But cruel Jove will not allow.

Now would you from a lofty tower

Spring headlong down, to try my power;
Now to your bosom point the sword;
Now to your neck apply a cord:
But these attempts you make in vain,
Weary of life, and worn by pain;
Whilst I, upon your shoulders borne,
Look down upon the world with scorn.
Shall I, who waxen dolls can move,
As your own prying eyes can prove ;
Who can my potent voice apply,
To tear the moon from out the sky;
The ashes of the dead revive,

And love's well-temper'd draughts contrive,-
Shall I, resisted thus by thee,
Deplore my failing mystery?

90

100

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The Introductory Explanations are principally taken from the Editor of Horace' by Anthon, which con

tains much ingenious criticism, and a very useful explanatory commentary, and not the less useful to ordinary readers from being in English.

NOTES.

EPODE I. Ibis Liburnis, &c.

This epode was written a short time previous to the Battle of Actium, when Mæcenas was about to embark to attend Augustus. The Poet offers to accompany him, but his offer appears to have been refused by Mæcenas, from apprehension for his safety. Notwithstanding the apparent warmth of the proposal, it is probable that, from his habits and general character, he was not much disappointed by its being declined.

EPODE II. Beatus ille, &c.

There seems to be a double object in this epode-to describe the charms of a country life, which Horace himself witnessed and enjoyed; and also to expose the difficulty with which one who has been used to accumulate riches disengages himself from the pursuit of them, or tries to acquire them by prudence and perseverance rather than by speculation and chance.

EPODE III. Parentis olim, &c.

The Poet had been treated, at one of the suppers of Maecenas, with a dish seasoned with garlic, which had disagreed with him, and which led to this ironical but highly-wrought invective against that article of cookery.

EPODE IV. Lupis et agnis, &c.

This epode is indignantly addressed to some upstart individual, who from the condition of a slave had been raised, amidst the disorders of the state, to a high military rank-to those civil distinctions which had formerly been confined to persons of high birth and character. In the Delphin and other editions, this epode is inscribed to Menas, who had been a freedman to Pompey, and afterwards was raised to rank and command by his son Sextus; and having deserted his cause, was further promoted by Augustus. This application seems to be conjectural.

EPODE V. At O Deorum, &c.

The object of this epode is to expose a practice, of the prevalence of which among women, even of the higher class, at Rome, at that time, there can be no doubt-namely, the application of superstitious rites and incantations to promote the gratification of their passions. The Eighth Satire of the First Book of Horace has the same object, and Canidia is there again named; and Sagana, who is introduced in line 25 of this epode. Some editors have supposed that Horace had himself been nearly driven out of his senses by a potion given to him by a Neapolitan courtezan, and that he intended to satirize her under the name of Canidia, and to represent his own case under that of Varus. It has also been supposed that the machinery of the boy is not entirely invention, but that some such operation had been performed on a boy of noble birth for the purpose described. The imagery and language are very powerful and highly poetical.

EPODE VI. Quid immerentes, &c.

The object of this epode has already been explained in a note following the text.

EPODE VII. Quo, quo scelesti ruitis?

This epode is supposed to have been written when the civil war was about to be renewed between Anthony and Octavianus, afterwards the Emperor Augustus.

EPODE VIII. Rogare longo, &c.

The title of this epode explains its nature and subject, and it is accordingly omitted.

EPODE IX.

Quando repostum Cæcubum, &c.

Supposed to have been written when the final news of the victory at Actium was received at Rome. Maecenas was then at the scene of action.

EPODE X. Mala soluta navis, &c.

Addressed to Mævius, a contemptible and vicious poet of the day. He is alluded to by Virgil in his Third Eclogue.

EPODE XI. Petti nihil me, &c.

He makes a new passion his excuse for ceasing to write verses. The nature of that passion is too obvious.

It took place of another of a less criminal kind, but not less violent. This epode shows the scandalous excesses in which the Poet indulged without restraint, and the profligacy of the times, which allowed of his exposing and boasting of them.