Marcus Valerius Martial

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.

A beau is one who arranges his curled locks gracefully, who ever
smells of balm, and cinnamon; who hums read more

A beau is one who arranges his curled locks gracefully, who ever
smells of balm, and cinnamon; who hums the songs of the Nile, and
Cadiz; who throws his sleek arms into various attitudes; who
idles away the whole day among the chair of the ladies, and is
ever whispering into some one's ear; who reads little billets-
doux from this quarter and that, and writes them in return; who
avoids ruffling his dress by contact with his neighbour's sleeve,
who knows with whom everybody is in love; who flutters from feast
to feast, who can recount exactly the pedigree of Hirpinus. What
do you tell me? is this a beau, Cotilus? Then a beau, Cotilus,
is a very trifling thing.

I have granted you much that you asked: and yet you never cease
to ask of me. He who read more

I have granted you much that you asked: and yet you never cease
to ask of me. He who refuses nothing, Atticilla, will soon have
nothing to refuse.

Rarity gives a charm; so early fruits and winter roses are the most prized; and coyness sets off an extravagant read more

Rarity gives a charm; so early fruits and winter roses are the most prized; and coyness sets off an extravagant mistress, while the door always open tempts no suitor.

See, how the liver is swollen larger than a fat goose! In
amazement you will exclaim: Where could this read more

See, how the liver is swollen larger than a fat goose! In
amazement you will exclaim: Where could this possibly grow?