Whether the deficiency in the sense of beauty should deny to him the name of a great poet, is to be answered only when agreement has been attained as to the definition of a poet. He was certainly a true and prodigally creative genius. He is also thoroughly representative of his race—not of the gravity and dignity superinduced on the natural Italian temperament by the strict discipline of Roman life, and by the sense of superiority which arises among the governing men of an imperial state—but of the strong and healthy vitality which enabled the Italian to play his part in history, and of the quick observation and ready resource, the lively emotional and social temperament, the keen enjoyment of life, which are the accompaniment of that original endowment.
[172] Prologue to Casina, 18, 19.
[173] Prologue to Amphitryo, 52.
[174] Licinius and Atilius are placed before Terence in the Canon of Volcatius Sedigitus.
[175] E. g. Pseudolus, 1081:
'Nugas theatri: verba quae in comoediis
Solent lenoni dici, quae pueri sciunt.'
Cf. also Captivi, 778.
[176] The influence of Plautus may be traced in the style of Catullus, and perhaps in the sentiment of the passage in Lucretius, iv. 1121, etc.; and that of Terence also in Catullus, and in the Satires, Epistles, and some of the Odes of Horace.
[177] E.g. the dance of Pseudolus. Pseud. 1246, etc.