Social Commentaries
Book II, Epigram 16 (Ker)
Translated by Walter C. A. Ker (1919–20) · From Epigrams (Loeb, 1919–20)
Zoilus is ill: it is his bed-trappings cause this fever. Suppose him well; what will be the use of scarlet coverlets? What of a mattress from Nile, or of one dipped in strong-smelling purple of Sidon? What but illness displays such foolish wealth? What do you want with doctors? Dismiss all your physicians. Do you wish to become well? Take my bed-trappings!
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Martial. “Book II, Epigram 16 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/470/.
Chicago
Martial. “Book II, Epigram 16 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/470/.
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