5. Si natura suppeditet.] Sc. if our natural powers are equal to the task.

6. Decoremus.] 'Let us honour.' Comp. Ennius quoted by Cicero (Tusc. I. 15, 34), Nemo me lacrimis decoret nec funera fletu Faxit.

7. Formamque ac figuram.] Formam is the correction of Muretus for famam, the reading of the MSS., and is accepted by nearly all editors. Comp. Cic. Tusc. I. 16, 37, animorum formam aliquam atque figuram quaerebant. Tacitus uses the phrase to denote the whole mind and character of Agricola. Pliny also uses it in connection with a very similar sentiment (Paneg. 55), formam principis figuramque non aurum melius vel argentum quam favor hominum exprimat teneatque.

8. Non quia...putem.] 'Not because I think a veto ought to be put on,' &c. 'Intercedere' is strictly said of the tribunitian veto. The subjunctive implies, 'I am not one to think,' &c.

9. Forma mentis.] 'Mens' here = animus, and stands for the entire mental and spiritual being.

10. Tenere et exprimere.] 'Retain and represent.'

II. Alienam materiam et artem.] Sc. marble or bronze, and the art of sculpture, which are necessarily foreign. (alienus) to the truest and best representation of human character.

12.

In aeternitate temporum.] 'In the eternal succession of the ages.' (C and B.)

13. Fama rerum.] In the records of history, or more generally, 'the fame that waits on noble deeds.' (C and B.)

14. Obruit. This is Haupt's emendation for obruet, the reading of the MSS. It has the merit of bringing out more forcibly the antithesis between 'oblivio' and the words 'narratus et traditus.' The allusion in 'multos veterum' is to the times of the republic, and the general sentiment may be compared with the well-known passage in Horace, C. IV. 9. 25, Vixere fortes ante Agamemnona Multi; sed omnes illacrimabiles Urguentur ignotique longa Nocte, carent quia vate sacro.

Tacitus thus hints

more delicately at the effect of his work than he would do by describing it as 'laudes immortales.'

INDEX OF WORDS AND PHRASES

EXPLAINED IN THE NOTES TO THE AGRICOLA.

The first Numeral refers to the Chapter, the second to the Note.