(^
i
' •* k
HORATIUS RESTITUTUS.
I^ONDON:
IVinted by A. .SpornswoonF,
Nc'w.Strec't-S(
juare.
HORATIUS RESTITUTUS:
OR
THE BOOKS OF
HORACE
AERAJ^GED
IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER
ACCORDING TO THE SCHEJklE OF DR. BENTLEY,
FKOM THE TEXT OF GESNEB, CORRECTED
AND IMPROVED.
WITH
A PRELIMINARY DISSERTATION,
VERY MUCH ENLARGED,
ON
THE CHRONOLOGY OF THE WORKS, ON THE LOCALITIES, AND ON
THE LIFE AND CHARACTER OF THAT POET.
BY JAMES TATE, M.A.
SECOKD EDITION.
TO WHICH IS NOW ADDED,
AN ORIGINAL
TREATISE ON TBE AIETRES OF HORACE.
LONDON: "
PRINTED FOR
LONGMAN, BROWN, GREEN, AND LONGMANS,
PATERNOSTER-ROW.
1837.
^Entered at Stationers' Hall. ]
• ^ * *,
1 i> •', .
TO THE
EIGHT HONOURABLE EARL GREY,
WHOSE UNWEARIED SERVICES,
AS AN ENLIGHTENED AND PATRIOTIC STATESMAN,
AND AT LENGTH UNEXAMPLED SUCCESS,
UNDER THE AUSPICES OF AN APPROVING SOVEREIGN,
AS A WISE AND TEMPERATE REFORMER,
WILL FIND AN IMPERISHABLE RECORD IN THE MEMORY OF HIS
GRATEFUL COUNTRYMEN,
THIS EDITION OF
HORATIUS RESTITUTUS
IS MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED,
TO COMMEMORATE ONE OF THE NOBLEST AND KINDEST ACTS OF
PATRONAGE EVER CONFERRED,
AND TO TESTIFY AT ONCE THE PRIVATE GRATITUDE,
AND ON PUBLIC GROUNDS THE SINCERE VENERATION,
OF HIS lordship's
MOST OBLIGED AND DEVOTED SERVANT,
JAMES TATE.
Residentiary House, St. Paul's,
August 1, 1837.
898447
f*7
PREFACE
TO THE FIRST EDITION.
In the Dissertation here prefixed to this Book of Horatiua
Rest it ft Iks, I am duly sensible, that the idea may arise of
something irregular and desultory in the composition of it.
Let me candidly own, that I should have been veiy happy
to meet the expectation of my readers with a performance
more regular and systematic, if the peculiarity of the sub-
ject had more readily allowed me so to do.
According to my own impressions, first of all, that sub-
ject itself was so extensive at once and full of variety, that
with a little elegant diffusion, (which in its occasional use I
am far from disparaging,) the materials of this Dissertation
might be expanded easily into a separate volume : and in
the second place, from the very nature of some of the dis-
quisitions, necessarily dry, however to the purpose essential,
certam breaks of a pleasanter kind seemed desirable, to re-
lieve the formality of argument, if that might be done with-
out the discursive itself becoming tedious.
The straightforward plainness, however, of the great
points to be proved, may serve, amidst so much detail, to
excuse the want of methodical regularity in the process.
That Horace published his collected writings from time to
time in such an order of succession and in no other, and that
his principal residences, after he became a professed Poet,
were three determinate places of abode, neither more, nor
less; these surely are questions, which (when aided by the
Chronological Table here subjoined) will hardly alarm the
mind of an intelligent reader with any apprehension of per-
plexity.
A
VI mu:face
In the case of Horace, indeed, most remarkably so, "tlie
Poet is always identified with the man,"
ut oninis
Votiva patent veluti desciipta tabella
Vita seiiis. 2 S. i. 32, 3, 4.
even just as he tells us it was in the person of Lucilius^^
whom he avowedly followed {fieqiwr Jiuuc) in his lucubrations
as a Satirist.
And in ti>c very same degree, after the attention is fairly
awakened to trace the incidents of his life and the stages of
his locality, the personal history of the man adds perspicuity
at once and interest to many passages in the Poet, which
might otherwise remain neither interesting nor intelligible.
Now therefore that his works arc recovered from their
long state of disjointed existence, now that the disjccti
mcmhra PoiitcB once more compose a figure of fair propor-
tions, and Horace — ad un</uem Factus Jionto — becomes
himself again ; I have no doubt but he will in many im-
portant and curious respects be more easily studied and more
clearly understood. The investigation of other scholars
which my example perhaps may serve to excite, will be re-
warded with a rich return of discovery, from comparing to-
gether many partsof Horace hitherto not seen in connexion,
or, if at all, awkwardly, but hereafter visible at once in their
natural perspective.
Two or three specimens of this nature have recently oc-
curred to my own mind as well worthy of notice.
For instance, the political conduct of Horace (a conduct
of the most direct integrity) after the battle of Philippi, it
will be impossible hereafter to distort into any semblance of
the renegade ; if his words and his deeds be only traced
ever so severely in the actual succession of years. Then
again, his laughing in tlic Satires, when a young man, at
" those budge Doctors of the Stoic fur," Stertinius, Dama-
TO THF. FIRST EDITIOK. VU
slppus and Co., will be found perfectly compatible with the
calm allusion in his later Odes (e. g. 3 C. ii. 17 — 20; 4 C.
IX. 39 — 44, Sec.) to those moral energies of that high doc-
trine, which Roman virtue alone might reahze or approach.
From the same correctness of view, that topic of litera-
ture now lost, De Persotiis IJoratianis, will yet derive con-
siderable illustration, especially as to some of his most va-
luable friends. Thus, Septimius (2 C. vi.) who with an
honest cordiality invites Horace to live and die with him at
his adored Tarentum, is still recognised as the same worthy
man and equally beloved, when after a few years, weary of
retirement, he turns adventurer, and gains that exquisite
letter of introduction (1 E. ix.) to the young Prince Tibe-
rius, then in Asia.
Again, Iccius, whose pursuit of philosophy did not con-
ceal from Horace his hankering after wealth, sustains a sharp
but delicate chastisement (1 C. xxix.) at an early period:
some ten years afterwards (1 E. xii.) (when in Sicily as the
procurator of Agrippa) he receives an Epistle introductory
of Grosphus, already settled there, (2 C. xvi. 33,) in which
the sweet is very ingeniously made to predominate over the
bitter, and to all appearance quite consistently with honesty
and truth.
It is to Horace''s moral treatment of Iccius, and to other
cases like it perhaps, such as that of Quintius Hirpimis (2
C. XI ; IE. XVI. 17, &c.) and it may be to that of Virgil
also (4 C. XII. 15. 21, &c.); that his most devoted admirer,
Persius, seems to bear this happy and characteristic testi-
mony.
Omne vafer vitium ridenti Flaccus amico
Tangit, et admissus circuni pitecordia ludit. - Sat. i. 1 IG, 7-
And yet — arch Horace, while he strove to mend,
Prohed all the foildes of his smiling friend ;
Played lightly round and round the peccant part,
And won, unfelt, an entrance to his heart.
A 2
VIU PREFACE
In the dedication of Horatius Eestituins, here preserved'^
it will not be considered as an extravagant compliment, if I
have styled Dr. Bentley the Prince of Critics. For what
is the constant language of the present generation, and
amongst the scholars of the Continent ? Hermann, himself
confessedly, " a scholar and a philosopher of the highest
order," in one of his critical works, De R. Bentleio ejiisquc
editione Terentii Dissertation tells us distinctly, that from
his preceptor, F. V. Reiz, he inherited the disposition to
honour Bentley, tanquamjyerfectissiimitn critici exemplum :
and he has admirably concentered his own eulogy of that
character in the following definition which he afterwards
expands.
" Erat Bentleius vir infinitce docirince, acutissimi sensus,
acerrimi judicii. Et his tribus rebus omnis laus et virtus
continetur Critici."
24th March, 1832. R. S. Y.
" TO THE
MASTER, FELLOWS, AND SCHOLARS,
OF
TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE,
ESPECIALLY TO THOSE PUPILS OF MINE
WHO HAVE BEEN OR NOW ARE ON THE FOUNDATION,
I INSCRIBE THIS BOOK,
IN THE BELIEF
THAT THEY WILL KINDLY AND JUSTLY ESTIMATE
THE TRIBUTE OF DEEP ADMIRATION
HERE PAID
TO THE CELEBRATED EDITION OF THE WORKS OF
HORACE,
which the prince of critics,
richard bentley,
first dated from that illustrious college,
in the year m.dcc.xi.
james tate.
Richmond,
April IC, 1832.
TO THE FlllST EDITION. IX
r.S. An earnest anxiety to learn whatever yet may be
accurately known about the Fons Bandi(simcs,mamta\ned to
be the old genuine and only fountain of that name, near
to Venusia (or Venosa), induced me to consult Dr. George
Errington, Pro-Rector of the English college at Rome.
Accordingly I requested from him the advantage of any re-
search which his command of the libraries there might give,
into the subject proposed ; he was particularly desired to
examine every document which he could find, bearing on the
question in the Abbe Chaupy's Decouverte de la Maison de
Campagne d'Horace, Vol. iii. pp. 364. 538, &c.
In a long, curious, entertaining Letter lately received, my
learned and accomplished correspondent assures me, that
while the extract itself from the Bull of Pascal the iid (about
which I inquired) is indeed literally correct, he considers its
application, however, as very suspicious ; from the manner
in which Chaupy " sees a little, presumes a great deal, and
so jumps to the conclusion."
The passage quoted by Chaupy and more fully given by
]Mr. Hobhouse (vide the close of the Dissertation for parti-
culars) contains, to be sure, various words — de Castello
Ba/idusii — in Ba)idusin o fonte a^ud Venusiam, &c., which
seem full of excellent promise : but when rigidly examined,
those words leave nothing essential, beyond the simple fact,
that in the year a.d. 1103, " at or near Venosa there was a
Church called ifi Fonte Bandusino, for what cause so called
cannot now be ascertained."
The fountain itself, somewhere in that neighbourliood be-
yond a doubt, existed apparently in Horace's day. But
while the precise spot of the Poet's birth, on the banks of the
Aufidus, and therefore if geography may be trusted, not. im-
mediately near to Venusia, has but little chance now of
ever being exactly determined, the original Fons Bandusinus
must without a sigh be rcsignedto its fate ; perhaps that of an
extinct fountain in a country more or less subject to volcanic
X PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.
influence. And finally, in referring here to Mr. Cramer's
Ancient Italy, Vol. ii. p. 290, I beg to be candidly under-
stood as not at all impeaching his general accuracy : he does
but exhibit, avowedly so, the specious result of Chaupy's dis-
coveries, when he says of the Fons Bandusinus (in the Bull
alluded to, apuo Venusiam), " that we ought to restore it
to its true position, about «<> miles from Venosa, on the site
named Palazzo.'''' Let the right or the wrong of all this
repose with Capmartinde Cliaupy.
Habeat secuni, servetque sepulchre.
INTRODUCTION
TO
THE PRESENT EDITION.
On a new edition of Horat'ms RestitutKs appcariiif^, sonic
account may naturally be expected of what has been done,
in the way of addition and improvement, to constitute an
increased claim for its kind reception with the lovers of
lloman literature.
In the first place, the Pre/iminary Dissertation remaias
in the arrangement of its principal parts the same as be-
fore ; and though with great enlargement in the materials
of new and interesting observation, yet not so far, it is
hoped, as to render any one topic disproportionate or
tedious. To preserve as much as possible something like
unity in the composition, such new subjects as from their
imjK)rtance seemed to justify a larger discussion, it has been
thought advisable to form into separate articles of Jppc7tdid\
with the best arrangement which the diversity of nature in
many of them would permit.
Amongst other additions, the Chronological Table now
so much extended in its ])lan, pp. 90 — OJ', niay fairly be
reckoned. I am indebted to Lord Holhuurs kindness, who
has taken a most friendly interest in Horatius Restitutu.s,
for the very just suggestion, that greater particularity and
fulness of detail would give increased value to the Chrono-
logy, which beyond a doubt was too brief before. And Mr.
H. Fynes Clinton, whose judgment I solicited on tlie iMS.
in its altered state, honoured me with tlie following reply :
Xll INTRODUCTION.
that after a careful examination he thought it very much
improved by the addition made of testimonies from the
worlis of Horace in the fourth column, and that he perfectly
understood the design in this Chronology, not to illustrate
history from Horace, but rather Horace from history.
" This design," he adds, " you have fulfilled in a very
complete and satisfactory manner ; and your tables, as now
enlarged, will render great assistance to the future students
of Horace."
It cannot be impertinent here, in allusion to P. D. 81, 2,
to announce ; that a Memoir of the Life and Times of Ho-
race — with a regular parallel in the events of Roman history
and in the biography of contemporary poets— has been
sketched with great exactness by Mr. Charles Wordsworth,
of Winchester, in a sheet privately printed and for limited
circulation only. Professedly formed, as it is, on the basis
of the Preliminary Dissertation and of the Fasti Hellenici,
and already carried down to the publication of the third
book of Odes, it has deserved and received my very hearty
approbation. And I record with much pleasure Mr. Clin-
ton^s opinion, which on such a subject is quite decisive :
" it will be a valuable guide and eminently useful to young
men engaged in academical studies."
In the additional space which this volume has demanded,
the largest share is claimed by the Dissertation on the
Metuks of Horack ; which in its prefatory pages (159 —
161) sufficiently enumerates the different authors to whom
my obligations are due. Let me, however, in particular re-
ference to Dr. Herbert, take this opportunity to premise
that as far as he has clearly shown the way, in that curious
line of the IcaduH) accents essential to the right constitu-
tion of verse, 1 have freely availed myself of his guidance ;
and that wliere I have felt less assurance on any points in
INTIIODUCTION. Xlll
his doctrine, I have stated the facts without comment, and
left the farther application for other scholars to demonstrate.
Nor may the gratification be denied to me of stating, that
in the month of January, 1836, the Dissertation itself was
drawn up as it now stands, chiefly on existing materials,
with the aid of my son and successor in the School of
Richmond, Mr. James Tate, a sound and elegant scholar,
as well as a ftiithful and diligent preceptor.
And here, if the overflowing matter may be excused for
seeking admission into a place not properly its own, let the
two following Addenda be accepted towards completing or
extending the separate articles to which- they belong.
I. In the Familiar 2>rt?/ of Horace, Appendix, pp. (100),
(101), (102), I have shown in what style and on what condi-
tions he professed to entertain his friends, and have exhibited
another variety of good fellowship, which was partly managed
at the common expense of the parties. Now a reader who
is not sufficiently aware of the difference betwixt that age
and our own, may naturally ask : " Had the gentlemen of
Rome then no other plan for enjoying the social hour but
those which you have here described ? " None, that I am
aware of, is apparent in the pages of Horace. For the
scenes which you may perhaps imagine adapted to that pur-
pose, were in our poet's time evidently unknown in any such
use. With him, the caiipona occurs only as an inn for the
entertainment of travellers, 1 S. v. 51 ; 1 E. xi. 12; xvii.
8 ; the popina, as an eating-house (with its frequenter
popino) dirty and discreditable, 2 S. iv. 62 ; vii, 39; 1 E.
XIV. 21 ; and, finally, the taher?ia (in the only pertinent
acceptation of the word) as nothing more or less than a
mere wine-shop, and one to which very low persons re-
borted, 1 E. xv. 21. In short, any thing like our tavern, or
XIV IXTllODUCTION'.
Other place of reception for a party to dine, seems to liavc
been unknown at Rome in tlic a^c of Aus-ustus.
In the well-known invitation to Torquatus, 1 E. v. 2.
that olus 07)2726 of a dinner may well excite our wonder ;
and if strictly so understood, can hardly expect to be cre-
dited. Let any person, however, who entertains such a doubt,
betake himself to Tully's Epistles, Fatn. vii. 26, and there
he will read, among the practical effects of the Le.v sum-
iuaria rigidly enforced during the usurpation of Ca?sar,
that Cicero from eating vegetables only, but very highly
dressed, in cocna Aiigiirali apud Lentuhim, incurred a
dysentery which had nearly been the death of him.
If such was the habitual frugality of Horace's meal, we
may be the less surprised at his unquestionable nicety with
regard to its concomitant, good water. With him, indeed,
this was a necessary of the first importance : and it is cu-
rious to trace his own repeated mention of it from 1 S. v.
7, 8. where he could eat no dinner because the water was
bad, through his wish, 2 S. vi. 2. for the jugis aqucB fans,
and his pride in possessing, 3 C. xvi. 29- Pivnc riviis
aqucE. — down to the inquiry at a late period, 1 E. xv.
15, 16. what kind of water the inhabitants of Velia and Sa-
Icrnum enjoyed.
Collectosne bibant imbres, puteosne perennes
Jugis aquae.
II. Horace, when recounting the many annoyances from
which his comparative poverty and his humble rank ex-
empted him, includes this also :
• ducendus et unus
Et comes alter, uti ne solus rusve peregreve
Exirem. 1 S. vi. 101, 2, 3.
The necessity then to maintain those comites would have
formed in his estimate one of the miseries of wealth and
IXTRODUCTIOX. XV
liigli birtli. From whence, it may be asked, did this ad-
junct of nobility and opulence arise, which so marked civil
society in the age of Augustus? Clearly enough, its origin
was military, in the custom for young men of family to go
out as contuhernales to commanders in chief and governors
of provinces, and under their eye to learn all the virtutes
imperatorias whether of provincial policy or of the art of
war.
The authority of Cicero for the military practice in his
day is very explicit. Take two instances as presented by
Ernesti in his valuable Indev Latinitatis. Pro Cn.
Plancio, § 11. and Pro M. Coelio, § 30. it is stated as a
fact highly honourable to their characters, that the one en-
joyed the co7ituhernii necessitudo with Aulus Torquatus,
and that the other went into Africa to be Q. Pompeio Pro-
consuli co7ituhernalis. For a period not much later, the
words of Horace may be considered sufficiently clear, as
when at 1 S. vii. 25. he mentions the comites of Brutus,
and at 1 E. viii. 2. he writes to Celsus Albinovanus, comiti
scriboeque Neronis, with the cohors also of that young
prince (v. 14) alluded to. In a brief sketch like this, one
more example, but that of a splendid name, may suffice.
The young Agricola, as we are told by Tacitus, § 5. Prima
castrorum rudimenta Suetonio Paullino diligenti ac moderato
duci approbavit, electus, quern contuheryiio aestimaret.
Now, by what process the transition took place from the
contuhemaUs of the Prastorium abroad to the coines of the
mansion or the villa at home, it may be a difficult office to
develope. But the two Epistles, xvii. and xviii. to Scaeva
and to Lollius, (of which the latter supplies the term comi-
tern, v. 30. in sequence to dives amicus, v. 24. as the cor-
relative, followed by potentis amiri, v. 44. in the same
meaning,) abundantly demonstrate, that the relation of
such a ml)ior to such a major amicus prevailed much in the
highest Roman jjoeicty, at the time when Horace wrote
XVI INTltODUCTlOX.
those two Letters of advice with such masterly skill and
such beautiful execution.
Before concluding, it is incumbent on me to acknowledge,
with many thanks, the valuable assistance which I received
in the summer of last year, when at Richmond, from the
fine taste and talent of IVIr. William King, in very carefully
drawing up the principal articles of Appendix. Mr. King
is already known, I trust, from the just compliments
paid to him as my coadjutor in editing the Analecta Ma-
jora Poetica of Professor Dalzel in 1827 ; and he well de-
serves to be known from his labour so judiciously bestowed
on the last edition of Mitford's History of Greece.
Nor may the valuable services of Mr. Robert Baldwin
be allowed here to pass unacknowledged. Without his
friendly assistance and judicious advice, these sheets could
never have been carried through the press; under the
peculiar difficulty of so many MS. additions and correc-
tions to be incorporated with the old text, and the diffi-
culty itself aggravated by that text being so singular a
compound of original matter blended with quotation.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
OP
PRELIMINARY DISSERTATION, &e.
CHRONOLOGY OF THE WORKS.
Pnge
De Temporibus Horatii, according to Bentley . . 3
Faber, Dacier, Masson, and Mitscherlich . . . G
M. Sanadon's errors exposed . . . . S
(The term Ejjodc explained . . . .10
And Carmen) . . . . . ] i
Absurdity involved in the common order of the books of Horace,
and congruity arising from Bentley's arrangement, as to internal
evidence and historical truth . . . . . 1 .'>
Advantage of that arrangement in placing the fourth book of
Odes after the Jirst book of Epistles, particularly shown . .17
LOCALITIES.
Horace's three places of residence, Rome, — Sabine Valley, —
Tivoli . . . ■ . . . . 20
First great source of error in Suetonius . . . 21
Second source, opposite to that, in the discoveries of Domenico
de Satictis and De Chmipy . . . . .22
Correction of the latter error • ... 23
Confirmed by Cobral, &c. . . . . .24
XVIU
TABLK or (OSTEXTS.
N. Hardingc's important emendation. 3 C. xxix. G. Ut semper-
udum, &c. .......
Proofs of Horace's frequent residence at Tivoli
And of his there first becoming a Lyric poet
His occasional resort also to Prsenestc and Baiog
Essential distinctions betwixt his mode of life in the Sabine Valley
and that cither at Rome or at Tivoli ....
The Ode to Phidyle (3 C. xxiii. CacIo supinas. . .) placed in its
true light ......
The invitation to Q. Hirpinus (2 C. xi. Quid bellicosus. . .)
dated from Tivoli, and not from the Sabine Valley
Singular errors as to the wishes of Horace, and as to the actual
qualities of his Sabine estate .....
24
2b
27
28
2r>
30
32
34
LIFE AND CHARACTER OF HORACE.
His father, a Coactor ....
Condition of the Libcrtiui .
Horace born at Venusia ....
His adventure when a child
(With allusion to his escape from other dangers)
Carried to Rome for his education .
(P»,eminisccnces afterwards of his native place)
The liberal character of his appearance at Rome
His moral training under his father's eye
After the death of his fatlier, Horace goes to Athens
His studies, his attainments in Grecian literature, and his Saddles
there ......
(Examples of Horace tracked in his own snow)
Places which he appears to have visited
(Epistle (xi.) to Bullatius ; peculiarity of his style)
As military tribune, under Brutus, at Philippi
I^e returns to Rome and becomes a clerk in the treasury
His mode of life at this period, and afterwards
He is introduced to Maecenas by Virgil and Varins
The journey to Bruudusium. (1 S. v.)
His personal and literary friends
07
ih.
38
40
ib.
41
42
44
45
47
48
50
5-1
ib.
53
54
5G
58
5!>
ib.
TAlil.F. OF rONTF.XTS. XIX
Page
Prohahlc origin of the Satire, (1 S, viii.) Proscripfi licgix . Gl
Oil the succession of the pieces in his books ; the separation of
some, the conjunction of others . . . .62
Canidia traced through all the pieces respecting her . . 64
The new stage of Horace's history, when just possessed of the
Sabine estate. 2 S. vi. Hoc erat in votis . . . ib.
(Lays the foundation of his Epodes) . . .66
His happiness and kind reception among his Sabine neighbours . 67
The historical bearing of his Epodes considered . . 69
Progress from the Epodes to the Odes, from the Odes to the
Epistles . . . . . . . ib.
Publication of the fourth book of Odes . . .72
Preceded by the Carmen Sasculare . . . .73
And marked by peculiar circumstances ... 74
In that book no direct address to Maecenas, and why . - ib.
Maecenas Horace's only patron ... .76
Horace's temper and disposition, that of contentedness and
gratitude . . . . . . .77
By no means without a sense of religion . . 78
Maecenas's visit to Horace at Tivoli . . . .79
Chronological table, in its several particulars, explained . 80
Dates regarding Virgil, Quintilius Varus, and Lucilius, considered 83
In historical facts no real objection to Bentley's chronology . 85
Tlie localities of Horace, as here stated, not affected by the suj)-
poscd discovery of the Fons Bandusinus near Venusia . 87
Brief Chronology of the Life and Writings of Horace . 90
APPENDIX.
I. Horace's familiar day, and Roman customs connected witli
it ....... 95
II. On the Sabine Valley and the second Epode . . 107
III. On Maecenas and the first Ode of the first book . .111
IV. On Augustus Caesar and the second Ode, Jam satis terris 121
V. De Personis Horatianis ..... 128
VI. On Horace's obligations to the Greek poets . . 139
VII. On Kirchner's Qu^estiones Horatian^ , . .140
XX TABI.F OF CONTF.KTS.
Page
VIIT. Some account of the text of this edition, and of the read-
ings different from that of Gesner adopted for its im-
provement . . ... . . 149
Treatise on the Metres of Horace . . . .159
INTRODUCTION.
The terms Caupona — Popina — Taherna, explained . .. xiii
No places of reception for a party to dine . . . xiv
Horace's olus omne illustrated .... «V>.
His peculiar nicety as to good water .... ik-
On the Comites of Horace's day, and the military origin of that
character ....•••'"•
DISSERTATION
ON
THE CHRONOLOGY OF THE WORKS,
AND ON
THE LOCALITIES
AND LIFE AND CHARACTER
OF
HORACE.
Havixg now, for more than one third of a century, been
engaged in reading the works of Horace with my Pupils,
and having long witnessed in his commentators the con-
fusion very often attending their neglect of his chronology,
(let me add of his localities also,) I have been strongly in-
clined for some time past to undertake the illustration of
Horace, in that department alone. By the light of Bent-
ley's discoveries in his celebrated Prcefatio^ the question
De temporihus librorum Horatii (though the result only
of his investigations without any part of the regular process
is given) I ventured to consider after all as in the main de-
cisively settled. And therefore if on the strength of Bent-
ley ""s name I had proceeded to publish a new edition of the
works, without any other recommendation than that of their
being printed in the very order in which they were origi-
nally published in successive books by the author himself;
b
(2) PRELIMINARY DISSERTATION.
it struck my mind very forcibly, that such an edition would
be hailed by Scholars as an era in Horatian literature.
That design, however, still hung in suspense, and might
yet have been indefinitely delayed. But in the course of last
year, (1831,) I was led to expect the appearance of a Second
Part of the Fasti Hellenici, &c., by Mr. H. Fynes Clinton,
brought down to the death of Augustus : and that expecta-
tion inspired me with a strong anxiety to learn what the
Master Chronologist had done, under the head of Roivmi
Authors, towards fixing or correcting the calculations of
Bentley. My satisfaction of course was very great to find,
that all the principal points which had been laid down one
himdi-ed and twenty years ago for the foundation of that
arrangement, may now be received as determined once for
all by the very highest authority.
Mr. Clinton himself on being informed of my intention
gives me the kindest encouragement to persevere : he ap-
proves of my undertaking so useful a work as an edition
of the books of Horace, arranged in chronological order :
and he assigns as a reason for his approbation, that the
neglect of that order has produced much perplexity to the
student not of Horace only, but of many other authors of
the Augustan aaje.
Under all these circumstances, I now am emboldened to
proceed in the task ; and as the design in the first instance
is submitted to the judgement of scholars, which it candidly
invites, I shall at once lay before them as preliminary to all
other disquisition the following extract from Bentley ^s Prce-
fatia. The title is copied from the formula adopted by
Gesner, who in his edition of Horace gives all this extract
except what stands as the first section of it : and the divi-
sion here made of the whole into parts commodious for re-
ference, will on that account be readily allowed.
CHUOXOLOfiY OF WORKS. (3)
DE TEftlPORIBUS LIBRORUi^I
H O II A T 1 1
ET
POE3fATUM ADEO
RICH. BENTLEII SENTENTIA.
^1. Jam vero et illud monendum est, editioncs principes
et receiUioris a^tatis codices alio ac nunc solemus ordine
Artem Poeticam collocare, post carmen nempe Sasculare
ante Sermones et Epistolas : vetustiores vero omnes Mem-
branas post Carminum libros Artem Epodis praeponere.
Si quacris, quisnam ex his ordo recte se habeat, seriemque
temporum, quibus singula ab auctore edita sunt, rite conser-
vet, vetustusne ille an medius an hodiernus ; nuUus pro-
fecto omnium.
^ 2. Magno quidem studio et acerrima contentione post
TmiaquilU Fahri operam Clarissimi viri Dacerius Mas-
sonusque in banc arenam descenderunt ; quorum equidem
acumen et eruditionem in partibus laudo ; in operis vero
summa totoque constituendo rem eos infeliciter admodum
gessisse censeo. Horum enim rationibus, et Carminibus
et Epodis et Sermonibus Epistolisque scribendis vmo ac
eodem tempore vacavisse Nostrum necesse est ; et singula
quaeque poematia separatim in vulgus edidisse : quorum
utrumque a vero alienum esse mihi pro comperto est.
^ 3. Quippe omnibus, qui ejusmodi Poematia scripserunt,
id in more erat, ut non sparsas Eclogas, sed integros Li-
bellos semel simulque in lucem ederent. Ita Catullus fecit,
ut ex Epigrammate i. constat, Cui dono lepidum novum
LiBELLUM : ita TibuUus, quem vide Elegia i. libri tertii,
v. 7- et J 7- ita Propertius Eleg. i. librorum ii. in, et iv.
ut et Libri ii. Elegia x, v. 25. et xix, v. 39; ita Virgiliun
b2
(4) I'UELIMINARY DISSERTATION.
Bucolica dedit, uti patet ex ultimo illo, Eoctremum himc,
Arethitsa, rniki concede lahoreni: ita Naso Amorum et
Tristium et Ponticorum libros, ipso teste : ita Statius Sil-
vas suas : ita Martialis Epigrammata, ut Praefationes
eorum fidem faciunt : ita Persius Satiras ; Phcedrus et
Avienus fabulas ; Aitsonius, Prudentitis, Sidonius, Ve-
nantiusque sua Carmina ; quod ex eorum Prologis abunde
patet.
^ 4. Quid quaeris ? Ipse quoque Horatius Libellos suos
junctim editos aperte indicat ; primum Carminum librum ex
Prologo ; secundum tertiumque ex Epilogis ; Epodos ex
illo xiv. Inceptos oUm promissum carmen lamhos Ad
umbilicum adducere ; Sermonum priorem librum ex versu
ultimo, / puer atqae meo citus hcBc subscribe libello ;
posteriorem ex Prologo ; priorem vero Epistolarum et ex
Prologo et ex Epilogo. Quartum vero Carminum, et
Epistolarum secundum longo post cetera intervallo emis-
sos esse, plenissimum est Siietonii testimonium ; quod
qui aut refellere aut eludere conantur, inanem operam insu-
munt.
^ 5. His jam positis ; primum Horatii opus statuo Sermo-
num librum j)rimum, quem triennio perfecit intra annos
setatis xxvi, xxvii, xxviii ; postea Secundum triennio iti-
dem, annis xxxi, xxxii, xxxiii ; deinde Epodos biennio,
XXXIV et xxxv ; turn Carminum librum primum triennio,
XXXVI, xxxvii, xxxviiT ; Secundum biennio, xl, xli;
Tertiumque pariter biennio, xlii, xliii : inde Epis-
tolai'um primum biennio, xlvi, xlvii ; turn Carminum
lib. quartum et ScEculare triennio, xlix, l, li. Postremo
Artem Poeticam et Ejiistolarum, librum alterum, annis
incertis. Intra bos cancellos omnium pocmatiwn natales
esse poncndos, et ex argumentis singulorum et ex Annalium
fide constabit.
^ 6. Inde est, quod in Sermonibus et Epodis et Carminum
primo, C((',snr s«;mpcr, nuntjuam Augustus dicitur ; quippe
CHRONOLOGY OF WORKS, (5)
qui id nomen consecutus est, anno clemum Flacci xxxix ; in
sequentibus vero passim Augustus appcllatur. Inde est,
quod in Sermonibus et Epodis Juvenem se ubique indicat ;
et quod sola Satirarum laude inclaruisse se dicit, ut Buco-
licorum turn Vlrgilium (Serm. i, 10. v. 46.) nulla Lyricorum
mentione facta.
^ 7' I'l ceteris autem singulis procedentis aetatis gradus
planissimis signis indicat: idque tibi ex hac seriejam a me
demonstvata jucundum erit animadvertere ; cum opcribus
Juvenilibus multa obscaena et flagitiosa insint ; quanto an-
nis provectior erat, tanto eum et poiitica virtute et argumen-
torum dignitate gravitateque meliorem castioremque semper
evasisse.
^ 8. Ceterum ubicumque viri doctissimi extra limites hie
positos in adsignandis temporibus evagantur, toties illi in
errores prolabuntur. Facile quidem mihi foret id in singulis
ostendere ; verum unum modo alterumve hie attingam, ce-
tera tuae industviae relinquens. Libri i. Carmen 21, Dianam
tenercB dicite Virglnes, perperam Sieculare vocant, et ad
Horatii annum xlix. referunt ; ringente Suetonio, qui tres
Carminum libros lo7igo intervallo eum annum prascessisse
testatur. Atqui nihil quicquam hie de ScBCularibus ludis
proditur ; sed aut ad Dianas aut Apollinis festum spcctat,
quorum illud mense Augusto, hoc Julio singulis annis cele-
brabatur. Eodem pertinet Catulli carmen xxxv, Diance su-
mus in jide ; quod Sceculare etiam a viris doctis pessime
inscribitur ; cum nihil ibi de ScEculo habeatur, isque diu
diem obierit ante Ludos Augusti Saeculares.
^9. Tum et ii, I7, Ad Alcecenatem cegrotum^ immani
parachronisrao ad Horatii annum lv. ultra libri quarti tem-
pora ablegant ; idque levi et futili argumento, quod eo anno
continua insomnia vexari coeperit Maecenas triennio ante
diem fatalem. Quasi vero non plus semel in tarn longa vita
jegrotaverit, quem Plinius major vii, 51. perpetua febre ab
adolescentia laborasse tradidit.
(6) PRELIMINARY DISSERTATION.
10. Illud vero in Sermone vi, libri 2, Quid, militibiis
promissa Triquetra, Prcedia Ccesar, an est Itala teUure
daturus ? non, ut volunt, ad pugnam Actiacam annumque
Flacci XXXV. referendum erat, nee ad Philippensem an-
numve xxiv : quippe de agrorum divisione hie agitur, quae
post Siculam de Pompeio victoriam et Lepidi deditionem
in Campania alibique facta est, anno Flacci xxxi, ut disertis
verbis narrat Die p. 456, 457- Plutarchus Antonio p. 941,
Paterculus ii, 81 ; et Appianus p. 11 76. Alia omnia pari
facilitate refutari possent ; sed his fruere et vale.
In all this extract, confessedly, we have little more than
the residt of Bentley's investigations : the regular process
throughout, by which facts and arguments were drawn up
into a chronological system, we do not possess. Much less
can we venture to say how far the internal evidence on
which he so acutely proceeded in demonstrating the dates,
turned entirely on facts of a public, or partly on those of a
private, nature also. Still, however, one thing to me seems
quite undeniable : the system of Bentley remains to this day
unshaken from .any quarter by legitimate confutation, un-
assailed indeed by any regular and systematical attempt to
confute it. Whatever in the course of much reading I
have hitherto seen, whether totally adverse or in part only
contrary, I have found to involve such gross neglect of un-
questionable truth, such absurdity springing up in imme-
diate consequences; that seldom has more than one effort
of thought been necessary to penetrate and discard it.
To the several labours however learned and plausible of
Faber, of Dacier, and of Masson, after the decisive judge-
ment o^ Bentley so declared (^ 2.), it will not be expected,
that any particular attention should be devoted by me.
And yet, just as if Massoti's accuracy in the Vita Ho-
ratii (17^*0 ^^'<^^ never been disjmted, (though he was lield
CHllONOLOGY OF WORKS. {75
by Dacier in great contempt,) that work has been quoted
with much deference by later editors ; and more or less
formed on the basis of Massori's Vita or of the Chronologia
per Consules of Dacier have been those compilations under
the title of Q. Horatii Flacci Vita per annos digesta, which
have even recently appeared.
Amongst the very latest of those who have merely gone
in the old path so long trod before them, let not Mitscher-
lich, the German editor of the Odes, be overlooked. He
wholly rejects the scheme of Bentley, and in his Preface,
p. xxi. after daring to pronounce... wi^rwm omnino Bentleii
temporum ratio... he brings forward an objection founded
on an allusion to the Caw^aftr/. 3 C viii. 21. Whoever
will turn to the Fasti of Mr. Clinton, b. c. 23. p. 237, ^^y
see how the objection is answered and the credit of Bentley
maintained by a touch of the pen from that unrivalled
chronologist.
I embrace the occasion here offered, to acknowledge the
great faithfulness and talent so conspicuous in the recent
biography of Bentley ; and on the general question before
us, I adopt with much gratification the judgment (perfectly
coincident with my own) which the biographer so strongly
and comprehensively delivei-s.
" Bentley's scheme of the Tempora Horatiana is con-
demned by Mitscherlich, the Leipsic editor : but he is a
person of little or no authority ; and in this case he appeals
to the life of Horace, by Jani, an abridgement of Masson's,
one of those productions to correct the errors of which,
Bentley's theory was composed." — Dr. ]\lonk's Life of
Bentley, p. 245, 8vo.
But whatever exciise I may thus plead for leaving the
now obsolete merits of Messrs. Faher, Dacier and Musaoii
under "the balance and the rod" in Bentley's liands ;
(8) PRELIMINARY DISSERTATION.
some distinct notice is unquestionably due to the subsequent
name of Monsieur Sanadoti, from its being so eminent in
the criticism of Horace for right or for wrong.
In the year 1728, from the press of Claude Robustel, a
Paris, there came forth in two handsome quarto volumes
prima specie a very splendid work : Les Poesies d'Horace
disposees suivant Fordre chronologique et traduites en Fran-
9ois : avec des Remarques et des Dissertations critiques.
Par le R. P. Sanadon, de la Compagnie de Jesus.
The object of Mr. Sanadon avowedly embraces a very
bold and radical change. He does not restore (according
to the plan in this volume proposed) the Opera Horatiana
to that order of books in which it is highly probable at
least that they were first published by the poet himself. He
revolutionises every thing ; and exults in the magnificent
mischief. " De toutes les pieces d'Horace je n'en laisse que
trois dans leur ancienne situation." p. vi.
Now I am duly aware that the celebrated U'Orville (in
the year 1750) left on record the severest condemnation of
this barbarous concern. " Sanadon," he says, " qui nuper
Horatium temerario ausu Absyrti instar concidit trunca-
vitque, et triviali commentario obruit." D'Orville ad Cha-
riton, p. 239. ed. Beck.
Klotzius too, in his Lectiones VennsincE (177^), speaks of
Sanadon's conceitedness at once and servile plagiarism in a
strong tone of bitterness. Take the following examples :
" Sanadonius interpretatur mire, et explicat defenditque. ver-
sionem perperam, ut fere semper, quoties aliorum animad-t
versiones non compilavit." p. 321. — " Sanadonio, servilis
ingenii homine, cuique nihil magis succedit, quam si Bent-
leium aliosque compilat."" p. 406.
To these severe expressions most probably Dr. Parr
refers in the very clever and very playful Letter to Mr.
Henry Homer on his projected variorum Edition of Horace.
After calling him "a great coxcomb" in one part of it, he
CHRONOLOGY OF WOKKS. (9)
finally says : " Beware of that rascal Sanadon : and be sure
to quote what Klotzius says of him, and I say too." — Dr.
Johnstone's Life and Works of Dr. Parr, Vol. i. p. 412.
Let me not be understood, however, as wishing to shelter
myself under authorities like these from the responsibility of
delivering an opinion of my own. From me, the first person
who has ventured to print the books of Horace in the order
of their original publication, something more in the direct
way of reply may naturally be expected; especially as
against Sanadon, who proceeding de novo in utter defiance
to all and every arrangement of the books as such, has dis-
located and dismembered the whole body of the Poet.
The compilers of Horace's life, indeed, in allotting such a
poem to such a year of it, had very freely violated all respect
in any way due to the consideration of collective books suc-
cessively published : but no editor before Sanadon had ever
on system j^^'i^nted the works of Horace in any other than
the common series, or disturbed the common arrangement
at all.
The two volumes of Sanadon now before me contain 1400
pages, exclusive of the Indices to the Work. To peruse
carefully such an extent of translated and critical matter,
with a view to examine, detect and refute, would be an Her-
culean toil. If according to Bentley (Pref. to Phalar. p. cxi.)
a man " may commit more mistakes in five weeks' time and
in five sheets of paper, than can thoroughly be confuted in
fifty sheets and a whole year ;" the complete examination of
Sanadon's pages might form the labour of a very long life.
A much shorter operation must serve the present purpose.
To disable his judgment, in the phrase of Shakspeare,
may of itself be sufficient. And to that end let the follow-
ing specimens of particular but very gross errors be accepted,
instead of a more general and extensive reply.
(1 .) With Sanadon, the Epodes (of which he discards
the name entirely) are considered as 2^ fifth book of Odes ,•
(10) PllKLIMlNARY DISSEHTATION.
and they are variously scattered through the mass and mixt
multitude of the real Carmina. He thus makes up five
books of Odes altogether ; and, as with an I^pilogos to the
whole, concludes the fifth of them with the last ode of our
third book,
Exegi monumenlnm mre perennlus.
Now it is most true that the great Muretus in the year
1551 remarks thus on the book EPODON. " Cur Ejxxios
liber hie vocetur, non equidem satis intelligo: ac vidi veterem
librum, in quo hie quintus Odarum liber inscribebatur." In
his Var. Lect. too, L. iii. C. xix, he entitles it expressly
thus: " Horatii versus e quinto Odarum illustrati." But at
that day, the critical knowledge of Horace was yet in its
infancy : and Sanadon stands without excuse for not attend-
ing to the Grammatical signification of Epodi, when in all
the editions by Cruquins from the year 1578 downwards,
the old commentaries on Horace had been regularly pub-
lished with the commentator's clear and ex])licit delinition
of (a) TTf OOJ Jo;, and of (p) £57-0)^0?.
K. Ibis Liburnis inter alta navium,
/3. Amice, propugnacula.
That Archilochian metre which from its predominance (and
that of others similar) gave in an early century its own ap-
pellation to the whole book of Epodes, is not at this day
much better understood from Gaisford's HephcBstio, (1810,)
]>p. 129. 368. or from Hermann's Elementa Doctrince
MetriccB^ (18 1 G,) L. iii. c. xv. than it might have been known
for any practical pvn*pose in the year 1578.
Of all this, however, Sanadon has shown, if not a profound
ignorance, yet a most offensive contempt. His comment on
the very first Epode, Ibis Liburnis, &c., he thus introduces,
*' Cctte Ode est ])roprement une lettre en vers liriqucs ■''■'
No wonder, that an Editor who found lyric Odes in what
CHUONOl-OGY OF WOIIKS. (11)
Horace himself denominated (Ep. xiv. 7* cf. 1 E. xix.
23-25.)
Inceptos, olim promissum carmen, lambos,
should become enamoured of his own inventions and create
a chaos accordingly.
It is true indeed, that among his lyric odes, Horace has
not scrupled to insert some pieces in a metre not strictly
lyric: as, 1 C. iv, vii, viii, xxviii ; 2 C. xviii ; 3 C.
XII ; 4 C. VII. But then among the Epodes there is
nothing lyrical whatsoever ; of itself, surely, a decisive
fact, that to the odes, a higher class of poetry, he did not
devote his mind at all till a later period.
And here it may be observed, that the word carmen,
though specifically applied to It/iic odes, as 2 E. ii, 59.
Carmine tu gaudes : hie deleetatur himhis. — yet is appli-
cable, as in the line above quoted, even to Iambic verse,
that in the Epodes ; and that in the Epistle to Augustus,
V. 85, media inter carmina, means that the drama was
interrupted. Let no conclusion therefore be drawn from
the use of that word, independently of circumstances in the
context to determine its character.
(2.) In the whole personal history of Horace, if one spot
be marked with brighter joy than another, it must be the
auspicious day of his migration into the Sabine Valley: that
day formed an era in the happiness, in the moral as well as
literary character of his life.
Henceforth, of course, we find him much less resident at
Rome ; and when occasionally there, annoyed with matters
of business, invisa negotia^ 1 E. xiv. 17, and, aliena,
2 S. VI, 33, on the Esquiline, to a much greater degree than
before ; or at any rate he likes so to represent it.
All that new delight of his in the rtts and villula among
the Sabines, in the scenery which adorned his estate, and in
the shrewd and virtuous people into whose society it threw
him, Horace exquisitely describes in the vith Satire of the
2d book,
(12) PRELIMINAllY DISSERTATION.
Hoc erat in votis, S[C.
The more so from its contrast with the plagues and vex-
ations of the great city ; which he touches with such play-
ful impatience, 2 S. vi. 20-23. Matutine pater.. Romae
sponsorem, &c., or still later in life, 2 E. ii. Q5, 6.
me Romsene poemata censes
Scribere posse, inter tot curas totque labores ?
The whole passage to v. 75, is full of characteristic matter,
not only as to those annoyances peculiar to Horace, but as
to the general distraction and bustle in the streets of the
metropolis.
And yet the good natured, kind hearted man, when he
had only his house at Rome, with a small establishment, not
very rich, but cheerful enough and content, delighted too
with the humility of his condition, made a maximum of his
comforts there ; before he even dreamed apparently of any
higher pleasures, better suited to his genius and taste, to be
enjoyed in a different locality, and under very different cir-
cumstances.
The vith Satire of the 1st book. Non quia Mcecenas,
8fc., which describes his familiar day at Rome, is not less
exquisite in its way, not less fraught with characteristic and
entertaining narration, than the vith of the 2d book.
Will it be believed, except on ocular inspection, that
Sanadon has committed the monstrous vcttz^ov tt^ote^ov of
placing Hoc erat in votis before Non quia, McBcetias,
making the latter 1. 2. Sat. 8. and the former 1. L Sat. 7- in
his Nouvelle distrihiition !
(3.) The six Odes i, ii, iii, iv, v, vi, of the third book
of Horace, written in one common metre and wonderfully
agreeing in a well sustained high didactic tone of moral, re-
ligious, patriotic sentiment, with that striking prelude to
the whole, Odi profanum vn/gus, 8fc., must impress on every
CHRONOLOGY OK WOllKS. (13)
sensible mind a deep feeling of solemn grandeur, varied by
amenity, and pathos, and fine imagination.
If therefore any juxta-position of Odes preserved in all
MSS. and editions, might command reverence from an editor
of Horace ; Odes like these six could not possibly suffer
violation by being torn asunder. Sanadon disjoins these
six Alcaic Odes from one another entirely, and has not left
even any two of them in any connection or contiguity
whatsoever !
(4.) On minute examination it has been ascertained,
(vid. Treatise on Metres, No. xix.), that in the third line
of the Alcaic Stanza,
2 Specimens of this structure, Hunc Lesbio | sacrare plectro.
with 3 of this , Regumque matres | barbarorum.
and 8 of this , Pronos relabi | posse j rivos.
are contained in the^r*^ and second books of Odes ; while
in the third and fourth books, as they commonly stand, not
one instance is now to be seen of a verse so constructed in
any of those ways.
Surely no argument can be more striking, than this plain
fact is, to demonstrate, that Horace after publishing the 1st
and 2d books of Odes, was by some cause or suggestion led
to consult his ear with acuter delicacy than before ; so that
he vigilantly ever after guarded the third line, the key -stone
of the Alcaic stanza, against modes of structure, which his
improved sense of harmony condemned. Briefly to place
the matter in the strongest light, no other hypothesis will
accovmt for the phenomena.
In this nice predicament, what part does Sanadon play ?
The truth is, that such exactness of metrical observation was
unknown in his time : and we must acquit him on the charge
of neglecting distinctions, not then brought into notice.
But for all that excuse, the main ground of conviction re-
mains the same. Sanadon, in his Noumlle distribution,
(14) PnKLIMINARY DISSERTATION.
acts ignorantly on this behalf, but be acts grossly wrong
also : for those Odes marked with the faulty structure he
has scattered promiscuously over the later books in his
arrangement and over the earlier, very much alike. No
difference is known ; no discrimination is preserved. Need
one say more ? And here with these proofs of his judg-
ment disabled, let us take our leave of Mr. Sanadon for
the present.
The strange and accumulated mistakes in which the
personal history of Horace has been long involved, it would
be an irksome task to discuss one by one in detail. The
most important of them, however, shall be duly noticed in
the course of these pages ; and the whole mass will be put
into a way for ultimate clearance. It may be too much to
assert that the publication of the books of Horace in the
original series of succession will at once set all other things
right : yet there can be no doubt, but the wrong, unnatural,
confused order, in which his works have hitherto been ex-
hibited, has given rise to a great portion of all the errors
(existing at this day. And so long as the common arrange-
ment shall continue to influence the train of thought by the
order of perusal, it will be difficult if not impossible to over-
come that proneness to false combinations, which the work-
ing on a distorted view must of necessity create.
But when once that disorder is banished and the natural
succession restored, then the mind, instead of being misguided
by the mechanical progress of the hand and the eye, will be
by that progress directed and sustained all along in tracing
the personal and poetical history of Horace. All the stages
of his career will then develope themselves in beautiful
transition : especially, the Parian Iambics of the Sabine
Poet will precede as they ought, the Sapphic and Alcaic
stanzas of the Lyrist of Tivoli.
CHnONOl.OGY OF WORKS. ([!))
Let us now proceed to exemplify by a few striking in-
stances what absurdity is involved in the common order of
the books of Horace being taken for the true one, and what
immediate congruity on the other hand arises from observing
the arrangement of Bentley.
(1.) Horace in the ivth Satire of his 1st book, vv. 39 —
55. shows a gi'cat anxiety to disclaim all pretence to the
higher character of a poet : and well he might, without any
mock modesty, disavow it. At that early period of his life
and writings, he had noticing to ground the claim upon, ex-
cept the limited publication of a few satires, and the farther
promise of talent in that particular vein.
But hear what M. Dacier says, as reported by Dr.
Francis.
" 54. Urgo \ yon satis est iniris versum perscrihere verbis.
M. Dacier thinks, that Horace would not have been so
modest with regard to his Satires, and so fearful of prosti-
tuting the name of poet, if he had not secured his own right
to it by his Odes."
Hear next M. Sanadon. (V^ol. ii. p. 169.)
" 39. Primum ego me illorum, dederim quihus esse poetis,
Excerpam numero..
Horace s'etoit deja assure par ses odes le nom de Poete,
ainsi il ne risque rien a, se degrader pour ses satires.
Sa modestie n'en est que plus grande, et cette vertu ne
sauroit etre petite dans un poete, pourvti qu'elle soit bieii
sincere." No exposure can make blunders like these more
ridiculous: they cannot be aggravated by any comment.
Pere Hardouin, on the contrary, (Vid. Klotzii Lectiones
Venusinae, pp. 15, 39, 40. I770,) who amongst many
paradoxes maintained this, Horatii Poetce nihil superesse
gemiinum, jJ^cefer Ejnstolas et Sermojies, draws a very-
different conclusion out of the verses before us.
(16) PRELIMINARY DISSERTATION.
• neque enim concludere versum
Dixeris esse satis : neque, si quis soribat, uti nos,
Sermoni propiora, putes hunc esse poetam.
From this passage, Hardouin very ingeniously and justly
concludes, Horatium se nullas odas scripsisse prqfiteri :
nothing in itself more true at that time. But the
good Father too hastily assumed, that the Odes if written
by Horace at all, had been written as their collocation to
him indicated, at some period prior to that of the Satires.
Hardouin would have been disarmed of at least one argu-
ment, perhaps in his opinion a very strong one ; if he
had ever viewed the books of Horace in the order of their
original publication.
(2.) If there be any truth in Bentley's calculations, the
2d book of these Satires was collectively published not later
than the year b. c. 32. If there be any faith in the Fasti
Hellenici, the restoration of the Roman Eagles from
Parthia did not take place earlier than the year b. c. 20.
Horace (2 S. 1. 10 — 15) when thus urged by his learned
friend Trebatius,
Aut si tantus amor scribendi te rapit, aude
Caesai'is invicti res dicere, mu ta laborum
Prsemia laturus.
declines the task with much elegance and address, on the
ground of inability to describe the scenes of heroic warfare.
cupidum, pater optime, vires
Deficiunt ; neque enim quivis horrentia pilis
Agmina, nee fracta pereuntes cuspide Gallos,
Aut labentis equo describat vulnera Parthi.
The Parthians and Gauls, from having been the principal
objects of dread to the Roman armies, are the nations
selected to furnish, each of them, a very tremendous image
of battle ; with a tacit reference perhaps to the exploits of
IVIarius at a distant period and of Ventidius on a later
occasion, b. c. 39-
CHRONOLOGY OF WORKS. (17)
What is the remark of Baxter on this passage ?
" 15. Bene labentis equo : nam Parthorum pugna fere
erat equestris. Apposuit autem ista, quo gratificaretur
Augusto, ob recepta signa Marco Crasso adempta."
Anachronism and confusion like this might be expected
from Baxter. One may wonder that the cautious and
accurate Gesner should interpose no correction of it. But
neither is he found always faithful to his qualified declaration
of agreement with Bentley.
Hoc certe confirmare possum, me, dum recenseo singulas
Eclogas, diligenter attendisse, si quid esset Bentleianis tem-
porum rationibus adversum, nee deprehendisse quidquam,
quod momentum aliquod ad eam evertendam haberet ; licet
quibusdam Eclogis non improbabili ratione forte tempus
etiam aliud, recentius prajsertim, possit adscribi.
The clearness of view which arises from placing the
Satires before the Epodes, and the Epodes before the Odes,
cannot be denied. The advantage to be derived from
Bentley's arrangement in placing the 4th book of Odes after
the 1st book of Epistles, may not perhaps be quite so
evident. One example or two will serve to show the im-
portance of that distribution.
There is an intellectual as well as a linear perspective.
And some space for time and thought must be allowed
to intervene : or in the case of great moral and political
changes taking place, without the aid of that interval,
very often all the probabilities of expectation will be
shocked. Thus, if seven or eight years are considered to
elapse betwixt the average date of the 3d book of Odes
and the publication of the 4th ; even in the omens of
moral improvement displayed in the latter we shall see
nothing extravagant, in those of political alteration we shall
see the highest credibility.
e
(18) PRELIMINARY DISSERTATION.
In the vith Ode of the 3d book, Horace traces the
vice and immorality which he there laments, to the pre-
dominance of luxury and corruption, which no Censorian
regulations could control : and in the xxivth Ode, impressed
■with the very same feeling (vv. 35, 6.) he exclaims,
Quid leges sine moribus
Vanae proficiunt ?
But in the vth Ode of the 4th book (addressed to
Augustus) he piously exults in the blessings of a new era ;
and by the very phrase (v. 22.) adopted there, he recalls
in contrast that vicious state of social life which now
seemed to be past or to be passing away.
Mos et lex maculosum edorauit nefas.
Then again, in the xvth Ode of the same book, with
what energy does he hail the revival of the virtues under
the reign of a reforming Prince I
Tua, Caesar setas—
et ordinem
Rectum evaganti fraena licentise
Injecit, emovitque culpas,
Et veteres revocavit artes.
In the year b. c. 24, Augustus came home from the
Cantabrian war: Horace, catching a happy allusion to the
heroic wanderings of Hercules, congratulates the com-
monalty of Rome on the victorious return of their sovereign.
Herculis ritu raodo dictus, O Plebs,
Morte venalem petiisse laurum
Caesar, Hispana repetit penates
Victor ab ora. 3 C. xiv.
Here Sanadon (at times so acute and intelligent) condemns
at once the opening line of this Ode ; and betrays exactly what
Dr. Parr would call the coxcomb, in the following remark.
O Plebs.l On ne pent disconvenir que ce vers n'est pas le
meilleur de la piece. Cette chute est assommante, et je ne
pardonnc point a notre Poete d'avoir si mal debute.
The fact is, that Sanadon saw nothing here beyond the
C.HRONOLOCiY OF WORKS. (19)
sui'face. Augustus, trihwms plebls, be it remembered, and
plehi gratior quani optimatihus^ had been very dangerously
ill in Spain : ille rumor (of course) plebem ma.vime terruit,
Klotz. p. 317- the commons were trembling for the loss of
their protector : the nobility caught at the chance of regain-
ing their old ascendancy in the state.
Or take it from the Argumentum of the Ode, as it stands
in Gesner''s edition. Bello Cantabrico maximus erat novo-
rum tumultuum a partibus Optimatium metus, ob diutur-
nam Augiisti Tarracone decumbentis valetudmem. Illo
igitur jam domum reverso, publicas ferias Palatio universae-
que Plebi Horatius indicit.
Several conspiracies ^ formed against the life of that
Prince are recounted by Suetonius in D. Oct. Cses. Au-
gusto, § XIX. But the most affecting story of the kind is
that related by Seneca, of Cinna's desperate design... wow
occidere, sed immolare : nam sacrificantem placuerat
adoriri. The recorded exclamation of Augustus carries a
point with it, which renders all comment unnecessary. Ego
sum NOBiLiBus adolescentihus expositum caput, in quod
mucrones aciiant ! Seneca de Clementia, i. 9.
Turn now to the 4th book of Odes : imagine the lapse
of a few eventful years, say from b.c. 24 to the year 15,
when Augustus yet remained in Gaul ; and then, in the
absence of all alarm, mark the lofty tone of pride and
security, and the oblivion of all political distinctions.
ii. 50. Non semel dicemus, lo triumphe ! | Civilas omnis,
V. 1 — 8. Divis orte bonis, optime llomulse
Custos gentis, abes jam nimium diu :
JMaturum reditum pollicitus Patrnm
Saiicto concilio, redi.
Lucem redde tuse, dux bone, patriae :
Instar veris enim vultns \ibi tuus
* For " the conspiracy and death of Mwena," &c., &c., vide Fast. Helloii
B.C. 22.
c 2
(20) PRELIMINARY DISSERTATION'.
Adfulsit poptdo ; gratior it dies,
Et soles melius nitent.
xiv. 1 — 5. Quae Gura Pafrnm, quseve Quiritinm^
Plenis honorum muneribus tuas,
Auguste, virtutes in asvum
Per titulos memoresque fasten
jEtemet ? O qua Sol &c.
PART II.
LOCALITIES.
To understand the writings of Horace with complete
satisfaction in those parts which at all involve his personal
history, the knowledge of his actual residences will be
found similarly useful, if not equally necessary, as the
correct distribution of his books in their original order.
His localities, indeed, when rightly ascertained, are so
directly connected with the Chronology and just arrange-
ment of his works ; that even Bentley's masterly calcula-
tion may derive support from a careful development of the
scenes of his residence, hitherto partially or erroneously
stated.
For the sake of clearness in what follows, though it be in
part anticipating, let the principal places in which I believe
Horace to have resided after his return from Philippi, be
here at once laid before the reader.
At an early period, then, he had beyond all dispute a
house in Roine, (on the higher ground of that city, Fuge
quo descendere yestis. 1 E. xx, 5.) which during his life
time he appears to have kept : by the liberality of Maecenas
LOCALITIES. (21)
not long after, he was possessed of a rus and villula in the
Sabine valley : and charmed with the scenery of Tibur,
which on his way from Rome into the Sabine country he
often halted to admire, he finally became master of a cottage
with a garden to it in the precincts of Tibur or as it is now
called Tivoli.
It was on this latter spot, if I may be allowed to antici-
pate, that he dedicated the pine-tree to Diana, (3 C. xxii.
Montium custos...) in an ode remarkable also for its conti-
guity in position to that beautiful ode to Phidyle, Cwlo sii-
pinas . . . which will be found to bear such decisive evidence
to the very same locality. May we not also with some
probabihty suppose, that of the two passages in which a
fondness for building is imputed to Horace, the first, 2 S.
Ill, 308. JEcliJicas, &c., must be referred to the new erection
or repairs required for his comfort in the Sabine valley ;
while the second, 1 E. i,100. Diruit, ccdijicat^ &c., written
at a latter period, naturally carries our thoughts to improve-
ments at Tivoli, in which he might then be engaged.
And here at setting out, let me avow that I feel no scruple
in imputing the first great source of confusion and error
to that unlucky expression in the Life attributed to Sueto-
nius. "Vixit plurimum in secessu ruris sui Sahini aut 77-
bartini: domusque ejus ostenditur circa Tiburni luculum.""
And the phrase itself, Sabini aut Tiburtini, had its origin,
there can be no doubt, in the Iambic Scazons of Catullus
Ad Fundum. xl.
O Funde noster, seu Sabine, seu Tiburs,
Nam te esse Tiburtem autumant, quibus non est
Cordi CatuUum laedere ; at quibus cordi est,
Quovis Sahinum pignore esse contendunt.
The author, whoever he was, of that Life, apparently quite
ignorant of the Sabine valley, never seems to have sup-
posed, that Horace had any rural residence except at Tivoli,
(22) PEELIMINARY DISSKUTATION.
or any property and estate except in that place or just across
the Sabme border.
Mr. GifFord, indeed, in his preface to Persius, considers
the lives under the name of Suetonius as compilations from
different Scholia of unequal value. But allowing Suetonius
himself to have been the author, yet even he lived and wrote
a full century after the death of Horace. And to a spot in
Horace's own time evidently so little known and frequented
as the vale o? Digentia, (now called Licenza,) unless Sueto-
nius had gone from curiosity and on purpose, it was very
improbable in the common course of things that he should
ever pay a visit at all ; situated as that spot was in the
mountains, fifteen miles above Tivoli, and four miles out of
the line of the Via Valeria. In the course too of a hundred
years or more, the inhabitants of a place circumstanced like
Tivoli, might very easily lose all account of the Poefs estate
and habitation lying so far out of their way; of his residence
on their own spot the tradition, if founded in truth, was little
likely for a very long time to be forgotten. The words
therefore, domusque ejus ostenditicr circa Tihurni luculum,
whenever written, show expressly that the people of Tivoli
continued to claim the honour of having had Horace as a
sojourner, and to point out with pride the very house in
which he lived. It is true, that the site of the Poet's
dwelling cannot now be determined with anything more
than probable conjecture: but what, has that difficulty at
this day to do with the distinct tradition of the second or third
century ? Ages upon ages of change and revolution since
then have made sad havock with the palaces as with the
cottages of Tivoli.
The SECOND great source of dispute and difficulty is of a
more recent date and rises in a contraiy direction to the
former. The Life imputed to Suetonius seemed to fix the
Rus with the donms of Horace at Tivoli or in its immediate
neighbourhood. When therefore the Avvocaio D.Donienico
LOCALITIES. (23)
lie Sanctis * first, and after him the Abbe Capmartin de
Chaupy^, had succeeded in demonstrating once for all that
the Rus and the villa lay in the Sabine vale of Licenza ;
our obligation to the rival discoverers would have been com-
plete, and all would have ended delightfully well, if they
had been content to stop there. But led astray by their
favourite conceit of uniciti/.
Satis beatus unicis Sabinis. 2 C. xviii. 14.
(which in the Poefs meaning carried only unicity of uus or
Estate^) they proceeded to demolish every vestige of pro-
perty, or of habitation involving property, any where else ;
of course therefore house and garden at Tivoli entirely
disappear.
But without such a residence granted to the Poet, there
will soon be occasion to show, that we shall be constantly at
fault in the localities of his poetry; from the ist Ode of the
1st book,
-ftle gelidum nemus.
Nympharuraque leves cum Satyris chori,
Secernunt populo.
to the iiid Ode of the 4th,
Sed quae Tibur aquce fertile praefluunt,
Et spissfe nemorum comae,
Fingent iEolio carmine nobilem.
In the meanwhile, as it is far more gratifying to the inge-
nuous enquirer, to acknowledge himself anticipated, than to
wrangle for prior title or to assert originality, in ascertain-
ing the truth ; I bring forward with pride a third authority
* Dissertaz'tone ddla Villa di Orazio Flacco, in Ravenna, 1784, is perhaps
the latest edition. It first appeared at Rome in 1761, and a second time
in 1768.
'' Decouverte de la Maison de Campayne d' Horace, 3 Vol. a Rome 1767,
1769.
(24) PRELIM I NAKY DISSEUTATION.
on this Tivoline question, decisively in agi-eement with every
previous judgment and notion of my own. The learned
Signori Abhati Cabral, e del Re^, in their Ricerche delle
Ville, &c. del la Cittd e del Territorio di Tivoli. Roma.
1779* Cap. iii. par. i. § 5. and in their Nuove Ricerche,
pag. 94. maintain the existence there of a Villa of Horace,
but consisting only in im tenue rural soggiorno in tin
Casino entro nn Orio.
A modest rural abode, a Cottage wit kin a garden, there,
is precisely, after his house at Rome and his Axilla in the
Sabine country, the one place needful to complete the Poet's
list of accommodations; equally needful, let me add, to
render his writings, especially the Odes, intelligible and
consistent to an inquisitive reader.
My own mind unqviestionably was first set a thinking on
the subject of his Tivoline residence by that noble emenda«
tion of Nicholas Hardinge ; which comes down to us recom-
mended by Markland, approved by Bentley, and applauded
by Parr.
Ei-ipe te mora; ;
Ut semper-udum Tibur et ^sulse
Declive contempleris arvum et
Telegoni juga parricidae. 3 C. xxix. 5—8.
That emendation itself I first saw in Markland's Explica-
iiones veterum cdiquot auctorum (p. 258 — 267) subjoined
to his edition of the Supplices Mulieres : but having since
read the suggested change in a Letter from Nicholas
Hardinge to a friend of his then making the tour of Italy
I prefer to record it here in the very words of that Vir ca-
pitalis ingenii, as he is justly styled by Markland in the
passage referred to.
" Ne semper udum, &c., I suspect to be a false reading
in all the Editions and MSS."
" Vid. Domenico de Sanctis, u. s. p. 33. and in Risposta all' Appendice
dei Signori Abb. Cabral, e del Hi, p. 3.
LOCALITIES. (25)
*' For as Horace invites Mfecenas from Rome to his
Tibur, it seems inconceivable that he should press him to
make haste, lest he should be always taking a view o^ Tibur.
How much properer would it have been to recommend his de-
partuie from Rome that he might enjoy the scenes of Tibur!
I therefore change NE to UT. N. H:'
To a great variety of disquisitions, more or less intelligent
and entertaining on this text and on the topics naturally
connected with it, the references below given ^ will direct the
reader; if any of the books happen to be within his reach.
But here it may be as well to add, however, that the combin-
ation of semper with udum, so essential to the establish-
ment of the new reading, is happily defended not only in
general by his own expression, (1. E. xviii, 98,) Nee te
semper-inops agitet vexetque cupido ; but by the specific
authority of Ovid where he describes his natalia rura. — Fasti
IV, 686.
Parva sed assiduis uvida semper aquis.
Having thus secured the compliment due to an Etonian
and King's man for starting the question so vitally important
to the Lyric bard of Tivoli, I shall not however proceed on
credit taken for his emendation being true : I shall rather
appeal for corroboration of its truth to the internal evidence
which the 1st, 2d, and 3d books of Odes, the 1st book of
Epistles, and the 4th book of Odes in that order, all con-
tribute to yield, not only of Horace's often visiting Tivoli,
but of his residing in that quiet town very much and often
during a great part of his latter days.
I. me gelidum nemus,
Nympharumque leves cum Satyris chori
Secernunt populo. 1 C. i. 30 — 32.
" Nichols's Illustrations of the Literary History of the xviiTth century,
Vol. I. p. 651. pp. 720—736 Poems, Latin, Greek and English by N.
Hardiiige, pp. 222— 236.— Classical Journal. No. xxxii. pp. 383—387.
J. T.— Gentleman's 3Iagazine, April, 1818. pp. 291, 2. J. T.
(26) PRELIMINARY UISSERTATIOK.
II. Me nee tam patiens Laced aemon,
Nee tam Larissae percussit campus opimae,
Quam domus Albuneae resonantis,
Et prceceps Anio, ac Tiburni lucus, et uda
Mobilibus pomariari^w. 1 C. vii. 10 — 14.
III. Tibur Argeo positum colono
Sit meae sedes utinani senectae ;
Sit modus lasso maris et viarum
Militiaeque. 2C. vi. 5— 8.
IV. Vester, Camoense, vester in arduos
Toiler Sabinos ; seu mihi frigidum
Pi-jeneste, sevi Tibur supinum,
Seu liquidae placuere Baise. 3 C. iv. 21 — 24.
V. Parvum parva decent : mihi jam non regia Roma,
Sed vacuum Tibur placet ; aut imbelle Tarentum.
lE.vii. 44, 5.
VI. Romae Tibur amem ventosus, Tibure Romam.
1 E. VIII. 12.
(just as at an earlier period of life, he accused himself of
oscillating betwixt his Rus and Rome.
Romce rus optas, absentem rtisticus urbem
ToUis ad astra levis. 2 S. vii. 28, 9.)
tn. ego apis Matinae
More modoque
Grata carpentis thyma per laborem
Plurimum, circa nemus uvidiqne
Tiburis ripas, operosa parvus
Carmina fingo. 4 C. ii. 27 — 32.
vili. Sed quae Tibur c^'m^e fertile praefluunt,
Et spisscB nemorum comcB,
Fingent jEolio carmine nobilem. 4 C. iii. 10 — 12.
Surely, an accumulation of proofs like these, leaves no
ground for any reasonable doubt. The woods and the
waters, the cool groves of Tivoli, fashioned and inspired the
soul of the Poet; while the amenity of its scenes with the
retired quietness of the town, attached his heart to the place.
He had a hortus there and a domus within it (4 C. xi. 2. 6.),
LOCALITIES. (27)
and his mundcc coenat, parto s^ib lare (3 C. xxix. 14 — 16.),
were calculated to smooth the brow of the statesman Mae-
cenas. And to his ramblings, when first a resident at Tivoli,
with such delight amid that romantic scenery —
( per lucos, amcenae
Quos et aquae subeunt et aurae. 3 C. iv. 7, 8.
we are clearly indebted for Horace's assuming a poetical
character entirely new, in the translation to the Romance
Jidicen lyrte (4 C. iii. 23.) from the writer of Satires and
Epodes only. In one word, then, on his own express
authority, on that spot, and at that time, his lyric writings
had their actual commencement.
Two out of the eight passages, here adduced, on which I
rely for the establishment of Horace as a sojourner at
Tivoli, may in that view justify a more particular notice.
His invitation (No. iii.) to Septimius has been well illus-
trated by the late Mr. George Hardinge. (Nichols. Lite-
rary History, u. s. p. 7^2.)
" Horace begins by telling him that he knows his friend
would accompany him to the remotest and wildest part of
the world :
Septimi, Gades aditure mecum, et
Cantabrum iudoctum juga ferre nostra, et
Barbaras Syrtes, ubi Maura semper
TEstuat unda.
" Of course he should be equally desirous to accompany
his friend : but he means to decline it, and he is to give the
reason for it, which is, that he wishes for no Tarentum,
unless DRIVEN from Tibur. The Ode in any other sense
would be unintelligible, and the wish for Tibur absurd,
especially with a reference to his old age, which had not
then arrived," &c. &c.
That Alcaic Stanza (No. iv.) forms quite a locus clas-
sicus in the personal history of Horace.
(28) PKELIMINARY DISSKRTATION.
Vaster Camoenae, vester in arduos
Tollor Sabinos ; seu vmhi frigidum
PrcBneste, seu Tilur supinum,
Seu Uquidce placuere Baice.
For such were his four peculiar places out of Rome, of
usual residence or occasional resort. The Jli'st was his
Sabine villa and estate in the vale of Licenza ; after Chaupy
and Domenico de Sanctis, described and verified (as it
should have been sooner told) by ]Mr. Bradstreet, in the
" Sabine Farm," 1810. The second spot refreshed him by
its coolness in the dog days, sometimes : in one summer,
it bequeathed to our instruction that delightful Epistle
(1 E. II.),
Trojani belli scriptorem, maxime Lolli, <|-c.
To the foil till, his resort on the Campanian shore, he betook
himself, often perhaps, for its fine mild air in winter.
Quod si bruma nives Albanis illinet agris,
Ad mare descendet vates tuus, et sibi parcel.
1 E. VII. 10, 11.
The third scene, long and early admired, from being fre-
quently visited, became at last one of his two favourite and
regular places of residence out of Rome. For there is not
the shadow of evidence, to rank on the same level with
Tivoli as an habitation, either Prceneste, the mere (Bstivce
deliciiB of our Poet, or Baice resorted to for its warm climate
and its baths ; least of all the distant Tarentum, deeply
beloved, much talked of, but very seldom visited.
Tarentum, indeed, if he were to change from Tivoli, wc
have just seen he would prefer to all places for his resi-
dence. And yet, of any actual visit to that spot, though so
well known, with its peculiar charm ; ver ubi longiwi
tepidasquc praebet | Jupiter hriimas. 2 C. vi. I7, 18. he
has bequeathed no memorandum whatever. None of his
writings exhibit the slightest indications of having been
written there ; nor any where on the coast in winter does he
LOCAT.TTIKS. (29)
seem to liave used liis pen at all : Contract usque leget, are
liis own words, IE. vii. 12, when meditating to go down
to the sea, most probably to Baiae.
Let me not be considered as dwelling too long on this
investigation of the Poet's principal localities. Or should
it be asked, in what way those points when determined, can
give aid towards the illustration of Horace, the following
examples with the deductions arising out of them may serve
at present for a reply.
(1.) For the entire separation of Horace's residence in
the Sabine valley, not only from his house at Rome, but
from his humble mansion at Tivoli, we are very much in-
debted to the information conveyed in his xivth Epistle.
As the picture of country life in all its simplicity and in-
nocence which the 2d Epode (Beatus ille, %c.) presents, was
in its general character drawn from Horace's personal know-
ledge and observation in the vale of Licenza ; so we may
with the greater zest enjoy the moral repose in those of his
writings which bear the stamp of that valley, as the subject
at once and the scene of composition.
Now that Epistle (the xivth) to his VilUcus, besides
much that it tells us not otherwise known of Horace in
RuRE suo and of his employments there, most fortunately
tells us also, from what pests or pleasures that abode of
Sabine virtue was free.
rv. 21 — 2(5. fornix tibi et uncta popina
Incutiunt Urbis desiderium, video ; et quod
Angulus iste feret piper et tus ocius Mvk ;
Nee vicina subest vinum prsebere taberna
Quae possit tibi ; nee meretrix tibicina, cujus
Ad strepitum salias terrse gravis, &c.
In consequence of this discovery, for in its application I
believe it so to be, we are enabled directly to mark the scene
of several of his writings as limited either to Rome or to
(30) PRELIMINARY DISSERTATION.
Tivoli ; and thus we distinguish, very often with little
difficulty, what the great city allowed him to write from
what the vacuum Tihur suggested or inspired.
Look at the light and elegant Ode to Phyllis. 4 C. xi.
vv. 2, 3. Est in horto, | Phylli, nectendis apium coronis, &c.
But he had no hortus at Rome; as the same Epistle
testifies,
vv. 41, 2. invidet usum
Lignorum et pecoris tibi calo argiitus et horti :
therefore this Ode was not written in that city.
Horace goes on thus :
vv. 34, 5. condisce modos, amanda | Voce quos reddas.
But here is the meretrix tihicina, or a lady hardly of purer
quality : therefore it was not written in the valley.
Of course Tivoli was the scene of this gay celebration of
Maecenas's birth-day.
(2.) Let us proceed to place in the true light that
beautiful Ode with its rational piety, Calo supinas, 8fc.
3 C. XXIII. The Rustica Phidyle, there addressed, is
considered as having been haud duhie Villica in fundo
Horatii Sabino ; and even the grave and cautious Gesner
says, Lepida certe Dacerii et Sanadoni suspicio, Hora-
tium astute dissimulatd Epicurei persona sic voluisse
impedire, ne in villa sua nimii sumtus Jierent in sacri-
Jicia.
Now it certainly does appear from Cato De re rustica^ in
sacrificing that the Villica in his time was bound to offer no
sacrifice without order from her master or mistress. Scito
dominum, he adds, pro totd familid rem divinam facere ;
and Columella, who after the lapse of two centuries, has
to lament the progress of refinement as deteriorating the
character of the rural domini, (Lib. xii. Prasfat. pp. 551,2.
Ed. Schneider,) inserts amongst the qualifications of a
good Villica, that she be a superstifionihvs remofissima.
LOCALITIES. (31)
All this might so far very well agree with the idea of
Horace''s astuteness, in checking the religious expensiveness
of such a servant at the Sabine farm ; either if any vestige
of his having had a Villica on that small establishment were
extant in his writings, which it is not, but rather the con-
trary ; or if we found that Horace himself appeared to
neglect the proper sacrifices which rustic devotion required :
on this latter point we may rather presume that his feelings
and his practice went in unaffected conformity with those of
the good people, amongst whom, so delighted with their
simplicity and probity, he was accustomed to dwell : and in
confirmation of that view, the following references, as ob-
liquely or directly bearing on the question before us, may
be consulted with advantage.
Ep. II. 59. 1 C. IV. 11, 12. 3 C. XIII. 3. xviii. o. xxii. ?•
But lastly, what shall we say, if after all neither the scene
nor the subject of that ode could belong to the vale of
Lucretilis ?
Now if the reader will but look to v. 5, he will discern
among the blessings which Phidyle might expect :
Nee pesttlentem sentiet Africum
Fcecunda vitis.
Let him turn next to the Epistle (xiv.) ad Villicum suum,
(his bailiff,) and there he will read at v. 23,
Angulus iste feret piper et tus ociiis uva.
The Sabine valley then produced no grapes at that time.
And as to the Sirocco, elsewhere called the plumbeus
Auster of Autumn (2 S. vi. 16 — 19-), so far from being
annoyed with it there, Horace fled thither in mantes et in
arcem ex iirhe on purpose to avoid it : very often for two
months together apparently, or more : Sextilem totum
(1 E. VII. 2.) Septemhrihus horis (xvi. 16.). He could
however endure and even enjoy the city, (this we find from
V^32) PRELIMINARY DISSERTATION.
his epistle to Torquatus, 1 Ep. v.,) even so late as Julius
Caesar's birth-day, the 10th of July.
In one word, then, what is the plain inference from all
this ? Phidyle (whether a real person or in part imaginary)
must be considered as a yeoman's wife in the neighbourhood
of Tivoli. Such a person we may well suppose to have been
the ptidica muUer (Ep. ii. 39.) elsewhere described; and,
innocence of character being therefore presumed, we have
only to take immiinis at the beginning of that fine stanza,
Immunis aram mica,
in its natural sense o? costless, uith little or no cost; which
Casaubon (Persian. Imit. Horat. ad S. ii. 75.) and Bentley
(in loc.) agree in maintaining against the vulgar interpre-
tation oi^ innocent, as unauthorized as it is unnecessary.
But we have not yet done with this Ode. From Tivoli
or the high grounds near it, Phidyle might probably see
Algidum ox Alha iyx.^—W). In the Sabine valley, the
Villica of Horace (if such a person there was) most assuredly
could see nothing of the kind ; and was far too remote to
hear anything of places like those. There would have
been a violation of all nature and probability in addressing
such an Ode, even nomine teniis, to a person so circum-
stanced.
Then too, (v. 16,) from whence was the myrtle to come ?
from the same genial soil which yielded the rose, the ivy,
the apiiim, and the vine; from the mite solum Tihuris
(1 C. xviii. 2.), to be sure.
(3.) On similar internal evidence to that contained in
the two Odes, (already considered,) 4 C. xi, and 3 C. xxiii.
I should date in Tivoli the invitation to Quinctius Hir-
pimis, 2 C. XI.
Quid bellicosus Cantaber, 8^c. Examine if you please
the following particulars :
21, 22. Qnis devivm scorlum eliciet domo
Lytlpn ? ehurna die age cum /yrn, &c.
LOCALITIES. (33)
18 — 20. Quis piier ociu»
Kestinguet ardeiitis Falerni
Pocula praetereunte lympha ?
1.3, 14. Cur lion sub alta vel platano vel hac
Pimi jacentes sic temere, &c.
and let the hdc pinu be especially remarked, for the same
scene, apparently, as chat m the beautiful stanza, 2 C. iii.
9 — 12. Qua pinus, &c., rivo.
On the authority of Mr. Hobhouse (in his note 71 to Canto
IV. of Childe Harold) and from his own lively report we
learn, that the Pine is now as it was in the days of
Virgil, a garden tree [pinus in hortis. Buc. vii. Q5.^ ; and
that there is not" at present, " a Pine in the whole valley"
of Licenza. I venture to add, that not one verse of Horace
decisively records a single Pine in that valley ; and it is
barely possible, that in the course of the few years which
elapsed betwixt the 2d book of Satires and the 2d or 3d
book of Odes, any Pine tree of Horace's own planting there
should have been imminens rillcE (3 C. xxii. 5.) or as in
the Ode before us, like YirgiPs plane tree^ (Geo. iv. 146.)
ministrans potantibus umbras.
As for Qitincfiits Hirpinns in particular, it is quite clear,
that he had never visited (what friend of Horace, does it
appear, ever did visit .?) the vale of Licenza : or we should
not have now possessed that Epistle (the xvith) with the
Poet's description of his delifjht (hse latebraj dulces) in the
Sabine valley, and of the romantic beauty {amcence) which
adorned it. He did not rest his attachment to that seques-
tered spot, on tlie ground of a partiality merely resulting
from habitual residence, " cum locis etiam ipsis montuosis
delectemur et sylvestribus, (tliese are Cicero's words,) in
quibus diutius commorati .sumus." Laelius. s. 19. For
such scenery of the picturesque kind he avows at once his
taste and admiration, in a way that we should hardly expect,
writing thus to his Villicvs, 1 E. xiv. 19, 20. on the con-
trast of their respective likings,
d
(34) PRELIMlNAnV DISSERTATION.
quae deserta et inliospita tesqua
Credis, amoena vocat, mecum qui sentit
(4.) Horace had a way of his own, an oblique way of
mentioning sources of anxiety or objects of ambitious desire
in other men, from which he considered himself fortunately
free.
Thus in a passage of the 1st Epode, to Maecenas, Ibis
Liburnis inter alta navimn, Sfc. in which he so tenderly
begs as his companion to share the dangers of the ensuing
war (called Actian from its issue) ; he declares his heart to
be influenced by honest affection alone, by no speculation of
splendid reward.
vv. 23 — 30. Libenter hoc et omne militabitur
Bellum ill tuae spem gratiae ;
Non ut juvencis illigata plnribus
Aratra nitantiir meis,
Pecusve Calabris ante sidiis fervidum
Lucana mutet pascua ;
Nee ut supemi villa candens Tusculi
Circaea tangat moenia.
It will hardly be believed, that instead of seeing in these
lines a disavowal of any wish for wealth and splendor,
some critics have found in the two last the fancied enlarge-
ment of a magnificent villa at Tusculum which Horace
already ])ossessed there ! Chmqnj, Vol. ii. pp. 262, 3.
with great acuteness sets this matter in its true light.
Let us take another instance.
Horace in a moody and wayward humour, real or affected,
1 E. VIII. Celso gaudere, &c. instructs the Muse thus to
answer if Celsus Albinovanus should inquire about him :
die, multa et pulclira minantem,
Vivere nee recte nee suaviter; baud quia grando
Contuderit vites, oleamve niomorderit aestus,
Nee quia longinquis armentum aegrotet in agris ;
Sed quia mente minus validus, &c. &c.
LOCALITIES. (35)
That is, denying olive i/anls and vineyards to be tlie cause
of his frctfuhiess, he in fact disclaims the ownership of
either : and he disclaims also any possession of what even
in the privileged hour of dedication he had declined to ask
from Apollo Palatinus
Non sestuosa; grata Calabricn
Armenia. 1 V. xxxt. 5, (5.
The vale of Licen^a., let it be remarked, appears at that
time to have grown neither vines nor olives. Even now,
though the difference of culture, as Mr. Bradsfreef assures
us (pp. 25, 27.) has introduced a great number of olives,
&c. the grapes do not succeed so kindly, as the hardier
fruit trees, and still produce but a rough kind of wine.
After this indirect determination of the extent of
Horace's wealth, it may not be amiss to render the state-
ment in some measure complete by noticing the lines, am-
biguous certainly, which commence the Epistle (xvi) to
Quinctius Hirpivus.
Ne perconteris, fundus mens, optiine Quiiiti,
^rro pascat herum, an baccis opulentet oHvcb,
Pomisne, an pratis, an amicta vitibus ulmo ;
Scribetur tibi forma loquaciter et situs agri.
Contimd monies ; nisi dissocientur opacd
Valle : sed ut veniens dextrum latus aspiciat Sol,
Laevum decedens curru fugiente vaporet.
Temperiem laudes : quid, si rubicunda benigne
Corna vepres et prima ferunt ? si quercus et ilex
'^Inltk fruge pecus, multa dominum juvat umbra ?
Dicas adductum jtroi^ms frondere Tarentum.
From this passage, M. Chaiipy, (Vol. i. p. 335,) in defi-
ance of Sanadon and the common interpreters, avowedly so,
maintains that Horace's estate was richly productive of
olives, grapes, and other Jine fruits also. Now, in good
truth, if from these lines (liable enough, perhaps, if taken
alone, to be misunderstood) we had to gain our only intelli-
gence on the subject, the contiuui monies with the opacd
d2
(36) PRELIMINARY DISSERTATION.
valle in that high elevation might indeed be pleaded against
the probable culture of the vine: and still it could not
palpably be made out, that the cornjield^ the meadow, and
the wood with its ivild fruits^ really constituted the whole
income of our Poet''s estate. But from the definite object
on which the great pains were taken, the improvement and
extension of his arable land,
1 E. XIV. 3, 4. Certemus, spinas animone ego fortius, an tu
Evellas agro : &c.
39. Rident vicini glebas et saxa moventem.
26-28. et tamen urgues
Jampi'idem non tacta liffonibus arva, bovemque
D'lsjunctum curas, et striciis frond ibus exples.
And here may we not remark, that the ilcv of 1 E. xvi.
9. and the hovem diy'uncfum of 1 E. xiv. 27, 8, both
clearly in tlie Sabine valley, and answering to the fessis
romere tauris and ilicem of the ode toBandusia, 3 C. xiii.
11, 14. incidentally corroborate the truth of the locality
assigned in these pages to that fountain ?
From a detail of facts like these, we may well conclude,
that the Poet's answer to Quintius might have briefly stood
thus.
Akv o pascit henim.
For though it is true, that the meadow would on all accounts
possess its natural value,
29, 30. Addit opus pigro ricus, si deciUit imber,
]\Iulta mole docendus aprico parcere prato.
unquestionably, however, the ground in tillaye formed the
most profitable source cf revenue and nearly the whole
of it.
3 C. XVI. 29- 32. Pur<B rivus aqtia, silvaqiie jugerum
Paucorurn, ct segetis certa fides mese,
Fiilgeutem imperio fertilis Africa;
Fallit sorte beatior.
LIFE AND CHARACTER. (37)
Let tlius much then suffice to show the clear and inilisputable
connexion betwixt the localities of Horace and the right
understanding of inany other most important points in his
writings or in his character.
PART III.
LIFE AND CHARACTER.
A SKETCH of the principal facts and circumstances in
the early life of Horace, especially where that tends to
illustrate the formation of his character as afterwards seen in
his writings, shall next be attempted.
The father of Horace, after having gained his freedom
in the family from which that distinguished name was
derived to his son, was doubtless for many years afterwards
in the laborious and profitable office (1 S. vi. 86.) of a
Coactor at sales by auction ; and had gathered together a
considerable property by success in that employment.
At this period of the Roman Commonwealth, the condi-
tion of the Lihertini was fast rising to that importance on
account of its wealth, which afterwards excited so much
indignation in the liKjenui^ whose poverty was embittered
by their pride : an indignation, be it observed, neitlier
merited nor reasonable. Whoever now reads in TiiUij
(Offices. L. I. C. 42.) Jam de artijiciis et qucestibus qui
liberales habendi, qui sordidi sint, Sfc, will in a moment
discern, that so many lucrative and not necessarily dis-
graceful employments, given up entirely to men of servile
origin, must have lowered and lessened the class of old
citizens without raising a class of new to occupy their rank
and their influence in the state : the vacuum in fact was
very imperfectly and very unhappily filled up.
(3U) PRELIMINARY DISSERTATION.
The topic here started is full of matter for curious and
interesting investigation : whether on the one hand we
suppose that several ingenious arts, being already introduced
into Rome in the persons of slaves, would only very slowly be
admitted as objects of liberal pursuit ; or reflect, on the other
hand, that the system o^dientela, however well it might work
in an earlier stage of the commonwealth, at a later period
could only tend to keep the cUenies too proud to gain what
we should call an honest and reputable livelihood, so long
as they were able barely to live on the allowance made by
the patroni. Hence the pride of caste was maintained, but
at the cost of all manly independence : and in the client
whom Juvenal describes thus subsisting as the poor gentle-
man of his day, we see the miserable wreck of Roman
freedom, and of all the higher virtues by which it was once
adorned.
Sat. 1. 1 17 — 120. Sed cum summus honor linito computet anno,
Sportula quid refei'at, quantum rationibus addat,
Quid facient comites, r/uibus hinc toga, calceus hinc est,
Et pan'is funmsqiie dotni 9
Among the Lihertini upon record it might be difficult
to point out any one person entitled to a higher degree of
respect than Horace the elder. And in the year b. v. 66,
(when the Mithridatic war was committed to Pompey by the
Manilian law,) we may probably enough fix that worthy
man"'s marriage and establishment in the neighbourhood of
Venusia upon the Lar ct Fundus (2 E. 11. 52.), in which he
had invested the whole of his honest acquisitions.
On that estate then, not far from the town of Venusia,
apparently very near to the river Aufidus,
4 C. IX. 2. Longe sonantem uatus ad Aufidum,
vi'" Idus Decembres. Dec. 8. b. c. 65, the great Roman
]*oct, Quintus Horatius Flaccus, was born ; who more than
once in his writings, while he distinctly marks the place of
his birth, records it as inausjncious for any chance of poetic
fame to the native of a spot so rude and obscure.
LIFE AND CHARACTEU. (39)
3 C. XXX. 10—14. Dicar, qua violens obstrepit Aufidus,
ex humili potens,
Princeps TEolium carmen ad Italos
Dedxixisse modos.
Of course, potens here is interpreted of Horace in that
higher sense which the words, Virtus Qi favor et liiigua po-
tentium | Vatum. 4. C. viii. 26, 7- so aptly convey, and
which sense of potency Horace in fact claims to himself in
the very next ode, vv. 30, 1, when he thus addresses Lol-
ling; — non ego te meis ] Chartis inornatum silcbo, &c.
4 C. IX. 1 — 4. Ne forte credas interitura, quae
Longe sonantem natus ad Aufidum
Non ante vulgatas per artes
\''erba loquor socianda chordis.
We find him, however, in a passage to which the emend-
ation Anjivcc (vid. R. B. in loc.) gives the required distinction
and contrast, combine even with an epithet of his local
origin, a designation of proud eminence as the lyric poet of
Rome.
4 C. VI. 23. Doctor Argirce fidiceu Thalise
Phcebe, qui Xantho lavis omne crines,
Daunice defende decus Camoena;,
Levis Agyieu.
In B. c. 63. (the year famous for the Consulship of Tully
and the Plot of Catiline) there came to Rome where he
taught, " majore fama quam emolumento !" a very celebrated
Schoolmaster; Orhilius Piipillus Beneventanus, better
known as the Plagosns Orhilius (2 E. i. ']0, 1.) under
whose chastising hand Horace, on being carried from his
native place to that city, was destined first to smart and to
learn.
No idea is here entertained of hitting the exact year for
that extraordinary incident which marked the childhood of
Horace : but some aid may be given to memory, if b. c. 60.
be assumed for it, the year of the first triumvirate, that be-
twixt Tompey, Crassus, and Caesar.
(40) PRELIMINARY DISSERTATION.
" In sooth, '^almost from his cradle, young Horace " was
no vulgar boy;" if we may credit his own story, with the
interpretation of it by the neighbours attached to circum-
stances of so surprising and delightful a nature.
In the spring therefore, b. c. 60. (in the spring, for it was
nova fronde) when Horace was a few months beyond his
fourth year complete, that danger and deliverance befel him
in his adventurous wanderings, which no pen should de-
scribe but his own.
3 C. IV. 9 — 20. Me fabulosje Volture in Appulo,
Altricis extra limen Apuliae,
Ludo fatigatumque somno,
Fronde nova puerum palumbes
Texere : minim quod foret omnibus,
Quicumque celsse nidum Acherontise,
Saltusque Bantinos, et arvum
Pingue tenent humilis Ferenti ;
Ut tuto ab atris corpora viperis
Dormirera et ursis ; lit premerer sacra
Lauroque, collataque myrto,
Non sine Dis animosus infaiis.
How beautifully after this follows, how triumphantly
indeed !
Vester, Camoense, vester in arduos
Tollor Sabinos ; &c. &c.
An accident, which at a much later period of life befel him
in agi'o Sahino, may yet without impropriety be noticed
here; inasmuch as he gratefully attributes his protection
from that danger also to the favour of divine agency. The
event alluded to produced at the time an ode, itself no mean
specimen of the triumph of poetry, (2 C. xiii.) if we trace
the progress of fine reflection and splendid imagery from its
opening,
llle et nefasto te posuit die,
to its close
Nee curat Orion leones,
Aut timidos agitare lyncas.
