Social Commentaries
Book VIII, Epigram 70 (Ker)
Translated by Walter C. A. Ker (1919–20) · From Epigrams (Loeb, 1919–20)
Great as is the restraint, so great is the eloquence of placid Nerva, but modesty restrains his power and genius. Though he might have drained sacred Permessis in full draughts, he chose to slake his thirst with diffidence, content to wreathe his poet's brow with a slender crown, and to leave his sail unspread to the breeze of his own fame. Yet that he is the TibuUus of our time each man knows who keeps in mind the lays of learned Nero.
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Martial. “Book VIII, Epigram 70 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/1055/.
Chicago
Martial. “Book VIII, Epigram 70 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/1055/.
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