chin are out of the water" when swimming, or rather when "treading the water." 37. For exsucta, some good editions give exsucca. Other readings are numerous, such as, exuta, exsecta, exesa, exesta, exusta, &c. 38. Amoris esset poculum-" might form a love-potion," or philter. Cp. Epode 17, 80. 39. Interminato, &c.—pupulae-"when once his eye-balls, fixed on the forbidden food, had wasted away." Interminatusthe perf. part. of interminor, which is literally "to forbid by threats," is here used passively, and interdictus or negatus. Quum semel simul ac-Cp. Sat. ii. 1, 24, 41. Masculae, &c. - Foliam "that the Ariminian Folia, a woman of unnatural lewdness," and, as it would appear, well known at Naples and its vicinity. Ariminum, now Rimini, is the first town on the coast of Umbria, below the Rubicon. 43. Otiosa Neapolis · -"idle Naples." This city was founded by the Chalcidians of Cumae, and in consequence of its situation, and the temperature of its climate, it became the abode of idleness and pleasure. Cp. Livy, viii. 22; Ovid, Met. xv. 711; and Silius, xii. 31. The poet here implies that its inhabitants, like those of other Greek cities, were fond of gossip. 57. Senem, &c.-manus- "May the dogs of the Suburra bark at the aged profligate, so that all may laugh at him, anointed with (lit. perfume such as my hands have not prepared more powerful) the most powerful perfumes my hands ever prepared." She is afraid of losing the benefit of her perfumes! Senem-adulterum-The manner in which Varus is here indicated by Canidia tends indirectly to cast ridicule upon herself for seeking such an admirer. 58. Latrent allatrent. Cp. Sat. ii. 1, 85, and Epist. i. 2, 66. Suburanae canes-The Suburra was a populous locality at Rome, in the valley surrounded by the Quirinal, Viminal, and Esquiline, and the resort of thieves and prostitutes. Cp. Persius, Sat. v. 32, and Martial, vi. 66. 61. Here Canidia is supposed to expect the arrival of Varus, as the result of her incantations; but being disappointed, she exclaims, Quid, &c.-valent, &c.-"what has happened? Why are the direful drugs of the barbarian Medea less powerful," now than they were in former times-in case of Creusa, or Glauce, who was burned to death when she put on the poisoned garment? See Notes, Epode 3, 13. Some understand the latter words to mean, "Why are my direful drugs less powerful than those of the barbarian Medea?" Barbarae-Applied to Medea, in imitation of the Greek usage, as a native of a foreign land, i.e., Colchis. 45. Excantata" enchanted," i. e., 65. Palia-Cp. Euripides, Medea, 786, "charmed from their places."Voce Thes 44. Omne vicinum oppidum-Such as Puteoli, Capua, Cumæ, Surrentum. sala" by magic spell see Note on line λεπτόν τε πέπλον καὶ πλόκον χρυσή. 21. 46. Lunamque caelo deripit -That the moon could be brought down by magic was a common superstition, and the Thessalians were thought to be possessed of this art more than any other people. Cp. Virg. Ecl. 8, 69, and Tibullus, i. 2, 44. 47. Irresectum-"unpared." The long uncut nail was regarded as indicating a savage heart. 49. Quid dixit? aut quid tacuit?=Nefaria quaeque effata et palam professa est. Cp. Epist. i. 7, 22. In this line, the first half of the second double foot is a dactyl. 51. Nox et Diana - Canidia, after the manner of sorceresses, invokes Night and Hecate, who was supposed to preside over magic rites. Quae silentium regis-"who presidest over silence," ie., the silence of night, the season best adapted for the ceremonies of magic. Cp. Virg. Æn. ii. 255; iii. 112; and Ovid, Met. vii. 194. λatov. Tabo-veneno, as in Virg. Geo. iii. 481. 67. Atqui-"and though." In asperislocis-Cp. Ovid, Met. vii. 418. 68. Fefellit me-"has escaped my notice." 69. Indormit, &c.-pellicum-"he sleeps on perfumed couches, in forgetfulness of all mistresses." This interpretation requires a comma, or a semicolon, not a full stop, after locis. Many, however, take oblivione with unctis; but of these, some make it govern pellicum, and others mei understood. 71. She now fancies she sees him awake, and exclaims, Ah! &c.-carmine-"Ah! ah! he roves about, set free by the spell of some more skilful sorceress." 73. Non, usitatis, &c.-vocibus-"by the force of potions not used before, O Varus, who art destined to shed many tears, thou shalt return to me; nor shall thy affections ever leave me again, though called off by Marsian enchantments." Multa is here put by a Grecism for multum. 