Laudabit nonnulla. Venit si Rhetor ineptus, Limata et tersa, et qui bene cocta petit,
Claude citus librum; nulla hic nisi ferrea verba, Offendent stomachum quae minus apta suum.
At si quis non eximius de plebe poeta, Annue; namque istic plurima ficta leget.
Nos sumus e numero, nullus mihi spirat Apollo, Grandiloquus Vates quilibet esse nequit.
Si Criticus Lector, tumidus Censorque molestus, Zoilus et Momus, si rabiosa cohors:
Ringe, freme, et noli tum pandere, turba malignis Si occurrat sannis invidiosa suis:
Fac fugias; si nulla tibi sit copia eundi, Contemnes, tacite scommata quaeque feres.
Frendeat, allatret, vacuas gannitibus auras Impleat, haud cures; his placuisse nefas.
Verum age si forsan divertat purior hospes, Cuique sales, ludi, displiceantque joci,
Objiciatque tibi sordes, lascivaque: dices, Lasciva est Domino et Musa jocosa tuo,
Nec lasciva tamen, si pensitet omne; sed esto; Sit lasciva licet pagina, vita proba est.
Barbarus, indoctusque rudis spectator in istam Si messem intrudat, fuste fugabis eum,
Fungum pelle procul (jubeo) nam quid mihi fungo? Conveniunt stomacho non minus ista suo.
Sed nec pelle tamen; laeto omnes accipe vultu, Quos, quas, vel quales, inde vel unde viros.
Gratus erit quicunque venit, gratissimus hospes Quisquis erit, facilis difficilisque mihi.
Nam si culparit, quaedam culpasse juvabit, Culpando faciet me meliora sequi.
Sed si laudarit, neque laudibus efferar ullis, Sit satis hisce malis opposuisse bonum.
Haec sunt quae nostro placuit mandare libello, Et quae dimittens dicere jussit Herus.
Go forth my book into the open day; Happy, if made so by its garish eye.
O'er earth's wide surface take thy vagrant way, To imitate thy master's genius try.
The Graces three, the Muses nine salute, Should those who love them try to con thy lore.
The country, city seek, grand thrones to boot, With gentle courtesy humbly bow before.
Should nobles gallant, soldiers frank and brave Seek thy acquaintance, hail their first advance:
From twitch of care thy pleasant vein may save, May laughter cause or wisdom give perchance.
Some surly Cato, Senator austere, Haply may wish to peep into thy book:
Seem very nothing—tremble and revere: No forceful eagles, butterflies e'er look.