ODE XX.-Tricolos tetrastrophos: Metre-The Alcaic or Horatian, of which the two first verses are Greater Alcaic, the third an Archilochian, and the fourth a Lesser Alcaic; thus

An epilogue addressed to Mæcenas, in which the bard predicts his own immortality and fame as a poet, and concludes by repudiating the usual accompaniments of a funeral, and the empty honours of a tomb.

1. Non, &c.-vates-"a bard of double form, I shall be borne through the liquid air on no common, no feeble pinion." The epithet non usitata has reference to Horace being the first of Roman lyrists, and biformis implies that, though transformed into a swan, the favourite of Apollo, he is still a poet.

4. Invidiaque major-"and beyond the reach of envy," or, " and becoming superior to envy." Cp. Ode iv. 3, 16.

"above." Nascunturque leves-plumae-"and the downy (lit. smooth) plumage is forming."

5. Pauperum sanguis parentum-"though i. the offspring of humble parents." Cp. Sat. i. 6, 46, and ii. 6, 47, &c.

6. Non ego is repeated to render the assertion more emphatic. Quem vocas, dilecte Maecenas "whom thou, O beloved Mæcenas, art (or, art in the habit of) inviting." Cp. Ode ii. 18, 10, and see i. 20, 5; Epode 3, 20, and 14, 5, for similar expressions. The Scholiasts place a comma after dilecte, and explain quem vocas, dilecte, Maecenas, as "whom thou, O Mæcenas, stylest thy beloved friend." The former is the natural construction. Those who are in favour of

the latter, refer to Luke vi. 46, and Ovid, Am. i. 7, 19. For vocas, Bentley conjectures vocant, and considers pauperum sanguis parentum in apposition to quem; thus "I whom my rivals style the blood of poor parents."

9. Jamjam, &c.-pelles-"now, even now, the rough skin is settling down on my legs." The transformation is already begun: my legs are becoming those of a swan.

11. Superna-The neut. plur. used adverbially is found in some MSS. for superně

13 Daedalio ocior-A similar hiatus occurs in Ode i. 28, 24: Epode 5, 100, and 13, 3, and a similar Greek form of the adjective is found in Ode i. 1, 34; ii. 6, 5. For ocior, one MS. gives notior, and Bentley conjectures tutior.

14. Bospori-See Notes, Ode ii. 1, 3, 14. 22, 5. Canorus ales-"a melodious bird." 15. Syrtesque Gaetulas-See Notes, Ode Cp. Ode i. 6, 2; iv. 2, 25; 3, 20, and Virg.

Ecl. ix. 27.

15. Hyperboreosque campos-" and the Hyperborean fields," ie., the farthest plains of the north.

the Parthian. The Marsi were regarded as 17. Et qui dissimulat, &c.-Alluding to the bravest portion of the Roman armies, and hence Marsae is here equivalent to Romanae. See Notes, Ode i. 2, 39.

18. Dacus-See Notes, Ode i 35, 9.

19. Geloni-See Notes, Ode ii. 9, 23. Peritus-Iber-"the learned Spaniard." Cp. Epist. i. 20. 13.

20. Rodanique potor-" and he who drinks of the Rhone," i.e., the native of Gaul.

22. Turpes "unbecoming," with reference to the praeficae.

24. Supervacuos-The poet will need no tomb: death will never claim him for his own, since he is destined to live for ever in the praises of posterity. Supervacuus is first used by Horace. Supervacaneus is preferred by Cicero and earlier writers.

ODE I.-Tricolos tetrastrophos: Metre-The Alcaic or Horatian, of which the two first verses are Greater Alcaic, the third an Archilochian, and the fourth a Lesser Alcaic: thus

SUBJECT-The folly of ambition, and the wisdom of being satisfied with a competency. This and the five following Odes appear to have been written about B.C. 26, when Augustus was anxious to effect the social reformation of his subjects. The first stanza of this Ode is generally regarded as an introduction to the whole six.

9. Est ut accidit ut, or verum est ut in ἔστι 4. The poet professes to instruct only prose, and equivalent to or r "maidens and boys," who might be sup-ws, as in Epist. i. 12, 2. Est ut, &c.—

sulcis-"it happens that one man arranges his trees at greater distances in the trenches than another," ie., possesses wider domains. The Romans were accustomed to plant their vines in the form of a quincunx Bentley prefers esto ut, i. e., "grant (or suppose) that."

Great Bear. Its setting, (iv. Kal. Nov.,) was usually accompanied by storms.

28. Hacdi-The aedi, or kids, are two stars on the arm of Auriga, whose rising, (Prid. Non. Oct.) was also attended by stormy weather.

30. Mendax-"deceitful," i.e., "which disappoints his expectations." Cp. Epist. i. 7, 87, and Ode iii. 16, 30. Arbore refers probably in particular to the olive. Aquas -"the excessive rains."

