Note 15 — A. PERSIUS FLACCUS
Reading edition
ore teres modico: Jahn comp. ore rotundo, Hor., A. P., 323. The mouth stands for the style, and the position of the mouth symbolized the utterance (ore magis quam labris loquendum est, Quint., 11, 3, 81). Teres as in Cic., De Orat., 3, 52, 199: est [oratio] et plena quaedam sed tamen teres et tenuis, non sine nervis et viribus. ‘A moderate rounding of the cheek’ (Conington); but although in view of v. 13 it would be desirable to retain the figure, it is hardly possible. ‘With smooth and compassed tone.’ As teres ore = ore modico, Hermann (L. P., II., 46) comp. Ov., Fast., 6, 425: lucoque obscurus opaco.—pallentis mores: The ‘spirit of the age’ is also the ‘body of the age.’ Hence the figure. ‘Pale’ with disease and vice (comp. 4, 47), ‘guilty.’—radere: Comp. 1, 107.