SELECTED EPIGRAMS OF MARTIAL. Englished By THOMAS MAY Esquire. — Nec Crimenerit nec Gloria— LONDON, Printed for Thomas Walkley at Britain's Burse. 1629. To the Right honourable and truly Noble, HENRY Earl of Holland, Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter, one of his Majesty's most hon: privy Council, and Chancellor of the famous University of Cambridge, etc. My noble Lord, I Should not present, without much Apology, so mean a Work to a hand so honourable, did not a confidence in your true worth, and the clearness of mine own thoughts, give me Encouragement. Therefore with the same modesty that the ingenious Author of these Epigrams presented some of them to Plinius Secundus, a noble Roman of happy employment under Traian the Emperor (as a recreation only to his hours of mirth and pleasure) do I offer these my poor Endeavours to your Lordship. With how much courtesy the noble Pliny in one of his Epistles doth acknowledge the respect of Martial, I do no ways infer, either to direct, or much less to engage your Lordship's acceptation; since I confess the difference to be great between so acute an Author, and myself the unworthy Translator. Only requesting humbly that you would be pleased in this little to accept my true service. Of which (in mine own judgement) I cannot make a fitter tender than to such a Lord, to whose known Virtues so famous a University as Cambridge hath yielded the Protection of herself. To which, and to all good learning, that you may long live a favourable Maecenas, and (like Maecenas) graced in the service of our good, and great Augustus, he prayeth, that will ever continue Most humbly devoted to your Lordship THO. MAY. To the Reader. THe Translation of these Epigramms is a thing (Reader) which I confess for diverse Reasons I was loath to publish: One is, because they are but a part of Marshal, and chosen out here and there; so that I am liable to a double censure, and not only the skill in translating, but the judgement in choosing of them may be called in question. But in that case not only joseph Scaliger, who published diverse of these Epigramms, translated into Greek, but divers others, in other Languages, may in part excuse me for meddling with a part of a Book. The second reason is, because it is more than probable, that diverse Gentlemen have exercised or pleased themselves in translating some of these, and may therefore peruse mine with a more rigid censure. but that I must refer to the goodness of their dispositions. The third reason is, because that having already published two Translations, I was loath any more to vex the Roman Poets (who shall sleep quietly in their Urns hereafter for me) though Translation be a thing which, I think, the ablest men do not at all condemn. Some men there are who complain of late that too much learning is brought into our native Language, and that that is by others attained at too easy a rate, which cost themselves more labour. Those (as I take it) are such pretty Scholars as have rather strove to get some skill in the Latin or Greek tongues, than to furnish themselves with the substance of Art, which is contained in those tongues; and wanting so much real Learning as may commend them to the world, would fain be applauded for the shadow of it: Like some unlearned or iniudicious Preachers in Country parishes, who would rather be liked by the ignorant People for speaking of Latin sentences, than informing their knowledges with substantial Doctrine, and have the fortune to be praised by none, but those which do not understand them: and indeed those which I have observed mislikers of Translation, are neither perfect in the Latin, nor able in their native Language. There are many things (Reader) in this Work I do confess, which must entreat a favourable excuse, and dare not stand a strict censure; especially the first Epigram of all, which is in the Latin both too full to be rendered in a Verse of ten Syllables, and subject to diverse Constructions of sense: But being entreated which by a friend of mine to do all the Book of Spectacles, I could not leave out the first of them. Some of them have lain many years by me, and were not intended for the Press, and many of them in loose Papers I have lost, and perchance thou wilt say (and I am of that opinion) it had been no great matter if they had been all lost. martials Epigramms upon the Spectacles of the Roman Amphytheater. He prefers the Amphytheater, begun by Vespasian the Emperor, finished and dedicated by Titus his Son, before the ancient wonders of the World. LEt Memphis flame-like Towers no more be known, Nor men still strive in praising Babylon; Nor those soft honours Phaebes Temple fame, Nor th' horny Altar boast Apollo's name, Nor let the Carians with immoderate praise Mausolus' tomb from th' air t' Olympus raise. Let all to Caesar's Theatre give place; One work for all let fame for ever blaze. He ex●ells the gracious munificence of the two Emperors, Vespasian and Titus; who demolishing the vast Palace of Nero, had builded ●n the room of it public works, as the Colossus, the Amphitheatre, the hot Baths, and common walks of pleasure. HEre where the huge Colossus meets the skies, And in the mid way lofty Pageants rise, Once cruel Nero's envied Palace shone, And in all Rome stood one proud house alone. Here, where the stately Amphitheatre His bulk displays, once N●to's fishponds were▪ Here, where th' hot Baths quick work we wonder at, Th' injurious court diss●is'd poor dwellers late. Where shade the Claudian Gallery doth lend, Thither proud Nero's Palace did extend. Rome's to herself restored by Caesar's reign. What joys the Prince engrossed, the people gai● An elegant description of the general acclamation of Spectators in the Amphitheatre of all Nations belonging to the Roman Empire, in honour of Cesar. What nation, Caesar, is so wild or far, But some spectators in thy city are? From Rhodopeian Hoemus dwellers come Sarmantian horse blood drinkers leave their home. Those that on Thetis farthest shore are bred, Are here, and those that drink of Nilus' head. Hither th' Arabians, and Sabaeans haste, Cilicians hear their own sweet waters taste. Hither come knot-haired curled Sicambrians, And otherwise curled Aethiopians. Though different sounds, yet all in this agree When Rome's true father thou art said to be. He honoureth Titus for banishing the common accusers, who in the time of Nero, and other Tyrants, were the ruin of honest men. THe peace disturbers, enemies to rest, That still the goods of wretched men oppressed, More than the Stage could hold, to Africa now▪ Banished, receive what they did crst bestow. Th' accuser banished from the City goes, Her life to Caesar's grace the City owes. Among other specta●les, ancient fables were acted a● the Theatre, and among others, this of the queen P●●●●phë, who unnaturally lusted after a Bull. Believe a bull enjoyed the Cretan Queen; Th'old fable verified we all have seen. Let not old times, Caesar, selfe-praised be; Since what fame fing, the stage presents to thee. In the hunting of the amphitheatre, a woman (it seeme●) had killed a lion, upon which, he extolleth the exercises of Caesar's theatre, before former times. THat Mars doth conquer, Caesar, at thy fights, 'tis not enough, but tender Venus fights. The lion slain in Nemean Vale of old, Fame as a great Herculean action told. Let old fame silent be; for since thy show, As much we saw a woman's hand to do. Men condemned to die, did