the heat of the sun. All the eastern coasts of the great continents, fanned by the trade-winds, enjoy a mild temperature. The elevated districts are even cold; the valley of Quito is always green; and perhaps the interior of Africa contains more than one region which nature has gifted with the same privilege. ODE XXIII. The poet advises Chloe, now of nubile years, no longer to follow her parent like a timid fawn, alarmed at every whispering breeze and rustling of the wood, but to make a proper return to the affection of one whom she had no occasion to view with feelings of alarm. 1. Hinnuleo. The term hinnuleus is here used for hinnulus, as, in Ode 1. 17. 9., hæduleæ occurs for hæduli. - 2. Pavidam. Denoting the alarm of the parent for the absence of her offspring. - Aviis. 66 Lonely."-5. Inhorruit. "Has rustled."-10. Gætulusve leo. That part of Africa which the ancients denominated Gætulia, appears to answer in some measure to the modern Belad-el-Djerid. — Frangere. This verb has here the meaning of "to rend," or "tear in pieces," as ayvúval is sometimes employed in Greek. 12. Tempestiva viro. "Since of marriageable age." ODE XXIV. The poet seeks to comfort Virgil for the loss of their mutual friend. The individual to whom the ode alludes was a native of Cremona, and appears to have been the same with the Quinctilius of whom Horace speaks in the Epistle to the Pisos (v. 438.). 1. Desiderio tam cari capitis. "To our regret for the loss of so dear an individual." Thus Virgil (Æn. 4. 492.) :· :-"Testor, cara, deos, et te, germana, tuumque dulce caput." The use of caput in this clause is analogous to that of kepaλh and kápa in Greek. -2. Præcipe lugubres cantus. "Prompt me the strains of woe." Literally, "precede me in the strains of woe."—3. Liquidam vocem. “A clear and tuneful voice."Pater. The Muses, in the common mythology, were said to have been the daughters of Jupiter and Mnemosyne. 5. Ergo Quinctilium. The Muse here commences the funeral dirge. -7. Nudaque Veritas. "And undisguised Truth." 11. Tu frustra pius, &c. "Thou, alas! displaying a fruitless affection, dost pray the gods for the restoration of Quinctilius, not on such terms entrusted to thy care;" that is, "not given to thee as a lasting possession." Döring suggests that the word "creditum" refers to the gods; and the meaning of the passage would then be, "You seek from the gods Quinctilius, recommended to their care by your prayers and sacrifices;" since, according to the habits and the phraseology of the ancients, he who made a vow, or offered a sacrificial petition, was said diis credere, "to trust or give credit to the gods;" and they were said debere, "to owe," quod iis creditum est, "whatever had been entrusted to them." This appears the preferable construing.- -13. Blandius. "With more persuasive melody.”—16. Virga horrida. "With his gloomy wand." Alluding to the caduceus. The epithet horrida denotes its dreaded influence over the movements of departed shades, as they pass onward to the fatal river. -17. Non lenis, &c. "Not gentle enough to change the order of the fates in compliance with our prayers," i. e. sternly refusing to change, &c. — - Lenis recludere, a Græcism for lenis ad reclu will be equally applicable to the sands of the gulf agitated by the waves, and to those of the more inland parts driven to and fro by the violence of the winds. It remains to be seen, however, whether the word in question be not of indigenous origin, since the name Sert is applied at the present day by the natives not only to the sandy region along the coast, but also to the desert immediately south of it, and, according to modern travellers, the term likewise exists in Arabic, in the sense of a desert tract of country. 7. Vel quæ loca, &c. "Or through those regions, which the Hydaspes, source of many a fable, laves." The epithet fabulosus refers to the strange accounts which were circulated respecting this river, its golden sands, the monsters inhabiting its waters, &c. The Hydaspes, now the Fylum, is one of the five eastern tributaries of the Indus, which, by their union form the Punjnub, while the region which they traverse is denominated the Punjab, or country of the five rivers. 9. Namque. Equivalent to the Greek xal yάp. Supply the ellipsis as follows: "And this I have plainly learnt from my own case, for," &c.—Silva in Sabina. He refers to a wood in the vicinity of his Sabine farm. -10. Ultra terminum. "Beyond my usual limits."-11. Curis expeditis. "With all my cares dispelled."— 12. Inermem. "Though unarmed.” 13. Militaris Daunias. "Warlike Daunia." Daunias is here the Greek form of the nominative. This district of Apulia supplied the Roman armies with some of their hardiest soldiers. — 15. Juba tellus. Mauritania. 17. Pone me, pigris, &c. For the connection between this and the previous portion of the ode, consult the introductory remarks. The poet alludes in this stanza to what is termed at the present day the frozen zone, and he describes it in accordance with the general belief of his age. The epithet pigris may be rendered by "barren," and refers to the plains of the north lying sterile and uncultivated by reason of the excessive cold. Modern observations, however, assign two seasons to this distant quarter of the globe; a long and rigorous winter, succeeded often suddenly by insupportable heats. The power of the solar beams, though feeble, from the obliquity of their direction, accumulates during the days, which are extremely long, and produces effects which might be expected only in the torrid zone. The days for several months, though of a monotonous magnificence, astonishingly accelerate the growth of vegetation. In three days, or rather three times twenty-four hours, the snow is melted, and the flowers begin to blow. 19. Quod latus mundi, &c. "In that quarter of the world, which clouds and an inclement sky continually oppress." 