Martial, : the twelve books of Epigrams,.

BOOK TWO

Aye, at parties then you passed
Them about;
On the interest you cast
Little doubt.
Now the book-no lengthy screedTakes you half a week to read,
Such enjoyment is indeed
Long drawn out.
As a lazy traveller lags
On his way;
Short the journey, yet he flags;
So you stay
For an hour or two to bait,
When you've barely passed the gate;
Yet 'twas you that would not wait
Or delay!
VII
TO ATTICUS
YOU'RE a moderate reciter, you've a pretty knack of pleading,
You're a pretty story-writer, and your verse is pretty reading,
You've a pretty style in dancing, and your voice is rather
pretty,
If your plays are not entrancing they are moderately witty,
Then your satire's rather comic, and of letters you've a
smattering,
While on questions astronomic you've a pretty trick of
chattering,
Your music's commonplace with no unusual ability,
At games you show some grace with no remarkable agility.
Tho' you're moderate at all, you've mastered not a thing of
them;
So a sciolist I call you-and the very prince and king of them.
VIII
TO THE READER
GOOD reader, do not blame the bard
For phrases too obscure or hard,
Or if the grammar seem to halt;
Believe me that's the scrivener's fault.
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