Marcus Valerius Martial

The swifter hand doth the swift words outrun:
Before the tongue hath spoke the hand hath done.

The swifter hand doth the swift words outrun:
Before the tongue hath spoke the hand hath done.

Whoever makes great presents, expects great presents in return.
[Lat., Quisquis magna dedit, voluit sibi magna remitti.]

Whoever makes great presents, expects great presents in return.
[Lat., Quisquis magna dedit, voluit sibi magna remitti.]

You complain, Velox, that the epigrams which I write are long.
You yourself write nothing; your attempts are shorter.

You complain, Velox, that the epigrams which I write are long.
You yourself write nothing; your attempts are shorter.

Since your legs, Phoebus, resemble the horns of the moon, you
might bathe your feet in a cornucopia.

Since your legs, Phoebus, resemble the horns of the moon, you
might bathe your feet in a cornucopia.

I pleaded your cause, Sextus, having agreed to do so for two
thousand sesterces. How is it that you read more

I pleaded your cause, Sextus, having agreed to do so for two
thousand sesterces. How is it that you have sent me only a
thousand? "You said nothing," you tell me; "and this cause was
lost through you." You ought to give me so much the more,
Sextus, as I had to blush for you.