21. Nimium propinqui. Too near the earth." Understand terris. - 22. Domibus negata. "Denied to mortals for an abode." Most of the ancients conceived that the heat continued to increase from the tropic towards the equator. Hence they concluded that the middle of the zone was uninhabitable. It is now, however, ascertained that many circumstances combine to establish even there a temperature that is supportable. The clouds; the great rains; the nights naturally very cool, their duration being equal to that of the days; a strong evaporation; the vast expanse of the sea; the proximity of very high mountains, covered with perpetual snow; the trade-winds, and the periodical inundations, equally contribute to diminish the heat. This is the reason why, in the torrid zone, we meet with all kinds of climates. The plains are burnt up by the heat of the sun. All the eastern coasts of the great continents, fanned by the trade-winds, enjoy a mild temperature. The elevated districts are even cold; the valley of Quito is always green; and perhaps the interior of Africa contains more than one region which nature has gifted with the same privilege. ODE XXIII. The poet advises Chloe, now of nubile years, no longer to follow her parent like a timid fawn, alarmed at every whispering breeze and rustling of the wood, but to make a proper return to the affection of one whom she had no occasion to view with feelings of alarm. 66 1. Hinnuleo. The term hinnuleus is here used for hinnulus, as, in Ode 1. 17. 9., hæduleæ occurs for hæduli. 2. Pavidam. Denoting the alarm of the parent for the absence of her offspring. Aviis. Lonely."-5. Inhorruit. "Has rustled."-10. Gætulusve leo. That part of Africa which the ancients denominated Gætulia, appears to answer in some measure to the modern Belad-el-Djerid. — Frangere. This verb has here the meaning of "to rend," or "tear in pieces," as ayvival is sometimes employed in Greek. 12. Tempestiva viro. "Since of marriageable age." ODE XXIV. The poet seeks to comfort Virgil for the loss of their mutual friend. The individual to whom the ode alludes was a native of Cremona, and appears to have been the same with the Quinctilius of whom Horace speaks in the Epistle to the Pisos (v. 438.). 66 1. Desiderio tam cari capitis. "To our regret for the loss of so dear an individual." Thus Virgil (Æn. 4. 492.): Testor, cara, deos, et te, germana, tuumque dulce caput." The use of caput in this clause is analogous to that of kepaλǹ and kápa in Greek.-2. Præcipe lugubres cantus. "Prompt me the strains of woe." Literally, "precede me in the strains of woe."-3. Liquidam vocem. “ A clear and tuneful voice."— Pater. The Muses, in the common mythology, were said to have been the daughters of Jupiter and Mnemosyne. -5. Ergo Quinctilium. The Muse here commences the funeral dirge. 7. Nudaque Veritas. "And undisguised Truth." 11. Tu frustra pius, &c. "Thou, alas! displaying a fruitless affection, dost pray the gods for the restoration of Quinctilius, not on such terms entrusted to thy care;" that is, "not given to thee as a lasting possession." Döring suggests that the word "creditum" refers to the gods; and the meaning of the passage would then be, "You seek from the gods Quinctilius, recommended to their care by your prayers and sacrifices;" since, according to the habits and the phraseology of the ancients, he who made a vow, or offered a sacrificial petition, was said diis credere, "to trust or give credit to the gods ;" and they were said debere, "to owe," quod iis creditum est, "whatever had been entrusted to them." This appears the preferable construing. 13. Blandius. "With more persuasive melody."—16. Virga horrida. "With his gloomy wand." Alluding to the caduceus. The epithet horrida denotes its dreaded influence over the movements of departed shades, as they pass onward to the fatal river. -17. Non lenis, &c. "Not gentle enough to change the order of the fates in compliance with our prayers," i. e. sternly refusing to change, &c. Lenis recludere, a Græcism for lenis ad reclu dendum. 19. Levius fit patientia. Publius Syrus calls "patience the asylum of affliction :". miseriarum portus est patientia. ODE XXV. Addressed to Lydia, now an object of neglect, and declining rapidly in the vale of years. The picture here drawn of a vicious female, towards the close of her career, is a disgusting but most instructive one. 1. Junctas quatiunt fenestras. An idea borrowed from a besieged city. The custom here alluded to was one of common occurrence among the youth of Italy and Greece. The ancient Romans had only openings in the walls to admit the light (fenestræ, “windows," from palvw, "ostendo"). They were covered with two folding leaves or shutters of wood, and sometimes a curtain. Occasionally a net or framework was placed over the aperture. The excavations at Pompeii have clearly demonstrated that the ancients occasionally made use of glass in windows, but at what period the custom was introduced is uncertain: probably towards the close of the first century of the Christian era. Pliny mentions tale, split into thin laminæ, as employed for the purpose; and hence its name of lapis specularis. Another stone, similarly used, was called phengites, from peyyos, light. Before this it would appear that thin hides, prepared, perhaps, like parchment, were employed. 