I fear'd to change the Structure of his Line, In different Stanza though he forms his Lines, No perjur'd Sire with blood-ftain'd Verfe purfues, His Numbers, to the Roman Lyre, unknown, I 32. Hunc ego, non alio.] Horace can only mean Alcæus. He hath already faid he was the first Roman, who had imitated in Latin the lambics of Archilochus, and it were ridiculous to repeat it within eight or nine Verfes. When he fays Latinus fidicen, he not only marks his being a Lyric Poet himself, but that the Writer, whom he had imitated, was fo likewife. This cannot be faid of Archilochus, who was never reckoned in their Number. This Reafon will be more fenfible, if we examine the different Expreffions of Horace with Attention. He tells us, he was the firft Roman Lyric Poet, who had imitated Alcæus, bunc ego, non alio di&um prius ore, Latinus fidicum, and in the twenty third Line he fays he was the firft, who fhewed the Iambics of Archilochus to the Latins, Parios ego primus Iambos oftendi Latio. It is remarkable, that although Horace did not imitate Sappho lefs than Archilochus and Alcæus, yet he does not fay he was the firft of the Romans who imitated her, becaufe Catullus and fome other Latin Poets had written Sapphic Verfes before him. BENT, 35% Ingratus.] A Reader, who is pleafed with a Work, fhould account with an Author for the Pleasure he gives him; but the Jealousy of his Brother-Writers is provoked, that they have not written with equal Succefs, and the Spirit of fmall Critics is gratified in abufing a Book in Public, which they are forced to admire in Private. 1 Non ego ventofæ plebis fuffragia venor Te folum, tibi pulcher. Ad hæc ego naribus uti 40 45 38. Impenfis cœnarum.] This good Cuftom is not yet abolished, and indifferent Authors are interefted to fupport it. Would it not be ungrateful to abuse an honeft Gentleman's Verfes, who gave us a good Dinner? It was cuftomary, at an Election for a Magiftracy, to make a Prefent of a Suit of Clothes to a Voter, but to People of low Condition they fent Clothes, which had been already worn, tritæ munere veftis. SAN. 40. Grammaticas ambire tribus.] Horace laughs at the Meanness of a bad Poet, who pays his Court to School-mafters, that they may give his Works a little Reputation by making their Scholars TORR read them. 45. Ad hæc ego naribus uti.] Our Poet was afraid of answering this infipid Raillery, with the Contempt it deferved, for fear of being beaten. He had not naturally too much Courage, and bad Poets are a choleric, tefty Generation. Naribus uti, to turn inte Ridicule, as in Perfius naribus indulgere. DAC. 47. Deludia pofco.] The Latins ufed deludere, to leave off playing. From thence came deludia to fignify a Space of Time and Intermiffion of Fighting given to the Gladiators during the public Games. Horace therefore pleasantly begs he may have Time allowed him to correct his Verfes, before he mounts the Stage and playsfor the Prize in Public. I never hunt th' inconftant People's Vote My worthless Works, and give fuch Trifles Weight; Yet beg, they would appoint another Day, For Jefts a fearful Strife and Anger breed, Whence Quarrels fierce, and funeral Wars proceed, VOL. IV. G EPIST. Non ego ventofæ plebis fuffragia venor Impenfis cœnarum, ac tritæ munere veftis: Te folum, tibi pulcher. Ad hæc ego naribus uti 40 45 38. Impenfis cœnarum.] This good Custom is not yet abolished, and indifferent Authors are interested to support it. Would it not be ungrateful to abuse an honeft Gentleman's Verses, who gave us a good Dinner? It was cuftomary, at an Election for a Magiftracy, to make a Prefent of a Suit of Clothes to a Voter, but to People of low Condition they fent Clothes, which had been already worn, tritæ munere veftis. SAN. 40. Grammaticas ambire tribus.] Horace laughs at the Meanness of a bad Poet, who pays his Court to School-mafters, that they may give his Works a little Reputation by making their Scholars read them. TORR 45. Ad hæc ego naribus uti.] Our Poet was afraid of anfwering this infipid Raillery, with the Contempt it deferved, for fear of being beaten. He had not naturally too much Courage, and bad Poets are a choleric, tefty Generation. Naribus uti, to turn inte Ridicule, as in Perfius naribus indulgere. DAC. 47. Deludia pofco.] The Latins ufed deludere, to leave off playing. From thence came deludia to fignify a Space of Time and Intermiffion of Fighting given to the Gladiators during the public Games. Horace therefore pleafantly begs he may have Time allowed him to correct his Verfes, before he mounts the Stage and playsfor the Prize in Public. I never hunt th' inconftant People's Vote My worthless Works, and give such Trifles Weight; Yet beg, they would appoint another Day, For Jefts a fearful Strife and Anger breed, Whence Quarrels fierce, and funeral Wars proceed, VOL. IV. G EPIST. |