Social Commentaries
Book IV, Epigram 73 (Ker)
Translated by Walter C. A. Ker (1919–20) · From Epigrams (Loeb, 1919–20)
When Vestinus in illness was drawing out his latest hours, and now was bound beyond the Stygian waters, he prayed the Sisters as they unwound the last strands to stay awhile the drawing of those black threads. While, dead now to himself, he lived for his dear friends, a prayer so kindly moved the stern goddesses. Then, parcelling his ample wealth, he parted from the sun, and death thereafter he deemed a death in age.
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Martial. “Book IV, Epigram 73 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/703/.
Chicago
Martial. “Book IV, Epigram 73 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/703/.
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