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

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468 EXPLANATORY NOTES-—BOOK 1., SATIRE VIII.
the intrasion of Canidia and a sister hag, who resorted thither for the eel
ebration oftheir nnhallowed rites.
1-10. l.'lv.utilej.ign'um. The wood of the fig-tree was very little nsed,
on laccoant of its brittleness. Hence the Grreek Epoverb, ivrip aimvoc,
"A fig-tree man," to denote one that is of little firmness or real vidue.
3i Faber. " The carpenter." Supply lignanus^-lTicerius, scamrmmfaceretm
Priapum. Horace here represents the carpenter as at a loss
whether to make a bench or a Friapn^ ont of the wood in question. ,
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This,
of course, is a mere witticism on the part of t^e poet, at the expense of
the strange deity to whom he alludes.—3. Fupim mimmgue maxiina
formido. A wooden figare of Friapns was generally set np in gardens
and orchards. He was usually r-epresented with/a crown cxf reeds oi; of
garden herbs, and holding in his right band a wooden club, or else scythe,
while bis body terminated in an nnsigbtly trunk. Tl^ie Boman posts appear,
in general, to have entertainedlittle, if any, respect for him ; and with
the Tulgar he degenerated into a mere scare-crow, whose only employment
seemed to be to drive away the birds and thieves.—4. Dexlra. Alluding
to the qlub Of scythe with which his right hand was armed