The rose is at her prime a little while; which once past, thou wilt find when thou seekest no rose, but a thorn.
V THE BIRD OF TIME THYMOCLES
Thou remembered haply, thou rememberest when I said to thee that holy word, "Opportunity is the fairest, opportunity the lightest-footed of things; opportunity may not be overtaken by the swiftest bird in air." Now lo! all thy flowers are shed on the ground.
VI THE END OF DESIRE SECUNDUS
I who once was Laïs, an arrow in all men's hearts, no longer Laïs, am plainly to all the Nemesis of years. Ay, by the Cyprian (and what is the Cyprian now to me but an oath to swear by?) not Laïs herself knows Laïs now.
VII HOARDED BEAUTY STRATO
If beauty grows old, impart thou of it before it be gone; and if it abides, why fear to give away what thou dost keep?
VIII DUST AND ASHES ASCLEPIADES
Thou hoardest thy maidenhood; and to what profit? for when thou art gone to Hades thou wilt not find a lover, O girl. Among the living are the Cyprian's pleasures; but in Acheron, O maiden, we shall lie bones and dust.