Book X, Epigram 2 (Ker)

Too hurried before, the composition of my tenth book has made me now recall the work that had slipt from my hands. You will read some things you know, but polished lately by the file; the greater part will be new; reader, be kind to both, reader, who are my wealth; for when Rome had given you to me, she said: "We have nothing greater to give you. By him will you escape unthankful Lethe's sluggish stream, and will in your better part survive. Messalla's marble the wild-fig sunders, and boldly the mule-driver laughs at Crispus' steeds broken m two. But writings thefts do not injure, and time befriends them, and alone these monuments know not death."