fought with Succefs, was now retired into the Country, determined never to expofe himself on the Stage again. If a Gladiator, who had obtained his Difchage, ever engaged a fecond Time, he was obliged to have a second Dismiffion, and going to the End of the Stage, extrema arena, implored the People to give him his Freedom. CRUQ. 10. Nunc itaque & verfus.] A prompt and chearful Obedience is an Effect of the purgata auris, an Ear, which hears distinctly. When the Soul is pure and difengaged from Paffion, it hears with Eafe the Voice of Reason, and with Chearfulness obeys its Commands. DAC. Yet Mr. Sanadon obferves, that our Poet had more than once made this Refolution, and broken it as often. Almost all Rhimers do the fame, and thefe poetical Oaths are a Kind of Language, which always fuppofes a Right of being perjured. 5 Non eadem eft ætas, non mens. Veianius, armis 10 Quid verum atque decens, curo & rogo, & omnis in hoc fum: Condo & compono, quæ mox depromere poffim. 15 Nunc 5. Armis Herculis ad poftem fixis.] After Hercules had wandered through the World deftroying Monsters, he was received by Greece and Italy among the Gods, who prefided over athletic Exercises. There was generally a Temple of this God near their Amphitheatres, in which the Ceremonies of receiving a new Gladiator into the Company were performed. From hence the Custom of confecrating their Arms to Hercules. 6. Extremâ toties exoret arenâ.] Horace would authorise his Refolution of writing no more, by the Example of Vejanius, who having often fought with Succefs, was now retired into the Country, determined never to expose himself on the Stage again. If a Gladiator, who had obtained his Difchage, ever engaged a fecond Time, he was obliged to have a second Dismiffion, and going to the End of the Stage, extrema arena, implored the People to give him his Freedom. CRUQ. 10. Nunc itaque & verfus.] A prompt and chearful Obedience is an Effect of the purgata auris, an Ear, which hears diftinctly. When the Soul is pure and difengaged from Paffion, it hears with Eafe the Voice of Reason, and with Chearfulness obeys its Commands. DAC. Yet Mr. Sanadon obferves, that our Poet had more than once made this Refolution, and broken it as often. Almost all Rhimers do the fame, and thefe poetical Oaths are a Kind of Language, which always fuppofes a Right of being perjured. THE FIRST BOO K FO THE EPISTLES of HORACE. Ο EPISTLE I. To MECENAS. Thou, to whom the Muse first tun'd her Lyre, Whofe Friendship shall her latest Song inspire, Wherefore, Mæcenas, would You thus engage Your Bard, difmift with Honour from the Stage, Again to venture in the Lifts of Fame, His Youth, his Genius, now no more the fame ? Secure tibi definet And in a late Parody by Mr. Pope, With whom my Mufe began, with whom shall end. 2. Donatum rude.] The Gladiators, in learning their Exercises, played with wooden Swords, called rudes, as we use Foils in FencingSchools. When they had ferved three Years, they received their Difmiffion ; or for any uncommon Proof of Courage and Dexterity they were fometimes immediately difmiffed by the People, and afterwards wore the Rudis, as a Mark of their Freedom. They Could not again be compelled to fight, but were usually purchased at a large Expence, if ever they appeared on the Stage. TORR. 3. Antiquo includere ludo.] Horace began to write about four and twenty Years of Age, and he is now paft fifty, which he expreffes by antiquo ludo, in Allufion to the Schools, where the Gladiators performed their Exercifes. Mens may be understood either for a poetical Genius, or an Inclination to Poetry. SAN. DAC. Non eadem eft ætas, non mens. Veianius, armis 5 Herculis ad poftem fixis, latet abditus agro; 10 Quid verum atque decens, curo & rogo, & omnis in hoc fum: Condo & compono, quæ mox depromere poffim. 15 Nunc 5. Armis Herculis ad poftem fixis.] After Hercules had wandered through the World deftroying Monsters, he was received by Greece and Italy among the Gods, who prefided over athletic Exercises. There was generally a Temple of this God near their Amphitheatres, in which the Ceremonies of receiving a new Gladiator into the Company were performed. From hence the Custom of confecrating their Arms to Hercules. 6. Extremâ toties exoret arenâ.] Horace would authorise his Refolution of writing no more, by the Example of Vejanius, who having often fought with Succefs, was now retired into the Country, determined never to expofe himself on the Stage again. If a Gladiator, who had obtained his Difchage, ever engaged a fecond Time, he was obliged to have a second Difmiffion, and going to the End of the Stage, extrema arena, implored the People to give him his Freedom. CRUQ. 10. Nunc itaque & verfus.] A prompt and chearful Obedience is an Effect of the purgata auris, an Ear, which hears diftinctly. When the Soul is pure and difengaged from Paffion, it hears with Eafe the Voice of Reafon, and with Chearfulness obeys its Commands. DAC. Yet Mr. Sanadon obferves, that our Poet had more than once made this Refolution, and broken it as often. Almost all Rhimers do the fame, and thefe poetical Oaths are a Kind of Language, which always supposes a Right of being perjured, |