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

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344 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK III., ODE IV.
poet is defended from barm by the daughters of Mnemosyne, much more
will the exalted Caesar experience their favoring aid ; and be will also give
to the world an illustrious example of the beneficial effects resulting from
power when controlled and regulated by wisdom and moderation.
1-20. 1. Die longum mdos. "Give utterance to a long melodioas
strain." Regina. A general term of honor, unless we refer it to Hesiod,
Tkeog.i 79, where Calliope is described aa TrpogipepecTTdTij cnraaiuv
(M.ovffdov).-^3. Voce acuta. "With clear and tuneful accents."—4. Fidibus
citkaraque. ForJldibus citharis. "On the strings of Apollo's lyre."
—5- Auditis ? "Do you bear her?" The poet fancies that the Muse,
having heard his invocation, has descended from the skies, and is pouring
forth a melodious strain. Hence the question, put to those who are supposed
to be standing around, whether they also hear the accents of the
goddess. Fca, one of the modern commentators on Horace, gives on con-
jecture Audiris ? in the sense of " Are yoa heard by me V " Do you answermy
invocation?" Amabilis insania. "A fond phrensy."—^7. Amcena
q-uos ett &c. A beautiful zeugma. " Through which the pleasing waters
glide and refreshing breezes blow."—9. Fabulosce. " Celebrated in fa-
hle."-:— Vulture. Mons Vulture now Monte VoltorCt was situate to the
south of VfMusia, and was, in fact, a mountain ridge, separating Apulia
from Lucania. As it belongedt therefore, partly to one of these countries,
and partly to the other, Horace might well use the expression Altrids
extra limen Apulia, when speaking of the Lucanian side of the mountain.
—Apulo. Observe that the initial vowel is. long in this word, bat short
in Apulia in the next line. Some, therefore, read here Appulo ; but for
this there is no need, since the Latin poets not unfrequently vary the
quantity of proper or foreign names. Thus we have Pridmus and Prutmides
; Sicdivus and Sicdnia; Itdlus and ItcUia; Bdtdvus a,nd Bdtdvus.
—10. Altrids Apuliee. "Of my native Apulia."—11. Ludofatigatumque
somno. "Wearied with play and oppressed with sleep,"—13. Mirum
quod foreti &c. "WTiich might well be a source of wonder," kc.—
14. Celsee nidum Acherontias. "The nest of the \oitj Acherontia."
Acherontia, now Acerenza, was situated on a hUl difficult of access, south
of Forentum, in Apulia. Its lofly situation gains for it from the poet the
beautiful epithet of nidus.—15. Salfusqus Bantinos. Bantia, a town of
Apulia, lay to the southeast of Venusia.—16. Forenti. Forentum, now
Forenza, lay about eight miles south of Venusia, and on the other sidcf
of Mount Vultur. The epithet hurmlis^ " lowly," has reference to its svt
nation near the base of the mountain.—20. Nan sine dis animosus. " Ds
riving courage from the manifest protection of the gods." The deitlefi
here alluded to ore the Muses. ^
21-36. 21. Vester, Camama. "Under your protection, ye Muse*.
In arduos toiler Sabinos. "I climb unto the lofty Sabines," i. c, the
loftry country of the Sabines. The allusion is to his farm iu the mouutainous
Sabine territory.—23. Praneste. Frseneste, now Palfsstrinct was
situate about twenty-three miles from Home, in a southeast direction.
The epithet/W^'dwm, in the text, alludes to the coolness of its temperature.
Tibur supinum, "The sloping Tibur." This place was situated
on the slope of a hill. Consult note on Ode i., 7, 13.—24. Liquida Baia.
"Baise with its waters." Consult note no Ode ii., 18, 21? —26. PhUippis