book.-9. Olivum. "The oil of the ring." Wax was comonly mixed with it, and the composition was then termed ceroma (npua.) With this the wrestlers were anointed in order to give pliability to their limbs, and, after anointing their bodies, were covered with dust, for the purpose of affording their antagonists a better hold. (Compare Lucian, de Gymnasiis, vol. 7. p. 189. ed. Bip.) The term ceroma (npupa) is sometimes in consequence used for the ring itself. (Compare Plutarch, An seni sit ger. resp. vol. 12. p. 119. ed. Hutten. Seneca. Brevit. vit. 12. Plin. H. N. 35.2.)

10-16. 10. Armis. "By martial exercises."-11. Sæpe disco, &c. "Though famed for the discus often cast, for the javelin often hurled, beyond the mark." The discus (diokos) or coit, was round, flat, and perforated in the centre. It was made either of iron, brass, lead, or stone, and was usually of great weight. Some authorities are in favour of a central aperture, others are silent on this head. The Romans borrowed this exercise from the Greeks, and among the latter the Lacedæmonians were particularly attached to it.-12. Expedito. This term carries with it the idea of great skill as evinced by the ease of performing these exercises.— 13. Ut marina, &c. Alluding to the story of Achilles having been concealed in female vestments at the court of Lycomedes, King of Scyros, in order to avoid going to the Trojan war..-14. Sub lacrymosa Troja funera. "On the eve of the mournful carnage of Troy." i. e. in the midst of the preparations for the Trojan war.-15. Virilis cultus. "Manly attire."— 16. In cædem et Lycias catervas. A Hendiadys. "To the slaughter of the Trojan bands." Lycias is here equivalent to Trojanas, and refers to the collected forces of the Trojans and their allies.

ODE 9. Addressed to Thaliarchus, whom some event had robbed of his peace of mind. The poet exhorts his friend to banish care from his breast, and, notwithstanding the pressure of misfortune, and the gloomy severity of the winter-season, which then prevailed, to enjoy the present hour and leave the rest to the gods.

The commencement of this ode would appear to have been imitated from Alcæus.

2. Soracte. Mount Soracte lay to the south-east of Falerii, in the territory of the Falisci, a part of ancient Etruria. It is now called Monte S. Silvestro, or, as it is by modern corruption sometimes termed, Sant' Oreste. On the summit was a temple and grove, dedicated to Apollo, to whom an annual sacrifice was offered by the people of the country distinguished by the name of Hirpii, who were on that account held sacred, and exempted from military service and other public duties (Plin. H. N. 7. 2.) The sacrifice consisted in their passing over heaps of red hot embers, without being injured by the fire. (Compare Virgil, Aen. 11. 785. Sil. Ital. 5. 175.)

3. Laborantes. This epithet beautifully describes the forests as strug gling and bending beneath the weight of the superincumbent ice and snow. As regards the present climate of Italy, which is thought from this and other passages of the ancient writers, to have undergone a material change, the following remarks may not prove unacceptable. "It has been thought by some modern writers," observes Mr. Cramer, (referring to

L'Abbé du Bos, "Reflex. sur la Poesie et sur la Peinture," vol. 2. p. 298. and L'Abbé Longuerue, cited by Gibbon, "Miscellaneous Works," vol. 3. p. 245.) "that the climate and temperature of Italy have undergone some change during the lapse of ages: that the neighbourhood of Rome, for instance, was colder than it is at present. This opinion seems founded on some passages of Horace (Ode. 1. 9. Epist. 1. 7. 10.) and Juvenal (Sat. 6. 521.) in which mention is made of the Tibur as being frozen, and of the rest of the country as exhibiting all the severity of winter. But these are circumstances which happen as often in the present day as in the time of Horace; nor is it a very uncommon thing to see snow in the streets of Rome in March, or even April. I witnessed a fall of snow there, on the 12th of April, 1817. Whatever change may have taken place in some districts is probably owing to the clearing away of great forests, or the draining of marshes, as in Lombardy, which must be allowed to be a much better cultivated and more populous country than it was in the time of the Romans. On the other hand, great portions of land now remain uncultivated which were once productive and thickly inhabited. The Campagna di Roma, part of Tuscany, and a great portion of Calabria are instances of the latter change." (Description of Ancient Italy, vol. 1. p. 10.)