LIFE AND CHAllACTEK. (41)
The impression on his mind was altojrether deep and
awful. Accordingly, in that affectionate address to his pa-
tron, Cnr me qiierelis, &c. (2 C. xvii), with Maecenas's
recovery from illness and the loud joy on his reappearance
in ])ublic,
cum poptilus freqxieiis
Laetiim theatris ter crepiiit sonum.
is associated his own happy rescue as deserving of similar
remark,
Me truncus illapsus cerebro
Sustulerat, nisi Faunus ictum
Dextra levasset, Mercurialiiim
Gustos virorum.
And elswhere in connection with his escape from the perils
of battle and of shipwreck, when addressing the Muses, he
imputes that preservation also to the same kindly influence.
3 C. IV. 25, 27- Vestris amicum foutibus et choris ....
Devota non extinxit arbor.
Finally, in an ode of invitation to Maecenas, (worthy to be
classed with those other two, 1 C. xx. Vile potabis, &c.,
and 3 C. xxix. Tyrrhena regum^ &c.,) we find the Poet,
in pursuance of a solemn vow to Bacchus, (2 E. ii. 78. Rite
cliens Bacchi somno gaudentis et umbra.,) celebrating on the
Calends of INIarch the anniversary of his deliverance.
It may be a more difficult attempt to assign the probable
year, in which the elder Horace, dissatisfied with the country
school of Flavius, determined to remove with his son to
Rome, for the benefit of the highest instruction which could
there be obtained. That son, on the retrospect of this in-
teresting period, when he asserts his own exemption as well
from low profligacy as from the sordes of avarice ; gives
this account of whatever was innocent or amiable in the
whole of his character.
(42) rilKLlMlMAUV DLsSEllTATiON.
1 S. VI. 71 —76. Causa fiiit pater his: qui macro pauper agello
Noluit in Flavi ludum me mittere ; magiii
Quo pueri magnis e centurionibus orti,
Lffivo suspensi loculos tabulamque lacerto,
Ibant octonis referentes Idibus aera :
Sed puerum est ausus Romam portare, &c.
Horace at the time of their migration, I think, could hardly
be less than twelve years old. That age will agree Avell
enough with the term, mihi parvo, which chronicles the
stripes of Orbilius (2 E. i. 70.) : and an earlier date, I fear,
will hardly allow sufficient age for many points of observ-
ation on life and manners, picked up by the boy Horace be-
fore quitting the neighbourhood of Venusia. I speak ad-
visedly, when I say, that there appears no proof or vestige
of his ever having lived in that country again : a hasty
visit, perhaps, in some year soon after the battle of Philippi,
to settle old accounts, and to see once more the friends of
his youth, seems the only feasible supposition which his own
history of his life and writings will possibly admit.
On this presumption, too, we gain the opportunity for
Horace to have witnessed the manly constancy of Ofellus
under his adverse fortvme,
2 8. II. 114. videas metato in agello
Cum pecore et gnatis fortem mercede colonum,
Non ego, narrantem
and to have derived from Ofellus's conversation at that
lime the materials of his admirable satire. Quae virtus ct
quanta, boni, sit vivere parvo, &c. (2 S. 11).
In his boyhood it appears that he had known that para-
gon of an honest man,
2 S. II. 112. Quo magis his credas; puerhunc ego parvus Ofellum
Integris opibus novi non latius usum,
Quain nunc accisis, &c. — to v. ISO.
. Let us now see wliat other remarks had occurred to his
mind, before he left the banks of the Aufidus, or l)y what
LIFK AND CHARACTER. (43)
Stories he had been instructed : tlie following instances arc
not void of interest.
1 S. Tx. 29, 30. instat fatum mihi triste, Sahella
Quod piiero cecinit mot& divinaanus urnS, &c.
2 S. III. 1(J8, y. Servius Oppidius Canust duo praedia, dives
Antique censu, gnatis divisse duobus, &c.
Ep. II. 41,2. Sabina qualisj aut perusta solibus
Pernicis uxor Appuli.
3 C. VI. 37 41. Sed rusticorum masciila milltum
Proles, Sahellis docta ligonibus
Versare glebas, et severe
Matris ad arbitrium recisos
Portare fustes ; sol ubi montium
Ulutaret umbras, et juga demeret
Bobus fatigatis, amicum
Tempus ageiis abeunte curru.
1 E. VII. 14, 15. Non,quo more pyris vesci Calaber jubet hospes,
« Tu me fecisti locupletem.
1 E. XVI. 4y — 51. Sum bonus et frugi : renuit negitatque Sabelliis.
Cautus enira meniit foveam lupus, accipiterque
8uspectos laqueos, et opertum miliius hamum.
The character of the rural population of Italy cannot be
too reverently traced, with a view to show by what virtues
(humanly speaking) Rome became mistress of the world :
4 C. XV. 12— l(i. Per quas Latinum nomen et Italae
Crevere vires, fainaque et imperi
Porrecta majestas ad ortura
SoUs ab Hesperio cubili.
At some time then b.c, 53. (a year famous for the ca-
lamity of CrassHs in the East) or n. c. 52. (a year remark-
able for the death of Clodius and the oration 7?yo Milotie),
in Horace's twelfth or tliirtecnth year of age we may pro-
bably fix his migration to Home.
(44) PRELIMINARY DISSERTATION.
' From that date, till he took the Toga Virilis, may be
reckoned the first period of his literary and his moral edu-
cation. Under Orhilius he appears to have been early
instructed in the antique poems of Liiius Andronicus.
2 E. I. 70, 1. niemini quae plagosum mihi parvo
Orbiliiim dictare.
His learning of the Greek language would follow next, and
his pride in becoming acquainted with the Iliad,
2 E. II. 41, 2. Romse nutriri mihi coutigit, atque doceri
Iratus Graiis quantum nocuisset Achilles:
an acquaintance which at a much later period, we know, he
cultivated with renewed edification and deliglit. Thus he
writes from Palestrina to the eldest son of his friend Lollius.
1 E. II. 1,2. Trojani belli scriptorem, maxime Lolli,
Dum tu declamas Romae, Prseneste relegi, &c
But besides all this, the extent cf those liberal instructions
which at any cost his father obtained for him, the handsome
style of appearance which placed him on a level with the
first gentleman's son in Rome, and then the paternal pru-
dence which at once secured for him the accomplishments of
mind with purity of morals, shall now with the best effect be
exhibited in his own language, that of the most grateful of
sons. Poor as the father was, 1 S. vi. 7^- macro pauper
agello, we have seen that he was not content to send his
son to the country school of Flavins, though consequential
centurions thought it good enough for theirs;
I S. VI. 7G— 89. Sed puerum est ausus Romam portare, docendum
Artes, quas doceat quivis eques atque senator
Semet prognatos. Vestem servosque sequentes,
In magno ut populo, si qui vidisset ; avita
Ex re prseberi sumtTis mihi crederet illos.
Ipse mihi custos incorruptissimus omnes
Circum doctores aderat. quidmulta? pudicum
(Qui primus virtutis honos) servavit ab omni
LIFE AND CHARACTER. (45)
Non solum facto, verum opprobrio quoque turpi :
Nee timuit, sibi ne vitio quis verteret olim,
Si prseco parvas, aut (ut fuit ipse) coactor
Mercedes sequerer; neque ego essera questus. Ob hoc nunc
Laus illi debetur, at a me gratia major.
Nil me paeniteat sanum patris hujus, eoque, &c.
We have next to contemplate Horace in a new light, as
trained under his father's eye to become the future Censor
and Satirist of that avaricious and luxurious, that volup-
tujous and yet superstitious age, amidst all its passions
labouring under the fear of death, the epidemic of that day.
For the Epicurean philosophy, however ingeniously recom-
mended by Lucretius, and in its grand practical maxim
adopted by Virgil,
Geo. II. 491, 2. Atque raetus omnes et inexorabile fatum
Subjecit pedibus, strepitumque Acberontis avari.
was poorly calculated to console by its prospect of annihi-
lation those who clung to life for its sensual indulgences : as
little was it adapted to administer to a mind diseased with
the consciousness of crime or the cravings of avarice. In
the language of Job, xvi. 2. might not such victims feelingly
exclaim "we have heard many such things; miserable com-
forters are ye all.""
In his very earliest efforts as an Author, when he apolo-
gises for the freedom exercised on the follies and vices of
those around him, Horace gives all the credit of that che-
rished inclination, very distinctly, to the wise lessons of his
admirable parent ; and that too after disclaiming any tole-
ration for personal malignity in the very strongest terms.
1 S. IV. 101 — 103. quod vitium procul afore chartis,
Atque animo prius, ut si quid promittere de me
Possum aliud vere, promitto, &.c.—to the end.
The whole of that Satire, Eupolis atque Cratinus, &c.,
though in composition somewhat careless and desultory,'
(4G) PRELTMINAUY DISSERTATION.
must be attentively studied by any scholar who wishes to
comprehend the character of Horace's mind in that its early
moment of fire and effervescence. The next stage, that of
the Epodes, is thus described by himself at a later period of
life.
1 C. XVI. 22 — 25. Me quoqne pectoris
Tentavit in dulci juventi
Fervor, et in celeres iambos
Misit furentem.
It is important also to show by what influence of his
father's instruction, at a yet earlier day, young Horace, from
being warned to avoid such or such an example of profligacy
and extravagance, was afterwards led to make it the object
( iUudens chartis) of his keen and playful satire also.
1 S. IV. 103—109. liberius si
Dixero quid, si forte jocosius ; hoc milii juris
Cum venia dabis. Insuevit pater optimus hoc me,
Ut fugerem exemplis vitiorum quaeque notando.
Cum me hortaretur, parce, frugaliter, atque
Viverem uti contentus eo quod mi ipse parasset ;
Nonne vides, Albi ut male vivat filius ? &c. &c.
In this career of unexampled advantages, (what son of a
Roman Senator could enjoy more.^) it becomes a nice
question to fix how long he retained the enjoyment of such
a father's guidance and love. The latest allusion to that
parent's precepts may rather seem to indicate, that he did
not live till his son became invested with the Toga Virilis
and with the discretion attached to it.
1 S. IV. 116 — 121. mi satis est, si
Traditum ab antiquis morem servare, tuamque,
Dum custodis eges, vitam famamque tueri
Incolumem possum : simul ac duraverit aetas
Membra animumque tuum, nabis sine cortice. Sic me
Formabat puerum dictis : &c.
From this very last mention (no later hint of time anywhere
occurs) of Horace's being under his father's eye, one may
T.IFE ANU CirAUACTER. (47)
safely conclude, that the good old man must have died be-
fore the son entered on his seventeenth year. Let that in
the absence of all certainty be conceded as a probable calcu-
lation.
In B. c. 48. then, the young Horace assumed the Toga
Virilis, and became his own master with succession to his
father's estate. This year too may well be remembered,
from its giving date to the battle of Phnrmlin.
A long interval now occurs from b. c. 48. to the battle
of Philippi in 42. for which the materials extant are ex-
ceedingly scanty; from the \]\\\ to the 23d year of Horace's
age.
In the passage already quoted
2 E. II. 41, 2. Romoe nutriri mihi contigit, atque doceri
Iratiis Graiis quantum nociiisset Achilles :
he gives no intimation whatever of the time which elapsed,
but says at once, v. 43,
Adjecere bonae paullo plus artis Athenre :
Scilicet ut possem curvo dignoscere rectum,
Atque inter sylvas Academi quaerere verum.
Of these lines it may not be impertinent to suggest, that
while the study of moral truth was included in the third,
the science of Geometry was meant to be described in the
second. That science was then pursued as a fit exercise
and discipline for the intellectual faculties, independently of
any benefit from the knoAvledge which it yields; and the
admirable Quintilian in his day refers with great respect to
that as an established opinion, before he delivers a profes-
sional judgment of his own on its usefulness otherwise.
In Geometria partem fatentur esse utilem teneris aetati-
bus ; agitari namque aniraos, et acui ingenia, ac celeritatcm
percipiendi venire inde concedunt: sed prodesse earn, non
(48) PRELIMINARY DISSERTATION.
ut caeteras artes, cum percepts sint, sed cum discatur, existi-
mant. Lib. i. Cap. ix.
Here I must candidly confess, that though, chiefly for
the valuable remark from Quintilian, the preceding para-
graph is now [1837] retained, my opinion is decisively
changed as to the mathematical meaning attached to. .
curvo . . . rectum ... in the second of the verses last quoted.
For the acceptation however of curvian metaphorically in
a moral sense, (for which pramim is the proper term as op-
posed to rectum^ no authority is to be found but in Persius
alone, sometimes the best incidental commentator on Ho-
race : and unless therefore the following passages could be
produced, which must remove all doubt on the subject, the
question might still be mooted, which of the two interpret-
ations is the true one.
Sat. III. V. 52. Haud tibi inexpertiim curtos deprendere mores.
IV. vv. 9 — 11. Scis etenira justum gemin^ suspendere lance
Ancipitis librae : rectum discernis, ubi inter
Curva subit, &c.
If Horace tells us little of himself while a resident in
Athens, he gives a yet shorter account of the cause which
removed him from a spot apparently so much entitled to his
veneration : but he wrote this at a late period of his life ;
when it was not likely that he should enter into any parti-
culars of his engagement in the civil war.
V. 46. Dui'a sed emovere loco me tempora grato.
Whenever he began to reside at Athens, probably b. c.
47. his attainments there in Grecian literature must have
been very considerable, from the early allusions made in the
Satires alone. 1 S. iv. 1. 2 S. iii. 11, 12: where, besides
Archilochus, we have Eupolis, Cratinus, and AristopJianes,
mentioned, as well as Plato and Menander. His ftuniliarity
indeed with the language, and his command of it for elegant
LIKK AND CHARACTER. (49)
composition we Mnd also intimated in the following passage,
wliere lie records his attempts in Greek verse, and the ju-
dicious reproof, (for better effect assigned to Romulus,) by
which he was deterred from pursuing that design.
1 S. X. 31 — 35. Atque ego cum Grsecos facerem, natus mare citra,
Versiculos ; vetuit me tali voce Quirinus,
Post mediam noctem visus, cum somnia vera :
In silvam non ligna feras insanius, ac si
IMagnas Graecorum mails implere catervas,
During his stay in Athens that city would doubtless gra-
tify his natural taste for retirement, as the Vacuum Tibur
(1 E. VII. 45.) afterwards did in more settled indulgence.
2 E. II. 81, 2. Ingenium, sibi quod vacuus desumsit Athenas,
Et studiis annos septem dedit, &c., &c.
Horace might in n. c. 45. have formed acquaintance with
the son of Cicero, somewhat his senior, who was sent to
Athens in the April of that year : but not a vestige exists
of any such fact. The Messala and Bibulus, so splendidly
grouped in the list of his friends, 1 S. x. 81 — 6, &c., {a, Lo-
cus Classicus in the biography of Horace,) we may fairly
presume to have been there and well known to him; for
Tully tells us, that two young men of those very names,
very soon after his son went, were going to that celebrated
seat of learning^.
Of all the Sodales of Horace, however, not one seems to
have been more dearly beloved by him, and in all proba-
bility on an early friendship, commenced (as we say) when
at College together, than Pompeius Varus ; who must on
no account be confounded with Pompeius Grosphus, a very
worthy man, who at that time (2 C. xvi. 33.) and several
years after (1 E. xii. 22.) resided in Sicily. This Pom-
peius, distinguished also on good authority by the cognomen
Varus, (vid. Torrentius,) was just then happily restored
• Middleton's Life of Cicero. Vol. ii. p. 364. ed. 1742.
e
(50) PRF.LTMIXAKY UISSKRT A'l' lOV.
" Diis patriis Italoque coelo," to the great delight of his
friend Horace. That Ode, O scope mecnm^ which after so
many years of long separation records the joyful hour of
their meeting again, is imbued with all the spirit of the
kind-hearted man and the convivial bard. As an authentic
record also (in part) of Horace's own history, it is invaluable;
ranking indeed with those principal sources of authentic in-
telligence. Nunc ad me redeo ... 1 S. vi. 45 — 131. and Bo-
mce nutriri.. .2 E. ii. 41 — 52.
With a verse in that Epistle it may be w^orth the while
to compare two lines of the Ode, as no bad example of Ho-
race tracked in his own snow.
vv. 15, IfJ. Te rursiis in belhcni resorbens
Unda fretis lulit csshtosis.
V. 47- Civilisque rudem belli titlif cBstus in arma, &c.
The bad conscience or the diseased mind, the Atra
C'lira, of our Poet may be similarly traced, and not without
interest, through the different stages of its progress. 2 S.
VII. 114, 5.-2 C. XVI. 21, 2.-3 C. i. 39, 40.— 4 C. xi.
35, 6. That splendid imagination reached its acme in the
third of those passages.
vv. 37 — 40. Sed Timor et Minas
Scandunt eodem, quo dominns : neque
Decedit serata triremi, et
Post equitem sedet atra Ciira.
Though in less interesting parallels, the Scholar with Ho-
race''s writings in true succession placed before him, may de-
rive some amusement from tracing in different stages the re-
markable similitude of sentiment: the following instances
may deserve attention.
(1) Ej). XVII. (iu. Optat quietem Pelopis infidus pater, Scc.
2 C. XVI. 1. Otium Divos rogat in patente
Prensiis yEgwo, &c.
I.ll i: A\l) (MIAItACTI'.K. (51)
{•2) 2 S. III. 91, 2. quoad vixit, creilidit ingen*
Panperiem vitium, et cavit nihil acrius, Sec.
3 C. XXIV. 42. Magmim pauperies opprobrium jiibet
Quidvis et facere et pati.
Or even the humbler similitude of the ftimily table; as
where Horace describes Ofellus,
2 S. II. 116, 7- Non ego, narrantem, temere edi luce profesta
Quicquam praeter olus, fumosce cum pede pernce.
and where he sighs for his own l)ospitable board in the
country,
2 S. VI. 03, 4. O quando/tf6« Pythagorae cognata, simulque
Uncta satis pingui ponentur oluscula lardo ?
About this period of the life of Horace, from his first re-
sidence in Athens to the battle of Philippi inclusive, the
following notice of different places which he appears to have
visited, will be quite sufficient for any illustration of his
character or writings to be derived from that source.
1 C. VII. 10-14. Me neque tam patiens Lacedcemon,
Nee tam LarisscB percussit campus opimw,
Quam domus Albunese resonantis,
Et prseceps Anio, ac Tiburni Incus, et uda
Mobilibiis pomaria rivis.
1 S. VTT. 4, 5. Persius hie permagua negotia dives habebat
Clnzomenis, etiam lites cum Rege molestas.
23, 4. laudat Brutum, laudatque cohortem,
Solem AsicB Brutum appellat.
In a manner quite incidental and oblique we gain another
fact of locality, from the Epistle (xt.) to Bullatius. Horace,
after several questions put to his whimsical and odd tem-
pered friend then on the coast of Asia, at last thus asks him :
V. 6. An Lebeduin laudat, odio maris atque vianim ?
e2
(52) PRELIMINARY DISSERTATION.
This question apparently was meant to hit the very point of
his friend's absurdity in acting as he did.
Horace then supposes Bullatius thus to reply to him, as
equally with himself knowing the spot alluded to,
vv. 7 — 10. Scis, Lehedus quid sit ; Gabiis desertior atque
Fidenis vicus : tamen illic vivere veUem ;
Oblitusque meorum, obliviscendus et illis,
Neptunum procul e terra spectare furentem.
But here again, Horace most acutely and sensibly rejoins,
vv. 11, 12. Sed neque qui Capua Romam petit imbre lutoque
Aspersus, volet in caupona vivere ; nee qui, &c. &c.
The dialogue of the Epistle thus analysed may be taken to
exemplify a great peculiarity in the manner of Horace ; I
mean, in the delicate, sudden, and slightly marked
transitions, of which his readers have justly to complain.
The abrupt and involved style of the Satires on this ground
alone affords frequent matter of obscurity and doubt : while
in the high-finished and perspicuous composition (generally
so) of the Epistles, difficulty from that cause very seldom
occurs.
If there be any truth in these principles of criticism, no
scholar with any judgment or taste to discriminate could
possibly imagine, for instance, that the Satire which ends,
2 S. VIII. 95. Canidia adflasset, pejor serpentibus atris,
and the Epistle which begins,
1 E. I. 1. Prima dicte mihi, summa dicende Camoena,
were ever written in continuity, as they have stood hitherto
edited. For with all his recorded slowness of revision in
satiric writing, (2 S. iii. 2. scriptorum quaeque retexens,) the
great and striking difference, so visible now, in the whole
tone and style of composition betwixt the Satire and the
Epistle loudly forbids such an idea. Horace in the inter-
LIFE AND CHARACTER. (53)
val between those two books (as it is well remarked by Bent-
ley, ante p. 5, H 7) had evidently become both an older
man and a sounder as well as a more elegant writer.
To return to Athens: early in b. c. 43. on the arrival of
Brutus, then raising an army to oppose the second triumvi-
rate, " all the young nobility and gentry of Rome"* (in the
old Pompeian interest) whom he found in that seat of educa-
tion, most readily joined his standard. The son of the
illustrious Cicero, we know, became a Legatus under him :
young Horace, catching the spirit of his associates, naturally
entered the service, and with the rank of military tribune,
but not without some jealousy on that account, as we are
told, in certain persons of high birth.
1 S. VI. 48. Quod mihi pareret legio Romana tribuno.
In the course of those campaigns, as is acutely observed by
Masson, (Horatii Vita, I7O8. p. 55,) he must have seen much
variety of hard service : he could not else have addressed
his friend Pompeius in language like this.
2 C. VII. 1, 2. O saepe mecum tempus in ultimum
Deducte, Bruto militiae duce, &c.
And we gather from the sketch of his own character, (1 E.
XX. 23. Me primis urbis belli placuisse domique,) that he
could long afterwards refer with satisfaction to the favour of
the commander-in-chief enjoyed at that period.
The great battle of Philippi took place towards the end
of the year b. c. 42 ; and Horace shared in the common
ruin of the unfortunate Republicans. The proscription,
perhaps, did not reach him : in the confiscation he certainly
was involved. Of the worse consequences of that battle to
himself he speaks thus :
' Hooke. B- X. Ch. xni.
(54) PHELIMINARY DISSERTATION.
2 E. u. 49 — 51. Unde siniiil primum me dimisere Philippi,
Decisis humilem peniiis, inopemque paterni
Et laris et fundi, &c. &c.
while in respect of his escape afterwards from ill fortune,
(besides his general language of thankfulness,
2 C. VII. 13, 14. Sed me per hostes Mercurius celer
Denso paventem sustulit aere :)
we may without much hesitation assume, that when return-
ing home by sea, in the winter b. c. 42 ] 41. he encountered
that peculiar danger off Cape Palinurus, which he .so grate-
ftilly classes with his other deliverances.
3 C. IV. 25—28. Vestris amicum fontibus et ciioris,
Non me Philippis versa acies retro,
Devota non extinxit arbor.
Nee Sicula. Palinurus unda.
The old commentator in Cruquius speaks without scruple,
indeed, of that promontory as the scene of danger " ubi
Horatius se redeuntem ex bello Philippensi periclitatum
fuisse dicit :" and it was thus the Poet acquired that vivid
knowledge of the tempestuous sea, which enabled him to
aggravate the picture of Hannibal as a mighty agent de-
vastatinj^ the cities of Italv.
■&
4 C IV. 42 — 44. Dims per url)es Afer ut Italas,
Ceil flamma per taedas, vel Eurus
Per Siculas equitavit undas.
In the spring then b. c. 41. Horace is once more at Rome.
Out of the scattered hints which remain, the following brief
narrative may with a fair claim to credibility be drawn up.
The words victis partihus venid impetratd of Suetonius in
Vita Horatii express no more than what Horace's actual
return to Rome would in itself imply. But as the estate in
tlic neighbourhood of Venusia was certainly gone, the next
LIKE AXU CHARACTER. (55)
fact asserted, IScriptum qucestorium comparavit, may re-
quire some ingenuity to conjecture, how he could buy for
himself a patent place as clerk in the Treasury ; which of
course must have been the lower way of getting admission
into that respectable office. That such purchases were
made, and as early as b. c. ^0, appears to be an unques-
tionable fact, from Cicero, In Verrem. L. iii. §§ 7^5 9>
&;c. Of so much as is quoted of that Oration by the acute
and diligent Ernesti, in his Claris Ciceroniana, under the
word Scriba, the following extract may suffice.
Scribce, qui digni sunt illo ordine, patres familias, viri
boni atque honesti — ad eos me revoca. Noli hos colligere,
qui iiummulis corrogatis de nepotum donis, ac de scenico-
rum corollariis, cum decuriam emerunt, ex primo ordine ex-
plosorum, in scciindion ordinem civltatis se venisse dicunt.
Mirabimur turpes aliquos ibi esse, quo cuivis licet prctio
pcrvenire ?
The whole passage in the original is singularly curious,
especially under the head of coUybus and cerarium ; as
showing the extent of knavery which then could be prac-
tised in the provincial governments of Rome.
But in the apparent wreck of all his fortunes, it may be
asked, how was Horace enabled to buy this Munus Scrihae,
this decuriam ? nummulis corrogatis, it may be answered :
but from whence the corroyatio? Perhaps, from good-
natured friends still at Rome, even in those days of confu-
sion : perhaps, it has sometimes struck my mind, from per-
sons in the neighbourhood of Venusia, where on old ac-
counts in his long absence unsettled, money might yet be
due to him for arrears of rent.
At all events, however, one can hardly resist the conclu.
sion, that Horace did buy a kind of patent place as clerk
in the Treasury. The words of Suetonius, scriptum quxBS-
lorium comparavil, arc quite express and distinct. The
(56) PUKLIJIIXAUV DISSERTATION.
allusion in the well known passage, where his presence was
required, as customary, at a general meeting,
2 S. VI. 36, 7- De re communi scribm magna atque nova te
Orabant hodie meminisses, Quinte, reverti :
is inexplicable on any other hypothesis : the old commenta-
tor in Cruquius asserts it without scruple. And if one may
suppose, that the duties of the place could be performed by
deputy with occasional attendance of the principal, nothing
can be more natural than so, in part, to interpret two lines
in the Epistle (xiv) to his Villicus,
vv. 16, 17- Me constare mihi scis, et discedere tristem,
Quandocunque trahiint invisa negotia Roniam.
Nor is it impertinent to remark, that if the profits of the
situation bore any proportion to the increase of the public
revenue after the year b. c. 41. Horace must have found his
original purchase a very lucky one, in the twenty years or
more, during which he seems to have retained it.
Whatever were Horace's means of living during the pe-
riod which elapsed before he was enriched by Maecenas with
the Sabine estate ; from his own description of the style in
which he lived at Rome,
1 S. VI. 114 — 118. inde domum me
Ad porri et ciceris refero laganiqiie catinum.
Ccena ministratur piieris trilms ; et lapis all'us
Pocula cum cyatho duo sustinet ; adstat echinus
Vilis, cum patera guttus, Campana supellex :
we may well believe, that a very narrow income was adequate
to so frugal an expenditure with so humble an establishment.
His usual diet, indeed, was little altered by his increase of
fortune, itself not very large in those times.
When he had got the Sabine estate, the value of which
we are partly enabled to estiraatQ by the eight slaves upon
it, implied in the threat to Davus ;
l.II'K AXD CHARACTER. (57)
2 S. VII, 117, 118- ocius liinc te
Ni rapis, accedes opera agro noria Sabiuo.
he is tlius addressed on his style of living by that clever
rogue, (during the Saturnalia, and at Rome, be it remem-
bered,)
ibid, 29, 30. si nusqiiam es forte vocatus
Ad coenam, laudas securum olus.
The very dinner which Lucilius shared with Laelius and
the younger Scipio ;
2 S. I. 71 — 74. Quin ubi se a vulgo et scena in secreta remorant
Virtus Scipiadae et mitis sapientia Lseli ;
Nugari cum illo, et discincti ludere, donee
Decoqiieretur olns, soliti ....
And such also in Horace's day was the ordinary fare ;
2 E. II. 167, 8. Emtor Aricini quondam Veientis et arvi
Emtum coenat olus ......
Some fifteen years afterwards, in the Epistle to Torquatus,
1 E. V. 1, 2. his invitation very candidly promises the
plainest entertainment ;
Si potes Archiacis conviva recumbere lectis,
Nee modica coenare times olus omne patella, &c.
though, as we are told at the conclusion, there would be a
small party to meet him, with room for a few friends (locus
est et pluribus umbris) if he chose to bring them. Nor did
he hold other language at any period between that of the
Satire here first adduced, 1 S. vi. 115. and that of the
Epistle just quoted. Of the homely fare on which from
choice he actually lived,
1 C. XXXI. 16, 7- me pascunt olivae,
Me cichorea levesque malvae.
be only prays to have the enjoyment continued : " Frui
paratis,"" with the superadded blessing of health and the
use of his faculties durinir the remainder of life,
(58) PRKLIMiXARY UISSERTATIOX.
et valido niihi,
Latoe, dones, et, precor, Integra
Cum mente, nee turpem senectam
Degere, nee cithara carentem.
Morally speaking, Horace could hardly ever want the means
to maintain a style of living like this. With his own Ofel-
lus, he could truly say,
2 S. II. 126, 7- Saeviat, atque novos moveat Fortuna tumultus,
Quantum hinc imrainuet ?
So that even if the storm of adversity were once more to
befall him, he feels certain that his light boat will weather
the gale; while the heavy-laden ship with its votaries of
wealth might go to wreck.
3 C. XXIX. 62. Tunc me biremis prsesidio scaphie
Tutum per yEgneos tumultus
Aura feret, geminusque Pollux.
The^r.s/ introduction of Horace to the acquaintance and
favour of Mjecenas, that most memorable of all events in
his life, may be placed in b. c. 41.
1 S. VI. .'34, 5. optimus olim
VirgUius, post hunc Varius, dixere, quid essem.
and perhaps rather late in that year . for some time must
be allowed to elapse after his return from Philippi, before
Viro-il and Varius could well acquire a sufficient knowledge
of his genius and his worth, to which they were strangers
before.
But for his second visit to Mtecenas, with the latitude of
a round number (v. 61. revocas nono post mense) we may
assign an earlier date to it in b. c. 40. than a strict compu-
tation would admit.
From the year b. c. 10. wlicn Horace could lor the /irst
LI IK AND CHARACTEK. (59)
time retort on those who had envied his rise, the proud fact
itself with the moral praise implied in it,
1 S. VI. 47. Nunc quia sum tibi, Blaecenas, coiivictor : &c.
doWn to the year in which his patron gave him that estate
in the Sabine hills ; the personal history of Horace must be
traced in the first book of Satires. The composition of that
book evidently belongs to the years fixed by Bentley, and
probably enough to a year or two lower down.
Two Satires alone (the vth and viith) in the number of
those ten seem to require any particular notice, from politi-
cal connection with the times to which, by the subjects of
them, the reader's mind is naturally carried.
The journey to Brundusium (Sat. v.) when detei-mined
to the right year in the spring^ of b. c. 38. will receive the
only farther illustration which it can admit or require, from
the history of the Commonwealth, to which it belongs, or
from Mr. Cramer''s Description of Ancient Italy. The most
beautiful passage in that poem shows how rapid and deep
the growth of affection had been betwixt Horace and his
two friends, Virgil and Varius : of Plotius we know little
but by name.
vv. 39—44. Postera lux oritur multo gratissima : namque
J'lolius et Varius Sinuessae, VirgUiusqne
Occurrunt ; animae, quales neque candidiores
Terra tulit, neque quis me sit devinctior alter.
O qui complexus, et gaudia quanta fuerunt !
Nil ego contulerim jucundo sanus amico.
A subsequent enumeration of the distinguished authors of
that period embraces in fact so many of his personal friends ;
* " I incline with Wesseling and Heyne to refer the journey of Horace
to the intended conference at Brundusium described by Appian, Civ. v. 78.
And you will observe that this date, the spring of u. c. 71C) b. c. 38, for
the poet's journey, will bring that vth Satire of the 1st Book within the
dates of Bentlev." H. F. Clinton. MS. communication.
(60) I'KKLIMINAKY DISSERTATION.
1 S. X. 40—45. Arguta meretrice potes, Davoque Chremeta
Eludente senem, comis garrire libellos
Unus vivorum, Fundani : PoUio regum
Facta canit, pede ter percusso : forte epos acer^
Ut nemo, Varius ducit : molle atque facetum
Virgilio annuenint gaudentes rure Camoenje.
The comic author Fundaniiis we meet again, (2 S. viii. 19,)
as the pleasant narrator of what happened at Nasidienus''s
dinner. Varius, whose fine tragedy of Thyestes is so highly
praised by Quintilian, appears already to have been cele-
brated for that epic talent alluded to in 1 C. vi.,
Scriberis Vario fortis et hostium
Victor, Maeonio carminis aliti ; &c.
and Pollio had acquired eminence in the tragic drama,
which we find him still maintaining when afterwards engaged
in the history of the civil wars ;
2 C. 1. 9 — 12. Paulum severae Musa Tragcedioe
Desit theatris ; mox, ubi publicas
Res ordinaris, grande miinus
Cecropio repetes cothurno.
while in regard to Virgil the clear information is gained,
that he was then only known as the writer of Bucolics, but
in the delicacy and high finish of his style, {molle atque
facetmn,) even then indicating the consummate poet that
was soon to arise.
And here from the same satire not unaptly may be intro-
duced the proud list of all Horace's friends at that early
day.
vv. 81 — 88. Plotius, et Varius, Maecenas, Virgiliusque,
Valgius, et probet hsec Octavius optimus, atque
Fuscus ; et haec utinam Viscorum laudet uterque :
Ambitione relegata, te dicere possum,
Pollio, te, Messala, tuo cum fratre ; simulque
Vos, Bibule et Servi ; simul his te, candide Furni :
Complures alios, doctos ego quos et amicos
Prudens praetereo, &c. &c.
Well then might Horace, when allowing in other respects
LIFE AND CIIAll-VCTER. (()!)
the su}3criority of Lucilius, justly assert tliat he too had
shared the friendship of the great ;
2 S. I. 74 78. Quicquid sum Cgo, quamvis
Infra Lucili censum ingetiiunique, tamen me
Cum magnis vixisse invita fatebitur usque
Invidia, et fragili qnaerens illidere dentem,
Oifendet solido.
Let us now proceed to the viith Satire, Proscripti Regis
Rupili, &c., which might be supposed (and not without
some plausibility) to have been Horace's earliest attempt in
Satiric writing, having the scene of its story at Clazomena?,
and in the presence of the great Brutus. In that view M.
Sanadon speciously enough assigns for its date a few months
before the battle of Philippi, and even discovers, in its juve-
nile carelessness of composition, an argument to favour that
date.
The old Scholiast, however, quoted by Baxter, appears to
give a different, and, as I understand it, a very satisftictory
account of the matter.
Publius Rupilius cognomine Rex, Praenestinus, commilito
fuit Horatii in castris Bruti. Hie segre ferens quod Hora-
tius Tribunus esset, saepe ignobilitatem generis illi obji-
ciebat : idcirco nunc eum ex persona alterius lacerat.
This idea derives additional support and developement
from two remarks of the judicious Gesner.
Forte haec demum post victoriam Caesarianorum scripta,
cum partes Bruti objiceret Horatio recepto, receptus ipse
Rupilius: ut Tubero olim Ligario. — Rem non plane re-
centem commendari versibus, ipsum exordium declarat.
And on Gesner's supposition that Rupilius had thus given
offence to Horace at Rome, after they both returned, the
viith Satire, viewed as a retaliation, will be found not un-
happily subjoined as a kind of appendix to the vith, Xon
quia Macenas, &c., which resents (vv. 6 — 45.) the ill-
{(y2) rUKLIMIN^MlY DISSiniTATlOW
tiatuved imputation, Uherthio patre natmn, cast upon him
by certain envious detractors.
Assuming tins origin of the Satire to be correct, we may
accept as literally true, Horace''s own account of his begin-
ning to write verse ; that he was first driven to it by neces-
sity after the confiscation of his paternal estate ;
2 E. II. 51. paupertas impulit audax
Ut versus facerem.
In all the books of Horace, indeed, those of Satires, of
Epodes, of Odes, and of Epistles, as the constituent parts
now stand arranged in each, I am strongly of opinion, that
after a due allowance for much caprice and casualty perhaps,
there may still be discovered great ingenuity shown by
Horace himself in the close succession by which some pieces
are brought together, and not less of skill, judgment, and
delicacy in the intentional disjunction of others.
The peculiar consideration here suggested from internal
evidence, will support the whole hypothesis of Bentley by a
train of argument not perhaps suspected before. To exem-
plify the nature of that reasoning, let a few clear instances
suffice for the present.
Thus the similarity of attachment which Horace bore to
both his friends, Septimius and Pompeius, may fairly ac-
count for the neighbourly collocation which those two beau-
tiful Odes (2 C. VI, VII.) now occupy.
And thus the general similitude of subject in the two
Epistles, XVII. to Scasva, and xviii. to Lollius, (younger
brother to him addressed, Maxime LollL IE. ii. 1,) though
addressed to two characters totally dissimUm^ doubtless led
to their juxtaposition when published.
Strangoly enough, with all the obvious difference between
the characters, even Gesner (ad 1 E. xvni. 1.) is inclined
to think that the two persons might be identically the same,
and that of the two Epistles as they now stand, the latter
LIFE AND CHAUAC'TFIR. (().'i)
was either a continuation of tlie fovmcv, or arose as a reply
out of Scaeva's supposed answer to it.
Now is it not clear, on a close comparison, that Lollius,
being a young man of rank, the son of a vir co/isiilaris, hot
and high-spirited, was liable to offend by want of due com-
plaisance ? With his natural hrimjnerie and his fits of con-
tradictory or unaccommodating humour, he was the most
unlikely man in Rome {scnrraulis speciem prcebere) to be
mistaken for a sycophant. Scoeva, on the other hand, timid
apparently and somewhat necessitous himself, with relatives
perhaps ill provided for, while he required encouragement
to undertake the office of living with the great, might stand
no less in need of delicate caution, how to improve his for-
tunes as the comes (v. 52) to a rc.r (v, 4.3) without meanness
and without importunity.
This view of the matter I am happy to find confirmed by
Wieland as quoted with approbation by IVIorgenstern, in a
Dissertation to be noticed more particularly by and by.
After remarking the skill of Horace in similihus argumentin
tractancUs, he refers for illustration of it to these very Epis-
tles ; Sic Epistolce ad Sccevam et Lollium eandem docenf.
cum principibus virendi artem : at qiiam callide diverso
Ktriusque ingenio et condiiioni attemperantur pr(Rcepia!
p. 61.
The vth Epode on Canidia, is by several others separated
from the xviith on the same Beldame : evidently to keep
the pathetic and the horrible apart in reading from the in-
vective and ironical.
And to take another example from the same family :
The two Odes (1 C. xvi, xvii.) O matre pulchrd, &c. and
Velox amosnum, &c. are now generally considered as ad-
dressed to one person, the daughter of Canidia, (or Grati-
dia,) under the Greek name of Tyndaris. Assuming as a
fact what is most highly probable, then, in the position of
the apology first and of the invitation immediately afterwards.
(64) PRELIMINARY DISSKKTAT ION'.
we instantly see the fine address of the Poet. Once disjoin
the two odes in arrangement : by what attraction should they
find their way back again ?
M. Sanadon, instead of recognising the criminosi lamhi
(vv, 2, 3.) in the extant Epodes v and xvii, imagines those
libellous verses to be lost; and as well in disjoining as in
conjoining — on a plan of his own — the different pieces here
alluded to, surpasses even his usual reach of extravagance ;
whereas in the natural succession which is now given to those
pieces, 1 S. viii. Olim truncus eram . ..., (and 2 S. i. 48.
Canidia Albuci, quihus est inimica, venemim.) Ep. v. At
O Deorum . . . ; and xvii. Jam jam efficaci . . . ; 1 C. xvi.
O matre pulchra . . . . ; and xvii. Velox amosninn . . .; the
history of all the parties concerned may be read straight-
forward with every advantage of interest and perspicuity.
It is time to proceed to the iid Book of Satires.
As far however as the personal history of Horace is in-
volved in settling the question of his chronology and locali-
ties, I have already anticipated in those pages the principal
remarks which belong to this part of the Dissertation. Nor
will the reader be displeased, after so extended and discursive
a range, to be told that we are now approaching towards the
conclusion so far of my original design. A few points only
remain to bring matters down to the closing date of the
Epodes. And then, the writings of Horace either in the
Odes or in the Epistles, when those works are once set in
chronological order, may well be allowed to tell the story of
his life, which in fact his writings then constitute ; illus-
trated only by a few references to the public annals of
Rome.
Let us now, therefore, take up the second book of Satires.
At this stage of Horace's history, when he was jiist possessed
LIFE AND CHAKACTER. {65)
of the Siibine estate, we find him forming grand resolutions
as a kind of censor and moralist.
2 S. III. 9. Atqui vultus erat multa et prasclara minantis.
He had this year retired on the Saturnalia (v. 5) into the
country for leisure and for warmth.
V. 10. Si vacuum tepido cepisset villula tecto.
The latter charm we know the country possessed.
1 E. X. 15. Est ubi plus tepeant ht/emes?
If it be asked what were the causes of that advantage, the
Cato Major § xvi. may be consulted for explanation: Ubi
enim potest ilia aetas aut calescere vel apricatione melius vel
igni, aut vicissim umbris aquisve refrigerari salubrius ? — the
command of a sunny position on the one hand, and the
plentii of fuel on the other. And it may be remembered that
in that famous Epistle (xiv.) on the Sabine farm, Horace
tells his VUlicus that the Calo in the city envied him
amongst other things (vv. 41, 2.) the ready supply of logs;
which at Rome they had not.
invidet usum
Lignorum et pecoris tibi calo argutus et horti.
Horace (who reports himself [1 E. xx. 24] solibus aptum)
when more advanced in years, loved to pass his winters on
the sea-coast.
Thus in that fine Epistle to Maecenas, 1 E. vri. 10 — 13.
Quod si bruma nives Albanis illinet agris,
Ad mare descendet vates tuus, et sibi parcet,
Contractusque leget ; te, dulcis amice, reviset
Cum Zephyris, si concedes, et hirundine prima.
Incidentally we gather from another Epistle, that to
Scaeva, (xvii. 52, 3,) that Brundusium and Surrentum also
were scenes of resort in winter ;
Brundisium comes aut Surrentum ductus amoenum,
Qui queritur salebras et acerbum frigus et imbres, &c.
f
(66) PRELIMINARY DISSERTATION.
and in that (xvth.) to Numonius Vala, Qupo sit hyems Veliae,
quod coelum, Vala, Salerni, Sec. when he thought of going
to the cold-baths of the one place or the othei', after he has
stated (vv. 2, 3.) Antonius Musa^s judgment on his case,
Mihi Baias supervacuas • . . Horace proceeds to tell his
friend, that he will have to ride his horse past the hitherto
well known houses of call, on the way to Cum as or Baiae ;
Mutandus locus est, et diversoria nota
Praeteragendus equus : Quo tendis ? non mihi Cumas
Est iter ant Baias, &c.
To return to the iiid Satire ; on the literary design then
alluded to, in ])acking up his books to carry with him from
Rome, he did not forget (v. 12)'Jirchtloc/ius : and when we
come to the Epodes, we shall discover in the assaults on
Mcena (iv), on Cassius Severus (vi), on McBvius (x), and
on other unlucky objects of his wrath, that in studying
under that great master of Iambic bitterness he had learned
his trade well ;
as the man said when he stole the Mercury. This fact too,
in its way, is demonstrative of the Epodes being absurdly
collocated in the old order before the Satires: the fruit pro-
duced, and then the tree planted !
Of the vith Satire {Hoc erat in voHs, &c.) good use has
been made in the former part of this Dissertation, as bearing
on the great object, to illustrate the life and localities of
Horace : one only remark shall be drawn from it now.
In the golden treatise De Senectute (§ xiv.) old Cato
describes in general his convivial enjoyments : Me vero et
mayisteria delectant^ &c. (he proceeds to transfer the scene
into the country :) quae quidem in Sabinis etiam persequi
soleo ; conviviumque vicinorum quotidie compleo, quod ad
multam noctem, quam maxime possumus, vario sermone pro-
ducimus.
t.IFE AND CHAHACTEKr (67)
Yet even Cato's party, in his hour of enthusiasm j
(3 C. XXI. 11, 12. Narratur et prisci Catonis
Saepe mero caluisse virtus.)
could hardly have enjoyed with higher zest
" The feast of reason and the flow of soul ;"
than Horace gave and received in that delightful society,
which at his own villa (Sabine also) he so cordially enter-^
tained.
2 S. VI. 65—75. O noctes coenseque Deiim i- — -
prout cuique libido est,
Siccat inaequales calices conviva, solutus
Legibus insanis : seu quis capit acria fortis
Pocula ; seu modicis uvescit laetius : ergo
Sermo oritur, non de villis domibusve alienis,
Nee male necne Lepos saltet : sed quod magis ad nos
Pertinet, et nescire malum est, agitamus ; utrumne
Divitiis homines, an sint virtute beati :
Quidve ad amicitias, usus rectumne, trahat nos :
Et quae sit natura boni, summumque quid ejus.
Cervius haec inter, &c. &c.
With those neighbours of his, to whose cheerful instruction
he contributed while yet a novus incola among them, he
appears to have been a great favourite from his earliest resi-
dence. And many years after he first occupied that estate,
1 E. XIV. 2, 3. [olim] habitatum quinque focis, et
Quinque bonos solitum Variam diraittere Patres,
we find not only every sign of their being reconciled to his
superiority, for such it must have been, but the best proofs
possible of good sense and good humour on his part and
theirs. He amused himself with rustic labour, for which'
his figure (pinguis, 1 E. iv. 15. and Corporis exigui^ xx.
24.) did not exactly adapt him and they as naturally
laughed at his awkwardness.
f 2
(68) PRELIMINARY DISSERT ATIOX.
vv. 37 — 39. Non istic obliquo oculo mea commoda quisquam
Limat, non odio obscuro morsuque venenat :
Rident vicini glebas et saxa moventem.
In passing to the Epodes, very little appears for remark
to my purpose which is not already forestalled. We have
seen Horace carry the Poems of Archilochua with him for
study and imitation into the Sabine valley. And as we
know the severe model of correctness in writing which he
laid down for himself and enforced upon others, the conclu-
sion is fair, that he had taken most faithful pains with the
task, when he afterwards expresses such pride in the execu-
tion.
1 E. XIX. 21 — 25. Libera per vacuum posui vestigia princeps,
Non aliena meo pressi pede r qui sibi fidit.
Dux regit examen. Parios ego primus Jambos
Ostendi Latio ; numeros animosque secutus
Archilochi, non res et agentia verba Lycamben.
By the bye, Horace has paid himself a compliment here
which truth does not warrant. Canidia alone might testify,
that when in the Parian vein, Horace wanted neither talent
nor bitterness to drive a Lycambes mad.
On the historical bearing of the book of Epodes, nothing
can be more satisfactory and singularly distinct than the
paragraph quoted in the Chronological Table from Mr.
Clinton's Fasti Hellenici, under the year b. c. 31.
It ought however to be remarked, that in the Epodes
also Horace by no means intended to arrange the several
pieces according to the exact order of time. Thus Epode
VII. Quo, quo scelesti. . . . contemplates the impending war
betwixt Caesar and Antony as yet distant, and with horror
and dismay deprecates such an event. The date of it, there-
fore, must be carried back as far as other considerations will
LIFE AND CHARACTER. (69)
allow ; and the same remarlc may be extended to the xvitli
Epode, Altera jam teritur .... which from similarity of
subject might be expected to stand in conjunction with the
viith, were it not (as we have seen in other cases) for the
sake of variety, perhaps, kept separate.
Both those Epodes, in any thing like allusion to the
leaders of the great political parties, are obscure now, from
the Poet's studied delicacy at the time: as long as any hope
remained of heahng the breach, Horace was not the man to
aggravate the discord. 13ut when matters had come to an
open rupture, in that Epode, 1. Ibis Liburnis ... he tes-
tifies at once his personal devotedness to Maecenas, and his
earnest desire to accompany his Patron to the scene of ap-
proaching conflict: and in the ixth Epode, Qiiando re-
post urn ... on the first news of Caesar's victory at Actium,
Horace naturally addresses Maecenas in a strain of the most
delighted gratulation, yet even then (v. 29) not naming
Antony, though he clearly alludes to him ; while the
disgraceful phenomenon of (Cleopatra's) gauze-curtain, in
a scene like that, is represented as moving the indignation
even of foreigners to forsake such a leader ;
Ep. IX. 15 — 18. Interque signa turpe militaria
Sol aspicit conopiiim.
Ad hoc frementes verterunt bis mille equos
Galli canentes Caesarem.
It was about a year (b. c.30) after that memorable engage-
ment, when the affair at Alexandria had left Caesar without
a rival, that Horace broke out in his final effusion of joy,
1 C. xxxvii. A^nnc est hiboidnm . . . , connected with that
eventful epoch.
Now that we are advancing from tJie Epodes to the Odes,
it is lucky that Horace in his Epistle, Prisco si credis . . .
to IVIaecenas, (xix.) de suis et Poetaslrorum suisccculi scrip-
tis, has himself afforded a delicate clue for the transition.
After asserting (vv. 21 — 25, recently adduced) his claim
(70) prp:liminary dissertation',
to originality in having first adopted Parian Iambics as a
Latin poet, he proceeds to defend himself for borrowing an
old metre instead of attempting to devise a new one. " Well:
and had not Sappho blended her song with the measure of
Archilochus ? Had not Alcaeus likewise partly availed him-
self of that Poet's metre?" — Alceeus, whom it was Horace's
greatest pride to acknowledge as his Master in Lyric verse.
In that department also (vv. 32 — 34) he represents himself
as the first adventurer, but content to have his original pro-
ductions (immemorata, elsewhere, 4 C. ix. 3, 7ion ante
vulgatas per artes,) privately read by the intelligent few : he
was too shy or too proud for public recitation and the com-
mon modes of courting popularity.
Ac, ne me foliis ideo brevioribus ornes,
» Quod timui mutare modos et carminis artem :
Temperat Archilochi musam pede mascula Sappho ;
Temperat Alcaeus ;
Hunc ego, non alio dictum prius ore, Latinus
Vulgavi iidicen t juvat immemorata ferentem
Ingenuis oculisque legi manibusque teneri.
In our next transition, that from the Odes to the Epistles,
is it at all surprising, that Horace, when, satisfied with his
laurels, he had expressly taken leave of the Lyric Muse at the
close of the third book, should adopt the Epistolary form of
writing, if any temptation afterwards arose to resume his pen.^
Now, on the occasions which would frequently arise for com-
municating with his friends by letter, nothing could be more
congenial to the habits of a Poet, than to prefer verse (and
that the commonest) as the vehicle : and with Horace in
particular, his Odes on various subjects addressed to indivi-
duals whom he loved and esteemed, naturally preluded to
the more serious and discursive style of argument which
marks the Epistles to his friends.
yndcr these circumstances, and especially considering the
LIFK AND CHAUACTER. (71)
great change of age and character, which the Author had
undergone in that interval betwixt the last date of his Satires
and the first of his Epistles, the wonder is that any idea
should have occurred to a Scholar like Morgenstern of
writing a formal treatise De SatircB atque EpistolcB Hora-
tiancB discrimine (Lipsise, 1801.) ; when perhaps, unless
from the Epistles immediately following the Satires as
hitherto published, even he, aware as he was of Bentley''s
arrangement, would hardly have thought either of contrast
or of comparison between them. Unquestionably, however,
Morgenstern has rendered one great service to the cause
advocated in these pages : no reader of his elegant and ge-
nerally judicious Essay will ever again be misled by the juxta-
position of the Satires and Epistles to consider the latter
as a continuation merely of the former. That source of
error and confusion is now finally closed.
To go on with the real succession of Horace''s works here
recommended to the Scholar's notice; not only, as it has
been well observed, " is the writer of the Epistles" — from
the " moral turn " of the composition generally — " discerned
in the Odes:" but more particularly we may discover also
somewhat of the same dexterity with which his Odes are
often concluded, in the abrupt but happy conclusion of many
of his Epistles. In both classes of writing Horace seldom
seeks or regards any plan of regular termination. After
saying what he principally thought of saying when he set
out, whenever he finds himself arrived at some point which
supplies a piquant or pleasant mode of dropping the subject,
there he suddenly slips away from his reader ; leaving him
on the one hand to recall in quick review the train of images
which had just been passing before his mind, or on the other,
to wind up the argument in its practical inference for him-
self, with the less of offence given to his vanity and self-love.
To exemplify all this by adducing the passages at full,
would be a work of labour. The Odes abound with endings
(72) PRELIMINARY DISSERTATION.
where the great felicity of art is shown in leaving the
reader con la hocca dolce : and for Epistles which end
hastily with some passing simile or some quaint turn of
thought, or with such apparent abruptness as to elicit the
comment — deest conclusion — it may be sufficient to refer to
the following, 1 E. i, vi, vii, xvii; 2 E. ii ; and that to
the Pisos.
The Odes and Epistles, it has been truly said, when
once placed in the just order of time, may be fairly left to
themselves for illustration, as constituting the poetical at
once and personal history of Horace. But then the localities
of the bard are presumed to be already ascertained and
fixed : without that essential proviso, even the chronological
arrangement of his books would fail to exhibit many pro-
prieties and delicacies, entwined in the local circumstances of
the party addressing or the party addressed. Is it then too
much to arrogate, that the labour now for the first time
bestowed on distinguishing the three several residences of
Horace, has laid the ground-work at least for a clearer un-
derstanding of many of his writings, than ever engaged the
speculation of any commentator before ?
In this restitution of Horace, at first sight, the greatest
revulsion is likely to arise on seeing the third iind fourth
books of Odes here separated by the first book of Epistles.
But then the lapse of several years between the third book
of Odes and the fourth has been demonstrated as necessary
to reconcile the moral and political phenomena, in the mean
while produced, to anything like the probable course of
human events.
Fortunately, too, the publication of the fourth book of
Odes, from many striking points in it, seems to have excited
a very early attention. The tradition of Suetonius, for
instance, that Augustus felt a strong desire for that high
IJFE AND CHARACTER. (73)
tribute of fame which a Poet of such talent might confer,
carries with it every reasonable evidence of truth, as to the
origin of the Poems alluded to.
Scripta quidem ejus usque adeo probavit, mansuraque
perpetuo opiuatus est, ut non modo Saeculare carmen com-
ponendum injunxerit, sed et Vindelicam victoriam Tiberii
Drusique privignorum suorum ; eumque coegerit propter
hoc, tribus Carminum Libris ex loif(/o intervaUo quartum
addere.
Other considerations too may here deserve our regard.
The very mixture of articles, in matter certainly baser, if
not in execution, compared with so much magnificence in
the principal Odes of the ivth book, is enough to indicate
something extraordinary. In the few words of Gesner in-
deed prefixed to that book of Odes, the whole secret is thus
briefly told.
Mihi sic videbatur : cum semel placuisset novum librum
edere, in eum conjectum esse quidquid ad manus erat.
But it may be asked : on what ground is the Carmen
Smculare in this arrangement entitled to precede the fourth
book of Odes ? Since Bentley {u. s. 1[ 5) himself mentions
them in a different order, and what is more, ad Car, Saec. v.
16, distinctly calls the sixth Ode of that book. Dive, quern
/7ro^e.?. ..., ''quasi pra?ftitio (and very truly) et commen-
datio " to the Secular Ode itself. I answer thus. From
the very nature and object of that great occasional poem, it
must have been separately published in the year (b. c. 17)
assigned to the celebration of the Ludi Soiculares ; whereas
of the fourth book of Odes, from the peculiarity of its con-
stituent parts, there could be no collective publication till
some two or three years after that date.
Need I here bestow a moment's notice on the pomp and
conceit with which, out of various lyric pieces of the Poet,
Sanadon, and after him Anchersen, have arbitrarily con-
structed a drama quoddam saeculare of their own. Justly,
yet mildly enough, is their audacious absurdity, in thus
(74) PllKLIMINARY DISSERTATION.
raking together materials in character as in date hetero-
geneous, rebuked by Gesner in his introduction to the C. S.
" Mirum sane, si carmina unius argumenti, eodem tempore
scripta, ita spargi per libros plures potuere !"
Arising from the fourth book, a stronger line of remark,
it appears to me, yet remains to be traced. No Prologos or
Epiloffos attends this collection of Odes, such as we have
read in the former books, or like the formal conclusion
(Vertmnnum Janumque. .) attached to the first book of
Epistles. Gesner, one of the most judicious of critics on
Horace, in the few lines of comment prefixed to the Ode :
3 C. XXX. Exegi monumentum tere perennius, ^c.
very calmly but very acutely observes, on a declaration so
proud and so final ;
Videtur Horatius hac Ode finire omnino voluisse libros
carminum. Hinc vetus Scriptor vitae ait coactum ab Au-
gust© tribus carminum libris ex longo intervallo quartum
addere.
But how comes it to pass, it may be asked, that in the
fourth book of Odes the name of Maecenas is no where by
direct address recorded ?
Diminution of kindness in the generous patron, or abate-
ment of gratitude in the honest-hearted client, cannot for a
moment be imagined. My solution of the difficulty, for
such it may seem, shall be stated very briefly.
After the manner in which Horace had celebrated the
noble qualities of Maecenas in his Satires, Epodes and Odes
to the 3d book inclusive, could any addition of compliment
be expected from the most grateful of men and the most
felicitous of writers ?
And yet, if the first book of Epistles be justly placed
after the third book of Odes, as in our chronology it follows
next a great accession of honourable testimony was yet to
LIKE AND CHARACTER. (75)
come, in the 1st, 7th and 19th Epistles of that most curious
and vakiable book. As estabhshing the character of Horace
on the basis of sincerity and independence even under the
deepest sense of obligation, that one Epistle (vii.) Quinque
dies tibi polliciius, 8fc., which apologizes for his protracted
absence in the country during the hot season, remains a
lasting and beautiful monument. Nor in the evidence which
it bears to the sterling good sense and high-minded gene-
rosity of Maecenas, is it to be regarded as reflecting less
honour, but if possible more, on that (with all his foibles)
most excellent man. We are morally sure, that the viith
Epistle was published by Horace himself in the life time of
both. What then, in any age, should be the estimation of
the Poet who could address, and of the Patron who could
receive — publicly too, let it be added — the frank and affec-
tionate boldness of language like this ?
vv. 33. 39. JVIacra cavum repetes arctum, quern macra subisti.
Hac ego si compellor imagine, cuncta resigno :
Nee somnum plebis laudo satur altilium, nee
Otia divitiis Arabum Uberrima muto.
Ssepe verecundum laudasti : Rexque Paterque
Audisti coram, nee verbo parcius absens :
Inspice, si possum donata reponere laetus.
But to return to the question : how comes it, that in the
fourth book of Odes, the name of Ma^cenas occurs once only
(xi. 19) and then by oblique introduction ?
Whoever has perused with any care the various addresses
to Maecenas in every style of writing down to that splendid
Ode:
3 C. XXIX. Tyrrhena regum progenies, &c
will hardly fail, in the grand and impressive exordium :
1 E. 1. Prim^ dicte mihi, summ& dicende Camoena, &c.
to recognise at once the settled purpose of Horace : it was
the intended farewell (and meant for the long futurity of
(76) PRELlMINAllY DlSSERTA'llOX.
fame elsewhere predicted) of the Poet to his Pati'on. We
know, that Qui Jit, Mcecenas, Sfc. (1 S. i.) stood the first of
Horace"'s edited works ; we are here told, that Maecenas was
worthy of all celebration in the last. This last then of the
collected Epistles, last not in collocation, but in time, carries
with it many strong indications, especially in v. 10,
Nunc itaque et versus et csetera ludicra pono :
of its having been devoted by Horace as the ultimate offer-
ing of Ins muse. And in that respect, so far as regarded
the Patron, the Poet never altered his purpose. Whatever
he afterwards wrote, is left to stand separately on its own
inscription and title, insulated as it were, and posthumous to
the great body of his works : which he certainly had medi-
tated to complete in the two books of Satires, the one of
Epodes, the three of Odes, and the one of Epistles.
Maecenas was Horace''s only patron : and the Poet has
succeeded in leaving that recorded indelibly.
Even in regard of Augustus, it may sound somewhat ex-
traordinary, and yet it is perfectly true, that in the common
meaning of that term he never was the patron of Horace.
Except in those words imputed to Suetonius, tinaque et
altera Uheralitate locupletavit, there exists no evidence of
Horace having owed anything to the ])atronage of the Em-
peror. Virgil and Varius, beyond a doubt, were deeply in-
debted to that Prince's generosity. And Horace, who felt a
service done to a friend as a kindness conferred on himself,
has in that beautiful address to Augustus in favorem std
temporis Poetarum, made the acknowledgement, to tlie
honour of all parties concerned.
2 E. I. 245 — 7- At neque dedecorant tua de se judicia, atque
Munera, quse niulta dantis cum laude tulerunt,
Dilecti tibi Virgilius Variusque poetx : &c.
Can it be believed, that if Horace had himself owed any
1,I1-K AND CHAKACTER. (//)
substanti.al obligation to so munificent a Prince, he would
have left no vestige of thankful expression behind him ?
No such vestige exists in his writings.
Horace's temper, in truth, was that of the most happy
contentedness and gratitude. In the Satire, 1 S. vi. Hoc
erat in votis. . . . when the man of letters, (being one, as he
calls himself, 2 C. xvu. 29, Mercurialhnn virorum,) puts
up his prayer to Mercury, v. 5, Maid nate.. ..as to his
patron God,
V. 15. utque soles, custos mihi maximus adsis ;
he invokes the patronage on this one condition,
V. 13. Si quod adest, gratum juvat,. .
that for his present blessings he is truly grateful. And in
a passage also of a much later date, otherwise remarkable
for ita moral beauty, that point is distinctly put forward.
2 E. II. 210, 11. Natales grate numeras9 ignoscis amicis ?
Lenior et melior fis accedente senecta ?
At an early period the bounty of Maecenas had made him
abundantly rich, with an understood readiness at any time
to give more, if more should be needed.
Ep. I. 31, 2. Satis superque me benignitas tua
Ditavit : &c.
2 C. xviii. 11 — 14. nihil supra
Decs lacesso nee potentem amicum
Largiora flagito,
Satis beatus unicis Sabinis.
3 C. XVI. 37, S. Importuna tamen pauperies abest:
Nee, si plura velim, tu dare deneges.
And even the concluding words of the Ode last quoted —
Bene est, cui Deus obtulit
Parca quod satis est manu.
(78) PRELIMIKAKY DISSERTATION.
express a sentiment quite characteristic of his happy though
humble competence. But his father had with singular suc-
cess fixed that principle in his son's mind, which regulated
his own ; to make what he had suffice him :
1 S. IV. 107, 8. Cum me hortaretur, parce, frugaliter, atque
Viverem uti contentus eo quod mi ipse parasset, ^c.
Agreeably to this, Horace no where betrays the least indi-
cation of difficulty and complaint, or any apprehension of
want from his means failing (vitio culpdve, 2 S. vi, 7) : and,
exempt himself from that inordinate love of riches under
which some of his friends laboured, he gently lashes that
passion in them, quite secure from any retaliation or retort.
Thus, for instance, in his Epistle from the Sabine Villa,
Urhis amatores. . . .he addresses Aristius Fuscus, pointedly
enough, on the wisdom of contentment ;
1 E. X. 44 — 46. Lsetus sorte tua vives sapienter, Aristi :
Nee me dimittes incastigatum, ubi plura
Cogere quam satis est ac non cessare videbor.
Beautiful, however, as these expressions of personal sen-
timent are, and familiar to the readers of Horace, his golden
maxim, Nil admieaki fl E. vi. 1) has more strongly ar-
rested general attention, as conveying in two words the whole
secret of moral wisdom ; not to set the heart on objects of
fanciful worth,
By attributing overmuch to things
Less excellent. (Par. Lost, viii. 569.)
but to form the just estimate rerum mediocriter utilrum,
(1 E. xviii. 99,) that is, of the non-essentials to happiness.
And may we not now, on viewing this part of Horace's
character, particularly as connected with what we have
seen (p. 31.) of his cheerfully participating in all rural acts
I.IFK AND CIIAKACTER. (79)
of sacrifice, go a step farther still ? May we not pronounce
that even in that dark state of all true theology, Horace
had the grateful feeling of religion, however obscurely as to
the objects of it, and that he was right in the subjective
gratitude, though he was wrong in the objective devotion ?
The connection, from causes curious and rare, of Mae-
cenas''s name with the town of Tivoli, has been auspicious
to the developement of Horace's principal locality in that
romantic spot. For not only has that admirable Ode,
3 C. XXIX. Tyrrhena regnm. . . .afforded subject almost for
demonstration, that Horace invited Maecenas to dine at
Tivoli : but that beautiful and from its allusion, pathetic
Ode, 1 C. XX. Vile potabis, S^c. according to an old tradi-
tion recorded by tlie commentator in Cruquius, and credited
by Torrentius, was occasioned by a journey of Maecenas into
Apulia.
Maecenas iturus in Apuliam, significavit Horatio, ei se
ante profectionem convivam esse velle : cui respondet Hora-
tius, se quidem non habere vinum generosum, sed benigno
tamen animo ei exhibiturum vinum quod habebat Sabinum.
De profectione in Apuliam mentio fit in Divaei codice.
On the supposition of such a journey, is it at all credible,
that the prime minister would ask Horace to give him a
dinner at Rome before he set out ? Is it not far more
natural to conceive, that Maecenas had told his friend to
expect him at Tivoli to dinner, as he would pass by the
Via Valeria, (Cramer, i. 142. ii. 260,) and that Horace on
such a hint, really having a cask of Sabine wine there with
so delightful a remembrance attached to it,
datus in theatro | cum tibi plausus, &c.
wrote in reply the delicate and well turned invitation in that
Sapphic Ode ?
(80) PRELIMIXARY DISSEUTATIOK.
One more association shall serve to connect the mention
of Maecenas as Horace's friend with that of Tivoli : for the
very disputable name of Macenas's Villa in that place may
well be discarded ^. The want of direct evidence for it and
still more its incompatibility with the total silence of Ho-
race, justify to my mind the rejection of such an idea with-
out scruple and without the formality of an argument.
But for Augustus an unquestionable title may be set up,
not only as an admirer of the spot, but as an occasional
resident there, most probably, however, in the later years of
his life. Tivoli, it is well known, was sacred to Hercules.
Now amongst the favourite retirements of that Emperor,
Suetonius, C. 72. reckons \he proxwia iirhi oppida, Lanii-
vium, Praneste, Tihur : in the last mentioned of these
towns, in porticihus Herculifi templi perssepe jus dixit.
Behold then the very scene, to which Maecenas's attention
was called, when Horace thought of appealing to the case
of a retired veteran most like his own.
1 E. I. 2 — C. Spectatum satis, et douatum jam rude quseris,
Maecenas, iterum antique me includere ludo.
Non eadem est astas, iion mens. Vejanius armis
Herculis ad posi.em fixis, latet abditus agro,
Ne populum extrema toties exoret arena.
When Horace himself at Tivoli wrote thus, he had V^e-
janius then actually in retirement there before his eye.
And now it is high time to bring these extended remarks
to the promised conclusion, or at least to show good cause
for protraction if necessary.
A chronological table, then, of the principal incidents in
the earlier part of Horace's life, with the years assigned by
' Forsyth. Excursion in JUdy, p. 272, ed. ifil.S.
PRELIMINARY DISSERTATION. (81)
Bentlcy for the composition of his several books, shall here
be given ; and that not only as a clue to guide the reader
through the details of the Dissertation, but also as a help
in referring to the columns of Mr. Clinton's invaluable
Fasti.
It will be necessary, however, to premise, that Bentley's
years of the life of Horace, here printed in Roman figures,
were by him calculated in a peculiar way. Thus the year
of Horace's nativity, b. c. 65. though he was born in the
last month of it, in Bentley's reckoning stands as the year
I of his age, the year after it as ii, and so on to the end of
Horace's life.
Instead of taking the imtal year, Mr. Clinton makes
B. c. 64. the first of his calculation, that is the current year
till completed in December.
In the following happy sketch given by Horace of his
character and personal history, (and it has not been adduced
before,) how ingeniously does he contrive to afford the
calculation of his age, by giving the year b. c. 21. though
now past, from its commodiousness for expressing in verse
as well the period of his own life (44) as the consular names
belonging to it.
1 E. XX. 20 — 2{J. Me libertino natum patre, et in tenui re,
INIajores pennas nido extendisse loqueris ;
Ut quantum generi denias, virtutil)us addas ;
Me priinis iirbis l)eHi placuisse domiquc;
Corporis exigui, praecanum, solihus aptum ;
Irasci celerem, tamen ut placabilis essem.
Forte meum si quis te percontabitur a-vum,
Me quaicr iindcnos sciat implevisse Decemhrcs,
Collegain Lepidum quo duxit Lollius anno.
No attempt is here pretended to exhibit an exact chro-
nology of Horace's life with a regular parallel to it in the
events of lloman history, and in the incidents which mark
the l)i()graphy of contemporary poets. A desideratum like
g
(82) PRKLIMTXARY DTSSEUTATIOK.
that would demand a volume for itself. But in the chro-
nological table subjoined to these pages, it is hoped that
any historical knowledge directly required for the illustra-
tion of Horace, whenever clear intelligence can be had,
will seldom be found wanting.
In the meanwhile, however, with a more critical view
to the Tempora Horatiana of Bentley, it will be exceed-
ingly necessary to keep in mind, that the years which
he has determined for the composition of the several books
of Horace, in his own naked statement are liable to many
cavils, against which he has left neither caution nor de-
fence. He should have told us, for instance, that in drawing
Up that calculation he kept his eye principally or entirely
on internal marks of public history, while to dates connected,
with the life or death of individuals, however distinguished,
he (apparently) paid little regard, and in short that all
which he engaged to do, was to fix the earliest and latest
allusion of an liistorical kind which could be discovered
in the book of Horace then before him. All this (but no
more than this) he executed well and faithfully. Let us
understand, therefore, what his intention exactly was : it
was a negative rather than a positive determination in the
ilates which he ascertained.
Thus when he leaves an interval of three years betwixt
xxviii for the first book of Satires and xxxi for i\\e second ;
he never could intend to say, that during those three years
Horace''s pen lay entirely idle : he meant (and he could
mean nothing else) that the very latest historical intimation
which he had been able to discover in the first book, did not
fall lower down than xxviir of Horace's age, and that the
very earliest intimation of any public event contained in
the second book did not rise higher than xxxi of that cal-
culation.
With this important qualification constantly attached to
all the intervals apparent in Bentley's Tempora Horatiana,
PRF.T.TMINATJY UTSSEKTATTOX. (H?,)
sevcv.ll objections immediately disappear; as others again
may be overcome by considerations of a different kind.
1. And first of all, to take a strong instance.
When the clcufh of Virgil is by Mr. Clinton assigned to
H. c. 19 an acute objector may ask; how, then, could an
Ode of invitation to Virgil (4 C. xii.) Jam veris comifes^
&c., possibly be written in any of the years b. c. 17, 15.
the very cancelli within which Bentley has fixed the com-
position of the fourih book of Odes ? My answer is this,
(and Mr. Clinton thinks it just and satisfactory,) that
Horace, after publishing the third book of Odes in i?. c.
23 or 22. had evidently imagined his lyric labours then
concluded : nor had he any design, apparently, till called
upon by Augustus several years after, to resume the task of
the lyre. But in the interval which ensued, what should
hinder him when writing a playful and in some peculiar
touches (vv. 15, 25.) rather a keen address to Virgil, from
using once more the lyric stanza? Its insertion afterwards
in the fourth book of Odes was all natural enough :
it would else never have been known to exist. For the
old Scholiast tells us on the Ode (iv) Qualcm minis-
trum, he. Hcec est ecloga propter quam totus hie liher
compositus est. And Gesner's sensible remark wlio had no
hypothesis to serve, has been already quoted ; cum semel
placuisset novum lihrum edere, in emn conjectum esse
quidquid ad manus esset.
2. The death of Quintilius Varus Cremonensis, that in-
comparable critic and friend, that censor honestus,
(A. P. 438. QiiintUio si quid recitares, ^c)
to whose integrity of advice and severity of taste the two
great poets were so much indebted, is lamented by Horace
in a tone of the deepest feeling and regret, 1 C. xxiv. Ad
Virgilium, Quis desiderio sit pudor, &c. The year assigned
to that event by Hieronymus (F, H. p. 237.) is n. c. 24-.
g2
(84) PRELIMINARY DISSERTATION.
Now as Bentley's allowance of time for the Jirst and second
books of Odes runs down as low as b c. 25. the disagree-
ment in this solitary example might not be valid (or might
not be pleaded) against his chronology.
But it is far more candid and ingenuous at once to con-
fess, that where any difficulties, created by the details of
biography, depend on the authority of Hieronymus alone,
I am rather reluctant to submit; partly, because the author
of the Fasti Hellenici has himself in cases of that kind de-
tected several inaccuracies ; and partly on a more general
ground of reasonable doubt. Mistakes in the dates of birth
or death, &c. in a distant age, where private persons are
concerned, may well be expected and excused ; because
without some public event or other to rest upon, such dates
must often float loose as it were for want of anchorage.
3. A remarkable instance of error in the biographical
dates of Hieronymus, occurs in his account of Lucilius the
Poet as born b. c. 148, and as dying in 103. With this
date of his birth two well attested facts are grossly at va-
riance : the one on the authority of Velleius Paterculus,
II. 9, 4. " Celebi'e et Lucilii nomen fuit qui sub P. Africano
Numantino bello eqiies militaverat,'"' b.c. 134. in which year
Lucilius, so dated, must have been a boy under age ; and
the other, told by Horace of his personal friendship, when
already known as a bold Satirist, with the younger Scipio,
who died in b. c. 129-
2 S. I. G2 — 74. ' Quid ? cum est Lucilius ausus
Primus in hiinc operis componere carmina morem,
Detralieie et pellem, nitidus qu^ quisque per ora
Cederet, introrsum turpis ; num Lselius, et qui
Duxit ab oppressa meritum Carthagine nomen,
lugenio offensi ? aut Iwso doluere Metello,
Famosisque Lupo cooperto versibus ? Atqui
Primores populi arripuit populumque tributim;
Scilicet uni sequus virtuti atque ejus amicis.
Quill ubi se a vulgo et scoua in secreta remorant
Virtus Scipiada' et niitis sapieutia La-li;
MIKLIMINAUY DISSEKTATIOX. (85)
Nugari cum illo, et discincti lii(lt?re, donee
Decoqueretiu" olus, soliti.
Now all this could never be true of Lucilius, if he had been
then, as the calculation would make him, barely in his
nineteenth year.
Mr. H. F. Clinton is led by these and other considerations
to " assume that the birth of Lucilius was a few years earlier,
and his death a few years later, than the date of Hierony-
mus." Additions and Corrections to Vol. in. given in
Vol. I. pp. 426, 7.
4. Still, however, supposing these points in hiography to
be cleared up, as we trust they are, yet on the other hand
if Bentley*'s Chronology can be any where shown to be in-
compatible with well ascertained /«c^« of history, there can
be nothing left for us but to surrender at discretion.
First of all, however, a very important caveat may well
claim to be admitted here.
Historical language is precise, direct and plain, free from
all question or ambiguity. The allusive language of Poetry^
especially where the Poet's eye is at all frenzied with pride
and patriotism, beholds the future in the present and trans-
mutes symptoms into successes.
On this hint let me have the indulgence to speak. In
the year b. c. 20, and not before, F. H.p. 240. (1 E. xviii.
B5. Sub duce, qui templis Parthorum signa refigit | Nunc,
&c.) the standards of Crassus were actually restored by the
Parthians ; that is the declaration of history : but as early as
B. c. 34, and long before any thing was effected about the
standards, the language of Horace might lead one to sup-
pose that satisfaction was even then on the point of being
obtained. 2 S. v. 62. Tempore quo juvoiis Parihis hor-
rendus .... and in the Ode (2 c. ix.) Noti semper imbres
.... more distinctly still.
vv. 18— 22. ct potius nova
C'antcmus Augusti tropa;a
CiBsaris ; et rigidura Nii)haten,
(86) PRELIMINAIIV i)issl:htatiox.
Medumque fliimen geiitibus additum
Victis, minores volvere vortices ; &c.
Horace in b. c. 25. at the latest, seems to refer to the great
and memorable submission from the East as already ac-
quired : and if it be so taken, that date of the Ode cannot
be true.
But then we know the gall of bitterness in which the Ro-
man people for so many years reflected on the disaster of
Crassus ;
I C. II. 21, 2. Audiet cives acuisse ferrum,
Quo graves Persce melius perireiU, &e.
2 C. I. 29 — '62. Quis non Latino sanguine pinguior
Campus sepulchris impia prcelia
Testatur, auditumque Medis
Hesperise sonitum ruinae ?
We may imagine the zeal therefore with which the rumours,
even of any chance to retrieve that disaster, would be quickly
caught up and cherished. Generally speaking, the Koman
marched only to conquer ; and an expedition meditated or
threatened was a conquest achieved.
It is in this light accordingly we understand the prayer
of Horace,
1 C. XXXV. 2y — 32. Serves iturum Caesarem in ultimos
Orbis Britaunos, et juvenum recens
Examen Eois timendum
Partibus Oceanoque rubro.
and the boast at a later day, but long enough before its ac-
complishment,
3 C. V. 1—4. Coelo tonantem credidimus Jovem
Regnai'e : praesens Divus habebitur
Augustus, adjectis Britannis
Imperio gravibusque Persis.
History with correct simplicity assures us (F. H. p. 238.)
that in b. c. 23. Tiridates being then at Rome, on an em-
bassy arriving from Phraate.v, Augustus seized the occasion,
rilELIMINAllY DISSERTATION. (87)
among other peremptory points, to demand the restitution
of the standards : and to the natural expectation of prompt
compliance which such a demand would create, Mr. Clinton
thinks may be referred the splendid stanza last quoted where
hope is at once converted into certainty.
Only then allow it probable, that in an earlier year than
B. c. 23. some loud and sudden report might arise from
similar causes at work in that oriental scene (Geo. ii. 496.
Injidos agitans discordia fratres) between the two rival
princes,
1 C. XXVI. 5. Quid Tiridaten terreat . . .
2 C. II. 17. Redditum Cyri solio Phraaten . .
Allow this probability : and after all, the nova Augusti
tropcEa (never literally gained, for no war ensued) may
rather have been anticipated by the Poet, than require to
be earlier dated by the Chronologist.
5. The localities of Horace are closely entwined with the
dates of his writings ; and without much scruple therefore,
the following and final qviestion here may be allowed admis-
sion, at the close of others more immediately falling under
the head of Chronology.
3 C. XIII. O Pons BandusicB, S[c.
M. de Chaupy in his Decouverte de la Maison de Cam-
pagne d'Horace, a Rome. 1769. T. iii. p. 364. first an-
nounced the discovery of the words. . .in Bandiisino fonte
apud Ve7iusiam, &c. in a grant from Pope Pascal II. a.d.
1103; and he was not a little proud, after his manner, to
demonstrate, that this fountain must have been (and that
no other could be) the Pons Bandusise of Horace's Ode.
And Mr. Hohhonse in his Illustrations of Lord Byron's
Childe Harold, 1818, pp. 42, 3, rather delights in adopting
so brilliant a detection.
" The Bandusian fountain is not to be looked for in the
(88) I'BELIMINAKY DISSERTATION.
Sabine valley, but on tbe Lucano-Apulian border where
Horace was born.
" The vicissitude which placed a Priest on the throne of the
Caesars, has ordained that a Bull of Pope Pascal the Second
should be the decisive document in ascertaining the site of
a fountain which inspired an Ode of Horace."
About so minute a concern long disquisitions here would
be tedious and unnecessary. For in the first place, Mr.
Dunloji's solution (History of Roman Literature. 1828.
Vol. III. p. 213.) seems calculated to set the matter at rest
very easily.
" The probability is, that Horace had named the clearest
and loveliest stream of his Sabine retreat, after that fountain
which lay in Apulia, and on the brink of which he had no
doubt often sported in infancy."
And secondly, in confirmation of Mr. Dunlop's conjec-
ture, I may be forgiven for inserting part of a Letter of my
own on this very point of difficulty, familiarly written in the
year 1824.
" Let the Fons Bandnsim (now the Fonte Belld) of the
Sabine valley, flow on with all its honours !
" For as to the Ode of Horace (3 C. xiii.), it tallies
admirably with the idea of his christening what had no
name before, after the romantic spring, which had a name,
not far from Venusia, and which he had loved when a
child."
" From 1 E. xvi. 12.
Fons etiam i-ivodare nomeu idoneus,
you may perhaps gather that this fountain had no name
whatever, till Horace gave it one. The rivus lower down
was certainly called Digentia.) now Licenza.
1 E. XVIII. 104. Me quoties reficit gelidus Digentia rivus, &c.
The classical vcrishinlitndc of my conjecture that Horace
called his Sabine fountain, from natural love and liking,
PRELIMINARY DISSERTATION. (89)
after the old s])ring near Vcniisia, you can hardly deny ; if
you will but turn to a beautiful part of the third iEneid.*"
302. falsi Simoentis ad undam.
349. 351, Procedo, etparyam Trojam, simulataque magnis
Pergama, et areiitem Xanthi cognomine rivurn
Agnosco, SccEceque amplector Jimina Portm.
BRIEF CHRONOLOGY
Before
Christ.
65
GO
53
52
49
48
47
46
44
43
42
Year
of
Horace.
41
12|
13J
16
17
18
19
21
22
23
24
OF
THE LIFE AND WRITINGS
OF
PIORACE.
Horace born, 8 Dec. near V^enusia, in the
Consulship of Manlius Torquatus
His adventure when a child
Is carried by his father to Rome for education.
His father dies about this time.
Battle of Pharsalia.
He takes the Toga Virilis.
He goes, as to an University, to Athens
Cato, at Utica, kills himself
Julius Caesar assassinated.
Horace leaves Athens, to join the standard of
Brutus, as military tribune
calidus juventa | Consule Planco ...
shares in the defeat at Philippi, and in the con-
fiscation that followed
His friend Pompeius Varus betakes himself to
Sextus Pompeius, then master of Sicily ...
In the winter 42 | 41 he returns to Rome, having
been nearly shipwrecked off" Cape Palinurus
becomes acquainted with Virgil and Varius ;
is by them introduced to Maecenas
obtains his patronage, and is admitted to his
friendship ,.,,.,
Authorities
and
allu-^ioiis.
2 S. I. 34, 5.
Ep. XIII. 6
3 C. XXI. 1.
4 C. IX. 2.
3 C. IV. 9—20.
1 S. VI. 71 — 6.
2 E. II. 43.
1 C. XII. 35, 6.
1 S. VI. 48.
2 E. II. 46.
3 C. XIV. 27, 8.
2 C. VII. 7—9.
2 E. 11.49—51.
2C. VII. 15.
3 C. IV. 28.
1 S. VI. 54, 5.
Ibid. 61,2.
Bit IKK c:llKONOH)GY
(01)
luion
111
HoraOf.
ss
36
33
32
31
29
32
Thejirsl Class of his Writings.
The first book of Satires.
Years of Horace ... xxvi, xxvii,xxviii, R. B.
= 25, 26, 27, Fast. Hell,
B. c. 40, 39, 38, [37, 362-
The second book of Satires.
Years of Horace... XXXI, xxxii, XXXIII. R. B.
= 30, 31, 32, F. H.
B. c. [37, 36,'] 35, 34, 53.
In the spring, Horace enjoys the journey to
Briuidusi um
Is enriched by jNIsecenas with the Sabine estate
War renewed with Sextus Pompeius, (dux
Neptimius,) his defeat and flight afterwards
alluded to
Division of lands, towards the close of the
Sicilian war ; (in the winter 36 | 35.)
The iEdileship of Agrippa
33
34
The book of Epodes.
Years of Horace xxxiv, xxxv. R. B.
=: 33, 34. F. H.
B.C. 32, 31.
The war impending betwixt Caesar and
Antony
Horace desii-es to accompany Maecenas to the
war : the battle of Actium, Sept. 2
On the first news of the victory he addresses
Maecenas
In this year probably Horace rents or buys
the Cottage and Garden at Tivoli.
AHllioritics
Hllll
HUu>ioiis.
1 S. V.
2 S. VI.
Ep. IX. 7 — 10.
2 S. VI. 55, 6.
2 S. III. 185,6.
Ep. VII.
Ep. I.
Ep. IX.
(92)
Before
Christ.
30
29
27
25
24
23
21
Year
of
Horace.
35
36
38
40
41
42
44
BRIEF CHRONOLOGY OF THE
The second Class of his Writings,
The first book of Odes.
Years ofHorace...xxxvi, XXXVII, XXXVIII. R.B.
= B5, ^Q, 37, F. H.
B. c. 30, 29, 28, [27.]
The second book of Odes.
Years of Horace xl, xli. R. B.
= 39. 40, F. H.
B. c, [27,] 26, 25.
The third book of Odes.
Yeats of Horace xlii, xliii. R. B.
= 41, 42. F. H.
B. c. 24, 23, [22,21.]
Death of Antony and Cleopatra
End of the civil wars : the Temple of Janus
shut.
The deliberation about restoring the republic,
and that allegory, Owa^J^5re/ere?^L.. composed
On the Ides of January (13th) the appellation
of Augustus conferred on Caesar : in the
following night a storm and inundation, (vid.
Append, iv.)
Augustus goes into Spain: he appears also to
have meditated an expedition to Britain ...
After the Cantabrian war, the Temple of
Janus shut a second time by Augustus
Augustus returns from the war in Spain
An Embassy from Parthia : allusion supposed
to it
M. Lollius, the Elder, Consul : Horace com-
pletes his 44th year
Autlioritie»
and
allusiODs.
1 C. xxxvii.
1 C. xiv.
1 C. II.
1 C. xxxv, 30.
4 C. XV. 8, 9.
3 C. XIV. & VIII.
1 E. XVIII. 55, G.
3 C. V. I. 4.
4 C. IX. 1 E.
XX. 27, 8. 39.
LIFE AND WRITINGS OF HORACE.
(93)
20
19
17
15
(if
l.irai'i-
IS
50
The third Class of Horace's WrUings.
The first book of Epistles.
Years of Horace xlvi, xlvii. R, B.
= 45, 4G. F. H.
B.C. [22, 21,] 20, 19, [18.]
The Carmen Srecularc, and the fourth
book of Odes.
Years of Horace xlix, l, li. R. B.
= 48, 49, 50. F. H.
B.C. [18] 17, IG, 15.
The Roman Eagles actually restored from
Farthia
The Armenians subdued,
and the Canlabri finally so.
Cantaber Agrippce, Claudi virtute Neronis
Armenius cecidit
The Epistles iii, viir, ix. written while Tiberius
is in the East, and not later than this year.
The death of Virgil.
Ludi Sceculares, for the fifth time, celebrated.
In this year, the Carmen Saeculare, and that
prelude to it 4 C. vi. Dhe, quern inolcs...
written.
Horace marks his 50th year (as 2 C. iv. 23, 4.
his 40th)
Augustus remains in Gaul ; and reduces the
Sicambri.
His triumphal return, anticipated by Horace,
did not take place till b. c. 13.
Tiberius {Major Ncromivi) and Drusus sub-
due the Rhseti and the Vindelici
Antlicirilh's
allu'<it)iis.
1 E.xviit.5G, 7.
and 2 E. i. ZHQ.
4 C.xv. G-8.
1 E. XII. 2G.
4 C. I. G.
4 C. II. 33—44.
4C. IV. and xiv.
8—14.
(94)
BRTF.F CHRONOLOGY
Before
Cliiist-
Vear
of
Horace
57
The fourth Class of Horace's Writings.
The second book of Epistles, containing the
two to Augustus Caesar, and to Julius
Florus ; with the Epistle to the Pisos, called
de Arte Poetica.
ANNIS INCERTIS.
v'" Kalendas Decembres,
On the 27th of November, within a few days
of completing his 57th year, Horace dies.
N.B. By the numbers here inserted in brackets as [37, 36] &c,, it is intended to show,
agreeably to what is ah-eady stated in p. 82, that the years left void by Bentley in his
Chronology of the works might belong indifferently to the composition of the preceding
or the subsequent Book.
APPENDIX I.
HORACE'S FAMILIAR DAY,
AND ROMAN CUSTOMS CONNECTED WITH IT.
In tlie xxvith year of his age, b.c. 39. let us date the 6th
Satire of the first book, keeping in mind also, that a sum-
in er"'s day is the object of description, and that as he begins
his story after luncheon, the cibus meridianua (Sueton.
August. 78.) or prandium, so he brings us round to the same
point again.
1 S. vr. Ill — 129. quacunque libido est,
Incedo solus, percontor quanti olus ac far ;
Fallacem circum, vespertinumque pererro
Saepe forum ; assisto divinis ; inde domum me
Ad porri et ciceris refero laganique catinum :
Ccena ministratnr piicris tribus ; eL lapis albus
Pocula cum cyatho duo sustinet ; astat echino
Vilis cum patera guttus, Campana supellex.
Deinde eo dormitum, non solicitus, mihi quod eras
Surgendum sit mane, obeundus Marsya, qui se
Vultum ferre negat Noviomm posse minoris.
Ad quartam jaceo ; post banc vagor ; aut ego, lecto
Aut scripto quod me tacitum juvet: ungor olivo,
Non quo fraudatis immundus Nacca lucernis.
Ast ubi me fessum sol acrior ire lavatuni
Admonuit, fugio Campum lusumque trigonem.
Pransus non avide, quantum interpellet inani
Ventre diem durare, domesticus otior. Usee est
Vita sohitorum misera ambitione gravique.
1. Here then vv. 111-114, Horace, after a simple luncheon,
instead of sauntering about at home, as at other times he
(96) APPENDIX I.
might do, (v. 128. domesticus otior,) indulges in a walk into
the city, careless and unattended ; asks the price of garden-
herbs and bread-corn ; rambles about the Circus and the
Forum, looking at the amusements and tricks which those
places afforded, and especially stopping to observe the
fortune-tellers (probably the de " circo asirologi " of Tully,de
Divin. i. 58.) in the pursuit of their craft : for it must not
be supposed that by the words, assisto divinis, Horace
could possibly mean
" 1 go to churcli and pray,"
as Creech has most absurdly translated it ; raising ideas in
the mind of the reader, to which there was nothing corre-
spondent in the religious services of Home.
2. By this time, the evening hour approaches, (already
V. 114!. vespertmrnn,) and sends him home to dhmcr. That
meal, coena, consists of vegetable dishes and a kind of pan-
cake : the boys who wait at table are three, evidently con-
sidered a very small number, (even ten slaves formed but a
moderate familia, 1 S. iii. 12). The marble slab holds
two goblets for wine and water, with a measuring-cup : by
the rinsing-bowl is set an oil-cruet and a /;rt/era for liba-
tion, plain ware all of them.
3. After the meal thus described, in his earliest and sim-
plest style of living at Rome, he retires to bed, free from all
uneasiness as to rising betimes, because under no necessity
to visit the statue of Apollo and Marsyas, that is, to attend
the Courts of Justice, in the morning.
4. From his couch, after some hours spent as usual in
study, [lecto aut scripto quod taciturn juvet,) he does not
rise till towards ten : he then strolls into the Campus Mar-
tius, and prepares himself [iingor olivo) for exercise, speci-
fically that of the pila velox or the lusus called triyon. As
the day becomes too sultry, he withdraws from the Campus
to bathe, doubtless in the Tiber hard by. The next and
HOKACE's FAMll.TAU DAY. (1)7)
final stage of tlie story carries liiin liome to his lunehcon ;
soon after which it was that this sketch of his familiar clay
first took him up.
Under these four heads there arise not a few subjects of
curious remark.
And first of the luncheon; for hveaMast (jentaculwn)
usually they had none. With Horace, after such a morning's
work as we have seen, agreeably to his own precept, 2 S.
II. 14, 15.
Quum labor extuderit fastidia, siccus, inanis,
Sperne cibum vilem — if you can,
that meal was quite plain and merely enough for its neces-
sary purpose, to pacify the stomach till the late dinner time.
Pransus non avide quantum interpellet inani
Ventre diem durare. .vv. 127, *'•
Elsewhere he thus describes such a frugal meal,
2 S. II. 17- cum sale panis
liatrantem stomachum bene leniet ....
which just agrees with Seneca's account, (L. xir. Epist. 84.
Ed. 1573.) Panis deinde siccus et sine mensa prandium ;
post quod non sunt lavandas manus.
For the luxurious palate very different provision was
made. Even fish (as from that beautiful Satire, 2 S. it.
Qucp, virtus et quanta, honi . . we gather incidentally) was a
requisite of the table.
vv. IG, 17. Foris estpromus, et atrum
Defendens pisces hiemat mare
and the choicest wine sweetened with the finest lioney
formed its accompaniment.
vv. 15, !(!. nisi Hymettia mella Falerno
Ne biberis diluta.
