One of the places I stopped this morning was one of the last independent bookstores in the world--a good little shop where the sales help can read. I bought nothing today but will probably go back tomorrow to buy Gary Wills new translation of "Martial's Epigrams."
Martial was a pretty wild guy and wrote some scathing and erotic little poems that remain of interest today. Here are two that I like:
A Tonsorial Question
You cut off your remaining hair to hide your baldness, Laurence;
how will you conceal your impotence?
On Impolitic Virtues
When a politician's praised for honour, decency and such,
it's a sure bet he never accomplished much.
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