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

492 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., SATIRE II.
always the beat. Hence some commentators liave been disposed to mtike
veteris, in the present passage, mean "stale" or Mflat." On the other hand,
Gesner thinks that the early reading, non largus aceli, would answer be^
ter than the received one. There appeal's to be no necessity, however,
for either the one or the other of these remarks. Old vinegar was not
more costl^' than new, and, besides, it would serve better to correct the
smell of his oil on his cabbage.
64-^8. 64. Utrum. Alluding to the case of G-allonius on the one hand,
ia>d that of Avidienus on the other. Compare the scholiast : " Utrum
Gallonium an Avidienum?"—Hoc nrget lupus, ic. "On this side, as
the saying is, presses the wolf, on that the dbg." We have here a proverbial
form of expression, used whenever one was between two dangers
eqaally threatehing. In the present instance the adage applies with remarkable
felicity, lupus denoting the glutton, and canis Avidienus,
65. Mundus erit, qui Twn qffendat sordidus, &c. "He will be regarded as
one th^t observes the decencies and proprieties of life, who does not offend
by sordid habits, and who gives no occasion for censure by running
into either mods 5f life," i. c, by either carrying a regard for the proprie-
ties of life too far on the one band, or indulging in sordidness or want of
cleanliness (whether intentional or the result of careless habits) on the
other. Observe that eullus is the genitive singular.—66. Miser. Literal-
ly, " is wretched" or " unhappy." Supply sit. One is disliked for his severity,
the other contemned for his weakness. Of each of these opposite
characters an example is given, the one carrying a regard for exactness
and precision' to such an extreme as to punish his slaves for the most
trifling omission; and the other, a good-natnred, easy, and indulgent
master, who lets his slaves act just as they please, the consequence of
which is, that these negligent domestics even serve "greasy water [unclam
aquam) to bis guests to mix with tbeir wine.—67. Dum munia didit.
'^While he assigns them their several employments," i. e., apportions
their duties and places in attendance at table.-^SiTOMS erit. By threatening
tbem with severe ptmishment in case of negligence or failure.
68. Simplex N