Like my father
A warrior of Gaul
Then retired a farmer
I was not born a slave
I was taken prisoner
In war
Thereafter I won my freedom
I earned my wage
In the arena
Where my blood
Painted the floor
Of the Colosseum
Others paid even more
Than the spray of crimson
I paid
I lived still
To fight again
Another day
I knew the wage
I paid it
The games contribute also
To the Emperor's way
And should I survive
My family will live with me
Upon the riches of victory
