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

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572 EXPLANATORY NOTES, BOOK I., EPISTLE VllU
with more politeness reproach Albinovanus, who was actually subject to
them? Such, at least, is the opinion of Torrentius and others of the commentators.
1-10. 1. Celso gaudere et bene rem gerere Albinovano, &c. The order
of construction is as follows: Musa, rogata, refer Celso AlbinovanOjComiii
scribeeqiie N^onis, gaudere et gerere rem bene.—Gaudere et bene rem ge-
rere refer. "Bear joy and proeperity/' i. e., give joy and wish success.
In place of using the common Latin form of salutation, Salutem, Horace
here imitates the Greek mode of expression, ;i;afpMv Kot e5 irpaTretv.—
2. Comiti scribaque Neronis. Celsus Albinovanus has already heen mentioned
as forming part of the retinue of Tiberius (Epist. i., 3, 15), who was
at that time occupied with the affairs of Armenia.—^3. Die, multa et pulckra
minantem, &.c. " Tell him that, though promising many fine things,
1 live neither well nor agreeably." The distinction here made is one,
observes ^Francis, of pure Epicurean mor^ty. Hecte vivere is to live according
to the rules of virtue, and vivere suamter to have no other guidance
for our actions but pleasure and our passions. As regards the force of minantem
in this same passage, consult note on Sat. ii., 3, 9. Ha/ad quia
grando, &c. "Not becatise the hail has bruised my vines, or the heat
blasted the olive," &c., «. e., ray disquiet arises not from the cares of
wealth. It is not produced by the feelings that break the repose of the
rich, when their vineyards have been lashed bj^the hail, or their olivegrounds
have suffered &om the immoderate heats, &c.—5. Momorderit.
More literally, "Has nipped." The verb mordeo is applied by the Latm
writers to denote the effects as well of cold as of heat.—6. Longinquu in
agris. As, for example, those of Calabria or Cisalpine Gaul, where the
wealthy had large flocks of sheep. Consult note on Epode i., 27.—7. Mnus
vcUidus. " Less sound." The poet describes himself (if, indeed, he
refers to his own case) as laboring under that peculiar malady which is
now termed hypochondria, and which has its seat far more in tbe mind
than in any part of the body. The picture that he draws admirably delineates
the Condition of one -vflioo is suffering under the morbid inflaence
of hypochondriac feelings.—8. u^grum. Supply me.—9. Fidis offmdar
medicis. "Because I am displeased with my faithful physicians." With
irascart sequar^ fagiam, and 'amem respectively, quia must be supplied
in translating.—10. Cur mefunesto properent arcere v&terno. " For being
eagel: to rouse me from this fatal lethargy." Cur is hei% equivalent to
ideo, quod.
12-17. 12. Ventosus. "Driven about by every wind," f.c.,incoDstanti
and changeable as the wind. Compare Epist. i., 9, 37 : " Plebs ventosa."
—13, Quo pacta rem gerat et se. "How he manages his official duties,
and himself," i. e., how he is' coming on in his office of secretaiy, and what
he is doing with himself.—14. Jv/veni.- " The young prince." Alluding
to Tiberius, who was then about tweaty-two years of age. ^Cohorii.
Consult note on Epist. i., 3, 6.—17, Ut tufortunam. Sec. "As thou, Celsus,
hearest thy fortune, so will we bear ourselves unto thee," i. e., if, amid
thy present good fortune, and the favor of thy prince* thou still continuest
to remember and bve tihy former friend, so will ho In turn love thee.