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

BOOK III.
Ode L The general train of thoagbt in this heaatiful Ode is simply as
follows : Trae happiness consists not in the possession of power, of pablic
honors, or of extensive riches, hat in a tranquil and contented mind.
1-4. 1. OdiprofanumtfulgiLSiSLC. " I hate the uninitiated crowd, and
I keep them at a distance." Speaking as the priest of the Muses, and being
about to disclose their sacred mysteries (in other words, the precepts
of true wisdom] to the favored few, the poet imitates the form of language
hy which the uninitiated and profane were directed to retire from the
mystic rites of the gods. The rales of a happy life can not he comprehended
and may be abused by the crowd.—2. Favete Unguis. "Preserve
a religions silence." Literally, " favor me with your tongues." We have
here another form of words, by which silence and attention were enjoined
on the true worshippers. This was required, not only from a principle
of religioas respect, bat also lest some ill-omened expression might casual-
ly fall from those who were .present, and mar the solemnities of the oc-
casion. Compare the Greek eitipijfielTe'—Carmina non prius audita.
"Strains before anheard." There appears to be even here an allusion to
the language and forms of the mysteries in which new and important
truths were promised to be disclosed.— 4. Virginibus puerisgue canto.
The poet supposes himself to be dictating his strains to a choras of virgins
and youths. Stripped of its fieurative garb, the Idea intended to be conveyed
will be simply this : that the bard wishes his precepts of a happy
life to be carefully treasured up by the young.
5-14. 5. Regum timendorum, Soc. The poet now unfolds his subject.
Kings, he observes, are elevated far above the ordinary ranks of men, bat
Jove is mightier than kings themselves, and can in an instant humble
their power in the dust. Royalty, therefore, carries with it no peculiar
claims to the enjoyment of happiness. Inproprios greges. "Over their
own flocks." Kings are the shepherds of their people.—9. Cuncta supercilio
moventis. "Who shakes the universe with his nod." Compare
Homer, /^.,-,i., 528.—9. Est ut viro vir^ &c. " It happens that one man
arranges his trees at greater distances in the trenches than another,"
i. e., possesses wider domains. The Romans were accustomed to plant
their vines, olive-trees, &c., in trenches or small pits. Some editions have
Esto for Est : " Grant that one man," &.c., or " suppose that."—10. Hie
generosior descendaU &c. "That this one descends into the Campus Martias
a nobler applicant for office."—12. Moribus hie meliorquefama, &c:
Alluding to the novus homo, or man of ignoble birth.—14. ^qua lege NecessitaSf
Sec,. « Still, Necessity, by an impartial law, draws forth the lots
of the high and the lowly; the capacious urn keeps in constant agitation
the names of all." Necessity is here represented holding her capacious
urn containing the names of all. She keeps the urn in constant agitation,
and the lots that come forth from it every instant are the signals of death
to the individuals whose names are inscribed on them. The train cf
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