74. Caput is here equivalent to tu. Cp. Ode i. 24, 1. 53. Nunc adeste-"now be propitious." Nunc is repeated for the sake of emphasis. 55. Formidolosis-"frightful." Cp. Virg. Geo. iv. 468. Some MSS. give formidolosae, which some explain actively-"fear-inspir- 76. Marsis-vocibus-The Marsi, according, frightful;" others passively-"timo-ing to some authorities (Pliny, Hist. Nat. rous, easily frightened." ii. 7, 2), were descended from Marsus, a son of Circe, and hence were represented as potent enchanters. Cp. Epode 17, 29. 77. Majus, &c.-ignibus-"I will prepare a more efficacious, I will mix for thee, disdaining me, a more potent draught. And sooner shall the heavens sink beneath the sea, the earth being spread above, than thou not so burn with love to me as this bitumen now burns in the black fires." Canidia's magic fire is black, in consequence of the smoke of the bitumen. 79. In this line the first half of the third double foot is an anapæst. 83. Sub haec-"upon this " See Notes, Ode i. 8, 14. 84. Lenire-"attempted to move." The historical infinitive is here used instead of the imperfect indicative. In this construction coepit, or coeperunt, may often be supplied; in other cases, however, it will not accord with the sense. In the present instance, tentavit may be understood. 85. This, like line 91, commences with a dactyl. Unde "in what words." The unhappy boy is at a loss for words to express his indignation at the horrid rites practised by the hags, and at the still more horrid cruelty which they were meditating toward himself. 86. Thyesteas preces-"Thyestean imprecations," ie, imprecations such as Thyestes uttered against Atreus for murdering his two sons. 87. Venena magnum, &c.-vicem-"poisons, your great standard of right and wrong cannot alter human destiny," i.e., the poisons in which you confide cannot shield you from the vengeance of the gods. This couplet has occasioned great difficulty to commentators. Lambinus understands valent in the first clause in opposition to non valent in the second-"poisons may confound the principles of right and wrong, but they cannot overturn the condition of men." This is the explanation preferred by Dillenburger. Orelli makes magnum fas nefasque-the subject-"the great principles of right and wrong cannot ameliorate poisonous mixtures in human fashion." It is, however, very doubtful whether humanam vicem may be translated "in human fashion," or "as the things of men may be changed." For the independent use of vicem, see Epode 17, 42. Besides, were fas nefasque the nominative, the verb, as well as the adjective, would have been in the singular. Zumpt's interpretation is "Poison cannot upset the eternal laws like things human." Some explain magnum fas nefasque as an asseveration, "by the great principles of right and wrong!" Others take venena as equivalent to veneficas. 89 Diris (precibus) agam vos-" with my curses I will pursue you." 90. Nulla, &c.-Cp. Ode i. 28, 34. 92. Nocturnus oecurram Furor-"I will haunt you as a Fury by night," i.e., as a lemur, or larva. Cp. Virg. Æn. iv. 385. 94. Quae vis, &c.-Manium--"such is the power of those divinities, the Manes." The ellipsis is to be supplied, thus-"Ea vi quae vis est," &c. 97. Vicatim-" from street to street." 98. Obscoenas anus-"filthy old hags." 99. Different-"shall tear asunder." Cp. Epode 10, 6. 100. Esquilinae alites-Birds of prey frequented the Esquiliae, because there the bodies of malefactors were left exposed, and those of the poor were only half interred. Cp. Sat. i. 8, 8-14. Subsequently, however, the character of the place was entirely changed by the splendid residence and gardens of Mæcenas. See Notes, Ode iii. 29, 6. 101. Hoc spectaculum - Their punishment will be some consolation to his sorrowing parents. Mihi depends on superstites, and not on heu! as some would have it. EPODE VI.-Dicolos Distrophos: Metre-The Second Iambic, of which the first verse is an Iambic Trimeter, or Senarius, and the second an Iambic Dimeter, or Quaternarius; thus SUBJECT-A challenge to a cowardly individual who was disposed to assail inoffensive strangers. Acron says he was a poet called Cassius. Many, but without sufficient authority, consider it addressed to Cassius Severus, the orator who was banished by Augustus (Tacitus, Ann. i. 72, and iv. 21). Some also call the individual Bavius; and others Mævius, the subject of Epode 10. Grotefend supposes it to have been written in B.C. 38. 