A History of Roman Classical Literature.

by R. W. Browne

Hoc sunt condita, quo Paris, sepulchro.

Whoe’er thou art, O traveller, stay!

Mark what proud tomb adorns the way.

The town’s delight, the wit of Nile,

Art, grace, mirth, pleasure, sport and smile:

The honour of the Roman stage,

The grief and sorrow of the age:

All Venuses and Loves lie here

Buried in Paris’ sepulchre.

CHAPTER II.
LUCRETIUS A POET RATHER THAN A PHILOSOPHER—HIS LIFE—EPIC STRUCTURE OF HIS POEM—VARIETY OF HIS POETRY—EXTRACTS FROM HIS POEM—ARGUMENT OF IT—THE EPICUREAN DOCTRINES CONTAINED IN IT—MORALITY OF EPICURUS AND LUCRETIUS—TESTIMONIES OF VIRGIL AND OVID—CATULLUS: HIS LIFE, CHARACTER, AND POETRY—OTHER POETS OF THIS PERIOD.