Social Commentaries
Book V, Epigram 61 (Ker)
Translated by Walter C. A. Ker (1919–20) · From Epigrams (Loeb, 1919–20)
Who is that curled spark who is always clinging to your wife's side, Marianus? Who is that curled spark, he who whispers some trifle into the lady's tender ear, and leans on her chair with his right elbow, round each of whose fingers runs a light ring, who carries legs unmarred by any hair? Do you make no reply? "That individual does my wife's jobs," you say. To be sure! he is a trusty and rugged fellow who flaunts factor in his very face: Chian Aufidius will not be sharper than he. Oh, Marianus, how you deserve the buffets of Latinus! You will be successor I fancy to Panniculus. He does your wife's jobs, does he? Thnt curled spark do any? That fellow doesn't do your wife's jobs: he does yours.
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Martial. “Book V, Epigram 61 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/780/.
Chicago
Martial. “Book V, Epigram 61 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/780/.
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