By
John Donne
Donne wrote this little squib in Latin between 1603 and 1611. It starts
with an introduction explaining how a courtier may pass as learned and cultured
without going to the bother of acquiring any learning or culture. The secret,
he says, is to have read books no-one else has; he then gives a list of
imaginary books whose titles, authors and subjects are a satirical comment on
various people and schools of thought then fashionable. It circulated in
handwritten copies and gave great entertainment to his friends and
acquaintances, but was not printed until 1650, twenty years after his death.
Our edition is a translation by E.M. Simpson with
detailed notes explaining the jokes and references.
