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

LIFE OF HORACE. XXI 3f
men of talent with the govCTnment, might dispose him to overlook
with quiet contempt or easy indifference, or even to join in the laugh
at this touch of satire against his own peculiarity of person or manner
; but, still, the subsequent publication of a poem containing such
an allusion, aller the satirist had been admitted into the intimacy of
Masoenas (and it is universally admitted that the satire was first pub-
lished after this time), appears improbable, and altogether inconsistent
with the deferential respect and gratitude shown by Horace to his
patron, with the singular tact and delicacy through which the poet
preserves his freedom by never trespassing beyond its proper bounds,
and with that exquisite urbanity which prevents his fhitteiy from degenerating
into adulation. This is still less likely if the allusion in
the satire glanced at physical deformity or disease. After all, this
negligence or effeminate aifeetation was probably much too common
to point the satire against any individual, even one so eminent as
lUsBOenas. The grave observation of the similarity between the
names of Msecenas and Malchinus, being each of three syllables and
beginning with an M, reminds us irresistibly of old Fluellin's Macedon
and Monmouth.
The other circumstances of the interview seem to imply that
Horace felt no peculiar embarrassment, such as he might have experienced
if he was conscious of having libelled Maecenas. There
was no awkward attempt at apology, but a plain independence in
his manner ; he told him merely that he was neither a man of family
nor fortune, and explained who and what he was.' The question
then recurs, what were these verses to which Horace was impelled
by poverty ? Poetry can not have been of itself a gainful occupation.
The Sosii were not, like the opulent booksellers of our own
day, ready to encourage, and to speculate in favor of, a young and
promising author. In another passage, written late in life, the poet
pleasantly describes himself as having grovra rich and indolent, and
as having lost that genial inspiration of want which heretofore had
BO powerfully excited his poetic vein. Pope has imitated the hnmorous
illustration of the old spldier with more than his usual felioitv
" In Anna's wars, a soldier, poor and old,
Had dearly eaxn'd a little purse of gold.
Tlre^ with a tedious march, one luckless night
He slept (poor dog), and lost it to a doit
This put the man in such a desperate mind.
Between revenge, and grief,, and hunger join'd,
Against himself, the foe, and all manlund,
""""
He leaped the trenches, scaled a castle wall
Tore down a standard, took the fort and all.
' Prodigious well I' his great commander cried,
ijave him much praise, and some reward beside,
Next pleased his excellence a town toljatter
(Its name I know not, and 'tis no great matter) ;
' Go on, my friend,' he cried *
; see yonder walls I
Advance and conquer I go where glory calls I
1. Sat i., 6, 58, scgg.
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