Social Commentaries
Book VII, Epigram 10 (Ker)
Translated by Walter C. A. Ker (1919–20) · From Epigrams (Loeb, 1919–20)
Eros has one filthy vice, Linus has another: Olus, what is it to you what one or the other does with his own hide? Matho pays his whore a hundred thousand: Olus, what is it to you? You will not be poor on that account, but Matho. Sertorius dines till daylight: Olus, what is it to you, seeing you can snore all night? Lupus owes seven hundred thousand sesterces to Titus: Olus, what is it to you? don't give or lend Lupus a stiver. You ignore what is your own affair, Olus, what more concerns your careful thought. You owe for your sorry toga: this is your affair, Olus. Nobody now lends you a penny: this too. Your wife is a wanton; this is your affair, Olus. Your strapping daughter now demands a dowry: this too. Fifteen times over I could mention what is your affair: but your doings, Olus, are no affair of mine.
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Martial. “Book VII, Epigram 10 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/901/.
Chicago
Martial. “Book VII, Epigram 10 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/901/.
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