Social Commentaries
Book XI, Epigram 23: In Paediconem masturbantem
Translated by R. Fletcher (1656) · From Ex Otio Negotium (1656)
Cause thou dost kisse thy Boyes soft lips with thy
Rough chin, and with strip'd Ganimede dost lye,
Who does deny thee this? tis well. At least
Frig not thy self with thy lascivious fist,
This in light toyes more than the Prick offends,
Their fingers hasten and the man up sends,
Hence Goatish rancknesse, suddain hairs, a beard
Springs forth to wondring Mothers much admired.
Nor doe they please by day when in the Bath
They wash their skins. Nature divided hath
The males: Half to the Girles born to be shown,
The other half to men: Use then thy own.
Cite this poem
MLA
Martial. “Book XI, Epigram 23: In Paediconem masturbantem.” Translated by R. Fletcher. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/243/.
Chicago
Martial. “Book XI, Epigram 23: In Paediconem masturbantem.” Translated by R. Fletcher. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/243/.
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