Martial, : the twelve books of Epigrams,.

MARTIAL'S EPIGRAMS

* XLIX
A STATUE OF PRIAPUS
I WAS not from a frail elm hewn,
And this stark column plainly shown
Is of no ordinary timber,
But carved from out a cypress limber
Which dreads not age's slow decay
Nor centuries as they pass away.
Beware then, rascals: if thou wound
The smallest vine in this my ground,
My cypress rod will graft on thee
Figs that as tumours we shall see.
* L
THE ROAD TO WEALTH
LAST year Telesinus possessed one poor gown,
But his comrades as good decent fellows were known.
To-day he consorts with a villainous crew
And his lands, plate, and table are matched by but few.
Honest friends are no use: if you want to be rich,
You must not be afraid, my dear boy, to touch pitch.
LI
A REVENGE
I KNOW the way to get revenge on you
For seldom asking me; next time you do
You'll know my wrath. Yes, you may beg and send
And urge me as you will, but then, my friend' What, what? ' you gasp with terror nearly dumb,
' What shall I do indeed! ' well-I shall conic.
* LII
THE BOY BARBER
HERE lies Pantagathus in boyhood dead,
His master's grief and sorrow, from whose head
With scissors swift he would the loose hair clip
And pass his razor over cheek and lip.
Though thou lie light, kind Earth, upon him, still
Thou wilt not match the lightness of his skill.
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