Book XII, Epigram 60 (Ker)

Thou day, nursling of Mars, whereon I first saw the rosy light and the mighty visage of the star-encircled god, if it shall shame thee to be worshipped in the country and at green altars, who wert worshij ped by me in the Latian city, grant thy pardon in that I refuse to be a slave on my kalends, but wish to live on the day I was born. To grow pale on one's birthday lest Sabellus lack warm water; and, that Alauda may drink his wine strained, anxiously to pass the turbid Caecuban through the bag; and to go to and fro among one's tables; to receive these and those guests, and all through the dinner to be getting up, treading on marble colder than ice — what reason is there why one should suffer and endure these things of one's own accord, which, if your lord and master bade you, you would refuse?