Martial, : the twelve books of Epigrams,.

MARTIAL'S EPIGRAMS

Ouam quae de pthisico lapsa cst armilla cinaedo,
Culcita Leuconico quam uiduata suo,
Quam ueteres bracae Brittonis pauperis, et quam
Turpe Rauennatis guttur onocrotali.
Hanc in piscina dicor futuisse marina.
Nescio; piscinam me futuisse puto.
XXII
MOLLIA quod niuei duro teris ore Galaesi
Basia, quod nudo cum Ganymede iaces,
(Quis negat?) hoc nimiumst. Sed sit satis; inguina saltem
Parce fututrici sollicitare manu.
Leuibus in pueris plus haec quam mentula peccat
Et faciunt digiti praecipitantque uirum:
Inde tragus celeresque pili mirandaque matri
Barba, nec in clara balnea luce placent.
Diuisit natura marem: pars una puellis,
Una uiris genita est. Utere parte tua.
* XXIII
THE UNWILLING BENEDICT
UPON any conditions Dame Sila wants me,
But upon no conditions her husband I'll be.
When she pressed me I said-' I require from my wife
Ten thousand as dowry, no less on mv life.
Moreover we'll sleep in a separate room
And not e'en the first night to 3your bed shall I come.
You will not interfere when my girl I embrace,
And will send your own maid, if I ask, in your place.
At dinner on different sides we'll recline,
And the fringe of your shawl must not hang down on mine.
One kiss in a month, and don't ask for another;
And then not as wife but as elderly mother.
So if to these conditions you now will agreeYou may get some one else for your husband, not me.'
XXIV
TO AN EXACTING PATRON
WHILST I escort or see you home and hear
Your endless babble with a servile ear,
Praise everything you do, and laud your taste,
How many epigrams have gone to waste!
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