Book IV, Epigram 82 (Ker)

These little books too commend, Rufus, to Venuleius, and ask him to put to my account a few idle hours, and, forgetting awhile his cares and tasks, to criticise my trifles with no ungracious ear. But let him not read these poems either after his first or his last cup, but when Bacchus in mid-revel loves his bouts of wine. If it is too much to read two, let one book be rolled up: divided the work will thus become brief.