807. Ipse locus, etc. This very part of the poem, this very mention of the birth-day of Rome, gives me the occasion, calls on me to relate the origin of the city.
Gierig refers causas to the enquiry which the poet had been on, and understands it thus: "Quid ego altius causas illius ritus acccsso, cum ipse locus, quem incolimus, aut, si ita mavis, in quo tractando jam versor, eas mihi suppeditat?" The reading of most MSS. is ipse locum casus vati which Marsus interprets: By chance as it were, we are come to this place, where we must treat of the origin of the city.
808. Factis. This is the reading of all the MSS. Heinsius conjectured festis, which be introduced, most unwarrantably, into the text.
809. See III. 67.
812. Ambigitur, etc. See Liv. I.6, 7. Certabant urbem Romam Remoranme vocarent, Ennius.
817. Volucres. They were vultures, to which, as they injure neither cattle nor corn, the Romans gave great authority in augury.
821. All that follows was done in accordance with the ritual-books of the Etruscans. A deep (ad solidum) round pit was dug in the future Comitium. This pit was called Mundus. Into it was thrown a portion of all necessary natural productions, and each person cast into it a little of the earth of his native country. From this as a centre, the circuit of the city was described, Plutarch Rom. 11.
824. Fungitur. Most of the old MSS. read finditur, which Gierig has received. The meaning would be, the altar was cleft with the heat of the fire, like ground with that of the sun.
825. When the mundus had been made, the founder yoked a bull and a cow to a plough which had a brazen share, and made a deep furrow, to mark the line of the walls, those who followed him taking care to turn all the clods inwards; when he came to the place where a gate (porta) was to be, he lifted the plough and passed over it, (portavit).
830. Vobis. Twelve MSS. read bonis.
831. Dominae, "Domina, quae habet imperium in omnes. V. vs. 859."
Gierig. Surely it was Rome, not the earth that was to be the mistress.
Two of the best MSS. read domitae, which I think gives a better sense.
See v. 861.
833. Tonitru laevo. Laeva fulmina prospera existimantur, quoniam laeva parte mundi ortus est, Plin. H. N. ii. 53.55. Elsewhere he says, Fulmina laeva prospera, quia sacrificantis vel precantis latus laewum dextrum est ejus qui postulata largitur.
837. Celer. According to Dionysius and Plutarch, Celer was one of the companions of Romulus, and overseer of the building of the walls. In reality he was only a personification of the Equites, who were called Celeres. See Niebuhr, Roman History, Vol. i. 325.
843. Rutro. The rutrum was a kind of spade, rutrum, ut ruitrum, a ruendo, Varro, L. L. iv. Rutro, in the text, is the conjecture of Heinsius; the greater part of the MSS. read retro; some rastro, six ultro, one ristro. There can be little doubt of rutro being the true reading, as it is the term used by other writers.—Occupat. See I. 575, and Met. xii. 343.
853. Compare Hom. II. xxiv. 582, and Virg. aen. xi. 219.
855. The Romans were not called Quirites till after their union with the Sabines. Compare Virg. aen. vi. 776.
856. Remus, a tradition said, was buried on the Remaran hill, a little way from Rome.
860. Nominis hujus, i. e. Caesaris.
863-900. On the IX. Kal. Maias, was celebrated the festival, named Vinalia, in honour of Jupiter, or, as some said, of Venus. Masurius apud Macrob. (Sat. I. 4,) says, Vinaliorum dies Jovi sacer est, non, ut quidam putant, Veneri. And Varro (L. L. V.) Vinalia dicta a vino. Hic dies Jovis non Veneris. Hujus rei cura, non levis in Latio; nam aliquot locis vindemiae primum a sacerdotibus publica fiebant, ut Romae etiam nunc; nam Flamen Dialis auspicatur vindemiam, et, ut jussit vinum legere, agna Jovi facit, inter cujus exta caesa et porrecta flamen prorsus vinum legit. According to Festus and an old Kalendar, there was another Vinalia, called rustica, on the 19th August, and it is evidently of this last that Varro speaks. Ovid seems to have confounded the two, which Pliny (H. N. xviii. 29,) accurately distinguishes. Perhaps, both were sacred to Jupiter, and the circumstance of a festival of Venus falling on the vernal Vinalia, may have led to the supposition of its being sacred to her. Plutarch (Q. R. 45,) calls it Veneralia.
866. Multa agrees with apta, and is equivalent to valde. Some MSS. read culta, which Heinsius prefers.—Professarum. When a woman at Rome wished to become a meretrix, she went before the aediles and professed, that is, informed them of her intention. She was then entered among the togatae, (v. 134) See Suet. Tib. 35. Tac. Ann. II. 85. The same mutatis nominibus is the case at the present day at Rome, Paris, and other cities on the continent.—Quaestibus. Alexis, in his comedy, called [Greek: Isostasios], says of them, [Greek: Proton men gar es to kerdos kai to sulan tous pelas, talla autais parerga ginetai].
869. Sisymbria. The sisymbrium, also called thymbraeum, was an odoriferous plant growing in dry places.
870. The garlands of roses were bound with rushes.
871. A temple was dedicated to Venus Erycina at the Colline gate, A.U.C. 571, Liv. xl. 34. There was another temple of this goddess on the Capitoline hill, built by the direction of the Sibylline books, and dedicated A.U.C. 537. Syracuse was taken A.U.C. 540. Ovid, as Neapolis observed, appears to have committed two errors here; one, in confounding the two temples of Venus Erycina at Rome; the other, in making the building of a temple depend on an event which did not happen till after it had been built. Gierig defends him in the former case by saying, that v. 873-875, are merely a passing notice of the second temple: in the latter, his defence is, "Fortasse tamen Noster, more poëtarum, a parte bellum Punicum secundum indicare voluit." Greater poets, however, than Ovid, have fallen into as great errors.
874. Eryx. This mountain was near Drepanum, on the west side of Sicily. There was on it a magnificent temple of Venus, the erection of which was ascribed to aeneas and the Trojans. Virg. aen. v. 759. It is, I apprehend, far more probable, that the Venus Erycina was the Astarte or Moon-goddess of the Phoenicians, who was identified with Aphrodite and Venus, and that the founders of the temple were the Carthaginians.
877, 878. The poet would here seem to intimate, that though the festival of Venus and the Vinalia fell on the same day, they were different. See v. 899.—Quaeritis. See on V. I.
879. See the last six books of the aeneis.
880. Adorat. One MS. has adoptat, which Heinsius and Gierig follow.
882. Equo vel pede. In horse and foot.
887. Cato in primo libro Originum ait, Mezentium Rutulis imperasse, ut sibi offerrent quas diis primitias offerebant, et Latinos omnes similis imperii metu ita vocasse: Jupiter, si tibi magis cordi est nos ea tibi dare potius quam Mezentio, uti nos victores facias, Macrob. Sat. III. 5.
888. Lacubus. The lacus or vat, was the vessel placed under the wine-press, to receive the liquor that ran out.
894. Feres. One of the best MS. reads feras, which Heinsius and Gierig receive, as it is a vow. The meaning is, that as the Rutulians had vowed or promised the produce of the following vintage to Mezentius, aeneas promises it, in case of victory, to Jupiter.
897. Venerat, etc. On account of the custom of treading out the grapes. Met. II. 21, Virg. G. II. 8. I doubt if it was good taste to personify Autumn in this place. Quum satur Auctumnus quassans sua tempora ponmis, Sordidus et musto spumantes exprimit uvas, Columella, R. R. x. 43.— Sordidus. Five MSS. read horridus.
898. Vina. Five MSS. read vota.
901-904. On the VII. Kal. Maias, six days from the end of the month, was the middle of spring; the acronych setting of the Ram, rain, and the rising of the Dog, also fell on this day.
904. Signa dant imbres. The rains shew themselves. Signa dare is the Greek [Greek: episaemainein]. Were it not that the meaning of this expression is so incontrovertibly shewn by I. 315, 316, one might be disposed to understand it with Taubner, of the constellations portending rain.—Exoriturque Canis. Here is a tremendous error of our poet, for, according to Columella, Pliny, Ptolemy, and to the actual fact, the Dog sets instead of rising at this time. Thus also, Virgil, (G. I. 217,) Candidus auratis aperit cum cornibus annum Taurus, et averso cedens Canis occidit astro. One of the best MSS. reads occidit atque Canis, but I fear this is only the emendation of some one who saw the error into which the poet had fallen.
904. Nomento. Nomentum was a town of the Sabine country; a road named the Via Nomentana led to it from the Viminal gate at Rome. On the following narrative, Gierig observes, "Similia figmenta, vv. 685 et III. 541." I do not see the necessity of supposing these to be fictions. What was more natural than for the poet, when about to write a poem on the Fasti, to direct his attention to things which he had not hitherto heeded, and to inquire into the meaning of what appeared to him deserving of notice.
