Marcus Valerius Martial ( 10 of 68 )
Every bird that upwards swings
Bears the Cross upon its wings.
Every bird that upwards swings
Bears the Cross upon its wings.
Do you wonder for what reason, Theodorus, notwithstanding your
frequent requests and importunities, I have never presented you
read more
Do you wonder for what reason, Theodorus, notwithstanding your
frequent requests and importunities, I have never presented you
with my works? I have an excellent reason; it is lest you should
present me with yours.
Why do strong arms fatigue themselves with frivolous dumb-bells?
To dig a vineyard is a worthier exercise for men.
Why do strong arms fatigue themselves with frivolous dumb-bells?
To dig a vineyard is a worthier exercise for men.
Mithriades, by frequently drinking poison, rendered it impossible
for any poison to hurt him. You, Cinna, by always dining read more
Mithriades, by frequently drinking poison, rendered it impossible
for any poison to hurt him. You, Cinna, by always dining on next
to nothing, have taken due precaution against ever perishing from
hunger.
You put fine dishes on your table, Olus, but you always put them
on covered. This is ridiculous; in read more
You put fine dishes on your table, Olus, but you always put them
on covered. This is ridiculous; in the same way I could put fine
dished on my table.
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.
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.
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.
You ask for lively epigrams, and propose lifeless subjects. What
can I do, Caecilianus? You expect Hyblaen or Hymethian read more
You ask for lively epigrams, and propose lifeless subjects. What
can I do, Caecilianus? You expect Hyblaen or Hymethian honey to
be produced, and yet offer the Attic bee nothing but Corsican
thyme?
You crystal break, for fear of breaking it:
Careless and careful hands like faults commit.
You crystal break, for fear of breaking it:
Careless and careful hands like faults commit.
