Social Commentaries
Book V, Epigram 48 (Ker)
Translated by Walter C. A. Ker (1919–20) · From Epigrams (Loeb, 1919–20)
What does not love compel? Encolpos has shorn his locks against his master's will, yet not forbidden. Pudens allowed it and wept: in such wise did his sire yield the reins, sighing at Phaethon's boldness; so fair was ravished Hylas, so fair discovered Achilles, when amid his mother's tears with joy he laid aside his locks. Yet haste not thou, O beard — trust not those shortened tresses — and spring slow in return for sacrifice so great!
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Martial. “Book V, Epigram 48 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/767/.
Chicago
Martial. “Book V, Epigram 48 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/767/.
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