![]() ![]() The Augustan poets are fond of dwelling in this way on the contrast between Maecenas' half-royal descent and his modesty in remaining a knight and declining promotion to the Senate. Some of his ancestors were said to have been lucumōnes ( chiefs) of Arretium, hence the use of regibus here. Not only Horace but Vergil, Propertius, and others profited by his patronage. Maecēnas: Caius Cilnius Maecenas, for a long time the Emperor Augustus' chief adviser, and a distinguished patron of literature. Translated by Broome, Johnson's Poets, 12. The collection was published in 23 B.C.įor similar Apology for Poetry, cf. Rank me with the lyrists of Greece, and I shall indeed 'knock at a star with my exalted head.'īeing the dedication, it was probably among the last of the odes of the first three books to be written. Me the poet's ivy and the muse's cool retreats delight. Various are the pursuits of men,-athletics, politics, agriculture, commerce, epicurean ease, war, the chase. The first Epode, the first Satire, and the first Epistle are addressed to the same patron and friend. There are certain undertakings, moreover, that are not so much great as they are prolific, and thus lead to many fresh undertakings.A dedication of the first three books of the Odes to Maecenas. ![]() Next, we must estimate the matters themselves that we are undertaking, and must compare our strength with the things that we are about to attempt for the doer must always be stronger than his task burdens that are too heavy for their bearer must necessarily crush him. For all these retirement is more serviceable than employment a headstrong and impatient nature should avoid all incitements to a freedom of speech that will prove harmful. Some men by reason of their modesty are quite unsuited to civil affairs, which need a strong front some by reason of their stubborn pride are not fitted for court some do not have their anger under control, and any sort of provocation hurries them to rash words some do not know how to restrain their pleasantry and cannot abstain from dangerous wit. One man blunders by relying upon his eloquence, another makes more demand upon his fortune than it can stand, another burdens a weakly body with laborious tasks. Our duty, however, will be, first, to examine our own selves, then, the matters that we shall undertake, and lastly, those for whose sake or in whose company we are undertaking them.Ībove all it is necessary for a man to estimate himself truly, because we commonly think that we can do more than we are able. Your necessary course will be to claim more time for leisure and for letters, and, just as if you were making a perilous voyage, to put into harbour from time to time, and, without waiting for public affairs to release you, to separate yourself from them of your own accord. Quaedam praeterea non tam magna sunt negotia quam fecunda ![]() 3Īestimanda sunt deinde ipsa, quae adgredimur, et vires nostrae cum rebus, quas temptaturi sumus, comparandae debet enim semper plus esse virium in actore quam in opere necesse est opprimant 4 onera, quae ferente maiora sunt. Omnibus his utilior negotio quies est ferox impatiensque natura irritamenta nociturae libertatis evitet. ![]() Quorundam parum idonea est verecundia rebus civilibus, quae firmam frontem desiderant quorundam contumacia non facit ad aulam quidam non habent iram in potestate et illos ad temeraria verba quaelibet indignatio effert quidam urbanitatem nesciunt continere nec periculosis abstinent salibus. Alius eloquentiae fiducia prolabitur, alius patrimonio suo plus imperavit quam ferre posset, alius infirmum corpus laborioso pressit officio. 2Īnte omnia necesse est se ipsum aestimare, quia fere plus nobis videmur posse quam possumus. Inspicere autem debebimus primum nosmet ipsos, deinde ea quae adgrediemur negotia, deinde eos, quorum causa aut cum quibus. Tractabile incideris, ut plus otio ac litteris vindices, nec aliter quam in periculosa navigatione subinde portum petas nec expectes, donec res te dimittant, sed ab illis te ipse diiungas. ![]()
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