1. quinque:
often loosely used of a short indefinite time.
rure: probably
at Tibur.
2. Sextilem:
the month of August was not so named until 8 B.C.
desideror, I
allow myself to be missed. atqui,
and yet (though I fail to keep my promise).
3. sanum
recteque valentem: without essential difference of meaning,
like well and strong, in good health and vigor.
4. aegrotare:
here equivalent to the regular construction with ne,
though properly used with a different meaning.
5. dum
ficus, etc.: a poetical description of the unhealthy
season of autumn.
6. dissignatorem,
the undertaker, who managed funerals, much as in modern times.
decorat:
of course the presence of the lictors, as "assistant marshals,"
would indicate a splendid funeral, and so they are said to be the
undertaker's adornments. atris:
clothed in black, as in modern times.
7. matercula,
fond mother, the diminutive of affection, reversed as it
were.
8. officiosa:
i.e. in the performance of duties, especially social (officia),
as the attendance upon the great and the like.
opella forensis:
in reference to the services of the patronus, which at this
season would be petty and insignificant.
9. testamenta
resignat: naturally, by killing off the testator.
10. quodsi
bruma, etc.: i.e. if the winter becomes too
cold there.
11. descendet:
merely of the descent from the hills to some southern resort (cf.
v. 45). sibi
parcet, take care of himself by avoiding the
cold.
12. contractus,
in a cosy[sic] corner, referring merely to the poet's
"cuddling himself up" to keep warm. Cf. Gravissimo frigore
solus atque contractus Dormitantius vigilabit in lecto. St. Jerome,
in Vig. § 15.
Inque manus venit tritus de more libellus,
Nescio quid nugarum contractusque legebam.
Nam rore Auctumni matutinisque pruinis
Frigidula intrabat male sartas aura fenestras. --Q. Sectani
(L. Sergardi, A.D. 1650), Satyrae, 4. 6.
13. Zephyris:
cf. Lucr. V. 738.
14. non
quo more, etc.: the transition is abrupt, but is founded
on the relations of the parties. Maecenas had been such a munificent
patron to Horace that he might seem to have a right to the society
of his friend under any and all circumstances. But Horace puts their
friendship upon a basis which excludes ingratitude in the receiver
as well as selfish arrogance in the giver. The anecdote of the Calabrian
host (no doubt a story current at the time, and localized as such
stories usually are) gives an instance of thoughtless giving merely
of that which is superfluous, without thought of the character or
merit of the receiver, and without any personal regard. Such has
not been Maecenas' generosity to the poet.
16. tolle:
i.e. take away with you. benigne,
no, thank you, like merci in French.
19. haec
porcis, etc.: representing the worthlessness of the
gift to the host himself.
20. prodigus
et stultus: i.e. it is the prodigal and fool
who, etc. spernit
et odit: i.e. cares nothing for, and in fact
wants to be rid of.
21. ingratos,
etc.: for naturally where there is no personal regard nor sacrifice,
no gratitude is likely to be felt.
22. dignis:
i.e. the wise man makes a distinction in the objects of
his bounty, so that the gift is a mark of esteem, and is prized
as such. ait
esse: a familiar Greek construction borrowed by the
Latin poets for brevity.
23. nec
tamen, etc.: and yet the giver knows the value of the
gift; though he gives freely, he makes something like a sacrifice.
lupinis:
the regular stage money, used as children count with beans.
24. dignum,
etc.: i.e. Horace also recognizes the value of the gift,
and will show gratitude in proportion.
25. quodsi,
etc.: i.e. yet if the gift is to constitute a claim to
incessant attendance, the poet must have back his lost youth, whose
vigor made such attendance possible. This, of course, cannot be,
and he proceeds by the use of a fable to assert delicately that
he cannot by any munificence be bound to lose his independence,
and would rather resign all than be fattened as a humble dependent,
or be forced to activity against his will.
27. dulce
loqui: cf. Od.
I. 22. 23. The inf. as a noun is colloquial.
28. Cinarae:
cf. Od.
IV. 1. 3; IV. 13. 22;
Epist. I. 14. 32.
29. volpecula:
the substitution of nitedula (Bentley) is unnecessary,
inasmuch as old fables are often regardless of natural history.
Cf. The Fox and the Grapes.
34. si
compeller, etc.: i.e. if your demands are
to be understood in the sense of the remark of the weasel, I give
up all your gifts.
35. somnum:
i.e. the idleness of a mere pampered dependent.
36. otia,
etc.: i.e. the freedom to pursue my own vocations uninterrupted.