personate in their death● some ancient fable upon the stage, as this Prometheus. AS to the Sythian rock Promotheus bound Fod still a bird with his breasts deathles wound. Laureolus on no false gibbet here, So yields his breast t'a Calidonean bear His torn bloud-dropping members lived one wound▪ And in's whole body was no body found. Surche, that suffered thus, with impious sword Murdered his Father, or had slain his Lord; Or robbed the temples of their sacred gold, Or fired Rome. What ere, that crime of old His crime surpassed; for what they did invent Oftothers' harm, was his true punishment. Upon a Malefactor personating Daedalu●. When by a bear thou Daedalus, wer● torn, How gladly then wouldst thou thy wings have w●r●●? Of a Rhinoceros. THe fierce Rhinoceros, Caesar, in thy sight, More than he promised did perform the fight. How fierce in rage, how strong of horn was he, Whose strength in th'air made bulls like balls to flee? He praises the justice of Caesar, who commanded a Lion to be killed on the Stage, for hurting or killing his Keeper. ATreacherous Lion hurt his Keeper late, Daring those well known hands to violate. But for his foul offence he paid full dear, In stead of stripes he felt a kill spear. Under a Prince, that teaches gentleness To beasts, what manners should his men express? Of a Bear caught with birdlime on the Theatre. Whilst o'er the bloody stage a Bear so fast Doth roll, in birdlime caught he lost his haste. Let cased hunting spears now useless stand, And javelins fly no more from th'hunters hand. Let huntsmen in the air pursue their prey, If beasts be caught after the fowler's way. Of a Sow chased o'er the Theatre, and killed with a spear, who out at that wound farrowed 〈◊〉 pigs. AT our Caesarian Diane's cruel show, A flying dart had hurt a pregnant sow, When from the dams death-wound the pigs proceed. Cruel Lucina, this the way to breed? The dying sow would of mo● wounds be glad To make sad way for all the pigs she had. Deny not Bacchus borne by mother's death. A God might well, since so a beast took breath. Another of the same. A Breeding sow hurt with a mortal blow, At once lost life, and did new life bestow. What certain aim the iaveline-thrower took? I think it was Lucina's hand that struck. Her death the power of both Diana's tried; Helped as a da●●e, as hunting game she died. Another of the same. A So● now great, the fruit of her ripe womb Brought forth, a parent by a wound become. That lay not still, but run when the dam feli. How wit in sudden chances doth excel! ●e praises young Carpophorus, a favourite of Domitian the Emperor's, who to win honour, fought with beasts upon the stage, (as the custom was) he prefers him before Hercules and Meleager. A Boar, whose death gave Meleager name, But part is of Carpophorus his fame. He in a Bear, as great as any were Under the North, did sheathe his hunting spear. He slow a Lion of unusual size, That might be held a fair Herculean prize: And a swift Libbard, yet his freshness such, When crowned for this, he could have done as much▪ A spectacle, in which by an engine the image of Domitian, arrayed like Hercules, seemed to be carried by a Bull up into heaven; he compares it with the Bull that carried Europa. THat from the Stage a Bull did mount the sk●e, It was no work of Art, but Piety. A Bull Europa bore through's Brother's Seas, Now to the sky a Bull bare Hercules. Caesar's and love's devices now compare; Though both bare equal loads, this highest bare. Of an Elephant adoring Domitian the Emperor. THat th' Elephant, whose might the Bull before So feared, thee (Caesar) prostrate did adore, 'twas not his Keepers teaching, or commands; Even he thy Godhead, Caesar, understands. Of a Tiger and a Lion. A hard-got Tiger from th' Hyrcanian Land, That used to lick his fearelesle Master's hand, Lately in rage (a thing not heard before) A mighty Lion all to pieces tore. He durst not do within the Forest thus, But grew more furious since he lived with us. Of a Bull and an Elephant. THe Bull, that late provoked on the stage By fire, did toss the Balls up in his rage, Did fall at last by strength of horn, whilst so He thought in th' air an Elephant to throw. He flatters the wisdom of Domitian, who satisfied at once the desires of both factions of the People. WHile some Triumphus, Myrinus some crave, Caesar at once with both hands promise gave. This merry strife who better could accord? Oh pleasant wit of an unconquered Lord! The Fable of Orpheus was presented on the Amphitheatre. in which acondemned man was torue by a Bear, as Orpheius was by the Women in the sacrifice of Bacchus. WHat ●re of Orpheus Aemus vale did see, Thy stage, OCaesar, did present to thee. The Rocks did creep, the Woods were running seen, Such as th' Hesperideses were thought t' have been. Beasts after him both wild and tame did throng, And shoals of Birds about the Poet hung. But he was slain by an ungrateful Bear. This here was true, t' other was feigned there. Of the Rhinoceres. WHilst long the fearful Keepers did provoke Th' Rhinoceros, ere he his anger took, They did despair th' expected sight t' obtain; At last his usual rage returned again; For with his double horn he tossed a Bear As high as Bulls stuffed Balls have tossed there. Of Carpophorus. HOw strong and sure, yet in his tender years Carpophorus throws his Doric hunting spears? Two mighty Bullocks easily he killed; To him the bugle and fierce Bull did yield. From him a Lion on the weapons ran: Blame not the tarrying of the combat than. A naval fight presented on the Theatre (the water being suddenly let in by certain devices) made spectators that were strangers believe it was the Sea; but that presently after they saw the water let out, and the Sword-players exercising in the same place. SPectator, thou that comest from some far shore, And never saw'st these sacred shows before, Be not deceived with Sealike Pools, that bear Whole naval fights; dry Land was lately there. Dost not believe? stay till the Fencers play By Land: here lately was the Sea, thou'lt say. The History of Leander, personated upon the water, let into the Amphitheatre. in which he praiseth the emperor as more merciful than Neptune; for this personated Leander was here saved; the true one was drowned in the Hellespont. THat this night-sea thy life, Leander, saves Cease youth to wonder, they were Caesar's ● av●● When bold Leander swum to his fair Love, And 'gainst the swelling waves now wearied strove, Thus the approaching ●illowes he bespoke This life but going spare, returning take. Young men, skilful in swimming, attired in the habit of Sea-Nymphs, played upon the water of the Theatre. Which artificial spectacle he preferreth before the true Exercises of Thetis, and her Nymphs. ON Seas a well-taught Troop of Sea-Nymphs played And various ranks on th' easy waters made. The threatening Trident, the crooked Anchors there, The Ships, the Oars (we thought) did true appear; Th' Oebalian Twins, the Sailors saviours shined; Broad Sails did seem to swell against the wind. Who first such works on liquid waters wrought? These sports here Thetis learned, or Thetis taught. Of Carpophorus. HAd former ages bred Carpophorus, No Monsters, Caesar, had been left for us. Nor had men feared the Nemean Lions roar, The Cretan Bull, nor fierce Arcadian Boar. By his armed hand Hydra one death had died; He at one blow Chimaera had destroyed. Tamed Colchos Bulls without Medaea's aid, And freed Andromeda, and the