Book I, Epigram 103 (Ker)

"If the high gods shall give me a million," you said, Scaevola, when not yet a knight complete, "oh, how I shall live! how bounteously and how richly!" Easy-going, the gods laughed and gave it you. After this your toga is much dirtier than before, your surtout shabbier, and your shoe has been thrice and four times patched. And out of ten olives the larger number is always put by, and one catering furnishes forth two dinners; and you drink thick dregs of red Veientan wine; your pea-soup costs you a penny, and a penny your amours. Let us go into court, you fraudulent trustee! Either learn to live, or, Scaevola, restore the gods that million!