31. Torrentia agros sidera-"the con

10-16. Here the argument is: one candidate for the consulship may be "of nobler birth," another "superior in character and reputation," and both be defeated by one who has "a greater crowd of retainers;" but the successful as well as the unsuccess-stellations which parch the fields," alluding ful must die. For campum see Notes, Ode i. 8, 4. Meliorque fama famaque melior in prose. See Notes, Ode i. 30, 6. With necessitas, compare Ode i. 35, 17, and for sortitur insignes et imos-"determines the lot of the distinguished and the lowest." See Notes, Ode ii. 3, 26.

17. Destrictus ensis-An allusion to the well-known story of Damocles and the elder Dionysius, tyrant of Syracuse. Cp. Cic. Tusc. Disp. v. 21, and Persius, iii. 40. For destrictus, Cruquius and others read districtus.

18. Siculae dapes conquisitissimae epulae -"the most exquisite viands," lit., "Sicilian dainties," Siculae referring to the country of Damocles and Dionysius, and also to the proverbial luxury of the inhabitants of Sicily. Cp. Plato de Rep. iii. p. 104.

19. Elaborabunt (ei)-"will be able to produce to him," lit. "will elaborate for him,' the verb implying both pains and skill in the preparation.

20. Avium citharaeve cantus-"the melody of birds or of the lyre." Mæcenas is said, (Seneca de Providentia, iii.) to have sought sleep from the sound of distant music.

21. The re in reducent refers to the refreshing sleep which he used to enjoy before he was disturbed by the fear of impending death.

22. Virorum may be taken as governed either by somnus or by domos. If the former is preferred with domos, supply eorum, and compare Eccles. 5, 12.

24. Zephyris agitata Tempe - -"Tempe fanned by the western breezes." Tempe is here put for any beautiful shady vale. See Notes, Ode i. 7, 4.

25. According to the poet, the man "who desires merely what is sufficient for his wants," is free from all the cares that bring disquiet to those who are either already wealthy, or are eager in the pursuit of gain. His repose is neither disturbed by shipwrecks, nor by losses in agricultural pursuits.

27. Arcturi-Arcturus (gxros, ove̟à,) is a star of the first magnitude, in the constellation of Bootes, near the tail of the

particularly to Sirius, or the dog-star, at the rising of which the trees are apt to contract a kind of blight or blast, termed sideratio, and occasioned by the excessive heat of the sun.

33. Contracta pisces, &c.-molibus-Cp. Ode ii. 15, 1; ii. 18, 21; Epist. i. 1, 84; and Tibullus, ii. 3, 45.

34. Huc-demittit-"lets down hither," i.e., into the sea. Frequens-redemptor cum famulis-"many a contractor with his attendant workmen." See Notes, Ode ii. 18,

18.

Cp. Ode ii. 18, 22: Parum locuples conti-diagonally, one above another. See Notes, nente ripa. Ode ii. 16, 21, for the appearance of the

37. Timor et Minae-"fear and the threats beaks (rostra). of conscience." 39. Aerata triremi--"from the brazen-ble of Synnada. See Notes, ii. 18, 3. beaked trireme, or war-galley, with three banks, or tiers of oars." The following cut exhibits the way in which these were placed,

41. Phrygius lapis-Referring to the mar

42. Purpurarum sidere clarior-usus"the use of purple coverings, brighter than any star." With purpurarum supply vestium et stragularum, and construe clarior as if agreeing with them in case.

43. Falerna vitis-See Notes, Ode i. 20, 9. 44. Achaemeniumve costum-"or Eastern nard." Achaemenium is equivalent literally to Persicum (ie., Parthicum), and so called from Achæmenes, the first king of Persia. See Notes, Ode ii. 12, 21, and i. 2, 22.

45. Invidendis "calculated to excite envy." Cp. Ode ii. 10, 7. Novo-ritu"in a new style of magnificence."

47. Cur, &c. operosiores-"why shall I exchange my Sabine vale for more troublesome riches?" i.e., for riches that only bring with them a proportionate increase of care and trouble. Valle, as marking the instrument of exchange, is put in the ablative. See Notes, Ode i. 16, 26, and i. 17, 2.

ODE II.-Tricolos tetrastrophos: Metre-The Alcaic or Horatiar, of which the two first verses are Greater Alcaic, the third an Archilochian, and the fourth a Lesser Alcaic; thus

SUBJECT-The poet exhorts his luxurious countrymen to restore the strict discipline of former days, and train up the young to an acquaintance with the manly virtues which once graced the Roman name.

Written probably in B.C. 26. See Notes at the commencement of last Ode.

1. Amice, ayants, is probably an adv.-"kindly, or cheerfully' = libenter, molliter, or clementer, and opposed to moleste. Some place a comma before and after it, as the vocative of amicus, apparently forgetting that the e is long. Lambinus and Bentley read amici-"O friends," though puer seems to imply that, like the first ode, it is addressed to the young. For pauperiem, see Notes, Ode i. 1, 18.

2. Robustus, &c, condiscat "let the sturdy youth learn by fierce warfare." Roman youths might be called upon to serve in the army at the age of seventeen. Some consider that acri militia depends on robustus, "made strong by fierce warfare."

5. Sub divo-"in the open air," i.e., in the field. Trepidis-in rebus-"amidst alarming events." The poet means that, when his country calls, the young soldier is to obey the summons with alacrity, and not to shrink from exposure to the elements.

