1. quid
tibi, etc.: amounting merely to "how did you like?"
For the use of quid, cf. Sat. I.6.55.
nota, famous.
2. concinna,
well built, probably alluding to the regularity of its buildings,
such as is often admired in the newer Paris. regia,
royal abode. Sardis:
Greek Sárdeis.
3. maiora:
for the gender, cf. quid, v. 3.
4. prae
campo, etc.: i.e. in comparison with the scenes
of home. sordent,
etc.: the three questions are: "Do you prefer your native home,
or would you desire to live in one of these famous and wealthy cities,
or, finally, do you find the meanest place attractive after the discomforts
of travel?" As for himself, Horace goes on to say, he would rather
live in the most wretched old town than cross the sea even to get
home. The poet's dislike of the sea appears also in Od. I.3
and II.6.7.
7. Gabiis,
Fidenis: these towns, once famous, fell into decay after
being captured by the Romans, and became almost proverbial for desolation.
Cf. Juv. VI.56 and X.100.
8. vellem:
the contrary-to-fact condition implied is, 'if it were my case,' or
'I were there,' or the like.
9. obliviscendus:
apparently in the sense of a present passive participle, a signification
which this form must earlier have had (Grammar § 296, note).
10. Neptunum,
etc.: the kernel is in the procul e terra. He would
live there forever, and look at the sea from a safe distance. Cf.
Lucr. II.1.
11. sed
neque qui, etc.: i.e. the following six lines
are connected in thought with the third branch of the question (v.
6). The parenthesis vs. 7-10 expresses only Horace's own feelings
about sea-voyages, and he continues his advice in another strain.
"Even Lebedus may seem agreeable to you after a voyage, but that
ought not to warp your judgment of these places as a permanent residence,
just as in the three cases mentioned in vs. 11-16, one ought not to
conclude that the momentary relief insures permanent happiness."
To the sound philosopher (cf. v. 17 seq.), the beauties of
foreign cities are mere incumbrances, only a nuisance and hindrance.
12. volet.
. .vivere: i.e. even though the inn affords
him a temporary relief, he would not wish to pass his life there.
13. frigus
collegit, has become stiff with cold, not of
catching cold, or of a chill as a morbid condition.
15. iactaverit,
etc.: of the mercator's outward voyage.
16. navem,
etc: he wouldn't sell his ship and stay abroad forever.
18. paenula,
etc.: each of these four things is directly the opposite of what one
would want under the supposed circumstances. The paenula (overcoat?)
was a heavy cloak for rough weather. campestre:
a mere clout worn during exercise, "circus trunks."
19. Tiberis:
i.e. a bath herein. caminus:
cf. Sat. I.5.81.
20. dum
licet, etc.: i.e. as long as I can help it,
I will not travel, but I will enjoy these cites at a distance.
22. tu,
etc.: "Do you, wherever you are, and whatever enjoyments you
may have, seize the pleasure of the moment with gratitude, without
losing the present by constantly expecting enjoyment in the future.
Thus you will be able to be happy in any place." For, as the
poet goes on, happiness is not to be found in change of place, nor
in effort to attain it, but it is in our state of mind. It is at Rome
or in the meanest village if you know how to find happiness.
25. ratio,
a settled plan of life.
26. arbiter,
commanding; but the word is really here used in its old sense
of witness. aufert:
i.e. visiting such places to enjoy the beauty of the landscape
does not relieve the troubles of mind.
27. caelum,
etc.: for a diluted version of this line, see Sen. Ep. 28.
28. strenua:
referring to the strenuous efforts of the idle to amuse themselves.
The connection is: though hurrying from place to place does not give
us distraction, yet we continue to run after it with bustling activity.
navibus:
i.e. by voyaging by sea.
29. quadrigis:
i.e. by travel on land. hic,
at home, without going away for it.
30. Vlubris:
i.e. in the meannest deserted village, without going to the
famous cities. animus.
. .aequus: the even temper (apathía) of the
philosopher. |
