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

316 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., ODE I.
13-23. 13, Insigne moestis, &c. " Dlsting^aished source of aid to the
sorrowful accused." Alluding to his abilities as an advocate.—14. Con
sulenti curia. "To the senate asking thy advice." It was the duty of
the consul or presiding magistrate to ask the opinions of the individaal
flenators {consulere senatum). Here, however, the poet very heautifally
assigns to the senate itself the office of him who presided over their delib-
erations, and in making them ask the individual opinion of FolHo, represents
them as following vtrith implicit confidence his directing and couu-
selling voice.— 16. Dalmatico triumpko. Pollio triamphod A.T7.C. 715, .
B.C. 38, over tbe Farthini, an Illyrian race, in the vicinity of Epidamnns.
—17. Jam nunc minadt &c. The poet fancies himself listening to the re-
cital of Follio's history, and to be hurried on by the animated and graphic
periods of his fiiend into the midst of combats, and especially into the
great Fharsaliau conflict.—19. Fugaces terret equos, &c. " Terrilieff the
flying steeds, and spreads alarm over the countenances of their riders."
The zeugma in terret is worthy of attention.—21. Audire magnos, Ilc.
" Already methinks I bear the cry of mighty leaders, stained with no in-
glorious dust."—23. Et cuncta terrarum^ &c. "And see the whole world
subdued, except the unyielding soul of Cato." After cuncta understand
loca. Cato the younger is alluded to, who put an end to his existence at
Utica. Compare note on Ode L, 12, 35.
25-40. 25. Juno et deorumt &c. " Jutto, and whosoever of the gods,
more Mendly to the people of Afirica, unable to resist the power of the
FateSi bad retired from a land they could not then avenge, in after days
offered up the descendants of the conquerors as a sacrifice to the shade of
Jugurtha-" The victory at Thapsus, where Caesar triumphed over the
remains of Fompey's party in Africa, and after which Cato put an end to
his own existence at Utica, is here alluded to in language beautifully po-
etic. Juno, and the other tutelary deities of Afiica, compelled to bend to
the loftier destinies of the Roman^name in the Funic conflicts and in the
war with Jugurtha, are supposed, in accordance with the popular belief
on such subjects, to have retired from the land which they found them-
selves unable to save. In a later age, bowever, taking advantage of the
civil dissensions among the conquerors, they make the battle-field at Thap-
sus, where Roman met Roman, a vast place of sacrifice, as it were, in
which thousands were immolated to the manes of Jugurtha and the faUeu
fortunes of thq land.—29. Quis non Latino^ &c. The poet, as an inducement
for Follio to persevere, enlarges in glowing colors on the lofty and
extensive nature of the subject which occupies tbe attention of his friend.
—31. Auditumque Media, &,c. "And the sound of the downfall of Italy,
heard even by the distant nations of the East." Under the term Medis
there is a special reference to the Farthians, the bitterest foes to the Ilo<
man name.—34. Daunite ceedes. "The blood of Romans." Daunits is
here put for Italce ox Romanes. Compare note on Ode i., 22, 13.—37. Sed
ne reUciiSt &c. "But do not, bold muse, abandon sportive themes, and
resume the task of the Caean dirge," i. e., never again boldly presume to
direct thy feeble efibrts toward subjects of so grave and mournful a character.
The expression deee neenice refers to Slmonides, the famous bard
of Ceos, distinguished as a writer of mournful elegy, and who flourished
about 605 B.C.—39. Dloncso sub antra. "Beneath some cave sacred to
Venus." Dione was the mother of Venus, whence the epithet Dionceui