37. saepe
verecundum, etc.: i.e. yet from my former
conduct you can see how much it would cost me to give up this relation;
but I value my independence more, and would abandon the gift if
it brings obligations for which I am unfitted, and so becomes an
unsuitable gift, like horses to Telemachus. verecundum:
modest and respectful, showing that his present attitude
is not a mere wilful impertinence, or the arrogance of a spoilt
favorite.
40. Telemachus:
cf. Odys. IV. 601. patientis:
cf. polútlas, polutlámon, laboriosus (Epod. XVII.
16).
44. parvum,
etc: cf. I. 3. 28. parva
decent: i.e. the humble life of the country
remote from courts, as opposed to the splendor to be enjoyed in
the society of Maecenas at Rome, fit the poet better, as a man of
humble aspirations.
45. vacuum,
deserted, as opposed to the populous city.
imbelle: peaceful,
in reference to its luxurious idleness.
46. strenuus,
etc.: the anecdote illustrates the readiness with which Horace would
abandon his claims to the munificence of Maecenas if it is to be
bought by the sacrifice of his valued freedom from care.
Philippus:
L. Marcius, consul B.C. 91, famous as an orator. Cicero says of
him, multae facetiae (in his orations); and, erat.
. .in altercando cum aliquo aculeo et maledicto facetus. Cic.
Brut. 47. 173.
47. ab
officiis: pleading causes in the Forum or the like.
48. Carinas:
the narrow ridge on which now stands the church of S. Pietro in
Vincoli. It was not far from the Forum, and was occupied like other
heights around the Forum by the houses of wealthy citizens. The
seeming distance is only the effect of Philippus' age and the steep
ascent.
50. tonsoris,
etc.: all such trades were carried on in little open booths (tabernae).
51. leniter,
etc.: the magistrate is doubtless attracted by the careless ease
and contentment of this humble man of the people, and wishes to
see what stuff he is made of.
54. quo
patre quove patrono: i.e. if born free, who
his father was, or, if a freedman (in which case he would be filius
nullius), by whom he had been enfranchised.
56. praeconem:
an auctioneer. Cf. v. 65. loco:
i.e. at proper times.
58. lare
certo: i.e. he had a house of his own.
59. ludis,
etc.: devoted to the ordinary amusements of the people.
campo: the
Campus Martius, the field where athletic exercises took place, which
were attended by a crowd of spectators. Cf. I. 18. 53.
62. mirari,
etc.: doubtless suspecting some trick in so incredible an invitation.
The magnate must want something of him. Hence his refusal.
benigne: cf.
v. 16.
64. neglegit,
doesn't care for. horret,
is afraid of. mane:
the next day Philippus goes himself to get the explanation of such
a strange refusal.
65. tunicato:
men of social standing wore the toga abroad, much as we wear a coat.
popello:
diminutive of disparagement, "the common people in their shirt-sleeves."
66. occupat,
surprises, i.e. he speaks to him first without
waiting for a natural respectful salutation, which would be in accordance
with their positions in society.
67. laborem:
the natural etymological construction of excusare,
(make an excuse of something). mercennaria,
of his trade.
68. mane:
i.e. for the morning call, or salutatio.
69. providisset:
i.e. instead of being spoken to first.
sic, on
this condition (so, and so only).
72. dicenda
tacenda locutus: the fellow warmed with wine puts no
restraint upon his tongue.
75. mane
cliens: at the salutatio.
certus, never
failing.
76. indictis.
. .Latinis: at the great festivals all public business
was stopped, and the dignitaries generally sought the opportunity
to retire into the country for rest. comes,
etc.: the fellow is now transformed from the careless, independent
citizen to a regular humble companion.
77. impositus,
etc.: in the raeda, or travelling-carriage.
78. videt,
etc.: i.e. Philippus sees the change in the character of
his companion, his growing ambition and discontent.
79. requiem:
diversion, in seeing how he would behave in his new condition.
risus:
i.e. he knew that the fellow's behavior would be ridiculous,
and wished to enjoy the spectacle. dum,
. . .quaerit: equivalent to a present participle, as
often.
83. nitido:
i.e. well fed, and well cared for, as even the poorer classes
would be in the city. rusticus:
i.e. in the rough garb and with the coarse fare of the
country.
84. mera,
nothing but. ulmos:
on which to train his vines.
85. immoritur
studiis, he works himself to death.
92. miserum:
instead of durus.
96. qui
semel, etc.: the moral of the anecdote as given by
Horace.
98. metiri,
etc.: i.e. and not get himself into a place which is not
fitted for him.
|
