Social Commentaries
Book IX, Epigram 28 (Ker)
Translated by Walter C. A. Ker (1919–20) · From Epigrams (Loeb, 1919–20)
The darling pride of the stage, the glory of the games, that Latinus am I, the favourite of your applause, who could have made a spectator of Cato, who could have dissolved in laughter the stern Curii and Fabricii. But nought from Rome's theatre did my life assume; and only through my art am I accounted of the stage; nor could I have been dear to my master had I not character: that God looks into the heart within. Call me, if ye will, the parasite of laurelled Phoebus, so Rome but know that I am the servant of her Jove.
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Martial. “Book IX, Epigram 28 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/1095/.
Chicago
Martial. “Book IX, Epigram 28 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/1095/.
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