rior of the mountain is the fabled scene of Vulcan's labours; and here he is busily employed in forging thunderbolts for the monarch of the skies to hurl during the storms of spring, which are of frequent occurrence in that climate.

9-12. 9. Nitidum. "Shining with unguents."-Caput impedire. At the banquets and festive meetings of the ancients, the guests were crowned with garlands of flowers, herbs, or leaves, tied and adorned with ribands, or with the inner rind of the linden tree. These crowns it was thought prevented intoxication.Myrto. The myrtle was sacred to Ve nus.-10. Soluta. "Freed from the fetters of winter."-11. Fauno. Faunus, the guardian of the fields and flocks, had two annual festivals called Faunalia, one on the Ides (13th) of February, and the other on the Nones (5th) of December. Both were marked by great hilarity and joy.-12. Seu poscat agna, &c. "Either with a lamb if he demand one, or with a kid if he prefer that offering."

13-16. 13. Pallida Mors, &c. "Pale death, advancing with impartial footstep, knocks for admittance at the cottages of the poor, and the lofty dwellings of the rich." Horace uses the term rex as equivalent to beatus or dives. As regards the apparent want of connection between this portion of the ode and that which immediately precedes, compare what has been said in the introductory remarks.-15. Închoare. "Day after day to renew. ."-16. Jam te premet nox, &c. The passage may be paraphrased as follows: "Soon will the night of the Grave descend upon thee, and the Manes of fable crowd around, and the shadowy home of Pluto become also thine own." The Zeugma in the verb premo, by which it is made to assume a new meaning in each clause of the sentence, is worthy of notice. By the Manes of fable are meant the shades of the departed, often made the theme of the wildest fictions of poetry. Some commentators, however, understand the expression in its literal sense, "the Manes of whom all is fable," and suppose it to imply the disbelief of a future state.

17-18. 17. Simul. For Simul ac.-18. Talis. This may either be the adjective, or else the ablative plural of talus. If the former, the meaning of the passage will be "Thou shalt neither cast lots for the sovereignty of such wine as we have here, nor, &c." Whereas if talis be regarded as a noun, the interpretation will be, "Thou shalt neither cast lots with the dice for the sovereignty of wine, nor," &c. This latter mode of rendering the passage is the more usual one, but the other is certainly more animated and poetical, and more in accordance too with the very early and curious belief of the Greeks and Romans in relation to a future state. They believed that the souls of the departed, with the exception of those who had offended against the majesty of the gods, were occupied in the lower world with the unreal performance of the same actions which had formed their chief object of pursuit in the regions of day. Thus, the friend of Horace will still quaff his wine in the shades, but the cup and its contents will be, like their possessor, a shadow and a dream: it will not be such wine as he drank upon the earth.-As regards the expression, "sovereignty of wine," it means nothing more than the office of arbiter bibendi, or "toast-master." (Compare Ode 2. 7. 25.)

ODE 5. Pyrrha, having secured the affections of a new admirer, is addressed by the poet, who had himself experienced her inconstancy and

faithlessness. He compares her youthful lover to one whom a sudden and dangerous tempest threatens to surprise on the deep,-himself to the mariner just rescued from the perils of shipwreck.

1-5. 1. Multa in rosa. "Crowned with many a rose." An imitation of the Greek idiom, tv σrepávois eivai (Eurip. Herc. Fur. 677.)-2. Urguet. Understand te. "Prefers unto thee his impassioned suit." Urguet would seem to imply an affected coyness and reserve on the part of Pyrrha, in order to elicit more powerfully the feelings of him who addresses her.-5. Simplex munditiis. "With simple elegance." Plain in thy neatness. (Milton.)-Fidem mutatosque deos. "Thy broken faith, and the gods adverse to his prayer." The gods, who once seemed to smile upon his suit, are now, under the epithet of "mutati" ("altered") represented as frowning upon it.

7-12. 7. Nigris ventis. "With blackening clouds." The epithet nigri, here applied to the winds, is equivalent to "cælum nigrum reddentes." -8. Emirabitur insolens. "Unaccustomed to the sight shall be lost in wonder at."-9. Aurea. "All golden," i. e. possessing a heart swayed by the purest affection towards him.-10. Vacuam. "Free from all attachment to another."-11. Nescius auræ fallacis. Pyrrha is likened in point of fickleness to the wind.-12. Nites. An idea borrowed from the appearance presented by the sea when reposing in a calm, its treacherous waters sparkling beneath the rays of the sun.