Trojan Maid. Count great Alcides' praises, and to tame Twice ten wild Beasts at once, is greater fame. He preferreth the Sea-fights, exhibited for spectacle by the Emperor's Titus, and Domitian, before those of Augustus, Claudius, and Nero. TO join two fleets, and with Sea-trumpets raise A naval fight, was great Augustus' praise; More is our Caesar's; Galataea viewed, And Thetis too, strange Beasts in water showed. And Triton Sea-wett Chariots here hath seen, And thought they had his Master's horses been. For these fierce ships whilst he prepares a fight, Old Nereus would not from his Chariot light. What ere upon the circle or stage men see Caesar's rich water does present to thee. Let Claudius Lakes, and Nero's not be known To after times, but this Sea-fight alone. When two Sword-Players fought equally, and neither yielded, Caesar (though the People desired it) would not dismiss them, till at last both equally yielded. Upon which he dismissed them both, crowned them both as conquerors, and freed them from the service of the stage by seading them Staves as the Custom was. WHen Verus here, there Priscus did prolong The fight; and both their strengths in balance hung, The People's clamours oft dismission prayed For both; but Caesar his own Law obeyed Which was, the yeelder must his finger show; How er●, he gif● and ●unkets did bestow. At last an end this equal combat found, Both fought alike, and both alike gave ground Caesar to both gave prize and liberty, All this became ingenious virtues fee▪ 'Twas never known, Caesar, before thy reign, That two should fight, and conquest both obtains FINIS. MARTIAL His Epigramms. Hic est quem legis— Epig. 1 Lib. 1. HEre whom thou seekest, Reader, thou hast Martial through all the known world graced For Epigrams of choicest wit. To whom alive, and knowing it, Reader, the favour thou hast shown Few Poet's Urns have ever known. Cum peteret Regem— Epig. 22. Lib. 1. WHen Mutius missed of his King-killing aim, His willing hand he offered to the flame. But the mild Foe such Miracles abhorred, And safe from fire his Prisoner home restored. That hand, that Mutius from least fainting free Durst burn, the King could not endure to see. Thus happy error greater glory won, And less this hand, if not deceived, had done. Po●●peios iuvenes— Epig. 74. Lib. 5. EVrope, and Asia Pompey's sons inter, He tombed in Lybia lies, if any where; No marvel 'tis, they scattered thus remain, Since no one place such ruin could contain. Coniugis audisset fatum— Epig. 43. Lib. 1. WHen Brutus death to Portia's ear was brought, And weapons hid from her, her sorrow sought, Know ye not yet, quoth she, death's ne'er denied? Learned you not so much when my Father died? This said, hot swallowed coals dispatch her life. In vain, alas, have you denied a knife. Dum dubitaret— Epig. 32. Lib. 6. WHile civil Furies fate did doubtful stay, And yet soft Otho might have won the day. Mars he condemned with blood already cloyed, And his own life his certain hand destroyed. Though Cato's life than Caesar's greater was, Not Cato's death could dying Otho pass. Quod magni. Thrase●,— Epig. 9 Lib. 1. THat great Thrasea's Sect thou dost maintain, And dying Cato's, yet still safe remain, Nor on drawn Swords thy naked breast hast run, What I could wish, has Decianus done. I weigh not him, whose glory death must raise. Give me the man, that living merits praise. Cum gravis— Epig. 73. Lib. 4. WHen sick Vestinus drew his latest breath, And saw before his eyes approaching death. The Sisters drawing his last thread he prays In that black task to use some small delays, Dead to himself he now lives to his friends. The Fates gave way to his Religious ends. Then parting his large wealth, he yields his breath, And thinks himself now old enough for death. Vu fieri liber— Epig. 53. Lib. ●. THou wouldst be free, thou liest, thou wouldst not be●● But if thou wouldst, I'll chaul● the way to thee At others Tables canst thou scorn to dine? Canst quench thy thirst with small Etrurian wi●●●● And cast on Cinna's Plate no covetous eye, And be content with such a gown as I? Can a cheap Wench suffice thine appetite? And rooms, in which thou canst not stand upright Couldst thou thy mind to this true temper bring, Thou shouldst live freer than the Parthian King. Nullos osse Deos— Epig. 21. Lib. 4. THat in the Heavens no gods there be Selius affirms, and proves, cause h● Still thinking so lives happily. ●sse quid hoc— Epig. 10. Lib. 5. WHence ist, that men alive no praise can gain▪ And that few Readers their own times maintain? Thi●, Regulus, is envy's wont guise To praise what's past, and present things despise. So we old Pompey's Gallery desire, And ●ulius Temple our old men admire. ●nnius Rome read, whilst Maro there resided. By his own times great Homer was derided. F●w Stages ●●ownd Menander sounded forth. None but Corinna knew her Ovid's Worth. But haste not you (my Books) for Fame, to whom ●is soon enough if after death it come. Sat cisterns mibi— Epig. 55. Lib. 3. A Vineyard at Ravenna; no a Well. For Water there than Wine doth dearer sell. Callidus imposiat— Epig. 56. Lib. 3. THe Vintner cheated me, and pure Wine gave▪ Wine mixed with Water ● desired to have. Callidus effracta— Epig. 43. Lib. 5. Thief's may thy Coffers break, steal coin or plate; Thy house a sudden fire may ruinate. Debtors may Use, and Principal deny, And dead thy seeds in barren Grounds may lie: Thy Steward may be cheated by a Who●re; Thy Merchandise the Ocean may devour. But what thou giv'st thy friends, from chance is free. Thy gifts alone shall thine for ever be. COntinual showers have so bedrenchd the vines, Though Vintner's would, they could not sell pure wines. Of a Viper smothered in Amber. Flentibus Heliadum ra●i●— Epig. 59 Lib. 4. WHilst on th' Heliades Amber-weeping Bows A Viper creeps down, on the Worm it flows. Who whilst amazed in this sweet Dew it lies, The Amber hardens, and the Viper dies. Boast not, Egyptian Queen, thy Tomb so brave, Since here a Viper finds a nobler grave. Primos pass●●o●os— Epig. 22. Lib. 4. But newly bedded, and scarce tamed, from me To a clear Lake did Cl●opatra flee To hide her, but the water her betrayed, And to my sight her naked Limbs displayed. So in a glaffe are Lillyes plainly spied, Nor blushing Roses can pure Crystal hide. ay, leaping in, a struggling kiss did get, But more the water would not there permit. Quisquis flaminiam— Epig. 14. Lib. 11. WHo ere d●st pass Flaminiaes' way, At this ennobled Marble stay. Rome's Love, Egypt's facetious Play. The Art, the Grace, the Sport, and Pleasure, The Roman Stages Grief and Treasure, All Venus●●, and Cupid's here Are closed in Paris Sepulc●●●. Tanta tibi est— Epig. 6. Lib. 11. CAes●r, as just thou art, as full of grace As Numa was; but poor old Numa was. 