ABSTRACT
The proper name removed from Antiquary might well have seemed redundant to anyone transcribing the epigram for either general or particular application as much as thirty years after its composition. Schools across Europe continually exercised their pupils in Latin verse composition using Martial as a model, and the habit thus ingrained lasted through university and into later life. The German Jesuit Matthew Rader published his expurgated edition of Martial for use in schools in 1602. He prefaced his second edition in 1611 with warm endorsements of his policy by eminent fellow-Jesuits. Although Milgate is probably right in dismissing the necessity of a personal reference John Donne may refer to a contemporary who resembled or aspired to resemble a classical writer such as the Hellenistic Philo Judaeus of Alexandria. The titles of Mercurius and Martial are also necessary and probably original, and but all the others, and the translations, are later, scribal additions, helpful for identifying the epigrams, but not essential.
