Martial, : the twelve books of Epigrams,.

MARTIAL'S EPIGRAMS
* XI
TO DOMIITIAN'S CUPBEARER EARINOS
(' SPRINGBOY ')
A NAME that's born with the primrose,
Wherefrom the year its best part knows,
Which draws from Attic flowers their scent
And phoenix perfumes subtly blent,
Sweeter than nectar's juice divine,
Which, Atys, thou wouldst wish were thine,
And he who holds for Jove his cup;
A name which in our court brings up
Venus and Cupid to the call,
Soft, delicate, and famed withal;
This in deft verse I fain would tell,
But, stubborn syllable, you rebel.
' Eiarinos ' the poets write;
But they are Greeks who may indite
Whate'er they please and in their song
Have Ares short and Ares long.
\We cannot such glib license use,
For Romans court a sterner Muse.
* XII
TO THE SAIME
IF I got my name from autumn, I Oporinos should be:
Winter stars would give another, then Chimerinos you'ld see:
Therinos the months of summer would for me as title bring:
Tell me now what you should call me when I take my name
from Spring?
* XIII
TO THE S4IAME
THOU hast a name which tells of vernal hours
When Attic bees lay waste the short-lived flowers;
Which Venus with her pen would joy to write
Or broider with soft silk and needle bright;
Which should be made with pearls from India's land
Or amber balls warmed by a virgin's hand;
Which cranes with flying wing to heaven bear,
And finds its rightful place with Caesar here.
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