Hunc video mihi nunc frustra sumptus esse laborem,

Gelli, nec nostras his valuisse preces.

Contra nos tela ista tua evitamus amictu:

At fixus nostris tu dabi' supplicium.

CXVI.

To Gellius the Critic.

Seeking often in mind with spirit eager of study

How I could send thee songs chaunted of Battiadés,

So thou be softened to us, nor any attempting thou venture

Shot of thy hostile shaft piercing me high as its head,—