Social Commentaries
Book XII, Epigram 6 (Ker)
Translated by Walter C. A. Ker (1919–20) · From Epigrams (Loeb, 1919–20)
Mildest of princes, Nerva has attained the Ausonian hall: we may enjoy now full draughts of Helicon. Steadfast Honour, cheerful Clemency, chastened Power now return; long lasting Terrors have turned to flight. This prayer thy peoples and nations make, duteous Rome — may thy Chief be ever such as he, and he abide long! Blessings on thy heart — the heart of few — and on thy manners, such as a Numa, such as a Cato in cheerful mood might possess! To be bounteous, to lend protection, to enlarge narrow incomes, and to bestow gifts which even the gracious gods have scarce given, is now permitted and is right; but thou, under a hard prince and in evil times/ didst have courage to be good.
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Martial. “Book XII, Epigram 6 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/1360/.
Chicago
Martial. “Book XII, Epigram 6 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/1360/.
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