Marcus Valerius Martialis
1st-2nd c. AD (over 1,900 years ago)
Trans. RMBullard
Latin (Imperial Age/Silver Age)
amissum non flet cum sola est Gellia patrem;
[When she's by herself, Gellia does not weep for her deceased father;]
si quis adest, iussae prosiliunt lacrimae.
[If anyone is present, the tears she summons up pour forth.]
non luget quisquis laudari, Gellia, quaerit;
[Gellia, a person who doesn't mourn really wants to be complemented.]
ille dolet vere qui sine teste dolet.
[He who grieves sincerely grieves without a witness.]
