Marcus Valerius Martialis
1st-2nd c. AD (over 1,900 years ago)
Trans. RMBullard
Latin (Silver Age)
XI
Praeceps sanguinea dum se rotat ursus harena,
[While the bear rounds about head-first in the bloody sand of the area,]
inplicitam uisco perdidit ille fugam.
[our hero lost his ability to flee, now tangled up in twine.]
Splendida iam tecto cessent uenabula ferro,
[And now let splendid hunts yield to covered iron,]
nec uolet excussa lancea torta manu;
[and I hope a twirl spear does not fly after its launch;]
deprendat uacuo uenator in aere praedam, 5
[I hope the hunter takes his prey down in the empty air,]
si captare feras aucupis arte placet.
[if it brings pleasure to catch wild beasts in the fashion of a bird catcher.]