The learned Professor of Gastronomy (2 S. iv. Unde et
h
(98) APPENDIX I.
quo Cat ins?) gravely advises to finish with mulberries
gathered in the morning.
w. 21 — 23. Ille salubres
/Estates peraget, qui nigris prandia moris
Finiet, ante gravem ([wtk legerit arbore solem.
But instead of so strong a wine mixed with honey, which
he very rationally condemns, we have a weaker mixture
{inuJfiitm) recommended.
vv. 24—27' Aufidius forti miscebat mella Falerno,
Blendose : quoniam vaciiis committere venis
Nil nisi lene decet : leni proecordia mulso
Prolueris melius.
In passing next to the dinner, the time of it deserves our
first attention. Horace, who professed (2 S. vii. 23.) to ad-
mire the 7nore» antiqu(B ])lebis, agreeably to that profession
and to the still general custom, dined at a late hour. So
did the lawyers, whether the Consul tus juris or the Actor
causarum, A. P. 369, 7^ ' whose business either in the
courts or at their own houses, kept them engaged till the
evening. What says Horace to a supposed aspirant ?
1 E. VI. 20. Gnavus mane forum, et vespertinus pete tectum.
and thus in his invitation to Manlius Torquatus :
1 E. V. 3. Supremo te sole domi, Torquate, manebo.
id. 30, I. Tu quotus esse velis, rescribe: et rebus oinissis
Atria servantem postico falle clientem.
Such was the case with all persons, who either would not
or could not sacrifice business to pleasure. In conformity
with that principle, Maecenas also adhered to the old
custom.
2 S. VII. 32—34. Jusserit ad se
INIsecenas senim sub lumina prima veuire
Convivam ....
are the words of Davus to his master.
horace''s familtar dav, (99)
And hence it comes, that whenever an early hour in that
age is mentioned, some imputation is conveyed also of in-
dulgence and excess : for luxury in the higher ranks had,
for prolongation of convivial enjoyment, gradually carried
back the hour of dining towards the middle of the day.
Without pretending to trace the origin and progress of
fashion in this respect, we may appeal to Tully's authority
about 45 B. c. as apparently decisive that three was then a
fashionable hour for the voluptuous.
Epist. ad Divers, ix. 26. Accubueram hard nond,
cum ad te harum exempknn in codicillis exaravi. Dices,
ubi ? apud Volumnium Eutrapelum ; et quidem supra me
Atticus, infra Verrius, familiares tui. Miraris tam exhila-
ratam esse servitutem nostram Infra Eutrapelum
Cytheris accubuit, &c. &c.
At the time that Horace wrote the second book of Satires
(b. c. 34.) it should appear from his account of that famous
entertainment, 2 S. viii. Ut Nasidieni^ &c., that the luxu-
rious hour for dining must have been at least as early as
one or two: what he says to Fundanius, who was in the
number of the guests on that day,
Nam mihi quserenti convivam dictus here ilHc
De medio potare die
even with some allowance for hyperbole, can hardly be other-
wise interpreted.
Long after, in the age of Martial, three had become the
regular hour. Epigram, iv. 8.
Imperat extructos frangere nona toros.
and Juvenal mentions, evidently with severity of remark,
the practice of Marius to begin at tivo.
Sat. I. 40, .')(). Exul ab octava Marius bibit, et frnitiir Diis
Iratis ....
Thus much for the hour at which Horace usually took
h2
(100) APPENDIX I.
his dinner. On the constituents of his humble meal enough
has been said elsewhere, Prel. Diss. pp. 56 — 58. It is not to
be denied, however, that from this habitual average both of
diet and of time he frequently deviated ; but the confession
of gaieties and follies in the following characteristic passage,
from the mention of his ftivourite but short-lived Cinara,
(4 C. XIII. 21, 2. Cinaroe breves \ Annos fata dederunt.)
may be received as belonging to a brief period only in the
heyday of his life.
1 E. XIV. 32 — ?>G. Quem tenues decuere togse nitidique capilli,
Quern scis immunem Cinarfc placuisse rapaci,
Quem bibulum liquid! medii de luce Falerni,
Ccena brevis juvat, et props rivum somnus in herba ;
Nee lusisse pudet,sed non incidere ludum. [sc.puderet.]
For a specimen of his company and the preparations for
their entertainment, that delightful Epistle to Torquatus
(1 E. V. Si potes Archiacis . . . ) happily supplies so much
of particular and interesting description ; that it may be as
well to present the following extracts to the reader's eye.
vv. 4— (J. Vina bibes iterum Tauro diffusa palustres
Inter Minturnas Sinuessanumque Petrinuni.
Sin melius quid habes, arcesse, vel imperium fer.
V. 7. Jamdudum splendet focus, et tibi munda %VL^e\\ex
V'-'. f( — II. eras nato Caesare festus
Dat veniam somnumque dies; impune licebit
jEstivam sermone benigno tendere noctem.
vv. 21 — 26. Haec ego procurare et idoneus imperor, et non
Invitus ; ne turpe toral, ne sordida mappa
Corrnget nares ; ne non et cantharus et lanx
Ostendat tibi te_; ne fides inter amicos
Sit qui dicta foras eliminet ; ut coe'at par
Jungaturque pari.
Here fii-st of all we have an example of good-natured
arrangement proposed betwixt the host and his principal
guest : " you liear what kind of wine I profess to give : if
houack's FAJdiLixiii day. (l^t)l)
you have any better, order it to my house : [arcessc— ^(Z
me. Vet. Schol.] or be content with what I offer you.''
With Virgil again we shall find him playfully bargaining
to produce a finer and costlier wine on condition of his friend's
bringing to the dinner a richer perfume. (The costliness
of unguents in that age may be estimated by their being one
of the common causes of ruin to the vain and the gay.
1 E. xviii. 22. Gloria quem supra vires et vescit et imguit.)
4 C. XII. 17, 18. Nardi parvus onyx eliciet caduin,
Qui nunc Sulpiciis accubat horreis.
Catullus on the contrary (xiii. Ccenahis bene, mi Fa-
bulle, apud me) offers the very choicest perfume to Fabul-
lus, if he will bring the materials of a good dinner along
with him.
Another variety of good fellowship is presented to us in
that Ode 3 C. xtx. Quantum distet ah Inaclio . . . where
the Poet incidentally gives the principal requisites of a
dinner, for which the richest wine was to be pvirchased at the
common expense, Quo Chium pretio cadum | Mercemur:
what friend's house was to have the preference, Quo pra?-
bente domum ; and as it was a day in winter, the provision
of a warm room against an assigned hour, Qutoa [ Pelignis
caream frigoribus ; form other points of consideration. The
words, Quis aquani temperet ignibus, in such a context can
bear but one meaning, that on a wintry day they would
naturally mingle hot water with their wine. The " calidae
gclida?quc minister" of Juvenal (S. v. 63.) would have had
but half his province on a day like that in the very depth of
winter.
The 7th line of the Epistle Jamdudum ... forcibly reminds
one of the Ode to Maecenas, (3 C. xxix.) by that expressive
word, but still more by contrast in the preparation there
made by the Poet to receive his patron.
vv. 2 — 5. Non ante verso lenc merum cailo
Cum flore, I\I<eceiias, rosarum, et
(102) .^ri'EWiiix I.
Pressa tuis balaiius capillis
Jamdudum apiid me est. . . .
where for once his invitation includes choice wine, garlands
of roses, and unguents of exquisite odour, such articles as
never occur in like manner mentioned elsewhere.
The lines next quoted from the Epistle serve incidentally
to show, that Horace for that year at least staid in the city
over the birth-day of the Great Julius ; then observed as a
dies festiis by cessation from business and affording oppor-
tunity in its eve for a longer night of cheerfulness than his
friend the lawyer could otherwise have enjoyed. The day
itself (F. H. B. c. 100) fell on the 12th of July, quarto
Idus Quintiles : and on the preceding evening the sun
would set at Rome nearly at seven o'clock of our reckoning.
This particular may here deserve notice, if it be only to
introduce one remark ; that as the natural or solar day with
them was divided into twelve hours (from the ist to the
xiith) of different length at different seasons, I may be ex-
cused in trusting to the intelligence of the reader for more
exact calculation, whenever in these pages the Roman hour
is assumed generally as answering to our own, on the well
known scale, at the time of the Equinox.
Libra die somnique pares ubi fecerit horas.
Geo. i. 208.
The remaining lines of the Epistle sufficiently exempHfy
that charm of the mmidcB pcmperum cwhcb, superadded to
the more essential taste in selecting a party of congenial
spirits ; which to the humble triclinium of Horace, neat but
narrow, (such the lecti oi Archiass making seem to have
been,) must have imparted a peculiar attraction, beyond the
purchase of luxury and opulence.
Horace's familiar day. (lO.'i)
In llie usual arrcin gem cuts of his time, Horace never
appears to have been what we call a late sitter-up for
literary purposes : nor was such the general custom of the
Romans. Of Augustus, however, the contrary practice is
recorded (Sueton. in August. 7^-) partly for the completion
of his regular journal, and partly from his dislike, as a bad
sleeper perhaps, to early rising. A coena lucubratoriam se
in lecticulam rccipiebat . . . Matutina, vigiliji offendebatur.
To his morning studies Horace must have paid assiduous
application, as we see him on his couch ad qitartam engaged
in the lucubratio mafutina ; and again when appealing to
his own habits in the cultivation of self-knowledge, towards
the conclusion of that admirable Satire,
IS. IV. 133,4. ne(\ne en\m, cum Icctulus Aui me
Porticus excepit, desum mihi.
Elsewhere too, at a much later period of life, he playfully
tells of himself,
2 E. I. Ill — 113. Ipse ego qui nullos me affirmo scribere versus,
Iiivenior Partliis mendacior ; et prius orto
Sole vigil, calamum et char las etscrinia posco.
And in the hortatory address to his young friend Lollius,
when he solemnly recommends the task of moral reflection;
the morning hour, as a matter of course, is mentioned for
that purpose.
» 1 E. It. 32 — 37. Ut jugulent horainem, surgunt de iiocte latroueb ;
Ut teipsum serves, non expergisceris ? Atqui
Si Holes sanus, curres hydropicus : et ni
Posces ante diem librum cum lumine, si nou
Inteudes animum studiis et rebus honestis ;
Invidia vel amore vigil torquebere.
(104) APPENDIX I.
Before we dismiss this description of Horace''s familiar
day, which has unavoidably run to a great length of detail,
two or three additional remarks may suffice to conclude the
subject.
A course of daily life like that here delineated could
hardly be supposed to glide along without considerable
varieties. One such, and of frequent occurrence probably, is
presented to us in the Satire, 1 S. ix. Ibam forte Via
sacra . . . Horace must have taken that walk into the city
some two hours before the usual time that he quitted his
morning couch : for when he and his tormentor had gone as
far as the Temple of Vesta, the fourth part of the day then
having elapsed (v. 35. quarta jam parte diei ] Prasterita) it
would be nine o'clock of ovn- reckoning; which seems to
involve a different disposition of the forenoon altogether.
Nor are we to imagine that Horace did not occasionally
take his share abroad in the morning duties of common life.
The officiosa sedulitas in attending levees (1 E. vii. 8.)
and the opella forensis in giving bail for a friend, &c. {ibid.)
were certainly not unknown to him. For the salutmidi
j)lures (1 S. VI, 101.) is what he deprecates as one of the
troubles consequent on the supposition of a higher parentage;
and the words, 2 S. vi. 2']. quod mi obsit, clare certumque
locuto, after answering in the court, to my oivn detri-
ment^ perhaps, may fairly attest that his good nature now
and then intangled him in the losses which proverbially
belong to suretyship in all ages of the world. A kind-
hearted man like Horace, therefore, would understand very
well what it meant,
A. P. V. 423. Spondere levi jjro paiipere . . .
nor could he to the supposed son of opulence have put the
touching question,
2 S. II. lO'i. Cur eget indigiuib (piisqiiam, te divite ?
Horace's familiar dav. (]05)
had he not felt his own heart experimentally alive on that
very key.
His bathing as here stated, in the river Tiber, was what
followed the forenoon exercise, in the Campus, of a young
man, and at that season of the year ;
2 S. I. 7, 8- Ter uncti
Transnanlo Tiberim, somiio quibus est opus alto.
3 C. XII. 9- Simul unctos Tiberinis humeros lavit in nndis.
And it must therefore be carefully distinguished from the
common use of the warm bath (bahiewn), at all seasons,
which took place in the afternoon, immediately before
dinner.
Though in his familiar day at Rome, before he got the
Sabine estate, he represents himself as usually dining alone ;
yet after that accession to his means, we find him for the
sake of society frequently entertaining certain persons who
were glad to earn a dinner by their v/it. Thus, as Maecenas
at the entertainment given by Nasidienus took wdth him his
ztnibrcc the two scurrce, Servilius and Vibidius, (2 S. viii.
21, 2,) so Horace at home had similar dependents on
his hospitality. Such was the fashion of the day : and the
description is ludicrous enough, of the parasites going off with-
out their errand, whenever the Patron on the sudden sent for
the Poet to dine with him at a late hour on the Esquiline Hill.
2 ^. VII. 3G. IVIilvius et scurrse, tibi non referenda precati,
Discedunt.
If it be asked whether the habits of the rural population
in respect of their meals corresponded to the mores mitiqiue
plebis of the city, it may be briefly answered, with some
probability, in the aflirmative.
(106) Al'PKNDlX T.
Martial, for instance, allusively represents the wife of the
great Curius in that early age,
VI. 64. dum prandia portat aranti :
and to this traditional story of the luncheon we may fairly
subjoin Horace's contemporary account of the i)rincipal
meal or ccena at the close of the day's work.
Ep. II. 39—48. Quod si pudica mulier. . .
Sacrum vetustis exstruat lignis focum
Lassi sub adventum viri.
*****
Et horna diilci vina promeus dolio,
Dapes inemtas apparet ; &c.
In Horace's age, it is here asserted, that the Romans
usually took no breakfast. Of such a point minuter ex-
amination for different periods may well be excused. From
the epigrams of Martial, however, while it appears, that for
o-eneral use he recommends the caseus Vestinus, (xiii. 31,)
we also learn that boys rising at a very early hour had
that allowance in a cake or biscuit made for the purpose.
XIV. 223. Surgite, jam vendit puei-is jentacula pistor,
C'ristateeque sonant undique lucis aves.
At the other end of the day, the genuine debauch of the
luxurious was not completed without a final carouse, which
also had its proper appellation ; and in Suetonius's Life of
Vitellius (§ 13.) we are informed, that the imperial
gourmand sometimes contrived to dispatch the whole four,
" facile omnibus sufficiens vomitandi consuetudine," though
with him every meal was a feast. That quaternion and the
order of it, in a fictitious line to aid the memory, may thus
be expressed :
Jenlaculum, deiu prandium, pobt ccenam comissatio.
(107)
APPENDIX II.
ON THE SABINE VALLEY AND THE SECOND
EPODE.
" Strictness of morals and cheerful contentedness were the peculiar glory
of the Sabellian mountaineers, but especially of the Sabines and the four
northern cantons : this they preserved long after the ancient virtue had
disappeared at Romefrom the hearts and the demeanour of men." — Niebuhr's
Rame, Vol. I. ch. vi. p. 85.
Of the second Epode
Beatus ille, qui procul negotiis. . .
I have ah'eady spoken, P. D. 29, as in its general cha-
racter drawn from Horace's personal acquaintance with the
Vale of Licenza : and this is true of the local as well as of
the moral features. The rural picture however, though
generally sketched from his own valley, is not so much the
veritable portrait of one scene as a composition landscape
from many. Thus, the vine and the olive, vv. 9 — 12;
55, 6. though not then grown there, P. D. 33, are intro-
duced by the painter to enrich his tablet ; while the same
old ilex of which it is said elsewhere,
1 E. XVI. 10. multa dominum juvat umbra,
evidently belonged to the spot, and gave its occasional shade
to the reclining Poet.
vv. 23, 4. Libet jacere modo sub antiqua ilice,
Modo in tenaci gramine.
For the materials of full and exact description, indeed, we
must look to that Epistle, 1 E. xvi. Ne perconteris . . . and to
part of xiv, I illice, sylcarum ... as well as to 2 S. vi. Ilocerat
in votis...; sources of information, Avithout which many cir-
(108) APPENDIX II.
cumstances brought forward in tlie former part of these
pages must have remained vmknown to us. Whenever
Horace touches the subject, he marks it with some trait of
peculiarity ; and in that view the following passage also may
be here adduced,
1 E. X. G. ego laudo niris amoeni
Rivos et musco circumlita saxa nemusque,
as being certainly descriptive of the Sabine valley ; and not
of Tivoli, to which place even Fuscus, the iirhis amator,
would hardly deny the merit of its commanding beauties.
The delineation of rural life demands a larger share of
our notice. It has been already remarked, P. D. 29, that
in the Sabine country Horace never describes any immo-
ralities nor alludes to any as existing there. In the person
of his Alfius, and in reference to such intrigues and profli-
gacy, as then too much belonged to the city character,
vv. 37, 8- Quis non mularum qiias amor curus habet,
Heec inter obliviscitur ?
he converts the exemption from those evils into a theme of
positive gratulation.
In a similar tone, indeed, but on a larger scale, we find
Horace in the Ode 3 C. xxiv. I7itactis opulent ior . . con-
trasting the moral superiority, so supposed, of the rude
Scythian over the cultivated citizen of Home,
vv. 9, 11. Campestres melius Scytiia;
* * « «
Vivunt, et rigidi Getoa. . .
while the great Tacitus more fully and with greater spirit,
as that period warranted, pursues the same topic, in his
comparison of civil with savage life. But both the Poet
and the Philosopher are evidently led by their strong dislike
of Roman vices to overcharge their eulogy of Barbarian
virtues. The latter in many parts of his Germany has,
THE S.Vr.IXF. VAI.I.KY. (100)
in fact, left us rather an obrKjiie and grave satire on liis
Countrymen than a well authentieated panegyric on the
Germans.
It is not, therefore, from high-flown praises like these
bestowed on the uncivilized character in spite, as it were, to
the degeneracy of the civilized, that one would think of
deriving any trustworthy evidence to exalt the rural popu-
lation of Italy. To the testimony of Virgil and of Horace
also, on the other hand, when directly and sincerely lauding
that moral excellence which they had themselves witnessed
in the country people around them, no exception can be taken.
Beyond recording the plain truth, as in itself delightful to
contemplate, they could have no inteUigible motive for over-
colouring the picture, except in the pure and patriotic love
of those natural virtues which after all formed the true
basis of the greatness and the glory of Home.
It is unnecessary to call the reader"'s mind to the whole of
that splendid passage which forms the conclusion of the
second Georgic, v. 459, O fortiinatos nimhim . . . but for
illustration of our present purpose these detached pieces
may suffice.
513 ,'il5. Agi-icola incurvo terrain diinov it aratro :
Hinc anni labor : hinc patriam parvosque nepotes
Sustinet : hinc armenta boum, meritosque juvencos.
523, 4. Intei-ea dulces pendent circnm nscnia nati :
Casta pudicitiam servat domns.
And then, how masterly, how complete, in detail as iu
principle, is the interior which he has here painted !
/En. VIII. 407- 41'^ I"<1*^ "b' prima qnies medio jam noctis abactje
Ciirricnio expulerat somiium, cum feniina primum,
Cui tolerare colo vitam tenuique Minerva
Impositum, cinerem et sopitos suscitat ignes,
Nocteni addens operi ; famulasque ad lumina loniro
Exercet penso ; caslum ut servare cubile
Conjiigis, et jM.isit parros educere natos.
(110) APPENDIX II.
To this animated picture from Virgil, here is a pendant
from Horace, distinctly and spiritedly done with a few vivid
touches.
Ep. II. 39 — 44. Quod si pudica mulier in partem jiivet
Domiim atque dulces liberos,
(Sabina qualis, aut perusta solibus
Pernicis uxor Appuli,)
Sacrum et vetustis exstruat lignis focum
Lassi sub adventum viri.
Then too, in that Ode, 3 C. vi. Delicta majorum . . .
after lamenting the profligate manners of high life in his
own day, what a noble turn does the solemn reflection take,
when he thus reverts to the greatest of Roman victories,
and to that discipline of the rvistic home and parentage,
which formed the future soldier to achieve them !
vv. 33—46. Non his juveutus orta parentibus
Infecit fequor sanguine Punico,
Pyrrliumque et ingentem cecidit
Antiochum Annibalemque dirum :
Sed rusticonim mascula militum
Proles, Sabellis docta ligonibus
Versare glebas, et severse
Matris ad arbitrium recisos
Portare fustes ; sol ubi montium
IMutaret umbras, et juga demeret
Bobus fatigatis, amicum
Tempus agens abeunte curru.
(Ill)
APPENDIX III.
ON MiECENAS AND THE FIRST ODE OF THE
FIRST BOOK.
" Rlsecenas was the wisest counsellor, the truest friend, both of his prince
and his country, the best governor of Rome, the happiest and ablest nego-
tiator, the best judge of learning and virtue, the choicest in his friends, and
thereby the happiest in his conversation, that has been known in story : and,
I think, to his conduct in civil and Agrippa's in military affairs may be
truly ascribed all the forturics and greatness of Augustus, so much celebrated
in the world."— Sir W. Temple^ Upon the Gardens of Epicurus^ 8^c.
M^CENAs as personally connected with Horace, will form
the limited subject of this article. The connection of that
great minister with the affairs of Rome belongs to Roman
history, or to a very ample biography of the Statesman at
once and the Patron of literature. In the latter view, the
Mcecenas of./. H. Melbomius, sive deC. Cilnii Mcccenatis
vita, morlbus, et rebus gestis, liber sing iilaris. 1653. pre-
sents a vast collection of interesting materials, which might
however have been more happily disposed.
Of Horace's first introduction to the acquaintance and
favour of Maecenas, P. D. p. 58 ; of his being enriched
by him with a Rus and Villula in the Sabine Valley, p. 21 ;
of his earnestly begging to share the dangers of the war along
with him, p. 34 ; of his invitation to his noble friend
in that grand Ode, Tyrrhena regum ... p. 41 ; of Mae-
cenas as the Patron and only Patron of tlorace, p. 58 ;
and of the association of his name with Horace and Tivoli,
p. 79 ; enough has been said on the several occasions here
referred to. But the personal connection of these illus-
trious men, even within the bounds so prescribed, will admit
(112)
APPKNDIX III.
of many topics variously calculated to illustrate the merits
of the one and the gratitude of the other.
Singularly enough, the first mention in point of time
perhaps, which the pen of Horace has left of Maecenas, and
certainly the very last introduction of his name, (to say
nothing of 2 C. xvii. Cur me querelis . . . and of all the
intermediate demonstrations,) bear striking testimony to the
early and late affection, which united the Patron to the
Poet on terms of the most familiar attachment.
Thus, in 1 S. in. Omnibus hoc vitinni est. . . Horace has
to display the perverseness with which an uncandid con-
struction of character is too often indulged ; and he exem-
plifies in his own case the offence which persons, less generous
and less judicious than Msecenas, would have taken at such
freedom as the Statesman when interrupted bore with perfect
good humour.
vv. C3— CC. Simplicior quis, et est, qualem me serpe Uhenter
OMuIerim tibi, l^Isecenas, ut forte legentem
Aut taciturn impellat quovis serinone molestus ?
Communi sensu plane caret, inqiiimus.
After the continuance for five and twenty years of a
friendship begun in such a spirit, and at a period of his
writings (P. D.) when new topics for direct address could
hardly be expected, Horace thus beautifully and not the
less so for the oblique way of introducing it, in the Ode to
Phyllis, marks the celebration of Maecenas's birth-day.
4 C. XI. 13 — 20, Ut tamennoris quibiis advoceris
Gaudiis ; Idus tibi sunt agendse,
Qui dies mensem Veneris marinae
Findit Aprilem ;
Jure solennis mihi, sanctiorque
Psene natali proprio ; quod ex hac
Luce Mccceuas mens affluentes
Ordinal annos.
Of that genuine frankness, the touchstone by which sin-
ON M.«:CENAS. (113)
cerity betwixt two friends may be tested, we have already
witnessed (P. D. 75.) an admirable proof; where Horace re-
monstrates with Maecenas on his protracted absence in the
country having been made the subject of complaint. In the
following lines,
1 E. I. 94 — 105. Si curatus insequali tonsore capillos
Occurri, rides : si forte subucula pexae
Tritasubest tunicae, vel si toga dissidet impar,
Rides. Quid, mea cum pugnat sententia secum ?
Quod petiit, spernit ; repetit quod nuper omisit ?
/Estuat et vitoe disconvenit ordine toto ?
Diruit, <edificat, mutat quadrata rotundis ?
Insanire patas solennia ine, neque rides,
Nee medici credis nee curatoris egere
A prsetore dati ; rerum tutela mearum
Cum sis, et prave sectum stomacheris ob ungiiem
De te pendentis, te respicientis amici.
we discover a yet bolder tone of expostulation, but in-
volving at the close an acknowledgment of deep and cordial
devotedness which only such a benefactor by a long series
of kindness could have created; while protestation like this
from Horace against Maecenas for inconsistency (somewhat
overcharged, perhaps) in showing such extreme nicety as to
the proprieties of his dress and so little solicitude as to the
prudence and sanity of his conduct, may well be recorded as
the result of a freedom accumulated during the intimacy of
many years.
With the advantage of such dispositions on the one side
and the other, no wonder that the relationship of the major
and the minor amicus proceeded so happily. And Horace,
who with excellent sense could instruct Sca3va and Lollius
(1 E. XVII. XVIII.) how to live with the great, avoiding
offence and maintaining respectability, would himself in the
Palace of Maecenas easily steer without a pilot.
But not only was the personal character of Maecenas in
tliis relation of the man of rank to the man of genius
i
(114) APPENDIX III.
all that friendship could desire : the whole plan of his select
establishment (Pra?sertim cautum dignos assumere, prava
Ambitione procvd, 1 S. vi. 51.) was marked with liberality
and wisdom, and admitted of no cabal, of no rivalry what-
soever.
1 S. IX. 49—52. Domus hac nee purior ulla est,
Nee magis his aliena malis : nil mi officit iinquam,
Ditior hie, aut est quia doctior ; est locus uni-
Cuique suus.
In other great families, the bane of such intrigues, we
know, demanded all the caution of an experienced adviser
to warn the young Comes against it.
1 E. XVIII. 78 — 83. Failimur, et quondam non dignum tradimus : ergo
Quern sua culpa premet, deceptus omitte tueri ;
Ut penitus notum, si tentent crimina, serves,
Tuterisque tuo fidentem prsesidio : qui
Dente Theonino cum circumroditur, ecquid
Ad te post paulo ventura pericula sentis ?
Of Maecenas's general vigilance and high talents as a
statesman, (in that o^ce, plurihiis lahoribus jactatus, Tacit.
Annal. xiv. 53,) history may be left to speak : but to the
same point Horace from personal knowledge incidentally
testifies in so strong a manner, that in justice to both parties
his evidence should be brought forward.
Maecenas's common hour of dining, we have already seen,
on Horace's authority, (App. i. p. 98,) was late in the day,
and evidently so for the sake of public business: when that
was over, if he wanted the society of a cheerful friend, a hasty
invitation from the Esquiline was sent down to Horace,
His being one of the party at Rufus's very early dinner,
(App. I. p. 99,) we must consider as a deviation from usual
practice, which at times could not well be avoided.
Both from that Epistle (1 E. vii. Quinque dies...) and
that Ode (3 C. xxix. Tyrrhena regiim..) it appears that
ON M.ECENAS. (115)
MoDcenas remained at his post in the city during the worst
month, that of August, and over it.
In the former, Horace descants on the dangers to others
which he had not the strength or the courage to encounter
himself.
vv. 3 — 6. Si me vivere vis sanum recteque valentem ;
Quam mihi das aegro, dabis aegrotare timenti,
Maecenas, veniam ; dum ficus prima calorque
Designatorem decorat lictoribus atris-
In the latter, Horace when inviting Maecenas to Tivoli,
as we have seen, (P. D. 79-) thus marks the sultriness of the
season, and the political anxieties which engaged him at
Rome.
vv. 17 — 20. Jam clarus occultum Andromedse pater
Osteiidit ignem ; jam Procyon fur it,
Et Stella vesani Leonis,
Sole dies referente siccos.
vy. 25 — 28. Tii, civitatem quis deceat status,
Curas ; et urbi solicitus times,
Quid Seres et regnata Cyro
Bactra parent Tanaisque discors.
On a different occasion, (3 C. viii. Martiis ccelchs..)
when Horace invites his noble friend to join him on the
calends of March in commemorating his deliverance from
that peril of the tree, after showing in the Stanzas, vv.
17—24.
Mitte civiles super urbe curas. . . .
that he had no cause then for alarm in the aspect of foreign
affairs, the Poet concludes with exhorting him in his tm-
official capacity, privatus, to enjoy a brief respite (must not
the passage be so interpreted ?) from attention otherwise due
to the interests of clients and friends.
vv. 25 — 28. Negligens, nequa populus laboret,
Parce privatus nimium cavere :
Dona praesentis cape laetus horae, et
liinque severa.
i2
(116) APPENDIX III.
From the view taken of Maecenas on this broad scale, let us
turn to that Ode of dedication, by which more than by any
other tribute to his name he has hitherto been so well known
to the admirers of Horace.
The Ode (1 C. i. Mcecenas atavis..) has very much
laboured under one misinterpretation and one false lection
which may deserve the regard of the critical reader.
I. In the text of this edition, the lines which follow..
evehit ad Deos, with a full stop after those words, stand
thus punctuated.
vv. 7 — 14. Hunc si mobilium turba Quiritium
Certat tergeminis toUere honoribus ;
Ilium, si proprio condidit horreo
Quidquid de Libycis verritur areis ;
Gaiidentem patrio findere sarculo
Agros, Attalicis conditionibus
Nunquam dimoveas, ut trabe Cypria
Myrtoum pavidus natita secet mare.
If the true sense, as received by many editors, be deter-
mined by that punctuation, it may be asked : how came the
passage ever to be interpreted otherwise ? I feel no scruple
then in imputing to two distinct causes all the error into
which any of the commentators have been misled : partly,
to their not being aware that Cawc/e^to^i. . .is justly em-
ployed to designate a separate character, Him who delights
(like Desiderantem quod satis est..3C. i. 25, Him who
hounds his desire by a competency ; Fulgentem imperio. .
3 C. XVI. 31. Him who has the splendid government, &c.,
&c.), and yet more, to the disregard of a great peculiarity
frequent enough in the best Greek and Latin authors ;
namely, that after two or more specific subjects of thought
are expressed, they do not seek, as modern nicety requires,
some such mode of concluding the sentence, as may belong
in common to all the notions that precede, but boldly and
almost carelessly conclude it with what is strictly proper
to that subject only which comes immediately last.
ON MAECENAS. (11^7)
This observation will of course be made more intelligible
by two or three clear examples, and those from Horace, than
by all the definition in the world.
In the following passage for instance,
2 S. II. 10 — 13. Vel, si Romana fatigat
Militia assuetum Grsecari, seu (A) pila velox,
MoUiter austenim studio fallente laborem,
Seu te (B) discus agit, (b) pete cedentem aera disco :
it is evident, that whereas the preamble supposes two kinds
of game, the pila and the discus, the exercise of the latter is
expressly inculcated, that of the former is virtually under-
stood.
Let us proceed to a second case.
3 C. II. C — 11. ilium ex moenibus hosticis
Matrmia (A) bellantis tyranni
Prospiciens, et adulta virgo (B),
Suspiret, Eheu ! ne rudis agminum
Sponsiis (b) lacessat regius aspernm
Tactu leonem
In this scene, one of highly poetic conception, the royal
mother has no correlative object of apprehension separately
assigned : the virgo has, her betrothed prince.
That Ode to Fortune (1 C. xxxv. O Diva, gratiun, . . . )
will furnish another instance.
vv. D — IG. Te Dacusasper, teprofugi Scythae,
Uibesque, gentesque, et Latium ferox,
Regumque matres barbarorum, et
Purpurei metuunt tyranni,
Injurioso ne pede proruas
Stantem columnam, neu populus freqtieiis
Ad arma cessantes, ad anna
Concitet, imperiumque frangat.
Here, all the parties recounted have their causes of alarm
in the vicissitudes of fate : but that cause which belongs to
(118) APPENDIX III,
the two last, and that alone, the dread of popular insurrec-
tion, is specifically developed.
In the passage which it is our object here to elucidate,
there are three different characters proposed who are not to
be tempted from their respective attachments, the proud
candidate for public honours, the already rich importer at
home of corn from Libya, and the contented yeoman
Paterna rura bobus exercens suis.
The splendid prize of temptation offered to each is wealth
" beyond the dreams of avarice," but only to be won by his
becoming a naiita, i.e. the adventurous mercator on the
dangerous main. And here evidently enough, abhorrence
at that offer, clogged with such a condition, would most na-
turally strike the third character described ; being hardly
attributable in the same degree to either of the preceding
parties, since, to gain ulterior ends of ambition or opulence,
even they might possibly be allured by so magnificent a
prospect.
"When the passage is once placed in this clear and satisfac-
tory light, it seems quite wonderful how the true interpreta-
tion, which turns on Gaudentem, (as old at least as the time
of Glareanus,) could ever have been so strangely missed, and
modes to evade it, by otherwise interpreting the earlier part
of the Ode, with such perverse ingenuity devised.
II. The true reading at v, 29. of Te doctarum ... on ne-
cessity arising from internal evidence, against me and the
MSS., after the assent of scholars generally given, may now
take its place as it were by acclamation. The following brief
hints in favour of it, being partly novel also, may not be
unacceptable.
1. To the interrogation of J. Jones, who edited Horace
in 1736. " Si jam Diis mistus esset siiperis Horatius, cur
se Msecenatis suffragio cohonestari cuperct ?" nothing like a
sufficient answer ever has been or can be given.
ON M.ECENAS. (119)
2. The antithetic use of Te and Me in the passage before
lis obviously breathes the favourite manner of Horace, par-
ticularly in concluding his pieces. Take as three instances,
1 C. XII. 53. 57. Ille ...Te. 2 C. xvi. 33. 37. Te . . .
mihi. 4 C. 11. 53. 54. Te . . . Me. Other examples may
be easily found.
3. Elsewhere, Horace appropriates, for lyric poetry, not
the ivy, but the hay, both to himself and to Pindar.
2 C. VII. 19. Depone sub lauru mea,
3 C. XXX. 15, 16 et mihi Delphica
Lauro cinge volens Melpomene comam.
4 C II. y. Laurea donandus Apollinari.
4. To the term doctarum and the propriety of its applica-
tion no objection can be raised : for Maecenas again and again
is addressed by Horace with the high compliment of elegant
learning. That qualification, united with rank and generosity
like his, rendered him what his very name now indicates,
the excellent Patron of excellent Poets.
But is Diis miscent superis, so applied, objectionable .?
What language then do we find in Virgil? To Pollio, at
once his critic and his patron, tamquam Deo, he meditates
sacrifice.
Bucol. III. 84, 5.
Pollio amat nostram, quamvis est riistica, musam i
Pierides, vitulam lectori pascite vestro.
5. Again, should any impropriety be alleged in giving
the hedera to Mascenas as the Patron of literature and the
Man of taste ; two authorities for such application from a
Poet and a Scholar of our own, Mr. Pope and Dr. Bentley,
the more striking for being quite unintentional, shall here
be adduced.
Essay on Criticism, vv. 7O0, 6.
" Immortal Vida ! on whose honour'd brow
The Po.fs hays and Critic's ioy grow.''
(120) APPENDIX III.
Dedication of Horace to Lord Oxford, towards the end.
Si qufcris subscribi statuis Pater Academiarum ; si
clicto Principis fidem imples, quo Literatorum Fautor
publice audivisti ; haec Te cura quandoque tangat : hsec
edera inter olivas tuas circum tempora Tibi serpat.
Whoever wishes for more of literary disquisition on the
merits of this question, and on the much disputed point who
it was that originally suggested the reading Te, is referred
to Qucestiones VenusincB, No. VI. Gent. Mag. Sept. and
Dec. 1835, and Jan. 1836 ; to Dr. James Douglas's very
learned Dissertation on the first Ode, in the British Mu-
seum, (King's Library, 4 Y. 3) ; and above all to F. A.
Wolf, Afialecta Lifcraria, Vol. I. pp. 261—276. and Vol.
IL pp. 282, 3. 566-571.
To Wolf, also, (Vol. I. p. 266, Note,) before dismissing
the subject, let my obligation be acknowledged for pointing
out from Murctus the true sense of v. 20, in the first Ode^
certainly not in general correctly understood.
" Demere partem de solido die, sine ulla dubitatione est
wer^c?^«r^, i. e. ipso meridie horam unam aut alteram dor-
mire; quod qui faciunt, diem quodammodo frangunt et
dividunt, ncque cum solidum et 6x6>i>.y!pov esse patiuntur,
Varro alicubi (dc R. R. 1, 2, 5.) vocat diem dijfindere in-
siticio somno.'''' Muret. 0pp. T. i. p. 530. [Ed. Ruhnken.]
An oft quoted i)assage from TuUy presents us with several
curious particulars in a very small compass, the lucnhratio
relinquished and the meridiatio adopted, b. c. 44. during
his stay in the country.
Nunc quidem propter intermissionem forensis operse, et
lucubrationcs detraxi, et meridiationes addidi, quibus uti
antca non solcbam. — 2 De Divinat. 142.
(121)
APPENDIX IV.
ON AUGUSTUS CESAR AND THE SECOND
ODE, JAM SATIS TERRIS.
The notion of this well-known poem having been written
on account of the prodigies which followed the assassination
of Julius Caesar, it is hardly necessary to refute ; if it be
but for a moment recollected, that Horace himself was at
Athens in that year (b. c. 44.) and in the following years
was serving under Brutus, as trihunus militum. The argu-
ment of Sanadon, (following up a suggestion of Dacier,)
who grounds it on facts recorded by Dio, seems to afford as
complete a satisfaction perhaps, as such a question in this
age can well admit.
That historian informs us, (L. liii. 16, 20.) that in the
night of that day, the Ides of January, b. c. 27, on which
the high appellation of Augustus was conferred on Octa-
vianus Caesar, the Tiber swollen (after a thunderstorm pro-
bably enough) overflowed the lower parts of Rome with a
tremendous inundation. Whatever prognostic of Augus-
tus''s future greatness might, if Dio reports it aright, be
formed by soothsayers, Horace appears to have been led
into a very different train of sombre reflection. He construes
that awful visitation into a divine call for new measures to
expiate the accumulated guilt of so continued a civil war.
Scelus expiare (it is most justly remarked by Gesner) —
hie non est punire interfectores Caesaris ; hoc olim factum
erat, satisque parcntatum illi sanguine tot hominum : scd
purgare a scclerc, ab impietate bcllorum civilium, rem})ub-
licam, et pace firmare atque concordia. Haec res cum hu-
(122) APPENDIX IV.
manis viribus major videatur, Deorum alicui negotium uti
det Jupiter, rogant Romani, ut Apollini, &c.
Thus interpreted, the only passage which might subject
Horace to any charge of seeming to prompt vindictive
severity against his own comrades at Phihppi, falls to the
ground ; and the sentiments which he expresses on other
occasions at that period of his life, will be found in perfect
harmony with the explication here given.
In the Ode before us, his lamentation embraces all
parties, v. 21. Audiet cives acuisse ferrum, &c. and similarly
in that Ode, 2 C. i. beginning
Motum ex Metello consule civicum,
the language is quite impartial ;
vv. 4, 5. Arma \ Nondum expiatis uncta cruoribus.
and
vv, 29—31. Quis non Latino sanguine pinguior
Campus sepulchris impia prcelia
Testatur, &c. . . .
while the concluding stanzas of 1 C. xxxv. 33 — 40.
Elieu ! cicatricum . . . ferrum.
appeal to a religious kind of feeling, deeply characteristic,
which at that time prevailed ; that in atoning for any domestic
national crime the great healing course was to do their
country service by hazarding life against its unconquercd
foes.
The most dreadful example of such a principle operating
is supphed by Tacitus, Annal. i. 49. who in that well-known
narrative tells us, how, after the ringleaders of the mutiny
had been massacred by their fellow soldiers as a test of their
return to duty, the surviving perpetrators of the deed in-
stantly conceived this wild turn of enthusiasm.
Truces ctiam tum animos cupido involat eundi in hostem,
pkiculum furoris: nee alitcr posse placari commilitonum
ON AUGUSTUS C^SAU. (123)
manes, quam si pcctoribus impiis lioncsta vulncra accc])is-
scnt.
We may now return to Augustus so entitled ; first how-
ever premising, that a title like that, of sacred majesty, was
not likely at the first to be given as his designation in
common. Accordingly, even in the second book of Odes it
occurs once only, (2 C. ix. 19, 20.) and that in conjunction
with the name CcBsar: in the third book, only once alone
(3 C. V. 3.) and that in a very peculiar context. But in pro-
gress of years, as might be expected, the Epistles and the
fourth book of Odes show it to have then become familiar
enough to stand alone as a personal appellation in the lan-
suaffc of verse. Let this rather minute detail serve for the
correction of a slight error and oversight in Bentley, (De
Temporibus, § 6,) while it is impossible not to acknowledge
some confirmation thus afforded to his general theory.
It can hardly be necessary here to remark, that several
of the Poet's allusive meanings, clear enough at the time,
especially those on matters of state, have from the studious
delicacy of his language since vanished into thin air. The
famous Ode, 1 C. xiv. O navis, referent ... adduced by
Quintilian as a good example of allegory, has found an in-
genious solution (the only one at all consistent with our
chronology or with probability otherwise) in this happy con-
jecture of Sanadon ; that it owed its birth to that critical
season (b. c. 29.) when Csesar held deliberation with
Agrippa and Maecenas, whether to retain or resign the
sovereignty, whether to hazard or not the safety of the com-
monwealth by restoring the republic.
Horace, we may well believe, was determined by his
honest feelings on the side of tranquillity after such a scries
of storms. And his own words,
(124) APPENDIX IV.
vv. 17, IS. Nuper solicitum quae mihi taedium,
Nunc desideriura curaque non levis,
sufficiently indicate, that during the years of civil discord
he had known only distress and anxiety, while in the calm
repose which he now might enjoy, the deepest affections of
his heart found their natural anchorage. Nor can I deny
the tribute of assent and admiration to Sanadon's mode of
interpreting,
vv. 11, 12. Quamvis Pontica pinus,
Sylvae filia nobilis,
in reference to the Trojan origin of Jloman glory; while by
the line,
V. 10. Non Dii quos itemm pressa voces malo,
Horace beautifully intimates, that after such repeated mer-
cies nothing more could now be expected, if they would
ventiu-e out to sea again.
Thus far then we deny any thing whatsoever like adula-
tion to Augustus Caesar, or political apostacy, in the writings
of Horace. On the other hand, while no proof exists of
deep and remarkable attachment ever cherished to the party
of Brutus, it is gratifying to observe, that, so long as the
remembrance of Philippi retained any freshness about it,
Horace not only abstains from any hint of reprobation
thrown upon the cause itself, (in fact he never did so reflect
upon it,) but speaks in the most guarded and delicate man-
ner, where the mention of that name might have suggested
a compliment to Augustus as the leader of a party.
In that interesting Ode to Pompeius Varus, 2 C. vii.
9—12.
Tecum Philippos et celerem fugam
Sensi, relicta non bene parmula ;
C'uin fracta virtus, et minaces
Turpe solum tetigere mento.
ON AUGUSTUS C^I^-SAK. (125)
what clso do we read, but that those followers of Ignitus,
youn<T, ardent, and brave, did not realise on the field of
battle that high confidence of success with which they ap-
proached it. At all events, the attribute of military prowess,
elsewhere accorded to the victorious side, as in Horace''s
own words,
2 E. II. 47, 8. Civilisque onidcm belli tulit aestus in arma
Csesaris Aiigusti non responsura lacertis.
might surely be conceded by the vanquished party.
But, in truth, for the natural result of that as of the other
great engagements in the civil war, (Pharsalia, Fhilipj)!,
Actium,) Tacitus, when he has occasion to allow the com-
mencement in the East to be so far inauspicious to Vespa-
sian's enterprise, furnishes at once the brief solution : the
conquerors in each conflict had the old soldiers of the West
on their side.
Hist. II. 6. Namque olim validissima inter se civium arma,
in Italia Galliave, viribus Occidentis coepta. Et Pompeio,
Cassio, Bruto, Antonio, quos omnes trans mare secutum est
civile bellum, baud prosperi exitus fuerant.
After the battle of Philippi, so fatal to the republican
cause, when in the terse and pointed language of Tacitus,
Annal. i. 2. " Bruto et Cassio caesis, nulla jam puhlica
arma,'''' and more especially when after some happy years,
in which, under Maecenas's wing, Horace had enjoyed at
Rome the literary leisure which he loved ; his attachment
then to the cause of Caesar rather than to that of Antony,
on the quarrel between those competitors for empire bursting
out into war, cannot surely be wondered at, much less does
it require any excuse. Yet even then, though he has de-
voted an Ode to Cleopatra, a total silence regarding the
name of Antony in whatever he wrote, marks the delicacy
which he has observed on all subjects of political dissension.
" Nor on any occasion," to use the words of Mr. Dunlop,
(126) APPENDIX IV.
(Hist, of Rom. Lit. Vol. in. p. 232,) " is the great Pompey
or his son Sextus, long thechief enemy and rival of Augustus,
ever mentioned with contumely or disrespect." The only
exception, perhaps, appears in the ixth Epode, where Horace
refers to the convivial joy which a few years before (b.c. 36.)
he had shared with Maecenas on the defeat and flight of
Sextus Pompeius, vv. 7 — 10.
Ut nuper, actus cum freto Neptunius
Dux fugit ustis navibus,
Minatus urbi vincla, quae detraxerat
Servis amicus perfidis.
Agreeably to the above remark, even that Epode iv. Lupis
et agnis . . (very doubtfully inscribed in Mcenam) with all
its bitterness, if Moena can be the person attacked, aims the
invective against him, not as the adherent and partisan of
the younger Pompey, but as the insolent traitor and the
double renegado. On the contrary, to the stern republican
Cato and his Roman virtues, Horace in more than one
splendid passage has borne the testimony of avowed admira-
tion.
1 C. XII. .33—30. Romulum post hos prius, an quietum
Pompili regnum memorem, an superbos
Tarquini fasces, dubito, an Catonis
Nobile letum.
2 C. 1. 23, 4. Et cuncta terrarum subacta,
Prajter atrocem animum Catonis.
From that decisive day, Sept. 2, b. c. Z\,2iostqna7n hel-
Icitum apud Actium atque omnem potestatem ad unum
conferri pads interfuit, Tacit. Hist. i. 1, it may well be
excused, if the consideration of public affairs, as bearing on
Horace''s character, be not here pursued any farther. We
have already seen, P. D. 18 — 20, with what honest ardour he
celebrates the glories of Augustus at home and abroad : and
not a bi'cath of suspicion may be cast on gratulation or
panegyric in his later years, at a period when the strong
ON AUGUSTUS C^SAR. (127)
impulse of popul^ir attachment and delight must have
directed instead of following the language and emotions of
the Poet.
And here, connected intimately with the name of Au-
gustus, on account of a project, soon discarded perhaps if
ever seriously entertained by him let a page be devoted to
the remonstrance of Horace in that magnificent Ode, 3 C. iii.
Justum et tenacem propositi virum ... of which the poetry
and right feeling cannot be questioned, whether the patriotic
advice was wanted or not.
The merit of discovering its only assignable reference and
of developing its otherwise hidden beauties must be cheer-
fully conceded to Tanaquil Faber. According to his in-
genious conjecture, then, Augustus, it was fancied or feared,
meditated to transfer the seat of empire from Rome to Ilium,
(Alexandria 7iow would not be thought of,) following in that,
as was naturally supposed, the intention, so rumoured at one
time, of the great Julius.
" Quin etiam varia fama percrebruit migraturum Alexan-
driam vel Ilium, translatis simul opibus imperii, exhaustaque
Italia delectibus, et procuratione urbis amicis permissaJ*"
Sueton. § 79-
Had a design like this been compatible with a high sense-
of justice, which, in respect of Rome, it clearly was not,
Augustus might have been encouraged by the example of
other heroes to persevere and to accomplish it. But,
although conceived in a pious s-pmt—avitcB Trojce. (vv.
59, 60.) such a scheme must be utterly abhorrent to the
will of those deities, whose displeasure more than once had
laid Troy in ruins. And the Poet, therefore, working on
that ground, with admira])le skill represents Juno assenting
(128) APPENDIX V.
to the deification of Romulus, (vv. 32 — 36,) only to intro-
duce in a solemn declaration from her mouth the strict
condition, again and again repeated, on which alone his
Roman descendants might enjoy the empire of the world.
It is no slight confirmation surely of T. Faber's hypo-
thesis, that Virgil, towards the end of the xiith ^neid,
V. 828, Occidit, occideritque sinas, cum nomine Troja,
has concentered in that one verse, as the close of Juno's
final sj)eech to Jove, the whole drift and purpose of the long
oration which Horace in her person has delivered.
A coincidence of thought so remarkable as this could not
escape the notice of an editor like Heyne; who, however,
in claiming the priority of its expression for Virgil, has as-
sumed what here and elsewhere, in regard to anything
parallel in their writings, it would be a hard task critically
to demonstrate.
APPENDIX V.
DE PERSONIS HORATIANIS.
Weke the works of those commentators now extant who
in the later Scholia are often mentioned as having written dc
Personis or de nominibus Horatianis, we should enjoy
considerable advantage, no doubt, towards catching the point
of many slight and allusive notices now imperfectly under-
stood. But as the very fineness of touch, which gives the
zest to such things, especially in satire, is the more quickly
evanescent, the lapse of a very short time is often sufficient
i)E PEUSOXIS HOUATIAXIS. (129)
to render them irretrievably obscure. Of this truth, as
Gesner in his Prrefatio remarks, we have a curious example
in Brossett's Commentary on the Satires of Boileau ; which,
though drawn up in the lifetime of that writer, required the
aid of the Satirist himself for the completion of the task.
Whatever now exists for illustration of Horace from
sources of that traditional kind, may be found in the Indices
Nominum like that of Zeunius, or in the Onomasiicon of
the younger Ernesti. An article from the German of
Buttmann, on the Historical References and Allusions in
Horace^ is given in the Philological Museum^ No. in. pp.
439 — 484 ; to which the reader may be referred for a great
deal of curious and acute disquisition. The Greek names
Laloge^Glycera, &c.,occurringin Horace's Odes, he regards
as on the whole fictitious, p. 446 ; and cuts off all necessity
to trace the story of each person, beyond what each Ode sepa-
rately contains for elucidating itself.
For such interpretation as the knowledge of persons ad-
dressed or of political events alluded to must supply,
Buttmann's ingenious pages, though interesting whenever
consulted, yet to my mind, on many points, are far from
carrying conviction: for instance, where, as at page 483, in
regard to Sextus Pompeius and his party, he builds so much
on hypothetical history, purely so ; and particularly where he
represents Horace " in his 27th or 28th year," as having
" not yet formed any tie with the new rulers of the State.""
As bearing on the main purpose of a work like the
present, it is clear, that after the attention paid to Maecenas
and Augustus, the principal persons in our drama, few of
the many other Personce HoratianoR can require any long or
particular notice. Of those names, indeed, several belong
to the history of Rome, and can have little illustration here
but what is derived from that source ; such as Agrippa, and
Pollio, and Sallustius Crispus, the elder Lollius, and the
young Neros : others again are of the class of Roman
k
(130) APPENDIX V.
gentlemen and men of letters, such as tEHus Lamia, Aris-
tius Fuscus, Julius Florus, Pompeius Varus, Quintilius,
Numicius, &c. Several of the last description, especially
if they occur as repeatedly addressed or more than once
mentioned, may now commodiously, in the writings of
Horace chronologically arranged, be viewed according to
the natural order in which the circumstances personally
concerning them are presented to the eye of the reader.
Under this head something has been already done in the
Preface, for the names of Grosphus, Iccius, Quintius Hir-
pinus, and Septimius: nor could the literary friends of Ho-
race (P. D. 59, 60) as such be overlooked. Very much, after
all, must still be left to the taste of each individual reader,
and to the inclination which he feels for matters of such pecu-
liar research. One question of this kind relating to Septimius
may not unaptly be discussed here. If on the authority of
the Commentator Vetus, as exhibited by Cruquius, we are to
consider Titius (1 E. iii. 9.) and jSeptimius, (ix. 1.) as
names of the same person ; then it seems to follow, that the
Epistles III, VIII, and ix, do not now stand in the same order
of time in which they were originally written, that is, the
ixth, which recommends Septimius to the favour of Tiberius
Claudius Nero, must have preceded the iiid, in which
Titius is spoken of as already in the suite of that young
Prince : and not improbably it was by the hands of Sep-
timius when he carried that introduction, that the viiith
Epistle also was conveyed to Celsus Albinovanus, then one
of the party. Taken in this succession, these three Epistles
may perhaps be better understood and more agreeably
perused.
On Agrippa, however, and Sallustius the younger, and
Ndsidienus Riifiis and the Pisos, some short remarks may
clearly be permitted, from the relation which they bear to
Horace in one aspect or another.
DF. I'ERSONMS HOIt ATI AXIS. (^31)
1. Flattery of AciurPA has never been imputed to
Horace; in whose praises of the warrior (1 C. vi. Scriberis
Vario . . .) every compliment must be allowed to be })er-
fectly fair. His high fame too and popularity, even before
the battle of x\ctium, and the splendid Avoiks of his ^Edilc-
ship, (b.c.33.) are elsewhere (2 S. in. 185, and 1 E. vi. 26.)
briefly touched u])on.
The former of those passages may justify an observation
rising out of the nnachronism committed in it. The story
of Servius Ojipidius (vv. 168 — 186) is told by Horace
(lecturing in the mask of Stertinius) as having occurred at
Canusium when he was a boy. At that time, to say
nothing of other persons, no Agrippa was known: but the
playful aberration of Horace's pen, both as to place and to
date, only makes the introduction of Agrippa's name the
pleasanter on that account : with the son, already betraying
symptoms of yoimg ambition, the father expostulates before-
hand on the folly and madness of it.
vv. 185, 6. Scilicet ut plausus, quos fert Agrippa, feras tu,
Astuta ingenuum vulpes irahaXa leonem %
That Satire, on the other hand, 2 S. v. Hoc qiioque, Ti-
resia . . has of course all its anachronism instantly seen, as
is facetiously intended : and the anger of Ulysses,
vv. 18, 19. Utne tegam spurco Damae latus ? Haud ita Trojae
Me gessi, certans semper melioribus
has the more exquisite effect for the contrast of such an
ancient hero with such a modern upstart !
2. The younger Sallust, great nephev/ of the historian,
is linown to the readers of Horace from that beautiful Ode,
2 C. II. Nidlus argento . . . and I agree with Ernesti in his
Onomasticoii, that he must not be confounded with the
"Sallustius . . in libertinas inmniens . . of 1 S. ii. 48, 9,
apparently a much older man. What leads to the mention
of him in this place, is the similitude which Tacitus tells us
he bore to Maecenas, that is, in general character ; for anj
k2
(132) APPENDIX V.
thing like his participation in the murder of Postumus
Agrippa, (Annal. i. 6,) was never imputed to the Prime
Minister of Augustus.
Here is the masterly sketch of the Annalist, iii. 30.
Atque ille, quamquam prompto ad capessendos honores
aditu, Maecenatem cemulatus, sine dignitate Senatoria. mul-
tos triumphalium consulariumque potentia anteiit : diversus
a veterum instituto, per cultum et munditias ; copiaque et
adfluentia luxu propior : suberat tamen vigor animi, ingen-
tibus negotiis par, eo acrior, quo somnum et inertiara magis
ostentabat.
And in those significant words, we read the elementary
formation of a character, which, with various shades of better
and worse, came naturally to be cultivated under the altered
circumstances of imperial government.
The younger Sallust affords a clear specimen of its first
deterioration, in the covirt of Tiberius. Manius Lepidus,
on the other hand, even at that period, Tacitus records to
have been (Annal. iv. 20,) . . . illis temporibus gravem et
sapientem virum ; and after noticing the influence for good
possessed by him and exerted with that Prince, starts the
disquisition, " an sit aliquid in nostris consiliis, liceatque,
inter abruptam contumaciam, et deforme obsequium, pergere
iter, ambitione et periculis vacuum."
The picture of Crispus, in Domitian''s day, as a success-
ful good natured old courtier, but without any ability or
wish to exemplify the virtues of Lepidus, we may peruse
finely delineated in these verses of the contemporary Satirist.
Juv. S. IV. 81 91. Venit et Crispi jucunda senectus,
Cujus erant mores, qualis facundia, mite
Ingenium. IMaria ac terras populosque regenti
Quis comes utilior, si clade et peste sub ilia
Saevitiam damnare, et honestum adferre liceret
Consilium ? Sed quid violentius aure tyranni,
Cum quo de pluviis aut sestibus, aut nimboso
Vere, locuturi fatum pendebat amici ?
DK PKHSONIS HOKATIANIS. (133)
llle igitiu' nunquam direxit brachia contra
Torrentem ; nee civis erat, qui libera posset
Verba animi proferre, et vitam impendere vero.
The portrait of Agricola, known to every scholar, as drawn
at full length by the affectionate pencil of his son-in-law,
may conclude the catalogue. The partial admiration, how-
ever, of Tacitus for that great and good man, has tempted
the biographer into an apparent severity of reflection on
persons not endowed with felicity of temperament like his.
S. 42. Sciant quibus moris illicita mirari, posse etiam sub
malis principibus magnos viros esse : obsequiumque ac
modestiam, si industria et vigor adsint, eo laudis excedere,
quo plerique per abrupta, sed in nullum reipublicae usum,
ambitiosa morte inclaruerunt.
And yet Agricola, we read, even if he died by a natural
death, was hardly permitted to end his days in peace. Nor
could Tacitus, when afterwards on the high road of his-
torical duty, deny the stamp of his deepest praise to Pastus
Thrasea and Barea Soranus, and to other noble spirits,
whose examples of fortitude and honesty, in the worst of
times, demonstrate that Cassius himself (Annal. iv. 34,)
was not truly called the ultimus Romanoriim.
3. The entertainment of Nasidienus Rufus, " a man of
fashion in other respects, but pettily ostentatious of his
wealth," has been already noticed (App. iii. p. 114) in proof
of Maecenas's sometimes going out to an early, that is, to a
fashionable dinner. The name of the entertainer has
afforded scope for the acuteness and erudition of Buttmann
(«. s. p. 472.) in pursuing the conjecture of Lambinus,
that, to preserve some semblance of delicacy, Horace under
that gi-otesque name really intended to denote Salvidienus
Rufus, a person historically known from many writers who
have mentioned him.
I cannot here refuse myself the opportunity to state, that,
though somewhat refined perhaps and fanciful, Buttmann's
Dissertation {u. s. p. 480.) on Horace's Licymnia,
2 C. XII. 13. Me dulces dominaB Musa Licymniae...
(134) APPENDIX V.
as a name (eotlem numero syllabaruni et literarurn) under
which poetically to shadow the real Tereiitia of Maecenas,
may be quoted as another instance of his happily settling a
point which had been well started before.
But that il/fccewa? himself was in any similar way adum-
brated under the name of Malthinus, in the famous
passage, 1 S, ii. 24, 5.
Dum vitant stuHi vitia, in contraria currunt i
3Ialthinus tunicis demissis ambiilat. . . .
after all the ingenious pleadings and delicate qualifyings
of Buttmann, («. s. p. 473.) is what I am quite content to
reject and disbelieve^ in such company as that of Lambi-
nus, Torrentius, Gesner, and Wieland.
Independently, however, of all other considerations ob-
vious enough regarding the Poet and the Patron, it will
appear, that Chronology has much moi'e to do in deciding
this question, than any one hitherto has observed or sus-
pected.
About the date b. c. 39, when Horace is supposed to
have touched with such sharp ridicule effeminacy like this
in Maecenas, that person was in the prime of a young and
active life; and afterwards at the battle of Actium (b. c. 31.),
as commander of the ships called Lihnrnian^ he certainly
bore a strenuous part in obtaining the victory of that me-
morable day. When, therefore, we read in Seneca the
compliment paid to him for a noble sentiment, at the close
of the Epistle, xiv. 93.
Diserte Maecenas ait :
" Nee tumulum euro, sepelit natura relictos."
Alte cinctum putes dixisse : habuit enim ingenium et
grande et virile, nisi illud ipse discinxisset — how, let me ask,
are we at all to understand the compliment, if that grande
et virile incjeninm did not actually belong to him in his earlier
years ? Only allow this plain piece of justice to Maecenas,
perfectly consistent as it is with every thing otherwise known
of him ; and it becomes palpable at once, that the effeminacy
DE PKRSONIS HOUATIANIS. (135)
imputed to him elsewhere by Seneca, even with the words
solutis timicis, Ep. xx. 115. and re-echoed by Juvenal,
must have been realized, (postquam ilium enervasset felici-
tas), in the acquired foibles of his later years only.
In this view of the whole matter, we instantly discover
what the plausible error was that misled the commentator
Acron, catching up the general hint from Seneca and Juve-
nal, &c., and utterly disregarding the chronological series of
things ; without attending to which even the cleverest
scholars, it has been shown, have fallen into very strange
hallucinations.
The elder Scaliger, in his Poet ice, 1607, p. 344, shall
here be quoted, in farther proof of the gross mistakes com-
mitted by the most eminent critics, from ignorance or ne-
glect of chronology.
Ingratus Horatius, atque animo barbaro atque servili, qui
ne a Mascenate quidem abstinere potuit: siquidem, quod
aiunt, verum est, ]\Ialchinum ab eo appellatum, cujus de-
missas notaret tunicas. Ager enim Sabinus, quo Canicula
ilia a divino viro donata fuerat, tantus tantique erat, ut ob-
jectu suo posset malefici oculi visum intercipere, quo minus
tunicarum demissione ofFenderetur.
At the time when the first book of Satires was published,
that ager Sabinus, as we have already seen, had yet to be
bestowed by INIsecenas upon Horace !
4. So much has been done and with such entire satisfac-
tion by Wieland abroad, and by our own elder Col man at
home, to set the Ejjistola ad Pisgnes cle Arte Poetica in
its true light, that hardly any room is left to desiderate or
expect farther elucidation of it now.
If, however, any farther proof were wanted that the family
of the Pisos did cultivate poetical talent, and with some dis-
tinction too, the following extract from Pliny's Letter to
Spurinna (v. I7.) may serve to place that fact beyond a
doubt . . . nuncio tibi fuisse me hodie in auditorio Calpurnii
Pisonis . recitabat ^aracTTEpicrjwwy \_relationuui in stellas
(13G) Al'PliXDlX V.
sc. rerum Jiominnmqiie in sidera relatorum historiarum^
eruditam sane luculentamque materiara ..... Ne pkira
(quamquam libet plura, quo sunt pulchriora de juvene, rariora
de nobili) recitatione finita, multum ac diu exosculatus ado-
lescentem, qui est acerrimus stimulus nionendi, laudibus in-
citavi, ' pergeret qua coepisset, Z?r?wewque quod sihi majores
sui prceiulissent, posteris ipse prasferret.'
Perhaps a more striking example of the success with which
a writer in one of his works may be brought to illustrate him-
self in another, cannot be adduced, than the contrast betwixt
Horace's fine address in recommending the good poets of his
own age to imperial favour (2 E. i. ad August, especially vv.
118 — 138.), and his bold way in exposing the bad or doubt-
ful poet to interminable ridicule, at the close of his personal
Epistle to the Pisos. This consideration, as showing the
totally different objects which Horace had in view, might
alone have sufficed to demonstrate what the poem so long
miscalled Ars Poetica should really be esteemed.
The services of Wieland, as an expositor of Horace, if at
all calculated from his merit in regard to that Epistle, must
excite a strong desire to have them made more generally be-
neficial to the many classical students who cannot read
German. Horace"'s literary and critical writings, some of
the Satires in particular, require all the advantage that can
be given, of full and luminous dissertation : and I cannot
lose the opportunity, here presented or sought, to suggest,
that a judicious selection from Wieland, well translated by
an Horatian Scholar, would confer an inestimable benefit
wherever the study of Horace is liberally prosecuted in the
Schools and Colleges of this country.
It has been said in a former page (P. D. 70) that Horace
was "too shy or too proud for public recitation and the
common modes of courting popularity."
The matters there alluded to, on IIorace"'s account, may
deserve more particular developement ; and if any apology
be needed for giving a brief notice of them in this place, let
DE PERSON IS HOKATIANIS. (^37)
my excuse be pleaded in the passage recently quoted from
Pliny or in that picture of the recitator acerhus with which
the Epistle to the Pisos is concluded.
First of all then, private recitation of the Poet to a few
friends, as we gather from 1 S. iv. 73. or to Augustus, as
some other Poets did, 2 E. i. 223, and 1 E. xix. 43, or to a
friendly critic like Quintilius, A. P. 438, was practised by
Horace himself. And thus, young Piso (vv. 387, ^) is ad-
vised to submit his compositions in the first instance to the
criticism of Maecius and his father and Horace.
Secondly, other Poets did not scruple to recite their writ-
ings at the common bath or even in the Forum, (1 S. iv.
74, 5), or to bribe a low audience for a public recitation
1 E. XIX. 37, 8).
Thirdly, some authors made interest with the masters of
schools to get their poetry into daily use by dictation ; a
practice which Horace mentions with great disdain. (1 S.
X. 74, 5. 1 E. XIX. 39, 40.)
And lastly, then, as Horace at an early period evidently
disliked to make his pieces known by the usual way of reci-
tation (1 S. IV. 23.), so on reaching the advanced maturity
of authorship, his pride lay in being read (1 E. xix. 3i) by
the respectable few ; and of course he took the higher mode
only of publishing by means of the bookseller. That Epistle
(xx.) Ad Lihrum simrn^ accordingly, will reward the perusal:
it is full of amusing and curious particulars.
Whatever honour has been attached to the name of
LoLLius (the Consul of B. c. 21.) by that splendid Ode, 4, ix.
Ne forte credas .... may well be received as the tribute of
sincerity and truth from his admiring and devoted friend ;
especially when the date of its composition is considered,
some 15 years before the time when Augustus entrusted
him with the personal care and military education of his
(138) APPENDIX V.
grandson Caius, b. c. 1.; and of course long before any im-
putation whatever could have been cast on his public or his
private integrity.
The vindication of LoUius from certain calumnies, for
which no pretence can be found before the period when as
the tutor of the young Prince he incurred the hatred of
Tiberius, I have with great care and perhaps not without
success undertaken in the Gentleman^'s Magazine, May,
1834, under the title of Vindicm LoUiana.
The two passages of Velleius Paterculus and one of the
Elder Pliny, on which alone those calumnies are founded,
are in that article produced and subjected to severe examin-
ation. Of any fact or even hint in disparagement of
Lollius\s character, neither in Tacitus nor in Suetonius,
does one historical vestige appear ; while of Velleius^s base-
ness in flattering the bad passions of Tiberius, proofs and
testimonies are brought forward enough to satisfy any rea-
sonable demand.
And I am strangely mistaken if Horace himself, not-
withstanding the honours paid to the "Major Neronum"
(4 C. XIV. 14.) in his best days (egregius vita famaque quoad
privatus vel in imperiis sub Augusto fuit. Ann. vi. 51.) did
not owe a very marked suppression of his name to that very
Ode in praise of Lollius which we are now considering. To
what cause, indeed, so probable as Tiberian malignity deeply
operating, may the following fact be attributed .'*
In Velleius's catalogue of Roman Poets, L. ii. c. 36,
§ § 2, 3, the names of Lucretius, Catullus, Virgil, Tibullus,
and Naso, are all prominently paraded : — that of Horace is
not visible!
Could this striking omission then be the result of mere
oversight, with such immense chances in calculation against
it ? or is it not naturally accounted for at once, by suppos-
ing it a sacrifice to the dark disgust of Tibcrius's eye ?
039)
APPENDIX VI.
ON HORACE'S OBLIGATIONS TO THE GREEK POETS.
It has been already stated (P. D. 7O) that Horace acknow-
ledged and justified his borrowing the metres of Archilochus
and of Alcaeus, with such adaptation as the genius of the
Latin language required.
The point of his more substantial obligations to the
Greek Poets in subject, imagery, and sentiment, may be
studied with advantage in a work of curious literature quoted
below*. I am inclined to think, however, that the amount
of what he owes on that score (and avowedly incurred, for
such imitation was an honorable task) has been greatly
overrated. And if an estimate in other cases may be taken
on the average from that fragment of Alcaeus (even allowing
the ingenious emendation of x^°^^ • • • Tralsiv for nva . . .
TTlVZiv) . . .
the sum total then of the debt will prove no great deduc-
tion from the solidity of his fame.
At the most, Alcaus supplies only the catchword of the
Ode, 1 C. xxxvii.
Nunc est bibendum, nunc pede libero
Pulsauda tellus :
* Q. Horatii Flacci Carmina CoUatione Scriptomm Graecorum illustrata
ab Henrico Wagnero. Praefatus est Christ. Adolphus Klotzius. Hal%.
1770.
(110) APPENDIX VII.
for besides the characteristic tovich, pede libero, the foot
now o^ freedom and security ; at the very next moment,
nunc Saliaribus
Ornare pulvinar Deorum
Tempus erat dapibus, sodales. . . .
there comes a change over the spirit of the song ; the sub-
ject is "essentially Rom.an;" and as it has been well re-
marked, (Encyclopaedia Metropolitana, Horace — Latin
Poetry, p. 400,) " the magnificent description of Cleopatni
gives the stamp of original genius to the whole."
Thus too the Ode 1 C. xviii.
Nullum, Vare, sacra vite prius sevens arborem.
opens with a strict translation from the well known verse of
A) casus,
yiri^ev axy^o (puTei/a-iii tt^ots^ov ^bv^^eov a/^TTEXco,
" But the ftolum Tihuris and the meenia Catili in the very
next line domesticate the production with peculiar felicity."
(Encycl. Metr.)
APPENDIX VII.
QU^STIONES HORATIAN^.
Scripsit C. KiRCHNEB, S. Theol. et Phil. Dr. Scholae Prov.
Portcnsis Rector. — Lipsiae. 183-1.
The first of these Questions, occupying 41 pages out of the
60, is entitled Ve Bentleiana Temj^orum^ quihus Horatlus
CiU.KSTIONliS llUliATlAN.F.. (141)
Poematmn suormn Lihros scripsit, const iUitione : and to the
system laid down by Dr. Bentley, he is on four different
heads decidedly opposed.
Bentley is wrong, he alleges, in asserting (1 .) that Horace
at one and the same time devoted his pen only to one species
of composition, and (2.) that Horace did not give publica-
tion to separate pieces, but only to whole books at a time.
Bentley is wrong also in asserting (3.), that Horace pub-
lished the books separately one by one, and not more than
one together.
Bentley is farther wrong in determining (4.) the years
within which the several volumes were composed.
Under the first of these heads, let me be allowed to show
a specimen of Kirchner's proposed arrangement.
In the year b. c. 28. and of Horace 37. Kirchner fixes his
date for the following pieces, for instance, amongst others,
2 S. I. SuJit quibus in Satird.. . 1 C. xxxi. Quid dedica-
tum ... 2C. XV. Jam pauca aratro . . . and 3 C. vi. Delicta
majorum ....
It is on the suggestions of a fanciful and capricious inge-
nuity, that Kirchner, like a new Sanadon, has perpetrated
this strange divulsion of wholes from wholes, and a conjunc-
tion as strange of pieces with pieces tied ohtorto collo together.
The very sight of his Tabula Chronohgica Horatiana is
quite enough to astonish and offend by the presumption with
which every single piece has its separate year precisely
affixed to it, and by the boldness with which all the pieces
are dissevered from that connection within the same book,
which had remained undisturbed for seventeen centuries.
Luckily, on the one hand, internal evidence, derived from
comparing the Alcaic metre in different books, affords an
argument which cannot well be eluded : and as if to stumble
at that block, Kirchner does not hesitate to declare, that all
the Odes of the first, second, and third books were promis-
cuously written and then published collectively at once in b. c.
(142) APPENDIX VII.
18. Of course, therefore, when he places 2 C xiii. Ille et
iiefasto ... in the same year as 3 C. ii. iii. xxix. ; and 2 C.
XIX. Bacchnm in remotis ... in the same year as 3 C. iv. with
certain inferior modes of structure visible in Odes of the
second book from which all those in the third are entirely
exempt ; he blunders on in the same unsuspecting ignorance
about the progressive change in Horace's versification, which
has been already produced as an argument against Sanadon.
P. D. p. 10.
On the other hand, with regard to the historical facts
themselves and the years of their occurrence, Kirchner
may be generally right : it is not on that ground perhaps
that any serious objection can be brought against him. His
hastiness in every where assuming the identity of such an
allusion to a foreign name in Horace with such an event or
such a war at such a precise time, this may be regarded as
the ignis fatuus, by which he is perpetually led astray in
venturing to fix the date of each separate piece.
Let one instance sxiffice to exemplify the nature of that
assertion here made: a detailed examination of the whole
would require a volume. Horace, in 3 C. xxiv. addresses
<the Roman reader thus,
Intactis opulentior
Thesauris Arubiim et divitis Indias. . .
Therefore, says Kirchner, that Ode must have been
written before the year b. c. 24. in which yElius Gallus is
recorded to have led an expedition into Arabia Felix. That
invasion, however, terminated, we are told, without success ;
so that the treasures of Arabia remained as entire and un-
rifled after that event as they were before it. Yet on such
a slight and shadowy link of association as this, Kirchner
does not scruple to hang his hypothesis of the new date b, c.
28. and his dislocation of it from Bentley''s position at b. c,
24, 23: whereas the very mention of rich India along with
Arabia's treasures (as elsewhere, 1 E. vi. 6.) sufficiently
QU.ESTIOXKS hoi{.\ttax.t;. (H'.S)
shows that it Is only a proverbial kind of expression for
stores of unbounded opulence. That personal address, 1 C.
XXIX, on the contrary. . . Icci^ heatis nunc Arahum invides,
— carries on the face of it evidence of an expedition then
talked of or projected against Arabia ; and in these terms —
non ante devictis Saba?ge | Regibus . , . might possibly
suggest the application of a political meaning to Intactin
which does not belong to that word in such a context.
Then too, (just to give a second instance,) because there
is a great general amnesty recorded in b. c. 39, the Pom-
peius of 2 C. VII. could not have been restored from exile,
according to Kirchner, by any other act of grace, public or
private : and that Ode therefore must be referred to b. c.
39, in the 26th year of Horace''s age.
Mark the consequence.
This fine poetical composition, O scepe mecum . . is by
Kirchner set down as the very first Ode ever written by Ho-
race; and that too, seven years before the date b. c. 32,
assigned by Kirchner himself to the Satire, 1 S. iv, Eupolis
atque Cratimis . . in which Horace says, as plainly as a man
can say it, that he had not then written any thing which
could entitle him to the name of Poet.
vv. 41, 2. neque, si quis scribat, uti nos,
Sermoni propiora, putes hunc esse Poetam.
But from want of correct knowledge also as to the localitiet
of Horace and the chronology connected with them, Kirchner
has gone grossly wrong in interpreting an Ode of the very
plainest meaning, 2 C. vi. Sept i mi Gcides ... He argues
from vv. 5, 6.
Tibur Argeo positiim colono
Sit mese sedes utinam senectae, &c
that Horace was then praying for the Sahine Estate which
he had not yet obtained : he accordingly gives to that Ode
(144) APPENDIX VII.
the early date of b. c. 36, and then places the Satire,
2 S. vj. Hoc erat in votis . . . along with the fact of Horace
getting that property, in the suhsequent year b. c. 31.
Whereas in the year b. c. 36. as we calculate, Horace was
enriched with the Sabine villa by his patron Maecenas; about
b. c. 31. he purchased or rented the cottage at Tivoli; and
in b. c. 26 or 25. he was putting up the prayer to end his
days in that delightful spot, to which his attachment grew
the more ardent, the longer he knew it.
Such is our account of the matter : such is that of Dr.
Kirch ner.
Kirchner"'s second objection charges Bentley with assert-
ing, that Horace did not give publication to separate pieces,
but only to whole books at a time. Here distinction is
necessary.
No one denies, nor did Bentley mean to deny, that Horace
must have allowed several of his writings to be known
amongst his friends at the time, either by private recitation,
or by giving copies of some pieces, just as they were written.
From hence a partial publicity would be acquired; as
unquestionably was the case with two of his Satires, from the
mention of Rufillus, 1 S. ii. 27. compared with iv. 92. and
of Lucilius 1 S. IV. 8, 9- compared with 1 S. x. 1. The
collective publication of the pieces afterwards in separate
books is all that we contend for.
And as to the third head of objection, that Bentley is
wrong in asserting Horace to have published the books
separately one by one, and not more than one book at a time :
a sufficient answer on that head has been virtually given, in
considering the principal point of it, whether the first,
second, and third books of Odes could be, as Kirchner
QU^STTONF.S HORATIAK^. (145)
alleges, promiscuously writteu aud then published together
all at once.
Nor is an immediate answer wanting to meet that one
allegation (at least) under the fourth head, that Bentley is
wrong in allowing to Horace (as he appears to do) intervals
of idleness betwixt one set of books and another. As to that
subject of mere oversight or omission on the part of Bentley,
satisfactory explanation has been already afforded in P. D.
p. 82.
The most ingenious and plausible perhaps of all Kirch-
ner's conjectures is that which he has started under his
Qu.ESTio (iv**) p. 54. De Itinere Brundusmo. Horace,
he suggests, at p. 60, might have taken that opportunity to
go on from Brundusium to Tarentum : when there, he might
have written that Satire itself, 1 S. v. Egressum magna . . .
from thence he might have returned to Rome by the direct
way through Venusia : when at his native spot, he might
have addressed that Ode to the P'ons Bandusinus, 3 C. xiii. ;
and having at the same time renewed his friendship with the
worthy old man Ofellus, he might on his return home have
composed the beautiful Satire, 2 S. ii. Quce virtus
And besides all this, for some reason or other, he might in
that year have written the Epode xi. Petti, nihil me . . . .;
and the dialogue with Archytas too, 1 C. xxviii. Te maris
et terra . . . . — " why so?" if you ask: Tarentum (v, 29) is
certainly mentioned in it.
In this complex scheme, built on a series of assumptions,
even that part which regards the visit to Ofellus, though it
carries an air of probability with it, is by.no means wanted to
account for Horace's actual acquaintance with those facts :
1
(14G) APi'KXDix vn.
vv. 1 1 4 - 1 1 (!. Videas metato in agello
{'iim ppcoro et gnatis fortem mercede colonniii,
Non ego, narrantem, &c.
From
1 S. VI. 104, 5. Nunc mihi cnrto
Ire licet mulo, vel, si libet, usque Tarentum :
we clearly gather that an occasional excursion to Venusia
in his younger days would cost him very little trouble,
when even some twenty years afterwards he records his in-
tention (1 E. XV.) to ride as far as Velia or Salernum : and
the very phrase videas, if that necessarily implies personal
observation on the spot, rather than knowledge from report
which might reach him at Rome, by no means involves in
it any assertion equivalent to that which the words nuper
vidi would express.
Then for the Fountain of Bandusia. — If that Ode had
been written on occasion of such a visit so paid, in the very
spot where his playful childhood was passed, would the man
have quite forgotten the boy, and totally forborne the least
allusion to his early reminiscences ? An idea like this
borders on the impossible ; more especially with Horace,
who has so minutely recorded whatever else belonged to the
history of his boyhood. Such and so unaccountable then
is the Poet's silence about himself and his childish days, if
the Fountain which he has thus canonised, had its local
habitation and its name in the neighbourhood of Venusia
only ; while, in aid of that negative argument, every local
circumstance otherwise known in the picture of Horace's
Sabine Villa and the fine spring of water unquestionably ad-
joining it, vividly corresponds with the scenery exhibited in
this very Ode.
Then too, if an apotheosis conceived in the high spirit of
poetry like that could, consistently with Horace's own ac-
count of his beginning the lyrical style only when an inmate
of Tivoli, be allowed to have been written many years before
lie ever dwelt there ; another objection in a different quarter
QU.ESTIONES TIORATIANT-.. {^^7)
arises little perhaps suspected by Kirchncr, and for which
he will hardly, I fear, have any answer provided. It is
this : with the exception of that Epistle, written one summer
(1 E. II. 2.) from cool Prteneste, and suggested by what he
had been recently reading there, Horace does not appear
from any intimation extant, (I speak advisedly,) to have em-
ployed himself in writing any where, unless at his usual
places of residence, Tivoli and the Sabine Villa in his later
days, Rome chiefly perhaps at an earlier period. At all
events, we are specifically told, that in his winter plan for
going down to the sea, (to Baiae, generally,) lie expected to
read, it is true,
1 E. VII. 11, 12. Ad mare desceridet vates tuns, etsii)i parcet,
Contractiisque Icgct:
but not a word, be it remarked, of any thing in the shape oi"
poetical composition is there mentioned. And if at any
.season he had given way to the temptation of occasional
writing, admonUu locorum, is it probable, let me ask, that
not one trace should now remain of his Muse having been
on any spot occupied in any task of that nature .?
'* Nee vola nee vestigium e.xtat."
Finally, and to have done, it may afford something more
than amusement to observe, how the two principal anta-
gonists of our system, united only in rejecting it, differ iota
coelo from each other in the detail of what they would sub-
stitute: in fact, they have no common principle upon which
to proceed together, nor, as far as I can discover, has either
of them any distinct plan to guide his separate researches.
In noticing Dr. Kirchner therefore as the new Sanadon,
I had no design to insinuate that he follows the steps of
that lively and oracular critic. Quite the contrary indeed :
liis course is far more eccentric than that of his predecessor ;
12
(148) APPENDIX VII.
as the brief but faithful statement here given may serve to
exemplify.
M. Sanadon, in the Nouvelle Distribution, comprises his
first book of Odes (made up of 18 Odes and 2 Epodes)
within the 25th and 31st years of Horace, a space of seven
years : Dr. Kirchner in his arrangement scatters those 20
pieces over twenty-four years, that is, between the years
26 and 49 of Horace's Hfe, placing two, and two only, of
the whole number, within the limits assigned to them by M.
Sanadon.
Here then are two scholars by profession, evidently men
of erudition and talent, labouring with all diligence to illus-
trate de novo the life and writings of Horace. And what is
the result .'* At first setting out they so far agree as to
throw down and forsake the old landmarks of that division
into books, which from the earliest age is known to have
existed : and when, on returning from their respective dis-
coveries, the report of the German is contrasted with that
of the French adventurer, from the first specimen of com-
parison, what else are we naturally led to conclude, but
that one of them cannot have gone right, most likely from
the chances of error that they both have gone wrong }
If, however, after all, any person should feel inclined to
form on fuller examination his own judgment of their re-
spective merits, the volumes of Sanadon are to be found in
the British Museum ; and a copy of the Qu.estiones
HoRATiAN.E of Kirchucr is now placed there on purpose,
that the whole treatise, and particularly his Tabula Chro-
nologica Horatiana, or balance sheet, may be at any time
inspected.
(149)
APPENDIX VIII.
SOME ACCOUNT OF THE TEXT OF THIS EDITION, AND OF
THE READINGS DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF GESNER,
ADOPTED FOR ITS IMPROVEMENT.
" On printing for the first time the books of Horace in
their Chronological order, as established by Dr. Bentley, no
mark of respect seemed more natural than to preserve the
text of his own edition." Horat. Restit. 1832, p. (v.) And
yet either for private reading or for use in schools espe-
cially, I must now candidly confess, that the many pecu-
liarities in Bentley''s Horace render it much less acceptable
than other editions of very inferior merit. Under this im-
pression, and with that deference justly due to the name of
Gesner, having determined to reprint the text, gcnerdlly,
from his first edition in 1752, (for the second in 177^ came
out after his death,) after much inquiry, I at length pro-
cured, from Rome, a copy of that work. From his Ad-
denda at the close of the volume it appears that the task
of correcting the press during his own illness {gravi morho
decumbent is) was undertaken by his friend Joh. Fhid.
Fischer ; and I beg leave to plead that fact as my excuse,
for having committed myself too far to recede, before the
numerous, gross, and unaccountable errata in the book were
on a closer acquaintance with its contents detected. Let this
acknowledgment suffice for the present.
I proceed briefly to state the principal changes, here in-
troduced, with a view to render the text of this edition
something nearer to that genuine character, which it bore
from the Poet's own hand.
I. What has been done in punctuation or in the aids to
it, shall be first noticed. The use of a mark to distingui:>li
(150) APPENDIX VIII.
the new person speaking, or for the moment imagined as it
were to speak, those duo puncta in Baxter Porphyrionis
admonitii, as altered by Gesner to the form ^, I have here
with little deviation retained ; though perfectly conscious of
peculiar difficulties in so delicate a matter, and impelled in
some instances to correct what appeared to me erroneous,
as at 1 S. VI. 39, 40, where the transition from one party
speaking, to the other, demands to be so distinguished.
^[ At Novius collega gradu post me sedet uno ; &c.
Of Gesner's text corrected where faulty in the interro-
f/ative mur'k, 1 C. viii. 1 — 4, may serve as one instance.
He edits thus.
Perdere ? atque solis ?
Other cases have been similarly attended to.
To show where the protasis (or preamble) terminates, or
where the several branches of it end, the mark — has been,
and perhaps advantageously, used, as for instance in ] E.
XV. 13, 21, 24.
A caution of this kind is the more necessary in Horace,
from the manner so habitual to him of making one conjunc-
tion serve for several clauses without the hint of et or the
like to connect them.
Thus, in 1 E. xi. vv. 25, 6, 7? the true meaning would
be more distinctly seen at once, if exhibited in this manner
to the eye.
Nam si ratio et prudentia curas,
Non locus, effusi late maris arbiter, aufert ;
Coelum, non animum mutant, qui trans mare currunt ; —
Strenua nos exercet inertia :
Singularly enough, we are told by Suetonius, that Augustus
Caesar (c. 8G,) was both aware of the obscurity which arose
from this neglect, and in his own writing took great care
to avoid it.
ON THE TEXT OF THIS EDITION. (151)
Prsecipuam curam tluxit sensum animi quam apcrtissime
cx])rimcrc : quod quo facilius efficcret, aut necubi Icctorcm
vel auditorem obturbaret ac moraretur, neque prsepositioncs
verbis addere neque coiijmictiones saepius iterare dubitavit,
qufB detractje afferunt aliquid obscuritatis, etsi gratiam
augent.
The parenthetic mark also, when critically interposed,
may serve well to prevent confusion and mistake. The
following passage, awkward at the best, affords good illus-
tration of such a use ;
1 S. IV. 69 — Ti. Ut sis tu similis Coelt Birrique, latronum,
Non ego sim Capri neque Sulci; (cur metuas me?)
Nulla taberna raeos habeat neque pila libellos,
Queis manus insudet vulgi Hermogenisque Tigelli,
Nee recitem quidquam, nisi amicis, idque coactus
Non ubivis, coramve quibuslibet.
Where unless the words . . cur metuas me? . . be kept se-
parate by a parenthesis, the continuity of the sense is en-
tirely lost. A rough translation will show it sufficiently.
Though you may resemble those highwaymen, Coelius
and Birrius, it does not follow that I am to be like Caprius
or Sulcius, the informers, (why need you then be afraid of
me.'') nor that any shop should have my writings for sale, nor
yet that I should make a common practice of rehearsing,
&c., &c.
Here, be it remarked, the old commentator in Cruquius
seems to have rightly apprehended the difficulty of the
passage, as it usually stands ; which he would rectify by
supplying cum before v. 71- [Cum] nulla taberna, &c.
With cum, sure enough, every thing would run on per-
spicuously and well : but then cum is not there, and it
cannot on any pretence be understood.
Nor is the mark here occasionally set on the a final with-
out its advantage, to show the true reading; especiallv where
a change in the text has taken phice, as 1 Sat. ix. 29, 30.
Sabella [ Quod puero ceciuit mota diviua anus urnu.
(152) Appendix viif.
or more clearly to denounce the false reading by thus ex-
hibiting the true one :
3 C. XXIII. 18. Non sumtuosa blandior hostia ; [manus sc. futura]
that is, not more likely to win its prayer for a costly
victim : where also the prosodial power of bl to lengthen
the 5th syllable with a short in thesi cannot be defended
even by Bentley''s authority.
II. A scrupulous attention indeed has been here paid to
metrical accuracy ; but with no change of the text on that
account, unless recommended by the name of some eminent
scholar who has suggested it, or by internal evidence also
supporting the change.
Ep. V. 100. Et Esquilince alites.
" Animadverte," says Julius Caesar Scaliger, " vocem
banc, alites, multis in locis ab Horatio repetitam, quam
adeo amavit, ut maluerit hie, quam quod potuit. Vultures ;
et fugisset licentiam neglectae coUisionis.*" Poetice. 1607>
p. 821.
I have adopted, more from necessity than from choice,
the reading,
Et Esqiiilinite alites.
where ic final in thesi is elided, without offence, just as
it is,
Ep. HI. 16. Siticulos<E Appulia;.
Again,
2 C. XX. 13. Jam Daedaleo ocyor Icaro
presents an offensive hiatus, for which, in the practice of
Horace, no parallel can be found. — For,
Ep. xm. 3. TLreicio Aquiloiie sonant
ox THE TEXT OF THIS EDITION. (153)
lias the long vowel in arsi and that of dactylic verse,
quite differently posited.
Tidior for ocyor is ingenious, and unquestionably im-
proves the text by the idea of safety. But the extent of
the Poet's fame demands the reading notiot\ which I have
preferred. The whole tenor of that and the following
stanza beautifully corresponds with it.
17,18,19. 3/cColchus
et ultimi
Noscent Geloni.
So too,
A. P. 345, 6. Hie meret sera liber Sosiis: hie et mare transit,
Et longum nolo scriptori prorogat aevum.
Again, the common reading,
3 C. XIV. 11. male omiiiatis | Parcite verbis.
has been with some plausibility defended. I have here
followed Bentley, but doubtingly, I confess, in his
emendation.
.... male i/jominatis | Parcite verbis.
Once more,
3 C. V. 17, 18. Si 11011 perire^ immiserabilis
Captiva pubes ....
Glareanus (now 300 years ago) saw with just intuition
the fault of this text, that it wants the 5th syllable long ;
and his emendation of T^ex'uent, as farther improved by
Bentley''s immiserabi/e-s, I have cheerfully adopted.
All the instances adduced to support perire^ in that posi-
tion are foreign to the purpose, either like one of several,
the first here quoted,
3 C. XVI. 26. Quicquid ar«^ tmpiger Appulus,
(154) APPENDIX VIII.
having the short syllable final prolonged in arsi of dactylic
verse ; or, like the one rare example,
2 C. VI. 13, 14. Ille terrarum milii prseter omnes
Angulus ridet, uhi noii Hymetto. . . •
having the same prolongation in arsi where that part of the
verse is dactylic.
III. Nor again, may the nice collocation of words be
neglected.
The elder Scaliger, with that pride and dogmatism and
partiality so strong in his character, laying down a principle
which no doubt has often been verified,
Epitheta quae in fine versuum existunt, sccpe esse argu-
mento coactae locutionis, quasi sint carminis supplementa. . .
upon that ground applies his hypercritical censure to this
faultless line,
3 C. XXIX. 20. Sole dies referente siccos.
When Sol brings round the days — what days ? — those of
thirst.
In number II. of Qticestiones Venusince (J. T.) which
Sylvanus Urban has admitted in his pages, (Gent. Mag.
April, 1834,) there appears the Plea of Horace the Poet
against Scaliger the Critic; and the task of vindication
there performed I certainly may consider as complete and
satisfactory.
Where the vis or essence lies in the attribute, the Latin
poets frequently subjoin it to the noun, and for greater em-
phasis terminate the verse with it. He who runs, may read
this in the practice of Virgil; twice for instance, in the course
of eleven lines, JEn. viii. 662, 672, and elsewhere as often
as from other causes it could be expected to occur.
Consistently with this remark, let me add, the text of
Horace, A. P. 36, 7? ought here to have been correctly
exhibited, on Bentlcy's emendation ....
ox THE TEXT OF THIS EDITION. (155)
Quam naso vivere pravo,
Spectaiidum iiigiis oculis nigroqiie capillo.
The relative jwsition of the adjective forms one only out
of many points, which give exercise to the Poet's taste; and
in the varieties of li/ric verse, when emphasis or harmony
along with metrical movement comes in play, the curiosa
felicitas of Horace in managing those concurrent circum-
stances may be readily seen.
In happily restoring the lection of all the MSS.,
3 C. III. C. Nee fulminantis magna marms Jovis :
Bentley, with some haughtiness perhaps, but not without
justice, has subjoined, Paucis a natura datum est habere
aurem.
Now as the latter hemistich of the first and second lines
of the Alcaic stanza coincides with that of the line called
Asclepiadean, the number of those hemistichs, amounting to
little short of a thousand, affords opportunity enough to in-
dicate the combinations most in favour with Horace''s ear.