906. Candida pompa. The persons who formed this pomp or procession were clad in white, that is, their togae were either new, or had been scoured for the occasion. Pompa is the reading of ten MSS. all the rest have turba.
907. Flamen, scil. Quirinalis, v. 910.—Antiquae Robiginis. The festival of this goddess was called the Robigalia, and was said to have been instituted by Numa, (Plin. xviii. 69, 3,) hence the poet says, antiquae. Robigalia dicta ab Robigo. Secundum segetes huic deo sacrificatur, ne rubigo occupet segetes, Varro, L. L. V. Robigalia dies festus VII. Kal. Maias, quo Robigo deo suo, quem putabant rubiginem avertere, sacrificabant, Festus. Feriae Robigo via Claudia ad milliarium quintum, ne robigo frumentis noceat; sacrificiun et ludi cursoribus majoribus et minoribus fiunt, Verrius Flaccus in Fastis. Inde et Robigus deus et sacra ejus VII. Kal. Maias Robigalia appellantur, Servius on Geor. I. 151. In all these places, we may see, as also in Gellius, (v. 12,) it is a god Robigus that is spoken of; on the other hand, in this place, of Ovid and in Lactantius, (De Fal. Rel. I.) and Columella, it is a goddess Robigo. May we not thence infer, that as in so many other cases (see above on III. 512. IV. 722,) so in this the dualistic principle of Roman theology may be discovered? Finally, the names Robigo, Robigus, Robigalia, were frequently written Rubigo, etc.
908. Catularia porta Romae dicta est, quia non longe ab ea ad placandum Caniculae sidus frugibus inimicum rufae canes immolabantur, ut fruges flavescentes ad maturitatem perducerentur, Festus. It would appear as if there was some slight mistake here, as it was, as Festus himself tells us, (see preceding note) the god Robigus, and not the Canicula, to whom the sacrifice was made. This is also proved by the word rufae, for robus, a word of the same origin was equivalent to [Greek: xanthos], whence (Fest. s. v.) the peasants said robos boves. The Canicula however was the cause of the dog being sacrificed. Columella (R. II. x. 342). also notices this rite. Hinc mala, Rubigo virides ne torreat herbas Sanguine lactentis catuli placatur et extis. Ovid alone mentions the sheep.
910. Edidit, etc. that is prayed to this effect.
911. Aspera. The Robigo, [Greek: erusibae, miltos], or mildew, i. e. meal-dew, (It is mehlthau in German,) is a red glutinous powder, which ate into or consumed the stalks of the growing corn, and made them asperi, scabri.
913. Secundis, several MSS. read secundi.
919. Titan. So the Latin poets named the Sun, either as being the same with Hyperion the Titan or his son, Hes. Th. Mildew was thought to be produced by the rays of the sun acting on the moisture left on the stalks by dew or fog. Plin. xviii. 28.
923. Robigo signifies rust as well as mildew.
933. At the right hand of the Flamen was a woolen towel, (mantele) with the fringes, or rather nap on it, (villis solutis) for him to wipe his hands with. The finer kind of towels were without this appendage. Tonsis mantilla villis. Virg. G. III. 377.
936. Obscenae, of ill omen on account of the howling.
939. The Canicula was said to be Maera, the dog of Erigone the daughter of Icarus an Athenian, to whom Bacchus gave wine, which he shared with his workmen, who thinking he had poisoned them, put him to death. Erigone, by means of the dog discovered his body, and Bacchus touched by her grief, raised them all three to the skies, making Icarus Bootes, Erigone the Virgin, and Maera the Canicula or Procyon.
940. Praecipitur, scil. aestu, is burnt up.
941. Pro, instead of.
942. The true cause of many superstitious practices, in which the mystics find such deep meaning.
943. Phr. Ass. fratre a periphrasis of Tithonus, Ovid appears to make a mistake here and to confound Tithonus with Ganymedes, as according to most writers, Tithonus was the son of Laomedon, the son of Ilus the brother of Assaracus, whose grand-nephew therefore Tithonus was.— Titania. This is the reading of only two MSS. and was first admitted into the text by Burmann. Heinsius however had approved of it. All the rest give Tithonia, which Heinsius shews to have been frequently employed by Statius and by Valerius Flaccus but thinks that in all these places it should be changed into Titania. Aurora is called Titania, for the same reason as Diana (Luna) is called so, (Met. III. 173,) and their brother, Sol Titan; see on v. 919.
945. The Floralia began on the IV. Kal. Maias.
946. See V. 183, et seq.
949. As it was requisite that the Pontifex Maximus should reside in a public building, near the temple of Vesta, Augustus, when raised to this dignity, assigned a part of his Palatium to the public service, and removed thither the sacred fire of Vesta—Aufert, claims.—Cognati. See III. 425. Some MSS. read cognato.
950. Justi senes. Some editions read jussi, instead of justi. I know not on what authority. Patres for senes, is the reading of several MSS.
951. The temple of the Palatine Apollo formed another part of the Palatium. Suet. Aug. 29. Propert. II. 23.
952. Ipse, Augustus.
953. See I. 614.
LIBER V.
Quaeritis, unde putem Maio data nomina mensi.
Non satis est liquido cognita causa mihi.
Ut stat, et incertus qua sit sibi nescit cundum,
Quum videt ex omni parte viator iter:
Sic, quia posse datur diversas reddere causas, 5
Qua ferar, ignoro, copiaque ipsa nocet.
Dicite, quae fontes Aganippidos Hippocrenes
Grata Medussei signa tenetis equi.
Dissensere deae. Quarum Polyhymnia coepit
Prima—Silent aliae, dictaque mente notant.— 10
Post chaos, ut primum data sunt tria corpora mundo,
Inque novas species omne recessit opus;
Pondere terra suo subsedit, et sequora traxit:
At coelum levitas in loca summa tulit.
Sol quoque cum stellis nulla gravitate retentus, 15
Et vos Lunares exsiluistis equi.
Sed neque Terra diu Coelo, nec cetera Phoebo
Sidera cedebant: par erat omnis honos.
Saepe aliquis solio quod tu, Saturne, tenebas,
Ausus de media plebe sedere deus; 20
Et latus Oceano quisquam deus advena junxit,
Tethys et extremo saepe recepta loco est;
Donec Honos, placidoque decens Reverentia vultu
Corpora legitimis imposuere toris.
Hinc sata Majestas, quae mundum temperat omnem, 25
Quaque die partu est edita, magna fuit.
Nec mora: consedit medio sublimis Olympo,
Aurea, purpureo conspicienda sinu.
Consedere simul Pudor et Metus. Omne videres
Numen ad hanc vultus composuisse suos. 30
Protinus intravit mentes suspectus honorum.
Fit pretium dignis, nec sibi quisque placet.
Hic status in coelo multos permansit in annos:
Dum senior fatis excidit arce deus.
Terra feros partus, immania monstra, Gigantas 35
Edidit, ausuros in Jovis ire domum.
Mille manus illis dedit, et pro cruribus angues:
Atque ait, In magnos arma movete deos.
Exstruere hi montes ad sidera summa parabant,
Et magnum bello sollicitare Jovem. 40
Fulmina de coeli jaculatus Jupiter arce
Vertit in auctores pondera vasta suos.
His bene Majestas armis defensa deorum
Restat: et ex illo tempore firma manet.
Assidet illa Jovi: Jovis est fidissima custos, 45
Et praestat sine vi sceptra tenenda Jovi.
Venit et in terras: coluerunt Romulus illam,
Et Numa: mox alii, tempore quisque suo.
Illa patres in honore pio matresque tuetur:
Illa comes pueris virginibusque venit. 50
Ilia datos fasces commendat, eburque curule:
Illa coronatis alta triumphat equis.
Finierat voces Polyhymnia: dicta probarunt
Clioque, et curvae scita Thalia lyrae.
Excipit Uranie: fecere silentia cunctae, 55
Et vox audiri nulla, nisi illa, potest,
Magna fuit quondam capitis reverentia cani,
Inque suo pretio ruga senilis erat.
Martis opus juvenes animosaque bella gerebant,
Et pro dîs aderant in statione suis. 60
Viribus illa minor, nec habendis utilis armis,
Consilio patriae saepe ferebat opem.
Nec nisi post annos patuit tunc Curia seros,
Nomen et aetatis mite Senatus erat.
Jura dabat populo senior: finitaque certis 65
Legibus est aetas, unde petatur honos.
Et medius juvenum, non indignantibus ipsis,
Ibat, et interior, si comes unus erat.
