ADVERTISEMENT. T HIS Verfion of the Satires of Perfius, was attempted by the Tranflator, when he was but a young Student in the University, and no lefs inclined by his natural Difpofition, than required by the Rules of his Society, to apply himself to Claffical Learning. If his Amusements at any time, can be ferviceable to any, who are under the fame Obligation to pursue the fame Studies, and afford, moreover, fome Degree of Entertainment to the English Reader, the Ends propofed by the Publication of them will be fully answered. It may have been expected perhaps, that, through the Course of the prefent Tranflation, fome Notice fhould have been taken of the Errors committed in former Verfions. But this difagreeable Tafk, the Tranflator has rather chose to decline; imagining that, if he has been happy happy enough himself, to discover his Author's true Meaning, it would be but of fmall Importance to the Reader, to be told where others have mistaken it. Advertisement by the Bookfeller. T HE following Life of the Latin Author is taken from Mr. Bayle, in which the Gentleman, to whom the Public. is obliged for the Tranflation of Perfius, had no concern. TIBBYBA THE [ 1 THE LIF OF PERSIUS, From Mr. BAYLE. Ulus Perfius Flastus, (A) a fatyrical Poet, in the Reign of the Emperor Nero, was a Native of Foltera in Tuscany (B). He was a Roman Knight, related and allied to Perfons of the firit Rank. He ftudied at Volterra till he was twelve Years of Age, and afterwards continued his Studies at Rome, under the Grammarian Palmon, the Orator Verginius, and Cornutus a Stoic Philofopher, who entertained so great an Affection for him, that there was ever after the moft intimate Friendship between them. Perfius has immortalized in his Works that Friend A 2 AA He Friendship, and his Gratitude for the good Offices of this Friend, Sat. & paffim. He expreffed himself still more ftrongly on that Subject by a Will, in which he bequeathed him his Library and a large Sum of Money, viz. Five and twenty thousand Crowns according to fome. But Cornutus accepted only the Books, and left the Money to his Heirs, that is, to Perfius's Sifters. advised Perfius's Mother to fupprefs fome Pieces of Poetry, which her Son had composed when he was very young. He judged, without doubt, that they would not anfwer the great Reputation of thofe already published, and which were received by the Public with fuch univerfal Applause, that all the Copies were:immediately disposed of. This is a fine Example to be proposed to those who publifh fo many trifling Pofthumous Works, in hopes that the Glory of the deceafed Author will ferve them as a Safeguard. Among other Works of Perfius, they fuppreffed fome Verfes he had wrote on Arria, that illuftrious Roman Lady, who killed herself to give an Example to her beloved Hufband. Moreri falfely imagined that it was a Satire against Arria (C): but it |