First, Mt. Soracte is described as having "white snow" ("nive candidum"). To me, this is to represent the white hair that typically comes with old age. Just as the white hair sits on top of the head of a person, the white snow sits on the top of the peak of a mountain.
Next, we are told that the trees are "no longer able to sustain their load" ("sustineat onus silvae laborantes"). Trees, when they are young, stand tall and strong, bearing heavy loads and able to withstand strong winds. As they age, they become weak and are no longer able to withstand these harsh conditions. Similarly, young people are strong and able to work hard. As people age, these abilities deteriorate, and people are no longer as vivacious as they once were.
The rivers describe a similar concept. The rivers "stood still with sharp ice" ("geluque flumina constiterint acuto"). I interpret this as a young person with sharp skills and reflexes. As a human being ages, reaction time decreases along with sharp vision and hearing. These deteriorate as a frozen river melts.
Who would have ever thought that an Old Person is just like a mountain or a tree or a river? Thank you Horace for this incredible insight. :)
