XXXVIII.

AWAY WITH ORIENTAL LUXURY!

1. Outline of the Poem: Away with oriental luxury! hither no linden garlands nor wreaths of late-blooming roses. lets of simple myrtle are enough, alike for master and for man.

2. Time: Uncertain; not after 23 B.C.

3. Metre: Sapphic and Adonic. Introd. § 44.

Persicos odi, puer, apparatus,
Displicent nexae philyra coronae;
Mitte sectari, rosa quo locorum
Sera moretur.

Simplici myrto nihil adlabores
Sedulus, cura: neque te ministrum
Dedecet myrtus neque me sub arta
Vite bibentem.

Bring

Chap

Q

CARMINUM

LIBER ALTER.

I.

TO POLLIO WRITING A HISTORY OF THE CIVIL WARS.

1. Outline of the Poem:

a) Thou art chronicling the details of the civil commotions that began with the first Triumvirs, a task full of danger and hazard, 1-8;

b) But withdraw not thy energies for long from the tragic muse, O Pollio, famed at the bar, in council, and in the field, 9–16; c) In imagination already I seem to see the martial deeds described in thy story; I hear the sound of trumpets and clarions, the clash of arms and behold the flight of horses, - great leaders, too, begrimed with the dust of battle, and all the world at Caesar's feet save dauntless Cato, 17-24;

d) Well may our civil strife be regarded as satisfaction to Jugurtha's shade. What field, or stream, or sea has not been stained with Roman blood? 25-36;

e) But a truce to such dismal themes! Assume, O Muse, a lighter mood! 37-40.

2. Time: Uncertain; probably before Actium (31 B.C.).

3. Metre Alcaic. Introd. § 43.

Motum ex Metello consule civicum

Bellique causas et vitia et modos
Ludumque Fortunae gravisque
Principum amicitias et arma

a) Money, Sallust, is of no worth, unless it be put to wise uses; imitate the example of generous Proculeius, 1–8;

b) To subdue one's own desire for more is better than the widest dominion of the world; resist the passion, lest it become a dire disease increasing by indulgence, 9-16;

c) 'Tis not the mighty potentate that is really happy; rather he who can gaze upon vast treasure without envy, 17–24.

2. Time: 25 B.C., or soon after.

3. Metre Sapphic and Adonic. Introd. § 44.

The ode is an embodiment of the Stoic doctrine often emphasized by Horace, that the wise man (the ideal sapiens of the Stoics) alone is happy and worthy.

Nullus argento color est avaris

Abdito terris, inimice lamnae
Crispe Sallusti, nisi temperato
Splendeat usu.

Vivet extento Proculeius aevo,
Notus in fratres animi paterni:
Illum aget pinna metuente solvi
Fama superstes.

5

a) Be courageous in adversity, modest in prosperity, 1–8; b) Nature's charms are for man to enjoy; let us seek them while

we may, 9-16;

c) Be we rich or poor, high or low, our days on earth are num bered, 17-28.

2. Time: Probably between 29 and 23 B.C.

3. Metre Alcaic. Introd. § 43.

Aequam memento rebus in arduis
Servare mentem, non secus in bonis
Ab insolenti temperatam

Laetitia, moriture Delli,