Social Commentaries

Book IX, Epigram 103 (Ker)

by Martial c. 40–c. 104

Translated by Walter C. A. Ker (1919–20) · From Epigrams (Loeb, 1919–20)

Social Commentaries

What new Leda bore you attendants so like? What nude Spartan maid was ravished by another swan? Pollux gives his features to Hierus, Castor gives his to Asylus, and in either face their sister Tyndaris shines clear. Had such beauty existed at Spartan Amyclae ' when a lesser gift o'erweighed the goddesses twain, thou, Helen, wouldst have stayed at home, and Dardan Paris have returned to Phrygian Ida with twin Ganymedes!

This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.

MLA

Martial. “Book IX, Epigram 103 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/1165/.

Chicago

Martial. “Book IX, Epigram 103 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/1165/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Martial