Social Commentaries
Book XI, Epigram 71 (Ker)
Translated by Walter C. A. Ker (1919–20) · From Epigrams (Loeb, 1919–20)
Lydia told her aged husband that she was hysterical, and regrets that intercourse is necessary for her; yet with tears and groans she says her health is not worth the sacrifice, and declares she would rather choose to die. Her lord bids her live, and not desert the bloom of her years, and he permits to be done what he cannot do himself. Immediately men doctors come in, and lady doctors depart, and her feet are hoisted. Oh, what stringent treatment!
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Martial. “Book XI, Epigram 71 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/1324/.
Chicago
Martial. “Book XI, Epigram 71 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/1324/.
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