Elegia VII.[162]

Ad pacandam amicam, quam verberaverat.

Bind fast my hands, they have deservèd chains,

While rage is absent, take some friend the pains.

For rage against my wench moved my rash arm,

My mistress weeps whom my mad hand did harm.

I might have then my parents dear misused,

Or holy gods with cruel strokes abused.

Why, Ajax, master of the seven-fold shield,

Butchered the flocks he found in spacious field.