'tis strange, a mind not changed by wealth, to see That Croesus Master should a Numa be. If those great names, the Roman Fathers should Ascend from forth Elisium's emptied wood, For thee Camillus freedom would forsake, And gold Fabritius from thy hand would take; Brutus would serve thee, to no hand but thine Would Sylla his Dictatorship resign. Pompey would love thee, Caesar private still Would live; and Crassus' wealth should serve thy will. Nay, if from Stygian gulf Cato were free, Ca●o himself would a Caesarian bee. Bellaes', novimus, &— Epig. 65. Lib. 1. TH' art fair Fabulla, 'tis most true, Rich, yongue, there's none denies thy due. But whilst thyself dost too much boast, Thy youth, thy wealth, thy beauty's lost. Frontibus adversis— Epig. 35. Lib. 4. We saw faint Deer with furious butts of late Each other meet, and dye with mutual fate, The Dogs beheld their prey, the Huntsman proud Admired no work was to his knife allowed. Whence should faint hearts such furi● entertain? So fight stern Bulls, so valiant men are slain. Dic mihi quem portas volucrum— Ep. 56. Lib. 5. TEll me, whom bear'st thou, Queen of Birds? great love▪ Why wears he not his Thunder? he's in love. With whom? a Boy▪ Why dost thou turn thy beak So pleased to love? Of ●anymed I speak. Casta suogladum— Epig. 14. Lib. 1. WHen to her Paetus Aria gave the Sword, Which had her own chaste breast already gored, Trust me (she said) mine own wound grieves not me; That wound's my grief, which must be made by thee. Jrasci tantum felices— Epig. 37. Lib. 3. RIch friends 'gainst poor to anger still are pron●● It is not well, but profitably done. Quem recit●● men● est— Epig. 39 Lib. 1. THe Book thou readst, O Fidentine, is mine; But when thou ill recit'st it, it proves thine. Flete nefas vestrum▪ Weep, Nymphs, for your misdeeds all Lu●rine lake▪ Let Thetis feel your sorrow, & partake. Drowned in the Baian waters, Eutychus Is lost, thy dear Companion Castricus. That knew thy thoughts, thy cares that gently eased The loved Alexis, which our Poet pleased. Perchance the wanton Nymph within the Lake Thee naked saw; and sent young Hylas' back; Or else the Goddess moved with delight Of thy embrace, neglects th' Hermaphrodite. What ever caused thy sudden rape, to thee Let both the earth and water gentle be. Semper eri● p●●per— Epig. 82. Lib. 5. IF thou be poor, thou shalt be ever so; None now do wealth, but on the rich, be●●o●▪ Tristis es & felix— Epig 79. Lib. 6. TH' art rich & sad; take heed lest fortune know; She will call th' unthankful, Lupus, if she do. Profecit poto Mithridates— Epig. 77. Lib. 5. BY taking Poison oft the Pontic King Secured himself from hurt by poisoning; And, Cinna, thou by supping basely still Procurest that hunger thee can never kill. N●scis, crede wehee, quid— Epig. 49. Lib. 4. THou knowst not, trust me, what are Epigrams, Flaccus, who thinkst them jests, & wanton games▪ ●● wantoness more, who writes what horrid meat The plagued Thyestes, and vexed Tere●● 〈◊〉▪ Or Daedalus fitting his Boy to fly, Or Polyphemus flocks in Sicily. My Book no windy words, nor turgid needs, Nor swells my Muse with mad Cothurnal weeds. Yet those things all men praise, admire, adore. True; they praise those, but read these Poems more. Non donem tibi— Epig. 74. Lib. 5. THou wonder'st, Theodore, why I Entreated oft and urgently Refuse to send my Books to thee; I fear thou ' lt send thine own to me. Frustra blanditiae— Epig. 72. Lib. 10. IN vain o wretched Flattery, With bare-worn lips thou com'st to me To call me falsely Lord and God. Away; for thee here's no abode; To Parthia's mitred Monarches go; There falling prostrate, basely low, The gaudy Kings proud feet adore. This is no Lord, but Emperor, Of all the justest Senator. By whom from Stygian shades, the plain, And rustic truth's brought back again. Thou dar'st not, Rome, he Emperor, To flatter as thou didst before. Nubere Paull● cupit— Epig. 8. Lib. 10. PAulla would marry me; I would not her Because she's old, unless she elder were. Qui legis Oedipodas— Epig. 4. Lib. 10. WHat are, but Monsters, in the Theban bed, Thyestes, Sulla's, or Medea's read? What profits thee sleeping Endymion? Parthenopaeus, Atis, Hylas gone? Icarus drowned▪ Hermaphroditus f●●e, Who now doth loves transforming waters hate? Why such vain trash spendst thou thy time upon? Read that, which truly thou mayst call thine own. There are no Centaurs, Gorgon's, Harpies here; My page speaks only man. But thou dost fear Thyself, Mammurra, and thy crimes to know. Then read Callimachus his causes thou. Festinata prior decimi— Epig. 2. Lib. 10. THis my tenth Book set out before too soon, Back to my hands comes to be better done. Some old, but new corrected, thou wilt find; The most are new; Reader, to both be kind. Reader, my wealth; whom when to me Rome gave, Nought greater to bestow (quoth she) I have. By him ingrateful Lethe thou shalt fly, And in thy better part shalt never dye. Wild Figtrees rend Messalla's Marbles off; Crispus halfe-horses the bold Carters scoff. Writings no age can wrong, no thieving hand. Deathless alone those Monuments will stand. Quinque satis fuerant— Epig. 3. Lib. 8. FIve Books, or six, or seven, had been ●now, Nay, Muse, too much; why further wantonst thou? Here ●nd for shame; fame now can add no grace To me; my Books are read in every place. And when Licinius, and Messalla's high, Rich marble Towers in ruin'd dust shall lie, I shall be read, and strangers every where Shall to their farthest homes my Verses bear●. Thus I, when thus the ninth Muse answered me, Whose hair & clothes still wet with ointments be, Canst thou, ingrateful man, thy toys forsake? What better course (speak idler) canst thou take? Will thy low Verse ere fit the Tragic vain? Or thunder Wars in an Heroic strain? That Schoolmasters, till they be hoarse, may read Thy lines, & Girls & Boys thy name may dread? Let men more grave and sour such Verses write, Who do by Candles spend the toilsome night; With Roman salt thy merry Books fill thou, Where men their manners may both read & know. What though thou seem to pipe on humble reeds, Whilst others Trumpets thy small Pipe exceeds? Aeolidon Canace iacet hoc— Epig. 92. Lib. 11. WIthin this Tomb fair Canace is placed, To whom her seventh Winter was her last. O dire mischance! Reader, why weep●t thou there? 'tis not her short life, that requires thy tear▪ Deaths maner's worse than death; the dire disease Beset her face, her tender mouth did seize. The Monster sickness strived a kiss to have. Her fair lips went not wholly to the grave. If fates so soon bade meant to stop her breath, They should have come some other way. But death Made haste her tongues sweet Music to prevent, Le●t that should make the flinty Fates relent. Quod ta● grande— Epig. 48. Lib. 6. THat flattering guests to praise thy words consent Not thou, Pompon●us, thy feast's eloquent. Qui recitat lana fauces— Epig. 41. Lib. 6. He that recites, his throat close muffled, he Shows he can neither speak, nor silent be. Si quid forte petam— Epig. 24. Lib. ●. To Caesar. IF my small fearful Book do beg of thee, Grant it, if not too bold my beggings be; Or pardon, though thou grant not what I move; Incense and prayers ne'er offended ●ove. He makes not gods, who does their figures raise In gold and marble; but the man that prays. Liber amicorum dulcissima— Epig. 77. Lib. 8. LIber thy friends dear care, worthy to live For evermore where sweetest Roses thrive, With flowers (if thou be wise) still crown thy head, Upon thy hair Assyrian ointment spread: Thy Crystal glass let black Falernum die: Thy soft bed warm with pleasing Venery. Who ere lives thus, although but half his time, He makes more life than was bestowed on him. ●●●● quem ●●●● tibi— Epig. 15. Lib. 9 THinkst thou his friendship ever faithful proves, Whom first thy Table purchased? no, he loves Thy Ousters, Mullets, Boars, Sow's paps, not thee: If I could feast him so, he would love me. Laudas balaca— Epig. 20. Lib. 9, To Sab●llus. THou prayse●t in three hundred lines Ponticus Baths, who richly dines; Thy mind to eat, not wash inclines. N●n●o● in E●is— Epig. 26. Lib. 8, To Domitian. NOt in the Hyrcanian woods, nor India Did ere more