Martial, : the twelve books of Epigrams,.

BOOK EIGHT
XXII
NATURAL HISTORY
You said it was wild boar you gave me, Sir;
'Twas but a farm-yard hog-you greatly err
Who think I can be cheated by a name;
Only a mongrel mixes wild with tame.
XXIII
THE COOK
BECAUSE I beat my cook who spoilt the dinner
You say ' Oh cruel wretch, oh greedy sinner,
Such penalties for greater faults are fit.'
What greater crime, I ask, can cooks commit?
XXIV
TO DOMITIAN
IF aught we ask, my modest book and I,
Grant it-we speak in no presumptuous tone,
Or suffer us to ask though thou deny;
Incense and prayer offend not Jove on high,
Men fashion images in gold or stone,
Not gods; 'tis worship gives them sanctity.
* XXV
INDIFFERENCE

ONLY once when I was ill
You on me compassion took
To look in; so now I will
Often give you an ill look.
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