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Epigram LXVII. — On a Statue of Venus sculptured by Praxiteles
Translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White (1919–21) · From Book XIX. — Epigrams of Ausonius on Various Matters
The real Venus, when she saw the Cnidian Cypris, said: "Methinks, Praxiteles, thou hast seen me unclad." "I have not seen thee, 'twould be sin: but 'tis with steel I finish every work. Steel is at the disposal of Mars Gradivus. Therefore my steel chisel has fashioned a goddess such as the Cythera whom it knew to have pleased its lord."
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Ausonius, Decimus Magnus. “Epigram LXVII. — On a Statue of Venus sculptured by Praxiteles.” Translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/ausonius/269/.
Chicago
Ausonius, Decimus Magnus. “Epigram LXVII. — On a Statue of Venus sculptured by Praxiteles.” Translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/ausonius/269/.
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