No More Learning

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Catullus with great severity and even coarseness,
scolds and threatens Thallus, who had carried off
and exhibited as his own, some articles belonging
to him. This piece presents him in no very amia-
ble light, yielding to violent passion, and descend-
ing to abusive language, on, to say the least, an un-
suitable occasion. Such methods of gratifying ill-
will, or revenging an affront, were not very uncom-
mon in this age of Rome, and English literature,
even is not wholly without examples. Catullus in
these verses, has exhausted all the power of di-
minutives to abuse and degrade his enemy.
2. oricilla] i. q. auricula, dim. of auris.
4. diva mulier] 'a female skilled in omens. '
occinentes] 'whose song is of evil omen. '
6. catagrapliosque] according to Voss, parchment
tablets, painted of various colors, great numbers of
which were made in Bithynia. 'Profiles '?
CARMEN XX.
To Furius.
The best reading of the first line of this poem i
em is
9*
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? 106. NOTES.
entirely uncertain. The editions are divided, with
great weight of authority on either side, between
nostra and vestra; and I am not aware that we have
any means of deciding the question. Vestra, seems
to suit better with the general character and con-
dition of Catullus. - Yet we do not know the time
when it was written, or whether he was then pros-
perous or poor. Nor do we know'the individual to
whom it is addressed. In other pieces he speaks of
two, of the same name, one a friend, and the other
an enemy. Nor yet do we know the villa of which
he speaks, as he possessed more than one, (Carm.
29. and 23. ,) neither of which can be the one to
which he here refers. The general construction of
the piece needs no remark.
CARMEN XXI.
To a youthful Cupbearer.
2. amariores] 'more bitter,' i. e. older.
3. magistral] the mistress of the revel, who pre-
scribed the rule (legem) of drinking. The Postu-
mia, who here held the office of symposiarch, is not
known, probably a fancy name.
4. acind Ebriosd] 'than the swollen grape. '
Seneca makes this distinction between ebrius and
ebriosus. "Potest qui ebrius est, nunc primum esse,
qui ebriosus est, sape extra cbrietatem esse. " *
7. Thyonianus] a name of Bacchus,
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? NOTES. 107
CARMEN XXII.
To Mphenus.
A remonstrance with Alphenus, who had gained
and betrayed the confidence and affection of Catul-
lus. The sentiment of the poem is sorrow rather
than anger. The poet touches on the unfaithful-
ness of his friend, the tendency of such breaches of
confidence to produce mutual distrust among men,
and reminds him of the anger of the gods who
guard the rights of friendship, and punish their vio-
lation.
CARMEN XXIII.
To the peniusula Sirmio.
This poem was composed on the occasion of the
poet's return, care-worn and dejected, from his wea-
risome and fruitless expedition to Bithynia, to his
beautiful and fondly-loved retreat at Sirmio. The
feeling of home-joy which he expresses, is simple
and natural, and every heart sympathizes with it
"Sirmio was a peninsular promontory, of about
two miles circumference, projecting into the lake
Benacus, now the Lago di Garda. "
"Sirmione appears as an island, so low and so
narrow is the bank that unites it to the main land.
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? 108 NOTES.
The promontory spreads behind the town, and rises
into a hill entirely covered with olives. Catullus
undoubtedly inhabited this spot, and certainly he.
could not have chosen a more charming retreat.
The soil is fertile, and its surface varied; sometimes
shelving in a gentle declivity, at other times break-
ing in craggy magnificence, and thus furnishing
every requisite for delightful walks and luxurious
baths; while. the views vary at every step, present-
ing rich coasts or barren mountains, sometimes con-
fined to the cultivated scenes of the neighboring
shore, and at other times bewildered and lost in the
windings of the lake, or in the recesses of the
Alps. "--Eustace, Classical Tour.
3. uterque JVeptunus] Neptunus stagnorum, and
Neptunus maris.
13. Lydite] from the origin of the northern Ital-
ians who emigrated from Lydia.
CARMEN XXIV.
To Diana.
This ode, one of the few strictly lyric poems of Ca-
tullus, was composed to be sung by choirs of youths
and maidens, at the celebration of the Ludi Secu-
lares, A. U. 700. For the date, see the observa-
tions of Voss on this ode, and for the character and
purpose of the secular games, the remarks of
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? NOTtiS. 109
Mitscherlich, introductory to the Carmen seculare
of Horace. This hymn celebrates the august origin
of the goddess, and hej- various characters, and
offices of aid and benevolence to men, and con-
cludes with an invocation of her continued favor to
the Roman people.
CARMEN XXV.
An invitation to Cacilius.
Intended both to convey a compliment to the
poetical skill of Caecilius and to express his own
affection.
3, 4. Novi Comi] Novum Comum, a town on
the shores of the lake Larius, now di Como.
14. Dindymi dominam] Cybele ; the phrase here
used means a poem in praise of Cybele, com-
posed byifccilius, the reading of which had gained
him the ardent attachment of a learned lady of
Comum.
18. magna Mater] 'the Cybele. ' inchoala] 'fin-
ished. '
CARMEN XXVI.
