Martial, : the twelve books of Epigrams,.

MARTIAL'S EPIGRAMS
How could he settle for the Capitol
Or for his shrine with oak-leaf garlands full?
Pallas I leave; she shares with you, we know:
But what must Juno for two temples owe?
And then the twins, Alcides and Apollo,
The Flavian chapel-and there's more to follow.
You must be patient, Sire, and wait your day:
Jove's coffers lack the wherewithal to pay.
* IV
THE PRICE OF SECRECY
A COUPLE of pound hasn't much of a sound, but for everyday
use it's enough;
If you want something more you will have to pay four and
for that you get really hot stuff.
Some people give ten, but the inference then is of blackmailers they are afraid,
And betwixt you and me, as I think you'll agree, what they
pay for is-' Not a a'ord said.'
* V
TWIO OF A TRADE
CLEVER Jenny wants to wed,
Wants to marry Joe.
Master Joseph shakes his head:
Joe is clever too.
* \'I
ON DOMITIAAN'S REI11'VAL OF THE
LEX SCAN'TIVI.4
THEE, 0 world-father who with conquering sword
The Rhine hast humbled, 0 most modest lord,
The cities thank for people: in thy time
To bring forth children is at last no crime.
No boy, polluted by a pander's art,
Mourns for his manhood now, no mother's heart
Is wrung by grief when to her child she shows
The pittance which the haughty pimp allows.
The shame our marriage-beds had lost, by thee
Even in brothels we begin to see.
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