University of Virginia Library

Epistle XXI. To Priscus.

by Mr. — —

I Hear Valerius Martial is dead, and take it much to Heart. He was a Man of Wit and parts, of a sharp and poignant turn of Thought; there was a good deal of Salt and Gaul in Writings, and as much Candour and Ingenuity.

I made him a Present at our Parting. That Compliment I paid to our Friendship, as well as to the Honour I ow'd him for the Verses he compos'd on me.

He was one of the old Stamp, ready at praising or rewarding those who had written Panegyricks on particular Men, or Cities — a Faculty, that with some others of equal Worth and Honour, is quite our of Fashion in our Days.

For since we have left off doing Actions worthy of Praise, we wisely conclude Praise to be highly impertinent.

You may, perhaps, ask what were the Verses that I thank'd him for? I would refer you to the Book it self, only I happen to remember some of them. If you like these, they will engage you to look out the rest.

He addresses himself to the Muse to make a Visit to my House in the Esquiliæ, and orders her to do it with a great deal of Deference and good Manners.

Was I in the right in parting in the most indearing manner with a Man who wrote this of me, and whom I now bewail as dearly?

He gave me all in his Power, and would have given me more, had he more to give. Tho' between Friends, what greater Gift can be bestowed than Praise, Honour and Eternity. But it may be objected his Writings will not be eternal, perhaps not, but he wrote them as if they were to be so. Adieu.