Book I, Epigram 43 (Ker)

Twice thirty were we, Mancinus, your invited guests, and nothing was served us last night but a boar. There were no grapes such as are left to hang late upon the vine, nor honey-apples that vie with luscious combs; nor pears that hang tied with the pliant broom; nor pomegranates that copy the transient roses. Rural Sassina sent no cones of cheese; there came no olive from Picenian jars. A boar, and nothing else! and this too a tiny one, and such as could be slaughtered by an unarmed dwarf. And nothing after that was provided: all of us merely looked on. Even the Arena serves us up a boar in this style! May no boar be served up to you after such behaviour, but may you be served up to the same boar as Charidemus!