Marcus Valerius Martialis
1st-2nd c. AD (over 1,900 years ago)
Trans. RMBullard
Latin (Silver Age)
1
Hic est quem legis ille, quem requiris,
[Here he is, the one whom you--yeah, you--read, and the one whom you seek,]
toto notus in orbe Martialis
argutis epigrammaton libellis:
[you will be known all over the world as an 'epigram' in the clever little works of Martial:]
cui, lector studiose,
[this is yours, zealous reader,]
quod dedisti
uiuenti decus atque sentienti, 5
[the very honor you gave to a man who lives and experiences,]
rari post cineres habent poetae.
[few poets will attain after they've turned to ashes.]
