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

EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK II., EPISTLE II. 629
I have jnat excepted, does not offend thee." Ahsoonding was regarded
as BO considerable a fault In the case of a slave, that a dealer was obliged
to mention it particularly, or the sale was void.
17-25, 17. Ille ferat pretium, pcena securas, opmor. "The slave-
dealer may after this, I think, carry off the price, fearless of any legal
punishment." The poet now resumes. The law could not reach the
slave-merchant in such a case, and compel him to pay damages or refund
the purchase-money, for he had actually spokeuof the slave'shaving once
been a fugitive, though he had endeavored, by his language, to soften
down the ofEence.—^18. Prudens emisH vitiosum ; dicta Hbi est lex. " Thou
hast purchased, with thine eyes open, a good-for-nothing slave ; the condition
of the bargain was expressly told thee," i. e., his having once been a
fugitive.—19. Hunc. Alluding to the slave-dealer.— ^20. Dixi me pigrum
prqficiscefnti tibi, &c. The connection in the train of ideas is as follows
Thou hast no better claim on me in the present instance than thou wouldst
have on the slave-dealer in the case which I have just put. I told thee
expressly, on thy departure from Rome, that 1 was one of indolent habits,
and totally unfit for such tatks, and yet, notwithstanding this, thou cornplainest
of my not writing to thee !—21. Talibus oJUciis prope maTicum
"That I was altogether unfit for such tasks." . Literally, "that I was al
most maimed (or deprived of one ofmy hands) for such tasks." A strong
but pleasing expression.—23. Quid turn profeei, ic. "What did I gain,
then, when I told thee this, if, notwithstanding, thou assailest the very
conditions that make for me '!"—34. Super hoc. "Moreover."—25. Mendax.
"False to my promise."
26-40. 26. iMcuUi miles, &c. We have here the second excuse that
Horace assigns for not writing. A poet in easy circumstances should
make poetry no more than an amusement. Collecta viatica TnuUis (enimnis.
" A little stock of money which he had got together by dint of many
hardships." The idea implied in viatica is, something which is to furnish
the means of future support as well as of present comfort, but more par
ticularly the former.—27. Ad assem. " Entirely," or, more literally, " to
the last penny."—30. Presidium regale loco deceit, ut aiunt, &c. " He
dislodged, as the story goes, a loyal garrison from a post very strongly
fortified and rich in many things." The allusion in regale is either to
Mithradates or Tigranes, with both of whom Lucnllus carried on war.
32. Donis honestis. Alluding to the torques, phalerie. Ice.—33. Accipit el
bis dena super sestertia nummum. " He receives, besides, twenty thousand
sestexca." About $775.—34. Prcstor. " The general." The term
prator is here used in its earlier accep^tiou. It was originally ap-
plied to all who exercised either civil or military authority (Prtetor : is
qui pneit jure et exercitu).—36. Timidojguoque. "Even to a coward."
39. Post luBC ille catus, quantumvis rUsticus, ifiquit. " Upon this, the
cunning fellow, a mere rustic though he was, replied."—40 Zonam. " His
purse." The girdle or belt served sometimes for a parse, especially with
the soldiery. More commonly, however, the purse hung from the neck.
Horace applies this story to his own case. The soldier fought bravely
as loi.g as necessity drove him to the step ; when, however, he made good
his losses, he concerned himself no more about venturing on desperate enterprises.
So the poet, while his n.t^ans were contracted, wrote verges
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