3. Amatque janua limen. A beautiful expression. Compare Virgil (En. 5. 163.) "Litus ama.` -6. Jam. The word "now," placed conspicuously at the end of the line, denotes tersely and bitterly the difference betwixt Lydia as she is, and Lydia as she was.-7. Me tuo longas, &c. "While I your lover," &c. Intended for the words of a serenade.-10. Levis. "Thinly clad." When poverty shall have succeeded, as it inevitably must, to a career of vicious indulgence, the light vestments of summer will be thy only protection against the wintry blasts. - " 11. Thracio vento. By the "Thracian wind" is meant Boreas, or the north wind, whose native land, according to the Greek poets, was the country of Thrace. Sub interlunia. "At the time which intervenes between the old and new moon.' "Or, in more free and poetic language, "during the dark and stormy season when the moon has disappeared from the skies."-14. Quæ solet matres, &c. An allusion to the same idea that is expressed by the Greek innouaveîv. — 15. Jecur ulcerosum. The liver was supposed by the ancients to be the primary receptacle of the blood, whence it was diffused over the whole system: hence it be came also the seat of the passions. 17. Hedera virenti. The "verdant ivy" and the "dark myrtle" are figuratively used for "youthful beauties,” in opposition to aridas frondes, "withered crones." The leaves of the myrtle, in general of a dark hue, are more particularly so when young. 20. Dedicet Euro. To devote to Eurus," moreover, coincides precisely with our own form of expression, "to scatter to the winds." ODE XXVI. In praise of Ælius Lamia, a Roman of ancient and illustrious family, and distinguished for his exploits in the war with the Cantabri. The bard, wholly occupied with the Muses and his friend, consigns every other thought to the winds. 2. Mare Creticum. The Cretan, which lay to the north of the island, is here put for any sea. -- 3. Portare. "To waft them." A Greek idiom, pépew dwow, instead of tradam portandos. - Quís sub Arcto, &c. "By what people the monarch of a frozen region beneath the northern sky is feared," &c. The present ode appears to have been written at the time when Phraates, king of Parthia, had been dethroned by his subjects for his excessive cruelty, and Teridates, who headed a party against him, appointed in his stead. Phraates fled for succour to the Scythians, and a monarch of that nation was now on his march to restore him. The king of the frozen region is therefore the Scythian invader, and the people who fear his approach are the Parthians, with Teridates at their head. Dio Cassius informs us that Phraates was reinstated in his kingdom, and that Teridates fled into Syria. 6. Fontibus integris. "The pure fountains." By the fontes integri lyric poetry is designated, and the poet alludes to the circumstance of his having been the first of his countrymen that had refreshed the literature of Rome with the streams of lyric verse. Hence the invocation of the muse.-7. Apricos necte flores. "Entwine the sunny flowers." The sunny flowers and the chaplet which they form are figurative expressions, and mean simply a lyric effusion. The muse is solicited to aid the bard in celebrating the praises of his friend. — 9. Nil sine te mei, &c. 66 My fame is powerless without thy continued inspiration." By the term honores the poet alludes to his successful cultivation of lyric verse. - 10. Fidibus novis. "In new strains," i. e. in lyric verse. 11. Lesbio plectro. "On the Lesbian lyre." The plectrum, or quill, is here taken figuratively for the lyre itself. Compare Ode 1. 1. 34. Sucrare. "To consecrate to immortal fame." ODE XXVII. The poet is supposed to be present at a festal party, where the guests, warming under the influence of wine, begin to break forth into noisy wrangling. He reproves them in severe terms for conduct so foreign to a meeting of friends, and, in order to draw off their attention to other and more pleasing subjects, he proposes the challenge in verse 10th, on which the rest of the ode is made to turn. 1. Natis in usum, &c. "Over cups made for joyous purposes." The scyphus was a cup of rather large dimensions, used both on festal occa sions, and in the celebration of sacred rites. Like the cantharus, it was sacred to Bacchus.—2. Thracum est. Compare note on Ode 1. 18. 9. -3. Verecundum. Equivalent to modicum, "Free from excess.". 5. Vino et lucernis, &c. 66 It is wonderful how much the dagger of the Parthian is at variance with nocturnal banquets;" literally, "with wine and lights." Vino and lucernis are datives, put by a Græcism for the ablative with the preposition a. — Medus. Compare Ode 1. 2. 51.Acinaces. The term is of Persian origin. The acinaces was properly a small dagger, in use among the Persians, and borrowed from them by the soldiers of later ages. 6. Immane quantum. Analogous to the Greek θαυμαστὸν ὅσον. Impium clamorem. The epithet impius has here a particular reference to the violation of the ties and duties of friendship, as well as to the profanation of the table, which was always regarded as sacred by the ancients. 8. Cubito remanete presso. "Remain with the elbow pressed on the couch," i. e. stir not from your places. Alluding to the ancient custom of reclining at their meals.-9. Severi Falerni. All writers agree |