Martial, : the twelve books of Epigrams,.

MARTIAL'S EPIGRAMS

* XXXI
ON A PICTURE OF A VOTIVE OFFERING
VELIUS, what time he hastened to the wars,
For our great Caesar vowed a goose to Mars.
The moon had scarce eight times in circle met
When lo, the god claimed payment of the debt.
The bird rejoicing to the altar came
And fell a humble victim in the flame.
See those eight coins that hang from out its beak:
'Twould say-' For this I hid them '-could it speak.
When victims thus with silver truth reveal,
They show us, Sire, there is no need for steel.
* XXXII
SIMPLICITY
GIVE me the girl who's always willing,
Who can suffice for lovers three,
\Vhose price complete is just one shilling,
Who gives my man what she gives me.
Let Frenchmen in their arms enfold
Fine ladies with their silks and all,
They care for nothing else but gold,
Give me the girl who wears a shawl.
* XXXIII
THE IfWONDER
IN the baths what is now the most pleasing diversion
Is to go and see Maro displaying his person.
XXXIV
ON DOMlITIAN'S TEMPLE
THI. King of Gods beheld our Flavian shrine
And mocked his own on Ida for a cheat;
Deep were the cups he quaffed of nectar sweet,
Ere for Rome's patron, Mars, he poured the wine,
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