Why, then, crucify self now with a furthering pain?Why not steady thy thoughts and draw thee back from such purpose,Ceasing wretched to be maugrè the will of the Gods?Difficult 'tis indeed long Love to depose of a sudden,Difficult 'tis, yet do e'en as thou deem to be best.This be thy safe-guard sole; this conquest needs to be conquered;This thou must do, thus act, whether thou cannot or can.If an ye have (0 Gods!) aught ruth, or if you for any Bring at the moment of death latest assistance to man,Look upon me (poor me!) and, should I be cleanly of living,Out of my life deign pluck this my so pestilent plague,Which as a lethargy o'er mine inmost vitals a-creeping,Hath from my bosom expelled all of what joyance it joyed,Now will I crave no more she love me e'en as I love her,Nor (impossible chance!) ever she prove herself chaste:Would I were only healed and shed this fulsome disorder.Oh Gods, grant me this boon unto my piety due!
TO RUFUS, THE TRAITOR FRIEND.Rufus, trusted as friend by me, so fruitlessly, vainly, (Vainly? nay to my bane and at a ruinous price!)Hast thou cajoled me thus, and enfiring innermost vitals,