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

480 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK J., SATIRE X.
whatever in the limits of six feet," &c., i. e., within the limits of an hexameter
verse. When that is the case with Lucilins, why should not I,
asks Horace, acting with the same modesty as he did, play the part of the
critic on his own writings also ? {Keightleyy ad loc.)—69. Etrusci Cassi.
The "Etrurian Cassius" here spoken of appears to have been a distinct
individual from the "Cassius of Parma" {Cassius Parmensis) mentioned
in Epist. i., 4, 3, thongh confounded with him by some. Of the Etrurian
Cassius we know little, if any thing, except that he was a most rapid
writer.— ^71. Capsis quemfama estj &c. "Who, as the story goes, was
burned at the funeral pile by means of his own book-^cases and productions."
- A Batiiical allusion to the number of his works. So many were
they, that, together with the cases that contained them, they famished
fael enough to consume his corpse. The story, of coarse, may be believed
or not, as we see fit. The poet's object is answered notwithstanding.—
72. Fuerit Luciliiis, inquanif &c. ." Grant, I say, that Lacilius is a courtly
and pleasing writer grant that ;
be is also more polished than Ennius,
the first writer in a species of poetry then still mde in its character, and
never attempted by the Greeks." The word auctor is here equivalent to
scriptor.—74. Rudis ei Gracis intacti carminis. Satire is meant. Compare
Hemarks on Iloman Satire.
75-85. 75. Poetarwm senforum. The allnsion is to Livius Andronlcns,
NsQvius, Enniua, Attius/ Pacuvius, and others.
—
—
Ille. deferring to Lor
oilius. Horace's meaning is this ': Grant, however, all that is asked for
Lucilius ; even that poet himself, if living at the present day, would see
and acknowledge that his verses were deficient in polish.—78. Et in
versufaciendo. " And in polishing his verse."— ^79. Stepe caput scalerei.
Sec. A sportive mode of conveying the idea, that he would exercise the
greatest care and attention. Vivos. " To thd quick." Equivalent to ad
vivum usque.—80. Sc^ stilum vertas, &c. "Be frequent in thy correc-
tions, if thou Intendest to write what shall be worthy of a second perusal.
Q.aitting the subject of Lncilius, he now gives some advice to writers in
general. Iiiterally, *' turn the stilus often," &c. An allusion to the Eoman
mode of writing. The ordinaiy writing materials of the Eommis
were tablets covered with wax, and, besides these, paper and parchment.
The former; however, were most commonly employed. The stilus, or in
strument for writing, was a kind of iron pencil, broad at one end, and hav
ing a sharp point at the other. This was tised for writing on the tablets,
and when they wished to correct any thing, they turned the stilus and
smoothed the wax with the broad end, that they might write on it anew.
—r83. Cowtentus paucis lectoribus. " Content with a few readers of taste.'-
—83. Vilibus in ludis ' dictaH. " To be dictated by pedagogues to their
pupUs in petty schools." Literally, "in cheap schools." Copiesof works
being scarce, the schoolmasters, in ancient times, were accustomed to
read aloud, or dictate to their pupils the verses of an author, and these
the boys had to write down and get by heart.—85. Eitplosa Arbuscula.
The female here allad^d to was a freedwoman, and a celebrated mimeplayer.
The anecdote to which Horace refers is this : Having been hissed
on one occasion on the stage by the lower Orders of the people, she
observed, with great spirit, that she cared nothing for the rabble as long
as she pleased the more cultivated part of her audience among the eqtet*
trian ruiks.
'