Any time after despair, grateful it comes to his soul.Thus 'tis grateful to us nor gold was ever so goodly,When thou restorest thyself (Lesbia!) to loving-most me,Self thou restorest unhoped, and after despair thou returnest.Oh the fair light of a Day noted with notabler white!Where lives a happier man than myself or—this being won me—Who shall e'er boast that his life brought him more coveted lot?
ON COMINIUS.If by the verdict o' folk thy hoary old age (0 Cominius!)Filthy with fulsomest lust ever be doomed to the death,Make I no manner of doubt but first thy tongue to the worthyEver a foe, cut out, ravening Vulture shall feed;Gulp shall the Crow's black gorge those eye-balls dug from their sockets,Guts of thee go to the dogs, all that remains to the wolves.
TO LESBIA ON HER VOW OF CONSTANCY.Gladsome to me, 0 my life, this love whose offer thou deignestBetween us twain lively and lusty to last soothfast.(Great Gods!) grant ye the boon that prove her promises loyal,Saying her say in truth spoken with spirit sincere;So be it lawful for us to protract through length of our life-tideMutual pact of our love, pledges of holy good will!
TO AUFILENA.Aufiléna! for aye good lasses are lauded as loyal:Price of themselves they accept when they intend to perform.