Social Commentaries
Book X, Epigram 14 (Ker)
Translated by Walter C. A. Ker (1919–20) · From Epigrams (Loeb, 1919–20)
You say that you yield to none of my friends in love. Yet to make this true, what, I ask, Crispus, do you do .'' When I was asking you for a loan of five thousand sesterces you refused it, although your heavy coffer could not hold your moneys. When did you give me a peck of beans, or of spelt, although a tenant by the Nile tills fields of yours .- When was a short toga sent me in chill winter's season? When did a half-pound of silver plate come to me? I see no other reason why I should believe you friend, than that you are wont, Crispus, to break wind in my presence.
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Martial. “Book X, Epigram 14 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/1177/.
Chicago
Martial. “Book X, Epigram 14 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/1177/.
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