"Judiciumque."

H. Efto, fiquis" mala. fed bona fi quis Judice condiderit laudatus CAESARE? fi quis

Opprobriis dignum laceraverit, integer ipfe?

VER. 150. Libels and Satires! lawless things indeed! But grave Epiftles, &c.] The legal objection is here more justly and decently taken off than in the Original. Horace evades the force of it with a quibble,

Efto, fiquis mala; fed bona fi quis.

But the Imitator's grave Epiftles fhew the fatire to be a ferious reproof, and therefore juftifiable; which the integer ipfe of the Original does not: for however this might plead in mitigation of the offence, nothing but their being grave Epiftles could justify the attack.

VER. 152. F. Indeed ?] Hor.

Solventur rifu tabulae.

See Libels, Satires-here you have it-read.

P. n Libels and Satires! lawless things indeed! 150 But grave Epiftles, bringing Vice to light,

Such as a King might read, a Bishop write,
Such as Sir ROBERT would approve-

F. Indeed?
The Cafe is alter'd-you may then proceed;
• In fuch a caufe the Plaintiff will be hifs'd,

My Lords the Judges laugh, and you're dismiss'd.

NOTES.

155

Some Critics tell us, it is want of tafte to put this line in the mouth of Trebatius. But our Poet confutes this cenfure, by fhewing how well the fense of it agrees to his Friend's character. The Lawyer is cautious and fearful; but as foon as SIR ROBERT, the Patron both of Law and Gofpel, is mentioned as approving them, he changes his note, and, in the language of old Plouden, owns, the Cafe is altered. Now was it not as natural, when Horace had given a hint that Auguftus himself fupported him, for Trebatius, a Court Advocate, who had been long a Client to him and his Uncle, to confess the Cafe was altered?

THE

SECOND SATIRE

OF THE

SECOND BOOK

O F

HORAC E.

SATIRA II.

Q

UAE virtus et quanta, boni, fit vivere parvo, (Nec meus hic fermo; fed quae praecepit Ofellus,

d

Rufticus, abnormis Sapiens, craffaque Minerva)

Difcite, non inter lances menfafque nitentes ;

Cum ftupet infanis acies fulgoribus, et cum
Acclinis falfis animus meliora recufat :

Verum hic impranfi mecum difquirite. Cur hoc?
Dicam, fi potero. male verum examinat omnis
Corruptus judex. Leporem fectatus, equove
Laffus ab indomito; vel (fi Romana fatigat
Militia affuetum graecari) feu pila velox,
Molliter aufterum ftudio fallente laborem ;
Seu te difcus agit, pete cedentem aera difco:
Cum labor extulerit faftidia; ficcus, inanis,
Sperne cibum vilem: nifi Hymettia mella Falerno,
Ne biberis, diluta. i foris eft promus, et atrum

NOTES.

VER. 5. a gilt Buffet's reflected pride Turns you from found Philofophy afide;] More forcibly and happily expreffed than the original, acclinis fulfis; tho' that be very elegant.