Epigram On The Emperor's Probate

The poet's last, and dying, wish must fall
like autumn leaves in an imperial squall:
thus, the Aeneid, not complete at all,
is sent in rough draft to the copyists' stall.

Author's Notes/Comments: 

The Emperor Augustus set aside Vergil's final wish, to have the draft of The Aeneid burned (being incomplete and with some imperfections uncorrected), and ordered it published.  In that sense, he acted as a kind of probate court.

View j-c4113d's Full Portfolio