Verba quis auderet coram sene digna rubore
Dicere; censuram longa senecta dabat. 70
Romulus hoc vidit, selectaque pectora Patres
Dixit. Ad hos urbis summa relata novae.
Hinc sua majores posuisse vocabula Maio
Tangor, et aetati consuluisse suae.
Et Numitor dixisse potest, Da, Romule, mensem 75
Hunc senibus! nec avum sustinuisse nepos.
Nec leve praepositi pignus successor honoris
Junius, a juvenum nomine dictus, adest.
Tum sic, neglectos hedera redimita capillos,
Prima sui coepit Calliopea chori: 80
Duxerat Oceanus quondam Titanida Tethyn,
Qui terram liquidis, qua patet, ambit aquis.
Hinc sata Pleïone cum coelifero Atlante
Jungitur, ut fama est, Pleïadasque parit.
Quarum Maia suas forma superasse sorores 85
Traditur, et summo concubuisse Jovi.
Haec enixa jugo cupressiferae Cyllenes,
Aetherium volucri qui pede carpit iter.
Arcades hunc, Ladonque rapax, et Maenalon ingens
Rite colunt, Luna credita terra prior. 90
Exsul ab Arcadia Latios Evander in agros
Venerat, impositos attuleratque deos.
Hic, ubi nunc Roma est orbis caput, arbor et herbae,
Et paucae pecudes, et casa rara fuit.
Quo postquam ventum, Consistite! praescia mater, 95
Nam locus imperii rus erit istud, ait.
Et matri et vati paret Nonacrius heros,
Inque peregrina constitit hospes humo.
Sacraque multa quidem, sed Fauni prima bicornis
Has docuit gentes, alipedisque dei. 100
Semicaper, coleris cinctutis, Faune, Lupercis,
Quum lustrant celebres vellera secta vias.
At tu materno donasti nomine mensem,
Inventor curvae, furibus apte, fidis.
Nec pietas haec prima tua est: septena putaris, 105
Pleïadum numerum, fila dedisse lyrae.
Haec quoque desierat; laudata est voce sororum,
Quid faciam? turbae pars habet omnis idem.
Gratia Pieridum nobis aequaliter adsit,
Nullaque laudetur plusve minusve mihi. 110
Ab Jove surgat opus, Prima mihi nocte videnda
Stella est in cunas officiosa Jovis.
Nascitur Oleniae signum pluviale Capellae:
Illa dati coelum praemia lactis habet.
Naïs Amalthea, Cretaea nobilis Ida, 115
Dicitur in silvis occuluisse Jovem.
Huic fuit haedorum mater formosa duorum,
Inter Dictaeos conspicienda greges,
Cornibus aëriis atque in sua terga recurvis,
Ubere, quod nutrix posset habere Jovis. 120
Lac dabat illa deo. Sed fregit in arbore cornu:
Truncaque dimidia parte decor is erat.
Sustulit hoc Nymphe, cinxitque recentibus herbis,
Et plenum pomis ad Jovis ora tulit.
Ille, ubi res coeli tenuit, solioque paterno 125
Sedit, et invicto nil Jove majus erat,
Sidera nutricem, nutricis fertile cornu
Fecit; quod dominae nunc quoque nomen habet.
Praestitibus Maiae Laribus videre Kalendae
Aram constitui, signaque parva deûm. 130
Voverat illa quidem Curius: sed multa vetustas
Destruit, et saxo longa senecta nocet.
Causa tamen positi fuerat cognominis illis,
Quod praestant oculis omnia tuta suis.
Stant quoque pro nobis, et praesunt moenibus urbis, 135
Et sunt praesentes, auxiliumque ferunt.
At canis ante pedes, saxo fabricatus eodem,
Stabat. Quae standi cum Lare causa fuit?
Servat uterque domum, domino quoque fidus uterque.
Compita grata deo: compita grata cani. 140
Exagitant et Lar, et turba Diania, fures:
Pervigilantque Lares, pervigilantque canes.
Bina gemellorum quaerebam signa deorum,
Viribus annosse facta caduca morae:
Mille Lares, Geniumque ducis, qui tradidit illos, 145
Urbs habet: et vici numina trina colunt.
Quo feror? Augustus mensis mihi carminis hujus
Jus dabit. Interea Diva canenda Bona est.
Est moles nativa: loco res nomina fecit.
Appellant saxum: pars bona mentis ea est. 150
Huic Remus institerat frustra, quo tempore fratri
Prima Palatinae regna dedistis aves.
Templa Patres illic, oculos exosa viriles,
Leniter acclivi constituere jugo.
Dedicat haec veteris Clausorum nominis heres, 155
Virgineo nullum corpore passa virum.
Livia restituit, ne non imitata maritum
Esset, et ex omni parte secuta virum.
Postera quum roseam pulsis Hyperionis astris
In matutinis lampada tollit equis, 160
Frigidus Argestes summas mulcebit aristas,
Candidaque a Calabris vela dabuntur aquis.
At simul inducunt obscura crepuscula noctem,
Pars Hyadum toto de grege nulla latet.
Ora micant Tauri septem radiantia flammis, 165
Navita quas Hyadas Graius ab imbre vocat.
Pars Bacchum nutrisse putat: pars credidit esse
Tethyos has neptes, Oceanique senis.
Nondum stabat Atlas humeros oneratus Olympo,
Quum satus est forma conspiciendus Hyas. 170
Hunc stirps Oceani maturis nisibus aethra
Edidit, et Nymphas: sed prior ortus Hyas.
Dum nova lanugo, pavidos formidine cervos
Terret: et est illi praeda benigna lepus.
At postquam virtus annis adolevit, in apros 175
Audet et hirsutas cominus ire feras.
Dumque petit latebras fetae catulosque leaenae,
Ipse fuit Libycae praeda cruenta ferae.
Mater Hyan, et Hyan moestae flevere sorores,
Cervicemque polo suppositurus Atlas. 180
Victus uterque parens tamen est pietate sororum.
Illa dedit coelum: nomina fecit Hyas.
Mater, ades, florum, ludis celebranda jocosis:
Distuleram partes mense priore tuas.
Incipis Aprili: transis in tempora Maii. 185
Alter te fugiens, quum venit alter, habet.
Quum tua sint cedantque tibi confinia mensum,
Convenit in laudes ille vel iste tuas.
Circus in hunc exit, clamataque palma theatris:
Hoc quoque cum Circi munere carmen eat. 190
Ipsa doce, quae sis. Hominum sententia fallax,
Optima tu proprii nominis auctor eris.
Sic ego. Sic nostris respondit diva rogatis:
—Dum loquitur, vernas efflat ab ore rosas—
Chloris eram, quae Flora vocor. Corrupta Latino 195
Nominis est nostri littera Graeca sono.
Chloris eram Nymphe campi felicis, ubi audis
Rem fortunatis ante fuisse viris.
Quae fuerit mihi forma, grave est narrare modestae:
Sed generum matri repperit illa deum. 200
Ver erat: errabam: Zephyrus conspexit. Abibam:
Insequitur; fugio. Fortior ille fuit.
Et dederat fratri Boreas jus omne rapinae,
Ausus Erechthea praemia ferre domo.
Vim tamen emendat dando mihi nomina nuptae: 205
Inque meo non est ulla querela toro.
Vere fruor semper: semper nitidissimus annus.
Arbor habet frondes, pabula semper humus.
Est mihi fecundus dotalibus hortus in agris.
Aura fovet; liquidae fonte rigatur aquae. 210
Hunc meus implevit generoso flore maritus:
Atque ait, Arbitrium tu, dea, floris habe.
Saepe ego digestos volui numerare colores;
Nec potui; numero copia major erat.
Roscida quum primum foliis excussa pruina est, 215
Et variae radiis intepuere comae;
Conveniunt pictis incinctae vestibus Horae,
Inque leves calathos munera nostra legunt.
Protinus accedunt Charites, nectuntque coronas,
Sertaque coelestes implicitura comas. 220
Prima per immensas sparsi nova semina gentes.
Unius tellus ante coloris erat.
Prima Therapnaeo feci de sanguine florem:
Et manet in folio scripta querela suo.
Tu quoque nomen habes cultos, Narcisse, per hortos: 225
Infelix, quod non alter et alter eras!
Quid Crocon, aut Attin referam, Cinyraque creatum,
De quorum per me vulnere surgit honor?
Mars quoque, si nescis, per nostras editus artes.
Jupiter hoc ut adhuc nesciat, usque precor. 230
Sancta Jovem Juno, nata sine matre Minerva,
Officio doluit non eguisse suo.
Ibat, ut Oceano quereretur facta mariti:
Restitit ad nostras fessa labore fores.
