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

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EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE II. 487
79-86. 79. Equidemnihilhincdiffindere possum. "Indeed, I can den;
BO part of thia." The term diffindere suits the character of the speaker,
being borrowed from the courts of lavr. In this sense it means properly
to put off a matter, as requiring farther consideration, to another day, and
it is here employed, with the negative, to convey the idea that the pres-
ent matter is too clear for any further discussion, and can not be denied.
—80. Neforte negoti incutiai tibi, &c. "Lest an ignorance of the estab-
lished laws may chance to bring thee into any trouble." The allusion is
to the laws of the day against libels and defamatory writing of every kind.
—82. 8i mala condiderit, &c. In order to understand the reply of Horace,
which follows, the term meUa must be here pluAly and literally rendered
" If any person shall compose bad verses against an individual, there % a
right of action, and a suit may be brought." In the law, as here cited by
Trebatius, mala means "libellous," "slanderous," &c. ; but Horace, having
no serious answer to make, plays upon the word, pretending to take
it in the sense of " badly-made," and hence he rejoins, Esto, si guis mala
ted bona si quis, &C.-.-86. Solventur risu tabula, &c. " The indictment
shall be quashed with a laugh." The term tabula is here taken for the
melius, or indictment as we would term it, and which was written on
tablets. Missus. "Freed," i. c, from any danger attending the prosecution.
Fat for dimiasuB.
Satire II. This satire, on the luxury and gluttony of the B/omans, is
put into the mouth of a Sabine peasant, whom Horace calls Ofellns, and
whose plain good sense is agreeably contrasted with the extravagance
and folly of the great. He delivers roles of temperance with the utmost
ease and simplicity of manner, and thus bestows more truth and liveliness
on the pictures than if Horace (who was himself known to Sequent tl^e
luxurious tables of the patricians) had inculcated the moral precepts in hiB
jwn person.
1-9. \.. lioni. "My good friends." Vivereparvo. " To live cheerfuliy
upon little."—2. Nee meus hie sermo est. Compare Introductory Remarks.—3.
Ahnormis sapiens, erassaque Minerva. " A philosopher without
rules, and of strong, rough common sense." The expression abnormit
sapiens is here used to denote one who was a follower of no sect, and derived
his doctrines and precepts from no rules of philosophizing as laid
down by others, but who drew them all from his own breast, and was
guided by his own convictions respecting the fitness or unfitness of things.
The phrase crassa Minema is meant to designate one who has no acqaaintance
with philosophical subtleties or the precepts of art, bat is
swayed by the dictates and suggestions of plain, native sense.—4. Mensasgue
niteaies. "And glittering tables," i. e., glittering with plate.
5. Qvum stupet insanis, &.o. " When the sight is dazzled by the sense-
less glare." The allusion in the term insanis appears to be to the folly of
those who indulge in such displays. Some commentators, however, make
it equivalent simply to ingentibus.— 6. AeclinisfiUsis. "Inclined to falsa
things." Acclinis is formed like inclinis, reclinis, Ice., and properly
means "leaning upon," " resting upon," &o. Compare Orelli : "Inalinatus,
propensus ad falsa probanda."—^7. Impransi. "Before you have
flined," or, more freely, "apart from splendid banquets."—8. Dican st
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