Social Commentaries
Book XII, Epigram 62: De Ligurra
Translated by R. Fletcher (1656) · From Ex Otio Negotium (1656)
Ligurra thou dost fear that I
Verses, and quick sharp Poetry
Would spend upon thee, and desirest to bee
Thought worthy of that fear conceiv'd on mee,
But thou in vain dost tremble and desire,
On Bulls the Lybian Lyons their strength tyre,
But are not troublesom to Butter flies:
Seek then, if thou dost wish thy name should rise,
Some poor Pot-poet of the sooty Vault,
That with a course Coale, or some putrid Chaulk
Writes verses, which are read upon Closestooles,
Thy head shall nere be raised with my tools.
Cite this poem
MLA
Martial. “Book XII, Epigram 62: De Ligurra.” Translated by R. Fletcher. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/288/.
Chicago
Martial. “Book XII, Epigram 62: De Ligurra.” Translated by R. Fletcher. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/288/.
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