[MARTIAL][Y]
[Epigrams, Epitaphs and Poems]
[I.—Satiric Pieces and Epigrams]
He unto whom thou art so partial, O reader! is the well-known Martial, The Epigrammatist: while living Give him the fame thou wouldst be giving; So shall he hear, and feel, and know it— Post-obits rarely reach a poet.—Byron.
MARTIAL ON HIS WORK
Some things are good, some fair, but more you'll say Are bad herein—all books are made that way!
ON FREEDOM OF LANGUAGE
Strict censure may this harmless sport endure: My page is wanton, but my life is pure.