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

292 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE XIX,
as at those of Bacclins.—14. Quts subsegurtur, Sec. " In whose train follows."—15.
Gloria. " Foolish vanity."— Veriicem vacuum. " The empty
head."—16, Arcanijides prodiga, " Indisctetion prodigal of secrets."
Ode XIX. The poet, after having hid farewell to love, confesses that
the beauty of Glycera had again made him a willing captive. Venns,
Bacchns, and Licentia are the authors of this change, and compel him to
abandon all graver employments. A sacrifice to the first of these deities,
in order to propitiate her influence, now engrosses the attention of the
bard. Some commentators have supposed that the poet's object in composing
this piece was to excuse himself to Msecenas for not having celebrated
in song, as the latter requested, the operations of Augustus against
the Scythians and the Parthians. We should prefer, however, the simpler
and more uataral explanation of the ode as a mere sportive elfusion.
1-5. 1. Mater steva Ciipidinum. " The cruel mother of the Loves."
The later poets made Venus the mother of numerous loves, who formed
her train.—2. Thebanie Semeles puer, Bacchus ; hence called ^EfieXj}y^^C'—
3. Lasciva Licentia. "Frolic License."—5. Nitor. "The
briUiant beauty."
6, Pario marmore puHus. Faros was famed for its statuary marble.
The i)uarries were in Mount Marpessos. For an interesting account of a
Visit to these quarries, consult Clark€s Travels^ vi., p. 134.
8-12. 8. Et vuUus nimium lubricus aspici. " And her countenance
too dangerous to be gazed upon." Lubricus aspici is analogous to the
Greek c^aTiepbc (^^.iirEadat, and lubricus, like a