Venice masks

Saturday 18 November 2017

De Spectaculis.IV (A crowd dangerous to peace) - Marcus Valerius Martialis

A crowd dangerous to peace
and a foe to tranquil  rest,
that ever vexed unhappy riches,
has been paraded,
nor could the huge Arena hold the guilty;
and the informer has the exile he once bestowed.

The informer is an outcast
and an exile from the Ausonian City:
this may you reckon to our Prince's cost.

Marcus Valerius Martialis (c. 40 - 104) Ancient Rome (Italy), born in Hispania (Spain)
Translated by Walter C. A Ker
Source: Martial epigrams, Volume 1, Translated by Walter C. A Ker, Heinemann, 1919-1920

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