Social Commentaries
Book VIII, Epigram 81 (Ker)
Translated by Walter C. A. Ker (1919–20) · From Epigrams (Loeb, 1919–20)
Not by the mystic rites of Dindymene, nor by the bull/ the spouse of Nile's heifer, in a word by no gods and goddesses does Gellia swear, but by her pearls. These she hugs, these she kisses passionately, these she calls her brothers, these she calls her sisters, these she loves more ardently than her two sons. If by any chance the unhappy woman should lose them, she says she would not live even an hour. Ah, how usefully now, Papirianus, would the hand of Annaeus Serenus be employed!
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Martial. “Book VIII, Epigram 81 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/1066/.
Chicago
Martial. “Book VIII, Epigram 81 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/1066/.
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