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

671
Virg., Eclog., ix., 30.) White poppy seed, "oasted, was mingled with
honey by the ancients, and used for the second oourse.'^STe. Poterat
dud, " Could have been prolonged."
379-383. 379. Ludere giii nescit, campestribus abstinet armis, &c. The
poet (from line 379 to 391) gives the general conclusion which he had in
view, namely, that, as none but excellent poetry will be allowed, it should
be a warning to writers how they engage iu it without abilities, or publish
without severe and frequent correction. But to stimulate, at the
same time, the poet who, notwithstanding the allowances already made,
might be somewhat struck with this last reflection, he flings out (from
line 391 to 408J a fine encomium on the dignity and excellence of the art
itself, by recounting its ancient honors. This encomium, besides its great
Qsefnlness in invigorating the mind of the poet, has this further view, to
recommend and revive, together with its honors, the office of ancient poesy,
which was employed about the noblest and most important subjects,
tho sacred source from which those honors were derived.—382. Qui nes-
eitt versus tamen audel Jingcre. " He who knows not how, y«t dares to
Qompose verses." — Qiiidni 7 Liber el ingenuus^ &c. " And why not,
pray ? He is free, and of a good family ; above all, be is rated at an equestrian
fortune, and is far removed from every vice." Horace is thought, as
Sanadon remarks, to have had in view some particular knight, wlio fansied
he could write verses because he was well born and rich.—383. Ccn^
sus equcstt^m summam. nummorum. The fortune necessary to become
an eques was 400,000 sesterces, or about $15,000. Summam is here pat
iu the accusative by a Graecism, secundum Or quod ad being understood.
385-390. 385. Invita Minerva. " In opposition to the natural bent of
thy genius." A proverbial form of expression. The mind can accom-
plish nothing, unless Minerva, the goddess of mind, lend her favoring aid.
386. Olim. "Ever."—387. Mteci. The allusion is to Spurius Mscius
(or Metius) Tarpa, a celebrated critic at Rome in the days of Augustus,
who was accustomed to sit iu judgment on the dramatic productions that
Consult note on Sat.i., 10^ 38.—38S. Nonum-
were offered for the stage. ,
que prematur in annum. This precept, observes Colman, which, like
many others in the present epistle, is rather retailed than invented by
Horace, has been thought by some critics rather extravagant; but it aoquires
in this place, as addressed to the elder Pino, a concealed archness,
very agreeable to the poet's style and manner.—389. Intns. Equivalent
to in scrinio.—390. Nescit vox missa reverti. " A word once sent forth
knows hot the way of return." Missa for emissa. Compare Epist. i., 18,
71, " Et semel emissum volat irreoocabile verbum."
391-399. 391. Silvestres homines. "The savage race of men." Sil-'
mttres is here, in fact, equivalent to degentes in sUvis.-^Sacer inierjirivquedeorum.
"The priest and the interpreter of the gOds." Saceria hiere
for sacerdos. Compare Vii;gil, jSn., vi., 645, where Orpheus is called
» Threicius sacerdat."—99i. Vidlufoeda. The early race of men are fabled
to have lived on raw flesh, acorns, roots, *c.—393. Dictus ob hoe
leniretigres, &e. Horace here gives the generally-received explanation
of the fable of Orphens. The wild animals, las., whom he is said to have
wayed by th« muisic of his lyre, were savage men.—394. IHetua el Aja-