Simonides Redivivus, or the Art of Memory and Oblivion

He reviewed spoken things, upwards and downwards,
Thirty thousand and more. What of you?
    Do you think this work of genius
    Is above the grasp of mortals?
Not above, by Hercules. Look at SIMONIDES,
Who glories much in having known himself
    Through this art, not as one like others,
    Passing four times two periods of old age refers to Simonides' long life.
Let unique TULLIUS Cicero be like unto many,
That Suada goddess of persuasion of eloquence worthy of estimation,
    Who, relying on this art, surpassed any
    With a honey-flowing mouth.
Nature, as a guide, is indeed worth much,
To whom, by just right, its own praise
    Is always attributed: but MINERVA,
    Animated by the forms of MNEMOSYNE goddess of memory,
Exerts herself more happily and more surely,
And advancing on an obstructed path,
    As if led by the thread of Theseus,
    She reviews from any series whatsoever.
With this good of an outstanding intellect,
And by published books, conspicuous,
    Many are seen, whom genius will forbid
    To die through their own praise.
Such is RAVENNAS, such is MARAFIOTUS;
Such also are those whom SCHENCKELIUS
    Recently published, such is he himself:
    And those of the famous Temple of MNEMOSYNE.