Social Commentaries

Book XII, Epigram 96: In Tuccam

by Martial c. 40–c. 104

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

Social Commentaries

I penn'd an Epod: Thou beganst to write?
Therefore I ceas'd, least thine with mine unite.
My Muse to Tragick fancies soard her strain,
Thou strov'st to fit the buskin to thy brain.
Thence then I touch'd the Harp with learned skill,
With new ambition thou pursu'dst mee stil.
I Satyrs dared: Thou more exact wouldst bee,
I playd light Elegee's, thou ecchod'st mee;
What could be less? I Epigrams did frame:
And here thou soughtst to rob me of my fame.
Say what thou wilt not: Blush all things to bee:
And what thou wilt not, Tucca leave to mee.

MLA

Martial. “Book XII, Epigram 96: In Tuccam.” Translated by R. Fletcher. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/297/.

Chicago

Martial. “Book XII, Epigram 96: In Tuccam.” Translated by R. Fletcher. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/297/.

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