Social Commentaries
Book V, Epigram 42 (Ker)
Translated by Walter C. A. Ker (1919–20) · From Epigrams (Loeb, 1919–20)
A cunning thief will break your money-box and carry off your coin, cruel fire will lay low your ancestral home; your debtor will repudiate interest alike and principal, your sterile crop will not return you the seed you have sown; a false mistress will despoil your treasurer, the wave will overwhelm your ships stored with merchandise. Beyond Fortune's power is any gift made to your friends; only wealth bestowed will you possess always.
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Martial. “Book V, Epigram 42 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/761/.
Chicago
Martial. “Book V, Epigram 42 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/761/.
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