Social Commentaries

Book XI, Epigram 23: In Paediconem masturbantem

by Martial c. 40–c. 104

Translated by R. Fletcher (1656) · From Ex Otio Negotium (1656)

Social Commentaries

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.

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/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Martial