Social Commentaries
Book X, Epigram 33 (Ker)
Translated by Walter C. A. Ker (1919–20) · From Epigrams (Loeb, 1919–20)
Simpler than the Sabines of old, Munatius Gallus, who surpass the old Athenian in goodness, so may chaste Venus grant you, by your daughter's unsevered marriage tie, to keep your alliance with her fatlier-in-law's illustrious house, if you, when perchance malicious envy shall call mine verses steeped in poisonous gall, thrust that envy from me, as you do, and urge that no man writes such poems who is read. This measure my books learn to keep, to spare the person, to denounce the vice.
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Martial. “Book X, Epigram 33 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/1196/.
Chicago
Martial. “Book X, Epigram 33 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/1196/.
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