In Metri Genus (Epigr. V)
The Narrowness of Selective Taste
The author questions why the reader ignores the breadth of classical poetic forms in favor of a single style.
With so many meters in ancient poetry, why does only Sappho—and just one woman at that—please you? Why haven't the poets who wrote grand songs supported by the heroic foot appealed to you so easily? Why not the mourning elegies? Why not the sharp iambics?
The Pretense of Purity
The author critiques the hypocrisy of those who claim spiritual superiority while using artful language to manipulate others.
Those are more fitting for a troubled spirit. Clearly, this is typical of you people who walk a 'purer' path and believe the ways of the common folk are filthy; you dismiss the leaders and teachers sent to you, and you all deceive the female sex with your smooth, artful talk. Now, even the weak and gentle rhythms have pleased you, so that the verse might better soothe tender ears.
Read the original Latin
Cur, ubi tot ludat numeris antiqua poesis, Sola tibi Sappho feminaque una placet? Cur tibi tam facile non arrisere poetae Heroum grandi carmina fulta pede? Cur non lugentes elegi? non acer Iambus? Commotos animos rectius ista decent. Scilicet hoc vobis proprium, qui purius itis, Et populi spurcas creditis esse vias; Vos ducibus missis, missis doctoribus, omnes Femineum blanda fallitis arte genus: Nunc etiam teneras quo versus gratior aures Mulceat, imbelles complacuere modi.
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