Martial or Marcus Valerius Martialis, The Epigrams of Martial translated into English Prose (London: George Bell and Sons, 1904), bk. IV., Ep. XXIX., To Pudens, p. 190:
The number of my books, dear Pudens, forms an objection to them; the ever-recurring toil fatigues and satiates the reader. Rarity gives a charm: thus early fruits are moat esteemed; thus winter roses obtain a higher price; thus coyness sets off an extravagant mistress; and a door ever open attracts no young suitor. Persius is oftener noticed on account of one book, than the empty Marsus for the whole of his Amazonid. For yourself, when you are reading any one of my little books, imagine it to be the only one; it will then be of more value in your eyes.
The number of my books does them much wrong,
The reader's tired and glutted with their throng;
Scarce things take most, first fruits please those are nice,
Roses in winter bear the highest price:
Persius' one book's more celebrated far
Than Marsus' bulky Amazonian War.
Reading a book of mine, feign there's no more;
Thus of my wit thou 'lt make the greater store. (trans. Anon. 1696.)
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