Book XI, Epigram 3 (Ker)

'Tis not city idleness alone that delights in my Muse, nor do I give these epigrams to vacant ears, but my book, amid Getic frosts, beside martial standards, is thumbed by the hardy centurion, and Britain is said to hum my verses. What profit is it .'' My money-bag knows nothing of that. But what immortal pages could I frame, and of wars how mighty could I blow my Pierian trump, if the kindly deities, now they have restored Augustus to earth, were also, Rome, to give you a Maecenas!