Social Commentaries
Book VI, Epigram 73 (Ker)
Translated by Walter C. A. Ker (1919–20) · From Epigrams (Loeb, 1919–20)
No rude husbandman shaped me with clumsy sickle; you see the steward's noble work; for Hilarus, the most wealthy tiller of Caere's fields, possesses these hills and smiling slopes. Mark with how distinct a likeness, and as though not in wood, I appear, and carry a weapon not doomed to the fire; rather how an appendage, immortal, wrought of imperishable cypress, and worthy of the handiwork of Phidias, stands rigid. Ye neighbours, I charge you, pay honour to holy Priapus and spare these twice seven acres!
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Martial. “Book VI, Epigram 73 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/870/.
Chicago
Martial. “Book VI, Epigram 73 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/870/.
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