Social Commentaries
Book II, Epigram 46 (Ker)
Translated by Walter C. A. Ker (1919–20) · From Epigrams (Loeb, 1919–20)
Like the flowers of Hybla painted in varied hues, what time Sicilian bees ravage the brief-lived spring, so shine your presses with mantles laid between, so gleams your chest with countless dinner suits, and a whole tribe might be clothed in the white togas which Apulia's land has brought you out of more flocks than one. You regard without concern your shivering, thin-clad friend — what an outrage! — and your escort, threadbare and cold. What sacrifice were it, wretched man, to cheat of a couple of rags — why be afraid? — not yourself, Naevolus, but the moths?
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Martial. “Book II, Epigram 46 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/497/.
Chicago
Martial. “Book II, Epigram 46 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/497/.
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