13. Me tabula sacer, &c. Mariners rescued from the dangers of shipwreck were accustomed to suspend some votive tablet or picture, together with their moist vestments, in the temple of the god by whose interposition they believed themselves to have been saved. In these paintings the storm, and the circumstances attending their escape, were carefully delineated. Ruined mariners frequently carried such pictures about with them, in order to excite the compassion of those whom they chanced to meet, describing at the same time in songs the particulars of their story. Horace in like manner speaks of the votive tablet which gratitude has prompted him to offer in thought, his peace of mind having been nearly shipwrecked by the brilliant but dangerous beauty of Pyrrha.

ODE 6. M. Vipsanius Agrippa, to whom this ode is addressed, is thought to have complained of the silence which Horace had preserved in relation to him throughout his various pieces. The poet seeks to justify himself on the ground of his utter inability to handle so lofty a theme. "Varius will sing thy praises, Agrippa, with all the fire of a second Homer. For my own part, I would as soon attempt to describe in poetic numbers the god of battle, or any of the heroes of the Iliad, as undertake to tell of thy fame and that of the royal Cæsar." The language, however, in which the bard's excuse is conveyed, while it speaks a high eulogium on the characters of Augustus and Agrippa, proves at the same time, how well qualified he was to execute the task which he declines.

Sanadon, without the least shadow of probability, endeavours to trace an allegorical meaning throughout the entire ode. He supposes Pollio to be meant by Achilles, Agrippa and Messala by the phrase duplicis Ulixei, Antony and Cleopatra by the "house of Pelops," Statilius Taurus by the god Mars, Marcus Titius by Meriones, and Mæcenas by the son of Tydeus.

1. Scriberis Vario, &c. "Thou shalt be celebrated by Varius, a bird of Maeonian strain, as valiant," &c. Vario and aliti are datives, put by a Græcism for ablatives.-The poet to whom Horace here alludes, and who is again mentioned on several occasions, was Lucius Varius, famed for his epic and tragic productions. Quintilian (10. 1.) asserts, that a tragedy of his, entitled Thyestes, was deserving of being compared with any of the Grecian models. He composed also a panegyric on Augustus, of which the ancient writers speak in terms of high commendation. Macrobius (Sat. 6. 1.) has preserved some fragments of a poem of his on death. Varius was one of the friends who introduced Horace to the notice of Maecenas, and, along with Plotius Tucca, was entrusted by Augustus with the revision of the Æneid. It is evident that this latter poem could not have yet appeared when Horace composed the present ode, since he would never certainly, in that event, have given Varius the prefer ence to Virgil. For an account of the literary imposture of Heerkens in relation to a supposed tragedy of Varius's, entitled Tereus, consult Schoell, Hist. Lit. Rom. vol. 1. 212. seqq.

2-5. 2. Mæonii carminis aliti. The epithet "Mæonian," contains an allusion to Homer, who was generally supposed to have been born near Smyrna, and to have been consequently of Mæonian (i. e. Lydian) descent. The term aliti refers to a custom in which the ancient poets often indulged of likening themselves to the eagle and the swan.-3. Quam rem cunque. "For whatever exploit," i. e. quod attinet ad rem, quamcunque, &c.-5. Agrippa. M. Vipsanius Agrippa, a celebrated Roman of humble origin, but who raised himself by his civil and military talents to some of the highest offices in the empire. He gained two celebrated naval vic tories for Augustus, the one at Actiurn, and the other over the fleet of Sextus Pompeius, near Myle off the coast of Sicily. Agrippa was distinguished also for his successes in Gaul and Germany. He became eventually the son-in-law of the emperor, having married, at his request, Julia the widow of Marcellus. The Pantheon was erected by him.

