Ravished the whole of our good own'd by wretchedest me?Ravished; (alas and alas!) of our life thou cruellest cruelVenom, (alas and alas!) plague of our friendship and pest.Yet must I now lament that lips so pure of the purest Damsel, thy slaver foul soiled with filthiest kiss.But ne'er hope to escape scot free; for thee shall all agesKnow, and what thing thou be, Fame, the old crone, shall declare.
OF GALLUS.Gallus hath brothers in pair, this owning most beautiful consort,While unto that is given also a beautiful son.Gallus is charming as man; for sweet loves ever conjoins he,So that the charming lad sleep wi' the charmer his lass.Gallus is foolish wight, nor self regards he as husband,When being uncle how nuncle to cuckold he show.
OF LESBIUS.Lesbius is beauty-man: why not? when Lesbia wills himBetter, Catullus, than thee backed by the whole of thy clan.Yet may that beauty-man sell all his clan with Catullus,An of three noted names greeting salute he can gain.
TO GELLIUS.How shall I (Gellius!) tell what way lips rosy as thine areCome to be bleached and blanched whiter than wintry snow,When as thou quittest the house a-morn, and at two after noon-tide