Martial, : the twelve books of Epigrams,.

BOOK NINE
*VII
TO AFER
Now you're home from your travels in lands far away,
For a week I've been wanting to bid you good-day.
'He's engaged,' 'he's asleep '; that has been my reply:
That's enough; if you won't have-' good-day,' here's'good-bye.'
* VIII
ON DOMITIAN'S LAW PROTECTING CHILDREN
As though, O shame, it did not him suffice
To prostitute our youths to venal vice,
The pander seized our cradles for his prey
And forced young babes to earn him shameful pay,
Till Rome's great father wrathful at the sight
Saved the poor children from their monstrous plight;
E'en as to youths he lately gave his aid
Lest they by cruel lust be sterile made.
Boys, youths, and elders loved thee, Sire, before:
Now infants too thy majesty adore.
* IX
TO BITHYNICUS
NOT a penny from Fabius, though every year,
Fifty pounds' worth of presents you gave!
Never mind: we are all in the same boat, I fear,
And in future that money you'll save.
* X
TO CANTHARUS
YOU'RE very glad with friends to dine,
Yet there you bawl, backbite, and blether.
Such ways, good sir, you'd best resign:
Free speech and greed go ill together.
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