After two other little pieces, we come to a few lines to no less a personage than Marcus Tullius Cicero, who had probably in some cause gratuitously assisted the poet with his eloquence; for to sue _in forma poetae_, was, perhaps, pretty much the same as in _forma pauperis_. It seems that "omnium patronus" was a flattering title on other occasions, and by other persons bestowed upon Cicero, as well as by our poet here. One would almost think the orator had served the poet an ill turn, and that this superlative praise was but irony; for he not only calls Tullius the most eloquent of men, but as much the best of patrons, as he, Catullus, is the worst of poets. This surely must be a mock humility. Is it a satire in disguise, and meaning the reverse? After this, follows a little piece to his friend Cornellus Licinius Calvus, with whom he had passed a pleasant and too exciting day--but let him tell his own story. Shall I repeat? AD LICINIUM. My dear Licinius, yesterday We sported in our pleasant way; Tablets in hand--and at our leisure, In verse as various as the measure, Scribbling between our wine and laughter. But when we parted, mark the after Vexation;--conquered, and hard hit By your all-overpowering wit, I could not eat--nor yet would Sleep His softly-soothing fingers keep Upon my weary lids: all night} I toss'd, I turned from left to right} Impatient for the morning light,} That I might talk with you, and be Again in your society. But when my limbs, as 'twere half dead, Were lying on my restless bed, I made these lines--which, my good friend, That you may know my pains, I send. Now, though so free, so bold to dare, So apt to scoff--good sir, beware Lest with the eye of your disdain You view these lines, my vow, my pain. Beware of Nemesis, beware!-- For Vengeance, should I cry aloud-- She hears--and punishes the proud. GRATIAN.--Those last lines are very grave: are they not too much so for the intended play of this mock anger? Let us have your version, Master Curate. CURATE.--I am sure you think one version quite enough. I did not translate it; and believe we must now turn over many pages, and then I have little more to offer. GRATIAN.--(Turning over the leaves of Catullus.) Here I see is that beautiful passage in his "Carmen Nuptiale." "Ut flos in septis secretus nascitur hortis." AQUILIUS.--Which did not escape the tasteful, though bold Ariosto. I have made a weak attempt to translate the passage; and as it stands in the middle of a long piece, I have taken it out as a sonnet. I will read it:-- UT FLOS IN SEPTIS, &C.