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

EXP1.ANAT0RY NOTES. BP .STLE TO THE PIS09. 655
tlie play. Literally, "waiting for the cartain." We have rendered this
phrase in accordaoce with Roman usage. If translated with reference to
modern custom, it would be " who will wait until the curtain falls." Con-
BQlt note on Epist. ii., 1, 189.—155. Voa ptaudite. All the old tragedies
and comedies acted at Rome ooneluded in this manner. The phrase ia
equivalent to our modem expression, "year plaudits," or "clap your
hands." Who the caritor was that addressed these words to tlie audience
is a matter of dispute. Dacier thinks it was the whole chorus ; others
suppose it to have been a single actor, the one that spoke last ; some, the
prompter; and some, the composer. The second of these opinions is probably
the more correct one. The ancient plays were all in recitative, and
therefore cantor may here he rendered " the actor."—157. MobUibusque
decor naturis dand/us et annis. " And a suitable character assigned to
changing dispositions and years," i. ei, a certam decorum or propriety
jauBt be observed in depicting the natures or dispositions of men, as they
change with advancing years.
158-165. 158. Reddere voces. "To express himself in words," ». e,
who has now learned to speak. Literally, " to give hack words," i. «., in
reply to words spoken to him. The poet here begins with a beautiful description
of the different ages of life, based, in a great degree, upon the
description given by Aristotle in his Art of Rhetoric. — Et pede certo,
&c. " And imprints the ground with a firm footstep," «'. e., is able to walk
alone.
—
lo9. Paribus. "With his companions in years." Compare iln's-
totle, Rhel., ii., 11 : xal