Cato grammaticus, Latina Siren,
Qui solus legit ac facit poetas.
Cato, the Latin Siren, grammar taught and verse,
To form the poet skilled, and poetry rehearse.
Besides his Treatise on Grammar, he composed some poems, (515) of which, his Lydia and Diana are most admired. Ticida mentions his “Lydia.”
Lydia, doctorum maxima cura liber.
“Lydia,” a work to men of learning dear.
Cinna 873 thus notices the “Diana.”
Secula permaneat nostri Diana Catonis.
Immortal be our Cato’s song of Dian.
He lived to extreme old age, but in the lowest state of penury, and almost in actual want; having retired to a small cottage when he gave up his Tusculan villa to his creditors; as Bibaculus tells us: