Social Commentaries
Book VII, Epigram 86 (Ker)
Translated by Walter C. A. Ker (1919–20) · From Epigrams (Loeb, 1919–20)
I used to be invited to your birthday feast, although, Sextus, I was no intimate of yours. What has happened, I ask, what has suddenly happened, that, after so many pledges of friendship between us, after so many years, I, your old comrade, am passed over? But I know the reason. There came to you from me no pound of Spanish refined silver, nor smooth-napped toga, nor new mantles. Hospitality is not a matter of bargain; you are feeding favours, Sextus, not friends. You will now reply: "Let my summoner be flogged."
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Martial. “Book VII, Epigram 86 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/972/.
Chicago
Martial. “Book VII, Epigram 86 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/972/.
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