Tigers the pale huntsmen awe Than did thy Rome, Germanicus, in sights Late show; nor could she number her delights. The Indian Triumph was excelled by thee, The wealth and conquest of a Deity. For Bacchus with two Tigers was content When Captive Indians by his Chariot went. Munera qui— Epig. 27. Lib. 8. GAurus, th' art old & rich; who ere to thee (die. Gives gifts (conceive him right) he bids thee Host●● cum fugeret— Epig. 80. Lib. ●. WHat Fury's this? his Foe whilst Fannius flies He kills himself; for fear of death he dies. Splendophorus Libyeas— Epig. 57 Lib. 9 TO Libya goes Splendophorus to war. Cupid, thy shafts for this fair Boy prepare, Those shafts, which youths & tender virgins wound; Light let thy spear in his soft hand be found. The breastplate, helm and shield I leave to thee; To fight in safety, naked let him be. No arrow, sword, nor dart could hurt in war Parthenopaeus, whilst his face was bare. He, whom this youth shall wound, will die of love, And happy too so sweet a fate to prove. Whilst yet thy chin is smooth fair boy come home; Grow not a man in Africa, but at Rome. In Tartessiacis domus est— Epig. 62. Lib. 9 A Well known house doth in that country stand Where Baetis waters Corduba's rich Land, Where Wools their native metals colour keep, And growing goldfoile guilds the Spanish sheep. In midst of th' house her gods ore-shadowing Does Caesar's plaine-tree prosperously spring Planted by that victorious guest, from whose Imperial hand the tender twig arose; Which now it seems her Lord and founder knows She spreads so fast her sky-aspiring bows, Under that shade the Rustic Dryads, And wanton Fauns themselves with sporting please; And oft, as she by night from Pan doth fly This silent house doth Syrinx terrify. There oft hath Bacchus kept his revelling. When wine has made the Tree more richly spring. There Roses grow t' adorn the drinking crown; And none can say those Roses are his own. Great Caesar's Tree, to all the Gods most dear, No sacrilegious fire, nor hatchets fear. Still mayst thou hope honoured with leaves to be; 'twas no Pompeian hand that planted thee. Dixerat O mores, O tempora— Epig. 72. Lib. 9 OH times, O manners once old Tullv said, When Catiline his hellish plot had laid, When Wars did son and father in law divide, And Rome's sad earth with civil slaughter died. Why now O times, O manners criest thou man? What ist displeases thee Cecilian? No General's rage, no swords of Traitors now; But peace and joy do plentifully flow. 'tis not the ages manners, but thine own Have made the age to thee so hateful grown. Hic qui dura sedens— THis mighty God in brass but little done, Whose Lions skin softens the harder stone, Who views the heavens, which once his strength bore up, Whose left hand holds a club, his right a cup, Is no new piece, no glory of our days, But famed Lysippus gift, and work of praise; This god once Alexander's Table showed, Who Conqueror lies in th' earth so soon subdued. By him young Hannibal at th' altar swore; By his command stern Sylla Rule gave over. Grieved at these several Courts vain terrors, he Now in a private house is glad to be, And live with learned Vindex as his god, As once he graced Molorchus poor abode. Cum faciem laude— Epig. 50. Lib. 3. To Galla. WHen over I praise thy face, hand, leg; far more (Thou sayst) I'd like th●e, if all naked ore; Yet still thou shun'st the common Baths with me; Fearest thou that I should not be liked by thee? Empta da●nus fuerat— Epig. 51. Lib. 3. TWo hundred pound thy house, Tongilian, cost, Which was by fire, a chance too frequent, lost. Ten times as much in lieu was gathered thee. Didst thou not burn thy house in policy? Cum dare non possim— Epig. 53. Lib. 3. WHen for a night thou cravest more than I Can give, 'twere plainer, Galla, to deny. Quod spirat tenera malum— Epig. 64. Lib. 3. To Diadumenus. WHat smell ripe Apples bit by Virgins fair, Or what Cilician saffrons fragrant air, What blooming Vines with blossoms lately filled, Or springing pastures cropped by sheep do yield: What Myrtles, chafed Amber, Eastern gums, Arabian incense rising in palefumes: What meadows lightly wet with summer showers, Or Nard in chaplets made of sweetest flowers: All this, fair Boy, thy frag an't kisses be. What would they, didst thou give them full & fre●? Dum modo Causidicum— Epig. 64. Lib. 2. To Taurus. WHilst Rhetoric now, now Law best pleaseth thee And thou resolv'st not, Taurus, what to be, Old Priam's time, Peleus, or Nestor's runs, A time to leave off all professions. Three Rhetoricians died within a year; Be thou one, if th' art bold, and skilful there; If not; all Courts are full of brawls for thee; Even Mar●ia's statue might a Lawyer be. Delay no more. How long expect we thee? Thou thou lt doubt so long, till thou canst nothing be. Ad caenam nuper— Epig. 78. Lib. 4. VArus invited me to supper late, Where little meat there was, but store of plat●▪ His men with gold, not victuals filled the board, Feasts to our eyes, not stomaches to afford. We came to feed no eyes, but bellies here; Keep up thy wealth, or show't in better cheer. Munera quod senibus— Epig. 56. Lib. 4. Against Gargilian. GIfts t' old rich men thou send'st, & widows all, Yet wouldst be thought, Gargilian, liberal. There's nought more sordid, nought more base than thee, To call thy snares a liberality. So to the greedy fish the hook is kind: Such favour, Beasts from cozening bats do find. But wouldst thou know true liberality? ●e teach thee then; bestow thy gifts on me. ●●igis ●●●●nem nostros— Epig. 72. Lib. 4. To Quinctus. THou beg'st, that I'd bestow my Book on thee, I ●ave none; the Stationer can show it thee. Shall I give coin for toys, thinkst thou, and buy Thy Books? I am not such a fool; nor I. ●gi●ti 〈◊〉 semper, Li●e— Epig. 66. Lib. 4. LInus, thou still a Country life didst live; Than which nought can more cheap contentment give. Few Ides, or Calends ere in Rome did see Thee gowned; one cloak ten Summers served thee; Thy grounds did yield thee bores, & hares unboght; The woods fat Thrushes to thy table brought. The rivers gave thee fish; in pots of earth Thou drunkst cheap wine, which boasts no foreign birth. No beauteous high-prized Boys of Greece did fill Thy wi●e, but plain and rustic servants still; Or else thy tenants homely wife did lie With thee, when wine had raised thy spirits high. No heats did spoil thy crops, no fire burnt down Thy house; the sea no ships of thine did drown. No dice, or gaming took thy wealth away. For nuts, like children, was thy deepest play. Where's all the wealth thy mother left thee gone Linus, 'tis hard to do what thou hast done. Quae mihi praestiteris memini— Epig. 53. Lib. 5. To Posthumus. THy gifts to me I think of, and still shall. Why then do I not speak of them at all? Thou dost. Where ere i tell thy charity, 'tis answered strait, himself has told it me. This work befits not both; one is enough; If thou wouldst have me speak, be silent thou. For (trust me) wert thou ne'er so liberal, The givers talking would destroy it all. ●asia da nobis— Epig. 34. Lib. 6. To Diadumenus. Kiss fully, fairest Boy. How oft (sayst thou) The Ocean's waves thou bidst me number now; Or shells upon th' Aegaean shor● to count, Or bees, that swarm about th' Athenian mount; Or on the Theatre the people's cries, And shouts, when Caesar first doth greet their eyes. What number Lesbian to Catullus gave I beg not. Few would he, that counts them, have. Vatis Apollinei magno— Epig. 21. Lib. 7. Of