Quam simul adspexi, Quid te, Saturnia, dixi, 235
Attulit? Exponit, quem petat illa locum.
Addidit et causam. Verbis solabar amicis.
Non, inquit, verbis cura levanda mea est.
Si pater est factus neglecto conjugis usu
Jupiter, et solus nomen utrumque tenet; 240
Cur ego desperem fieri sine conjuge mater,
Et parere intacto, dummodo casta, viro?
Omnia tentabo latis medicamina terris,
Et freta Tartareos excutiamque sinus.
Vox erat in cursu: vultum dubitantis haebebam. 245
Nescio quid, Nymphe, posse videris, ait.
Ter volui promittere opem, ter lingua retenta est:
Ira Jovis magni causa timoris erat.
Fer, precor, auxilium, dixit; celabitur auctor:
Et Stygiae numen testificatur aquae. 250
Quod petis, Oleniis, inquam, mihi missus ab arvis
Flos dabit. Est hortis unicus ille meis.
Qui dabat, Hoc, dixit, sterilem quoque tange juvencam;
Mater erit. Tetigi; nec mora, mater erat.
Protinus haerentem decerpsi pollice florem. 255
Tangitur; et tacto concipit illa sinu.
Jamque gravis Thracen et laeva Propontidos intrat,
Fitque potens voti; Marsque creatus erat;
Qui memor accepti per me natalis, Habeto
Tu quoque Romulea, dixit, in urbe locum. 260
Forsitan in teneris tantum mea regna coronis
Esse putes; tangit numen et arva meum.
Si bene floruerint segetes, erit area dives:
Si bene floruerit vinea, Bacchus erit.
Si bene floruerint oleae, nitidissimus annus, 265
Pomaque proventum temporis hujus habent.
Flore semel laeso pereunt viciaeque fabaeque,
Et pereunt lentes, advena Nile, tuae.
Vina quoque in magnis operose condita cellis
Florent, et nebulae dolia summa tegunt. 270
Mella meum munus. Volucres ego mella daturas
Ad violam, et cytisos, et thyma cana voco.
Nos quoque idem facimus tunc, quum juvenilibus annis
Luxuriant animi, corporaque ipsa vigent.
Talia dicentem tacitus mirabar. At illa, 275
Jus tibi discendi, si qua requiris, ait.
Dic, dea, ludorum, respondi, quae sit origo.
Vix bene desieram; rettulit illa mihi.
Cetera luxurise nondum instrumenta vigebant:
Aut pecus, aut latam dives habebat humum. 280
Hinc etiam locuples, hinc ipsa pecunia dicta est.
Sed jam de vetito quisque parabat opes.
Venerat in morem populi depascere saltus:
Idque diu licuit, poenaque nulla fuit.
Vindice servabat nullo sua publica vulgus: 285
Jamque in privato pascere inertis erat.
Plebis ad aediles perducta licentia talis
Publicios; animus defuit ante viris.
Rem populus recipit: mulctam subiere nocentes.
Vindicibus laudi publica cura fuit. 290
Mulcta data est ex parte mihi: magnoque favore
Victores ludos instituere novos.
Parte locant clivum, qui tune erat ardua rupes.
Utile nunc iter est, Publiciumque vocant.
Annua credideram spectacula facta; negavit: 295
Addidit et dictis altera verba suis.
Nos quoque tangit honos, festis gaudemus et aris:
Turbaque coelestes ambitiosa sumus.
Saepe deos aliquis peccando fecit iniquos:
Et pro delictis hostia blanda fuit. 300
Saepe Jovem vidi, quum jam sua mittere vellet
Fulmina, ture dato sustinuisse manum.
At si negligimur, magnis injuria poenis
Solvitur, et justum praeterit ira modum.
Respice Thestiaden; flammis absentibus arsit. 305
Causa est, quod Phoebes ara sine igne fuit.
Respice Tantaliden: eadem dea vela tenebat.
Virgo est, et spretos his tamen ulta focos.
Hippolyte infelix, velles coluisse Dionen,
Quum consternatis deripereris equis. 310
Longa referre mora est correcta oblivia damnis.
Me quoque Romani praeteriere Patres.
Quid facerem? per quod fierem manifesta doloris?
Exigerem nostrae qualia damna notae?
Excidit officium tristi mihi. Nulla tuebar 315
Rura, nec in pretio fertilis hortus erat.
Lilia deciderant: violas arere videres,
Filaque punicei languida facta croci.
Saepe mihi Zephyrus, Dotes corrumpere noli
Ipsa tuas, dixit. Dos mihi vilis erat. 320
Florebant oleae; venti nocuere protervi.
Florebant segetes; grandine laesa Ceres.
In spe vitis erat: coelum nigrescit ab Austris,
Et subita frondes decutiuntur aqua.
Nec volui fieri, nec sum crudelis in ira: 325
Cura repellendi sed mihi nulla fuit.
Convenere Patres, et, si bene floreat annus,
Numinibus nostris annua festa vovent.
Annuimus voto. Consul cum Consule ludos
Postumio Laenas persoluere mihi. 330
Quaerere conabar, quare lascivia major
His foret in ludis, liberiorque jocus:
Sed mihi succurrit, numen non esse severum,
Aptaque deliciis munera ferre deam.
Tempora sutilibus cinguntur tota coronis, 335
Et latet injecta splendida mensa rosa.
Ebrius incinctis philyra conviva capillis
Saltat, et imprudens vertitur arte meri.
Ebrius ad durum formosse limen amicae
Cantat. Habent unctae mollia serta comae. 340
Nulla coronata peraguntur seria fronte;
Nec liquidae vinctis flore bibuntur aquae.
Donec eras mixtus nullis, Acheloë, racemis,
Gratia sumendae non erat ulla rosae.
Bacchus amat flores: Baccho placuisse coronam, 345
Ex Ariadnaeo sidere nosse potes.
Scena levis decet hanc: non est, mihi credite, non est
Illa cothurnatas inter habenda deas.
Turba quidem cur hos celebret meretricia ludos,
Non ex difficili causa petita subest. 350
Non est de tetricis, nori est de magna professis:
Vult sua plebeio sacra patere choro:
Et monet setatis specie, dum floreat, uti:
Contemni spinam, quum cecidere rosae.
Cur tamen, ut dantur vestes Cerealibus albae, 355
Sic est haec cultu versicolore decens?
An quia maturis albescit messis aristis,
Et color et species floribus omnis inest?
Annuit; et motis flores cecidere capillis,
Accidere in mensas ut rosa missa solet. 360
Lumina restabant; quorum me causa latebat,
Quum sic errores abstulit illa meos:
Vel quia purpureis collucent floribus agri;
Lumina sunt nostros visa decere dies:
Vel quia nec flos est hebeti, nec flamma, colore; 365
Atque oculos in se splendor uterque trahit;
Vel quia deliciis nocturna licentia nostris
Convenit. A vero tertia causa venit.
Est breve praeterea, de quo mihi quaerere restat,
Si liceat, dixi. Dixit et illa, Licet. 370
Cur tibi pro Libycis clauduntur rete leaenis
Imbelles capreae, sollicitusque lepus?
Non sibi, respondit, silvas cessisse, sed hortos,
Arvaque pugnaci non adeunda ferae.
Omnia finierat: tenues secessit in auras. 375
Mansit odor: posses scire fuisse deam.
Floreat ut toto carmen Nasonis in aevo,
Sparge, precor, donis pectora nostra tuis.
Nocte minus quarta promet sua sidera Chiron
Semivir, et flavi corpore mixtus equi. 380
Pelion Haemoniae mons est obversus in Austros:
Summa virent pinu: cetera quercus habet.
Phillyrides tenuit. Saxo stant antra vetusto,
Quae justum memorant incoluisse senem.
Ille manus, olim missuras Hectora leto, 385
Creditur in lyricis detinuisse modis.
Venerat Alcides exhausta parta laborum,
Jussaque restabant ultima paene viro.
Stare simul casu Trojae duo fata videres:
Hinc puer aeacides, hinc Jove natus erat. 390
Excipit hospitio juvenem Philyreïus heros:
Et causam adventus hic rogat: ille docet.
Perspicit interea clavam spoliumque leonis,
Virque, ait, his armis, armaque digna viro!
Nec se, quin horrens auderent tangere setis 395
Vellus, Achilleae continuere manus.
Dumque senex tractat squalentia tela venenis,
Excidit, et laevo fixa sagitta pede est.
Ingemuit Chiron, traxitque e vulnere ferrum:
Et gemit Alcides, Haemoniusque puer. 400
Ipse tamen lectas Pagasaeis collibus herbas
Temperat, et varia vulnera mulcet ope.
