Horace Ode 2.14, translated by Laurel Mulherin
		Commentary: An ode to Postumus from his friend Horace, this ode is written in a true Epicurean voice about the how the hands of death can not be stopped, no matter the person. Each stanza unfolds another part of the journey towards the end, in hopes for Postumus to become one with the idea of death and in turn, enjoy what is presently before him. Line 1: There is no certainty on who Postumus actually is, or if Horace had a particular addressee in mind. However, the name “Postumus” was originally given to boys who were born after their father’s death. Line 3: “rugis senectae” the illustration of wrinkled old age is a powerful image in this poem and thus, brought out to be more evident in this stanza. Line 4: In order to make ode 2.14 from a straight-forward address, into more of an powerful account of what will happen, more imagery was used. Thus, the depiction of the hands of death was added. Line 5: For the directness and flow of the ode, “trecenis tauris” is changed into “hecatomb,” both meaning three hundred cattle. Line 6-7: Pluto, or Hades, is the god of the underworld. According to Ovid, the gods never weep. (Fasti 4.521) Line 8: Geryon, was a three headed monster, slain by Hercules and Tityus, was a giant, slain by Artemis. Tityus was to live an eternity in the underworld having his liver eaten every day by vultures. It was said that his body covered nine acres of the underworld. Line 9: There were five rivers in the underworld: the Styx (hateful), Archeron (painful, Cocytus (woeful), Phlegethon (burning) and Lethe (forgetful). The “gloomy waters” although literally translated as “wave”, are most likely referring to the Cocytus, also mentioned in line 17. Line 11–12: A larger emphasis is put on the fact that death shows no preference and has no favor with either those who are “arrogant kings” or just a lowly and “humble worker.” Line 13: Mars, the god of war, is left out of this line. He is the only mythological reference taken out of the ode, for all others, either enhance the imagery or are a vital part of the stanza, but this particular stanza stands on its own without any mythological referencing. Line 13 and 15: This is the most structured stanza of ode 2.14. It also comes in the middle of the poem and works well to tell of what humans run from and tie in the doubts and fears that one may have of death. Thus, it was vital to keep in the structure of “frustra” or “vainly” at the beginning of line 13 and 15. Line 14: The Adriatic is a sea, which lies between Italy and Greece. Line 15-16: The imagery of “dreaded autumn” then illusion to winter with “south wind which chills…” is very powerful, for autumn is when all that spring has brought to life dies and then is covered with the iciness and finite dead of snow. Line 18: Danaus was the brother of Aegyptus. Danaus suggested to his 50 daughters, whom were married to Aegyptus’ 50 sons, to kill their husbands on their wedding night. He was condemned to spend eternity in the underworld forever carrying water in leaky jars with 49 of his murderess daughters. Line 19: Sisyphus, for deceiving the gods, was punished to an eternity of trying to push a boulder to the top of a hill, in the underworld, only to have it continually fall back down, he would never succeed in his purpose. Line 21-22: One is never able to take their positions with them when they die. I Timothy 6.7: “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” Line 23: The Cypress tree is the tree of sorrow and mourning and is often associated with funeral pyres. Virgil, Aeneid 3.63-64: “Altars are erected for the shades, gloomy with black ribbons and dark cypress.” Line 25-28: These four lines create the purest Epicurean stanza of the ode. That it is the enjoyment of the present that is important, and not the wealth of a man; for the wealth will someday be squandered by an unworthy heir. Thus, you should live in the moment, carpe diem, before death comes upon you. Horace, Ode 3.24.62: “he hurries to gain money for the benefit of an unworthy heir” ( exstructis in altum / diuitiis potietur heres ), there is no point for a person to do such a thing, when they are presented with the greatest wealth already: life.
	Additional Information About This Poem
		Poem in Translation
		Poem in Original Latin
		L. Mulherin's Introduction and Philosophy of Translation
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© 2003 Laurel Mulherin