Seneca - College of Stoic Philosophers

CAIUS MAECENAS199He was not offended when Horace broke hispromise of returning to Rome, and Hngered monthafter month first in his Sabine farm and afterwards,during the winter months, on the southern coast.The poetic apology he earned from him would,it is true, have soothed the indignation of mostmen.'Horati Flacci, ut mei, mentor esto '('Remember Horace as you would myself),was his last testamentary recommendation to theemperor.^ Horace did not long survive him, andwas buried on the Esquiline close to his patron'sgrave.The patience of Maecenas was tried by therather feeble character of Propertius, and he usedoften to urge that poet to quit his lovelorn dittiesand compose something more worthy of histalents. Propertius replied by citing his patron'smoderation in remaining a knight as an exampleto others to confine themselves within modestspheres of action.* Virgil was an even olderfriend than Horace, but his shyness and taciturnityprobably rendered their relations lesseasy and unreserved. In the anonymous biographyof Virgil which has descended to us fromancient times there are two replies made by thepoet to the minister which one would fain believeto be authentic. On one occasion he wasasked by Maecenas, characteristically enough, 'there anything, Virgil, that man can possess withoutsatiety? ' ' In everything,' was the reply,staleness or abundance produces disgust— except'in understanding.' At another time Maecenas1Suet., in vita Hor.* Prop. iii. 9.Is