Book V, 299

“Naught in excess” said the sage ; and I, believing myself to be comely and loveable, was puffed up by pride, and fancied that this, it would seem, crafty girl’s heart lay entirely in my hands. But she now holds herself very high and her brow looks down on me with scorn, as if she found fault with her previous lenity. Now I, formerly so fierce-looking, so brazen, so obdurate, I who flew so high have had a sudden fall. Everything is reversed, and throwing myself on my knees I cried to her: “Forgive me, my youth was at fault.”