Martial, : the twelve books of Epigrams,.

MARTIAL'S EPIGRAMS
For love that price was high to pay
E'en with a bulging purse.
What's that? You're not in love you sayThat makes the matter worse.
LXIV
TO TAURUS
ONCE at the Bar a longing look you cast,
Anon 'twas rhetoric you thought inspiring,
Now you are Nestor's age, and nearly past
The time when others think about retiring.
Begin, if rhetoric attracts you greatly,
There's room for teachers-three have died just lately.
But should you think you lack the teacher's skill
Or spirit, or are doubtful of succeeding,
The courts have seethed with litigants, until
The Marsyas himself might turn to pleading.
Delay no more-we're growing tired of waitingOr you are like to die, still hesitating.
* LXV
A GRIEVOUS LOSS
'WHY does friend Johnson wear that gloomy look? '
' Good cause,' you say, 'this very morn I took
My wife's corpse to the grave.' ' Oh dear, oh dear,
Your rich old wife, no more we'll see her here.
And all her money now is yours to spend!
I am indeed distressed, my worthy friend.'
* LXVI
TO LA LA GE
BECAUSE one curl had come unbound
I hear you took your glass
And called your maid, and to the ground
Struck down the hapless lass.
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