LXXVII.

Rufus, a friend so vainly believ'd, so wrongly relied in, (Vainly? alas the reward fail'd not, a heavier ill;) Could'st thou thus steal on me, a lurking viper, an aching Fire to the bones, nor leave aught to delight any more? Nought to delight any more! ah cruel poison of equal 5 Lives! ah breasts that grew each to the other awhile! Yet far most this grieves me, to think thy slaver abhorred Foully my own love's lips soileth, a purity rare. Thou shalt surely atone thine injury: centuries harken, Know thee afar; grow old, fame, to declare him anew. 10

LXXXVIII.

Gellius, how if a man in lust with a mother, a sister Rioteth, one uncheck'd night, to iniquity bare? How if a man's dark passion an aunt's own chastity spare not? Canst thou tell what vast infamy lieth on him?

Infamy lieth on him, no farthest Tethys, or ancient 5 Ocean, of hundred streams father, abolisheth yet. Infamy none o'ersteps, nor ventures any beyond it. Not tho' a scorpion heat melt him, his own paramour.