Epistle XV. To Romanus.
by
the Same. [Mr. Henley.]
[_]
On the proper Audience of a Rehearsal.
YOU are absent during a very surprizing Affair; so was I, but the Story is come fresh to me.
Passienus Paulus, a Roman Knight, of great Distinction and Learning,
writes Elegy: This he has from his Family. For he is a Countryman of
Propertius, and reckons him among his Ancestors. When he began to read in Publick a Work that began thus,
Priscus, do you Command?
To this, Jabolenus Priscus, who was there as an intimate Friend to
Paulus readily answer'd, No, I command nothing. Imagine what a burst of Laughing,
what Mirth follow'd upon it. Indeed, Priscus has a very questionable Understanding:
Yet, he is in publick Offices, he is consulted, he is employ'd sometimes as
a Judge. So that what he did then, was the more ridiculous and remarkable.
In the mean Time, the Extravagance of another brought some Coldness upon
Paulus. So careful ought a forward Rehearsal to be, of inviting an Auditor of good Sense,
as well as of his own.
Farewell.
