EPIGRAMS - I.88 | ALCIMOS |
Martial (M. Valerius Martialis) | trans. David Lisle Crane |
Alcime, quem raptum domino crescentibus annis Lavicana levi cespite velat humus, Accipe non Pario nutantia pondera saxo, Quae cineri vanus dat ruitura labor, Sed faciles buxos et opacas palmitis umbras Quaeque virent lacrimis roscida prata meis. Accipe, care puer, nostri monimenta doloris: Hic tibi perpetuo tempore vivet honor. Cum mihi supremos Lachesis perneverit annos, Non aliter cineres mando iacere meos. |
the great have parian marble on their tombs to tumble down but the young grass covers you alcimos beside the road that leads from rome where the vine shoots give their shade in spring and easy box trees fringe the dewy meadows green with my tears these are my lasting signs of sorrow for the little slave boy born in my house such as i wish myself when my time comes |
Trans. Copyright © David Crane 2003