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

318 EXPLANATOKY NOTES. BOOK II., ODE III.
23. Oailo irretorto. "With a steady gaze," i. e., -without an envionn
look. Not regarding them with the sidelong glance of envy, but with the
steady gaze of calm indifference.
Ode hi. Addressed to Q. Dellias, and recommending 4 calm enjoyment
of the pleasures of existence, since death, sooner or later, will bring
all to an end. The individual to whom the ode is inscribed was remark-
and so often did he change
able for bis fickle and vacillating character ;
sides during the civil contest which took place after the death of Csesar,
as to receive from Messala the appellation of desuUarem bdlorum civilium
; a pleasant allusion to the Koman desultores, who rode two horses
joined together, leaping quickly from the one to the other. Compare
Seneca (Suasar., p. 7) : " Bellissimam tamen rem, Ddlius dixit, quem Messala
Corvinus desulforem bellorum civilium vocat, quia ab Dolabella ad
Cassium transiturus stUutem sibipactus est, si Dolabellam ocddisset; ei
a Cassio deinde transivit ad Antonium .- novissume
ab Antonio transfugU
ad Casarem." Consult, also, Veil. Paterc, 2, 84, and Dio Cass., 49, 39.
S-8. 2. Non secus in bonisf *c. " As well as one restrained from im
moderate joy in prosperity."^-4. Moriture. " Who at some time or othei
must end thy existence." Dacier well observes that the whole beauty
and force of this strophe consists in the single word moriture, which is
not only an epithet, bat a reason to confirm the poet's advice*—5. J}elli.
The old editors, previous to Lambinus, read Deli; but consult iJaftniai,
ad Veil. Paterc, 2, 84, on the orthography of this name.—6. In remoto
gramine. "In some grassy retreat." Dies Festos. Days among the
Romans were distinguished into three general divisions, the Dies Fesii,
Dies Profesti, and Dies Intercisi. The Dies Festi, " Holy days," were
consecrated to religious purposes ; the Dies Profesti were given to the
common business of life, and the Dies Intercisi were naif holidays, divided
between sacred and ordinary occupations. The Dies Fasti, on the other
band, were those on which it was lawful {fas) for the prsetor to sit in
judgment. All other days were called Dies Nefasti, or "Non-court days."
—8. Inieriore nota Falemi. " With the old Falernian," i. e., the choicest
wine, which was placed in the farthest part of the vault or crypt, marked
with its date and growth.
9-19. 9. Qua pinus ingens, kc. " Where the tall pine and silver pop
lar love to unite in forming with their branches an hospitable shade."
The poet is probably describing some beautiful spot in the pleasure
grounds of Dellius. The editions before that of Lambinus have Quo, for
which he first substituted Qua, on the authority of some MSS. Fea and
others attempt to defend the old reading, but qua is more elegantly used
in the sense of ubi than quo.— ^11. Et obliquo laborat, &c. "And the
swiftly-moving water strives to run murmuring along in its winding channel."
The beautiful selection of terms in laborat and trepidarc is worthy
of particular notice.—13. Nimium bresis rosts. " Of the too short-lived
rose."—15. Res. "Your opportunities." Compare the explanation of
Orelli : "Kes : tola vitts turn conditio, ac singula accasiones."—Sororum.
The ITates.—17. Coemptis. " Bought up on all sides."—2)