Liber VIII.LXXI (To Postumianus) - Marcus Valerius Martialis

Four pounds of silver plate in winter's season 

you sent me, Postumianus, ten years ago. 

While I hoped for a greater weight 

for gifts should stand fixed or grow 

there arrived two pounds more or less. 

The third and the fourth year 

brought much inferior presents:

in the fifth was one pound, 

Septicius' work to boot. 

I came down to an eight-ounce oblong dish 

in the sixth year; 

the next was given me a bare half-pound 

in the shape of a small cup. 

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Marcus Valerius Martialis (c. 40 - 104) Ancient Rome (Italy), born in Hispania (Spain)

Translated by Walter C. A Ker

Source: Martial epigrams Volume 2, Translated by Walter C. A Ker, Heinemann, 1919-1920