And in lines of peculiar construction like that above
quoted,
* "iiec fulminantis \ magna manus | Jovis:
the collocation of the words also is found to be similar :
1 C. XXXVI. 10. Cressa ne careat | pulclira dies | 7iold.
'A C. XVI. 30. ct segetis \ certa fides | mece.
XXIX. 2. Non ante verso \ lene merum | cado.
IV. On the svih^ect o^ various lections^ and on passao-es of
disputed or difficult meaning, where questions of style and
sense are concerned, a curious and instructive compilation
might be made ; on the basis of Dr. Bentlcy's notes, so rich in
critical knowledge and vigorous intellect, taken alono- with
a selection from those of Lambinu;?, Cruquius, and Tor-
(156) APPENDIX VIII.
rentius, the tria lunibia of the commentaries of that learned
age upon Horace.
My humbler office embraces only a few of the most pro-
minent deviations here admitted from the common text,
sufficient by way of specimen to show in what light I have
viewed the task or duty of an Editor at the present day.
Those remarkable passages, as here without scruple
edited,
1 C. I. 29. Te doctarum hederae praemia froutium, &c.,
and
3 C. XXIX. 6. Ut semper-udum Tibur, &c.
have received an ample discussion, but not too much for
their importance, the latter in P. D. p. 24, and the former
in App. III. p. 119.
With the same frankness let me avow that the time is
come when similar decision may elsewhere be justified ;
especially in regard of such texts, as, after the strong doubt
or perplexity excited by the criticism of able scholars,
cannot be satisfactorily construed unless with some slight
change, itself of a probable nature.
Four cases of that sort are the following :
(I) 1 C. XXIII. 5. Nam, seu mobilibus vepris inhorruit
Ad ventum foliis ;
otherwise edited veris and vitis.
Bentley^s note on the passage amounts to demonstration.
(2) 1 C. XXXVIII. 5. Simplici myrto nihil adlabores,
Sedulus curce.
with the syntax like that of
1 S. IX. 11, 12; X. 21. Cerebri felicem Seri studiorum,
and
1 C. XXII. 1. Integer vitcB, &c.
The common readings, try them as you will, of cura or
euro, absolutely defy all attempts at rational interpretation.
(3) 2 C. XIV. 26, 7? 8- tt mero | Tiuget pavimentum supcrbis
Pontilicum potiore cocnis.
ON THE TFAT OK THIS EDITION. 0^^)
Here, too, the various readings or conjectures, superhns,
superbum, supcrbo, leave the field fairly open for the ad-
mission of superbis, recommended by Horace's favourite use
of the adjective in the third line, often so preluding to its
noun in the fourth ; and what is more remarkable, by that
very adjective being three times employed by Horace in
the very same relative position.
1 C. XXXV. 3, 4. superbos.. . . triumphos.
XXXVII. 31, 2. siiperbo .... triumpho.
4 C. XV. 7, 8. siiperbis | Postibus.
(4) 2 C. XX, 5, C, 7- Non ego, Paiiperum
Sanguis parentum, non ego, quern vocant,
Dilecte Jlsecenas, obibo ; &c.
Here, if any clear and consistent interpretation could be
devised for the old reading, qnem vocas, the potior conditio
possidentis might exclude any pretender from usurping its
place. But the brilliant suggestion of Dr. Bentley, qiieni
vocant, scilicet homines invidi, (for even so late as 4 C. in.
16. Et jam dente minus mordeor invido^ envy was not
quite extinct,) may now be allowed to come in by acclama-
tion.
One more remark, and I have done : and that principally
to introduce a topic hitherto perhaps but slightly touched,
the natural similitude between Horace and Cicero, as belong-
ing to the same age, in the language of literature and of
morals and of civil life, common to both, along with the
illustration, which from that source may be occasionally
derived, to the writings of Horace.
In a well known passage of the Epistle to the Pisos, that
old reading,
2fi, 7. Sectantem levia nervi
Deficitint animiqiie.
(158) APPENDIX Vill.
liad kept possession, perhaps undisturbed, till the days of
Bentley. He does justice abundantly to the claims of
levia ; and then by one happy quotation from Tully . .
lenitas sine nervis. .turns the scale in favor of lenia.
In another passage, where the attribute demissuft^ in its
better sense and in its connection with 2?roZ»«<.9, had been
quite overlooked and even misinterpreted,
1 S. III. 56, 7, 8. Probus quis
Nobiscum vivit, multum demissus homo ? ilH
Tardo ac cognomen pingiii damus.
Lambinus was the first to catch the true scent, though in
curis secundis he returned to the old interpretation : Ijent-
ley''s strong discernment apprehended the truth so suggest-
ed, and adopted for the demonstration of it the two
sentences from Tully which Lambinus, but without ultimate
conviction, originally adduced.
Cic. de Orat. ii. 43,..eaquc omnia, c\vivc prohorum, dcmis-
soriim., non acrium, non pertinacium, non litigiosorum, non
acerborum sunt, valde benevolentiam conciliant.
Pro INIurena, 40. Sit apud vos modestiae locus, sit
t/^wm/.f hominibus perfugium, sit auxilium pudori.
ON
THE M E T R E S
OF
HORACE.
In presenting to Scholars a nctv Treatise on the Metres of
Horace, I cannot but anticipate a candid reception for
what is so proposed. Whatever has been hitherto done
under that title, has seldom exceeded a meagre account (and
that not in all points accurate) of the scansion merely, with
little or no regard to the verse in its structure. The very-
latest tract, bearing date 1803, — that which Doering has
given as a communication from his friend Sparr, deserves
generally the compliment paid by him of being very skil-
fully and correctly executed. Yet even that, though seldom
tainted with absolute error, is greatly deficient in some essen-
tial points, as to Horace*'s earlier and later modes of con-
structing the same verse. This remark will be strikingly
apparent in our account of the Alcaic Stanza; occasionally
it will be verified in others also.
If the question be asked on what grounds the present
treatise may be entitled to higher consideration as more
nearly embracing every desideratum which belongs to the
subject ; let it be said once for all, that from various sources
of critical observation, in which my own professional study
for many years had its due share, the work now published
has been very diligently composed.
(160) ON THE METRES OF HORACE.
A precise enumeration of the different authors to whom
my obligations are due, and partly so in very recent perusal,
even with some particularity, will be excused as an act of
justice, in this stage the more necessary ; because, consist-
ently with any brevity of design, it will not be convenient
to acknowledge every item of such debt, where it separately
occurs.
1. The late Dr. Charles Biirney, the vir doctissimus et
milii longo amicitm usu conjunctissimus of Professor
Porson, (ad. Med. 89,) in the Monthly Review, Jan. 1798,
Vol. XXV., as the author of a critique original at once and
elaborate on Samuel Butler's edition of Marcus Mnsurtis,
prefixed to the publication of Greek and Latin Odes^ &c.,
by that distinguished scholar, who since then has borne such
a splendid name as the master of Shrewsbury school.
2. The Hon. and Rev. Dr. William Herbert, partly as
the Editor of Musce Etonenses in 1795, with a short Pre-
face of critical remarks ; but far more extensively, as the
author of that article in the Edinburgh Review, (No. xii.
July, 1805, pp. 357—386,) on Mitford's Harmomj of Lan-
guage : in which not only is the claim of accent brought
forward to share with quantity in the regulation and cadence
of Latin verse, but after a full demonstration of that point
a clue also is given to trace the gradual progress by which
accent superseded quantity in European metre. Let me
here acknowledge the more recent and personal obligation
conferred in Dr. Herbert's correspondence with me, and in
the opportunity granted to benefit by the nice powers of
discrimination which he possesses in so extraordinary a
degree.
3. The Editor oi Musce Cantabrigienses, 1810, as hav-
ing contributed a neat conspectus of practical observations
on the structure of the third verse of the Alcaic stanza.
4. The celebrated Professor Hermann, as the author of
Elementa Doctriv<r Metricce, Leipsig, 1816; Glasgow,
ON THE METRES OF HORACE. (^61)
reprinted, 1817: a work justly styled by Dr. Parr, "the
enlarged and improved edition of his admirable book, De
Metrkr
5. Sjmrr, as the author of Metra Horatii Lyrica, in
Doering"'s Horace, 1803 and 1815, already mentioned;
who refers his readers for deeper knowledge of the subject
to Hermann's Manual of Metres, 1799.
6. Mr. Philip Homer, late one of the Masters at Rugby
School, and his friend Dr. JoJin Sleafh, now with every
honour and affection attached to his name, {crescil lancle re-
cens,) the High Master of St. PauPs ; as the Authors of
Remarks on the Latin Alcaic and Sapphic Metres exliibittd
in the Odes of Horace, 1824.
Those ingenious Remarks, principally undertaken to show
the reason why certain modes of structure are more produc-
tive of harmony than others, originated confessedly from
that article of mine in the Classical .Journal, No. xxii.,
July, 1815, pp. 351 — 6, which bears the following title.
7. Sketch of the Scansion and Structure of the Alcaic
Stanza in Horace, dated in January, 1814, and commu-
nicated in May, 1815 ; on the basis of a schedule of all
the verses in that metre (according to their classes of struc-
ture, especially those in the third line) drawn up early in
the year 1805.
In the sketch here mentioned, except as far as the sche-
dule alluded to is concerned, my sources of knowledge were
directly and entirely derived from Dr. Charles Burney.
The prevalent modes of structure in the Alcaics of Horace,
as to the constituent words, with those either rejected by him
after some trial, or evidently not his favourite modes, I
stated in that paper many years ago with sufficient exact-
ness perhaps as to the fact : of the reasons for all this, arising
from the restrictions which accentual cadence demands, I
have only learned to estimate the true value, in a careful
perusal very lately bestowed on Dr. Herbert^s article in the
Edinburgh Review, And my present intention is, on that
m
(162) ON THF. MF.TRF.i* OF HORACK.
authority, to illustrate, in some of the most striking in-
stances, the connection existing betwixt the places of accent
in Horatian metre, and the legitimate structure of the verse.
For a complete and satisfactory view of the subject in all
its bearings, the reader must be referred to the pages of the
original article.
'ft'
Before ])roceeding to the task itself de Met r is Horatiaiiis,
it may be prudent if not necessary to define the end pro-
posed in that labour. In all the metres I shall hope to
make the structure of the verse as well as the scansion un-
derstood ; while in the most important of them, especially
those much in use for exercises of imitative composition, I
shall indulge greater latitude of practical detail. Agreeably
to that view and purpose, the nineteen denominations in Ho-
race will be treated of thus. Those in the Epodes, (num-
bered I. to VII,,) which in the just order of publication now
stand first, may in general be dispatched with less of cere-
monious regard; and those in the Odes, (viii. to xii.,)
hardly lyrical measures, either from diflScult construction
abandoned after one or two experiments, or from whatever
cause not much favoured by Horace, will occupy a briefer
notice, but still with sufficient correctness. Thus, a larger
consideration may be fairly granted to verses of that spe-
cies (xiii. to xvii.) which has its character from the Chori-
ambus interposed : and a still more extensive space will
thus be allowed to the two principal metres (xviii. and
XIX.) in the Sapphic and the Alcaic stanza.
Metres i. to vii.
And first of the Epodes ; of which the name has been, in
P. D. p. 10, already explained.
Metke I. Epode I. Iambic trimeter (1) and dimeter (2),
(1) Ibis Liburnis inter alta navium,
(2) Amice, proptignacnla.
ON THE METRES OF HORACE. (163)
The sca)isio}i of the trimetev (1) runs thus, in all its ad-
missible feet, some of them very rarely admitted.
www www
— w
To the exclusion of the anapest in 5^° from the table
here given (a foot so frequent in the Senarii of Seneca)
there are but three instances of apparent objection, which
when examined disappear.
Ep. II. 35. Pavidumque leporem et advenam laqueo gruem,
(which is a very rare instance of a line otherwise irregular.)
Read laqueo in two syllables, as alveo,
3 C. VII. 28. Tusco denatat alveo.
These two peculiarities,
Ep. V. 79. Priusque coeluin sidet inferifls niari.
— XI. 23. Nunc gloriantis quamlibet miilierculam.
turning similarly on the vowels, may safely be placed on the
same footing with VirgiPs Geo. ii. 482.
Fluviorum rex Eridanus
and as that is pronounced Fluvyorum in three syllables, we
need not scruple surely so to pronounce infer^/us and mul-
2/erculam likewise.
The structure of the trimeter requires a caesura, or divi-
sion of words, after the penthemimer usually.
Ep. II. 1. Beatus ille|I qui procul negotiis...
or after the hepthemimer sometimes,
w— v/— w 11 — w_v
Ibid. 19. Ut gaudet insitivajl decerpens pyra.
And here comes in the curious question of accentual ca-
dence.
m2
(164) ON THE METRES OF HORACE.
The words of the Ilomans then were accented by an in-
variable rule (and do we not now follow a similar rule in
reading Latin ?) namely, that if the penult be long, it shall
be accented, as amabam ; if it be short, the antepenult
shall be accented, whether long or short, as amdveram^
potueram.
All monosyllables were accented ; and in these pages, if
not so marked, may be always so reckoned. Only, enclitics
like qiie^ ve, ne, must be taken as forming part of the pre-
ceding word. Thus,
Ep. II. 45. C laudensqtie textis... .
Now for the application. The Iambic trimeter in its
legitimate construction, whatever other accent it has, takes
a leading one on the sixth place : or if not so, then it
usually requires to be accented on the fourth and the eighth.
Thus,
Ep. I. 3. Paratus omne Cae'sarls periculum. .
7- Utrumne jussi persequemur otium.
The leading accent on the sixth, though generally with
penthemimeral caesura, and at the beginning of a word a.s
in Cas'saris above, may yet be otherwise circumstanced, as,
Ep. I. 15. Roges, tuum labore quid juvem meo.
and
Ep. II. 19. Ut gaudet insitiva decerpens pyra.
Nay, more:
Ep. I. 19. Ut assidens implumibus pullis avis,
is an Iambic verse, because the sixth is accented: whereas
Ut assidens pullis avis deplumibus,
though exactly the same as to quantities, would not be a
verse, on account of the wrong position of the accents.
A similar remark may be made on
Ep. XI. 15. Quod si meis inae'stuat praecordiis,
as having neither ctcsura ; and yet it is an Iambic verse
from the correctness of its leading accent.
In long words constituted like mverecundvs, if not in
ON THE METRES OF HOHACE. (165)
Others, the Romans may seem to have admitted a secondary
accent on the first syllable : a supposition which would re-
store propriety to the following verse,
Ep. XI. 13. Simul calentis inverecundus deus.
It remains to be noticed as a singular fact, that of verses
constructed like
Ep. 1. 7- Utrumne jussi | persequemur | otium,
many examples occur in Terence as his Prologues alone may
testify, in theEpodes of Horace, and in the Fables of Phae-
drus ; yet in the Tragedies which bear the name of Seneca,
not a sinn;le instance can be found of a verse constituted
like that above.
Iambic dimeter (2).
The scansion of this verse as to its pi-edominant and ad-
missible feet :
In the dimeter the — initial, though from the trimeter not
excluded, seems inadmissible. Casimir Sarbievius uses it,
Epod. I. 1 8. Metuenda jaceret fulmina.
As to the structure, it is worthy of observation, that a
verse from its composition accented like the following,
C. Sarb. Ep. v. 2. Non niidus ensiiim timor,
though a just dimeter as to quantity, is never found in Ho-
race, nor in any avithor of the early ages.
Now as the iambus itself is used freely in the third place,
this combination might have occvu-red very often, if it had
not been purposely avoided. In what then does the faulti-
ness of that line consist ? Clearly in this, that it bears the
accentual cadence peculiar to a very different kind of verse,
the Glyconic : of which verse,
4 G. lu. 11. Et spissse uemorum comas.
(166) ON THE METRES OF HORAC£.
is a very common form ; and it may be better contrasted
perhaps with Dr. Herbert's fictitious example,
Et spissa moniium coma,
than with the real faulty dimeter given above from Sar-
bievius.
Metre ii. Epooe xi. Iambic dimeter (1) as in Metre
I. (1), and with Elegiamhvs (2) so called.
(1) Petti, nihil me sicut antea juvat
(2) Scrihere versiculos | amore perculsum gravi.
(2) This verse consists of two parts ; the first like the
latter half of the Dactylic pentameter
— WW WW G
but unlimited in the mode of its construction ; with the last
syllable indifferently long or short, and even as in vv. 14,
24, with the hiatus of a long vowel before a vowel initial in
the next portion of the verse.
Fervidiora mero [ arcana promorat loco.
Vincere moUitia | amor Lycisci me tenet.
The second part is the Iambic dimeter (but without -^^
initial) as in Meti-e i. (2).
For the meaning of the term asynartete {aauva^mrog)
applied to the metre (2) of this distich, Dr. Bentley''s
learned note affords full satisfaction : the following ex-
tract contains the essential part of it. — "Sub primis
Poeticae artis initiis simplici pede versus dccurrebant,
Heroicus dactylo, Trochaicus et lambicus uterque suo ;
nisi ubi pes omnibus illis cognatus, Spondeus, interpo-
nebatur, quo versus, ut Noster ait, tardior paullo gra-
viorque ad aures veniret. Postea, ut varietatis gratiam
aucuparentur, cola quasdam sive partes Heroici versus cum
colis Trochaici generis vel lambici, et vigissim, in unum
versum miscebant; unde magnus novorum versuum Hu-
merus illico nascebatur : quos Graeci magistri ' Aauvaprnrov';,
hoc est, inconnexos vocabant ; quia alterum colon altero
ON THE METRES OF HOllACE. (^^^7)
diversi generis connecti et coagmentari iion potest, utcumque
uno versiculo utrumque sit conclusum."
Metre hi. Epode xti. Dactylic hexameter (1) with
Dactylic tetrameter (2).
(1) Quid tibi vis, mulier, iiigris digriissima barris?
(2) Munera quid mihi, qiiidve tal)ellas.
Of the common hexameter (1) there is little to remark ;
and that is quite obvious.
Of the tetrameter (2), which has its acan^io)/, thus (1 C
XXVIII. 2, alone excepted). . . .
\J^ WW
the structure also is easily discerned.
Metre iv. Ei'ode xiii. Dactylic hexameter (1) as in
Metre iii. (1), with lamhelegus (2) so called.
(1) Horrida tempestas ccelum contraxit, et imbres
(2) Nivesque deducunt Jovem ; | nunc mare, nunc sillia;.
(2) This line, one of the class of verses, asynarfefes,
already mentioned in Metre ii. consists of two parts, the
first Iambic dimeter, as in Metre i. (2) ; and the second
like the latter half of the Dactylic pentameter.
In fact, the lamhelegus is the inverse of the Elegiambus :
its Iambic part has the last syllable indifferently long or
short, but betwixt the two parts no hiatus occurs.
Metre v. Epode xiv. Dactylic hexameter (1) as in
Metre iii. (1), with Iambic dimeter (2) as in Metre i. (2).
(1) Mollis inertia cur tantam diffuderit iinis
(2) Oblivionem sensibus.
Metre vi. Epode xvi. Dactylic hexameter (1) as be-
fore, with Iambic trimeter (2) as in Metre i. (1).
(1) Altera jam teritur bellis civilibus Betas,
(2) Suis et ipsa Roma viribus ruit.
The verse (2) is purely Iambic, and so far very peculiar.
(168) ON THE METRES OF HORACE.
Metre vii. Epode xvii. Iambic trimeter as M. i.
(1), and that alone.
Jamjam efficaci do manus scientisE.
METRES VIII. TO XII.
Now of the Metres hardly to be called lyrical.
Metre viii. 1 C. iv. (1) Dactylic tetrameter + three
Trochees, with (2) Iambic trimeter wanting a syllable at the
close.
(1) Solvitur acris hiems grata vice | veris et Favoni,
(2) Trahuntque siccas ] machinae carinas.
The verse (1) has this scansion, differing in the 4th foot
from Metre iii. (2).
and the divisio vocum is constantly observed betwixt the
Dactylic part and the Trochaic.
The verse (2) in fact consists of two parts, which, hav-
ing the divisio vocum constantly, may be scanned according
to the structure ; the one Iambic, and the other as in (1)
Trochaic.
— w — w — ii
Cas. Sarbievius when writing in this metre, violates the law
of caesura in (1).
2 Lyr. xx. 53. Nee quje dispositis toga luxuri | osior lapillis.
nor has he any authority from Horace for a line constructed
(as with him it often is) with the Dactyl in 4'° formed by
one word.
Ibid. V. 1. Qualis ubi Phrygia Jovis j anniger || educaius Ida,
ON THE METRES OF HORACE. (169)
Metre ix, 4 C. vii. (1) Dactylic hexameter, as be-
fore, with (2) the latter half of a Dactylic pentameter.
( 1 ) Diffugere nives : redeunt jam gramina campis,
(2) Arboribusque comae.
Metre x. 1 C. vin. (1) one Choriambus (-— ) initial
followed by Bacchius (« ) or Amphibrach (— ), with
(2) Sapphicus major, or the long Sapphic.
(1 ) Lydia, die per omnes
(2) Te decs 6ro | Sybarin | cur properes amando.
The verse (I) has its scansion thus,
— WW— w— ^
and for structure always has a Dactylic word or a Dactylic
combination to begin with, so as to exclude the accent
on the third syllable :
Saepe | timor | fugavit,
accordingly, would be illegitimate.
The verse (2) has for its scansion the Epitritus secundus
(----) with two choriambi and a trisyllabic ending like (1).
and for structure it has two regular ciesuras as in the quoted
line.
The following construction, it is evident, would violate
the accentual cadence of the verse,
Te deos oramus | I'tyii cur properes amando . .
as well as the law of the caesura.
(I7O) ON THE METRES OF HOKACK.
Metre xi. 2 C. xviii. (1) Trochaic of seven syllables.
(2) Iambic trimeter wanting a syllable, as in M. viii. (2).
(1) Non ebur neque aureum
(2) Mea renidet | in domo lacunar.
Verse (1) has its scansion thus,
-«-/ •^\j
without any thing to remark in its structure.
Verse (2) in scansion differs from its model above referred
to only once.
V. 34. Regumque pueris nee satelles Orci,
where the tribrach (— «) in 2'^°, if that deserves notice,
might be avoided, and on some authority, by reading Re-
gumque natis. . instead.
Metre xii. 3 C. xii. Ionic a minore (^^ — ).
Miserarum est | nee amori | dare liidum j neque dulci,
according to Dr. Bentley, (by whose critical erudition here
also the reader may benefit,) consists of four Stanzas, each of
ten feet, agreeably to the following scheme :
The caesura betwixt the several feet (as in vv. 5, 7j ^5 12)
is not strictly observed ; though by the above distribution
all awkwardness is avoided betwixt one line and another.
Cas. Sarbievius, adopting this metre in one of his com-
positions, 2 Lyric, xxviii., has made the stanza consist of
two trimeters and one tetrameter ; and violates the synaphea
or continuity of scansion betwixt line and line, (vv. 5, 6, 9,
10,) which in Horace from first to last is observed.
OxV THK METRKS OF HORACE. (1 7^)
METRES, XIII, XIV, XV, XVI, XVII.
Five Metres are here classed together, from the interposed
Choriambus, so called, common to them all; that is, from
one or more Choriambi interposed between a Spondee
initial and an Iambic foot (^=) at the close.
Mktre XIII. 1 C. XT. The Long Alcaic, consisting of
three Choriambi interposed in that manner.
Such is the scansion : its csesural structure^ as marked in
that scheme, is once only neglected in the 32 such lines
written by Horace, and that in a compounded word.
1 C. XVIII. 1(5. Arcanique Fides | prodiga per | lucidior vitro.
The Polish Poet, apparently from affectation, has done this
with great license both of caesura and of accent.
3 Lyric, xvii. Ad Tiberim. vv. 4, 5.
Quid per plana, per abrupta, per impervia lubriciim
Vectigal domino_deproperas Nereidum patri ?
Metue xiv. 1 C. I. The Asclepiadean verse, or the
Asclepiad.
Maecenas, atavis edite regibus.
The scansion and structure are seen together in the fol-
lowing scheme :
This verse constantly preserves the ctesura as here
marked, except in two instances.
4 C. VIII. 17. Nou incendia Car | thaginis impise..
2 C. XII. 25. Dum flagrantia de | torquet ad oscula...
(172) ON THE METRES OF HORACE.
The latter example perhaps may be defended or excused
on the same ground with the Alcaic verse,
1 C. XXXVII. 5. Antehac nefas de | promere Caecubum. .
, Metre xv. 1 C. iii. (1) Glyconic so called. (2) As-
clepiad as in Metre xiv.
(1) Sic te divapotens Cypri
(2) Sic fratres Helenae, lucida sidera,
The verse (1) has its scansion thus,
without any deviation : for the line 1 C. xv. 36. as some-
times edited, with - ^ initial,
Ignis Uiacas domos. . .
should unquestionably stand thus corrected :
Ignis Pergameas domos.
On the authority of the worse reading, however, Casimir has
occasionally erred.
4 Lyric, xvi. 47- Jussit ire Borysthenera.
In this verse also the nicety of accentuation, which is ne-
cessary, deserves to be remarked. And the fictitious line,
Veloces per agros canes,
though correct in scansion and quantity, is not, however, a
Latin verse, because it has not the right accentual cadence
observed in the Glyconic : it has that of a verse generically
different, the Iambic dimeter,
Ep. VI. 16. Inultus iit flebo puer.
One real line, faulty in that very way from the pen of the
elegant Grotius, which closes his Hymn of Zacharias para-
phrased, may show, that Dr. Herbert's remark here recorded
does not guard against an imaginary error.
Securum per iter pedes.
ox TirF. AlKTUKS OF ITORACK.. (17'^)
Metre xvi. 1 C. vi. (1, 2, 3) Asclepiadean, as in
M. XIV. (4) Glyconic, as in M. xv.
Scriberis Vario fortis, et hostium
Victor, MDeonii carminis aliti,
Quam rem cunque ferox navibus atit equis
Miles, te duce, gesserit.
Metre xvii. 1 C. v. (1, 2) Asclepiadean, as before
in M. XIV. (3) Pherecratian. (4) Glyconic, as before in
M. XV.
Quis multa gracilis te puer in rosa
Perfusus liquidis urget odoribus.
(3) Grato, Pyrrha, sub antro :
Cui flavam religas comam . . .
verse (3) has this scansion
The last syllable is always long ; and twice only with
hiatus, in a long vowel, 1 C. xxiii. 3. 8. a nicety not much
observed by later writers of this Horatian stanza.
In the verse (3) also, the just collocation of the accents
may not be neglected ; which Casimir, however, has once
or twice disregarded.
For instance,
4 Lyric, xxviii. 7- Raptamus, puerorum . . .
is accented in a way quite unknown to Horace : it has the
very same cadence with the Ionic a minore, Tenenh-um
puerorum, a different species of verse ; and though with the
same quantity, is as unlike as can be imagined to (1 C. v. 7')
(174-) ON THK METRES OF HORACE.
Nigris oe'qTiora ventis.
No ear could confound the verse of Horace with tliat of
Casimir.
The Christian Poet, Prudentius, (circ. 400 a.t>.) has
constructed a system of his own out of the third, second,
and first (in that order) of these interposed Choriambics ; for
which, in the nomenclature sometimes applied to Horace's
Odes, the name would stand thus :
denoting that there are three kinds of verse, and then that
three lines form the strophe or stanza.
The following specimen is taken from the Procemium to
his Carmina, and only by one blemish at v, 6. discovers
any incorrectness in the composition.
Per quinquennia jam decern,
Ni fallor, fuimus : septimus insuper
Annum cardo rotat, dum fruimur sole volubili.
Instat terminus, et diem
Vicinura senio jam Deus applicat :
Quid nos utile tan | ti spatio temporis egimus ?
^tas prima crepantibus
Flevit sub ferulis : mox docuit toga
Infectum vitiis falsa loqui, nou sine crimine.
Let me take this opportunity, in the words of Dr. Herbert,
to call the attention of scholars to the splendid passage at
the end of Prudentius contra Synwiachum, concerning the
vestal virgins : it begins,
V. 1069. Captivus pudor ingratis addicitur aris,
and is inferior to nothing of the same kind in Juvenal.
ox TIIK Mr.TIiF.S OF HORACK. 01^)
Metre xviii. 1 C. ii.
THE SAPPHIC STANZA.
(1, 2, 3.) The Sapphic verse commonly so called :
(4.) The Adonic verse, - -- ^ - z .
A. Jam satis terris | nivis atque dirae
Grandinis misit pater, et rubente
Dextera sacras jaculatus arces,
Terniit iirbem.
The first three verses have their scansion thus,
the Epitritus secundus and the Choriambus, followed by
Bacchius (^ ) or Amphibrach (^-"), as in the close of
Metre x, the Sapphicus major.
On comparing this Metre with that, the difference will at
once be seen to consist in one Choriambus more or less.
Thus,
1 C. VIII. 6. Inter aequales equitat, GalHca nee lupatis . . .
is altered into the common Sapphic by an omission to that
amount.
Inter aequales equitat lupatis.
Its structure generally coincides with that of (A.) the first
line above. Sometimes, howxver, it admits this variation,
B. 1 C. X. 1. Mercuri, facunde, I nepos | Atlantis...
and this, but less frequently,
C. 4 C. II. 33. Concines majore | Poeta | plectro.
And the only clear deviation from one or other of these
forms occurs in describing the dithyrambic boldness of
Pindar,
(176) ON THE METRKS OF HORACF:.
4 C. II. 9. Laurca ] donandus | Apollinari.
The relative position of its accents remains to be con-
sidered : and the cadence of the Sapphic is regulated in the
form A, by being accented on the 6th syllable, or on the
4th and 8th.
Grandinis misil Pater, et rubente
Dextera sacras jaculatus arces . . .
In the occasional varieties of form unSer B and C, the
accent is admitted on the 5th and 7th, or on the 5th and
8th :
B. Mercuri, facunde, nepos Atlantis . . ,
C. Concines majore Poeta plectro.
which modes of accentuation are compatible with a disylla-
bic beginning as well as with the trisyllabic just given.
B. Fervet, immensusque ruit profnndo . . .
C. Lenis Ilithyia, tuere matres.
With all this diversity of forms in the verse, under such
limitations as structure and accent so combined will permit,
modern writers of the Sapphic Ode have not been content ;
or rather they have not been acquainted with it. Amongst in-
stances in abundance from the revival of letters to the pre-
sent day, the following out of the Mascc Etonenses may
serve for sufficient illustration of scansion correct and struc-
ture violated.
Vol. I. p. 28. V. 1. Pertinax [ et luxurians juventa . . .
p. 189. V. 25. Hortuli dat | primitias aprici.
Verses like these admit of no defence even from the authority
of Catullus, who wrote the Sapphic stanza in all its Greek
freedom, as yet unchecked by the severer genius of the
Latin : for even the following lines,
XI. 6. 23. Seu Sacas | sagittiferosque | Parthos.
Ultimi flos I pr?etereunte | postquam . . .
ON THE METRES OF HORACE. (^77)
evidently afford a different certainly, if not a more pleasing,
structure.
If, however, in the versification of modern scholars we
have to condemn unlicensed deviations from the models of
Horace, we shall find in the formal practice of those early
Poets who came after him, something more remarkable in
the opposite direction.
In Statius, for example, and in Prudentius, we remark a
decided predilection for the structure (A) so denoted here,
with the cadence of accent on the 6th syllable, or of that
required on the 4th and the 8th.
The Sapphics of Statius, 4 Silv. vii., from his affection
for the one caesura after the 5th syllable and its concomi-
tant accentuation, have a very monotonous sound to the ear
after the rich varieties of Horace; while Prudentius at so
much later a period exhibits the same preference for un-
varied harmony, giving indeed a much stronger proof of it
in one Sapphic Poem of 200 lines without a single deviation
from the structure alluded to. That Hymn, in honour of
the eighteen Martyrs, presents, on the other hand, the two
following examples :
V. 57- Sola in occursum | numerosiores . . .
V. 195. Spes ut absolvam | retinaculoiiim . . .
which cannot be said to have the requisite character, the
6th syllable accented; unless polysyllabic words of that
dimension (which seems not improbable) had then got an
accent on their 1st syllable as well as on their 5th.
An observation arises here, so important if connected
with the chronology of Horace's books as originally pub-
lished, that the reader will hardly fail to take some interest
in the detail which follows.
In the first and second books of the Odes, that peculiar
n
(178) ON THE METRES OF HORACE.
form of the Sapphic here marked (13) is very sparingly,
some seven times in all, introduced. In the third book,
though otherwise (it will be seen) distinguished as an era
in Horace's alteration of the Alcaic, not a single departure
from the form (A) of the Sapphic line is anywhere ad-
mitted ; while the form (C) has never yet appeared at all.
Pass to the Carmen Sgeculare and the fourth book ; and you
find the form (C) for the first time introduced, with the
form (B) more largely than before, contributing to the im-
provement and variety of the stanza.
Under these circumstances, let us look to the Nouvelle
Distribution (already alluded to, P. D. p. 13) devised by
M. Sanadon; and see whether he bestows any notice
either on the progressive stages, so well defined, by which
Horace carried that lyrical metre to its ultimate perfection,
or on the temporary doubt, betrayed in his third book,
whether he was right or not in admitting the first step of
variety. In the face of these striking facts then, as now to
us they must appear, demonstrating the separate entire-
ness of the third book from those before, and from the
fourth book with the Carmen Saeculare which followed, M.
Sanadon, on a fancied plan of his own, tears the whole
twenty-six Sapphic Odes (except a few omitted) from all
their ancient neighbourhood, and scatters them ad libitum,
far and wide, over his nouvelle distribution!
After tracing with this exactness the commencement, the
halt or retrograding, and the satisfactory close, of Horace's
career in Sapphic versification, it remains briefly here to
show on what general ratio of the different modes of struc-
ture any composition in that metre should be formed, so as
best to coincide with the practical model of the Poet''s own
mature judgment. The Carmen Saeculare then, one of his
two longest Odes in that verse, may be fairly taken for the
purpose; and with sufiicient accuracy of proportion, it pre-
sents the following result, to combine more or less, in every
ON THE METRES OF HORACE. (179)
twelve of the longer verses, nine of the common form A,
with two and one of the varieties in B and C respectively.
Let the last Stanza of the C. S. which happens to contain
them all, represent the three forms, with their order in-
verted.
C. 1. Hsec Jovem sentire | deosque ] ciinctos
B. 2. Spem bonam eertamque | domum | reporto,
A. 9. Doctus et Plicebi chorus et Diana;
Dicere laudes.
And now after expatiating so long on the principal
matters, we shall dismiss the minuter points (though they
too may not be disregarded) with a few remarks for caution
and for reference.
The occasional synaphea, when a word overflows into the
Adonic, is sufficiently known from the following amongst
several instances,
1 C. II. 19, 20. Labitur ripa, Jovenon probante, ux-
orius amnis.
That closeness of union betwixt the third line and the
fourth (observed by Sappho) is sometimes neglected by
Horace ; who leaves the termination um not cut off or the
vowel in hiatu before the Adonic ; as
1 C. II. 47. Neve te nostris vitiis iniqwwm
Ocyor aura, &c.
XII. 9. Unde vocalem temere :nsecut<s
Orphea silvae.
Some instances here and there occur of the strict synaphea
betwixt the second and third lines.
2 C. 11. 18, 19. Dissidens plebi nuraero beatorMwi
JEximit virtus.
n 2
(180) ON THE METRES OF HORACE.
4 C. II. 22, 3. animumque moresque
^ureos educit in astra, . . .
The connection between the sense of two lines made by
et or ac, under circumstances like the following, is freely
allowed ; and twice together, if necessary.
2 C. VI. 1. Septimi Gades aditure mecum, et
Cantabrum indoctum juga ferre nostra, el
Barbaras Syrtes.
Of all these niceties Professor Hermann (notwithstanding
the adage, Aquila non capiat muscas) has given a very
accurate detail, lib. iii. cap. xvi. Glasgow Edition, pp. 444,
5, 6.
Finally, as in the other metres sometimes, so in this, after
elision, the convenient copulate et is privileged to form the
caesural syllable,
1 C. XXXII. 13. O decus Phoebt, et \ dapibus supremi, &c.
In this verse
3 C. XI. 50. Dum favet nox | et Venus : i secundo . . .
the effect is awkward altogether.
One instance occurs also where an has the same privilege.
3 C. XXVII. 38, 9. Vigilansne ploro
Turpe commiss?<m ? an \ vitio carenteni, &e.
Metre xix. 1 C. ix.
THE ALCAIC STANZA.
(1, 2) Two Iambic feet cum longd in five syllables with
caesura, followed by two Dactylic feet, generally by a Dactyl
and a Cretic. (3) Iambic of nine syllables, but with
peculiar limitation. (4) Two Dactyls followed by two
Trochaic feet.
ON THE METRES OF HORACE. (181)
Vides, ut alta ] stet uive candidum
Soracte, nee jam | sustineant onus
Silvse laborantes, geluque
Flumina constiteriut acuto ?
The first and second lines have their scansion thus.
The third thus always,
The fourth thus,
■» w ^ U
1. In the Jifst and second lines, through the first and
second books, a marked preference of the Spondaic begin-
ing to the Iambic is quite obvious ; this becomes more
striking still through the third book : and the fourth book
has not one instance, even with a polysyllabic word as in
the third, much less with a dissyllabic word initial, of an
Iambus thus placed :
1 C. xxxr. 17' Frui | paratis, et valido mihi . . .
3 C. I. 2. Favete ) linguis ; carmina non prius . . .
26. Tumultuosum . . .
In addition to the fact already adduced, P. D. p. 13, of
the more severe model of structure in the third line intro-
duced by Horace into the latter books of his Odes, we have
here shown that in other points also a fine sensibility of ear
led him to yet nicer improvements as congenial to the Latin
tongue; which in imitative composition must now be re-
garded, if any respect is due to the authority of Horace.
2. The following cases of elision may deserve a brief
notice.
Of elisions after the caesura like the following,
1 C. XXXIV. 13. IVIutare, et insignem | attenuat Deus.
3 C. I. 5. Regum timendorMw | in proprios greges.
there are not quite twenty in all.
(182) ON THE METRES OF HORACE.
The enclitic que, elided thus, seems very rare,
1 C. XXXV. 10. Urbesque gentesgwe | et Latium ferox.
A few instances occur, where the elided word ends with
a short vowel ;
3 C. IV. 6. audire | et videor pios . . .
and a few also in words like invisi, sub dio, incesto, redo-
nabo.
Of a word at the end of thejirst line elided before et in
sense belonging to the second, the following with a few
others are instances.
1 C. IX. 13. Quid sit futurum eras, fuge quasrere, et
Quern sors dierum, &c
3 C. XXIX. 9. Fastidiosam desere copiam, et
Molem propinquam, &c.
49. Fortuna saevo laeta negotio, et
liudum insolentem, &c.
In two instances, 7ieque at the conclusion of the second
verse commences a new sentence with the third,
3 C. I. 38. Scandunt eodem quo dominus ; neqxie
Decedit serata, &c.
3 C. XXIX. 46. Quodcunque retro est, efficiet ; neque
Diffinget, &c.
The case of consilium and principium is peculiar.
3 C. IV. 41. Vos lene consiimm et datis, et dato
Gandetis almae.
VI. 6. Hinc omne principiMW, hue refer exitum.
Here too, in the example from Virgil already adduced,
Geo. II. 482. Fluviorum rex Eridanus . . .
which must have been pronounced fluvyorum, we find an
immediate solution for the difficulty ; if the two words are
ON THE METJIES OF HORACE. (1^3)
but allowed to have that pronunciation, consilv/um and prin-
cipyum, each in three syllables.
And here it may not be impertinent to remark, that in the
hexameters of Virgil the genitives, servitii, auxilu', &c.,
though commodious to the verse, never appear ; while
Horace uses only the old forms, consili and imperi, 3 C. iv.
65. 4 C. XV. 14. On the transition from the single ^ to
the double ii (as Ovid has it) in the later days of Augustus,
vid. Bentley''s note, Andria. Act ii. Sc. i. v. 20.
3. Let us now proceed to the subject of structure, in
some of its more important points.
The place of the caesura is accurately observed, except in
the following extraordinary cases,
1 C. xxxvir. 14. Mentemque lympha | tam Mareotico .. .
4 C. XIV. 17' Spectandus in cert \ amine Martio . . .
the latter of which from the distribution of the accents is
far less faulty than the former.
Of the three instances which follow, the caesura may per-
haps be saved by the emphatic preposition of the compound
verb in the second, but hardly so in the other two, although
relieved perhaps by the elision.
1 C. XVI. 21. Hostile aratrwm ea^ercitus insolens . . .
1 C. XXXVII. 5. Antehac nefas de | promere Caecubum . . .
2 C. xviT. 21. Utrumque nostrwrn incredibili modo . . .
Not one of the three peculiarities is repeated in the latter
books.
4. The consideration of accentual cadence here returns
upon us. That cadence usually requires the leacUng accent
to fall on the fourth syllable, as,
1 C. IX. 5, 6. Dissolve frigus . . Large reponens . . .
or in entire words like the following, as,
3 C. I. 25, 6. Desiderantem . . . Tumultuosura ...
(184) ON THE METRES OF HORACE.
° Several instances, however, occur of the accent falling on
the second and fifth syllables, where the fifth is a monosyl-
labic word connected in sense with what follows : and as
they are all except one in the latter books, Horace must
have admitted that variety on purpose, absolute sameness
being more offensive than occasional deviations even from
the best general model.
2 C. III. 22- Nil interest, an | pauper et infima . . .
4 C. IV. C9. Carthagini jam | non ego nuntios . . .
4 C. XIV. 41. Te Cantaber, non ( ante domabilis.
Add to these also the following, 3C. v. 13. 33; xxi. 10.
4 C. iv.37; XIV. 33. 45.
Under this peculiarity in the caesural syllable, a few other
instances may be classed.
3 C. II. G. In rebus : ilium ex \ moenibus hosticis.
V. 10. Anciliort<7n et \ nominis et togae.
— VI. 22. Matura virgo ; et fingitur artubus.
5. The detail of final syllables when any line, as the first
or second, ends with a vowel before a vowel initial in the
next line, will hardly deserve separate consideration here :
and yet it may be woi'th the while to stop and remark upon
the particular transition betwixt the third line and the fourth,
inasmuch as the hiatus involved in that is rare in the two
first books, while it occurs only once in the third book, and
in the fourth not at all.
3 C. V. 11, 12. Oblitus, seterneeque Vestte
/jicolumi Jove et urbe Roma.
Now in the practice of Casimir we have a very singular
contrast to all this. In his stanzas, the open vowel, short or
long, occurring commonly at a rate six times as often as in
the first and second books of Horace, abundantly indicates
the obvious facilities accepted by the one writer, declined
and avoided by the other. And under these circumstances,
ON THE METRES OV HORACE. 085)
■we cannot well doubt but the Poet of Tivoli from the sin-
gular abstinence shown in the two latter books, must have
taken especial counsel of his ear in the interval.
6. One remark of literary curiosity, and I have done with
this part of the Alcaic Stanza.
James Micyllus, the friend of Melancthon, in his De Re
Metrica Libri Tres. Francoforti, 1539. — an extraordinary
work for that early day, gives specimens of the two first
verses, in the following lines,
Carmen i-elaxat ttedia pectoris,
Animumque reddit | sseva gementibus. — p. 108, 9.
Evidently in the second example that dolus qui latet in
generalihus, had led him astray. " An Iambic verse may
have an Anapest in primo : but this penthemimer, as far as it
goes, is an Iambic verse : therefore,'"' &c. &c. Unfortunately,
that which might flow well as the integral part of a Senarius,
Animumque reddit perditis araantibus . . .
when it forms a separate portion of verse, has the very move-
ment with which the Stanza in its fourth line should close.
With slight difference, indeed, the words are here actually
so employed.
1 C. XVI. 26—28. dum mihi
Fias recantatis amica
Opprobriis, j animumque reddas.
The third line has its Scansion thus.
During the greater part of that period from the revival
of letters when composition in Latin verse was the favourite
task of scholars, to the year 1798, when Dr. Charles Burney
(186) ON THE METRES OF HORACE.
in the Monthly Review, wrote that critique on S. Butler's
Marcus Musurus, &c. ; little or no suspicion seems to have
existed, that the third line of the Alcaic Stanza was any
thing else but an Iambic dimeter with one syllable over,
scanned thus,
and in the structure liable to no restriction whatsoever.
Even those writers who abstained from the short in the
fifth syllable, which any careful reader of Horace would na-
turally do, indulged every other license in constructing the
verse.
Buchanan and Sarbievius admit the fifth syllable short,
again and again ; and besides some faults peculiar to them-
selves, violate freely, though in different degrees, every prin-
cipal rule hereafter mentioned.
As late down as the publication of the Muscb Anglicancc^
of which all the Alcaic odes precede in date the year I7II5
the general usage allowed that fifth syllable to be occasion-
ally short. Nor was the point otherwise determined, ap-
parently, till Dr. Bentley, in that year, pronounced and de-
fended his judgment in editing the following line of Ho-
race,
2 C. XIX. 15. Disjecta non lent ruina..
(and yet more fully, on this verse, for a similar reason,
3 C. II. 1. Angustam, amici, pauperiem pati. )
The practical correction of an error so old and so commo-
dious, was far from finding its way immediately into the
scholastic exercises of this country.
7. Of the ^ - in primo (so very decided is Horace's pre-
ference for the long syllable) not moi-c than ten instances
occur in all the books, and only two in the third and fourth,
thus affording, by the bye, another link in that chain of in-
ternal evidence : and in none of those cases docs the verse
ON THE METRES OF HORACE. (^^^7)
take a dissyllabic beginning. The following commence-
ment,
1 C. XXIX. 7- Puer quis | ex aula capillis. .
may pass for a quasi-trisyllable perhaps ; and the other
examples are quite unquestionable.
3 C. III. 71. Referre sermones deorum.
8. At the end of this verse, the terminations ovum and
nriim suffer elision, with et belonging to the next, five times.
1 C. XXXV. 11. 2 C. XIII. 23. 3 C in. 71 ; vi. 3 ; xxix. 3.
The termination in wcwum once, also with triremi, and
with Juno, followed by et, as in the preceding case, 3 C.
XXIX. 7; 1. 39; IV. 59-
Once this happens with in belonging to the next verse
after um final.
1 C. XXXV. 39. O utinam nova
Incude diffingas retuswm in
Massagetas Arabasque ferrum.
AVith these elisions may be classed the following :
2 C. III. 27. Sors exitura, et nos in aeternwm
Exilium impositura cymbje.
3 C. XXIX. 35. Cum pace delabentis Etruscz<m
In mare.. &c.
9. Now for the structure. The two first feet of this
verse may not be comprised in a quadrisyllable or separated
in two dissyllables.
These lines from Buchanan are faulty in more ways than
one.
Ps. cxxv. 23. Tranquillitas | secura pulchrae. . .
— VII. 35. Candor, pio^ | servat, malisque..
(188) ON THE METllES OF HORACE.
The following from Horace,
I C. XXVI. 11. Hiinc Lesbio | sacrare plectro. .
2 C. III. 27. Sors exitura et nos in aeternum. . .
not only differ in the words and in the accentuation from
those of Buchanan, but are two forms of the verse in the
first and second books which in the third and fourth never
appear again : Horace has branded them as illegitimate.
10. Nor may this verse, according to his maturer taste
decisively shown, terminate with one quadrisyllable or with
two dissyllabic words,
The form
1 C. XXIX. Pronos relabi | posse | rivos. • -
which occurs eight times in the first and second books, and
the form
2 C. XIX. 19. Nodo coerces | viperino. .
which occurs three times in those books, are both of them
repudiated entirely from the third and fourth.
By parity of reason, a trisyllabic word with an enclitic,
as qiie or ve, or other monosyllable, must be excluded also.
And on this pecuHar string (it is remarked in the Preface
to the Musci' Etotienses) Sarbievius has erred, but in one
instance only.
4 Lyric i. 55. Poeana dicit, [ supplices^wc. .
And here let us observe, that the entire rejection by Ho-
race of any modes of structure in his later books which were
rare even in his earlier, must have quite escaped the notice
of grannnarians. To their ignorance in teaching, therefore,
may partly be imputed the gross errors committed by mo-
dern Latin writers: who would hardly have gone so far
wrong in defiance of their great model, if they had been
rightly instructed first of all, or if they had looked up to Ho-
race as their only legitimate exemplar afterwards. More
ON THE METRES OF HORACE. (1^59)
probably, indeed, as in a new school of Latin poetry, they
admired what their predecessors had done or emulated what
their contemporaries were doing.
11. Where the third verse has what may be called the
quinquesyllabic beginning similar to that of the first and
second verses, and so far most injurious to variety,
1 C. IX. 1 1 ; XVI. 7. Deproeliantes Non Liber seque.
if the modes of ending it just mentioned are proscribed,
there remains for that purpose only one combination, in a
monosyllabic preceding a trisyllabic woi'd,
DeprcEliantes j nee cupressi . .
Non Liber Eeque, | non acuta..
But this form of the verse, though made up of ready ma-
terials, (as all later practice shows,) has been sparingly em-
ployed by Horace, only some forty times in all : and whe-
ther from dislike of the structure itself or from growing pre-
ference for others of a nobler kind, he has admitted verses
so constructed, at the rate only of half as often in the two
latter as in the two former books of Odes. Is there nothincr
supplied by this internal evidence also, in favour of our
general argument ^
And here a curious and delicate remark, and one which
seems to have escaped observation, remains to be brought
forward.
Horace then never once has engaged the monosyllabic
word in that close union and so far completed sense with the
word subjoined to it, which this verse from Buchanan ex-
hibits.
Ps. XI. 7- nt petat
Incogitantes [ e latebris \
Innocnos animique rectos.
(190) ON THE METRES OF HORACE.
And unless in the case of that false reading (for in is
unknown to the MSS.),
1 C. XXVII. 19. Quanta laboras in Charybdi,
instead of
laborabas Charybdi,
not one instance have we of a preposition and noun, so in-
sulated together.
In the two passages where in and pro are used, a slight
indeed but still perceptible suspension of sound separates the
monosyllable from the word immediately following ; because
that word itself requires to be thrown forward in sustained
context with other words in the next verse.
2 C. XIII. 3. Produxit, arbos, in | nepotum Perniciem, &c.
4 C. IX. 23. Excepit ictus pro | pudicis Conjugibus, &c.
All other examples of the monosyllable, with hardly one
exception, are so circumstanced, as to require the same
sort of perceptible pause : the context cannot otherwise in
correct utterance be carried on.
2 C. III. 15. Dum res et setas et | sororum
Fila trium patiuntur atra.
3 C. 1. 43. Delenit usus, nee 1 Falerna
Vitis Achsemeniumque costum.
4 C. IX. 47. Nomen beati, qui | Deorum
Muneribns sapienter iiti, &c. &c.
Then, too, the monosyllabic words used by Horace are
evidently of a peculiar class, et, nee, ac, non ; in, pro ; sic,
vel, seu, cur ; nunc, mux, eras, jam ; te, me, hac, quis, qui,
quem, &c. This minute observation, while it allows a free
use of all analogous words, may be considered as prohibit-
ing words of a difterent character: whatever has been other-
ox THE jrFTIiF.S OF HORACE. (101)
wise done in Alcaic verse since the revival of Letters, not a
single monosyllabic verb or noun, occupying the sixth sylla-
ble, ever found admission into the 317 stanzas of Horace.
12. The third verse may not end with a dissyllabic word
followed by a monosyllable, unless it be an enclitic, as
3 C. XXIX. 55. frohumque
Pauperiem sine dote qusero.
One form of exception only occurs, it was never repeated :
2 C. XII. 19. Depone sub lauru mea, | nee
Parce cadis tibi destinatis.
a line without a parallel, as having an accent on the seventh
syllable, and not having it, like all others, on the eighth.
13. Of those favourite or allowed forms of the third verse
which constitute that keystone as it were of the Alcaic
stanza, the following brief enumeration may serve.
The forms most predominant, then, in all the books, with
their structure and accentual cadence, are exemplified in this
verse,
A. --.|-— |.--
1 C. IX. 7- Deprome | quadrimum [ Sabina. .
of which the number amounts nearly to 150 out of the whole
317. But under that scheme, let it be understood, we class
all the lines which are thus similarly constructed in their
component words ; except as far as the monosyllabic words
having an accent, though not expressed, constitute the
difference.
1 C. IX. 19. Lenesque ] sub noctem | susurri..
4 C. XV. 15. Porrecta ] majcstas | ad ortuni. .
IV. 59. Per darana | per cae'des | ab ipso..
3 C. XXIII. 7' Rubiginew j aut dulces | alumni.
XXIX. 55. Virtute j me involvo | probamqne.
(192) ON THE METRES OF HORACE.
The form which next in point of number demands our
notice,
B. — l^— Iw__,
2 C. XV. 7. Spiirgent ] olivetis \ odorem,
is entitled to similar varieties according to the words which
compose it.
1 C. XVII. 11. Valles [ et UsticK ] cubantis
3 C. XXIX. 15. Ccfi'nne ', sine aulae'is | et ostro,..
Somewhat inferior in number is the following form :
C. _-. I -i --
3 C. XXIX. 7- Declive ] contempleris | arvum . .
in which the middle part, from its very constitution, might
be expected to consist much less frequently of single words
than of combinations like those which follow.
1 C. XXXVII. 11. Sperare | fortunkque [ dulci
3 C. IV. 27. Devota 1 non extinxit j arbor.
The form C. seems to have been studiously sought and
preferred in the third and fourth books by Horace's more
cultivated ear, being actually found in them ten times oftener
than in the first and second. Verses of the form
D. -_|. . I _-
are very few in number, as the natural combinations are
rare which produce it. Only one case appears of a word in
itself sufficiently long.
1 C. XXVII. 3. Morem | verecundumque ] Bacchum. ..
2 C. XIII. 10. Robur | sed improvisa | leti. .
3 C. VI. 11. N6stros | et adjecisse | prac'dam. .
4 C. XIV. 35. P6rtus | Alexandria | siipplex.
Of the forms
E. -1-^ 1
2E. - I ^ I —
ON THE METRES OF HOKACE. (193)
the Still greater rarity may be referred to the same cause.
1 C. xxvTt. 15. N6n | I'rubesc^ndis | adi'trit..
3 C. II. 19. Dulcew | ^laborabunt | saporem.,
4 C. IV. 11. NCmc I m reluctantes | dracones..
and
2 C. I. 35. Noil I d^coloravfre | cse'des.
N.B. In agreement with the suggestion of Dr. Herbert,
already brought forward, a secondary accent is here given
to the long compound woi*ds in the first, second, and fourth
lines last quoted.
The verses of the form
F — .— )-!. —
fully considered in § 11, may be the more briefly dismissed
here.
These lines,
1 C. XVI. 7. Non Liber ae'que | non | acuta. .
XXVI. 3. Portare v^ntis | quis | sub A'rcto. .
XXXV. 19. Gestans ahena [ n^c j severus. .
— XXVII. 23. Vix illigatum | t^ | trif6rmi..
show the common forms of structure and accentuation.
This case,
2 C. XX. 23. Compesce clamorem | ac | sepulchri. .
occurs only once again, 3 C. v. 43.
And these two, peculiar in their accentvial beginning,
1 C. IX. 11. Deprceli^ntes ] n^c | cupressi. .
3 C. XVII. 3. Denominiitos | ^t | nep6tum..
(unless a secondary accent be allowed) must be classed with
similar commencements of a quinquesyllabic kind (some
twenty more or less) which are found in the first and second
lines of the stanza.
o
(194) ON THE METRES OF HORACE.
Under one or other of these six forms as stamped with
Horace's mature approbation, every legitimate third verse
of the Alcaic stanza may now be reduced ; and whatever
modes of structure and accentuation differ from these, are
virtually excluded from all place in any classical exercise of
imitative composition.
14. On the Fourth line, which has its scansion thus,
Singularly enough, no scheme of structim'e likely to be
adopted seems quite objectionable and bad, except that
which exactly coincides with the scansion ; as it is unfortu-
nately given in that medley of metres, known by the name
of Pasiphae,
V. 15. oraque | juiigei-e | quae'rit | ori. ..
which, of course, has no parallel in Horace.
The following forms are exhibited in order, according to
their numerical predominance.
The form A. is decidedly the most numerous.
1 C. IX. )2. Nee veteres | agitantur | orni.
20. Composita | repetaiitur | horn,
XVII. 10. Riiris hononewj | opnl^nta cornu,
XXXIV. a. E'git equos 1 vohicrcmque ] curnim,
3 r. IT. R. Prnsjiiciens | ct adulta [ virgo,
B. -.._|..-.|.—
IC. XVII. 8. Nee virides | metuunt | colLtbros*
XXVI. H. Nccte meo | Lamiae | coronam.
XXXI. 4. SardiiiifE | segetes | feracis.
3 C. V. 8. Cmisenuit j socer6r«;M | in arvis.
4 C. XIV. 24. Mittejv equum | niedios | per I'gnes.
0\ THE METRES OF HOKACE. (^-^"j)
c. -^- 1 |.—
1 C. IX. 4. Flumina [ coiistiteriiit | aciito.
xvn. 24. Prrc'Iia | ncc metues | protcrvuin.
3 0. IV. 52. Pelioii | imposiiis.«e | Olympo.
XXIX. 3(5. In inare | nunclapides| adesos.
D. h^ l-^i —
1 C. xxxiv^ 12. Concutitur, | valet | I'ma | siimmis.
3 C. I. H>. Om'ne capax | movet | iirna [ noinen.
40. Post eqnitem | sedet | atra | ci'ira.
We have here to remark a singular change in the practice of
Horace.
The form (D) above described appears very seldom in the
1st and 2d books : iu the 3d and 4th it became so much a
favourite as to appear nearly 10 times as often.
2D. ^^-i ^" I -"--
differs from the precedent only by its ending in one quadri-
syllable instead of two dissyllabic words ; and the few in-
stances of it are evenly dispersed over the four books.
1 C. IX. 24. A6t digito | male | pertinaci.
3 C. XXIX. H. Telegoni | juga | parricida>.
4 C. XV. 28. Rite deos | pri'ns | aj)precati.
E. -^^ 1 i--
1 C. XVII. 12. Levia I personuere | siixa.
2 C. XIII. 4. Pernicit'w | opprobriiimque | png>.
3 C. XXIII. 20. Farre pio j et saliente | mica.
Here also the change in Horace's practice is singular, but in
the opposite direction to that of D. The instances, not
many in all, occur three times as often in the first two books
as in the two latter : the form had apparently gone out of
favour with him.
F and 2 F are forms similar enough to be classed to-
gether.
o 2
(196) ON THE METRES OF HORACE.
F. — " I v—vw— I V
2F. _v|«-.v_v|__
1 C. XXVII. IG. f'ae'sar | ab Italia | volantein.
3 C. I. 8. Ciincta | supercilio [ moventis.
2 C. XX. 16. A'les, | Hyperboreosque [ c.impos.
More than two thirds of all these lines are found as in
the classes A, B, D, to commence with - « w _ | &c.
The class next in number C. consists of those which com-
mence with —^^\ — - - — I &c.
The principal forms embracing nearly the whole number
of 317 have thus been reviewed: of the few that remain, a
short notice may suffice. The form |— vv-wj^-j
1 C. IX. 8. O' Thaliarche | merum | diota..
occurs very seldom.
In the early books also, a single case of the (here offen-
sive) amphibrach (>^-^) occurs, thus:
1 C. ivi. 12. Teque | tuasque | decet | sorores.
and three only of the following.
\J ~~. V
1 C. XXXI. 16. Me cichorea | levesque | milvae.
and 2 C. i. 36. xiii. 8.
Finally, three lines sui generis in singularity may speak
for themselves.
ON THE METRES OF HORACE. (197)
3 C. I. 48- Progeniem | vitiosiorem.
VI. 48. Divitias ) cperosiores.
and
V. 56 Aut Laceda'moninm j Tareiitiun.
London, January 21, 1836.
POSTSCRIPT TO THE METRES.
The boast of Horace,
3 C. XXX. 13, 14. Princeps /Eoliiim carmen ad Italos
Deduxisse modos ....
that by happy change and adaptation he had transferred the
metres of Sappho and Alc?eus into the uses of Latin poetry,
might require for its full justification a more detailed com-
parison betwixt his Lyric verses and the remaining frag-
ments of those poets, than need at present be attempted.
But for satisfaction generally on this head, the reader is
referred to Gaisford's HephjEstion, 1810, to Hermann's
Elementa Doctrinae Metricae, 1816, and to Charles Bur-
ney''s article in the Monthly Review, u.s., who was the first
scholar to investigate the subject, in 1798.
In the Saj^phic Stanza, the Greek preference so decided
of a sJiort syllable in the 4th place where Horace always has
the long^ as well as numerous varieties of structure, which the
Romana ^dicen hjvce could not or would not adopt, have
been sufficiently described elsewhere*, and arc too well
known to require formality of demonstration. Catulius''s
Sapphic verse also, in these pages already referred to, may
easily be consulted, (Odes xi, xlviit,) to contrast his looser
and ruder movement with the regulated cadences of Horace,
in that its state of perfection as a Latin metre.
* Greek Metres (J. T.) 4lh Edition, iip. 47-51.
(198) ON THE jSIETUES OF HOllACE.
In the long Alcaic, that well known verse,
M/j^£V a'K'ko (puTEvcrvg tt^ots^ov ^ev^^sov afJi.Trs.'Ku.. .
both begins with the Trochee which Horace (M. xiii.)
never admits, and proceeds without that cUvisio vocum which
in his practice formed the regular caesura.
Catullus, accordingly, has these lines amongst several
(xxv.) with the caesura neglected.
1. Alfene immemor, atque unanimis false sodalibus.
8. Inducens in amorem, quasi tuta omnia mi forent.
The Alcaic Stanza, in its first two verses, as we gather
from Greek fragments in the pages of Burney, Gaisford, and
Hermann, besides admitting the fifth syllable short, which
in Horace is always long, almost indifferently used or dis-
regarded the division by a word, which in Horace is hardly
ever neglected, betwixt the constituent parts of the verse.
%£ijaa)V, TTSTTayacnv J' u^aTuv poal.
The third line of that Stanza, besides much license of
structure, has in Greek the fifth syllable freely if not always
short, which in the Latin is never otherwise than long.
And the fourth line not only has such forms of struc-
ture as were admitted by Horace, but even in the few in-
stances preserved, exhibits one at least, which his Roman
car must certainly have rejected.
Na)' I (popyifA,B9cc ] auv jusXalvoc.
In the similar adaptation of Glyconic and Pherccratian
metre to his purpose, the spondee initial, so fixed by Horace,
because congenial to the Latin tongue, may deserve to be
briefly exemjilified. The first two syllables of that verse, as
ON TUK METRUS OF HOUACt% (199)
instanced from the Tragic Chorus by Gaisford and Hermann,
are indifferentlv — on the one hand, or " - and - ^ on the
other.
S. Theb.295 — 301. ro) /xh ya§ ttot) Trijpyoii . . .
la.7rrov(Ti TToXiTaig
FhiloCt. 1124. TTOVTOW OlVOi B(pri/X£VOi.
140. Aioj a-xij'TrT^ov avao'creTai.
1126. rav E/xav ij.s>,eov T^o(pav.
The light tripping delicacy, however, of Catullus's Stanza
with the favorite Trochee initial, in all respects so very
beautiful, is a masterpiece of success, with all the difficulty
Qudentis speciem dabit, et torquehitur) of its inimitable
ijxecution.
Torqiiatus volo parvulus
ISIatris e gremio suae
Porrigens teneras maiiut:
Dulce rideat ad patrein
Seraihiante labello. — Muniius el Jutiia.
Nothing but tlie inconsiderate compliment paid by Dr.
Bentley, " Epigramma veteris grammatici in Pasiphaen
quo omnes versus Horatianos non ineleganter expressit,""
could be urged in apology for half a page bestowed upon
that Poem. Let so much space be conceded to the expo-
sure of its most flagrant deviations from the model proposed.
V. 7- Optat in/ormam bovis —
has the lo7ig syllable in 4^", where Horace (Metre xi.)
always has it short.
Nou ebiir iie([uc aureum.
{200} ON THE METRES OF HORACE.
t. i). Et Proetidas | dicit beatas
may not be defended by that solitary instance in Horace,
(Metre XIX. 3.)
Huuc Lesbio i sacrare plectro.
There is some difference even there.
V. 15. Oraque jungere quserit ori...
has been already cited (Metre xix. 4.) as the only very
bad form, quite unknown to Horace ; in which the structure
is entirely governed by the scansion.
V. 17. Inlicitisque gaudent ;
which, with a dactyl precedent, might close the fourth
Alcaic line, can hardly be recognised as tallying with the
separate verse,
Lydia, | die per omnes.
(Metre xi. 1.) Not one line is there in the prototype simi-
larly constituted.
To trace the followers of Horace m lyrical imitation, even
within the limits of the Alcaic Stanza, is a task not to be
attempted here.
The earliest imitator extant appears to have been Statins;
whose Ode ad Sept. Severum (4 Sylv. v.) so regular and
])recise in that Metre, has been justly remarked upon as
monotonous, when compared with the freedom and variety
of Horace. Nor has it escaped the severe judgment of
Louth, De Sacra Poesi Hehr<Bormii (p. 331.) that in
merit as a composition, that Ode is very inferior. How well
docs he describe in what the excclicnce of Horace's lyric
ON THE METRES OF HORACE. (201)
poetry consists : in cxordio obvio, nee nimis exquisito, et in
ipsara plerumque rem protinus incurrente ; in seric rerum
per jucundam varietatcm subtilitcr et artifieiosc, sed quasi
sponte, deducta; in clausula, sine ullo acumine, leni quodam
lapsu in loco foi'san minime expectato, etnonnunquam veluti
fortuito cadente.
Amongst the moderns, Casimir Sarbievius deservedly
ranks perhaps as the highest, the patriot Lyrist of Poland
in that her day of greatness and glory ; whose minor faults,
however, have been freely pointed out in these pages, on
account of the very celebrity which has gathered round his
name as a Latin Poet.
Muretus, Daniel Heinsius, Grotius, Cardinal Barberini
(afterwards Urban VIII.), and our own Milton, might be
more rigorously censured (supposing Horace at all the ex-
emplar of their practice) for those neglects of metrical law
and the accentual cadence involved in it ; which in common
with other moderns they largely committed, and which may
partly be charged upon the total want in grammarians of any
exact knowledge of the subject.
To come down at once to times nearer the present. Even
Gray, the Etonian, though exquisite in his observance of
the nicest beauty in the hexameters of Virgil, showed him-
self strangely unacquainted with the rules of Horace's lyric
verse. For instance, in the " Mater rosarum,'' &c., the
followinsz stanza is of a nature to startle the classical ear
with two or three palpable faults.
Miraie nee tu nie citharae rudem
Claudis laborantem numeris : loca
Amoena jucuudumque ver, in-
compositum docueie carmen.
What a pity too it is, that the " noble imagery and pa^
tlietic sentiment"' of his Ode on the Grand Chartreuse
should be interrupted by a line so jarring and bad as th<
(202) OM THE METRES OF HORACE.
second of those below, in a stanza otherwise of such first
rate excellence.
PrseBentiorem et congpicimus Deum
Per I'nvias ri'ipes, fera per juga,
Clivosque praeruptos, sonantes
Inter aquas nemorumque noctem.
INDEX
TO
FIUNCIPAL PASSAGES ADDUCED.
Book, &c.
Lines.
pp.
Book, iSic.
Lines.
pp.
Serm.
Sat.
Serm.
Sat.
I.
II.
24,5
134
II.
II.
10 13
117
III.
56 58
157
15, 16
97
63—66
112
112—136
42
IV.
39—55
15
116,17
51
69—74
151
III.
9
65
101
45
10
—
103 109
46
91,2
51
107, 8
78
168, 9
43
116—121
46
168—186
131
1 33, 4
103
308
21
V.
39—44
59
IV.
24—27
98
81—88
60
VI.
20—23
12
VI.
5—13
77
27
104
36,7
56
33
11
48
53
63,4
51
54,5
58
65—75
67
71—76
42
VII.
29,30
57
76—89
44
36
105
86
37
VIII.
• •
133
101
104
Epod.
Epod.
111—129
95
I.
, •
69
114—118
56
23—30
34
VII.
* •
61
II.
39—48
106. 110
28,9
26
41,2
43
IX.
29,30
43
IV.
, .
126
35
104
V.
100
152
49 52
114
VII.
, .
68
X.
31—35
49
IX.
7—10
126
40—45
60
15—18
69
Serm.
XVI.
• •
69
II.
I.
7,8
105
XVII.
65
50
9—12
60
Carm.
Ode
10—15
16
I.
I.
7—14
116
62—74
84
20
120
71—74
57
29
118
\
74—78
61
30—32
25
(204)
INDEX TO PASSAGES ADDUCED.
Book, &c.
Lines.
pp.
Books, &c.
Lines
1
pp.
Carm.
Ode
Carm-
Ode
I.
II.
21,2
86
III.
XIII.
, ,
87
29
121
XIV.
1—4
18
VI.
131
11
15o
VII.
10—14
26.51
XXI.
11, 12
67
XIV.
123
XXIII.
1
30
XVI.
63
XXIV.
142
22—25
46
9—11
108
XVII.
• •
63
35,6
18
XVIII.
1
140
42,3
51
XX.
, ,
79
XXIX.
79
XXIII.
5
156
2—5
101
XXIX.
, ,
143
5—8
24
XXXI.
16, &c.
57
17—20
115
XXXV.
9—16
117
20
154
29 32
86
25-28
115
XXXVII.
1.2
139
62—64
58
XXXVIII.
5,6
156
XXX.
10—14
74
39
Carm.
I.
29—32
86
Epist.
Epist.
II.
II.
, ,
131
I.
I.
2—6
80
VI.
1—4
27
94-^105
113
5—8
26
. 100
21
VII.
1,2
53
11.
1,2
44
9—12
124
32—37
103
15, 16
50
V.
1,2
57
IX.
18—22
85
4—26
100
XI.
13, 14
33
VI.
40
150
18—20
VII.
3—6
115
21,2
32
8
104
XII.
13
133
10,11
28
XIII.
, ,
40
10—13
65
XIV.
26—28
156
12
147
XVI.
1
50
14,15
43
XVII.
22—30
41
33 39
75
XVIII.
14
23
44,5
26
XX.
5—7
157
VIII.
3—7
34
13
152
X.
12
6
26
108
Carm.
I.
37—40
50
44—46
78
III.
II.
6—11
117
XI.
. .
51
III.
. ,
127
25 27
150
6
155
XIV.
2,3
67
IV.
9—20
40
17
11.56
21—24
26.28
19,20
33
25—28
54
21—26
29
V.
1—4
86
32—36
100 'I
17, 18
153
37—39
68
VI.
33—46
110
XVI.
. .
33.35
37—44
43
49—51
43
VIII.
« •
41
XVII.
. .
62
17—28
1)5
XVIU.
. .
62
XII.
9
105
78—83
114
INDEX TO PASSAGES ADDUCED.
(205)
Book, &c.
Lines.
pp.
Book, &c.
Lines.
pp.
Epist.
Epist.
Carm.
Ode
I.
XIX.
21—25
68
IV.
XV.
4—12
18
26—34
70
13 16
43
Carm.
XX.
20—28
81
Epist.
Epist.
S£EC.
• •
• •
73
II.
I.
70,1
111—113
39.44
103
Carm.
Ode
118—138
136
IV.
II.
27—32
26
1
245—247
76
50
19
II.
41,2
'44. 47
III.
10—12
26
43—45
47
IV.
42—44
54
1
47
50
V.
1—8
19
49—51
54
22
18
1
51, 2
62
VI.
. .
73
65
12
25—28
39
167, 8
57
IX.
1—4
136
39
AdPi-
210, 11
77
XL
2,3
30
sones.
• •
135
13 20
112
1
26,7
157
XII.
17, 18
101
,
36,7
155
XIV.
1 5
20
453 ad fin.
136
J
Q. HORATII FLACCI
OPERA.
IN ILLUM LIBRORUM ORDINEM,
QUO SUNT OLIM AB IPSO IN VULGUS EDITA,
SECUNDUM RTCARDI BENTLEII SENTENTIAIM,
RESTITUIT
JACOBUS TATE.
LIBRORUM HORATIANORUM
CONSPECTUS.
PAG.
SERMONUM Liber Primus 1
Liber Secundus 32
EPODON LIBER 64
CARMINUM Liber Primus 85
Liber Secundus 115
Liber Tertius 135
EPISTOLARUM Liber Primus 168
CARMEN S.ECULARE 200
CARMINUM Liber Quartus 203
EPISTOLARUM Liber Secundus 222
DE ARTE POETICA AD PISONES EPISTOLA 230
Q. HORATII FLACCI
S E R M O N U M
LIBER PRIMUS.
SATIIIA I.
Qui fit, IMoecenas, ut nemo, quam sibi sortem
Sou Ratio dedcrit, seu Fors objecerit, ilia
Contentus vivat, laudet diversa sequentes 't
! fortunati mercatores, gravis annis
Miles ait, multo jam fractus membra labore. 5
Contra mercator, navim jactantibus austris,
IVIilitia est potior : quid enim ? concurritur : horae
JNIomento cita mors venit, aut victoria la?ta.
Agricolam laudat juris legumque peritus,
Sub galli cantum consultor ubi ostia pulsat. 10
1 lie datis vadibus qui rure extractus in urbem est,
Solos felices viventes clamat in urbe.
Caetera de genere hoc (adeo sunt multa) loquacem
Delassare valent Fabium : ne te morer, audi
Quo rem deducam. Si quis deus, En ego, dicat, 15
Jam faciam quod vultis : eris tu, qui modo miles,
Mercator: tu, consultus modo rusticus : bine vos,
Vos hinc mutatis discedite partibus. Eja,
Quid statis ? Nolint. Atqui licet esse beatis.
Quid causae est, merito quin illis Jupiter ambas 20
Iratus buccas inflet ? neque se fore posthac
Tam facilem dicat, votis ut pra?beat aurem ?
Praeterea, ne sic, ut qui jocularia, ridens
Percurram ; quanquam ridentem dicere verum
Quid vetat ? ut pueris oliir. daut crustula blandi 25
2 Q. HORATII FI.ACCE
Doctores, elementa velint ut discere prima —
Sed tamen amoto quaeramus seria ludo.
Ille gravem duro terram qui vertit aratro,
Perfidus hie caupo, miles, nautaeque per omne
Audaces mare qui currunt, hac mente laborem 30
Sese ferre, senes ut in otia tuta recedant,
Aiunt, cum sibi sint congesta cibaria : sicut
Parvula (nam exemplo est) magni formica laboris
Ore trahit, quodcunque potest, atque addit acervo,
Quem struit, baud ignara ac non incauta futuri : 35
Quae, simul inversum contristat Aquarius annum,
Non usquam prorepit, et illis utitur ante
Quaesitis sapiens ; cum te neque fervidus aestus
Dimoveat lucro, neque hiems, ignis, mare, ferrum ;
Nil obstet tibi, dum ne sit te ditior alter. 40
Quid juvat immensum te argenti pondus et auri
Furtim defossa timidum deponere terra ?
% Quod, si comminuas, vilem redigatur ad assem.
% At ni id fit, quid babet pulcbri constructus acervus ?
Millia frumenti tua triverit area centum, 45
Non tuus hoc capiet venter plus quam mens : ut si
Keticulum panis venales inter onusto
Forte vehas humero, nihilo plus accipias quam
Qui nil portarit. Vel die, quid referat intra
Naturae fines viventi, jugera centum, an 50
Mille aret ? H At suave est ex magno tollere acervo.
5f Dum ex parvo nobis tantundem haurire relinquas,
Cur tua plus laudes cumeris granaria nostris ?
Ut tibi si sit opus liquidi non amplius urna,
Vel cyatho ; et dicas, Magno de flumine mallem, 55
Quam ex hoc fonticulo tantundem sumere. Eo fit.
Plenior ut siquos delectet copia justo,
Cum ripa simul avulsos ferat Aufidus acer :
At qui tantuli eget quanto est opus, is neque limo
Turbatam haurit aquam, neque vitam amittitin undis. CO
At bona pars hominum decepta cupidine falso,
sr.R.\roN[T.\[ f.iR 1.1. 3
Nil satis est, inquit; quia tanti, quantum liabeas, sis.
Quid facias illi ? jubcas miserum esse, lihenter
Quatenus id facit : ut quidani mcmoratur Athenis
Sordidus ac dives, populi contemnerc voces Q5
Sic solitus ; Populus me sibilat, at mihi plaudo
Ipse domi, simul ac nummos contemplor in area.
Tantalus a labris sitiens fugientia captat
Flumina : quid rides ? mutato nomine de te
Fabula narratur : congestis undique saccis ^0
Indormis inhians, et tanquam parcere sacris
Cogeris, aut pictis tanquam gaudere tabellis.
Nescis quo valeat nummus, quern praebeat usum .^
Panis ematur, olus, vini sextarius : adde,
Queis humana sibi doleat natura negatis. ^5
An vigilare metu exanimem, noctesque diesque
Formidare males fures, incendia, servos,
Ne te compilent fugientes : hoc juvat ? horum
Semper ego optarim pauperrimus esse bonorum,
At si condoluit tentatum frigore corpus, 80
Aut alius casus lecto te affixit ; babes qui
Assideat, fomenta paret, medicum roget ut te
Suscitet ac reddat natis carisque propinquis .-*
Non uxor salvum te vult, non filius : omnes
Vicini oderunt, noti, pueri atque puellae. 85
Miraris, cum tu argento post omnia ponas,
Si nemo prastet quem non merearis amorem ?
An si cognates, nullo natura labore
Quos tibi dat, retinere velis servareque amicos ;
Infelix operam perdas, ut siquis asellum 90
In campo doceat parentem currere fraenis .''
Denique sit finis quaerendi ; quoque habeas plus,
Pauperiem metuas minus, et finire laborem
Incipias, parto quod avebas, ne facias quod
Ummidius quidam (non longa est fabula) dives 95
Ut metiretur nummos, ita sordidus ut se
Non uuquam servo melius vestiret, ad usque
b2
4 <i. iron ATI I r'l.Arci
Supremum tempus, ne se penuria victus
Opprimeret, metuebat. At hunc liberta securi
Divisit medium, fortissima Tyndaridarum. 100
1[ Quid mi igitur suades? ut vivam Maenius, aut sic
Ut Nomentanus ? II Pergis pugnantia secum
Frontibus adversis componere? non ego, avarum
Cum veto te fieri, vappam jubeo ac nebulonem.
Est inter Tanaim quiddam socerumque Viselli. 105
Est modus in rebus ; sunt certi denique fines,
Quos ultra citraque nequit consistere rectum.
Illuc, unde abii, redeo ; nemon' ut avarus
Se probet, ac potius laudet diversa sequentes?
Quodque aliena capella gerat distentius uber, 110
Tabescat ? neque se majori pauperiorum
Turbfe comparet ? hunc atque hunc superare laboret ?
Sic fcstinanti semper locupletior obstat :
Ut cum carceribus missos rapit unguhi currus,
Instat equis auriga sues vincentibus, ilium 115
Praeteritum temnens extremos inter euntem.
Inde fit ut raro, qui se vixisse beatum
Dicat, et exacto contentus tempore vitae
Cedat, uti conviva satur, reperire queamus.
Jam satis est : ne me Crispini scrinia lippi 120
Compilasse putes, verbum non amplius addam.
SATIRA II.
Amdubajarum collegia, pharmacopolae,
Mendici, mima?, balatroncs, hoc genus omne
Mcestum ac solicitum est cantoris morte Tigelli ;
Quippe benignus erat : contra hie ne prodigus esse
Dicatur metuens, inopi dare nolit amico,
Frigus quo duramque famem depellere possit.
Hunc si perconteris, avi cur atque parentis
SEUMONUM MB. I. 2. 5
rrasclaram ingrata stringat mains ingluvie rem,
Omnia conductis coemens obsonia nummis ;
Sordidus atque animi quod parvi nolit Iiaberi, 10
Respondet : Laudatur ab his, culpatur ab illis.
Fufidius vappa3 famam timet ac nebulonis,
Dives agris, dives positis in fenore nummis.
(^uinas hie capiti mercedes exsecat ; atque
Quanto perditior quisque est, tanto acrius urguet; 15
Nomina sectatur, modo sumta veste virili,
Sub patribus duris, tironum. jMaxime, quis non,
Jupiter, exclamat, simulatque audivit ? 1[ At in se
Pro quaestu sumtum facit hie. 1| Vix credere possis
Quam sibi non sit amicus : ita ut pater ille, Terenti 20
Fabula quem miserum nato vixisse fugato
Inducit, non se pejus cruciaverit atque hie.
Si quis nunc quaerat, Quo res ha;c pertinet } Illuc ;
Dum vitant stulti vitia, in contraria cvurunt.
Malthinus tunicis demissis ambulat ; est qui 25
Inguen ad obscoenum subductis usque facetus :
Pastilles Rufillus olet, Gorgonius hircum :
Nil medium est. Sunt qui nolint tctigisse, nisi ilias
Quarum subsuta talos tegat instita veste:
Contra alius nullam, nisi olente in fornice stantcm. 30
Quidam notus homo cum exiret fornice, Macte
A irtute esto, inquit sententia dia Catonis :
Nam simulac venas inflavit tetra libido,
Hue juvenes aequum est desccndere, non alienas
Permolere uxores. Nolim laudarier, inquit, 35
Sic me, mirator cunni Cupiennius albi,
Audire est operte pretium, procedere recte
Qui mcrchis non vultis, ut omni parte laborent ;
Utque illis multo corrupta dolore voluptas,
Atque lijiec rara, cadat dura inter sjepe pericla. 40
Hie se priccipitem tecto dedit : ille tlagellis
Ad mortem cicsus : f'ugicns hie decidit acrtiii
Praedonum in tuibam : dedit hie pro corpurc iiummos :
6 Q. HORATll FLACCI
Hunc pcrminxerunt calones : quin etiam illud
Accidit, ut quidam testes caudamque salacem 45
Demetcret ferrum. Jure omnes : Galba negabat.
Tutior at quaiito merx est in classe secunda !
Libertinarum dico, Sallustius in quas
Non minus insanit, quam qui mccchatur : at hie si,
Qua res qua ratio suaderet, quaque inodeste 50
Munifico esse licet, vellet bonus atque benignus
Esse ; daret quantum satis esset, nee sibi damno
Dedecorique foret : vervun hoc se amplectitur uno :
Hoc amat, hoc laudat ; Matronam nullam ego tango :
Ut quondam Marsieus, amator Originis, ille 55
Qui patrium mimae donat fundumque laremque,
Nil fuerit mi, inquit, cum uxoribus unquam alienis :
Verum est cum mimis, est cum meretricibus ; unde
Fama malum gravius, quam res trahit : an tibi abundc
Personam satis est, non illud quicquid ubique 60
Officit, evitare ? bonam deperdere famam.
Rem patris oblimare, malum est ubicunque. Quid inter-
Est in matrona, ancilla, peccesve togata?
Villius in Fausta Sullee gener, hoc miser uno
Nomine deceptus, poenas dedit usque superque 65
Quam satis est ; pugnis caesus, ferroque petitus,
Exclusus fore, cum Longarenus foret intus.
Huic si mutonis verbis mala tanta videntis
Diceret ha?c animus ; Quid vis tibi ? nunquid ego a te
Magno prognatum deposco consule cunnum, yo
Velatumque stola, mea cum conferbuit ira ?
Q)uid responderet? Magno patre nata puella est.
At quanto meliora monet, pugnantiaque istis,
Dives opis natura suae, si tu modo recte
Dispensare velis, ac non fugienda petendis ']5
Immiscere! Tuo vitio, rerumne, labores,
Nil referre putas ? Quare ne pamiteat te :
Desine matronas scctaricr, unde laboris
Plus haurirc mali est, quam ex re deccrpcre fructus.
SERMONUM LIB. I. 2. 7
Nec magis huic inter niveos viridesque lapillos 80
Sit licet, hoc, Cerinthe, tuo tenerum est femur, aut cms
Rectius ; atque etiam melius persfcpe togatae.
Adde hue, quod mercem sine fucis gestat ; aperte
Quod venale habet, ostendit ; nec, si quid honesti est,
Jactat habetque palam, quan-it quo turpia celet. 85
Regibus hie mos est, ubi equos mercantur, opertos
Inspiciunt; ne si facies (ut saepe) decora
Molli fulta pede est, emtorem inducat hiantem ;
Quod pulchrse clunes, breve quod caput, ardua cervix.
Hoc illi recte ? ne corporis optima Lynceis 90
Contemplere oculis, Hypsaea ca3cior ilia
Quae mala sunt spectes. If O crus ! O brachia ! 51 verum
Depygis, nasuta, brevi latere ac pede longo est.
Matronse, praeter faciem, nil cernere possis,
Caetera, ni Catia est, demissa veste tegentis. 95
Si interdicta petes, vallo circumdata, nam te
Hoc facit insanum, multae tibi tum efficient res :
Custodes, lectica, ciniflones, parasitae,
Ad tales stola demissa, et circumdata palla ;
Plurima, quae invideant pure apparere tibi rem. 100
Altera, nil obstat : Cois tibi pene videre est
Ut nudam ; ne crure male, ne sit pede turpi :
Metiri possis oculo latus. An tibi mavis
Insidias fieri, pretiumque avellier, ante
Quam mercem ostendi ? H Leporem venator ut alia 105
In iiive secteiur, positum sic tangere nolit :
Cantat, et apponit. Mens est amor huic similis : nam
Transvolat in medio posita, et fugientia captat.
% Hiscine vcrsiculis speras tibi posse dolores,
Atque aestus curasque graves e pectore pelli ? 110
Nonne cupidinibus siatuat natura modum quern,
Quid latura sibi, quid sit dolitura negatum,
Quaerere plus prodest, et inane abscindere soldo .^
Num, tibi cum fauces urit sitis, aurea quaeris
Focula ? num esuriens fastidis omnia praeter 115
8 Q. H OR ATI I tLACCI
Pavonem rliombumque ? tument tibi cum inguina, nuni, si
Ancilla aut verna est prtesto puer, impetus in quern
Continuo flat, malis tentigine rumpi ?
Non ego; namque pavabilem amo Venerem, facilemque.
51 Illam, Post paulo ; Sed pluris : Si cxierit vir; 120
Gallis banc, Pbilodemus ait ; sibi, quae neque magno
Stet pretio, neque cunctctur, cum est jussa, venire:
Candida rectaque sit ; munda hactenus, ut neque longa
Nee magis alba velit, quam det natura, videri.
Ha?c ubi supposuit dextrum corpus niibi Ifevo, 125
Ilia et u^geria est: do nomen quodlibct illi.
Nee vereor, ne dum futuo, vir rure recurrat,
Janua frangatur, latret canis, undique magno
Pulsa domus strepitu resonet, vepallida lecto
Desiliat mulier, miseram se conscia clamet ; 130
Cruribus b.ec metuat, doti deprensa, egomet mi.
Discincta tunica fugiendum est, ac pede undo,
Ne nummi pereant, aut pyga, aut dcnique fama.
Deprcndi n)iscrum est: Fabio vel judice vincam.
SAT IRA III.
Omxibus hoc vitium est cantoribus, inter amicos
T't nunquam inducant animum cantarc rogati ;
Injussi nunquam desistant. Sardus babcbat
I lie Tigellius hoc. Ctesar, qui cogere posset,
Si peteret per amicitiam patris atque suam, non 5
Quicquam proficeret : si collibuisset, ab ovo
Usque ad mala citaret ; lo liaccbc ! modo sumrna
Voce, modo hac, resonat quae chordis quattuor ima.
Nil tequale homini fuit illi : saepe velut qui
Currebat fugicns liostem ; pci'saspe velut qui 10
Junonis sacra ferret; babcbat sacpe ducentos,
S;vj>c dccom tcrvos : modo regcs alquc tclrarclias,
SEUMONUM LIB. I. 3. 9
Omnlca magna, loquens : luodo, Sit milii mcnsa tripes, ct
Concha salis puri, et toga qiuc defendere frigus,
Quamvis crassa, queat. Decics centena dedisses 15
Iluic parco paucis contento, quinque diebus
Nil erat in loculis : noctes vigilabat ad ipsum
jVIane, diem totura stertebat ; nil fuit unquam
Sic impar sibi. Nunc aliquis dicat mihi, Quid tu ?
Nullane liabes vitia? Imo alia, et fortasse minora. 20
^Ifcnius absentem Novium cum carperet ; Heus tu,
Quidam ait, ignoras te ? an ut ignotum dare nobis
Verba putas ? Egomet mi ignosco, Micnius inquit.
Stultus et improbus hie amor est, dignusque notari.
Cum tua pervideas oculis male lippus inunctis, 25
Cur in amicorum vitiis tam cernis acutum,
Quam aut aquila, aut serpens Epidaurius ! At tibi contra
Evenit, inquirant vitia ut tua rursus et illi.
Iracundior est paulo ? minus aptus acutis
Naribus horuni honiinum ? rideri possit, eo quod 30
Husticius tonso toga defluit, et male laxus
In pcdc calceus ho^ret ? At est bonus, ut nielior vir
Non alius quisquam : at tibi amicus ; at ingenium ingcns
Inculto latct lioc sub corpore. Denique teipsum
Concute, numqua tibi vitiorum inseverit olim 35
Natura, aut etiam consuetudo mala ; namque
Ncsjlcctis urenda filix innascitur agris.
Illuc prsevcrtamur ; amatorcm quod amicfc
Turjna dcci})iunt cttcum vitia, aut etiam ipsa ha-c
Delcctant ; vcluti Balbinum pol y]ius ITagnte : 40
Vcllcm in amicitia sic erraremus ; et isti
Errori nomen virtus posuissct honestum.
At, patct ut gnati, sic nos dcbcmus amici,
Siquod sit vitium, non fastidire : strabonem
Appellat Fjetum pater; et PuUum, male parvus 45
Si cui filius est, ut abortivus fuit olim
Sisyphus: hunc, A'arum, distortis cruribus ; ilium
Balbutit Scauium. parvis iullum male talis.
10 Q. HORATII FLACCI
Parcius hie vivit ? frugi dicatur : ineptus
Et jactantior hie paulo est? concinnus amicis 60
Postulat ut videatur : at est trueulentior, atque
Plus aequo liber ? simplex fortisque habeatur.
Caldior est ? acres inter numeretur : opinor,
Haec res et jungit, junctos et servat amicos.
At nos virtutes ipsas invertimus, atque 55
Sincerum cupimus vas incrustare. Probus quis
Nobiscum vivit, multum demissus homo ? illi
Tardo ac cognomen pingui damus : hie fugit omnes
Insidias, nullique malo latus obdit apertum ? —
Cum genus hoc inter vitae versetur, ubi acris 60
Invidia, atque vigent ubi crimina — pro bene sano
Ac non incauto, fictum astutumque vocamus.
Simphcior quis et est, qualem me ssepe libenter
Obtulerim tibi, Maecenas, ut forte legentem
Aut taciturn impellat quovi& sermone molestus ? 65
Communi sensu plane caret, inquimus. Eheu
Quam temere in nosmet legem sancimus iniquam !
Nam vitiis nemo sine nascitur : optimus ille est,
Qui minimis urguetur. Amicus dulcis, ut aequum est,
Cum mea compenset vitiis bona, pluribus hisce 7^
(Si modo plura mihi bona sunt) inclinet, amari
Si volet: hac lege, in trutina ponetur eadem.
Qui ne tuberibus propriis offendat amicum
Postulat, ignoscet verrucis illius : aequum est,
Peccatis veniam poscentem reddere rursus. 7^
Denique, quatenus excidi penitus vitium irte,
Caetera item nequeunt stultis haerentia : cur non
Ponderibus modulisque suis ratio utitur ? ac res
Ut quaeque est, ita suppliciis deUcta coercet ?
Si quis eum servum, patinam qui tollere jussus
Semesos pisces tepidumque ligurrierit jus,
In cruce suffigat, Labeone insanior inter
Sanos dicatur. Quanto hoc furiosius atque
Majus pcccatum est r Paulum deliquit amicus ;
80
SERMONUM LIB. 1. 3. 11
Quod nisi cowcedas, habcare insuavis, acerbus, 85
Odisti ct fugis, ut Rusonem debitor aeris :
Qui, nisi cum tristes misero venere Calendae,
INIercedem aut nummos unde unde extricat, amaras
Porrecto jugulo liistorias, captivus ut, audit.
Comminxit lectum potus, mensave catillum 90
Evandri manibus tritum dejecit ; ob banc rem,
Aut positum ante mea quia pullum in parte catini
Sustulit esuriens, minus hoc jucundus amicus
Sit mihi ? Quid faciam si furtuni fecerit ? aut si
Prodiderit commissa fide ? sponsumve negarit .'' 95
Queis paria esse fere placuit peccata, laborant,
Cum ventum ad verum est : sensus moresque repugnant,
Atque ipsa utilitas, justi prope mater et sequi.
