Servius on the Saturnian Metre Author(s): O. J. Todd Source: The Classical Quarterly, Vol. 34, No. 3/4 (Jul. - Oct., 1940), pp. 133-145 Published by: Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Classical Association Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/636661 . Accessed: 09/02/2015 18:53 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at . http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp . JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact
[email protected]. Cambridge University Press and The Classical Association are collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to The Classical Quarterly. http://www.jstor.org This content downloaded from 132.248.9.8 on Mon, 9 Feb 2015 18:53:42 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions SERVIUS ON THE SATURNIAN METRE ON Virgil's statement (Georg.ii. 385 f.) that in honour of Bacchus 'Ausonii ... coloni versibus incomptis ludunt', Servius remarks: 'id est, carminibus Saturnio metro compositis, quod ad rhythmum solum vulgares componere consuerunt. .. ' Obviously Servius is drawing a distinction between the Saturnian and other metres, as well as between the ordinary man and the man of letters. The unlettered compose their verses in the Saturnian metre, which is founded on rhythmus alone; the literary circles write theirs on some other basis.