1. Hospites- Their being entirely unknown to him ought to have been their protection. 2. Lupos-Persons who are able to retaliate an injury. 3. Quin cur non. Inanes-As proceeding from a cowardly and spiritless cur. 4. Remorsurum-"who am ready to bite in return." 5. Molossus, aut fulvus Lacon—"a Molos sian, or a tawny Laconian dog." The Molossian and Laconian dogs were strong, and used as well in hunting wild beasts, as in defending the flocks from nocturnal thieves. Cp. Virg. Geo. iii. 405, &c. The Molossi occupied the north-eastern part of Epirus, the Laconians the south of the Pelopon nesus. 6. Amica vis-"a friendly aid." 7. Agam quaecunque praecedet fera agam quamcunque quae mihi praecedet feram-"I will pursue whatever savage beast shall go before me." 10. Projectum adoraris cibum-"smell at the food thrown to thee." A figurative mode of expressing that the individual whom he thus attacks was easily bribed to silence. 12. Parata tollo cornua-The poet here compares himself, with his Iambics, to a bull that is ready with its horns, as the mastiff is with its teeth, against every mischievous assailant. 13. Qualis, &c.-Bupalo-"like him who was rejected as a son-in-law by the faithless Lycambes, or like the fierce enemy of Bu | palus." Lycambae is the dative, by a Grecism, for the ablative, with the preposition a, and by another Grecism, Bupalo, the dative, is put for the genitive, Bupali. Lycambae-Lycambes had promised his daughter Neobule in marriage to the poet Archilochus, about 700 B.C., but afterwards changed his mind, and gave her to another. Archilochus, in revenge, wrote a poem against him, in Iambic verse, so cruelly satirical that both father and daughter are said to have hung themselves in despair. 14. Bupalo-Bupalus and his brother Athenis, or Anthermus, sculptors of Chios, are said to have caricatured Hipponax, an Iambic poet of Ephesus, about 500 B.C., who in return satirized them so bitterly, that, according to later writers, they committed suicide. In the last foot, Hipponax frequently introduced, instead of an iambus, a spondee, or trochee, which gave rise to what is called the Choliambus, or Iambus Scazon, i.e., the lame, or limping Iambus. 15. An-inultus, &c.-puer?-"shall I, without taking vengeance, cry like a child?" EPODE VII.-Dicolos Distrophos: Metre-The Second Iambic, of which the first verse is an Iambic Trimeter, or Senarius, and the second an Iambic Dimeter, or Quaternarius; thus SUBJECT-An address to the Roman people on the sin and folly of the civil wars, which are here said to have been entailed on them by the blood of Remus. Orelli dates this Epode, as well as the 16th, at the commencement of the Perusian War, in B.C. 41; Dillenburger in 38, when Augustus was going against Sex. Pompey; Franke, and others, in 32, when the last war broke out between Octavianus and Marc Antony. 1. Scelesti, ivayris-"stained with guilt," in consequence of the civil wars. 2. Conditi vaginis-"lately sheathed." Cp. introductory remarks. 3. Campis atque Neptuno super-" on the fields, and on the ocean," is equivalent to terra marique. Cp. Ode ii. 1, 29. 5-10. The poet laments that the swords of his countrymen are not turned against their enemies, as they were by Scipio against the Carthaginians, and by Julius Cæsar against the Britons, but, as if to accomplish their own ruin, and gratify the wishes of their foes, they are converted against themselves. 7. Intactus-"still unsubdued." Cp. Ode iii. 24, 1. Descenderet, &c.-Via-"might descend in chains along the Sacred Way," i.e., might be led in triumph, and afterwards consigned to imprisonment and death. Cp. Ode iv. 2, 35, and Epode 4, 7. 11. Neque, &c.-feris-"neither wolves nor lions, savage though they are, ever had such a custom, except towards a different species," lit. "neither was this custom (i.e. of raging against their own) ever to wolves, nor was it ever to lions," &c. 12. For unquam, several editions give nunquam; and for feris, several MSS. are said to give genus, which appears to be a gloss, to explain dispar. 13. For caecus, Bentley prefers caecos, which is found in some MSS. Cp. Ode i. 18, 14; Sat. ii. 3, 44; and Virg. Æn. ii. 244. Vis acrior-"some superior power." 