Martial, : the twelve books of Epigrams,.

BOOK TWO

* LXXIV
TO MA TERNUS
BEHIND and before him the clients pace slow
Attending Saufeius wherever he go;
Such crowds as great Regulus brings from the court
When his client's acquitted and cuts his hair short.
Don't envy him, friend, for his train of dependants:
He borrows the money to pay their attendance.
* LXXV
IN THE CIRCUS
A LION wont to cower beneath the whip,
Within whose jaws the trainer oft would slip
His hand unharmed, forgot its gentle ways
And showed the fury of its Libyan days.
Two boys belonging to the youthful band,
Who with their rakes smooth out the bloody sand,
The savage beast with fangs accursed slewA greater crime the circus never knew.
Well might we cry-' Thou cruel thief, forbear.
Learn from our Roman wolf young lives to spare.'
* LXXVI
THE BITER BIT
YOUR share of Marius' estate
Is just four pounds of battered plate.
You thought you'd cornered him: i' feg,
The boot is on the other leg.
LXXVJ I
TO COSCONIUS
TRY greasing wheels; your taste reveals
You might be fit for that;
Nay, truth to tell, 'twould suit you well
Because your wits are fat.
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