Martial, : the twelve books of Epigrams,.

MARTIAL'S EPIGRAMS

LXXXIII
A.t' ELNDLESS TA SK
His face is so vast that his barber aghast
Perceived, ere his shaving was done,
A new crop had appeared; there were whiskers and beard
On the side where his task had begun.
LXXXIV
TO SECUNDUS WITH HIS BOOK
MIy portrait painted by a cunning hand
Shall follow you, my little book, but go
To subject Ister and the Getic land,
For there Secundus rules the conquered foe.
Well shall he love your petty worth, and know
You show him Martial as no picture may;
No Time nor Chance shall mar your brightness, though
Apelles' work has mouldered in decay.
LXXXV
TO SA BELL US
YOUR few quatrains are not amiss,
Your couplets too are neat; for this
You earn a mild regard,
But little fame, for many men
C(an write good verses now and thenTo make a book is hard.
LXXXVI
THE REASON AND EXCUSE
You always asked me to attend
Your birthday feasts when not your friend;
Then why this change-so sudden too?
For years you tried and proved me true,
Yet now at last you leave me outI know the cause beyond a doubt;
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