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

EXPLANATORY NOTES -BOOK I., EPISTLE XIV. 583
Asella ((. e., a little ass). The poet prepares us for this witticism, such as
(t is, by the use of clitellas ia the commencemeot of the line, under which
term the rolls above mentioned are figuratively referred to.
10-15. 10. Lamas. "Fens." Compare the Vet. Gloss. :" iMmce. mi-
^uieii Tdnoi."—11. Victor propositi simul ac, &c. " As soon as thou
shalt have arrived there, after having conquered all the difficulties of the
way." The poet, botli in this and'the preceding line, keeps up the punning
allusion in the name Asella.—12. Sub ala. "Under thy arm."
14. Ut vinosa glomus, las. " As the tippling Pyrrhia the clew of pilfered
yarn." . The allusion is to a comedy written by Titinius, in which a slave,
named Pyrrhia, who was addicted to drinking, stole a clew or ball of yarn,
and, in consequence of her drunkenness, carried it in such a way as to be
easily detected. As Vinius had, without doubt, been several'times present
at the representation of this piece, Horace reminds him of that image
which we may suppose had produced tlie strongest impression upon liim.
As regards tlie term glomus (which we have adopted after Bentley, instead
of the common glomas), it may be remarked, that the neuter form is
decidedly preferable to the 'hiasculine, and that the meaning, also, is im<
proved by its being here employed.—15. Ut cum pileolo soleas cotvovua
tribulis. "As a tribe-guest his slippers and cap." By coiwiva tribulis
is meant one of the poorer members of a tribe, and in particular a native
of the country, invited to an entertainment given by some richer individnal
of the same tribe ; a custom occasionally pursued by the wealthy Romans
in order to keep up their inSnence. The guest, in the true country
fashion, having no slave to follow him and carry these articles, proceeds
barefoot to the abode of his entertainer, with his slippers and cap under
iiis arm. The former are to be put on when he reaches the entrance, that
he may appear with them in a clean state before the master of the house.
The cap was to be worn when they returned; for, as they sometimes
went, on such occasions, to sup at a considerable distance from home, and
returned late, the cap was necessary to defend them from the injuries of
the air.
16-19. 16. Nea eulgo narres, &c. " And don't tell every body," ic.—
18. Oratus multa preee, nitere porro. " Though entreated witli many a
prayer, push onward," ». «., though those whom you meet may be very
nrgent to know what yon are carrying, give no heed to them, but push on-
—19. Cave, Tie titubes, ice. " Take care lest thou stumble and mar my di
rections." Literally, "break" them. Observe that cwl has the final syl
lable short, as in Sat. ii., 3, 38.
Epistle XIV. The poet, in this epistle, gives us the picture of an unsteady
mind. His farm was commonly managed by a master-servant,
who was a kind of overseer or steward, and, as such, had the whole care
of it intrusted to him in his master's absence. The office was at this time
filled by one who had formerly been in the lowest station of his slaves at
Rome, and, weary of that bondage, had earnestly desired to be sent to
employment in the country. Now, however, that he had obtained his
wish, he was disgusted with a life so laborious and solitary, and wanted
to be restored to his former condition. The poet, in the mean time, who
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