O friend unseen, unborn, unknown, Student of our sweet English tongue, I never indulge in poetics - Unless I am down with rheumatics.
Quintus EnniusOne man restored our fortunes by delay. [By skilfully avoiding an engagement, Fabius exhausted the resources of the enemy.]
Quintus EnniusHere is he laid to whom for daring deed, nor friend nor foe could render worthy meed.
Quintus EnniusLet no one weep for me, or celebrate my funeral with mourning; for I still live, as I pass to and fro through the mouths of men.
Quintus EnniusEnnius was the father of Roman poetry, because he first introduced into Latin the Greek manner and in particular the hexameter metre.
Quintus EnniusHow can life be worth living, if devoid Of the calm trust reposed by friend in friend? What sweeter joy than in the kindred soul, Whose converse differs not from self-communion?
Quintus EnniusTo later Romans Ennius was the personification of the spirit of early Rome; by them he was called "The Father of Roman Poetry." We must remember how truly Greek he was in his point of view. He set the example for later Latin poetry by writing the first epic of Rome in Greek hexameter verses instead of in the old Saturnian verse. He made popular the doctrines of Euhemerus, and he was in general a champion of free thought and rationalism.
Quintus Ennius