Book IX, Epigram 29: Epitaphium Latini

The stage his sweet renown, the fame
Of playes, Latinus known by name,
I here lye seiz'd in deaths cold night,
Thy great applause, thy delight.
I that could make strict Cato be
My joy'd spectator, and at mee
The Curii and Fabricii smile
And loose their gravity the while.
But yet my life nere bore away
Ought from the theatre or play,
I only there did act my part
Not out of nature, but by art.
Nor could I to great Caesar bee
Grateful without my vanitie.
Yet Deifi'd Domitian might
See that my inward parts were right.
But ye may call me at your will
A Parasite of Phoebus still,
While Rome may know me rais'd above
Into the family of Jove.