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

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EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., EPISTLE VI. 561
5-14. 5. Quid censes munera terra ? The connection in the train o'
If this be the case with the pbsenomeua of the heav
ideas is as follows :
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ens, how much more should it be so with the prodacts of the earth and thi
acts of man. (Keightley, ad, lac.)— %. Maris. Understand munera. Tho
reference is to the pearls, &;c., of the East.—7. Ludicra. "The" public
shews," i. e., the sports of the circus, theatre, and amphitheatre. Amicz
dona Q,uirifis. An allusion to the offices conferred by the people on the
candidates to whom they are well disposed.—8. Quo sensu et ore f "With
what sentiments and look 1"—9. Fere miratur eodem, quo cupiens pacta.
" Rates them by the same high standard almost as he who actually desires
them." Hoi^e, after speaking of those who set a high value on
riches, public shows, popular applause, and elevation to oi&ce, tarns his
discourse upon men of a less declared ambition, who do not so much de
sire these things as fear their contraries, poverty, solitude, disgrace. He
states that both proceed on the same wrong principle, and that both rate
things too highly, the former directly, the latter indirectly ; for he who
dreads poverty, solitude, and disgrace, thinks as highly, in fact, of their
opposites, although he does not positively seek after them, as he who
makes them the objects of his pursuit.— 10. Pavor. "An unpleasant
distmrbance of mind," i. e., mental agitation.—11. Improvisa simul species,
&c. The idea intended to be conveyed is, that the moment any thing
unexpectedly adverse happens, both are equally alarmed ; the one lest
he may lose what he is seeking for, the other lest he may fall into what
he is anxious to avoid. Neither of them gazes with calmness on misfor-
, tune. Simul for simul ac.-^12. Quid ad rem. "What matters it."
14. Defixis oculiSt aniTnoque, d:c. "With fixed gaze, he becomes as one
inanimate in mind and in body," i. e., he stands like a statue with fixed
aud stupid gaze. Dejixi oculi here are not demissi et dyecti oculi, as Torrentins
thinks, but immobiles, stupidi.
16-23. 16. Ultra guam satis est. "Peyond proper bounds." To show
that there is no exception to the rule which he has laid down, and that the
feeling which produces fear or desire is equally vicious and hurtful, the
poet observes, that, were even virtue its object, it would not cease to be
blamable if it raises too violent desires even after virtue itself, for virtue
can never consist in excess of any kind.—17. I nunc, argentum et
marmor vetus, &c. Ironical. The connection in the train of ideas appears
to be as follows : If we ought to fix our minds too intently upon
nothing, and if even virtue itself forms no exception to this rule, but may
become blamable, like other things, when carried to excess, how little
should our attention be turned to the acquisition of riches, of popular favor,
and of other objects equally fleeting and transitory. Go, now, and
seek these riches, strive to become conspicuous before the eyes of all for
the splendors of afHuence, present thyself as a candidate for public honors,
and fix upon thee the gaze of admiring thousands, while thou art harangning
them bom the rostra; and when all this is done, and the object of thy
wishes is attained, then sink into the grave, that leveller of all distinctions,
and be forgotten. Argentum. " Vases of silver." Understand factum.
—Marmor vetus. Ancient Greek statues, Ac. .^ra. " Bronze ves
Bels." Artes. " Works of art."—18. Suspice. " Gaze with admiration
upon."—19. Loguentem. "While haranguing in public."—20. Gnavua
mane forum. Sec. The allusion here is either to the pleading of causes,
A a2
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