Letter 3018: Item ad eundem de opusculis suis

XVIII Likewise, to the same man, concerning his little works. A daunting task I undertook when you sent the epigrams in your pages, and the words rolled forth in their high-buskined wisdom. As I ran through the foaming songs in their swelling verse, I believed I was setting my sails upon a billowing strait: the level page belched up stormy waves and, as from a spring, poured back the waters of the Ocean. Scarcely does venerable Rome, in the forum of Trajan, hear such pompous poems in so polished a refinement. What if you had recited such an ornament in the ear of the senate? They would have strewn golden threads beneath your feet; through places, through peoples, through all the crossroads you would see your little verses running, with the common folk applauding. Yet, all the same, in your discourse I noted certain things: that in the old song new thefts speak out; among which, in a few of them, an added syllable has broken the line, and the music, lamed in its own foot, groans haltingly. Now, venerable father, with prayer, with vow, with voice I greet you, commending my spirit to you with a suppliant heart. May your life be long, you by whose modulating Muse we are compelled to render words in answer to the jests we have wished for.

XVIII Item ad eundem de opusculis suis Ardua suscepi missis epigrammata chartis atque cothurnato verba rotata sofo. percurrens tumido spumantia carmina versu credidi in undoso me dare vela freto: plana procellosos ructavit pagina fluctus et velut Oceanas fonte refudit aquas. vix modo tam nitido pomposa poemata cultu audit Traiano Roma verenda foro. quid si tale decus recitasses in aure senatus? stravissent plantis aurea fila tuis; per loca, per populos, per compita cuncta videres currere versiculos plebe favente tuos. sed tamen in vestro quaedam sermone notavi carmine de veteri furta novella loqui; ex quibus in paucis superaddita syllaba fregit et pede laesa suo musica cloda gemit. nunc, venerande pater, prece voto voce saluto, commendans animum supplice corde meum. sit tua vita diu, cuius modulante Camena cogimur optatis reddere verba iocis.