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

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638 EXPLANATOEY NOTES.' BOOK 11., EPISTLE II.
lasion is to works in marble and ivory.— Tyrrhena tigilla. "Btruscao
Btataettes." These were bronze images of the gods, about a foot or a foot
and a half high, for the manufactnre ofwhich the Etrurians were celebrated.—
roieJias. "Paintings." Supply pietae.—181. Argentum. Vases,
and other like articles, of silver are meant. Vestes Oatulo murice tinctas.
" Coverings and tapestry stained with GBBtnlian purple." By mstet are
here meant the coverings of couches {pestes stragula), and hangings for
the walls of banqueting-rooms, 4;c. {panpeiasmata).—Geetiilo mmice: G»tulia,
a part of Africa, is here put for the whole country. Consult note on
Ode i., 23, 10, and, as regards the people here spoken of. Ode ii., 16, 35.—
182. Est qui non curat habere. To show how unnecessary these-things
are, the poet says there are many people who never give themselves any
trouble or concern about them. The indicative aiter est qui is an imitation
of the Greek idiom.
183-189. 183. Cur alter fratnim cessare, &o. The connection in the
train of ideas is as follows : The dispositions of men are widely at variance
with each other, and this discrepancy shows itself even in the case
of brothers ; for it often happens that one is a careless and effeminate
prodigal, the other a close and toiling miser. Why this is so is a secret
known only to the Genius who presides at our birth, and guides the course
of our existence. Cessare et ludere et ungi. The infinitives here must
" Idleness, and pleasure, and per-
be rendered in our idiom by nouns :
fumes."—184. Herodis palmetis pinguibus. " Tc 4he rich palm-groves of
Herod." These were in the country around Jericho (named the City of
Palm-trees, Dent., xxxiv., 3), and were regarded as constituting some of
the richest possessions of the Jewish monarch.—185. Importunus. "Restless."
Ad umbram lucis ab ortu. " From the dawn ofday to the shades
of evening." — 186. Silvestrem. " Overrun with underwodd." Mitiget.
" Subdues," i. e., clears, and renders productive.—187. Seit Genius, natalA
comes qui temperat astrum, Sec. This is generally regarded as the locus
classicus respecting the ideas entertained by the ancients relative to what
they considered the Genias of each individual. We learn from it the following
particulars : 1. The Genias was supposed to accompany a person
wherever he went. 2. He governed the horoscope of the party [nalak
temperavit astrvm), exerting himself to avert any evil whioK^ one's natal
star might portend^ or to promote any good which it might indicate. 3. He
is styled ^*Nafuris deus kumanee" because he lives and dies with us. 4. He
is angry if we oppose or resist his influence, but mild and gentle if we
submit to his sway [mutabilis, albus et ater).— Natale comes qui fsmperat
astrum. "Our constant attendant, who governs our horoscope," — 188.
Natura deus humante, mortalts, &c. " The god of human nature, who
dies with each individual ; mutable of aspect, benign, or offended." The
expression, mortalis in unum -quodque eapui is added by the poet for t^e
purpose of explaining the words ndtura deus humane, i. e., the god who,
equally with man, is subject to the power of Death.—189. Vultu mutabi-
lis, albus et ater. Compare note on verse 187, toward the end.
190-197. 190. Utar. " I will, therefore, enjoy What I at present have.'
Understand quasitis.—Ex moiico acenio. " From' my little heap."—191.
Nee m^tuam, quid de mejudicet heres, ico. " Nor vrill I care what opinion
my heir may form of me, from his having fonnd no more left to him thai'
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