Lucan. THis day so famed for Phoebus' Prophets birth Returns; ye Poets, sacrifice with mirth. This day deserved, which Lucan did bestow, That Baetis mixed with Helicon should ●low. Ede tuos tandem— Epig. 26. Lib. 1. PVblish thy Books (Faustinus) yet, and show Thy polished labours to the people's view, Those Books, which Athens cannot does respect, Nor our old Romans but with prai●e affect▪ Wilt not admit fame standing at thy door? And take the fruit of all thy pains before? Fame to the Urn comes late; let those Books live With thee, which after life to thee must give. Cum clamant omnes— Epig. 98. Lib. 1. To Naevolus the Lawyer. WHen there's most noise, thou plead'st, thinking to show Thyself a Patron, & a Lawyer so. At such a time all men speak well▪ but now When all are silent, speak to th' purpose thou. Non plenum modo— Epig. 100 Lib. ●. To covetous Calenus. THou once hadst an estate but small; But then so brave, free, liberal Thou wer●, Calenus, that all we Did wish ten times as much to thee. Some God than heard what we did pray, And ●●e seven Calends passed away Four deaths on thee bestowed that sum; But thou, as if no means had come, But rather as much loss to thee, Fellest to such wretched penury, That even thy feasts most high and rare, Which once a year thou dost prepare, Thou mak'st for small sums of base coin; And seven of us old friends of thine Cost thee a leaden halfpenny. For this what shall I wish to thee? I'll wish thy wealth ten times as much. Thou thou dst starve our right, if it were such. Qui pi●xit Venerem— Epig. 103. Lib. ● To Lycoris. THat Painter sure, Lycoris, meant to show Favour to Pallas, which thy 〈◊〉 drew. Esse quid hoc dicam— Epig. 12. Lib. 2. Against Posthum●●. WHence ist, that still like myr●he thy kisses bee● That still thou bear'st a borrowed scent with thee? I needs must censure thee for that sweet smell. He smells not well, that always smells so well. Quod querulum spirat— Epig. 26. Lib. 2. To Bithynicus. THat in thy bosom thy old wife doth lie Coffing, and groaning still, as like to dye Thou think'st thouart surely made, but thou wilt b●e Deceived; she does not die, but flatter thee. ●utua vigintisestertia— Epig. 30. Lib. 2. Against Caius. TWenty sesterces I'd have borrowed late, Which, if bestowed, had been a gift not great. hold. For 'twas a rich friend whom I asked, and old, Whose crowded chests would scarce his riches He cries, ●●rne Lawyer, and ●hou'lt thrive; I'd have No counsel, Caius, give me what I crave. ●mi seu puerum— Epig. 44. Lib. ●. Against Sextus. WHen I a Boy, or gown have bought, Or some small plate of silver wrought, Sextus the Usurer, whom you To be my old companion know, Fearing I'd beg of him, thus he Speaks to himself (o'erheard by me) To Phoebus four thousand, eleven Philetus, to Secundus seven how; and have at home no whit Of coin; welfare an old friends wit. 'tis hard, when asked, thou shouldst deny; Harder before I ask of thee. V●guent●●● fateor— Epig. 12. Lib. 3. Against fabulus. THou gav'st good ointment ('tis confessed) But little supper to thy guests. 'tis an improper thing to be Perfumed, and hungry. Well may he, That is anointed, and not fed, Be thought a coarse, that's newly dead. Proscriptum famulus— Epig. 21. Lib. 3. Against a cruel Master; whose life notwithstanding a wronged slave of h●● did save at the Proscription. ABranded slave his proscribed Lord did save. Not life, but envy, to his Lord he gave. Mentiris i●venem— Epig. 43. Lib. 3. Against Lentinus. THou diest thy hair to seem a younger man, And turn'st a Crow, that lately wert a Swan. All are not cozened; hell's queen knows thee grey. She'll take the vizor from thy head away. Occur●it tibi nemo— Epig. 44. Lib. 3. Against Ligurinus. THat none would meet thee willingly, But where so ere thou comest, all fly O Ligurinus, wouldst thou know it? The cause is th' art too much a Poet. That fault is wondrous dangerous. No Tiger robbed of whelps by us So much is feared, no Scorpion, Nor Dipsas basking in the Sun. For who can ere endure such pain? Standing thou readest, sitting again; Running, and at the privy too. To th' bath I go; there readest thou. I go to swim; thy Book delays me. I go to supper; thence it stays me. When I am set, thy reading makes me To rise; and when I sleep, it wakes me. Behold, what hurt thou dost. None can Brook thee a just, good, harmless man. Et latet, & lucet— Epig. 32. Lib. 4. Of a Bee smothered in Amber. HEre shines a Bee closed in an Amber tomb As if interred in her own honeycomb. A fit-reward fate to her labours gave; No other death would she have wished to have▪ Hic est Pampine is— Epig. 44. Lib. 4. Of the hill Vesuvius burned by a strange fire. VEsuvius shaded once with greenest vines, Where pressed grapes did yield the noblest wines. Which hill far more thā●ysa Bacchus loved, Where Satyrs once in mirthful dances moved, Where Venus dwelled, and better loved the place Than Sparta; where Alcides' Temple was, Is now burnt down, raked up in ashes sad The gods are grieved that such great power they had▪ Sum fateor, semperque fui— epig. 13. Lib. 5. Against Callistr atus. I'm poor, Callistratus, and ever was, But yet a Gentleman, free from disgrace, And read through all the world, and pointed at, And living find what few find after fate. An hundred columns thy large house uphold; Thy crowded chests can scarce contain thy gold. Much rich Egyptian Land thou hast; but more, Thy flocks from Parma send thee fleeces store. Thus are we two; what I am thou ' lt ne'er be, The basest man by chance may equal thee. Sextantes, Caliste duos— Epig. 65. Lib. ●. To his servants. TWo cups, Calistus, of rich wine fill thou, Thou Alcimus, alloy 't with summer snow. Let my moist hair with richest ointment sweat; And sweet rose chaplets on my Temples set. Come, let us live; the Caesar's tombs so nigh Teach us that even the gods themselves will dye Antonni Phario— Epig. 70. Lib 5. Against Marcus Antonius the Tri●●nvir. WOrse than Photi●us, and more odious grown▪ By Tully's death, than thy proscription, Why by thy sword should that brave Roman bleed? Fieree Catiline would have abhorred the deed▪ The impious Soldier gold corrupts, and nought But one tongs silence that great wealth has bought. What boots that sacred tongues dear silence now All men will speak in stead of Cicero. Qui potuit Bacchi— Epig. 73 Lib. 5. Of Bacchus' birth. WHo says that love was Bacchus' mother, he As well may call his father S●●●le▪ Jurat capillos— Epig. 12. Lib. 6. Of Fabulla. FAbulla swears her hair (which at a rate She bought) is hers. Is she forsworn in that? Dum Phaeton●aea— Epig. 15. Lib. 6. Of an Ant drowned in Amber. A Namber drop from Phaeton's branches wept Enclosed a little Ant that under crept▪ That Ant not valued in her life at all Is now made precious by her funeral. Quod nubis Proculina— Epig. 22. Lib. 6. Against Proculina. THat Proculina's servant marries her Her husband now, late her adulterer For fear the julian Law should tax her, she Not marries, but confesses that was he. Amisit Pater unicum— Epig. 62. Lib. 6. To Apian. SIlanus only son is dead. Why, Apian, hast thou offered No gifts to th' sire? oh destinies What Vulture shall this carcase seize▪ M●chum Gellia— Epig. 90. Lib. 6. Of Gellia. BV● one Adulterer has Gellia now; That's worst of all to be a wife to two. C●l●tus tibi cum— Epig. 92. Lib. 6. To Amianus. WHen on thy cup a serpent's shape is wrought By Myrons' hand, & wine but small & nought Thou drinkest therein, ●ure 'tis a