6. Illum talem. Hosticus is the poetic

form of hostilis, as civicus and genticus for corresponding forms in ilis.

7. Matrona bellantis tyranni-"the consort of a warring monarch." Bellantis is here equivalent to cum Populo Romano bellum gerentis.

8. Et adulta virgo-"and his grown-up, unmarried daughter." Cp. the scene in Hom. Il. iii. 154.

9. Suspiret, &c,-caedes-"sigh, alas! lest her betrothed prince, inexperienced in battle, should provoke a lion, dangerous (lit. rough) to be touched, whom blood-thirsty rage is hurrying through the midst of carnage." Agmina is properly applied to troops in marching order, acies to those in order of battle. Tactu is generally regarded as an ablative, depending on lacessat, and not, as here, a second supine after asperam. Cp. Hom. II. xx. 172, in favour of the latter.

13. With this, compare Ode iv. 9, 51, &c., and Tyrtæus, 7, 1.

14. This is a translation of a line from

Simonides, Fragm. 51: ‘Ο δύ θάνατος |Ἔστι καὶ σιγᾶς ἀκίνδυνον γέρας. From κίχε καὶ τὸν φυγόμαχον. Plutarch's Apothegms, (Aug. 7,) we learn

"the

16. Poplitibus timidoque tergo houghs and cowardly back," parts as large and vulnerable as those displayed by the brave, and far less easily protected.

17. Virtus, &c.—sordidae-"virtue unacquainted with a disgraceful defeat," implying that defeat is no disgrace to a virtuous candidate for distinction, though it may be so to the constituents by whom he is rejected. Cp. Ode ii. 2, 17, and iv. 9, 39. &c. 18. Intaminatis-A ἅπαξ λεγόμενον for incontaminatis-"unsullied, or untarnish

ed."

19. Secures A figurative allusion to the axe and fasces of the lictors, the emblems of office. See Notes, Ode ii. 16, 9.

20. Arbitrio popularis aurae "at the caprice of popular favour," which aurae implies is as fickle as the breeze.

21. Recludens, &c. - coelum-"opening heaven to those (lit. not having deserved to die) who have merited immortality."

22. Negata-via-"by a way denied to others," ie., by means peculiarly her own.

23. Coetusque, &c.-penna-"and with rapid pinion, spurns the vulgar herd, and the (lit. damp earth) cloudy atmosphere of earth."

25. Est, &c.-merces-"faithful silence also has a safe reward." This, too, is a translation of another verse from the same poem of Simonides referred to in line 14:

that this was a favourite maxim with the

Emperor.

26. Vetabo (ne is), &c.—sit-"I will not allow that man," &c. Qui Cereris sacrum, &c. Those who divulged the Mysteries were punished with death, and their property was confiscated.

27. Sub isdem-trabibus-"under the same roof." See Notes, Ode ii. 18, 3.

29. Phaselon-A Greek acc. for phaselum. Phaselus or faselus, Quonλos, is properly "the pod of a kidney-bean," and applied, by way of resemblance, to a light Egyptian vessel which would be easily swamped. It and sometimes of earthen ware, (fictilis, Juv. was made of the papyrus, of wicker-work, of papyrus, from an ancient gem. For DiesSat. xv. 127.) The following represents one piter, see Notes, Ode i. 34, 5.

30. Incesto addidit integrum-"involves the innocent with the guilty," lit. "has added the innocent to the impious."

31. Raro, &c.-claudo-"seldom has punishment, though lame of foot, failed to overtake the wicked man who goes before her," i.e., justice, though often slow, is almost always sure, although the culprit may not think so till he is apprehended.

ODE III-Tricolos tetrastrophos: Metre-The Alcaic or Horatian, of which the two first verses are Greater Alcaic, the third an Archilochian, and the fourth a Lesser Alcaic; thus-1, 2. =

3.

4.

or

SUBJECT-Justice, perseverance, and contentment are enforced, by the illustrious example of Hercules, Pollux, Bacchus, Romulus, and Augustus; and Juno is made to predict the glory of the Roman Empire, and the deification of Augustus, provided he would not transfer the seat of government from Rome to Troy, as Julius Cæsar is said to have intended (Suet. Jul. Cæs. 79).

Written propably in B.C. 26. See Notes, Ode iii. 1.

1. Tenacem propositi-"firm to his purpose. Cp. Epist. i. 13, 11.

2. Civium, &c.-jubentium-"the burning rage of his fellow citizens enjoining evil measures." Volumus jubemusque was the formal reply of the people to the velitis jubeatis, Quirites? of the tribunes when a law was passed.

3. Instantis tyranni-"of a threatening despot."

4. Mente quatit solida-"shakes from his settled resolution." In this noble stanza,

that firmness alone is praised which rests on the basis of integrity and justice.

5. With dux, compare Ode ii. 17, 19, and

for Hadriae, see Notes, Ode i. 3, 15.

6. Magna-"mighty, or powerful," agreeing with manus, and not governed by fulminantis, in the sense of "lofty."

7. Si fractus illabatur orbis-si ruat caelum.

9. Hac arte in prose, to hac via, or hac ratione-" by this means," ie., by integrity