lament for a dead charioteer - martial

frangat Idumaeas tristis Victoria palmas

may sad victory break the judean palms

plange, Favor, saeva pectora nuda manu

Favour, strike your bare chest with your hand

mutet Honor cultus, et inquis munera flammis

let Honour change into mourning clothes, and

mitte coronatas, Gloria maesta, comas

throw your crowned hair into the fire, unhappy Glory, as an offering

heu facinus! prima fraudatis, Scorpe, iuventa

Such a crime! Scorpius, first cheated out of your youth,

occidis et nigros tam cito iungis equos

and so soon you harness the black horses of the underworld

curribus illa tuis semper properata brevisque

that turning post was always quick and short for your chariots

cur fuit et vitae tam prope meta tuae?

why was the turning post of your life also so close?

personification

ideas of favour, honour and glory expected to mourn the dead charioteer.

Scorpius was highly skilled and his death has religious reverence. Gods expected to favour him

emotive language

‘outrage’ ‘cheated’ → anger and disbelief at his death