poisoned draught. Fr●gmentum quod vile— Epig. 18. Lib. 7. Of a piece of the ship Argus. THis, which thou thinkst base planks, & useless wood, Was once that ship that first the Ocean ploughed. Which nor Cyanean Lands, nor the rage Of Scythian Seas could break, but powerful age Did ruin it; yet though to time it yield, Let this more sacred than whole ships be held. Primum est ut praestes— Epig. 42. Lib. 7. Against Cinna. THe first love, Cinna, is to grant what I Request; the second quickly to deny. I love the one, the other hate not I; But thou nor grantest, nor quickly dost deny. Commendare tuum dum— Epig. 45. Lib. 7. To Priscus. WHilst thou thy gifts to me in verse wouldst fain Commend, and strivest to pass great Homer's vein; Thyself & me thou too too long dost vex; While thou art studying, wants do me perplex. Send rich men Verses, and high Elegyes; Poor men plain gifts without a Verse will please. Doctorum Licini celeberrime— Epig. 46. Lib. 7. To Licinius. LIcinius, famed for learning, best of men, Whose language brings th' old purity again. By what great gift of fate to us art thou (Near tasting Lethe's stream) restored now? Our fears were passed, our sorrow freely wept, And had thy obsequies already kept. But hell's sad King such envy could not brook, And to the fates restored the web he took. How thy false death was wail▪ d is known to thee; Thou now enioy'st thine own posterity. Live as by stealth; seize joys that flying post. Let not a day of this new life be lost. Quod te diripiunt— Epig. 75. lib. 7. To Philomusus. THat great men court thee every where, At feasts, and at the Theatre, And would, as oft as well may be, Walk, bathe, or take the air with thee; Do not admire thyself for it. 'tis not their love, but their delight. Si meus a●●ita— Epig. 86. lib. 7. IF Flacus love a long-eared * ● Bird. Harefeet sight, And Caniusin a Blackamoor delight; If Publius fall enamoured of a Bitch, And Cronus thoughts a Monkey can bewitch; If Marius prise a harmful Indian Rat, Lausus a Py, that can salute and that; If fair Glacilla's neck her snake become, And Thelesine her Nightingale entomb: Why should not I my fair La●ycas love, When such strange Monsters their delights can move▪ Si quid upon ●uerit— Epig 91. lib 7. Against Bacchra. WEre I in want, I need not ask of thee Thus, Bacchra, oftentimes thou tellest me. My Creditors at my nonpayment taunt. Thou hearest, yet know'st not, Bacchra, what I want. My Landlord rend doth openly demand; Thou hearest, yet knowst not in what need I stand. My clothes are ●old, worn bare unto a thread. Thou seest, yet knowst not, Bacchra, what I need. My need is no have thee struck dumb therefore, That thou mightst say, wert thou in need no more. Conditus his eg● s●●●— Epig. 95. Lib. 7. An Epitaph upon Vrbicus a Child. I Vibicus the grief of Bassus, am Here tombed, on whom great Rome bestowed a name. Six Months I wanted of two years, when to My thread of life did cruel fates undo. What did my beauty, talk, or age avail? Who ere readst this, my death untimely wail. So may that man at Nestor's age to grave Descend, whom thou wouldst thy survivor have. Sic placidum semper— Epig. 98. lib. 7. To Crisp●●●●. SO mayst thou still be favoured by our love, And gain as well Rome's an thy Memphis love, When thou my Verses read in Court shalt hear (For they sometimes enjoy great Caesar's ear) Say, like a candid Reader, this man's ri●es Do add some honour, Caesar, to thy times, Not far from Marsus or Catullus best. This is enough; to love I leave the rest. Milo domi non est— Epig. 101. lib. 7. Of Milo. MI●orides forth; his grounds, while he's from home, Lie waist: his wife still bears a fruitful womb. Why are the grounds, and she not, barren grown? His wife has tilers, though the grounds have none. Achetypis vet●●— Epig. 6. lib 8. Against Euctus. HOw odious Euctus antique goblets are! In earthen pots 'twere better drinking far, While he the mouldy ages of his plate (Palling the wine with talking) doth relate. This cup belonged to King Laomedon; For this Apollo's Harp did wall the Town. This pot in fight did furious Rhaetus use Against the Lapiths; see, here's the bruise. This with two bottoms Nestor did delight: 'twas Nestor's thumb that wore this dove so bright. This cup Achilles in a jovial vain Drunk freely off, his friends to entertain. In this fair Dido drank to Bitias, When Troy's loved Prince her guest at supper was. While thou these old engravings wonder'st at, Thou drinkst Astyanax in Priam's plate. Principium des Jane— Epig▪ 8. lib. 8. To Jamis. THough, janus, thou begin swift years, that hast, And with thy look call back the ages past: Though thee all incense first, all prayers implore: All honours new, and purple gowns adore; Yet more thou ioyst to see what now is come, That in thy month our god returns to Rome. Egi, Sexte, tuam— Epig. 17 lib. 8. To Sextus. SExtus, thy cause I pleaded; for my fee Thou sent'st a piece; for two did I agree. But thou complain'st I did thy cause betray; More for the shame I suffered, thou shouldst pay. Aëraper tacitum— Epig▪ 32. lib. 8. Of Aretulla's Pigeon. TO Aretulla's lap a snowy Dove Descended gently through the air above. It was no chance; for there the Dove did stay, And, though permitted, would not fly away. If that so good a sister's pious love, And Prayers may hope our earthly god to move, This Dove, from Sardoes from her brother sent, Brings news of his repeal from banishment. Quantatua est probitas— Epig. 46. lib. 8. To Cestus. Cestus', so chaste thou art, so wondrous fair That Theseus son may not with thee compare. To bathe with thee would naked Diana joy. Cybel for thee would leave her Phrygian boy. juno would let thee lie, for Ganymede, With love, and would not thy chaste kisses dread. Oh happy Bride, whose maidenhead shall take Thy first fresh strength, & thee an husband make. Formosissima quae— Epig. 53. lib. 8. Against Catulla. OF all thy sex thou fairest fair, But base than the basest are, Oh how I wish, Catulla, thee Less fair, or else more chaste to be. Tres habuit dentes— Epig. 57 lib. 8. To Picens'. THree only teeth had Picens', and did spit Them out; as he before his tomb did sit. Then gathering his mouths ruins up, he there Entombed them; so that although his heir Gather not up his bones, when he is gone; This funeral rite he to himself hath done. Qui Corcyraei vidit— Epig 68 lib. 8. To Entellus. WHo both hath seen, will praise thy garden house More than the Orchard of Alcinoûs. Where, lest the purple grapes sad winter's frost Should burn, and Bacchus' gifts by cold be lost; Closed in transparent stone thy Vines do live, And to the eye, though hid, their lustre give. So pebble stones in Crystal brooks are spied, And Maids white skins through tyffeney descried. What would not nature let wit reach unto, When barren▪ Winter Autumn's works must do? Miraris veteres— Epig. 69. lib. 8. Of Vacerra. VAcerra, thou approv'st of none For Poets, but are dead and gone. Pardon; for so much do not I Esteem thy praises as to die. Dic verum mihi, Marce— Epig. 76. lib. 8. Upon Gall●cus. I Prithee, Marcus, tell me true; There's nought I'd rather hear from you; Thus, when thy Books thou dost recite, Or when thou pleadest thy client's right, Still, Gallicus, thou beg'st of me. 