Martial, : the twelve books of Epigrams,.

BOOK TWELVE

XX
THE ALTERNATIVE
You wonder how he lives unmarried? Cease
To marvel, for his Reverence has a niece.
XXI
TO MARCELLA
WHO could believe, Marcella, that your home
Was this rude land? Such beauty doth adorn
Your lovely soul, the court of royal Rome,
Hearing your voice, would claim you Roman born;
No high-bred city dame should ever scorn
Or ever rival you, a form so rare
Surpasses all, though beauty gathers there
From every land. Ah Rome! I longed for thee;
Now I shall pine and grieve no more, for where
Marcella dwells, that spot is Rome to me.
* XXII
THE BEAUTY
ONE-EYED Nan is so ugly, I'm sure you will own
She would be better looking if both eyes were gone.
XXIII
TO A LADY WHO HAS JUST LOST HER EYE
FALSE hair and teeth you're not ashamed to buy;
What will you do, my dear, about your eye?
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