Virus edax superabat opem, penitusque recepta
Ossibus et toto corpore pestis erat.
Sanguine Centauri Lernaeae sanguis Echidnae 405
Mixtus ad auxilium tempora nulla dabat.
Stabat, ut ante patrem, lacrimis perfusus Achilles:
Sic flendus Peleus, si moreretur, erat.
Saepe manus aegras manibus fingebat amicis:
Morum, quos fecit, praemia doctor habet. 410
Oscula saepe dedit; dixit quoque saepe jacenti:
Vive, precor; nec me care relinque pater!
Nona dies aderat, quum tu, justissime Chiron,
Bis septem stellis corpora cinctus eras.
Hunc Lyra curva sequi cuperet; sed idonea nondum 415
Est via. Nox aptum tertia tempus erit.
Scorpios in coelo, quum eras lucescere Nonas
Dicimus, a media parte notandus erit.
Hinc ubi protulerit Formosa ter Hesperus ora,
Ter dederint Phoebo sidera victa locum; 420
Ritus erit veteris, nocturna Lemuria, sacri:
Inferias tacitis Manibus illa dabunt.
Annus erat brevior, nec adhuc pia Februa norant,
Nec tu dux mensum, Jane biformis, eras.
Jam tamen extincto cineri sua dona ferebant, 425
Compositique nepos busta piabat avi.
Mensis erat Maius, majorum nomine dictus,
Qui partem prisci nunc quoque moris habet.
Nox ubi jam media est, somnoque silentia praebet,
Et canis et varies conticuistis aves; 430
Ille memor veteris ritus timidusque deorum
Surgit:—habent gemini vincula nulla pedes—
Signaque dat digitis medio cum pollice junctis,
Occurrat tacito ne levis umbra sibi;
Quumque manus puras fontana perluit unda, 435
Vertitur, et nigras accipit ante fabas;
Aversusque jacit; sed dum jacit, Haec ego mitto;
His, inquit, redimo meque meosque fabis.
Hoc novies dicit, nec respicit. Umbra putatur
Colligere, et nullo terga vidente sequi. 440
Rursus aquam tangit, Temesaeaque concrepat aera,
Et rogat, ut tectis exeat umbra suis.
Quum dixit novies, Manes exite paterni!
Respicit, et pure sacra peracta putat.
Dicta sit unde dies, quae nominis exstet origo, 445
Me fugit. Ex aliquo est invenienda deo.
Pliade nate, mone, virga venerande potenti:
Saepe tibi Stygii regia visa Jovis.
Venit adoratus Caducifer. Accipe causam
Nominis. Ex ipso cognita causa deo est. 450
Romulus ut tumulo fraternas condidit umbras,
Et male veloci justa soluta Remo;
Faustulus infelix, et passis Acca capillis
Spargebant lacrimis ossa perusta suis.
Inde domum redeunt sub prima crepuscula moesti, 455
Utque erat, in duro procubuere toro.
Umbra cruenta Remi visa est assistere lecto,
Atque haec exiguo murmure verba loqui:
En ego dimidium vestri parsque altera voti
Cernite sim qualis! qui modo qualis eram! 460
Qui modo, si volucres habuissem regna jubentes,
In populo potui maximus esse meo.
Nunc sum elapsa rogi flammis et inanis imago.
Haec est ex illo forma relicta Remo.
Heu! ubi Mars pater est! si vos modo vera locuti, 465
Uberaque expositis ille ferina dedit.
Quem lupa servavit, manus hunc temeraria civis
Perdidit. O quanto mitior illa fuit!
Saeve Celer, crudelem animam per vulnera reddas,
Utque ego, sub terras sanguinolentus eas! 470
Noluit hoc frater. Pietas sequalis in illo est.
Quod potuit, lacrimas in mea fata dedit.
Hunc vos per lacrimas, per vestra alimenta rogate,
Ut celebrem nostro signet honore diem.
Mandantem amplecti cupiunt, et brachia tendunt: 475
Lubrica prensantes effugit umbra manus.
Ut secum fugiens somnos abduxit imago,
Ad regem voces fratris uterque ferunt.
Romulus obsequitur, lucemque Remuria dixit
Illam, qua positis justa feruntur avis. 480
Aspera mutata est in lenem tempore longo
Littera, quae toto nomine prima fuit.
Mox etiam Lemures animas dixere silentum;
Hic verbi sensus, vis ea vocis erat.
Fana tamen veteres illis clausere diebus, 485
Ut nunc ferali tempore operta vides.
Nec viduae taedis eadem, nec virginis apta
Tempora. Quae nupsit, non diuturna fuit.
Hac quoque de causa, si te proverbia tangunt,
Mense malas Maio nubere vulgus ait. 490
Sed tamen haec tria sunt sub eodem tempore festa
Inter se nullo continuata die.
Quorum si mediis Boeotum Oriona quaeres;
Falsus eris. Signi causa canenda mihi.
Jupiter, et, lato qui regnat in aequore, frater 495
Carpebant socias, Mercuriusque, vias.
Tempus erat, quo versa jugo referuntur aratra.
Et pronum saturae lac bibit agnus ovis.
Forte senex Hyrieus, angusti cultor agelli,
Hos videt, exiguam stabat ut ante casam. 500
Atque ita, Longa via est nec tempora longa supersunt,
Dixit, et hospitibus janua nostra patet.
Addidit et vultum verbis, iterumque rogavit.
Parent promissis, dissimulantque deos.
Tecta senis subeunt, nigro deformia fumo. 505
Ignis in hesterno stipite parvus erat;
Ipse genu nixus flammas exsuscitat aura,
Et promit quassas comminuitque faces.
Stant calices. Minor inde fabas, olus alter habebat,
Et fumant testu pressus uterque suo. 510
Dumque mora est, tremula dat vina rubentia dextra.
Accipit aequoreus pocula prima deus.
Quae simul exhausit, Da, nunc bibat ordine, dixit,
Jupitur. Audito palluit ille Jove.
Ut rediit animus, cultorem pauperis agri 515
Immolat, et magno torret in igne bovem;
Quaeque puer quondam primis diffuderat annis,
Promit fumoso condita vina cado.
Nec mora: flumineam lino celantibus ulvam,
Sic quoque non altis, incubuere toris. 520
Nunc dape, nunc posito mensae nituere Lyaeo.
Terra rubens crater, pocula fagus erant.
Verba fuere Jovis: Si quid fert impetus, opta:
Omne feres. Placidi verba fuere senis:
Cara fuit conjux, prima mihi cara juventa 525
Cognita. Nunc ubi sit, quaeritis: urna tegit.
Huic ego juratus, vobis in verba vocatis,
Conjugio dixi sola fruere meo.
Et dixi, et servo, sed enim diversa voluntas
Est mihi: nec conjux, sed pater esse volo. 530
Annuerant omnes: omnes ad terga juvenci
Constiterant. Pudor est ulteriora loqui.
Tum superinjecta texere madentia terra.
Jamque decem menses, et puer ortus erat.
Hunc Hyrieus, quia sic genitus, vocat Uriona. 535
Perdidit antiquum littera prima sonum.
Creverat immensum: comitem sibi Delia sumpsit.
Ille deae custos, ille satelles erat.
Verba movent iras non circumspecta deorum.
Quam nequeam, dixit, vincere, nulla fera est. 540
Scorpion immisit Tellus. Fuit impetus illi
Curva gemelliparae spicula ferre deae.
Obstitit Orion. Latona nitentibus astris
Addidit, et, Meriti praemia, dixit, habe.
Sed quid et Orion, et cetera sidera mundo 545
Cedere festinant, noxque coarctat iter?
Quid solito citius liquido jubar aequore tollit
Candida, Lucifero praeveniente, dies?
Fallor? an arma sonant? Non fallimur: arma sonabant;
Mars venit, et veniens bellica signa dedit. 550
Ultor ad ipse suos coelo descendit honores,
Templaque in Augusto conspicienda Foro.
Et deus est ingens, et opus. Debebat in urbe
Non aliter nati Mars habitare sui.
Digna Giganteis haec sunt delubra tropaeis: 555
Hinc fera Gradivum bella movere decet:
Sen quis ab Eoo nos impius orbe lacesset;
Seu quis ab occiduo sole domandus erit.
Prospicit armipotens operis fastigia summi,
Et probat invictos summa tenere deos. 560
Prospicit in foribus diversae tela figurae,
Armaque terrarum milite victa suo.
Hinc videt aenean oneratum pondere caro,
Et tot Iuleae nobilitatis avos.
Hinc videt Iliaden humeris ducis arma ferentem, 565
Claraque dispositis acta subesse viris.