3-10. 3. Gelu acuto. "By reason of the keen frost."--5. Dissolve frigus. "Dispell the cold."—6. Benignius. "More plentifully." Regarded by some as an adjective, agreeing with merum. "Rendered more mellow by age."--7. Sabina diota. "From the Sabine jar." The vessel is here called Sabine, from its containing wine made in the country of the Sabines. The diota received its name from its having two handles or ears (dis and ous). It contained generally forty eight sextarii, about twenty seven quarts English measure.-9. Qui simul stravere, &c. "For, as soon as they have lulled," &c. The relative is here elegantly used to introduce a sentence, instead of a personal pronoun with a particle.--quore fervido. "Over the boiling surface of the deep."

13-24. 13. Fuge quærere. "Avoid enquiring." Seek not to know. -14. Quod Fors dierum cunque dabit. A tmesis for quodcunque dierum fors dabit.--Lucro adpone. "Set down as gain"-16. Puer. "While still young."--Neque tu choreas. The use, or rather repetition, of the pronoun before choreas is extremely elegant, and in imitation of the Greek.-17. Donec virenti, &c. "As long as morose old-age is absent from thee still blooming with youth.-18. Campus et areæ. "Rambles both in the Campus Martius and along the public walks." By area are here meant those parts of the city that were free from buildings, the same probably as the squares and parks of modern days, where young lovers were fond of strolling.-Sub noctem. "At the approach of evening."-21. Nunc et latentis, &c. The order of the construction is, et nunc gratus risus (repetatur) ab intimo angulo, proditor latentis puellæ. The verb repetatur is understood. The poet alludes to some youthful sport, by the rules of which a forfeit was exacted from the person whose place of concealment was discovered, whether by the ingenuity of another, or the voluntary act of the party concealed.-24. Male pertinaci. "Faintly resisting." Pretending only to oppose.

ODE 10. In praise of Mercury. Imitated, according to the Scholiast Porphyrion, from the Greek poet Alcæus.

66

1-6. 1. Facunde. Mercury was regarded as the inventor of language, and the god of eloquence.-Nepos Atlantis. Mercury was the fabled son of Maia, one of the daughters of Atlas.-The word Atlantis must be pro nounced here A-tlantis, order to keep the penultimate foot a trochee. This peculiar division of syllables is imitated from the Greek. Thus σταθμα (Soph. Philoct. 490.), τεκνον (ib. 874.). τε-χνην (id. Trach. 629.) &c. 2. Feros cultus hominum recentum. "The savage manners of the early race of men." The ancients believed that the early state of mankind was but little removed from that of the brutes. (Compare Horace, Serm. 1. 3. 99. seqq.)-3. Voce. "By the gift of language."-Catus. "Wisely." Mercury wisely thought, that nothing would sooner improve and softer down the savage manners of the primitive race of men than mutual inter course, and the interchange of ideas by means of language. Decore more palæstræ. By the institution of the grace-bestowing palestra." The epithet decora is here used to denote the effect produced on the human frame by gymnastic exercises.-6. Curvæ lyrœ parentem. “Parent of the bending lyre." Mercury (Hymn. in Merc. 20. seqq.) is said, while still an infant, to have formed the lyre from a tortoise which he found in his path, stretching seven strings over the hollow shell, (ἑπτὰ δὲ συμφώνους όλων ἐτανύσσατο χορδάς. Hence the epithets Ερμαίη and Κυλληναίη, which are applied to this instrument, and hence also the custom of designating it by the terms xxus, chelys, testudo, &c. Compare Gray, (Progress of Poesy) "Enchanting shell." Another, and probably less accurate, account makes this deity to have discovered on the banks of the Nile, after the subsiding of an inundation, the shell of a tortoise with nothing remaining of the body but the sinews: these when touched emitted a musical sound, and gave Mercury the first hint of the lyre. (Compare Germ. c. 23. Isidor. Orig. 3. 4) It is very apparent that the fable, whatever the true version may be, has an astronomical meaning, and contains a reference to the seven planets, and to the pretended music of the spheres.

