LXXXXII.

ON LESBIA.

Lesbia naggeth at me evermore and ne'er is she silent Touching myself: May I die but that by Lesbia I'm loved. What be the proof? I rail and retort like her and revile her Carefully, yet may I die but that I love her with love.

Lesbia forever speaks ill of me nor is ever silent anent me: may I perish if Lesbia do not love me! By what sign? because I am just the same: I malign her without cease, yet may I die if I do not love her in sober truth.

LXXXXIII.

Nil nimium studeo Caesar tibi belle placere, Nec scire utrum sis albus an ater homo.

LXXXXIII.

ON JULIUS CÆSAR.

Study I not o'ermuch to please thee (Cæsar!) and court thee, Nor do I care e'en to know an thou be white or be black.

I am not over anxious, Caesar, to please thee greatly, nor to know whether thou art white or black man.

LXXXXIIII.

Mentula moechatur. moechatur mentula: certe. Hoc est, quod dicunt, ipsa olera olla legit.

LXXXXIIII.

AGAINST MENTULA (MAMURRA).

Mentula wooeth much: much wooeth he, be assured. That is, e'en as they say, the Pot gathers leeks for the pot.

Mentula whores. By the mentule he is be-whored: certes. This is as though they say the oil pot itself gathers the olives.