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

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550 EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK X., EPISTLE IL
dom. In order to express this, he adopts the language which the Sfcoicg
of the day were fond of using in reference to the superior privileges oS
their wise man. As the Stoics, however, carried their notions of their
wise man to a ridiculous length, it is easy to perceive that Horace, tliough
he embraced what was good in the philosophical tenets of this sect, could
not give in to theirridiculoas paradoxes. Hence the piece of raillery with
which the epistle terminates.—107. Preecipue sanus, &c. The Stoics regarded
a sound and healthy frame as among the many advantages which
their discipline conferred. But after alluding to this, the poet sarcastic-
ally adds, nisi qwwm pituita moLesta est, meaning to imply that there
were occasions when the wise man of the Stoics was brought down to the
level of the common herd. In order to comprehend the full force of the
raillery here employed, we must hear in mind that they who labor under
^ay defluxion of phlegm experience at the same time a dullness in the
senses of smell and taste, and that this, applied in a figurative sense to
the intellect^ conveys the idea of an unfitness for any subtle examination
of things, or any nice exercise of judgment. Hence it will be perceived
that sanus in the text is purposely used in an ambiguous sense, as referring
not merely to the body, hut also to the mind. Pituita. To be pronounced,
in metrical reading, as a trisyllable, pitwita.
Epistle II. Horace, having retired for some time into the country,
bad taken the opportunity of that solitude to read over Homer again with
particular attention, and, writing to his iriend Lollius at !Rome, sends him
his remarks upon that poet, and an explanation of what he takes to be the
main design of his two poems. He finds that the works of this admirable
poet are one continued lesson of wisdom and virtue, and that he gives
the strongest picture of the miseries of vice, and the fatal consequences
of ungovemed passion. From this he takes occasion to launch forth in
praise of wisdom and moderation, and shows that, to he really happy,
we must learn to have the command of ourselves. The passions are headftrong,
unwilling to listen to advice, and always push us on to extremi-
ties. To yield to them is to engage in a series of rash and inconsiderate
steps, and create matter of deep regret to ourselves in time to come. A
present gratification, thus obtained, is ^dear piurchase, and what no wise
man will covet.
1-3. 1. Maxime Lolli. " Eldest Lollius." Understand natu. The in-
dividual here addressed would appear to have been the son of M. Lollius
FalicanuB, who was consul with Q,.^milius Lepidus.—S. Dum tu decla*
mas RomtE. "While thou art exercising thyself at Home in the art of
public speaking." Young persons of distinction at Bome, whose views
were directed toward a public life, were accustomed to exercise themselves
in oratory by declamations in private on feigned subjects, and it is
to this practice that the text alludes. Prtsneste relegi, "I have read
over again at Prasneste." Consult note on Ode iii., 4, 23.—3. Pulchrum.
"Becoming." Analogous to the rh KaTidv of the Greeks. Quid non,
" What injurious." The poet does not merely mean what is simply use-
less, but what also brings injury along with it.
4-fl. 4. Planius. "More clearly."
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Chrysippo, Consult note on 8aU