Martial, : the twelve books of Epigrams,.

BOOK FIVE

Fear not this little client to protect;
Who comes in cedar and in purple dressed
In seemly wise, with ebon bosses decked,
Shall never make an insolent request.
Hold back the purple book and make no sign
That thou hast aught to proffer or submit.'
But if I know your lord, ye heavenly nine,
He needs no prompting, but shall ask for it.
VII
THE NEW ROME
THE Phoenix from the flaming pyre
Renewed to life appears,
Sprung from the ashes of a sire
Who lived a thousand years.
Reflecting Caesar's grace to-day,
To youth and life reborn,
Our Rome renewed doth put away
Her aspect old and worn.
O God of fire, thy wrongs forget,
Thine ancient wrath eschew,
The folk of Mars are we, and yet
Sweet Venus' children too.
Spare us, our father, so may she
Forgive the Lemnian bond,
Content henceforth to dwell with thee
A loyal spouse and fond.
* VIII
AN UNPLEASANT SURPRISE
OUR master's edict and divine command,
Whereby the theatre-seats in order stand
And his due place is given to each knight,
Phasis was praising clad in purple bright.
With swelling pride he puffed and loudly said' Now to us knights our proper honour's paid.
At length to sit at ease we are allowed,
Not soiled nor elbowed by the greasy crowd.'
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