9-11. 9. Te boves olim nisi reddidisses, &c. “While Apollo, in former days, seeks, with threatening accents to terrify thee, still a mere stripling, unless thou didst restore the cattle removed by thy art, he laughed to find himself deprived also of his quiver."-Bovcs. The cattle of Admetus were fed by Apollo on the banks of the Amphrysus, in Thessaly, after that deity had been banished for a time from the skies for destroying the Cyclopes. Mercury, still a mere infant, drives off fifty of the herd, and conceals them near the Alpheus, nor does he discover the place where they are hidden until ordered so to do by his sire. (Hymn. in Merc. 70. seqq.) Lucian (Dial. D. 7.) mentions other sportive thefts of the same deity, by which he deprived Neptune of his trident, Mars of his sword, Apollo of his bow, Venus of her cestus, and Jove himself of his sceptre. He would have stolen the thunderbolt also, had it not been too heavy and hot. (Εἰ δὲ μὴ βαρύτερος ὁ κερανὸς ἦν, καὶ πολὺ τὸ πῦρ εἶχε, κἀκεῖνον ἂν ἐφείλετο. Lucian, l. c.)-11. Viduus. A Græcism for viduum se sentiens. Horace, probably following Alcæus, blends together two mythological events, which, according to other authorities, happened at distinct periods. The Hymn to Mercury merely speaks of the theft of the cattle, after which Mercury gives the lyre as a peace-offering to Apollo. The only allusion to the arrows of the god is where Apollo, after this, expresses his fear lest the son of Maia may deprive him both of these weapons and of the lyre itself.

Δείδια, Μαιάδος υἱὲ, διάκτορες ποικιλομήτα,

μή μοι ἀνακλέψῃς κιθάρης καὶ καμπύλα τόξα.

13-19. 13. Quin et Atridas,&c. "Under thy guidance, too, the rich Priam passed unobserved the haughty sons of Atreus." Alluding to the visit which the aged monarch paid to the Grecian camp in order to ransom the corpse of Hector. Jupiter ordered Mercury to be his guide, and to conduct him unobserved and in safety to the tent of Achilles. (Consult Homer, Il. 24. 336, seqq.)—14. Dives Priamus. Alluding not only to his wealth generally, but also to the rich presents which he was bearing to Achilles.-15. Thessalos ignes. "The Thessalian watch fires." Referring to the watches and troops of Achilles, through whom Priam had to pass in order to reach the tent of their leader.-16. Fefellit. Equivalent here to the Greek alev.-17. Tu pias lætis, &c. Mercury is here represented in his most important character, as the guide of departed spirits. Hence the epithets of ψυχοπομπός and νεκροπομπος so often applied to him. The verb reponis in the present stanza receives illustration, as to its meaning, from the passage in Virgil, where the future descendants of Æneas are represented as occupying abodes in the land of spirits previously to their being summoned to the regions of day. (En. 6. 756, seqq.)—18. Virgaque levem coerces, &c. An allusion to the caduceus of Mercury.-19. Superis deorum, a Græcism for Superis diis.

ODE 11. Addressed to Leuconoe, by which fictitious name a female friend of the poet's is thought to be designated. Horace, having discovered that she was in the habit of consulting the astrologers of the day in order to ascertain, if possible, the term both of her own, as well as his, existence, entreats her to abstain from such idle enquiries, and leave the events of the future to the wisdom of the gods.

1-4. 1. Tu ne quæsieris. "Enquire not, I entreat." The subjuncLive mood is here used as a softened imperative, to express entreaty or request; and the air of earnestness with which the poet addresses his female friend is increased by the insertion of the personal pronoun.-2. Finem. "Term of existence."-Babylonios numeros. "Chaldean tables." The Babylonians, or, more strictly speaking, Chaldeans, were the great astrologers of antiquity, and constructed tables for the calculation of nativities and the prediction of future events. This branch of charlatanism made such progress and attained so regular a form among them, that subsequently the terms Chaldean and Astrologer became completely synonymous.-3. Ut melius. How much better is it."-4. Ultimam. "This as the last."

