1. Vertumnum:
at the corner of the Forum between the Palatine and Capitoline stood
a statue of Vertumnus (cf. Sat. II.3.228) near which were
the book shops in the Vicus Tuscus, which led from the Forum through
the low ground towards the Tiber. The word stands here as indicating
one of the prominent objects of the booksellers' quarter.
Ianum: apparently
the arch over the Vicus Tuscus, where it led out from the Forum.
2. scilicet,
forsooth, in a mocking vein, implying the folly of the purpose.
prostes:
figuratively applied to the exposure for sale at the front of the
book-stall, but literally referring to the exposure of the slave.
Sosiorum:
a famous firm of booksellers. Cf. II.3.345. pumice:
used for polishing the ends of the rolls. mundus,
beautified, referring alike to the roll and the slave.
3. clavis,
sigilla: with a double meaning as with the other words,
the keys of the bookcase and the chamber as well.
4. genis:
i.e. from love of admiration, here ascribed to the book in
its personified character. communia:
like publicum, the public streets accessible to all.
5. non
ita, etc.: i.e. the slave had been brought up
to shun admiration as a modest young person. fuge:
i.e. since you will have it so, go your way.
descendere: cf.
Od. III.1.11, and Ep. I.7.48 with note.
6. quid
miser, etc.: the words of regret of the slave (book)
when he sees the consequences of his wilfulness.
7. quid
volui, what was I thinking of?
laeserit: alluding
to the abuse of critics.
8. in breve,
etc.: reduced to straits. languet:
i.e. when readers are tired of you.
10. aetas,
youth (as often), the figure being kept up throughout.
11. contrectatus,
etc.: of the wearing out of youth and beauty. ubi:
opposed to donec te, etc.
12. taciturnus:
i.e. unread.
13. fugies,
etc.: i.e. you will be packed off to the provinces as unsalable
merchandise.
14. monitor:
i.e. Horace himself, who impliedly has endeavored to dissuade
him from his purpose. non
exauditus, unheeded.
15. qui
male parentem, etc.: i.e. the driver tried to
prevent the ass from going over a precipice, but not succeeding, shoved
him over, bidding him go to destruction, since he was determined to
go. Of course the loss would be the driver's after all.
17. pueros
elementa, etc.: i.e. the book would be used
to teach boys their letters. For this purpose, slaves acted as schoolmasters.
18. extremis,
etc.; i.e. in out-of-the-way places, "hedge schools."
19. cum
tibi, etc.: here Horace skilfully inserts an account
of the author of the book, which he puts into the mouth of the supposed
slave. If the words are taken in immediate connection with the preceding
verse, they must be supposed to refer to the words of the schoolmaster
to his pupils. But it is much better to connect them with the general
subject, and so refer them to the book as it is exposed for sale in
the Vicus Tuscus. sol
tepidus: i.e. the declining sun of the afternoon,
when it was cool enough for people to be about the streets and visit
the book-stalls. Thus he would have a larger audience.
20. libertino:
cf. Sat. I.6.45.
21. maiores,
etc.: i.e. for a higher flight, a rise in life.
22. quantum,
etc.: i.e. the lower his origin, the greater his merit in
achieving distinction.
23. primis,
etc.: cf. I.17.35 and Sat. II.1.76. belli
domique: limiting primis, i.e.
warriors and statesmen.
24. corporis
exigui: cf. Sat. II.3.309.
praecanum: early
gray. solibus
aptum: fond of the sun, i.e. of sunning
himself for warmth, as was the habit of the Romans, perhaps with a
hint at a fondness for lounging. Cf. I.7.10 seq.
25. irasci
celerem: cf. Sat. II.3.323.
27. Decembris:
as the month of his birth. undenos:
notice that the Latin regularly uses the distributives in multiplication
(bis bina, twice two).
28. collegam,
etc.: in the year B.C. 21. Lollius was first elected consul, and afterwards
Lepidus was chosen as his colleague; hence duxit. |
