Social Commentaries
Book II, Epigram 4 (Ker)
Translated by Walter C. A. Ker (1919–20) · From Epigrams (Loeb, 1919–20)
Oh, how fondling you are, Ammianus, to your mother! How fondling is your mother to you, Ammianus! Brother is what she calls you, and she is called sister. Why do disreputable names attract you? Why are you not content to be what you are? Do you imagine this conduct is play and amusement? It isn't. A mother who desires that she should be a "sister," is not content to be a mother or a sister either.
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Martial. “Book II, Epigram 4 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/458/.
Chicago
Martial. “Book II, Epigram 4 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/458/.
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