14. Culpa-"the guilt," of Romulus, in slaying his brother Remus, which is to be atoned for by posterity. This night be regarded as a somewhat far-fetched reason for their present calamities. 15. Pallor albus-"a deadly paleness." See Notos, Ode iii. 10, 14. 16. Mentesque perculsae stupent· -"and their conscience-stricken minds are stupified." 20. Sacer nepotibus" a curse to poste19. Ut "ever since." Cp. Ode iv. 4, 42. rity." Sacer—ivayńs. 17. Aguntharass," or "disquiet." EPODE VIII-Dicolos Distrophos: Metre-The Second Iambic, of which the first verse is an Iambic Trimeter, or Senarius, and the second an Lambic Dimeter, or Quaternarius; thus 2.. SUBJECT-An address to a lascivious old woman; which Franke supposes to have been written in 40, and Grotefend in 39, B.C. 1. Rogare "have you the hardihood to ask?" or "is it needful to ask?" The infinitive is frequently used to introduce a question expressing indignation or surprise. Cp. Sat. i. 9, 72; ii. 4, 83; 8, 67; and Virg Æn. i. 37. A similar idea may be expressed by ut. See Notes, Epode 17, 56. 3. Dens ater-See Notes, Ode ii. 8, 1. 14. Ambulet-See Notes, Epode 4, 5. 16. Amant-See Notes, Ode ii. 3, 10. EPODE IX.-Dicolos Distrophos: Metre-The Second Iambic, of which the first verse is an Iambic Trimeter, or Senarius, and the second an Iambic Dimeter, or Quaternarius; thus SUBJECT-An ode of rejoicing for the victory obtained by Octavianus over Antony and Cleopatra at Actium, Sept. 2, (iv. Non. Sept.) B.C. 31. Written when the first news of victory reached Rome, and addressed to Mæcenas, who was then Praefectus Urbi. Cp. Ode i. 27, which was written soon after. 1. Repostum, &c. dapes-"Cæcuban | tune, because his father had once held the wine reserved for joyous feasts." See Notes, command of the sea; but was defeated by Ode i. 20, 9. Repostum repositum-See | Agrippa, between Myla and Naulochus, Notes, Ode ii. 2, 2. near Messana, on the north coast of Sicily, and obliged to fly to Asia, B.C. 36. 3. Sub alta domo-"beneath thy stately abode." See Notes, Ode iii. 29, 10. Sic Jovi gratum-"so is it pleasing to Jove," i.e., in doing this, we shall be performing an act agreeable to Jupiter, the guardian of our empire. 4. Beate refers to the opulence of Mæcenas, his lofty abode on the Esquiline, and his beautiful gardens, &c. 10. Servis amicus perfidis-According to Dion Cassius (49, 19), the number of fugitive slaves who went over to Pompeius was so great, that the Vestal Virgins were accustomed to offer up prayers for a cessation of the revolt. Cp. Epode 4, 19. 11. Romanus refers to the Romans in the army of Antony. 12. Emancipatus feminae "subjected as a voluntary slave to a woman," ie., to Cleopatra. 5. Sonante, &c.-barbarum-"while the lyre sends forth a strain intermingled with the music of flutes-this uttering the Dorian, those the Phrygian mood." With hac un13. Fert, &c.-potest "bears the stake, derstand sonante; with illis, sonantibus. The and arms, as a soldier, and can yield obemusic of the lyre and the flute are to suc-dience to withered eunuchs." The poet is ceed each other alternately: the strains of the former are to be grave and severe, such being the character of the Dorian mood; the music of the flutes, on the other hand, is to be of a wild and Bacchanalian character, in accordance with the Phrygian mood. See Notes, Ode iv. 1, 22, and 15, 30. Barbarum-Phrygian, or, according to some, Lydian, as opposed to Grecian. 7. Actus, &c.-Neptunius dux-"when the Neptunian chief, driven from the Sici indignant that Romans, hardy enough to endure the toils of military service, can be so wanting in spirit as to yield obedience to eunuchs. The Roman discipline compelled a soldier on march to carry, in addition to armour and provisions, a certain number of stakes (usually three or four), to be used in Ode i. 37, 9. According to Plutarch (Ant. making encampments. Spadonibus― Cp. 60), Mardion, Pothinus, Iras, and Charmion, had the chief direction of Cleopatra's affairs, (vp av sá μśyiora dionsītai Tñs ñys Han strait," i. e., Sextus Pompeius, who 15. Turpe conopium-"a vile Egyptian canopy." The conopium, (xwvwrsiov, from xáva, culex, agnat), was a sort of canopy, or bed with mosquito-curtains, for the purpose of keeping off guats and flies, used principally by the Egyptians, on account of the great number of these insects produced by the marshes of the Nile. To a genuine Roman the use of such an article appeared degrading effeminacy. In Juvenal, Sat. vi. 80, the penult of canopeum is long, in which case Bentley says it should always be spelled with an e. suit their supposition. But after all, it may, for aught we know, signify "to larboard," in colloquial language, "ships turned right or "to port," and the whole phrase denote, about."" 