Martial, : the twelve books of Epigrams,.

MARTIAL'S EPIGRAMS

Yet what shall stay the march of death?
When he is come and calleth thee,
Sardinia's fever-laden breath
Shall taint the air of Tivoli.
* LXI
TO MANCINTUS
LAST week you came up with a smile of content,
And whispered-' Two thousand a friend just has sent.'
While three days ago, when we met at the club,
You said, as I happened your mantle to rub,
-' That's a gift from Pompulla; it cost eighty pound 'Then displayed a sardonyx with lines all around
And two rings beside, both with green jewels set,
-' These are gifts that from Bassa and Caelia I get.'
And again in the theatre last night you went out
While Pollio was playing, but found time to shout,
' A friend has bequeathed me three thousand by willAnd to-day there's been two other legacies still.'
What wrong have we done you, who treat you as friend?
Have pity and make of this boasting an end.
Or if you can't silence your tongue, as I fear,
At least tell us something that's pleasant to hear.
* LXII
A BEAUTY RECIPE
LYCORIS to Tibur has taken her flight;
For she fancies that everything there becomes white.
* LXIII
TO CA ERELLIA
ALAS, poor mother, as you made your way
Across from Bauli to fair Baiae's bay
A tempest whelmed you 'neath the frenzied sea,
Which lost that day its name for piety.
Fierce Nero bade these waves his mother drown;
They loathed such guilt, nor feared the tyrant's frown.
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