Horace. The best of lyrick poets. Containing much morality, and sweetnesse. Together with Aulus Persius Flaccus, his satyres. Translated into English by Barten Holyday sometime student of Christ-Church in Oxford.

Upon the happy Translation of the most difficult Satyrist, performed by his friend Master B. H.

I Sing the Conquest, which an English rime, With all its force nere won before this time. Who thought that there would extant be the man That such stiffe, sullen, hardy Romans can Subdue, and with an hand learnedly fierce, Binde in the fetters of a Brittaine Verse? Yet here is one that doth: But not as those That changed shapes, and wandring Trojans chose For to translate, with lines a mile in length, Or Paraphrase that tyres, Such is his strength And strictnesse, he his Author without wrong Lodges in prisons but of five foot long. Some I have knowne, that did attempt the same Which that they Durst, it was their greatest fame,

But it was he, that could disdaine to stay At this praise Margent, onely to Assay: He with impetuous and all-conquering wit That onely had the power to finish it. For had they don't, I know they must have left Their graver studies, and have filcht with theft Guilty of too much sacriledge, more houres, Then time would lose; or else those sister powers Invoke to lend them Other lives, to plucke A vessell with such Remora's bestucke To wished shore. But as for Him with strange And easie haste, he did his Roman change Without complaint of time: No serious part Of learning murmur'd, that he did impart Houres to the worke. For all this was begot, (I speake my conscience) when it was his lot To be at Truce with studie. Then judge you That shall upon his happy paines, a view Bestow, that ne're the Muses Holy dayes, Or times of leasure, were with greater Praise, Or Thrift, or businesse spent: and likewise since He conquer'd hath so fierce a Latin Prince Vnto the Rimes and Phrases of Our tongue: Decree that Bayes unto his brow belong.

A. WHITE.

Notes

• Ovid. Metamor. Vir, Aeneid.