Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, AD OLUM, by MARCUS VALERIUS MARTIALIS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AD OLUM, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Call me not rebel though in what I sing
Last Line: Set free thy slave; thou settest free thyself.
Alternate Author Name(s): Martial
Subject(s): Revolutions; Slavery; Tyranny & Tyrants; Serfs


CALL me not rebel, though in what I sing
If I no longer hail thee Lord and King
I have redeemed myself with all I had,
And now possess my fortunes poor but glad.
With all I had I have redeemed myself,
And escaped at once from slavery and pelf.
The unruly wishes must a ruler take,
Our high desires do our low fortunes make:
Those only who desire palatial things
Do bear the fetters and the frowns of Kings;
Set free thy slave; thou settest free thyself.





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