Cum prorepserunt primis animalia terris,
Mutum et turpe pecus, glandem atque cubilia propter, 100
Unguibus et pugnis, dein fustibus, atque ita porro
Pugnabant armis, quae post fabricaverat usus ;
Donee verba, quibus voces sensusque notarent,
Nominaque invenere : dehinc absistere bello,
Oppida coeperunt munire, et ponere leges, 105
Ne quis fur esset, neu latro, neu quis adulter.
Nam fuit ante Helenam cunnus teterrima belli
Causa : scd ignotis perierunt mortibus illi,
Quos Venerem incertam rapientes more ferarum
Viribus editior ca?debat, ut in grege taurus. 110
Jura inventa metu injusti fateare necesse est,
Tempora si fastosque velis evolvere mundi.
Nee natura potest justo secernere iniquum,
Dividit ut bona diversis, fugienda petcndis.
Nee vincet ratio hoc, tantundcm ut peccet idemque 115
Qui teneros caules alieni fregerit horti,
Et qui nocturnus sacra divum legerit. Adsit
Regula, peccatis quae poenas irroget Eequas :
Ne scutica dignum horribili sectere flagcllo.
Nam, ut ferula ca?das mcritum majora subirc 120
12 Q. HORATII ILACCI
Verbera, non vereor : cum dicas esse pares res
Furta latvociniis, et magnis parva mineris
Falce recisurum simili te, si tibi regnum
Permittant homines. Si dives qui sapiens est,
Et sutor bonus, et solus formosus, et est rex ; 125
Cur optas quod habes ? H Non nosti quid pater, inquit,
Chrysippus dicat : Sapiens crepidas sibi nunquam
Nee soleas fecit ; sutor tamen est sapiens. % Qui ?
% Ut, quamvis tacet Hermogenes, cantor tamen atque
Optimus est modulator ; ut Alfenus vafer, omni 130
Abjecto instrumento artis, clausaque taberna,
Sutor erat ; sapiens operis sic optimus omnis
Fst opifex solus ; sic rex. H Vellunt tibi barbam
Lascivi pueri ; quos tu nisi fuste coerces,
Urgueris turba circum te stante, miserque 135
Kumperis, et latras, magnorum maxime regum.
Ne longum faciam, dum tu quadrante lavatum
Ilex ibis, neque te quisquam stipator, ineptum
Praeter Crispinum, sectabitur: et mihi dulces
Ignosccnt, siquid peccaro stultus, amici; 140
Inque vicem illorum patiar delicta libenter,
Pvivatusque magis vivam te rege bcatus.
SATIRA IV.
EtiPOLis, atque Cratinus, Aristoplianesque, Poeta?,
Atque alii quorum Comoedia prisca virorum est,
Si(juis erat dignus dcscribi, quod malus, aut fur,
(Juod m(echus foret, aut sicarius, aut alioqui
Pamosus, multa cvun libertate notabant. 5
nine omnis pendet Lucilius, hosce secutus.
Mutatis tantum pedibus numerisque; facetus,
Kmuncta? naris, durus com})onere versus :
Nam fuit lioe vitiosu^. in hora stcpc ducentos,
sF.Ti>[o\i>r Til!, r. 4. 13
Ut magnum, versus dictabat, stans pcdc in uno. 10
Cum flueret lutulentus, crat quod tollcre velles:
Garrulus, atque piger scribendi fcrre laborem ;
Scribendi recte : nam ut multum, nil moror. — Ecce,
Crispinus minimo me provocat. H Accipe, si vis,
Accipe jam tabulas ; detur nobis locus, hora, 15
Custodes; videamus uter plus scribere possit.
Dii bene fecerunt, inopis me quodque pusilli
Finxerunt animi, raro ct perpauca loquentis :
At tu conclusas hircinis foUibus auras.
Usque laboi-antes dum ferrum molliat ignis, 20
Ut mavis, imitare. Beatus Fannius, ultro
Delatis capsis et imagine ; cum mea nemo
Scripta legal, (vulgo recitare timentis,) ob banc rem,
Quod sunt quos genus hoc minime juvat; utpote plures
Culpari dignos. Quemvis media elige turba ; 25
Aut ob avaritiam, aut misera ambitione laborat.
Hie nuptarum insanus amoribus, hie puerorum ;
Hunc capit argenti splendor ; stupet Albius sere ;
Hie mutat merces surgente a sole, ad eum quo
Vespertina tepet regio ; quin per mala prasceps 30
Fertur, uti pulvis collectus turbine, nequid
Summa deperdat metuens, aut ampliet ut rem.
Omnes hi metuunt versus, odere Poetas.
^ Foenum habet in cornu, longe fuge : dummodo risum
Excutiat sibi, non hie cuiquam parcet amico : 35
Et, quodcunque semel chartis illeverit, omnes
Gestiet a furno redeuntes scire lacuque,
Et pueros et anus. ^ Agedum pauca accipe contra :
Primum ego me illorum, dederim quibus esse Poetas,
Excerpam numero : neque enim concludere versum 40
Dixeris esse satis ; neque, siquis scribat, uti nos,
Sermoni propiora, putes hunc esse Poetam.
Ingenium cui sit, cui mens divinior, atque os
Magna sonaturum, des nominis hujus honorem.
Idcirco quidam, Comnedia, necne Poema 45
14 U. IIORATII KLACCI
Esset, quaesivere ; quod acer spiritus ac vis
Nee verbis nee rebus inest ; nisi quod pede certo
DifFert sermoni, sermo merus. ^ At pater ardens
Saevit, quod meretriee nepos insanus arnica
Filius, uxorem grandi cum dote recuset, 50
Ebrius et (magnum quod dedecus) ambulet ante
Noctem cum facibus. ^ Numquid Pomponius istis
Audiret leviora, pater si viveret ? — -Ergo
Non satis est puris versum perscribere verbis ;
Quern si dissolvas, quivis stomachetur eodem 55
Quo personatus pacto pater. His, ego quae nunc,
Olim quae scripsit Lucilius, evipias si
Tempora certa modosque, et quod prius ordine verbum est,
Posterius facias, pro[?ponens ultima primis ;
Non, ut si solvas, " Postquam discordia tetra 60
" Belli ferratos postes, portasque refregit:"*
Invenias etiam disjecti membra Poetae.
Hactenus haec : alias, justum sit necne Poema,
Nunc illud quaeram ; meritone tibi sit
Suspectum genus hoc scribendi. Sulcius acer 65
Ambulat, et Caprius, rauci male, cumque libellis ;
Magnus uterque timer latronibus ; at bene siquis
Et vivat puris manibus, contemnat utrumque.
Ut sis tu similis Coeli Birrique, latronum,
Non ego sim Capri, neque Sulci ; (cur metuas me ?) 7^
Nulla taberna meos habeat neque pila libellos,
Queis manus insudet vulgi, Hermogenisque Tigelli,
Nee recitem quidquam, nisi amicis, idque coactus,
Non ubivis, coramve quibuslibet. H In medio qui
Scripta foro recitent, sunt multi. % Quique lavantes : ']5
Suave locus voci resonat conclusus. Inanes
Hoc juvat, baud illud quaerentes, num sine sensu,
Tempore num faciant alieno. % Laedere gaudes,
Inquis ; et hoc studio pravus facis. H Unde petitum
Hoc in me jacis : est auctor quis denique eorum, 80
Vixi cum quibus ? Absentem qui rodit amicum
SERMOXr.Nr 1,1 1{. 1. 4. 15
Qui non defendit, alio culpante; solutos
Qui capiat risus liominum, famamque dicacis ;
Fingere qui non visa potest, commissa tacere
Qui nequit ; hie niger est, hunc tu Romane caveto. 85
Saepe tribus lectis videas coenare quaternos ;
E quibus unus amet quavis aspergere cunctos,
Praeter eum qui praebet aquani : post, hunc quoque potus,
Condita cum verax aperit praecordia Liber :
Hie tibi comis, et urbanus, liberque videtur, 90
Infesto nigris. Ego, si risi quod ineptus
Pastillos Rufillus olet, Gorgonius hircum,
Lividus et mordax videor tibi ? Mentio si qua
De Capitolini furtis injecta Petilli
Te coram fuerit ; defendas, ut tuus est raos : 95
^ Me Capitolinus convictore usus amicoque
A puero est, causaque mea permulta rogatus
Fecit ; et, incokimis laetor quod vivit in urbe :
Sed tamen admiror, quo pacto judicium ilkid
Fugerit. H Hie nigra2 succus loliginis; haec est 100
yErugo mera ; quod vitium procul afore chartis,
Atque animo prius, ut siquid promittere de me
Possum aliud, vere promitto. Liberius si
Dixero quid, si forte joeosius, hoc mihi juris
Cum venia dabis : insuevit pater optimus hoc me, 105
Ut fugerem exemplis vitiorum quaeque notando.
Cum me hortaretur, parce, frugaliter, atque
Viverem uti contentus eo, quod mi ipse parasset :
Nonne vides, Albi ut male vivat filius ? utque
Barrusinops? magnum documentum,nepatriam rem 110
Perdere quis velit. A turpi meretricis amore
Cum deterreret, Sectani dissimilis sis.
Ne sequerer moechas, concessa cum Venere uti
Possem, Deprensi non bella est fama Treboni,
Aiebat. Sapiens, vitatu quidque petitu 115
Sit melius, causas reddet tibi : mi satis est, si
Traditum ab antiquis morem servare, tuamque,
16 Q. IIOU AlII KLACCI
I)um custodis egos, vitam flimamque tueri
Incolumen possum : simulac duraverit aetas
IVIembra auimumque tuum, nabis sine cortice. Sic me 120
Formabat puerum dictis : et sivejubebat
IJt facerem quid, Habes auctorem quo facias hoc ;
Unvum ex judicibus selectis objiciebat :
Sive vetabat, An hoc inhonestum et inutile factum
Necne sit, addubites, flagret rumore malo cum 125
Hie atque ille ? Avidos vicinum funus ut aegros
Exanimat, mortisque metu sibi parcere cogit :
Sic teneros animos aliena opprobria saepe
Absterrent vitiis. Ex hoc ego sanus ab illis,
Perniciem quaecunque ferunt ; mediocribus, et queis 130
Ignoscas, vitiis teneor ; fortassis et isthinc
Largiter abstulerit longa aetas, liber amicus,
Consilium proprium : neque enim, cum lectulus aut me
Porticus excepit, desum mihi: Rectius hoc est;
Hoc faciens, vivam melius ; sic dulcis amicis 135
Occurram ; hoc quidam non belle ; num quid ego illi
Imprudens olim faciam simile ? Haec ego raecum
Compressis agito labris: ubi quid datur oti,
Illudo chartis : hoc est mediocribus illis
Ex vitiis unum ; cui si concedere nolis, ]40
Multa Poetarum veniat manus, auxilio quae
Sit mihi (nam multo plures sumus) ac veluti te
Judaei cogemus in banc concedere turbam.
SATIRA V.
Eguessum magna me excepit Aricia Roma
Hospitio modico ; Rhetor comes Heliodorus,
Graecorum longe doctissimus. Inde Forum Appi,
Differtura nautis, cauponibus atque malignis.
Hoc iter ignavi divisimus, altius ac nos 5
SEllMONUAI MB. I. 5. X'J
Praecinctis unum : minus est gravis Appia tardis.
Hie ego, propter aquam, quod erat teterrima, ventri
Indico bellum, coenantes baud animo aequo
Exspectans comites. Jam nox inducere terris
Umbras, et coelo difFundere signa parabat : 10
Tum pueri nautis, pueris convicia naut^e
Ingerere. H Hue appelle, 1[ Trecentos inseris, ohe !
Jam satis est. H Dum tEs exigitur, dum mula ligatur,
Tota abit hora : mali culices, ranaeque palustres
Avertunt somnos : absentem ut cantat amicam 15
Multa prolutus vappa nauta, atque viator
Certatim ; tandem fessus dormire viator
Incipit ; ac missae pastum retinacula mulae
Nauta piger saxo religat, stertitque supinus.
Jamque dies aderat, cum nil procedere lintrem 20
Sentimus : donee cerebrosus prosilit unus,
Ac mulae nautasque caput lumbosque saligno
Fuste dolat : quarta vix demura exponimur hora.
Ora manusque tua lavimus, Feronia, lympha.
Millia tum pransi tria repimus, atque subimus 25
Impositum saxis late candentibus Anxur.
Hue venturus erat Maecenas optimus, atque
Cocceius : missi magnis de rebus uterque
Legati, aversos soliti componere amicos.
Hie oculis ego nigra meis collyria lippus 30
Illinere. Interea Maecenas advenit, atque
Cocceius, Capitoque simul Fonteius, ad unguem
Factus homo, Antoni, non ut magis alter, amicus.
Fundos Aufidio Lusco Praetore libenter
Linquimus, insani ridentes praemia scribae, 35
Praetextam, et latum clavum, prunaeque vatiliuni.
In Mamurrarum lassi deinde urbe manemus,
Murena praebente domum, Capitone culinam.
Postera lux oritur multo gratissima : namque
Plotius et Varius Sinuessae V'irgiliusque 40
Occurrunt ; animae, quale? neque candidiores
c
18 Q. HOUATII FLACCI
Terra tulit, neque queis me sit devinctior alter,
O qui complexus ! et gaudia quanta fuerunt !
Nil ego contulerim jucundo sanus amico.
Proxima Campano ponti quse villula, tectum 45
Prsebuit ; et paroclii quse debent ligna, salemque.
Hinc muli Capuae clitellas tempore ponuiit.
Lusum it j\f secenas ; dormitum ego Vii-giliusque :
Namque pila lippis inimicum et ludere crudis.
Hinc nos Cocceii recipit plenissima villa, 60
Quas super est Caudi cauponas. Nunc mihi paucis
Sarmenti scurras pugnam Messique Cicirri,
Musa, velira mem ores ; et quo patre natus uterque
Contulerit lites. Messi clarum genus Osci ;
Sarmenti domina exstat. Ab his majoribus orti 55
Ad pugnam venere : prior Sarmentus, Equi te
Esse feri similem dico. Ridemus : et ipse
Messius, Accipio ; caput et movet : O, tua cornu
Ni foret exsecto frons (inquit) quid faceres, cum
Sic mutilus miniteris ? At illi foeda cicatrix 60
Setosam laevi frontem turpaverat oris.
Campanum in morbum, in faciem permulta jocatus,
Pastorem saltaret uti Cyclopa rogabat ;
Nil illi larva aut Tragicis opus esse cothurnis. -
Multa Cicirrus ad haec, donasset jamne catenam 65
Ex voto Laribus, quaerebat : scriba quod esset,
Nilo deterius dominae jus esse. Rogabat
Denique, cur unquam fugisset ; cui satis una
Farris libra foret, gracili sic, tamque pusillo.
Prorsus jucunde coenam produximus illam. ^0
Tendimus hinc recta Beneventum ; ubi sedulus hospes
Pene macros arsit dum turdos versat in igne :
Nam vaga per veterem dilapso fiamma culinam
Vulcano, summum properabat lambere tectum.
Convivas avidos ccenam servosque timentes 7^
Turn rapere, atque omnes restinguere velle videres.
Incipit ex illo monies Appulia notos
i
SERMONUM LIB. T. 6. 19
Ostentare mihi, quos torret Atabulus ; et quos
Nunquam erepsemus, nisi nos vicina Trivici
Villa recepisset, lacrymoso non sine fumo, 80
Udos cum foliis ramos urente camino.
Hie ego mendacem stultissimus usque puellam
Ad mediam noctem exspecto : somnus tamen aufert
Intentum Veneri ; turn immundo somnia visu
Nocturnam vestem maculant, ventremque supinum. 85
Quattuor hinc rapimur viginti et millia vhedis,
Mansuri oppidulo quod versu dicere non est,
Signis perfacile est : venit vilissima rerum
Hie aqua ; sed panis longe pulclierrimus, ultra
Callidus ut soleat humeris portave viator, 90
Nam Canusi lapidosus ; aquae non ditior urna :
Qui locus a forti Diomede est conditus olim.
Flentibus hie Varius discedit moestus araicis.
Inde Rubos fessi pervenimus, utpote longum
Carpentes iter, et factum corruptius imbri. 95
Postera tempestas melior; via pejor adusque
Bari moenia piscosi : dehinc Gnatia lymphis
Iratis extructa dedit risusque jocosque ;
Dum flamma sine tura liquescere limine sacro
Persuadere cupit : credat Judaeus Apella; 100
Non ego : namque Deos didici securum agere aevum ;
Nee siquid miri facial natura, Deos id
Tristes ex alto cceli demittere tecto.
Brundusium longae finis chartaeque viaeque.
SATIRA VI.
NoN, quia, Maecenas, Lydorum quicquid Hetruscos
Incoluit fines, nemo generosior est te ;
Nee, quod avus tibi maternus fuit, atque paternus,
Olim qui magnis legionibus impcritarent;
c 2
20 Q. HORATII FL AC( I
Ut plerique solent, naso suspendis adunco 5
Iiijnotos, ut me libertino patre natum :
Cum referre negas, quali sit quisque parente
Natus, dum ingenuus. Persuades hoc tibi vere ;
Ante potestatem Tulli, atque ignobile regnum,
Multos saepe viros nullis majoribus ortos, 10
Et vixisse probos, amplis et honoribus auctos :
Contra, Laevinum, Valeri genus, unde Superbu*
Tarquinius regno pulsus fuit, unius assis
Non unquam pretio pluris licuisse, notante
Judice quo nosti populo, qui stultus honores 15
Saepe dat indignis, et famae servit ineptus ;
Qui stupet in titulis et imaginibus. Quid oportet
Nos facere, a vulgo longe longeque remotos ?
Namque esto, populus Lsevino mallet honorem
Quam Decio mandare novo ; censorque moveret 20
Appius, ingenuo si non essem patre natus :
Vel merito, quoniam in propria non pelle quiessem.
^ Sed fulgente trahit constrictos gloria curru
Non minus ignotos generosis. 51 Quo tibi, Tilli,
Sumere depositum clavum, fierique tribuno ? 25
Invidia accrevit, private qua^ minor esset :
Nam ut quisque insanus nigris medium impediit crus
Pellibus, et latum demisit pectore clavum,
Audit continuo, Quis homo hie ? et. Quo patre natus ?
Ut si qui a?grotet quo morbo Barrus, haberi 30
Et cupiat formosus ; eat quacunque, puellis
Injiciat curam quaerendi singula, quali
Sit facie, sura quali, pede, dente, eapillo :
Sic qui promittit, cives, urbem sibi cura',
Imperium fore, et Italiam et delubra deorum ; 35
Quo patre sit natus, num ignota matre inhonestus,
Omnes mortales curare et quaerere cogit.
^ Tune Syri, Damae, aut Dionysi filius, audes
Dcjicerc e saxo cives, aut tradere Cadmo ?
% At Novius collega gradu post me scdet uno ; 40
M
SERMOXTJM LIB. 1. 6. 21
N amque est ille, pater quod erat meus. IT Hoc tibi Paulut
Et Messala videris ? At hie, si plostra ducenta
Concurrantque foro tria funera, magna sonabit
Cornua quod vincatque tubas : saltern tenet hoc nos.
il Nunc ad me redeo, libertino patre natum : 45
<^uem rodunt omnes libertino patre natum :
Nunc quia sum tibi, Msecenas, convictor; at olim
Quod mihi pareret legio Romana tribuno.
Dissimile hoc illi est: quia non ut forsit honorem
Jure mihi invideat quivis, ita te quoque amicum ; 50
PriBsertim cautum dignos assumere, prava
Ambitione procul. Felicem dicere non hoc
IVIe possum, casu quod te sortitus amicum :
Nulla etenim mihi te fbrs obtulit : optimus olim
V'irgilius, post hunc \'arius, dixere quid essem. 5o
Ut veni coram, singultim pauca locutus
(Infans namque pudor prohibebat plura profari)
Non ego me claro natum patre, non ego circum
Me Satureiano vectari rura caballo,
Sed quod eram, narro: rcspondes, ut tuus est mm, CO
Pauca : abeo ; et revocas nono post mense, jubesquc
Esse in amicorum numero. Magnum hoc ecro duco,
Quod placui tibi, qui turpi secernis houestum,
Non patre praeclaro, sed vita et pectore puro.
Atqui si vitiis mediocribus, ac mea paucis 65
IVIendosa est natura, alioqui recta, (velut si
Egregio inspersos reprendas corpore naevos,)
Si ncque avaritiam, neque sordes, aut mala lustra
Objiciet vere quisquam mihi ; purus et insons
(Ut me collaudem) si vivo et carus amicis: 70
Causa fuit pater his, qui macro pauper agello
Noluit in Flavi ludum me mittere, macrni
Quo pueri magnis e centurionibus orti,
Laevo suspensi loculos tabulamque lacerto,
Ibant octonis rcferentes idibus ^era: ^^
Sed pucrum est ausus Komam portare, docenduiu
22 ft. .HOKATII FLACCI
Artes quas doceat quivis eques atque senator
Semet prognatos : vestem servosque sequentes,
In magno ut populo, si quis vidisset, avita
Ex re prseberi sumtus mini crederet illos. 80
Ipse raihi custos incorruptissimus omnes
Circum doctores aderat. Quid multa ? pudicum
(Qui primus virtutis honos) servavit ab omni
Non solum facto, verum opprobrio quoque turpi :
Nee timuit, sibi ne vitio quis verteret, olim 85
Si prseco parvas, aut (ut fuit ipse) coactor
Mercedes sequerer : neque ego essem questus. At hoc nunc
Laus iili debetur, et a me gratia major.
Nil me pceniteat sanum patris liujus : eoque
Non, ut magna dolo factum negat esse suo pars, 90
Quod non ingenuos habeat clarosque parentes ; —
Sic me defendam. Longe mea discrepat istis
Et vox et ratio : nam si natura juberet
A certis annis sevum remeare peractum,
Atque alios legere ad fastum quoscunque parentes ; — 95
Optaret sibi quisque ; meis contentus, honestos
Fascibus et sellis nollem mihi sumere, demens
Judicio vulgi ; sanus fortasse tuo, quod
Nollem onus (baud unquam solitus) portare molestum.
Nam mihi continuo major quasrenda foret res, 100
Atque salutandi plures ; ducendus et unus
Et comes alter, uti ne solus rusve peregreve
Exirem ; plures calones atque caballi
Pascendi ; ducenda petorrita. Nunc mihi curto
Ire licet mulo, vel, si libet, visque Tarentum, 105
Mantica cui lumbos onere ulceret, atque eques armos.
Objiciet nemo sordes mihi, quas tibi, 1 illi.
Cum Tiburte via praetorem quinque sequuntur
Te pueri, lasanum portantes oenophorumque.
Hoc ego commodius quam tu, praeclare senator, 110
Millibus atque aliis, vivo; quacunque libido est,
Incedo solus ; percontor quanti olus, ac far;
SERMONUM LIB. I. /• 23
Fallacem Circuni, vespertinumque pererro
Seepe forum ; assisto divinis ; inde domum me
Ad porri et ciceris refero laganique catinum : 115
Coena ministratur pueris tribus; et lapis albus
Pocula cum cyatlio duo sustinet ; astat echino
Vilis cum patera guttus, Campana supellex.
Deinde eo dormitum, non solicitus, mihi quod eras
Surgendum sit mane, obeundus Marsya, qui se 120
Vultum ferre negat Noviorum posse minoris.
Ad quartam jaceo : post banc vagor, aut ego lecto,
Aut scripto quod me taciturn juvet : ungor olivo,
Non quo fraudatis immundus Nacca hicernis.
A St ubi me fessum sol acrior ire lavatum 126
Admonuit, fugio Campum lusumque trigonem.
Pransus non avide, quantum interpellet inani
Ventre diem durare, domesticus otior. Haec est
Vita solutorum misera ambitione gravique:
His me consolor victurum suavius, ac si 130
Quaestor avus, pater atque meus, patruusque fuisset.
SATIRA VII.
Proscripti Regis Rupili pus atque venenum
Ibrida quo pacto sit Persius ultus, opinor
Omnibus et lippis notum et tonsoribus esse.
Persius hie permagna negotia dives habebat
Clazomenis, etiam lites cum Rege molestas; 5
Durus homo, atque odio qui posset vincere Regem ;
Confidens, tumidus ; adeo sermonis amari,
Sisennas, Barros ut equis praecurreret albis.
Ad Regem redeo : postquam nihil inter utrumque
Convenit (hoc etenim sunt omnes jure molesti 10
Quo fortes, quibus adversum bellum incidit. Inter
Hectora Priamiden, animosum atque inter Achillem
24 tt, HORATII FLACCr
Ira fuit capitalis, ut ultima divideret mors
Non aliam ob causam, nisi quod virtus in utroque
Summa fuit. Duo si discordia vexet inertes ; 15
Aut si disparibus bellum incidat, ut Diomedi
Cum Lycio Glauco ; discedet pigrior, ultro
Muneribus missis) — Bruto Prsetore tenente
Ditem Asiam, llupili et Persi par pugnat, uti non
Compositum melius cum Bitho Bacchius ; in jus 20
Acres procurrunt, magnum spectaculum uterque.
Persius exponit causam, ridetur ab omni
Conventu ; laudat Brutum, laudatque cohortem ;
Solem Asiae Brutum appellat; stellasque salubres
Appellat comites^ excepto Kege ; canem ilium, 25
Invisum agricolis sidus, venisse : ruebat
Flumen ut hibernum, fertur quo rara securis.
Tum Praenestinus salso multoque fluenti
Expressa arbusto regerit convicia, durus
Vindemiator, et invictus, cui sa?pe viator 30
Cessisset, magna compellans voce cuculum.
At Graecus, postquam est Italo perfusus aceto,
Persius exclamat, Per magnos, Brute, Deos te
Oro, qui reges consueris tollere, cur non
Ilunc llcgem jugulas ? operum hoc (mihi crede) tuorum
est. 35
SATIRA VIII.
ObiMtruncus eram ficulnus, inutile lignum.
Cum faber incertus scanuium faceret ne Priapum,
Maluit esse deum : deus inde ego, furum aviumque
Maxima formido ; nam fures dextra coercet,
Obscoenoque ruber porrectus ab inguine palus :
Ast importunas volucres in vertice arundo
Terret fixa, vetatque novis considcre in hortis.
SJiKMONLiI LIB. I. 8. 25
Hue prius angustis ejecta cadavera cellis
Conservus vili portanda locabat in area.
Hoc miserfe plebi stabat commune sepulerum, 10
Pantolabo scurrae, Nomentanoque nepoti.
Mille pedes in fronte, trecentos cippus in agrum
Hie dabat ; haeredes monumentum ne sequeretur.
Nunc licet Esquiliis habitare salubribus, atque
Aggere in aprico spatiari, qua modo tristes 15
Albis informem spectabant ossibus agrum.
Cum mihi non tantum furesque feraeque suetae
Hunc vexare locum, curae sunt atque labori,
Quantum, carminibus quae versant atque venenis
Humanos animos : has nullo perdere possum, 20
Nee proliibere modo, simulac vaga luna decorum
Protulit OS, quin ossa legant, herbasque nocentes.
Vidi egomet nigra succinctam vadere palla
Canidiam, pedibus nudis, passoque capillo,
Cum Sagana majore ululantem : pallor utvasque 25
Fecerat horrendas aspectu. Scalpere terram
Unguibus, et puUam divellere mordicus agnam
Cceperunt ; cruor in fossam confusus, ut inde
Manes elicerent, animas responsa daturas.
Lanea et effigies erat, altera cerea ; major 30
I^anea, quae pcenis compesceret inferiorem.
Cerea suppliciter stabat, servilibus ut quae
Jam peritura modis. Hecaten vocat altera saevam,
Altera Tisiphonen : serpentes atque videres
Infernas errare canes, lunamque rubentem, 35
Ne foret his testis, post magna latere sepulcra.
Mentior at si quid, merdis caput inquiner albis
Corvorum ; atque in me veniat mictum atque cacatum
Julius et fragilis Pediatia, furque Voranus.
Singula quid memorem ? quo pacto alterna loquentes 40
Umbrae cum Sagana resonarint triste et acutum ;
Utque lupi barbam variae cum dente colubrae
Abdidcrint furtim terris ; et imagine ccvcu
26
Q. HORATll FLACCI
Largior arserit ignis ; et ut non testis inultus
Horruerim voces Furiarum et facta duarum. 45
Nam, displosa sonat quantum vesica, pepedi
Diffissa nate ficus ; at illae currere in urbem :
Canidiae dentes, altum Saganas caliendrum
Excidere, atque lierbas, atque incantata lacertis
Vincula, cum magno risuque jocoque videres. 50
SATIRA IX.
I BAM fovte Via sacra, sicut meus est mos,
Nescio quid meditans nugcirum, et totus in illis :
Accurrit quidam notus mihi nomine tantum,
Arreptaque manu, HQuid agis, dulcissime rerum?
^Suaviter, ut nunc est, inquam ; et cupio omnia quae vis. 5
Cum assectaretur, Numquid vis ? occupo : at ille,
Noris nos, inquit ; docti sumus. Hie ego, Pluris
Hoc, inquam, mihi eris : misere discedere quserens,
Ire modo ocius, interdum consistere, in aurem
Dicere nescio quid puero : cum sudor ad imos 10
Manaret talos, O te, Bolane, cerebri
Felicem ! aiebam tacitus : cum quidlibet ille
Garriret, vicos, urbem laudaret ; ut illi
Nil respondebam, Misere cupis, inquit, abire,
Jamdudum video: sed nil agis ; usque tenebo, 15
Persequar. Hinc quo nunc iter est tilbi ? 1| Nil opus est te
Circumagi ; quendam volo visere, non tibi notum :
Trans Tiberim longe cubat is, prope Caesaris hortos.
H Nil habeo quod agam, et non sum piger ; usque sequar te.
Demitto auriculas, ut iniquae mentis asellus, 20
Cum gravius dorso subiit onus. Incipit ille ;
Si bene me novi, non Viscum pluris amicum,
Non Varium, facies : nam quis me scribere plures
Aut citius possit versus .^ quis membra movere
SEllMONUM Llli. 1. 9- 27
Mollius ? invideat quod et Hermogenes, ego canto. 25
Interpelhindi locus hie erat ; *f[ Est tibi mater ?
Cognati, quels te salvo est opus ? 51 Haud mihi quisquam ;
Omnes composui. 51 Felices ! nunc ego resto :
Confice; naraque instat fatum mihi triste, Sabella
Quod puero cecinit mota divina anus urna ; 30
" Hunc neque dira venena nee hosticus auferet ensis,
"Nee laterum dolor, aut tussis, nee tarda podagra ;
" Garrulus hunc quando consumet cunque: loquaces,
" Si sapiat, vitet, simulatque adoleverit astas."
Ventum erat ad Vestae, quarta jam parte diei 35
Praeterita : et casu tunc respondere vadato
Debebat; quod ni fecisset, perdere litem.
Si me amas, inquit, ])aulum hie ades. 51 Inteream si
Aut valeo stare, aut novi civilia jura ;
Etproperoquoscis. II Dubius sum quid faciam, inquit; 40
Tene relinquam, an rem. 51 Me, sodes. 51 Non faciam, ille :
Et praecedere coepit. Ego (ut contendere durum est
Cum victore) sequor, 51 Maecenas quomodo tecum }
Hinc repetit. 51 Paucorum hominum, et mentis bene sanae:
Nemo dexterius fortuna est usus. 51 Haberes 45
Magnum adjutorem, posset qui ferre secuudas,
Hunc hominem velles si tradere ; dispeream ni
Summosses omnes. 51 Non isto vivimus illic
Quo tu rere modo : domus hac nee purior ulla est^
Nee magis his aliena malis : nil mi officit unquam, 50
Ditior hie, aut est quia doctior ; est locus uni-
Cuique suus. 51 Magnum narras, vix eredibile. 51 Atqui
Sic habet. 51 Accendis quare cupiam magis illi
Proximus esse. 51 Velis tantummodo, qua? tua virtus,
Expugnabis ; et est qui vinci possit, eoque 55
Diffieiles aditus primos habet. 51 Haud mihi deero :
Muneribus servos corrumpam ; non, hodie si
Exelusus fuero, desistam ; tempera quaeram ;
Occurram in triviis ; deducam. Nil sine magno
Vita laborc dedit mortalibus. 51 Haec dum agit, ccce, 60
28 Q. HOUATII FLACCl
Fuscus Aristius occurrit, mihi carus, et ilium
Qui pulchre nosset : consistimus : Unde venis ? et,
Quo tendis ? rogat, et respondet. Vellere coepi,
Et prensare manu lentissima brachia, nutans,
Distorquens oculos, ut me eriperet : male salsus G5
Ridens dissimulate : meum jecur urere bilis.
Certe nescio quid secreto velle loqui te
Aiebas mecum : IMemini bene ; sed meliori
Tempore dicam : hodie tricesima sabbata: vin' tu
Curtis Judaeis oppedere? Nulla mihi, inquam, "JO
Relligio est : At mi : sum paulo infirmior, unus
Multorum ; ignosces ; alias loquav. Hunccine solem
Tam nigrum surrexe mihi ! fugit improbus, ac me
Sub cultro linquit. Casu venit obvius illi
Advcrsarius : et, Quo tu turpissime ? magna ^5
Exclamat voce, et. Licet antestari ? Ego vero
( )j)pono auriculam : ra])it in jus : clamor utrinque :
Undique concursus. Sic me sei'vavit Apollo.
SATIRA X.
Nempe incomposito dixi pede currere versus
Lucili : quis tam Lucili fautor inepte est,
Ut non hoc fateatur ? At idem, quod sale multo
Urbem defricuit, charta laudatur eadem.
Nee tam en hoc tribuens, dederim quoque caetera : nam sic 5
Et Laberi mimos, ut pulchra poemata, mirer.
Ergo non satis est risu diducere rictum
Auditoris : et est quaedam tamen hie quoque virtus.
Est brevitate opus, ut currat sententia, neu se
Impediat verbis lassas onerantibus aures. 10
Et sermone opus est mode tristi, saepe jocose,
Defendente vicem modo rhetoris, atque poetae,
Interdum urbani, parcentis viribus, atque
SliKMOXITXr 1.1 K. 1. 10. 29
Ex'.enu'intis eas consulto. Ridiculum acri
Fortius et melius magnas plerumque secat res. 15
Illi, scripta qui bus Coma?dia prisca viris est,
Hoc stabant, hoc sunt imitandi ; quos neque pulcher
Hermogenes unquam legit, neque simius iste
Nil praster Calvum et doctus cantare Catullum.
5[ At magnum fecit, quod verbis Gra?ca Latinis 20
Miscuit. ^ O seri studiorum ! quine putetis
Difficile et mirum, Rhodio quod Pitholeonti
Contigit ? 51 At sermo lingua concinnus utraque
Suavior, ut Chio nota si commista Falerni est.
HCum versus facias ; teipsum percontor, an et cum 25
Dura tibi peragenda rei sit causa Petilli.
Scilicet oblitus patriasque patrisque Latini
Cum Pedius causas exsudet Publicola atque
Corvinus, patriis intermiscere petita
Verba foris malis, Canusini more bilinguis ? 30
Atque ego cum Grascos facerem, natus mare citra,
Versiculos, vetuit tali me voce Quirinus,
Post mediam noctem visus, cum somnia vera :
In silvam non ligna feras insanius, ac si
Magnas Graecorum malis implere catervas. 35
Turgidus Alpinus jugulat dum Memnona, dumque
Defingit Rheni luteum caput ; haec ego ludo
Quae nee in aede sonent certantia judice Tarpa ;
Nee redeant iterum atque iterum spectanda theatris.
Arguta meretrice potes, Davoque Chremeta 40
Eludente senem, eomis garrire libellos,
Unus vivorum, Fundani : Pollio rcgum
Facta canit, pede ter percusso ; forte Epos acer,
Ut nemo, Varius, ducit : molle atque facetum
Virgilio annuerunt gaudentes rure Camoenae. 45
Hoc erat experto frustra \ arrone Atacino,
Atque quibusdam aliis, melius quod scribere possem,
Inventore minor : neque ego illi detrahere ausim
Haerentcm capiti multa cum laude coronam.
30 Q. HORATII FLACCI
At dixi fluere hunc lutulentum, saepe ferentem 50
Plura quidem tollenda relinquendis : age, quasso,
Tu nihil in magno doctus reprendis Homero ?
Nil comis Tragici mutat Lucilius Acci ?
Non ridet versus Enni gravitate minores,
Cum de se loquitur, non ut majore reprensis ? 55
Quid vetat et nosmet Lucili scripta legentes
Quaerere, num illius, num rerum dura negarit
Versiculos natura magis factos, et euntes
Mollius, ac si quis pedibus quid claudere senis,
Hoc tantum contentus, amet scripsisse ducentos 60
Ante cibum versus, totidem coenatus ; Hetrusci
Quale fuit Cassi rapido ferventius amni
Ingenium, capsis quern fama est esse librisque
Ambustum propriis. Fuerit Lucilius, inquam,
Comis et urbanus ; fuerit limatior idem, 65
Quam rudis et Graecis intacti carminis auctor,
Quamque Poetarum seniorum turba ; sed ille,
Si foret hoc nostrum fato delatus in aevum,
Detereret sibi multa ; recideret omne quod ultra
Perfectum traheretur ; et in versu faciendo 7^
Saepe caput scaberet, vivos et roderet ungues.
Saepe stilum vertas, iterum quae digna legi sint
Scripturus ; neque te ut miretur turba, labores,
Contentus paucis lectoribus : an tua demens
Vilibus in ludis dictari carmina malis ? ^5
Non ego; nam satis est equitem mihi plaudere, ut audax,
Contemtis aliis, explosa Arbuscula dixit.
Men' moveat cimex Pantilius ; aut cruciet quod
Vellicet absentem Demetrius ? aut quod ineptus
Fannius Hermogenis laedat conviva Tigelli ? 80
Plotius, et Varius, Maecenas, Virgiliusque,
Valgius, et probet haec Octavius optimus, atque
Fuscus ; et haec utinam Viscorum laudet uterque :
Ambitione relegata, te dicere possum,
Pollio, te, Messala, tuo cum fratre ; simulque 85
SERMONUM LIB. T. 10. 31
Vos, Bibule et Servi; simul his te, candide Furni :
Complures alios, doctos ego quos et amicos
Prudens praetereo, quibus haec, sint qualiacunque,
Arridere velim ; doliturus, si placeant spe
Deterius nostra. Demetri, teque, Tigelli, 90
Discipularum inter jubeo plorare cathedras.
I puer, atque meo citus haec subscribe libello.
Q. HORATII FLACCI
S E R M O N U M
LIBER SECUNDUS.
SATIRA I.
Sunt quibus in Satira videor nimis acer, et ultra
Legem tendere opus ; sine nervis altera quicquid
Composui pars esse putat, similesque meorum
Mille die versus deduci posse. Trebati, 4
Quidfaciam, praescribe. ^Quiescas. UNe faciam, inquis,
Omnino versus? IJAio. UPeream male, si non
Optimum erat: verum nequeo dormire. IfTer uncti
Transnanto Tiberim, somno quibus est opus alto,
Irriguumque mero sub noctem corpus habento.
Aut, si tantus amor scribendi te rapit, aude 10
Caesaris invicti res dicere, multa laborum
Prsemia laturus. H Cupidum, pater optime, vires
Deficiunt : neque enim quivis horrentia pilis
Agmina, nee fracta pereuntes cuspide Gallos,
Aut labentis equo describat vulnera Parthi. 15
^ Attamen et justum poteras et scribere fortem,
Scipiadam ut sapiens Lucilius. HHaud milii deero,
Cum res ipsa feret. Nisi dextro tempore, Flacci
Verba per attentam non ibunt C^saris aurem ;
Cui male si palpere, recalcitrat undique tutus. 20
HQuanto rectius hoc, quam tristi laedere versu
Pantolabum scurram Nomentanumque nepotem !
Cum sibi quisque timet, quanquam est intactus, et odit.
^Quid faciara ? Saltat Milonius, ut semel icto
Accessit fervor capiti, numerusque lucernis. 25
Castor gaudet equis ; ovo prognatus eodem,
SKimOKUM MB. II. I. .33
Pugnis : quot capituni vivunt, toticlcin stiulionim
j\Ii]]ia : me pcdibus delectat claudere verba,
Lucili ritu, nostrum melioris utroquc.
Ille velut fidis arcana sodalibus olim 30
Crcdebat libris ; neque, si male cesserat, usquam
Decurrens alio, ncque si bene : quo fit ut omnis
Votiva pateat veluti descripta tabclla
Vita senis. Sequor hunc, Lucanus an Appulus, anceps:
Nam Venusinus arat finem sub utrumque colonus, 3-5
Missus ad hoc pulsis (vetus est utfama) Sabellis ;
Quo ne per vacuum Romano incun-eret hostis :
Sive quod Appula gens, seu quod Lucania bellum
Incuteret violenta. Sed hie stilus baud petet ultro
Quemquam animantem ; et me veluti custodiet ensis 40
Vagina tectus, quern cur destringere coner,
Tutus ab infestis latronibus ? O pater et rex
Jupiter, ut pereat positum rubigine telum.
Nee quisquam noceat cupido mihi pacis ! at ille,
Qui me commnrit (Melius non tangere ! clamo) 45
Flebit, et insignis tota cantabitur urbe.
Cervius iratus leges minitatur et urnam ;
Canidia, Albuti, quibus est inimica, venenum ;
Grande malum Turius, siquid se judice certes,
Ut, quo quisque valet, suspectos terreat, utque 50
Imperet hoc natura potens, sic collige mecum.
Dente lupus, cornu taurus petit ; unde, nisi intus
Monstratum ? Scaevae vivacem crede nepoti
Matrem : nil faciet sceleris pia dextera (mirum :
Ut neque calce lupus quemquam, neque dente petit bos) 55
Sed mala toilet anum vitiato melle cicuta.
Ne longum faciam : seu me tranquilla senectus
Exspectat, seu mors atris circumvolat alis ;
Dives, inops, Romae, seu fors ita jusserit exsul,
Quisquis erit vitae, scribam, color. 51 O puer, ut sis GQ
Vitalis, metuo ; et raajorum ne quis amicus
Frigore te feriat- % Quid ? cum est Lucilius ausus
34 a, TioijATri I'LACcr
Primus in hunc operis componere carmiiia morem^
Detrahere et pellem, nitidus qua quisque per ora
Cederet, introrsum turpis ; num Laelius, et qui 65
Duxit ab oppressa meritum Carthagine nomen,
Ingenio offensi ? aut laeso doluere Metello,
Famosisque Lupo cooperto versibus ? Atqui
Primores populi arripuit, populumque tributim ;
Scilicet uni sequus virtuti, atque ejus aniicis. 7^
Quin ubi se a vulgo et sceiia in secreta remorant
Virtus Scipiadse et mitis sapientia Laeli ;
Nugari cum illo, et discincti ludere, donee
Decoqueretur olus, soliti. Quicquid sum ego, quamvis
Infra Lucili censum ingeniumque, tamen me ^5
Cum magnis vixisse invita fatebitur usque
Invidia, et fragili quaerens illidere dentem,
OfFcndet solido. Nisi quid tu, docte Trebati,
Dissentis. H Equidem nibil hie diffingere possum,
Sed tamen ut monitus caveas (ne forte negoti 80
Incutiat tibi quid sanctarum inscitia legum)
Si mala condiderit in quem quis carmina, jus est
Judiciumque. ^ Esto, siquis mala; sed bona siquis
Judice condiderit laudatus Caesare, siquis
Opprobriis dignum latraverit, integer ipse ? 85
% Solventur risu tabula? ; tu missus abibis.
SATIRA II.
Qu« virtus et quanta, boni, sit vivere parvo
(Nee meus hie sermo est, sed quae praecepit Ofelhis,
Rusticus, abnormis sapiens, crassaque IVIinerva)
Discite, non inter lances mensasque nitentes,
Cum stupet insanis acies fulgoribus, et cum 5
Adclinis falsis animus meliora recusat ;
Verum hie impransi mecum disquirite. 1[ Cur hoc ?
sEUisroxTM [.iii. If, -2. 35
IT Dicam si potero. ]\Iale verum examinat omnis
Corruptus judex. Leporeni sectatus, equove
Lassus ab indoniito, (vel, si Romana fatigat 10
Militia assuetum Graecari, seu pila velox,
IMolliter austerum studio fallente laborem,
Seu te discus agit, pete cedentem aera disco,)
Cum labor extuderit fastidia, siccus, inanis
Sperne cibum vilem; nislHymettiamella Falerno 15
Ne biberis diluta : foris est promus, et atrum
Defendens pisces hiemat mare ; cum sale panis
Latrantem stomachum bene leniet. Unde putas, aut
Qui partum ? Non in caro nidore voluptas
Summa, sed in teipso est. Tu pulmentaria quaere 20
Sudando : pinguem vitiis, albumque, neque ostrea,
Nee scarus, aut poterit peregrina juvare lagois,
Vix tamen eripiara, posito pavone, velis quin
Hoc potius, quam gallina, tergere palatum,
Corruptus vanis rerum ; quia veneat auro 25
Rara avis, et picta pandat spectacula cauda i
Tanquam ad rem attineat quicquam. Num vesceris ista,
Quam laudas, pluma ? cocto num adest honor idem ?
Carne tamen quamvis distat nihil hac magis ilia,
Imparibus formis deceptum te patet, esto : 30
Unde datum sentis, lupus hie Tiberinus, an alto
Captus hiet, pontesne inter jactatus, an amnis
Ostia sub Tusci? — Laudas, insane, trilibrem
Mullum, in singula quern minuas pulmenta necesse est
Ducit te species ; video : quo pertinet ergo, 35
Proceros odisse lupos ? quia scilicet illis
Majorem natura modum dedit, his breve pondus.
Jejunus rare stomachus vulgaria temnit.
Porrectum magno magnum spectare catino
Vellem, ait Harpyiis gula digna rapacibus. At vos 40
Praesentes Austri coquite horum obsonia : quamvis
Putet aper rhombusque recens, mala copia quando
^grum solicitat stomachum ; cum rapula plenus
n 2
36 (i. HOKATII FI.ACCI
Atque acidas niavult inulas. Necdum omnis abacta
Paupcries epulis regum : nam vilibus ovis 45
Nigrisque est oleis hodie locus. Haud ita pridem
Gallon! prseconis erat acipensere mensa
Infamis : quid ? turn rliombos minus asquor alebat ?
Tutus erat rhombus, tutoque ciconia nido,
Donee vos auctor docuit praetorius. Ergo 50
Si quis nunc merges suaves edixerit assos,
Parebit pravi docilis Romana juventus.
Sordidus a tenui victu distabit, Ofello
Judice : nam frustra vitium vitaveris illud,
Si te alio pravum detorseris. Avidienus, 55
Cui Canis ex vei'o ductum cognomen adha2ret,
Quinquennes oleas est, et silvestria coma ;
Ac, nisi mutatum, parcit defundere vinum ; et
Cujus odorem olei nequeas perferre (licebit
Ille repotia, natales, aliosve dierum 60
Festos albatus celebret) cornu ipse bilibri
Caulibus instillat, veteris non parens aceti.
Quali igitur victu sapiens utetur? et horum
Utrum imitabitur? Hac urguet lupus, hac canis, aiunt,
Mundus erit, qui non ofFendat sordidus, atque 65
In neutram partem cultus miser : hie neque servis,
Albuti senis exemplo, dum raunia didit,
Saevus erit ; ncque, sicut simplex Naevius, unctam
Convivis prasbebit aquam : vitium hoc quoque magnum.
Accipe nunc, victus tenuis quae quantaque secum 7^
Afferat. In primis valeas bene ; nam variae res
Ut noceant homini, credas, memor illius escae,
Quae simplex olim tibi sederit : at simul assis
Miscueris elixa, simul conchylia turdis ;
Dulcia se in bilem vcrtent, stomachoque tumultum ^5
Lenta feret pituita. Vides ut pallidas omnis
Coena desurgat dubia ? Quin corpus onustum
Hesternis vitiis animum quoque praegravat una,
Atque adfligit humo divinas particulam aurae.
, ii
SEBMONUM LIB. II. -2. 37
Alter, ubi dicto citius curata sopori HO
Membra dedit, vegetus prasscripta ad munia surgit.
Hie tanien ad melius poterit transcurrere quondam :
Sive diem festum rcdiens adduxevit annus ;
Seu recreare volet tenuatum corpus ; ubi que
Accedent anni, et tractari mollius tctas 85
Imbecilla volet: til>i quidnam accedet ad istam,
Quam puer et validus prtesumis, mollitiem : seu
Dura valetudo inciderit, seu tarda senectus ?
llanciduin aprum antiqui laudabant, non quia nasus
Illis nuUus erat, sed, credo, hac mente, quod hospes 90
Tardius adveniens vitiatum commodius, quam
Integrum edax dominus consumeret. Hos utinam inter
Heroas natum Tellus me prima tulisset !
Das aliquid famaj, quae carmine gratior aurem
Occupat humanam ? grandes rliombi patinacquc 95
Grande fcrunt una cum damno dedecus ; adde
Iratum patruum, vicinos, te tibi iniquum,
Et fruslra mortis cupidum, cum deerit egcnti
As, laquei pretium. Jure, inquit, Trausius istis
Jurgatur verbis : Ego vectigalia magna, 100
Divitiasque habeo tribus amplas regibus. Ergo
Quod superat, non est melius quo insumere pcssis ?
Cur eget indignus quisquam, to divite .'* quare
Templa ruunt antiqua Deum? Cur, improbc, cara?
Non aliquid patria? tanto emetiris acervo ? 105
Uni nimirum tibi recto semper erunt res.
O raagnus posthac inimicis risus ! Uterne
Ad casus dubios iidet sibi certius ? hie, qui
Pluribus assuerit mentem corpusque superbum ?
An qui, contentus parvo metuensque futuri, 110
In pace, ut sapiens, aptarit idonea bello ?
H Quo magis his credas ; puer hunc ego parvus Oiellum
Integris opibus novi non latius usum,
Quam nunc accisis. Videas raetato in ao-ello
Cum pecore et gnatis furtem mercede colonum, 115
38 tl. HORATII I'LACCE
% Non ego, narrantem, temere edi luce profesta
Quicquam praeter olus, fumosse cum pede pernae.
Ac mihi seu longum post tempus venerat hospes,
Sive operum vacuo gratus conviva per imbrem
Vicinus, bene erat, non piscibus urbe petitis, 120
Sed pullo atque hoedo : turn pensilis uva secundas
Et nux ornabat mensas, cum duplice ficu :
Post hoc ludus erat culpa potare magistra ;
Ac venerata Ceres, ita culmo surgeret alto,
Explicuit vino contractae seria frontis. 125
Sseviat, atque novos moveat fortuna tumultus,
Quantum hinc imminuet? quanto aut ego parcius, aut vos,
O pueri, nituistis, ut hue novus incola venit ?
Nam propriae telluris herum natura neque ilium,
Nee me, nee quemquam statuit : nos expulit ille ; 130
Ilium aut nequities, aut vafri inscitia juris;
Postremo expellet certe vivacior hseres.
Nunc ager Umbreni sub nomine, nuper Ofelli
Dictus erat, nulli proprius ; sed cedit in usum
Nunc mihi, nunc alii : quocirca vivite fortes, 13-5
Fortiaque adversis opponite pectora rebus.
SAT IRA III.
Hic raro scribis, ut toto non quater anno
Membranam poscas, scriptorum quseque retexens,
Iratus tibi quod vini somnique benignus
Nil dignum sermone canas. Quid fiet ? at ipsis
Saturnalibus hue fugisti ; sobrius ergo 5
Die aliquid dignum promissis : incipe; nil est.
Culpantur frustra calami, immeritusque laborat
Iratis natus paries Diis atque poctis.
Atqui vultus erat multa et pra?clara minantis,
Si vacuum tcpido cepisset villuhv tecto. 10
•SERMONUM \A\\. II. 3. 39
Quorsum pertinuit stipare Platona Menandro,
Eupolin Archilocho ? comites educere tantos r"
Invidiam placare paras Virtute relicta ?
Contemnere miser: vitanda est improba Siren
Desidia: aut quicquid vita meliore parasti, 15
Fonendum aequo animo, H Dii te, Damasippe, deaeque
Veruni ob consilium donent tonsore : sed unde
Tarn bene me nosti ? % Postquam omnis res mea Januiii
Ad medium fracta est, aliena negotia euro,
Excussus propriis : olim nam quaerere amabam 20
Quo vafer ille pedes lavisset Sisyphus aere,
Quid scalptum infabre, quid fusum durius esset :
C^allidus huic signo ponebam millia centum :
Hortos egregiasque domes mercarier unus
Cum lucro noram ; unde frequentia Mercuriale 2S
Imposuere mihi cognomen compita. % Novi:
Et morbi miror purgatum te illius. U Atqui
Emovit veterem mire novus, ut solet, in cor
Trajecto lateris miseri capitisque dolore :
Ut lethargicus hie, cum fit pugil, et medicum urguet, 30
H Dum nequid simile huic, esto ut libet. 11 O bone, ne tc
Frustrere ; insanis et tu, stultique prope omnes,
Siquid Stertinius veri crcpat ; unde ego mira
Descripsi docilis prtecepta haec, tempore quo me
Solatus jussit sapientem pascere barbam, -35
Atque a Fabricio non tristem ponte reverti.
Nam male re gesta cum vellem mittere operto
Me capite in fiumen, dexter stetit, et Cave faxis
Te quicquam indignum : pudor (inquit) te malus angit,
Insanos qui inter vereare insanus haberi. 40
Primum nam inquirara, quid sit furere ; hoc si erit in te
Solo, nil verbi, pereas quin fortiter, addam.
Quem mala stultitia, et quemcunque inscitia veri
Caecum agit, insanum Chrysippi porticus et grex
Autumat. Haec populos, haec magnos formula reges, 4S
Excepto sapiente, tenet. Nunc accipe quare
40 Q. null Ai Ml KLACCl
Desipiant omnes aeque ac tu, qui tibi iiomen
Insano posuere. Velut silvis, ubi passim
Palantes error certo de tramite pellit ;
Ille sinistrorsum, hie dextrorsum abit ; unus utrique 50
Error, sed variis illudit partibus : hoc te
Crede modo insanum, nihilo ut sapientior ille,
Qui te deridet, caudam trahat. Est genus unum
Stultitiae nihilum metuenda timentis; ut ignes,
Ut rupes fluviosque in campo obstare queratur : 55
Alterum et huic varium, et nihilo sapientius, ignes
Per medios fluviosque ruentis : clamet arnica
Mater, honesta soror, cum cognatis, pater, uxor ;
Hie fossa est ingens ! hie rupes maxima ! serva !
Non magis audierit quam Fusius ebrius olim 60
Cum Ilionam edornnt, Catienis miile ducentis,
Mater te appello, clamantibus. Huic ego vulgum
Errori similem cunctum insanire docebo.
Insanit veteres statuas Darnasippus emendo.
Integer est mentis Damasippi creditor ? esto : - 65
Accipe quod nunquam reddas mihi, si tibi dicam,
Tune insanus eris, si acceperis ; an magis excors,
Kejecta praeda, quam prassens Mercurius fert ?
Scribe decern a Nerio : non est satis ; adde Cicuta*
Nodosi tabulas centum ; mille adde catenas : 7^
Eff'ugiet tamen haec sceleratus vincula Proteus.
Cum rapies in jus malis ridentem alienis,
Fiet aper, modo avis, modo saxum, et cum volet, arbor.
Si male rem gerere, insani est ; contra, bene, sani ;
Putidius multo cerebrum est (mihi crede) Perilli, 7^
Dictantis, quod tu nunquam rescribere possis.
Audire, atque togam jubeo componere, quisquis
Ambitione mala aut argenti pallet amore,
Quisquis luxuria tristive superstitione,
Aut alio mentis morbo calet ; hue propius me, 80
Dum doceo insjuiirc umnes, vos ordine adite.
Uanda est hcllcbori multo pars maxima avaris :
SEIIMONUM LIB. II. 3. 41
Nescio an Anticyram ratio illis destinet omnem.
Haeredes Staberi sunimam incidere sepulcro ;
Ni sic fecissent, gladiatorum dare centum 85
Damnati populo paria, atque epulum, arbitrio Arri;
Frumenti quantum metit Africa- Sive ego prave,
Seu recte, hoc volui ; ne sis patruus mihi. Credo
Hoc Staberi prudentem animum vidisse. Quid ergo
Sensit, cum summara patrimoni insculpere saxo 90
Haeredes voluit ? Quoad vixit, credidit ingens
Pauperiem vitium, et cavit nihil acrius ; ut si
Forte minus locuples uno quadrante perisset,
Ipse videretur sibi nequior : omnis enim res,
Virtus, fama, decus, divina humanaque pulchris 95
Divitiis parent ; quas qui contraxerit, ille
Clarus erit, fortis, Justus — Sapiensne? Etiam ! et rex,
Et quicquid volet. Hoc, vehiti virtute paratum,
Speravit magnse laudi fore. Quid simile isti
Grsecus Aristippus, qui servos projicere aurum 100
In media jussit Libya, quia tardius irent
Propter onus segnes ? uter est insanior hoi'um ?
Nil agit exemplum, litem quod lite resolvit.
Siquis emat citharas, emptas comportet in unum.
Nee studio citharae nee Musac deditus ulli ; 105
Si scalpra et formas, non sutor ; nautica vela,
Aversus mercaturis : delirus et amens
Undique dicatur merito. Qui discrepat istis,
Qui nummos aurumque recondit, nescius uti
(^ompositis, metuensque velut contingere sacrum ? 110
Siquis ad ingentem frumenti semper acervum
Porrectus vigilet, cum longo fuste ; neque illinc
Audeat esuriens dominus contingere granum,
Ac potius foliis parcus vescatur amaris :
Si positis intus Chii veterisque Falerni 115
Mille cadis — nihil est : tercentum millibus, acre
Potet acetum : age, si ct stramentis incubct, undc-
Octoginta annos natus, cui stragula vestis,
42
U. IIOHATII 1-LACCI
Blattarum ac tinearum epulae, putrescat in area :
Nimirum insanus paucis videatur, eo quod 120
Maxima pars hominum morbo jactatur eodera.
Filius, aut etiam haec libertus ut ebibat hasres,
Dis inimice senex custodis ? ne tibi desit ?
Quantulum enim summse curtabit quisque dierum,
Unguere si caules oleo meliore, caputque 125
Coeperis impexa foedum porrigine ? Quare,
Si quidvis satis est, perjuras, surripis, aufers
Undique ? tun' sanus ? Populum si csedere sax is
Incipias, servosve tuo quos aere pararis,
Insanum te omnes pueri clamentque puellee : 130
Cum laqueo uxorem interimis, matremque veneno,
Incolumi capite es? Quid enim ? Nequetu hocfacis Argis,
Nee ferro ut demens genitricem occidis Orestes.
An tu reris eum occisa insanisse parente ?
Ac non ante malis dementem actum Furiis, quam 135
In matris jugulo ferrum tepefecit acutum?
Quin ex quo est habitus male tutae mentis Orestes,
Nil sane fecit quod tu reprendere possis:
Non Pyladen ferro violare aususve sororem
Electram ; tantum maledicit utrique vocando 140
Hane, Furiam ; liune, aliud, jussit quod splendida bilis.
Pauper Opimius argenti positi intus et auri,
Qui Veientanum festis potare diebus
Campana solitus trulla, vappamque profestis,
Quondam lethargo grandi est oppressus, ut haeres 145
Jam cireum loculos et claves laetus ovansque
Curreret : hunc medicus multum celer atque fideli
Exeitat hoc pacto; mensam poni jubet, atque
Effundi saccos nummorum ; accedere plures
Ad numerandum : hominem sic erigit : addit et illud, 150
Ni tua custodis, avidus jam haec auferet haeres.
1[ Men' vivo ? H Ut vivas igitur, vigila : hoc age.5[Quid vis ?
51 Deficient inopem vena? te, ni cibus atque
Ingcns accedat stomacho fultura ruenti.
SERMONUM LIB. II. 3. 43
Tu cessas? agedum sume hoc ptisanarium oryzae. 155
II Quanti eraptae ? H Parvo. H Quanti ergo ? H Oclussibus.
lIEheu!
Quid refert, morbo, an furtis pereamve rapinis?
Quisnam igitur sanus? Qui non stultus. Quid avarus ?
Stultus et iiisanus. Quid ? siquis non sit avavus,
Continuo sanus.' Minime. Cur, Stoice? Dicam. IGO
Non est cardiacus, Craterum dixisse putato,
Hie aeger: recte est igitur, surgetque ? negabit;
Quod latus aut renes morbo tentantur acuto.
Non est perjurus, neque sordidus; immolet aequis
Hie porcum Laribus : verum ambitiosus et audax; 165
Naviger Anticyram : quid enim differt, barathrone
Dones quicquid habes, an nunquam utai'e paratis.^
Servius Oppidius Canusi duo prsedia, dives
Antiquo censu, natis divisse duobus
Fertur, et haec moriens pueris dixisse vocatis I70
Ad lectum, Postquam te talos, Aule, nucesque
Ferre sinu laxo, donare et ludere vidi ;
Te, Tiberi, numerare, cavis abscondere tristem :
Extimui ne vos ageret vesania discors;
Tu Nomentanum, tu ne sequerere Cicutam. I75
Quare per divos oratus uterque Penates,
Tu cave ne minuas; tu, ne majus facias id
Quod satis esse putat pater, et natura coercet.
Praeterea ne vos titillet gloria, jure-
Jurando obstringam ambo : uter aedilis fuerit ve 180
Vestriim praetor, is intestabilis et sacer esto.
In cicere atque faba bona tu perdas que lupinis,
Latus ut in Circo spatiere, aut aeneus ut stes,
Nudus agris, nudus nummis, insane, paternis ?
Scilicet ut plausus, quos fert Agrippa, fcras tu, 185
Astuta ingenuum vulpes imitata leonem.'*
Nequis humasse velit Ajacem, Atrida, vetas cur.''
H Rex sum. H Nil ultra quaero plebeius. U Et aequam
Kern imperito : at sicui videor non Justus, inulto
Diccrc. quod scntis. perniitto. % Maxime rcgum. M)0
44 a. HOllATIl FLACCI
Dii tibi dent capta classem reducere Troja !
Ergo consulere, et mox respondere licebit?
^ Consule. 1[ Cur Ajax heros ab Achille secundus
Putescit, toties servatis clarus Achivis,
Gaudeat ut populus Priami Priamusque inhumato, 195
Per quern tot juvenes patrio caruere sepulcliro ?
% Mille ovium insanus iriorti dedit; inclytum Ulyssem
Et Menelaum una nieeum se occidere damans.
^ Tu cum pro vitula statuis dulcem Aulide natam
Ante aras, spargisque mola caput, improbe, salsa, 200
Rectum animiservas?1IQuorsvun?1I Insanus quid enim Ajax
Fecit, cum stravit ferro pecus ? abstinuit vim
Uxore et gnato, mala multa precatus Atridis.
Non ille aut Teucrum, aut ipsum violavit Ulyssem.
5[ Verum ego, ut hserentes adverse littore naves 205
Eriperem, prudens placavi sanguine divos.
^ Nempe tuo, furiose. H Meo; sed non furiosus.
^ Qui species alias veri scelerisque tumultu
Permistas capiet, commotus habebitur; atque,
Stultitiane erret, nihilum distabit, an ira. 210
Ajax cum immeritos occidit, desipit, agnos ?
Cum prudens scelus ob titulos admittis inanes,
Stas animo? et purum est vitio tibi cum tumidum est cor ?
Siquis lectica nitidam gestare amet agnam,
Huic vestem ut gnatse paret, ancillas paret, aurum, 215
Rufam et Rufillam appellet, fortique marito
Destinet uxorem ; interdicto huic omne adimat jus
Praetor, et ad sanos abeat tutela propinquos.
Quid ? siquis gnatam pro muta devovet agna,
Integer est animi ? ne dixeris. Ergo, ubi prava 220
Stultitia, hie est summa insania : qui sceleratus,
Et furiosus erit ; quem cepit vitrea fama,
Hunc circumtonuit gaudens Bellona cruentis.
Nunc age, luxuriam et Nomentanum arripe mecum :
Vincet cnim stultos ratio insanire nepotes. 225
Hie simul accepit patrimoni mille talenta,
Edicit, ])iscat(u- uti, pomarius, auccps,
SERMONUiM I. IB. II. 'S. 45
Unguentjuius, ac Tusci turba impiti vici,
Cum scurris fartor, cum \ elabro omne macellum,
]\iane domura vcniant. Quid turn ? V'enere frequentes, 230
Verba facit leno, Quicquid mihi, quicquid et horum
Cuiquo domi est, id cvede tuum : et vel nunc pete, vcl eras.
Aceipe quid contra juvenis respondent asquus ;
In nive Lucana dormis ocreatus, ut aprum
Coenem ego; tu pisces hiberno ex aequore vellis ; 235
Segnis ego, indignus qui tan turn po.ssideam : aufer!
Sume tibi decies; tibi tantundem ; tibi triplex,
Unde uxor media currit de nocte citata.
Filius ^Esopi detractam ex aure Mctellse,
Scilicet ut decies solidum exsorberet, aceto 240
Diluit insignem baccam ; qui sanior, ac si
lUud idem in rapidum flumen,jaceretve cloacam ?
Quinti progenies Arri, par nobile fratrum,
Nequitia et nugis, pravorum et arnore gemellum,
Luscinias soliti impenso prandcre coemtas : 245
Quorsum abeant ? sanin' creta, an carbone notandi ?
7?^dificare casas, plostello adjungere mures,
Ludere par impar, equitare in arundine longa,
Si quem delectet barbatum, amentia verset.
Si puerilius his, ratio esse evincet, amare ; 250
Nee quidquam differre, utrumne in pulvere, trimus
Quale prius, ludas opus, an meretricis amore
Solicitus plores : quaero, faciasne quod olim
Mutatus Polemon ? ponas insignia morbi,
Faseiolas, cubital, focalia, potus ut ille 255
Dicitur ex collo furtim carpsisse coronas,
Postquam est impransi correptus voce magistri ?
Porrigis irato puero cum poma, recusat :
Sume, Catelle ; negat : si non des, optat. Amator
Exclusus qui distat, agit ubi secum, eat, an non, 260
Quo rediturus erat non arcessitus, et hseret
Invisis foribus ? Ne nunc, cum me vocat ultro,
Accedam ? an potius mediter finii-e dolores ?
46
Q. 710TtATIT Fr.ACCI
Exclusit, revocat : recleam ? non, si obsecret. Ecce
Servus, non paulo sapientior ; O here, quae res 265
Nee modum habet, neque consilium, ratione modoque
Tractari non vult: in amore haecsunt mala; bellum,
Pax rursum ; haec siquis tempestatis prope ritu
Mobilia, et caeca fluitantia sorte, laboret
Reddere certa sibi, nihilo plus explicet, ac si 270
Insanire paret certa ratione modoque.
Quid ? cum Picenis excerpens semina pomis,
Gaudes si cameram percusti forte, penes te es?
Quid ? cum balba feris annoso verba palato,
^dificante casas qui sanior ? Adde cruorem 275
Stultitiae, atque ignem gladio scrutare : modo, inquam,
Hellade percussa Marius cum praecipitat se,
Cerritus fuit ? an commotae crimine mentis
Absolves hominem, et sceleris damnabis eundem,
Ex more imponens cognata vocabula rebus ? 280
Libertinus erat, qui circum compita siccus
Lautis mane senex manibus currebat : et, Unum
(Quid tam magnum ? addens) unum me surpite morti,
Diis etenim facile est, orabat; sanus utrisque
Auribus atque oculis ; mentem, nisi litigiosus, 285
Exciperet dominus cum venderet : hoc quoque vulgus
Chrysippus ponit foecunda in gente Meneni.
Jupiter, ingentes qui das adimisque dolores,
Mater ait pueri menses jam quinque cubantis,
Frigida si puerum quartana reliquerit, illo 290
Mane die quo tu indicis jejunia, nudus
In Tibcri stabit : casus medicusve levarit
^grum ex praecipiti, mater delira necabit
In gelida fixum ripa, febrimque reducet :
Quone malo mentem concussa ? timore Deovum. 295
Haec mihi Stertinius sapientum octavus amico
Arma dedit, posthac ne compellarer inultus.
Dixerit insanum qui me, totidem audiet ; atque
Respiccre ignoto discet pendentia tergo.
SKP.MOXl'M MB. II. 4. 47
5[ Stoice, post damnum sic vendas omnia pluris : 300
Qua me stultitia (quoniam non est genus unum)
Insanire putas ? ego nam videor mihi sanus.
H Quid, caput abscissum demens cum portat Agave
Gnati infelicis, sibi turn furiosa videtur ?
H Stultum me fateor (liceat concedere veris) 305
Atque etiam insanum ; tantum hoc edissere, quo me
vEgrotare putes animi vitio. 51 Accipe ; primum
i^dificas, hoc est, longos imitaris, abimo
Ad summum totus moduli bipedalis ; et idem
Corpore majorem rides Turbonis in armis 310
Spiritum et incessum : qui ridicuhis minus illo ?
An quodcunque facit INla^cenas, te quoque verum est,
Tanto dissimilem, et tanto certare minorem ?
Absentis rana? pullis vituli pede pressis,
Unus ubi effugit, matri denarrat, vit ingens 315
Belua cognatos eliserit : ilia rogare,
Quantane ? num tantum, sufflans se, magna fuisset ?
51 Major dimidio. 5[ Num tantum ? % Cum magis atque
Se magis inflaret ; Non, si te ruperis, inquit,
Par eris. Haec a te non multum abludit imago. 320
Adde poemata nunc (hoc est, oleum adde camino)
Quae siquis sanus fecit, sanus facis et tu.
Non dico horrendam rabiem. H Jam desine. ^ Cultum
Majorem censu. H Teneas, Damasippe, tuis te.
51 Mille puellarum, puerorum mille furores. 325
II O major tandem parcas, insane, minori.
SATIRA IV.
Unde, et quo Catius ? H Non est mihi tempus aventi
Ponere signa novis praeceptis, qualia vincunt
Pythagoran, Anytique reum, doctumque Platona.
If Peccatum fateor, cum te sic tempore laevo
48 Q. Hor.ATir ir.Accr
Interpellarim : seel des veniam bonus, oro. 5
Quod si interciderit tibi nunc aliquid, repetes mox ;
Sive est naturte hoc, sive artis, mirus utroque.
^ Quill id erat curae, quo pacto cuncta tenerem ;
Utpote res tenues, tenui sermone peractas.
^Ede hominis nomen ; simul et, Romanus an hospes. 10
1[ Ipsa memor praecepta canam ; celabitur auctor.
Longa quibus facies ovis cvit, ilia memento,
Ut succi melioris, et ut magis alma rotundis
Ponere: namque mai'em cohibent callosa vitellura.
Cole suburbano, qui siccis crevit in agris 15
Dulcior; irrigvio nihil est elutius horto.
Si vespertinus subito te oppresserit hospes,
Ne gallina malum responset dura palato,
Doctus eris vivam misto mersarc Falerno ;
Hoc teneram faciet. Pratensibus optima fungi s 20
Natura est : aliis male creditur. Ille salubres
iEstates peraget, qui nigris prandia moris
Finiet, ante gravem qu^elegerit arbore solem.
Aufidius forti miscebat mella Falerno,
Mendose; quoniam vacuis committere venis 25
Nil nisi lene decet : leni prascordia mulso
Prolueris melius. Si dura morabitur alvus,
Mytilus et viles pellent obstantia conchae,
Et lapathi brevis hei-ba, sed albo non sine Coo.
Lubrica nascentes implent conchylia lunae. 30
Sed non omne mare est generosae fertile testae.
Murice Bajano melior Lucrina peloris :
Ostrea Circeiis, Miseno oriuntur echini ;
Pectinibus patulis jactat se moUe Tarentum.
Nee sibi coenarum quivis temere arroget artem, 35
Non prius exacta tenui ratione saporum.
Nee satis est cara pisces averrere mcnsa,
Ignarum quibus est jus aptius, et quibus assis
Languidus in cubitum jam se conviva reponet.
Umber et iligna nutritus glandc rotundas 40
SKRMONf.M T.fli. H. 4'. 49
Curvet apcr lances carncm vitantis inertem :
Nam Laurens malus est, ulvis et arundine ])inguis.
N'inea suniniittit capreas non semper edules.
Fecundit leporis sapiens sectabitur armos.
Piscibus atque avibus quae natura et foret aetas, 45
Ante meum nulli patuit quaesita palatum.
Sunt quorum ingenium nova tantum crustula promit.
Ncquaquam satis in re una consumere curam:
Ut siquis solum Isoc, mala ne sint vina, laboret,
Quali pcrfundut ])isces, securus, olivo, 50
jVIassica si coelo supponas vina screno,
Nocturna, siquid crassi est, tcnuabitur aura,
Et deccdet odor nervis ininiicus ; at ilia
Integrum perdunt lino vitiata saporcm.
Surrentina vafer qui miscet faece Falerna 55
Vina, columbino limum bene colligit ovo -,
Quatenus ima petit volvens aliena vitellus.
Tostis marcentem squillis recreabis et Afra
Potorem cochlea; nam lactuca innatat acri
Post vinum stomacho : pcrna magis ac magis hillis CO
Flagitat in morsus relici ; quin omnia malit
QuEBcunque immundis fervent illata popinis.
Est operse pretium duplicis pernoscere juris
Naturam : simplex e dulei constat olivo,
Quod pingui miscere mere muriaque decebit, 65
Non alia quam qua Byzantia putuit orca.
Hoc ubi confusum sectis inferbuit herbis,
Corycioque croco sparsum stetit, insuper addes
Pressa Venafranae quod bacca remisit olivae.
Picenis cedunt pomis Tiburtia succo; 7^
Nam facie prajstant. Venucula convenit ollis,
Rectius Albanam fumo duraveris uvam :
Hanc ego cum malis, ego faecem primus et lialec,
Primus et invenior piper album, cum sale nigro
Incretum, puris circumposuisse catillis. ' 'J5
Immane est vitium, dare millia tenia macello,
£
50 Q. HORATII FLACCI
Angustoque vagos pisces urguere catino.
Magna movet stomacho fastidia, seu puer unctis
Tractavit calicem manibus, dum furta ligurrit ;
Sive gravis veteri craterae limus adhaesit. 80
Vilibus in scopis, in mappis, in scobe, quantus
Consistit sumtus ? neglectis, flagitium ingens.
Ten'' lapides varies lutulenta radere palma,
Et Tyrias dare circum illota toralia vestes ?
Oblitum, quanto curam sumtumque minorem 85
Haec habeant, tanto reprendi justius illis,
Quae nisi divitibus nequeant contingere mensis.
UDocte Cati, per amicitiam divosque rogatus,
Ducere me auditum, perges quocunque, memento.
Nam quamvis referas memori mihi pectore cuncta, 90
Non tamen interpres tantundem juveris ; adde
Vultum habitumque hominis ; quem tu vidisse beatus,
Non magni pendis, quia eontigit : at mihi cura
Non mediocris inest, fontes ut adire remotos,
Atque haurire queam vitae praecepta beatte. 95
SATIRA V.
Hoc quoque, Tiresia, praeter narrata petenti
Responde : quibus amissas reparare queam res
Artibus atque modis. Quid rides? ^ Jamne doloso
Non satis est Itbacam revehi, patriosque penates
Aspicere ? 110 nuUi quidquam mentite, vides ut 5
Nudus inopsque domum redeam, te vate, neque illic
Aut apotheca proeis intacta est, aut pecus : atqui
Et genus, et virtus, nisi cum re, vilior alga est.
% Quando pauperiem, missis ambagibus, horres,
Accipe, qua ratione queas ditescere. Turdus 10
Sive aliud privum dabitur tibi, devolet illuc.
Res ubi magna nitet, domino sene ; dulcia poma,
Et quoseunq\ie feret cultus tibi fundus honores,
SKRMOKl'AI l.lli. II. 5. 51
Ante Lavem gustet vencrabiliov I.ara dives ;
Qui quamvis perjunis erit, sine gente, cruentus 15
Sanguine fraterno, fugitivus ; ne tamen illi
Tu comes exterior, si postulet, ire recuses.
1[ Utne tegam spurco Damas latus ? haud ita Troja*
Me gessi, certans semper melioribus. H Ergo
Pauper eris. H Fortem hoc animum tolerare jubebo : 20
Et quondam majora tuli. Tu protinus, unde
Divitias aerisque ruam, die Augur, acervos.
HDixi equidem, et dico. Captes astutus ubique
Testamenta senum : neu si vafer unus et alter
Insidiatorem praeroso fugerit hamo, 25
Aut spem deponas, aut artem illusus omittas.
Magna minorve foro si res certabitur olim,
Vivet uter locuples sine natis, improbus ultro
Qui meliorem audax vocet in jus, illius esto
Defensor ; fama civem causaque priorem 30
Sperne, domi si natus erit fecundave conjux.
Quinte, puta, aut Publi (gaudent praenomine molles
Auriculae) tibi me virtus tua fecit amicum :
Jus anceps novi, causas defendere possum :
Eripiet quivis oculos citius mihi, quam te 35
Contemtum quassa nuce pauperet : haec mea cura est,
Ne quid tu perdas, neu sis jocus : ire domum atque
Pelliculam curare jube : fi cognitor ipse.
Persta, atque obdura, seu rubra canicula findet
Infantes statuas ; seu pingui tentus omaso 40
Furius hibernas cana nive conspuet Alpes.
Nonne vides (aliquis cubito stantem prope tangens
Inquiet) ut patiens ! ut amicis aptus ! ut acer !
Plures annabunt thunni, et cetaria crescent.
Si cui prasterea validus male filius in re 45
Praeclara sublatus aletur ; ne manifestum
Coelibis obsequium nudet te, Icniter in spem
Adrepe officiosus, ut et scribare secundus
Hseres, et siquis casus puerum egerit Oreo,
K 2
55i Q. HOllATII FLACCr
In vacuum venias : porraro Iirrc alea fallit. 50
Qui tcstamentum traclet tibi cumquc legeudum,
Abnuere, et tabulas a tc removere memento :
Sic tamen ut iimis rapias quid prima secundo
Cera velit versu ; solus, multisne cohajrcs,
Veloci percurre oculo. Plerumque recoctus 55
Scriba ex quinqueviro corvum deludet hiantcm,
Captatorque dabit risus Nasica Corano.
% Num furis ? an prudens ludis me, obscura cancndo ?
^ O Laertiade, qnicquid dicam, aut erit, aut non:
Divinare ctenini magnus mihi donat Apollo. CA)
^ Quid tamen ista velit si})i fobula, si licet, edc.
^ Tempore quo juvenis Parthis horrendus, ab alto
Demissum genus /li^nea, tellure marique
Magnus erit, forti nubet procera Corano
Filia Nasicae, metuentis rcddere soldum. Go
Turn gener hoc faciet ; tabulas socero dabit, atquc
Ut lesat orabit : multum Nasica negatas
Accipiet tandem, et tacitus leget ; invenictquc
Nil sibi legatum, praeter plorare, suisque.
Illud ad haec jubeo ; mulier si forte dolosa ^0
Libertusve senem delirum temperet, illis
Accedas socius: laudes, lauderis ut absens :
Adjuvat hoc quoque ; sed vincit longe prius ipsum
Expugnare caput : scribet mala carmina vecors ?
Laudato : scortator erit ? cave te roget : ultro 'J5
Penelopen facilis potiori trade. % Putasne,
Perduci poterit tam frugi tamque pudica,
Quam nequiere proci recto depellere cursu .''
*^[ Venit enim magnum donandi parca juventus,
Nee tantum Veneris quantum studiosa culinae ; 80
Sic tibi Penelope frugi est : qure si semcl uno
Dc sene gustai-it tecum partita lucellum,
Ut canis, a corio nunquam abstcrrebitur uncto.
Me sene, quod dicam, factum est ; anus improba Tliebi.s
Ex testamento sic est clata ; cadaver 85
SEll.MONUM LIB. 11. (). 53
Unctum olco largo nudis luimeris tulit litures :
Scilicet clabi si posset mortua : credo,
Quod nimium institerat viventi. Cautus adito:
Ncu desis operse, neve immodcratus abundes.
Difiicilem et morosum ofFcndet garrulus : ultro 1)0
Non etiam sileas. Davus sis comicus, atque
Stes capite obstipo, multum similis metucnti.
Obscquio grassare : mone, si increbruit aura,
Cautus uti velet carum caput : cxtrahe turba,
Oppositis humcris : aurcm substringc loquaci. 95
Importunus amat laudari .'' donee Ohe ! jam
Ad coelum manibus sublatis, dixerit, urgue ; ct
Crescentein tumidis infla sermonibus utrem.
Cum te servitio longo curaque levarit ;
Et certum vigilans, Quartae esto partis Ulysses, 100
Audieris, hseres : Ergo nunc Dama sodalis
Nusquam est .'' unde mihi tam fortem, tamquc fidelem .^
Sparge subinde: et, si paulum potes, illacrymarc. Est
Gaudia prodentera vultum celare. Sepulcrum
Permissum arbitrio, sine sordibus exstrue : funus 105
Egrcgie factum laudet vicinia. Siquis
Forte coha?redum senior male tussiet, huic tu
Die, ex parte tua, seu fundi sive domus sit
Emtor, gaudcntem nummo te addicere. Sed me
Impcriosa trahit Proser])ina: vivc valeque. 110
SATIRA VI.
Hoc erat in votis ; modus agri non ita magnus,
Hortus ubi, et tecto vicinus jugis aquae fons
Et paulum silvge super his foret : auctius atque
DI melius feccre : bene est : nil amplius oro,
^laia natc, nisi ut propria hu^c mihi munera faxis.
Si neque majorcm feci ratione niala rem,
54 <i. HORATIl FLACCI
Nec sum factuius vitio culpave minorem ;
Si veneror stultus nihil horum ; O si angulus illc
Proximus accedat, qui nunc denormat agellum !
O si urnam argenti fors quae mihi monstret ! ut illi, 10
Thesauro invento qui mercenarius agrum
Ilium ipsum mercatus aravit, dives amico
Hercule. Si, quod adest, gratum juvat ; hac prece te oro,
Pingue pecus domino facias, et caetera, prgeter
Ingenium : utque soles, custos mihi maximus adsis. 15
Ergo ubi me in montes et in arcem ex urbe removi,
(Quid prius illustrem Satiris Musaque pedestri?)
Nec mala me ambitio perdit, nec plumbeus Auster,
Autumnusque gravis, Libitinoe quaestus acerbae.
Matutine pater, seu Jane libentius audis, 20
Unde homines operum primos vita?que labores
Instituunt (sic Diis placitum) tu carminis esto
Principium. Romae sponsorem me rapis. H Eja,
Ne prior officio quisqviam respondeat, urgue:
Sive Aquilo radit terras, seu brum a nivalem 25
Interiore diem gyro trahit, ire necesse est.
H Postmodo, quod mi obsit, clare certumque locuto,
Luctandum in turba ; facienda injuria tardis.
H Quid vis insane? et quas res agis? improbus urguet
Iratis precibus; tu pulses omne quod obstat, 30
Ad Maecenatem memori si ment€ recurras ?
U Hoc juvat, et raelli est, non mentiar. At simul ati-as
Ventum est Esquilias, aliena negotia centum
Per caput et circa saliunt latus. Ante secundam
Roscius orabat sibi adesses ad Puteal eras. 35
De re com muni scribos magna atque nova te
Orabant hodie meminisses, Quinte, reverti.
Imprimat his cura MiEcenas signa tabellis.
Dixeris, Experiar: Si vis, potes, addit, et instat.
Septimus octavo propior jam fugerit annus, 40
Ex quo Mjiecenas me coepit habere suorum
In numcro, duntaxat ad hoc, qucm tollere rheda
SKllMONUM LIB. J I. 6. 55
Vellet, iter faciens, et cui concredere nugas
Hoc genus ; Hora quota est ? Threx est Gallina Syro par?
Matutina parum cautos jam frigora mordent : 45
Et quae rimosa bene deponuntur in aure.
Per totum hoc tempus subjectior in diem et horain
Invidiae. Noster ludos spectaverat una ;
Luserat in Campo ; Fortunas filius; omnes.
Frigidus a Rostris manat per compita rumor : 50
Quicunque obvius est, me consulit ; 1[ O bone (nam te
Scire, Deos quoniam propius contingis, oportet)
Num quid de Dacis audisti ? ^ Nil equidem. ^ Ut tu
Semper eris derisor ! H At omnes DI exagitent me,
Si quicquam. HQuid? militibus promissa Triquetra 55
Praedia Caesar ; an est Itala tellure daturus ?
Jurantem me scire nihil mirantur ut unum
Scilicet egregii mortalem altique silenti.
Perditur haec inter misero lux, non sine votis :
O rus quando ego te aspiciam ? quandoque licebit, 60
Nunc veterum libris, nunc somno et inertibus horis
Ducere solicitae jucunda oblivia vitae ?
O quando faba Pythagorae cognata, simulque
Uncta satis pingui ponentur oluscula lardo ?
O noctes coenaeque deum ! quibus ipse meiquc, 65
Ante larem proprium vescor, vernasque procaces
Pasco libatis dapibus. Prout cuique libido est,
Siccat inaequales calices conviva solutus
Legibus insanis ; seu quis capit acria fortis
Pocula, seu modicis uvescit Isetius. Ergo 7^^
Sermo oritur non de viUis domibusve alienis,
Nee, male necne Lepos saltet ; sed quod magis ad nos
Pertinet, et nescire malum est, agitamus : utrumne
Divitiis homines, an sint virtute beati ;
Quidve ad amicitias, usus rectumne trahat nos ; ']5
Et quae sit natura boni ; summumque quid ejus.
Cervius haec inter vicinus garrit aniles
Ex re fabcllas. Siquis nam laudat Arelli
)()
Q. IIOKATII FLACCI
Solicitas ignarus opes, sic incipit. ^ Olim
llusticus urbanum murem mus paupere fertur 80
Accepisse cavo, veterein vetus hospcs amiciim ;
Asper, ct attentus qua3.sitis, iit tamen arctum
Solverct hospitiis animum. Quid multa? ncquc iile
Sepositi ciceris, nee longar invidit avenje:
Aridum et ore ferer.s aciniim, semesaque lardi Ho
Frusta dedit, cupiens vavia fastidia cocna
Vincere tangentis male singida dente superbo:
Cum pater ipse domus palea porrectus in borna
Esset ador loliumque, dapis meliora relinqucns.
Tandem urbanus ad bunc, Quid te juvat, inquit, amite, 90
Pra?rupti nemoris patientem vivere dorso ?
Vis tu homines urbemque feris praeponcre silvis?
Carpe viam (mihi crede) comes, terrestria quando
Mortales animas vivunt sortita, ncque ulla est
Aut magno aut parvo leti fuga : quo, bono, circa, 95
Dum licet, in rebus jucundis vive beatus:
Vive memor quam sis asvi brevis. Ha?c ubi dicta
Agrestem pepulere, domo levis exsilit: indc
Ambo propositum peragunt iter, urbis avcntes
Moenia nocturni subrepere. Jamque tcncbat 100
Nox medium coeli spatium, cum ponit uterque
In locuplete domo vestigia ; rubro ubi cocco
Tincta super lectos canderet vestis eburnos,
INIultaque de magna superessent fcrcula coena,
Quiv procul exstructis inerant hesternacanistris. 105
Ergo ubi purpurea porvectum in vcste locavit
Agrestem, veluti succinctus cursitat hospes,
Continuatque dapcs ; nee non vernaliter ipsis
Eungitur officiis, pntlambens omne quod aff'crt.
111c Cubans gaudet mutata sorte, bonisque 110
llebus agit laetum convivam ; cum subito ingcns
Valvarum strepitus lectis excussit utrumque.
Currere per totum pavidi conclave ; magis(|uc
Exanimcs trcjjidarc, simul domus alta Molossis
SERMOKUM I. Hi. H. '] . S'J
P.rsoniiit canibus. Turn rusticus, Ilaiul milii vita 115
Est opus hac, ait, ct valcas : mc silva cavusquc
Tutus ab insitUis tcnui solabitur ervo.
SATIRA VII.
Jamduuum ausculto ; ct cupiens tibi tliccic scrvus
Pauca, rcforuiido. H Davusne .'' •[[ Ita, l)avu.s, ainifuiii
J\Iancij>ium domino, ct frugi quod sit satis ; hoc est,
Ut vitale putcs. H Age, libertate Dcccmbri
(Quando ita majores voluerunt) utere; narra. 5
% Pars hominum vitiis gaudet constanter, ct urguct
Propositum ; pars multa natat, niodo recta capesscns,
Intcrdum pravis obnoxia; saepe notatus
Cum tribus anellis, mode Itieva I'riscus inani,
Vixit iiia'qualis, clavum ut mutarct in boras, , 10
yEdibus ex magnis subito se conderet, undo
Mundior cxiret vix libertinus hoiiestc.
Jam mcjeclius lloma^, jam mallet doctor Atlicnis
Vivere, Vertumnis, quotquot sunt, natus iniquis.
Scurra Volanerius, postquam illi justa chcragra 15
Coiitudit articulos, qui pro sc tolleret atquc
IMitteret in phimum talos, mercede diurna
Conductum pavit : quauto constantior idem
In vitiis, tanto levius miser ac prior illo
Qui jam contento, jam laxo fune laborat. 20
Non dices bodie, quorsum haic tarn putida tendaiit,
Purcifcr ? Ad te, inquam. Quo pacto, pcssime ? Laudas
Fortunam ct mores antiquic plcbis ; ct idem,
Siquis ad ilia Dcus subito te agat, usque recuses ;
Aut quia non sentis quod clamas rectius esse, 25
Aut (juia non iirmus rectum dcfcndis, ct haercs,
Ncquicquam ctcno cupiens evellerc plantam.
Roma.' rus optas, abscntem rusticus urbcm
,58 a. HOllATII FLACCI
Tollis ad astra levis. Si nusquam es forte vocatus
Ad coenam, laudas securum olus : ac, velut usquam 30
Vinctus eas, ita te felicem dicis, amasque,
Quod nusquam tibi sit potandum. Jusserit ad se
Maecenas serum sub lumina prima venire
Convivam ; Nemon' oleum fert ocius? ecquis
Audit ? cum magno blateras clamore, furisque. 35
Milvius et scurrse tibi non referenda precati
Discedunt. Etenim fateor me, dixerit ille,
Duel ventre levem ; nasum nidore supinor ;
Imbecillus, iners, siquid vis, adde, popino.
Tu, cum sis quod ego, et fortassis nequior, ultro 40
Insectere, velut melior? verbisque decoris
Obvolvas vitium ? quid si me stultior ipso
Quingentis emto drachmis deprenderis ? aufer
Me vultu terrere ; manum stomachumque teneto,
Dum, quae Crispini docuit me janitor, edo. 4-5
Te conjux aliena capit, meretricula Davum :
Peccat uter nostrum cruce dignius ? acris ubi me
Natura incendit, sub clara nuda lucerna
Quaecunque excepit turgentis verbera caudae
(Jlunibus, aut agitavit equum lasciva supinum, 50
Dimittit neque famosum, neque solicitum, ne
Ditior, aut formae melioris meiat eodem.
Tu, cum projectis insignibus, annulo equestri
Romanoque habitu, prodis ex judice Dama
Turpis, odoratum caput obscurante lacerna, 55
Non es quod simulas ? metuens induceris, atque
Altercante libidinibus tremis ossa pavore.
Quid refert, uri virgis, ferroque necari
Auctoratus eas ; an turpi clausus in area,
Quo te demisit peccati conscia herilis 60
Contractum, gcnibus tangas caput? Estne marito
Mutronae pcccantis in ambo justa potestas ?
In corruptorcm vel justior : ilia lamcn se
Non habitu mutatvc loco, pcccatve supcrnc.
SKUMONUM LIB. 1. 7- 59
Cum te formidet mulier, neque credat amanti. 65
Ibis sub furcam prudens, dominoque furenti
Committes rem omnem, et vitam, et cum corpore famam.
Evasti? metues, credo, doctusque cavebis :
Quaeres quando iterum paveas, iterumque perire
Possis. O toties servus ! quag belua ruptis, ^0
Cum semel eflfugit, reddit se prava catenis ?
Non sum moechus, ait : neque ego, hercule, fur, ubi vasa
Praetereo sapiens argentea : tolle periclum,
Jam vaga prosiliet fraenis natura remotis.
Tune mihi dominus, rerum imperiis hominumque ']5
Tot tantisque minor ? quem ter vindicta quaterquc
Imposita baud unquam misera formidine privet.
Adde super, dictis quod non levius valeat ; nam
Sive vicarius est, qui servo paret, uti mos
Vester ait; seu conservus : tibi quid sum ego ? nempc 80
Tu, mihi qui imperitas, aliis servis miser, atque
Duceris ut nervis alienis mobile lignum.
Quisnam igitur liber ? Sapiens, sibi qui imperiosus :
Quem neque pauperies, neque mors, neque vincula terrent ;
Responsare cupidinibus, contemnere honores 85
Fortis ; et in seipso totus teres atque rotundus,
Externi nequid valeat per leve morari ;
In quem manca ruit semper for tuna. Potesne
Ex his ut proprium quid noscere ? Quinque talenta
Poscit te mulier, vexat, foribusque repulsum 90
Perfundit gelida : rursus vocat : eripe turpi
CoUa jugo : liber, liber sum, die age : non quis ;
Urguct enim dominus mentem non lenis, et acres
Subjectat lasso stimulos, versatque negantem.
