Social Commentaries
Book II, Epigram 32 (Ker)
Translated by Walter C. A. Ker (1919–20) · From Epigrams (Loeb, 1919–20)
I have a lawsuit with Balbus: you don't wish to offend Balbus, Ponticus; I have one with Licinus: he, too, is a great man. My next-door neighbour, Patrobas, often trespasses on my small field: you are afraid to oppose Caesar's freed-man. Laronia denies that I lent her my slave, and keeps him: you will answer me, "She is childless, rich, old, a widow." It is useless, believe me, to be the slave of a slave, though he is a friend: let him be free who shall wish to be my lord.
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Martial. “Book II, Epigram 32 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/486/.
Chicago
Martial. “Book II, Epigram 32 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/486/.
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