Social Commentaries
Book IV, Epigram 4 (Ker)
Translated by Walter C. A. Ker (1919–20) · From Epigrams (Loeb, 1919–20)
The stench of the bed of a drained marsh; of the raw vapours of sulphur springs; the putrid reek of a sea-water fishpond; of a stale he-goat in the midst of his amours; of the military boot of a faggedout veteran; of a fleece twice dyed with purple; of the breath of fasting Sabbatarian Jews; of the sighs of depressed defendants; of filthy Leda's lamp as it expires; of ointment made of dregs of Sabine oil; of a wolf in flight; of a viper's lair — all these stenches would I prefer to your stench, Bassa!
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Martial. “Book IV, Epigram 4 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/636/.
Chicago
Martial. “Book IV, Epigram 4 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/636/.
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