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

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EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE XXVI. 29U
{Orelli, ad loc.)—13. BlanAius moderere. " Thou rale with more peraoa-
Bive melody." Observe the employment of the subjmictive here, and also
in reieat. The meaning is, that even if there be a possibility of his raling
or swaying the lyre more sweetly than Orpheus, still there is no possibil-
ity of his friend's being restored to existence. The allusion is to the legend
of Orpheus and Enrydice.— ^16. Virga horrida. " With his gloomy
wand." Alluding to the caduceus. The epithet horrida regards its'
dreaded influence over the movements of departed shades, as they pass onward
to the fatal river.— ^17. Non lenis, tec. " Not gentle enough to open
the fatal portals in compliance with our prayers," i. e., sternly refusing to
change the order of the fates, &c. Lenis recludere, a Grasoism for lenis ad
recludendum.
Ode XXVI. In praise of iElius Lamia, a Roman of ancient and illustrious
family, and distinguished for his exploits in the war with the Cantabri.
The bard, wholly occupied with the Muses and his friend, consigns
every other thought to the winds. As regards the Lamiau line, consult
notes on Ode iii., 17.
2-5. 2. Mare Creticum. The Cretan, which lay to the north of the
island of Crete, is here put for any sea.—^S. Portare. "To waft them."
— Quia sub Arcio^ &c. " By whom the monarch of a frozen region-abeneath
the northern sky is feared," &c., i. 6., by what people, &c. The
present ode appears to have been written at the time when Phrahates,
king of Farthia, had been dethroned by his subjects for bis excessive
cruelty, and Teridates, who headed a party against him, appointed in his
stead. Phrahates fled for succor to the Scythians, and a monarch of that
nation was now on bis march to restore him. The king of the frozen region
is therefore the Scythian invader, and the people who fear his approach
are the Parthians with Teridates at their head. Dio Cassias informs
us that Phrahates was reinstated in his kingdom, and that Teridates
fled into Syria. . Here he was allowed to retnain by Augustus, who obtained
from him the son of Phrahates, and led the young prince as a hostage
to Bx)me. This son was subsequently i-estored to the father, and the
standards taken by the Parthians from Crassus and Antony were delivered
in exchange. (Compare Dio Cassius, 51, 18, vol. i., p. 649, ed. Reim.
Justin., 42, 5.) Strabo, however, states that the son of Phrahates was re
ceived as a hostage from the father himself and along with him sons and
grandsons {naldag Kai izalSov izatSaf. Strab., 6; extr.). Compare with
this the language of Suetonius (vi£. Aug.jA^, who speaks of the hostages
of the Parthians [" Parthorum obsides").— Unice securus. "Utterly regardless."
6-11. 6. Fontibusintegris. .
"The pure fountains." ^ythefontes in-
iegri lyric poetry is designated, and the poet alludes to the circumstance
of his having been the first of his countrymen that had refreshed the litera-
ture of Rome with the streams of lyric verse. Hence the invocation of
themnse. 6. Apricos necte flares. " Entwine the sunny flowers." By
apriei flares are meant flowers produced in sunny spots, and thei^efore
of sweeter fragrance and brighter hue. These " sunny flowers" and
the ohaplet which they form are figurative expressions, and mean sim