'twere hard I should deny it thee. Then hear what's true as true can be; Thou dost not hear truth willingly. Qua●●●● iam superis— Epig 4. lib. 9 To Domitian. OF what thou, Caesar, to the gods hast given, If thou wouldst now exact repayment even, Although in Heaven an outcry should be made, And the gods forced to sell what ere they had; Atlas were bankrupt; love could not compound, Though thou wouldst take five groats in every pound. What can he pay for his Tarpeian crown? What for his Capitol, rebuilt, when down? How much for her two temples luno owes! Pallas I pass, for she thy business does, Why should I name the Flavian Temples now? What Laeda●s sons, Alcides, Phoebus owe? Caesar must needs forbear, or give them day. For love's chest has not where withal to pay. Cae●es ●anthare cum— Epig. 11. lib. 9 Against Cantharus. WHen thou at others cost cat'st still, Thou roarest, thou threaten'st, & speakest ill. Such pride and fierceness sits not thee: Thou canst not shark, and be so free. Cappadocum saevis— Epig 31. lib. 9 Of Antistius Rusticus. IN Cappadocia did Antistius dy●. Oh guilty land in such a Tragedy? Nigrina, when her dear Lords bones she brought Home in her lap, too short the journey thought. When th' envied tomb the sacred Urn received, She seemed again of her dear Lord bercaved. Jupiter Jdei— Epig. 35. lib. 9 In praise of Domitian. WHen love great Caesar's Flavian Temple ●y'd His fabulous Cretan tomb he did deride. And when at table he did freely sup Nectar, and gave to Mars, his son, the cup; Looking on Phoebus, and bright Phoebe, where Fair Maiaes' son, and great Al●ides were. You raised me Cretan monuments, quoth he, How much more Caesars Father 'tis to be! Si credis mibi— Epig. 53. lib. 9 To Ovid. WHat thou deserv'st, if thou believe, I do to April's Calends give For thy birth, Ovid, what I do To March, to which mine own I owe. Both happy days, with whitest stone Both to he marked by me; by one A friend: by other life I have. The greater gift thy Calends gave. Lector & auditor— Epig. 82. lib 9 To Aulu●. REaders and hearers, both my Books renown▪ Some Poets say th' are not exactly done. I care not much; like banquets, let my Booke● Rather be pleasing to the guests than Cooks. Dixerat Astrologue— Epig. 84. lib. 9 To C●●●▪ CInna, th' ginger foretell that the● Shouldst perish soon, nor did he 〈…〉 For loath to leave aught here, when th●● 〈…〉, Thou spent'st thy goods in ●iot speedily. And all thy treasure in one year is gone. What is this, Cinna, but to perish soon? Juter tanta tu●— Epig. 85 lib. 9 To Domitian. MOngst all the wonders, Caesar, of thy stage Aequaled by no, or former Prince or age. The eye owes much to thee; but more the ●are▪ That they who once did act, now sit and hear. Quadringentorum reddis— Epig. 105. lib▪ 9 To Phoebus' BOnds of four hundred thou giv'st back to me; I'd rather have one hundred lent from thee. Boast such vain gifts to some man else; I say Th●●s mine already which I cannot pay. Que nova tam— Epig. 106. lib. 9 Of two alike fair Brothers. WHat other Leda such like twins hath bred? What other swan some Spartan dame did tread Asillus Castor's, Hierus has the face Of Pollux; both have Helen's lovely grace. Had Leda's sons been of so fair a hue, When Venus' gift, though worst, the rest 〈…〉 Helen had stayed behind; Paris had then With two stolen Ganymeds returned again. Jam placido 〈◊〉— Epig. 23. lib. 10. Of Antonius primus. Antonius' Primus to his blessed content Seventy five years of life can number spent. His former years secure he looks upon, And fears not Lethe's stream now nearer grown. No day, that's past, seems sad or grievous yet, No day, which he would study to forget. Thus good men to themselves long life can give, I enjoy our former life is twice to live. V●●e Parethonias— Epig. 〈◊〉. lib. 10. Of Varus. VArus, which as Rome's Tribune didst command An hundred men, tenownd in Egypt's land. Now as a stranger Ghost thou dost remain On Nilus' shore, promised to Rome in vain. We could not dew with tears thy dying face, Nor thy sad funeral flames with odours grace, Yet in my Verse eternised shalt thou be. Of that false Egypt cannot cousin thee. O●●●● Sulpitiam— Epig. 35. lib. 10. Of Sulpitia. LEt all chaste Virgins, that would we● One man alone, Sulpitia read. Let all good men, that love the bed Of one chaste Spouse, Sulpitia read. She sings not of Medaea's spells, Nor dire Thyestes banquet tells. Scylla, and Biblic stories lies She counts; pure loves, and chastity's, Sweet sports, and harmless she relates, Her Verse who ere well aestimates, Will say that none are holier. Such jests, I think, Aegeriaes' were In that moist Cave to Numa's ear. Brought up with her, or taught by her, chaste, and more learned had Sapph been. But flinty Phao, had he seen▪ Them both, had loved Sulpitia sure, (Although in vain) for she more pure Would not exchange Calenus love For Bacchus, Phoebus, or great love. 〈…〉— Epig. 71. lib. 10. Upon the tomb of Rabiriu● his Parents. THou that dost wi●h thy parents lives should prove Both long & blessed, this tombs short title love. Wherein Rabiri●s dead dear parents rest. No age with happier fate was ever blest. Wedlock of threesoore years one night untwines, And in one funeral flame both bodies joins. But he, as they had died in greener years, Still weeps. What justice is there in those tears? Non Vrbana mea— Epig. 3. Lib. 11. Of his Books. 'tIs not the City only doth approve My Muse, or idle cares my Verses love. The rough Centurion, where cold frosts oresprcad The Scythian fields, in war my Books doth read. My lines are sang in Britain far remote; But yet my empty purse perceives it not. What deathless numbers from my pen would flow▪ What wars would my Pierian Trumpet blow? If, as Augustus now again doth live, So Rome to me would a Maecenas give Aedes emit Aper— Epig. 35. Lib. 11. Of Aper. APer a cottage bought, which not an Owl Would deign to own, it was so old & fowl. But Maro's sumptuous house, and walks excel. Aper will richly far, not richly dwell. Ignotos mihi cum— Epig. 36. Lib. 11. To fabulus. WHen many guests strangers to me Thou bidst, and then I failed thee Thou chider because I made not one I do not love to sup alone. Vi●ida cum poscis— Epig. 43. lib. 11. WHen living Epigrams thou cravest of me, Thou giv'st dead arguments. How can that be? How canst thou have Hymettian honey flow, And Corsic thyme ● Athenian Bees allow▪ Quod ●i●i●● laudas— Epig. 57 lib. 11. Against Cher●mon. THat thou, Cheraemon, death dost est desire Thou wouldst have us thy valiant mind admire▪ This high resolve comes from an careless pot, A chimney without fire to keep it hot, A bedstod eat with worms, ●ugs course & light▪ One short bare gown ●o wear both day & night. How brave a man art thou canst want such gear As straw, course bread, and lees of vinegar▪ But if a woven purple coverled, And fine french lawn adorned thy downy bed, Hadst thou a Boy, whose rosy lips would fire As wine he fills; thy lustful guests desire: Then thou to live thrice Ne●●ors years wouldst pray▪ And wouldst not lose an hour of any day. In poor estate 'tis easy scorning death; Valiant is he dares draw a wretched breath. Nil mihi das vivus— Epig. 68 lib. 11. Against Maro. ALive you give me nought, you say you will At death: you know my wish if you have skill. Pa●●arogas magnos— Epig. 69. Lib. 11. Against Matho. THou beg'st small gifts of great ones, which they yet Deny. To be le●●e shamed, beg gifts more great, Clamabat tumidis audax— THus bold Leander cried i'th' swelling Main Then drown me waves when I return again. Mutari melius Ta●ro— Upon the picture of Europa's rape. THen rather, jove, shouldst thou have chose to be A Bull, when Iô was a Cow for thee. FINIS.