Spectat et Augusto praetextum nomine templum;
Et visum, lecto Caesare, majus opus.
Voverat hoc juvenis tunc, quum pia sustulit arma,
A tantis Princeps incipiendus erat. 570
Ille manus tendens, hinc stanti milite justo,
Hinc conjuratis, talia dicta dedit;
Si mihi bellandi pater est, Vestaeque sacerdos
Auctor, et ulcisci numen utrumque paro:
Mars, ades, et satia scelerato sanguine ferrum: 575
Stetque favor causa pro meliore tuus.
Templa feres, et me victore vocaberis Ultor.
Voverat; et fuso laetus ab hoste redit.
Nec satis est meruisse semel cognomina Marti:
Persequitur Parthi signa retenta manu. 580
Gens fuit et campis, et equis, et tuta sagittis,
Et circumfusis invia fluminibus.
Addiderant animos Crassorum funera genti,
Quum periit miles, signaque, duxque simul.
Signa, decus belli, Parthus Romana tenebat, 585
Romanaeque aquilae signifer hostis erat.
Isque pudor mansisset adhuc, nisi fortibus armis
Caesaris Ausoniae protegerentur opes.
Ille notas veteres, et longi dedecus aevi
Sustulit. Agnorunt signa recepta suos. 590
Quid tibi nunc solitas mitti post terga sagittae,
Quid loca, quid rapidi profuit usus equi?
Parthe, refers aquilas: victos quoque porrigis arcus.
Pignora jam nostri nulla pudoris habes.
Rite deo templumque datum nomenque bis ulto, 595
Et meritus votis debita solvit honos.
Sollemnes ludos Circo celebrate, Quirites:
Non visa est fortem scena decere deum.
Pliadas adspicies omnes, totumque sororum
Agmen, ubi ante Idus nox erit una super 600
Tum mihi non dubiis auctoribus incipit aestas,
Et tepidi finem tempora veris habent.
Idibus ora prior stellantia tollere Taurum
Indicat: huic signo fabula nota subest.
Praebuit, ut taurus, Tyriae sua terga puellae 605
Jupiter, et falsa cornua fronte tulit;
Illa jubam dextra, laeva retinebat amictus;
Et timor ipse novi causa decoris erat.
Aura sinus implet: flavos movet aura capillos.
Sidoni, sic fueras aspicienda Jovi 610
Saepe puellares subduxit ab aequore plantas,
Et metuit tactus assilientis aquae:
Saepe deus prudens tergum demittit in undas,
Haereat ut collo fortius illa suo.
Litoribus tactis stabat sine cornibus ullis 615
Jupiter, inque deum de bove versus erat.
Taurus init coelum: te, Sidoni, Jupiter implet,
Parsque tuum terras tertia nomen habet.
Hoc alii signum Phariam dixere juvencam,
Quae bos ex homine est, ex bove facta dea. 620
Tum quoque priscorum virgo simulacra virorum
Mittere roboreo scirpea ponte solet.
Corpora post decies senos qui credidit annos
Missa neci, sceleris crimine damnat avos.
Fama vetus: tum quum Saturnia terra vocata est, 625
Talia fatidici dicta fuere dei:
Falcifero libata seni duo corpora, gentes,
Mittite, quae Tuscis excipiantur aquis.
Donec in haec venit Tirynthius arva, quotannis
Tristia Leucadio sacra peracta modo; 630
Illum stramineos in aquam misisse Quirites.
Herculis exemplo corpora falsa jaci.
Pars putat, ut ferrent juvenes suffragia soli,
Pontibus infirmos praecipitasse senes.
Tibri, doce verum: tua ripa vetustior urbe. 635
Principium ritus tu bene nosse potes.
Tibris arundiferum medio caput extulit alveo,
Raucaque dimovit talibus ora sonis:
Haec loca desertas vidi sine moenibus herbas:
Pascebat sparsos utraque ripa boves. 640
Et quem nunc gentes Tiberin noruntque timentque,
Tunc etiam pecori despiciendus eram.
Arcadis Evandri nomen tibi saepe refertur:
Ille meas remis advena torsit aquas.
Venit et Alcides, turba comitatus Achiva. 645
Albula, si memini, tunc mihi nomen erat.
Excipit hospitio juvenem Pallantius heros:
Et tandem Caco debita poena venit.
Victor abit, secumque boves, Erytheïda praedam,
Abstrahit. At comites longius ire negant: 650
Magnaque pars horum desertis venerat Argis.
Montibus his ponunt spemque Laremque suum.
Saepe tamen patriae dulci tanguntur amore;
Atque aliquis moriens hoc breve mandat opus:
Mittite me in Tiberin, Tiberinis vectus ut undis 655
Litus ad Inachium pulvis inanis eam.
Displicet heredi mandati cura sepulcri:
Mortuus Ausonia conditur hospes humo.
Scirpea pro domino in Tiberin jactatur imago,
Ut repetat Graias per freta longa domos. 660
Hactenus. Ut vivo subiit rorantia saxo
Antra, leves cursum sustinuistis aquae.
Clare nepos Atlantis, ades! quem montibus olim
Edidit Arcadiis Pleïas una Jovi.
Pacis et armorum superis imisque deorum 665
Arbiter, alato qui pede carpis iter:
Laete lyrae pulsu, nitida quoque laete palaestra,
Quo didicit culte lingua favente loqui.
Templa tibi posuere Patres spectantia Circum
Idibus. Ex illo est haec tibi festa dies. 670
Te, quicumque suas profitentur vendere merces,
Ture dato, tribuas ut sibi lucra, rogant.
Est aqua Mercurii portae vicina Capenae:
Si juvat expertis credere, numen habet.
Huc venit incinctus tunicas mercator, et urna 675
Purus suffita, quam ferat, haurit aquam.
Uda fit hinc laurus: lauro sparguntur ab uda
Omnia, quae dominos sunt habitura novos.
Spargit et ipse suos lauro rorante capillos,
Et peragit solita fallere voce preces. 680
Ablue praeteriti perjuria temporis, inquit,
Ablue praeterita perfida verba die.
Sive ego te feci testem, falsove citavi
Non audituri numina magna Jovis;
Sive deum prudens alium divamve fefelli, 685
Abstulerint celeres improba dicta Noti.
Et pereant veniente die perjuria nobis,
Nec curent superi, si qua locutus ero.
Da modo lucra mihi, da facto gaudia lucro,
Et face, ut emptori verba dedisse juvet. 690
Talia Mercurius poscentem ridet ab alto,
Se memor Ortygias surripuisse boves.
At mihi pande, precor, tanto meliora petenti,
In Geminos ex quo tempore Phoebus eat.
Quum totidem de mense dies superesse videbis: 695
Quot sunt Herculei facta laboris, ait.
Die, ego respondi, causam mihi sideris hujus.
Causam facundo reddidit ore deus.
Abstulerant raptas Phoeben Phoebesque sororem
Tyndaridae fratres, hic eques, ille pugil. 700
Bella parant, repetuntque suas et frater et Idas,
Leucippo fieri pactus uterque gener.
His amor, ut repetant, illis, ut reddere nolint,
Suadet, et ex causa pugnat uterque pari.
Effugere Oebalidae cursu potuere sequentes: 705
Sed visum celeri vincere turpe fuga.
Liber ab arboribus locus est, apta area pugnae.
Constiterant illic: nomen Aphidna loco.
Pectora trajectus Lynceo Castor ab ense
Non exspectato vulnere pressit humum. 710
Ultor adest Pollux, et Lyncea perforat hasta,
Qua cervix humeros continuata premit.
Ibat in hunc Idas, vixque est Jovis igne repulsus:
Tela tamen dextrae fulmine rapta negant.
Jamque tibi coelum, Pollux, sublime patebat, 715
Quum, Mea, dixisti, percipe verba, Pater.
Quod mihi das uni coelum, partire duobus:
Dimidium toto munere majus erit.
Dixit, et alterna fratrem statione redemit:
Utile sollicitae sidus uterque rati. 720
Ad Janum redeat, qui quaerit, Agonia quid sint:
Quae tamen in fastis hoc quoque tempus habent.
Nocte sequente diem canis Erigoneïus exit;
Est alio signi reddita causa loco.
Proxima Vulcani lux est, Tubilustria dicunt. 725
Lustrantur purae, quas facit ille, tubae.
Quattuor inde notis locus est; quibus ordine lectis
Vel mos sacrorum, vel Fuga Regis inest.
Nec te praetereo, populi Fortuna potentis
Publica, cui templum luce sequente datum. 730
Hanc ubi dives aquis acceperit Amphitrite,
Grata Jovi fulvae rostra videbis avis.
