Epigram Book II, No XXXVI
Martial
Epigrams, Book II (c86, 46)
translation by John Luo

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You needn’t have it styled, but you might at least 
Comb your hair from time to time.

And I don’t expect your skin to glow, but you could just
Bath every now and then.

And please don't trim your beard like an ageing gay,
Or let it go wild like a man on the run,

For you know that I don’t like too much manliness, Pannychus, 
But nor do I like too little.

In short, your legs are hairy and your chest is covered 
With bristles, but your mind, Pannychus, is bald.


flectere te nolim, sed nec turbare capillos;
  

splendida sit nolo, sordida nolo cutis;

nec mitratorum nec sit tibi barba reorum:
  

nolo uirum nimium, Pannyche, nolo parum.


nunc sunt crura pilis et sunt tibi pectora saetis
  horrida, sed mens est, Pannyche, uulsa tibi.