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

314 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE XXXVIII.
this CsBsar obviously gave credit, for her effigy which he carried in
triomph had an asp on the arm." It is more than prohable that the asp
on the arm of the effigy was a mere ornament, mistaken by the populace
for a symbolical allosion to the manner of Cleopatra's death. Or we may
condade with Wrangham that there would of course be an asp on the
diadem of the effigy, because it was peculiar to the kings of Egypt.
29-30. 29. Deliberata morteferodor. " Becoming more fierce by a de
termined resolution to die." Compare Orelli : " Permorlem deliberatam
ferodorfacta" Morte is the instrumental ablative.—30. Saevis Liburnis,
&C. "Because, a haughty woman, she disdained being led away in the
hostile galleys of the Libumians, deprived of all her former rank, for the
purpose of gracing the proud triumph of Augustus." Svperbo triainplU)
is here put by a Graecism for ad svperbum triumpJium. The Tiavei Iaburna
were a kind of light galleys used by the Libumians, an Blyrian race
along the coast of the Adriatic, addicted to piracy. To ships of tbi^ constmction
Augustus was in a great measure indebted for his victory ^at Ac-
tium. The vessels of Antony, on the other hand, were remarkable for
their great size. Compare the tumid description of Florm (iv., 11, 5)
" Turrihus atqile iabulatis alleoatts, castellorum et urbium specie, non sine
gemitit maris, et labqre ventorumferebantur."
Ode XXXVIIL Written in condemnation, as is generally supposed,
of the luxury and extravagance which marked the banquets of the day.
The bard directs his attendant to make the simplest preparations for his
entertainment.
1-5. 1. Persicos apparatus. "The festal preparations of the Per
siana," i. e., luxurious and costly preparations. NextS"phil^ra coroufs.
" Chaplets secured with the rind of the linden." Chaplets, as alreadyiremarked,
were supposed to be of efficacy in checking intoxication. Among
the Romaiis they were made of ivy, myrtle. Sec, interwoven chiefly with
violets and roses. If fastened on a strip of bark, especially the inner rind
of the linden tre^, they were called sittiles.—3. Miite sectari. " GHve over
searching."—4. Moretur. "Loiters beyond its season."—5. Nihil aliabores
sedulus euro. The order is nihil euro (ut) sedulus allabores. " I am
not at all desirous that you take earnest pains to add any thing." We
have given euro with Orelli, t)illenbu!ger,.8Bij'>tl!erB. "Wakefield [Sitv.
Crii., 5 55) proposes cures. Joining it in construCtiu^vwith sedulvs. Conningham,
Valart, and Oaring adopt it. Bentley Teaa^tefaTiikiDg eura
as an imperative in the sense olcave.
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