Martial, : the twelve books of Epigrams,.

BOOK TWELVE
VII
THE KEY-NUMBER
IF in the total number of her hairs we have a key,
We are surely right in saying that Ligeia's age is three.
* VIII
TO TRAJAN
WHEN Rome, the goddess of all men and lands,
To whom no equal and no second stands,
Counted the years for Trajan that remain
Through many ages, and beheld again
One who was young and valiant and beside
A mighty captain, glorying she cried' Come, Parthian chiefs, ye Seric leaders come,
Ye Thracians and ye Britons troop to Rome,
Come, Sauromatians, and ye Getae too,
I have a Caesar now to show to you'.
* IX
TO TRAJAN
PALMA is ruler now of our dear Spain
And his mild sway gives peace across the main.
O kindly emperor, grateful should we be
Who sendest to us manners like to thee.
X
ON AFRICANUS
ALTHOUGH he is an millionaire,
He courts the rich who lack an heir;
Fortune gives much to many a one,
But just enough she grants to none.
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