Old Lucilius.—P. [215].
Lucilius wrote long before Horace, who imitates his manner of satire, but far excels him in the design.
Note XIV.
King Midas has a snout, and asses ears.—P. [215].
The story is vulgar, that Midas, king of Phrygia, was made judge betwixt Apollo and Pan, who was the best musician: he gave the prize to Pan; and Apollo, in revenge, gave him asses ears. He wore his hair long to hide them; but his barber discovering them, and not daring to divulge the secret, dug a hole in the ground, and whispered into it: the place was marshy; and, when the reeds grew up, they repeated the words which were spoken by the barber. By Midas, the poet meant Nero.
Note XV.
Who dares, with angry Eupolis, to frown;
He who, with bold Cratinus, is inspired
With zeal.—P. [215].
Eupolis and Cratinus, as also Aristophanes, mentioned afterwards, were all Athenian poets; who wrote that sort of comedy which was called the Old Comedy, where the people were named who were satirized by those authors.
Note XVI.
Who fortune's fault upon the poor can throw.—P. [216].