Social Commentaries
Book VI, Epigram 2 (Ker)
Translated by Walter C. A. Ker (1919–20) · From Epigrams (Loeb, 1919–20)
'Twas pastime once to betray wedlock with its hallowed torch, and pastime to mutilate unoffending males. Both thou forbiddest, Caesar, and thou succourest generations yet to come, in that thou biddest births to be without dishonour. No man shall now be eunuch or adulterer while thou art governor; but aforetime (shame on our morals!) even a eunuch was adulterer.
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Martial. “Book VI, Epigram 2 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/805/.
Chicago
Martial. “Book VI, Epigram 2 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/805/.
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