Marcus Valerius Martial ( 10 of 68 )
A fisherman's walk: three steps and overboard.
A fisherman's walk: three steps and overboard.
The swan murmurs sweet strains with a flattering tongue, itself
the singer of its own dirge.
The swan murmurs sweet strains with a flattering tongue, itself
the singer of its own dirge.
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.
Lycoris has buried all the female friends she had, Fabianus:
would she were the friend of my wife!
Lycoris has buried all the female friends she had, Fabianus:
would she were the friend of my wife!
When to secure your bald pate from the weather,
You lately wore a cape of black neats' leather;
read more
When to secure your bald pate from the weather,
You lately wore a cape of black neats' leather;
He was a very wag, who to you said,
"Why do you wear your slippers on your head?"
The book which you are reading aloud is mine, Fidentinus; but,
while you read it so badly, it begins read more
The book which you are reading aloud is mine, Fidentinus; but,
while you read it so badly, it begins to be yours.
You praise, in three hundred verses, Sabellus, the baths of
Ponticus, who gives such excellent dinners. You wish to read more
You praise, in three hundred verses, Sabellus, the baths of
Ponticus, who gives such excellent dinners. You wish to dine,
Sabellus, not to bathe.
Can the fish love the fisherman?
[Lat., Piscatorem piscis amare potest?]
Can the fish love the fisherman?
[Lat., Piscatorem piscis amare potest?]
My books need no one to accuse or judge you: the page which is
yours stands up against you read more
My books need no one to accuse or judge you: the page which is
yours stands up against you and says, "You are a thief."
Why, simpleton, do you mix your verses with mine? What have you
to do, foolish man, with writings that read more
Why, simpleton, do you mix your verses with mine? What have you
to do, foolish man, with writings that convict you of theft? Why
do you attempt to associate foxes with lions, and make owls pass
for eagles? Though you had one of Ladas's legs, you would not be
able, blockhead, to run with the other leg of wood.