Vel cum Pausiaca torpes, insane, tabella, 95
Qui peccas minus atque ego, cum Fulvi Rutubaeque,
Aut Placideiani contento poplite miror
Proelia, rubrica picta aut carbone ; velut si
Re vera pugnent, feriant, vitentque movcntes
Anna viri? Nequam et cessator Davus; at ipse 100
60 Q. HORATII FLACCI
Subtilis vctcrum judex ct callidus audis.
Nil ego, si ducor libo fumante; tibi ingens
Virtus atque animus ccenis responsat opiniis ?
Obscquium ventris mibi perniciosius est : cur ?
Tergo plcctor enim ; qui tu impunitior ilia, 105
Quaj parvo sumi nequeunt, opsonia captas?
Nempe inamarcscunt epulte sine fine petitae,
Illusiquc pedes vitiosum ferre recusant
Corpus. An bic peccat, sub noctem qui puer uvam
Furtiva mutat strigili ? qui pra-xlia vcndit, HO
Nil servile, gulae parens, habct ? Adde, quod idem
Non horam tecum esse potes, non otia rectc
Ponere ; teque ipsum vitas, fugitivus ut erro.
Jam vino quaerens, jam somno fallere curam :
Frustra : nam comes atra premit scquiturque fugacem. 115
% Unde mibi lapidcmPHQuorsum est opus PHUnde sagittas?
^Aut insanit bomo, aut versus facit. ^ Ocius bine te
Ni rapis, accedes opera agro nona Sabino.
SATIRA VIII.
Ut Nasidieni juvit te coena beati ?
Nam mibi quasrenti convivam, dictus berc illic
De medio potare die. H Sic, ut mibi nunquam
In vita fuerit melius. H Da, si grave non est,
Quae prima iratum ventrem placaverit esca. 5
In primis Lucanus aper : leni fuit Austro
Captus, ut aiebat coenae pater ; acria circum
Rapula, lactucfTc, radices, qualia lassum
Pervellunt stomacbum ; siser, balec, f»cula Coa.
His ubi sublatis puer alto cinctus acernam 10
Gausape purpureo mensam pcrtersit, et alter
Sublegit quodcunquc jaccret inutile, quodquc
Posset ca'nantcs olflndcre : ut Attica virgo
I
SERMONUM LIB. IT. 8. 61
Cum sacris Ccrcris, proccdit fuscus ITydaspcs,
C'.tcuba vina fcrens ; Alcon, Chium, maris expcrs. 15
Plic licrus; Albanum, IVIirccna?, sive Falcrnum
Te magis appositis delectat, habemus utrumque.
H Divitias miseras ! Sed queis cocnantibus una,
Fundani, pulchre fuerit tibi, tiosse laboro.
H Summus ego, et prope me Viscus Thurinus, ct infra, 20
Si memini, Varius ; cum Scrvilio Balatrone
\'ibidius, quos Mfficenas adduxerat umbras.
Nomentanus erat super ipsum, Porcius infra,
Ridiculus totas simul obsorberc placentas :
Nomentanus ad hoc, qui siquid forte lateret, 25
Indice monstraret digito : nam cfBtera turba,
Nos, inquam, coenamus aves, conchylia, pisces,
Longe dissimilem noto celantia succum ;
Ut vel continue patuit, cum passeris atque
Ingustata mihi porrexerat ilia rhombi. 30
Post hoc mc docuit melimela ruberc minorem
Ad lunara delecta: quid hoc intcrsit, ab ipso
Audieris melius. Turn Vibidius Balatroni ;
Nos nisi damnose bibimus, moriemur inulti :
Et caliccs poscit majores : vertere pallor 35
Tum parochi faciem, nil sic metuentis ut acres
l^otores; vel quod maledicunt liberius, vol
Fervida quod subtile exsurdant vina palatum.
Invertunt Alliphanis vinaria tota
\'ibidius Balatroque, secutis omnibus : imi 40
Convivae lecti nihilum nocuere lagenis.
Affertur squillas inter murc^ena natantes
In patina porrecta. Sub hoc herus, Haec gravida, inquit,
Capta est, deterior post partum carne futura.
His mistum jus est, oleo, quod prima Venafri 45
Pressit cella ; garo de succis piscis Iberi ;
Vino quinquenni, verum citra mare nato,
Dum coquitur (cocto Chium sic convenit, ut non
Hoc magis uUum aliud) ; pipcre albo, non sine aceto,
G-2 a. HOllATII FLAC(!r
Quod Metliymnaeam vitio mutaverit uvam, 50
P^rucas virides, inulas ego primus amaras
Monstravi incoquere, (inlutos Curtillus echinos,)
Ut melius, muria, quam testa marina remittit.
Interea suspensa graves aulaea ruinas
In patinam fecere, trahentia pulveris atri 55
Quantum non Aquilo Campanis excitat agi'is.
Nos majus veriti, postquam nihil esse pericli
Sensimus, erigimur. Rufus, posito capite, ut si
Filius immaturus obisset, flere. Quis esset
Finis, ni sapiens sic Nomentanus amicum 60
Tolleret ; Heu Fortuna ! quis est crudelior in nos
Te Deus ? ut semper gaudes illudere rebus
Humanis ! Varius mappa compescere risum
Vix poterat. Balatro suspendens omnia naso,
Haec est conditio vivendi, aiebat ; eoque 65
Responsura tuo nunquam est par fama labori.
Tene, ut ego accipiar laute, torquerier omni
Solicitudine districtum ? ue panis adustus,
Ne male conditum jus apponatur ? ut omnes
Praecincti recte pueri comptique ministrent ? 7^
Adde hos praeterea casus ; aulaea ruant si,
Ut modo ; si patinam pede lapsus frangat agaso.
Sed convivatoris, uti ducis, ingenium res
Adversae nudare solent, celare secundas.
Nasidienus ad haec ; Tibi Dii, quaecunque preceris, ^5
Commoda dent; ita vir bonus es, convivaque comis :
Et soleas poscit : turn in lecto quoque videres
Stridere secreta divisos aure susurros.
5[ Nullos his mallem ludos spectasse : sed ilia
Redde, age, quae deinceps risisti. 5f Vibidius dum 80
Quaerit de pueris, num sit quoque fracta lagena.
Quod sibi poscenti non dentur pocula ; dumque
Ridetur fictis rerum, Balatrone secundo;
Nasidiene, redis mutatas frontis, ut arte
Emendaturus fortunam : deinde secuti 85
SF-liMONUM LIB. TT. 8. 03
Mazonomo puei magno discerpta ferentes
IMembra gruis, sparsi sale multo non sine favre ;
Pinguibus et ficis pastum jecur anseris albi ;
Et leporum avulsos, ut multo suavius, armos,
Quam si cum lumbis quis edit : turn pectore adusto 90
Vidimus et merulas poni, et sine clune palumbes ;
Suaves res, si non causas navraret earum et
Naturas dominus; quern nos sic fugimus ulti,
Ut nihil omnino gustaremus, velut illis
Canidia afflasset, pejor serpentibus Afris. 95
Q. IIORATII FLACCI
EPODON LIBER.
I. (metrum I.)
AU M.ECENATEM.
Iris Liburnis inter alta navium,
Amice, pvopugnacula,
Paratus omiie Cajsaris periculum
Subire, Maecenas, tuo ?
Quid nos, quibus to vita si supcrstitc 5
Jucunda ; si contra, gravis ?
Utrumnc jussi persequcmur otium,
Non dulcc, ni tecum simul ?
An hunc laborem mente laturi, dccct
Qua ferrc non molles viros? 10
Feremus ; et te vel per Alpium juga,
Inhospitalem ct Caucasum,
Vel occidentis usque ad ultimum sinum,
Forti sequemur pectore.
Roges, tuum labore quid juvem meo, 15
Imbellis ac firmus parum ?
Comes minore sum futuriis in metu,
Qui major absentes habet.
Ut assidens implumibus pullis avis
Serpentium adlapsus timet, 20
Magis relictis ; non, ut adsit, auxili
Latura plus pra?sentibus.
Libenter hoc et omne militabitur
Bellum in tua? spem gratia?;
Non ut juvcncis illigata pluribus 25
Aratra nitantur meis,
EPODON LIUEU. 65
Pecusve Calabris ante sidus fervidum
Lucana mutet pascua,
Nee ut superni villa candens Tusculi
Circaea tangat moenia : 30
Satis superquc me benignitas tua
Ditavit : baud paravero
Quod aut avarus, ut Chromes, terra premam,
Discinctus aut perdam ut nepos.
II. (m. 1.)
VIT^ RUSTICS LAUDKS.
Beatus ille, qui procul negotiis
(Ut prisca gens mortalium)
Paterna rura bubus exercet suis,
Solutus omni foenore.
Neque excitatur classico miles truci, 5
Neque horret iratum mare;
Forumque vitat et superba civium
Potentiorum limina.
Ergo aut adulta vitium propagine
Altas maritat populos, 10
Inutilesque falce ramos amputans,
Feliciores inserit ;
Aut in reducta valle mugientium
Prospectat errantes greges ;
Aut pressa puris mella condit amphoris ; 15
Aut tondet infirmas oves ;
Vel, cum decorum mitibus pomis caput
Autumnus arvis extulit,
Ut gaudet insitiva decerpens pyra,
Certantem et uvam purpurae, 20
Qua muncretur tc Priape, et te pater
66 Q. HORATII FLACCI
Sylvane, tutor finium !
Libet jacere modo sub antiqua ilice,
Modo in tenaci gramine.
Labuntur altis interim ripis aquae ; 25
Queruntur in sylvis aves ;
Fontesque lymphis obstrepunt manantibus,
Somnos quod invitet leves.
At cum tonantis annus liibernus Jovis
Imbres nivesque comparat, 30
Aut trudit acres bine et bine multa cane
Apros in obstantes plagas ;
Aut amite levi rara tendit retia,
Turdis edacibus doles ;
Pavidumque leporem, et advenam laqueo gruem, 35
Jucunda captat praemia.
Quis non malarum, quas amor curas babet,
Haec inter obliviscitur ?
Quod si pudica mulier in partem juvet
Domum atque dulces liberos, 40
(Sabina qualis, aut perusta solibus
Pernicis uxor Appvili,)
Sacram vetustis exstruat lignis focum
Lassi sub adventum viri :
Claudensque textis cratibus laetum pecus, 45
Distenta siccet ubera ;
Et borna dulci vina promens dolio,
Dapes inemtas apparet ; —
Non me Lucrina juverint conchylia,
Magisve rbombus, aut scari, 50
Si quos Eois intonata fluctibus
Hiems ad hoc vertat mare :
Non Afra avis descendat in ventrem meura,
Non attagen lonicus
Jucundior, quam lecta de pinguissimis 55
Oliva ramis arborum,
Aut bcrba lapatbi prata amantis, ct gravi
EPODON LIBER, 67
Malvae salubres corpori,
Vel agna festis caesa Terminalibus,
Vel haedus ereptus lupo. 60
Has inter epulas, ut juvat pastas oves
Videre properantes domum !
Videve fessos vomerem inversum boves
Collo trahentes languido,
Positosque vernas, ditis examen domus, 65
Circum renidentes Lares !
Haec ubi locutus fcenerator Alfius,
Jamjam futurus rusticus,
Omnem redegit Idibus pecuniam ;
Quaerit Calendis ponere.
III. (m. I.)
AD M.ECENATEM.
Parentis olim siquis impia manu
Senile guttur fregerit,
Edit cicutis alium nocentius.
O dura messorum ilia!
Quid hoc veneni saevit in praecordiis? 5
Num viperinus his cruor
Incoctus herbis me fefellit ? an malas
Canidia tractavit dapes ?
Ut Argonautas proeter omnes candidum
Medea mirata est ducem, 10
Ignota tauris illigaturum juga
Perunxit hoc lasoncm :
Hoc delibutis ulta donis pellicem,
Serpente fugit alite.
Nee tantus unquam siderum insedit vapor 15
Siticulosse Appulite ;
F 2
68 Q. HORATII FLACCI
Nec niunus humeris efficacis Herculis
Inarsit oshluosius.
At, siquid imquam tale coneupiveris.
Jocose Mgecenas, precor 20
Manum pueila savio oppouat tuo,
Extrema et in sponda cubet.
IV. (m. I.)
AD MiENAM, POMPEII LIBKKTUM.
Lupis et agnis quanta sortito obtigit,
Tecum mihi discordia est,
Ibericis peruste funibus latus,
Et crura dura compede.
Licet superbus ambules pecunia, 5
Fortuna nou mutat genus.
Videsne, sacram metiente te viam
Cum bis ter ulnarum toga.
IJt era vertat hue et hue euntium
Liberrima indignatio ? 10
Sectus flagellis hie Triumvirahbus,
Praeconis ad fastidium,
Arat Falerni mille fundi jugera,
Et Appiam mannis terit ;
Sedilibusque magnus in primis eques, 15
Othone contempto, sedet.
Quid attinet tot ora navium gravi
Rostrata duel pondere
Contra latrones atque servilem manum,
Hoc, hoc tribuno miHtum ? 20
F.PODOX l.inEK. 69
V. (m. I.)
IN CANIDIAM VENEFK'AIM.
At, O deorum quicquid in cselo I'egit
Terras et humanum genus !
Quid iste fert tumultus ? et quid omnium
Vultus in unum me truces ?
Per liberos te, si vocata partubus 5
Lucina veris affuit,
Per hoc inane purpuras decus precor,
Per improbaturum haec Jovem,
Quid ut noverca me intueris, aut uti
Petita ferro belua ? 10
Ut haec tremente questus ore constitit
Insignibus raptis puer,
Impube corpus, quale posset impia
Mollire Thracum pectora;
Canidia brevibus impHcata viperis 15
Crines et incomtum caput,
Jubet sepulchris caprificos erutas,
Jubet cupressus funebres,
Et uncta turpis ova ranae sanguine,
Plumamque nocturnas strigis, 20
Herbasque quas lolcos atque Iberia
Mittit, venenorum ferax,
Et ossa ab ore rapta jejunae canis,
Flammis aduri Colchicis.
At expedita Sagana, per totam domum 25
Spargens Avernales aquas,
Horret capillis ut marinus asperis
Echinus, aut currens aper.
Abacta nulla Veia conscientia,
Ligonibus duris humum 30
Exhauriebat, ingemens laboribuss ;
70 Q. HORATII FLACCI
Quo posset infossus puer
Longo die bis terque mutatae dapis
Inemori spectaculo,
Cum promineret ore, quantum exstant aqua 35
Suspensa mento corpora ;
Exusta uti medulla, et aridum jeeur
Amoris esset poculum,
Interminato cum semel fixas cibo
Intabuissent pupulEe. 40
Non defuisse masculae libidinis
Ariminensem Foliam,
Et otiosa credidit Neapolis,
Et omne vicinum oppidum :
Quse sidera excantata voce Thessala, 45
Lunamque caelo deripit.
Hie irresectum saeva dente livido
Canidia rodens pollicem,
Quid dixit ? aut quid tacuit ? O rebus meis
Non infideles arbitrae, 50
Nox, et Diana quae silentium regis.
Arcana cum fiunt sacra ;
Nunc nunc adeste : nunc in hostiles domos
Iram atque numen vertite :
Formidolosae dum latent silvis ferae, 55
Dulci sopore languidfe ;
Senem (quod omnes rideant) adulterum
Latrent Suburanae canes,
Nardo perunctum, quale non perfectius
Meffi laborarint manus. 60
Quid accidit ? cur dira barbarae minus
Venena Medeae valent ?
Quibus superbam fugit ulta pellicem,
Magni Creontis filiam,
Cum palla, tabo munus imbutum, novam 65
Inccndio nuptam abstulit.
Atqui nee lierba nee latens in asperis
KPODOX MHI'.U. 71
lladix f'efellit me locis.
Iiulorniit unctis omnium cubilihus
Oblivione pellicum. 7^^
Ah ! ah ! sohitus ambulat veneficse
Scientioris carmine.
Non usitatis Vare, potionibus
(O multa fleturum caput!)
Ad me recurres ; nee vocata mens tua ^5
Marsis redibit vocibus.
Majus parabo, majus infundam tibi
Fastidienti poculum.
Priusque ca?kim sidet inferius mari,
Tellure porrecta super, 80
<^uam non amore sic meo flagres uti
Bitumen atris ignibus.
Sub haec puer, jam non ut ante, mollibus
Lenire verbis impias ;
Sed dubius unde rumperet silentium, S5
Misit Thyesteas preces.
Venena magnum fas nefasque, non valcnt
Convertere humanam vicem.
Diris agam vos : dira detestatio
Nulla expiatur victima. 90
Quin, ubi perire jussus exspiravero,
Nocturnus occurram Furor,
Petamque vultus umbra curvis unguibus,
(Quae vis Deorum est Manium;)
Et inquietis assidens praecordiis, 95
Pavore somnos auferam.
Vos turba vicatim hinc et hinc saxis petens
Contundet, obscenas anus ;
Post, insepulta membra different lupi,
Et Esquiliniac alites : 100
Neque hoc parentcs (lieu mihi superstites !)
Effligerit spectaculum.
^'2 <i. HORATII FLACCI
VI. (m. I.)
IN CASSIUM SEVERUM.
Quid imraerentes hospites vexas, canis,
Ignavus adversum lupos ?
Quill hue inanes, si potes, vertis minas,
Et me remorsurum petis ?
Nam, qualis aut Molossus, aut fulvus Lacon, 5
(Arnica vis pastoribus,)
Agam per altas aure sublata nives,
Quaecuiique pnxpcedet fera.
Tu cum timenda voce complesti nemus,
Projectum odoraris cibum. 10
Cave, cave : nanique in malos asperrimus
Parata toUo cornua ;
Qualis Lycambae spretus infido gener,
Aut acer hostis Bupalo.
An, siquis atro dente me petiverit, 15
Inultus ut flebo puer ?
VII. (m. I.)
AD POPULUM ROMANUM.
Quo, quo scelesti ruitis? aut curdexteris
Aptantur enses conditi ?
Parumne campis atque Neptuno super
Fusum est Latini sanguinis .''
Non ut superbas invidae Carthaginis 5
Romanus arces ureret ;
Intactus aut Britannus ut descenderet
Sacra catenatus via :
Sed ut, secundum votaParthorum, sua
Urbs hoec periret dextera. 10
I
EPODON I.IBKR. 7'^
Neque hie lupis nios, nee fuit leonibus,
Nunquam nisi in dispar feris.
Furorne caecus, an rapit vis acrior ?
An culpa ? responsum date.
Tacent ; et ora pallor albus inficit ; 15
Mentesque perculsae stupent.
Sic est : acerba fata Romanos agunt,
Scelusque fraternae necis ;
Ut immerentis fluxit in terram Rami
Sacer nepotibus cruor. 20
VIII. (m. I.)
!>: ANUM LIBIDINOSAAf.
RoGARE longo putklam te saeculo.
Vires quid enervet meas 1
Cum sit tibi dens ater, et rugis vetus
Frontem senectus exaret ;
Hietque turpis inter aridas nates 5
Podex, velut crudre bovis.
Sed incitat me pectus, et mammas putres.
Equina quales ubera ;
Venterque mollis, et femvu' tumentibus
Exile suris additum. 10
Esto beata : funus atque imagines
Ducant triumphales tuum ;
Nee sit marita quae rotundioribus
Onusta baccis ambulet.
Quid? quod libelli Stoici inter Sericos 15
Jacere pulvillos amant ?
Illiterati num minus nervi rigent ?
Minusve languet fascinum ?
Quod ut superbo provoces ab inguine,
Ore adlaborandum est tibi. 20
74 Q. HORATfl FLACCI
IX. {m. I).
AD M.ECEKATEM.
QuANDO repostum CfEcubum ad festas dapes,
Victore laetus Csesare,
Tecum sub alta (sic Jovi gratum) doino,
Beate Maecenas, bibam,
Sonante mixtum tibiis carmen lyra, 5
Hac Dorium, illis Barbarum?
Ut nuper, actus cum freto Neptunius
Dux fugit, ustis navibus,
Minatus urbi vincla, quae detraxerat
Servis amicus perfidis. 10
Romanus, eheu ! (posteri negabitis)
Emancipatus fceminae,
Fert vallum et arma miles, et spadonibus
Servire rugosis potest ;
Interque signa turpe militaria 15
Sol aspicit conopium.
Ad hoc frementes verterunt bis mille equos
Galli canentes Cassarem ;
Hostiliumque navium portu latent
Puppes sinistrorsum citas. 20
lo Triumphe, tu moraris aureos
Currus, et intactas boves :
lo triumphe, nee Jugurthino parem
Bello reportasti ducem ;
Neque Africano, cui super Carthaginem 25
Virtus sepulchrum condidit.
Terra marique victus hostis, Punico
Lugubre mutavit sagum;
Aut ille centum nobilem Cretam urbibus,
Ventis iturus non suis ; 30
Exei'citatas aut petit Syrtes Note ;
KPODOX LIBF.U. 7^
Aut fertur incerto mari.
Capaciores after hue, puer, seyplios,
Et Chia vina, aut Lesbia ;
Vel, quod fluentem nauseam coerceat, 35
Metire nobis Caecubum.
Curam metumque Caesaris rerum juvat
Dulci Lyajo solvere.
X. (m. I.)
IN M.EVIUM.
Mala soluta navis exit alite,
Ferens olentem Maevium.
Ut horridis utrumque verberes latus,
Auster, memento fluctibus;
Niger rudentes Eurus, inverse mari, 5
Fractosque remos differat ;
Insurgat Aquilo, quantus altis montibus
Frangit trementes ilices ;
Nee sidus atra nocte amicum appareat,
Qua tristis Orion cadit : 10
Quietiore nee feratur sequore,
Quam Graia victorura manus ;
Cum Pallas usto vertit iram ab Ilio
In impiam Ajacis ratem.
O quantus instat navitis sudor tuis, 15
Tibique pallor luteus,
Et ilia non virilis ejulatio,
Preces et aversum ad Jovem ;
lonius udo cum remugiens sinus
Noto carinam ruperit ! 20
Opima quod si praeda curvo littore
Porrecta mergos juveris;
Libidinosus immolabitur caper,
Et agna Tempestatibus.
70 Q. TIORATIT FI.Arn
XI. (mETUITM II.)
AD PKTTIUM.
Petti, nihil me, sicut antea, juvat
Scribere versiculos amore perculsum gravi ;
Amore, qui me praeter omnes expetit
Mollibus in pueris aut in puellis urere.
Hie tertius December, ex quo destiti 5
Inachia furere, sylvis honorem decutit.
Heu ! me, per urbem (nam pudet tanti mali)
Fabula quanta fui ! conviviorum et poenitet,
In queis amantem et languor et silentium
Arguit, et latere petitus imo spiritus. 10
Contrane lucrum nil valere candidum
Pauperis ingenium ! querebar adplorans tibi ;
Simul calentis inverecundus deus
Fervidiora mero arcana promorat loco.
Quod si meis inaestuat praecordiis 15
Libera bilis, ut haec ingrata ventis dividat
Fomenta, vulnus nil malum levantia;
Desinet imparibus certare summotus pudor.
Ubi haec severus te palam laudaveram,
Jussus abire domum, ferebar incerto pede 20
Ad non amicos (heu !) mihi postes, et (heu !)
Limina dura, quibus lumbos et infregi latus.
Nunc, gloriantis quamlibet mulierculam
Vincere mollitia, amor Lycisci me tenet ;
Unde expedire non amicorum queant 25
Libera consilia, nee contumeliae graves ;
Sed alius ardor aut puellae Candidas,
Aut teretis pueri, longam renodantis comam.
KPODON LIBEK. 77
XII. (METliUM 111.)
Quid tibi vis, rnulier iiigris dignissima barris ?
Munera cur inilii, quidve tabellas
Mittis, nee firmo juveni, neque naris obesae?
Namque sagacius unus odoror,
Polypus, an gravis hirsutis cubet hircus in alis, 5
Quam canis acer ubi lateat sus.
Quis sudor vietis, et quam malus undique membris
Crescit odor ! cum pene soluto
Indomitam properat rabiem sedare ; nee illi
Jam manet humida creta, colorque 10
Stercore fucatus crocodili ; janique subando
Tenta cubilia tectaque rumpit ;
Vel mea cum sasvis agitat fastidia verbis ;
Inachia langues minus, ae me :
Inachiam ter nocte potes ; mihi semper ad unum 15
Mollis opus : pereat male quae te
Lesbia, quaerenti taurum, monstravit inertem ;
Cum mihi Cous adesset Amyntas,
Cujus in indomito constantior inguine nervus,
Quam nova collibus arbor inhasret. 20
Muricibus Tyriis iterata? vellera lana?
Cui properabantur ? Tibi nempe :
Ne foret asquales inter conviva, magis quern
Diligeret mulier sua quam te.
O ego infelix, quam tu fugis, ut pavet acres 25
Agna lupos, capreaeque leones.
XIII. (mETRUM IV.)
AD AMICUM.
HouKiiJA tempestas caelum contraxit, ct iinbrcs
Nivesquc dcducunt Jovcm ; nunc marc, nunc sillia:
78 Q. HOHATII FLACCI
Threicio Aquilone sonant ; rapiamus, amice,
Occasionem de die; dumque virent genua,
Et decet, obducta solvatur fronte senectus. 5
Tu vina Torquato move consule pressa meo.
Cffitera mitte loqui : Deus haec fortasse benigna
Reducet in sedem vice. Nunc et Achsemenio
Perfundi nardo juvat, et fide Cyllenea
Levare diris pectora solicitudinibus : 10
Nobilis ut grandi cecinit Centaurus alumno ;
Invicte, mortalis dea nate puer Thetide,
Te manet Assaraci tellus, quam frigida parvi
Findunt Scamandri flumina, lubricus et Simois ;
Unde tibi reditum certo subtemine Parcas 15
Rupere ; nee mater domum coerula te revehct.
Illic omne malum vino cantuque levato,
Deformis aegrimoniae dulcibus alloquiis.
XIV. (metrum v.)
AD MiECENATEM.
Mollis inertia cur tantam difFuderit imis
Oblivionem sensibus,
Pocula Letheos ut si ducentia somnos
Arente fauce traxerim,
Candide Maecenas, occidis ssepe rogando : 5
Deus, Deus nam me vetat,
Inceptos, olim promissum carmen, lambos
Ad umbilicum adducere.
Non aliter Samio dicunt arsisse Bathyllo
Anacreonta Teium ; 10
Qui pcrstcpe cava tcstudine flcvit amorem,
Non elaboratum ad pedcm.
EPODON LIBER. 79
Ureris ipse miser : quod si non pulchrior ignis
Accendit obsessam I lion,
Gaude sorte tua ; me libertina, neque uno 15
Contenta, Phryne macerat.
XV. (m. v.)
AD NE.ERAM.
Nox orat, et ccelo fulgebat luna sereno
Inter minora sidera,
Cum tu, magnorum numen Isesura Deorum,
In verba jurabas raea,
Arctius atque hedera procera astringitur ilex 5
Lentis adhaerens brachiis ;
Dum pecori lupus, et nautis infestus Orion
Turbaret hibernum mare,
Intonsosque agitaret Apollinis aura capillos,
Fore hunc amorem mutuum. 10
O dolitura mea multum virtute Neaera :
Nam siquid in Flacco viri est,
Non feret assiduas potiori te dare nodes,
Et quaeret iratus parem ;
Nee semel otfensae cedet constantia form^e, 15
Si certus intrarit dolor.
At tu, quicunque es felicior, atque meo nunc
Superbus incedis malo,
Sis pecore et multa dives tellure licebit,
Tibique Factolus fluat, 20
Nee te Pythagorte fallant arcana rcnati,
Formaque vincas Nirea ;
Ehcu ! translatos alio moerebi.s amores :
Ast ego vicissim risero.
80 Q. HORATII FLACri
XVI. (mETRUM VI.)
AD POPULUM RO.MANUM.
Altera jam teritur bellis civi'ihus aetas, |
Suis et ipsa Roma viribus ruit.
Quam neque finitimi valuerunt perdere Marsi,
Minacis aut Etrusca Porserice manus,
.^mula nee virtus Capuse, nee Spartacus acer, 5
Novisque rebus infidelis AUobrox ;
Nee fera coerulea domuit Germania pube,
Parentibusque abominatus Annibal; —
Impia perdemus devoti sanguinis aetas ;
Ferisque rursus occupabitur solum. 10
Barbaras, heu ! cineres insistet victor, et urbem
Eques sonante verberabit ungula ;
Quaeque carent ventis et solibus, ossa Quirini
(Nefas videre) dissipabit insolens.
Forte, quid expediat, communiter, aut melior pars, 1§
Malis carere qua?ritis laboribus.
Nulla sit hac potior sententia : Phocjeorum
Velut profugit exsecrata civitas
Agros atque Lares patrios, habitandaque fana
Apris reliquit et rapacibuslupis; 20
Ire pedes quocunque ferent, quocunque per undas
Notus vocabit, aut protervus Africus.
Sic placet ? an melius quis habet suadere ? secunda
Ratem occupare quid moramur alite.''
Sed juremus in haec : Simul imis saxa renarint 25
Vadis levata, ne redire sit nefas,
Neu conversa domum pigeat dare lintea, quando
Padus Matina laverit cacumina.
In mare seu celsus procurrerit Appenninus,
Novaque monstra junxerit libidine 30
Mirus amor, juvet ut tigres subsidere cervis,
Adulteretur et columba miliio.
'l^l'nnOX T.TBKfw 8l
Credula ncc ravos timcant annenta leoncs,
Anietquc salsa levis liircus aequora.
Hasc, et quae poterunt rcditiis abscindere dulces, 3.5
Eamus omnis cxsccrata civitas,
Aut pars indocili melior grege ; mollis et exspes
Inominata perprimat cubilia.
Vos, quibus est virtus, muliebrem tollite luctxuTJ,
Etnisca praeter et volate littora. 40
Nos manet oceanus circum vagus : arva, beata
Petamus arva, divites et insulas ;
lieddit ubi Cererem tellus inarata quotannis,
Et imputata floret usque vinea,
Germinat et nunquam-fallentis termes olivae, 45
Suamque pulla ficus ornat arborem,
Mella cava manaiit ex ilice, montibus altis
Levis crepante lympha desilit pede.
Illic injussse veniunt ad mulctra capclla?,
Refertque tenta grex amicus ubera ; 50
Nee vespertinus circumgemit ursus ovili,
Ncc intumescit alta viperis humus :
Pluraque felices mirabimur ; ut neque largis
Aquosus Eurus arva radat imbribus,
Piiiguia nee siccis urantur semina glebis, 55
Utrumque rege temperante coelitum.
Non hue Argoo contendit remige pinus,
Neque impudica Colchis intulit pedem :
Non hue Sidonii torserunt cornua nautae,
Laboriosa nee cohors Ulyssei : 60
[Nulla nocent pecori contagia, nullius astri
Gregem aestuosa torret impotentia.]
Jupiter ilia piae secrevit littora genti,
Ut inquinavit sere tempus aureum :
^re, dehinc ferro duravit saecula ; quorum 65
Piis secunda vate me datur fuga.
82 Q. HORATII FLACCI
XVII. (mETRUM VII.)
AD CANIDIAM.
HORATIUS.
Jam jam efficaci do manus scientiae
Supplex, et oro regna per Proserpinse,
Per et Dianae non movenda numina,
Per atque libros carrninum valentium
Defixa coelo devocare sidera, 5
Cauidia, parce vocibus tandem sacris,
Citumque retro solve, solve, turbinem.
Movit nepotem Telephus Nereium,
In quern superbus ordinarat agmina
Mysorum, et in quem tela acuta torserat. 10
Luxere matres Iliae addictum feris
Alitibus, atque canibus homicidam Hectorem ;
Postquam relictis moenibus rex procidit
Heu ! pervicacis ad pedes Achillei.
Setosa duris exuere pellibus 15
Laboriosi remiges Ulyssei,
Volente Circa, membra ; tunc mens, et sonus
llclapsus, atque notus in vultus honor,
Dedi satis superque poenarum tibi,
Amata nautis multum et institoribus. 20
Fiigit juvcntas, et verecundus color
Ileliquit ossa pelle amicta lurida ;
Tuis capillus albus est odoribus.
Nullum a labore me rcclinat otium :
Urguet diem nox, et dies noctem, nequc est 25
Levare tenta spiritu prsecordia.
Eroo ueecatum viucor ut credara miser,
Sabella pectus increpare carniina,
Caputque Marsa dissilire nsenia.
Quid am])lius vis ? O mare et terra ! ardeo, 30
(»)uautum nequc atro dclibutus Hercules
'
F. POD ON I.FRKiJ. 83
Nessi criiore, nee Sicana fcrvida
Urens in yEtna flamma. Tu, donee cinis
Injuriosis aridus ventis ferar,
Cales venenis officina Colchicis. 35
Quas finis ? aut quod me manet stipendium ?
Effiire: jussas eum fide poenas liiam,
Paratus expiare, sou poposceris
Centum juvencos, sive mendaci lyra
Voles sonari : tu pudica, tu proba, 40
Fcrambulabis astra sidus aui'eum.
Infamis Helena; Castor oflPensus vice,
Fraterque magni Castoris, victi prece,
Ademta vati reddidere lumina.
Et tu (potcs nam) solve me dementia, 45
O nee paternis obsoleta sordibus,
Nee in sepulchris pauperum prudens anus
Novendiales dissipare pulveres.
Tibi hospitale pectus, et purte manus ;
Tuusque venter Pactumcius; et tuo 50
Cruore rubros obstetrix pannos lavit,
Utcunque fortis exsilis puerpera.
CANIDIA.
Quid obseratis auribus fundis preces ?
Non saxa nudis surdiora navitis
Neptunus alto tundit hibernus salo, 55
Inultus ut tu riseris Cotyttia
Vulgata, sacrum liberi Cupidinis ?
Et Esquilini Pontifex venefici
Tmpune ut urbem nomine impleris meo ?
Quid proderat ditasse Pclignas anus, 60
Veloeiusve miscuisse toxicum ?
Sed tardiora fata te votis manent :
Ingrata misero vita ducenda est, in hoc,
Novis ut usque suppetas laboribus.
Optat quietem Pelopis infidus ])ater, 65
c. 2
84 Q. HORATII FLACCI EI'ODON LIBER.
Egens benignse Tantalus semper dapis ;
Optat Prometheus obligatus aliti ;
Optat supremo collocare Sisyphus
In monte saxum ; sed vetant leges Jovis.
Voles modo altis desilire turribus, 7^
Modo ense pectus Norico recludere ;
Frustraque vincla gutturi nectes tuo,
Fastidiosa tristis segrimonia.
Vectabor humeris tunc ego inimicis eques ;
Meaeque terra cedet insolentiae. ^5
An, qua3 movere cereas imagines,
Ut ipse nosti curiosus, et polo
Deripere Lunam vocibus possim meis,
Possim crematos excitare mortuos,
Desiderique temperare poculum, — 80
Plorem artis in te nil valentis exitum ?
Q. HORATII FLACCI
CARMINUM
LIBER PRIMUS.
ODE I. (metrum XIV.)
AD M.^CENATEM.
IVLecenas atavis edite regibus,
O et praesidium, et dulce decus meum,
Sunt quos curriculo pulverem Olympicum
Collegisse juvat ; metaque fervidis
Evitata rotis, palmaque nobilis 5
Terrarum dominos evehit ad Deos.
Hunc, si mobilium turba Quiritium
Certat tergeminis tollere honoribus ;
Ilium, si proprio condidit horreo,
Quidquid de Liby cis verritur areis ; 1
Gaudentem patrios findere sarculo
Agros, Attalicis conditionibus
Nunquam dimoveas, ut trabe Cypria
Myrtoum pavidus nauta secet mare.
Luctantem Icariis fluctibus Africum 15
M creator raetuens, otium et oppidi
Laudat rura sui : mox reficit rates
Quassas, indocilis pauperiem pati.
Est qui nee veteris pocula Massici,
Nee partem solido demere de die 20
Spernit, nunc viridi membra sub arbuto
Stratus, nunc ad aquae lene caput sacrae.
Multos castra juvant, et lituo tubae
Permistus sonitus, bellaque matribus
Detestata. Manet sub Jove frigido 25
86 Q. HOKATll FLAC'CI
Venator, teiiera? conjugis immemor;
Seu visa est catulis cerva fidelibus,
Seu rupit teretes Marsus aper plagas.
Tc doctarum hederae pra'mia frontium
Diis miscent superis : me gelidvim nemus, 30
Nympharumque loves cum Satyris chori
Seccrnunt populo ; si neque tibias
Euterpe cohibet, nee Polyhymnia
Lesboum refugit tendere barbiton.
Quod si me lyricis vatibus inseris, 35
Sublimi fcriam sidera verticc.
ODE II. (metrum xviii.)
AD AUGUSTUM C.ESAllEM.
Jam satis terris nivis atque dirae
Grandinis misit Pater, et rubente
Dextera sacrasjaculatus arces,
Terruit urbem :
Terruit gcntes, grave ne rediret 5
Seculum Pyrrhss, nova monstra questee ;
Omne cum Proteus pecus egit altos
Visere montes ;
Piscium et summa genus ha?sit ulmo,
Nota quas scdcs fuerat columbis; 10
Et supcrjccto pavidse natarunt
TEquore damae.
Vidimus flavum Tiberim, retortis
Littore Etrusco violenter undis,
Ire dejectum monumenta regis, 15
Templaque Vestae :
Iliae dum se nimium querent!
Jactat ultorem, vagus et sinistra
Labitur ripa (Jove non probantc) u ■
xorius amnis. 20
CAUMINUM LIB. I. 2. 87
Audiet cives acviisse fcrrum,
Quo graves Persas melius perirent ;
Audiet pugnas, vitio pareiitum
Kara juventus.
Quern vocet Divum populus ruentis 25
Imperi rebus ? prece qua fatigent
Vircrines sanctae minus audientem
Carmina Vestam ?
Cui dabit partes scelus expiandi
Jupiter ? tandem venias, precamur, 30
Nube candentes humeros amictus
Augur Apollo:
Sive tu mavis, Erycina ridens,
Quam Jocus circumvolat, et Cupido :
Sive neglectum genus et nepotes 35
llespicis auctor,
Heu nimis longo satiate ludo ;
Quem juvat clamor, galefeque leves,
Acer et Marsi peditis cruentum
Vultus in liostem. 40
Sive mutata juvencm figura
Ales in terris imitaris, almas
Filius Maiae, patiens vocari
Caesaris ultor :
Serus in coelum redeas, diuquc 45
Laetus intersis populo Quirini ;
Neve te nostris vitiis iniquum
Ocior aura
Tollat : Hie maguos potius triumplios.
Hie ames dici Pater atque Princeps: 50
Neu sinas Medos equitarc inultos,
Te duce, Caesar.
88 Q. HOKATU VLACCl
ODE IIL (metiium xv.)
AD NAVEM QUA VEHEBATUR VIRGILIUS ATHENAS
PKOFICISCENS.
Sic te, diva potens Cypri,
Sic fratres Helenas, lucida sidera,
Ventorumque regat pater,
Obstrictis aliis, praeter lapyga;
Navis, quae tibi crcditum 5
Debes Virgilium, finibus Atticis
Reddas incolumcm, precor,
Et serves animaB dimidium meae.
lUi robur et aes triplex
Circa pectus crat, qui fragileui truci 10
Commisit pelago ratem
Primus, nee timuit praecipitem Africum
Decertantem Aquilonibus,
Nee tristes Hyadas, nee rabiern Noti ;
Quo non arbiter Adria3 15
Major, tollerc seu ponere vult frcta.
Quern mortis timuit gradum,
Qui siccis oculis monstra natantia,
Qui vidit mare turbidum, et
Infames scopulos, Acroccraunia ? 20
Nequicquam Dcus abscidit
Prudens Occano dissociabili
Terras, si tamen impise'
Non tangenda rates transiliunt vada.
AuDAx omnia perpeti 25
Gens humana ruit per vetitum nefas.
Audax lapeti genus
Ignem fraude mala gentibus intulit :
Post ignem anheria domo
Subd actum, macics et nova I'cbrium 30
Terris incubuit cohors;
W
CAKMINUM LIB. I. 4. 89
Semotique prius tarda necessitas
Leti corripuit gradum.
Expertusvacuum Dfcdalus aera
Pennis non homini datis : 35
Perrupit Acheronta Herculeus labor.
Nil mortalibus arduum est :
Coelum ipsum petimus stultitia ; ncque
Per nostrum patimur sceliis
Iracunda Jovem ponere fulmina. 40
ODE IV. (methum viu.)
AD SESTIUM.
SoLviTUR acris liiems grata vice veris et Favoni
Trahuntque siccas machinae ciirinas ;
Ac neque jam stabulis gaudet pecus, aut arator igni ;
Nee prata canis albicant pruinis.
Jam Cytherea choros ducit Venus, imminente Luna; 5
Junctseque Nymphis Gratiae deeentes
Altcrno terram quatiunt pede ; dum graves Cyclopum
Vulcanus ardens urit officinas.
Nunc decet aut viridi nitidum caput impedire myrto,
Aut flore, terrac quern ferunt solutaj. 1()
Nunc et in umbrosis Fauno decet immolarc lucis,
Seu poscat agna, sive malit hoedo.
Pallida mors aequo pulsat pede pauperum tabernas,
Rcgumquc turres. O beate Sesti,
Vitae summa brevis spem nos vetat inchoare longam. 15
Jam te premet nox, fabulacque Manes,
Et domus exilis Plutonia ; quo simul mearis,
Nee regna vini sortiere talis ;
Ncc tenerum Lycidan mirabere, quo calet juvcntus
Nunc omnis, et mox virgines tcpebunt. 20
90 a. HORATII P'LACCI
ODE V. (metrum XVII.)
AD PYRUHAM.
Quis multa gracilis te puer in rosa
Perfusus liquidis urguet odoribus
Grato, Pyrrha, sub antro ?
Cui flavam religas comam
Simplex munditiis? Heu quotics fidem 5
Mutatosque deos flebit, et aspera
Nigris aequora ventis
Emirabitur insolens,
Qui nunc te fruitur credulus aurea ;
Qui semper vacuam, semper amabilem 10
Sperat, nescius aurae
Fallacis ! Miseri quibus
Intentata nites. Me tabula saccr
Votiva paries indicat uvida
Suspendisse potenti 15
Vestimenta maris Deo.
ODE VI. (metrum XVI.)
AD AGRIPPAM.
ScRTBERis Vario fortis, et hostium
Victor, Maeonii carminis aliti,
Quam rem cunque ferox navibus aut equis
Miles te duce gesserit.
Nos, Agrippa, neque haec dicere, nee gravcm 5
Pelidse stomachum, cedere nescii,
Nee cursus duplicis per mare Ulyssei,
Nee saevam Pelopis domum,
Conamur, tenues grandia ; dum pudor,
Imbcl Usque lyra; Musa potcns vetat 10
Laudcs cgrcgii Ccxsaris et tuas
Culpa dctcrcrc ingcni.
CARMINUM LIB. I. 7- -^^
Quis Martcm tunica tectum adamantina
Digne scripserit ? aut pulvere Troico
Nigrum Merionen ? aut ope Palladis 15
Tydiden superis parem ?
Nos convivia, nos prcelia virginum,
Strictis in juvenes unguibus acrium,
Cantamus, vacui, sive quid urimur,
Non prseter solitum leves. 20
V'll. (metrum hi.)
AD MUNATIUM PLANCUM.
Laudabunt alii claram Rhodon, aut Mytilencn,
Aut Ephesum, bimarisve Corinthi
M(rnia, vel Bacclio Thebas vel Apolline Delphos
Insignes, aut Thessala Tempe.
Sunt quibus unum opus est, intactae Palladis urbcm 5
Carmine perpetuo celebrare, et
Undique decerptam fronti prseponere olivam :
Plurimus in Junonis bonorem
Aptum dicit equis Argos, ditesque Mycenas.
Me neque tarn patiens Lacedsemon, 10
Nee tarn Larissae percussit campus opimae,
Quam dornus Albunefe resonantis,
Et pntccps Anio, et Tiburni lucus, et uda
Mobilibus pom aria rivis.
Albus ut obscuro deterget nubila coelo 15
Seepe Notus, neque parturit imbres
Perpetuos ; sic tu sapiens finire memento
Tristitiam vitaeque labores
]\Iolli, Plance, mero ; seu te fulgentia signis
Castra tenent, seu densa tenebit 20
Tiburis umbra tui. Teucer Salamina patremquc
Cum fugeret, tamen uda Lyaeo
Tempora populea fertur vinxisse corona,
Sic tristes aff'atus amicos ;
92 Q. HORATII FLACCl
Quo nos cunque feret melior fortuna parente, 25
Ibimus, O socii comitesque,
Nil desperandum Teucro duce, et auspice Teucro :
Certus enim promisit Apollo
Ambiguam tellure nova Salamina futuram.
O fortes, pejoraque passi 30
Mecum ssepe viri, nunc vino pellite curas :
Cras ingens itevabimus aequor.
ODE VIII. (metrum X.)
AD LYRIAM.
Lydia die, per omnes
Te Deos oro, Sybarim cur properes amando
Perdere ; cur apricum
Oderit campum patiens pulveris atque solis.
Cur neque militaris 5
Inter aequales equitat, Gallica nee lupatis
Temperat ora fraenis ?
Cur timet flavum Tiberim tangere ? cur olivum
Sanguine viperino
Cautius vitat ? neque jam livida gestat armis 10
Brachia, saepe disco,
Saepe trans finem jaculo nobilis expedite ?
Quid latet, ut marinae
Filium dicunt Thetidis sub lacrymosa Trojae
Funera, ne virilis 15
Cultus in caedem et Lycias proriperet catervas ?
ODE IX. (metrum XIX.)
AD THALIARCHUM.
ViDEs Ut alta stet nive candidum
Soractc, ncc jam sustineant onus
SylvtC laboruntcs, gcluquc
Flumina constiterint acuto .''
CARMINUISr LIB. I. 10. i)3
Dissolve frigus, ligna super foco 5
Large reponens ; atquc benignius
Deprome quadrimum Sabina,
O Thaliarche, merum diota-
Permitte Divis caetera; qui simul
Stravere ventos aequore fervido 10
Deproeliantes, nee cupressi,
Nee veteres agitantur orni.
Quid sit futurum eras, fuge qu^erere ; et
Quem sors dierum cunque dabit, lucro
Adpone; nee dulces amores lo
Sperne puer, neque tu choreas,
Donee virenti canities abest
Morosa. Nunc et campus, et areae,
Lenesque sub noetem susurri
Composita repetantur hora : 20
Nunc et latentis proditor intimo
Gratus puellae risus ab angulo,
Pignusque dereptum lacertis
Aut digito male pertinaci.
ODE X. (m. xviii.)
AD MERCURIUM.
Mercurt, facunde, nepos Atlantis,
Qui feros cultus hominum recentum
Voce formasti catus, et decoree
More palaestrae :
Te canam, magni Jovis et Deorum 5
Nuntium, curvaeque lyrae parentem ;
Callidum quicquid placuit, jocoso
Condere furto.
Te boves olim nisi reddidisses
Per dolum amotas, puerum minaci 10
Voce dum terret, viduus pharetra
Risit Apollo.
94
Q. HORATH I'LACCI
Quin et AtricLas, duce tc, superbos
Ilio dives Priamus relicto,
Thessalosque ignes et iniqua Trojae
Castra fefellit.
Tu pias Isetis animas reponis
Sedibiis, virgaque levem coerces
Aurea turbam, superis Deorum
Gratus et imis.
15
20
ODE XI. (metkum XIII.)
AD LEUCONOEN.
Tu ne quoesieris, scire iiefas, quern milii, qucm tibi
Finem Dii dederint, Leuconoe ; nee Babylonios
Tentaris numeros. Ut melius quicquid erit pati,
Seu plures hiemes, seu tribuit Jupiter ultimam,
Quae nunc oppositis debilitat pumicibus mare
Tyrrbenum. Sapias, vina liques, et spatio brevi
Spem longam reseces : dum loquimur, fugerit invida
Mtas: carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero.
ODE XII. (m. xviii.)
AD AUGUSTUM.
QuEM virum aut heroa lyra vel acri
Tibia sumis celebrare, Clio ?
Quem Deum ? cujus recinet jocosa
Nomen imago,
Aut in umbrosis Heliconis oris,
Aut super Findo, gelidove in Hasmo P
Unde vocalem temere insecutse
Orphea silvae.
Arte materna rapidos morantem
Fluminum lapsus celeresque ventos,
Blandum et auritas fidibus canoris
Duccrc quercus.
10
CARMINUM LIB. I. 12. 95
Quid prius dicam solitis Parentis
Laudibus? qui res hominum ac Deorum,
Qui mare et terras, variisque mundum 15
Temperat lioris :
Unde nil majus generatur ipso,
Nee viget quidquam simile, aut secundum :
Proximos illi tamen occupavit
Pallas honores. 20
Proeliis audax, neque te silebo,
Liber, et saevis inimica virgo
Beluis ; nee te metuende certa
Phoebe sagitta.
Dicam et Alciden ; puerosque Ledee, 25
Hunc equis, ilium superare pugnis
Nobilem ; quorum simul alba nautis
Stella refulsit,
Defluit saxis agitatus humor ;
Concidunt venti, fugiuntque nubes, 30
Et minax (quod sic voluere) ponto
Unda recumbit.
Romulum post hos prius, an quietum
Pompili regnum memorem, an superbos
Tarquini fasces, dubito, an Catonis 35
Nobile letum.
Regulum, et Scauros, animaque magna3
Prodigum, Pceno superante, Paulum,
Gratus insigni referam Camena,
Fabriciumque. 40
Hunc, et incomtis Curium capillis
Utilem bello tulit, et Camillum
Saeva paupertas, et avitus apto
Cum lare fundus.
Crescit, occulto velut arbor aevo, 45
Fama jMarcelli : micat inter omnes
Julium sidus, velut inter ignes
Luna niinores.
96
Q. HORATII FLACCl
Gentis humana3 pater atque custos,
Orte Saturno, tibi cura magni
Csesaris fatis data : tii secundo
Coesare regnes.
Ille, seu Parthos Latio imminentes
Egerit justo domitos triumpho,
Sive subjectos Orientis oras
Seras et Indos,
Te minor latum reget aequus orbem
Tu gravi curru quaties Olympum ;
Tu parum castis inimica mittes
Fuhnina lucis.
50
55
60
ODE XIII. (m. XV.)
AD LYDIAM.
Cum tu, Lydia, Telephi
Cervicem roseam, cerea Telephi
Laudas brachia, Vae ! meura
Fervens diffieili bile tumet jecur.
Tunc nee mens mihi, nee color
Certa sede manet ; humor et in genas
Furtim labitur, arguens
Quam lentis penitus macerer ignibus.
Uror, seu tibi candidos
Turparunt humeros immodicae mero
Rixae ; sive puer furens
Impressit memorem dente labris notam.
Non, si me satis audias,
Speres perpetuum, dulcia barbare
Laedentem oscula, quae Venus
Quinta parte sui nectaris imbuit,
S
10
15
i
CAUMINU.M ITK. 1. II'. 15. 97
Felices ter et amplius
Quos irrupta tenet copula, ncc malis
Divulsus quevimoniis
Suprema citius solvet amor die. 20
ODE XIV. (m. xvrr.)
AD REMPUBLICAM.
O Navis, referent in mare te novi
Fluctus ? O quid agis ? fortiter occupa
Portum : nonne vides, ut
Nudum remigio latus,
Et malus celeri saucius Africo, 5
Antennaeque gemant, ac sine funibus
Vix durare carinae
Possint imperiosius
--Equor ? non tibi sunt integra lintca,
Non Dii, quos iterum pressa voces malo. 10
Quamvis Pontica pinus,
Silvffi filia nobilis,
Jactes et genus et nomen inutile ;
Nil pictis timidus navita puppibus
Fidit : tu, nisi ventis 15
Debes ludibrium, cave.
Nuper solicitum quae mihi ta?dium,
Nunc desiderium curaque non levis,
Interfusa nitentes
Vites aequora Cycladas. 20
ODE XV. (m. XVI.)
NEREI VATICINIIIM DE EXCIDIO TROJ.T:.
Pastor cum tralieret per freta navibus
Idans Helenam perfidus hospitam,
H
98 a. JIOHATII FI.ACCi
Ingrato celeres obruit otio
Ventos, ut caneret fera
Nereus fata. Mala ducis avi domum, 5
Quam multo repetet Graecia milite,
Conjurata tuas rumpere nuptias,
Et regnum Priami vetus.
Eheu quantus equis, quantus adest viris
Sudor ! quanta moves funera Dardanae 10
Genti ! jam galeam Pallas et aegida
Currusque et rabiem parat.
Nequicquam, Veneris prsesidio ferox,
Pectes cajsariem, grataque foeminis
Imbelli cithara carmina divides : 15 ^
Nequicquam thalamo graves f
Hastas et calami spicula Cnossii
Vitabis, strepitumque, et celerem sequi
Ajacem. Tamen heu ! serus adulteros
Crines pulvere collines. 20
Non Laertiaden, exitium tua?
Gentis, non Pylium Nestora respicis ? ■ \i
Urguent impavidi te Salaminius ' '
Teucer, te Sthenelus sciens
Pugnae, sive opus est imperitare equis, 25
Non auriga piger. Merionen quoque
Nosces : ecce furit te reperire atrox
Tydides, melior patre :
Quem tu, cervus uti vallis in altera
Visum parte lupum graminis immemor, 30
Sublimi fugies mollis anhelitu,
Non hoc pollicitus tuae.
Iracunda diem proferet llio
Matronisque Phrygum classis Achillei.
Post certas hyemes uret Achaicus 35
Ignis Pergameas domos.
CARMINUM r.IB. ]. 16. 90
ODE XVI. (m. XIX.)
PALINODIA AD TYNDARIDEM.
O ! * Mat RE pulchra filia pulchrior,
Quern criminosis cunque voles modum
Pones lambis ; sive flamma,
Sive mari libet Hadriano.
Non Dindymene, non adytis quatit 5
Mentem sacerdotuni incola Pythius,
Non Liber aeque; non acuta
Sic geminant Cory ban tes aera,
Tristes ut irae : quas neque Noricus
Deterret ensis, nee mare naufragum, 10
Nee saevus ignis, nee tremendo
Jupiter ipse ruens tumultu.
Fertur Prometheus addere principi
Limo coactus particulam undique
Desectam, et insani leonis 15
Vim stomacho apposuisse nostro.
Irae Thyesten exitio gravi
Stravere, et altis urbibus ultimas
Stetere causae, cur perirent
Funditus, imprimeretque muris 20
Hostile aratrum exercitus insolens.
Compesce mentem ; me quoque pectoris
Tentavit in dulci juventa
Fervor, et in celeres lambos
Misit furentem : nunc ego mitibus 25
Mutare quaero tristia, dum mihi
Fias recantatis arnica
Opprobriis, animumque reddas.
j{ 2
100 Q. HOUATII FT.ACCI
ODE XVII. (m. XIX.)
AD TYNDAEIDEM.
Velox amoenum saepe Lucretilem J|
Mutat Lycaeo Faunus, et igneam
Defendit aestatem capellis
Usque meis pluviosque ventos.
Impune tutum per nemus arbutos 5
Quserunt latentes et thyma deviae
Olentis uxores mariti ;
Nee virides metuunt colubras,
Nee martiales haeduleas lupos;
Utcunque dulci, Tyndari, fistula 10
Valles, et Usticas cubantis
Levia personuere saxa.
Dii me tuentur ; Diis pietas mea
Et musa cordi est. Hie tibi copia
Manabit ad plenum benigno 15
Ruris honorum opulenta cornu.
Hie in reducta valle caniculas
Vitabis sestus, et fide Teia
Dices laborantes in uno
Penelopen vitreamque Circen. 20
Hie innocentis pocula Lesbii
Duces sub umbra ; nee Semele'ius
Cum Marte confundet Thyoneus
Proelia ; nee metues protervum
Suspecta Cyrum, ne male dispari 25
Incontinentes injiciat manus,
Et scindat hserentem coronam
Crinibus, immeritamque vestem.
CAUMINUM LIB. I. 1H. 19. 101
ODE XVIII. (m. XIII.)
AU VARUM.
Null AM, Vare, sacra vite prius severis arborcm
Circa mite solum Tiburis, et moenia Catili.
Siccis omnia nam dura Deus proposuit ; neque
Mordaccs aliter diffugiunt solicitudines.
Quis post vina gravem militiam aut paupcriem crepat ? 5
Quis non te potius, Bacche pater, teque, decens Venus ?
At ne quis modici transiliat munera Liberi,
Centaurea monet cum Lapithis rixa super mero
Debellata : monet Sithoniis non levis Evius ;
Cum fas atque nefas exiguo fine libidinum 10
Discernunt avidi. Non ego te, candide Bassarcu,
Invitum quatiam ; nee variis obsita frondibus
Sub divum rapiam : steva tene cum Berecyntio
Cornu tympana, quve subsequitur caecus Amor sui,
Et toUens vacuum plus nimio Gloria verticem, 15
Arcanique Fides prodiga, perlucidior vitro.
ODE XIX. (M. XV.)
DE GLYCERA.
Mater saeva Cupidinum,
Thebanacque jubet me Semeles pucr,
Et lasciva Licentia,
Finitis animum reddere amoribus.
Urit me Glycerae nitor 5
Splendentis Pario marmore purius :
Urit grata protervitas,
Et vultus nimium lubricus aspici.
In me tota ruens V^enus
Cyprum deseruit ; nee patitur Scythas 10
Et versis animosum equis
Parthum diccre, ncc quae nihil attineut.
Hie vivuni mihi cespitem, hie
102 Q. HORATII FLACCI
Verbenas, pueri, ponite, turaque
Bimi cum patera meri : 15
Mactata veniet lenior hostia.
ODE XX. (m. XVIII.)
AD M.ECENATEM.
ODE XXI. (m. XVII.)
IN DIANAM ET APOLLINEM.
I
Vile potahis modicis Sabinum
Cantharis, Graeca quod ego ipse testa
Conditum levi, datus in theatro
Cum tibi plausus,
Clare Maecenas eques ; ut paterni 5
Fluminis ripae, simul et jocosa
Redderet laudes tibi Vaticani
Montis imago.
Cascubum, et praelo domitam Caleno
Tu bibes uvam : mea nee Falernoe 10
Temperant vites, neque Formiani
Pocula colles.
Djaxam tenera; dicite virgines,
Intonsum pueri dicite Cyntbium,
Latonamque supremo
Dilectam penitus Jovi.
Vos laetam fluviis et nemorum coma, 5
Quaecunque aut gelido prominct Algido,
Nigris aut Erymanthi
Silvis, aut viridis Cragi :
Vos Tcmpe totidem tollite laudibus;
Natalcmquc, marcs, Delon Appollinis, 10
CARMINUM LIB. 1. 22. 103
Insignemque pharetra
Frateriiaque humerum lyra.
Hie bellum lacryniosum, hie miscram famem
Festemque a populo et principe Caesare in
Persas atque Britannos 15
Vestra motus aget prece.
ODE XXIi. (>i. XVIII.)
AU ARISTIU.M I' U SCUM.
IxTEGER vita; scelerisque purus
Non eget Mauri jaculis neque arcu
Nee venenatis gravida sagittis,
Fusee, pharetra ;
Sive per Syrtes iter gestuosas, 6
Sive facturus per inhospitalem
Caueasum, vel qufe loca fabulosus
Lambit Hydaspes.
Namque me silva lupus in Sabina,
Dum meam canto Lalagen, et ultra 10
Terminum curis vagor expeditus,
Fugit inermem :
Quale portentum neque militaris
Daunias latis alit esculetis,
Nee Jubae tellus generat, leonum 15
Arida nutrix.
Pone me pigris ubi nulla campis
Arbor aestiva recreatur aura.
Quod latus mundi nebulee malusque
Jupiter urguct ; 20
Pone sub curru nimium ]m)pinqui
Solis, in terra domibus ncgata ;
Dulcc ridentem Lalagen amabo,
Dulcc loquentcni.
104 Q. HOKATII FLACCI
ODE XXIII. (m. xvii.)
AD CHLOEN.
Vitas hinnuleo me similis, Chloe,
Quaerenti pavidam montibus aviis
Matrem, iion sine vano
Aurarum et siVdse metu.
Nam seu mobilibus vepris inhorruit 5
Ad ventum foliis, seu virides rubum
Dimovere lacertae,
Et corde et genibus tremit.
Atqui non ego te, tigris ut aspcra
GsBtulusve leo, frangerc persequor : 10
Tandem desine matrem
Tempestiva sequi viro.
ODE XXIV. (m. XVI.)
AD VIUGILIUM.
Quis desiderio sit pudor aut modus
Tam cari capitis ? PrsBcipe lugubres
Cantus, Melpomene, cui liquidam pater
Vocem cum cithara dedit.
Ergo Quinctilium perpetuus sopor 5
Urguct ? cui Pudor, et Justitia? soror
Incorrupta Fides, nudaque Veritas,
Quando ullum invenient ])arem 'f
Multis ille bonis flebilis occidit ;
Nulli flebilior quam tibi, Virgili. ■ 10
Tu frustra pius, lieu .' non ita creditum
Poscis Quinctilium Deos.
Quod si Threicio blandius Orphco
Auditam rnodererc arboribus lidcm ;
Non vana^ redeat sanguis imagini, 15
Quam virga scmel liorrida.
CARMINUiM LIB. I. 25. 2C. 105
Non lenis precibus fata recludere,
Nigro conipulerit Mercurius gregi.
Durum : sed Icvius fit paticiuia,
Quicquid corrigere est nefas. 20
ODE XXV. (m. xviii.)
AD LYDIAM.
Parcius junctas quatiunt fenestras
Ictibus crebris juvenes protervi,
Nee tibi somnos adimunt ; amatque
Janua linien,
Quai prius multum facilis movebat 5
Cardines : audis minus et minus jam,
Me tuo longas pereuntc noctes,
Lydia, dermis ?
Inviccm moechos anus arrogantes
Flebis in solo levis angiportu, 10
Thracio bacchante magis sub intcr-
lunia vento :
Cum tibi flagrans amor, ct libido
Quas solet matres furiare cquorum,
Saeviet circa jecur ulcerosum ; 15
Non sine questu,
La'ta quod pubes hedera virentc
Gaudeat pulla magis atque myrto ;
Aridas irondes Hyemis sodali
Dedicet Euro. 20
ODE XXVI. (m. XIX.)
DE /ELIO LAMIA*
Musis amicus, tristitiam et metus
Tradam protervis in mare Creticum
Tortarc ventis ; queis sub Arcto
Rex gclida> metuatur orae,
106 Q. HOUATII FLACCI
Quid Tiridatem terreat, unice 5
Securus. O quae fontibus integris
Gaudes, apvicos iiecte flores,
Necte meo Lamiae coronam,
Pimplei dulcis : nil sine te mei
Possunt honores : hunc fidibus novis, 10
Hunc Lesbio sacrare plectro
Teque tuasque decet sorores.
ODE XXVII. (m. XIX.)
AD SODALES.
Nat IS in usum lastitise scyphis
PuPTiare Thracum est : tollite barbarum
Morem, vereeundumque Bacchum
Sanguineis prohibete rixis.
Vino et lucernis Medus acinaces 5
Immane quantum discrepat ! Impium
Lenite clamorem, sodales,
Et cubito remanete presso.
Vultis severi me quoque sum ere
Partem Falerni ? dicat Opuntise 10
Frater Megillae, quo beatus
Vulnere, qua pereat sagitta.
Cessat voluntas ? non alia bibam
Mercede. Quae te cunque domat Venus,
Non erubescendis adurit 15
Ignibus ; ingenuoque semper
Amore peccas : quicquid habes, age,
Depone tutis auribus. Ah ! miser.
Quanta laborabas Charybdi,
Digne puer meliore flamma ! 20
Quae saga, quis te solvere Thessalis
INIagus venenis, ({uis poterit Dcus ?
Vix illigatum tc trifovmi
Pegasus cxpcdict ChinnjL-ra.
("AKMINUM LIB. I. 28. 107
ODE XXVIII. (m. III.)
ARCHYTAS.
Te maris et terrae numeroque carentis arenas
Mensorem cohibent, Archyta,
Pulveris exigui prope littus parva Matinum
Munera : nee quidquam tibi prodest
Aerias tentasse domes, animoque rotundum 5
Percurrisse polum, morituro.
Occidit et Pelopis genitor, conviva Deorum ;
Tithonusque remotus in auras,
Et Jovis arcanis Minos admissus : habentque
Tartara Panthoiden, iterum Oreo 10
Demissum ; quamvis clypeo Trojana refixo
Tempera testatus, nihil ultra
Nerves atque cutem morti concesserat atra3 ;
Judice te, non sordidus auctor
Naturae verique. Sed omnes una manet nox, 15
Et ealcanda semel via leti.
Dant alios Furias torvo spectacula Marti :
Exitio est avidum mare nautis.
Mista senum ac juvenum densentur funera : nullum
Saeva caput Proserpina fugit. 20
Me quoque devexi rapidus comes Orionis
Illyricis Notus obruit undis.
At tu nauta, vagae ne parce malignus arense »
Ossibus et capiti inhumato
Particulam dare : sic, quodcunque minabitur Eurus 25
Fluctibus Ilesperiis, Venusina?
Plectantur silvae, te sospite ; multaque merces,
Unde potest, tibi defluat aequo
Ab Jove, Neptunoque sacri custode Tarenti.
Neoligis immeritis nocituram 30
Postmodo te natis fraudem committere } Fors et
Dcbita jura viccs(juc ^upcrbfc
108 a. HOllATII FLACCI
Te mancant ipsum : precibus non linquar inultis ;
Tequc piacula nulla resolvent.
Quanquam festinas, non est mora longa, licebit 35
Injecto ter pulvere curras.
ODE XXIX. (m. XIX.)
AD ICCIUM.
Icci, beatis nunc Arabum invides
Gazis ; et acrem militiam paras
Non ante devictis Sabaete
Regibus, horribilique Medo
Nectis catenas. Quae tibi virginuni • 5
Sponso necato barbara serviet ?
Puer quis ex aula capillis
Ad cyatbum statuetur unctia,
Doctus sagittas tendere Sericas
Arcu paterno.'' quis neget arduis 10
.Pronos relabi posse rivos
Montibus, et Tiberim reverti ;
Cum tu coemtos undique nobiles
Libros Pan.xti, Socraticam et domain,
Mutare loricis Ibei'is, 15
Pollicitus meliora, tendis ?
ODE XXX. (m. XVIII.)
AD VENEREM.
O Venus, rcgina Cnidi Papliique,
Spernc dilectam Cypron, et vocantis
Ture tc multo Glyceric decoram
Transfer in aedem.
Fervidus tccvun puer, et solutis 5
Gratia.' zonis, properentque Nym])hie,
CARMTNUM LIB. I. 31. 3*2. 109
Et parum comis sine tc Juventas,
JVIercuriusque.
ODE XXXI. (m. XIX.)
AD APOLLINEM.
Quid dedicatum poscit Apollinem
Vates ? quid orat, de patera novum
Fundens liquorcm ? non opimas
Sardiniae segetes feracis ;
Non aestuosae grata Calabria3 5
Armenta ; non aurum, aut ebur Indicum ;
Non rura quae Liris quieta
Mordet aqua taciturnus amnis.
Premant Calena falce, quibusdedit
Fortuua, vitem ; dives et aureis 10
Mercator exsiccet culullis
Vina Syra reparata merce,
Diis earns ipsis ; quippe ter et quatev
Anno revisens £equor Atlanticum
Impune. Me pascunt olivae, 15
Me cichorea levesque malvae.
Frui paratis et valido mihi
Latoe dones, ac, precor, Integra
Cum mente; nee turpem senectam
Degere, nee citliara carentem. 20
ODE XXXII. (M. xviii.)
AD LYllAM.
PosciMuu. Siquid vacui sub umbra
Lusimus tecum, quod et hunc in annum
Vivat et plures, age, die Latinum,
Ho Q. IIOKATTI FLACCI
Barbite, carmen,
Lesbio primum modulate civi ; 5
Qui ferox bello, tamen inter arma,
Sive jactatam religarat udo
Littore navim,
Liberum et Musas, Veneremque et illi
Semper haerentem Puerum canebat, 10
Et Lycum nigris oculis nigroque
Crine decorum.
O decus Phoebi, et dapibus supremi
Grata testudo Jovis, O laborum
Dulce lenimen, mihi cunque salve 15
Rite vocanti.
ODE XXXIII. (m. XVI.)
AD ALBIUM TIBULLUM.
Albi, ne doleas plus nimio memor
Immitis Glycer« ; neu miserabiles
Decantes elegos, cur tibi junior
Laesa praeniteat fide.
Insignem tenui fronte Lycorida 5
Cyri torret amor ; Cyrus in asperam
Declinat Pholoen : sed prius Appulis
Jungentur capreae lupis,
Quam turpi Pholoe peccet adultero.
Sic visum Veneri ; cui placet impares 10
Formas atque animos sub juga ahenea
Saevo mittere cumjoco.
Ipsum me melior cum peteret Venus,
Grata detinuit compede Myrtale
Libertina, fretis acrior Adriae l^
Curvantis Calabros sinus.
I
CARMINUM MB. I. 34. 35. Ill
ODE XXXIV. (m. XIX.)
Parous Deorum cultor et infrequens,
Insanientis dum sapientias
Consultus erro, nunc retrorsum
Vela dare, atque iterare cursus
Cogor relictos : namque Diespiter, ' 5
Igni corusco nubila dividens
Plerumque, per purum tonantes
Egit equos volucremque currum ;
Quo bruta tellus, et vaga flumina,
Quo Styx, et invisi horrida Taenari 10
Sedes, Atlanteusque finis
Concutitur. Valet ima summis
Mutare et insignem attenuat Deus,
Obscura promens : liinc apicem rapax
Fortuna cum stridore acuto 15
Sustulit, hie posuisse gaudet.
ODE XXXV. (m. XIX.)
AD FORTUNAM.
O Diva gratum quae regis Antium,
Pragsens vel imo tollere de gradu
Mortale corpus, vel superbos
Vertere funeribus triumphos :
Te pauper ambit sollicita prece 5
Ruris colonus ; te dominam aequoris,
Quicunque Bithyna lacessit
Carpathium pelagus carina.
Te Dacus asper, te profugi Scythsp,
Urbesque gentesque, et Latium ferox, ]0
Regumque matres barbarorum, et
Purpurei metuunt tyranni,
112 Q. HOIIATII FI.ACCI
Injurioso ne pede proruas
Stantem columnam ; neii populus frequens
Ad arma cessantes, ad arma 15
Concitet, imperiumque frangat.
Te semper anteit sasva Necessitas,
Clavos trabales et cuneos manu
Gestans ahena ; nee severus
Uncus abest, liquidumque plumbum. 20
Te Spes et albo rara Fides colit
Velata panno ; nee comitem abnegat,
Utcunque mutata potentes
Veste domos inimica linquis.
At vulffus infidum et meretrix retro 25
Perjura cedit: difFugiunt cadis
Cum faece siccatis amici,
Ferre jugum pariter dolosi.
Serves iturum Csesarem in ultimos
Orbis Britannos, et juvenum recens 30
Examen Eois timendum
Partibus, Oceanoque rubro.
Eheu ! cicatricum et sceleris pudet
Fratrumque : quid nos dura refugimus
iEtas ? quid intactum nefasti 35
Liquimus ? unde manum juventus
Metu Deorum continuit ? quibus
Pepercit aris ? O utinam nova
Incude diffingas retusum in
Massagetas Arabasque ferrum. 40
ODE XXXVI. (m. XV.)
DE PLOTIO NUMIDA.
Et ture et fidibus juvat
Placarc, et vituli sanguine debito
I
CAKMIKUM LIB.. I. 3^. 113
Custodcs Numidit' Dcos ;
Qui nunc Ilcspcria sospes ab ultima
Carls multa sodalibus, 5
Nulli plura tamen dividit oscula
Quam dulci Lamia?, memor
ActsD non alio rege puertise,
Mutatscque simul togge.
Cressa ne careat pulchra dies nota ; 10
Neu promtic modus amphorie,
Neu morem in Salium sit rcquics pedum ;
Neu multi Damalis meri
Bassum Tlireicia vineat iimystide ;
Neu desint epulis rosae, 15
Neu vivax apium, neu breve lilium.
Omnes in Damalin putres
Deponent oculos; nee Damalis novo
Divelletur adultero,
Lascivis liederis ambitiosior. 20
ODE XXXVII. (m. XIX.)
AD SODALES.
Nunc est bibendum, nunc pede libero
Pulsanda tellus ; nunc Saliaribus
Ornare pulvinar Deorum
Tempus erat dapibus, sodales.
Antehac nefas depromere C^cubum 5
Cellis avitis, dum Capitolio
Regina dementes ruinas,
Funus et imperio parabat,
Contaminate cum gregc turpium
Rlorbo virorum, quidlibet impotens 10
Sperare, tbrtunaque dulci
Ebria : scd minuit furorcm
114 Q. HORATII FLACCI CAXMINUM LIB. I. 38.
Vix una sospes navis ab ignibus ;
Mentemque lymphatam Mareotico
Redegit in veros timores 15
Caesar, ab Italia volantem
Remis adurguens, (accipiter velut
Molles columbas, aut leporem citus
Venator in campis nivalis
iEmoniac,) daret ut catenis 20
Fatale monstrum, quae generosius
Perire quserens, nee muliebriter
Expavit ensem, nee latentes
Classe eita reparavit oras :
Ausa et jaeentem visere regiana 25
Vultu sereno, fortis et asperas
Traetare serpentes, ut atrum
Corpore combiberet venenurn,
Deliberata morte ferocior :
Saevis Liburnis scilicet invidens, 30
Privata deduci superbo
Non humilis mulier triumpho.
ODE XXXVIII. (m. xviii.)
AD MINISTRUM.
Pebsicos odi, puer, apparatus :
Displicent nexae pbilyra coronae : jj
Mitte sectari, rosa quo locorum
Sera moretur.
Simplici myrto nihil adlabores, 5
Sedulus curae: neque te ministrum
Dedecet myrtus, neque me sub arcta
Vitc bibentcm.
I
Q. HORATII FLACCI
CARMINUM
LIBER SECUNDUS.
ODE I. (m. XIX.)
AD C. ASINIUM POLLTONEM.
'J
MoTUM ex Metello consule civicum,
Bellique causas, et vitia et modos,
Ludumque Fortunae, gravesque
Principum amicitias, et arma
Nondum expiatis uncta cruoribus, 5
Periculosse plenum opus aleae,
Tractas ; et incedis per ignes
Suppositos cineri doloso.
Paulum severae Musa Tragoediae
Desit theatris : mox, ubi publicas 10
Res ordinaris, grande munus
Cecropio repetes cothurno,
Insigne mcestis praesidium reis,
Et consulenti, Pollio, curiae,
Cui laurus aeternos honores 15
Dalmatico peperit triumpho.
Jam nunc minaci murmure cornuum
Perstringis aures, jam litui strepunt ;
Jam fulgor armorum fugaces
Terret equos equitumque vultus. 20
Videre magnos jam videor duces
Non indecoro pulvere sordidos,
Et cuncta terrariun subacta,
Praeter atrocem animum Catonis.
I 2
116 U. HOIIATII FLACCI
25
Juno, et Deorum quisquis amicior
Afris, inulta cesserat impotens
Tellure, victorum nepotes
Rettulit inferias Jugurthse.
Quis non Latino sanguine pinguior
Campus sepulchris impia prcelia 30
Testatur, auditumque Medis
Hesperiae sonitum ruinae ?
Qui gurges, aut quae flumina lugubris
Ignara belli ? quod mare Dauniae
Non decoloravere caedes ? 35
Quae caret ora cruore nostro ?
Sed ne relictis Musa procax jocis
Cese retractes munera nseniae ;
Mecum Dionaeo sub anti-o
Quaere modos leviore plectro. 40
I
ODE II. (m. xviii.)
AD C. SALLUSTIUM CRISTUM.
NuLLUS argcnto color est, — avaris
Abditae terris inimice lamnas,
Crispe Sallusti, — nisi temperate
Splcndeat usu.
Vivet extento Proculeius aevo 5
Notus in fratres animi paterni :
Ilium aget penna metuente solvi
Fama superstes.
Latins regnes avidum domando
Spiritum, quam si Libyam remotis 10
Gadibus jungas, et uterque Poenus
Serviat uni.
Crcscit indulgens sibi dims hydrops ;
Ncc bitim pcllit, nisi causa morbi
CARMINUM LIB. IT. 3. 117
Fugerit vcnis, et aquosus albo 15
Corporc languor.
Redditum Cyri solio Phraaten,
Dissidens plebi, numcro beatorum
Eximit virtus; populumque talsis
Dedocet uti 20
Vocibus, regnum et diadema tutum
Deferens uni, propriamque laurum,
Quisquis ingentes oculo irretorto
Spectat acervos.
ODE III. (m. XIX.)
AD Q. DELLIUM.
tEquam memento rebus in arduis
Servare mentem, non secus in bonis
Ab insolenti temperatam
Lsetitia, moriture Delli,
Sen moestus omni tempore vixeris, 5
Seu te in remoto gramine per dies
Festos reclinatum bearis
Interiore nota Falerni.
Qua pinus ingens albaque populus
Umbram hospitalem consociare amant 10
Ramis, et obliquo laborat
Lympha fugax trepidare rivo ;
Hue vina et unguenta et nimium breves
Flores amoenac ferre jube rosge,
Dum res et atas et sororum 15
Fila trium patiuntur atra.
Cedes coemtis saltibus, et domo
Villaque, flavus quam Tiberis lavit ;
Cedes ; et exstruetis in altum
Divitiis potictur hseres. 20
118 Q. HORATII FLACCI
Divesne prisco natus ab Inacho
Nil interest, an pauper et infima
De gente sub divo moreris,
Victima nil miserantis Orci.
Omnes eodem cogimur : omnium 25
Versatur urna serius ocius
Sors exitura, et nos in seternum
Exsilium impositura cymba?.
ODE IV. (m. XVIII.)
AD XANTHIAM PHOCEUM.
Ne sit ancillae tibi amor pudori,
Xanthia Phoceu ; prius insolentem
Serva Briseis niveo colore
Movit Achillem :
Movit Ajacem Telamone natura 5
Forma captivae dominum Tecmessae :
Arsit Atrides medio in triumpho
Virgine rapta ;
Barbaras postquam cecidere turmae
Thessalo victore, et ademtus Hector 10
Tradidit fessis leviora tolli
Pergama Graiis.
Nescias an te generum beati
Phyllidis flavae decorent parentes :
Regium certe genus, et penates 1 5
Mceret iniquos.
Crede non illam tibi de scelesta
Plebe dilectam ; neque sic fidelem,
Sic lucro aversam potuisse nasci
Matre pudenda. 20
Brachia et vultum teretesque suras
Integer laudo : fuge suspicari,
Cujus octavum trepidavit actas
Claudere lustrum.
CARM1NUM LIB. II. 5. (). 119
ODE V. (m. XIX.)
NoNDUM subacta ferre jugum valet
Cervice, nondum munia comparis
Square, nee tauri mentis
In Venerem tolerare pondus.
Circa virentes est animus tU£E 5
Campos juvencae, nunc fluviis gravera
Solantis aestum, nunc in udo
Ludere cum vitulis salicto
Praegestientis : toUe cupidinem
Immitis uvae ; jam tibi lividos 10
Distinguet autumnus racemos
Purpureo varius colore.
Jam te sequetur, (currit enim ferox
/Etas ; et illi, quos tibi dempserit,
Apponet annos,) jam proterva 15
Fronte petet Lalage maritum ;
Dilecta quantum non Pholoe fugax,
Non Chloris : albo sic humero nitens,
Ut pura nocturno renidet
Luna mari, Cnidiusve Gyges ; 20
Quem si puellarum insereres choro,
Mira sagaces falleret hospites
Discrimen obscurum, solutis
Crinibus, ambiguoque vultu.
ODE VI. (m. XVIII.)
AD SEPTIMIUM.
Septimi, Gades aditure mecum, et
Cantabrum indoctum juga ferre nostra, et
Barbaras Syrtes, ubi Maura semper
iEstuat unda ;
Tibur Argeo positum colono
120 Q. HORATTI FLACCI
Sit meae secies utinam seneetie ;
Sit modus lasso maris et viavum
Militiaeque :
Uncle si Parcae prohibent iniquae^
Dulce pellitis ovibus Galesi 10
Flumen et regnata petam Laconi
It lira Phalantho.
Ille terrarum mihi praeter omnes
Angulus ridet ; iibi non Hymetto
Mella dcceclunt, viridique eertat 15
Bacca V^enafro :
Ver ubi longiim, tepidasqiie pra^bet
.Jupiter brumas, et amicus Anion
Fertili Baccho minimum Falernis
Invidet iivis. 20
Ille te mecum locus et beatnc
Postulant arces ; ibi tu calentem
Debita sparges lacrima favillam
V atis amici.
ODE VII. (m. XIX.)
AD POMPEIUM VARUM.
O s.KPE mecum tempus in ultimum
Deducte Bruto militiae duce,
Quis te redonavit Quiritem
Diis patriis, Italoque coelo,
Pompei, meorum prime sodalium ? 5
Cum quo morantem saepe diem mero
Fregi, coronatus nitentes
Malobathro Syrio capillos.
Tecum Philippos et celerem fugam
Sensi, relicta non bene parmula, 10
Cum fracta virtus, et minaces
Turpe solum tetigere men to.
CARMINUM I.TB. TI. 8. 121
Seel me per hostes Mercurius celer
Denso paventem sustulit acre :
Te rursus in bellum resorbens 15
Unda fretis tulit aestuosis.
Ergo obligatam redde Jovi dapem,
Longaque fessum militia latiis
Depone sub lauru mea ; nee
Parce cadis tibi destinatis. 20
Oblivioso levia Massico
Ciboria exple ; funde capacibus
Ungucnta de conchis : quis udo
Deproperare apio coronas
Curat ve myrto ? quem Venus arbitrum 25
Dicet bibendi ? non ego sanius
Bacchabor Edonis : recepto
Dulce mihi furere est amico.
ODE VIII. (m. xviit.)
AD BARINEN.
Ulla si juris tibi pejcrati
Poena, Barine, nocuisset unquam,
Dente si nigro fieres, vel uno
Turpior ungui,
Crederem : sed tu, simul obligasti 5
Perfidum votis caput, enitcscis
Pulchrior multo, juvenumque prodis
Publica cura.
Expedit matris cineres opertos
Fallere, et toto tacitmnia noctis 10
Signa cum coelo, gelidaque Divos
Morte carentes.
llidet hoc, inquam, Venus ipsa; rident
Simplices Nymphoe, ferus et Cupido
122 Q. HORATII FLACCI
Semper ardentes acuens sagittas 15
Cote cruenta.
Adde quod pubes tibi crescit omnis,
Servitus crescit nova ; nee priores
Impiae tectum dominae relinquunt,
Saepe minati. 20
Te suis matres metuunt juvencis,
Te senes parci, miseraeque nuper
Virgines nuptse, tua ne retardet
Aura maritos.
ODE IX. (m. XIX.)
AD VALGIUM.
NoN semper imbres nubibus hispidos
Manant in agros, aut mare Caspium
Vexant inaequales procellae
Usque ; nee Armeniis in oris,
Amice Valgi, stat glacies iners 5
Menses per omnes ; aut Aquilonibus
Querceta Gargani laborant,
Et foliis viduantur orni.
Tu semper urgues flebilibus modis
Mysten ademtum ; nee tibi Vespero 1
Surgente decedunt amores,
Nee rapidum fugiente solem.
At non ter sevo functus amabilem
Ploravit omnes Antilochum senex
Annos ; nee impubem parentes 1 5
Troilon, aut Phrygiae sorores
Flevere semper. Desine mollium
Tandem querelarum ; et potius nova
Cantemus Augusti tropaea
Caesaris, et rigidum Niphaten. 20
CAllMINUM LIB. II. 10. 123
Medumque flumen gentibus additum
Victis, miiiores volvere vortices,
Intraque praescriptum Gelonos
Exiguis equitare campis.
ODE X. (m. XVIII.)
AD LICINIUM.
Rectids vives, Licini, neque altum
Semper urguendo ; neque, dum procellas
Cautus horrescis, nimium premendo
Littus iniquum.
Auream quisquis mediocritatem 5
Diligit, tutus caret obsoleti
Sordibus tecti, caret invidenda
Sobrius aula.
Saepius ventis agitatur ingens
Pinus; et celsae graviore casu 10
Decidunt turres ; feriuntque summos
Fulgura montes.
Sperat infestis, metuit secundis
Alteram sortem bene praeparatum
Pectus : informes hiemes reducit 15
Jupiter, idem
Summovet. Non, si male nunc, et olim
Sic erit : quondam cithara tacentem
Suscitat Musam, neque semper arcum
Tendit Apollo. 20
Rebus angustis animosus atque
Fortis appare ; sapienter idem
Contrahes vento nimium secundo
Turgida vela.
124 Q. HORATII FLACCI
ODE XI. (m. XIX.)
AD Q.. HIRPINUM.
Quid bellicosus Cantaber et Scythes,
Ilirpine Quincti, cogitet, Adria
Divisus objecto, remittas
Quaerere ; nee trepides in usum
Poscentis aevi pauca : fugit retro 5
Levis juventas et decor, arida
Pellente lascivos amores
Canitie facilemque somnuni.
Non semper idem floribus est honos
Vernis, neque uno Luna rubens nitet 10
Vultu : quid osternis minorem
Consiliis animum fatigas ?
Cur non sub alta vel platano vel hac
Pinu jacentes sic temere, et rosa
Canos odorati capillos, 15
Dum licet, Assyriaque nardo
Potamus uncti ? dissipat Evius
Curasedaces: quis puer ocyus
Restinguet ardentis Falerni
Pocula praetereunte lympha ? 20
Quis devium scortum eliciet domo
Lyden.P eburna, die age, cum lyra
Maturet, incomtam, Laccenae
More, comam religata nodo.
ODE XXL (m. XVI.)
.\D M.ECENATEM.
NoLis longa ferae bella Numantiae,
Nee durum Annibalcm, nee Siculum mare
CAUMINUM LIB. II. 13. 125
Pceno purpurcum sanguine, mollibus
Aptari cithara^ modis ;
Nee saevos I.apithas, ct nimium mcro 5
Hylajum, domitosque Herculea manu
Telluris juvenes, unde periculum
Fiilgens contremuit domus
Saturni veteris : Tuque pedestribus
Dices historiis prcclia Cgesaris, 10
Ma3cenas, melius, ductaque per vias
Regum colla minantium.
Me dulces dominae Musa Licymniae
Cantus, me voluit dicere lucidum
Fulgentes oculos, et bene mutuis 1 5
Fidum pectus amoribus ;
Quam nee ferre pedem dedecuit choris.
Nee certare joco, nee dare brachia
Ludentem nitidis virginibus, sacro
Dianaj Celebris die. 20
Num tu, quae tenuit dives Achoemenes,
Aut pinguis Phrygiae Mygdonias opes,
Permutare velis crine Licymnia;,
Plenas aut Arabum domes ':'
Dum riagrantia dctorquet ad oscula 25
Cervicem, aut facili saivitia negat
Quae poscente magis gaudeat eripi.
Interdum rapere occupet.
ODE XIII. (m. XIX.)
IN ARBOUEM, CUJUS CASU IN AGRO SABINO
PENE OPPRESSUS EST.
Ille ct nefasto tc posuit die,
Quicunquc primum, et sacrilcga manu
Prodiixit, arbos, in ncpotum
Pcrnicicm opprobriumquc pagi.
126 Q. HORATII FLACCI
Ilium et parentis crediderim sui 5
Fregisse cervicem, et penetralia
Sparsisse nocturno cruore
Hospitis. lUe venena Colcha,
Et quicquid usquam concipitur nefas,
Tractavit, agro qui statuit meo 10
Te triste lignum, te caducum
In domini caput immerentis.
Quid quisque vitet, nunquam homini satis
Cautum est in horas : navita Bosporum
Poenus perhorrescit, neque ultra 15
Caeca timet aliunde fata :
Miles sagittas et celerem fugam
Parthi ; catenas Parthus et Italum
Robur : sed improvisa leti
Vis rapuit rapietque gentes. 20
Quam pene fiirvae regna Proserpinae,
Et judicantem vidimus ^acum,
Sedesque discretas piorum, et
iEoliis fidibus querentem
Sappho puellis de popularibus, 25
Et te sonantem plenius aureo
Alcaee plectro dura navis,
Dura fugae mala, dura belli !
Utrumque sacro digna silentio
Mirantur umbrae dicere : sed magis 30
Pugnas et exactos tyrannos
Densum humeris bibit aure vulgus.
Quid mirum, ubi illis carminibus stupens
Demittit atras belua centiceps
Aures, et intorti capillis 35
Eumenidum recreantur angues ?
Quin et Prometheus et Pelopis parens
Dulci laborem decipitur sono :
Nee curat Orion Icones,
Aut timidos agitarc lyncas. 40
CARMINUM LIB. II. 14. 127
ODE XIV. (m. XIX.)
AD POSTUMUM.
Eheu ! fugaces, Postume, Postumc,
Labuntur anni ; nee pietas moram
Rugis et instanti seneetse
Afferet, indomitaeque morti :
Non si treeenis, quotquot eunt dies, 5
Amice, places illacrimabilem
Plutona tauris ; qui ter amplum
Geryonen Tityoiique tristi
Compescit unda, scilicet omnibus,
Quicunque terras munere vescimur, 10
Enaviganda, sive reges
Sive inopes erimus coloni.
Frustra cruento Marte carebimus,
Fractisque rauci fluctibus Adriae ;
Frustra per autumnos nocentem 15
Corporibus metuemus Austrum.
Visendus ater flumine languido
Cocytus errans, et Danai genus
Infame, damnatusque longi
Sisypbus iEolides laboris. 20
Linquenda tellus, et domus, et placens
Uxor; neque harum quas colis arborum
Te, praeter invisas cupressos,
Ulla brevem dominum sequetur.
Absumet haeres Ceecuba dignior 25
Servata centum clavibus ; et mere
Tinguet pavimentum superbis
Pontificum potiorc coenis.
128 Q. HORATII FLACCI
ODE XV. (m. XIX.)
Jam pauca aratro jugera regiie
IVIoles relinqucnt; undique latins
Extenta visentur Lucrino
Stagna lacu, platanusquc coelebs
Evincet ulmos : turn violaria, et 5
Myrtus, et omnis copia narium,
Spargent olivetis odorem,
Fertilibus domino priori :
Turn spissa ramis laurea fervidos
Excludet ictus. Non ita Romuli 10
Prsescriptum ct intonsi Catonis
Auspiciis, veterumque norma.
Privatus illis census crat brcvis,
Commune magnum : nulla dcccmpedis
Metata privatis opacam 1 5
Porticus excipiebat Arcton ;
Nee fortuitum spernere cespitem
Leges sinebant, oppida publico
Sumtu jubentes et Deorum
Templa novo decorare saxo. 20
ODE XVI. (m.xviii.)
AD POMPEIUM GIIOSPHUM.
OxiUM Divos rogat in patente
Prensus JEgveo., simul atra nubes
Condidit Lunam, neque certa fulgent
Sidera nautis :
Otium bello furiosa Thrace,
Otium Medi pharetra decori,
Grosplie, non gcmmis neque purpura ve-
nalc, nee auro.
c;arminum 1.1 i{. ii. Ki. 129
Non enim gtazae, ncqiie consularis
Summovet lictor miscros tumultus 10
Mentis, et curas laqucata circum
Tecta volantes.
Vivitur parvo bene, cui paternum
Splendet in mensa tenui salinum ;
Nee leves somnos timor aut cupido 15
Sordidus aufert.
Quid brevi fortes jaculamur aevo
Multa ? quid terras alio calentes
Sole mutamus ? patriae quis exsul
Se quoque fugit ? 20
Scandit aeratas vitiosa naves
Cura ; nee turmas equitum relinquit,
Ocior cervis, et agente nimbos
Ocior Euro.
Lfietus in prsesens animus, quod ultra est, 25
Oderit curare, et amara lento
Temperet risu. Nihil est ab omni
Parte beatum.
Abstulit clarum cita mors Achillem ;
Longa Tithonura minuit senectus ; 30
Et mihi forsan, tibi quod negarit,
Porriget Hora.
Te greges centum Siculaeque circum
Mugiunt vaccae ; tibi tollit hinnitum
Apta quadrigis equa ; te bis Afro 35
Murice tinctfB
Vestiunt lanas : mihi parva rura, et
Spiritum Graife tenuem Camoenae
Parca non mendax dedit, et malignum
Spernere vulgus. 40
K
130 Q. HORATir FLACCI
ODE XVII. (m. XIX.)
AD M.ECENATEM.
Cur me querelis exanimas tuis .''