21. Io Triumphe!-See Notes, Ode iv. 2, 49. The poet, personifying Triumph, addresses it as a god, and complains of its tardy approach to celebrate this most glorious victory, which is to be ranked far before that of Marius over Jugurtha, in 106, and that of the Younger Scipio Africanus over Carthage, in 149, B.C. Aureos currus The corresponding Latin word-The triumphal chariot was wont to be is culicare-"a fly-net." adorned with gold and ivory. 17. At huc, &c.-citae (=citatae)—“but to this side (i.e., away from Antony) the indignant Gauls turned two thousand horses, saluting Cæsar, and the sterns of hostile ships, rowed leftwise, lie in harbour." For at huc frementes, most MSS., and all the older editions, give ad hunc frementes"enraged at him," i.e., at Antony, who is referred to, although not named, in the preceding verses. See the Introduction to Notes on Ode i. 37. In this construction the ad is understood to be separated from the verb by tmesis, Many MSS. also give adhuc besides." Fea conjectures at hoc, in the abl, Bentley, ad hoc, and others ab hoc, &c. Orelli gives at hoc, in the accus., after frementes, and objects to Bentley's ad hoc, that it usually signifies "besides," and not "at this." The objectlon, however, does not apply, if the preposition is understood to be taken with the verb. Verterunt -The penult is here said to be shortened by Systole, as in Sat. i. 10, 45. 18. The Galli are the Gallo-Grecians, or Galatians, who, under Deiotarus and Amyntas, went over to Octavianus a short time previous to the battle. In the motive, however, which Horace assigns for this step, there is more of bitter sarcasm than historical truth. With canentes Caesarem, compare Virg. Æn. vii. 698. 20. Puppes sinistrorsum citae is taken as a nautical phrase, and sinistrorsum understood to refer to the motion of the oars when the rowers keep their usual position, and impel the vessel stern foremost. Cp. πρύμναν κρούεσθαι, οἱ ἀνακρούεσθαι. The ships also are supposed to have been backed into the harbour, not merely that their defection might be less apparent, but that they might be in readiness for action if required. Cp. Virg. Æn. vi. 5. Many, however, explain sinistrorsum with reference to the direction of the ships; but of these some take it as "towards Egypt," and others as "towards the shore." Both, of course, arrange the ships of Octavianus to always ended with a sacrifice to Jove, and 22. Intactas (jugo)-The Roman triumphs the victims, as in every other offering to the gods, were to be such as had never felt the yoke. Cp. Virg. Geo. iv. 540. 23. Nec Jugurthino, &c.-condidit-"thou him from the war with Jugurtha, not even didst neither bring back a leader equal to Africanus, unto whom valour reared a monument upon the ruins of Carthage." See Notes, Ode iv. 8, 17. 27. Terra-There was no land engagement, as the forces of Antony, after having in vain waited his arrival for seven days, surrendered to the conqueror. Punico lugubre mutavit sagum is an hypallage for mutavit Punicum sagum lugubri sayo-"has changed his purple robe for one of mourning." See Notes, Ode i. 16, 25. The sagum was a coarse woollen cloak worn by the common soldiers, as exhibited by the cut appended to the Note on Ode ii. 16, 9. Puto paludamentum, an officer's military cloak, nicum sagum, however, is here equivalent which was larger, and of a finer fabric. It was sometimes white, and sometimes of a purple or scarlet colour. It is represented by the cut affixed to the Note on Epode 4, 20. 29. Centum urbibus ='ExaτóμñoλIV_ Cp. Ode iii. 27, 33. No accurate accounts had as yet reached the capital, either respecting the details of the fight itself, or the ulterior movements of Antony. 30. Ventis-non suis-"with unpropitious winds." Cp. Ovid, Trist. iii. 5, 4. 31. Exercitatas-Noto-" agitated by the southern blast." As regards the Syrtes, see Notes, Ode i. 22, 5, and ii. 6, 3. 33. Capaciores"larger," than usual. 36. Metire-See Notes, Ode iii. 19, 11. |