The Roman Poets of the Republic, 2nd editionSellar, W. Y. (William Young)
History
The Roman Poets of the Republic, 2nd edition
Sellar, W. Y. (William Young)
Latin poetry -- History and criticism
it appears that some part of the journey was made on horseback, but
other lines[294] show that the latter part was made by water, and that
a severe storm was encountered on the voyage. In Book iv., imitated by
Horace (Sat. ii. 2), and by Persius in his third satire, was included
the discourse of Laelius against gluttony. In this book mention was
made of the sturgeon which gained notoriety for Gallonius[295]. Book v.
contained a letter to a friend of the poet, who had neglected to visit
him when ill. Book ix. was composed of a dissertation on questions of
grammar, orthography, and criticism. Book xi. treated of the wars in
Spain and Transalpine Gaul, and contained criticisms and anecdotes of
various public men. Book xvi. was named 'Collyra,' in honour of the
poet's mistress. In other books the castigation of particular vices
formed a prominent topic, and some of the latest (probably the earliest
in the order of composition), were largely filled with personal
explanations and with criticisms of the older poets. But the desultory,
discursive, self-communing character seems to have been common to all
of them; and it would be contrary to our evidence to speak of any
single book as composed on a definite plan, or as treating of a special
topic.
The fragments however, when read collectively, bring out the main
sources of interest which the Romans found in the writings of Lucilius;
first, the interest of a self-portraiture and close personal relation
established with the reader[296]: second, the interest of a censorious
criticism on politics, morals, and literature[297].
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