Social Commentaries
Book VII, Epigram 92 (Ker)
Translated by Walter C. A. Ker (1919–20) · From Epigrams (Loeb, 1919–20)
"If there be any need, you know you do not require to ask me ": that is what you say, Baccara, twice and thrice in a single day. Truculent Secundus duns me in stringent tones: you hear him, and don't know, Baccara, what my need is. My rent is claimed in your presence loudly and publicly: you hear, and don't know, Baccara, what my need is. I complain that my cloak is thin and threadbare: you hear, and don't know, Baccara, what my need is. This is my need, that you should be struck dumb by a sudden stroke from heaven, that you may be unable to say, Baccara," If there be any need."
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Martial. “Book VII, Epigram 92 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/978/.
Chicago
Martial. “Book VII, Epigram 92 (Ker).” Translated by Walter C. A. Ker. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/martial/978/.
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