5-12. 5. Nec gravem Pelida stomachum, &c. "Nor the fierce resentment of the unrelenting son of Peleus," alluding to the wrath of Achilles, the basis of the Iliad, and his beholding unmoved, amid his anger against Agamemnon, the distresses and slaughter of his countrymen.-7. Nec cursus duplicis, &c. "The wanderings of the crafty Ulysses."-8. Sævam Pelopis domum. Atreus, Thyestes, Agamemnon, Orestes, &c. the subjects of tragedies.-10. Imbellisque lyra Musa potens. "And the Muse that sways the peaceful lyre." Alluding to his own inferiority in epic strain, and his being better qualified to handle sportive and amatory themes.-12. Culpa deterere ingeni. "To diminish (i. e. weaken) by any want of talent on our part."

14-20. 14. Digne. "In strains worthy of the theme."-15. Merionen. Meriones, charioteer and friend of Idomeneus.-16. Tydiden. Dio mede, son of Tydeus.-Superis parem. "A match for the inhabitants of the skies." Alluding to the wounds inflicted on Venus and Mars by the Grecian warrior.-17. Nos convivia, &c. "We, whether free from all attachment to another, or whether we burn with any passion, with our wonted exemption from care, sing of banquets; we sing of the contests of maidens, briskly assailing with pared nails their youthful admirers."-18. Sectis. Bentley conjectures strictis, which conveys, however, rather the idea of a serious contest.

ror.

ODE 7. Addressed to L. Munatius Plancus, who had become suspected by Augustus of disaffection, and meditated, in consequence, retiring from Italy to some one of the Grecian cities. As far as can be conjectured from the present ode, Plancus had communicated his intention to Horace, and the poet now seeks to dissuade him from the step, but in such a way, however, as not to endanger his own standing with the empe The train of thought appears to be as follows: "I leave it to others to celebrate the far-famed cities and regions of the rest of the world. My admiration is wholly engrossed by the beautiful scenery around the banks and falls of the Anio." (He here refrains from adding "betake yourself, Plancus, to that lovely spot," but merely subjoins,) "The south wind, my friend, does not always veil the sky with clouds. Do you therefore bear up manfully under misfortune, and, wherever you may dwell, chase away the cares of life with mellow wine, taking Teucer as an example of patient endurance worthy of all imitation."

1. Laudabunt alii. "Others are wont to praise." This peculiar usage of the future is in imitation of a Greek idiom, of no unfrequent occurrence: thus ἀτιμήσουσι (Hes. ἔργ. καὶ ἡμ. 135.) for ἀτιμᾷν φιλοῦσι, and μέμPovrai (id. ibid. 186.) for péμpeobai pilovoi. For other examples, compare Grævius, Lect. Hes. c. 5. and Matthiæ. G. G. § 503. 4.

Claram Rhodon. "The sunny Rhodes." The epithet claram is here commonly rendered by "illustrious," which weakens the force of the line by its generality, and is decidedly at variance with the wellknown skill displayed by Horace in the selection of his epithets. The interpretation, which we have assigned to the word, is in full accordance with a passage of Lucan (8. 248.) " Claramque reliquit sole Rhodon." Pliny (H. N. 2. 62.) informs us of a boast on the part of the Rhodians, that not a day passed during which their island was not illumined for an hour at least by the rays of the sun, to which luminary it was sacred.-Mitylenen. Mitylene, the capitol of Lesbos, and birth place of Pittacus, Alcæus, Sappho, and other distinguished individuals. Cicero, in speaking of this city, (2 Orat. in Rull. 14.) says, "Urbs, et natura, et situ et descriptione ædificiorum, et pulchritudine, in primis nobilis.”

2-4. 2. Epheson. Ephesus, a celebrated city of Ionia, in Asia Minor, famed for its temple and worship of Diana.-Bimarisve Corinthi mænia. "Or the walls of Corinth, situate between two arms of the sea." Corinth lay on the isthmus of the same name, between the Sinus Corinthiacus (Gulf of Lepanto) on the west, and the Sinus Saronicus (Gulf of Engia) on the south-east. Its position was admirably adapted for commerce.-3. Vel Baccho Thebas, &c. "Or Thebes ennobled by Bacchus, or Delphi by Apollo." Thebes, the capital of Boeotia, was the fabled scene of the birth and nurture of Bacchus.-Delphi was famed for its oracle of Apollo. The city was situate on the southern side of mount Parnassus.-4. Tempe. The Greek accusative plural, Téμrn, contracted from Téμrea. Tempe was a beautiful valley in Thessaly, between the mountains Ossa and Olympus, and through which flowed the Peneus.

