Martial, : the twelve books of Epigrams,.

BOOK ONE

VIII
TO DECIANUS
IN that you follow Cato's perfect way
And Thrasea's law, but choose to live your day,
Nor seek a naked blade your cares to end,
You live as I would have you live, my friend;
Fame cheaply won doth mere self-slaughter give,
I choose for praise the worth that dares to live.
IX
TO COTTA
You long to be a pretty spark and win a hero's fame,
But 'pretty spark' and 'petty fop' are mostly much the
same.
X
LOVE'S CHARMI
MARONILLA, Gemellus doth adore thee,
With instant prayers and vows doth oft implore thee,
And many a lover's gift he lays before thee;
Since neither beauty, grace, nor charm attend thee
What makes him seek thee so, and thus commend thee?
A churchyard cough that promises to end thee.
XI
TO SEXTILIANUS
As a knight they allow you ten shillings a day,
But your wine bill alone is just double your pay,
So the servants would have a hard service, I think,
If they served you hot water to mix with your drink,
For to bring you enough's an impossible featBut you save them the trouble by taking it neat.
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