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

310 EXFLANATORY NOTES. BOOK 1., ODE XXXV,
The repetition of the phrase ad wma is intended to express the redonhled
-outcries of an agitated throng, calling upon the dilatory and inactive to
add themselves to their number. Compare Ovid, Met.^ xi.. 37 7 : " Cuncti
coeamus et arma, Arma capessamus." The term imperium in this passage
is equivalent merely to puhlicatn quietem, or rHpubliccB statum, taking
respuUica in the general sense of " government."—17. Te semper an-
tcii, &.C. The idea intended to be conveyed is, that all things must yield
to the power of Fortune. This is beautifully expressed in the language of
the text: "Thee thy handmaid Necessity ever precedes." Anteit mast
be pronounced ant-j/itt as a dissyllable, by synaeresis.—18, Clavos trader
Us. Necessity is here represented with all such appendages as may
serve to convey the idea of firm and unyielding power. Thus she bears
in her hand clavos trabales, " large spikes," like those employed for couuecting
closely together the timbers of an edifice. She is armed also
with " wedges," used for a similar purpose, not for cleaving asunder, as ,
some explain it. lulike manner, the "unyielding clamp" (severus uncus)
makes its appearance, which serves to -unite more firmly two masses of
stone, while the "melted lead" is required to secure the clamp in its hed.
Some commentators erroneously regard the clavos trabalesj &c., as instniments
of punishment.
31-29. 21. Te Spes et albo, &c. The idea which the poet wishes to
convey is, that Hope and Fidelity are inseparable from Fortune. In other
words, Hope always cheers the unfortunate with a prospect of better days
to come, and a faithful friend only adheres the more closely to us under
the pressure of adversity. The epithet rara alludes to the paucity of trae-
friends, while the expression tdbo velatapanno refers in a very heautifol
manner to the sincerity ajid candor ,by which they are always distinguisli-
ed.—23. Utc'unque mutata, &c. " Whenever, clad in sordid vestments,
thou leavest in anger the abodes of the powerfiiL" Prosperous fortane is
arrayed in splendid attire, but when the anger of the goddess is kindled,
and she abandons the dwelliug:3 of the mighty, she changes her fair ves^
ments for a sordid garh.—26. Cadis cum fcece siccatis. "When the caska
are drained to the veiy dregs." -faithless fi'iends abandom us after oar
resources have been exhausted in gratifying their selfish cupidity.—28.
Ferre jugum pa/riter dolosi. A Graecism for doloswres quam utferanty
&c. " Too faithless to bear in common with us the yoke of adversity."—
29. Vltimos orbis Britannos. In designating the Britons as ^^ultmos
orbist' Horace must be understood to speak more as a poet than a geog
rapher, since the Komans of his day were well acquainted with the exist
ence of Hibemia. It must be acknowledged, however, that it was no uit
common thing to call all the islands in this quarter by the general name
of Insulce Britannicee (Bperravi/cat v^aot).
30-33. 30. Jiwenum recens examen. " The recent levy of youthful war-
riors." These are compared to b. fresh swarm of bees issuing from the
" And by the Indian Sea." The al-
parent hiveir—32. Oceanoque Rubro.
lusion is to the Mare Erythrtsum, or Indian Ocean, not to the Sinus Arab-
icuSf or B,ed Sea.—33. Elieu / cicatricum, Sec. " Ah ! I am ashamed of oar
scars, and our guilt, and of brothers— " The poet was going to add, " slain
by the hand of brothers," but the thought was too horrid for utterance, and
tne sentence is therefore abruptly broken off. Hence we have placed e
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