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

386 BXPLANATOKY NOTES. BOOK IV., ODE XI.
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" thoa bast a mind," *o.—37. Viniex. Put in apposition with atiimui.—
38. Dueentis ai te cuncta. "Drawing all things within the sphere of its
influence."^39. Consulque non unius anni. "And not merely_the con-
sul of a single year." A bold and beautiful personification, by which the
term consul is applied to the mind of Lollins. Ever actuated by the pur-
est principles, and ever preferring honor to views of mere private inter-
est, the mind of LoUius enjoys a perpetual consulship.—42. Rejedt alio
dona jioeentium, &c. "Kejerts with disdainful brow the bribes of the
guilty , 1 victorious, makes for himself a way, by his own arms, amid opposing
crowds." Explicuit sua arma. may he rendered more literally,
though less intelligibly, "displays bis arms." The "opposing crowds"
are the difficulties that beset the path of the upright man, as well from
the inherent weakness of his own nature, as from the arts of the flatterer,
and the machinations of secret foes. Calling, however, virtue and firmness
to bis aid, be employs these arms of purest temper against the host
that surrounds him, and comes off victorious from the conflict.^6. Recti.
" Consistently with true wisdom." JUclius oocupat nomen beati. "With
far more propriety does that man lay claim to the title of happy."—49.
Cam. "Well knows."
0D£ XI. The poet invites Phyllis to bis abode, for the purpose of celebrating
with him the natal day of Msecenas, and endeavors, by various
arguments, to iAduce her to come.
1-19. 1. Mst mihi nonum, &c. " I have a cask full of Alban wine,
more than, nine years old." The Alban wine is ranked by Pliny only as
third rate ; but, from the frequent commendation of it by Horace and Juve-
nal, we must suppose it to have been in considerable repute, especially
when matured by long keeping. It was sweet and thick when new, but
became dry when old, seldom ripening properly before the fifteenth year.
— 3. Nectendis apiiim coronis. "Parsley for weaving chaplets." Nee-
tendis coronis is for ad nectendca coronas.— 4. Est edertB vis mulla,
"There is abundance of ivy."—5. Paiges. "Thou wilt appear more beau
teous." The future, from the old verb fulgo, of the third conjugation,
which frequently occurs in Lucretius.—6. Ridet argento domus. "The
honae smiles with glittering silver." Alluding to the silver vessels {i. e.,
the paternal salt-cellar, and the plate for incense) cleansed and made
ready for the occasion, and more particularly for the sacrifice that was to
take place. Compare note on Ode ii., 16, 14. Ara castis vincta verbenis.
The allusion is to an ara cespititia. Consult notes on Ode i., 19, 13 and
14.—8. Spargier. An archaism for spargi. In the old language the syl-
lable er was appended to all passive infinitives.—11. Sordidiimfiamma
trepidant, &c. "The flames quiver as they roll the sullying smoke
tfarangh the house-top," t. e., the quivering flames roll, &c The Greeks
and Romans appear to have been unacquainted with the ui>e of chimneys.
The more common dwellings had merely an opening in the roof, which
allowed the smoke to escape ; the better class of edifices were warmed
by means of pipes inclosed in the walls, and which communicated with a
large stove, or several smaller ones, constructed in the earth under the
building.—14. Idus tibi sunt a^endtB, &c. " The ides are to be celebrated
Vv thee, a day that cleaves April, the month of sea-bom Venus," «. «•> tbo"
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