Social Commentaries

Book IV, Epigram 10 (Ker)

by Martial c. 40–c. 104

Translated by Walter C. A. Ker (1919–20) · From Epigrams (Loeb, 1919–20)

Social Commentaries

While my book is new and with its edges not yet smoothed, while the page, not well dry, fears the touch, go, boy, and bear a trifling present to a dear friend who has deserved first to possess my trifles. Run, but equipped: let a Punic sponge attend the book; that sorts with the gifts I give. Many corrections, Faustinus, cannot emend my jokes: one wiping-out can!

This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.

MLA

Martial. “Book IV, Epigram 10 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/642/.

Chicago

Martial. “Book IV, Epigram 10 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/642/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Martial