Social Commentaries
Book IV, Epigram 40 (Ker)
Translated by Walter C. A. Ker (1919–20) · From Epigrams (Loeb, 1919–20)
When the Pisos' hall stood with all its ancestry, and learned Seneca's house illustrious for its triple names, you alone, Postumus, I chose before patronage so great; poor were you, and a knight, but to me you were a consul. With you I summed, Postumus, twice ten winters; common to us both was one couch. Now you can make gifts, now squander, full as you are of honours, copious in wealth; I await, Postumus, to see what you will do. You do nothing, and 'tis too late for me to seek another patron. Does this, Fortune, please you? "Postumus is a fraud."
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Martial. “Book IV, Epigram 40 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/672/.
Chicago
Martial. “Book IV, Epigram 40 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/672/.
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