Martial, : the twelve books of Epigrams,.

BOOK TWO

PREFACE
VALERIUS MARTIALIS to his friend DECIANUS
GREETING
What is the good of a prologue,' you say. 'Is it not concession enough to you if I read the epigrams? And, besides, what
do you mean to express in the said prologue that you could not
express in the verses? I see why tragedies and comedies are
allowed one, because they cannot speak for themselves, but
epigrams need no herald and are content with their own power of
speech-and a hurtful one it is too, they can do their prologising
on any page they will. I beseech you, if you think fit to listen,
not to do an absurd thing, nor dress a dancer in the long robe.
Furthermore consider whether a wooden sword satisfies you as a
weapon against a fighter armed with a net. I, for wly part,
take my place with those spectators who protest against any such
unfair conditions.' I verily believe, Decianus, that you are
right! Ah, if you only knew with what sort of prologue, and
how long a one, you nearly had to deal! Be it then as you desire,
and anyone who may chance to read this book shall owe it to you
that he comes unwearied to page one.

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