NOTES
ON
TRANSLATIONS FROM PERSIUS.
SATIRE I.
Note I.
Should cry up Labeo's stuff, and cry me down.—P. [208].
Nothing is remaining of Atticus Labeo (so he is called by the learned Casaubon); nor is he mentioned by any other poet, besides Persius. Casaubon, from an old commentator on Persius, says, that he made a very foolish translation of Homer's Iliads.
Note II.
They comb, and then they order every hair;
A gown, or white, or scoured to whiteness, wear;
A birth-day jewel bobbing at their ear.—P. [209].
He describes a poet, preparing himself to rehearse his works in public, which was commonly performed in August. A room was hired, or lent, by some friend; a scaffold was raised, and a pulpit placed for him who was to hold forth; who borrowed a new gown, or scoured his old one, and adorned his ears with jewels, &c.
Note III.
Know, my wild fig-tree, which in rocks is bred,
Will split the quarry, and shoot out the head.—P. [209].
Trees of that kind grow wild in many parts of Italy, and make their way through rocks, sometimes splitting the tomb-stones.