Although both the character of the ground and the disposition of Horace render it probable that it was not very fertile or highly cultivated, yet there were corn-fields, meadow-land, and a garden.* 16. "His manner of life in the country." He passed the day in reading, writing, sleeping, sauntering about, or occupied with agriculture. Nunc veterum libris, nunc somno et inertibus horis. Cœna brevis juvat, et prope rivum somnus in herba * Compare Mr. Tate's remarks, p. xl. Epist. I. 14. 35. + Dunlop (History of Roman Literature, vol. iii. 212,) remarks: "At this farm Horace had both vineyards and plantations of olives," and cites Epist. I. 8, in proof-haud quia grando Contuderit vites, oleamve momorderit æstus. But from the tenor of the epistle, it is evident that no deduction can be drawn as to his having either. Rure meo possum quidvis perferre patique. Epist. I. 15. 17. The conversation of himself and his guests. Sermo oritur non de villis domibusve alienis, Quidve ad amicitias, usus rectumve, trahat nos? Ex re fabellas. Sat. II. 6. 70. 17. "His character." "Sanus ab illis perniciem quæcunque ferunt; mediocribus et queis ignoscas, vitiis teneor.” Si præco parvas, aut (ut fuit ipse) coactor Sat. I. 6. 86. Benè est! nihil amplius oro, Maiâ nate, nisi ut propria hæc mihi munera faxis. Sat. II. 6. 4. An affectionate son and faithful friend. Nil me pœniteat sanum patris hujus, &c. Sat. I. 6. 89. Nil ego contulerim jucundo sanus amico Sat. I. 5. 40. Pompei, meorum prime sodalium. recepto Dulce mihi furere est amico. Carm. II. 8. Grateful for the favors which he had received-" Carm." I. 17, &c., &c. Fond of ease and the enjoyments of life, yet not disposed to give himself up to indolence or sensuality. Nec somnum plebis laudo, satur altilium, nec Otia divitiis Arabum liberrima muto. Epist. I. 7. 35. Nec lusisse pudet sed non incidere ludum. Epist. I. 14. 36. Versatile, and capable of accommodating himself to circumstances. Quodsi me lyricis vatibus inseres Carm. I. 1. 35. As a lyrist. Princeps Æolium carmen ad Italos Deduxisse modos. Carm. III. 30. Monstror digito prætereuntium Romanæ fidicen lyræ. Quòd spiro et placeo (si placeo) tuum est. Carm. IV. 3. 21. Exegi monumentum ære perennius, &c. Carm. III. 30. With reference to Pindar-"Dircæum cycnum." ego, apis Matinæ More modoque Grata carpentis thyma per laborem Plurimum circa nemus uvidique Tiburis ripas operosa parvus Carm. IV. 2. 25. As author of the Epodes. Libera per vacuum posui vestigia princeps, As a satirist. As an Epic. Epist. I. 19. 23. Hoc erat experto frustrà Varrone Atacino Sat. I. 10. 46. Sunt quibus in Satirâ videor nimis acer, et ultra pudor Imbellisque lyræ Musa potens vetat Sat. II. 1. 1. Laudes egregii Cæsaris et tuas Culpâ deterere ingen!. Carm. I. 6. 9. and Carm. IV. 15. 1 cupidum, pater optime, vires Deficiunt. Sat. II. 1. 12. Nec sermones ego mallem Repentes per humum, quàm res componere gestas, Si quantum cuperem, possem quoque: sed neque parvum Rem tentare pudor, quam vires ferre recusent. As a brother author. Free from jealously of the reputation or merits of others. |