Auferet ex oculis veniens Aurora Booten,
Continuaque die sidus Hyantis erit.
NOTES:
1-110. The poet here enters into a long inquiry on the subject of the origin of the name of May. To free the discussion from dryness, and to give it a dramatic air, he introduces the Muses disputing on this subject.—Quaeritis. See iv. 878. He addresses his readers in general, and not Germanicus alone, as elsewhere.
7. The poet would appear in this place to confound the springs of Aganippe and Hippocrene, which, though both on Mt. Helicon, were distinct in situation. But he had already (Met. v. 312,) distinguished them, so that we must regard the present as a slip of his memory. Aganippis, like Ausonis, Maenalis, etc. is evidently an adjective.
8. Med. equi, Pegasus. See III. 544.
9. Polyhymnia. The name of this Muse in all the Greek writers, from Hesiod down, is [Greek: Polymnia]; by Ovid and by Horace, (Car. I. 1, 33,) she is called Polyhymnia, a name which could not be written in Greek.
11-54. The first opinion. Maius derived its name from Majestas, the daughter of Honos and Reverentia. Sunt qui hunc mensem ad nostros Fastos transisse commemorant, apud quos nunc quoque vocatur Deus Maius, qui est Jupiter, a magnitudine et majestate dictus. Macrobius, Sat. I. 12.
10. Mente notant, mark in their mind or commit to memory.
11. Compare I. 103. Met I. 1. et seq. xv. 239. In these places he speaks of four elements, here of but three, regarding the air and the aether as one.
12. Omne opus. The whole mass. Some MSS. read onus. See on I. 564.
16. I doubt if it was judicious to personify here.
19. It was in the reign of Saturn that this confusion prevailed, hence no gods are spoken of but Titans, the children of Heaven and Earth; such were Oceanus and Tethys. It would be pressing the poet too closely to ask who the Dei advenae could be in the reign of Saturn.
24. Lenz, who thinks that it is the banquets of the gods of which the poet speaks, in the language of the Roman triclinium, understands by legitimis toris the couches in such being properly arranged, and the guests placed according to their rank. Gierig rightly understands it of the marriage of Honour and Reverence.
25. Quae, etc. Three of the best MSS. read hos est dea censa parentes, which Heinsius and Gierig adopt. Compare Hor. Car. I. 12. 15.
26. Magna fuit, scil. Majestas, like Minerva.
28. Aurea, i. e. adorned with gold.—Sinu, robe; part for the whole. Compare II. 310.
29. Pudor et Metus. The [Greek: Aidos] and [Greek: Nemesis] of Hesiod, ([Greek: Erga] 200).
30. Vultus. One MS. reads cultus; either reading gives a good sense.
31. Suspectus, a regard, respect for.
34. Dum senior. See IV. 197.
35. For the Giant-war, see Met. I. 151. et seq. Virg. G. I. 278. Hor. Car. III. 4. 49. Mythology. p. 238.
52. Illa coronatis, etc. She accompanies the conquering generals in their triumphs, giving dignity to them. I know not where the poet got this beautiful fiction of the birth and power of Majesty. It has, I think, a Roman rather than a Grecian air, "Haud dubie poetae antiquiori debet." Gierig.
54. The poet appears to intimate that each opinion was maintained by three of the Muses. For the names, characters, and attributes of these goddesses, see Mythology, p. 146.
55. The second opinion. Maius and Junius came from Majores and Juniores. Fulvius Nobilior in Fastis, quos in aede Herculis Musarum posuit, Romulum dicit postquam populos in majores minoresque divisit, ut altera pars consilio, altera armis rempublicam tueretur, in honorem utriusque partis hunc Maium sequentum mensem Junium vocasse. Macrobius, I. 12.
57. [Greek: Aideisthai poliokrotaphous, eikein de gerousin Edraes kai geraon panton], Phocyl. 207. Cicero (Sen. 18.) praises the Lacedaemonians highly for their respect for old age, on the advantages of which he makes his Cato dilate, but properly adds non cani, non repente auctoritatem accipere possunt, as this depended on a well-spent life, and, as Menander says, [Greek: Ouch ai triches poiousin ai leukai phronein, All' ho tropos enion esti tae phusei Geron].
59. [Greek: Palaios ainos Erga men neoteron, Boulai d' echousi ton geraiteron kratos]. Eurip. frag. Melan.
60. Same as Pugnabant pro aris et focis.
64. This derivation of Senatus is also given by Cicero (Sen. 6.). Dionysius (II. 12.) doubts whether the corresponding Greek term [Greek: gerousia] came from age or from honour ([Greek: geras]).—Mite a very appropriate term, "Juventus est fervida, senectus mitis." Gierig.
66. In the early times of Rome, the maturity of years was much regarded in the appointments to office. When Corn. Scipio was looking for the aedileship (A.U.C. 539) the tribunes opposed him because he had not attained the lawful age, Liv. xxv. 2. By the Lex Villia Annalis passed A.U.C. 574 the age for the Quaestorship was made 3l, for the aedileship 37, the Praetorship 40, and the Consulship 43 years.
67. Compare Sall. Jug. 11.
68. See Horace Sat. II. 5. 17.
70. Censuram, the right of reprimanding.
71. Patres. See Liv. I. 8. Sall. Cat. 6. Vell. Paterc. I. 8.— Pectora. Several MSS. read corpora.
74. Tangor, I am led to believe.
75. It was probably said that this was done by Romulus at the request of Numitor.
76. Sustinuisse. "Non sustinet alterum qui non potest non satisfacere ejus precibus," Gierig. Compare Met. xiv. 788. Liv. xxxi. 13.
77. 78. June, the poet thinks, being named a juvenum nomine, is no slight proof of the correctness of the foregoing etymology. But the origin of June itself is to be proved.—Praep. hon. Six MSS. proposito honori, some have propositum, five give the present reading, the rest propositi. Heinsius proposes praeposito honori, which Krebs adopts.
79-110. The third opinion. The month derived its name from the Pleias Maia. Cincius mensem nominatum putat a Maia, quam Vulcani dicit uxorem, argumentoque utitur quod flamen Vulcanalis, Kal. Maiis huic deae rem divinam facit. Macrob. Sat. I. 12. Again Contendunt alii Maiam Mercurii Matrem, mensi nomen dedisse.—There is a festival of Mercury in this month which is in favour of the Pleias; but, on the other side, Maia seems to be an old Italian deity, the female, perhaps, of Maius, (see on v. 11,) and is justly regarded as the Earth, (see on v. 148,) who, under the name of Bona Dea, was worshiped on the Kalends. The marriage of Vulcan and Maia accords with Grecian, not with Italian theology. See on III. 512.
79. Hedera, the ornament of learned brows, and therefore suited to the Muse of the Epos.
80. Prima sui chori, Calliope is placed by Hesiod and all succeeding writers at the head of the list of the Muses. Perhaps in this place the chorus may be those of her sisters, who thought as she did on this subject.
81. Oceanus and Tethys were two of the Titans, the children of Heaven and Earth.
82. [Greek: Mnaesomai Okeanoio bathurrhoou en gar ekeino Pasa chthon, ate naesos apeiritos, estephanotai]. Dionys. Perieg. 3. For proof that the ancient poets represented the Ocean as a huge river which flowed round the earth, see Mythology, pp. 35, 228.
89-90. The country, its rivers and mountains put for the people. For the ante-lunar origin of the Arcadians, see I. 469.
91. See I. 499. et seq.
92. Impositos scil. navi suae.
93. Compare I. 5d5, II. 280, III. 71. Virg. aen. viii. 98.
99. Sec II. 267-449.
101. Cinctutis, same as succinctis, which is the reading of several MSS. The Luperci were so called, because they ran, [Greek: en perizomasi], cincti subligaculis.
102. Celebres vias, the crowded streets.—Vellera secta, the goat-skin thongs. Several MSS. read verbera.
103. This is the way in which Evander chiefly testified his veneration for Mercury, by naming a month after the god's mother. As to the fact of his being his son, see above I. 471. According to Macrobius, (ut supra) traders sacrificed in this month to Maia and Mercury.
104. Compare Hor. Car. I. 10, 6. For the mythology of Mercury, see my Mythology, pp. 124 and 460.
105. Pietas, i. e. dutiful regard to his aunts, the Pleiades. The lyre, or phorminx, of which the invention was ascribed to Hermes, had seven strings. [Greek: Hepta de symphonous oion etanusseto chordas]. Homer, H. Merc, 25.