On the Annals of Volusius.
The mistress of Catullus, during a period of es-
trangement, had vowed to Venus and Cupid, if she
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? HO NOTES.
might win back the affection of her lover, to make
an offering to Vulcan (tardipedi Deo) of the fittest
writings of the vilest poet. The poetical annals
of Volusius were selected for this fate.
8. infelicibus] many kinds of wood were consid-
ered infelices by the Romans, generally such as
bear no fruit.
9. pessima] "vox blanditiarum. "
12. aperlos] from the extensive plains with which
Syria abounds.
15. Adria tabernam] 'the warehouse of the
Adriatic. '
CARMEN XXVII.
To Cornificius.
This is only the fragment of a poem, the full
sense of which cannot of course be well aMpftained.
The portion which remains is a reproachful com-
plaint to Cornificius, that in his deep affliction, he
had received from him, not even a syllable of con-
solation.
1. Cornifici] an elegiac poet, mentioned by
Ovid, and said to have been an enemy and a de-
jtractor of Virgil.
7, 8. ] 'a word however slight, (would soothe,)
were it sadder than the tears (tearful poems) of
j3imonides. 1
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? frOTESf. Hi
CARMEN XXVIII.
In ridicule of Egnatius, who to show the white-
ness of his teeth, wore a continual smile, which
the most serious and affecting occasions could not
restrain.
10. Sabinus] The severity of Sabine manners
seldom indulged a smile, on account of which
though not to be expected, it was not to be reprov-
ed. Tiburs] The air of this region was reported
to possess excellent whitening properties. Martial,
Ep. 63, Lib. 4.
11. pastus] The soil of TJmbriawas rich. oiesua]
A part of the flesh of the sacrifices was given to
the augurs, mostly. Etruscans.
12. detUatus] an epithet applied to the inhabi-
tants of Lanuvium, from the size and prominence
of their teeth. ater] A dark complexion would-
show then! to better advantage.
CARMEN XXIX.
To his Country Seat.
Catullus had taken a severe cold, while at an en-
tertainment made by Sextius, he listened to a Very
l'ong oration read by his host against Antius. He'
renders thanks to his villa, where by the leisure and
solitude which- he found there, and medicinal applj*-
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? 112 NOTES.
ances, he had recovered his health. The poem
seems aimed at Sextius, and through him, at those
individuals, not infrequent at Rome, who inflict
upon their guests, long and tedious recitations.
1. ] This country residence of Catullus was situa-
ted on the borders of the Sabine and Tiburtine ter-
ritory, and hence the doubt to which it belonged.
Horace raises the same question in respect to his
own villa. Lib. 2, Sat. 1, v. 34.
11. Antius] probably C. Antius Restio, the au-
thor of a sumptuary law. pditorem] 'candidate. '
19. recepso] for recepero.
CARMEN XXX.
To himself on the coming of Spring.
In this poem, Catullus expresses his delight, on
leaving the cold plains of Phrygia, and the stormy
Nicffia, for the warmer climate and renowned
cities of the south; and bids farewell to his com-
rades, whom various pursuits now called to sepa-
rate.
4. Phrygii] 'of Bithynia,' where Catullus passed
a year with Memmius. In the division of the country
which obtained in the time of Catullus, Bithynia
was a part of Phrygia major.
5. Nicaaque] a large city of Bithynia, on the
lake Ascanius. azstuosee] Bithynia was the coldest
part of Pontus, according to Aristotle, (Prob. Sec.
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? NOTES. 113
25,) and Nicaea of Bithynia, and in summer the
heat was no less remarkably excessive.
6. Asia] This term includes Ionia, and parts of
Lydia and of iEolis.
CARMEN XXXI.
To Porcius and Socration.
Catullus is indignant that Porcius and Socration
had become, by the favor of Piso, richer and more
popular than his friends Verannius and Fabullus.
1. sinistra] vide Carm. 9. v. 1.
2. Pisonis] Cneius, afterwards the associate of
Cataline.
3. Veranniolo] diminutive of Verannius, Carm.
9. v. 17.
4. verpus] 'circumcised,' a term of severe re-
proach derived from the Jews, who were held in
extreme contempt.
6. de die] unseasonable, ' during the day ;' or as
Voss, repente 'at any time, receiving many and
sudden invitations. '
7. vocationes] 'invitations. '
CARMEN XXXIV.
To hicinius.
Catullus had passed a leisure day in framing
f
10
i
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? 114 NOTES.
festive and mirthful verses, over wine, with Licinius,
and had been charmed with his wit and humor. On
parting, the remembrance of their pleasant meeting
and a desire to renew it, made his night sleepless.
He rises from his restless couch, and writes this
poem to Licinius.
CARMEN XXXV.
To Leabia.
This is a translation by Catullus, of the ode of
Sappho, so highly praised by Longinus. Subjoined
is an English translation from the Greek by Ambrose
Philips. See the Spectator, No. 229.
