Page 119 - Manual of Roman Everyday Writing Volume 2: Writing Equipment

118| MANUAL OF ROMAN EVERYDAY WRITING VOLUME 2: WRITING EQUIMENT | 119

Where the error in regard to this matter lies, in consequence of charcoal or crumbling chalk which folk read while they shit.
which such ancient annals and also the books of the magistrates, (Transl. D. R. Shackleton Bailey, Loeb)
written on linen and deposited in the temple of Moneta, which Martial 14.3:
Licinius Macer cites from time to time as his authority, only give Pugillares citrei. Secta nisi in tenues essemus ligna tabellas, / essemus
Aulus Cornelius Cossus as consul (with Titus Quinctius Poenus) Libyci nobile dentis onus.
seven years later, is a matter on which everybody is entitled to Tablets of citrus wood. If we had not been cut into thin tablets,
his opinion. we should be the noble burden of a Libyan tusk.
(Transl. B. O. Foster, Loeb)
(Transl. D. R. Shackleton Bailey, Loeb)
Martial 1.3.1–2: Martial 14.4:
Argiletanas mavis habitare tabernas, / cum tibi, parve liber, scrinia Quinciplices. Caede iuvencorum domini calet area felix, / quinciplici
nostra vacent? cera cum datur altus honos.
Would you rather live in the shops of Argiletum, when my boxes Five-leaved tablets. The happy forecourt of the master is warm
have room for you, small book? with the slaughter of steers when exalted honor is granted by a
(Transl. D. R. Shackleton Bailey, Loeb)
five-leaved wax tablet.
Martial 4.10.5–8: (Transl. D. R. Shackleton Bailey, Loeb)
Curre, sed instructus: comitetur Punica librum / spongea: muneribus Martial 14.5:
convenit illa meis. / non possunt nostros multae, Faustine, liturae / Pugillares eborei. Languida ne tristes obscurent lumina cerae, / nigra
emendare iocos: una litura potest. tibi niveum littera pingat ebur.
Run, but go equipped. Let a Punic sponge accompany the book, Ivory tablets. Lest somber wax dim your failing eyes, let black
it suits my gift. Many erasures cannot mend my jests, Faustinus, letters paint snow-white ivory for your use.
but one erasure can. (Transl. D. R. Shackleton Bailey, Loeb)
(Transl. D. R. Shackleton Bailey, Loeb)
Martial 14.6:
Martial 8.72.1–2: Tunc triplices nostros non vilia dona putabis, / cum se venturam scribet
Nondum murice cultus asperoque / morsu pumicis aridi politus / amica tibi.
Arcanum properas sequi, libelle. Three-leaved tablets. You will think our three-leaved tablets no
Not yet decked in purple and polished by the bite of dry pumice, paltry gift when your mistress writes to you that she is coming.
you hasten, my little book, to follow Arcanus. (Transl. D. R. Shackleton Bailey, Loeb)
(Transl. D. R. Shackleton Bailey, Loeb)
Martial 14.7:
Martial 12.61.7–10: Pugillares membranei. Esse putas ceras, licet haec membrana vocetur: /
Quaeras, censeo, si legi laboras / nigri fornicis ebrium poetam, / qui delebis, quotiens scripta novare velas.
carbone rudi putrique creta / scribit carmina quae legunt cacantes. Parchment tablets. Suppose it wax, though it be called
I advise you, if you are anxious to be read of, to look for some parchment. You will erase whenever you want to write afresh.
boozy poet of the dark archway who writes verses with rough
(Transl. D. R. Shackleton Bailey, Loeb)