1You were not present at a marvellous affair; 1nor was I, but the story reached me fresh. 1Passennus Paulus, a distinguished Roman knight and an exceptionally learned man, writes elegies. 1It runs in his family: for he is a fellow townsman of Propertius and even counts Propertius among his ancestors. 2When he was giving a reading, he began thus: 'Priscus, you bid me…'. 2At this Javolenus Priscus — for he was there as a close friend of Paulus — said: 'For my part, I bid you nothing.' 2Imagine people's laughter, their jokes. 3Priscus is in fact of doubtful sanity, yet he takes part in public duties, is called to councils, and even gives opinions on the civil law publicly: all the more was what he did then both ridiculous and remarkable.
4Meanwhile another man's madness cast a considerable chill over Paulus. 4So carefully must those who are going to give readings take thought, not only that they are sane themselves, but also that they invite the sane. 4Farewell.