Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Inscripsit tumulis septem...

Here is today's distich by Martial, 9.15; be sure to compare Martial's wicked little poem about Phileros and his seven wives.

Inscripsit tumulis septem scelerata virorum
'Se fecisse' Chloe. Quid pote simplicius?


On her seven husbands' toms she doth impress
"This Chloe did" - what can she more confess?
- Wright

Here is the vocabulary:

inscribo - inscribe
tumulus - mound, tomb
septem - seven
sceleratus - criminal, wicked
vir - man, husband
se - reflexive pronoun
facio - do, make
Chloe - Chloe
quid - what
pote - possible; possibly
simplex - simple