Epistle XVI. To Valerius Paulinus.
by
the Same. [Mr. Henley.]
[_]
On Speaking before the Centumvirate.
REjoyce for my Sake, your own, and that of the Publick: Letter'd Studies have yet their Honour paid to them.
When it was last my Province to speak before the Centumviri, I had no Room to approach,
except at
the Tribunal, thro' the very Judges themselves; all the other Places were so crowded.
Besides, a certain well-dress'd Youth kept his Stand, cover'd only with his Gown,
after the rest of his Clothes were torn, as is usual in a Throng, during the Space of seven Hours.
For I spoke all that Time with great Labour, but greater Advantage. Let us therefore Study,
and not make the Sloth of others, a Pretence in Favour of our own. There are some that hear,
some that read; Let us employ our selves now on what is proper for an Auditor;
and anon, on what is fit for a Reader.
