Epodes 4 (Martin): Lupis Et Agnis

Such hate as nature meant to be
'Twixt lamb and wolf feel I for thee,
Whose hide by Spanish scourge is tann'd,
And legs still bear the fetter's brand!
Though of your gold you strut so vain,
Wealth cannot change the knave in grain.
How! See you not, when striding down
The Via Sacra in your gown
Good six ells wide, the passers there
Turn on you with indignant stare?
"This wretch," such jibes your ear invade,
"By the triumvir's scourges flay'd,
Till even the crier shirk'd his toil.
Some thousand acres ploughs of soil
Falernian, and with his nags
Wears out the Appian highway's flags;
Nay on the foremost seats, despite
Of Otho, sits and apes the knight.
What boots it to despatch a fleet
So large, so heavy, so complete
Against a gang of rascal knaves.
Thieves, corsairs, buccaniers, and slaves,
If villain of such vulgar breed
Is in the foremost rank to lead?"