The latter is mentioned with respect by Quin tilian. The author of the fragment says, sero cognovit (nempe Persius) Senecam, sed non ut caperetur ejus ingenio. By this I can only understand, that Persius could never relish the pompous eloquence, and declamatory style of Seneca. It is impossible that he should not have admired the talents, and respected the virtues of that philosopher, who was also a Stoic. Persius was a person of the mildest manners, remarkable for the beauty of his form, and for the modesty of his appearance. His piety was exemplary, in discharging the relative duties of his situation. When he died he left a sum of money, together with his books, to Cornutus. The philosopher accepted the books, and delivered the money to the sisters of his pupil. It appears that Persius wrote seldom and slowly. His Satires were much valued by his cotemporaries. The poet Lucan particularly admired them. He is said to have died of a stomach complaint. He forms one of the few examples of a young man, during the course of a short life, having acquired immortality for his name by his virtues, his talents, and his learning. THE TRANSLATOR'S PROLOGUE. POET AND FRIEND. V. I-12. POET. NAY, spare your censures, nor condemn the lays: The town-the town may yet accord its praise.— P. As time speeds on, and years revolve, my friend, I grow too idle, or too old to mend. While yet a youth, my pure descriptive lays The learn'd could suffer, and the partial praise. Her brilliant tints Imagination threw O'er the wild scenes my artless pencil drew; Health lost her bloom, and faithless Pleasure fled; And Love desponding threw his torch away. 'Twas then, when sickness and when sorrow drew P. And yet for me the Muses still have charms, Their light yet guides me, and their fire yet warms. |