Nee Diis amicum est nee mihi te prius
Obire, Maecenas, mearum
Gx-ande decus columenque rerum.
Ah ! te meae si partem anima? rapit 5
Maturior vis, quid moror altera,
Nee carus aeque, iiec superstes
Integer.'' Ille dies utramque
Ducet ruinam : non ego perfidum
Dixi sacramentum : ibimus, ibimus, 10
Utcunque praecedes, supremum
Carpere iter comites parati.
Me nee Chimaera^ spiritus igneae,
Nee si resurgat centimanus Gyges,
Divellet unquam : sic potenti 15
Justitiai placitumque Parcis.
Seu Libra, seu me Scorpins aspicit
Formidolosus, pars violentior
Natalis horae, seu tyrannus
Hesperiic Capricornus undic ; 20
Utrumque nostrum incredibili mode
Consentit astrum : te Jovis impio
Tutela Saturno refulgens
Eripuit, volucrisque Fati
Tardavit alas, cum populus irequens 2.^
Laetum theatris ter crcpuit sonum :
Me truncus illapsus cercbro
Sustulerat, nisi Eaunus ictum
Dextra levasset, Mercurialium
Custos viroruni. Ucddcrc victinias 30
yEdemque votivam memento :
Nos huinilcm feriemus acjnam.
(AKMINTM LIT!. IT. Mi. 131
ODE XVIII. (mktuum XI.)
Nox cbuv r.cquo aurcum
Mea rcnidct in domo lacunar,
Non trabes Hymcttias
Prcmunt columnas ultima rccisas
Africa ; ncque Attali 5
Ignotus hffires rcgiam occupavi ;
Nee Laconicas mihi
Traliunt honcsta? purpm-as clienta^.
At Hdes et ingeni
I^enigna vena est ; pauperemque dives 10
Me petit : nihil supra
Deos lacesso; nee potentcm amicum
Largiora flagito,
Satis beatus unicis Sabinis.
Truditur dies die, 15
Novaeque pergunt interire Luna?.
Tu secanda marmora
Locas sub ipsum funus, et sepulcliri
Immenior, struis domos;
Marisque Baiis obstrepentis urgues 20
Summovere littora,
Parum locuples con tin en te ripa.
Quid quod usque proximos
Kevellis agri terminos, et ultra
Li mites clientium 25
Salis avarus? pellitur patcrnos
In sinu ferens Deos
Et uxor, et vir, sordidosque natos.
Nulla certior tamcn
Rapacis Orci fine dcstinala 30
Aula divitem manet
Herum. Quid ultra tendis ? /EciUA tcllus
K 2
1
132 a. HOllATII FLAOCI
Pauperi rccluditur,
Regumque pueris ; nee satelles Orel
Callidum Promethea 35
Revexit auro eaptus : hie superbum
Tantalum, atque Tantali
Genus eoereet : hie levave funetum
Pauperem laboribus,
Vocatus atque non voeatus audit, 40
ODE XIX. (m. XIX.)
IN BACCHUM.
Bacchum in remotis carmina rupibus
Vidi docentem (credite posteri)
Nymphasque discentes, et aures
Capripedum Satyrorum acutas.
Evoe ! reeenti mens trepidat metu, 5
Plenoque Baechi peetore turbidum
Lsetatur. Evoe ! parce Liber,
Parce, gravi metuende thyrso.
Fas pervicaces est mihi Thyadas,
Vinique fontem, lactis et uberes 10
Cantare rivos, atque truncis
Lapsa cavis iterare mella :
Fas et beatae conjugis additum
Stellis honorem, tectaque Penthei
Disjecta non leni ruina, 15
Thracis et exitium Lycurgi.
Tu flectis amnes, tu mare barbarum :
Tu separatis uvidus in jugis
Nodo coerces viperino
Bistonidum sine fraude crines : 20
Tu, cum parentis regna per arduum
CARMINUM LIB. 11. 20. 133
Cohors gigantum scanderet impia,
Rhoccum retovsisti leonis
Unguibus horribilisquc mala :
Quanquam choreis aptior et jocis 25
Ludoque dictus, non sat idoneus
Pugnfe ferebaris, sed idem
Pacis eras mediusque belli.
Te vidit insons Cerberus aureo
Cornu decorum, leniter atterens 30
Caudam, et recedentis trilingui
Ore pedes tetigitque crura.
ODE XX. (m. XIX.)
AD M.ECENATEM.
NoN usitata, nee tenui ferar
Penna biformis per liquidum asthera
Vates ; neque in terris morabor
Longius ; invidiaqvie major
Urbes relinquam : non ego, Pauperum 5
Sanguis parentum, non ego, quern vocant,
Dilecte Maecenas, obibo ;
Nee Stygia cohibebor unda.
Jam jam residunt cruribus asperae
Pelles ; et album mutor in alitem 10
Superna ; nascuntm-que leves
Per digitos liumerosque plumae :
Jam Dtiedaleo notior Icaro
Visam gementis littora Bospori
Syrtesquc Gaetulas canorus 15
Ales Hyperboreosque campos.
Me Colchus, et qui dissimulat metum
^larsif cohortis Dacus, ct ultimi
134 Q. H01?ATII FLACCI ('ARMINU:^ LHS. II. "20.
Noscent Geloni; me peritus
Discet Iber, Rhodanique potor. 20
Absiiit inani funere ntenias,
Liictusquc turpcs, et querinionijr :
Compesce clamoretn, uc scpulchri
Mittc supevvacuos honore.«.
Q. IIORATU ILACCI
C A R M 1 N U M
LIBER TERTIUS.
ODE I. (m. XIX.)
Odi profanum vulgus, et arceo.
Favete Unguis : carmina noii prius
Audita INIusarum sacerdos
Virginibus puerisque canto.
Regum timendorum in ])ropnos greges, 5
lieges in ipsos imperium est Jovis,
Clavi Giganteo triumplio,
Cuncta supercilio moventis.
Est ut viro vir latius ordinet
Arbusta sulcis ; hie gcnerosior 10
Uescendat in Oampum petitor ;
Moribus hie meliorque fama
Contcndat ; ilia turba elientium
Sit major : -^qua lege Neeessitas
Sortitur insignes et imos ; 15
Omne capax movet urna nomen.
Districtus ensis cui super impia
Cerviee pcndct, non Siculae dapes
Dulcem elaborabunt saporem ;
Non avium citharaeque cantus 20
Somnum reducent : somnus agrestium
Lenis virorum non humiles domes
Fastidit, umbrosamque ripam,
Non zcphyris agitata Tempc.
136 Q. HORATII FLACCI
Desideeantem quod satis est, neque 25
Tumultuosum solicitat mare,
Nee saevus Arcturi cadentis
Impetus, aut orientis Haedi :
Not! verberatse grandine vineae
Fundusque mendax, arbore nunc aquas 30
Culpante, nunc torrentia agros
Sidera, nunc hyemes iniquas.
Contracta pisces sequora sentiunt,
Jactis in altum molibus ; hue frequens
Casmenta demittit redemptor 35
Cum famulis, dominusque terras
Fastidiosus. Sed timer et minae
Scandunt eodem quo dominus ; neque
Decedit asrata triremi, et
Post equitem sedet atra Cura. 40
Quod si dolentem nee Phrygius lapis,
Nee purpurarum sidere clarior
Delinit usus, nee Falerna
Vitis, Achaemeniumque costum :
Cur invidendis postibus, et novo 45
Sublime ritu moliar atrium ?
Cur valle permutem Sabina
Divitias operosiores ?
ODE II. (m. XIX.)
Angustam, amici, pauperiem pati
Robustus acri militia puer
Condiscat ; et Partbos feroees
Vexet eques metuendus hasta ;
Vitamque sub divo, et trepidis agat
In rebus : ilium ex mcenibus hosticis
Matrona bellantis tyranni
Prospicicns, ct adulta vivgo.
CARMINUM LIB. III. 3. 137
Suspiret, Eheu ! ne rudis agminum
Sponsus lacessat regius asperum 10
Tactu leonem, quern cruenta
Per medias rapit ira caedes.
DuLCE et decorum est pro patria mori :
Mors et fugacem persequitur virum ;
Nee parcit imbellis juventse 15
Poplitibus, timidove tergo.
Virtus, repulsae nescia sordida?,
Intaminatis fulo;et honoribus :
Nee sumit aut ponit secures
Arbitrio popularis aurae. 20
Virtus, recludens immeritis mori
Coelum, negata tentat iter via;
Ccetusque vulgares et udam
Spernit humum fugiente penna.
Est et fideli tuta silentio 25
Merces: vetabo, qui Cereris sacrum
Vulgarit arcaiife, sub iisdem
Sit trabibus, fragilemve mecum
Solvat phaselum. Saepe Diespiter
Neglectus incesto addidit integrum : 30
Raro antecedentem scelestum
Dcscruit pede Poena claudo.
ODE III. (m. XIX.)
JusTUM et tenacem propositi virum,
Non civium ardor prava jubentium,
Non vultus instantis tyranni,
Mente quatit solida, neque Auster
Dux inquieti turbidus Adrias,
Ncc fubninantis magna manus Jovis :
Si fractus illabatur orbis,
Impavidum t'cricnt ruina.-.
i;}}{
Q. HOKATir KLA('( 1
Hac arte Pollux ct vagus Hercules
Eiiisus, arccs altigit igncas ; 10
Quos inter Augustus recumbens
Purpureo bibit ore nectar :
Hac te mercntem, Bacche pater, tuae
Vexere tigres indocili jugum
Collo trahentes: hac Quirinus 15
Martis equis Achcronta fugit,
Gratum elocuta consiliantibus
Junone Divis : Ilion, Ilion
Fatalis incestusque judex,
Et mulier peregrina vertit 20
In pulvereiii, ex quo destituit Deos
Mercede pacta Laomedon, mihi
Casta?que damnatum Minervic
Cum populo et duce fraudulento.
Jam nee Lacicna3 splendet adultene 25
Famosus hospcs, nee Priami domus
Perjura pugnaces Acliivos
Hectoreis opibus refringit ;
Nostrisque ductum seditionibus
Bellum resedit : protinus et graves 30
Iras, et invisum nepotem,
Troica quern peperit saccrdos,
Marti redonabo. Ilium ego lucidas
Inire sedes, ducere nectaris
Succos, et adscribi quietis 35
Ordinibus patiar Dcorum.
Dum longus inter s<cviat Ilion
llomamque pontus, qualibet exsules
In parte regnanto beati :
Dum Priami Paridisque busto 40
Insultet armentum, et catidos fera;
Celcnt inulta^; stet Cai)itolium
Pulgcns, triumphatisque possit
lloma ferox dare jura Mcdis.
CARMINUM l.lli. 111. 4. 139
llorrcnda late nomcn in ultimas 45
Extendat oras ; qua medius liquor
Secernit Europen ab Afro,
Qua tumidus rigat arva Nilus :
Aurum inrepertum, ct sic melius situni.
Cum terra celat, spcrnerc fortior, 50
Quam cogere humanos in usus,
Omne sacrum rapicnte dextra.
Quicunque mundo tcrmiiuis obstitit,
Hunc taugat armis, visere gestiens
Qua parte debacchentur igncs, 55
Qua nebulic pluviique rorcs.
Scd bellicosis lata Quiritibus
llac lege dico, ne nimium pii,
Kcbusque fidentes, av'itixi
Tecta velint rei)arare Trojio. 00
Trojffi renasceiis alite lugubri
Eortuna tristi cladc iterabitur,
Ducente victrices catervas
Conjuge mc Jovis et sovorc.
Tcr si resuri>;at murus ahcneus 65
Auctore Phoebo, ter pereat mcis
Excisus Argivis, ter uxor
Capta virum pucrosquc plorct.
Non hxc jocofctc conveniunt lyrse:
Quo, Musa, tendis ? dcsinc pcrvicax 7^
Ilefcrre sermones Deorum, et
Magna modis tcnuarc parvis.
ODE IV. (m. XIX.)
An CALLIUI'EN'.
Descend li ccclo. ct die age tibia
Rcgina longum Callioi)c mclos,
140 Q. HOKATII FLACCI
Seu voce nunc mavis acuta,
Sue fidibus citharaque Phoebi.
Auditis ? an me ludit amabilis 5
Insania? audire et videor pios
Errare per lucos, amoenae
Quos et aquag subeunt et aurae.
Me fabulosae Vulture in Appulo,
Nutricis extra limen Apulise, 10
Ludo fatigatumque somno,
Fronde nova puerum palumbes
Texere ; mirum quod foret omnibus,
Quicunque celsae nidum Acherontise,
Saltusque Bantinos, et arvum 15
Pingue tenent humilis Ferenti,
Ut tuto ab atris corpore viperis
Dormirem et ursis ; ut premerer sacra
Lauroque, collataque myrto,
Non sine Diis animosus infans. 20
Vester, Camoense, vester in arduos
Toiler Sabinos ; seu milii frigidum
Prasneste, seu Tibur supinum,
Seu liquidae placuere Baise.
Vestris amicum fontibus et choris, 25
Non me Philippis versa acies retro,
Devota non extinxit arbos,
Nee Sicula Palinurus unda.
Utcunque mecum vos eritis, libens
Insanientem navita Bosporum 30
Tentabo, et arentes arenas
Littoris Assyrii viator:
Visum Britannos hospitibus feros,
Et IcEtum equino sanguine Concanum :
Visam pharetratos Gelonos 35
Et Scythicum inviolatus amnem.
Vos Cacsarem altum, militia simul
Fessas cohortes abdidit oppidis.
CARMIXUM LIB. HI. 4. 141
Finire quferehtem labores,
rierio recrcatis anti'o. 40
Vos lene consilium et datis, et dato
Gaudetis alraae. Scimus ut impios
Titanas immanemque turmam
Fulmine sustulerit caduco,
Qui terram inertem, qui mave temperat 45
Ventosum, et urbes, regnaque tristia,
Divosque, mortalesque tuvbas
Imperio regit unus sequo.
Magnum ilia terrorem intulerat Jovi
Fidens juventus horrida brachiis, 50
Fratresque tendentes opaco
Pelion imposuisse Olympo.
Sed quid Typhoeus et validus Mimas,
Aut quid minaci Porphyrion statu,
Quid Rhoecus, evulsisque truncis 55
Enceladus jaculator audax,
Contra sonantem Palladis se^ida
Possent ruentes ? Hinc avidus stetit
Vulcan us, hinc matrona Juno, et
Nunquam humeris positurus arcum, 60
Qui rore puro Castaliag lavit
Crines solutos, qui Lyciae tenet
Dumeta natalemque silvam,
Delius et Patareus Apollo.
Vis consili expers mole ruit sua : 65
Vim temperatam Dii quoque provehunt
In majus ; Idem odere vires
Omne nefas animo moventes.
Testis mearum centimanus Gyges
Sententiarum, notus et integrae 70
Tentator Orion Dianae,
Virginea domitus sagitta.
Injecta monstris terra dolet suis ;
Mceretque partus fulmine luridum
142 d noitATii FLAcrr
Missos ad Orcum : nee ])erc(lit 'J5
Impositam celcr ignis /Etnam ;
Incontincntis nee Tityi jecar
]\clinquit ales, nequitiae additi s
Custom- : amatovem trecentas
Piritlioum coliibent catenae, 80
ODE V. (m. XIX).
CffiLo tonantcm credidimus Jovem
Kegnarc : prwsens Divus liabebitur
Augustus, adjectis Britannis
Imperio, gravibusque Persis.
Milesne Crassi conjuge barbara 5
Tuvpis mavitus vixit ? et hostium
(Pro curia, invcrsicjue mores!)
Consenuit socerorum in arvis,
Sub regc IMedo, Marsus et Appulus,
Anciliorum, et nominis, et togte 10
Oblitus, a?ternacque Vestas,
Incolumi Jove, et urbe Koma ?
Hoc caverat mens provida Keguli,
Dissentientis conditionibus
Foedis, et exemplo trahenti 15
Perniciem veniens in aevum ;
Si non perirent immiseriibiles,
Captiva pubes. Signa ego Punicis
Affixa delubris, et arma
JMilitibus sine caede, dixit, 20
Derepta vidi : vidi ego civium
Retorta tergo brachia libero,
Portasque non clausas, et arva
Marte coli jxipulata nostro.
CAUMIKL'M l.ili. III. 5. 143
Auro repcnsus scilicet acrior 25
Miles redibit? flagitio additis
Damnum. Nequk aniissos col ores
Lana refert medicata fuco ;
Nee vera virtus, cum seniel excidit,
Curat reponi deterioribus. 30
Si pugnat extricata densis
Cerva plagis, erit ille fortis,
Qui perHdis se credidit hostibus;
Et Marte Poenos proteret altero,
Qui lora restrictis lacertis 35
Sensit incrs, timuitque mortem.
Hie unde vitam sumcret inscius,
Pacem duello miseuit. O jmdor!
O magna Carthago probrosis
Altior Italite ruinis ! 40
Fertur pudicje ccnjugis osculum,
Parvosque natos, ut capitis minor,
Ab se removisse, et virilem
Torvus humi posuissc vultum ;
Donee labantes consilio patres 45
Firmaret auctor nuiiquam alias da to,
Interque moirentes amicos
Egregius properaret exsul.
Atqui sciebat quce sibi barbarus
Tortor pararet : non alitor tamen 50
Dimovit obstantes propinquos,
Et populum reditus morantcm,
Quam si elientum longa ncgotia
Dijudicata lite relinqucret.
Tendons Yenafranos in agros, 55
Aut Laceda?monium 'J'arer.tum.
144 a HORATII FLACCI
ODE VI. (m. XIX.)
AD ROMANOS.
Delicta majorum immeritus lues,
Romane, donee templa refeceris,
^desque labentes Deorum, et
Foeda nigro simulacra f'umo.
Diis te minorem quod geris, imperas : 5
Hinc omne principium, hue refer exitum.
Di multa negleeti dederunt
Hesperiae mala luetuosae.
Jam bis Moiiaeses, et Pacori manvis
Non auspicates contudit impetus 1
Nostros ; et adjecisse praedam
Torquibus exiguis renidet.
Pene, occupatam seditionibus,
Delevit urbem Dacus et yEthiops;
Hie classe formidatus, ille 15
Missilibus melior sagittis.
Fcecunda culpse saecula nuptias
Primum inquinavere, et genus et domes :
Hoc fonte derivata clades
In patriam populumque fluxit. 20
Motus doceri gaudet lonicos
Matura virgo ; et fingitur ar tubus
Jam nunc, et incestos am ores
De tenero meditatur ungui:
Mox juniores quaerit adulteros 25
Inter mariti vina, neque eligit
Cui donet impermissa raptim
Gaudia, luminibus remotis;
Sed jussa coram non sine conscio
Surgit marito, seu vocat institor, 30
Seu navis Hispanae magister,
Dcdecorum pretiosus emtor.
CAKIMIX'TTM MI!, m ^. 145
Non liis inventus orta parcntibus
Infccit a?quor sanguine Punico ;
Pyrrliumque ct ingcntem ceeidit 35
Antiochum Annibalemque dirum :
Sed rusticorum mascula militum
Proles, Sabellis docta ligonibns
Versare glebas, et severa-
Matris ad avbitrinm recisos 40
Portarc fustes ; sol ubi montium
Mutaret umbras, ct juga demeret
Bolms fatigatis amicum
Tempus agens abeunte curru.
Damnosa quid non imminuit dies ? 45
^Etas parentum pejor avis tulit
Nos nequiores, mox daturos
Progeniem vitiosiorem.
ODE VII. (u. XVII.)
An ASTERTEX.
QiTi) fles, Asterie, quern tibi candidi
Primo restitucnt vere Favonii,
Thyna mercc bcatum,
Constantis juvenem fide
Gygen? illc Notis actus ad Oricum 5
Post insana Capr?? sidera, frigidas
Noctes non sine multis
Insomnis lacrimis agit.
Atqui solicitfic nuntius hospita^,
Suspirare Chloen, et miseram tuis 10
Dicens ignibus uri,
Tentat mille vafer modis:
14r> Q. HOEATTI FLACCr
Ut Proc'tiim muliev pevfula credulum
Falsis impulerit criminibus, nimis
Casto Bellerophonti 15
Maturare iiecem, refert.
Narrat pene datum Pelea Tavtaro,
Magnessam Hippolyteai dum fugit abstineiis ;
Et peccare docentes
Fallax historias movet; 20
Friistra: nam scopulis surdior lean
Voces audit adhuc integer. At tibi
Ne vicinus Enipeus
Plus justo placeat, cave.
Q nam vis non alius flectere equum sciens 25
yEque conspicitur gramine Martio,
Nee quisquam citus seque
Tusco denatat alveo.
Prima nocte domum claude, neque in vias
Sub cantu querub-e despice tibiae ; 30
Et te saepe vocanti
Duram, difficilis mane.
ODE VIII. (m. xvttt)
AD M.f:CENATEM.
Makttis coelebs quid agam Calendis.
Quid velint flores et acerra turis
Plena, miraris, positusqvie carbo in
Cespite vivo,
Docte sermones utriusque lingua^. 5
Voveram dulces epulas, et album
Libero caprum, propc funeratus
Arboris ictu.
lAUMIXlT.M T.riJ. IH. i). 147
Hie dies, anno redcunte festus,
(Jorticem astrictum pice diniovehit 10
xVmpIiov.'e fumum bibere institutiv
Consule Tullo.
Slime, Maecenas, cyathos amici
Sospitis centum; et vigiles lucernas
Perfer in hiccm : proeul omnis esto -15
Clamor et ira.
INIitte civiles super urbe curas :
Occidit Daei Cotisonis aomen ;
Medus infestus sibi luctuosis
Dissidct armis ; 20
Servit Ilispan.t' vetus hostis ovjt
Cantaber, sera domitus catena;
Jam Scythae laxo meditantur arcn
Cedere cam pis.
Negligens, ne qua populus laboret, 25.
I'arce privatus nimium eavere :
Dona praesentis cape la^us hora?, et
Linque sevcra.
ODE IX. (m. XV.)
-\J) LVD I A.M.
Hon. DoNKc gratus eram tibi.
Nee quisquam potior brachia Candida?
Cervici juvenis dabat,
Persarum vigui rcge beatior.
Lvi). Donee non alia magis 5
Arsisti, neque crat Lydia post Chloen,
]Multi Lydia nominis
Komana vigui clarior Ilia,
lloi!. Me nunc Tliressa Chloe reffit,
Dulces docta modos, et citharse sciens; 10
J. 2
148 Q. HOlJA'Pn FLAOCr
Pro qua non mot nam movi,
Si parcent animne fata supcrstiti.
Lyd. Me torret face mutua
Thurini Calais filius Ornyti ;
Pro quo bis patiar mori, 15
Si parcent puero fata supcrstiti.
HoR. Quid si prisca redit Venus,
Diductosque jugo cogit ahcneo?
Si flava excutitur Chloe,
Rejectaeque patet janua Lydiap? 20
I, YD. Quanquam sidere pulchrior
llle est, tu levior cortice, et improlio
Iracundior Adria ,
Tecum vivere ameni, tecum obeam bbens.
ODE X. (m. XVI.)
AD LYCEN.
ExTREMUM Tanain si biberes, Lyce,
Sapvo nupta viro, me tamen aspcras
Porrectum ante fores objicere incolis
Plorares Aquilonibus.
Audis quo strepitu janua, quo nemus 5
Inter pulcbra satum tecta remugiat
Ventis, et positas ut glaciet nives
Puro numine Jupiter?
Ingratam Vencri pone superbiam,
Ne currente rota funis cat retro. 10
Non te Penelopen diiTicilcm procis
Tyrrbenus gcnuit parens.
O, quamvis neque te munera, nee preces,
Nee tinctus viola pallor amantium,
Nee vir Pieria pcllice sauciiis 15
Curvat ; supplicibus tuis
CAllMINUM Lin. III. 11, 149
Parcas, ncc rij^ida mollior jcsculo,
Ncc Mauris animum mitior anguibus:
Non hoc semper crit liminis aut aqusa
Caelestis patiens latus. 20
ODE XI. (m. xviii.)
AD MEKCURIUM.
Mercuhi (nam tc docilis magistro
Movit Ampliion lapidcs cancndo)
Tuque Testudo resonare septem
Callida nervis,
Nee loquax olim ncquc grata, nunc ct 5
Divitum mensis et arnica templis,
Die modos, Lydc quibus obstinatas
Applicet aures :
Quae, vclut latis equa trima campis,
Ludit cxsultim, metuitque tangi, 10
Nuptiarum expcrs, et adliuc protcrvo
Cruda marito.
Tu potes tigres comitcsque sylvas
Ducere, et rivos ccleres morari :
Cessit immanis tibi blandienti 15
Janitor aulae
Cerberus ; quamvis furiale centum
Muniant angues caput ejus, atque
Spiritus teter saniesque manet
Ore trilingui. 20
Quin et Ixion, Tityosque vultu
llisit invito : stetit urna paulum
Sicca, dum grato Danai puellas
Carmine mulces.
Audiat Lydc scclus atquc notas 25
Virginum pcjenas, et inane lympha:
150 Q- ilOUATU FLACCl
Doltum {'undo percuntia imo,
Seraque fata,
QutE manent culpas etiam sub Oreo :
Impiic (nam quid potuere majus ?) SO
Impiae sponsos potuere duro
Perdere ferro.
Una de multis, face nuptiali
Digiia. perjurum fuit in parentem
Splendide mendax, et in omne virgo 35
Nobilis aevum :
Surge, qua) dixit juvcni marito,
Surge, ne longus tibi somnus, undc
Non times, detur : socerum ct scclestas
Falle sorores ; ^^
Quic, velut nactse vitulos lescnae,
Singulos, elieu ! lacerant : ego illis
Mollior, nee te feriam, neque intra
Claustra tenebo.
Me pater saevis oneret catenis, 45
Quod viro clemens miscro peperci :
Me vel extremes Numidarum in agros
Classe releget.
I, pedes quo te rapiunt et aursc;
Dum favet nox, et Venus ; i secundo 50
Omine ; ct nostri memorcm scpulchro
Scalpe querelam.
ODE XII. (metuum XII.)
AV NKOBULEN.
MisEUARUM est, ncc amori dare ludum, ncquc dulci
Mala vino laverc ; aut cxanimari metucntcs
ratrutc vcrbera linguae.
Tibi qualum Cytherca- pucr ales, tibi tclas
CAUMINIIM LIB. HI. 13. 11". 151
Opcrosjcque INIinervju stadium aufcrt, Ncobulc, -5
Lipanci nitor Hcbri ;
Simiil unctos Tiberinis hunieros lavit in undis
Equcs ipso melior Bcllerophontc, ncque pugno
Ncquc segni pedc victus :
Catus idem per apertum fugientes agitato 10
Grcgc cervos jaculari, ct celer arcto latitantem
Fruticeto exciperc aprum.
ODE Xlir. (m. XVII.)
AD FONTEM BANDUSLE.
O PONS Bandusia), splendidior vitro,
Dulci dignc mcro, non sine floribus,
Cras donaberis ha?do,
Cui frons turgida cornibus
Primis et Vencrem ct prcclia dcstinat, 5
Frustra ; nam gelidos inficiet tibi
llubro sanguine rivos
Lascivi suboles gregis.
Te flagrantis atrox bora Caniculac
Nescit tangere : tu frigus amabilc 10
Fessis vomere tauris
Prffibcs, et pecori vago.
Fies nobilium tu quoquc fontium,
Mc dicente cavis impositam ilicem
Saxis, unde loquaces 1 .5
Lymphac desiliunt tute.
ODE XIV. (m. XVIII.)
1)E KKDITL' AUGUSTI.
Hkkculis ritu modo dictus, O plebs,
?vIortc vcnalem petiissc laurum,
152- Q. HOIIATII ILACCl
Ca'sar Hi«pana rcpetit penatcs
Victor ab ora.
Unico gaudens mulier marito, 5
Prodcat, justis operata Divis ;
Et soror clari ducis, et decorae |
Svipplice vitta
Virginum matres, juvenumquc nuper
Sospitum: vos O pueri, et puellae 10
Jam virum expertas, male inominatis
Parcite verbis.
Hie dies vere mihi festus atras
Eximet curas: ego nee tumultum,
Nee mori per vim metuam, tenente 15
Caesare terras.
I, pete ungucntum, pucr, et coronas,
Et cadum Marsi memorcm duelli ;
Spiirtacum siqua potuit vagantem
Fallere testa. 20
Die et argutas properet Neaeraa
Myrrheum nodo cohibere crinem :
Si per invisum mora janitorem
Fiet, abito.
Lenit albescens animos capillus 25
Litium et rixas cupidos protervai'.
Non ego hoe ferrem, calidus juventa,
Consule Planco.
ODE XV. (m. XV.)
IN CHLORIM.
Uxor pauperis Ibyei,
Tandem nc(|uilii!e (igc modum tiue,
Famosisquc Uiboribus :
Maturo propior dcsine f'uneri
CARMINUM LIB. III. 10. 153
Inter luderc virgincs, 5
Et stellis nebulam spargerc candidis.
Non, si quid Pholocn satis,
Et tc, Chlori, decct : filia rcctius
Expugnat juvcnum domos,
Pulso Thyas uti concita tympano. 10
1 11am cogit amor Nothi
Lascivee similcm luderc caprea:
Te lanse prope nobilcm
Tonsae Luceriam, non citharce decent,
Ncc tlos purpurcus rosac, 15
Ncc })oti vetulam fece tcnus cadi.
ODE XVI. (m. XVI.)
AD M.ECENATEM.
Inclusam Danaen turris ahenea,
Robustaeque fores, et vigilum canum
Tristes excubiae munierant satis
Nocturnis ab adulteris ;
Si non Acrisium, virginis abditae 5
Custodcm pavidum, Jupiter et Venus
llisissent : fore enim tutum iter et patens,
Converso in pretium Deo.
AuRUM per medios ire satellites,
Et perrumpere amat saxa, potentius 10
Ictu fulminco : concidit auguris
Argivi domus, ob lucrum
Dcmersa exitio : diffidit urbium
Portas vir Macedo, et subruit aemulos
llcjzes muneribus : munera navium 1 5
Saevos ilhujucant duces.
CuEscENTEM scquitur cura pecuniam,
Majorumquc famc^ : jure pcrhorrui
154! Q. HOKATII I'LACCI
Late conspicuum tollere verticcm,
Mtiecenas, equitum decus. 20
Quanto quisque sibi plura negaverit,
A Diis plura feret. Nil cupientium
Nudus castra peto; et transfuga, divitum
Partes linquere gestio,
Con tern tse domiuus splendidior rei, 25
Quain si quicquid arat impigcr Appulus
Occultare meis dicerer horreis,
IVIagnas inter opes inops.
Purse rivus aquae silvaque jugerum
Paucorum, et segetis certa fides mea^, 30
Fulgentem imperio fertilis Africae
Fallit sorte beatior.
Quamquam nee Calabra3 mella f'crunt a])cs,
Nee Laestrygonia Bacchus in amphora
Languescit mihi, nee pinguia Gallicis 35
Crescunt vellera pascuis ;
Importuna tamen pauperies abest :
Nee, si plura velim, tu dare deneges.
Contracto melius parva cupidine
Vectigalia porrigam, 40
Quam si Mygdoniis rcgnum Alyattei
Campis continuem. Multa petentibus
Desunt multa. Bene est cui Dcus obtulit
Parca quod satis est manu.
ODE XVII. (m. XIX.)
AD -ELIUM LAMIAM.
^'Eli, vetusto nobilis ab Lamo,
(Quando et ])riores hinc Lamias ferunt
Denominates, et ncpotum
Per memores genus omnc fastos
CAKMIXUM lAii. 111. ]'<]. 155
Auctorc iib illo ducit origincm,) 5
Qui Formiarum mocnia dicitur
Princcps, et innantcm Maricie
Littoribus tcnuisse Lirim
Late tyrannus, eras foliis nemus
JNIuitis et alga littus inutili 10
Demissa tempestas ab Euro
Sternet, aqute nisi fallit augur
Annosa cornix. Dum potis, ariduin
Coniponc lignum: eras genium mero
Curubis, et porco bimestri, 15
Cuin fhmulis opcrum solutis.
ODE XVIII. (m. xviu.)
AU 1-AUNUM.
Faunk, Nympharum tugientum umator,
Per meos lines et apriea rura
Lenis incedas, abcasquc parvis
^quus alumnis :
Si tener pleno cadit luedus anno, 5
Larga nee dcsunt Veneris sodali
Vina eratertt ; vetus ara multo
Fumat odore.
Ludit hcrboso pceus omne eampo,
Cum tibi Nome redeunt Decembres : 10
Festus in pratis vacat otioso
Cum bove pagus;
Inter audaces lupus errat agnos:
Spargit agrestes tibi silva frondes :
Gaudet invisam pepulissc fossor 15
Ter pede terram.
356 ti. HOIIATII FLACCI
ODE XIX. (m. XV.)
AD TELEPHUM.
Quantum distet ab Inacho
Codrus, pro patria non timidus mori,
Narras, et genus JEnc],
Et pugnata sacro bella sub Ilio :
Quo Chium pretio cadum 5
Mercemur; quis aquam tcmperct ignibus ;
Quo praebente domum, ct quota,
Pclignis carcam frigoribus, taccs.
Da Lunas propere novae,
Da Noctis medice, da, puer, auguris 10
Mursenae ; tribus aut novcm
Miscentur cyathis pocula commodis.
Qui Musas amat impares,
Ternos ter cyathos attonitus pctct
Vates: trcs prohibet supra 15
llixarum metucns tangere Gratia,
Nudis juncta sororibus.
Insanire juvat: cur Berecyntias
Cessant flamina tibiae?
Cur pendet tacita fistula cum lyra ? 20
Parcentes ego dextcras
Odi : sparge rosas : audiat invidus
Demcntcm strcpitum Lycus,
Et vicina scni non habilis Lyco»
Spissa tc nitidum coma, 25
Puro te similem, Tclephc, Vcspero
Tempcstiva petit Chloe :
Me lentus Glyceric torret amor mca.
CAIUIINUM LTl?. TIT. 20. iil . 1 -^y
ODE XX. (m. xvttt.)
AD rVRRIIUM.
NoN vides quanto moveas pcriclo,
l^yrrlic, Ga3tula' catulos lca?na? ?
Uura post paulo fugies inaudax
Proelia raptor ;
Cum per obstantes juvcnum catcrvas 5
Ibit insigncm repetcns Ncarchum :
Grande certamen tibi praeda cedat
Major, an illi.
Interim, dum tu celcrcs sagittas
Promis, hoec denies acuit timendos ; lo
Arbiter piignoe posuisse nudo
Sub pede pahnam
Fcrtur, et leni rccrearc vcnto
Sparsum odoratis humerum capillis ;
Qualis aut Nireus fuit, aut aquosa 15
Raptus ab Ida.
ODE XXI. (m. XIX.)
AD AMPHORAM.
O NATA mecum consule Manlio,
'?
Seu tu querelas, sive geris joeos,
Sen rixam ct insanos amorcs,
Seu facilcm, pia testa, somnum ;
Quocunquc lectum nomine Massicum 5
Servas, moveri digna bono die,
Dcsccnde, Corvino jubcnte,
Promere languidiora vina.
Non ille, quanquam Socraticis madel
Sermonibus, te ncgligct horridus : ]()
lo8 Q. HOKATII FT.Acrr
Narratur ct prisci Catonis
Saepe mero caluisse virtus.
Tu lene tormentum ingenio admoves
Plerumque duro : tu sapicntium
Curas et arcanum jocoso 15
Consilium retegis Lyfeo:
Tu spem reducis mentihus anxiis,
Viresque ; et addis cornua pauperi,
Post te nee iratos trementi
Regum apices, neque militum arm a. 2G
Te I.iber, et si laeta aderit Venus,
Segnesque nodum solvere GratiiP,
Vivneque producent lucerna\
Dum rediens fugat astra Fhccl)u&.
ODE XXII. (m. xviii.)
IN BIANAM.
MoMTiiiM custos nemorumque, Virgo,
i^uK laborantes utero puellas
Ter vocata audis, adimisquc Icto,
Diva triformis ;
Imminens villa? tua pinus esto, 5
(»)uam per exactos ego la?tus annos
Verris obliquum meditantis ictum
Sanguine donem.
ODE XXIII. (m. XIX.)
AD PHIDYLEN.
Cffii.o supinas si tulevis manus
Nascente Luna, rustica Fhidyle ;
Si tbui-e placia-is et borna
Fruge Lares, avidaque porca;
CAIJMTXUM T.TB. Til. 5i. 159
Nec pestilcntem scntict Africum 5
]'\jecuiula vitis, nec stcrilem secres
llubigincm, aut dulccs alumni
Poniifero grave tempus anno.
Nam, quae nivali pascitur Algido
Devota quercus inter et ilices, 10
Aut crescit Albanis in Verbis
Victima, pontificum secures
Cervice tinguet: te niliil attinet
Tentare multa caede bidcntium
Parvos coronantem marino 15
Rore Deos fragilique myrto.
Immunis aram si tetigit manus,
Non siuntuosablandior hostia
MoUivit aversos penates
Farre pio, et saliente mica. 20
ODE XXIV. (m. XV.)
IxTACTis opulentior
Thesauris Arabum et divitis Indiip,
Coementis licet occupes
Tyrvbenum omne tuis et marc Apulicum ;
Si figit adamantinos . 5
Summis vcrticibus dira Necessitas
Clavos, nou animum metu,
Non mortis laqueis expedies caput.
Campestrcs melius Scytba',
Quorum plaustra vagas rite trabunt domos, 10
\'ivunt, et rigidi Getje,
Immetata quibus jugera liberas
Fruges et Cererem ferunt ;
Nec cultura placet longior annua ;
l^efunctumque laboribus ^5
^ilquali recreat sorte vicarius.
IGO Q- HOl'.ATTI FI.ACCT
Illic matre carentibus
Privignis mulicv tempcrat innoccns :
Nee dotata regit virum
Conjux, nee nitido fidit adultcvo. 20
Dos est magna parentium
Virtus, et metuens alterius viri
Certo fcedere castitas,
Et peccare nefas, aut prctium cmori.
O qixisquis volet impias 25
C aides et rabiem toUere civicam ;
Si quaeret Pater urbium
Subscribi statuis, indomitam audeat
Refrsenare licentiam,
Clarus postgenitis : quatenvis (heu nefas ') 30
Virtutem incolumeni odimus,
Sublatam ex oculis quaerimus invidl.
Quid tristes querimonia?,
Si non supplicio culpa rociditur?
(j)uid leges sine movibus 35
Vance proficiunt ? si neque fcrvidis '
Pars inclusa caloribus
Mundi, nee Borea; (initimum latus,
Durata?que solo nives
Mercatorem abigunt ; horrida callidi 40
Vincunt oequora navitae ;
Magnum pauperies opprobrium jubet
Quidvis et facere et pati,
Virtutisque viam descrit ardune.
Vel nos in Capitolium, 45
Quo clamor vocat et turba faventium,
Vcl nos in marc proximum
Gemmas et lapidcs, aurum et inutile,
Summi m.ateriem mali,
Mittamus, scelerum si bene poenitet.
Eradcnda cupidinis
Pravi sunt elcmcnta ; et tencrw nimis
50
OARMIXUM T.Tlt. Til. 25. Kjl
INIentes asperioribus
Formancl;x» studiis : nescit equo rudis
Hasreve ingenuus piier, 55
V enariquc timet, ludcrc doctior
Sen Grasco jubeas trocho,
Seu malis vetita legibus alea ;
Cum perjura patris fides
Consortem, socium fallat, et hospitem. 60
Indigiioque pecuniam
HaM-edi properet. Scilicet improbae
Crescunt divitiae; tamen
Curtae nescio quid semper abest rei.
ODE XXV. (m. XV.)
All BACCHUJM.
Quo me, Bacche, rapis tui
Plenum ! qua? nemora aut quos agor in specus,
Velox mente nova ! quibus
Antris egregii Caesaris audiar
yl^ternum meditan.s decus 5
Stellis inserere et concilio Jovis !
Dicam insigne, recens, adliuc
Indictum ore alio. Non secus in jugis
Exsomnis stupet Evias,
Hebrum prospiciens, et nive candidam 10
Thracen, ac pede barbaro
Lustratam Rhodopen. Ut mibi devio
Ripas et vacuum nemus
Mirari libet ! O Naiadum potens,
Baccharumque valentium 15
Proceras manibus vertere fraxinos,
Nil parvum aut humili modo,
Nil mortale loquar. Dnlce periculum est,
M
162 Q. HORATII FLACf I
O Lenaee, sequi Deum
Cingentem viridi tempora pampino. 20
ODE XXVI. (m. XIX.)
AD VEXEREM.
Vixi puellis nuper idoneus,
Et militavi non sine gloria ;
Nunc arma defunctumque bello
Barbiton hie paries liabebit,
Laevum marinae qui Veneris latus 5
Custodit. Hie, hie ponite lucida
Funalia et vectes et arcus
Oppositis foribus minaees.
O quae beatum Diva tenes Cyprum et
Memphin carentem Sithonia nive 10
Regina, sublimi flagello
Tange Chloen semel arrogantem. "
ODE XXVII. (m. XVIII.)
AD GALATEAM.
Imi'ios parras recinentis omen
Ducat, et prsegnans canis, aut ab agro
Rava decurrens lupa Lanuvino,
Foetaque vulpes ;
Rumpat et serpens iter institutum, 5
Si per obliquum similis sagittae
Terruit mannos. Ego cui timebo
Providus auspex,
Antequam stantes repetat paludes
Imbrium divina avis imminentum, 10
Oscinem corvum prece suscitabo
Solis ab ortu.
CAfiMTKUM UK. III. 27- 163
Sis licet felix ubicunque mavis,
Et memor nostri, Galatea, vivas :
Teque nee Ifcvus vetat ire pious, 15
Nee vaga cornix.
Sed vides quanto trepidet tumultu
Pronus Orion ! ego quid sit ater
Adriae novi sinus, et quid albus
Peccet lapyx. 20
Hostium uxores puerique caBCos
Sentiant niotus orientis Austri, et
^fCquoris nigri fremitum, et trementes
Verbere ripas.
Sic et Europe niveum doloso 25
Credidit tauro latus, et scatentem
Beluis pontum mediasque fraudes
Palluit audax.
Nuper in pratis studiosa florum, et
Debitae Nymphis opifex corona?, 30
Nocte sublustri nihil astra praeter
Vidit et undas :
Qua? siraul centum tetigit potentem
Oppidis Creten, Pater O relictum
Filiae nomen, pietasque, dixit, 35
Victa furore !
Unde ? quo veni '^ levis una mors est
Virginum culpae. Vigilansne ploro
Turpe commissum ? an vitio carentem
Ludit imago 40
Vana, quae porta fugiens eburna
Somnium ducit ? meliusne fluctus
Ire per longos fuit, an recentes
Carpere flores ?
Si quis infamem mihi nunc juvencum 45
Dedat iratae, lacerare ferro et
Frangere enitar modo multum amati
Cornua monstri.
M 2
164 Q. HORATII rLAcri
Impudens liqui patrios penates,
Impudens Orcum moror. O Deorum 50
Si quis liffic audis ! utinam inter errem
Nvida leones.
Antequam turpis macies decentes
Occupet malas, teneraeque succus
Defluat prsedse, speciosa quaero 55
Pascere ticrres.
Vilis Europe, pater urguet absens,
Quid mori cessas ? potes hac ab orno
Pendulum zona bene te secuta e-
lidere coUum : 60
Sive te rupes et acuta leto
Saxa delectant ; age, te procellae
Crede veloci : nisi herile mavis
Carpere pensum,
Regius sanguis, dominaeque tradi 65
Barbarge pellex. Aderat querent!
Perfidum ridens Venus, et remisso
Filius arcu.
Mox ubi lusit satis, Abstineto,
Dixit, irarum calidaeque rixas, ■ *J0
Cum tibi invisus laceranda reddet
Cornua taurus.
Uxor invicti Jovis esse nescis ?
Mitte singultus ; bene ferre magnam
Disce fortunam : tua sectus orbis 'J5
Nomina ducet.
ODE XXVIII. (m. XV.)
AD LYDEN.
FfiSTO quid potius die
Neptuni faciam ? Prome reconditum,
Lyde strenua, Caecubum,
Munitaeque adhibe vim sapientite.
CARMINUM LIB. III. 29. 165
Inclinare meridiem 5
Sentis ; ac, veluti stct volucris dies,
Parcis deripere hovreo
Cessantem Bibuli consulis amphoram.
Nos cantabimus invicem
Neptunum, et virides Nere'idum comas: 10
Tu curva recines lyra
Latonam, et celeris spicuia Cynthias:
Summo carmine, quae Cnidon
Fulgentesque tenet Cycladas, et Paphon
Junctis visit oloribus : 15
Dicetur merita Nox quoque nsenia.
ODE XXrX. (m. XIX.)
AD JI.ECENATEAI.
Tyrrhena regum progenies, tibi
Non ante verso lene merum cado
Cum flore, IMoecenas, rosarum, et
Pressa tuis balanus capillis
Jamdudum apud me est : eripe te moras ; 5
Ut semper-udum Tibur et yEsulae
Declive contempleris arvum, et
Telegoni juga parricidae.
Fastidiosam desere copiam, et
Molem propinquam nubibus arduis : 10
Omitte mirari beatae
Fumum et opes stre})itumquc Romae.
Plerumque gratae divitibus vices,
IMundneque parvo sub lare pauperum
Coenae, sine auheis et ostro, 15
Solicitam explicuere frontem.
Jam clarus occultum Andromeda? pater
Ostendit ignem.; jam Procyon furit,
166 Q. JIOIIATII rLACU'l
Et Stella vesani Leonis,
Sole dies referente siccos. 20
Jam pastor umbras cum grege laiiguido
Rivumque fessus quserit, et horridi
Dumeta Silvani ; caretque
Ripa vagis taciturna ventis.
Tu civitatem quis deceat status, 25
Curas ; et urbi solicitus times,
Quid Seres et regnata Cyro I
Bactra parent, Tanaisque discovi.
Prudens futuri temppris exitum
Caliginosa nocte premit Deus ; 30
Ridetque, si mortalis ultra
Fas trepidat. Quod adest, memento
Componere aequus : csetera fluminis
Ritu feruntur, nunc medio alveo
Cum pace delabentis Etruscum 35
In mare, nunc lapides adesos,
Stirpesque raptas, et pecus, et domos,
Volventis una, non sine montium
Clamore vicinaeque silvae.
Cum fera diluvies quietos 40
Irritat amnes. Ille potens sui
La?tusque deget, cui licet in diem
Dixisse, Vixi : eras vel atra
Nube polum Pater occupato,-
Vel sole puro : non tamen irritum, 45
Quodcunque retro est, efficiet ; neque
Diffingct infectumque reddet,
Quod fugiens semel bora vexit.
Portuna, stevo Iseta negotio, et
Ludum insolentem ludere pertinax, 50
Transmutat incertos honores,
Nunc niibi, nunc alii benigna.
Laudo manentem : si celeres quatit
l,\^nnas, rcsigno quae dcdit, ct mca "
CARMINUM LIB. III. 30. 167
Virtute me involvo, probamque 55
Pauperiem sine dote quaero.
Non est meurn, si mugiat Africis
Malus procellis, ad miseras preces
Decurrere et votis pacisci,
Ne Cyprise Tyriaeque merces 60
Addant avaro divitias mari :
Turn me biremis prjcsidio scaphse
Tutum per ^gaeos tumultus
Aura feret, geminusque Pollux.
ODE XXX. (m. XIV.)
ExEGi monumentum aere perennius,
Regalique situ Pyramidum altius :
Quod non imber edax, non Aquilo impotcns
Possit diruere, aut innumerabilis
Annorum series, et fuga temporum. 5
Non omnis moriar, multaque pars mei
V'itabit Libitinam. Usque ego postera
Crescam laude recens, dum Capitolium
Scandet cum tacita virgine pontifex.
Dicar, qua violens obstrepit Aufidus, 10
Et qua pauper aquae Daunus agrestium
Regnavit populorum, ex humili potens,
Princeps .Eolium carmen ad Italos
Deduxisse modos. Sume superbiam
Qusesitam meritis, et mibi Delpbica 15
Lauro cinge volens, Melpomene, comani.
Q. HORATII FLACCI
E P I S T O L A R U M
LIBER PRIMUS.
EPISTOLA I.
AD M.ECENATEM.
Prima dictc mihi, summa dicende Canioena,
Spectatum satis, et donatum jam rude, quaeris,
Maecenas, iterum antiquo me iiicludere ludo.
Non eadem est ajtas, non mens. Veianius armis
Herculis ad postern fixis, latet abditus agro, 5
Ne populum extrema toties exoret arena.
Est mihi purgatara crebro qui personet aurem ;
Solve senescentem mature sanus equum, ne
Peccet ad extremum ridendus, et ilia ducat.
Nunc itaque et versus et caetera ludicra pono : 10
Quid verum atque decens, euro et rogo, et omnis in hoc
Condo et compono qua? mox depromere possim. [sum :
Ac ne forte roges, quo mc duce, quo lare tuter :
Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri,
Quo me cumque rapit tempestas, deferor hospes. 15
Nunc agilis fio, et mersor civilibus undis,
Virtutis verae custos rigidusque satelles :
Nunc in Aristippi furtim pra?cepta relabor,
Et mihi res, non me rebus subjvmgere conor.
Ut nox longa, quibus mentitur amica, diesquc 20
Lenta videtur opus debentibus ; ut piger annus
Pupillis, quos dura premit custodia matrum :
Sic mihi tarda lluunt ingratacjue tcmpora, quix? spcm
Consiliumque morantur agcndi gnavitcr id quod
EPISTOLAUUM LIB. I. 1. 169
^que pauperibut; prodest, locupletibus aequc, 25
^■Eque neglectum pueris senibusque nocebit.
Restat ut his ego me ipse regam solerque elementis:
Non possis oculo quantum contendere Lynceus,
Non tamen idcirco contemnas lippus inungui ;
Nee, quia desperes invicti membra Glyconis, 30
Nodosa corpus nolis proliibere clieragra.
Est quadam prodire tenus, si non datur ultra.
Fervet avaritia miseroque cupidine pectus ?
Sunt verba et voces, quibus hunc lenire dolorem
Possis, et magnam morbi deponere partem. 35
Laudis amore tumes? sunt certa piacula, quae te
Ter pure lecto poterunt recreare libello.
Invidus, iracundus, iners, vinosus, amator,
Nemo adeo ferus est ut non mitescere possit,
Si modo culturas patientem commodet aurem. 40
A^irtus est vitium fugere, et sapientia prima
Stultitia caruisse. Vides, qua3 maxima credis
Esse mala, exiguum censum, turpemque repulsam,
Quanto devites animo capitisque labore :
Impiger extremes curris mercator ad Indos, 45
Per mare pauperiem fugiens, per saxa, per igncs :
Ne cures ea qufie stulte miraris et optas,
Discere et audire et meliori credere non vis ?
Quis circum pagos et circum compita pugnax,
Magna coronari contemnat Olympia, cui spes, 50
Cui sit conditio dulcis sine pulvere palraae ?
Villus argentum est auro, virtutibus aurura.
O cives, cives quaerenda pecunia primum est,
V^irtus post nummos. Hoec Janus summus ab imo
Prodocet : haec recinunt juvenes dictata senesque, 55
Laevo suspensi loculos tabulamquc lacerto.
Est animus tibi, sunt mores, est lingua fidesque :
Sed quadringentis sex, septem millia desint;
Plebs eris. At pueri ludcntes, Rex eris, aiunt,
Si rcctc t'acics, Hic murus ahcneus csto, 60
1^0 Q. HOKATII FLACCI
Nil conscire sibi, nulla pallescere culpa.
Roscia (die sodes) melior lex, an puerorum est
Naenia, quse regnum recte facientibus ofFert,
Et maribus Curiis et decantata Camillis ?
Isne tibi melius suadet, qui, Rem facias; rem, G5
Si possis, recte ; si non, quocunque modo rem,
Ut propius spectes lacrimosa poemata Pupi :
An qui fortunae te responsare superbae
Liberum et erectum prsesens hortatur et aptat ?
Quod si me populus Romanus forte roget, cur 7^
Non, ut porticibus, sic judiciis fruar iisdem.
Nee sequar, aut fugiam, quae diligit ipse, vel odit :
Olim quod vulpes oegroto cauta leoni
Respondit, referam : Quia me vestigia terrent
Omnia te adversum spectantia, nulla retrorsum. ^5
Belua multorum es capitum : nam quid sequar ? avit quern ?
Pars hominum gestit conducere pviblica : sunt qui
Crustis et pomis viduas venentur avaras,
Excipiantque senes, quos in vivaria mittant :
Multis occulto crescit res fcenore. V^erum 80
Esto aliis alios rebus studiisque teneri ;
lidem eadem possunt lioram durare probantes?
Nullus in orbe sinus Bails praelucet amcenis.
Si dixit dives, lacus et mare sentit amorem
Festinantis heri; cui si vitiosa libido 85
Fecerit auspicium, eras ferramenta Teanum
Tolletis, fabri. Lectus genialis in aula est ?
Nil ait esse prius, melius nil ccelibe vita ;
Si non est, jurat bene solis esse maritis.
Quo teneam vultus mutantem Protea nodo r 90
Quid pauper ? ride : mutat ccenacula, lectos.
Balnea, tonsores; conducto navigio oeque
Nauseat ac locuples, quem ducit priva triremis.
Si curatus inaequali tonsore capillos
Occurri, rides: si forte subucula pexnc 95
Trita subest tunica?, vel si toga dissidet im))ar,
Rides: (juid, mea cum pugnat sententia secum?
El'lSTOLAKUJI lAlS. I. 2. 17 1
(^)uod ])ctiit, spernit, repetit quod im])er omisit?
-^stuat, et vitsc disconvenit ordine toto ?
Diruit, redificat, mutat quadrata rotundis ? 100
Insanire putas solennia me, neque rides,
Nee medici credis nee euratoris egere
A praetore dati, rerum tutela mearum
Cum sis, et prave seetum stomacheris ob unguem
De te pendentis, te respicientis amici. 105
Ad summam, sapiens uno minor est Jove, dives,
Liber, honoratus, pulcher, rex denique regum ;
Prsecipue sanus, nisi cum pituita molesta est.
EPISTOLA XL
AD LOLLIUM.
Trojani belli scriptorem, maxime Lolli,
Dum tu declaraas Romac, Praneste relegi ;
Qui, quid sit pvdchrum, quid turpe, quid utile, quid non>
Planius ac melius Chrysippo et Crantore dicit.
Cur ita crediderim, nisi quid te detinet, audi. 5
Fabula, qua Paridis propter narratur amorem
Graccia Barbaria3 lento collisa duello,
Stultorum regum et populorum continet cestus,
Antenor censet belli pra&cidere causam.
Quid Paris? ut salvus regnet, vivatque beatus, 10
Cogi posse negat. Nestor componere lites
Inter Peliden festinat et inter Atridea :
Hunc amor, ira quidem communitcr urit utrumque.
Quicquid delirant reges; plectuntur Acliivi.
Seditione, dolis, scelere, atque libidine et ira, 15.
Iliacos intra muros peccatur, et extra.
Rursus, quid virtus et quid sapientia possit,
Utile proposuit nobis exemplar Ulysbcm ;
172 Q. HORATIl FLACCl
Qui, domitor Trojse, multorum providus urbes
Et mores hominiim inspexit; latumque per sequor, 20
Dum sibi, dum sociis reditvim parat, aspera multa
Pertulit, adversis rerum iinmersabilis undis.
Sirenum voces et Circse pocula nosti ;
Quas si cum sociis stultus cupidusque bibisset,
Sub domina meretrice fuisset turpis et excors, 25
Vixisset canis imrnundus, vel arnica luto sus.
Nos Humerus suraus, et fruges consumere nati,
Spoiisi PenelopiE, nebulones, Alcinoique,
In cute curanda plus aequo operata juventus ;
Cui pulchrum fuit in medics dormire dies, et 30
Ad strepitimi citharse cessatum ducere curam.
Ut jugulent hominem, suvgunt de nocte latrones :
Ut teipsum serves, non expergisceris ? atqui
Si noles sanus, curres hydropicus: et ni
Posces ante diem librum cum lumine, si non 35
Intendes animum studiis et rebus honestis;
Invidia vel amore vigil torquebere. Nam cur
Quae Isedunt oculum, festinas demere; siquid
Est animum, differs curandi tempusin annum?
Dimidium facti, qui coepit, liabet: sapere aude; 40
Incipe: vivendi recte qui pvorogat horam,
Rusticvis exspectat dum defluat amnis ; at ille
Labitur, et labetur in omne volubilis oevum.
Quaeritur argentum,puerisque beata creandis
Uxor, et inculta; pacantur vomere silvac. 45
Quod satis est cui contingit, nihil amplius optet.
Non domus et fundus, non aeris acervus et auri
^groto domini deduxit corpore febres,
Non animo curas. Valeat possessor oportet,
Si comportatis rebus bene cogitat uti. 50
Qui cupit aut metuit,juvat ilium sic domus, etres,
Ut lippum pictfc tabuke, fomenta podagram,
Auriculas cithara; collecta sorde dolentes.
Sinccrum est nisi vas; quodcumque infundis, accscit.
Kl'ISTOI.AUUM 1,1 R. I. 8. 1^3
Spenie voluptates : iiocct emta dolore voluptas, 55
Semper avarus eget : certum voto pete finem.
Invidus alterius macrescit rebus opirais :
Invidia Siculi non invencre tyranni
jVIajus tormentum. Qui non modei'abitur irae,
Infectum volet esse, dolor quod suaserit et mens, 60
Dum poenas odio per vim festinat inulto.
Ira furor brevis est : animum rege; qui nisi paret,
Imperat : hunc frasnis, hunc tu corapesce catena.
Fingit equum tenera docilem cervice magister
Ire, viam qua monstret eques. Venaticus, ex quo 65
Tempore eervinam pellem latravit in aula,
Militat in silvis catulus. Nunc adbibe pure
Pectore verba puer, nunc te melioribus offer.
Quo semel est imbuta recens, servabit odorem
Testa diu. Quod si cessas, aut strenuus anteis, 7^
Nee tardum opperior, nee prascedentibus insto.
EPISTOLA III.
AD JUI.IUiNI FLORUM.
JuLi Flore, quibus terrarum militet oris
Claudius Augusti privignus, scire laboro.
Thracane vos, Hebrusque nivali compede vinctus.
An freta vicinas inter currentia turres,
An pingues Asioe campi collesque morantur.'' 5
Quid studiosa coliors operum struit ? Haec quoque euro :
Quis sibi res gestas Augusti scribere sumit ?
Bella quis et paces longum diffiuidit in aevum ?
Quid Titius, Romana brevi venturus in ora,
Pindarici fontis qui non expalluit liaustus, 10
Fastidire lacus, et rivos ausus apertos ?
Ut valet ? vit meminit nostri ? fidibusne Latinis
Thebanos aptare modes studet, auspice Musa ?
An tragica desaevit et ampullatur in arte ?
I'J'i Q. HORATir l-T,A('.rr
Quid mihiCelsus agit? monitiis multumque monendus, 15
Privatas ut quaerat opes, et tangere vitet
Scripta, Palatinus quEecumque recepit Apollo ;
Ne, si forte suas repetitum venerit olim
Grex avium plumas, moveat cornicula risum
Furtivis nudata coloribus. Ipse quid audes ? 20
Quae circumvolitas agilis thyma ? non tibi parvum
Ingenium, non incultum est, nee turpiter hirtum.
Seu linguam causis acuis, seu civica jura
Respondere paras, seu condis amabile carmen ;
Prima feres hederas victricis praemia : quod si 25
Frigida curarum fomenta relinquere posses,
Quo te coelestis sapientia duceret, ires.
Hoc opus, hoc studium parvi properemus et ampli,
Si patriae volumus, si nobis vivere cari.
Debes hoc etiam rescribere, si tibi curse, 30
Quantae conveniat, Munatius : an male sarta
Gratia nequicquam coit, et rescinditur ? At vos
Seu calidus sanguis, seu rerum inscitia vexat,
Indomita cervice feros ; ubicunque locorum
Vivitis, indigni fraternum rumpere foedus, 35
Pascitur in vestrum reditum votiva juvenca.
EPISTOLA IV.
AD ALBIUM TIBULLUM.
Albi, nostrorum sermonum candide judex,
Quid nunc te dicam facere in regione Pedana ?
Scribere quod Cassi Parraensis opuscula vincat ?
An taciturn silvas inter reptare salubres,
Curantem quicquid dignum sapiente bonoque est ? 5
Non tu corpus eras sine pectore. Dii tibi formam,
Dii tibi divitias dederunt, artemque fruendi.
Quid voveat dulci nutricula majus alumno,
KPISTOT.AKU.M MB. I. O. l']5
Qui sapere et fari possit quae sentiat, et cui
Gratia, fama, valetudo contingat abunde, 10
Et mundus victus, non deficieiite cvumena ?
Inter spem curamque, timores inter et iras,
Omnem crede diem tibi diluxisse supremum :
Grata superveniet, qute non sperabitur, hora.
Me pinguem et nitidura bene curata cute vises, 15
Cum ridere voles, Epicuri de grege porcum.
EPISTOLA V.
AD TORQUATUM.
Si potes Archiacis conviva recumbere lectis,
Nee modica coenare times olus omne patella ;
Supremo te sole domi, Torquate, manebo.
Vina bibes iterum Tauro diffusa, palustres
Inter Minturnas Sinuessanumque Petrinum. 5
Sin melius quid habes, arcesse, vel imperium fer.
Jamdudum splendet focus, et tibi munda supellex.
Mitte leves spes, et certamina divitiarum,
Et Moschi causam : eras nato Caesare festus
Dat veniam somnumque dies ; impune licebit 10
^stivam sermone benigno tendere noctem.
Quo mihi fortunam, si non conceditur uti ?
Parens ob haeredis curam nimiumque severus
Assidet insano. Potare et spargere flores
Incipiam, patiarque vel inconsultus haberi. 15
Quid non ebrietas designat ? operta recludit ;
Spes jubet esse ratas ; in proelia trudit inertem ;
Solicitis animis onus eximit ; addocet artes :
Foecundi calices quem non fecere disertum ?
Contracta quem non in paupertate solutum ? 20
Haec ego procurare et idoneus imperor, et non
Invitus ; ne turpe toral, ne sordida mappa
17^' Q« HORATII FLATCI
Corruget nares ; ne non et cantliavus et lanx
Ostendat tibi te ; ne fidos inter amicos
Sit qui dicta foras eliminet ; ut coeat par 25
Jungaturque pari. Butram tibi, Septiciumque,
Et nisi coena prior potiorque puella Sabinum
Detinet, assumam : locus est et pluribus umbris ;
Sed nimis arcta premunt olidse convivia caprae.
Tu quotus esse velis, rescribe ; et rebus omissis 30
Atria servantem postico falle clientem.
EPISTOLA VI.
AD NUMICIUM.
Nil admirari prope res est una, Numici,
Solaque, quae possit facere et servare beatum
Hunc solem, et Stellas, et decedentia certis
Tempora momentis, sunt qui formidine nulla
Imbuti spectent : quid censes munera terrae ? 5
Quid maris extremes Arabas ditantis et Indos ?
Ludicra quid, plausus, et amici dona Quiritis ?
Quo spectanda modo, quo sensu credis et ore ?
Qui timet his adversa, fere miratur eodem
Quo cvipiens pacto : pavor est utrobique molestus : 10
Improvisa simul species exterret utrumque.
Gaudeat, an doleat; cupiat, metuatne ; quid ad rem,
Si, quicquid vidit melius pejusve sua spe,
Defixis oculis, animoque et corpore torpet?
Insani sapiens nomen ferat, sequus iniqui, 15
Ultra quam satis est, virtutem si petat ipsam.
I nunc, argentum, et marmor vetus, aeraque et artes
Suspice, cum gemmis Tyrios mirare colores :
Gaude quod spectant oculi te mille loquentem :
Gnavus mane forum, et vespertinus pete tectum j 20
Ne plus frumenti dotalibus emetat agris
Mutus ; et (indignum quod sit) pejoribus ortus,
EPISTOLARUM LIB. I. (). 177
Hie tibi sit potius, quam tu mirabilis illi.
Quicquid sub terra est, in apricum proferet aetas,
Defodiet condetque nitentia. Cum bene notum 25
Porticus Agrippae, et via te eonspexerit Appi,
Ire tamen restat Numa quo devenit et Ancus,
Si latus aut renes morbo tentantur acuto,
Quan-e fugam morbi. Vis recte vivere ? quis non ?
Si virtus hoc una potest dare, fortis omissis 30
Hoc age deliciis. Virtutem verba putes, ut
Lucum ligna? cave ne portus occupet alter;
Ne Cibyratica, ne Bithyna negotia perdas.
Mille talenta rotundentur, totidem altera, porro et
Tertia succedant, et quae pars quadret acervum. 35
Scilicet uxorem cum dote, fidemque, et amicos,
Et genus et formam regina pecunia donat :
Ac bene nummatum decorat Suadela Venusque.
Mancipiis locuples eget aeris Cappadocum rex :
Ne fueris hie tu. Chlamydes Lucullus, ut aiunt. 40
Si posset centum scena? praebere rogatus.
Qui possum tot? ait: tamen etqu2eram, et quot habebo,
Mittam : post paulo scribit, sibi millia quinque
Esse domi chlanjydura ; partem, vel tolleret omnes.
Exilis domus est, ubi non et multa supersunt, 45
Et dominum fallunt, et prosunt furibus. Ergo
Si res sola potest facere et servare beatum,
Hoc primus repetas opus, hoc postremus omittas.
Si fortunatum species et gratia proestat,
Mercemur servum, qui dictet nomina, laevum 50
Qui fodicet latus, et cogat trans jjondcra dextram
Porrigere : Hie multum in Fabia valet, ille Velina ;
Cui libet is fasces dabit, eripietque curule
Cui volet importunus ebur : Prater, Pater, adde ;
Ut cuique est aetas, ita quemque facetus adopta. 55
Si, bene qui coenat, bene vivit ; lucet, eamus
Quo ducit gula : piscemur, venemur ; ut olim
Gargilius, qui mane plagas, venabula, servos.
178 tt. IIORATII FLACCI
Differtum transire forum populumque jubebat,
Unus et e multis populo spectante referret 60
Em turn mulus aprum. Crudi tumidique lavemur,
Quid deceat, quid non, obliti, Caerite cera
Digni, remigium vitiosum Ithacensis Ulyssei,
Cui potior patria fuit interdicta voluptas.
Si, Mimnermus uti censet, sine amore jocisque 65
Nil est jucundum ; vivas in amore jocisque.
Vive, vale : siquid novisti rectius istis,
Candidus imperii ; si non, his utere mecum.
EPISTOLA VII.
AD M.ECENATEM.
QuiNQUE dies tibi pollicitvis me rure futurum,
Sextilem totum mendax desideror. Atqui
Si me vivere vis sanum rectequc valentem,
Quam mihi das aegro, dabis segrotare timenti,
Msecenas, veniam ; dum ficus prima calorque 5
Designatorem decorat lictoribus atris ;
Dum pueris omnis pater et matercula pallet;
Officiosaque sedulitas, et opella forensis
Adducit febres, et testamenta resignat.
Quod si bruma nives Albanis illinet agris, 10
Ad mare descendet vates tuus, et sibi parcet,
Contractusque leget ; te, dulcis amice, reviset
Cum Zephyris, si concedes, et hirundine prima.
Non quo more pyris vesci Calaber jubet hospes,
Tu me fecisti locupletem. ^ Vescere sodes. 15
<||Jam satis est. ^At tu quantumvis tolle. UBenigne.
^Non invisa feres pueris munuscula parvis.
^Tam teneor dono quam si dimittar onustus.
•[[Ut libet : haec porcis hodie comedenda relinquis. —
Prodigus et stultus donat quae spernit ct odit. 20
KPISTOLAllUM LIB. I. *] . 1^9
Haec seges ingratos tulit, et feret omnibus annis.
Vir bonus et sapiens dignis ait esse paratus ;
Nee tamen ignorat quid distent sera lupinis.
Dignum prsestabo me etiam pro laude merentis.
Quod si me noles usquam discedere, reddes 25
Forte latus, nigros angusta fronte capillos ;
Reddes dulce loqui ; reddes riderc decorum, et
Inter vina fugam Cinaraj moerere protervse.
Forte per angustam tenuis nitedula rimam
Repserat in cumeram frumenti ; pastaque rursus 30
Ire foras pleno tendebat corpore frustra :
Cui mustela procul, Si vis, ait, efFugere istinc,
Macra cavum repetes arctum, quem macra subisti.
Hac ego si compellor imagine, cuncta resigno :
Nee somnum plebis laudo, satur altilium, nee 35
Otia divitiis Arabum Uberrima muto.
Saepe verecundum laudasti ; rexque paterquc
Audisti coram ; nee verbo parcius absens :
In spice si possum donata reponere Itetus.
Haud male Telemachus, proles patientis Ulyssci, 40
Non est aptus equis Ithace locus; ut neque planis
Porrectus spatiis, neque multae prodigus herbae :
Atride, magis apta tibi tua dona relinquam.
Parvum parva decent : mihi jam non regia Roma,
Sed vacuvun Tibur placet, aut imbelle Tarentum. 45
Strenuus et fortis, causisque Philippus agendis
Clarus, ab officiis octavam circiter horam
Dum redit, atque Foro nimium distare Carinas
Jam grandis natu queritur, conspexit, ut aiunt,
Adrasum quendam vacua tonsoris in umbra, 50
Cultello proprios purgantem leniter ungues.
Demetri (puer hie non Iteve jussa Philippi
Accipiebat) abi ; quaere, et refer ; unde domo ; quis ;
Cujus fortunae ; quo sit patre, quove patrono.
It, redit, et narrat ; Vulteium nomine Menam, 55
Praeconem, tenui ccnsu, sine crimine notum ;
N 2
180 Q. IIORATII FLAC'CI
Et properare loco et cessare, et quoerere et uti,
Gaudentem parvisque sodalibus, et lare certo,
Et ludis, et post deeisa negotia Campo.
Scitari libet ex ipso quaecunque refers : die 60
Ad ccenam veniat. Non sane credere Mena :
Mirari secum tacitus. Quid multa ? Benigne,
Kespondet. UNeget ille mihi ? IfNegat improbus, et te
Negligit aut horret. IfVulteium mane Philippus
Vilia vendentem tunicato scruta popello 65
Occupat, et salvere jubet prior. Ille Philippo
Excusare laborem, et mercenaria vincla,
Quod non mane domum venisset ; denique quod non
Providisset eum. IfSic ignovisse putato
Me tibi, si coenas liodie mecum. UUt libet. 5[Ergo 70
Post nonam venies : nunc i, rem strenuus auge. —
Ut ventum ad coenam est, dicenda tacenda locutus,
Tandem dormitum dimittitur. Hie, ubi ssepe
Occultum visus decurrere piscis ad hamum,
Mane cliens et jam certus conviva, jubetur ^5
Rura suburbana indictis comes ire Latinis.
Impositus mannis, arvum coelumque Sabinum
Non cessat laudare ; videt ridetque Philippus :
Et sibi dum requiem, dum risus undique quasrit,
Dum septem donat sestertia, mutua septem 80
Promittit, persuadet uti mercetur agellum.
Mercatur : ne te longis ambagibus ultra
Quam satis est morer ; ex nitido fit rusticus, atque
Sulcos et vineta crepat mera, prasparat ulmos,
Immoritur studiis et amore senescit habendi. 85
Verum ubi oves furto, morbo periere capelUie,
Spem mentita seges, bos est enectus arando ;
Oflensus damnis, media de nocte caballum
Arripit, iratusque Philippi tendit ad aedes :
Quem simul aspexit scabrum intonsumque Philippus, 90
Durus, ait, Vultei, nimis attentusque videris
Esse mihi. Pol, me miscruni, patrone, vocares,
I
EPISTOI.ARUM r.IB. I. H. 9. 181
Si vclles, inquit, vevum mihi ponere nomcn.
Quod te per Genium dextraraque Deosque Penates
Obsecro et obtestor, vitae me redde priori. — 95
Qui semel aspexit quantum dimissa petitis
Praestent, mature redeat, repetatque relicta.
Metiri se quemque sue modulo ac pede, verum est.
EPISTOLA VTII.
AD CELSUM ALBINOVANUM.
Celso gaudere et bene rem gerere Albinovano,
Musa rogata refer, comiti scriba?que Neronis.
Si quaeret quid agam ; die, multa et pulchra minantem,
Vivere nee recte, nee suaviter : haud quia grando
Contuderit vites, oleamve momorderit aestus, 5
Nee quia longinquis armentum a?grotct in agris ;
Sed quia mente minus validus quam corpore toto,
Nil audire velim, nil dicere, quod levet segrum ;
Fidis ofFendar medicis, irascar amicis,
Cur me funesto properent arcere veterno ; 10
Quae nocuere sequar, fugiam quae profore credam ;
Romas Tibur amem ventosus, Tibure Romam.
Post hsec, ut valeat, quo pacto rem gerat et se ;
Ut placeat Juveni, percontare, utque cohorti.
Si dicet, Recte ; primum gaudere ; subinde 15
Praeceptum auriculis hoc instillare memento ;
Ut tvi fortunam, sic nos te, Celse, feremus.
EPISTOLA IX.
AD CLAUDIUM NEROIJF.M.
SEPTonus, Claudi, nimirum intelligit unus
Quanti me facias : nam cum rogat, et prece cogit,
182 Q. HORATII FLACCl
Scilicet ut tibi se laudare et tradere coner,
Dignum mente domoque legentis honesta Neronis ;
Munere cum fungi propioris censet amici ; 5
Quid possim, videt ac novit me valdius ipso.
Multa quidem dixi, cur excusatus abirem :
Sed timui, mea ne finxisse minora putarer,
Dissimulator opis proprias, mihi commodus uni.
Sic ego, majoris fugiens opprobria culpae, 10
Frontis ad urbanae descendi praemia. Quod si
Depositum laudas ob amici jussa pudorem,
Scribe tui gregis hunc, et fortem crede bonumque.
EPISTOLA X.
AD FUSCUM ARISTIUM.
Urbis amatorem Fuscum salvere jubemus
Ruris amatores, hac in re scilicet una
Multum dissimiles, at csetera pene gemelli,
Fraternis animis, quicquid negat alter, et alter ;
Annuimus pariter vetuli notique columbi. 5
Tu nidum servas, ego laudo ruris amoeni
Rivos, et musco circumlita saxa, nemusque.
Quid quaeris ? vivo et regno, simul ista reliqui
Quag vos ad ccelum eff'ertis rumore secundo :
Utque sacerdotis fugitivus, liba recuso; 10
Pane egeo jam mellitis potiore placentis.
Vivere naturae si convenienter oportet,
Ponendaeque domo quaerenda est area primum,
Novistine locum potiorem rure beato ?
Est ubi plus tepeant hiemes? ubi gratior aura 15
Leniat et rabiem Canis, et momenta Leonis,
Cum semel accepit solem furibundus acutum ?
Est ubi divellat somnos minus invida cura ?
Deterius Libycis olet aut nitet herba lapillis ?
Purior in vicis aqua tendit rumpere plumbum, 20
EPISTOLARUM LID. T. 11. 183
Quam qua) per pronum trcpidat cum murmurc rivum ?
Nempe inter varias nutritur silva columnas,
Laudaturque domus longos quae prospicit agros.
Naturam expelles furca, tamen usque recurret,
Et mala perrumpet furtim fastidia victrix. 25
Non, qui Sidonio contendere callidus ostro
Nescit Aquinatem potantia vellera fucum,
Certius accipiet damnum, propiusve medullis,
Quam qui non poterit vero distinguere falsum.
Quem res plus nimio delectavere secundae, 30
Mutatae quatient : siquid mirabere, pones
Invitus : fuge magna : licet sub paupere tecto
Reges et regum vita praecurrere amicos.
Cervus equum pugna melior communibus herbis
Pellebat, donee minor in certamine longo 35
Imploravit opes hominis, fraenumque recepit :
Sed postquam violens victo discessit ab hoste,
Non equitem dorso, non fraenum depulit ore.
Sic qui pauperiem veritus, potiore metallis
Libertate caret, dominum vehet improbus, atque 40
Serviet aeternum ; quia parvo nesciet uti.
Cui non conveniet sua res, ut calceus dim,
Si pede major erit, subvertet ; si minor, uret.
Laetus sorte tua vives sapienter, Aristi :
Nee me dimittes incastigatum, ubi plura 45
Cogere quam satis est, ac non cessare videbor.
Imperat aut servit collecta pecunia cuique,
Tortum digna sequi potius quam ducere funem.
Haec tibi dictabam post fanura putre Vacunae,
Excepto quod non simul esses, caetera laetus. 50
EPISTOLA XI.
AD BULLATIUM.
Quid tibi visa Chios, Bullati, notaque Lesbos?
Quid concinna Samos ? quid Croesi regia Sardis ?
184 Q. HORATII FLACCI
Smyrna quid, et Colophon ? majora minorane fama ?
Cunctaque prae Campo et Tiberino flumine sordent?
An venit in votum Attalicis ex urbibus una ? 5
An Lebedum laudas, odio maris atque viarum ?
Scis, Lebedus quid sit ; Gabiis desertior atque
Fidenis vicus ; tamen illic vivere vellem,
Oblitusque meorum, obliviseendus et illis,
Neptunum procul e terra spectare furentem. 10
Sed neque qui Capua Roraam petit, imbre lutoque
Aspersus, volet in caupona vivere ; nee qui
Frigus collegit, furnos et balnea laudat,
Ut fortunatam plene praestantia vitam :
Nee, si te validus jactaverit Auster in alto, 15
Idcirco navem ti-ans /Egseum mare vendas.
Incolumi Rhodos et Mitylene pulchra facit, quod
Faenula solstitio, campestre nivalibus auris,
Fer brumam Tiberis, Sextili mense caminus.
Dum licet, et vultum servat Fortuna benignum, 20
llomse laudetur Samos, et Chios, et Rhodos absens.
Tu quamcunque Deus tibi fortunaverit horam.
Grata sume manu; neu dulcia differ in annum ;
Ut quocunque loco fueris, vixisse libenter
Te dicas : nam si ratio et prudentia curas, 25
Non locus, effusi late maris arbiter, aufert ;
Ccfilum, non aniraum, mutant qui trans mare currunt ;
Strenua nos exercet inertia : navibus atque
Quadrigis petimus bene vivere : quod petis, hie est ;
Est Ulubris ; animus si te non deficit a3quus.
EPISTOLA XII.
AD ICCIUM.
FuucTiBTis Agrippae Siculis, quos colHgis, Icci,
Si recte frucris, non est ut copia major
Ab Jove donari possit tibi : tolle querelas ;
Pauper cnim non est cui rerum suppetit usus.
EPISTOLARUM LIB. T. 13. 185
Si ventri bene, si lateri est pcdibusque tuis, nil 5
Divitiae poterunt regales addere majus.
Si forte in medio positoruin abstemius lierbis
Yivis et urtica, sic vives protinus, ut te
Confestim liquidus fortuna? rivus inauret :
Vel quia naturara mutare pecmiia nescit ; 1
Vel quia cuncta putas una virtute minora.
Miramur si Democriti pecus edit agellos
Cultaque, dum peregre est animus sine corpore velox ?
Cum tu inter scabiem tantam et contagia lucri
Nil parvum sapias, et adliuc sublimia cures : 15
Quse mare compescant causae ; quid temperet annum ;
Stellae sponte sua, jussoene vagentur et errent ;
Quid premat obscurum Luna?, quid proferat orbem ;
Quid velit et possit rerum concordia discors ;
Empedocles, an Stertinium deliret acumen. 20
Verum seu pisces, seu porrura et csepe trucidas,
Utere Pompeio Grospho ; et siquid petet, ultro
Defer : nil Grosphus nisi verum orabit et asquum.
Vilis amicorum est annona, bonis ubi quid de''st.
Ne tamen ignores quo sit Romana loco res : 25
Cantaber Agrippae, Claudi virtute Neronis
Armenius cecidit : jus imperiumque Phraates
Caesaris accepit genibus minor : aurea fruges
ItalioD pleno defudit Copia cornu.
EPISTOLA XIII.
AD VINIUM ASELLAM.
Ux proficiscentem docui te sacpe diuque,
Augusto reddes signata volumina, Vini,
Si validus, si laetus erit, si denique poscet ;
Ne studio nostri pecces, odiumque libellis
Sedulus importes, opera vehemente minister.
Si te forte meae gravis uret sarcina chartas,
186 Q. HORATIT FLACCI
Abjicito potius, quara quo perferre juberis
Clitellas ferus impingas, Asinaeque paternum
Cognomen vertas in risum, et fabula fias.
Viribus uteris per clivos, flumina, lamas : 10
Victor propositi simul ac perveneris illuc,
Sic positum servabis onus, ne forte sub ala
Fasciculum portes librorum, ut rusticus agnum ;
Ut vinosa glomos furtivae Pyrrhia lanse;
Ut cum pileolo soleas conviva tribulis. 15
Ne vulgo narres te sudavisse ferendo
Carmina; quae possint oculos auresque morari
Caesaris : oratus multa prece, nitere porro.
Vade, vale, cave ne titubes, mandataque frangas.
EPISTOLA XIV.
AD VILLICUM SUUM.
ViLLiCE silvarum et mibi me reddentis agelli,
Quern tu fastidis, habitatum quinque focis, et
Quinque bonos solitum Variam dimittere patres ;
Certemus spinas animone ego fortius, an tu
Evellas agro; et melior sit Horatius, an res. 5
Me quamvis Lamise pietas et cura moratur,
Fratrem moerentis, rapto de fratre dolentis
Insolabiliter ; tamen istuc mens animusque
Fert, et amat spatiis obstantia rumpere claustra.
Rure ego viventem, tu dicis in urbe beatum: 10
Cui placet alterius, sua nimirum est odio sors.
Stultus uterque locum immeritum causatur inique ;
In culpa est animus, qui se non effugit unquam.
Tu mediastinus tacita prece rura petebas.
Nunc urbem et ludos et balnea villicus optas : 15
Me constare mihi scis, et discedere tristem,
Quandocunque trahunt invisa negotia Romam.
Non eadem miramur; eo disconvenit inter
EPISTOLARUM LTR. T. 15. 187
Meque et te : nam, qua3 deserta et inhospita tesqua
Credis, amoena vocat mecum qui sentit, et odit 20
Quae tu pulclira putas. Fornix tibi et uncta popina
Incutiunt urbis desiderium, video ; et quod
Angulus iste feret piper et tus ocius uva ;
Nee vicina subest vinum pr?ebere taberna
Quae possit tibi ; nee meretrix tibicina, cujus 25
Ad strepitum salias terras gravis : et tamen urgues
Jampridem non tacta ligonibus arva, bovemque
Disjunctum curas, et strictis frondibus exples :
Addit opus pigro rivus, si dceidit imber,
Multa mole docendus aprico parcere prato. 30
Nunc, age, quid nostrum concentum dividat, audi.
Quern tenues decuere togae nitidique capilli,
Quem scis immunem Cinara? placuisse rapaci,
Quem bibulum liquidi media de luce Falerni,
Coena brevis juvat, et prope rivum somnus in herba : 35
Nee lusisse pudet, sed non incidere ludum.
Non istic obliquo oculo mea commoda quisquam
Limat ; non odio obscuro morsuque venenat :
Rident vicini glebas et saxa moventem.
Cum servis urbana diaria rodere mavis ; 40
Horum tu in numerum vote ruis : invidet usum
Lignorum et pecoris tibi calo argutus, et horti.
Optat epliippia bos, piger optat arare caballus :
Quam scit uterque, libens, censebo, exerceat artem.
EPISTOLA XV.
AD NUMONIUM VALAM.
QVM sit hiems Velise, quod coelum, Vala, Salerni,
Quorum hominum regio, et qualis via: (nam mihi Baias
Musa supervacuas Antonius, et tamen illis
Me facit invisum, gelida cum perluor unda
Per medium frigus : sane murteta relinqui, 5
188 Q. HORATII FLACCI
Dictaque cessantem nervis clidere morbum
Sulphura contemni, vicus gemit, iuvidus segris,
Qui caput et stomachum supponere fontibus audent
Clusinis, Gabiosque petunt, et frigida rura.
Mutandus locus est, et diversoria nota 10
Praeteragendus equus : Quo tendis ! non mihi Cumas
Est iter, aut Baias, l»va stomachosus habena
Dicet eques ; sed equi frfcnato est auris in ore :) —
Major utrum populum frumenti copia pascat ;
Collectosne bibant imbres, puteosne pereunes 15
Jugis aquEe ; nam vina nihil moror illius orse.
Rure meo possum quidvis perferre patique ;
Ad mare cum veni, generosum et lene requiro ;
Quod curas abigat, quod cum spe divite manet
In venas animumque meum, quod verba ministret, 20
Quod me Lucanae juvenem commendet amicai : —
Tractus uter plures lepores, uter educet apros : 1
Utra magis pisces et echinos asquora celent ;
Pinguis ut inde domum possim Phseaxque reverti : —
Scribere te nobis, tibi nos, accredere par est. 25
Masnius, ut rebus maternis atque paternis
Fortiter absumtis, urbanus coepit liaberi,
Scurra vagus, non qui certum prassepe teneret,
Impransus non qui civem dignosceret hoste ;
Quaelibet in quemvis opprobria fingere s«vus ; 30
Pernicies et tempestas barathrumque macelli,
Quicquid quaesierat, ventri donabat avaro:
Hie ubi nequitise f'autoribus et timidis nil
Aut paulum abstulerat, patinas coenabat omasi,
Vilis et agninae, tribus ursis quod satis esset ; 35
Scilicet ut ventres lamna candente nepotum
Diceret urendos, corrector Bestius. Idem
Si quid erat nactus prsedae majoris, ubi omne
Verterat in fumum et cinerem, Non hercule miror,
Aiebat, siqui comedunt bona ; cum sit obeso 40
Nil melius turdo, nil vulva pulchrius ampla.
EPISTOLAllUM LIK. 1. 16. 189
Nimirum hie ego sum : nam tuta et parvula laudo,
Cum res deficiunt, satis inter vilia fortis :
Verum ubi quid melius contingit et unctius, idem
Vos sapere et solos aio bene vivere, quorum 45
Conspicitur nitidis fundata pecunia villis.
EPISTOLA XVI.
AD aUINCTIUM.
Ne perconteris, fvmdus mens, optime Quincti,
Arvo pascat herum, an baecis opulentet olivae,
Pomisne, an pratis, an amicta vitibus ulmo :
Scribetur tibi forma loquaciter, et situs agri.
Continui montes, nisi dissocientur opaca 5
Valle ; sed ut veniens dextrum latus aspiciat Sol,
Leevum decedens curru fugiente vaporet.
Temperiem laudes. Quid si rubicunda benigne
Corna vepres et pruna ferunt ? si quercus et ilex
Multa fruge pecus, multa dominum juvat umbra ? 10
Dicas adductum propius frondere Tarentum.
Fons etiam rivo dare nomen idoneus, vit nee
Frigidior Thracam, nee purior ambiat Hebrus ;
Infirmo capiti fluit utilis, utilis alvo.
Hae latebrse dulces, etiam, si credis, amoena3, 15
Incolumem tibi me prsestant Septembribus horis.
Tu recte vivis, si curas esse quod audis :
Jactamus jampridem omnis te lloma beatum
Sed vereor ne cui de te plus quam tibi credas,
Neve putes alium sapiente bonoque beatum, 20
Neu, si te populus sanum recteque valentem
Dictitet, occultam febrem sub tempus edendi
Dissimules, donee manibus tremor incidat unctis.
Stultorum incurata pudor malus ulcera celat.
Siquis bella tibi terra pugnata marique 25
190 Q. HORATII FLACCl
Dicat, et his verbis vacuas permulceat aures ;
" Tene magis salvum populus velit, an populum tu,
" Servet in ambiguo, qui consulit et tibi et urbi,
" Jupiter"" ; Augusti laudes agnoscere possis.
Cum pateris sapiens emendatusque vocari, 30
Respondesne tuo, die sodes, nomine ? 1[ Nempe
Vir bonus et prudens dici delector ego ac tu.
H Qui dedit hoc hodie, eras, si volet, auferet; ut si
Detulerit fasces indigno, detrahet idem.
Pone, meum est, inquit : pono tristisque recedo. 35
Idem si clamet furem, neget esse pudicum,
Contendat laqueo collum pressisse paternum,
Mordear opprobriis falsis, mutemque colores ?
Falsus honor juvat, et mendax infamia terret,
Quern, nisi mendosum et medicandum ? Vir bonus est quis ?
Qui consulta patrum, qui leges juraque servat ; 41
Quo multae magneeque secantur judice lites ;
Quo res sponsore et quo causae teste tenentur :
Sed videt hunc omnis domus et vicinia tota
Introrsus turpem, speciosum pelle decora. 45
Nee furtum feci, nee fugi, si mihi dicat
Servus : Habes pretium, loris non ureris, aio.
^ Non hominem occidi : ^ Non pasces in cruce corvos.
^ Sum bonus, et frugi : ^ Renuit negitatque Sabellus :
Cautus enim metuit foveam lupus, accipiterque 50
Suspectos laqueos, et opertum millius hamum.
Oderunt peccare boni virtutis amore ;
Tu nihil admittes in te formidine pcense :
Sit spes fallendi, miscebis sacra profanis.
Nam de mille fabas modiis cum surripis unum, 55
Damnum est, non facinus mihi pacto lenius isto.
Vir bonus, omne forum quem spectat et omne tribunal,
Quandocunque Deos vel porco vel bove placat,
Jane pater, clare, clare cum dixit, Apollo :
Labra movet, metuens audiri : Pulchra Laverna, 60
Da mihi fallcre, da justo sanctoque videri ;
EPISTOLAKUM LIB. I. 1^. 191
Noctem peccatis, et fraudibus objice nubem.
Qui nielior servo, qui liberior sit avarus,
In triviis fixum cum se demittit ob assem,
Non video : nam qui cupiet, metuet quoque ; porro 65
Qui metuens vivet, liber mihi non erit unquam.
Perdidit arma, locum virtutis deseruit, qui
Semper in augenda festinat et obruitur re.
Vendere cum possis captivum, occidere noli :
Serviet utiliter : sine pascat durus, aretque ; 7^
Naviget ac mediis hiemet mercator in undis ;
Annonas prosit ; portet frumenta penusque.
Vir bonus et sapiens audebit dicere ; Penthcu,
Rector Thebarum, quid me perferre patique 7"^
Indignum coges ? ^Adimambona. •[[ Nempe pecus, rem,
Lectos, argentum : tollas licet. ^ In manicis et
Compedibus saevo te sub custode tenebo.
^ Ipse Deus, simul atque volam, me solvet. — Opinor,
Hoc sentit : Moriar ; mors ultima linea rerum est.
EPISTOLA XVII.
AD SC.EVAM.
QuAMvis, ScBBva, satis per te tibi consulis, et scis
Quo tandem pacto deceat majoribus uti ;
Discs, docendus adhuc quas censet amiculus ; ut si
Caecus iter monstrare velit : tamen aspice, si quid
Et nos, quod cures proprium fecisse, loquamur. 5
Si te grata quies et primam somnus in lioram
Delectat ; si te pulvis strepitusque rotarum,
Si laedit caupona, Ferentinum ire jubebo :
Nam neque divitibus contingunt gaudia solis ;
Nee vixit male, qui natus moriensque fefellit. 10
Si prodesse tuis, pauloque benignius ipsum
Te tractare voles, accedes siccus ad unctum.
192 Q. HOKATII FLACCI
^ Si pranderet olus pati enter, regibus uti
Nollet Aristippus. ^ Si sciret regibus uti,
Fastidiret olus, qui me notat. % Utrius horum 15
Verba probes et facta, doce ; vel junior audi,
Cur sit Aristippi potior sententia : namque
Mordacem Cynicum sic eludebat, ut ajunt :
1[ Scurror ego ipse mihi, populo tu : rectius hoc et
Splendidius multo est. Equus ut me portet, alat rex, 20
Officium facio : tu poscis vilia rerum
Dante minor, quamvis fers te nuUius egentem. —
Omnis Aristippum decuit color, et status, et res
Tentantem majora, fere praesentibus asquum.
Contra, quern duplici panno patientia velat, 25
Mirabor, vitae via si conversa decebit.
Alter purpureum non exspectabit amictum,
Quidlibet indutus celeberrima per loca vadet,
Personamque feret non inconcinnus utramque :
Alter Mileti textam cane pejus et angue 30
Vitabit chlamydem ; morietur frigore, si non
Retuleris pannum : refer, et sine vivat ineptus,
Res gerere et captos ostendcre civibus hostes,
Attingit solium Jovis, et coelestia tentat :
Principibus placuisse viris, non ultima laus est. 35
Non cviivis homini contingit adire Corinthum.
Sedit qui timuit ne non succederet : esto :
Quid, qui pervenit, fecitne viriliter ? Atqui
Hie est, aut nusquam, quod quaerimus : hie onus horret,
Ut parvis animis et parvo corpore majus ; 40
Hie subit, et perfert. Aut virtus nomen inane est,
Aut decus et prctium recte petit expcriens vir.
