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

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374 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK IV., ODE IH.
triumphal entry of Augustas. No triumph, however, took place, as the
emperor avoided one by coming privately into the city. M&e vocis bona
pars accedet. " A large portibn of my voice shall join the general cry.''
—46. O sol pulcher. " O glorious day."—49. Tuque dum procedis, Ac.
" And while thou art moving along in the train of the victor, we will often
raise the shout of triumph; the whole state will raise the shout of
triumph." The address is to Antonins, who will form part of the triumphal
procession, while the poet will mingle in with,' and help to swell
the acclamations of the crowd. With civitas omnis understand dicet.—
53. Tc. Understand solvent, " shall free thee from thy vow." Alluding
to the fulfillment of vows offered up for the safe return of Augustas.
65. Largis herHs. " Amid abundant pastures." 56. Inmeavota. "For
tho faliillment of my vows."—57. Curvatos ignes. " The benc^g fires
($ the moon when she brings back her third rising," i. e., the crescent of
the moon when she is three days old. The comparison is between the
crescent and the horns of the young animal.—59; Q^ua notam dusat, ko.
" Snow-white to the view where it bears a mark ; as to the rest of its
body, of a dun color." The animal is of a dan color, and bears a conspicuous
snow-white mark, probably on his forehead. Niveus videri. A
Grsecism, the infinitive for the latter supine.
Ode III. The bard addresses Melpomene, as the patroness of lyric
verse. To her he ascribes his poetic inspiration, to her the honours which
he enjoys among his countrymen; and to her he now pays the debt of
gratitude in this beautifal ode.
1-24. 1. Q,uemtu,Mdpomene,ii.a. "Him on whom thou, Melpomene,
mayest have looked with a favoring eye, at the hour of his nativity."
3. Labor isthmius. "The Isthmian contest.". The Isthmian, celebrated
at the Isthmus of Corinth, in honor of Neptune, are here put for any games.
—i. Clarabit pugilem. " Shall render illnstrious as a pugilist."—5. Cmmt
Achaieo. " In a Grecian chariot." An allusion to victory in the chariot,
race. The whole of lower Greece was at this time called Achaia by the
Romans, so that the allusion here is to the Grecian games in general.
—S.Resbellica. "Some warlike exploit." Veliisfoliis. "WiththeDe-
lian leaves," i. e., with the bay, which was sacred to Apollo, whose natal
plaqe was the Isle of Delos.—8. Quod regum tumidas, &c. "Tor having
crushed the haughty threats of kings."—10. Prafiuunt. "Bca prater-
Jiuunt. " Flow by." The common text has perjluunt, " flow through."
The reference is to the waters of the Anio. Consult, as regards Tibur
and the Anio, the note on Ode i., 7, 13.—12. Fingent ./Eolio, &c. Tho
idea meant to he conveyed is this, that the beautiful scenery around
Tibur, and the peaceful leisure there enjoyed, will enable the poet to cul-
tivate his lyric powers with so much success as, under the favoring influence
of the Muse, to elicit the admiration both of the present and coming
age. As regards the expression JEolio carmine, consult note on Ode
iii., 30, 13.—13. RonitB, princvpU urMum, &c. " The offspringvof Borne,
queen of cities." By the " offspring of Rome" are meant the Romans
themselves.— ^17. O testudinis anrece, &c. "O Muse, that rulest the
sweet melody of the golden shell." Consult notes on Odes iii., 4, 40, and
i.lO 6. W. Cycni sonum. "The melody of the dying swan." Consult
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