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

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406 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BPODB IX.
17-^2. 17. Ad hocfrementes, Sec. "ladignant at this spectacle, two
ttiousand Gauls tamed about their steeds, bidding Caesai* hail." The poet
evidently alludes to the defection of Deiotarus and Amyntas, two leaders
of the Gallo-G-roecians, or Galatianst who went over to Augustas a ahort
time previous to the battle of Actium. In the motive, however, which
Horace assigns for this step, there is more of bitter sarcasm thaaliistorical
truth. Verterunt, The penult |s here shortened by systole, as it it
called.—19. Hostiliumque naviumportu latent, &c. "And the stems of
hostile ships, Impelled toward the left, lie concealed in the harbor." In
ordei* to understand clearly this somewhat obscure passage, we mast bear
in mind that the present piece was written before any very definite particulars
respecting the battle of Actium had reached the capital The
poet, therefore, exercises some licence on the occasion, and supposes
that a division of Antony's fleet, equally indignant with the Gallic horsemen,
retired from the fight into the harbor, and, in orderthat their defection
might be less apparent, rowed their vessels astern, or impelled them
into the harbor stern foremost. (Compare the Greek expressioQ jrpvjuvav
Kpovcaadai, and Valckenaerj ad Herodot.f viii., 64.) In, executing this
movement they would have necessarily to move toward the left, as Antony's
fleet vas drawn up on the right and facing Italy.—21. Jo Triumphe!
&c. The poet, personifying Triumph, addresses it as a god, and complains
of its tardy approach. The idea intended to be conveyed by the whole
passage from the present line to the 26th, both inclusire, is simply as follows
: When shall we celebrate the triumph due to this most glorious
victory, a triumph to be ranked far before both that of Marias over Jagartha,
and that of Scipio for the overthrow of Carthage ? Aureos currus.
Allnding to the triumphal chariot, which was wont to be adorned with
gold and ivory.—23. Iniactas boves^ The Koman triumphs always ended
with a sacrifice to Jove, and the victims^ as in every other offering to the
gods, were to be such as had never felt the yoke. With intactas, therefore,
we must understandju^o.
23-38. S3. Nee Jiigwrthino parent, &c. " Thou didst neither bring
back a leader equal to him from the war of Jagurtha, nor Africanaa, unto
whom valor reared a monument upon the ruins of Carthage," i. e., Marias
did not return with equal gloiry from the subjugation of Jugurtha, nor the
younger Africanas from the destruction of Carthage. 27. Punico lugubre
mutavit tagum, " Has changed his purple robe for one of mourning."
An hypallage for mutavit Punicum sagum lugubri sago. The Boman
sagum was properly a military robe : here, however, the term is taken
in a more extended sense. The allusion in the text is to Antopy, and the
epithet Punico may either refer simply to the color of his palu^attieTUum,
or general's robe, or else^what appears preferable, may contain a general
censure on the previous luxury and splendor of his attire.—29. AtU Ule
centum nobilenif &c. This passage would seem to confirm the truth of the
remark made in a previous note (v. 19), that nc accurate accounts had as
yet reached the capital either respecting the details of the fight itself or
the ulterior movements of Antony^^30. Ventis non suis, " With unpro-
pitions winds."—31. Exerdtatas Noto. ^'Agitated by the blast of the
South." As regards the Syrtes, consult note on Ode i., 7, 22.—32. Jncerto
man. " In doubtful course over the sea," i. c, as if not knowing whera
to anchor.—33. Capadores ^ffer hue, &c. The -joy of Horace was toa
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