Social Commentaries
Book II, Epigram 68 (Ker)
Translated by Walter C. A. Ker (1919–20) · From Epigrams (Loeb, 1919–20)
Because I greet you now by your own name whom formerly I used to call "patron" and "master," do not proclaim me insolent: I have bought my cap of liberty at the cost of all my goods and chattels. "Patrons" and "masters" a man should possess who is not possessor of himself, and who eagerly covets what patrons and masters eagerly covet. If you can endure not having a slave, Olus, you can also endure, Olus, not having a patron.
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Martial. “Book II, Epigram 68 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/516/.
Chicago
Martial. “Book II, Epigram 68 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/516/.
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