Social Commentaries
Book XII, Epigram 31 (Ker)
Translated by Walter C. A. Ker (1919–20) · From Epigrams (Loeb, 1919–20)
This grove, these founts, this matted shade of arching vine, this conduit of refreshing water, and the meadows, and the beds of rose that will not yield to twice-bearing Paestum,! and the pot-herb in January green, nor seared by frost; and the tame eel that swims in its shut tank, and the white dovecote that harbours birds as white — these are my lady's gifts: to me returned after seven lustres has Marcella given this house and tiny realm. If Nausicaa were to yield me her sire's gardens, I could say to Alcinous "I prefer my own."
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Martial. “Book XII, Epigram 31 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/1385/.
Chicago
Martial. “Book XII, Epigram 31 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/1385/.
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