THE EPIGRAM AND ITS GREATEST MASTER, 



MARTIAL^ 



By Fred B. R. Hellems 



When discussing this topic some years ago in one of our larger univer- 

 sities I found a rather puzzled uncertainty among my students about the 

 range of the word " epigram." As they looked in half- derisive pity upon 

 the significantly receding bay in my once less scanty hair, they agreed 

 unhesitatingly to accept as an epigram Walter Savage Landor's playful 

 plaint against a trick of Time : 



The burden of an ancient rhyme 

 Is "By the forelock seize on Time!" 

 Time in some corner heard it said; 

 Pricking his ears away he fled; 

 And seeing me upon the road 

 A hearty curse on me bestowed. 

 "What if I do tjie same by thee ? 

 Hpw would'st thou like it ?" thundered he, 

 And without answer, thereupon, 

 Seizing my forelock, it was gone. 



They welcomed likewise Porson's caustic comment written when the 

 flow of learning among the divinity men of the Enghsh universities was as 

 low as the flood of good old port was high : 



Here lies a Doctor of Divinity, 

 He was fellow too of Trinity. 

 He knew as much about Divinity 

 As other fellows do of Trinity. 



There was some little doubt, however, when I proposed William Wat- 

 son's glorious protest against the myopic and arrogant vision that sees no 

 ultimate riddle of the universe. 



Think not thy wisdom can illume away 

 The ancient tanglement of night and day. 

 Enough to acknowledge both and both revere; 

 They see not clearliest who see all things clear. 



» (Reprinted from Poet Lore, Vol. XVI, No. 4, pp. 67-77, by permission of the publisher.) 



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