5-7. 5. Intactæ Palladis arces. "The citadel of the virgin Pallas." Alluding to the acropolis of Athens, sacred to Minerva.-7. Indeque decerptam fonti, &c. "And to place around their brow the olive crown, deserved and gathered by them for celebrating such a theme." The olive was sacred to Minerva.-Some editions read "Undique" for "Indeque," and the meaning will then be "To place around their brow the olive crown deserved and gathered by numerous other bards." The common lec

tion Undique decerptae frondi, &c. must be rendered, "To prefer the oliveleaf to every other that is gathered."

9-11. 9. Aptum equis Argos. "Argos well-fitted for the nurture of steeds." An imitation of the language of Homer "Apуɛos iπʊbótolo (Il. 2. 287.) Ditesque Mycenas. Compare Sophocles (Electr. 9.) Mukhvas ràs Toλuxρboous.-10. Patiens Lacedæmon. Alluding to the patient endurance of the Spartans under the severe institutions of Lycurgus.-11. Larissa campus opima. Larissa, the old Pelasgic capital of Thessaly, was situate on the Peneus, and famed for the rich and fertile territory in which it stood.-Tam percussit. "Has struck with such warm admiration."

12. Domus Albunea resonantis. "The home of Albunea, re-echoing to the roar of waters." Commentators and tourists are divided in opinion respecting the domus Albunea. The general impression, however, seems to be, that the temple of the Sibyl, on the summit of the cliff at Tibur, (now Tivoli) and overhanging the cascade, presents the fairest claim to this distinction. It is described as being at the present day a most beautiful ruin. "This beautiful temple," observes a recent traveller, "which stands on the very spot where the eye of taste would have placed it, and on which it ever reposes with delight, is one of the most attractive features of the scene, and perhaps gives to Tivoli its greatest charm." (Rome in the Nineteenth Century, vol. 2. p. 398. Am. ed.) Among the arguments in favour of the opinion above stated, it may be remarked, that Varro, as quoted by Lactantius (de Falsa Rel. 1. 6.) gives a list of the ancient Sibyls, and, among them, enumerates the one at Tibur, surnamed Albunea, as the tenth and last. He farther states that she was worshipped at Tibur, on the banks of the Anio. Suidas also says, Δεκάτη ἡ Τιβουρτία, ὀνόματι Abovvala. Eustace is in favour of the Grotto of Neptune," as it is called at the present day, a cavern in the rock, to which travellers descend in order to view the second fall of the Anio. (Class. Tour. vol. 2. p. 230. Lond. ed.) Others again suppose that the domus Albunea was in the neighbourhood of the Aqua Albula, sulphureous lakes, or now rather pools, close to the Via Tiburtina, leading from Rome to Tibur; and it is said, in defence of this opinion, that, in consequence of the hollow ground in the vicinity returning an echo to footsteps, the spot obtained from Horace the epithet of resonantis. (Spence's Polymetis.) The idea is certainly an ingenious one, but it is conceived that such a situation would give rise to feelings of insecurity rather than of pleasure.

13-15. 13. Præceps Anio. "The headlong Anio." This river, now the Teverone, is famed for its beautiful cascades, near the ancient town of Tibur, now Tivoli.--Tiburni lucus. This grove, in the vicinity of Tibur, took its name from Tiburnus, who had here divine honours paid to his memory. Tradition made him, in conjunction with his brothers Catillus and Coras (all three being sons of Amphiaraus,) to have led an Argive colony to the spot and founded Tibur.-15. Albus ut obscuro. Some editions make this the commencement of a new ode, on account of the apparent want of connection between this part and what precedes; but consult the introductory remarks to the present ode, where the connec tion is fully shown. By the Albus Notus "the clear south wind," is meant the Λευκόνοτος, οι Αργέστης Νότος (II. 11. 306.) of the Greeks. This wind, though for the most part a moist and damp one, whence its name (vóros, a voris, "moisture," "humidity,") in certain seasons of the year well merited the appellation here given it by Horace, producing clear