"Bless'd as the immortal gods is he,
The youth who fondly sits by thee,
And hears and sees thee all the while
Softly speak and sweetly smile.
'Twas this deprived my soul of rest,
And rais'd such tumults in my breast;
For while I gazed, in transport tossed,
My breath was gone, my voice was lost;
My bosom glowed; the subtle flame
Ran quick through all my vital frame;
O'er my dim eyes a darkness hung;
My ears with hollow murmurs rung.
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? NOTES. 115
In dewy damps my limbs were chill'd;
My blood with gentle honors thrill'd:
My feeble pulse forgot to play;
I fainted, sunk, and died away. "
Verses 8 and 12--16, in the text, printed in
italics, and included in brackets, are doubtless an
interpolation.
CARMEN XXXVI.
Catullus in these verses vents his indignation at
the unworthy elevation of Nonius and Vatinius to
curule offices.
CARMEN XXXVII.
To Camerius.
The poet writes to Camerius the pains he had
taken, and the difficulties he had met, in trying to
find him; and reproves the unkind secresy of his
loves.
2. tenebras] 'Lurking places. '
3. minore Campo] A smaller part of the Campus
Martins, where the Roman youth practised their
exercises; called minor in comparison with the
portion in which the comitia were held.
6. Magni] 'the portico of Pompey. '
10. pessimal] Conf. note on Carm. 26. v. 9.
"
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? 116 NOTES.
22. ] In the earlier editions, the following verses
are arranged by themselves, as the conclusion of a
poem left imperfect, with the title Ad Camerium
The preceding verses seem to have in themselves
such unity and completeness, as to make the suppo-
sition that they are an entire poem by themselves,
very plausible. Yet they fit so well together from
the general resemblance of subject, (which induced
Scaliger and Doering to join them, and which may
be done without impairing the requisite unity of the
whole,) as to render it very probable that they were
originally one.
23. custos Me Cretum] 'Talus,' a giant with a
brazen body, fabled to have been given by Jupiter
to Europa, and made guardian of the island of Crete;
which he went round three times every day. Plato,
in his Minos, has given this explanation of the fable;
that Minos who made Rhadamanthus judge in the
capital, committed the rest of the island to Talus, and
that he thrice a year made a circuit through all the
cities and villages of the country administering jus-
tice, according to laws which were engraved on
tables of brass.
32. quaritando] Frequentative.
CARMEN XXXVIII.
A fragment of a poem of which we have neither
the beginning nor the conclusion. Conf. Carm. 43.
v. 154--7.
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? NOTES. J17
CARMEN XXXIX.
An Epithalamium on the Nuptials of Julia and
Manlius.
The poem opens with an invocation to Hymen to
aid the nuptial song, vs. 1--35, with various persua-
sives to induce his favoring presence, the grace and
beauty of the bride, vs. 16--25, his power to enchain
her affection, vs. 31--35. The poet then summons
a choir of virgins to join his invocation, vs. 35? 45,
and returns to celebrate the praises of Hymen, in
various virtues, and the love and veneration, and
gratitude of men, vs. 46--75. He now turns to hail
the approaching bride, and soothes her reluctant
bashfulness, with praises of her beauty, and the
honor and faithful love of her intended husband, vs.
76--110, alludes to various ceremonies and custom-
ary rites, the nuptial procession, the Fescemim
verses, the scattering of nuts, the threshold that
might not be touched, the separate banqueting of
the bridegroom with his fellows; and having
witnessed the entrance of the bride into her new
house, after addressing the husband in a strain of
high congratulation and compliment, he concludes
in lines of exceeding beauty, with wishes for their
highest bliss, and the consummation of their hopes
and happiness, in a young Torquatus, who shall
perpetuate his father's fame, and by his likeness
attest his mother's virtues.
10*
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? 118 NOTES.
2. Urania genus] Hymen, son of the muse Urania
and Bacchus. Seneca Medea, v. 110.
With the sketch of Hymen in this and the follow-
ing verses, compare Ovid, Heroides, 21. vs. 157--
168.
18, 19. Phrygiam Judicem] Paris. A twofold
resemblance is suggested, to the beauty of Venus
and her success.
22. Asia] i. q. Asiatica. So Virgil jEn. 7. vs.
701-2, Asia Palus, a marshy tract on the banks of
the Cayster. Homer, 11. ? . 461.
24. Imdicrum] "locus lusui aptum, lavacrum seu
nympharium. " Voss.
26. aditumferens] v. 43. and Carm. 62. v. 79.
43. bonce Veneris] 'Chaste Venus. '
44-5. boni amoris] 'honorable love. '
51. tremulus] 'trembling' with age, and there-
fore anxious to see his daughters married.
54. timens] 'in suspense,' fearing lest his hopes
may be disappointed.
55. captat aure] 'catches with the ear,' i. e. listens
attentively. Virgil jEn. 3. v. 514. Palinurus
auribus aera captat.
61. ] Claudian has a similar idea,
"JVidlum junxisse cubile
Sine hoc, nee primasfas est altollere taedas. '"
JVupt. Pallad. et Celer. vs. 32-33.