It will be of use, too, for you, early in the morning suddenly, to turn your hasty steps towards your mistress, when she has dressed for no one. By dress are we enchanted; by gems and gold all things are concealed; the fair one herself is but a very trifling part of herself. Often, amid objects so many, you may inquire what it is that you love. By this Ægis [1233] does Love, amid his riches, deceive the eye. Come unexpectedly; in safety to yourself you will find her unarmed; to her misfortune, through her own failings will she fall. Still, it is not safe to trust too much to this precept, for without the resources of art a graceful form captivates many. At the moment, too, when she shall be smearing her face with the cosmetics laid on it, you may come in the presence of your mistress, and don't let shame prevent you. You will find there boxes, and a thousand colours of objects; and you will see cesypum, the ointment of the fleece, [1234] trickling down and flowing upon her heated bosom. These drugs, Phineus, smell like thy tables; [1235] not once only has sickness been caused by this to my stomach.
Now will I disclose to you, what should be done in the moments of your transport; from every quarter must love be put to flight. Many of them, indeed, I am ashamed to mention; but do you conceive in your imagination even more than lies in my words. For, of late, certain persons have been blaming my treatises, in the opinion of whom my Muse is wanton. If I only please, and so long as I am celebrated all the world over, let this person or that attack my work just as he likes. Envy detracts from the genius of mighty Homer; whoever thou art, from him, Zoilus, [1236] dost thou derive thy fame.
Sacrilegious hands have also mangled thy poems, [1237] thou, under whose guidance Troy brought hither her conquered Divinities. Envy takes a lofty flight; on high the breezes sweep along; the lightnings hurled by the right hand of Jove take a lofty range.
But you, whoever you are, whom my freedom offends, require, if you are wise, each subject for its proper numbers. [1238] Bold warfare delights to be related in the Mæonian measure. What place can there be there for gentle dalliance? The Tragedians speak in lofty tones; anger befits the buskin of Tragedy; the sock of Comedy [1239] must be furnished from the manners of every-day life. The free Iambic measure may be launched against the hostile foe; whether it be rapid, or whether it drag on its foot [1240] at its close. Soft Elegy should sing of the Loves with their quivers, and the sprightly mistress ought to sport according to her own inclination. Achilles is not to be celebrated in the numbers of Callimachus; Cydippe [1241] belongs not, Homer, to thy song. Who could endure Thais performing the part of Andromache? [1242] If any one were to act Thais in the tones of Andromache, he would be making a mistake. Thais belongs to my purse; licence unrestrained belongs to me. Nought have I to do with the fillet of chastity; Thais belongs to my pursuit. If my Muse is befitting a sportive subject, I have conquered, and on a false charge she has been accused.
Burst thyself, gnawing Envy; now have I gained great fame;'twill be still greater, let it only proceed with the steps with which it has commenced. But you are making too great haste; let me only live, you shall have more to complain of; my intentions, too, embrace full many a poem. For it gives me delight, and my zeal increases with my eagerness for fame; at the beginning of the ascent only is my steed now panting. Elegy acknowledges that to me she is as much indebted as is the noble Epic [1243] to Virgil.
Thus far do I give an answer to Envy; tighten the reins with more vigour, and speed onward, Poet, in thy circle.
Ergo ubi concubitus, et opus juvenile petetur;
Et prope promissæ tempora noctis erunt;
Gaudia ne dominæ, pleno si pectore sûmes,
Te capiant: ineas quamlibet ante velim.