Social Commentaries
Book IV, Epigram 18 (Ker)
Translated by Walter C. A. Ker (1919–20) · From Epigrams (Loeb, 1919–20)
Where the gate drips near the Vipsanian Columns, and the slippery stone is wet with the constant shower, on a boy's throat, as he passed under that dewy roof, fell water weighted with winter frost; and when it had wrought the unhappy victim's cruel death, the frail dagger melted on the warm gash. What stretch of power has not ruthless Fortune willed for herself? Or where is not death, if ye, O Waters, are cut-throats?
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Martial. “Book IV, Epigram 18 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/650/.
Chicago
Martial. “Book IV, Epigram 18 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/650/.
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