Chapter 150 of 189 · 126 words · ~1 min read

LXXXVI.

OF QUINTIA.

Quintia beautiful seems to the crowd; to me, fair, and tall, Straight; and merits as these readily thus I confess, But that she is beauteous all I deny, for nothing of lovesome, Never a grain of salt, shows in her person so large. Lesbia beautiful seems, and when all over she's fairest, 5 Any Venus-gift stole she from every one.

Quintia is lovely to many; to me she is fair, tall, and shapely. Each of these qualities I grant. But that all these make loveliness I deny: for nothing of beauty nor scintilla of sprightliness is in her body so massive. Lesbia is lovely, for whilst the whole of her is most beautiful, she has stolen for herself every love-charm from all her sex.