then that of a graceful rallier that curbs the force of his pleasantry and weakens it on purpose.  For ridicule often decides matters of importance more effectually and in a better manner, than severity.  Those poets by whom the ancient comedy was written, stood upon this [foundation], and in this are they worthy of imitation:  whom neither the smooth-faced Hermogenes ever read, nor that baboon who is skilled in nothing but singing [the wanton compositions of] Calvus and Catullus.

But [Lucilius, say they,] did a great thing, when he intermixed Greek words with Latin.  O late-learned dunces!  What! do you think that arduous and admirable, which was done by Pitholeo the Rhodian?  But [still they cry] the style elegantly composed of both tongues is the more pleasant, as if Falernian wine is mixed with Chian.  When you make verses, I ask you this question; were you to undertake the difficult cause of the accused Petillius, would you (for instance), forgetful of your country and your father, while Pedius, Poplicola, and Corvinus sweat through their causes in Latin, choose to intermix words borrowed from abroad, like the double-tongued Canusinian.  And as for myself, who was born on this side the water, when I was about making Greek verses; Romulus appearing to me after midnight, when dreams are true, forbade me in words to this effect; “You could not be guilty of more madness by carrying timber into a wood, than by desiring to throng in among the great crowds of Grecian writers.”

While bombastical Alpinus murders Memnon, and while he deforms the muddy source of the Rhine, I amuse myself with these satires; which can neither be recited in the temple [of Apollo], as contesting for the prize when Tarpa presides as judge, nor can have a run over and over again represented in the theatres.  You, O Fundanius, of all men breathing are the most capable of prattling tales in a comic vein, how an artful courtesan and a Davus impose upon an old Chremes.  Pollio sings the actions of kings in iambic measure; the sublime Varias composes the manly epic, in a manner that no one can equal:  to Virgil the Muses, delighting in rural scenes, have granted the delicate and the elegant.  It was this kind [of satiric writing], the Aticinian Varro and some others having attempted it without success, in which I may have some slight merit, inferior to the inventor:  nor would I presume to pull off the [laurel] crown placed upon his brow with great applause.

But I said that he flowed muddily, frequently indeed bearing along more things which ought to be taken away than left.  Be it so; do you, who are a scholar, find no fault with any thing in mighty Homer, I pray?  Does the facetious Lucilius make no alterations in the tragedies of Accius?  Does not he ridicule many of Ennius’ verses, which are too light for the gravity [of the subject]?  When he speaks of himself by no means as superior to what he blames.  What should hinder me likewise, when I am reading