Coccina famosae donas et ianthina moechae: Vis dare quae meruit munera, mitte togam. You give scarlet and violet (garments) to the infamous adulteress: (Should) you wish to give the gifts that she deserved, send her a toga.
Notes:
coccina (scarlet/red) is derived from coccus, that is a ‘berry’ (Gk. κόκκος) that grows on the Scarlet Oak Tree (Quercus coccifera). Now days we know that this is not a berry, but a kind of insect called kermes.
ianthina (violet) is from the Greek ἴανθος meaning a violet flower.
moechae (moecha) is also from Greek μοιχός, meaning someone who is promiscuous.
Why a toga? It’s said that unlike a ‘proper’ Roman lady who would wear a stola and palla, sex workers preferred (or were forced) to wear a toga. Some scholars say this is a deliberate choice to set themselves apart and make themselves more visible to potential clients.
Questions, comments, corrections? Please let me know!