Coram rege sua de paupertate tacentes
Plus poscente ferent : distat, sumasne pudenter,
An rapias : atqui rerum caput hoc erat, hie fons. 45
" Indotata mihi soror est, paupercula mater,
" Et fundus nee vendibilis, nee pascere firmus,"
Qui dicit, clamat, " Victum date": succinit alter,
' EPISTOLAUUM LIB. I. 18. 1 93
" Et mihi dividuo findctur munere quadra.''*'
Sed tacitus pasci si posset covvus, liaberet ,50
Plus dapis, et rixae multo minus invidiseque.
Brundusium comes aut Surrentum ductus amoenum,
Qui queritur salebras, et acerbum frigus, et iml)res,
Aut cistam effractam aut subducta viatica plorat,
Nota refert meretricis acumina, saepe catcllam, 55
Saspe periscelidem raptam sibi flentis ; uti iviox
Nulla fides damnis verisque doloribus adsit.
Nee semel irrisus triviis attollcrc curat
Fracto crure planum : licet illi pluvima manct
I.acrima; per sanctum juratus dicat Osirim, 60
Credite, non ludo ; crudeles tollite claudum :
Quaere peregrinum, vicinia rauca rcclamat.
EPISTOLA X\ III
AD I.GLLIUM,
St bene te novi, metucs, liberrime Lolli,
Scurrantis speciem prnebcre, professus amicum.
Ut matrona meretrici dispar erit atquc
Discolor, infido scurra? distabit amicus.
Est liuic diversum vitio vitium prope majus, 5
Asperitas agrestis, et inconcinna, gravisque,
Quae se commendat tonsa cute, dentibus atris ;
Dum vult libertas dici mera, veraque virtus.
Virtus est medium vitiorum, et utrinque reductum.
Alter, in obscquium plus ;cquo pronus, et imi 10
Derisor lecti, sic nutum divitis horret,
Sic iterat voces, et verba cadentia tollit,
Ut puerum sasvo credas dictata magistro
Reddere, vel partes mimum tractare secundas :
Alter, rixator, de lana ssepe caprina 15
Propugnat nugis armatus : Scilicet, ut non
Sit mibi prima fides, et verc quod placet ut non
o
194 Q. HORATII FLACCI
Acriter elatrem, pretium aetas altera sordet.
Ambigitur quid enim ? Castor sciat an Dolichos plus ;
Brundusium Minuci melius via ducat, an Appi. 20
Quern damnosa Venus, quern praeceps alea nudat,
Gloria quetn supra vires et vestit et unguit,
Quem tenet argenti sitis importuna famesque,
Quera paupertatis pudor et fuga, dives amicus,
Saepe decem vitiis instructior, odit et horret : 25
Aut, si non odit, regit : ac, veluti pia mater,
Plus quam se sapere et virtutibus esse priorem
Vult : et ait prope vera ; Meee (contendere noli)
Stultitiam patiuntur opes ; tibi parvula res est :
Arcta decet sanum comitem toga ; desine mecum 30
Certare. Eutrapelus cuicunque nocere volebat,
Vestimenta dabat pretiosa : beatus enim jam
Cum pulchris tunicis sumet nova consilia, et spes ;
Dormiet in lucem ; scorto postponet honestum
Officium ; nummos alienos pascet; ad imum 35
Threx erit, aut olitoris aget mercede caballum.
Arcanum neque tu scrutaberis illius unquam ;
Commissumque teges, et vino tortus et ira.
Nee tua laudabis studia, aut aliena reprendes;
Nee, cum venari volet ille, poemata panges. 40
Gratia sic fratrum geminorum, Amphionis atque
Zethi, dissiluit, donee suspecta severo
Conticuit lyra ; fraternis cessisse putatur
Moribus Amphion : tu cede potentis amici
Lenibus imperiis ; quotiesque educet in agros 45
^tolis onerata plagis jumenta canesque,
Surge, et inhumanse senium depone Camoense,
Coenes ut pariter pulmenta laboribus emta ;
Romanis solenne viris opus, utile famse,
Vitaeque et membris ; prsesertim cum valeas, et 50
Vel cursu superare canem vel viribus aprum
Possis : adde, virilia quod speciosius arma
Non est qui tractet ; scis quo clamore coronas
EPISTOLARUM LTl?. T. Ml 195
Proclia sustineas campcstria : deniquc sasvam
Militiam puer et Cantabrica bella tulisti, 55
Sub duce qui templis Parthorum signa refigit
Nunc, et siquid abest, Italis adjudicat armis.
Ac, ne te retrahas et inexcusabilis abstes,
Quamvis nil extra numerum fecisse modunique
Curas, interdum nugaris rure paterno : 60
Partitur lintres exercitus ; Actia pugna
Te duce per pueros hostili more refertur ;
Adversarius est frater ; lacus, Adria ; donee
Alterutrum velox victoria fronde coronet.
Consentire suis studiis qui crediderit te, 65
Fautor utroque tuum laudabit pollice ludum.
Protinus ut moneam (siquid monitoris eges tu)
Quid, de quo-que viro, et cui dicas, saepe videto.
Percontatorem fugito: nam garrulus idem est ;
Nee retinent patulse commissa fideliter aures ; 7^
Et semel emissum volat inrevocabile verbum.
Non ancilla tuum jecur ulceret ulla, puerve.
Intra marmoreum vencrandi limen amici :
Ne dominus puei'i pulcbri caraeve puellse
Munere te parvo beet, aut incom modus angat. 'J 5
Qualem commendes, etiam atque etiam aspice ; ne mox
Incutiant aliena tibi peccata pudorem.
Fallimur, et quondam non dignum tradimus : ergo
Quem sua culpa premet, deceptus omitte tueri ;
Ut, penitus notum si tentent crimina, serves, 80
Tuterisque tuo fidentem praesidio : qui
Dente Theonino cum circumroditur, ecquid
Ad te post paulo ventura pericula sentis ?
Nam tua res agitur, paries cum proximus ardet ;
Et neglecta solent incendia sumere vires. 85
Dulcis inexpertis cultura potentis amici,
Expertus metuit. Tu, dum tua navis in alto est.
Hoc age, ne mutata retrorsum te ferat aura.
Oderunt hilarem tristes, tristemque jocosi,
o 2
196 Q. HOBATII FLACCI
Sedatum celeres, agilem gnavumque remissi ; 90
Potores liquid! media de luce Falerni
Oderunt porrecta negantem pocula ; quamvis
Nocturnos jures te formidare vapores.
Deme supercilio nubem : plerumque modestus
Occupat obscuri speciem, taciturnus acerbi. 95
Inter cvnicta leges et percunctabere doctos,
Qua ratione queas traducere leniter aevum,
Ne te semper-inops agitet vexetque cupido,
Ne pavor et rerum mediocriter utilium spes :
Virtutem doctrina paret, naturane donet ; 100
Quid minuat curas, quid te tibi reddat amicum ;
Quid pure tranquillet, honos, an dulce lucelluni,
An secretum iter, et fallentis semita vitae.
Me quoties reficit gelidus Digentia rivus.
Quern Mandela bibit, rugosus frigore pagus, 105
Quid sentire putas? quid credis, amice, precari?
Sit mihi quod nunc est ; etiam minvis : et mihi vivam
Quod superest sevi, siquid superesse volunt Dii ;
Sit bonalibrorum etprovisag frugis in annum
Copia ; neu fluitem dubiae spe pendulus horae. 110
Sed satis est orare Jovem quae donat et aufert :
Det vitam, det opes: aequum mi animum ipse parabo.
EPISTOLA XIX.
AD M.ECENATEM.
pRisco si credis, Maecenas docte, Cratino,
Nulla placere diu, nee vivere carmina possunt,
Quae scribuntur aquas potoribus : ut male sanos
Ascripsit Liber Satyris Faunisque poetas,
Vina fere dulces oluerunt mane Cauicenfe.
Laudibus arguitur vini vinosus Homerus :
Ennius ipse pater nunquam nisi potus ad arma
EPISTOLAllUM LIU. I. 19- 197
j'rosiluit dicenda. " Forum putcalquc Libonis
" Mandabo siccis, adimam cantare sevcris.'"''
Hoc simul edixi, non cessavere poetas 10
Nocturno certare mero, putere diurno.
Quid ? siquis vultu torvo ferus, et pede nudo,
Exiguoeque togae simulet textore Catonem,
Virtutemne repraesentet moresque Catonis ?
Ilupit larbitam Timagenis aemula lingua, 15
Dum studet urbanus, tcnditque disertus haberi.
Decipit exemplar vitiis imitabile : quod si
Pallerem casu, biberent exsangue cuminum,
O imitatores, servum pecus, ut mihi bilem,
Ut mihi saepe jocum vestri movere tumultus ! 20
Libera per vacuum posui vestigia princeps ;
Non aliena meo pressi pede : qui sibi fidit,
Dux regit examen. Paries ego primus iambos
Ostendi Latio, numeros animosque secutus
Archilochi, non res et agentia verba Lycamben. 25
Ac, ne me foliis ideo brevioribus ornes,
Quod timui mutare modos et carminis artem,
Temperat Archilochi musam pede mascula Sappho,
Temperat Alcaeus ; sed rebus et ordine dispar,
Nee socerum quccrit quem versibus oblinat atris, 30
Nee sponsae laqueum famoso carmine nectit.
Hunc ego, non alio dictum prius ore, Latinus .
Vulgavi fidicen : juvat immemorata ferentem
Ingenuis oculisque legi manibusque teneri.
Scire velis mea cur ingratus opuscula lector 35
Laudet ametque domi, premat extra limen iniquus ?
Non ego ventosae plebis suffragia venor
Impensis ccenarum et tritse munere vestis ;
Non ego nobilium scriptorum auditor et ultor,
Grammaticas ambire tribus et pulpita dignor : 40
Hinc illsD lacrymJE. Spissis indigna theatris
Scripta pudet rccitare, et nugis addere pondus,
198 Q. HOllATII FLACCI
Si dixi ; Rides, ait, et Jovis auribus ista
Servas : fidis enim manare poetica mella
Te solum, tibi pulcher. Ad haec ego naribus uti 45
Formido : et, luctantis acuto ne secer ungui,
Displicet iste locus, clamo, et diludia posco.
Ludus enim genuit trepidum certamen et iram,
Ira truces inimicitias et funebre bellum.
EPISTOLA XX.
AD LIBRUM SUUM.
Vertumnum Janumquc, liber, spectare videris ;
Scilicet ut prostes Sosiorum pumice mundus.
Odisti claves, et grata sigilla pudico :
Faucis ostendi gemis, et communia laudas,
Noil ita nutritus. Fuge quo descendere gestis : 5
Non erit emisso reditus tibi. Quid miser egi ?
Quid volui ? dices, ubi quid te laeserit, et scis
In breve te cogi, pleiius cum languet amator.
Quod si non odio peccantis desipit augur,
Carus eris Romse, donee te deserat aetas. 10
Contrectatus ubi manibus sordescere vulgi
Coeperis, aut tineas pasces taciturnus inertes,
Aut fugies Uticam, aut vinctus mitteris Ilerdam.
Ridebit monitor non exauditus ; ut ille
Qui mcile parentem in rupes protrusit asellum 15
Iratus : quis enim invitum servare laboret ?
Hoc quoque te manet, ut pueros elementa docentem
Occupet extremis in vicis balba senectus.
Cum tibi sol tepidus plures admoverit aures, ■
Me libertino natum patre et in tenui re 20
Majores pennas nido extendisse loqueris ;
Ut quantum gcneri demas, virtutibus addas :
EPISTOLARUM LIB. I. 20. 199
Me pritnis urbis belli placuisse domique,
Corporis exigui, prsecanum, solibus aptum,
Irasci eelerem, tamen ut placabilis essem. 25
Forte meura siquis te percontabitur aevum,
Me quater undenos sciat implevisse Decembres,
Collegam Lepidum quo duxit Lollius anno.
Q. HORATII FLACCI
CARMEN SJiCULARE.
(metrum XVIIl.)
Ph(ebe silvarumque potens Diana,
Lucidum cceli decus, O colendi
Semper et culti, date quae precamur
Tempore prisco ;
Quo Sibyllini monuerc versus, 5
Virgines*Iectas, puerosquc castos,
Diis, quibus septem placuere colics,
Dicere carmen.
Alme Sol, curru nitido diem qui
Promis et celas, aliusquc et idem 10
Nasceris ; possis nihil urbe lloma
Visere majus.
Rite maturos aperire partus
Lenis Ilitliyia, tuere matres ;
Sive tu Lucina probas vocari, 15
Seu Genitalis.
Diva, producas subolem, patrumque
Prospercs decreta super jugandis
Foeminis, prolisque novse feraci
Lege marita : 20
Certus undenos decies per annos
Orbis ut cantus referatque ludos,
Ter die claro, totiesque grata
Nocte, frequentes.
Vosque veraces cecinisse Parcae, 25
Quod semel dictum est, stabilisque reruni
'J erminus servat ; bona jam peractis
Jungite fata^
CAUMKN S,E(;ULAKE. 201
Fcrtilis frugum pecovisque Tellus
Spicea donct Cererem corona : 30
Nutriant footus et aquas salubrcs
Et Jovis aiirse.
Condito mitis placidusque telo
Supplices audi pueros, Apollo ;
Siderum regina bicornis audi, 35
Luna, puellas :
Roma si vestrum est opus, Iliasque
Littus Etruscum tenuere turmae,
Jussa pars mutare Lares ct urbem,
Sospite cursu ; 40
Cui per ardentem sine fraude Trojam
Castus yEneas, patria) supcrstes, •
Liberum munivit iter, daturus
Plura relictis :
Dii probos mores docili juventce, 45
Dii senectuti placida^ quietem,
Komulse genti date remque prolcmque
Et decus omne.
Quique vos bubus vencratur albis
Clarus Anchisffi Venerisque sanguis, 50
Imperet, bellante prior, jaccntem
Lenis in hostem.
Jam mari terraque manus potcntcs
Medus Albanasque timet secures :
Jam Scythoe responsa petunt, superbi 55
Nuper, et Indi.
Jam Fides, et Pax, ct Honor, Pudorquc
Priscus, et neglecta redirc Virtus
Audet ; apparetquc beata plcno
- Copia cornu. 60
Augur ct fulgente decerns arcu
Phoebus, acccptusquc novem Camoenis,
Qui salutari Icvat arte fessos
Corporis artus,
202 Q. HOBATII FLACCI CARMEN SECULARS.
Si Palatinas videt aequus aras, 65
Remque Romanam Latiumque felix
Alterum in lustrum meliusque semper
Proroget asvum.
Quaeque Aventinum tenet Algidumque,
Quindecim Diana preces virorum ^0
Curet, et votis puerorum arnicas
Applicet aures.
Hgec Jovem sen tire Deosque cunctos,
Spem bonam certamque domum reporto,
Doctus et Phoebi chorus et Dianse 7^
Dicere laudes.
Q. HORATII FLACCI
CARMINUM
LIBER QUARTUS.
ODE I. (m. XV.)
AD VENEREM.
Intermissa, Venus, ctiu,
Rursus bella moves ? Farce, precor, precor.
Non sum qualis eram bonae
Sub regno Cinaras. Desine, dulcium
Mater saeva Cupidinum, 5
Circa lustra decern flectere moUibus
Jam durum imperils. Abi
Quo blandae juvenum te revocant preces,
Tempestivius in domum
Pauli, purpureis ales oloribus, ]0
Comissabere Maximi,
Si torrere jecur quaeris idoneum.
Namque et nobilis et decens
Et pro solicitis non tacitus reis,
Et centum puer artium, 15
Late signa feret militiae tuae.
Et quandoque potentior
Largis muneribus riserit aemuli,
Albanos prope te lacus
Ponet marmoream, sub trabe citrea. 20
lUic plurima naribus
Duces tura, lyreeque et Berecyntiae
Delectabere tibise
Mistis carminibus, non sine fistula.
Illic bis pueri die 25
Numcn cum teneris virginibus tuum
204 Q. HOllATII FLACCI
Laudantes, pede candido
In morem Salium, ter quatient humum.
Me nee foemina, nee puer
Jam, nee spes animi eredula mutui, 30
Nee certare juvat mero,
Nee vincire novis tempora floribus.
Sed cur, heu ! Ligurine, cur
Manat rara meas lacrima per genas ?
Cur facunda parum decoro 35
Inter verba cadit lingua silentio ?
Nocturnis ego somniis
Jam captum teneo : jam volucrem scquor
Te per gi-amina Martii
Campi ; te per aquas, dure, volubiles. 40
ODE 11. (m. xviii.)
AD ANTONIUM lULUM.
PiNDAUUM quisquis studet aemulari,
Jule, ceratis ope Daedalca
Nititur pennis, vitreo daturus
Nomina ponto.
Monte decurrens velut amnis, imbrcs 5
Qucm super notas aluerc ripas,
Fcrvet immensusque ruit profundo
Pindarus ore,
Laurea donandus Apollinari,
Sou per audaces nova Dithyrambos 10
Verba devolvit, numerisque fcrtur
Lege solutis ;
Scu Deos, regesve eanit, Deorum
Sanguinem, per quos cecidere justa
Morte Ccntauri, cecidit tremcndac 15
I'lamma Chimaera; ;
CARMINUM LIB. IV. 2. 205
Sivc, quos Elea domum reducit
Palma coelestes, pugilcmve equumve
Dicit, et centum potiorc signis
Munere donat ; 20
Flebili sponsae juvenemve raptum
Plorat ; et vires animumque moresque
Aureos educit in astra, nigroque
Invidet Oreo.
Multa Dircfeum levat aura cycnum, 25
Tendit, Antoni, quoties in altos
Nubium tractus: ego, apis Matina?
More modoque
Grata carpentis thyma per laborem
Plurimum, circa nemus uvidique 30
Tiburis ripas operosa parvus
Carmina fingo.
Concines majore Poeta plectro
CcBsarem, quandoque trahet feroces
Per Sacrum clivum, merita decorus 35
Fronde, Sicambros ;
Quo nihil majus melius ve terris
Fata donavere, bonique Divi ;
Nee dabunt, quamvis redeant in aurum
Tempora priscum. 40
Concines leetosque dies, et urbis
Publicum ludum, super impetrato
Fortis Augusti reditu, forumque
Litibus orbum.
Tum meae (siquid loquar audiendum) 45
Vocis accedet bona pars ; et, O Sol
Pulcher, O laudande, canam, recepto
Csesare felix.
Isque dum procedit, lo Triumphe !
Non semel dicemus, lo Triumphe ! 50
Civitas omnis ; dabimusque Divis
Tura beniffnis.
206 Q. HORATII FLACCI
Te decern tauri totidemque vaccse,
Me tener solvet vitulus relicta
Matre, qui largis juvenescit herbis 55
In mea vota,
Fronte curvatos imitatus ignes
Tertium Lunae referentis ortum,
Qua notam duxit, niveus videri,
Ca3tera fulvus. 60
ODE III. (m. XV.)
AD MELPOMENEN.
QuEM tu Melpomene semel
Nascentem placido lumine videris,
Ilium non labor Isthmius
Clarabit pugilem, non equus impiger
Curru ducet Acliaico 5
Victorem ; neque res bellica Deliis
Ornatum foliis dueem.
Quod regum tumidas contuderit minas,
Ostendet Capitolio ;
Sed quae Tibur aquae fertile praefluunt, 10
Et spissae nemorum comae,
Fingent t^loHo carmine nobilem,
Romae principis urbium
Dignatur suboles inter amabiles
Vatum ponere me choros ; 15
Et jam dente minus mordeor invido.
O testudinis aureae
Dulcem quae strepitum, Fieri, temperas !
O mutis quoque piscibus
Donatura cycni, si libeat, sonum ! 20
Totum muneris hoc tui est,
Quod monstror digito praetereuntium,
Romanae fidicen lyrae :
Quod spiro et placeo (si placco), tuum est.
CARMINUM LIB. IV. 4. 207
ODE IV. (m. XIX.)
QuALEM ministrum fulminis alitem
(Cui rex Deorum rcgnum in aves vagas
Permisit, expertus fidelem
Jupiter in Ganymede flavo)
Olim juventas et patrius vigor 5
Nido laborum propulit inscium,
Vernique, jam nimbis remotis,
Insolitos docuere nisus
Venti paventem ; mox in ovilia
Demisit liostem vividus impetus ; 10
Nunc in reluctantes dracones
Egit amor dapis atque pugnae ;
Qualemve Isetis caprea pascuis
Intenta, fulvse matris ab ubere
Jam lacte depulsum leonem, 15
Dente novo peritura, vidit :
Videre Rhaetis bella sub Alpibus
Drusum gerentera Vindelici ; quibus
Mos unde deductus per omne
Tempus Amazonia securi 20
Dextras obarmet, quaerere distuli,
Nee scire fas est omnia : sed diu
Lateque victrices catervse,
Consiliis juvenis repressae,
Sensere quid mens rite, quid indoles 25
Nutrita faustis sub penetralibus
Posset, quid Augusti paternus
In pueros animus Nerones.
Fortes creantur fortibus ; et bonis
Est in juvencis, est in equis patrum 30
Virtus ; nee imbellem feroces
Progenerant aquila^ columbam.
Doctrina sed vim promovet insitam ;
Rectique cultus pectora roborant :
208 Q. HORATII FLAfTI
Utcunque defecere mores, 35
Inclecorant bene nata culpte.
Quid debeas, O Roma, Neronibus,
Testis Metaurum flumen, et Asdnibal
Devictus, et pulcher fugatis
Ille dies Latio tenebris, 40
Qui primus alma risit adorea,
Dirus per urbes Afer ut Italas,
Ceu flamma per tsedas, vel Eurus
Per Siculas equitavit undas.
Post hoc secundis usque laboribus 45
Romana pubes crevit ; et impio
Vastata Pcenorum tumultu
Fana Deos habuere rectos :
Dixitque tandem perfidus Annibal,
Cervi, luporum praeda rapacium, 50
Sectamur ultro quos opimus
Fallere et effugere est triumpbus.
Gens, quae cremato fortis ab Ilio
Jactata Tuscis aequoribus sacra
Natosque maturosque patres 55
Pertulit Ausonias ad urbes,
Duris ut ilex tonsa bipennibus
Nigrae feraci frondis in Algido,
Per damna, per caedes, ab ipso
Ducit opes animumquc ferro. 60
Non Hydra secto corpore iirmior
Vinci dolentem crevit in Herculem ;
Monstrumve summisere Colclii
Majus, Ecbionioeve Thebae.
Merses profundo, pulchrior evenit: * 65
lAictere, multa proruet integrum
Cum laude victorem, geretque
Pnjelia conjugibus loquenda.
Carthagini jam non ego nuntios
Mittam superbos ; occidit, occidit /O
OAllMIXUM LIT?. IV. 5, 209
Spes omnis, et fortuna nostri
Nominis, Asdrubale interempto»
Nil Claudiae non perficient manus,
Quas et benigno nuraine Jupiter
Defendit, et curae sagaces ^5
Expediunt per acuta belli.
ODE V. (m. XVI.)
AD AUGUSTUM.
Divis orte bonis, optima Romulae
Custos gentis, abes jam iiimium diu i
Maturum reditum pollicitus patrum
Sancto concilio, redi.
Lueem redde tuae, dux bone, patriae ; 5
Instar veris enim vultus ubi tuus
Affulsit populo, gratior it dies,
Et soles melius nitent.
Ut mater juvenem, quem Notus invido
Flatu Carpathii trans maris aequora 10
Cunctantem spatio longius annuo
Dulci distinet a domo,
Votis ominibusque et precibus vocat,
Curvo nee faciem littore dimovet :
Sic desideriis icta fidelibus 15
Quaerit patria Csesarem.
Tutus bos etenim rura perambulat ;
Nutrit rura Ceres, almaque Faustitas ;
Pacatum volitant per mare navitae ;
Culpari metuit Fides ; 20
Nullis polluitur casta domus stupris ;
Mos et lex maculosum edomuit nefas ;
Laudantur simili prole puerperae ;
Culpam Poena premit comes.
Quis Partlium paveat ? quis gelidum Scythen ? 25
p
210 Q. HORATII FTACCI
Quis Gcrmania qiios horrida parturit
Foetus, incoluini Caesarc ? quis ferae
Bellum curet Iberiae ?
Condit quisque diem collibus in suis,
Et vitem viduas ducit ad arbores ; 30
Hinc ad vina redit lastus, et alteris
Te mensis adhibet Deum :
Te multa prece, te prosequitur mer'o
Defuso pateris ; et Laribus tuum
Miscet numen, uti Graecia Castoris, 35
Et magni mcmor Herculis.
Longas O utinam, dux bone, ferias
Praestes Hcsperia?, dicimus integro
Sicci mane die, dicimus uvidi,
Cum sol Oceano subest. 40
ODE VI. (m. XVIII.)
AD ApoLLINEM.
Dive, quem proles Niobaea magnte
Vindicem linguae, Tityosquc raptor
Sensit, et Trojae prope victor altae
Phthius Achilles,
Cfeteris major, tibi miles impar; /)
Filius quamquam Thetidos marinas
Dardanas turres quateret trcmenda
Cuspide pugnax.
Ille, mordaci velut icta ferro
Pinus, aut impulsa cupressus Euro, 10
Procidit late, posuitque collum in
Pulvere Teucro.
Illc non inclusus equo Minervac
Sacra mentito male feriatos
Troas et laetam Priami choreis 15
Falleret aulam :
CABMIXUM LIB. IV. 7- 211
Sed palam captis gravis (heu nefas ! hcu !)
Nescios fori pueros Achivis
Ureret flammis, etiam latcntem
Matris in alvo : 20
Ni tuis victus Venerisque gratae
Vocibus Divum pater adnuisset
Rebus ^Enese potiore ductos
Alite muros.
Doctor Argivas Fidicen Thaliae, 25
Phoebe, qui Xantho lavis amne crineSj
Dauniae defende decus Camoenas,
Levis Agyieu.
Spiritum Phoebus mihi, Phoebus artem
Carminis nomenque dedit Poetae. 30
Virginum primae, puerique claris
Patribus orti
Delias tutela Deae, fugaces
Lyncas et cervos cohibentis arcu,
Lesbium servate pedem, meique SS
Pollicis ictum ;
Rite Latonae puerum canentes,
Rite crescentem face Noctilucam,
Pro.speram frugum, celeremque pronos
Volvere rnenses. 44}
Nupta jam dices, Ego Diis amicum,
Sacculo festas referente luces,
Reddidi carmen, docilis modorum
Vatis Horati.
ODE VII. (m. IX,)
AD TOlKiUATUM.
DiFFUGERE nives, redcunt jam grarnina campis,
Arboribusque comae ;
p2
212 Q. HOKATII FLACCr
Mutat terra vices, et decrescentia ripas
Flumina praetereunt :
Gratia cum Nymphis geminisque sororibus audet 5
Ducere nuda choros.
Immortalia ne speres, monet annus, et almum
Quae rapit hora diem.
Frigora mitescunt Zephyris, ver proterit aestas
Interitura, simul 10
Pomifer autumnus fruges eHiiderit, et mox
Bruma recurrit iners.
Damna tamen celeres reparant coelestia lunae:
Nos ubi decidimus
Quo pius ^neas, quo dives Tullus et Ancus, 15
Pulvis et umbra sumus.
Quis sciT an adjiciant hodiernas crastina summae
Tempora Dii superi ?
Cuncta manus avidas fugient hseredis, amico
Quae dederis animo. 20
Cum semel occideris, et de te splendida Minos
Fecerit arbitria,
Non, Torquate, genus, non te facundia, non te
Restituet pietas :
Infernis neque enim tenebris Diana pudicum 25
Liberat Hippolytum ;
Nee Lethsea valet Theseus abrumpere caro
Vincula Pirithoo.
ODE VIII. (m. XIV.)
AD CENSORINUM.
DoNAREM pateras grataque commodus,
Censorine, meis aera sodalibus :
Donarem tripodas, praemia fortium
CARMINUM LIB. IV. 8. 213
Graiorum ; neque tu pessima munerum
Ferres, divite me scilicet artium, 5
Quas aut Parrhasius protulit, aut Scopas ;
Hie saxo, liquidis ille coloribus
Sellers nunc hominem ponere, nunc Deum.
Sed non haec mihi vis : nee tibi talium
Kes est aut animus deliciarum egens. 10
Gaudes carminibus : carmina possumus
Donare, et pretium dicere muneris.
Non incisa notis marmora publicis,
Per quae spiritus et vita redit bonis
Post mortem ducibus ; non celeres fugae, 1 5
Rejectaeque retrorsum Annibalis minae ;
Non incendia Carthaginis impias,
Ejus qui domita nomen ab Africa
Lucratus rediit, clarius indicant
Laudes, quam Calabrae Pierides : neque, 20
Si chartas sileant quod bene feceris,
Mercedem tuleris. Quid foret Iliae
jVIavortisque puer, si taciturnitas
Obstaret meritis invida Romuli ?
Ereptum Stygiis fluctibus ^acum 25
Virtus et favor et lingua potentium
Vatum divitibus consecrat insulis.
DiG?JUM laude virum Musa vetat mori,
Ccelo Musa beat. Sic Jovis interest
Optatis epulis impiger Hercules : 30
Clarum Tyndaridae sidus ab infimis
Quassas eripiunt asquoribus rates :
Ornatus viridi tempera pampino
Liber vota bonos ducit ad exitus.
214 Q. HORATII FLACCI
ODE IX. (m. XIX.)
AD LOLLIUM.
Ne forte credas interitura, quae
Longe sonantem natus ad Aufidum
Non ante vulgatas per artes
Verba loquor socianda chordis :
Non, si priores Maeonius tenet 5
Sedes Homerus, Pindaricse latent,
Ceceque, et Alcaei minaces,
Stesichorique graves Camoenae.
Nee, siquid dim lusit Anacreon,
Delevit astas : spirat adhuc amor, 10
Vivuntque commissi calores
Molise fidibus puellae.
Non sola comtos arsit adulter!
Crines, et aurum vestibus illitum
Mirata, regalesque cultus 15
Et comites, Helene Lacaena ;
Primusve Teucer tela Cydonio
Direxit arcu : non semel Ilios
Vexata : non pugnavit ingens
Idomeneus Sthenelusque solus 20
Dicenda Musis proelia : non fei'ox
Hector, vel acer Deiphobus graves
Excepit ictus pro pudicis
Conjugibus puerisque primus.
Vixere fortes ante Agamemnona 25
Multi ; sed omnes illacrymabiles
Urguentur ignotique longa
Nocte, carent quia vate sacro.
Paulum sepultae distat inertiae
Celata virtus : non ego te meis 30
Chartis inornatum silebo,
Totve tuos patiar labores
CARMINUM LIB. IV. 10. 215
Impunc, Lolli, car]x;rc lividas
Obliviones. Est animus tibi
llcrumquc prudeus, et secundis 35
Temporibus dubiisque rectus ;
Vindcx avarae fraudis, et abstinens
Ducentis ad se cuncta pecuniae ;
Consulque non unius anni,
Sed quoties bonus atque fidus 40
Judex honestum proetulit utili, ct
Ilejecit alto dona nocentium
Vultu, ct per obstantes catervas
Explicuit sua victor arma.
Non possidentem multa vocavcris 45
Rccte beatum ; rectius occupat
Nomcn beati, qui Deorum
Muneribus sapicnter uti,
Duramquc callet paupericm pati ;
Pej usque leto flagitium timet : 50
Non ille pro caris amicis
Aut patria timidus perire.
ODE X. (m. XIII.)
AD LIGURINUM.
O CRUDELis adhuc, et Veneris muneribus potens,
Insperata tuae cum veniet pluma superbiae,
Et, quae nunc humeris involitant, deciderint comaL%
Nunc et qui color est puniceae flore prior rosse,
Mutatus Ligurinum in faciem verterit hispidam :
Dices, Heu ! (quoties tc in speculo videris alterum)
Qua3 mens est liodie, cur eadem non puero fuit ?
Vel cur his animis incoluraes non redcuut gense ?
216 Q. HOKATll IhACCI
ODE XI. (m. XVIII.)
AD PHYLLIDEM.
Est mihi nonum siiperantis annum
Plenus Albani cadus ; est in horto,
Phylli, nectendis apium coronis ;
Est hederse vis
Multa, qua crines religata fulges : 5
Ridet argento domus : ara castis
Vincta verbenis avet immolato
Spargier agno :
Cuncta festinat manus : hue et illuc
Cursitant mistse pueris puellae : 10
Sordidum flamrace trepidant rotantes
Vertice fumum>
Ut tamen noris quibus advoceris
Gaudiis ; Idus tibi sunt agendae,
Qui dies mensem Veneris marinee 15
Findit, Aprilem ;
Jure solennis mihi, sanctiorque
Pene natali proprio, quod ex hac
Luce Maecenas meus afHuentes
Ordinat annos, 20
Telephum, quern tu petis, occupavit
(Non tuae sortis juvenem) puella
Dives et lasciva : tenetque grata
Compede vinctum.
Terret ambustus Phaethon avaras 25
Spes ; et exemplum grave praebct ales
Pegasus, terrenum equitem gravatus
Bellerophonten,
Semper ut te digna sequare ; et, ultra
Quam licet sperare nefas putando, 30
Disparem vites : age jam mcorum
Finis amorum,
CARMINUM LIB. IV. 12. 217
(Non enim posthac alia calebo
Fcemina,) condiscc modos amanda
Voce quos reddas : minuuntur atrse 35
Carmine curae.
ODE XII. (m. XVI.)
AD VIRGILIUM.
Jam veris comitcs, quae mare terapcrant.
Impellimt animae lintea Thraciae :
Jam nee prata rigent, nee fluvii strepunt
Hiberna nive turgidi.
Nidum ponit, Ityn flebiliter gemens, 5
Infelix avis, et Cecropise domus
Sternum opprobrium, quod male barbaras
Regum est ulta libidines.
Dicunt in tenero gramine pinguium
Custodes ovium carmina fistula, 10
Delectant que Deum, cui pecus et nigri
Colles Arcadia? placent.
Adduxere sitim tempora, Virgili :
Sed pressum Calibus duccre Liberum
Si gestis, juvenum nobilium cliens, 15
Nardo vina mereberis.
Nardi parvus onyx eliciet cadum.
Qui nunc Sulpiciis accubat horreis,
Spes donare novas largus, amaraque
Curarum cluere cfficax ; 20
Ad qua? si properas gaudia, cum tua
Velox merce veni : non ego te meis
Immunem meditor tinguere poculis,
Plena dives ut in domo.
Vcrum pone moras, et studium lucri ; 25
Nigrorumque mcmor, dum licet, ignium.
218 ;<i. HORATII FLACCI
Misce stultitiam consiliis brcvem :
Dulce est dcsipere in loco.
ODE XIII. (m. XVII.)
AD LYCEN.
AuDivERE, Lyce, Dii mca vota ; Dii
Audivere, Lyce : fis anus, et tamen
Vis formosa videri ;
Ludisque, et bibis impudens,
Et cantu tremulo pota Cupidincm 5
Lentum solicitas ; ille virentis et
Doctse psallere Chiae
Pulchris excubat in genis.
Importunus enim transvolat aridas
Quercus, et refugit te, quia luridi 10
Dentes, te quia rugae
Turpant et capitis nives.
Nee Coae referunt jam tibi puvpurse,
Nee elari lapides, tempera, quae semel
Notis condita fastis 15
Inelusit volucris dies.
Quo fugit Venus ? Hcu ! quove color ? decens
Quo motus ? quid habes illius, illius,
Quae spirabat amores,
Quae me surpuerat mihi ? 20
Felix post Cinaram, notaque et artium
Gratarum facies : sed Cinarac breves
Annos fata dederunt,
Servatura diu parem
Cornicis vetulae temporibus Lyccn ; 25
Possent ut juvenes viscre fcrvidi,
Multo non sine risu,
Dclapsam in cineres facem.
CARMINUM LIB. IV. 14. 219
ODE XIV. (m. XIX.)
AD AUGUSTUM.
Qu-E cura patrum, quseve Quiritium,
Plenis honorum muneribus tuas,
Auguste, virtutes in cevum
Per titulos mcmoresque fastos
yEternet .'' O qua sol habitabiles 5
Illustrat oras, maxime principum,
Quern iegis expertes Latinse
Vindelici clidicere nuper
Quid Marte posses : milite nam tuo
Drusus Genaunos, implacidum genus, 10
Brencosque veloces, et arces
Alpibus impositas tremcndis
Dejecit acer plus vice simplici.
JNIajor Neronum mox grave proelium
Commisit, immanesque Rhaetos 15
Auspiciis pepulit secundis ;
Spectandus in certamine Martio,
Devota morti pectora liberae
Quantis fatigaret minis :
Indomitas prope qualis undas 20
Exercet Auster, Pleiadum choro
Scindente nubes, impiger hostium
Vexare turmas, et frementem
Mittere equum medios per ignes.
Sic tauriformis volvitur Aufidus, 25
Qui regna Dauni prasfluit Appuli,
Cum ssevit, borrendamque cultis
Diluviem meditatur agris :
Ut barbarorum Claudius agmina
Ferrata vasto diruit impctu ; 30
Primosquc et extremes metendo,
Stravit humunij sine clade victor,
220 Q. HORATII FLACCI
Te copias, te consilium et tuos
Priebente Divos : nam tibi, quo die
Portus Alexandrea supplex 35
Et vacuam patefecit aulam,
Fortuna lustro prospera tertio
Belli secundos reddidit exitus,
Laudemque et optatum peractis
Imperiis decus arrogavit. 40
Te Cantaber non ante domabilis,
Medusque et Indus, te profugus Scythes
Miratur, O tutela prsesens
Italiae dominaeque Romas !
Te, fontium qui celat origines 45
Nilusque, et Ister, te rapidus Tigris,
Te beluosus qui remotis
Obstrepit Oceanus Britannis,
Te non parentis funera Galliae,
Durfeque tellus audit Iberiae. 50
Te caede gaudentes Sicambri
Compositis venerantur armis.
ODE XV. (m. XIX.)
AUGUSTI LAUDES.
Ph(ebus volentem proelia me loqui
Victas et urbes increpuit lyra,
Ne parva Tyrrhenum per aequor
Vela darem. Tua, Cassar, seias
Fruges et agris rettulit uberes, 5
Et signa nostro restituit Jovi,
Derepta Parthorum superbis
Postibus, et vacuum duellis
Janum Quirini clausit, et ordincm
Rectum evaganti fraena liccntiic 10
CARMINUM T.Tfl. IV. 15. 221
Injecit, emovitque culpas,
Et veteres revocavit artes ;
Per quas Latinum nomen et Italae
Crevere vires, famaque, et imperi
Porrecta majestas ad ortum 15
Solis ab Hesperio cubili.
Custode rerum Csesare, non furor
Civilis, aut vis exiget otium ;
Non ira, quae procudit enses,
Et miseras inimicat urbes. 20
Non, qui profundum Danubium bibunt,
Edicta rumpent Julia ; non Getae,
Non Seres infidive Persa?,
Non Tanain prope flumen orti.
Nosque et profestis lucibus et sacris, 25
Inter jocosi munera Liberi,
Cum prole matronisque nostris.
Rite Deos prius adprecati,
Virtute functos, more patrum, duces,
Lydis remixto carmine tibiis, 30
Trojamque et Anchisen et almae
Progeniem Veneris canemus.
Q. HORATII FLACCI
EPISTOLARUM
LIBER SECUNDUS.
EPISTOLA I.
AD AUGUSTUM.
Cum tot sustineas ct tanta negotia solus,
Res Italas armis tuteris, moribus ornes,
Legibus emcndes ; in publica commoda peccem,
Si longo sermone morer tua tempora, Caesar.
Romulus, et Liber pater, et cum Castorc Pollux, /)
Post ingentia facta Deorum in templa recepti,
Dum terras hominumque colunt genus, aspcra bella
Componunt, agros assignant, oppida condunt ;
Ploravere suis non respondere favorem
Spcratum meritis : diram qui contudit Hydram, 10
Notaque fatali portenta labore subegit,
Comperit invidiam supremo fine doraari.
Urit enim fulgore suo, qui praegravat artes
Infra se positas : extinctus amabitur idem.
Pra3senti tibi maturos largimur honores, 15
Jurandasque tuum per nomen ponimus aras,
Nil orituriim alias, nil ortum tale fatcntes.
Sed tuus hoc populus sapiens et Justus in uno,
Te nostris ducibus, te G rails anteferendo,
Cffitera nequaquam simili ratione modoque 20
^stimat; et, nisi quae terris semota suisque
Temporibus defuncta videt, fastidit et odit:
Sic fautor veterum, ut tabulas peccare vetantcs,
Quas bis quinque viri sanxerunt, foedera regum
Vel Gabiis vel cum rigidis aequata Sabinis, 25
EPISTOLARUM lAli. XI. 1. 223
Pontificum libros, annop.i volumin.i vatum,
Dictitct Albano jVIusas in montc locutas.
Si, quia GroDcorum sunt antiquissima quicquc
Scripta vel optima, Romani pcnsatur eadcm
Scriptores trutina, non est quod multa loquanuir : .'>()
Nil intra est oleam, nil extra est in nuce duri.
Venimus ad summura fortunac : pinguimus atque
Psallimus, et luctamur Achivis doctius unctis.
Si meliora dies, ut vina, pocmata reddit,
Scire velim, prctium chartis quotus arroget annus. 35
Scriptor abhinc annos centum qui dccidit, inter
Perfectos veteresquc referri debet ? an inter
Viles atque novos ? excludat jurgia finis.
^ Est vetus atque probus, centum qui pcrficit annos.
5[ Quid, qui deperiit minor uno mense, vel anno, 40
Inter quos referendus erit ? veteresne poetas ?
An quos et pracsens et postera respuat aetas .''
^ Iste quidem veteres inter ponctur honeste,
Qui vel mense brevi vel toto est junior anno.
1[ Utor permisso, cauda^que pilos ut equina^, 45
Paulatim vello, et demo unum, demo etiam unum ;
Dum cadat elusus ratione ruentis acervi,
Qui redit ad fastos, et virtutem aistimat annis,
IMiraturque nihil nisi quod Libitina sacravit.
Ennius, et sapiens et fortis, et alter Homerus, 50
Ut critici dicunt, leviter curare videtur,
Quo promissa cadant, et somnia Pythagorea.
Naevius in manibus non est, et mentibus ha3ret
Pone recens ? adeo sanctum est vetus omne poema.
Ambigitur quoties uter utro sit prior, aufert 55
Pacuvius docti famam senis, Accius alti :
Dicitur Afrani toga convenisse Menandro ;
Plautus ad exemplar Siculi properare Epicharmi ;
\incere Cajcilius gravitate, Tcrentius arte.
Hos cdiscit, et hos arcto stipata tlieatro GO
Spectat Roma potens ; liabet hos numeratque poetas
224 <i. HORATfl FLACCI
Ad nostrum tcmpus Livi scriptoris ab aevo.
Interdum vulgus rectum vidct ; est ubi pcccat.
Si vetercs ita miratur laudatque poetas,
Ut nihil anteferat, niliil illis comparet, errat : 65
Si qufcdam nimis antique, si pleraquc dure
Diccre ccdit cos, ignave multa fatetur ;
Et sapit, ct mccum facit, et Jove judicat scquo.
Non equidem inscctor, delendave carmina Livi
Esse rcor, mcmini quae plagosum mihi parvo 7^
Orbilium dictare ; sed emendata videri,
Pulcln-aquc, et exactis minimum distantia, miror.
Inter quae vcrbum cmicuit si forte decorum, et
Si versus paulo concinnior unus et alter,
Injustc totum ducit venditque poema. 7^
Indignor quidquam reprehendi, non quia crasse
Compositum illepideve putctur, sed quia nuper ;
Ncc veniam antiquis, sed lionorem ct pra;mia posci.
Uecte necne crocum florcsque perambulet Attas
Fabula si dubitem, clament periisse pudoi'cm 80
Cuncti pcne patres ; ea cum rcprchendere coner
Quai gravis /Esopus, qux doctus Roscius egit:
Vcl quia nil rectum, nisi quod placuit sibi, ducunt;
Vel quia turpc putant parere minoribus, et quse
Imbcrbi didicerc, senes perdenda foteri. 85
Jam Saliare Numa? carmen qui laudat, et illud
Quod mccum ignorat, solus vult scire videri ;
Ingeniis non ille tavet plauditque sepultis,
Nostra sed im])ugnat, nos nostraque iividus odit.
Quod si tam Graiis novitas invisa fuisset 90
Quam nobis, quid nimc esset vetus ? aut quid habcret
Quod Icgcrct tcreretque viritim publicus usus ?
Ut primum positis nugari Grjvcia bellis
Ccepit, et in vitium fortuna labier jequa,
Nunc atlilctarum studiis, nunc arsit cquorum ; 95
Marmoris aut eboris tabros aut aeris amavit ;
Suspcndit pict^a vultum mcntcmque tabella ;
KPISTOT.ARUM LIB. II. 1. 225
Nunc tibiclnibus, nunc est gavisa tragoedis :
Sub nutrice puclla velut si luderet infans,
Quod cupide petiit, mature plena reliquit. 100
Quid placet aut odio est, quod non mutabilc credas ?
Hoc paces habuere bonie, vcntique sccundi.
Romaj dulce diu fuit et solenne reclusa
Mane donio vigilare, clienti promere jura,
Cautos nominibus rectis expendere nummos, 105
Majores audire, minor! dicere per quae
Crescere res posset, minui damnosa libido.
Mutavit menteni ]>opulus levis, et calet uno
Scribcndi studio: puerique pati'csque severi
Fronde comas vincti ctenant, et carmina dictant. 110
Ipse ego, qui nuUos me afiirmo scribere versus,
Invenior Parthis mendacior; et prius orto
Sole vigil, calamum et chartas et scrinia posco.
Navim agere ignarus navis timet; abrotonum legro
Non audet nisi qui didicit, dare: quod medicorum est, 115
Promittunt medici ; tractant fabrilia fabri :
Scribimus iudocti doctique pocmata passim.
Hie error tamen, et levis hiec insania quantas
Virtutes habeat, sic collige : vatis avarus
Non temere est animus ; versus amat, boc stiulet unum ;
Detrimenta, fugas servorum, inccndia ridet; 121
Non fraudem socio, puerove incogitat uUam
Pupillo ; vivit siliquis et pane secundo.
Militiae quanquam piger et mains, utilis urbi ;
Si das hoc, parvis quoque rebus magna juvari. 125
Os tenerum pueri balbumque poeta figurat ;
Torquet ab obsccenis jam nunc sermonibus aurem ;
Mox etiam pectus praeceptis format amicis
Asperitatis et inviditie corrector et irae ;
Recte facta refert ; orientia tempora notis 130
Instruit exemplis; inopem solatur et aegrum.
Castis cum pueris ignara puella mariti
Disceret unde preces, vatem ni Musa dedisset ?
Q.
226 Q. HORATIl FLACCI
Poscit opem chorus, et proesentia numina sentit ;
Coelestes iinplorat aquas docta prece blandus ; 135
Avertit morbos, metuenda pericula pellit ;
Impetrat et pacem, et loeupletem frugibus annum.
Carmine Dii superi placantur, carmine Manes.
Agricolre prisci, fortes, parvoque beati,
Condita post frumenta, levantes tempore festo 140
Corpus, et ipsum animum spe finis dura ferentem,
Cum sociis operum, pueris, et conjuge fida,
Tellurem porco, Sylvan um lacte piabant,
Floribus et vino Genium, momorem brevis aevi.
Fescennina per hunc inventa licentia morem 145
Versibus alternis opprobria rustica fudit ;
I.ibertasque recurrentes accepta per annos
Lusit amabiliter, donee jam ssevus apertam
In rabiem verti coepit jocus, et per honestas
Ire domos impune minax : dokiere cruento 150
Dente lacessiti ; fuit intactis quoque cura
Conditione super communi : quin etiam lex
Poenaque lata, malo quae nollet carmine quenquam
Describi : vertere modum, formidine fustis,
Ad benedicendum delectandumque redacti. 155
Grsecia capta ferum victorem cepit, et artes
Intulit agresti Latio : sic horridus ille
Defluxit numerus Saturnius, et grave virus
Munditise pepulere : sed in longum tamen aevum
Manserunt, hodieque manent vestigia ruris. 160
Serus enim Gra;cis admovit acumina chartis ;
Et post Punica bella quietus, quasrere coepit
Quid Sophocles et Thespis et /Eschylus utile ferrent.
Tentavit quoque rem ; si digne vertere posset ;
Et placuit sibi, natura sublimis et acer : • 165
Nam spirat tragicum satis, et feliciter audet ;
Sed turpem putat inscite metuitque lituram.
Creditur, ex medio quia res arcessit, habere
Sudoris minimvnn ; sed habet Comoedia tanto
KPISTOLAUUM LIK. II. 1. 227
Plus oiicris, quanto vcnia; minus. Aspice IMautus 170
Quo pacto partes tutetur amantis cphebi ;
Ut patris attend; lenonis ut insidiosi :
Quantus sit Dossennus edacibus in parasitis ;
Quam non adstricto percurrat pulpita socco.
Gestit enim nummum in loculos demittere, post lioc 175
Secuvus cadat an recto stet fabula talo.
Quern tulit ad scenam ventoso Gloria curru,
Exanimat lentus spectator, sedulus inflat,
Sic leve, sic parvum est, animum quod laudis avarum
Subruit ac reficit. Valeat res ludicra, si me 180
Palma negata macrum, donata reducit opimum.
Sfspe etiam audacem fugat hoc terretque poetam.
Quod numero plures, virtute et honore minores,
Indox^ti stolidique, et depugnare parati,
Si discordet eques, media inter carmina poscunt 185
Aut ursum aut pugiles : his nam plebecula gaudet.
Verum equiti quoque jam migravit ab aure voluptas
Omnis ad incertos oculos et gaudia vana.
Quattuor aut plures aulgea premuntur in horas,
Dum fugiunt equitum turmae peditumque catervas ; 190
Mox trahitur manibus regum fortuna retortis,
Esseda festinant, pilenta, petorrita, naves ;
Captivum portatur ebur, captiva Corinthus.
Si foret in terris, rideret Democritus ; seu
Diversum confusa genus panthera camelo ; 1 95
Sive Elephas albus vulgi converteret ora :
Spectaret populum ludis attentius ipsis,
Ut sibi prsebentem mimo spectacula plura.
Scriptores autem nan-are putaret asello
Fabellam surdo : nam quas pervincere voces 200
Evaluere sonum, referunt quem nostra theatra r
Garganum mugire putes nemus, aut mare Tuscum :
Tanto cum strepitu ludi spectantur, et artes,
Divitiffique peregrinas ; quibus oblitus actor
Cum stetit in scena, concurrit dextera laevae. 205
u 2
228 Q. HORATII FI.ACCI
Dixit adliuc aliquid ? 1[ Nil sane. U Quid placet ergo ?
H Lana Tarentino violas imitata veneno.
Ac ne forte putes me, quae facere ipse recusem,
Cum recte tractent alii, laudare maligne ;
I lie per extentum fuiiem mihi posse videtur 210
Ire poeta, meum qui pectus inaniter angit,
Irritat, mulcet, falsis terroribus implet
Ut magus ; et modo me Thebis, modo ponit Athenis.
Verum age, et his, qui se lectori credere malunt,
Quam spectatoris fastidia ferre superbi, 21 5
Curam redde brevem ; si munus Apolline dignum
Vis complere libris, et vatibus addere calcar,
Ut studio majore petant Helicona virentem.
Multa quidem nobis facimus mala saepe Poetae,
(Ut vineta egomet caedam mea,) cum tibi librum , 220
Solicito damus, aut fesso ; cum laedimur, unum
Siquis amicorum est ausus reprendere versum ;
Cum loca jam recitata revolvimus inrevocati ;
Cum lamentamur, non apparere labores
Nostros, et tenui deducta pocraata filo ; 225
Cum speramus eo rem venturam, ut simul atque
Carmina rescieris nos fingere, commodus ultro
Arcessas, et egere vetes, et scribere cogas.
Sed tamen est operae pretium cognoscere, quales
^dituos habcat belli spectata domique 230
Virtus, indigno non committenda poetie.
Gratus Alexandro regi Magno fuit ille
Choerilus, incultis qui versibus et male natis
Rettulit acceptos, regale nomisma, Philippos.
Sed veluti tractata notam labemque remittunt 235
Atramenta, fere scriptores carmine fcedo
Splendida facta linunt. Idem rex ille, poema
Qui tam ridiculum tarn care prodigus emit,
Edicto vetuit nequis se, praeter Apellen,
Pingeret, aut alius Lysippo duceret aera 240
Fortis Alexandri vultum simulantia. Quod si
EPISTOLARUM LIU. 11. 2. 229
Judicium subtile videndis artibus illud
Ad libros et ad heec Musarum dona vocares,
Boeotiim in crasso jurares aere natum.
At neque dedecorant tua de se judicia, atque 245
Muuera, quae raulta dantis cum laude tulerunt,
Dilecti tibi Virgilius V^ariusque poetae :
Nee magis expressi vultus per ahenea signa,
Quam per vatis opus mores animique virorum
Clarorum apparent. Nee sermones ego mallem 250
Repentes per humum, quam res componere gestas ;
Terrarumque situs, et flumina dicere, et arces
Montibus impositas, et barbara regna, tuisque
Auspiciis totum confecta duella per orbera,
Claustraque custodem pacis cohibentia Janum, 255
Et formidatam Parthis te principe Romam ;
Si, quantum cuperem, possem quoque : sed neque parvum
Carmen majestas recipit tua, nee meus audet
Rem tentare pudor, quam vires ferre recusent.
Sedulitas autem, stulte quem diligit, urguet 260
Praecipue cum se numeris commendat et arte :
Discit enim citius meminitque libentius illud
Quod quis deridet, quam quod probat et veneratur.
Nil moror officium quod me gravat : ac neque ficto
In pejus vultu proponi cereus usquam, 265
Nee prave factis decorari versibus opto :
Ne rubeam pingui donatus munere, et una
Cum scriptore meo capsa porrectus aperta,
Deferar in vicum vendentem tus et odores,
Et piper, et quidquid chartis amicitur ineptis. 270
EPISTOLA II.
AD JULIUM FLORUiM.
Flore, bono claroque fidelis amice Neroni,
Siquis forte vclit pucrum tibi venderc natum
230 a. HORATII FLACCI
Tibure vel Gabiis, et tecum sic agat; Hie et
Candidas, et talos a vertice piilcher ad imos,
Fiet eritque tuus nummorum millibus octo, 5
Verna ministeriis ad nutus aptus heriles,
Litterulis Grsecis imbutus, idoneus arti
Cuilibet, avgilla quidvis imitaberis uda;
Quin etiam canet indcctum, sod dulce bibcnti.
Miilta fidem promissa levant, ubi plenius aequo 10
Laudat venales, qui vult extrudere, nierces.
Res urguet me nulla ; meo sum pauper in sere :
Nemo hoc mangonum faceret tibi : non temcre a me
Qui vis ferret idem ; semel hie cessavit, et, ut fit,
In scalis latuit metuens pendentis habenaj. 15
Des nummos, excepta nihil te si fuga laedit.
Ille ferat pretium, poena^ securus, opinor.
^ Prudens emisti vitiosum ; dicta tibi est lex :
Insequeris tamen hunc, et lite moraris iniqua.
H Dixi me pigrum proficiscenti tibi, dixi 20
Talibus officiis prope mancum ; ne mea sasvus
Jurgarcs ad te quod epistola nulla veniret.
Quid turn profeci, mecum facientia jura
Si tamen attentas ? Quereris super hoc etiam, quod
Exspectata tibi non mittam carmina mendax. 25
LucuUi miles collecta viatica multis
^rumnis, lassus dum noctu stertit, ad assem
Perdiderat : post hoc vchemens lupus, et sibi et hosti
Iratus paritcr jejunis dentibus acer,
Praesidium regale loco dejecit, ut iaiunt, 30
Summc munito, et multarum divite rerum.
Clarus ob id factum, donis ornatur honestis ;
Accipit et bis dena super scstertia nummiim.
Forte sub hoc tempus castellum evertere pnetor
Nescio quod cupiens, hortari cocpit eundem 35
Verbis quae timido quoquc posscnt addere mcntem.
I bone quo virtus tua to vocat ; i pcde fausto,
Grandia hiturus mcritorum pra^mia : quid stas
'5
EPISTOLAUUM LIB. II. 2. 231
Post hiEC ille catus, quantumvis rusticus, Ibit,
Ibit CO quo vis, qui zonam pcrdidit, inquit. 40
Romae nutriri mihi contigit atque doceri,
Iratus Graiis quantum nocuisset Achilles :
Adjecere bonae paulo plus artis Athene ;
Scilicet ut possem curvo dignoscere rectum,
Atque inter sylvas Academi quperere verum. 45
Dura sed emovere loco me tempora grato ;
Civilisque rudem belli tulit sestus in arma,
Caesaris August! non responsura lacertis.
Unde simul primum me dimisere Pliilippi,
Decisis hurailem pennis, inopemque paterni 50
Etlaris et fundi, paupcrtas impulit audax
Ut versus facerem : sed, quod non desit, habentein
QufE poterunt unquam satis expurgare cicutae,
Ni melius dormire putem quam scribere versus ?
Singula de nobis anni praedantur euntes ; 55
Eripuere jocos, venerem, convivia, ludum ;
Tendunt extorquere poemata : quid faciam vis ?
Denique non omnes cadem mirantur amantque :
Carmine tu gaudes ; hie delectatur lainbis ;
Ille Bioneis sermonibus, et sale nigro. 60
Tres mihi convivae prope dissentire videntur,
Poscentes vario multum diversa palato.
Quid dem ? quid non dem ? renuis tu, quod jubet alter ;
Quod petis, id sane est invisum acidumque duobus.
Prajter caetera, me Romaene poemata censes G5
Scribere posse, inter tot curas, totque labores ?
Hie sponsum vocat, hie auditum scripta, relictis
Omnibus officiis : cubat hie in colle Quirini,
Hie extremo in Aventino ; viscndus uterque ;
Intervalla vidcs humane commoda. If Verum 7^
Purae sunt plateae, nihil ut mcditantibus obstet.
Festinat calidus mulis gerulisque redemtor ;
Torquct nunc lapidem, nunc ingens machina tiguum ;
Tristia robustis luctantur funera plaustris ;
232 Q. HORATII FLACCI
Hac rabiosa fugit canis, hac lutulenta ruit sus : ^5
I nunc, et versus tecum meditare canoros.
Scriptorum chorus omnis amat nemus, et fugit urbes
Rite cliens Bacchi, somno gaudentis et umbra :
Tu me inter strepitus nocturnos atque duirnos
Vis canere, et contracta sequi vestigia vatum ? 80
Ingenium, sibi quod vacuas desumsit Atlienas,
Et studiis annos septem dedit, insenuitque
Libris et curis, statua taciturnius exit
Plerumque, et risu populum quatit : hie ego rcrum
Fluctibus in mediis, et tsmpcstatibus urbis, 85
Verba lyree motura sonum connectere digner ?
Frater erat Romse consulti rhetor, ut alter
Alterius sermone meros audiret honores ;
Gracchus ut hie illi foret, huic ut Mucius ille.
Qui minus argutos vexat furor iste poetas ? 90
Carmina compono, hie elegos; mirabile visu
Caelatumque novem ]Musis opus. Aspice primum,
Quanto cum fastu, quanto molimine circum-
Spectemus vacuam Romanis vatibus a?dem,
Mox etiam, si forte vacas, sequere, et procul audi 95
Quid ferat, et quare sibi nectat uterque coronam.
Cfedimur, et totidem plagis consumimus hostem,
T^ento Samnites ad knnina prima duello.
Discedo Alcaeus puncto illius : ille meo quis ?
Quis nisi Callimachus ? si plus adposcere visus, 100
Fit Mimnermus, et optivo cognomine erescit.
Multa fero, ut placem genus irritabile vatum.
Cum scribo, et supplex populi suffragia capto :
Idem, finitis studiis, et mente recepta,
Obturem patulas impune Icgentibus aures. 105
Ridentur mala qui componunt carmina : verura
Gaudent scribentes, et se venerantur, et ultro.
Si taceas, laudant quidquid scripsere, beati.
At qui legitimum cupiet fecisse poema,
Cum tabulis animum ccnsoris sumet honesti ; 110
El'ISTOLAUlTM LIB. II. 2. 233
Aiulobit quctcunque parum splendoris habebunt,
Et sine pondere erunt, et honore indigna fcrentur,
Verba movere loco, quamvis invita recedant,
Et versentur adhuc intra penetralia Vestae.
Obscurata diu populo bonus eruet, atque 115
Profcret in lucem speciosa vocabula rerum,
Quje priseis memorata Catonibus atque Ccthegis,
Nunc situs informis premit et deserta vetustas :
Adsciscet nova, quae genitor produxerit usus.
Vehemens et liquidus puroque simillimus amni, 120
Fundet opes, Latiumque beabit divite lingua.
Luxuriantia compescet, nimis aspera sano
Levabit cultu, virtute carentia toilet :
Ludentis speciem dabit ; et torquebitur, ut qui
Nunc satyrum, nvuic agrestem cyclopa movetur. 125
U Pra2tulerira scriptor delirus inersque videri,
Dum mea delectent mala me, vel denique fallant,
Quam sapere, et ringi. Fuit baud ignobilis Argis,
Qui se credebat miros audire tragoedos,
In vacuo laetus sessor plausorque theatro; 130
Caetera qui vitae servaret munia recto
More ; bonus sane vicinus, amabilis hospes,
Comis in uxorem, posset qui ignoscere servis,
Et signo laeso non insanire lagena^,
Posset qui rupem et puteum vitare patentem. 135
Hie ubi cognatorum opibus curisque refectus,
Expulit helleboro morbum, bilemque meraco,
Et redit ad sese ; Pol, me occidistis amici,
Non servastis, ait, cui sic extorta voluptas,
Et demtus per vim mentis gratissimus error. 140
51 Nimirum sapere est abjectis utile nugis,
Et tempestivum pueris concedere ludura ;
Ac non verba sequi fidibus modulanda Latinis,
Sed verae numerosque modosque ediscere vitae.
Quocirca mecum loquor hnec, tacitusque recordor; 145
Si tibi nulla siiim Hniret copia lymplia^,
234 Q HOHATII FLACCI
Narrares medicis : quod quanto plura parasti,
Tanto plura cupis, nulline faterier audes?
Si vulnus tibi monstrata radice vel herba
Non fieret levius, fugeres, radice vel herba 150
Proficiente nihil, curarier ? Audieras, cui
Kem dii donarint, illi decedere pravam
Stultitiam ; et cum sis nihilo sapientior, ex quo
rienior es ; tamen uteris monitoribus iisdcm ?
At si divitiae prudentem reddere possent, 155
Si cupidum timidumque niinus te ; nempe ruberes,
Viveret in terris te siquis avarior vmo.
Si proprium est quod quis libra mercatus et aere est,
Quaedam, si credis consultis, mancipat usus ;
Qui te pascit ager, tuus est; et villicus Orbi, 160
Cum segetes occat, tibi mox frumenta daturas,
Te dominum sentit; das nummos, accipis uvam,
Pullos, ova, cadum temeti ; nempe modo isto
Paulatim mercaris agrum, fortasse trecentis,
Aut etiam supra, nummorum millibus emtum. 1G5
Quid rcfert, vivas numerate nuper an olim ?
Emtor Aricini quondam Veientis et arvi
Emtum coenat olus, quamvis aliter putat ; emtis
Sub noctem gelidam lignis calefactat ahenum ;
Sed vocat usque suura, qua populus adsita ccrtis I70
Limitibus vicina refugit jurgia ; tanquam
Sit proprium quidquam, puncto quod mobilis horge,
Nunc prece, nunc pretio, nunc vi, mine sorte suprema,
Permutet dominos, et cedat in altera jura.
Sic quia perpetuus nulli datur usus, et haeres 175
Haeredem alterius, velut unda supervenit undam ;
Quid vici profunt, aut horrea ? quidve Calabris
Saltibus adjecti Lucani, si metit Orcus
Grandia cum parvis, non exorabilis auro ?
Gcmmas, marmor, ebur, Tyrrhena sigilla, tabcllas, 180
Argentum, vcstcs Gaetulo muricc tinctas,
Sunt qui non habeant, est qui non curat habere.
EPISTOLAllUM LIB. II. 2. 235
Cur alter fi-atrum cessare, ct ludere, ct ungui
I'racferat Hcrodis pal metis pinguibus ; alter,
Dives et im])ortunus, et umbram lucis ab ortu 185
Silvestrem flammis et ferro mitiget agrum,
Scit Genius, natale comes qui temperat astrum,
Naturae Deus humanae, mortalis in unum-
Quodque caput, vultu mutabilis, albus et ater.
Utar, et ex modico quantum res poscet acervo IQO
Tollam ; nee metuam quid de me judicet lia?res ;
Quod non plura datis invenerit ; et tamen idem
Scire volam quantum simplex hilarisque nepoti
Discrepet, et quantum discordet parcus avaro.
Distat enim, spargas tua prodigus, an neque sumtum 195
Invitus facias, neque plura parare labores ;
Ac potius, puer ut festis quinquatribus olim,
Exiguo gratoque fruaris tempore raptim.
Pauperies immunda domu procul absit : ego, utrum
Nave ferar magna an parva, ferar unus et idem. 200
Non agimur tumidis velis Aquilone secundo ;
Non tamen adversis aetatem ducimus Austris ;
Viribus, ingenio, specie, virtute, loco, re,
Extremi primorum, extremis usque priores.
Non es avarus : abi. Quid caetera .'' jam simul isto 205
Cum vitio fugere ? caret tibi pectus inani
Ambitione ? caret mortis formidine, et ira ?
Somnia, terrores magicos, miracula, sagas,
Nocturnos lemures portentaque Thessala rides ''^
Natales grate numeras .? ignoscis amicis ? 210
Lenior et melior fis accedente senecta ?
Quid te exemta juvat spinis de pluribus una ?
Vivere si rccte nescis, decode pcritis.
Lusisti satis, edisti satis, atque bibisti ;
Tempus abire tibi est ; ne potum largius jcquo 215
Rideat et pulsct lasciva decentius aHas.
Q. HOHATII FLACCI
DE ARTE POETICA,
AD PISONES EPISTOLA.
lIuMAXo capiti cervicem pictor equinam
Jungere si velit, et varias iiiducere plumas,
Undique coUatis membris, ut turpiter atrum
Desiuat in piscem mulier formosa supenie,
Spectatum admissi risum teneatis, amici ? 5
Credite, Pisones, isti tabulse fore librum
Persimilem, cujus, velut aegri somnia, vanae
Fingentur species ; ut nee pes, nee caput uni
Reddatur formse. U Pictoribus atque poetis
Quidlibet audendi semper fuit aequa potestas. 10
H Scimus, ethane veniam petimusque damusquc vicissim:
Sed non ut placidis coeant immitia ; non ut
Serpentes avibus geminentur, tigribus agni.
Inceptis gravibus plerumque et magna pvofessis
Purpureus, late qui splendeat, unus et alter 15
Assuitur pannus ; cum lucus et ara Dianae,
Et properantis aquae per amoenos ambitus agros,
Aut flumen Rlienum, aut pluvius describitur arcus :
Sed nunc non erat his locus: et fortasse cupressum
Scis simulare ; quid hoc, si fractis enatat exspes 20
Navibus, aere dato qui pingitur ? amphora cocpit
Institui ; currente rota cur urceus exit ?
Dcnique sit quod vis, simplex duntaxat et unum.
Maxima pars vatum, pater et juvenes patre digni,
Decipimur specie recti : brevis esse laboro, 25
Obscurus fio : sectantem Icnia nervi
Dcliciunt animique : profcssus grandia turgct :
BK AUTE POFTICA, AD PTSONKS. 237
Serpit liumi tutus iiimium ; timidusque procellie.
Qui variare cupit rem prodigialiter unam,
Delphinum sylvis appingit, fluctibus aprum. 30
In vitium ducit culpae fuga, si caret arte.
vEmilium circa ludum faber imus et ungues
Exprimet, et molles imitabitur a3re capillos,
Infelix operis summa, quia ponere totum
Nesciet: hunc ego me, siquid componere curem, 35
Non magis esse velim, quam pravo vivere naso,
Spectandum nigris oculis nigroque capillo,
Sumite materiam vestris qui scribitis jequam
Viribus, et versate diu quid ferre recusent,
Quid valcant humeri : cui lecta potenter erit res, 40
Nee facundia deseret hunc, nee lucidus ordo.
Ordinis haec virtus erit et venus, aut ego fallor,
Ut jam nunc dicat, jam nunc debentia dici
Pleraque differat, et praesens in tempus omittat.
In verbis etiam tenuis cautusque serendis : 45
Hoc amet, hoc spernat promissi carminis auctor.
Dixeris egregie, notum si callida verbum
Reddiderit junctura novum. Si forte necesse est
Indiciis monstrare recentibus abdita rerum,
Fingere cinctutis non exaudita Cethegis 50
Continget ; dabiturque Hcentia sumpta pudenter.
Et nova Hctaque nuper habebunt verba iidem, si
Greeco fonte cadant, parce detorta : quid autem
Caecilio Plautoque dabit Romanus, ademtum
Virgilio Varioque ? ego cur, acquirere pauca 55
Si possum, invideor, cum lingua Catonis et Enni
Sermonem patrium ditaverit, et nova rerum
Nomina protuleritr Licuit, semperque hcebit,
Signatura praesente nota procudere nomen,
Ut silvae foliis pronos mutantur in annos ; Qq
Prima cadunt : ita verborum vetus interit ajtas,
Et juvenum ritu florent modo nata, vigentque.
Debemur morti nos nostraque ; sive receptus
238 U. HOKATIl Fl.ACCJ
Terra Neptunus classes Aquilonibus arcet,
Regis opus ; sterilisque diu palus, aptaque remis, 6-5
Vicinas urbes alit, et grave sentit aratrum ;
Seu cursiim mutavit iniquum frugibus amnis,
Doctus iter melius : mortalia facta peribunt ;
Neckim sermonum stet honos, et gratia vivax.
Multa renascentur quag jam cecidere, cadentque 7^
Quae nunc sunt in honore vocabula, si volet usus,
Quem penes arbitrium est et jus et norma loquendi.
Res gestae reguraque ducumque, et tristia bella,
Quo scribi possent numero, monstravit Homerus.
Versibus irapariter junctis querimonia primum, 'J5
Post etiam inclusa est voti sententia compos :
Quis tamen exiguos elegos emiserit auctor,
Grammatici certant, et adhuc sub judice lis est.
Archilochum proprio rabies armavit iambo :
Hunc socci cepere pedem, grandesque cothurni, 80
Alternis aptum sernionibus, et populares
Vincentem strepitus, et natum rebus agendis.
Musa dedit fidibus Divos, puerosque Deorum,
Et pugilem victorem, et equum certamine primum,
Et juvenum curas, et libera vina referre. 85
Descriptas servare vices operumque colores
Cur ego si nequeo ignoroque, Poeta salutor ?
Cur nescire, pudens prave, quam disccre malo ?
Versibus exponi tragicis res comica non vult :
Indignatur item privatis, ac prope socco 90
Dignis carminibus narrari coena Thyestae.
Singula qu^que locum teneant sortita decenter.
Interdum tamen et vocem comoedia tollit,
Iratusque Chremes tumido delitigat ore :
Et ti'agicus plerumque dolet sermone pedestri. 95
Telephus et Peleus, cum pauper et exsul, uterque
Projicit ampullas, et sesquipedalia verba,
Si curat cor spectantis tetigisse querela.
Non satis est pulchra esse poemata ; dulcia sunto,
DE ARTE I'OETTCA, AD PISONES. 239
Et qnocunqiic volcnt, aninium aiulitoris agunto. 100
Ut ridentibus arridcnt, ita flentibus adsunt
Humani vultus: si vis me Acre, dolcndum est
Primum ipsi tibi ; tunc tua me infortunia la^dent.
Telephe, vel Peleu, male si mandata loqueris,
Aut dormitabo, aut ridebo : tristia moestum 105
Vultum verba decent; iratum, plena minarum ;
liudentem, lasciva; severum, seria dictu.
Format enim natura prius nos intus ad omncm
Fortunarum habitum ; juvat, aut impellit ad iram,
Aut ad humum moerore gravi deducit, et angit; 110
Post efFert animi motus interprete lingua.
Si dicentis erunt fortunis absona dicta,
Romani tollent cquites peditesque cachinnum.
Intererit multum Davusne loquatur, an Heros ;
Maturusne senex, an adhuc florente juventa 115
Fervidus ; et matrona potens, an sedula nvitrix ;
Mercatorne vagus, cultorne virentis agelli ;
Colclius, an Assyrius ; Thebis nutritus, an Argis.
Aut famam scquere, aut sibi convenientia finge,
Scriptor. Honoratum si forte reponis Achillem; 120
Impiger, iracundus, inexorabilis, acer.
Jura neget sibi nata, nihil non arroget armis :
Sit Medea ferox invictaque, flebilis Ino,
Perfidus Ixion, lo vaga, tristis Orestes.
Siquid inexpertum scense committis, et audes 125
Personam formare novam, servetur ad imum
Qualis ab incepto processerit, et sibi constet
Difficile est proprie communia dicere: tuque
Rectius Iliacum carmen dcducis in actus,
Quam si proferres ignota indictaque primus. 130
Publica materies privati juris erit, si
Nee circa vilem patulumque morabcris orbcm :
Nee verbum verbo curabis reddcre fidus
Interpres ; nee desilies imitator in arctum,
Unde pedem profcrrc pudor vetet, aut operis lex. 135
240 Q. HORATII FLAOCI
Nec sic incipies, ut scriptor cyclicus dim ;
" Fortunam Priami cantabo et nobile bellum."
Quid dignum tanto feret hie promissor hiatu ?
Parturiunt montes, nascetur ridiculus nius.
Quanto rectius hie, qui nil molitur inepte: 140
" Die mihi, Musa, virura, captiB post tempora Trojae,
" Qui mores hominum multorum vidit et urbes."
Non fumum ex fulgore, sed ex fumo dare lueem
Cogitat, ut speciosa dehine miracula promat,
Antiphaten, Scyllamque, et cum Cyclope Charybdin; 145
Nec reditum Diomedis abinteritu Meleagri,
Nec gemino bellum Trojanum orditur ab ovo.
Semper ad eventum festinat, et in medias res,
Non secus ac notas, auditorem rapit, et quae
Desperat tractata nitescere posse, relinquit ; 150
Atque ita mentitur, sic veris falsa remiscet,
Primo ne medium, medio ne discrepet imum.
Tu, quid ego, et populus mccum desideret, audi.
Si plausoris eges auL-ea manentis, et usque
Sessuri donee cantor, Vos plaudite, dicat, 155
i^tatis cujusque notandi sunt tibi mores ;
Mobilibusque decor naturis dandus et annis.
Reddere qui voces jam scit puer, et pede certo
Signat humum, gestit paribus colludere, et iram
Colligit ac ponit temere, et mutatur in horas. 160
Imbei'bus juvenis, tandem custode remote,
Gaudet equis canibusque, et aprici gramine campi ;
Cereus in vitium flecti, monitoribus asper,
Utilium tardus provisor, prodigus aeris,
Sublimis, cupidusque, et amata relinquere pernix. 165
Conversis studiis, aetas animusque virilis
Quaerit opes et amicitias, inservit honori,
Commisisse cavet quod mox mutare laboret.
Multa senem circumveniunt incommoda ; vel quod
Quaerit, et inventis miser abstinet, ac timet uti ; I70
Vel quod res omnes timide gelideque ministrat,
DE ARTE POETICA, AD PISONES. 241
Dilator, spe longus, iners, avidusque futuri,
Difficilis, querulus, laudator temporis acti
Se puero, censor castigatorque minorum.
Multa ferunt anni venientes commoda secum, I75
Multa recedentes adimunt. Ne forte seniles
Mandentur juveni partes, pueroque viriles,
Semper in adjunctis aevoque morabimur aptis.
Aut agitur res in scenis, aut acta refertur.
Segnius irritant animos demissa per aurem, 180
Quam quse sunt oculis subjecta fidelibus, et quae
Ipse sibi tradit spectator. Non tamen intus
Digna geri, promes in scenam : multaque tolles
Ex oculis, quae mox narret facundia prassens.
Nee pueros coram populo Medea trucidet, 185
Aut humana palam coquat exta nefarius Atreus,
Aut in avem Progne vertatur, Cadmus in anguem ;
Quodcunque ostendis mihi sic, incredulus odi.
Neve minor, neu sit quinto productior actu
Fabula, quae posci vult, et spectata reponi : I9O
Nee Deus intersit, nisi dignus vindice nodus
Incident : nee quarta loqui persona laboret.
Actoris partes chorus officiumque virile
Defendat ; neu quid medios intercinat actus,
Quod non proposito conducat et haereat apte : 195
Ille bonis faveatque et consilietur amice ;
Et regat iratos, et amet peccare timentes :
Ille dapes laudet mensas brevis : ille salubrem
Justitiam, legesque, et apertis otia portis :
Ille tegat commissa ; Deosque precetur et oret, 200
Ut redeat miseris, abeat fortuna superbis.
Tibia non, ut nunc orichalco vincta, tubaeque
^mula, sed tenuis simplexque foramine pauco
Aspirare, et adesse choris erat utilis, atque
Nondum spissa nimis complere sedilia flatu ; 205
Quo sane populus numerabilis, utpotc parvus,
Et frugi, castusque verecundusque coibat.
242 Q. HORATII FLACCI
Postquam coepit agros extendere victor, et urbem
Latior amplecti murus, vinoque diurno
Placari Genius festis impune diebus, 210
Accessit numerisque modisque licentia major.
Indoctus quid enim saperet, liberque laborum,
Rusticus urbano confusus, turpis honesto :
Sic priscae motumque et luxuriem addidit arti
Tibicen, traxitque vagus per pulpita vestem : 215
Sic etiam fidibus voces crevere severis,
Et tulit eloquium insolitum facundia praeceps ;
Utiliumque sagax rerum, et divina futuri,
Sortilegis non discrepuit sententia Delphis.
Carmine qui tragico vilem certavit ob hircum, 220
Mox etiam agrestes Satyros nudavit, et asper
Incolumi gravitate jocum tentavit, eo quod
Illecebris erat et grata novitate morandus
Spectator, functusque sacris, et potus, et exlex.
Varum ita risores, ita commendare dicaces 225
Conveniet Satyros, ita vertere seria ludo ;
Ne quicunque Deus, quicunque adhibebitur heros,
Regali conspectus in auro nuper et ostro,
Migret in obscuras humili sermone tabernas;
Aut, dum vitat humum, nubes et inania captet. 230
EfFutire leves indigna tragoedia versus ;
Ut festis matrona moveri jussa diebus,
Intererit Satyris paulum pudibunda protervis.
Non ego inornata et dominantia nomina solum,
Verbaque, Pisones, Satyrorum scriptor amabo; 235
Nee sic enitar tragico differre colori,
Ut nihil intersit Davusne loquatur, et audax
Pythias, emuncto lucrata Simone talentum.
An custos famulusque Dei Silenus alumni.
Ex noto fictum carmen sequar, ut sibi quivis 240
Speret idem ; sudct multum, frustraque laborct
Ausus idem : tantum scries juncturaque poUct ;
Tantum de medio sumtis acccdit honoris.
DE ARTE POETICA, AD PISONES. 243
Silvis deduct! cavcant, me judice, Fauni,
Ne, velut iiinati triviis ac pene forenses, 245
Aut nimium teneris juvenentur versibus unquam;
Aut iramunda crepent ignominiosaque dicta:
Offenduntur enim quibus est equus, et pater, et res ;
Nee, siquid fricti ciceris probat, et nucis emtor,
iEquis accipiunt animis, doiiantve corona. 250
Syllaba longa brevi subjecta vocatur Iambus ;
Pes citus ; unde etiam trimetris accrescere jussit
Nomen lambeis, cum senos redderet ictus,
Primus ad extremum similis sibi : non ita pridcm,
Tardior ut paulo graviorque veniret ad aures, 255
Spondeos stabiles in jura paterna recepit
Commodus et patiens ; non ut de sede secunda
Cederet aut quarta socialiter : hie et in Acci
Nobilibus Trimetris apparet rarus, et Enni.
In scenam missos magno cum pondere versus, 260
Aut operiB celeris nimium curaque carentis,
Aut ignoratse premit artis crimine turpi.
Non quivis videt immodulata poemata judex ;
Et data Romanis venia est indigna poetis.
Idcircone vager, scribamque licenter ? Ut omnes 265
Visuros peccata pvitem mea, tutus, et intra
Spem veniae cautus; vitavi denique culpam,
Non laudem merui. Vos exemplaria Grasca
Nocturna versate manu, versate diurna.
At vestri proavi Plautinos et numeros, et 27O
Laudavere sales ; nimium patienter utrumque,
Ne dicani stulte, mirati ; si modo ego et vos
Seimus inurbanum lepido seponere dicto,
Legitimumque sonum digitis callemus et aure.
Ignotum tragicaD genus invenisse Camoenae 275
Dicitur, et plaustris vexisse poemata Thespis,
Quae canerent agerentque peruncti faecibus era.
Post liunc personam, pallacque repertor honestae
u^schylus, et modicis instravit pulpita tignis,
R 2
24)4 Q. HORATII FLACCI
Et docuit magnumque loqui, nitique cothurno. 280
Successit vetus his Comoedia, non sine multa
Laiide; sed in vitium libertas excidit, et vim
Dignam lege regi : lex est accepta, chorusque
Turpiter obticuit, sublato jure nocendi.
Nil intentatum nostri liquere Poetae : 285
Nee minimum meruere decus, vestigia Graeca
Ausi deserere, et celebrare domestica facta ;
Vel qui praetextas, vel qui docuere togatas.
Nee virtute foret clarisve potentius armis,
Quam lingua, Latium, si non ofFenderet unum- 290
Quemque Poetarum limas labor et mora. Vos, O
Pompilius sanguis, carmen reprehendite quod non
Multa dies et multa litura coercuit, atque
Prsesectum decies non castigavit ad unguem,
Ingenium misera quia fortunatius arte 295
Credit, et excludit sanos Helicone poetas
Democritus, bona pars non ungues ponere curat,
Non barbam, secreta petit loca, balnea vitat.
Nanciscetur enim pretium nomenque poetae,
Si tribus Anticyris caput insanabile nunquam 300
Tonsori Licino commiserit. O ego laevus,
Qui jiurgor bilem sub verni temporis horam !
Non alius faceret meliora poemata ; verum
Nil tanti est ; ergo fungar vice cotis, acutum
Reddere quae ferrum valet, exsors ipsa secandi : 305
Munus et officium, nil scribens ipse, docebo ;
Unde parentur opes ; quid alat formetque poetam ;
Quid deceat, quid non ; quo virtus, quo ferat error.
Scribendi recte, sapere est et principium et fons :
Rem tibi Socraticae poterunt ostendere charta? : 310
Verbaque provisam rem non invita sequentur.
Qui didicit patriae quid debcat, et quid amicis,
Quo sit amore parens, quo fratcr amandus et hospes,
Quod sit conscripti, quod judicis officium, qua?
Partes in bellum missi ducis, ille profecto 315
DE ARTE POETICA, AD PISONES. 245
Redderc pevsonae scit convenicntia cuique.
Respicere exemplar vitae morumque jubebo
Doctum imitatorem, et veras hinc ducere voces.
Interdum speciosa locis morataque recta
Fabula, nullius veneris, sine pondere et arte, 320
Valdius oblectat populum meliusque moratur,
Quam versus inopes rerum, nugaeque canora?.
Graiis ingenium, Graiis dedit ore rotundo
Musa loqui, praeter laudem nullius avaris :
Romani pueri longis rationibus assem 325
Discunt in partes centum diducere. 1| Dicat
Filius Albini, Si de quincunce remota est
Uncia, quid superat? H Poteras dixisse, Triens. 1[ Eu?
Rem poteris servare tuam. lledit uncia, quid fit?
^ Semis. II An, haec animos terugo et cura peculi 330
Cum semel imbuerit, speramus carmina fingi
Posse linenda cedro, et levi servanda cupresso ?
Aut prodesse volunt aut delectare poetae,
Aut simul et jucunda et idonea dicere vitae.
Quicquid praecipies, esto brevis ; ut cito dicta 335
Percipiant animi dociles, teneantque fideles :
Omne supervacuum pleno de pectore manat.
Ficta voluptatis causa, sint proxima veris;
Ne, quodcunque volet, poscat sibi fabula credi,
Neu pransae Lamise vivum puerum extrahat alvo. 340
Centuriae seniorum agitant expertia frugis ;
Celsi praetereunt austera poemata Rbamnes :
Omne tulit punctum qui miscuit utile dulci,
Lectorem delectando, pariterque monendo.
Hie meret aera liber Sosiis; hie et mare transit, 345
Et longum noto scriptori prorogat aevum.
Sunt delicta tamen quibus ignovisse velimus :
Namneque chorda sonum reddit quern vult manus et mens,
Poscentiquegravem persacpc remittit acutum ;
Nee semper feriet quodcunque minabitur arcus. 350
Verum ubi plura nitent in carmine, non ego paucis
246 Q. HORATII FLACCl
OfFendar maculis, quas aut incuria fudit,
Aut humana parum cavit natura. Quid ergo est ?
TJt scviptor si peccat idem librarius usque,
Quamvis est monitus,venia caret; et citharoedus 35-5
Ridetur, chorda qui semper oberrat eadem :
Sic milii, qui multum cessat, fit Clioerilus ille,
Quern bis terque bonum, cum risu miror; et idem
Indignor quandoque bonus dormitat Homerus ?
Verum operi longo fas est obrepere somnum. 360
tJt pictura, poesis : erit qufe, si propius stes
Te capiat magis, et quaedam, si longius abstes.
Hsec amat obscurum, volet hcec sub luce videri,
Judicis argutum quae non formidat acumen :
Hsec placuit semel, haec decies repetita placebit, 365
O major juvenum, quamvis et voce paterna
Fingeris ad rectum, et per te sapis, hoc tibi dictum
Tolle memor; certis medium et tolerabile rebus
Recte concedi: consultus juris et actor
Causarum mediocris abest virtute diserti 370
Messala^, nee scit quantum Cascellius Aulus ;
Sed tamen in pretio est ; mediocribus esse poetis
Non homines, non Dii, non concessere columna).
Ut gratas inter merisas symphonia discors
Et crassum unguentum, et Sardo cum melle papaver 375
Offendunt ; poterat duci quia coena sine istis :
Sic animis natum inventumque poema juviindis,
Si paulum a summo decessit, vergit ad imum.
Ludere qvii nescit campestribus abstinet armis,
Indoctusque pilie discive trochive quiescit, 380
Ne spissfc risum tollant impune coronse :
Qui nescit, versus tamen audet fingere! U Quid ni?
Liber et ingenuus, praesertim census equestrem
Summam nummorum, vitioque remotus ab omni.
% Tu nihil invita dices faciesve Minerva ; 385
Id tibi judicium est, ea mens: siquid tamen olim
Scripseris, in Maeei descendat judicis aures,
DE ARTE POETICA, AD TISONES. 247
Et patris, et nostras, nonumquc prcmatur in annum,
Membranis intus positis. Delcrc liccbit,
Quod non edideris; nescit vox missa reverti. 390
Silvestres homines sacer interpresque Deorum
Coedibuset victu foedo deterruit Orpheus;
Dictus ob hoc lenire tigres, rabidosque leones :
Dictus et Amphion Thebanre conditor arcis
Saxa movere sono testudinis, et prece blanda 395
Ducere quo vellet : fuit hrec sapientia quondam,
Pubhca privatis secernere, sacra profanis,
Concubitu prohibere vago, dare jura maritis,
Oppida moliri, leges incidere Hgno :
Sic honor et nomen divinis vatibus atque 400
Carminibus venit. Post hos insignis Horaerus,
Tyrta3usque mares animos in Martia bella
Versibus exacuit ; dictoe per carmina sortes ;
Et vitae monstrata via est ; et gratia regum
Pieriis tentata modis: ludusque repertus, 405
Et longorum operum finis : ne forte pudori
Sit tibi Musa lyra^ solers, et cantor Apollo.
Natura fieret laudabile carmen, an arte,
Quaesitum est : ego nee studium sine divite vena;
Nee rude quid possit video ingenium : alterius sic 410
Altera poscit opem res, et conjurat amice.
Qui studet optatam cursu contingere metam,
Multa tulit fecitque puer ; sudavit et alsit ;
Abstinuit venere et vino : qui Pythia cantat
Tibicen, didicit prius extimuitque magistrum. 415
Nee satis est dixisse, " Ego mira poemata pango :
" Occupet extremum scabies ; mihi turpe relinqui est,
" Et, quod non didici, sane nescire fateri".
Ut proeco ad merces turbam qui cogit emendas,
Asseutatores jubet ad lucrum ire poeta 420
Dives agris, dives positis in foenore nummis.
Si vero est, unctum qui rccte ponere possit,
Et spondere levi pro paupere, et eripere atris
248 Q. HOUATII FLACCI
Litibus implicitum, mirabor si sciet inter-
Noscere mendacem verumque beatus amicum. 425
Tu seu donaris, seu quid donare voles cui,
Nolito ad versus tibi factos ducere plenum
Lsetitise ; clamahit enim, Pulchre / bene! recte!
Pallescet ; super his etiam stillabit amicis
Ex oculis rorem ; saliet, tundet pede terram. 430
Ut qui conducti plorant in funere, dicunt
Et faciunt prope plura dolentibus ex animo ; sic
Derisor vero plus laudatore movetur.
Reges dicuntur multis urguere culullis,
Et torquere mero, quern perspexisse laborent 435
An sit amicitia dignus : si carmina condes,
Nunquam te fallant animi sub vulpe latentes.
Quintilio siquid recitares, Corrige sodes
Hoc, aiebat, et hoc : melius te posse negares,
Bis terque expertum frustra, delere jubebat, 440
Et male tornatos incudi reddere versus.
Si defendere delictum quam vertere malles,
Nullum ultra verbum aut operam sumebat inanem ;
Quin sine rivali teque et tua solus amares.
Vir bonus et prudens versus reprehendet inertes, 445
Culpabit duros, incomtis allinet atrum
Transverse calamo signum, ambitiosa recidet
Ornamenta, parum claris lucem dare coget,
Arguet ambigue dictum, mutanda notabit ;
Fiet Aristarchus ; non dicet, Cur ego amicum 450
OfFendam in nugis? Hae nugae seria ducent
In mala derisum semel exceptumque sinistre.
Ut mala quem scabies aut morbus regius urguet,
Aut fanaticus error et iracunda Diana,
Vesanum tetigisse timent fugiuntque poetam 455
Qui sapiunt ; agitant pueri, incautique sequuntur.
Hie, dum sublimis versus ructatur et errat,
Si veluti merulis intentus decidit auceps
In puteum foveamve, licet Succurrite, longum
DE AUTK I'OETICA, AD PISONES. 249
Clamet, lo cives ! non sit qui toUere curet : 400
Si curet quis opem ferre, et demittere funcm,
Qui scis an prudens hue se dejecerit, atque
Servavi nolit ? dicam, Siculique poetae
Narrabo interitum : Deus immortalis haberi
Dum cupit Empedocles, ardentem frigidus Minam 465
Insiluit; sit jus lieeatque perire poetis :
Invitum qui servat, idem facit occidenti :
Nee semel hoe fecit : nee, si retractus erit, jam
f iet homo, et ponet famosae mortis amorem.
Nee satis apparet cur versus faetitet; utrum 47O
Minxerit in patrios cineres, an triste bidental
Moverit incestus ; certe furit, ae velut ursus
Objectos caveae valuit si frangere clathros,
Indoctum doctumque fugat recitator acerbus :
Quem vero arripuit, tenet occiditque legendo, 475
Non raissura cutem, nisi plena cruoris, hirudo.
ERRATA.
PRELIMINARY DISSERTATION, ETC.
Page (7), line 30, for 8vo read 4to
(27), line 8, for translation read transition
(30), lines 2G, 7, dele "in sacrificia "
(32), line 2, for (10th) read (12th)
(74.), last line, read a comma at next,
TEXT.
1 S. IV., line 69, for CckII Birrique read Cceli Birrique
80, ybj- jacis : »-^a<Z jacis?
2 S. II,, line 34, read a full point at est.
2 S. III., line 166, for Naviger read Naviget
2 S. VIII., line 86, for puei read pueri
3 C. IV., line 4, for Sue 7-ead Seu
3 C. XXVI., line 9, for beatum read beatam
1 E. VI., line 2, read a full point at beatum.
27, for comma, read a full point at Ancus
60, for et read ut
2 E. II., line \b\, for curarier? read curarier.
Ad Pis., line 65, for diu palus read palus prius [ivilh Benlki/]
*^;.^
^79
p?&'-^
.*•
w,
1^^'
m
I
^1
1
Wi
■
298447
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY
^m^ (
kMSfe^.^
n