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

642 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE I.
turbulent passions of tbe mind? In his satires and epistles to his friends,
he successively inculcates cheerfulness in prosperity, and contentment in
adversity, independence at tiburt, indifference to wealth, moderation in
pleasurcf constant preparation for death, and dignity and resignation in
life's closing scene. {Dunlop's Rom. Lit., toI. iii., p. 861 sqq.)
Epistle I. This epistle, addressed to Maacenas, contains the poefs
excuse for the inactivity into which he had fallen since the publication of
bis third book of odes. Three years had elapsed without any new work
of the bard's having made its appearance, an interval which had been
spent by him in the calm enjoyment of existence. Tbe contrast that presents
itself between his own mode of thinking, and the folly of those who
run on in the pursuit of the gifts of fortune and the favors of the great, constitutes
the principal charm of the piece.
1-3. 1. Prima dicte mihi, &c. " Maecenas, subject of my earliest, that
hast a right to be the subject of my latest Muse, dost thou seek to shut
me up once more in the old place of exercise, after having been tried suf-
ficiently, and when now gifted with the rod?" The name of his patron
stands at the head of the Odes, Bpodes, and Satires, as it does here at
the commencement of the SJpistles.—2. Spectatum satis. The poet compares
himself to a gladiator, who has been sufficiently tried in exhibitions
of skill, and has at last received his dismissal by the favor of the people.
The word spectatum is the proper term here, and was usually applied to
gladiators who had been often victorious. Hence the letters S F. were
marked on the tessera of discharge given to them. {Ordlit ad loc.)—Dih
natum rude. Gladiators, when discharged from fighting, received a rod,
or wooden sword, as a mark of their exemption. This was either obtained
at the expiration of the years of service for which they had engaged,
or was granted by thp person who exhibited them {editor), at the desire
of the people, to an old gladiator, or even to a novice, for some uncommon
act of courage. Those who received it {rude donati) were called Rudiarii,
and suspended their arms, as an offering, at the entrance of the temple of
Hercules. They oould not ag^ be compelled to fight, but were sometimes
induced by great hire once more far'appear in public and engage.
3. Antiquo ludo. The reference is to the school, or place where the glad-
iators were exercised and trained {ludus gladiatorius), and hence those
who were dismissed on account of age or any other cause were said de-
lusisse. Horace began to write about twenty-six years of age, and he is
now forfy-six, so that the expression antiquo ludo is used with great pro-
priety, as also non eadem est atas in the succeeding line.
—
4-6. 4. Non eadem est