108. See on v. 64.
111-128. On the Kalends of May, the star named Capella ([Greek: aix]) which is in the right shoulder of the Heniochus or Charioteer, a constellation on the north side of the Milky Way—rises heliacally, according to Neapolis; cosmically, according to Taubner. Is it not acronychally, according to Ovid? Pliny (xviii. 26,) makes it take place the VIII. Id Maias.—Ab Jove, etc. [Greek: Ek Dios archometha], Aratus Phaen. 1, Virg. Ec. III. 60.
113, 114. According to Eratosthenes (Catast. 13,) Musaeus said, that when Jupiter was born, Rhea gave him to Themis, by whom he was committed to Amalthea, who had him suckled by her goat. Amalthea, we are told by Theon, (ad Arat. 64,) was the daughter of Olenus. Others say, that Amalthea was the name of the goat, and that she had two kids, which were raised with herself to the skies by her grateful nursling. There is no part of Grecian mythology more obscure than the early history of Jupiter.—Nascitur, i.e. oritur.—Pluviale. Compare Met. III. 594, Virg. aen. ix. 668, on which Servius says, Supra Tauri cornua est signum, cui Auriga nomen est. Retinet autem stellas duas in manu, quae Haedi vocantur et Capram—quorum et ortus et occasus gravissimas tempestates faciunt.
115. Naïs, for Nympha, the species for the genus.
119. Aëriis, lofty, tall, rising into the air.
123. Cinxit. One of the best MSS. which is followed by Heinsius and Gierig, reads cinctum.—Recentibus, the MSS. also read decoribus, decentibus, virentibus.
129-147. The altar of the Guardian (Praestites) Lares was erected on the Kalends of May.
130. Curius. Manius Curius Dentatus, the conqueror of the Sabines and of Pyrrhus. There is an apparent difficulty here, as, according to Varro, T. Tatius, the Sabine king built a temple to the Lares, and Dionysius (iv. 14) tells us, that the Compitalia were instituted in their honour by Servius Tullius. The history of Tatius, however, is so purely mythic, that little stress can be laid on the above circumstance, and the fact of the previous worship of the Lares at Rome, does not militate against that of the erection of an altar to them by Curius. The present reading Vov … … … Cur, was given by Ciofanus, from one MS. of the highest authority; that of the other MSS. and the previous editions, is Ara erat quidem illa Curibus, and it is a matter of great doubt which is the genuine one. One MS. for voverat, reads struxerat.
137. Stabat, scil. at the altar erected by Curius.
140. Grata, agreeable. Compitalia dies attributus. Laribus; ideo ubi viae competunt tum in competis sacrificatur; quotannis is dies concipitur. Varro, L. L. V. There were 265 compita Larium at Rome, Pliny, III. 9.
143, 144. See vv. 129, 130.
145. Mille, a definite for an indefinite number.—Qui. trad. etc. Compitales Lares ornari his anno constituit vernis floribus et aestivis. Suet. Aug. 31.
146. Numina trina, scil. the two Lares, and the Genius of Augustus. Hor. Car. iv. 5, 34. See IV. 954.—Vici, the streets.
148-158. The temple of Bona Dea was dedicated on the Kalends of May. It is disputed who this goddess was. Varro said she was Fatua or Fauna, the daughter of Faunus, who was so chaste that she never let herself even be seen by men. Macrobius (I. 12,) tells us, that Corn. Labeo said she was Maia. v. 79. As she is also said to have been the same with Ops, and a pregnant sow was the victim offered to her, (Festus, s. v. Damium,) which was also the victim to Tellus, (Hor. Ep. II. 1, 143.) I think it extremely probable, that Bona Dea was only one of the names of the goddess of the earth.
149. Moles nativa, a natural rock. It was on the Aventine.
152. Regna. Three of the best MSS. followed by Heinsius and Gierig, give signa.
155, 156. See on IV. 305. It is not certain, however, that it was Claudia Quinta, "Haec Appia illa Claudia probatae pudicitiae femina." Neapolis.
157, 158. Compare I. 649.
159-182. On the second of May, the wind Argestes began to blow, and the Hyades rose.—Hyperionis. Aurora, the daughter of Hyperion.
161. Argestes, called also Caurus or Corus, was the north-west wind, and was considered to be very cold.—Mulcebit. Five MSS. read miscebit, which Burmann approved, and Gierig adopted.
162. A Cal. aq. For vessels sailing from the east coast of Italy to Greece, the north-west wind, also called by the Greeks Iapyx, was eminently favourable. Hor. Car. I. 3, 4. Most MSS. read a capreis, four a campis, three a canis, one qua canis. The reading of the text was given by Neapolis from a MS. of no great authority.
163. The rising of the Hyades acronychally. This, perhaps, is an error, for Pliny (xviii. 66,) says _VI. Non. Maii Caesari Suculae matutino oriuntur.
166. There are three derivations of this name, one which the poet follows from [Greek: huein] to rain; a second from the letter Y, which the constellation was thought to resemble; a third from [Greek: hus sus], which is supported by the Latin name Suculae. I am disposed to prefer this last, (Mythology, p. 418) as also are Göttling and Nitzsch, two distinguished critics of the present day.
171. Atlas was the father of Hyas and the Hyades.
182. Illa scil. pietas.—Nomina, etc. "Sed si nauta Graecus Hyadas ab imbre vocavit, ut vs. 166, recte admonitum est, quid opus erat idem nomen etiam ex mythis repetere. Ita poëtae sententia secum pugnat." Gierig; who had already observed, that grege Hyadum, v. 164, was an allusion to the derivation from [Greek: us].
183-378. The poet now returns to the Floralia, which he had briefly noticed at the end of the preceding book. These games were instituted according to Pliny, (xviii. 29) A.U.C. 516 ex oraculis Sibyllae, ut omnia bene deflorescerent. Velleius (I. 14) gives A.U.C. 513 as the date; which is the true one. The Floralia began on the 28th of April, and ended on the 3d of May.—Mater florum. "Matres earum rerum dicuntur Deae quibus praesunt." Gierig. For the general principle see Mythology, p. 6.
189. Circus, that is, the games of the Floral Circus, which were continued into May. The Circus Florae was in the sixth region of the city. For these games, see vv. 37l, 372.—Theatris, the spectators who testified their approbation by clapping of hands, etc. Tota theatra reclamant, Cicero Orat III. 50.
190. Munere. Munus was properly used only of gladiatorial shews. The poet in employing it here, uses a poet's privilege.
195. Cloris eram, etc. The name Chloris, is akin to [Greek: chloae] grass, and [Greek: chloros] green, flourishing; Flora is related in the same way to Flos. Chloris and Flora are therefore kindred terms, and the latter is not, as the poet says, derived from the former. I am not certain that the older Grecian Mythology acknowledged a goddess of flowers. Lenz infers from the poem of Catullus on Berenice's hair, which is a translation from Callimachus, that the Greeks had an ancient legend about Chloris, the wife of Zephyrus, which the Alexandrian poet transferred to Arsinoe, the wife of Ptolemy Philadelphus, and that Ovid probably derived it from the [Greek: Aitia] of Callimachus. Nonnus, (xi. 363, xxxi. 106. 110,) is the only Greek poet, who, to my knowledge, notices this story of Chloris. From his late age he is of little authority, and the Italian Fauns are actors in his heterogenious poem. According to Varro, (L. L. V.) Flora was an ancient Sabine deity, whose worship was brought to Rome by Tatius, and when we consider the rural character of the ancient Italian religion in general, there can be but little doubt of its having always recognised a patroness of the flowers. The silly, tasteless fiction, transmitted to us by Plutarch, (Q. R. 35,) and the Fathers of the Church, of Flora having been a courtizan, who left her wealth to the Roman people, on condition of their celebrating games in her honour, and of the Senate having, out of shame, feigned that she was the goddess of flowers—is utterly undeserving of notice.
197. Campi felicis. The Campus Felix of Ovid was, I think, the [Greek: aelysion pedion] of Homer, (Od. iv. 564,) rather than the [Greek: makaron naesous] of Hesiod, ([Greek: Erga], 170). See Mythology, pp. 36 and 229. Compare Hor. Epod. xvi. 41. The localisers of the fictions of the poets make the Canary Isles to be this blissful region.
203. For this Athenian legend of Boreas carrying off Orithyia, the daughter of Erechtheus, as she was dancing in a choir of maidens on the banks of the Ilissus, see Met. vi. 677. Herod, vii. 189, Mythology, pp. 227, 346. Orithya, I may observe, signifies mountain-rusher, ([Greek: Orei thyousa]) and was, therefore, a good name for the spouse of the North-wind. Athenian vanity made her a mortal, and daughter of an Attic king.
211. Generoso, of the finest kinds. Pruna generosa, Met. xiii. 818, generosa uva, Rem. Am. 567. generosum pecus. Virg. G. III. 75.
216. Comae, the flowers, IV. 38.