Book X, Epigram 37 (Ker)

Most conscientious student of law and of just statutes, who with your truthful tongue rule the Latin forum, if you have any commission, Maternus, to the Spanish ocean for your townsman and old comrade — or do you think it better on Laurentum's shore to pull up ugly frogs and thin needle-fish, than to return to its own rocks the captive mullet which shall seem to you of less than three pounds? and to dine on a tasteless Sicilian lobster set at the top of the table, and on fish which with a smooth coating a small shell covers,' than on oysters that do not envy the shell-fish of Baiae, and which slaves devour, unforbid by their master? Here with shouts you will drive into your toils a stinking vixen, and the foul quarry will bite your hounds; there the net, scarce drawn just now from the deep that teems with fish, will, all dripping, enmesh my own hares. While I speak, see, your fisherman comes home with empty creel, your huntsman is at hand, exulting in a badger caught i all your dinner by the sea comes from the city market. If you have any commission to the Spanish ocean —