4-8. 4. Quæ nunc oppositis, &c. "Which now breaks the strength of the Tuscan sea on the opposing rocks corroded by its waves." By the term pumicibus are meant rocks corroded and eaten into caverns by the constant dashing of the waters.-5. Vina liques. "Filtrate thy wines." The wine-strainers of the Romans were made of linen, placed round a frame-work of osiers, shaped like an inverted cone. In consequence of the various solid or viscous ingredients which the ancients added to their wines, frequent straining became necessary to prevent inspissation. -Spatio brevi. "In consequence of the brief span of human existence." --8. Carpe diem. "Enjoy the present day."

ODE 12. Addressed to Augustus.-The poet, intending to celebrate

the praises of his imperial master, pursues a course extremely flattering to the vanity of the latter, by placing his merits on a level with those of gods and heroes.

1-6. 1. Quem virum aut heroa. "What living or departed hero." Compare the remark of the scholiast, "Quem virum de vivis? quem heroa de mortuis ?"-Lyra vel acri tibia. "On the lyre, or shrill-toned pipe." i. e. in strains adapted to either of these instruments.-2. Celebrare. A Gre cism, for ad celebrandum.—Clio. The first of the nine muses, and presiding over epic poetry and history.-3. Jocosa imago. "Sportive echo." Understand vocis.-5. In umbrosis Heliconis oris. "Amid the shady borders of Helicon." A mountain in Bootia, one of the favourite haunts of the Muses.-6. Super Pindo. "On the summit of Pindus." The chain of Pindus separated Thessaly from Epirus. It was sacred to Apollo and the Muses.-Hamo. Mount Hæmus stretches its great belt round the north of Thrace, in a direction nearly parallel with the coast of the Ægean. The modern name is Emineh Dag, or Balkan.

7-15. 7. Vocalem. "The tuneful."--Temere. "In wild confusion." The scene of this wonderful feat of Orpheus was near Zone, on the coast of Thrace. (Mela, 2. 2.)--9. Arte materna. Orpheus was the fabled son of Calliope, one of the Muses.--11. Blandum et auritas, &c. "Sweetly persuasive also to lead along with melodious lyre the listening oaks," i. e. who with sweetly persuasive accents and melodious lyre led along, &c. The epithet auritas is here applied to quercus by a bold image. The oaks are represented as following Orpheus with pricked-up ears.-13. Quid prius dicam, &c. "What shall I celebrate before the accustomed praises of the Parent of us all ?" Some read parentum, instead of parentis, "What shall I first celebrate, in accordance with the accustomed mode of praising adopted by our fathers?" Others, retaining parentum, place an interrogation after dicam, and a comma after laudibus. "What shall I first celebrate in song?--In accordance with the accustomed mode of praising adopted by our fathers, I will sing of him who" &c.-15. Variis horis. "With its changing seasons."

17-26. 17. Unde. "From whom." Equivalent to ex quo-19. Proximos tamen, &c. "Pallas, however, enjoys honours next in importance to his own." Minerva had her temple, or rather shrine, in the Capitol, on the right side of that of Jupiter, while Juno's merely occupied the left. Some commentators think that Minerva was the only one of the deitics after Jupiter who had the right of hurling the thunderbolt. This, however, is expressly contradicted by ancient coins. (Rasche, Lex. Rei Numism. vol. 2. pt. 1. p. 1192.--Heyne, Excurs. ad Virg. Æn. 1. 42.)—21. Præliis audax Liber. The victories of Bacchus, and especially his conquest of India, form a conspicuous part of ancient mythology.--22. Særis inimica Virgo belluis. Diana. Compare her Greek epithets SnookTóvos, and loxtaipa.-25. Alciden. Hercules, grandson of Alceus.--Puerosque Leda. Castor and Pollux.--Hunc. Alluding to Castor. Compare the Homeric Kárropa izzódaμov. (Il. 3. 237.)--Illum. Pollux. Compare the Homeric i ȧyalov Пoλučcúκeα. (Il. l. c. )—Pugnis. "In pugilistic encounters," literally "with fists."

27- 27. Quorum simul alba, &c. "For, as soon as the propitious star of each of them," &c. Alba is here used not so much in the sense of lucida and clara, as in that of purum ac serenum cælum reddens. Compare the expression Albus Notus, (Ode 1. 7. 15.) and Explanatory Notes