Epigram XXIII. — A Poor Lover

"Lo, Venus, thou hast persuaded me to love two girls, a luckless lover. Each hates me: give me another counsel now." "Overcome both with gifts." "Fain would I: but scant is my store at home." "Tempt them with promises." "A poor man has no credit." "Swear by the gods." "But 'twere a sin to deceive the gods." "Keep watch before their doors." "I fear to be caught at night." "Write sonnets." "I cannot, having no skill of the Muses and Apollo." "Break down their doors." "I fear the legal penalties." "Fool, thou dost let thyself be killed by love: wouldst thou not die for love?" "I would rather be called poor fellow than poor prisoner." "I have advised thee all I can: now take others' counsel." "Tell me whose?" "Phaedra and Elissa will give the advice they gave themselves, Canace, too, and Phyllis, and she whom Phaon scorned." "Do you give this counsel? Such is given to the unhappy!"