The works of Horace : with English notes, critical and ... - Cristo Raul

EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE VH. 273
favor of the opinion above stated, it may be remarked, that Varro, as quoted
by Laotantins [De Falsa iJe?, 1, 6), gives a list of the ancient aibyla, and
among them enumerates the one at Tibur, sumamed Albunea, as the tenth
and last. He farther states that she was worshipped at Tibnr, on the
banks of the Auio. Saidas also says, Aexcmi ri TtPovpTia, ivo/iaTi 'A)!,-
jSovtiata- Eustace is in favor of the." Grotto of Neptune," as it is called
at the present day, a cavern in the rook, to which travellers descend in
order to view the second fall of the Anio. {Class. Tour, vol. ii., p. 230,
Land, ed.) Others, again, suppose that the domus Albunea: was in the
neighborhood oftheAqiKB AUmla, Sulphureous lakes, or now rather pools,
close to the Via Tiburtina, leading from Rome to Tibur ; .and it is said,
iu defence of this opinion, that, in consequence of the hallow ground in the
vicinity returning an echo to footsteps, the spot obtained from Horace the
epithet of refonan^zs. {Spencers Polymeiis.) The idea is certainly an ingenious
one, but it is conceived that such a situation would give rise to
feelings of insecurity rather than of pleasure.
13-15. 13. Preeceps Anio. " The headlong Anio." This river, now
the Teverone, is famed for its beautiful cascades near the ancient ttiwn
of Tibur, now Tivoli.— Tibumi lucus. This grove, in the vicinity of Tibur,
took its name from Tibumus, who had here divine honors paid to his memory.—15.
Albus ut obscuro. Some editions make this the commencement
of a new ode, on account of the apparent want of connection between
this part and what precedes ; hut consult the introductory remarks to the
present ode, where the connection is fully shown. By the AUms Notus
" the clear south wind," is meant the AevKdvoroc, or 'Apyiarjic Ndrof {H.,
11, 306) of the Greeks. This wind, though for the most part a moist and
damp one, whence its name (vtSrof, a voriCt " moisture," " humidity"), in
certain seasons of the year well merited the appellation hei'e given it by
Horace, producing clear and serene weather.
Literally, " wipes away." Present tense of detergeo.
—
Deterget. " Chases away
19-23. 19. Molli mero. "With mellow wine." Some editions place a
comma after trisfitiam in the previous line, and regard molli as a verb in
the imperative : " and soften the toils of life, O Flancus, with wine." This,
however, is inferior.—21. Tui. Alluding either to its being one of his favorite
places of retreat, or, mord probably, to the villa which he possessed
there.— Teucer. Son of Telamon, king of Salamis, and Hesione, daughter
of Laomedon, and, consequently, haltbrother of Ajax. On his return from
the Trojan war, he was banished by his father for not having avenged his
brother's death. Having sailed, in consequence ofthis, to Cyprus, he there
built a town called Salamis (now Costanza), after the name of his native
city and island.—22. Uda Lycso. " Wet with wine." Lyajus is from the
Greek AuaZof, an appellation given to Bacchus, in allusion to his/reeingthe
mind from care (KitLV, "to loosen," " to free"). Compare the Latin
epithet Lib&r {"qui liberat a cura").
23-32. 23. Pdpnlea. The poplar was sacred to Hercules. Teucer
wears a crown of it on the present occasion, either as the general oadge
of a hero, or because he was offering a sacrifice to Hercules. The white
or silver poplar is the species here meant.—26. O sodi comitesguc. " O
companions in arms and followers." Socii refers"to the chieftains who
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