Martial, : the twelve books of Epigrams,.

BOOK NINE

* I
ON DOMITIAN'S TEMPLE
WHILE Janus gives his name to winter's tide;
While from Domitian autumn gains new pride,
As summer from Augustus; while the day
Of the Germanic Kalends marks our sway
O'er conquered Rhine; while Jove's rock-temple stands,
And matrons come with prayer and suppliant hands
Worship to pay to Julia divine;
So long shall last the mighty Flavian shrine,
With sun and stars coeval and with Rome,
Work of unconquered hand, the heaven its home.
II
TO LUPUS
ON us you've not a farthing to expend,
But oh, how generous to your lady friend!
On dainty cakes and pastries she is fed,
Your guest has only black and musty bread;
For her iced wine is poured of vintage rare,
For him a muddy acid ordinaire;
You sell a farm her favours to command
For one short hour; your friend tills alien land.
She flaunts in priceless Orient pearls-and yet
Your client haled away is sold for debt;
Eight Syrian slaves the minx's litter bear,
Your needy friend a pauper's bier will share:
Rhea, you choose the scum of all the nation,
Is he not worthy of-initiation?
* III
TO DOMlITIA4N
WERE YOU, great Sire, from heaven to reclaim
All you have given, a creditor in name,
Though great Olympus were put up for sale
And the gods auctioned, naught would it availAtlas would bankrupt go, nor Tonans get
A shilling in the pound to pay his debt.
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