Or Aemilius' mouth choose I to smell or his . . . .Nothing is this more clean, uncleaner nothing that other,Yet I ajudge . . . . cleaner and nicer to be;For while this one lacks teeth, that one has cubit-long tushes,Set in their battered gums favouring a muddy old box,Not to say aught of gape like wide-cleft gap of a she-muleWhenas in summer-heat wont peradventure to stale.Yet has he many a motte and holds himself to be handsome—Why wi' the baker's ass is he not bound to the mill?Him if a damsel kiss we fain must think she be readyWith her fair lips . . . .
TO VICTIUS THE STINKARD.Rightly of thee may be said, an of any, (thou stinkingest Victius!)Whatso wont we to say touching the praters and prigs.Thou wi' that tongue o' thine own, if granted occasion availestBrogues of the cowherds to kiss, also their . . . .Wouldst thou undo us all with a thorough undoing (0 Victius!)Open thy gape :—thereby all shall be wholly undone.
TO JUVENTIUS.E'en as thou played'st, from thee snatched I (0 honied Juventius!)Kisslet of savour so sweet sweetest Ambrosia unknows.Yet was the theft nowise scot-free, for more than an hour IClearly remember me fixt hanging from crest of the Cross,Whatwhile I purged my sin unto thee nor with any weepingTittle of cruel despite such as be thine could I 'bate.For that no sooner done thou washed thy liplets with manyDrops which thy fingers did wipe, using their every joint,Lest of our mouths conjoined remain there aught by the contactLike unto slaver foul shed by the butterèd bun. Further, wretchedmost me betrayed to unfriendliest Love-godNever thou ceased'st to pain hurting with every harm,So that my taste be turned and kisses ambrosial erstwhileEven than hellebore-juice bitterest bitterer grow.Seeing such pangs as these prepared for unfortunate lover,After this never again kiss will I venture to snatch.