Born be a Magus, got by Gellius out of his mother(Marriage nefand!) who shall Persian augury learn.Needs it a Magus begot of son upon mother who bare him,If that impious faith, Persian religion be fact,So may their issue adore busy gods with recognised versesMelting in altar-flame fatness contained by the caul.
TO GELLIUS.Not for due cause I hoped to find thee (Gellius!) faithfulIn this saddest our love, love that is lost and forlore,Or fro' my wotting thee well or ever believing thee constant,Or that thy mind could reject villany ever so vile,But that because was she to thyself nor mother nor sister,This same damsel whose Love me in its greatness devoured.Yet though I had been joined wi' thee by amplest of usance,Still could I never believe this was sufficient of cause.Thou diddest deem it suffice: so great is thy pleasure in everyCrime wherein may be found somewhat enormous of guilt.
ON LESBIA.Lesbia naggeth at me evermore and ne'er is she silentTouching myself: May I die but that by Lesbia I'm loved.What be the proof? I rail and retort like her and revile herCarefully, yet may I die but that I love her with love.