Epigram

Epigram once denoted, as its etymology epi (upon) and gramma (writing) shows, an inscription, and then it came to mean a poetical inscription upon a temple, and then came to denote a short poem, sometimes satirical, but always of a witty nature, and often ending in a surprise. Such are the epigrams of Martial and Catullus. It has been said that an epigram should be like a bee: - "The body should always be little and sweet, And a sting should be left in its tail." A well-known example of epigram, adapted from Martial, is that running: - "I do not like thee, Dr. Fell, The reason why I cannot tell; But this alone I know- full well, I do not like thee, Dr. Fell."